2008 Western States Cancelled!!!

What a bummer for all those folks that trained hard and spent so much time and money. Some people are concerned about the environment, which first looked at looks like a bad thing, but in my opionion , is the natural order of things. These fires destroy many acres of forests, but with that brings new growth that in turn brings about more wildlife into those areas.

With the 2008 entrants getting auto-entry into 2009 WS100, that makes my chances of getting in slim to none as Henry Lyda (my Dad) would say. I still will enter, because if you don't try, then there is no chance at all.

Having said all that, I will probably look at another 100 miler in the same time frame. Perhaps Big Horn 100 or Kettle Moraine. Preparing for those with either Rocky Raccoon in February or Umstead in April. More to follow.

A little disappointed about 2009 WS100, but no matter how bad you think it is for you, there are people who have it a lot worse. i.e. 2008 entrants.

Chattanooga Stage Races June 20-22, 2008

Day 1

Day started out cool and stayed that way throughout. The trails were beautiful. I went out slow and ran most of the way with Rob Apple and Diane Taylor. Rob was schedule to run this weekend in Wyoming, but I think Susan had work commitments. So, it was a pleasant surprise to see Rob there. The pace was intentionally slow, I didn't want to go too fast on the first day, especially with such cool weather. Some of the trails are so new, we were some of the first humans to run on them. As usual, there was the post race pasta, which hit the spot. A cool wash off in the creek, and a massage. Looking forward to day 2, may have to slide a little in the mud though. If you weren't there today, you missed a real treat on the wonderful trails. On the last loop, near the bluff, I actually got to put in a 8:30 mile. It was very runnable and was simply breathtaking. Come out tomorrow, it is a good course too. Don't worry about being last, I'll be somewhere in the back.

Day 2

The day started out with a threat of rain. I helped Kris unload her car and she kept fussing at me to stay off my feet. We started a little farther up the hill than last year, I set out with my usual pace along with Rob Apple, Diane Taylor, Randy's Dad, Mike Montgomery and Lisa Fisher. The morning was cool but not as cool as day one. Rob peeled back a little, Mike and Lisa decided to go a tad faster than the pace we were running. Diane, Randal and myself was rocking along. Diane was setting the pace and I noticed it was a little faster than she usually runs. She stops to hydrate and eat and said she would run about the same pace as Rob. Randal and me went on. About 4 miles into the run, I was keeping my heart rate at my usual 76% of max when we hit a few rolling hills. Something just clicked. Soon I caught Mike and Lisa. As we crossed the large field going down the embankment to the aid station at the beginning/end of small intestines, I knew that hydration was going to be a factor as the temperatures was climbing although still cooler than normal for this time of year. (First day of Summer) As I ran the small intestines, I got into it and began having way too much fun (I will pay for it tomorrow). As I came out of the small intestines, I stopped and drank 3 cups of ice water, ate some potatoes (no salt was available) and mixed my last two bottles of my homemade drink for the long climb out and the longest haul without aid. Life was going good until I stumbled twice within about a mile. I passed several folks on this last leg of the course. Then about 2 miles from the barn door, I stumbled and fell and did a three point landing on left hand, right shoulder and other parts to be named later. Fortunately, no serious injury or cuts. (Just PO'ed). Notice the dirt on my right arm/shoulder. Finished at about 3:30. Legs feel ok now but will have to wait until tomorrow. My sister and Brother-in-law met my wife and me for picnic lunch. Topped off with gentle meesage from Kristen. Had a large time.

Day 3

The night before day 3 saw thunderstorms in the area which added a few obstacles to an already tough course. Day 3 is by far the toughest of the stages. The thunderstorms also added a little humidity to the mix with rising temperatures which would reach the upper 80's. Started out with the usual slow / low heart rate to see how everything is working. I find, I always have a tendancy to go out too fast and die at the end. The first 4 miles saw a sawtooth topo (very steep climbs) and I knew if I was going to run well today, I would have to keep the old ticker well within my aerobic range. I also realized that extra hydration would be a key factor in maintaining a steady pace. I carried enough of my homebrew (Snake venom) in concentrate form to make up to 6 bottles. I would need every drop and wish I had one more for good measure. At about 4 miles I started to push a little and kept the HR up to mid 80% range. Today was the last day, so I could let it all hang out for as long as I could. By the end of the run the HR would be 90 to 92 % I hit the unmanned aid station and dropped off one of my venom bottles to lighten the load around the bluff. Within what seemed like 2 to 3 miles I was on another aid station at Edwards Point. Folks, if you haven't been there, you have gotz to go see that. I vote that it is the "most scenic aid station". after some water, salted potatoes and a few minutes of gazing over the valley, I headed off around the edge of the bluff. A side spur took us up to another aid station, near a golf course. Good thing I didn't see a golf cart, it would have been tempting as the temperatures was beginning to rise. More salted potatoes, water and on my way. This part of the course had some of the most technical parts but also some of the most runnable stretches. The jeep road seemed like it went on forever. I was beginning to think I was lost except for the pink ribbons that was placed on the course last night. The time/distance gremlin was working on my mind at this point of the run. You know, you think you have covered more time/distance and check your watch and see only a few minutes have elapsed. The only thing to do in that situation is to think about something else. Don't get into a mental low, because a physical low will follow. I ran out of my fluid on this stretch of jeep road and ran about 2 miles dry. It was a relief to see the unmanned aid station with a fresh bottle of concentrated snake venom that would give me 2 bottles to take it to the barn on. The trip back seemed longer than the way out but the gremlins were at work again. I walked the hills and ran the flats and downhills. I was glad to see the blown down trees that had lined the first part of the trail so I knew the end was soon. By this time, the heat and slight dehydration was slowing me down. On my way up the parking lot to the finish, I caught a calf cramp for a split second, but it was over. Randy and Kris promised that this would be the most challenging and most rewarding of the stages. They delivered big time. The pasta was great, the meesage was relaxing and the fellowship was great. Thanks to Kris, Randy, Rock Creek and Boonies and all the volunteers for a fine weekend.

My final time was 13:22:15

Strolling Jim 40

Trying to catch up on all the post for the year. Strolling Jim 40 is a run that I have wanted to try since the early 80's. I used to read about how Malcolm Gillis used to run the "Strolling Jim 40" in xx time and how it was a great race. At that point in my running career, I could not see how anyone could run over 26.2 miles without dropping. "Jim" as it is known in the ultra community has been a well established, well organized and a "staple" in the running community. The run was started by Gary Cantrell. In the Ultra community, Gary is well know for his wit and his ability to organize and put on some awesome races. Barkley Marathons is a topic within itself. Maybe someday, I will have the courage to "attempt" Barkley.
I had entered Jim as a requirement. Jim was my first ultra in 2006 and I was hooked. DeWayne Satterfield, which He and I have ties that we still haven't unraveled talked me into. Dewayne, is a runner that I would have like to have known in my younger day and trained with. I think he could have taught me and brought a better runner out of me.
None the less, Jim started on cloudy but promising to be a warm day. I was 4 week after running Umstead 100 mile Endurance Run and really had no business running this day. But "The Jim" has that mystique. I started out with the idea that there would be no goal, other than to finish. I started with Umstead partner Janet Duncan and we see-sawed for the first 25 miles. I was listening to " The Bangles-Walk Like An Egyptian" and something clicked. I was like Forrest Gump, I ran like the wind. Then after about 5 miles, I crashed. My body had not recovered. Janet began to catch me. At about 28 miles, I heard a dog bark, the dog was coming from a farm house toward Janet. I stopped to call the dog off. I don't know if I stopped the dog from attacking but I might have helped.
After about another 3 miles, Janet passed me. "no mercy" . But that is what it is about. If I were in trouble, she would have stayed with me as I would with her. That is the way it is with ultra runners.
The last few miles were long as they always are. The time/distance Gremlins really take their toll. (Never heard of the Time/distance Gremlins? It's where you run for you know 30 minutes and actually you have run for 3 minutes. It is devastating).

I finished in like 8 hours and 44 minutes, but considering I had done 100 miles 4 weeks earlier, I was happy.

We had a great feed at the end. Oh by the way, Gary always feed you chicken. I still want to know the recipe for the vinegar slaw! But no one is sharing it with me. Maybe next year.

UMSTEAD 100 MILE ENDURANCE RUN

It has taken me 5 months to make this post. You would think that after running 100 miles, I would be anxious to post a report. Perhaps, it has taken this long to sort out the emotions, feelings, perceptions and facts.
My first idea of running 100 miles was around 1983. I saw a Runner's World article on Western States 100 Mile Endurance Run in California. At that time of my life, I could not imagine covering 100 miles, over mountains and all night. As the years passed and I ran in more marathons, the idea came back to me. I had 4 running goals in the early 80's. Here they are, not necessarily in any certain order. 1) Run Boston Marathon 2) Run New York City Marathon 3) Run Strolling Jim 40 Mile Run 4) Run Western States 100 Mile Endurance Run. I have done the first 3, now I'm waiting my turn for #4. Since "States" was cancelled this past June, there will be no new applicants for 2009, so 2010 will be the earliest I could possibly get in.
I chose to run Umstead 100 Mile Endurance Run for a couple of reasons, one to run an "easy" hundred miler first (if there is any such animal) and second It was in a cooler time of year and fairly closeby. OK that's 3 reasons.
I read all the posts regarding training for a 100 mile run, I read all the Umstead race reports I could find and asked several people who had run 100 miles for advice. I used several 50k races and a 40 mile race as training. I tried to space them out as to run one every 3 to 4 weeks. I put in a couple of weekends where I ran longer distances back to back. For instance, run 20 miles on Saturday and then 15 on Sunday. The long races once a month were important but I think these back to back runs probably did more good than the rest of my schedule.
My work schedule played a factor too. I was working 12 hour rotating shifts so I was used to staying up all night. I read where this is a problem for some runners. One of my challenges leading up to Umstead was I was having to work 6 days a week for 13 hours a day. This would start from the first of February and last until towards the end of March. Not much time for long runs. My plan was to run several races leading up to February and then taper for 2 months. This was unorthodox as to a taper should be 2 to 3 weeks. Most of the people I talked to said that a 2 month taper was too long but I didn't have a choice. It was to taper for two months or not run Umstead. The long working hours proved to be an ingredient that I think contributed to my success.
I arrived in Raleigh, NC on Friday April 4, 2008 with a 40 miler the longest run to my credit. All the doubts that run through your mind. Have I trained enough? Have I tapered too long? Am I prepared for a 100 mile run? I used the last question to my advantage. I kept telling myself, can you really be prepared for a 100 mile run?
The weather forecast for the weekend was to dump about 2 to 3 inches of rain with temperatures from 40's to 60's. This did not bother me, quite the opposite, I have ran some of my best in cold, rainy conditions.
Janet Duncan, a good runner from Huntsville had contacted me after a 50k over the New Year holiday. after comparing our past times and goals, we decided to pace each other. We made an agreement that if either one became a liability, the other would go on. Unfortunately for Janet, the wet trail conditions, along with swollen feet turned her feet into socks full of hamburger meat at 62 miles. She had to drop. The next day when I saw her, she was having to wear her husbands shoes, her's would not fit. She is entered in 2009 Umstead. She will finish it next time.
Janet had given me some advice as to how to prepare my drop bags. In each of the bags, I put food, candy and a laminated piece of paper that told what my desired split times should be. At Umstead, you run 8 loops at 12.5 miles each. There are 2 aid stations, one at the start/finish and the other about 6 miles in the loop. The aid stations are advertised as "second to none" and I have to agree. Well stocked with any type of food you wanted and experienced people that motivated.
Janet had arranged for a friend of her's to pace us the last 50 miles. Caroline Williams came up from Albany, GA to pace us. She was there early and was running with other people during the day. All of this was before she was to pace us. She probably put in 70 of the 100 miles.
We had decided to pace for a 28 hour finish. The distance never really intimidated me but 28 hours of running did. I kept thinking ok, I'll start running and this time tomorrow, I will still have 4 hours to go!!!
The plan was simple, go out extremely slow and try to stay on pace. I figured if I could maintain pace for 50 miles, the second 50 would take care of itself. In a 100 mile run, people tend to go out too fast and pay the price later. I knew that it was important to stay slow. I looked at all my training runs and 50k times and realized that they were all too fast a pace for 100 miles . I kept driving this fact into my training runs and into my race strategy.
To be on pace for loop1, our time needed to be 2:45, we finished loop 1 in 2:43. Right on the money. Loop2 should have been 5:40, we finished in 5:37. Still on target. Loop 3 should be 8:45, we finished in 8:49. Time has slipped some but we were beginning to spend more time at the aid stations. The rain was light but steady. Janet was developing blisters. I can't feel blisters until it is too late. Many a time, I have run and discover afterwards just how bad my feet were.
Loop 4 saw the pace slowing somewhat but still pretty close. We should have finished in 12:05 but did so in 12:29. Now we get to pick up our pacer. A pacer is good to have with you during the night and when your brain no longer functions. The pacer keeps you motivated and does all your thinking for you. When to eat, walk and keeps you distracted from the pain.
Loop 5 was the first loop in the dark. It was on this loop that I started eating/drinking the combination of foods that would go down, stay down and seem to work for me. I had heard that during long runs, look at the food and eat and drink what appeals to you. Your fried brain will tell you what your body needs. I think this comes from our long lost instincts for survival. At every aid station, I drank 2 cups of Pepsi, ate a half of Pimento cheese sandwich and a cup of either chicken or potato soup. Our projected pace for loop 5 at 62.5 miles was 15:35 we made it in 16:30. Boy had we slowed down that much? Didn't seem like it. It was at the end of this loop that Janet's feet would not allow her to continue. This was the toughest loop for me. The wheels were wobbling at this point. I had thoughts of not continuing on, but Sally at the aid station Sally's Asylum, told me to get out before I talked myself into quitting. Caroline asked if I still wanted her to pace me. Absolutely!
I started Loop 6. I headed off into the night walking and eating. After about 1.5 miles, I started feeling better, the food was kicking in. I told Caroline that before I lost the use of my brain here is what I wanted. I wanted to pick up the pace for Loops 6 and 7. I wanted enough cushion that if I had to, I could walk Loop 8 and finish in under 30 hours. My projected time for finishing loop 6 was 19:24 I finished in 20:14. Hey, I made up some of the lost time. I pushed on.
Loop 7 was important from a pyschological standpoint. It's kind of like Wednesday in the week. You would think Loop 6 would be the one, but having 2 loops to finish really was a boost in moral. Projected time for Loop 7 was 23:34 I finished in 23:53. still making progress. At the start/finish after loop 7, I called my wife Judy at the motel and told her that I was about to start my last loop and be at the finish between 9:30 and 10:30. Sally asked me how my feet were, I told her I was too afraid to look. She told me. "probably a good idea not to look, just go on".
I started Loop 8 as it was becoming daylight. I stopped in the restroom and took one of the best constitutions of my life. I felt 10 lbs lighter and as dawn broke, the rain picked up to a steady downpour. The old 100 mile gods did not want to make it easy. I ran into my second day, second sunrise (if I could have seen them). Everything was better. Caroline was very cautious with the downhills. She kept telling me to take them easy. I guess she felt that this would be the place you can rip something loose. The muscles are tired, so the joints are looser, injuries waiting to happen. She kept pumping my spirits up, telling me that I was going to finish. She asked what I was going to do with the belt buckle. She suggested to engrave the back with my finish time and place. I told her that Loop 8 was our victory lap!
As I sloshed though the mud down the hill towards the finish line, I tried to avoid the large muddy area that had been torn up all night long by the runners. Caroline peeled away and went far left to avoid the finish line. With about 50 yards left, someone came up with a crazy idea and put a hill at the finish. I regained my composure, I am going to run this hill, no walking for me. Actually, the stretching out of the legs felt pretty good. Projected time 27:55 actual finishing time was 27:45:46. I actually achieved my 2 goals of finishing 100 miles and doing it under 28 hours.
At the finish, everyone was screaming "get you buckle", "get your buckle". After hugs and kisses, I went into the race headquarters to change clothes. Everyone was so nice, congratulating me and asking if they could get something for me. The Red Cross volunteer nurse looked at my feet, she chose not to do first aid because they weren't really too bad. I ate a ham and cheese omlette and boy was it good.

I have entered Umstead in 2009 but didn't get in. I am # 30 on the waiting list, so a lot of things could change by next April. And who knows, there may be a 2009 race report from me.