Week # 3 It is great to run Mt. Doug again

This last week was a great week for running. I cranked out some great mileage and started running on Mount Doug again. Mount Doug is an amazing chunk of rock to run on. It has over 15 miles of single track trails. The trails are varied from soft, wide, and flat to rocky, rooty and steep. I think I can do just about any work out I'd wish on the mountain, from speed work and intervals to hills and long distance. Since I have moved to UVic it is a bit further away. It takes 2.5 miles or about 4 km of running just to get to the trails. Once I run to the mountain from my house, I have been running a very simple trail that circum-navigates the base of the mountain for now. It is a simple route with little elevation and steepness but it is just right while I am building my base. In a couple of weeks I will start incorporating the full 11 km Mount Doug Gutbuster route (almost 20Km total distance round trip from my house) once a week and then twice etc. It is a nice way to snag 20 Km on, and has everything I need to build my endurance and increase my trail running skills. There is something about running there that gives me extra incentive and enjoyment out of each workout.

Last Tuesday I was running the base loop around Doug. It is awesome when you experience those runs where everything seems to click. You feel like you got enough sleep, you are hydrated and have plenty of carbs to draw off from. Starting this run I knew it was going to be a strong run, I just had a rest day prior to the run. I started out with a nice pace and every step came easily. I flew through the road section (always my least favorite part of my runs, in my opinion roads are a necessary evil to get to the trails), I reached the trail and my body took off. This seems to happen to me about once a month when I am running hard and consistent. I will experience what I term a "perpetual run". This can be defined by the fact that you experience tremendous output from your legs, lungs and heart, with very little effort or input. It is like you are being pulled through the course, or your legs are like wheels rolling down an undulating slope. It is really hard to explain but always accompanies a runner's high. Perhaps it has to do with the release of endorphins and other chemicals, but it also has to do with an absolute adoration of the current run. The conditions were perfect. It was sunset and a perfect 18C (65 degrees). The packed soil was parched from the dry Summer, but still felt spongy underfoot due to the accumulation of organic debris. The August sun was a flaming orb hovering just above the horizon, only visible through the occasional break in the canopy. The sun cast ochre and crimson stripes across the path while the Douglas Firs and Garey Oaks stretched their elongate shadows eastward. My feet seemed to dance over blisters of diorite breaking the organic rich soil, and tiptoed over the thousands of rope-like roots strewn across the trail. I reached the highest point of the run and then felt the welcome pull of gravity speeding up my already rapid pace. The Earth now spun herself between me and the sun and the welcome dusk took hold of the peaceful mountain. My only spectators were the white tail deer that frequent the mountain, trails and road during the magical hours at twilight. They seemed particularly unaffected by my presence that night. I was really cruising and my legs felt awesome. I almost felt like I was floating with my feet barely making contact with the trail. Before I knew it my trail run was finished. I gave a strong effort on the road run home and made good time. I felt amazing. It was great to be back on my favorite trails.

Since that run I have made 4 attempts at the time I made that night and I couldn't get within 3 minutes of it. Last night (Tuesday 12th) I finally smashed my previous time by two minutes. There was a major difference from last nights P.R. and the previous one. Last night every second and every meter was hard earned and took crazy amounts of effort. I never felt good the whole run but I was really pushing. Lastly I didn't get a runner's high until I saw my watch at the end of the run and realized I had broke my previous record by over a minute!

My first track event is on Friday. I am going to take the next two days off and go into the run with fresh legs. It should be a ton of fun. I will be last, no doubt in my mind. I am not a 5000 meter track runner, I will be wearing trail shoes, and I just finished a 3 week building session from 50 to 70 km. I hope to run it next year and blow this year's time out of the water at that point I should be peaking for my Ultra Event and have thousands of training miles under my belt. That being said it will be a ton of fun and I am excited for my family to see me run. Once I get lapped a few times you won't even be able to tell I am last place. It should be a good time a fun way to grab 5Km and exciting to be competing with great runners.

Here are some stats from the last week.

Stats

Total Distance = 66.12 Km (41.08 miles)

Total Running time = 6:23:10 hrs

Avg Pace Km = 5:45 mins

Avg Pace Miles = 8:56 mins

Total Calorie burn = 4351

Avg Starting weight = 143.0

Avg Post-run weight = 140.4

Highlights

• Without a doubt running on Mount Doug again
• The run in my above description
• My mileage

Challenges

• My toe blisters are pretty bad
• some shin splint issues/tight calves (They are doing better now)
• Bad sleep schedule

What a great week. I am very happy with my progress and look forward to this rest week and race on Friday, but then get right back at my increased mileage next week.

Training week # 2 Mileage is pileing up

Another 7 days have gone by and I have now completed week two of my 58 week training schedule. I am feeling it. The miles this week piled up like a derailed freight train. I have ran 12 of the last 14 days. So I have only had two days to rest. The reality of adding another 100 km to what I ran this week is starting to set in. This is not going to be easy. Last nights run was my first run that my times actually didn't improve. This indicates that I am completely knackered. On Friday night I had insomnia until 4:00 AM another classic sign of over training. I am going to stay consistent and slow my runs down a hair rather than try to improve my times every day. It may be the speed not the duration that is burning me out. I am really happy that I have stuck to my training schedule for two weeks now. I have met my goals. I did have to change up my distance for each loop I have been running. Last week I was calling one loop 4.6 km and after thinking about it I realized I had overestimated the distance. I recalculated it based on a close guesstimation from map my run and some other peoples distances and I concluded my route is 4.1 km so 0.5 km shorter than previously thought. The repercussions are that my last week's distance of 51 km was wrong and I only ran 47. So this week I jumped from 47 (29 miles) t0 56 km (34 miles). A five mile jump in a week at these lower distances is significant and that has added to my tiredness. That also added time to my average pace. My running partner and his wife have been running with the youth so I started to join them on Saturday mornings along with Vye and the kids. We "jogged the bog" this Saturday which is a small 2.8 km loop around a swamp. It was a nice little jog with some walking and faster pace running. Overall it made for a slow run taking over 18 minutes to run the 2.8 km loop. This takes my average pace down quite a bit for the week. If you throw those times out though my average pace really improved this week by 12 seconds per Km and 30 seconds per mile. Here are some points about this week.

Week 2 Review

Stats

• Total Distance = 56.1 Km (35 miles)
• Total Time = 5:23:39 (47 minutes longer than last week)
• Avg pace in mins per Km = 5:41 (5:53 last week)
• Avg pace in mins per Mile = 8:59 (9:28 last week)
• Total Calorie burn = 3728 (3110 last week and 3500 = 1 lb of fat)

Highlights

• Obtaining my goal distance of 56 km.
• I ran with Vye and the kids twice this week.
• I got a runner's high last night for the first time in months.
• Improved my pace.
• I could feel my body settling into the running routine and each run felt like it was not as difficult as last weeks.
• My cough is just about gone.

Challenges

• I didn't wear my nylon base layer one day and obtained toe blisters and have had them since.
• I got insomnia on Friday night and my times slowed this weekend indicating I am over trained.
• I didn't run in the morning once this week.
• THE HEAT! (It was fun though and a welcome challenge).
• A tight or torn hamstring/glute that has hindered me since Feb, I really need to see a masseuse/physiotherapist.

Well I am happy with my training it is fun to start to finally get some data and I can start to watch my times improve and can compare various aspects of my 65 column spreadsheet. I feel I am walking that knife's edge between over trained and the safe maximum amount. Next week will really let me know if I am over trained or not. If my run times for the same distance increase and it is much harder to obtain the same distance and times, or my sleep is too disrupted I may need to back of for a few days and take a lower mileage rest week. I hope it doesn't come to that I have 61 glorious km to run next week.

Training week 1 in review July 20 - 26th

Well I completed week 1 of my 58 week training schedule today. This was plain and simply a painful week. My whole goal was to get 50 Km under my belt at a very slow pace, and that is exactly what I accomplished. What made this painful was the fact that the end of June and most of July were devoid of any physical activity. During this period of time I ate unhealthy and came down with a terrible cough. So this entire week was ran while I was sick. It definitely had a negative effect on my week but because I am not too concerned about anything but distance at this point in my training schedule it wasn't a big deal.

Highlights

Some highlights included consistent improvements in my split times each day. This is the great part about the early stages of training is that improvement comes easily. Later on small improvements are hard won.

I improved my diet, and switched closer to my 90% veg diet again.

Last night's 15Km run in the rain was definitely a highlight. The entire sky was ablaze from the sunset, it was pouring rain, lightning was streaking across the entire sky, and there was a double rainbow all at the same time. The sky was just riddled with drama. Great run.

I ran my first loop of the chip trail ever while pushing both my kids in the double wide stroller, and ran with Vye for the first time ever. I thought that I did really well considering I was pushing a 3.5 and a 2 year old over a trail and through deep gravel. This lap did effect my average pace for the week but I am not concerned because I am only worried about distance and time on my feet at the moment, speed will come later this year and early next.

I feel I was less grumpy, was more ambitious, and I accomplished more this week than the past weeks when I didn't run.

Some Weekly Stats

Weekly Distance: 51.4 Km (32 miles)

Total Run Time: 4:36:50

Weekly Calorie Burn (running only): 3409 (3500 = 1 lb of fat)

Average Pace: a slow 5:22 mins per Km or 8:29 mins per mile

Challenges

Any time I exceed 15 Km runs my right hamstring flares up. I have a chronic tear and I need to sort that out before the big dance. I really need some massage therapy to help relieve the trigger spots but it is pricey so I will probably just sit on a tennis ball and roll around a bit.

Coughing my lungs out.

Getting used to early morning runs.

Today's run, I was low on fluids and carbs and was getting used to running 5 or more days a week again.

Next Week's Goals

Simply to add 5 Km to the weekly distance (55 Km total). I am really going to increase my mileage slow this fall.

Shave a few seconds off each of my splits.

Kick this cough.

Stretch.

Conclusion

Well I am very happy with this week and though I have a dauntingly ginormous elephant to eat, I can now say I took my first bite and I look forward to my next. I love training because it allows me to have an outlet for my obsessive compulsive disorder to run its course. I have a crazy training log with 30 columns of data and I am able to compare and obsess over every detail of my training regime. I am able to compare my times with climatic conditions, food, fluid intake, sleep and dozens of other variables, and search for subtle patterns and go crazy with the details. I don't know that OCD is a disorder, on the contrary, I think it is a blessing.

I worked my core three separate times this week and I enjoyed the improvements. I hope to run better as my core is improved. I currently weigh 141.2 lbs and hope to gain some weight this month since I will really struggle to keep my weight healthy come fall. The extra pounds are needed at this point in the game just to get me through my training runs.

I am officially training for my first 100 miler!

I am starting my first leg of the training for my 100 mile race. I now have a good base down from the last year of running, and I now know I can handle the training distances, so now begins my journey to conquer a difficult ultra-distance trail race for 2010. My hopes are for the Wasatch 100 miler, but I will need to register soon and make it through the entry process. Some other options are the Stormy 100 near Squamish, BC, and the Cascade Crest in Washington.

I have been fighting a nasty cough for two weeks and I finally decided that I needed to start running regardless of this cough. I definitely feel the effects that my health and our vacation and all the crappy food I ate has had on myperformance. Just a month ago I was cranking out my fastest half marathon ever, now today I struggled to nail my 10 Km in a reasonable time.

I have a strategy for how I will tackle my training. My first main objective is to obtain a consistent and high mileage base. Some time in November I would like to reach my major cruising distance of somewhere between 120-160 Kms a week (75-100 miles) it all depends on how I hold up at these distances. If I can handle more than 120 I will go further. For the first few weeks of this leg of my training I am purely running a simple loop trail around the University just to get back to where I was before the illness and vacation. Come the middle of August I will start shifting my runs to the tougher terrain and nastier trails. The last few months (October and November) will be a good mixture of smooth trails and challenging trails. My distance will be acquired through early morning runs and long weekend runs. I will place more and more focus on the long runs and really begin shifting my mileage to those. It will be these extended runs that will allow me to experiment with shoes, hydration, nutrition etc. The goal is to by the end of November to have a strong base but also have a working knowledge of what works best for my body, so it will be an experimental stage with observations and interpretations. A key point is I am not laying out a set weekly schedule of how to obtain this mileage. I dislike regiments in running because they can cause you to train when you should be resting and thus injuring yourself but they also can hold you back when you feel good and can do so much more, I think a key of being a great distance runner is knowing when to rest and knowing when to really crank it, getting them both right is the challenge. I am a proponent of listening to your body so that is the stance I will take. All cross training during this period is going to purely be core work. I noticed that it was my core that gave out in distances beyond 30 Km the last few months of running. So I will really focus on building a strong core, I have a great core workout I modified from some elite distance runners.

The second arm of my training is going to be from December to March. This will be a phase of running that now incorporates fartleks, hill repeats (not just running the hills on the trails I am running), and tempo work (most likely fast 1 mile laps or 5 km loops with a 1/2 mile break between repeats). I will wait to do the hills, fartleks and tempo runs until I have a very good base down and I will slowly introduce them into my workouts once a week and go from there. This will be a strength building phase and hopefully a time to increase my overall cruising speed and a phase that I can maintain the cruising speed. I will not do too much x-training during this phase because it is going to be challenging enough on its own. My legs will be fairly knackered as is, I will maintain my core and perhaps focus a bit on my arms and chest.

The third phase is going to take me up until where I begin to peak, which will occur about 10 or 12 weeks prior to the event I choose. This phase will be a quality phase that incorporates everything from the prior two training phases including the high mileage, hills, tempo, and fartleks but will focus on technique and quality long runs. This phase will really shift my weekly mileage to the two back to back long weekend runs and will focus on getting me used to running on extremely tired legs for a long time. I hope to hone in my hydration and nutrition strategy during this period. I will make sure I am comfortable with all my apparel and gear I will use for my event. This will also be a time to work closely with my support crew and figure out how they can best help me at aid stations. I hope to run many 30 km runs, a handful of 40 km runs, and one or two 50 km runs during this phase, I doubt I will run longer than 60Km. I will run these long ones back to back so I will achieve perhaps 60-70 km of my weekly mileage in two days. The remaining days will be speed and quality work plus hills. Depending on the race I run I will tailor my training to match the course. This might include tons of down hill punishment if I am running the Wasatch since that is one of the major issues with people on that course. I am also going to really focus on going out of the gate slow and keeping an even pace. I will start a peak training schedule and then a taper just before the event to hopefully elevate me to my best possibleperformance for the event. If I can peak at the right moment and force a nice taper and everything works out in my favor, I hope to finish above the cut-off time and not die in the process. This is my goal for my first 100 miler. I have no pipe dreams of finishing in a crazy fast time. I am only interested in finishing and being able to smile or smile-grimace at the finish line.

To make this happen I am going to have to sleep less and do most of my runs in the morning. It is essential that my PhD work doesn't suffer and I have made a promise that if my training has a major negative effect on my studies I will have to throw in the towel and just maintain a healthy base distance until my life is more conducive for competition. My family is even more of a priority and so my wife will have to be a voice of reason and let me know if she is going to divorce me if I keep up my shenanigans. Like I said most of this will be carved out of my sleep and I will most likely become quite accustomed to running with a head torch, and functioning on little sleep and major physical fatigue. By taking a year to ramp up to where I want to with a year of pretty high mileage under my belt I feel that I can be gradual enough to ward off over training.

I am extremely nervous and excited. This past year has given me a small glimpse of what I am up against. I think that an event in 2010 is very reachable and if all goes to plan I will run the Wasatch Front 100 or the Stormy 100. A major advantage to the Wasatch is that it would be much easier for me to assemble a support crew and to obtain pacers. Also it is a qualifier for other races like the Hardrock 100. I hope to get on the roster for 2010. The Stormy is close and would be a much cheaper option. It seems like a lovely course. I would most likely rely on Vye and friends from up here for support and it would allow me to take a few trips earlier in the year to familiarize myself with the course. These are great options and I am anxious to get the ball rolling. Well I can't focus too much on the large picture right now because it is overwhelming, so I will only focus on the immediate goals in front of me. First off I have another 10 Km to run in the morning, and some core work so that will be focus for tomorrow. The next step is achieving the distance I need this week to be on course to up my mileage next week. For now that is all I need to focus on. If I stay focused on these small goals I will soon find myself in April running 140 Km a week and killing hill repeats and nailing 40 Km tough trail runs on the weekend.

I hope to stay on course and motivated and feel that as long as nothing unforeseeable such as injury etc. doesn't creep up I will finish my first 100 miler next summer.

Anyone want to run the Caminito Del Rey with me?

I have been looking for some really nice runs to do in the future. Since we are planning to go to Europe soon I found this little gem of a run in Spain. According to the eternal fountain of knowledge Wikipedia the road was built between about 1901 and 1905 to help transport people and supplies to a channel near a hydroelectric plant. The path is 1 metre wide and no longer has a handrail over most of the length. The path is about 984 feet above the river. I asked Vye if she would run it with me and she declined. Any takers? The course seems quite narrow and there may be some issues with vertigo. You may also want to practice running on 3 inch steel beams at various heights above the ground, to get used to a few spots along the run. Another technique that may be useful would be escaping from the concrete path crumbling beneath your feet. I am unsure how best to practice this, but it would be a useful tool for this run. I guess you could hike it and hold onto the steel cable, but I think running it would be much more exciting. I think when I run it I will be the first to trail run the El caminito Del Rey since it has fallen into disrepair. Join me and make history (perhaps it will even get a portion named after us, after they scrape our greasy smears off the rocks below). Why can't I be happy just running around the block? I guess I am an adrenaline junky.

Escape Routes - Book Review

While I was in the ICU with Kaleb, one of my good friends and fellow outdoors man, Nels lent me a book to occupy the time while sitting with my poor little guy.  He lent me Escape Routes by David Roberts.  This book is comprised of 20 essay-style short stories.  Roberts, a native from Colorado, and Harvard grad, has been a freelance writer for 15 years.  Roberts has embarked on many forms of outdoor adventure including climbing, white water rafting, and a unique combination of amateur archaeology and canyoneering.  Several of his adventures included fellow adventurer and life long friend Jon Krakauer (Into Thin Air, and Into the Wild).

Roberts' writing style paints a vivid picture and allows the reader to engross themselves in each unique setting.  His choice of words and sentence structures were well constructed and expanded my vernacular.  Strong character development and a focus on each individuals' positive traits creates a strong base for each adventurous scenario to play out.  Most adventure writing focuses entirely on the details of the adventure and the aspect of man vs. nature.  Many times adventure writing delves into over-the-top detail about this maneuver or that technique.  Roberts' writing actually explored many other aspects of outdoor adventure including archeology and the anthropological effects on each area discussed.  I enjoyed how I gained insight about each location and culture.  This book was actually very educational both historically and geographically.  I would highly recommend this book.  The book reads fast, and because it is a series of shorts, it is exciting to read each chapter start to finish in one sitting (you have to finish each story once you start reading it).  

Here is a small snippet from the book:

"He hooked a bent wrinkle of steel over a tiny flake of granite, stood on a nylon sling attached to it, and gained two more precious feet.  I let the rope inch out. 'I think it's going to go,' Ed said quietly.  It was a little before midnight.  I looked at the sky in the north.  It was June 22, the summer solstice, the longest day of the year.  The sun stood several degrees from the horizon, a yellow fire above black silhouettes of other mountains.

On sleeting, late November nights in Boston, where I live today, it comforts me to think of the Brooks Range, to know it still abounds with nooks and ledges where no one has ever been, and all it takes to get me there is another summer and the flimsiest excuse."

It really is a great read.  Give it a go and let me know what you think.

Which Marathon?

I am trying to decide which marathon I am going to run this Summer/Fall.  I could run the Park City on Oakley's B-day since we will be visiting Utah at the time, or I could run the Royal Victoria Marathon in October.  The challenges with running the P.C. is the difference in elevation, with limited time to climatize, and also there would be a shorter time to train for a faster time.  I would still like to run something while we are in Utah and that seems like the best race to run while we are there.  Victoria is a nice route and is continually voted as one of the prettiest in N.A.  I could also excpect a better time with the extra 8 weeks of training.  I doubt I could properly recover in time to run both marathons.  I will have to decide before races fill up and prices are increased. 

IAMX - Kingdom of Welcome Addiction - Brilliant New Release

IAMX (Chris Corner's project post Sneaker Pimps) are releasing their 3rd full length album on May 19th.  The album was unfortunately leaked by someone in media who received the album ahead of time for promotion.  Since IAMX is an independent label they will feel this shady act in their pocket book.  They sent a plea to their Myspace audience to still purchase the album legally and support art.  I have to agree, it is our album and concert purchases that allow artists to continually make and share their talent and vision.  I have avoided obtaining the album via torrent (which was 3/4 of the sites pulled up when googling reviews of this album).  I have listened to it via youtube (I know I peeked at my present before Christmas, it was just a little peek, and I am still very pumped to open the gift on the release date).  That being said, I would like to share some thoughts on this album because I am psyched, and couldn't wait to share my always biased opinion until after the album is released.

My first inklings that this was going to be their strongest and most epic album to date was based on the release of When I Think of England, some dodgy bootleg footage from concerts and back drop music to a pre-tour promotional clip.  What I heard from these few instances revealed small tasty nibbles of an IAMX in their element - artistic genius that hinted at being one of my favorite albums of 2009.  

Kingdom of the Welcome Addiction

Nature of Inviting is a moody song with an almost sub aqueous underwater-like baseline.  Corner's voice slinks out in sleazy verse.  Lyrically the song sets a standard for an album charged with strong views and opinions.  A great song to kick off the album.

Kingdom of the Welcome Addiction is an absolute masterpiece.  A powerful lone piano leads into an emotional and elephantine intro.  The fusion of piano, electronics, drums and distorted guitars seeps with brilliance.  The strength of the verse is complimented by a subdued segment of chorus ending in emotion and grandness.  I love this song and feel it is a gem.

Tear Garden is all about drums and piano.  The cheerful drum beats echo from the jungle and are perfectly accompanied by a tantalizing series of rhythmic piano chords.  Corner's voice is the third instrument outshining the drum and piano.   There are hints of violins and cellos giving a slightly sadder sound in contrast to the drums and piano.  Lyrically melancholy and complex, this song is another manifest of their variability and ability to produce an album full of gems.

My Secret Friend is a brilliant blend of Corner and the vastly talented Imogen Heap harmonizing a simple but haunting melody and lyric.  Musically the song is very simple as if avoiding to detract from the beautiful vocals.  I think Corner and Imogen play off each other's range and voices perfectly, and this song fuses their styles with grace.  Spot on!

An I for an I is a very edgy and in your face song.  It rocks harder and the lyrics hint at certain views and politics.  It is left open for interpretation, which I prefer.  This song reveals their ability to convey different emotions and topics exhibiting the bands depth and range.  

I am Terrified is an amazing song.  There is a sexuality and vulnerability linked by a binding relationship.  This song is powerful and emotional with that epic sound I have come to associate with this album.  There is a certain gravity to the lyrics and the raw emotion in Corner's vocals is mind blowing.  This song is the very essence of the album and going to be one of my favs for a long time without a doubt.

When I think of England was the first song I heard from the new album since it was released as soon as November of last year for a sampling.  My first impression was that this was going to be a bigger and more epic IAMX.  This song is such a magnificent blend of ripping guitar riffs, powerful drum beats and a chorus that just tears it up.  This song offers an interpreted link between Corner's past and present by the references of England and Berlin.  I love this song it makes me want to go run, climb a mountain or something adventurous.  Great choice for a first glimpse of their new record.

The Stupid the Proud is a waltzy song with religious undertones.  The music is simple and almost nursery rhyme-like.  The piano that runs throughout the album is a nice accomplice to the waltz-like backdrop of this song.  A xylophone also is sampled through the chorus and interim.  A nice mellow song with a strong take on complex battles.  It is a nice listen.

You Can be Happy starts with bouncy percussion and breaths of violin.  This song is lyrically complex taking on a subject that I have focused on disproportionately for the last year.  The view taken is easily justified.  The orchestral sound and drum beat throughout are nicely composed.  Corner gives an amazing vocal once again and I can't say enough about his performance in this album.  He definitely attacked each song with emotion and power.  This song is amazing and another great track with an applicability many new songs coming out today lack.

The Great Shipwreck of Life  marries the sound of the previous IAMX with the new.  Once again a strong statement is made about a pertinent subject.  A masterfully composed track with many layers.  I love this song.  It has a strong runabillity and is another strong track.  The drums and pianos again catch my attention as the perfect backdrop for Corner's instrumental voice. 

Running is the perfect ending to an amazing album.  This track is a saturated soundscape with such relevance that it was an instant favorite.  Lyrically and musically a beautiful masterpiece.  I can't praise this track enough.  It is eerie but at the same time embracing.  As a trail runner, and runner in the race of life, I most likely take a different slant on this song.  This song conjures up deeper thought and emotion and sends me to a place meant only for my eyes.  I am a runner!

I knew this album was going to be good but it far surpassed expectations.  I fear along with many other selfish audiophiles who feel they discovered IAMX that this type of record will catapult them into the mainstream.  This is great for the band and for creating opportunities to continue their artistic pursuits of making great music, but it also suggests that our secret is out and we now must share.  Like explorers from the far reaches of the Earth, those of us obsessed with music love to be on the forefront of discovery and love to be first above all else.  When the explorer returns to his secret haunt only to find it covered in loitering teenagers and litter, a small part of the explorer fades with the memory of the discovery.  It will be bitter sweet when IAMX is getting play on the local radio stations and their concerts are taken over by hormonally impaired adolescents more interested in hooking up than listening to genius.  That being said, this album is a must have, it is strong, epic, runnable, road trippable, and is stunning listened to in the dark or in a warm bath.  I feel that Corner and the members of IAMX have created a musical masterpiece.  This album finds itself ranked with my top albums of all time.  My only complaint is they are not coming anywhere near Victoria at the moment.   It is amazing to think back during their concert in SLC for The Alternative there was about 200 of us in the shady night club.  I now watch as they are packing large arenas and venues with eager listeners.  The IAMX phenomenon has caught hold.  It will be difficult to top this record but I am already looking forward to new stuff, I can't get enough.  My top record for 2009 thus far.

Virgin Voyage of the Brooks Cascadia 4's

I recieved my new shoes in the mail yesterday from Running Warehouse.  I busted them in this morning on a flat  20 km mixed surface run.  They felt awesome.  It is amazing to crank out 12 miles in a new pair of shoes and experience absolutely zero problems with blisters, hotspots, or rubbing of any sort.  I had no issues with shin splints and knees which I was struggling with as a result of my last pairs midsole breaking down.  I still need to take them on a Mount Doug Gutbuster training run and really push their limits to see how they handle the nasty terrain.  So far so good, and I am thinking they are the shoe for me.  They don't quite wrap my ankle as well as my asics, and so my only concern is ankle support from the upper.  They are a very stable shoe and most likely will lessen the ammount of ankle rolls anyway.  I will really push them  on the slopes of Doug next run to see how they handle the slick rocks, mud, steep desents, tricky side slopes, and loose gravel.  I can't wait.  The final test will come in the form of a 30 or 40 km on Elk Lake this week or early next.  I will have a good idea what to expect from these babies by then. This is a repeat of my georunner post for those of you following my runner blog.

New Release by Depeche Mode "Sounds of the Universe" - Some Thoughts

Spring often sees a rash of new music breaking out in time for Summer tour dates, and 2009 is turning out to be awesome for new music releases.  Depeche Mode released their 12th full length album "Sounds of the Universe" in April.  Before I can critique an album there are several settings I must listen to the album in to help me formulate my opinions.  I have to listen to a new album alone in a darkened room with head phones (for sound quality and focus), I have to listen to it on some sort of road trip ( preferably on my way to some outdoor adventure, this helps me to attach memories to the tracks on the album, and to see what sort of mood the album sets for the trip), and I have to crank out an extended trail run through crazy terrain and forrests while listening (running to an album helps me to determine the albums groove and general cadence and all important runability).  Since I have listened to the new album from DM in all three settings I can mention a few thoughts I have on this album and give my usual biased opinion.

This is a rushed post and so you will notice it is poorly written, and not too eloquent, but I thought I needed to say something while the new release is still fresh in my mind.

Sounds of the Universe

The album starts with "In Chains" a swanky groovy little tune.  Gahan has some nice vocals with great back up by Gore.  There is not a ton to say about this song, I would say it is not the strongest I've heard from DM. The song lacks a really good hook but it is the kind of song you might chill to.

"Hole to feed" starts with some cool electronic percussion, and some laser echos.  It has a bluesy feel to it, with sporadic futuristic sound-fx throughout.  The chorus has a more organic guitar and drum feel that is a nice offset to the highly electronic and stylized verses.  Up to this point in the album I still feel like I haven't had my attention grabbed, I am still waited to be punched in the face with something edgy and grabby.

"Wrong" definitely grabs your attention and is a fantastic jewel found within this album.  The melody and Gahan's voice paint a dark but edgy backdrop for this new DM classic.  Wrong was a wise choice by the band for their first single.  A great new masterpiece from the band.

"Fragile Tension" exhibits new range and pitch in Dave's voice than that of previous albums.  The overall song is fairly non-descript and not the most exciting on the album.  It isn't bad just doesn't knock my socks off.  The song doesn't really paint a major soundscape or mood for me, it is just another mellow chill song.

I like the intro to "Little Soul".  The strength of this song is in the chorus vocals and sounds.  The first line of each verse is my least favorite part of the song, and it just doesn't grab me.  Little Soul will most likely be one of the tracks that is quickly forgotten amongst fans.  It isn't memorable.

I like "In Sympathy".  The hook in the chorus with the guitar chords is catchy, and there is a nice mood and feel to the song.  I like the subtle sounds and electronic pulses lurking beneath the baseline.  This song most likely won't be on most peoples favorite lists but it is a good song.

"Peace"  is the first song since "Wrong" on the album that strikes me as a major gem.  This song is so different from anything they have released to this point.  I think it is a masterpiece.  I love how they sing "Peace will come to me" I enjoy both Gahan's and Gore's vocals in this song.  The electronic backdrop is so varied with aspects hinting at early 80's synthpop to more industrial or even German electronic influenced sounds and riffs.  Great Song!

"Come Back" is another strong track on the album.  I have a confession to make I really like a remix by my favourite DM remixer Dominatrix "Come Back - Dominatrix extended Passion of Love Remix".  I will critique the remix just because I like it so much.  The original is great, but the remix is absolutely beautiful and has a fuller and richer sound, which sets an amazing mood.  It also has fantastic elements from earlier DM songs for the careful listener.  I feel Dominatrix is a musical genius.  His remixes of DM's stuff often is as good, and on occasion like for this song, is better.  Brilliant track and remix. I will definitely come back to listen to this track.

Space Walker - Hmmmm...  A little dull I have to admit.  I often love the short instrumentals but this isn't their best.  It doesn't do it for me.  Not much more to say.

"Perfect" starts with a nice rhythm and sound, you can definitely pick out Gore's old school synth inputs in this song.  There is a nice guitar riff throughout.   Gahan sounds good in this entire album.  His voice is quite textured and he uses his voice as an instrument well.  Gahan's voice is the most prominent or dominant aspect of many of the songs. I like this song especially because of the backing electronic music.  There are a lot of layers and sounds that allow me to discover new hidden nuggets of genius throughout the song.  Nice track.

"Miles Away" is an upbeat song with vocals sounding a little like Elvis in spots.  Gore's backing is great.  This song is stout, and though I wouldn't call it a gem, it is a great track.

At first I thought "Jezebel" fell flat on her face.  I usually look forward to Gore's ballads more than any aspect of their new albums.  At first listen this song has a "Napoleon Dynamite" organ and slow groove to it.   As I have listened to it more though I have found Gore's vocals are great.  The instrumental sections are actually really good and the electronics are spot on.  Jezebel is getting more enticing with each drink from the album I take.

"Corrupt" has Gahan written all over it and could have come from Hour Glass or Kingdom.  It is a sleazy bluesy night club type song. It is not in the league of "I Feel You" as far as DM's bluesy songs go but it does stand on it's own. Gahan should be proud of this track and his contribution.

General thoughts on the album - This album needs to be listened to more than once straight through, also it should be listened to while experiencing different moods before you can fully start to appreciate it.  Most critiques revealed a very negative "knee jerk" reaction to the album.  Some even calling it a Turd.  I will be completely honest, at first listen I was a bit bored.  I think the first half of the album is quite slow - lacking major hooks or grabby songs.   There is nothing mind blowing in the album, but that being said I have found the "Sounds of the Universe" to have many layers that have to be listened to carefully to fully appreciate.  The album achieves some richness in places but also rings hollow in other parts of the album.  There was a general lack of edge.  

Highlights for me are without a doubt "Wrong, Peace, Come Back".  My taste in DM songs always morphs so it will be interesting to see which songs from this album make their way into my most played list in the future.  There are multiple songs that rang hollow and didn't grab me at all.  I would not class this album with Violator SOFAD or Black Celebration.  It is a nice addition to the DM discography and is worth the purchase and all important play time will improve your opinion of the record.  It becomes more enticing with each listen.  The bonus tracks are quite nice including "Ghost and The sun and the moon and the stars".   

General rating 6.5 out of 10.  It lacked runability, it is pretty mellow.  It is nice to unwind to in a dark room after a long day.  Road tripability is about average.

I will rock their live concert in SLC on August 25.  I can't wait, it will be interesting to see what I have to say about their new songs after the concert.  DM live - there is nothing like it.