I had a DNF at the Glacial Trail 50 mile. I'm okay with that. Here's a brief recap. If you read my last post I felt good coming into the race. It was a cool (low 30's) day and overcast. It was basically dark the first hour. I was traveling slower than I expected, but what can you do. I knew two guys in the race which was Scott Meyers and Parker Rios. It was great to not only run with them, but to see how they managed the course.
Somewhere around 15 miles I noticed my right ankle had turned and it hurt. Thing is I cannot pinpoint exactly where it happened. Probably more of an accumulated total of smaller turns that just weakened it each time. The trail is rough in many spots. This was a higher ankle sprain. I still feel it today, primarily walking on steps.
Around 20 miles I did notice I was listing or tilting to the left. This has happened to me twice before. At Ice Age I think in 2017 and definitely at JFK in 2017. You may see this in other older runners at longer races. I know I have. Once it starts you really can't make it go away. Obviously there is an issue and for the first time I read somewhere about the possible relation to too much fluids. I was definitely in that camp. Whatever it was the crew noticed it and finally mentioned if I was aware of it. Which is a good question because you don't always know. Fact was I did notice and was somewhat bummed out because I was starting to feel the best I had all day past 25 miles.
Why wouldn't I think I could just out run it? Especially feeling decent. Eventually it was too much and my back was killing me. I could not stay erect enough to navigate the trails properly. I pulled the plug at 35.8 miles. Briefly I thought of walking it in, but it was cold and still in the 30's.
As before, the next day the back thing has all but disappeared. Whatever was causing the pain has gone away and all that remains is a back that is slightly sore. The ankle was painful enough that it kept me up quite a bit that night. Good thing was that pain subsided substantially each following day.
But I didn't drop because of the ankle. The back pain was the key to dropping.
Anyway I am now considering some new adventure. Perhaps I'll blog about this soon. I will say that the experience I just had at the race above taught me more about me and long distance running than I have learned in a long time. Hats off to Parker for taking 4th overall and another solid finish by Scotty. Both true legends the past 20-30 years in the sport.
Saturday, October 26, 2019
Saturday, October 12, 2019
The cannons don't thunder
The Glacial Trail 50 mile is tomorrow at 6am. There is a feeling of anticipation as today is a Saturday and this is when one usually is running. Instead I have all day to think about tomorrow and get all my chores done in a timely manner. I have looked at the entry list multiple times and see 42 folks entered. I only know 2 of them personally. Scott Meyers has been around as long as I have been running. I saw him last at the Holy Funk run on August 10th where I put in 35 miles with Andrea. The other is "Brick" who I've known for 3-4 years now. We both ran the Wauwatosa Perimeter run at the end of July which was around 27 miles. Most of the people I know will be running the 50k which has always been the main event. There are routinely over a 100 runners in that one.
Having never run the 50 mile here, it was my carrot run in case I did not get in to Big's which I did not. It has always been on my to do list, but honestly putting up miles in the summer was only something done to race a fall marathon. That's seldom a goal now so I committed to run a lot of slow miles on about 11 runs a week. Nothing fancy. If you read my blog occasionally you can see that.
Back to the entrants list. It is my nature to look and see what the other runners have accomplished in ultras and how I might compare to them. My goal is 9:10 here simply because it is 11 minute miles. Though the course is not overly difficult it does have plenty of rocky sections, many short steep climbs, and leaf cover. For me and others it can be a challenge finding ones trail savvy. Especially for a fellow like me who has occasionally went out towards the upper part of the field just to see what might happen. Those thought do not go away, but memories of many failed attempts do linger. It is my intention tomorrow to strongly lean towards the latter, but I cannot rule out that foolishness may prevail.
Here is what I can say about tomorrow. I should be in shape as I averaged 81.8 miles over a 5 week period and just completed an average 2 week taper. At 58 it is no different than prior tapers in that how I currently feel never tips its hand on tomorrow's outcome. Just trust the work is done. I also have Tim crewing for me. I know Tim well and it is an honor to have this former 2 time state champion from the 70s assisting me. Dewey is having hip replacement surgery the following day so he is out. I'm hoping to be able to do well enough for Tim to relay positive updates to the Dew Master. These are the two guys I run with the most and it is great that they are willing to assist. Another positive is that I do know a fair amount of the volunteers and it is always great encouragement to hear from them. My weight is good as well as I weighed in at 170 today. Tomorrow will be cold. Really cold from normal with starting temps around freezing and maybe only getting to 45F for the high. Actually good running weather, but about 20-30 degrees less than we are all currently used to.
What does this all mean? It means I should be in absolutely no hurry to try and do anything. It is 50 miles so there is plenty of ground to try and cover comfortably. I do not walk much, but I think I will try and walk half the hills. With Tim handing me supplies I should be able to save a bit through the 7 aid stations. I know this is not necessary, but honestly this is what I have become used to. Like a relay team there does seem to be this sense of obligation to do well. You have to take care of yourself early. I've proven to myself numerous times that a conservative approach can result in positive finishes. Not sure why I have to remind myself of this ever time, but I do. The 2019 Ice Age is a strong reminder to stay conservative. Trying to be somebody at 20 miles in resulted in a beat down. Perhaps because I had family there and my mind went into flashback mode. No matter, twern't no Griz left anyway. Let's find out on here a few days later how it all worked out.
Having never run the 50 mile here, it was my carrot run in case I did not get in to Big's which I did not. It has always been on my to do list, but honestly putting up miles in the summer was only something done to race a fall marathon. That's seldom a goal now so I committed to run a lot of slow miles on about 11 runs a week. Nothing fancy. If you read my blog occasionally you can see that.
Back to the entrants list. It is my nature to look and see what the other runners have accomplished in ultras and how I might compare to them. My goal is 9:10 here simply because it is 11 minute miles. Though the course is not overly difficult it does have plenty of rocky sections, many short steep climbs, and leaf cover. For me and others it can be a challenge finding ones trail savvy. Especially for a fellow like me who has occasionally went out towards the upper part of the field just to see what might happen. Those thought do not go away, but memories of many failed attempts do linger. It is my intention tomorrow to strongly lean towards the latter, but I cannot rule out that foolishness may prevail.
Here is what I can say about tomorrow. I should be in shape as I averaged 81.8 miles over a 5 week period and just completed an average 2 week taper. At 58 it is no different than prior tapers in that how I currently feel never tips its hand on tomorrow's outcome. Just trust the work is done. I also have Tim crewing for me. I know Tim well and it is an honor to have this former 2 time state champion from the 70s assisting me. Dewey is having hip replacement surgery the following day so he is out. I'm hoping to be able to do well enough for Tim to relay positive updates to the Dew Master. These are the two guys I run with the most and it is great that they are willing to assist. Another positive is that I do know a fair amount of the volunteers and it is always great encouragement to hear from them. My weight is good as well as I weighed in at 170 today. Tomorrow will be cold. Really cold from normal with starting temps around freezing and maybe only getting to 45F for the high. Actually good running weather, but about 20-30 degrees less than we are all currently used to.
What does this all mean? It means I should be in absolutely no hurry to try and do anything. It is 50 miles so there is plenty of ground to try and cover comfortably. I do not walk much, but I think I will try and walk half the hills. With Tim handing me supplies I should be able to save a bit through the 7 aid stations. I know this is not necessary, but honestly this is what I have become used to. Like a relay team there does seem to be this sense of obligation to do well. You have to take care of yourself early. I've proven to myself numerous times that a conservative approach can result in positive finishes. Not sure why I have to remind myself of this ever time, but I do. The 2019 Ice Age is a strong reminder to stay conservative. Trying to be somebody at 20 miles in resulted in a beat down. Perhaps because I had family there and my mind went into flashback mode. No matter, twern't no Griz left anyway. Let's find out on here a few days later how it all worked out.
Saturday, October 5, 2019
Keep it legal
Water is down. Out at the laundromat. Off course I forgot detergent and then proceed to use the slots there and by bleach by mistake. Good times! Dog almost 13. Does what she wants. Eats the plants. Tosses up for grins. Hey I want to hang outside, but please let me back in in 7 minutes. Can I eat 2 hours early today? Classic.
Got in 349.5 miles for September. Missed my last PM run on 9/30. Was a tad under the weather for a couple days. Trying to not run too much on this short taper. This coming 50 miler I’ve heard can be a lonely one with only about 40 runners. It is an out and back. We have 7 opportunities for aid so a bit spread out. Only know one other guy entered. Though I’ll know the majority of the helpers at aid stations which is nice.
The plan is to twinkle toe down to the turn in about 4:30. Repeat on the way back and see if there is a person or two to chase after. A 4:40 return time will yield a 9:10 finish which is the goal. Eleven minute miles. Hope being 58 keeps me disciplined and not channeling visions of grandeur early on. The current weather looks partly cloudy with a low of 36F and a high of 46F. That could be some good running weather.
I have some medical stuff to attend to in a couple weeks. Nothing major, but I believe they want me fairly docile for a couple weeks. I guess. After I am back up and at it I would like to consider the next adventure. Be nice to try something new. I’ve also kind of starting thinking of a marathon (race) when I turn 60. Why not? Just need to stay away from getting busted up.
Got in 349.5 miles for September. Missed my last PM run on 9/30. Was a tad under the weather for a couple days. Trying to not run too much on this short taper. This coming 50 miler I’ve heard can be a lonely one with only about 40 runners. It is an out and back. We have 7 opportunities for aid so a bit spread out. Only know one other guy entered. Though I’ll know the majority of the helpers at aid stations which is nice.
The plan is to twinkle toe down to the turn in about 4:30. Repeat on the way back and see if there is a person or two to chase after. A 4:40 return time will yield a 9:10 finish which is the goal. Eleven minute miles. Hope being 58 keeps me disciplined and not channeling visions of grandeur early on. The current weather looks partly cloudy with a low of 36F and a high of 46F. That could be some good running weather.
I have some medical stuff to attend to in a couple weeks. Nothing major, but I believe they want me fairly docile for a couple weeks. I guess. After I am back up and at it I would like to consider the next adventure. Be nice to try something new. I’ve also kind of starting thinking of a marathon (race) when I turn 60. Why not? Just need to stay away from getting busted up.
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