Just got my acceptance letter and refreshed my plan....training starts Tuesday...I have an older race report to publish shortly as well.... here we go!
Friday, July 3, 2015
Friday, May 16, 2014
Thunder Rock 100 DNF Race Report
This is a speech outline but Im not going to edit for now...just getting it out here...added photos to the bottom...
Plan
melded into first Race of year 2/15 the Iron Horse 100K
Which I had run over 500 miles since December preparing for. I found a plan that was stacked on weekends
with nothing over 30 miles at once. The
biggest weekend was 15/25/30. I also
incorporated tire drags to simulate hills.
I spent the next three months running over 500 miles more preparing for
it as well.
Gear
Hydration vest, loads of salt caps, hammer gels, knife, and
untested means to start a fire, headlamps, handhelds, misc. other goodies.
The trip:
8.5 hours to Chattanooga pre-race dinner with speakers and
prizes in hip area for outdoors people.
Local foods, outdoor dining.
Race day:
Slept in thinking there would be no sleep for over 30 hours
tomorrow and didn’t want to miss a second of bed time. Grabbed a coffee and breakfast when it started
to hail….this was going to be interesting.
Headed out on hour drive to race start and took longer than expected. Planned to fill bladder at start but they
had no water set out. Kris to the rescue
ran to a nearby drinking fountain and filled me up. This is in the 3 minutes before race
start. Starts and I’m last across the
bridge but there is a log jam ahead.
First 5.5 miles give a beautiful undulating start before first aid at Thunder rock (more of a photo opp. Than
anything plus last minute items. Cross
road and climb through slippery technical single track for nearly 10
miles. Sliding sideways in rain,
thunder, and hail.
Deep Gap aid station at this point and feeling
great….endless single track fuels my run.
I continue on from there to the first real aid and crew station at
reliance mile 25. Loads of riverside
trails with endless waterfalls and in and out of forest throughout. I realize it will be dark soon and grab my
headlamp.
The trail to Coker Falls (Mile 39) is almost 100% river and
rapids. This is the most technical trail
I have run with large smooth rocks and constant up and down along the
river. Running across creeks and into
the darkness. About 2 hours of this
stretch are complete darkness. I reach
Coker Falls (it’s dark but they are roaring for miles around and incredible
even under a headlamp). The aid station
fills me and I see multiple people dropping from the race here.
I push on from hear up the gravel fire road and into the
forest headed to Manny Cabin at mile 46.
Asphalt, cars, lost, 2:30 am find a truck from race and I have time out
after 48.5 miles and 9500 feet of climbing and descending.
I was lost and alone yet more alive than ever.
Saturday, March 9, 2013
Dances wih Dirt 50k
 |
| The sun was only moments behind this moon rise. |
 |
| Ezekiel, Jordana, and me. |
 |
| Registration |
 |
| Last few feet... |
 |
| Start/Finish |
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Croom Fools Run 50 mile 4/9/11
Friday night was full of anxiousness and excitement as I prepped for the run. I separated my food into three separate waves for each loop and triple checked everything in my drop bag and alarm clock. I had a bracelet from Chloe, Tricia's watch, and a granola bar from Annabelle that she tells me is very tasty. I finally manage to get to sleep around eleven after finishing my sex miles...
How quickly 3 am came around and I was up to shower, eat, and check everything again. I woke up the family and we jumped in the car for the ride to Brooksville. Less than an hour later we are rolling down the nicely graded gravel road into the Withlacoochee State Forest headed to the start finish. By 5:15 we are at the check in take picking up the neon green tech shirt and swag bag. No timing chips here and no big fanfare, just about 50 crazies willing to go 50 are here. I strap on my headlight, slip my sunglasses on the back of my shirt, and warm up the trusty Garmin wondering if it will have enough juice to make It all day. I give kisses to my daughters and wife and walk down to the start line. The race director says a few words and gives a flashlight to the one runner without one and moments later he shouts, "Go!".
We start off on the bonus loop of about 5 miles before we jump back on the main 15 mile loop trail called the orange trail (I think). I take off hot with the lead group and finish the first mile in 7:30 before calming down and remembering the words of all my supportive friends to start slow! I resolve to stick to my plan and run 25 minutes then walk 5 until the hills come up and then will walk them and adjust. The first loop has the sticky predawn air and while I appreciate the cool I look forward to sunrise to dry the air. I have my moments of self doubt and wondering what the hell I'm doing out there but I push thought the first loop and have 20 miles done....only 30 to go and I ask myself, "Why stop now you are 40% done?"
I restock my heed and water and grab the bag I have prepped for loop two and head out for more. Before I know it I have run a full marathon, it is noonand hot, and I tell myself, "you're over halfway there and no matter what you will be an ultra marathoner when you finish this loop". The miles from 22-28 really test me with nasty abdominal cramps on the right side whenever I run but the are disappear when walking and I keep reminding myself this will pass. I distract myself with thoughts of the sex miles from the night before and press on. Around mile 30, I reach an aid station and "Mom" notices I have only drank one water bottle (of four) since the last aid station. She makes sure I drink up and refills my bottles with cold liquids. I press on with loop two with 5 miles to go.
The terrain starts to look familiar and I see a sign that reads 0.2 miles to water and I know I am moments from the start of loop 3. By now it is about 2 pm and there is no way I am stopping. My brain has given up on that idea and I refill bottles and grab bag 3 for the final loop. It is getting very difficult to eat and I suck down a hammer gel and some soda as I can't even imagine another peanut butter packet at this point. Time has begun to blend together and I feel the blister in my left shoe has spread to the right....but i keep moving. I come up on the first aid station manned by a Red Sox fan who I congratulated on his win vs. The Yankees. He tells us we can finish by 10.5 hours if we keep up pace but I am delirious by now and just want to finish safely. I look over his drinks and see cups of cold beer and quickly drink two (they are little) and head off for more. Relentless forward motion is the rule out here and we don't stop. Around mile 40 I am lucky enough to meet up with someone at my same pace (walking with sporadic running) and we hang together chatting for the next 9 miles. I keep telling him let's run after this hill but we keep walking until I challenge him and then I crack and watch him run away. Moments later another guy who had been sick most of the afternoon passes me and I resolve to try and catch him and run the last mile as hard as I can. We hit the 0.2 miles to water sign and I know the end is near. I round the last corners and come up on my wife, daughters, and Buddy Buster (Grandpa's dog). I run across the finish line to the cheers of the group gathered in the campground and proceed to fist bump and celebrate with everyone I can. My wife greets me with an ice cold Bud Light and I sit down on the most comfortable wooden picnic table I have ever felt.
50 miles, done in less than 11 1/2 hours... Easy as pie.
How quickly 3 am came around and I was up to shower, eat, and check everything again. I woke up the family and we jumped in the car for the ride to Brooksville. Less than an hour later we are rolling down the nicely graded gravel road into the Withlacoochee State Forest headed to the start finish. By 5:15 we are at the check in take picking up the neon green tech shirt and swag bag. No timing chips here and no big fanfare, just about 50 crazies willing to go 50 are here. I strap on my headlight, slip my sunglasses on the back of my shirt, and warm up the trusty Garmin wondering if it will have enough juice to make It all day. I give kisses to my daughters and wife and walk down to the start line. The race director says a few words and gives a flashlight to the one runner without one and moments later he shouts, "Go!".
We start off on the bonus loop of about 5 miles before we jump back on the main 15 mile loop trail called the orange trail (I think). I take off hot with the lead group and finish the first mile in 7:30 before calming down and remembering the words of all my supportive friends to start slow! I resolve to stick to my plan and run 25 minutes then walk 5 until the hills come up and then will walk them and adjust. The first loop has the sticky predawn air and while I appreciate the cool I look forward to sunrise to dry the air. I have my moments of self doubt and wondering what the hell I'm doing out there but I push thought the first loop and have 20 miles done....only 30 to go and I ask myself, "Why stop now you are 40% done?"
I restock my heed and water and grab the bag I have prepped for loop two and head out for more. Before I know it I have run a full marathon, it is noonand hot, and I tell myself, "you're over halfway there and no matter what you will be an ultra marathoner when you finish this loop". The miles from 22-28 really test me with nasty abdominal cramps on the right side whenever I run but the are disappear when walking and I keep reminding myself this will pass. I distract myself with thoughts of the sex miles from the night before and press on. Around mile 30, I reach an aid station and "Mom" notices I have only drank one water bottle (of four) since the last aid station. She makes sure I drink up and refills my bottles with cold liquids. I press on with loop two with 5 miles to go.
The terrain starts to look familiar and I see a sign that reads 0.2 miles to water and I know I am moments from the start of loop 3. By now it is about 2 pm and there is no way I am stopping. My brain has given up on that idea and I refill bottles and grab bag 3 for the final loop. It is getting very difficult to eat and I suck down a hammer gel and some soda as I can't even imagine another peanut butter packet at this point. Time has begun to blend together and I feel the blister in my left shoe has spread to the right....but i keep moving. I come up on the first aid station manned by a Red Sox fan who I congratulated on his win vs. The Yankees. He tells us we can finish by 10.5 hours if we keep up pace but I am delirious by now and just want to finish safely. I look over his drinks and see cups of cold beer and quickly drink two (they are little) and head off for more. Relentless forward motion is the rule out here and we don't stop. Around mile 40 I am lucky enough to meet up with someone at my same pace (walking with sporadic running) and we hang together chatting for the next 9 miles. I keep telling him let's run after this hill but we keep walking until I challenge him and then I crack and watch him run away. Moments later another guy who had been sick most of the afternoon passes me and I resolve to try and catch him and run the last mile as hard as I can. We hit the 0.2 miles to water sign and I know the end is near. I round the last corners and come up on my wife, daughters, and Buddy Buster (Grandpa's dog). I run across the finish line to the cheers of the group gathered in the campground and proceed to fist bump and celebrate with everyone I can. My wife greets me with an ice cold Bud Light and I sit down on the most comfortable wooden picnic table I have ever felt.
50 miles, done in less than 11 1/2 hours... Easy as pie.
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Oh the weather outside is perfect! :)
Well I am happy to report the heat bubble has burst over Florida and we are enjoying the 55 degree mornings...my running pace has picked up by about 45 seconds per mile in the last ten days and I look forward to a winter of PR's! I know I am an irregular poster here but today I feel the need to write so here I am.. Big day ahead for my Tampa Bay Rays....hope they can win us at least one more this season but it doesn't look good. Had a great run with the BRA (Brandon Running Association) this morning and hooked up with the A group for the first 4.5 at an 8:06 pace...felt good to go fast and I look forward to more of that through the cool season. Well it is time to go make some pancakes now so I will leave you all with this pembedded image of today's run. :)
Friday, June 4, 2010
You know your a marathoner when.... (I didn't write this but I can connect with most every line)
1. You say you are going out for an "easy" run day, which translates into 10 miles.
2. You have ice packs taking up way more space in the freezer than was ever intended.
3. You start to check out people’s legs when they walk by, and can point out the runners.
4. You have started a run under the stars and finished it with the sun overhead.
5. You know when new running shoes it the market.
6. Your “clothing” budget goes mostly toward running apparel.
7. You or others have referred to your body as a “machine.”
8. You keep your Camelback filled and in the fridge.
9. Running less than an hour seems pointless.
10. You have more running shoes than most women have dress shoes.
11. You smile at mile 5 because you are just starting to feel good.
12. You don’t get blisters anymore.
13. You’re tired of explaining to people that yes, the marathon YOU ran was 26.2 miles and in fact they are all that far.
14. You see distance running as a lifestyle, not a sport or hobby.
15. You run 5 miles to warm up for a 5K.
16. You know the definition of words like illiotibial band, psoas, piraformis, and how they relate to running performance.
17. When someone boasts they are training for a ½ marathon, you offer encouragement and smile, trying not to be a running snob.
18. Twenty-five songs on your ipod probably won’t be enough for your run.
19. Half your closet is filled with race T-shirts.
20. You have two sets of friends, the nonrunner ones who think you’re crazy and the runners who understand you.
21. You’re training for one now but already thinking of what race you’ll do after that one.
22. You feel guilty because you ran only 3 times last week.
23. You stash water bottles on your route before you start the run.
24. You take vacations based on where you want to run a race next.
25. You’re always on the lookout for a good place to run.
26. You wash running clothes three times a week.
27. You take it as a compliment when someone refers to that distance as crazy.
28. Either Friday or Saturday night is ALWAYS an early night for you.
29. You have stopped to throw up during a run only to keep going afterward.
30. You would never think of checking your running shoes on a flight. In fact, you wear them just to be on the safe side!
31. When you tell yourself midrun you’re just going to take it easy and get your mileage done.
32. You run out and back but forget to turn around at the midpoint.
33. You’re the only one who doesn’t care that the local 10K provides Gatorade at 3 rest stops. You moved on to GU and another energy drink a long time ago.
34. You spend as much time thinking and talking about running, if not more, than you actually spend running.
35. You’ve run more of your local roads than you’ve driven in your car.
36. You know what an ultra is, and you are familiar with at least a half-dozen. In fact, you’ve given serious thought to running one.
37. Your mileage per week exceeds this number regularly.
38. You buy energy drinks by the case.
39. You’re tired of explaining to nonrunners that you didn’t win the marathon.
40. You judge how hard your run as by the color of your urine.
41. You are missing toe nails.
42. You start your run feeling that is the most natural feeling in the world, more so than walking.
43. Nobody bothers to ask you anymore what you’re doing on Saturday morning.
44. The first thing you pack for any trip is your running gear.
45. You always have a large jar of peanut butter in your pantry.
46. You leave to run and nobody is worried when you still aren’t back in a couple of hours.
47. To you, a true friend will say “I know you are in pain, but I don’t care, you will not stop, you will finish and you will thank me for it,” and you know she’s right.
48. You use PR as a verb.
49. In the shower after a long run you brace for when the water is going to hit all the chafed spots.
50. You don’t just get sweaty; you get salty.
51. You know the exact mileage to places in your neighborhood because you pass them when you run… “So where is the Burger King?” “Oh, it’s1.6 miles down that road to your right.”
52. You are mixed between humored and annoyed when someone says “Oh you can eat anything. You’ll just run it off.”
53. You’re the “runner” in your office.
54. You have discussed the difference between running and jogging. You are not a jogger.
55. People look at you weird when you tell them you eat on your long runs.
56. You’ve memorized all the BQ times for every age group.
57. You know what BQ means.
58. You can quickly convert pace per mile into marathon finishing times.
59. You hate the phrase “You’re almost there.”
60. You know who Deena Kastor is and what she has accomplished.
61. You own a headlamp but have never explored a cave.
62. You know the difference between good pain and bad pain.
63. Every gift you get on birthdays and Christmas is running-related.
64. In the time it took to read this you could have run ____ miles.
65. You know how the marathon got its name and why it’s 26.2 miles.
66. You love the shock on your neighbor’s face when he sees you running 10 miles from your house.
67. You need more than 2 sentences to describe your race strategy.
68. You can solve 99 percent of your big problems on a long run.
69. You will read every word written on this subject.
70. You have a ritual before a run.
71. You try to persuade people to run a 10K because it’s “only” 6 miles.
72. Your nonruning friends come to you for advice on starting to run.
73. You have never kept a diary, but you keep a running log.
74. You train all summer long in extreme heat only to travel to a freezing cold place to run your marathon.
75. If you’re not soaked with sweat after a run, you’re not satisfied.
76. When you are in your car and see a person running, you wish you were running, too.
77. You buy more running shoes than any other kind and willingly pay $100 or more for them, but when you buy other shoes you don’t think it’s worth paying any more than $50.
78. You pass on happy hour after work because you have to run the next day.
79. Your cupboard is loaded with electrolyte gels, energy drink mix, recovery drink mix, power bars and energy gels.
80. You have a favorite flavor of Gu.
81. You run 10 miles in the morning and then see someone running later in the afternoon and feel guilty because you’re not running.
82. If someone asks “How was your run?” you don’t say “fine” but proceed to describe in details what you saw, and how how you felt at every mile along the way in great detail.
83. If you finish an 18-mile run and realize your mileage is only 17.85, you run an extra .15 miles so you don’t feel like you’re cheating.
84. You can run 10 miles despite a screaming hangover.
85. You sign up for a half-marathon for fun.
86. You go on a ski trip and bring your running gear to get in your run after skiing all day.
87. You have a marathon bumper sticker or tattoo.
88. You realize your long run this week is “only” 16 miles.
89. Date night is scheduled around your running schedule.
90. You’ve had “Run, Forrest, Run” yelled at you at some point.
91. While standing in line at the bank or the grocery store you start to stretch and think nothing of it.
92. Your nonrunning friends can’t believe how much and how often you eat.
93. You run every tangent.
94. You have entered a race to pace your friend.
95. Your roommates ask you how long your training run is going to be in hours, not minutes or miles.
96. You aren’t really sure what you would do with all the extra time if you didn’t run.
97. You get excited about a negative split
98. You know what a negative split is.
99. You have an exact answer ready for “What is your BMI?” “What is your resting pulse rate?” “What is your body fat percentage?” “How much do you weigh?”
100. You can decide to run a half-marathon at the last minute.
2. You have ice packs taking up way more space in the freezer than was ever intended.
3. You start to check out people’s legs when they walk by, and can point out the runners.
4. You have started a run under the stars and finished it with the sun overhead.
5. You know when new running shoes it the market.
6. Your “clothing” budget goes mostly toward running apparel.
7. You or others have referred to your body as a “machine.”
8. You keep your Camelback filled and in the fridge.
9. Running less than an hour seems pointless.
10. You have more running shoes than most women have dress shoes.
11. You smile at mile 5 because you are just starting to feel good.
12. You don’t get blisters anymore.
13. You’re tired of explaining to people that yes, the marathon YOU ran was 26.2 miles and in fact they are all that far.
14. You see distance running as a lifestyle, not a sport or hobby.
15. You run 5 miles to warm up for a 5K.
16. You know the definition of words like illiotibial band, psoas, piraformis, and how they relate to running performance.
17. When someone boasts they are training for a ½ marathon, you offer encouragement and smile, trying not to be a running snob.
18. Twenty-five songs on your ipod probably won’t be enough for your run.
19. Half your closet is filled with race T-shirts.
20. You have two sets of friends, the nonrunner ones who think you’re crazy and the runners who understand you.
21. You’re training for one now but already thinking of what race you’ll do after that one.
22. You feel guilty because you ran only 3 times last week.
23. You stash water bottles on your route before you start the run.
24. You take vacations based on where you want to run a race next.
25. You’re always on the lookout for a good place to run.
26. You wash running clothes three times a week.
27. You take it as a compliment when someone refers to that distance as crazy.
28. Either Friday or Saturday night is ALWAYS an early night for you.
29. You have stopped to throw up during a run only to keep going afterward.
30. You would never think of checking your running shoes on a flight. In fact, you wear them just to be on the safe side!
31. When you tell yourself midrun you’re just going to take it easy and get your mileage done.
32. You run out and back but forget to turn around at the midpoint.
33. You’re the only one who doesn’t care that the local 10K provides Gatorade at 3 rest stops. You moved on to GU and another energy drink a long time ago.
34. You spend as much time thinking and talking about running, if not more, than you actually spend running.
35. You’ve run more of your local roads than you’ve driven in your car.
36. You know what an ultra is, and you are familiar with at least a half-dozen. In fact, you’ve given serious thought to running one.
37. Your mileage per week exceeds this number regularly.
38. You buy energy drinks by the case.
39. You’re tired of explaining to nonrunners that you didn’t win the marathon.
40. You judge how hard your run as by the color of your urine.
41. You are missing toe nails.
42. You start your run feeling that is the most natural feeling in the world, more so than walking.
43. Nobody bothers to ask you anymore what you’re doing on Saturday morning.
44. The first thing you pack for any trip is your running gear.
45. You always have a large jar of peanut butter in your pantry.
46. You leave to run and nobody is worried when you still aren’t back in a couple of hours.
47. To you, a true friend will say “I know you are in pain, but I don’t care, you will not stop, you will finish and you will thank me for it,” and you know she’s right.
48. You use PR as a verb.
49. In the shower after a long run you brace for when the water is going to hit all the chafed spots.
50. You don’t just get sweaty; you get salty.
51. You know the exact mileage to places in your neighborhood because you pass them when you run… “So where is the Burger King?” “Oh, it’s1.6 miles down that road to your right.”
52. You are mixed between humored and annoyed when someone says “Oh you can eat anything. You’ll just run it off.”
53. You’re the “runner” in your office.
54. You have discussed the difference between running and jogging. You are not a jogger.
55. People look at you weird when you tell them you eat on your long runs.
56. You’ve memorized all the BQ times for every age group.
57. You know what BQ means.
58. You can quickly convert pace per mile into marathon finishing times.
59. You hate the phrase “You’re almost there.”
60. You know who Deena Kastor is and what she has accomplished.
61. You own a headlamp but have never explored a cave.
62. You know the difference between good pain and bad pain.
63. Every gift you get on birthdays and Christmas is running-related.
64. In the time it took to read this you could have run ____ miles.
65. You know how the marathon got its name and why it’s 26.2 miles.
66. You love the shock on your neighbor’s face when he sees you running 10 miles from your house.
67. You need more than 2 sentences to describe your race strategy.
68. You can solve 99 percent of your big problems on a long run.
69. You will read every word written on this subject.
70. You have a ritual before a run.
71. You try to persuade people to run a 10K because it’s “only” 6 miles.
72. Your nonruning friends come to you for advice on starting to run.
73. You have never kept a diary, but you keep a running log.
74. You train all summer long in extreme heat only to travel to a freezing cold place to run your marathon.
75. If you’re not soaked with sweat after a run, you’re not satisfied.
76. When you are in your car and see a person running, you wish you were running, too.
77. You buy more running shoes than any other kind and willingly pay $100 or more for them, but when you buy other shoes you don’t think it’s worth paying any more than $50.
78. You pass on happy hour after work because you have to run the next day.
79. Your cupboard is loaded with electrolyte gels, energy drink mix, recovery drink mix, power bars and energy gels.
80. You have a favorite flavor of Gu.
81. You run 10 miles in the morning and then see someone running later in the afternoon and feel guilty because you’re not running.
82. If someone asks “How was your run?” you don’t say “fine” but proceed to describe in details what you saw, and how how you felt at every mile along the way in great detail.
83. If you finish an 18-mile run and realize your mileage is only 17.85, you run an extra .15 miles so you don’t feel like you’re cheating.
84. You can run 10 miles despite a screaming hangover.
85. You sign up for a half-marathon for fun.
86. You go on a ski trip and bring your running gear to get in your run after skiing all day.
87. You have a marathon bumper sticker or tattoo.
88. You realize your long run this week is “only” 16 miles.
89. Date night is scheduled around your running schedule.
90. You’ve had “Run, Forrest, Run” yelled at you at some point.
91. While standing in line at the bank or the grocery store you start to stretch and think nothing of it.
92. Your nonrunning friends can’t believe how much and how often you eat.
93. You run every tangent.
94. You have entered a race to pace your friend.
95. Your roommates ask you how long your training run is going to be in hours, not minutes or miles.
96. You aren’t really sure what you would do with all the extra time if you didn’t run.
97. You get excited about a negative split
98. You know what a negative split is.
99. You have an exact answer ready for “What is your BMI?” “What is your resting pulse rate?” “What is your body fat percentage?” “How much do you weigh?”
100. You can decide to run a half-marathon at the last minute.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Shamrock 10K
Well I made it through my first 10k Sunday and finish 5th in my age bracket! Who Hoo! 47:52 I think the 10K-21K range may be best suited to my size (215#) and style... looking forward to the 5K with my wife next week and then the Secret Service 5K in May where there is a Clydesdale division...look out!
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