MY RUN THROUGH LONDON

Last week I was in the UK on business. I managed to get some nice runs in through London. Here are photos I snapped during my run - used my Blackberry so image quality isn't the best:

On my way to Hyde Park:


Hyde Park:










After running out of Hyde Park, I get near the Australian War Memorial at Hyde Park Corner.





Memorial and one of my favorite running movies




Green Park


Buckingham Palace Gates




In addition to being good guards, they make good gin:


Taking a running break in front of Buckingham Palace:


Westminster Abbey:



Big Ben:


Parliment:



The Thames:


London Eye

BADWATER - HERE I COME AGAIN!!!

Well, it is official, I am going back to Death Valley and the Badwater 135 Mile endurance run. I did this run last year and just loved it (although the bottom of my feet hurt so much).

I received the following from the Badwater Race Office:
Hello Alan!
Congratulations! You have been accepted to compete in the 2009 Badwater Ultramarathon, presented by AdventureCORPS, Inc. You are part of a select group who will participate in what is recognized across the globe as the worlds toughest footrace.

The Badwater Ultramarathon describes itself as "the world's toughest foot race". It is a 135 mile (215 km) course starting at 282 feet (85 m) below sea level in the Badwater Basin (the lowest point in the Western Hemisphere), in California's Death Valley, and ending at an elevation of 8360 feet (2548 m) at Whitney Portal, the trailhead to Mount Whitney (the highest point in the Continental U.S.). It takes place July 14, 15 and 16, when the weather conditions are most extreme and temperatures over 120 F (49 C) in the shade are not uncommon. Only up to 90 people are invited to participate each year in this event and I was lucky enough (?) to be invited.

I am already starting to put together my crew and have some great volunteers!! Like last year, I will use my race to raise money for charity. Of course I will fundraise for Badwater's official charity: the Challenged Athlete Foundation.I am using my Badwater Ultramarathon as a means to raise funds for CAF to help it help people with physical disabilities pursue an active lifestyle through physical fitness and athletics. CAF’s mission is clear: give those with the desire to live active, competitive lifestyles every opportunity to compete in the sports they love.

I would appreciate your help here - any amount will help others realize their goals. Here is my fundraising link: DONATE




I also intend to also try and raise funds to help fight ALS - Lou Gehrig Disease. I will post that information as soon as possible.

I will keep you updated on my training and race developments!

TRAINING RUN ON THE WASHINGTON & OLD DOMINION TRAIL

I was in Sterling, Virginia on business and did my morning run on the W&OD Trail. This is a 44 mile trail in the Northern Virgina Regional Park Authority.

It was a brisk run, with part sof the path still frozen over in ice.

Overall the trail is very wide usually with a paved and a non-paved option running side-by-side.


The path even has stretching posts positioned every now and then.

Overall the scenery of the Virginia woods made for a very nice training run.

TEAM HOYT - A GREAT STORY

I was running next to these two at Boston Marathon one year for a short bit before heading up Heartbreak Hill.

BARKLEY TRAINING (ONLY KIND OF)

I found a route on San Bruno Mountain that is 11 miles long and has (very rough estimate) around 2200 feet of climbing. So over 100 miles, that would be about 20,000 feet of climbing - not even close to the Barkley (and much less than some "easy 100 milers). But this route does contain one fairly difficult stretch that rises over 1000 feet in less than 3/4 of a mile...through unmarked trails and overgrown brush that actually drew blood multiple time on my legs. Route is here: "Baby Barkley Jr. Hopeful" I plan on adding one loop a week so that before the Old Pueblo 50 miler on March 7 I would have worked my way up past a 50km run with those climbs. Then I will start adding repeats of the steeper parts.

Here are some photos from that run (complete with the ravens flying opver me waiting for me to fall to the ground).

MY RUN IN THE SNOW: NEW JERSEY'S PATRIOTS PATH TRAIL

I was in New Jersey on business and did a great run in the falling snow. Here are some photos (quality poor- blackberry):

MY BARKLEY ESSAY

To get into the Barkley 100 mile pain fest, one needs pay $1.60, submit a license plate from their own state and write an essay telling why they should be allowed to run the Barkley (all submitted to RD Laz). "Essay" is a loose term, with some people submitting "Why not?", others sending in a video, etc. Here is my essay:

GREEN SKIN AND PUKE
I am a runner
I am a runner
Bummer - I am a runner

That Barkley I am in!
That Barkley I am in!
I do not like
that Barkley I am in!

Do you like
green skin and puke?

I do not like them,
I am no kook .
I do not like
green skin and puke.

Would you like them
here or there?

I would not like them
here or there.
I would not like them
anywhere.
I do not like
them in Frozen Head Park.
I do not like them.
My race days will be so dark.

Would you like them
in the rain?
Would you like them
while in pain?

I do not like them
in the rain.
I do not like them
while in pain.
I do not like them
in Frozen Head Park.
I do not like them
in the dark.
I do not like green skin and puke.
I do not like such a rebuke.

Would you? Could you?
finish each Barkley loop?
Could I? Would I?
Your head must be full of poop.

Say!
In the dark?
Here in the dark!
Would you, could you, in the dark?

I would not, could not,
in the dark.

Would you, could you, in the rain?
I would not, could not,
in the rain.
Not in the dark. Not in pain.
It is so far. I can not see.
I do not like it while in misery.

You do not like
the Barkley race?

I do not
like it,
briars in my face.

You do not like the Barkley.
So you say.
Try it! Try it!
to your dismay.
Try it and you must pray.

I am now filled with dread.
I will be in great pain in the world of people dead….
per the gospel of St. Luke.
Oh! I do not like green skin or puke.

THE BARKLEY - IT IS OFFICIAL

I just received the official application for Barkley (you are accepted and then you fill out the application). For your reading pleasure, here is the application. I will post my essay soon.

Do Not Read This!
(Okay, go right ahead, but don’t say I didn’t warn you)

Official Entry Form: Barkley 100 Mile

What is it you are looking for in a race? Do you want huge crowds of gushing admirers? How about sumptuous aid stations, with a huge selection of goodies? Do you want to succeed and think of yourself as god-like? Maybe you want sympathy and consolation in the event you should fall short? Perhaps you are seeking well-marked, broad, and smooth footpaths? You might even be seeking an event where your pacer can hold your little hand and coax you thru the rough spots?
Then throw this away and take the Barkley off your race list.

On the other hand, if you are looking for a racing experience that has been compared to being punched in the face for 60 hours, if you truly desire to be bruised, cut, battered, and left to lonesome hopelessness, on godforsaken trails in the middle of no-where, in the middle of the night, this might be the ticket. If you dream of clinging to a rocky hillside in pitch black darkness and/or impenetrable fog, in a freezing downpour, listening to your teeth chatter and wondering exactly where in the hell you are, then this might be just the race for you. If you want to return home to scorn from so-called trail runners without the nads to even read this entry form, you are on the right track. If you want to don your race-shirt at the next event, and have other runners move away from you, for fear they will be contaminated, this is definitely something to consider.

So check your britches, and if you think you see a pair of size XL, stainless steel nads, then go ahead and fill this out and send it in. Then pray that your number don’t come up.

If it does come up, you better go get you some big-boy pants. You’re gonna need ‘em.
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
Date: furnished with your acceptance.
Time: announced by a conch shell blast, one hour in advance.
Location: Frozen Head State Park
Time Limit: 60 hours for the 100 mile men's race
40 hours for the 60 mile fun run (women, children, and wimps)
No: GPS, Pacers, Caching.
Layout: 20 mile loop.
Aid: Water Drops at 8 and 13 miles each loop. Your Car at the start/finish.
Net altitude change: 0 feet (0 meters)
Expected weather: temperatures between 0 and 85 degrees (f). Probable fog, rain, sleet, snow, hail, or high winds. Possibly all of the above. Possibly all within the same loop.
Application fee: $1.60 (non-refundable), and an essay on "Why I should be allowed to run the Barkley"
Entry Fee: Virgins- a License Plate from your home State or Country
Veterans (various dnf's)- a good pair of socks
Alumni-(see below*)- a pack of Camel Filter Cigarettes (regular)
Pre-race Meal: Chicken BBQ . We provide digitally prepared BBQ Chicken & paper plates. Side Items pot-luck. Bring your own beverages. You will never find chicken like this anywhere else.
Awards: after 5 loops, you don't have to go back out.
Requirements: No children, they are too small. No women, they are too soft. No Yankees, we don't want them buried here. No soccer fans, soccer sucks. No Wimps, Worms, Slugs, or Weenies, because they don’t got what it takes.
How to Find Frozen Head: You are kidding, right? If you can’t even find the park on your own, then what chance do you think you have during the race?
* the Barkley Marathons 100 Mile Alumni are: Brian Robinson (Class of ’08),
Mike Tilden (’04), Jim Nelson (’04), Ted "Cave Dog" Kaiser ('03), Blake Wood ('01), David Horton ('01), Mark Williams ('95)
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

This Space Intentionally left blank



Name:______________________________________ Age:________(Plutonian years)
Weight:______(Jovian lbs)

Street___________________________________ Hat Size:________

City ______________________________________ Favorite Parasite:
_____________________
State/
Nation/Zip_________________________________ Next of kin:
____________________

I really want to run the Barkley. I have been warned how hard it is. I have been warned that I am entirely responsible for my own safety and well being. I know that I might get hurt out there, but I promise to do everything possible to make my adventure a safe one. I agree to accept the decision of race management, should they deem me unfit to continue. And I agree to reimburse all expenses, should a search or rescue be required on my behalf. If I am stupid enough to attempt the Barkley, I deserve to be held responsible for any result of that attempt, be it financial, physical, mental, or any thing else.

Signed:_________________________________________________________________


Notarized________________________________________________________________


Please note that this form has not been designed to fit evenly on any printer. And the content is subject to being deleted, appended, or altered at any time without notice.
Also note that the Runner Data Sheet contains trick questions, and those with incorrect answers are subject to public ridicule.

This Space Accidentally left blank

MY RECENT TRAINING RUN ON THE AFRICAN PLAINS

THE COLOR PURPLE

While preparing Christmas eve dinner, the hound from hell (our terrier) crossed under my feet. In an effort to avoid squashing him like a bug (not sure I still support that decision) I caught my toe on the cabinet door. CRACK! So, now just coming off my calf injury and with some really challenging events planned, I am hobbled with a broken toe and bruised foot. Oh well, got to tape it up and hit the roads and trails.

BARKLEY: MY NEXT CHALLENGE

I just learned that I have been unlucky enough to have been selected for the 2009 edition of the Barkley marathons. This is a 100 mile running event that is considered the hardest event of that distance. It takes place in Frozen Head state park in Tennessee. From Matt Mahoney's website:

The Barkley is considered one of the toughest 100 mile races in the world. It has 52,900 feet of climb (and 52,900 feet of descent), more than any other 100 mile race, more than the 33,000 ft. of climb at Hardrock, and more than the 45,000 ft. at Nolan's 14. Since the race began in 1986, only 7 runners out of about 650 have finished within the 60 hour cutoff. The race consists of 5 20-mile loops with no aid except for water at two points. The cutoffs for the 100 mile race are 12 hours per loop. The 60 mile "fun run" has a cutoff of 40 hours, or 13:20 per loop. To prove you completed each loop, you must find 9 to 11 books (varies) at various points along the course and return a page from each book.

Click here for an interesting Washington Post article.

Well, I guess I need to start training! Below is my predicted race photo somewhere within the first 2 loops:

END OF THE YEAR BLOG TAG

A bunch of us Ultraholics tend to "tag" each others blogs with a list of questions. Since we are nearing the end of 2008, I thought I'd get the game started. The questions I posed to each Ultraholic is listed below, along with my answers. I am tagging Rajeev Patel, Michael Kanning, Peter Lubbers, Chihping Fu, Clara and Lisa Bliss (even though she hasn't joined our Ultraholics group.....yet).

1. What was your 2008 running highlight and running low?
For me, my highlight had to be my Badwater 135 run. Keys 100 was a close second as it was my P.R. 100 and I was first male overall (small race so don't be impressed), but Badwater was just perfect. The challenge, my crew, the support, the race, the other runners, everything. Hands down, my lowest running moment in 2008 (and all years) was my first and only DNF ever at mile 80 of Rocky Raccoon 100 thanks to piriformis.

2. What race are you secretly planning on doing (or contemplating) for 2009 but haven't made it known to the public....until now.
For me, that would be the Barkley. I always saw that as a never-will-I-do-that event. But that was exactly the way I felt about Badwater. I am definitely going to try and enter that baby for 2009.

3. Where would you like create and direct an ultra that (to your knowledge) none exists?
My choice would probably be the Markleville Death Ride course. I have semi-joked that I would run this bike ride in 2009. The climbs, the scenery, the altitude and the miles (200km) all add up to a heck of a challenge and event.

4. What is your "primary" race for 2009?
I want to go back to Badwater and try to run it as fast and as hard as I can.

5. What is the most exciting thing about your upcoming race schedule?
Well, if I get into Barkley or Spartathlon or, of course, Badwater I would be stoked. But for me it is the fact my fiance Cori has stated that she will be doing her first ever ultra in 2009!!!!

6. List your planned races for 2009:
Me: H.U.R.T 100 (but because my injury slowed my training will probably give a waitlister a gift and instead do Rocky Raccoon 100); Old Pueblo 50; (here I would add Ruth Anderson 100km - but think I will be honeymooning in Italy at the time - sorry Raj); Keys 100; Badwater 135; Spartathlon; Vineman Triathlon; Cactus Rose 100; Fear & Loathing 100km; Sunmart 50.

OK - tag!!

FEEDING FRENZY AT MY OPEN WATER SWIM TRAINING SPOT

This is outside my office (I shot it through my window so images aren't great). Shows a feeding frenzy of cormorants, pelicans and some egrets feasting on a school of anchovie.

THE DISTANCE OF TRUTH

The movie that really got me interested in doing Badwater was Running on the Sun. After watching it the first time I said "Never will I do that race." Well, I did end up doing it this year.


Now there is a new movie out about Badwater. This is The Distance of Truth. It centers mostly on the race of Canadian ultrarunner Ferg Hawke. Overall, I really enjoyed the movie. The starting scene was very powerful and kind of set the tone for the movie (Death Valley is a very hot place). At times it was a bit melodramatic, but not to the point it bothered me.

The race, like Running on the Sun, centered mostly on two runners. Here it was Ferg and ultrarunning legend Scott Jurek. However, Running on the Sun had more elements of the women's race and non-elites in it.

This movie shows Badwater as the race exists today (multiple waves, smaller crews, etc.) It does seem to really drive home the fact that people can die - but it has never happened at Badwater, so there's that bit of melodrama.

Anyway, great ultra flick. Check it out!