Stupid

Today, I looked up the word 'stupid' in the dictionary.

Okay . . . I KNOW I'm not 'the sharpest knife in the drawer!'  But what the heck?? 




























After my initial reaction of total denial and now that I've had some time to think about it some, the answer is becoming just a little more clear.  I still don't know how the dictionary people figured it out.  But I believe they are probably right.  But how did they figure it out?  How could they possibly know?

I'm guessing that they used the ample public domain information out there about me to just make an educated guess!  Here are some facts I bet they considered . . .

• I'm a runner - Running without cause, in and of itself, suggests mental issues and lack of clear, focused thinking . . . isn't that a symptom of stupidity?  Most runners try to 'sell' their stupidity as them just being 'crazy.'  And that may be true to an extent.  But there is definitely 'stupidity' in the mix!  Let's just be honest folks . . . runners are stupid.

• I've run marathons -  Just running one marathon probably doesn't make someone appear much more stupid then just being a runner.  I mean, there is something to be said for trying something new and different.  But running a second marathon is highly suspect.  Any more  . . . and that is just plain stupid.  If you had any sense at all you would realize a marathon hurts.  Don't do it again!  So continuing to run them clearly starts to cluster one into the 'stupid' group.  And I've definitely run more than two marathons!

• I've run further than a marathon - Okay folks.  Why would anyone run even one step past 26.2 miles?  If a marathon is stupid, any further is . . . just . . .  well . . . really STUPID!

• I've tried and failed to run 100 miles - Come on . . . who wants to run 100 miles?  "Who was chasing you dude, and what were they driving!!"  Reasonable people get tired just driving 100 miles.  There is a perfectly good reason why I failed.  It was too far.  Simple.

• So, after failing miserably at my first attempt to run 100 miles, I've decided to try it again . . . AND I actually PAID $150 for the opportunity to run the Umstead 100 starting April 2nd! Why would anyone PAY  MONEY to be publicly humiliated?  You got it . . . its just plain STUPID!  And it's no real surprise that the race day is the closest Saturday to April 1st . . . that's right . . . April Fool's Day!

• About four weeks ago I tried to run the Uwharrie 40 mile trail race.  You guessed it!  I couldn't finish a 40 miler.  So what makes me think for even a minute I just might be able to finish a 100?  Stupid.

• And what is the 'prize' if you successfully complete the full 100 miles? - A frickin' belt buckle.  No . . . the belt isn't even included!  And would I ever actually wear the buckle?  What do you think?  It would just look stupid!  (So . . . maybe I would actually wear it?  Hummmm?)

• And can you imagine how much pain is associated with this effort?  Why would anyone CHOOSE to do this? To make a conscious decision to pay hard earned money for pain like this . . . stupid! 

• Some of the better runners (I said 'better.'  Not 'smarter' . . . just 'better!') will run 100 miles in less then 24 hours!  Then, their pain stops.  But for me, if (and that is a humongous 'IF') I am physically able to tolerate both the pain and the sleep deprivation for the full 30 hours before the race cutoff . . .  I just MIGHT be able to get as far as 75 miles!  That is a stretch goal.  There is no way possible that I could cover the full distance in 30 hours, short of some sort of miraculous, heavenly intervention!  Or maybe it time stopped and I could keep going for a few hours!  So, let's face it, its totally stupid to start when you KNOW you can't finish.  It's like skydiving without a parachute.  You know full well what the outcome will be, so why do it? Just stupid!

• To continue the stupidity, I'm even going so far as to make a detailed plan of how I'm going to try to accomplish this 100 mile run (a plan doomed to failure before the ink is dry!).  I went to the Marathonguide.com site to start my planning.  Thought I would see what my pace would need to be.  Here is what Marathonguide.com said . . .

Even Marathonguide.com thinks you shouldn't run more then 10 hours!



Now . . . some of you 'Pollyannas' out there will try to say some stupid, encouraging and supportive things (I know they will be stupid because the only people that would want to encourage me in something like this just HAVE to be a runners . . . and we know 'Runners are Stupid!'  (We've already determined that.)  You'll say things like:

• "You can do it!" or "You've got this!" -  (These are normal 'calls of support' used by good runners on out-and-back sections when passing someone well behind them that they are pretty sure is in serious trouble and likely won't be able to finish.)

• "Any 'DNF' (Did Not Finish) is better then a 'DNS' (Did Not Start)."  or, 

• "At least you gave it your best effort! . . . you tried!" or,

• "You just had a bad day . . . " or,

• "Just go out slow and pace yourself . . . all you have to average is 3.3 miles each hour . . . that's only an 18 minute per mile pace.  That's easy!"  or,

• "The secret is to just keep relentlessly moving forward!" or,

• Other so called 'positive' comments.

But likely no one will be totally honest and say things that I really need to hear like:

• "What the heck were you thinking?"
• "Did you even think you stood a chance?"
• "You're so frickin' slow you're lucky to have finished 3 laps in the 30 hour time limit!"
• "You need to find something you can actually DO!"
• "Just walk away from the $150 . . . it's a sunk cost anyway."
• "Save 'face' and just say you're injured."
• "Claim some mysterious illness and say your doctor won't allow you to even start!"

Well readers . . . (or reader) . . . if you are stupid enough to actually return to this blog, you are likely to be reading more and more about the Umstead 100 over the next several weeks.   It's consuming almost all of my idle thoughts and I'm actually trying to convince myself I have a small chance to actually finish within the 30 hour time limit!

Stupid.

The Great Medoc Re-Run Re-Run ( or just another long run)

Is the glass half full or half empty?  Two ways to look at today . . .

Option #1  (and my personal favorite!)

Today was the running of the 2010 Great Medoc Marathon Re-Run, Re-Run.

The race began at the crack of 9 am and the field was totally out of site within 4 minutes.  The weather started out perfect but as the day wore on temperatures climbed into the . . . well . . . I'm not sure but it felt warm.  During the first lap, the field stayed within a comfortable pace, saving the effort for the later laps.

Beginning with lap 2, the pace quickened and the leader emerged from the pack with a strong pace.  While the hills tended to have a detrimental effect on the leader, he more then made up the time with his blazing downhills.  By the end of lap 2 he had a comfortable lead.

During Lap 3 you could tell the pace was taking its toll and the leader backed off, knowing his lead was sufficient to assure victory.  In the last two miles, the leader clearly wanted to demonstrate his dominance over the field by again pressing the pace to an amazing level and crossed the finish line with no competitor in sight!

What a finish!!

Option #2

Well, I'm supposed to be getting ready for Umstead.  And I never really earned my Medoc Marathon medal since I fell during the Medoc Re-Run and quite at ~18.  So today was a holiday . . . 

Started running at about 9 am.  Man, were my legs ever heavy and sore.  Took it easy for sure.  I ran the normal Medoc Marathon track.  By the end of Lap 1 my soreness went away and I felt amazingly good considering.  Ran all downhills and probably 2/3 of the flats.  Uphill . . . well, I just walked!  But I carried my saw and ended up cutting probably 12 trees that were blocking the trail.  Made for a slow loop but that really what I needed!  By the time I finished Lap 1 the trail was 100% clear!!   (You are welcome Ron!  I got that nasty downed tree just before the climb to the summit!)

Lap 2 was pretty much a duplicate of Lap 1 but just no soreness and no trees to saw!.  But I decided to run this lap backward . . . well . . . not really BACKWARDS . . . I just reversed direction.  And surprisingly I felt pretty good, all things considered!

I was loving the day!  Awesome weather and it just felt great to be out in the woods.  No drama so far and I was surprised I had seen no one on the trails.  But as I finished the lap there were several people at the picnic shelter.

Lap 3 started off slow . . . okay . . . slower the usual!  Starting to feel it.  Continued running the backward direction - I actually think it is a tad easier this way!!  After the short Bluff loop, I continued on and soon started seeing people!!  Wow!

Got to the Summit road and near the end came up on three kids (okay . . . not really 'kid' . . . they were in their 20s!) who wanted to know the quickest way back to the picnic shelter!  Thank God!  A solid reason to just walk until I could show them the short trail back to the bridge!

A little further I passed a mother and daughter coming up the trail to the summit.  Another good reason to walk!!

I hate the hill on the Dam Site trail!  Those rock are just killers.  Each lap I tried to kick off or throw off the larger loose rocks . . . but when I returned there were new ones to take their place.  Where on earth do they come from??

Pretty much survival pace until I finally left the creek for the final gentle climb back to the picnic shelter for the finish.  Decided to run this uphill section.  Almost made running it all . . . but not quite!!

Luckily, just after I finished a group of motorcycle riders drove up and one took a picture of me at the end!

Tired . . . but glad I did it!

2011 Pilot Mountain

Got to admit I just don't get the name of this race.  I mean, Pilot Mountain had never done anything to me before.  I had no reason to 'pay it back' for anything.  But now I do.

I've driven by Pilot Mountain literally hundreds of times on my way to Tennessee and totally LOVE this mountain.  It must always cold on top . . .

But I've never run or hiked on it.

So I was definitely looking forward to this adventure.  I chose this race on the advice of my friend (now ex-friend) Jim Plant.  Jim ran the race last year and had rave reviews . . . such comments as "It's a keeper for sure!" and "Frank, you'll love this one!"  And perhaps my favorite: "It's got that one climb up to the top, but it's not bad at all."

So I decided to add it to my 2011 list.  There were two races going on Saturday - the marathon (just less then 80 runners) and what they called a heavy Half marathon (about 14.5 miles) (about 150 runners).

This race was no joke.  So . . . not a lot funny to talk about when remembering my day.  Sorry to the ten's of reader out there!!

Decided to get up early and drive to the race and save a few bucks.  Ended up getting there early and had time to see a bunch of folks. Weather was perfect!  Almost needed gloves . . . but not quite! 

Jade and Jim Wei with their dog Canyon

Mark and Jim before the start.

Aren't Lynne and Ken 'Stylin'??

The race really turned out to be three races for me.

One of 10-12 creek crossings.  The cool water was nice coming back!

After an immediate creek crossing and a steep 1/4 climb off the bat, things settled in.  The first 8 miles were sweet.  Nothing too hard at all.  Just rolling hills and a few shallow creek crossings.  I especially enjoyed these miles, running (and walking) with Jim Plant, Connie Howe and Lynne Evans.  Had a blast with these folks!  Loved how the returning half marathoners kept telling us the turnaround is just ahead!!








But after the 3rd aid station where the half marathoners turned around, things started to change!  The trail started to climb . . . at first not terrible but with an increasing amount of rocks.  And soon it just got bad.  Really steep with very tricky footing and TONs of rocks!  It wasn't long before Connie, Jim and Lynne were out of sight and I was all alone.

 I had decided that for this marathon I would try using my hiking poles.  GOOD CALL!!  Ever since my fall at the Medoc Re-Run where I broke my wrist, I'm just freaking out about falls.   And these poles definitely saved me several times!  But I've got to get a new pair because where the bear had chewed one of the pole grips was so rough it ended up really hurting my hands.

After the initial hard, steep climb the trail headed steeply down!  Crap!  After gaining all that elevation, I sure didn't want to lose it, just to have to gain it again.  These steep downhills proved to be every bit as hard as the uphills.  Again, so glad I had the poles.

Eventually, the trail headed back up . . . straight up!  Eventually the rough single track joined a nicely graded trail where the grade was not so ridiculous.  I heard voices behind me and surprise, surprise it was some marathoners catching me!  Huh?  I was pretty sure I was in last place.  Turns out these folks were finishing the loop around the summit and were soon to head down the mountain.

Me . . . well I had a ton more climbing to do!  The trail got steeper.  And the the steps started.  Hundreds of frickin' steps!  My legs were totally shot!  After what seemed like a mile of this torture, I FINALLY got to the aid station!  Chilly and windy so I didn't linger, but followed the trail around the base of the 'nipple' . . . seems like I was either going up rock steps or going down them.  Did I mention that my legs were totally shot?


 Lots of people up at the top of the mountain enjoying the beautiful day and the fantastic scenery.  But they all drove up here!! 

After making the circle around, the course designer had one final, ugly climb in store for us just when I had convinced myself it would all be down hill from here!  To call him sadistic is an understatement!

Some of the 'backside' cliffs

After that short killer climb on my totally shot leg (did I mention how shot my legs were?) we followed the base of the cliffs on the mountain's back side where there were literally hundreds of rock climbers out enjoying the day.  I would have liked to watch them climb.

As I was passing one group, a young guy (20s) called out to me, "Hey old man, aren't you too old to be doing stuff like this?"  I stopped, turned around and called back to him, "Aren't you too young NOT to be doing it with me?"  His friends enjoyed that!  But as I continued on, I started thinking that maybe he had a point.

This backside trail continued to be challenging . . . steps up and steps down.  Tricky footing.  Just a joy!!




But at about mile 13, the trail started to get easier as I started heading down the mountain.  No more single track!  But my this time my legs were totally shot (I believe I mentioned this!).  I was able to run the down hills (with just a few walk breaks) but I had to walk the flats and uphills.

For the last several miles I had been looking at my GPS and was some kind of disappointed to see how much further I had to go.  Coming in the the 5th aid station my GPS said I was at like 14.  But the guy manning the aid station told me that really I was at about 17.5 or so!  Finally something that picked up my spirits!

For the rest of the day I ran the downs, tried to run most of the flats (unsuccessfully I might add!) and I never even THOUGHT about running an uphill!  But I did enjoy looking back at what we had just finished!










So I finished.  DFL  (Dead F***in' Last).  Just over 7 hours . . . missing the cutoff by about two minutes.  Living up to my blog's name . . . believe it or not . . . I really was hurrying!  That's just sad.

This was a HARD marathon.  Very hard!  For the marathon distance, In my memory it was second only to the Leadville Trail Marathon (which I DNFed).  Glad it's done!  Oh . . . and Jimbo . . . thanks sooo much for talking me into this day of torture!  :-)

And I'm still thinking about what that guy said . . .


PS - February 22 - The race posted results today and I see that a was the last finisher . . . but 4 people got disqualified due to running an alternate course and three DNFed.  So I guess I BEAT seven people!!!

Oh My GOD!

This weekend is the 'Pilot Mountain Payback Marathon' . . . a neat trail marathon through Pilot Mountain State Park.

The race organizers have been great so far and I was just reviewing some of the last minute instructions and a list of participants along with each participant's race number.  Numbers started with #300.  And I found mine . . . #339.  Not great but not bad either.  Pretty much average . . . okay . . . just a tad below average.

But I digress . . .

Looking down the list I just had to see who had the dreaded #357 . . . essentially my number at Uwharrie!.  Got to admit I was so relieved it wasn't me I almost didn't look.  But I did . . .

My buddy Jim Plant has #357!!!

Jim . . . All I can suggest is just DNS this race.  Stay home.  You have virtually NO CHANCE of having a good day. 

The worst numbers for this race are:

• #355  -  Dan Pieroni
• #357  -  Jim Plant  (essentially my Uwharrie number!)
• #375  -  Bill Weimer
• #377  -  Mark Warner

So sorry folks . . .  All I can say is I'm glad I'm not you!!!!   :-)

Sasquatch at Uwharrie?

No . . . that's not me!

Is there really such a thing as Sasquatch - aka  Bigfoot, Yeti?  So much talk . . . so few facts.  And no really solid sightings that you can say 'This proves that Sasquatch is out there!'  I always thought all the fuss was in the Pacific Northwest.  But the Uwharrie National Forest has recently become one of the key areas of focus in trying to either prove or disprove the existence of the illusive creature (assuming he / she exists at all!)  Even Animal Planet is on the bandwagon!  Check this out!

Before Saturday, I would have said the chances of Sasquatch being real are . . . well, quite low.  But now  . . . I'm not so sure.  Maybe . . . just maybe Sasquatch lives in Uwharrie.

To understand where I'm coming from you have to understand my day Saturday . . .  it's a long, boring story.  Sorry.  My suggestion is to skip this and go find another blog.

The Uwharrie Mountain Run

The event was the Uwharrie Mountain Run . . .  a super cool event with three separate races: an 8 miler, a 20 miler and a 40 miler.  Last year I had run the 20 miler (ended up being about 17.5 miles as they routed us around a difficult, muddy section since there had been days and days of huge rain).  So I thought it was time to step up to the 40 miler.  I mean . . . how hard can it be?

Friday night Ron Fleming, Scott Wingfield and I picked up our race packets at the pre-race pasta party.  And we got our race numbers.  Here is where it all started going wrong!  Here is my number . . .

Those of you that know me know that I am a master at numerology when it comes to race numbers . . . years and years of careful study and detailed data analysis.  Usually . . . just by looking at a number I can tell what kind of race your going to have. Almost infallible!  And those of you that have studied under 'The Master' know that a '57' is one of the WORST POSSIBLE two digit numbers you could EVER get!  The two slowest number possible and they are unbalanced . . . but I won't go into race numerology here!


With this race number, I should have never started this race!  I should have volunteered to help instead of actually trying to run!

But no.  I thought I . . . being the great, strong runner that I am . . . could overcome the numerology.  Such a fool!

 
Started out the day at dawn . . . probably 34 degrees and raining cats and dogs!  Perfect!  Everyone was shivering and trying to get out of the rain.  Sloppy, muddy, cold.  (Photos compliments of Shannon Johnstone).  Finally, 7 am and we were off!

 At about the third mile I took a fall.  Didn't seem to hurt anything.  I'm relieved 'cause I 'm pretty sure I had broken my wrist on a fall at the Medoc Rerun after Thanksgiving.  The wrist still hurts most of the time and I had feared falling.  About 1/4 mile later  . . . I fell again.  Minor wrist pain.  I was lucky!  But these two falls started working on my mind!

• (Medical Update:  As it turns out, my left knee is quite sore today . . . so maybe I did do some damage . . . not cartilage but outside the joint just below the kneecap on the outside.  Doesn't feel serious.  Also, when I'm going uphill my right knee 'clicks' loudly . . . so loud, in fact, that people around me ask what that noise is!  No pain . . . just the clicking . . . feels weird though!)

Lots of mud, rocks, hills, water, swollen stream crossing through cold water.   (Even crossed a few that didn't have to be crossed . . .  yea . . .  screwed up!  See picture below! )  Did I mention there was a lot of mud, rocks, hills, water, and swollen stream crossings?  If you haven't run Uwharrie, you need to, just so you can understand!  Everyone needs to run a serious trail race.  Not the Umstead Marathon, New River Trail 50k or even Medoc (one of my favorites!!).  All those are great, but try a serious, hard core trail race.

Thought I would get a picture of the ONLY bridge on the course!

Notice that is Jim Micheels leading us all across the creek.  Unfortunately, the trail had taken a sharp left and we didn't need to cross here!  But we did have to cross BACK to return to the trail!

Scott Wingfield just havin' some fun!

Things continued pretty uneventful until about mile 10-11.  The rain ended and I took off my rain shell and stuffed it in my backpack.

After my two falls, I was trying to really be careful about my footing.  I was going downhill and really feeling good!  Making good time (for me!).  Then, I find myself laying on my back . . . on the trail.  Head super woozy and seeing stars!   WHAT THE HELL??  What happened?  Where am I?  Why am I lying on the trail?  What the F***!

So . . . what happened?  I'm not really sure!  I was running . . . and then I was waking up!  There was a tree across the trail just above me.  Had I just not seen it?  Had I run into the tree?  Or had something else happened?

I don't run all that fast, so I'm sort of wondering how that tree could have knocked me cold!  I mean, how fast could I have been going?  What else could have happened?

I want to state flat out that I NEVER actually saw Sasquatch.  There is no way I can honestly say that Sasquatch clubbed me as I passed that tree.  But is it reasonable to assume I just ran into a tree and 'cold cocked' myself totally out?  Could this have happened?

I don't know.  I didn't see anything and I don't remember anything.  You be the judge!

Guess I just sat there on the trail for 10-15 minutes . . . until my head cleared and I felt like I could stand and walk.  Eventually, the cob webs cleared and I continued on down the trail.

About ~1/2 mile later I realized my gore-tex rain jacket I had stuffed into the webbing of my pack was gone!  So I turned around and headed back . . . across a big stream crossing . . . back to where I fell.  Where I found my jacket!

Bonus miles!!  Got to love them!

By this time I was just mentally 'DONE.'  I made up my mind I was going to drop at 20.  From this point on, I just struggled on.  No motivation . . . no fire . . . just a walk / run fest!

Saw so many friends as they were heading back to the start on their way to a 40 finish.

Shannon Johnstone  . . . just flying!  And lookin' beautiful!  I didn't bother taking a picture of Anthony earlier . .

One of the nicest guys in ultra running . . . Rick Grey at about his 28th mile!

By about mile 18 my head had pretty much cleared . . . and I was just a little loopy.  But I really loved the last 6 miles of this course.  Last year, they detoured us around this section due to mud and high water, so I didn't know how nice this section really was.  It had the biggest climb of the day.  Tons of mud.  Twisty trails . . . and the deepest stream crossing of the day.  I thought this was the hardest part of the 20, but I did love it!

So I bailed at 20 miles.  I'm pretty sure they would have cut me off if I hadn't told them I was done . . . but I was done.  But still smiling!

But if I ever get '57' again as a race number . . . I'll pass on the race!  Bet on it!

I wonder what Sasquatch is doing today . . .

2011 Goals

I almost decided to wait until the end of 2011 to declare my yearly running goals.  But last night I decided that Groundhog's Day would be a good day for this. 

As this year's 'Grand Popa'  for 'The Royal Order of the Groundhog,' I spent the club's annual night of celebration for our special annual day of festivities - Groundhog's Day Eve I spend time in meditation and  self assessment. In the midst of the sacred and mysterious 'Ceremony of the Groundhog' I decided . . . it's time!  My running goals must me made public . . . the public has a right to know!

Okay, so  . . . now on the the 2011 goals . . . a drum roll please!


#1.  Make sure 2011 is a year of FUN in my running.

#2.  Fastest Marathon - Over 5:30.  Any faster and I'm sure I'm trying too hard.  2011 is totally 'The Year of Fun' and I plan to do my very best to keep this goal in mind.

#3.  Number of Marathons or Ultras - Over 14.  But I don't want to forget #1.  Sort of got a streak going and I don't want to break it!  Average at least a marathon a month.

#4,  75 miles or more at the Umstead 100.

• Okay . . . there is no way I can achieve both #1 and #4.  It is definitely NOT going to be fun running 75 miles or more.  So this does present a problem.  But my solution is simple . . .  I will exempt the Umstead 100 from my yearly results.  So I have to do at least 13 marathons, etc.  And it will be okay for me to not have fun during this event.  Simple.  I make all the rules.  (Plus, I reserve the right to change the rules and / or my goals at any point during the 2011 year - including 12:59 pm on December 31, 2011.)

#5.  Finish 50 miles at Boogie.  I haven't tried the 50 yet . . . hell, I've essentially died each time I've just done the marathon at Boogie!  Not sure about #1 on this one either.  I may just choose to take my backpacking equipment with me and camp out during the night and finish the next day.  We'll see how all this works out, but I do have to remember goal #1.  But I'm not really worried . . . if I make the rules, and if I can change my goals at any time, I'm confident this will all work out!

#6  Get at least 4 folks to try an ultra for the first time.  I've got my targets set.  They don't stand a change against me!!

a Father & Daughter Discussion

I really don't know who to credit for the following . . . I certainly didn't write it!  But this sure seems about right to me.  I know my blog is a running blog . . . but sometimes stuff just leaks out! 

'A Father & Daughter Discussion

A young woman was about to finish her first year of college. Like so
many others her age, she considered herself to be a very Liberal
Democrat, and among other liberal ideals, was very much in Favor of
higher taxes to support more government programs, in other Words
redistribution of wealth.

She was deeply ashamed that her father was a rather staunch
Republican, a feeling she openly expressed. Based on the Lectures that
she had participated in, and the occasional chat with a professor, she
felt that her father had for years harbored an evil, selfish desire to
keep what he thought should be his.

One day she was challenging her father on his opposition to Higher
taxes on the rich and the need for more government programs. The
self-professed objectivity proclaimed by her professors had to Be the
truth and she indicated so to her father. He responded by Asking how
she was doing in school.

Taken aback, she answered rather haughtily that she had a 4.0 GPA, and
let him know that it was tough to maintain, insisting that She was
taking a very difficult course load and was constantly studying, which
left her no time to go out and party like other people She knew. She
didn't even have time for a boyfriend, and didn't really have many
college friends,  because she spent all her time studying.

Her father listened and then asked , 'How is your friend Audrey
doing?' She replied, ' Audrey is barely getting by. All she takes are
Easy classes, she never studies, and she barely has a 2.0 GPA. She Is
so popular on campus; college for her is a blast. She's always invited
to all the parties and lots of times she doesn't even show up for
classes because she's too hung over.'

Her wise father asked his daughter, 'Why don't you go to the Dean's
office and ask him to deduct 1.0 off your GPA and give it to your
friend who only has a 2.0. That way you will both have a 3.0 GPA,  and
certainly that would be a fair and equal distribution of GPA.' The
daughter, visibly shocked by her father's suggestion, angrily fired
back, 'That's a crazy idea, how would that be fair! I've worked really
hard for my grades! I've invested a lot of time, and a lot of hard
work! Audrey has done next to nothing toward her degree. She played
while I worked my tail off!'

The father slowly smiled, winked and said gently, 'Welcome to The
Republican party.''

If anyone has a better explanation of the difference between
Republican and Democrat I'm all ears.


If you ever wondered what side of the fence you sit on, this is a great test!

If a conservative doesn't like guns, he doesn't buy one.
If a liberal doesn't like guns, he wants all guns outlawed.

If a conservative is a vegetarian, he doesn't eat meat..
If a liberal is a vegetarian, he wants all meat products banned for
everyone.

If a conservative is homosexual, he quietly leads his life.
If a liberal is homosexual, he demands legislated respect.

If a conservative is down-and-out, he thinks about how to better his situation.
A liberal wonders who is going to take care of him.

If a conservative doesn't like a talk show host, he switches channels.
Liberals demand that those they don't like be shut down.

If a conservative is a non-believer, he doesn't go to church.
A liberal non-believer wants any mention of God and religion silenced.
(Unless it's a foreign religion, of course!)

. . . and a loser feels like a winner!

Pictures


I've never been a front runner, so I have never worried about actually winning a race.  Mostly I just compete with myself . . . PRs, ARs (annual records), etc. and a few races just trying to beat friends! And I really enjoyed those competitions.  Low stress and just fun times!

But now I am competing with a new competitor.  And this one is one steady competitor, incredibly consistent no matter the course or condition.  And this competition isn't just for fun anymore.

This competitor is the 'Ghost of Cut-off' and he is at almost every race I run.  Now my total effort is simply to beat him!  If I lose, I'm out of the race. . . so this is serious.  Very serious indeed.

We both start every race at the same time . . . me going out faster and 'the Ghost' holding back, but running the EXACT time to make it to the race cut-off at the appointed time.  All I have to do is stay just ahead of this invisible competitor.  But it's getting harder and harder to do.

I have no idea why I thought for a minute that the Harbison 50k would be relatively easy.

This one did surprise me!  I was expecting this to be harder then Frosty, but not all that much harder.  When I saw there was a 9 hour cut-off I thought this would just be a 'cake-walk' but was I ever wrong!  This one was a BEAR.  Harder then Medoc but slightly easier then Uwharrie.  No 'cake-walk,' that's for sure.

Just another PUD . . . (pointless up and down)

Probably 95% of the race was run on single track and for the most part you were either going up or down!  A very curvy series of trails totally filled with PUDs . . . pointless ups and downs.  The hills weren't long but there sure were a ton of them!  I believe I counted 2 zillion!  For the most part the curves were pointless too!  Many, many times I would look to one side or the other and see folks running just 30 yards away, but I would run 1/4 mile to get to where they were!  It messed with your mind!


This was the first year of Harbison, and RD Dan Hartley did an excellent job of both planning and execution.  I'm sure Dan saw things he wants to do differently next year, but from my perspective everything was wonderful.  I especially LOVED the aid stations!  These were so well stocked!  I can't begin to remember everything but some of the key things were: 1) hot chicken noodle soup, 2) boiled potatoes (my FAVORITE!), 3) Coke and Mt Dew, and a ton of other goodies!  These were the best aid stations I've experienced!

The day was cold and very windy.  Not too bad for us runners, but I sure felt bad for all the volunteers!  As all us runners know, it's the volunteers that make the race possible . . . folks giving up a day of their lives just to make our day better!  And I made the volunteers have to hang around a little longer then expected.  Sorry folks, but thank you so much!

For this race I met Erich Chatham, my son's old roommate.  Erich is really the guy that convinced me to try running an ultra . . . damn you Erich!

The race started promptly at 7:30. And Erich and I started at the very back of the pack.  Our plan was to take the first loop slow and easy and then decide how hard to go lap 2.  As it turned out Erich's and my pace (and my running interval) were different, so we separated after a mile or so.

By the time we came to AS #1 at about 6 miles, I knew this was NOT going to be the cake-walk I had expected!  Past the aid station, the crazy curves reduced some and I like this much better.  Nice ups and downs through this section until we came to AS #2.  Here I saw the first person walking back to the AS and pulling out of the race! 

Here the trails got much more challenging and this continued until about mile 13 or so.  But from 13 to 15.5 we were mostly on forest service type roads not used for hiking.  About 3/4 mile from the half-way point the leader past me on the way to his finish!  That sucks every time it happens!

On purpose I didn't watch my GPS but I did at the half way point . . . 4 hours and 12 minutes!  Now I was beginning to understand the 9 hour cut-off really wasn't going to be so easy!  And I started thinking about 'the Ghost' behind me!  I knew it would be a huge challenge to finish this in the allotted time!  I was already definitely slowing down.

About two miles into the second lap a guy caught up to me and told me he was the race 'sweep'. Ahh . . . 'the Ghost' has arrived!  He said I was fine but that everyone behind him was being cut-off.  That got me bummed out as I realized Erich's day was done.

The 'Ghosts' name was Brian Clyburn and he was a great sweep and a really great guy!  He stayed behind me and never made me feel 'pushed' (though he did keep me focused on my pace and coming cut-off times at the coming aid stations).  I'm pretty sure Brian had NEVER gone that slow before!  But he was nothing but supportive!  Thanks Brian!





From this point on, I really just focused on the present . . . just dealing with what was there before me at that second.  Not thinking at all about what was to come.  As we approached the first aid station, Brian thought we had missed the cut-off.  I started thinking about Erich waiting and how much more I had to go, so I started thinking I was just going to accept the DNF and head home.  But it turned out I was almost 5 minutes ahead of the Ghost.   So after some quick aid we quickly (a relative term for sure!) headed out towards AS #2.

Brian was very familiar with this section of the trail and kept me informed about what was coming.  This was one of my favorite sections . . . nothing too tough and good footing.

Terri Hayes and the Plodder!

Got to AS #2 and found I was still just ahead of the Ghost!  YESSSSSS!!  Talking with the ladies at the aid station I discovered that one was Terri Hayes!  Terri is an ultra running legend and a super popular ultra race director for a series of ultras in SC.  I was thrilled to finally meet Terri but wished I had more time to talk with her.  Hopefully some time in the future!  But the Ghost wasn't stopping.  He moves forward relentlessly.





Brian and I headed up Spiderwoman trail, the toughest section of the loop.  I knew this was going to slow me down even more.  I finally came to the realization during this section that Ghost was going to pass me before I finished.  I told Brian that 9 hours was not going to happen, but that I was going to finish for sure, even if I didn't make the cut-off and he told me he would stick with me!  All along the way, Brian was using his cell phone to talk with the next AS and with RD Dan so everyone knew where we were at all times!!  Kind of funny!

Passed AS #3 and we were probably late, but we kept truckin'.  This was the only station what was out of virtually everything.  I REALLY wanted some ultra 'jet fuel' (Mt Dew or Coke) but they were out.  I guzzled some water, got a gel and we were off!

The next mile and a half was still hard, but we (I) just kept 'relentlessly moving forward' as best as I could.  This section had a part that I didn't even try to run . . . I almost couldn't follow the trail.  Super tricky footing.  The risk of falling outweighed the possible advantage of running.









Finally, we finished the section on top of another hill and came to the forest service road section.  I knew the worst was finally over!  And was I ever ready for this race to end!!  I looked at my GPS and it said we were at 30 miles . . . just one to go!  But that proved to be wrong!  My GPS read 32.5 miles when we finished!

But we did finish!  I believe my time was about 9 hours and 30 minutes . . . 30 minutes behind the Ghost . . . but they let me finish!  Sweet!

And the crowd went WILD!!!

2010 - The Year that was . . .

2010 was definitely not the the best year on record for me . . . but I'm not complaining.

While this blog is a running blog, I do want to mention two non-running personal items . . .

No pictures of Michael actually studying!!!

• Son, Michael, got his Masters Degree in Environmental Engineering from Clemson University.  But only one person in his class got a job by graduation . . . not Michael.  He moved in with me for a few months, but has now moved to Telluride, CO to work until he can find an Environmental Engineering job.  So net-net it's good, and bad, and good!

• My daughter, Laurie, became the store manager for the new North Face store in Vail, CO.  So proud of her!  She moved to Vail just last year after graduating from College of Charleston.  Got a job as an assistant manager for the North Face store in Lionshead and when they decided to open a new store in Vail Village, Laurie was asked to open and manage the new store!  Wow!

Notice Laurie is wearing a Patagonia fleece!

But this is a running blog and I need to stick to running here or I'll lose the ten's of readers I have!!

For the third year in a row I've run at least a marathon a month (okay . . . 12 marathons or longer over the 12-month period).  Guess that is cause for some celebration.  Plus, I had two more runs that weren't 26.2 but they ran like marathons - Bays Mountain Trail 15 mile Race and the Uwharrie 20 miler.  I was a 'beat' after each of these as I was after any marathon.

Anyway, running 12 marathons in 12 months really isn't much of an accomplishment.  The first year I set this as a goal, I thought it would be challenging.  But it really isn't all that hard.

Compare my 12 marathons with some friends' accomplishments:

• Daniel Lieb completed 52 marathons+ this year.  And he took some weekends off so, yes, there were several weekends where Daniel ran 2 marathons!  
• Jim Plant ran over 2010 miles in 2010!  Finished at least two 100 miles (maybe more!)

So, to the uninformed, 12 marathons may seem like a lot, but it really pales in comparison to many.

Up to this year I had never had a DNF.  Now, for the uninformed, a DNF is not a good thing!  DNF stands for 'did not finish' and is something we runners all live in fear of.  The longer the distance the worse it is.  Failing to finish a 5k race is really no big deal.  We've run many, many runs and races way longer so deciding to not finish a 5k means nothing.  But that changes when you think about a marathon or longer.  Here, the distance itself is the challenge.  And all marathoners live in fear of failing to finish a race.

But 2010 saw me with three separate DNFs . . .

• My first DNF happened in April when I failed to finish running my first 100 mile attempt.  I stopped at 50 miles.  But somehow that failure didn't seem harsh.  

• But my second DNF hurt a lot.  After finishing 20 miles of the Leadville Marathon I was forced to quit since I missed the time cut-off.  The hardest part was done.  I felt very positive when the RD met me and told me my race was over.  In hindsight I wish I had given him my race number and chip, but continued on by myself without support.  But I didn't.  This race is a real bugger.  I doubt if I'll try it again.

• DNF #3 happened at the Medoc Trail Races Re-run.  I fell hard and hurt my wrist and the decision to stop at 20 miles was easy.  No regrets on this DNF!

Also, the Friday after the Leadville Trail Marathon I had knee surgery.  Injury happened when I got on the floor to play with my dogs . . . not running!!  Surgery July 9th went super smoothly and on August 10 I ran 13 miles.  Did lose fitness, but the comeback was actually fairly easy.

A few of this year's high points for me . . .

#1 - Finishing the New River Trail 50k this October.  The distance wasn't the challenge but the time sure was!  I had to finish in 7 hours and I just made it!  I worked hard for this finish and it was quite rewarding.














#2 - Finishing the Umstead Marathon and not being dead last!  The year before I had finished, but just barely made the time cut-off.  This year I was safe from the cut-off and had a good finish.









#3 - Got a 'speeding ticket' for running too fast!  That's right folk! A frickin' TICKET!  Doesn't get much better then this.

  

#4  Actually won an age group award in two races!!  Since I started running in about 1976 I had NEVER won an age group award in any race of any distance.  Even very small races!  But this year I broke through . . . well actually the 'ranks are getting thinner' each year.  So there is something to be said for just showing up!!

So 2010 wasn't a bad year at all.  Thinking about it now, it maybe was a pretty good year!  But 2011 is going to be even better!!

61-year old runner - available for immediate adoption!

If you live on Kiawah Island and have ever wanted a son, I am your man . . . er . . son! 

The advantages of an older son are tremendous:

• Think about the joys of having your son cut you grass, and do assorted odd jobs . . . the day he comes to your home!
• I'm already potty-trained.  No diaper needed . . . at least for a few more years!
• You don't have to worry about getting your house trashed with a wild party when you go out of town . . .neighbors won't complain about too much noise EVER!
• This son won't sleep 'till noon every day, nor will he wake you in the middle of the night to be fed.
• You don't have to worry about the costs of a college education etc, as that has all been paid.
• Adolescence is over!  No raging hormones to deal with! And if you are considering the adoption of an older female, no worries about menopause at all!
• No crazy legal papers to fill out.  Just ask me and I'm yours!  Just change your will to include me!

My only really bad habit is a minor running addiction.

                   Just post a comment on this blog if you're interested!






Now for a race report from the Kiawah Island Marathon this last weekend . . .

I first met Dave Hinshaw and Brian Wilcox at about the 7 mile point of the 2007 Richmond Marathon.  Obviously, they aren't a very discerning pair and are not good judges of character, as the three of us struck up a friendship and have stayed in touch ever since.  Dave and I later ran the OBX marathon in 2009 and Brian and I met up at Boogie in 2010 where I get my annual dose of humble pie!. 

The fourth member of the this year's crew was Dave's brother, John, who was doing his first marathon!

Four friend, three goals and two successes!  And a really fun weekend!

Let's get the bummers out of the way right off!

• Brian Wilcox didn't qualify for Boston!  Missed it by a measly 32 seconds! and
• Dave Hinshaw didn't get the PR he was hoping for.

But the big deal was John completed his first marathon!!  Now, THAT is a big deal!

Friday Afternoon -

The four of us descended on John's Kiawah home Friday afternoon.  For me, finally getting there was quite a relief:  1) my brand new heat pump quite working the afternoon before I left and temps were in the 20s, 2) my daughter was having a kidney stone trying to pass and 3) I had car trouble on the way to Kiawah.

Once there we went to pickup our packets and John drove us around the course.  Nice and flat!  There is nothing quite like the excitement of someone doing their first marathon!  John was actually pretty calm and cool about the coming race, but you could still sense his excitement . . . reading compulsively from some marathon guide book for last minute tips!  I loved hearing he and Dave talk about all the hints they had read!  I can't believe all the things I've been doing wrong!  :-)

We decided to cook dinner at John's house and hit the bed early for a 5 am wake up to guarantee us good parking.

Saturday -
Up a five, showers, breakfast and we headed to the race!  Since John is a homeowner we had great access and parked about a two minute walk from the start!!  NICE!

Brian, Dave and John Saturday AM before we started!

Temperatures were in the high 40s and a light rain.  About 30 minutes before the race started, the rain intensity picked up to a steady rain . . . not heavy at first, but we were all drenched the first 13 miles.

Kiawah is definitely an beautiful, upscale place.  hundreds and hundreds of beautify homes broken by picturesque salt marshes, lagoons and golf courses.  Sensory overload!  Nice course and one of the best organized races I've been to.  Everything was just 'easy.'  But a marathon is still a marathon.  None are easy.

I should have worn gloves but I didn't think it was that cold!  But at about mile 4 I picked up a pair of gloves someone had thrown down!  Sweet!  They helped a lot, but I was cool all day long!

At about mile 7 or so I met Jennifer Swain from Atlanta who was making Kiawah her first marathon.  Jennifer and I were back and forth all day and she ended up beating me by 1 second though our clock time was 30 seconds apart!

The first loop was uneventful with all the 1/2 marathoners keeping us company.  Once we started the second lap things got sparse fairly quickly.  Just after the turn, I met Carolyn Smith, a neat young pharmacist from St. John's Island, SC doing her first marathon. So Carolyn joined me running 3 minutes and walking one, while Jennifer held her running 2 1/2 minutes and walking one. and the three of us wound our way through the island.

Carolyn, Dave and John just havin' fun!

Jenn, Me and Carolyn at 18

At about mile 18 or so we caught up with Dave and John.  Had the take the expected pictures and we all continued on.  Carolyn and I soon decided to change two a 2/1 interval and we moved ahead somewhat.  By mile 22 Carolyn started suffering and fell back but Jenn and I pushed on.  Actually, Jenn pulled ahead quite far but I did manage to close the gap some by the end!

A good day for me . . . 5:33.  Carolyn was just behind finishing her first marathon in 5:43.

And just behind Carolyn came Dave and John . . . brother's staying together the whole way and holding hands crossing the finish line!  Very Cool!!

John and Dave at the finish!!

As I was coming to the finish, Brian joined me the the finish line and told me the news about missing Boston by 32 seconds.  I was soooooo disappointed for him but still a 13 minute PR is totally awesome!!

Brian, John, Dave and I once the pain ended!!

To celebrate, that night John took Dave, Brian and I to dinner at  'Cassique' . . . for one of the best meals I've ever had!  It is hard to imagine just how good mash potatoes can be!!  And short ribs . . . my goodness!So much fun with these three guys!

More pictures

2010 Medoc Trail Marathon Re-Run

The weather was perfect!  Cold but not really uncomfortable . . . and not windy!  Probably 40 folks showed up to run.  The majority were planning to do the 10-milers but a few hardy souls were there for the full 26.2.

Here is most everyone!  Like herding cats!!

 I got there early as set up our semi-aid station.  The big surprise was Margaret Bentley!  Though Margaret was injured and couldn't run, she had brought hot coffee, hot donuts and sausage biscuits . . . FOR EVERYONE!  Thank you so much Margaret!!

We did the road out-and-back sections first so by the time we were on the trail everyone was spread out.  Russ Hensley was planning to do about 10 miles and decided to hang with me on my first lap (so he wouldn't get lost!!).  Really nice to have company!

It quickly became clear just how many leaves were on the trail.  As we were going up the rocky section near the Dam site you couldn't even see the rocks!!  But they were still there!  All day long almost every step was an adventure!  If you've run Medoc before the leaves have dropped you really can't imagine just how hard it is in late November!  The added mental side makes the whole run way harder!

Russ and I at the bridge.

Russ and I stopped at the shelter at the ~5 mile point to re-supply and grab ANOTHER donut and sausage biscuit!  Down along the creek we saw Richard (from Greenville) coming the wrong way!  I still can't quite figure out how he got to where he was, but he was definitely turned around!  So he joined us for the next 2 miles back to the shelter.  Took spill #1 near the Bluff.  Nothing hurt but my pride!






Once we got to the field, Russ and Richard turned to the picnic shelter, and I continued on.    Plugged in the IPod and enjoyed some music along the way.  Coming down the rocks near dam site, I took spill number 2.  This one scrambled my brain some, so I just sat there for a few minutes to clear the cob webs.

Everything was fine as I continued on over the summit, down the fire road and back to the creek. Felt good and strong at this point.  I took several pictures and just was enjoying my time in the woods.

But as I neared the bridge I tripped again.  No 'tuck and roll', no 'gentle slide'.  This was a thud!  And I knew wasn't so lucky this time.  Not only did it scramble my brain again, but this time I knew I had hurt my wrist / hand.  Finally got up and started running again, but now with every step I could feel the beat of my heart in my thumb!  Not good at all.

Got back to the picnic shelter and saw Charles West there saying he was done . . . just not having a good day at all!  I talked Charles into doing the Bluff Loop with me.  By this time I was beat . . . mentally and even a little physically!  Charles and I called it a day at 17.5 miles.

Just my second DNF . . . twice this year.  The first one bothered me a lot, but this one not so much.  Running just killed my wrist and I really didn't want to risk another fall.  So I'm fine with my decision to quit.

I did enjoy seeing everyone finish their marathons!  Since I am usually one of the last finishers, this is a part I usually miss!  So much fun!

Certainly, Medoc is no cakewalk.  It is a hard run.  But with the leaves like they were it just adds an additional mental challenge.

Here are all the pictures I took.