With only 16 days left until The Beast of Burden 24-hour race there is not much more I can do to prepare as far as my fitness goes. As for that, I'm either ready or I'm not. I think I am ready. But the one thing I can't control, Mother Nature, still has the ability to make or break the run for me. So every run is still a gear-test run for me. I want to be as prepared as I can be. I have been running in some pretty extreme cold and windy conditions, so I think I am ready for that. The one thing that I haven't had much of a chance to do is run in deep snow. In December we did have some pretty excellent snow that I could have run in, but I was remiss and opted for skiing and snowshoeing at that time. And then we had our mid-winter thaw which brought some pretty good rain, which melted the snow. FINALLY, yesterday we got a good wallop of the white stuff and I got my chance. So I headed out for one of my favorite loops, a 7.5-miler on seasonal roads which are not plowed in the winter. It was 28 degrees F and there was a good 5-6" base of snow. Well, first of all, it was harder than I had anticipated - even more tiring than snowshoeing. So the "run" turned into more of a "hike-run", which was OK, since I still got in the time on my feet.
So here is my gear-test report card:
1. SNEAKERS: A+. I wore the INOV-8 X-talon 212s and they worked fabulously. The grippy lugs on the soles gave excellent traction even in the deep snow.
2. GAITERS: A. I wore a pair of ankle-high gaiters from Eastern Mountain Sports which kept my ankles dry and kept the snow out of the shoes, but they were a bit warm and my pant-legs around my ankles were noticeably wet from the sweat.
3. SOCKS: A+. I wore the Seirus StormSocks which kept my feet dry and warm from the snow. Again, with the 28 degree temps, my feet did get a little sweaty, but not bad.
4. CLOTHING: A. I was quite comfortable with a pair of spandex shorts, lined wind-pants, coolmax shirts, and my new Red Ledge shell for a windbreaker (which also did not absorb the falling snow!). Even though I was sweating I really didn't notice it much while out and was never cold or uncomfortable. However, I was surprised when I got home and found out how wet my shirts were! Something to think about if the temps were colder, although the sweat-factor when running on the flat Erie Canal towpath should be less than it was running on my hilly home course.
I also wore just my waistpack with a water bottle, since I didn't fear there would be any bottle-freezing going on. This worked fine and I will bring this with me to the race in the event that it isn't freezing out. My final conclusion: bring everything to the race.
"Big occasions and races which have been eagerly anticipated almost to the point of dread, are where great deeds can be accomplished." Jack Lovelock
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Product Test #9587
OK, so who really knows how many running-related products I have tested over the years - everything from shoes to clothing to foods to hydration systems. I can't say that I've lost count because I never really kept count. All I know is that with this upcoming Beast of Burden 24-hour race, I have been in perpetual test-pilot mode. This event is something totally new to me; I have never done a 24-hour event and I have never done any extremely long stuff in the middle of winter. So in the planning process I am trying to be completely prepared. My biggest concern, as with any ultra, is my feet. If you don't take care of your feet, you're cooked. So I have to say that this area has been my biggest focus in preparing for The Beast.
I already have a pair of Seirus Stormsocks that I absolutely love. They keep your feet toasty and dry and fit like a second skin. But I recently learned about another cold-and-wet proof sock that I thought beared some investigation. SealSkinz sounded like they may provide a bit more protection if the conditions turn out to be either very wet or extremely cold. So, wanting to be prepared for anything, I bought a pair.
Yesterday it was a sunny and 18 degrees F outside. Not brutally cold, I thought, but I thought I would take this chance to test-drive the SealSkinz. Once I got out the door I realized that it wasn't the balmy 18 degrees that it appeared to be looking out the window. The wind was kicking-up pretty good and the windchill was certainly in the single digits, if not below zero. Excellent opportunity for the SealSkinz. I ran 8.8 miles and my feet stayed toasty warm the whole time. The one thing that I did notice is that the SealSkinz are a bit bulkier than the StormSocks. And toward the end of the run (probably about 1 1/4 miles left) I found that my feet were actually too warm. My conclusion is that the SealSkinz, unless the daytime conditions are brutally cold (near or below zero) will likely be reserved for the night-time running of The Beast when I am likely to be moving slower and the temps dropping down even colder.
The one thing that I discovered about the SealSkinz, which I found pretty cool, is that they really are a very weatherproof sock. When I finished my run I took my sneakers off on the porch and walked around in the snow for about 5 minutes in just the SealSkinz and my feet stayed just as warm and dry (dry meaning no sock leakage from the outside, but my toes were already somewhat sweaty from the run). Pretty cool.
So my conclusion is that the SealSkinz socks should be reserved for either the very wet or the very very very cold. I really like them but I can see that it may take me a couple of runs in them to adjust to the bulk, since I am used to a thin sock. And I think that no matter how wet and disgusting your sneakers may get, the SealSkinz will keep your feet warm and dry.
Some (Joe) may think that I have gone a bit over the deep end with my weather-proof socks, but I think that for conquering The Beast successfully, foot care is priority 1.
I already have a pair of Seirus Stormsocks that I absolutely love. They keep your feet toasty and dry and fit like a second skin. But I recently learned about another cold-and-wet proof sock that I thought beared some investigation. SealSkinz sounded like they may provide a bit more protection if the conditions turn out to be either very wet or extremely cold. So, wanting to be prepared for anything, I bought a pair.
Yesterday it was a sunny and 18 degrees F outside. Not brutally cold, I thought, but I thought I would take this chance to test-drive the SealSkinz. Once I got out the door I realized that it wasn't the balmy 18 degrees that it appeared to be looking out the window. The wind was kicking-up pretty good and the windchill was certainly in the single digits, if not below zero. Excellent opportunity for the SealSkinz. I ran 8.8 miles and my feet stayed toasty warm the whole time. The one thing that I did notice is that the SealSkinz are a bit bulkier than the StormSocks. And toward the end of the run (probably about 1 1/4 miles left) I found that my feet were actually too warm. My conclusion is that the SealSkinz, unless the daytime conditions are brutally cold (near or below zero) will likely be reserved for the night-time running of The Beast when I am likely to be moving slower and the temps dropping down even colder.
The one thing that I discovered about the SealSkinz, which I found pretty cool, is that they really are a very weatherproof sock. When I finished my run I took my sneakers off on the porch and walked around in the snow for about 5 minutes in just the SealSkinz and my feet stayed just as warm and dry (dry meaning no sock leakage from the outside, but my toes were already somewhat sweaty from the run). Pretty cool.
So my conclusion is that the SealSkinz socks should be reserved for either the very wet or the very very very cold. I really like them but I can see that it may take me a couple of runs in them to adjust to the bulk, since I am used to a thin sock. And I think that no matter how wet and disgusting your sneakers may get, the SealSkinz will keep your feet warm and dry.
Some (Joe) may think that I have gone a bit over the deep end with my weather-proof socks, but I think that for conquering The Beast successfully, foot care is priority 1.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Preparing To Brave The Beast
Winter training continues. I feel like I am in product test mode. First of all I have been working myself into more "minimalist" running shoes - less shoe bulk, closer to a barefoot feel with the protection of a sneaker. So I checked in with Oregon ultrarunning ace Jeff Browning for his advice. He has been doing some real excellent testing in this department (and offering some great advice on how to transition into running in more minimalist shoes). He suggested trying the INOV-8 X-Talon 212. Sounded good to me, so straight to the Zombierunner website I went and ordered-up my first pair of INOV-8s. They not only look cool but they are nice and narrow and fit my foot great and they are extremely comfortable!
This past Saturday Karen F. and I did a "test-run" on a path along the Chenango River at the Chenanago Valley State Park. It was below zero degrees when I left my house and only slightly warmer at the park (still sub-10 degrees), very little sun, and a bit of wind. This would prove to be an excellent test for the upcoming Beast of Burden race that I am preparing for. We ran a 2.8-mile out and back along the river, utilizing the warm restrooms and our cars as refuelling stations. The highlight of the day was that we were watched for two out-and-backs by a pair of bald eagles that Karen tells me nest nearby. How amazing it was to see these awesome birds up close - I had never seen one in real life before. I was absolutely stunned by their size and beauty!
So here are some reviews/findings that I discovered in our 5 1/2 hour, 23.2-mile run. This test run on this brutally cold day proved to be probably the most important thing in preparation for The Beast . . . had we not done this, I think I could have made some potentially bad choices that could ruin my race.
1. Hydration I wore a waist pack carrying two CamelBak insulated drink bottles. The water in the bottle did not freeze, however, water that splashed above the insulted bottle portion into the cap and mouthpiece did!
2. Fuel I carried a flask of Hammer Perpetueum (in concentrated paste form), which my stomach tolerated very well. However, I carried the flask in the chest pocket of my Nathan vest and this did not provide insulation and the paste froze in the mouthpiece - fortunately I was able to remove the cap and get some of the frozen slush out to keep me fuelled. Hammer Endurolytes - at the rate of about 2 caps per hour (since I was not noticeably sweating) worked well to keep the electrolyte balance.
3. Clothing I wore my Seirus Stormsocks and my feet stayed dry and toasty-warm for the entire run! These things are a dream; I have been utilizing the same pair for 3 winters now and after multiple washings/dryings they still keep my tootsies warm and dry. Love 'em. Sweating did not seem to be an issue at all - I stayed dry and only changed my shirts & jacket once (and only then because I needed a jacket that would go over my hydration pack to see if this would help keep the bottle caps from freezing). I didn't even have to change into dry clothing for the drive home. And I did try the face mask out - that didn't last long. I am not a fan of having my face and mouth covered, no matter what the temp. I prefer slathering Vaseline on my skin and have found this to be a very effective skin protectant (although a bit messy). And my hands stayed dry and warm with just glove liners on - hands pulled inside my jacket sleeves when necessary.
On the drive home (1 hour, 20 minutes) I refuelled with 16 ounces of chocolate milk, some salt & vinegar potatoe chips, root beer, and a fish sandwich. And then I treated myself to some excellent black olive and feta cheese pizza, chicken wings (OK, not healthy but I earned them!) and an Arrogant Bastard Ale. Awoke on Sunday feeling great and ready to run again.
This trial run was exactly what I needed. Yesterday I pulled out my old CamelBak Flashflo and attached the insulated drinking hose and gave that a trial on a 7-mile run in 6 degree weather with winds a bit higher than Saturday's run. A bit of ice build-up was noted in the cap over the mouthpiece, which I think could have been avoided by blowing the water back out of the mouthpiece and into the hose after taking a drink. I will have to test-drive this unit on a longer run, but I think this is going to be the most effective method of carrying fluids.
So that's where I'm at with winter training. This is really fun! I only hope that we don't incur something awful like a warm spell for the race! I am totally looking forward to the challenge of some brutal conditions. So . . . Cowgirl Up! and let the games begin!!
This past Saturday Karen F. and I did a "test-run" on a path along the Chenango River at the Chenanago Valley State Park. It was below zero degrees when I left my house and only slightly warmer at the park (still sub-10 degrees), very little sun, and a bit of wind. This would prove to be an excellent test for the upcoming Beast of Burden race that I am preparing for. We ran a 2.8-mile out and back along the river, utilizing the warm restrooms and our cars as refuelling stations. The highlight of the day was that we were watched for two out-and-backs by a pair of bald eagles that Karen tells me nest nearby. How amazing it was to see these awesome birds up close - I had never seen one in real life before. I was absolutely stunned by their size and beauty!
So here are some reviews/findings that I discovered in our 5 1/2 hour, 23.2-mile run. This test run on this brutally cold day proved to be probably the most important thing in preparation for The Beast . . . had we not done this, I think I could have made some potentially bad choices that could ruin my race.
1. Hydration I wore a waist pack carrying two CamelBak insulated drink bottles. The water in the bottle did not freeze, however, water that splashed above the insulted bottle portion into the cap and mouthpiece did!
2. Fuel I carried a flask of Hammer Perpetueum (in concentrated paste form), which my stomach tolerated very well. However, I carried the flask in the chest pocket of my Nathan vest and this did not provide insulation and the paste froze in the mouthpiece - fortunately I was able to remove the cap and get some of the frozen slush out to keep me fuelled. Hammer Endurolytes - at the rate of about 2 caps per hour (since I was not noticeably sweating) worked well to keep the electrolyte balance.
3. Clothing I wore my Seirus Stormsocks and my feet stayed dry and toasty-warm for the entire run! These things are a dream; I have been utilizing the same pair for 3 winters now and after multiple washings/dryings they still keep my tootsies warm and dry. Love 'em. Sweating did not seem to be an issue at all - I stayed dry and only changed my shirts & jacket once (and only then because I needed a jacket that would go over my hydration pack to see if this would help keep the bottle caps from freezing). I didn't even have to change into dry clothing for the drive home. And I did try the face mask out - that didn't last long. I am not a fan of having my face and mouth covered, no matter what the temp. I prefer slathering Vaseline on my skin and have found this to be a very effective skin protectant (although a bit messy). And my hands stayed dry and warm with just glove liners on - hands pulled inside my jacket sleeves when necessary.
On the drive home (1 hour, 20 minutes) I refuelled with 16 ounces of chocolate milk, some salt & vinegar potatoe chips, root beer, and a fish sandwich. And then I treated myself to some excellent black olive and feta cheese pizza, chicken wings (OK, not healthy but I earned them!) and an Arrogant Bastard Ale. Awoke on Sunday feeling great and ready to run again.
This trial run was exactly what I needed. Yesterday I pulled out my old CamelBak Flashflo and attached the insulated drinking hose and gave that a trial on a 7-mile run in 6 degree weather with winds a bit higher than Saturday's run. A bit of ice build-up was noted in the cap over the mouthpiece, which I think could have been avoided by blowing the water back out of the mouthpiece and into the hose after taking a drink. I will have to test-drive this unit on a longer run, but I think this is going to be the most effective method of carrying fluids.
So that's where I'm at with winter training. This is really fun! I only hope that we don't incur something awful like a warm spell for the race! I am totally looking forward to the challenge of some brutal conditions. So . . . Cowgirl Up! and let the games begin!!
Monday, January 4, 2010
Running In The New Year
HAPPY NEW YEAR! I hope that everyone had a wonderful holiday filled with fun, family, and lots of running! I had to work on New Year's Eve, which isn't really a big deal since we don't really do anything special on that evening - the real fun is reserved for the next day! I did, however, consider going out for a midnight run under the blue moon and tried to coerce some of my friends to join me. Easy for me . . . I would just be getting home from work so I would be wide awake and heading out for a run would be no biggie. Apparently those who don't work those hours and would normally be in bed weren't up for getting up and heading up to the ice and snow glacier that I call home. The idea of going out alone to ring in the New Year sounded less appealing the more that I thought about it and so I opted to just lay low, drink beer, and play video games.
New Year's Day brought the annual Cookie & Hat Run in Big Flats, put on by the Wineglass Running Club. This has traditionally been a 5K road race, but a few years back race director, Bob Kerns, decided to mix things up a bit and has since changed the distance and route on us several times! And this year was a real treat . . . the course was 6K that included a combination of roads and off-road sections on snow and ice! It was AWESOME! I recently bought a pair of the New Balance WT100s in the hopes that the snow would someday melt and I could try them on the trails. With the muck and slush and snow that I knew would be on the roads on January 1, I decided that trail shoes would be the best option no matter what the course, and had my inaugural run in these shoes! They were superb - excellent grip, light-weight, and good-looking! Skipping the midnight run and saving my energy for this run was an excellent choice as I was able to run 27:21 for 6K, barely squeaking out 2nd place in my age group and good for the award of some really excellent pumpkin cookies! It was an absolutely beautiful day with the temps in the 30s, sunny, and very little wind.
But then came January 2. And the polar opposite in weather conditions. During the night a beautiful layer of probably 4-6 inches of white fluff had fallen, temp fallen to around 8 degrees, the wind kicked-in, and there was very little sun to be found. So what did Joe and I do? Headed down to Binghamton to the Triple Cities Runners Club race #1 in their Freeze 10K series. Fortunately I keep my running bag filled with a few extra clothing choices because the wind down there was even worse than it was on our mountain! And the wind-chill was ridiculously cold. This race is run on a 2-mile loop course through a park on paved roads. Again, knowing that their would be snow-pack to run on, I opted for the New Balance WT100s again. And again it was the right choice. The only problem is that they have very little warmth to them and fortunately I had my warm rugby socks with me to keep the tootsies warm! This was a tough run due to the conditions and the fact that I had to run fast just the day before, but these brutal conditions really suit me - maybe I was a penguin in another life. Not knowing who was who (because everyone was hidden under hats, scarves, and face masks!) and who was where, I somehow managed to pass a woman with about 1.5 miles to go, not aware that she was the leader! I crossed the finish line first female in somewhere around 48 minutes (unsure of total accuracy of the time since my eyelashes were frozen making it difficult to read the clock!). And good for a pie! Now I really don't like having to run this fast, especially two days in a row, but when food awards are the result, I can't complain! But I have to say that my speed workouts for the YEAR are done!
Many thanks to the Wineglass Running Club and the Triple Cities Runners Club for their hospitality and ringing in the New Year with a bang!
(photo left - Joe finishing up at the Freeze 10K. photo right - me just after finishing the 10K, attempting to drink a cup of frozen water! photos courtesy of Triple Cities Runners Club.)
Sunday, January 3, 2010 - no need to take a break, I'm on a roll! Again, the temperature was 5-6 degrees, the wind was howling, and the snow was falling. Beginning to see a pattern here? No races today; time to break out the snowshoes and hit the snow with friends. Lorrie and Becky braved the crappy roads to come up to our house and while Joe worked, we headed out on some seasonal roads just a couple of miles from our house and enjoyed some really excellent snowshoeing . . . once we got our snowshoe feet back under us! Five miles of snowshoe running is a hell of a workout and it was great to spend this time talk with friends and enjoy the winter wonderland. And to afterward enjoy some really great cornmeal pancakes cooked-up by Becky and some orange buns courtesy of Joe. Some hot coffee and dry clothes and it was a perfect day and an excellent way to finish my New Year's weekend. Thank you to all of my friends at Triple Cities and Wineglass and to Becky, Lorrie, and Joe.
So what's up for 2010? Here's what the immediate plans are . . . I'll see how these plans go before I can commit to what I will do for the Summer and Fall . . .
Beast of Burden 24-Hour
St. Patrick's Day 4-Miler
Forks XV
Fly With Eagles 10K
HAT Run 50K
Massanutten Mountain Trails 100
So that's it for the start of the New Year. Happy trails to all of you out there - don't let the snow keep you inside!
New Year's Day brought the annual Cookie & Hat Run in Big Flats, put on by the Wineglass Running Club. This has traditionally been a 5K road race, but a few years back race director, Bob Kerns, decided to mix things up a bit and has since changed the distance and route on us several times! And this year was a real treat . . . the course was 6K that included a combination of roads and off-road sections on snow and ice! It was AWESOME! I recently bought a pair of the New Balance WT100s in the hopes that the snow would someday melt and I could try them on the trails. With the muck and slush and snow that I knew would be on the roads on January 1, I decided that trail shoes would be the best option no matter what the course, and had my inaugural run in these shoes! They were superb - excellent grip, light-weight, and good-looking! Skipping the midnight run and saving my energy for this run was an excellent choice as I was able to run 27:21 for 6K, barely squeaking out 2nd place in my age group and good for the award of some really excellent pumpkin cookies! It was an absolutely beautiful day with the temps in the 30s, sunny, and very little wind.
But then came January 2. And the polar opposite in weather conditions. During the night a beautiful layer of probably 4-6 inches of white fluff had fallen, temp fallen to around 8 degrees, the wind kicked-in, and there was very little sun to be found. So what did Joe and I do? Headed down to Binghamton to the Triple Cities Runners Club race #1 in their Freeze 10K series. Fortunately I keep my running bag filled with a few extra clothing choices because the wind down there was even worse than it was on our mountain! And the wind-chill was ridiculously cold. This race is run on a 2-mile loop course through a park on paved roads. Again, knowing that their would be snow-pack to run on, I opted for the New Balance WT100s again. And again it was the right choice. The only problem is that they have very little warmth to them and fortunately I had my warm rugby socks with me to keep the tootsies warm! This was a tough run due to the conditions and the fact that I had to run fast just the day before, but these brutal conditions really suit me - maybe I was a penguin in another life. Not knowing who was who (because everyone was hidden under hats, scarves, and face masks!) and who was where, I somehow managed to pass a woman with about 1.5 miles to go, not aware that she was the leader! I crossed the finish line first female in somewhere around 48 minutes (unsure of total accuracy of the time since my eyelashes were frozen making it difficult to read the clock!). And good for a pie! Now I really don't like having to run this fast, especially two days in a row, but when food awards are the result, I can't complain! But I have to say that my speed workouts for the YEAR are done!
Many thanks to the Wineglass Running Club and the Triple Cities Runners Club for their hospitality and ringing in the New Year with a bang!
(photo left - Joe finishing up at the Freeze 10K. photo right - me just after finishing the 10K, attempting to drink a cup of frozen water! photos courtesy of Triple Cities Runners Club.)
Sunday, January 3, 2010 - no need to take a break, I'm on a roll! Again, the temperature was 5-6 degrees, the wind was howling, and the snow was falling. Beginning to see a pattern here? No races today; time to break out the snowshoes and hit the snow with friends. Lorrie and Becky braved the crappy roads to come up to our house and while Joe worked, we headed out on some seasonal roads just a couple of miles from our house and enjoyed some really excellent snowshoeing . . . once we got our snowshoe feet back under us! Five miles of snowshoe running is a hell of a workout and it was great to spend this time talk with friends and enjoy the winter wonderland. And to afterward enjoy some really great cornmeal pancakes cooked-up by Becky and some orange buns courtesy of Joe. Some hot coffee and dry clothes and it was a perfect day and an excellent way to finish my New Year's weekend. Thank you to all of my friends at Triple Cities and Wineglass and to Becky, Lorrie, and Joe.
So what's up for 2010? Here's what the immediate plans are . . . I'll see how these plans go before I can commit to what I will do for the Summer and Fall . . .
Beast of Burden 24-Hour
St. Patrick's Day 4-Miler
Forks XV
Fly With Eagles 10K
HAT Run 50K
Massanutten Mountain Trails 100
So that's it for the start of the New Year. Happy trails to all of you out there - don't let the snow keep you inside!
Thursday, December 24, 2009
INSOMNIA!
Well, it's 3:42am and it is officially Christmas Eve. And here I am on my computer, unable to sleep, it's dark outside and a mere 17.5 degrees. And I have been awake since 1am. I tried reading, drinking "Sleepytime" herbal tea, browsing the internet, and nothing has been successful in making me sleepy, so I have just decided to give it up, enjoy my morning coffee, and write about my woes. My cat, Sam, who loves to be with me wherever I am, even gave it up and crawled inside a sleeping bag to go back to bed. I thought it might be a good time to just go out for a run, but the darkness and bitterness outside made me rethink that. Now I don't think that 17 degrees is that bad; I have run in colder weather and have thoroughly enjoyed it. However, that was when it was light outside. There is something about the cold and dark together that just doesn't appeal to me. Unless I have someone running along side me to commiserate with. If I really wanted to be productive I suppose I could be wrapping those last few Christmas gifts right now, but really, why take away from that last-minute preparation for Christmas? I will let them wait.
So I am just rambling with nothing really important to say. The Munster vs. Perpignan rugby game was on a bit after 2am, which I just realized that I missed. Oh well, it was a replay and I saw the last few minutes of it yesterday morning and saw that Munster slaughtered Perpignan. But Joe told me that my man Ronan O'Gara had a really spectacular game and I would have liked to see that.
So Merry Christmas to everyone. Relax and enjoy the beauty of the season and the wonderful whiteness outside. And if the mood strikes you, get out and enjoy and run or walk in the cold and realize how alive it can make you feel.
"My life is a gift from my Creator. What I do with my life is my gift back to the Creator." --Billy Mills
So I am just rambling with nothing really important to say. The Munster vs. Perpignan rugby game was on a bit after 2am, which I just realized that I missed. Oh well, it was a replay and I saw the last few minutes of it yesterday morning and saw that Munster slaughtered Perpignan. But Joe told me that my man Ronan O'Gara had a really spectacular game and I would have liked to see that.
So Merry Christmas to everyone. Relax and enjoy the beauty of the season and the wonderful whiteness outside. And if the mood strikes you, get out and enjoy and run or walk in the cold and realize how alive it can make you feel.
"My life is a gift from my Creator. What I do with my life is my gift back to the Creator." --Billy Mills
Monday, December 21, 2009
Winter Running Rocks!
Here it is . . . the first day of winter! We already have a decent 3-4" base of snow and the flakes of fluff are falling right now! Woo-hoo! It's looking promising that Joe and I will be able to get the xc skis out soon, which I have been dying to do since I got a new pair of boots that fit properly and appear that they will give me some excellent support for skate-skiing (any bit of support I can get for this is definitely useful!). We do have what appears to be a decent xc skiing surface on the seasonal roads, but if you look closely you can see that the ice ridges and some stones are kicking up through the snow. So if you have good eyes and even better control of your skis, you could probably get away with skiing right now. However, my snow-vision is limited to the few feet in front of me and by the time I see any obstacles that might chew the skis it is likely too late to avoid them. And then there is my lack of control . . . another story.
So until the ice and rocks get totally covered by snow I am sticking to running. And running in the snow is just totally freakin' awesome. I have found that it is really good for your form; you can't stride out too big or you will likely slip and fall right on your fanny (I do that enough when I ski; no need to practice it during the runs). So I feel very efficient when snow-running, the scenery is beyond belief, and the cold weather completely agrees with my breathing.
As I read some other blogs, I am discovering that some other ultra runners are investigating the return to their minimalist running roots. I have really been enjoying Jeff Browning's accounts of becoming a more minimalist runner. I, too, am working on this. I have always thought that because I am a runner of larger stature that I needed more support and cushioning in my running shoes. After reading "Born To Run" I have found that this is not so and have been working on minimalizing my running shoes. On Saturday Lorrie and I went for a 14 mile run (ugh! on the roads!) and I ran in my Asics Gel DS Trainers, which for a smaller person would probably be considered a training shoe, but for my size it is quite minimal. And flat (forefoot and heel at the same level). And I felt pretty darn good when I finished the run. I really want to try the Vibram Five Fingers but I think that will have to wait a few months, since I don't have a treadmill to run indoors on and the 20-degree-and-below temps along with the snow don't appear to agree with running barefoot.
So December is a month of relaxation and d0-what-I-want with my running and the serious training for MMT 100 will begin in January. Heineken Cup Rugby continues and my Munster men seem to be doing well. I have also been pulled toward the other Irish team, Leinster, and Jonathan Sexton and Brian O'Driscoll have been playing really excellent. Sexton is a young fly-half with an accurate kicking boot. O'Driscoll is just plain amazing. I would love to see the finals come down to Munster and Leinster; that would be awesome.
And for those of you already thinking about July . . . registration is open and the forms are online for The 22nd Annual Finger Lakes Fifties.
That's all the news for now, so cowgirl up and get out and enjoy the snow and cold!
So until the ice and rocks get totally covered by snow I am sticking to running. And running in the snow is just totally freakin' awesome. I have found that it is really good for your form; you can't stride out too big or you will likely slip and fall right on your fanny (I do that enough when I ski; no need to practice it during the runs). So I feel very efficient when snow-running, the scenery is beyond belief, and the cold weather completely agrees with my breathing.
As I read some other blogs, I am discovering that some other ultra runners are investigating the return to their minimalist running roots. I have really been enjoying Jeff Browning's accounts of becoming a more minimalist runner. I, too, am working on this. I have always thought that because I am a runner of larger stature that I needed more support and cushioning in my running shoes. After reading "Born To Run" I have found that this is not so and have been working on minimalizing my running shoes. On Saturday Lorrie and I went for a 14 mile run (ugh! on the roads!) and I ran in my Asics Gel DS Trainers, which for a smaller person would probably be considered a training shoe, but for my size it is quite minimal. And flat (forefoot and heel at the same level). And I felt pretty darn good when I finished the run. I really want to try the Vibram Five Fingers but I think that will have to wait a few months, since I don't have a treadmill to run indoors on and the 20-degree-and-below temps along with the snow don't appear to agree with running barefoot.
So December is a month of relaxation and d0-what-I-want with my running and the serious training for MMT 100 will begin in January. Heineken Cup Rugby continues and my Munster men seem to be doing well. I have also been pulled toward the other Irish team, Leinster, and Jonathan Sexton and Brian O'Driscoll have been playing really excellent. Sexton is a young fly-half with an accurate kicking boot. O'Driscoll is just plain amazing. I would love to see the finals come down to Munster and Leinster; that would be awesome.
And for those of you already thinking about July . . . registration is open and the forms are online for The 22nd Annual Finger Lakes Fifties.
That's all the news for now, so cowgirl up and get out and enjoy the snow and cold!
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Finishing Up & Looking Ahead
The 2009 racing season has officially ended for me. With all of the hunters taking over the woods this time of year, we have been pretty much banished to the roads, which is both mentally and physically challenging for me. This weekend Joe and I decided to combine some running fun with family visiting and ventured down to State College, PA, which gave us a chance to visit with Joe’s daughter, Morgan, and her family and challenge ourselves with the Nittany Valley Half Marathon on Sunday. The last (and only time) that I ran this race was in 2002 and all I remember is how awful I felt from the very beginning until the bitter end. I am certain that I could have fallen down the hills faster than I was running them. So this time I really just wanted to redeem myself and, of course, have fun.
As usual, Joe and I got into the spirit of this time of year and festively dressed in some really cool long green shorts with jingle bells on them (a fantastic find at K-Mart), red shirts and red hats. We both think that it is very important to not only run fast but to look good doing it. The fast doesn’t always come, but we always look good!
The first two miles of the race were run as a two-loop circuit on the Penn State campus. Snow that had fallen on Saturday made this part of the course a bit treacherous and really made us hold back to keep from falling (read . . . time lost!). But at least it kept us from going out too fast and blowing up. Then it was onto the roads and uphills and downhills. I have to say, for a road race, I was having fun and feeling like I was running well. But I do have to say that road racing (and road racers) are intense! Both Joe and I ran without watches, a rare sight as we noticed the other racers. Many of the runners were wearing ear phones which limited any conversation, although even when I tried to share a few words with the non-ear-phone-wearing runner, I was pretty much ignored. I’m not saying that the others weren’t friendly; we did meet and get to talk with some really great people, but it just wasn’t the atmosphere of the trails. But that’s OK; I guess feeling some of that intensity is good – it spurs you to put a little something extra into your speed. It was good for me.
But, hold on, what was that? At around mile 11 I passed some guys sitting behind a table with a sign in front reading “Beer Stop”. Whoa, wait a minute; I certainly had better go back to that one! And I turned around and ran back to the table and stopped running and enjoyed a very nice lager with what were certainly the angels of the race! OK, I have to say that the roadrunners got this one right. And with that burst of energy I flew to the finish line! 1:47:42; not bad for a heavy-weight ultrarunner! Joe wasn’t far behind, coming into the finish in 2:00:05 . . . better than his last half marathon in August and good for first in his age group!
It was a great weekend of visiting and running. And now it’s time to rest and catch-up on the rugby happenings. And time to think about the upcoming Spring running schedule. And you know what the really good news is? I won the lottery! OK, not THE lottery, but really just as good. The Massanutten Mountain 100 lottery. Only now I have a tough decision to make . . . Massanutten on May 15 or MorFun Wapack Trail 50Miler on May 10. I’ll let you know which one wins. Got to make that decision fast.
We have snow here on the hill today and it’s got me thinking about snowshoeing and xc skiing. Excellent!
“I feel eager and ready for another excursion a month or two long in the same wonderful wilderness. Now, however, I must turn toward the lowlands, praying and hoping Heaven will shove me back again.” - John Muir
As usual, Joe and I got into the spirit of this time of year and festively dressed in some really cool long green shorts with jingle bells on them (a fantastic find at K-Mart), red shirts and red hats. We both think that it is very important to not only run fast but to look good doing it. The fast doesn’t always come, but we always look good!
The first two miles of the race were run as a two-loop circuit on the Penn State campus. Snow that had fallen on Saturday made this part of the course a bit treacherous and really made us hold back to keep from falling (read . . . time lost!). But at least it kept us from going out too fast and blowing up. Then it was onto the roads and uphills and downhills. I have to say, for a road race, I was having fun and feeling like I was running well. But I do have to say that road racing (and road racers) are intense! Both Joe and I ran without watches, a rare sight as we noticed the other racers. Many of the runners were wearing ear phones which limited any conversation, although even when I tried to share a few words with the non-ear-phone-wearing runner, I was pretty much ignored. I’m not saying that the others weren’t friendly; we did meet and get to talk with some really great people, but it just wasn’t the atmosphere of the trails. But that’s OK; I guess feeling some of that intensity is good – it spurs you to put a little something extra into your speed. It was good for me.
But, hold on, what was that? At around mile 11 I passed some guys sitting behind a table with a sign in front reading “Beer Stop”. Whoa, wait a minute; I certainly had better go back to that one! And I turned around and ran back to the table and stopped running and enjoyed a very nice lager with what were certainly the angels of the race! OK, I have to say that the roadrunners got this one right. And with that burst of energy I flew to the finish line! 1:47:42; not bad for a heavy-weight ultrarunner! Joe wasn’t far behind, coming into the finish in 2:00:05 . . . better than his last half marathon in August and good for first in his age group!
It was a great weekend of visiting and running. And now it’s time to rest and catch-up on the rugby happenings. And time to think about the upcoming Spring running schedule. And you know what the really good news is? I won the lottery! OK, not THE lottery, but really just as good. The Massanutten Mountain 100 lottery. Only now I have a tough decision to make . . . Massanutten on May 15 or MorFun Wapack Trail 50Miler on May 10. I’ll let you know which one wins. Got to make that decision fast.
We have snow here on the hill today and it’s got me thinking about snowshoeing and xc skiing. Excellent!
“I feel eager and ready for another excursion a month or two long in the same wonderful wilderness. Now, however, I must turn toward the lowlands, praying and hoping Heaven will shove me back again.” - John Muir
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