Today marks my tenth runniversary. Things are a lot different than that first day, when I struggled through a mile at a high school track. Never in a million years did I imagine then that I would accomplish everything I have. The idea of a marathon was only a flicker–something other people, “real” runners did. And an ultramarathon was still an unknown, as I had never heard of one.

There are so many things to love about running, but there are many things to learn from it as well. I’ve learned that I’m strong. I’ve learned that I can set a goal and meet it. And I’ve learned that I can keep going through sheer will. I know own body and mind better than I ever imagined I could.

Thanks to running, I’ve been able to explore cities and meet amazing people. Running helps me see the world a different way.

Here’s to ten years and ten more…and ten more…and ten more…

“Our running shoes are really erasers. Every step erases some past failure. Every mile brings us closer to a clean slate. Each foot strike rubs away a word, a look, or an event which led us to believe that success was beyond our grasp.” – John Bingham

Near Wellsboro, PA
9 September 2017
14:23:04

My second running of the Pine Creek Challenge was awesome! I felt good about my training leading up to the event and I had high hopes for a faster finish, but I was still a bit surprised to shave nearly two hours off my former time.

A number of things came together to make the experience a good one; these are the top three:

1. The course was altered and the overall loop shortened. This meant never being further than 20 miles from the start/finish and it also meant runners were closer together. I passed a number of 100-mile runners after dark and I was never alone on the trail more than 15-20 minutes.
2. The start time was two hours earlier, so I only ran in the dark for a couple of hours instead of 6-7. An earlier start is always a good thing!
3. I ran three 50-milers in the past 18 months, so 100k wasn’t an overwhelming distance.

Race day was beautiful: cool and cloudy, with blue sky peeking through from time to time. (It didn’t rain at all, also a big improvement over 2015.) Instead of one long out and back, this year’s course was divided into two parts. We ran 20 miles on the north end in five-mile segments, then did a 20(ish)-mile out and back on the south end. Mentally it was more manageable to have those short sections early. The aid stations in the final 20 miles are about eight miles apart, which is significant.

I stuck with the run 12, walk 3 method I used during training and that worked well until about mile 42, when I began to struggle. I was coming up to an aid station, so I took a little time there, changed shirts, had some food and ginger ale. I must have been hungry, because eating seemed to revive me and after one slow mile I picked back up again. Around mile 55 I started feeling really good, so I finished strong.

The Tyoga Running Club does such a good job with this event. The volunteers are friendly and funny and they will swarm around you to refill your bottles and hand you food. Two aid stations had pierogies (!) and two had turkey sandwiches, which I loved because a lot of races have PB&J only, which I hate. There were also oranges at every aid station! Oh, and cowbells! Cowbells at every aid station.

At the finish I spoke briefly to race director Steve Hanes and picked out a handcrafted mug, which is such a nice way to end an exceptional event. I’m positive I will run Pine Creek again!

Gear

• Topo Athletic Ultrafly – Since the weather was dry and my feet seemed happy, I never changed shoes. I did end up with a random blister on top of one of my toes and I’m definitely going to lose a toenail, but I had no other issues. (I discovered leukotape earlier this year and my arches were taped.)
• Salomon S/Lab Sense Ultra 8 Set – Best vest ever! It hugs close, even though I had something stuffed into every pocket. No bouncing, no chafing.
• Suunto Ambit 2S – Charged halfway through. I’ve never been able to get the full battery life from it. (But I keep it on the most accurate setting, so there’s that.)
• random clothing items by Old Navy, Patagonia, Balega, Craft, Zombie Runner

I’m now tapering for my second attempt at the Pine Creek Challenge 100k in lovely Pennsylvania.

My training got off to a slow start, or it felt like it did, but I managed the mileage increases pretty well and finished all the long runs and here I am with no injuries and in a good mental state.

Training Plan

I started with the same plan I used in 2015, which is a plan from Relentless Forward Progress that I altered for four-day running weeks. Because of a two-week vacation in the middle of the summer, I rearranged the long runs and completed the longest of the cycle (31.5 miles) a week earlier than last time. I had long runs of 28 miles in the weeks before and after that long run, instead of dropping down immediately. It felt comfortable to do it that way and we’ll see if it makes a difference on race day.

Strength Training

This time around I scrapped all my usual physical therapy exercises that I’ve been doing over the years to prevent issues with my hips. I’ve been doing a shorter regimen that includes core work, plus lunges, squats, and some exercises targeted at knees and IT bands. I’ve also been stretching more and incorporating some light yoga a few times a week. I’ve completed all my long runs with no IT band, or hamstring, OR hip problems. I am calling this change a huge success just for that. It has been years since my hips have felt normal, running or not.

Nutrition

I always say I would love to eat to run, but I run to eat. This is still true. However, over the summer I’ve reduced carbs by about two thirds and added in more protein and fat. I didn’t lose as many pounds as I often do during a long training cycle, but I’ve felt good the whole time and that counts for something.

I’ve also been taking a low-dose iron tablet five days a week instead of trying to remember to take a regular dose twice a week.

Gear

I’ve pretty much completely switched over from Altra to Topo for road shoes. Once a week I rotate in either Paradigm or Intuition 3.5, but the rest of my runs are in Topo Ultrafly. The wide toebox on an otherwise traditional shoe is definitely the combination that works for me. I suspect they are contributing to the running success I’ve already mentioned.

I’ve been running more than two years with an Ultraspire Astral hydration pack, that has started falling apart over the past few months. After running for several months with a Salomon pack for commuting, I’m sold on their vests, so I’ve recently replaced the Astral with a Salomon S/Lab Sense Ultra 5. I will have a longer review of that later on, but I can already say I am going to really like the feel of it and the storage options.

The darkness of northern Pennsylvania FREAKED. ME. OUT. in 2015. This time I’m going equipped with an 1800-lumen headlamp and a 500-lumen headlamp. (And probably old 150- and 350-lumen headlamps.) That’s about 1700 more lumen than I had last time. I hope to look like there is a car headlight strapped to my head.

And a side note: I’ve made the full switch from SmartWool socks to Balega. The last few pair of SmartWool I’ve bought lasted just a few runs before getting holes. The Balega are soft and hold their shape.

Wrap Up

I’m as ready as I’m going to be. I could have run farther and longer, I could have lifted more weight and stretched more, I could have eaten better and slept more soundly, but here I am and I feel pretty good. I’m ready for Pine Creek.

Astoria Park
22 July 2017
24.25 miles completed

My third running of the Pajama Romp came after two weeks of vacation; as usual, was really fun time. There were quite a few of the usual faces there and I met a few new people. Before we got started, there was a ceremony to induct Phil McCarthy into the Broadway Ultra Society Hall of Fame. Congrats to Phil on this and all his accomplishments!

The weather was good the full six hours. Of course it was hot and kind of humid, but that’s typical. At least by the water there is a little breeze. It started raining at the very end, which sent everyone ducking for cover during the after-race festivities.

After stomach and bladder issues in the past, I avoided almost all aid station fare this time around. I felt physically fine for the duration, but I didn’t feel well-fueled from depending on my own food and water. I’ll figure out the Pajama Romp mystery eventually. I still think my issues are related to starting so late in the day and not being able to figure out the timing of meals beforehand.

I love running in Astoria Park and I had forgotten that there are fireflies in the north end after dark. It’s so pleasant to run with fireflies all around. Until next year!

» Broadway Ultra Society

Alley Pond Park, Queens
3 June 2017
21 miles completed

I had this event on my calendar as a 6-hour, which I think it usually is? When I got the registration info, it was for either a 40k or a 40-miler. I decided I wasn’t in shape to do 40 miles in the time allotted, but I figured I’d shoot for the 40k and see how it turned out. It didn’t turn out that well. 

The weather reports predicted warm temps and sun, but instead it was cold and rainy early in the morning. I had an extra shirt, so I wore that to stay warm prior to starting, but a lot of people were wet and shivering. [NOTE TO SELF AGAIN: always take a jacket, even if you think you don’t need one.] It quit raining during the first loop, so everyone dried off and the morning ended up being quite pleasant. The sun did come out later and it warmed up as expected.

Loops were about three miles through Alley Pond Park in Queens. I’ve run parts of the course before and it was nice to be back out there, even if it’s a pain to get to. I would say half the loop is modestly hilly and half is flat, so overall it’s a pretty easy course.

I was doing well until the 7th loop, when I started having pain in my right heel: a sharp pain followed by dull throb, repeat. I’ve never had that before, and it got worse and worse throughout the loop, so I decided to stop at 21ish miles. I put some ice on my heel, ate some pizza, and headed home. The pain subsided over the next day and I’ve been doing stretches for plantar fasciitis ever since–not sure what was going on, but the stretches seem to be somewhat universal for heel pain.

Anyway, as always Richie and all the volunteers did a great job with the event and it was fun while it lasted.

Happy 40th to the Broadway Ultra Society!

Sussex County Fairgrounds, NJ
20 May 2017
53 miles completed

Oh how I love this event! I did not reach my goal of 100k this year, but I finished with more miles than in 2016, so progress counts for something.

In 2016, at my first 3DATF and my first 24-hour run, I didn’t know how to train or how to strategize for the event. I ended up moving as long as possible, despite fairly severe and unexpected hip pain, and then resting for several hours before going back out for more miles.

In 2017, I thought resting earlier might keep me moving more efficiently for longer, so I took a short break after about six hours. This was a mistake. I fell asleep without meaning to, woke up groggy, and then struggled to get back in the swing of things. Lesson learned.

I’m not a dedicated or consistent winter runner, so for spring events I depend on a modest amount of physical training and a generous amount of stubbornness and patience. I think moving forward I’m going to need to depend on a fair amount of indoor conditioning to do well at this event: more strength training, more PT for the hips, more yoga for flexibility.

Beyond the physical, the event was great! We shared the venue again with the poultry show, but my tent was one building further removed from the poultry barn and the clucking and crowing didn’t wake me up at all. On Saturday there was an equestrian event, so that was fun to watch coming around the corner of each loop. The weather was a little hot midday, and a little cold midnight, but overall very nice. There was no rain during the 24-hour.

I was stoked to learn that I would receive a coin for 100 lifetime miles and I loved ringing the bell when I hit 100. Swag this year was pajama pants and a t-shirt. I didn’t wear either during the event, but there were many pairs of plaid pants shuffling around the course. Of course, the best part about 3DATF  is the people and I met so many great folks this year, I can’t wait to run with them again!

Stratford, CT
22 April 2017
21 miles complete

The inaugural Enchanted Forest Ultra fell on a rather cool and gloomy April day (perfect for running), but signs of spring made it a perfect backdrop for celebrating Earth Day. (Many runners wore costumes, in keeping with a Sherwood Forest theme.)

The six-hour event was staged in Stratford’s Roosevelt Forest and capped at just 57 runners. The field was big enough to make the 3.1-mile loop seem small, but not so large that crowding was an issue. There had been rain in the area, so there were some muddy stretches; board bridges over large puddles were slick. However, the trails were largely groomed and overwhelmingly runnable. There were a couple of modest hills, but nothing difficult.

I manged to keep moving for the full six hours, but did not reach ultra distance, having come off two weeks of travel and another two weeks of illness. Coughing and congestion don’t make for good running, but I actually felt a lot better after spending a few hours in fresh air and a day in the woods is good for you no matter what ails you.

I will likely put this on my yearly schedule. I thought it was a good way to kick off the running season and the race direction was top notch. The RD, Lou Loban, is the nicest guy you could meet, the course was easy to follow, the aid stations well-stocked, and the volunteers friendly. I also saw some old running pals and met some really nice runners that I hope to get to know better.

The Enchanted Forest Ultra Run is a companion race to the Forgotten Forest Ultra Run, which takes place in October in the same location.

Long story short: I LOVE YOU, TOPO. 

I started wearing these beauties back in the spring and I’m about to let them go, but not without a fond farewell. The Magniflys have been everything I’ve ever wanted in a shoe. They fit like a glove, they ride smooth, they wear well, they are able to cope with all weather conditions, and they look great.

I wore the Magniflys up to a distance of about 30 miles. (It was a 24-hour event and I wasn’t paying close attention to distance when I changed shoes.) Unfortunately, I did lose my left big toenail on that long run, but I think these shoes run slightly smaller than other brands. I will be replacing these with the Ultrafly, with the hope that they will match up, but with a slightly higher stack height.

I can’t recommend the Magnifly enough. If you are looking for a very traditional and dialed-in heel fit with a wide toebox, this is your shoe.

Perimeter of Manhattan, NYC
19 November 2016
8:05:22

I’m proud to say I’ve finished the Madhattan Run two years in a row. The 2016 version was quite a bit slower, primarily due to a long stop on the Hudson River to watch a whale. (yes, whale)

I had hoped to see the runners I met during the 2015 event, but they didn’t weren’t there. I ended up spending most of the day with two lovely runners from upstate, who seemed grateful to have my knowledge of the course. Having run it once, the written directions the race directors hand out made perfect sense. I think this is one of those events where course info is passed down year-to-year by veteran runners, like an oral history. (I also had the route in my Suunto, just in case.) A fellow runner made this video, which is far superior to the few photos I took:

(He was a lot faster than me, but he didn’t see the whale!)

A bucket list run for sure: running the National Mall! I’ve wanted to do this for years and my wish finally came true.

I went out pretty early in the morning, so I was able to see the sun rise over all the important buildings. There were plenty of other runners out, too. If I lived in Washington, DC, I would make the Mall part of my regular routine.