Rub it and Run

Freestate Trail Runs – Marathon – April 25, 2009

This is my third year at Freestate.  The first year as a volunteer and then last year as my first marathon.  I had planned to participate in the 40 mi event this year but overslept.  As I was driving like a maniac to make the starting time, I realized that I could drop down to the Marathon.  I was smart for doing that. Traveling to the west coast for work the entire week had me more worn out than I anticipated.

 

I always try to help as much as possible for a Nerd event, even if I’m running it.  This year I decided I was only participating in marathons or longer races so that I could help more on the smaller Nerd events.  Being gone most of the week before didn’t afford much time for me to help with Freestate this year.  But dropping to the marathon would allow me to pitch in pre and post finishing.

 

 

Photo by Dick Ross of Seekcrun.com

 

I started out slow, trying to run below my lactic threshold for the first half of the race. My other strategy was to stay hydrated and eat more.  Two things I haven’t gotten very good at yet.  I only drank one cup of coffee on Friday and then tanked up on water the rest of the day.  I also skipped coffee the morning of the race.  My plan was to finish an entire hydration pack (64oz) before Lands End aid station and then another before returning.  That would leave about 3.5miles to the finish with my 26oz water bottle.  Having it to do over, I should have drank an additional water bottle before getting to Lands End the first time.

 

I did well with my eating.  I had two packages of Stinger Chews, one Hammer Gel, one Hammer bar and ¼ of a chocolate chip cookie at Lands End.  I have to gush a little about Lands End.  This aid station is organized and staffed with some of the areas most seasoned and accomplished Trail Nerds, Stacy and Kyle Amos, Caleb Chatfield, and Rick Mayo.  This aid station is right in the middle of the course and you hit it twice which makes it somewhat of a logistical challenge with the inbound and outbound trail intersection.  Not to mention it is hard to re-stock because it is a good deal away from the road.

 

This year it was organized like the I-70 service area near Lawrence. They created an Island rest stop, much like between west and east bound highways on I-70.  The canopy was erected in the open area with caution tape strung so that the outbound and inbound runners were kept separated. You had to go out of your way to go the wrong way.  Each side of the canopy had a service table with everything from cookies, oranges, bananas, m&m’s…etc.  Each table was staffed with the most highly trained Nerd customer service representatives on the planet.  I was waiting for “May I help you….PLEASE!”  It was like a well thought out drive through.  Kudos to the Lands End aid station volunteers and thank you very much.  You will not be outdone.  I nominate Lands End for best aid station ever.

 

I didn’t stop at the Corp of Engineers aid station organized and run by Phil and Stacy Sheridan, Race Directors for Rockn K and The Kansas Ultra Society but I bet it was first class too.  If you direct a successful race then I’m sure an aid station is like taking a vacation.  After I passed the Corp aid station, I decided to put on my headphones and play some tunes.  Something I have never done at a race but since I find myself running alone, usually at about this point, I figured I’d give it a try.  I have to say it certainly took my mind off my discomfort (for awhile) and helped me pick up the pace.  I actually passed four or five other runners which rarely happens this late in the race for me.  I got so focused that I nearly stepped on a big black snake laying across the trail.

 

I finished another hydration pack before getting to Lands End and opted to just have my bottle emptied of Clip2 and filled with water.  I ate a chocolate chip cookie and took off.  With 3.5 miles to go I figured I would pick up the pace and see how much better I could improve my time over last year.  This lasted for about a mile and then the wear of the distance started getting to me and I walked most of the up hills. I rolled into the finish at 4:26 about 15 minutes better then my time last year. I think the key is hydration and fuel. I’m starting to learn that these two items are essential.

 

I cleaned up a bit at the campground showers and then spent the rest of the day pitching in at the finish line.  There was a sufficient amount of great help that I mostly stood around talking with friends and eating over-done bratwurst (inside joke) and hamburgers.  This race has evolved into the best run and staffed event in the area in only three years.  Ben Holmes has it down to a science and should start a school on race directing “The Bad Ben’s Race Directors Academy.”  This year he put Sophia Wharton in charge of organizing volunteers which was a great move.  She had a corps of friendly help assembled that stayed focused on the racers needs. Greg Burger, was the master mind behind marking the course.  Not one misplaced flag or sign.  Great Job Greg!

 

Thanks to Ben, Sophia and all the other Nerds and volunteers that went into making this a must do event.

Rockin K – Trail Marathon – April 4, 2009

I’ve seen pictures and heard stories about this race for two years and decided to give it a try.  This is my first race further than 30 minutes out of Kansas City. I planned to bunk in a state cabin with Stacy, Kyle Amos and their kids and Gary and Karen Henry.

Left Shawnee around 1:00pm and drove to Topeka where I met up with a whole group of Nerds, Debbie, James, Sophia, Greg and Shane.  We all rendezvoused at Great Plains Running (Willie Lamberts store).  I grabbed a few essentials like gels and bars for the race.  We stopped and had lunch together and then took off for the great Kannapolis State Park in Marquette, Kansas.

We drove to the check in spot inside the park.  My first impression was, “oh boy….is this really a state park.  What have you gotten us into this time?”  The race headquarters was an old block building with louvers instead of windows with plastic over them to keep the wind out.  It was very windy because there aren’t many trees in this part of Kansas to slow anything down.

Inside the block building was packet pick-up.  There were folks getting ready for the pre-race spaghetti dinner that was planned for later that evening.  When we entered the building we were greeted with big hugs from Stacy Sheridan, the Co-race Director.  I figured she had mistaken me for someone else and introduced myself.  Actually, I learned that she pretty much hugs everyone especially anyone remotely associated with the Trail Nerds.  Regardless, it sure made me feel welcome.  I decided that despite the looks of the building, everything was starting to look up.

We ate dinner, listened to Phil Sheridan give his pre-race speech (which I’m told has bbarely changed from year to year).  It was nice to sit around and visit with friends and meet a few new folks. Besides, the spaghetti dinner hit just the right spot.

I made my way across the lake to the cabins to get settled in.  It wasn’t long before Gary and Karen showed up with Kyle, Stacy and the kids not far behind.  We visited for a while, goofed around with the kids a little and debated on what time to get up.  Then it was lights out.  The cabin was really nice and the beds were better than the floor or the ground.

It was and early rise, oatmeal breakfast and then off to the race start.  We arrived about 30 minutes before the start. Phil gave nearly the same pre-race speech as the night before and then we were off.  I was wearing my new Vasque Blur SLs, OR gaiters, pair of Injinji bamboo liners and another pair of Injinji performance socks, CWX compression shorts, technical shirt, moben sleeves, Solomon wind breaker, backcountry glove liners and my orange Trail Nerd hat. It was windy and about 45 degrees.  I was carrying one hand held to see what that would be like.  Kyle had given me a set of nipple guards which proved essential.

 

Starting out slow - Photo by Gary Henry

 

I decided to start out slow.  I found myself within ear shot of a large gaggle of “Mud Babes” behind me (Colleen, Sophia, Debbie, Laurie …etc).  That was enough motivation to speed me up.  Don’t get me wrong, I love those gals, but 26.2 miles of that level of happiness was something I didn’t think I could endure. J

I got into a pretty good rhythm running through the very deep ditches that were like tiny little “Grand Canyons.”  It made me wonder how these were created.  Then I turned a corner and was reminded of the wind.  This wind was 26 mph of relentless resistance with about 40 mph gust.  There were times when I was literally blown off the trail. It really was surreal running through this terrain which is very different than what we have 3 hrs east in Kansas City.  There were sections of very fine sand, like at the beach.  Lots of rocks, horse hoof prints and long gradual climbs.  There was also some scrub like bush with stickers.

I caught up with Pat Perry (seasoned and accomplished Ultra runner) which was very surprising.  Pat is always way ahead of me.  We ran together for a good amount of time and then I heard him say “if I catch back up to you, I’ll call you names and you’ll never hear the end of it.”  I’m thinking what the heck; I’m pulling away from Pat.  I remember him saying he hadn’t felt good and was having trouble finding his rhythm (not really whinning).  Pat feeling bad is probably equal to my best day on the trail.....so I thought.

I came into the first manned aid station at about mile 13 feeling pretty good.  Filled up my water bottle and kept going. I had heard that the section called the bluff was pretty tough and to expect it to be slow going.  It wasn’t too bad.  The scenery at the bluff was incredible.  There was a nice overlook of the Smoky Hill River which I paused at long enough to take a couple of pictures.

 

Overlooking the Smoky Hill River

I made it back to the manned aid station filled up my bottle again and headed out.  I was making great time at 3:23 averaging about 11 min/mile and only had about 8 miles left.  I was also thinking that this race isn’t so bad.  That’s when it got tough.  I turned the corner to head back to the start and the 26 mph wind was in my face.  This caused me to have to literally lean forward to keep moving during some of the gust.  It took me about 2hrs to run the final hardest 8 miles of my life.

I ran out of water with four miles to go and started cramping which slowed me down even further.  I toughed it out and finished at 5:16.  Rockin K is Rockin hard.  The terrain is spectacular but not that difficult.  I think it comes down to the weather.  This is always a factor in Kansas.  The RD’s are awesome.  Phil and Stacy are so friendly and accommodating and the race is well organized.  The aid station was run very well and the volunteers were very helpful. A big thanks to the Phil and Stacy and all their volunteers.  I know how much planning goes into a race and your efforts surely show in pulling off a great event.  I’m planning to add this race to my normal schedule and next time with a hydration pack.

The Ultra that was not to be – February 14, 2009

I had signed up to participate in the Rocky Raccoon 50 miler that was held on Feb 7^th in Huntsville, TX.  With the economy downturn and the inability to make time to train, not to mention the cost, I decided to withdraw and save it for another year and run our Trail Nerd Flagship event “Run Toto Run – Psycho Wyco 50K the following weekend.

 

I should have known better.  There was just too much self doubt leading up to the race.  Not enough training and the few times I was able to get in some longer runs, I had trouble with my IT, PF or some other ache.  I knew I wasn’t ready but figured I could gut it out if I had too.  I made it through most of the first 10mi loop feeling pretty good and at a pace to break a personal best 1hr 40min loop time.

 

I ran up into a bottle neck at the east side of the dam.  Someone slipped in front of me, grabbed a tree to catch their fall, it whipped back catching me in the shoulder and knocking my feet out from under me.  My right foot went forward while my left stayed put.  It didn’t seem to bother me until I got to about the 8mile mark.  By the time I reached the end of the loop I was starting to “gut it out.”  Needless to say, I didn’t finish the loop with a PB time.

 

I didn’t start the second loop.....dropped…..Quit…..I didn’t even try to go on.  I figured I wouldn’t make it through another loop so why try.  It's the day after, I’m pretty upset with myself for not trying harder or making room in my schedule to stay up with my training.  So now I have a DNF to add to my list of accomplishments.  Pretty hard for me to come to terms with, but at least I know how bad it feels…..especially the day after…..

 

One bright spot...my new and improved 2009 Vasque Blurs are awesome.....can't wait to get out on the trail again with them.....They are so light I can't believe they are on.  The same great foot-bed with plenty of cushion for the rocks and plenty of toe protection.  The toe box feels roomier than the older version.  In fact I almost sized down but glad I didn't.  I ran the 10 mile loop and they felt great.  Can't wait to try them out with a stream crossing.  The older Blurs had a lot of material on the top of the shoe that soaked up a lot of water making them even heavier.  The new design has minimized the extra material greatly.  It feels like something is missing (in a good way). he new Blurs are light, light, light......

Dude, Where’s the Trail? - 50K – November 30, 2008

This is an awesome venue for a trail ultra. If you haven't participated in this event, it is one to definitely add to the list of must do's. It is "ultra" laid back and more of a fun run then an all out competitive race.

My training had been going well although stress and lack of sleep (due to the economy and events at work) had been making it difficult to carry on a regular schedule. I was logging about 30 to 40 miles a week for the past month with a few shorter runs during the week and longer 10 to 15 mile runs on the weekend. Ben, his wife Vickie and I, car pooled to the race, which always makes for lively and pleasant conversation. It was a cold, windy, blustery day. It had snowed the night before and that morning but only a light dusting. I really like running in the snow. It seemed a lot colder waiting to get started then it actually felt once we took off.

The Race Director Lou Joline, starts runners off in groups separated by a few minutes. I'm not sure but think I was in the third group with Ben, Kurt, Sophia, Pat and several others. We all ran fairly close together for the first seven or so miles. It was fun chatting which made the miles go pretty quickly. It was about that time that the group seemed to break up a bit. Ben, Kurt, Sophia and me ran together for most of the run. Pat hung back to run with some fellow folks that were new to ultra running. That's the nice thing about this race. It seems to be more of a Mentor / Protege trial run. Many folks much faster then I, hung back to help other slower junior ultra runners. The people who participate in this sport are some of the most humble and willing to help the younger less experienced.

 

Ben, Sophia, Jim & Kurt - Photo by Dick Ross (seekcrun.com)

I had found myself peacefully running, noticing the bluffs along the trail. I was then reminded of the economy, work and the pending layoff that was soon to come. This seemed to enter my mind more often then I wanted. It was something that had been consuming my thoughts and I was definitely having difficulty coming to terms with it.

It was cold but not unbearable. I never really noticed the wind until we reached the Wildlife holding pen. I heard stories about this race being difficult due to the "bushwhacking." For the record, I'll take all the bushwhacking in the world over pavement. Bushwhacking on this run was more like running through the woods "last of the Mohican's style." At times it was silent except for your own breath and the soft crunch of your footsteps. I think this is where I made the best time. Maybe it was this part that energized me a bit. Somehow Kurt and I got ahead of the rest of the group but not by much.

   

Jim & Kurt - Photo by Dick Ross (seekcrun.com)

We came to the old silo, signed the roster and took a page from the book as instructed. We ran back through the campground and then back to some bushwhacking. I really enjoy finding old foundations of where homes once stood in the woods and noticing where old roads once traveled now overgrown with brush and trees. It makes you wonder what brought families to this place, what did they do while here and why did they leave. We came to a crevice in the bluff that seemed to have steps that led down to an old rock chimney. It looked like a great place to build a cabin with the rock bluff as two walls. I could visualize a roof between the bluff walls and the chimney.

 

Site of the old Chimney

The bushwhacking areas where separated by stretches of fields and pavement. We were a little over 20 miles or so at this point. On the pavement sections it seemed like Kurt would wear me down and get ahead and I would eventually catch up in the trees. I had heard that several folks got off track a time or two. I actually thought the route was marked well for the most part. The directions certainly helped and without them it would have been more difficult. Luckily, Kurt had run this event before and had the map and directions. He pretty much kept us running in the right direction.

 

Kurt with the map - Photo by Dick Ross (seekcrun.com)

There is about three miles of pavement towards the end of the run that might as well have been 30 miles for that is how it seemed to me. Kurt took off and built a good gap between us during the pavement section and I thought I had seen the last of him. There is one last section of single track before the finish. There is nothing better than single track trails. I must have been in some sort of refreshed zone because when I exited the single track I heard Kurt yell out my name. We had one more book to sign in our time. I was pleasantly surprised to see him and especially when I learned he had just arrived.

Signing the last log - Photo by Dick Ross (seekcrun.com)

We had about ½ mile of pavement left to the finish. I couldn't keep the pace Kurt had set and fell back a few minutes. Go figure…. It would have to be pavement for the last ½ mile. Kurt made it in ahead of me and I was surprised to learn that we finished about 10 minutes behind the leaders.

I grew up in the area (Independence, MO). As kids and teenagers, we used to hang out on the weekends and during the summers at Lake Jacomo. The thought of circumnavigating both Lake Jacomo and Blue Springs Lake would seem far-fetched then (especially since Blue Springs Lake didn't exist yet). Since the run, whenever I tell a family member or childhood friend about the race, they just look amazed when I tell them we ran around both lakes.

It might be normal, but the last three miles of all three 50K's that I have run are by far the toughest for me. I almost loose all interest in running and just want it to be over. Maybe that will change as I increase my distance. This race however, was great and I'm very glad that I had showed up this cold morning. The only improvement would be less pavement and more single track……or bushwhacking…..