tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46485361596624547322024-03-13T16:24:00.803-07:00The Adventures of the YellowDart"I'm going to work so that it's a pure guts race at the end, and if it is, I am the only one who can win it."
- Steve PrefontaineNemohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01661345478974938359noreply@blogger.comBlogger62125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4648536159662454732.post-64844779775783143022011-05-27T04:05:00.000-07:002011-05-27T04:49:37.809-07:00Rock/Creek - Scenic City Marathon<div style="text-align: left;">Before starting into this report, I think it best to thank those who put together such an amazing event. R/C Race Series and Randy Worton proved yet again that no matter your experience level R/C continues to put on world class events which open the running world up to the pleasures of being in the woods. I mean how many races on the east coast have a helicopter and camera mounted mountain bikers filming a trail race? Unreal! </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw7wuL-GEeD4zfImgS_zHcAn-Brbvdncg0n2efjVA9998wx9HBPOuugseLWPQ8IIUP5Pa-be5Bgcn9Qau4a0_pCHRxTcGzSmBqas5xsjeBUHkR0GwqulcYa6eCeMOIwR6gibwF96Q83Sg/s400/apic6.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 269px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611353390562747090" /><div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Following W2C 50k at the end of March, I took some time to recover from my back injury and build up my speed. After racing essentially eight races in three months, I felt that my base was good enough to start hitting the track and the pavement for some structured speed/tempo sessions. Over the span of six weeks, my speed progressed with steady long, long tempo runs and LT track workouts (milers, 1200's, etc). On paper, I felt that I was coming into the race with 2:30-35 road marathon shape. That said, on race day things tend to play out differently.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I started my taper roughly three weeks out from the race, hoping that by decreasing my mileage that far in advance, I would absorb my training and not feel flat on race day. Unfortunately, the extra time did not afford extra rest as work took over and I quickly found myself up to my nose in research. The week leading into the marathon was restless to say the least.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Race morning went off without a hitch (aside from a slight delay due to the helicopter landing). Within the first mile, the peeking order was established. I knew from Arron's previous races that he would take the first half hard so it was not a surprise when he assumed the lead position. My plan was to run conservatively off the back of Arron for the first half and then sort it out on the second. However, when we cruised through the first aid station (5k) well under 5:50/mi pace, I dropped back a few steps to run my own race. I figured the heat was going to be the deciding factor and if Arron wanted to push the pace hopefully I could catch him in the second half.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I clicked my watch at the ten mile mark around 57min. Apparently, I was not running as conservatively as I wished. On the road, this would have been acceptable; however, on trail, I knew this was probably a little quick for an opening ten mile. Reluctant to fall back further, I tried to hold pace still hoping that the heat would limit Arron's lead. At mile ~13, the lead had stretched out to two minutes. At ~18min, he had six minutes on me. Knowing that I was in command of second place and that I was starting to succumb to the heat, I decided to drop the gear down and not turn myself inside out. The finish line was a welcomed sight and I enjoyed the crowd support running around the field for the final 400m. The highlight of the day was without a doubt running with Kristen the final ~3mi. I was supposed to be 'pacing' her and she absolutely dropped the hammer on me. I am still recovering. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I would like to extend my congratulations to Arron on taking command of the race. He is a talent and I look forward to racing again in the heat of Raccoon Mountain at the upcoming R/C Stage Race. Before that though, I am off to the Washington D.C. North Face 50miler to square off again against Forest Gump (aka Dean Karnazes). </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDwxwRdf1lGSbWMqeqH6FVkKGs87HaYJEpN4o8xIGzUFrXZ-1SiumhYHwScOwxiFI4gcxzOO18coww6ksBUM26WZJujbs6lciPAWPw12DL2DTNZuRin4cii0tMYlX3YbDHxaA9UTZR2d0/s400/apic5.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 228px; height: 344px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611353121140270674" /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibZ2gaI-dTCnaRBvUBdwHyaRjFcgE52FA8mguNf9kIDse8Dc8gwMkHcVgQXszEqUCMFNouZE2MSieATRbRKZhxy5l2zyv94_cccvrTVNSzQCghUYmKalBEqT3xyNHwCnAaLQyY9GagYRI/s400/apic7.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 341px; height: 400px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611354027425937554" /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPbe_mAxYAF6nWfckN5xaIhTudFCTRbG4LGu8aMIuB0i4wkDFZE3SKwGdWbubdKZZA52FlbYgjB2pvzdZg7xFiUAabdh0pDX3pEC5QPgh5B4ktBqEK6cXzJ3WGX188VFiOQBd5ta0Urnk/s400/apic8.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 344px; height: 400px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611354819416934098" /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><u><br /></u></span></div><br /></div>Nemohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01661345478974938359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4648536159662454732.post-71868315429747399932011-03-14T17:38:00.001-07:002011-03-17T17:24:37.186-07:00Way too Cool 50k<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk_bTu62xcracfOLi0wZfwGndGCNmuP350co0Qo8THVONfepPdh3qj3upu2e8-zBOkavtqfjlsXHrKuZZqUa9lZ40oDDSe1kSQSyKxgRiuwnZ4Kzh9dHhQ52U7CdD-VfeE_4GLhXFciTI/s400/w2c_10.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585199155733786978" /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Getting acquainted with my Frog cup-cake (finisher award)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>I want to extend some thank you's before launching into a full blown race report. First of all, a huge thank you to Julie Fingar, W2C race director. Not only does she put on one of the largest/most competitive 50k in the country, but she was willing to take time out to play host to Owen and myself the day before the race. She made the transition across the country seamless. Without her help neither Owen nor I could have made it the start line in reasonable health (more on that to come). Secondly, thank you to La Sportiva and Rock/Creek Outfitters for their support in sending me out to Cool, CA equipped with the best trail running gear available. The support I have received from these two incredible companies has allowed me to string together back to back to back to back races.<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Alright... now a race report</div><div><br /></div><div> Way too Cool 50k ... The best finisher award ever! Cupcakes!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAmufHUz3jUpWTD7n0EbACHmeNcwNkA-ek8aMme6JUxQ96uE6fdYrCPnvy5AhDju084C1m03wSWPS7gZwQWkksf1pVd5_YUUHEfrJWHCPD6GGgg9iB6ZPs8Gn2RoYA68kfnIxE1ohPbhs/s400/w2c_4.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585189311293987858" /><div style="text-align: left;">Honestly, Mt. Mitchell went far better than I was expecting it to. The obstacles that aligned prior to that race really made the finish line a wonderful experience. Following Mitchell, I was mentally charged and ready to get back on a race course. So, the next weekend, I found myself toeing the line at the Umstead Trail Marathon. After a week of little to no running, I thought that my recovery had gone smoothly. However, as soon as the gun sounded, I knew I was not fully ready to race. I stuck in with the leaders believing that perhaps I was just still a little sore; however, as we cruised through the five mile marker and my legs/back were not loosening up, I decided to save the effort for W2C the following weekend. I took the following week tremendously easy with one short track session on Tuesday to judge how the recovery was progressing. Thursday I grabbed a flight out of RDU and seemingly 24hrs later arrived in Auburn, CA. A six hour flight from D.C. turned into eight+ hours of sitting as our plane was stalled on the runway for over two hours before finally taking off. Thankfully, both Hannah Pate and Owen Bradley were troopers, waiting a few extra hours to pick me up at the airport.</div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The next day was spent catching up on sleep after getting in around 2am. We got out quick in the morning and stopped off at the race expo at Auburn Running Company (amazing running store with extremely knowledgeable staff) before heading out to the race start in Cool canyon. Along the way, we got sidetracked on the Western State 100 race course. The scenery was breathtaking and once we finally got to the race start line I couldn't help myself so I ran for a little over an hour on the course. Unfortunately, I did not realize that for the first thirty minutes I was running down into the canyon only to have to turn around and run back up the canyon for the next thirty minutes. Almost too excited to sleep, I was up before my alarm sounded.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQhxJoBAWkXC9Ed_nPldGEnhiXmSAX_KjEZ2F03854F0SAPwgDre4Q72miM5WsR1bIsrvJ_6_q-0uNcem7PNzWbT2l41swT5pzNc1_Z_LPFpEaAYXqWKmFhC3RPFZjZ472ezc93gTOeSk/s400/w2c_2.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585190449486544818" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><div style="text-align: left;">The gun sounded and we were off flying. I slotted in feeling very comfortable around fourth position. Talking with Julie before the race, she had said that in order to win this race you needed to play it smart in the early miles. With a newcourse (an 8mile loop before leading out on the larger 24mi loop), I knew I wanted to start the larger loop in around fourth position. The earl</div><div style="text-align: left;">y miles breezed by and I quickly realized two things. One, the course was extremely muddy. Second, the early pace was a little quick. Having never run the course and not knowing any of the other competitors, I glanced back only to see the world famous Hal Koerner leading the chase pack. I knew Hal was a smart competitor and had raced the course before so I eased up and dropped back to his group. We came in through the mile eight (back through the start line) in fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh respectively while being chased by a large harry man dressed as a gorilla (not Owen Bradley who is equally as furry).</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Ylz8o_RWR_bXWkrvL6jCp-TGJODIpcdVC59zuTsc6x_eXMJGkHJVq57SLvtb3J3s8IxHv9VTNCGg5xoxgzm55YIBk_1U2As5MvscSWfSCsUHf3kQ7XpXPqRkIoA3BlA5SwcYqbtn3zk/s400/w2c_5.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585199920793260674" /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG7AIb7jQSbLbakVzdCgaJsYBA9MHJi0NxurTb9ccOSGBdgi2kzcQ9DKXiJeMIOCXlxk9BAtqs4DRqX8l8at6vZMhE9Hks85w1pMgwIkMcW20g-rt5kFngdNGfYrldQi5wR04W2CW6vnM/s400/w2c_6.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 317px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585200177449353906" /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxg1GICLv9kVVgjErV6ER1HOPzkd4lZzQo2paLDfNa96PGXYjip46PFHS8hormy-MXUpY6_mvh7up59PBPCDg8kDDc-wWL1jLqWPcxjofQFL8ZvmG5Hn1SQIe9Ot-SLj6Bl2C-UdZnCX0/s400/w2c_7.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585200381085894546" /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We dropped down the "shoot" which was more a slip-n-slide with the mud. At the bottom we were still holding around six minute mile pace. Onto the fire road, I was introduced to fourth place finisher, Tim Olsen, who ran a patient race to finish just off the podium. Best of luck next week, Tim as he takes on the best in the business at Krissy Moehl's Chuckanut 50k. Heading into the first climb of the day, Tim had already put a 20s gap on our group. I knew I needed to pick up the pace and bridge before I lost contact; however, at a creek crossing, I slipped causing my back to spasm. My heart sank as I began to worry that the same back injury that I had to fight during Mt. Mitchell was back. On the next uphill, I lost contact with the chase back as my back spasmed resulting me having to walk to the uphill. From that point on in the race, I was unable to lengthen my stride as my back repeatedly would spasm, contracting down on my diaphragm. Aside from the misfortune, I had a blast enjoying the beauty of Cool Canyon and American River. Coming into the last aid station, I knew my shot at a top five finish was blown out. I focused on breaking four hours and with a mile to go, I knew I had it pretty well in hand. Crossing the line was a relief as W2C was the fourth race started in four weeks. Honestly, I was a little upset with the overall finish but you cannot be frustrated with a 15 minute PR. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6N-T-ti7vAJhEfxlSoLK7ukgH0UB00KnEGss6Egz2OLaZXxxIcTw4dF76R_y3WRr9stgUUcGI1jc9Ob5TNNzHIsg1fHCCnXCxw62hNC2-Aa2sBBLRoRNdAq_WGn-uY9egE7ns8t2CEEw/s400/w2c_8.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585200270035949842" /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLY0NyaqkFotUUrpanMElR6sErjpvwsPaenrn-w_Ij1dzd3C6u4Dfo9k_XnzFv4a-uhbqRC4wQPRmyJw0VE6ATuDgdU6rjTkIC2PY98FVVHGYqKr6bPzE-Jx0BuuWrW3M0zEV-6h5A3t8/s400/w2c_9.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 326px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585200470421621586" /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">So what's next? I was registered to race Bull Run Run 50 miler. I have decided to withdraw and address my back injury. My next race will be in a few weeks but for the meantime best of luck to all those that are racing this upcoming weekend (to my running partner, Owen at Oak Mountain 50k). Finally, thank you to Owen and Hannah to putting up with me for a few days and getting me to/from the airport at ungodly early hours.</div><div><br /></div></div>Nemohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01661345478974938359noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4648536159662454732.post-44664620452880372322011-02-28T04:14:00.000-08:002011-03-02T04:22:46.461-08:00Mt. Mitchell Challenge - I had my doubts<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Going into Mt. Mitchell Challenge, I had my doubts. I had doubts about my fitness, my health, my nutrition and perhaps my sanity for even attempting the run. Since November, I have been targeting the Challenge in hopes of putting together the most competitive race possible on that given Saturday. For months, training went smoothly. I logged my base mileage then moved into a structured build phase which transitioned into a focused race/speed phase in the weeks preceding the race. This was all well and good until following Mt. Mist 50k the muscle running the length of my back locked up causing excruciating pain to run down the length of my back and feed into my right leg. Needless to say with three weeks to go until the start of Mt. Mitchell, I was having trouble walking up a set of stairs. A very focused approach to physical therapy (thanks in large part to me assuming the role of Kristen's PT practice dummy, yes, dummy) nursed me back to health. I was placed on a rigorous schedule of stretching, low level lasering, icing, messaging, more icing/lasering, more stretching, and a whole lot of ibuprofen . which got me to the start line of the Pilot Mountain Payback, a 15miler ("heavy half-marathon") sudo-pain free with a week to go. Pilot Mountain went well. I battled back a respiratory infection all week only to find myself on the start line with a pounding headache and a raspy cough. The race unfolded with me exchanging leads with the eventual day's winner. I took over the lead at the half-way point. The leader caught me on a downhill section and me not wanting to rip my</div><div> still tender leg reluctantly gave over the lead and limped in around 30seconds after the winner. Congratulations goes out to fellow Sportiva athlete, Jason Bryant, who set a blistering new course record on the marathon while overcoming a 5 minute deficit at the half-way mark.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>I got back from the race and essentially crawled into bed for the next three days. The respiratory infection, that I was battling during the previous week, took the better of me and I started to run a low-grade fever. Sunday, Monday and Tuesday were pretty rough but by Wednesday I started to pull it together. Honestly, I was tremendously worried about my health and ability to start the race considering I could barely get out bed without becoming fully exhausted. I figured I would take it day by day and see what Saturday would bring.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Following work on Friday, Kristen and I drove to Asheville. We checked into the Presidential Suite at the Motel 8 and before I knew it alarms were blaring and we were meandering our way to the start line.</div><div><br /></div><div>Before detailing the race, I want to extend my congratulations to Mark Lundbald on putting together the race of his life. At 42 years young the guy can still throw down against the best runners in the country. Old man strength!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7GiYcm2soW4u-gSyZSeQA3aJTpqUGCDsvacghtjDxypkCrGVs0UwWbySKgs_uql45Nm9ED0qv1rS7vacJJFJwAxcMaA1aWGcbPoUE5N10vZSNLPr2JuPcYV_AglNPlpV659jskZv514w/s400/IMG_0979.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578714648172043634" /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">So the race went off and the only thing I can remember is a man sprinting up the road wearing a large cowboy hat. Aside from the early antics, the race formed as I expected with the pre-race favorites taking control on the lower slopes of Mitchell. Up, up and away. For the first few miles, my respiratory infection seemed to be taking its toll as I was still hacking up all sorts of green goop in an effort to stay in the top five overall. Still unsure of where my fitness was, having only starting running back without pain a few days prior to the race, I was more than happy to sit in around fifth.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_IfQhLmjBXvDVovSNR0YAeHMIbSj1iRY4u53jNRl1gKTKSyylOJUN8iaFOjiK8jvZdlLpyAN1Mlz54qaV7TvCRW-HFmRNqp5jADceB584HdMQ1GYY1-PGu9xT-ubzxtt1NZaUwCiavho/s400/IMG_0988.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578714576508218770" /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">As we climbed, the race pace quicken once we hit the Toll road. Dane Mitchell and Kevin Lisska made it honest up to the marathon turn around point. Here the race fractured with Dane gaining a slight lead. Mark Lundblad was the only one able to respond. I figured with about a marathon still to run it was a little early to make a decisive move for the win. So I waited. Across the parkway, we entered into a stretch of trail bogged down from snow melt. I lost contact with the chase pack as my back started to lock up on the uneven trail.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisAG3WBqnuwrWYoRm1nydMJ-RnivN3mA4DVDDhjIWqxDk0STLBMGh4wPCaBmpL0yC-ClhV4j_2WmNdzHaNx5pub_Ik8SJ_1auIoZappEHdh4adY4vBXDDhq_dMG9D-25ES8XXCecuXsuQ/s400/Josh+return+23m+%25281+of+1%2529.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 261px; height: 400px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578714307225708882" /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Through the icy section, my back continued to lock up as I tried to stabilize myself from slipping off the edge of the mountain. At the top, I got word that I was not too far off the chase pack. Interestingly, I also found that I was sitting in fifth overall with Dane Mitchell apparently having taken a wrong turn. (It was later determined that Dane had slipped on the ice and separated his shoulder).</div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXgCOxXUoevaUa0qecVkQfTZIRDskCERZdvHv3Zm7r4jy7PPSoP-_gueKjlv33lRPoYLch_QOvlVVVtYZOy3W2t-CfNBn1HrumvucbKgEUQIL6iSAYze_CanKHMg3rqpxFIcvWZmXarqk/s400/Josh_summit+%25281+of+1%2529.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 384px; height: 400px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578714221412545442" /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Once we moved onto the pavement on the road down, my back completely locked up and I had trouble breathing. At the marathon turnaround, my dad, brother and mom were waiting. I told them that my back was locked and it difficult for me to breath. My brother gave me a quick pep-talk that went something like this:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Josh: "Dude, my back is spasming. It is pushing down on my diaphragm (gasp). I am having trouble breathing."</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Jake: "You could call it for the day."</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Josh: "Take my ipod. I'll see you at the finish"</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT-eZZkc0HIKVfj869qyJVoOCgj1mhrzmko38KAwOSKsxXQcdtIpoosn_mTakSjtv5Kz269TMfr_t1qoqJAUt3Nk-1zk_1Badwx34ChkXyGwXiGuy9kDnCn1rn6rkFl4rjlIy5mF9OrbE/s400/Josh22m+%25281+of+1%2529.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 308px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578714099981955042" /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;">I laid into the descent and before I knew it my back had loosened up. I was running in complete control. At the bottom of Appalachian Way, I saw the fourth place runner. I paced myself up to him and not wanting to get into a sprint finish, moved quickly past. Rounding the lake, I was determined to finish under 5:15. I am very happy with how the race turned out considering fighting through the flu and injury over the last few weeks. I am looking forward to building on my fitness through the Umstead Marathon and into Way too Cool 50k.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvza-QQoE7LsRzVcplubBuyxPz8Jy4HlA2KYZnvYJDPws09AKgH1rJuYJBp7yUraNPDoUeak0wnNw-6evnF0jLsiGo-l6xkuzq3A2Y7WqwEQ6RS_ZtKJVK3DzM60X_pudRhuyn-AdjaJw/s400/Finish.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578930315910249586" /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">It has often been said that it takes a village. This race definately took a village to overcome injury and illness to find my way to the finish. Thank you for all the support from my friends, family and sponsers. A special shoutout to <a href="http://mountainrunning.com/index.php">La Sportiva</a> and <a href="http://www.rockcreek.com">R/C Outfitter</a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/rockcreek.com">s</a> for all that you do to help me reach the finish line.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghqruB37ip71-WZO1ULSo1gSOjEMd-8QQiIy_RNtiDem6461hbwk4Z7RBxBsgoBuuSiJXwBKMtYlmFn5nxoQjOyewXk9SQxOGzpmZS9kvedMJeWUbHdkZBNBLMmhReM7U1yg9WfjgzxGg/s400/sportiva+shoes+%25281+of+1%2529.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 220px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578713990800123970" /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Check out the NEW!!! R/C website to learn about our newest Race Team Member, The Toyota 4Runner by clicking <a href="http://blog.rockcreek.com/archives/rockcreek-co-owner-dawson-wheeler-wins-the-mount-mitchell-challenge-in-a-2011-toyota-4runner-we-think.html">here</a>. In the Toyota's debut race, she took home top honors in the team car division. Be sure to look for the Toyota out training on the roads around the Chattanooga area in preparation for the next R/C event.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEFg4JlXTMfYJL7sR_baq2remEeEJgf2HKZcUMIWYDpBfAgkVrN893uLmAlMGlrVTgXKcI9_FTUhOzBKZGgOS8CbNYz-TZya1BCzNbrvOcU_bfbP1ikwvPz2y8ODKv1crsSf-WhE9wVXE/s400/RC+car.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 145px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579451498066858354" /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Nemohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01661345478974938359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4648536159662454732.post-81355914501483056472011-01-17T12:02:00.001-08:002011-01-23T10:17:37.385-08:00Mt. Mist 50k - Lessons Learned<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgock1OYORyqLWIqa9mxGPf6G9skN6ot_fqNG1U10efqGU_muGPAlDMEBAbgDwCNMDtRqytYo7ba6iYpEU3qAcZiCjq5lTrDb3srg8CWLHrdqqgMBM3sfhe29CNpM-ei8Ms7aR0YKVv0DM/s1600/Danger.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgock1OYORyqLWIqa9mxGPf6G9skN6ot_fqNG1U10efqGU_muGPAlDMEBAbgDwCNMDtRqytYo7ba6iYpEU3qAcZiCjq5lTrDb3srg8CWLHrdqqgMBM3sfhe29CNpM-ei8Ms7aR0YKVv0DM/s400/Danger.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565443161570921410" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I finally have had time to link together a solid training block as I settle into my new routine of graduate, real world working average Josh. Last semester/year brought a lot of challenges and changes. The transition from a 'constant on the road, go-go-go, 4am blaring alarm' to a now 'calm 4:30am alarm clock routine' has been a welcomed shift. My frustrating drop out at Lookout Mtn. 50 renewed a willingness to commit to a training cycle in preparation for the 2011 season. In hindsight, the race probably turned out for the best as I was able to recover quicker. With that said, the added pressure of a new job coupled with running expectations has made for some listless nights. However, going into Mist, I was confident in my fitness.</div><div><br /></div><div>Mist has always ranked high on my racing bucket list. I first heard of Mt. Mist when I was fourteen years old. People have always said, "Oh, you run ultras in the south? Have you raced Mist?" There is a rich history that surrounds this race not only because of the strong fields that the race assembles early in the season but also with regards to beauty/difficulty that accompanies the course.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>I targeted this race as an early marker of where my fitness stands as I prepare for my main spring goals: Mt. Mitchell at the end of February and Way Too Cool 50k in March. Since Huntsville was within driving range, I could not pass up a chance to race some of the top 50k runners in the country. Coming off a three consectitive 100+ mile weeks culminating in a 115mile run week, I knew I would not be fully rested. Regardless, I took the week leading up easy and, before I knew it, found myself shivering at the start line Saturday morning with 350 other scantly clad, large quaded ultra-running loonies. Thankfully, the gun (a rather large civil war style musket) sounded (exploded) and the race was underway.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggSAmlA-LDZ-RjSaeRV4WbMM_r9fYpnmq79c-cYCVN1UZLVKwd_q173afPnjyfQvcvphpBEso0pUf0DmdwDveY6rt4FfPTi-tY0wWKVVb19MB_T0xo6KP-dOvLOkHEkzPScsMUDWzYWgg/s400/Start+2011.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565427852823258546" /><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I slotted in behind defending Mt. Mist champ David Riddle and passed the early miles chatting pleasantries. As expected, Hal Koerner was nice enough to join us (not only from Oregon) but also with the pace making at the front of the race.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLY8omyYZH50Xvxa3OVvKef3DdSC1NUOyal4hPqN0nsJBJ6AlED6LlkRRLGqXklnwmeuK49jUgMbtxvGNZXVLthRMHe5cdKzxx8csbKt9l6G9mdpSQFrJNMJxx5wKXYzaTpqJ3Mvg1AKk/s400/Early+Miles.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565428699094088098" />I was told that the early miles were fast and sure enough before I knew it we were making our way across a clearcut power line trail somewhere around mile ten. The first climb was a welcomed shift from the icy descents we had been tackling; however, trying to stay on pace proved difficult for everyone as we slipped and slided our way up the icy ascent. Hal dropped back on the climb leaving just Riddle and myself to march on into the second half of the course. Unfortunately, on the next uphill section, I lost contact with Riddle as an inopportune bad patch left me scrambling for nutrition. From the limited information I could gather at aid stations, the next few miles proved decisive in the race outcome. I stayed roughly 1 to 2 minutes behind Riddle; however started to lose time at creek crossing (and cave crossings?) due to my unfamiliarity with the course. The white markings on an already snowy backdrop added a little difficulty spotting the correct path and often I had to stop to scout out my next few steps. The second to last climb was a barn burner as we had to navigate an icy waterfall into the second to last aid station.<div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjayHqBEeK2ZlP4APe7KOCh9MMHOVvaEEO2dbmbBFmRA2GL2NrpfwHONpX4SfofkUbWWqOGRd181_CdHKuncRDeYsacm39WHoeU7KIPki6d02VAN60qdsET_U4K8ZeLboTnojbOCE5jq_E/s400/Gra+Aid+Station.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565442410671853954" /></div><div><br /></div><div>Moments following losing contact with Riddle. Coming into a colorful aid-station, somewhere around halfway(-ish).</div><div><br /></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2G29PtPzSeEDfIAss2Gi3-pCahZqAw5rysCErWDT1OGF4xfFWFZW7_wnbkVDZZey4Fu-AIV7VCIZT6ePZLvtNNIubBAY9zasi0n6tK0FGacLnZKXeE1GzYOo5MKXir9WvXoCWdgqXeUY/s400/Descent.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565442123225825106" /><div><br /></div><div>Here is where the lessons were learned. With six miles left, I skipped the second to last aid station figuring that the limited calories I had taken earlier in the course would tide me over to the end. Normally not one to train with calories, I felt the gas light come on around mile 29. I glanced back and saw Hal making his way down the trail towards me. I knew the catch was inevitable. Figuring I still had two miles left and one large climb, I slowed my pace and tried to gather my remaining energy reserves to match Hal when he caught me. As soon as Hal came up on me though, I knew I was on fumes. In the last two miles I lost my podium spot as I got passed again in the final half mile. All in all, I learned an important lesson. THE MOST IMPORTANT AID STATION IN A RACE IS THE SECOND TO THE LAST. You can rest assured that at Mitchell I will not make the same mistake.</div><div><br /></div><div>The story of the day goes to Riddle as he crushed David Mackey's course record by close to three minutes on a very slippery/icy day. Impressive is hardly the word I can use to describe it. Honestly, it was a privilege to run with him as long as I did. I wish Riddle the best of luck as he tries to make the US 100k team. Hal, I look forward to racing you again in short order at WTC. </div><div><br /></div><div>Having trained through Mist, I am now turning my attention to the Mt. Mitchell challenge here in a few weeks. In the meantime, I want to thank Huntsville Track Club for putting on a wonderfully organized event which will definitely remain on my race calender for years to come.</div>Nemohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01661345478974938359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4648536159662454732.post-14662230940233635562010-12-20T03:20:00.000-08:002010-12-21T04:14:43.900-08:002010.12.18 - Lookout 50I usually let the dust settle for a few days before jotting down my thoughts from a race. Unfortunately this time around I had a few more hours than I had hoped for to piece together my impressions. So what happened?<div><br /></div><div>First, a little perspective. The last few months I have been traveling between Boone, NC and Durham, NC. My weekly schedule had dissolved into a blurred marriage of night driving and lab work. Friday through Monday I worked in the Center for Human Genetics at Duke University. Following work on Monday I would get in the car, drive to Boone and take classes Tuesday through Thursday in order in finalize the remaining General Education requirements I had left to graduate. Thursday after my 5:00 class I would get back in the car and drive the 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 hour drive back to Durham. Aside from the spastic nature of my schedule, I found a rhythm that worked and got through the semester only reasonably sleep deprived. This was all great except when it came to logging consistent run mileage (most runs were pieced together at 4am then again around 9pm). </div><div><br /></div><div>Following the crash and burn attempt at the sub-4hr mark at the R/C StumpJump, I went back to drawing broad and closely scrutinized my training logs from the previous months. A noticeable pattern arose, the absence of rest. So, following StumpJump, I took an easy week to get back into the swing of things, then hit it hard with a very consistent build in mileage up to a 110mi/wk. Following, I took an easy recovery week in which I started to have dull shin pain. Discarding it as artifact of the previous week's work/school/training schedule, I pushed into the next week with a steep jump in mileage to start the new training cycle. My body thought otherwise and before I knew it a short run around East Campus (~3mile) turned into a scene from Thriller. So fearing the onset of a tibial stress fracture, I promptly took 10 days of complete rest. I came back refreshed, rested and as usual (no matter how much I worry about it), without a loss in total fitness. So I hit the mileage hard again, linking three weeks of >105mi which included a stretch of 4 18-20mi/days and 2 5.5hr runs (both in the snow). Coming into the race, I was pleased with where my fitness was considering the inconsistency over the preceding few months.</div><div><br /></div><div>I "graduated" from Appalachian State University Magna Cum Laude on Sunday, December 12 at 2pm. I put graduate in quotes because in typical Boone fashion, the weather prevented my family and myself from attending the commencement ceremony. I did return to Durham, however, and got a very productive few days of work, aside from battling off a slight cold. On Thursday morning Kristen and I awoke only to find the ground covered in a thin layer of ice. We got out for a short jog to judge the severity of the storm. It quickly became aparrent that we needed to get onto the road. Sensing the urgency in us getting on the road before the sun came up and the light falling snow turned to ice, we both threw together travel bags and with a quick fish-tail out of our parking deck we were on our way. What normally would account for a 7hr drive, turned into a slippery 12hr pludge down through Chattanooga having to pass through Atlanta.</div><div><br /></div><div>Friday passed uneventfully aside from a morning MRI. Before I knew it I was standing on the start line shivering, waiting for it to get light enough outside to start the race. The gun sounded and I found myself towards the front enjoying a lighthearted conversation with fellow R/C racer and super shirtless stud Owen Bradley who was running the 50 as a training run for Bandera 100k in three weeks time. I pushed the pace early in order to get to the single track without getting boxed in. I assumed second position and within two miles had quietly slipped into first. As we descended off of Lookout Mtn, my stomach became unsettled. For every 4 minutes I built on the chase pack, I would lose 3 minutes as soon as I had to pull over to take care of business. I will spare the reading audience the details but every 4 miles and or every full bottle of liquid I had to make a pit stop. This was not a problem early on and I hit the climb out of Reflection Riding with a commanding lead. Onto the climb, I felt in control and on the steeper sections picked up the pace to put a larger gap on the group chasing. Passing through the Start/Finish line for the second time around 2:45, physically I felt great; however, my stomach continued to deteriorate. By the time I got out to mile 28 at Lula Lake, I had roughly 10 minutes on second place. The section through Lula lake was different from previous years which I believe vastly improved the difficulty and novality of the race. At the climb out of the Lula Lake waterfall, I saw Randy Worton who imformed me that I had a 12 minute lead. I could only comment that my stomach was trashed before turning back to getting out to the 34mile aid station at Nickajack. In a span of four miles I had to stop three times to take care of business and was having trouble finding my balance over technical terrain. I hit 34 and took Coke with three Gels before running up the hill and onto the 4.5 mile loop at High Point. The High Point loop was the low point as I knew my race was deteriorating into a stumbling mess. For every bottle of liquid I got in, it would come right back up. Alas, I pulled up at the 38 aid station recognizing that an attempt at 10 more miles would have been a crippling shuffle as I could not keep any liquids on my stomach.</div><div><br /></div><div>So what did we learn? Unfortunately, there were not a lot of life lessons to be gleaned from Saturday's performance. Physically, I felt great. My training was perfect. In ultra-running especially when tackling distances over 50k, the stars have to start to align. Often the smallest issues can turn into huge problems. In retrospect, I probably had a stomach bug combined with the flu/cold symptoms I was experiencing earlier in the week and was not fully recovered. As I venture into longer and longer distances, I will need to alter my racing style of charging off the front. I hope to take on a quieter role in my next few races in hopes of learning how to race with patience and strategy. Sounds good on paper but when the gun goes off... </div><div><br /></div><div>So the record stands: Lookout 2, Josh 1. I will be back next year to even the score.</div><div><br /></div><div>Upcoming News and Events:</div><div><br /></div><div>I am proud to announce that I will be racing for La Sportiva and R/C in 2011. I could not be more honored to have the privilege of representing two such outstanding companies. My next race will be in Huntsville, AL at Mtn. Mist 50k towards the end of January but for now a few days of concentrated rest/recovery. Oh, and Merry Christmas!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Nemohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01661345478974938359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4648536159662454732.post-84190388921184758132010-10-27T12:34:00.001-07:002010-10-27T12:54:54.063-07:00Early Birthday Run<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0kWU95ZEWvAHb4uszovyiJwAv11oSKuh5I1kpiw5MHXpCeU2Hbkai8un8z5DusBm_paNZMgZr2sKDfMDzDNUDbFwlYRsQO4ukVOio2td4R7GbKVJzvINOYtQmtBuvSluva3458hW31DA/s1600/bday5.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0kWU95ZEWvAHb4uszovyiJwAv11oSKuh5I1kpiw5MHXpCeU2Hbkai8un8z5DusBm_paNZMgZr2sKDfMDzDNUDbFwlYRsQO4ukVOio2td4R7GbKVJzvINOYtQmtBuvSluva3458hW31DA/s400/bday5.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532815806029083154" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOuWwak9bsy2x3xkFvrUirdDDL8ocAvPEcGIrnavxllsQjL-4_w7D4DUEDJMdB3eU6u8v9hoC2WkSLqz5C-zVINc35houjXZ-YONBjzCZbzFT5OS9qMrWbjgT14lnuv4PilxVhGXTejOk/s1600/bday4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOuWwak9bsy2x3xkFvrUirdDDL8ocAvPEcGIrnavxllsQjL-4_w7D4DUEDJMdB3eU6u8v9hoC2WkSLqz5C-zVINc35houjXZ-YONBjzCZbzFT5OS9qMrWbjgT14lnuv4PilxVhGXTejOk/s400/bday4.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532815802832139378" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_7GRQWfBFHA2lfW0Ezgfk6uOYveQoF2gqmXm2njtcTW7NksFfeBW6V7vWFIgZN53wLoVA9qag3Drm1PpuIo87NtyhWLTXajrjza9ejTmezklO8u1ocRL0e2DXFNrcd8XrTTApuT8OXH0/s1600/bday3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_7GRQWfBFHA2lfW0Ezgfk6uOYveQoF2gqmXm2njtcTW7NksFfeBW6V7vWFIgZN53wLoVA9qag3Drm1PpuIo87NtyhWLTXajrjza9ejTmezklO8u1ocRL0e2DXFNrcd8XrTTApuT8OXH0/s400/bday3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532815792386958562" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDC_TnSOGapcwTPNqio6VBKAecK6J2-DgkJxLrvY-T5vfUqXlH098DFlJ1xXg-_VHN9b2MUamvmirYqNC_ywd7tmc2L2VEmxY-N2IGhn_cpMKPc4zybH3oVetD_9bhxkmT7chjQXAGfiw/s1600/bday2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDC_TnSOGapcwTPNqio6VBKAecK6J2-DgkJxLrvY-T5vfUqXlH098DFlJ1xXg-_VHN9b2MUamvmirYqNC_ywd7tmc2L2VEmxY-N2IGhn_cpMKPc4zybH3oVetD_9bhxkmT7chjQXAGfiw/s400/bday2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532815789948768594" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJkCEItNrbCPAfUZouiSL5MFLGC2JmCX1aze_BHNQQs9YxGA6M3Ye5tV0gdzvvXEEAHhV-tWHb_gNRfMUpt-zmlt_hcuJ1SWL1njShMVzcnX050CKdG4Emqq9oERsRvBl_5TqISPUVgJE/s1600/bday1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJkCEItNrbCPAfUZouiSL5MFLGC2JmCX1aze_BHNQQs9YxGA6M3Ye5tV0gdzvvXEEAHhV-tWHb_gNRfMUpt-zmlt_hcuJ1SWL1njShMVzcnX050CKdG4Emqq9oERsRvBl_5TqISPUVgJE/s400/bday1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532815779057741010" /></a><br />Since the Fall is rapidly leaving the high-country, only to be replaced with 5months of winter, I wanted to get in an early birthday run roughly one week out from big number 23. Historically, my birthday runs have been...well...epic. There was the year that I decided to run 50mi off the couch, only to have to call in room-mate life support around mile 38 and have them pick me up at 8am on the side of the interstate. Then there was the year that I repeated the stunt and ran through a whiteout snow storm on top of Grandfather Mountain only to have to pull up and call in room-mate life support at an Exxon station where they found me frozen to an empty cup of chicken noodle soup. Needless to say, my track record has been less than exemplary. Without the option of calling in life support and perhaps since I am gaining some wisdom in my old age, I opted for the less epic ~27mi run between 19E and Carvers Gap on the Appalachian Trail. A few years ago, in the middle of the summer, Kristen and I tried to run the out and back on this beautiful piece of trail but in the end had to turn back early due to dwindling food and increased grumpiness (word?). I have ran on this trail repeatedly throughout the years; however, I have never gone back to run the entire stretch end-to-end in one out and back push. Today seemed like as good of a day as any to try. <div><br /></div><div>As usual, for the Birthday Run, I was awoke to driving rain and dropping temperatures. I drove over to the trail head in the dark. Awesome! Determined to not have another hypothermic birthday blast, I put on two rain coats (thanks Gore-Tex Trans-Rockies for the awesome running Gore-Tex gear) and started up the trail in the pitch black. Note to self, probably best to bring a headlamp when starting at 6am. Enjoy the pictures from my day-off adventure.</div>Nemohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01661345478974938359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4648536159662454732.post-28093184503170896102010-10-05T13:50:00.000-07:002010-10-06T16:36:46.597-07:00StumpJump 2010 Race Report<div style="text-align: center;">Coming into this year's edition of the R/C StumpJump 50k, I felt like my aerobic fitness was tremendously higher than in previous years. Not only was the so called "monkey off my back," having finally won the event in 2009, but I really was eager to gage exactly where my fitness stood following what on paper was my strongest running training block in recent years. The spring saw an easy progression into reasonable mileage weeks (avg. 95mi/wk) with an early season emphasis on back to back progressive tempo runs on the weekends. A second place finish in June to Dane Mitchell (<a href="http://blog.rockcreek.com/archives/dane_mitchell_introduces_vermont_50_to_the_rc_race_team_powerhouse.html">drug test</a>?...)at the R/C Stage Race put my fitness right on track to keep up with Nick Selbo at TransRockies in late August. I built my mileage steadly throughout the summer having a nice block of ten weeks at 100miles (M, hill repeats; Tu, mile repeats; W, easy; TR, hard tempo; F-Sun, long aerobic) even with MCAT studies and working full time. Thankfully, this paid off and I didn't slow Nick down too much at TransRockies where we had a surprising third place overall finish.</div><div><br /></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0zbqrAjZBt0L00nhvWmnD83OlCqm-KmZK0mLrrKMiWbj8Tv0AkWVToQYmQRIOmh_RgXmNLl66hWpE__h9IG87wEvRZX6WH_ZXVJV_Nc6oRK1BODR3uHYav2g3HkV4Q4XbhCLKyUY_tak/s400/TR2010.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 305px; height: 203px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525073928187007330" /><br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglPHGXR1Sd60LFv3MFKWSLoXSSZt0j8l9LGiCx1HQv5yg6hQLb9dGNMa1aQjadyK-jov7fKqug7ocFXPE71zFGKvDxhtCI8RyDxjaezAzlsY559_7kMHO7vlEHVyq9fEm4PhAdDodFFv8/s400/TR2010_2.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 160px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525074693694575906" /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>After TransRockies, I took an easy workout week, mainly to get on top of the lab and school work I had missed the prior week. However, once I got my feet back on the ground the next two weeks saw the mileage sky rocket back into the 110-120 range with two solid 4hr trail runs up Grandfather Mtn and two encouraging high aerobic track sessions (1200's and 800's). The next week I dropped my mileage back into the manageable 70-80 range and increased the intensity of the track workout (2x200m,4x400m,2x200m) running in spikes for the first time since my mile repeats pre-TransRockies. Then finally I backed it down into taper time for the StumpJump.Coming into the race, I knew that the field would be stronger than in recent years with my toughest competition coming from my TransRockies partner and now close friend Nick Selbo. However, with the addition of Inov-8 strongman Mark Lundblad and the tribe called La Sportiva, the field looked wide open. Race morning finally came and after a quick car ride over with Vasque mutant-runner Bryan Dayton I found myself aimlessly wondering down the start line after a few warm up laps on the Nolan High School track.</div><br /><div> </div><div>I had two strategies coming into the race, one was conservative while the other was...well...less so. Since Bryan Dayton ran a sub-4hr StumpJump (old course), I have had it my head that is possible to break the 4hr barrer. This year with how my fitness had progressed through the summer I wanted to see if I could run four hours. To everyone that figured I looked like a loony dropping 5min/mi pace for the first 1to2miles of a 50k let me explain. It was my hope that by jumping off the start line I would attract a few other brave souls to help me push the pace. I had the mile splits in my head and when no one was up running next to me by mile 3 I honestly started to doubt my strategy to run for broke. However, after slowing up on the pace, I hit Suck Creek Road crossing for the first time right on pace for four hours (37:23) with no one in sight. I figured I would keep the pace at the 4hr mark until the Indian Rock House. The pace (7:45min/mi) felt very comfortable and did not seem unreasonable. Coming into the Rock House (1:16:change), I knew I still had the four hour mark in my cross hairs and after a quick water bottle switch I was up the trail without glancing back. My nutrition was spot on as I was taking in a 100cals every 20min. (3miles), plus with a steller carbo load thanks to my carbo and bread coach (Kristen) I knew I was running with a full tank. My next checkpoint came at roughly the half-way mark as the trail turned uphill at a fire road. I cruised through mile 16.58 change right on target (2hrs and 4min). On the uphill I noticed that the ambitious pace was starting to sting a bit. Being alone since the start line, I too was starting to lose a bit of focus. To get back in the right state of mind, I paced the next uphill section, switched songs on the Ipod (Celine Dion was just not cutting it) and entered into the infamous Rock Garden. Out of the Garden I made sure to get my entire water bottle down with a few extra calories.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI-iJ3ksE2OVMJemTOaJzg7LpRS_zJ4PIILqucASa71Y2vMdFwQA0m18J0FX8wCgs0tOeHuzTY5iQiN3Ex666SxCYTajynQWmfJrG0jE9ILyLfzJuxNogTwQog2YwxRrYHUoIHSyD7908/s400/2010SJ2.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525072007257028034" /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><br /></div><div>I came back through the Indian Rock House for a second time right on target to go under four hours (2hrs 36min.). I thought great all I have to do is a 1:24 on the return trip, I made it out here in 1:16. Passing through a few people on their way out, I got an adrenaline rush from their encouragement. The next four miles breezed by and before I knew it I found myself at Suck Creek Road for the second time. At this point, I noticed my pace had slowed slightly and I had in fact only 40minutes to get back to the start line to du</div><div>ck under the 4hr mark. No matter, I grabbed two cups of Coke and turned my attention towards setting my mind right for the grueling final 5miles. In hindsight, I knew my pace was slowing but instead of playing the conservative (smart) card, I pushed the pace on the upper portion of the climb out of Suck Creek. At the top of the climb, nueromuscularly I started to feel off. I felt like a car running out on fumes. My legs started to get the familiar tingling of encroaching cramps. I knew my fate was sealed as my pace slowed to all but a walk on the decent. On the downhill into the swinging bridge, I lost the lead and almost the will to continue. Instead of dropping at Mushroom Rock like I first considered I walked the remaining 3.5miles back to the start line unable to muster up even the slightest jog. </div><div><br /></div><div>It was the greatest experience I have ever had in a trail race. The words of encouragement and my brief attempt to run with Bryan Dayton kept me from crashing out. On this day, I went for broke. I have no reservations and would run the same race today if I could walk upright. I was confident in my fitness and confident in my ability to run off the front; however, in risking everything, I went all in and came up short. Through it all though, I remembered why I love trail running.</div><div><br /></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_7Dj37AJoLu6QRl0_XEZFsZue-A-vlgNgW965boMR22HyRPWOr8m3-sEjntgShzgCY8hES4L-61XSOYoIz3-Z6qtZ0gkcqD2dtmmGXs2ayvKsGC8uEEXcA2L2ejLkE3yZ1hChqZXFaXw/s400/2010SJ.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525072385110850530" /><div> </div><br /><div>A huge congratulations to Jason Bryant of La Sportiva for a wonderfully calculated effort. I am looking forward to learning from your experience at the upcoming Mt. Mitchell Challenge<br /><div> </div><div><br /></div><div>2010/2011 Trail Race Schedule (Tentative)</div><div><br /></div><div> 18-Dec R/C Lookout Mountain 50<br /><br /> 22-Jan Mountain Mist 50k<br /><br /> 6-Feb Uwharrie Mountain Run 40<br /><br /> 25-Feb Mt. Mitchell Challenge 40<br /><br /> 5-Mar Umstead Trail Marathon<br /><br /> 9-Apr American River 50<br /><br /> Early May Rest, Build for Vermont<br /><br /> Late May Smoky Mtn. 1Day Traverse<br /><br /> June R/C Stage Race<br /><br /> 17-Jul Vermont100</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Nemohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01661345478974938359noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4648536159662454732.post-2985568207333024542010-01-12T04:46:00.000-08:002010-01-12T05:21:04.601-08:00Better late than never - The Lookout Mtn. 100k...er...50milerI am back to the grind stone, working 5am to 11pm, after a very adventurous holiday season. I want to apoligize for the delay in updating my blog; however, since I appear to be the only one reading this, I wanted to get just sleep deprived enough to start writing...er...talking to myself again.<div><br /></div><div>Where to start? Last semester was for lack of better words, hard. I ended strongly though rounding out a excellent academic year with a 4.0 and straight A's and CR's in all my trail runs. I left Boone a day before the sky dropped out and dumped 30inches on the high country. The storm, however, did not miss Chattanooga and in typical Lookout Mtn. 100k fashion racers and race directors alike were greeted to the prospect of having to run 62.whatever miles in the pouring rain and 33 degrees. Luckily (much to the chagrin of a number of able bodied and overly confident racers) the race directors made a wise decision in cutting the race back to a 50miler. I want to start this report by thanking the staff of Rock/Creek and namely the Wortons who worked tirelessly to put on a race (although shorter) on such short notice. This is simply a testament to the level of commitment and organization that goes into R/C races. At the end of the day the race directors were keeping in mind the best interests of all the racers and volunteers on course and I applaud them for making the correct decision.</div><div><br /></div><div>Unfortuntely, due to the weather, a number of bigger named racers were not going to be able to make it down (from Asheville). So my initial race plan was kind of thrown out the window. I figured that the best plan of action (knowing the course) was to stay warm (unlike last year, see hypothermia) and eat as much food as possible for the first 18ish miles. Once at mile 18 there is a ~6mi uphill section that I figured I could get a pretty good idea of how bold everyone was feeling and take the race from there. It was here on the climb up to Covenant College (rocking out to The Cure and The Smiths, (I was having a moment) that I started to run alone, again, off the front. </div><div><br /></div><div>I want to say a special thanks to a few collegiate runners that were training down at Reflection Riding as we came through. Riley I missed you but Will thanks for the support!</div><div><br /></div><div>I came into mile 22 alone and after a quick change of clothes and a bite to eat I was off towards Lula Lake. From that point on it was cold and rainy and I was sore for most of the way. The stretch from Covenant College to Lula Lake turned out to be one of my favorite stretches as we meandered along a muddy creek bed and through some waist deep (probably knee deep for most people) creek crossings. I got out to Lula Lake to bound down the hill over the bridge and out to the 33ish mile aid station. This section was an out and back so on the back portion I could gage where my lead stood. At that point I figured that it was basically a game of attrition and that unless someone was dropping a minute/mile faster mile splits (I was holding steady at 7min/mi so 6min/mi seemed a tall order) I should survive to the finish. </div><div><br /></div><div>The rest of the course, although very challenging and clearly the brainchild of Randy Worton, presented all sorts of surprises including a repelling section...well...we used a little rope to descend some steep rocky cliff lines followed by a breath taking long run next to a beautiful waterfall (42ish aid station).</div><div><br /></div><div>My brother got to run with me for about a mile and half total including the last 1/2mile of the race which was unforgettable. That was very special to me that he came out not only to support me but even managed to throw down the thunder and pushed the pace on my tired legs. Guess that's what I get for being the big brother. </div><div><br /></div><div>I finished around 6:50. Crossed the line, realized I was quickly becoming hypothermic after I couldn't hold a coffee cut steady from shivering and got in the car. I left and went home and watched the Hawaiian Ironman which seemed to slightly higher on the suckometer than what I had just experienced. </div><div><br /></div><div>The Lookout Mtn. 100k will go down as probably my favorite race to date in the R/C trail series. Not only does the race present numerous challenges with the time of the year (shortest day) but the weather always promises to add another element of difficultly. This race course is astonishingly beautiful and demanding. The Lookout Mtn. 100k was an experience that I will not soon forget (perhaps because my legs are still sore).</div><div><br /></div><div>Well, I am back to the grind, buried by medical school applications and the prospect of running Mt. Michell here in a few weeks. I hope the best for everyone in whatever their next adventure maybe in 2010.</div><div><br /></div>Nemohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01661345478974938359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4648536159662454732.post-7390851265225274802009-11-19T03:44:00.000-08:002009-11-19T04:08:27.293-08:00UpChuck 50k - The Hardest 50k in the World...er...Soddy Daisy<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Ouch.</div><div>Just saying.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Upchuck 50k is the brainchild of two very demented trail runners. The run starts in Soddy Daisy and traverses over mountains, through canyons, beside an interstate, over ladders, across waist deep streams, along ridge lines and requires extensive mountaineering experience. Well maybe not the last one but the Upchuck does offer an trail running experience unlike anything else! </div><div><br /></div><div>As my fourth race over the 26.2 distance mark in the last 7wks, I really wanted to come to Chattanooga to get in a long run in a fun environment without getting hurt. Mission accomplished. The trail itself was extremely challenaging as the wet leaves on rocks made for slippery descents and frustatratingly slow ascents. At times I found myself questioning if I was even still running on a trail but I came to realize that this is trail running in its truest form; a runner with limited assistance blazing down an endless trail through some of the most beautiful scenery the Southeast has to offer. </div><div><br /></div><div>Highlights:</div><div><br /></div><div>The numerous bridge, ladder, random obstacles that lined the trail broke up the boredom of running alone off the front for five hours.</div><div><br /></div><div>The interstate section nuked my legs. Less than a mile long, the transition from trail to road and back to trail shocked my legs for the next few miles.</div><div><br /></div><div>Two aid stations. Awesome. Who needs anymore than that, I ask?</div><div><br /></div><div>Getting lost for fifteen minutes following property line flags instead of the actual trail race markers. I am a freaking genius. </div><div><br /></div><div>Swimming across what probably was a knee high creek for most of the other runners. I was too zonked out to realize that I probably could have walked across, but instead I plunged headfirst into the creek and began swimming. Once again, freaking genius. Hey, I'm not in triathlon anymore so I've got to incorporate my swimming somehow.</div><div><br /></div><div>Leaving the creek bed soaking wet, knowing I had six more miles to go.</div><div><br /></div><div>Running to the next creek crossing two miles later only to be told I had six miles to go.</div><div><br /></div><div>Running three more miles to the road only to be told that I had six miles to go.</div><div><br /></div><div>Only having a mile and a half to the finish when I thought I had six miles to go.</div><div><br /></div><div>By far and away the greatest, most challenging trail race I have ever competed in! </div>Nemohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01661345478974938359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4648536159662454732.post-83949677650845500612009-11-02T16:27:00.000-08:002009-11-03T12:09:11.171-08:00City of Oaks Marathon - The 2hr40min Enema<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpjMgyskFx_T__sYQ5UR44ruwjlwpWSKRdqrJx-iYz6R_xWAXdAA3EUG7Uu6LNSAvLg1kSfQ3XI_GaDx4a0D-ZUDEWkw3AsMrjBc6AgLw2u7GWDrNyuVzVmFMWChl02ae8jt7PYcBYBpk/s320/COOMarathon_Start.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399679483933624082" /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>As the saying goes, 'even a blind squirrel can find a nut.' I believe this best summarizes my marathon preparation (or lack thereof) for the City of Oaks Marathon.<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>After the Rock/Creek StumpJump 50k, I turned my attention towards picking out a good marathon to run a Boston Qualifying time (~3:10 for my AG). Orginally, I thought it would be cool to head over to the coast and run in the Outer Banks Marathon since the course would be flat and fast; however, with Kristen getting injured, I figured it would just be best to find a semi-local race and drive down the day before. No thrills.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Leading into the race, I had no idea what kind of pace I was running or where my fitness stood. Just as with the StumpJump, I was running exclusively on feel, without a watch. After StumpJu</div><div>mp I took a down week (80mi/wk) and then quickly revamped my mileage into normal ranges (90-100mi/wk). I took to running a little bit more on road to get my joints used to pounding the pavement. The weekend before the race I went down to Charlotte and logged out a nice 18mi tempo run (my first time running with a watch since May!) around 6:20pace. Things seemed to go smoothly, so I figured I would not have any trouble hitting the 3:10 Boston Qualifying time.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>So here comes the blind squirrel part, my marathon taper:</div><div><br /></div><div>The week of the marathon I logged 93miles (including the marathon) with my longest run (before the marathon) coming on Thursday (~18miles in doubles). I did my first 'track' workout since May (8x200m) on grass (without a watch) on Tuesday and took Friday down (running only 6miles total for the day). Both Tuesday and Wednesday nights I was at the hospital past midnight and averaged a little over three hours of sleep/night. I am more of a mad (exercise) scientist!</div><div><br /></div><div>Saturday we drove down around noon, ran a little on course in bright sunny, warm weather and went to bed. I awoke on Sunday only to be greated to my most favorist weather, 50degrees with driving rain and high winds. Having gotten hypothermic numerous times in this kind of weather, I bundled up for the race wearing arm warmers, gloves, hat and an undershirt. Burr!!!! After my trademark 'josh, do not get hypothermic' warmup, I found myself shivering badly on the startline. Right before the gun went off my watch stopped working (way to go Garmin) so I had to borrow Kristens. I figured ah, what the hell, I will just find someone faster than me to run and see what the day brings.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>On the startline, there were a few guys spouting out PRs. I heard one of them say that he had ran a 2:31 at Boston. He looked fit, so I figured I'd run a little with him. The gun went off and up the hill we charged. Mother F, why do they always start races uphill? Just no reason for it, I say. Anyways, the Kenyans took control and I said goodbye to conservative pre-race plan. I was going to run for guts and glory.</div><div><br /></div><div>The first 10k seemed fast. It was rolling and into some headwinds. The tall guy with the fast PR kept getting in front of me on the windy sections, so I had no choice but to draft (hey it's a race and I'm getting old). I could tell that it was frustrating him but I mean honestly he was not going to get any draft off of me.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Well, we went through the 10k and I was freaking already freezing to death. The PR guy had pulled out to a 15-20m lead and I was happy to let him run. Onward into the death rain we ran. At mile 10, I linked up with the guy who would eventually get second and ran with him through Umstead Park. We came into the 13.1 around 1:19. I figured that I had given myself a nice cushion, in the event of what was looking like a definite bonk, to hit the the 3:10 mark. I linked up and just maintained pace.</div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx7PfGjXKYb_fbUuWRuTmhc_cg8qLBkwPsMQGtrzir7S_zYFt7lM4lN8vTIyFza6HQ1CYM2w24oZGFRaSPCOZlvYOciE_pGPYxSDl5tSgGffi1AQHsDZ5omTo0NCWK-wY6HdPyc1XKpw0/s320/CityOfOaksMarathon.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 122px; height: 184px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399969205394410450" /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div>Umstead was 3.5miles of unpaved road. It was like the twlight zone! Let me set the scene, thank God it was close to Halloween or I would have been scratching my head:</div><div><br /></div><div>We were alone (3rd and 4th on the road...er...trail) running in pouring rain...fog...hail...frogs(?exodus)...For 3.5miles I did not see anyone expect the guy I was running next too. Up and down hills, over bridges and through the woods (towards Grandma's house?) we charged. I did not even know if we were still in the race. The trail was completely saturated and gave us about a 2 to 3inches of muddy cushion to trudge through, which made the uphills less than enjoyable. I have to say when we finally came out onto pavement, I was overjoyed to be greeted to the 20mph headwinds and freezing rain.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>It was about this time that I realized that we were approaching mile 18 and that I was sitting in 3rd...er...4th place. I thought, holy cow, I could podium. So I started to play the tactical game. On the uphills I slowed slightly next to my competitor and was slow to re bridge at the crest. He started to catch on as he was asked me how I was feeling. I told him I was freezing to death and that 20miles would probably be the end of my race. He said that I looked tired and cold and that if it was ok with me (nice guy) he would pick up the pace at mile 20.</div><div><br /></div><div>At mile 19 we recieved word that the second place guy (the Kenyan...apparently not a cold weather guy either) was doing the death waddle. I also received word (for the first time that 3rd place got 600 bucks). Now it was on like donky kong!! I am not going to lie I felt slightly more motivated thinking that I could net at worst 400 bucks on the day.</div><div><br /></div><div>Sure enough, mile 20 came and my new running buddy surged blindly. Sure enough, I had played my cards right and surged right back, picking up his draft. The look on his face was priceless. I stuck to his draft all the way through mile 24 as we bridged up to the death waddling Kenyan. Game on mother Fer!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>It was at this time that the 90mi run week started to take a toll (I think in hindsight if I had known that I would be battling for an ~800dollar payday I might have tapered a bit more). I came slightly unglued as we started in towards downtown Raleigh. I was still roughly 15m off the back of the two Kenyans but that I was not making any headway into the headwinds. It was at this time that we started running into the tail end of the half-marathon finishers.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>The highlight of my race came around mile 24 when the two kenyans in front of me were getting cheered on by the crowds only to have the same crowds react in utter surprise as a skinny, pale white guy came running like a madman 15seconds later. It was at that point that someone on the side of the road shouted "You GO get those Kenyans, WHITE GUY!" I have to say that I do not promote racial slurs but at that moment it was really funny...only in the south!</div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFGD67gem8zm0r9QgXqoaMMHbUEml3aYRhz42gPfxi655_x88Z8pYCRoeDFK19LWQvLnZQd68RWosdXgxc3Z2QJljNw6QlY-0PGC2jxqF_RP1jcRKmJ1Yt9bnfqVW2NKVWGvEaYDcEgPw/s400/CityOfOaksMarathon5.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 122px; height: 184px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399970401548967602" /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>I was unable to bridge and eased up into the finish line. I was hoping to roll under 2:40 (finished 2:40:20) but a 6min marathon PR wasn't too shabby considering the conditions. When the dust settled, I made 400 bucks as the fourth finisher and 3rd american! I have to say that I am very pleased with how the race went considering I raced hard for a 50k less than a month ago and hit this marathon mid-90+ mile run week. Well, I qualified for Boston. What a great way to spend my 22nd Birthday weekend...fun times (minus how hypothermic I was post race)!</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBzSbtn9l0T3-9OgF18IAHpbviR1oYfWDG2OshY-jU83tZS-04C8Gf1Rq6MiaPh5cuHaUF77_dvySyNViKmiPJA1w1k9pP0_jMcyHv_C4zcq8tRd7Jzo9l-uPEkdX9k62GyzAnXWPsU2I/s400/CityOfOaksMarathon2.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 122px; height: 184px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399970949492112530" /></div><div><br /></div><div>Side Note:</div><div><br /></div><div>Hats off to the winner (ie the tall white guy at on the start line). You ran an inspirational race, negative splitting in the worst racing weather I have seen in over a year. I am enormously impressed as that has to one of the guttiest performances I have ever had the privilege to witness firsthand. </div>Nemohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01661345478974938359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4648536159662454732.post-83747333454023185452009-10-08T16:48:00.000-07:002009-10-08T17:57:49.115-07:00StumpJump 2009, the hail mary pass<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>The road to the start line of the Rock/Creek StumpJump was a long and rocky one. Returning from Africa, I was still very hesitant to start training at full steam having just recovered from a left tibial stress fracture. I figured that I had roughly six weeks to get in shape to run (not race) 50k and would just take it day by day. The main difference in my training preparation for this race from any other trail race was that I trained as a trail runner. I ran roughly 80% (~80-85miles/wk) of my weekly mileage on trail. I left my watch, track workouts and tempo runs at home and went on feel day by day. Working in the emergency room at night did not leave me a tremendous amount of time during day light hours to train so most days I found myself up at 4-430am and getting in the mileage before my 8o'clocks.<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Two weeks out from the Stump, Kristen and I went over to VA to run in </div><div>a trail race put on by Odyssey called the 40mi Rampage Run. Kristen ran the marathon and took first overall female in route to setting a new c</div><div>ourse record. We both had a blast sleeping in the back of my Suburu in the race start parking lot the night before. I went to VA to figure out my nutrition for the Stump, figuring if I could run 40miles then 31 should not be that difficult. The race went well, as I took the lead (overall) in the opening 50seconds of the race and ended up taking the overall in the 40mi in route to setting a new course record. All told it was a great day for Team Wazungu. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Side note: I had another wild life spotting, this time a black bear, in the final two miles of the 40miler (~43miler)... Seriously!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Coming into the StumpJump I was feeling extremely worn down, but confident in my overall fitness level. (The weekend before I had logged car to car in the rain an impressive 2hr 18/19mi tempo effort up Grandfather Mtn on trails.) I</div><div> knew that I had Friday to rest up for Saturday's race. Kristen and I got in late on Thursday after an eventful week of exams, late nights in the E</div><div>R and running in the freezing fall rain. Friday morning Kristen and I went out and ran the opening three miles of the course then proceeded to eat 2 loafs of banana bread while writing lab reports before heading downtown to the expo. R/C did an amazing job of putting on a first rate expo and pasta party which was followed up by a highly entertaining slideshow from Ultra-Marathoning Icon, Dean Karnazes.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuBodOyGoYNlahHuhkm3fU-OrYTUt4G9bvhu1uSQVVJUmM9DGO0NHuteTwZoH6W3SLhuw_vpXQv9DLCUUN4yc_p4Ee7DgHodBeRebXV4peXEbCwuPkQUAiROoaw56x9UZiPNznbTrG7G8/s320/photo+(4).jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 307px; height: 310px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390395210457520146" /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div>Saturday morning came after a rather restless night. Coming into the race I had a few things in mind as far as how I would approach the competition. I knew the field promised to bring some strong talent as Bryan Dayton (Vasque runner and StumpJump course record holder) was returning. From my training, I knew I was close to 4hr/StumpJump shape and if I had a chance at the overall I would need to isolate Bryan early in the race. So when the gun went off I jumped to the front and pushed the pace through the opening three miles, wanting to see who would be foolish enough to join me. After three miles I looked u</div><div>p and recognized that only Bryan and </div><div>Nick were around. Perfect! So I slotted in behind Bryan, happy to allow him to dictate the pace while I sat back and focused on nutrition. We came into the rockhouse aid station a minute or two down on Nick who had taken over the lead. Not wanting to chase, Bryan and I allowed Nick to get out to a six minute lead by the halfway marker. The 10mi lolly pop portion of the race is the fastest/easiest part of the course and having ran the course six weeks prior I figured this would be the time to recover and wait to attack </div><div>on the way back through the rockhouse at mile 20. Unfortunately, not everything goes to plan. Jeff and Andy ran up on us about a mile out from the rock garden and instantly moved past Bryan at the aid station. On the next climb (~1200m) I took the lead and looked back, realizing that Bryan was slotted in at 5th position. Knowing that it would be hard for Bryan to respond to an attack, having to go around Andy and Jeff, I charged up the hill. Still 14miles out from the finish line and six minutes down on Nick, I figured it was time to throw up the Hail Mary and go for the W.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>At the time I figured that I could gain some time on Nick through the rock garden and loose the three runners behind me. Out of the rock garden I ran like a man possessed to catch Nick. Having spent the prior hour eating and drinking b</div><div>ehind Bryan I felt like an Ricky Bobby on lap one of Talladega coming through the rock house for the second time. I got the report that I still had four minutes to make up on Nick with on ~8-10miles left in the race. After some quick math, I knew it was time to roll thunder and make up 30seconds/mile. I threw utter caution to the wind, going totally light weight, leaving my water bottle and nutrition behind (NOT ADVISED). By the suck creek road crossing four miles away I recieved word that I was roughly 45seconds dow</div><div>n heading into the final two climbs of the day. I took the next climb easy as to not cramp and to get my mind right for the final push home. It was on the downhill that I finally caught Nick. I turned my music off and ran silently behind him for the next uphill mile listening and observing everything he was doing. At the mushroom aid station I put in a slight surge on the uphill and saw no reply. I then layed into it and ran for the finish.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>The final climb off the trail and around the school was emotional for me. Growing up only three miles from the race start and having idealized the winners of this race since its conception nine years ago, to say I wanted to win this race badly would be an understatement. I am happy I could bring home to bacon for Team R/C and Team Wazungu.</div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwMBG9xNkh8vqgBGWIOC2fcgi-KzNyRdvxQHxB_w35HtNhTtAeXd4dZEQdMP_YGS8q1KkzGReh5Lt3wYXiKuqap99SbCN7PcHUCiILOssy4eB1D14si7PKHIZlP_5FhZcTMNDX2ClpXwE/s320/Stump+Jump+09+5.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390397541764443410" /></div><div>I am thankful for such incredible competitors and friends who make this such an amazing event to come back to year after year. Growing up three miles from the start line, it feels like coming home every time I have the opportunity to run on the Cumberland Trail. Kristen ran an inspiring race, setting a PR for her first 50k ever with her last two miles being her quickest. I want to thank the event staff for the countless hours spent turning this race into one of the premier trail races in the country.</div>Nemohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01661345478974938359noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4648536159662454732.post-65622816257936918172009-08-18T03:20:00.000-07:002009-08-18T14:40:41.805-07:00Africa<div><br /></div><div><div>There is little in the way of words that could or will be used to describe the experience that Kristen and I had while in Africa. The people, the culture, the land was unlike anything anyone could ever imagine without visiting the country firsthand. I find myself reeling in the days following our return to the states, questioning much of what I found to be common place in our society. Africa challenged me on all levels. It pushed me past the confines of comfort physically, intellectually, emotionally and spiritually. It forced me to face my inner demons.</div><div><br /></div><div>The mentally and physically disabled children of Shaurimoyo, that we had the privilege to work with, define the human spirit. I will forever be shaped by their level of compassion to one another and their outlook on a horrific life that is unimaginable in our western culture. To the children in pediatric burn unit of Mawenzi Government Hospital and to the nameless patient on the surgical table in the OR, I fully am able to now comprehend exactly why I want to be a doctor.</div><div><br /></div><div>For the first time in my life I can say that I truly felt alive. Our experiences in the Ngorongoro Crater, at sunset in Zanzibar, running for miles through fields of sunflowers at the base of Mt. Kilimanjaro finally allowed me to take stock in what is important in life. I will leave a handful of pictures that briefly capture a life changing trip.</div><div><br /></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDsBpuPEhG6Ol3glpdRIxlePZZwR4tWytJ2dS_TM49zGp8bz8JVBS11J-cCLpctVtqbmsZxRqKvoTD8JpNdqKTPPeUm4e89DM09gT7es-W2H4jYLXfBTRago0ULtMjhdmtsHWCGT3STOc/s1600-h/DSCN0482.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDsBpuPEhG6Ol3glpdRIxlePZZwR4tWytJ2dS_TM49zGp8bz8JVBS11J-cCLpctVtqbmsZxRqKvoTD8JpNdqKTPPeUm4e89DM09gT7es-W2H4jYLXfBTRago0ULtMjhdmtsHWCGT3STOc/s320/DSCN0482.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371421389039381970" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjikNLDT7J_KJF15fBEWEjL8QdTGa-1eE1Cwjjb3lBCIu4zOi4YGcYL3xCcrR0N0C2W1Ovksjz1eMEOWTRuLaNW-NlTE7ldfFyJ-XrQ05h6NPiYHQuUnBddufY52eneJ12cn11sYo-jLjQ/s1600-h/Ngoragora.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjikNLDT7J_KJF15fBEWEjL8QdTGa-1eE1Cwjjb3lBCIu4zOi4YGcYL3xCcrR0N0C2W1Ovksjz1eMEOWTRuLaNW-NlTE7ldfFyJ-XrQ05h6NPiYHQuUnBddufY52eneJ12cn11sYo-jLjQ/s320/Ngoragora.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371421367167756834" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPlmlI66xoNnqAqtZNlepKawdrvy0RM_2jTbzVpNGBhUl97u-USbIbdvb0zDoy6mNvCXMLS6DtZueduSZSG4hLqML9xaJbOIA7ugdCjc8730lPG1Duf2IClHDqh1j_Cc_iIswMCJe5FJI/s1600-h/DSCN0375.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPlmlI66xoNnqAqtZNlepKawdrvy0RM_2jTbzVpNGBhUl97u-USbIbdvb0zDoy6mNvCXMLS6DtZueduSZSG4hLqML9xaJbOIA7ugdCjc8730lPG1Duf2IClHDqh1j_Cc_iIswMCJe5FJI/s320/DSCN0375.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371421351130410962" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMZCjY2ZRuyb0PEhBsmq602dCu6xI8-dVsetHQB4O1BLbXRkpJKl-j3sdmIkWxjL4khboadG7uMNbYvGD74Q4X0HQt2PmdpbkP8vCqVTsmMpoDyw2hDTHegOWnTLrs78P0zvoe0VsYUOA/s1600-h/DSCN0358.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMZCjY2ZRuyb0PEhBsmq602dCu6xI8-dVsetHQB4O1BLbXRkpJKl-j3sdmIkWxjL4khboadG7uMNbYvGD74Q4X0HQt2PmdpbkP8vCqVTsmMpoDyw2hDTHegOWnTLrs78P0zvoe0VsYUOA/s320/DSCN0358.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371421329117365842" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiue8RQOTwCxXTFPPbgrPGHfsbBKlH17FXf8xg83NAaJuljx3cscLbp_weytAP8to3lgHcI3Osh-1JHEW5YJRVEmYUrsig3JKI78LfAGlXkciopiT3GRa0lLFzAYNHnPDdYW_nmrSkEjQ/s1600-h/DSCN0116.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiue8RQOTwCxXTFPPbgrPGHfsbBKlH17FXf8xg83NAaJuljx3cscLbp_weytAP8to3lgHcI3Osh-1JHEW5YJRVEmYUrsig3JKI78LfAGlXkciopiT3GRa0lLFzAYNHnPDdYW_nmrSkEjQ/s320/DSCN0116.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371421306457803266" /></a><div><br /></div>Nemohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01661345478974938359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4648536159662454732.post-24588506793437091472009-07-24T17:26:00.000-07:002009-07-24T17:43:36.365-07:00Tanzania, Africa July 25-August16<div>Update:</div><div></div><div> </div><div>I will be out of the country between the dates of July 25th and August 16th working as part of the humanitarian group Cross Cultural Solutions. Kristen and I will be working in the Shaurimoyo Special Needs School with mentally and physically disabled children. I want to sincerely thank those that have supported us with this trip. We are truly blessed and looking forward to not only traveling to a third world country but the opportunity to make a difference. </div><br /><div></div><div>On other fronts, I have been recovering from a stress fracture in my tibia and am looking forward to bringing back up my mileage for some fun filled ultra-running events in the fall and winter months. After Africa, I will have one week before starting school. I am looking forward to a variety of opportunities that have presented themselves over the last few weeks. Starting in the fall I will be working in the ER 8-12hrs/wk evenings and nights as well as part time in an adult oncology setting. I have also been granted the chance to spear head a research team and split time between the Immunology/Biochemistry Labs at ASU and the UNC Research Campus under the direction and genius of Dr. David Nieman.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Parting Shot of Moshi, Tanzania </div><div> </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362191448672169186" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh385tfj_B_D1TesW4rZhr2KywaG7DoRum-mYKqeq2zId5RFO1bqNO5_T1GRfWE3j-DTViQmRaDYWcHalERGNRauIjniMf_0GhaxbcQG5VBsKiVUhvs-OyCpQrnxXOK2Rv3Klcm6Dz3gBI/s320/10_moshi_tanzania_b.jpg" border="0" /></div>Nemohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01661345478974938359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4648536159662454732.post-2466927188481479732009-06-15T08:39:00.000-07:002009-06-15T09:03:30.399-07:00PerspectiveI wanted to post a short blog message to those that have been trying to reach me over the last week. I apologize for my phone being off and myself being remotely out of touch. Allow me to elaborate on the prior week's events.<div><br /></div><div>As with any story, I guess it is best to start at the beginning. Last Saturday Kristen and I drove the short drive to Roan Mountain State for a four hour trail run. We returned late on Saturday exhausted and exhibiting the early signs of a summer flu. Sunday arrived and we decided to take the day easy by going for a hike since we were both feeling the effects of the prior day's 4hr adventure and the rapidly devoluping flu-like cold. We returned home again exhausted from the hike and ready to for dinner. It was around 4:00pm when the phone rang. It was Kristen's brother, Chris, telling us that we had to get home immediately. Kristen's dad had suffered a massive heart attack and was being taken to the heart ICU in downtown Charlotte. We dropped everything, ran to the car and drove (95mph average) to Charlotte. This was Sunday afternoon. </div><div><br /></div><div>I have spent the last week in Charlotte, NC with Kristen's family. Kristen's dad suffered a massive heart attack on Sunday following a three hour bike ride. He was walking to the pool when he collapsed on the side of the road and was spotted by a passing cyclist who notified the lifeguards. The lifeguards were able to call 911 and provide CPR until the ambulance (less than 90seconds later) arrived. He was recesitated on sight three times after undergoing cardiac arrest due to a 200% arterial blockage. His body was then immediately cooled down and he was placed in a drug induced coma to preserve neurological function. When we got to the hospital an hour and half later he was in ICU on a ventilator. The doctor told us he had a 5% chance of survival. That pretty much hits the high points. The last week has gone by in a sleepless blur.</div><div><br /></div><div>I am now back in Boone following what the doctors have labeled a 'miraculous' recovery. Craig Campbell should be dead right now but due to his physical fitness level (47y/o) and the immediate medical attention he received, he is alive and walking the hallways at CMC with no apparent neurological damage. The doctors plan to release him home within the next 24hrs. I will be in Boone until tomorrow taking care of a few affairs before returning to Charlotte for a day. I will then be in Chattanooga, TN for a day to get an MRI and then off to the beach for a much needed vacation over father's day weekend.</div><div><br /></div><div>Thank you to everyone for your thoughts and prayers over the last week. Thank you to my mother who traveled from Chattanooga at a drop of a hat to be at Mr. Campbell's bedside and to help provide comfort to a grieving family. Thank you to the health professionals for fixing the unfixable. </div><div><br /></div><div>It is times like these that allow us to take a step back from the pressures of tomorrow and really be thankful for the now. I am exhausted but finally at peace. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Nemohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01661345478974938359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4648536159662454732.post-46917867975540356742009-05-30T10:34:00.000-07:002009-05-31T03:30:12.646-07:00One last race report...For nowToday is Saturday and I am on my way to sit by the pool and enjoy the sunny weather. Today was also the Over the Mountain Triathlon in King's Mountain, North Carolina.<br /><br />Quick recap of the days festivities: As usual, the 4:30am <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">wakeup</span> came slightly earlier than expected but after a restless night's sleep, I was honestly ready to wake up and get the day underway. Kristen was kind enough to drive me out to King's Mountain for the race start. Unique to this race, the point to point format offers a wonderful vista for the racers but always results in a logistical nightmare the morning of the race. I set up transition and arrived at the race start with five minutes to spare. I warmed up with my now trademarked "will not get hypothermia during the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">warmup</span>" <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">warmup</span> which consists of jogging to the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">portolet</span> and splashing around in the water right before the gun goes off. Well, its honestly a little bit more thought out than that but I believe that covers the highlights.<br /><br />The swim was uneventful. I managed to sit into the second pack until the turn buoy where the pack splintered and one group went left while the other group went right. I decided to swim...well...straight and figured the groups would have to come back together before the swim finish. Luckily, I was right and the groups did come back together, unluckily (word?) it occurred right before the final buoy where it was a mad dash for the shore anyway. Onto the bike and into the pain locker. After roughly three weeks of what Marc would call 'reasonable volume' and I would call I cannot move off the couch by seven o'clock at night, I had little in the engine room to respond to the early pace. However, the pace settled and I was able to ride into sixth place coming off the bike. With the two leaders clear of the rest of the field, I was feeling confident in my running ability to bridge up and finish on the last stair of the podium. So I stopped racing and packed my gear up, got Kristen, got in the car and went to get lunch/sit by the pool. Seriously, though that's exactly what happened.<br /><br />After much thought and prayer, I have decided to step back from the sport of triathlon. This decision did not come easy at first but as I thought more and more about it, it is the right one. For years it has been my goal to achieve something special and prove myself in the sport. At this point I have nothing left to prove. I have placed top ten in the world in my age group, I have won every age-group race I have entered at the half-iron distance and I believe I have distinguished myself as a contender at most races. I am not willing to sacrifice what is most important in life, relationships and careers, to pursue a hobby that should be nothing more than a lifestyle. With everything I have given 110% of my efforts to achieving my goals in triathlon but there comes a time when you need to get your head above the water and see if you are headed in the right direction. At this time I do not feel like I am headed in the right direction. With medical school quickly approaching my priorities need to focus more on gaining entrance into a top medical program rather than on a hobby. I am not willing to lose the one's I love and to throw away my academic career for another top podium spot.<br /><br />It is difficult to step away from something that has been such a part of my life for so long. However, I find myself at a crossroads. I wish to leave a legacy but as a father, a husband, a doctor and then a finally at the end of the list a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">badass</span> endurance athlete : ) Fear not I will continue to keep my fitness up just in the odd chance that Dean <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Karnazas</span> might show up to an ultra-race in the near future that I might be running in...but for the time being I am going to enjoy interning in the emergency room/the local oncology team, performing medical research and exercising for fun because at the end of the day, "if its not fun..."<br /><br />I want to thank my friends, family and sponsors from the bottom of my heart. Without your years of unquestionable commitment and support, I would never have been able to even attempt most the goals I sought to achieve. You make me <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">recognize</span> what is truly important in life and your advice over the last few weeks has been heartfelt and deeply insightful.Nemohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01661345478974938359noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4648536159662454732.post-17447641956827381832009-05-10T11:37:00.000-07:002009-05-10T11:59:51.357-07:00White Lake Half-Ironman II Race Report<div>I never seem to be able to get much sleep the night after a half-ironman. Perhaps it’s the large amount of caffeine consumption throughout the race or an increased metabolic rate, but I always find myself lucky to get in six hours of restless shuteye. Regardless, here’s how it went down yesterday.<br /></div><br /><div>Leading into this race, I was very uneasy about my fitness level. Not to say that I was feeling out of shape but I had not put in a full week of training in a little over a month. Having been sick one week before Collegiate Nationals (ie. see Valdese Triathlon Race Report and the Valdese Swim Complex locker room for complete details), I had to take some time off to completely heal from the flu and then taper for Collegiate Nats. However, Collegiates flopped on me, with me getting hypothermic during the swim and bombing the rest of the race due to a lowered core temperature. Lame. Coming down from Collegiates, it was good in many a sense to come right back into exams. I really had targeted Collegiates for a breakout race and to be honest not getting the expected result left me questioning my goals and overall fitness level in the sport. The last two weeks have been a complete blur. Having a round of exams and then finals, left me bug-eyed and strung out, running on a coffee IV for roughly 14 days. Not the best training conditions. Many of my workouts over the last two weeks were cut short (to fit in more study time), altered (ie. cut short) (to fit in more study time) or skipped all together (to fit in more study time). I guess the only positive aside from making straight A’s on my finals (booya!) was that I would be completely rested for White Lake.<br /></div><br /><div>Kristen and I took off on Thursday for Charlotte, NC and spent the night. I got up and got in the normal pre-race day before workouts (15min run, 15min bike, 15min swim) and spent the remainder of the day waiting on grades to be posted and Kristen to finish visiting with the doctor (just a checkup), so we could begin the 3.5hr car ride over to Whiteville, NC. Since Kristen wasn’t getting out of the doctor until late there would be no way for us to make it to packet pickup the day before; however, thankfully packet pickup was still available at the race site the morning of between 5 and 6am. After a restless night in our crack motel (between the lights, sirens, horns, car alarms and a leaky sink, I was lucky if I got in 1.5hr of sleep), I got up at 3:45am and loaded the car. Kristen and I then drove the remaining 45min to White Lake, NC to just barely make the 6am packet pickup cut off time.</div><div></div><br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334267467211231042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtB_nutEe3nxaOMzr5JrdAUXuGMFde_hRkY23fralxQdmt9zU98gBGFDvu9HQjaMWwYQCbdAxmf4bwcGCY0Mxl1cMgx_1_KX-Wd5nGCvr-qtP3iGetbSaTj3TyOjqkDcX1IZfax5H358A/s320/DSCF2226.JPG" border="0" /></div><br /><div>With an hour left until the start of the race, I set up transition, jogged to the port-o-let, took care of business, jogged back to transition and put on my wet suit. This concluded my new and improved, bulletproof, will-not-get-hypothermic warm up. The water temperature was reported to be 77degrees which was a far cry from the reported 53 degrees seen at Buffalo Springs Lake. I figured that since I would be wearing my wetsuit at Kansas 70.3, I might as well wear it here even though I had my kickass SpeedZoot with me. Alas, I’ll have to unleash the fury of the SpeedZoot another day. I waded out into the water, dolphin dived twice and was then informed by the announcer that the race would be starting in 45 seconds. ‘Cool,’ I thought, ‘Let’s get it on.’ I lined up right behind Alex McDonald, knowing that if I could at least stay with him for part of the swim I would be setting myself up for a decent swim; however, as soon as the gun went off, Alex was gone and I was drowning. The first 400m were fast, like Michael Phelps fast. We hit the first turn buoy and I spotted and realized that I was sitting in about 8th position. ‘Badass,’ I thought as I looked left to see Alex ‘IronDoc’ McDonald staring me in the face. ‘Badass,’ I thought again, ‘I’m with Alex.’ Apparently Alex breathes the left and I breathe to the right so since I was sitting on his hip we continued to stare at each other for the next 1000m. Awkward. As we rounded the last buoy, I drifted back behind Alex to conserve energy leading into transition, knowing that a good swim time was in the bag. The exit for the swim was a single ladder at the end of the dock. There were four of us in the chase group and it was an all out sprint to the ladder. I got there third and waited my turn before running the 200m into transition. Alex got to the ladder first and was about 15miles in the bike ride by the time I got to transition.<br /></div><br /><div>The first hour we were rolling mad thunder. I think I clocked through the 27mi maker at the hour. Knowing that there would only be water on the bike course, I brought a canister of Nuun with me; however, I had stacked my electrolyte tabs on top of all the Nuun tabs. So when we hit the first aid station, I dumped all the contents into my jersey and fished out the fizzling Nuun tabs and dumped four of them into my bottle (concentrated). I made up a few places on the bike course and could see the chase pack ahead of me on the long, flat straights. So around mile 32 I put in a surge as we started into a strong headwind section and caught up with the chase group. I was able to gage my position on an out and back section and realized that I was roughly seven minutes down on Kevin Lisska and two minutes down on the chase pack. Because, I can probably count the amount of long rides I have done on one hand this season, I really started to feel the wear and tear of the race around mile 47; however, I stayed calm and continued to focus on good nutrition and my own rhythm. Before I knew it I was sitting in roughly 8th position on the tail end of the chase group. As we headed into the last few miles of the bike and I was more than happy just to sit 10m off the back and stretch.<br /></div><br /><div>Nutrition on the bike:<br />4Gu’s, 6electrolyte tabs, 4Nuun tabs, 32oz concentrated Gu20 mix, 4 12oz water bottles<br /></div><br /><div>Oh yeah, I rode in my new kickass Rudy Project Helmet, not wanting to risk anymore helmet issues after what happened at Nationals. Here's a picture of me in my new helmet before the race (I know what you are thinking and yes, sometimes I like to carry a spear around in transition).</div><br /><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334267781187583314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 256px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 206px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK5PTDILLr-uoKXcC66rwrnw1Kis27HxDzGvqetBCLh4CknFBPDPQxBhkq-1tJ2bfc83m2VJnPvRY-Lz1Y3V9iVV-KO_H-m4DZJgIoy2koR5aHaVaTciMkBFc5o8fMbx3dINMuVFkCgSc/s320/start+of+bike.bmp" border="0" /> <div>Into T2, I heard over the loudspeakers, “Here’s Josh Wheeler. Josh just completed his Human Genetics final two days ago and here he is racing today.” Awesome, thank you Kristen. I exited the run in 8th and moved instantly into 7th. The idea was to run at 6-6:15/mi range; however, at about mile 47 on the bike I realized that with the heat I might be better served to start out at a little slower pace than normal. I was racing with my Garmin 405 so I was able to track my pace perfectly. I backed it down to 6:25/mi pace and found myself smiling at how easy the pace felt. However, knowing that I have not run more than 30miles in one week in almost five weeks, I put my game face back on and prepared to enter the pain locker. What can I say about the run? It was freaking miserably hot and windy,<br /></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334268421148449970" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 204px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghhtkSsBLh-m7xeLE7UHOiS1Hi64pLhoKCICaNnXJdqBMSentYn6vZ7iJB-wYl6RfNjojFfmgVdjhf3TVynBS3-Hb5ppGs6FdBUg8dcPiB9aVaJ2keSaG6URJL0Kmljo0m14ymHnOOB0g/s320/DSCF2227.JPG" border="0" /> a reported 91degrees. The aid stations were sparse at best; however, I found my rhythm early and paced 6:20/miles to the turn around. At the turn around I was roughly a minute down on fourth and two minutes down on third, so I picked up the pace a little and moved into fourth overall. On the straight road, I could see that I was starting to make up some time on third place as he was slowing at each aid station for water. By mile 10 the gap had shrunk to roughly 200m and by mile 11 I was roughly 15seconds down. At that point I was getting some feedback from the racers on course telling me that the guy was starting to hurt (I was thinking they clearly do not know what I am feeling like). At mile 12 we made a left hand turn and had roughly 50m towards the final aid station. I knew that he was going to get water, so I took my fuelbelt off and tossed to the side. The aid station was right before a slight uphill section so I surged as he went towards the aid station and passed him on the hill. He responded and matched my pace. The hill leveled out and we started on the descent. With a mile left, I re-attacked on the downhill, surging and opened a small gap. We rounded towards the finishing straight and I checked my six as to not get tagged at the line only to see no one around. I did up my jersey and crossed the line in third overall (~4:20 total time) and won a free trip to the medical tent where I got two bags of IV fluid and some oxygen.<br /></div><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334268864715465250" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 305px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcijYEy5aPDc-L0lafuY2iaHMZXxnLM8ImHPcdZdabGm3WING3Xvyl7tepACBl-Bamh9os5hIGpgjleyR5GUiugZEy5kKNUioO-gTre9ZsSdkMb_BGZVRMInt9WqsKtCAK7rRn6a0jems/s320/DSCF2228.JPG" border="0" /> Run Nutrition:<br />Fluid intake was sporadic but took in a Gu/Electrolyte mixture every three miles that totaled out to 4 Gu’s and 2 more electrolyte tabs. My sweat rate was low due to large sodium intake during the bike, so I was able to focus more on managing my rising core temperature rather than fluid intake.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334269957935816162" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 239px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1TZJu7bRMfU-7Vhn2ZvKAmI8UK6xLPgaEnqVQGdb_vlxZf3uAiMijcGx7yay-TfQQAsETbd6GKJjMOadXguaK696o9wrtTBQYhKJgVqHcdFvbT9qeH1RhmXrMkCz4euWXJUw46BFWssQ/s320/DSCF2232.JPG" border="0" />Nemohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01661345478974938359noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4648536159662454732.post-7422306885222521302009-04-19T04:48:00.000-07:002009-04-19T07:23:36.705-07:00Collegiate Triathlon Nationals - Lubbock, TX<div>There are times when everything can go perfectly in training only to show up on race day and have everything go wrong. That is how I feel about the 2009 Collegiate National Championships, summed up in one poorly punctuated sentence fragment.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I want to start off by thanking my friends, family, coach and sponsors who throw their unquestionable support behind me with everything I do. It makes it possible not only to travel and train at the level I want to perform but also helps me recognize what truly is most important in my life. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>The build for this race started back in January. I targeted this race as an early season goal after a sub-par performance last year in Tuscaloosa, Al. Going into this race, I was ecstatic about my form. I was posting faster running times on the track than I had ever seen, my cycling power to weight ratio was measured to be off the charts and I was finally starting to swim at a respectable level. I had no reported injuries and had only had a minor bought with the flu two weeks ago. Most importantly, I had survived training in Boone, NC for one of the worst recorded winters in recent years. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I chose to go down to Charlotte, NC with Kristen last weekend to clear my head and get in my final few days of training in some weather closer to what I expected to see in Texas. Training went well through the weekend and we came back to Boone on Tuesday rested. After a long day at school on Wednesday (ie. physics lab ended at 8:30pm) I turned back around and drove to Charlotte, NC to catch an early morning flight out to Lubbock, TX. On the way down to Charlotte, I got a call from the fraud agency telling me that someone had hijacked my debit card in Atlanta, GA and had taken out 500 dollars. Freaking awesome. After getting everything worked out and completely deactivating my account, it was off to bed to wake up and rush off to the airport.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>My flights went well. I got to Lubbock on time without any delays. The same cannot be said for Stephanie's flights who missed her connection in Atlanta because her flight in Chattanooga was delayed due to the pilot oversleeping. Got to love the small airports. Since it was going to be a few hours until Stephanie landed, I went ahead and checked out the rental car, loaded my gear and started to drive towards the race sight to get in an afternoon swim. The only problem with this plan was that as soon as I started driving on the interstate golf ball size hail commenced falling, threating to systematically destroy the rent-a-car. Since it was a Ford, I was worried about it breaking down and fled from the interstate in search of shelter. Freaking awesome. Instead a nice, carefree swim at the race site I spent about 45minutes huddled under a highway overpass with about 50 other people waiting on the hail and subsequent tornado warning to pass. </div><div> </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326375683865936386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVxdzbM8bAFMbXLrGjr9O6C2xiPXAgSUK2_t2R28fbc0TWEzFKIi3ahyphenhyphenmgGlIIupxXsDqRXh35xlTqklvXFgHz67Gc1w7n18dkx0AQc-AV3OVuOJm_EQdshtpih9zfhEtKR5BUQQZbLDs/s320/lubbock,+tx.jpg" border="0" /></div><br /><p>Here's a picture of the 'tornado' warning from the local newspaper. I elected to go to the hotel, without swimming, build my bike, eat and wait on Stephanie. Off to bed. </p><p>Friday, the day before the race, Stephanie and I went out to the race site early (~9am) only to be greeted by flooded streets and freezing temperatures. I got in a few miles of running, a freezing cold swim that left me laughably shaking next the car and a terrific bike ride out to the bike turnaround. The rest of the day was left to carbo loading and studying chemistry. </p><p>Race morning: </p><p>Everything went according to plan race morning. We got to the race site on time, got to transition on time, and started setting up transition on time. </p><p>The first problem arose when Charlie, USAT's head ref, started to check wave1 helmets in transition. I have a Giro Advantage aero helmet which for those not familiar with all things TriGeek related is a European manufactored helmet. Here in America (that's America like George Bush says it) we do not like Euro helmets without USA certified stickers. Since Charlie was checking I decided it was best to come clean rather than be DQed coming into transition. So I self reported my helmet. I had brought with me my road helmet, a Giro Atmos which I was under the impression is USAT legal. Well, long story short and a few stressful minutes later, neither helmet met Charlies approval and I was left without a helmet and a transition area that was closing in less than 60seconds. Needless to say my pre-race warm up jog was spent running around the race site trying to find someone with a legalized helmet. I finally was able to find a USAT affiliate who loaned me a legal Rudy Project road helmet (looked like a old lady helmet) and promised to put it on my bike in transition since the transition area was now closed to athletes. Awesome! So this is where I stand now, I have no idea if my transition area is set up correctly, if I even have a helmet, if the helmet even fits or if my bike is in running order since I was unable to pump up my tires or even check my gears/brakes.</p><p>8am. (race starts at 8:30am) I leave the race site and try to find some quiet ground to calm down and clear my head. I put on my wetsuit (I was freezing cold airtemp ~36-39degrees) and on top of my wetsuit I put on two jackets, my swim cap and another wool hat on top of that. I headed over the race start (8:15am) and preceded to get in my 10-15min swim warmup. As soon as I had finished swimming in the reported 53.1 degree water and was feeling quasi 'warmed up' (I take ice baths in that water temperature) I got out of the water to mark out a good position on the start line. It was then that I found out the race start had been delayed by 15minutes and we would not be starting until 8:45am. Not good. With a measured 4.3% body fat, my core temperature plummeted and I was left shaking uncontrollably on the start line for 15minutes. I tried to do some strides which didn't help since the outside temperature was ~42degrees and even elected to get back in the water. I tried to get my HR under control knowing the effort ahead but I couldn't get settled. As soon as the horn sounded I hit the water and felt like I ran into a brick wall. I almost passed out from shock. Needless to say, the hard work in the pool over the last few months didn't pay off as I came out almost 10minutes behind the leaders.</p><p>Into T2, I was shaking so hard that I could barely get my wetsuit off and put on my granny helmet. Onto the bike, I was still shaking so hard from the water temperature on the way out toward the turnaround I almost crashed on the first descent. I was able to make my way back into the chase pack but still was roughly 10minutes down from the leaders coming off the bike. Due to a rushed pre-race morning I did not scope out the mount/dismount line for the bike and I dismounted roughly 25m from the actual dismount line and had to run my bike an extra 20+seconds into transition. </p><p>The run. I had been really happy with my run training recently. Coming off a fairly comfortable PR of lower 1:14 at the hilly Birmingham Half-Marathon a couple months ago I had gotten my 10k speed down around 5:15mi/pace. The only thing I did not account for was not being able to feel my lower legs or feet on the run. Surprisingly, at almost an hour and half into the race, I was still shivering. I couldn't get my core temperature elevated and my motivation was at an all time low. As I was running towards the run turnaround, I started to count off the people coming back and realized that I was in the top 25 placing out on course. I couldn't get into a rhythm and crossed the line frustrated, only to be greeted by the announcer shouting over the loud speaker, "Here's Josh Wheeler, Brain Cancer survivor." I guess all things are in perspective. </p><p>I was hoping for a top ten finish. With a swim time around 21minutes which is what I expected coming into the race I would have been there. The race was lost for me in the hour and half prior to the race. There are things we cannot control but one thing we can control is our attitude. I trained hard for this race and yes, I am disappointed with the result. But to be hypothermic on the start line, I figure the race went about as well as it could have. I run a very fine line between training, being a pre-med student and a full time athlete that a few small details can have a large impact. I planned to have a good transition setup. I planned on having the right equipment. I planned on the race starting at 8:30am. I warmed up when I was supposed to and the race was postponed for 15minutes. Those 15minutes probably cost me my desired result. I will be back probably not to TX next year (St. Anthony's is looking more inviting aka Florida swim) but I will be back to Collegiates to have that breakout race I know I am capable of. In the meantime it is back to work. I have exams the next two weeks and White Lake Half-Ironman in three weeks. Life marches on.</p><p>Thank you tremendously for the love and support from my friends and family. Without you I am nothing. Here is the post race interview link (sorry for the Albert Einstein hair, it was a long, stressful morning for me)</p><p><a href="http://www.myfoxlubbock.com/myfox/pages/Home/Detail?contentId=8407710&version=1&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=VSTY&pageId=1.1.1">http://www.myfoxlubbock.com/myfox/pages/Home/Detail?contentId=8407710&version=1&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=VSTY&pageId=1.1.1</a> </p>Nemohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01661345478974938359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4648536159662454732.post-48455742221229578022009-04-10T05:03:00.000-07:002009-04-10T05:20:02.956-07:00Ryan Hall - Boston 2009 Champ?A week and a day out from Lubbock. I can say <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">that</span> I am starting to get a little excited. The flu/stomach bug/fever/death cold had really taken it out of me for a couple days. After <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Valdese</span>, I honestly was pretty bummed that I wasn't able to put forth my best effort simply because of all the hard hours I had been logging in training. I love to race and train to race. When I cannot show up to a race and 'showcase' all the work I have been doing, it is frustrating.<br /><br />However, to find the good in everything, this sickness might have been a blessing in <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">disguise</span> though. The short bit of rest Marc gave me heading into <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Valdese</span> allowed the virus to settle in. If we had continued to push through and waited till the end of this week or the beginning of next week to start resting, the virus could have had a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">devastating</span> effect on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Collegiates</span>. Alas, the life of an endurance athlete, always walking the thin line between being in peak shape and on the verge of starvation and a debilitating illness/injury. I am heading down to Charlotte this weekend to get into some warmer weather for my last little bit of hard training, spend some time with Kristen and get away from all things race related before we ramp it back up and I fly out to Lubbock early Thursday. I am copying a few quotes from a recent <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">RunnersWorld</span> article done on Ryan Hall about his upcoming Boston <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">preparations</span>.<br /><br />"You ran well in the Beijing Olympics, but of course many, again, had very high expectations of you. Afterward, you didn't make excuses, but you said you never felt quite right in the race or your training. April marathons have been good to you the last two years. Do things feel different than <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">pre</span>-Beijing? How so?<br /><br />RH : Oh yeah, I feel night and day different. Just to give you an idea. I am doing eight-mile tempo runs on the same course as before Beijing but running 3:00 faster...three times three is nine, nine minus 2:12 is...well you get the picture...all I am saying is that my fitness is in a totally different place. I remember doing runs before Beijing and feeling like I was trying so hard but my body was just plateaued. Looking back on it, I think I never let my body totally recover from London so I never made the physical gains that I needed to. I am just excited to race again, which is even more important than the workouts. Before Beijing I was concerned but trying to stay optimistic and hoping for a miracle (what else could I do). I am proud of what happened in Beijing because I did the best with what I had even though I wasn't my usual Ryan. In Boston, I will be fully Ryan."<br /><br />Do you pay much attention to the kind of results we saw at Rotterdam and Paris last weekend? How do you react when you see this proliferation of truly fast marathoners?<br /><br />RH : Man, when I saw those results, I wanted to do another long run, even though I had run 25 miles the day before. It got me pretty pumped up. The world of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">marathoning</span> is changing. It is exciting to be apart of it and be spurred on by what other guys are doing. When you see a 2:07 guy take a couple minutes off his PR, it makes you think about what is possible for you. I think there is a couple of ways to look at guys stepping up their game. Either be inspired by it or give up. I have always chosen to be inspired."<br /><br />I will leave on this quotes:<br /><br />"I don't know if I ran to my fullest potential if that would equal a win in Boston, which is exactly why it is easier to focus on running to fulfill your potential then to focus on winning just as long as focusing on fulfilling your potential doesn't cause you to not fulfill your potential. Welcome to "Runners World" philosophy 101. I like to set goals that I know I can achieve independent of my competitors (like praising God with every step, or doing my very best) but this doesn't mean I completely ignore my competitors. I believe competition in the purest form is not to challenge each others competency but rather to challenge each other to be the the fullest of who we are."<br /><br />If you want to check out the full article it is at <a href="http://dailynews.runnersworld.com/2009/04/a-brief-chat-with-ryan-hall.html">http://dailynews.runnersworld.com/2009/04/a-brief-chat-with-ryan-hall.html</a>Nemohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01661345478974938359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4648536159662454732.post-27659889975189753742009-04-04T13:49:00.001-07:002009-04-04T13:51:18.503-07:00Valdese Triathlon - 1st OA, 101FeverValdese Triathlon Race Report<br /><br />Heading into this race, I was feeling pretty good after finally having one and half days of lighter training. The morning of, Kristen and I departed for Valdese, NC at six am. So much for my Saturday slumber. After a relatively short hour drive, we arrived at the race start and a balmy 44 degrees/windy. At least it wasn’t snowing like in Boone.<br /><br />Warm up went fine expect my stomach was starting to act up and I really couldn’t find a rhythm running. My legs felt heavy and lethargic but I figured it was normal pre-race jitters. I headed over to the pool (which was inside a bubble!) and got in roughly 2000yds warming up. Overall, I was just not feeling that sharp but once again I dismissed it as pre-race jitters. The only problem I could see was that I was freezing cold and it was roughly two thousand degrees inside the pool bubble. I dismissed it again as pre-race coldness (?).<br /><br />Being the first one in the water has its perks, namely being the first one in the water. The downside is that there are a nervous group of 500 type a triathletes waiting behind you who are more than willing to laugh and point if you get pasted by one of the ‘slower’ swimmers. Lining up behind me were two Davidson swimmers (freaking awesome, who I saw splitting 25s 50’s during warmup) and a high school swimmer who probably doubled as the local high school’s tightend. The stomach problems I had eluded to earlier re-surfaced (maybe not the correct word choice) around the 125yd mark and I spent the rest of the swim wondering if I was even going to make it to the poolside.<br /><br />Luckily, I was able to prolong the march of the amphibians and exited the water in second position by one second. By the time we had exited transition I was in first again and following behind what looked to be the Cash Cab. With blinking lights and horns blaring, we started our ‘gently rolling’ 9mi loop. The only problem was that the ‘gently rolling’ quickly turned into quarter and half mile long uphill followed by dramatic sweeping downhill and 90degree turns, as well as chilly crosswind (Luckily I am from Boone and it was like a spring day). I think I spent a total of two minutes in my aerobars! I came off the bike with a 3+min advantage and started the run. Side note: my rear wheel skewer was not fastened down. I couldn’t figure out why I was getting so much road vibrations and trouble shifting. Note to self: fasten the skewer before next race. Thankfully, I didn’t crash…I’m a freaking genius!<br />Here’s where the fun started.<br /><br />As soon as I started the run my stomach completely cramped over. The quote that comes to mind is from the movie, Rat Race, “I’m prairie doggin’ it.” I never could get into a full stride thanks to the fact that I was on the verge of forfeiting my entire GI tract. Once I hit the two mile marker I realized that I was over a half a mile ahead of the next guy and eased up tremendously in hopes of my stomach issues subsiding. I should point out that I was also running a fever at this point in the race. Needless to say the following two hours till the awards were spent over a toilet.<br /><br />All in all, a good effort on a day that I physically was not 100%. It’s good to get one under the belt before Lubbock in two weeks. With my immune system strong and my body fully rested, Collegiate Nationals should be a breakout race for me (as soon as I can keep some calories down).Nemohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01661345478974938359noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4648536159662454732.post-83272678282043177962009-04-03T06:30:00.000-07:002009-04-03T06:34:06.434-07:00Lets get it started - Nationals Tune-up Race Tomorrow"Running one might say, is basically an absurd pasttime upon which to be exhausting ourselves. But if you can find meaning in the kind of running required of you to stay on this team, perhaps you'll find meaning in another absurd pasttime - life."<br /><br />Bill BowermanNemohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01661345478974938359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4648536159662454732.post-8773173050934486562009-03-08T16:20:00.000-07:002009-03-10T04:20:03.362-07:00Snickers Marathon Race ReportKristen and I fled the Arctic chill Thursday afternoon after I my typical 5500yd nightmare swim session. We drove down in separate cars to Charlotte and dropped her car off at her house, grabbed a quick pasta meal at the nearby Macaroni Grill (~4:30pm, early bird special) then proceeded to drive into the armpit of the peach state in search of the town known as Albany. Kristen had to be back in Boone on Monday to continue her job shadowing hours for physical therapy.<br /><br /> Around 10:00pm we had far exceeded our saturation point of driving and in kind consideration for the safely of other drivers decided to call it a night in Macon, Ga. We stayed at the Hilton (bling) on Mercer University's Campus. After a sleeping in (~7:30am) we were about stir crazy sitting in the hotel and decided to throw on our running gear to get in a jawg around the mighty Mercer campus (think their mascot are bears but couldn't come up with a pun, so feel free to insert pun here...) Pretty place but lord knows it must be hot in the summer because after running in the snow it felt like Death valley with humidity! As soon as we had stretched, ran some pickups and I had found a baseball (bling), we packed the car, stole some silverware (we needed oatmeal bowls...I mean come on we are starving, broke college kids) and drove the remaining two hours to Albany, Ga; the birthplace of Ray Charles. The rest of the day was spent going to the grocery, continuing the carbo load and visiting the expo.<br /><br />As usual 4:30am came early. Kristen's mom and dad were kind enough to come down and cheer us on, plus give us a ride to the race start. We decided to take the first half of the race conservatively (1:50) and then pick it up on the second side. Knowing how important the race was to Kristen and her hitting her Boston qualifying time, I wanted to give back to her for all the support she has given me during my races by pacing her out and carrying her fuel belt (which contained enough nutrition to make a summit attempt on Everest).<br /><br />The race went as expected. We took the opening miles easy (8:25 pace). The weather was overcast with a huge blanket of fog. We were worried about being warm but the weather turned out to thankfully be a non issue. Around mile 9 we came in contact with the dreaded chatty marathon runner who proceeded to tell us all about the dozens of marathons he had run and exactly how his <span style="color:#ffff00;">GI</span> problems were going. Awesome! Kristen and I picked up the pace in an effort to drop the guy (we didn't want to be rude); however, at mile 12.5 Kristen decided she had to use the bathroom so we stopped (FOR THREE MINUTES...I was freaking losing my mind) and the chatty guy caught back up to us! SOB! We went through the half at 1:51:23. Needless to say I spent the next few miles upping the pace and doing a lot of mile calculations in my head. I knew that we needed to hit mile 20 at 2:50 to have a shot at the 3:40 cut off. Instead of me pushing the pace; however, Kristen started to up the pace to 7:40s and I simply remained at her side to 'hold her back.' I still have few words to describe the feeling I had watching her cross the line in 3:35 after dropping her fastest mile (~7:10) and finishing 8th overall woman and first in her age! She trained hard and earned that time! Truly incredible!<br /><br />This week marks my spring training camp here in Chattanooga, TN. I will be running roughly 70miles, swimming 25,000yds+ and completing over 13hrs+ on the bike plus numerous strength and yoga sessions! Bring the thunder! Tomorrow starts the fun off with roughly six hours of training!Nemohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01661345478974938359noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4648536159662454732.post-65312155848912144022009-03-03T02:43:00.001-08:002009-03-03T02:48:12.790-08:00Training in Paradise!Yesterday, March 2nd, we finally got a long overdue snow day! The two days before I had suffered through 16mi longrun in 35degree freezing rain quickly topped on the sucky scale by the 3.5hr trainer ride with a 5mi brick run in white out conditions off the bike.<br /><br />Boo...ne<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308910394546799666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 220px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguUuY_2XQ_bhs8Ldm3GqKh9mSp9-m3Gb3Bk1q3nsXvnha34o7n49yKqqhIN7UUvxB7onY8VvqAVveEHEZWfyN80VEYOgWNxJZ3L8ItXoB2MbVLjwPV9TQRhpGcNFZ55LVeQ6rje-8hJMc/s320/Paradise.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br />At my apartment we measured 8inches of accumulation (8-12 was the average), which all came in a matter of six hours. I awoke Sunday to rain and when I went to bed Sunday it was dumping! This weekend is Kristen's marathon followed by my spring training camp (ala Spring Break)!Nemohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01661345478974938359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4648536159662454732.post-17224995517388777122009-02-23T13:28:00.001-08:002009-02-23T13:40:50.881-08:00As promised...<div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div>Here are some pictures, thanks to my mom, of last weekend's race down in Birmingham.</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Enjoy!</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK2CBB1g2K1GbtGeHS6UPaCkFFKS64DnaG-aCQnT_CVmBlaJCRM2jA4DSLQbEWdsDaWcyjzk7S-2qQkja4CaCpuIxwSBVw4Bm-YP6VBwal4NridKzR5SqZCFRUhmCwynEIIUGqQTDv6ng/s1600-h/013_13.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306108258162971986" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK2CBB1g2K1GbtGeHS6UPaCkFFKS64DnaG-aCQnT_CVmBlaJCRM2jA4DSLQbEWdsDaWcyjzk7S-2qQkja4CaCpuIxwSBVw4Bm-YP6VBwal4NridKzR5SqZCFRUhmCwynEIIUGqQTDv6ng/s320/013_13.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCJDLysBl0GV1XlUm_BtUSsNcP-T23WxsknD7UO0unyda3H6skXLca8gmryazB3ZsMUNN-85lRoUx7kdYBUBRsXC54ArbCPzwvUmcbuHzrg-tnHr8CVcNoMPw1GCEEFUbxJTwuVowvh8o/s1600-h/006_6.JPG"></a>This is going into mile three! Note: the amount of people still in the lead group. We had just ran the last three miles at 5:32pace...</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306108861799225298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8cQOBzDCNSkJaK_CgWIh517srZQomgJesnm2rhoUN3pb7KXXlL1Q54t_93CE71uFFVrdLjrz00OpyYRffOPhNI26m16EcZL1Lrkb6MQyDGpivQpWEErnI8m99rwT_Ovg7f8EnxcDLaWM/s320/017_17.JPG" border="0" /></div><div> </div><div>Mile four...same pace...less people...</div><br /><div></div><div> </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306109267914071906" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWmO7EpGieOzOYlj9UbIVIQGch2sKfXC6Iu1q1l4upjtHFe-oehW0_EZkcbTLLyvoo5RmWuTQwqjh-YKS7w2hvC2XX1Ua-zK4YzjBeudxqpaBFMNt9cMt128ACL3Ys_jE5Ybb8rR5j31Q/s320/026_26.JPG" border="0" /></div><div><br /> </div><div>um...well, mile 13...<br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306109854161620306" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv_JyaE3iyMOlzSiearbSzJ388kLhBTQT-SSHykAB8ddHfq3BBAtJGVvhfZ9DmevG_NSMmPkcHrktRepoIKp95W7G20TwhyLWKTMnVSiCis3Omnu8VoW2Xsthk4sqaPV8-uYYh2m1SFs4/s320/027_27.JPG" border="0" /><br />coming into the finish...hero shot</div><div><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306110407271863474" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbQcU-TmxQov0hkTaAiUThwq9l3tzkaPow0Of0m0Rse8L2PP3O4HElw2A8Rwn_-V5irzbZv7YO7Wyhu0NUYAZYv-ArRCTwf9HGBxADN2eAH4fVxaHLXSmbjloOp_FtSi73WW7p2Hs5mns/s320/048_48.JPG" border="0" /><br />classic.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8QiTH-hV1xNOsydPZWxKix3FF5WA5O_M1kAD_iYDwURwdzomeMzeju7tPc4RWxfvYA5M0MvWAGp2m6qnIsaczEu4e7G5MrHIAdQrro4lLJFqVrF036aBP4A_KQcorXfBhs426Houiu-o/s1600-h/009_9.JPG"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Nemohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01661345478974938359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4648536159662454732.post-65348147161243596742009-02-19T11:32:00.000-08:002009-02-19T11:40:10.640-08:00Willie Nelson!<div>Kristen and I are headed to see Willie Nelson tonight with Asleep at the Wheel in Holmes Center! After a long week of tests and chilly training, definitely been looking forward to the concert.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304595379094317362" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 289px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwqASO9_9yci_ui-6eXJ2i_EmY6xz0lrbLcL_LNFFaLuyMUtgaOOdJKe67RocLV1lvgsNagXp0LjNL4ehJlVve5tiCym8R_-aqA66lvOHXbtWmNOCA68CokqMprNspszRb0GMbaXHUZGY/s320/willie+nelson.gif" border="0" /></div><br /><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>Taking off to Chattanooga for a little 'warm weather' training this weekend. Monday evening I am being inducted into the Chattanooga Athletic Hall of Fame. Very cool! More to follow soon. </div>Nemohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01661345478974938359noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4648536159662454732.post-40306535314924605142009-02-15T18:42:00.000-08:002009-02-16T03:08:05.476-08:00Mercedes Benz Half-Marathon Race ReportMercedes Benz Half-Marathon Race Report<br />2-15-09<br /><br />After training in the Siberian Tundra for the last three weeks, Kristen and I decided to travel to Birmingham, Al for a little early season tune up run. Kristen was using the race for pacing practice for her marathon in Albany, Ga during the first week of April, while I was just getting an overall idea of where my running fitness stood.<br /><br />Kristen and I left Boone on Friday for Chattanooga. After crashing in the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Nooga</span> overnight, making a hundred on my Human Genetics online quiz (yes, I do homework on Friday nights) and eating my <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">bodyweight</span> in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">carbs</span> we were ready to set off for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Bham</span> the next morning. We got to Birmingham, rocked the expo and took off for our <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Latina</span> getaway (aka…La Quinta Hotel) before meeting up with my mom, who was kind enough to travel down to see us race, for a Valentine’s Day dinner.<br /><br />The Fourth of July celebration came early at 4:30am (technically 5:30am our time thanks to the central time change). With roughly fourteen alarm clocks blasting, the radio turned on and a ringing <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">wakeup</span> phone call we decided it was probably best to get up before we got arrested for disturbing the peace. Kristen and I got to the race start roughly an hour before the race began, ran our four mile warm up and just barely made the start time.<br /><br />So we were off and running. Thank god, because surprisingly I was chilly standing around for the minute I was on the start line. Marc and I had planned to take the opening four miles extremely conservatively (5:40-45 pace) after my performance at Toronto Half-Marathon back in October where I <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">PRed</span> for the 5k, 8k, and 10k then promptly blew completely apart. We lumbered along through the few miles at 5:32-35 pace. Felt easy as was observed by the roughly 50 people that were running along with us at the time. By the time we got the third mile the field had thinned out to about 10 people. I slotted in behind a track shack runner as we headed into a tough headwind. The pace felt stupid slow but I kept it rolling along knowing that from mile six to roughly mile nine we would be going uphill. My pace slowed from 5:35 to 5:50-53 pace for the uphill two miles (which was frustrating <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">bc</span> I got <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">gaped</span> by the track shack guy…lame). Once we got up and over the few miles of long rollers we had some sweeping down hills. There was an announcer at mile nine calling out split times as it was the top of the hilly section and on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">UAB's</span> campus. When I got to the top of the hill I was in roughly <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">ninth</span> or tenth place. Over the load speaker I hear, "It looks like we have one of our elite women making a move up to the front pack, Let's cheer her on as she comes to the top of the hill." Freaking awesome...So after getting a big boost from the crowd of hungover college students, I swallowed my ego and surged repeatedly to try and close the gap back up to the track shack guy. Frustratingly, I found myself in no man's land and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">couldn</span>’t close the 200m lead he had on me. From mile 10-11 I dropped my quickest mile at 5:08-10 then slowed down to 5:35 pace for 11-12mi due to slight incline. Once I hit mile 12.5 I was crossing an intersection, cruising close to the people lining the side of the street and had a blue haired lady pull directly out in from of me. I came within a foot of getting creamed to only have the lady stop completely in the intersection much to my and everyone on the side of the streets surprise. *Insert Dumb and Dumber quote here about the elderly* Regardless, I finished in eighth place overall with a PR of over thirty seconds (1:14:23).<br /><br />I am very pleased with my result. After doing almost all of my tempo runs and track workouts in the snow, I am happy with my level of fitness for February. I felt in control the entire race and stuck to my <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">pre</span>-race plan completely. A great way to start of the 2009 season.<br /><br />In other news, I want to thank <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Zoot</span> for supporting me this season with race apparel, clothing and shoes. I am very excited for the opportunity. Thank you tremendously Brian and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Elisette</span> for the chance to represent such an outstanding company.<br /><br />I will post some race pictures shortly.Nemohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01661345478974938359noreply@blogger.com2