Reliability

[caption id="attachment_404" align="aligncenter" width="243" caption="Men of Green Calendar (July 2010)"][/caption]

I had a good weekend of running last weekend with two 3 hour outings.  Then took four straight days off for no real reason other than work was hectic and other stuff going on.  It's probably not bad to rest up before I tear into a 6 week cycle of heavy training, so no biggie.  I'm not a slave to running and don't get too bent out of shape about taking a day off (or four).  I really like the training I've fallen into this year of few number of runs but big miles/climb on those runs.  I feel much stronger on runs the last month than I have in at least four years.

I was supposed to head up to Brainard Lake today for 26 miles with a crazy fast and strong girl.  I figured she just stood me up, so I did my run locally this morning.  Then I had a couple of texts from her when I got back saying she ended up running alone because she didn't hear from me when she texted to confirm last night.  I confirmed, texted again this morning and left a vmail.  Way to go AT&T.  The most worthless carrier I've ever encountered.  If I wasn't so attached to my iPhone...

Anyway, looking to scamper up Green, Bear, South Boulder peaks tomorrow along with 8 or so miles on Mesa if anyone's interested.  Just assume I'm starting at 7am - don't wait for a text from me!

Moving On

Like many things that impact your life there are associated highs and lows with a big running event.  You become almost manic-depressive in the time leading up to and after an event.  During a set of in season events it becomes an emotional and physical roller coaster.  My favorite time frame is the last week before a race.  Many people don't like this time because of the tapering involved, muscles seem to hurt, anxiety sets in, you feel like you're getting fatter, lots of things make this last week a mental struggle.  I happen to love the last days before a race.  I think about every nuance of the race from gathering at the start to how the competitors will settle in during the cool dawn moments before the heat and meat of the competition grabs them.

Of course, with that emotional high comes the week following an event.  What now?  I'm achy.  Did I just eat a half gallon of ice cream?  I feel fat.  That one cloud up there looks like it may open up at any minute into a severe thunderstorm-I better just take another day off today.  All these thoughts settle in and rise up around me like heavy, wet sand in the week following an event.

I've pulled out of it this week by getting out for a couple of shorter (7mi and 6mi) runs and then a longer outing of 3 hours and 4,000 climb today, exactly one week since the North Fork 50 miler (and my subsequent melt-down).  I also fought off the post-ultra depression by focusing on upcoming races.  Next month I have the honor of pacing Tim W. at the Leadville 100 mile.  I just hope I can keep up with him for 50 miles even with 50 miles already on his little tootsies.  Then (and I've been thinking about this race for 2 years) I decided I'm doing the Bear 100 miler in Utah (well, and in Idaho technically).  I figure why waste my time with easy hundreds like Rocky Racoon, Leadville, or even bother with Western States.  I'll just go for the big banana and run one of the most difficult in the country (save Wasatch and Hardrock, of course).

So, the world is spinning at the right speed for me and life is humming at the right frequency again now that I have events with which I can soak my mind in planning, anticipating, training and general daydreaming.

Off to buy more ice cream.

North Fork 50 Miler: Character Building

"Time for a gel.  What do you want?"  Steve asks

"Nothing" I reply

"I have tri-berry gu, huckleberry Hammer, or clif bloks..."

"I don't want anything, thanks."  I reply.

"How about a tri-berry and an S-Cap?"  Steve persists.

"For God's sake, fine!  I'll take the Gu and S-Cap."  I snap.

This is how poor Steve's day went from mile 35 to mile 50.

24 hours removed from the pain, cramps, dizziness, and stomach aches I appreciate the North Fork 50 mile struggle more than I thought I could admit.

Very well done event.  It started on time at 7am with the 50 milers and 50k(ers) beginning together.  I knew Bill Fanselow was running (US Mountain Running Team) and consistently strong runners, Rick Hessek and Todd Gangeloff.  Along with them was a strong women's field, probably more so than the mens.  At the start we settled into an easy pace down the footpath along the river, crossed the bridge and cracked into the first long, steep climb.  At the top of the 1,000 ft climb Bill started easing off the front and no one went with him.  It was subtle and too early for me to want to jump in with him, so he pulled away about 50 meters ahead.  We were now forming a group of 4, me, Todd, Rick, and some other guy.  They were chatting behind me, so I started pulling away like Bill had previously and no one went with me.  I hit the second aid station at 10 miles in 1:22, which I felt substantial considering the long climb at the start.  No one was behind me and Bill was within a solid kick in front of me.  I kept him in front of me but within sight until mile 20 when his climbing ability paid off and he got up 5 mins on me.

I was averaging around  8:30 pace, eating a gel every 20 mins, drinking about 30 oz and hour, and popping 200mg of salt since it wasn't yet way too hot.  Things were going so well that I began entertaining thoughts of catching a depleted Bill in the last 20 miles.  What else is there to think about running alone in the mountains when it's 90 degrees out?  At 30.5 miles I picked up Steve as my pacer.  I told him, "Okay, here's the deal.  I've been in a solid 2nd place for 30 miles and I don't want to lose that."

[caption id="attachment_390" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Picking up Steve at 30.5 miles"][/caption]

Well, we started the same climb I had done at the start just 4.5 hours before.  Now, though, I had 31 miles in me and it was in the 90's.  I started feeling a little sick and cramping at the 34.5 mile aid station.  Just as I was leaving Rick and the eventual women's winner were coming up the trail.  As we were leaving I told Steve that I didn't really care about placing and that I'd just like to finish.  That's how bad I felt.  Soon, the woman went by and looked like she had just started running.  Then Rick came up and chatted with me a bit before moving on.  Things were bad and I had no way of believing they could get worse.  But they did.

[caption id="attachment_391" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Getting started on the last 20 miles"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_392" align="aligncenter" width="209" caption="How I felt during the final stages"][/caption]

The next 15 miles were a blur of 4 hours of walk/jog/hobble, minor blackouts, and Steve's watch beeping.  If Steve hadn't been with me, I would've dropped from the race, no doubt in my mind.  He helped get me through it and retain some dignity finishing in 6th place in a staggering long time of 9:31.

As I mentioned, the event was directed perfectly.  The food was super, there was beer (that's enough to bring me back), the goodie bag was great, the best race shirt I've ever received, superior aid stations and volunteers, and a fucking hard course (excuse my language but running on gravel/sand trails up and down mountains in burned out forests exposed to the high altitude sun, warrant a curse word or two).  This is a substantial event that will challenge anyone.  Half the starting field dropped out, enough said.

Thanks Steve for being so patient and encouraging.  You have no idea how much you helped me.  Thanks to his kind wife, Kathleen for waiting (and worrying) about us for the 5 hours it took to "run" the last 20 miles.  I'm grateful to have you as my friends.

[caption id="attachment_393" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Only reason I'm smiling is from 2 beers and food"][/caption]

Running Upswing...again

[caption id="attachment_375" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Top of Walker's Dream trail.  Photos courtesy of Steve as usual."][/caption]

Finally, I seem to have emerged from a drought of lackluster, lethargic running that, I believe, has lasted since March.  On various levels of sloggishness I've felt like I've been dragging a 30 lbs sandbag behind me, no snap, no power, just struggling through most runs with only glimpses of energy.  This week was different and I appreciate the upswing (a lot), considering my next race is in five days (not counting today).

Got down to Morrison and Mt. Falcon's trails yesterday for a nice time with Steve.  Mt. Falcon was one of the first places I ran when I moved to Colorado and was surprized to realize I hadn't been there since August of '08.  The trail gets down to business right from the parking lot at 6,000 ft and climbs steeply for 1.7 miles to the top of Turkey Trot trail, then climbs a bit more gradually for another 2 miles to a series of loops, so the trail system is sort of shaped like a daisy with a long stem.  We took our time just chatting and enjoying the great weather, trails, and views.

[caption id="attachment_382" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="On Walker's Dream trail"][/caption]

Steve's going to be hopping into my North Fork 50 mile race this coming Saturday, joining me when I reach the 30 mile mark to serve as my pacer for the last 20 miles.  I've never had a pacer, so am mostly just looking forward to the company since these races tend to get spread out and I end up running alone for the last 3-4 hours.  He knows the trails and the race course better than probably anyone, so that will be a big help too.  I expend a lot of energy in races wondering how long a hill is, how far to the next aid station, how far to the finish, so it'll be nice having Steve telling me, "Ok, just .6 of a mile to the end of this climb, then a screaming descent!"

This week was (or will be once I get out for my run after this post today) 60 miles with 11,000 ft climb.  I'd really like to pop a good race next week.

Frankfurters and 40 Ouncers - It Must be the 4th!

47 miles on the trails in the last 40 hours.  Not a big deal to most the runner guys I know but good enough for me.  Trying to cram a little in order to have some chance at a decent run at the North Fork 50 in 13 days.  Yesterday's run left me dizzy after nearly four hours on exposed trails in the heat of the day (930a-130p).

Have a fun and safe 4th.  Here's Ricky Bobby and Cal Naughton Jr. with some public service announcements: