Thursday, February 19, 2009

2nd Annual 7-Day Stage Race

A couple people have already inquired about the 7-day race for this summer. For those who are curious, the 2nd annual "Buffalo Trace 7-Day Stage Race" is set to go for 2009! Last year we had 21 "finishers" (those that did the minimum of 5 miles per day). The male and female champions did 303 and 245 miles respectively. Pretty good mileage for a summer trail run with no support. This year the 7-day stage event will take place from May 24-30 (still subject to possible date change if I can't get those dates off from work--should be finalized before the end of April). Don't let the fancy race banner from last year fool you...this is still just an informal fun run. Participate at your own risk and bring your own supplies (sharing is encouraged, but not required). I'll probably have a 5-gallon cooler filled with water & ice.

Please follow the rules and regulations of the Lake of the Woods Forest Preserve (and the "rules" of the stage race). The race web site has plenty of information. While I am "organizing" this race, it really is just a great excuse to get out everyday and see how many miles you can do when you put your mind to it. Remember, this is an unsupported event--you must be completely self-sufficient. I don't provide sports drink, food, medicine, first aid, shelter, showers, bathrooms (the park has one just off the course trail), etc. I will try to provide a cooler with cold water each day. That's it. Simple, eh? Show up and run, walk, or crawl.

My goal this year is to reach 350 miles. I'd love to hit 400, but that is a long shot. Care to join me? What's your goal?

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

I hope I can get time off work to go down there and watch you log 400miles, and maybe rack up a few of my own...I don't think I'll be doing it this year in full heat training, though. :)

Happy trails,

Connie :)

Chris Ⓥ said...

I'm not even sure I'll be able to take a week off this year! Maybe it'll be a forced furlough (University budget is pretty bad and the state has a deficit). I'm sure I'll manage a week of vacation--just not positive on the dates. It should be the May 24-30 that I have advertised.

Anonymous said...

I know what you mean. This economy is *definitely* going to affect our races this year - and maybe into the next? :(

I so hope you can get a week off.

...and I won't ask for special permission to run at night after park closing. ;)

I'd like to approach the park service about making this an official race and want to talk to you about that sometime...what I will need in the way of permits, insurance, schwag, volunteers, etc.

How your HR training coming along since you had the VO2max and other tests conducted at the UIC exercise phys lab? Did your adjustment prove to be wise?

Hope to see you there,

Connie :)

Chris Ⓥ said...

My heart rate training is going OK (with the exception of me catching the flu!).

Happy to chat about what it might take to make the 7-day event official. I don't want to be in charge of anything like that, but I'm happy to discuss the possibilities.