Monthly Archives: February 2017

2017 Cowtown 50K

I was not pleased with my Back2Back Marathon performance during the New Years double.  I was so slow it embarrassed me. I thought it over and added speed training back into my workouts. That simple change has resparked my excitement. As a result I set a Big goal for The Cowtown Ultra Marathon 50K. I wanted to finish sub 5:50. I have been thinking about a goal after I finish my World Centurion Quest. The Netherlands has an Award for any Walker that can finish a 100K in 11:30 hours. The Honderdman 100 Man Pin. A very tough challenge mix of speed and endurance. If I can not do a 50K sub 5:45 the Honderdman 100 Man Pin is out of the question. Test one for 2017 a 5:50 50K.

The setting, one of my favorite races. The Cowtown Ultra in Fort Worth, Texas. Fort Worth is always a fun weekend for my Wife and I. We Love it. The weather this year was perfect. 40 degrees with 20 mph wind and cloudy. Warmed up to 60 degrees. I dressed with shorts and a short sleeve shirt. If I am going to race fast I want to stay cool.

My goal pace a 11:15. I started faster than that and it felt easy. The whole race felt easy up to the marathon distance. I was almost two minutes under pace. Then I got that feeling. That feeling like my hamstrings were going to cramp. I have had those cramps before. I have to stop and painfully try and rub out the cramp. It blows about five minutes. Five minutes it took the whole race to gain. It is much better to just slow down a little. Keep walking but without the hard push. It worked. I sped back up. Then it happened again. So for four miles I walked the tight rope between a cramp and as fast as I could. I knew I was going to be close to my goal time. I just could not risk a five minute cramp. So I crossed the line with a 5:50:45. So close. I am pleased. I have only trained for speed again for seven weeks. After my Centurion race in New Zealand in October I will start training for the 2018 Cowtown 50K. The Goal……………..Sub 5:45.

   

Training February 18th – 24th

This week 31.2 Miles, 5 hours 57 minutes 15 seconds, Pace average 11:27.  4073 calories

Saturday February 18th – 4.8 Miles in 56:12 pace average 11:42.  5 sets of 75 push-ups. 21 minutes of Planks.

Sunday February 19th – 8 Miles in 1:27:54 pace average 10:59.  3 sets of 30 squats.

Monday February 20th – 4.8 Miles in 56:17 pace average 11:43. 4 sets of 8 chin-ups, 3 rounds boxing the heavy bag.

Tuesday February 21st – 4.8 Miles in 55:10 pace average 11:30.

Wednesday February 22nd – 4.8 Miles in 54:15 pace average 11:18.

Thursday February 23rd – 4 Miles in 47:28 pace average 11:52

Friday February 24th – My 54th Birthday. Date night with my Wife!

What a great taper week. My legs feel fresh. The weather forecast for The Cowtown 50K on Sunday is a low of 40 and a high of 65. Wind 20 mph and partly cloudy. Everything has come together for a great race. Now to do my part.

Training February 11th – 17th

This week 51.2 Miles, 9 hours 47 minutes 29 seconds, Pace average 11:29. 6747 calories

Saturday February 11th – 4.8 Miles in 56:32 pace average 11:47.  5 sets of 75 push-ups. 21 minutes of Planks.

Sunday February 12th – 20 Miles in 3:43:45 pace average 11:11.  3 sets of 30 squats.

Monday February 13th – 4.8 Miles in 56:06 pace average 11:41. 4 sets of 8 chin-ups, 3 rounds boxing the heavy bag.

Tuesday February 14th – 4.8 Miles in 56:29 pace average 11:46.  5 sets of 75 push-ups. 21 minutes of Planks.

Wednesday February 15th – 12 Miles in 2:22:25 pace average 11:52.  3 sets of 30 squats.

Thursday February 16th – 4.8 Miles in 52:11 pace average 10:52.   4 sets of 8 chin-ups, 3 rounds boxing the heavy

Friday February 17th – Date night with my Wife!

This week was a great confidence booster going into my 50K race taper. Walking faster is feeling more natural each week.

Training February 4th – 10th

This week 55.2 Miles, 10 hours 48 minutes 31 seconds, Pace average 11:45. 7205 calories

Saturday February 4th – 4.8 Miles in 56:51 pace average 11:51.  5 sets of 74 push-ups. 21 minutes of Planks.

Sunday February 5th – 24 Miles in 4:44:05 pace average 11:50.  3 sets of 30 squats.

Monday February 6th – 4.8 Miles in 56:22 pace average 11:45.  4 sets of 8 chin-ups, 3 rounds boxing the heavy bag.

Tuesday February 7th – 4.8 Miles in 54:21 pace average 11:19.  5 sets of 74 push-ups. 21 minutes of Planks.

Wednesday February 8th – 12 Miles in 2:20:46 pace average 11:44.  3 sets of 30 squats.

Thursday February 9th – 4.8 Miles in 56:07 pace average 11:41. 4 sets of 8 chin-ups, 3 rounds boxing the heavy bag.

Friday February 10th – Date night with my Wife!

Another great week of workouts. Looking forward to my taper for the Cowtown 50k in two weeks. I have a good feeling toward this race. With a good taper I should have fresh legs and a new PR will be possible. Excited.

 

 

Training January 28th – February 3rd

This week 59.2 Miles, 11 hours 41 minutes 21 seconds, Pace average 11:51. 7740 calories

Saturday January 28th – 4.8 Miles in 56:27 pace average 11:45. 5 sets of 74 push-ups. 21 minutes of Planks.

Sunday January 29th – 28 Miles in 5:31:55 pace average 11:51.  3 sets of 30 squats.

Monday January 30th – 4.8 Miles in 56:57 pace average 11:52.  4 sets of 8 chin-ups, 3 rounds boxing the heavy bag.

Tuesday January 31st – 4.8 Miles in 55:48 pace average 11:37.  5 sets of 74 push-ups. 21 minutes of Planks.

Wednesday February 1st – 12 Miles in 2:23:16 pace average 11:56.  3 sets of 30 squats.

Thursday February 2nd – 4.8 Miles in 56:57 pace average 11:52.  4 sets of 8 chin-ups, 3 rounds boxing the heavy

Friday February 3rd – Date night with my Wife!

My legs feel great. I feel smooth. My speed took a little hit after my 28 mile walk Sunday.  A little on the tired side after that walk. The advantage of a fixed distance course and a sports watch is you get to try and out walk the clock. Funny that sometimes I feel fast the watch says otherwise. Timed splits will keep you honest. Start a slow taper in mileage the next three weeks. Keep the speed.