FIRST RACE OF 2013...COMPLETED

Well., got this race out of the way before they (Park Authorities) screw it up even more.
This is one of the toughest 50K's around but the Park is taking out all the trails that are extreme or challenging and replacing them with trails that are assessable to "everyone", like , well you know who???
Anyway, it is or was a tough course. One that I have to be extremely careful with or come out injured or re injured. I can report that I can out uninjured and looking forward to just keep improving.
I plan on visiting a sports massage specialist and keep doing rehab, so we'll see if that will help. Definitely want to be back to my old form before I have to quit this sport.
As far as the race went, well it was a perect weather day. Maybe a little breezy. Trails were perfect.
My goal of 5:45 did'nt happen but will take a 6:26 for 24th place. The 45 minute difference dropped me out of top 10 which would have been nice but whatever.

"TO KEEP THE BODY IN GOOD HEALTH IS A DUTY..OTHERWISE WE SHALL NOT BE ABLE TO KEEP OUR MIND STRONG AND CLEAR"  The Buddha!

NEW TRAIL SHOES...finally

Got some Saucony Peregrines www.saucony.com to run in this week. Tested them out this past Saturday on some decent trails here in Middle Tennessee and was pleasantly surprised. I always seem to get new trail shoes, get all excited, then try them out only to be disappointed.
These shoes have promise. I only got 15 miles in them but they feel good on my feet, have great traction and are rigid enough that I don't feel every rock and root. More to come as I get more miles in them.

2013...It's HERE

I spent the week before New Years down in Key West. It was sunny every day and 80F. However, I'm back in Tennessee now and so far have four 20+ mile runs in since I started back training. I want to make 2013 a good racing year so I've been putting in the time. First race will be soon, Lovin The Hills 50k in Kentucky. Stay Tuned

Start Back Training

With a purpose, that is!!

My first race of  2013 is now only 10 weeks out so back to it. That means for the month of December, three 20+ mile runs, which the first  one is tomorrow Dec 1st.

I'm starting out this season at 145lbs in body weight which is awesome, as I expect to drop some . I really wish I could get to 135lbs but its hard when you eat Nutella .

I also like to begin my new year of training with new purchases. Items like new shoes  (important right?) I have finally found my perfect road shoe ( Saucony kinvara) but still after all this time on the trails have not found the perfect trail shoe. I'll be trying out a new one soon. Also, I always need new running attire so probably will buy new shirt etc...I'll see what REI and stores like that have. I do get a pro discount with Adidas but never have found any of their clothing  right for my body, go figure.

Anyway, excited to start back training with a purpose. There is a saying " your energy flows where your focus is"  I love living with my focus on positive things and trail running is one of those for me.

Inspirational quote: "All that we are is the result of what we have thought."  The Buddha

WOW...

It's been forever since I last posted. I've been training but just lightly after the Colorado race. Being consistent and recovering. Also been putting together my race schedule for 2013. Really??? 2013, I can hardly believe its that date. Time goes by way too fast, but here of late I've been really enjoying my life and everything it has to offer. This is probably due to my age as I do find myself being more present than at any other time of my life. Time on this planet is the only thing I can think of that has helped that process.
So schedule for 2013.... Drum roll please!!!

Jan-just training and train hard and smart
Feb- 50k lovin the hills ( Louisville ,ky)
Mar-Savage Gulf trail marathon ( Tn)
April- a new stage race in Oak Ridge Tn
May-Chatt trail marathon Chattanooga Tn
June- Rock Creek stage race Chattanooga Tn

So there you go, barring any injuries etc etc..lets see what I can do!!!!!

BEAR CHASE 50 MILER

 

My friend Heather, who lives in Colorado Springs, told me about the Bear Chase and since I've never raced in Colorado I was very interested. After checking the website it wasn't long before I registered.

 

I gave myself 16 weeks of great training. (probably 7-9 three plus hour runs) and since I've raced 50 miles before (Lookout Mountain) with a time of 8hrs and 13min, I set my goal high. I wanted the same or better time than the previous 50 and if I did that I would be in the top 10.

 

This course is a 12.5 mile loop repeated 4 times. It had 3 water crossings ankle to knee deep and one major climb up to 5800ft .My goal was to complete each lap as close to two hours as possible, keeping a check on how I was feeling and go from there. I train on the red-white-blue here in Nashville so I figured it would be about the same in difficulty.

 

 

 

(a truly beautiful course) 

The race started at 6:30am under a beautiful full moon with a temperature of 55F.  Perfect for the start but it was going to be close to 80F during the day. By the first time check I was back in 40-50th place figuring everyone was going out way too fast, so I settled in to my 2 hour per lap pace and finished LAP  1 in 2:01. Didn't really pass anyone that lap, just took in my nutrition and ran but knew the next few laps where going to be a little slower.

LAP 2-come mile 15 I knew I was in trouble.. Just wasn't feeling right and within a few miles started cramping. Calves, upper thighs etc.. I have never cramped before in a race so I knew my fluids and/or sodium was off.  Basically, when I tried to pick up my pace to stay on pace the cramping would start. When I slowed it stopped. So I ran in Lap 2 in 2:25 feeling frustrated.

 

 

 

 

                                              (one of three water crossings)
For LAPS 3 and 4 my friend Daniel (a pro mountain biker) who works for CTS (Carmichael Training Systems) served as my crew and tried to help solve the problem. This is really hard when you are behind and still have 25 miles to go but he did great. At every aid station he was there with some form of electrolytes making me drink. However, the cramping persisted. For me it meant running slower, taking a walk break when I would feel a cramp coming on and just trying to stay relaxed and push through it.

LAP 3 was the most painful lap and with a time of 2:55 the slowest but I was still in good spirits. The course was awesome, the weather was awesome plus I was running. Slow but running. I had plenty of cardio/respiratory strength I just couldn't put any power into my stride.

LAP 4 my last lap, so I made up my mind to just enjoy the course. It's not everyday I get to run in Colorado and by this time all expectations of finishing in 8 hrs or a top anything were gone. So with no pressure and a belly full of pickle juice (which was the answer to the cramping as I never cramped afterward) I ran the loop for the last time, taking in the beauty of the place. I believe I turned this loop in 2:40 something and then DONE.        50 miles in 10hr 19min for 48th overall

Now to recover and look forward to the next Ultra........

OFF TO COLORADO

Well, I said I was going to start posting more but that has not happened. Oh well. Too busy training? No..just have not been in the mood to work on this blog. Maybe I'll get re inspired but who knows. Maybe I'll just retire this thing and simplify my life even more. We'll see????

I'm flying out tomorrow to run the BEAR CHASE TRAIL RACE in Colorado. This is a 50 miler that I really should do well at...let's see if I can get a top 10 and go sub 8 Hrs. Other than that, I'm doing well, training has gone great and have been enjoying life.