John Dick Memorial "Crusty" 50k Results

This is a well run, low key and cheap ($10) winter trail run. My friend Andy and I met at 5:00am at the park and ride to head down for the 7:30am start. We stated on major road adding 15 minutes to the trip, but a little safer as there was 3-4 inches of fresh snow in southern Wisconsin. We arrived at 7am and in a blink of an eye we were off and running. There are 5 loops to the race and each loop starts / ends at a heated shelter where we all parked.

Loop #1 I settled in chatting with people, but soon decided I did not want to get sucked along faster while talking, so I pulled over and walked as 25-30 people passed. I started running at the back of this pack and chatted with Kevin a person I just had met for a couple of minuted until I walked and let him go ahead. I find my trail running rythm is different than most people and I generally do not play well with others, so I try not to run with people very often. The trails were slick, so I just fell into a slow plodding pace without much of a push off in my stride.

At the end of this loop, I spent 10 minutes putting on Yak Trax. warming up, and eating some real food. Loop #2 was much the same, I would catch up to people chat a little and then either pass or start walking. After loop #2, I took the time to change clothes and warm up again. Loop #3 was not much different, I did not waste as much time at the shelter, I was just continued plodding along.

In loop#4 I was feeling the best I had felt all day and actually started to run more, walk less. I also started to use more of a run stride intead of a shuffle stride. I think by this time I just wanted to be done and drink a beer.

In loop #5 I passed at least a dozen people. It was not because I was "Racing", but because I wanted to be done. Funny it hurt like "racing", but it had nothing to do with a finish time, beating someone or a personal goal. Finally the race was over, I went in and wrote down my finish time on the clipbaord: 6:26, had a bowl of chili and found a kind person that gave me a very nice IPA.

Once again I have proven 2 things to myself: 1) You do not need to be in shape to run an ultra (50k-50Mile) and 2) It really hurts / sucks to run an ultra out of shape. I am hoping I found some motivation to continue my consistent training beyond the last 5 weeks.

Good running to all!

Gearing up for the John Dick Memorial "Crusty" 50k Feb 1

When it comes to running outside in the winter I am worthless and weak. One reason could be that I have a very high sweat rate, so tend to create a lot of ice between layers, the other reason is that I actually like running on the treadmill.

I think I have run outside twice since December 1st, not that I have run inside much either. So why not sign up for a 50k trail race? Since weighing in at #260 Christmas week, I have been startng to train again. The last 5 weeks my mileage: 39.25 / 53.75 / 73.0 / 86.75 / 105.25. This weekend I did 2 decent treadmill runs; 32 miles on Saturday and 17 miles on Sunday.

I am just hoping to finish the race and if I can break 6 hours I will be happy.

Good running to all!

Update 1/22/14

It has been a long time since my last post. I did run the Glacial 50 mile race (October 13th) to get my Western States qualifying race. I ran a 1 minute negative split on the out and back course in 9:32:27. I do not think I could have run much faster for the shape I was in.

I failed to gain entry into Western States in the lottery.

I pretty much took most the rest of October, November and December off. But then something stange happened, I could barely tie my shoes. Many months of eating and beer drinking make my belly big enough that it was a real chore to reach those laces. Christmas I tipped the scales at 260 pounds. Enough is enough!

Although I do not plan on training "hard" or ever approaching my previous fitness level ... I have have to run. I have come up with a new plan that involves many activities other than running, but includes running almost every day. Well, to be honest, it is hobby jogging or gallow-walking at this time.

We have been downhill skiing when we can find the time for the 90 minute drive to Wausau's Granite Peak, so far 11 times this year. I have started playing racquetball again once or twice a week. Occassionally playing volleyball at the YMCA on pickup night and Walleyball with the family a few times a month. Next up is cross country skiing and snow shoeing.

So the bottom line is I will run, but less volume and less seriously. I will race, but slower and less seriously. I will post, occassionally.

Current weight #248 ... I can now tie my shoes again without straining.

Good running to all!

7 Miles

I ran 7 miles last night without a walk break for the 1st time since the end of June.

It is sad how far out of shape I have fallen. But I find myself pondering a new thought ~ I wish I could hit the reset button and start over.

I often find myself burdened with memories of past fitness or accomplishments. I often let the past intefere with enjoying the experience of the present. I find these ghosts of the past constantly influencing my training goals and race expectations.

If I were starting today: 30 miles per week (MPW) would be solid, 100 MPW would be crazy talk. I could run races without expectations, because I would have no idea what I was capable of. Running would just be another thing I do for fitness. Running a marathon would seem out of reach. Running a 50 mile trail race not possible.

I could revel in the accomplishment of running 7 miles without a walk break.

I wish I had a reset button - putting me back to my orignal facotry settings.

I could feel the joy of each little accomplishment. The 1st time I ran 4,8, 10, 13, 15 or 20 miles would all special. The 1st time I won an age group award. Setting PRs in almost every race, many because I have never ran the distance before. Crying for no reason as I finished my 1st marathon.

I ran 7 miles last night without a walk break ~ Yeah, me!

Good running to all~

5 days before Glacial 50M

I will be the least trained for any race I have done ... But I will also be the least over-trained for any race I have done.

I have had this habbit of over-training, then not tapering enough. I suck at taper and never taper enough to maximize my current fiteness.

At least for the Glacial 50M, I feel good ~ Not fit, but not beat up.

My training has been:

End of June to Mid September ~ Run / Walking on TM 4-5 times a week ... no core, weights or stretching
Week #4 ~ A couple of trail runs with my beautiful sister in CA ... total 38 miles for the week
Week #3 ~ Trained pretty hard: 1 30 mile rail trail run, one 100 minute technical trail run and one 20 mile trail on on actual race course ... Total 96 miles
Week #2 ~ 1 100 minute technical trail run, One TM hill workout ... Total 45 miles
This week ~ 1 80 minute technical trail run, 1 light TM hill workout ... total 30-35 miles pre-race

My back and hip and holding together, I can hear them wispering in the back ground, but they have not screamed since last Wednesday playing tennis.

I a weird way, I am looking forward to not caring about "racing efficiently". Taking my time at aide stations, diggin in my drop bag, chatting with other runners. A race with no self imposed pressures of finishing times or place.

The downside = By the time I finish, there will be little time left to sit and chat post race with other runners.

I am hoping to hit the turnaround at New Fane(mile 25) in 5 hours and finish between 9:45 and 10:30.

Good running to all!

Signed up for Glacial 50 Mile

I had promised myself I would not race again in 2013. I guess I am a liar ... A no good dirty dog!

I wanted the priveledge of signing up for the Western States 100 Mile lottery and I do not have a 50 mile qualifying race.

Glacial 50 mile: This is my favorite race, it has a low key vibe. Great organization, volunteers and race course. I have not trained since June, I have an angry back and hip, but what the hell? I pulled the trigger and signed up a little over a week ago.

11 days of training and 10 days of taper will not leave me with much room for error. But I believe if I pace very conservative, I can get the 50 miles done in under 11 hours, the required time to use it as a qualifying race.

If I were to race aggressively, I might be able to get under 9:30, but that is not the goal of the day so I expect to be around 10 hours ... as long as I am under 11, I am happy.

Good running to all!

I still haven't found what I am looking for

I believe in the Kingdom Come Then all the colors will bleed into one Bleed into one But, yes, I'm still running .... You broke the bonds And you loosed the chains Carried the cross of my shame Oh, my shame, you know I believe it ...U2 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ Nothing much has changed and yet many things have changed. I am wrestling with the future and trying to break free from the past. My hip and back (March 3rd ski crash) are about the same, but I have only recently started to try and strengthen the injured areas. Weight is still very high (235) and my fitness very low = a lot of run / walking. A few weeks back my good freind Richard and I hit a low point at about the same time and we have re-issued a fitness / weight loss challenge bet from years past. Funny we both weighed in at 241# that morning and reached out of the blue reached out to each other. Between now and January 31st - I have my rules of engagement that should drive some consistency in my daily routine. What am I looking for? A return to the origins of running for me? I started running to increase general fitness that would support all the other activities I love. But it is hard to break the bonds of trying to focus on running and racing. I guess we will see how the next 4-6 months play out. Can I learn to run for fun? Good running to all!