Promise Land 50K 2011
I have been trying to write a race report this morning. I have started it several different times, but mostly I have just been staring at the screen. While I was staring at the screen, a guy from my past sent me a message on face book. Joe and I became friends when Mom, Dad, my brother and I used to mud race (drag racing cars thru mud). He sent me this question. “I have to ask, how did you go from mud racing, to running marathons?”
That is a good question. We all have our stories. You can read my story. Just read my profile.
To all my running buddies, if you would be interested in sharing your story with me contact me at kwheeler21@gmail.com be sure to let me know if it is ok to share your stories with others on my blog. Your stories might be inspirational to someone else.
Well I guess I should write about the race now. This was my 3rd PL. I love this race because it never gets any easier. After setting new PRs at HL and Terrapin this year I was feeling a little cocky (ok, a lot cocky), I went out way too hard and I paid for it in the middle of the race. I really felt bad from Sunset Fields till I got back to Corneilus Creek the second time, it seemed like 100 people passed me in that section.
I loaded up with water and all the food I could carry in my hands before leaving Corneilus Creek to head up the falls; I had no idea how long it takes to get up that hill, so I noted the time. I talked to one guy near the bottom, he had not done this race before, so he was asking if this was the hard section everybody talks about, I told him he better be loaded up, because this was it. He was moving well and pulled away. The farther I got up the hill the better I felt, then I saw a woman standing on the bridge and knew right away, it was “icy-hot”. I hadn’t seen her since last year, she is now married and lives in Texas, she offered me a bottle of ice-cold water. I don’t usually like cold water when running, but on this warm day it felt really good in my belly. (Thanks Robyn)
I thought I was moving up the hill pretty well, when I heard somebody coming up behind me fast. He was running hard and went right by me. I said something to him, but I don’t remember what it was. He turned and looked at me. He asked if my name was Kenny? I said yes, who are you? That is how I met Adam. He said he was a fellow West Virginian and recognized me from my blog. Well I guess somebody does read it. Thanks Adam, glad to meet you.
I had already passed the sign that says .9 mile to the parkway when I caught up to the guy that I talked to at the bottom. He said “man you were not kidding about this hill.” He said he had run out of water I offered him some of mine, but he declined. Soon we came to the aid station. 1 hour 15 minutes to the top.
I grabbed more food and water. Kissed my wife and told her I was glad she was here today and then started across the parkway. I came upon a couple of guys at the gate that were moving real slow. I asked if they were ok? They said they were pretty nauseas. I told them I had ginger chews if they wanted one. They both took one and we started running down the trail. We ran together for a while, but I was going a little faster so I pulled away. I continued down the hill, feeling pretty good. A couple of miles from the end those two guys blew by me and thanked me for the ginger. They said it worked very well to settle their stomachs. I had found a young guy having cramps a couple of hours earlier and given him a couple of salt pills. He blew by me also. Every time I help someone they end up passing me. Oh well. I know they would help me too.
Before I knew it, I was finished. I got my handshake and ice cream sandwich from Dr. Horton and picked up my finishers shorts.
Thank you Dr. Horton for another great race. Thanks to all the volunteers. Thanks Mrs. Horton for the wonderful after race feast.
Kenny Wheeler
Monday, April 25, 2011
Monday, April 18, 2011
Friday, April 1, 2011
Everything Seems OK
I didn't run for several days after Terrapin. I went for a short slow run Thursday evening, just to make sure everything was ok. Good news !!!!!!! Everything seems ok. I was a little concerned about this race. This is the race that I got injured in 2009. That knocked me out for the next year, so I am super glad that the wheels didn't fall off this year. On to Promise Land 50K April 23
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Terrapin Mountain 50K
Here is my exit interview for the race last weekend. It is kind of funny. I might have been a little loopy, no I was definitely loopy and every thing was awesome. ha ha I hope you enjoy this.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Training Finished
Well the training for Terrapin is all finished. Full on taper for the next few days, then the race Saturday morning....whoo hoo..... bring it on.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Holiday Lake 50K++
2011 Holiday Lake 50K++
This was my 3rd Holiday Lake Race in 4 years (I was injured last year). I had 2 goals going into this race and I was really confident that they were achievable. #1 was to finish. (I hadn’t finished a race over 26 miles since Promise Land 2009) The 2nd was to run faster than my buddy Mark had run it in 2009. He ran it in 6:29. My fastest HL was in 2009 in 6:55. I know 26 minutes is a lot to make up, but I had trained really hard for Hellgate, so I was bringing all that and a new fueling strategy, which I had learned from the failed attempt at Hellgate. Mark is my best friend, but man would I like to outrun him.
Now to the race. Usually before a race everything goes as smooth as silk, not so much with this one. Let me explain.
My wife and I got to the motel in Appomattox, got checked in and went to the pre-race check-in and dinner. Everything went smooth there. We had great food, got caught up with old friends and Dr. Horton was in rare form during the pre-race briefing. We went back to the motel and I made my final decisions on clothing for the next day. I laid everything out so I could get dressed quickly in the morning. Everything was going so smoothly that I even set both alarms 15 minutes later than I usually would have. We read for a little bit and about 10 o’clock it was lights out. It was about this time that things began to unravel a bit, because it was about this time that I realized that I had packed the wrong shoes. Right brand (Solomon), just wrong model. I didn’t get all stressed over this. I had a pair of shoes for backups that were the correct model, they are just very old and starting to fall apart.
After the normal night of fitful sleep before a race, I finally got tired of watching the clock and got up a couple of minutes before the alarms were set for. I went about my normal morning routine and when it came time to put my shoes on I decided to go with the wrong model rather than the old shoes.
We drove to the stating area and found a parking spot. I always like to get to a race 1 hour early, just in case. This has always drove my wife nuts. She thinks we should get to the start about 1 minute early, well an hour this morning wasn’t enough. We decided to stay in the car for a while to stay warm. I got to thinking about my goals. I thought I might be a little quicker in the lighter shoes (the old ones), so I changed shoes. I was putting my gators back on when I realized that one of the laces was broke. Anybody that has ever tried to tie a Kevlar lace knows that you can’t do that. This was still not totally devastating, because I had a repair lace somewhere in my race bag. By this time it was 35 minutes till the start, so I hurried to the pre-race check in, while my wife dug around in my bag to find the repair lace. I rushed back to the car and started replacing the lace. If you have ever tried to do this on a Solomon shoe, you know it is very difficult to do, then you add in the fact that the clock is ticking, well, you are starting to get the picture. Needless to say I ended up putting the other shoes on and just barely got to the start line in time. I asked my wife to finish up the repair and I would change shoes at an aid station.
Dr. Horton said go and we were off. The first ½ mile is uphill, but it is asphalt, so I pushed a lot harder than I normally would, because I didn’t want to get held up once we reached the single track trail. This worked pretty well and before I knew it we were at AS1. My wife was there, but she had not had time to finish the repair. Crews were not allowed at AS 2, so I said I would see her at AS 3. When I got there, she had gotten some help and it was repaired, so I changed shoes. Other than the shoe change, the 1st half of the race went really well, it took 3:01 to complete. I felt so go that I really thought the second half would be 3:20 or less. For the next 8 miles I was practicing my smack talk, getting ready for Mark. Then the wheels started falling off. I made it to the last AS and I knew that it would take a miracle to finish in under 6:29.
I REALLY would have liked to beat Mark, but hey. 6:35 ain’t bad. It was a 20 minute PR. I finished a race. The weather was beautiful. The trails were great. My wife was there to share it with me. God is good.
Mark. Watch out at Terrapin. I will be ready for you.
This was my 3rd Holiday Lake Race in 4 years (I was injured last year). I had 2 goals going into this race and I was really confident that they were achievable. #1 was to finish. (I hadn’t finished a race over 26 miles since Promise Land 2009) The 2nd was to run faster than my buddy Mark had run it in 2009. He ran it in 6:29. My fastest HL was in 2009 in 6:55. I know 26 minutes is a lot to make up, but I had trained really hard for Hellgate, so I was bringing all that and a new fueling strategy, which I had learned from the failed attempt at Hellgate. Mark is my best friend, but man would I like to outrun him.
Now to the race. Usually before a race everything goes as smooth as silk, not so much with this one. Let me explain.
My wife and I got to the motel in Appomattox, got checked in and went to the pre-race check-in and dinner. Everything went smooth there. We had great food, got caught up with old friends and Dr. Horton was in rare form during the pre-race briefing. We went back to the motel and I made my final decisions on clothing for the next day. I laid everything out so I could get dressed quickly in the morning. Everything was going so smoothly that I even set both alarms 15 minutes later than I usually would have. We read for a little bit and about 10 o’clock it was lights out. It was about this time that things began to unravel a bit, because it was about this time that I realized that I had packed the wrong shoes. Right brand (Solomon), just wrong model. I didn’t get all stressed over this. I had a pair of shoes for backups that were the correct model, they are just very old and starting to fall apart.
After the normal night of fitful sleep before a race, I finally got tired of watching the clock and got up a couple of minutes before the alarms were set for. I went about my normal morning routine and when it came time to put my shoes on I decided to go with the wrong model rather than the old shoes.
We drove to the stating area and found a parking spot. I always like to get to a race 1 hour early, just in case. This has always drove my wife nuts. She thinks we should get to the start about 1 minute early, well an hour this morning wasn’t enough. We decided to stay in the car for a while to stay warm. I got to thinking about my goals. I thought I might be a little quicker in the lighter shoes (the old ones), so I changed shoes. I was putting my gators back on when I realized that one of the laces was broke. Anybody that has ever tried to tie a Kevlar lace knows that you can’t do that. This was still not totally devastating, because I had a repair lace somewhere in my race bag. By this time it was 35 minutes till the start, so I hurried to the pre-race check in, while my wife dug around in my bag to find the repair lace. I rushed back to the car and started replacing the lace. If you have ever tried to do this on a Solomon shoe, you know it is very difficult to do, then you add in the fact that the clock is ticking, well, you are starting to get the picture. Needless to say I ended up putting the other shoes on and just barely got to the start line in time. I asked my wife to finish up the repair and I would change shoes at an aid station.
Dr. Horton said go and we were off. The first ½ mile is uphill, but it is asphalt, so I pushed a lot harder than I normally would, because I didn’t want to get held up once we reached the single track trail. This worked pretty well and before I knew it we were at AS1. My wife was there, but she had not had time to finish the repair. Crews were not allowed at AS 2, so I said I would see her at AS 3. When I got there, she had gotten some help and it was repaired, so I changed shoes. Other than the shoe change, the 1st half of the race went really well, it took 3:01 to complete. I felt so go that I really thought the second half would be 3:20 or less. For the next 8 miles I was practicing my smack talk, getting ready for Mark. Then the wheels started falling off. I made it to the last AS and I knew that it would take a miracle to finish in under 6:29.
I REALLY would have liked to beat Mark, but hey. 6:35 ain’t bad. It was a 20 minute PR. I finished a race. The weather was beautiful. The trails were great. My wife was there to share it with me. God is good.
Mark. Watch out at Terrapin. I will be ready for you.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Sunday Long Run
A little video at the beginning of the day.
Some pictures from the creek
Frozen falls
The swimming hole
A little video from the end of the day
Some pictures from the creek
Frozen falls
The swimming hole
A little video from the end of the day
Pics From Hellgate
Thanks to Brian for these pictures.
Fresh as a daisy
What the heck?
Getting tired
What are we looking at?
Fresh as a daisy
What the heck?
Getting tired
What are we looking at?
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Hellgate 100K
Hellgate 100K
What is a successful race?
Everybody that runs races has a different definition. To some it is finishing 1st, for some it is being in the top 5 or top 10. For some it is just being out on the trails enjoying the experience. For some it just finishing, even if it is in last place, but maybe if you learn something, no matter what the outcome, it is still a successful race.
Going into HG, I just wanted to finish. Training had gone well, enough. (You always wish you had run more) I had run most of the course over the last few weeks. I had the utmost confidence that I would be able to finish. I was not stupid enough to think it was going to be easy, but I really thought it was doable.
I had my strategy; I had the best crew ever (thanks Randy, Mark and Brian). I arrived at Camp Bethel Friday afternoon. I had plenty of time to make final preparations and relax. My crew and I went over some last minute details and then it was time to head to Natural Bridge Station for the midnight start. By the way, the race starts at the parking lot for the Glenwood Horse Trail near Hellgate Creek. That is where the name of the race comes from and there is even a gate. That is where we all gather. Horton says a quick prayer for our safety, we all sing the national anthem and we are off. We had been running about a mile or so, when I realized that I was, dead last. I have no problem finishing last, but I thought I probably shouldn’t stay in last place this early into the race, so I picked up the pace and started passing people. The first few miles pass uneventfully, even the infamous creek crossing wasn’t so bad.
The climb up to the parkway was absolutely gorgeous. I had been here a few weeks ago in the daylight. I thought it was beautiful then, but God had something special planed for us this night. The stars were so bright this night. It was hard for me to look down. I couldn’t take my eyes off the sky. The 1st major climb ended at the parkway. I grabbed some PB&J and started down the other side. I don’t really remember much about this section. It seemed like it was a really long way from AS 2 to AS 3 at Camping Gap. The section from there to Headforemost was going to be one of the longest of the race, but I had some incentive to get there. That is the 1st place since the start that I would get to see my crew. I made it to AS 4 in good shape. I was glad to see my crew and I was about 30 minutes ahead of the cutoff. It sure would be nice if I could run faster.
The next 20 some miles were pretty uneventful. I got to see my crew a few times through here, but what I was really looking forward to was, getting to Bear Wallow Gap. That is where Randy would get to start running with me. I finally did make it, but I was only about 15 minutes ahead of the cutoff. I knew that I had to hustle the rest of race, but now I had Randy to run with me. Man, this was a tough section. It was a really long way between Aid Stations. Even Randy became silent for long stretches of time. When Randy stops talking, you know that he’s suffering. At one point, Randy was trying to get me to hurry, but I said the “tank” is empty. In the days after the race I realized how profound this statement was. I just continued to grind down. I was moving and I was even running, but I was so slow at this point. Randy said we needed to get to the last AS by 5:00 pm to have a chance to finish in the 18-hour time limit. I had figured the same thing in my head. The problem was. I was just barely moving. I began to realize that I was not going to be able to finish by 6:00 pm. That means that I would not be an official finisher. There was a lot of stuff running through my very tired brain.
We finally made it to the last AS. It was 5:15. I figured that at my current pace, it might take me 2 hours to cover the last 6 miles. I had a decision to make. Do I finish, do I put my crew though a couple more hours of this, do I put myself through a couple more hours, just to be “NOT AN OFFICIAL” finisher? Do I put the volunteers through this? I decided NO. Was it an easy decision? No, but I think it was the right one
So I did not finish, but I had a successful race, because I had a great time with great friends and I learned a lot.
Here are just a few of the things that I learned.
I learned to pee while walking. (I am getting older, so I pee very often)
I have to eat more high calorie food while doing these long races.
I have some REALLY good friends. Thanks guys.
I can run 60 miles in about 17 hours. If I can double that, I should be able to finish Grindstone.
What is a successful race?
Everybody that runs races has a different definition. To some it is finishing 1st, for some it is being in the top 5 or top 10. For some it is just being out on the trails enjoying the experience. For some it just finishing, even if it is in last place, but maybe if you learn something, no matter what the outcome, it is still a successful race.
Going into HG, I just wanted to finish. Training had gone well, enough. (You always wish you had run more) I had run most of the course over the last few weeks. I had the utmost confidence that I would be able to finish. I was not stupid enough to think it was going to be easy, but I really thought it was doable.
I had my strategy; I had the best crew ever (thanks Randy, Mark and Brian). I arrived at Camp Bethel Friday afternoon. I had plenty of time to make final preparations and relax. My crew and I went over some last minute details and then it was time to head to Natural Bridge Station for the midnight start. By the way, the race starts at the parking lot for the Glenwood Horse Trail near Hellgate Creek. That is where the name of the race comes from and there is even a gate. That is where we all gather. Horton says a quick prayer for our safety, we all sing the national anthem and we are off. We had been running about a mile or so, when I realized that I was, dead last. I have no problem finishing last, but I thought I probably shouldn’t stay in last place this early into the race, so I picked up the pace and started passing people. The first few miles pass uneventfully, even the infamous creek crossing wasn’t so bad.
The climb up to the parkway was absolutely gorgeous. I had been here a few weeks ago in the daylight. I thought it was beautiful then, but God had something special planed for us this night. The stars were so bright this night. It was hard for me to look down. I couldn’t take my eyes off the sky. The 1st major climb ended at the parkway. I grabbed some PB&J and started down the other side. I don’t really remember much about this section. It seemed like it was a really long way from AS 2 to AS 3 at Camping Gap. The section from there to Headforemost was going to be one of the longest of the race, but I had some incentive to get there. That is the 1st place since the start that I would get to see my crew. I made it to AS 4 in good shape. I was glad to see my crew and I was about 30 minutes ahead of the cutoff. It sure would be nice if I could run faster.
The next 20 some miles were pretty uneventful. I got to see my crew a few times through here, but what I was really looking forward to was, getting to Bear Wallow Gap. That is where Randy would get to start running with me. I finally did make it, but I was only about 15 minutes ahead of the cutoff. I knew that I had to hustle the rest of race, but now I had Randy to run with me. Man, this was a tough section. It was a really long way between Aid Stations. Even Randy became silent for long stretches of time. When Randy stops talking, you know that he’s suffering. At one point, Randy was trying to get me to hurry, but I said the “tank” is empty. In the days after the race I realized how profound this statement was. I just continued to grind down. I was moving and I was even running, but I was so slow at this point. Randy said we needed to get to the last AS by 5:00 pm to have a chance to finish in the 18-hour time limit. I had figured the same thing in my head. The problem was. I was just barely moving. I began to realize that I was not going to be able to finish by 6:00 pm. That means that I would not be an official finisher. There was a lot of stuff running through my very tired brain.
We finally made it to the last AS. It was 5:15. I figured that at my current pace, it might take me 2 hours to cover the last 6 miles. I had a decision to make. Do I finish, do I put my crew though a couple more hours of this, do I put myself through a couple more hours, just to be “NOT AN OFFICIAL” finisher? Do I put the volunteers through this? I decided NO. Was it an easy decision? No, but I think it was the right one
So I did not finish, but I had a successful race, because I had a great time with great friends and I learned a lot.
Here are just a few of the things that I learned.
I learned to pee while walking. (I am getting older, so I pee very often)
I have to eat more high calorie food while doing these long races.
I have some REALLY good friends. Thanks guys.
I can run 60 miles in about 17 hours. If I can double that, I should be able to finish Grindstone.
Saturday, December 4, 2010
*****Snow*****
Well it looks like it will be white trails for Hellgate. I don't know how Horton does it?
Friday, December 3, 2010
Over A Month
Wow !!! I can't believe it has been over a month since I posted anything here. Time flies when you are busy.
Johnna's medical emergency's seem to be over for now. Please continue to pray for her health everyday.
I turned 50 on the 12th and me and Manon celebrated our 26th wedding anniversary on the 24th, well we really didn't get to celebrate, sorry Manon.
Randy (our Marine) finally got back, just before Thanksgiving. Thank God for his protection while he was away. We had a really nice visit with him and Kristin and the babies over the holiday. They will be back for Christmas too.
Training for Hellgate has gone very well. I am tapering now. The race is 1 week away. Hopefully this time next week I will be sleeping in, trying to rest as much as possible before driving to Camp Bethel.
I need to get ready for work, so that is all for now.
Johnna's medical emergency's seem to be over for now. Please continue to pray for her health everyday.
I turned 50 on the 12th and me and Manon celebrated our 26th wedding anniversary on the 24th, well we really didn't get to celebrate, sorry Manon.
Randy (our Marine) finally got back, just before Thanksgiving. Thank God for his protection while he was away. We had a really nice visit with him and Kristin and the babies over the holiday. They will be back for Christmas too.
Training for Hellgate has gone very well. I am tapering now. The race is 1 week away. Hopefully this time next week I will be sleeping in, trying to rest as much as possible before driving to Camp Bethel.
I need to get ready for work, so that is all for now.
Monday, October 25, 2010
On My Way
Training for Hellgate is going well. I am mixing my workouts well, I think. With cross training, speed work and long runs.
I ran the Ace Half Marathon Trail Race on Saturday. I had a great race, 13 minutes faster than last year and then I was able to get a 20 mile run in on Sunday at Glade Creek. God really smiled on me yesterday. I was pretty sore after Saturday. I didn't really know if I could run Sunday or not. I almost went back home, glad I didn't, because I had a wonderful afternoon on the trail.
I started a race report for Grindstone, but have not had time to complete it. I guess I will finish it someday.
I ran the Ace Half Marathon Trail Race on Saturday. I had a great race, 13 minutes faster than last year and then I was able to get a 20 mile run in on Sunday at Glade Creek. God really smiled on me yesterday. I was pretty sore after Saturday. I didn't really know if I could run Sunday or not. I almost went back home, glad I didn't, because I had a wonderful afternoon on the trail.
I started a race report for Grindstone, but have not had time to complete it. I guess I will finish it someday.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Finally
OK everybody. I guess the 3rd time is the charm. The rest of that race report posted. I wasn't taking any chances this time. I typed it in word and pasted it to the blog.
Well I must be off to bed. I leave in the morning to go to the Grindstone 100 race, not to race, but to pace Brian for the last 30 some miles. Should be awesome.
Well I must be off to bed. I leave in the morning to go to the Grindstone 100 race, not to race, but to pace Brian for the last 30 some miles. Should be awesome.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
You Have Got To Be Kidding Me
Last night I wrote the previous post. It took me about 2 hours. When I went to post it, most of it just disappeared. Then I came home from church tonight and spent another hour retyping it. Then I clicked on spell check and everything that I had just typed disappeared again.
I give up. I quit. I am done with this post.
I give up. I quit. I am done with this post.
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Odyssey Adventure Racing
Last weekend Mark and I went to Douthat State Park in VA for a race. It was put on by Odyssey Adventure Racing. It was called Odyssey Trail Running Rampage http://http//www.oarevents.com/events/2010/Trail_Running_Rampage_2010.shtml
The plan was, I would take my wife's car to Alta and meet Mark on race morning, then I would ride with Mark to the race. Well that plan fell apart rather quickly, because Friday evening before the race, my wife said her car was making a "new" funny noise. I checked it out and found that the left front wheel bearing had gone bad. I had to order the part that evening and the parts store said it would be in Sat. morning.
I got up at 5:00 Sat. morning and have to drive my service truck to Alta to meet Mark. We had agreed to meet at 6:30. I got there at 6:40 and we continue our journey. We had figured it would take us an hour to get there from Alta, well it took a little longer, so by the time we got there and checked in there was just enough time to make final preperations before the race.
There were 4 different races that day. The 40 mile, 26 mile and 13 mile all used the same 13 mile loop around the park. The 5 mile used the begining and end of the same loop. We were told to follow pink ribbons.
Mark started near the front and I started where I always start. In the back. What Mark didn't know was, that I really figured on catching him later. He tends to slow down in the later stages of a long race. I am just slow from the start and stay that way. Most of the 1st 3 miles is uphill. In places it is pretty steep. I picked off several people going up that 1st hill. One of them was a girl that was hurling beside the trail 1.5 miles from the start. I had never seen anybody hurl that soon in a race before. She said she was ok, so I continued. There were some really awesome views going up the mountain. There was a check point at the top at an overlook. The view was breath taking that morning. The next 3-4 miles is down the other side of the mountain. It was all very runable. I was making good time going off there, but I was feeling like I needed to make a deposit ( if you know what I mean ). I really wanted to wait till I got to the start-finish line where there were porta-potties, but no. I had to pull over and take care of business. No body passed me while I was there, but a couple of guys did catch up to me. I tried to stay ahead of them, but they passed me just before the start-finish.
I finished that loop in 2:36. I refilled my camel-bak and away I went. I had gone 500 yards or so around the hill when I came to a 3 way intersection. I knew the trail to the right was not the correct way. Straight ahead looked correct, but there were no pink streamers. The trail to the left had pink streamers so I went that way. I thought all along it didn’t look right, but I was following pink streamers. I came to a 1 mile sign and then shortly I popped out on a road. Now I knew that I had made a HUGH MISTAKE. I must have taken the route for the 5 mile race course.
I stood there a few minutes trying to figure out what to do. I thought about quitting. Then I said “NO I AM NOT GOING TO QUIT”, so I turned and headed back the way that I had come. I made it back to the intersection where I had gone wrong and without hesitation started the hike up the mountain. Now I knew this was going to be tough, it was the hottest part of the day and I knew that it was about 7 miles till the next aid station that had water and I would definitely run out of water. So I started rationing it. Over the next 13 miles I experienced the worst cramps that I have ever had while running. The up hills produced cramps in my right hamstring and glute. I finally made it to the top of the mountain. I came upon a young fellow named Jon. He was having a severe cramp. I stopped to see if he needed anything and talked to him for a minute while he stretched. He said he was better, so we started down the hill. I was happy to be going down until I realized that the down hills caused cramps in my left arch (yep the arch, crazy huh) and the left hip flexor. So the up hills and down hills hurt about equally. GREAT. Jon and I ran together for the next few miles. I enjoyed the company, but when we got to more level ground, Jon took off.
I finished the loop without any more drama for a total time of 6:34. I was not happy with the time, but I was really proud of finishing. I had a lot of firsts in the race. 1st time I had done a multiple loop race. 1st time I have had to crap during a race. Absolutely the worst cramps and the most lost I have ever been.
Mark and I were not in a hurry to get back, so we sat around enjoying the really good food and fellowship. We met Mike and Mike, the 2 guys that caught up to me on the first loop while I was taking care of business and several other people.
We finally did leave, but hadn’t gone far when I suggested that we stop for ice cream. It was really good too.
My wife had picked up the part for her car, so after I got home and ate supper, I still had to work on her car. I finally finished it up at 11:00. That made for a long day.
The plan was, I would take my wife's car to Alta and meet Mark on race morning, then I would ride with Mark to the race. Well that plan fell apart rather quickly, because Friday evening before the race, my wife said her car was making a "new" funny noise. I checked it out and found that the left front wheel bearing had gone bad. I had to order the part that evening and the parts store said it would be in Sat. morning.
I got up at 5:00 Sat. morning and have to drive my service truck to Alta to meet Mark. We had agreed to meet at 6:30. I got there at 6:40 and we continue our journey. We had figured it would take us an hour to get there from Alta, well it took a little longer, so by the time we got there and checked in there was just enough time to make final preperations before the race.
There were 4 different races that day. The 40 mile, 26 mile and 13 mile all used the same 13 mile loop around the park. The 5 mile used the begining and end of the same loop. We were told to follow pink ribbons.
Mark started near the front and I started where I always start. In the back. What Mark didn't know was, that I really figured on catching him later. He tends to slow down in the later stages of a long race. I am just slow from the start and stay that way. Most of the 1st 3 miles is uphill. In places it is pretty steep. I picked off several people going up that 1st hill. One of them was a girl that was hurling beside the trail 1.5 miles from the start. I had never seen anybody hurl that soon in a race before. She said she was ok, so I continued. There were some really awesome views going up the mountain. There was a check point at the top at an overlook. The view was breath taking that morning. The next 3-4 miles is down the other side of the mountain. It was all very runable. I was making good time going off there, but I was feeling like I needed to make a deposit ( if you know what I mean ). I really wanted to wait till I got to the start-finish line where there were porta-potties, but no. I had to pull over and take care of business. No body passed me while I was there, but a couple of guys did catch up to me. I tried to stay ahead of them, but they passed me just before the start-finish.
I finished that loop in 2:36. I refilled my camel-bak and away I went. I had gone 500 yards or so around the hill when I came to a 3 way intersection. I knew the trail to the right was not the correct way. Straight ahead looked correct, but there were no pink streamers. The trail to the left had pink streamers so I went that way. I thought all along it didn’t look right, but I was following pink streamers. I came to a 1 mile sign and then shortly I popped out on a road. Now I knew that I had made a HUGH MISTAKE. I must have taken the route for the 5 mile race course.
I stood there a few minutes trying to figure out what to do. I thought about quitting. Then I said “NO I AM NOT GOING TO QUIT”, so I turned and headed back the way that I had come. I made it back to the intersection where I had gone wrong and without hesitation started the hike up the mountain. Now I knew this was going to be tough, it was the hottest part of the day and I knew that it was about 7 miles till the next aid station that had water and I would definitely run out of water. So I started rationing it. Over the next 13 miles I experienced the worst cramps that I have ever had while running. The up hills produced cramps in my right hamstring and glute. I finally made it to the top of the mountain. I came upon a young fellow named Jon. He was having a severe cramp. I stopped to see if he needed anything and talked to him for a minute while he stretched. He said he was better, so we started down the hill. I was happy to be going down until I realized that the down hills caused cramps in my left arch (yep the arch, crazy huh) and the left hip flexor. So the up hills and down hills hurt about equally. GREAT. Jon and I ran together for the next few miles. I enjoyed the company, but when we got to more level ground, Jon took off.
I finished the loop without any more drama for a total time of 6:34. I was not happy with the time, but I was really proud of finishing. I had a lot of firsts in the race. 1st time I had done a multiple loop race. 1st time I have had to crap during a race. Absolutely the worst cramps and the most lost I have ever been.
Mark and I were not in a hurry to get back, so we sat around enjoying the really good food and fellowship. We met Mike and Mike, the 2 guys that caught up to me on the first loop while I was taking care of business and several other people.
We finally did leave, but hadn’t gone far when I suggested that we stop for ice cream. It was really good too.
My wife had picked up the part for her car, so after I got home and ate supper, I still had to work on her car. I finally finished it up at 11:00. That made for a long day.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Nearing The End Of Summer
Next week is the last week of Summer. It will start cooling off now, soon the leaves will start changing colors and then you know what follows.
Spring and Fall are my favorite times of the year. The changes are so drastic. So beautiful.
Tomorrow night, Mark and I are going to Narrows, VA to do a night run on the AT. We will start about midnight, run about 3 hours, then turn around and come back. It should be daylight by the time we get back to our cars.
Spring and Fall are my favorite times of the year. The changes are so drastic. So beautiful.
Tomorrow night, Mark and I are going to Narrows, VA to do a night run on the AT. We will start about midnight, run about 3 hours, then turn around and come back. It should be daylight by the time we get back to our cars.
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Man Have I Been Busy
It has been longer since I last posted than I would like, but I have been VERY busy. It has been hard to get my runs in. I had a couple of good days this weekend. 8 on the road on Saturday and 16 on Glade Creek Trails on Sunday. I was hurting pretty bad after yesterday (I am having some problems with my left foot and ankle now), but I wanted to get 16 and I did. It wasn't pretty and it wasn't fast, but I had a good time.
The old swimming hole looks completely different since the spring flood.
The National Parks idea of trail maintenance.
More maintenance.
When I got near the end of the trail, I was wondering why the parking lot was empty?
I am sure the person that lost this thought they were having a bad day, but it could have been MUCH worse.
In stead of just a small piece of his Jeep landing here, it could have been the whole Jeep with people included. I 64 bridge over Glade Creek.
This is a test. What kind of track is this?
The old swimming hole looks completely different since the spring flood.
The National Parks idea of trail maintenance.
More maintenance.
When I got near the end of the trail, I was wondering why the parking lot was empty?
I am sure the person that lost this thought they were having a bad day, but it could have been MUCH worse.
In stead of just a small piece of his Jeep landing here, it could have been the whole Jeep with people included. I 64 bridge over Glade Creek.
This is a test. What kind of track is this?
If you said bear. You win a prise....now for the bonus...how big is the bear?
Monday, July 5, 2010
4th of July Weekend
I had a great weekend. I raced, ran, rode and went to 2 picnics.
Friday evening was the 1st picnic of the weekend. We went to a birthday party for a kid from church. We had a great time. We ate hot dogs with all the trimmings, played volleyball, ate cake and then had a small food fight, nothing too crazy.
Saturday morning I went and ran a small trail race in Fayetteville,WV. It was only 4.5 miles, but a lot of fun. I elected to wear shoes for this one, (not Vibrams) because I really wanted run this short race pretty fast. Also I knew there would be a small field of runners and I didn't want to finish last again. There were about 30-35 runners. Mostly people I normally see at local road races. I guess that is why there were only a couple of us wearing trail shoes. I have gotten used to not wearing shoes when I run, so by the time I put on socks, shoes and gaitors, it felt like I had a cinder block tied to each foot, but I figured it would be ok. I went to the trail to warm up and I hadn't gone 30 yards when I hit the dirt. I did what everybody does. I jumped up, dusted myself off and then looked to make sure nobody saw me fall. ha ha....
The race started and I settled in about 2/3 back in the pack. I was running with a couple of women in front of me and a couple more behind. We passed a few people. Things were going pretty well. I was talking to the woman in front of me and BOOM !!! she hits the dirt hard. I pick up her hand held bottle while she picks herself up. She says she is ok, so I go ahead and she follows. I catch back up to the women in front of me and we run along for a while, we are talking and having a good time and BOOM !!!! this other women in front of me falls. She jumps up real quick and says she is ok too. I am thinking it is NOT a good day to be around me. It is like gravity is stronger in my vicinity, or something. We are past half way so I decide to pick up the pace a little. I am moving pretty well, especially down hill. Anybody that runs with me knows I don't like downhills, but today I am just hammering these little short technical downs. It feels GOOD TOO. I finish in 48:21, which on trails is good for me.
After the race I had to go to work for a couple of hours (oh the joys of being self employed). Then I went to my 2nd picnic. I really ate too much at this one, so I came home and jumped on my road bike and got 26 miles in before dark.
Beckley now has a Developmental Base Ball team (college kids). Churches and other groups volunteer to help out during ball games and pick up trash afterwards and our church was doing this at the game Saturday evening and then again Sunday afternoon, so the wife and I decided to go to the ball game to help and then we could watch the fireworks afterwards. We got there during the 6th inning and the score was 0-0. The Beckley Miners ended up winning 9-7, so it was a good game. They really had a good fireworks display after the game, then we helped picked up trash and got home after midnight.
Since we were going to be at the ball park all afternoon on Sunday, I got up at 6:00 am and got a 15 mile run in before church. That might have been a mistake. I really had a hard time getting thru the last half of that run. I was a lot more tired than I thought. Then we sat at the ball park in the hot sun all afternoon. Man I ain't gettin no younger, this stuff is getting hard on me.
I was going to ride today, but decided not to.
Friday evening was the 1st picnic of the weekend. We went to a birthday party for a kid from church. We had a great time. We ate hot dogs with all the trimmings, played volleyball, ate cake and then had a small food fight, nothing too crazy.
Saturday morning I went and ran a small trail race in Fayetteville,WV. It was only 4.5 miles, but a lot of fun. I elected to wear shoes for this one, (not Vibrams) because I really wanted run this short race pretty fast. Also I knew there would be a small field of runners and I didn't want to finish last again. There were about 30-35 runners. Mostly people I normally see at local road races. I guess that is why there were only a couple of us wearing trail shoes. I have gotten used to not wearing shoes when I run, so by the time I put on socks, shoes and gaitors, it felt like I had a cinder block tied to each foot, but I figured it would be ok. I went to the trail to warm up and I hadn't gone 30 yards when I hit the dirt. I did what everybody does. I jumped up, dusted myself off and then looked to make sure nobody saw me fall. ha ha....
The race started and I settled in about 2/3 back in the pack. I was running with a couple of women in front of me and a couple more behind. We passed a few people. Things were going pretty well. I was talking to the woman in front of me and BOOM !!! she hits the dirt hard. I pick up her hand held bottle while she picks herself up. She says she is ok, so I go ahead and she follows. I catch back up to the women in front of me and we run along for a while, we are talking and having a good time and BOOM !!!! this other women in front of me falls. She jumps up real quick and says she is ok too. I am thinking it is NOT a good day to be around me. It is like gravity is stronger in my vicinity, or something. We are past half way so I decide to pick up the pace a little. I am moving pretty well, especially down hill. Anybody that runs with me knows I don't like downhills, but today I am just hammering these little short technical downs. It feels GOOD TOO. I finish in 48:21, which on trails is good for me.
After the race I had to go to work for a couple of hours (oh the joys of being self employed). Then I went to my 2nd picnic. I really ate too much at this one, so I came home and jumped on my road bike and got 26 miles in before dark.
Beckley now has a Developmental Base Ball team (college kids). Churches and other groups volunteer to help out during ball games and pick up trash afterwards and our church was doing this at the game Saturday evening and then again Sunday afternoon, so the wife and I decided to go to the ball game to help and then we could watch the fireworks afterwards. We got there during the 6th inning and the score was 0-0. The Beckley Miners ended up winning 9-7, so it was a good game. They really had a good fireworks display after the game, then we helped picked up trash and got home after midnight.
Since we were going to be at the ball park all afternoon on Sunday, I got up at 6:00 am and got a 15 mile run in before church. That might have been a mistake. I really had a hard time getting thru the last half of that run. I was a lot more tired than I thought. Then we sat at the ball park in the hot sun all afternoon. Man I ain't gettin no younger, this stuff is getting hard on me.
I was going to ride today, but decided not to.
Monday, June 21, 2010
Weight Goal
Over 7 years ago I started losing weight. When I weighted in Friday morning, I weighted 174. YEA !!!!!! I finally reached my goal. It has been a long tough road, but well worth it. I wish that I had before and after pics, but I really don't have any good before pics.
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Hatfield And McCoy Marathon And Half Marathon
Here is a pic of the whole gang. Hatfield, Tom, Michelle,Me,Manon,Laura,Darren and McCoy.
Here is a pic of Michelle snacking on some ribs. They look really good, don't they. (she is sooo going to kill me) Be sure to click on the pic.
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