tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-89123312905123067102024-02-18T20:50:47.507-06:00Average Joe Runners This is a blog about running... running for Average Joes. There are many elite runners out there and I am not one of them. I have turned to those blogs lately for information and inspiration, but I want to talk and read about running for us "Average Joes". This idea comes from my brother-in-law whom I run with and will mention often. We have many lofty goals, and this will be the forum to talk about the ups and downs of our journeys.Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07042486818954915185noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8912331290512306710.post-2584572457891483872013-02-21T15:58:00.001-06:002013-02-21T16:22:04.055-06:00Sylamore 50K Race Report<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">First thing: This is a recap of how <span style="font-size: small;">we</span> ran our races. It’s not a very good description of the race or the race elements. Nicholas Norfo<span style="font-size: small;">l</span>k has done a pretty good job of documenting that <a href="http://www.arkansasoutside.com/20th-sylamore-trail-25k50k-up-the-creek/" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The Sylamore 50K is now in the books for Kevin and I. It was a great race and we met a lot of great people. Most of them I have talked to or heard from in one way or another, but it was great to put faces with names. The volunteers were exceptional and the loot was great as well! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">As we looked back on our performances during our drive home on Sunday morning, we talked about a lot of the highs and lows of our individual races. It was pretty cool discussing what each of us experienced so we have decided to recap the race from both of our points of view.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Goals</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Kevin and I have been trying to set 3 goals for our races. Our ideal, and then 2 goals to fall back on. Here were mine for this race.<b><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Scott</span>'s Goals</span></b></span></h4>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">1. Finish under 8 hours</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">2. Finish under 9 hours</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">3. FINISH PERIOD</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Kevin's Goals</span></b></span></h4>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">1</span>.<span style="font-size: small;"><b> </b></span>Finish under 7:30<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">2</span>. Finish race in PR if I miss 7:30, previous PR is 8:02</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">3</span>.<span style="font-size: small;"> </span>FINISH PERIOD</span></span><b> </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Prerace </span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">After much debate on whether to leave the night before the race or the morning of, we settled on getting up bright and early to be in Allison by the start of the race. Allison is a small town just outside of M<span style="font-size: small;">ountain</span> View, Arkansas and is where our adventure began. We arrived at roughly 6:15am and began to prepare for the race. It was a cold morning, just below freezing. As we were getting our gear ready it decided to spit snow flurries. I have started races in cold weather before, but this one just seemed colder. Maybe it was knowing how far we had to go that made it seem worse. The temperature was supposed to reach the low 40's which, under normal circumstances, is perfect running weather for me. I would normally wear short sleeves and shorts and not think twice. I fought the decision in my mind and decided to go with a skull cap and long sleeves. I was glad I did.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">We approached the starting line and were off at 7:00am. The first mile was primarily a combination of pavement and dirt road. We followed the pavement down to a dirt road and turned off down the hill. The road le<span style="font-size: small;">d</span> to the trail head and just through the trees was the infamous Sylamore Creek crossing. This year we seemed to be lucky. The water was only knee high which made the wade across a little less pain full. I gritted my teeth, got across the water and headed up the hill towards the first aid station at Blanchard Springs. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Allison -> Blanchard Springs</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>(<span style="font-size: small;">Scott</span>) </b></span></h4>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span>The first section of trail between Allison and Blanchard Springs is technical. There are a lot of rocks, tree roots, and other various obstacles to navigate. Kevin and I started out together but he was feeling great and started to pull away early. At roughly mile 2 he dropped back to me so we could catch the group in front and try to latch on. I was able to hang for a couple of miles and just decided the pace was too fast for me to conserve energy for later in the race. I let them go and would catch<span style="font-size: small;"> them at the Blanc<span style="font-size: small;">hard Springs <span style="font-size: small;">aid station. </span></span></span>I settled into a comfortable pace and proceeded on to Blanchard Springs without incident. I was mostly running alone, which would be the case for nearly the entire race. I reached Blanchard Springs in just over an hour feeling pretty good. I was in for some food, a refill of the bottle, and then I was off.</span><br />
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<h4>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>(Kevin) </b></span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">The start was a pretty quick one, but hitting the creek early at mile one can be important so you don’t get stuck in too big of a traffic jam. I arrived there first of our three (Scott, new DailyMile friend Darron, and me), with Darron just a couple spots back and Scott a few more spots back. After the climb from the creek Darron and I found ourselves on the back of a decent sized train of about 12 people. Hooking up with a good pace train can be a great early race strategy. The pace was good and steady and I felt like we could hang with this group at least until Blanchard Springs. I was running with Jenny, a popular runner from Arkansas, who had the misfortune of falling in the creek. Rumor is that there is a good video of the fall. I got to see it first hand, but I wouldn’t mind seeing the video too. So I was with her at the moment she realized she had lost her cell phone in the creek. Her reaction was classic and all the funnier now that she has recovered her cell phone from a runner that fished it out and it actually works. Scott still had not caught the group so I told Darron I would drop back and pace with him back until he caught this group. I felt he could handle this pace if he could get through the traffic. I dropped back, found Scott, and we proceeded back to the train. At the moment we almost reattached I saw Darron pull out of the train. I told him “don’t wait, we are almost there”, but it was obvious something else was wrong. He had a significant calf injury, possibly a pulled or torn muscle. We chatted with him just a bit and we thought he was going to limp to Blanchard and then pull out of the race. Scott and I never caught that train again.</span></span><b><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"> </span> </b></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEkxcwWmcHlboFO4wR7j1KShcCa7hnGAkiCF3C2euQtAGwEiA60FTJ9ciJ-yKuJ80Q6Kp1Fd3r1p-DifV3EIIhPYwBOx6PqpCCZWc7FtC3f9NTSDnExlRWXhGlOoWxNpjJmh0XGXYjNFA/s1600/IMG_0420.JPG.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEkxcwWmcHlboFO4wR7j1KShcCa7hnGAkiCF3C2euQtAGwEiA60FTJ9ciJ-yKuJ80Q6Kp1Fd3r1p-DifV3EIIhPYwBOx6PqpCCZWc7FtC3f9NTSDnExlRWXhGlOoWxNpjJmh0XGXYjNFA/s320/IMG_0420.JPG.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Race starting line at Anglers<br />
Photo credit <a href="http://www.ageeracetiming.com/">ageeracetiming.com</a> </td></tr>
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<a href="http://www.ageeracetiming.com/" target="_blank">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXwusGmvZRr1mfN4iudMLtBrktfB3-Yb2AKyo59vycV50GoiQ3XnBZjgA7OEIWF_7vK1DzsSHkcXYNRDcJvlR-fi_6A5hHs9s-kildr7x_kSAXtor0Ls5Mulbx7RURujdS4tQZ2FSLypE/s1600/IMG_0436.JPG.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXwusGmvZRr1mfN4iudMLtBrktfB3-Yb2AKyo59vycV50GoiQ3XnBZjgA7OEIWF_7vK1DzsSHkcXYNRDcJvlR-fi_6A5hHs9s-kildr7x_kSAXtor0Ls5Mulbx7RURujdS4tQZ2FSLypE/s320/IMG_0436.JPG.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scott bottom left, Darron in front of him, Kevin to the right of him. No, we did not plan the yellow.<br />
Photo credit <a href="http://www.ageeracetiming.com/" target="_blank">ageeracetiming.com </a></td></tr>
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<h3>
<a href="http://www.ageeracetiming.com/" target="_blank"></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Blanchard Springs -> Gunner Pool</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>(<span style="font-size: small;">Scott</span>) </b></span></h4>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The next section was from Blanchard Springs to Gunner Pool and was a bit longer than the first. This section was the steepest incline and decline on the trail. We headed straight up the hill out of Blanchard Springs. The sun started to peak out and the scenery was awesome. I kept maintaining a comfortable pace on the flats and descents while power hiking the hills and felt great. <span style="font-size: small;">I was with the group up and over the f<span style="font-size: small;">irst clim<span style="font-size: small;">b and the desc<span style="font-size: small;">ent down. After that<span style="font-size: small;">, </span></span></span></span></span></span>I had to let several runners pass that were keeping a much faster pace than I was, but I tried hard to fight the urge to go with them. Thi<span style="font-size: small;">s is where I decided to let Kevin go. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">I would </span>only see Kevin twice the rest of the day. Once as he was passing me at the turn around and again at the finish line. </span>We pass by the creek a couple of times on this section and a waterfall if I recall. After roughly 5-6 miles, the decent into Gunner Pool was very much welcomed. Again, I ate some Pringles, a couple of pretzels topped off the water bottle, and I was on my way to Barkshed.</span><br />
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<h4>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>(Kevin) </b></span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">I saw Darron’s wife at the Blanchard Springs aid station and explained his injury. I didn’t expect him to go on after Blanchard Springs. Scott and I left out of Blanchard Springs together with five other runners. I took the lead of this small group and proceeded to power hike up the big climb out. This is the steepest climb of the day, but provides a good descent on the back side. Our group fragmented on the climb, but reassembled at the top for a good descent. Scott had pulled back to the back of this pack. On the next climb we fragmented again and on the descent into Gunner Pool I separated with a Crossfit guy from Memphis names Justin. He was not a runner, he was a lifter and Crossfit guy, but had no problem keeping my pace. Note to self: Check our Crossfit. Justin and I came into Gunner Pool together. I did not see Scott at the aid station.</span></span><b><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"> </span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Gunner Pool -> Barkshed</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>(<span style="font-size: small;">Scott</span>) </b></span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The section between Blanchard Springs and Barkshed is the easiest section of the race. It consists of pretty easy terrain, mostly soft trail and consistent elevation. This was my fastest section of the trail. I was able to pick my pace up a bit and hit a groove. I was still running alone but had received a boost of confidence that helped me shave some time and get to the turn around point at Barkshed fairly well. However, about a mile outside of Barkshed (roughly mile 14) I began to get a bad headache that I chalked up to dehydration. I had been drinking about 20 oz of fluid between each station, but apparently it wasn't enough. I wasn't hot, so this caught me by surprise. As I descended into Barkshed, Kevin was already heading back to Gunner pool. He passed me on his way out and looked strong. I knew at that moment he was going to PR this race. I reached Barkshed and knew I needed salt. I had already taken 2 tablets on the way in and I was still suffering from a headache and could tell cramps would be coming soon. The awesome volunteers gave me some chicken noodle soup, some potatoes with salt, and a peanut butter sandwich. I ate, topped my bottle off, and headed back to Gunner Pool at 3 hours and 33 minutes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>(Kevin) </b></span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I left out of Gunner Pool aid station more quickly than Justin and proceeded to run by myself. I caught and joined a woman about 2 miles in and we paced this section together. We would spend quite a bit of time stepping out of the way to let the lead runners passing us on the way back have the full trail. I believe that you always yield to leaders and downhill runners. This is by far the easiest section of the whole trail and I felt really good. Justin would join me just before we reached the aid station.</span></span></span>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"> </span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Barkshed -> Gunner Pool</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>(<span style="font-size: small;">Scott</span>) </b></span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The first mile after the turn around was rough. I was still experiencing the headache. It wasn't until about 2 miles in or so that the food I ate at Barkshed really kicked in. Once that happened I was able to kick it into gear and make good time back to Gunner Pool. I was still by myself but only a couple of runners had passed me back at this point. I was feeling pretty good at this point and made it back into Gunner Pool in a little over an hour. I really wanted more salty food to make sure I didn't begin cramping. More chicken noodle soop and a fried peanut butter and jelly sandwich (yes, it was awesome) hit the spot. I filled the bottle up with some Gatorade and I was off to Blanchard Springs.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Kevin)</span> </b></span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After the turn-around I left out with a group of guys about 5 deep including Justin. 5 minutes into this section I would pass Scott and give him five, but we didn’t stop to talk. 5 minutes after that, much to my surprise, I would pass Darron. He was actually giving it a go. After talking with Darron for a minute and fumbling to turn on some music for the first time of the day I lost contact with my train of guys. I ran a lot of this section alone just jamming to O.A.R. I would catch this train just before we reached Gunner Pool.</span></span></span>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"> </span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Gunner Pool -> Blanchard Springs</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>(<span style="font-size: small;">Scott</span>) </b></span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The section between Gunner Pool back to Blanchard Springs was the hardest for me mentally. The trail out of Gunner heads straight up the hill. I power hiked thinking I was never going to see the down hill of this section. I felt exhausted and my feet were really starting to hurt at this point. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A few runners I had passed coming out of the turnaround were passing me back and I was beginning to get discouraged. I had already downed most of my bottle and still had a couple of miles to go. I pushed on slowly until I had finally made it back to Blanchard. This aid station came at the perfect time. The last few races, the final aid station has propelled me to a strong finish. I ate some chicken noodle soup, boiled potatoes with salt, and sucked on some rock salt. I drank a couple of cups of Gatorade, topped my bottle off, and I was gone. I headed to the finish line back at Allison.</span><br />
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<h4>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>(Kevin) </b></span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I spent a little more time at Gunner Pool and several other runners came in. There is a short section of road, maybe half a mile that interrupts this section of trail. We went from trail to road but then missed the trail on the other side and proceeded to power hike the road. We would go a quarter of a mile before someone mentioned this didn’t seem right. It dawned on me immediately and we headed back down the hill. We’d lose 10 minutes before hitting the trail again. Once we hit the trail my new groups’ pace was too much for me. I was really starting to labor and couldn’t hold on to the back. Jesse (is awesome) from Arkansas would join me with another guy, but soon their pace was too much as well and they would drop me too. I’d descend into Blanchard Springs by myself just catching Jesse and his friend before the aid station.</span></span></span>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"> </span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Blanchard Springs -> Allison</span></h3>
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<h4>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>(<span style="font-size: small;">Scott</span>) </b></span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span>As I mentioned before, the section of the trail is the most technical. There are a lot of rocks and my feet were not happy about it. The first mile or so out of Blanchard is fairly smooth so I was able to cruise along without much pain. The food was kicking in and I was feeling pretty good. I would soon hit the rocky terrain and the pain reared its ugly head again. Each step hurt and slowed me down. I was almost there so I fought through it the best I could. With about a mile to go, I saw the Sylamore Creek again, the one we had crossed that morning. I have never been so happy to cross water in my life. It numbed my feet and allowed me to get up the hill to the road without tip-toeing. As I reached the top of the hill and hit the pavement, all I could think about was getting to the finish line. I was walking because my feet hurt so bad. At that moment, a new running friend of ours showed up behind me. He had hurt his calf pretty bad very early in the race. I honestly thought he had dropped because of the pain. It was really good to see him because I had been running alone most of the race. I hadn't looked at my watch in a long time because I just wanted to finish. My friend told me we still had a chance to break 8 hours. We had 4 minutes to do it! Both of us could barely walk but we took off. Immediately he had to stop because his calf locked up. I didn't want to go without him but he insisted. I mustered up everything I had and trotted across the finish line in 7:59:15 and was very happy about it. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Kevin had finished about 30 minutes earlier and cheered me into the finish line. It was good to see him and I knew he had a fantastic run. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">As soon as I stopped, I turned around and our friend crossed in just under 8 hours as well. His run was one of the most gutty performances I have ever seen. I would have dropped early with his injury. Everyone seemed to have accomplished something they thought they couldn't.</span><br />
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<h4>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>(Kevin) </b></span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I left out of Blanchard alone and a bit demoralized from the previous section. Soon, Ying, a woman that had passed me on this section last year would pass me again this year. I tried to hitch on and stay with her and she eventually would drag me back to Justin again, but just as I had a chance to say hi to him I blew up again. I would spend the rest of this section alone. I hit the creek and asked the woman at the creek how much further. She told me a little under a mile. I checked my watch and felt 7:30 was still possible and I took off. I held a decent pace until the bear of a hill that is the dirt road. I power hiked this hill passing a photographer and I held my hands high because 7:30 was going to happen. I ran down the pavement toward Allison before having to walk a bit. I then mustered up enough energy to run in and finish at 7:28:38.</span></span><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span></b></span>
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<a href="http://www.ageeracetiming.com/" target="_blank">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwJA-VO2tXNBkCGnuw0gTCqH6QrOV4yoKA7xMg4et2CgAfdxqoMY4bl0olvt4kbL6FmklhRPTQsrAKTCQgTsEYDgTOufw98sxwDlMEyULaHjY6hqHdKHIlv7LiHaN3LI1OUdAz2c4bMNM/s1600/IMG_9439.JPG.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwJA-VO2tXNBkCGnuw0gTCqH6QrOV4yoKA7xMg4et2CgAfdxqoMY4bl0olvt4kbL6FmklhRPTQsrAKTCQgTsEYDgTOufw98sxwDlMEyULaHjY6hqHdKHIlv7LiHaN3LI1OUdAz2c4bMNM/s320/IMG_9439.JPG.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><h4>
</h4>
Kevin celebrates the shot at sub 7:30<br />
Photo credit <a href="http://www.ageeracetiming.com/" target="_blank">ageeracetiming.com </a></td></tr>
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<a href="http://www.ageeracetiming.com/" target="_blank"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8912331290512306710">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgActo4MSdK_mYPWQ4DCk7FVH4iVXcfeTX_Z9pe1yDUYVE6LD6yszlUAHad8lBrnxNv-Gt8HhDi9txTzpGqJkMjTn9BLzwj1M77O4NkBCqqh2BvlW2r3PU2aIX1dsrZuwSJSDh-YZqCJpI/s1600/CAM2+%2528303%2529.JPG.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgActo4MSdK_mYPWQ4DCk7FVH4iVXcfeTX_Z9pe1yDUYVE6LD6yszlUAHad8lBrnxNv-Gt8HhDi9txTzpGqJkMjTn9BLzwj1M77O4NkBCqqh2BvlW2r3PU2aIX1dsrZuwSJSDh-YZqCJpI/s320/CAM2+%2528303%2529.JPG.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kevin finishes with way too many arm accessories.<br />
Photo credit <a href="http://www.ageeracetiming.com/">ageeracetiming.com </a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5BIun5NheEwHqUgx3soQ9zFbvv9t29oTX1qBJkMSu5r0y7MQomN2YV9CNlGB3a7P62Oy7HPlCOKu5POj4NIgg5OZNGM_Uds5aEY3jCwLJke5bhohv1ko6rhuCAmtvDBDg4M1CiM4HL3s/s1600/P2160977.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5BIun5NheEwHqUgx3soQ9zFbvv9t29oTX1qBJkMSu5r0y7MQomN2YV9CNlGB3a7P62Oy7HPlCOKu5POj4NIgg5OZNGM_Uds5aEY3jCwLJke5bhohv1ko6rhuCAmtvDBDg4M1CiM4HL3s/s320/P2160977.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scott finishing strong, going to get his sub 8:00. </td></tr>
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<h3>
</h3>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Post Race</span> </span></h3>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<h4>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">I crossed the finish line and received my finisher’s glass (which is pretty cool) and immediately began to scan for Darron and Scott. They more than likely were behind me, but given my 10 minute detour they could have passed me there. I did not see them. I would learn later than Darron made the same mistake, but took it even further, 3/4ths of a mile. I went to my truck, grabbed a drink, put on some pants, and proceeded to the finish line to cheer in the other runners. A bit later I saw Scott and Darron coming in together. I cheered them both in as they finished sub 8 hours. Incredible for both of their first trail 50Ks and Darron with the injured calf muscle as well.</span> </span></h4>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmfCclaeLf2BQ7sS-iWZE6ka-DXU79Uu6vSVxGPM4pNLf-CQ4-sOjdg_QINwYT6UROYQXaEyCgdsO213AjCMerIiL-ssefnRb1SDMvWeuNhODYuhBKNKybOIBiwmES18i3fk7T4-_Xuy0/s1600/P2160982.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmfCclaeLf2BQ7sS-iWZE6ka-DXU79Uu6vSVxGPM4pNLf-CQ4-sOjdg_QINwYT6UROYQXaEyCgdsO213AjCMerIiL-ssefnRb1SDMvWeuNhODYuhBKNKybOIBiwmES18i3fk7T4-_Xuy0/s320/P2160982.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The word says it all.</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"></span><span style="font-size: small;">L</span>ater That Night</span></h3>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<h4>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">We joined some friends we met on DailyMile (Michael, Joshua, Jody & Jody’s wife) at Anglers for supper, a drink, and a live band. Darron and his wife would join us later. We chatted about the race before Scott and I returned to our cabin at Holiday Mountain Resort less than half a mile away for a celebratory toast in our new Sylamore glasses.</span></span></h4>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDLkgV-3ApY3KjuJly5hqks3QwlBUMUhXv6EP4PrEkTCVxVFbinzW8lRj1cM_jnCrLWaNzsv6hgQLKh7MnITuNOY5YtWk1umcLdEImEJNOR0oiLslEI_KeSZn93SlM-DliK-6b8dUxu1E/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDLkgV-3ApY3KjuJly5hqks3QwlBUMUhXv6EP4PrEkTCVxVFbinzW8lRj1cM_jnCrLWaNzsv6hgQLKh7MnITuNOY5YtWk1umcLdEImEJNOR0oiLslEI_KeSZn93SlM-DliK-6b8dUxu1E/s320/photo.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our finishers loot - Sylamore 50K Pint Glasses</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></div>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"> </span></h3>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Summary</span><b><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></b></h3>
<div>
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></b></div>
<h4>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>(<span style="font-size: small;">Scott</span>) </b></span></h4>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Overall I was very pleased with the outcome of my first Ultra. The weather was perfect, I just met my goal, Kevin met his, and we met some great people. After the race there was no way I was attempting the 50 mile at <a href="http://www.syllamo.org/3days/Default.aspx" target="_blank">3 Days of Syllamo</a>, but now that I have let the pain wear off, I am going to try. I hope I have found the new pair of shoes I need to make it through.</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<h4>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>(Kevin) </b></span></h4>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">In the days after the race I have crunched the numbers a hundred different ways and I can’t seem to calculate a way to success at my first 50 miler next month. Even though this race went really well I still feel that I am not ready for the 50 mile stage at the 3 Days of Sylamo. I’ll hit that start line because a DNF is always better than a DNS.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcgwFE_RFfSUd7mMau3E-k36WuckX97nS3RfoqB_yG-T5Ke7xUwycBIeRZk46KDNABmniDKcTqmbtH9LloZfoR-C4EMp3uuzn7EN4mu8tKovBwdvrCMl2yVzTSeOIJr69lnaNUgPfZr2s/s1600/Sylamore+50K+2013+by+skailey+at+Garmin+Connect+-+Details+-+Google+Chrome_2013-02-21_15-53-31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcgwFE_RFfSUd7mMau3E-k36WuckX97nS3RfoqB_yG-T5Ke7xUwycBIeRZk46KDNABmniDKcTqmbtH9LloZfoR-C4EMp3uuzn7EN4mu8tKovBwdvrCMl2yVzTSeOIJr69lnaNUgPfZr2s/s400/Sylamore+50K+2013+by+skailey+at+Garmin+Connect+-+Details+-+Google+Chrome_2013-02-21_15-53-31.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sylamore 50K Route</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKGfisYr5L6JbXlYNJvZOlvDj7p4yU-nGpwfAgl8qqKTzGznmyD5EeoLaGtVQPdTYS11XFXV7yNdN5wRDXf6KvjFiAzTs3joLLE-GY4uFSVzlNRtOVGwHfPaQRb7kR0vWTiZ7fHc2CecM/s1600/Sylamore+50K+2013+by+skailey+at+Garmin+Connect+-+Details+-+Google+Chrome_2013-02-21_15-54-31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKGfisYr5L6JbXlYNJvZOlvDj7p4yU-nGpwfAgl8qqKTzGznmyD5EeoLaGtVQPdTYS11XFXV7yNdN5wRDXf6KvjFiAzTs3joLLE-GY4uFSVzlNRtOVGwHfPaQRb7kR0vWTiZ7fHc2CecM/s400/Sylamore+50K+2013+by+skailey+at+Garmin+Connect+-+Details+-+Google+Chrome_2013-02-21_15-54-31.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sylamore 50K Elevation Profile</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span>
Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07042486818954915185noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8912331290512306710.post-68316101437331000212013-02-15T13:09:00.001-06:002013-02-15T15:19:37.158-06:00Sylamore 50K Eve<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Just a quick thought about race day tomorrow. It will be my first attempt at a 50K. Kevin completed this race last year. I was at the finish line when he crossed it. He was exhausted but I could tell how proud of his accomplishment he was. I had been telling him how crazy he was all along but I will admit, part of me was jealous. I never had thoughts of even attempting it. I was running my first Little Rock Marathon 2 weeks later and never thought I would pull off two races this long in that short period of time. Kevin did, completing both races and doing very well.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Several months later when Kevin and I started hashing out plans for our races this spring, I decided I would try to focus on trails. In true "Average Joe" fashion, we think we bit off more than we can chew. The key word is "THINK".</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I woke up this morning very nervous, very anxious, while also being very excited. I am a Christian and Jesus is the cornerstone of all I do in life. I try to follow him in all I do and all decisions I make. I fall short of that often, but I am thankful for a God who forgives. This particular verse has helped ease my anxiety today.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://bible.us/116/mrk.9.23.nlt" target="_blank">Mark 9:23</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="label" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #666666; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1; margin: 0.5em 4px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; text-indent: 14px;">23</span><span class="wj" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 28px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-indent: 14px;"><span class="content" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; color: #cc0000; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">“What do you mean, ‘If I can’?”</span></span><span class="content" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 28px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-indent: 14px;"> Jesus asked. </span><span class="wj" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 28px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-indent: 14px;"><span class="content" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; color: #cc0000; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">“Anything is possible if a person believes.”</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This makes me believe I can do it, even if my feet give me trouble, even when I am wondering why I would do this about mile 22. I plan to enjoy the outdoors, enjoy the new people I am looking forward to meeting tomorrow (along with the beer afterwards!), and enjoy the fact that I am about to complete the longest race of my life. Pretty awesome stuff.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Good luck to all those at the <a href="http://www.sylamore50k.com/default.aspx" target="_blank">Sylamore 50K</a> tomorrow. I hope everyone gets a PR!!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07042486818954915185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8912331290512306710.post-35088939957464840752013-02-02T13:15:00.000-06:002013-02-02T13:16:13.679-06:00Sylamore Test Run<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Scott and I
decided to make the trip up to Sylamore to try out the trail in advance of the
Sylamore 50K in February.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Scott arrived
at my house at 5am and we headed to the trail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We stopped briefly for fuel in Drasco and for a little bite of food and
a bathroom break in Mountain View and arrived at <a href="http://www.anglerswhiteriver.com/" target="_blank">Anglers White River</a> resort at
7am.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We gathered our food, put on our
Garmins, and started the same spot that the race will start on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We planned to run from Anglers to Blanchard
Springs on to Gunner Pool and then turn around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The race will continue on to Barkshed before turning around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We
started off up the pavement and then turning on to the dirt road that would
lead to the single track trail head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
started to rain on us and rained on and off all day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s easy during the first mile on race day
to go faster than you should because the terrain is so easy and all the other
runners are going faster, so you’ll want to be aware of that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the flip side if you go to slow you’ll
find yourself deep in traffic at the creek crossing and the half mile past the
creek and could cost you some time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
lost five minutes here last year and missed my race goal time by two minutes.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
creek crossing was calf deep in places.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Be wary of expecting larger rocks to be good foot holds, they tend to be
slicker, try and stick to walking on the gravel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Last year I saw a couple of people run with
extra socks and shoes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t advise it
as the entire section to Blanchard Springs has small several creek crossings
and is overall a fairly muddy section, you might could stay dry, but it would
take a lot of effort.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, even if you
change shoes after the creek your second pair of shoes will get pretty
wet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If this is your first Sylamore 50K
you may be thinking this trial is fairly technical, no worries, after Blanchard
Springs it smoothes out real nice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On
this section after a small creek crossing we could hear a waterfall just below,
we took a short hike down (40 feet) and found a campsite with a view of the
waterfall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We held a nice steady 15:00
average pace until Blanchard Springs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlkZ68SLlj1g66Q9-Q8d7sT49s9cL-F2ZLhxiiy7nSKvC-Ve2vdNC3LwyvMSHGgg6AgviXQfIVNKNSMavqoYB6mGuiiykzdRARByM8U21KcobpvVwk6Gde-sEOmccw0O-T4vH_gUyS-VA/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlkZ68SLlj1g66Q9-Q8d7sT49s9cL-F2ZLhxiiy7nSKvC-Ve2vdNC3LwyvMSHGgg6AgviXQfIVNKNSMavqoYB6mGuiiykzdRARByM8U21KcobpvVwk6Gde-sEOmccw0O-T4vH_gUyS-VA/s320/photo+1.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scott at the first campground we noticed.</td></tr>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">At
Blanchard we stopped and topped off our water bottles at the rest room as the
water has been turned off for the winter at Gunner Pool.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is where the first aid station will
be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The trail coming out of Blanchard is
the steepest of any section on this race route.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We hiked up it before resuming running after the top.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We descended toward Gunner Pool pretty
quickly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’ll pass a memorial to
Arkansas State Trooper Jimmie White shortly before a campsite.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was during this section that we
encountered all of the people we would see during the run. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the way out we bumped into a hunter and a
game warden chatting beside a campfire.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Shortly after them we came upon a group of about six packing up camp and
having breakfast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once past them we came
upon a group of about seven hikers headed to Barkshed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The run after this will take you down next to
the creek, literally on top of the creek.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s easy to tell where to go on the way out, it can be a little
confusing on the way back, just remember on the way back to run toward the
creek. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I checked and there was a clear
blue blaze on a tree this year, I don’t remember it being there last year, so
you shouldn’t have any problem.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">At
Gunner Pool we stopped so I could use the restroom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’d been battling a stomach virus the night
before and it wasn’t treating me well on the run.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Scott did a little sightseeing and snapped a
picture of Gunner Pool.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What we call
Gunner Pool was apparently Camp Hedges, check out the writing on the sign in
the picture below.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waterfall at Gunner Pool built by CCC.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kevin at Gunner Pool (Camp Hedges)</td></tr>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">After
turning around and heading back we both felt pretty good, thankful for the pit
toilet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During this section we stopped
and snapped a picture of me next to a tree cut down by a beaver, that’s the
Little Sylamore Creek in the background.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We would encounter all the same people as earlier but also we passed and
stopped and chatted with Nancy Kirk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She’s
the sister of Steve Kirk who puts on the <a href="http://www.syllamo.org/3days/" target="_blank">3 Days of Sylamo</a> in March.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Scott and I are currently training to run
just the second day, the 50 mile trail leg.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We descended into Blanchard and topped off the bottles and headed on to
the end.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At Blanchard you get to cross
the nice bridge in the picture below.</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHZ9BJB7UDQ7sHhg6q701FKIxUsphvPWr_eKl01dmvKZ6Nor_xa0MPaMONfoRaVEVyWwO_mQkY3ZQRTB_5JKxkki1D2oKfTVnfP4NCz9M9P3REIJOhSjTqdl_yRN5zn0Qej2y9bMIMFuE/s1600/photo+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHZ9BJB7UDQ7sHhg6q701FKIxUsphvPWr_eKl01dmvKZ6Nor_xa0MPaMONfoRaVEVyWwO_mQkY3ZQRTB_5JKxkki1D2oKfTVnfP4NCz9M9P3REIJOhSjTqdl_yRN5zn0Qej2y9bMIMFuE/s320/photo+4.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kevin next to the Little Sylamore Creek</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiCP3j-TV2Cevq0qUPJVmN8x__iJvYhMnG72oeBG60r046bThnOhReqp3xRFqQ5BIw-AREE8drxmP_2b9qd2wgM5yx-iOWHlG8eyZy1sM-yQOxU2pKzmkmHyhDVbFbX3rPdk1_wiKk_VQ/s1600/photo+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiCP3j-TV2Cevq0qUPJVmN8x__iJvYhMnG72oeBG60r046bThnOhReqp3xRFqQ5BIw-AREE8drxmP_2b9qd2wgM5yx-iOWHlG8eyZy1sM-yQOxU2pKzmkmHyhDVbFbX3rPdk1_wiKk_VQ/s320/photo+5.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scott running the bridge at Blanchard Springs</td></tr>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
section from Blanchard to the end saw Scott’s feet really start to hurt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They have started to bother him since taking
up trail running.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s still seeking a
solution to the problem, but basically he has pressure points on the balls of
his feet that cause pain after long trail runs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He had blood blisters after Athens Big Fork Trail Marathon earlier this
year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We slowed the pace and brought the
training run to a close.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With Scott’s
feet and my stomach bug we still had a pretty good day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Looking forward to Sylamore 50K in two weeks.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scott crossing the Little Sylamore Creek, ahhh, feels good on the feet.</td></tr>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Garmin of training run: <span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="http://connect.garmin.com/activity/266756837">http://connect.garmin.com/activity/266756837</a></span> </span></div>
Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05555541256264665214noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8912331290512306710.post-27388674067473805512013-01-14T21:56:00.001-06:002013-03-24T21:22:01.953-05:00Athens Big Fork Trail Marathon Race RecapThis IS the toughest marathon in the south. I heard several people say just that the morning of the race. Eight mountain crossings on the out and then you turn around and cross the same eight mountains on the way back. After running this I will be one of the ones saying it is the toughest marathon in the south. Here is the profile from my Garmin report of the race. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Athens Big Fork Trail Marathon Profile</td></tr>
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Who could have known before the race that it was going to be this hard? Well, the race organizers give you a hint to that with this warning on the race <a href="http://www.athensbigforkmarathon.com/readme.aspx" target="_blank">website</a>. <br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
NOTE: This event is NOT for trail-newbies.<br />
<br />
If you are not an experienced trail- or ultra-runner (or adventure racer), we happily invite you to one of the other UTS runs, BUT NOT THIS ONE. This is a difficult event on a difficult trail that presents many opportunities for one to get lost, injured, exhausted, or incapacitated--with sparse access for rescue.<br />
<br />
MORE Notes:<br />
<br />
Please do not be enticed into trying this run because of the difficulty warning--it is merely an honest attempt at preventing the run organizers from having to find and rescue someone ill-equipped for the event.<br />
<br />
A cut-off time of 10:30am (2.5 hours) will be enforced at the turn-around (half-way) point for the 17-mile run. Runners reaching that point after 10:30 must turn around (--NOT proceed on the marathon course).<br />
<br />
If you cannot find the Big Fork Community Center without further instructions--please disregard this race.</blockquote>
That’s a pretty serious warning and you need to take it at face value. We took it serious, but thought we were conditioned for it and decided to give it a go. We setup three goals prerace so as to keep things in perspective.<br />
<ol>
<li>Finish the race in 8 hours</li>
<li>Finish the race</li>
<li>Finish the Blaylock Creek Fun Run (17 miles) </li>
</ol>
I got up at at 3:45 and picked Scott up in Conway at 4:45 and headed on to Big Fork Community Center. We stopped and grabbed some breakfast in Hot Springs on the way. We arrived later than we had planned and didn't get much of a chance to socialize with the other runners. We made our donation to the community center, purchased a t-shirt from the race and after a brief instruction we were lead to the highway in front of the community center and we were off.<br />
<br />
The first 2.5 miles are run just a little on a highway and then on a county road with a gradual incline. Nice easy warm up before you hit the first climb. The first climb (Missouri) is a bit overrun with undergrowth so staying a good distance back from the runner in front of you is needed so you are not popped by a recoiling tree branch. After ascending and descending this first mountain you come to the first aid station at around 4 miles. This aid station (run by TATUR) was well stocked and friendly and had the music cranked up. <br />
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The next section of the race until Blaylock creek crosses 4 mountains (Hurricane Knob, McKinley, Brier Creek, & Leader). It's a nice stretch of trail with some technical parts and a few sections of scree. It finally ends with a crossing of Blaylock creek and arriving at the Blaylock creek aid station. This station was also well stocked and manned by a very friendly crew from AURA. This is the turnaround point for the fun run. At this point you have a decision to make. If you are feeling anything less than great I would suggest turning around here. Scott and I discussed our three goals briefly and decided to push on. Goal number three was no longer an option. It would be goal one or two.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scott crossing Blaylock Creek</td></tr>
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The next mountain (Brushheap) is the monster on this trail in my opinion. The climb out of Blaylock creek and up this mountain seems to have the highest gradient and seemed to go on forever. If this were a cycling course I'd have to rate it HC. Someone had bulldozed parts of the trail and near the trail and the race organizers did a good job of putting down flour markings to lead you the correct direction. <br />
I really enjoyed the next mountain (Brushy). It had some great views and seemed match well for my descending. At this point it's important to note that I am more comfortable descending faster than Scott. So we would power hike the hills together and then I would descend off the front. Once at the base I would walk/hike until Scott joined me to hike up the next mountain.<br />
<br />
This is where our race went wrong. I descended off of mountain seven (Brushy) ahead of Scott and proceeded to run to the base of the next mountain where I started to hike. After about half a mile he had not caught me and I began to worry. I stopped and waited, the time was 3:22. At 3:29 another runner who had been behind Scott passed me and informed me that he had not seen Scott. This meant that Scott was off trail. I ran back down the mountain and out a short spur trail until I decided he wasn't down there. I encountered another runner who had already made the turn around and explained he had been lost earlier by making a wrong turn at a T after Brushy. I ran with him back to the T and sure enough it was a very confusing intersection. On the way out it is a T after Brushy. Looking left you see a tree with both a yellow and white blaze. Looking right you see a tree with a yellow blaze. Further inspection and you would also see a tree with a white blaze a little further. Now, I'm not sure the point of having blazes on trees together versus having them on separate trees, but Scott only saw the white blaze to the left and he turned left. This was the same mistake that the runner I encountered had told me he had made. I was lucky enough when I came through the intersection just a few minutes ahead of Scott to pass 4 runners on their way back from the turnaround coming into the intersection. I turned toward them and never considered which way was the correct way to turn. So, I ran about a half mile down this trail and found Scott and five other runners running back towards me. I latched onto the train, but soon Scott and I were both unhitched. Here is the lesson, when you come to a T after descending the 7th mountain, <b>TURN RIGHT</b>!<br />
<br />
Scott and I were on our way to the final aid station after mountain eight (Big Tom). We arrived at the well stocked aid station run by a group out of Texarkana about 30 minutes behind where we were on pace to arrive as the trail debacle had cost us half an hour. Scott had some chicken noodle soup and I had a large banana and took a second one for the run back. It was obvious at this point that race goal number one, finish in eight hours, was no longer attainable, so we moved down to race goal number two. We left the final aid station just as the last 3 runners were reaching it.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scott at the turn-around post trail mishap.</td></tr>
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We ran/walked/hiked the next three mountains back to the Blaylock creek aid station. Scott told me more than once to go on, but pre-race we had agreed to stay together until 10K to go and then if either of us felt good and had a chance at doing better we would split up, so I stayed with Scott a while longer. We went through Blaylock Creek aid station together and we left out just as the first of the last group was arriving.<br />
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We proceeded to go over mountain five (Leader) together and start up four (Brier Creek) together. On the way up Brier Creek when we were about six miles out Scott could tell I was itching to take off. I turned around to ask if I could go but before I could get the words out of my mouth he said "Just go man".<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scott after 20 miles</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kevin after 20 miles</td></tr>
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I took off with intent on catching at least one person. I power hiked up the remaining of four (Brier Creek) and flew down the other side. I hit both three & two (McKinley, Hurricane Knob) with the same intensity and just as I hit the base after Hurricane Knob I saw a runner leaving the final aid station. I picked up my pace and hit the aid station only long enough to eat a handful of chips and have my bottle refilled. I was off. Somewhere on the way up the final climb (Missouri) I hit my limits. My walk/hike slowed to barely moving and for the first time of the day I was not able to run down a mountain. I couldn't navigate the leaf covered rocks with my wobbly legs and I had to hike slowly down the mountain. When I reached the base and the road I could not see the other runner at all. I decided to just shoot for breaking 9 hours and slowly brought it in.<br />
<br />
Meanwhile, Scott had gone over four and three (Brier Creek, McKinley) and topped out on two (Hurricane Knob) when he could hear the faint noise of the aid station at the bottom of McKinley. He gained inspirations and picked up his pace. He came into the final aid station strong and took in a variety of fuel before leaving out. He powered up one (Missouri) and ran down the back side. He finally hit the long dirt road and ran much more of it than I did.<br />
<br />
I hit the pavement at 8:48 with only 8/10ths of a mile to finish the race. Three cars full of runners passed honking and clapping as I neared the finish line. Unbeknownst to me, the same three cars would honk and clap for Scott as he ran down the pavement just half a mile behind me. I would finish in 8:58 as a couple of women got out of the cars and ran to the finish to cheer me in. That’s just what these runners are like. I proceeded into the community center to sign out. A race organizer came in and said that 84 just hit the pavement. I knew 84 was Scott and I ran (if you could call it that) out to the finish line just in time to catch him crossing it and cheer him in.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scott finishing strong</td></tr>
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We changed clothes and cleaned up the best we could at the community center before heading to Hot Springs and Rod’s pizza for some supper. We recapped the race together and really enjoyed the day. Scott stated he will never run this race again, but I’m not so absolute. Keep in mind, Scott always says he will never do something and before you know it he is doing just that.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Rodfather Pizza at Rod's Pizza in Hot Springs</td></tr>
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Garmin Link: <a href="http://connect.garmin.com/activity/258992365" target="_blank">ABF Garmin Link</a>Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05555541256264665214noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8912331290512306710.post-37636096680260823532012-12-19T10:24:00.001-06:002012-12-19T10:26:09.121-06:00How Do We Do This?<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As you can tell, it has been a couple of weeks since we have put a blog up. It isn't necessarily because we haven't been training, but we are already hitting some bumps in the road. Kevin has been sick and has been trying to get his strength back over the last week. Me? Well, I have been training... getting my miles in... but I have been wrestling with the mental aspect of it all. Let me explain.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kevin and I are notorious for biting off more than we should be able to chew. Running ultra marathons is no exception. Kevin has run a couple of 50K's but I haven't run further than 26.2.. and that is on the pavement. We both set out on this journey because we wanted to try something different. I love to be in the woods and I love to be on trails so naturally I decided to join Kevin and hit the trails for 2013. I was pumped when we decided on our races, and even when we began training. Don't get me wrong, I am still excited and I am enjoying the training but the mental battles have begun.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have mentioned before that we have really enjoyed listening to the podcasts of the elite runners on <a href="http://ultrarunnerpodcast.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">ultrarunnerpodcast.com</a>. The interviews with these runners are excellent. They share their stories and experiences and even try to give advice about the different aspects of trail running. The advice is good, but I often feel that most of the content is directed to ultra runners who are elite, or at the very least, able to put in 70-100 miles a week in training. That is impossible for a husband, a father of 3 children under the age of 10, and as someone who holds a full time job with an 1 hour and 30 min round trip commute every day. I often feel discouraged after listening to these podcasts. I don't understand how I am supposed to approach the simple goal of finishing an ultra marathon with all of the higher priorities I have mentioned above. Just getting in my back to back long runs on the weekend are a huge challenge. I try my hardest not to infringe on my family time. They come first. I have a loving wife who supports me and wants me to reach my goal, however, she works hard all week being a mom and I need to help her on our weekends. I simply need to be there with my family. The elite runners make this a job, I can't do that.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Other things I hear the top runners talking about that leave me wondering what I should do? Well, let's see...</span></div>
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<ol>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Core workouts to go along with your running - </b>I love the thought of this and have really tried to implement it. Time is at a premium though and it has been tough. I get up at 4:30am each day just to get my run in before I commute to work. It has been tough fitting this in the schedule as well.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Running with someone - </b>Kevin and I try to run together every chance we get, however, he lives 20 min away so it is almost impossible for him to come run with me early in the mornings. We have made an effort to run together on the weekends but our family schedules can trump that too.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Pit crews/support at races - </b>I often worry about what we are going to do regarding this. Kevin and I are the only people we know that enjoy running, let alone, ultra running like we do. I can't think of one person that would want to sit out on a trail all day talking us through 50 miles. Every elite runner I talk to talks about someone to help them with nutrition and just be there to support them. Is this not the case for someone who has a goal just to finish? This is a big question I have.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Nutrition - </b>I know nutrition is important but let's face it... when you have 3 kids and are on the go every night, it isn't often you can get a healthy meal at the dinner table together. It is too easy to grab something to go so you make it where you are supposed to be on time. On the flip side, I worry about nutrition in the race. Will I get enough? How do I know how much I need in a race? I am experimenting on my long runs but it is something that makes me uneasy.</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have loved training for these races and that won't stop. I just can't get past these questions on how to approach some of these things as an Average Joe. I will continue to listen to the elite runners because they inspire me. Maybe someone out there can relate and can share their experiences and encouragement with us so we can figure it all out.</span></div>
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Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07042486818954915185noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8912331290512306710.post-71422471434033727702012-12-04T06:42:00.000-06:002012-12-04T06:42:57.843-06:00An Elite "Average Joe"As I mentioned in our weekly recap yesterday, Kevin and I have been listening to several of the podcasts at <a href="http://ultrarunnerpodcast.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">UltraRunnerPodcast.com</a>. A majority of the pod casts are from elite, well-known runners from the Ultra Runner community. I have really enjoyed listening to each runners perspective on ultra running along with the experiences from their training and racing.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">UltraRunnerPodcast.com</td></tr>
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On my run this morning, however, I listened to a runner that bridged the gap from being an Average Joe runner like me to being an elite ultra runner like himself. His name is Ian Torrence and he has acomplished just about everything in the sport of Ultra Running. In his interview he discusses how he trains experienced marathoners to people running their first ultra marathon and how similar it can be. The similarities of the goals he tries to set for his newbie ultra runners are so similar to the goals Kevin and I have set for ourselves. This interview really inspired me and I highly recommend checking it out no matter what your current running goals are.</div>
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<a href="http://media.blubrry.com/ultrarunnerpodcast/p/www.ultrarunnerpodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/Ian%20Torrence%20Interview.mp3" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Ian Torrence UltraRunnerPodcast.com Interview</a> </div>
Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07042486818954915185noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8912331290512306710.post-36557857097585655642012-12-03T09:49:00.001-06:002012-12-03T10:29:03.179-06:003 Days of Syllamo 50 Mile Training: Week 1 (Nov 26th – Dec 2nd)<span style="color: #073763;"><b>Mon, Nov 26th Plan: Rest</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763;"><b>Tue, Nov 27th Plan: Tuesday Six</b></span><br />
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<b>Kevin:</b> I met Scott for the morning run in Conway. I had to get up at 4am to get there. Getting up was the hardest part. We paced well together and pushed mile five pretty hard.<br />
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<b>Scott:</b> I woke up at 4:30am ready to get this training under way. Kevin drove to Conway to meet me for this run and it took him a while to get used to the early morning run. We ended up running a good pace pushing it in the middle which made it a pseudo tempo run.<br />
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<span style="color: #073763;"><b>Wed, Nov 28th Plan: Wednesday Easy Five</b></span><br />
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<b>Kevin: </b> Missed my run in the morning because I turned off the alarm, no doubt due to the long day the day before. I had to run this at lunch. It was very hard to run as slow a pace as the plan has detailed. I had to keep checking my watch because my body just doesn’t know this pace yet.<br />
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<b>Scott:</b> Took off around 5:00am for a nice 5 mile jog. I settled in at about an 11:30 min/mi pace. It was difficult to fight the urge to go a little faster but I was able to get in a nice rhythm. This weekly slow run is going to be a key recovery run going forward.<br />
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<span style="color: #073763;"><b>Thur, Nov 29th Plan: Thursday Six</b></span><br />
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<b>Kevin:</b> Got up at 4 again to meet Scott. Today’s run was a bit harder probably because of the 11 miles the past two days. <br />
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<b>Scott:</b> I woke up again around 4:30am and Kevin met me for this run. We ran at pretty much the same pace as we did on Tuesday for this 6 mile run, however, it felt a little bit harder. This was probably just due to putting in a couple of days in a row with the medium mileage.<br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><b><br />Fri, Nov 30th Plan: Rest</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763;"><b>Sat, Dec 1st Plan: Weekend Road (3hrs)</b></span><br />
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<b>Kevin:</b> We had to flip flop back and forth our plans a few times because of family obligations. I ran a 5K with my family in the morning and then hit the trail for 1.5hrs (which is the plan for tomorrow), because I thought I’d end up running long tomorrow (but that didn’t happen either). Because I was short on time I pushed the pace hard on the trail run and felt great doing it.<br />
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<b>Scott:</b> Last minute change of plans on Saturday with my family forced Kevin and I to swap the trail run we had scheduled with the long run scheduled for Sunday. My goal was to run this 3 hour around an 11:30 min/mi. I actually settled in at about an 11:40 min/mi but was ok with it, especially with how my legs responded so quickly for the trail run coming up Sunday.<br />
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<span style="color: #073763;"><b>Sun, Dec 2nd Plan: Weekend Trail (1.5hrs)</b></span><br />
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<b>Kevin:</b> Scott picked me up at 5:45 and we hit the trail at dark. We ran the first lap (3.25) in the dark. Scott had a head lamp; I had the knowledge of the trail. We ran the first lap right at our training pace and the second lap just a little bit faster. I felt great on both laps.<br />
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<b>Scott:</b> I drove to Greenbrier to get in our first trail run of the training at Woolly Hollow State park. Picked up Kevin and we hit the trail at 6:00am. The first lap was in the dark and I was a little conservative because I didn’t know the terrain very well. I had a head lamp so I followed Kevin and watched where he was stepping to avoid turning an ankle. The sun came up in time for the second lap and I was able to relax a little more. We finished the training right at our goal of 1 hour and 26 minutes.<br />
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<span style="color: #073763;"><b>Week Overview Thoughts</b></span><br />
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<b>Kevin:</b> I wish I had managed to get in a long run this week, but I still managed 36 miles, my second most ever in a week and I feel great. A little fatigue deep in the legs on Monday morning, but no injuries and I’m looking forward to week two. <br />
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<b>Scott:</b> Week 1 of the training was a success for me. I was able to put in 39 miles and I feel good. I enjoyed hitting the trail again and I am looking forward to the weeks of training ahead. Another discovery that Kevin and I stumbled upon this week is <a href="http://ultrarunnerpodcast.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">ultrarunnerpodcast.com</a>. We have listened to many great interviews from elite ultra runners. Each guest to the podcast talks about the races they have entered, the ups and downs of their training, how they got into ultra running, etc. My favorites have been the runners who seem to have the same life as Kevin and I do… 40hr/week jobs with a family. Hearing how they adjust their training schedules to this lifestyle but are still able to accomplish their goals makes this 50 mile goal of ours seem more possible than ever. I highly recommend checking out these podcasts. Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05555541256264665214noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8912331290512306710.post-23977569618773711682012-11-26T22:40:00.001-06:002012-11-26T22:45:01.752-06:00The PlanScott has run three marathons and I have run three marathons and two 50Ks, however neither of us has ever run an ultra of 50 miles so developing a training plan for this seems quite a bit different than anything we have done before. Scott has traditionally done very well with training plans where I have not. I run more based on feel and l am far less disciplined that he is, so why I was tasked with the developing our training plan I have no idea.<br />
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The basis for this training plan started with an ultra training plan from Runners’ World. Here are three things that I wanted to make sure our plan had:<br />
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<ol>
<li>Back to back long runs on every weekend. This seems to be a staple of all ultra training plans so I made sure it was part of our training plan.</li>
<li>At least three 25+ mile trail runs before the 50 miler. We are going to
run Athens Big Fork in early January and Sylamore 50K in February.
I’ve also added in our own unsupported BRT (Buffalo River Trail)
Marathon in late January. ABF and BRT are training runs and will be
treated as such. The goal of these long runs is to focus on nutrition
and running comfortably. Sylamore 50K will be treated like a race and
we will push ourselves to see how we respond.</li>
<li>Two rest days each week. I think it’s possible we may have to add
additional rest days when we notice dead legs or burnout, but we will
start with two for the plan.</li>
</ol>
Tomorrow I will be making the drive to Conway to run the kickoff run of
the plan together. We will blog regularly about our experiences with
the plan and let you know how we do and what we learn. <br />
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Disclaimer: I am not a health care professional nor a physical trainer and this plan should not be used as a guide with the impression that I know what I am doing. This is merely our plan that I share with you for entertainment purposes only.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9UZUvtBHTOs2EPxmrzIcuUD1mDcweilDIDjAndexWXiTnT7gRo91dkHcKLMe0bbNLrxRxaz48Wvi1dH-I1PJuNgZrMLwXQhKFyRxiHtL6DuYn-8BGrWB-kDQw4-xwLVamRm9uHitMLBM/s1600/50MileSyllamoTrainingPlan.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="421" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9UZUvtBHTOs2EPxmrzIcuUD1mDcweilDIDjAndexWXiTnT7gRo91dkHcKLMe0bbNLrxRxaz48Wvi1dH-I1PJuNgZrMLwXQhKFyRxiHtL6DuYn-8BGrWB-kDQw4-xwLVamRm9uHitMLBM/s640/50MileSyllamoTrainingPlan.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">50 Mile Sylamo Training Plan</td></tr>
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<br />Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05555541256264665214noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8912331290512306710.post-67686104791638363742012-11-18T15:41:00.000-06:002012-11-28T11:15:27.120-06:00White River Marathon for Kenya Race Report<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For those of you that follow us on </span><a href="http://www.dailymile.com/login.mobile">www.dailymile.com</a>, <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">you know that I have spent the last 13 weeks training for the Soaring Wings Half Marathon and ultimately the White River Marathon for Kenya. The race took place yesterday morning in Cotter, Arkansas along the scenic White River.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This was my 3rd attempt to break the 5 hour mark and I have been pretty excited the last few weeks at the thought of finally doing it. The route for this race is the flattest I have been on and one of the flattest Boston qualifiers in the United States. My training for the last 13 weeks has gone well with no major setbacks and my longer runs were right on pace to reach this goal. I was feeling confident.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Race morning was chilly, about 28 degrees at the start. It was cold but I was dressed for it and new I would warm up quickly. Kevin drove over to take a quick pre-race picture and see me off. After a few more minutes, we were off.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I started the race with a girl that Kevin met the previous week at the Bona Dea 50K. We had good conversation to start out the race and it helped me settle into a good groove. The race starts just across the street from Cotter High School. We immediately cross a busy highway (aided by the help of local police) and then head down a steep hill. This would be the last hill we see for 26 miles. This race is 2 out and backs on a flat road that runs parallel with the White River. The first out I was feeling great. We were keeping a pace slightly faster than I had planned on starting, but it wasn't much so I stuck with it. Between the conversation, beautiful scenery, and crisp air I didn't think much about the running. I made it to the first turn around at approximately 7 miles and headed back. I maintained my goal half-marathon pace all the way back. I wasn't laboring and the continued conversation and the encouragement of the other runners passing us by was great. Each aid station I passed was filled with local volunteers who were extremely friendly and quick to encourage us all as we passed. I made it back in to the half way point in about 2:20 which was slightly faster than the pace I was shooting for, but I was still feeling good. We made the turn and headed back out for the second time. As we got to mile 15 or so, the girl I had been chatting with decided to go ahead. She was shooting for the 4:30 mark and that was just too fast for me. I decided to turn my music on and settle in. Everything was going pretty well. I felt pretty good, no laboring, but then mile 19 came.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I had been settled in for about 4 miles. I was zoned out listening to my music when I noticed my feet were starting to get a little sore. I was getting a sharp pain in my foot where I had never had one before. I wasn't sure why but nothing I could do would relieve it. I tried to curl my toes a bit or stretch my arch, but no luck. At this point, my pace was creeping up closer and closer to the 11:00 min/mi mark so I new my window for my 5 hour goal was closing quickly. By the time I reached the 21 mile sign, my feet started feeling like they had been running on a cheese grater. The paved roads weren't bad, but they were not smooth asphalt, more like paved gravel. I am not sure any of the other runners had issues with it, but I sure did. I started to walk about 30 seconds every few minutes to try and relieve the pain but it only got worse. By the time I reached mile 23, the 5 hour mark was out of reach as my pace had gone up to around 11:15 min/mi. I was getting upset, but another runner told me once that you have to reassess mid race when you know your original goal is out of reach and make a new one. So.. I did. My new goal was to try and get a PR (personal record). For the last 3.2 miles I was walking about a minute, running about a minute and I was in a lot of pain. I limped along until I finally saw the finish line and heard the cheering as other runners were finishing. I only had 0.2 miles left and it was going to take a full out sprint to beat my PR. I took off as fast as I could and it was painful. As I gingerly crossed the finish line, I looked up at the race clock and it said 5:07 and some change. My Garmin had the same. I was even more disappointed. My PR is a 5:06 which I ran at the Little Rock Marathon last March.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Not only did I not meet my goal of breaking 5 hours, I didn't have enough left in the tank to get the PR. A very disappointing day, especially for how well this training cycle went for me. I won't complain about the race though. It was a great small town race with wonderful people. This race was also for a good cause. All proceeds go to the children of Kenya and this is the 9th year the town of Cotter has hosted it. The locals had a great potluck dinner waiting for the post race meal. Home made soup and chili with pizza and various other goodies thrown in. It was a great place to sit and chat with other runners about how their races went. Although I am not happy with my results, I was very pleased with the race and the experience. I wouldn't hesitate to run this again. Who knows? Maybe next time I will break 5 hours.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pros: Great small town race atmosphere. Beautiful race route and a nice flat course. Friendly volunteers who had everything well organized. Also had a really cool finishers medal.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cons: Cotter is a bit of a drive from the bigger towns in Arkansas. The pavement was a little rough for me but probably wasn't a problem for most any other runner. There is a bit of local traffic to contend with but the local police do a good job keeping everyone safe.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Course: <a href="http://connect.garmin.com/activity/247514155" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">White River Marathon for Kenya Garmin Map</a></span>Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07042486818954915185noreply@blogger.com1Cotter, AR, USA36.2711798 -92.535440236.245576299999996 -92.5749222 36.2967833 -92.49595819999999tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8912331290512306710.post-28206461451330107592012-11-11T17:30:00.002-06:002012-11-11T17:43:09.096-06:00Bona Dea 50K Race Report<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
I was looking to get in a long run this past weekend of about
20 miles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I found a 50K<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>race in Russellville this past week and
entertained the thought of running it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
was able to complete some important tasks around work and the house enough to
free myself up for the trip over to Russellville to run this extremely flat
course.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, Saturday morning I got up
and headed on my way.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCvMxYEXspMvXIPV742bldUVNOvqOnviYV-UgMmSn0yOMIRaG2tBvgNYp0IJUcznafYFdjCl3r1QBC0wlGdyTKngGL-DVZqWgGNnbxeyGzKqKSv_o9ZFt8mY8rn_9YQJQM8A02e8ezCvA/s1600/BonaDea.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCvMxYEXspMvXIPV742bldUVNOvqOnviYV-UgMmSn0yOMIRaG2tBvgNYp0IJUcznafYFdjCl3r1QBC0wlGdyTKngGL-DVZqWgGNnbxeyGzKqKSv_o9ZFt8mY8rn_9YQJQM8A02e8ezCvA/s1600/BonaDea.gif" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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I arrived and there were about two dozen people already
there and signed up, by race time we would have 37 people running.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was one aid station setup at the start
and we made 3.4 mile loops around the course passing the aid station each time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The aid station was stocked with anything and
everything you could imagine that you would need.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The weather was around 53 at the start and
would increase to 70 by the finish (at least for when I finished). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is an extremely flat course with no hills
at all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only elevation difference is
roughly ten feet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While this sounds like
a dream, 31 miles of this tends to work just one set of muscles and by the end
I was praying for a hill to go up and down to work a slightly different set of
muscles.</div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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Once the race started the pack split into 3 groups
quickly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was a lead pack that went
out at sub nine minute pace or so, this was the largest group.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A second group formed at around a 10:30
pace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had 10 people in the
group.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And there was a smaller group
behind us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By the end of the first lap I
had settled into a nice pace that I hoped to hold for 20 miles and I had found
a running partner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At mile 10 we were
lapped by the first leader and he was flying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We hung together for four laps until about the half marathon point and she
decided to back off the pace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I too
backed off my pace a bit, but slowly separated from her. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Somewhere during these miles I was lapped a
second time by PoDog, he’s kind of a staple of the local long distance running
and I increased my pace for a half mile to chat with him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We talked a little about his recent 100 mile
race before I dropped my pace back down and let him go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At mile 20.3 my early running partner had
caught back up with me at the aid station.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I left out first and didn’t see her the next lap, 3.4 miles, she must
have just been behind me the whole way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>By mile 23.7 she had caught me for good and we’d pace in laps eight and most
of lap nine together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With about a half
of a mile left on lap nine she was ready to go and I had nothing left.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She separated and finished three and a half
minutes ahead of me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My finishing time
was 6:38:00, shaving one hour and 24 minutes of my 50K PR and setting a new PR
for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The difference was the course,
not my condition, going from the hilly and rocky trail of Sylamore 50K to this
really flat non-technical course.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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I was able to run the first 20 miles at a sub 11:30 pace which made me feel really good. However, after that I fell apart and walked quite a bit of the remaining 11 miles.<br />
</div>
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</div>
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Pros: I like the small number of runners.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The aid station was well stocked and the
workers were knowledgeable and friendly.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Cons: No cons to this race.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The flat is harder than you think and the
laps may seem boring, but that wasn't the case.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Course: <a href="http://connect.garmin.com/activity/242518129" target="_blank">Bona Dea 50K Garmin Map</a></span>Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05555541256264665214noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8912331290512306710.post-1995967288924189342012-11-08T19:59:00.000-06:002012-11-08T19:59:28.437-06:00My Thoughts on Picking the Right Running Shoes<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When I started running a few years ago, I had no clue what I was doing. I thought all I had to do was throw on some shorts, shoes, t-shirt (yes, the cotton kind) and take off. I found out in a hurry that this ensemble was a recipe for misery. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr4krzhUV36BK1MaDAwPqAzawRQiuE7xf43vOmvDqw9ndLHbjt-ImVC6DpIILV0jC_6jlIVZma2aBBe_jfLtuMjp3wW7TWEYeL948tlk5rORXsnbn-UsK8EDaqJxnCbVt9WaKNgpOtyD8/s1600/893994895_260.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As I have mentioned in a previous post, I started running by using the CoolRunnings Couch 2 5K plan. At the time, I was intimidated by running outside so I started this training by using a treadmill at the gym. I had my old pair of Nike cross trainers that were my everyday shoes. After about a week into the training, I noticed that my calves and shins were KILLING me. I chalked it up to my legs getting used to running and told myself it would get better. Well, 2 weeks or so went by and it only got worse. I started talking to some running friends of mine and visiting some popular running forums such as <a href="https://www.trainingpeaks.com/yaf_gateway/forumhost.aspx?c=1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Hal Higdon's Training Peaks forum</a></span> <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">and the <a href="http://www.runnersworld.com/community/forums/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Runnersworld.com forums</a></span>. <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I read posts that talked about good running shoes and how they make such a difference. One post related it to a mechanic or carpenter having the proper tools for the job. Those that know me know I can be pretty cheap.</span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Most "running" shoes I could find were anywhere between $70 and $100 brand new. I thought that kind of money was insane.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After another week of painful running from shin splints, sore calves, and now huge blisters... I decided it was time to bite the bullet and get some new "running" shoes. I revisited friends and forums to seek advice on how to find the right running shoe for me. All of the advice I got pointed to the same philosophy... get shoes that fit you and your natural gait. Wait, what? What does that mean and how do I do that? </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Study your gait to determine the type of running shoe you will need. </b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There are a couple of ways to do this but ultimately it boils down to your arch. Yep... your arch is the key. If you have normal arches, you will use a normal shoe with limited to no stability control. If you have flat feet, you will need a stability shoe that helps with under-pronation. If you have high arches, you will need a stability shoe that helps with over-pronation. If you want to quickly determine what type of arches you have, here is a great Runnersworld.com article called <a href="http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-240-319-326-7152-0,00.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Take the Wet Test: Learn Your Foot Type.</a> However, if you have the luxury of being near a true running store, you might find it more beneficial to visit them and have them analyze your feet and gait in person. This is the option I chose to do. Most local running stores employ runners that know their stuff. My store watched me run and could tell that I was a slight over-pronator. They had about 4 options of shoes with the stability to help my foot land in a more neutral or normal position with each step. I tried each pair on and jogged in them to see how they felt, and then I jogged with one shoe on each foot from different brands to compare the feel to each other. Ultimately, I found a shoe that felt great and I was off and running (pun intended).</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Find a brand/model of shoe that works for you and stick with it.</b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After being fitted for my new running shoes, the pain in my shins and calves started to go away. I was no longer getting blisters and running started to get really fun. As I progressed through the Couch 2 5K plan, my body was adapting to my new lifestyle and running started to come easier. I ran my first 5K about 5 months after I started training. A couple months later I ran a 10K. By the end of the year I had added a half-marathon and a full marathon on these shoes. Most runners will tell you that the life of a running shoe is anywhere from 400-600 miles. Some like to push them longer and some like to buy new after only a few hundred. I think it is a matter of preference and something that you should listen to your body to decide. My knees, feet, and ankles start hurting around 500 miles so that is usually a sign for me to replace my shoes. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Once you find shoe that is right for you then my suggestion is to stick with it! The first time I ever replaced my shoes, I decided to try another brand just to try something different. I woke up the next morning excited to try my new kicks. After 3 miles, I had regretted my decision. These shoes rubbed hot spots in different places than my old shoes, they had a different feel when my feet hit the pavement, and they didn't feel like they were giving me the support I needed. I was fortunate that my local running store took them back and let me exchange them for the newest model of my old running shoes. My feet were very happy on my next run. Lesson learned. I have been through 5 models of my favorite running shoe, the Saucony ProGrid Guide. Recently I decided to purchase my first pair of trail shoes. After looking for weeks to determine what trail shoe I should get, I consulted my running store again. I tried 3 different brands and guess what... I ended up with the Saucony ProGrid Guide version of the trail runner, the Saucony ProGrid Guide TR4. Hey... if it ain't broke, don't fix it!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b> </b></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_6sKYZ9f78A6v0u0TtCb4-x2Ief9r6_a8rgPSVGa3nu43JafbQijmALEsm-FA26GIC0pztxCahlTS9mCu2dLO_tZ_NNLSe8nujvBuiFZJdlVpI5_QkXa7UCL5KJHukc90ndCGnBSYrYw/s1600/shoes_iaec1285788.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_6sKYZ9f78A6v0u0TtCb4-x2Ief9r6_a8rgPSVGa3nu43JafbQijmALEsm-FA26GIC0pztxCahlTS9mCu2dLO_tZ_NNLSe8nujvBuiFZJdlVpI5_QkXa7UCL5KJHukc90ndCGnBSYrYw/s200/shoes_iaec1285788.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr4krzhUV36BK1MaDAwPqAzawRQiuE7xf43vOmvDqw9ndLHbjt-ImVC6DpIILV0jC_6jlIVZma2aBBe_jfLtuMjp3wW7TWEYeL948tlk5rORXsnbn-UsK8EDaqJxnCbVt9WaKNgpOtyD8/s1600/893994895_260.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr4krzhUV36BK1MaDAwPqAzawRQiuE7xf43vOmvDqw9ndLHbjt-ImVC6DpIILV0jC_6jlIVZma2aBBe_jfLtuMjp3wW7TWEYeL948tlk5rORXsnbn-UsK8EDaqJxnCbVt9WaKNgpOtyD8/s200/893994895_260.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Saucony ProGrid Guide 5 & Saucony ProGrid Guide TR 4</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b> </b></span></div>
Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07042486818954915185noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8912331290512306710.post-86147849036140391102012-11-06T22:28:00.001-06:002012-11-11T17:32:41.591-06:00Midsouth Marathon Recap<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Another thing that you all should know about myself and
Scott is that while we are both Average Joe runners, we are very different in
our approach to running in general.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Scott is a very calculating and disciplined runner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He picks a race, builds a running plan,
executes the plan, and comes into the race healthy and generally the best
prepared he can be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I on the other hand
sometimes pick races, sometimes build running plans, never executing the running
plan very well, and come to races as a bit of a wildcard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Scott always has a training schedule printed
out and hanging on his refrigerator while I never have a printed copy taped
anywhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>BTW, Scott wins 80% of all
races that we both enter, but I don’t know that he enjoys it anymore than I do.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-UqhkBy1LQyxWtgQV9fDwOyDAWQMJ2dnlBoLRjt1RGioeK7G7osI_H5uoMgK9kFIGLHxRAzpbSJIj07ruE9HIDL_Wi7Y31uAYCOYDmZ13fQ4jY4o5gnNGnbP0837wVAm4WJ_EV_yjKfI/s1600/midsouth_banner1.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So, crazy thing did I do this time?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Friday night at around 9PM I decided that it would
be fun to run the Midsouth Marathon in Wynne on Saturday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I checked the weather, highs in the 80s with
20MPH winds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not exactly the perfect
running weather you would want in a marathon, but I decided to go on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I got up at 4am and made the trek to Wynne
to run the marathon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not too smart, but
here is the recap.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I arrived at the race in plenty of time and registered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t get a t-shirt as they had just given
away the last one to the person in front of me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I received my bib and headed to the start line.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was the last to register, #201, so it was
my first marathon with such a small number of people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I started at the very back of the pack and
ran a nice and easy pace for the first 10K.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It seemed to be a steady climb for the first 2 miles then downhill for 3
or so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The next section from miles 5-11
seemed to be all uphill and the temperature kicked up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I spent more energy in this section than I
should have.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Next we continued on to the
turn-around point at 13.1 and made the turn back to home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I arrived at the split at 2:23 and felt
ok.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The next few miles from 13-17 I
started mixing in some walk breaks and lost pace just a bit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By mile 20 it was obvious I had no shot at a
sub-5 full and decided to enjoy my race mates.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I took extended walk breaks and chatted with a lot of other
runners.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s good that I did this as
the temperature closed in on 80 and the wind was full on in my face for most of
the last 5 miles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I finished in 5:28, my
personal worst, but enjoyed the race still the same.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgVnmmAiiz5hypKA4PFtWODUM9yqDlf7qqV2hulPo_CQ4vE2d36445LWQOUYCcYc_o8H9mA6MYEsEmnu_7FILMHf0ZucRSPIjmHr4yqlliERAX9GQYqqIikUBlWbSq6r53BIjG1nmHXQs/s1600/midsouth_banner1.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgVnmmAiiz5hypKA4PFtWODUM9yqDlf7qqV2hulPo_CQ4vE2d36445LWQOUYCcYc_o8H9mA6MYEsEmnu_7FILMHf0ZucRSPIjmHr4yqlliERAX9GQYqqIikUBlWbSq6r53BIjG1nmHXQs/s320/midsouth_banner1.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Pros: I liked the small number of runners.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were plenty of aid stations and they were
all stocked with water, Gatorade, oranges and bananas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The race organizers and aid station workers
were all very positive.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cons: The rolling hills are harder than you’d imagine in
flat eastern Arkansas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The course is a
little boring and you run with quite a bit of traffic.<br />
<br />
Course: <a href="http://connect.garmin.com/activity/242518200" target="_blank">Midsouth Marathon Garmin Map</a> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05555541256264665214noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8912331290512306710.post-57174787476238942712012-11-06T15:35:00.000-06:002012-11-06T15:35:43.441-06:00New Shoes<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
New shoes are traditionally and stereotypically associated
with women, but men that are active have learned to covet (maybe to unhealthy
levels) new shoes as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have
running shoes, backup running shoes, trail running shoes, hiking boots, cycling
shoes, river floating shoes, basketball shoes, and yes even golf shoes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I have an outdoor activity I probably have
a pair of shoes associated with them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve
hung on to shoes way after their useful life because I had a great level of success
with that pair of shoes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those shoes and
I went through some tough times together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We trained, bonded, and succeeded together, and after all the hard miles
I will ditch them for a younger model.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It just feels wrong, but that’s what I did this past weekend.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCeXxve4ErVih_c_tAepx8y-C40XroZ-IxY59_Wznyd5eY9Q4NMDRf_V7AAcCoXlGVSSOInfvYrqGX2SZG0gb08_f45k4srv3Mb_H5aOEWVLlAEU69SxCTVgI9RWDpyp9rIoxXOwyos9M/s1600/sportyrunner.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCeXxve4ErVih_c_tAepx8y-C40XroZ-IxY59_Wznyd5eY9Q4NMDRf_V7AAcCoXlGVSSOInfvYrqGX2SZG0gb08_f45k4srv3Mb_H5aOEWVLlAEU69SxCTVgI9RWDpyp9rIoxXOwyos9M/s1600/sportyrunner.JPG" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Once a year our local running store, <a href="http://www.thesportyrunner.com/">www.thesportyrunner.com</a> , has their
annual shoe sale.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This shoe sale brings
out all the running crazies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s not
uncommon to see someone buying five or more pairs of shoes just for themselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This time I was able to get there at door opening
time and secured 3 pairs of shoes for myself; one pair for road running, one
pair for trail running, and the last pair for just wearing around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was able to purchase all three for the
price of one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Scott joined me for this
sale and arrived about 10 minutes late and was still able to secure two pairs
of shoes.</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgfKNOKFkKZj54CqtU4s0m7050V_tl-hbtEq1XS89bJQGgnZbN5hp47ezJHjkSAhNb3iJilBd5cO_ZXllwgVXql5OlioQg2AEWpFO-englevljSfzvMaJiJTGsQmCpcLW8yN23Xg7x0d4/s1600/newshoes.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgfKNOKFkKZj54CqtU4s0m7050V_tl-hbtEq1XS89bJQGgnZbN5hp47ezJHjkSAhNb3iJilBd5cO_ZXllwgVXql5OlioQg2AEWpFO-englevljSfzvMaJiJTGsQmCpcLW8yN23Xg7x0d4/s320/newshoes.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New Shoes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">It felt wrong throwing those three pairs of worn
out running shoes in the trash, but it feels great slipping on these new ones. Oh, and by the way, shop local whenever you can. Most of the races you run have sponsors and more often than not those sponsors are your local running store, not your local big box store.</span>Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05555541256264665214noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8912331290512306710.post-61793783513394049272012-11-01T19:55:00.000-05:002012-11-01T19:55:02.640-05:00Sylamore 50K Registration Day<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ultra Marathon sign-up #2 is in the books. Today is the day we registered for the <a href="http://www.sylamore50k.com/default.aspx" target="_blank">Sylamore 50K Ultra Trail Marathon.</a> I have been looking forward to today all week. Kevin and I signed up at about 2:00pm today and it is a good thing we did because this thing filled up in under 5 hours today!! </span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This will be my first attempt at the race. Kevin ran it last year in approximately 8 hours which was his goal. I trained with him a couple of times, once on 15 miles of the 31 miles trail the race takes place on. It was tough and I thought he was crazy for trying it. I love backpacking, hiking, and being in the woods but I thought there was no way I would ever run these trails. Well, I should have studied my past when it comes to "never say never". Every time I have said I would never run a particular race or distance... or even run for that matter, I always do. I enjoy the rush of stepping up to a new challenge and these 2 races next spring live up to that. Here is a elevation profile of the terrain. We are crazy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEkcG110LlKDtvKqXw-GwAomfFK1YXFeVUna8xYppxhTnCopKhpg74EiPImFGkNsOp86LXuU-STq69QjbtjVN0px8UgoGX9IDdun3SkiwftufSvRGc5ZUx4kCU4IkRmbLAMTwse1i_fag/s1600/elevation.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="157" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEkcG110LlKDtvKqXw-GwAomfFK1YXFeVUna8xYppxhTnCopKhpg74EiPImFGkNsOp86LXuU-STq69QjbtjVN0px8UgoGX9IDdun3SkiwftufSvRGc5ZUx4kCU4IkRmbLAMTwse1i_fag/s640/elevation.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sylamore 50K Elevation Profile<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGO43dZgTmacN56B6Z2zw6SGJYn4-NBvH2zGrlmOo7Xddq_cgdxsSM3MzJ__gqGukIWXkRvrRfQdOyqDsjJ5acH9j-ip-tiWJ39PvhWrgeFCz3gncytXWfgb12-1kK2PNdXHs0ghESzxc/s1600/map.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGO43dZgTmacN56B6Z2zw6SGJYn4-NBvH2zGrlmOo7Xddq_cgdxsSM3MzJ__gqGukIWXkRvrRfQdOyqDsjJ5acH9j-ip-tiWJ39PvhWrgeFCz3gncytXWfgb12-1kK2PNdXHs0ghESzxc/s400/map.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sylamore 50K Trail Map</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am looking forward to starting the training after the marathon in a couple of weeks. I'm ready to hit the trails.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br /></div>
Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07042486818954915185noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8912331290512306710.post-68666979772032310192012-10-29T21:04:00.000-05:002012-10-29T21:07:00.425-05:00Soaring Wings Half – Race Recap(s)<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">So I just completed my 4<sup>th</sup> Soaring Wings Half
Marathon. As long as they have this race
and I live nearby I will continue to support their mission. This mission has a little bit of a personal
significance to me which I will share with you a bit later.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">First I’ll recap this year’s race. I left my house in plenty of time to pick up
Scott and easily make it to the start line.
After driving the 15 minutes to Conway I realized I had forgotten my
Garmin. I must run with my Garmin as I’m
incredibly addicted to analyzing my races after the fact. I simply must be able to look back out how I did
during different parts of the race. It’s
an odd addiction, but one I know that isn’t peculiar to just me. So I turned around and headed home, texted
Scott to tell him to go on. I got stuck
behind a Blue Ford Truck in Conway that seemed to have misplaced its accelerator
pedal. I parked, jogged to the start
line, Scott saw me, I jumped in line and literally went from my walk up to the race to a run in the race in
one step. No standing around at all. Long story short, I got a PR by 10 minutes
finishing in 2:09:48 and running the entire race with Scott while enjoying most
of it with conversation. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">This year’s race was a great race for me. I have now run the SWHalf four times with the
previous three not going as planned. In
2009, my first year and my first race distance longer than a 5K, I way over
hydrated and overGUed and finished just over my goal of 2:30. In 2011, my third year running Soaring Wings,
I trained poorly and got a much deserved 2:19 finish (though this was my SW PR
until this year). In 2010 I trained
really well, but things went terribly wrong the week leading up to the race and
I finished with a time of 2:34. That
year, the one with a 2:34 finish, my worst finish at Soaring Wings ever, was my
most rewarding.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">First a quick little back story on me that you’ll need to
know. I’m a youth soccer coach. I never played soccer and didn’t know a thing
about it until I enrolled my son to play when he was four and I agreed to coach. He’s never quit and we are still doing
it. Over the years I’ve coached his
older sister’s team as well. I believe
in God and am a follower of Jesus Christ.
(What follows is an excerpt from thoughts I’ve previously shared on
FaceBook with friends)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">As the 2010 Fall soccer season started my Soaring Wings
training was well underway and was going great. About our third practice a new girl joined the
team and it
was clear that her skills were a bit behind the other girls, I’m not even
sure she had ever played soccer. She also needed a bit more attention
than most of the other girls on the team. She was a sweet as can be, but
you could tell she was wired just a little bit different. I knew my work
was cut out for me with the new girl. If my team was going to be as
competitive as I wanted them to be I was going to have to find a way to get her
up to speed more quickly or find a way to hide her on the field.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I
didn’t know the whole picture, I didn’t get it.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">About
3 games into the season I became aware that she was a Soaring Wings Ranch
kid. (If you don't know about Soaring Wings Ranch, go check them out. <a href="http://www.soaringwingsranch.com/">http://www.soaringwingsranch.com/</a> )
This explained a bit about why she appeared wired a little different. I
had shared with the team that I was going to be running the SW Half Marathon
and she was super excited and shared with me that she would be handing out the
medals at the end of the race and wanted to personally hand me mine. I
was excited to be able to "do this for her". </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">“Do
this for her”, like I’m so great. I still didn't get it.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">As
the soccer season progressed we were not winning any games. I had become
frustrated and didn't know how to make us better. I had become convinced
that some of my “players” were holding us back. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Wow,
my thoughts were ugly. I really didn’t get it. I didn’t get what I was
here to do.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">On
the flip side my Half Marathon training was going great, I posted one of my
best training runs for a half marathon at 2:05 and I was feeling great. I
was the lightest I’d ever been while running and poised to shoot for breaking
the 2 hour barrier. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I
thought I was awesome, I still didn’t get it.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The
Tuesday prior to the race I awoke with a fever and some sort of illness.
I was sick the entire week leading up to the race, not eating much and my energy
was drained. I could not believe my luck. I spent a lot of time in self
pity that week and not much time thinking about the girl waiting at the finish
line for me. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">God
was like “Wake Up!”, I couldn’t hear him over my whining, I still wasn’t
getting it.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Race
day I decided to go on. I told myself, my friends, my family that I was
“doing” this race for her. How noble of me. Deep inside I still
knew I was doing it for me, I knew I was going for sub 2:00. As I started
the race I went out and ran the first mile on my own, blistering the pace I’d
been training with. Something happened at mile 1.5. I was
done. I had nothing left in me. I started to walk. I had time
to think. I thought about the girl at the finish line, about 1 Tim 4:8
(one of my favorites if you know me), about how I had trained for running good
but not trained for being good, I started to pray, repented of my selfishness,
and I started to run again.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I
still didn’t quite get it, but I was slowly beginning to get it.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I
crossed the finish line that day, searched for that young girl and she gave me
that medal. God didn’t give me that sub 2 half marathon that day.
In fact, I’m certain he made sure I was going to do my worst. But I know
he carried me to the finish for something bigger. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I
was slowly getting it.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Below
is a picture of her and me at the finish, this was the last time I’d see this
young girl. I don’t know the specifics, but she left the Ranch that week
and never made another practice or game. You never know the time frame
you’re going to have to impact someone's life. You never know when
that person will be taken out of your life, so you must do your best by them
each day. I still pray for her. The 2010 Soaring Wings Half Marathon will always
be my most rewarding as I learned more about who I need to be as a person that
day than I’ll ever learn from a race about who I am as a runner.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I
think I finally get it, and I hope I continue to live it.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhY7CyOBYAYPfWXA1f37x1bxhhyphenhyphenDfg9VHab6cYfjBXX6Jz-fOX6iQ8na5O8DR-2OuTUBgVwYVINEOBaqq1tryxpCa9GXZHZZHafbRxxd6UMbziMPVtwpL9i6swcw301gOJLt2E2NWUrUY/s1600/sw2010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhY7CyOBYAYPfWXA1f37x1bxhhyphenhyphenDfg9VHab6cYfjBXX6Jz-fOX6iQ8na5O8DR-2OuTUBgVwYVINEOBaqq1tryxpCa9GXZHZZHafbRxxd6UMbziMPVtwpL9i6swcw301gOJLt2E2NWUrUY/s320/sw2010.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finish Line at Soaring Wings Half 2010</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05555541256264665214noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8912331290512306710.post-23263392026567787532012-10-27T07:21:00.000-05:002012-10-27T07:21:23.924-05:00Know When to Fold 'Em...<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nearly 11 weeks ago, I started an ambitious journey to train for the Soaring Wings Half Marathon and White River Marathon for Kenya. Both of these events are within 3 weeks of each other so I dubbed this training cycle as "Marathon Madness" for my dailymile tracking. All in all, the training has gone much better than I could have expected. For 9 weeks, I only missed 2 runs. One of them for sickness and another one for just being exhausted after working all night. I hate missing runs, but I hate really horrible runs even more. I don't feel like I get much out of a run if my body just doesn't want to do it. I firmly believe that if you listen to your body that it will respond much better for you than if you try to push it through aches and pains just to "log the miles".</span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fast forward to this past week, week 10. I had just run my peak long run for the White River Marathon training on Saturday (20 miles) which turned out to be a very good training run. I felt good and kept it at the pace I needed. I woke up on Monday morning and, despite my best recovery efforts on Saturday, felt extremely sore. I normally wake up and can run my way past the soreness on Monday mornings, but this time was different. I decided that my body needed another day of rest, especially with the Soaring Wings Half Marathon coming up on Saturday. I woke up on Tuesday feeling much better and ready to get back to it. I took off for my 5 mile run feeling pretty good... until mile 3. It was then that the gastrointestinal monster hit. The next 3 miles were the worst in my running history. The entire time I am thinking about what Kevin would do in this situation and I refused to do it. I don't do it on the backpacking trails and I sure wasn't going to do it in the woods of Conway AR. I jogged back home, half the time doubled over. Needless to say, this was one of the worst "runs" I had ever had. Wednesday morning came and it was time for my mid-week long run and 10 miles were on the training plan for the day. I got out of bed, got my running gear on, and took a couple more steps and realized really quickly something was wrong. I was having SHARP pains shoot through my knee. I tried to stretch, walk it off, and tell myself it wasn't a big deal. I went outside and started to jog and almost fell down because of the shooting pain. By now this FAIL of a week was really beginning to irritate me. I really wanted to complete this 10 miles. I sat there a minute thinking about my options. I knew I had 13.1 coming up on Saturday and another 26.2 miles 3 weeks later so I hesitantly decided to shut it down for the week.</span></div>
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<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is Saturday morning, Soaring Wings Half Marathon race day. In approximately 1 1/2 hours the gun will go off and I will have started my 6th half marathon since my running journey began almost 3 years ago. Over these last couple of years I have learned a lot when it comes to running. The most important thing... listen to your body! Most of the time your body is really trying to tell you something if it is hurting. You will know the difference between just being sore and your body actually being hurt. I've found that if I listen, my body usually responds well and I am good to go a few days later. This week has reinforced this more than ever. In 1 hour and 15 minutes the gun will go off and I feel great.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJPMg5VctWqzrWbT8MFLqby-qUOfW8eer3mvgAz34VHmhpquEsu1TjzN4YW_cfmhIJSUhSrYx5wfJBWzeA1cZAsZLFJ2Z7u82FfRewQh-U8xDa71RhGp4EOE2c6N52QZEi8W8bjgMisK8/s1600/168891_10151010907662394_1412863042_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJPMg5VctWqzrWbT8MFLqby-qUOfW8eer3mvgAz34VHmhpquEsu1TjzN4YW_cfmhIJSUhSrYx5wfJBWzeA1cZAsZLFJ2Z7u82FfRewQh-U8xDa71RhGp4EOE2c6N52QZEi8W8bjgMisK8/s320/168891_10151010907662394_1412863042_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07042486818954915185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8912331290512306710.post-56684608789631466582012-10-25T09:32:00.000-05:002012-10-29T21:06:36.104-05:00I'm an Average Joe Runner<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Hi, my name is Kevin and I’m an Average Joe Runner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That sounds almost like the start of an
addiction meeting doesn’t it?</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 2;">
<b><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">ad·dic·tion </span></b><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">[uh-dik-shuhn]<b> </b>noun </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #333333; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <span style="color: #333333;">state</span>
of being enslaved to a <span style="color: #333333;">habit</span> <span style="color: #333333;">or</span> <span style="color: #333333;">practice</span> <span style="color: #333333;">or</span> to something that is <span style="color: #333333;">psychologically</span>
or <span style="color: #333333;">physically</span> <span style="color: #333333;">habit-forming,</span>
as <span style="color: #333333;">narcotics,</span> to such an extent that <span style="color: #333333;">its</span> <span style="color: #333333;">cessation</span>
causes severe trauma. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I wouldn’t say that I’m an addict, but most addicts wouldn’t
say that they are addicts either.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know
that I have to run.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I go too long
without a run I start to get irritable and cranky and physically start to feel
bad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Too many days in a row without a
run and I start to enter a serious funk where I’m just not happy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At this point you’re probably thinking I’m one
of those hard core want to run all the time guys, but that is not the case.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I put runners into 3 categories, and while it may seem that
they are aligned based on results, they are actually aligned based on life
emphasis on running.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are the
Super-Elites, the Mebs and Shalanes of the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Running is their life and for them running
commonly takes first priority over all other aspects of their life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then there are the Elites, these are the
people winning or placing at the top your local races.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Running is a huge part of their life and for
them running is the top of all their hobbies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And then there is us, the Average Joe Runners.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We fill up the bulk of all the race entrants
and for us running is a part of our life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s not who we are, but we wouldn’t be who we are without it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are many articles from the
Super-Elites, and many Elites have blogs, but finding a blog from an AJR is
very difficult to do, thus Scott started this blog and I’ve agreed to pen an
article or two.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We pause this article for a running break.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b>[Kevin exits for a run]</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ok, I’m back now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All this running talk got me to where I
wanted to run so I just darted out the door and got in a 5K.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It wasn’t fast, it wasn’t on my training
plan, but I just wanted to do it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
gave me some time to think about what I’d write about next.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When I go on vacation I check out the locations to get in a
run.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love checking off running in a
new state.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m currently up to 13
different states.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love running on
trails, beaches, pavement, urban and rural.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’ve run up mountains in the Rockies and along beaches on the Gulf and
the inner streets of large cities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve
run in sun, rain, sleet, snow, but not yet hail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t plan to check that one off
either.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I read about a runner that got
caught in a hail storm, sounded painful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I run mostly in the morning as I like a good sunrise, but I’ve run at
sunset and at night as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I run with
music, I run without music.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I run mostly
alone, but enjoy company when I get a chance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’ve run more with Scott than anyone else and we still only run about 1
out of every 50 runs together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s
about to change with our running plan for our next adventure, the 50Mile stage
of 3 Days of Syllamo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This next adventure
is another reason for this blog.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We plan
to chronicle our training, lessons learned, and race reports leading up to the
big race on March 16<sup>th</sup>, 2013.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So, how’d we get here?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Let me back the story up a bit. I started running after Labor Day of
2008.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was at a family cookout eating
and getting even fatter when the whole family discussed running a 5K that
Christmas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My Wife, Sister-In-Law
(Scott’s wife Jenni), Father-In-Law, Aunt-In-Law (is that a word?), and
Cousin-In-Law (again, word?) all decided to do it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Scott was out, he wasn’t running any further
than the fridge and he let us know it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Then 10 months later Jenni and I were running our first Half Marathon and
Scott was there cheering us on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
wouldn’t be much longer and Scott would be joining us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fast forward 4 years later and I’ve never
quit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Somewhere along the way I switched
from dreading to run to wanting to run.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
switched from worrying about running to reading about running to now writing
about running.</div>
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This has been your introduction to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Scott and I are preparing our journey to
running our first 50Mile trail race next March.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We invite you to come along for the journey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ll be blogging about our training runs,
lessons learned, race profiles, and pretty much everything else that enters our
heads. Hi, My name is Kevin and I'm an Average Joe Runner.<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV_j1Ek-2Re7qiuLh8Q_xPE3DFoqyWIcp3ZGSEFubBk9lWdeGmCsxYeE7RHtsnQQJwwzu_fKjTL2evklJn9nHmKphnceJvxKNLbUWJkxQ9KmRcB0w1TyLXA6l9lYqCZ7SSqdewuofjwnU/s1600/LRMarathon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV_j1Ek-2Re7qiuLh8Q_xPE3DFoqyWIcp3ZGSEFubBk9lWdeGmCsxYeE7RHtsnQQJwwzu_fKjTL2evklJn9nHmKphnceJvxKNLbUWJkxQ9KmRcB0w1TyLXA6l9lYqCZ7SSqdewuofjwnU/s320/LRMarathon.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Myself (left) and Scott after the 2012 LR Marathon.</td></tr>
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Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05555541256264665214noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8912331290512306710.post-33681548869598887332012-10-14T22:24:00.000-05:002012-10-14T22:24:09.445-05:00Registration Eve<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So the inspiration for this blog was to write about my journey as an average runner. I have learned to have a real love/hate relationship for running since I began nearly 3 years ago. I'm probably like most... I hate the bad runs and I love the good runs. As I mentioned in my first post, I like to set goals that seem a bit crazy. It motivates me to stay dedicated and gives me big challenges to train for. I want to be able to say "I did that".</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tomorrow morning I will sign up for my craziest challenge yet, the 50 mile trail race at the <a href="http://www.syllamo.org/3days/" target="_blank">3 Days of Syllamo</a>. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr8tohMiycKQ-DALndDp3ixxjLCKkR3d_slPaBKVP1al9bN47-fI_C9AuTXBTh4lGWTz4io_i2fplwAlLYbWH9686TJMlW1XGz6tKcPDe4qDElvcPMaNqOFxA0HVufY7VUDExbcv1JWy8/s1600/header5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="110" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr8tohMiycKQ-DALndDp3ixxjLCKkR3d_slPaBKVP1al9bN47-fI_C9AuTXBTh4lGWTz4io_i2fplwAlLYbWH9686TJMlW1XGz6tKcPDe4qDElvcPMaNqOFxA0HVufY7VUDExbcv1JWy8/s400/header5.jpg" title="3 Days of Syllamo" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I give credit (and blame) to my brother-in-law, Kevin. Over the past year, he has become a real fan of trail racing. I have mainly stuck to the pavement but have sprinkled in a few trail races with him. His biggest trail race was last year at the Sylamore 50K. I thought he was crazy, and now I will be doing it with him this year.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have been waiting to sign up for this race since we decided to do it a month or so ago. I am excited. The thought that I am going to try and finish a 50 mile race is an adrenaline rush for me. Kevin has motivated me and I am happy to be training with him for this epic journey. I hope you will enjoy all of our thoughts and experiences as we train for this race as well as the other races we intend to do along the way. I will be candid, I will tell you what my plan is, what worked and what didn't. I plan to read and research what the elite athletes do and determine what will best work for me. I want to learn how to train the best way I can possibly train, but in the end, I just want to finish.</span></div>
Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07042486818954915185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8912331290512306710.post-37567766804026034042012-10-13T11:19:00.000-05:002012-10-13T11:19:37.979-05:00Let me introduce myself, and a couple of others too!<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It all started in 2010 and roughly 30lbs ago. Well... let me back up a minute to October of 2009. My wife and brother-in-law Kevin (both of whom I will mention often) were running their first half marathon. This was the <a href="http://www.swhalf.com/" target="_blank">Soaring Wings Half Marathon</a> in Conway, Arkansas. It is a half marathon which raises money to provide a home for children with troubled family life. The place... Soaring Wings Ranch. Our families watched and cheered as they raced and ultimately crossed the finish line. They were tired, yet elated that they had accomplished such a goal. They had both previously run a 5K or two... but this was by far their biggest achievement as new runners. My exact words as they approached me after they finished the race... "You guys are crazy, why would you ever run 13.1 miles? You will never see me running!" I meant it too, at the time. You see, I had never run further than 400 meters, and that was in high school. I wasn't good either. We just didn't have enough students to fill a track team so they needed warm bodies. I digress.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fast forward to January of 2010. I had been experiencing some health issues. I was overweight and had a lot of sinus problems. While going through a couple of surgeries to correct those problems, I had more than one doctor tell me that my blood pressure was way to high for someone my age. The fact of the matter is that I felt bad every day. I have asthma and allergy problems and they had never been worse in my life. I had no energy and it showed in my daily life. My mental state at work was bad, I wasn't a very good father or husband, and I realized it was time for a change.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I decided I would put my stubbornness to the side and see if I could manage running a little bit to try and get into better shape. I stumbled across the <a href="http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml" target="_blank">Cool Running Couch to 5K plan.</a> I decided I would give it a shot. This decision was made in January of 2010 and I made a goal to be ready to run my first 5K in May, the <a href="http://www.toadsuckrun.racesonline.com/" target="_blank">Toadsuck 5K/10K</a> in Conway, Arkansas. I did most of the early part of my training on a treadmill at the gym. At the time, I liked it because I had a TV to distract me. Over time, I learned to hate treadmills and can't stand the thought of getting on one now. Getting started was very tough. There were times I thought it was going to be impossible. However, with the support of my wife, my brother-in-law, and my friend Aaron who was a cancer survivor and new runner himself (much more on him later) I was able to get through the training and ultimately run and finish. If I recall, my time was just under 30 minutes which was my goal. I was on what they call a "runners high"! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So... long story short... I got crazy and signed up for my first half marathon (Soaring Wings) and my first marathon (St. Jude's Memphis Marathon). Needless to say, Kevin and I have a long history of biting off more than we can chew, or do we? 5 half marathons and 2 full marathons later, I can honestly say I am hooked. Am I fast? No. I am an "Average Joe" runner to this day. However, that is what keeps me going. I can't wait until the day I break a sub 2 hour half marathon and a sub 5 hour full marathon and I won't stop until I do. I will be running my 6th half marathon in 2 weeks (Soaring Wings again) and my 3rd full marathon next month (<a href="http://www.whiterivermarathon.com/" target="_blank">White River Marathon</a>). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I could quite possibly break the 5 hour mark at the White River Marathon because it is so flat. However, these are just training runs for another ambitious goal that Kevin and I have for next spring...our first attempt at a 50 mile trail run. I said we get a little crazy, and we have. I am super pumped about it and can't wait to get to work. Kevin has already done a 50K so he has a taste for it. Now I do too. More on this training later.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I hope non-elite, Average Joe runners will find our thoughts and training useful. When looking for something similar, someone to encourage us and give us advice, we couldn't find it. We will do our best to share that with you.</span>Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07042486818954915185noreply@blogger.com0