There's a few more Ultra Runners in the Club Today

“Running through the Mud and Muck, trying not to get our feet Stuck.”  This is what I kept singing over and over yesterday during our wet 50k run in Maryland.  Yesterday was such a long day, Alarm clock going off at 4:30AM and on the road to the car pool meet up location by 5:30AM.  The car pool was slated to be on the road by 6:00, but the first timers delayed us with their nervous butterflies.  We still arrived with plenty of time to pick up our race packets and set up BCRR Base Camp.  Camp consisted of 4 (1 for changing) tents, 1 table (going to need more the next time), plenty of chairs, 1 grill that acted as a heater for most, plenty of food and beverages.  We must have had close to 30 club members, in addition to their families, and friends.  It was a shame that the weather didn’t cooperate, but at the same time no one allow it to affect their spirits.

There were many first time Ultra runners toeing that moist start line yesterday morning and many of them pushed through the damp weather, muddy conditions, and the new mileage milestones to cross the equally moist finish line hours later.  I’m proud that the majority of you stuck through all the training and it paid off.  This was the 5^th time I was at Hat (3^rd time running the entire thing) and the first time under wet/muddy conditions.  So, I could easily say that the conditions this year were not ideal.  I will say that I did enjoy myself and felt pretty strong mentally and physically.

I went into this event with the same mindset as the previous year, have fun, run with fun people, and get to the finish line in one piece.  I achieved each of those goals with a PB (Personal Best).  Yeah I said PB!  I’m bringing the PB back, not sure where it went, or how it fell off, but at some point the PB gave way to the PR (Personal Record).  Isn’t this a tad backwards?  Think about it, Records got replaced a long time ago by cassettes because they were better.  So, why does it make sense that Personal Records replace Personal Best.  You really think about a lot when you’re out on those trails for 5 hours and 19 minutes (my PB). 

This year will be my last time running Hat in its entirety for quite some time, I will return each year as a last half pacer if need be, but I really need to focus on completing the 50 marathons in 50 states and the only way I can do that is if I replace Hat with a Spring marathon in addition to my Fall marathon.  Well, I’m off to hit the books once again, before Allyson and I head off to get well deserved, full body massages!

Till we run into each other again…

Hat Run

Me after my first Hat Run 50K

I’m sitting here contemplating taking a nap or doing school work, when I decided to pay my daily FaceBook visit.  I scroll down to view what all my runners are doing and after I sort through all Mike Gross’ Garmin and Nike post of one run, I come across Charlotte being thankful that her last training run is done before The Hat Run 50k.  I open it up to see all types of well-wishers trying to convince Charlotte that she will be fine.  I think to myself this is very nice of her friends and family and then I see a comment from Charlotte stating she doesn’t feel as if she’s put enough training for this race.  I would like to take this moment (right before I bore you with my running update) to say to everyone going to Maryland Saturday to attempt an Ultra marathon that this is remarkable in itself.  I remember when Chris Mortensen approached a group of us before a Winter Series race in 2006.  He started talking to us about how he loved this 50k trail run he did the previous year and was doing it again in March.  He asked the group of us still foolishly standing there if we would do it.  We all said yes and the following year I stuck to my word and signed up for an “Ultra Marathon.”  Just the sight of those two words side by side was enough to shoot chills down my spine.

 I trained just as I had for previous marathons with the addition of bumping up the miles on the long runs from 20 milers to 24 milers and the incorporation of walking up hills to simulate all the walking that would take place on the hills at the Hat Run.  As the date of the race got closer I started thinking to myself that I was absurd for agreeing to do this and I was stressing a tad more with each passing day.  I wasn’t able to relax until my friends started telling me they believed in me.  With them believing in me I was able to use the encouragement to reinforce my confidence.  By the morning of the race I was nervous, but still confident.  I finished the race with Allyson pacing me for the last loop and was now considered an “Ultra-Marathoner.”  I thankfully was not bitten by the ultra-bug, but I did return the next two years to help the others in that group that agreed to do this race back in 2006.  I was able to tell of my experience and add encouraging words to them in addition to pacing them in the last loop of the race.  I again returned last year because someone challenged me to race them and due to an injury they had to scratch, but I was able to run with my best friend for five and a half hours and enjoyed every minute of it, making each other laugh as we reminisced of our high school cross country days and shared laughs.  This is my plan again this year, I plan to run on some great trails and just enjoy myself and the runners around me. 

The point of me sharing this is the same reason for my sharing of my training for the Pocono marathon, to help you the reader to become confident in your abilities.  I want all you first time ultra-marathoners to take those two words and not allow them to intimidate you, but rather use those two words to energize you and to envision them next to your name.  I believe in each and every one of you and I want you to know that no matter how this race plays out for each of you this Saturday I am proud of your efforts and your ambitions to attempt the unknown.

Now back to our normally scheduled program…

I’m a tad behind in the blog universe and after going on about this Saturday’s Hat Run 50K, I’m going to attempt to keep this short and sweet.  Last weekend was a good weekend.  Did the trail run in Washington Crossing where I finished with 6.66 miles the second time in my running story that this combination of a single number was presented to me, the other time was on my bib at the Revolutionary 10k Run, just across the bridge from where I was presently standing, very strange.  Sunday, I did a long run with a good group of runners we did 17 miles to give me a total of 23 for the weekend. 

This week has been pretty much a taper to help prepare for 31 miles this Saturday at the previously mentioned Hat Run.  I took Monday off, but did a 5 mile speed workout at the New Hope High School track.  I wanted to test the track out before committing to it for the next couple of months.  The track was very nice and as promised had two port-a-pots which is a great selling feature for any runner.  I took a few spins around the track, doing 1000 repeats with 400 rest laps in between.   The ride to the track was a nice scenic one, with not much traffic, but the downside being its 25 minutes away where Council Rock South is only 5 minutes.  I have not made up my mind completely on this track, still waiting to hear back from two closer options.  Wednesday was a Rest Day and tonight will be my last run before Hat, going to do a Hill Workout starting from Council Rock North at 6PM, come on out and join me.

Till we run into each other again…

hmm...me think cookie good

“If you guys are running anywhere in the Poconos and need to stay overnight, I have a house that I rent that sleeps 12+.”  I thought I would start this post off with a good laugh for everyone.  That was an email I received yesterday afternoon from the woman at Council Rock that yelled at me for using the track without paying.  Apparently she thinks that I should consider renting more than tracks from her now. 

Let’s rewind back to my Wednesday afternoon run shall we.  The plan had me doing 10 miles so, I went to Tyler (I know big surprise.).  I actually ran a pretty fast first 5 mile loop doing the 5 miles in under 35 minutes which I have the great weather to thank for that.  When I got back from the first 5 miles I headed to my car to take a swig of water before heading back out for the last 5.  On my way to the car I spy Boston Pete (the guy always has at least one article of clothing with Boston Marathon printed on it, while running).    I approach him and he gives me the finger(not the middle one this time) because he is on the phone with what I’m thinking is his wife.  Once they say their I love you’s and give smooches, I’m able to say hello and ask him if he has started running yet.  He responds with a no and he joins me for my last 5 miles.  The last 5 miles go smoothly and I’m grateful to have had Boston Pete for company. 

10 miles today 11 tomorrow.

Thursday, was the typical hill workout day.  I needed to do 11 miles, so I arrived at the high school earlier than the group to get 6 miles in.  The 6 miles went well, stuck with the usual run over to Tyler for 3 miles and then back.  I stretched before heading over to the hill with the group.  We did 6x400 repeats and the workout was my best hill workout of the year.  I was able to stay with Winter Series 2012 Champion Andy Shapiro for the entire workout.  This is unheard of for me, I have tried several times to hang with Andy for an entire hill workout and I have only lasted as far as the half-way point until this night.  I’m not sure what or who to credit my break out achievement. Was it the whole box of Entenmann’s cookies I snacked on while watching the NCAA tournament that day?  Or was this just pure luck of the Irish a few days early?  Whatever was the cause, I’m thrilled it happened.  Performances such as this, help runners build confidence.  I will be able to take this confidence and build from it going forward.  I hope that all of you can find a positive performance of your own and allow it to rouse your confidence. 

Till we run into each other again…

Scene 2 plus Speedster Track Update.

My birthday isn’t till the end of the month, but when we got home from CT there was a package waiting on the doorstep.  Allyson said it was my birthday gift and that I could open it!  I didn’t hesitate, I tore open the box and what do my wondering eyes see?  A Nike GPS watch!  I have been hinting about this watch for quite some time (October to be exact), when I got to play with it at the Chicago Marathon Expo.  My Garmin has been on the fritz for a while, even after I sent it back to Garmin to get fixed it still acted up.  It’s funny to think back to before I wore a watch of any kind, to now where I want to have a watch with GPS and some style.  The Nike watch does just that, I want to wear it out and about even if I’m not running.  I took it for a spin an hour after I got it.  Went to Tyler and did the “Thompson Loop” as the first run together (couldn’t think of a better loop to bond on).  Last night I plugged it in after my 10 mile run at Tyler and Allyson Felix came on my Computer screen and commended me on a great 10 mile run!  Will be showing it off I mean using it tonight for my 11 mile run that will combine a 5 mile relaxed pace and 6 miles of hill training, looking forward to it.

Till we run into each other again…

Speedster Season Update:

I’m still in the works to find us a home this spring.  I might have a nice track with lanes and bathrooms (port-a-pots) in the works, but waiting to hear back on a couple of other closer locations first.  We may be forced off the Council Rock tracks permanently, spoke to a woman from CR and she freaked on me for using their track these past two years without permission and without paying $100 a night.  I tried to explain that we didn’t know and that I assumed we could use the track as tax payers in this area, but because we’re an organized group (organized she should come out and see for herself that the majority of you are not organized) we have to pay a fee of $100 each time we use it.  I was not happy with this lady and how she came at me, but surprisingly I kept my cool.  I told her I wasn’t aware that we needed to pay to use it as a group and that I would get back to her on our future usage.  I find this very depressing, because that location was perfect for us.  If anyone has connections in the Council Rock School District and think you can get this fee waived or reduced that would be great.  I really don’t want to charge you the athletes for something that should be free.

CT goes to CT...

Woods behind the MGM.  This picture was taken from our room.

 

Last time I left you I was planning on a long run in Tyler Park on Friday afternoon, before heading to Connecticut.  Well, I foolishly didn’t eat lunch before heading out with Allyson for a 16 mile run and 3 miles in my body reminded me of this.  I started to feel weak and dizzy and decided to call it a day at 5 miles.  Traded the rest of my run in for Chick-fil-a, but I didn’t sacrifice my miles I just moved everything around some more.  I swapped my rest day with Saturday and manned up and did my 16 mile long run in Connecticut on Sunday.  Allyson and I ran all around the town of Norwalk through little strip malls in town until the neighborhood started to look sketchy.  I always say that my street smarts outweigh my book smarts, so when my eyes start to see boarded up store fronts, graffiti, and burnt down and abandoned homes the message was received and the legs knew that it was time to turn around and head back.  Once we got back to where we were staying we ran through a nice section of homes where all the street signs were named with “wood” which got my mind thinking that if we’re running on EastWood past BoxWood will we at some point run onto MorningWood?  Once we’re out of the “woods” we finished with a strong 16 miles.  As you all can probably contest to, getting your training runs in while away can be tough, so I was proud of Allyson and myself for getting up and getting it done.  We stuck around for lunch and to watch the Sixers spank the Knicks, before hitting the road to expand our trip of CT.  We drove 90 minutes up 95 North to the FoxWoods (Woods again!) where we stayed 2 nights at the very nice MGM casino and hotel.  Allyson and I both enjoy playing black jack every so often and have been known to win some money doing it (this was not one of those times).  We may not have won any money, but we did win his and hers watches and had a really good time.  We headed back Tuesday morning and did a 5 mile run in Tyler Park with my Birthday present!  To be continued…