Defn: a human male displaying evidence of devolution - exhibits distinctive "caveman-like" tendencies. This man often dribbles in public places; cannot drink a beverage without spilling it on himself, the floor or someone else; may also run into objects like lampposts & bushes; has a definite "sloopish & short legged" running style that is slow and low to the ground, often resulting in the dragging of knuckles.

These throwback neanderthals, along with their questionable diet, should clearly be avoided.

Thursday, September 8, 2011

Greenland Trail 8 misty miles

Was able to get a run in late yesterday and did a loop of the Greenland Trail 8 mile course.  Started at 6 pm, 50 degree temp, calling it either low clouds or high mist and for a welcome change for that area: no wind = all in all great weather to run in.

Started out averaging 8:45 to 8:50 pace along the gradual uphill for the first 3 1/3 miles.  Between there and the 5 mile point is more noticeable uphills, but nothing like the Barr Trail or PP Highway.  Slowed a little during that stretch, but only to an average pace of 9:05. 

Despite being a little wet due to the moisture and sweat, I was feeling quite good and started the downward last 3 mile stretch with only a little discomfort in the knees.   Was kind of cool to look across to I-25 and see the car lights in the distance in the mist / fog / clouds sending out fingers of light.

The next 2 miles I gradually bought the average pace down to 8:50 and for the last mile I set the lap timer to see if I could push the pace for a solid mile.  Since the knee surgery 2 months ago I have been able to run fairly well on uphills and for distance / endurance - but have not had any sort of speed, nor have I tried to push any kind of faster pace.  All those are relative to me - I'm faster than some, others are much more capable and faster than me.  I don't really compare myself with others speed etc - I do like to compare myself with my previous efforts.

So, I set out in the last mile to push as hard as I could, with the possibility at times of having my late lunch come back up as I pressed  through the last mile - I managed to do it in 7 minutes flat.  Not blazing speed - but decent after already doing 7 miles, albeit that last mile was somewhat downhill.

Total time for the 8 miles was 1:08:40.  Very happy with that.
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5 comments:

  1. Brad PoppeleSeptember 8, 2011 at 1:49 PM

    Solid Run Craig!
    Have not run that trail yet. Is it a loop or an out and back? Single track?
    Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  2. HappyTrailsSeptember 8, 2011 at 1:59 PM

    That is some good recovery Craig! Greenland is nice to run with a little fog or cloud cover - that way there is no wind!

    ReplyDelete
  3. CraigSeptember 8, 2011 at 3:20 PM

    Thanks Brad and Steve.
    Brad: trail is a loop - check www.greenland50k.com for maps etc. First 3.3ish miles is old road type (on dirt) beside the train tracks. The rest is double or slightly wider track. Not a lot of people there weekdays - weekends you might run into horses, Mtn bikers, walkers and dogs.
    Is often windy there, especially in the Spring.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Brad PoppeleSeptember 8, 2011 at 8:41 PM

    Thanks Craig, I checked out the site. Might be a 50k for next year?

    ReplyDelete
  5. CraigSeptember 9, 2011 at 8:35 AM

    I did the 2 lapper this year and the 1 lapper the year before, so am tossing up the 4 lapper next year - however, 4 laps of the same course is potentially a little monotonous.

    ReplyDelete

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