Out of touch

Been out of town in Vegas... Just like everything here, Internet
access is hard to find, free. So update via e-mail from my phone is
the option. Ran 5 miles today on the concrete... Knee if not in pain
but feels funny. Just recieved notice the NCAA awarded Gutavus
Adolphus the regions for men's and women's so I return thursday and
leave again for the weekend. So I will continue to slip in the 3-5
miles as time permits. My schedule limits my time to train harder
which is great as the knee does not need overtraining..

Carry on!

Great day, smiles abound

Yesterday I did something I have never did before! Well, I have, but for an hour here, hour there. But today was 7 hours of volunteering at a race. The Trail Mix, Hyland Park, Bloomington, MN. Seven hours of great times I usually find only in races. Although, I missed being on the course, I suggest anyone who is injured and capable, call the director for the next race and be on the other side. It is just as fun and rewarding and can not wait to look for these opportunities again.

It all started when Lynn Gannon had sent out a call for help a few weeks ago for a Tail Mix Aid Station. I thought “why not”. Who wants to clean house or do laundry anyway. So at 5:30 AM April 19, 2008, I woke and looked out at the drizzle and a ice crystal or two falling from the sky and thought, damb, another cold and rainy Trail Mix.. As I vowed to see how long I can go without a car, I bundled up and headed to Hyland Park on bike. I arrived at 6:30 AM and was happy to see many familiar faces at Aid Station one. Lynn, who I had not seen in years, Al, John and many others who took up the other side of a trail race. Well, after about 20 minutes Lynn asked me if I could go to the South Station instead. I said sure, but truly was looking forward to hanging with people I knew.

So I loaded up my bike and headed to the South Aid Station, the last station on the course. The last one to get to go home… I arrived and they were set up. It was slow and casual for a while then runner started to come in and need our supplies. As the day went on, I got to see the 50 K runners 8 times, COOL!!!!, I became an admirer of the “new king of support stations” in my mind (Dean), and met some great people. I can not tell you, I was so happy to be at that Station! Once again, goes to show, although I was slightly disappointed about moving at first, when you are with these ultra people, it does not matter where you are, you will feel welcomed and appreciated.

It was great to see the race from the leaders to the last runner go by the station. Kim led the Women at the first sight, but Eve passed her and went on to be overall winner. Steve Quick looked solid all the way through. If I recall the first lap he was third but by the second, he was the first male and did not seem to waiver. It was great to see him run back to our station and see us after the race.

I encountered so many people I had no idea were event running the race as I passed out supplies, filled bottles and laughed with them. It was fun that Karen and Les were about a minute apart and when Les came into my station, I would tell him “Karen is just seconds ahead” and he would chuckle. Then on the last lap, they were close enough I told Karen to yell as she disappeared from the station and Les was appearing. He finally believed me… We had fun with this.

Philip was the little engine that could today. One week after Chippewa, he seemed to pick up steam on each lap. Each time around he looked a little stronger. It was great to see him. He looks much stronger and looks lighter. Sure to be an asset at the Sawtooth 100 in September. It was funny as his race fuel mix looked like blood as we mixed his brew a few times. Non-runners at the station were amazed at the different drinks, habit and abilities in the single race.

At the end of the day, I had the pleasure of doing the two-mile trot (loop between the station I was at) with Sharon Mordorski. We had a great time running down and walking up the hills. If there ever is an award for the greatest disposition, she wins. Her smile as she came into the aid station, each lap, was larger than anyone I have ever met. It is obvious she loves life and running. What a treat to spend that lap talking and hearing all kinds of interesting stories about her running escapades.

My knee did not bother me at all!!! I have the clearing to start running again, easy, and build the base. I have been riding bike (as I said earlier I am trying to see how long I can go without a car) and my weight is down 4 pounds.

I wish I could give credit to all those by name for making my days so wonderful. Diane Farmer, Paul Fraser, Paul McCullough, and many others say hi as they went by the station. I was not able to run, but had a great time.

Thanks all…

Carry On!!!

Some great motivation! and the Biggest Loser Finale!

While I was saddened (because I am injured and cannot participate in what I enjoy) by the reading of the many posts recently with regard to the most recent 50K, 50 Mile, 100 Mile and 150 Miles races, I was so happy and encouraged that hard work, patience and perseverance can be rewarded. Many of those race reports are available to anyone with internet access; many are just on the e-mail users group.

People like the energizer bunny, I mean Al Holtz. I mean, 150 miles in 48:55:11:13! In his post he wrote "I now know by first hand experience what 2nd night hallucinations are. It is amazing what sleep deprivation can do to your mind. I am still convinced once daylight came Sunday that in the section of woods preceding the first aid station (totem pole) I saw a herd of (6-7) albino deer that ran away before I could get my camera out. Andy Weinberg laughed and said he was certain there were no albino deer in the park." Makes me laugh…

Then there is Julie Berg. She is one of the most inspiring people as many have read her Blog, http://julieberg.blogspot.com/. She ran the 100 mile race in Pekin, Illinois as well. Besides fleeing from a drug dealing motel the night before a race, sleeping in her car in the cold temperatures (in the 30s) she has the grit and determination beyond most people I know. She does not seem to get rattled, just keeps going. She was 1.5 hours behind the lead women at 50 miles, but the lead women faltered and Julie managed to win the race leading the next place women by over 4 hours. Then after the race, just takes the simple 8 plus hour drive home. She makes it sound so achievable for anyone. If you are willing to put in the time and effort. Not just in exercise, but in diet and life.

Then I read about Adam, (analytical-training.blogspot.com) who is making training into a research project most scientists would be envious of, taking second place in a race where they were running in snow knee deep. I love that he shares what he has learned. He, and many other Blogs you can link through his site, shares exciting thoughts and ideas that have helped them succeed and provide me with ideas and inspiration.

Than I am still waiting for the post from my buddy who seems to place things, both good and bad, into words which are nice to read. Phil Smith ran the entire 50 K race in snowshoes. He wrote a book about his first 50 mile race called Ultra Superior. That was also my first 50 mile race (and we both hope to make this September our first 100 mile finish) and I was slightly in front of him for most of the race. But as a read the book, he encountered the same things I did and brings back great memories. Like at about mile 43, I heard what I thought were angels in the woods. I came across a group of backpack hikers who were singing gospel music, may I say beautifully. Where else but in the middle of the wood on a 50 mile run would you hear such sweat music. I say that as at longer distances, for me, I get into a state of peacefulness I can not explain.

Then I see the data from the Techy like me, Zach, who is really doing well and it is nice to see the data he provides as we both have Garmin 305's we love to use. There are so many others who I admire for their super efforts and successes they so willingly share, but have I limited time.

All these runners an so many more faced the cold, the winds, and the many elements and actually enjoy it. I tell me people about my runs and those of my acquaintances and they look at me and say "are you (they) crazy" and my response is always a strange response. Lately, I have said we all know we need to get busy living or get busy dying, and when I am on the trail, I feel like I am living. It is something I look forward to, these races. There is not a single ultra-runner I know who is not a kind, caring soul. The peace and tranquility of a 10 hour run is known only those who have experienced it know the outcome. Trail running in long distance help me see the beauty in the beast (the world). With the war, friends dying of cancer, distance growing between myself and my girlfriend, and all the negative things in the world, when I hit the trails, for long runs, I feel peace. I feel hope. I get a sense of purpose and understanding of this complex world from something as simple as putting one foot in front of the other, tripping on some roots, splashing through water and many other things that come with trail running. I am sure many know what I mean by this statement and that is the best I can do to explain, why do I (or others) do this?

I have one more week before the Doctor should clear me to run again. Then I need to be slow, take care of the knee as Superior Trail 100 is only 143 days away.

Signing off I will admit, I am looking forward to tonight... The Biggest Loser Finale! I want so badly for Ali to win! Some think this show is goofy but from someone who was 296 pounds, dropped to 215 in a five month time period, know the impact it has on the life. I feel for them, their joy, and their pain. Keeping it off is harder, but while I have gained some back, my life now is a whole lot different when I could not fit comfortably in some chairs... Just like trail running, you have to be there once in your life to understand.

Carry on.

Getting better...

I missed it, but I needed to heal and have a second hobby… Many ultra folks went to another FatAss run hosted by the Master himself, Larry Pederson. I had to miss for my second hobby, tennis officiating. This is the second one I missed this year but then again, my knee is still sore. I have no pain from just walking so I started doing long walks at a quick pace.

Now I think I will make walking part of my regular workout each week when I get back to the trials on a run. I have been walking 16-18 minutes per mile through the woods along the MN River Valley. Logged 15 miles in three days last week and my knee feels solid. I am just a little nervous about starting to run again and the Physician did say to take another week and come back slow. Those who run know how hard that is…

I come to the realization that walking in training is a vital as running. Not sure how many veterans agree although as I look back at my first 100 attempt, walking was not a skill I had perfected, but needed. Especially at night, a good walking pace can do wonder, so I think that now.

I am looking forward to the warm weather. Until we meet again, carry on.