Goodbye to 2013

It's unlikely I'll be wearing any other bibs in the coming months so I figured I'd take the time now and look back on the year. Being an engineering dork though, I always have to comb through the numbers...

	2012	2013
Miles	1,575	1,613 (to date)
# of runs	166	137
Time	275.5	327.5 hrs
Calories	195,636	180,905
Elevation Gain	77,600 ft	141,397 ft

I'm not sure I buy all that data. How do you run more miles over more hours and burn fewer calories? Run backwards? How about that elevation though?! Holy sh$t. Almost double the amount of climbing over last year.

I couldn't be more happy with this year. Yes it was a lot of work and yes, I pushed myself beyond my comfort zone but for the most part, had great success with everything I set my mind to. I have a quick recap of my 100-milers below along with some closing thoughts.

Black Hills 100 (race report)
I love running in South Dakota. This course has sweeping views, a well-defined trail and great aid stations. The perfect weather made for an overall strong showing and multiple course records went down. I know I could have done better at this course but I finished strong in 28:20.

34th OA, 5th AG

Hom 100 (race report)
Born out of love and hope, I created this run to support my good friend Tony and his battle with ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease) and it was a resounding success. That 100 miles not only raised over $7,000 but it rallied friends, family, neighbors and strangers to be a part of something special. Even though Tony lost that battle on September 19th, I will continue to honor his memory through the Hom 100 as long as these legs will let me.

26 hours, $7,000 raised for ALS

Leadville Trail 100 (DNF) (race report)
Winning an entry to the 'Race Across the Sky' was never in my plans but thanks to Strava and those friends who nominated me, I got the opportunity to run some legendary trails and become a part of Leadville family. Despite timing out of the race at mile 60, I am proud to say I did my best and had a great experience.

Mogollon Monster 100 (race report)
I can think of no better way to end my year with a home-grown race right here in my own back yard. A true spectacle of mother nature, this course showcases everything that is rugged and beautiful here in Arizona. Given it was just added as a qualifier for Hardrock should clue you in on how challenging this course really is. One of my most memorable finishes after 33.5 hours.

14th OA, 6th AG

Zane Grey (DNS)
Who would have known that shingles in adults under/near the age of 40 is actually pretty common? That's what it took to bring me down and end my race day before it even began. I had a blast though helping crew for the Phoenix boys. After doing the Mogollon Monster though, I'm not sure I want to go back for this :)

San Tan Scramble 50k (race report)
Being my home course, I was clearly stoked for this race. This was also the first year of the new course that incorporated the Dynamite Trail making for a much improved course that mentally allowed you to conquer Goldmine 3 times, rather than 6. The heat (for this time of year) definitely caught me by surprise. I battled some cramping over the last couple miles to come in with a 50k PR of 6:06.

18th OA, 5th AG

Adrenaline Night Run 65k (race report)
I will never forget the pity party I had for myself during this run. I was mad, pissed off and wanted to quit so badly. I would feel good and then feel like crap. I learned a few things about myself that night despite the warm weather and lack of enthusiasm. It solidified my mental toughness and made me realize that I'm stronger than I think I am. 8:52 later, I was more than happy to cross that finish line.

11th OA, 2nd AG

Mesquite Canyon 50 (race report)
I was not feeling great this day (due to allergies) but decided to toe the line anyway. I was literally in my car with my bib considering handing it back to Jamil...that's how crappy I felt. I had barely made it 17 miles when my vision blurred, I lost my balance and just felt crushed. It was yet another lesson in pushing through the mental barriers and sticking with it. I would finish just under 12 hours - 11:51, a 50-mile PR for me.

14th OA, 5th AG

No Regrets?
By any measure, 2013 was an epic year for me. Numerous ultras between 26.2 and 50 miles along with four 100-mile runs...I can barely believe it myself now that the season is done but there you have it - a new bar has been set and I feel good about my accomplishments. I'm thankful for my friends who have supported and encouraged me in every way along with new friends who continue to inspire me.

I want to particularly thank Jon Nelson for his support this year. He crewed and/or paced me in every single 100-mile race this year and I'm eternally grateful for his support. He is even more meticulous than I am (which has saved my ass more than once!) and a good friend (I adore his family too!)

If there is one regret I have it is the amount of time I've asked my family to give up for me to accomplish these things. My kids don't quite get it - they just know daddy's out running again. My wife however, has set her own endurance record by spending the most weekends ever as a single mom. I say that with a hint of sarcasm but it's the unfortunate truth.

Family matters most

So here's to enjoying some down time and letting my body rest. I'm looking forward to having a few beers with friends at the park or even staying up 'late' to watch SNL with my wife. No training schedule means I can revel in those few extra hours of sleep on Saturday morning :)

Thanks for reading and for following my adventures this year.

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.

San Tan Scramble Race Report

I've never had a DNF. Guess what? It sucks.

Starting about mile 15, a sharp pain appeared in my right hip-flexor/groin area. I stopped a few times to stretch it and continued to push through the pain. By the time I had made my way over Goldmine Mountain for the second time, I was noticeably hobbling and favoring my right side. Each step was more painful than the last.

I'm not one who needs to prove a point for the sake of being macho or manly. I know my body and I know my limits.

Today, I had reached my limits.

On the verge of crazy

After my run today, I honestly had to take a step back and really think about why I'm doing this race on Saturday. The SanTan Scramble (50K) is not your ordinary run - I've been having fun running the trails and casually getting used to the sand and rocks infiltrating my shoes, but the 5 miles you see below was one of the most difficult runs I've ever done. It bordered on treacherous in some places, not to mention over 1,000 feet of elevation change.


In honor of this run, I created the top 5 reasons why I don't want to do this race:

5. Rocks/sand in the shoes. A constant battle that either requires emptying the shoes every 2 miles or cataclysmic blisters if ignored.
4. Under training. Though only 5 more miles than a marathon, I still don't feel prepared.
3. Slight pain in my left arch. It crept up on me the last couple runs. It only hurts during the run, not after.
2. Elevation. Aside from the pure distance, the elevation gain within the 31 miles should be 3,000+ ft (cumulative)

.............

1. Hazardous trails

Oh, don't worry. I still plan on running it. My intent all along was to have fun and complete an ultra-marathon. There will be walking, resting and cursing during this race. Guarantee it.

9 hours to finish? I can do that...

Not many folks out there who have Ironman, marathoner and ultra-marathoner on their resumes.

A sliver of doubt

I am T-minus 9 days from is supposed to be my foray into the world of Ultramarathons and yet, I'm still trying to feel 'normal' after another ear infection hit this past week. I have a decision to make early next week and I'm slightly afraid of doing the unthinkable...pulling out of a race.

I really want to do this run. One of the things I promised myself for 2011 was that I would find events that would take me back to the reasons I love running and honestly, just staying fit. The SanTan Scramble (50K) is pure trail running with some fairly technical ascents and descents - mainly because you're running up a big hill! I've been out a few times to check it out and have really enjoyed myself out in the desert. Something about running in the open air of the desert early in the morning gets me charged up.

3D view of the 50K course along with elevation profile (yikes!)

Herein lies my problem. I'm feeling about 75% today and have logged maybe 10 miles since the PF Chang Marathon on January 16. Compound that with the treachery and hazards that come with trail running. Never-mind that I am committed to do the Ragnar Relay only 2 weeks after the 50K. Talk about zero down time...

Everyone thinks I'm nuts right now. So do I. I'm just not sure what I'm going to do about it yet.

I'll keep you posted.

The beat down

In traditional form, several days after my race, my body's defense system has been trashed and allowed 'the nasties' to invade and lay a beat down on me.

Though I'm not laying in my bed in the fetal position, I sure feel like I could resort to that at any minute. Fatigue mixed with sore muscles and an overall sense of punishment has given me some sort of head cold that's bee super-sized with sinus pressure. It's enough to make me go "blaaaah" but not quite wretched enough to keep from going about my normal business. DayQuil to the rescue I guess.

I haven't run since Sunday - (a) too sore and (b) convincing myself that I'm protecting my body from any further illness. Likely (c),  I'm just a wimp.

I have plans to go out with my buddy Andy this weekend to check out the Goldmine trail around the SanTan mountain. Home to the SanTan Scramble, I'll be making my ultramarathon (50K) debut on February 5. Hopefully there is not too much elevation to deal with. I'm pretty sure I can get through 31 miles with the right pacing and nutrition.

That's if I'm feeling better.

Here are some personal pictures from the PF Chang Marathon on January 16, 2011. ASI Photos can be found here (and if you watch the video carefully, you'll see 'older-man-in-pink-shoes' cross just after me). Enjoy.