So after a long lay off from racing the 2010 Way to Cool was my first race since 2009 Western States. The weather gods smiled on us with no rain, but it was COLD all day. The rain from the previous day had soaked an already waterlogged trail.
My training team looked set to go. Everyone was in a great mood and eager to try out the legs. With so much going on I had to listen to some pre-race music to clear my head. I think next go around I would rather support the team from the side lines than run the race. I kept thinking about them and what more I could say to help them on their journey.
My goals for the race were #1 best my 2009 time when a bonk had slowed me to a 4:52, #2 run 4:40-4:30. I knew the muddy conditions would slow things down, but I was feeling good about my training recently.
Start to Hwy 49
Ouch the cold made for funky legs; I was having a problem finding a rhythm on any terrain. I stuck to my plan and tried to not go out too fast. By the time we reached the turn to decent to Hwy 49 I was beginning to feel better/warmer. The trail was a muddy mess; it was going to be ugly out on the course I could tell. At Hwy 49 I was slower than 2009, not a good start.
Hwy 49 to ALT1
I have the normal pre-race rituals of most runners, eat, drink, and go to the bathroom (#2). I did all of these things so I knew I would not have an issue later in the race. WRONG, just after hitting the Quarry Road I needed to go #2, DAMMIT, more time lost. Thank god I know how to poo and go. Once I was back running I felt good. The climb to Brown Bar went well; I pushed a little to regain time but not too hard. Once on the single track I felt great and got into a great rhythm. When I found myself back with the runners I had been with at the pit stop I laid up a bit to eat/drink. Coming into ALT1 I was with my friends Kirk and Terry who I hoped to run with for the rest of the day.
ALT1 to ALT2
After ascending the hill out of ALT1 and eating I felt great so I just found my rhythm and went with it. I began to shadow John Nichols who knows the Dead Truck trail loop like the back of his hand. Just prior to Ball Bearing I was feeling good and running well. The swollen creek crossing was interesting; I figured some of the shorter runners would be swimming when they crossed it. Ball bearing went well I ran more of than in races past.
ALT2 to Browns Bar/Goat Hill
I was feeling a little tired heading out of ALT2, but when I tested the legs I still had legs, but a little tight. Just prior to Browns Bar I was having issues on the short rollers and I was beginning to have some IT band issues OUCH! I really started to slow down but I was ok with it, I just didn’t want to crater and walk the last part.
On the ascent to Goat Hill I got some twitches, a fellow runner was nice enough to give me some salt. I pooped them in and took a swig of my bottle, ooppsss not much water. On the final push to the Goat Hill aid station I noticed the salt pill was stuck in my throat. No problem I’m almost to the station. I quickly realized the pill was dissolving; I began to salivate a lot. Just as I entered the aid station I swallowed a mouthful of the ocean of spit the pill was creating in my mouth. This was when I learned a knew thing about ultra running, don’t swallow the salt pill induced mouthful of spit. I quickly assumed the position and BARF!!!!!! As always the first thing going on in mind was, more time lost SHIT! The old Ultra wisdom kicked in and I felt better after barfing. My bottle was ready and off I went, Ultra are so cool, it’s just barf and go, no time to feel bad.
Goat Hill to Finish
I hooked up with some guys and we set a good tempo on the way in. The legs felt like crap on any incline and the IT band would blow up a little, so I knew I would have some issues near the end. By Hwy 49 I just locked into a rhythm and got up the hill with my head down. Just as I came up to the finish I was about 20 sec from 5hrs. So I danced a little jig in the finish chute to finish on the button. Whereupon I was given a Montrail hoodie for being the 5hr finisher, NICE!
So I did not meet any of my goals but it was great day in crappy conditions. I later saw that everyone’s times were off so maybe I am getting fit.
Everyone in my training group finished with a smile on their face. It was an awesome experience to hang out and watch the finishes. Racing is way more fun with a group. By the end of the day I was re-charged to get back out and train.
My friend Melissa from the training team took a ton of photos; I will be posting some later.
Next up: AR50
AB
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Rituals
The first race of the year is upon my training group and me. With the normal, “I hate to taper” talk on today’s run. I started thinking about the rituals I use before and after races. Most rituals I do are for my “A” races, but sometimes I do them just because its fun or a superstition I have.
In my triathlon days it was the whole body shave down, and I mean WHOLE body. One time I did my eyebrows. During my MTB and road racing days it was hair color. I’ve done blonde, red, orange, and purple. I seem to have a personal affinity for hair rituals. Besides color I’ve done, long hair, the buzz, bald and the ubiquitous Mohawk. Facial hair is another favorite, I’ve done the full beard, goatee, you name it. My personal favorite was my 7wk old full beard I started when my daughter was born and kept till I returned to work. The final week before returning to work I shaved it into lamb chop sideburns, sweet!
More recent big race rituals have been shaving my legs and arms, (I’m 20sec faster over a 50 mile run this way). My daughter painting my toe nails has become an annual ritual, we do it whenever she wants to (a pre-WS100 must do).
I used to listen to the same few songs before every race, but I gave that up recently as I moved away from music while running. If you’re interested try “In the air tonight” by Phil Collins when you’re just getting ready to go to the start, good stuff.
Other rituals I enjoy are the post AR50 body dunk in the canal behind the finish and the post race Carls Jr. Double Western Bacon Cheeseburger.
My worst ritual, No Pre-Race SEX.
What’s your ritual(s)?
AB
In my triathlon days it was the whole body shave down, and I mean WHOLE body. One time I did my eyebrows. During my MTB and road racing days it was hair color. I’ve done blonde, red, orange, and purple. I seem to have a personal affinity for hair rituals. Besides color I’ve done, long hair, the buzz, bald and the ubiquitous Mohawk. Facial hair is another favorite, I’ve done the full beard, goatee, you name it. My personal favorite was my 7wk old full beard I started when my daughter was born and kept till I returned to work. The final week before returning to work I shaved it into lamb chop sideburns, sweet!
More recent big race rituals have been shaving my legs and arms, (I’m 20sec faster over a 50 mile run this way). My daughter painting my toe nails has become an annual ritual, we do it whenever she wants to (a pre-WS100 must do).
I used to listen to the same few songs before every race, but I gave that up recently as I moved away from music while running. If you’re interested try “In the air tonight” by Phil Collins when you’re just getting ready to go to the start, good stuff.
Other rituals I enjoy are the post AR50 body dunk in the canal behind the finish and the post race Carls Jr. Double Western Bacon Cheeseburger.
My worst ritual, No Pre-Race SEX.
What’s your ritual(s)?
AB
Friday, February 26, 2010
New Blog Link
I just added Devon Crosby-Helm's Blog to my Blog links. I haven't met her, but I started following her blog recently so I just linked it. She has great stuff, read her post about Grand Canyon and check out the photos, AWESOME.
Her most recent post about eating meat is very interesting.
AB
Her most recent post about eating meat is very interesting.
AB
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Change is good
You ever have something come up that you just can't get out of your mind. It could be the As@#^ driver from the morning commute, running a PR, that 14er you want to climb, well I have a new one. What is this new thing that occupies my thoughts this past week more that sex you ask. The Widest Run in the West 100K.
This little known run started in 2008, it started up again in 2009 but for unknown resaons was canceled. My friend Jim attempted the race in 2008, but 100+ August heat forced him and a lot of the field to stop early. i was out there it was crazy hot.
The allure to me beside the distance( I've never run a 100K) is the location of the course. The majority of it is on the WS100 route. I think the route and the tough conditions is what calls me to this race. Maybe running part of the WS100 course again will give me a little redemption for 2009 and a little mojo for 2011 lottery. Either way I'm adding this race to the schedule.
AB
This little known run started in 2008, it started up again in 2009 but for unknown resaons was canceled. My friend Jim attempted the race in 2008, but 100+ August heat forced him and a lot of the field to stop early. i was out there it was crazy hot.
The allure to me beside the distance( I've never run a 100K) is the location of the course. The majority of it is on the WS100 route. I think the route and the tough conditions is what calls me to this race. Maybe running part of the WS100 course again will give me a little redemption for 2009 and a little mojo for 2011 lottery. Either way I'm adding this race to the schedule.
AB
Monday, February 22, 2010
Monday, February 15, 2010
Motivation
This movie link has been making the rounds, but I thought I would post it because I love it. The movie is great to watch for motivation, but it also gives me more places/races to add to my "to do list".
Motivation
Motivation
Monday, February 8, 2010
Shoe review, etc, etc
So it’s the end of another miserable Monday. I actually worked today, but I’m sick so I’m done for the day.
So here is a show review, I’ve covered some of my favorite shoes in the past. My current trail shoe is the Saucony Trail Guide. Here is a link to the new version, Trail Guide TR 2
Review:
The Guide locks my foot in tight like I like, but with a roomy toe box. The heel cup is especially nice. Its shape locks in my heel. I find the sizing to be a bit on the large side. I could do an 11, but on longer runs and technical trails my feet would suffer.
I used the Guides right out of the box, no break-in. A lot of shoes I run in like my Nike Moto’s take a bit of break-in running for my feet to be happy in them.
I have done short road/trail runs in the Guides as well as long (20+) mile trail runs. In all cases the Guide has held up well. My feet are very happy with them.
The shoes are cushy and supportive for my fat butt, but firm at the same time. I would run anything up to 50K-50 mile in them. I think 50K if the trail was really rocky.
So far I have a bit over 100 miles in them. There are no signs of wear in the shoe overall, a very solid shoe.
**The reviews expressed are of the authors, this is his blog. The review is based solely on his subjective observations, blah, blah, blah. If you don’t like it or agree, click away. And no I don't get any money for this from Saucony, I wish!!!**
Now the etc, etc:
I have a new running mantra that works really well when you’re tired. It’s from the song I previously posted about: “On to the next one”
While out running this weekend I was tired and a little bonked, but I had to go back out and run. Just like in a race I picked points to run to, to get me through. I used the mantra like this: The background chorus with the drum beat moves you forward with its repetitiveness. Then as you need it use the chorus words, “on to the next one” to get you to the next marker and so on. I think in a race when I’m REALLY hurting this will come in handy. Regardless you got to click the link and chech out the song.
AB
So here is a show review, I’ve covered some of my favorite shoes in the past. My current trail shoe is the Saucony Trail Guide. Here is a link to the new version, Trail Guide TR 2
Review:
The Guide locks my foot in tight like I like, but with a roomy toe box. The heel cup is especially nice. Its shape locks in my heel. I find the sizing to be a bit on the large side. I could do an 11, but on longer runs and technical trails my feet would suffer.
I used the Guides right out of the box, no break-in. A lot of shoes I run in like my Nike Moto’s take a bit of break-in running for my feet to be happy in them.
I have done short road/trail runs in the Guides as well as long (20+) mile trail runs. In all cases the Guide has held up well. My feet are very happy with them.
The shoes are cushy and supportive for my fat butt, but firm at the same time. I would run anything up to 50K-50 mile in them. I think 50K if the trail was really rocky.
So far I have a bit over 100 miles in them. There are no signs of wear in the shoe overall, a very solid shoe.
**The reviews expressed are of the authors, this is his blog. The review is based solely on his subjective observations, blah, blah, blah. If you don’t like it or agree, click away. And no I don't get any money for this from Saucony, I wish!!!**
Now the etc, etc:
I have a new running mantra that works really well when you’re tired. It’s from the song I previously posted about: “On to the next one”
While out running this weekend I was tired and a little bonked, but I had to go back out and run. Just like in a race I picked points to run to, to get me through. I used the mantra like this: The background chorus with the drum beat moves you forward with its repetitiveness. Then as you need it use the chorus words, “on to the next one” to get you to the next marker and so on. I think in a race when I’m REALLY hurting this will come in handy. Regardless you got to click the link and chech out the song.
AB
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