Leadville Countdown Weeks 12-11

Training Journal:

The past 2 weeks I have been taking my training at a conservative pace. Those are weeks 12 and 11 out from the race and 1 week after a 50k ultra race.

I use the training app Strava to track all of my runs (click here to follow me there).

Strava helps me track distance, time, heart rate, pacing, elevation, and more. In addition, it’s a helpful tool to see improvements over similar terrain and segments.

Week 12 was a total of 7 hours and 50 minutes with over 3580ft of elevation gain over 35 miles.

It was a little bit less than I wanted to do, but I was happy to build back up methodically from the 50k and stay healthy.

Week 11 was a total time of 7 hours and 17 minutes of running with 5180 ft of vertical gain and 41 miles covered. That week I was focusing more on getting in quality uphill running.

I am finding the local trails that fit the perfect middle ground. Not steep enough to require walking but also not flat enough to easily run. I find myself learning to settle into a slow uphill pace that I can sustain without letting my heart rate get too out of hand.

This upcoming week, I am focusing on putting in roughly the same amount of miles as well as cross-training on my mountain bike in one of my favorite Colorado towns, Salida.

I read a lot of articles that tout hill running as speed work in disguise, and I can certainly agree with that. However, the days after running uphill I feel strong and fast, similar to how I feel after a few tempo days on the track.

I look forward to continuing the uphill running focus with 1 or 2 hard sessions a week and 3-4 easy sessions building the volume on my legs.

Additionally, I secured my support crew for Leadville 100! More on this coming soon.

New gear!

During weeks 12 and 11, I got new running shoes from Speedland. The GS: TAM. These are my new favorite running shoes, hands down, they have an incredible BOA fitting system that creates the best possible fit I have ever had. They also have an option for a removable carbon plate which helps stiffen the shoe for increased propulsion, and I noticed a difference! (ps I am not sponsored by them. I just love their shoes)

They are also built a lot sturdier than running shoes I have had before, I am 6’1, around 215 lbs and can run down the tread and wear through a shoe pretty quickly. I don’t have 100 miles in the Speedland yet, but so far they are holding up terrific. I will update you on how I continue to enjoy them (or not).

*I originally got a size 11.5, which I normally wear but found them a quarter size small and decided to exchange for a 12. Their customer service is unreal, and I was able to make the change without a hitch.

Thank you so much for reading. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out!

With heart,

Mike