Some thoughts and food update

I have given a lot thought to the marathon or longer races that I have been doing lately.  I enjoy the races very much and they give me a sense of satisfaction or accomplishment.  I feel good knowing I can run 26 miles with no problem, or finish a 50 mile race, or head down to Tennessee for my favorite Strolling Jim 40 Miler.  I have finished 26 races of marthon distance or longer but I have been asking myself why lately.  You see, I don’t want these races to be my “identity” or self-worth measuring stick.  I have been thinking that if these long races are creeping into the arena of meaning THAT, then I need to back off of them so that I can regain a healthier sense of who I am and what is most important to me.  I don’t want to get to a place where I think I am not in shape because I don’t want to or can’t run a 50 miler anytime I want to.  I don’t want to be thinking, “man, I only did 1 marathon this year I’m must not be a real runner.”  I am not there yet but I know myself and my tendency to do this so I have had to put myself into check regarding this.  So I have been considering drastically cutting back on these races so that I can begin to focus on more objective measures of success that define my fitness and my goals more accurately.  I am not looking to be one of the best marthoners or ultra-marathoners, I am looking to be in very very good condition as a runner who still enjoys running for the rest of my life.  Anyway, these are just the thoughts I have been having regarding this.

My eating went very well yesterday again.  I went to Taco Del Mar for dinner but had the calories and points to be able to do it within my plan.  It was very tasty too.  It’s friday and I don’t work tomorrow so I am finishing off my lunches today.  I feel pretty darn good physically and have lots of energy.  I will also run today, I think it is a marathon goal paced run for 5-6 miles.  I am just going to focus on enjoying that run for running’s sake.  Just be outside and enjoy the sensation of movement and experience the blessing of being able to run at all.  That’s all for today.

A life lesson from a “tuff” race!

 

photo by strangesports.com

So I have been thinking about this blog post for about two months now and this last race pushed me over the edge to finally be able to articulate in some form what I have wanted to say.  Most of you  know that I think ultra-running parallels life in many interesting ways.  One of the ways is the unexpected blow up.  Just reading what I just wrote possibly brought up your own sacred times in life where you experienced a “blow up”.  Not of temper, not of fire, but of life itself and the dreams that are contained within it.  Times in your life that forced a renegotiation of your goals or path.  We have all experienced this in some form or another.  But what we do with these times is what counts the most.  Avoiding times like these at all costs will not permit you to totally avoid them.  We can plan, we can hope, we can pray, but these times occur regardless.  It is possible to minimize the damage they can cause or possibly their frequency but one thing is for sure; they will happen.  And this is ok.  So I am going to write out one of these the best way I know how because I think you’ll like it and I just need to do it so here it goes.  Picture your own life as I describe the situation in running form.

Ahhhhhhh……….my goal is ahead and I have worked so long and hard and dreamed for so long about it.  I can taste it.  I can almost experience my dream in my mind just pondering on the attainment of the goal.  THAT place is so happy.  I know it will be amazing to get there and the sense of peace I will have knowing that I got my dream.  The journey has been long to get to the starting line but I am here.  I start my race with such joy and comfort knowing what my future hours hold for me.  Running in the breeze thinking how blessed I am to be able to be taking part in life like this.  I meet people along the way that improve my experience greatly.  I find out more about them as we run together.    I know that they are most likely just for a time but at this time it is great to get to know them.  As I am running I see the hills before me without fear because I know I can walk if needed or I can slow it down enough to conserve my energies.  There is no rush really, I have a long race ahead of me but the excitement must be contained so that I don’t burn out on a good thing.  I keep on just getting more excited that my dreams are ahead of my and they will become a reality.  Of course there are rough patches during the run.  My legs burn and I want to rest.  My back is tight and I want to stretch.  Many thoughts come during those rough patches that widdle my dream down to barely possible.  Then the sun shines in through the trees and my life returns as I eat some more carbs.  My mind awakens and I am in “the good” again believing all is possible.  Time moves on and on as I run.  I’m running, I’m running, I’m running.  After a long time of pursuing this dream something happens seemingly out of nowhere.  It’s the blow up.  The blow up is a devastating crushing blow to my mind and emotions.  The dream is shut down and the door feels closed.  Survival is my only thought during a blow up.  That and giving up completely.  I know the end is near enough but the short distance from the present darkness to the light at the end of my great achievement appears to be many more miles than it really is.  My thoughts change from delight in life and running to self questioning and sanity.  “Was I stupid for trying to achieve and experience great things.  Did I bite off more than I can chew.  Will I hurt myself doing this.  Am I in danger in this dark time” .  All the negative thoughts that I was able to conquer regarding my dreams before are now so consuming that I cannot shut them up.  Panic sets into me just as powerfully as the joy set in earlier in my journey.  Will I be able to get what I want so badly out of this now that attaining my original goal is impossible?????  This is where the magic happens in ultra-running AND life.  I know I can’t make it to my original goal.  I am already running longer than my goal finishing time and I have so far to go still.  What am I to do with all of this.  If I give up and quit I still have to walk to the finish because there is now way out of the race (life).  If I keep going through this blow up it’s going to hurt really bad and I don’t want to hurt that bad anymore.  If I just go slower I might as well quit!  But then the renegotiating happens.  At first I hate it because it feels weak like a cop-out but the courage begins to build again but for a new purpose.  The original goal is now very far gone but the endurance and capacity to conquer the blow up now takes precedence.  I find myself realizing that the journey could very possibly be more important than the attainment of the original goal.  The the experience of this hurt, this “failure”, this “shame” could be worth millions more than crossing the finish line without scars.  Although down and out, I forge ahead with a new but painfully real struggle.  I must not let the “blow up” finish me.  Then it hits me, “OMG………..the goal is not me.  I’m me and I don’t have to let the circumstance finish me and in fact I can let it refine me.”  My heart melts at the prospect of making it through this blow up as a better man, as a better more knowledgable runner.  I find great peace in this painful experience knowing that just making it through to the other side of it means so much to me.  And when I cross the finish line where my goal once sat waiting for me to take it, I am thankful for making it at all.  I am thankful for that pain and hurt that even though at the time seemed so intense was really only temporary as compared to the impact it will have on my future runs and life. 

So I think it is with life too.  We all have goals and aspirations and dreams.  Sometimes it is as though we are running through life so smoothly but we don’t see that huge cliff that drops off just ahead.  That cliff that swallows up so much of what we think we have in us to give.  That blow up that takes so much out of us that life seems terribly painful to keep at.  So much is possible for us.  So much is right there for us to become if we can renegotiate the path and the goals.  In a sense I feel like even though we might not get what we originally wanted, we will get the best that is attainable by moving on through the blow up.  Things get painful, and slow, and don’t work on our time line but keeping on develops in us such a tremendous power to achieve the most important thing.  That is to achieve the depth and reality of the person that we can be.

Strolling Jim 40 miler 2010 continued: 22 miles, chocolate cookie, heat, humidity, not good!!!!!!!!

Here I am out on the course. The man in front of me was 65 years old and very encouraging. He had lost 30 lbs and was going to lose 50 more. He said he was proud of me and "JASON!!!! Keep Going and NEVER stop running!!! GO GO GO!!!" That was at the tope of his lungs as I passed him. He also said I was a wise runner.

I really only had one rough patch during the race and that happened at mile 22.  A dear boy said, “Hey mister, do you want a chocolate cookie??”  Well I knew that this did not do well with my tummy but how could I say no.  I had three bites and threw it in the bushes when he couldn’t see.  I almost immediately got blood sugar roller coaster mania and felt sick.  This last for about 2 miles when it finally evened out.  No cookies for me.  Not that early at least.  HAHAHAHAHA.  Basically I ran all the flats and down hills at a nice relaxed pace.  It is a VERY hilly race so when I got to any hill I just walked and talked with other runners so that I could learn about them and meet people.  It was really nice not to push pace at all.  I was also heavier during this race than any other race I had ever done but I fared well I would say.  And my green shirt looked cool I think.

Just another pic of me running from afar

The guy behind me in the above pic was probably the only factor that added some “push” for me.  He was in front of my most of the time and we also leap frogged often.  But towards the end he was in front of me by a long ways and I was determined to beat him in.  I did beat him in by a long ways in the end.  I really picked up the pace for the last 5k.  I was happy about this. LOL.  I hit the marathon and 50k marks feeling very good.  I did not struggle in this race to keep on really with the exception of the cookie incident.  It is amazing how the beauty of the course takes you in and helps you to enjoy your time out there with friends.  Speaking of friends, my friend was an awesome handler.  She met me every 5 miles and because of this we met a fantastic family from the area.  The guys wife also met him every 5 miles or so and she had about three weeks worth of yummy food in the back of her suburban.  She was so kind to me and many other runs always stopping and asking if I needed anything to eat or drink.  Thankfully, she had REGULAR COKE in the back and I took a bottle of it around mile 30 and it FELT GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.   I took another one at 38 miles.  I love regular coke during an ultra marathon.  Because of the 100 year flooding that occurred during and after the race, I was blessed enough to be taken in by this family for about two days while I searched with my friend for a way back to the airport.  This woman, named Lisa and husband mike, made me biscuits and gravy.  I mentioned how much I loved them at the finish line and she invited us over to eat some that she especially made for me.  HAHAHAHA.  They are wonderful and I will never forget them for as long as I live.  They made the trip so much more memorable.

Adjusting my water bottles as I run in to meet my friend at a 5 mile marker.

I also have to say that having my friend meet me every 5 miles was such an encouragement.  Even though I did not need anything, it was nice to know that someone was going to be waiting for me just to look at me with encouragement and tell me to keep on.  I have never had this much support on this race before.  It was really cool.

At this point I am starting to move a bit faster. It is getting closer to the end.

During this race  I pondered on many things in my life.  What was to become of it, what had happened in it, what I was going to do with all of it……………and it was really good for me.  It was hard as I have a lot of memories with Audrey for this race.  She had gone with me the last two times I ran it.  This time, I had to work at making new memories, with new friends, with new strategies, and a new future.  I have to admit, it was not easy at all.  In fact, it was really hard, but I made it to the end with victory.  I feel good about that.

Point of inspiration and rememberance.

Had a horrible day the other day.  It was just killing me how I have been eating, how I see my body, how I see my running, how I see myself in general.  Basically, had a bad day because of my self talk and just feeling bad for myself and so unconfident.  But……..I got an email from a good friend.  My good friend did not know I was basically in the pit of self hatred that day, but he was sensitive to it.  I can’t even express the importance of that email to me.  The only way I can explain it’s impact on me is LIFE CHANGING.  The email did not have any information that I don’t already know.  It did not have any secret to success.  It was just a PERFECTLY timed picture of my story injected into my life.  Basically, the jist of it was that he was telling a group of people about my journey from the start of WW all the way to DNF’ing at 63 miles in the 100 and through to present.  You see, my friend knows my “situation” in my personal life.  He knows that what I have accomplished during these dark days is nothing small.  So his email was a reminder to me.

It is so easy to forget what I have done.  That I have really done amazing things even for a person who has not lost 130 lbs.  He described the faces, the emotions, and the tears of the listeners of the real life story.  And by reading this, I was completely filled with life again.  It was like I was encased in this bubble or dark room but when I read the email I was removed from that fog and put into reality again.  I was humbled by the achievements that I had done.  I was appreciative of all the people who have helped and supported me along the way.  I was thankful for just not giving up on my own dreams while others were giving up on me.  I have a hard time, REALLY HARD TIME, having confidence these last three or four months.  I have been broken and forgot the stength that I really do have.  The ability to overcome.  I still struggle so much with loving myself, and accepting my body, and taking myself for who I am.  But yesterday I started out a fresh.  I ate perfectly.  I exercised well.  I thought well of myself.  Maybe………….I can start my new life on good terms with myself and achieve what I want for myself.  I want to achieve a healthy self respect.

Feet Before and After: Warning, not very attractive.

As you have already read, I DNF’d at 63 miles because my blisters on the balls of my feet was just to much for me.  I took pics before and after of my feet just to see.  The pics don’t do justice as far as the pain goes.  They really don’t look to bad in the pics.  I had deep blisters from my big toe to my little toe that completely covered the pad or ball of me foot.  On my left foot, the blistering was so bad that it was pushing my last three toes up.  I also had a bad blister underneath on of my toe nails so that my nail is actually still just sitting on the blister and not even attached to my foot really.  It will fall off soon and is just about to today.  Take a look if you want.

So you can see that my toe nails are already black from the training. They are just about to fall off even before the race.

Just another pre-race view of the feet

This is a pic of my feet at 40 miles. I was not having to many problems at that point. But the fine sandy dirt made its way into my shoes to cause a lot of irritation. i was cleaning my feet here and changing socks.

Just a little foot massage before I went to the medical tent for the blisters. You can see the bad ones under my last three toes as well as the one under my toe nail. This is at 60 miles

In the room after my DNF departure

You can see the medical tents handy work in this pic. They used second skin and duct tape. Much of the blister was deep so you can't really see it.

Shipping out!

I just packed up most of my suppllies and they are ready for next day air to Huntsville, Texas.  It was an excited step towards my goal but it makes me nervous too.  It should all work out very well though.  In my little box I have:

• 12,000 calories worth of my food for approximately 30 hours of running.
• I have a box of safety pins
• Duct tape for blisters
• Scissors
• Towels
• Water bottles (4 hand held ones)
• 90 electrolyte tablets for approximately 30 hours of running
• Extra pair of shoes to change into around mile 60
• Two boxes of bandaids
• One new container of vicks vapo-rub for chafing needs
• Two boxes of Rolaids
• One bottle of Advil

That is all I can remember at the moment.  It will be an exciting journey to be sure.

An amazing realization for me and running!

I have come a long way in my running but not just physically.  I have grown and matured through my running journey.  Running has  changed my mind and attitude right along with my body.  I recently had a very special email conversation with my coach regarding how things are going for me lately.  As you all know I have been having a hard time lately.  To be honest with you all, I am completely amazed at the fact that I have stuck with running at all let alone actually completing the final months of 100 miler training.  It is intensive for me to do this running as I work about 70 hours a week, have my own personal problems, and other stuff that regular people do.  But to my astonishment I have kept at this.  But it has not been easy I tell you.  It has not been easy at all.  Here is what I wrote today about my running because I could not finish my 10 mile goal paced run today.

that first three miles TOTALLY WIPED ME OUT.  I am not joking either.  It just wasted me and it was very difficult to do it and then to keep going even for the next three miles.  Got little over 6 miles in for the day.

My thinking on this conjured up a couple of things.  Of course, the PR of 55 miles in like 22 hours last weekend has its residual effects.  I am sure that that had something to do with how I felt today but I don’t think that it is the main factor.  My legs and body can take it no problem.  That is what my body tells me anyway.  Here is what I really think is going on.

I am really on the edge of what I can do right now.  I know beyond any doubt that given different circumstances I could do more but I don’t have different circumstances.  I have my life the way it is right now and I am me, just the way I am right now.  I am EXTREMELY proud of what I am accomplishing through all of this.  At times, to be totally honest, I don’t even know how I am still pushing on with running like this.  I feel most people would have just settled for barely maintaining SOME running, let a lone pulling off distance PR’s every other week and such.  HAHAHAHA.  I don’t sleep enough right now and this is a huge factor in all of this.  I am exhausted much of the time but I just can’t do it.  Sometimes I can’t because I am talking WAY to late.  Sometimes I just can’t because I am mad or I am sad or whatever you know.  I am not ashamed, this is just how it is right now and it won’t be that way forever.  So all of this said, we are doing a fantastic job taking me right to the edge of what I can do at this real and authentic point in my life.  What I can survive in this last month of training for the 100.  If it were another time, I would be able to finish every run just as planned but it is not another time.  The speedier work just totally kills me.  For some reason, the long runs are so much more manageable because I have one goal of finishing the distance, but the speed works my mind over because I have to maintain another goal during the run.  I have exhibited vast amounts of persistance in my training, great endurance, great commitment, but I am pretty sure we have taken me to my limit for where I am at right now.  I don’t so much mean what my body can do but just what I as a person can do at this time in my life if that makes any sense.   This is a most glorious thing.  It is what it is.  I need to be at my limit for such a race.  We are not injuring me.  We are not making me overtrain into collapse and despair.  I have never really had problems with finishing workouts as intended but at this time I realize that I am doing ALL I CAN DO.  It really amazes me.

I thank you so much for bringing me to the edge.  I think of it as the “red line” that you have talked about with world record marathon attempts.  I am hovering just under that “red line”.  I feel like this whole experience IS A PR for me.  I different type of PR, but a real one nonetheless.  Like you said before, I am ready for the 100 miler.  Ready as I ever will be for this time.  I will run that race with all I have.  Maybe I am just realizing I only have all that I have.  And if I don’t have it I can’t give it more.  HAHAHAHA.  This is true.

Please let me know if all of this is just bullshit and a cop-out.  I don’t think it is though.  It is the way I perceive what is going on but you are on the outside so you have a great perspective for me to hear.  It might not all be perfect but I know I have vast amounts of ability to keep on keeping on my friend.

So those couple of paragraphs were right from my heart.  I am on the edge.  I am training right at this point where I know that I can’t do anymore.  But I am thriving at the same time.  I am glowing with accomplishment that I am sticking with this goal.  I have stuck this out for basically two years.  That is a long ass time to prepare for something.  It is not the same like the years of preparation from college or things like that.  I have trained for two years for an event that will be over in one day.  That is it.  No more.  But like I said, I think that the true victory is going through this process in general.  I took one step and one run at a time until I reached this point.  Sure I have had many curve balls thrown into the mix but I stuck with it.  Here are the wonderful words that my coach told me.  He always has the best thing to say.

I have some ways I have to tell you… you have made a major breakthrough in running. But the breakthrough is not what you think. It is the fact that you are comfortable having “done all you can do” and come race day you will “do the best you can”. Too many runners are all or nothing… do or die… finish or else… PR or else. You have learned that the process IS IN FACT a PR for you. Huge breakthrough. And it ultimately reduces stress for race day.

You’re right, mentally and physically you have done and are doing all you can. No worries. The hardest stuff is done. Stay focused now on race day… relaxing and enjoying the process of the race itself.. and how it unfolds… with all its uncertainties….

This was such a wonderful thing to hear at this time in my life.  Thanks for listening.

strong 6……8……..14………41.5

I had several days of heavy running.  I feel really good about it.  I discovered much about my body, my running, and my emotions.  I had a great experience doing all of these runs.  Extra special though was the LOOOOOOOONG one.  I of course LOVE those long runs.  I mean, sometimes I don’t look forward to them but they are so good for me I think.  I have to concentrate and push and step and walk and run and eat and drink and do it all again and again.  Pain comes heavy, easy , then nothing, then elated joy and amazement, then back do boredom, and on and on.  As many of you have read my knee has been bothering me.  I have never been injured.  I am still not injured thank GOD.  And for some odd reason I don’t push if I think I am about to be injured which has saved my running life many times.  This wisdom is contrary to my normal obsessive desires but I have such a desire to be a life long runner that I don’t want to jeapordize my future in running.  Not that I have a future competitively but I want to be able to run looooong in to the future you know what I mean.  It is an important activity for mind and soul and body for me.  Here is a picture of my knee and where it hurts.  Then I will tell you about my 20 miler turned 14 and then my 40 miler.

So there is my knee.  HA!  I thought I did not have really hairy legs.  Weird.  Anyway, on Saturday night after work I had scheduled a 20 mile long run.  I headed out and my knee hurt from the start.  It does not hurt real bad but I know that my knee is there if that makes any sense.  I had a couple of fast spurts across the street and a jump up to a curb that hurt VERY bad.  This caused alarm in my little heart and I called it short at 14 miles so that I did not do any damage that would hinder my ability to run 40 the next day.  Basically, I knew I could have finished the run if I shortened up my stride, went slower, and babied it but I did not want to chance it because the 40 is the staple of my running diet for the 100 mile race prep.  So on to today.  I got up at 7 a.m.   I had a fabulous mental and emotional break through.  It was exhilarating.  I was so happy to realize the things that I realized.  I felt totally liberated for the moment so I figured that would be a good time to go tackle the mental and physical trials of a 40 miler.  Once again, I headed out and my knee hurt right away.  It hurt a little more than the day before but I shortened up my stride and slowed it down a bit like I realized I could.  One step after the next, I made it to the marvelous moment at 1:54 into the run.  THAT IS RIGHT.   YOU HEARD ME RIGHT.  I RAN IN A BIT OF  PAIN FOR 1 HOUR AND 54 MINUTES BEFORE THE JOY CAME.  AT 1:54 ALL MY KNEE PAIN WENT AWAY.  NO MORE.  IT WAS GREAT. I proceeded to keep on keeping on until I reached home at the 41.5 mile mark.  I had to go that extra 1.5 just to put a middle finger up to my current life events.  I also went that extra 1.5 as a show of gratitude for those same life events.  I hate them but I appreciate them.  Does that make sense to you guys.

BIG MISTAKE OF THE DAY

I drink hammer nutrition perpetuem for my calories and hydration during my longer runs.  I usually use the orange flavor.  No problems at all.  This time I only had the delicious flavor of LATTE.  It tastes great but it has caffeine.  Lots of it.  So image drinking like a four shot every hour for 8 hours straight.  I almost had a fit out there.  At the 6.5 hour mark I could not take anymore in.  It was just to much caffeine for me and I have a HIGH tolerance as it is.  By the time I hit the 7 hour mark I was collapsing bad.  No water, no calories, and still running.  At the 38 mile mark I was dizzy, just about to throw up, and barely making it.  I did make it though.  I kept on.  Readjusted.  One foot in front of the other until I finished.  Then I had a king size fast break candy bar.  MMMMMM.

Total miles: 41.5

Total calories burned: 6,528

Total calories eaten: 2,080 (not enough)

Total hydration: 147 ounces

I was victorious again.  I only have 27 days until the starting line of my 100 miler.

Strong 6……8……..?………?

Since my last post I have had two good runs.  They were solid easy runs where I did not push the pace at all.  This week is very much about time on my feet.  This week as all about endurance really.  My entire weekend will be eaten up with running and work.  No time for fun this weekend.  Just run, eat, sleep………………..

So on Thursday I did 6 miles slow.  That run went pretty well and I felt good about completing a run.  Then on Friday I did an 8 miler.  This run also went very well but noticed some stiffness in my knee.  It was not really alarming but I will keep and eye on it.  It was kind of a bummer because it was like 38 degrees and pouring down rain for the whole run.  No optimal weather for running but certainly far easier for me than running in Hawaii.  So what is coming up today and tomorrow.  Today I am at work so will have to freaking do my long run aftwards which I have found to be very taxing to my ming and body.  I will be running 20 miles today after work.  Then, I will be getting home pretty late from that run to basically just go to sleep.  Early the next morning I will procedd to embark on another 40 mile long run.  This is really the main goal run for the week.  It is the most important single run to do but the entire 60 miles in the 30 hour period is the training effect I think I am going for.

I am going to change things up on this run.  I am going to try and eat more during the run.  I normally eat around 300 calories per hour while running and I am burning around 800 per hour.  This 40 miler I am going to try and eat some other types of food and more of my liquid drink.  I hope to crank it up so that I can see if I can handle eating more than 300 calories per hour.  This will help a lot during the 100 miler.

As far as my feelings are going, I think that my situation has changed.  I feel a bit more secure with my decisions to live healthy within my emotional and mental world.  I have decided not to let my situation hurt me anymore.  I have made my decision as to what I am going to do in it and it will most certainly be for the better without any doubt in my mind.  So I am happy for this new direction.  Very relieved.

On the weight watchers front, my sister has kindly invited me to get back on track and take me shopping for my weeks of groceries.  I have not felt up to this for at least a month and probably longer.  I haven’t even been to WW for at least one month.  Maybe like 5 weeks.  I just could not muster up the strength to go because this shit that is going on just takes to much out of me.  So on Sunday I will go shopping with my wonderful sister and she is going to make some chicken and tilapia while I am running that I will eat throughout the week.  I hope that this little kick start will help me get on track.

White River 50 Miler Race Report! Long post with pics.

This was by far the most difficult event that I have ever experienced!!  I did this same race last year but this year was much harder.  Many ups and downs.  Many calm and chaotic moments.  In fact, it seemed as though I experienced just about everything during this race.  It was an intensely humbling and cleansing 11 hours and 48 minutes.  I have several pictures and stories of the race so keep reading.

Here I am at the start of the race at 5:30 a.m.  I have my three drop bags in my right hand and my water bottles in the other.  At this point I am a bit nervous about the journey but also very excited.  The early starters took off in into the mountains with a calm spirit.  Two miles into the race my watch beeped to let me know that the signal from my foot pod (the thing that tells me my pace) was lost.  I stopped for about 10 minutes to look for it and finally found it.  Then I looked at my shoe to find the clip that holds the pod onto the shoe and it also was gone. I got mad and threw the foot pod out into the forest.  About a mile later I realized I was looking at the wrong shoe and the clip was still there. DAMN IT!!  I thew a $100 foot pod away for nothing.  This was mentally discouraging because from that point on I never knew how far nor how fast I was running.

Here is a nice shot of what much of the 50 mile trail looked like.  Lots of roots, lots of elevation change, and lots of dust.  My legs were almost black at the finish line.  The fact that it was a trail run is also a major factor in what and how sore I get.  My ankles are very sore now because of the different terrain.  There is also a lot of leaping and jumping involved.

Miles 1-8:  After losing the foot pod my mental side of things kind of pooped out.  Around mile 6 my legs were burning on the up-hills.  This was also alarming but I knew I had to press on.

Miles 9-17:  This was basically the first climb up the first major hill.  It is a very steep and long hill that occasionally had ladders/stairs to get you up to other parts of the trails.  I was still in pretty good spirits though and I usually pass a lot of people going up because my walk is pretty fast.  The down hill sections are the ones were I usually get passed by others.  Once I got to the top of the first hill it was a relief but I knew that it was still only the beginning.

Here I am at the 27.2 mile aid station.  It took me 5 hours and 23 minutes to get there.  My wonderful wife met me with some water and socks.   I washed off my feet and changed socks.  What a refreshing feeling it was just to change my socks.  I had a blister developing on the ball of each foot at this point.  These blisters were not show stoppers by any means but they were still there.  At this point I told my wife that I was having a tough time with the run and that it was harder than last year.  It did feel good to be half-way finished but the long down-hill tromp took a tool on my legs.  The turns at the switch backs were really hard because you have to come to almost a stop to make the turn and that takes a lot of leg power when going down hill.

After a 3 or 4 minute rest, I am off again to tackle the second major climb of 8 miles.  The second climb is a bit shorter but also a bit steeper.  By the time I got to the top I was stumbling around a little. HAHAHAHA  Feeling a little fresher from my rest felt good mentally but I knew that the next 8 miles was going to hurt.  This section is also mostly exposed to the direct heat of the sun.  This complicated matters for my attitude.

Miles 27-37:  This was gruesome.  I inched my way up that gigantic hill running any flat or down hill portions.  This hill also contain lots of rocks which frustrated my ankles and hips.  When I got to the top one of the aid station volunteers was worried about me because I was stumbling and maybe swaying a little.  I told her that I was stumbling and that I planned to sit down for about 10 minutes to rejuvenate.  So I did just that.  At the top of the mountain I sat down and the aid station people when to work on me.  They sponge bathed my head, arms and legs.  Got my water bottles filled up with my calorie drink.  Got me some Mt. Dew to drink to get me pepped up right away.  They asked me questions to make certain that I was coherent and ready to run again.  After that I was off to tackle the most difficult section of the race in my opinion.  It is a steep 7 mile down hill on a gravel road.

Here are two photos of the view from climb #2.  That is Mt. Rainier with the snow on it.  Keep in mind that the trail that I was running on was basically a ski resort without the snow so that gives you a small glimpse of the steepness of the trails.  And believe me, running down the trails IS NOT EASIER than running up the trail.

This is just another view of the majestic wilderness of the Mt. Ranier National Forest.

My beautiful wife came to the race with me.  Boy she makes it so much more fun.  I love my wife so much and her presence at this race made so much difference to me.  You know when you are a kid and you hurt yourself out of the presence of your mom. You don’t cry at all but the moment that you see your mom you start to cry.  Well, that is exactly what I did.  After I finished the race my wife asked me how it was and I told her it was the hardest thing I had ever gone through and started to cry.  I held it in because so many people were around but if they weren’t I would have just balled right there in her lap.

Crossing the finish line was a major relief.  I thought probably 100’s of time that I just couldn’t make it but I did.  Races like these go much deeper mentally than shorter ones.  It was a very trying experience but I would certainly do it again.  When I finished, there were still about 90 people out on the course and about 50 of those would eventually finish.  The rest either did not make the 14 hour cut-off time or just had to stop running for whatever reason.  Whatever happens, everyone who gets to the starting line is a winner in my book.

Moments after the finish I took a much appreciated rest on my wife’s blanket to take in some hydration and watch others finish.  The after glow was nice and the amazement of the accomplishment was very heavy in this picture.

Another good marathon experience

My 16th marathon (The Foot Traffic Flat Marathon) went very well.  It was a hot day but it did not bother me at all.  It was a smooth and controlled effort which produced the desired training effect: Run 30 miles on tired legs that are not yet recovered from last weeks 36 miles.  I finished the marathon portion of my 30 mile run in 4:29 with negative splits meaning I did the second half faster than the first. The marathon was much larger than I thought it was going to be so it was festive and fun.  The course was very beautiful as is snaked through the farms of Sauvie Island.  All and all it was a great experience which helped increase my fitness for the 100 miler.

My next race will be on July 25th at the Crystal Mountain Ski Resort.  This will be a 50 mile trail run with around 17,000 ft of elevation change.  It is a tough race but it will also end up being a good experience regardless of how it goes.  The race is called the White River 50 Miler.

My first run since the race recovery

It felt so good to get back on the roads.  I took a decent amount of time off from running to recover from my 40 miler.  I am sure that I am not all the way recovered even now but I am good to go for easier running.  I was invigorated during my three mile jaunt around the lake.  I did the run at around an 8:55 pace.  It seems fast but for a three mile run, it is not really that fast.  For a 20 mile run that would be fast, but not for a three mile run.  I felt easy and relaxed throughout so I feel that it was within the limits of recovery.  I am not expert though but I do know how to listen to my own body when it comes to running.

Anyway,  just wanted you all to know that I am back in the game.  My new running schedule will be in my email box soon.  Who knows what is in store for the next four months.

Ultra-marathon and southern food!!

Well here I am a little more than 20 miles into the Strolling Jim 40 miler.  Relaxed, happy, and full of energy. HAHAHA  My wife took this picture as she drove away from giving me some of my Hammer Nutrition Perpetuem.  At this point in the race I was of course actually feeling a bit tired.  Five miles more though and I hit a serious second wind and took right off.  This is a good example of the scenery that I ran in too.

 

After the race I ate the traditional barbecued chicken lunch with coke, but a couple hours after that we went to the historic bell buckle cafe.  Bell Buckle is the birth place of the Moon Pie and RC Cola.  It is also home to a fantastic cafe with real southern cooking.  Southern is short hand for deep fried and tasty fatty yumminess. HAHAHA  I had pulled pork, fried corn bread, blue berry salad that was actually a cobbler thing, fries,  and something else that I can’t remember.  The picture is of my wife’s food.  It was great.

Questions, Questions, ultra-running questions.

Now that the Strolling Jim is over, I look to my future goals for running.  I alway have a goal in mind prior to the attainment of my first goal.  That way I can keep the momentum going even after I achieve my goals.  Never resting, never sitting still without a purpose.  that is my theory.  Anyway, I have so many questions about this 100 miler thing.  I am caught up in my thoughts regarding the training, nutrition, run/walk strategy,logistics of the aid stations, night running, etc.

One thing about me if you haven’t figured out already, is that I like to know and be prepared.  It brings my confidence up a lot to know that what I am doing is the best way to prepare for the particular race.  When I get to the starting line and have doubts, I like to be able to know that I did the physical training part of the preparation the best I could.  I helps to know that I am ready physically but how does one know that they are ready to run 100 miles??????  I don’t think anyone ever really knows.  They go into it in the best shape possible but just finishing the 100 miles and making it through all of the obstacles that “could” happen is the main goal for each runner.

I just thought I would write this out to make myself feel better.

Strolling Jim 40 miler race report.

Well, I did it.  I finished my second strolling jim 40 miler.  The experience was very good overall but it was a bit of a stressful adventure at the same time.  First I will start with the weather.

The southern USA from Oklahoma to Tennessee was being blasted by storms and tornadoes.  The race start location was no different.  It rained several inches the day before the race and just getting to our bed and breakfast was a chore because several roads were completely flooded out.  Lighting was actually hitting the ground only feet from the bed and breakfast too.  This increased my stress level about running in the race.  It kept raining all day and all through the night.  When I got to the race start it was pouring with lethal amounts of lighting crashing down, flash flooding everywhere, and possible tornado watches.  Basically the news people were telling everyone to stay in and stay home.  They were giving emergency instruction on flooding and shelter.  Did that stop any of the 95 runners?????????????????????

3 days and counting. Ultra-marathon #5.

IT IS COMING!!!!  The strolling Jim 40 miler marks the celebration of my 2 year anniversary for running.  April 27, 2007 I started running at my gym with a long run of 2 miles at a 13:30 pace.  I tried to maintain a 10 minute mile that day but I just couldn’t do it.  NOW!!!  I am going to run 40 miles at that 10 minute pace.  During this past two years my life has shifted from barley believing that I could run a marathon to being blessed enough to be part of a group of runners takes up about 1/100th of a percent of the total population on earth.  Ultramarathoner.  Yes, that is what I am even if I don’t believe it my own mind, that is the fact.

Today I will run an easy 3 miles, another easy 3 miles tomorrow, and then take Friday off.  On Saturday morning at 7 a.m. I will listen for the conch shell to blow as I embark on a fantastic journey.  A journey of self-realization.  A journey of testing mind and body.  A journey of celebration and fun.  This 41.2 mile  journey will have approximately 62,000 foot strikes that will exert around 6,180 tons of force per foot by the time I finish.  Work work work fun fun fun!!

After the race I plan to indulge in the post-race southern barbecue.  Only a few hours later I will be at a remote location indulging once again with fine dining inside of a restaurant built inside of a 100 year old mill with the original wood flooring and machinery.  I will be sitting near the window looking out on a water fall that used to power the mill all the while rubbing my sore and restless legs.  HAHAHA

In the morning I will wake up, limp to the shower, and then take off with my wife, dad, and step-mom to the Jack Daniels Whisket Factory to take a tour.  Then it is on the plane to come home.

Tired! Tired! Tired!

I am tired.  My legs are tired and a bit sore and they have remained that way since Saturday.  It is not a big deal but my body is definitely talking to me.  Last night I did 14×400’s at 5K pace.  What a great workout it was and I hit my pace very well for each rep, but I was tired.  I made the best out of a bad running day.  I accomplished much with the workout.  However, there were no good feelings, no runner’s high, no euphoric revelations, no sun, no scenery…………..

I still finished it up though and that is where character building comes into a persons running program.  You make the best out of a bad running day.

I have also woke up late for the last two days now.  I hate it when I wake up late.  I pack a crappy unplanned lunch, hurry out the door, and just tend to have an overall unorganized work day.  I think my tiredness is normal and it is coming from the cumulative effects of my training over the last four months.  I had a very good 4 months of running and now it is time to taper off until the big race.  I am glad to be in taper mode and I will be taking today off completely even though I have an easy 6 miler on the schedule.  It won’t hurt me and I need the rest.  I just need it.  I know I need it and my body knows I need it.  Taking today off I have 4 more runs before the race.  A 6 mile tempo run, two easy 3 mile runs, and a 1o miler at race pace.  Then I will have 3 or 4 days off completely from exercise.

Here’s to getting some rest.  See you later.

6 mile easy run

Here I am at mile 14 as Audrey joins in on my run with me.

Yesterday was my “easy” running day.  It is a day the seperates hard workouts with easier paced running that aids in recovery while maintaining fitness.  I enjoy the easy days.  I am thrilled to report that my “easy” pace is about 2 minutes per mile faster than it was about this time last year.  That is pretty cool.

I ran around the lake where I work.  My route is three miles exactly and it is very flat.  It is the perfect route for an easier run.  My legs were tired though.  Maybe it was from my 6 miles with 6 hill repeats from the day before.  I guess that is why I get easy run days.  Tomorrow I have 12×400 repeats at 5K pace at the track.  The run will also total 6 miles with warm up and cool down running.

100 miler. Think I am headed that way again.

Well, after my wife told me that she thought I should try and achieve my dream of running 100 miles the other day, I started considering it again.  Things are going to be different this time though.  I have a great coach who is super encouraging.  He also uses research based training to get his runs to their goals.  The great part about this type of training is that it does not require the vast amount of miles and time that I had been doing previously.  So with that said……………….

Weight watchers and running weekend recap.

Winston Churchill

I did not eat on program this weekend at all.  I did do my run though.  I am hoping that my run cancels out my bad eating for the last two days.  The past week at work has been stressful to the max and it really took a tool on me.  I was also stressed out about things I wanted to get done at home but felt that I did not have enough time to do them.

Now to the long run.  I had to go into work on Sunday which sucked but at least I just had to show up and open the building.  Then I got to take off on my run while stuff was getting done.  I ran 35 miles on Sunday.  It was not easy to do this run.  I woke up Sunday morning with sore legs and back from working in the fire pit for the last couple of days.  My legs were tired from the very start of the run.  I never gave up though and the run took me around 5 hrs and 45 minutes to finish.  I was happy with that.  Since I was running in the town were my work is I had to do a lot of repetitive loops and that made the run pretty difficult mentally.  It was not easy to keep passing up my truck and not just call it a day.  My foot gave me no problems either.  Overall it was a true ultra-running experience laden with lots of physical and mental challenges.

The day before I ate bad with the excuse that I was going to burn it all off in my long run the next day.  So what did I eat?  I went to my old evil stand by of some donuts and I also ate a fast food bacon cheeseburger.  I have not had one of those for about 2 years.  It hurt my stomach a lot once I was finish and it was kind of disappointing in the end.  Before my long run I ate 1 banana and some coffee.  That is all I ate until about 3:30 Sunday afternoon.  As soon as the run was over I went home and mowed the lawn and sprayed for weeds so I never really wanted to eat anything because I was focused on getting a job done that really really needed to be done.  When I finally did eat, I had Caesar salad, two bread sticks, a small cup of chili, one cornbread muffin, macaroni and cheese, and a bowl of ice cream with nuts on it.  Later Sunday night I had pizza and chocolate covered peanuts for dinner.  That was it for the day as far as eating went.

I slept like a baby.  I am a little sore today but not really to bad at all.  Hopefully I won’t be more sore tomorrow.  I am usually the most sore on day two after a hard workout.