Had a great week, last week. Had plenty of work and got to run a lot. On Thursday I had to work in St. Albans, so while I was there I tried to hook up with Eric, but he was working that day so I went to Kanawha State park and ran. That was a blast. That is tough place to run. A lot of hills. Here are a couple of links. Check these out.
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/11663955
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/11726816
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Sunday Morning
We over slept this morning and missed Sunday School, so now I have a little time to kill before church, so I thought I would blog.
I got to run with Amy on Thursday. That was fun. I thought that would be a good chance to not run with the heart rate monitor, because I new Amy would push the pace a little. I think I will do this on 1 run every week or every other week. To kind of do a little speed work. Not really going fast, but just not go so slow.
I went to watch the Glade Springs Tri-athlon yesterday. That was cool. I have never got to see the fast people before. It was really awesome to see. Mark had a great day. His swimming has improved remarkably. His overall time was under 1:30. Way to go mark.
After the tri yesterday I got something to eat, then went to Bluestone State Park to run. I ran from there to Pipestem State Park. It is crazy how many flying insects there are on that trail in the summer. You don't dare stop, because they just swarm you. Then there is the occasional horse fly or deer fly that comes in for an attack. The best part about this trail in the summer time is the ice machine at the lodge in Pipestem. I completely filled the bladder in my pack with ice and then filled my hat with it too. It sure made the trip back seem a little cooler. The ice cold water made me a little nauseous, but it was worth it.
I got to run with Amy on Thursday. That was fun. I thought that would be a good chance to not run with the heart rate monitor, because I new Amy would push the pace a little. I think I will do this on 1 run every week or every other week. To kind of do a little speed work. Not really going fast, but just not go so slow.
I went to watch the Glade Springs Tri-athlon yesterday. That was cool. I have never got to see the fast people before. It was really awesome to see. Mark had a great day. His swimming has improved remarkably. His overall time was under 1:30. Way to go mark.
After the tri yesterday I got something to eat, then went to Bluestone State Park to run. I ran from there to Pipestem State Park. It is crazy how many flying insects there are on that trail in the summer. You don't dare stop, because they just swarm you. Then there is the occasional horse fly or deer fly that comes in for an attack. The best part about this trail in the summer time is the ice machine at the lodge in Pipestem. I completely filled the bladder in my pack with ice and then filled my hat with it too. It sure made the trip back seem a little cooler. The ice cold water made me a little nauseous, but it was worth it.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Getting Back On Track
Well, finally I fill like I am getting my training back on track for Grindstone. I did not get to go to Virginia last weekend for the training runs, but I had really good runs here last weekend. The heart rate training, I believe is the ticket. It seems incredibly slow, but I fill soooo much better. I have more energy and I actually look forward to running again.
I got 13.3 on Saturday at Lake Stephans and 23 on Sunday afternoon on the Glade Creek Loop. It was smoking hot Sunday. It took me 5.5 hours to run and I consumed 182 oz. of water, 3 or 4 gels and 6 salt tablets and a lot of pretzels, fig newtons and beef jerky. The jerky was a new experiment. It was ok, but all the stuff stuck in my teeth drove me crazy while I was running.
Well that is enough for now. I am going to Lake Stephans to get in about 6.
I got 13.3 on Saturday at Lake Stephans and 23 on Sunday afternoon on the Glade Creek Loop. It was smoking hot Sunday. It took me 5.5 hours to run and I consumed 182 oz. of water, 3 or 4 gels and 6 salt tablets and a lot of pretzels, fig newtons and beef jerky. The jerky was a new experiment. It was ok, but all the stuff stuck in my teeth drove me crazy while I was running.
Well that is enough for now. I am going to Lake Stephans to get in about 6.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
It Has Been A While
Sorry that it has been so long since the last entry. I ended up taking 11 days off from running. I was very busy with my RV repair business. I decided to finish the remodel project that I started this past winter. I got a new computer, so I have had the hassle of getting all my old files off the old one, on the new one. Gosh it has been insane around here.
The running is going pretty well. I am completely committed to heart rate training. About 90 -95 percent of my total mileage is done at 70-75 percent of max heart rate. That has been a major adjustment. The slower pace has completely messed up my stride. I am having to learn to run smoothly at a slower pace. It sounds easy, but it ain't. Not for me anyway.
There are 2 training runs this weekend on the Grindstone course. 30 miles on Sat. 20 on Sun. I want to go, but I don't know if it is going to work out. We are running a little low on cash and I might have to work anyway.
The running is going pretty well. I am completely committed to heart rate training. About 90 -95 percent of my total mileage is done at 70-75 percent of max heart rate. That has been a major adjustment. The slower pace has completely messed up my stride. I am having to learn to run smoothly at a slower pace. It sounds easy, but it ain't. Not for me anyway.
There are 2 training runs this weekend on the Grindstone course. 30 miles on Sat. 20 on Sun. I want to go, but I don't know if it is going to work out. We are running a little low on cash and I might have to work anyway.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Rattle Snake 50K
I originally thought I might run this race, but my knees and ankles said no. Then I thought this might be a great opertunity to get the 8 hours of volunteer work that I need for the Grindstone 100 race in Oct.
I called Dennis Hambrick,the promoter and asked him if he needed any help. He said he deperatly needed someone to run an aid station. Anybody that has ever run an ultra knows that getting up early on race morning is just part of the experience, but it was ruff getting up at 3:45 just to go volunteer. I got to the start 1/2 hour before the race and Dennis informed me that he needed me to run the last AS. I guess that is what you get for being the new guy. Since the last AS is the last one to close, who ever works it gets to be out there the longest, but that was ok with me. I needed to get 8 hours in anyway. He said it would probably be around 4 hours before the front runners would be there.
Since I had a little time to kill I went to McDonalds to get some brunch and to Wal-Mart to get a magizine and some munchies. I got to my AS and settled in. About 9:30 I started setting up. Since I had never set up an AS before (I have grazed at a few before) I tryed to set it up so that traffic would flow smoothly through the station.
At about 10:30 the first runner came through. It was a half hour brfore the next one, then they just trickled in after that. Everything really went smoothly. Everybody was so nice.
To sum it up. I had a blast. It was a great experience, seeing an ultra race from the outside. Dennis runs a first class race.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Getting Better
My knee seems to be getting better........finally. I don't know how long I should give it before I try to run on it. I don't want to take anymore time off than I have to, but I want to give it time to completely heal. I think I will try a vigorous bike ride this morning to see how the knee fills.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Just Chillin'
I had a lot of body parts hurting, so I thought I would take a few days off to let things heal. I haven't run or biked since last Thursday. I don't remember how long it has been since I took this much time off, but it has been kind of nice. It seems like I haven't run for a long time, but it has only been 5 days. Since I am not running I have some extra time, so I am getting some stuff done around the house. Everything is healing nicely except for my left knee. I think it might be getting worse, but I am going to take another day or 2 off. Then try running again. We will see.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Well I got 20 miles in on Sunday. It was very different. I got the S-Caps that I ordered, so I used those for the 1st time and also I tryed to keep my heart rate below 130. I took 110 oz. of water with me and I still ran out. The S-Caps were ok. They make your sweat taste REALLY salty. I was hopeing that maybe my body would make better use of water while taking them, so I wouldn't drink so much, but that wasn't the case. It seems like after I have been running for more than 3 hours I just can't get enough to drink and I start sweating profusely. When I get through with a 5 hour run like Sunday. I am literally dripping an incredible amount of sweat.
It was really different trying to keep my heart rate below 130. I couldn't run up any hill. I ended up walking everyone of them, but I felt better near the end and especially the next day. So maybe I have been training a little too hard. I am open to advise, if anybody has some.
It was really different trying to keep my heart rate below 130. I couldn't run up any hill. I ended up walking everyone of them, but I felt better near the end and especially the next day. So maybe I have been training a little too hard. I am open to advise, if anybody has some.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
It Has Been A Tough Week
I have worked a lot this week. Training for Grindstone has not went well. This was supposed to be about a 62 mile week, but it will probably end up being more like 30, if I get the 20 miles in tomorrow that are planed. I have had a lot of pain in my knees and ankles this week. When I have a bad running week like this I really start beating myself up about missing runs. I start really trying to evaluate what I am doing wrong.
I worked in the Hinton area on Friday so I stopped by Marks work to visit for a little while. We had a nice long talk. He suggested that I quit beating myself up and maybe train a little smarter. Not to worry so much about the middle of the week workouts and concentrate on the long weekend runs. I believe this is good advice. Thanks Mark.
I worked in the Hinton area on Friday so I stopped by Marks work to visit for a little while. We had a nice long talk. He suggested that I quit beating myself up and maybe train a little smarter. Not to worry so much about the middle of the week workouts and concentrate on the long weekend runs. I believe this is good advice. Thanks Mark.
Friday, June 19, 2009
"smilin Mark"
at the turn around
getting geared upSaturday morning Mark run the Ronceverte 5 Mile race. Then Saturday evening we went to Bluestone to run 20 miles. He is my hero. We got out of the woods at 11:15, so we got some quality night running in. The trail was extremely muddy, so that was good practice too. I wish I could have gotten some shots of us before we washed off in the creek.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Why I Make The Big Bucks
These are pics of a camper that a guy lives in. He calls me 2-3 times a year to work on it. Next month when he gets his check he wants me to work on the commode. Anybody want to trade jobs with me next month?
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Lewis McManus 5K
The Shirt
Before The Start
Bruce and Larry
LeeThe 6th annual Lewis McManus 5K was last Saturday. This race marked my 6th anniversary of running races. 6 years ago at this time I had been running for 6 months. I was only running 1-3 days a week, because every time I ran it would take me a few days to recover enough just to be able to walk around normally. I had no idea what to expect at that 1st race. I was afraid that I would embarrass myself. I was afraid that I would finish last. I didn't tell anybody that I was going to run the race, not even my family. I only told my wife on the morning of the race, because I had to tell her why I was getting up so early on a Saturday morning. Well I didn't embarrass myself. I didn't finish last. The people were so nice.I was hooked.
Friday, June 5, 2009
Deer Hunter
I went deer hunting Tuesday. I got a shot at one too, a big one. My weapon of choice was a 2003 Dodge Pickup. This is normally a good choice of weapons when going after small pray such as squirrels, ground hogs and other similarly sized animals. With a maximum legal muzzle velocity of around 70 mph it is obviously not a good choice for larger game. As you can see by the pics, this hunt did not go smoothly. I think my weapon suffered more damage than the pray, because I hit the deer in the head, but there are obviously no vital organs in that part of a deer. I guess that is what I get for hunting out of season.
Monday, June 1, 2009
Extarra Race
This is the 2nd year in a row that Manon and I have gone to support Amy at the Extarra Tri-athlon at Ace in Fayetteville. It is a really cool race. 1.5 mile swim down the New River, 7-8 mile run to Ace, 10 mtn. bike.
This year the river was too high to swim, so they did the run, the bike and then run 1 mile. It also rained a lot leading up to this weekend, then just for good measure it rained real hard on Sat. night. To say the least it was a muddy race.
Amy had been sick for 2 weeks leading up to the race. She didn't even know if she was going to get to compete, but she did. She also paid for it. She had a tough race, but she finished. She is my hero.
Friday, May 29, 2009
The Funerals
I have been to 2 funerals in 2 days. Me, Manon and both kids went to Winchester, VA yesterday for a funeral. It was kinda nice, just the 4 of us on a road trip. Just like old times.
I mostly took yesterday off from running. My ankles are thanking me today.
I have about 31 miles planed for Sat. and Sunday.
I am going to Fayetteville, WV Sunday morning to watch Amy compete in the tri.
I mostly took yesterday off from running. My ankles are thanking me today.
I have about 31 miles planed for Sat. and Sunday.
I am going to Fayetteville, WV Sunday morning to watch Amy compete in the tri.
Monday, May 25, 2009
Old News
I know this is old news, but I just really got the time to get the pic off the camera. We had a car wash at church on Saturday the 16th. I wore my sandals for the first time this year. I put sunblock on my upper body, but forgot my feet completely. I didn't realize my feet were burnt till I went for a 10 mile run that evening. The whole time I am running I am trying to figure out why my feet are hurting. It fills like my shoes are too tight or something. It wasn't till I got home and took my shoes off that I saw the sunburn. It made for a pretty miserable 16 miles on Sunday too. The pic was taken Monday morning.
Saturday, May 23, 2009
What A Week
When the sun shines I get very busy with my RV repair business. This was one of those weeks, but I still managed to get all my scheduled runs in so far this week. I would have liked to get a ride in on Monday, but it was pretty cold Monday evening and I didn't get in from work till about 7:00.
Just got in from a 13 miler. I need to go stretch now.
Going to Mullens this afternoon for my grandsons 1st birthday party.
Just got in from a 13 miler. I need to go stretch now.
Going to Mullens this afternoon for my grandsons 1st birthday party.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Pipestem State Park
I had a job in Pipestem Sat. evening so I took that opportunity to run some trails at the state park. I ran down the "River Trail" with the intention of crossing the Bluestone River, then running down the river a couple of miles then making the return trip. It would have been about 10 miles, but when I got down to the river I knew I wasn't going to be able to cross it this evening.
I ran back up the trail and ran a loop out the "County Line Trail" then around the lake. It ended up being about 9 miles.
The trails are in horrible shape after all the rain we have had. They are rutted and washed out pretty bad. The horse trasils are REALLY BAD. The mud in places was well over my shoes. Of course by the time I got to the really bad horse trails it was dark, so that made it more fun. It was awesome. Man I must be crazy.
I will post some pics in the next few days.
I ran back up the trail and ran a loop out the "County Line Trail" then around the lake. It ended up being about 9 miles.
The trails are in horrible shape after all the rain we have had. They are rutted and washed out pretty bad. The horse trasils are REALLY BAD. The mud in places was well over my shoes. Of course by the time I got to the really bad horse trails it was dark, so that made it more fun. It was awesome. Man I must be crazy.
I will post some pics in the next few days.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Thursday.....Just Another Thursday....
I was pretty tired after last week, so I didn't ride on Monday nor run on Tuesday. My hip has been bothering me a little too. I though a couple of days off might be a good idea.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Glade Creek On Sunday
Yesterday was definitely the best day to get pics on the Glade Creek. The water was probably 5-6 feet higher yesterday. I am really sorry I didn't buy the memory card when I bought the camera. Oh well, You live and learn.
It was soooo awesome yesterday. When you stopped and listened you could hear the boulders being rolled down the creek under the water. It sounds like thunder coming out of the water. I think water is one of the most greatest of Gods creation. It is so beautiful and powerful.
There were some guys kayaking on the lower part of the creek today. I had to keep hustling to get in front of them so I could get some pics.
The bottom 2 pics are of the same falls. Summer water level and Spring water level.
Glade Creek
Last year after a lot of rain I went to Glade Creek to run and it was sooooo beautiful. With the water so high, water running out of all the hollers. I wished that I had a camera with me last year. Well as most everybody knows, we have had a lot of rain in the last couple of weeks, so I couldn't wait to get to the creek yesterday. I went to Wal-mart and bought a trail camera. I got a Canon Power Shot.
I got to Glade Creek at about 6:00 pm. I started up the creek. I took 3 pics in the 1st 1/4 mile or so. There are some really pretty falls just a little past that, so I stopped to get some video of that. I had taken about 25 seconds of video when the display on the camera said it was out of memory. Well crap. I should have bought a memory card. I carried the dead weight of the camera for the next couple of hours. When I got back to civilization I went back to Wal-mart and got a 4 gb card. Good deal too, $12. Here are the pics. I will add the video later. Oh yeah. I am going back today. Expect more pics this week.
Monday, May 4, 2009
Out Of Bandwidth
If you have been following my blog you know that I have a new IP. I have a limit of 5GB a month. I have exceeded that. I won't post again till after 5/10. Bye for now.
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Nothing Much New
Things are going pretty good in my life right now. Johnna is doing better. Isiah is growing and getting stronger everyday. I am filling good. I should be able to resume a normal running schedule next week. Our vegetable garden is growing. Life is good.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Post Race
I ran a couple of miles before church this evening....Felt ok....Probably the best I have ever felt 4 days after a ultra...
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Race Report
Promise Land 50K 2009
Kenny Wheeler
I can quickly sum up the race in one word. HOT…HOT…HOT…HOT…HOT oh wait that is more than one word, oh well. It was that hot.
I live in southern WV. We have had a pretty cool spring here while training. As a matter of fact on Wednesday evening and Thursday morning before PL it was snowing. I was not even close to being acclimated to the 90 degree temps that we had on Saturday. OK, that is enough whining for now.
I have been looking forward to this race since last year. I was so anxious I paid my entry fee to Dr. Horton on February 13 at Holiday Lake. I really enjoyed last year. At the time it was the toughest thing I had ever done physically and I got to run with my son Randy. He was running his first ultra that day. That makes this race very special to me. About 3 weeks before PL 2009 I got a nice surprise when I found out Randy would get to run with me again this year.
The alarm clock at the motel went off 3:30 am. We got ready and left at about 4:30. It was almost 5:00 and we were still about 2 miles from PL camp. I realized that I had miscalculated our wakeup time. I like to get to the start of a race about 1 hour early. That gives me plenty of time to check gear and get ready. I don’t know if it was the added stress of being a little late or what, but mine and Randy’s stomachs were upset a little before the race even started.
We checked in, got prepared and went to the start area. We all sang the anthem; well it didn’t really sound much like singing, but that early in the morning I guess it was ok. Dr. Horton prayed for our safety and then we were off. Not even a half mile up the road there was a hot wind that blew off the mountain and I said to myself, “man this is going to be a long day”.
Randy and I ran together and we talked a lot ( Randy talks a lot ). That is ok. It makes the time go quickly. We made it to Sunset Fields the 1st time. Randy made the comment that we were about 1/3 done. For the next 7 or 8 miles Randy barely said a word, so I knew he was not filling well. I wasn’t filling well either. I felt like I was going to puke every time I ate or drank, but I knew I had to keep putting food and fluids in or I would not make it.
Sometime between AS 5 and AS 6 I had not heard Randy behind me for a few minutes. I turned to look, but didn’t see him. I really had no idea where he was, I didn’t know if he had gotten sick or sat down to rest or what. I thought about stopping to wait or even going back, but I was afraid if I did either I might not have enough will to continue. I had to keep moving, no matter how slow.
All day long I had tried not to think about the climb that was ahead. Apple Orchard Falls. Now that I was alone I just kept thinking about how miserable that mountain was going to be. I kept thinking that I would quit at Cornelius Creek, but I couldn't quit. I have entered the Beast Series; I just had to keep going. I finally made it back to Cornelius Creek. I topped off all my bottles and took a handful of food. I planned on walking every step back to Sunset Fields. As I was leaving AS 6. I saw Randy. He did not look good. I was afraid he was going to drop out. I told him to hang out at the AS and eat and drink all he could and then come on and finish this thing.
I began trudging up the falls trail. It was as bad I as thought it was going to be. When I got to the steeper parts there were runners setting on the rocks everywhere. I could not stop. I knew if I stopped I would not be able to continue. I was getting close to the top when I got a very pleasant surprise; Randy had caught up to me. We made it back to Sunset Fields for the last time today. That was a great filling, because I knew it was mostly downhill from here all the way to the finish. We were going to make it.
It was a wonderful filling to see the campground when I came around that last turn. We were HOT!!! Tired and sick, but with the Lords help both of us had made it through a very tough day.
I think it is amazing that on such a hot day, the aid stations all had plenty of water. The food might have run low, but we had the, all important fluids. Putting on an event like that in those conditions had to be a logistical night mare.
Thank you David Horton. Thank you to all the AS workers. Thank you to all of the volunteers.
Kenny Wheeler
I can quickly sum up the race in one word. HOT…HOT…HOT…HOT…HOT oh wait that is more than one word, oh well. It was that hot.
I live in southern WV. We have had a pretty cool spring here while training. As a matter of fact on Wednesday evening and Thursday morning before PL it was snowing. I was not even close to being acclimated to the 90 degree temps that we had on Saturday. OK, that is enough whining for now.
I have been looking forward to this race since last year. I was so anxious I paid my entry fee to Dr. Horton on February 13 at Holiday Lake. I really enjoyed last year. At the time it was the toughest thing I had ever done physically and I got to run with my son Randy. He was running his first ultra that day. That makes this race very special to me. About 3 weeks before PL 2009 I got a nice surprise when I found out Randy would get to run with me again this year.
The alarm clock at the motel went off 3:30 am. We got ready and left at about 4:30. It was almost 5:00 and we were still about 2 miles from PL camp. I realized that I had miscalculated our wakeup time. I like to get to the start of a race about 1 hour early. That gives me plenty of time to check gear and get ready. I don’t know if it was the added stress of being a little late or what, but mine and Randy’s stomachs were upset a little before the race even started.
We checked in, got prepared and went to the start area. We all sang the anthem; well it didn’t really sound much like singing, but that early in the morning I guess it was ok. Dr. Horton prayed for our safety and then we were off. Not even a half mile up the road there was a hot wind that blew off the mountain and I said to myself, “man this is going to be a long day”.
Randy and I ran together and we talked a lot ( Randy talks a lot ). That is ok. It makes the time go quickly. We made it to Sunset Fields the 1st time. Randy made the comment that we were about 1/3 done. For the next 7 or 8 miles Randy barely said a word, so I knew he was not filling well. I wasn’t filling well either. I felt like I was going to puke every time I ate or drank, but I knew I had to keep putting food and fluids in or I would not make it.
Sometime between AS 5 and AS 6 I had not heard Randy behind me for a few minutes. I turned to look, but didn’t see him. I really had no idea where he was, I didn’t know if he had gotten sick or sat down to rest or what. I thought about stopping to wait or even going back, but I was afraid if I did either I might not have enough will to continue. I had to keep moving, no matter how slow.
All day long I had tried not to think about the climb that was ahead. Apple Orchard Falls. Now that I was alone I just kept thinking about how miserable that mountain was going to be. I kept thinking that I would quit at Cornelius Creek, but I couldn't quit. I have entered the Beast Series; I just had to keep going. I finally made it back to Cornelius Creek. I topped off all my bottles and took a handful of food. I planned on walking every step back to Sunset Fields. As I was leaving AS 6. I saw Randy. He did not look good. I was afraid he was going to drop out. I told him to hang out at the AS and eat and drink all he could and then come on and finish this thing.
I began trudging up the falls trail. It was as bad I as thought it was going to be. When I got to the steeper parts there were runners setting on the rocks everywhere. I could not stop. I knew if I stopped I would not be able to continue. I was getting close to the top when I got a very pleasant surprise; Randy had caught up to me. We made it back to Sunset Fields for the last time today. That was a great filling, because I knew it was mostly downhill from here all the way to the finish. We were going to make it.
It was a wonderful filling to see the campground when I came around that last turn. We were HOT!!! Tired and sick, but with the Lords help both of us had made it through a very tough day.
I think it is amazing that on such a hot day, the aid stations all had plenty of water. The food might have run low, but we had the, all important fluids. Putting on an event like that in those conditions had to be a logistical night mare.
Thank you David Horton. Thank you to all the AS workers. Thank you to all of the volunteers.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
This Ones For Mark
Mark says I am not posting often enough. So this one is for Mark.
Naw......just kiding. I leave tomorrow for the race Sat.
I am going to stop in Roanoke to pick up Randy, then we will go to the pre race pizza feast.
Its going to be a little warm for the race on Sat. So please pray for all of us.
Naw......just kiding. I leave tomorrow for the race Sat.
I am going to stop in Roanoke to pick up Randy, then we will go to the pre race pizza feast.
Its going to be a little warm for the race on Sat. So please pray for all of us.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Snow
Don't you just love the weather in southern WV !!!! April 22 and it is snowing this morning.
Saturday it is supposed to be 80 degrees. It is supposed to be mid 80s in the Lynchburg area for the race this weekend......whew !!!
Saturday it is supposed to be 80 degrees. It is supposed to be mid 80s in the Lynchburg area for the race this weekend......whew !!!
Monday, April 20, 2009
Final Count Down To Promise Land 50K
Randy was in from Roanoke on Friday, so I got to take him to Glade Creek for a little run just before dark. That was very enjoyable. The creek was really beautiful. I am just taking it easy this week. Getting ready for Promise Land this Sat.
http://www.extremeultrarunning.com/index.htm
http://www.extremeultrarunning.com/index.htm
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Night Run
Mark and I got together Sunday evening after church to do our first night run together. I have run many times at night, but always by myself. Mark has been in the woods many times after dark, but had never run in the dark. We had a great time. We ran around Lake Stephens, about 13 miles. We have plans to do a lot more night runs this summer.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Saturday Evening
I went to Bluestone today to run 10 miles. I got a couple of miles from the car and my knee was filling a little funky so I decided to head back. By the time I got to the car it was fine, so I wish that I had went on, but I really needed to get back to, Beckley for a family Easter Meal.
It looks like Me, Mark and Amy might run 13 @ night tomorrow @ Lake Stephens.
That will be awesome. I have run several times @ night, but always by myself.
It looks like Me, Mark and Amy might run 13 @ night tomorrow @ Lake Stephens.
That will be awesome. I have run several times @ night, but always by myself.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Just Cruising
I have been experiencing internet problems all week. For the last 2-3 years I have had Hughes net satellite internet, well it bit the dust Sunday. It was going to cost at least $125 to fix it. I got a Verizon wireless broadband card for my internet. Just got it today, but I think I am going to like it. I have 30 days to make up my mind. Hughes Net cost $80 per month. Verizon is $60 per month and it is faster. Whuuwhoo!!!!!!
I have run twice this week. The knee I hurt at Terrapin is doing pretty well. I would say it is about 90 percent healed. The bad part is I have not run for 2 weeks so everything else hurts a little when I run.
I got some good news today. Randy says he is going to run Promise Land 50K. I hope he does.
I have run twice this week. The knee I hurt at Terrapin is doing pretty well. I would say it is about 90 percent healed. The bad part is I have not run for 2 weeks so everything else hurts a little when I run.
I got some good news today. Randy says he is going to run Promise Land 50K. I hope he does.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Been A very Quit Week
It has been a very quit week here. That is good. My wife has had a cold, she is getting better. Johnna is responding well to physical therapy, so she is doing a lot better. Hopefully they will be able to get her blood thinner levels regulated soon. Isaiah continues to improve daily. It sounds like he might be off all his breathing aids soon. He is gaining weight now (he gets that from me).My knee was injured a little more than I thought at the race last weekend, but it is getting stronger everyday.
I rode my bike Thursday. It hurt. Tried to run a little Sat. It hurt. Me and Mike, a guy from church rode today. The knee felt pretty good. I wish I could say the same about Mike. We still had about 5 miles to go when we rode near my house. I ended up giving Mike and his bike a ride home in my truck.
Man what a beautiful day to ride. We saw 8 other people out riding today.
I rode my bike Thursday. It hurt. Tried to run a little Sat. It hurt. Me and Mike, a guy from church rode today. The knee felt pretty good. I wish I could say the same about Mike. We still had about 5 miles to go when we rode near my house. I ended up giving Mike and his bike a ride home in my truck.
Man what a beautiful day to ride. We saw 8 other people out riding today.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
The day after the race #1
I made these the day after the race. I took the scenic way home from Bedford, VA.
I wanted to checkout some of the trails used for Hellgate 100K race in December.
I think I might have still been a little tired. Enjoy. Be sure to watch #1 first.
I wanted to checkout some of the trails used for Hellgate 100K race in December.
I think I might have still been a little tired. Enjoy. Be sure to watch #1 first.
Terrapin Mountain Video
Here is a video that I made a couple of hours after the race. "A tired mind is a terrible thing to waste".
Tarrapin Mountain 50K
The Miracle Weekend
Kenny Wheeler
This weekend was full of miracles for me. I had been fighting an injury of my lower left leg ever since HL in February. It hurt so bad during and after that race that I took a week off. Then I resumed running, but the leg still hurt. I tried a long training run and it really hurt. I took another week off from running. I road my bike all that week, then I ran 4-5 miles a few times the week of Terrapin Mtn. It still hurt. I really didn’t think I was going to be able to run the race.
In the motel room Friday evening I talked to God and asked him to please let me run on Sat. without much pain. He said don’t worry about it; He would take care of it. I knew at that moment that it was going to be OK.
Saturday morning I woke up and watched the weather report while I was getting ready. I was very happy that it looked like the rain was going to hold off. It was supposed to be 60 degrees and cloudy. I got to the Sedalia Center and waited on my friend Mark. He got there and asked me how my leg felt. I told him what had happened the night before. That it was not going to be an issue.
Mark is lot faster than me, so he said he would stick with me till the first aid station, and then he was going to take off. Just as planed we ran to the first AS. I only slowed down long enough to grab a few pretzels and took off down the hill. I kept looking for Mark. I even stopped and turned around a few times to look for him. I was afraid he had gone the wrong way, or that I had gone the wrong way. Finally he pulled up beside me. I asked him “where have you been? Did you try to eat all the food at the AS?” He just laughed and said he would see me at the finish line.
I ran to the next AS without anybody to talk to. When I left, there was a girl ahead of me. A friend or family member was following her up the hill, they were rubbing icy-hot on her calves. I caught up to her right after that person turned to go back to the AS. I commented on how good the icy-hot smelled. We struck up a conversation and ran together for the next few miles. When we hit the single track I pulled ahead of her.
During the White Oak Loop I was slowly catching up to two girls. Way before I caught them I could here them shouting encouragement to the other runners as they were coming at us. Most runners say encouraging words to each other as they pass, but these girls had so much enthusiasm. Not silly enthusiasm either, it was genuine and sincere. It was very refreshing running with them for a while. I called them my cheerleaders. When we got to a hill I pulled away from them. Because I was a little quicker going up hill and they were a little quicker going down hill, I would see them many more times throughout the rest of the day. Somewhere in that loop the icy-hot girl caught up with the cheerleaders and they pretty much stayed together the rest of the day.
I got to Camping Gap AS for the final time. Since all the runners had been through this AS so many times there wasn’t a very big choice of food left. Well like Horton says “if you want a better selection of food, run faster”. So I grabbed several saltine crackers and started up the hill towards Terrapin Mountain. When you are going up a hill that rugged and steep I would advise you not to try and eat saltine crackers. I believe I sucked more into my lungs than made it to my stomach. That ridge just kept going up and up for what seemed like for ever. I had not seen a soul since leaving the AS. It was so foggy and the trail up there was so narrow and the trees and bushes were so close that it was actually a little spooky. All of a sudden I almost run into a women coming towards me, I am a little startled, I am even more startled when I realize my friend Mark is with her. At this point I am just devastated because I realize there must be a turn around out there somewhere on this horrible ridge and since Mark must be many miles ahead of me it must be a long way to the hole punch that I had heard about. I had only gone a few yards when I see this plastic thing tied to a rock. I punch my bib twice (just in case one set of holes magically disappear) It is funny how your brain works when you are tired. I am really confused. I am trying to figure out what is going on when I suddenly realize that I have caught up to Mark. I take off after them.
The three of us head off the ridge together. The women mentions something about Fat Mans Revenge. Then we come upon this hideous obstacle that completely blocks the trail, so you have no choice but to descend into it. We make it through both of the obstacles. I punch my bib twice (you can never be too careful). Sometime while we are descending the mountain my cheerleaders and icy-hot girl catch up to us. There are six of us running together now. We stay together for a long time. Then Mark says his legs are locking up because of the steep descent and the rocks. I know he is slowing a little, but when we get to the last AS he’s not with us. One of the girls said he was probably quite a ways back because he had started walking.
We grabbed some food and filled our water bottles and headed back up the hill. We had gone about 4/10 of a mile up the hill when we saw Mark. He did not look good. At this point my competitive spirit took over. I thought that I might finally out run Mark. I was filling pretty good, so I figured on pushing as hard as possible to the finish. I was pulling away from the 4 girls, but then I started to worry about Mark. I started praying. “Lord help him to finish”. I was praying hard, but not slowing down. I still thought it would be pretty cool to out run him.
I was coming upon the last creek crossing when I heard someone coming up behind me real fast. I was totally surprised when Mark went by me like I was standing still. As a matter of fact I was so shocked that I lost my footing and fell in the creek. Before the finish my cheerleaders and icy-hot girl passed me too.
Afterwards I asked Mark what happened. He said when he got to the last AS he leaned on the table for support and ate and drank a lot. His legs were just dead. Then he said it felt like something just started happening to his legs and he could fill the life pouring back into them and he just took off. I believe that was when God answered my prayer for Mark.
God loves us very much. So never under estimate the power of prayer.
Thank you Clark for organizing a fantastic race and thanks to all the volunteers.
Kenny Wheeler
This weekend was full of miracles for me. I had been fighting an injury of my lower left leg ever since HL in February. It hurt so bad during and after that race that I took a week off. Then I resumed running, but the leg still hurt. I tried a long training run and it really hurt. I took another week off from running. I road my bike all that week, then I ran 4-5 miles a few times the week of Terrapin Mtn. It still hurt. I really didn’t think I was going to be able to run the race.
In the motel room Friday evening I talked to God and asked him to please let me run on Sat. without much pain. He said don’t worry about it; He would take care of it. I knew at that moment that it was going to be OK.
Saturday morning I woke up and watched the weather report while I was getting ready. I was very happy that it looked like the rain was going to hold off. It was supposed to be 60 degrees and cloudy. I got to the Sedalia Center and waited on my friend Mark. He got there and asked me how my leg felt. I told him what had happened the night before. That it was not going to be an issue.
Mark is lot faster than me, so he said he would stick with me till the first aid station, and then he was going to take off. Just as planed we ran to the first AS. I only slowed down long enough to grab a few pretzels and took off down the hill. I kept looking for Mark. I even stopped and turned around a few times to look for him. I was afraid he had gone the wrong way, or that I had gone the wrong way. Finally he pulled up beside me. I asked him “where have you been? Did you try to eat all the food at the AS?” He just laughed and said he would see me at the finish line.
I ran to the next AS without anybody to talk to. When I left, there was a girl ahead of me. A friend or family member was following her up the hill, they were rubbing icy-hot on her calves. I caught up to her right after that person turned to go back to the AS. I commented on how good the icy-hot smelled. We struck up a conversation and ran together for the next few miles. When we hit the single track I pulled ahead of her.
During the White Oak Loop I was slowly catching up to two girls. Way before I caught them I could here them shouting encouragement to the other runners as they were coming at us. Most runners say encouraging words to each other as they pass, but these girls had so much enthusiasm. Not silly enthusiasm either, it was genuine and sincere. It was very refreshing running with them for a while. I called them my cheerleaders. When we got to a hill I pulled away from them. Because I was a little quicker going up hill and they were a little quicker going down hill, I would see them many more times throughout the rest of the day. Somewhere in that loop the icy-hot girl caught up with the cheerleaders and they pretty much stayed together the rest of the day.
I got to Camping Gap AS for the final time. Since all the runners had been through this AS so many times there wasn’t a very big choice of food left. Well like Horton says “if you want a better selection of food, run faster”. So I grabbed several saltine crackers and started up the hill towards Terrapin Mountain. When you are going up a hill that rugged and steep I would advise you not to try and eat saltine crackers. I believe I sucked more into my lungs than made it to my stomach. That ridge just kept going up and up for what seemed like for ever. I had not seen a soul since leaving the AS. It was so foggy and the trail up there was so narrow and the trees and bushes were so close that it was actually a little spooky. All of a sudden I almost run into a women coming towards me, I am a little startled, I am even more startled when I realize my friend Mark is with her. At this point I am just devastated because I realize there must be a turn around out there somewhere on this horrible ridge and since Mark must be many miles ahead of me it must be a long way to the hole punch that I had heard about. I had only gone a few yards when I see this plastic thing tied to a rock. I punch my bib twice (just in case one set of holes magically disappear) It is funny how your brain works when you are tired. I am really confused. I am trying to figure out what is going on when I suddenly realize that I have caught up to Mark. I take off after them.
The three of us head off the ridge together. The women mentions something about Fat Mans Revenge. Then we come upon this hideous obstacle that completely blocks the trail, so you have no choice but to descend into it. We make it through both of the obstacles. I punch my bib twice (you can never be too careful). Sometime while we are descending the mountain my cheerleaders and icy-hot girl catch up to us. There are six of us running together now. We stay together for a long time. Then Mark says his legs are locking up because of the steep descent and the rocks. I know he is slowing a little, but when we get to the last AS he’s not with us. One of the girls said he was probably quite a ways back because he had started walking.
We grabbed some food and filled our water bottles and headed back up the hill. We had gone about 4/10 of a mile up the hill when we saw Mark. He did not look good. At this point my competitive spirit took over. I thought that I might finally out run Mark. I was filling pretty good, so I figured on pushing as hard as possible to the finish. I was pulling away from the 4 girls, but then I started to worry about Mark. I started praying. “Lord help him to finish”. I was praying hard, but not slowing down. I still thought it would be pretty cool to out run him.
I was coming upon the last creek crossing when I heard someone coming up behind me real fast. I was totally surprised when Mark went by me like I was standing still. As a matter of fact I was so shocked that I lost my footing and fell in the creek. Before the finish my cheerleaders and icy-hot girl passed me too.
Afterwards I asked Mark what happened. He said when he got to the last AS he leaned on the table for support and ate and drank a lot. His legs were just dead. Then he said it felt like something just started happening to his legs and he could fill the life pouring back into them and he just took off. I believe that was when God answered my prayer for Mark.
God loves us very much. So never under estimate the power of prayer.
Thank you Clark for organizing a fantastic race and thanks to all the volunteers.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Everything Is Going Smoothly
I ran 3 days this week and the leg fills good. Please pray for me Sat. morning that it won't hurt.
I will be heading to VA tomorrow. I will post again Monday.
Oh yeh here is a link for live updates for Sat. http://www.eco-xsports.com/livestats.php?race=3&year=2009
I will be heading to VA tomorrow. I will post again Monday.
Oh yeh here is a link for live updates for Sat. http://www.eco-xsports.com/livestats.php?race=3&year=2009
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Yea ! Got To Run Today
Johnna is still in the hospital. She will be there till they get her blood thinner levels where they want them.
Isaiah is doing great also.
Ran for the first time in a week today. 4.1 miles. Felt OK.
Mark and I will be heading to Sedalia, VA this weekend for Terrapin Mountain 50K. The weather forecast is for rain this weekend. I hope it doesn't rain much.
Found something cool today on you tube. Someone made a movie at last years Grindstone 100
Here is a link to the trailer. That will lead you to the other 10 chapters.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KETHolQboEY
Isaiah is doing great also.
Ran for the first time in a week today. 4.1 miles. Felt OK.
Mark and I will be heading to Sedalia, VA this weekend for Terrapin Mountain 50K. The weather forecast is for rain this weekend. I hope it doesn't rain much.
Found something cool today on you tube. Someone made a movie at last years Grindstone 100
Here is a link to the trailer. That will lead you to the other 10 chapters.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KETHolQboEY
Monday, March 23, 2009
What A Weekend !!!!!
There is nothing like a real dose of reality to put the small things in our lives into perspective.
A couple of weeks ago my 23 year old daughter had a little skiing wreck and sprained her ankle. Everything was progressing just fine till she started getting swelling up her leg. It eventually swelled all the way to her waist. She went back to see her family doctor and he got her an appointment with an orthopedic doctor on Tuesday. She went to see him and he got her an appointment with Vascular doctor for an ultra sound on Thursday. They found blood clots in her leg and had her admitted to the hospital immediately.
I don't believe any of us expected what was to come over the next few days. Thursday night and Friday were very uneventful, but then she started having pulmonary embolisms. That is blood clots started moving into her lungs. This is extremely dangerous. Thousands of people die from these every year. We never new when the next one on the move might go to her heart or brain. There is a procedure they can do that put a filter in the main vein coming out of the legs to stop clots from migrating out of the legs, but for some reason the doctor seemed reluctant to do it. Finally I guess he figured he had to do it before Johnna died. So they did the procedure Sat. morning and thank God she has been improving ever since.
I want to thank all the people that were praying for Johnna. I know that God answers prayers. I saw it with my own eyes.
Also in the very good news department!!!!! Our 3rd grandchild, Isaiah. He was born at 23 weeks gestation was taken off the ventilator Sat. and is doing very well. Another answer to prayer.
Now to the the small things. I haven't run all week. I've been riding, stretching and doing core exercises. Please continue to pray for me and my whole family.
A couple of weeks ago my 23 year old daughter had a little skiing wreck and sprained her ankle. Everything was progressing just fine till she started getting swelling up her leg. It eventually swelled all the way to her waist. She went back to see her family doctor and he got her an appointment with an orthopedic doctor on Tuesday. She went to see him and he got her an appointment with Vascular doctor for an ultra sound on Thursday. They found blood clots in her leg and had her admitted to the hospital immediately.
I don't believe any of us expected what was to come over the next few days. Thursday night and Friday were very uneventful, but then she started having pulmonary embolisms. That is blood clots started moving into her lungs. This is extremely dangerous. Thousands of people die from these every year. We never new when the next one on the move might go to her heart or brain. There is a procedure they can do that put a filter in the main vein coming out of the legs to stop clots from migrating out of the legs, but for some reason the doctor seemed reluctant to do it. Finally I guess he figured he had to do it before Johnna died. So they did the procedure Sat. morning and thank God she has been improving ever since.
I want to thank all the people that were praying for Johnna. I know that God answers prayers. I saw it with my own eyes.
Also in the very good news department!!!!! Our 3rd grandchild, Isaiah. He was born at 23 weeks gestation was taken off the ventilator Sat. and is doing very well. Another answer to prayer.
Now to the the small things. I haven't run all week. I've been riding, stretching and doing core exercises. Please continue to pray for me and my whole family.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
I have an owie
I decided I was going to attempt to run the Liberty University Beast Series this year. I am not getting any younger and it includes a 100 mile race. I really want to do one of those before I get too old. http://www.extremeultrarunning.com/index.htm
I ran my second Walt Disney World Goofy Challenge in January. The Training for that went very well. The first race in the LU Beast was Holiday Lake 50K in February. I probably didn't train quite as hard as I should have. The last 10 miles was miserable because I developed pain in my lower left leg. I thought it might be a stress fracture, but it went away after 3 days. I took the week off, then started running without pain and I figured it was just some strange pain. Well I don't know now, because it came back with a vengeance on Sunday. So I took Mon. Tues. off and rode my road bike today. I think I am going to stay on the bike all this week. I am trying to get an appointment with a orthopedic doc.
I am going to suck it up and Lord willing I will run Terrapin Mountain 50K at the end of the month.
Here are some pics from Sunday. Thanks to Mark. My official photographer.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Sunday Long Run
The weather on Sunday morning was looking pretty dreary, but it was supposed to quit raining in the afternoon.
Me, Mark, Amy and her dog Sydney met at the trail head parking lot at Bluestone State Park at 1:00. We had a couple of "joggers" that were supposed to be there, but I believe the rain scared them off.
Just as predicted the rain did stop, but the trail was VERY wet and all the creeks coming off the mountains were pretty swollen. I had run this trail once before when it was wet, so I new we were all going to have wet feet the whole way. Mark and Amy were trying to tip toe around the water to start, but soon found out how futile that was. Amy only wanted to run 10 miles. Mark wanted to get 20 and I wanted to run 16. Amy and Sydney turned around after 5 miles and headed back to the cars. Mark and I continued on to Pipestem State Park and turned around there. That makes about 16.5 miles buy the time you get back to the cars. Mark wanted to explore another trail in the park so he went there to get the rest of his miles in.
I talked to Mark after he came out of the woods. I think he ran into more than he expected. Lets just say he thought he heard a banjo playing on top of the hill. Maybe he will expand on that on his blog http://cranberryrock-running.blogspot.com/
I hope to have some pics to put on here soon. I made Mark my official photogapher, because he has a small camera that he usually brings on runs anyway. I only have a big clunky camera right now.
The next big adventure is Terrapin Mountain 50K March 28. I can't wait.
http://www.eco-xsports.com/
Me, Mark, Amy and her dog Sydney met at the trail head parking lot at Bluestone State Park at 1:00. We had a couple of "joggers" that were supposed to be there, but I believe the rain scared them off.
Just as predicted the rain did stop, but the trail was VERY wet and all the creeks coming off the mountains were pretty swollen. I had run this trail once before when it was wet, so I new we were all going to have wet feet the whole way. Mark and Amy were trying to tip toe around the water to start, but soon found out how futile that was. Amy only wanted to run 10 miles. Mark wanted to get 20 and I wanted to run 16. Amy and Sydney turned around after 5 miles and headed back to the cars. Mark and I continued on to Pipestem State Park and turned around there. That makes about 16.5 miles buy the time you get back to the cars. Mark wanted to explore another trail in the park so he went there to get the rest of his miles in.
I talked to Mark after he came out of the woods. I think he ran into more than he expected. Lets just say he thought he heard a banjo playing on top of the hill. Maybe he will expand on that on his blog http://cranberryrock-running.blogspot.com/
I hope to have some pics to put on here soon. I made Mark my official photogapher, because he has a small camera that he usually brings on runs anyway. I only have a big clunky camera right now.
The next big adventure is Terrapin Mountain 50K March 28. I can't wait.
http://www.eco-xsports.com/
Friday, March 13, 2009
Well I finally started a blog
I have been giving my friend Mark a hard time about him not doing updates to his blog, so I only hope that I will do a better job on mine than he does on his. http://cranberryrock-running.blogspot.com/
Mark is my best running buddy and my best friend. I used to see him at some of the road races. We started talking some. Then we both got interested in trail running. Over the last year or so we have explored a lot of trails and run a lot of really good miles together.
Amy is my other best running buddy. I know you are probably saying, how can he have 2 best running buddys? Well it is my blog and if I want more than 1 best buddy then I can.
I enjoy running trails alone. Just me an God out there enjoying His creation but I also really enjoy doing it with my buddies too.
We are going to run 1 of our favorite trails Sunday after church. From Bluestone State Park to Pipestem State Park. It is supposed to be Me, Mark, Amy, Kevin and Ryan. I am looking forward to it.
Mark is my best running buddy and my best friend. I used to see him at some of the road races. We started talking some. Then we both got interested in trail running. Over the last year or so we have explored a lot of trails and run a lot of really good miles together.
Amy is my other best running buddy. I know you are probably saying, how can he have 2 best running buddys? Well it is my blog and if I want more than 1 best buddy then I can.
I enjoy running trails alone. Just me an God out there enjoying His creation but I also really enjoy doing it with my buddies too.
We are going to run 1 of our favorite trails Sunday after church. From Bluestone State Park to Pipestem State Park. It is supposed to be Me, Mark, Amy, Kevin and Ryan. I am looking forward to it.
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