11 myles - 1.15:43

Coyote Ridge trail - 9:00 A.M.
30s, some snow, some mud, clear
mind/body - good
easy effort

A couple of good runs the last couple of days, just no time to post. Today was a 6:53 pace with the highlight seeing two bucks compete for a doe. They both looked at me and did not budge - kinda thought they might charge but I assured them I didn't want any part of that doe. Yesterday was a 6:46 pace on a 8 mile run with crisp conditions. I actually hit 6:14 and 6:22 on the way back without a concerted effort - good signs.

Here is a link to the actual CRUD burrito eating world championship. You'll notice I fell behind early but almost caught Tim and Muzzy on the 3rd burrito. On another note, Jaxon and I are doing a 5K turkey day run. He's real excited and thinks he can break 25 minutes - I'll pull him along as best as I can. It's only a matter of time before he starts beatin' this masters runner....

What a week!

A week filled with work, work, work, and eat, eat, eat, followed by some running and then some more eating.

For the last week I've been in the great city of San Francisco, sequestered to the Marriott downtown pretty much all day every day. I did, however, get 2 great runs in and one O.K. treadmill run. The two great runs happened on Monday and Wednesday from my hotel to the Golden Gate bridge following the trolley tracks (Powell, California, Hyde) to the pier and then around the bay. By taking that route through the streets and over nob hill I avoided the mass chaos on the Embarcadero, in which I've gone before dodging tons of people. The second run on Wednesday was at night and it was awesome with the lights of the city reflecting off the bay for ample light and lots of people out enjoying the great weather. Only a total of 27 myles in San Fran. but that's OK.

I got back late last night just in time for the Saturday morning CRUD run in which we ran Rampart Road for a good 14 myles. AND THEN let the madness begin with the second annual CRUD burrito eating world championship. I had high hopes going in as I had distended my stomach all week with food and beer (and besides the fact that I was the only Mexican participant). 7 contestants each bought 3 Chipotle burritos with the required ingredients of beans, rice, cheese, lettuce, and tortilla. Some opted to add guac and pico de gallo but I opted for just the bare minimums. My burritos weighed the least at 2.45 lbs, Tim Alison weighed the most at 3.75 lbs (he added chicken??). Right before we began I was really nervous because Tim Hola was back for revenge after I won the tortilla eating contest last year. On your mark, get set, go! Rich Muzzy was a fast start downing the first burrito in 1:25 - dark horse for sure! Tim Hola in 1:35 and I polished the first off in 1:40. Muzzy was on fire as he downed #2 in just under 3 minutes - holy cow! I'm in trouble (I thought). It was a 3 man race at this point, Rick Hessek was a bust and fell way behind, Paul Dewitt has such a small body he was eating like a bird, Harry and the other Tim were just enjoying their food. On to burrito 3 and Muzzy was clearly going to win but I looked at him and he was shaking violently, he couldn't hold his burrito still to shove it in his mouth, Tim and I caught up and with about a 1/4 of a burrito to go Tim Hola slammed his into his mouth, chewed it up and raised his arms in victory, literally seconds before Muzzy. Tim Hola - North Chapter CRUD 1st place and now world burrito eating champion: 7 minutes and 2 seconds. Rich Muzzy - 2nd in 7:25, and I came limping in for 3rd in 9:20. Good times all around. Check out the pics below

5 of the 7

My burritos with the bare minimums

Tim Hola looking very confident

There's no way!

Burrito 3 - my eyes are up checking on Muzzy

Muzzy closest - only 1/2 burrito to go

Dejected

13.1 myles - 1.27:47

Wildcat Mountain 1/2 marathon - 8:30 A.M.
20s, a little snow, muddy
mind/body - good
Hard effort

Whew! That was tough! It's been a long time since I've felt that searing of the lungs and I tell you what - I don't miss it!

My initial goal was 1.25 so I was close but not my best performance. I ended up 3rd overall and (hate to say it) I won the master's division. I ended up with a 6:42 pace on a trail course with 1800 ft. of elevation gain. Major props to the winner who clocked a time just under 1.22 (6:15 pace). I went through 5K in 18:27 and 10K in 39:55. I lost contact with the two in front of me right around the 5 mile mark when I realized I was beyond my red line. The hills are where I started to reel them in but just I was closing the hill became a DOWN hill and that's all she wrote with those guys have better leg speed. It's a good start to the speed work but I have a lot of work to do. Race results posted here soon.

Did I happen to mention I don't miss this short stuff? I'd rather drag the battle out over a 1/2 a day or so....

On another note, last night I did some training for our burrito competition that will be held next Saturday, November 21st. I ate 2 Qdoba veggie burritos in 8 minutes! I wasn't even trying! First one went down in 3 minutes, just my normal eating. Second one went down a little slower as I became somewhat full. 3 burritos is going to be challenge but I've gotta be considered the favorite at this point. If anyone wants to join us we will be at Chipotle in Castle Rock - 5642 Allen Way - 303-663-0552 @ 11 A.M. The challenge is to eat 3 Chipotle burritos - first one done wins cash and prizes and declared CRUD burrito champion of the world.

8 myles - 57:04

HR urban trails - 7:00 A.M.
strong North wind, dry, cloudy
mind/body - groggy to start
easy effort

Been busy the last couple of days preparing for an upcoming national meeting and painting my basement. Needless to say I've been squeezing runs in here and there. Today was nothing special with a 7:08 pace but it sure was nice to be out so early. I'm normally not a morning person but I've found when I get my butt outta bed and run early my day goes a ton better. Having said that, I actually accomplished quite a bit today. I won't bore you with the details but just know I'm smarter today than I was yesterday...

I'm planning on the Wildcat Mountain 1/2 marathon on Saturday. Supposed to be rainy and mucky... perfect! I'm hoping it will scare away those fast roadies so I don't have to kill myself to stay with them. The course is on my home route (the trail I ran today) and has about 1500 ft of elevation. I'm pretty confident I can pull off a 1.25 even in the worst of conditions. Should be fun but I have to say kinda weird doing a race so close to home.

8 myles - 52:26

Daniels Park - 10:00 A.M.
60s, clear, dry
mind/body - ready to go
Hard effort

Gotta admit the legs were a little stiff this morning after my hill workout yesterday on Mt. Sanitas. Where have those Hard Rock legs gone?

Today was my tempo/speed work day. And just for clarification, tempo to me means roughly a 10K pace, slightly slower than 5K and about 20 seconds slower than LT. I went out 4 myles at an easy 7:30 pace and came back at 5:50 pace (5:51, 5:52, 5:48, 5:49 - 23:22). My goal was to hit my 5:53 mark from last week - pretty close. The last mile I think I dipped into LT as the legs were starting to tie up a bit. Feel good all the way around.

~6 myles - 1.00:10

Mt. Sanitas - 2:00 P.M.
dry, clear, 60s
mind/body - good
easy effort

Now I know why those Boulder runners scream down the 'so called' technical stuff in races.... Mt. Sanitas is as technical as they get (next to Bear Mountain). This mountain range; Bear, Green, Mt. Sanitas and the Flat Irons, are relatively close to each other and to downtown Boulder, making for easy access to do frequent gnarly hill repeats. If I lived there I'd be up there everyday - tons of good stuff. I once heard Mackay did Bear up and down in just under an hour - not sure where he started but it doesn't matter cause that stuff is gnarly!

Anyway, today I went up Mt. Sanitas twice because the first time I came down some side canyon and had to go back up to see where I got lost. Made it up the Centennial side in just over 20 minutes - not to sure how that stacks up but I felt good. Boulder is now part of my new territory so hopefully I'll be a frequent visitor to this place and learn all the trails.