For the most part, trail season is over. I completed the last race in the Trail Creek Outfitters series this past Saturday on a beautiful estate course in Chester County. This one included horse jumps and water crossings. While not technical the weather was lovely and I had enough of a lead on the competition, I was able to enjoy the race much more than the rest.
In the end, I won 3 of the 4 races with a 2nd in the other. I have to say I am a much better trail runner now than at the beginning of the year and really this time last year when I started to do more trail races.
With the series conclusion, I must now turn my attention to racing on the roads and speed in the next two months leading up to Steamtown. There is a chance I might add a trail race this weekend and a cinder trail 10 mile at the end of August. Aside from those, I will work hard to get my speed working to help me be ready in an effort to achieve my goal of a new PR in Steamtown,
Monday, July 23, 2012
Sunday, July 8, 2012
In the bag...50 Miles
So the time has come and gone, my 50 mile debut is in the books. It was hot. It was lonely. And it threw wrinkles at me that did require severe mental/physical endurance.
My 50 mile ultra debut (and ultra debut for that manner) took place in Lanesboro, PA. A town with a 2010 Census population of a shade over 500. The event itself is called the Viaduct Trail Ultramarathon. It is a young event as the first occurred in 2007. Over the years it has changed. For the first time, it offered 3 distance options: 50-100-200. As you may have guessed, I opted for the 50. The course is rather basic: 12.5 miles out, 12.5 miles back per lap on an old converted railroad line started under the Starrucca Viaduct.
With this being July, the temp was expected to be warm but recently there has been an enduring heatwave. Here in Philly alone, yesterday got up to 101. Lanesboro forecast 93. Thankfully, we were starting at 5am. Of course, a 5am start meant having to travel to Lanesboro on Friday night. Race organizers made arrangements for participants to camp out in a small town park right at the start. On our way up, dinner was consumed at a Perkins. It was a known entity so I opted for the safest bet. Good call I feel. Once we arrived, we set up camp and got to sleep. After all, I had to get up at 4:15 for prep.
Surprisingly, I had a good night of sleep. Upon waking, it was a fury of headlamp activity in the dark. As it got closer to 5, it was easier to see. With the forecast, I intended on making the most out of the lack of sun and cooler temps. At a reasonable and comfortable pace. We started out and I was alone pretty quickly. The one person who I expected to be close wasn't too far back but it was increasing between us. Peg was at 3.5 in to hand me my handheld as we determined it was a good place to add an extra drop bag for myself. That way I could run small patches without extra weight. My plan was to run from 3.5 to 10.5 with the bottle on the way out and the reverse on the way back. (The 10.5 point is where I consumed some food and additional nutrients on the return. On the first lap, it worked to perfection. As I hit the turnaround, I was 9 min up on 2nd. When I got back to the start/finish, I snacked and drank some more. Out I went and discovered I was now 18 minutes up.
Things were going well coming into the 3.5 bag....until I found it was gone. Bottle too. Mentally, I cracked. My hydration strategy went out the door. At that point, things became about enduring. I continued to run to a small 6.5 station but until I made it to 10.5 I was not going to have fluids with me. With the heat rising and the sun starting to rain down on the trail, my body started to heat-up. Patches of walking started coming in. As much as the thought stinks, I was determined to finish but not die. I kept plugging alone. Finally, I made it to the 10.5 station. A big relief as I had a hip pack in my bag there. Talk about planning that smartly. Had I not had that available, I probably would have quit. I put that on and headed out the additional two miles to the turnaround. Before I headed out, I told the station, I did expect to be passed because I was being a realist. Over the next 4 miles, I only saw one runner. (Twice.) I made it back to the 10.5 station restocked and off I went. Still no sign of second. It was not for 20 minutes since the turnaround that I saw 2nd, meaning I was increasing my lead despite stops! I felt I could win and started thinking about how much time I could afford to give back. It was now in the 90's. And I was not until I got near the 6.5 mark that I saw anyone else. Most people opted to now walk in the heat. Heck, I was doing it. But alone. When I spotted people it was usually in at least pairs.
Each mile was now feeling longer and longer but I was managing to run even if I was mentally exhausted. With each walk period, I thought about how much time I was giving back. Finally at 3.5, Peg was there rooting me on. I have to say those 3.5 miles were the toughest 3.5 miles I have ever done. Ever. Not so much for the physical exhausting but the mental self-solitude of the run. So much time spent alone coupled with stolen handheld played heavily on my mind. However, I was still on pace to finish before noon meaning under 7 hours! I really wanted to walk that whole last mile in and bask in what I was accomplishing. Yet, if I did that...no sub 7. So I managed to run it in.....just as it was starting to rain....
6:55:52
Clearly a PR.
Aside from the mishap with my bag and bottle, the event was really well run by some dedicated volunteers. If it was not for the encouragement of Carl at 10.5, I may have wilted and dropped. Thanks also goes out to my partner Peg, who was highly supportive of me doing this. Even if it meant she is putting up with my uber-rest mode now and driving the whole 3+ hours back.
I know I didn't talk to much about me doing this because 50 miles is a scary thought in the first place. Add in the heat and I was very worried. But now that it is done and I have my silver railroad spike, I can say I did it and finished a debut that tried me to ends I had not experienced before.
Now, if I ever done a 50 again, I will make sure the weather is much cooler.
Due to a lack of clarity, I should probably point out that I did win the 50 miler. As to by how much, I am not certain as the results have not been posted online yet. And I also do not know because we did leave about 30 minutes after I finished due to the rain and our drive.
My 50 mile ultra debut (and ultra debut for that manner) took place in Lanesboro, PA. A town with a 2010 Census population of a shade over 500. The event itself is called the Viaduct Trail Ultramarathon. It is a young event as the first occurred in 2007. Over the years it has changed. For the first time, it offered 3 distance options: 50-100-200. As you may have guessed, I opted for the 50. The course is rather basic: 12.5 miles out, 12.5 miles back per lap on an old converted railroad line started under the Starrucca Viaduct.
With this being July, the temp was expected to be warm but recently there has been an enduring heatwave. Here in Philly alone, yesterday got up to 101. Lanesboro forecast 93. Thankfully, we were starting at 5am. Of course, a 5am start meant having to travel to Lanesboro on Friday night. Race organizers made arrangements for participants to camp out in a small town park right at the start. On our way up, dinner was consumed at a Perkins. It was a known entity so I opted for the safest bet. Good call I feel. Once we arrived, we set up camp and got to sleep. After all, I had to get up at 4:15 for prep.
Surprisingly, I had a good night of sleep. Upon waking, it was a fury of headlamp activity in the dark. As it got closer to 5, it was easier to see. With the forecast, I intended on making the most out of the lack of sun and cooler temps. At a reasonable and comfortable pace. We started out and I was alone pretty quickly. The one person who I expected to be close wasn't too far back but it was increasing between us. Peg was at 3.5 in to hand me my handheld as we determined it was a good place to add an extra drop bag for myself. That way I could run small patches without extra weight. My plan was to run from 3.5 to 10.5 with the bottle on the way out and the reverse on the way back. (The 10.5 point is where I consumed some food and additional nutrients on the return. On the first lap, it worked to perfection. As I hit the turnaround, I was 9 min up on 2nd. When I got back to the start/finish, I snacked and drank some more. Out I went and discovered I was now 18 minutes up.
Things were going well coming into the 3.5 bag....until I found it was gone. Bottle too. Mentally, I cracked. My hydration strategy went out the door. At that point, things became about enduring. I continued to run to a small 6.5 station but until I made it to 10.5 I was not going to have fluids with me. With the heat rising and the sun starting to rain down on the trail, my body started to heat-up. Patches of walking started coming in. As much as the thought stinks, I was determined to finish but not die. I kept plugging alone. Finally, I made it to the 10.5 station. A big relief as I had a hip pack in my bag there. Talk about planning that smartly. Had I not had that available, I probably would have quit. I put that on and headed out the additional two miles to the turnaround. Before I headed out, I told the station, I did expect to be passed because I was being a realist. Over the next 4 miles, I only saw one runner. (Twice.) I made it back to the 10.5 station restocked and off I went. Still no sign of second. It was not for 20 minutes since the turnaround that I saw 2nd, meaning I was increasing my lead despite stops! I felt I could win and started thinking about how much time I could afford to give back. It was now in the 90's. And I was not until I got near the 6.5 mark that I saw anyone else. Most people opted to now walk in the heat. Heck, I was doing it. But alone. When I spotted people it was usually in at least pairs.
Each mile was now feeling longer and longer but I was managing to run even if I was mentally exhausted. With each walk period, I thought about how much time I was giving back. Finally at 3.5, Peg was there rooting me on. I have to say those 3.5 miles were the toughest 3.5 miles I have ever done. Ever. Not so much for the physical exhausting but the mental self-solitude of the run. So much time spent alone coupled with stolen handheld played heavily on my mind. However, I was still on pace to finish before noon meaning under 7 hours! I really wanted to walk that whole last mile in and bask in what I was accomplishing. Yet, if I did that...no sub 7. So I managed to run it in.....just as it was starting to rain....
6:55:52
Clearly a PR.
Aside from the mishap with my bag and bottle, the event was really well run by some dedicated volunteers. If it was not for the encouragement of Carl at 10.5, I may have wilted and dropped. Thanks also goes out to my partner Peg, who was highly supportive of me doing this. Even if it meant she is putting up with my uber-rest mode now and driving the whole 3+ hours back.
I know I didn't talk to much about me doing this because 50 miles is a scary thought in the first place. Add in the heat and I was very worried. But now that it is done and I have my silver railroad spike, I can say I did it and finished a debut that tried me to ends I had not experienced before.
Now, if I ever done a 50 again, I will make sure the weather is much cooler.
Due to a lack of clarity, I should probably point out that I did win the 50 miler. As to by how much, I am not certain as the results have not been posted online yet. And I also do not know because we did leave about 30 minutes after I finished due to the rain and our drive.
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Nervous....
Just a tad over a week out and starting to get nervous. Wrote out my shopping list of supplies for nutrition for next Saturday. Also found out there will be a serious contender in the 50. Might re-think my pace strategy. Originally, I wanted out and back in 1:45 splits. But I might just sit with the other guy for a while. The company might be good and I could do less work. Just reminds me I have to run smart. Smart.
And this contender has a marathon time that is close enough to make me worry about him. Plus, he has more trail experience along with more ultra experience. Have to keep that in mind.
At least tomorrow is an off day. Plan is tomorrow off. 11 on Friday. Off on Saturday. Runs on Sunday and Monday. Rest on Tuesday. Run on Wednesday. 2 miles or complete rest on Thursday with rest on Friday.
And this contender has a marathon time that is close enough to make me worry about him. Plus, he has more trail experience along with more ultra experience. Have to keep that in mind.
At least tomorrow is an off day. Plan is tomorrow off. 11 on Friday. Off on Saturday. Runs on Sunday and Monday. Rest on Tuesday. Run on Wednesday. 2 miles or complete rest on Thursday with rest on Friday.
Monday, June 25, 2012
Jeopardy of Mileage...
Impromptu side note: Being a so-called Politico (simply because I am a non-officially practicing Political Economist), tonight's Final Jeopardy category of Presidential Campaigns makes me happy.
With that out of the way, I am now less than 2 weeks out from my ultra debut. Since my last post, I have firmed up a good portion of my hydration strategy. Since it is a double out and back, I will use multiple water bottles placed at a couple of points on the course. It is a variation of my initial plan of just one water bottle. That plan evolved into trying a hydration vest but within two blocks of using one, I knew it was not going to be for me. I may opt to use a hydration waist pack model that can also hold a water bottle. What I will be doing is running a stretch with fluid and a stretch without. This is so I can rest my arms from the weight.
Mileage wise, I did go over my goal last week. Instead of 55 in a taper, I hit 70. And that was with a day off. I'm shooting for 40-50 this week. Next week, I will take 2 days off and do light mileage with 9-10 on Sunday.
I will say once I pass the ultra, it will be nice to focus less on mileage and more on speed as I have been having trouble as the Spring has progressed with that extra gear.
All for now....
And the answer was Bull Moose.
With that out of the way, I am now less than 2 weeks out from my ultra debut. Since my last post, I have firmed up a good portion of my hydration strategy. Since it is a double out and back, I will use multiple water bottles placed at a couple of points on the course. It is a variation of my initial plan of just one water bottle. That plan evolved into trying a hydration vest but within two blocks of using one, I knew it was not going to be for me. I may opt to use a hydration waist pack model that can also hold a water bottle. What I will be doing is running a stretch with fluid and a stretch without. This is so I can rest my arms from the weight.
Mileage wise, I did go over my goal last week. Instead of 55 in a taper, I hit 70. And that was with a day off. I'm shooting for 40-50 this week. Next week, I will take 2 days off and do light mileage with 9-10 on Sunday.
I will say once I pass the ultra, it will be nice to focus less on mileage and more on speed as I have been having trouble as the Spring has progressed with that extra gear.
All for now....
And the answer was Bull Moose.
Thursday, June 14, 2012
A mid-week pop-in....
Popping to say that this week's training has gone rather well. The past 3 mornings I have done runs over 8 miles. That is so nice in fact, I am taking tomorrow off. (We shall see if I live up to it.).
After this morning, my partner and I were discussing the upcoming ultra. I told her I am most nervous about the weather and we touched briefly upon having to get our logistics in order. She is not a regular runner so if she does any support it will be on bike.
What? Mike, you mean your partner is not a runner like you?
That is correct. I know it is surprising but she is very supportive and has endured my craziness up the slopes, buildings and in snowshoes. Cannot ask for much more.
But anyways, I am posting this article posted on Trail Runner magazine's online site as I find it rather true and humorous. And considering I am transitioning to more trail, it is funny to look at it internally...
And while road running and trail running are not mutually exclusive, they are different sports with different cultures. It reminds me of the stand-up comedy piece by comedian George Carlin on the differences between baseball and football.
• Road races have aid stations every two miles where the volunteers throw Gatorade into your mouth as you run by. Trail runners have a delectable feast at their aid stations with cookies, chips, PB&Js, trail mix and gummy bears.
• Road runners are constantly checking their watches for split times; trail runners check where the sun is in the sky, to see if they need to take out their headlamps.
• Road runners have pretty white tennies; trail runners have so much dirt and mud all over their shoes, you can’t tell what color they are.
• Serious road runners don’t carry water. Trail runners have backpacks with water bladders, rain jackets, blister care, food and electrolyte tablets.
• If you go down in a road race, the road runners will jump over you and let volunteers know at the next aid station; trail runners will stop, pull out their meds, first aid-kit, emergency beacon, give you CPR and carry you to the next aid station.
• Road runners hope they are not overtaken by faster runners; trail runners watch out for mountain lions, rattle snakes, bears or other creatures.
• Road runners check for flat fast courses; trail runners look at elevation charts and the scenery.
• Road runners are lean and skinny; trail runners can crush a road runner with their calves and power up mountains with their glutes.
After this morning, my partner and I were discussing the upcoming ultra. I told her I am most nervous about the weather and we touched briefly upon having to get our logistics in order. She is not a regular runner so if she does any support it will be on bike.
What? Mike, you mean your partner is not a runner like you?
That is correct. I know it is surprising but she is very supportive and has endured my craziness up the slopes, buildings and in snowshoes. Cannot ask for much more.
But anyways, I am posting this article posted on Trail Runner magazine's online site as I find it rather true and humorous. And considering I am transitioning to more trail, it is funny to look at it internally...
Trail Runners vs. Road Runners
Deborah Paquin
It’s not unusual to see cross over
between trail runners and road runners, a more and more road runners are
looking for new adventures on the trails.
And while road running and trail running are not mutually exclusive, they are different sports with different cultures. It reminds me of the stand-up comedy piece by comedian George Carlin on the differences between baseball and football.
In that piece, Carlin says, "In
football, you wear a helmet; in baseball, you wear a cap. In football, you
march into enemy territory; in baseball, you come home. In football, you play
in any kind of weather, rain, snow, sleet, hail and fog. In baseball you get
rained out. In football, they tackle you in the mud; in baseball, if you slide
into second base, you call time out to dust off your uniform. ..." And the
list goes on.
So, I created the same sort of piece
for trail runners vs. road runners? Here it is:
• Road runners show up in snazzy
matching outfits and Nike track suits. Trail runners have been mistaken for
homeless people.
• Road runners try to step around
the puddles on the street; trail runners are warned not to rock hop when going
through rivers and streams so they don’t break an ankle
• Road races have aid stations every two miles where the volunteers throw Gatorade into your mouth as you run by. Trail runners have a delectable feast at their aid stations with cookies, chips, PB&Js, trail mix and gummy bears.
• Road runners are constantly checking their watches for split times; trail runners check where the sun is in the sky, to see if they need to take out their headlamps.
• Road runners have pretty white tennies; trail runners have so much dirt and mud all over their shoes, you can’t tell what color they are.
• Serious road runners don’t carry water. Trail runners have backpacks with water bladders, rain jackets, blister care, food and electrolyte tablets.
• If you go down in a road race, the road runners will jump over you and let volunteers know at the next aid station; trail runners will stop, pull out their meds, first aid-kit, emergency beacon, give you CPR and carry you to the next aid station.
• Road runners hope they are not overtaken by faster runners; trail runners watch out for mountain lions, rattle snakes, bears or other creatures.
• Road runners check for flat fast courses; trail runners look at elevation charts and the scenery.
• Road runners are lean and skinny; trail runners can crush a road runner with their calves and power up mountains with their glutes.
• Road marathons might have up to 40,000 runners, start with
fireworks and end with bands and balloons; trail races start with, “Ready, Set
. . . GO!”
• Road races are meticulously measured and certified; trail runs might be a few miles long, give or take a mile or two.
• Road runners count miles and study average pace; trail runners train by time.
• Both road and trail runners are healthier than the average American couch potato, and enjoy the camaraderie of their fellow runners.
• And finally, both trail runners and road runners like wearing their race T-shirts and gaining bragging rights.
• Road races are meticulously measured and certified; trail runs might be a few miles long, give or take a mile or two.
• Road runners count miles and study average pace; trail runners train by time.
• Both road and trail runners are healthier than the average American couch potato, and enjoy the camaraderie of their fellow runners.
• And finally, both trail runners and road runners like wearing their race T-shirts and gaining bragging rights.
Saturday, June 9, 2012
Trailing on the trail...
Today was race 3 in the Trail Creek Outfitters Trail Series. It was a '10K' on a DuPont Estate in Delaware. Really nice piece of land with some great trails.
Being that this was a race, I was not able to enjoy the scenery too much. Especially, when at the start, I had someone nipping at my feet. There was a mix of technical, hills and grass straights to give something for everyone. And for a bonus, a tunnel with a stream to run through. For the most part of the 1st 7-8K, I was doing the lions share of the work because I was excellent on the technical sections. But I was running the engine super-hard with it being so neck and neck. Unfortunately, I ran out of technical sections to work and wound up with some hills at the worst time. I cracked. Cracked hard. Over the last stretch of race, I lost over a minute. And in the end, I lost the race, finishing up in second place to a former University of Delaware runner. (He'd still be one if they kept their program.)
Definitely stinks but I can't win all the trail races I run. Just wished it was another day.
On the plus side of the defeat, I had a wonderful time talking with some fellow trail runners following the race for something like an hour.
Being that this was a race, I was not able to enjoy the scenery too much. Especially, when at the start, I had someone nipping at my feet. There was a mix of technical, hills and grass straights to give something for everyone. And for a bonus, a tunnel with a stream to run through. For the most part of the 1st 7-8K, I was doing the lions share of the work because I was excellent on the technical sections. But I was running the engine super-hard with it being so neck and neck. Unfortunately, I ran out of technical sections to work and wound up with some hills at the worst time. I cracked. Cracked hard. Over the last stretch of race, I lost over a minute. And in the end, I lost the race, finishing up in second place to a former University of Delaware runner. (He'd still be one if they kept their program.)
Definitely stinks but I can't win all the trail races I run. Just wished it was another day.
On the plus side of the defeat, I had a wonderful time talking with some fellow trail runners following the race for something like an hour.
Monday, June 4, 2012
Milestone Miles....
On this past weekend, my training schedule had in it slated a run of 3 hours. Going in this was a huge mental barrier because it had dawned on me a couple weeks back I had only run over 3 hours once ever. It was in my second marathon when I ran 3:04:22 with a sinus infection. That was back in 2005. My 'whoa' moment made me want to scramble to find an event to run in that I could do the distance at a reasonable pace with people. My options ran the gambit from two trail and one road marathon along with a long 'train' run with the RVRR club. In the end, the weather forecast of showers on Saturday swayed me towards going solo early. The rain I felt would cool me off. However, turns out the rain passed before I started at 5:45am.
Mentally, I had a few rough spots but when I finished I was happy. I ran out 1:30 on the Schuylkill Trail managing to get out to the Norristown Transportation Center in that time. My pace back actually was faster! I ended up having to add mileage to keep me going for more than 3 hours. When the clock finally was stopped, I ran for 3:04:45. It was only a few seconds over the longest time I had ever run and nearly as long. I ticked off 26.13 miles. A lot better than I expected. Only downside was the lack of restrooms and water fountains on the trail. I was very disappointed as I hoped to use both. While I managed to get through without water, nature did call loud requiring a minor pit stop. It was super quick.
What was not super quick was the Sunday run. I slept in til 8am (which I never really do) and headed out to do 10 but wound up logging 14. Another good day.
While some great miles on this weekend, I will be hitting the trails during this week in prep for my 10K race on Saturday. Looking forward to it as it on a DuPont estate. Sunday will be my long run day. Hope to tack on 20.
My miles.....
Mentally, I had a few rough spots but when I finished I was happy. I ran out 1:30 on the Schuylkill Trail managing to get out to the Norristown Transportation Center in that time. My pace back actually was faster! I ended up having to add mileage to keep me going for more than 3 hours. When the clock finally was stopped, I ran for 3:04:45. It was only a few seconds over the longest time I had ever run and nearly as long. I ticked off 26.13 miles. A lot better than I expected. Only downside was the lack of restrooms and water fountains on the trail. I was very disappointed as I hoped to use both. While I managed to get through without water, nature did call loud requiring a minor pit stop. It was super quick.
What was not super quick was the Sunday run. I slept in til 8am (which I never really do) and headed out to do 10 but wound up logging 14. Another good day.
While some great miles on this weekend, I will be hitting the trails during this week in prep for my 10K race on Saturday. Looking forward to it as it on a DuPont estate. Sunday will be my long run day. Hope to tack on 20.
My miles.....
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