Doin' the Charleston

Most race reports start at the starting line. This will have to back up to December 15. It seems about 10 UCRR members are signing up for the Frosty 50. I have been somewhat focused on signing up. I have a good base of 13 miles in for my long run. I figure its not much to ramp up in 30 days to get to 31 miles. I go to Active to sign up and it should be the normal entry fee of $30.00 plus the Active fee. Nope they raised the fee a day early. Sign up was due to increase until the 16th.

Now I'm mad a t myself for waiting until the last minute to register, and mad at Active for their error. As I'm e-mailing the race director, I get an e-mail about Charleston. They need pacers. The date is a week off from the Frosty. So I reply to the Try-Sports marketing team. I get an email back instantly thanking me for volunteering and what time do I want to pace for the full. They have slots open from 3:30 to 5:00. Here is the hotel info. Wow I have never paced before but why not. So I sign up. A great chance to be part of a first time marathon.

Next thought I really don't have a solid plan in place for the build up. I'm working on a new running group that is maxing out at 4.5 miles. I scribble out a plan that gives me a 15 mile long run on the 17th, 15 miler on the 24th, a 18 miler on the 1st and a 20 on the 8th. Anything in between will be strength runs. Christmas eve I wake up with a bit of a scratchy throat. I go out and run 15 and the sinus headache and drip begin. Merry Christmas. I hammer the zinc and cold meds for a week. I get in a 9 and a 3. I make plans to do 18 on New Years day. I figure everyone else will be hung over I'll do it solo. I get a e-mail about doing a 6 mile trail run. I figure can't hurt. I go out and do 10 of my planed 18 and get back at time for the meet up to move to the trail. As I wait I cooled down too far. My meet up no shows and I only get in 10.

I'm now getting worried I won't be ready by the 15th. So in a panic I go out and do a 3,13,4,3,20. Now with 6 days to go I promise a slow taper week. On the 11th I wake up to snow and ice. I have no option of a dreadmill. So I decide on the unusual kind of stupid and head out for a 6. Thoughts of making my own spikes go through my head but I figure I can stay in the snow if need be. I don't know how I did it but no falls on what I could have done in ice skates. My quads are burning like I just did 6 miles of hill repeats. Next day the ice and snow are still there but I need to run. I go out and do another 5 with better roads. Three days to go and I'm still worried I haven't done enough.

I decided to e-mail my pace partner to get to know him before the race. I find out hes a veteran pacer and has 49 marathons under his belt. He sends me tips on pacing that pair up with Savage. Turns out he knows Savage and has paced with him in the past. He also has paced 100 milers in for their last 15 miles. This was great but just added more stress to my brain. Do I have enough in to make it.

Race weekend. On Friday Cabarrus Co. schools cancel because of the now hidden invisible ice. This is great now my family can go with me. I talk my wife into being a race volunteer since she will have to be up at 6 to ride with me to the start.

We get to Charleston and go to the expo to pick up my packet and look around. Turns out its in a big tent in a parking lot. The floor is covered in hay. I would think this at a trail ultra not at a mid size city marathon.

The pace organizer wants us to meet at 6:30 race day. The race starts at 8:00. My wife and daughter head off to the volunteer meet up. I get to the pacer tent and freeze until race time. It's 30 deg out and we are on a corner 2 blocks from the start. We get our balloons and head to the start. ( more on the balloon later)


Mike and I mingle in the crowd and get lined up. we start meeting people who want to finish at the 4:30 pace. Mike gives them his briefing on what to expect from our support. Explains our timing will be off from the garmin. He also lets us know we are shooting for a 2 min cushion to finish at 4:28.

And were off The race started near the water front and went through downtown Charleston. I had never been there so it was a incredible expedience. The narrow streets, the riverfront, the houses and the park. I could tell this was going to be a fun run. The weather started getting warmer and the early morning chill was gone.

Like Charlotte the beauty only lasts so long. We were soon moving out of the historic district and into the lower income areas. I'm thanking the city for the Police support. A few miles of the course was definitely a bit scary.

Unlike Charlotte the course was flat. We crossed over one bridge. I was getting excited for the elevation change.

The first 20 miles were smooth with little excitement.Looking back at my Garmin history we made even miles staying between 9:30 and 10:00.

The most exciting thing that happened was after the half turn off. I had James cut me free from the balloon. I gave him the honor because he was most effected by it up until this point. If I was him I would have popped the balloon or moved in front of the idiot wearing it. It served its pourpose for the first half. But was annoying after the start.




At mile 16 I was handed a energy bar. Not a shot block or gel, a chocolate oatmeal bar. This thing was a brick. They should have saved these for the post race crowd.
I had 2 gels left and was hoping for some to be here at the aid station. No luck. I shared one with my runner James and used my last one. Still keeping a good 10 min pace. Rebecca ( Mikes crew ) was to meet us between 16-18 and had 2 more of my gels.

Mile 16 to 20 volunteers were getting thinner. A couple of water stops only had people filling cups, nobody handing out water. Most turns only had police support. Mile 20 my partner Mike was pushing someone to get to 3:20 and I was holding our pace. I look down in time to see my Garmin black out. ( Note to self. Self put the Garmin on the charger next time.) I start my back up. Iknow 6 more miles should be 1 hour. I start the stop watch on my Polar.

Caroline says she is officially farther than she has ever gone. I stick with her and James for the next couple miles.

As we cut through Riverfront park Caroline informs me we are lucky, " North Charleston usualy smells bad,today is a good air day."

Mile 21 turns into a 4 lane road with only one lane blocked off for runners going out and back. The turn around is about 2 miles out. The race organizers surly could have closed off one more lane. It made it almost impossible to run two wide. James and I decide to run on the grass. This was better underfoot and we could still pass slower runners. We lost Caroline at this point.

Mile 22 Hammer gels finally. A bit late to be effective.

Mile 23 the turn around. Only a 5k to go. My legs were starting to cramp so with almost a 2.5 min cushion to play with I send James on and walk it out waiting for Caroline to catch up. No luck she was still too far behind and I needed to keep on pace to finish on time.

I pick up my pace and catch up with James, we end up running down Mike. He has pushed 3 others to finish ahead of out projected time.

Mile 25 the out and back crowded lane takes its toll. I watch a man slam into a woman. She went down hard. She gets up and shakes off the crash.

Mile 26 James, Mike and I push into it and come down the stretch together. My daughter pops out of the crowd and runs in the last 50 yards with me. As we cross the finish line she hands me my medal. 4:30:18 gun time Perfect. How cool is that to get your medal from your own kid. Turns out she handed out medals to most of the halfers.


James was extremely happy being only his second marathon and pushing himself to a PR. Caroline finished just behind us at 4:33.

I have made the comitment that 2011 is going to be a yaer where I not only improve myself as a runner, but to give back to the running community any way possible. The reward of bringing James in was awesome. Someone who I have never met, stuck with me all morning and trusted my judgement to get him in on time. How cool is that.



All that said. Here is my feedback on what they need to do for next year. Copy of our email sent to the organizers.
Only a couple of feedback notes from the course.The port a jons at the start were 2 blocks from the start. Alot of talk on the corse about the start and finish not being closer to each other. Mile 16 I was handed a Kashi energy bar. This thing felt like a brick. I think they could be better used at the finish line. No energy gel until mile 22. I felt this was a bit late in the race. From previous races I have done these usually get handed out around 16. I had my own so I was good. My pace group needed the extra energy a little earlier. The one lane out and back was tight. I saw a collision between a man and woman that knocked her to the pavement.

My wifes experience:
From the volunteer side. There was one set of instructions given at the briefing, Told get on the bus and get off at a stop you would like or at the finish to help out there.Then once on the bus they changed. They dropped off at different stops ( some not so safe looking) and then said they would pick up and drop at the finish The bus seated 40 and was filled to about 60. Once volunteers were picked up they changed the plan and took them back to the parking garage.
No vouchers for parking were given. The free aquarium parking was not free with out the voucher. I had a runner voucher so I did not have to pay. Then you needed to make your own way to the finish, because they were not going to be able to get bus passes either. Once at the finish line there was not a contact person. There were not even people in volunteer shirts so you did not even know who to ask for help. a couple of young people did have shirts on. Many participants came to us and asked questions, because we had shirts on, but I am sorry to say I had to tell them I didn't have the answer to their question. An overall explanation of event happenings to all volunteers would be helpful We took it upon our selves to pass out the finish metals for the entire time. If we were not there they wasn't anyone there to do it at many times.
The medals were not opened so there was no time to open them for the Half. So the finishers got handed a plastic bagged medal. (really needed to be opened at an earlier date.).
We rushed to open the full ones so they could be hung around the finishers necks. (these should also be prepped ahead of time). We stayed at this area for 3 hours or so.


The post race food was good. Shrimp and grits. I knocked back about 4 bowls of shrimp. Tried the grits on the first bowl. No thanks. There was also plenty of beer. Being volunteers gave you all the Shrimp and beer you wanted. Free.

Good event I'm sure next year will see improvements. I'd do it again. there has been lots of positive feedback so far.

Bryan

40 B4 40

October has arrived and it was now time to put up or shut up. I made a few new year resolutions that i have not paid up on. I joined a running club, check. I have inspired a few people to get out and run, check. I have improved my 5k time, check.
I have yet to run my 40 miler before my birthday on October 18.

I have done the training and put in the miles. I had two opportunities to do this at actual races. One was out of the question due to family vacation. The other intimidated the hell out of me. When I finally got the guts to commit it was too late to register.

I worked up a plan to run the same route I had been training on. I put together a pace plan, set up my fluids, mapped everything out. I felt the plan was solid. The only thing preventing me from finishing was the run being 13 miles farther than I had ever gone.





Saturday October 9, 2010 Run, walk or crawl, I am determined to make 40 miles today. I had a few friends pacing me. My wife had contacted other friends and promoted my crazy stunt. My daughter told me "You can do it daddy."


6am Start in the dark. Derrick an employee from Lowe's said he would be out to run the first 7 mile loop with me. My goal was to run 30 walk 5 this would be my next 7+ hours. The downhill on David Taylor carried us out at a smooth 8 min pace. This was faster than my plan but what could it hurt. About 2.7 miles in we passe Theoden and he turned to run with us. The reason I remember the mileage at this point was I hit the stop button on my Garmin and it paused. At Saxonburry he turned off to get back to Caribou by 7 and to not push my pace. I knew we were moving at his pace but it felt good. I had missed my walk break at 30 so checking my time I found out I was still at 2.7 miles. I was unsure of the missed mileage (2.4) the rest of the day and it helped occupy my mind and keep me from thinking about the pains. We made it back to Caribou before as the UCRR were getting ready to go. Derrick wished me luck and I joined in the pack heading out. 7 miles in 33 to go.

I joined the pack at the usual downhill pace of about 8:30. Emily from Empowered Personal Fitness was there as promised. We split off at the crossing to follow my plan. Emily made the next 14 miles go smooth. She let me slow down and walk when I needed, but was sure to not let me slow too much. When I mentioned I was starting to feel some pain she assured me I wasn't. I did make one mistake at mile 14 I picked up a Cliff bar and broke it in half. I should have just taken another GU as planned. No matter how small of a bite I took this thing was not going down. This was a huge error in judgement. It putt a lump in my gut that kept me from wanting any other food the rest of the run. I should have stuck with bananas that I failed to bring.

3 laps down and 21 miles in I was feeling good. Emily was done and as I walked through Caribou to use the restroom it seemed all the UCRR were done as well. I looked around for Leroy he was going to bring some motivation and donuts. No Leroy.
I started to shuffle going down David Taylor. This was my first leg without a pacer. By the time I reached the trail I started to walk. The cool morning temps were starting to fade into the afternoon heat. I passed a few random runners on the trail. I started allowing myself longer walks. As I passed the turn off that goes under Harris I saw a crowd of cheerleaders pushing me on the entire group joined me for the next half mile.


I pushed on with renewed energy and spirit. I about a half mile out from the pit stop for mile 28 my wife drove by and dropped my daughter off to run back to the car with me. This was awesome. As I sat to get a drink and decide what to eat I felt the first bit of real pain. At the top of my left foot where the shin and foot connect. I have never had pains here before. I shook it off ate some pretzels and corn nuts. I wanted more salt to offset dehydration. Nothing seemed digestible.

12 more miles to go as I ran off down David Taylor again The pain was starting to increase. I started moving at a slow shuffle. walking seemed OK so I pressed on. Now wishing I had taken Advil back at the car. After getting back on the pavement I decided to see if barefoot was any better. I made about a mile barefoot but the pain was getting worse. Now my mind was racing how would I finish this. I felt like it was turning into a death march. Walking up Fairlea I was beginning to wonder how I would justify a DNF. I was thinking up every motivational positive quote i could think. I still was face first into a giant brick wall. My support crew had gone and were not due back until the end of my last lap. how would it look for my kid to see me give up at mile 34.

As I approached the pit stop my wife and daughter had walked out to run in with me and get me going on my final lap. I was flamed out. My wife was not about to let me quit. I sat to change shoes she kept prompting me to get up and keep moving. I took the long awaited Advil and drank my jug of recovery milk. loaded up on some cold water and iced the ankle. Still pushing me to get moving she decided they were going with me. 6.39 miles to go and they were getting me there.

As we left Caribou my daughter kept telling me "You can do this dad your awesome!" All I could say was "Thanks I know I can." Most of David Taylor was a slow walk. I managed a few strides as my wife ran ahead. " Come on your not giving up now, You can do this!" they kept cheering. We made it to the trail and she kept me running short distances. "You can make it to that tree, the bridge, keep going!"
Finally with about 3 miles to go I got moving and the pain was going away or the adrenalin and euphoria of finishing were kicking in. I just kept going. "You have ran 37 miles and still run faster than me." my wife said.

As I made it back to Caribou the Garmin was still short miles from the first lap. I made a loop around the lot and it was only at 39.3 I headed back out to meet my family and run in the finish with them and still only came up with 39.5 I was done. I DID IT! 40 miles before I turned 40.


Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they’ve been given than to explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact. It’s an opinion. It’s not a declaration. It’s a dare. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary. Impossible is nothing.
- ...Muhammad Ali


I have learned that I need to stick to the plan. I went out too fast and I should have secured a pacer for late in the run. I failed to consume enough calories.

Special thanks to Derrick, Emily, and my pit crew that came through for me and helped me break down the wall. I feel I have an Ultra family. My 9 year old daughter ran farther than she ever dreamed of just to help me finish my goal. And my wife that never gives up on me no mater how crazy my dreams get.

Triple Lakes

Here it is resolution #3 40 B4 40 http://www.triplelakesrace.com/index.html

Switching all gears to train for this 40.

Step one rest for 1 more week. Work out the calf pain, research the run. The being on a trail is the only part I,m not sure of.

Everyone must have a Goal. Ive decided GO BIG OR GO home!

Late

So I'm looking forward to this event tonight all week. Its a meet and greet for the 4 mile race. The add states 6:30-8:00 Wine and munchies, Get a custom Somino shoe fitting, Lucky winners will get prizes including a pair of Somino shoes.

So day 4 in a row of hell at work. I get stuck dealing with a complaint that needs settled before I go home. Scheduled off @ 5 should give me plenty of time to swing by the running store, pic up my number and shirt. Head down to the VW dealer where the party is.

I don't get out until 6. The running store has only the owner working. He's selling shoes and handing out the race T's.

Needles to say I screwed up. I get to the party about 7:30. Make some chit chat with the marketing guy from the VW dealer. Get some grub and get in line for the fitting. I find out they allready did the drawing. Ok now shoes to win I'll still get a hat or waterbottle. Nope! I'm S.O.L. The guy ahead of me gets the last bit if swag.

So I go through the fitting process. I get on the box, flex my knee, do the other foot. The rep hands me a slip of paper with a few check marks. He says take this in and they will set your shoe up. I'm thinking there is a nothe guy around the corner putting shoe together to test. Nope, gotta take the slip back to my running store to try them on.

So I hang out for a few, chit chat with the rep and a few other runners. Finaly i decide to drive home disapointed in myself. I had planed on getting there @ 6:30 and missed my plan by an hour. I should have skipped picking up my gear. Ooops.

Just had to be that guy and put out a little rant on how dissapionted I am in myself.

I do want to say that if your going to state your custom fitting the shoes, how bout having some to try on.

Gotta run.

Cross training.

So the leg not feeling good for running. I cant waste a 70 + degree day. I break out the mountain bike and take it on the road. 30+ miles in 2.5 hours not to bad for a runner on a POS mountain bike. The cool part was passing one of thoes speed radars and getting up to 26.5MPH. I hope i dont get the addiction to go looking for a road bike.

Idiot!

Ok body I lied to you and you caught me. 22 miles was a bit much. The hills on that run were killer and never seemed to end. Now 5 days later you are still making me pay for it.
Shin/ calf whatever one of you is really pissed off at the brain please lighten up. Its 70 deg out today and I will load up on pain killers and put you through a test. The bike is ready. I hate the bike but you are forcing me to go low impact and I refuse to let this spring day go to waste.
I will promise to keep the impact off if you promise to be healed in time for next weeks 4 miler. I have paid the entry fee, and my mind is set on a PR.
Get ready for some yoga and some bike. You will be ready to start this race series.

" Il, faut d'abord durer." First one must endure.

Open letter to my abused body.

Dear feet,

I know I drag you around, I can tell by the wear marks on my souls. I know I spent my first year running in shoes too Small, you pointed this out by taking away the toenails. They were never that good looking any way. I want to apologize and thank you for all the work you do. From just walking at work to short fast runs, and slow long runs. You have never gave me any pain. Even when my shoes have been old and wore out. You keep me going, one step in front of another.

Dear Legs,

Dry cracked and wind burnt, I promise I will use more lotion. I promise I will warm up a little before I start running. I promise I will stretch after running. I will do more Yoga in between runs. I will use the stick more and role out the calf's both of them not just the right one that hurts after long runs. I will do more plyometrics, we will hop, hop and hop to build more muscle to go farther and faster. I believe in you. I will respect you more. I have improved my form and will continue to treat you with more respect. For without your strength we would just sit on the couch and watch TV.


Dear digestive track,

I know NO MORE COFFEE! Its hard to say NO the brain and the tongue like it. I know you crave the ice cream and I promise I will not go cold turkey. Please continue to process the carbs and protein the muscles crave for fuel and I will feed your desire for empty calories. ( Ice cream only! )I also promise to limit processed foods and feed you more natural whole foods. The farmers market will re-open soon.

To my core muscle group,

Abs, and Chest. I will continue to work you daily. I know I neglected you last summer and you let me slip by and complete the marathon. I will no longer embarrass you in front of others. Daily crunches and push ups it is.

Arms You will have to get yours from the push ups. I will continue to protect you from sun and wind. Just keep swinging and give the body momentum that the legs need to follow. I promise I will never turn into a Tri Athlete No swimming in the near future.

Dear Ears,

I will turn down the volume, I know one of you has already said no more. The hearing aid does help. And keeps the balance. For the right one please stick around a while longer. I like it when your working I can understand speech a bit better. I makes life around the house better when I understand what my wife is saying.

Over all body you have come together quite nice. No longer the plump 240 but a muscular fit 180. I will continue to push you to your limits. The brain continues to think up punishment beyond what you can endure. You have met every challenge full force holding nothing back. You do turn 40 this year and I have no intention on looking for a newer model. 1970 was a good year. 2010 will be a better year. Remember the goal of the 40 mile ultra before 40. The brain has also thought of the 50 marathons before 50. Somewhere in the back I thought there was a conversation of getting in 2010 miles before 2011. Good luck