Interview with Ultra Runner Podcast

I had the great pleasure of being interviewed by the ultrarunnerpodcast.com guys, Eric and Scott.  Want to hear about the ins and outs of race directing from permitting to boiled potatoes and how to finish a 100 miler?  Give it a listen!

http://ultrarunnerpodcast.com/archives/1350

El Diablo and the Stairway to Heaven

Training is rolling strong and picking up momentum.  Took it easy last week, running some light milage (just one hard stair/hill workout).  With this long four week break until our next Inside Trail event, I'm going to jack up the training to get ready for the onslaught of races beginning with Way Too Cool on March 10th.

Today's Mt. Diablo Run elevation profile (from Brett's GPS)

Yesterday I got out to do my new favorite, sadistic workout on the Gilligan Stairs (introduced to me by Mark Gilligan).  Brett Welborn was in town this week for business and wanted to meet for a run, so we decided on Mt Diablo.  Being from South Carolina's coast, today was probably more climbing than he does in a month but he handled it like a veteran, holding pace well to the summit and then we spilled back down to the bottom.  4,500 ft of climb, 20 miles.  Sunny and 60s (chillier on top).  Great to finally meet Brett and really made the run zip by.

Saturday's Way Too Cool training run will help push me over 80 miles for the week with roughly 15,000 feet of climb.  Just need to trim a few (5-ish) lbs and I'll be ready for a big season, hopefully.

Looking into the Santa Barbara Endurance Race 100k on April 14th.  I wanted to be sharp for the Diablo 50k on Apr 21 but feel the added race will help me prepare more with my real goals of the pending 100s.

Brooks Falls Trail Run

Ken Michal running the aid station with purpose.

The Brooks Falls Trail Run went about as well as an event can.  Thank you all for coming out to run and/or help.  We had a great time and truly appreciate your participation.

New ITR Team Member - Brownie

"We're proud to have such a positive influential representative on the team." -ITR's co-owner, Tim Long.

After extensive negotiations, Inside Trail Racing and UltraDrinkerRunner, JT (Brownie), have inked an athlete endorsement agreement for 2012.  JT will be representing ITR as somewhat of the black sheep variety.  ITR's co-owner and race director, Tim Long, confirms, "After pacing me at Hardrock and Leadville last year, I didn't have much choice but to bring JT aboard."  Long went on, in a quiet, mumbling voice, "I just hope La Sportiva and the other sponsor partners don't find out."

With accomplishments like 114th at the Pikes Peak Marathon and 138th at Leadville (back when there were only like 200 finishers), Brownie has proven two things:  Beer drinking is an intrinsic part of our beloved sport and beer drinking does not always equal success.

Inside Trail had to order a custom uniform for the Colorado Springs speedster and, at $5.38 a pop, it's well worth it.  When offered a standard gold Patagonia technical team shirt, JT quipped, "the pump cheese on my fries won't show up on it as well if dribbled."  ITR concurred with that sound logic and signed the agreement with sweaty palms.

Inside Trail's other owner, Tim Stahler was unavailable for comment.  We later learned he was unaware of the acquisition and is filing a suit to block the agreement.

So, if you see JT out on the trails and he's not wearing his La Sportivas or (God forbid) his ITR Team shirt, follow the example of the bar-top woman in the above photo and kick him in the balls.

Megaphones and Stairs

Clearly, the neighbors must think we're home shopping network hermits.  This week has seen a near-constant stream of UPS and FedEx deliveries to the house.  For an ultrarunner-slash-race director, it's been like Christmas.

So far this week we've received our:

Business Cards:

Car magnet signs, custom finish line banner, wall signage (promo, promo promo):

Headsweat hats and visors (best running hats on the market)!:

La Sportiva 2012 sponsor package - Watch for raffles and other opportunities to win all the LS shoes we'll have this year to give away!:

Crosslite 2.0 - My race shoe of choice this year.

Quantum - fits so comfy that you'll want to sleep in them.

Hydrapak E-Lite Vests and Products (soft flasks, gel-bots, etc) Hottest vest on the market:

My personal race vest - nothing lighter or more innovative out there in my opinion.

All this gear and more will be available at sweet prices in our squeaky-clean new Inside Trail online store opening tomorrow! (if our lazy web guy can swing it).

My new bullhorn (Tim S. seems enamored with it but he's the quiet one and likely won't use it outside of his livingroom):

Kickass new bullhorn.

My affinity for megaphones is well documented (Firecracker 5k - 2004)

It's eco-friendly.  Converted to run on PBR.

The weather forecast is improving for this Sunday's Brooks Falls Trail Run in Pacifica.  Now they're calling for partly cloudy skies and a high near 60!  We're rockin' and ready to roll out a great race.  Everything's packed, in place and ready to be loaded in our massive dully truck…

Plenty of room still left in the race, so register today to save $$.  We have very special 50k finisher awards that will undoubtedly become collectors' items.  Scott Dunlap will be running with his sweet Nikon camera, snapping photos of everything and everyone for FREE download post race.  

My training is going well.  Did a leg-destroying stair workout day before yesterday that Mark Gilligan (ultrasignup.com) introduce me to (the jerk).  400 steps up the side of a "hill" in Oakland.  I ran 2.5 miles there, did ten repeats (4,000 up / 4,000 down = ouch) and limped, quivery-legged home.  Followed that up with a less than inspiring 9 miler with Tim S. yesterday on our Inside Trail Lake Chabot half marathon course.  Then I headed out for some beer and sushi (best-recovery-food-ever…  the sushi was good too).  

Hope to see a bunch of you out on the trails in Pacifica this weekend!

Pacing Duties at Western States 100

Brandon (short shorts) and me (goatee and visor)

So, I didn't get into Western States this year but now I get to do the next best thing: watch someone else go into the pain cave while I jog along and chat.

Brandon Fuller is in for a ride now that he's announced my pacing obligation on his BLOG.

A Rare Day in Pacifica

Amazing day.  Brooks Falls (currently dry)
above my left shoulder.

Whenever I hear the name Pacifica, I immediately think, "fog".  In fact, in the few times I've been there, I don't think I've seen any part of the city or area because the fog was so thick.  Yesterday was a contrast that would make a manic-depresive proud.

Inside Trail's other smarter, though less handsome, half, Tim Stahler, and I headed over to San Pedro Valley Park in Pacifica to get in a training run and do a little scouting of the trails on which our Brooks Falls Trail Run event takes place next Sunday (Jan 22) [Registration still open!!!].  We were greeted with brilliant blue skies, warm temperatures, and views even a couch potato would appreciate.  After discussing the organization of the staging start/finish area and fiddling with our hydration packs, we got underway by tackling Valley View Trail, a solid, though mildly steady, climb.  This loop is a soft prelude to the featured loop up to the summit of Montara Mountain, where the views span from San Francisco's skyline to Mt. Tamalpais that appears to be floating in the Pacific.  For the most part the trail is smooth with scattered sections of technical rocky terrain and much appreciated switch backs until you spill onto a wide fire road that leads you to the summit.  Cinch down your shoe laces and pull your hat down tight because you're in for a sustained three mile descent, dropping roughly 1,600 feet with constant views of Pacifica and the ocean lapping up against it.

We bumped into several trail runners, including the ever bubbly Janeth Siva.  I was left with a new appreciation for the trails here.  Our run was 20 miles with over 4,200 feet of climb, capping an 82 mile seven day stretch for me.  Post run treats of burgers and milkshakes (yes, we act like 8 year olds occasionally).  The participants at our Brooks Falls event are in for a treat.  Let's hope for the gift of weather we enjoyed this weekend.

More photos:

Pacifica and the ocean as seen from the Montara Mtn Trail.

A look back at the trails that carried us up.

Can't go wrong when mountains meet ocean.

Fire road trail leading to the summit of Montara Mtn.

Finish line spectators.

Stahler's Banana milkshake (aak).

La Sportiva Shoes

This isn't really a review; more like some initial observations in prelude to a review after I wear them more.

Wore the La Sportiva Quantums today for my run.  The odd shape and composition of the sole and snug fit initially had me omitting them from my race shoe stable.  After a few runs in them I've grown to love them.  Sizing is tricky.  La Sportiva doesn't convert American and Euro sizing the same as other brands.  e.g. a 10.5 (my size) American typically translates into a 44.5-ish.  LS translates a 10.5 into a 44.  So, the gist of this nonsense is that you need to go by your Euro size when choosing LS shoes.

To add to the confusion, the different styles fit differently.  The Crosslite 2.0 (yes, I adore them too) fits bigger than the Quantum.  Regardless, I bumped up to an 11 (44.5) in both.  Back to the Quantum in a minute.  I ran the Epiphany 50k on Sunday in the Crosslite 2.0 and they were perfect.  No issues and no foot soreness whatsoever.  The only thing that I'm mildly concerned about is how they drain water and that I can't attach gaiters to them - both minor things, since I'm fairly certain they'll drain water well enough.

The Quantum is snug but fits my foot like a glove and is about as comfortable as any shoe I've worn.  The upper is built as a slip last, like climbing shoes, and then glued onto the sole, so the fit is very natural.  The wavy rubber outer sole is attached to a foam mid sole that provides amazing cushion - not the mushy cushion found in thick eva soles but more responsive.  It reminds me of the firmer, responsive cushioning of the old Addidas Super Nova Cush road shoe.  Even without traditional lugs, the outer sole is grippy on varied terrain and I haven't found a surface where it doesn't perform well.  The upper mesh-like fabric also seems like it would drain well.  Sounds like my Hardrock shoe of choice!

This and That

The week started off a bit shaky but has been grooving progressively.  Got the Iniside Trail Racing Team put together with some talented runners.  Race uniforms are being printed this week along with a bunch of additional clothing that will sport the ITR logo.  Tim S. picked us up a big, custom ITR finish line banner and some smaller banners and signage; it all arrived today and is, well, awesome.  We bought and/or secured race equipment for our Jan 22nd race (Brooks Falls).

This morning we solidified six new events for the year, which puts us at 21 (with a few more just awaiting final approval before we post them on our calendar, which will end up at 27-30 events total).  We also inked the deal with La Sportiva this morning.  They'll be partnering with us for the entire race season with a presence at our events and a ton of shoes provided to us to give away (and sponsoring my personal racing shoe needs!!).  We can't express how proud we are to have La Sportiva involved.

I love start-ups and small businesses.  The energy and creativity is addicting.  This is the third business I've started: Phoenix International, Inc. (a telecom company in Boston started with a partner), Racescapes Events, Inc. (a race management and timing company I started alone in N. Carolina), and now Inside Trail, Inc. with Tim S.  Out of the three, I see ITR as having unlimited potential.  Tim's and my strengths compliment one another perfectly, right down to the diverse hours we work (we can cover 20 hour days comfortably).  Really exciting time and I'm grateful for the opportunity and the support we've received is humbling.

Personally, I'm pretty happy with things.  Currently looking for a new place to live and settle down for a bit - plenty of options.  My running is off the hook right now.  I've tweaked my diet over the last four months and have abundant energy, a leaner frame, started lifting again (mostly to enable me to schlep around all the damn-heavy race equipment).  I'm holding paces substantially faster over hilly courses than I've ever been able to.  Hopefully it'll transfer over to my racing.  Last year was a test of mileage and endurance.  This year is about distance AND speed.  The Brazen Racing half marathons will help too.  Have another one coming up on the 28th.

This and that, indeed.

Epiphany 50k Run Report

What an amazing day.  The wind was howling last night, so I assumed a front was moving in and expected the worse (rain, cold, etc) but we were treated to warmer temps (upper 60s) and clear sky sunshine for the Epiphany 50k Trail Run.

The other half of Inside Trail, Tim Stahler, had never run further than a marathon, so this would be his first ultramarathon.  We got underway right at 7am with a huge turnout of other runners and settled in with three other guys in the front and held a nice pace through the first half marathon distance.  On the return trip we managed to maintain our pace on the climbs and finished in 4:28 (8:39 avg pace).

So nice to see friends and meet new people out there, like Sarah Lavender Smith, Mark Gilligan, Lance Fong, Gary Lambert, Adam Ray (epiphany organizer), and several others.  I believe there were roughly 150 folks total out there.  I took some photos, but they're blurry.

The plan, in my mind, was to hold Tim S back and not allow him to make the ultra newbie mistake of taking it out at 7 min pace only to be walking the last 4 miles.  This plan fell apart when I glanced at the garmin and saw we were clipping along at a decent rate.  I felt confident we could hold it (not because of speed but experience at this distance).  With 3,700 feet of climb and generally open stretches in which to open up the stride, all we had to do was manage eating and drinking.  I planned on roughly a 5 hour or so run but when we hit the first turn around at 12.5 miles with an 8:30 avg pace, I got it in my head we could run 4:30 even though the return was mostly climbing.

We hit the marathon at 3:45 and knew it'd be a struggle to hit 4:30 but I squeezed every ounce out of Tim S, who showed grit by gamely nearly catching me on the final 600 ft climb in the last mile (I had only gapped him, unknowingly, by about 200 meters).  Staring at my garmin, I grinded that last mile in 8 minutes and clicked the watch off at the line in 4:28:50.  Tim S. was only a few clicks behind me.  4:28 in your first true 50k with 3,700 ft climb.  Not bad Mr. Stahler!  He's got a promising future in ultras, if he gets past the "I'm never doing that again", as heard minutes after finishing.

Clean Horizon

We, Inside Trail Racing, have broken all ties with PCTR (Pacific Coast Trail Runs).  

We wanted to provide lucid information regarding the Brooks Falls trail run event coming up on Jan 22nd but have been negotiating with PCTR to transfer all the people who've registered with them (for essentially the same event on the same date, at the same location) over to our event in hopes of providing a seamless process for the runners.  Unfortunately, those negotiations came to a stalemate and we decided yesterday to cut all connections with them.  

In an effort to show good will and ease the hassle for those who've registered for PCTR's "non-event" at Pacifica, we're offering a high tech shirt at no extra charge for those folks and not charging the $5 late fee increase over the final two weeks before the event (though race day registration is at the normal $15 increase, so sign up beforehand!).  Brooks Falls, our inaugural event will be somewhat of a collector's item; one in which you may exclaim to your friends as we grow and sell out events in the future, "I ran Inside Trail's very first event!"

All events on our calendar that are confirmed with the location facilities are OPEN for registration with a nice flow of sign-ups coming in already.

Next week will be a daily barrage of huge announcements coming from the ITR marketing team (me and Tim S.).

1.  Announcement of the new Inside Trail Racing Team members

2.  Announcement of two new giant agreements with amazing sponsors

3.  Information on some brand new hot courses and events, including a 100k, 50 miler, and 100 miler

4.  Our online store opens with killer gear and specials!

5.  Formation of an "ITR Ambassador Race Team" (resumes and bios can be sent to us via our contact page - please use "ITR Ambassador" in the subject line.

Our goal is to provide fresh, unique events with energy, integrity, and excitement while maintaining a low-key, casual vibe that you won't want to leave after you cross the finish line.

Stay tuned!

Gravity

Brazen New Year Half Marathon Race Report

Maiden voyage race in my new La Sportivas

My good friend, Sam Fiandaca, has built an outstanding race event management company (Brazen Racing) from scratch.  He's found a solid niche and has filled it with quality events that have exploded in popularity.

I was exhausted after putting on the Rodeo Beach event but needed to blow off some steam, so I headed over to Brazen's New Year Half Marathon the next morning at Lake Chabot.  The scene was reminiscent of a renaissance festival, a small village of tents and hundreds of people milling about.  In his new, killer, (or serial killer-esque) beard, wearing a hooded sweatshirt with the hood on, and pushing a wheelbarrow, Sam looked like a village hobbit.  We chatted for a bit, then I jogged over to the start.

Lon Freeman was the first person I recognized.  We'd "talked" via email a lot since we both raced the Ice Age 50 miler last May, so it was a pleasure to finally meet him in person (even if it meant that I'd be getting thoroughly toasted by him over the next hour and a half.

Lon Freeman ripping towards the finish for the win.

I had no expectations and just figured it'd be a good workout run, so I was pretty conservative in the first couple miles.  The hills were deceivingly long and my stair workout earlier in the week came back to haunt me with a flood of lactic acid that felt more like molten lead rushing though my legs.  After the longest climb of the race, around mile 7-8, I focused on staying consistent and ahead of the guy I'd spotted behind me.

I finished up in 1:35 and 4th place.  Hamstrings were singing for the next two days.  Thanks Sam for such a fun event.  Looking forward to the next one or ten of them.

Rodeo Beach Trail Run Wrap

Sunset at Rodeo Beach New Years Eve

And suddenly it was over.  In the days between Christmas and New Years Eve we put together a trail run; yeah, five days, holiday days no less.  The juggling began Monday when I realized that all the vendors (shirts, awards, etc), park permitting ranger, insurance companies, EMT, and USATF (insurance certification/sanction) were closed and were enjoying a week of sparse office hours and an understandable lack of any sense of urgency.  To top it off, Inside Trail Racing's other half, Tim Stahler, was back East on a planned holiday break with his family.  Though he could work from afar, it was going to be a stressful week.

Frankly, I was concerned about the permitting because it hinged on insurance.  The permitting ranger was due back in the office on Thursday (yes, 48 hours before start time).  Thankfully, when I pulled and cancelled the permit in a meeting with the national park a week earlier due to the announcement that we (Inside Trail) wouldn't be putting on the event, I asked him to hang onto the permit paperwork "just in case", so it was only a matter of paying for it and providing insurance.  The USATF came through with the national office employee responsible for stamping the cert. of insurance coming into the office solely to provide her service to us and the permit was "in hand" now.  I did have a contingency plan in place with another underwriter ready to cover the event if needed.

By this point, I had already picked up the shirts and awards.  I also did a quick inventory of the equipment and went on one of those crazy food shopping excursions in which I spend a few hundred dollars  on everything form soda to beef jerky.  "Having a party?" the guy at checkout asks.  "Yeah, sort of."  400 of my closest friends will be there.

I've never had to whip an event together in such a short, hectic week.  But that's not what made the Rodeo Beach event a success, far from it.  The participants made the event.  The volunteers made the event.  Tim Stahler and I just showed up and sort of managed any ripples to keep the event running smoothly.

Tim Stahler sets up the finish line (apparently with 40:30 left until race start!)  Photo Sarah Lavender Smith

Me on an hour sleep - not a pretty sight, I agree.  Photo Sarah Lavender Smith

The 50k and 30k started together at 8:30 on time - CHECK
The 20k started 15 mins later on time - CHECK
The 8k started 15 mins after that on time - CHECK

Things seemed to be rolling.  Then my phone rang and my Conzelman Rd aid station manager, Ken, was on the other end of the line.  In his upbeat, perpetually smiling voice he says, "Hey Tim, it's Ken.  The aid station is gone."

Now, having only known Ken for two days, I wondered whether he suffered from some sort of amnesia or something similar, so I, of course, asked, "Are you sure?"  "Yep, everything is gone.  All they left were your potatoes and sweet potatoes you made." Ken happily reports.  Initially, I was slightly hurt that they didn't find my potatoes appealing enough to take.

Quickly, I threw together another full aid station out of the supplies meant for the finish food and pass through aid station at the start/finish and sent the supplies up with Michael (a day-long volunteer who served as shuttle up to the aid stations and store for more goodies).  Disaster averted.  I'd love to know who would take 200 lbs of supplies, a table, and 15 gallons of water (and leave my potatoes).

The rest of the day was mostly a constant stream of people finishing, a lot of talking, laughing, photos, small fires to stomp out, and anything else to make sure things were in order for the runners.

Tim Stahler handles the timing and had a tough time with the crappy timing software we've been using (after a month of my badgering, we're purchasing the software I've always used in the past) but handled the stress like a pro and was printing out results updates every 15 minutes.  It's nice to not have to even think about the finish line other than greeting runners.  And the runners were amazing.  Smiles were abundant and the kind compliments really made my day but the day belonged to them.  The runners and the volunteers were the reason this event came off so well.  I owe more than I can say to the volunteers.  Without them, Tim S and I simply couldn't have done it.  If I forget to name one of you, please comment and chide me for forgetting.

Andrew Mitchell (Volunteer coordination, aid station, course sweeping)
Shelly Mitchell (Aid station)
Gail Merz (Aid station, course sweeping)
Andy Belk (Set up and Finish line)
Mykl Morrissey (Finish line food manager, PB&J sandwich and soup expert)
Michael Jaschob (parking monitor, finish line food, shuttle to store/aid stations)
Janet Thompson (road her bike up from the city and worked an aid station all day)
Ken Michal (Aid station manager, course marking)
Victor Ballesteros (Registration, then stomped in for the 20k win!)
Scott Dunlap (Registration and amazing support)
Stephanie Knoch (not really a volunteer but giant support with registration, shirts, and keeping Tim S from falling asleep in his chair)
And thanks to Dave Mackey for coming out to show his support.  Good luck to him at Bandera 100k next week (like he needs luck!).

Tim S. and I are beyond grateful for your generous support and time.  An amazing day, indeed.

Andrew Mitchell post course sweeping...

Full results

Sarah Lavender Smith wrote a very special piece capturing the event's mood and the events leading up to it. http://www.therunnerstrip.com/2012/01/report-from-rodeo-beach/

Rodeo Beach Trail Run in Pics

The Rodeo Beach Trail Run (50k, 30k, 20k, 8k) went about as well as an event can.  I'll write a full report later today (after running a Brazen Half Marathon this morning!).  Here are some photos from the day…

Arriving at the beach.  Beautiful sunrise.

Finish line early (just after starting the last race distance)

Finish line fun.

Group pic.  Me, Brian Wyatt, Scott Dunlap, Victor Ballesteros, Dave Mackey (thanks for coming out Dave.  It meant a lot to me having you there.  You're a great friend!)

Mykl (Right) worked a solid 10 hour day volunteering and making the best soup in the world (at least that's what the 50kers were saying)

Pippit relaxing at the finish with SK.  I think he sat on 30 different people's laps.

Pippit greeted many of the runners right down to the last finishers.

Scott Dunlap.  Thanks, Scott, for your support and contagious energy.  I'm thrilled you were there. 

Sarah Lavender Smith apparently wasn't tired enough after running 32 miles and winning the women's event, so she managed a pretty sweet cartwheel at the finish.

Sarah Lavender Smith….  TaDa!

The other half of Inside Trail Racing, Tim Stahler (obviously working his fingers to the bone)

Tim S.  Not sure where he finds his energy (He did get up twice for food and bathroom)

Victor Ballesteros.  Volunteered in the morning, then cracked a win in the 20k race.  Thanks for being there, Victor.

Sunset was just as beautiful as the sunrise 11 hours earlier. 

Long but amazing and beautiful day in every regard.