I racked up another DNF at Potawatomi on April 6 but it was hardly a surprise. It wasn't my gut, back, the heat or the mud -- all the reasons (excuses) for my other 100 mile DNFs though. I can now add my leg to the list. Not sure exactly what injury that broke me down at mile 49 at Potawatomi -- either shin splints, a stress fracture or a combination of both. I had always heard that this is a common runner's injury & wondered how it occurred. And, what does it feel like? Well it's like someone comes up & kicks you squarely on the shin with hard shoes on. And every time you try to stand back up, he kicks you again.
how to get injured:
After Clinton Lake, all I had planned to do was to get in a recovery run so I'd be rested up for the long ultra in McNaughton Park in Pekin, IL. Unfortunately, I did not follow thru. My car needed work before the trip, so I decided to jog over to the gym (a half mile away from the shop) while the car was being worked on. I did my regular routine with the weights. My legs were a little sore as I would expect from a good workout & thought nothing of it when I went back to pick up the car.
Next morning, my right calf was so sore, I could hardly walk! It felt like something was torn. I had done my regular routine at the gym, but the problem was I hadn't been going to the gym regularly. It doesn't take much to overstretch a muscle on those machines & apparently that's what I did.
So no recovery run & each day I had whirlpool/massage treatments & just hoped I would be ready for the race the next week. Weather was going to be nice & cool & the course was going to be unbelieveably dry -- perfect conditions for an attempt at 150 miles! How could I pass up this rare opportunity?
I was still sore come race day so I started with an extra easy pace. The course was in super condition! The 1st crossing of the creek was only ankle deep & the 2nd crossing you could carefully step across on well placed rocks. There was no mud that couldn't be avoided -- pretty incredible for this course this time of year.
I felt OK for the 1st mile on level ground, but on the 1st hill, I was afraid to push off with my still sore right calf. It felt like I was on the verge of straining it again, so I pushed off with my left leg up the hill while I brought up my right leg slightly cockeyed so I could not strain it (looked like a bad limp). This seemed to work OK for about 18 miles on the hills. By then my left leg was getting overly tired, so I had to go to my regular stride. I really didn't have much choice and the right calf was feeling much better.
On the 3rd lap, mile 20 to 30, I felt great going back to normal running! This trail is a bear when it's muddy. When it's dry, it can be very enjoyable. The sun was going down & it was cooling off too. That had to be one of my favorite loops ever on this course. I even had delusions of grandeur -- actually finishing 15 laps -- ha!
The 4th lap was in darkness. It was fun too, but I got down to business & settled in for the long haul. No gut issues made me very happy! A very strong breeze with gusts up to 30 mph or more made for a nice, cool run.
The 5th lap was much like the 4th, except nearing the end of the loop, my left shin started hurting. Quickly it started hurting real bad. I knew then my race was over. I didn't take a bad step or fall or anything like that. The only thing I could figure was that shifting the load onto my left leg the 1st 2 laps was now coming back to haunt me. Thank goodness I was nearing the start/finish area. If I was out in the middle of the course, they would have had to haul me back.
The last short, but steep hill a quarter mile from the finish (for those who know the course) was almost an insurmountable barrier. There was no turning this leg cockeyed to stop the pain. It would have been faster to crawl on all fours up that hill (no one would have seen me in those early morning hours), but I literally inched myself up that hill & limped over the timing mat before I collapsed in the car. That was just the beginning of the ordeal. I had a very rough time, including a long drive home.
next up:
I'm out of commission at present. Recovery has been agonizingly slow. Here it is 10 days after the race & if I put weight on the left leg for a while . . . . heat, redness & pain return to the shin bone just above the ankle.
Some very good news though among the bad: lately my gut has been feeling better than it's been the last 2 or 3 YEARS. I don't think I'm cured, but I sure am happy about how it feels!!
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Thursday, March 28, 2013
no disappointment
Last Saturday, I finished my 5th Clinton Lake 30m race. I came in with no expectations so that I wouldn't be disappointed. I was prepared to enjoy myself regardless and would be happy with anything. Well, it worked. Guess that's how I need to prepare myself from now on . . . . .
Clinton Lake power plant:
:
After the 800+ runners at LBL, it seemed like only a handful of runners showed up this race -- the smallest field that I can remember for this venue. The RD had us park door to door so that everyone could fit into the parking lot, but only half or so of the lot ever filled up.
The RD had another new idea: have your race number imprinted on the white singlet that you were given at packet pick-up. I wasn't planning on wearing a shirt. I usually don't wear shirts that have advertisement plastered on them or if they're white either (because of deer hunters). Most other runners were wearing them, so I wore it at the start.
Speaking of deer, this brute was just outside my bedroom window about a month ago:
It seems my abdominal pain is morphing once again: some added pain along & under the entire ribcage w/occasional cramps. It has been tolerable (so far). It had no effect on me race day.
Race day temps were 33 to 50. It was warmer than predicted, but still a great running temp range. The only drawback to the warmer temps was the course thawed out quickly when the sun came out. What was just wet on the 2nd half of the 1st loop, turned into a mudfest by the 3rd loop. I couldn't believe that this trail would ever have me bringing out comparisons to McNaughton Park (not good). The super sloppy sections were much shorter here, but beared the same ressemblance. There were records broken this day (I was lapped by 2 runners for the 1st time here), but the faster runners missed out on this mud fun.
Even with a faster early pace, I never felt any of that fatigue feeling like at LBL -- just a steady loss of leg lift as the race progressed.
next up:
I've always used Clinton Lake 30m as practice for the longer race at McNaughton Park (now Potawatomi Trail Runs) that follows 2 weeks later. The short up & down hills with soft dirt trails are somewhat similar, although Potawatomi has a few larger hills. I hope I won't have to make use of the bonus practice I earned on last Saturday's soupy trails, although I suspect it's about time for another rainy day at muddy McNutty. If it's anything like at Clinton Lake, I will likely have a very short time to have fun. I'm signed up for 150 miles, but I have no expectations.
Clinton Lake power plant:
After the 800+ runners at LBL, it seemed like only a handful of runners showed up this race -- the smallest field that I can remember for this venue. The RD had us park door to door so that everyone could fit into the parking lot, but only half or so of the lot ever filled up.
The RD had another new idea: have your race number imprinted on the white singlet that you were given at packet pick-up. I wasn't planning on wearing a shirt. I usually don't wear shirts that have advertisement plastered on them or if they're white either (because of deer hunters). Most other runners were wearing them, so I wore it at the start.
Speaking of deer, this brute was just outside my bedroom window about a month ago:
It seems my abdominal pain is morphing once again: some added pain along & under the entire ribcage w/occasional cramps. It has been tolerable (so far). It had no effect on me race day.
Race day temps were 33 to 50. It was warmer than predicted, but still a great running temp range. The only drawback to the warmer temps was the course thawed out quickly when the sun came out. What was just wet on the 2nd half of the 1st loop, turned into a mudfest by the 3rd loop. I couldn't believe that this trail would ever have me bringing out comparisons to McNaughton Park (not good). The super sloppy sections were much shorter here, but beared the same ressemblance. There were records broken this day (I was lapped by 2 runners for the 1st time here), but the faster runners missed out on this mud fun.
Even with a faster early pace, I never felt any of that fatigue feeling like at LBL -- just a steady loss of leg lift as the race progressed.
next up:
I've always used Clinton Lake 30m as practice for the longer race at McNaughton Park (now Potawatomi Trail Runs) that follows 2 weeks later. The short up & down hills with soft dirt trails are somewhat similar, although Potawatomi has a few larger hills. I hope I won't have to make use of the bonus practice I earned on last Saturday's soupy trails, although I suspect it's about time for another rainy day at muddy McNutty. If it's anything like at Clinton Lake, I will likely have a very short time to have fun. I'm signed up for 150 miles, but I have no expectations.
Sunday, March 17, 2013
a new norm
The abdominal pain I have is not consistently the same, whether it be when, where in the abdomen or its intensity. If it was the same all the time, I think the Drs. or I could pinpoint it & figure it out. I'm afraid my running performance has taken on the same resemblance -- unpredictable (& not pleasant) more times than not. After my run at Land Between the Lakes (LBL) this past weekend, I believe I need to accept the new norm for my performances, which is inconsistent/unpredictable. The "good" run I had at Mountain Mist last January seems to have been just an aberration. My list of things that can go wrong just seems to grow.
At LBL, I had a very unexpected collapse at mile 11 of the 50 mile race. The boring details:
I cannot blame the pace this time as I forced myself to run at about 12 minutes/mile for the 1st 2 miles -- this was mostly so that I would be placed with others near that same pace when the course entered the single track off the road. As every year, where you were placed would largely determine your pace for the 1st loop, unless you did something drastic -- like pull off & wait or constantly pass a continuous line of runners. I felt I did that better than any other of my 7 previous starts in this race. It was also the slowest I've ever started. The plan worked perfect & I was patting myself on the back as I felt the 12 minute/mile pace I found myself running on the single track trail was restrained, not pushed like in previous years. I had run the 1st 18 miles of Mountain Mist 50k comfortably earlier this year at just less than a 12 minute/mile average & finished well so I was feeling pretty confident.
At mile 11 though, I suddenly became very fatigued! I had just been thinking . . . in a couple more miles I can be free to run my style when most of the runners peel off after the 1st lap. Really puzzled by this abrupt "collapse", I immediately had to go into my "survival" pace -- a pace that I would be able to finish the 60k race with & not have to walk. The 50 mile cutoff was now impossible & in no way could I make 50 miles anyway the way I felt. I had slogged 26 miles at Pinhoti at my survival pace when I was shutdown by the heat at 25 miles, so I thought it wouldn't be a problem -- I was wrong. With 9 miles left to finish the 3 laps (60k), I just didn't have any more energy. I should have dropped at mid-lap, but was just too stubborn & didn't want to bother anyone either. What didn't help was I also lost motivation -- I walked everything, including every downhill. It took over 3 hours to walk those 9 uninspired miles. I tried hard to enjoy the beautiful day -- that's the only thing that kept me going. Still, I was dejected & out of it as I slowly walked down the hill to the finish -- all in sight of the spectators who were cheering? at the finish line. That was a first for me as I've always at least trotted across a finish line -- pretty sad.
Other notes:
This race always has the most runners that I know and can recognize & I always enjoy being able say a few words with many of them -- whether it be at packet pickup or sometime during race day. In fact, the highlight of the race was being able to run with Chris & Jeff, at least for a mile or two!
Scott Breeden, who won LLTH 50k in an INCREDIBLE 4:07, repeated with another super performance with 4:07 in the 60k - WOW! He lapped me near mile 15 (he was on mile 26). He was running a sub 3 hour marathon & I know I couldn't keep up with him even if I was sprinting a 50 yard dash.
With global warming, the new norm for late Spring & early Fall (when heat matters the most to me) is that temps will be above average -- I realize that (but still haven't accepted it yet). This year it started early with the 10 deg above average temps at LBL, but it was certainly not a factor for me this race day. Had it reached the mid 70's (it didn't) and I was running (I wasn't), it might have been a factor.
My belly hurt a little during the race, but nothing unusual & not a factor. I've found that my new posture at night & that the liquid diet pre-race (& only gels during the race) has helped (so far). Based on training runs around home though, I've found that even this can be inconsistent.
Having gone on a diet after seeing my belly hang out at LLTH, I lost 5 pounds in less than 4 weeks and edged below the so-called "obese" weight for my height (I'm still very much overweight though). At first I thought this diet could have had some effect on my race performance at LBL, but really, I don't think it would have been that drastic. However, I have decided to suspend serious dieting till the summer off season & to load up with more carbs during taper week.
I came down with some kind of "bug" Monday night after LBL. Other than a little nagging cough now & then, it appears I'm finally over it. I'm planning on getting in a good run (in the rain) tomorrow morning.
Next up:
With my new norm, I have dropped all expectations for my 5th Clinton Lake 30m next Saturday. I had felt I could run better than 6:30 and was hoping to break 6 hours, but that was before LBL. Weather is expected to be cool (& windy) as it's always been there -- which will be nice.
LBL threw a wrench into my plans, however, I'm still signed up for 3 long ultra races this Spring: Potawatomi, Indiana Trail & Massanutten. Potawatomi had a half price early bird special ($75) last April & I couldn't resist. I signed up for Indiana Trail as a backup/alternate to Potawatomi (they're only 2 weeks apart). Also, I'm on the waiting list (#22 currently) for Massanutten in May so I can't count on getting in.
At LBL, I had a very unexpected collapse at mile 11 of the 50 mile race. The boring details:
I cannot blame the pace this time as I forced myself to run at about 12 minutes/mile for the 1st 2 miles -- this was mostly so that I would be placed with others near that same pace when the course entered the single track off the road. As every year, where you were placed would largely determine your pace for the 1st loop, unless you did something drastic -- like pull off & wait or constantly pass a continuous line of runners. I felt I did that better than any other of my 7 previous starts in this race. It was also the slowest I've ever started. The plan worked perfect & I was patting myself on the back as I felt the 12 minute/mile pace I found myself running on the single track trail was restrained, not pushed like in previous years. I had run the 1st 18 miles of Mountain Mist 50k comfortably earlier this year at just less than a 12 minute/mile average & finished well so I was feeling pretty confident.
At mile 11 though, I suddenly became very fatigued! I had just been thinking . . . in a couple more miles I can be free to run my style when most of the runners peel off after the 1st lap. Really puzzled by this abrupt "collapse", I immediately had to go into my "survival" pace -- a pace that I would be able to finish the 60k race with & not have to walk. The 50 mile cutoff was now impossible & in no way could I make 50 miles anyway the way I felt. I had slogged 26 miles at Pinhoti at my survival pace when I was shutdown by the heat at 25 miles, so I thought it wouldn't be a problem -- I was wrong. With 9 miles left to finish the 3 laps (60k), I just didn't have any more energy. I should have dropped at mid-lap, but was just too stubborn & didn't want to bother anyone either. What didn't help was I also lost motivation -- I walked everything, including every downhill. It took over 3 hours to walk those 9 uninspired miles. I tried hard to enjoy the beautiful day -- that's the only thing that kept me going. Still, I was dejected & out of it as I slowly walked down the hill to the finish -- all in sight of the spectators who were cheering? at the finish line. That was a first for me as I've always at least trotted across a finish line -- pretty sad.
Other notes:
This race always has the most runners that I know and can recognize & I always enjoy being able say a few words with many of them -- whether it be at packet pickup or sometime during race day. In fact, the highlight of the race was being able to run with Chris & Jeff, at least for a mile or two!
Scott Breeden, who won LLTH 50k in an INCREDIBLE 4:07, repeated with another super performance with 4:07 in the 60k - WOW! He lapped me near mile 15 (he was on mile 26). He was running a sub 3 hour marathon & I know I couldn't keep up with him even if I was sprinting a 50 yard dash.
With global warming, the new norm for late Spring & early Fall (when heat matters the most to me) is that temps will be above average -- I realize that (but still haven't accepted it yet). This year it started early with the 10 deg above average temps at LBL, but it was certainly not a factor for me this race day. Had it reached the mid 70's (it didn't) and I was running (I wasn't), it might have been a factor.
My belly hurt a little during the race, but nothing unusual & not a factor. I've found that my new posture at night & that the liquid diet pre-race (& only gels during the race) has helped (so far). Based on training runs around home though, I've found that even this can be inconsistent.
Having gone on a diet after seeing my belly hang out at LLTH, I lost 5 pounds in less than 4 weeks and edged below the so-called "obese" weight for my height (I'm still very much overweight though). At first I thought this diet could have had some effect on my race performance at LBL, but really, I don't think it would have been that drastic. However, I have decided to suspend serious dieting till the summer off season & to load up with more carbs during taper week.
I came down with some kind of "bug" Monday night after LBL. Other than a little nagging cough now & then, it appears I'm finally over it. I'm planning on getting in a good run (in the rain) tomorrow morning.
Next up:
With my new norm, I have dropped all expectations for my 5th Clinton Lake 30m next Saturday. I had felt I could run better than 6:30 and was hoping to break 6 hours, but that was before LBL. Weather is expected to be cool (& windy) as it's always been there -- which will be nice.
LBL threw a wrench into my plans, however, I'm still signed up for 3 long ultra races this Spring: Potawatomi, Indiana Trail & Massanutten. Potawatomi had a half price early bird special ($75) last April & I couldn't resist. I signed up for Indiana Trail as a backup/alternate to Potawatomi (they're only 2 weeks apart). Also, I'm on the waiting list (#22 currently) for Massanutten in May so I can't count on getting in.
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
a most revealing video
A couple weeks ago, I ran in my favorite race, Louisville's Lovin' The Hills (LLTH) 50k. As I predicted, I did better previously in my "solo race" (7:21) over the same course than on the actual race day (7:41). Percentage wise, that's less than 5% slower -- is that the difference between a good race & a bad one? Not really, but those 20 minutes extra were very, very tough, plus I felt terrible afterwards -- no comparison whatsoever between the two races. What did I do wrong? Again, I blame the usual -- get caught up in all the hoopla & excitement & start out too fast. Will I ever learn? Don't think so -- I may go a race, sometimes 2 after a disaster like this, but I always revert. All my ultra PR's have been where my top priority has been to start out "slower than slow". So the cycle continues . . .
Feb 9, 2013 race day: Dec 18, 2012 "solo race"
At LLTH this year, I let someone use my camera to take some video of the race. I've seen many pictures of myself during a race, but I had never seen a video. Several things were revealed to me & a couple that I won't ever get out of my mind:
1. I thought I started near the back of the pack, but the video revealed I actually started near the middle. With the record number of runners this year, I clearly misjudged this & messed up big time here.
2. There was also video taken at about the 5 mile point & I watched as the lead runners flew past the camera. The main pack passes 10 minutes later. Ten more minutes & some of the runners are walking up the slight grade. Several minutes later, here I come, dragging along. I was really more like "scooting" along. Starting too fast? - in my mind only! Didn't realize that my running style is truly a shuffle too.
3. Also, there's one sight which others shouldn't have to endure: seeing someone wearing very tight compression shorts who's also shirtless on a sub-freezing day & letting his beer gut hang a couple inches out & over at the waistline. AWFUL! No wonder other runners don't like being passed by someone looking so overweight and do their best to pass back! I can be a great motivator though as some runners I pass really do come right back & pass me & I never see them again.
Yep, I've been on a diet since the race. It took a video to renew my diet training which has always been the hardest type training to me of all. Unfortunately, once your gut gets distorted to such an extent for so long, it will never go away no matter the weight reduction -- so people are just going to have to turn their head (quicker) if they don't want to see it.
Now that I've learned not to sleep on my right side, I've not had any more severe pain (knock on wood) and this has helped me more than anything else these past 2+ years. One of the culprits could be temporary blockage or a physical restriction/dislodging of the intestines (my Dr. calls it an "anatomical issue") or a malfunctioning bowel. The medicines I take, including those for acid reduction, could actually be contributing to the problem. Still trying new meds though & the latest one I took was a combo for anti-cramping (muscle relaxer)/anxiety (benzodiazepine). It was yet another med to help me sleep, but it too gave me such a buzz I had to discontinue it.
Next up is Land Between the Lakes 50 miler. If there's one place where early pace has been a continual problem for me it's been at LBL. I've had only one evenly paced race in 7 attempts. It doesn't help that there's a fairly tight cutoff at 36 miles (must maintain a 13 minute/mile avg pace). The urgency to make that cutoff disrupts my usual running scheme from the word go. I would do better if there wasn't a cutoff, but I can't just forget it's there either.
Feb 9, 2013 race day: Dec 18, 2012 "solo race"
At LLTH this year, I let someone use my camera to take some video of the race. I've seen many pictures of myself during a race, but I had never seen a video. Several things were revealed to me & a couple that I won't ever get out of my mind:
1. I thought I started near the back of the pack, but the video revealed I actually started near the middle. With the record number of runners this year, I clearly misjudged this & messed up big time here.
2. There was also video taken at about the 5 mile point & I watched as the lead runners flew past the camera. The main pack passes 10 minutes later. Ten more minutes & some of the runners are walking up the slight grade. Several minutes later, here I come, dragging along. I was really more like "scooting" along. Starting too fast? - in my mind only! Didn't realize that my running style is truly a shuffle too.
3. Also, there's one sight which others shouldn't have to endure: seeing someone wearing very tight compression shorts who's also shirtless on a sub-freezing day & letting his beer gut hang a couple inches out & over at the waistline. AWFUL! No wonder other runners don't like being passed by someone looking so overweight and do their best to pass back! I can be a great motivator though as some runners I pass really do come right back & pass me & I never see them again.
Yep, I've been on a diet since the race. It took a video to renew my diet training which has always been the hardest type training to me of all. Unfortunately, once your gut gets distorted to such an extent for so long, it will never go away no matter the weight reduction -- so people are just going to have to turn their head (quicker) if they don't want to see it.
Now that I've learned not to sleep on my right side, I've not had any more severe pain (knock on wood) and this has helped me more than anything else these past 2+ years. One of the culprits could be temporary blockage or a physical restriction/dislodging of the intestines (my Dr. calls it an "anatomical issue") or a malfunctioning bowel. The medicines I take, including those for acid reduction, could actually be contributing to the problem. Still trying new meds though & the latest one I took was a combo for anti-cramping (muscle relaxer)/anxiety (benzodiazepine). It was yet another med to help me sleep, but it too gave me such a buzz I had to discontinue it.
Next up is Land Between the Lakes 50 miler. If there's one place where early pace has been a continual problem for me it's been at LBL. I've had only one evenly paced race in 7 attempts. It doesn't help that there's a fairly tight cutoff at 36 miles (must maintain a 13 minute/mile avg pace). The urgency to make that cutoff disrupts my usual running scheme from the word go. I would do better if there wasn't a cutoff, but I can't just forget it's there either.
Sunday, February 3, 2013
mist & ice
Last weekend, I was in Alabama for my 3rd running of the Mountain Mist 50k. The previous 2 times I had serious issues -- got lost the 1st time & was still recovering from foot surgery in the other. This year I was only worried about the unpredictable abdominal pain. I had a relapse with worse than usual pain the week after I ran the LLTH solo "races", but I'm happy to report I did not encounter any problems during my race.
The course included a hand climb up a "cliff" and thru these caves/tunnels:
The most difficult part of the race, though, was the drive down Interstate 65: I was on the brink of not going at all because during the week the forecast called for mid-twenties & I didn't want to deal with ice on the rocky trail there again. Not until Thursday night did they change the forecast to the low 30's for race morning and it would be rain, not snow or freezing rain in Huntsville on Friday. The course would be muddy again, but I've heard it's almost always muddy. The real problem with the drive was handling the ice storm leaving Louisville (& then all thru Kentucky). I left Friday morning. If it's raining when it's 25 degrees, that's a bad sign! Wrecks, road blocks, tow trucks & emergency vehicles everywhere . . . it took 2 1/2 hours longer for an already long drive. It was nerve racking on me mentally & tough on my gut, but somehow I survived with no ill effects.
I am now satisfied with my performance at this venue as I believe, finally, the finish time closely reflected the condition I felt like going into the race. I'm hoping my gut will continue to let me run. Each night & each day the pain is a little different, so I can't take anything for granted. Oh yes, I did have my 2 Drs. appts since my last blog entry: The PT Dr. gave me some steroid shots around my xiphoid & some medications to help me sleep. The shots were very painful & the short term benefit I received from them was not worth it -- I do not plan to attempt that again. The medications that were to help me sleep made me feel so drugged & dizzy that I've discontinued them, at least for now. The gastro Dr. performed another EGD (upper endoscopy) and he was surprised to find I still had some evidence of reflux, despite all the stomach meds I'm taking! He did not think this was the source of my pain though. So right now, I'm awaiting results of the biopsies and then I'll proceed (wander) from there.
Next up is Louisville's Lovin' The Hills 50k on Saturday. I did not run last year as I was taking time off from running during a 3 month period to see if the abdominal pain got better (it got worse). Cynthia (RD) and I will start flagging parts of the course & marking downed trees for removal tomorrow. I do not plan on any running this week in my taper. And that includes when marking the trails -- I'll just hike them.
Saturday, January 5, 2013
solo LLTH "races"
First of all, on the health front:
In my last update, the abdominal pain was feeling as though it was a musculoskeletal issue. Now, I'm back to believing it's more of a gastric issue (maybe a combination?). I've found that by lying on my left side at night that I can prevent the severe belly pain from starting. This is great except it's not easy staying in that position all night. I've found that after doing so, these better feelings have carried over into the daytime hours & that the pain during my running is much less noticeable. I hate to announce this though, as I've probably now jinxed myself . . .
I have 2 Drs. appts next week -- I don't expect to learn anything new.
50k:
On Friday (28th) I ran the new Lovin' the Hills 50k course. Besides the workout, I also needed a new GPS track for the race blog. I was planning on Saturday morning, but with the 100% chance of snow Friday night, I cut my taper short. I prepared for the run exactly as I would for an actual 50k race & not just for a "long run". I could not duplicate the anxiety & adrenaline rush, but I tried to mentally put myself there & ran it at my best sustained pace.
I felt great most of the way (until the last hill) & finished with a much better time than I expected. Most of the reason was because of the major course changes since last year: several miles of narrow & hilly single track were replaced with wide, flat, family friendly trails. With fewer hills near the start, I had more reserve than expected the last half of the run. I'm very happy with the time & I would gladly take 7:21 for the actual race February 9th -- why? -- because everything went well (including my gut) & because I didn't get caught up in anyone else's early pace, that usually does me in every year. I doubt I'll be able to duplicate how I felt when race day comes around.
15m:
Yesterday, I ran the new Lovin' the Hills 15m course. It was more difficult getting into the frame of mind of a "race" this time. I wanted to up the pace to a couple minutes faster than on my 50k run, but wasn't really sure if I could last the entire way. There were a half dozen large trees blocking the trails, as when I did the 50k run, but these gave me a chance to catch my breath! With fewer hills on this new course, I had to make myself take short breaks whenever I felt the need -- hills or no hills. I'm very happy that I felt good the entire way & finished well.
I'm thinking about posting the GPS track on the race blog, but I'm not exactly sure where the turnaround on the out'n'back section of the 15m course will be placed. Since the route I took measured a little long, the out'n'back will probably be shortened on race day.
Both runs are posted on Garmin Connect: 50k 15m
Next up I plan to go back down to Mountain Mist in Alabama to redeem myself for the 2 previous efforts that I was disappointed with.
In my last update, the abdominal pain was feeling as though it was a musculoskeletal issue. Now, I'm back to believing it's more of a gastric issue (maybe a combination?). I've found that by lying on my left side at night that I can prevent the severe belly pain from starting. This is great except it's not easy staying in that position all night. I've found that after doing so, these better feelings have carried over into the daytime hours & that the pain during my running is much less noticeable. I hate to announce this though, as I've probably now jinxed myself . . .
I have 2 Drs. appts next week -- I don't expect to learn anything new.
50k:
On Friday (28th) I ran the new Lovin' the Hills 50k course. Besides the workout, I also needed a new GPS track for the race blog. I was planning on Saturday morning, but with the 100% chance of snow Friday night, I cut my taper short. I prepared for the run exactly as I would for an actual 50k race & not just for a "long run". I could not duplicate the anxiety & adrenaline rush, but I tried to mentally put myself there & ran it at my best sustained pace.
I felt great most of the way (until the last hill) & finished with a much better time than I expected. Most of the reason was because of the major course changes since last year: several miles of narrow & hilly single track were replaced with wide, flat, family friendly trails. With fewer hills near the start, I had more reserve than expected the last half of the run. I'm very happy with the time & I would gladly take 7:21 for the actual race February 9th -- why? -- because everything went well (including my gut) & because I didn't get caught up in anyone else's early pace, that usually does me in every year. I doubt I'll be able to duplicate how I felt when race day comes around.
15m:
Yesterday, I ran the new Lovin' the Hills 15m course. It was more difficult getting into the frame of mind of a "race" this time. I wanted to up the pace to a couple minutes faster than on my 50k run, but wasn't really sure if I could last the entire way. There were a half dozen large trees blocking the trails, as when I did the 50k run, but these gave me a chance to catch my breath! With fewer hills on this new course, I had to make myself take short breaks whenever I felt the need -- hills or no hills. I'm very happy that I felt good the entire way & finished well.
I'm thinking about posting the GPS track on the race blog, but I'm not exactly sure where the turnaround on the out'n'back section of the 15m course will be placed. Since the route I took measured a little long, the out'n'back will probably be shortened on race day.
Both runs are posted on Garmin Connect: 50k 15m
Next up I plan to go back down to Mountain Mist in Alabama to redeem myself for the 2 previous efforts that I was disappointed with.
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
at Otter Creek Park
The Otter Creek Marathon, south of Louisville near Brandenburg, is a flatter course than the Tecumseh Marathon with only one hill (repeated 3 times) of any consequence. Several years ago Otter Creek followed Tecumseh by one week & I did both for 5 years (2004-2008). I didn't have much recovery time, but since the Otter Creek course was easier, I was pretty much able to run both with very similar times the last 3 years. Although a 2 week gap this year, it would still be a good check to see if my fast early pace at Tecumseh really did do me in that race.
With early pace a priority, I made it a point to take it easy from the very start. About 240 runners, mostly 8m & 16m runners, would enter the single track only a quarter mile from the starting line. I started near the back & runners got cued up several times the 1st 4 to 5 miles, which I expected. Temps were in the 40's & 50's - OK. It started to rain soon after the start & that made some runners really slow down (in slick areas) and I passed more people than I was planning on the 1st 8.5 mile loop. The rain would continue & the course would steadily deteriorate as the day went on. Places where the Forest Service had removed leaves for safety actually made it more dangerous. I slipped down twice, but no "falls" this day.
next up:
I was thinking about running my 1st HUFF 50k next week, but right now I believe I will run the new LLTH 50k course on my own about that time. I have laid out a new course for the event since the Forest Service removed the hilliest portion of this challenging course -- several miles of narrow single track (including 7 hills and probably 1000 feet of elevation gain) have been replaced with a smooth, multi-purpose, ATV wide, handicap accessible (flat) dirt trail. Overall, it's still a hilly course & it should be a long, fun run.
With early pace a priority, I made it a point to take it easy from the very start. About 240 runners, mostly 8m & 16m runners, would enter the single track only a quarter mile from the starting line. I started near the back & runners got cued up several times the 1st 4 to 5 miles, which I expected. Temps were in the 40's & 50's - OK. It started to rain soon after the start & that made some runners really slow down (in slick areas) and I passed more people than I was planning on the 1st 8.5 mile loop. The rain would continue & the course would steadily deteriorate as the day went on. Places where the Forest Service had removed leaves for safety actually made it more dangerous. I slipped down twice, but no "falls" this day.
The view at the overlook along the Ohio River is always fantastic! Years ago there WAS an overlook along the creek too, but the Forest Service removed that challenging rocky climb & descent & replaced it with a somewhat boring, back & forth trail away from the scenic creek and in a flat area. Unfortunately, that same trail manager packed his bags a few years ago & moved to the Jefferson Memorial Forest & is now doing the same deal here with the Louisville's Lovin' The Hills (LLTH) course -- and that is removing challenging trails & replacing them with multi-purpose, family friendly trails -- how sad.
Besides being a fun race, one of the things I enjoy most about Otter Creek is that I can stay local & see friends & meet other trail runners from the Louisville area. Long distance trail races & runners are fairly rare in Kentucky in comparison to other surrounding states. It was great to see so many familiar faces & see such a good turnout for this event.
I was able to keep an even pace for about 17 miles (1st 2 laps). I was feeling I could easily finish in between 5 hours & 5 1/2 hours, but my legs were beginning to give in. Although the rain had stopped, the course conditions were by far the worst on that final lap. Those who were done early (8 milers, 16 milers & the winner who lapped me) didn't get to enjoy the best of the mud! Not all the course was muddy & I've encountered much, much more difficult conditions . . . still it felt like I was carrying leg weights with the caked on mud & it took its toll near the end.
I was able to better my time from Tecumseh, so I can say now that too fast of an early pace was a big negative there as I had thought. Had the Otter Creek course not been so sloppy, it's possible I could have taken 10 more minutes off.
As to my gut, well it cooperated & was not a big factor, and for reasons why, I don't know. The night before each race was terrible, as usual, but each race day was completely different. Maybe it was the slower early pace, maybe because I didn't have to drive far, maybe it's all in my head (as the Drs. think) or maybe . . .
Besides being a fun race, one of the things I enjoy most about Otter Creek is that I can stay local & see friends & meet other trail runners from the Louisville area. Long distance trail races & runners are fairly rare in Kentucky in comparison to other surrounding states. It was great to see so many familiar faces & see such a good turnout for this event.
I was able to keep an even pace for about 17 miles (1st 2 laps). I was feeling I could easily finish in between 5 hours & 5 1/2 hours, but my legs were beginning to give in. Although the rain had stopped, the course conditions were by far the worst on that final lap. Those who were done early (8 milers, 16 milers & the winner who lapped me) didn't get to enjoy the best of the mud! Not all the course was muddy & I've encountered much, much more difficult conditions . . . still it felt like I was carrying leg weights with the caked on mud & it took its toll near the end.
I was able to better my time from Tecumseh, so I can say now that too fast of an early pace was a big negative there as I had thought. Had the Otter Creek course not been so sloppy, it's possible I could have taken 10 more minutes off.
As to my gut, well it cooperated & was not a big factor, and for reasons why, I don't know. The night before each race was terrible, as usual, but each race day was completely different. Maybe it was the slower early pace, maybe because I didn't have to drive far, maybe it's all in my head (as the Drs. think) or maybe . . .
next up:
I was thinking about running my 1st HUFF 50k next week, but right now I believe I will run the new LLTH 50k course on my own about that time. I have laid out a new course for the event since the Forest Service removed the hilliest portion of this challenging course -- several miles of narrow single track (including 7 hills and probably 1000 feet of elevation gain) have been replaced with a smooth, multi-purpose, ATV wide, handicap accessible (flat) dirt trail. Overall, it's still a hilly course & it should be a long, fun run.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)