Friday, June 7, 2013

Getting Excited to Run to the Hills!

Yeah yeah yeah, I know, it's been forever since I've posted. As soon as someone out there wants to pay me quit my busy busy busy job so I can run all day and write about it, I'll promise to post more!

Here's what I've been up to the past couple months:

1) Got really super crazy sick the two weeks before the Bull Run 50 so I had to skip that race. Missing two weeks straight of running felt like forever, but both Lizzy and Sam were also sick as dogs, so clearly whatever we all passed around to each other was nothing to mess with!

2) I haven't had the time to run my usual long runs (30-40 milers) every week while ramping up for 100+ mile training, but given my crazy work schedule this spring and my daddy duties (which I love, mind you), I'm actually quite happy with the miles I've been able to squeeze in.  Mondays, Fridays, and Saturdays have all become routine double-run days, which I really enjoy. No huge mileage totals, but quality miles and definite fitness benefits have come out of this schedule. Also, Sammy and I have found a sweet hilly 10k loop that we do every weekend morning. I like it for the resistance training (he's getting heavier every day!) and he likes it because we pull over at a sweet playground about 4 miles in so he can get his 20 mins of cardio in as well.

3) I realize I'm not in top form for the Black Hills 100 at the end of the month, but I'm still super-excited to head out there. My brother in-law (and master crew chief) Jeff is flying up from Dallas to join me in the fun, so I'm psyched to have him out there to help get me home faster. I never mind running solo in races, but even the simple act of not needing to stop and refill my Camelbak at the aid stations will save me 30+ mins over the course of the race. I'll happily take that time off the end when the hours are wee and the legs leadened!

I've been familiarizing myself with the BH100 course description, etc. over the past couple days, and have learned some great info about the area which we'll have the pleasure of exploring before/during the race: The race itself runs almost 100% on the Centennial Trail which was first explored during Custer's Army Expedition of 1874, and the gold mining history of the Deadwood and Lead areas are legendary (see: the amazing HBO series). I'm really looking forward to taking in as much of both areas as I can while out there (cuz really, when am I going to get back to South Dakota?!).

I also found this video from the 2011 race that I thought was worthy of passing on. The course and scenery look great, but really, the best part is the hail storm at the end. I mean really, is there a better way to run a 100 miles than while being pelted by giant hail? I can't wait!

10 comments:

Casseday said...

Go get'em Dan! Looks like an awesome race.

nmp said...

Hope you have a good trip and great run in a few weeks! I have a few CO friends that are running. I told them to look out for you - so you better be bringing at least something close to your A-game ;-)

Dan Rose said...

Gee, thanks a lot, Nick! I'm sending one of my east coast friends your way to keep you company at WS100 that weekend too. His name is Mike Morton. Good luck!!!

nmp said...

I hear he is pretty quick...

Charles River Running said...

Hi Dan,

Your dad was in a couple of weeks ago picking up your Salomon Speed Cross shoes. Hope they are working out well for you. He mentioned that you were also interested in the Hokas and incidentally this is a shoe I am wear testing right now. Jury is still out but I when wearing them I do feel like the coyote from the road runner cartoons with springs strapped to my feet. Comical looking, super springy feel, but lack the responsiveness and feel of the ground that my other shoes give me.

Glad you are blogging again and best of luck with the summer running!

Best, Charlotte

Dan Rose said...

Hey Charlotte!

I'll be wearing those SpeedCross 3s in the Black Hills, proudly representing your store! Versions 1 and 2 treated me very well, and I'm happy to see they didn't change anything major in this new version.

As for the Hokas, I've gone through 4 pairs the past couple years (Mafate 1s, Bondi 1 & 2s, and Stinson 2s). I've found they're great for mixing in every couple days during 100-150 mile training weeks. Always nice to give the legs a little break from road pounding while ramping up the miles for a 24HR race! I've yet to race in them, but 3 of the 12 members of this years US 24HR Team wore them with great success in the World Championships, so it's probably only a matter of time before the right scenario pops up for me to race in them as well. "Ground feel" doesn't matter much when you're looping 1 mile of pavement over and over again!

Hope all is shaping up for a great summer of running in MA!

Amelia said...

You've never been to South Dakota? That's almost as crazy as saying you've never been to Milwaukee. (Hey New England - good luck on your race!)

Dan Rose said...

...If the good people of SD can have street sausages ready to eat at 7 a.m.like the Milwaukeeians did, I should be able to get my salt levels nice and high for a successful run in the mountains. If the Dakotans embrace that part of Milwaukee and leave out the random hatred of my sports team apparel, I think I'll have a very happy trip!

Ric Munoz said...

Best of luck at Black Hills, Dan! I hope the great effort you're certain to turn in produces an equally great result for you. Can't wait to read all about it!

Dan Rose said...

Thanks, Ric! I shall do my best out there!! Hope all is well with you and Seth!