18 days

Run Historic Route 66

2400 miles

8 ultra runners

Awareness and Empowerment

3 moms leading and directing this movement

Photo: Courtesy Werkmens @ http://flic.kr/p/6MG8ku

And the big bang – What is this all about?

Run it Forward will bring the following attention and resources for our inner city and under-served youth:

• Health and dental care
• Nutrition
• Fitness program

(If you can’t see the video, click here.)

Texan, Dave Carder, is also part of the team of ultra runners. Pretty cool!

TALON Dates

This great message will be rollin’ through the TALON region on the following days and locations starting on Monday, May 21.

LODGING SUNDAY PM | TULSA, OK
Monday, May 21, 2012 | Depart for Oklahoma City School.
Arrive, noon. 120 Miles, East on I 44
LODGING MONDAY PM OKLAHOMA CITY

Tuesday, May 22, 2012 | Depart for Elk City, OK.
Arrive, 4pm. 115 Miles, East on I 40
LODGING TUESDAY PM | ELK CITY, OK

Wednesday, May 23, 2012 | Depart for Amarillo, TX school.
Arrive, noon. 150 Miles, East on I 40
LODGING WEDNESDAY PM | AMARILLO

Thursday, May 24, 2012 | Depart for Albuquerque, NM by 6PM.
Arrive Midnight. 290 Miles, East on I 40
LODGING THURSDAY PM | ALBUQUERQUE

Friday, May 25, 2012 | Depart Albuquerque School* by 6pm.
Arrive, 9pm. 135 Miles, East on I-40
LODGING FRIDAY PM | GALLOP

Get Involved

Throughout this journey, RIF is also raising funds to help support the continued progress of their goals.

If interested, you can donate a High-Five ($5) to your favorite ultra or $40 for all eight.

Their goal – $100,000. As of today, they are over 60% towards that goal!

Support page

RIF mainpage

We wish the RIF team all the best in their journey and mission.

As individuals we can make a difference!

Be active – Feel the buzz!

David – EnduranceBuzz.com

Related Articles:

• The Journey to Win Her First 100 – Melissa Linan at the 2010 Arkansas Traveller 100

Sweet – Huge granite formations along varied terrain. Tranquil streams. Delightful wild flowers. And how about that post run wading pool?

Sweaty – Dude, it got warm! Peaked at 96F for the day.

Over 300 started the adventure which included a marathon, half mary, and 10 km.

Results

Marathon

Neal Lucas once again showcases his spicy tread, leading in a conservative fashion from the early miles and dashing off the only negative split of the day. After addressing a couple screaming blisters at mile 20, Neal went on to win the male race and set the time to beat – 3:36:27.

Neal Lucas - Coming down from his flight through the course. (Photo: Copyright Rick Kent @ Enduro Photo / endurophoto.com)

Gregory Brant was the only other sub-4 finisher and started the scamper in second and finished in second.

Top 5 male

1. Neal Lucas – 3:36:27
2. Gregory Brant – 3:57:10
3. Von Jones – 4:01:05
4. Shane Wall – 4:01:48
5. Christopher Haley – 4:05:01

Kelli Newlon set the standard in the female scamper.

What did she think of the course and conditions of the day?

“The granite rock formations were gorgeous. The course wasn’t extremely hilly, but the technicality combined with the heat bouncing off the granite, made for a tough day.”

Kelli’s mantra for the day – “The faster you run, the faster you can be done!”

Kelli Newlon also floating through the course. (Photo: Copyright Regan Hanson @ Enduro Photo / endurophoto.com)

As crazy as it sounds for this part of the country, Kelli doesn’t like to carry a water source and this race was no exception. By midway through the second loop as temps continued to rise, Kelli began to “regret that decision.”

Knockin’ down significant water and electrolytes as she cruised through each aid station, Kelli found additional inspiration for the final push to the finish thanks to the encouragement from fellow Rockhoppers.

“They motivated me to try to “chick” as many guys as I could during the last eight miles! I did end up catching a few!”

Kelli won the female race in 4:19:03 and earned a seventh overall placing.

Rachel Ballard finished second in just under five hours.

Top 5 female

1. Kelli Newlon – 4:19:03 (*7th overall*)
2. Rachel Ballard – 4:59:49
3. Nancy Marks – 5:22:10
4. Jody Koehler – 5:25:32
5. Michelle Ottmers – 5:32:58

Half Marathon

Jason Brooks (4:16 – Bandera 50k 2012) averaged a 7:39 pace to win the male race by over eight minutes in 1:40:15.

Mississippi athlete, Clayton Perry earned runner-up honors.

Clayton Perry with Hilario Alvarado in chase. (Photo: Copyright Rick Kent @ Enduro Photo / endurophoto.com)

Top 5 male

1. Jason Brooks – 1:40:15
2. Clayton Perry – 1:48:30
3. Hilario Alvarado – 1:48:34
4. Justin Wendling – 1:50:47
5. Stuart Cohen – 1:50:52

Amanda Alvarado (sub 28hr, Rocky Raccoon 100 2012), averaged a 9:35 pace to win the female race in 2:05:34.

Amanda Alvarado focused on the finish. (Photo: Copyright Rick Kent @ Enduro Photo / endurophoto.com)

Jessica Layton finished second, just under seven minutes back.

Top 5 female

1. Amanda Alvarado – 2:05:34
2. Jessica Layton – 2:12:21
3. Olga Varlamova-King – 2:14:54
4. Amanda Gibson – 2:17:05
5. Teresa Lopez – 2:22:10

10 km

Kevin Boudreaux created a one minute gap from Andrew Berglund to win the male race in 52:22.

Top 5 male

1. Kevin Boudreaux – 52:22
2. Andrew Berglund – 53:22
3. Randy Snow – 59:46
4. Adrian Haley – 1:00:57
5. Frank Leal – 1:01:06

Sophie Pearson created a 36 second gap from Madonna Reichman to win the female race and finish fifth overall in a time of 1:00:57.

Top 5 female

1. Sophie Pearson – 1:00:57 (*5th overall*)
2. Madonna Reichman – 1:01:33 (*7th overall*)
3.  Jessie Rhodes – 1:03:24
4. Krista Wall – 1:05:33
5. Rebekah Fox – 1:07:01

Inspiration Point

Check out some of the wisest finishers. I hope this stuff fires you up as much as it does me.

• Robert Kosec (age 65) and Paul Jensen (age 68) played within the Box of Rox!

Paul Jensen lookin' relaxed and steady. (Photo: Copyright Rick Kent @ Enduro Photo / endurophoto.com)

Life is play. Play is life.

Race Reports and Pics

• “Being Texas, you must always expect rox. Many, many rox. However, my opinion is this race is kid tested, and mother approved.” by Neal at enduRUNce
• “Soon I had tripped and my left hip (with torn labrum) went hurting. I screamed quickly, and she asked if I was OK with concern. I appreciated the care, assured her I will be, and kept locked in a step behind her.” by Olga @ Run More talk Less
• “ I have never seen so many runners want to sit down at an aid station. Especially so close to the end. Some stayed for over 15 minutes. At one time we had 5 runners sitting around talking. 4 left and one called it a day.” by Tony at El Oso Corredor
• Race Pics - Check out all the great pics by Enduro Photo!

Related Articles:

• the Falls Trail Run – Capt’n Karl’s Trail Series – 2011 Results
• The Maze Trail Run – 2012 Results
• Hog’s Hunt Trail Run – 2012 Results
• Hells Hills Trail Run – 2012 Results
• Grasslands Trail Run – 2012 Results

According to Yogi Berra, ‘baseball is ninety percent mental and the other half is physical’. Yes, he knew it didn’t add up, but it never does. To be ready to run a very long ways, it seems to be approximately 90% physical and the other half mental. But then it changes late in the run.

People in the best physical condition sometimes perform way under expectations. Just as surprising is an unexpected over the top performance from someone who is not in the best physical shape. The importance of one attribute versus the other is hard to quantify.

Coaches have been trying to dial in the days, times, and percentages of specific training techniques mixed with rest and recovery between each session for a very long time. Intervals, fartleks, tempo, hills, speed, dexterity, and strength all mixed according to a recipe that makes you run faster and farther. For the longest time, the entire process was all about physical training.

Somewhere along the way, the mental aspect of the equation started to be evaluated and plugged into the training process. I grew up with phrases like ‘He has good game’, ‘He just doesn’t have it’, and ‘He’s a clutch player’. What IT was is hard to define exactly but I think IT is a strong attitude and a mental toughness. More thought goes into the mental part of running now. A race strategy covers everything from energy management to simple positive thinking. It’s so much more complicated than that, but then again, it depends on who you are. We all play a fair amount of mental games while on the run and depending on your history, this could be well developed or just a few tricks.

Some people are more driven than others, but how do you define what drives them. Are they tougher, more focused, goal-oriented (must complete a task they have set out for themselves), bull-dogged (won’t let go of what they are locked into), refuse-to-quit (just cannot quit anything), or go-till-they’re-dead determined? I could put names to a few people I know who fit this mold exactly and I’d need a shrink to tell me why they are that way. I also know a few extremely talented runners who seem to quit real easy. The previous group couldn’t quit if their life depended on it, and sometimes it does. That’s the other side of this equation – knowing when to say ‘this is enough’! Is it wise to climb over a mountain during a lightning storm just because you have never DNFed before?

My wife Joyce likes to talk about her ‘List of Reasons to Quit’. The way she tells it: You have to write down a list of all the reasons that are valid for you to quit. You cannot use things such as ‘My stomach hurts’, ‘I have a blister’, or ‘I don’t feel good’. It has to be reasons such as ‘I broke my leg’, ‘I have a concussion’, or ‘I’m hypothermic’. A few blisters and a little blood is no big deal. Anyway, when you are going through a bad moment – check the list! The mental toughness it takes to do the training is the same mental toughness it takes to keep going when a run gets tough. I like the phrase, ‘If you are going through Hell – Keep going’.

I attempted to run the Hardrock 100 a few years ago without doing the proper training. I had already run the race a few times and figured I could get it done by the strength of what I knew and my experience on the course. I knew I was tough enough and would not quit when things went bad and I knew it would get bad. It was another of those self-tests I like to throw at myself every now and then. Usually they don’t make much sense to anybody but me, but sometimes I pull one off and surprise myself. Part of it is my willingness to try something I am not altogether certain I can do. I never did get over-confident or even slightly comfortable with the idea that I was going to finish the race, but I did surprise myself by how far I got.

I was so miserable with blisters, rash, edema, diarrhea, queasy stomach, puking, and sleep deprivation but I refused to quit. Each aid station wished me well with sad eyes, hoping I’d quit soon and stop the self inflicted misery. But I couldn’t. As much as I wanted to miss each cutoff or have a medical person tell me it was too much, I kept clearing the cutoffs and kept going. This race gives you 48 nonstop hours: two days and two nights. I was within the last two miles when I finally missed a cutoff: the final one at the finish line. So I did finish the race but not within the required time limit. Mentally I had the strength, but physically I was not ready and knew it.

It is a subtle balance of physical and mental that makes us each who we are, and it is constantly changing. Late in just about any hundred miler, I’ll reach a point when the race stops being driven by my body and starts being driven by my mind.

Early on, my body on auto-pilot, my mind asleep, it’s a repetitive process of eat, drink, and run. Autopilot is interrupted when my mind wakes to discover a few minor breakdowns in the system: a hiccup in my giddy-up, an ache in my back, queasiness in my tummy, or a blister on my foot. The breakdown takeover is usually not a smooth and fluid change in command. Self-evaluation kicks into gear and a plan to remedy the problem formulates. I may have to stop or even sit down, but the checklist of reasons to stop causes a ripple such that I try to solve the problem without stopping. There are times when the shift from physical to mental takeover is a magical seamless occasion, when everything is going according to plan, but this is rare and enlightening.

When approaching the finish line of almost any race, I reach a point of ‘Smelling the Barn’. It’s a unique and rare moment when suddenly all my troubles (mental or physical) disappear. I’m suddenly starting all over, rested and ready, with only so far to go. One last downhill or one last ridge, it doesn’t matter, and there is no figuring when or why it happens as it does. But oh my, when it does, get out of the way, because I want to run and run fast. You just hope that whatever it is that is fueling this energy is enough to take you all the way to the finish. If it isn’t, you may have just unloaded every reserve you had and not be much closer than you were when it began.

Trying to stay in tune and listen to the body is part of the whole balancing act. Is my achilles talking to me or is it just whining? Should I listen to it? An old trail running axiom I heard a long time ago, goes something like this: “If it’s an ache – ignore it. If it’s a sharp pain – listen”. I am no doctor so I don’t know the truth of it, but I have used it many times. I will occasionally have these conversations with my body. Talking to my achilles or my back: ‘Just shut-up – I aint stoppin’, ‘Nope, as a matter of fact – I’m goin faster’, and ‘I still ain’t listenin’. I like to go through a complete checklist while running, checking off each body part which is redundant when I know the problem will let me know regardless. Have you ever had a blister that silently waited until you were done? Yea, I know it does happen, but it’s rare. The body usually lets you know when there is a problem.

I like to think in terms of personal energy. It’s very strong in some of us and yet, for some, it’s strong only at certain times. We use each other’s energy to power us up without thinking about it, and you can have your drive sucked out of you if you aren’t careful. A high energy group can buoy each other for many miles, when they might have struggled a bit more by going solo. Whatever you do, don’t invite a whiney ol’ energy-killing nay-sayer to your crew. And sometimes, it’s just you who is bringing the bad juju and need some help to escape your own funk.

At all times, I try to find that perfect place in my mental well-being where I am content and comfortable. Late in a long run, this is doubly difficult, but still a place I search for.

It’s funny how some unpleasant things can drive you too. An irritating voice or conversation can drive me to run faster, a dog that keeps running underfoot, or an extremely strong anger. It certainly isn’t positive, but it works. I know a few who, while going through a divorce or losing a job, suddenly find a new gear they didn’t have before. As much as I prefer to live on the sunny side, the dark side has some strong energy as well. But, do you really want to go there?

The physical and mental can both be broken down into even smaller subcategories by my sport psychologist son-in-law who has lots of fun debating the benefits and pitfalls of each component. The Balance, fluidity, strength, agility, endurance, and speed balanced by the spiritual, emotional, and intellectual. Physically, everything must work and work well. Mentally, it runs the gamut of good, bad, and different. With all the variables to tune and adjust, it’s as hard to dial in the perfect run as it is to repeat it once you’ve done it. And because everyone of us is so different, we are all experimenting on ourselves exclusively.

I like to think of ultra distance running as mostly mental. But you sure as hell better be physically ready for what your mind is about to do. And we have yet to open the nutritional can of worms.

- Joe Prusaitis

[Talk some Dirt]

• What importance do you place on the mind when you run?
• How has your mind helped or hindered you during a running adventure?
• If your mind turns sour, how have you redirected your thoughts to the task at hand?

Related Articles:

• No Related Post

The Bluebonnet. (Photo: Courtesy AmberBrooke. / http://flic.kr/p/6fXjBk)

Over 70 runners played in nature just northwest of Austin, Texas.

Results

10 km

Lon Breitenbach ran at the front of the male race, winning in 1:05:33.

Lon Breitenbach workin' one of the climbs. (Photo: Copyright bobcat13 photography llc / bobcat13photo.com)

Justin Wendling finished second over two minutes back.

Top 5 male

1. Lon Breitenbach – 1:05:33
2. Justin Wendling – 1:08:00
3. Brad Bailey – 1:08:32
4. Michael Gates – 1:08:32
5. Andy Prior – 1:08:32

Meredith Leva, 1:35 road half marathoner (Austin), won the female race in 1:08:34.

Youthful and speedy sisters, Kaytlynn (age 12) and Heather (age 10) Welsch, finished second and third respectively!

Meredith Leva with Kaytlynn and Heather Welsch in chase. (Photo: Copyright bobcat13 photography llc / bobcat13photo.com)

It seems like there was some confusion on the course that got the sisters going in various directions. At the finish both were hot, tired, confused, and grateful to have made it to the finish line.

What were Kaytlynn and Heather’s favorite parts of the course?

“The flowers and on the very top of the peak you could see everything.”

“I like the flowers. I like climbing over the rocks it was like a real trail run.”

Top 5 female

1. Meredith Leva – 1:08:34
2. Kaytlynn Welsch – 1:09:06
3. Heather Welsch – 1:10:25
4. Jenell Thompson – 1:12:15
5. Lisa Hutson – 1:13:27

Complete 10 km results

5 km

Ariele Rosch ran a sub-30 effort to win the female race in 29:52 and fourth overall.

Ariele Rosch focused on the path ahead. (Photo: Copyright bobcat13 photography llc / bobcat13photo.com)

Tuesday Brown crossed the finish line another three-plus minutes behind Ariele.

Top 5 female

1. Ariele Rosch – 29:52 (*4th overall*)
2. Tuesday Brown – 33:41
3. Amanda Hall – 34:50
4. Peace Preston – 36:19
5. Lanita Hidalgo – 37:05

Peter Rosch averaged a 9:13 pace to win the male race in 28:40.

Peter Rosch workin' the bridge crossing. (Photo: Copyright bobcat13 photography llc / bobcat13photo.com)

Brian Holmes and John Sherwood had a fun little scamper to the finish as six second separated the two. Brian had the extra kick to earn second place honors.

Top 5 male

1. Peter Rosch – 28:40
2. Brian Holmes – 29:37
3. John Sherwood – 29:43
4. Donald Churchill III – 31:03
5. Joe Cimato – 31:09

Race Reports and Pics

• I couldn’t find any race reports. Please share in a comment below if you have one.
• Race Pics - Check out the great pics by bobcat13 photography llc.

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• No Related Post

Coming May 19, 2012!

New 50 km course?

Yep!

What does it look like?

Glad you asked.

Photo: Courtesy Bill Geist / Jemez Mountain Trail Run

One loop…and one short out-and-back segment.

Over 7000 feet of gain.

Tread your way between 7000 and 9600 feet.

Here is a flyover highlighting the new course.

Enjoy!

(If you can’t see the video, click here.)

Also, if you are running the 50 mile, we got you covered. Check out the Jemez 50 mile flyover we created last week.

More info: http://www.highaltitudeathletics.org/JemezMt.htm

Who is heading out for a morning or a full day of Jemez goodness?

Be active – Feel the buzz!

David – EnduranceBuzz.com

Related Articles:

• Jemez Mountain Trail Run – 2012 50 Mile Course Flyover
• Jemez Trail Run 2011 50 km Race Experience Report – Video Style
• Jemez Mountain Trail Run – Half Marathon Course Flyover
• Jemez Mountain Trail Run – 50 Mile Course Flyover
• Cedro Peak Ultra – 2012 Results

One look through my garage, storage closet, or “storage room” and one would immediately discover that I have an addiction to backpacks. I have packs of all shapes, sizes and color. And I can happily defend why I have a need for so many packs should the question arise.

I have gone back and forth during training and racing with different packs and methods of carrying water, food and essential supplies and more recently am noticing that the lead runners typically go with bottles-only and are extremely efficient about what they carry. While I can appreciate this, I know it’s not always the way the rest of us can roll.

For most of my training on runs shorter than about two hours, I don’t like to take a pack but I want to have something that will allow me to carry a bit of food, my phone (for music and emergency’s) and any small items that might be needed.

Enter my favorite, small piece of running gear – the Amphipod Airflow Endurance running pack.

Photo: Courtesy Running Warehouse / runningwarehouse.com

This ergonomically designed waist pack is a great piece of gear for me.

What I like about the Airflow Endurance

1. FIT & COMFORT – It’s super light and fits snug. One of my chief complaints about other waist packs is their tendency to ride up around the waist once I start to run. I know that we all have different body shapes but this pack will stay where you put it; hips, waist, it doesn’t matter as long as it’s snug enough. The wider belt helps with this.

2. CARRIABILITY – For its compact size, it has two decently sized, separate pockets, one with three slots for cash, IDs, or gels. On the outside there are two quick grab elastic mesh pockets that also hold small items like gels, keys, chapstick, etc.

Top view of the two compartments.

Notice the two mesh pockets on the outward edges of the pack.

3. CONVENIENCE – I am in school full time so when I run I will often listen to books on tape to relax or unwind but I absolutely hate the iPhone, iTouch armbands. I don’t have big arms and haven’t been able to find one that fits well or stays up on my arm snug so the Airflow has been a great fix. With the Amphipod pack, I can run with my phone and smaller essentials while allowing my hands and arms to be totally free if I want.

What could be improved with the Airflow Endurance

BREATHABILITY – Manufacturers are into making packs and equipment breathable to help with comfort, and Amphipod is no different. They make all their Airflow products with a vented back. My personal opinion is that for a waist pack, this isn’t altogether an important feature and actually is unwanted as everything, including my phone, tends to get soaked when I am running. I have to make sure to put my phone in the outermost pocket and food items in the pocket closest to my back which makes it a bit more bulky and uneven feeling. Not a huge deal but something I wish they’d look at changing.

Why use it

This is a inexpensive, easy, one-size-fits-all lightweight way to carry essential items on all distance runs where you don’t need a larger pack or hydration system. It works well in all weather and is a great way to carry the phone or music player if you prefer not to wear one on your arm.

What smaller essentials pack system are you currently using and why do you like it?

You can purchase the Amphipod Airflow Endurance running pack and receive an Endurance Buzz tribe discount (10% at checkout) at Running Warehouse.

Photo: Courtesy Running Warehouse / runningwarehouse.com

Simply…

• Click Running Warehouse
• Submit the displayed Endurance Buzz discount code. You will see the discount noted in your shopping cart.
• Then check out the Amphipod Airflow Endurance! (Direct link to the pack)

- Jason Taylor

Related Articles:

• Altra Lone Peak Trail Shoe Review
• INOV-8 X-talon 212 Trail Running Shoe Review
• Nathan Endurance Race Vest – Trail Running Gear Review
• CamelBak Octane LR Hydration Pack – Trail Running Gear Review
• Nathan Sprint Water Bottle – Trail Running Gear Review

Photo: Courtesy Josh Baker @ AzulOx Photography / azulox.com

10 km loop course.

Pick it – 30 km or 10 km scamper.

Results

Photo: Courtesy Josh Baker @ AzulOx Photography / azulox.com

30 km

Paul Terranova and Brandon Ostrander passed through 10 km together in just over 47 minutes. Paul kept with his even pacing and separated himself from Brandon throughout loop two and most of loop three until one mile from the finish, Paul notices Brandon closing.

“When I saw him a couple of switchbacks behind me, I sucked down two MetaSalt tabs just in case, and drilled it to the finish.”

Paul went on to win the male race in 2:20:51.

Paul Terranova with Brandon Ostrander in chase. (Photo: Courtesy Josh Baker @ AzulOx Photography / azulox.com)

How even were Paul’s splits? 47 min, 46 min, 47 min!

Brandon pushed through for second.

Top 5 male

1. Paul Terranova – 2:20:51
2. Brandon Ostrander – 2:21:04
3. Ty Reagan – 2:25:23
4. Robert Michell – 2:26:56
5. Matthew Bradford – 2:28:27

Asia Shah moved to the front of the female race by mile three, pushing a moderate effort through the first two loops creating a moderate gap from the next chaser, Rachel Downey.

What did Asia think of the course?

“Overall, the trail was just the right amount of technical but also fast enough to really cruise.”

As the miles accumulated, and temps gradually rose, the final 3 km required the most focus for Asia…and then there was a nice little hill near the finish to take care of.

“I was just thinking about the one last big hill I would have to endure within the last 600 meters. Once I got there though, the taste of the finish was enough to make it bearable and I muscled through (pretty slowly, I’m sure).”

Asia Shah finishing a 10 km loop. (Photo: Courtesy Josh Baker @ AzulOx Photography / azulox.com)

Rachel held onto second place, earning runner-up honors.

Top 5 female

1. Asia Shah – 2:32:45 (*7th overall*)
2. Rachel Downey – 2:45:42
3. Meg Hare – 3:02:32
4. Shelley Vekasy – 3:04;43
5. Dena Curry – 3:10:09

 10 km

Cassandra Henkiel averaged a 7:25 min/mile pace to win the female race in 46:09.

Cassandra Henkiel crossing the 10 km finish. (Photo: Courtesy Josh Baker @ AzulOx Photography / azulox.com)

Holly Gureski finished a little over three minutes back, for second.

Top 5 female

1. Cassandra Henkiel – 46:09
2. Holly Gureski – 49:37
3. Emily Roberson – 51:19
4. Crystal Corzine – 51:44
5. Ashley Butler – 52:24

Road-runner focused, Warren Brown, moved to the front of the race in the early going and dialed up the effort to create a bit of run-comfort separation.

“I wound up taking the lead after the first mile and put a hard surge on to discourage anyone for trying to stay behind me. I tend to be a little cautious on super technical spots, so I didn’t want the stress of someone right behind me forcing me to get out of my comfort zone. ”

Warren went on to win the male race in 40:09 and was taught an off-road lesson – road pace does not equal trail pace.

“I knew I wouldn’t run quite as fast on the trail as road, but I had no idea it was THAT different!”

Warren Brown (yellow/black) with Adam Stroobandt in chase. (Photo: Courtesy Josh Baker @ AzulOx Photography / azulox.com)

Joey Przybyla earned second place honors.

Top 5 male

1. Warren Brown – 40:09
2. Joey Przybyla – 41:47
3. Patrick Hitchins – 42:04
4. Carlos Mendoza – 42:40
5. Adam Stroobandt – 44:01

Race Reports and Pics

• I couldn’t find any race reports. Please share in a comment below if you have one.
• Race Pics – Check out all the great pics by Josh Baker of AzulOx Photography.

Related Articles:

• The Maze Trail Run – Rogue Trail Series #1 – 2011 Results
• Lighthouse Hill Ranch Trail Run – 2011 Results
• The Ranch – Rogue Trail Series #3 – 2011 Results
• Pandora’s Box of Rox Trail Run – 2012 Results
• Hog’s Hunt Trail Run – 2012 Results

Texan, Steven Moore, ran a 7:00:13 at the highly competitive Leona Divide 50 Mile Trail Run claiming top TALON athlete honors and a 10th overall placing! Did I mention it was competitive field. Btw, a new course record was set by Dylan Bowman (6:00:38)!

Leona Divide takes places a short drive, or a moderate run north of Los Angeles, California on a scenic out-and-back course that includes nearly 40 miles on the Pacific Crest Trail.

Steven was super kind in sharing his weekend adventure pushing the pace with some of the best trail runners in the nation.

Enjoy!

Those of you who may have read a race report of mine know I focus on the experience getting to the race at least as much as the race itself. This time will be no different. If you want the race details, skip down to find them. If you have a few moments, keep reading.

Luckily plans fell into place for my ‘A List’ crew member and wife, Sandi, to join me for the three day southern California weekend while my folks covered for us at the homestead in Austin, Texas. Once we got airborne and settled in on the non-stop to Los Angeles, Sandi ended up chatting with the elderly woman next to her in the window seat. Her (the old lady’s) English was somewhat limited but occasionally she’d get on a roll. The odd part was when she asked if the flight we were on was headed to Rrrrreno (Spanish rolled R’s). Sandi explained that we were actually headed to Los Angeles but that the flight then continued to Reno. Me, being the OCD-slanted factual type, grabbed the in-flight magazine and showed her the flight graphic that depicted the Austin-to-LA-to-Rrrrreno flight path.

That settled that….right?

Well, no, actually. I won’t bore you all with the ensuing details of our ‘conversations’ but as it turns out, the women had no idea what time it was currently, what time it was in California (LA or Reno) OR where she had even gotten on the plane first that morning! Sandi seemed to be enjoying the absurdity of the moment while I pondered how remarkably different it would be to live without such constraints of schedule and planning.

And this story relates to my run how? Good question. The week previous and on the flight out I was reading a book about survival. Who survives and who doesn’t when bad or unexpected things start to happen? One interesting idea in the book concerns planning. The author postulates that to our brains, a plan is just a memory waiting to be proved. Our brains don’t have much distinction between something we’ve already done and something we’ve thought about (planned) thoroughly. In preparation for this race I planned as much as I could with the on-line information but still felt lacking in the weeks preceding. I read a little more about it from race reports and the RD’s description and began to visualize what it might be like. As it turned out, my future memory played out just about like I had already experienced it.

My single goal for the race was to finish top 10. That sounds kind of lame to me but with the stellar field lined up it seemed appropriate. I felt like I’d left a little in the tank the last few races and I wanted to be able to say at the end of this one that I’d given it all I had.

Race morning presented really nice weather conditions and a fantastic group of ultra-folks ready to run and host another gathering of the tribes. Temps were in the upper 40s and a decent breeze was blowing but the forecast was for full sun and warm temps as the day progressed.

The race started sharply at 6am and we were off, or up up up as it were. I couldn’t see trying to hang with the lead pack of (12-15) guys since I didn’t want to blow up on the first four miles of a 50. My heart rate was up pretty high and I was mostly anaerobic already. Plus, the 50km crowd went off with us and I wasn’t sure how many of them were included in the front groups. Anyway, I concentrated on my breathing and pushed up to the first aid station solo. It was more steady climbing on dirt road here until I finally got to the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) access point. Here is where the single track fun began. The entire PCT portion of the trail was super enjoyable. Yes, even the climbing portions late in the race where I was suffering a little. It is possible to enjoy suffering.

I rolled more downhill (finally!) into the 16.4 mile aid station where crew and/or drop bags were allowed. Sandi was there for me with my waist belt and new bottle of nutrition. In retrospect I am very happy I chose to grab the belt with the extra bottle as I used it to douse myself with plain water to keep cool as the day progressed.

There was a big climb out of that aid station and I had memories of both R2R2R and Zane Grey with the dry desert heat baking my head as my feet made their way across the dusty rocks. Luckily this climb ended soon enough and I was back on some incredibly beautiful single track windy trail along the ridge line. Just after the 20.4 mile aid station I passed Dominic Grossman. I was a little surprised but running well and feeling pretty good. I kept the pace going and to my pleasure, found another runner, Dan Vega, just before the killer 2.5 mile downhill road to the 50 mile turnaround.

This road is also where I began to see all the leaders coming back up and was able to count my position in the race, at least at that moment. I blasted down the road and refreshed my supplies at the aid station. My concern about the climb back out was heightened by the mass of humanity I saw about the time I started back up myself. The two guys I had passed in addition to what seemed like 25 other people were screaming down the hill and hot on my heels. I couldn’t run the whole way up but pushed as hard as I could to keep ahead of the chase pack behind me. I had counted 10 on my way down so I stood in 11th place as best I could tell. I caught up with and passed Scott Jaime about half way up and that pushed me to the top feeling decent. I knew people were chasing me and I ran like it when I got back to the PCT single track.

It was overall downhill from here all the way back to the 42.6 crew aid station and I felt like I was really running strong and fast. All the runners I met head-on were super nice with encouragement and courtesy by stepping to the side of the narrow trail as we passed. As well as I was running, I knew still there was a good chance somebody from behind was coming on strong too. Sure enough, I couldn’t even get out of the 42.6 station before Dominic had arrived. He had recovered from a low point earlier and was rebounding nicely. I pushed hard on the climb out and saw Chikara Omine struggling a bit up ahead. No sooner did I pass him did Dominic pass me. I hung on to Dominic’s tail for a while but he was moving too well and gapped me.

The trail flattened just enough to run on in to the last aid station where I topped off my water bottle on the fly. More climbing on an exposed section of fire road left me running scared. I didn’t want anyone to see me and try to pursue. Luckily I crested the top and had enough juice left to blaze the last three miles to the finish without a chase.

The LD finish.

Sandi was there at the finish to catch a nice photo and the rest of the guys who had already finished had a few high fives ready. I felt great but enjoyed a recovery drink and some stretching in the shade for a few minutes before I found my flip flops and the will to socialize!

While I can’t say I’m satisfied, I can say I’m happy with my race and result (10th place, 7hrs13sec). I ran hard and did the best I could that day. I need more work on climbing, which was definitely the limiting factor for me at LD50. I’m very pleased with my nutrition and electrolyte results for the race too. I felt great the whole day and never felt like I was fading out or struggling excessively. A great crew, perfect weather and beautiful scenery probably helped too!

My sponsor, INKnBURN, is also a Leona Divide 50 sponsor and was well represented at the race. Lots of cool clothes on display, including the official race shirt this year!

The Race Director, Keira Henninger, and her crew of volunteers did a fantastic job of organizing and hosting the race. The course was easy to follow and the trails were fabulous to run on. Easy running in the sense of not kicking rocks or tripping on roots but certainly plenty challenging with all the climbs, descents and narrow ridge running. Logistics were pretty easy in/out of Los Angeles and Sandi and I even found some time at the beach in Malibu on Sunday.

Is my next flight going to Rrrrreno? I doubt it, but ya never know do you? I hope your future memories play out just the way you want them to. See ya there maybe….

- Steven Moore

A big congrats to Steven on his impressive effort on what seemed to be a really well executed run.

Talk some Dirt

• Do you have any questions for Steven about the LD scamper?
• Or his post-race beer choice, the book, or on future trips to Reno?

Be active – Feel the buzz!

David – EnduranceBuzz.com

Related Articles:

• Nueces 50 Mile – 2012 USATF 50 Mile Trail Championship Preview
• Steven Moore Maintains Life Balance and Sets Course Record at Cactus Rose 100…Again – Interview

Copyright Brent Williamson Photography / http://www.wix.com/brentwilliamson8/bwphotography

The course delivered 12 miles on the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Boy Scouts Trail and a short segment of park pavement. One possible creek crossing if local rains brought the water levels up but most actually were able to dance across a conga line of boulders.

Results

Copyright Brent Williamson Photography / http://www.wix.com/brentwilliamson8/bwphotography

Shane Poland of Vilonia, Arkansas, averaged just under a 9 min/mile pace to win the male race in 1:51:34.

Andrew Carberry cross the finish alone in second.

Top 5 male

1. Shane Poland (AR) – 1:51:34
2. Andrew Carberry (AR) – 2:05:14
3. Dustin Speer (AR) – 2:19:07
4. Brant Bishop (AR) – 2:19:29
5. Gary McBride (AR) – 2:20:57

Copyright Brent Williamson Photography / http://www.wix.com/brentwilliamson8/bwphotography

Arkansas runner, Candace Fletcher, and Tennessee athlete, Leslie Brahm, enjoyed an excited 20 km adventure. Just over one minute separated the two at the finish with Candace earning the female win in 2:20:18 and a fifth overall effort.

Leslie earned eighth overall honors.

Top 5 female

1.  Candace Fletcher (AR) – 2:20:18 (*5th overall*)
2. Leslie Brahm (TN) – 2:21:26 (*8th overall*)
3. Deborah Lashley (AR) – 2:30:11
4. Terri Johnson (AR) – 2:32:25
5. Tina Ho (AR) – 2:47:14

Copyright Brent Williamson Photography / http://www.wix.com/brentwilliamson8/bwphotography

Inspiration Point

Check out some of the wisest finishers. I hope this stuff fires you up as much as it does me.

• Lou Peyton (age 67 – AR), Ann Moore (age 71, AR), and Bob McKinney (age 70, AR) all enjoyed the 20 km scamper.

Life is play. Play is life.

Race Reports and Pics

• “We corkscrewed through dense vegetation, huge rock formations, and vast areas.  There were a few streams to hop over, but I made sure to take a gander at the wildflowers. ” by Nicholas at Arkansas Outside
• Brent Williamson Photography – Check out a fun collection of pics from the event.

Talk some Dirt

• How was your adventure?
• What was your favorite section of the course?

Copyright Brent Williamson Photography / http://www.wix.com/brentwilliamson8/bwphotography

Special thanks to Brent Williamson of Brent Williamson Photography for all the great photos you see above. You can check out Brent’s work at http://www.wix.com/brentwilliamson8/bwphotography and http://brentwilliamsonphotography.blogspot.com/.

Check out the TALON Race Guide

There are 150+ regional trail/ultra races in the TALON Race Guide. Be sure to check it out if you are looking for the most complete list of events in Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and New Mexico. New events are always being added.

Be active – Feel the buzz!

David – EnduranceBuzz.com

Related Articles:

• Ouachita Trail 50 – 2012 Results
• Big Rock Mystery Run – 2012 Results
• 3 Days of Syllamo – 2012 Results
• Sylamore Trail Run – 2012 Results
• Athens Big Fork Trail Marathon – 2012 Results

Photo: Courtesy Bill Geist / Jemez Mountain Trail Run

The wild fires from last summer caused some significant damage in the area that required course changes for the 50 mile and 50 km scamper.

I would hate to guess on the number of hours spent putting together a new course of this magnitude but we have a course. They are ready!

I will be putting together a flyover for each new course to help set the mood of what is to come.

The 50 mile course contains nearly 10,000 feet of gain with a stride not below 7000 feet.

Flatlanders, I hope you have been sucking through a straw for the last couple months during your long runs.

Enjoy the flyover! (~2 min)

(If you can’t see the flyover, click here.)

If you have an interest in this epic day in New Mexico, there are still entries available for the 50 mile and 50 km adventure.

More info: http://www.highaltitudeathletics.org/JemezMt.htm

Be active – Feel the buzz!

David – EnduranceBuzz.com

Related Articles:

• Jemez Mountain Trail Run – 2012 50 km Course Flyover
• Jemez Trail Run 2011 50 km Race Experience Report – Video Style
• Jemez Mountain Trail Run – Half Marathon Course Flyover
• Jemez Mountain Trail Run – 50 Mile Course Flyover
• Cedro Peak Ultra – 2012 Results