Day 2: The Trail

Day 2 of the Buffalo Trace 7-Day Stage Race again saw high humidity and heat.  It started out with overcast skies, but within a few miles, the sun started to come out.  By the time I finished my 25 miles, it was full-blown sun...with accompanying heat and humidity.  I was happy to be off the trails and done for the day.  Start at 5am, finish at 9:45am...not too bad for a long run in warm conditions.  I actually felt better today than yesterday.  I was a bit dehydrated, but overall, felt good.  I was surprised not to have residual soreness or fatigue in the legs after yesterday's 25-miler in even hotter weather.

Today, the trail was in excellent shape.  Apparently, while I slept, a trail faerie came and mowed a nice path in the middle of the entire 5-mile trail.  Thanks trail pixie!  It was like I had a personal path to follow.  I suppose others could run on it, but today, it was MY path. Follow the smooth green grass...loop after loop.  No thinking.  Me and the trail for 4 hours and 45 minutes.  Pretty soon I was done and heading home.  The trail has been in fairly good shape lately--no mud, little water, and reasonably well-groomed grass.  Today it was spectacular.  I wonder if that trail maintenance maestro can do his (or her) work again tonight. It would be cool to have an extra wide path for tomorrow morning's run.  I hope to get in a 15-miler before work.  I seem to be recovering well...wonder if I'm finally becoming the "aerobic monster" I've dreamed of for years.  Time will tell.  I'll update my aerobic monster status at the end of this week.  Can't wait, eh?

Day 2 Miles: 25 (100% of goal)
Week Total: 50 (100% on target)

Day 1: The Pack

I managed to run 25 miles on day one of the Buffalo Trace 7-Day Stage Race.  I ran in the morning and it was already hot, humid, and sunny!  Reminded me of the harder Howl at the Moon years.  I was planning on going back out in the evening to run 2-3 miles barefoot...but it wasn't going to happen when the temperatures where still in the low 90s.  The first day's lesson was all about my Golite Rush backpack.  It's different running with a pack on your back.  Especially when it's filled with 110 oz of fluids, food, and gear.  I'll need the pack for the Canadian Death Race so it's good to get in some practice with it.  The first 5 miles I was continually adjusting the shoulder and waist straps.  Later I struggled with grabbing water bottles or food from the pack.  After 25 miles (and almost 5 hours) I'm getting pretty proficient at using the pack.  It's fairly versatile and should serve me well at the Death Race.  I drank ALL of my fluids (70 oz water, 40 oz gatorade), 2 Succeed S-Caps, 1 Odwalla bar, and 1 Clif Bar. Wished I had the 100 oz bladder rather than my smaller 70 oz one.  The pack can handle either one.  I figure aid stations at CDR will be close enough together (7-12 miles) that I won't be drinking over 110 oz between them.  Anyway, it's good to be self-sufficient.  Looking forward to Day 2 on the trails.  Hope the rain holds off.

Day 1 Miles: 25 (100% of goal)
Week Total: 25 (100% on target)

Buffalo Trace Stage Race Begins Tomorrow

The third year of the Buffalo Trace 7-Day Stage Race begins tomorrow. This has always been an informal "fun run" type of event. No entry fees, no aid stations, no awards (unless the mood strikes me). This year is slightly different than the first two years--it is the "working man's edition." Instead of the typical "run from 5am to 10pm" limit, this year you also cannot run during regular work hours of 8am-5pm (so the open running periods are 5am-8am, 5pm-10pm). Of course, weekends and holidays are open for the full day. Why the change? Because I didn't want to take a week of vacation time from work. Plus, I wasn't up to running all day, every day anyway.  When you organize your own "event," you get to set the rules.

My goal for this week is simply to get in steady miles each day, partly barefoot, and remain uninjured. I'd like to get between 13-25 miles each day. I'll run early in the morning for a couple of hours, go to work, then run a couple of hours after work. I'd like to use my new Vibram FiveFingers Bikila for at least 5 miles each day. And completely barefoot for 2-3 miles. The remainder can be in regular old shoes. I also want more experience running with a light pack (like I'll do at the Canadian Death Race).  I plan on being my own traveling aid station--water, sports drink, energy bars, candy, etc. Here is a tentative running plan for the 7 days:

Sunday: 25
Monday: 25
Tuesday: 15
Wednesday: 15
Thursday: 15
Friday: 15
Saturday: 25
TOTAL: 135

This has me starting strong with two solid days, then taking it relatively easy for 4 days, then finishing with a good 25 miles.  I would be happy with 15 miles per day for a total of 105 miles for the week.  If nothing else, I hope to get a few miles for my Moon Walk team.  We are in first place with just two weeks to go!  I doubt I'll do the moon walk thing again...and I doubt I'll do this stage race thing again.  Might as well finish both strong.

Excellent Anton Krupicka Interview

I think Anton Krupicka is one of the best runners of all time. Certainly, he's one of the best current trail ultramarathon runners. He recently won Miwok 100K and is getting ready for Western States 100 Miler. I find his philosophy about life and running very compelling. Fits nicely with my current thrust toward minimalism! Anyway, here is a link to a recent interview (May 27, 2010) with him from Running Competitor. The interview was conducted by Duncan Larkin and it is titled "A Simple Kind of Man." Good title.

Hope you enjoy it. Best of luck to Anton at WS100. If you want more about Anton, directly from Anton, here is a link to his blog "Riding the Wind."

CRUD 8-Hour Race Report

The CRUD 8-Hour Trail Run was held for the first time this past Saturday.  Here is my quick summary:

This is a great event that I will do again and encourage others to run next year!

And a short video from race day is on YouTube at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yuug_l7FAwI



The race is run on a 3.1 mile trail loop in Jubilee College State Park in central Illinois (in Brimfield just west of Peoria).  Mike and Adam are the race directors--same guys that took over the Farmdale 32 mile race last year.  They did a great job at Farmdale and an AWESOME job at this inaugural event!  I can honestly say this is one of my favorite ultra races--and it was my 69th marathon/ultra so I have quite a comparison group. They created a great race atmosphere and attended to all the runner needs.  Here are a few details that I particularly liked:

• Entire course was trail (no road sections)
• The last 45 minutes was 1-mile loops on tough trails (not easy grass fields)
• Chip timing was cool (no need to "check-in" each loop, splits posted)
• Nice home-made finisher awards
• Cute signs along parts of the course ("Good Nap Spot")
• Soy burgers for me at the end!

I finished the 8 hours with 35 miles.  A little disappointing for 8 hours, but good for this day and trail conditions.  I ended up 5th out of 35 soloists. I was the first master runner (no award for that division--what's with that Mike and Adam?).  The day was warm (mid-80s for a high) and the trail was very sloppy---lots of mud and water!  Over the 8 hours, the heat and humidity wore you down...and the ever increasing and slippery mud made it extremely difficult to stay in any kind of running rhythm. Not to mention the 3-4 hills you encounter each loop.  I ran the Gnaw Bone 50K the weekend before and finished 31 miles in 6:22...during the 8 hours of CRUD, I only managed 35 miles.  I was slower here than at Gnaw Bone!  Gnaw Bone has more hills and rugged terrain, but this CRUD trail is not an easy course.  If the weather was cooler and the trail dryer, people would have accumulated many more miles.  I was hoping on 40+.  Maybe next year.  I think 50 miles is possible under the right conditions.

I'm starting to really like these timed events.  Everyone finishes together so there is more camaraderie and more socializing.  The RDs know exactly when everyone starts and finishes and thus can plan for awards, food, drink, etc.  The repeated loops don't bother me--although they might if they were on a 400m track.  On trails (even "Howl at the Moon" type trails) you get enough variety to keep things interesting.  I suppose my favorite part of timed events is people passing me, and me passing others, all day.  You get to see old friends, make new friends, and just cheer your fellow runners on.  It's a good feeling.  Howl at the Moon 8-Hour has been my favorite race (just signed up for my 10th), but this new sucker has great potential to become...dare I say it...my new all time favorite event? 

I would highly recommend this event to others.  There is a 4-person relay and solo division.  I'm not a big fan of the relay folks, but with the event being small (total of about 80 runners with both solo and relays) it worked out OK this year.  If the event becomes much bigger then I would really limit the number of relay runners. 

Suggestions for the RDs:

• Provide different colored bibs to the relay teams to distinguish from the solo ultra runners
• Change the shirt to a short sleeve version (who wants long sleeves as we head into summer?)
• Add a race category for tall, skinny, bearded, former RDs--or at least add a master (over 40 years old) division!

A big "thank you" to the race directors.  I had a fun time and Mike and Adam did a wonderful job as RDs.  This was a fantastic first year event.  I hope it continues for years to come.  They should think about having another race on similar trails at Jubilee State Park--maybe a fall 24-hour or 100-mile race?

Shifting to Minimalist Shoes

Ever since I bought those darn Vibram FiveFinger KSOs last summer, I've been getting more and more into barefoot and minimalist running.  Now it seems that almost all of my shoes are "minimalist."  This may be a fad...or maybe I'll be running purely in bare feet in a year!  At times, even minimalist footwear can interfere with ground feel.  I have been reading two new barefoot running books (I'll review them soon on this blog) and I can't imagine going back to "regular old cushioned shoes" in the future. I'd love to run a 5K completely barefoot and finish a 50K trail ultra in my FiveFinger shoes. I might pull off both of those feats (feets?!) before the end of this year.

My current minimalist running shoes are:
Vibram FiveFinger KSOs
Feelmax Osma
New Balance 790 (discontinued trail shoe)
Mizuno Wave Universe 3 racing flat

Shoes I would like to buy and try:
Vibram FiveFinger Bikila
Soft Star RunAmoc
Terra Plana Evo

Shoe I am waiting to come out:
Altera Adam

I hope that Inov-8 comes out with some truly "flat" trail running shoes that still have a wide toebox.  They have come close with a couple of models, but they are either too narrow or too built up.  They seem to be good at producing new models and listening to runner feedback. I believe they will produce a true minimalist trail running flat soon.  I've also got a pair of Feiyue martial arts shoes, but I haven't run in them...yet.  They only cost $15 and are very low-to-the-ground with no cushioning or support. 

NOTE:  I've added a listing of "minimalist shoes" and "barefoot running" resources on the left side bar of this blog.  All of the shoes listed above are linked on the side bar so you can click and get more information.

Course PR at Gnaw Bone 50K

I finished my third Gnaw Bone 50K this past Saturday with a race course "personal record" time of 6:22.  That's not a PR for the 50K distance, but a course PR.  I've been getting a little faster each time I run this race--even though the course seems to get a bit nastier each year!  We had a good dose of mud and water this year...but less than the last two times I ran the event.  This year did have more off-course bush-wacking and some serious new hills.  All this craziness is consistent with race advertising from the Dances with Dirt folks...

A message from Goat Quarters, Hell, Michigan:

Weak, wimpy, treadmill running pansies who are afraid to get some dirt in their shorts need not apply.
Expect to be scratched, muddied and bruised by the beauty of this unpolished gem.
Expect to get out near the edge where life is full color.
Expect a day that leaves you knowing you are fully alive, awake and crankin' on all cylinders.
Expect insanity, stupidity and nirvana.

They delivered on these expectations.  Congratulations to them on creating a very tough trail course.  Unfortunately, there was a also a "missing" aid station at Ogle Lake.  That spot has always been a big aid station and a great last chance to really fuel up and replace fluids before a big climb and trek to the finish.  Oh well.  I also missed one turn on the course and lingered for about 5 minutes at another potential turn (waiting for fellow runners to help make a decision).  Overall, the course was marked better than last year. Still, I would have enjoyed the Ogle Lake aid station.

We had very good weather...until the rain started as I finished.  Felt bad for my running buddy Gregg who was out there almost a full 11 hours...the last 4-5 hours with rain.  He slipped early on and fell hard injuring his back & ribs, but still managed to persevere and claim a hard-earned finish.  This is a beautiful and challenging trail run in Brown County State Park near Nashville, IN (picture at top left is the bridge at the north entrance to the park).  I recommend it highly to any trail runner.  For me, I'm taking next year off from Gnaw Bone.  I've had enough of the mud and off-course meanderings.  I'm sure I'll be back in the future.  The rustic cabins in the state park (at Abe Martin Lodge) worked out well and put us close to the start/finish area.  I'd stay there again...or maybe pitch a tent in one of the campgrounds.  If you are looking for a tough trail run in the Midwest, no need to look further.  Gnaw Bone offers a 50K or 50-mile option in addition to a marathon, half-marathon, and 100K-relay.

Now I need to recover and get ready for the CRUD 8-Hour trail run this Saturday.  I'm not feeling too bad today.  My arms are sore (holding a water bottle for 6+ hours) and my legs are a little stiff, but I'm feeling OK.  Good thing since I only have 5 days to go until the 8-hour run!

Love Trumps Running

Today is my 21st wedding anniversary.  Happy anniversary Sharon!  It's also a day of no running (sorry Moon Walk team).  At times, love trumps running.  Last weekend it was a theater trip to Chicago that trumped a long weekend run (still got in an early morning run along the lakefront).  Today it was lounging in bed that beat out the standard morning run.  Too many times running has taken center stage over all other activities.  Not today...and less so in the future as well.  I plan on finishing this hectic year of running ultra marathons...then resetting priorities in 2011.  No doubt I'll still run on a regular basis, and do some races too, but probably shorter events that are closer to home. I'd prefer to spend more quality time with the wife and "kids" (gerbils and degu). Scunthorpe, the degu, just won the "cutest pet" competition at my wife's college.

After 21 years of marriage, it still feels like we are newlyweds.  How many couples can say that?  I love running....but I love my wife more.  Have a great day snubbly wife!

Third Time at Gnaw Bone 50K

This Saturday I'll be running the Gnaw Bone 50K for the third time.  It's one of the Dances with Dirt series of races.  The first two times I did Gnaw Bone I was really psyched for the event.  This time...I couldn't care less.  Maybe my attitude will change as the weekend approaches.  I'm doing it with two fellow running buffalo from central Illinois (Pat & Gregg).  I hope that once I pack my bag, get in the car, and head over to Indiana on Friday afternoon, I'll start to get pumped up.  It's a great race.  Very difficult with lots of hills and mud.  This year I'm even staying at a cabin in the state park close to the race start.  No driving 30-40 minutes from the hotel early in the morning.  I should be excited. 

Here are example previous posts about Gnaw Bone...

I've Got Gnaw Bone Fever! (April 29, 2009)

Gnaw Bone 50K Race Report (May 11, 2008)

Just reading those old posts of mine, I'm starting to get a little excited.  Maybe this will be a fun weekend after all. I better shake this laissez-faire attitude or the trail will eat me alive. I think I'm in pretty good shape so this could turn out to be a good race for me.  Of course, after this run, I have the CRUD 8-Hour run, then the Buffalo Trace 7-Day Stage Race.  No rest for the wicked!  Good thing I'm still sort of on my "devil's training plan."

Buffalo Trace 5-Mile Race

On May 22 there are a plethora of trail running options for us Illinoisans.  I will be running the CRUD 8-Hour trail run at Jubilee College State Park near Peoria, IL.  First time for this timed event.  Others may be close to Chicago and doing one of the new Des Plaines River Trail races.  Another first year event.  For those in central Illinois, I encourage you to run the Buffalo Trace 5-Mile Trail Race.  I started this race back in 2003 and it has been going strong under different race directors ever since.  It's held in Mahomet, IL at the Lake of the Woods Forest Preserve.  Nice 5-mile trail.  Not too hard, not too easy.  Perfect first trail race. 

So, what trail race are you doing on May 22?

The Lake of the Woods trail is also the site of the Buffalo Trace 7-Day Stage Race (May 30-June 5).

Across the Years 72-Hour Race

I'm screwed.  I'm stupid.  I'm in trouble.  The results of the Across the Years race lottery came out over the weekend...and I made it into the 72-hour race!  I signed up in the lottery on a whim thinking I had no chance of being selected.  I've never done the race or volunteered there (those groups get extra chances in the lottery).  I have been interested in the event for at least 5 years...just never felt up to actually registering so early.  This year, with the lottery, I figured I'd leave the decision to fate (the running gods?).  If I didn't get selected, so be it.  If I did get chosen, I guess I'd run the darn race.  Well, I got selected for the 72-hour race.  I need to make my final decision this month and then pay the full registration fee.  If not, then my spot goes to a person on the wait list.  Probably someone more deserving then me.  What to do?

Why am I in trouble?  Two main reasons.  First, I'm not sure I'm really up for a three day race.  I've run my informal "Buffalo Trace 7-Day Stage Race" for the last 2 years and will do it again this summer. I know I can get quite a few miles in over several days.  Of course, a 500m dirt loop is different than a 5-mile trail course.  Also, I tend to drop my mileage when winter comes and I'm not sure I'll have the high mileage base needed come the end of December.  The distance (time) scares me enough that I think I'd be ready for this event.  There's another issue.

The bigger concern is my wife.  I've been telling Sharon that I'm cutting back on running...especially running crazy events (like the Death Race, 7-day stage race, etc).  I think Across the Years 72-Hour race fits into the type of thing I'm supposed to be cutting back on.  Plus, it is in AZ on New Years Day.  That means significant travel costs and me being away from home during the holiday period. That's a double-whammy.  It would suck for both of us to be apart on New Years.  Maybe if I promise to only run races in Illinois next year I can get away with one more crazy event that straddles the years?  No big road trips or crazy events in 2011.  That sounds reasonable. Combine that promise with great Christmas gifts, some new furniture, and a few vacations before the end of this year...that could be the ticket.  Not to mention a couple of impromptu short vacations this month?  I better start planning an extended weekend trip to Chicago soon! 

Across the Years is a top-notch event.  They have 24, 48, and 72-hour races run concurrently.  In my wacky brain, it seems a waste not to do the 72-hour race since I have obviously been chosen by the running gods to complete this task.  It's best not to spurn the gods.  It's likely not a good idea to spurn the wife either.  For now, I'm still stupid, screwed, and in trouble.  I'll let you know how things turn out.  The deadline to confirm and pay registration fees is May 30.