tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57935270320606773252024-02-18T21:25:51.231-05:00Mountain Junkies L.L.C.Keep up to date with the trail running and mountain biking junkies of the Roanoke Valley.Mountain Junkies LLChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13760458262176018367noreply@blogger.comBlogger208125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5793527032060677325.post-80800938254884027262022-09-27T09:19:00.007-04:002022-09-27T14:56:00.235-04:00Into the Darkness 4 Mile Night Trail Run - the beginning<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNJcwuheFJaoTweflTjCcXL_hp0YH9_h6oyOCNsncs_z1DXUhzfBlHVFpp7Da00FvtJbqVveqATRbY5vSLWlbuaX8TC1SWGYfo873UtgI9SCps5-iTwhaznXmeLCeskdRuz90sicYOY1fJ2Op6or3FmTONTQ-O0GYaTplgxIptCkKlamG120GECFe3/s2048/ITD%202017%20Start.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1242" data-original-width="2048" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNJcwuheFJaoTweflTjCcXL_hp0YH9_h6oyOCNsncs_z1DXUhzfBlHVFpp7Da00FvtJbqVveqATRbY5vSLWlbuaX8TC1SWGYfo873UtgI9SCps5-iTwhaznXmeLCeskdRuz90sicYOY1fJ2Op6or3FmTONTQ-O0GYaTplgxIptCkKlamG120GECFe3/s320/ITD%202017%20Start.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnzRvfIqOvQhLbo5PGaBaC6jpfNTDai7Mp2P2bo9Pva94B8WJdHPmGIQbr6sWBczHqqMk7H4bQVPk32JISN5jPazI5vyv74rjidPOoS3IBMncplokHRnsMSkOBU4btxdkMMVb-P73kexJeZ0UMKZCgY2FDHPfM9LGizm6Lw0W6HkfytjeOZiFXAUPY/s4288/ITD_09_006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2848" data-original-width="4288" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnzRvfIqOvQhLbo5PGaBaC6jpfNTDai7Mp2P2bo9Pva94B8WJdHPmGIQbr6sWBczHqqMk7H4bQVPk32JISN5jPazI5vyv74rjidPOoS3IBMncplokHRnsMSkOBU4btxdkMMVb-P73kexJeZ0UMKZCgY2FDHPfM9LGizm6Lw0W6HkfytjeOZiFXAUPY/s320/ITD_09_006.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>I was fortunate to run the first Hellgate 100k back in 2003 and this event is what motivated us to put on the Into the Darkness event, to give people a taste of racing at night. I still remember that night 19 years ago. It was a full moon and you could see for miles. Not only were the other runner's headlamps visible in all directions but you could see the hanging glow sticks that were a loooong distance away, across the different hills and valleys of the course.<div><br /></div><div>It was wild to see a glimpse of where we would be, long before we got there. So why not share this experience with others in a race and a distance, anyone could enjoy. This was our first Mountain Junkies LLC created event, with 50 runners participating in the Into the Darkness run on October 27th 2007. </div><div><br /></div><div>The courses have changed quite a bit over the years depending on our headquarters and number of entrants and state of the park and, the park has changed many times and dramatically since 2007. </div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>The first few years, the race started at the entrance gate, ran to the beginner trail and finished in the courtyard between the Welcome and Visitors Center.</li><li>As the race grew, we had to reverse the course to make sure runners had adequate time to get spread out before hitting the trail. </li><ul><li>These were the years of running down the sketchy, gravel rutted out, Salem Turnpike. </li><li>We moved a lot of gravel during these years, trying to "improve" the ruts and potholes to minimize the danger. </li><li>The race ended in front of the Brugh Tavern, maybe the best finish line area we've had for the race. </li><li>The race topped out at 513 finishers in 2012. Whoa! Thankfully we started chip timing the event in 2011. </li></ul><li>We moved to our current location in 2016, at / behind the camp store and the course has been relatively the same since. </li></ul><div>Come on and join us on October 22, 2022 - https://runsignup.com/Race/VA/Roanoke/IntotheDarkness</div></div>Mountain Junkies LLChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13760458262176018367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5793527032060677325.post-24613168229425623922022-06-29T12:08:00.003-04:002022-09-24T21:36:20.570-04:00My Dramatic Leadup to the 2022 Wester States 100 Miler<p>You ever feel like your arch is going to rip apart during a run? Well that's where I was at mile 18 of the 2022 Blue Ridge Marathon.... Not the Western States leadup I had planned.</p><p>We started ultra running in 2002 and the thought of doing a
100 was nowhere to be found. Fast
forward to 2015, a couple “life” variables come up, you’re turning 40, so what
the heck, let’s do the Beast Series. </p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">After finishing the Grindstone 100 I decided to enter the
Western States lottery for the first time and the attitude from that point on
was to continue to qualify for both Western States and Hardrock until I was no
longer interested.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><b>My Qualifiers for the 2022 Western
States;</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">2016 - Grindstone 100 - 2015<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">2017 - Hellgate 100k - 2016<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">2018 - Bighorn 100 - 2017<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">2019 - Vermont 100 - 2018 <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">2020 - Covid Cancelled<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">2021 - Bighorn 100 - 2019<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">2022 - Laurel Highlands 70.5 -
2019<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><b>32 Tickets got me in to the
race<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The Drama<br />
</b>The Late Summer and Fall of 2021 saw 7 races (3-50ks, 1-marathon, 1-28k,
and 2-VKs) and Covid in the span of 11 weeks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You can see the details here - <a href="http://mountainjunkies.blogspot.com/2021/07/2021-year-of-bad-ideas-with-good-intent.html">http://mountainjunkies.blogspot.com/2021/07/2021-year-of-bad-ideas-with-good-intent.html</a>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br />
</b>That brings us up to date, to 2022 and focusing on putting those 7 years to
good use.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I started the year’s
activities, in early January, with the Choas 50k, finishing up my second year
or a running streak and feeling fit and ready to build up towards June.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Somewhere, shortly after this, a long term
mild issue of some heel pain started to flare up, I strained the opposite calf,
ran the Terrapin Half with Gina, and continued to try to train for WS.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The Crossroads<br />
</b>The Blue Ridge Marathon fit in to my plan as I figured Mtn Road running
with punishing descents would help prepare for the downhill nature of the WS
and running the road would be less of an issue for my foot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s just say the BRM didn’t go as planned,
my left quad was shot early due to the offloading of pressure of my right foot,
my legs were cooked by Avenham, and right after the top of Peakwood, as you
descend before the steep climb up West Ridge, my PF felt like it was going to
tear in half (no exaggerating).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I got to
the top of Peakwood, where Gina and Kathleen were waiting for me and decided
that I was done, I’m pretty sure my words were, “I think I’m going to pull the plug.”
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">10 Week Countdown and
plan to WS100 – Outlook bleak but possible<br />
</b>- No running until my heal doesn’t hurt<br />
- Increase aerobic training volume each week <br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Training Log</b><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Week 1 – spin bike, road bike, mtn
bike<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Week 2 – only slightly better, added
in some weight bearing work, elliptical and stepmill<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Week 3 – spin bike, road bike, elliptical
and stepmill<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Week 4 – felt comfortable enough to
test things out and was able to get in a few runs without pain – 6.5 miles of
running<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Week 5 – running, spin bike, road
bike, elliptical and stepmill – 34 miles running<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Week 6 – running, spin bike – 53 miles
running<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Week 7 – running, spin bike – 54 miles
running<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Week 8 – running, spin bike – 68 miles
running<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Week 9 – running, spin bike – 48 miles
running<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Week 10 – running – 32 miles <br />
My foot feels good and ready to go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>Mountain Junkies LLChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13760458262176018367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5793527032060677325.post-25319925467750639802022-06-02T13:49:00.002-04:002022-06-02T13:49:20.289-04:00My Path to Western States<p><b>My Qualifiers for Wester States;</b></p><p>2016 - Grindstone 100 - 2015</p><p>2017 - Hellgate 100k - 2016</p><p>2018 - Bighorn 100 - 2017</p><p>2019 - Vermont 100 - 2018 </p><p>2020 - Covid Cancelled</p><p>2021 - Bighorn 100 - 2019</p><p>2022 - Laurel Highlands 70.5 - 2019</p><p><b>32 Tickets got me in to WS 100 2022</b></p>Mountain Junkies LLChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13760458262176018367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5793527032060677325.post-58326468606703480142021-12-20T13:53:00.002-05:002022-01-23T18:58:27.876-05:00Chaos Mtn 50k - a Streak Celebration<p> Unbeknownst to Justin Bower, he created an event to celebrate my running streak. </p><p>- Did he know about my streak? Not a chance</p><p>- Did he care? Doubtful</p><p>On 1/17/20 I headed up to Fairfax Virginia and attended a <a href="http://www.therunningclinic.com">www.therunningclinic.com</a> seminar. During that seminar one of the things that we learned about running and injury prevention was that, the more days you run the less likely you are to be injured. That's not to say you should engage in a running streak, it just means that if you are going to run 30 miles in a week, you are better off running those miles over 5 or 6 days than 3, that a more regular load/stress on the body is better than periodic stress. I took this as an opportunity to start a streak. </p><p>My running buddy, James Decker, had run 32 days in a row, so I wondered how many I could do. The most days I've run in a row, tend to be around a vacation, when we adventure and explore new areas. This would maybe be 10 or so days in a row, at most 12. By no means a steak. </p><p>I remembered a Jeff Roes article on <a href="http://www.irunfar.com">www.irunfar.com</a> disscussing his running <a href="https://www.irunfar.com/streaking" target="_blank">streak</a> attempt. Until I started mine, I just assumed it would end in a similar fashion as Jeff's. But then there was Covid and more stress and uncertainty. There was a drive to keep the streak going, something to focus on and something in my control. Somehow, running, less races, and a streak put me at being able to get 3000 miles in 2020 (probably the only time I'll reach this level). I did the math in early December and noted that by running an extra a bit over 300 miles for the month, or what would amount to, 10 miles a week, I could hit the 3000 mile mark (about 400 more than any other year). So I put in the time and finished up with 3013.</p><p>My streak rules are;<br />- at least 2 miles<br />- have to be outdoors<br />- under 14 minute pace. This is for the post ultra shuffle to count as a run.</p><p>In just under another month I should hit the 2 year mark. I plan to run the Chaos Mtn 50k again as a "celebration" of the streak. I have no predetermined mark I want to hit. I'm mainly going until I feel like it's "time" to quit. At this point I'm interested in what will be the thing that makes me stop.</p><p>This Fall had some hurdles that I thought might end things. The schedule ended up having 7 races, plus covid, in 12 weeks;<br />7/24/21 - Catherine's 50k<br />8/14/21 - Jarmans 50k<br />8/14 - 8/24 Covid<br />9/3 & 9/4 - The Rut VK and 28k<br />10/1 & 10/2 - The Broken Arrow VK and 50k<br />10/11/21 - The Boston Marathon</p><p>Although some performance suffered in there, the races went well and made for an unforgettable end to the racing year. I don't recommend running a mountainous VK and 28k 2 weeks after covid or the Boston Marathon 9 days after a mountainous 50k, but if you do, do it in the Fall!</p><p>What will end the streak? </p>Mountain Junkies LLChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13760458262176018367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5793527032060677325.post-1123522289106597142021-07-26T14:06:00.002-04:002021-07-27T08:06:03.013-04:00Catherine's Furnace 50k<p><a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/5680547064" target="_blank">Race #1</a> of the "West" and Wild, Fall preparation was this past weekend. On 7/23/21 James and I left for Rocktown (Harrisonburg) in preparation of the 7/24/21 Catherine's Furnace Fat Ass 50k, between New Market and Luray. </p><p>Fat Ass events have certain qualities;</p><p>- Zero or minimal entry fees<br />- No shirt<br />- No awards<br />- Minimal Aid<br />- A range of zero Course Markings to fully marked course</p><p>See all the race details <a href="https://new.vhtrc.org/events/cfa" target="_blank">here</a>. The Course is a lollipop loop with a common 10 mile section out and back and an 8 mile loop section in the middle, 3 big climbs with a total of 5700ft of climbing. </p><p>The goal was to use this as a training race and to enjoy time on new to me trails. It was going to be a hot and humid day so I wasn't sure what to expect in regards to performance. </p><p>The race started out with a mile or so of rocky runnable terrain.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZPd5dvwKSsYMKLU2DjOYMApU627z8RfoU-Cwd6gCUC3dZc5ZHXIuochNgeVmm7AK9FstwpY6jSRoMaV4UJXhUB-FhMcpH9njBoraeYZKMJii8nPTAjBdEwcOF2PQ1wF7IM7daM_RmS8k/s3264/IMG_20210724_130025919_MP.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZPd5dvwKSsYMKLU2DjOYMApU627z8RfoU-Cwd6gCUC3dZc5ZHXIuochNgeVmm7AK9FstwpY6jSRoMaV4UJXhUB-FhMcpH9njBoraeYZKMJii8nPTAjBdEwcOF2PQ1wF7IM7daM_RmS8k/s320/IMG_20210724_130025919_MP.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p>As we got in to the long 1600ft climb up to Bird Knob I fell in with a group of 6 and just followed. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg4Z9uT8VtV-1MRFOhUy3Y-w0HvhXHZkaYong-voHWa0ExKeXTlaDaiqw3E-RqpQU-7DaC_9_LJNq6LrULPJtlU2M1LIFnapsvydvuTUZOPXcr1D1jXltsReS5K2qqvp5iOia2yVX_zAk/s3264/IMG_20210724_073441207_MP.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg4Z9uT8VtV-1MRFOhUy3Y-w0HvhXHZkaYong-voHWa0ExKeXTlaDaiqw3E-RqpQU-7DaC_9_LJNq6LrULPJtlU2M1LIFnapsvydvuTUZOPXcr1D1jXltsReS5K2qqvp5iOia2yVX_zAk/s320/IMG_20210724_073441207_MP.jpg" /></a></div><p>Bird Knob was a McAfee's Knob style rocky overlook looking over New Market. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTitqggRtMqBzV2_W2vcI7-QQzBzhhREw7fhJpoqrdq6lfSHY_a33_grmrJ8VG9jU5uMK7t7yon9nywM_lJKCGvr8GbrcJkiruUYpf0-brrG8M900naVBXcf9mS2QoOYgxc3SEDsNI31c/s3264/IMG_20210724_123631775_MP.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTitqggRtMqBzV2_W2vcI7-QQzBzhhREw7fhJpoqrdq6lfSHY_a33_grmrJ8VG9jU5uMK7t7yon9nywM_lJKCGvr8GbrcJkiruUYpf0-brrG8M900naVBXcf9mS2QoOYgxc3SEDsNI31c/s320/IMG_20210724_123631775_MP.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuEa9TN7tXuLOYowoiulcv2bXf5963ejPoOoKKuNBod4kkzk7OWtJzS1KPV3fj-IDFEq3KcF6N3YEn4CZ7I4Taa8vK-no6A_GnSP-fDUduwhc6RMWQYcFZ-7rnBr3Wt1lzA57JpFkAnGE/s3264/IMG_20210724_123610871_MP.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuEa9TN7tXuLOYowoiulcv2bXf5963ejPoOoKKuNBod4kkzk7OWtJzS1KPV3fj-IDFEq3KcF6N3YEn4CZ7I4Taa8vK-no6A_GnSP-fDUduwhc6RMWQYcFZ-7rnBr3Wt1lzA57JpFkAnGE/s320/IMG_20210724_123610871_MP.jpg" /></a></div><p></p><p>We ran the ridge for awhile before dropping down to the first aid station. This ridge was similar to Tinker Cliffs. It was runnable with large embedded rocks and a trail covered in pine needles. </p><p>I opted to pass by the first aid station, thinking I would be fine until AS 2. I felt fine now but I'm pretty sure I should have been drinking more. </p><p>From there, it was some very rocky and technical trail up to the second ridge, on the infamous Purple Trail</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTjV1WSn57m2I2_LIO7JT05avzt2onKoonl24zmJcwg7ivlDZfifHl8NMoJrDWpMssWztThvT9kyyHOjeVmV1x6iCGKQiCGZjqoj9NniUKA2P2WFtZWS9zxninn4DQ36dk8BChxI2_Xlw/s3264/IMG_20210724_082305799_MP.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTjV1WSn57m2I2_LIO7JT05avzt2onKoonl24zmJcwg7ivlDZfifHl8NMoJrDWpMssWztThvT9kyyHOjeVmV1x6iCGKQiCGZjqoj9NniUKA2P2WFtZWS9zxninn4DQ36dk8BChxI2_Xlw/s320/IMG_20210724_082305799_MP.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzTQzZ5qa6lQh9BCcv4-4ejdUciyILs5Upje1GPbkvDJwBUW9mtvHmnmcXhQsAKz5vT-VVOyFVqVYUxVNZh0g' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dx18BorVuTfKcyjs2zCfqA4XzUJK1KyQeu5CPYEPwwjQAWM0sjRbHaefDpugaJIs3mJqznXwlZ0NevkbvQlsA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">and then a steep rocky descent leading to more runnable terrain to the second aid station at Catherine's Furnace.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA4by6R86_RTafEUd0-55soYYM02Iq8VJMH8dQjuRs5HQB1JTngVrAXtTIYlu3q_Hhf8jOfYW7g8fT45rLfkTNBHgSCTYtJtFLYFfCrumcvoZb0heYiIgbXsvJOxvehfrWR1qD6qvUSS0/s3264/IMG_20210724_090203307_MP.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA4by6R86_RTafEUd0-55soYYM02Iq8VJMH8dQjuRs5HQB1JTngVrAXtTIYlu3q_Hhf8jOfYW7g8fT45rLfkTNBHgSCTYtJtFLYFfCrumcvoZb0heYiIgbXsvJOxvehfrWR1qD6qvUSS0/s320/IMG_20210724_090203307_MP.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I topped off with water and was on my way pretty quickly. From here we had a 2.5 mile run, gradually climbing on a gravel road. </div><div><br />Next was AS 3 where again I opted to not take any water and roll on through. Probably another bad idea. Side note, you ever see that SNL skit, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGfBEnBw01A" target="_blank">"Bad Idea Jeans"</a>? </div><div><br /></div><div>We were now on the Morgan Run Trail. This was a rocky trail that went straight up the Hollow, meandering over rocks and trees, across streams, through muddy sections with logs in them to help provide footing, through a former controlled burn area that ultimately led to an overgrown Forest Service Road. Along this road I started to get the first cramps of the day, at about mile 16. At AS 4 we came to another gravel road that descended back to Catherine's Furnace and AS 5.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoKe5N4vcnhu1ao5tNTiI2XazSFrOWCs-dN_RBHKMzDDaKrcvkF8NmyWT2-RkUrI1qzNbm4jK482huXGX2V1hN6U4yK-eZDnW_For9nH1RyLlxpk8_z9rEo6R3XG_wMxgrwyeHFP4y8mQ/s3264/IMG_20210724_103025894_MP.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoKe5N4vcnhu1ao5tNTiI2XazSFrOWCs-dN_RBHKMzDDaKrcvkF8NmyWT2-RkUrI1qzNbm4jK482huXGX2V1hN6U4yK-eZDnW_For9nH1RyLlxpk8_z9rEo6R3XG_wMxgrwyeHFP4y8mQ/s320/IMG_20210724_103025894_MP.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div>I topped off my water and resupplied my food for the return trip to the finish. From Catherine's we were going to retrace our steps back up the 3.2 miles and 1600ft to the top of the Purple Trail climb. Anyone who's been here before will remember the Purple Trail. Just ask them about it. </div><p>This was a slow slow hike up to the top, in the heat of the day, while nursing some cramps. Finally to the top and now one half mile loose rocky section back to AS 6. Here I topped off my water and removed my left shoe to remove a few pebbles and then was on my way back to Bird Knob and the final 4.5 miles to the finish. Trying to take a shoe off while dealing with cramps takes some patience. It's not an easy or fun process.</p><p>Different than the beginning of the race, we skirted around the Bird Knob Trail, staying on the Orange Trail. This looked to be an old Forest Service Road lined with mountain laurel and about 10 of these large anthills. This whole section of trail was covered with ants doing their thing. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmD8hyYU_ElTO0gjJ9DTw2TsEOHtKGa2uwGtZPb0Xo6L_Q-81Qh0Ioli2-I464B1L01uLiiaMriataDEZ_1vGH7HqhIsIT6G0xeWmNhmfVBVsH9aYwbM0K01VmFqPPdz52v7Dk5m9PyuM/s3264/IMG_20210724_122008704_MP.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmD8hyYU_ElTO0gjJ9DTw2TsEOHtKGa2uwGtZPb0Xo6L_Q-81Qh0Ioli2-I464B1L01uLiiaMriataDEZ_1vGH7HqhIsIT6G0xeWmNhmfVBVsH9aYwbM0K01VmFqPPdz52v7Dk5m9PyuM/s320/IMG_20210724_122008704_MP.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p>From here it was a 4 mile rocky technical descent to the finish. My toes had been pretty beat up and the soles of my feet were pretty bruised up, so I limped my way to the finish in around 6:20 and getting the coveted CFA-50k sticker. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPlq1wsuhh5SupMSSlO8_jMAneQHNFimDDtfIjz7LSk88JnaILZXkVw14qSKjC0QKvEsuUTpwt6Bq_kHORnNFX3EFAvvDKmiXPCMgA6mNc28T0b6Qui2xAeZVyZYmRIAwwVYTd3EpPOZQ/s3264/IMG_20210724_132215059_MP.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPlq1wsuhh5SupMSSlO8_jMAneQHNFimDDtfIjz7LSk88JnaILZXkVw14qSKjC0QKvEsuUTpwt6Bq_kHORnNFX3EFAvvDKmiXPCMgA6mNc28T0b6Qui2xAeZVyZYmRIAwwVYTd3EpPOZQ/s320/IMG_20210724_132215059_MP.jpg" /></a></div><p><br /></p>Mountain Junkies LLChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13760458262176018367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5793527032060677325.post-16876227468507951512021-07-22T08:20:00.008-04:002022-06-29T11:30:56.927-04:002021 the year of bad ideas with good intent<p>2020 had a few events that we were signed up for, get crammed into a small block of weekends.</p><p>The 2021 Summer and Fall race plan is as follows. </p><p><b>Training races/runs to lead up to the big events;<br /></b>7/24/21 - James Decker and I are running the Catherine's Furnace 50k put on by the VHTRC (Virginia Happy Trails Running Club)<br />8/14/21 - Gina and I are headed to Crozet to run the infamous JIM (Jarman's Invitational Marathon).<br /><b>Update to this</b> - we ended up getting Covid during or immediately after this race and had two weeks until the Rut.</p><p><b>The Big Events;</b><br />Back in 2017 we headed out to Montana to run the The Rut Mtn Runs VK & 50k. In the 3 days of events, only the Saturday 28k got to the top of Lone Peak. The Vertical Kilometer was shortened due to wind and the 50k was shortened due to ice and snow. A good size group of us are doing one or more of the races. When signing up this time, Jonathan Adcock and I did what sane trail runners do, we signed up for all three races so that we could <u>almost</u> guarantee getting to the top, in one or all of the races. </p><p>9/3/21 - The Rut Mtn Runs Vertical Kilometer<br />9/4/21 - The Rut Mtn Runs 28k<br />9/5/21 - The Rut Mtn Runs 50k - I opted not to do this</p><p>Then we head to Lake Tahoe to try and tame the Broken Arrow Skyrace. This was supposed to be a June race, but California was one of the most strict states with their Covid guidance, and it got postponed to October. </p><p>10/1/21 - The Broken Arrow Vertical Kilometer<br />10/2/21 - The Broken Arrow 52k</p><p>And, finally, 9 days later I made it into the 125th Boston Marathon. I'm not really excited to run another marathon to qualify for the 2022 event, so I'm headed there to experience the Covid postponed reduced field event. If I could have my way I'm hoping for 3 things;<br />- that I survive the aforementioned races without injury<br />- that I enjoy the race this time. 2018 was a complete mess due to the weather. It was more of a "let's get this thing done" rather than an enjoyable race.<br />- and I run another qualifying event of 3:15 or better (3:20 is my qualifying time and the 5 minutes is the extra time I'd probably need to get in). </p>Mountain Junkies LLChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13760458262176018367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5793527032060677325.post-80287910280845354232020-02-11T14:17:00.001-05:002020-03-31T14:51:18.644-04:00Running History - Present to Past<b>2020 Plan</b><br />
09/4/20, 9/5/20 & 9/6/20 - The Rut Vertical Kilometer, 28k and 50k (2)<br />
06/19/20 & 6/20/20 - Broken Arrow Skyrace Vertical Kilometer and 50k - Canceled<br />
04/18/20 - Blue Ridge Marathon (3) - Canceled<br />
03/21/20 - Terrapin Half Marathon (4) Ran this as a Virtual Race - 2:06:46<br />
<br />
<b>2019</b><br />
<b>57 Ultras (<u>34</u> 50k, <u>4</u> 40M, <u>10</u> 50M, <u>5</u> 100k, <u>4</u> 100M) & 5 Marathons</b><br />
12/14/19 - Hellgate 100k (5) 14:26:20<br />
11/16/19 - Richmond Marathon (2) BQ in 3:09:41<br />
06/18/19 - Bighorn 100M (2) 30:34:31<br />
04/14/19 - Bull Run Run 50M 9:51:46 and 18th place<br />
03/23/19 - Terrapin Half Marathon (3) 1st Master<br />
02/16/19 - Holiday Lake 50k (10) 4:59:35 10th Male Overall<br />
<br />
<b>2018</b><br />
11/03/18 - Mountain Masochist 50M (3) Pacing 11:49<br />
07/21/18 - Vermont 100M 19:16<br />
06/23/18 - San Juan Solstice 50M (3) 12:03<br />
04/13/18 - Boston Marathon 3:06:20<br />
02/17/18 - Holiday Lake 50k (9) 4:35:29 12th and 1st Master<br />
<br />
<b>2017</b><br />
09/01/17 - Iron Mountain 30M (4) 4:45:41 4th Place<br />
07/18/17 - Laugavegur Marathon 55k (Iceland) 6:01:05 41st<br />
06/17/17 - Bighorn 100M 26:40:27 19th<br />
04/22/17 - Blue Ridge Marathon (2) 3:27:01 8th<br />
04/01/17 - Dam 5k - 1st Overall<br />
03/18/17 - Terrapin Half Marathon (2) 1:59:57 1st Overall<br />
02/11/17 - Holiday Lake 50k (8) 4:26:14<br />
<br />
<b>2016 - This was the year after the Beast Series and I wanted to do some different things with a focus on "less is more." The BRM and trying to go for a BQ were high on the list. </b><br />
12/10/16 - Hellgate 100k (4) 13:04:45 1st Master<br />
11/12/16 - Richmond 3:03:42<br />
09/02/16 & 9/4/16 - The Rut VK and 50k 5:14:43<br />
06/18/16 - Highland Sky 40M (2) 7:17 9th Overall<br />
04/16/16 - Blue Ridge Marathon 3:17:28 8th overall<br />
09/19/16 - Terrapin Half Marathon 1:57:59 1st Overall<br />
<br />
<b>2015 The Beast Series Year</b><br />
12/12/15 - Hellgate 100k (3) 13:23:47<br />
11/08/15 - Mountain Masochist 50M (2) 9:00:50<br />
10/09/15 - Grindstone 100M 23:17 10th Overall<br />
09/05/15 - Iron Mountain 50M 8:38:15 6th Overall<br />
06/27/15 - San Juan Solstice 50M (2) 13:04<br />
04/25/15 - Promise Land 50k (6) 5:45:55<br />
03/21/15 - Terrapin Mtn 50k 5:03:32<br />
02/14/15 - Holiday Lake 50k (7) 4:35:46<br />
<br />
<b>2014</b><br />
8/30/14 - Iron Mountain 30M (3) 4:45:56 2nd Overall<br />
7/19/14 - Tahoe 50M 9:57:16 9th Overall<br />
6/14/14 - Highland Sky 40M 7:32:01 15th Overall<br />
4/26/14 - Promise Land 50k (5) 5:37:53<br />
<br />
<b>2013</b><br />
8/31/13 - Iron Mountain 30M (2) 4:49:36 5th Overall<br />
7/27/13 - Catoctin 50k (4) 6:08:48<br />
6/22/13 - San Juan Solstice 50M 12:27:20<br />
2/02/13 - Uwharrie 40M (2) 7:14:22 8th Overall<br />
1/12/13 - Willis River 50k (2) 4:35:24 2nd Overall<br />
<br />
<b>2012</b><br />
12/08/12 - Hellgate 100k (2) 12:29:53 11th Overall<br />
09/01/12 - Iron Mountain 30M 4:34:39 3rd Overall<br />
06/23/12 - Eastern Divide 50k 4:38:38 3rd Overall<br />
02/04/12 - Uwharrie 40M 7:22:29 9th Overall<br />
01/14/12 - Willis River 50k (2) 4:38:58 1st Overall<br />
<br />
<b>2011</b><br />
10/12/11 - Richmond Half Marathon 1:27:12<br />
07/30/11 - Catoctin 50k 6:23 (3) 10th Overall<br />
02/12/11 - Holiday Lake 50k (6) 4:33:16 16th Overall<br />
01/15/11 - Swinging Bridge 35k (2) 2:52 3rd Overall<br />
<br />
<b>2010</b><br />
11/20/10 - Outback Scramble (2) 6th Overall<br />
10/09/10 - Deep Hollow Half Marathon (2) 1:49:12 6th Overall<br />
08/28/10 - USATF 10k Trail Championship<br />
07/30/10 - Catoctin 50k (2) 7:17<br />
05/28/10 - Rock 2 Rock 10k - Straight up and then straight down the mtn<br />
04/24/10 - Promise Land 50k (5) 5:41:26 - first time under 6 hours<br />
02/13/10 - Holiday Lake 50k (5) 5:37 Snow year<br />
01/16/10 - Swinging Bridge 50k 5:03:10 4th Place<br />
01/02/10 - Frozen Sasquatch 25k 2:19 2nd Overall<br />
<br />
<b>2009</b><br />
11/21/09 - Outback Scramble<br />
11/14/09 - Pack it out Half Marathon 1:49:10<br />
10/17/09 - Deep Hollow Half Marathon 1:56:58 7th Overall<br />
05/25/09 - Bolder Boulder 10k<br />
04/25/09 - Promise Land 50k (4) 6:18:15<br />
02/14/09 - Holiday Lake 50k (4) 5:04:04 - trying hard to go sub 5<br />
01/17/09 - Swinging Bridge 35k<br />
<br />
<b>2007</b><br />
04/27/07 - Promise Land 50k (3) 6:07:26<br />
<br />
<b>2005</b><br />
03/26/05 - Bel Monte Endurance 50k 6:02<br />
<br />
<b>2004</b><br />
02/14/04 - Holiday Lake 50k (3) 5:31:31<br />
<br />
<b>2003</b><br />
12/13/03 - Hellgate 100k 14:52 9th Overall<br />
10/18/03 - Mountain Masochist 50M 9:18<br />
08/09/03 - Catoctin 50k 5:59:20<br />
04/26/03 - Promise Land 50k (2) 6:16:32<br />
02/15/03 - Holiday Lake 50k (2) 5:53 Extreme Mud Year<br />
<br />
<b>2002</b><br />
11/23/02 - JFK 50M 9:34:01<br />
09/28/02 - Beech Mountain Madness 50k 6:23<br />
06/02/02 - Biltmore 15k 1:10:56<br />
04/27/02 - Promise Land 50k 6:32<br />
02/16/02 - Holiday Lake 50 5:28:23Mountain Junkies LLChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13760458262176018367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5793527032060677325.post-33876678503970727742020-01-01T10:57:00.004-05:002020-01-01T10:57:34.109-05:002019 Fitness SummaryAfter focusing on an average of 50 miles/week last year I decided to just run and let my fitness and health in charge of my training. I see a lot of people get in trouble with putting a goal or race in front of their fitness and health and it almost always ends in disappointment. <br />
<br />
<b>General Stats</b><br />
Running - 2301 miles<br />
Mtn Biking - 90 miles<br />
Road Cycling - 1051<br />
13 weeks of 50 miles or more<br />
16 weeks of speed work leading up to the Richmond Marathon<br />
<br />
<b>Races;</b><br />
02/16/19 Holiday Lake 50k - 5:59:35 - 10th Male<div>
03/23/19 Terrapin Half Marathon - 2:08:20 - 5th and 1st Master</div>
<div>
04/13/19 Bull Run Run 50 Miler - 9:51:46 </div>
<div>
06/18/19 Bighorn 100 Miler - 30:34:31</div>
<div>
11/16/19 Richmond Marathon - 3:09:43 - BQ accomplished</div>
<div>
12/14/19 Hellgate 100k - 14:26:20 - 5th time Eagle Trophy and WS qualifier means no mandatory 100s in 2020</div>
<div>
Roughly 290 miles of race miles which is 12.6% of my mileage for the year.</div>
<div>
Following Holiday Lake I've battled a couple bio-mechanical issues. I never felt great this year and am looking to work some of these out in 2020. Always work to be done</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>2020 Plan - Vert, lots of vert</b></div>
<div>
Terrapin Half Marathon in March</div>
<div>
Broken Arrow VK and 50k races in June</div>
<div>
The Rut Mtn Runs VK, 28k and 50k in September</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Already thinking about 2021</b></div>
<div>
Boston Marathon</div>
<div>
100 miler that is a Hardrock qualifier</div>
Mountain Junkies LLChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13760458262176018367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5793527032060677325.post-10646636543289237252019-09-24T14:25:00.003-04:002020-02-11T14:24:50.755-05:0010 Years of Holiday Lake<u>Holiday Lake #1</u><br />
The year was 2002;<br />
<ul>
<li> I was 26 and I'd started running 6 months prior</li>
<li> it was 3 months after my first race, the Jingle Bell 5k</li>
<li> I was training with a guy that had done some ultras so I figured I could do some ultras</li>
<li> a GPS watch didn't exist, we had to rely on things called Horton Miles</li>
<li> LED lights didn't exist (anybody remember the Petzl Zoom or running with a mini Mag?)</li>
<li> Handheld bottles didn't exist unless you made one yourself</li>
<li> Waistpacks with a bottle were common</li>
<li> It was a different time....</li>
</ul>
<br />
I don't remember much about that first Holiday Lake 50k, but I remember it ran around the lake opposite of what it does today, counter clockwise to start, and then returned clockwise. The weather was cold, the footing good and I followed the wise ultra adage of "hike the hills and run the flats and downs." My legs were tired, I was thrilled to finish, and within a second of crossing the finish line my legs seized up, as if I had no knee joints. I was 48th in 5:28.23. Fun Fact - I still have the long sleeve Patagonia finishers shirt and it is still in great condition.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Lesson #1 - The brain controls the physical body. The thing between your ears can lead you to amazing things or it can stop you well before your time is due. The guy that ran across the finish line was the same guy that couldn't bend his knees after the finish. The only difference is that the mind knew the race was over. </blockquote>
<u>Holiday Lake #2 - 2003</u><br />
In 2003 it was a different Holiday Lake. The weather was poor; rain and sleet on top of some snow and a gradual thaw that saw the course become mud ++. I had never seen so much mud. This race was actually easier physically but the poor conditions made it a mental challenge. I was able to run more sections than in 2003 but ended up 30 minutes slower for a 42nd place and 5:53.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Lesson #2 - Running slower, staying more aerobic, causes less muscle soreness. </blockquote>
<u>Holiday Lake #3 - 2004</u><br />
In 2004 I went in hoping for a PR. That's one of the problems of racing. You always want to improve and in this case it was proving that I was both smarter and more fit than the guy that ran his first 50k six months after starting to run. This race started out as planned, but at around mile 12 I started to have what I like to call the "bubblin' crude." This went on until mile 28. The GI system just wasn't interested in being on my team. I think I headed into the woods 3 or 4 times, a couple of these trips got me wrapped up in briers and locust thorns. I thought I might have a chance at "best blood" an honor Dr. Horton gives out to the bloodiest finisher. I was in the best blood lead until someone else easily bumped me out of first place. They had chaffed their privates and had visible blood on the front of their shorts (winner, winner). This day ended with a time of 5:31:31<br />
<br />
<u>Holiday Lake #4 - 2009</u><br />
For a lot of different reasons I went on a Holiday Lake hiatus and skipped a few years only to return on Valentines Day 2009. Once again I was hoping to go below 5 hours. This year the course was changed to what it is today. I felt like I was in good shape but fell off pace and bonked a bit in the middle sections. Regained composure towards the end but was unable to go under 5 and ended in 5:04:04. This was the best I could have done on this day.<br />
<br />
<u>Holiday Lake #5 - 2010</u><br />
In 2010 I was in the best shape of any of my other Holiday Lake runs and felt like I was in sub 5 shape. Mother nature isn't a variable you can plan for and this year the Holiday Lake course was covered in 4-6 inches of snow. Snow that was almost frozen enough to stay on top of, but with each foot step, the crust on top would cave in right as I was pushing off. Dr. Horton extended the time cuts due to the conditions. I was doing pretty well to the turnaround but started falling off pace on the 2nd half. The snow and extra effort needed to get through it really took a toll and created more fatigue than expected. Finished worn out in 5:37:00.<br />
<br />
<u>Holiday Lake #6 - 2011</u><br />
This year would be the year of a sub 5 hour finish. Returning in 2011 I was at a totally different level of fitness than previous years and was focused on a best case scenario of 4:30 and worst case of 4:59.59. I was running high 30's and some 40 mile weeks. I had planned to do the Willis River 50k in early January but rolled my ankle during the race and decided to stop at the 35k finish line. This may have been a blessing in disguise and helped me come in to Holiday Lake less fatigued.<br />
I came into the halfway point of Holiday Lake around 2:09 and slowly faded off that 8 minute pace to finish in 4:33:16. Having a 30+ minute PR is a special thing.<br />
<br />
<u>Holiday Lake #7 - 2015</u><br />
I took a couple years off from doing Holiday Lake for the Uwharrie 40 miler that occurs the week before. So I didn't return again until 2015. I thought I was in similar fitness as in 2011 and could match that time. I started out with running buddies, Johnny Robinson and Matt Prescott. We ran together until around mile 8 when I had to make a side of the road pit stop (gotta watch out for those headphone wires in an emergency #2 stop). Simple enough, I got back in to the swing of things and caught back up with Johnny and then Matt.<br />
At the turnaround I had another unexpected stop in the bathroom (Pro Tip; skip the bathhouse, the bathrooms right at the finish line at Holiday Lake are heated). On the return trip things went really smooth and I think I held my pace to finish in 4:35.46. Without those pesky bathroom breaks I could have been under 4:30. Maybe Next time.<br />
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<u>Holiday Lake #8 - 2017</u><br />
I skipped Holiday Lake in 2016 following the Beast Series. I wanted to take an ultra break to recover and run some different races. I ended 2016 training for both the Richmond Marathon and BQ and Hellgate. Both races went well and I ended the year with some pretty good fitness.<br />
This was the first race James and I ran together. We hit the turnaround at 2:12 and stayed together until mile 21. At that point I felt like I needed to push it a bit to hit the sub 4:30. I hit the last water stop with 4 miles to go around 5 minutes slower than I wanted. I went in to a mini panic and gave it all I had to hit my target time. Somehow the wheels stayed on and I was able to finish 20th in 4:26.14.<br />
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<u>Holiday Lake #9 - 2018</u><br />
This was another trip to Holiday Lake where I was looking for an 8min/mile pace which would be a 4:18 for the 32.2 mile race. Well this year was a little different as one of the bridges over the lake had been taken out due to age or a storm. This caused a reroute of the course where we had to go around an inlet and then return to the trail. It was projected that the course was about .75 longer in each direction for a total of 1.5 mile longer. I hit the turnaround with an 8 min pace but that slowly faded away with a few cramping issues on the return trip. All in all it ended well with a 12th place and first master award in 4:35.29. I think this was my best placing.<br />
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<u>Holiday Lake #10 - 2019</u><br />
This is the first time in a few years that I was showing up to HL not looking for a PR. I knew I wasn't in my best February shape. The course was expected to be really muddy this year. It had been wet leading up to the race and the forecast had rain in it. <br />
I thought I was in around 4:49 shape and wasn't sure how the mud would play out. The first loop went according to plan and as the weather and course got worse my pace fell off again. I felt good about constant running progress, I just didn't have the normal turnover I've come to expect on this course. I did end up with a 11 overall and 10th male. The first time, since the first Hellgate in 2003, that I was top 10 male in a Horton race.<br />
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Holiday Lake 50k isn't the most scenic race but it is early in the year, it's a runable course, it is a well run race, and if you are in 50k shape in February then the foundation is set for a lot of different race options in the spring and early summer.<br />
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Dr. Horton does a great job directing races and it is a great place to catch up with runners I've known over this 16+ year process.Mountain Junkies LLChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13760458262176018367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5793527032060677325.post-34577763024089960242019-06-29T18:52:00.002-04:002019-06-29T18:52:40.214-04:00Bighorn 100 Miler - Sheridan WyomingThis would be my 2nd time to the Bighorn 100 and 4th 100 miler. See, "we" are returning for Gina to conquer the event where she broke her fibula in 2017. That was a muddy year too. It started raining, sleeting and snowing at around mile 44. Most of the time we couldn't use the trail and were in the tall grass on either side and the conditions didn't improve until around mile 82. What would this year bring?<br />
<br />
See in Wyoming, if the ground is dry it is hard packed and runnable. If by chance it begins to rain or snow, the ground quickly begins to turn to mud and it is mud with no bottom to it. It's hard to describe if you've never experienced it.<br />
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As the event drew closer, in the last week, they race committee sent out an note stating that the high country near the turnaround was still snowed in, that many of the race supplies/aid stations would have to be packed in on foot or by horse, that minimal aid would be available at these locations, that mandatory gear would be needed, that there was a lot of snow and mud, and that an extra hour would be added to the 100 miler and 30 minutes to the 52 miler.<br />
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With that said it was really hard to prepare as some people familiar with the course said that the last 3 miles to the turnaround were bad and others, around town, kept saying how bad it was "up there." Almost every shop we went into had someone saying that they had heard it was bad. No-one seemed to have good news.<br />
<br />
I wasn't 100% going into the race but felt pretty good and adequately trained and thought I should be able to improve on my 26:45 of 2017 and was actually shooting for a sub 24. I've been dealing with a glute issue since Holiday Lake 50k in February, right Achilles tightness and a right big toe that was recently re-aggravated and has been an issue since last year's Vermont 100 where in the span of 5 minutes I kicked two rocks so hard that it made me sick to my stomach.<br />
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The Bighorn 100 started at 9am on Friday morning (1 hour early). The beginning of the course climbs for the first 12 miles and then descends into Dry Fork aid station the first drop bag and crew point. I didn't feel good, I knew something was off but things weren't going bad either. I was just running along. It was a nice day.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Part of the first long climb</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Keep climbing suckers</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The road section before Dry Fork.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view before dropping into Dry Fork. You can see the aid station tents in the distance.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">G catching me having so much fun at mile 13.</td></tr>
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At around mile 20 it started raining and getting pretty muddy, sloppy, slippery. This began my worry as once it begins to rain the trail conditions go to crap in a hurry and this was 24 miles earlier than in 2017.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
To give you an idea of the Wyoming mud, in the pre-race briefing one of the course markers mentioned that a trail care crew went up from the Sally's footbridge aid station to cut out a tree. When they went into the shoe sucking mud section, one of the horses sunk down to it's chest and had to be pulled out by the other two horses. That tops all of the course condition stories that I've ever heard.</blockquote>
This part of the course runs along the ridge and then quickly drops down to the 30 mile Sally's Footbridge aid station and second drop bag location. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Entering Aspen country</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Running through the wild flowers</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just before we came across a moose running full out. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">About a mile from Sally's the sun came back out.<br /></td></tr>
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At Sally's we were instructed to carry a jacket with hood or a buff/beanie, long pants and gloves from this spot and were to keep this gear until the next day or daylight hours. This is also, where I decided to put on my brand new Altra King Mts. I had purchased them for muddy races but the catch was I hadn't worn them yet. So it was a gamble. I figured with mud and snow being a definite it would be worth it and, if I needed to, I could change out of them at mile 68. <b>Note</b> - I would normally encourage people to avoid wearing new shoes in a race, especially an ultra. In addition, this would be the first time I was picking up hiking poles to use in a race. I figured these would be a big help in the muddy conditions and help keep me on my feet.<br />
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For some reason, the rain didn't affect the other side of the gorge and the climb up from Sally's was great. I actually started to feel good and could run quite a bit of this section. Somewhere after the Spring Marsh mile 40 aid station the course started to fall apart. The weather was changing, the wind had picked up and it was beginning to rain. I saw a guy sitting on a downed tree unpacking his jacket and within a couple steps saw the guy in front of me get wowed by a double rainbow. We both took out our phones and took some pictures. I yelled at the guy putting on his jacket that he was missing a great moment. We each took a moment watching the storm and rainbow continue down the canyon we had just climbed up from.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dude! You are missing out!</td></tr>
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Back to business, up to Elk Camp aid station. I talked with a few of the aid station workers about 2017 and Gina being taken out by horse. I check to see if Mouse, the horse they packed her out on, was there and they said he brought in supplies but was taken out afterwards. Those aid station workers deserve some kudos for packing things in and putting up with us racers over 24 hours. In the pre-race briefing there was mention of 1500 elk up here. I didn't see a one.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt2CYRww-6rtwNJ1dmoXgGcCfqoTK1ilD8f6pT_Iz-UvIPVdl5XvvwO4VW4SWAYQ5wVS-uMYJxXC3pVtY1i71pSLevX9LuyAUL_lZDRkW_ci6bVPP0gbqzOd7ATjzrWLVqg84MVRSkX3A/s1600/2019-06-14+17.32.15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt2CYRww-6rtwNJ1dmoXgGcCfqoTK1ilD8f6pT_Iz-UvIPVdl5XvvwO4VW4SWAYQ5wVS-uMYJxXC3pVtY1i71pSLevX9LuyAUL_lZDRkW_ci6bVPP0gbqzOd7ATjzrWLVqg84MVRSkX3A/s320/2019-06-14+17.32.15.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They said we could go through the creek or....</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS22V7MprFfExgaD7XFRoHHpls3ot7ne5AzcC6992IKrUw79cWGDYNPQiY5VMDFEvnslDZJZxXe1iJHD5nYv6iXDgtn7DVvfrynXbQ_02u8Bz87vtbYmYLG-viM5QWMFALdGjwBYOHHcM/s1600/2019-06-14+17.32.22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS22V7MprFfExgaD7XFRoHHpls3ot7ne5AzcC6992IKrUw79cWGDYNPQiY5VMDFEvnslDZJZxXe1iJHD5nYv6iXDgtn7DVvfrynXbQ_02u8Bz87vtbYmYLG-viM5QWMFALdGjwBYOHHcM/s320/2019-06-14+17.32.22.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Take this log bridge. I chose the bridge.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXhHGlw7U605NfSQygWyvsgHYsCMM9gCdQRN3I7orlyI8GoFwqIlvM59fkFiFk_ASJ65i6_5KEn7ODwwYnJueefgCT7oUzI9jR6bWMrmU2yQ6trbKV5334gq47Gzs1j_gQwLb9aXKMxs8/s1600/2019-06-14+18.05.14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXhHGlw7U605NfSQygWyvsgHYsCMM9gCdQRN3I7orlyI8GoFwqIlvM59fkFiFk_ASJ65i6_5KEn7ODwwYnJueefgCT7oUzI9jR6bWMrmU2yQ6trbKV5334gq47Gzs1j_gQwLb9aXKMxs8/s320/2019-06-14+18.05.14.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Headed up! Starting to see the snow.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvoKD5auMmKQgVAIpN7DKL6T2e_F0_ki0cNS3YKcCYwyv0Kdu6xETUvL2GI2z-8bviiueeV7F_50NwMY8-IC2y5PxUMV2vn3siXWezPc4cXHPqCCAXzqKTKslz_drXPLKI9HN_HBmx0Zw/s1600/2019-06-14+18.05.18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvoKD5auMmKQgVAIpN7DKL6T2e_F0_ki0cNS3YKcCYwyv0Kdu6xETUvL2GI2z-8bviiueeV7F_50NwMY8-IC2y5PxUMV2vn3siXWezPc4cXHPqCCAXzqKTKslz_drXPLKI9HN_HBmx0Zw/s320/2019-06-14+18.05.18.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXrpskXWWIcm0jP67hvcy-IIJg9s3xmIaCngNdQapAEntDkRIMW3CWbg1M3oY1KJQJNRbjL1EmkMOtdXjyJgNOX5OhlxE8QF6XbMWL_agPhU66AaNi74Uy6qIR7A1ir_Q-FDb7cQO9wm0/s1600/2019-06-14+18.05.22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXrpskXWWIcm0jP67hvcy-IIJg9s3xmIaCngNdQapAEntDkRIMW3CWbg1M3oY1KJQJNRbjL1EmkMOtdXjyJgNOX5OhlxE8QF6XbMWL_agPhU66AaNi74Uy6qIR7A1ir_Q-FDb7cQO9wm0/s320/2019-06-14+18.05.22.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR_PR-5SVHaLDHm7DhFg3FAiFukn5MoO0bYrmF_Wn42RV6yYZOJUCW1utYaxUlZimeYlKefiNVJnEafDKscQZ-dDK18Qc6_4bBU_QRyWySryfiYoUNTwOyqn6ZYwyoZcKaZ8gpEDCemhs/s1600/2019-06-14+19.04.51.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR_PR-5SVHaLDHm7DhFg3FAiFukn5MoO0bYrmF_Wn42RV6yYZOJUCW1utYaxUlZimeYlKefiNVJnEafDKscQZ-dDK18Qc6_4bBU_QRyWySryfiYoUNTwOyqn6ZYwyoZcKaZ8gpEDCemhs/s320/2019-06-14+19.04.51.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the first muddier sections. Just a little taste of what was coming.</td></tr>
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It was 5 more miles to the turnaround and very slow going. We began to enter the high country that we were warned about. Tons of shoe sucking mud, snow drifts, and a handful of sections where we post-holed through the snow into knee high freezing water (from the melting snow). I was entertained by the occasional F-bomb and other profanity as racers broke through the snow, to their surprise, into the freezing water (hey, sometimes other peoples misery motivates me).<br />
<br />
We crossed Devil's Canyon Road and now it was 1.25 to the turnaround at Jaws Trailhead. You could already hear cheering, cow bell and vuvuzelas. Follow the fence row and onto the road into the aid station. Surprise! There was one more melting thigh deep snow drift next to the road. Thanks Bighorns!<br />
<br />
Jaws aid station is a biggie. Lots of volunteers, gas heaters, drop bags, plenty of food, medical check, on the verge of nightfall and a prime place for people to melt under the pressure of the race and being almost halfway done. I knew from 2017 this was where most of the 50+% turned in their bib number and dropped.<br />
<br />
On my right was another racer talking with his girlfriend. We were having/making fun of the mess we just went through and the day we still had left. On my left was a guy that looked defeated. He mentioned a couple times, to his girlfriend that, "I don't think I have another 50 miles left in me." He made no effort to eat, drink, change clothes. He was done. Here comes one of the funniest moments. Not one second after he started unpinning his bib number, the guy next to him quickly asks, "can I get a ride back to Dayton?" The DNFs were in full swing.<br />
<br />
Ok, now it was time to change some clothes, grab my lights, extra batteries, food, mandatory cold weather gear, top off the water and make the long return trip to the finish. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyMZ0o2CiZnoq8dXeGYBXAEBPAJLx9WPLBE_XeuGVvnrkjnY4ut7h7FW-s61-MFBH30nUI0lCAzTQ_koK-69n0YPsfOTYwCc6xEgHTRQpihHB7NzTj2q2PsT4RJvuzBxMqF-KAbxQsBE8/s1600/Bighorn-2019-2928.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyMZ0o2CiZnoq8dXeGYBXAEBPAJLx9WPLBE_XeuGVvnrkjnY4ut7h7FW-s61-MFBH30nUI0lCAzTQ_koK-69n0YPsfOTYwCc6xEgHTRQpihHB7NzTj2q2PsT4RJvuzBxMqF-KAbxQsBE8/s320/Bighorn-2019-2928.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I needed my light pretty quickly after leaving Jaws aid station as the clouds wind and rain came in. The 5 miles back to Elk Camp were pretty slow and slippery as the mud didn't allow for any running. Once there I added a extra shirt layer and buff as I was getting pretty cold. Short stop at the fire to warm my hands up and I continued on to Elk Camp, where my watch finally died, and then on to Sally's Foot Bridge. <br />
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For me, night-time trail hours tend to go pretty fast. Just shine your light ahead of you and keep moving forward. The single minded focus of following that light seems to make time go by pretty fast.<br />
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Before I knew it I was back to Sally's. Marianna helped me restock my supplies and brought over an egg McMuffin. I changed watches and saw 5:30am, that was a surprise, but then I realized that was Virginia time, that I hadn't acquired GPS yet and that it was 3:30am mountain time. I was about an hour behind 2017 and that felt about right. A couple deep breaths and sighs and it was time to climb the wall. This year, the climb seemed sooo much steeper and longer.<br />
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The next part is a blur. Cow Camp aid station was at the top of the climb, then 7 miles of up and down along a ridge to Bear Camp aid station. This is where I started to realize I could no longer run. I was having issues with my right ankle. When I'd attempt to run the muscles in the front of my shin felt like they were severely strained, like I had kicked a 1000 rocks during the night (I hadn't). This strained feeling built up to feeling like the muscles were ripping off the bone. Mentally I was good and my energy was good. Hiking wasn't too bad, so I hiked. I did some quick math and knew I was going at about 3 miles an hour and that meant I had about 8 hours left. Plenty of slow time on the trail. I could deal with that. <br />
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On a bright note, the Bear Camp folks bring up 100+ pounds of bacon to cook up during the race. I grabbed a few crispy pieces and was off again to hike the next 6 miles to the last large aid station Dry Fork. This section was much better than 2017 and was drying out with every minute. In 2017 you couldn't use the road it was so muddy. You had to make your own path in the tall grass and sage next to the road. <br />
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At Dry Fork I changed shoes, socks, and shirt, dropped off my mandatory clothing and was off again. For a few moments I thought the new shoes and socks were the key as I could run a bit. That lasted for about a mile and it was back to hiking. This section was busy as all the other races started to mix in with us 100 runners (52, 32 and 18 milers). It was nice to have company but I had to get off trail a lot to let people get by. Lots of runners cheered us 100s on as they passed us like we were standing still. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikKdiQeb1uSH985_8V2fVDIKv_OL6YA22mib54fWiog3zqTLAtrJniF1iQNzGd3HHZxeHax1bz-OkX1QDzxcVjn1AFgncVDR-7uLl-aXz2TNHm58UYGb-lqvfwERrtGefaWMo4qfFr56c/s1600/Bighorn-2019-1028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikKdiQeb1uSH985_8V2fVDIKv_OL6YA22mib54fWiog3zqTLAtrJniF1iQNzGd3HHZxeHax1bz-OkX1QDzxcVjn1AFgncVDR-7uLl-aXz2TNHm58UYGb-lqvfwERrtGefaWMo4qfFr56c/s320/Bighorn-2019-1028.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Check out the mud up line all the way up to the short.</td></tr>
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The next stop was Upper Sheep Creek aid station. From here there was just one more steep climb and then the long 7.5 mile descent to the 5 mile dirt road to the finish. This climb hurt everyone and I actually passed a couple of the other race participants on the climb (that was fun), but man that climb was steep. <br />
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Down, down, down we went to Lower Sheep Creek aid station and then finally the road. Ugh, the road, but yay only 5 more miles to go. This road was pretty much in the sun. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3c-XRxx1C18JNdoe91Olr-q5xAmk3gYfErp5rW258NoAh9IAFQ6Lo2_zY1Hm8ekl6G96HWIFFwdNo1HdYK2Ej_ywVKdc58B4M-nGIWq9mU6dorJ7u2hZAT9pgRtw-li-c4ItK_bf7C-w/s1600/IMG_1407.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3c-XRxx1C18JNdoe91Olr-q5xAmk3gYfErp5rW258NoAh9IAFQ6Lo2_zY1Hm8ekl6G96HWIFFwdNo1HdYK2Ej_ywVKdc58B4M-nGIWq9mU6dorJ7u2hZAT9pgRtw-li-c4ItK_bf7C-w/s320/IMG_1407.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No worry that this pic would be blurry at my rate of speed.</td></tr>
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I thought I might combust along these miles. I had perfect hiking splits of 15:50s to 16:10 for the 5 miles. Cross the bridge, one block to the park, turn left onto the grass and gravel path, and enjoy the last few tenths to the finish. The path was lined with tons of people cheering and ringing cow bell. It's a pretty cool end to the race. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLqQt7otdMQEVnMnTuvouFMpiKjfCOgulTWSHANGYfluxNsklrKHPZqvxQDVxE8CdwF44LGWXEVQYKUhnB5iPb68f1bBDwLjNKeHfzIOz_TigG_s570dH6l8Kr-5fJU1B8U-WLZHL-3-4/s1600/Bighorn-2019-4444.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLqQt7otdMQEVnMnTuvouFMpiKjfCOgulTWSHANGYfluxNsklrKHPZqvxQDVxE8CdwF44LGWXEVQYKUhnB5iPb68f1bBDwLjNKeHfzIOz_TigG_s570dH6l8Kr-5fJU1B8U-WLZHL-3-4/s320/Bighorn-2019-4444.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Done!</td></tr>
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There was a tent at the finish with some chairs. It was fun to finally sit and talk over the race with some fellow runners. We talked about how nice it would be to get in the creek to cool off and clean up but none of us felt like we were nimble enough to fight the current. <br />
<br />
Now the mission was to get some food, get cleaned up and come back to cheer Gina and Emily in to the finish. Marianna said Gina was expecting a 7pm finish and sure enough, they were right on schedule. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-_6gedtZL4n_Avbr3qHsTXuhdMc1C3AdrrDKpxM0mlRXcFy4UDEbbrlmpcSZXn1JSUPGr_ROchyphenhyphencJ1aOLWcurrs6ltjaaxPKyPCRBUF6U7-ZI5SQlmmGJ7A4ASA3LTGeF0TXg6mvMzVQ/s1600/2019-06-27+15.25.25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-_6gedtZL4n_Avbr3qHsTXuhdMc1C3AdrrDKpxM0mlRXcFy4UDEbbrlmpcSZXn1JSUPGr_ROchyphenhyphencJ1aOLWcurrs6ltjaaxPKyPCRBUF6U7-ZI5SQlmmGJ7A4ASA3LTGeF0TXg6mvMzVQ/s320/2019-06-27+15.25.25.jpg" width="256" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We did it. Mission accomplished. Marianna was a big help babysitting the both of us out there.</td></tr>
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We both finished without injury and that spells success and most importantly, means we have no reason to come back to the shoe sucking mud of Wyoming. Mountain Junkies LLChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13760458262176018367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5793527032060677325.post-27977756588701226862019-04-24T07:17:00.000-04:002019-04-24T07:17:00.273-04:00Bull Run Run 50 Miler4/13/19 Bull Run Run 50 - <a href="https://www.vhtrc.org/brr19/info">https://www.vhtrc.org/brr19/info</a><br />
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I've had my eye on this race for a long long time and it just never fit the schedule. This year it fit the schedule and my training plan for the Bighorn 100 miler in mid June.<br />
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This would be my 55th ultra and I went into it with a conservative plan and a pretty good idea how the day would go. My fitness is a bit behind the last few years and I've been dealing with a couple injuries but nothing that should have been a big problem. So I thought. The early mud did aggravate things and quickly had me reassessing the days goals. <br />
<br />
During the race, the focus quickly changed to the frustration and disappointment of a race that fell apart at mile 20 and having to suffer through the remaining 30 miles. Today all that is left of the event are the memories of getting to spend a day in the woods on "new to me" trails with friends, early miles of slip sliding in muddy conditions, miles of blue bells and the sounds of 1000s of gunshots as we ran parallel to the shooting range across the river.<br />
<br />
I knew this as the last 30 miles slowly passed by. That the disappointment would quickly fade and I would be left with the good. Yeah, it wasn't so bad. And now maybe the mental sword will be a little sharper for the next race or the next challenge that surfaces.<br />
<br />
The Virginia Happy Trails Running Club (VHTRC) are a great bunch of people and are seen at most races around Virginia. It was a well run event along the Bull Run River. It is almost all trail (98%) with a couple short sections of gravel and asphalt road. Nothing about it is really difficult but the course has a few short technical sections and is rarely flat. The out and back portions give you a chance to see other runners and the aid stations are numerous enough that you don't need to carry much with you. I decided to carry a 20oz handheld and took some food that I had prepared and was able to keep that in my pack pocket. Mountain Junkies LLChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13760458262176018367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5793527032060677325.post-5794664053397446052019-03-26T11:28:00.000-04:002019-04-18T14:36:47.495-04:002018 Year Summary2018 was an interesting year with a focus on the Boston Marathon. The goal was to go to Boston and run a sub 3 marathon on the oldest marathon course in the world and be done with road marathons (except for the occasional hometown Blue Ridge Marathon).<br />
<br />
The year started out with an oldie but goodie, the 2/13/18 - Holiday Lake 50k. This was my 9th running of this race and it has been a great, early in the year event to get in roughly four and a half hours of constant running. If you can do that in the middle of February it sets<br />
a good foundation for any ultra distance race. I placed the best I have over the years with a 14th and 1st Master in 4:35.29.<br />
<br />
Following Holiday Lake, the goal was to fine tune the endurance fitness into some speed and turnover work needed to hit the 6:52/mile average needed for the 4/16/18 - Boston Marathon. Anyone who followed this race knows how bad the conditions were. I remember standing around with James Decker in the athletes village under a giant tent. As we stood, shivering, watching the rain,we were seeing the rain freeze on the tent and fall off as ice. An ice pile was forming on the ground around the border of the tent. Even with that, I still thought I had a sub 3 chance until mile 8. That's when I saw the pace falter and knew it was time to roll with it and enjoy what I could. The final number was a 3:06.20<br />
<br />
Now that, that was over it was on to training for the Vermont 100. This seemed like the right year to do Vermont. It is one of the original four, grand slam 100s, and it is 68ish miles of gravel road. So it seemed like rolling marathon fitness into a "runable" 100 was a logical plan. The next stop on the 100 training train was Gina's pick and my 3rd San Juan Solstice 50m on 6/23/18. This high elevation race has put a hurting on me in the past but this year I was going for a sub 12:30. This would provide some much needed time on feet to prepare for the 100 that was a month away.<br />
I ran on perceived exertion on this one and saw myself running in places I haven't in the past and knew I had a chance at a big PR. I hit the 42 mile aid station and knew it was going to happen. I came close to a sub 12 hour finish but ended in 12:03.14. <br />
<br />
We continued to put in some serious miles after the San Juan Solstice while on vacation and this put me in a good position to taper into the 7/21/18 - Vermont 100. I had been focusing on a goal of finishing in less than 20 hours. That would also be midnight and the thought of finishing that early was great motivation. I also Strava stalked another ultra runner that I tend to run near, in other races, and saw they had run in the 18:30s. So best case scenario was an 18:30 and a goal of no more than 20 hours. This race was a real test. There was plenty of climbing with 17,000ft of gain over the course but much of it was runable. Keeping the legs running after 50+ miles is tougher than in races where you have to hike due to large sudden inclines. I hit the 50 mile mark right on schedule at 9 hours. The 2nd 50 miles were a little longer. I pittled away some time at water stops that I shouldn't have. But I was very happy with my 19:16, 22nd place and big sub 24 hour buckle. <br />
<br />
I went into a post Vermont funk. Running didn't feel good and it wasn't any fun for about 2 months. Not sure what it was. Could have been overtraining or a need for a break. I tried to keep my running schedule consistent and get extra rest in hopes that things would "snap" back in to gear as quickly as possible.<br />
<br />
I kept toying with the idea of training for the Hellgate 100k but I knew a couple nagging injuries should be tended to before I committed to anything like that. What helped get me out of the funk was Alice Stump asking if I would pace her to a MMTR finish. This kept the wheels turning and kept me distracted on a task. On 11/4/18 we had a great day to be in the woods. A wet and muddy time for the first half and then as the course climbed up into the mountain we had a perfect cool breezy Fall day. Alice kept moving and that constant forward progress got us to the finish in 11:49ish with an 11 minute cushion. Whew, that was quite a physical and mental day in the woods. Glad we were able to reach our goal.<br />
<br />
With the end of the year winding down and us having a trip to New Zealand planned I decided to keep things conservative for the remainder of the year, trying to get my right foot, Achilles and left quad healed up so that we could put in some serious time on the trails of New Zealand.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Mountain Junkies LLChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13760458262176018367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5793527032060677325.post-70924567917815840682019-02-14T14:35:00.000-05:002019-02-14T14:35:23.909-05:002019 Leave it BetterWhat message do we go into the new year with?<br />
<div>
We started this in 2017 with a suggestion to "do more" or find a new limit.</div>
<div>
Last year was "be a buddy, find a buddy" in an effort to get more people on the trails.</div>
<div>
This year the message is, leave it better (with a focus on trail maintenance).</div>
<div>
How can you leave it better;<br />
pick up trash from the trail and pack it out.<br />
sign up for a volunteer work day<br />
kick sticks or rocks of the trail<br />
stop to move big sticks and logs off the trail<br />
even go so far as to carry a handsaw with you to remove medium size trees off the trail </div>
<div>
Whatever it is, make a difference with your time, use your trail time to leave things in better shape. </div>
Mountain Junkies LLChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13760458262176018367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5793527032060677325.post-63349903324832745762018-08-04T08:58:00.001-04:002018-08-04T08:58:05.580-04:00Vermont 100<b><u>Short Story Option</u></b><br />
<b>Race Summary</b><br />
53rd Ultra and 3rd 100 miler - 22nd in 19:16.01<br />
Pack - Ultraspire Alpha 2.0<br />
Shoes - Saucony Peregrines for 59 and Altra Lone Peaks for 41<br />
Drink - All water except two collapsible cups of Coke<br />
Food - Epic Bars, Nut butters, home made energy balls and an avocado (and a tortilla with avocado at an aid station)<br />
<b>Lesson - </b>I actually learned this at the San Juan Solstice this year when running at high elevations. When you are really tired and want to walk more than run, pick a running speed that is slower than you think you should run. This will keep you running for a longer period of time. I've found that my brain tells me to run faster, which gets me winded and more tired, causing me to stop sooner and more frequently than had I run at a slower pace. <br />
<br />
<b><u>The Long Story Option</u></b><br />
<b>The Backstory</b><br />
I never intended to do a 100 miler. I was content with doing all distances below 100 from the start, back in 2002. But due to another long story made short, we changed the 2015 RNUTS schedule so that it didn't conflict with the <a href="http://www.eco-xsports.com/events/beast-series/" target="_blank"><b>Beast Series</b></a>. For more 2015 craziness look <a href="https://mountainjunkies.blogspot.com/2015/" style="font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
<br />
Since 2015 and the completion of the Grindstone 100 and Beast Series I've been in the lottery game for the Western States and Hardrock 100s. I've decided that as long as the desire is there, I'll try to qualify and keep accumulating tickets until I get in. Each year since, I've needed a WS100 qualifying race and then every other year I need to complete a Hardrock qualifier. Once I got past the lotteries for these races in early December the mission became which WS100 qualifier to do.<br />
<br />
I'm not sure when he first mentioned it but, James Decker has wanted to go up and do the Vermont 100 for quite some time. Vermont is one of the oldest 100s in the US (I think the 4th oldest and one of the five 100s of the <a href="http://www.run100s.com/gs.htm" target="_blank"><b>Grand Slam</b></a>) and this was the 30th year. The downside is that it has 70 miles of dirt/gravel road. As a Mountain Junkie, that doesn't have a lot of appeal but there were some details to sway me;<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>WS100 qualifier</li>
<li>it occurrs during the summer</li>
<li>it has 17,000ft of climbing</li>
<li>it was 3 months after our block of training for the Boston Marathon</li>
<li>it should be a "fast" 100</li>
<li>bigger buckles for under 24 hour finishers </li>
<li>Gina and I have never been to Vermont</li>
</ul>
<div>
So, sometime around January 21st at 7pm I sat at the computer and signed up for the race and fortunately got right in. James has a little different story about getting in the race but that is a whole blog post in itself. Anyway, we got in and had something to focus on. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>The Training</b></div>
<div>
The first quarter of 2018 was been filled with lots of road miles and a small bit of speed work in preparation for the Boston Marathon (I should have done a post about that race but the desire to forget it was too strong). I've been averaging 50 miles a week this year, which is more than usual. After Boston I had 6 weeks cram session of putting in some mountain climbing in preparation for the <a href="http://www.sjs50.com/index.html" target="_blank"><b>San Juan Solstice 50 miler</b></a>. That race would be my last big week before tapering for Vermont. In hindsight, I probably could have put more emphasis on recovery vs. training in the weeks between the SJS50 and Vermont. In the weeks preceding Vermont my legs never felt good, but that has been my experience over the years so I didn't worry too much.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<b>The Vermont 100 miler (4am), 100k (8am) and 100 mile horse endurance ride (5am)</b></div>
<div>
West Windsor Vermont - we flew in on Thursday to PVD and then drove 3 hours north through RI, MA, NH, and finally Vermont, staying in White River Junction. Friday we had a relaxed morning, got some race supplies and were on our way to the race headquarters. James had already arrived and set up some tents in what would become a giant tent city for the 100miler and 100k racers. At 4pm we got the race briefing, course details and the etiquette when encountering the horses along the course. Following the race dinner we hung out, got our race gear in order and then it was off to bed with a 2:30am alarm setting. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
In preparation for the race I had looked over some splits for 20, 22 and 24 hour finishes and added them to a spreadsheet. Then somewhere along the way I saw that RD, Amy Rusiecki, had run an 18:47. We've run some of the same races and finished close together, so I set her time as my "best case scenario" and had a sub 20 hour time as my main goal. Obviously over the course of 100 miles anything can happen, but I feel like setting a reasonable goal will help, and gives your mind and legs something to focus on, over all the miles. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b><u>The Crew</u></b></div>
<div>
Gina came along to crew me at the 8 different locations crews could be at. She was armed with the spreadsheet, directions and a few food options. </div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Side note; since going low carb high fat I've needed less food during ultras and have stuck with water as my only hydration.</blockquote>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Energy balls - quick oats, coconut flakes, dried cranberries, maple syrup, dark chocolate chips , salt and almond butter.</li>
<li>Nut butters - all types of Trail Butter branded options</li>
<li>Epic Bars</li>
<li>Avocado</li>
<li>food from the course I took; sweet potato, avocado tortilla and a few sips of coke.</li>
<li>I had S! caps and a gel on hand, just in case, but didn't use them.</li>
</ul>
<div>
<b>Spreadsheet</b></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRI0vURUv9Zikr5pbaSbuk1ek3ZDbatH6-yz7_dX8wisUfIWLqmi-d3c1v85JWhpCsQ924o_z__ITkAGtxl_pyw7JU4Wm9B1LZC4z5RLZwL1g1eDsm_0LfGMzHxPvhyLRkT8Hz6Llv9ZQ/s1600/Vermont+Spreadsheet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="703" data-original-width="970" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRI0vURUv9Zikr5pbaSbuk1ek3ZDbatH6-yz7_dX8wisUfIWLqmi-d3c1v85JWhpCsQ924o_z__ITkAGtxl_pyw7JU4Wm9B1LZC4z5RLZwL1g1eDsm_0LfGMzHxPvhyLRkT8Hz6Llv9ZQ/s320/Vermont+Spreadsheet.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>The Game Plan</b></div>
<div>
I used my HR monitor as a guide and set the alarm at 145. When the alarm would go off or I felt like I was pushing I would walk or back down the intensity. This would dictate my pace. I figured I would run the first 50 in a 10 minute (8:20) to 11 min average (9:10) and clocked in right at 9 hours. </div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
James was going unsupported, so he had his drop bags set ready to go and we had a plan to run our own races but to stay together for as long as we could. </blockquote>
<div>
<b>The Course</b></div>
<div>
The first 20 rolled right along, I think we had less than an hour in which we needed our headlamps. We talked throughout and met a few people that provided some comic relief and one that provided some intel on the Run Rabbit Run 100 miler that I'm considering for next year. Coming in to the 20 mile aid station and seeing Gina was a welcome sight, I restocked some food, got water, changed my lenses, relubed and off we went. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We had 11 miles to the next crew spot, at the 50k mark. It was this section that I started to have a few issues that concerned me; chafing, right piriformis tightness (long term issue) and a right quadratus lumborum spasm (new issue in the last week). Having something negative distract you in the early stages of a long race isn't good, but I tried to acknowledge what was going on but not to let it preoccupy me. I came in to mile 31 a little frustrated but seeing Gina helped reset things, more water, food, lube, sunscreen and we were off again. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I was picking up a few hints from James that he wanted to slow down a bit coming into mile 31. He actually left the aid station before me. Soon we had a few really good steep climbs, that made my day, I caught up with him, we wished each other well, fist bumped and separated to run our own races. <br />
<br />
I'd say the rest of the first 50 miles when really smooth. I was running the flat, mild uphills and the downhills. I looked at my watch when it said 50 miles and it was just past 9hrs, so things were going as planned. That meant I needed to run the second half in 11 hours to be under 20 hours. See how I did that. Or go from a 10:50 pace to a 13:10 pace for the second half. <br />
<br />
Miles 47 to 69 were a loop. You come to "camp 10 bear" at mile 47, do 22 miles and then your right back to "camp 10 bear". This is where they were doing medical check on those that didn't look so good. I fooled them and was on my way. The next spot I could meet Gina was mile 59. I'd say this loop and the next 12 miles were one of the longer sections. Fortunately this was also where I was catching the slower 100k runners which helped break up the monotony and allowed me to see other people in the race. This section was the hottest part of the day and the only thing making it easier was nice cold ice water. I think the ice kept me going. <br />
<br />
I do remember an odd sight. The road ran through a farm with barns on each side and as I was approaching there was a cow standing approaching the side of the road, it stopped to let me by and then kept on walking. I was close enough to pet it, but opted not too (I did talk to it though). <br />
<br />
At 59 I decided to change my shoes. I was hoping to hold off longer but I had been cooking up a hotspot on the ball of my right foot since the beginning. The sock and shoe changed helped a bunch. It was here that AJW gave me a rundown of what happened at the Hardrock 100 and described the last 2.5 miles of the Vermont course as a little "Blair Witch". I think I could have sat here a lot longer but a little verbal prodding had me on my way again. <br />
<br />
I think for the rest of this loop I kept looking for anything that looked familiar to indicate that I was almost back to Camp 10. This was a big aid station with tons of people and pacers anxiously awaiting their runners. There was a lot going on. Fill water, food, get rid of trash, and on my way. Only a 50k to go.<br />
<br />
I don't remember much of this next section except for the end. I remember being able to hear the next aid station for quite some time and towards the end there was a photographer and another guy that called me by name. I didn't see any papers with them but they knew who I was. At the end we popped out onto a road and I could hear the guy ahead of me puking up loads of fluid, not one but 4 times. Yuck! Sucks to be that guy. Then a short steep .15 and I was at Spirit of 76. <br />
<br />
Next aid station for crew was 88. I'd take my light here. These next 12 miles were loaded with old rock walls, huge country estates, cows, sheep and nice breezes. I was looking forward to the cooler evening temps. <br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>Bargaining</b>This is one of the major aspects of ultras and will come up over and over depending on how you feel, how long the race is and how much experience you have with the challenge. You brain starts to justify going slower, stopping to rest, walking instead of jogging, jogging instead of running. Something like this, "go ahead and walk, you deserve it, you've been out here all day." </blockquote>
<br />
The flat and downhill road sections were starting to get harder and harder to run. Not from a physical standpoint but from a mental one. I kept having to think about there being an uphill soon, a justifiable reason to slow down. Over and over again I kept having to ^ bargain ^ with myself to run one section to be able to walk/hike another. <b>The key</b>, can you justify letting yourself go slower or can you figure out a way to keep going when you don't want to. <br />
<br />
Bills aid station was in somebody's yard and barn. It was quite the setup. This is where I had some avocado. That was good. I made sure to take my light and have Gina's watch ready once mine died. I think I made it about half a mile before my watch said low battery. So at the next mile split I turned it off and started using hers. I like to run at night. Dusk/dawn hours and darkness tend to play tricks on me when I've been running all day/night so I had to keep my mind occupied until it was totally dark. No hallucinations this time. <br />
<br />
At 5 miles to go I was at Polly's. Gina was able to get me some coffee here. Unfortunately I burped it up for the next 5 miles. Just 5 more miles. 2.5 miles of road and then 2.5 miles of trail to the finish. So close. At this point you know you are going to make it, you just don't know how long it will take. <br />
<br />
At the entrance to the last trail there was a screech owl. I saw it fly from one tree to the next along the trail. It must have screeched 10 times. It was a creepy sound but cool to experience. There was a pacer and another runner with me and they were a little freaked out. They wouldn't take my word that it was an owl and were dreaming up some other racer eating creature was upon us. <br />
<br />
There was a lot of climbing in this section. I went back and forth with a couple horses and at one point as soon as the horses crossed a road they started grazing in the middle of the path. The riders said the horses were super hungry from their 100 miles and quickly got them to the side of the trail for me to pass. We went back and forth again until the course came to the last tight twisty single track to the finish. They pulled aside and let me through. I could hear the finish and was so looking forward to being able to stop and sit down...... 19:16 was on the clock. Whew! The long day was done. I could finally sit down and rest. </div>
Mountain Junkies LLChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13760458262176018367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5793527032060677325.post-31965071292726786042018-01-23T09:52:00.001-05:002018-01-23T15:18:45.905-05:002018 Race Plan2/17/18 - Holiday Lake 50k - This will be my 9th and looking for a 4:20.<br />
4/16/18 - Boston Marathon<br />
6/23/18 - San Juan Solstice 50Miler<br />
7/21/18 - Vermont 100<br />
9/01/18 - Iron Mtn 30<br />
12/08/18 - Hellgate 100k - If things work out I plan to put this on my race schedule. This would be my 5th.Mountain Junkies LLChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13760458262176018367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5793527032060677325.post-15257090243625323192018-01-22T09:42:00.002-05:002018-01-22T09:44:55.603-05:002017 Race Schedule Year in Review2017 was another big year. One of the main goals was to keep my Western States 100 (WS100) and Hardrock 100 (HR100) qualifications current by running the Bighorn 100. This is also the 2nd year we've been on a Low Carb High Fat diet. I've been working on a few different race fueling strategies.<br />
<br />
2/11/17 - Holiday Lake 50k - 20th Place Overall - 4:26:15<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
This was my 8th time running at HL. I was focused on a sub 4:30 race. Ran the first half fairly easy and then tried to hold on, picking it up in the last 4 miles. I think I ran at a 155 HR. I had a handheld with water and did one nut butter along the way.</blockquote>
3/18/17 - Terrapin Mtn Half Marathon - 1st Place Overall - 1:59:57<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
I headed back to this race to defend my win from 2016. The conditions of the course were much different due to rain/snow/ice fall occurring during the night. Much of Terrapin mountain was covered in a sheet of ice which made footing questionable for those mtn miles. Here I set my HR at 162. Had bulletproof coffee on the way to the race and race without any water of fuel.</blockquote>
4/01/17 - Dam 5k - 1st Place Overall - 31:49<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
This was a new race set up to showcase the "Death Climb" in the 50k. The course went straight up, turned around and went straight back down the mountain. The course gained 1234ft of elevation. No fueling for this race.</blockquote>
4/22/17 - Blue Ridge Marathon - 8th Place Overall - 3:27:03<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
The goal this year was to get in to the top 10 again. The plan and training had me wanting to best my 3:18 time from last year. The early morning weather was muggy and a high % chance of rain. I started out too fast, with my HR monitor beeping at me from the very beginning. At around the 16 mile point I knew things weren't looking good and my pace started to slow from there to the finish. The result ended up good, but not where it should have been. Lesson: make the plan and follow the plan. I set my HR at 162. I drank water at 2 water stops and had a baggie mixed with banana and almond butter.</blockquote>
6/16/17 - Bighorn 100 - 19th Overall - 26:40:27<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
You can't always train for the conditions of a race. I put in a solid block of 70+ mile weeks and long back to back days following my recovery of the Blue Ridge Marathon. My training and fitness were right on. At mile 42 of the race it started to rain and what was a hardpacked surface turned into shoe sucking mud. At the turnaround the wind was blowing the rain sideways, there was some sleet and it got cold. Many people dropped from the race (most at the turnaround but a 50% drop rate overall). It was my goal to slog it in, in whatever time I could to finish and not get hurt. Most of the miles from 42 to 88 were walking and hiking due to the slippery footing. I was happy with the finish but this race took a toll on me and it took long time to recover from physically and mentally. It took almost 2 months for my aerobic system to come back to normal. Set my HR alarm at 155 for the early miles/climbs. I had some Boggs Nut Butter packs and made some balls (oats, almond butter, salt, choc chips, coconut and cranberries). Once I started hiking and time wasn't a concern I had a Egg McMuffin at mile 70 and some Ramen at mile 80. Yeah, I got a little less selective, which never happens.</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
We have to come back. At some point Gina needs to come back and see this course and conquer the event where she broke her fibula. </blockquote>
7/23/17 - Laugavegur Ultra Marathon 55k - 41st Place Overall - 6:01:05<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
The destination race for 2017 was in Iceland. I had first heard of this from Dr. Wortley years ago and it sounded great. Then over the years we've heard so many things about Iceland I thought it was time for a trip. The race runs along Iceland's most popular hiking trail. The terrain and scenery are indescribable. It was amazing. Everything other than the stiff headwind was great. Maybe someday we'll be back for Gina to run the race. Race with a pack with water and Boggs Nut Butters. </blockquote>
9/02/17 - Iron Mtn 30 Miler - 4th Place Overall - 4:45:41<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
This is one of my favorites and makes for great fast event. I went into it with a number of runs here of 4:30-4:45 and thought I could do the same. Since I still felt like I was in recovery mode from Bighorn, the plan was to run at HR and see where I could end up. I felt good until around mile 8 when I started to get a twinge/pull in my hip flexor. Not sure where that came from, either clipping a rock with my toe or a stumble. This kept things reserved. The race ended up going well and I was able to run strong and match a one of my previous times here. I still think a low, or below, 4:30 race is in the cards. We will see. I set my HR at 152. Race with a handheld with water and a couple Boggs Nut Butters. </blockquote>
9/24/17 - Not a race, but added the 7 Summits Challenge to the mix. To read about this go to the following link <a href="https://mountainjunkies.blogspot.com/">https://mountainjunkies.blogspot.com/</a> Mountain Junkies LLChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13760458262176018367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5793527032060677325.post-6323631165182186352017-09-24T10:09:00.004-04:002018-01-22T15:07:39.482-05:007 Summits Challenge in one day<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Sometimes you need someone to blame.</b> In the endurance game when;</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
the going gets tough<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
the energy tank is depleted<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
the cramp or sleep monster
approaches<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
thoughts of a nice soft couch, or
really almost anyplace other than where you are at, it’s commonplace to find something else to point a finger at
other than yourself. For this, we’ll
blame Ed McKeown for posting about Jay Finkle’s 7 Summits in one day run from a
couple years ago (RVTR page reference on 8/29/17 – also see the Roanoke City
Parks and Recreation page for the event at - <a href="https://www.playroanoke.com/roanoke-7-summits/"><span style="color: #76a5af;">https://www.playroanoke.com/roanoke-7-summits/</span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I don’t normally stray from my training plan, but following
the Iron Mtn 30 miler I didn’t have anything on my agenda. So a few weeks of recovery later and not many
free weekends in the near future I decided to try to fit this adventure in on
9/22/17. My usual training partner and
adventure buddy James Decker couldn’t make so I did a little head scratching
and texted the ever ready Johnny Robinson.
He’s been training for the Cloudsplitter 100, which is 2 weeks out so it
fit right into his plan. His first
response was “adjusting my schedule now.”
What more could you ask for, no questions, just action. The plan was a go.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For the next 10 days we worked the plan little by little,
with each text, call and voicemail the adventure became more of a <b>how fast</b> can we do this project and
started to lay out the details. Since we
were leaving from Johnny’s we decided on a summit order of;<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Poor Mtn – 3.47 miles
and 846ft of climbing</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<a href="http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/natural-heritage/natural-area-preserves/poormt" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #a2c4c9;">http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/natural-heritage/natural-area-preserves/poormt</span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
The 7 Summits site says this – a <span style="color: white; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">3.8
mile loop that travels in a lollipop in a clockwise direction, down to the
creek to the cascade overlook and back up to the overlook. We decided that going down to the water at the
cascade overlook and touching the bench at the other overlook were necessary to
complete this summit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="color: white; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="color: white; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Neither Johnny or I had been here
before, so we didn’t know what we were in for.
It was going to be 4:30am and we were worried that the darkness would be
a problem. We had a few rats in a maze
moments but we made it down and the big climb back up in good time. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #a2c4c9; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.relive.cc/view/1196505566"><span style="color: #a2c4c9;">https://www.relive.cc/view/1196505566</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: white; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/1196505566"><span style="color: #a2c4c9;">https://www.strava.com/activities/1196505566</span></a>
<span style="color: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: white; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: white; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">McAfee
Knob – 7.83 miles and 1850ft of climbing<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: white; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">For this we were trying to verify
if there was a USGS marker and came up empty handed. The normal reference for turning around is
the sign at the top. That didn’t satisfy
us since turning around there made you miss the best part, the great view and
time on the ledge. We decided that the
route would be the AT all the way up, staying straight at the top, to get to
the actual peak, and then heading out to the rocks, circling back to the sign
and then heading back on the AT.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: white; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: white; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">We made to the top just before the
sunrise and had a bit more of a challenge heading down in the dark. Someone had a dying headlamp from too many
hours reading, while camping the weekend before (not me). That made for a little slower going until the
sun was up and we could resume full speed.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: white; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #a2c4c9; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> <a href="https://www.relive.cc/view/1196505603"><span a2c4c9="" style="color: #a2c4c9;">https://www.relive.cc/view/1196505603</span></a>
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: white; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: white; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Dragon’s
Tooth – 4.45 miles and 1362ft of climbing <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="color: white; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Here the plan was to climb up to
the top and then drop down to the Tooth.
Touching the Big Tooth makes it official and then you head back to the
parking lot. Dragon’s Tooth really puts
a hurting on muscles you don’t normally use.
So many big steps, lunges and climbs to get to the top. It really is a great trail but tough to do
under the pressure of the clock.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: white; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #a2c4c9; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #a2c4c9;"><a href="https://www.relive.cc/view/1196505620"><span style="color: #a2c4c9;">https://www.relive.cc/view/1196505620</span></a></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: white; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #a2c4c9;"><a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/1196505620"><span style="color: #a2c4c9;">https://www.strava.com/activities/1196505620</span></a></span>
<span style="color: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: white; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: white; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Tinker
Cliffs – 7.31 miles and 1936ft of climbing <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="color: white; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">To get to Tinker Cliffs you head up
the Andy Layne Trail to Scorched Earth Gap and then head up, or south on the AT,
to the Cliffs. The official top of the
mtn is designated by a USGS marker on one of the overlooks. I’d say it’s the 2<sup>nd</sup> or 3<sup>rd</sup>
rock outcropping and the marker is right at the point of a rock. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: white; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: white; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">That climb up from Scorched Earth
Gap is a steep one but we were motivated by the fact it was our halfway point
of the day. From there we soaked up the
view and started the long 3.6 mile descent back to the car. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: white; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #a2c4c9; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> <a href="https://www.relive.cc/view/1196505644"><span style="color: #a2c4c9;">https://www.relive.cc/view/1196505644</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: white; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #a2c4c9;"> <a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/1196505644"><span style="color: #a2c4c9;">https://www.strava.com/activities/1196505644</span></a></span><span style="color: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: white; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: white; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Read
Mountain Preserve – 4.71 miles and 1079ft of climbing<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://www.roanokecountyparks.com/DocumentCenter/View/206" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #a2c4c9;">http://www.roanokecountyparks.com/DocumentCenter/View/206</span></a></div>
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<span style="color: white; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="color: white; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">I had only been here one other time
and I think that Johnny said the same.
The route here was to do a counter clockwise loop, up the Buzzards Rock
Trail, an out and back to Buzzards Rock, a ridge run and big drop off the
mountain on the CCC Trail, returning by way of the Rocky Way Trail and then
Buzzards Rock Trail back to the parking lot.
We settled on the turnaround being the overlook at or just beyond the
last blaze. There is a trail that
continues along the cliff but for turnaround purposes the big overlook
suffices. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: white; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: white; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">The descent off the ridge on the
CCC Trail is where my hamstrings started to talk to me. It has been awhile since we had been able to
open up our gait and loosen up and the drive time between the summits was
tougher on the muscles than I had expected.
Heading back to the car on the Buzzards Rock Trail was nice and we were
able to stretch things out and feel like runners again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #a2c4c9;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #a2c4c9; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.relive.cc/view/1196505672"><span style="color: #a2c4c9;">https://www.relive.cc/view/1196505672</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: white; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/1196505672"><span style="color: #a2c4c9;">https://www.strava.com/activities/1196505672</span></a>
<span style="color: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: white; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: white; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Sharp
Top – 2.91 miles and 1224ft of climbing<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="color: white; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Probably my favorite local trail. I rank it as having the highest effort to
reward ratio. 1.5 miles of huffing a
puffing to the top, that has a rare 360 degree view and great scenery. This route was simple, touch the rock at the
end of the trail and retrace your steps.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: white; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="color: white; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">As we headed off of route 460 there
was a sign that stated there was some road work ahead and cautioned travelling
wasn’t recommended for motorcycles. We
thought about doing a 180 and taking an alternate route but decided to forge
ahead. About halfway to Sharp Top we
were greeted by a stop sign and told it would be about 10 minutes. We didn’t get the exact time but I’d say were
where there about 25 minutes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: white; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="color: white; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">At that point we saw the truck
picking up the pylons and opening up the road.
The construction was done. Had we
been 25 minutes later in our arrival we wouldn’t have even been stopped. Bummer, we hadn’t counted on construction
slowing us down. Oh well, the spot we
were stopped at gave us a great view of Sharp Top. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: white; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="color: white; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Getting out of the car at Sharp Top
was rough. I felt like a rusted up tin
man. About .5 mile in to the hike things
loosened up and things felt good again (thank goodness). The descent has some sketchy rocky sections
that could have been ugly but we both made it down unscathed. One more to go.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: white; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: white; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.relive.cc/view/1196505682"><span style="color: #a2c4c9;">https://www.relive.cc/view/1196505682</span></a><span style="color: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: white; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: white;"> </span><a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/1196505682"><span style="color: #a2c4c9;">https://www.strava.com/activities/1196505682</span></a><span style="color: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: white; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: white; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Mill
Mountain – 4.49 miles and 876ft of climbing<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="color: white; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Finally, we tackled Mill
Mountain. The listed route has you
running up to the Star, then down ridgeline, where you cross over the paved
road to Sidewinder and then finally back to the parking lot on Woodthrush and Lower
Woodthrush.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="color: white; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span><span style="color: white;">Starting here was even more rough than at Sharp Top. Things just wouldn’t loosen up and there wasn’t anything else to do other than shuffle as Johnny forged ahead. Once we crossed the Fishburn Parkway things loosened up and we both were able to run most of the Star Trail and the rest of the route. We were both surprised to see it wasn’t 4pm yet when we got back to the car and saw we had a great chance at beating the 12 hour mark. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="color: white;">From the Star Trail parking lot it was a short drive back to Johnny’s where we clocked in with a final time of 11:44.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="color: white; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: white; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: white;"> </span><a href="https://www.relive.cc/view/1196505701"><span style="color: #a2c4c9;">https://www.relive.cc/view/1196505701</span></a><span style="color: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: white; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: white;"> </span><a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/1196505701"><span style="color: #a2c4c9;">https://www.strava.com/activities/1196505701</span></a>
<span style="color: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: white; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: white;"><b>Here is a breakdown of the day;</b></span><br />
<span style="color: white;">We left Johnny’s at 4:02a.m. and finished at 3:46p.m </span><br />
<span style="color: white;">Google had our driving distance at 127miles and a drive time of 3:47</span><br />
<span style="color: white;">Strava recorded 9173ft of climbing</span><br />
<span style="color: white;">Garmin gave a mileage of 35.17</span></div>
Mountain Junkies LLChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13760458262176018367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5793527032060677325.post-12085940851208380062017-08-27T10:51:00.004-04:002017-09-24T10:56:29.042-04:002016 Race, Year in ReviewWell how do we begin to talk about 2016 without mentioning 2015 and the Beast Series. The Beast Series went well, I was able to finish in 2nd place overall and put behind me my first 100 miler and 420 miles of racing. 2016 was Gina's year to go for the beast and my turn to take a different approach, recover and not be as focused on racing ultras. Below is how the year played out. I didn't start the year with a race plan, I just let it unfold as the year went on and as my fitness allowed it to play out. <br />
<br />
The week after the Holiday Lake 50k we started a Low Carb High Fat Diet. <br />
03/19/16 - I ran and won the Terrapin Mtn half Marathon in 1:57.49<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
I had never considered the Terrapin Half and had planned to go and crew Gina. Then Alexis Thomas mentioned she was thinking about it and it hit me, that was a perfect idea. A "short" high intensity race that I'd never done before. A race that has a lot of elevation and technical running which is exactly what I love. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Doing some prior race recon, I had hoped I could accomplish a podium finish, but wasn't sure how the new diet and approach would work out. I did a couple HIT time trails to dial in the HR limit I was going to race under. I choose 162 and tried to keep it dialed back when the alarm rang out knowing that by not hitting the red line that I would be able to keep a high intensity pace longer and avoid the dreaded fade. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
I decided to go without food or water for the race. I did have an "emergency" gel with me if things started to go south but I ended up not needing it. I got a handoff of water at the 4 mile point before heading up to the Terrapin summit and then some water at the 2nd water stop and that was it. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
As a side note, I was told I was in 3rd place at 4 miles and only passed one other guy. No one mentioned I was in first place so I thought I was duking it would for 2nd with Josh Zealand and even shared this with him at mile 11.5. So after the finish I said to Clark, "so how far ahead was 1st place?" Which made him confused as he pointed to me and said, "you are first place." </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Uh shocker! 1st place, that's cool! </blockquote>
04/16/16 - I ran my first road marathon, the Blue Ridge Marathon in 3:17.28, finishing 8th.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Now for a real test. I had done some HR recon on the course and did a dry run a few weeks before and thought I could pull down a 3:18 but the goal was a top 10. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
I set my HR alarm at 160 for the big climbs but planned on staying below 155 for most of the race. I planned to use the water on the course and had Gina hand off a baggie of a little race mix I had put together (1 banana, almond butter and a tsp of 100% cocoa. She's aptly named these shit bags, because of the way they look.) I took one of these at the Campground after Roanoke Mtn around mile 10 and then another at Peakwood which I carried with me until about mile 18. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
I walked through a few water stops to drink water and walked around the water stop loop on Peakwood. Other than that, I didn't walk any of the course and really didn't feel like I needed to. The race went according to plan. Probably because I followed the plan. </blockquote>
06/18/16 - Highland Sky 40M - 7:17 and 9th overall<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
I'm still working on the LCHF protocol and how to race in it. I've done the races above with very little food and water. This would be a little different. I started using UCAN as a drink mix and making some almond meal waffles that I add almond butter to and taking a few Artisana nut butter packets. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
This is a race that I've done one other time and really lost out in the last half. The same thing would happen again. I ran the first half pretty conservatively and felt good, but when I sat down to change my shoes at the Big halfway aid station, I began getting cramps. I nursed things through the next miles of the Road Across the Sky and thought I was in the clear but somewhere in the boulderfield in the next section I started to get light headed and caught my toe a few times which set the cramps back in motion. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
I could have used some carbs in the last section because I started to get light headed. So having some UCAN on hand or snacking on some banana chips would have been a good idea. Although no, or no carbs have worked in the non ultra races. I've since learned to incorporate a few more carbs during an ultra, rather than trying to stay so low carb during an ultra event. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
This again, had me dial things back and under control until the section they call the butt slide. This is a mtn bike downhill trail that is a very steep downhill with tons of rocks and in some places a flagged path that follows no trail. I was doing good until I caught a toe again and started in with the cramps. So I limped along, stopped a few times, and thought for sure I'd get passed by a few runners. That never happened and I was able finish in a decent time but I know I left a lot of time out on that course and can do a lot better. </blockquote>
09/02/16 - The Rut Vertical Kilometer - My first vertical race and it was painfully great. An abbreviated course didn't disappoint in regard to pain delivered.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
I do love the pain of riding the red line. This was a rough uphill race that had me gasping for air the whole time. Some of the footing was very sketchy towards the top but it was a great time. </blockquote>
09/04/16 - The Rut 50k - This was an abbreviated course due to snow. <br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
I had hoped the VK race would take enough out of me to enjoy this event and it did help but the conditions had all of us going more conservatively. There was snow overnight and ice at Lone Peak so they took out the high elevation sections of the race. We were all bummed but you can't argue with the decision.</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
We were greeted with HUGE snowflakes at the high point of the race and we ran through the snow for about 30 minutes. The snow and rain caused much of the last 10 miles of the course to be nothing but mud, deep, thick mud. It was a fun day to run in such a large event with 400+ other runners from all over the US.</blockquote>
11/12/16 - Richmond Marathon - The goal here was to run under 3:12 for a Boston Qualifier and at best run a 7min/mile pace. Finished in 3:03:42.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Somewhere after the Blue Ridge Marathon I decided I wanted to try to qualify for Boston. The Richmond Marathon seemed like a good place to do it. It's late in the year and I always enjoy heading for Richmond for the weekend. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
The main issue with this is that I also wanted to PR at Hellgate which was a month later. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
So to keep from blowing up my chances for a good Hellgate I decided to try to run a 7 min ave pace marathon at HR. I choose 152 and thought if I could keep it dialed in I would minimize the odds of this affecting my Hellgate time. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
The plan was to run at a 152 HR until I knew for sure I could pick it up and hold on until the finish. I spent the early miles running with a few friends, just chatting and enjoying a race. I think at around mile 10 we got separated and each ran our own races. I think I stopped at a few water stops and walked through drinking some water and then picked up a baggie of race mix I had put together (1 banana, almond butter and a tsp of 100% cocoa). I eat that and then grabbed a second one to have on hand for later.</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
I think I slowed on the windy crossing of the bridge and then my pace slowed in the 18-22 mile section. It was at mile 22 I knew I could pick it up and bring it home. My pace went from around 7 min per mile down to 6:30 and below. I was cruising in the last stretch and felt good. Happy with my time and having plenty of room for a BQ. </blockquote>
12/10/16 - Hellgate 100k - The goal here was to PR with running sub 12:30 and being in the top 10. I ended up with a 13:05 and 13th place in what was one of the coldest events I've ever run. Starting temp was at 23 and it bottomed out at 8 degrees. It took 4 months to regain the feeling in my big and second toe on my right foot. <br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
This event went from a race against the clock to managing the body and trying to keep my water supply from freezing up and not doing anything stupid. It was a really wild event where the plan and goals were in a state of flux throughout. Things were constantly being adjusted as the temps dropped and the cold took it's physical and mental toll on the body. This was definitely a great race to have a crew and I'm thankful that Walker was there to help out. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
I think things were going well until mile 47 or so, at the big aid station at Bear Wallow Gap. I tried to get refueled with some bulletproof coffee and I think that made my stomach go south. So I managed that and a few pity parties in the next 13 miles to Day Creek. Then, from there it was a big climb up to the BRP and then down to the finish. I hiked/ran with the 1st female in this section and then she left me behind. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
As I finished up in 13 I wondered if I'd hear the same comment from Horton; 3rd loser! But then 1st Master. Yay! He always follows that up with, "your not the first finisher over 40, just the 1st over 40 outside of the top 10." See he gives the top 10 special prizes and then 1st 40+, 50+, 60+. </blockquote>
It was a good year of racing and training. I'm happy with the LCHF effects and am trying to dial in some of the details. In general the major differences I've seen are;<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Have not been hangry at all and overall less hungry which equals much less time thinking about food.</li>
<li>Can run up to 4.5 hours or 24 miles with only water.</li>
<li>I do not get sore very often.</li>
<li>Sleep better and need less</li>
<li>Tired less often </li>
</ul>
Mountain Junkies LLChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13760458262176018367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5793527032060677325.post-67689087516166484592017-02-10T11:55:00.000-05:002017-02-10T11:55:59.363-05:00You are better than you think you areYou are better than you think you are, you can do more than you think you can!<br />
These are the words of Ken Chlouber the founder of the Leadville 100.<br />
<br />
This quote pops into my head time and again. It hit me most recently around mile 31 of the Highland Sky 40 miler. I had hit a rough patch, was tired, cramping, light headed and "just doing my best" to keep moving forward when the quote entered my mind. It provided a bit of a reset, I was approaching a literal high point of the race, within the "boulder field." I stopped, looked out at the amazing view, stretched, took in a couple deep breaths and continued on with newfound energy. <br />
<br />
As it was in this scenario, I commonly get a mind shift in an ultra, where I get taken out of the race and back into life, the bigness around me, and the insignificance of the present moment. I've run enough ultras to know that the pain is only temporary and many times, within minutes of finishing all of the pain and misery are quickly washed away. <br />
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You have to push yourself to find your limit. I realize that many people just don't care about their limit, that's fine, but for me and many people I know, the training, the quest, the failures, the successes, and the few times you get to ride that limit, oh yeah, that's what it's all about. You learn that things aren't really that tough, that you can get through "it," and that life goes on. <br />
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So many people say that they "can't imagine" running 3, 5, 10, 100 miles. Whatever you believe is the limit, why not go out and push it. See if you can achieve it. Maybe you can, maybe you can't. Regardless you'll learn something in the process about the endeavor and yourself. That's the real accomplishment. <br />
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Start dreaming up your next big challenge, there are so many places to begin. <br />
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It's easy to live in the bell curve, but what is the fun in that?<br />
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Happy New Year, may it be all that you want. Mountain Junkies LLChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13760458262176018367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5793527032060677325.post-75698007418733380642015-12-13T19:22:00.001-05:002016-06-15T13:25:55.963-04:00It doesn't matter how fast or far you run if you can't make it to the start/finish line...... (**With revision**)Oh Hellgate!<br />
This was my third Hellgate 100k and this year it was the anchor event of the Beast Series. It's been long year of racing and trying to keep the mental and physical wheels rolling. These last three months have been more about tapering and recovering than training. Thus the title of this post. Even when you see what others are doing and you think to yourself, am I doing enough, you have to place physiology ahead of the desire to do more or what your friends are doing.<br />
<br />
I had some mixed feelings on what this race would be like. I got a bit, post Thanksgiving Illinois trip, run down 2 weeks before this race, so that was on my mind in regard to how I would perform. Overall I felt like I could match my 2012 fitness and work on a 12 and a half hour finish and possible top 10. I knew from 2012 that I spent a lot of time not moving and I didn't want that to happen this year. I had my pre-race oatmeal and then bulletproof coffee on the way to the start. <br />
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It was gonna be warm so I started out in short sleeves and gloves and handheld. HR was a bit high at the start but I knew it would settle down after the first climb. I mentally set the limit at 155 and then wanted to stay below 150 after mile 8. I switched out my handheld for a pack at Petites Gap. I had Heed first and then went with EFS at the other drops (mile 25 and 47). <br />
<br />
Everything was going pretty well until the rocky section before Bearwallow. That kinda gut punched me and set me back mentally. You just have to see it to believe it. It's a gnarly section! I just couldn't navigate the leaf covered rocks. My right knee was a bit sensitive and was a minor factor at this point but I kept thinking about how this rocky section could really ruin you for the remainder of the race. <br />
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My problem from mile 50 was just not having the will to run when I could have on the mild ups. You always do some bargaining with yourself and this is where I started. I wasn't sure why I couldn't muster the will to run, I just didn't have it mentally. Not sure why. Low training during all this race tapering? Being run down? The unseasonable high 60 degree day? The Beast effect? Who knows, I'll probably have to do this race again to figure it out or come up with another theory. <br />
<br />
<span style="color: #9fc5e8;">**In hindsight, the lack of training after Grindstone had to be the cause. The 50+ mile endurance just wasn't there. There just wasn't time or I just didn't have the ability to put in high mileage weeks following the GS100 and the recovery from it. I was able to hold on for a good MMTR50 finish but that only got me a decent 50 miles at Hellgate. I just didn't have the endurance to have a good, last 16 miles of the race. That doesn't change the overall feeling I had about it being a good finish to a tough year. And, although I can analyze it now, I don't think I could have changed anything. The only area to improve upon was the fitness leading up to Grindstone.**</span><br />
<br />
I'm pretty happy with my performance at Hellgate and the overall plan for this year. I could have done more, but keeping in mind my overall health, I think I took the right approach and stayed on the conservative side. You have to make it to the start/finish line. I hadn't planned on mental side of the Beast. It's a big investment mentally and physically. The further you make it in the year the more paranoid you get about making it to the next race and then it switches to just wanting to be done. I do know that with the amount of tapering that is involved I actually looked forward to the races and getting to go for a long run. <br />
<br />
You are better than you think you are and you can do more than you think you can.... Where will this adventure take me in 2016.<br />
<br />
14th Overall/First Master in 13:23:42<br />
Lynchburg Ultra Series - 4th Overall in the 24:26:05<br />
Beast Series - 2nd Overall in the 61:06:50<br />
<br />
<b><u>Racing Miles in 2015</u></b><br />
Holiday Lake 50k - 32.25<br />
Terrapin Mtn 50k - 31<br />
Promise Land 50k - 34.5<br />
San Juan Solstice - 50M<br />
Iron Mtn - 50M<br />
<div>
Grindstone - 101.86<br />
MMTR 50M - 51.25<br />
Hellgate 100k - 66.6<br />
<b>Total - 417.46</b></div>
Mountain Junkies LLChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13760458262176018367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5793527032060677325.post-14324915962028861042015-10-16T10:43:00.001-04:002015-10-16T10:43:14.650-04:00Grindstone 100 - It's only a 100 miles.....<div>
I don't emote or celebrate well. I typically handle things as tasks. You set out to do something, you do it, you move on. This is my modus operandi. Since the beginning of my ultra career, even though I hadn't been a runner of any distance, I figured if others could do it, I could do it too. It's not the ability to do the task that stresses me, its the ability to do it to my satisfaction. </div>
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This would be my 40th ultra (1st was the 2/16/02 Holiday Lake 50k). <br /><br />So that brings me to my first 100 miler. Although the Hellgate 100k was my furthest race/run, I didn't worry so much about finishing as I did finishing in the 23-24 hour range that I thought was possible, being able to run to the end, not be visited by the cramp monster, to keep my feet from falling apart with blisters, and to stay on top of my calories so I didn't get set back by a bonk. </div>
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I've run with both Joe Dudak and Johnny Robinson and I knew their times at Grindstone were in the 23:09-23:16 time frame, so I figured that was a realistic goal. That and wanting to finish in the daylight were two things I was focused on. I had my pace chart set up and was going to use it as a reference if I felt good. </div>
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Here I am a week later and I can't say that I've processed the race yet. The majority of the pain has escaped my memory and I am left with the positives and <u>some</u> of the emotion of the event. Writing this will be my way of looking back. Following the race I was left with some left knee swelling and pain and right anterior tibialis inflammation. <div>
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Leading up the Grindstone I was feeling good. I did the Iron Mtn 50 miler on September 5 in 8:38 and that was my last test before Grindstone. I ended up going out the next day to get more time on my feet and capitalize on this last big training weekend. From here it was a week of recovery and then 3 weeks of taper. </div>
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I started to get a little antsy about the 4 weeks of not running long, so on September 18th I decided to do one of my favorite 20 milers to shake out the nerves and get in a long heart rate run. This went really well and running at heart rate I was able to run the loop in one of my fastest times. </div>
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This last long run really paid off for me when the race got postponed for a week. Although I felt like a slug for so little running in this extended taper, I was actually to the point of looking forward to running and the race start. </div>
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<div>
<b>Gear/Game Plan;</b></div>
<div>
Nathan pack with 64oz bladder</div>
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2 waffles</div>
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1 clif bar</div>
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Heed for the 1st or second water stop</div>
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A buff, gloves, and very small packable jacket</div>
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E-caps and protrysin pills</div>
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Wet wipes</div>
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4 Extra lithium batteries for either flashlight or headlamp (both took 4 AAs)</div>
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Princeton Tec AMP 4.0 flashlight - plenty of burn time on high</div>
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Princeton Tec Apex Headlight - should have been up to 9+ hours of light on low spot light.</div>
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Salomon Speedcross 3 shoes</div>
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Injinji Socks with Aquaphor on feet.</div>
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Salomon shorts (not compression)</div>
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2 hours before the race I ate my typical oatmeal concoction and had bullet proof coffee.</div>
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I had made some spanish rice and lentil portables (needed more salt) that I had in each of my drop bags. These were great as my desire for sweet items at the aid stations got to be less and less. I ate almost all of my portables during the race. I had 2 packs of two in each drop bag to take as I came through those spots. </div>
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I had hoped to keep my HR low for the entire race, 142 or below, but things started out a bit quicker than I thought and my alarm started buzzing early. Somewhere in the first miles I turned that off and just went with the flow until things settled in. Once my HR settled in, keeping it below 142 was easy. </div>
<div>
It started raining and the wind started blowing at around mile 3. Things really cooled down and started to get foggy. This made for worse visibility with a headlamp, so I used my flashlight about 90% of the time. On the steep sections, I put the flashlight in my pack, and hiked, stooped over, using my hands to push off my knees for extra horsepower and to decrease the load on my legs. Then once to the top, I'd grab my flashlight and turn off my headlamp and cruise on. </div>
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For me it was critical to pick up my feet, to avoid catching a toe and falling, because I knew that anything like that would be a time killer in the late hours of the race. So the flashlight was a big help and I concentrated on lifting my feet and picking them up on the pull through (higher knees and feet, then repeat). </div>
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Although there were some steep climbs, I thought to myself that I was surprised at how runable the downhills were. I didn't expect these early sections to be so runable. </div>
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I got in to the Dowells Draft Aid station in 4:23ish, a bit behind my expectation but nothing I was worried about. I kept telling myself, "it doesn't matter how fast you get to the turnaround if you don't have anything left, the last 50 are the real race, just keep chugging and take care of yourself, every minute/mile is an investment for tomorrows race." And it really is all about investments, it's not what you have at the moment, it is what you keep for tomorrow or the next hour that makes the difference. </div>
<div>
Now for a big climb, descent and then some rolling terrain to the next Drop Bag and big aid station at mile 35. I rolled in here a bit earlier than my projections at 7:10ish and felt pretty good. It was good to see Gina, she took care of me, I changed shoes and socks, relubed, restocked and was off for the big 7 mile climb out of there. It was a bit more than expected, but I just chugged along and was happy to be at the top and on to rolling double track to the next aid stations and turnaround. These last 9 miles to the turnaround were relatively easy miles, nothing technical, just one foot in front of another terrain that slowly ticked by. One negative of this section was that it was very very foggy. Headlamp eating fog. So I kept on with the flashlight. </div>
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Closing in on the Reddish Knob aid station I met up with Todd Thomas and he said something about being in 5th of 6th place which was a big surprise. After this aid station there are 2-2.5 miles of asphalt, some of which was at just the right incline where I didn't have a desire to run. This is where I'd use landmarks or race flagging to run to one marker and then walk to the next, back and forth until things leveled out. </div>
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I hit the turnaround in 11 hours which was just a bit off from what I expected but felt good. Now it was time to retrace my steps and look forward to some daylight. At mile 59.25 I hit the 7 mile downhill section back to North River Gap. I was kind of dreading this section due to it's steep downhills and loose wet rocks. I took this conservatively and I think this is where my left knee started to become a problem. In hindsight, I wish I would have let gravity work its magic better and ran this section a bit faster so that my knees wouldn't have taken such a hit. In addition, I didn't plan my hydration correctly and ran out of water, which didn't allow me to eat, in the 3-4 mile before the aid station. I got to the AS with a mild bonk (Lesson 1 don't use the breaks too much. Lesson 2 don't allow a bonk, stay ahead of food and drink). </div>
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<div>
I got to NRG about 30 minutes behind schedule but felt pretty good. This is where I picked up Chad as my pacer for the next 14 miles. I relubed and restocked, drank some bulletproof coffee and had some very salty potatoes and then we set off for the last 50k of the race. </div>
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<div>
I don't know what the deal was, but these daylight hours felt so much longer than the night time hours. Shortly into this section I started to feel my left knee stiffen up and bother my running. It wasn't something I have dealt with before and felt like I just needed to squat down and reset it. It was a no go and this became the issue that kept most steep downhills to a shuffle. It was strange, but there was a "just right" downhill that was just the right decline and just the right amount of rocks that I could run without any problem. But anything else and it was a burden to keep a running pace. </div>
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<div>
Chad got me in to Dowells Draft again at around 11:51. I picked up Matt and we were off for the remaining 22 miles. It started off pretty easy and then at the next aid station we were told we had a 4.5 mile climb to the top of Lookout Mtn. This was rough, just slow gutting it out climbing, but it wasn't running so I wasn't too upset. These miles were tough to not periodically stop and take a break. In hindsight, I wish I would have both minimized justifying my occasional rest stops also taking in more time at the aid stations than I should have. Prior to the race I was preparing myself for constant forward progress instead of chewing up minutes at the ASs. I let this slide and justified my stops, but I should have told my crew to push me along (Lesson 3 the clock doesn't stop when you do, keep moving forward, the finish line won't come to you).</div>
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<div>
I remembered the turnoff from Elliott's knob being around 9 miles to go. Once we hit this spot I knew we had it and started to play the numbers game. Between mile 66 and here I didn't pay too much attention to the time, just stayed in gear and went with the flow. But now it was math time. We knew we had a sub 24, but how close we could get to 23 or 23:30 was yet to be realized. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
The downhill off of Elliott's is about as steep as coming down to the finish of Promise Land on Overstreet Falls Road. This hurt a lot. I couldn't really run it but I probably spent as much energy breaking as I would have letting loose. My knee just couldn't let me go any faster. But these next miles really ticked off slowly, they were mild, up and down, forcing you to decide on running slow or justifying a walk, mentally this is where you are going to make up time or loose it. You can justify anything, but it was all runable. </div>
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Next landmark I was looking for was the 1.5 mile to go spot where people were cheering us the day before. I didn't think we would ever hit this spot, but we finally did, then the 1 mile to go sign. From here the trail went back into the woods on a wide pretty section, we could see the lake and I knew it was almost over. We navigated the sketchy up and down at the dam and then it was the last .2 on grass and the gravel road. This last section is where it just hit home.</div>
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<br /></div>
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In most races there is a point at the end where it hits me, where the effort of the event crescendos into a peak and the emotions of the journey hit me, my mind does a quick rewind and summary and I recognize all that was involved on my end, the event organizers, and all the people that are cheering for me and collectively invested in my journey. Sometimes this is only seconds and sometimes minutes but I enjoy that moment because it reminds me that we are all connected and not alone and that it really isn't a race, it's a journey and that each effort like this changes who you are and will be. For me, these efforts make me better and more conscious of what I'm doing and the path that I am on. </div>
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Grindstone 2015 was a big accomplishment - 10th in 23:17.03. Thank you for being a part of it. Now it's time to recover and get ready for the next two events in the Beast Series.</div>
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Mountain Junkies LLChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13760458262176018367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5793527032060677325.post-17686225853710359502015-09-11T11:19:00.001-04:002015-09-11T11:19:00.600-04:00San Juan Solstice 50 miler 2.0Race week; somewhere during this week they announced that the course would be the usual course and that we should prepare for lots of snow and high creek crossings. The creeks are on the first climb, you climb 4500 feet and cross the creek 7 times.<br />
6/23/15 - Ran the 6 mile loop and 2 mile cool down.<br />
6/27/15 - San Juan Solstice 50m<br />
We got out to Colorado on Thursday and drove to Lake City, where the race is headquartered. Lake City sits at abut 8600ft elevation. We hung out and tried to stay hydrated for the high elevation adventures that we had in store.<br />
Coming out to do this race in 2013 gave me the impression that I should be able to run quite a bit better than the 12:37 I ran that year. I felt good and my training was going great.<br />
The race starts with a gradual climbs up a dirt road before heading off on the Alpine Gulch trail that climb climb climbs.<br />
Due to the rapid snow melt the race had volunteers at each of the 7 creek crossings. At the deepest ones they had rope assists. I think it was the 3rd one where I went down waist deep and by the 4th my feet were frozen and numb. Things came back to life as we climbed up to 13000 for the first time. Once to the top the course rolls up and down before a huge 4000+ft drop into William's Creek Campground at mile 16. I started to think something was off as I descended down to the campground and began getting passed by a number of people. The legs didn't want to turn over like I thought they should.<br />
At the campground they had the 2nd Water Stop set up. I met Gina and refilled my water before heading out on a gravel road that would take us to the Wager Gulch Jeep Road and up to the Continental Divide. Gina hung with me for about 3.5 miles before the course became too steep. This is the second spot that I felt like something was off. When things got to their steepest I didn't feel like I had the usual power I have for steep hiking.<br />
At AS #3 you can use a drop bag. This is where you decide to take your winter gear up to the divide. From year's past you can experience any sort of weather to roll in, from heavy snow with zero visibility to hail and lightening. This year looked to be a good one so I took a small packable jacket, a buff and gloves and headed up up up. I really hit a wall on this 13 mile divide section. Physically I felt good but just couldn't make my legs run for any length of time without taking a break and hiking. I still don't know if it was the elevation or something else or a combination of the two. Somewhere in there I decided the race was over and it was time to just enjoy the scenery and time on the trail. From then on I didn't pay any attention to my watch and just made consistent forward progress.<br />
The day ended with me running a little over 13 hours and enjoying a great day in the high Colorado Mtns. Gina didn't get to run this one due to an injury, so we'll have to go back sometime. That may be my opportunity to put it all together for a decent run and time. You can't beat running in the San Juan Mtns. I recommend it to anyone wanting a rocky mtn experience.<br />
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I took a bunch of pics and have them uploaded here - https://www.facebook.com/josh.gilbert.31/media_set?set=a.10204464627718609.1073741839.1319401914&type=3 </div>
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Mountain Junkies LLChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13760458262176018367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5793527032060677325.post-6392018495123910262015-09-11T11:16:00.002-04:002015-09-11T11:17:19.907-04:00It's been awhile, let's catch up III - Road to the San Juan Solstice 50MilerThere are now two months until the San Juan Solstice. Particular attention needs to be focused on recovering, ramping up mileage and then tapering.<br />
<br />
5/1/15 - Marked the Trail Nut Course at Falling Creek Park for 3 miles<br />
5/2/15 - Cleaned up the course for another 3 miles<br />
5/3/15 - Ran Peakwood and Chestnut Ridge Loop for a 10 miler.<br />
Total for the week following Promise Land - 16 miles<br />
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5/5/15 - Ran the 6 mile loop and 1.5 mile cool down.<br />
Ran another 4.4 in five fingers at night.<br />
5/6/15 - Ran 6.25 miles in a downpour in the neighborhood and greenway.<br />
5/8/15 - Ran a warmup and did a MAF test - Running at a 142 HR I ran the following mile splits on the track - 7:19, 7:40, 7:41, 7:49, 7:50. Not that good. Times not only were high but got substantially slower. Normally my pace holds steady for the 5 miles. Total run was 10 miles.<br />
5/9/15 - Ran 9.5. Did the 6 mile loop and winding way.<br />
5/10/15 - Ran 13.5 cleaning up many of the trails of the CtC 25k course.<br />
<b>Total for the week; 51.1 miles running</b><br />
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This week I'll be headed out of town for Continuing Education to the Homestead and will have a tough time getting in miles.<br />
5/12/15 - Ran the 6 mile loop and 2 mile cool down<br />
5/13/15 - Ran 10.5 on the Bridge Street Loop<br />
5/15/15 - After work on Thursday I decided to run from 220-311 starting at 7pm. This was a nice run but got a little fatigued toward the end. Made for a long day but good training.<br />
5/16/15 - Cycled from the Homestead to Lake Moomaw and back for a 28.5 mile hilly ride. <br />
<b>Total for the week; 38.5 miles running and 28.5 cycling</b><br />
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5/18/15 - I purchased the BSX Insight lactate threshold measuring device and did my first test tonight on the treadmill for 5 miles. <br />
5/19/15 - 8 miles running the 6 mile loop and cooldown.<br />
Ran another 4.6 miles of the fishburn loop that night.<br />
5/20/15 - Ran 10.75 on the bridge street loop.<br />
5/22/15 - Ran 6 miles on Dragon's Tooth<br />
Mtn Biked on N. Mtn for 11.25<br />
5/23/15 - Ran the Lewis Gale Loop for 11.25<br />
5/24/15 - James ran with me for a birthday long run of Greenway, Woodthrush, Chestnut Ridge, Fern Park and then Greenway back home.<br />
<b>Total for the week; 66 miles running and 11.25 mtn biking</b><br />
<b>This was a big week and everything feels good. </b><br />
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This was going to be a stressful week of setting up for the Conquer the Cove races and timing the Roanoke City Triathlon on Saturday. Not sure what I was thinking but everything went well.<br />
5/26/15 - Ran the 6 mile loop and 2 mile cool down<br />
Cycled to Green Hill Park and back for 19 miles<br />
5/27/15 - Bridge Street loop 10 miler<br />
5/29/15 - Conquer the Cove course marking for 27 miles<br />
<b>Total for the week; 18 miles running, 27 mtn biking and 19 cycling</b><br />
<b><br /></b>This is the last building week for the SJS50, then I'll go into taper mode for 3 weeks. I was getting reports about how much snow was on the course and that they may need to do the snow route. Reports were that they couldn't get to the Continental Divide due to waist deep snow. <br />
6/1/15 - Ran 5 miles on the treadmill doing a lactate threshold test and 1.5 on the stepmill<br />
6/2/15 - ran the 6 mile loop and 2 mile cool down<br />
6/3/15 - Greenway run without Bridge Street for 9.6 miles<br />
6/5/15 - Ran 21.5 up Poage Valley Ext to Poor mtn and back<br />
6/6/15 - Ran 5.85 from home and on the Fishburn loop<br />
6/7/15 - Ran 14.1 from Day Creek, up to the BRP, AT, Spec Mines, and back up and down BHG.<br />
<b>Total for the week; 65.5 miles running</b><br />
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6/9/15 - Ran the 6 mile loop and 2 mile cool down.<br />
Cycled the Roselawn loop. Up Roselawn, down cotton hill, Keagy, Apperson and back home.<br />
6/10/15 - Bridge Street 10 miler<br />
6/12/15 - Ran 6.75 in Fishburn Park<br />
6/13/15 - Ran 6.75 on Mill Mountain for our RNUTS social<br />
6/14/15 - Ran the Elevator Shaft loop trying to get in less miles but lots of steep vert - 8 miles.<br />
<b>Total for the week; 39.5 miles running</b><br />
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6/16/15 - 8.15 miles running the 6 mile loop and cool down.<br />
6/17/15 - 9.3 miles on the bridge street loop.<br />
6/20/15 - 9.4 miles of running in the hood and fishburn<br />
6/21/15 - Random hood running for 7.6<br />
<b>Total for the week; 34.45 miles running</b>Mountain Junkies LLChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13760458262176018367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5793527032060677325.post-7456013269565252522015-04-27T14:14:00.001-04:002015-04-27T14:14:11.393-04:00It's been awhile, let's catch up II - Road to Promise Land 50kAs part of my new training smarter plan I have been taking the week following an ultra off from running, picking back up the Friday after the race. During the week I still go to the gym to lift weights and go on some walks to loosen up. This new approach started after reading about the effects of endurance training on the cardiac and other internal systems. Regardless of how you feel from a musculoskeletal standpoint doesn't reflect the huge toll that has been taken by the organ systems of the body. For a thorough reference search for overtraining at <a href="http://www.irunfar.com/">www.irunfar.com</a><br />
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3/25/15 - Road biked to Green Hill Park and back for 20 miles<br />
3/27/15 - Ran 5.25<br />
3/28/15 - Ran Peakwood and the CRL loop for 10.25<br />
3/29/15 - Ran 9.3 around the hood and Greenway<br />
Total for the week; 20 miles cycling and 24.8 miles running. Feel pretty good with some achy knees following Saturday's run.<br />
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3/31/15 - Ran the 6 mile loop at HR and did a 1.5 mile cool down.<br />
4/01/15 - 10.4 miles on the Bridge Street Loop<br />
4/03/15 - Did the Elevator Shaft Loop and 1 mile cool down for 8.4 miles.<br />
4/04/15 - Ran the Hollins loop for 19.9 miles.<br />
Went back out on operation find my lost phone and biked 9.4 miles<br />
4/05/15 - Operation find my phone II - mtn biked 16 miles<br />
Total for the week; 46.2 miles running and 25.4 miles mtn biking.<br />
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This is the first week of the taper for Promise Land 50k<br />
4/07/15 - Ran the 6 mile loop at HR and did a 1.5 mile cool down.<br />
Did 3.5 miles on the stepmill<br />
4/10/15 - 7.1 mile running on greenway and hood<br />
Ran 5.4 marking the MMM 10k course<br />
4/11/15 - 7 miles cleaning up the MMM 10k course.<br />
4/12/15 - 8 miles of the Elevator Shaft Loop<br />
Total for the week; 38.5 miles running<br />
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This is the second week of the taper for PL<br />
4/14/15 - 6 mile loop at HR with 1.5 mile cool down.<br />
4/15/15 - 9 miles running around the hood and greenway.<br />
4/17/15 - 7 mile running around the hood.<br />
4/19/15 - 8.7 miles in the hood and greenway.<br />
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Race Week<br />
4/21/15 - 6 mile loop and 1.5 mile cool down.<br />
4/22/15 - 4 miles around fishburn park.<br />
4/24/15 - 2.25 miles around the hood to shake out the kinks.<br />
4/25/15 - 34.25 miles of the Promise Land 50k<br />
This was my 7th time at PL. It took me 5 years to go under 6 hours in 2010 with a 5:41, then I came back and ran a 5:37 last year, so I thought a 5:30-5:35 was doable. I had a split chart for the different water stop but didn't really look at it until I came into Cornelius Creek the 2nd time and saw I was 14 minutes off. <br />
I felt good throughout the race, kept a good, steady pace without dipping into the red which made me think the time would prove I was ahead of the game. But once home, I got a chance to review the Garmin stats and saw that my pace just steadily fell off last year's time. No big losses, just a bit slower throughout. I did gain time on the Apple Orchard climb and the final descent. So there is one plus. In addition, I'd have to say that I felt better this year than any other. I almost made it the entire way without any cramps, but on the last down hill I had hints of calf, hamstring, and a full on Sartorius cramp around the squirrel towards the finish. <br />
My pre race routine is to have oatmeal and starting this year, bullet proof coffee. I've noticed with the coffee that I am able to go longer without needing food or drink in the races. I carried a bottle with Heed, topped it off with water at AS 2, took in 2 waffles and got a new bottle of Heed at AS 3, Heed and a couple PB and J squares at AS 4, the same at AS 6, topped off with water at AS 7 and took that in to the finish. I probably had 1/2 of that bottle at the finish. <br />
Here on Monday I am moderately symmetrically sore. Not bad at all and much better than following Terrapin.Mountain Junkies LLChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13760458262176018367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5793527032060677325.post-73216758121990285732015-04-27T06:39:00.002-04:002015-04-27T14:14:25.791-04:00It's been awhile, let's catch up - Road to Terrapin 50kSo here is the week preceding the Terrapin 50k,<br />
3/10/15 - Ran the 6 mile loop and 1.5 mile cool down at HR<br />
3/11/15 - Random 7.1 miles running in the hood.<br />
3/13/15 - 6.9 miles marking the Montvale 5/10 Mile courses<br />
3/15/15 - 10 miles of Random Running.<br />
<strong>Total for the week - 31.45 miles running</strong><br />
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3/17/15 - 7 miles running with raccoon encounter.<br />
3/18/15 - Pre Race loop of 4.25 miles<br />
3/20/15 - 2.2 miles to shake out the kinks.<br />
3/21/15 - The Terrapin 50k. This has always conflicted with out MJs schedule but we made a point to schedule around it this year. I've been on the entire course, in sections many times over the years, in extreme conditions while on a bike and on foot. <br />
I figured I had the ability to run close to 5 hours on this run. I started out the first climb to Camping Gap in a nice grove just getting things moving while not pushing it too hard. From CG it was a long descent that had many sub 7 minute miles as we rolled in to the 2nd AS. From here we had a climb and small descent to AS 3. This the first time I had been on this section in daylight. I had been on it in Hellgate and another adventure in the dark. <br />
The climb back up to CG was a doozy. The goal was to consistently run this climb without tapping into the reserves or redlining. Next up with the Promise Land lollipop loop. I ran most of this loop and felt really good about how things were going, but in my mind I was still trying to keep things pulled back because of the steep up and downs coming on terrapin. <br />
Back to CG a 3rd time I was right on track of my time splits. These had me at anywhere from 4:55 to 5:10. As soon as I started the steep climb up Terrapin my legs started to cramp up. I dialed it back and took a little time between hiking steps and was able to keep the legs from binding up. I got to the overlook, made the punch, took in a quick scan of the view and was off. I was a little confused on this section because I wasn't sure where to go but I was off to the next punch at fat man's misery. I lost a little time in these punch points due to my confusion but it went well. <br />
Now for the descent. In the steepest section I heard the patter of Bethany's feet gaining on me. We talked a short time then I pulled aside after the steepest rock garden and she was out of sight in no time. My down hill ability has taken a bit of a beating over the last 6 months due to some ankle issues but I thought I'd be able to keep up with her. I was mistaken. <br />
From here I was just trying to keep from trashing my quads as we rolled in to the finish. The last section was rolling uphill back to the road we ran at the start of the race. I remember this section as contouring around the mtn with little climbing, but there was more climbing and mileage to it and I lost quite a bit of time here. I should have been able to roll through this section but I didn't have the leg turnover to make it happen. Fortunately, after Bethany, no one else passed me and I was able to roll in at 5:03.32 and 12th place. All in all, I was happy with the day and outcome. Not my favorite type of course but a great day in the woods none the less. <br />
As a side note. Following Terrapin I was more sore than I've been in years following a race. Still, today, I'm not so sure as to why that race was different. Maybe it was the long sections of fast road running that did it. Mountain Junkies LLChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13760458262176018367noreply@blogger.com0