Recovery Week

Recover from what? Well I managed to loose 6lbs in 3 days after the race. Apparently I was a little bloated from to much salt. To the point that my usually loose wedding ring wouldn't even come off my finger (wife didn't mind I'm sure).

In a way that only I can... I decided to turn up the heat a little. I always seem to have my best weeks of physical workouts after a disappointing race. So here was the rest of the week.

Sunday: Spend the afternoon at my parents house, chainsaw in hand, cutting/splitting/and moving wood. This was to get started for the winter. I figure I managed to finish around a face cord of wood.
Monday: 1 hr spinning class for Cross training.
Tuesday: 5.5 miles averaged a 7:50 pace (not bad but should have been faster)
Wednesday: Boot Camp class. Lots of jumping rope, stairs, legs, and push ups
Thursday: AM: 7 miles AM with Nick and Bill: afternoon group power class (weight lifting, low weight high rep)
Friday: Yoga and Cross training
Saturday: Plan is to put in 12-16 miles at around a 9 minute pace with the VR group.

My plan now is to try and keep most of my weekly runs at around 9 minute pace. Tempo runs will be a little faster. Long runs I may slow down a bit if I'm not feeling it. I need to get back to where I was before the Cleveland Marathon. When I'm into a run a few miles and feel the pace slacken some due to fatigue, I love the feeling I get just at that moment when I push it faster. After the run with Nick and Bill we needed a few tenths more to round out to an even mileage so we did some quick sprints. Its hard to describe to someone on the outside but I just get that quick rush through my body at that moment. You think your tired and exhausted but you give it the extra push and all of a sudden your good for another few miles.

See everyone out there pounding the pavement and trails.

BK25k

Not the best feeling in the world. I started out by indicating that I would not drop any more as it gets to easy to quit once you have done it a couple of times. So it was finish or die trying. Well....

Started off pretty slow in the mid to back of the pack. My fastest mile all day was a 12 and change on mile 2 of the run. Blew through the Snowville stop pretty fast. I filled my bottle at every water stop which would have made Boston Store the fourth I believe so I was drinking plenty of fluids and I had been trying to eat something every 20-30 minutes so by the time I got to Boston store I had eaten a pure fuel bar and some fig newtons.

I got my bottle refilled at Boston Store, grabbed a PB&J and started walking down the towpath. As soon as I started eating the sandwich I realized that my stomach was feeling pretty full and was starting to once again rebel. I initially figured that I would just start a slow jog and try to choke down the food while not loosing my stomach (to this point I have in the past both babied my stomach through these times and just let it go). When things go wrong I tend to start analyzing as it is my nature and it is at this point I realize that I no longer have sweat pouring off my hat. As a mater of fact I felt a little dry as I started up the hill from Boston Store into the Buckeye. So after this walking Sarah catches up to me and walks up the hill some with me. I told her that I had stopped sweating but encouraged her along. The one thing I have never done is slow anyone else down. I always tell everyone I'm okay and just to go ahead. By the time I cross over Boston Mills Rd I realize that the not sweating thing is really bad news and I start feeling pretty warm. I down the remainder of my handheld bottle which causes me to immediately loose the contents of my stomach. If I was to do a volume calculation I would have to tell you that it looked like I had at least 40 oz of liquid in there so this was not a pretty sight. Luckily I finished up and got moving just in time for Red to catch me. So I stuck with them through pine lane and things started getting a little difficult for me.

So I'm pretty sure that I wasn't delirious but this was the point at which I was jogging down the trail and saw a girl stopped just off the trail. She was standing, facing me, maybe 2-3 feet to the side of the trail and it looked like maybe she was trying to stretch as she had her legs spread out to the sides slightly like a saw horse. Well it was only at this time that I realized she had one hand pulling her shorts to the side and was peeing. Wow, I didn't realize that women could just stand up pull their shorts to the side a pee. So what is with all the squatting? This was one talented girl I had just witnessed. Maybe she was trying to catch E-Speed and didn't want to waste time. When I realized what was going on and that I must have been staring a little I just kinda avoided eye contact as I passed and thought of all the things I wanted to say... hmm how about.
1. Nice Job
2. Looking good
3. Your almost there
Well you see where this is going.

The next 2 miles were completed in roughly 40 minutes. Some time was spent at the small stream crossing about a mile from Pine Lane. I started by dipping my hat in the water and throwing it on my head to cool down. Then one of the experienced ultra guys came by on his way back with a towel. He started to dip the towel in the stream and then ring it out over my head to cool me down. It felt great. I told him I was okay and he headed off. Well at this point I remembered some crazy survive man episode and actually laid down in the stream to cool off. It actually worked. I think the guy who actually did 100k on Sat (started at pine lane ran to the start, ran the race, and then back to pine lane) came by and gave me a water bottle. I'm pretty sure that when he got to pine lane he told them they should send someone back to get me because about 1/10 of a mile from pine lane I was greeted by some kind guys with heed coming to find me.

Long story short. After about 30 minutes at the rest stop with ice on my head and shivering while my fingers were swelling I was about ready for the return trip. One of the aid workers (who I should know his name as we have run together) told me that he shouldn't say anything but he didn't think I should be going anywhere as one of the other aid station workers was refilling my bottle. Well I guess dropping was better then dying after all right?

Well to wrap things up here is what I have learned.

1. 14 months, 4 marathons and 2 ultras
2. Nausea at all and vomiting at all but one (walked last 6 miles to prevent puking)
3. Same at multiple 18-23 mile training runs. Nausea etc.
4. Everything from no electrolyte tabs up to one s-cap every 30 minutes this weekend (very bad idea this weekend. Never take 5 s-caps in 2-1/2 hours)
5. Gu, Pure Fuel bar, water, Gatorade, propel, powerade all together separate etc.
6. Run fast, slow, very slow.

All produced the same results. My stomach quits absorbing and processing after around 2 hours of running. I then get bloated, vomit, dehydrate, and all the good things that come from that.

Plenty of advice and now the best of all. Stop it. My options as I see them are do what I said before and start running 1/2 marathons and shorter fun fast races. Continue to do this until I can at least run some 18-20 mile training runs at race pace without having issues. Quit eating and drinking after 1-1/2 hours into a run so my stomach doesn't start to fill. Deal with the dehydration slightly and make sure it doesn't get out of control.

In hindsight as soon as I realized I stopped sweating I should have turned around and headed to snowville. It would have saved me 3-1/2 hours of possibly dangerous conditions in the woods. Oh and I think I might actaully ask for help next time to. I even hung out for a few minutes at the finish line watching some friends finish when I perhaps should have had an IV attached to my arm instead flushing out some salt.

Guess I'm signing up for the Buckeye 1/2 and the Akron 1/2. I didn't really need any free shoes anyway. I'm going to break the 1:45 mark I wanted to hit at Cleveland.

San Diego Snail Trail

So I went for my last run this morning. Almost a mile into it I almost took a terrible fall. Never thought that my 50k could be done in by a snail trail.... Well really I almost stepped on the thing.

So after the snail trail incident I see a trail off to the side of the road. Off I go.

After a mile or so I hit the top of the hills and realize I'm running along a fire line from one of the CA fires this season.You can see how the left of the road is burned and the right is green. This is where the CA fire crew started a back burn to clear out underbrush. They cleared out the path you see and then started to burn everything on the other side of the path.

So I found out something new to beware of on these trails. I worry some about falling when I'm flying down the downhills but in Ohio we don't have to worry about these. I couldn't imagine taking a fall into a cactus.

Well tomorrow I fly home and get ready for the race. Carb loaded tonight with Risotto and shell fish.

T minus 4 days

Quick update. I'm in San Diego and got to take my 4 mile run today to/from/ and on the beach. Got in a good 1-1/2 miles of running on the sand at low tide. If I lived out here I would probably be putting in 70 miles a week instead of 40. I guess I'm lucky enough to get to spend this time out here. Have another run planned for the morning but I'm a little bit inland tonight (at least 4 miles to the beach.

Tomorrow I will get to go to opening day at Del Mar race track for a second year in a row. It's pretty crazy the way it really shuts down the area. It's like going back in time to the horse races with all the guys dressed up and girls in their sun dresses and hats. Just to go watch the horse races and bet. It's also a time when everyone in the area gets together with friends/family. Should be a great time. Then an early flight home on Thursday. Been trying to keep the food/drinking in check. So hit the Mexican on Monday (plenty of time to get out of the system). Tonight it's Italian and I'll keep the wine under control. Tomorrow is all about water and hydration. Then Thursday for the 7 hours in airports and hotels... hydration.. and I'll be at home for a good dinner Thursday night.

See you all Saturday.

Muddy Paws

Well it's one week out from the Buckeye 50k so I needed my last long taper run. I headed down to the Muddy Paws trail run which has a 5 and 10 mile option. Well with the course being pretty hilly and my history of racing every race I did a smart thing and signed up for the 5 mile option. After signing up and talking with everyone for a little while I saw E-Speed go by running in the parking lot. I figured that I needed to do some warmup and jogged over to catch her. I figure we did at least 4-5 laps around the parking lot with more people joining her on each loop. During this time we were all discussing the race and decided that E would have to try to win no matter how many times she denied it.

So when everyone started towing the line at the start I decided to get about 3/4 of the way back in the pack so that I didn't get caught up and race (go figure it was a race). Well once we got started I saw Roy coming buy and just decided to head off with him and Tanya. We all had to stop and wait while the log jam made it into the woods. By the time we got into the trails we had stopped probably 3-4 times and stood while waiting for the people in front of us to condense down to a single track. Well I stayed with Roy and Tanya for about a mile just talking about ultras and volunteering to help. Then the trail cleared out a bit and I felt the need. I got around Roy and started to pick up the pace.

For the next 4 miles not a single person passed me. Come to think about it during the entire race not a single person passed me and stayed in front of me. A couple of guys tried to jump in front on the uphills but I was able to overtake them and pull away as soon as we reached the top of the hill. It was a great feeling that I have really started to enjoy. Part of it was that I was only doing 5 while many of these runners would be putting in twice that distance but deep down it didn't matter. I passed many friends who had started in front of me before reaching the end. As I passed two guys with about a half mile left (my finishing kick started here) the one guy said "I hope your doing the 5 mile option".

So here comes the good:
My first 5 mile run ever and first on trails - 47:05
Placed third in my age group and got some swag

And the bad:
First mile was by far the slowest and it was all down hill.

Lost first place in my age group by 49 seconds. I had the 2nd and 3rd place in sight the last mile and just couldn't close fast enough. Had I started further up in the pack and not had to wait in the first mile I could have actually taken 1st (knowing all the fast runners were in the 10mile).

Splits:
10:09
9:29
10:00
9:11
8:16

Wow Photographer Bill Bailey catches a good photo of Brett Running. This is like trying to get a picture of bigfoot.

So, I did the smart thing, ran a short race, supported a good cause, and kept with the taper for a 50k on Saturday. Now it's off to San Diego Monday for some relaxation prior to the race. Oh and I got my 1st class upgrade. Can't beat that. Hope it happens on the way home as well.

Nice seeing everyone out there today. Every time I go to an event like this I appreciate the runners of NE Ohio so much more. Special thanks to Greg, Bill, Mel, Nick, Susan, Aaron, and all the other runners that chose to volunteer instead of run. Nothing but support and encouragement. Looking forward to helping out at the Burning River 100 so pay some of it back.

One more run

So I took my first Taekwondo class yesterday and had a great time. Then I felt a little sore this morning and figured it was all those kicks but I had forgotten about the Boot Camp class during the afternoon. Well to make a long story short put in 6 miles today at an 8:30 pace and felt good. My endurance seems to have recovered from last weeks 50 miles in 4 days stint.

So now I just have Saturdays run, a trip to San Diego for 4 days (with a few 3-5 mile runs) and then it's time for the 50k. My biggest hurdle now will be how to eat good high complex carb meals while traveling. I guess being on the ocean that will call for some seafood or maybe some good Italian. Normally I'd go to a place out there that has what I consider the best prime rib I maybe have ever had but I guess I know where the high protein diet took me.

I wonder what I'll do after I FINISH the 50k? I think maybe roads, towpath and some speed workouts for a little while. Well mix in some trails so I can get muddy with the girls some more.

T-Minus 10 days

So the head games have started. What is the weather going to be like. What do I need to eat the week of the race. Where am I going to be the week of the race (San Diego). Make sure I get sleep, water, and nourishment during my flight home from CA on Thursday for Saturdays race. Who can I run with in order to make sure that I don't get "caught up" in the race at the beginning (thanks Sara). Will still try to take off and keep up with Melissa (Damn am I dumb).

So 10 days out. I missed about 3 miles yesterday from my run and now I'm trying to figure out when to make it up. I took a boot camp class today at the gym and now I'm going to take my first Taekwondo class tonight (do you think I try to do too much). What am I thinking starting new exercises and martial arts classes 10 days before a 50k? I'm supposed to be relaxing and recovering from 50+ miles in 4 days and enjoying the taper right?

So I'm going to do some sales calls in San Diego next week and then go to opening day at the Del Mar horse race track Wednesday night. This will lead to relaxing and as I'm away from town I won't be able to beat myself up at the gym.

So everyone can just tell me to chill and relax but if you know me well then I just don't have that in me. I guess that's why I'm a runner right? Now I'm not worried about finishing the 50k, because I will. I'm just wondering how much I'm going to put myself through during the race. It's time to weight the joy of just finishing 50k with the pain of trying to push yourself to finish in a more respectful time. Go ahead.... tell me..... just finishing is respectful right?

Oh and now that I'm babbling. If anyone needs a 1997 Malibu with 150k miles on it. $1k obo. Not that this is ebay or anything. I hope I didn't just break any rules.

Blog Slacker

So I've been crazy busy with work, kids, vacation, and running. Here is a quick rundown. Celebrated my 10 year anniversary. Can't imagine what my wife saw in me but apparently it's still here. Spent a couple of days in Sandusky one night on a friends Yacht, one night at Kalahari water park, while my daughter participated in dance competitions and some workshops. Then came the 4th of July and 4 parties that weekend. Three for the holiday and one for my nieces birthday. Throw in the Firecracker 5k which capped of almost 30 miles in three days (and no I didn't do as good as I wanted to. 22:04 which is 2 seconds slower then my trail 5k a month or two ago). Throw in the 23 mile training run for the Buckeye 50k and then cap it off with my wife having a birthday party last night. I think that brings my blog up to today.

So somehow I managed a 50+ mile week (actually in 4 days) and I am in taper mode. I'm going to try and run the Muddy Paws this weekend if things go as planned. I'll most likely just do the 5 mile run as I tend to race every race full out I don't want to put in a hard 10 mile race a week before the 50k (maybe I'm learning). T-minus 11 days until I finally finish the Buckeye 50k. Then I can be done with these crazy hours upon hours of trail running every Saturday.

After that I'm going to try and figure out how to run this short races I am liking so much. At the same time decide if I want to put myself through another full marathon in the fall and get my free shoes or if I'll once run another half and have fun cheering on all my crazy friends at the finish.

Oh and I will be traveling out of town at least three out of the next six weeks. Let the games begin.