Running Tyler to Ehningen

NO UTMB in 2012!

2012-01-22T01:17:00.000-08:00

Call it what you will... The luck of the draw? (Actually, yes - it was the luck of the draw). I won't be running the UTMB in 2012.

As of the 10th of January there were 10,000 runners preregistered for the 10th running of the UTMB. With only 2,300 slots open to amateur and non-affiliated runners the organizers hosted a lottery to determine who would participate this year. The results of the lottery were posted on 20 January and I was not among those selected to participate. The UTMB organizers offered a couple of choices to those not selected including: Participation in the Sur les Traces des Ducs de Savoie (TDS) or withdrawal and a guaranteed slot in 2013.

After talking with a couple of people that have run the TDS and speaking with the wife I decided to go with the later choice and took a priority registration in 2013. Going into this decision I was concerned that we might not be in Europe in 2013, but have now set that aside as an obstacle and either way if all holds up and participation conditions do not prohibit it (The UTMB Organizers plan to post the new registration requirements including the requirement to have at least seven race points from a minimum of three races on 1 FEB 2012) I plan to run in 2013. This race is one of those that even with its extreme focus on professional runners and the commercial side of things, get's under your skin!

So... With the 2012 UTMB now behind me it's time to concentrate on getting qualified and enjoying several of the other races I've got planned for 2012. Let's go run!

Which Way Did He Go...?

2012-01-15T08:11:00.000-08:00

Good training week this week topping out with 120KMs. Hope to keep this momentum going the next couple of weeks as we head into the Brocken-Challenge on 11 FEB 12.

Minimalism

2012-01-07T06:01:00.001-08:00

Life can indeed be pretty simple...

There is NO APP for THIS!

2012-01-02T05:01:00.000-08:00

New Years Run 2012

2012-01-01T08:15:00.000-08:00

2012 has started with a bang!

Did a nice 10K this afternoon after returning from Switzerland where we celebrated the arrival of the New Year with friends. Temperatures were perfect for a nice short workout with no rain and a bit of sunshine every now and then. The snow we had a day or two ago is pretty much gone.

I'm still having a hard time convincing myself that I can become an afternoon runner again. I much prefer getting out first thing in the morning even though running in the afternoon has the advantage of running in daylight this time of year. The first two or three kilometers of today's run were just horrible as I felt like my gut was still full from lunch. Uggggghhh. It took getting out to about the halfway mark before I started getting into today's run. Once there things settled and all was good.

Nope, didn't see this nice fountain during today's run, but did see it two days ago while running from Tuebingen.

After a bit of research I've learned that this is the Schwabentreue Fountain located in the into the Naturpark Schönbuch near Weil i. Schönbuch. It was christened in 1940 by two sisters out of Stuttgart in memory of their brothers that were lost on the field of battle.

Schwaben Treue Brunnen - 1940
(For further information on this fountain see the link above; select Gebiet D)

Brocken-Challenge Training III

2011-12-30T11:08:00.000-08:00

With what will likely be my last post for the year 2011 and the last opportunity to get in a good training run
in preparation for the Brocken-Challenge I decided to try a new route today. And what a route it turned out to be! I hitched a ride out to Tuebingen and started my training route where we had started the Tuebingen Nikolauslauf and headed into the Naturpark Schönbuch traveling north. What a great place to run! Trails are mixed surface: dirt, gravel, and very little hard ball. The terrain is amazing flowing largely through the forest over rolling hills. The perfect environment to do a little training for running in the Harz. Plans for 2012 include much more exploration of the Naturpark Schönbuch.

Widemann Denkmal

Perfect training conditions for preparation for running in the Nationalpark Harz on 11 February 2012.

All the best in 2012!!!

Salomon Running Season 2011

2011-12-22T10:13:00.000-08:00

Super video from Salomon that wraps up the 2011 ultra racing season:

Brocken-Challenge Training II

2011-12-22T09:50:00.001-08:00

Now that's what I call the perfect training environment for the Brocken-Challenge!
Bummer it's all melted and turned to rain...

Brocken-Challenge Training

2011-12-18T02:41:00.002-08:00

It's finally snowed here... Not exactly the perfect training environment for the Brocken, but at least it's a start. Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow...

UTMB 2012 Registration

2011-12-16T10:50:00.000-08:00

Registration for the 2012 Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc opened today and runs until 9 January. I signed up this morning. Now the nail biting begins. The race field is limited to 2300 runners. The UTMB organizers reported this evening that 1800 people had preregistered. So I think we can anticipate a lottery occurring on 20 January.

So while we're waiting... A bit of motivation:

Slow Week

2011-12-11T05:24:00.000-08:00

You know the story... Rough week at work; Birthdays to plan for; and Christmas is right around the corner. This past week I collided with all of those and more. No excuse, but it wound up being a slow running week. I am however into some different things in the coming week and hope to get a couple of good ones in!

Have you seen either the Benefits of Giving web site or the I<3 to run FB page? Both are pretty cool from a web perspective. I<3 to run is a motivational page over on FB that is a lot of fun to follow. Benefits of Giving is even cooler in that it serves as a fundraising platform that enables individuals to raise funds for a nonprofit organization of their choice. Very cool stuff!

Even though it was a slow week this past week I did get a nice 13KM in this morning. Weather conditions were perfect (right at freezing and no precipitation).

Nikolauslauf Tübingen 9 DEC 2012

2011-12-04T11:03:00.000-08:00

The 2012 Nikolauslauf Tübingen was a super event!
This year saw us run with no snow, but weather conditions were great
for a cross-country half marathon. Thankfully the real rain and storm that blew in this evening waited until later in the afternoon.

Our hats go off to Nikolauslauf Tübingen organization team and all of the amazing volunteers that supported the race. We were a bit apprehensive about the size of the race field (3000 registered runners) after running the training run back in November. The race organizers did a fantastic job logistically and organizationally
during the run up to the race with constant updates to their web site and pre-race activities (final race check in, race start up, etc.). Staggering the start between three different groups (runners indicate their best half at registration and are then placed into an appropriate starting block) spread the field just far enough out
that we never felt crowded over the course of the race.

The race course is a fast yet challenging course that runs north of Tübingen and includes two cycles around the course (second cycle does a dog leg to the east of the original course and then rejoins the original course). The course itself borders the southern side of the Naturpark Schönbuch and shares much of its beauty and nature.

At the starting line just prior to the gun.

The Nikolauslauf Tübingen course is a mix of country and farm roads, mixed trail and forest paths. This view is from the backside of the course just prior to the second to last nice hill (if hills can be nice).

The statics are still rolling in, but it looks as if of the original 3000 registered racers 2448 finished the race - a record for this event.

An all round super race that sells out very quickly. Registration is super easy and relatively inexpensive (21 Euro in 2011 which provided registration, a finisher tee-shirt and a good series of support stations along the course) via the Nikolauslauf Tübingen web page. If you're interested in running this great event, watch the web site starting in September. Registration opens and closes quickly as this is a very popular local winter race event.

We hope to be along for the fun in 2012!

Trail rocks...

2011-11-27T03:05:00.001-08:00

Spent a lovely Thanksgiving Weekend in the
Bayerischer Wald. Some years back we had been there
to ski, but I'd never run there. It's a fantastic place with limitless trails
and hills. Hope to make it back again sometime soon...

Nikolauslauf Training Run

2011-11-13T06:14:00.000-08:00

13 November 2011...

A perfect day for the gear-up run for the Nikolauslauf!
Temperatures hovered around 4 - 5C, other than the fog, it was perfect running weather.

Although this event was not an "official" event more than 600 runners took part.
The course was not supposed to be marked (it was) and there was to be no organizational support (there was).

Our hat is off to the entire Post-SV Tübingen Team.

We look forward to the main event on 4 DEC.

Trail Rocks!

2011-11-06T07:10:00.001-08:00

Mindset

2011-11-03T12:10:00.000-07:00

Number 18 of Chris Kostman's 70 Things is spot on...

Watch the sunrise at least once a month. Don't just be
up and about while it happens; actually watch it.

Amazing...

In the News... Nikolauslauf Tübingen Probelauf: Sonntag 13 November 2011

2011-10-29T22:31:00.000-07:00

Hey - this too is cool!

Next race for 2011 is the Nikolauslauf Tübingen on 4 December 2011. The cool news is that you get two races in one. The race organizers have set up a "test run" on 13 November over the original course. Can't wait to check out the course.

Keep on running...

Thüringen ULTRA 2011 Video

2011-10-29T22:23:00.000-07:00

It took a while to get here, but Mayk Hirschfeld has put together yet another great video of the Thüringen ULTRA... I'm already fired up about the TU 2012!

Thueringenultra 2011 from Mayk Hirschfeld on Vimeo.

Alb Marathon

2011-10-23T01:42:00.000-07:00

It's Saturday, 22 October 2011 a perfect day for the 21st edition of the Alb Marathon. More to follow within my race report. For now some impressions...

The Why...

2011-09-21T10:10:00.000-07:00

This video from Team Salomon shares UTMB perspectives and much more. It get's very close to the "why" of why I run ultras and trail... Spectacular!

The Seasons

2011-09-21T09:50:00.001-07:00

are a changing...

I love this time of year. The mornings are cool and the days generally sunny. Looks like we're headed into a nice fall here.

Did my first run "commute" to work yesterday following the train-up for the UTMB and in preparation for the Alb Marathon and had an amazing time. I already miss the early morning sunlight which is fading day-by-day as we approach October, but do love the crisp morning air and the sunrises. Simply amazing!

I'm going to approach my train-up for the Alb Marathon a little differently than I have the other races I've run this year. I've developed a plan that rotates speed weeks with high-mileage weeks. Speed weeks will focus on hill work and 5 - 8KM fartlek rotations, while mileage weeks will include a minimum 13KM run with a weekly set of 25KM runs. During the week of 3 Oct I plan to get in two (Tuesday and Thursday) two-a-day 25KM runs. Essentially, back and forth to work.

Am a bit concerned about the compressed time line between when I started my train-up and the race, but am resting on the base of mileage and workouts I've gotten since my surgery in late February. I'm curious as to how the mix of speed work and mileage will play out over the 50KM Alb Marathon course.

Maxweg

2011-09-11T04:05:00.000-07:00

Did a nice 10KM this morning on the way to getting ready for the next race and a new year of racing. The season is changing... We're headed into what I hope is a colorful fall.

Put on your boots. Let's go for a run.

BTW - Registration for the 2012 UTMB opens on 16 DEC!

Valley

2011-09-10T08:45:00.000-07:00

I'm there... In that training and motivation valley following a race or other event. After the UTMB 2011 I spent the first week walking (my quads were like jello). This second week I've run only three times.

Time to get motivated again as the Alb Marathon is right around the corner on 22 OCT. I've spent the last couple of days debating if I'm going to run it or not. Following this morning's run and the incredible weather we're having today I'm in. As tradition holds this will be my last major race of this year's race season.

Am off for a walk.... Head in the right direction!

Inspiration...

2011-08-30T12:17:00.000-07:00

Wow... This video "The North Face Ultra-Trail du Mont Blanc - Running Through Nature" is worth a watch!

Middle Earth

2011-08-30T12:01:00.001-07:00

UTMB 2011

2011-08-30T11:47:00.000-07:00

A series of pictures from the UTMB 2011.
Race report to follow shortly....

Pfaffensee

2011-08-07T04:49:00.000-07:00

Had a lovely run yesterday morning around the Phaffensee. But would you believe it, my dang left calf is screwed again. This time the pain is on the exterior of the calf, where the week before last it was focused largely on the interior of the calf. I'm not certain what's going on. Is it stretching? Warm up or cool down? Two weeks ago I thought it was related to my increased use of my Vibram Five Fingers, but I have not worn them in two weeks and have really concentrated on stretching. I'm becoming seriously worried that I'm not getting in the mileage I need leading up to the race... Crap!!!

Straight Up

2011-08-06T04:01:00.000-07:00

Had a good week this past week going into the final for the UTMB. Got a couple of good "Jim Brown" runs in. Am getting nervous that I've not done enough of those jokers....

Moving from Red to Green

2011-07-31T10:38:00.000-07:00

Well, after five days of almost complete rest my calf is no longer painful. Went for a short run/walk yesterday and had a nice long hour long walk this evening. Have mixed this up with stretching and icing each evening. Don't like using meds and stopped taking them on Thursday last week.

Although I missed out on a power week I hope to get things back on track this coming week and over the remaining couple of weeks before the UTMB goes on 26 August. Yes!

Bumming

2011-07-28T10:20:00.000-07:00

Now I've gone and done it...

This was supposed to be a power week with a lot of miles run gearing up for the race in August. I had originally planned to get in 140KM. Wouldn't you know that while running to work (25KM) on Tuesday I strained my dang calf. So here we are wondering if this is injury is from overuse, lack of core strength or what.

At the end of the day I now have to back way off of my training and take some time off to let this thing heal. You can imagine my worries. We're a month away from the UTMB and I feel like I've got a lot of training to do.

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr....

UTMB Prep July II

2011-07-24T00:36:00.000-07:00

I know, I'm bouncing around all over the place this month (smile)...

Two great articles on ultrarunning fueling and nutrition in general:

"A Refresher Nutrition Course for Ultrarunners" at Ultrarunning Magazine.

"A Plea for Eating With a Purpose" at AdventureCORPS.

UTMB Prep July

2011-07-24T00:13:00.000-07:00

I just re-read Mike Mason's post on The Path Less Traveled regarding his UTMB Adventure of 2008 and am getting a bit nervous about my planning for the race and particularly the focus and extent of my training and readiness for the 2011 UTMB.

There is so much to accomplish and prepare for and so little time. Did I make a mistake in running the TU 100 Miler? Mike's experience says yes. Have I done enough long runs to build the appropriate base? I am not convinced that I've done enough hill and mountain work to get ready for the elevation change that is found in the UTMB.

At this juncture I have what I have and can only continue to build upon that. I've put together a five week plan that peaks the first week in August with a planned 156KMs for that week. I plan to include a number of two-a-days and night events. I will taper starting the week of 15 August and include carbo-loading all that week.

Logistically, I'm looking at the following to get me to Chamonix and the race. I plan to leave home early on the morning of 24 August to drive to Chamonix. Although perhaps not the best course of action, I will be camping at the same camp grounds we stayed in last year. I'm a bit apprehensive about camping based on my past post-race physical condition. We're going to see how that goes and if I can drive back home on Monday 29 August. Getting to Chamonix on Wednesday will allow me time to ensure I have a camping spot, integrate into the environment and check-in for the race. In the next couple of days I'll be posting my logistics package and plan for the camp and race itself. A couple of concerns include my race plan and logistics support plan.

Until then I'm drawing motivation from Bernie Conradt's 2009 UTMB experience. "Feel it, Fight it, Finish it!"

Inspired

2011-07-23T11:43:00.000-07:00

The July 2011 Issue of Runner's World is a special issue entitled "Outrunning Cancer". With my "special interest" in cancer I read it cover to cover yesterday. Surprisingly great stuff! I was especially inspired by Curt Pesmen's article "Still Running" and David Willey's observations about the marathoner that had taped the following on the back of her shirt while knocking out a run:

SUCK IT CANCER

Nicely said!

Austin Texas

2011-07-23T11:25:00.000-07:00

I'm inspired, excited and finally relieved that there are
still actually some pretty cool places to run in the US.
(Sorry friends, I've been disappointed having to run on the
road competing with cars and some of the
idiots that drive them.)

Just got back from Austin Texas where I had the opportunity
to run around Lady Bird Johnson Lake. The place is a runner's
paradise with a myriad of different routes including a nice 16KM.

thüringenULTRA Sunrise 2 July

2011-07-04T01:31:00.000-07:00

thüringenULTRA Sunset 1 July

2011-07-04T01:29:00.000-07:00

Truth...

2011-07-04T01:23:00.000-07:00

Truth be told:
"The first fifty miles of a one hundred mile race are run with the legs while the second fifty miles are run with the mind..."

The Count Down

2011-06-26T05:26:00.000-07:00

One week away...

Why

2011-06-07T11:30:00.000-07:00

Running pits my mind against my body. It is about being in touch; in touch with the outdoors where few dare. It is about experiencing what the body can do and the mind will allow. It is about being alive...

Memorial Day

2011-05-30T01:27:00.001-07:00

"When You Go Home, Tell Them of Us and Say,
For Their Tomorrow, We Gave Our Today."

This morning's beautiful 10KM trail run was dedicated
to Aaron, Todd, Mike, Don, Eugen and many others.
Comrades in arms, friends, and family...

You will always be remembered.

The Web of Life

2011-05-28T08:34:00.000-07:00

Chief Seattle of the Suquamish Tribe of Northwestern America shared this with us... "Man did not weave the web of life, he is merely a strand in it. Whatever he does to the web, he does to himself." Take time to celebrate the web - get out in it - give something back.

Grand Raid Dentelles Race Report

2011-05-22T05:08:00.000-07:00

OK... A bit of a start on the long overdue race report from the Grand Raids Dentelles Ventoux. My apologies up front as I weave and wobble here...

The 2011 Grand Raid took place 14 - 15 May; starting and finishing in Gigondas, France. Gigondas is an amazing Provincial village in the Vaucluse department in the Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azure region of France. Gigondas lies at the foot of the Dentelles de Montmirail mountains.

The Grand Raid Dentelles is a charity event hosted by the Rotary Club and Inner Wheel of Orange. The race benefits the treatment and study of Glycogenosis (Pompe's, Gierke's and McArdle diseases). I've participated in or been associated with the Grand Raid since 2009 and must say that each year it simply get's better! The Rotary Club, Inner Wheel and associated race volunteers are an amazing group. My thanks go out to them for their hard work planning and hosting this event. A special thanks goes out to the ladies at Brantes and Les Rissas; you all are wonderful! Texan first - always!

As I think I've mentioned here, this was my first race following my colonoscopy for colon cancer in February 2011. That said, yes I was scared to death of racing, much less of attempting a race of this magnitude with cancer and following my surgical recovery. You might imagine the worry, concern and thoughts that persisted at least until kilometer 93...

As a runner each time I go into a race I'm nervous. This time around I faced a different kind of fear based largely on the unknowns associated with colon cancer, my surgery, my physical state and my body's ability to endure and survive. Each step of this race included a deliberate decision on my part to continue. These decisions included: visiting with a number of doctor's well prior to the race to ensure that I was on a good recovery track. I completed a physical in April and visited with a surgeon friend to assess where I was prior to making the journey to Provence. I may seem foolish at times, but I am no fool - visit with your doctor if you're considering racing any distance following or during treatment for any type of cancer. Some of my "silly" decisions going into The Raid included signing in for the race; not participating in the race briefing or pre-race dinner (just in case I wanted to back out); setting my alarm for 0230 in the morning; getting out of bed and getting to the start line (you get the picture). I incorporated a deliberate decision process throughout the event that would include a review of my physical and mental state at each check point. This decision process is one of the lessons I took away from The Grand Raid and I will incorporate it in future races.

I still consider myself a junior ultrarunner. Running races like this is much like racing a car - you have to have a plan or you either loose time or fail to complete. Framed around my physical condition and medical history I decided that prior to entering a race check point I would evaluate where I was physically and mentally and would have a plan for what I was going to do at that check point (dump trash, refill water and food, rest or call it quits). This framework provided me with a psychological means of assuring that I was on track both physically and mentally and it saved time over the course of the race. I assure you that I was prepared to drop from the race at the sign of any undo physical complication related to my surgery, GI track, or simply the lack of endurance to finish based on the above.

Some race specific issues and lessons learned as we draw closer to this year's goal of completing the UTMB include:

Much like the UTMB course, the Grand Raid is a mountainous, semi-technical course. Starting on the first of many "hills" it leaves Gigondas and proceeds through check points at Lac du Paty (18KM), Comb Curnier (30KM), Sommet du Mont Ventoux (39KM, 1912M), Brantes (54KM), Veaux (68KM), Les Rissas (73KM), Malaucene (80KM), Saint Amand (91KM) and Gigondas (100KM). The associated elevation change of The Raid is 5215 meters over the length of the course. Much of the route is over undeveloped farm, hiking and technical trail. There is a lovely "break" between Brantes and Veaux. Unlike my brute force effort in 2009 I mixed my progress over the race course between a slow mountain jog (25 minutes running/5 minute walk breaks), Nordic Walking with poles and brute force climing and descending. This technique paid huge dividends.

My UTMB training and ultrarunning lessons included...

I imagine the UTMB course to be very similar to that of The Grand Raid with long ascents and descents that simply crush your quads. Based on the physical work associated with The Raid I plan to increase the amount of time I'm spending in the gym to three times a week; working both upper and lower body.

Over the course of The Raid the weather turned on us three times with thunder storms and a lot of rain. This combined with the onset of limited visibility and nightfall revealed to me that I've got to run more at night and under trying atmospheric conditions. I plan to adjust my long runs to include periods that force me to run tired and run in the dark... I look to get up early and run a 20 - 25KM route; spend the day working; come home in the evening to spend it with the family; and after they go to bed and darkness has set in take off for another 20 - 25KM run. I also plan to throw a couple of midnight runs in to that I'm going out in the dead of night and tired. During The Raid I was reminded of how psychologically hard darkness can be on you.

I am still working on my race execution diet...

In addition to some of the fruits, soups and chips available at check points during The Raid I consumed 16 energy bars, 20 energy gels, 2 Succeed Tablets, and almost 9 liters of Gatorade, Hammer and Succeed beverages. All of the sugar/sweetness associated with fruits and energy food can be a real challenge. I forced myself to eat a solid or gel on an hourly basis; rotating between the two. I limited the amount of caffeine I was using prior to going into the race. I didn't stop drinking my two cups of coffee in the morning, but I do not drink soft drinks at all. I incorporated caffeinated gels with every other gel I was using and switched completely to caffeinated gels starting at Veaux. I stopped using caffeine at kilometer 90. Overall I consumed almost 10,000 calories over the course of the 19:15:36 it took me to complete this race.

I was curious (yes a bit worried) about the impact of my racing diet on my GI track particularly given the GI issues I had following my surgery. My key to success remains the consumption of a well rounded diet. I have not shifted to a strictly vegetarian diet, but do however consume primarily colorful vegetables. I followed my insane race diet up with a meal including a salad, cheese, bread and lots of water. My next meal included a delicious post race pizza! I can happily report that I had no major GI changes or problems following the race.

Well, there you have it - some refined impressions from the 2011 Grand Raid Dentelles Ventoux. For more information on the course itself visit Steppenhahn and my report from 2009.

The Grand Raid is a great race! It is one that has drawn me closer to it because of it's personality and flair and the reward I found there as a cancer survivor. Asked if I'd do it again the answer will remain, always - HELL YES!

American Boy

2011-05-22T04:44:00.000-07:00

Take me on a trip, I'd like to go some day
Take me to New York, I'd love to see LA
I really want to come kick it with you
You'll be my American Boy, American Boy...

The check point at kilometer 73 (Les Rissas) of the
Grand Raid simply rocks. It is a great surprise for runners to come up yet another hill to first hear and then see the party that is going on here.

When I got into Les Rissas one of the guys I was
running with mentioned to the race volunteers that I was American. With this news now out on the table the ladies switched their music to Estelle's
"American Boy" and started dancing.
It was a hoot for everyone in the rest stop. It would have been great to have had time to stop, have a couple of cocktails and danced a bit,
but there was a race on...

Race volunteers rock! Without them there would be no race.

Grand Raid Dentelles Ventoux

2011-05-22T02:16:00.000-07:00

The Dentelles are Simply an Amazing Place

Back in the Saddle

2011-05-21T09:08:00.000-07:00

I'm back... I'm back in the saddle again... Ridin' into town alone by the light of the moon. I'm looking for ol Sukie Jones. She crazy horse saloon. Barkeep gimme a drink...

For anyone that follows this blog or for that matter cares - my apologies for being gone for so long. Life and all of it's joys have kept me occupied the last few months.

So why the post and why the Aerosmith lick above? Well dear reader I just finished my first 100KM mountain marathon following my colon cancer surgery back in February and I feel good! Feel like I'm back in the saddle again.

I ran the Trail Grand Raid Dentelles Ventoux, 13 - 14 May 11 and it rocked. To get to the bottom first - I bested my 2009 race time this year by almost three hours. Figure that's what a couple of years of running and a little motivation will do for you. Much of the event I was concerned about my surgery, the C word and it's impact on my endurance. From the outset I set out with the simple goal of making it to each aid station and as necessary I would drop from the race. Although there were the typical aches and pains that go with racing through the "hills" of Provence I felt great and have regained my ultrarunning confidence.

I'll post some pictures and additional thoughts on this event over the next couple of days and try to come here move often to share my thoughts on running with cancer and ultra running in general

Off to listen to a bit more Aerosmith...

A Short Detour

2011-03-13T04:52:00.000-07:00

Well... Here we are; still enjoying the glow of the 2011 Brocken-Challenge, yet some time and an interesting turn of events have occurred which can be best described as a short detour on this my running journey.

Just after completing the Brocken-Challenge, on 14 February to be exact, I found out that I have colon cancer. You might imagine the myriad of emotions and thoughts that came with this news. "What? This can't be possible! I just completed an 80K winter ultramarathon and am at the top of my game conditionally and emotionally." I was looking forward to a series of races and training events each month of 2011 with the UTMB as the capstone. Aside from the fact that colon cancer is a life changing event. Damn...

I was in the hospital for a cancer staging work up and colon resection surgery from 18 - 28 February. If interested give me shout and I'll tell you the details of this experience. Up front the doctors and medical staff were fantastic. That said, we had beautiful weather the entire time I was in the hospital and I felt like I was in jail. Not able to run and with an uncertain future. After driving the staff crazy I finally got out on 28 February to return home to continue convalescing, to learn more about this illness and to find out when/if I can start running again. (More on this a bit later.)

My higher has smiled on me... Following surgery and cancer staging I learned that I have a T2N0M0 cancer rating. The tumor and its adjacent tissue have been removed; there is no cancer activity in lymphatic nodes; and the cancer has not spread to any of my other significant organs. With this status the Tumor Board has determined that I do not require chemotherapy at this point. Instead, I've been turned back over to my Gastrointestinal Doctor for post colon resection care and monitoring. Statistically, I am looking at a 90% full recovery up to five years. If we can get beyond the five year mark I stand a darn good chance of being completely healed of this cancer.

So where does this leave me...? I'm still working on the holistic part of that question, but from a running perspective... I am still shooting for the UTMB in 2011. My surgeon told me that tumors like the one I had don't like athletes; they don't like runners and they don't like endurance runners. All good news because I don't intend on creating a decent relationship between myself and any further tumors. Time to piss them off!

I have canceled my races in March and April in order to heal and then train. The next big event is in mid-May and the Grand Raid! I've been spending the last week walking. I transitioned to Nordic Walking yesterday and put in a seven kilometer course yesterday and a mixed jogging/walking 10KM today. Things are looking up!

It's funny... There is a wealth of information on colon cancer and other cancers and the medical approach to each on the web. I have been unable to find any information on colon resection surgery and cancer care and running. If anyone knows of any (e.g., web, books, studies) give me a holler. Time to put the word out.

A word to the wise... Colon cancer is completely avoidable! If you're over forty, or have colon cancer in your family see your doctor and get checked out.

So there we have it... Me and this short detour. Let's see where it takes us...

Brocken-Challenge 2011 Images

2011-02-13T19:51:00.000-08:00

A couple of early images from
the Brocken-Challenge 2011

Brocken Challenge 2011 - What a Blast!

2011-02-13T11:43:00.000-08:00

2011 and my third Brocken-Challenge (BC), and like the previous two, 2011's BC was a blast!

The Brocken-Challenge is a winter charity ultramarathon of approximately 81 – 85KM with a positive change of 2200 meters in altitude that takes place between the city of Göttingen and the Brocken Summit in the Harz Mountains. Proceeds from the B-C benefit primarily the Hospiz an der Lutter (http://www.hospiz-goettingen.de/ and several other charitable charities.

After the adventure of BC 2010 I was uncertain if I was going to take part in 2011. My doubt hinged largely on the roller coaster of changes that were published by the organizers of the BC over the course of 2010. Beyond a couple of tweaks in the rules and requirements the largest of which was the new requirement to walk 10KM off of the Brocken summit which didn’t bother me, the question of the registration cost was the central issue. In September 2010 the organization team Ausdauersport für Menschlichkeit e.V., (ASFM) published that the registration cost for 2011 would be 200 Euro! I read this news with much dismay. Although the registration costs completely benefit charity, 200 Euro was simply beyond my 2011 race budget. Given this expense I decided not to participate in 2011. Many concerns and comments were shared by many other BC runners and fans on the BC web site and via e-mail. Fortunately in November 2011 the ASFM decided to lower the registration price to 85 Euro (~1 Euro per Kilometer). Based on this change I decided to sign up.

Registration for the BC 2011 opened on 1 December. The field of 150 was full after fifteen days. This is important to note, particularly if you’re interested in taking the Challenge as the ASFM limit the starter field to 125 - 150 runners. Limiting the number of runners is critical based simply on the logistics of the race. I prefer this small field as it results in a much more personal and friendly race.

This year I traveled to Göttingen on Friday, 11 FEB to participate in the pre-race orientation, see some running friends and get organized for the Challenge. Like the last couple of years I billeted in the Jugendherberge Göttingen (http://www.djh-niedersachsen.de/jh/goettingen) which given its location, cost and atmosphere is perfect for the event.

The BC offers a number of options for overnighting and meals with the focus centered on the Hainholzhof am Kehr (Bismarckstr, Göttingen). Here you can overnight either in the Jägerhaus, or the adjacent riding hall. The Jägerhaus sponsors an excellent Pasta Party the evening before the race.

Race day starts at 0500 at the Hainholzhof am Kehr with breakfast and final check in activities. Once everyone has completed their final sign in, Markus starts the Challenge with his traditional “Brocken-Challenge 2011, here we go…” and the race begins at 0600.

Environmental conditions for 2011 were significantly different from those of 2010. This year the weather was as if spring had sprung for at least the first half of the route. Temperatures were projected to be chilly with a slight chance of rain and winds out of the south. As we progressed over the route the wind shifted to a wind out of the east and brought with it frigid temperatures. I was glad that I had invested in a pair of snow cleats. At Oderbrucke (73.9KM) snow and ice became more and more significant and it was super to have the cleats along to maintain a good pace and sure footing. As we approached the summit the temperatures dropped significantly and a snow storm rolled in at 1700.

In the event you missed my report of 2010 you should note the following:

The Brocken finds itself in Germany’s largest national park, the Harz National Park. The Gipfel (summit) is located in a raw sub-alpine environment. It is characterized as follows: fog over 300 days a year, covered in ice 100 days out of the year, snow covered 176 days out of the year, 85 days out of the year are below 0 °C with temperatures dipping down as low as −28 °C. The highest measured winds were recorded at 263 KPH (164 MPH). As you might imagine, the Brocken Gipfel offers its own unique twist to the BC.

Like the last couple of years the highlights of the BC remain for me the efforts of the organizers and the race volunteers. I have not experienced such a great group of volunteers and helpers. This year I’d like to highlight Juliette Mallison that throws a great pre-race breakfast and then rushes to set a buffet like no other at station six (Lausebuche) and the lady riders that host station five at Jagdkopf. My hat is off to you all – thanks for your support and great attitude!

Unlike last year I don’t recall a significant low point this year. Although I started the race slightly demotivated, as the sun came up and I settled into the day’s affair my spirits rose with each kilometer. I set a personal best at the BC this year completing the race in 10:28 and well before it got dark. Doing so afforded me the opportunity to get a couple of quick, albeit wind and snow blown snapshots on the gipfel.

If you’re looking for a super adventure, a reason to contribute to several great charity organizations and a well organized ultra to start off your season you should consider the Brocken-Challenge.

Keltisch 30KM

2011-01-08T05:40:00.000-08:00

Ran a nice 30KM today!
Aside from the lovely environment, the weather, and my trusty
iPod the hardest part of today's run was getting bored.

What do you do while out running a long run to avoid
getting bored? Boredom can be a real challenge
for me when heading out on a multi-hour run.

I did run past this great Celtic Burial Site. I've been
walking and running in these woods since 2004 and
have never stopped to take a look at what the
historical marker says. Today I did...

UTMB 2011

2011-01-01T05:12:00.001-08:00

All right friends... I think I forgot to mention this, but... I pre-registered for the 2011 UTMB. OK, I know - I was/am very tempted to blow the whole commercialized thing off. After all, the organizers still owe me 100 Euro for last year's disaster (they are still trying to figure out how to reimburse everyone), pre-registration cost me 50 Euro and I have to wait to find out if there will be a raffle, and if there is a raffle for start numbers I may get kicked, and chatter on the UTMB's web forum is not too friendly...

I don't know for certain what got into my head except the fact that the UTMB is still out there. It is reputed as one of the ultimate ULTRAs. And, I've not completed it.

So why all the questions... I'll figure that out in the next several months.

I'm off to register for the Thüringen ULTRA; registration should have opened today.

Keep running...

Enchanted Forest - Eye of the Needle - Gut Check

2011-01-01T05:06:00.000-08:00

21KM of three of my favorite local runs all on New Year's Day. What a great way to start off 2011...

16K Powder Run

2010-12-26T04:50:00.000-08:00

With temperatures at -8C and sunshine pure it was an amazing day for a powder run! Like yesterday I ran mixed cleared and uncleared farm paths and trails. The vistas were breathtaking and the running was a challenge.

Running was great where the path or trail had either been driven or trampled down. It was much like running on wet beach sand. It became a challenge were either no one had gone before or very few people or vehicles had traversed as yet.

Today I was running in my Asics T9 gore tex shoes and have to tell you that I did not feel much of difference as far as the cold went from wearing my Vibram Five Fingers yesterday. Although the T9s are a conventional "water resistant" shoe given today's weather conditions (well below freezing and about 30cm of new snow on the ground) they don't offer much protection from ice and snow around your ankles. I suppose in order to do that I'd need a pair of gaiters. So at the end of the day (I had ice rings that formed around the collars of both shoes) I'm convinced I've got to go back out in my Five Fingers again.

Let it Snow

2010-12-25T08:27:00.000-08:00

It's been snowing here like crazy the last couple of weeks and the entire time I've been dying to get out and try my Vibram Five Fingers in the snow. After lunch today the opportunity finally presented itself. I'm still undecided on how I feel about running them in snowy conditions.

Today the temperature was at -6 C; the ground was covered in about 30 centimeters of new snow. The surfaces I was running on varied from unpaved, uncleared farm paths, side walks and roads. Going was good on the paths that had a firm (non-powdered surface); it was tougher where the road or path had been cleared by a snow plow because of the ice (hurts a little more than rocks in general) and toughest in the areas where little to no clearing had occurred. Other than those areas where the snow had not been cleared I did not have cold feet. My ankles got cold after pushing through relatively uncleared areas after being exposed directly to the snow.

Where the path was snow covered and firm I made the best time and ran in the most comfort in my Five Fingers. It was much like running on firm sand and provided a relaxed and comfortable workout. This type of surface is obviously the most enjoyable to run in this type of minimized shoe.

I don't have a pair of Five Finger socks so I can't test that aspect. If the weather stays cold like it is now and people continue to walk around I'll give the Five Fingers another shot on packed down snow. Until then, it's back to my Goretex shoes and preparation for the BC!

Happy Trails!

Brrrrr...

2010-12-13T11:11:00.000-08:00

Well... As you've likely seen here my last couple of posts have been about the winter weather that has arrived. I'm a bit surprised at how early winter arrived this fall. We're currently experiencing lows at the -6 range with highs running around -2. This is normal for January and early February, but late November and December... While running this morning I was thinking "Just make the best of it, no sense in complaining. Besides, it's great training for the BC 11." All of which is true.

I've been down almost two weeks with a nasty little bug I picked up along the way. I'm planning on running into work this Wednesday morning (that's where I started feeling like junk two weeks ago), and hope that I don't run myself into the ground. In general I don't believe that you can make yourself sick by being outside in the cold. While out this morning doing a 10KM I felt great and am ready to ramp back up my mileage. We'll see how it goes...

The Countdown is On...

2010-12-10T11:28:00.001-08:00

Twelve more days until pre-registration opens for the UTMB 2011...

Sonnenallee 10KM

2010-12-10T11:25:00.000-08:00

I think Winter has settled in...

Winter Running...

2010-11-29T11:46:00.001-08:00

In Germany rocks especially when
we get snow so early in the winter! Besides,
there's no better way to get trained up for the Brocken-Challenge!
Registration opens on 1 Dec 2010.

First Snow Run...

2010-11-27T08:59:00.000-08:00

Woooohooooo! The first snow run of Winter 10 - 11...

Running Barefoot

2010-10-25T11:18:00.000-07:00

I slipped my Vibram Five Fingers back on this morning after not running in them regularly for several months. Believe it or not - I had an amazing run in them today and am convinced that they are a tremendous benefit.

Yes - it was cold and the ground was wet this morning after a couple of days of rain. But, like my hands, my feet took a bit to warm up, but after running for about ten minutes everything was fine. In fact - I can't wait to continue to push the envelope and look forward to running in them in snow.

The feeling of being so minimal (I actually felt like I was more connected with my surroundings) was amazing. After the 50KM I ran on Saturday I was looking forward to an opportunity to stretch and relax my legs this morning. My Five Fingers helped me do just that.

And no - this is not a paid advertisement. Simply stated - I like my Five Fingers and plan to incorporate them into my training plan.

Alb Marathon 2010

2010-10-24T00:15:00.001-07:00

October...

2010-10-10T09:08:00.001-07:00

October in Germany is simply amazing...

Tree Man...

2010-09-21T10:00:00.000-07:00

Running around you tend to experience many things... I was out Sunday on a nice run and came across this guy in the forest near Holzerlingen.

The Enchanted Forest

2010-09-06T07:41:00.000-07:00

Today while running in the Enchanted Forest (it really exists...) and thinking about my post yesterday on the UTMB I came to a rather nice realization.

Yes - the UTMB was canceled this year at KM 21... If you look, you'll always find that silver lining and it includes:

1. I didn't DNF!
2. I got to sample the UTMB course and the environment and can improve my training plan for next year.
3. And... I didn't DNF! That's very cool. Not that, that was ever part of the plan.

UTMB 2010 CANX Pictures

2010-09-05T04:43:00.000-07:00

Some impressions of Chamonix and the UTMB in 2010...

UTMB 2010 CANX

2010-09-05T04:33:00.001-07:00

It’s a blustery, rainy 27th of August 2010. The crowd around the church in Chamonix is large. It includes 2300 runners, family, friends and spectators. We’re packed in like sardines and their is no division between runners and spectators. Has no one thought of barriers? Everyone is waiting for the start of the 2010 Ultra-Trail du Mont Blanc (UTMB). Standing in the crowd, eighteen months of pent up thoughts and emotions are brewing up inside me. When will the stupid false motivation broadcast by the organizers stop and when can we finally get this thing on the road…? Good golly – Vangelis… I can’t stand Vangelis!

Finally – it’s 1830 and we’re off – sort of… If you’ve been to Chamonix you know that the streets are narrow, particularly the one that runs down from the church through the city. Although the street is cordoned off it seems to take forever until the 2300 runners actually start running. But this is all cool. The crowd is going crazy and you feel like a rock star.

With the start we’re off on what I feel will be an unprecedented adventure. Within the limits of the next forty-six hours we are going to pit ourselves against 166KM of trails, mountains, the weather and each runner’s personal baggage. I’m fired up!

We reach Chamonix’s city limits and head off onto the trails at a smooth, light clip. Everything I think I’ll need over the next forty-six hours is on my back. The temperature is cool and a light drizzle has started again. Many runners stop to don their rain gear – I’m going to wait a bit longer – a cool drizzle is no problem. As we jog along in a mass we reach the first hills towards La Charme. This is going to be good… Shortly after one of the early support stops I decide to stop, don my parka and unpack my hiking polls – it is after all going to be a long night.

By now the sun has gone down, the rain continues and we continue to move up hill as a silent group. At last we’ve reached the crest and are headed back down into the darkness. The rain has turned the ski slope we’re on into a slip and slide. I fall on my ass at least twice, curse, regain my composure and continue to move down. In the distance I can hear the announcer in Saint-Gervais and because he’s speaking French and is still some distance away I imagine that he is calling the runners out by name as they enter the first large rest area at kilometer 21.

After finally leaving the single track mud trail we were on we now enter a small road where I’m able to stretch my legs out a bit. This feels great. I pull up alongside a Frenchman. We exchange pleasantries and he tells me that the race has been canceled. What!?! The race has been canceled? I can’t believe that and tell him that I think that’s only a rumor. In fact, we should start our own silly rumor… The UTMB has been canceled because of rain. Come on!

The country path we’re on quickly turns into a village street and I can really stretch my legs out. This feels great. The noise of the announcer is getting closer and I’m looking forward to a bowl of soup, some salami and cheese… Upon arrival in Saint-Gervais I cross the timing mat and am pulled up by a race volunteer who yells something at me in French. I reply, “J'ne pas parler le Francais”. She then tells me that the race has been canceled. Unh!?! The race is canceled? WTF!?! I continue to walk through the rest area and attempt to gain some additional information. Chaos reigns. No one has a clue what is going one… My disappointment is huge. WTF!?!

Up to the start of the UTBM the organization was simply fantastic; runners were made to feel like professional athletes - it was very cool. 21 kilometers into the race the organizers stopped the event as it had been raining all day and the trail was obstructed by mud slides. (On the surface a good safety call.)

After standing around for what seemed forever and trying to piece things together from other runners and volunteers one of the organizers announced that the race was definitively over and that there would be no restart; runners should turn in their bibs and time chips starting at 1000 the next morning. We stood around in the rain waiting for the organizers to recover us back to Chamonix via train and bus. On the bright side, standing around talking to people I met some pretty cool people.

Now the disconcerting creeps in...

At some point during the course of the night the organizers, after certainly taking several heated calls from their sponsors decided to "restart" the race on Saturday at 1000. This "restart" would be 98KM versus the full 166KM, but it would be a "challenging and exciting event."

Meanwhile we had traveled by train and bus back to Chamonix. I arrived back in town at about 0125 and went back to the sports center where I had dropped off my race drop bag to pick it up. I picked up my bag and headed back to our campground to take a shower and get some sleep. No one at the sport center mentioned that a “restart” was planned and I should consider leaving my bag...

The organizers decided to officially publish the race restart via mobile phone text message. Several SMS with the weather and other crap were sent out over the course of Friday night. When after waking up at about 0700, I found that I had an SMS that arrived at 0420 which said that "Buses for Courymour depart at 0630 limited to 1000". I had no idea what this message meant and disregarded it. This note was apparently the official notice that the race was going to restart and that runners should check in at 0630 to be moved to Courymour to start the new race. How the 1000 runners were going to be selected from 2300 registered runners was pretty easy since no one understood what the message meant unless you had a manager along that was actually in contact with the race organizers, or you decided to stay up all night.

According to the organizer's rules the organization reserves the right to delay the race two hours due to weather or environmental conditions. After that point the race must be cancelled and runners refunded (It cost me 160 Euro to get registered plus the associated travel and billeting costs (we camped)). The organizer must have been aware of the bad weather the day prior to the event and it rained all day and all night Friday into Saturday. It becomes obvious that it was simply too much of a financial risk (refund runners money and losses by the major sponsors) to cancel the race so in my mind the organizers intentionally started and then stopped the race.

Was it the right call to stop the race? Yes, absolutely - the trail was blocked and could have seriously imperiled the safety of the runners.

Was it wrong to restart the race? Yes, from my perspective as an amateur athlete absolutely. It's kind of funny that all of the pro-athletes except for one were able to compete during the restart. According to one of the race blogs I’ve been following, the one professional athlete decided that the UTMB was BS. His manager knew of another race in Italy and they took off to compete in it.

The race organizers have made no official statement regarding their decisions or plans for reimbursement or preferential registration in 2011 for those runners that were unable to participate. The major sponsor is heralding the event as a major success... Go figure!

I keep going back and forth about whether I want to sign up for the race in 2011. On the one hand the UTMB is a world class ultramarathon. There are only a few races as significant. On the other hand I don't like the way things continue to unfold. It's not about the money - I'll get over that. It's about the cavalier and perceived attitude of the organizer and their sponsors. Frustrates me...

So here we are a week later… I’ve been frustrated most of the week and only made it out to run four times. I’m leaving the UTMB alone for the moment and concentrating on other events. We’ll see what unfolds over the course of the next months and weeks.

TU the Route

2010-07-05T03:51:00.001-07:00

Simply Spectacular!

thüringenULTRA Base Operations

2010-07-05T03:45:00.000-07:00

This set of pictures shows the start and finish
and camping area of the TU.

The Week in Running No 7

2010-07-05T01:30:00.000-07:00

This past week was a gear/taper for the thueringenULTRA. More details on that in a few...

M: 5KM - 151lbs
T: Rest - 150lbs
W: 5KM - 150lbs
TH: 5KM - 151lbs
F: Rest - 149lbs
S: TU 100KM - 150lbs
SU: Rest - 147lbs

Total: 115KM
Average Weight: 150lbs

The Week in Running No 6

2010-06-27T03:59:00.000-07:00

OK... You must forgive me; I missed a week in running last week. I came down with an evil virus starting on about Tuesday and was bedridden from Thursday through Saturday evening. Nasty stuff! This past week found me back on track, I hope...

M: 10KM + 10KM Bike - 149lbs
T: 10KM - 151lbs
W: 10KM + 10KM Bike - 150lbs
TH: 10KM (Hill Repeats) + 5 Fingers - 150lbs
F: 10KM + 5KM + 5 Fingers - 150lbs
S: 40KM - 150lbs
SU: 5KM - 149lbs

Total: 100KM
Average Weight: 150lbs

The week ahead is a tapper week in anticipation of the TU which takes place on Saturday, 3 July. I'm fired up!

Pre-TU Run

2010-06-26T08:08:00.000-07:00

I did my last long pre-thueringenULTRA run this morning. I had initially started out to do a 50KM, but in retrospect am glad I only did a 40K. I ran out of drinks...

In January I did a 55KM training run with my 3.5L camelbak bladder and two additional bottles - had drinks left over. Summer has set in here finally and as the day unfolded it got a little warm. A huge lesson for next weekend and the TU. Aside from the fluids issue everything else went fine this morning nutritionally.

UTMB Newsletter No 4

2010-06-26T08:05:00.000-07:00

The fourth UTMB Newsletter is out and asks that question...

Why?

Watzmann Summit

2010-06-13T02:45:00.000-07:00

The Watzmann Range includes Germany's
second highest mountain peaks. I've been
trying to summit for the past three years; was held
up by weather, equipment and know-how.

This year a team of 10 of us hiked and climbed
the Hocheck (2651m) and the Mittelspitze (2713m).

The experience was tremendous. In preparation for
the UTMB I now know that I've got to get back
into the gym and on a bike to work and develop my thighs,
hips and core.

Watzmann Sunrise

2010-06-13T02:31:00.000-07:00

0450 - 0511 Wednesday, 9 June 2010
Watching the sun come up is an amazing experience filled
with anticipation and reward. Brilliant...

The Week in Running No 5

2010-06-13T02:24:00.000-07:00

This past week in running embraces the outlook "Diversification in interests, lifestyle, education and experience, and goals is the surest and most powerful path to excellent in both a cumulative and activity-specific sense."

I ran a total of 18KM this past week, but as I mentioned last week I spent most of the week in the Bavarian Alps hiking and climbing. I accomplished three of the near term goals I set out for myself 1) To watch the sun come up. (Am trying to do that monthly), 2) Push my endurance through sleep deprivation and exertion, and 3) Summit the Watzmann.

Here are a few photos with perhaps a comment or so on each.

The Week in Running No 4

2010-06-06T11:13:00.000-07:00

I mixed things up this week and just eked out a hundred... Next week will prove interesting; will be in the Alps Monday through Thursday. More on that later...

M: 10KM + 10KM - 154lbs
T: 10KM - 152lbs
W: 25KM - 152lbs
TH: Rest - 151lbs
F: 10KM - 151lbs
S: 13KM - 151lbs
SU: 18KM + 6KM - 150lbs

Total: 102KM
Average Weight: 151lbs

Five Fingers...

2010-06-05T01:15:00.000-07:00

After reading "Born to Run" I decided to check out what all the hullabaloo was about regarding running barefoot or minimized... Seems like everyone else was doing the same because it's tough to get a pair of Five Fingers these days...

I've been running off and on in my Five Fingers since April 2010 and am convinced that they're a good deal. When running in them you experience a totally different work out, particularly in your calves and the foot itself. Because I've stepped into the unknown with these things I've been mixing them up with regular street and trail shoes. I ran a 13KM hill run today in them, actually the farthest I've run in them to date over mixed surfaces and am happy to report that they were great.

Be careful about taking off over mixed surfaces, particularly gravel. You feel the road and can quickly develop stone bruises on the balls of your feet.

OTHAFA

2010-05-31T08:03:00.000-07:00

During my runs this morning I was reminded how much
I love running in Germany in the Spring. The colors, air and complete
environment are breathtaking.

The wood above reminds me of what I think Tolkien's Middle Earth looked like...

Mellow is the man
Who knows what he's been missing
Many many men
Can't see the open road
Jimmy Page and Robert Plant

The Myth of the Lonely Long-Distance Runner (Time Magazine)

2010-05-30T04:27:00.000-07:00

I just stumbled across an excellent interview in Time Magazine from 1 June 2009 between Claire Suddath and Chris McDougall (of Born to Run fame). Chris talks about his impressions on running and what he thinks of people that don't like to run. Worth a look...

The Week in Running No 3

2010-05-30T02:04:00.000-07:00

As I look back on the past week in running I must tell you that I'm pretty pleased where it took me. Although this ITB thing continues to bug me, it is not something that seems to be holding me back at the moment. I'm working on it with stretching and a roller. Oddly, the pain that's involved continues to move around along the outside of my left leg which prevents me from localizing and actually identifying what's going on. We'll just see where it takes us.

M: 10KM - 150lbs
T: 10KM - 150lbs
W: 25 + 25KM - 152lbs
TH: Rest - 151 lbs
F: 10KM - 150lbs
S: 10KM - 151lbs
SU: 10KM - 150lbs

Total: 100KM
Average Weight: 150lbs

Am looking forward to the next week. I hope to knock out a couple of long runs and will spend Friday and Saturday hiking in the mountains.

Hänsel und Gretel

2010-05-27T10:45:00.000-07:00

Did the commute to work again yesterday - what a great way to start and end the day! This is one of my favorite spots along the route; a hill I've christened Hänsel und Gretel (There's a little hut at the top of the hill. Anyway...). I have a love/hate thing going with this hill. All the same it's a great work out.

I'm confounded by this ITB thing I have going on with my knee/leg. It did not bother me while running, but the pain woke me this morning. I took today off to rest. Instead of running or lifting I had a good stretching session and used a roller on my leg. We'll see how it goes tomorrow.

The Week in Running No 2

2010-05-23T06:45:00.000-07:00

I missed out in posting the week in running on 16 May as we were traveling in the Provence.

All things considered (I'm trying to avoid an ITB injury that I feel is coming on) this past week was another good one. Here's what it looked like:

M: Rest - Travel Day
T: 10KM - 150lbs
W: 25 + 25KM - 149lbs
TH: 10KM - 149lbs
F: 10KM - 150lbs
S: 8KM - 150lbs
SU: Rest - Nursing the ITB

Total: 88KM
Average Weight: 150lbs

If I can resolve this ITB issue I've run into I want to see if I can break 100KM next week. We'll see how it goes...

The Commute

2010-05-23T06:42:00.001-07:00

The way to get to work - from a better perspective - on foot!

UTMB Newsletter No 3

2010-05-22T08:55:00.000-07:00

The third edition of the UTMB Newsletter is out. This edition is on the green side of the race. Take a look...

The Week in Running

2010-05-09T10:19:00.000-07:00

I recently stumbled across another running blog where the runner posted his weekly running efforts (parts of his journal). I don't know how disciplined I'll be about this, but thought I'd too give it a go and see where it takes us.

This past week was actually a pretty good one considering that I still have this dang bug working on me that I picked up while home in Texas...

Monday (M): 10KM, 152lbs
Tuesday (T): 13KM, 149lbs
Wednesday (W): 30KM, 151lbs
Thursday (TH): Rest, 150lbs
Friday (F): 10KM, 151lbs
Saturday (S): 8KM, 150lbs
Sunday (SU): 11KM, 150lbs

Total: 81KM
Average Weight: 150lbs

Next week I'm entering a tapper week as I'm running the Grand Raid Dentelles Ventoux on Saturday. Back at it again hard when we get back with less than four months to go until the UTMB.

Man in the Arena

2010-05-05T11:31:00.000-07:00

I decided to alter my commute to work this morning - I ran. The route I picked was a nice 30KM. It was a bit chilly for May - I was glad that I had my gloves with me. Nonetheless... While running I was thinking about President Theodore Roosevelt's speech at the Sorbonne in April 1910. Along with Rudyard Kipling's If, it is among my favorites...

It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.

UTMB Newsletter

2010-04-24T11:27:00.000-07:00

Have just received the second UTMB Newsletter and thought I'd start posting the links here - they are a great read.

I've had a nasty cold since last Sunday and have not run since then. This is starting to worry me... I'm ready to get back on the trail.

Running in Tyler

2010-04-23T06:31:00.000-07:00

While in Tyler a week or so ago I re-discovered a great (improved) running network between the Rose Rudman Recreational Trail and the (new) South Tyler Trail system. Although relatively short and flat, (entire combined route is about eight kilometers), the combination of well lighted, wooded areas make excellent running in the Texas heat!

For details see: The embedded map

Harzquerung Cancelled

2010-04-23T06:21:00.000-07:00

Well... Like 2008, I'm going to have to miss out on the Harzquerung again this year. Because of the volcano eruption in Iceland I got stuck in the US until 21 April; arrived in Germany on 22 April with a cold that just won't quit... Will see if I can get a Harzquerung done on an odd year in 2011!

Road Trip

2010-04-16T16:48:00.001-07:00

Have been back home with my son to get him signed up for college etc., during Spring Break. The running has been pretty good (pictures and details to follow). As luck or news of the weird would have it, we're stuck in Texas because of a volcano in Iceland (can't fly into northern Europe). So.... I think we're going to take a road trip or two. Will let you know how the running goes...

After the Race

2010-03-28T00:02:00.003-07:00

Playing a little football with my niece
after the Saaletal Marathon.

Trimburg

2010-03-27T23:55:00.000-07:00

The Trimburg
(Near Elfershausn)
While running the Saaletal Marathon. Don't adjust your monitor...
Your body may be in focus, but your perception may be a bit
off while running a race. Mine certainly usually is (smile).

Favorite Part of the Saaletal Marathon Route

2010-03-27T23:53:00.000-07:00

Start Line Saaletal Marathon 2010

2010-03-27T23:50:00.000-07:00

Saaletal Marathon

2010-03-26T12:25:00.000-07:00

Am off to run the First Saaletal Marathon in the morning. Because of the myriad of other things going on in life I've not trained as much as I would have liked to before going into something like this. Oh well... As the old saying goes. I'm going to attempt to race to the finish not from the start....

Xanadu

2010-03-12T06:47:00.001-08:00

To seek the sacred river Alph. To walk the caves of ice. To break my fast on honeydew and drink the milk of Paradise...

Rush - Xanadu

Another great day of winter running... Been a low mileage week this week. Am going to see if I can change that this weekend.

God is a DJ

2010-03-07T04:06:00.000-08:00

This is my church.
This is where I heal my hurt.
It's a natural grace, of watching young life shape.
It's in minor keys, solutions and remedies...

Faithless - God is a DJ

Punxsutawney Phil was Right!

2010-03-06T10:57:00.000-08:00

OK... 2 February has come and gone and guess what, Phil saw his shadow and quickly disappeared back into his burrow. And as it turned out - he was right!

Getting up this morning you would have thought that instead of being 6 March, it was 20 January. Overnight we got about 6 inches (15.2cm) of snow. It snowed off and on throughout the day today. We took off for our late afternoon run in a snow shower with temperatures around 28F (-2C). Brrrrrrrr...

All good... Summer will be here soon enough! Right.....

Sprained... Maybe!?!

2010-02-24T10:52:00.000-08:00

Well... Not too much new to report from here other than I'm no longer convinced that my ankle was sprained during the BC 2010. I'm now thinking that the injury I have is caused by a pair of winter shoes I've been wearing. I ran in them the last couple of days and wound up with very similar symptoms as those I developed during the BC. I switched shoes this morning while doing some speed work and have no issues this evening. I'm going to stick with these shoes for a bit and see if I can't gain final resolution.

Speaking of shoes or the lack of wearing any while running... I just finished up Christopher McDougall's great book, "Born to Run" (third time I've read it). What an amazing book! (No benefits gained by saying so.) If you're in any way interested in running this is an amazing book that will make you laugh, cause you to stop and ponder the way things are, and simply enjoy. What a great read!

Nonetheless... Don't plan to knock out a lot of kilometers this week. It's another strength week.

2010-02-14T02:04:00.000-08:00

My Schneehase and I went out for a Sunday morning run
today. This year's winter has been amazing!

BC Sprain

2010-02-09T09:44:00.000-08:00

All of the books I've read on running tell you that it's going to happen... And yes, I thought I could avoid it, but now it's here and I'm bumming...

As you may have seen from the pictures from the Brocken-Challenge there was a lot of snow (it's a winter ultra!). While running the BC 2010 I twisted my ankles in the snow repeatedly. About half way through my right ankle really started bothering me. As things turned out - I sprained it. And, I kept running...

Sunday morning there was a little swelling and some discoloration. By Monday morning my right ankle had swollen to about the size of a grapefruit.

The Doc told me that "Yep, you sprained your ankle." And you now can stay off of it for up to three weeks. That means no running, hiking or skiing...

This is going to drive me crazy...

My ankle is already feeling better!