Bear training week 30 recap

This was my last big week before the race. Now I'm tapering so that I start the Bear with fresh legs and plenty of energy.

• 56 miles running

• 12,556 feet D+ running

• 15 hours, 57 minutes all training

I lost Monday to inflammation that made my knees feel creaky, which was disappointing. But I felt better on Tuesday and my week rapidly improved. I went right back out to my one mile laps at Pineridge and did four repeats. Wednesday I did a half-marathon length run at Lory State Park, milking it for all the vert I could get, a yard short of 3,000 feet. I also got a reminder of how important it is to refuel the evening before a long run (I failed). Thursday I chugged up to the Towers and down, feelng better. Friday I did five laps at Pineridge.

I had been planning another hill grinding session on Saturday, but at the last minute decided to give my swollen right knee a break, and did a gravel ride instead. This set me up well for a great Sunday outing. I went out for 24 miles in Horsetooth Open Space and Lory State Park on a route that was very close to that of the Quad Rock 25-miler.

I carried the gear that I will be carrying at the Bear, the same vest and bottles and rain jacket. I used my poles on the ups and stowed them for the descents. The jagged up-and-down profile of the Quad Rock course is not unlike the last 80 miles of the Bear, so my confidence has increased.

In 2023, my biggest training week ended five weeks before my race. This year, under different circumstances, it is two weeks before my race. I feel good about this right now. I'm eager to see how I feel on Friday the 26th.