Tapering...kinda sorta

I think back to my early running days when everything was by the book. I labored over training schedules. Devoted myself to The Plan and actually took the rest days when prescribed.

Today, I'm lucky if I keep the plan.

For example...this week I should be tapering for the San Tan Scramble 50k on Saturday but nooooo - I went out yesterday and tried to kill myself with a tempo run out on the Dynamite trail. I'll leave out the details about how I almost tossed my cookies and instead tell you that I got some pretty bad cramps in my calves. A result of celebrating my wife's birthday just a little too much this past weekend :)

I should be tapering. But I'm not...I'm taking it easy, but I'm not tapering like I should.

Shame. On. Me.

I guess I'm trying to thwart any ill effects of the business travel I have this week to Seattle. I literally come back Friday night and then have to race Saturday morning. Now granted, the start is only 20 minutes away but still, there is always that element (and risk) of catching someone's bug while on the plane.

I am excited for the race however - the new course is going to be great. Challenging, but still a good time.

Goodbye to (road) running

Good news = the 2013 PF Chang Rock and Roll Marathon is in the bag (4:26-ish is fine with me)

Bad news = it is probably the last time I run that race.

Don't get me wrong, up until this year, I really enjoyed the venue. It felt like the support and aid stations had gone downhill this year. For someone paying $135 to run a marathon (I paid much less), I would expect more than water, Gatorade and a couple GU stations. There was no food at any of the aid stations!

I think I've been spoiled by trail/ultra running aid stations. You could have your last supper at a trail running aid station!

So aside from Ragnar next month, I am probably done with road running/races. If nothing else, I just can't afford the gear I need to split my time between the trails and the road...how's that for an excuse! :)

I'm looking forward to the San Tan Scramble (50k) in a couple weeks though. Aside from exacting a little revenge on the only race I DNF'ed last year, I'm looking forward to the new course that incorporates the Dynamite trail and replaces 3 ascents of Goldmine Mountain (who isn't!).

Looking forward to my first trail race of 2013...let's go!

Yeah, I'm tapering...

I'd love to say that I've been tapering the last couple weeks since the Coldwater Rumble...but that would be a big fat lie. Weeks of 7 miles and 11 respectively since January 21 barely even count for working out.

For whatever reason, my heart just hasn't been in it for a while. I've been doing enough to get by and that's about it.

I guess now I know that signing up for the trail series isn't as productive or motivating as I thought it would be. In my head, it seemed perfect:

1. Lots of races at DRT cheap (sorry, bad pun at the expense of Aravaipa there)...
2. Consistent races schedule would instill a solid training regiment
3. 50K's would keep my base endurance solid through early spring
4. Perfect way to see all the metro-Phoenix parks

Aside from #2 (probably the most important), I've really enjoyed the ultra series and will likely sign up for several of them again next year...but probably not the entire ultra series.

I think I'm a long-term-goal-kind-of-guy. Each milestone in my endurance life I've planned out in the future upwards of 6-9 months and worked patiently to that goal. The DRT Ultra series has made me realize that having multiple goals that recur monthly, is not how I'm built. If I was truly passionate about improving my times or crushing my PR's, that might give me a renewed sense of purpose...but again, I'm not built that way.

I race to finish.

Yes, in the back of my mind, I never want to be last but if I am, oh well.

Tapering or not, Ill be heading to the home course this weekend to tackle the San Tan Scramble 50K. Hard to believe it was only a year ago on this very same course that I added the title of 'ultra-marathoner' to my resume.

See you out there.

Pass Mountain 50k race report

I arrived at Usery Park around 6 am and got registered with no problem. After making the typical pre-race pit stop, I was able to get my pack and other items arranged in preparation for a long day of running. The weather was surprisingly warm (~54 F) so I ditched all the gloves and arm warmers knowing that my core temperature would keep my warm running through the desert.

It was great to gain some inspiration from some of the other runners who where still recovering from the Javelina 100 the previous weekend...amazing athletes of all ages.

With only 30-40 other runners toeing the line, the race start was pretty low key. Even knowing the day would be long, I couldn't help get caught up in the excitement of another race start. Of course, I went out hot (fast). Too fast. Within 3 miles, my quads were on fire and I was completely winded. Not good.

As I slowed things down near the first aid station, the first real doubts entered my head. It wasn't even sure I had enough energy to finish one lap. I resolved to eat well at every aid station, keep a slower pace and just try to have fun.

The first 2/3 of the course is actually pretty flat. Gentle rollers and nicely groomed trails made for good, even running. Despite these nice trails, within the first 10 miles, I could already feel a hot spot forming on my right foot. I stopped at the second aid station, ate some food and proceeded to patch my foot with some MoleSkin (highly recommend by the way).

I was feeling pretty good leaving the second aid station but that would soon change.

I will tell you I'm a very environmentally conscious runner when it comes to trails and state parks. When I see trash, I pick it up. Today however, my good citizenship cost me some time. I must have stopped at the exact right spot to pick up some trash and completely missed the turn to head out around Pass Mountain. Arggh. I had to back-track about a half mile only to find the turn lit up like a Christmas tree.

That next 8 miles would be a doozy. If it wasn't the overall elevation that got you, the trail turned rough and semi-technical. There were very few steep areas but the gradual climb was eating away my energy and overall mental fortitude. It was at the highest point of the mountain, did I really consider stopping and being satisfied with one loop (26k).

See that light-colored rock? The trail goes up and over  right about there.

After getting to the 3rd aid station (16 miles now), I stopped and ate for a while, talked with the crew and felt surprisingly refreshed - like the last 8 miles never happened. Which surprised me. At that point, I resolved to keep going. I'm not a quitter. And today would be no different.

Approaching maximum elevation.

My pace had slowed to about 11 minutes per mile but honestly, it felt pretty good. Better than walking anyway. I knew that I'd be walking exclusively during my time on the mountain so I tried my best to keep moving while on flat ground. There was only one point where I felt my stomach go wonky. It wasn't bad so I just kept going. Overall, I was eating well and that never was an issue during the race.

The second ascent over the mountain was definitely hard. I had to stop several times just due to the fatigue in my legs. I was facing just pure exhaustion. When you don't put in the distance, the miles take their toll.

Despite a whole lot of walking, I managed to make it up over the mountain and start the descent into the last 5-6 miles. I never really knew exactly how far I was because of the previously mentioned missed turn. In either case, I just kept running. Running felt better than walking so that's what I did. Despite the sore feet and strained quads, I just kept going. Go Forrest, go.

I was making pretty good time and anxiously awaiting the final aid station before the finish. You know how it goes though...the more you're looking for something, the longer it takes to find it. Those last 2 miles drew out like an eternity. Once there, I paused for a couple shots of cola and a refill on the water before heading out for the home-stretch.

I walked a bit more and rounded the corner to the finish only to see my friend Erik, his folks and my family hanging out and yelling my name. I get such a charge when my kids come out and run with me. They thought it was pretty awesome that they beat me to the finish line :)

Unofficial time: 7 hours 58 minutes

Another day, another 31 miles I guess. I hope to be a little more prepared for the next one. More miles. More endurance. Less pain.

See you out there.

Do Epic Sh*t

Thanks to Sarcastic Mama (and LeeR's repost)
for the graphic

I've resolved to do what it takes to run the Pass Mountain 50k on November 19. I know that I'm going to be severely under-trained and there will probably be pain. But you know what, I don't quit because something is hard.

I am on the downward dosage of my antibiotics and I didn't feel wiped this morning. The legs felt great and the brisk 40 degrees did not even phase me.

I am guessing I'll get one more long run in before the race (and I use that term loosely because the only thing I'm racing is the cut-off time on the clock).

Thanks for checking in.

SanTan Scramble - 50k race report

“It is not the mountain we conquer but ourselves.”

- Sir Edmund Hillary

What started out as a very chilly day in Arizona (28 degrees at 7 am) turned into one of the most perfect days you could ask to have for a run. On tap for this perfect day...a 50k (31.07 miles) jaunt through the desert at the SanTan Regional Park in Queen Creek, AZ.

The field for this race was not deep at all. Approximately 28 people deep. That's right, 28 people crazy enough to take on not only the distance but ups and downs of the Arizona desert. My goals for the day were to simply keep my head, enjoy myself, run my own race and not get hurt (right, April?!). For my first 50k, a finish would be just fine.

In typical fashion, I started the race with way more gusto than necessary and completely ignoring my better judgement to conserve and hold back some of the mojo for later. Of course, the first 6 or 7 miles are very enjoyable - the scenery, the smell of the desert and the excitement of a new adventure all mask the impending climb that awaits as you approach the steep and treacherous climb up the mountain. I called it "The Intimidator".

There was really no point in running up the mountain. (A) the rocks, grade and footing were dangerous and (B) you kept a better pace just walking. There were 2 parts to the mountain - the up had a few switchbacks and a moderate slope that was broken up by a few level landing areas. Once you conquered that, there was a short mostly-level connector that led you to the backside of an adjacent hill/mountain that had a much steeper and hazardous descent. This was just pure down. It was hell on the knees, ankles and toes.

...and then you have do it again...and again. Over 4,300 feet of elevation change.

A treacherous descent

I stopped at the aid station at the start of my third loop to change my socks. I had a few blisters on my toes from all the jostling and rock-hopping...I think I can confidently say that I'd rather run up hill than downhill any day of the week.

Miles 19 through 25 proved to be the hardest for me. The uneven trails, the rolling hills and blisters where beating me down at this stage. Not to mention it felt like my heart was going to beat out of my chest. I resolved to walk/run as much as I needed to keep putting one foot in front of the other. That strategy and a little rest at the aid station helped bring me back to life and muster up enough energy to face "The Inimidator" one last time.

I don't think I've ever talked to myself  as much as I did on the final hike up this mountain. Though mostly swearing, I managed to positively reinforce to myself that it was the last time and that once I was down the mountain, there is about 1.25 miles to the finish. What's 1.25 miles after you've already done 30?


I knew my family was going to show up for the race to watch me finish but I did not know what time the were coming. To my surprise, they were waiting for me on the trail leading into the finish chute. It's such a charge to have family there to cheer you on. I have never been able to cross a finish line with them so this was a pretty special moment.

Despite the mountains, elevation, blisters, sand and dirt...I had a great time and really enjoyed the course and all the folks from Aravaipa Running. They're not big and the race is not fancy but they do a great job making everyone feel like a champ. Results from the race are here.

...and yes, I'm now an ultramarathoner...