Keith-In-Training

Washington: A Most Excellent Adventure

2009-08-26T21:19:00.031-05:00

I tore myself away from work while on a business trip to Seattle and struck out for a long weekend of adventure...

I finished working on Thursday night, went out with a few co-workers and then got a little sleep, despite being really excited about a new adventure about to begin.

At the crack of pre-dawn, I left my luggage with the bellhop and jumped on a ferry to Bremerton. A very kind and charitable friend picked me up there and drove me to the Big Quilcene Trailhead 833.1, with an intended destination of Camp Mystery at Marmot Pass.

We had a chance to catch up on things during the long ride up and it was nice to be in good company with good coffee in a warm vehicle and listening to NPR on the radio before heading into relative isolation for three days.

The trail up to Camp Mystery and Marmot Pass starts uphill at about 2500 feet above sea level and remains uphill for another 2900 feet, initially through old growth forests and past nicely roiling little streams which empty into the Big Quilcene river.

I passed one small group camp then noticed a sign that said "STOVES ONLY BEYOND THIS POINT." 3,500 feet above sea level...Onto the mountains!

I hiked up and up, playing leapfrog with a couple that started behind me. I had to keep reminding myself that it wasn't a race! To slow down and enjoy the views.

And there was plenty to see. Wildflowers, the peaks of mountains breaking the cloudline, the intricate construction of weathered trees clinging to the sides of the mountains. It was truly stunning. The scale of it made me feel very small. Looking straight up at mountains is always very stunning and awe-inspiring.

It seemed like it took forever to climb the five and a half miles to Camp Mystery. By the time I arrived at my campsite, I decided I had done enough for one day, and that I would be extra attentive at setting up my campsite, as it was to be my home for the next couple days.

I picked a spot by a stream, just because I liked the way it sounded. I knew I would pay in terms of temperature, but I thought I could handle the tradeoff.

I laid down a bed of evergreen boughs underneath my tent for a little fragrant cushioning and insulation, strung a clothes line and hung my bear canister up about fifty yards away from camp over a log that was propped A-frame style between two trees.

I wandered down to the stream and noticed that there were animal prints that were decidedly not dog prints in the mud. There are no claws at the tops of the toes like there would be if they were dog prints, and the top pad of the foot is dimpled - just like the picture of a mountain lion track I pulled up on google. I decide to call the stream "Cougar Lick Creek," because it appears it is a watering hole for mountain lions. We will share this wilderness, I decided...

After camp was set up and the chills went away from thinking that mountain lions regularly drink out of the stream mere yards away from my camp, I took a quick mile long barefoot hike. Even in the VFF's, my feet get hot sometimes and long for the dew and the feel of soil beneath them...

Light began to fade, so I prepared dinner, inhaled it and bundled up for the night ahead. Needless to say, I slept like a rock.

The next morning I hatched a game plan. I would do a 14 mile round trip hike out to Tubal Cain Mine via Marmot Pass and back. I wrestled with just gearing up in running shorts and a tee shirt as it was beautiful out, but I also wanted pictures and the weather seemed to have the ability to change on a dime up in the pass. For imstance, I went to bed pretty comfortable but froze my ass off that first night. It was tough to get out of my warm sleeping bag to go wash up in the creek, that's for sure.

I started hiking up to the pass with a low fog surrounding me. By the time I arrived at Marmot Pass, the clouds were rolling around the peaks. giddy.

From there, I hiked towards Tubal Cain Mine, further into the Buckhorn Wilderness. The terrain ranged from scree fields to even more stunning vistas at around 6,200 feet and then tumbled back into old growth forest. A couple that I was hiking near stopped me to ask about the VFF's, how I liked them, how long have I been running in them...what's an ultramarathon?

Actually, I got a lot of comments on them from a lot of folks I saw in the mountains. I could always hear the hikers in their big hiking boots on the trail past my camp...CLUMP CLUMP CLUMP CLUMP. I don't know how people walk in those things! I'll take the VFF's any day.

I had lunch near a stream, hiked up the Copper Creek a ways and then decided that due to a lack of water and sustenance, turning back for camp was a prudent idea. I tried to fast hike it as best I could, fog was setting in, so I ran sections of the trail and made it in about half the time it took me to walk out there.

I chatted with a couple other hikers back at Marmot Pass then descended towards camp.

I ate heartily then retired. That night, something large brushed past my backside that was against the wall of my tent. Needless to say, I did not sleep well that night.

The next morning the skies were perfectly clear, treating me to grand views on my way back down to the trailhead.

From there, I got a ride back to civilization on Bainbridge Island. My friend took me kayaking in Poulsbo with her son, where we saw harbor seals come right up to our boats. I made three new seal friends that day...I spent the night at a state park there and had a great fire, good dinner and a decent night's sleep.

From there, I made my way back into civilization, hiking 6 miles to the ferry and then back into Seattle to work, then sleep in a bed and flush toilets and turn lights on and off.

The next morning I got to meet my barefoot running idol, A very fit, very awesome Barefoot Ted. He lives about 2 miles away from the hotel I was staying at, so I ran out to visit with him and his dog Edgar.

Ted just finished the Leadville 100 mile race wearing the new Vibram FiveFingers Trek in just over 25 hours. Amazing! We visited his Huarache workshop and his training grounds in Volunteer Park, where he teaches classes and coaches athletes to become fitter, faster and free-er.

I love listening to his theories about running and left there quite inspired to carry the "less is more" message to as many folks as I could. Just like Ted was doing when I left him. Two prospective students were there, Ted introduced me to them as a "fellow minimalist runner" and then he hipped me to a great little trail to run on...after I thanked him profusely for his time and inspiration and took off I heard him begin his lesson with "Okay, boys and girls!..."

I really do love the Washington area. It's so full of a diverse array of life and stone's throws to entirely different climates and experiences. This was truly an epic and memorable weekend!

An Avid User of the Vibram FiveFingers Line Answers Questions

2009-07-20T17:09:00.004-05:00

I try to get to all of my email personally, I really do. Sometimes, that's just not possible. So...I'll go ahead and answer some questions about the Vibram FiveFingers that have been sent my way since writing about my experiences with them.

Note that these are merely the opinions of one user and are not designed to sway your opinion one way or the other -- this is only to serve as an "Answers to FAQ's," if you will.

So let's get started, shall we?

Question 1: Can you really wear them anywhere? Job interviews? Weddings? Nudist camps?

Answer: Yes, why not? They are an interesting conversation piece for any job interview -- and it would show the interviewer that you're not just some drone who'll march to the beat of everyone else's drum. Weddings? Heck yeah! You can really chicken dance in them. Nudist camps? The VFF's might not be for purist nudists, but they'd look cooler on a naked person than say, penny loafers.

Question 2: Seems like I always end up with expensive running shoes that I can't wear anywhere else, and they're usually worn out before I'm ready to drop $130 on a new pair. How long do the VFF's last?

Answer: First of all, the "foam breakdown" experienced in regular shoes is a sham. That one inch of foam is doing very little to cushion your feet and legs from "impact." In fact, you'd probably do well to let the foam in your shoes break down to the point where they're barely hanging on anymore, then chuck those things and start running barefoot. Secondly, I just retired a pair of VFF's with over 2,000 miles on them, including ultra runs on some of the bitchenist terrain in the upper midwest. They're plenty rugged, and relatively cheap to replace.

Question: Where can I get a KSO in Singapore (Frankfurt, Afghanistan, Brussels, Nice, Texas...)?

Answer: http://www.vibramfivefingers.com/

Question: If you were shelling out the cash would you buy the KSOs over say the classics? Purely for vanity the KSOs are limited in their colours...

Answer: I guess there are merits to both models, but for my money I like the KSO's the best so far out of the entire lineup of Vibram FiveFingers products, vanity notwithstanding.

Question: I have measured my shoe size and the approximate equivalent to it in european sizing leads to a too small/big FiveFingers. Help!

Answer: There is a great sizing chart and more answers to FAQ's on the website. Many retailers of the VFF have a handy dandy sizing device that works specifically with the VFF sizing.

Question: What kind of support do they have for my arches?

Answer: Your arches.

Question: Your feet are freakishly muscular. How can I avoid that?

Answer: Wear more shoe, do less exercise.

Question: What kind of traction do they get?

Answer: Most of your traction comes from being able to better sense yourself in relation to the surface you are on, rather than relying on tread or spikes or what have you.

Question: Are the KSO's waterproof?

Answer: No.

Question: Can you run in them in the snow?

Answer: Yes. And it's cold. Just like snow is meant to be.

They're meant to allow you to reconnect with surfaces and situations you're told over and over again that bare feet or less shod feet aren't supposed to go. SO get out there and have fun! Get muddy! Get wet! Get cold! Get HOT! Step on rocks. Step on logs. Climb trees in them. See how it all feels and teach yourself to run quickly and easily over all of it, just like we're designed to do! Sneak up on animals in them. Allow yourself to be snuck up on by animals in them. Run through dandelion patches and get salad in between your toes in them. Jump off of things and land on your feet in them. Do yoga in them. Go to church in them. Run a marathon in them. Run an ultramarathon in them. Wear them on airplanes...Discover all the ways that being barefoot is so much more fun than wearing shoes!

Afton & Other Items

2009-07-18T14:20:00.001-05:00

I can't believe it's already July!

I have been on the road for about a month and a week now. I just finished my last trip out East for a while, and hope to get in something that resembles a consistent schedule for at least the next few weeks.

Of course, I know what lays ahead schedule wise, so we'll just see how things stack up.

I have decided NOT to run the Superior 100 Mile in September. I shaved my "100 mile beard" because I know it's just not in the cards this year. Giving this event anything less than my full attention in the months leading up to it just didn't feel like I was giving it the respect it deserved. I have no desire to do something just to say I've done it without giving it 100%, so I'm shelving this goal for a year.

Of course, I feel like a loudmouth braggart for ever announcing that I was planning on doing this event, but oh well. I think I had planned too much and very unrealistically, too soon. Lesson learned.

I will instead either run the 50 mile or the marathon up there this fall. I've been enjoying short, intense runs lately, but nothing longer than 15 miles for the last few weeks, so I feel like I could actually crack off a decent marathon, if I have the right kinds of runs in the next few weeks.

On my last trip to Westchester, I got out a couple times on a trail between my Tarrytown hotel and Irvington, a lovely town on the Hudson river, a couple miles down the trail. One morning I made the trip out and back in just under 40 minutes, the next day I had only 25 minutes to run, so I decided to see if I could get there and back in that time. 28 minutes later a panting, sweaty, gnat covered me ran into the hotel lobby and back to my room for a quick cold shower before dinner.

I ran the Afton 25K over the 4th of July weekend, and as usual, it rocked. It was a little cooler than usual, which was fantastic! I ran it several minutes slower this year than last year. Not a big surprise, considering.

So the plan is to get some runs in after work or maybe before work if time allows, long runs on weekends, back into the dungeon of a weight room I have set up in the studio and enter the late summer strong-ish if not back to where I was a year ago, but also kind of balance some things out and still maintain my career commitments at the level I have been...

I did get out for a great 25K run at Afton this morning. There was no water to be found on the course, so I had a 20 minute detour getting up to the first fountains to drink like a camel before hitting the long flat stretch to the meatgrinder -- but still had a great run.

I am breaking in a brand new pair of Vibram FiveFingers -- I love it when the rubber on them is still sticky. Way better traction.

Hopefully you are all having a great summer!!

I'm Still Standin'

2009-06-21T22:00:00.003-05:00

Yes...Still here.

Just into a busy summer. Have a bunch of stuff to do well into July, but...after that, it's on again. I've managed some decent runs, but I am going to have to see about how well-trained I will be by September for a 100 mile run.

I hope everyone is having a great summer so far...Any Atlanta or L.A. runners reading this blog? I could use some suggestions on where to run!

Superior 50K - No More Snow Until October, Please!

2009-05-17T19:49:00.006-05:00

Well that was fun.

But before a brief recap of the fun, thank you to all of the volunteers who cleared a previously barely passable Superior Hiking Trail of the blowdown from the ice storm. Thank you to the volunteers who braved nasty, bitter cold wind and all sorts of precipitation to put on a finely organized and memorable event. Thank you to my two fine travel companions, Kate Havelin and Alicia Gordon who kept the driver alert and entertained for hundreds of miles in the car. Thank you to Jefferey and Lynette for their warm and fun presence at the condo (especially thanks to Lynette for the post-race acupuncture). Thanks to JoAnn for setting up a great place to stay and for her laugh. What a fun weekend!

Got to see many new and old faces in a place that has become one of my favorite places over the past couple years. This spring's trip with Kate and Alicia to Lutsen for the Superior 50K sealed the deal...All time favorite trail: Superior Hiking Trail.

Alicia and Kate and I drove up through some windy, rainy stuff to get to Lutsen and then hunkered down in our cozy condo for the night.

After a full day of some pretty intense rain and a forecast of low 30's for the start - it was tough to get up out of my cozy little bed - hearing that wind howling against the condo all night. The sun was rising, coffee was on and it. was. snowing! The roof in the condos adjacent to ours was coated in a dusting, as were the cars and grass.

We all got ready and had breakfast...I have to remember: oatmeal, salad, protein drink, banana. That is apparently the recipe for a good day.

I milled around at the start with a bunch of other runners, it was so cool to meet folks that only knew about me from this blog! Of course, I was getting tons of questions about the FiveFingers, and I heard through the grapevine that someone else was wearing them as well...I never did find out who that was.

We lined up at the start, the wind drowned out everything the race director Mike was saying. In the famously informal fashion of most ultras, there was the beginning of a countdown, someone said "WAIT!" as they synchronized their timepiece, the countdown resumed and we were all off down the road in front of Caribou Highlands lodge and on our way to the Superior Hiking Trail, Moose Mountain and 31 miles of FUN!

I decided I was just going to run whatever pace felt like good, clean work. Not push it and not sandbag it. Kate had graciously lent me her gloves, since I did not pack any warm things, thinking that this year would be like last year's race and be a little warmer than...wind driven sleet!

The puddles started early and often. I sidestepped exactly two before I started going straight up the gut. Here's why going through mud puddles is fun (for those that need reminding):

1. It feels great.
2. It makes you look like you're really battling out there.
3. It sounds cool.

I ran with Steve Quick for about as long as I could keep up...he's running strong after five ultras in six weeks. Unbelievable. I also ran with Zach Pierce a ways, who PR'd the 50K distance in this race! Not an easy feat considering how muddy it was!

I got to talk to a lot of folks I haven't seen since my last ultra and it's always fun to see everyone and catch up on the run! I especially enjoyed watching Jason Husveth and Kevin Martin hammer through many of the sections (and pass me). Boy they were tough to catch once they went flying by. Looks like they're both having a great year!

The running seemed to come easily and with great joy. It was almost like a dream. The trail seemed to float underneath me for the first ten miles or so. I wasn't even breathing hard. Got to the Oberg aid station and filled up everything and took off again.

I was having a blast splashing through the mud. My FiveFingers were squishing with every step. I had leaves and mud caked on my lower legs...a recipe for happiness.

Shortly before the second A.S., I was running through one of said mud puddles and caught the top of my foot on a submerged root. I was almost relishing falling into the cool mud, braced myself and then as my knee sunk into the mud it met the edge of a rock with a resounding crack.

I was on my hands and knees in the mud, my long sleeved shirt that I was wearing up around my neck was around my head and I was in paiiiin. A nice dude stopped and asked me if I was ok. I waved him on, but he wouldn't leave. Which was nice of him. I pulled my shirt down, let my glasses unfog and breathed in some cool, crisp air.

I got up and shook it out, then began running. More often than not, if I walk immediately after something like that it sets a bad precedence (unless I'm really injured). So I got to the Sawbill Trail A.S., looked down at the horror show that was my knee and started eating peanut butter sandwiches like they were going out of style.

The volunteers washed me up as best they could and then it was a race against Jason to the turnaround (Jennifer Pierce has a picture of me running out of this A.S. *gasp* heel-striking!). I left my jacket and shirt there and decided to brave the elements. Thanks again, Kate for the gloves!

My knee opened up again and I decided to just let it bleed. After that, I had the Rolling Stones stuck in my head for the rest of the run.

I saw a few more runners coming back up the mountain towards the turnaround, and I was taking it pretty easy on the rocks because I didn't want to go tumbling over the edge.

Before I knew it it was back through Sawbill and then on to Oberg again! I stubbed my pinky toe a few times through this area, it doesn't like me today, but it's no worse off than its neighboring toe who met the ugly side of a leaf-buried stump last weekend at Afton. It's all part of the fun! My mind kind of stopped keeping up with the blur of rocks and roots going underfoot and I had to slow way down to process everything so I wouldn't trip.

The puddles all felt so nice to get the feet cooled off in. I really love mud.

The last section of the race came up fast...even though it had already been five hours, time flies when you're having fun! I passed a few folks up Moose Mountain, gave a war whoop at the top of Moose Mountain, ran into some hikers...took in the view...and then I was flying down the valley and soundly hit my wall.

No amount of gel or S! Caps or water was going to make me start running any faster or heal my fried quads, so I just accepted it and pushed as hard as I could to the river and then to the finishing chute. Nobody was hanging out there except for the volunteers because it was blowing like mad and freezing outside.

It was a really great run!

After finishing I went in for some chow, talked to a bunch of people and then hit the showers and a catnap before our crew joined Maria and Doug Barton and their kids in Grand Marais for some kick ass fajitas.

Then it was back to the condo in time for a fire, SNL and Lynette gave us acupuncture (in our happy places {the top of your head, apparently}). I have to say it must've worked! I haven't felt quite so deeply happy in a while on that couch next to my running friends all warm and toasty (with two needles in my head and about five in my foot), sitting on the accomplishment of finishing 31 miles on the SHT. It was so nice!

Sunday we hiked around Gooseberry Falls and I enjoyed massive quantities of food on the way back into town. I wish I could've stay up there...for the rest of my life.

Thanks to all the well wishers! See you on the next trail!

Superior 50K or bust!

2009-05-15T04:50:00.002-05:00

It's been a while since I've run 50K, and at this point in the year I can hardly say I am ready for it. Had a very zero week due to a car accident on Monday, decided to stretch and ice/heat all week and see if I am limber enough to go the distance Saturday. Ah well...it will still be a fun road trip.

See you there!

5/04 - 5/10

2009-05-10T18:27:00.003-05:00

Monday, 5/04 - Even God rested. So today after 7 days of non-stop action, I did, too.

Tuesday, 5/05 - 75 min. chest, back and abs. Bolder Options graduation. If you have the time to commit, I highly recommend looking into this program.

Wednesday, 5/06 - 40 min., PM Hyland. Great, low-key run.

Thursday, 5/07 - 75 min. shoulders, arms & abs.

Friday, 5/08 - 50 min., up Dodd and back hard.

Saturday, 5/09 - 240 min., AM Afton. Saw a bunch of folks I love seeing out at Afton. Was a great run. Total nature walk, easy for first 15 miles then a hard effort for last 5 miles with a sprint up Campground Hill thrown in on dead legs at the end of it. Fantastic.

Sunday, 5/10 - Took ma out for dinner.

Spent rest of day reading "Born to Run." This is my new favorite book about running. I recommend everyone check this out...Then I wish everyone who ever questioned anyone about how they could possibly spend hours running every day would read it as well. Oh, we are meant to run! Oh, running is meant to be exuberant and joyous! Oh, it is also an expression of our love for others and the spirit of humanity which we all share. Not drugery. Not agony. But a free expression of humanity of which we (99.9% of the HUMAN RACE) are borne from.

Too bad we have all but forgotten that in this day and age of convenience and 'advances,' where exercise is viewed as some kind of necessary evil in order to fit into pants. Gah! People! Run for your lives!

Recent Activity - 4/27 - 5/03

2009-05-03T17:08:00.003-05:00

4/27 - 75 min. AM - Chest, Shoulders & Triceps weight workout / Abs & Core

4/28 - 40 min. PM - Hill repeats at Hyland Ski Area.

4/29 - 70 min. AM - on pavement. Tough run. Not sure why.

4/30 - 100 min. AM - on pavement. Drizzled the whole time and smelled like worms outside. Love spring! Was extremely tired rest of the day. Allergies kicking my ass.

5/01 - 75 min. AM - Shoulders, Arms weight workout / Abs & Core

5/02 - 10K trail race. Gave it my all. Skipped planned additional miles post-race. Deemed unnecessary as well as cruel and unusual.

5/03 - 130 min. afternoon run at Afton. Couldn't stay in bed another second! Too nice out to waste it. Did most of the 25K loop. Ran out of time to do the snowshoe loop. Legs are shot. Had to go pick up Bolder Options kid and play basketball at the Y...Couldn't jump.

Now I am home with the discordant strain of Cinco de Mayo drums coming through my windows. It has been incessant all weekend. What a party! I am not as brave as Londell, though...so I just listen from afar.

Ran Rough.

2009-05-02T14:38:00.006-05:00

Ran the Ruff.

I am pleased to report that a good time was had by all once again at the Runnin' in the Ruff trail 10K in Milaca, Minnesota.

I got there anticipating a big crowd of other unregistered runners, as the Ruff is the 2009 Minnesota Trail Series championship race. I had plenty of time to relax in the car (read: wait until the allergy medication wore off enough to not make me sound like a stoner, then go talk to folks before the race started).

Have anyone else's allergies been pure evil this year? Gaaahhh. I am ready for the trees to stop mating.

I wheezed to the start, talking to Jeff Allen, John Kendrick and John Pitera about plans for the season and the races that they'd already run. In front of us were the usual gang of High School XC runners and some pretty serious looking runners. I say that because they showed up in all their kit with the Gear West logos on them and they all had on new-looking road running shoes.

They were not going to stay new looking for long!

An age group placing looked out of the question...I decided just to go out there and get muddy and try to beat my time from last year.

Cindy (the race director) told me that the course was very runnable this year, despite the usual mud - this is a trail race...it's supposed to be muddy.

This year they got good and official with the start and started the race with a real shot out of a real six-shooter! I sprinted ahead from the middle of the pack and got in at the tail end of the lead group. I wanted to not be in traffic through the singletrack.

I kept up as best as my wheezing lungs would let me...Jeff Allen eventually disappeared into the woods, my quads were shaking and I was breathing hard through my mouth. No way to start the race! I eased up a tad, let two people pass and then started breathing more steadily. I managed well through the first singletrack, but still feel like I ran conservatively through a lot of it.

There is a section that follows the shore of a small lake, that's where the wind plays tricks with your mind and I lost another spot to a fast roadie.

We got back in the woods and at one point I could see the leaders and the middle of the pack simultaneously in different parts of the woods. I was having a ball on the mildly technical stuff that would turn into foot sucking mud and then back into runnable trail.

There were some walkers on the trail that were very concientious of the runners and kept to the side of the trail. That was nice of them, although I almost ran over a child. That wouldn't have been good.

I looked at my watch to see that twenty five minutes had elapsed and I was only 3 miles in. Dangit! This was not the pace I had hoped to run. Such is life and the state of my fitness so far this year.

There were a few more puddles to barrel through - no pussyfooting around for me. I ran straight through them.

Kicked a rock with my little toe. Shook it off...Will cry about it later.

Finally passed two people and kept them behind me for the rest of the run. Thank you, Jesus. Passed the eventual female first place winner. Another victory.

Scrambled up a small hill to see Steve Quick at the top dressed neatly in civilian clothes holding a newspaper and pencil, cheering runners on and telling them which way to go. "What is this?" I thought..."A frickin' dream?"

Made it out to the grassy strip after some piney woods that means the finish is only a short distance away. Side stitch. Arm behind back. Breathe. Better. Side Stitch. Repeat arm process.

Gutted it out and beat my last year's Runnin' in the Ruff time by seven seconds. I'll take it.

Walked around breathing heavy, stopping to bend over and seriously considered leaving my morning Powerbar, banana and GU shot in a puddle on the road. Told Jeff Allen the run "sucked. wheeze. so. wheeze. bad." What I meant was it was a different set of muscles that I have to use to run nearly all-out for 6.2 miles.

Then I got a chance to cheer runners in, talk to people I see once a year, including one girl I've seen there three years running. The first year she told me she would never run more than 2 miles. Ever.

Well this year she ran the 2 miler at Runnin' in the Ruff fresh off of running the St. Cloud Earth Day Half-Marathon and is going to Fargo next weekend to run a 5K...then it's all Brainerd and Sour Grapes half-marathon for her. So awesome!

There was the Uber-Fit couple I saw at last year's Runnin' in the Ruff, then at the Superior 25K, and then at Trail Mix a couple of weeks ago. I didn't recognize Bill's wife Laura in her sunglasses and in my allergy medicated and post-race general lightheaded state...Sorry! I promise to say hello and be more cordial at Superior in a couple of weeks.

Kate Havelin gave me some muffins she won. I hope she wins more baked goods, as she is wheat intolerant and I will gladly eat them for her.

Okay folks...back to training!

Runnin' Rough

2009-05-02T07:56:00.003-05:00

It's the begnning of May, my allergies are off the hook (my voice is about three octaves lower and I am all wheezy), I just fixed up my yearly pair of FiveFingers...it must be time to head up to milaca and see how much water is in the ditch!

It's the 2009 MN Trail Series Championship race, so there are bound to be a bunch of fast folks there. So much for doing well in my age group!

See you at the finish!

All Trail Mixed Up

2009-04-18T17:35:00.006-05:00

Seems like forever since I've written a race report. It has also been a while since I've run 15.5 miles at the pace I ran today...so I'm a bit tired after coming home and attending to chores all afternoon.

Anyhoo...I got there plenty early to register, in high spirits despite not having slept a wink the night before. I don't know why this happens before races, I really do not. I wasn't even all that geared up for this one. It was, after all, supposedly just a training run.

After registering, I parked the car in a rock star spot, set the alarm and crawled into my fleece sleeping bag liner for about twenty minutes of pre-dawn quality shut-eye.

After waking as the sun rose, I pulled out my iPhone and turned some Hatebreed on to set the mood. Lucky is the runner who has those songs stuck in their head for a race. I still refuse to wear headphones during races...

As more people started to mill about, I decided to track a few fellow Upper Midwest Trail Runners down and chat them up. I talked to Steve about his finish last WEEKEND!!! at the Zumbro 100 miler (he was entered in the 50K!!!).

Then with very little fanfare, O.C. started the 50K field off to their start. This year's 50K was dedicated to O.C.'s late wife, Kathy. Last year, O.C. put on this amazing event shortly after she passed. Hopefully he keeps putting the event on, despite having planned a Mexican vacation for this time next year!

I saw Kate Havelin, the Minnesota Trail Series and UMTR representative and chatted with her for a while...if you haven't joined, DO IT!

With very little time to spare, I made it out to the start of the 25K. I felt an urge to hit the porta john before the race started, and of course the horn to send the runners off blew while I was in mid-stream. So I was a little late in starting out...

There was very little that was unexpected on the course. It was ziggy and zaggy in spots due to some reseeding projects on the trails. There were a lot of runners in the field, and one thing I love about this race is there are always so many people to give kudos and cheers to as they run past at different parts of the course. Unless of course you're plugged in to your own little musical bubble...then you can hear nobody saying anything to you, good, bad or otherwise. Er Hum.

I was sore in the upper body due to a new workout regimen I started, so every time I tensed my core it brought a good shot of pain and a little motivating adrenaline...My arms were also tight and I had to switch my handheld water bottle around a lot more than I usually do. Pushups, situps and pullups until your body is jelly the day before a race? Not smart.

The first loop I ran pretty much on my own, got killed going down the ski-hill just because I was trying to bomb down. My quads aren't ready for that...yet!

It was so dry this year...No mud whatsoever. A bit of a disappointment, I have to say! No worries, though...I'm sure Milaca's Runnin' in the Ruff will have plenty of water to deal with.

I tried to concentrate on cruising along effortlessly after the ski-hill...which was accomplished. I didn't feel like I was overdoing it (but I was pushing the pace a little bit), I was keeping hydrated despite forgetting my S! Caps, and most importantly, I was having fun!

Thanks to all the Aid Station volunteers, many of whom staff the same A.S. every year. You all rock!

Before I knew it, I was on the short path that crosses the lake and heads through the finish chute. That was a quick lap one...I thought to myself.

I couldn't believe I had just come through in just over an hour for the first lap. Yikes. Things had to slow down! My goal for the day was supposed to be three hours...

I had a couple of great conversations with folks on the second lap. I don't know why people got chatty, but it was really nice! There was the girl with the TCRC who would wind up smoking me, she was a strong runner! And a guy with an accent I couldn't place. The people I tried to make laugh...the people who I probably annoyed...Joel Button's big high five! All of these great snippets of conversation that happen when you're exerting yourself quite a bit are something I will always cherish about trail races!

I was starting to feel the trail abuse on the sides of my big toes and on the sides of my pinky toes going down the big ski hill again. I haven't quite developed my full-on armor plated foot skin as of this point in the season! No worries, though, it still felt really great to run (relatively) fast in the Vibram FiveFingers KSO's!

As usual, people asked about them or whispered about them and just so everyone knows...it's totally cool to ask me about them! I'm a zealot...I'll try to convert you, but I'll answer whatever you want to know about the Vibram FiveFingers.

But...Just because my foot armor isn't developed yet...I decided to carry the FiveFingers for the last 1.5 miles and run barefoot on the chip trails! Ahhh...did that feel wonderful! Okay, not 100% (because some of that chip is straight up sharp, man!) of the time, but moreso than not. I could have passed a lot more people towards the end had I left the VFF's on, but hell...this was a training run, after all!

AND!!! I saw a relay runner who was running with the ultra fast Team Duke Rembleski (Husband of Eve Rembleski who won the female 50K) -- wearing the FiveFingers KSO! Awesome!

So the 2009 Trail Mix was a great day for a run. The results will be up soon on the website.

Of course...I have no pictures. I am such a bum. I got to my car to grab my camera and was hobbled by double charlie horses. I hope you understand. Hopefully the many photographers on the course got some good snaps...

Ah...So nice to have the first race of the season down!

Trail Mix!

2009-04-17T21:49:00.002-05:00

I am excited to be going out to Hyland to see all my running pals this Saturday at Hyland!

I'll be doing the 25K if I can get in. It's going to be a nice long training run for me...not going to push it too hard, too soon.

Sounds like the 50K field is pretty stacked! Should be an exciting day!

Thought of the Day

2009-04-15T21:03:00.002-05:00

Because running philosophy never gets old to me...I had this thought replaying like a meditation during my run at Hyland this evening.

"Why do you run? Is it to fulfill a mileage requirement? To fulfill a time requirement, or both? Or do you run simply to get somewhere else under your own power?"

I feel like I've been enjoying myself lately by simply "running to get somewhere else." My most sophisticated equipment these days has been an analog wristwatch. I usually have a "time to get going" time in mind, simply because that's life, but I often find myself languidly passing that mark and not caring.

That isn't to say I've been dogging it. I am still enjoying hills and trails and fun stuff like that. I have also been getting my heart rate up to see if I can make it up the system of hills that begin down the block from me and go up for about a mile.

I have decided I am not going to care about when I finish races this year. It's silly for me to even entertain ideas like that. I will only give them everything I have and see where the chips fall.

Just getting where I need to be...

Okay, So...

2009-04-05T18:15:00.003-05:00

It seems I have had plenty of time off to think about what I want to do this season. I have mulled over a variety of options, fancy out of state ultras, the pikes peak adventure, epic journeys through honest to god mountains...etc., etc.

But I am beginning to think that what I am truly drawn to is the great north woods and the journeys that I have started and finished there that have provided such great memories and sparked some wonderful friendships.

I had wanted to try for an outright victory in the MN Trail Series this year, but given my current schedule of traveling will prohibit about half of those races (but will also allow me to run in new and strange places) and the fact that Bryan Erickson is probably going to win it all this year...I am going to opt out of the short stuff and give myself one goal for the season.

I am going to run the Superior 100 Mile beginning September 11, 2009 and god willing, finishing on September 12, 2009.

Training starts tomorrow.

Advice, as usual, is highly appreciated.

Steve Quick Calls Me Out Again

2009-04-04T16:51:00.002-05:00

Yes, Steve, you're right...it was all an April Fool's joke.

I am not getting titanium claws surgically implanted into my feet, nor am I getting carbon fiber tendon enhancement.

I am, however on a steady diet of EPO and wild boar endocrine injections.

Just kidding.

Hope all of your training is going well this spring!

Finally!! My Dream's Coming True!

2009-03-31T19:12:00.004-05:00

So I've taken the plunge.

I am going to Mexico tomorrow to undertake what specialists in the field call a 'body modification procedure.'

It involves implanting retractable titanium 'claws' in the thickest part of the bone in each toe; as well as alongside my heel underneath my ankle, in an attempt to become as close to a wild animal as possible in my running. The retractability will happen as a result of an involuntary tendon movement upon relaxing my foot.

I am also having a carbon fiber 'tendon enhancement' installed in my achilles and interior tibialis band to increase spring and load strength. Cool, huh?

I'm sure many of you are thinking that it is vanity that drove me to this decision, but I assure you that once you see me scale muddy hills with these puppies, you will be booking a flight to Mexico yourselves.

I am also sure you're concerned with the procedure itself, and it is appreciated, but I assure you that the facility I am going to is a pioneer in this field and their quality is top notch. They use nothing but the finest medical grade titanium coupled with an advanced anatomical imaging system that drives micro-precision screws into bone so non-invasively I should be able to tear the sheets off of the recovery bed with my new claws upon leaping out of it with my enhanced joints the next morning.

I have met several times with the doctor who will be performing the surgery and I have great confidence in her. If all goes well with this, I will likely be going down there next April to have a third lung installed in place of 1/3 of my liver which can be harmlessly removed and hopefully donated. That kind of reserve oxygen capacity can yield as much as a 75% increase in VO2 max under optimal conditions. Imagine that!! 160% efficiency!

It's basically the equivalent of running at around fifteen miles per hour -- tirelessly. All I would need to do is keep adequately fueled and hydrated. Sick, huh?!

But first things first!

I am going to modify a pair of Vibram FiveFinger KSO's to accomodate my new enhancements so that I can run protected, but with great agility and grip.

Wish me luck! I'll see you on the trails!

A Letter to the Editor

2009-03-28T09:31:00.004-05:00

don't trust the shoes to do the work for you!

Why is it every article about getting yourself into shape has to include getting yourself some super-duper cushioned and supportive shoes? I was reading Men's Journal on a flight to L.A. a couple months ago and ran across their "10 New Commandments" of mind and body fitness, in which they were (surprise!) hawking a pair of Reebok super shoes that promised to neutralize the SHOCK AND IMPACT of running.

What every shoe company won't tell you, of course is that the only way to minimize the MASSIVE SHOCK AND HORRIBLE LIFE ALTERING TRAUMA of simply running can be avoided by wearing less shoe!

Naturally...I had to comment on it. Little did I know they'd print my letter!

Meanwhile, on the running front, I've been getting some good base building runs in, as well as some short hill workouts. I'm the barefoot guy on the hotel treadmill. I don't want to jump into anything too nutty until I'm comfortable with a few 12-15 mile runs.

I also dropped my fairly useless gym membership (I realized that I really only used it as a shower after I got done playing outside). I am going to be working out at home as well as looking into Methode Naturelle, pioneered by a man named Georges Herbert. It focuses on building functional strength rather than building showy muscles that can only do a few actions well.

So with that, I am off to play outside!

Odds 'n' Ends

2009-02-16T05:17:00.002-06:00

It was a good week back into things. Not much mileage wise, in comparison to some, but it was consistent, and that is good. I had three runs this week at around 6 miles a piece, and then did two fast miles at the Y with the kid I am mentoring for Bolder Options (on the treadmill while he did the elliptical). It added up to 20.6 miles. A far cry from where I'd like to be, but I am considering it to be getting back into a schedule and getting back into setting some goals...

The first few runs I did this week were kind of ball-busters to see where I am at physically. Oddly, it does not feel like I've had a ton of time off, and I'm getting back into the swing of it pretty well.

I have also been running with a backpack loaded with about 20 lbs. of stuff as well as two five pound dumbells. I haven't the patience right now for getting into the weight room, though that will undoubtedly change. My schedule as of late has had me savoring every opportunity to get outside that I can.

My other idea is to quit the gym I am at and set up a program I can do at home. If Matt and Adam can do it, then I should be able to get it done as well. I just have a feeling I might miss the opportunity to use a treadmill when it is crap outside.

I had thought about doing the Zumbro 100K in April, but that is going to be one of those "we'll see where we're at" things. I don't want to rush into anything after a few months of no long runs...

But the plan is to get back at it, and really test myself this year. I want to know my limits, I really don't care how fast I am, I just want to push myself to the threshold and see how I fare. I don't think I am going to do many short, fast races, which might be a mistake -- I don't know. I do know that I want to spend some quality time on some trails this year!

Bunch o' Lunatics.

2009-02-09T21:17:00.002-06:00

Nothin' left open
And no time to decide
We've stepped into a river
On our moonlight drive
-The Doors "Moonlight Ride"

A little nod to my late brother on this, the 11th anniversary of his passing.

Also relevant because I got back in from a very wet run under a full moon and all the crazies are out tonight!

Tonight's run had it all - deep puddles for my KSO's to enjoy nearly the whole way, the aforementioned full moon, a stellar playlist on my iPhone...what more could a guy ask for?

Oh yes...he could ask for crazy people to be out en masse on his run...

Just as I was reaching the intersection of Hall and Annapolis, a red Dodge pickup came flying - literally flying down the hill on Hall Avenue, bottomed out (with full on sparks exploding from the truck's undercarriage as it scraped against the pavement) on the intersection and then careened down the hill.

I ran down my street, plodding as I generally do on downhills (and with a 20 lb. pack on), and lo and behold what do I run across? A very inebriated couple getting out of their red Dodge pickup - parked very askew in their driveway - and the dude of the couple drunkenly staggers into the street and says "wAit waIt Wait...Doode...Dudee...Whythehell Yew godda light on yer head, MAn?"

"Because I don't want to get hit by a fucking car." Was the only response I had for him.

And with that, his woman lurched out into the street, cheering and asking me to give her a high five because I "Wonn tha rayssse." As I ran past, the guy goes "RunN faSter, mAn! hup-two-hup-twohuptwohuptwo..."

As if that wasn't weird (or potentially fatal enough) I got involved in a drive by proselytizing by some mormon missionaries. I was winding down my run and as they drove very slowly up behind me they honked - startling me out of my hardcore heavy metal trance - to tell me to check out their website. What lazy missionaries! I didn't think those guys drove - I thought they all rode bikes.

All the lunatics were out tonight!

Night Running in Winter

2009-02-04T22:43:00.003-06:00

Long Johns? Check. Reflective vest? Check. 15 lb. backpack? Check. Vibram FiveFingers? Check. Hatebreed on the iPod? Check. Go!! The harder you try to break me the harder I push on.

Leaving Dallas

2009-01-13T14:10:00.002-06:00

I couldn't let another forty degree day in Dallas go to waste, so I snuck in a run before I left for the airport. Call it Katy trail revisited. The temps were different than when I arrived but it was still pleasant. Now I am headed back to Minneapolis where it is apparently seventeen below zero and snowing. Ick!

I hope my car starts...then I hope I can string together some miles next week as well. It was a very good week.

Dallas

2009-01-10T07:17:00.003-06:00

Last evening, I got out for a nice long run on the Katy trail that starts about a mile away from my hotel. It was good stuff! 75 degrees outside as the sun began to set…it felt good to get out for a run where I didn’t have to bundle up! In fact, I got to take my shirt off and felt like I was really flying! It is so dry here sweat instantly turned into salt...

I found some good singletrack down by the river, then got sorta turned around and wound up crossing a dry creekbed and then found myself in some kind of latino automobile gathering well after the sun had gone down. This morning I am happy and sore the way only a long distance run can make me.

Good times!

Minneapolis to LA to Dallas...

2009-01-10T07:06:00.003-06:00

I wrote a post on the plane that I have not had the chance to upload until this morning. The right combination of fate, timing and free wifi have enabled this post. It's been a little busy on the road...

I am in an airplane about 30,000 feet above somewhere in the western Untied States, flying from Los Angeles to Dallas. I have been in LA since last Friday.

The week flew by pretty quickly, but the travel is going well and work is also going well. I am getting to the point where I am kind of used to the schedule and got in several quality workouts this week.

On Saturday, I made it to the gym for about five miles of a ‘hill’ workout. Nothing too major, just a good run. On Sunday I got in another five miles, then wound up taking the next two days off.

I figured since I was in LA that I drop fellow blogger Barefoot Ted a line to ask him if he could give me the beta on some LA trail running. I called him on Sunday and he gave me the lowdown on the area then gave me a standing invite to check out his neck of the woods the next time I was in town. His setup where he lives sounds like an ideal training ground for honing your ultra running skills from the ground up.

He has some very interesting ideas and news on the horizon, so stay tuned to his blog!

I gotta say, Ted is a true original! I am looking forward to getting out to visit him this summer.

Unfortunately, my team and I burned up all our daylight at work, so I didn’t get to climb Mount Hollywood like I wanted to. I decided to go through the grinder just like I was climbing a mountain anyways.

Wednesday I got in my classic threshold workout, consisting of 15 minutes of increasing intensity, then breaking the last thirty minutes into an upper body workout while I was on the treadmill with dumbells. That will get the heart rate up!

Resolutions

2008-12-26T16:31:00.002-06:00

Well another year has gotten past the thin waistband of the hourglass and deposited itself as a pile of memories on top of still more memories.

I look back on this year fondly -- as many exciting things happened and I made many exciting things happen.

It was a good year, running wise. I was in the best shape of my entire running career and managed to string together some halfway decent performances, as well as attempting things I had never fathomed attempting at all.

I have a new career, which is exciting, but also has been very time intensive - creating new challenges and new opportunities. It has meant a dwindling number of posts to this blog, but that is okay for now. New experiences demand different amounts of focus than I was used to.

As far as my resolutions go, I always make a few. It is how I started running in the first place.

I am going to make an easily achievable resolution to work out at least three times a week. This may be at the gym, or it may be hefting furniture around a crowded showroom for a day. It might be shoveling or mowing the lawn, but it will be a workout.

I have had some time off from running (nearly a month now with sporadic trips to the gym) and it is time to get back into a routine. For the time being, I am going to do a maintenance program of running a few miles here and there and keeping up with the strength training.

I also resolve to train for another fifty miler, probably next fall at Lutsen, although I would like to try Voyageur as well. I have pie in the sky dreams of running the 100 miler at Superior, but I don't feel like I would make it in the cutoff time...at least not this year. My goal is to break 13 hours, which I believe is 100% possible given the fact that I ran the 2008 Superior 50 mile run so conservatively. I will also run every mile in 2008 either barefoot or in FiveFingers, provided I don't make a running moccasin that suits my needs first.

I am resolving to work hard, but not overwork myself in order to stay fresh and do as good a job as I am capable of in my job as well as any freelance work that comes my way. I am only one man, striving to do his best in the time alloted to him.

I am resolving to find balance between my personal and work life so that at some point perhaps a serious relationship may find its way into my life leading to something healthy, substantial and long-lasting. Perhaps even resulting in a healthy, substantial and normal family. Egads. Did I just write that? An evening with a well stocked fireplace and some tasty dinner with S.M. was a good start.

So it sounds like ought-nine is shaping up to be pretty sweet! What are YOUR resolutions?

A Journey of a Thousand Steps

2008-12-09T05:44:00.005-06:00

Begins in my driveway.

I shoveled this morning (still have more to do when I get home tonight). My goal this week is to try and bust a move at work so I can make an appearance at the gym every day, no matter how briefly or for any specified distance.

I am in easy mode, after all.

I decided to keep my gym membership because I know I am unlikely to be motivated to do my daily runs when there is a lot of snow on the ground. That's just...the way it is.

Of course if Santa is listening, a nice treadmill with a 4 hp silent drive motor, 22" wide deck, 15% incline and 14 mph top speed would fit nicely in my stocking.

It will also be easier to do a variety of strength workouts there and work on that end of things.

As far as my rough idea of what I want to do in '09, I am thinking about doing Trail Mix (undecided about the distance), Chippewa 50K, the Superior Spring 50K, the Voyageur 50 mile since I haven't done it and cap off the year with Superior in the Fall...I have grand notions of doing the 100 mile, but that is all just a lot of hot air and big talk at the moment.

What are YOU training for?