TransRockies Countdown

Only 2 weeks to go until the start of TransRockies Run -

I must admit that I'm getting a wee bit nervous. My preparation in the past 2 weeks hasn't been the best due to excessive work during the TransRockies Challenge which finished last week. I knew going into the event that I would be busy, and figured I would at least be able to squeeze in maintenance runs every day or so, but once the event got rolling, it was non-stop action right up to the finish!

Despite the lack of specific training, I did manage to keep my body 'moving' by running around the various host sites instead of walking - first off, I hate walking...it simply takes too long to get from point A to B - so running is always an easy solution. Plus, as soon as the event started, I was on 'damage control' duty non-stop which provided many running opportunities. I did manage to sneak in a speed workout as I was waiting for the leaders to come in one day at Nipika. I ran backwards on the course until I met the United Cycle Team riders coming in, then I tucked in behind and followed them back as they raced to the finish line - the intensity probably only lasted 10min, but I was going balls to the wall to try and maintain their pace on the canyon single track - not sure if annoyed the rider I was following by hanging out so close behind but either way, I didn't really care as I needed him as a pacemaker - besides, they won by a huge margin that day.

Here's a recap of my travels in the past 2 weeks...

• August 12-18: TransRockies Challenge (Panorama, BC to Fernie, BC)
  
• Aug 19: Spent night in 5-ton Budget truck just outside Longview after it broke down on the way out of town in Fernie
  
• Aug 20: Drove directly to TR office for a full day of work, arrived back home at 8pm - to bed by 10:30pm as I had to...


• Aug 21: ...Get up at 2:30am to write Salomon Nordic Marketing proposal


• Aug 21: Drive to airport at 3:30am


• Aug 21: Fly to Toronto to meet Salomon Canada to discuss X-C.com Program for 2007-08 year


• Aug 22: Fly back to Calgary, drive home to Canmore


• Aug 23: Slept 15hours


• Aug 24: Drive to the Okanagan for a short weekend getaway


• Aug 25: Run up a local mountain in blistering heat - finally, a decent long run!


• Aug 26: Pit-stop in Vernon to train with Glenn Bond - Silver Star Mountain Nordic Manager - great mountain run to the top of Silver Star Mountain + core workout


• Aug 27: 3+hr run on BX trail from Vernon townsite to the top of Silver Star Mountain (1,500m of elevation - beautiful run)


• Aug 28-29: Back in TR office to prep for TR-run starting on Sept 16th


• Aug 30: Sleep in own bed
  

So here I am, back at my desk, drinking cup after cup of Kicking Horse Coffee to get my creative (jittery) juices flowing - it's not really working. I've got one week left of quality training at home before I hope back in my truck with Chris Manhard, our team therapist for the week, and start the drive to Colorado to get acclimatized with the altitude in Vail. As I'm still on contract with TR, I'll help the TR crew with some final event preparations up until race day. The plan is to arrive on the 10th in Denver to pick up my partner Dom Repta who is flying in from Vancouver - from there we will head to Vail for our final prep training. If you're curious to check out the stage profiles, go to: http://www.transrockies.com/transrockiesrun/transrockies/race_route.htm. You will quickly understand why it's so important to get there early...the altitude on some stages will top out at over 3,500m (12,000 feet)!! This is quite honestly insane. Typically, I've done pretty well at adapting to high terrain, so I'm not too worried, but regardless of where you are coming from, everyone will feel the burn at these altitudes. I'm planning a couple of hard intensity workouts as soon as we arrive on site to help speed up the acclimatization process - we'll see how it works out.

Despite the circumstances, I'm psyched to run again - especially after receiving my shipment of new Salomon shoes today! I'll be rotating 3 pairs of shoes during the event to keep them as 'fresh' as possible - Check it out:

Salomon shoe line-up - from bottom to top: Speed Cross, Trail Comp 2, XA Pro 3D and Trail Comp 2

Over the next few days, I'll hammer out a 3 long volume sessions and test out the shoes and get them broken in for the race - If anything, it will be a great excuse to just to get away from all the tourists in town this long weekend! By next week, my body will be rested, my confidence will be back - and I'll have 5 incredible days in the high Colorado mountains to look forward to...I can't wait!

Smell the Flowers

Never be afraid to stop and smell the flowers - it's good for you!

After 15years of living in the Bow Valley, I've suddenly realized how many great escapes are accessible directly in my backyard! This may sound a bit odd from your perspective but you have to realize that since I moved here in 1995, I've been absorbed within the nordic world, either as a full-time racer or with Team X-C.com. As a ski racer, you tend to stay close to home and focus on 'quality' workouts and quick recovery - skiers tend to be anal like that. Sure you get out and and have opportunities to check out the local 'tourist' sites (when your parent's come for a visit or) on a long run but for the most part, you don't stray too far from the comforts of home.

As for the last few years since my retirement, I blame my lack of local sightseeing on my obcession with trying to get X-C.com up and running. Honestly, the nordic world (like many other amateur sports) is hard to 'sell' - sure the business side of the program is easier now after 7 years, but it also demands constant attention or you can quickly lose any forward progress.

The bottom line is that you actually need to take control and make a conscious decision to explore and play in the mountains...otherwise, you find yourself quickly falling in a nasty rut of work, work, work, sleep (a bit) and more work. It's nice to finally add a bit of play in the grand scheme of things and start taking advantage of the amazing terrain that surrounds me.

As I continue to train for the TR-Run, I decided to focus on volume for the past few days. On Friday, I killed my still tender legs (from Canmore Challenge) with a hard intensity session with Devon Kershaw (NST). I got worked, big-time...and after a hard 2-hour run, I was back home nursing some now stiff (and tender) quads. On Saturday it was Ivan's turn to push me as we ran/power-hiked up Grotto's (true) summit and back in 4hrs. Grotto is a bitch of a climb - it really does suck, BUT, if you're looking to gain lots of altitude in a short distance, I guess it does serve that purpose...

To cap of the weekend, Bob (old roommate/crazy adventurer) and I ran the reknowned Rock Wall Trail from Floe Lake to Paint Pots. For those of you that have taken the time to hike/run this trail...wow...you know what I'm talking about. I'm told that this is one of the 'classic' hikes in the Rockies - most hikers camp along the way in 2 or 3 days. the beauty of this loop is that you have pull-out options ever 20km or so. The loop we completed was just under 40km but included a whopping 2,000m of climbing, reaching beautiful high alpine meadows at 2,400m.

Bob-bing on a great single-track - the first part of the trail cruises in some of the remnants of a huge fire that plagued HWY 93 South a few years back. Wicked scenery.

Fireweed in full bloom - invade all the avalanche chutes

Our original plan was to do the complete the largest of the Rock Wall loop which included going up to Helmet Falls, but as we reached the last fork at the 4-hour mark, the sign to HF indicated another 27.5km - which meant we would be adding on another 3-4hrs of running/hiking minimum...for a total of 7-8hrs. After a quick soke in a glacial run-off, we decided to abort and take the fastest exit back, another 12km or so back to the parking lot. After 5 1/2 hours of steady running and hiking, we were quite happy to have skipped the last detour.

Bushwacking in bear country (that's why I let Bob take the lead here!)

Full Steam Ahead

It's been another long day...After 10hrs of sitting on my ass in front of the laptop, I'm finally calling it quits to escape on the trails and recharge my brain (and body).

This past week wasn't the best for training as I was once again burning the candle at both ends (I'm getting good at it...), trying to stay on top of my TR job, all while taking care of the last details of the Canmore Challenge Trail Race, another one of my ventures...

This year, I thought I would be well ahead of the game by hiring Magma, an event marketing company co-owned by my friends Magi Scallion and Marion Worm. These girls had the task of getting all the event details from me, managing the website (check it out: http://www.canmorechallenge.com/) so that they could organize all the race day logistics. I, on the other hand, would be limited to designing the course - piece of cake...right? As it turns out, transfering all the data from my head, let alone my files was a bigger task than anticipated. Overall, the organization went well but it inevitably proved more transitional work than I had originally planned. As race day approached, I wanted to get the jump on the course marking so that I would actually be rested for the race...no way! No matter how well you prepare, you always end up going around the course a few times because you forget a key arrow (sign), or you ran out of staples, ribbon or some other equipment failure. I think I probably ran, biked and drove around the 6km and 12km courses 3 to 4 times each to get it perfect - 'Settling' for not-so-perfect is NOT an option in trail running. Runners tend to be the worst at following (myself included) directions so the need to get it perfect is imperative. Getting lost on course is probably one of my worst pet peeves...I hate it - so you can imagine how anal I get about my own courses...



Long story short...I finished marking the course on race day, 15min before my race start...good warm-up! And then the fun began...I can't say I was too pleased with my race considering the lack of preparation. The 4hrs of sleep the night before didn't really cut it. I remember thinking I should sit this one out (as I did last year) - "Too tired" I told myself, "What's the point?" Then that sadistic little creature that lives on your right shoulder says: "You're such a wuss, DO IT! It's good training for the TransRockies Run, you think you'll be feeling spry after 3 marathons in a row?". I guess that settled it. Off I went to the start...

Overall, the event was a success. Most of the comments started off as: "Phil, you bastard..." or "Holy %#&!...you killed me!" Luckily, the comments were quickly followed by "...but great course!" I have to admit, I was cursing myselft on the first climbing section back up to the top of the course.

As a course designer, it's always difficult to find that fine line between pushing someone to their limits and pushing them beyond having fun. This is important because otherwise, my registrations would drastically be reduced next year. The trail running business is not easy - you don't do it to get rich, you do it because you love it...and because you get a chance to make people push their limits!

With that said, I'm off...time to go burn some carbon! This weekend I'm going to plan a 2 to 3-day long distance combo. One of my goals is to run the other 'Canmore Challenge' which involves the 4 local peaks: Grotto, Lady Mac, Rundle and Chinamans (in that order) - I figure about 10hrs...anyone interested?

later