Showing posts with label ultra. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ultra. Show all posts
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Burning River 2011 - Pre-Race
Though many of you likely already know this, this upcoming Saturday (July 30th) at 5:00 AM will mark my second go-round with Burning River, a 101.1 mile, primarily trail oriented run/slog held in/around the Cleveland, OH area. Once again, the race will be hosting the USATF (USA Track & Field) 100 Mile Trail Championship, which I signed on for this year (hoping for a top-10 placement and any/all "notoriety" that comes with it--i.e. perhaps doing well will get me in to some other, top-flight races). FYI, testing the waters as a USATF runner precludes me from having a pacer, the use of music, a GPS watch, etc. (only the lack-of-pacer will really be bothersome, but I'll likely become delusional about 70 miles in, which is the only time I'd really need the pacer assistance anyways, so I'll probably just conjure some company at that time). Because I know what I'm getting myself into this year (I'm not as dismissive about it this time), I'm getting progressively more antsy about it; I'm still trying to put my finger on exactly what it is I'm feeling, which seems to fall somewhere smack-dab in the middle of "nervous" (in a somewhat-scared sort of way) and "amped" (in a I've-trained-harder-and-better-this-year-and-actually-know-how-to-'run'-the-event-now sort of way). If you care to track my progress, you can do so by visiting the webcast (the site will be updated to include contender photos, etc. Friday evening), which will be updated as I venture through each aid-station in what I hope will be my sub-19 hour run. I'll provide some updates sometime sans-race, assuming I don't fall and break my arms/wrists/hands. :)
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Helen Observations and Mad Marsh Expectations
Julia, the pups and I traveled up to Helen, GA (approximately a 5-hour drive) this past weekend for some expected mountain fun and relaxation. We accomplished both. In fact, we had so much fun that I didn’t run a single time (in three days), though the steepness of the aforementioned mountains (during our daily hikes) didn’t really clue my not-used-to-hills legs in to that fact. Observations from the trip:
1.) Giant hunks of aged meat, as well as asparagus, on the grill = a gluttonous good time
2.) Not having to leash your dog, while also not having to worry about her dog running into traffic or falling down a mountainside and breaking her spindly legs = a gratifying good time
3.) Having perfect weather for hiking (sunny and in the low 70s) during the day, followed by perfect weather for hot tubbing (high 30s) in the evening = a grievous good time
Tonight will be the last time I run prior to Saturday’s Mad Marsh 50k (seven 4.5-mile laps, which will actually make it a tad longer than a true 50k), so I’ll likely only put in 4-5 miles at a nice, easy pace. My goals for the Mad Marsh 50k:
1.) Eat and hydrate consistently and enough
2.) Finish in 5 hours
3.) Win
There are currently only about 30 people slated to run Mad Marsh, and with the course described as being “flat as a pancake,” I like my chances to accomplish all three of my objectives listed above (#1 will be assisted by my ability to visit the aid station each lap). But whether I do or not, I’m using this as nothing more than a way to get in a lengthy fun run for training purposes. It’s just that winning, in a respectable time (to me), would help me start my morning off on the right foot…making that evening’s Roller Derby viewing and beer-partaking that much more glee-inspiring.
Calli will be intently waiting to hear the result….
...and if I don't hit upon all my goals, she has already promised to get the following song stuck in my head (the title of which she will direct at me; she has high expectations and quite the temper, it seems):
1.) Giant hunks of aged meat, as well as asparagus, on the grill = a gluttonous good time
2.) Not having to leash your dog, while also not having to worry about her dog running into traffic or falling down a mountainside and breaking her spindly legs = a gratifying good time
3.) Having perfect weather for hiking (sunny and in the low 70s) during the day, followed by perfect weather for hot tubbing (high 30s) in the evening = a grievous good time
Tonight will be the last time I run prior to Saturday’s Mad Marsh 50k (seven 4.5-mile laps, which will actually make it a tad longer than a true 50k), so I’ll likely only put in 4-5 miles at a nice, easy pace. My goals for the Mad Marsh 50k:
1.) Eat and hydrate consistently and enough
2.) Finish in 5 hours
3.) Win
There are currently only about 30 people slated to run Mad Marsh, and with the course described as being “flat as a pancake,” I like my chances to accomplish all three of my objectives listed above (#1 will be assisted by my ability to visit the aid station each lap). But whether I do or not, I’m using this as nothing more than a way to get in a lengthy fun run for training purposes. It’s just that winning, in a respectable time (to me), would help me start my morning off on the right foot…making that evening’s Roller Derby viewing and beer-partaking that much more glee-inspiring.
Calli will be intently waiting to hear the result….
...and if I don't hit upon all my goals, she has already promised to get the following song stuck in my head (the title of which she will direct at me; she has high expectations and quite the temper, it seems):
Thursday, August 26, 2010
On The Mend and On The Move
I’m finally starting to feel more like myself out on the roads. And it’s about time (I’ve only got 30.92 miles in the book for the month of August). After taking two full weeks off after Burning River (due to need more than want), I had to ease back into running for a week (2-3 miles each time out, and more every other day than in succession) before being able to find my groove again this week. I’ve still got a bit of achiness/tightness in/around my right knee, and though it’s something I’ll be keeping my eye on, it’s nothing that’s going to hold me back. Which is a relief, because I felt myself going stir-crazy and didn’t want my mom to open the paper to find a “Local Man, Unable to Run, Turns to Life of Crime” headline. For better or worse, running has rapidly become a necessary evil within my life. I’m ok with it. Calli looks to be, too--I wonder if it’s because she likes seeing me happy, or if she simply wants me out of the house so that she can sleep more. Something tells me a little from column A, a little from column B.
Next up: the FATS 50k (31.07 miles) on October 3, for what I hope will be a nice, even training run on North Augusta trails.
P.S. A special shout-out to my good friends Jesse and Jessica, who are newly made first-time parents. Welcome to the world, beautiful baby JAB!
Next up: the FATS 50k (31.07 miles) on October 3, for what I hope will be a nice, even training run on North Augusta trails.
P.S. A special shout-out to my good friends Jesse and Jessica, who are newly made first-time parents. Welcome to the world, beautiful baby JAB!
Monday, July 26, 2010
Burning River, Here I Come
I only put in 22.6 miles last week (Sunday-Saturday, you’ll remember), but am nevertheless pretty pleased with the body of work I put in—some speedwork, some slower miles. It was a good start to my taper, as I also concentrated on getting acclimated to shoes and accessories (hats, shirts, etc.) I’ll be using on Saturday/Sunday. Put in 7.51 Sunday evening, with 3.7 last night and 3 scheduled for today, which will finish up my training—rest, rest, rest (and drive, drive, drive) after that. Of course, in between now and then stands mohawk-cutting, general packing, race packing, dog-readying, laundry, etc. And to think, I’ve already been complaining about my lack of sleep of late….
I guess that means it’s time to spill the proverbial beans (i.e. let you know that I’ll be running Burning River). Situated in/around Cuyahoga Valley National Park (near Cleveland, OH), Burning River is a 100 mile (101.1 mile, to be precise) endurance run (and home to this year’s USA Track & Field Trail Championship, which I will not be participating in—I’ll be running the same mileage as everyone else, but don’t pay the USATF dues which would make me eligible for the prize purse). The run is 75% trails and should be mostly well shaded (thankfully). Race particulars:
Start Time: 5:00 AM EDT on Saturday, 7/31
Time Cutoff: 30 hours (thus 11:00 AM EDT on Sunday, 8/1)
Aid Stations: 24 (3 unmanned water stops, and 21 manned stations)
Number of runners currently signed up: 268
My Bib Number: 216
Where you can track me in near-real time (my splits will be logged at every manned aid station): http://www.chaneyevents.com/webcast.html OR by calling Julia on either my phone or her own
Julia will be crewing for me (assisting me with the gathering of food/water or a change of sock/shoes, slap-in-the-face motivation, etc.), and I was lucky enough to “meet” (on the Burning River message board) Dave, who will be helping to pace me the final 46.6 miles.
Differences between this race (and ultramarathons in general) and just-plain-marathons:
1.) Like a marathon, ultramarathons are completed in one fell swoop—you don’t run 50 miles one day, get a good night’s sleep, then do the same the following day. However, your pace is far slower—my pace during my fastest marathon (2:53:40) was 6:38 per mile, while I would be “tickled pink” to run 12:00 per-mile pace (which would put me crossing the finishing line in just over 20 hours) during a 100 mile ultra. In order to insure you can complete the race (or give yourself a fighting chance, anyways), ultramarathoners run a pace they know won’t be too taxing over a prolonged period of time, and work walking into the race as well—during the uphill sections, perhaps during some of the more technical pieces of the course, or when they simply need a break.
2.) Due to the length of the races, most ultramarathons incorporate varying terrains: singletrack trails (narrow and oftentimes technical—roots and other obstacles on/around the trail), bridle paths (are oftentimes very pitted, through horse use) , bike-and-hike trails (are oftentimes paved and quite wide), roads, etc.
Burning River features all of these.
Because I’m using this race as more of a “is this something I’d be interested in doing more of” run than actual “how fast can I go?” race, I’m just looking to finish (i.e. goal #1: have fun, goal #2: finish). If I determine I would like to continue down the ultramarathon path, then I will train harder/better for the next one. It will help that I’ll have been through one and will know what to expect.
Burning River, here I come—I truly look forward to meeting you. Crazy, I know. This is what happens when you pretend you don’t know what you’re getting yourself in to.
I guess that means it’s time to spill the proverbial beans (i.e. let you know that I’ll be running Burning River). Situated in/around Cuyahoga Valley National Park (near Cleveland, OH), Burning River is a 100 mile (101.1 mile, to be precise) endurance run (and home to this year’s USA Track & Field Trail Championship, which I will not be participating in—I’ll be running the same mileage as everyone else, but don’t pay the USATF dues which would make me eligible for the prize purse). The run is 75% trails and should be mostly well shaded (thankfully). Race particulars:
Start Time: 5:00 AM EDT on Saturday, 7/31
Time Cutoff: 30 hours (thus 11:00 AM EDT on Sunday, 8/1)
Aid Stations: 24 (3 unmanned water stops, and 21 manned stations)
Number of runners currently signed up: 268
My Bib Number: 216
Where you can track me in near-real time (my splits will be logged at every manned aid station): http://www.chaneyevents.com/webcast.html OR by calling Julia on either my phone or her own
Julia will be crewing for me (assisting me with the gathering of food/water or a change of sock/shoes, slap-in-the-face motivation, etc.), and I was lucky enough to “meet” (on the Burning River message board) Dave, who will be helping to pace me the final 46.6 miles.
Differences between this race (and ultramarathons in general) and just-plain-marathons:
1.) Like a marathon, ultramarathons are completed in one fell swoop—you don’t run 50 miles one day, get a good night’s sleep, then do the same the following day. However, your pace is far slower—my pace during my fastest marathon (2:53:40) was 6:38 per mile, while I would be “tickled pink” to run 12:00 per-mile pace (which would put me crossing the finishing line in just over 20 hours) during a 100 mile ultra. In order to insure you can complete the race (or give yourself a fighting chance, anyways), ultramarathoners run a pace they know won’t be too taxing over a prolonged period of time, and work walking into the race as well—during the uphill sections, perhaps during some of the more technical pieces of the course, or when they simply need a break.
2.) Due to the length of the races, most ultramarathons incorporate varying terrains: singletrack trails (narrow and oftentimes technical—roots and other obstacles on/around the trail), bridle paths (are oftentimes very pitted, through horse use) , bike-and-hike trails (are oftentimes paved and quite wide), roads, etc.
Burning River features all of these.
Because I’m using this race as more of a “is this something I’d be interested in doing more of” run than actual “how fast can I go?” race, I’m just looking to finish (i.e. goal #1: have fun, goal #2: finish). If I determine I would like to continue down the ultramarathon path, then I will train harder/better for the next one. It will help that I’ll have been through one and will know what to expect.
Burning River, here I come—I truly look forward to meeting you. Crazy, I know. This is what happens when you pretend you don’t know what you’re getting yourself in to.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Deliciously Disjointed
I plan for this blog to be very disjointed. You have been forewarned.
A week from today, as I write this, I’ll be running the Boston Marathon. I’ve been pretty relaxed about the whole thing (I keep telling myself “you’ve got some important training in between now and then” and “there’s so much still to do—work, packing, etc.--in between now and then”), but with only a week to go, am finding it progressively harder to remain so. BOSTON OR BUST!
And in case you didn’t believe my tale of increased excitement, no one in an unexcited state would write-up a meal plan, through Friday morning, for the week (click on the image below to expand it):
Let it be known that I’m fairly certain I will “ruin” all this healthy eating once I’m left to my own devices in the big city, but hey...a few days are better than nothing!
My pup Calli suffered an occurrence of what they call “old dog” vestibular disease (which would be like a severe inner ear infection in humans—up is down, left is right…and stairs are level with the rest of the floor) on Friday evening. I’ll spare you the gory details (bloody walls, gator-rolling and crazy, bugged-out, strafing eyes), but suffice to say, I thought I’d be running Boston in remembrance of her. But after a 48-hour stay at the emergency vet, I was able to take my still-wobbly pup home. She’s a very bruised, seemingly very drunk 9-year old dog…but she’s my very bruised, seemingly very drunk 9-year old dog. And Boston will be run in honor, not remembrance, of her—Calli didn’t give up, and neither will I!
Miles tally since last we “spoke”:
Monday: 5.05 miles in 37:28 (7:25 pace)
Tuesday: 4.62 miles in 31:32. 1.55-mile warm-up in 11:57 and a 1.71-mile cool-down in 13:22, with 8 x hill (0.17-mile), including 3 downhill, in between. My hill splits were: #1--0:53, #2--0:51, #3--0:41--downhill), #4--0:49, #5--0:42 (downhill), $6--0:48, #7--0:41 (downhill), #8--0:48.
Wednesday: 5.01 miles in 35:28 (7:05 pace)
Thursday: 6.1-mile tempo run in 44:18 (7:16 pace)
Friday: REST
Saturday: 5.9 miles total. Ran a 0.95-mile warm-up (7:48) and cool-down (7:33) with 4 miles at race pace (6:34 per) in between
Sunday: 7 mile run (48:31; 6:56 pace) + 3 mile fast bike ride
Weekly Total: 33.68 miles
Lastly, I submitted my entry into my first-ever Ultra Marathon last Friday--The Bethel Hill Moonlight Boogie (http://www.theboogieraces.com/BOOGIEINFOPAGE.html). Both the regular (26.2 miles) and ultra (50 miles, in this case) varietals are offered on this hilly stretch of road, and I’ll be participating in the latter. Join me on Saturday, June 12 at 6:00 PM EST in Ellerbe, NC (just over 4 hours away from Savannah) if you’re interested. More about this race in the coming weeks.
(I’ll get a post-sickness picture posted yet this week).
A week from today, as I write this, I’ll be running the Boston Marathon. I’ve been pretty relaxed about the whole thing (I keep telling myself “you’ve got some important training in between now and then” and “there’s so much still to do—work, packing, etc.--in between now and then”), but with only a week to go, am finding it progressively harder to remain so. BOSTON OR BUST!
And in case you didn’t believe my tale of increased excitement, no one in an unexcited state would write-up a meal plan, through Friday morning, for the week (click on the image below to expand it):
Let it be known that I’m fairly certain I will “ruin” all this healthy eating once I’m left to my own devices in the big city, but hey...a few days are better than nothing!
My pup Calli suffered an occurrence of what they call “old dog” vestibular disease (which would be like a severe inner ear infection in humans—up is down, left is right…and stairs are level with the rest of the floor) on Friday evening. I’ll spare you the gory details (bloody walls, gator-rolling and crazy, bugged-out, strafing eyes), but suffice to say, I thought I’d be running Boston in remembrance of her. But after a 48-hour stay at the emergency vet, I was able to take my still-wobbly pup home. She’s a very bruised, seemingly very drunk 9-year old dog…but she’s my very bruised, seemingly very drunk 9-year old dog. And Boston will be run in honor, not remembrance, of her—Calli didn’t give up, and neither will I!
Miles tally since last we “spoke”:
Monday: 5.05 miles in 37:28 (7:25 pace)
Tuesday: 4.62 miles in 31:32. 1.55-mile warm-up in 11:57 and a 1.71-mile cool-down in 13:22, with 8 x hill (0.17-mile), including 3 downhill, in between. My hill splits were: #1--0:53, #2--0:51, #3--0:41--downhill), #4--0:49, #5--0:42 (downhill), $6--0:48, #7--0:41 (downhill), #8--0:48.
Wednesday: 5.01 miles in 35:28 (7:05 pace)
Thursday: 6.1-mile tempo run in 44:18 (7:16 pace)
Friday: REST
Saturday: 5.9 miles total. Ran a 0.95-mile warm-up (7:48) and cool-down (7:33) with 4 miles at race pace (6:34 per) in between
Sunday: 7 mile run (48:31; 6:56 pace) + 3 mile fast bike ride
Weekly Total: 33.68 miles
Lastly, I submitted my entry into my first-ever Ultra Marathon last Friday--The Bethel Hill Moonlight Boogie (http://www.theboogieraces.com/BOOGIEINFOPAGE.html). Both the regular (26.2 miles) and ultra (50 miles, in this case) varietals are offered on this hilly stretch of road, and I’ll be participating in the latter. Join me on Saturday, June 12 at 6:00 PM EST in Ellerbe, NC (just over 4 hours away from Savannah) if you’re interested. More about this race in the coming weeks.
(I’ll get a post-sickness picture posted yet this week).
Friday, March 12, 2010
Shamrock 5k and Motivated Push-ups
Shamrock 5k today. It’s supposed to be pretty ugly out—70-75% chance for rain starting anytime now, and lasting throughout the evening (with sporadic thunderstorms beginning at/around 5:00 PM EST). The race itself begins at 6:00 PM EST. Fun stuff. Anyone that knows how susceptible to flooding downtown Savannah is will recognize that runners may need to become small craft boaters at some juncture during the run; I will hope that someone is just in front of me, affording me the opportunity to tether myself to them and use my ski-feet, both saving me energy and wearing them down.
Though I’d seen it before, I got particularly jazzed about the video/song below (the song is Ali in the Jungle by The Hours) Wednesday evening and knocked out 45 push-ups in short order—not something altogether wise when I’ve not been doing any at all, so suffice to say I’m a little tender in the abdominal and underarm/wing area. You probably didn’t even read that last portion of the sentence, because you were too busy knocking out your own push-ups, weren’t you? That’s how motivational that song is. Anywho, the song reinforced my already-pretty-strong belief that I’ll be running an ultra marathon later this year (barring injury), the training for which will begin shortly after I’ve completed the Boston Marathon. The two I’m currently considering (especially the latter one):
Nashville Ultra Marathon
North Coast 24-Hour Endurance Run
More on these at a later date.
Though I’d seen it before, I got particularly jazzed about the video/song below (the song is Ali in the Jungle by The Hours) Wednesday evening and knocked out 45 push-ups in short order—not something altogether wise when I’ve not been doing any at all, so suffice to say I’m a little tender in the abdominal and underarm/wing area. You probably didn’t even read that last portion of the sentence, because you were too busy knocking out your own push-ups, weren’t you? That’s how motivational that song is. Anywho, the song reinforced my already-pretty-strong belief that I’ll be running an ultra marathon later this year (barring injury), the training for which will begin shortly after I’ve completed the Boston Marathon. The two I’m currently considering (especially the latter one):
Nashville Ultra Marathon
North Coast 24-Hour Endurance Run
More on these at a later date.
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