Back at It

Well, it's been a while since I've posted on here, but I've been running consistently and enjoying it during the blog hiatus.  After a break from racing after the Oak Mountain 50k, it's time to pin on the race number and get back at it this Saturday for the XTERRA Oak Mountain Trail Marathon.  Should be fun, but with temperatures expected to reach 90, heat will be a factor.  This week has been cool, so not very good for heat preparation.  I feel good right now, so we'll see what happens.

Ran the Zoo Run 5k last weekend and had a lot of fun.  Finished in 18:07 for 5th overall and 1st in my new age group (30-34.)  I don't run many 5ks, and continue to take pride in the fact that I've run more marathons than 5ks, but this one was a fun atmosphere and the kids races at the end were extra special.  Anna and Luke both ran and received medals for their efforts.  Fun times!

That's it for now.  I'll provide an update after this weekend's event.

2011 Mississippi 50 Race Report

The first item to note about the race was the abundance of rain throughout the entirety of the event.  My shoes were wet well before the race even started, as I stepped from my car into a puddle upon arrival and check-in.  The Race Director, Running Bear (that’s right, I said Running Bear, which is a terrific race director name) best described the course conditions in his race recap, “But contrary to rumors, we did not have rain. Rain is when the ground gets wet and there are puddles and you see drops on the windshield. We had a monsoon, with creeks appearing out of nowhere and covering the trail and coming down the access road, and through the s/f tent, and rising to waist deep in the woods. There were no puddles or mud, just ponds to run through.”  In fact, the race has been dubbed, “The Year Everyone got their Muddy's Worth.”  Suffice it to say, the conditions greatly slowed the finish times, and transformed what would normally be a fast course into a slow, slippery one.

It became clear very early on that staying dry was not an option, so I chose to run like Luke by splashing through every puddle, creek and stream.  Why bother tip-toeing around the water?  Just go straight through.  I must admit, it was fun and humorous, even in the late stages of the race.  I ran the first 28 miles with John Clinthorne from Michigan, who would later finish 2^nd, and we had a good time laughing about the water and talking about ultras in general.  We both had a specific run-walk strategy coming into the race, but we quickly abandoned that due to peer pressure.  Neither of us wanted to slow the pace to walk, so the walk breaks were few and far between.  We both commented that this would likely cost us in the end, but we kept running anyway.

The race was divided into four loops.  The first three were identical 12.5 mile loops, while the final 12.5 miles was a smaller 6+ mile loop that was run twice to the finish.  John and I came through the first loop in 2 hours, or 8 a.m.  This was the precise start time of the 20k, so we began the second loop surrounded by 20k runners just beginning their race.  We decided to pick up the pace to clear the trail and again joked about the pace being quicker than we intended, but neither of us cared enough to slow down or take a walk break.  Plus, there is always something motivating about passing other runners, even if they are part of a different race.

The second loop was mainly uneventful, aside from some stomach discomfort that I began to have at mile 20.  We completed the second loop in exactly 2 hours, making the cumulative time just under 4 hours at the halfway point.  John and I began the third loop together, but my stomach discomfort was becoming more of an issue.  I found myself lagging a bit behind John and having to press to cover the gap that would arise every few minutes.  Finally, after a brief bathroom break where I discovered slight signs of dehydration, I told John to press on at mile 28 while I focused on fixing my stomach and increasing my fluid intake.  Fortunately these issues were short-lived, and after a longer stop behind the bushes, my stomach felt much better, then I simply focused on drinking a lot over the next mile or two to get my hydration back to normal.  Soon I was back on track and running well.  Due to these issues, my 3^rd loop was slower than the first two, 2:13, for a cumulative 6:13 after 37.5 miles. 

I began the first short final loop feeling great and energized.  At the first and only aid station on the short loop I was told that there were only three runners in front of me, with one being just a minute or so ahead.  I walked from the aid station while downing a Hammer Gel and during that walk another runner passed me, but I didn’t worry about it too much, although I did note that he looked strong.  That put me in 5^th place with just over 10 miles to go.  There were four miles between the aid station and the start/finish, which was also the beginning of the final 6 mile loop, and my goal during these four miles was to run hard and move into what I hoped was 3^rd place.  Fortunately I was able to do so and came into the start/finish area with what I assumed was a couple minute gap on the next runner, but there was no way to be sure. 

I knew that moving up another place was not likely, so I sought to run hard to keep a hold on 3^rd place, or at least what I thought was third place, during the final small loop.  At the final aid station at mile 46, four miles from the finish, I was told that either two or three runners were ahead of me, so I didn’t know whether I was in 3^rd or 4^th.  Oh well.  At that point it was simply put my head down and plunge through more water (which had been steadily rising throughout the day to waist deep at several creek-crossings) to the finish, and run hard in hopes that no one would catch me from behind. 

The finish line was a great feeling.  Sally recognized me from a distance and was there to greet me with Luke, Anna and my parents.  It was a great sense of accomplishment made even more special with my family being there.  Plus, upon finishing I was presented with the 3^rd place trophy, so there were in fact two and not three runners in front of me at the last aid station.  Of course I would have been happy either way, but finishing in the top three in my first 50 mile race was extra exciting.  Final loop was 2:08 for a total finish time of 8:20:53. 

Special thanks to Sally for all her support during training for this race and for bringing the kids out to the finish in terrible weather, my parents for being there at the finish, John from Michigan for the company and advice during the race, all the volunteers and race officials for putting together a fantastic event under tough weather conditions, and Andon Briggs for the company during training.  Andon would have easily finished the race for his third 50 miler finish, but the Forest Service cancelled the race around the 9:30 mark due to the weather and was not allowed to finish.  Tough break my friend.  At least you'll be better recovered for Oak Mountain 50k in less than two weeks.

Food/Beverages consumed during the race:

20 Gels

1 PB&J Sandwich

1 Fun Size Nestle Crunch Bar (Too tempting to pass)

8 S-Caps (1/hour)

2 Cups Heed

Tons of water

Verse: “That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.  As the Scripture says, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile-the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”  -Romans 10:9-14

Thoughts Before the Mississippi 50

Saturday I will be attempting to complete a 50 mile race.  Having never run that far, I am quite anxious to get started.  Training has been strong and the taper has me rested and ready to go.  The prospect of running a new distance is extremely exciting and intimidating at the same time.  Anything can happen over the course of 50 miles, so my hope is to simply go out and run and deal with fatigue and soreness as they come.  The course is relatively flat, but strong rain and thunderstorms are expected, which can cause creek crossings to swell to very high levels and deep mud to be abundant throughout the race.  I anticipate the finish times will be slower due to the rain.

The Carl Touchstone Memorial Mississippi 50 Trail Race is held in De Soto National Forest, near Laurel and Hattiesburg, Mississippi.  This race was my choice for a first 50 miler for several reasons.  First, I grew up in South Mississippi, so racing there feels familiar.  Second, relatives in Hattiesburg will make lodging easy and give us a chance to visit.  Finally, Carl Touchstone was my orthodontist as a kid.  For three years I saw him every month where he caused me severe pain by tightening braces and preaching about the dangers of chewing gum and popcorn with metal tracks on your teeth.  Seems only fitting that a race named in his memory can also cause severe pain by testing the limits of my endurance.  At some point I will chew gum on the course in his memory.

Well, enough said at this point.  Full race report will be posted next week.  Off to run!

Verse: "But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.  If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you."  -1 Peter 4: 13-14

Passing the Century Mark

101 total miles last week!  Great week of running, including an early morning outing at Oak Mountain with snow still on the ground in high areas and the Mercedes Marathon on Sunday.  Passing 100 miles in a week for the first time is a huge physical and mental boost heading into the 50 miler in less than 3 weeks.  I feel very confident in my training and believe I am as prepared as I could be.  Doesn't guarantee success, because anything can happen over that distance, but it's nice to feel prepared going into the race.  Now it's time to go easy for a few weeks before the big day.

Mercedes Marathon on Sunday was another fun event.  I always enjoy seeing so many friends and familiar faces at this race.  Decided to run last minute as a final long training run before beginning the taper for Mississippi 50.  My goal was to stay steady throughout and finish in the 3:20-3:30 range.  I fully expected to be closer to 3:30 given the mileage on the week and due to a 19 miler on Oak Mountain trails the day before.  However, I felt good throughout and was able to hold a steady pace throughout and finished in 3:18:54.  Ran a 5 minute negative split, which was also a huge confidence boost heading into the ultra.  The race recorded four splits during the race, and it was fun to see the results showing my place within my age group at each split:  10k-17th place, 20k-16th, 30k-16th, Finish-6th.  Obviously I felt pretty good late in the race to be able to gain 10 places during that span. 

Congratulations to many on a great race on Sunday, but particularly the following:
     *Michelle Litte - Completed 1st Half Marathon!
     *Andon Briggs - Completed Marathon with almost no training!
     *Beth Briggs - Completed Marathon with no training (Unbelievable!)
     *Beth Patrick - Broke the 2 Hour Mark in the Half!
     *Aaron Ainsworth - 1:14 Half...Smokin!

Verse:  "There are different kinds of gifts, but the same spirit.  There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord.  There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men."  -1 Corinthians 12:4-6

January Totals

January Total Miles: 356
   Off Days: 2 (1/30 and 1/31 - Family travel day and stomach bug)
   20+ Runs: 5
   Races: 1 (MS Blues Marathon)

January was a great running month for me, including my highest mileage week (94) and month ever.  With five runs over 20 miles, including three over 27 and a weekend featuring back-to-back 20+ days (22 Friday/ 27 Saturday), I feel very strong with the 50 miler coming up in just over three weeks. 

Most importantly, I was able to spend a considerable amount of time on the trails at Oak Mountain during January.  Each run out there has been enjoyable, and the time really flies by on the trails.  I completed two five hour runs during the month, and each seemed like only a couple hours.  For me personally, the difference between trail and road running is huge in terms of overall enjoyment.  Time in the woods doesn't feel like training, but rather a chance to enjoy the scenery.  Plus, Andon Briggs has joined me on a couple occasions, and his company certainly helps pass the time.

One more week of hard training, then a gradual three week taper for the 50 miler.  Getting close.

Verse:  "Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness and who seek the Lord: Look to the rock from which you were cut and to the quarry from which you were hewn..."   -Isaiah 51:1 

Running with the King (of Rock & Roll)

Last week was a great week of running.  I ran a total of 83 miles, a new weekly high.  Also resumed speed training after a few weeks off following Rocket City.  In light of this, I expected my participation in the Mississippi Blues Marathon in Jackson to be tiring and uninspiring, when in fact the opposite was true. 

The race was held on the anniversary of Mississippi native Elvis Presley’s birthday, and the event had a distinct Elvis feel to it.  The race goody bag came equipped with Elvis sunglasses complete with sideburns, which was a hit with Luke (along with the harmonica).  Naturally, I taught him to say “Thank you, thank you very much” when wearing them.  On race morning I saw several people wearing full Elvis costumes and the speakers were playing the King’s music.  Unique, fun atmosphere.

My plan for the race was very simple:  take it slow and steady, fully stop occasionally at aid stations to stay hydrated, and do nothing to sacrifice my training for the upcoming 50 miler.  Given my general fatigue on Friday morning’s 9 mile run, I thought a 3:30 performance seemed about right.  At the start I stuck with the plan and took it nice and easy, keeping the pace just under 8:00 for the first 5 miles.  I chatted with a few other runners, including one who had run the 55 mile Comrades Marathon in South Africa just a few months ago.  At the 5 mile mark I upped the pace slightly and began clicking off the miles at a 7:30-7:45 pace, which I maintained for most of the rest of the race.

I came through the half marathon mark in 1:41:22 and felt really good.  Before the race I feared that my competitive spirit might cause me to push a bit and endanger my training, but this never occurred.   I kept chatting with other runners, enjoying the course, and in two cases paced and blocked wind for other runners seeking a PR.  Continued feeling good with two miles to go, so I decided to step on the gas a bit and see what happened.  My legs responded well, and I completed the last two miles in 6:47 and 6:44, and completed the race in 3:20:06.  I covered the second half in 1:38:44, which produced my first ever negative split.  Overall, I was very pleased with the race and weekend in Mississippi (Thanks Grandmother and Granddad!), having the discipline to stay at an even pace, and the ability to turn it up a notch at the end.  Running easy and in control also has me even more excited for the 50 miler in March.  My body seems to respond better to more miles at a slower pace than fewer miles at a harder pace.  I guess that will be really tested in March.  The last road marathon I enjoyed this much was San Francisco a year and a half ago, which was also the last marathon that I did not have a specific time goal.  Coincidence? 

Weekly Mileage

Monday – 15

Tuesday – 7

Wednesday – 10 (4 x mile repeats)

Thursday – 6

Friday – 9

Saturday – 27 (MS Blues)

Sunday – 9

Total - 83

Verse: "Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which God will bring about in his own time--God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever." -1 Timothy 6:12-16

2010 Year In Review

The office was closed on Friday, December 31^st, so I left early that morning for some trail time at Oak Mountain State Park.  Put in 20 total miles and the weather was fantastic.  Truly was a great run to end the year.  Over the last two weeks I had the privilege of running in two of my favorite places, Oak Mountain and Shiloh National Battlefield in West Tennessee.  Those locations got me thinking about my favorite runs of 2010, which are ranked below:

1. Sausalito-Golden Gate Bridge-Marin Headlands, California (May) – Absolutely beautiful place to run.  My route started in quaint Sausalito, took me across the Golden Gate Bridge and back to the smooth, steep trails of the Marin Headlands.  Weather was perfect without a cloud in the sky.  The views in the Bay Area are hard to beat.  Views of the Pacific Ocean, San Francisco skyline, Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge slowed my pace to a crawl, as I kept stopping for pictures.  The added feature of climbing in the Headlands to a vantage point above the top of the Golden Gate Bridge was breathtaking.  Also, starting the day with a run and ending at AT&T Park for a Giants game is pretty close to my ideal day.

2. Pacific Crest Trail, Washington (September) – This was a close second for the year.  The route started at the Washington-Oregon line at the Columbia River at the Bridge of the Gods before sunrise.  Never saw another soul the entire time I was out, which was peaceful and enjoyable.  The trail was beautiful with mountain views and complete solitude.  Only had 3.5 hours before my flight, but could have easily stayed all day.

3. Capital Hill, National Mall, Georgetown, Washington, DC (February) – Had the opportunity to run in DC just after a massive blizzard that hit a week earlier.  Snow was still on the ground and DC with snow is absolutely gorgeous.  The route was a little dicey with ice, snow and traffic, but running by the U.S. Capitol Building, Washington Monument, Lincoln, Jefferson, Vietnam and WWII Memorials and through Georgetown University was special.  Despite living in the area in high school and college, running through the city provided a completely new perspective on a great city that I have grown to enjoy. 
4. Shiloh National Military Park, Tennessee (Various) – This is my long run location of choice when visiting Sally’s mom in West Tennessee.  I have run here many times and have enjoyed every single time I have been there.  No traffic, complete silence, fascinating monuments, statues and cannons, countless deer and a piece of American history.  Hard to beat.  Plus, running there before sunrise adds a spooky element as you would swear the soldier statues are moving.  Good stuff. 
5. Cades Cove, Smoky Mountain National Park, Tennessee (November) – Stayed at mom and dad’s cabin for three days, but due to timing and training for Huntsville could not hit the trails in the park.  Instead was able to run the 11 mile Cades Cove loop twice.  Traffic on the 2^nd loop was less than desirable, as it was getting later in the morning and the tourists were out, but the views were nonetheless spectacular.  I have driven the Cades Cove Loop before, but seeing it on foot is by far the preferable way to experience it.  Seeing three black bears bumped this run up a couple places.
6. Oak Mountain State Park, Alabama (Various) – Seems odd to put a local park in with others on this list, but the trails at Oak Mountain continue to provide fun and challenging runs for me.  Technical and varied, it’s easy to have an enjoyable morning in the park.
7. Central Park, New York (March) – While in New York City on business it seemed absolutely imperative to get in at least a short run in Central Park.  This provided a fun experience and being surrounded by skyscrapers was a unique, yet confining feature of running in the city.  Was a great run for a day, but I couldn’t help but think that living and running there would eventually make me claustrophobic.  However, the run combined with great food and, most significantly, time with Sally and Anna made for a memorable trip.
8. FDR State Park, Pine Mountain, Georgia (October) – Beautiful, technical and deceptively hilly trails were the site of the North Face Endurance Challenge 50k in October. 

I am grateful to have run in some nice, varied locations in 2010.  I only hope that 2011 will provide similar opportunities.  While most of the locations in 2010 were not linked to races, I anticipate that some of my 2011 favorites will be.  Time will tell.

Logged 2,222 miles on the year, with 60 percent of those miles in the second half of the year.  This was also a 60 percent increase from 2009 mileage of 1,388.  So, to increase by another 60 percent I need to only run 3,555 miles in 2011.  Better get busy.

Running the Mississippi Blues Marathon this weekend as a training run for the upcoming Mississippi 50 Miler in March.  No time goal, just going to take it slow and easy.  No taper and this will likely be my highest mileage week ever, so there will be no PR in Jackson.  A little more than 8 weeks until the 50 miler.  I repeat, better get busy. 

Verse: Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and courageous.  Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.   -Joshua 1:9