tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79867103547212564412024-03-12T09:52:21.827-04:00Through a Running LensReflections, reviews, and comments on running and lifewyldrunner@Through a Running Lenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04986015389913810775noreply@blogger.comBlogger132125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7986710354721256441.post-8975407782942491572016-02-04T12:46:00.000-05:002016-02-04T12:46:35.825-05:00(Finally) A Race Report: Newnan’s Lake 15k<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXhEnj_OJiMEpOVyBTf472OLcqdHVispxVG2Rik6mMNGwajOMuaHk7lwd_ODAhn1y0phxbJ4SOb_QV1wcXKJ7ViYLbzSn-Za0DxSOH5h2rEOf_VWiIOS6q7_6qD4JVQ_ppu2_X1S_qgz_M/s1600/logo.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXhEnj_OJiMEpOVyBTf472OLcqdHVispxVG2Rik6mMNGwajOMuaHk7lwd_ODAhn1y0phxbJ4SOb_QV1wcXKJ7ViYLbzSn-Za0DxSOH5h2rEOf_VWiIOS6q7_6qD4JVQ_ppu2_X1S_qgz_M/s1600/logo.PNG" /></a></div>
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One of my favorite parts of writing this blog used to be the
race reports, as was evident by the number of those I used to post.
Unfortunately in the last year or so, I haven’t felt much like doing race
reports. A lot of that was because the races weren’t going well for me. Now
sometimes when a race doesn’t go well, it can be entertaining (“I lost my left
shoe in the mud at mile 10 but soldiered on to the end by wrapping a banana
peel around my foot and securing it with duct tape”), but the type of bad races
I was having don’t make for good entertainment.
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However, after some time off to regroup, I am feeling a
little bit, just a twinge, like I maybe could get enthusiastic about racing
again. When I recommitted to resurrecting the blog this year, I also committed
myself to getting re-acquainted with road racing (while still keeping a hand in
at the trail races I love so much). One
of my goals for 2016 is to run at least one road race a month for the
year. The only problem with that was
that it was January, and I was woefully out of shape. </div>
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So there I was, scouring the Internet late at night, looking
for a race that was as close to the end of the month as I could get, preferably
a 5k, when up popped “January 30 – Newnan’s Lake 15k – Gainesville.” Did I ever
mention that 15k is my favorite race distance? Well, it is. Although I was
nowhere near in 15k shape, I could not let a semi-local one pass me by. I
clicked on the link. </div>
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“One of the prettiest 15k races in the state,” the site
said. “Flat” it said. “Nearly perfect weather every year,” it said. Hmmmm. It sounded promising. “But wait,” the voice of reason in the back
of my head said, “Hasn’t your longest run in like six weeks been only 6 miles.”
“It is only three more miles,” my ultra voice said, “Piece of cake.” “Are you
crazy?” my racing voice asked? “I’ll
think about it,” I said to the voices in my head.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwEl_3QvE8ahSLiKtVYI4lTtWqHFCNmvCzbu_lj5cInwlDBNxTejmSMxGx4OvJOKgnP8WTaGpYTmm5B8n1y3njqYQeip0nSjANWDgmrIH1XV2ydMEM7bL8ukezvl4HYv6HMnymGBtv6JUD/s1600/Newnans+lake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwEl_3QvE8ahSLiKtVYI4lTtWqHFCNmvCzbu_lj5cInwlDBNxTejmSMxGx4OvJOKgnP8WTaGpYTmm5B8n1y3njqYQeip0nSjANWDgmrIH1XV2ydMEM7bL8ukezvl4HYv6HMnymGBtv6JUD/s200/Newnans+lake.jpg" width="165" /></a>To think about it, I went out for a run with a friend of
mine from Michigan who is down doing the snowbird thing. He is also on the
comeback trail and having similar ambivalence about both training and racing.
You know what happens when you put two runners together, right? The next thing
you know the race is entered and the plans are made. Nothing to do now but show
up and hope I don’t die. </div>
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Race morning dawned cold (at least by Florida standards) and
beautiful. I bundled up in several
layers and headed out at dawn to meet my friend Jim and head to the race site.
We got to the site plenty early. The race was located at a boat ramp and park
on Newnan Lake, which is outside Gainesville and close by the Payne’s Prairie
Preserve State Park. Headed to packet
pick-up we got a taste of how pretty the race would be, as the sun was just
rising over the lake. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_N4aP3h6U_SFp1cucEgYIIlFNzzCFEKIBexgIzf7pQdP6q94XIHIbpf3T_VlcxxCeUdqthwLsTB5sr8LHxgw3-kE1GGDIrqCz0a_2NgBzJIYWivz1qWxAnmtOLfAromMveGy4u1nlP6cX/s1600/Newnans+lake+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_N4aP3h6U_SFp1cucEgYIIlFNzzCFEKIBexgIzf7pQdP6q94XIHIbpf3T_VlcxxCeUdqthwLsTB5sr8LHxgw3-kE1GGDIrqCz0a_2NgBzJIYWivz1qWxAnmtOLfAromMveGy4u1nlP6cX/s320/Newnans+lake+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Jim and I met up with a friend of his and her friend. We did the obligatory selfie, and then we were off at a sprint for the last pit stop (the only warm up I did) and then the starting line. </div>
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The race had that small race vibe that I love. The results
show that there were 359 finishers this year, which for me is a good number –
big enough that there are always people in sight, but small enough that it is
not crowded. Even at the start, where the entire field had to cross the
starting mats to activate their chips, there was not much of a bottleneck. </div>
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The course itself is an out and back, with a little
connector section of tr<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a>ail included in the out section
that you don’t have to cross on the back. The early part of the course is on
the perimeter road for the lake, which made for a really pretty start and
finish, just as advertised. It was a particularly enjoyable start, as we loped
along the edge of the lake, with the sun coming up. The road was tree-lined,
with Spanish moss hanging down from the trees arched over the roadway. Through
the trees the lake, with the slight steam rising and the reflection of the
orange and purple sunrise could be seen. It was enough to make me forget that I
had not trained for a 9.3 mile race…</div>
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I was feeling good, running by heart rate and keeping things
under control, right up until the time that we hit the trail portion around
mile three and a half. We hit that sandy trail and my feet said “Whoohoo!” I ignored the red flashing light on my heart monitor,
picked up the pace, and let my happy feet take over. I came out of the trail section breathing
more deeply than I should have been (which is a polite way of saying I was
sucking wind big time) and hit what was just a slight uphill to the turnaround.
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And that is when the piper decided that he needed to be
paid… I definitely did not have the
conditioning for that little stunt on the trail section. My legs started to
feel like lead. Just then, the leaders started to come back down the other side
of the road. That distracted me… for about 30 seconds. Then it was back to
misery. I wanted to walk. There was no
doubt it was going to happen eventually.
“No… can’t let Jim see you walk.” That is what I told myself. So I focused
all my attention on watching for Jim.
Did I mention Jim is fast? Even with him being out of shape, I was
pretty sure he would be near the front. “Come on, Jim.” I thought, as my legs got heavier and
heavier. </div>
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Finally, I could make out Jim’s tall, lanky form in the
distance. “Thank God.” I took every spare bit of energy left in me to pull my
shoulders back, put a big smile on my face, and yell “Go, Jim,” as he went by.
Then I counted to ten. Then I took a walk break. Finally!! But only 15 seconds
– because despite how I felt, my time really wasn’t looking that bad. </div>
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By now the turnaround was in sight, and I got a pleasant
surprise. Another friend of mine, John, from New York, who was also doing the
snowbird thing, had come out to take pictures and cheer me on. Only problem
with that was that he was at the turnaround, which was at the very tip top of
what I had now decided was a substantial uphill grade (but which my lying
Garmin says was like a 30 ft rise). I
managed a somewhat crooked and very fake smile for the camera, made the turn
and headed back for the second half.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhktN-jfnXsKDS7iwU2Ezen9dVOiOV4xR1vnMPs_-294rxmgj3hCXbMUCLFISxTXLuwWLbABj5VIFL3VCss7cfmKFctrMCiScGGRukbJiAi_-BpQpdMTy5ySzRwJjqD15wiujM-FcRDS5KA/s1600/100_1745.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhktN-jfnXsKDS7iwU2Ezen9dVOiOV4xR1vnMPs_-294rxmgj3hCXbMUCLFISxTXLuwWLbABj5VIFL3VCss7cfmKFctrMCiScGGRukbJiAi_-BpQpdMTy5ySzRwJjqD15wiujM-FcRDS5KA/s320/100_1745.jpg" width="291" /></a></div>
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The second half was about survival. I put my ultra
training to good use and did some strategically paced walking breaks of 15-20
seconds every .5 mile and managed to only lose about :20 seconds off my per
mile average, which I was pretty satisfied with. I got passed by a few people,
but I also passed a few back in the last half mile, where I had enough left to
put on a final push. </div>
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The end result could have been worse. My goal was to try to
run the race in a sub 9:00 pace, which I did (ignoring the fact that this used
to be my long run training pace). I ended up 6<sup>th</sup> in my age group
(out of 24), which also I was fairly satisfied with. We ended up having to stay
for the awards ceremony, though, because Jim (who claimed to be as out of shape
as I was) won his age group.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj77bbqZ2JUFRsqCG1jtKTMScZ7rtNhxgaZGZyGy1bg6ModRdYDIxFNbKhGODOnMYv6R7_qBf4wulAe8DsFWFCPPIcxFZVRdYYnkLnbz0BEv3nkztZOaRVzt_gKgHyCxIfPyNthMOaY62Ou/s1600/Newnans+lake+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj77bbqZ2JUFRsqCG1jtKTMScZ7rtNhxgaZGZyGy1bg6ModRdYDIxFNbKhGODOnMYv6R7_qBf4wulAe8DsFWFCPPIcxFZVRdYYnkLnbz0BEv3nkztZOaRVzt_gKgHyCxIfPyNthMOaY62Ou/s320/Newnans+lake+3.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jim with his award and my photographer friend John in the background.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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All in all, the race lived up to its billing. It is a really
pretty 15k. I would definitely go back and run this one again – when I am in
better shape, of course. </div>
wyldrunner@Through a Running Lenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04986015389913810775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7986710354721256441.post-57794300485223061552016-01-17T11:58:00.000-05:002016-01-17T11:58:49.684-05:00Can The Patient Be Revived? <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw60kmSOeGOLEas4CCN4T598TiAScftFqFd3qdnKgdcY_EH_ARhAKPZgemnVAf7p1uMXaz2CBVE1tSJ4YXd5yTz-e9ZwI0e5WIdkTIx_yf6CZIi41tDRyYBHWdwPAlLbjPdytlyYvbd2nm/s1600/Patient.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw60kmSOeGOLEas4CCN4T598TiAScftFqFd3qdnKgdcY_EH_ARhAKPZgemnVAf7p1uMXaz2CBVE1tSJ4YXd5yTz-e9ZwI0e5WIdkTIx_yf6CZIi41tDRyYBHWdwPAlLbjPdytlyYvbd2nm/s320/Patient.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I just was showing the blog to one of my students last week,
and I realized just what a crappy year 2015 was for me when I saw how little I
have written. Two posts in 2015. Wow! That is horrible! It made me wonder if I
could still call myself a blogger or whether I should just shut down shop and take
off the site. Does anyone really care? Can the patient be saved? After some consideration, I decided that I
would try to revive the blog (and my running) in 2016. <o:p></o:p></div>
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That is not to say that I didn’t do much running in 2015 (I
did), or that some of it was not good (some was). Honestly, though, a lot of it
was not so good, especially in the latter part of the year. <o:p></o:p></div>
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When things are not going well, it is hard to write. I have
had some very supportive comments when I have posted about the bad times in
running, and I really appreciate that, but who wants to be a downer all the
time? And, I still do have some positive things to say. There are some great
races out there that I would like to report on, some great books I have been
reading, products that I have been using, and ideas and observations that I
have had that I would like to share. <o:p></o:p></div>
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So, let’s take a look at the positives of 2015. A year ago
today, I started with a great run and a 2<sup>nd</sup> place finish at <a href="http://througharunninglens.blogspot.com/2015_01_01_archive.html" target="_blank">BearBait Ultra</a>.
It was a great race, and I fully intended to be back there again this year.
Unfortunately, that was probably the high point of the year for me race wise. <o:p></o:p></div>
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During the early part of the year, though, I did have the
opportunity to make some great running friends that have become real joys in my
life. I have met two ladies in particular who continue to add a spark of joy to
my trail running (love you Terri and Maddie!). I also had some really fun times
on the trail. One of those was a trip Terri and I took to a great little race
called <a href="http://www.pinhotitrailseries.com/rockin-choccolocco-50k-and-half-marathon.html" target="_blank">Rockin’ Choccolocco</a> that I hope to do again this year. <o:p></o:p></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigdy6m-9VZwXC2AlaPWjb38_jY8eIiDv5Kt4_CngvEFugf8KOuIAtbMyD-fGmpYx8Kv5eKx7XHFdVCsRdtQrGmIhWktsFh7A9qyPIWkNxMllQdv7CmbWR9upRiX-gzFw5VYXtKLEts0fR4/s1600/North+Country.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigdy6m-9VZwXC2AlaPWjb38_jY8eIiDv5Kt4_CngvEFugf8KOuIAtbMyD-fGmpYx8Kv5eKx7XHFdVCsRdtQrGmIhWktsFh7A9qyPIWkNxMllQdv7CmbWR9upRiX-gzFw5VYXtKLEts0fR4/s320/North+Country.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leslie, Linda, and me at North Country Trail </td></tr>
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I also had a really great experience with my running BFFs,
Leslie and Linda, at <a href="http://www.northcountryrun.com/" target="_blank">North Country Trail Run</a>,
which is an awesome race with equally awesome bling. I really should have
written about that weekend because it was a fun one. </div>
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Until it wasn’t… On the way back to Florida from that trip, I
got really ill – like curl up on the nasty airport carpet to sleep, wheelchair
through the airports – sick. I thought I had food poisoning at the time, but I
now think I might have been dealing with <a href="http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/rhabdomyolysis-symptoms-causes-treatments" target="_blank">rhabdomyolosis</a> brought on by a combination of dehydration and the downhill pounding of the
hilly trail which my flatlander legs were not prepared for. In hindsight, to continue with my plans to attempt a 100 miler a few weeks later was probably
not the best thing to do.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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Despite the fact that I had some wonderful support and good
company (thanks John), I crashed and burned at my first 100 mile attempt at
Race for the Ages. I started very conservatively with a walk-run strategy from the
beginning, but by 10 hours, my legs had completely given out. I was slogging
around barely moving my legs. Yes, I did realize that most of the other people
were slogging around barely moving their legs too, but really I had no desire
to continue with that activity for another 20 or 30 hours, which at the pace I
was moving is what it probably would have taken to complete the 100 miles. That
is just not why I am running, and saying that I had done a 100 miler was just not that important to me. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNFCk4Qv7OSDe1UXmHxvXG1NG0pUQj82o40EgJ_nVUyi576YS5ktwgAF1ZwW82r8YFCYmMWcexhKH52qaML2mWYTYK6TgzRWQKBQeyblb9upJnNSMch9OzIv2LCuv_Yon2BdC6hlrcPkrQ/s1600/questions.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNFCk4Qv7OSDe1UXmHxvXG1NG0pUQj82o40EgJ_nVUyi576YS5ktwgAF1ZwW82r8YFCYmMWcexhKH52qaML2mWYTYK6TgzRWQKBQeyblb9upJnNSMch9OzIv2LCuv_Yon2BdC6hlrcPkrQ/s200/questions.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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However, this did send me into an existential crisis that I am still
dealing with. Why do I run? Where is the line between pushing oneself to
achievement and just pushing oneself for no good reason? (I know suffering is
part of achievement, but when suffering is just for the sake of not quitting,
is it still noble or is it just stubbornness?) Is it important to me to just
finish a distance, no matter how long it takes or what shape I finish in? Does
speed matter, or is it all about the distance? If a goal/hobby is not bringing
joy, should it remain a goal? And, do I care what other people think about my
personal answers to these questions? <o:p></o:p></div>
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These were the questions that I was struggling with through
the end of 2015. Through on top of that a stressful job situation and a husband
who was hospitalized twice, and the running kind of fell apart. In the past,
the running would have been a stress reliever from these personal problems, but
because of my running-related ambivalence, it was not even performing that
function. So, I took some time off. I think I ran twice in November and maybe
three times in December. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Thankfully, the job situation turned out very well (I got
the job of my dreams!), my husband is recovering from his illness, and … the
desire to run (and to write about running) is slowly returning. I am optimistic about 2016! <o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja3IJqQ_jkY8bFB_zIiJ5oSVCDdbcVXeu6N0OLrUfyuEZjHp5j8MkzrI29MohuoSZTX7OqHcyY6gbpjQur8r3KpQfzXNnmOfoLmeElUgXv-3UfBz0zWRrSbLv0Wyy_MrFilwBEw-ZQtaBw/s1600/starting-over.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="369" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja3IJqQ_jkY8bFB_zIiJ5oSVCDdbcVXeu6N0OLrUfyuEZjHp5j8MkzrI29MohuoSZTX7OqHcyY6gbpjQur8r3KpQfzXNnmOfoLmeElUgXv-3UfBz0zWRrSbLv0Wyy_MrFilwBEw-ZQtaBw/s400/starting-over.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Image from http://jessicabowsernelson.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/starting-over.jpg)</td></tr>
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wyldrunner@Through a Running Lenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04986015389913810775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7986710354721256441.post-58155045266116304222015-06-06T14:44:00.001-04:002015-06-06T14:46:59.658-04:00The Ups and Downs of Running<div class="MsoNormal">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNwPpKffee_sUkqcwginuCtyJF0efrGPshKI9vKX_jlouKqWvlz4nwwM9XGXGmj9CM-yTItIELQ6KX0USL_EujgUVIevDabsVz8oaXoVAOgiIEYIfuk3pEXU_0C9vugFqVk9Labtqw2Air/s1600/Ups+and+downs.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNwPpKffee_sUkqcwginuCtyJF0efrGPshKI9vKX_jlouKqWvlz4nwwM9XGXGmj9CM-yTItIELQ6KX0USL_EujgUVIevDabsVz8oaXoVAOgiIEYIfuk3pEXU_0C9vugFqVk9Labtqw2Air/s400/Ups+and+downs.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Today is the day that I didn’t run the Kettle Morraine 100. For most of the last year getting ready for a 100 miler and then this particular 100
miler had been a major goal in my life and in my running. For most of the time
the training was going well, and by all indications it appeared that I would be
ready as scheduled. Twice, once in the fall and once in the winter, I ran my
fastest 50k times since 2003 (and my second and third fastest 50ks ever). I was definitely on a running high. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Then I hit the 50 mile training race in April, and things
began to unravel. I had a DNF. After my second not-so-successful attempt at 50 miles, I realized that I was not ready to run 100 miles (and may
not ever be – the jury is still out on that one). This put me into a bit of a
tailspin in regards to my running. As I
sit this weekend and follow my acquaintances on Facebook who are running Kettle
Morraine and other 100s this weekend, I am definitely at a low point.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">At the same time, one of the runners I have been coaching
for quite a while has been going through her own set of struggles. Life
encroached on her running, as it does for all of us at time. She started
missing runs and gaining weight, and pretty soon she was in a bona fide running
slump. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">These events represent the ups and downs of running that we
all encounter if we run long enough. Most runners start out experiencing mostly
the ups. I mean there are always bad days and hard runs, but for the first few
years running is usually a pretty exciting and motivating activity. There are
new people to meet, new races to run, with the accompanying PRs, and all kinds
of new gear to buy. Life is good. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Eventually, though, things change. Sometimes it is injury,
sometimes work or family, sometimes ill health (ours or that of someone we care
about), sometimes it is achieving a long sought after goal and feeling at a
loss for what to do next, and sometimes it is other interests, but if a person
runs long enough, he or she will eventually experience the downs. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Sometimes the ups and downs are short-lived. Sometimes after a few weeks off from running,
you think “Wow, I really want to get out there and run!” Other times they can
last a while. If you checked out my race results on Athlinks and Ultrasignup,
you would see that the years from 2005 to 2010 represented my longest running
slump ever. I had some triathlons in 2007 and a few races in 2008, but most of
that time I was not running regularly. I was in a slump that I could not seem
to crawl out of. Every time, I would get myself going again, something else
would pop up to push me back down. At times I was not sure I would ever get
back to regular running again. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Whether or not a person continues running when faced with
the downs has a lot to do with how they handle these downs. Many people just
quit. I meet a lot of people who say
things like “Yeh, I used to run, but…”
These are often the people who were not able to sustain their desire for
running through these down times. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A lot of whether or not a person continues running at this
time is related to why a person runs. If the running was for extrinsic reasons
(approval and attention of others or because someone they know talked them into
it initially), it is not likely that the desire to run will survive. Usually
this person just moves on to another activity. However, if the motivation was
intrinsic (a real enjoyment of and joy in running) then the desire to run is
likely to survive. It is not gone. It is just dormant for a while.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7aPUz7x9Sh1W1tYO80cQjSgdpkTfy1lEMgjxfTCQoa6WrhhezaE6hYiuKCWzTGzDWbjyYVEPYraD6Tz4qExvi4UO1BBsWq4r6RpQ1OLcM_UIlesXjN4usqVYIc8hQHJLI2S92zWLYCbpA/s1600/Motivation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7aPUz7x9Sh1W1tYO80cQjSgdpkTfy1lEMgjxfTCQoa6WrhhezaE6hYiuKCWzTGzDWbjyYVEPYraD6Tz4qExvi4UO1BBsWq4r6RpQ1OLcM_UIlesXjN4usqVYIc8hQHJLI2S92zWLYCbpA/s400/Motivation.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">So what can runners do who are experiencing the downs of
running. Well, first of all, be patient and know that this too shall pass. Use the time to reconnect with some of the
things that might have gotten pushed to the back burner while the attention was
focused on running. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">There is also trying new ways to enjoy running. Train for a triathlon or duathlon. If you run
on the roads, try the trails. If you have been doing trails, enter a few road
races. If you have been going long, go short for a while. Run without a watch. Run in new places.
Volunteer to run with some kids or volunteer at a race. All of those things can
help keep you in touch with running. I am using all these things to help me get
through the slump. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">What about you? What do you do to get yourself past the “downs”
in your running life? </span><o:p></o:p></div>
wyldrunner@Through a Running Lenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04986015389913810775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7986710354721256441.post-82233116988537224732015-01-24T18:18:00.003-05:002015-01-24T18:27:38.972-05:00Race Report: Bear Bait Ultra (My Birthday Race!)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvttgeS3x2XHhcagCl3e5CT2LqEhpEpt8sMu3CFyaCeGqTAKI5A_V1ajC-7i8cEkT397Z0Ij_WBLkFyYPQqRH6RsbWPqvYJtGX04wGGLtcsuPPgK2A54PeC5Wy-tlpfaePO1mlXmlj_iRI/s1600/bear+Bait.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvttgeS3x2XHhcagCl3e5CT2LqEhpEpt8sMu3CFyaCeGqTAKI5A_V1ajC-7i8cEkT397Z0Ij_WBLkFyYPQqRH6RsbWPqvYJtGX04wGGLtcsuPPgK2A54PeC5Wy-tlpfaePO1mlXmlj_iRI/s1600/bear+Bait.jpg" height="320" width="319" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This past weekend was my 53<sup>rd</sup> birthday. I decided to celebrate by doing an ultra. It
is not unusual to do a birthday run, but it is kind of rare that one’s birthday falls on a race day. So, late last summer, when I saw a posting about
an ultra that was falling on my actual birthday, I jumped at the chance to sign
up. Little did I know what a great decision that would be. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The race I found was a small one held up in the Florida
panhandle, just out of Crestview, called <a href="https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=29610" target="_blank">Bear Bait Ultra</a>. As I read about the
race, I found that they had a 25k, a 50k, and a 50 miler. I immediately decided
that the 50 miler would be a good choice, and that rather than the 50 miles I
would attempt 53. My decision was solidified when I read about the course. It
was 4 mile loops (I like loops, and 4 miles is a great distance for them) and
in what looked like a really pretty place. I was marginally familiar with the
area because my daughter-in-law and her husband live not too far from there in
Baker, and I knew that the forests up there had some good running. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After I signed up, I joined their <a href="https://www.facebook.com/bearbait.ultramarathon?fref=ts" target="_blank">Facebook page</a> where I was welcomed to the race by
one of the race directors, Bo. Right away I was struck by how friendly he
seemed and how helpful in giving information about the race and area. I learned
that the race had been done in prior years but that the race had new race
directors this year, Bo, Dan, and Dalia. It was their first time doing the race
director gig, but they are obviously a bunch of overachievers because the race
was awesome in all areas! I have never seen a race where the directors worked
so hard to take care of all the details and to make sure that each individual
had a great race experience. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ5Z2tvO0qkydkHeduPg23QvQr-phQI0FclkFkZzXILwk9RqNe5zRqkz9fP5HEOeJS9JkYdXfUIeNEengcrI1vyONWO41epRs7IBTMndHQ1NnlCHLFkNRRmmVFMqHgPWUDkiSx-HsB3miB/s1600/race+directors.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ5Z2tvO0qkydkHeduPg23QvQr-phQI0FclkFkZzXILwk9RqNe5zRqkz9fP5HEOeJS9JkYdXfUIeNEengcrI1vyONWO41epRs7IBTMndHQ1NnlCHLFkNRRmmVFMqHgPWUDkiSx-HsB3miB/s1600/race+directors.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Race Directors: Dan, Dalia, and Bo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I felt even better about my decision as time passed. They
set up several training runs, which unfortunately I could not make it up to.
With each run, more and more pictures of the area were posted, and the
trails looked great. Training was going well, and I was looking
forward to the experience. Then in early December disaster struck in the form
of problems with my shoulder, neck, and upper back. Training came to a halt as
I dealt with the pain. I immediately contacted the RD to ask about switching
down. Again he was super pleasant and helpful. He made the switch with no
problem, and I was back on track. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Somewhere during this time, they had also put a picture of
the finishers' “medals” on the site. They were not medals at all but these
absolutely amazing handmade amulets with a bear claw on the front made by
Tracey Thomas who has a company called <a href="https://www.facebook.com/MarvMud" target="_blank">Marvelous Mud.</a> She posted some pictures of the amulets, and on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/MarvMud" target="_blank">her Facebook page</a> even showed pictures of the
amulets and awards before they were fired. </span><span style="font-size: large;">It was really incredible, and I knew
right then that I was finishing the race no matter what because I wanted one of
those amulets for my birthday present!</span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjprDzra9ltTXt8XuBUEPnjriijubxGQjBDgbupA_CObcBgnnOOaoCsmShjNsFAh-Qdboysp5TD4YbJkaj75kqaC_kf9ezcoW6I9Sb7UtoMVCgQ5dR1pm2rcfUQ2DoAvJCGyEvKZx0zyZuB/s1600/amulets.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjprDzra9ltTXt8XuBUEPnjriijubxGQjBDgbupA_CObcBgnnOOaoCsmShjNsFAh-Qdboysp5TD4YbJkaj75kqaC_kf9ezcoW6I9Sb7UtoMVCgQ5dR1pm2rcfUQ2DoAvJCGyEvKZx0zyZuB/s1600/amulets.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I am pretty sure that the black one on the right side is mine :-)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As the weekend approached, I was very excited. I was planning to camp overnight. The race is
at a campground at Bear Lake, but unfortunately it was first come, first serve. I was loathe
to head up without a reservation, so I made one at the nearby <a href="http://www.floridastateparks.org/blackwaterriver/" target="_blank">Blackwater RiverState Park</a>. I made the 5 hour drive up on Friday night and went to packet
pickup. I found the park pretty easily.
Packet pickup was at the pavilion in the campground which would also be the
start/finish area for the race and the location of the aid station on the
course. Packet pickup went smoothly. I finally got to see the shirts for the
event, and they were awesome as promised. Mine was a powder blue Pantagonia,
women’s cut, with the very cool race logo on the front. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGHebccxJHA24COKTd2lxGs8Mh93X3v_TjxTmiD6Vk9W2V6l9-f69RS5toLBbqQXesZGgwCuPu80R-IE9kexGzPUfvVK5-6vxS89atZy6sjNcGDaIkPkH6WGoFF6ro6H_LUy6B8S-D6Cmw/s1600/shirt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGHebccxJHA24COKTd2lxGs8Mh93X3v_TjxTmiD6Vk9W2V6l9-f69RS5toLBbqQXesZGgwCuPu80R-IE9kexGzPUfvVK5-6vxS89atZy6sjNcGDaIkPkH6WGoFF6ro6H_LUy6B8S-D6Cmw/s1600/shirt.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My awesome shirt along with my Performance Enhancing Runnopelli tattoo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I headed out to get a pre-race meal over in Crestview (for
future reference, green Thai curry although delicious is probably not the best
pre-race meal) and then headed back to my campground to hit the sack. I was
car-camping (too lazy to set up a tent), which was a first for me. It was actually more comfortable than I
expected, and 4:30 came quickly. It was cold outside, really cold, like 31
degree cold. I debated for a while the whole tights versus capris thing before
settling on capris. Although it was in the 30s, it was clear, and sun was
predicted. I compensated with lots of layers on top and headed out. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I arrived at the race course and met up with my friend John
from New York who had stopped by to crew for me while on a snowbird escape from
the subzero temperatures. I checked in
and did the usual pre-race messing around but somehow got off schedule a bit.
The pre-race briefing came up before I was quite ready for it. Bo was sweet enough to announce that it was my birthday, but
unfortunately I had run back to the car because I had forgotten my race number.
I made it back in time for the tail end of the course information, but then decided to hit the
restroom again before the start. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">The restrooms were inside the building where it was nice and warm. I
must have been enjoying the heat a bit too long because when I came out, John
said, “They already left.” I was like “What?????” He said, “They already
started.” I was like “Oh shit, which
way?” and off I went. I <i>had</i> paid attention during the briefing (sort
of) but I knew I wasn’t going to be leading the race, so I figured I would just
follow. I had to catch the group!!! The first mile was pretty frantic. I
ignored the numbers on my HR monitor that said that I was way over my target
HR. As I crossed the campground to enter the trail section, I could see the
groups of people spread out across the dam and disappearing off into the woods.
I had no idea how many there were ahead, so I kept passing people until I got
the first mile alert from my watch and then decided I needed to just settle
down. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After the trail got into the woods, it had become a really
nice single track. It was well packed with lots of pine needles in some
sections and fallen leaves in others. There were some roots on the trail, some
of which were a little hard to see because of the leaves, but it was not what I
would call technical. I had been worried about mud on the course because it had
rained heavily two days before the race, but there were really only two spots
which were slightly wet. The rest of the wet spots were covered with a series
of short wooden boardwalks. We had been warned that they might be slippery, but
I did not find that to be true. I usually don’t like running on boardwalks, but
I did like them on the course because they were landmarks to help me recognize
where I was on later loops. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5zC3a30jOK6OGvOpgbwbz-NZr-3TjahHA5nNTuDiHB7HC7ObdLCofYdMSwJmYyXhq2YuNZQ8qD2mFKKh9x5DyF9I9TuhCb5LY0KHXOIRVgx4l6rYwf1JVCZ77iu_TqnfnOb0zv5rPVtu5/s1600/bridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5zC3a30jOK6OGvOpgbwbz-NZr-3TjahHA5nNTuDiHB7HC7ObdLCofYdMSwJmYyXhq2YuNZQ8qD2mFKKh9x5DyF9I9TuhCb5LY0KHXOIRVgx4l6rYwf1JVCZ77iu_TqnfnOb0zv5rPVtu5/s1600/bridge.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a>\</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Another plus to the course was that it is about as flat as
you get on a trail ultra with single track. There was really only one very
minor hill out on the loop, a slight hill up to the finish, and a set of short
up and downs to get from the campground to the dam and up to the single track. </span><span style="font-size: large;">The rest was just really awesome, mostly worry-free, pretty running through
the trees. </span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">There were very few
opportunities to get lost. There was one section on the far side of the lake
where we had to cross a clearing, but the race director had told us to keep
going straight and look across for the flags. It was well marked, and I don’t
think anyone in the race had problems staying on course. One fun thing was that throughout the course the race directors had left us little signs to make us smile, with witty sayings like "You run better than the government" and "If ultras were easy, they would be called your mother," and what I thought was some very sensible advice:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihcxZU42oJpPCP7xxgjFi0eygpIQ9aLmw0a3vw4_rv4NDOs6ZkTO4wJsmenDf3DqWkbRR_D6jN0uEzLFiqLj94TsARkGuEzeqB_4OwSZ8tCxxHCQ4z7vUOHMJKivlaEgIdDfWFeLVR9ksa/s1600/IMG_0600.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihcxZU42oJpPCP7xxgjFi0eygpIQ9aLmw0a3vw4_rv4NDOs6ZkTO4wJsmenDf3DqWkbRR_D6jN0uEzLFiqLj94TsARkGuEzeqB_4OwSZ8tCxxHCQ4z7vUOHMJKivlaEgIdDfWFeLVR9ksa/s1600/IMG_0600.JPG" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The course goes around the lake, with glimpses of the water occurring
quite often. We had started just at daylight, and as we went around the lake
for the first time we were treated to a magnificent sunrise, blue and pink and
orange skies. The cold temperatures made for steam rising off the lake. It was
gorgeous! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBYnuFT7wUpdQOFZbdAc-TSCRQBJhFLksPLNAqpherE5VZmSjBtC2JPnhDpoBgJHfc1bfWemyZDbJvz4ruKshUzTcfFUBc6jqs55l23Hy5JiOxaNvz5ad0RWo0VXLZlFB2C2HNYkf54M_u/s1600/sunrise.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBYnuFT7wUpdQOFZbdAc-TSCRQBJhFLksPLNAqpherE5VZmSjBtC2JPnhDpoBgJHfc1bfWemyZDbJvz4ruKshUzTcfFUBc6jqs55l23Hy5JiOxaNvz5ad0RWo0VXLZlFB2C2HNYkf54M_u/s1600/sunrise.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thanks, Bo!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">After the race got going, things ticked along smoothly for the first couple hours. </span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">I met a few people who I
ran with for a while, including a really nice guy named Chris, down from Fort
Benning, who was doing the 50 mile. The loop I ran talking with him was probably the most pleasant of the whole day. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">There was one aid station on the course, at
the start/finish area. That meant 4 miles between aid, but it was definitely
adequate for the course. It was a cool day, and the aid station was very well
stocked. There was a slight hill across the finish mat and up to the aid
station which was under the pavilion. On every loop volunteers and usually one
of the race directors met me on the hill asking if I needed anything and
offering to fill bottles. I was working mostly from my drop bag, with John as crew (thanks, John!) which was easy
to locate because it was at the pavilion, but the aid table was well stocked
with anything a runner could desire. For most people just carrying one bottle
would be sufficient to have enough fluids to tide one over between aid
stations.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwNoiLXQafW2AFBIx3xGgEJU6XjfBPlLxxMmoAGq9C-LjzLK5zoz2a26zzIhkh_o1ZV-6OKm5kunRII1vuSkLr0L49bNFgz-3YPhOJuGlU-HDjfTupdW0VN7ZJ0xoIBcJH_TgfT6IafETN/s1600/101_0057+(Large).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwNoiLXQafW2AFBIx3xGgEJU6XjfBPlLxxMmoAGq9C-LjzLK5zoz2a26zzIhkh_o1ZV-6OKm5kunRII1vuSkLr0L49bNFgz-3YPhOJuGlU-HDjfTupdW0VN7ZJ0xoIBcJH_TgfT6IafETN/s1600/101_0057+(Large).JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Slight hill approaching the finish line</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">As I said things ticked along smoothly and partially due to
the flatness of the course, I was rolling along way ahead of schedule. I had
decided on a 9 minute run/1 min walk race plan, and after the second loop, I
settled into that. The plan was working well, but I was surprised to be almost
20 secs per mile faster than I had planned to be, with my HR still within my
acceptable range. It went that way until about mile 22. As I was getting close
to the start/finish on loop six, I started getting the all too familiar
electrical impulses in my calves that signal that cramping is imminent. I was
pretty sure I had been taking in enough electrolytes, but had also been battling
a wanky stomach for the last few loops, so maybe not. Then BAM! Out of nowhere I was on the ground.
That was fall #1. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">I got up, with the required amount of cussing, walked to be
sure I had no unusual pains in the spleen region, and headed on. Finally the
aid station came into sight. These really great spectators had been meeting us
at the bottom of the hill on every lap with signs. I did my best to smile as I
approached them, and then SPLAT. I was
on the ground again. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Fall #2. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Right in front of the finish line. With all the spectators
and aid station personnel looking on. DAMN!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">As I went in to the aid station, I yelled at John to give me
an electrolyte cap. I swallowed it down and stopped in quickly to see if <a href="http://www.bodyworksbybull.com/" target="_blank">Bull</a>,
the Active Release Therapy (ART) guy they had on-site, could do anything about
my calf. He was out for a moment. Bo offered to get him for me, but I did not
want to lose any more time. I headed
back out and hoped for the best. I barely made it another mile and my hopes
were dashed. The cramping started in my right calf. The next four miles were a
nightmare of walking, jogging, cramping, and falling. I fell two more times on
that loop. It just went on forever.
Strangely, though, only two guys passed me during that time, so I wasn’t
feeling too bad about anything except that my awesome finishing time was
slipping away. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">When I went into the aid station for the final time, I was
feeling pretty crappy. My stomach was a little sloshy, and I was not feeling like
putting any more in. It had warmed up some, and I felt like I was getting
behind because of the lack of absorption/sloshy stomach. I could not stomach
any more of my sports drink, so I grabbed some water: 5 cups to be exact. It
was cold and went down well. I decided that it was either going to come back up
or get the absorption started. I was cool with either change. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">The last loop started like the previous one, with me doing a
lot of walking and some listless running occasionally. Then somewhere around
about 29.5 miles, I got passed. By a woman. As she went by, I said to myself , “Well,
Lori, how many people are you going to let pass you like that on this loop? Get
your butt in gear.” I took off after the
woman who was quickly disappearing in the woods. Surprisingly, I started to
feel better. I think the water was just what I needed to get all the sugar and
electrolytes going into my system again. I finished out the loop running and
crossed the finish line without anyone else passing me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">I crossed the finish line and knew exactly where I was
headed. I went straight to get some ART on my calves and glute. I had a 5 hour
drive home that afternoon and wanted to do all I could to make sure it would
not be pure agony. I have never had ART at a race before, and I was amazed that
he was there free of charge for the racers. He did an outstanding job of
working on my knotted up areas, and I owe him big time for my comfort on the
ride home. Thanks, <a href="http://www.bodyworksbybull.com/" target="_blank">Bodyworks by Bull</a>! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">I wandered out after the session with Bull feeling pretty
good and headed down to the finish line to get my official time. I also had a
chance to meet the other race directors, Dan and Dalia, and was standing there talking
when Bo came down, tugged on my arm, and said, “Come on, we need you up here.”
I was like “For what?” and then I figured he was probably going to announce my
birthday again or something. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">It turned out to be way better than that. It was for the
awards ceremony. I had not realized it, but I had placed second overall for the
women!!! I was surprised and shocked. I had no idea that I had been doing that
well or that when that woman passed me it had been a pass for the lead! As my
award, I received the most awesome handmade mug! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg718lxqQe-N7V-lhk2n0Ss-_aWpkEurpskl9ZVWx27jHN7dqwyLRqGHX1luGwLQLgXo1KXisxj2HecAcCg_8zGCBvcFaqBWiw7Mxrw0bOt_crF8NiTYjCxRLYIhGe_ZaB_PMZKsW0_cKTf/s1600/IMG_0609.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg718lxqQe-N7V-lhk2n0Ss-_aWpkEurpskl9ZVWx27jHN7dqwyLRqGHX1luGwLQLgXo1KXisxj2HecAcCg_8zGCBvcFaqBWiw7Mxrw0bOt_crF8NiTYjCxRLYIhGe_ZaB_PMZKsW0_cKTf/s1600/IMG_0609.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">That was the icing on the (birthday) cake for me!! What a
great day! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9gWojSgLzwwvq4T3z6dMfwIMO2O5ex0688-MKMVCGoW-MMhfJZeLaeQMKynaumKpXQNa9S8dbKiAy_Jp-DqGE4WKuoJ_qJRmD5DLI2OPFG_nf0ipkcVtTxcr-Z_Fd5AGz4Rja_0bMVivK/s1600/Podium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9gWojSgLzwwvq4T3z6dMfwIMO2O5ex0688-MKMVCGoW-MMhfJZeLaeQMKynaumKpXQNa9S8dbKiAy_Jp-DqGE4WKuoJ_qJRmD5DLI2OPFG_nf0ipkcVtTxcr-Z_Fd5AGz4Rja_0bMVivK/s1600/Podium.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The podium for the 50k: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, left to right</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>The Bottom Line:</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">If you are looking for a nice, small, kind of old-school
ultra on beautiful trails for next January, you should definitely put this one
on the schedule. It is a really great bunch of people putting on a really great
event. The course is flat and has the potential to produce some really fast times. It would be an excellent course for a first-timer at the 50k or 50 mile distance. My advice is to get in on this gem before the word gets out. A quality race
like this is likely to grow. Thanks to Bo, Dan, and Dalia for a fabulous
birthday!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7c4y1SZxY8PfpnJ4L5lVhFtQ39CbeH0G0OUjfUbLQll-a0MY7Ee0lQvTh22XLDAJTJloYRI4_7Jt-jhM1X5QCZIZGS1tISRR7oXwADUUtB9atm270uT9TcGrKGnsO9p7xKLQEUJGLkFMU/s1600/Course+Profile.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7c4y1SZxY8PfpnJ4L5lVhFtQ39CbeH0G0OUjfUbLQll-a0MY7Ee0lQvTh22XLDAJTJloYRI4_7Jt-jhM1X5QCZIZGS1tISRR7oXwADUUtB9atm270uT9TcGrKGnsO9p7xKLQEUJGLkFMU/s1600/Course+Profile.JPG" height="201" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So when I said "flat," I wasn't kidding. :-) </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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wyldrunner@Through a Running Lenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04986015389913810775noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7986710354721256441.post-3890486861968175902014-10-24T16:45:00.002-04:002014-10-24T16:45:49.621-04:00Race Report: John Holmes 50k (aka My REAL Maffetone Test)<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRutc2EPKj2ukx6xE84RolzAUtsNrZbLZVTCX2DQ7xhjfr-E9OICeYMXjsXcSDd-SEwlx8tCV_aaSw_tvCctcNKulZl7DOX1wf3P1frpBjw5S7tlElb1mYQoAD17zKJ04MOva78PY6aX2Y/s1600/John+Holmes.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRutc2EPKj2ukx6xE84RolzAUtsNrZbLZVTCX2DQ7xhjfr-E9OICeYMXjsXcSDd-SEwlx8tCV_aaSw_tvCctcNKulZl7DOX1wf3P1frpBjw5S7tlElb1mYQoAD17zKJ04MOva78PY6aX2Y/s1600/John+Holmes.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finisher Glass and Tech Shirt </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I realize that it has been awful quiet over here lately.
That is partially a function of the state of my running and partially a
function of the rather quiet summer running season here in Florida. With the
temperatures cooling down some I was able to do my first race of the season,
the <a href="http://www.johnholmestrailrun.com/" target="_blank">John Holmes 50k</a>. This race served two functions. It got me back to the type
of running I love (trail ultras), and it also gave me a chance to get an
updated Maffetone test of sorts, which was long overdue (as one recent comment
on the blog pointed out). <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
First let me give a quick recap. I have been training by
heart rate since late January as I started on my quest to regain fitness after
a move and layoff. I became intrigued by the method of Phil Maffetone, which I
talked about <a href="http://througharunninglens.blogspot.com/2014/01/rebuilding-my-aerobic-base-maffetone.html" target="_blank">in another post</a>. I spent the entire spring and summer training
aerobically. Early in the process, I did a test and noted the slight
improvement in fitness, but I did not do follow-up tests because the weather got
hot, and my paces at the training heart rate slowed down because of this.
Testing would have been pointless because it would not really represent what
was truly happening in terms of conditioning. I just soldiered on trying to
prepare for a September marathon. It was a disastrous failure because although
I was aerobically fit, my quads and calves had other ideas about a severely
downhill marathon that I was not prepared for.
Even before the DNF, though, I had already decided that would be my last
road marathon. I just could not wait to get back to trails and ultras!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFPEcSHNd_aWj3CsDB-CtPGmPKFp_ImliWU1y82EtDXi5NL2lXvJS-M8S7WHLCgZB2uLe0bT4xyhCdgqO0qemgk5yjlVD-jEETJhrLL01Eej7L8GSFiN-y0xY8O9vXJnZ9bpRmqrzhwavu/s1600/Croom.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFPEcSHNd_aWj3CsDB-CtPGmPKFp_ImliWU1y82EtDXi5NL2lXvJS-M8S7WHLCgZB2uLe0bT4xyhCdgqO0qemgk5yjlVD-jEETJhrLL01Eej7L8GSFiN-y0xY8O9vXJnZ9bpRmqrzhwavu/s1600/Croom.JPG" height="200" width="150" /></a>Fast forward to October and cooler weather in FL. I was entered to run my first 50k since my streak of 50ks in 2012. The John Holmes 50k is on what can be considered a “local”
course for me, as it was only about 30 miles from my house in the <a href="http://myfwc.com/viewing/recreation/wmas/cooperative/croom" target="_blank">CroomWildlife Management Area</a>.
The course itself is a 7 mile loop, done four times (obviously) with short
portions at the beginning and end to make up the mileage and get to and from
the trail portion from the start/finish. I had not been down to the park to
run, but I had seen pictures and read the descriptions. The course is pretty
typical of this part of Florida: packed sand trails, mostly single track, pine
and cypress trees, a few hills, a few roots here and there to keep it interesting,
lots of sun by midday. The race was small. As per the site, the field is
limited to 250 runners. The results show 79 in the 50k, with the rest spread
over the 16 mile and 9 mile options.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I went to the race by myself, hoping to meet a few runners
from the FUR (Florida UltraRunners) group on Facebook. My approach was very low
key because this was just meant to be the first of several events used as training
runs for a 50 miler (<a href="http://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=29610" target="_blank">Bear Bait 50 miler</a>)
that I will be doing on my birthday in January. I was hoping to try out a few
things to see things to see how they would work for the long haul. One was to
try out racing by HR rather than pace. A second was to work on refining a
run/walk strategy that would work to keep me going strong through the entire
event. The third was to practice fueling and hydrating more effectively. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I got to the race early.
Start time for the 50k was 7 am, which is not quite daylight here right
now. Unfortunately, for me “low key approach” is also a synonym for “didn’t
bother to pack properly.” One of the things I meant to throw in our race
morning but forgot was my headlamp. I stumbled around in the dark trying to get
ready and use the bathroom, hoping that by the race start I would at least be
able to see my feet. While I was waiting for the start I did manage to meet two
FURs that were parked next to me. Goal one for the race completed. (That may
not seem like a big deal to many of you, but I am pretty shy when it comes to
meeting new people. I hate being the kid on the side of the playground who
doesn’t know anyone.) As weird as it sounds to some who may already know me,
introducing myself was probably the hardest part of the day. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
By the time the race started, it was still a little dark,
but thankfully the first ten minutes or so were on a flat packed sand (or maybe
limestone) road that was nice and white. In the early light it was not
difficult to see where we were headed, and there was not much to trip over. I had decided for this race not to wear a
pack. I knew it was going to get hot, and the aid stations were going to be
close enough together (3 on each loop) that I did not think I would need more
than a hand bottle. I was feeling pretty good at the start, with the cool
temps. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I started mid-pack and just cruised along making sure that
my HR was where it should have been. To keep my ego out of this equation, I had
set my watch so that I could only see my HR and my lap time (so I would know
when to walk). I promised myself I would
not peek at the other screens that showed pace, and even late in the race when
I was wondering if I was going to break 6 hours, I resisted the temptation to
check. (Okay, so I might have had a little bit of a time goal in mind, but I
wasn’t chasing it. I was taking what the HR would give me.) <o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyVVdlGNYW2ghKqnVKh5MZ4TOIWhLaFAWrWzfugIYKSCnHdS2Lws7UBdC2vW_tfXuvOWBsfCZnNVjbhRv6PRUhs2gBjwE-BK9exxLpv9hDIt9K6eowiYhN4hg73L80Yy_2TdDHB5yfkMTI/s1600/John+Holmes+map+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyVVdlGNYW2ghKqnVKh5MZ4TOIWhLaFAWrWzfugIYKSCnHdS2Lws7UBdC2vW_tfXuvOWBsfCZnNVjbhRv6PRUhs2gBjwE-BK9exxLpv9hDIt9K6eowiYhN4hg73L80Yy_2TdDHB5yfkMTI/s1600/John+Holmes+map+2.jpg" height="281" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
We hit the single track and the first loop went by pretty
happily. I was just trying to get used to the terrain, noting where the hills
were, the placement of the aid stations, and trying to keep my HR down. I was planning
on keeping it right around 65-67% for the first half of the race, then letting
it creep up to no higher than 75% for the latter part of the race. I had also
decided not to use my run/walk schedule until after the first loop, just
walking/hiking on the uphills for the first loop. That seemed to work pretty
well. The uphills were typically :30 to 1:30 in duration, so I felt the
strategy was a good one. The only annoying thing at this point was the number
of people passing me because of the conservative start. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The second loop I settled in. I started my 10/1 run-walk
strategy, with the occasional unscheduled uphill walk. I was eating off the
tables for this race. This is a change in strategy for me, and one of the
things I was testing. I had taken an Immodium as an insurance policy before the
race (also something I had not tried before) and was anxious to see if it would
really work to allow me to eat solid food without those inconvenient side trips
off the trail. At one of the aid stations, one of the FUR runners who was
volunteering had brought cupcakes!! I grabbed one of the mini chocolate ones,
decorated in a Halloween theme, which went well with the ghoul who was guarding
the aid station (pretty scary by the third time around), and decided to just go
for it. Just in case that wasn’t tempting fate enough, I also grabbed a handful
of M&Ms and headed off. For the next 30 minutes or so, I kept waiting for
the tell-tale rumblings that would normally mean that my digestive system was
not going for the eat and run thing, but they never came. I was ecstatic, and I
took full advantage of the situation by making plain and peanut M&Ms my
fuel of choice for the rest of the race.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Toward the end of the second loop I had a little scare. I
had a stabbing pain at the top of my lower leg, below the knee and kind of on
the inside: new pain in a new place. For a few minutes, I could not run. More
people came flying by me. I asked how far to the aid station, and they said
about a mile. Great. I pulled out my phone to text my friend Leslie that I was
going to have ANOTHER DNF. I was beside myself. My fingers were sweating, and I
could not get the touch screen to work. I heard runners behind me, shoved my
phone in the belt, and tried to jog. Pretty soon I could actually jog. It was still painful, though. As I approached
the aid station I realized I was going to need to go a little further to get
off of the loop and back to the finish under my own power. I grabbed some aid
and walked out of the station, up and down a little hilly part. As I came off
that section, I decided to try to jog again. Amazingly when I started going,
the pain was completely gone! I could not believe it and thanked the running
gods that I had not dropped at the aid station. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The third loop was the worst for me. It was getting hot, and
I was running with the fear that the pain in my leg would come back. I passed a woman who had lost her bottle and who was really suffering in the
heat. I slowed down for a bit to give her a drink from my bottle. I could not
imagine being out there without fluids. I drank my whole bottle way before the
last aid station and was really thirsty by the time I got there. I filled my
bottle took another electrolyte cap and drank, drank, drank. The volunteers there were so great, making
sure I had all I needed. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The fourth loop started, and I started to feel really good. My
HR had risen a bit on the third lap because of the heat and probably some
dehydration, but with only 7 miles to go, and with it still well within the
aerobic range, I was feeling great. I
started to pass people, some of whom were women. That made me feel even better.
My legs were tired, but I was not nearly as wrecked as I was afraid I would be
at that point (with my longest run prior being the 21 miles of the DNF
marathon). The heat was not bothering me
as it appeared to be some of the other people. I mean I was ready for it to be
over, but I was not thrashed. The hardest part for me on this last loop was not
looking at my watch. I was dying to know if I was going to be under my secret 6
hour goal. I thought about how much it would suck if I was 6:01 or something
because I had not known and could have gone harder. But I didn’t look. I shook
those thoughts off and just said, “follow your plan.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The final section of the trail, from the loop back to the
finish line, is a booger. It is uphill and full of the most humongous roots. I
was terrified of this section, not because I am not good on technical trails,
but because ever since the fall where I ruptured my spleen, I am all too aware
that another fall like that could actually result in death or at least a trip
to the ER and surgery (either of which is such a horrible way to end a good race). I ended up power hiking up a lot
of this section, trying to get to the finish line upright. Finally the probably
.5 mile section from hell was finished. The finish line was in sight. I looked
anxiously at the clock, which for whatever reason was not showing a time. I
crossed the finish, hit the stop, and anxiously pushed through the screens on
my watch. HOLY COW!!! Not only did I come in under 6:00. I was at 5:45:48!!!
That is my fastest 50k since 2004!! I
was amazed. About that time, they also told me that I had won my age group,
which also was a super pleasant surprise.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Unfortunately, also at about that time, the overwhelming
soreness hit my legs. I was still walking, but it didn’t matter. The pain was
overwhelming. I stumbled to my car, trying to cope with the pain. It was at
that point that I realized that my "low-key approach" to packing also meant I had
not brought a towel to wipe the dirt, sweat, mud off before changing clothes or
getting in the car. I also did not have any ibuprofen. FUR to the rescue!! Another woman at her car, also a FUR, and someone
who obviously has a better approach to packing than I do, supplied me with the 4
ibuprofen I would need to be able to get in the car and drive home.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There was a fairly robust post-race barbecue and
get-together going on, but I honestly was in too much pain to go over and meet
the people that I was hoping to meet. I headed back to get a bit more diet Coke
and a brownie, check the official time, and then decided I just wanted to see
if I could manage to get myself folded into the car to drive home. (Amazingly, with all the post race pain, I was barely even sore the next day -- weird.) <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
As a whole this race was a huge success and the best test of
the Maffetone method that I could have designed. After 9 months of low HR
aerobic running and with a race that was run by HR, which is the best measure of my true fitness level (rather than pace), I was able to run my second
fastest 50k ever and my fastest 5k since the peak of my fitness in 2004! I can’t wait to see what I can accomplish with
more time training this way and with a higher training volume. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Related posts:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://througharunninglens.blogspot.com/2014/01/rebuilding-my-aerobic-base-maffetone.html" target="_blank">Rebuilding My Aerobic Base: The Maffetone Method</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://througharunninglens.blogspot.com/2014/01/rebuilding-my-base-with-maffetone.html" target="_blank">Rebuilding My Base With The Maffetone Method: Test 1</a></div>
wyldrunner@Through a Running Lenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04986015389913810775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7986710354721256441.post-80326204003512010692014-05-16T11:46:00.000-04:002014-05-16T11:48:31.803-04:00Product Review: Mt. Tam Hands-Free Dog Leash by OllyDog<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><br />
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<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMJaqw7sYkQAEd0GbbepLRZW4uL_XjCzGs0wNDBglCt59BSTydaNRb8Zgije-MFR5cFiYK23iyH7QLd1y_Y3gT_B78oJX9-enZ8yIbg8f8Mz_tTnS4Ng4k8nB0cVoQSemkQGJUeZBsnXN4/s1600/20140114_162148a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMJaqw7sYkQAEd0GbbepLRZW4uL_XjCzGs0wNDBglCt59BSTydaNRb8Zgije-MFR5cFiYK23iyH7QLd1y_Y3gT_B78oJX9-enZ8yIbg8f8Mz_tTnS4Ng4k8nB0cVoQSemkQGJUeZBsnXN4/s1600/20140114_162148a.jpg" height="320" width="216" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bandit and me finishing up a run</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Do you run with your dog? Have you tried a waist leash? If not, this is a product that you will not want to miss. I have been running with my dogs for over 10 years, and this is by far the best hands-free leash I have found. I do have two other hands-free leashes that I had been using for years, but when I got Bandit, I wanted him to have a new one of his own. Now those older ones just hang on their hooks. The Mt. Tam has several unique features that make it work particularly well for smooth running and which have made it Bandit's and my favorite. Let’s talk about what makes it different from other running leashes I have had.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The first thing that you notice about the leash is the elastic bungee section. </span></span><br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005URFTZE/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B005URFTZE&linkCode=as2&tag=thrarunlen-20&linkId=P7QZK3VDUOTUM2JE" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B005URFTZE&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=thrarunlen-20" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">This is one of the best features, particularly if your dog tends to pull. Initially I did not think that this would be a big deal. I mean if a dog pulls, wouldn’t he or she just pull to the end of the bungee. However, this was not the case, at least not with my puller, Rio. For some reason he seems content to stay within the range of the bungee, and when he pulls to the end, tends to come back in.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The bungee definitely helps with a smoother running experience. It allows the dog to move around a bit on the end of the leash without it jerking like a traditional leash would. When I am running with Bandit, he is a little skittish sometimes about things off on the side of the road. This gives him a little leeway without jerking on my waist every time he moves. The bungee also gives him a little extra distance when he wants it but without having extra leash in to be a potential tripping hazard when he comes back close.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Another great feature of the leash is the handle down by the collar. This is great for when I need to pull Bandit close, either when other people are passing, when I get into a heavy traffic area or at a road crossing, or if another dog is approaching. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV_R99QJ8t3s5ELc0K-BEM3Z-RDiissg-Ef93D0CZIhP2BceIjYHkPGl72Mls8f7gdWglYqCmH81f7TNBqYpGIhJwwie7n7VdG4-WV5C7IoEsu8qjSATdLcgPoIe60-mf0TO23EcERDad5/s1600/20140114_162855.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV_R99QJ8t3s5ELc0K-BEM3Z-RDiissg-Ef93D0CZIhP2BceIjYHkPGl72Mls8f7gdWglYqCmH81f7TNBqYpGIhJwwie7n7VdG4-WV5C7IoEsu8qjSATdLcgPoIe60-mf0TO23EcERDad5/s1600/20140114_162855.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">This really helps give a better sense of control. On the leash, as I wear it, there is also another handy loop for my hand about halfway down the leash. I use this one occasionally when cars are passing, just to be sure he is not ranging too far out, or when people are approaching and I want them to see that he is under control without having to change my stride. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The leash is also well constructed. The band itself is only about an inch wide (as compared to about an inch and a half on my other waist leash). This is not really a drawback for me. It feels light around my waist. The adjustment buckles are plastic, and they work very well to easily adjust the length. They do seem durable, but I have to admit that I am on my second version of the leash. I left the leash attached to Bandit one day on the car ride home. He chewed through the waist buckle.(BAD DOG!!!) I think in regular use, and kept out of chewing range, the buckle would be durable. The clip that attaches to the leash is metal, and it works well. The stitching is heavy duty. The handle part down by the collar has a reflective strip to help make us more visible. The length adjusts from 5 to 8 feet, depending on the width of your waist. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The leash is available in a version with a running belt with pouch (for carrying pick-up bags and other essentials). </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I did not get that option because I already had a clip on pouch for that which I have clipped to one of the metal connectors on the leash. It is working well for me now (although I can see how having a pouch to put the full bags in until I find a trash can would beat running with a bag of poop clutched in one hand…). The running belt is also slightly wider, with a spot for the leash to clip on. This would add a little more distance to the leash, which could be a good or bad thing depending. I think the distance on the leash as it is now is perfect. I don’t think I would want it to be any longer, but perhaps if I had a larger dog this might be an advantage. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">If you are thinking about running with your dog, I do think this is an essential piece of equipment. If you run with your dog and have never tried a waist leash, do not wait! You will not regret it!</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbWpFAViOYJqUgYbc0v3xIw-1B4-3zKR_1G1VKobQ6KiYJObXFsMWrXvLn_fp1052fJqm9BEPMq96nPNE4QEJuMfFd5Dk0d2sD9YDMzGefsYmIMo9DOIAnsAcSEvxC0VNIl5KVuD7LXiW2/s1600/Leslie+with+ears.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbWpFAViOYJqUgYbc0v3xIw-1B4-3zKR_1G1VKobQ6KiYJObXFsMWrXvLn_fp1052fJqm9BEPMq96nPNE4QEJuMfFd5Dk0d2sD9YDMzGefsYmIMo9DOIAnsAcSEvxC0VNIl5KVuD7LXiW2/s1600/Leslie+with+ears.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leslie -- on the trail!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">You all know how I love a guest race report, especially when I am doing nothing exciting at all. While I have been sitting at open, my friends have been out having fun without me. This time my usual partner in crime Leslie Miyasato was out doing something that I have wanted to do for a long time but never have -- a 24 hour run. I was able to share the experience with her in a limited way through the parkcam at the race site. Luckily, she has agreed to share the experience with all of us. Enjoy!! </span></i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>I’m back! As many of you may remember from my <a href="http://througharunninglens.blogspot.com/2014/02/guest-race-report-groundhog-marathon.html" target="_blank">GroundhogMarathon report </a>in February, my spring goal race for 2014 is Outrun 24 (</b></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://outrun24.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>http://outrun24.blogspot.com</b></span></span></a>). Outrun 24 is a timed ultra, perfect for someone as velocity-challenged as me (but also perfect for runners and walkers of all abilities and goals). The idea is to see how many miles you can finish in 24 hours, or before you collapse! Well, Outrun 24 is now history, and I survived to tell about it. My goal was to complete 100K, and I now have a shiny new medal (along with some sore muscles and blisters) to prove I did it. Mission accomplished!!!! </b></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEgx33WfflMMHsQ1kkHygFf4pQoAXHqLA1liSAYFCjHHXOCDb_tP-P19CFtY3iakOZ8qDc4P6aWgHNQopltRHLhXY-zkkMK3gDJUqDlHHx9pHeZ7uyAAch_FVkxLC81Vo9ybce9z5sWnT_/s1600/Medal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEgx33WfflMMHsQ1kkHygFf4pQoAXHqLA1liSAYFCjHHXOCDb_tP-P19CFtY3iakOZ8qDc4P6aWgHNQopltRHLhXY-zkkMK3gDJUqDlHHx9pHeZ7uyAAch_FVkxLC81Vo9ybce9z5sWnT_/s1600/Medal.jpg" height="320" width="234" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b> </b></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b> </b></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Outrun 24 is located in Lake MetroParks Chapin Forest Reservation (<a href="http://www.lakemetroparks.com/select-park/chapin.shtml">http://www.lakemetroparks.com/select-park/chapin.shtml</a>), in Kirtland, Ohio. The race course is on a one mile loop. Before you glaze over and decide you would be bored out of your mind going round and round and round, read on! </b></span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b> </b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b> </b></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>I arrived on Friday afternoon to a steady downpour. My plan was to camp (free camping right at the race start, how could a camper like me turn that down?), but after setting up my tent and collecting my race packet, my hotel back-up plan won out. A nice dry bed before my first 100K wasn’t too difficult to talk myself into, especially when it was across the street from Bob Evans. Lori and I have a favorite pre-race meal that includes yummy stuff like biscuits, mashed potatoes and noodles. [<i>So jealous!!</i>] Yep, just what I needed, even though Lori wasn’t there to share it with me. </b></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Fueled, and after a good night’s sleep and I up early and ready to take on my first 100K with about 150 new friends. Outrun 24 racers are a FUN group, as I learned after months of bantering back and forth on the group’s Facebook page. I was excited to put faces with names. I was also curious about the hill I’d be tackling 62 times! </b></span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b> </b></span></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>The race begins at 8:00 a.m on Saturday morning, and ends at 8:00 a.m. on Sunday morning. This year we were treated to cool temperatures and sunshine. After Friday’s rain…..we are talking ideal! </b></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSrnsynTRB5ylv878xFyECZovCDeNoT2FkqWKpcrp7iQQCVUHHIbfgeW1vuYf6WjhiVEbd6My_tORA1PEKkvBusJOKnG4XANnebxZenukryguIQpPRP5vR9Yf5wox7Hdi5R7d8N_WixdPX/s1600/On+the+trail+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSrnsynTRB5ylv878xFyECZovCDeNoT2FkqWKpcrp7iQQCVUHHIbfgeW1vuYf6WjhiVEbd6My_tORA1PEKkvBusJOKnG4XANnebxZenukryguIQpPRP5vR9Yf5wox7Hdi5R7d8N_WixdPX/s1600/On+the+trail+2.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ditching the jacket as the day warmed up. Always stylish though!!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>At 8:00 a.m. we were off. My first goal was to finish 50K in around 7.5 hours, to allow for plenty of time for my second 50K, aka, uncharted territory for me. I knew I’d slow down as the miles increased, and wanted to allow plenty of extra time should I slow to a crawl. Especially with the hill. It’s not that the hill is that long, or that steep. It just seems that it’s getting that way each time you go up it. By the end, my friend Sandy and I were counting how many more times we had to go up it. 3-2-1-happy dance!!!!! </b></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpdz9TPuxiXj7tBjOONzS1fbUvd_-soxWARAfetwO1Nj10wmfFG15y5nDoqMFM980cFMbb-JhWL_C18bMEcnvtSwQ3qxqaSOjBwwvf_Q-2Pba0s7CLFH5yHrQC_baX7Ow3Zqkn4eTJVcHN/s1600/Leslie+and+Sandy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpdz9TPuxiXj7tBjOONzS1fbUvd_-soxWARAfetwO1Nj10wmfFG15y5nDoqMFM980cFMbb-JhWL_C18bMEcnvtSwQ3qxqaSOjBwwvf_Q-2Pba0s7CLFH5yHrQC_baX7Ow3Zqkn4eTJVcHN/s1600/Leslie+and+Sandy.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Sandy and Leslie -- Sorry, no video of the happy dance</b></td></tr>
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>It was time to collect our medals and try to get a few hours of sleep. Lucky me, I had my frost covered tent! Not the best place for post race chill and stiff muscles. Perhaps I should have kept walking. Hmmmm?????</b></span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b> </b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b> </b></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Now, let’s talk about this round and round thing. It’s GREAT! </b></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimq4xShrfYRCQkMsqjpCLiuTIZbPFdj_hwZiXGnJeY-2UXibwENBtkIdGkjKmEE5zIuwqyTJ5L6N-KHP5J2BnjJHXGjGr6jIiioSEk3l6Lp6QVzteHvSxt1CbvyBPONuRKNZFJDphwg60f/s1600/on+the+trail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimq4xShrfYRCQkMsqjpCLiuTIZbPFdj_hwZiXGnJeY-2UXibwENBtkIdGkjKmEE5zIuwqyTJ5L6N-KHP5J2BnjJHXGjGr6jIiioSEk3l6Lp6QVzteHvSxt1CbvyBPONuRKNZFJDphwg60f/s1600/on+the+trail.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Friendly People!</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Not only do you see the same friendly people over and over again (and be in awe of the top runners as they continually lap you and are still running strong into the night hours), you have an aid station every single mile. </b></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>We are talking a GREAT aid station with friendly volunteers. There was no need to pack any of my own food for Outrun 24. I love boiled potatoes, but I also love grilled cheese and pizza. I had to control myself early in the race, so I didn’t overeat. Everything anyone would need for an ultra, from food to GU, was there. </b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Besides great aid, this trail race has another bonus………flush toilets in a heated building. No need to dodge poison ivy and wildlife on this course. I’m now officially spoiled! Another perk is there is no need for drop bags. Set up a tent, set up a table, or just toss your gear on the ground. You’ll pass by every mile. Perfect for those of us that showed up solo. Also perfect if you bring your “crew." They can just chill in lawn chairs and watch you zip by. This makes Outrun </b></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>24 a great family event! </b></span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilsU2ASzt4EbZfGYkSjGmePvat9jghO9ukGPsbOLzPZOcQLw1lDGr8_F9JYaCO6HX6306Sh885vSqFNE9_-YJ2i5_OH8PFRFv_VMuvrSahmHHg6gdpczm6hBnVqkTR3FJDRhHsOu7lcXb4/s1600/Strip.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilsU2ASzt4EbZfGYkSjGmePvat9jghO9ukGPsbOLzPZOcQLw1lDGr8_F9JYaCO6HX6306Sh885vSqFNE9_-YJ2i5_OH8PFRFv_VMuvrSahmHHg6gdpczm6hBnVqkTR3FJDRhHsOu7lcXb4/s1600/Strip.png" height="102" width="320" /></a></b></span></span></div><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>The kids that came to support mom/dad or grandma/grandpa were having a blast cheering for those racing, as well as running an occasional loop. Ditto with dogs and spouses/significant others. I saw happy dogs out for a loop, and a few couples strolling hand-in-hand during the night loops. </b></span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Zack, the race director, with Leslie and Sandy</b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b> </b></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Outrun 24’s race director, Zack does a fantastic job organizing this race. He even personally presents each finisher with their medal or belt buckle. Finisher medals are available for 50K & 100K, and a belt buckle for 100 miles. There are also overall distance awards and age group awards (I won my age group for an added bonus). No matter what your distance goal, this is a great race and I highly recommend it. Think about it for 2015! I know I am (even though I said “never again” at about mile 50). </b></span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b> </b></span></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Congratulations to Leslie on her awesome accomplishment!!! I don't know about you, but I am ready to go for next year!!</i></span></div><b><br />
</b> <span style="font-size: large;"><b>Official blister and chafing prevention for Leslie at Outrun 24: </b></span><br />
<iframe style="width:120px;height:240px;" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=tf_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=thrarunlen-20&marketplace=amazon®ion=US&placement=B001CJX1UY&asins=B001CJX1UY&linkId=3N4MIKXSGA72YCMM&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true"><br />
</iframe> <iframe style="width:120px;height:240px;" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=tf_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=thrarunlen-20&marketplace=amazon®ion=US&placement=B001FPYL8G&asins=B001FPYL8G&linkId=ZHB5MAXXXBRTVTHF&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true"><br />
</iframe>wyldrunner@Through a Running Lenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04986015389913810775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7986710354721256441.post-20312314097769989042014-04-08T10:32:00.001-04:002014-08-22T19:58:06.736-04:00Is It Time to Replace My Running Shoes? <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsCPcwnkp4WIV23dLbKv0MM3WP4yP8-8hRgHmv_3Vy3_865mxSHeIbnHOAe_jNKgPwNd8-TiH1tSHB_zqtlzkpBI30Lk4XCdHNT2icR3kPllqwIsRBCMR75A5E2SsWhigvpIP1LQaGeO5h/s1600/Q+and+A.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsCPcwnkp4WIV23dLbKv0MM3WP4yP8-8hRgHmv_3Vy3_865mxSHeIbnHOAe_jNKgPwNd8-TiH1tSHB_zqtlzkpBI30Lk4XCdHNT2icR3kPllqwIsRBCMR75A5E2SsWhigvpIP1LQaGeO5h/s1600/Q+and+A.gif" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
I have been pretty lax on posting lately because I have been pretty busy with my coaching duties and with my aforementioned "day job." However, I recently got asked to do a question and answer session for a group I belong to, and I realize that some of the questions would actually make excellent posts for here at the blog.<br />
<br />
The first of these was a question about how to know when a running shoe needs replaced. Here is my answer:<br />
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;">Question:</span></b><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"> What are the best indicators it may be time to
buy new shoes? I did a 5k today and the first time I tried running my knees
hurt terribly. When I was jogging <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>last
summer no knee pain. So I am wondering if it may be related to needing new
shoes.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Answer:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>This is an excellent question. It is
possible that it could be time to by new shoes. There are several indicators
that your shoes could be worn, and having little aches and pains on an easy run
(when there is no other apparent cause), could be one of them. For people who
are in tune with their bodies, this is often the first sign. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There are some other ways that you can get a clue. One is to
actually look at your shoes. This may sound funny, but most of us don’t really
look at our shoes. No, it is not just because we are out for the early morning
run before our eyes are all the way open. It is because putting on our shoes is
so automatic that we often don’t see them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Take a look at your shoes. Ignore for now how dirty and
sweaty the upper is. Instead, turn them over and look for wear on the sole. Are
the heels or midfoot worn down. For me, I strike on the outside of my foot, and
if I turn a shoe over, I can often see clearly that the edge of the shoe is
almost gone. Oops!!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggOxxuSWRUgXsOhYNuugQiZf_c_x24Zxyj509xKQ6DGApuRwRPjkcU8oh9v1zAgXuVz6fMFkPENeOeKF2020JGGVGAgalTnit4R5DHsuZafo5OxjlbLBGj-U1XssOMWpthJmxiAHevJorh/s1600/shoe+wear.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggOxxuSWRUgXsOhYNuugQiZf_c_x24Zxyj509xKQ6DGApuRwRPjkcU8oh9v1zAgXuVz6fMFkPENeOeKF2020JGGVGAgalTnit4R5DHsuZafo5OxjlbLBGj-U1XssOMWpthJmxiAHevJorh/s1600/shoe+wear.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Because of where my wear is, I often start turning my ankle
because the shoe is so worn, I am falling off of the outside. On the other
hand, if your shoes are worn down on the inside, you could be putting more
torque on your knees and hips. Also, look at the shoe from the rear. Is it
listing off to one side, like the upper is sliding off the midsole? If so, it
is probably time to replace the shoe as well, for the aforementioned reason of
putting strange torque on the knees and hips.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Another area of the shoe that can break down is the midsole.
That is the area between the bottom of the shoe and the part where your foot
sits. Over time the cushioning there can become compressed and stop giving you
the cushioning you need. Midsoles generally are made from some type of foam
material and can wear out from being used for miles and miles, but they can
also<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>wear from being wet (why you aren’t
supposed to wash running shoes). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sun and
heat can also break down the foam. If you have been drying your shoes with heat
this winter, that could affect things.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The test for this type of wear is to look at the side of the
shoe to see if there are lots of lines and wrinkles. If there are, that means
the midsole is wearing down. A second test is to push your thumb into the
midsole at the middle. Does it bounce back well, or does it stay pretty flat?
If it doesn’t seem to rebound, the midsole may be worn out, even if the rest of
the shoe is not showing a lot of wear.</div>
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However, the best way to know when to replace running shoes
is to keep a log of the mileage you have on them. This is an absolute
must!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you only have one pair of
shoes, this is fairly easy. Just write down the day you got them, and then add
up your weekly mileage since then. (What???? You aren’t keeping a mileage
log??!! Start right now!).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The advice on
when to replace shoes varies from 300-600 miles from most sources. </div>
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This is a pretty personal thing and also varies by shoes. I
find that I start to notice the lack of cushioning (by feel) on my shoes at
about 350. I replace on the low end, but I do have one shoe model that I can
get many more miles on. I have several pairs of this one shoe, and I am over
500 on two of them and still wear them without a problem (I just don’t use them
for my long runs).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the other end of
things is a shoe like the<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kinvara, that
I dearly love but which I have to replace usually around 300 because of outsole
wear (annoying!!!).</div>
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Once you start keeping a log, you will start to get a sense
of how long shoes last for you. Then when you start getting that achy feeling,
you can check the numbers and decide if the shoe is done or whether it is just
one of those days. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGodKyhCE-BOzrRHhZLuQoFCiafbxY4ucnYroZG1zsp1SKW9MUhiH6aCmCqVfmbwBeYUd8727lrnES-EwGh5gyxGew4qeZG0xnUCr6EadUwBJy2sxeF03E9F0RHYMrcsbGgEvn6D_jrSzq/s1600/Pile+of+shoes+2.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGodKyhCE-BOzrRHhZLuQoFCiafbxY4ucnYroZG1zsp1SKW9MUhiH6aCmCqVfmbwBeYUd8727lrnES-EwGh5gyxGew4qeZG0xnUCr6EadUwBJy2sxeF03E9F0RHYMrcsbGgEvn6D_jrSzq/s1600/Pile+of+shoes+2.gif" height="238" width="320" /></a></div>
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A final recommendation to prolong shoe life and to avoid
injury is to have more than one pair of shoes and rotate them. The foam in the
midsole needs some time to refresh itself, and running in the shoes every day
does not give the shoes time to refresh as well. Having two pairs helps with
this process. Also, if you have two different models of shoes, you get a
slightly different foot strike in each, which helps avoid repetitive motion
injuries, especially for marathoners. Of course, keeping the mileage log gets a
little trickier here. </div>
wyldrunner@Through a Running Lenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04986015389913810775noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7986710354721256441.post-19752947828556669532014-02-19T16:59:00.002-05:002014-02-19T17:01:22.690-05:00Hack Training: Does Your Training Need Hacked?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjCGjBF7oO8bZyDCE3owEniOdjjw6P4HPiPkDwbkrlLpSfkyaWQxPXnDD5Hk1Qadu3J7R50YwS8GvvHKQhQAfL4phrami4_OiO29Fi-zJA3Q0zE1f5bhtXNdS2RAA2VYmqExlY_GVb1Oov/s1600/Hacker_Detected.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjCGjBF7oO8bZyDCE3owEniOdjjw6P4HPiPkDwbkrlLpSfkyaWQxPXnDD5Hk1Qadu3J7R50YwS8GvvHKQhQAfL4phrami4_OiO29Fi-zJA3Q0zE1f5bhtXNdS2RAA2VYmqExlY_GVb1Oov/s1600/Hacker_Detected.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">When I am not running, reading about running, or writing about running, I spend most of the rest of my time at my “day job,” which is college teaching. Recently I had a mandatory in-service (not always one of my favorite things), where I saw something that really blew me away. It was a video by a 13 year old boy named Logan LaPlante about a concept called “hackschooling.” A quote from his presentation captures the gist of the video very well:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i> “The concept is that education, like everything else, is open to being hacked or improved, not just by working within the current system, but by going outside the educational establishment to find better ways to accomplish the same goals.</i><span style="color: #48382d; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><i>The most innovative entrepreneurs are people who are able to hack the status quo and create something completely new.”<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">“What does this have to do with running?” you are probably wondering right now. Well, as the title of the blog suggests, everything I see gets processed “through a running lens.” One of my first thoughts on new information is always “Does this or can this be applied to running?” The answer on this one is an obvious “Yes!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The truth is, I am a “hacker” when it comes to running, and I have been for a long time. No, not in the “person who engages in an activity without talent or skill” sense of the word (although I think I have been accused of that occasionally). I mean I am a “hacker” in LaPlante’s way of using it:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Hackers are innovators, hackers are people who challenge and change the systems to make them work differently, to make them work better; it’s just how they think; it’s a mindset."<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I have the hacker mindset when it comes to running and running training. I am not and have never been happy with pulling a cookie-cutter training program off a web site or out of a book and following it. I have always, from the very beginning, wanted to know as much as I could about running, why I was doing what I was doing, what worked and what didn’t, and I have always wanted to know why and “what if?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In the beginning I hired a coach because I did not yet have enough knowledge to be a hacker on my own. I drove him absolutely insane with questioning almost everything we did. I can’t tell you how many times he told me “stop asking ‘why’ and just do the workout.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Very quickly I outgrew that relationship because a true hacker wants to create the process for him or herself. I began studying everything I could find about running, from training books to biographies. In time, I learned enough to be able to start putting things together for myself, designing training that gave me a chance to learn and experiment, to find what worked for me and what didn’t. Pretty soon I had a pretty good recipe for my own success, but a key part of a hacker psyche is that nothing can remain static. The status quo is always to be questioned. Thus, my approach to training must continually be evolving.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This can cause some people to misunderstand what I am doing. If you look back at my blog posts over the last few years, you will see that I have talked about a lot of different theories and training approaches. Some people want to respond with “Last month you were talking about X; now you are talking about Y! </span><span style="font-size: large;">Can’t you stay focused on one approach?</span><span style="font-size: large;">" The answer is absolutely not. There is not one “right” way to train. Not only is the exercise physiology information constantly changing and being expanded upon, but there are also myriad ways to get the same or similar results. Just off the top of my head, I can think of several approaches to improving lactate threshold, some very similar and some quite divergent. In running, there is always “more than one way to skin a cat.” </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Therefore, to put together a training approach (for myself and for the athletes I coach), I am constantly “hacking.” It is not an “anything goes” type of process, though, and there is nothing haphazard about it. When a goal needs accomplished (rebuild my aerobic base), I am going to look at everything I can of the various theories and approaches, and I will put together a program from there. I will take what I think is the best of the resources, combine them, and make adjustments as I go.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">An example of this is in the base training I am pursuing now. In researching the concept of effectively building an aerobic base, I came across the work of Phil Maffetone that I have mentioned in a <a href="http://througharunninglens.blogspot.com/2014/01/rebuilding-my-aerobic-base-maffetone.html" target="_blank">previous post</a></span><span style="font-size: large;">. I was very interested in his approach, especially as it related to heart rate training, which I have used effectively in the past. I also revisited a previous approach to base building that I have used in the past quite successfully, the Lydiard method. (For a quick look at Arthur Lydiard’s training approach see this </span><i style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.runnersworld.com/race-training/training-lydiard-way-28-weeks-pr?page=single" target="_blank">Running Times</a></i><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.runnersworld.com/race-training/training-lydiard-way-28-weeks-pr?page=single" target="_blank"> article</a></span><span style="font-size: large;">). </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">These two approaches are similar in that they are based on the same ideas in exercise physiology, but they do differ some. Both advise large amounts of aerobic running to build a strong base before doing any faster anaerobic work. Both advise athletes not to rush this and to spend a substantial portion of the training calendar in this mode. However, they do differ on where in the rather large aerobic range one needs to be training, with Maffetone at the extreme lower end of the range and Lydiard utilizing more of the range of aerobic paces throughout a training week. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=thrarunlen-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B007FXMNMI" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007FXMNMI/ref=as_li_tf_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B007FXMNMI&linkCode=as2&tag=thrarunlen-20" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B007FXMNMI&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=thrarunlen-20" height="320" width="220" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">After a month on the Maffetone method and reviewing the Lydiard approach by way of a really great new book called <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007FXMNMI/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B007FXMNMI&linkCode=as2&tag=thrarunlen-20">Healthy Intelligent Training, 2nd Ed</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=thrarunlen-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B007FXMNMI" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />, I am “hacking” my base building training. I am keeping Maffetone’s ideas of the heart rate training and keeping an eye on the intensity level to encourage fat burning. I am also keeping the diet modifications and the <a href="http://througharunninglens.blogspot.com/2014/01/rebuilding-my-aerobic-base-maffetone.html" target="_blank">monthly testing </a> at maximum aerobic training heart rate as he describes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">However, I have decided to work with slightly higher heart rates and to follow Lydiard’s suggestions related to how much training to do and how often. Why did I make these changes? Because I believe that both Maffetone’s and Lydiard’s methods will achieve the same goal (a strong base, better aerobic fitness, faster race times), but I believe that Lydiard’s method is the more efficient way to do it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">One other thing that Logan mentions in his talk is the idea of “healthy and happy.” I have no doubt that Maffetone’s method would make me healthy, but at heart, I am a competitive animal. Lydiard’s methods, I think, are going to make me happier in the end by bringing me into competitive shape more quickly and by allowing me to plan my race seasons more effectively. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">How about you? Is your running making you both healthy and happy? If not, maybe you need to “hack it.” And, in a completely shameless and self-serving plug, if you want help with that hacking, check out my <a href="http://www.througharunninglens.blogspot.com/p/coaching-services.html" target="_blank">Coaching Services page</a>. I would love to do some hacking on your behalf!</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">If you would like to check out Logan's amazing video that made this post possible:</span><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/h11u3vtcpaY" width="560"></iframe><br /></div>
wyldrunner@Through a Running Lenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04986015389913810775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7986710354721256441.post-39026262015379420662014-02-09T19:37:00.001-05:002014-02-10T08:12:51.751-05:00Guest Race Report: Groundhog Marathon and Half Marathon<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvyz_7DnJyFU-pobFtgPVr_k9AUCG-LEeophoQHbC4ISqEB3q5cr0DJhUpAODNLda2hLBwM6dGO0rkTDHTWDoWKsT2SrPJbuUhaToo6RYtKp40f9ZBy05sEtTZlvCK5ld7TGJC-cCuqYIL/s1600/Groundhoglogo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvyz_7DnJyFU-pobFtgPVr_k9AUCG-LEeophoQHbC4ISqEB3q5cr0DJhUpAODNLda2hLBwM6dGO0rkTDHTWDoWKsT2SrPJbuUhaToo6RYtKp40f9ZBy05sEtTZlvCK5ld7TGJC-cCuqYIL/s1600/Groundhoglogo.jpg" height="200" width="161" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><i>You all know how I love a good guest race report. This is especially true at times like this, when I am not racing. It is great to get to live vicariously through my friends who are braver, more adventurous, more talented, or just plain crazier than I am. This is especially great when my friends are doing things I would never want to do in a million years, like running a half marathon in 6 inches of fresh snow and subzero temperatures. Here, let me let Leslie tell you about it. </i></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">I’m back, with yet another crazy race report.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Believe me, if there is a race with nearly impossible conditions, I can find it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love to mix things up, and I love challenges.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Last year was my year of the half marathon, with a few bike tours, open water swims and triathlons thrown in for good measure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> M</span>ission accomplished,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>with a race to spare!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now I find myself in 2014 looking forward to turning 60 and some new challenges.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Back to the trail I go!</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">My spring goal race is Outrun 24 (<a href="http://outrun24.blogspot.com/">http://outrun24.blogspot.com</a>).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Outrun 24 is a timed ultra, perfect for someone as velocity challenged as me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The goal is to see how many miles you can finish is 24 hours, or before you collapse!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>also means miles and miles and miles of training.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Miles and miles trudging through snow, slipping on ice and dealing with negative windchills.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Michigan has really outdone herself this winter!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t own a treadmill and I don’t belong to a gym.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I train solely outside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fortunately, I’m blessed to live near a multi-use trail that is somewhat plowed during the winter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By somewhat, I mean plowed, but not down to bare pavement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </span></b></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Seriously cool bling!</b></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"> That brings me to the Groundhog Marathon (<a href="http://groundhogmarathon.com/">groundhogmarathon.com</a>).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What better way to get in a long one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re talking aid stations,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>camaraderie of like-minded winter warriors, some pretty cool bling,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>as well as cookies, chili and beer!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How could I resist?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It sure had to beat looping around my neighborhood for 26 miles......or so I thought!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">I’ve been training in the snow for months now, a lot of time on one of those nice mostly plowed trails.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can handle a snow drift or two.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The race course for Groundhog is on a paved trail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perfect!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just like home, or so I thought.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What I didn’t realize is that Grand Rapids is not Lansing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lansing frequently plows their trails.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Grand Rapids does not, ever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Uh oh!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>82” of snow on the ground and more coming down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thoughts of a dog sled entered my mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The Groundhog Marathon also offers a<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>half marathon, and a 1/6 marathon the evening before main the races.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not wanting to miss out on a moment of fun (and additional swag), I signed up for the whole hog!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The course is a 4.4 mile loop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once around for the 1/6th, 3 times for the half, and 6 times for the full.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">With 6” of new heavy snow, headlamps aglow, and over 100 crazy people at the start, we were told to follow the snowmobile tracks (clever winter idea of course marking).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Off we went,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>only to wonder about our sanity within 50 feet of the start.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The conditions were horrible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The “race” ended up with<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>pretty much everyone walking single file, and trying to stay upright.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Imagine a long line of “racers” with their arms out, looking like they were trying to balance on a tightrope!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>82” of somewhat packed and uneven snow, topped with the new snow that was not only slippery but icy as well, made for some crazy footing. The race was not without some turned ankles, falls and broken bones. <i>(Poor Ckat!!)</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not for the faint at heart!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Consensus from the majority of the 1/6er’s was to forget the race the next day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It just wasn’t worth an injury.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not so smart!<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">I woke up on marathon morning fully intending to skip the race (and be one of the smart ones).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As disappointing as a DNS is, I didn’t want to risk injury with some important races coming up in the next few weeks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lori and I have Green Swamp in March, after all!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After texting some friends, and plenty of second guessing (after all, I’d paid for the race and hotel), I decided to drive to the start, but go home if the good parking spots were taken (I didn’t want to park off site and take the shuttle, or that was my logic).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not off the hook yet, I ended up with a great parking spot!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now, what to do?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cheer for the runners, perhaps?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyone that knows me, knows that was not going to happen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </span></span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The gun went off and so did I, telling myself I’d do one slow loop, because<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a DNF was better than a DNS.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I ended up dropping to the half marathon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The conditions were that slow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></b></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHV1jxmtf_UzQFqLnrDxZqk5IatIwfvfGxFPiSuEBdN0sYNp8By-7Jj-ZiZbFl5f9bsHi5qNRObyZOW_lVG_0ddEBju0aJqPv9CMFzREWHGcng9U0QIiwwPA_JW3CQFES5fzrCx8QFjM37/s1600/IMG_4992.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHV1jxmtf_UzQFqLnrDxZqk5IatIwfvfGxFPiSuEBdN0sYNp8By-7Jj-ZiZbFl5f9bsHi5qNRObyZOW_lVG_0ddEBju0aJqPv9CMFzREWHGcng9U0QIiwwPA_JW3CQFES5fzrCx8QFjM37/s1600/IMG_4992.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></span></span></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6JQSug-WGYz7TgUpHA4nPp1gOH6Sn7bdvQijJRgRw3nrEKxTgj3TH5SIM8PRpHaIT0pMR_ptIWWHsXn9Wp_kDx97YcERtdPHi9PoeUMiP1gf3Vay1Kx1p6JKfSeSgW-tK2a2M7xA0ufbU/s1600/Groundhogfall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6JQSug-WGYz7TgUpHA4nPp1gOH6Sn7bdvQijJRgRw3nrEKxTgj3TH5SIM8PRpHaIT0pMR_ptIWWHsXn9Wp_kDx97YcERtdPHi9PoeUMiP1gf3Vay1Kx1p6JKfSeSgW-tK2a2M7xA0ufbU/s1600/Groundhogfall.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></span></span></span></b></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF2NeVNuQFx1C_pXIeDBax8dH3pY0mg8QtLCmC6zd2ANgDC3DGp8jlluBjHrU3-asfVeAHm4Uw2s6rFh4gXPcVq4oiAoHMHjtFxNEvKuLuqBUPwF9cPG_TUa8fZwG7hnkik4E4F719mOT_/s1600/Groundhogmelookingoofy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF2NeVNuQFx1C_pXIeDBax8dH3pY0mg8QtLCmC6zd2ANgDC3DGp8jlluBjHrU3-asfVeAHm4Uw2s6rFh4gXPcVq4oiAoHMHjtFxNEvKuLuqBUPwF9cPG_TUa8fZwG7hnkik4E4F719mOT_/s1600/Groundhogmelookingoofy.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Does that look like fun or what?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></span></span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">To put things in perspective, the overall<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>winner for the men (marathon) finished in 4:09:59, and the women’s winner was 5:45:45.The half marathon overall finish times were 1:49:05 (smart guy on snowshoes) and 2:33:54.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of the 200 runners registered for the marathon, 39 finished.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of the 300 registered for the half, 223 finished (many were marathoners that dropped down).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I guess I got my challenge and more!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></b></span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGrMxa6Imsm4ZoWEYaCaQYV8wUcNISdxsnZ2IGjGF_CvBQijJ3yiiHFKnfbWC3CpCleUJYdyJnkjFMSr9UpzFR-VjhXgUv0fKlT1jHK7zpq1yBvyST63-eXTnXcJJ6pAeuK6vdMtbd7_iw/s1600/GroundhogTrophies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGrMxa6Imsm4ZoWEYaCaQYV8wUcNISdxsnZ2IGjGF_CvBQijJ3yiiHFKnfbWC3CpCleUJYdyJnkjFMSr9UpzFR-VjhXgUv0fKlT1jHK7zpq1yBvyST63-eXTnXcJJ6pAeuK6vdMtbd7_iw/s1600/GroundhogTrophies.jpg" height="209" width="320" /></a></b></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Seriously awesome awards!!</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH8qj5BCGtaHkoONbs_qIPACrgSyzTAuzMcg3JWz8kG9ieN99yoCnPinh6GM0I3MO1fN6v36SVemoI-r9DL0VVP_wWs6BWYPevEZvpxSYQVlCH1_uMq_qOrzM1jipAjffZph7o79bBdVnG/s1600/IMG_4996.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH8qj5BCGtaHkoONbs_qIPACrgSyzTAuzMcg3JWz8kG9ieN99yoCnPinh6GM0I3MO1fN6v36SVemoI-r9DL0VVP_wWs6BWYPevEZvpxSYQVlCH1_uMq_qOrzM1jipAjffZph7o79bBdVnG/s1600/IMG_4996.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">If you are game for a little fun next winter, and don’t mind a PW (personal worst), are able to laugh at yourself and what Michigan weather can throw at you, pack up those YakTrax and consider Groundhog next year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The race is well run with some very cool perks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who knows, it could be </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">dry and sunny next year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is Michigan, after all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b></span><br />
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<b><i>If you like this guest race report, here are some links to other popular
guest race reports. Maybe you will get inspired. If you run a race that you would like to report on, please contact me. I love a good story!:</i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Guest Race Report: Michigan Runners at Columbia River Power
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<b><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="http://througharunninglens.blogspot.com/2013/10/guest-race-report-michigan-runners-at.html">http://througharunninglens.blogspot.com/2013/10/guest-race-report-michigan-runners-at.html</a></span></span>
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<b><span>Guest Race Report: Tough Mudder Michigan 2013 </span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Guest Race Report: Detroit Marathon</span></div>
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</span><div class="MsoNormal">
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<span style="font-size: small;">Guest Race Report: Mango Madness</span></div>
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wyldrunner@Through a Running Lenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04986015389913810775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7986710354721256441.post-15867233367541850562014-01-30T16:01:00.003-05:002014-01-30T16:03:41.283-05:00Nutrition: A Key Variable in My Comeback Equation<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKcUvchyphenhyphenzA3jtuMjhKNdwGnYdnSnvodUSDcl1LwjwFfWUuyZ-9RE2I_jgQM-7ndwK4DiUsVgEhjdgmlBQFuXlNj6TIU-Ec7MABXEtbmXTJabt4kr2kc89UJ-gBHX5vLom9UqJwcUEzQSWJ/s1600/healthy_diet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKcUvchyphenhyphenzA3jtuMjhKNdwGnYdnSnvodUSDcl1LwjwFfWUuyZ-9RE2I_jgQM-7ndwK4DiUsVgEhjdgmlBQFuXlNj6TIU-Ec7MABXEtbmXTJabt4kr2kc89UJ-gBHX5vLom9UqJwcUEzQSWJ/s1600/healthy_diet.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Maffetone Method that I am following is not just about training at the proper intensity to develop my aerobic system and to teach my body to more efficiently burn fat for fuel. It is a more holistic approach that challenges the athlete to not only re-evaluate their training methods but also to look at nutrition and stress levels as other key variables that affect his/her overall health and fitness. If I am going to give his method a fair try, I need to embrace the whole approach, not just some of it. If I am going to bother to do this thing, I might as well do it right. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I have known for a long time that nutrition was a weak link in my training. I have made occasional half-hearted attempts at improving my diet, switching to a primarily vegetarian diet for a while, but have not really made the type of serious changes needed. Over the past few years my weight had climbed 8 to 10 lbs over my previous optimal running weight of 120. In the past six months, my weight had gone up an additional 5 lbs, to peak at 134.8 two weeks ago, three days before my 52<sup>nd</sup> birthday. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Part of my problem was that, like many runners, I did not want to admit that I had to give up anything to achieve my goals. I wanted to be able to eat whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted, run a bit, and magically be at an optimal weight. Well, obviously that does not cut it. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">As I started the section on Diet and Nutrition, a sentence in the opening paragraph really grabbed me:</span></span><br />
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<i>In the first section, I discussed various ways to improve aerobic function , including increasing speed, burning more body fat for energy, and various approaches to training and racing for optimal endurance performance without injury. <b>But unless you also pay attention to diet and nutrition, many of these positive changes will be negated.*</b></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I knew that. I think we all know it at some level, but for some reason it really sunk in this time. Why would I want to work so hard, for so many hours, in training just to sabotage it with poor eating habits? </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Maffetone recommends that athletes get their nutrition from high quality food sources. He recommends avoiding refined carbohydrates and the overload of sugar in the American diet. He talks about carbohydrate intolerance and how it affects athletes’ performance. He recommends a diet rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, quality protein sources, and good fats. He also recommends low glycemic carbs to avoid insulin reactions. Nothing new here, it is what most dieticians would recommend. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">For me, though, this meant a major change to the way I was eating. The first step was to eliminate refined sugar and carbohydrates. I had a serious addiction to bread, pasta, bagels, crackers, rice, etc. Even though some of those would be considered “healthy” by some standards, there was way, way too much refined carbohydrate in my diet. For right now, I am avoiding almost all starchy carbs and replacing them with other fruits and vegetables. I also have upped my protein intake considerably. I made the decision to eat meat again. (I may change that at a later date, but for now it is what I am doing). </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpCNrycpAYdO7IRc_DSFbx_d9HxRDjs0QLX8CpHqDT005BKZlTZ-o8xOtIBbkkpcMuIPSeiU0AykDAydgR9dJPmv-7SWEDEQkWxOIiJf7_vGgSsDijMr8T84Ky53OfU_J0r4wSdfPyn5Un/s1600/no+sugar+no+flour.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpCNrycpAYdO7IRc_DSFbx_d9HxRDjs0QLX8CpHqDT005BKZlTZ-o8xOtIBbkkpcMuIPSeiU0AykDAydgR9dJPmv-7SWEDEQkWxOIiJf7_vGgSsDijMr8T84Ky53OfU_J0r4wSdfPyn5Un/s1600/no+sugar+no+flour.jpg" /></a>I also had a serious hidden addiction to sugar. I did not know I had an addiction to sugar. We didn’t even have sugar in the house (we use Splenda for everything), but when I looked closely, there it was. Seriously, people, they put it in EVERYTHING these days. You never realize how much sugar is in things until you start looking – and how hard it is to avoid it when trying to. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">My diet is pretty stripped down for now. I am eating pretty much just vegetables, fruits, yogurts, some beans and legumes, eggs, meat, and cheese. I will eventually add in some low glycemic carbohydrates and whole grains, but for now I am leaving those out of my diet. I am keeping my carbs under 150 grams a day. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Based on my previous tries at this type of diet, I thought I would be hungry all the time. There was a key difference this time, though. I decided not to worry about fat or calories. Before I had always gone low carb, low calorie, and low fat, and ended up hungry and miserable. This time, I didn’t worry about fat or calories and just concentrated on the refined carbs and sugar. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I got off to a rocky start. At the end of my first full day of eating this way, I got a headache. It was a migraine and was the most excruciating one of these I had ever had in my life. I couldn’t do anything but lie in bed and wish I was dead. After about an hour of that, I got nauseous. About a half hour later, I was throwing up. Exhausted and miserable, I finally went to sleep.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">When I woke up the next morning, the headache was gone. I decided to keep going with the eating plan -- unless the headache came back. It did not. And, amazingly I was not feeling starved and deprived as I expected I would. In fact, over the next few days, I was feeling really good, not focused on food, and full of energy. What was also amazing is that I was coming in consistently below my calorie goal each day without even trying. I am now two weeks into this form of eating and have lost 3.8 pounds. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">What is even more amazing to me is that I am not bonking on my runs (something that had happened when I tried lower carbohydrate approaches in the past). One of the things Maffetone says is that the slower running encourages the body to burn a higher percentage of fat and a lower percentage of glycogen for fuel. He also says that adjusting the diet helps with this. It appears to be working. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The big test will come this weekend in the 12 hour “race” I have entered this weekend, the <a href="http://www.ultrasontrails.com/wpines.html" target="_blank">Whispering Pines 12 Hour Run/Walk</a> I intend to keep my heart rate in my training zone for as long as I can keep going. For fuel, I intend to use fruits and honey, along with no sugar electrolyte drinks. I am anxious to see how it goes. I will report back. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Have any of you ever tried eliminating refined carbohydrates and sugar? How did it work for you? </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1616080655/ref=as_li_tf_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1616080655&linkCode=as2&tag=thrarunlen-20" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=1616080655&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=thrarunlen-20" height="200" width="162" /></a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=thrarunlen-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1616080655" height="1" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important;" width="1" /></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">* Maffetone, Philip (2010-09-22). The Big Book of Endurance Training and Racing (p. 200). Skyhorse Publishing, Inc.. Kindle Edition</span></span>.</span></span></div>
wyldrunner@Through a Running Lenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04986015389913810775noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7986710354721256441.post-42880486569563304652014-01-24T20:28:00.001-05:002014-01-24T20:28:16.078-05:00Rebuilding My Base With The Maffetone Method: Test 1<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1616080655/ref=as_li_tf_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1616080655&linkCode=as2&tag=thrarunlen-20" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=1616080655&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=thrarunlen-20" /></a>In the previous post, I promised to tell you a bit more about the Maffetone Method I am using to build my aerobic base and to tell you about the testing that is done with the method. I had hoped to get it up before this, but I decided to redo the test I did earlier in the week on a flatter course. The section of the bike trail that I had used had some hills that I had not remembered from my rides there. I wanted a flatter section (as flat as I am going to get around here), for a little better numbers. </div>
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The key to Maffetone’s Method is training your body under or at its maximum aerobic training heart rate. Your maximum aerobic training heart rate is the heart rate where you are getting the optimal benefits in terms of developing your aerobic and fat burning systems. This means ignoring pace and running in relation to the aerobic effort your body is producing as measured by your heart rate. </div>
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Maffetone, through his work with athletes over many years, developed a formula to estimate what an athlete’s maximum aerobic training heart rate would be. It involved both a constant as a starting point, and a way to personalize the formula based on the athlete’s individual health and circumstances. </div>
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Maffetone’s formula is easy to calculate and goes like this. First, subtract your age from 180, which is the constant in Maffetone’s formula. Then you adjust that number up or down (or not at all) based on the following (quoted from <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Big Book of Endurance Training and Racing</i>):<br />
<ul>
<li>If you have or are recovering from a major illness (heart disease, any operation or <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>hospital stay, etc.) or are on any regular medication, subtract an additional 10.</li>
<li> If you are injured, have regressed in training or competition, get more than two colds <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>or bouts of flu per year, have allergies or asthma, or if you have been inconsistent or <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>are just getting back into training, subtract an additional 5. </li>
<li>If you have been training consistently (at least four times weekly) for up to two years <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>without any of the problems just mentioned, keep the number (180-age) the same.</li>
<li>If you have been training for more than two years without any of the problems listed <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>above, and have made progress in competition without injury, add 5.</li>
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For me, the numbers shook out like this:</div>
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180-52 = 128 - an additional 5 because I am “just getting back into training” = 123</div>
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That is my maximum aerobic training heart rate. It is a number I should not go over in training while building a base. My training range should be in the 113-123 range. That range will be optimum for both building an aerobic base and burning fat. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So far so good.</div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001397OCO/ref=as_li_tf_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B001397OCO&linkCode=as2&tag=thrarunlen-20"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B001397OCO&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=thrarunlen-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=thrarunlen-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B001397OCO" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
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Well sort of.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only those who have tried Maffetone’s method themselves can get a sense of how slowly one has to run to stay in that heart rate range (if they don’t already have a good aerobic base). Now back when I was first learning to run and running that slowly it was not that big a deal because I hadn’t ever done much faster. As a veteran runner, let me tell you it is excruciating to run this slowly. </div>
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There is good news, though. Aerobic fitness improves fairly quickly and steadily if a person trains regularly in this range. How quickly? Well there is a way to keep track of that in Maffetone’s Method.</div>
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Besides the formula, another key aspect of this type of training is the Maximum Aerobic Function (MAF) <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>tests that are done every three to four weeks on the plan. For these, after a long slow warm-up, a runner runs three to five miles at the maximum aerobic training heart rate, recording the paces. Then every three to four weeks, the athlete can retest to assess conditioning and hopefully to note progress. </div>
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So this week I did the test. Here are my first results that show my rather poor level of aerobic conditioning going into this: </div>
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Mile </div>
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Pace </div>
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Avg HR</div>
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1</div>
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12:35</div>
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121</div>
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2</div>
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12:47</div>
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121</div>
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3</div>
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12:36</div>
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122</div>
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4</div>
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12:45</div>
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122</div>
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5</div>
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12:34</div>
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122</div>
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This is quite a bit slower than the normal training pace I would be using if I had just kept running as I was, which was somewhere around 9:00-9:15. If you look at the paces above, you can see what an adjustment this is.<br />
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Truly, this is a reason why many who try Maffetone’s method don’t stay with it like they should. It is hard to run that slowly, psychologically. It requires patience a quality that is not my strong suit. I am hoping that the gains Maffetone promises will materialize. He predicts that as the months progress, I will see the progress as the paces at the same heart rate get faster and faster. </div>
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Besides the training paces, Maffetone also recommends changes in stress level and diet. I am working on those areas as well. I have switched to a lower carb diet, eliminating sugar and refined carbohydrates wherever possible. I am happy to report that after a week of eating that way, I feel terrific, have lost two pounds, and .3% body fat as measured by my scale. I will take that little success and run with it. </div>
wyldrunner@Through a Running Lenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04986015389913810775noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7986710354721256441.post-27104083106145121222014-01-20T20:17:00.000-05:002014-10-24T14:51:02.764-04:00Rebuilding My Aerobic Base: The Maffetone Method<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQd47bntm7tzplUhwZebYSCUMignHJoFzZgyRngtg4cGM2lJj9BB8fCgfTt2eIOu9B4vTBUBr1sdFWvMNKopMNkJUXD5Ai0Kw2BCcwRbV3ftIiBEeKQ5f7ysR0fhKaMplFt3uz9K8wG9lG/s1600/Turn+turn+turn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQd47bntm7tzplUhwZebYSCUMignHJoFzZgyRngtg4cGM2lJj9BB8fCgfTt2eIOu9B4vTBUBr1sdFWvMNKopMNkJUXD5Ai0Kw2BCcwRbV3ftIiBEeKQ5f7ysR0fhKaMplFt3uz9K8wG9lG/s1600/Turn+turn+turn.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a>Well, after a few weeks of working on getting back to running, one thing has become remarkably clear. I am very, very out of shape.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, I am probably in the worst shape I have been in since I started running 15 years ago. I had some good running under my belt in the early part of 2013, but since then I have been really sporadic. I have also gained a lot of weight. And, I am at an age where fitness just doesn’t come bouncing back like it did when I was younger. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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Now I could just push through a few more weeks of workout and be in "good enough" shape to get by, but that is not really what I want. It is only fun and motivating for me when I can be competitive. To do that, it is going to take more than a band-aid approach to repairing my fitness. What I need is to completely rebuild my aerobic base. </div>
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Rebuilding an aerobic base involves more than most runners think. It involves miles and miles of easy running gradually stretching out the distance. A truly strong aerobic develops slowly over months and years of running. Different experts have different ideas about how long is optimal. For example, Pfitzinger in <a href="http://www.runnersworld.com/race-training/fundamental-foundation?page=single" target="_blank">an article in Running Times</a> says the minimum is six to eight weeks, but that longer is optimal. He recommends 12 weeks, twice a year. Arthur Lydiard, whose training advice I have often relied on in the past, recommends at least three months. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbILfM1AkZLsBsBDRS9KOWH2KWoug4NRCtes485pUq2J0ctPY4ECuR-1_eIdDUGEQi8VLcUBILJMRYV1hSBL3LQc7WpM9qKU2RlGyaNtpZILxRf9TBALckJHmfbkmSsOM-YIIUwbc6v8yn/s1600/Maffetone.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbILfM1AkZLsBsBDRS9KOWH2KWoug4NRCtes485pUq2J0ctPY4ECuR-1_eIdDUGEQi8VLcUBILJMRYV1hSBL3LQc7WpM9qKU2RlGyaNtpZILxRf9TBALckJHmfbkmSsOM-YIIUwbc6v8yn/s1600/Maffetone.png" height="200" width="130" /></a>So now that I have established that this is what I need for the next several months, I am turning to a method that I have not used for a long time, not since I first started running: the Maffetone Method. <a href="http://www.philmaffetone.com/home" target="_blank">Phil Maffetone</a>, in case you haven’t heard of him, is a very interesting individual, truly a modern Renaissance man, who among other things is an applied physiologist and endurance athlete coach. He has coached many famous athletes, especially triathletes, with his most famous being Mark Allen when he won his Ironman titles. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has a holistic approach to fitness and athletic performance that involves a combination of appropriate diet, exercise, and stress management. </div>
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Maffetone is probably best known for his work with heart rate monitors as a tool to monitor exercise performance and enhance aerobic development. He advocates training slowly, at a heart rate that keeps a person in an optimal fat burning state and which encourages the optimal development of the slow twitch muscles and the heart and lungs for aerobic activity. At the same time, athletes are encouraged to change their diets to eliminate sugar and refined carbohydrates. If this sounds interesting to you, you should take a look at the brief explanation on his site: <a href="http://www.philmaffetone.com/what-is-the-maffetone-method" target="_blank">What is the Maffetone Method?</a> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=thrarunlen-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1616080655" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1616080655/ref=as_li_tf_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1616080655&linkCode=as2&tag=thrarunlen-20" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=1616080655&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=thrarunlen-20" /></a>If after you look around you want to explore it further (or try the approach), I strongly recommend that you get his book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1616080655/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1616080655&linkCode=as2&tag=thrarunlen-20">The Big Book of Endurance Training and Racing</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=thrarunlen-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1616080655" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />. The reason I recommend this, when there is so much out there on the Web about his approach, is that there is an awful lot of misinformation out there. For example, you will read that if you use the method, you never get to run fast, which is not true. However, the one thing that is not exaggerated is how slow you do have to run initially as you are building the base. This is the aspect of the program that most people find most difficult. </div>
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I will be using his approach as I rebuild my base over the next six months. I have dragged out my heart rate monitor, which I did pack and bring with me in the trailer. (At one level, I knew what I needed to do, but was in a state of denial. I wanted to just come back quickly without all the tedious work involved.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Maffetone Method begins with calculating the aerobic heart rate and then conducting a test of aerobic fitness, which I did today and which I will be talking about in a post later in the week. </div>
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George Sheehan, who was also a follower of Maffetone’s principles and who wrote the introduction for one of Maffetone’s books, once said “We are each an experiment of one.” Well this is my experiment with the Maffetone Method in my quest to regain fitness and possibly even to reach new heights with my running -- Maffetone says it just might be possible, even at my age. I hope you will follow along over the next several months to watch how it unfolds. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWbifRodDdzUnKexiZM-YKa1h9WYSGPgh0AZDbrAmuEgRR9GbpYgRdy1SOoeUywXErk57QDalFQzek2QXd1bSjZ09xVEGsiA8y_dF2-Bq0QYo95wEoAGPu8QVlyHEH-L1K4Ui2A7cxE2W_/s1600/Bandit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWbifRodDdzUnKexiZM-YKa1h9WYSGPgh0AZDbrAmuEgRR9GbpYgRdy1SOoeUywXErk57QDalFQzek2QXd1bSjZ09xVEGsiA8y_dF2-Bq0QYo95wEoAGPu8QVlyHEH-L1K4Ui2A7cxE2W_/s1600/Bandit.jpg" height="200" width="187" /></a></div>
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(As an aside, Bandit <u>loves</u> the Maffetone Method. It seems that he needs to rebuild his aerobic base as well.) </div>
wyldrunner@Through a Running Lenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04986015389913810775noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7986710354721256441.post-56275221935983970682014-01-11T09:16:00.003-05:002014-01-11T09:16:25.451-05:00Great Deal on Scott Jurek's Eat and Run Many of you know that I am a huge fan of Scott Jurek and his book <i>Eat and Run. </i>I reviewed it in an earlier post (to read the review <a href="http://througharunninglens.blogspot.com/2012/06/book-review-scott-jureks-eat-and-run.html" target="_blank">click here</a>). Well I have some great news. The Kindle version of his book is on sale at Amazon in the month of January for only $2.24!!<br />
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This is a great opportunity to pick up the book if you were thinking of reading it or to get a digital copy to supplement your hard cover. I know I am ordering another one so that I can keep my autographed copy safe. <br />
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To check out this great deal, click on the image below:<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005OCHOZS/ref=as_li_tf_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B005OCHOZS&linkCode=as2&tag=thrarunlen-20"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B005OCHOZS&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=thrarunlen-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=thrarunlen-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B005OCHOZS" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
<br />wyldrunner@Through a Running Lenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04986015389913810775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7986710354721256441.post-10715739711997490402014-01-08T12:41:00.000-05:002014-01-08T12:41:00.879-05:00When Is A Goal Too Ambitious?<div class="MsoNormal">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8PxwMPnPTg_HGw5fyEFEcjvBxhn0tLf8tFSKK7_p5-SHeEkG3tZTQzWtVi6jLyJikg63RsR1YtXCpbDxSnzb9qYDig5BgHd-wy38auJ26Vf90vmavnTVw_qKPbr24c44AyQPVsSEEXJnm/s1600/goal-graphic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8PxwMPnPTg_HGw5fyEFEcjvBxhn0tLf8tFSKK7_p5-SHeEkG3tZTQzWtVi6jLyJikg63RsR1YtXCpbDxSnzb9qYDig5BgHd-wy38auJ26Vf90vmavnTVw_qKPbr24c44AyQPVsSEEXJnm/s1600/goal-graphic.jpg" height="225" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">from <a href="http://www.thecreativepenn.com/2008/12/05/goals-for-writing/">http://www.thecreativepenn.com/2008/12/05/goals-for-writing/</a></td></tr>
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Some of you may have noticed the lack of a New Year’s
resolution post or even a post related to my goals for the year. That is
because I have been going through a difficult time in relation to goals. <a href="http://througharunninglens.blogspot.com/2013/07/do-what-you-love-love-what-you-do.html" target="_blank">In an earlier post</a> I had discussed the idea that my major goal for the next year or so was going
to be to qualify for the <a href="http://www.wser.org/" target="_blank">Western States 100</a>. Then I learned that the <a href="http://througharunninglens.blogspot.com/2013/11/changes-to-western-states-100.html" target="_blank">qualifying standards had changed</a>. This made me have to reconsider my plans for qualifying as well as my running
plans for 2014. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Initially I had decided that my new goal would be to run a
qualifier at the <a href="http://www.runwoodstock.com/events/hallucination-100m-100k" target="_blank">Hallucination 100</a> at Woodstock. For several reasons, that
would be an optimal qualifier for me. However, I also decided at about the same
time to move from MI, initially with the plan of going on the road, which
quickly got changed to buying a house in FL. These will be good moves for me
running-wise, I believe, in the long run. In the short run, however, they put
me three months behind in my training. Now here it is January, and I am not yet
even averaging 20 mpw consistently and
have not had a long run of over 10 miles in longer than I can remember – not exactly
an optimal state for an ultrarunner trying to prepare for a first hundred
miler. <o:p></o:p></div>
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This was the condition I found myself in as I sat down to
think about goals for the new year. I was in a dilemma: do I push ahead with my
goal of qualifying for WS at Woodstock or do I adjust it to reflect my current
conditions? <o:p></o:p></div>
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This is a difficult question. We live in a society that
rewards the lofty goal and that has a “don’t give up on your dreams” ethos. This
is fueled by social media wherein these lofty goals are publicly applauded and
where terms like “awesome” and “bad ass” can make a runner feel really good
about setting such goals. In addition, these same sites reward completion over
performance, If one can drag themselves across the finish line, regardless of
how poorly executed, the adulation is forthcoming. There is the push to do more
and more, often before people are ready. “You ran a half? You should do a
marathon?” “You ran a marathon? You should do an ultra?” The increasing
distances and new experiences become things to check off and stickers to put on the back of a car to be part of the crowd. <o:p></o:p></div>
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This is the type of thing that causes many runners to over-reach, to do too much too fast, and which ultimately leads to injury and burnout. Many
of the people who get caught in this cycle do not become lifelong runners. On
that side of the coin, there is the argument that “Woodstock is still 9 months
away. You can be ready by then. Go for it!” <o:p></o:p></div>
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On the other side of the coin there is the knowledge that a
100 mile run is not something to undertake lightly. If I was coaching an
athlete in my position, I would probably advise against doing a 100 miler so
quickly when the previous year’s running base had been so sketchy. If this were the end of 2012, when I had just
completed many 50ks and marathons in the previous year, the situation would be
different, but that is not the runner I am today. Today I am a runner with
neither the aerobic base nor the strength to tackle a run like that. I am also
a full 12 lbs overweight. That is an issue that cannot be ignored. One hundred
miles is a long way to carry an extra 12 lb weight. I mean doesn't it make sense that when one is tackling the biggest physical challenge of one's life that one should be in the best physical shape possible? <o:p></o:p></div>
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There is also my desire to not just “do” 100 miles, but to
do it well. Yes, I could possibly (not probably) “complete” the 100 miles with the 9
months of training I could put in starting at the place I am now, but it likely would not be pretty. It might make a good story, but it
would probably not make a good race. Not only would I suffer more than I need
to and put myself at increased risk of injury or failure, but I probably also
would not produce a performance I would be proud of or even feel good about.
What is the point of doing it if it is a miserable experience that I can’t feel
good about later? At least for me the pats on the back from others don’t really
mean much if I do not feel inside that I did something that is worthy of the
attention. <o:p></o:p></div>
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This leaves me in a position that is pretty uncomfortable.
It is hard to admit that one is not ready to pursue a goal, or that the goal
may be too lofty at the time. Still, if I want to be sensible about it, that is
the truth of the matter for me right now. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Adding to the discomfort is the fact that being in this
position is my own fault. I allowed myself get to this position. I am solely
responsible for not making the time to train, for not making better choices,
both in relation to training and diet. There are all kinds of good reasons why
I didn’t, but the fact is that if one is going to set a serious goal like running
a 100 miler, one has to accept the other end of the stick – that one’s
lifestyle must be committed to supporting that goal. This is not just true with
running. It is true with anything – the bigger the goal, the bigger the commitment
that must go with it. <o:p></o:p></div>
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This leaves me to figure out a set of new goals that will
get me to the goal that I ultimately want to achieve – the Western States
qualifier (which will now have to be another 100 mile race). This is a key step for anyone who has a goal
that is too ambitious for them at a particular time. One must determine what is needed to get to a
position to pursue that primary goal and set goals related to reaching that
position. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I am still working on this for myself in relation to the WS,
but a good intermediate step appears to be a 6 month base-building period,
perhaps culminating in a 50 miler. During that time, I will work to build my
mileage back up to a steady 45 mpw and lose at least 6 of the 12 lbs of extra
weight I am carrying around. Then, in June I can revisit and re-evaluate. I am
not ruling out a fall 100, but I am going to have to see a lot more progress between
now and then to consider it. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Because I know I focus best with a race out there on the
horizon, I am off to search for a suitable 50 miler to get excited about and a
few 50ks for the base building period (not to race, just to have some fun and
company while I am training). I don’t
like the idea of putting my real dream on hold, but deep in my heart, I know
this is a smarter plan that will ultimately get me where I am going in a much
better position to succeed. <o:p></o:p></div>
wyldrunner@Through a Running Lenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04986015389913810775noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7986710354721256441.post-83038544840622079482013-12-25T18:29:00.001-05:002013-12-25T18:29:17.132-05:00My Christmas Gift: A New Running Partner<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX9GOjzhYouZrU98-791zIJuudD8-0XQ5IyRJCTqFDYIvaihdbdv9qdYCAguAmjrgWfM12yeSPciDDEgjkCC3zkslwvpSYcDqcuoIO16IDWV2eEleADzm_MfoSg4RVr30EYkjHOrzlKwiC/s1600/Xmas+FL+2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX9GOjzhYouZrU98-791zIJuudD8-0XQ5IyRJCTqFDYIvaihdbdv9qdYCAguAmjrgWfM12yeSPciDDEgjkCC3zkslwvpSYcDqcuoIO16IDWV2eEleADzm_MfoSg4RVr30EYkjHOrzlKwiC/s320/Xmas+FL+2013.jpg" width="203" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My $3.00 Christmas Tree</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You may notice that I have not posted in quite a while. In
fact, the last post (embarrassingly) is from Thanksgiving. That is because although
I have been incredibly busy, there has not been a lot of running-related stuff
going on in my life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, most of
what I have been doing has been with an eye toward good running in 2014. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">As many of you know, I started out a few months ago on what
I had thought was going to be a year-long running adventure. Unfortunately
things did not go as planned. My incredibly wonderful and tolerant husband, who
is usually 100% behind my crazy adventures, decided that he did not feel good
about going on the road for a year without a permanent base to call home. Plans
changed, and we found ourselves buying a home in central Florida. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The new house is fantastic. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is in a neighborhood with miles and miles
of quiet roads, both paved and dirt, to train on. There are even a few slightly
rolling hills. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A 45 mile Rails to Trails
bike trail passes right through our community about a half mile from the house.
There are also miles and miles of great trail running, as well as three rivers
for tubing and kayaking and fishing. Plus it has a pool (triathlons in the
future?). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In short, it is a great place
to be. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">There was just one thing missing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I left all my running friends in California
and Michigan. I had no one to run with. What I really wanted for Christmas was
a new running partner...</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I was not sure if I had been good enough for Santa to grant
my wish, but apparently I had. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Meet my
new running partner:</span> <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVRPlq8DdEbmaLVs1JJk8cHBZ772NN7uhRnrl5aT8pDa_5MAFG_HIqViTyYJMVswDYXW3FWJUqRiks8sesHBMHaqHVVZEhXTEXVUD4wvuYQQRkGvbNoGlbBXHN6I9EvcX2oJpPkhxt4Dc4/s1600/Bandit.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVRPlq8DdEbmaLVs1JJk8cHBZ772NN7uhRnrl5aT8pDa_5MAFG_HIqViTyYJMVswDYXW3FWJUqRiks8sesHBMHaqHVVZEhXTEXVUD4wvuYQQRkGvbNoGlbBXHN6I9EvcX2oJpPkhxt4Dc4/s400/Bandit.jpeg" width="347" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Merry Christmas from Bandit!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">He is a six year old Australian Shepherd with a very rugged and
impressive sounding name: Timberline Bandit Virginia Sly Hand. We call him
Bandit for short. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bandit came from a
farm in North Carolina and is adjusting to life here in Florida with his new
family. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">This is not my first running dog. I had a great running
partner named Rio who accompanied me on many runs, including some snowy runs in
Michigan. Unfortunately, his hips no longer permit the running that he used to
do (he is almost 11 now), so he just goes out on cool-down walks with me around
the neighborhood. It is time for him to step aside and let the younger
generation take over. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbsr8DIc0aLDlrPpgyIIQrWGVizITMXVieVWeiiC-GU_gJGIP-MdJOs3qpLCKJHq0Eg6WxMzCewdLm2cK3Kn6zw3gkdo5P2IsK7ZLDZNp56stvr8Y3rLIK7i8DPnKovmzeo2gUvMs_YNHl/s1600/Yukon+Rio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbsr8DIc0aLDlrPpgyIIQrWGVizITMXVieVWeiiC-GU_gJGIP-MdJOs3qpLCKJHq0Eg6WxMzCewdLm2cK3Kn6zw3gkdo5P2IsK7ZLDZNp56stvr8Y3rLIK7i8DPnKovmzeo2gUvMs_YNHl/s320/Yukon+Rio.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My trusty Rio</td></tr>
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Bandit has already started his job as my new running
partner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bandit likes to train twice a
day. I am not up for that yet (since my running has been pretty hit and miss
for the last few months), so we have been doing a running and walking mix,
generally running a few miles in the morning and then walking another mile or
so in the evening. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Just like any new running partners, Bandit and I have to adjust to each others idiosyncrasies. We are in that
getting acquainted stage of our running relationship. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bandit is more a “stop and smell the roses”
kind of runner who is prone to forays off the beaten path. He has been known to
cross the road (right in front of me) when something interesting catches his
eye.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I, on the other hand, have the
annoying habit of wanting to run a consistent pace and the desire to stay on
one side of the road (and on both feet). We are negotiating on the above
matters, and I am sure in a few weeks, we will be running together like a
well-oiled machine, but for now a good run is any one where I manage to stay on
my feet for the whole run and where we only need to stop a few times for an
interesting new scent. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Over the next few months, Bandit and I will work together to
try to revive the stalled running (and writing) routine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the process, I am sure that I will learn a
lot about running with a dog. Of course, what I learn, I will pass on to you. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">How about it? Do any of you run with a dog?</span> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
wyldrunner@Through a Running Lenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04986015389913810775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7986710354721256441.post-18113713486251092582013-11-27T14:05:00.001-05:002013-11-27T14:05:48.205-05:005 Running Things I Am Thankful For<div class="MsoNormal">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4TPjSapAQgeYdvvHjFMylVeTADdXdd0s3ufPjSLN4o3BrLiH6EIJF7B5pbSEMC4ImEgEnlfdgeE7m8U6bSDk0e3imzpV-99HyazDmuMJBq0RI5ZPewuMbKm-h47gLQngRhtKq9aw6ZaeJ/s1600/give-thanks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4TPjSapAQgeYdvvHjFMylVeTADdXdd0s3ufPjSLN4o3BrLiH6EIJF7B5pbSEMC4ImEgEnlfdgeE7m8U6bSDk0e3imzpV-99HyazDmuMJBq0RI5ZPewuMbKm-h47gLQngRhtKq9aw6ZaeJ/s400/give-thanks.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>1.</b> <b>I am not injured:</b> This one is at the
top of the list for me and probably is for most runners who have ever been
injured. So many of my friends are in various stages of injury recovery right
now, and through their postings on Facebook, I am constantly reminded of how
much it sucks to be injured and not able to run. At least for now, I am
thankful that I am not injured and promise to remind myself of that every time
I am mentally complaining about a run. I may be out of shape, and I may have to
start that long and painful climb back into fitness, but thankfully, I am
healthy enough to do that. Never take it for granted!</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>2. My running friends:
</b>This is one of the areas that has grown in importance in my life. I am kind
of a loner. It may not seem like it to look at me now, but it is true. Until I started running, I could almost count on one hand the
number of friends that I had. When I started running in CA over a decade ago, I
was welcomed into the running community there via of the <a href="http://www.lopersclub.org/" target="_blank">Loma Linda Lopers </a>and
later the <a href="http://www.redlandsrunegades.org/" target="_blank">Redlands Runegades</a>. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I met some really special people who have become very
important in my life. I am thankful for their influence on a beginning runner
and for their continued friendship and support. So many great connections were
made, and so many tough life issues were shared and worked through on those
many runs. I miss them more often than they might imagine. Thank goodness for
Facebook which allows me to sometimes feel that I am not so far away and that I
am right there with them again. <o:p></o:p></div>
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When I moved to MI, I had no idea that I would meet another
great group of running friends. The Playmakers community there was very
welcoming, as was the ultrarunning community I was able to connect with through <a href="http://runningfit.com/" target="_blank">Running Fit</a>. Although these are competitors in the MI running store business,
they are both wonderful resources for the MI running community. <a href="http://www.playmakers.com/TeamPlaymakers.aspx" target="_blank">Team Playmakers</a> is wonderfully supportive,
and without the connections I made through that group, I probably would never
have made it through three years in the cold north. I will never forget the
first winter running up there with Corey, Paul, Mike, Jessica, and Dee. <o:p></o:p></div>
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As time progressed, I met more and more wonderful people
from that group, Kate, Geoff, Lynn, Janet, Anna … there are too many to list. Then
I joined the Playmaker’s Master’s Women’s Racing Team and met whole new group
of wonderful people. My dear friend, Ruth, who is the leader of our crazy group
is one I am most thankful for. I am also thankful that I had the opportunity to
become friends with Sharon Dolan before she was taken from us. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyUe6vtQdu3nYzOdbVRu3OQxXK69C8E6t0OwOzL2BykLaQ_xZ9AdBvhKYkcw0TJ6AP-vCyTxviQ1OFihj3Vq3JekmGFo9c9QGc6WskLCUUbvGGOqsd0CCgvukgrm3NJl0u97PU0PWQR8r5/s1600/mud+dogs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyUe6vtQdu3nYzOdbVRu3OQxXK69C8E6t0OwOzL2BykLaQ_xZ9AdBvhKYkcw0TJ6AP-vCyTxviQ1OFihj3Vq3JekmGFo9c9QGc6WskLCUUbvGGOqsd0CCgvukgrm3NJl0u97PU0PWQR8r5/s320/mud+dogs.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ruth and me being mud dogs!</td></tr>
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What is impressive and another thing I am thankful for is
the diversity of people I have become friends with through running. I am thankful that my running friends are made
up of people from a variety of ages, backgrounds, races, occupations,
religions, and interests. Each one of you has enriched my life and my running
in different ways. That is definitely
something to be thankful for. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>3. The running
experiences: </b>Running has given me so
many moments I am thankful for. Some of these were moments where I learned
things about myself, such as in the middle of my first 50 miler or when I
twisted my knee and was one of the last finishers at Green Swamp. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Others were moments with friends. Nothing will ever replace those early morning
runs down San Timeteo Canyon, first with Bill Wall and the Lopers, and later
with Kimball, Frannie, and the Runegades. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkjwmdR2EkGIawvXENnbNWmp8irJH4BNBO_-6cXHttLDTqcFIDhry2gApOV9PkHFbjRHfQ0gdlfyEyiocuf0L7YTKnqoopDAWi1S9Q90_ssQZ7caCFRzvKvqASqM8ibgWMkLLSkFkZShSU/s1600/Kim,+Fran,+and+Me2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkjwmdR2EkGIawvXENnbNWmp8irJH4BNBO_-6cXHttLDTqcFIDhry2gApOV9PkHFbjRHfQ0gdlfyEyiocuf0L7YTKnqoopDAWi1S9Q90_ssQZ7caCFRzvKvqASqM8ibgWMkLLSkFkZShSU/s320/Kim,+Fran,+and+Me2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kimball, Frannie, and me flying down San Timeteo Canyon</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
The <a href="http://througharunninglens.blogspot.com/2012/08/leading-ladies-marathon-road-trip-part.html" target="_blank">roadtrip to Leading Ladies Marathon</a>, despite its problems, was one of my favorite running
experiences ever.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh94xSpAHEi0P981akS6mMkQIAR36bNNK7HqCoS5JlyZLEdxWxXL0XBNGJ4RmSTatrHm11LJfgUKumjGQr6nxYVhxoFlhGEsNdB8IvXY3CL3AjNiaaCmD_UNVuV_-QAIwBHPHG9eStSYQc1/s1600/Leading+Ladies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh94xSpAHEi0P981akS6mMkQIAR36bNNK7HqCoS5JlyZLEdxWxXL0XBNGJ4RmSTatrHm11LJfgUKumjGQr6nxYVhxoFlhGEsNdB8IvXY3CL3AjNiaaCmD_UNVuV_-QAIwBHPHG9eStSYQc1/s320/Leading+Ladies.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Leading Ladies</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
And, I am especially thankful for my equally crazy
running/walking/biking friend Leslie who has been my companion and tent-mate on
so many excellent adventures. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI2zq29hlg24SL8ek_xS-I3JKry6nNckJxqHFwvd5CjRYHW1em59YUTQFkACwo5c3ZiWOqLhqi7Gf8EMIj0ifTUAKQx4SC_2Q0lGB365oV2AG5KD_AgndKHQkI41LP9OF0NKMj5vWENPiy/s1600/Northwest+tour.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI2zq29hlg24SL8ek_xS-I3JKry6nNckJxqHFwvd5CjRYHW1em59YUTQFkACwo5c3ZiWOqLhqi7Gf8EMIj0ifTUAKQx4SC_2Q0lGB365oV2AG5KD_AgndKHQkI41LP9OF0NKMj5vWENPiy/s1600/Northwest+tour.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leslie and me on a biking adventure!</td></tr>
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Still others were the time spent in beautiful places: running
through the Nelder Grove of Giant Sequoias on the Shadow of the Giants trail, running
along the beach in Carpinteria then up through the avocado grove, the view from
the top of Mt. Baden Powell (or countless other views from the Pacific Crest
Trail), the view from the top of the trail at Dances With Dirt Devil’s Lake,
and the simple beauty I found on any number of other trail runs.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4ehziQL1pMk_tpC1cVpspMxY4dK-yrIovFF16cffaVB7DFbA7tCO5wT1jm1MgYJ9hLxxr_J1gwplMQAvfl0OBEVZ0rt2id8sazU5SNdpRa2UqLiRx20RHbN-aEIykFdZhTunrDOJv-L2z/s1600/nelder-grove-350.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4ehziQL1pMk_tpC1cVpspMxY4dK-yrIovFF16cffaVB7DFbA7tCO5wT1jm1MgYJ9hLxxr_J1gwplMQAvfl0OBEVZ0rt2id8sazU5SNdpRa2UqLiRx20RHbN-aEIykFdZhTunrDOJv-L2z/s320/nelder-grove-350.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nelder Grove at Shadow of the Giants</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
There are also the experiences meeting so many of my running
heroes and inspirations: Lorraine Moller, <a href="http://througharunninglens.blogspot.com/2012/06/meeting-running-idol-scott-jurek-at.html" target="_blank">Scott Jurek</a>,<a href="http://througharunninglens.blogspot.com/2012/11/meeting-running-legend-lynn-jennings.html" target="_blank"> Lynn Jennings</a>, <a href="http://througharunninglens.blogspot.com/2012/11/book-review-my-life-on-run-by-bart-yasso.html" target="_blank">BartYasso</a>, Dick Beardsley. Each one of them was so gracious and had so much insight
to share about running and life. In how many sports can the average runner have
the chance to interact with his or her heroes? How many of them would actually let you hold their Olympic medal!!??<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKNrGgSHFipUVSTUIcBZbYuttaCUPNEbeDwh7okWUjaN63pz72l3EhCnDW47Cz0hS55j3marN2MAM0tDfNfURFKM6jWPrfspfZxnT66PYDV6q9fo_BsAttBr69Lu7JvbPVo3BDg-8vGAi_/s1600/Olympic+medal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKNrGgSHFipUVSTUIcBZbYuttaCUPNEbeDwh7okWUjaN63pz72l3EhCnDW47Cz0hS55j3marN2MAM0tDfNfURFKM6jWPrfspfZxnT66PYDV6q9fo_BsAttBr69Lu7JvbPVo3BDg-8vGAi_/s320/Olympic+medal.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With Lynn Jennings</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b>4. My coaching
clients: </b>I have to give a shout-out here for one of the newest things I am
thankful for this year: my three new coaching clients. Earlier this year, I got
certified as a Road Runner Club of America coach and opened a coaching business
here on the blog. I have been a teacher my entire life, but because of one bad
decision 30 years ago, I have been teaching English (which I do also love)
instead of in my true area of passion, which is physical
education/kinesiology/exercise science. Opening
the coaching business finally allowed me to follow that dream in a small way. <o:p></o:p></div>
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However, you can’t be a coach if you don’t have athletes.
Thankfully my dear friend Kate was willing to take a chance on me and turn her
training over to me as my first client. She has been an amazing athlete to work
with! She is such a hard worker, so intelligent and coachable, and her results
have been amazing. It is so rewarding to be able to be a partner in her
success.<o:p></o:p><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6e9jDPRlhwtMlEMuw6vmNEvM8ZHTlJgiUAWTOYw4ui10kTfva-WyEYvke5e_FWmhATNTV9x_wuLKVj9YnLrgtU5oxQNkwTyUxDBxR6XE5LEnuMAuOwa-Yn4nc773p19uYo0DhI8ScMeli/s1600/Me+and+Kate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6e9jDPRlhwtMlEMuw6vmNEvM8ZHTlJgiUAWTOYw4ui10kTfva-WyEYvke5e_FWmhATNTV9x_wuLKVj9YnLrgtU5oxQNkwTyUxDBxR6XE5LEnuMAuOwa-Yn4nc773p19uYo0DhI8ScMeli/s320/Me+and+Kate.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and Kate just after she scored her marathon PR! </td></tr>
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Since then, I have picked up two more clients who have
become very special to me, Angela and Missy. Like Kate, these two ladies have
been amazing to work with. It has been
so exciting to see them progress and improve. They have such great attitudes
and, like Kate, are so eager to work hard and learn. I love watching how
supportive they are with each other and what a little “team” has been created. I
am thankful for their trust and enthusiasm. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>5. Sense of hope and
possibility: </b>The final running thing I am thankful for is the sense of hope
and possibility that has always surrounded the sport for me. Have you ever
stood at the start of a marathon? If so, you know how much hope and possibility
the event represents. It is the hope for growth and change. The possibility of
doing things one never thought they could (What? Run 100 miles? Me? I don’t
think so? …. Well maybe …. Okay, I will give it a try!). <o:p></o:p></div>
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Is there anything more hopeful than a runner sitting down in
the winter to plan their racing calendar for the next year? Each race considered brings the possibility
of new experiences, new challenges, new triumphs, and new friends. Once the
events have been chosen, the training plan is laid out – again so much hope and
possibility. That is one of the most addictive parts for me, one of the most
important aspects of running.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I am also thankful that running has taught me to keep a
hopeful attitude in the face of despair. A bad race? Oh well. It happens. There
is always another one on the horizon. Jump back in there and start preparing.
This little bit of perspective I learned from running has served me well in
other areas of life. <o:p></o:p></div>
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As Thanksgiving approaches, I invite you to head out on a run and contemplate what running things you are thankful for. If you get a chance post a comment here or over on the Facebook page to share what you are thankful for in your running life. </div>
wyldrunner@Through a Running Lenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04986015389913810775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7986710354721256441.post-83799371949182078462013-11-18T19:24:00.000-05:002013-11-18T20:10:25.326-05:00Changes to the Western States 100 Qualifying Standards: The Best Laid Plans...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsNWTXtyluOl3eisKNrQcxblelsSX6hLe3su6AXYkr9pyQqEnvRn2bzFXnoBpohgKY3MqdsLrInUNdLl4tDc3okFEDbomA93Tq2jA9jNZ-jFgNpxQ15VRYGCWeu27qwVrpptGLXgYP0q_W/s1600/WS+Qualifying+Page.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsNWTXtyluOl3eisKNrQcxblelsSX6hLe3su6AXYkr9pyQqEnvRn2bzFXnoBpohgKY3MqdsLrInUNdLl4tDc3okFEDbomA93Tq2jA9jNZ-jFgNpxQ15VRYGCWeu27qwVrpptGLXgYP0q_W/s400/WS+Qualifying+Page.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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In an earlier post (<a href="http://througharunninglens.blogspot.com/2013/07/do-what-you-love-love-what-you-do.html" target="_blank">“Do What You Love… Love What You Do”</a>), I had discussed my
decision to recommit to trail running and to my desire to pursue my number one
bucket list item, running the <a href="http://www.wser.org/" target="_blank">Western States 100</a>. In the aftermath of that choice, a barrage of
other choices followed, which ultimately led to us leaving for a year on the
road for me to pursue my ultrarunning dreams.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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I had carefully laid out a year’s worth of plans that
involved qualifying for Western States early in the year in March in Kentucky
at the<a href="http://www.wkrc.org/phpnuke/modules.php?name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=2" target="_blank"> Land Between the Lakes 50 mile</a> race,
on a course I was familiar with and comfortable with. The attempt early in the
year was so that if I did not qualify on the first try that I would be able to
follow that up later in the year with another attempt. If I did qualify, I was
planning on a 100k, 100 miler or 24 hr race later in the year (still to be
determined) to help get me ready in case I was lucky enough to get in. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Then, in late October, some news came out on the <a href="http://www.wser.org/news/" target="_blank">WesternStates 100 site</a> that changed everything: their
qualifying standards were changing! They subtitled the article with the
statement “<i><span style="background: #FFDBAC; color: #444448; font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Keep it fair. Keep it Simple. Raise the
Bar.” </span></i>Starting with the 2015
race (the earliest one I would be able to qualify for), 50 mile races were no
longer accepted as qualifiers for the Western States 100. Entrants for the
lottery now must qualify by running one of the approved 100k or 100 mile races.
<o:p></o:p></div>
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They gave some pretty good justifications for the
changes. Because of the growing
popularity of ultras and the draw of the Western States, the number of
applicants has been steadily increasing. Because of their agreement with the
Forest Service, however, the number of applicants must stay the same. Thus, the
chances of getting selected in the lottery have been plummeting. Here is what
the site has to say about this:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i><span style="background: #FFDBAC; color: #444448; font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">The chances of being one of the lucky 270 drawn last year,
with only a single ticket in the bucket, was a scant 7.9%. With the likelihood
of continued increase in demand – which parallels the growth of the sport
worldwide – if we continue with our current standards and races, the chances of
getting selected in the lottery will soon be below 5%. We don’t believe that is
good for the race or the runners who get a qualifying time, enter the lottery,
and then get rejected in the lottery, some year after year after year.</span><o:p></o:p></i></div>
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I do see what they are saying. By requiring the 100k or 100
miler, the number of entrants will probably drop, and that should help with the
long wait times for entry. The site does not say what percent of the qualifiers
each year come to the lottery through the 50 mile races, but it is probably
quite a few. <o:p></o:p></div>
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There is a lot of discussion of the changes on the
ultrarunning discussion boards and blogs. It appears that most ultrarunners
support the changes and feel that it is very reasonable to ask runners to have
qualified at a 100 mile race of comparable difficulty before entering. Most ultrarunners are very much against the “bumper
sticker” approach to ultrarunning, where people rush to run distances to
collect the sticker for the back of their cars. Many feel that to participate
in a race like Western States runners should have shown at least enough
dedication to the sport to be willing to run a 100 miler to prepare. In
addition, most ultrarunners know at least one person who worked for years to be
ready to make a serious attempt at Western States, qualified, and then waited
another few years to get through the lottery process (or are still waiting)
while others they know of, who are new to ultrarunning, possibly only having
run one or two 50ks and the qualifying 50 miler, were lucky enough to get in on
a first try. There really is something about that which just seems wrong.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I also support the change, although it does throw a monkey
wrench of sorts into my plans since I will now have to prepare for and run a
100 miler this year to qualify (almost all of the 100ks are international
events). However, I will take that over
the possibility of qualifying and waiting years to actually get in. <o:p></o:p></div>
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There are 63 races on the <a href="http://www.wser.org/qualifying-races/" target="_blank">qualifier list for 2015</a>. I will need additional time to prepare and
feel a race before August would be totally out of the question. So now I am agonizing over choices… <o:p></o:p></div>
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I am leaning toward the <a href="http://www.runwoodstock.com/" target="_blank">Hallucination 100</a> at Woodstock. It has a
lot of advantages for me: I am familiar with the trails there; I have a good
support system in MI; and I really like the evening start so that I am running
at night while I am fresh. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP7m9fnSg8Fwx4v-m5xa7-imFx-dCgR7EJrT7z6bVAdirHMGXCJOBZXD22U8DC50ybYlJOsoQSRP6T2Jbq1iV8HYBxiW3EgZL1b24etsN7QP3fOoBm17t7Z6bTx0zecys_UCi-sOoq_0JX/s1600/Woodstock.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP7m9fnSg8Fwx4v-m5xa7-imFx-dCgR7EJrT7z6bVAdirHMGXCJOBZXD22U8DC50ybYlJOsoQSRP6T2Jbq1iV8HYBxiW3EgZL1b24etsN7QP3fOoBm17t7Z6bTx0zecys_UCi-sOoq_0JX/s400/Woodstock.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Once I decide, which will probably be sometime in the next
few weeks, I will backtrack to try to figure out my racing schedule to
prepare. Anyone want to join me at
Woodstock?<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
P.S. While I wait, I am getting in some awesome trail running at Ross Prairie State Park in FL. Read about it on the <a href="http://roamingrunningwriting.blogspot.com/2013/11/planting-some-roots.html" target="_blank">Roaming, Running, Writing </a>blog. </div>
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wyldrunner@Through a Running Lenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04986015389913810775noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7986710354721256441.post-90293038814104957262013-10-30T14:59:00.001-04:002013-10-30T14:59:29.951-04:00A Runner Hits The Road<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKj2cLSXQuwDrCb2Ybyh8jePnOmgOcEp_l_4tK4S-ABAfyVa51w3xle7PbHARX2AcWSo2oh9dDVVIlPESJ1O90jOU4LkwkEQNQeuxtZDXfEL4iS_L7s4YYzZTtUqSoAdll0kXnAgvOPTgO/s1600/US+MAP.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKj2cLSXQuwDrCb2Ybyh8jePnOmgOcEp_l_4tK4S-ABAfyVa51w3xle7PbHARX2AcWSo2oh9dDVVIlPESJ1O90jOU4LkwkEQNQeuxtZDXfEL4iS_L7s4YYzZTtUqSoAdll0kXnAgvOPTgO/s320/US+MAP.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As you may have noticed, I have not been very active on the
blog lately. That is because I have not been very active with running
generally. Why the inactivity? Is it an
injury? A lack of motivation? It is neither
of those. I have been very busy planning and setting into action my next
running adventure. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Many years ago I saw a little blurb in either <i>Runner’s World</i> or <i>Running Times </i>about a guy living in his camper and traveling around
the country racing. Immediately I knew
that I <i>had</i> to do that someday. Well, about ten years later, that someday is
here.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Over the past five years, I have been putting a plan into
action, little by little. I needed to make myself mobile. I started the process
by changing my occupation so that I could teach online from anywhere. I worked
hard to put together the money to buy a trailer. And, perhaps most important, I found a
wonderful partner who was just crazy enough to think it sounded like something
he would like to try too. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our original plan did not involve cutting the umbilical cord
completely. We were planning on living
in Michigan and just traveling during the winter months. That changed when I found out that I just
could not stay in Michigan. Although I
love the running community and trails there and have made many wonderful
friends, I just could not handle the grayness and the cold that are a major
part of the Michigan experience. When we
decided it was time to move, I knew that the time was right for this adventure.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Any hesitations I might have had were erased when I talked
to my friend Donna. Besides being an almost 50 states marathoner (and the
author of the <a href="http://througharunninglens.blogspot.com/2013/10/guest-race-report-michigan-runners-at.html" target="_blank">really awesome race report here</a>),
she and her husband had already done exactly what I hoped to do, spent a year on
the road in their RV traveling around the country and running. She said it was an awesome experience! How
could I not give it a try?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, in July we put our house up for sale, started packing,
and today we are on the road. Our plan is to travel around the country for the
next year, running and racing in as many locations as we can manage. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We do not have a solid itinerary. I want to be flexible and let serendipity
have a hand in our decisions. However,
we do have a rough plan for the year that involves as highlights Christmas in
Washington D.C. with my grandson, a month in California visiting my family and
my old running friends, spectating at the Western States 100, Leadville 100,
and U.S.A Pro Cycling Challenge, and returning to MI next September for my
first 100 mile race in Hell and another year of pacing at Capital City River
Run. My goal is to find as many trails and do as many races as I can along the
way. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Because I am a writer, I also wanted to blog about the trip.
I toyed with the idea of just posting here, but decided that I wanted to
continue with this blog as is rather than making major changes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Because the majority of the posts will be more travel log
than running related that I would set up a separate blog for anyone who might
be interested in reading about our experiences and following our travels. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It is called <a href="http://%E2%80%9CRoaming...Running...Writing%E2%80%9D/">“Roaming...Running...Writing”</a> and is
available at <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://roamingrunningwriting.blogspot.com/">http://roamingrunningwriting.blogspot.com/</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTetgfTmSgYzo9Wf51x8s71pUrvKeJ14YwrRFTNqUeEskuEGWaXl97H177nGoK3-fACPbvxHxLuhaQm0afsjTcBBcunfRM3j8ahIpXTk2XmAfIRjfPpOHcOGQpWvavXwbo-ERjuXeW4yN7/s1600/RRW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTetgfTmSgYzo9Wf51x8s71pUrvKeJ14YwrRFTNqUeEskuEGWaXl97H177nGoK3-fACPbvxHxLuhaQm0afsjTcBBcunfRM3j8ahIpXTk2XmAfIRjfPpOHcOGQpWvavXwbo-ERjuXeW4yN7/s640/RRW.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I really hope you will visit regularly to follow my
adventures (and misadventures). Who knows, maybe I can inspire you to follow
your own running dream. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
wyldrunner@Through a Running Lenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04986015389913810775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7986710354721256441.post-81988566372382185052013-10-18T10:25:00.000-04:002013-10-18T10:25:10.668-04:00Guest Race Report: Michigan Runners at Columbia River Power Marathon (and "marathon" wine tasting in Walla Walla, Washington)<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-size: large;">I know I have been
very inactive here on the blog lately, but there is a very good (and exciting)
reason for this that I will be revealing in an upcoming post. Thank goodness I
have friends who are doing fun things and having running adventures who are willing
to write guest posts. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">The race report here
is for one of my friends and Playmakers Racing Team teammates, Donna Swanson.
Donna is amazing!! She is a marathoner who is a member of the <a href="http://www.50statesmarathonclub.com/" target="_blank">Fifty States Marathon Club</a>
and who is closing in on completing the amazing accomplishment of running a
marathon in each of the fifty states!! (She is also my hero and role model for
another reason, which you will be hearing about in that upcoming post I promised
above.) <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;"> Recently she and a group of other Michigan
runners traveled to Umatilla, Oregon to run the <a href="http://www.columbiarivermarathon.com/" target="_blank">Columbia River Power Marathon</a>.
Being a very civilized group and well-rounded group (one cannot live by running
alone), they extended their trip to include some wine-tasting in Walla Walla,
Washington. An alert reader, Ruth
Thelen, heard of their adventures and thought others might like to hear the
story. Donna agreed, and here it is. So slip off your running shoes, grab a
glass of wine, and enjoy!</span><o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The trip to Walla Walla, Washington (one hour away from
Umatilla) was GREAT! We flew to Pasco, WA Thursday before the
marathon and easily met up with Karen and Jon Lewis at the tiny Tri-Cities
Airport (they flew in on an earlier flight) and shared a rental car. It was about an hour drive to Walla Walla
from the airport, so, of course, we stopped at two wineries on route. John and I had been to Walla Walla a couple
times when we lived in Montana and discovered that we loved their wines! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After our winetasting stops, we checked into
the Hampton Inn and Suites. The <a href="http://www.charlessmithwines.com/" target="_blank">CharlesSmith Winery</a> had live music that night, so we sat outside enjoying the music
and the food truck there that served bbq food.
As we were leaving to head back to the Hampton, we ran into an
optometrist friend from Billings who was in Walla Walla with his wife and
friends to do some tasting! Small world!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Friday we did a 5 mile walk to check out downtown Walla
Walla. We visited wineries on “Southside”
Walla Walla that day and John and I shared a tasting at each, as did Karen and
Jon. All the wineries we visited were
beautiful and all very different from each other. Grace and Tony Gilmore met up with us at <a href="http://www.sofhcellars.com/default.aspx" target="_blank">Sleightof Hand Winery</a> (they flew in Friday).
The six of us then visited a few more wineries. <a href="http://www.baselcellars.com/" target="_blank">Basel Cellars</a> was the most beautiful one…all
log and stone structure, pretty grounds.
We bought some cheeses, olives, hummus there and enjoyed snacks out on
their patio. That night we ate in
downtown Walla Walla at T. Maccarone’s which was excellent!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Saturday we were up early for the hour drive to Umatilla. We picked up our race packets (no expo) at
the Desert River Inn motel and met up with Gary Haf and Brad Behrman, who along
with Grace were running the half marathon.
Karen, Jon, John and I all ran the full marathon. There were also relay teams, an 8K race and a
50K race. All races began at the same
time, and it was a very small field even with all of us starting together. The race director announced that they had
runners from all over and specifically mentioned “Michigan” which brought
cheers from our Northville Road Runners group! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Fairly early in the race, we crossed the Columbia River via the McNary
Dam (normally not open to the public) into Washington and ran about 4 miles in
Washington. Race shirts have “I ran the
dam race” on the back! The Washington
section was mostly along fairly busy roads. We saw (and smelled!) a truck filled with
onions…Walla Walla is known for its Walla Walla onions! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We
crossed back into Oregon around mile 6 on a bridge over a busy interstate with
cars and truck roaring alongside us. The
first 10 miles of the course were on pavement and quite hilly. Grace and I ran together for those 10 miles;
Brad was with us for a short time and Jon Lewis just slightly ahead of us. We spotted a mule deer trotting alongside the
river. Grace peeled off around the 10
mile mark to head for the finish of the half and totally missed the section of
the marathon course that Karen, John and I didn’t care for at all! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We got on the <a href="http://lewisandclarktrail.com/section4/washington.htm" target="_blank">Lewis and Clark trail</a> along the
Columbia River which is billed as “very scenic”. It is neat seeing the river and there were
rocky bluffs to the other side of us. The
trail was covered with fairly large and loose gravel as well as some sandy
parts, which made it difficult to find decent footing. In a couple sections, they had recently
dumped fresh gravel over old, so those sections were particularly difficult to traverse. I enjoy hard packed dirt trails, but that’s
not what this was! I had held a decent pace for the first 12
miles, then watched my pace get slower and slower as I weaved back and forth
trying to find the best footing. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Runners
got very spread out on the trail, as there were only 31 total finishers in the
marathon! “Loneliness of the Long
Distance Runner” came to mind! There
were hardly any spectators. The aid
stations were enthusiastic, but we could have used a couple more as it got warm
during the second half. The worst part
about the gravel trail section was its length!
We entered the gravel just beyond the 10 mile mark and the turnaround
for the marathon was just beyond the 17 mile mark, then we went back on this
same trail for about 13 miles total. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Before the turnaround I had already started alternating walking and
jogging.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">The walking spans started to
last longer than the running spans after the 17 mile mark.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">Avid trail runners or ultra-marathoners may
have enjoyed this part of the course, but not me!</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Shortly after I made the turnaround, I saw
Karen and we stopped to give each other a hug.</span><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><span style="font-size: large;">She said “I hate this gravel!” and I echoed her sentiments!</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">A few minutes later I saw John and he said
the same thing.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">Other marathoners I talked
to also complained about the footing and gravel.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Just before the 23 mile mark, Karen caught up
to me.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">I handed off the rental car key
to her as I know she is a much faster walker than I am and that’s all I was
doing by that point…walking.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">I was
thrilled to finally get off the gravel, only to encounter the longest, steepest
hill on the course…about a mile of continuous uphill.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">The last two miles of the course were pretty
flat, but I still walked most of it.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">I
did pass two women walking together at about mile 25 complaining that the
gravel had totally done them in!</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">I asked
if they were as ready for this to be done as I was and they said “YES!”</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">As I passed them, one said “Please don’t tell
me that this is your first marathon!”</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">I
told her that it wasn’t, but left it at that!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">There were a handful of people at the finish line and I was given my
medal which has a beer bottle opener attached to it!</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">They did no age group awards (which I guess
is understandable given the tiny number of finishers) – awards went to places
first through third overall only.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">They
had touted a “baked potato bar” as post-race refreshments, but there was
nothing left by the time I finished!</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Jon
Lewis, however, was my hero of the day!</span><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><span style="font-size: large;">Not only did he run pretty darn well (4:37), he negotiated with the
motel to pay for a room for two hours so that the four of us could take much
needed showers after the race!</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">Karen had
finished in 5:11, me in 5:19 and John in 5:57.</span><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><span style="font-size: large;">My slowest in MANY years!</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">Despite
our pitiful finishing times, John and I both finished first in our age groups
(out of two finishers in each!).</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">Karen
and Jon both took 2</span><sup>nd</sup><span style="font-size: large;"> in their age groups, so we viewed ourselves as
age group winners even though there were no age group awards!</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">We enjoyed hitting 3 more wineries after the
race on the way back to our hotel in Walla Walla!</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">The Gilmores provided an appetizer spread in
their suite, and we ordered pizzas from Sweet Basil’s for dinner! </span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">Took group photos in our race t-shirts!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Sunday brought a walk on nice trails at Lake Bennington,
then MORE wineries! <a href="http://www.canoeridgevineyard.com/" target="_blank">Canoe Ridge</a> was
probably my favorite that day. Gary and
Brad joined us for winetasting, then later in the day Bill Moran and Rhonda Emery
met up with us (they had run a race in Washington the day we ran Oregon). We finished off Sunday with a stop at <a href="http://www.threeriverswinery.com/" target="_blank">ThreeRivers Winery</a> (beautiful!) and sat on their patio. They had a FREE 3-hole golf course that John,
Jon, Brad and Gary enjoyed! The group of
10 of us had dinner Sunday night at Whitehouse Crawford – excellent restaurant!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidFPB2JSkjWjzi9JfjlF1k8OYE1_oxGWJ4q8ecNYt9OnHX-ah48XZvRQQOafLiqD1Vd-pGyOqUfAwULrTmjruj-s6APXkVmOJ-MW3HPgckEwLxJlyPkpz1horAK_n60GSrNHGzvJ8dKXaH/s1600/Canoe+Ridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidFPB2JSkjWjzi9JfjlF1k8OYE1_oxGWJ4q8ecNYt9OnHX-ah48XZvRQQOafLiqD1Vd-pGyOqUfAwULrTmjruj-s6APXkVmOJ-MW3HPgckEwLxJlyPkpz1horAK_n60GSrNHGzvJ8dKXaH/s640/Canoe+Ridge.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Monday Grace, Karen and I did some yoga while the guys went
for a walk. Hit a couple wineries in
Oregon that day as Walla Walla is very close to the WA/OR border. I loved Zerba – in a charming LOG tasting
room! (Wonder why I liked that one…because
we live in a log home??) We ended up
doing a “marathon” of wineries over the 5 days…26 different wineries to match
the 26 miles we ran! We ordered Asian carry
outs for dinner and shared them in the Hampton dining room. Celebrated Karen’s birthday that day too!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We flew home on Tuesday with Karen and Jon. Marathon #86 and state #47 finished! John is now at 64 total marathons and 40
states. It was a really fun trip with
great friends! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Donna Swanson<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Quincy, Michigan</span><o:p></o:p></div>
wyldrunner@Through a Running Lenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04986015389913810775noreply@blogger.com0Umatilla, OR, USA45.9173549 -119.3425179000000245.828958899999996 -119.50387940000002 46.0057509 -119.18115640000002tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7986710354721256441.post-49435512628435003582013-10-03T11:06:00.004-04:002013-10-03T11:07:14.263-04:00 Check this out!!<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">As some of you may or may not know, last winter I took an RRCA Coaching Certification course, became a certified coach, and added a <a href="http://througharunninglens.blogspot.com/p/coaching-services.html" target="_blank">coaching services business</a> to the blog. Things have been going well with my first few clients. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I just picked up a new client last week who, besides being a runner and a delightful person, is also a blogger. I am honored to be mentioned in her blog post for this week, so I thought I would show it off: If you would like to check it out <b><a href="http://www.missfit237.com/1/post/2013/10/ask-and-you-shall-receive.html?" target="_blank">click here</a>.</b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4u6aDCSz0wUkPuQpKiPBXBIAgA4TnBuEkywZKpSu6H44JbBFsQR3yQ7rYwHVXWlpkD7XsLUUnQHv-nJb69uhrVM3isrwK6LQg6bW181rkKoP7YnKlvpZq0XuTQ0kxoLm9p6iSavZBB6vK/s1600/Misfit.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4u6aDCSz0wUkPuQpKiPBXBIAgA4TnBuEkywZKpSu6H44JbBFsQR3yQ7rYwHVXWlpkD7XsLUUnQHv-nJb69uhrVM3isrwK6LQg6bW181rkKoP7YnKlvpZq0XuTQ0kxoLm9p6iSavZBB6vK/s640/Misfit.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">If you would like to look into the idea of hiring me as a coach, please check out the <a href="http://througharunninglens.blogspot.com/p/coaching-services.html" target="_blank">Coaching Services</a> page of this blog. </span>wyldrunner@Through a Running Lenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04986015389913810775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7986710354721256441.post-19932763847993122992013-09-02T10:17:00.000-04:002013-09-02T10:17:27.715-04:00Guest Race Report: Michigan Wine Trail Half Marathon<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicCGdNdCDWIXIP_s9FAxmgu2OKRCCOwXJmxeY9P5EdYhAPy4ROJYNSi2mPE8O1ypqgQBF9tJa6NYBjzpN77V10D_yqj4k3onUIi2afGyteahYDTlUV3HTFRsg1A8uyfpXa2N7HBbmdOoWo/s1600/980465_10100188262577600_1689498049_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicCGdNdCDWIXIP_s9FAxmgu2OKRCCOwXJmxeY9P5EdYhAPy4ROJYNSi2mPE8O1ypqgQBF9tJa6NYBjzpN77V10D_yqj4k3onUIi2afGyteahYDTlUV3HTFRsg1A8uyfpXa2N7HBbmdOoWo/s200/980465_10100188262577600_1689498049_o.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Not a running pic, but definitely a great pic of Beth!</i></td></tr>
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<i>I really love a guest post, as you can probably tell from the number of them we have had on the blog. I will often ask people to write on races that they have run, especially when I am not doing anything interesting myself. </i><i>However, I especially love it when someone contacts me because there is something that he or she wants to say and a story that needs to be told. That is what my friend Beth Johns did with this report.</i></div>
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<i>As a writing teacher I know that writing can be really good therapy, helping us process our experiences and gain perspective. Beth, being a very wise librarian, as well as a smart runner, knew that too. We all have bad races, and we can all relate to what Beth went through. She definitely can tell a good story. Enjoy!! </i><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Sometimes you embark on consistent training and things are
going pretty well. Until race day, that is. I have had a disappointing race
season this summer, and I can only hope it gets better in the fall. It’s certainly shaking my confidence as a
runner like it’s never been shook before.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I began training for a half marathon training this summer.
The half is by far my favorite distance and the one that got me started with
Team P back in 2005. I’ve done many—I
can’t even tell you how many. I’ve finished most of them in about 2:30, which
is fine since I don’t train to run faster, just stronger. But in the last year
or so I’ve finished around 2:45. Mostly, this was planned since the race was
worked into my marathon training and therefore, a slower pace. I have reasons for the other slowdowns, but
that might take up another guest post. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Those who run with me know I’m a big believer in Hal
Higdon’s training plans and incorporate them with <a href="http://jeffgalloway.com/">Jeff Galloway</a>’s run/walk/run method. I’ve
been using Hal’s intermediate plan, which incorporates weekly speed work and
shorter mid-week runs, weekly long runs and a few optional mid-distance races.
My speed work has gone well, once I understood what I was supposed to do (thank
you Lori!) and I usually complete my mid-week runs, in mileage if not days, one
strength session per week and of course the long runs. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In May, I started training for the <a href="http://www.michiganwinetrailhalf.com/">Michigan Wine Trail Half Marathon</a>.
I heard about this race on Facebook. </span><span style="font-size: large;">It’s
a road race that took place on August 25 in Baroda, MI and this was its second
year. If you haven’t heard of Baroda, you aren’t alone. I hadn’t either until I
Googled it. It’s a tiny town in the </span><span style="font-size: large;">Stevensville/Benton Harbor area. There are
a lot of wineries nearby, many of which you probably heard of (the location
host, Baroda Founders Wine Cellar, Tabor Hill, and others). It’s a pretty part
of the state once you are off I94, and one that I haven’t paid much attention
to in the past. But it sounded like fun, kind of small (500 runners), and you
got a wine glass at the end along with a taste. What fun!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5lkVLoTtz-33uSkHbGRespC088adb_m8W1Q7IRKVFyyPBZWeOV1KtFwFGjUWQnKhINXrWLF-TgW2O6-SCMW_7l8RMT7T5n3EzRqTD3VbrleooySMffr4H3x4sVnnSOoZwSga6pzlrHX7Y/s1600/vintage2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5lkVLoTtz-33uSkHbGRespC088adb_m8W1Q7IRKVFyyPBZWeOV1KtFwFGjUWQnKhINXrWLF-TgW2O6-SCMW_7l8RMT7T5n3EzRqTD3VbrleooySMffr4H3x4sVnnSOoZwSga6pzlrHX7Y/s400/vintage2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">One of the mid-distance runs in the plan was a 10K around
the July 4<sup>th</sup> holiday in Whitmore Lake. It was a bit humid, but not
terrible. However, I started out way too fast—10 something per mile. I kept
that up for about 3.5 miles, then slowed considerably. I’m good at that pace
for a 5K, but apparently not a 10K. That taught me to start much slower, even
if the race is “just” 6.2 miles. My finish time was terrible, even for slow
poke me—about 78 minutes. I was aiming for 70 minutes. Oh well, it was a
training run and you learn from it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">The next race in the plan was a 15K a few weeks later. I
couldn’t find one in Michigan, so I found a 10K that took place on Belle Isle
and decided to do 3 miles just ahead of the race start. What a nasty, humid
day—I was drenched after my pre-race 3 miles. But I started my race, did well
for about 4.5 miles, then that was it. I did more fast walking than planned.
So another really bad finish—79 minutes! I told myself that running 3 miles in
35 minutes just before race start probably did it, plus the humidity. Still . .
. it shakes you and makes you doubt yourself, but I kept in mind that it’s only
a training run. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I completed my other long runs leading up to race day, but sometimes
not ending in the exhilaration I want to feel. I just told myself, “race day
will be better.” In the past, my poor training runs had usually resulted in a good
race. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The big weekend finally came. I drove to Baroda on Saturday,
picked up my race packet, and then drove the race course because the
description on the website said it was “challenging” with few details and I
like to get an idea of what I’m going to be doing, if I can. I read about a
“big” hill at mile 8. I noted many
rolling hills on my drive—not too steep, but a lot of them. Think of a loop of the
Mt. Hope Cemetery times six. The big hill looked challenging, but I approach
hills by doing my best and just walking if it’s too hard. I always run downhill
at a race. I can usually make up time somewhere else. It crossed my mind that I
should dial down my expectations, but the course overall didn’t seem too bad. I
planned on a 2:30 finish, give or take 5 minutes.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha-AwMhzlO-HHsY0irkwlUrygys-lNiToOwlJM2ywToywGM5XPkM8frmtGd0Ce1LXS6t3S2e2oWM_feoIJPgZ7qyTILMfea7oiSI6mAxB1REPyLetyQh64WQnwb3tP_oTpbIPsgH8phFRb/s1600/Course_elevation.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="48" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha-AwMhzlO-HHsY0irkwlUrygys-lNiToOwlJM2ywToywGM5XPkM8frmtGd0Ce1LXS6t3S2e2oWM_feoIJPgZ7qyTILMfea7oiSI6mAxB1REPyLetyQh64WQnwb3tP_oTpbIPsgH8phFRb/s640/Course_elevation.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Course Profile -- Definitely some hills there</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The next morning I got to the start line, felt good, well
hydrated and fed, no aches, and was pretty confident about myself. I started
out at what I thought was a slow, comfortable pace. Mile one was 11:21
according to my watch—a little fast, but not too bad. I was aiming for 11:30. Then
the hills started. It felt like a lot of up and down and up and down on long
country roads (2 to 2.5 miles each with a few shorter ones) with some flat spots
and declines. I try to incorporate a hill workout once a week, so hills
themselves don’t scare me. But it really tires you out when you haven’t trained
on a series of hills like these for several miles at a stretch, even if they
are small inclines. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">By mile 8, the big hill, I slowed some, but was still close
to my goal. 1 hour 33 minutes had passed. I was happy with my pace, even though
that translates to about 11:35 per mile. That changed shortly after when I got
to mile 9. There was ANOTHER big hill, shorter, but just as steep! Or it felt
like that anyway. After struggling up that hill (actually, I walked up most of
the first hill and this entire one), I was done. I walked, tried a little slow running,
but my legs just wouldn’t move quickly enough. When you are walking as fast as
you are running, you might as well enjoy the walk. So I did that to mile 10, and
then switched my Galloway method to 1:2 (1 minute run, 2 minute walk). This
actually helped my mental state a lot because trust me, there was a lot of self-loathing
going on inside my head! I contemplated never running a half again, maybe never
running at all since it seemed like I was putting a lot of effort into little
reward. I added more running seconds as I felt able. I did manage the last quarter
mile non-stop, so I sort of looked like I finished strong. One thing I hate is
finishing, but feeling like I’m going to puke or collapse. This is one reason
why the Galloway method works well for me. So it was important to me to finish
feeling good. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ5QNtcgR5_RqcZwt4lHH48lSuEHTJL0CvjfFwGRXjtVpts9jnET8UVgNBMx6PNAu4qGTciM3RccgIlPiDkWA7S12EiNjCMnMdgrnVNapUvOWHWCtsV8XpeR3Acp-jky307tPyGNYMtBn0/s1600/1291379_10100257575748450_976653513_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ5QNtcgR5_RqcZwt4lHH48lSuEHTJL0CvjfFwGRXjtVpts9jnET8UVgNBMx6PNAu4qGTciM3RccgIlPiDkWA7S12EiNjCMnMdgrnVNapUvOWHWCtsV8XpeR3Acp-jky307tPyGNYMtBn0/s320/1291379_10100257575748450_976653513_n.jpg" width="278" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">I finished this half at 2:44:15. To make matters worse, they
ran out of medals! (I received it in the mail later.) Thankfully, I got the
wine glass and the taste. I was beating myself up about my finish immediately
after this race though. Without all of those hills in the first half or at
least the big hills, I truly think I would have finished in 2:30, mostly
running because I was feeling pretty good up to mile 9. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I am running the <a href="http://detroitwomenshalf.com/">Detroit
Women’s Half</a> on Belle Isle on September 22. I’m still aiming for a 2:30
finish. The course is two loops of the
island, but from what I remember from the 10K, it’s mostly flat, so unless we
have a hot & humid day, or some other disaster happens, I hope I can brag a
little afterwards. I’m also considering the <a href="http://www.bruckelaufe.org/">Brückeläufe</a> in Frankenmuth in
October—13.1 miles over 13 bridges. So I have a couple of options to hit that
goal. I just hope if I don’t, I can avoid a mental complex about racing! I’m not sure what I’ll do if it happens
again—maybe have a meltdown on the course (not really). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Michigan Wine Trail Half is a nice, informal race that
will probably grow. They went from 100 last year to almost 500 this year. There
were a few issues that I’ve already discussed with the race director, aside
from the medal problem. He is very responsive to everyone’s comments, which is
a good sign. They have a nice group of volunteers, too, who do a decent job of
encouraging you. The race has a 4 hour limit, so it could be a good one for
walkers, too. There is also a 5K with it called the “Galloping Grape.” I do
recommend this race for a nice change of scenery, really pretty farmland and as
I found out, a challenging course. I think I may run it again next year—but
just for fun. Unless I start training on hills like crazy.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYHT9Dwv3KYI-eD-p9kIJAryXdUaeVeD9yIxBq2VsLaC_oQj9YkccTYU_NUPXAWKUXVojOYQmLu59A3qCLhTWyF9ATbIbHTZleGIgFvNHq_d-7kK_-uDqxBl-4fkX3u0p4D_gxcBq4RzGU/s1600/1080341_10100257575743460_1933419923_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYHT9Dwv3KYI-eD-p9kIJAryXdUaeVeD9yIxBq2VsLaC_oQj9YkccTYU_NUPXAWKUXVojOYQmLu59A3qCLhTWyF9ATbIbHTZleGIgFvNHq_d-7kK_-uDqxBl-4fkX3u0p4D_gxcBq4RzGU/s640/1080341_10100257575743460_1933419923_n.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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wyldrunner@Through a Running Lenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04986015389913810775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7986710354721256441.post-45710520191762731332013-08-26T10:34:00.000-04:002013-08-26T10:34:41.916-04:00Does Your Garmin Stink? Try Nature's Miracle<div class="MsoNormal">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie7pLOVyUNnsSjnscjwfVgy9RzhNoGB_nIRm14OGb6h8EsQCm3u5hrja9Ybijl3P3XLXHYv0OvTJBRir9ciPGuKEYuMz7lhFIGzji8_M3PQ_d-sGJjfpPhGJVxWJ01olypIBDy_ed96RCi/s1600/2-stinky1448.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie7pLOVyUNnsSjnscjwfVgy9RzhNoGB_nIRm14OGb6h8EsQCm3u5hrja9Ybijl3P3XLXHYv0OvTJBRir9ciPGuKEYuMz7lhFIGzji8_M3PQ_d-sGJjfpPhGJVxWJ01olypIBDy_ed96RCi/s320/2-stinky1448.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">As I was wiping my nose about a month ago on the run (yes, with the back of my hand), I smelled this awful odor!! What the heck??? A few more sniffs told me it was the wristband for my Garmin. It reeked!! Many of you may have read my previous post on <a href="http://througharunninglens.blogspot.com/2012/04/its-little-things-replacing-your-garmin.html" target="_blank">changing out the plastic wristband on the Garmin for the more comfortable and better fitting Velcro one</a>. Unfortunately, one of the drawbacks of the fabric wristband for the Garmin, is that it stinks after a while of absorbing all that nasty runner sweat. What to do?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Well the obvious answer, of course, is to wash it. That was my first thought too. I wet down the band got out some laundry soap and scrubbed the band with an old toothbrush. Presto! The band didn’t stink any more. It smelled fresh and clean --- for about two runs. Pretty soon it was back to being smelly again, and with warmer weather coming on, it really was starting to smell ripe. I was not keen on having to take the band on and off every week to wash it. It is not that quick an easy thing to do.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<span style="font-size: large;">I obviously was going to need something a bit more heavy duty to deal with this problem. The answer came courtesy of my ever-helpful cat, Roadie. He had been having some kitty “issues” and had been urinating in some unexpected places. Since we have our house up for sale and cat pee is not high on the list of “smells that sell houses,” we needed some help. I searched all over the Internet for what to use to clean up pet odors, and after several solutions that only partially took care of the problems, I found the one that was able to solve our problem.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The solution came in the form of Nature’s Miracle, which is a bio-enzymatic odor remover that is used to neutralize and remove organic odors. (Before I go any further, let me say that I am NOT affiliated with Nature’s Miracle in any way. I just am a huge fan of their product because it has really worked successfully for me.) What this means is that it neutralizes the odor by killing the bacteria that is causing the odor. After using it successfully around the house on a variety of surfaces, I decided to give it a try on my watch band. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The directions on the Nature’s Miracle have you wash the spot first and then treat with the Nature’s Miracle by soaking it with the product and allowing it to air dry. I removed my watch band (which is not an easy task) and washed it in a solution of dish soap, a half cup Nature’s Miracle, and water. After scrubbing and rinsing, I left it out in the sun to dry. </span><o:p></o:p><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi99LXs8B_3m0huVrlyMUgGYMug2msW5Cp1W3dBFhsn7OJ3sB4IAGqIR-Pc691i1tfQoTZSVfzMLPKUezktwJ94BPpv0qkuWASnxoz5tR8-7O2wmPivB-FGpYBvsxBz6autH2hBLD5QG7YE/s1600/PhotoGrid_1377525199278%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi99LXs8B_3m0huVrlyMUgGYMug2msW5Cp1W3dBFhsn7OJ3sB4IAGqIR-Pc691i1tfQoTZSVfzMLPKUezktwJ94BPpv0qkuWASnxoz5tR8-7O2wmPivB-FGpYBvsxBz6autH2hBLD5QG7YE/s640/PhotoGrid_1377525199278%5B1%5D.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Once it had dried, I followed that up with a good saturation of the band with the Nature’s Miracle and again left it to dry. The band was once again fresh and clean and smelled great. Unfortunately to keep it smelling that way, there is some maintenance involved. About every two days when I finish my run, I rinse the band and spray it band down with the Nature’s Miracle and let it dry. It is like deodorant for a Garmin! This is keeping my band smelling fresh and clean. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">For those of you who worry about harsh chemicals, Nature’s Miracle is pretty mild. The ingredients are as follows: Water, nature's enzymes, isopropyl alcohol, natural citrus scent. Apparently, the most toxic ingredient is the isopropyl alcohol. It seems pretty safe to use. It comes in a smaller and cheaper spray bottle, but I buy it by in the larger size and refill because I use it for the pets and the laundry too. It is available at Petsmart, but it is cheaper from Amazon. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/cm?t=thrarunlen-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B00251GJ5W&ref=tf_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe> <iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/cm?t=thrarunlen-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B00251M2L2&ref=tf_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">As an added bonus in this process, I also discovered that Nature’s Miracle works in the laundry. I use it to help take the lingering sweat odor out of my running and cycling clothes. I have just been putting a half cup of the Nature’s Miracle in the wash cycle with the regular laundry detergent. It seems to work great to take out the smells!! If you give this product a try, let me know what you think. While not a miracle, it has been worth the price for me. </span><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Related posts:</span></b><br />
<a href="http://througharunninglens.blogspot.com/2012/04/its-little-things-replacing-your-garmin.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Changing the Wristband on Your Garmin</span></a></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
wyldrunner@Through a Running Lenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04986015389913810775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7986710354721256441.post-46081031737117245542013-08-20T13:49:00.001-04:002013-08-20T16:17:24.790-04:00Runner’s Recipe: Quick and Easy Veggie Tacos <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghBzgDy0K2i4Ec1pDysACbjRsmRLeEomb69ewiM-WLE87NUColmy3ZY1M9dNHrfdDLxdFZuYjZHzVSHdf2xNqIM5yUi_FMrhtaNwh8CBg0wVtCHcKQ8IpEL0DCB_cgkjaZWvpLIz5Vov1G/s1600/Veggie+Tacos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghBzgDy0K2i4Ec1pDysACbjRsmRLeEomb69ewiM-WLE87NUColmy3ZY1M9dNHrfdDLxdFZuYjZHzVSHdf2xNqIM5yUi_FMrhtaNwh8CBg0wVtCHcKQ8IpEL0DCB_cgkjaZWvpLIz5Vov1G/s400/Veggie+Tacos.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Veggie Tacos</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I know this isn’t a cooking blog, but besides running
itself, the number one concern and favorite activity of most of the runners I
know is eating. I decided that every now
and then it would be fun to share some of my favorite recipes. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">First let me say that since reading <i>Eat & Run</i> by Scott Jurek (If you aren't familiar with the book, you are missing a great read. Check out my <a href="http://througharunninglens.blogspot.com/2012/06/book-review-scott-jureks-eat-and-run.html" target="_blank">review of <i>Eat & Run</i></a>), I
have been trying to go more vegetarian in my diet. I have been succeeding for
the most part. I have not made the jump to 100% vegetarian yet, but most weeks,
I manage to make about 90% of my diet vegetarian, with maybe only one meal a
week with meat. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I also love Mexican food. Having lived in California for
most of my life, it was considered a staple. On first glance, it is easy to go
vegetarian with Mexican food, just by leaning heavily on the beans and cheese
and taking out the meat from most dishes. However, the tendency is to add in
large amounts of cheese which really piles up the fat content, something I am
also working on. Plus, that is just
boring. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Thankfully, there are many sources of inspiration out there
for how to make vegetarian eating exciting and yummy. These tacos got their
inspiration from a food truck we have around the Lansing area, usually at
farmer’s markets, called <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TrailerParkd" target="_blank">Trailer Park’d</a>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ-VkDF9Aq6iK23bC-VsJUe1PNBT3aGcwo66LX_gUcnFmz13hbT14s9H-1i9mqqeqzoZHBGK9Q_eUmz5RPjUMTMsy8eBR7c4Jrzdjy_wAi3qfcyMf305qgDAT1dlN85d6RnhXJC5EX7C33/s1600/trailer+park's.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ-VkDF9Aq6iK23bC-VsJUe1PNBT3aGcwo66LX_gUcnFmz13hbT14s9H-1i9mqqeqzoZHBGK9Q_eUmz5RPjUMTMsy8eBR7c4Jrzdjy_wAi3qfcyMf305qgDAT1dlN85d6RnhXJC5EX7C33/s400/trailer+park's.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trailer Park'd at East Lansing Farmer's Market</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">We stopped by there on the suggestion of one of my running/Facebook friends
(Thanks, Lolo) to try the tacos. They were awesome, but I always have to fiddle
with a recipe to get it just how I like it.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">This is what I came up with. They are the best veggie tacos
Jer and I have ever had. As a fair warning, you must be an onion lover to like
this recipe. The prep time is about 20 minutes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Ingredients:</b><br />
4 soft taco flour tortillas<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">1 large red onion<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">1-2 tablespoon vegetable oil <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">1 ripe avocado<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">1 package shredded coleslaw mix<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">4 tablespoons feta cheese<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">¼ cup fresh or frozen corn<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">¼ cup canned black beans<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Garlic salt<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Fresh cilantro (you can leave this out if you are a cilantro
hater)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Mexican lime (optional)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Green tomatillo salsa<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Directions:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">1. Slice the onion into half rings. Put the onion half rings in
a skillet (I like cast iron) that has been preheated with oil and cook over
medium heat to caramelize. (For tips on how to caramelize onions, click <a href="http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/how-to-caramelize-onions-10000001135271/index.html." target="_blank">here</a>.) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">2. While the onion is cooking, put the corn and black beans into a small container and microwave to heat through. Add garlic salt and stir. Then set aside for taco assembly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">3. Check on the onion, stir, and then peel and slice the
avocado into small chunks. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">4. Lay out all other ingredients close at hand for the assembly process. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">5. When onions are ready, heat the tortilla shells. My
favorite method is over the burner of a gas stove on medium heat until slightly
brown, turning often to avoid burning or the edges catching on fire (If you try
this, be careful, and don’t burn your fingers). My boys could heat a tortilla like this by the time they were twelve, but if you aren’t quite so adventurous,
you can warm them in a hot skillet, on a grill if you have one, or in the microwave
for about 10 seconds. You really lose some flavor, though, if you microwave them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">6. Assemble the tacos as follows: grilled onions, black bean
and corn mixture, tablespoon of feta cheese, cole slaw mix, a squeeze of fresh
lime juice, and five or six cilantro leaves, to taste. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Top off with green tomatillo salsa (or whatever type of
salsa you prefer, but the tomatillo really sets this off). These are best if
served with an ice-cold 12 oz bottle of the runner’s favorite post-run
beverage, and no I do NOT mean Gatorade. Give them a try and let me know what you
think. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">(Do you have a healthy runner-friendly recipe you would like to share? If so, contact me to do a guest post!) </span></div>
wyldrunner@Through a Running Lenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04986015389913810775noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7986710354721256441.post-62220311490691079892013-08-17T21:49:00.000-04:002013-08-17T21:49:40.599-04:00Reluctant Race Report: USATF Masters 1 Mile Road Championships<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">The race reports where I do terrible are always so much
harder to write than the ones where I do well. Not only is there a tendency to
not want to publicize a failure that most people would not have noticed if it
had not been brought to their attention, but there is also a lot of
self-examination that goes on when one has a performance of epically bad
proportions. That pretty much describes my mile race last weekend.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">I run with the Playmaker’s/New Balance Masters Women’s
Racing Team. We participate in a USATF Team Grand Prix Series. These are a
series of races at varying distances where we can score and get awards not only
as individuals but as teams in our ten year age groups. If you follow the blog, you may
remember that<a href="http://througharunninglens.blogspot.com/2012/12/race-report-usatf-national-club-cross.html" target="_blank"> I reported on the final team championship race last year </a>(and my first race with the team), which
was the Cross Country Team Championships.
Playmaker's women’s teams typically do well in these events, with our 60+
and 70+ teams often winning the overall championships. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">I am on the 50+ team. One of the problems with the 50+ team
is that many of the women are still working or have other family
responsibilities that keep them from traveling to team races. We often don’t
have enough women for a team (it takes at least 3). I was excited that for the
mile championships because we did manage to have both a 60+ and a 50+ team.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">The mile championships were in Pittsburgh this year, which
made it close enough for us to travel to. Anyone who follows this blog knows
how much I love a road trip, so I was excited to go. However, if you follow
this blog, you may also know that I am primarily a marathoner and ultra runner.
I am not by any means a miler. In fact, the idea of driving 10 hours to run a
race for 7 minutes or less is pretty much the literal <i>opposite</i> of what I prefer to do. Still, the lure of hanging out with this
really great group of women and doing a road trip to run was more than I could
resist. Of course, I was in. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Again, if you have been following the blog, you may also
remember that<a href="http://througharunninglens.blogspot.com/2013/07/do-what-you-love-love-what-you-do.html" target="_blank"> I have been in a running slump</a>. I had a spurt of solid training
in late April and May, a few good races, including a 5k PR in early June, and
then I just kind of lost it. My weekly mileage hovered at a dismal 11 mpw
average in late June, July, and early August. In my defense, though, I did do <i>quality</i> for those 11 miles each week
(really – I even did two track workouts). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Well the trip to Pittsburgh was as much fun as I thought it
would be. Our fearless leader, Ruth, had everything organized. We took off on
Thursday afternoon for the Friday evening race so that we could drive halfway,
get to Pittsburgh early on Friday to relax and check out the course, and get
ready for the race. The ride up was pleasant and uneventful. We got to Pittsburgh
early Friday, and except for a brief cloudburst as we arrived at the hotel,
everything went fine.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">It was too early to check into our rooms, so we went to the USATF
room to see if there was any free food. (Hey, we are runners! What do you
expect? What? What do you mean you don’t
have to carbo load for a mile?) While we waited, I spent my time looking up the names of the list of competitors from my
age group on Athlinks, did some quick calculations, and realized that the odds
were pretty darned good that I would be last in my age group. That was not good
news. Oh well, I was there. What was I going to do? I pouted for a few minutes,
but then decided to just enjoy the experience. We had time to pose for pictures
and do a little horsing around courtesy of GNC, one of the sponsors for the
race. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinquX0scjhj5Nvi1wSAc4Y7f-wve6tf-w0JbVCKSuCFAUW5JHnyAua3AIVoGr0a6dPx4QSsF2NSdlF9pZJSYtYooPmW8ymE-gbu8nqyXHwcwFN5U_V2AKYJaPhsrua38vhkW-5AUWSQTp8/s1600/PhotoGrid_1376789127850.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinquX0scjhj5Nvi1wSAc4Y7f-wve6tf-w0JbVCKSuCFAUW5JHnyAua3AIVoGr0a6dPx4QSsF2NSdlF9pZJSYtYooPmW8ymE-gbu8nqyXHwcwFN5U_V2AKYJaPhsrua38vhkW-5AUWSQTp8/s640/PhotoGrid_1376789127850.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Pittsburgh turned out to be a very pleasant surprise. We were
downtown in a really nice Wyndham Hotel. From our room we had a most awesome
view of the river and the stadium. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMu5StdJLcYBh6tOT6gpzco4ZFd4f9INNEeB2MnVv0oK-5qKW0No19s9_1R3ZZbjBC_iMTLixWrBkN5KNuIG0eh442s0PcinjeICOo_-FwUKQmQGVyBUhSsDai5cnck8AfgU1AQl4WmYSF/s1600/20130809_153930.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMu5StdJLcYBh6tOT6gpzco4ZFd4f9INNEeB2MnVv0oK-5qKW0No19s9_1R3ZZbjBC_iMTLixWrBkN5KNuIG0eh442s0PcinjeICOo_-FwUKQmQGVyBUhSsDai5cnck8AfgU1AQl4WmYSF/s640/20130809_153930.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">We went out to explore the surrounding area
and scout out the course. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Downtown Pittsburgh was very cool (who knew?), with parks,
statues, galleries, theaters, and shops lining the course. It was obviously an
artsy part of town. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmSmO04UTyxpTQ0qkBobq48rfGgY-nPqbxksthmHr8yeiL_ak0kq89p0QNFAlFw91aV5GWbn7NQXq682ayV0CMhQ36Xsumzjt-lV96W0jAmjLsirYLm-1akxIPQx2vjEmmfdpTM-8x2ZS5/s1600/PhotoGrid_1376788667688.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmSmO04UTyxpTQ0qkBobq48rfGgY-nPqbxksthmHr8yeiL_ak0kq89p0QNFAlFw91aV5GWbn7NQXq682ayV0CMhQ36Xsumzjt-lV96W0jAmjLsirYLm-1akxIPQx2vjEmmfdpTM-8x2ZS5/s640/PhotoGrid_1376788667688.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The race was being run on two main streets in the downtown
area, Penn and Liberty, and the finish area was in Market Square. After
stopping for a slice of pizza, we walked the entire mile and were very pleased
with the course. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">We headed back to the hotel to get ready. I was pretty
excited because we had just gotten new team singlets made by New Balance. They
are awesome! Plus this one fits without making me feel (and look) like a
sausage (which is how I always felt in my old one). We were a pretty good looking group!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKGsSUrgim5i3lu8yBWw2gAw96MFszC86kTddqHJD8mtPEQWUeJ5XGKbkknKFDpCSIMyRMWgQkjn7wJujtyJu0ByqiU637CKoRB-r8VLzKdlRe9sMA9g1DNXGxraCXSkN_3b_gB6xHjUV4/s1600/Playmakers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKGsSUrgim5i3lu8yBWw2gAw96MFszC86kTddqHJD8mtPEQWUeJ5XGKbkknKFDpCSIMyRMWgQkjn7wJujtyJu0ByqiU637CKoRB-r8VLzKdlRe9sMA9g1DNXGxraCXSkN_3b_gB6xHjUV4/s640/Playmakers.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<br />
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Besides the USATF Master’s Championships, there was also an
open public mile race called The Liberty Mile, and elite men’s and women’s mile
races. Some of the best milers in the U.S. and a few international competitors
were in town for the elite race. We were very excited to run into Owen
Anderson, director of the Lansing Marathon and coach of a very talented runner
named Chemtai Rionotukei who among other accomplishments <a href="http://www.mlive.com/sports/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2013/05/fifth_third_river_bank_womens.html" target="_blank">had won the FifthThird River Bank Run 25k</a> back in May. Owen said that they were excited to be
competing and that he expected that we would see good things from Chemtai. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Nerves were high before the race. Except for Ruth, none of
the women from our group who were there were short distance specialists. I was really worrying about the whole being
last thing. There were only about 25 women running in our race. The road was two
lanes wide, a mile long, and lined with hundreds of spectators. It would be
pretty hard to hide how badly I was going to suck. (Another reason to love
trail running: When you are in the woods, no one ever sees how badly you suck!)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">My friend and fellow 50-54 age group teammate, Sue, and I talked
briefly about race strategy and the idea of running together, since we are
usually pretty evenly matched, but she had been training hard for triathlons
lately, and I had not been training much at all, so I was not optimistic. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Our little group finally lined up at the start and the gun
went off. Just as I suspected, a pack of runners took off. Sue and I started
sensibly a little behind the main pack. I was hoping to avoid the crash I had
experienced at the only other mile I had ever raced (and the getting passed at
the end that went with that) so was trying to control the pace. It was hard
with the pack starting off like a bunch of greyhounds, but I did manage to go
out in the realm of acceptability and hit my first split pretty much right on
pace. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">After that I am not sure what happened. In the second
quarter mile, I kind of had a mental lapse and let my pace slide. Sue slipped
away a few yards, but I had to let her go. I was pretty much doing all I could
to do what I was doing. It is really weird, but I remember nothing of this part
of the race except following Sue’s back and seeing the pack up ahead. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">I do not even remember hearing the crowd, but I do remember feeling
the pain. It is amazing how long 7 minutes can feel when you are running at
your max. When I hit the split at the half, I was so mad to see that my pace
had slipped to over 7. That was going to make it super hard to get the 6:50
that I was hoping for. I picked it up and tried to hold on. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Finally my watch beeped to tell me that we had passed the ¾
mile. I was not dead at the end (like I had been in the earlier mile I had
raced) and for a few seconds I entertained the idea of trying to see if I could
catch Sue who was still a few yards ahead of me. It was then I saw the best
thing of the entire weekend.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">As I was looking ahead at Sue to see if she looked like she
might be getting tired, I saw her posture change. I thought, “Dang, she is
picking it up.” Just then I saw why. In
USATF competitions we all wear a bib with our ages on our backs. Over Sue’s
shoulder, I could see a woman who had fallen off the back of the main pack,
with a big 50 on the back of her singlet. She was in our age group! I watched as Sue ran her down and passed her.
It was a beautiful thing! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">“Go, Sue!!” I was yelling inside my head, as I struggled for
air. I also tried to pick it up, hoping to catch the faltering woman, but it
was not to be. As the finishing clock approached, I watched it tick past
6:50 (my goal pace) and 6:55 (my
previous mile time). It ticked on toward 7:00. NOOO!! My “C” goal had been to
be under 7:00. I crossed the line at what I hoped was 6:57 (but what later
turned out to be 6:58). I was not last
in the race (there were women all the way up to the 70+ age group), but I was
pretty sure I was last in my AG. How depressing! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">I found Sue to congratulate her and tell her how awesome she
was. Then we looked for the rest of the team. Everyone (except me) had run
really well. Most had PRd, and the 60+
women had won the team competition. It was awesome! Ruth also was 1<sup>st</sup>
and last in her age group. (She was the only one in the 65+ group.) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Probably the second most amazing thing that happened that
night was the performance of Chemtai. She finished third in a really tight
race. She was just four seconds behind first and the third and fourth place runners were within a hundredth of a second of
one another: 4:35.10/4:35.15, with fifth place at 4:35.90. Talk about close!! That
is such an awesome accomplishment for her. I am sure we will be hearing more
great things about her in the future! I
could tell Owen was really proud of her. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSevriwEQoSKHTfGjisYoi5sF2cn3PDSwoNgifUi3lTdSDPVXPj5RKRLOgB9a62MoLOgXa08i2CVbIp2rT6VqvkTdM2UrDm6crepLmqd8mlH1CQtaIBACPTGEI6Ay87QZ9oMRFl8NFvzDB/s1600/20130806_183056%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSevriwEQoSKHTfGjisYoi5sF2cn3PDSwoNgifUi3lTdSDPVXPj5RKRLOgB9a62MoLOgXa08i2CVbIp2rT6VqvkTdM2UrDm6crepLmqd8mlH1CQtaIBACPTGEI6Ay87QZ9oMRFl8NFvzDB/s320/20130806_183056%5B1%5D.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Owen and Chemtai at Playmakers to promote Owen's book<i> Running Science</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiadP36QodpBK4qGh_eakrUVdNzhUIZkpfIn22SceyJf9QlbGS0YziVDiHUkDLATbRZ0kaxboOlKRFtaR4NqFbCmGlfQnIeHhljXmwoX95b9lZSTsq9-Tkm_K9biw7fQnRyCMtDn_PK1ER/s1600/Chemtai.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiadP36QodpBK4qGh_eakrUVdNzhUIZkpfIn22SceyJf9QlbGS0YziVDiHUkDLATbRZ0kaxboOlKRFtaR4NqFbCmGlfQnIeHhljXmwoX95b9lZSTsq9-Tkm_K9biw7fQnRyCMtDn_PK1ER/s320/Chemtai.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chemtai with her 3rd place award at the Liberty Mile</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I do have to say that I was pretty bummed out about my
performance. Of course, my friends tried to cheer me up by telling me that I
should just feel honored to have been able to compete with some of the best
runners in the country. I <i>was</i> honored to do that, but I was also mad at myself
for performing so poorly. If I had run well and been last, that is one thing,
but to run so poorly and be last was what bothered me because I had nothing to blame but
my own lack of training.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">One of the things I love about running is I
have always believed that “you get out of it what you put into it.” I believe that saying is true when I have
trained hard and done well, but the other end of the stick on that is that it
also applies when I have slacked off and done poorly, like in this race. I have
a screen saver on my laptop that says “You can have excuses or you can have
results. You can’t have both.” I guess it is time to stop making excuses and start
training! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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wyldrunner@Through a Running Lenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04986015389913810775noreply@blogger.com3