Friday, October 29, 2010

McNotAgain 30 Miler Tomorrow

I'll be running the McNotAgain 30 mile trail run tomorrow in Pekin, IL.  No race web site to link to--this event is young, small, and informal.  I ran the inaugural race last year and it was fun and low-key.  It's basically a fall version of the long-standing McNaughton Park races that are held at the same Pekin park each spring...which have now changed their name to Potawatomi Trail Runs for 2011.  I'm quite familiar with that darn 10-mile trail loop with creek crossings and mud pits.  We haven't had much rain lately so I'm hoping for fairly dry trails and low stream crossings.  The weather looks good too--morning lows in the 30s with partly sunny skies and a high in the mid-60s.  What a great day for trail running!

I'm in better shape for this 30 miler than I was for the Farmdale race just 3 weeks ago.  I haven't been running well, but I've been running.  Consistent 5 mile runs over the last 3 weeks should have gotten me back to a good base of fitness.  I'm not exactly planning on blazing a new course record tomorrow...I am planning on running 30 miles and feeling good afterward.  Last year I ran the race in a time of 6:22 and finished in 10th place out of 31 finishers (10-mile splits: 2:06, 2:07, 2:09).  That sure seems slow.  I hope to break 6:00 this year.

I have no races on the schedule for the rest of 2010.  I was thinking about a local 5K road race in November and an 8K trail race in December...I'll wait until race day to make those commitments.  It feels good not having any planned races after this weekend.  Once that registration fee is paid, there is subtle pressure to train and perform.  I just want to run.  Run fast, run easy, run long, run short.  Just run.  One of these days, weeks, or months, I'll actually be in good shape and THEN sign up for a race.  Train then race...what a concept!

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Ben Franklin and Beer

I've returned from Boston and have concluded that Bostonians enjoy their beer!  There seemed to be great pubs on every corner.  It was like being in London.  Lots of joggers around every city park too.  I got in a couple of runs with my brother Mark, had a few nice meals with all of my brothers, and we buried my mother's ashes in a very scenic cemetery in northern Boston (same place my father and little brother are buried).  Oh yeah, and we indulged in a few beers at local taverns.  Of course, if you are in Boston, you might as well hit some of the sights on the Freedom Trail that highlight the history of the American revolution.  What a great walking tour of colonial American history!  Along the trail, I checked out the Granary Burial Ground that has the grave sites of Sam Adams, Paul Revere, Ben Franklin's parents (Ben is buried in Philadelphia), the Boston massacre victims, and other notables.  Later that day I saw several t-shirt places that had a quote attributed to Ben Franklin:

"Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.

There seems to be controversy about whether this is a real quote from Franklin.  He does have a documented quote about wine that is similar:

"Behold the rain which descends from heaven upon our vineyards, there it enters the roots of the vines, to be changed into wine, a constant proof that God loves us, and loves to see us happy."

I prefer the beer quote.  I'm sure Franklin enjoyed a few pints of robust ale in his day and I wouldn't be surprised if he was tossing a few back and proclaimed that beer is proof of God's love. Good enough for me.  Franklin was a good guy.  Next time you are savoring a fine beer, think of Franklin and his quote.

Hey, what's up with that Samuel Adams character?  Shouldn't he be the one talking about beer?  After all, he was a brewer in his day.  I love my Samuel Adams Boston lager.  I suppose the next time I lift a Sam Adams beer, I'll pause and think of these two leaders of the American revolution.  I'm sure they'd want us to be happy.  So, go forth and run, then drink a good beer and remember our founding fathers.

Friday, October 22, 2010

This Blog is Certified

Hey, did you know this blog is certified?  You might say it's certified crazy...but that's another story.  I'm actually talking about my two affiliations that are listed on the right of this blog--the "Stomp of Approval" from the Barefoot Runner's Society and the connection with the Primalfoot Alliance.  What's this mean?  Did a I pass a rigorous certification process?  Not really.  I was invited to join the BRS when they were just starting...and I was happy to be part of the initial membership.  Who wouldn't want the "stomp of approval"?  Later I saw there was a "Primalfoot Alliance" that encouraged people to "take their feet back."  Sounded good...I want my feet back!  These are simply two great groups that promote and connect people with similar attitudes and beliefs about barefoot walking and running.  Check them out by clicking on their logos on my blog.  They both have good resources for going natural.

While you are checking out those two groups, don't forget I have a list of minimalist shoes and barefoot resources on the right side of the blog too.

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Famous Celebrity Marathoners

Ever wonder if you could run a marathon?  Come on, it's not that hard.  If these celebrities can finish one, you can too! I'd love to see a comparable list of celebrities that have run an ultra marathon. 

Stars Who Have Gone the Distance

Surprising Celebrities Who Have Run Marathons

And wikipedia's list of non-elite "notable/famous" marathon runners

Everyone probably knows that Oprah ran her marathon in 4:29, but did you know one celebrity clocked a 3:04 marathon?  Damn, that's fast!

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Boston Bound

I'm Boston bound...unfortunately, not for the Boston Marathon.  I'm heading to Boston to meet my brothers and finally bury my mother's ashes.  She'll be interred with my father and brother in a north Boston suburb.  It'll be an odd "reunion."  We don't get together as a family very often, so seeing everyone will be nice.  Too bad it's not under better circumstances.  Most of the family spent quite a bit of time growing up in the Boston area...not me...I was born in Baltimore and raised in California and Louisiana.  Still, it should be fun to visit my brothers' old neighborhood, schools, and favorite eateries. We'll go into Boston for some touristy stuff too...and likely visit Bill Rodger's Running Center...and get a couple of runs in along the Charles River.  Maybe Mr. Rodgers will sign my Vibram FiveFinger shoes!

Hopefully next time I'm in Boston, it'll be to run that darn marathon.

Monday, October 18, 2010

Fall Trail Running is the Best!

I had one of the best weekends of running in a long time...I ran my favorite two local trails: Forest Glen Nature Preserve (near Danville, IL) and Clinton Lake State Recreation Area (near Farmer City, IL).  Forest Glen is an 11-mile loop with lots of hills, a few small creek crossings, and many chances to see deer.  Clinton Lake is a 10-mile loop with tons of small, short hills and nice views of the north fork of the lake.  Both trails are now well-groomed and ready for lots of good running...until spring comes and we start to get overgrown bushes, tall grass, poison ivy, itch weed, and briars.  Get out while the running, and weather, is good! 

The weather was perfect all weekend...sunny with lows in the 40s and highs in the 60s.  You start off a little cold and quickly warm up as you hit the first hill on the trail.  The leaves were changing colors and the views were just spectacular.   Unfortunately, I don't think this is going to last long...many leaves have already dropped and within a week or so, everything will be on the ground.  Watch your footing...those masses of leaves really hide the rocks and roots!  I didn't stumble either day, but some friends took hard hits.  Be careful out there, but enjoy the early autumn weather. Before you know it, we'll be ensconced in brutal, frigid, winter weather.  Is that why treadmills were invented?  I hate running inside. 

NOTE:  These two photos are from the trail, but taken on previous runs. Top left is Forest Glen, to the right is Clinton Lake.

Friday, October 15, 2010

Runner's World and Minimalist Shoes

A recent Runner's World magazine article (November 2010) by Bob Parks entitled "Is Less More?" takes up the issue of barefoot running and minimalist shoes. The article touches on some good points and gives a semi-fair perspective on barefoot running and the minimalist shoe trend.  Considering just 2 years ago the magazine, which relies on shoe advertising, wouldn't say much positive about the movement, this is a step in the right direction.  I suppose their advertisers are finally putting out more minimalist shoes...and now they can report that there might be something to this movement.  It's about time!  I hope we see more these articles in various running magazines...people need to know this is a valid choice for runners of all distances.  Now if we can only get Runner's World to have cover photos of real runners and not just cute models we'll have made some real change.  It wouldn't hurt to actually show people of color on the front cover too...seems it's always young, white, females--not that I have anything against seeing young white females dressed in skimpy running attire!  But seriously, can't they highlight elite runners from all nations?  How about recreational runners of all ethnic backgrounds?

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

No Training = Poor Racing

Who would have thought that a lack of training would lead to poor racing?  I entered the Farmdale 30 mile race with exactly zero miles run over the last 15 days.  I had been suffering from a bad cold for the last 2 weeks and figured running would just delay my recovery...or turn the cold into something worse.  My cold seemed to finally get better on Thursday, so I figured a short 30-mile trail run on Saturday morning might be possible.  With a dearth of training, but a well-rested body, and a pair of Vibram Five Finger shoes (my new TrekSport model), I drove to East Peoria and waited to start the "race"--it would be more of a training run than a race.

Pre-race socializing was great.  I caught up with Mike and Adam, the co-race directors.  We chatted about course changes, the IL Grand Slam, and upcoming races.  I stumbled across many old running friends and grand slam runners. I saw Juli and Val Aistars--the only married couple ever in contention to complete the Slam.  My wife made them a piece of stained glass to reward their perseverance as a couple...I'm happy to report that they both finished Farmdale and the full Grand Slam.

It was cool, but not cold, as I stood at the starting line waiting for the 10 milers to head down the trail (they started 10 minutes before the 30 milers--the 50 milers had already been on the course for 3 hours!).  I was happy to be wearing just a pair of shorts and a short sleeved running shirt...and my Vibram TrekSports with toe socks! I figured I would do one loop with the five finger shoes...then see how I felt.  I had other minimalist shoes in my car trunk so I could swap shoes after each 10-mile loop if needed.  As we started the race around 8:05am, it was sunny and the coolness was already giving way to warmth.  I was sweating by the time I reached the first mile.  It was going to be a long day in the sun and heat.

My first 10-mile loop went rather well. The RDs changed the course again this year--it was hillier than usual.  And there was more single-track in the forest and less wide-open meadow areas.  My pace was slow, but that's what I wanted.  The minimalist nature of the FiveFinger shoes had me focusing closely on each foot plant.  I took it nice and easy as I surveyed every undulation in the trail.  I didn't want to stumble over a rock or trip on a root.  My running stride was short and quick.  I could feel all the rocks and debris on the trail, but it wasn't painful, just "in tune" with nature.  The TrekSports have a little more protection than the other Vibrams, but not a lot.  You are still well-grounded and mindful of the terrain.  As I like to say, you run "in nature" rather than "through nature" when wearing Vibrams.  You feel like you are really part of the whole scene...not just running through it.  I finished the first 10 miles in a time of 1:53.

After the first loop, I was already feeling a bit sore---not sure if it was the minimalist Vibrams or my lack of training.  I swapped the TrekSports for my Nike Frees--the original Free 5.0 that came out a loooooong time ago.  They must be around 8 years old and have hundreds of miles on them.  They were beat up, but still usable. This second loop didn't go as well as the first.  I started to not pay attention to the trail and stubbed my toes a few times.  Maybe I was just getting tired and not lifting my feet...or maybe I was just lazy now that I had more cushioning and protection from the trail.  One root caught my big toe pretty good...I was lucky not to break it or fall hard to the ground.  The adrenaline flowed and I made it through loop 2 with an accumulated time of 4:01.  Twenty miles down and not feeling too bad.  A little thirsty, a little hot, and starting to get tired...but not too bad.

Again, I swapped shoes.  The Nike Frees gave way to my New Balance 790s.  They are advertised as a trail racing flat.  In reality, they have quite a bit of cushioning and protection--nothing like a "normal" trail shoe, but still much more than Vibrams.  At the start of this third loop, temperatures were already in the 80s.  I grabbed a few pretzels, an electrolyte pill, and splashed cold water on my face and back. Adam, the co-RD, said "Don't listen to those other people, you look great!"  Adam must have known something...I was about to hit the wall...hard.  I took off down the trail and passed about 7-8 people in the first mile.  I was feeling great in these new shoes!  I couldn't feel much of the trail, but hey, I was running hard and care free.  Until around mile 22...I was hot, tired, achy, thirsty, hungry, and beaten down.  I didn't have anything left.  I began my ultra slow shuffle and was resigned to walking most of the remaining 8 miles.  Fortunately, within a mile, a group of young women caught and passed me (one of them was Michele Hartwig--a very good ultra runner).  I figured, what the hell, I'll try to stay with them. I shuffled and walked as fast as I could and stuck with them for the next 5-6 miles.  When you are hurting, it really helps to have company.  Then, with about a mile to go, I kicked into high gear and "sprinted" to the finish...I was probably going at 9:00 pace...but it FELT FAST!  I passed a few runners in that last mad dash to the finish. I was happy to see that chute.  I was done.

My final time was 6:25.  One of my slowest for a 30-mile race.  The day was sunny and hot...but my slowness was mostly due to lack of training and residual "weakness" from the lingering cold virus.  I survived, but was extremely sore for 2 days.  I felt like it was my first marathon...instead of my 60th ultra.  I plan on getting back to regular running within another day or two.  I'll be ready for my next race: McNotAgain 30 miler on October 30 in Pekin, IL. It may sound trite, but training is important.  Train more, race better.  Well, at least train a LITTLE!  My new motto: "Training...it does a body good."

Monday, October 11, 2010

New Blog Template

Don't worry about the new look...

Yes, you are still seeing "Chris' Ultra Blog"--just with a new design.

Same blogger, same content, different layout.  Hope you like it. The background scene reminds me of trail running.

It's been three years and I've never changed my blog template...it's not the most important thing in the world, but it was time for a change.  Blogger has several design templates...and I chose this one you are seeing. If I end up not liking it, I can always go back to the old template or pick another new one. Don't be fooled by those other "Chris writes about ultra running" blogs...this is still the one and only original!

Sunday, October 10, 2010

2010 IL Trail Ultra Grand Slam Champions

Yesterday was the last race of the Illinois Trail Ultra Grand Slam (Farmdale 30/50 miler). I don't have the full race results yet, but we do have the official champions: Juli Aistars was the female winner and John Cash was the male winner.  Congratulations to both of them!  John had a huge lead coming into the Farmdale race (36 points) and basically just needed to finish the 50 miler.  Juli had a bit more competition from Michele Hartwig--only 4 points separated them after three ultra races.  It was a hot and sunny day so I applaud all runners that finished.  I had a terrible day, but finished...race report coming soon.  I am so sore today, it's hard to walk.  I think training is a good thing...and I didn't have a chance to train for Farmdale.

UPDATE:  Farmdale race results are now posted on the IVS web site and the Farmdale race web site.  I have updated all of the IL Grand Slam standings too.   We had 12 runners in contention for the Grand Slam and all of them finished.  Congratulations to all 12 Illinois Trail Ultra Grand Slam finishers!

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

I'm Out of the Race Business

This weekend will be the finish of the 2010 Illinois Trail Ultra Grand Slam.  The fourth race in the series, Farmdale 30/50 miler, will be Saturday morning in East Peoria, IL.  I'll be running the 30 miler, then hanging out to award prizes.  This will be my last time coordinating the Grand Slam.  In fact, after this weekend, I'm out of the "racing business" all together (not really a "business"--all of my activities have been purely voluntary and unpaid).  No more Grand Slam, no more Clinton Lake 30 Miler, no more Buffalo Trace 7-Day Stage Race.  I love all of these events, but I'm becoming tired of the way they slowly chip away at you and require constant energy and worry.  Maybe it's my personality, but I worry about putting on good races.  I pay attention to details.  I care about runners.  At this point in my life, I feel I've volunteered enough...time to dedicate energy to my actual personal running and racing...and to my lovely human wife and rodent children (yes, I have rodents as pets). 

How did all of this start?  I can still remember running with a group on a Thursday evening at the Lake of the Woods trail near my home.  It was about 10 years ago.  Tom and Kim, two local runners that were on the Second Wind Running Club board, told me there would be a mid-term vacancy on the board...would I be interested?  Being my humble self, or trying to avoid extra work, I told them "I'm probably not the best person for this position. There must be more experienced runners."  Tom and Kim elaborated on how the club functions and what the board does.  It all seemed reasonable. They said, we each "do as little or as much as we want."  No pressure.  OK, within a month, I was a new board member.  I met lots of new friends and the work was fun.

Then, about a year later, I was elected president of the club.  When I retired as club president after 2 years, I started and directed the Buffalo Trace Trail Race (5 miler with a 2-mile walk).  It's not easy starting a new race.  Much easier taking over an existing one.  Anyway, Buffalo Trace was fun and it made me feel great to give back to the trail running community.  There were a few changes within the club's officers and board that led me to resign from Buffalo Trace...but I eventually came back and started the Clinton Lake 30-Mile Trail Run.  Again, not an easy task getting permission and support for the event...but it was worth it. I directed Clinton Lake for 4 years and then happily retired and passed on the race to new club directors.  While directing the Clinton Lake ultra, I got an idea to start a series of Illinois-based ultra marathons.  I was always a fan of the "real" Ultra Grand Slam (Vermont 100, Leadville 100, Western States 100, Wasatch 100).  Why not start up a smaller, local grand slam?  I contacted the other RDs (McNaughton Park, Rock Cut Hobo, and Farmdale) and they were supportive.  The Illinois Trail Ultra Grand Slam was born in 2008!  Now that I've retired from CL30, it seems natural to retire from the iTUGS too.  It may still exist next year, but it'll be without me.  Maybe it'll be better.  Or it may transform into a different race series.  I hope some kind of ultra series continues in 2011.  Illinois has some great ultra marathons...why not link them together? 

So, I was a running club board member, president, started & directed two trail races, then forged and coordinated the Illinois Grand Slam.  That sounds like enough "giving back"...right?  Not yet?  OK, how about if I throw in the Buffalo Trace 7-Day Stage Race? I know, it's not "really" a race.  Just an informal event dreamed up by a crazy ultra runner (me).  All true.  I created a web page, advertised, tracked runner progress, and awarded prizes...all for no fee.  It was pretty cool.  Unfortunately, it interfered with "life."  Taking several vacation days from work to follow my own selfish running dreams seemed a bit egotistical and arrogant.  Everyone needs to be self-centered at times.  Maybe one year would have been reasonable and understandable, but 3 years?  Enough was enough.  I came to my senses.  This year was the last 7-day stage race organized and run by me.  So, as of this coming weekend, I will be "retired" from all race directing.

I started all of these events to try and give back to the running community.  I've received so much from my running and racing that I figured I needed to give back.  I have volunteered at a lot of races, from 5Ks to 100 milers.  As stated above, I have been on my local running club's board of directors...and even served as the president.  Still, I felt the need to go a "step beyond" and actually start and direct a few events.  I've now gotten that out of my system. No, my debt to the running community is not paid off, but I'm closer to going in the black than I was 10 years ago.  I feel good about my contributions to trail running and racing.  Hopefully more people know, use, and value the trails that "my races" were run on.  I'll be back as a regular volunteer helping at aid stations, finish lines, course intersections, and pre-race registrations and check-ins. All laudable activities.  But I won't be starting or directing races anytime soon. 

Have you paid your debt to the running community?  Feel good about how much you have taken versus given back?  Need to volunteer a bit more?  Feeling guilty?  GO OUT AND VOLUNTEER!  You'll feel great and your local races need you.  If nothing else, JOIN A LOCAL RUNNING CLUB.  They need members and money to support their races and programs.  After joining, maybe you'll want to do more...and more...and more.  Be careful.  Volunteering can be addictive!  Remember to take care of yourself, your family, and your own running too.

PS:  I hope this post doesn't sound too much like tooting my own horn and patting myself on the back.  As I fade into the background, I need a little of that self-praise and I am proud of what I've done...but I'm not trying to put myself above others. None of my accomplishments or activities would have been achieved without tremendous support from club members, other volunteers, and fellow runners. That's my point. We are in this together.  Step up and volunteer.  Lead if you want.  Following is good too.