Holiday Yule Log Run

So, this pas weekend I went on several training runs up in Griffith Park. This place is an excellent training ground because of the terrain, the hills, and the endless marked and unmarked trails. The first run I did with on Saturday I did with my rucksack loaded with 4 bricks and water. Total weight is just over 20lbs. Not a lot but it does wear on you particularly on really long runs like the one we did up in Henniger Flats some weeks ago. That ruck sack felt like 60lbs after 16 miles :) Anyway, I did a short 3-4 mile run (need to get my iPhone GPS app going so I can get actual distances covered)with my ruck and bricks including 20-30 yard wind sprints up a steep 1/2 mile incline. My legs were on fire! But I managed to make it to the top with gas to spare. On Monday I did the same trail but this time I picked up a nice log that I carried on my shoulder. Large and awkward was the name of the game. Only about 25 lbs but weight was not the goal. That thing dug into my shoulders something bad. Good lesson, though. Must think about some sort of small protective cushion/pad to have at Death Race for carrying large and awkward objects on my shoulder. It can't absorb water and it can't take up space. I thought of using a small inflatable pillow but that idea quickly went out the window when I realized it would get quickly punctured by a gnarly log. I have some other ideas, though ;
Last week I did the same trail with the ruck/bricks AND a 50lb sandbag on my shoulder. That was tough! But great practice for Death Race and the first train race in the King of The Hill series (sponsored by Joe Decker and Gut Check Fitness)!