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.
Saturday, October 12, 2019
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.
Thursday, September 26, 2019
Make it take it
I updated the watch and it is much more accurate. At least on the mileage. Ran 19k today and the watch had me red lining quite often with a 219 heart rate. After the run it also informed me I need 82 hours of recovery. Good work if you can get it. I am definitely tired, but slowly cutting the miles by 1k a day. Checked into the JFK 50 miler and it’s sold out this year. Wouldn’t mind trying to squeeze another event in. Beautiful day as I took off and the wife and I went kayaking. Pretty choppy and windy on Okauchee Lake. Put in another 1:40 out there. Gonna catch some serious rack tonight.
Monday, September 23, 2019
Saw my baby down by the river
So being off work today I did decide to run up into the new turf I mentioned yesterday. I limited myself to 16k which was a bit difficult to do. At 8k I was up there on Chenequa Drive where Thurston and Lovey live, but made the decision to go back as I want to get another run in later today. There are some big cribs up there and new ones being built. There is also a huge golf course and I figured I best stay of those paths before they released the hounds. I'm thinking of scouting it out with the vehicle later...we will see. Nice clean area with a few nice vistas. There are some hills which are good. Very low traffic. Guys with ties driving out into the world mainly. Hey this is not Palm Beach or anything, but pretty nice digs.
I put in 23k yesterday and had the idea I could cut my daily mileage by 1k daily before the 50 mile and go like this; 22, 21, 20, 19, 18, 17, 16, 15, 14, 13, 12, 11, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, race day. That is the plan for now.
I have found over the years that any time I am building up mileage that once you get to a certain point like 85 miles a week, it just seems easier to pile on extra mileage. Getting an extra 20 miles in doesn't seem as hard as compared to someone running 40 and wanting to get to 60 miles. That has always been my experience with easy miles. Anyone else experience this? Not that I am going to do that now, but it was tempting to over do it today.
This is my 4th Monday off in a row and I got to tell you this is pure gold. Mostly how I over achieve at getting nothing significant done. Sometimes the thought goes through my head as to how cool it would be if most of my/our stuff was gone. I control that. I've spoke to myself about getting stuff pared down. Some progress made, but just another thing on the endless list. I have books and stuff people have given me I swear will be read, and letters I will write, etc. Just this moment I am looking at a piece of equipment that served me well for years. One of those, copies, fax, scanner deals. I have not used it in well over a year. Believe it or not my phone has replaced much of the need for any equipment. If I need anything printed I go down the road to the little library. I just remembered about 6 years ago or so I threw out a bunch of crap one use to hang up from work, etc. My wife said I found these diplomas in the trash...you should keep these. I did. Not sure where they are at now, but what good is that crap.
I'll finish today with this. Everything is swell over here. It just seems that no matter if it is work, social, home, personal, or whatever that the plan changes all the time. "Hey, we are going in this direction now." "Let's put more effort into this." "That doesn't work with Terrance, can we make other plans?" So sometimes when the dog bugs the hell out of me to take her out in the evening, it seems like the best advice I received all day.
I put in 23k yesterday and had the idea I could cut my daily mileage by 1k daily before the 50 mile and go like this; 22, 21, 20, 19, 18, 17, 16, 15, 14, 13, 12, 11, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, race day. That is the plan for now.
I have found over the years that any time I am building up mileage that once you get to a certain point like 85 miles a week, it just seems easier to pile on extra mileage. Getting an extra 20 miles in doesn't seem as hard as compared to someone running 40 and wanting to get to 60 miles. That has always been my experience with easy miles. Anyone else experience this? Not that I am going to do that now, but it was tempting to over do it today.
This is my 4th Monday off in a row and I got to tell you this is pure gold. Mostly how I over achieve at getting nothing significant done. Sometimes the thought goes through my head as to how cool it would be if most of my/our stuff was gone. I control that. I've spoke to myself about getting stuff pared down. Some progress made, but just another thing on the endless list. I have books and stuff people have given me I swear will be read, and letters I will write, etc. Just this moment I am looking at a piece of equipment that served me well for years. One of those, copies, fax, scanner deals. I have not used it in well over a year. Believe it or not my phone has replaced much of the need for any equipment. If I need anything printed I go down the road to the little library. I just remembered about 6 years ago or so I threw out a bunch of crap one use to hang up from work, etc. My wife said I found these diplomas in the trash...you should keep these. I did. Not sure where they are at now, but what good is that crap.
I'll finish today with this. Everything is swell over here. It just seems that no matter if it is work, social, home, personal, or whatever that the plan changes all the time. "Hey, we are going in this direction now." "Let's put more effort into this." "That doesn't work with Terrance, can we make other plans?" So sometimes when the dog bugs the hell out of me to take her out in the evening, it seems like the best advice I received all day.
Sunday, September 22, 2019
The wild frontier
Looks like the field for Big’s Backyard is set. With only 75 entrants getting in, I doubt 20% of the field will drop in a few weeks. Which means it’s all systems go for the Glacial Trail 50 mile. That is 3 weeks out from today and I feel pretty good about where I am physically. Got in about 91 miles this week and would be happy with about 80 next week. It is no more than power jogging these days, but honestly that is all I have and I am enjoying it.
A doe and three fawns got in front of me yesterday in one of the near by neighborhoods. Not close as I was doing about 20mph, but I did miss my turn. Suddenly I am finding all this new running turf I was unaware of. Looking forward to some exploratory shuffling up there. Probably require 9-10 mile minimum run, but new turf is always a bonus. Might get up there tomorrow.
I have this new GPS watch. Not even remotely close to being accurate. Not the miles, heart rate, or sleep data. There are many things you can track, but it throws out all these numbers not remotely accurate. I called customer service only because of the severity of difference. Known 6.5 mile loop measured 5.1 miles. Known 2 miles out measured 2.4 out and 1.86 back. Comical at best, but they gave me a place to go to load up new software or some thing. I am off tomorrow, maybe I can figure it out. I picked the watch for my 35 anniversary gift. I’ll use it, but get me reasonably close!
So what to expect at the 50? It is an out and back and with Dewey getting a hip replacement the following day he is out. Tim has stepped in and that is awesome. Honestly I like crew for the convenience, but it is also huge knowing someone you run with will be out there sharing the experience and rooting you on. I like the intel as well. I’m not that far gone where I don’t like to catch people or hold them off. That’s part of the reason I do this. Eleven minute miles is a 9:10 so that is the goal. I’ll plan on going out conservative in the dark and stay within myself the first half. I’ll try and keep it that way and if I can catch a hot spot the last 10-15 miles try and ride that in. Always sounds easy when you are sitting on the couch watching the Packer game.
I can’t believe how easy it was to cover 90 miles when you don’t care about the pace 95% of the time. A couple times a week if I feel thermodynamic, I’ll catch a mile or two around 8:30 pace, but that’s it. Since the wife works full time at the end of the day I get the dog out for a couple and then add on another 2-3 on top of that. Truly a win - win - win, because if the dog wasn’t involved the world has a different spin. Just how life works and I am good with that.
A doe and three fawns got in front of me yesterday in one of the near by neighborhoods. Not close as I was doing about 20mph, but I did miss my turn. Suddenly I am finding all this new running turf I was unaware of. Looking forward to some exploratory shuffling up there. Probably require 9-10 mile minimum run, but new turf is always a bonus. Might get up there tomorrow.
I have this new GPS watch. Not even remotely close to being accurate. Not the miles, heart rate, or sleep data. There are many things you can track, but it throws out all these numbers not remotely accurate. I called customer service only because of the severity of difference. Known 6.5 mile loop measured 5.1 miles. Known 2 miles out measured 2.4 out and 1.86 back. Comical at best, but they gave me a place to go to load up new software or some thing. I am off tomorrow, maybe I can figure it out. I picked the watch for my 35 anniversary gift. I’ll use it, but get me reasonably close!
So what to expect at the 50? It is an out and back and with Dewey getting a hip replacement the following day he is out. Tim has stepped in and that is awesome. Honestly I like crew for the convenience, but it is also huge knowing someone you run with will be out there sharing the experience and rooting you on. I like the intel as well. I’m not that far gone where I don’t like to catch people or hold them off. That’s part of the reason I do this. Eleven minute miles is a 9:10 so that is the goal. I’ll plan on going out conservative in the dark and stay within myself the first half. I’ll try and keep it that way and if I can catch a hot spot the last 10-15 miles try and ride that in. Always sounds easy when you are sitting on the couch watching the Packer game.
I can’t believe how easy it was to cover 90 miles when you don’t care about the pace 95% of the time. A couple times a week if I feel thermodynamic, I’ll catch a mile or two around 8:30 pace, but that’s it. Since the wife works full time at the end of the day I get the dog out for a couple and then add on another 2-3 on top of that. Truly a win - win - win, because if the dog wasn’t involved the world has a different spin. Just how life works and I am good with that.
Monday, September 16, 2019
Wicked hard
Al’s Run 8k in 33:38. Way better than expected. Most of team exceeded expectations. Weather certainly cooler than previous years. Big picnic up at Ryan’s crib. Great to see the gang and catch up. I trained through the week and hit about 71. Another 2 weeks of training and then about 12-13 days of taper before 50 mile. Still just slow miles. Whatever the day gives me. One note about Al’s is I went through 4 miles at 28:00 flat. As I have done in the past I just let it go. The 7:00s was about as fast as I could seem to go. Ran the last 0.97 miles in 5:38. I was blowing by people. Which is nice. However, it does make one ponder why it took so long to loosen up. I guess when one trains at 10 and 11 minute miles most of the time it is hard to achieve active flight mode.
Monday, September 9, 2019
Just a bit outside
I’m off today. What that means any longer I am not sure. There is always the feeling like something needs to done, or moved forward. Honestly it can get old. We have about 10 things in our life we do repeatedly +1 and we go about claiming how great it is. If anything, running allows me to have the conception of a goal/adventure and matriculate towards that end. I also enjoy watching others go through the process at all levels. Yes I still go to HS meets occasionally. Yes I track my friends progress on my phone running 100 milers. Running or jogging now-a-days is and can be selfish on my end because I can and have let it be 2-3+ hours a day. Not all running time mind you, but travel, get ready, etc. I ran 84.7 miles last week. That’s a lot for me, but I just don’t enjoy running a 50 miler on memory.
I’m excited about the Glacial Trail 50 mile. I have not done that distance there. It can be challenging with a bit of rugged trail with additional leaf coverage. Not sure I can break 9 hours, but hey why am I putting in these miles? I turned my ankle up there last year and that makes for a longer day. It just seems the faster one is the smoother the trail becomes. I’d like to get in another solid 3 weeks and then an 11 day taper of sorts. I have Al’s Run 8k this Saturday, but I am training right through that. If I break 40 then good enough. Can’t you see we got the damn ballgame on here?
I’m excited about the Glacial Trail 50 mile. I have not done that distance there. It can be challenging with a bit of rugged trail with additional leaf coverage. Not sure I can break 9 hours, but hey why am I putting in these miles? I turned my ankle up there last year and that makes for a longer day. It just seems the faster one is the smoother the trail becomes. I’d like to get in another solid 3 weeks and then an 11 day taper of sorts. I have Al’s Run 8k this Saturday, but I am training right through that. If I break 40 then good enough. Can’t you see we got the damn ballgame on here?
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