Earth Day = Sandy Memorial Trail Run

20 years ago today, my sister Sandy passed away. As a simple way to remember her, I always take the day off from work. Then I go for a trail run (she liked nature). Then I donate to local human society in her name (she loved animals). Then I go out to lunch or dinner with my wife and raise a glass toasting my sister. Simple routine. It calms me. Can't believe it's been 20 years. Still miss her. One of these years, I'll run the Humboldt Redwoods Marathon (or Avenue of the Giants Marathon). Arcata was my sister's "home town" for college. Beautiful location. The redwoods are majestic. This could be my own "Boston" marathon. Or I could qualify for Boston, run that race, then still do one of these two "redwoods" marathons. I need more time to train and race. Guess I should retire soon! Really soon. 

Clinton Lake 30-Mile Ultra: Not For Me

The Clinton Lake 30-Mile Ultra was yesterday. I started the race back in 2007. I'm glad it's still going, but I did not run it yesterday. It's been a long time since I ran the race after I stopped directing it. I used to volunteer, but now I don't even do that. The race vibe I liked has disappeared. And I barely hear it advertised so often forget it is coming. Plus, no one asks me to volunteer or run it! Guess that is fine. One day, I may be back racing on those single-track trails around the northfork of Clinton Lake! Most likely just "running" and not "racing." Here are my likes and dislikes about that race in its recent form:

Like:

• Love the 10-mile loop. It's a beautiful trail with lots of variety. Many hills for central Illinois!
• Good aid stations. Only 2 aid stations, but they tend to be solid and staffed with excellent volunteers that know ultra runners needs. 
• Race director that is a ultramarathon runner himself. Makes a positive difference when the director knows ultras, the trails, and the runner needs.

Not like:

• Too expensive. Why do short ultras charge so much for a simple trail run? Volunteers are from the club. No police are closing roads. Easy access to aid stations. Nothing that costs extra! 
• Race requires runners to volunteer at another race or on trails. Volunteering by definition is by choice, not required. I applaud the need for more trail maintenance and race volunteering in general, but encourage it, don't require it.
• Addition of a 10-mile race. This is an ultra and it should stay focused on ultrarunners. Including young and old, fast and slow. Maybe add an early start for slower and older runners. No need for 10 mile race--it dilutes the ultra experience. 

Maybe I'll run it next year. Or not. Maybe they'll reduce the race fee, drop the 10 miler, eliminate the volunteer requirement, and add an early start for slower runners. Maybe not. Kudos to the race director and club for keeping the race going. It is their race and they make the decisions. Runners have choices too. 

5 Weekends, 5 Races

I just finished a 5-weekend streak of races. From January 31 to February 28, I participated in five Saturday races. They are more like "runs" than races, but I tried hard and there are results. That counts. Here are the races and results:

• Jan 31: Riddle Run 28-mile ultra, DNF at 14 miles
• Feb 7: Morrissey Parkrun 5k, 24:02
• Feb 14: Morrissey Parkrun 5k, 23:13
• Feb 21: Morrissey Parkrun 5k, 23:22
• Feb 28: Morrissey Parkrun 5k, 23:14

I seem to be better trained for 5Ks! The ultra was in very cold and windy weather, with several inches of snow. It was brutal. Plus, I was not trained. Indeed, right now, I am prepared for 5K, not ultras. Or 10Ks, or half-marathons, or marathons. I have a trail HM on April 12 and plan to work my way into fitness for that race. Fortunately, I have fairly stable finish times in these 5Ks. I'd like to break 23:00 soon. By the end of the year, I want to break 22:00. I like to dream. Now that I am in the 60-64 (or 60-69) age group, I'm a serious age-group competitor! Just signed up for my first 1-mile race too (via Illinois Marathon). It'll be fun to see how fast I can run one single mile. Good indicator of my potential for 5k and 10k races. 

Next races? I have a couple more Parkrun 5Ks in March, plus an actual 5K "Pi Run" race on March 29. Then I hit April and have my first "real" race of the year, Allerton Trail Half-Marathon on April 12. Last year was my worst effort there, this year I hope to be top 3 in age group. Comeback kid!