My Big Toe

Jon Olsen at the IAU 100k World Championships

2012-04-22T17:49:00.000-07:00

So today was the 2012 IAU 100k World Championships see the results here-> (100k Results via iRunFar). One very cool thing I saw was that Jon Olsen ran for team USA and got 7th place overall with a time of 6:48:52. I though it was also neat to see someone that lived nearby me out there representing our Country. Another reason why I thought this was cool is that I got to run with him, well on the same course as him, at the Rocky Road Endurance Run at Cota De Coza back in February. At the Rocky Road he ran the 100 mile race in a blazing fast 13:14 and I think I got lapped by him, on the out and back course, oh about 3 times. I came across a short article about him and he seems like a cool dude you can check out the article here: More about Jon Olsen

2012-04-17T22:04:00.003-07:00

Grandmothers of Endurance

Fun times in 2012

2012-04-11T11:10:00.001-07:00

With a new PR for 50 miles @ Avalon (8:49) and having ran the Rocky Road 100 in (22:23) I'm thinking what now. Do I want to go further, do I want to go faster? So I'm going to take a step back and try to PR in distances leading back up to 100 miles. The half, full, 50k, 50 mi and maybe 100 miles, if I don't run out of time. I haven't ever really trained hard and consistently so I know I am capable of getting some decent times in all of the distances. 1:25 for the 1/2, sub 3 Full, sub 8 for 50 and anything under 22:23 for 100 miles are my goals for 2012. My true challenge is coming up with an effective way to train while working full time, school f/t and having a new baby. There is always time to train I just can't make excuses or neglect other areas of my life. I don't anticipate running more than 70 miles in any one training week so that should give me plenty of time for everything else. I don't get how people who have a life outside of running consistently run 100+ miles a week, that's just crazy to me, the only time I've ever ran that much in a week was when I ran my 100 mile race.

3rd Grade Math Test

2012-03-10T10:18:00.000-08:00

Saw this pic with the following email via the Ultralist, pretty freaking hilarious.

As the daughter of an ultrarunner (and a pretty good runner in her own
right) she picked answer A) 50 miles. You can see in the picture that this
was NOT considered the right answer! Maybe we'll appeal after her first
50...

2012-03-02T23:59:00.000-08:00

My review of the Injinji Toesocks

First day back after the 100 miler

2012-03-01T17:43:00.001-08:00

Considering I was having trouble walking a few days ago, it probably wasn't the greatest idea to go for a 10 mile run. I don't know what the proper recovery time is but I figure if I can't walk tomorrow then maybe I should've waited a few more days. I hit up the foam roller a couple of times and my legs felt good, I will probably get on it again before bed. Looking forward to setting some new goals and figuring out how I will fit running in with being a father.

Rocky Road Endurance Run 2012

2012-02-29T15:52:00.004-08:00

I hope I can make some sense of this event since I was somewhat incoherent after bingeing on endorphins for almost twenty two and a half hours.
Picking out the site of my first 100 mile run wasn't an easy task, there were a lot of things to consider. Terrain, elevation gain/loss, aid stations, cost and location were among some of the more important things for me to consider. I wanted a course that would challenge me, but 100 miles was going to be challenging enough so I wanted to make sure I didn't get myself into something to crazy. I found the Rocky Road Run on ultrasignup.com, it was around the perfect time in mid February and the course was designed for first time 100 mile racers. The course is laid out amongst an upscale community called Cota de Coza in Orange County, it is a 7.5 mile out and back dirt trail that travels along the roadside. Now those two things that make it ideal for 1st timers are the two things I avoid when I go trail running, cars on the road and multiple out and back repeats, neither of those appeal to me. But in the interest of having a successful race I realized that having access to almost constant aid, every 2.5 miles and being able to know exactly where I am with the out and back repeats, would make my 100mile journey very possible.
When I signed up for the race I told my friends and family what I had gotten myself into and asked if they wanted to be a part of it, as I would need all the support I could get. I got one of my good friends and his wife to drive down with my wife and I, then my family and my in-laws were going to meet us down there on race day. I couldn't ask for anything better than having so many people with me that I care about to help support me throughout the race, I was really happy that so many of them could make it.
We left for the race on friday at about 3pm, which turned out to be a big mistake, we made it all the way to LA without hitting any traffic, from LA on it was a crawl for about 4 hours until we finally hit the toll roads that lead to Lake Forest. By the time we ate dinner and got back to the hotel it was after 10pm and I had to be up by about 4:30am, I didn't fall asleep until sometime after 12:30. Waking up after 4 hours of sleep knowing that you are committed to running a 100 miles makes you wonder if you should have made sleep more of a priority before such an endeavor, but eh screw it. We got to the start of the race with time to spare, I picked up my race bib, we set up our canopy and I got the rest of my gear ready to go while I stayed warm in the car.

Getting ready for a long day

Rocky Road Endurance Run 2012 ResultsThe race started about 10 minutes late, which wasn't a big deal because I knew we were going to be out running all day. I took off to fast just like I do any other race but not so fast that It would be a problem later on. I hit averaged about a 8:45-9 min pace for the first 15 miles and coming into the start/finish I was feeling trashed. My left foot was hurting me and that foot never gave me any issues. On top of that my calves and hamstrings were super tight, which I attributed to cramping but I wasn't completely sure at the time, since I had only put in 15 miles. So while I stopped at my tent I made sure to get some salt caps and took a couple extra gels with me. I also switched out my Salomon trail shoes for my lighter Hattori's, thinking that maybe my shoes were contributing to my foot pain. I also slid on my zoot compression sleeves to help stabilize and keep my leg for cramping. So I go out for my next 15 mile loop and my legs are starting to feel better but I immediately regret changing my shoes, although they are lighter I can feel the rocks on the trail a bit too much. I just suck it and move though. By this time the sun is up and it's starting to warm up and everything was coming together. Coming into my tent with 30 miles down I feel a whole lot better and I eat a pp&j, drink some naked berry machine, swig some red bull, put my trail shoes back on, refill on gels and water then head back put. The next 15 went real well, along the way I ran into my buddy Eric who was running the 50 miler and he's hauling ass in second place. It was starting to warm up so I told him to be careful and keep up on his electrolytes. By the time i come back in for 45 I am completely revived my legs are great and I'm moving at a steady pace and looking forward to the rest of the race. A few miles out from the 60 mile mark I called my wife and put in a request for some In n Out fries and a burger, my buddy Kyle at Sierra Running Company gave me the idea a few days before. In n Out never tasted so good, I inhaled the burger and fries at the turn around. I Headed out for my next loop I was all fueled up and feeling good I had my headlamp and jacket on looking to embrace the night. The next 30 miles went by pretty quick I made sure to keep a steady pattern of walking the hills and running the down and flats. I stayed as alert as possible since there were some rutted out portions on the trail as well as sporadically placed sandbags.

mile 45

By mile 90 I was feeling pain in my left ankle and fatigue was starting to really set in, knowing that I only had 10 miles left was motivating but at the same time I was ready to be done. I walked miles 90-95 with my wife then she got picked up to meet me back at the finish. The last 5 miles were really surreal and seeing others out there that still had anywhere from 5 to 25 miles left I really learned a new respect for them. Respect for their love of the Ultra, that they don't care how long it takes, they want to be there and they are going to finish no matter what. As I approached the finish it didn't see like I had traveled 100 miles it just felt like a very very long day of running. As I crossed the line my wife, family and friends were all there cheering me on and I was so happy that I made it, I didn't care about my time I just wanted my belt buckle and my shirt and to get the hell out of there! We did just that everyone was packed and ready to go so we took a couple pictures and headed back to the hotel.

Grubbing on some In N Out at mile 60

My hotdog sister at mile 75

My amazing wife and I at mile 95

Jordan and Ash w/me and my new buckle

The whole crew at the finish

As the days have gone by since the race I am beginning to appreciate my accomplishment and all that went into getting me to the finish. I am blessed to have a body that will do all the things I ask of it and more. To have such great people in my life that support the crazy things I do is also a blessing. Now what's next?
Rocky Road Endurance Run 2012 Results

Really like this quote.

2012-02-15T18:31:00.001-08:00

Perhaps the genius of ultrarunning is its supreme lack of utility. It makes no sense in a world of space ships and supercomputers to run vast distances on foot. There is no money in it and no fame frequently not even the approval of peers. But as poets apostles and philosophers have insisted from the dawn of time there is more to life than logic and common sense. The ultra runners know this instinctively. And they know something else that is lost on the sedentary. They understand perhaps better than anyone that the doors to the spirit will swing open with physical effort. In running such long and taxing distances they answer a call from the deepest realms of their being – a call that asks who they are…-David Blaikie

Bakersfield Track Club 1/2 Marathon

2012-01-30T15:52:00.001-08:00

Saturday the 28th of January, my wife and I headed down to The field of Bakers for a half marathon put on by their local track club. We left from Fresno with about 20 mins to spare, however we arrived without about 3 mins to grab our bibs and get to the start line.the reason being that I had declined the services of our GPS in finding the Yokuts Park. I figured since I could see the park from the freeway that I should be able to take the nearest exit and drive straight to it. That didn't work out quite as well as I had planned, so I turned on the GPS last minute. Anyways we got to the race so that's all that matters. My wife is about six months pregnant so going into the race she had a good, jog for 5 and walk for 3 min plan that we were going to follow. We started out at the back of the pack and it was interesting to see the different types of people in the back of the pack. I normally go out in or near the front so this was new to me. Some of the people were strictly walkers others looked like they had a run/walk plan like us and then some seriously looked like they had no idea what they had gotten into. There was this one couple that was dying around mile 2, literally bent over looking like they were going to die, I can't imagine being 2 miles into a race and feeling like that. We kept passing them and then they would sprint for a minute and pass us, we thought it was pretty funny. Around mile 3-4 I overheard one telling the other it wasn't to late to turn around and quit. Thankfully they provided good entertainment for a portion of the run because the route we took wasn't much to look at. I mean it's Bakersfield so I didn't expect a beautiful landscape, but the trail they have is pretty sweet. You can stay on the trail without having to cross a street for the whole route.
So we kept to our jog/walk plan almost the whole way until about the 11 mile mark when my wife's foot started to hurt, so we walked most of the way in. We finished around 2:54, and for a woman that is six months pregnant, that is pretty freaking amazing. All in all it was a great run and I was truly amazed that my wife did so well.

Post Avalon 50 mile Race

2012-01-15T12:28:00.000-08:00

It's the day after the race and I feel really good. I couldn't be more pleased with how the day went and even more happy that I came in under 9hrs.
With the race starting at 5am I thought I would be freezing cold until the sun came up but the weather was perfect. Nice cool temps starting out and heading into a 1600' climb helped to keep me warm. It was an awesome view getting to the top of the first climb and looking back down the trail seeing a long line of runners headlamps zigzagging back down the mountain.

Bottles in the air. (sweet action shot courtesy of my wife)

A great race

Sprinting into the finish

At the start ready to run

My GPS almost made it the whole 50

The first 13 miles went by really fast, I was making sure to pace myself and not go out to fast. I walked the steep hills and looking at my splits stayed under 13min/mil on all of those portions. The aid stations were fully stocked and all the volunteers were awesome and really helpful. I stayed on top of my hydration/nutrition needs utilizing salt caps, GU gels, Cytomax and water, with the combination I didn't experience any cramping and felt good. The only mistake I did make was drinking a Mango fruit drink at around mile 40 which left my stomach in knots and had me dry heaving for 3 miles. It slowed me down a bit but thankfully it didn't last that long and sipping on water definitely helped. The last few miles were on steep downhill roads and I just let my legs go and flew down. With my GPS dying at 44 miles I didn't know if I was going to make it under 9 so I just ran as hard as I could and hoped for the best. Coming into Avalon and seeing the race clock knowing that I was going to finish under 9 hours I was overwhelmed and chucked my water bottles in the air and almost didn't cross through the actual finish tape they had up. My time was 8hrs and 49 min I finished about 37th overall and had an awesome day. Next up Rocky Road Endurance 100 mile run in February.

Avalon 50 mile Run. Game Time

2012-01-12T14:37:00.000-08:00

Getting my gear ready for the Avalon 50 mile run this Saturday, I am super excited and ready to run. My last 50 mile run I did well and was happy with my performance, I ran a 9:47. The Avalon course is a little elevation gain (7600') than Dick Colllins firetrails so Im going to put forth my best effort and try to come in under 9 hrs. Going into this run I have learned a little bit more about what I need to do during the run in order to feel good and maintain a steady pace. I stopped by Sierra Running Company today and got plenty of GU gels some Cytomax and of course a license plate frame, which is absolutely necessary for a successful run. I will post more pics and my results after the run.

End of the Year Run

2011-12-31T19:43:00.000-08:00

Got stuck behind these guys on the trail today. Ran 10 miles out on the SJR Trail to the bathroom and on the way back ran into some cows hanging out on the trail. They stayed in front of me for about a mile and a half. I had to go off the trail and around them I was getting tired of dodging their crap. Great run overall, great way to end the year.

Rocky Road Endurance Run

2011-11-25T17:11:00.001-08:00

I'm signing up for my first 100 mile run and have 85 days left to prepare myself. I'm really pumped for this race and look forward to destroying my legs over the 100 mile course. Still trying to figure what kinds of food and drinks I'll need for the day of but my stomach handles most things pretty well. I've got some good runs planned between then and including the Avalon benefit 50.

San Joaquin River Trail Run

2011-10-21T20:22:00.000-07:00

This route starts at the end of Sky Harbor Rd at Millerton Lake. It takes you straight up and over a hill and back down along the lake edge. It winds around the lake for 11 miles to the turn around, complete with an outhouse and wonderful views. An out and back trip takes you 22 miles with over 4000' of gain. Bring lots of water.

Here We GO

2011-07-25T19:59:00.000-07:00

First post is up! (this is it)