Cursed Realm of the Faceless Ghost

April 18, 2024

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Location:

Provo,UT,

Member Since:

Apr 07, 2010

Gender:

Male

Goal Type:

Other

Running Accomplishments:

5K - 17:11 (Cougar Run)

10K - 34:35 (Deseret News)

15K - 57:33 (Utah Running Club)

1/2 - 1:22:26 (Mountain View Trail)

50K - 4:22:31 (Sapper Joe)

Short-Term Running Goals:

Sub-2:45 at Saint George Marathon

Win the Antelope Island half marathon

Long-Term Running Goals:

I'd like to run the Angeles Crest 100 at some point. And I'd still like to go sub-4 at a trail 50k. Other than that, I'm open to suggestions.

https://www.strava.com/athletes/4808912

Personal:

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<iframe height='454' width='300' frameborder='0' allowtransparency='true' scrolling='no' src='https://www.strava.com/athletes/4808912/latest-rides/184689bbf831149f2053e60709730c07651232d3'></iframe>

I was a competitive cyclist for years. In 2009, after racing in the Tour of Utah, I decided I had plateaued as a cyclist--I could continue to improve, but I wouldn't break through to a new level. So, I started looking for a new challenge.


I thought that challenge would be mountain biking, but I'm a terrible bike handler. I married Catherine in January 2010 and a couple of weeks later I entered the SLTC Winter Training Series with her. A couple of weeks after that I decided I'd like to run ultras, so I signed up for a couple of 50Ks to get started.

Those first races came and went, with varying results. I was looking forward to running more and possibly pushing into the longer distances, but I injured my knee in June 2010 and I've never been consistently healthy since.

I started law school in August 2010, which meant less time for training. In June 2011, Baby Elliott was born, which meant even less time for training. But she's worth it. 

Baby Nora joined us in October 2013, with the same effect on training as Elliott (who, incidentally, is no longer a baby). 

I (finally) finished school in April 2014 and now I'm an evil corporate lawyer in Salt Lake. I have no illusions that I'll ever get back into the shape that I once was, but I'm perfectly at peace with that. I still have many goals to accomplish and many years in which to do it. 
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Miles:This week: 0.00 Month: 0.00 Year: 0.00
Wed, May 04, 2011
Total Distance
7.40

I was going to cross train tonight, but the weather was so nice that I just couldn't resist getting out for a run on the Draper trails. The good news is that my knee felt fine. The bad news is that my calves are killing me. This transition to a midfoot strike may take a while.

Speaking of which, I got some advice from Aaron K via email today, and it turns out I am supposed to stay off my heels even on the technical descents. So that's just one more thing I have to work on, and one more thing that makes my calves hurt. But I'll get it figured out.

 

MT101 Miles: 7.40
Weight: 167.20
Comments
From Aaron Kennard on Thu, May 05, 2011 at 10:59:46 from 98.245.117.176

It definitely is a transition that requires a healthy dose of patience. But its worth it.

Also, lest anyone misunderstand my approach to steep downhill descents, I definitely come down onto my heel with most every step, but my forefoot is generally the part of the foot that touches the ground first. You probably meant that, but saying 'staying off my heels' makes it sound a bit like not ever allowing your heel to touch the ground. Which could wreak some serious havoc on your calves.

From jun on Thu, May 05, 2011 at 11:10:12 from 66.239.250.209

I saw an advertisement from Adidas on their new 'natural' running shoe. They said they still built the heel up because you need to strike your heel first on steep downhill runs. I seriously laughed out loud and vocally called them IDIOTS.

Aaron is right, a mid-foot strike running downhill is tricky, but it will come with time. Know this, once you make the full transition, your foot placements on technical downhill will be even better and you can run them faster. It's pretty sweet.

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