tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19710195514818765362024-03-21T14:38:36.369-07:00Learning to Run on DirtTales from a new runner in an oldish body. On my journey I hope to meet some good people, learn new things and have a ton of fun while running in some of the most beautiful places on earth.Jim Eggenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17631171501059307529noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1971019551481876536.post-60258537171504676122011-05-17T19:52:00.000-07:002011-05-18T11:56:57.864-07:00Born To Run<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
On May 14th at East Creek Ranch in Los Olivos Luis Escobar hosted the inaugural Born To Run Race. Distances included 10, 31, 62 and 100 miles. The course can be described as rolling fire roads and single track through a working cattle ranch of around 8000 acres and is 100% runnable on 100% dirt. This weekend also marked a new beginning for my involvement in running because instead of toeing the line I volunteered. Overall the run was an overwhelming success (for those who didn't DNF) and for me a great learning experience. This is the account of a runners perspective and now a first time volunteer experience (note: I said first time, not <i>only</i> time volunteering...semantics or not I will volunteer again). This time, I was going to be First Aid Guy! <br />
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<b>First Night:</b><br />
<br />
Early Friday evening the Honda minivan was loaded and dinner complete. My kids were finished with dinner and bath time and set for bed. I said goodbye and headed south to Los Olivos. The drive time was a short 50 minutes and pulling into the ranch was like a step back in time. My previous experience with one of Luis' runs was this past November for the Red Rock 40 where the run was fairly remote and camping was the best option. In November about 35 to 50 people camped out. It is what I somewhat expected, ya know a low key, love to run, runners for runners camp time. Coming down the hill I could sparsely see the actual number of people. Pulling in to the left and looking around I found Thomas and Benjamin hanging out by a little fire. Good thing too because there was at least 300 people there. Runners with families and loved ones were scattered along a couple flat spots along the road to the start finish line. This is where I found Lou. He gave me a spot and so I parked the van and set up for tomorrow. Jeepers there were a lot of people. All kinds of barefoot people, kind of like a renaissance fair without the idiots fighting with sticks. Hay bales, fires, some buzzed people, various food stuff, a lot of laughter and great stories that were typically run related. My time was short for the evening festivities. Ultimately I spoke to those who I knew, took a shot of Yeagermeister with Thomas and then went to bed. It was fairly noisy at first and then Lou put everyone to bed. He got on the microphone and told everyone to go to bed. At this point I can only guess that the time was about 10pm. A short evening was fine, tomorrow is going to be long.<br />
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<b>WAKE UP TIME!</b><br />
<br />
4:50am. Music fills the cool, moist air and then Lou once again gets on the mic and tells everyone to get up. Country music followed the announcement and kept everyone awake....I am sure of it. I wouldn't be surprised if the Chamberlins heard it. I stayed in the van as long as I could and then I just had to get up and go pee. TMI? too bad. Coffee, coffee, coffee....OH YEAH!!!! coffee. Kept that shit rolling all morning. Never too much coffee, until you get heart palpitations. I digress. The morning time went by pretty quick. This is when I noticed I wasn't running. No need to eat right away, no worries about porta-pottie lines. Just relax and do whatever is asked of me. Luis was checking people in and other people were getting their perspective jobs done. So I set up the first aid area and then waited.<b> </b> I snapped a few pictures here and there. Then it was time to get going.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNS3-Lfyjl6wP8KTrd7WxLIblmgZd7ZHT0rGmX_A5oT4Rh3RwpcbyAJaY6n6K_uqiKAJLR5LiJYmC_Dx5sixFVbv0OMJ3VwBeUAOvDv5x41vhKfV9SA5I06bDmEDTrKLcBwZGdx2y7d6M/s1600/044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNS3-Lfyjl6wP8KTrd7WxLIblmgZd7ZHT0rGmX_A5oT4Rh3RwpcbyAJaY6n6K_uqiKAJLR5LiJYmC_Dx5sixFVbv0OMJ3VwBeUAOvDv5x41vhKfV9SA5I06bDmEDTrKLcBwZGdx2y7d6M/s320/044.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<b>The Start</b>:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6EthJFbwqr-Jew3WD7Kdvk6dgY6CtpQNWW6_hhJydApsNk1Je7WXVwJCVZLBY6pcb6sJoY1-ug__MunlO-xywIhk41ctdjXTEtXc6TE24Izx5Qbin74y3Ty2bIfnnapHZXGCoQbzypFY/s1600/055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6EthJFbwqr-Jew3WD7Kdvk6dgY6CtpQNWW6_hhJydApsNk1Je7WXVwJCVZLBY6pcb6sJoY1-ug__MunlO-xywIhk41ctdjXTEtXc6TE24Izx5Qbin74y3Ty2bIfnnapHZXGCoQbzypFY/s320/055.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>At around six, or a few minutes before start time, I started walking down the road in the direction which I hoped everyone would be running. I made it a half mile down the road and I could still hear Lou giving the instructions like he was standing next to me. Then the countdown and 'bang' Mr. Chamberlin got the event going with the advice to follow the "tittie pink ribbon" and a single shot from his shotgun. Yes, he was walking around with a shot gun. Did he look out of place? No! Not really, not at all. Luis was in a chicken suit, Chris Scott was in a cow suit, some guy (Jacob) was in a dress, Tim had sweats and a cowboy hat, a dude with a propeller hat and a bunch of normal ultrarunner looking people, so a guy in jeans and a flannel shirt walking with around with a shotgun actually seemed kind of normal. I could hear the yelling and pretty soon they were coming in waves. I had brought my camera to try and take some pictures. It was dark for six in the morning, the clouds were gray and we were in a small canyon so the light level was limited.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLUPHuR-Tkzom58CT-CYjaOaHG40OxlagHil71sUhzezc4vF_h3N038LqJgtA1jqDc52ZTJI4CvnfiSMz0f2yGTBdEJsLKlG8RLDvi6PlPar9TDsp7y3-iAeaRDr03zmZNZgfmRoPn924/s1600/070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLUPHuR-Tkzom58CT-CYjaOaHG40OxlagHil71sUhzezc4vF_h3N038LqJgtA1jqDc52ZTJI4CvnfiSMz0f2yGTBdEJsLKlG8RLDvi6PlPar9TDsp7y3-iAeaRDr03zmZNZgfmRoPn924/s200/070.JPG" style="cursor: move;" unselectable="on" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk_7oyB4vAUE4eA2GKR79crY11czBF8La1VSloyZ40HUEy9rmQFtCAUtT24Eh3MMiwKUsl5IhxmDeauxv5YsZ-h0PB5kXzW5ywMEA7nk3tWmx_XEoP3YC4bxHZf0JmC99rqyoU0aoww14/s1600/068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk_7oyB4vAUE4eA2GKR79crY11czBF8La1VSloyZ40HUEy9rmQFtCAUtT24Eh3MMiwKUsl5IhxmDeauxv5YsZ-h0PB5kXzW5ywMEA7nk3tWmx_XEoP3YC4bxHZf0JmC99rqyoU0aoww14/s200/068.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="150" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfZLzRoYP6wW9sikIJl9LrE4TR0sFppe75vJHqo4qaztgQlWdabNarA4Mp5-No2_qC6_aGVfgquUew0gp0K_wz-D-0XSLocCYZBkLVgFL4lvgO7Ca6P9IWQMmXs9D1qWhAz3Zik7WaTlc/s200/061.JPG" width="200" /><img border="0" height="150" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtiyEqMoLStTEueQO2Wa46TweY3Kf5VWG4S00UdTygbj8gCeS4AEeBcAHTZjYTNmTFdhsR_pvS6CX4ekdYrI3IFfy899byYzU-D_2gjwUy0OQ8WJhwncPw6J9EJ5iWaOS9z_0fVqf5yEE/s200/075.JPG" width="200" /></div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYsUUc2WwVygof2-17RhgxIZgb7H4sHVWXrwfNePtaOI6s8uhmFsmhTkoitQd8AfmDRMcg9cBVl_PyntLd-wGEpyNYLv5OPwq6TZpdVXbq3MfzfeWStNoyzRuEASn6Rba6p17sAV1i15w/s1600/056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYsUUc2WwVygof2-17RhgxIZgb7H4sHVWXrwfNePtaOI6s8uhmFsmhTkoitQd8AfmDRMcg9cBVl_PyntLd-wGEpyNYLv5OPwq6TZpdVXbq3MfzfeWStNoyzRuEASn6Rba6p17sAV1i15w/s200/056.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjcA6dgNNgqnlzmRQQtO9WBiDOJ85PI8damx4IPsdZbxVVxAVegbs2dOTNqBMCt-MaMyPwJltakpBKpg33md-boAc8BYldH-IjpjTYRcHYavawuJhz80Nh3ODD9eoVc6MM1l0OReeUxso/s1600/077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjcA6dgNNgqnlzmRQQtO9WBiDOJ85PI8damx4IPsdZbxVVxAVegbs2dOTNqBMCt-MaMyPwJltakpBKpg33md-boAc8BYldH-IjpjTYRcHYavawuJhz80Nh3ODD9eoVc6MM1l0OReeUxso/s200/077.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO1rZP_UudOowZ2NMaMLkFvZGid0sIRK7HrlPZqtFrZ60XD6H97V9kQrfcEPNXZVSSKkP9QTa-fex-r8r2lu5DoO4_hawZTiCsdPNqOWAV-GVZd1oz3zOfjs4smhHTHFDDl0lJ6FPAnX8/s1600/065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO1rZP_UudOowZ2NMaMLkFvZGid0sIRK7HrlPZqtFrZ60XD6H97V9kQrfcEPNXZVSSKkP9QTa-fex-r8r2lu5DoO4_hawZTiCsdPNqOWAV-GVZd1oz3zOfjs4smhHTHFDDl0lJ6FPAnX8/s200/065.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div style="border: medium none;"><img border="0" height="150" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-AS0Aa-G6Zom-A_xVI24YVTXJBqm-W8k_ChvRLWIlCRotkYKUKGrReLJvucj9LOjkscAaBCnDq6uEx1k7fOrYVNie59ZbIGlUgzvGshoUiJ0_tkhbk8KolumFrjjCf6xwzgVeBNOYNiE/s200/063.JPG" width="200" /></div><div style="border: medium none;"><div style="border: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="150" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAIScFOfUF2-w-WJlCV8ycze3ACuY0oMDm8rUE5wCyOTt_ssJLcXbaNPQoMnCLo77uTfY_bdp0oNot2c9iW5_nJ4jWPwpZqZWCUd0XupS768rVwgxOUzxa_iaNZ4rp1FfdlFBugAGaYmI/s200/072.JPG" width="200" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="150" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYMe2ABUwGZiB2gBr8OJP-0ybuc8WB8daBt1Tuo1t545onla8NdiWqP6-DAylce-Vwxe215DIb9kVflRsQh98L_yFZLn6GAcKHaP7Bzjn77EgtpiJkonugORC0-Wh7jyWh62GZ6GjPBBE/s200/062.JPG" width="200" /></div><div style="border: medium none;"> <img border="0" height="150" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkWEri6crTZTuxsFZUjAVCMAZoJGaonUNQbqCzyIMrTBZCue0NGqsAUyAqgorIsbAO10zlwzXDd3NAB7yTOdBJ7tHHWMTyZ2yjdCL1UdGomTBOCaI4oU1GVByhxqCViwPycWYkTGiNEp4/s200/067.JPG" width="200" /></div><div style="border: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border: medium none;">(I can't figure out how to arrange these photos, so they are how they are)</div><div style="border: medium none;">This is the reason I couldn't take very many photos with my auto-granny cam and some of the ones I did get were out of focus. The damn thing just wouldn't go. Whatever I am going to post as many as I can. After the nearly 130 runners passed I made my way back to camp.</div></div><div style="border: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border: medium none;"><b>The Barefoot Effect:</b></div><div style="border: medium none;"><br />
</div>This event is very special in that it hosted a barefoot or very minimalist shoe category. I have to think that is why there was the 10 mile category. The course is on dirt, ranch type service roads. In other words they were sun hardened and covered in loose pebbles and embedded with rocks. Really NOT comfortable to run on and the <i>barefoot running </i>was more like barefoot walking. A lot of people were wearing sandal type shoes. Some crazy dude even went 62 miles in them. Seriously, I am friken impressed as hell on that one. Not to be out done, except he definitely was, Mauricio ran the ENTIRE 50 kilometers sans shoes, sandals or even socks. The dude went with what he was born with. In the end, or after he finished his 30 miles, he smiled and went about his business. What a cool cat!!! As far as 100K sandal man, I am also very impressed. Your feet are going to hurt after running 62 miles on almost any surface with shoes on, this guy put only 5mm to 10mm of material between his feet and the hard pack and finished it. Plus he provided the wake up music and I liked it so he's cool in my book. Some of the other barefoot people sorta rubbed me the wrong way. Typically I am not a shit talker: when you scratch someones car you say sorry, if you want to be part of a conversation you work your way into it you don't friken interject your out of place thoughts on half information and you don't use other peoples events to schlep your shit. Just sayin.' I should say more because this is my phuqin blog. Like I said he rubbed me the wrong way, came across as arrogant, self serving and a phuqin know-it-all. What an ass-ho.<br />
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The barefoot aspect of the race brought to my attention that there are a lot of people out there trying to get into the au-natural. I support it completely. A really good book that I read on this is "The Barefoot Running Book" by Jason Robillard. It is a fantastic book with a ton of drills and safe, stepwise directions to bring you into barefoot running slowly. It was free from Running Warehouse (<a href="http://www.runningwarehouse.com/">http://www.runningwarehouse.com/</a>). So you don't end up in a boot with a stress fracture read as much information as you can before you forget your shoes. On that note, some of the people using minimalist shoes or sandals probably shouldn't have. The idea is to let your foot work naturally and efficiently, that just wasn't happening with everyone in minimal wear. If you are going to go this way you need to do it right. Get the book. <br />
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<b>Helping the Runners:</b><br />
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When I found out I didn't have to work this weekend I told Louis I would help him. After an exchange of notes through facebook he told me to help with the start finish line aid station and be the first aid guy. Perfect, I can do that, it will be just like work...only different. I know what I like when I come into an aid station and I have taken note of the workers' demeanor and attitude while visiting aid stations. So, all I have to do is keep smiling, tell each runner they look awesome and ask, "what do you want in your bottles?"<b> </b>So that's what I did or I should say tried to do.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvchsb3m_0E7hOX5KX_nf6YqqUee1gbrogG1aBCQY83z26kFWI0j5BXcwXu34ourvLoRmlNkIsi7EenSaAbQ5Bxq1aGng399jpgpxJS1GL0ZSswrcjLbY4M0OLMY0ZBkjg3xKzzHBr52U/s1600/084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvchsb3m_0E7hOX5KX_nf6YqqUee1gbrogG1aBCQY83z26kFWI0j5BXcwXu34ourvLoRmlNkIsi7EenSaAbQ5Bxq1aGng399jpgpxJS1GL0ZSswrcjLbY4M0OLMY0ZBkjg3xKzzHBr52U/s320/084.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tim Cullum at the table before it was raided!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
The end of the 10 miler was sorta frantic. People were finishing and crowding the start/ finish area and the others who were trying to continue their journey were struggling to get their bottles filled (one water jug & one sports drink jug), get marked and accounted for before heading out. Actually, the busier it was, the more fun it was because I didn't have to struggle with my ADD. Busy is kind of fun. This went on for a while and then about every hour and a half to two hours there would be a string of runners coming through. So this is what I did. And drank coffee. After a few hours my first hurt individual came in. The persons problem isn't so different that what I hear from runners at my work. I get information regarding an on going problem about a muscle that hurts when running but not otherwise so it is forgotten when the run is over and not ever dealt with. So I helped this guy out as best as possible. He eventually dropped. That sucks, until I saw him pilfer a couple gu packets to take with him <i>after </i>he dropped. What a dick. If you toe the line, it is better to go at it a little out of shape and healthy than a little hurt and sorta in shape.<br />
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With regards to the types of injuries, it was really a reoccurring theme. The day was cool so there weren't any heat related injuries. One very minor blister problem. I mostly saw muscle imbalance problems and I actually helped one guy finish with some muscle therapy work and another with a modified arch tape job. Other than that, I helped out where I could. Some of the time I read my book. Lou made an announcement that I would do massages, which is true and I did for two people. I think overall I helped about a dozen people. I am glad it wasn't more which means that if I am working hard, that means people are hurt.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4D-01fvvDASFtu-a5WAjB8_k-3m2a6b6lR-XyMm_Ee22YwSE9_ky9KdlVdez9Hv6sYr4qQEuvoLKNx_1AvGlROIIDwRJN8HgV12Euf4s862u6P-vLkgsdJpwrJ4x9212PHfCwyPfaV48/s1600/087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4D-01fvvDASFtu-a5WAjB8_k-3m2a6b6lR-XyMm_Ee22YwSE9_ky9KdlVdez9Hv6sYr4qQEuvoLKNx_1AvGlROIIDwRJN8HgV12Euf4s862u6P-vLkgsdJpwrJ4x9212PHfCwyPfaV48/s320/087.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
There wasn't a defining event, a special case or even an overly interesting case to mark my help with the aid station and first aid table. A couple people had some pretty bad problems that had started long before they showed up to Born To Run. I did try to help Benjamin Bruno. He had a little stomach problem he couldn't shake. He is a cool guy and I wish the best for him the rest of the season. Too bad BTR didn't work for him. Some of the most fun I had was with Thomas in the morning. One great moment and a first for me was when the ice cream sandwiches were brought out. Man o man!!! I couldn't resist. Most couldn't!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtECEntWJh2d9xr57LWjcF1HrMfzsF7CtAYEoPHMGQRCISE9C-N8-R8osIiKH3aR8_xEHA6gvsFFOyu1nX7lT0wdUyu-R7WtIm98eEouVw2CalV0qRr19Xo4Yd_xg-l1ihnUS_UMC1qXQ/s1600/086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtECEntWJh2d9xr57LWjcF1HrMfzsF7CtAYEoPHMGQRCISE9C-N8-R8osIiKH3aR8_xEHA6gvsFFOyu1nX7lT0wdUyu-R7WtIm98eEouVw2CalV0qRr19Xo4Yd_xg-l1ihnUS_UMC1qXQ/s320/086.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Thomas and I were there to help support Luis. Both of us have run in his events and Thomas was actually on the shirt and logo for Red Rock 40. Luis is actually the reason why I get to run with Thomas. So I should be really thankful for Luis because since I met him my running has improved a lot. Anyway, Thomas and I talked about all kinds of stuff. We had a good time watching the runners go by. We would analyze their running mechanics (also known as gait pattern), noting footwear and body type. we talked about which ice cream we liked best, education, Rinconada Trail, how slow of a runner I am. We also chatted a lot about Tahoe Rim Trail run coming up in July and the training camp we are doing in early June. I got some good pictures of Thomas in front of the barefoot poster. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_TrwbHr39j6cUrhvwnosKC-FzR_ybyfB3khnsH2joD_KQuvHEyg-4plpuTg13_hMmtRy_-ZveftJfTTRMuYMSZ7x0m_1IAunwQRzbXM2wYoJ9QltaQeF11ANcUvO8Kt7CAxHbpt-IuEQ/s1600/082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_TrwbHr39j6cUrhvwnosKC-FzR_ybyfB3khnsH2joD_KQuvHEyg-4plpuTg13_hMmtRy_-ZveftJfTTRMuYMSZ7x0m_1IAunwQRzbXM2wYoJ9QltaQeF11ANcUvO8Kt7CAxHbpt-IuEQ/s320/082.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
We were under the influence of a lot of coffee, or at least I was so I thought a ton of stuff was funnier than it actually was. Like this poor dog that was trying to puke. Poor guy looked like he got hammered last night. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEvk2oyTN7PiMhUzF0lIE4mdnRWHLgn7jrF-yIFTXMye-I630TqGx-3eOIaad-yUkoYFP9UyxDMRcCmfjR52BeclkOay5oOZY4aScCLd4sGvQYYSZO4978PP_haB8bJZI1ElO4JiS_WCU/s1600/083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEvk2oyTN7PiMhUzF0lIE4mdnRWHLgn7jrF-yIFTXMye-I630TqGx-3eOIaad-yUkoYFP9UyxDMRcCmfjR52BeclkOay5oOZY4aScCLd4sGvQYYSZO4978PP_haB8bJZI1ElO4JiS_WCU/s320/083.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Ultimately we helped the runners as needed and watched. Thomas had Dylan with him so he had to keep an eye out for him and ultimately needed to leave early because of him. They left around noon or so and that ended my fun.<br />
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I tried to read my new book, "Relentless Forward Progress," so far it is a great book and also worth reading. Mostly, as soon as the reading started someone else would need help so after a while I gave up on reading. So that was it. I smiled. I filled bottles and I chatted to some people whenever the chance presented itself. This went on for about 10 or so hours.<br />
<br />
<b>Chance of a Lifetime:</b><br />
<br />
At 60 miles in Guillermo Medina was having a little trouble and requested Luis to maybe find him a pacer for 70 miles to the finish. Luis asked if anyone would be interested in pacing him on the next round . No one was stepping forward. The guy is going to be 70 miles into his run, how friken fast can he be going? Really, no body came forward. I was a little reserved because I ran Miwok last weekend...Then Lou asked if I would, so I said hell yeah! At 6pm I was ready to go and waited. Guillermo came through and decided to wait until mile 80 for a pacer. Good thing, I had to shit. TMI? too bad it is integral to this part, then I had to go again. Once more. AND, are you friken kidding me. What the hell was in the chicken noodle soup?!!!!? Anyway, I tried to chill out and eventually continued my aid station duties in between running off to the outhouse (Don't worry, I used lots of hand sanitiser and rubbing alcohol). At 7:45 a wave of fatigue hit me so I went to my van to take a little rest. At 8 or so Topher knocked on the van and said, "Guillermo is pretty wasted, you ready to go?" I was, sorta, and the sweats came off as I tried to get myself together. It was getting cold and the sky was getting dark. The moon was three quarters full and provided some light. That would be short lived. We started moving away from camp...I was in it, I really wanted to do this, I couldn't back out no matter what was happening with my gut.<br />
<br />
The run was cool. I asked him what he wanted. He just didn't want to quit. I couldn't help but laugh because I thought that was the main duty of a pacer. He also requested a half hourly alarm so he could fuel and take an S Cap. We took off slowly. You have to feel for a person that has put in 80 miles. His stomach was good, energy was up but his legs were hurting. He had been dealing with a calf issue that considerably hacked away weekly miles. This put him out of shape and his legs were feeling it. I know his pain and the irony of us running together is fitting. At the first aid station I saw Ethan, he looked shitty and I wish I could have helped him too. I tried to give him some encouraging words. He was fighting himself and he needed someone to push him. We didn't stop for anything, just looked and then kept moving. Around three miles in my take home prize from last week came back to haunt me. My IT band reminded me that this was recovery time. Too late now. We chatted about all kinds of stuff, running, life, injuries, soccer and his legs. When it finally got dark enough we put on the headlamps. His battery was dead, luckily he had another...aaaaand that battery was just about dead. He put it on and we went. I ran beside him and behind a little so he could benefit from my lite. Eventually I just gave him mine and I used his and followed behind. 90 minutes in my stomach paid me an unwanted visit. This is a nightmare!!! I am supposed to be helping this guy and my knee hurts and I have stomach issues...at this point I feel like a total douche bag. I caught up and we continued the journey. We passed the last aid and then headed up the hill where he told me a great story how he was touring the property on his bike when a bull approached him. He was trying to get off the ranch and he was forced to turn around and find another way. Every time he would go forward, the bull would close the gap. Scary deal and once again I can relate. At the top we fell into a cool running rhythm and spoke very little. The weather turned a beautiful night dark and it began to sprinkle. Coming into the camp I told him I was embarrassed that I was broken and I my stomach had me doing the duck walk again. He stayed at his camp spot and I went ahead to find another pacer. Just my luck a guy was waiting at the start finish with Guillermos wife and that was it for me. As he left for his last lap I thanked him for the opportunity...then he finished. Congratulations Guillermo, you are a model for all dads, husbands and runners. <br />
<br />
I changed my clothes and the rain picked up a light but steady pace. I stood under my little pop up tent and then said phuket, I am going to sleep, it was after 11 and I could feel a cold coming on. <br />
<br />
<b>Clean up:</b><br />
<br />
At 5:30 am I woke up for no apparent reason. I needed way more sleep. It just wasn't going to happen. I got dressed and then started cleaning up my shit that no one really needed. The I started helping Lou who was already hard at the process. He, Tim and a few others pitched in to help. Hell, even Micah, who had finished the 100 miler came and helped. Once again we drank lots of coffee. mmmmmm coffee!!!!! Beverly came out and joined us too. I am glad I had the chance to talk with her again. Her and Lou are good people. After the clean up was completed Lou was heading out to get some markers and other stuff from around the course. He shook my hand and said thanks and "sorry I don't have anything for you." Meaning no thank you gifts and honestly I did expect anything. The experience was a lot. I am not gona lie, I would have liked a shirt because they were bitchen...except he ran out. So I left. Went home and took a nap.<br />
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<b>Lessons Learned:</b><br />
<br />
1- If you aren't ready to be a pacer, didn't plan on being a pacer, your stomach giving you troubles and your body isn't ready to run at least 20 miles. Don't be a fukin pacer. I am embarrassed and ashamed of myself for doing it and obviously it was hard to say no.<br />
<br />
2- Next year if I don't get into Miwok I will run the 100K. If I do get into Miwok I will offer my services again. Only this time do it on a more limited and defined basis. I felt like it was too long and I also felt like I didn't do enough. I hate that feeling.<br />
<br />
3- Next year advertise my pacing services for those in the 100 miler for the last thirty. This way I will be expecting to do it and will eat and drink accordingly. That is if I get into Miwok.<br />
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4- Dont camp by the start/ finish line. <br />
<br />
5- Bring a friend or wife and kids or someone who will give me entertainment for the whole time.<br />
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6- Be ready for all day eating. Having all that crap food sitting in front of my face is hard to resist. OK impossible to resist and reaching into communal food bowls when you know there isn't running hot water for 5 miles is asking to get sick. Hand sanitiser only works if you use it.<br />
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7- Bring pitchers and my own water jugs to the next event, even if I am running it. Two little five gallon jugs just don't do it well enough. Hell, I may even bring my electric pumper next year. AND!!! For sure I am bringing a sign that says first aid. <br />
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</div>Jim Eggenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17631171501059307529noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1971019551481876536.post-3980238132674405352011-05-10T11:47:00.000-07:002011-05-10T20:49:04.262-07:00Miwok 2011May 7, 2011 <br />
Miwok 100K will stand out as a very humbling experience and I learned 62 miles is a distance I clearly am not ready for. Sitting here a little over 12 hours after the finish finding words to describe the experience is challenging. Awesome, fun, exhilaration, difficult, mentally challenging and painful begin to describe the experience. Some of the sections, most, are so beautiful I would consider making a trip up there just to run for a weekend. The trails were in good shape, the weather was good (high 50's with a mellow breeze that picked up to a nasty one at sundown) and the people were outstanding. In the end I clearly was not ready for 15 hours of movement, the climbs didn't bother me but the descents ruined my knee....and foot!<br />
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I stayed at the hostel at the Marin Headlands. This is a 20 minute walk from the start. There were a lot of runners there. There were also a lot of girl scouts. My room happened to be Redwood. This is the room right next to women's restroom. The main dormitory is upstairs, along with the women's restroom and of course the 30 or so tweenagers. Luckily quiet time was 10:20pm and I am pretty sure I fell asleep before that. I forgot to set my alarm so it really was a blessing to be put next to the bathroom.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheg8lnJfvbiKCvty24ccSCUwSklmPtOZ6xNilVKhNuCaKFYQIPSpa36ktjGlRApV185cTCqkMwsD4w3zb0cpa7AfkhUz-Wp99LPOqM7ckQjFT9XrA3WRgX1VPVyb-9vRd0-05txrNfmWU/s1600/031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheg8lnJfvbiKCvty24ccSCUwSklmPtOZ6xNilVKhNuCaKFYQIPSpa36ktjGlRApV185cTCqkMwsD4w3zb0cpa7AfkhUz-Wp99LPOqM7ckQjFT9XrA3WRgX1VPVyb-9vRd0-05txrNfmWU/s320/031.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I had 35 minutes to get ready and get moving so I arrived at the start with enough time to check in, drop off bags and do whatever else I needed to do. I was frantic and tried to do everything in fast motion with only 6 or so hours of sleep. I still got my usual breakfast in me without the coffee. That was a bummer. I cleared my room, organized the stuff and drove to another, closer park spot. I didn't want to walk so I hitched a ride for the remaining mile. I guess I am just lazy.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The start was cold, dark and crowded. If a person didn't take care of business before arriving, you were gona stand in line for a while. The chaos had a rhythm and it seemed as if a large part of the people had been there before so they new what to expect and better yet what to do. I dropped of my drop bags put my number on my shorts and waited. A wopping five minutes went by and then we were moving. It was time. A short and cold walk to the start for the 400 or so of us went easily and this is where I ran into Cody and Kristin. hard not to see the big FLUID arm sleeves Cody had. We chatted for the walk. I broke off to go find Larissa and actually walked in front of everyone (aka the front runners, elite, fast peeps) to try find her to say 'Have Fun.' No luck, which is alright because shortly after that we were sent on our way.</div><br />
The last instructions were, "..go to the lantern and head up..." This turned out to be a fiasco. 400 people trying to get up a single track at about the same time. Tchahahahaaa! Right! Well then eventually we all got in line and kept moving. The top is where I was able to put my stomach at rest. A bathroom! Yeah, and while everyone was going to the perspective sexes, I chose to use the unused family closet. When I got out, I was DFL. Well, my stomach kept it's unease for the first two hours. The first leg followed a paved road up....at the top we dropped down along a manicured dirt type bike trail and from there worked our way back to the start along overgrown single track and roads. Not before we passed by the restroom one more time, I had to get this off my mind.<br />
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I passed by the first aid station thinking I had enough water to make it to the next aid station. The four plus mile section had us climbing up to a ridge line and moving along it until we dropped into Tennessee Valley.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There is a trail here. Leaving Rodeo Lagoon to Tennessee Valley</td></tr>
</tbody></table> Half way there the last slurp of my water went down my throat. i nervously asked the person in front of me if she new how far to go. She didn't and right after I asked I remember seeing the friken trail sign a little ways back that said, 'Tennessee Valley 2.2 miles' that solves that. The weather was still reasonably cool and I wasn't worried about it. I made it to the TV aid at 8:30. Almost 3 hours to go 11 miles. No bueno! I kept repeating what Thomas had said to me earlier this week, "Take the first 40 miles easy, then if you have anything left, go!" I kept my promise to him and kept my urge to get going suppressed.<br />
<br />
Leaving TV aid I asked one of the very nice people how far to Pan Toll. The reply was 9 miles. So, I asked is it a long 9 or short. He smiled and said, "Oh, it's a long one." A few hundre yards down the road another volunteer directed us up. Up we went, the climb wasn't too bad and went by reasonably quick. Some boring fire road action and then tada, single track fun time! This part was so awesome I took a movie of it.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><object class="BLOGGER-picasa-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyNrBYBGd6hGv4N1NEB7haGETe5bq8bdSKXF-Wfq-8zDqp7TZrRPfj2q4MLjTi4vmx-MOK-7OTc97Juwt8RRepP2yDZkfuf6BktxUvE51v5-7-NvmXwmUFf5SvnKNx3BQPaXishvRTASY/s1600/046.AVI" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?videoUrl=http://v2.nonxt8.googlevideo.com/videoplayback?id%3D71d36918b67498eb%26itag%3D5%26ip%3D0.0.0.0%26ipbits%3D0%26expire%3D1305056677%26sparams%3Did,itag,ip,ipbits,expire%26signature%3D53863FDFAD6EC9D42763DD5DD2A8CCBD4A49C210.745EFE5AADC530AC5CE204D32CD6E7191D08CA2A%26key%3Dlh1" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?videoUrl=http://v2.nonxt8.googlevideo.com/videoplayback?id%3D71d36918b67498eb%26itag%3D5%26ip%3D0.0.0.0%26ipbits%3D0%26expire%3D1305056677%26sparams%3Did,itag,ip,ipbits,expire%26signature%3D53863FDFAD6EC9D42763DD5DD2A8CCBD4A49C210.745EFE5AADC530AC5CE204D32CD6E7191D08CA2A%26key%3Dlh1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyNrBYBGd6hGv4N1NEB7haGETe5bq8bdSKXF-Wfq-8zDqp7TZrRPfj2q4MLjTi4vmx-MOK-7OTc97Juwt8RRepP2yDZkfuf6BktxUvE51v5-7-NvmXwmUFf5SvnKNx3BQPaXishvRTASY/s1600/046.AVI" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?videoUrl=http://v2.nonxt8.googlevideo.com/videoplayback?id%3D71d36918b67498eb%26itag%3D5%26ip%3D0.0.0.0%26ipbits%3D0%26expire%3D1305056677%26sparams%3Did,itag,ip,ipbits,expire%26signature%3D53863FDFAD6EC9D42763DD5DD2A8CCBD4A49C210.745EFE5AADC530AC5CE204D32CD6E7191D08CA2A%26key%3Dlh1" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?videoUrl=http://v2.nonxt8.googlevideo.com/videoplayback?id%3D71d36918b67498eb%26itag%3D5%26ip%3D0.0.0.0%26ipbits%3D0%26expire%3D1305056677%26sparams%3Did,itag,ip,ipbits,expire%26signature%3D53863FDFAD6EC9D42763DD5DD2A8CCBD4A49C210.745EFE5AADC530AC5CE204D32CD6E7191D08CA2A%26key%3Dlh1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object></div>This section started slow but ended nicely. Some of the prettiest flowers and trees. For a while there I thought I was trippin' on something. Really felt weird. Then it ended and we were back on fire roads. This is where I started feeling a rock in my right shoe. Piss!! I didn't wana stop. I had to. Shook my shoe brushed my sock and put the NB 101's back on. Back on track and feeling good...wait...shit! I thought the rock came out...I couldn't shake the dang thing while I was running. Ya, know how you movve your foot around and try to get the rock anywhere but where it's causing a nasty hotspot or something, well it didn't work. I waited until I got to Pan Toll.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heading toward Pan Toll</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoac4n_nBhVv-3JqGYzS8QUxdWMDptndJkhHvgH48-8DTRGGQGLBsK4drH02wR65SoYbN_p6fSgUVPvR20LcaYOe320qzHC4n1fzbRYREf0ixqLvjyA9F9uUkEeQKi5Fcr1naEGKnoVdg/s1600/049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoac4n_nBhVv-3JqGYzS8QUxdWMDptndJkhHvgH48-8DTRGGQGLBsK4drH02wR65SoYbN_p6fSgUVPvR20LcaYOe320qzHC4n1fzbRYREf0ixqLvjyA9F9uUkEeQKi5Fcr1naEGKnoVdg/s320/049.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Awesome, soft and fun single track</td></tr>
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What a cluster fk Pan Toll was for me. I couldn't out figure anything. I kept trying to get the rock out of my shoe. Finally, I gave up 10 minutes later and put on my Montrail Rogue Racers. Hmmm feels good. I loaded my pack, drank my Boost and headed out. Looking back on PT Aid, the volunteers ran the place very efficiently, I should have taken advantage of that but I didn't. Over all they were all freekishly kind and very willing to help out with anything. I saw it in action and it was almost like taking advantage of someone who is always nice and smiling for no apparent reason. If I had asked for help maybe I wouldn't have spent soooo so so so much time there.<br />
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From PT Aid to Bolinas Ridge can be described as a picturesque Sound of Music, grassy hillside single track goodie time mixed in with some fast shaded areas. This is the part where the elite peoples put on the 6 minute pace and feel the wind going past their faces like they were hanging out a speeding car window. I can just imagine. This was a very runnable section and so I did to the best of my ability. It was fun and I couldn't help but smile like an idiot. I was singing and huming for a while too. I think I scared some people. A little while after leaving PT I caught up to Kristen and Cody.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPBnwrbEI5aoZjouiRRFxhfp-vXGvUoJ9JlGZvvcwRi-ndacgr8_aK4RMGJJOOjlI3-bI2aBfr-tj7JGIWli0AyPlIOIkQQaGlXBnTVHEsdl71YjnL3kOsFi97_JMtX01y51Lb66Do5Wc/s1600/053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPBnwrbEI5aoZjouiRRFxhfp-vXGvUoJ9JlGZvvcwRi-ndacgr8_aK4RMGJJOOjlI3-bI2aBfr-tj7JGIWli0AyPlIOIkQQaGlXBnTVHEsdl71YjnL3kOsFi97_JMtX01y51Lb66Do5Wc/s320/053.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kristen and Cody heading to Bolinas Ridge</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Kristen knee was bummin'. Rightfully they were concerned about Tahoe Rim Trail 100m she is running in July. I am too, so hopefully she takes my advice and gets into formal physical therapy. We exchanged words for a couple minutes and then I left. Kristen dropped at Bolinas Ridge. The entire section seemed pretty mellow, unlike the first two where you were either going up or down. This sectin moved quickly and was primarily single track. This is also where the front runners, four of them, blazed by me. Such a humbling experience, these guys are so friken fast, it really is fun to watch them go by. Sporatically they would pass and we would move to the side to let them keep pace. At this piont in the run I still felt really good and having them blaze past kept buggin me to go faster. I would catch myself speeding up and then I kept hearing TR's words so I would slow to an overly comfortable pace. On this section I think I was doing a little better than a 10 minute pace. As long as I could sing and not be out of breath I was doing OK. As time went by it became easier and easier to stay mellow.<br />
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Bolinas Ridge Aid was set perfectly along the trail side. It was very busy and I guess I got there at a good time. A large group of sponsored/ elite/ much faster than me/ crewed runners were prepping for their last 20. I grabbed a ton of stuff. I ate a whole PB&J, three or four potatoes, grabbed some chips and asked one of the wonderful volunteers to put some peanut M&M's in a cup to take with. This time I also asked someone to help me get my pack filled. I wasn't in a hurry and being more relaxed seemed to make this pit stop go faster. Good enough. <br />
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A lot of two way traffic on this section. Good thing it was a fire road. The whole thing if I remember right. Most of the trail is covered by old coastal pines leaving a somewhat softer, duffy type surface to run on. Once again we were met with a very runnable almost all downhill section. Rolling dirt roads are kind of fun. Here I saw a lot of people I had seen or met at different places. Almost everyone who went by said something. It's really cool. Most everyone had something encouraging to say and an occasional high five or knuckle knock made the journey a little sweeter. I took my camera out so I could get some photos, then I forgot to use it. I did take two. One of Gretchen B and one of Larissa P. Two very happy, solid runners.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4jpzSh-DNgf31ZFsFi7mALHhlXtLgJbxWmy1dRVdoPEszWW5LopyzDjuGCLRCO8FBoauWgWeGrrqHW71vpDLXzYqKr4YJc1z2L33Huyfq0ZXFJWr6OHKz5WXQgqTBfCdKrZEgjrrczd4/s1600/057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4jpzSh-DNgf31ZFsFi7mALHhlXtLgJbxWmy1dRVdoPEszWW5LopyzDjuGCLRCO8FBoauWgWeGrrqHW71vpDLXzYqKr4YJc1z2L33Huyfq0ZXFJWr6OHKz5WXQgqTBfCdKrZEgjrrczd4/s320/057.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Larissa P. cruising back to Bolinas Ridge</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Just when I was beginning to think, how friken long is this section gona take, I came across another fantastic volunteer who said, 1.7 downhill to the next aid. Sheeeeeeeeeit!! That guy wasn't friken kiddin'. Downhill?? Phukme, he shoulda said, "Sorry the elevator is out, just jump!" This was a harsh down hill. I could feel it going to work on my legs. I got passed left and right by those who were willing to mash their quads. My quads were fine, at the bottom my right knee was starting to feel a little achy. <br />
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At the Randall Trail AS I checked my knee out as best as possible. Tight at terminal flexion but strength is normal and no obvious swelling. Ha! Good To Go! The wonderful volunteers told me I was in at half hour until the cut off. CUT OFF!!! WTF I hadn't even thought about that. Not making because of a cut would be just to to shitty a deal. He then mentioned hard cut off was 6:00pm at Pan Toll. I had plenty of time. With the pack full and a few more food items shoved in my face I headed back up the elevator shaft. Going up was surprisingly easy. I found a rhythm early and stuck with it. A few minutes into the climb I saw Cody. He didn't look too happy. He had a patellar tendon strap on and apparently this was given him some trouble. That is no bueno, not much fun to deal with. Hope he gets that one dealt with before States. At the top of the climb I went back at my mellow pace. Since I hadn't reached the 40 mile mark I had to still keep it under wraps....ya know keep the big guns hidden till the end, save the best for last...blah hoooo! I did. I fell in behind a couple of guys who were keeping a good enough pace for me. They were chatting about this and that and that. They would roll ahead and then I would reel them back in. Turned into a fun little game.<br />
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The road rolled with an uphill slant. The tiny downhills that followed the little ups began to give me more and more trouble. My knee was starting to chat at me a little more every time I took a step downhill. I don't usually hope for climbs but at this point I would have traded in all the downers for uppers. I could see the outside of my knee was starting to get a little swollen. A small case of tendonitis working it's ugly friken head into my run-fun. Worrying about my knee made me wana drop. Phac No! I want my T-shirt. I kept at it. Bolinas Ridge came quicker this time and I made it to my magic 40 mile mark. Actually it was 41.1. It was the furthest I had ever been. Yeah for me. Luckily there were all kinds of motivating signs...<br />
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The stop was once again as quick as I could make it. More pots, pbj and chips. I took a to-go bag of pots and chips, filled my sac and left. Piss. I forgot gu. I had to turn around. I contemplated for about 5 seconds. I was only 30 yards out of the aid station. <br />
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The next section was heading back to PT. This was fast as it was going out. Only this time you could see the weather coming in. The marine layer and on shore breezes cooled things down on the exposed trails. This time I met a cool lady named Marissa. She is a spunky lady with a pixie haircut and a fantastic attitude. We hung out for a bit then she bolted. I caught up because I was feeling good and we spent the rest of the fun time trail trading stories and passing people making the time go by faster. At this point I found that if I kept my weight underneath me, kept as efficient as possible and picked up the pace my knee didn't hurt as much. There really wasn't a lot of downhill so it rolled and I went with it. We pulled into Pan Toll before 5pm. I just couldn't remember how much before or if it was at 5. I prepped myself for the cold weather I saw coming in. Wind breaker, sleeves, gloves and a headlamp. The excellent people helped me get my shit together once again. I drank another Boost and grabbed some gu and pancakes from my drop bag. There weren't that many left...that tells me I am one of the last runners. By this point, I really didn't care. I just wanted to finish. Pan Toll is 47.8 miles into the run. I came this far, I was gona make it the rest. Then the nice gentleman told me, "the next part is an easy 2 mile downhill and a flat run to the next aid." Wow! Talk about pissing on my parade. I asked if there was any ups and he responded with a not for a while comment.<br />
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</div>Marissa left and anyone who I latched on with,left me because we were going downhill and we were supposed to be going fast...I just wasn't. That two mile section to Muir Beach Aid flat out sucked. Really, I was walking most of it slower than I would have gone up it. This was miserable and once again i thought about dropping at Muir Beach. At the bottom of the hill I stopped to take some rocks out of my shoes. They were friken killing me once again. i guess if it isn't one thing it's another! Got the rocks out. Nope, they never seemed to get out and I didn't bring any extra socks. The next trail was soft ground under cover of oaks and other coastal trees and shrubs. This is also where the onshore breezes came up and gave us a big ugly kiss...that never ended. This is also where I met Jim Magil. I needed this guy to come a long. I recognized him from the hostel and he recognized me as well. He asked if I was the "pizza guy" and I remembered him calling my pancake that in the morning. We chatted off and on. Finally I asked him how he had delt with his 'dark spots' during longer runs. He had great words at the time, I just can't remember them now. One important thing he said was he often felt like that when he was low in fuel tank. Makes sense, so I started eating. Duh! Anyway we kept in the conversation for quite some time and with the help a another couple of runners we made it into freezing cold Muir Beach Aid. Sweet! Mile 53.5. Hell yeah I just completed a 50+ mile run.<br />
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The Muir Aid station went quick. I started feeling this internal urgency to get done. That and I didn't want to get too cold. Leaving the aid we headed up and back to Tennessee Valley. This is a good thing because at this point I could make up some time going up and so I went at it as hard as I could. This section is where I would once again latch onto Jim and another guy named Bobb. At the top of the climb it was cold and windy and it was not a barrel of monkeys. The trail moved along a cliff top and moved with the contours of the mountain. The trail took a turn down toward the ocean, yep that's right, more down hill!!! It was short lived but painful none-the-less. After the brief down we headed up a set of never ending stairs and then a steep little single track to once again follow a ridge line. This ended when we began to head into Tennessee Valley. A short one mile decent and we were on the road to the last aid station. Five miles left.<br />
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The aid people were very nice for being there all dang day long. I tried to drink some soup...no way, blah...puke, yuk. No chicken noodle just some other vegetable stuff that just didn't smell right. I grabbed one more gu had my pack filled and then I left. <br />
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Bobb took off just before me and Jim was well behind. So I started up the gentle incline by myself. It was getting dark and spooky. I remembered this section of the course on the out trip. It was gentle and flowed well. Pretty soon Bobb and I were hanging out and we stayed that way until we crossed the finish line together. The last few miles were as unpleasant as can be. Every turn seemed to go away from the finish line and it just kept getting darker and colder. The wind was relentless at the top of the hill where the finish line and the YMCA were located. The last stretch of road went quick and looking at the numbers on the clock I thought of nothing. There in bright red numbers 15:11:something something. I wanted to kiss the ground but couldn't bend over. I just wanted a shower. All I could think about was sitting under a nice hot friken shower.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love my new shirt. I suffered a little for this friken shirt!</td></tr>
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Lessons Learned:</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">1- Take care of blisters early. Or they will mess you up later. I felt my first blister at mile 12 to 15. I should have taken care of it at tone of the aid stations. I didn't and by mile 35 my gait changed and subsequently my IT band flared up a messed up the rest of my run. Fix the blisters...end of story!!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">2- Use the aid station volunteers. That's what they are there for and at the same time never count on anyone for having anything FOR you unless they say they will have it for you. Packing light is easy unless you are high maintenance like me.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">3- Weather dictates electrolyte needs. Figure out what you need and don't exceed it. I had puffy hands (water retention) for two or three hours. It feels weird and ultimately it is better than hyponatremia. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">4- Pick a pace and stick to it. This was a new distance for me and it took longer than I expected. Today (three days after) I feel great and almost feel ready to run. I kept a completely manageable pace.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">5- It is better to show up to a race a little out of shape than a little hurt. I had a calf problem which pretty much took me out of running the last four weeks before Miwok. This definitely took it's toll on my finishing time but I knew that going in and I adjusted for it.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">6- Water, food, electrolytes, mental stability and conditioning are the five parameters of ultra-running. Jim Magil and I discussed this at my "low" point and he stated these five as listed, in order of importance. It is important to full realize all aspects and know how each works for you before going out for a good run.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">7- Enjoy the surroundings, the people and the running especially. It is easy to get caught up in your own pity party and throw in the towel. Just go get it done. If it's mental...get over it; if it's physical..slow down; if your gut hurts, stop>analyze>fix>go; etc. Running is fun!!!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">8- Thank everyone! Especially the old guys who have been around for a while and depart valuable pieces of information on you.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">9- Do it again. I plan to try this again next year.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Jim Eggenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17631171501059307529noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1971019551481876536.post-33115825913021322672011-05-05T20:50:00.000-07:002011-05-05T20:50:06.376-07:00Miwok prep weekSince Skyline to the Sea on April 10th I haven't had a really good week of running. And to top it off, last week was a big goose egg. That's right, zero miles. First whole week off since I started running five years ago. So, I was bummed and Thursday night I was ready to call off Miwok all together. I just couldn't shake this calf problem that has plagued me inconsistently since New Years Eve. Despite my overall lack of miles I have been able to improve my running times and general 'feel' for running. I pr'ed Way Too Cool by an hour. So my confidence was high and then was slowly chipped at during April, culminating last Thursday with conceding a much anticipated race. All stories have a happy ending. Lets hope this one does on May 7th. <br />
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The turn around happened on Friday April 29 when I went to see Scott, a running friend and chiropractor. We had been hashing at the 'calf thing' for a few weeks and it finally dawned on both of us (mostly him) that my calf was having problems functioning like I want it to because my ant. tib was acting like a selfish A-hole. In other words, the anterior tibialis, must work with, not against, my gastroc soleus or talo-crural complex. Think of all joints working like a mrianette. Meaning there is a push and pull, or agonist antagonist. They have to work together or one is gona take a shit! Well, my calf did.<br />
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Fast forwar to Sunday. I ran 6 and felt good. No calf problems. Two more days and we are at Tuesday morning at Cal Poly track at 5:50am. This is the mornig to see if I can <em>really </em>handle mountain running. Thomas kindly offered to take me on an easy final run before the race. How can I resist? So at 6 we met up and off we went. Off we ran into Poly Canyon. Service road, no problem. Past the farm and through the gate, through another gate and up a little bump...again no problem. Admittedly, a small reminder lingered in my lateral soleus. No big, no pain, just a small reminder. We kept a steady, albeit slow pace goin up the steeper part and walked one of the steeper parts. At the top I felt good and ready for more. We headed back. I'm in!<br />
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Wednesday I had a nice little hour of fun in the pool. I wouldn't even call it a workout. I did move and got my heart rate up a little but not for any extended period of time. When my quads started burning I would shut it down or slow it down. I saw Scott for one last adjustment.<br />
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Thursday I saw Hannah. She did some trigger point work and some myofacial work and some of her own methods. You can call it what you want, it is effective and it feels good.! Now it is time to pack my stuff up and get ready to roll. <br />
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Friday is travel and Saturday will take care of itself.Jim Eggenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17631171501059307529noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1971019551481876536.post-32264614258419258052011-04-15T13:57:00.000-07:002011-04-15T13:57:46.945-07:00Thoughts on MiwokIs running long distances scary? Well, I guess it's all relative. When I signed up for my first 10K I thought it was a long way...blah blah blah! Who gives a crap about that. On another note...The thought of covering a new distance brings about new fears and questions about whether my body is ready to do such a thing. 62 miles in one day. For some it doesn't even get real until after 80 miles. Tony Krupicka even said, "anyone can run 30, 50 or 60 miles, its when you get to one hundred...." Maybe he's right. I have run in quite a few places in my young trail running career and each person I manage to have a conversation with answers THE question the same way. What's THE question??? What does it take to make through a 50 miler or a one hundred mile foot race? The response boils the race down to an eating, hydrating and electrolyte balance contest. <i>Really?!? </i>Yes really. The human body can endure just about anything for any length of time providing it is properly nourished. Not entirely true. The body also needs to move at a comfortable speed (pace) or it will break down. So...pace, food, water, electrolytes. Got it! Now go out and figure out what you need at mile 50 when you have only run 40. Better yet, what is your stomach going to say to you if you try to feed it Gu for 15 hours. How do you figure a pace to cover 62 miles. I once ran a 5K in 19:21. So does that mean that I will be finishing the 62 in less than 7 hours? No! That'd be very cool, just isn't going to happen. Back to food. Luckily I have been trying some other things while running, like pb&j, animal crackers, apple pie, burritos, sun chips, pancakes, jolly ranchers and my favorite..chicken noodle soop! So now I have to get some palatable protien in the mix. I have been suggested Boost. We'll see about that one. I guess you can say I have a lot to think about.<br />
<br />
Luck is when opportunity meets preparation. So when some one tells me good luck for my upcoming "race" I can either respond, 'Thanks' or 'yeah, I am going to need it.' Which translates to, 'I am not sure if I am prepared for this.' Thanks would mean that I have it figured out and come the morning of May 6th I will have a plan in place that I am ready to stick to...Any suggestions? Just don't say good luck.<br />
<br />
Today is Tuesday, April 12th that leaves me 24 days until Miwok 100K. This also means that I have only this upcoming weekend and the next (Easter weekend) to get in sufficient long runs before I have to start tapering. I kinda like my chances for finishing. 50K races in March and April and several successive weekends with good long runs. Lots of good cross training. I am ready. Good thing too because time is runnig short...Ha! I made a pun.<br />
<br />
Wed, 23 days...another good pool workout today after 10 hours of work. I still don't think I am ready to run yet. I'll find out on Friday. Maybe tomorrow. I don't know. I felt a lot better, my left calf is tight. Whatever. Time to go.<br />
<br />
Thursday...another day of it. Work can get on yer nerves. Not today!!! I got to work met with football coaches, called a parent the went and had an awesome workout in the pool with my consistent acl rehab buddy Dave. We worked for an hour straight. He of course did more because I have to time during the sprints. I did find my legs were still a little sore and so todays run will be short. Shorter than I wanted it to be. Work for the rest of the day was just work...a four letter word. After, I set out for a shortie shortie. Four miles was it. At a recovery pace. Ready for more....except my left calf is STILL fucking buggin me. What do I have to do? REally, I will take any suggestions at this point. I have tried, stretching, 2-3 x/day at 2x20 to 30 seconds each, ice, massage, rest, exercise easy, TP therapy, rolling, hot rub, fish oil. If any one wants to throw a suggestion in the hat, I am game. no acupuncture. <br />
<br />
I have two long run days before Miwok. I have to be right this weekend and next. Then I am on my own.<br />
<br />
Confidence is a daily grind. One day I think myself into the tank and the next I am jumping over it. Can I finish Miwok? Yes! Will it be the time I want, probably not. Why? First time on course and first time at this distance. Having to observe a game plan and sticking to it for 13 hours or so is not an easy task. If I can pay attention for 13 hours.......I'm good!Jim Eggenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17631171501059307529noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1971019551481876536.post-13297234060034988512011-04-11T17:44:00.000-07:002011-04-11T17:44:51.262-07:00Skyline to the Sea - April 10I was excited for this race like I was excited for Way Too Cool. On one hand the prep hadn't been done and on the other it was similar to 2009. One thing that has changed this year compared to last is the long run. Since getting in with SLO Trail Runners my weekends now hold over 60% of my weekly miles. We would get 18 to 24 on Saturday and on Sunday I would go out and get another 10 to 15 at a go by feel pace. During the week I would cross train another three to five hours. Usually at a pretty good effort. So the work is getting done, just differently. Around 45 miles with "extras." Regardless, the confidence has been lacking when I get to the start line.<br />
<br />
On the day of the race everything followed the path of 2009. Once again Dr. Tanaka shared the bus and once again he had to lay down on the curvy sections to avoid puking. The start line was pretty close to being the same too. 50+ person line at the porta potty, people meandering around for 45 minutes before the race and sunny yet chilly weather. When the time came, the march to the sart line was erily similar. OK not erie but similar. The same group of La Sportiva people at the front with some other fast looking people. Larissa Polischuk was there and so I said hi and talked to her for a minute or two. Then I backed up several rows of people and moved to the side. I new I wasn't going to finish with these guys so I figured I would let the fast go ahead without getting in their way.<br />
<br />
A little past nine we were sent on our way. At 20 minutes in my right calf started hurting. I am a bitch sometimes but seriously, can't a brother catch a break? I kept at it, shifting my foot strike every once in a while to keep my leg somewhat comfortable. It worked well enough. I went out too fast and at the first hour mark I felt tired. Stooopid! So I swollowed my pride and kissed a sub 5 hour 50K good bye. The thought that stuck with me was what I wrote about last week, and that was, stay within myself. Easier said than done. Last week was an anomaly. Even Larissa agreed that it was the most fun she has in a while. For me the run was not only a confidence booster but just so much fun I can't wait to do it again! The next hour or so flew by and most of it is a blur. The running wasn't fast, I just can't really remember it.<br />
<br />
Two and a half hours in and the Gazos Creek aid never looked so good. I felt tired and almost wanted to continue on and just do the marathon. What a sack! Filled up the pack and went. Some lady in spandex left right after me but decided to run up instead of hike. I chose the later and made the pace as hard as tolerable. There it is, the pace was as hard as tolerable again!!! I guess I just can't not go at it that way. Thomas' words kept ringing in my head, 'This isn't the race that matters, just go easy and have a nice long training run." There must be a switch absent from my noggin that allows me to do that. The loop from the aid station and back was 6 miles. In my head I had to do it in an hour to keep on track. On track for WAHT??!!!? Yeah, on track. I left at 2:30 and got back at 3:24. The loop included a nice single track climb up to a ridgeline fireroad. We were to follow the ridgeline up and down and up and up. Then it started heading down again and there was my gift. More downhill single track. What fun!!! Here I caught uphill run girl and never saw here again or the others that passed me on the way up. Back to the aid to fill it up one more time. There, now my legs are sufficiently beat up with another 11 or so to go. Swell. To get out of Big Basin you have to climb, not a lot but just enough to remind you that the course still had 3000' of elevation gain even though the loss was 5000'. Honestly the downhill claimed more people than the up hill. <br />
<br />
At the top, or at the end of the last climb, the last gift that layed out infront of you was a pine covered single track wet dream heading down a mountain in switchbacks and through a natural drainage. It was fast and soon you were running creekside. An undulating trail sided by ferns and poison oak along with coastal pines and shrubs to the left and a swollen creek to the right. Here is where I found my groove. I fell into a solid pace and just went...within my self. I passed a few people along the way but also got passed, by one or two. This section went really fast. At the final creek crossing, there stood a guy saying, "three miles to the next aid, five to finish." Shit! I wanted to be done now. This next part stuck in my mind as being a little boring. It isn't, it is just a fire road back to the horse camp so comparitivly speaking to what was behind, the future just seemed a little boring. This was a long road back. I met up with a guy, who was passing me, and spoke with him for a few minutes before he continued on his way. This made the time pass. Every once in a while I would come around a turn and spot someone else a head of me. This passed the time pretty good too. Finally made it to the last aid station. Cute gal, old guy. She made me smile he filled my pack. What a life this is. They said less than two to go. Cool, the sign said 1.3 so they really weren't kidding. Solid, found my groove again and finished this one painfree but the price had been payed already...tomorrow will be a sore day!!<br />
<br />
Finished in 5:17, a new PR for me. Larissa said hey to me at the finish, she is cool and that was a nice gesture. We talked for a couple minutes as she got her quads worked on by one of the ART people. Hmmm looks good. A little body work is in order for me too! I sat, I stood, I ate chili and soup and drank a coke and got some ART. Then left....<br />
<br />
Take Home:<br />
When you have a race plan...stick to it. 5:17 is cool but I am sore. 31 miles is going to make you sore, but less sore if you run smart.<br />
<br />
Do this race again at sub 5 in 2012 or 2013<br />
<br />
no photos for this one, i forgot my camera and there wasn't a photographer on course...bummerJim Eggenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17631171501059307529noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1971019551481876536.post-11315636237667753962011-04-09T13:05:00.000-07:002011-04-09T13:05:10.720-07:00Skyline 2da Sea prepMonday I did nothing and liked it. Work had me in at 5am and didn't leave until 4pm or so. I did go see my favorite chiropractor and that made me feel better. Other than that my body was tired.<br />
<br />
Tuesday I was in the pool again. It was a gorgeous day and some pool cross training was in order. Luckily four others, my usual rehab suspects, joined me and we went at it hard. I almost made Dave puke again. He really gets into the sprints. Alex worked her ass off and ended up with 65 minutes of plyo's, sprints and core work. I love my job. This pool thing came at the right time and I think it is all from Daves suggestion or as a result of multiple conversations with his rehabilitation as the subject heading. I ended up with about 80 minutes of good movement. My body was alittle tired but moved well enough to get a good workout.<br />
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Wednesday my mother-in-law was picking up the girls so I went for a 10 mile spin up poly canyon towards shooters. I didn't feel like running any of it. I am glad it was a really nice day because it made staying out there easy. If you have never seen rattle snakes mate it is a trip. Intertwined like a pretzle bangin into eachother, falling on the ground. I was on my way back to Poly and two snakes were in the middle of the road 'doing it!' I had to watch for a second because at first I thought they were fighting. After a couple minutes of amazment and disbelief I carefully went around them. The rest of the run went easy and as I finished I noticed I had spent almost two hours out there. I knew I spent some time watching the snakes, retracing my steps because of cows and contemplating what route to take after nearly five miles in, but I didn't think I was running that slow. It really doesn't matter and my body felt good, so I guess it's a good thing. Heading down poly canyhon is fun and this is where I finished my run and then left for home.<br />
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Thursday: Pool work for an hour 15 minutes. Varying intensity levels. Good work, got a good sweat.<br />
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Friday: see Thursday. Wanted to run, just didn't get the chance.<br />
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Saturday:<br />
After football practice I started thinking about the race. Mostly because I have to leave and get up to Santa Cruz sometime today. For some reason my legs feel heavy and I am not into this at all. Could be that I ate like shit this week. I absolutely couldn't help myself. Chips, candy, doughnuts you name I was eating it. What an idiot. My thoughts for tomorrow now are just to finish and get home. This kinda feeling is so defeating. less than a month out of Miwok and I feel like crap and don't want to deal with training. I am not burned out, maybe it's work or home...fuck me! my routine is off...next week better be better.Jim Eggenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17631171501059307529noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1971019551481876536.post-54198562766859307852011-04-04T20:52:00.000-07:002011-04-04T20:52:01.396-07:0042/3I finished the week with a mellow paced run. i wanted to get at least 8 and just go from there. I started at Mott Gym and went out to second farm. At second farm I decided to atleast go up to the intersection of Shooters and Morning Glory. At the intersection I decided to give myself 15 minutes of climbing and then I would turn around regardless as to where I was. I made it to the broken glass turn. Literally less than 50 yards from the top. I had to get back. The down hill was actually harder than the going up. Whatever. I made it down in 10 minutes and headed along the single track toward Poly Canyon. four and half miles to go to get back to Mott. Easy. At two and a half to go I started bonking. I forgot enough food. One gel for a two hour run is not smart for me. I just haven't trained that way and this two hour is following a four and a half hour fun run. I made it back even though it took a little longer than it should have. I didn't feel too bad, except my legs were crying foul! Too much I guess. Ha! screw them, they do what I want. <br />
<br />
Two days 36 miles ~7800' elevation, 6 hours 45 minutes of running. Cool Beans!!!!<br />
42/3 means 42 miles over three days.<br />
The week ended up with four good cross train days and 3 good run days. <br />
Running by myself gave me plenty to think about.<br />
<br />
My aside note: The more people I meet through ultrarunning the more faith I have that people generally are good. I honestly think that if people stripped themselves down to some essentials and just ran, they would be better because of it. Part of what brings people down is inactivity which in turn breeds laziness which turns to negativity which turns to pessimism which leads to cynicism and so on. Not a social theory, just a thought. People generally are good and would rather be altruistic than self serving, it is just harder now to take a step forward because of fear of rejection, litigation or someother negative outcome.<br />
<br />
Take Home:<br />
1- Run<br />
2- Run Happy<br />
3- Be good tothe next person you see Jim Eggenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17631171501059307529noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1971019551481876536.post-80888092316185338522011-04-04T20:07:00.000-07:002011-04-04T20:07:25.703-07:00Rinconada and Big/Little Falls Trails<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd9WSvSW3v0iNAUnjqtjDisQJLkINpkopj4h21FgFa4Cf71xJKioox2pSsRKv07fKQjzyzozVmxMJiD_cU3UsbAfhWhDyQCkHvqmqTw2uumTI8gSA56ATY2cv0IVG_YGxTo2nHDEaodZc/s1600/april+2+029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd9WSvSW3v0iNAUnjqtjDisQJLkINpkopj4h21FgFa4Cf71xJKioox2pSsRKv07fKQjzyzozVmxMJiD_cU3UsbAfhWhDyQCkHvqmqTw2uumTI8gSA56ATY2cv0IVG_YGxTo2nHDEaodZc/s320/april+2+029.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>I am getting used to getting up early to run. The routine is set so when I get up the ball rolls and life is good. Compared to last year, this year I am driving farther, running earlier and farther but getting done sooner and feeling better post run. So...life is good!<br />
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Big group this time. Thomas had a couple of friend visiting from the Bay Area this weekend which added two more onto a growing Saturday run group. I think twelve of us started up the trail at 6:40am. Well Scott and Kristen arrived at 5am or so and put in an extra 4 before the rest of the group showed. The sun was coming up and lit up the trail enough to make it easy to see. The first mile or so of the trail is up. Like last week I was huffin and puffin and wondering if today was going to be another bad day. F that! I got over it quick and spent the time with Thomas talking about Miwok strategies and getting my mind set right for that. It turned out to be a great distractor. We joined the rest of the group at the top of the Little Falls Trail and stashed our water and food for the day. Off we went.<br />
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We were on a fireroad for the first little 15 or twenty minutes. Then we dropped into some of the funnest single track. Honestly, at the time I didn't know it, but this part of the trail going to big falls actually made my day. It was fast with a lot of turns working your way down an open meadow and slowly moving toward an oak canopy that kept the trail shaded. Since we received so much rain this year the grass was tall and covered much of the 'less traveled' trail. The rain also kept the tributary cricks flowing which to made the trail running wet but fun. Soon we came up to Big Falls. Just like I remembered it. Big with a nice little beach type area. We stopped for about five minutes and picked up one more person, took some pictures and then vamanos!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIfWoWgFoSekMo1NoGMI9WiMhp4bx169De9FjCKypus6dtOUQ0Jzwh5x0PELxmQeUq_i9OMeYURqtWxPHj86xkzEQwzgPmvXNKrthaZ-Jtqa1eP4j0QS3PmQiAw9K5OVskIB-U_CMMzCY/s1600/april+2+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIfWoWgFoSekMo1NoGMI9WiMhp4bx169De9FjCKypus6dtOUQ0Jzwh5x0PELxmQeUq_i9OMeYURqtWxPHj86xkzEQwzgPmvXNKrthaZ-Jtqa1eP4j0QS3PmQiAw9K5OVskIB-U_CMMzCY/s320/april+2+008.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
The trail from the falls to the trail head was fast. It was also littered with newts. A bunch, like every two or three steps you would have to miss step to avoid mushing one. I regret not getting a photo of one. Some newts were not so fortunate! Lots of people moving fast with lots of newts crossing the trail...mush! Poor little guy...This was the begining of the serious creek crossings. Deep, long and the trail moved up and down along the path of the creek. I actually caught myself laughing outloud on this part it was so much fun. The trail eventually dumped us out on a part of Hi Mountain Road or something like that. I don't know maybe I should ask Scott. We regrouped at the road and made our way through the canyon we just dropped into. I knew I was one of the slowest peoples there so I started out just before everyone else. Luckily they kept it somewhat moderate along this section. More creek crossings! I got into a conversation with Dusty about cross training and mileage and stuff like that. We go started by Dusty telling me he gained 7 pounds in a couple weeks when his training dropped off. Turns out Dusty is like me. We eat what ever the heck we want and just run the calories off. He must eat like a friken pig because he logs 70-80 mile weeks. Too Much Running...for me...right now. One of us got distracted and soon Scott and I were side by side. Left Turn!<br />
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There she was...all covered in grass...deceptively laying there all calm and mellow...Little Falls Trail head. Boy Oh Boy is this great! So this is the much anticipated and talked about climb back up to where we started??? JOY! Scott is a frequent flyer in this neighborhood. In anticipation of getting caught by everyone we left ealier. We hiked, we ran, we hiked we ran. Gentle climbs leading to steeper ones leading to...more creek crossings! Awesome, and at this point the amount of water was really irrelevant. What mattered was how many pebbles got into your shoes. That didn't really matter either. What we were doing is following a creek up the hill. So we were moving into another canyon and so the trail was very similar to the last. Well for the first part. The creek crossings eventually stopped about half way up. The oaks gave way to mansenita and other shrubs and we were exposed. Well, it was mostly overcast at this point so the day was still cool. I do remember at the begining of the run looking down on the marine layer. What that means is, we have to climb thorugh it and when we're through it, we still have moe to climb. It is what it is. The trail started to get steeper and I thought it best not to stay with Scott. He's a beast with climbing. Just too fast for me. So I told him I found my pace and I would see him at the top. No one passed us up to this point. I kept him in my sights for the most part but he slowly moved away. Then I could hear voices. Had to be Thomas...he's a freek. He makes running uphill look so easy you're tempted to stay with him...HA! HAHAHA, that's a good one. I kept going. Tada, the top, turned around and stopped to take a picture of Thomas and Brett running up. Yea! they ran it. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOhYXZy-6_ilBF1mmn0DD9_R-zVKyLGO4w8GcQ5LJZR7ioz3tsG1o33zAkcA5Mt57x6Y6YZGgJrMSN6788cbDTs9iCYzxlU9Hdrba17b_mGqCigZBeYlKBOIMP7N7LH_BC7wKq5ZYnULw/s1600/april+2+020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOhYXZy-6_ilBF1mmn0DD9_R-zVKyLGO4w8GcQ5LJZR7ioz3tsG1o33zAkcA5Mt57x6Y6YZGgJrMSN6788cbDTs9iCYzxlU9Hdrba17b_mGqCigZBeYlKBOIMP7N7LH_BC7wKq5ZYnULw/s320/april+2+020.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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We regrouped at the top. Filled bottles, packs, got some food. Had Erik make fun of me, twice, in a minute. It was actually funny and true so I had to laugh. No I don't remember what he said, just that it was true. Scott and I started out and we were about 100 yards down the little hill when I noticed I forgot my hat. Back I went. Turned around and instead of first I batted clean up. Who cares I ended up getting some better photos of the meadow I loved so much.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx7T0ayvmGodv0ibKx_y48sFi3IZSvR493jVF8s5ZSxmArqVByWs5fRIxQCku3VPLHEqDG7iOQgHYpdVltGbWEafG9ARTO5D7vhd4IbMNw0zG3xdFpBMrlRVvlx9rwcak7laIItmnFrYo/s1600/april+2+023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx7T0ayvmGodv0ibKx_y48sFi3IZSvR493jVF8s5ZSxmArqVByWs5fRIxQCku3VPLHEqDG7iOQgHYpdVltGbWEafG9ARTO5D7vhd4IbMNw0zG3xdFpBMrlRVvlx9rwcak7laIItmnFrYo/s320/april+2+023.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> The group mostly stayed together, but the further the run went on the further the separation. By the time we made it to big falls I was in a groove again and this was funnerer and fasterer. We were cooking along but feeling good. Seriously this was the fastest trail I have ever been on. I got in with Larissa and we made our way through the Big Falls Trail. Not as many newts this time. When we hit the trail head nobody was there. Cool, everyone was feeling it to. We chatted and made our way to the little falls trail. There, everyone was waiting. As soon as we pulled up Erik, Dusty and Heeva took off and I think Scott left a little earlier. Brett and Thomas stayed back for Kristen and so Larissa and I started our second session with the climb.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVukd8Zs98qpjWmyMglbtspMLdccAvE5OgdJ6bt25ZsoIdqLpmCbAei2lEWTSD4M6k19G2qsrWLwbt9hsIPbrTVcIhrkfH1YVOlSONezoEh-4b4PgpEt_fUsEdWTLnHqZ-A6tLLUcdjI8/s1600/april+2+026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVukd8Zs98qpjWmyMglbtspMLdccAvE5OgdJ6bt25ZsoIdqLpmCbAei2lEWTSD4M6k19G2qsrWLwbt9hsIPbrTVcIhrkfH1YVOlSONezoEh-4b4PgpEt_fUsEdWTLnHqZ-A6tLLUcdjI8/s320/april+2+026.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg64LNG53XUr1w2YMGj3qODJfvDtuyRfRgyLWL7ZHZpNeSvmaFl5WC58SMG1H9Nclh9ZD6_t5Hh-xPDdyd6JA0uF4W3AK7Oolu6Bv7si73-eyc28teEoduaHIYTcnHi77Llv6amL-TgHFs/s1600/april+2+027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg64LNG53XUr1w2YMGj3qODJfvDtuyRfRgyLWL7ZHZpNeSvmaFl5WC58SMG1H9Nclh9ZD6_t5Hh-xPDdyd6JA0uF4W3AK7Oolu6Bv7si73-eyc28teEoduaHIYTcnHi77Llv6amL-TgHFs/s320/april+2+027.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> Larissa took the front and stayed there. She moved...quick and smooth. At every creek crossing she ran out, I would hike it as fast as I could and eventually close ground in the mid sections. We kept moving forward. I couldn't help but think that not only is the pace faster this time but we took less breaks. I didn't seem to be feeling it too bad and I kept reminding myself to stay within myself and if Larissa picks up and scoots...bye. Well, she did, sort of. The same spot Scott took off on me before, she did too. I had everyone in my sights so I wasn't too far back. Thomas and Brett ran by me at the same section and moved up the steeper part like they did last time. Scott and Heeva slowed a bit and Erik and Dusty moved steady. Larissa paired up with Scott for the last bit, I caught up to Heeva and we all finished within a few minutes of eachother. So there we were. All I could say is that was Awesome!!!<br />
<br />
Totally brain dead. I couldn't really put a complete sentence together. We gathered up and left. Like the way out, the way back was spent with Thomas talking about the SLO Trail Runners Race next year. Planning on a 50K and 100K. In this area it would be friken gnarlly. Can't wait!<br />
<br />
Take Home:<br />
1- Stay within yourself. It is tempting to mash it early, just realize long runs or races 50K + leave a lot of room for melt downs.<br />
2- I got my food right this time. Find what is right for you and stick with it.<br />
3- Water and electrolytes are so crucial. I noticed Brett and Thomas carried a (that's one) bottle. I carried 70 ounces (pack and bottle) for the same distance. I didn't drink it all but I would rather have it than not<br />
4- Most important...Have fun. This is fun.Jim Eggenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17631171501059307529noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1971019551481876536.post-84751227869645216042011-04-03T07:49:00.000-07:002011-04-03T07:49:47.630-07:00March 28Monday:<br />
Back to school day. Back to established routine. Back to trying to find time to run. This is typically not easy. I think I need to dig in to self motivation and really come to terms with choosing to run 62 miles in one day. I haven't really thought about it too much. Mostly when I mention it to people they look at me with some kinda wonder and a look that says, "what's wrong with you?" Is it a big deal? Yes. Am I taking it lightly? No, I am not really thinking too much about it until now. Last Saturday we went out for a pretty easy 20 to 24 miles. I cramped at 16 on a run not too dissimilar to the Miwok course. So my confidence is a little battered right now. I need to have a good month and it needs to start this week. Miwok starts at 5:30am and I intend to get at least two runs in a week starting at that time...or close to it.<br />
Today needed to be a recovery day. It was. A nice hard workout for an hour in the kiddie pool. It was awesome.<br />
<br />
Tuesday:<br />
Another good day. Woke up early with the profile of Miwok staring me in the face. Rolled out of bed and got coffee. Gotta have it! Ate a little and then out for some hill work. 4 x .5mile with 2 mile warm up and 1 mile cool down. Great way to start the day, sunrise was beautiful. I struggled but it was well worth it. Saw an owl, ducks, cat and heard a bunch-o-chickens. All this done by 6:30am. At 10:00am I was in the pool again with four others who were waiting for a good workout. My rehab kiddies. Sun is out slight breeze and into a three to four foot, 90 degree therapy pool. 50 minutes of hard work later and my second workout of the day was done. 11:00am and I had almost two hours of good times under my belt. Awsome!<br />
<br />
Wednesday:<br />
Plan = 8 to 10 in morning...reality = third pool workout. My legs were tired though so good thing.<br />
<br />
Thursday:<br />
I intended to run in the morning again. I need my sleep and when my CPA (wife), stays up clicking her computer until 10:45 the propects of getting up early shoot out the window. This was another pool day mixed with some abs. I guess you can say I am sticking to a low mileage diet whether I like it or not. I feel good and my body doesn't ache or feel 'tight' so I think this is a good thing for now. So far this week I have spent three and a half hours or so in the pool. I think it's enough.<br />
<br />
Friday:<br />
Planning on a giant run for me tomorrow and Sunday. Off today.Jim Eggenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17631171501059307529noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1971019551481876536.post-18889583495514781532011-03-27T16:57:00.000-07:002011-03-27T16:57:27.193-07:00March 21 - March 27Monday<br />
This week is set to be a great week. Runs are planned, pool time and other cross training scheduled and Cal Poly is on spring break...slam dunk. Off work at 12:30pm and out the door. The ground is soft from the massive amount of rain San Luis Obispo has received in the last 72 hours but still manageable for a quick pace. Hitting the one mile mark, thoughts of the dirt road out to second farm and beyond grabbed my attention. What a perfect time for running. The rain stopped about half an hour ago, the sun was out and keeping the temperature comfortable and everything was going smoothly. Cramp...SERIOUSLY???!!!? Yes...seriously, so many expletives entered my head. This cannot happen again. Lesson learned, I turned around a walked back. <br />
Schedules change, plans get detoured.<br />
<br />
Tuesday:<br />
Calf hurts, forced to cross train. Original plan: 10 with 6 mile tempo.<br />
<br />
Wednesday:<br />
I thought today would be a better day for the calf. It isn't, so I am back to my wifes video library of home workout videos. I lent my INSANITY vids to Paul so unfortunately that option is out of the question. Today I was supposed to have a longinsh (14-16) run up shooters to morning glory. Great run with decent climbing. Screwed. Today I am second guessing my ability to cover 62 miles. Confidence is low when miles are growing increasingly difficult to put in. I needed a 50 to 60 mile week. Now I am going to struggle for 40. I can always say, "well there is always next week," except that would be stoopid. I have to get going now.<br />
<br />
Thursday: <br />
Startling revolation: Miwok is in 44 days. Skyline to the Sea in 17. I am OK with SttS. For Miwok I need to atleast have solid long runs each weekend followed by a easier long run to make this work. So the revolation is, I need to stress my body or I am gona shit at Miwok. I need to see if my body can deal with it so despite the weather a run had to be done. 7:30pm, blowing rain, dark and out the door for a shorty. 6 miles later, soaked and cold I walked through the door. My calf hurt a little,enough to finally throw in the towel. Tomorrow a visit to a massage therapist is in order.<br />
<br />
Friday:<br />
Great idea! Massage therapy is the SHIT! Should have done this a long time ago. Now we'll see how the run goes tomorrow.<br />
<br />
Saturday:<br />
19 miles 4000' of vert. Montana de Oro. Tour de Oro. 8 of us in the rager parking lot at 6:30am. Good Times! Even if the end resulted in my adducters locking up 2 miles from the car, the entire experience proved a worthwhile experience.<br />
Light rain, a mild temperature and an off shore breaze ushered us off for our Saturday run. 6:40 was a good start time. By 6:44 I knew it was going to be a long day. Going up a small incline my breathing was really labored and I couldn't keep a conversation. Too late, we were heading up to Hazard Peak. 3 miles up hill on a gentle and runnable slope. At the top we regrouped and Thomas took some photos. The way down the backside toward Manzanita trail was relaxing and easy. A few spots along the well groomed single track were washed out and so muddy shoes were on tap. On a day like today, muddy shoes were going to happen whether you like it or not. Wet feet, muddy shoes, wet everything. The group kept moving and time ticked by pretty fast. Down and then back up Manzanita. First time on that trail, it's a winner, going to be doing it again next time I head out to MdO. Soon we were on our way back up Hazard trail and then cruized back to the car. <br />
I changed my shirt, filled my pack and the we were back on the trail. We headed out Bluff trail and then connected up with Coon Creek. I folllowed Heeva and Erik toward Oats Peek trail and the pace was pretty steady. Luckily it was only two or so miles out. I ended up talking to Erik about all kinds of good stuff. Mostly I asked him about his 5 Western States finishes (4 sub 24) and shoes and training. He is very gracious with information. Pretty much an all around good guy. At the Oats Peek trail head I went on full knowing that it was going to be a struggle and everyone would be leaving me like a ten beer piss. Five minutes up Heeva passed and less than two minutes later Thomas cruised by like I was standing still. Erik and Scott hung around for another few minutes and then they were gone too. All alone heading up Oats. I struggled even though I kept moving it wasn't as easy as I thought it should be. Never is. I finally made it to the top, strong breeze and rain greeted me with a big grin and a helpful little push to get gong down. Before the run I had put a 1/4" heel lift in my left shoe to help ease the stress on my calf. The wedge mushed over to the outside and folded over and I kept hitting it with my heel. This was buggin' the shit out of me and I guess I was more intersted in reaching the bottom because that is where my shoe was relieved of this stoopid idea! So my left foot hurts and heading down Oats my left quad/adductor started locking up. F-Me! Seriously this kinda crap happens only when I plan on having a great day. The way down was a combo of run walk run walk stop. No big. I made it back and everyone else was still out mashing up more miles. What a friken d-bag today. In the end it was still a good run, can't all be great.<br />
<br />
Take Home:<br />
1-I took the Montrail Rogue Racers out today. When they get wet and my socks are wet there is too much room in the toebox for my socks. They slipped. Other than that they worked great and now have over 6 hours on them with only two outings.<br />
2-I need to figure how to use S-Caps again. Nuun isn't going to do it for electrolyte replacement. <br />
3-When I go out for runs 90 minutes or longer I have to plan for food and water along the way. The four hours of running I consumed only 380 calories. Not going to do it. This run was destined for shit. Need to put Boost or someother old fart drink into my running diet.<br />
4-The body work...great idea. Worth the money and time. I will definitely be doing this again before SttS and Miwok. On that same note it is time to see a chiropractor to get myself set right.<br />
<br />
Sunday March 27. My 44th Birthday<br />
What to do what to do?!!!? Go Run?!? OK<br />
Headed out to Irish Hills for a little 2 hour fun time. Good stuff. Ran every trail, took some awesome birthday photos and left. In short I had a great run. Legs were good and the calf cooperated. I could feel it a little on the downhills but other than that it went along without a peep. Ended an otherwise crappy week with a great wekend of running. 30 miles in two days. <br />
<br />
Take Home: Don't let your brain get in the way of you having a good run! Seriously!Jim Eggenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17631171501059307529noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1971019551481876536.post-79908525484615866352011-03-20T19:53:00.000-07:002011-03-20T19:53:28.788-07:00March 13 - 20 Recovery weekRunning is learning experience saved for the one doing the running. Pacing for races and learning what a body requires after a long run or a race can be challenging to even seasoned runners. WTC took care of itselt somehow in terms of pacing. In hind sight, which is always crystal clear, the pace could have gone marginally quicker. Reasoning this involves a recap of the last section. A quick 1.6m from the last aid station with a gentle .7 to .8 climb proved to be a spot where the pace over the last five hours could be considerably abreviated. Good strong finish with the starting goals met. Strong finish to an even run without nausea or residual soreness. The finish was greeted with a big smile and even a chuckle, a big appetite and the ability to walk or even jog to and from my car. So part one is completed......Now what?<br />
<br />
Sunday was spent estimating when would it be smart to try and run again. The major consideration involved active recovery without the joint pounding. Monday involved easy pool time. Basically, low level plyometrics and walking in circles ruled the pool. Tuesday was a perfect day for a very mellow, flat 5 miler. Everything was good. Wednesday was early morning cross training day. Early morning coffee wake up (5:30am) and a half hour of abs followed by some stretching. Thursday in the pool again like Monday except with a considerable increase in the intensity. Aqua aerobics in three to four feet of water for about an hour can be a good very low impact workout. The company was perfect on Friday so in the pool for round three. This person is very cool! This person was hungover but driven for some good work so we hit it for a good hour. Later that day my legs were feeling good so I went out for a run. An hour and forty minutes later and confidence was returned...maybe too much confidence. Then I thought about the run. Hills were a little labored and the pace was purposely slow and the goal of running that day was to be able to run again.<br />
Saturday morning SLO Trail Runners were meeting at Stagecoach for a 20 miler. Thomas already suggested against running the full 20. Perhaps tagging along for a bit and maybe adding another couple hours would be good. Hmmm, then Saturday morning came.<br />
There is no excuse, when the alarm went off at 4:30am it was quickly turned off and forgotten. At 6 my little girl woke me up anyway. Could have made it. Theresa needed to go to work worse than I needed to run and I was scheduled be to work by 10. Run postponed.<br />
In my line of work, weather cancels/postpones outdoor events (tennis) thus making my day shorter or in some cases really, really long. Fortunately today it was shorter and a run had to get done. Driving toward Madonna I formulated a suitable strategy of how to get a worthwhile run out of her one more time. The best equation involved parking on the Marsh Street side and running up and around the skirt three times, up the fire road, down rock garden around the single tracks, through lemon grove trail and done. So, the plan unfurled and with a copious amount of rain, sparsely populated yet muddy and slippery trails and good body feeling the run was completed. Two and a half hours of good running. Legs good, mind good the only <em>downfall</em> so to speak was how cold and wet I had become in the two and a half hours. Luckily the parking lot turned into a bathtub due to the precipitation. I washed my legs, changed my clothes and headed home.<br />
Sunday involved the weekly menu planning and grocery store trips...and Costco of course. For the old body, rolling and stretching ruled the day. There was a thought for running, however my kids took care of that and Theresa once again left for work early. The life of an accountant.<br />
<br />
TAKE HOME:<br />
My body needs to sleep after a 50K. Ice baths would have helped. Aqua-aerobics really help. One of CP's football players who we are rehabbing discussed this with me. He tells me he is getting stronger all the time without the soreness. Gains are expected, so is pain. Great thing about plyometrics in the pool, your body is still required to not only overcome gravity but when coupled with viscosity of water and friction from hydrodynamics you end up working very hard without the pounding on your joints. Tony Krupicka should think about this.<br />
Great week, I am ready to roll!Jim Eggenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17631171501059307529noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1971019551481876536.post-74276143291898610972011-03-14T15:23:00.000-07:002011-03-15T07:08:49.105-07:00WAY TOO COOL 50K (Part Two)March 12, 2011<br />
<br />
2009 doesn't seem that long ago, yet in terms of running it proved to be an adequate amount of time to cover plenty of miles. Along the way I managed to learn a load of information regarding ultra running. For Way Too Cool 50K 2009 I managed a time of 6 hours 22 minutes and some odd seconds. I struggled for that time. I walked, I puked, I had no friken' idea what I was doing. I was new to this and it showed. This time I hoped it would be different.<br />
<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">On Friday I packed up the kids and headed north. Dropped them off at my parents house in Saratoga and continued on my way up to Auburn. I checked in, picked up my packet then headed off to the race course. Julie Fingar and her friends were putting the finishing touches on the set up to host the 675 expected runners plus their family and friends. I stopped in to say hello, we chatted for a minute or two and then I left for the hotel.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">4:30am is early when the people upstairs from you at the hotel let their child run around at will and wake up to go to the bathroom at 12am and 2:30am. Doesn't matter at this point so I got up and ate, drank coffee pretty much just did the usual routine for long runs at home. I got to Cool early, I wasn't the first, but I was early...almost too early, so early I parked in the second row of cars. Now what? I stood, walked around, drank more coffee, chilled out in the back of the van, read, made small talk and mostly I was thankful it wasn't freezin' ass. I carried on for about 90 minutes. I wanted a good parking spot what can I say?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho7Rl1Ig9Tf69GaJoPubr3MinLI-NQynet1fXkdtMqgNbkfoISOtly2ieel0vWfSAXRKDrmd92yYwWCsAeEe-s6IdaMXjrXF_IM4vrnNr1BvVsG3oc7a6qAaq5T8SgctMXJh1lbr4Rkrk/s1600/IMG_2010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho7Rl1Ig9Tf69GaJoPubr3MinLI-NQynet1fXkdtMqgNbkfoISOtly2ieel0vWfSAXRKDrmd92yYwWCsAeEe-s6IdaMXjrXF_IM4vrnNr1BvVsG3oc7a6qAaq5T8SgctMXJh1lbr4Rkrk/s320/IMG_2010.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">At 7:15 first call was made for us to get to the start line. At 7:45am most of the runners were there and ready to go. Julie and company made some announcements gave out some cool award and got everyone in place so this shin dig can get started on time. I walked up to the front and took some photos. I saw Caitlin Smith so I took a picture. I am intrigued. She's a great runner, yoga instructor and a doula. Anybody who loves life that much to help with child birth, teaches feel good exercise and runs is OK in my book. I remember seeing her on the bus to Skyline to the Sea two years ago and then at the start line, then she smoked the course like she was on skates. OK enough with that. </div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfi9vjEk_i-drlmNMuf4ZViTiQsrLVZThBGx3Fxte_knesLc2oETBq5X8uKGG_sN2llC6H9aOLbDARo9Kx6p0YPbCSAnSm1ak11aEt_65CeIhXFjAnBKbN_VdJ8z45IMC566KTPlQDbQI/s1600/wtc019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfi9vjEk_i-drlmNMuf4ZViTiQsrLVZThBGx3Fxte_knesLc2oETBq5X8uKGG_sN2llC6H9aOLbDARo9Kx6p0YPbCSAnSm1ak11aEt_65CeIhXFjAnBKbN_VdJ8z45IMC566KTPlQDbQI/s320/wtc019.JPG" width="320" /></a></div></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caitlin Smith, ran 4:03 good enough for 2nd female 19th o/a</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The weather was also gorgeous. Near 60 degrees, high cloud cover and no wind. This was shaping up to be a perfect day for running. I kept my gloves on but ditched the sleeves and definitely no need for a beanie, despite my lack of cerebral insulation.<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPu7HH-G-Ner9IkiAzqWUfe_SVEYuKO80jsM6Govc_v9MJpP3IIUGYU1aEitQxnmjax6gkU7Y6zPxSc9kcwB52J-Ix40eTAnKfUPB559fJ3SgNZrS4qxYQhhjP0mZ2ZKgaKVaCSipAJPI/s1600/wtc016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPu7HH-G-Ner9IkiAzqWUfe_SVEYuKO80jsM6Govc_v9MJpP3IIUGYU1aEitQxnmjax6gkU7Y6zPxSc9kcwB52J-Ix40eTAnKfUPB559fJ3SgNZrS4qxYQhhjP0mZ2ZKgaKVaCSipAJPI/s320/wtc016.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSpHqpUX9Hb-feK4OjIejlnrwlNW5z7vpKUO1yC0i-43OU04GgfRpF4PYXBPdQr4b_rBgm3sH0pJeyhrtoVsn_1fRqLE0KFhLI0g3sCFenfLCwTIQVVSOp__Nzg0zY7DR6hgWGfmU5OwE/s1600/wtc020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSpHqpUX9Hb-feK4OjIejlnrwlNW5z7vpKUO1yC0i-43OU04GgfRpF4PYXBPdQr4b_rBgm3sH0pJeyhrtoVsn_1fRqLE0KFhLI0g3sCFenfLCwTIQVVSOp__Nzg0zY7DR6hgWGfmU5OwE/s320/wtc020.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I got a picture at the start and then we were off. I started at the 10 minute pace because that's what I wanted to run. Heading down the road all I could think was man these people are going out waaay too fast and so I slowed down. I hit mile one in just over 8 minutes and then we got on dirt. Right before the path narrowed a gorrila jumped out to greet us! Awesome, hope to see him down the road. Once on dirt people slowed down. Good...First creek crossing, what a mess. Some people were just mashing through it others keeping their feet dry, this would set the tone for the day. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX_bkDGySQ_K0GEN0UcjV_I8L_VJUZ1W1RM-BuuFEXi_uKchb0sqt4JPys7XTVS9V3oXg-2fgmKN60XtQnJcqN49SHb392hkYEw8yn9xl88gQKuM5z5kWxGGKcBG3eQUhdAt-nnYea7PA/s1600/wtc021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX_bkDGySQ_K0GEN0UcjV_I8L_VJUZ1W1RM-BuuFEXi_uKchb0sqt4JPys7XTVS9V3oXg-2fgmKN60XtQnJcqN49SHb392hkYEw8yn9xl88gQKuM5z5kWxGGKcBG3eQUhdAt-nnYea7PA/s320/wtc021.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> All I kept thinking was every extra ounce your feet weigh your body must use more energy and oxygen to keep going. Really?!?!?! I got over that quick, all I know is I would prefer dry feet. We moved from single track to dirt road and back for the next seven miles. At around 80 minutes (1:18) I hit the 8 mile mark and the Fire Station aid station. I grabbed a couple gu's and continued on my way. I remembered from the course profile the next section is a downhill 5K. So I picked up the pace a little and headed down hill. I got in behind a couple people and decided to just latch on.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWakyCHA1K7C38DTpsvBdB0D_QVkHdvJH7b89HroAXB6bXoCAkz_-4nRhKxvNNxsW6R9qtCeZNVOD6QTd-XT8FDbSt4ZAemVU2p-Ax3Z2l2aPYw52_8wtONr2nq7Uelo49XGlCDranTns/s1600/wtc022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWakyCHA1K7C38DTpsvBdB0D_QVkHdvJH7b89HroAXB6bXoCAkz_-4nRhKxvNNxsW6R9qtCeZNVOD6QTd-XT8FDbSt4ZAemVU2p-Ax3Z2l2aPYw52_8wtONr2nq7Uelo49XGlCDranTns/s320/wtc022.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> We cruised down and crossed Highway 49 then 'tada' Lower Quarry Aid station. 11.1 miles in 1:43...so far so good. I had to fill my pack (I will be going off on Nathan race bladders a little later...lets just say I will be looking to modify or get a new bladder before my next race). I grabbed a couple more gu's and got word the next aid was 5.6 miles away.</div></div><br />
This leg followed some of the Western States Trail as it ran parallel to the American River and then headed up and away from it. Time and this section rolled and went by pretty quick. I don't remember too much of it. I was pretty distracted by my watch for a little while. It had somehow got onto Lap mode and the running time stopped. Whatever, at two hours I reset it. We climbed up past an old mine...I thought this was pretty cool I just didn't take the time to take my camera out. It was a huge hole in the side of the mountain. Steel bars standing at least thirty feet high and spanned the same width protected it. I am certain gold was found in there. it would be fun to go in and check it out. I'll bet it goes in so far. Everything about California's gold discovery history fascinates me. Coloma, the discovery site, is not far from Cool. Someday the family will visit. I digress. The 5.6 went by quick and soon we arrived at the Main Bar aid station. I remember one of the super nice volunteers told me, "we are early and the next one is late" later this would come clear to me as the aid station wasn't really five plus miles but it was shorter than five. In the grand scheme of things this really meant ZERO! I felt my pack and figured it was good enough for 6. Off we went. I didn't look at my watch.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI6uG5J-CgJLpfj4cVL270StZt76IIE4cyoFR6WPqLNQsNZ_WgMhvNr5Gfu8_e3c3raDmudYh-rRmIFDjBj2XSJ5eDaq3icPW8sVBFYY4e5Uc3kV3sATGJ0cR-DBBLJjfdwt54OnNf2Eo/s1600/IMG_2021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI6uG5J-CgJLpfj4cVL270StZt76IIE4cyoFR6WPqLNQsNZ_WgMhvNr5Gfu8_e3c3raDmudYh-rRmIFDjBj2XSJ5eDaq3icPW8sVBFYY4e5Uc3kV3sATGJ0cR-DBBLJjfdwt54OnNf2Eo/s320/IMG_2021.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking up</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh14sgAkcsXqUXZACR7rxUGNJodO-dS5Mxk8ZoEaJAcKSFhmorVzdPgh9NDKDt7HlCIsNHWhDWm9GaRuHPCp6Eo5q7qqvjz6BlAcK1f_yYyv-Fv7xgf-8tsxwuUt_Esv9zQwAcT0InoNG4/s1600/IMG_2022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh14sgAkcsXqUXZACR7rxUGNJodO-dS5Mxk8ZoEaJAcKSFhmorVzdPgh9NDKDt7HlCIsNHWhDWm9GaRuHPCp6Eo5q7qqvjz6BlAcK1f_yYyv-Fv7xgf-8tsxwuUt_Esv9zQwAcT0InoNG4/s320/IMG_2022.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking Down</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</tbody></table>A group of people collected at the aid station and a lot of us left at the same time to the start of the next section. So we headed out in a group of a 6 or 7 people. Good times! This part of the course from Main Bar to Auburn Lake Trails Aid happened to be really awesome. Some of it I remembered from 2009, only this year we were going the opposite direction. Single track trails dominated the section. Soft, picture perfect trails with a great canopy to maintain a perfect running temperature. We ran our way over small climbs and quick descents, lots of woopties on and on and on and on. Mostly this part was kind of fast and I can just imagine the front runners hauling ass along here. So tempting to go faster, so I did...for a while. Then I broke down with "lets get smart" and slowed to where I felt comfortable and found a pace I should maintain. This section seemed so much longer than 6 miles. Almost weird. The small group splintered and the girl I ended up hanging with for most of the six miles is a physical therapist. She is also running Miwok, but here calendar includes Western States later this year. How awesome is that? She moved along pretty easily despite smashing her knee 6 months ago. Early-ish in the section she asked how far we had gone. I thought it would be about 16 or so but the time didn't add. I don't know. We were a little over 2:15 or 2:20 maybe 2:30!!! We tried to reason with time and where the aid station is....duh!! Then it hit me, the aid was early on the course not time. Sometimes I am not smart. Anyway this started an on/off chat that lasted most of the section. Good conversations with her, the smooth trail and the great scenery helped to make time go by reasonably fast.<br />
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We stayed on the Western States Trail (maybe someday I'll earn a chance to run it too) for a while, going backwards. I remembered seeing the numbers shrinking on the trail signs. One said 14.5 miles and this was at the 2h 45m or 3h 45m mark. The next one was 11 I just don't remember where. As we made our way up one last little hill we could hear some people cheering. She said she could hear someone say something about a beer. This would explain the volume. They were awesome and at the time it seemed like they were out tin the middle of no where. Canye hear da banjos? Anyway we finished the climb then headed down a couple little switchbacks and there was the Auburn Lake Trails Aid.<br />
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We came into the next aid station at about three and a half hours. The section between Fire Station Aid and ALT took 2:13. ALT aid station was a little crowded. They had soup!! Right on, mowed a couple cups and grabbed a couple more gu packs. I tried to get the bladder out...struggle, tried to get the cap off the nuun bottle...struggle. Finally filled my bladder except couldn't get the clip to slide back on...spill!!! <a href="mailto:F@%21*ME">F&!*ME</a>!! I watched as the people I was running with continued their journey while I struggled with water...back to filling the bladder and dropping nuun in. All I know is we came into the aid together and she left three minutes before I did. Bye! Didn't get her name...I never even really got a good look at her face. She did have cool socks though! Nathan has to do something about this system. They improved it from the screw off top to an open top with a slide, problem is the pack is narrow and the plastic slide doesn't fit well in the top. So it makes stuffing a full bladder back into the pack a little more time consuming than I would like...maybe they already fixed it. I would carry two bottles only I don't even like carrying one, so I carry a 50oz bladder with pockets. Keeps my hands free and this is good!<br />
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Finally filled and capped my bladder then left. Yay! finally moving...only my legs finally started feeling a little fatigue. I have been waiting for this. Along the way I contemplated my training. Several long runs of 17 to 19 miles starting with a good one at Montana de Oro in mid February. To say my base running was exemplery would be a gross overstatement. I am playing catching up and now I know why my legs are getting heavy. The good thing is forward motion was still at a reasonable run pace. I didn't feel bad I just didn't feel great.<br />
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The five mile journey to Goat Hill Aid proved to be just as beautiful as the rest of the course. Rolling single track, sweeping views and weather taylor made for the day could have encouraged any runner to get going with a smile on their face. Just beautiful!!! Even if I felt like I was slowing down I could tell my running was either smart or steady or both. Mostly because I wasn't getting passed and I was picking off an occasional person here and there. Now that I was mostly by myself I kind of turned things off. In other words I really can't remember much of the trail until it got steep and then I recall I was supposed to say Happy Birthday to some Old Goat. Climbing up the final 100 meters or so of Goat Hill (totally appropriate name) felt oddly ok and I can remember not feeling wasted at the top. The gentleman toward the top told me I was looking strong and I believed him. At the top I guess really didn't feel toooooo bad. Once again not great just not bad. Goat Hill Aid was quick and the people there were great. My pack was filled quick, gu grabbed and best of all there was a bucket filled with water and sponges. I could feel the sweat running in my eyes and a little bath was in order. Done! Goat Hill was five times faster than ALT. Just sayin.'<br />
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We, the guy I came in with, left about the same time. 26 point something something miles into this journey. Four hours and about thirty minutes. I knew my ultimate, scream like an idiot type goal of five hours was no longer attainable. Not a bad trail marathon time though. At this point one of the aid guys told us we had three down two up to finish. Made sense. And this was a great way to look at it. We were still running, just slower. We did get some down hill and the two of us caught up with some others and soon there was five. We coasted along the trail at a comfortable pace. I can finish running at this pace. Time went by really fast on this one. I kept behind this bigger guy. He rolled and rolled. We crossed a creek and then started up the quarry trail. I stayed with these two guys in front making sure I didn't let my heart rate get up too high. Comfortable climbing pace. Right before the road crossing Julie had put up the be first of several inspirational signs. The first...Winston Churchill, "The most important thing is to never, never, never give up," and then Prefontaine's awesome quote, "To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the Gift." Good timing Julie! We crossed Highway 49. The last aid station and what a beautiful thing it was. I threw water in my face, sucked down some gu water and then left....running. I had 1.6 miles to go and I was at 5 hours 6 minutes. I needed to get that hour off my time from 2009. To my surprise I felt really good. Maybe because after 29 miles another 1.6 didn't seem that bad. I had this last part wrapped in my head. Leaving the aid station, we had to climb a drainage type trail. Some of it runnable, some of it not. Trying to make it all runnable, the people who I was with were now behind me. Along the way, that last little stretch I caught another half dozen or so people. No big deal, I just think my time with SLO Trail Runners, although brief, is paying off. That and multiple hours of cross training in the pool and working out with my wife at the ass crack of dawn. The last little bit of trail went fast and I just kept picken up the pace finishing wiith everything (almost) I had. I made the last mile in around nine minutes. To me that was pretty good. All I know is when I saw the time clock around the last little corner I knew I just cut an hour off of my time. And I walked away from the finish line feeling good!! 10 times better than in 2009. Hell, I wanted a beer.<br />
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<b>After thoughts about this event:</b><br />
This race is exceptionally well organized. The new course lay out is fast and as I just found out, mostly runnable. Start to finish the trail was fun and really not too too muddy. Despite all the rain this area has received the trail didn't really resemble a mud fest. A lot of the muddy sections were avoidable while some of the drainages weren't and your feet got wet. The people on the course I ran into were great, most of them even smiled and greeted you. The Aid station people must be from a different planet. How can you be so happy being so helpful out in the middle of nowhere to complete strangers. OK I get it and someday I am going to be on the other side of the table. Needless to say they were great, they tried to get you what you needed before you even made it to the table. They weren't pushy and did what you asked, so I observed. Everything was set up and organized and getting in and out was very easy! Overall, they, collectively, get a 10/10. Aid stations can make or break your run and these guys made it.<br />
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Take home...I need to look into and experiment with some electrolyte replacements. Even though nuun is golden for me, I could feel my calves cramping up again before mile 20. Not bad...but before I take on Miwok I need to have my nutrition solid. My training thus far has been as good as it can be. I need to get back on track with my diet and get some good miles in this week. So far so good.<br />
<br />
A big thanks to all who helpe make Way Too Cool 50K happen. <b>Julie Fingar</b> hosts a great race and I look forward to running one of her other races soon. Julie is a great person, friend and is also a great coach....I can't wait to get under her tutilage again. Until then i'll just keep with the relentless forward progress.Jim Eggenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17631171501059307529noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1971019551481876536.post-42525857511431006962011-03-07T10:40:00.000-08:002011-03-07T10:40:36.970-08:00Looking forward to Way Too CoolMarch 7, 2011<br />
When I got into Way Too Cool this year I started formulating a recipie for a stellar year...I had it all planned out. A week later I found out I also got into Miwok 100K...bonus!!! My aspirations for a good year couldn't have been higher. So in the middle of December I started mapping out my run strategy. I figured I would finish December with some easy runs of 90 minutes or less and January I would finish building my base. December 31 I went out for and easy-ish 50 minute run. On the way out I thought it would be a great idea to pick up the pace to see how far I could go before I had to turn around. So I picked it up for a touch more than 15 minutes. At the turn around I decided to increase the intensity and do a few 3 minute pick ups to get back quicker. At the end of the first one my calf started cramping...so I stopped, stretched it a little and then started trying to run. NO FRIKEN WAY!!! This was real pain...F-ME!!! So I tried to slowly jog, nope not havin' it, walking even hurt. It took me almost an hour to get back. By then I was freezin' ass and my calf hurt so bad I couldn't walk normally. For the next six weeks I was up and down with regular running. If I timed it right I could get a decent longish (2h then 2.5 then 3, etc). Mid week runs were not happening. I did a lot of cross training. This year took a turn for the worse and by the end of January I started thinking about dropping out of Miwok. <br />
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On February 5th Luis Escobar hosted (see first post) a low key intro to his Ultra he is hosting in May. So I went with reservations and tried to plan the run after a couple of days with no real exercise to speak of. We went out on two 10 mile loops for 20 Miles over four hours...this is awesome. Over it? Nope, close but no cigar, so I nursed it, got a massage, pool work out, lots of ice and lots of stretching. Then, like some kinda friken miracle, at Montana de Oro on 2/13 my calf haunt was gone. I had a solid run without problems. The next week, 18 miles with SLO Trail Runners and one midweek run. The next week we did a similar run just harder with 5 total runs on the week. That brings me to last week. I finally had a great week of running. Five solid days, one speed day a longer (15m) day, short hard day, off another longish day (14) and then an easy early run on Sunday. About 50 miles. <br />
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I am way behind where I thought I was going to be in the middle of December. I can't really catch up. I just have to change my goals for March 12th a little. What I wanted to do was a sub 5 hour 50K at Way Too Cool. Two years ago I ran 6 hours 22 minutes. Realistically, this year I would like to take an hour off of that. We'll see.<br />
<br />
Goals for WTC:<br />
Be smart, patient and finish strong.<br />
Finish with a time under 5:22.<br />
Awesome finish is 4:59 or better.<br />
Not get hurt.<br />
Ultimately, run a good race and feel good at the end.<br />
Most importantly, I just wana have fun and go at it like an aging rock star.Jim Eggenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17631171501059307529noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1971019551481876536.post-9672535285592771712011-02-28T19:35:00.000-08:002011-03-01T11:48:06.309-08:00Morning Glory, Shooters x2February 26, 2011<br />
<br />
The hype for today revolved around running in the snow. Over the past two days weather persons told us we <i>could</i> see snow as low as 500 feet. I remember Dave Hovde specifically said Friday (paraphrasing) that the cold front coming down would be cold enough for snow at lower elevations, if the precipitation holds on long enough. It didn't. Last time it snowed in the town of San Luis I was flipping burgers at Franks. That was a long (ish) time ago. Anyway, that was the hype.<br />
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We, SLO Trail Runners, met at the bottom of Cuesta Grade on Old Stage Coach road for the second consecutive week. The meeting time, 6am, didn't allow for early views of the ridges so if it snowed up on top we wouldn't know it until we got there.<br />
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At 6:11am we left. I heavily anticipated a snow run. I even wore pants and a heavier type jacket. The pants I took off and the jacket I should have.<br />
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I'll just say it now...I was tired and I had a fairly crappy run. I can make all kinds of excuses. Bottom line is that it started off bad and as the day warmed up and continued moving forward, so did I. Now is when I would typically say, "it wasn't all that bad" and it really didn't finish "that bad" it just never reached the same ease as last week. <br />
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I had to hike most of Stage Coach Road. My heart rate and respiration struggled to an even rhythm. Brad felt a little weary of mashin' the hill too fast, recovering from an IT Band issue, so we hike/jogged all the way to the Morning Glory drop in.<br />
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No real snow on the grade. I felt sort of disappointed. Dusty took some great photos. On the day, he was the camera guy. If you enlarge the photo you can see some dusting on the hill behind us and some on the ground around us. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGbuJXEfUGzpQxUmT1-RZllzC0dcG-lNYHoLaukeRmlZGxVSU_Xm7zUf98a2-bOrn4qj_9Lg3KbMXhzbpY8upWlhVDIrmpAKM_OfNZWqU8ouAKabyFubs-Wujvn0fumxfe3bXGQzzGdkk/s1600/download-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGbuJXEfUGzpQxUmT1-RZllzC0dcG-lNYHoLaukeRmlZGxVSU_Xm7zUf98a2-bOrn4qj_9Lg3KbMXhzbpY8upWlhVDIrmpAKM_OfNZWqU8ouAKabyFubs-Wujvn0fumxfe3bXGQzzGdkk/s320/download-5.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo Dusty Davis, West Cuesta Ridge</td></tr>
</tbody></table>This picture does the day justice. It is so beautiful this time of the day, that thinking about being miserable is just a complete waste of time. So, instead of misery, I just felt weak. Dusty's pictures pretty much say it all. So I will just line up this sequence and then let them speak for themselves.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA79Neau3nTMak_aXXt8wA7czxqGyz7NTzIalH7wf8GlsYh-FuyVUoB0ghsy70LQSrLUXS2_u0m_CjRvOz4JSy-WlOwyEkG2XUCoSptiggNUKyeXGbd8lKp8s5Dakdy95DmqAo1t5Pa9g/s1600/me4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA79Neau3nTMak_aXXt8wA7czxqGyz7NTzIalH7wf8GlsYh-FuyVUoB0ghsy70LQSrLUXS2_u0m_CjRvOz4JSy-WlOwyEkG2XUCoSptiggNUKyeXGbd8lKp8s5Dakdy95DmqAo1t5Pa9g/s320/me4.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">on the way down MG (photo Dusty Davis) <br />
<br />
</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Gjr5yzfZIUq9II2GgZ3zIzQVB20vUANwyEOemyW4I0mCim8JMRWo0zo5NhVO4SfQ2z-sxC6ialE7arhqf7LksU7lmj-D1OpQWUikaD3aPOarwzE93g4e7dQm2tAPWu-pluL-RQH8ZtQ/s1600/me3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Gjr5yzfZIUq9II2GgZ3zIzQVB20vUANwyEOemyW4I0mCim8JMRWo0zo5NhVO4SfQ2z-sxC6ialE7arhqf7LksU7lmj-D1OpQWUikaD3aPOarwzE93g4e7dQm2tAPWu-pluL-RQH8ZtQ/s320/me3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">how I felt at the top of Shooters (photo Dusty D)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUz0s5beKoYyQzp_97MBB8285YW1F-VkNBh97HLG8NwsLsB9yqbK3yYShyphenhyphen4TmGZcjuPKqJPSIaHVRn9Vl3hy5kj2A6tloeoRUCxDpRQJ6W1-A-tECF2W_uhHrNRcBNQVjG3f-Q_i9F6Jw/s1600/me.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUz0s5beKoYyQzp_97MBB8285YW1F-VkNBh97HLG8NwsLsB9yqbK3yYShyphenhyphen4TmGZcjuPKqJPSIaHVRn9Vl3hy5kj2A6tloeoRUCxDpRQJ6W1-A-tECF2W_uhHrNRcBNQVjG3f-Q_i9F6Jw/s320/me.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sarcasm doesn't need words (photo Dusty D)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>OK, so that was the run. To this point...then we did it again. I hadn't planned on doing a double on Morning Glory and Shooters. After all, we did this last Saturday and then I went out on Wednesday and did it by myself. Both times felt really good. This time, at this point, was different. I had to do it again. Why, I still can't really figure it out. Mostly because I need time on my feet. I will be running Way Too Cool 50K in a couple weeks and I need to have a decent four hour run with good climbs in it before the 'race' or run. I am not racing except against my 6 hour and 20 minute time I had in 2009. Goal is 5 hours +/- 15 minutes. So this run was important to say the least. I had thought about going back to the car and running later or heading back up Stage Coach Road. Neither of these ideas seemed really feasible, doable or should I just say that I knew as soon as I returned to the car my run was done.<br />
<br />
I started running again, slowly and concentrating on keeping an even pace. It worked. Back to Morning Glory. We didn't waste any time and like last week I was given the front. This time I didn't haul ass, this time I tried to keep my feet underneath me and finish the run better than I had started. So we cruised down the mud-fest one more time. The four of us gently made our way to the bottom when 'snap' Brads ankle found a rock that bit back. He 'rolled' it pretty good. He said he was fine and we continued on our way. At the intersection of MG and Shooters I gave it a quick inspection. History: done this lots of times while playing volleyball and basketball competitively. No immediate swelling, noticeable limp or deformity. We briefly discussed it then Thomas advised me to get going so I did. He and Dusty caught up quick and then Thomas got and itch and I guess he had to scratch it. That guy flew up Shooters so fast it was kinda weird. Dusty fell behind Darting Thomas too and pretty soon there were four guys going up Shooter separately at the same time. It was still cold but this time my hands didn't freeze and I kept a better running pace. I guess you could say, the second half of the run was much better than the first. Which is good because I needed something worth writing home about!<br />
<br />
At the top we admired the view, tried to figure out which 'sister' sits behind Cuesta College. Which I can now say is Cerro Remauldo, there is also a smaller one that doesn't have a name that sits under Chumash and these line up between Bishops Peak and Hollister. Really when you look at them in a row it is a stunning site. The view is a just reward for trying to run up Shooters. A clear day or not, rain, snow (HA!) mud on yer face, it just doesn't matter. The view makes everything good! <br />
<br />
Back to reality. On the way down we ran into Scott Dubrul who was at the beginning of his five hour jaunt around the hills. Sounds like fun. He didn't need a jacket or gloves or even a beenie....hmmm this day had the promise of a snow run. Instead, we were treated to another gorgeous day of cool temps and sunshine. I think we are spoiled...maybe. The trails were in good condition, muddy but good, the weather held up and actually produced more sunshine than anything else...in fact it DID snow in San Luis Obispo, for about 45 seconds, then it turned to freezing rain then rain...then it went away and sunshine took over again. It was kinda cold though, I mean I did have to wear a jacket.<br />
<br />
After all was said and done we ran over 18 miles. I am not sure of elevation, my guess is somewhere around 4,000 feet.<br />
Take home, lesson learned, what I now know: Give a run a chance, you never know when it will turn good, even if you have to wait a couple hours. Be a plugger!<br />
<br />
Lat week Dusty showed up with some really cool bright red shoes. Light weight and big treads!! Awesome, I like. So I looked into INOV8, the shoe company, and picked up some black ones...toe box too tight. So Friday I went to running warehouse and exchanged them for the Bright Red Ones!!! Honestly, I liked them. I even got to chat with the leading authority on shoes in this area, Erik Dube. Good talk, I learned a lot and it's fun to get to see people outside of running...even if they are at work. The shoes worked really well on muddy decents and didn't seem to move around or break tread when on the street. They fit my foot well, the heal counter didn't slip the toe box is a comfortable height and the construction helped with arch support (or I don't really need it). Anyway, the shoes and jacket and red strip on my shorts earned me 'Most Color Coordinated' on the day. A dubious honor that I will cherish for all time.<br />
Next week easy and then WTC 50K!<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIEYnj8iYtbxvW3RzFqlFXKd5jHyPbBvZSv0LLNVkJon12dkzFOonC3Obd4ltVPo-LIVK5_yqmpLyn173ZzQfDHX3JiJdz5VGJTtDyKB7QTnCf2ULNl2_dvab-8yMsDBfBXHqiSQjoL7E/s1600/IMG_1989.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIEYnj8iYtbxvW3RzFqlFXKd5jHyPbBvZSv0LLNVkJon12dkzFOonC3Obd4ltVPo-LIVK5_yqmpLyn173ZzQfDHX3JiJdz5VGJTtDyKB7QTnCf2ULNl2_dvab-8yMsDBfBXHqiSQjoL7E/s320/IMG_1989.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">heading down Morning Glory</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Some shots from my camera and a good example as to why I have to borrow other peoplesss photos.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhypmlfR7dIUacAbMMyA-monNFwDMdrFlSbdT1NDjV9Io5aR7bBztGG2FQZR15REMacYjedOLbRXlzQoGQFLlnlhL697Vst3QsUMuW7Sx6ASn8ctoAyFOObsp79aUDPdUCKwj9PF6vHTHY/s1600/IMG_1992.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhypmlfR7dIUacAbMMyA-monNFwDMdrFlSbdT1NDjV9Io5aR7bBztGG2FQZR15REMacYjedOLbRXlzQoGQFLlnlhL697Vst3QsUMuW7Sx6ASn8ctoAyFOObsp79aUDPdUCKwj9PF6vHTHY/s320/IMG_1992.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thomas running fast</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN1V9CErpDwJWTJp24kCRfwk9e00Rm-bHScVai7TFv60j-_RMrSsMMU_OqvziU5tk8sWQ2bYciMQl_OjhUU7b0PNZFMxP4xAcN8C1-9w5PdVjl4CnAwJBUaqCaHahxdRvSNa-aA8mbFSA/s1600/IMG_1993.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN1V9CErpDwJWTJp24kCRfwk9e00Rm-bHScVai7TFv60j-_RMrSsMMU_OqvziU5tk8sWQ2bYciMQl_OjhUU7b0PNZFMxP4xAcN8C1-9w5PdVjl4CnAwJBUaqCaHahxdRvSNa-aA8mbFSA/s320/IMG_1993.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">round one, done!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkBL2j9OD8g-RTBq_ikRp8V91RplfMH66pnT2xu4xmYket3Grd1S_MSZ5U2CQIPkPaRKXFAwGvYRcx03mdFurTCdOves5s9NPuWkhC1NuETqC3ScJ1pWfbBsg6216R4_g2PgVirYD_LnI/s1600/IMG_1995.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkBL2j9OD8g-RTBq_ikRp8V91RplfMH66pnT2xu4xmYket3Grd1S_MSZ5U2CQIPkPaRKXFAwGvYRcx03mdFurTCdOves5s9NPuWkhC1NuETqC3ScJ1pWfbBsg6216R4_g2PgVirYD_LnI/s320/IMG_1995.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">frosty hat...kinda cold</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Jim Eggenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17631171501059307529noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1971019551481876536.post-43118300772861356162011-02-20T19:58:00.000-08:002011-02-24T12:35:03.463-08:00SLO Trail Runners: Stage Coach RunFebruary 19, 2011<br />
<br />
Since I started running five years ago I had always run by myself. Along the way I found some people here and there to hang out with me but it was more of a fluke than a regular occurance. Most recently, during Cal Poly's last football season, my friend Anthony started hanging with me more and more. Cool, until football ended and now our schedules don't mix. I have always been alright with solo running. I most often thought I was too friken slow to keep up with any decent runner anyway. Afterall, while out on my usual midweek runs, the Cal Poly cross country team smokes by me like I was walking. It would be depressing except they are half my age and most have been running twice as long as I have and race against fast people. It's humbling and funny at the same time because I have heard some of these twigs shoot turds at me because I am slow yet only one will be an all-american. And he is as cool as they come. OK, it's funny to me...there pace is my PR and they make fun of me even though they aren't <i>that</i> good! I think it's funny. So that's my midweek thoughts while I am out on my runs...'when am I gonna get passed?' Running alone isn't that bad. Running with people is just awsome! Now I know why the 'twigs' always go out in packs of 8 to 15...shoot the bull while you're turning it over for an hour or so.<br />
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After the Born to Run get together in Los Olivos a couple weeks ago, one of the peoples running, Tim Cullum, let me know of a new running group in San Luis. He said they can be found on Facebook, so I checked it out. Yep, pretty new alright, started this year. Thanks Thomas and Heeva (and whoever else got this going) what a great idea. This town needs a good trail run group and now it has it! Complete with varying running abilities and accomplishments (lots completing 100 milers, some with jaw dropping course records and all with some good advice to share). This looked like the type of group that would help me push my running to the next level. To an elite level? surely you jest! hahahahaaaaaa Laugh My FAO. I like middle of the pack, lots of people to talk to. I wouldn't know but it seems that if you're infront...there are only people behind you and that would be cool, just highly unlikely for me. I signed up. So easy, all I had to do was click "Like" and tada!!! I am a member. Now I got to get involved. This weekend Thomas put the word out for an 18 mile run starting at the bottom of the Cuesta Grade on Stage Coach Road. I'm game! <br />
<br />
Getting out of bed at 5am is alright if you're used to it, I like 6 better, and I think it would have been a struggle if I had to go to work. Since I was heading out for a group run I didn't wana be the new guy and the last guy otherwise I would be 'that' guy. Making my pancakes I kept thinking about the thunder that had taken some sleep from me and I wondered if running along a ridgeline would be such a great idea. Leaving for the run I can see some clear spots and I forgot about the thunder.<br />
<br />
On Stage Coach, Heeva waited while Thomas and I drove up at the same time. I formally met Heeva and then we all started chatting about stuff. Next Dusty showed, then Bryan and finally Erik Dube rounded out the group. We were to meet three more at the top so we headed out. The cloud cover kept the temperature from freezing our nuts and pikin an easy pace we made our way along the somewhat saturated dirt road. The road was nice and soft and definitely wet. This was kinda fun. My first real group run. I felt obliged to keep up with these guys, so I pushed it a little bit more than I normally would have if I was alone and yet the pace was still somewhat within my comfort zone. Stage Coach Road is exactly what it sounds like, an old road going up a hill that hugged a mountain which serviced a horse drawn coach. It's mostly dirt, hill on one side, drop off on the other with an oak canopy and sharp canted turns. On the way up Erik and Thomas answered my questions and offered advice about where to stay and how to run the Miwok 100k. Good Stuff! <br />
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At the summit, for cars, we picked up three more peoples, Larry, Cody and Kristin. We made introductions, shared some words, then I said I have to keep going...I know I am the slow one in this group and I had been up this once before...on a bike and I knew the first mile or so is up. As it turns out the first five miles were up. Great way to start a run. No really, most trail runs have this agenda...beat you up early then see if you can hold on. On the way up we were treated to some views that only those who earn it and time it right get to see.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOMDh75bScZoZnjf4dJA3IeHqCvThZm7uOBuVpQzOgkozJRsn9WPZGto16pR-JxJW50fCyDl9sO6HsKUbKbg5wwy3sF4FZfJREP3E4DsHSKZAd-r-cAdILEQjLXyjwi8kvkpFkk3SCnRM/s1600/slotrgrade.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOMDh75bScZoZnjf4dJA3IeHqCvThZm7uOBuVpQzOgkozJRsn9WPZGto16pR-JxJW50fCyDl9sO6HsKUbKbg5wwy3sF4FZfJREP3E4DsHSKZAd-r-cAdILEQjLXyjwi8kvkpFkk3SCnRM/s320/slotrgrade.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking south. (photo Thomas Reiss)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>This shot represents the view pretty well, ultimately you had to be there. At the turn to Shooters we stopped for a moment and contemplated something. Once again I just kept going, for the same reason as above which is, I am considerably slower than these people, therefore I keep up the relentless forward progress. After we rounded the peak above Shooters we were treated to another view. I can't remember if this was from that point or one a little further down the road. Doesn't matter, we just saw an awesome sunrise and now we are getting treated to...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglKDcomddrmslWQByrdP1orFLOMriDP_d1OKBIYEi0AjEtuqlNaelyP76zTTC0n2ZfEY-GtD_TWPTCi6iVcipSJNtTkUPZ42Si6dKvyrB5uUv4c6F5uQALd4kAg4Kct5oDv9d3SKTHqus/s1600/slotrgrade1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglKDcomddrmslWQByrdP1orFLOMriDP_d1OKBIYEi0AjEtuqlNaelyP76zTTC0n2ZfEY-GtD_TWPTCi6iVcipSJNtTkUPZ42Si6dKvyrB5uUv4c6F5uQALd4kAg4Kct5oDv9d3SKTHqus/s320/slotrgrade1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
...a rainbow. Really? This day is super fantastic. It's not even 8am yet! So, we enjoy the endless views as we run, heading north on west cuesta ridge making our way to the botanical gardens area...also know as the entry point to Morning Glory.<br />
A general meeting was called at the top of Morning Glory. Erik had to go but wasn't ready yet, Thomas needed more miles, Dusty and Heeva are along for the ride, Kristin, Cody and Larry weren't sure about the extra miles but also didn't want to go down yet and Bryan turned around a mile ago. I remember thinking "OK! shit or get off the pot." Actually I said it outloud, in a sarcastic and mild humored sort of way. I think Heeva laughed at it and somewhat agreed. So, we kept going. Just a couple more miles then turn around. Now we are on an adventure. The views kept coming. At one point we were up from Cuesta Tech and there was a path that shot straight down to it. I remember my friend Anthony ran up this (almost to the top) last week or so and said it was a 10 mile run from the athletic training room at C-tech. That would make this long run an even longer run. Before too long, as it seemed, we made it to the turn around, which was about 8 miles, with a reasonable amount of elevation already gained. So heading down towards Chorro Regional Park or Cuesta would add eight to ten miles and tack on another 1000 feet at minimum. Maybe next week...maybe not. Either way it will be done sometime this year. <br />
The ridgeline offers pretty even running. Small changes in elevation to keep it interesting and currently sported lots of puddles to jump. Before we turned around we managed to head down one last longish (maybe 600 meters) hill with a decent grade. So we hit the bottom of said hill, cruised for a few then said 'OK time to turn around.' I remember thinking this is the kind of run I have been needing and I was just along for the ride so stoked about it is an understatement. Heading back to the climb I still felt really good and the cool weather certainly helped keep me going. It was on the way back up the hill when I knew the company I followed is light years ahead of me in ability and conditioning. They ran up the hill, I hiked. I am good with that, I already knew Thomas and Erik were exceptional runners and now I know Heeva and Dusty are too. At the top of the little (huge climb) hill I noticed the color of the rain changed. And, I thought I would share the information with the guys waaaaaay up front. They had already stopped and Thomas had his camera out ready to document the answer to my question, "Hey guys is it me or did the color of the rain turn white?" Yeppers, can you believe it? Snowing on the grade. We were up pretty high (for San Luis) and it was cold but I didn't think it was that cold.<br />
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/#%21/video/video.php?v=1852822206072&oid=192493257431200&comments">http://www.facebook.com/#!/video/video.php?v=1852822206072&oid=192493257431200&comments</a><br />
I hope this link works. This is proof, sorta, that it snowed.<br />
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So the climb was done and we continued on. Providing we weren't climbing anything too steep for too long I could keep up. I probably could have left 'it' out there, I just didn't. We dropped into Morning Glory and Erik headed on his way along West Cuesta Ridge. This is the one place I know I could pace everyone and since I hadn't been up front all day I just went with it. MG was mushy and despite its somewhat loose rock foundation you still sank a little. The single track forced a lot of lateral movement and we sorta danced around the trail as we let gravity take care of the rest. We (I) had a good time and Thomas took a video toward the end. Once again I felt compeled to go a little faster than normal due to the company.<br />
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<a href="http://www.facebook.com/home.php#%21/video/video.php?v=1852845606657&oid=192493257431200&comments">http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/video/video.php?v=1852845606657&oid=192493257431200&comments</a><br />
This is the video of the last part of MG. The pace obviously isn't too taxing to Thomas. At first I thought he was talking to his wife on the phone giving her a play by play of our run. Video of us running is fun. Next time I am taking my camera...well I did take my camera so next time I am going to make sure my battery is charged.<br />
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Where Shooters and MG meet we stopped and waited for everyone else to join before we climbed. Dusty told me we hit the little woopties or inclines a little fast and all I could think to myself was, yep I did go too fast and I am gona pay on the way up Shooters.<br />
I waited for everyone to go and chose to be the caboos up Shooters. I know I know, I pussed it, what a sandbagger....I'll just say I prefer gravity assisted running. I started slow, then found a rhythm and fell in behind Kristin. I could see Heeva, Thomas, Cody and Dusty up ahead. They had a really good pace going. I think they managed two or three minutes on us just in that short climb. At the top we took a groupish photo minus Erik, Thomas, Larry and Bryan.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking down on paradise. Heeva, Dusty, Cody, Jim and Kristin (photo Thomas Reiss)<br />
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</tbody></table>When the group collected we headed out to finish the run. I really coulda gone faster up Shooters and should have but I didn't...ok over it. I felt good as we headed out and that is good enough for me. I started chatting with Thomas again and before I knew it we were off. We took a smooth cruise down the grade talking about business and sponsors and Dean. Ha! we got onto all kinds of subjects. Before I knew it we were at the bottom. Heeva was along a little bit later. Everyone had a great day. <br />
18 miles, a little over 3000 feet in 3is hours. It was shortly after 10am, dang I have never motivated myself to get in a run like that this early...unless I pay for it! <br />
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Take Home:<br />
Learned a lot about race strategy at Miwok 100K, pacing and why running in a group is a really, really good idea>>>>no excuses! You have to go. Plus, it is way more fun talking to people than making fun of people riding bikes to yourself.<br />
Next up for a decent run: Mott Gym to Shooters, MG and back. Probably wont write about that though because I will be by myself, making fun of bikers.<br />
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http://connect.garmin.com/activity/69091208Jim Eggenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17631171501059307529noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1971019551481876536.post-76999014708037544762011-02-16T18:13:00.000-08:002011-02-18T18:04:28.523-08:00Pacific Coast Trail Runs: Montana de Oro 25KFeb 13, 2011<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"...red skies in the morn' sailors bewarned" On the way to MdO</td></tr>
</tbody></table> I had originally signed up for the 50K. BUT, on New Years Eve I went out for a 50 minute tempo run. At the turn around I decided to pick it up and three minutes into the return trip my left calf knotted up in a hurry and nearly brought me to my knees. Since then I have been battling to find a consistent running program. Most of the time getting less than 40 miles in a week. Bad timing. I digress. So today I decided to run the 25K thinking a three hour run would be way better than a seven.<br />
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The morning was really cool until the sun started hitting us. Cool, rather than cold, means a slight onshore breeze with the temperature a muggy 40 degrees. As the sun came up the temperature did too.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Luis Escobar </td></tr>
</tbody></table> I arrived early for some reason. I think I just wanted time to let my body warm up and do its thing before this shin dig got going. At 7:30am I checked in and met up with friends, acquaintances and spoke to some new people. I saw Luis Escobar, our local running legend and all around good guy, talking to just about everybody.<br />
He was there to photograph the runners. Good!! PCTR hasn't historically had good photographers here, so having Luis is a special kind of thing because he is good. I got to talk to him for a little bit. It's always cool to get to chum it up with peoples before an event, otherwise you are doing something you love to do with people who share an interest...by yourself. How friken boring would that be? I ran into Thomas Reiss a couple minutes after talking to Luis. Thomas is a pretty fast runner. Clearly the fastest out here today. Fast enough to be sponsored by La Sportiva. He's a good guy and totally human. Meaning he is dealing with some issues the rest of us deal with so he is running the 25k today too. Usually he runs the 50K and smokes it. We separated with about half hour before the start. Time to go get ready, warm up and do whatever else my body tells me I need.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thomas Reiss</td></tr>
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I found a little trail up from where I parked and started my warm up. As much as I was thinking about the upcoming run, I was more concerned with my left calf giving me a wake up. 20 minutes later I was warmed up, had a little sweat going and started to jog to the start line. No problem with the calf...so far. I arrived to the start in time for the RD's speach and I took the opportunity to take a few pictures. As it turns out these were the only ones I took minus a crrrraappy view shot from the top of Valencia. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Race Director Sarah. 5 years running PCTR Events, never met her.</td></tr>
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Time to go. No gun...megaphone horn. We were off. I know I am not the fastest one on the course, not even top 10, I am a mid packer...and I like it. Anyway, I decided to get near the front and roll with the quicker people for a little while. Mostly because very early in the race everyone has to cross a small footbridge and the further back you are the longer you wait to get into the bottle neck. I went through somewhere in the first 15 people. Then we headed down the Bluff Trail. An easy, flat start to the race. I felt good a was getting caught up in the flow of things. Then I got inside my head and decided to slow down and find my own rhythm and stop thinking about who is passing me. Though I did take note.</div>Leaving Bluff Trail we turned left onto Pecho V. Road and then right onto Rattlesnake Trail we were finally getting into some climbing. I had never been this far up front before. It was kinda weird looking back down the hill at the snake of people making their way through the trails. The first climb was short, maybe half a mile on an easy grade so I kept pace. Luis Escobar was camped out at the top, cool photo op! I had my eyes closed...boooo!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Going up Rattlesnake Trail (photo Luis Escobar)</td></tr>
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The trail evened out and then narrowed and headed into a ravine. The pace kept up, then the climbing started up again. Easy single track up. This is where I thought I would save my legs. Some of the spots were a little steep for me so I power hiked them and then worked into a run again. A quick right onto the Badger Trail and we were heading up a gradual climb. I tried to maintain an even pace and made my way up, then down a little bump and onto a traversing single track that compelled you to speed up. This was short lived and then we were on our way up. Valencia Trail is a longish single track heading up to the 1340ish foot Valencia Peak. More or less the most sought after peak at MdO just because of its beauty and challenge. I slowed down a bit and settled into a good pace of power hiking. I got passed a lot. People were running harder than I like to in the early parts. One guy in particular had a green shirt on. I would hang out with him for most of the race. Then a couple passed me and then a few others. Valencia Trail moves easily up the center of an offshoot of the peak and then gets steep. We rolled the about half a mile easier part before making our way around the peak. As the trail steepend I caught up to a lady and I got stuck behind her as she was huffin' and puffin but not letting me by. With about 75 yards of the top I had enough and ran it, passed her and a few others, got to the top, snapped a photo and then made my way down.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gratuitus Valencia Peak Shot. Gorgeous Day!</td></tr>
</tbody></table> I found a smoothie pace that turned out fast enough to catch up with a group of people and so a 8 to 10 person train got started. At the Oats Peak junction I stopped to pee. I glanced at my watch, 59 minutes..that's the fastest I had ever made it up. Cool, I felt good. I cruised down the rest of the way, picking up the train again half way down. We all bombed into the aid station at about the same time. I filled my pack quickly and left..the fastest I had ever shot through an aid station. I was on a roll.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bombin' down Oats Peak I think (photo, Luis Escobar)</td></tr>
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The next section, Hazard Peak is a lot more runnable than Valencia. The pitch is gradual and peaks out a few hundred feet lower. Its gradual nature suckers you in and basically dares you to run. The next dirt road , Islay Creek Road, is a service road out to an old barn and starts the second part. I hit the dirt at 80 minutes and made my way over the 3 miles as it rolled and climbed. I was definitely going faster than I did last year. And no calf problem. Once again I settled into a good steady pace and ran/hiked my way to the the next part at a nine minute pace, eventually I arrived at the one real climb on the second loop, Barranca Trail. I was hoping to get to the top of Barrancha at 2 hours even. At the same time I remembered last year this s.o.b. trail chewed me up and spit me out. I just didn't know it until I was heading down Hazard Peak, I bonked. So this year I promised myself to stay even and just have a strong and smart climb. So I did. Hey look!!! green shirt guy, then the copuple passed me again. They must have doddled at the aid. Oh man they're running up this thing. Bye. As I worked my way up I could see I was catching quite a few people that passed me going up Valencia. I kept my hike pace and drew them in one at a time. I hit the top at 2h 5min. Feeling Good!! Now it's a quick shot down. I moved through the short switchbacks pretty quick and was about to turn on East Boundary Trail when I suddenly noticed it wasn't where it used to be. Was es das? Wo haben die Spur gehen? Oh well lets go with it. Somebody moved it and it was going North instead of West. The new part moved real smooth and instead of going up a steep little saddle we went around it. It made the trail longer but also made it a lot more runnable. This is where people started slooooowing down. And this is where I kept pace...(I can feel myself getting smarter by the second). So people were walking and I was passing. The new trail was awesome, rolling woopties with a gentle incline then one steep section. The top was short lived. I was on a mission. Ahead of me on the was down I could see 6 people lined up. I picked it up and rode the downhill like I should. I kept thinking to myself how good I felt compared to last year on this spot. Because last year I was toasted and crapped out on the downhill. Yep I said it!! I had to walk part of the downhill. Granted, it is another year of running and learning. So what! This is now and I was cruisin'. And just like that, the people who were passing me goin' up Barranca were behind me with a couple miles to go. At the last mile mark the trail starts to even out and is relatively flat. That's where I caught up to the couple. They offered me to pass...I thought about it and then told them I would rather just get pulled in by them. The girl was in front and picken' up the pace...kinda. She seemed like she was on a mission. After the turn to parallel Pecho Valley Road, Luis Escobar was snapping off more shots. Great spot!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hazard Peak Trail, going down quick (photo Luis Escobar)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">After that I felt like picking it up again. I went (attempted togo) around a car thinking it would be faster...but it slowed me down again. Shit! I wanted to get around these two. No time now...one last single track then 50 yards on the road to home. I did it and I will admit it. I passed them with 25 yards to go. I wanted to come in below 2h 50 minutes. So i did. 2 hours 49 minutes 26 seconds, a half an hour quicker than last year on a longer run and good enough for ninth place. Someone on FB reported it as 16.8 miles with 3,800 feet of elevation. That's good. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I stuck around for a while afterword. Met up with Thomas to hear about his modest tale of a blistering 2:07. Holy Crap!! Talked to a few other folks, ate some soup then I headed to the recovery station...otherwise known as the ocean. A perfect 55 degrees of moving water. I stood in the waves up to my waste for 15 minutes. Felt so good after that I thought about running again. No time, gotta go.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I did well with hydration and eating. Kept calories up and didn't cramp. Calf felt good. I don't know what I did but I plan to keep it up. Maybe I can start running more that 3 times a week!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: right;"></div>Jim Eggenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17631171501059307529noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1971019551481876536.post-63292562788212488012011-02-12T11:19:00.000-08:002011-02-12T11:19:30.412-08:00East Creek Ranch RunLuis Escobar is hosting the inaugural Born To Run foot races with distances of 100 mile, 100K, 50K and a 10 mile fun run on May 14, 2011 in one of the more beautiful locations in California. The Central Coast has so much to offer for outdoor enthusiasts and now for those who love to run, run long distances and especially love to run long distances in beautiful places in an otherwise inaccessible venue, this event is for you! The course is in Los Olivos, CA on an 8,000 acre, private working cattle ranch. The property is oak studded and full of rolling hills, fast single track and incomparable views. To get to run here is a privilege and best of all fun! <br />
On February 5, 2011 Luis invited some folks out to preview the course, give some input and have a good run. 10 of us met at Matteis Tavern and carpooled to the course some distance away. We made introductions and then started running. 38 degrees, sunny with a very slight breeze. I guess you could say for 7:45am it was about as perfect as you could get. We just cruised. No egos or time trials just a smooth pace with god people. The first 10 mile loop took us over dirt fire roads with a smattering of single track. This part was a little more even and it could be really, really fast. We stopped every once in a while as Luis gave us a tour of the course layout. Even with the stops and various detours we finished loop one in less than 2 hours. <br />
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This is one of the photos Luis Escobar took during the first part of our run. I thought it was a little funny, Luis carried only his camera for 10 miles. No water or food just his camera. I didn't even really notice until we were nearly finished. I was running behind him and noticed it...then I had to kick myself for not bringing my camera along so I could have documented this. He would stop every once in a while and take a few photos. As you can see he not only possess has a great eye but also finishes his work with great touches. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSffOQ68sKD3zyvEcTXpeLcKtmJS_qQ4nmZf78RN1dD2rISYVhejvuFgnBF_CNr9R6Fk9iGY-mTJI_-gUtIZhgAGSYRFH2zByX6bX5Nthk-bUt1zhsiGTtrW2ORsrHl56DlFJL2Pabkk4/s1600/BTRrun2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="157" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSffOQ68sKD3zyvEcTXpeLcKtmJS_qQ4nmZf78RN1dD2rISYVhejvuFgnBF_CNr9R6Fk9iGY-mTJI_-gUtIZhgAGSYRFH2zByX6bX5Nthk-bUt1zhsiGTtrW2ORsrHl56DlFJL2Pabkk4/s320/BTRrun2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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These two photos are courtesy of Luis Escobar, Reflections Photography Studio located in Santa Maria, CA. His website for this run and a sampling of his photography is <a href="http://www.allwedoisrun.com/">www.allwedoisrun.com</a> click on the Born To Run link to see more of this beautiful course.<br />
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This is all I have time for today. I have to work.Jim Eggenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17631171501059307529noreply@blogger.com0