I'm always a little bit hesitant going in to situations like this - i tend to imagine that i haven't adequately been able to convey the depth of the challenge high intensity work presents. But Dan seemed like a no-nonsense guy who would make a genuine effort i sent him off to do a V-dot test as a first step. He complied - i got my pacing data - and I started feeding him some workouts. Dan was used to running longer and slower (he is one of those guys who exercises for more than just fitness) so i eased him into things with a couple of mid-length, but moderate intensity runs. This last week, however, i backed off on the volume and dialed up the pressure.
His response to the first workout - a 30 minute No-Slo-random Pro effort - gave me all the feedback i needed:
".... times are approximate. When i reached the end i just hit the emergency stop and turned my back on the machine. I could barely walk my legs were quivering so bad."Dan is definitely 3 Hrs a week material. Nice work Dan!
Dan finished the 50K winter ultra in over 15 hours. He was the last finisher - 19th. 13 racers DNF's from the 32 that started. Interestingly, he reached the third checkpoint an hour after many of the racers that DNF'd and never considered quitting - walking on all by his lonesome past 1 am. Fascinating to wonder what makes guys like Dan tick. Good work out there!
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, I can't thank you enough for bringing these events and opportunities to our area. Also, for your help leading into this with training advice and for your kind words afterwards. I knew I wasn't going to be in the top of the pack with this but I did win my old guy age group, albiet by attrition mind you. :) Even after 18 years my wife doesn't know what makes me tick in this respect either. I admit during those last 6 miles I was wanting to be done but the only way I wanted off that trail was by my own feet or medivac. And not that I was trying to be so slow, I also admit I got an arguably perverse satisfaction from being last, longer in the elements, darker of the night, solo, etc. Like I said when I signed up, "I may blow up, but if I don't ..." And I didn't. Lots of cool stuff comes with that! Thanks again, Andy for everything.
ReplyDeleteDan S.