EnduraZone

WESTERN STATES 100 - LOTTERY RESULTS

2009-12-07T13:14:00.001-08:00

This past weekend the lottery for the 2010 Western States 100 mile endurance run was held....and for the first time in 4 years, my name was pulled! This race means a lot to me - it is the reason I got into ultrarunning. Growing up in Northern California, it always had a special allure. Now, I have to decide whether or not to attempt the Grand Slam (WS100, Vermont 100, Leadville 100 and Wasatch 100 within a 3 month period). I think I will give it a go, but need to look at dates, other races and costs.

THE QUAD DIPSEA....NEXT TIME I'M BRINGING A COMPASS

2007-11-26T23:03:00.000-08:00

Back in the mid-1980's when I did my first couple of Escape From Alcatraz triathlons, the run was the Double Dipsea. This the 7.1 mile run from Mill Valley, over Mt. Tamalpias down to Stinson Beach...and back. Each direction has about 2200 feet of vertical climbing plus it starts and ends with about 600+ stairs.
In the Quad Dipsea, as the name implies, it is an out and back and out and back course.
Here is a link to a Google Earth fly-over of the course: Course

I got to the race start. I had heard this was an informal event, but it was both larger and more organized than I expected. It isn't so much informal, as low-key and down-to-earth. Everyone was so friendly and helpful. In fact, it was very well organized. At the start I saw a few faces I recognized including Eric Clifton and Mark Tanaka. In the following race starting line shot, you will see Eric Clifton in his trademark loud tights standing next to eventual winner Erik Skaggs of Oregon (who was only the second person ever to run the Quad in sub-4 hours).

The weather was cold, clear and calm. It was perfect. Then the starting gun went off and we took off. Skaggs was flying up the hill with Clifton right behind him. We reached the stairs. These are quad crunching never-ending stairs.

Once we crested the stairs, it was a short run through a cul de sac and then down some stairs to a road. We were told to go about a quarter mile and then re-enter the trail by some mailboxes. Once we re-entered the Dipsea Trail, it was steps leading down towards Muir Woods. We crossed a parking lot and came to a small foot bridge crossing a stream. Here is the video from this race of the lead runners crosisng that bridge (I am at 57 seconds into the video): Bridge Video

The woods were beautiful. By now I had moved up and was somewhere into the top 10 or so runners. I was feeling great. The sun was peaking through the Redwood trees in Muir Woods.

Then it was a climb out of the woods up Cardiac Hill.

The trail got steep, but I plodded on. Every now and then I'd pass some one, but I was also passed every now and then. At one point I was behind a runner from Texas and he missed the trail fork. So I shouted to him and he came back and we ran up the trail together. We reached the first aid station on top of Cardiac hill (about 4.4 miles into the race). The views were stunning (all photos on my blog can be enlarged for better detail by simply clicking them):

The trail started to drop back down now. It started with a mild decline, then quickly became steep switch-backs and finally series of stairs that were almost completely vertical at points. I finally reached the bottom. By me was the second place female runner - I found out her name was Jamie (because everyone was saying "Hi Jamie" when they passed her). Then we started up a short incline which Jamie informed me was called Little Insult. After cresting that, we had a full view of the Pacific Ocean and Stinson Beach.

About this point, the lead runners began approaching. Way out front with Erik Skaggs - he was flying and making it look easy. Soon, Eric Clifton came running towards me: I shouted hello and he did the same.

Jamie and I continued on. we were in the top 20, probably somewhere around 18th. Then we dropped down to the second aid station at Stinson Beach. We were 1 hour 8 minutes into the race. Working this aid station (among others) was ultra-legend Ann Trason. I was very pleased with my pace and how I was feeling and turned around to head back onto the trail.

As the trail started back up towards Cardiac, Jamie started to pull about a minute ahead of me. The third place woman came up from behind me. Her name was Kate and we chatted a bit as we ran. Finally, the trail leveled off and I started off to the Cardiac Hill aid station. Again, the views were amazing as the morning fog had burned away:

After the aid station, it was a downhill run. I started flying and was soon picking off runners here and there. Soon I passed Jamie. I kept going and passed another few runners. As I was really tearing down the mountain, I had to keep watching the trail for roots, rocks, holes and uneven ground. At one point I knew that I must be getting close to Muir Woods. The trail kept going down and I kept running. I hadn't seen a runner for a bit. Soon I crossed a road and continued on a trail. After about 1/4 mile I came to a planked foot bridge. I immediately realized that I had not seen that before - I had gotten lost. So, I turned around and headed back. After 1/4 mile I saw a sign that said Dipsea Trail 0.5 Mile. #$%&*!! That meant I had added nearly 2 miles to my Quad. I knew my race was over at that point. I headed up the trail cursing at myself. I must have missed the fork in the trail while watching my footing.

As I continued up, I looked around. Despite being lost, the scenery was very pretty. One benefit of being so far from the 100's of other runners, the local wildlife was not scared away (look carefully and you'll see a mother doe and a fawn):

Soon I came back to the trail and followed it down to Muir Woods. I cursed myself all the way back to Old Mill Park at the start. I saw Eric, Mark, Jamie, Kate and other runners pass me in ther direction already on their 3rd lap. When I got to the park, I guess my mood was evident as one of the volunteers looked at me and said "Welcome to Old Mill Park Mr. Cheerful".

I didn't know wheter to even continue the race. This was my 3rd marathon or longer race in 5 weeks. I really didn't have to prove that I could finish the distance. I didn't know why I would bother bashing my legs now that I was out of "race mode". But I had never DNF'ed a race, so I decided to move forward. As I headed back up the stairs, a runner passed me and said "Hi there doctor." I look at him and it was Mario - one of the two runners who had run the last 20 miles of Quicksilver 50 with me. He was fighting cramps, but was still running. I chatted with him for a bit. Soon, we got separated, but I would see him again later as we crossed paths near the top of Little Insult: Mario Sans Shirt means Business!

As I exited Muir Woods and began the climb up towards Cardiac, I passed the point of my wrong turn. I took the Road Less Traveled to the right...others took the Road Nore Traveled to the Left (they did slightly better than I):

Once I got to the Cardiac Aid Station, I decided to stop and sit down. I took that opportunity to snap a few photos:

I stood back up and started running again. It was the downhill section towards Stinson Beach (with the exception of Little Insult) so I was feeling pretty good. Soon the race leaders came towards me. The first woman was Beth Vitalis - the same woman with whom I ran a lot of the Stevens Creek 50km. I saw Mark Tanaka looking strong also. Then I saw Eric Clifton approaching. I stopped and got a good position to snap his photo. He shouted: "You don't appear to be in a hurry" as he passed. Behind Eric was Krissy Moehl, one of the best female ultra runners in the country.

I reached the turn-around and headed back. By the time I got to Muir Woods (yes, I made the correct turn this time) my legs were feeling a bit tired from the pounding. But I started jogging and went up the last flight of stairs up towards the cul de sac:

I then got to the finishing line after flying down those 600+ steps. Final time: 6 hours 15 minutes 40 seconds. Getting lost sure added time to my run....but it sure allowed me to enjoy the scenery more and take a few extra (and less blurry) photos. Hopefully it also added to my base and speed for the Sunmart 50 miler in 2 weeks.

SCENES FROM TRAINING RUNS ON SAN BRUNO MOUNTAIN

2009-11-09T12:39:00.001-08:00

These are various photos I snapped during my last 3 or 4 runs on San Bruno Mountain. This run in my backyard is one of my favorites. The trails aren't super tough, but I can combine a few to make a great run. Plus there are spots that have a view of the bay, of downtown San Francisco, of Mt. Tam and of Mt. Diablo. Yet, a few minutes later I am on a trail that is isolated from everything.

RUNNING IN A FORST IN ZURICH, SWITZERLAND

2009-11-09T10:38:00.000-08:00

This was part of my run back to my hotel.....the run up the hill was a bit harder:

The leaves were an explosion of colors, the weather a bit rainy and cold....what you see in some photos is not fog or smoke, it is my breath.

PACIFIC COAST HIKE

2009-09-07T21:15:00.000-07:00

Cori, her brother Derrick and I decided to spend a few hours doing about a 10 mile hike from Grey Whale cove to the North Peak. There was some nice climbs and great views.

Near of the end of the hike, beautiful views of the Pacific Ocean welcomed us back.

FORT FUNSTON RUN

2009-08-29T19:40:00.000-07:00

Today's training run was under blue skies at Fort Funston. This Pacific Ocean beach is right on the southern San Francisco border.

California Redwoods

2009-08-29T12:10:00.000-07:00

Cori and I took the boys camping in the redwoods of the Northern California coast. The trails were amazing. There were banana slugs and raccoons to keep us all company too. Here are a few images:

A raccoon (one of two that visited us in the evenings):

Where are the smores?

Slugfest!

MORNING RUN IN WASHINGTON DC

2009-08-29T11:55:00.001-07:00

I was in DC on business and Bob Ernest, a co-worker training for his first marathon, and I did a couple runs through the city. Here are images from day #2.

Bob taking a break:

Bob and I slowed to a walk through this memorial:

Then we continued on.

BLOG TAG

2009-07-31T14:39:00.000-07:00

It has been awhile since us Ultraholics and friends have played that old game called Blog Tag. Here is how it works (or should work in theory). I pose a few questions, answer them and then tag three other blog owners to answer the same questions, and so on and so on (they also have to tag the person who tags them). So, here it goes:

1. Do you have a favorite race you ran this year - if yes, which one and why.

For me it had to be The Barkley. Although it was my second DNF, it was an unbelievable experience. The people who participate in this insane event are a wonderful group. The course is beyond hard but beautiful. I loved it.

2. Have you selected any race goals for 2010?

Yes, I want to do the "fun run" at Barkley. This is 3 of the 5 loops (I don't dare dream of being able to do all 5 loops.....692 out of 700 people have failed at the full 5).

3. Did you discover any new (non-race) trails this year?

I stayed mostly on my San Bruno Mountain trails, but did find a neat trail system in Central Park, Rome, Italy.

4. Why do you run?

I hate to swim. Seriously, I love being in the outdoors, seeing nature, burning off all my stress....it makes me feel alive.

5. There are extreme ultramarathons - Spartathlon, Run Across America, Badwater, etc. are you planning any?

I would really like to try Vol State one year....and Christian is planning a Run Across Georgia that sounds cool.

6. Favorite food during ultras and favorite post-race food?

I found that plain tuna fish is a great race fuel. I love hot cheese pizza after a race (although at Keys 100 MUST have conch fritters).

7. Are ultrarunners part of your life outside of races?

I consider some ultrarunners my best friends. People like Rajeev Patel, Chihping Fu, Bob Becker, Mandy Miller, and others are people that I am proud to call my friends. We talk of ultras, but we also share life experiences such as birthdays, weddings, new (and terminated) jobs, etc. The best part of ultrarunning are the people. Plus, of course, my wife Cori will be doing her first ultra - so, that would be a YES!

8. What do you consider the most beautiful ultra course you have run?

That is tough. Mont Blanc is beautiful - with its high snow covered peaks, European valleys and stream. Leadville is very similar. Barkley was beautiful also - loved the deep forests and the stream. I still think Badwater has some of the most unique and beautiful scenery.

9. Favorite race director?

Ouch - that is a tough one. Bob Becker and Rajeev Patel tie for first, Laz for second, and so many others coming in third.

10. What is your longest streak at running the same race?

I have done Ruth Anderson 50k two years in a row and I have done Keys 100 two years in a row. Only being in this sport for 3 years kind of limits my streaks.

I will tag Rajeev Patel, Chihping Fu, and Christian Griffith.

MY BIRTHDAY HIKE

2009-07-19T07:44:00.000-07:00

On my birthday a few days ago, Cori's mom, Cori and our 4 boys joined me on a short hike on San Bruno Mountain. It was a great way to spend part of my birthday.

We hiked the Guadeloupe and Bog Trails

The blackberries were just beginning to ripen.

It was a great birthday hike.

TRAINING RUN ALONG THE SF ONE DAY COURSE

2009-07-04T17:14:00.000-07:00

Today Cori and I went on a training run on what will be her first ultramarathon....the SF One Day.

PLEASE DON'T PICK THE FLOWERS

2009-07-03T16:20:00.000-07:00

The scenery on San Bruno Mountain is a rainbow of flowers - makes the run that much better.

SAN BRUNO MOUNTAIN TRAINING RUN VIDEO

2009-07-03T16:07:00.000-07:00

Short clip of today's run on the trails on San Bruno Mountain (you can stop it after 30 seconds....kind of stays the same).

HIKING MILLS CANYON PARK

2009-07-03T11:50:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, Cori and I decided to take my 3 boys on a short hike through Mills Canyon Park in Burlingame. This is a small regional park located in right outside downtown Burlingame. One almost needs to know it exists or one would drive right by it.

The park has the Ed Taylor Trail...a short loop trail that goes along Mills Creek and around the Mills Canyon Nature Perserve.

My son Brandon was breaking in a new pair of hiking boots for an upcoming camping trip and also getting used to his new CamelBak backpack. The trails winds through some very pretty areas.

Along the route, we saw much poison oak

a lizard

and many wildflowers.

This is a pretty short and mostly easy hike for young kids. It would also work well for a good loop course for trail running (actually saw one trail runner out there yesterday). After finishing this one, my kids now want me to take them on a hike to the top of San Bruno mountain where they are hoping to see some snakes :)

HIKING IN ITALY

2009-07-03T11:03:00.000-07:00

While we were on our honeymoon in Italy, Cori and I decided to do a nice hike in the mountains of Cinque Terre. Our hike started in Monterosso, a beautiful village on the Italian Liguruia coast.

We started "hiking" on a wide paved path that led up the first climb, past a statue of St. Francis

and to a small chapel and cemetary on the mountain top overlooking vineyards.

From Monterosso we climbed a trail that led up the mountain, sometimes steep and narrow, other times wider and more gentle. It was actually the hottest day of our entire trip to Italy. The closer we got to the first large climb (ending at a monestary) the more narrow the trails got and the hotter it became.
We were running low on water and then came across a small water fountain set up for hikers.

Nearing the monestary, the views were absolutely beautiful and the trails more single track and steeper.

Once we left the monestary, we continued on a paved road for maybe half a mile and then picked up the trailhead dropping down to Varnazza.

The views of the mountainside and ocean were beautiful...

We constantly saw large locust flying around.

We descended some very steep sections and finally came around a corner and the village of Vernazza came into view.

We descended down the trails past vineyards and olive tree orchards.

Then we entered Vernazza, a beautiful town on the Liguria shore.

ITALY RUNNING (PART 4)

2009-07-01T01:10:00.003-07:00

Our final leg was the big city of Rome...and Cori and I find a trail! We were right at Rome's Central Park district. All photos were actually taken with my blackberry thus the blurry quality......or was it the grappa the night before?

I do not recall seeing the cat in this photo during the run.

The trail dropped down some nice hillsides and streams.

That is St. Peters on the skyline.

It was a great run....but now we had to finish and head back for more vino.

RUNNING IN ITALY (PART 3)

2009-07-01T00:55:00.001-07:00

OK, time to travel south. We went down to Positano on the Amalfi coast. It was a bit of rain while Cori and I ran.....we did NOT want to leave.

Time for a breather:

RUNNING IN ITALY (PART 2)

2009-07-01T00:35:00.000-07:00

From Ligure we moved onto Tuscany. We stayed in the hometown of my grandmother's family Lucca. Lucca is an unbelievable town - walled and retaining its mid-evil heritage coupled with modern beauty. I went out running loops around the city on top of the Lucca wall.

It was difficult to keep a steady pace as the scenery, sculptures and history was so wonderful

All photos were taken during my run be me....this was the actual "loop" I ran in the mornings. Wow!

I have no idea how my ancestors could have left such a beautiful place.

RUNNING IN ITALY (PART 1)

2009-07-01T00:21:00.000-07:00

OK, I know it has been a couple of months, but I finally got around to posting photos I took while running on my honeymoon in Italy. We will start in Part I with the Ligure section including Santa Margherita and Cinque Terra.

Santa Margherita is beautiful. It sits along the coast and has wonderful views. The architecture is amazing....as is the food (thus the need for all the running):

Cori and I ran the shoreline in the mornings....I hung back a bit to enjoy "the view" :)

The weather this day was perfect and the Italian shoreline beautiful. We ran to the outskirts of Portofino.

BREAST CANCER RUN

2009-05-22T10:07:00.000-07:00

A few years ago I lost my mother to breast cancer. It is a horrible disease that affects millions of women and their families. Right now my wonderful sister-in-law is battling the disease.

Recently I learned that a wife of a good friend is also fighting breast cancer. Jim has decided to run a race to help race funds for the research, treatment and cure for breast cancer. I am asking all to please sponsor Jim in his run - the amount is not important as every penny will count and might just be that little bit that means the difference in a person becoming a survivor. Click here to read more and to donate: RACE

DEATH VALLEY TRAINING RUN

2009-05-19T14:55:00.000-07:00

I decided to go down to Death Valley and run between Furnace Creek and StovePipe Wells as a training run. My buddy Daryl was joining me again as my "crew". The plan was to start at about 8:00 am as that was the time slot I expected to get for my start (and I learned that day after my run that I was correct). Instead, I started a little after 11:00 due to traffic, etc.

First we stopped at Badwater itself for a bit. It was already quite hot. Then we drove to Furnace Creek and I quickly donned my OR hat, Moebens, watch with thermometer and filled my water bottles. Then I was off.

I found the first few miles pretty tough. It was a bit hard to get my breathing relaxed. But after a while it eased up and I got in a groove.

The scenery was beautiful.

I would stop every couple miles to refill the bottles, repack the ice in my bandanna and soak my hat in water.

As I ran closer towards what would be the 50k point, the temps were still rising.

As the day wore on I needed to stop at the car more often. The temps were approaching 110 and I needed to refill the ice more often. But I found that I was peeing quite often so my hydration (drinking water, Clip2 and S!Caps) was working.

The day passed as I continued my run in the sun.

Soon, I was running the downhill towards the Devil's Cornfield - an open area filled with interesting plants.

Finally I ran past the sand dunes on my way to StovePipe Wells. I ended the day short of a marathon, but still a solid 20+ mile run in the heat. I rewarded myself with an ice cream from the general store.

IF YOU CAN'T STAND THE HEAT....DON'T RUN THE KEYS 100

2009-05-20T07:42:00.001-07:00

This past weekend I ran the Keys 100 Ultramarathon. To date, it is the only 100 miler I have run twice. But race director Bob Becker, co-race director Jared Knapp, and all their volunteers put on such a high quality and unique event it is impossible not to come back.

That said, for a while I believed I was to do the 50 mile option instead. My crew volunteers (having lives of their own) slowly decreased until I decided the 50 miler was my only option. So the final training and tune-up was geared toward a 50 mile race. I even went down to Death Valley the week before to run a training run of 20+ miles believing that would be a good combo with the 50 miler. Then Friday morning before the race, Bob Becker writes to tell me that he found 3 brave souls willing to crew me. So I was in the 100 miler.

I got down to Key Largo and attended the pre-race meeting. The check-in, number distribution, everything went very smoothly. I was able to finally meet people face-to-face. I had exchanged many e-mails and blog/facebook posts from other runners who I had not met in person. I got to meet Christian, Lane, Bob, Chris, Joe, Jen, and others.

Then Bob gave his informative pre-race speech and a runner, Sister Mary Elizabeth Lloyd who was planning on running the full 100 miles of the tropical heat in her habit, gave a presentation of orphan children due to losing their parents to AIDS. With her was Lisa Smith-Batchen who was helping her and 4 first timers attempt a 100 mile race. Her cause is very worthy and the statistics very grim. I was moved and pledged to help - please do the same by clicking here to read about the cause, the statistics and to help out the children: Donate.

Then it was off to final pre-race prep (buying some supplies, packing bags, etc.) I got to meet two of my crew members then. William (Will) Reynolds was a serviceman in the Navy based in Key West. This was his first introduction to the world of ultramarathons. The other was Bob Gentile, an experienced ultramarathoner. Bob was to crew me the first 50 along with Will. Then my third crewmember, Floridian Karen Maas, an experienced marathoner, was to relieve Bob and crew me the second half.

I was pretty nervous and not too confident about my conditioning. I predicted coming through 50 miles between 10:30 and 11:00 hours and hoped to hit my 100 mile average time of between 27 and 28 hours (well slower than my last year 25 hours and some change at Keys).

Then it was off to sleep before the alarm clock went off. In the morning we all packed the van and headed to the start line. The start was staged in the parking lot of the local Publix supermarket. Then we walked about a quarter mile to the actual starting line at mile marker 101 (the keys have mile markers counting down to mile 0 in Key West).

Bob gave a brief talk, I gave a brief prayer, then we were off. I started running a relative easy pace - somewhere around 9 minute miles I believed. Soon the sun rose and lit up the Florida sky. Despite thunder storms the previous day, the skies were quite clear and it was already in the 80's and humid. As I ran, I saw some faces I knew such as last year's winner Alyssa Spellmen who was ahead of me (I knew this year I was no threat to her and soon she disappeared ahead of me). I also saw Brian Krogmann, a former SF Bay area resident (a fellow USF alum too) who had blazing speed.

Around mile 5 I noted that my legs were feeling very tired and actually sore. But I was still running the same pace (probably not smart). Next to me was Chris Roman a sub-24 hour 100miler and Joe Lasky, another fast runner. We chatted for a bit and soon Chris headed off into the sunset. Joe and I leapfrogged each other a bit and I met his wife and two young children (his crew). But after awhile he too went ahead.

Bob and Will drove along side me in the crew vehicle with #30 all on it (my race number) - Will's pick-up truck. By mile 18 my legs were so sore and tired I actually slowed and walked. I was getting very frustrated and worried about the race. By the time I got to Will at Mile 20, I threw my water bottles in the back of the truck and started swearing. I crawled into the cab and just sat there. Soon, I realized that although I was drinking water, taking my S!Caps, and drinking my Clip2 - I had ate almost nothing for 20 miles (2 Gu packs).

So, I got out and told Will that my plan was to reel it in a bit, re-group, re-fuel, forget time, and try to salvage the race. I ate some tuna fish (my race fuel), another gel, and some coconut water. Then I started off again. After awhile my legs were feeling better, they were still sore but I was able to run.

Pretty soon I reached check-point #1 at the marathon point in just under 5 hours. After checking in, I grabbed some more fuel and headed off again. As the run progressed I started to crossing more bridges. This was my favorite part of this race. I was able to look over the gulf and ocean. The water was so blue and beautiful. Last year I had seen porpoise, turtles and other wildlife. By this point I had not seen any but the view was still beautiful.

My feet started to hurt and I felt as if I was getting blisters. So I added more lube and went on.

Soon Bob slapped on his shoes and joined me in my run. He was great - always cracking a joke and helping me get my mind off the run. We talked about various races we had run, mutual friends and other topics. I mentioned to him that I was disappointed that we had not seen any sea life yet and right as I said those words, a huge sea turtle floated right underneath us. Bob took a video of it (I will post it soon). We continued running past people fishing along the bridges. At one point a boy about 6 or 7 ran alongside us and tried to outrun us. He stayed ahead abit then stopped and smiled as we passed him. I joked with Bob that if he had kept outpacing us we'd have to toss him off the bridge and see how fast he swims :)

My slower pace, refueling and constant use of my ice filled bandanna was working. I was feeling better. Not great, but better.

Bob was getting hungry and mentioned that he would probably take a break and grab a bite to eat and re-join me on the Marathon Key for a hard point of the race on a bike path. The bike path is down in a low point with little breeze and it bakes the runners. But Bob never left - he stayed with me and soon we approached the bike path at around Mile 40.

The bike path was long and hot, but not nearly as hot as last year. Bob and I would mostly powerwalk it with some running. We came to Will at a couple of points and got more water and food and electrolytes.

Finally the bike path ended into the "downtown" section of Marathon. I will have to say that this is not the prettiest part of the race as we run past motels, dealerships and fast food joints. But after passing them we came to the Marathon Airport and the 50 mile check-in.

I got there at 10 hours 45 minutes - exactly half way between my predicted 10:30 and 11:00 hours. There I met Karen for the first time. I also took an opportunity to check my feet. I had developed some pretty good blisters and proceeded to clean these up. Some were "bubbles" that I drained and patched. Others though, on the sole of my left foot especially, hurt and was white but there was nothing to pop. Oh well, on I went.

Bob decided that he would go on and help Brian in his race as Brian's only crew up to that point was his mom. He received word that Brian was already at 70 miles!!!! Karen then jumped in the truck with Will and said that she would join me for the run across the 7 mile bridge.

So we kept going at a jog/walk until the 7 Mile Bridge. There at the base, I stocked up on my supplies as there would be no crew help for the full 7 miles. Karen grabbed a water bottle and joined me.

The bridge is wonderful. Some people think the traffic is bad, but the shoulders are very very wide and the view unmatched. We started the flat part walking but soon were jogging up the incline. Along the way we traded places with a few runners, passing a few and being passed. Karen and I also had great conversation as we went on. This conversation and the views really helped get my mind back into the race. I knew that when we reached the other side it would be 60 miles and for some reason that was a huge mental benefit - knowing I would have less than 40 miles to go after going past that point.

As we were approaching the end of the bridge I looked down and saw a few porpoise breaking through the water. Then, all the sudden, a beautiful huge spotted ray floated under us. We watched it as it glided under the bridge and beyond sight. It was sights like those in the crystal blue water that make this a truly unique race.

Finally, we reached the opposite anchor of the bridge and met Will. We refueled and moved along. It was just starting to get dark so after 2 miles more, we put on the reflective vest. After 2 more miles we grabbed flashlights. Karen was still with me. (SPOILER: I did make it to the finish line, details follow, but at this point I wanted to mention that Karen had done 2 marathons and those were her longest events. During this race she logged nearly 50 miles with me!!!)

As the night moved in, we lost the view of the sea. But it was still pretty. My legs were pretty thrashed - I just had not done enough training. But my worry was my feet. They were hurting more and more. The spots were now on the balls of both feet and the heals of both feet. I had tried everything from changing shoes and socks to various lubricants. But nothing helped.

So we kept moving forward and soon dropped down the bridge onto Big Pine Key. This was home of the Key Deer. Despite having crossed that key a few times I had never seen one. I flashed my light around and said to Karen "No deer." and then turned to our left to see one standing about 100 feet away. We watched it - it actually came closer to us - not really afraid.

Then we moved on. The night was still warm and muggy. When we hit the 70 mile point, I said that I would like to do 2 miles before stopping at the truck and then 3 so we could hurry and get to 75. Then I wanted to take a 15 minute nap as I was really having trouble keeping my eyes open and was staggering a bit. But then we realized the check-in was actually at mile 76, so I took my nap then.

After waking up, I felt much better. Feet still hurt like hell, but I was staying awake. Soon we crossed a bridge and headed to mile 76. This was a gas station and my point of total collapse last year. Although I was getting nauseous a bit and dry heaving, it was 10000000000 times better than last year. But my feet were killing me.

Karen and I checked in and I refueled - staying mostly with gu's, bars and electrolytes (S!Caps). It rained a tiny bit here and there, but barely even got us wet. Ryan soon passed me looking strong.

Karen and I passed through the remaining Keys all the time I was doing more walking than jogging. Soon, the sun started to rise as I entered the first part of Key West at Lower Sugarloaf near 85 miles into the race. It was around here that Bob rejoined us. He had helped bring Brian in for a 16 hour 31 minute finish!!!

So we kept going. Karen and pushed on until about mile 90 where she took a break. Bob joined me and we continued on. Bob tried to lift my spirits, but I was pretty low. I was moving but so slow and my feet hurt so f'n bad.

At one point we passed Lisa Smith-Batchen. Unfortunately Sister had to drop out around mile 40 (I still gave her $50 as I had pledged her $1 per mile for her cause....and after she dropped she came back and paced a runner for 10 miles). On we trudged slowly passing some runners....who then passed me back as I faded.

Finally, we entered the city and turned left to the seawall. 3 miles to go. I was going soo slow I was worried if I would make the cut-off (32 hours....and I had about 4 hours to make the 3 miles). I had never moved so slowly. I tried to draft off of a snail in front of me but it went to fast and I was left on my own yet again. A slug zoomed up from behind me and told me to get out of its way. Turtles laughed at me. A tree sloth mocked me. It wasn't pretty.

I came along side Ryan. He was limping too. He and I looked like victims as we barely moved down the sidewalk in our own private death march. I asked him if he wanted to limp across the finish line together and he agreed. I looked ahead and could not see the finish line. I was sure we had less than a mile to go. But when I asked, Ryan pointed off in the distance to two sailboats stating the finish line was there. I was floored - and all energy just left.

I couldn't keep up with Ryan's blistering limping and I sat on the seawall. Finally, I got up and Karen urged me to cover small areas "from here to that tree" "just to that parked car" "2 inches", etc.

Then, Bill Andrews came out to greet me and walk with me the last half mile. Jared also joined me as did Richard (one of the key supporters of the Keys race). I came down to the finish line and crossed with me crew following me. Finally time: 29:57:59. Ouch - that was slow and painful.

Bob Becker presented me my belt buckle. Mandy's husband Andy handed me a beer which was so cold I downed it....and immediately felt the need to sit down.

I asked if I had the DFL (Dead F'n Last) award...but was disappointed to learn that I did not.

After a shower and a nap, my crew joined Ryan, Brian and a few others for dinner. As is my tradition (well, 2 years in a row now) I celebrated the true Key West Ultra way....conch fritters and a Rum Runner (I think if the bartender knew of my performance he would have invented a Rum Walker drink instead).

Overall, Bob Becker put on yet another unbelievable race. If you have the chance - enter the Keys race (or one of his other ultras). I will....I will be back next year to keep my streak of finishing every single Keys 100 intact :)

AWESOME KEYS 100 VIDEO

2009-05-15T07:12:00.000-07:00

KEYS 100...OR 50...OR 100....

2009-05-15T06:39:00.000-07:00

I am entered in this weekend's Keys Ultras. I originally had signed up for the 100 again. However, it appeared that I would have no crew due to various reasons, so I opted for the 50 miler instead. I was to run it with Mandy, one of my crew from last year's Keys 100. But late last night I heard that I might have some last minute crew volunteers, so I might be back in the 100! Not sure how wise this is as my conditioning isn't so great and I did a hard 20+ mile training run in Death Valley last weekend. Oh well, we will see.

UPDATE: Thanks to ultra Keys race director and all around great guy Bob Becker, I have a crew! 100 miles here I come.....gulp.

THE BARKLEY 2009

2009-04-07T14:11:00.000-07:00

I decided to the Barkley 100 mile race this year. This race has more climbing (and descending) than any other 100 - nearly 55,000 feet. It is a 20 mile loop done 5 times. Since its start in the mid 1980's, only 7 runners out of 650 starters have finished it. I was not to be #8.

I flew out to Nashville on Thursday April 2. On the plane they showed an episode of The Office where there was a charity 5K run. The main character collapsed and just barely finished. I thought that was a good omen to have on my flight. Once at Nashville, I met fellow Barkley runner Robert and we drove to Frozen Head State Park - home of the Barkley. We didn't get there until after one in the morning so we slept in the car. The weather was a promising rainy night.

The next day we met with fellow runner Abi from Texas and helped set up some of the camp.

Then it was off to meet race director Gary "Lazarus Lake" Cantrell. Laz was a great guy - absolutely triggering a smile or laugh with every word (or sometimes a shudder of fear when discussing the course).

Around his site were the "prayer flags" banners made up of the license plate each first time runner (virgin) had to submit with their entry fee. He handed out numbers (I got #24) and race instructions.

As someone had asked if he was to give instructions for the reverse loop (after loops 1 and 2, runners must then switch directions and run the loops in counter-clockwise) Laz graciously complied and handed every runner a set of directions that would only make sense if held to a mirror (that is right - word for word of the clock-wise directions printed backwards).

We all carefully copied the route from the one single master map onto our own maps. There were 11 books spread out along the course and we made careful marks on the maps as to their (non-exact) locations. We purchased our race t-shirts. This year's showed an old lady lighting a cigarette from a cake that read "100". As starts the Barkley 100 by lighting a cigarette this was a great image. It also mentions the "Rat Bites" a reference to the lashes that runners receive as they pass through the saw briars on the course, especially on Rat Jaw. That night it was the pre-race dinner. Generally this is a pot-luck of food plus BBQ "Barkley Ranch" chicken (some years burnt on the outside - raw on the inside....the opposite of most runners after the Barkley).

One of Abi's son's was celebrating his 15th birthday so he received a round of "Happy Birthday" from all.

This was one of the best parts. I was able to put so many faces to names. I had exchanged many e-mails with runners about Barkley and other races. Now I had a chance to meet them. To the last one, they were a great group of people. Very outgoing and friendly. I guess the crazy and/or condemned reflect that "bird of a feather" concept.

Then it was off to a restless sleep. I came very unprepared and woke up in my tent freezing all night. Oh well....Barkley baptism.

The next morning we all gathered our gear and talked nervously and waited. There is no set start time for the race. Instead, whenever Laz feels like it, anytime after 12;)01 Saturday, he can blow the infamous conch shell. This gives runners a one hour notice that the race was about to begin. Laz made us wait and wait until almost 10:00 am (meaning almost all would be starting loop 2 - if they made it that far - in the dark). Finally, he let loose with the conch call.

Then we all scrambled. I gathered my gear, stuffing cold weather cloth in my pack. I decided to start with my Moeben sleeves and my Zensah calf wraps to help protect my recently healed calf. The day was actually already getting warm so I put the rest of my rain and cold gear in the bag along with my food and supplies. On my belt was my compass. I had my map and instructions in a bag also strapped to my belt. Frozen Ed and I chatted for a bit before the start.

Then we headed off to the start to await the ceremonial lighting of the cancer stick. Laz stated that "Now is the time in races where you receive the last minute words of advice. However, this is the Barkley." and then he lit his cigarette. We were off.

The run started up a series of switchbacks up Bird Mountain. This was a tough way to start, but not too bad. I had told myself not to push it and was actually holding back a bit. Yet I still found myself with some of the front runners including Mark Williams the first ever person to finish the full 5 loops of the Barkley. Also included was Claudio a runner from Italy. They started to out climb me near the peak, but then we reached a series of downhill switchbacks. I was having the time of my life - flying down the wet muddy switchbacks, with "trails" barely wider than the width of a show at pints...the wet dirt sometimes collapsing beneath and causing me to slip. It was in a beautiful forested area. As I continued down I started passing runners including Claudio and Mark (this would be the only time I would be in front of Mark who graciously stepped aside as he heard me coming). We reached book #1 - a Harrold Robbin's piece entitled: Never Enough. I tore my page (corresponding to my race number out) and continued on. Later I read my page.....interesting: Generally the books had titles related somehow to the race - this year it included: Children in the Woods; Adult Male Americans - Candidates for Heart Attack; Roughing It In The Bush and a Lazarus' Revenge, etc.

Across a small stream and then we started to climb. I had to stop and place my page in a baggie (virgin mistake - not being prepared) so lost touch with the group. But then I was off on my power hike up the hill. Soon I caught Claudio again. By the top of the climb a group of about 7 runners caught me and we headed off down into a briar patch near Bald Knob. I was leading but some took an alternate path through some briars that proved a bit faster so I found myself mid-pack. Then we came upon book 2.

We opened the book and most of us were surprised to see that someone had gotten to the book and removed blocks of pages. We decided to move up to the 300's so as not to take any other runner's pages and I took 324 of a Sydney Sheldon novel. Then we were off. As I climbed over a fallen tree my shoe caught something and I spun to the ground landing on my side and crashing my left knee into a rock or stump. Ouch! I checked to make sure I had everything and then headed down another series of fast and, at times, hard to switchbacks. These lead to a stream and twice I found myself below the actual "trail". Finally we reached the Son of a Bitch Ditch and I crossed it by tight-rope walking across a fallen tree that bridged the gap. Then I was off again.

Soon I neared the Coal Ponds - pits left from earlier coal mining that had been filled with water. There were beaver stumps all around. I got to the end of the pond and.....was alone saw no trail. I stood there and pulled out my compass and tried to see where to go and then noticed a trail dropping down to my left. I started to follow it but it went off the wrong way. As I turned around I saw Frozen Ed and a couple other runners heading up the hill. So I turned around and headed up there. It was a good climb and when I finally reached the top, Robert passed me. He looked very strong. We all got to book 3 at the Garden Spot and then headed down the trail to water stop # 1 (the only support on this race was two water stops). I grabbed a water jug and filled my bottles.

The trail continued up a bit and very soon we came across book 4 hidden in some stones on Stallion Mountain. I grabbed my page and then tore down the mountain. I got to a point where I was confused and started studying my map. Then another runner came up and he and I went down the trail. Here it was downhill...but I could not really run it. There were rocks to climb down and "trails" that I had really trouble spotting. Once I smashed my right foot into a hidden rock - my big toe is still oozing blood today and the nail is a fatality.

We both stopped a few times, but he had trained there once before so he had a better idea of where the trail was so off we went.

Soon, we came to the New River. We crossed this thigh-high river (felt good - but the briar scratches burned a bit). Then off to the other side. It was a very short climb to the road and then, in front of us, was Testicle Spectacle.

Wow - that Testicle Spectacle sure is a steep m-f'er. At the base was book 5 (see it hidden in the tree hallow?): We stopped and each grabbed a quick bite. I snapped a few photos. Then we were off....slowly up the climb.

At times the dirt was muddy and it was difficult to not slip down. As I passed some folks from a local university that were there filming, I looked at them and gasped: "I hate climbs" - the one guy smiled and said "I can see why."

I continued up and reached the top. The other runner had gotten there first and was already going down the jeep road on the other side. I also started down the road. It was pretty steep but I was in my element and was cruising the downhill. At this point I was starting to feel pretty good. My legs were strong, a little tired, but definitely strong. I had put one of the 3 big climbs behind me, had all 5 prior books with no issues, and had plenty of time.

At the base of the jeep road came the Neo Butt Slide. This was a perpendicular descent down some rocks which I took slowly. Then onto a trail which entered some woods. The instructions said that if I came to a road first I was below the target (Raw Dog Falls) and if I came to a stream first, I was above the falls. I came to the stream first and for whatever stupid moronic dumbass idiotic f'd up reason, mistakenly told myself that, despite the clear instructions, I was below the falls so I started following the stream up the mountain...and up....and up...through briar after briar. I came across a couple pig skulls. They had the same amount of brains in their empty dried up skulls as I had in mine at that moment.

Finally near the top of what turned out to be Armes Gap, I realized that something was not right. I consulted my map and compass and was feeling that I was stupid. I then re-read the instructions and confirmed that I was stupid.

I tore down the mountain through briars not carrying at all. Finally passed the falls ( I had to have been no more than 100 feet away from them originally before heading up hill). I gathered my book and found John Price there. The two of us started across the stream. There we had to get over an embankment and could use one of two routes: a straight up shorter climb called Danger Dave's Climbing Wall or an easier longer climb. We pussed out and chose the easier road (although not the one less taken I believe). We exited the Hallow and climbed to a road. Across the road was Pig's Head Creek...so noted by a pig's skull (much like the one I had found earlier) tied to the tree. John and I climbed that trail. It was pretty steep and full of briars. Soon that intersected an old jeep trail and we took that to the base of Rat Jaw.

At the base of Rat Jaw (a torturiously steep climb to the 3324 peak of Frozen Head mountain) were an old abandoned guard house and an old mine. We took about 2 minutes for some photos and then started climbing.

This climb starts up the mountain and then west towards the tower. A soon left John a bit behind as I turned left. I climbed to the point of a rocky bluff.

The instructions said "follow the bluff on your right". Being the stupid moronic dumbass idiotic f'd up person I am, decided that meant to keep the bluff to my right as I started climbing along to left side of it. Man - that was one of the deepest concentrations of briars I had come across. I was looking for a crevice to climb that also housed book 7. I hiked the length of that bluff and never found it - checking every possible crevice. I turned around and retraced my steps (and reaquainted myself with each briar) trying to find that crevice and book. I finally got back to the point and wondered if I should have gone to my right. I took no more than 20 steps and there was the crevice. I think Laz could hear me cussing at myself way back at camp.

Thanks to my two bonehead mistakes I easily burned nearly 2 valuable hours. I grabbed my page and climbed the crevice. I started up the final (very steep) climb to the base of the tower. Did I mention it was steep? By now I had gotten into the habit of using a piece of wood as a hiking stick and found a nice one with a point already carved on it. I reached the top to find the Troubador waiting. He pointed me to the water jugs and off I went to the final water stop (not too soon either as I was out of water). I filled my bottles and ate some tuna fish I had packed and downed a coke that was there. I pulled on my jacket and started on down the road.

The next book was placed up on something called the Hump. I followd the directions and found the small square stone marker that indicated the "path". The instructions said that this was a "new" trail....I think it meant we were the first to blaze it. Anyway, I followed a tiny trail of newly turned leaves straight up and easily found the next book behind a log...where John Price was sitting.

We gathered our pages and took off. It was just getting dark so we snapped on our lights and headed through a forest of saw briars towards a campground. Campers greeted us and we headed on through. Then down a rocky trail to the next book. This book was pretty easy to find, in a crevice in a rock formation called the "Needle's Eye" - a stone tunnel of storts. We grabbed our page and left. Straight down was a briar infested hill of boulders and brush and mud that was our next trail - called The Zip Line.

Because it was dark we couldn't really sight on anything so John and I used compass readings to get down this hill. John would usually sight and I was leading picking a trail. I would shine my light where I intended to go and he would indicate left or right per the compass. Every so often I double checked with my compass. Every now and then one of us would catch a briar across the leg or arm or lip or scalp. Plus, there was the random slip and falls. But, using this method we made it down the zip line between two streams. The instructions said to follow to where the streams merged and there would be book 10.

John and I got to the merge - but could find no book. We searched and searched. Finally I saw some lights to our east. I suggested we go to those lighst and soon we came upon another stream. We followed it until it merged with our first "stream". But another problem. The instructions stated that there was a high dirt embankment at the merge. Here there was none. John and I searched and searched. We had burned at least an hour looking for the damned book. Finally we started heading downstream some more and came across yet another merge. This one had a high dirt embankment. I climbed it and John stayed at the merge. I searched every f'n tree in an acre around that merge and could find no book - not even a pamphlet or postage stamp. Nothing.

We had lost upwards of two hours and with only 20 minutes before cut-off (and a huge climb called Big Hell between us and the finish) we knew we were done. No loop for us. We followed the stream down to where it met BeechFork road. We followed that out to the highway (Highway 62 I believe was the number). We were both frustrated, cold and disappointed. As we trdged down the highway with atleast another 5 miles back to camp, a truck pulls alongside and the driver asks if we would like a ride back to teh camp. It was David Horton - a Barkley alum!

We jumped into his truck and he drives us back. John knows this legend well - it was my first opportunity to meet him. He asked us about our race and we told him about our futile attempts to find book 10. He stated: "Hey - that is where I was disqualified that one year". Once we got back to the camp, John and I sheepishly exited the truck and walked up to Gary. He simply smiled, pulled out hus bugle and played the requiste "Taps" for each of us. I chatted with Gary for a bit and then headed off to the showers. Soon I was in bed, still kicking myself for burning so much time on my stupid navigational errors and not being able to find, what Gary called, the "easiest book to find".

In the morning I congratulated other runners on their completion of a loop and then cheered on others as they completed 2 loops and even a few on their Fun Run finishes (3 loops). Among the 2 loops finishes where Frozen Ed and Carl Asker and Johnny D.

Gary was kind enough to play for them, along with all other runners (well, almost all - see below) Taps on his bugle:

One runner, Andrew Thompson was still out going for the full 5 loops. He looked incredibly strong as he headed out on loop 5. Gary started his loop with the ringing of the cow bell symbolizing the bell lap. Shortly thereafter the weather turned from cold to sleet. Then it started to snow. But Andrew did it - completing it in 57:37!!! It was great to be there and witness history (I saw him head off on loop 5 but because I had to get home for my upcoming wedding in 3 days, couldn't hang around for the finish. Sorry Andrew).

The Barkley left me with great memories - and souvenairs of my attempt. I have a few cuts and scratches from rocks, some really nice poison ivy ony my legs and arms. I also have many Rat Bites - those beautiful loving kisses from the briars that their own unique hickies on my legs and arms:

As I was preparing to leave the college students interviewed me and Frozen Ed about the foods we eat on ultras. Then, they asked us to summarize "The Barkley" in one word. I said "Addictive" - because I truly am addicted to this event. The atmosphere, the people, the challenge - all incredible. As I drove back to the Nashville airport I contemplated that question and my response. Yes, I am addicted - it is a one hit addiction - that Barkley drug.

But I have reconsidered. If I have to describe the Barkley in one word, the word I would choose is "HUMBLING". I was humbled by the challenge - after doing Mont Blanc and Leadville successfully two weeks apart, after buckling at Badwater, after p.r.'ing at the Keys 100, I did not even do a single loop at Barkley. I was humbled by the poeple. The other runners, no matter their age, were much better than I (and were so modest and friendly, taking me in almost as family). Most did at least one loop, some 2, 3 and even 5. In their presence, my experience was put into perspective. Finally, I was humbled by the course and the surrounding nature to which I bore witness. The raw beauty of the forests, the ruggedness of the terrain, the serenity of the streams and the magnitude of the mountains put me in perspective. One's soul would have to be numb not to be humbled in Frozen Head State Park.