Pikes can do better

Some music on Thursday night ...

Pikes.  Sigh. Look I get it.  Weather in Colorado is unpredictable, and the mountains don't care.  I understand that managing all the folks and logistics for an event like Pikes is an incredible operation on a good weather day.  Doing it on a day where there is rain, snow, etc magnifies that challenge by an order of magnitude.  It makes sense in some cases to say, "ok folks, we can't run to the summit and back today, because the risks associated with someone dying have increased with these conditions."  

I also think it is natural to be disappointed, even a little pissed, at that as an outcome.  Each of us can deal with how to reconcile that ("it is about the journey, not the destination" or seeing how much your fitness has progressed or maybe going and doing the mountain on your own some other time, etc).  

But I'll put this out there:  I think the race could do better than "just" a run up and down to Barr Camp.  I can't look at the result of the Pikes Peak "Marathon" and say it is "America's Greatest Challenge" when the race time on the Marathon day was over 20 minutes faster than the Ascent time.  

How about the Barr Camp ascent double?  I mean that sounds like an ass kicker to go up to Barr Camp and back TWICE.  But you'd get your marathon, you'd get 7000 feet of gain, and you'd have a story of how effin' damn hard that is (dare I say harder) compared to the "regular" PPM.  Nobody goes above treeline, easier to coordinate?

I know, I know ... it ain't that easy.  But it is better than the exaggerated BTMR that went down yesterday.  I don't expect everyone to agree with me on this and I am sure I am missing some obvious problem with the idea, but what people got dealt yesterday is a definitely a short stick.

52 miles last week.  Got some time up in the hills.

Got to see an old friend at Broomfield Days.

Monday 16SEP2024

AM - 8 miles, some with LF.  Started at 6.  It is never great to get up this early, but it is always excellent to have this as the way to kickoff the day.

Took some pix with the Starseer last night.  

I am not a Ingebrigtsen fan, but frankly, it is easy to be critical of him.  He talks a big game and thenfails to execute in the races that are perceived to count the most.  But I'll give him props for jumping in a half marathon 36 hours post a 3:30 1500.  He came through 10k in 27 and change before going to a walk.  He apparently walked several times and he still posted a 63.  Dayum.

Week ending 15SEP2024

1 week from Pikes.  Bummed I won't toe the line this year.  But I know I can't do it this year with my current physical condition.  

43 plus miles this week.  All sixes and a seven and change with GW on Sunday.  Some of the runs were stupid hot.  I didn't set myself up well on those.  I should have got out early in the cool of the day, but I enjoyed sleeping.  So, I paid the PM heat tax.

The week included a trip for work to Seattle.  I wandered around a bit downtown, and found the gum wall.  It is exactly what you think.

1668 on the year.  

Week ending 08SEP2024

First time I had a week over 50 since mid April, back when I was in AZ.  The week lined up for it with some nice jogging in Seattle for a couple days.

Knee is still yelling some of course.  I need to get around to seeing that seen too.  

1625 on the year.   

Double nickels

Turned 55 this week.  

Not a big deal for me really, but when I look at that number it grabs the attention some.  I feel it is one of those ages where if I were to suddenly drop dead for natural causes, people wouldn't be surprised - myself included.  But when you look at yourself in the mirror you don't think that could be you.  It's always someone else, until it ain't.  

I do think a consideration of your own mortality, at least a little bit, with some degree of frequency, is a good thing.  I think, when that thinking is managed in a healthy way, can get you to be a bit more focused on this moment.  And hopefully with that seeing you can realize what is important.  

Been running some.  Knee is still a POS, but manageable.  Runs are still 8 to 10 minute pace, but last week I did do some stuff on the local track for 200-400 meter repeats that were around six minute pace.  It didn't aggravate the knee anymore but lack of work at that pace was quickly realized.   Miles have been adding up to about 40 miles a week, even with a little bit of business travel in there.

No race aspirations.  I did 10 on Saturday and it was fine, but I knew that I wasn't ready to roll or to do a mountain marathon.  I do think I can get back to that though.  I am not sure if that is naive thinking or just habit (which might be the same).  

Looks like, since I am at nearly 1600 miles on the year currently, I should hit 2k this year.  I guess that is a goal of sorts now.  

New music crew is The Pinebox Sleepers.  And despite the name, we are not a bluegrass band.  We have played a few "on the short" gigs, and there is a bunch of possibility there.  I fell into a gig with a handful of musicians who are super talented and I am just trying to keep up.  

The running scene has been ridiculous, right?  I mean, a US guy runs 1:41 for the 800 and doesn't get a medal and it's considered a bit of a bummer by some because of the fact that men medaled in all the other track distance events?  You could pretty much take the last handful Olympic highlights for the US and put them into one rollup film in Paris.  And then, Matt Carpenter's record at Leadville falls to David Roache (I am impressed but not surprised at the respect that David pays to Matt in episode 220 fwiw).  Now "old schooler" Anton kills another FKT.