I'm retired from racing. Really.

Ogden Valley 50 miler

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Location:

Greenville,SC,

Member Since:

Feb 24, 2007

Gender:

Male

Goal Type:

Other

Running Accomplishments:

I also maintain a blogspot running blog. Check it out. 

5k- 16:01, 1/2 marathon- 1:11:37, marathon- 2:34:16, 50k- 3:58, 100 mile- 15:19

Former World Record holder in 100 x 5k relay 

Ultra history:

8-100 mile, 1-100k, 9-50 mile, 2-40 mile, 14-50k-ish

12 wins, 5 CR's, plus four 2nd, five 3rd, 4th, 4th, 5th, 5th, 9th, 16th, 20th, 28th, 38th, and 62nd place, with 1 DNF 

Short-Term Running Goals:

Goals 

Enjoy running, stay fit (and maybe lose a few pounds). Play ultimate frisbee.

4 year coach of Langston Middle School- love it

Long-Term Running Goals:

Unretire at some point

Run a sub-6 hr 50 miler

Win a 100 mile ultramarathon

Personal:

I have five cute kids. And I have some rockin short green racing shorts- I wear them mainly because it embarrasses my wife so much. I like ultimate frisbee, trail running, reading, and cheering for the Denver Broncos!   And I have the absolute best wife in the world.  And I used to run for the now-disbanded national Team Pearl Izumi- Ultra!

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Miles:This week: 15.50 Month: 55.50 Year: 154.50
Fastwitch Lifetime Miles: 82.50
Trail N1 Lifetime Miles: 86.50
Road N1 Lifetime Miles: 31.00
Trail M2 Lime/black Lifetime Miles: 297.00
Road M3 Grey And Yellow Lifetime Miles: 324.00
Road N2 Purple 2 Lifetime Miles: 222.50
Road N2 4 Grey Lifetime Miles: 51.00
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesCrosstraining milesTotal Miles
79.002.000.000.000.0081.00
Adrenaline 2 Miles: 6.00NB 769 Miles: 19.00Pace Miles: 56.00Double Jogger 2009 Miles: 4.00
Weight: 0.00
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesCrosstraining milesTotal Miles
6.000.000.000.000.006.00

AM- Tired, so only got up in time for 6 miles.  Plus no need to push it with my 50 miler on Sat.

Adrenaline 2 Miles: 6.00
Weight: 0.00
Comments(6)
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesCrosstraining milesTotal Miles
7.002.000.000.000.009.00

AM- I was planning to take AdamRW's advice and run the OV50 course this morning, but didn't have the 7 hours (plus driving) it would require.  So instead I did 9 miles in Logan, incl. 2 MP miles just to get some leg turnover.

Sat is my first 50 mile run, so I am treating it as a training run/practice for the Rocky Raccoon 100 rather than treating it as a race.  That being said, I'm going to go out at what should be a fairly reasonable 7 hour pace and see what happens.  I'm going to practice with my fueling and run/walk cycle. 

NB 769 Miles: 9.00
Weight: 0.00
Comments(9)
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesCrosstraining milesTotal Miles
6.000.000.000.000.006.00

PM- PW 6 easy.  I think I set a new PR for getting the most little black bugs in my eyes during one run.

NB 769 Miles: 6.00
Weight: 0.00
Comments(3)
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesCrosstraining milesTotal Miles
5.000.000.000.000.005.00

PM- 5.  Nothing else to say.

Pace Miles: 5.00
Weight: 0.00
Comments(1)
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesCrosstraining milesTotal Miles
4.000.000.000.000.004.00

AM- Wanted to make sure I was ready for tomorrow's 50 mile race, so I ran the course this morning as a tune up (per AdamRW's suggestion).  It went so well I ran it again.  Both times at 5k race pace.  Ready for tomorrow.

PM- 4 with the family. 

NB 769 Miles: 4.00Double Jogger 2009 Miles: 4.00
Weight: 0.00
Comments(18)
Race: Ogden Valley 50 miler (50.75 Miles) 07:11:16, Place overall: 1, Place in age division: 1
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesCrosstraining milesTotal Miles
51.000.000.000.000.0051.00

OV50.  I have been planning on this race for 18 months as part of my slow transition into ultra running.  Prior to today, my longest run was pacing Davy for 30 miles, so this was a big step up.  My plan was to essentially treat it like a tune up for my upcoming 100 milers- use the same equipment, fueling strategy (Gu every 25 minutes plus sports drink), and pacing strategy (run 25, walk 3 min).  I didn't wear my Garmin but instead made a cheat sheet for pacing based on turns, with split times for each leg for a 6, 6.5, 7, 7.5, and 8 hour finish.  My goal was around 7 hours, maybe a hair faster, but even pacing and practice was more important.  The course goes over Old Trapper's Loop (following the Ragnar course), around Pineview Reservoir, and back over the mountain.  Total climbing is 5600 feet, with almost all over the mountain.  Only 1 fixed aid station at mile 15/35, with some roving cars stocked with goodies (thanks, Kristin and Dave!)

Pre-race weather was predicted to be in the 30's and 40's with precipitation.  Only got 4 hours of sleep due to a 3:10 am wake up, but that's ok.

Race started at 5 am, and there were only 35 runners.  Saw Ultrajim (but didn't get to talk to him and had to leave just before he finished- sorry I missed you, Jim), Russ Bennett from work, plus Shane Martin who has won the past 2 years with CR of 7:25.  It was dark for 3 hours so we all had our headlamps.  Went out near Genevieve Keogh and Shane.  Felt good over the pass, running comfortably up and down hill.  Got a bit of snow on the way.  Hit mile 15 with Shane 4 min ahead of the 7:00 finish pace.  Shane pulled away while I was in the port-o-pottie, then I caught him at 18 and held the lead the rest of the way.  My stomach started acting up and I slowed my drinking and gu's for a while, which worried me.  I kept forcing them down for a while, then stopped completely at mile 25.  Cody showed up in his car at this time and I gave him my headlamp- he was going to pace me in from mile 35.  He told me Shane was 3 minutes back.

About mile 29 my stomach finally had enough and everything came up, including my pre-race apple.  Stomach felt better after that and I had no problem pounding the food and drink- good sign.  However, my legs were definitely fatigued the rest of the way and let me know that they had never gone this far before.  No specific pains, just general fatigue like a bad marathon bonk.  At the 50k mark I was 1 minute ahead of 7:00 pace (about 4:14 for a 50k split) but slowing and walking a bit more.  Finally reached the aid station at mile 35 for a waiting Cody but I was 4 minute behind schedule.  Shane was 9 minutes back. 

The climb up Trappers seemed to last forever and included increasing amounts of walking.  I can't imagine how tough it would have been without Cody!  My legs were very tired with the 2100 ft climb, though a nice 350 foot descent in mile 38 was a nice break (and fast- 6:30-ish?).  Lost quite a bit of time and was 13 minute behind 7:00 pace when we hit the main highway near the top.  It started hailing just as we reached the top, which is better than rain, I guess.  Steady headwind.  The 8 mile, 2000 ft descent was pretty fast (some sub-7 miles) but the pounding got to me and I slowed down the last 3 miles as my legs complained.  Glad when we hit the flat at the bottom and enjoyed the "bonus mile" (mile 51!).  Finished in 7:11:16 (8:30 pace) in 1st place, new course record (I guess I'm still somehow undefeated at all ultras and trail marathons- 4 and counting).  Shane was 25 minutes back.  Ate some good food, enjoyed some IBC Root Beer in a new mug, got a massage, cheered a few finishers, then had to head home to watch the kids.  Legs are tired but not moreso than the typical marathon.  

Overall a good experience- Striders puts on a great, low-key race.  The pavement and hills add up, but my shoes/socks were perfect with no blisters/hot spots.  Not one.  Drymax socks rock!  Fueling was good once my stomach cooperated.  And it was great to have Cody come pace- thanks again for donating your time, buddy.  Now on to 100 mile races!  Today's finish keeps me on target for my Rocky Raccoon 100 in Feb with a sub-17 goal. 

 

Pace Miles: 51.00
Weight: 0.00
Comments(25)
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesCrosstraining milesTotal Miles
79.002.000.000.000.0081.00
Adrenaline 2 Miles: 6.00NB 769 Miles: 19.00Pace Miles: 56.00Double Jogger 2009 Miles: 4.00
Weight: 0.00
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