Krispy Kreme Challenge

For the last 3 years the CRUD group has felt compelled to put on some sort of eating challenge during the year end party. And each year I gladly participate. We've done 3 Chipotle burritos for fastest time, one large Domino's cheese pizza for fastest time, and obviously donuts this year for fastest time. The big difference this year was the running part - good lord!!

In fact, the Krispy Kreme Challenge is an official event back in North Carolina that started back in 2004. This year there were over 2700 finishers raising $100,000 with all proceeds going to the NC children's hospital. Great cause. Although our little outing didn't produce quite as many participants, 7 in all, maybe we will grow this event and find a worthy cause in future years.

I only had one goal - beat JT! I beat him last year but with him running a 17.20 5K (more like 4K) earlier in the morning I knew his legs were primed. I have not been doing any sort of speed training for this event but I certainly have been training the eating part since UTMB. Our course was actually 2.1 myles but whose counting right. Rick tried to get it reduced to a mile cause he was tired but we wanted to do the official challenge. Oh and before I forget, Brooks wussed out because he is apparently whooped. Neal was also a no show but probably had a legit excuse like saving someones life on Pikes.

Anyways, I took off from the start and just did what I could, and if anything, get a similar split on the second two myles. My splits were: 12:41 - 4:07 - 12:53 = 29:41. I never had the urge to throw up just a humongous side ache. One piece of advice, if you ever decide to do this, don't drink a lot of water to get the donuts down. They are caked with enough hydrogenated oils to slide down your throat pretty easy. And if they are hot you could cut the time down eating in half.

Here are the results:

1. Scott 29:41 (will compete for the world title next year)
2. Sean 35:45 (who also a 1/2 grump earlier in the day)
3. Rick 36:55 (will never eat another donut)
4. JT 39:35 (ran a 4K earlier in the day)
5. Andy 45:01
6. Harry 46:58 (didn't puke but spit up water and sugar substance??)
7. Chris 56:12 (doesn't have to go home to NC now to do the challenge)

Thanks to JT and Katy for once again hosting the CRUD party! They have a great house for entertaining, especially the PI party patio. Come see the patio during the next event, The Ponderous Posterior 50K on January 14th.

I am old(er) and wise(r)

OK maybe old(er) but certainly not wise(r)...

I ran a race yesterday because... well. I'm an addict. It was not one of the wiser things I've done in my life when I was suppose to be healing the body. All I wanted to do is to test my fitness. There was an option to do a 5, 10, or 20 miler, naturally I did the 20 miler.

I woke up at 4:30 AM to pelting horizontal rain hitting the window and immediately tried to talk myself out of it. I hadn't signed up, but then again, this kind of stuff was right up my alley - the uglier the better. Besides, with all the required gear UTMB required (waterproof everything) I had an excuse to actually put it to the test. By 6 AM it was a full on snow storm, still horizontal. No breakfast this morning just the normal coffee and the not so normal EFS liquid shot. Mmm put it together and it tastes like a vanilla latte, try it.

The race started at Jaxon's school parking lot about a mile away so I was way early. I was surprised there were already quite a few people standing around the start area. Walking to sign up there was about 3 inches of slush all over the parking lot and my feet were immediately wet - this was gonna get ugly. I sat in my car to stay warm and bundled up with all my Pearl Izumi WxB gear. Now I'm not one for pimping product on my blog but I get lots of questions about what works best for particular conditions. So for all those interested in knowing what works best for rain/slush/snow mixture I will tell you that there is no better gear than Pearl Izumi waterproof stuff. They have been keeping cyclists warm for years in the worst conditions and they use that same knowledge and know-how in the run gear. At UTMB we had to have a waterproof jacket with hood along with waterproof gloves, just name a couple of things on a long laundry list.

P.R.O. Barrier WxB Gloves Fly Barrier WxB Jacket

Honestly these two items kept me dry and warm. I ended up shedding the jacket midway because I started to sweat a bit as the snow stopped and the sun got higher. I was also able to move pretty freely with the jacket on. Usually restriction of movement is a deal breaker for me and most always go without.

Anyway on to the race. There were only about 25 of us and immediately a guy sprinted off the start. Yes this was a race but I was prepared to stay within myself and just test my fitness. I started off the line with good friend Roger Stones, who is starting a solid base for his run at the Leadman 2012. We ran together, very comfortable, for about an hour and then slowly drifted apart. There were lots of out and backs which required lots of volunteers so thank you to all those hearty souls just standing there getting cold. Although there was one junction with no signs or volunteers and of course we took the wrong way. It was the start of a loop and I knew we would end up in the same place but problem was that we ended up cutting off about 5 minutes. I don't know what they'll do but it really doesn't matter to me because I got my workout in while spending time with friends. Woody was also out there and he didn't take the wrong turn. The reason I know this is because we were going in the opposite direction around the loop.

Coming back through the start/finish area was messy. The snow was now trampled from the 5 and 10 mile runners so the traction was a little tricky. But what made matters worse was trying to weave through the other runners. Most people moved with an "on yer left" but some had music so there was no moving them. An hour and 1/2 into the run I was actually feeling really good and felt like I was speeding up while charging uphill. But not having done a single run over an hour-twenty since France I knew it wouldn't last. Sure enough about an hour forty-five I felt the slow down hit me.

Honestly, I was shooting for 2.30 which would have been a 7:30 pace with 1500 feet of climbing. Pretty realistic especially with the conditions. At mile 17 the course turns down for the remaining 3 myles (I know every step as this is my daily training ground) so I decide to see if I can get under 2.20, which would be 6:40 pace. I crossed the finish line in 2.19:55 for an overall 6:59 pace. Now I did take an inadvertent shortcut so my pace was probably more like 7:05 or so. But hey I'm pretty happy either way.

So why was I not wise(r) to run this race? Good result but at the cost of still not healed. My feet are still killing me and my lower back was acting up again at the end. I was pretty stiff and walking gingerly all day yesterday. Not a good sign for someone who is supposed to be taking it easy and healing. I guess ultimately I wanted to know if JFK 50 was still in the cards. Probably not. To top things off I just got a new position at my work which is based in Los Angeles. The travel and new responsibilities just won't allow time to train like I need. I will officially hang up the shoes as far as ultras are concerned for 2011.

One quote to leave you with: The magic is in the man not the miles. Bill Bowerman

Hey-Hey looky here!

A new blog post that is long over due. I've been slacking only because the motivation on the running front has been extremely low. Coupled with the fact that travel for work has been maniacal. It's amazing that I used to post everyday and now I'm lucky if I get one a month. I will get better - I promise.

First things first, go here and give some feedback to Lisa Klarmann for a research project she is working on for school at the University of Bayreuth. Here is an introduction from Lisa:

Dear Runners,
by participating in this survey you are supporting a final thesis concerning choice of route, motivation, and equipment of runners. The survey is available in English, German and French. By taking part in this survey you have the opportunity to win a pair of PEARL iZUMi Peak II Trailrunning shoes!!! Thank you very much in advance and all the best for your upcoming runs.

I am extremely late in posting this so I hope the link still works, if not let me know. Lisa was part of the PI crew over in France and has done an internship at Pearl Izumi in Germany. In addition, her brother Mortiz was our Physiotherapist while in France.

Now onto my current state. My feet are still killing me. The tendon that connects my forefoot and heel is very tender each and every morning. If I run, it takes a good 15 minutes to get them to stop hurting. I am pretty sure with all the climbing at UTMB and never letting my heel hit the ground has everything to do with this problem. I'm also pretty sure I know what it is but I refuse to go to the doc. And yes Karl I have played a doctor on TV before... Karl loves it when people self diagnose.

In conjunction with the feet, the mind is just not into running right now. Over the past 8 years I have learned my body pretty well, enough to know that I need a break physically and mentally in September or October. This year it may be both months, if I want any chance of doing things I plan for next year. I ran 119 myles in September, my lowest total since I had achilles problems 3 years ago. But when I look back on this year I've run 2711 myles so far, which is over 300/month. I won't push in October if I don't feel like running, I'm more than likely going to go back to Cyclocross racing and get in the pool a couple times a week.

I mentioned next year. I have a very loose structure what it will look like so I might as well tell you: Chuckanut, Kokopelli FKT, Jemez, HardRock, CT FKT, Leadville or Wasatch. The big deal for me is obviously the Colorado Trail FKT. I've done the trail once and vowed never to go back but it is calling my name to give an honest crack at the FKT. A lot can change but that's what I'm currently thinking about. In addition, PI is setting the incentive schedule right now so that could drive other races to pop up.

Speaking of Pearl Izumi, we are currently in the selection process for next year. Lots of talented runners out there, both men and women vying for a few slots. My role has changed a bit but before I say anything about the team I will wait until the official team has been announced. Look for something in the middle of October. It is going to be an exciting year for Pearl Izumi Ultra running team!

I think that's all for now. Outside of watching some football and checking on my fantasy football team all day, typing this post has actually made me feel like I accomplished something today. Talk to you all soon.