Well, it wasn't my finest hour but the socks really are great. This ad just appeared in the March, 2011 issue of Trail Runner.
Friday, January 28, 2011
New Ad in Trail Runner
Well, it wasn't my finest hour but the socks really are great. This ad just appeared in the March, 2011 issue of Trail Runner.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
The top-3 non-dnf's of 2010
Following up on my post last Friday, several people contacted me and asked me what I thought were some of the notable non-dnf's of the past year. In particular, these folks were interested in my opinion of those race performances which certainly did not live up to the runner's expectations but resulted in a 100-mile finish, nonetheless. So, here they are (and, I am sure readers of this blog will have additional thoughts):
1. Craig Thornley's Western States - My good buddy Craig went out swinging at this year's WS. Coming into the race in, perhaps, the best shape of his life, Craig started out hard and ran steady all day. Unfortunately, something went awry after ALT and by the time he rolled into Highway 49 he was really hurting. Here, he took a spot on one of the cots and uttered the now famous phrase, "No IV's!" 90 minutes later he dragged himself off the cot and got 'er done.
2. Scott Jaime's Hardrock - Anybody who knows Scott knows that his "Super Bowl" is the Big Dance in Silverton and last year he devoted some serious energy into training. In addition, those who know Scott know that, by his own admission, he is still figuring out how to run 100's. At 2010's HRH Scott took it out hard and ran great for the first 30 miles. However, something happened in that netherworld between Ouray and Lake City and the wheels started to come off. With the help of his crew, the legendary David Horton, and his son, who urged him to finish, Scott made it back to Silverton and lived to fight another day.
3. Pete Stevenson's Wasatch - Pete went into the summer gunning for the Grand Slam. He had done his homework and ran a very solid WS. Vermont and Leadville were a bit difficult but Pete went into Wasatch ready for battle. But, from the start, Pete was struggling. Out of the gate he grunted and puffed and found a way to Brighton where he came pretty close to calling it a day. But, he didn't. And that Grand Slam plaque is his forever!
I'd love to hear some other's thoughts on notable non-dnf's from the past season.
1. Craig Thornley's Western States - My good buddy Craig went out swinging at this year's WS. Coming into the race in, perhaps, the best shape of his life, Craig started out hard and ran steady all day. Unfortunately, something went awry after ALT and by the time he rolled into Highway 49 he was really hurting. Here, he took a spot on one of the cots and uttered the now famous phrase, "No IV's!" 90 minutes later he dragged himself off the cot and got 'er done.
2. Scott Jaime's Hardrock - Anybody who knows Scott knows that his "Super Bowl" is the Big Dance in Silverton and last year he devoted some serious energy into training. In addition, those who know Scott know that, by his own admission, he is still figuring out how to run 100's. At 2010's HRH Scott took it out hard and ran great for the first 30 miles. However, something happened in that netherworld between Ouray and Lake City and the wheels started to come off. With the help of his crew, the legendary David Horton, and his son, who urged him to finish, Scott made it back to Silverton and lived to fight another day.
3. Pete Stevenson's Wasatch - Pete went into the summer gunning for the Grand Slam. He had done his homework and ran a very solid WS. Vermont and Leadville were a bit difficult but Pete went into Wasatch ready for battle. But, from the start, Pete was struggling. Out of the gate he grunted and puffed and found a way to Brighton where he came pretty close to calling it a day. But, he didn't. And that Grand Slam plaque is his forever!
I'd love to hear some other's thoughts on notable non-dnf's from the past season.
Friday, January 21, 2011
DNF's - A Year Later
About a year ago I wrote a post on this blog about dnf's. In essence, I was asking what I thought, at the time, was a simple question,
"Should dnf's be a factor in the UROY voting?"
However, after numerous comments to this blog and many sidebar conversations, it became clear to me that raising the issue in a public forum surfaced other unintended consequences well beyond the scope of the UROY voting. In the subsequent turmoil members of the ultrarunning community called me, among other things, self-centered, egotistical, judgemental, and downright wrong. I'm a big boy and, of course, I admit to being all of those things:) But, reflecting back on the post, the reaction to it, and the last year in ultrarunning and in my life I think there is more to be said on the topic.
No, I am not going to analyze the 2010 dnf's and call out certain elite runners (although, for the record, there were far fewer high profile dnf's this year than last). Nor am I going to suggest that I, somehow, think people who dnf are bad or unworthy of respect and admiration in the UROY voting and elsewhere. And, I am not going to suggest any change in the UROY voting. However, what I am hoping to do with this post is write a bit about the ideas around the dnf topic and what they have meant to me, personally, over the past 12 months. In addition, I think there are lessons to be learned by running ultras that go beyond the trail and the track and extend into our everyday lives. Lessons that can change the way we think and change the way we run.
I should start by saying that, as regular readers of this blog know, I am in a time of transition in my life. For reasons that are complex beyond the scope of this blog, I am in the midst of a life change that will affect my family and me for years to come. This is not a bad thing or a good thing, it is just life. And in life, as in running, you need to take what the Mountain gives you.
That said, when you think about it, this personal experience for me is not unlike the feeling that inevitably comes somewhere in the midst of 100-mile race. There comes a time, almost every time, as we close in on the Finish Line, when we ask ourselves; Why am I doing this? Is it worth it? Do I want to hurt this bad? Is the reward worth the risk? What would my mother think?
And usually, most of the time, in fact, facing those questions and grappling with our own inner angst, we pop a gel, put our heads down, and forge on down the trail with the grit and determination that characterizes just about every ultrarunner I know. That is what makes us special. That is what makes this sport different. That is what I love about my ultra friends. That is what makes us whole.
Do we learn from our failures more than we learn from our successes? Absolutely! And, as I have spent the last year speaking to people about dnf's it has become clear to me that everyone has their reasons. Everyone knows that they didn't start the race planning to dnf and everyone wants to do better, work harder, be more of themselves the next time. But, still, dnf's happen. They happen on the trail and they happen in the office. They happen in relationships, in families and in schools. In fact, these days they seem to happen more often in places they never happened before.
Clearly, as has become clear, I admire those people who push through to finish regardless of the result. I admit that bias. But, that's just me. And, as is often said about this sport, we only know what we know. We can only view the world from the perspective we have. At the end of the day, the meaning and purpose of our incredible sport is not really clear to the naked eye. Especially, the naked eye that drips with envy, judgement, and ignorance. What is clear to all of us may not be clear to the casual observer. Those on the outside who view us as obsessed, crazy, and self-absorbed don't, ultimately, understand what it feels like to be absolutely spent. Those folks simply won't ever grasp what it means to dig deep and crawl into the Pain Cave one more time. They won't know how hard it is to get up off that comfortable cot at the Highway 49 Aid Station and hike it in.
All of us, on the inside, however, get it. And, I dare say, we live it and love it.
"Should dnf's be a factor in the UROY voting?"
However, after numerous comments to this blog and many sidebar conversations, it became clear to me that raising the issue in a public forum surfaced other unintended consequences well beyond the scope of the UROY voting. In the subsequent turmoil members of the ultrarunning community called me, among other things, self-centered, egotistical, judgemental, and downright wrong. I'm a big boy and, of course, I admit to being all of those things:) But, reflecting back on the post, the reaction to it, and the last year in ultrarunning and in my life I think there is more to be said on the topic.
No, I am not going to analyze the 2010 dnf's and call out certain elite runners (although, for the record, there were far fewer high profile dnf's this year than last). Nor am I going to suggest that I, somehow, think people who dnf are bad or unworthy of respect and admiration in the UROY voting and elsewhere. And, I am not going to suggest any change in the UROY voting. However, what I am hoping to do with this post is write a bit about the ideas around the dnf topic and what they have meant to me, personally, over the past 12 months. In addition, I think there are lessons to be learned by running ultras that go beyond the trail and the track and extend into our everyday lives. Lessons that can change the way we think and change the way we run.
I should start by saying that, as regular readers of this blog know, I am in a time of transition in my life. For reasons that are complex beyond the scope of this blog, I am in the midst of a life change that will affect my family and me for years to come. This is not a bad thing or a good thing, it is just life. And in life, as in running, you need to take what the Mountain gives you.
That said, when you think about it, this personal experience for me is not unlike the feeling that inevitably comes somewhere in the midst of 100-mile race. There comes a time, almost every time, as we close in on the Finish Line, when we ask ourselves; Why am I doing this? Is it worth it? Do I want to hurt this bad? Is the reward worth the risk? What would my mother think?
And usually, most of the time, in fact, facing those questions and grappling with our own inner angst, we pop a gel, put our heads down, and forge on down the trail with the grit and determination that characterizes just about every ultrarunner I know. That is what makes us special. That is what makes this sport different. That is what I love about my ultra friends. That is what makes us whole.
Do we learn from our failures more than we learn from our successes? Absolutely! And, as I have spent the last year speaking to people about dnf's it has become clear to me that everyone has their reasons. Everyone knows that they didn't start the race planning to dnf and everyone wants to do better, work harder, be more of themselves the next time. But, still, dnf's happen. They happen on the trail and they happen in the office. They happen in relationships, in families and in schools. In fact, these days they seem to happen more often in places they never happened before.
Clearly, as has become clear, I admire those people who push through to finish regardless of the result. I admit that bias. But, that's just me. And, as is often said about this sport, we only know what we know. We can only view the world from the perspective we have. At the end of the day, the meaning and purpose of our incredible sport is not really clear to the naked eye. Especially, the naked eye that drips with envy, judgement, and ignorance. What is clear to all of us may not be clear to the casual observer. Those on the outside who view us as obsessed, crazy, and self-absorbed don't, ultimately, understand what it feels like to be absolutely spent. Those folks simply won't ever grasp what it means to dig deep and crawl into the Pain Cave one more time. They won't know how hard it is to get up off that comfortable cot at the Highway 49 Aid Station and hike it in.
All of us, on the inside, however, get it. And, I dare say, we live it and love it.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
POY Ruminations
Before I post the POY poll I thought I'd get a little discussion going. Of the following five performances, what are the top-3, and why?
Geoff Roes Western States
Scott Jurek World Championships 24 hour
Mike Wardian World Championships 100K
Dave Mackey Firetrails 50 mile
Anton Krupicka Western States
Geoff Roes Western States
Scott Jurek World Championships 24 hour
Mike Wardian World Championships 100K
Dave Mackey Firetrails 50 mile
Anton Krupicka Western States
Saturday, January 1, 2011
2011 Racing Plans
My schedule for 2011 is taking shape and it looks to be a fun year of running in some great places. While some of these are subject to change here is the lineup for me so far:
March - Coyote 2 Moon 100 Miler
April - American River 50 Miler
June - Western States 100 Miler
July - Hardrock 100 Miler (if I am successful in the lottery)
July - Vermont 100 Miler (if I don't get into Hardrock)
October - Grindstone 100 Miler
November - JFK 50 Miler
As you can see this schedule is a mix of some "classics" and some new races. I look forward to a great year! Happy New Year everyone!
March - Coyote 2 Moon 100 Miler
April - American River 50 Miler
June - Western States 100 Miler
July - Hardrock 100 Miler (if I am successful in the lottery)
July - Vermont 100 Miler (if I don't get into Hardrock)
October - Grindstone 100 Miler
November - JFK 50 Miler
As you can see this schedule is a mix of some "classics" and some new races. I look forward to a great year! Happy New Year everyone!
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Ultrarunner of the Year -- Nominations
Well, ultra fans, it's that time of year again and this year I thought I'd do something a little different. Before posting the polls for UROY and POY I thought it would be interesting to take nominations and then create the polls out of those nominees. So, here's the deal:
Please comment on the blog with nominations in the following categories:
Male and Female Ultrarunner of the Year
Male and Female Masters' (40 yrs-old and older) Ultrarunner of the Year
Male and Female Performance of the year
I will tally the nominations and get going with the polls on New Year's Day.
Please comment on the blog with nominations in the following categories:
Male and Female Ultrarunner of the Year
Male and Female Masters' (40 yrs-old and older) Ultrarunner of the Year
Male and Female Performance of the year
I will tally the nominations and get going with the polls on New Year's Day.
Monday, December 27, 2010
Year in Review
I was lying peacefully on a cot at the Highway 49 crossing at Western States when my phone rang…
“Hey, LB, it’s AJW, what’s going on.” It was my friend AJW. Ugh.
“I’m, um, resting on a cot here at Highway 49,” I responded feebly.
“What the hell, dude, I finished an hour ago. Get off your butt and get over here.”
“Um, Ticer is refusing to run with me. He thinks I’m a risk for the race.”
“OK, well, I’ll find someone here who can hike in with you. You need to finish this thing.”
And, with that, AJW hung up and went to sleep. What followed at the Placer High School Track that night was, from my understanding, a virtual cluster attempting to find me a way to the Finish.
You see, AJW and I are both totally obsessed with Western States, and this year, in particular, we were really psyched for the race. However, something really bad happened to me between Brown’s Bar and Highway 49 that relegated me to the now infamous cot. I am not sure what happened but I never want it to happen again. And, AJW has reminded me of "the cot" about once a week since that great day.
Earlier in the week AJW and I had enjoyed a great pre-race psych-up staying together at the Squaw Valley Lodge and enjoying the hype as we prepared for each of our 7th running of the WS100. That said, everyone knows AJW doesn’t do anything halfway and, of course, he showed up at The Dance with his entire loud and annoying family as well as two cases of Sierra Nevada. The Jiz certainly has his priorities straight! But, with that sideshow, sleeping and resting for the race is all but impossible. In fact, reflecting on the weekend, I am pretty sure the reason I ended up on the cot at Highway 49 was all AJW’s fault. Next year, I’ll know better!
Up until Western States my year in running had gone really well. In February I actually beat Meghan Arbogast in a race and cracked the top-10 in the Truffle Shuffle 4 Mile. A week later I once again cracked the top-10 at the Pemberton 50K in Arizona and I even went sub-4 hours (my 3:59 was only four minutes slower than AJW’s best time on the course). After that, however, things began to go downhill. At Chuckanut I finished 43rd and Meghan smoked my ass. Then, at the Pear Blossom 10 miler, I failed to come in under the one-hour barrier for the first time in something like 35 years. This all, of course, was a harbinger of the disaster at Western States in June.
When I licked my wounds and looked back to what might have gone wrong at Western States five things stood out:
1. I made the mistake of riding in the Cool Mountain Bike Race in March and got crushed.
2. Instead of running the Way Too Cool 50K (incidentally the last ultramarathon race in which I beat AJW) I decided to volunteer. Stupid mistake.
3. I wandered around the mountains throughout the winter as a ski patrol guy rather than training (I did win a bunch of awards for this effort and that made me feel like a giver) but I think I underestimated the impact of this activity on my fitness.
4. I got my Ham Radio License (whatever that is:) and continued to serve the sport as the Race Director of the Where’s Waldo 100K, the toughest 100K race in the Universe.
5. In spite of doing hours and hours of trailwork and volunteering at Ultras, I got a year older.
So, with all this done, I was resolved to have a successful 2nd half to my season. And, I did. In the Cascade Cream Puff 100 Mile Mountain Bike Race I finished in 11:45 and spent absolutely zero minutes on cots. In addition, I only lost to Alan “Quads of Steel” Abbs by 19 minutes. It cost me $1000 to GOATS but it was worth every penny. In this stretch I also ran three 5K races and beat Meghan twice. At the McKenzie River 50K in September I finished 11th and I actually let Meghan beat me. That felt good.
After that, it was time to put everything into training for the Hayward Field Mile on November 23rd. You see, if there was one race I knew I could beat AJW at it was the one-mile run.
When the day arrived I was ready. I knew it would hurt but I knew I could win. You see, everyone knows, quite simply, AJW is not a fast man. And, three things were in my favor:
First, he’s fat.
Second, he has no idea how to train.
Third, when he gets caught up in the moment, he can be downright stupid.
My plan for the Hayward Mile was to stay on AJW's heels for the first 809 meters and then put the hammer down. Which is precisely what I did. Quite simply, I ran the Perfect Race. In the end I beat him by a second (5:06 to 5:07) but it felt, to me, more like an hour. With that victory I can now go into the 2011 season with a renewed sense of confidence and a bolstered sense of self-esteem and, SkyDaddy willing, I think I can finally cut into AJW’s 8 hour lead in the 10-year bet.
And, oh yeah, I am sick of being known as the “guy with the blog.” Let’s get after it in 2011!
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