...And the ADVENTURE Continues

These are the Times that Try Men's Souls...

2009-11-09T18:40:00.001-08:00

August 1988 - Marine Corps Recruit Depot (aka Boot Camp) San Diego CA

In a dimly lit corner of Tun Tavern, on November 10, 1775, Uncle Sam recruited it first misguide child...and thus was born your beloved United States Marine Corps. A day later this great country will celebrate and remember the veterans of the Armed Services who fight the tireless fight of keeping the Wolf of the Door Step for over 233 years. Men far greater than I, who fought for freedom and liberty. Men like my Great Uncle Roy Andrews, who served in WWI and at age 45 reenlisted to fight in the South Pacific in WWII. (He lied about his age when he jump onto a Naval Ship.) By the way, both his sons went off to war as well, leaving Aunt Gladis to rely on the Lord Almighty for her entire family's protection.

The enemy has changed and evolved, from the British, to each other in the War between the states, to Nazis and Japanese, Communist Soviet Union, to the militant Jihadist.

Oh how the past week we were reminded that Jihad is ever present as an actual Army Major, sworn to protect U.S. Citizens from enemies both foreign and domestic, opened fire in Fort Hood killing 13 of America's finest.

Add political correctness to that enemy lists.

Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan openly became an Islamic extremist, attempting to contact Al Qaeda, and posted on websites voicing his praise to suicide bombers comparing them to Marines falling on grenades protecting their own. The Army admitted that the Scum was under investigation for months and communicated 10 to 20 times with a radical imam overseas who in the past came under scrutiny for possible links to terror groups. They say the communications began last year and continued into this year between Hasan and the imam, Anwar al-Awlaki, and that U.S. officials had been aware of them since last year. Anwar al-Awlaki hearled Hasas as a hero for such actions.

Why was he not gone?! WHY? Was it because the Army Brass was more afraid of ruffling feathers and political correctness by singling out an Army officer of the Muslim faith. Was the lack of reaction because the fear of "profiling"...because of political correctness. Have we reached such depths that we are more concerned with our careers rather that doing the right thing. What do you say to the families of the 13 deceased? My heart is heavy.

On Wednesday, we will remember those fallen soldiers. The emotions are still too raw not to.

This past weekend, about 20 minutes from my house, was a Civil War reenactment. I took my Cub Scout Den of 8 year old boys to witness history. The boys loved it, hearing the cannons going off, seeing the soldiers muster in formation, seeing the Cavalry gallop across the battlefield. For an hour the battle raged on as the troops continued to fight. The gun smoke hung around the ground, emanating an eerie feeling of death and anguish. Yes, the Civil War was a dark period of U.S. History...much like last week. As they closed the battle with the bugler playing TAPS, my mind turned to those soldiers that wore the blue and the gray uniforms. Whose service they gave as well. It is hard to imagine brother against brother and yet this country still remains.

I love this country....THANK YOU US Serviceman...for these are the times that try men's souls.

R&R and Celebrating

2009-11-04T14:35:00.000-08:00

I once again have succumbed to delinquency in posting on this thing. Really are you interested in what has be going on in Team Elliott's lives...well if you are, God Bless Ya.

Two and half weeks ago the Palo Duro 50 miler was completed...and for those past two and half weeks I have run a total of 20 miles. Ok...I went to spin class twice too. I really didn't realize how much was taken out of the body...but I am slowly coming back, being rejuvenated. This past Saturday morning, I was up at about 0630....I had a cup of coffee, I read a bit...and when my kids got up, we hung out. I honestly don't know when was the last Saturday I did that. Now, don't think I totally mailed it in. Later that morning I did run 3 miles and then go to an hour long spin class.

A week and half ago the weekend consisted of going on the Y Princess camp out with my 6 year old daughter, Macy. I didn't have sisters and so sometimes it is a challenge for me to really relate to my girls. I try...and I am getting better. Camping with them helps this. Macy is my contemplative and somewhat shy girl. But in the past few months my wife and I have noticed that she is opening up and becoming much more social. Weekends like this is what I live for. She shines when we talk about the weekend...the marshmallow stickiness left behind on the fingertips after savoring a smore, the giggling with the other girls trying to tell ghost stories, hearing the ping of the BB hitting the can after a careful aimed shot...and even the slight embarrassment after falling of the pier into a frigid lake. There is no disappointment in not catching fish because we are outdoors with friends. Nope, running is not on the forefront. I am celebrating my daughter's achievements.

Macy

"Dad are we going to catch anything?"

Toweling off after falling in Lake

This past weekend was the Cactus Rose 50 mile/100 mile Ultramarathon trial race in Bandera Texas. Originally I was suppose to pace Dmitry but those plans had to be amended. He had dropped at the 55 mile marker last year. Oh do I know the feeling of unfinished business left on some godforsaken trail where pain and anguish is not unfamiliar. I woke up in the middle of Saturday night and said a quick prayer for all the runners but for Dmitry in particular. He would be in the lonely darkness where real demons would haunt on that Halloween night. After 31 hours of relentless forward motion, Dmity slayed those demons when Joe Prusaitis handed him his finisher's buckle.

My friend Fred Thompson would be attempting his first 100 mile finish. Some really seasoned ultrarunners described his efforts as heroic and were emotional watching Fred cross the finish line 36 hours and 22 minutes after commencing. His pacer at mile 90 was "scared" because of the poor condition Fred was in at the time. I have yet to discuss with Fred how dark the world got that Halloween night. But I have talked with friends that were there. Fred may only want to embrace those cold dark corners of his mind when time has placed a chasm between that night and a bright Spring morning. Back spasms made forward movement most painful and at times impossible. Ascending up Lucky Hill was more that what the mind and body could ask for. Falling, getting up...and falling again, but never staying down. Fred triumphed greatly. Some even wept at his victory.

Fred early in the day

Mile 85 - The looks on Char's and David's face do not show the deep concern they have at this point.

Barely moving as the Back Spasms take hold...such things happen when your on your feet for 36 hours.

Fred's is DONE!...and being aided by his wife Char.

Fred showing his Finisher's buckle...with his Pacer, Annie who spent 15 hours with Fred....and you thought you wanted to Pace ;-)

Oh I am proud of my accomplishments. I celebrate them. But these last two weeks it has been equally sweet to celebrate the great achievements of others. Hitting the empty can with a BB gun, destroying the demons that haunts the runner of past failures on a lonely Texas trail, or the great triumphs of a first 100 mile attempt that inspires my soul. Life has been grand these last two weeks...and running is looking good again too.

REDEMPTION AT THE 50 MILE MARKER

2009-10-18T14:46:00.000-07:00

Finishing loop 2 - Mile 25

"Oh Sinnerman, where you goin' to run to... sinnerman where you goin' to run to... where you going to run to, all on that day?"

Last year, after The North Face Endurance Challenge - Virgina was canceled, I signed up to run the Palo Duro Trail Race 50 mile. It was to be my first 50 mile attempt...it was also my first DNF (did not finish). At about the 50K mark, I cashed in my chips due to an IT Band problem that had me hobbling for a couple weeks. Since that time I had completed the Grasslands 50 Miler but still had some unfinished business in the second largest canyon in America.

Getting to the race was a battle in itself. I had a upper respiratory infection 2 1/2 weeks before the race. My kids had the swine flu a week prior to the race....I had been in a training cycle basically since January. I felt under trained. I felt my Cardio lacking. The Texas heat had beaten me down and frankly, if I wasn't seeking redemption from a previous failure, I probably would not have shown up in Palo Duro. I just didn't care anymore and running wasn't fun anymore. On Friday night before the run, I honestly didn't think I had it in me to finish it.

It was to be a family affair with all of TEAM ELLIOTT traversing across Texas, but after the H1N1 virus assault, Bren and I decided that the family would stay home. My parents would come up from Levelland and crew/support me any way they could...except for pacing...;-)

In the predawn canyon hours, Saturday morning found me reflecting back nearly one year to the day. How, at the time, my only DNF from the previous Palo Duro Trail Race, felt infinitely worse than any physical pain. How at times I get frustrated at not being one of the "fast ones." I have tried to learned to put things in perspective. I had learned from my friend and Western State 100 mile finisher, Matt Crownover, to be grateful for the ability to run...to run far. I have come to realize that all aren't blessed to do such. Craig Miller is running the ING NY Marathon and raising money for Sam, an eight year old boy stricken with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Chances are, unless there is a cure, Sam will never be able to run like this. Matt ended his Western States report with this, "The truth is someday you will go for you last run, but not today, today you get to run." I spent some time alone. I prayed. I tried to focus. I asked the Heavenly Father to help me maintain a spirit of gratitude. I asked for strength to finish amidst my weakness and frailties...even if it was past the 12 hour cutoff. And shortly before 7:00 AM. It was time to go.

At this point I have to give Jennifer Kimball a shout out. The night before I had check the batteries in my headlamp. Apparently the lamp switch had turned on in my bag and when I went to turn it on pre race...NOTHING. She had a extra hand held flashlight that would get me through the first 45 minutes before the twilight.

"Well, I run to the rock...please help me run to the rock...please help run to the rock...please help me Lord all on that day."

The race is broken down to run a 12.5 mile loop four times. The first loop was uneventful. When the sun peaks over the canyon, it is awe inspiring. I fall into a rhythm and began to assess my body. There was a remnant of chest congestion from the previous infection and my right hamstring was tight...but oh well....In the words of Kevin Boudroux when he passed me..."you can't worry bout that till mile 40." I responded, "your right." I finish up loop number one with my parents saying hi....how you doing? I refilled the hydration pack up at the aid station and acknowledged a guy named Joe Prusaitis...and then moved on down the trail

Waiting on the hydration pack - about to start loop2

There was good cloud cover and I was thinking, "If this holds out, and these temps stay low...oh what a good day to run in the canyon. I had kept leap frogging this guy in a yellow shirt and knew that this was to probably be an all day affair. The second Loop went as planned and my pacing chart was within a couple of minutes that I had told my parents. I had planned to wrap up loop 2 at just under five and half hours. My hydration/electrolytes and nutrition where dead on. At the end of the 25 mile marker, the cloud cover was being burned off and the low 60's were to be a thing of the past.

I leave for loop three...half way done. Laura Underwood had just filled my hydration pack and Linda Boggs mentioned to my parents that they looked normal, so how come I turned how crazy. I once again acknowledged that guy named Joe Prusaitis ...and then moved on down the trail.

"But the rock cried out I can't hide you, the rock cried out I can't hide you, the rock cried out, I ain't going to hide you...all on that day."

The first mile of the third loop I was nauseated and felt like I was going to throw up. I think it was due to me trying to cram too many calories into my body via Ensure, Potatoes, and Bananas. In 15 minutes that subsided. The sun began an all out assault as the clouds were now completely gone. The temps rose with the runners having no shade to hide them. The aid station's thermostats show the temperature encroaching the 88 degree mark. To help battle the temps I wrapped ice in a bandanna and tied it around the neck. Things began to slow down a bit. At the 31 mile marker, there was another 50 miler that seemed to be a dark place. She latched on and we began negotiating the trail and heat together. Her name was Jenny. At about this point we saw Sonia Burnett and Deborah Sexton on their last loop of the 50 K and they still had smiles on their faces. Come to find out this was Jenny's first 50 miler and for the next 6 miles we had a good conversation about running and training. Lynn Ballard's words came to mind when he said to me one time, "One Day you will be someone's Dmitry." You can read about that here. At the beginning of this loop I began feeling a couple of hot spots on the feet and even though I had a blister kit with me, I reasoned that I was short on time to stop and fix it. I would not realize how bad they were till after the race. The guy in the yellow shirt showed up again the last mile of the loop and I joked with him that he kept turning up like a bad penny. This loop was ran slower than I anticipated as we three cruised into the start/finish ready to commence the 4th and final loop.

It was at this point the race director Bill Ross admonished us about continuing. He said we have to run the last loop as fast as we ran the previous loop to finish on time. He also added that we three were in jeopardy of aid stations closing. We all nodded and said we are going to get it done. In my mind, I quickly calculated mile splits. I knew is was possible, but also knew that it would be tough on legs that had 37 miles on them. We leave as group for the farewell tour. I acknowledged that guy named Joe Prusaitis and said, "This last loop is going to be tough." He responds, "Hell yeah it is, it's why you paid your money. You just have to keep moving...don't stop...you'll make it on time." He sounded more convinced than I did as we moved on down the trail...for the last time.

"So I ran to the Devil, he was waiting, I ran to the Devil, he was waiting, I ran to the Devil all on that day."

The guy in the yellow shirt is named Kenny from San Angelo and was dealing with the affects of having prickly pear cactus thorns in the back of leg and in his back side. Somewhere on the first loop he fell in a cactus. Talk about tough. I told my kids this story and told them, "I don't want to hear any whining ;-)." Jenny had found a new energy and began to run with a mission. Kenny and I tried to hang but it came apparent this was going to be futile. Jenny had crawled through her dark place and was on a mission to meet the 12 hour deadline. She tried to hang back for us, but I told her she needs to move, I would be alright...and so Kenny and I began the herculean task of running as fast as we previously had on 3rd loop. My hot spots had turned into full blown blisters and although the legs weren't in too bad of shape, the mental aspect of running against the time line, continually attempting to calculate mile split started to weigh on me. I know I mentioned previously that just finishing regardless of the time was the goal. I have to admit, that I always wanted to be counted as an official finisher. The inclines were steeper than the previous 3 time through and the descents reminded my quads there was work to be done. Kenny kept his sense of humor...mine left somewhere at mile 44. At the Dos Locos Senoritas aid station in the back of the canyon , I found myself in a dark state of mind. I had not hit a wall yet, but this seemed to be it. Those sweet ladies encouraged us and we were off.

"So I run to the Lord...Please Help me Lord...Don't you see me praying...Don't you see me down here praying..."

I enjoy the beauty of this side of the canyon...the last 6 miles of the loop. The views are awe inspiring...the stratified red dirt. My body and mind wanted this to be over, but this canyon reminded me of my Maker and the words of Matt...."Pray to have a spirit of gratitude." At mile 44, I admit the spirit of gratitude was not in the forefront. As the miles wore on, that was transformed. By mile 47 ... I was grateful to have met Kenny whose optimism never wavered. I was grateful for this wonderful day to run. I was grateful this run was nearly over. We turned the corner at 49.5 mile marker and I knew it was finished. We had run a negative split on this final loop to finish in about 11 hours 53 minutes. We had made it. My parents were there. Bill and Wynn Ross congratulated us on finishing strong and running the 4th loop faster than the 3rd. I had been redeemed by the red dirt of the canyon. It was finished!

Done!

Long Day as the Canyon Sun Sets

It is finished! A reminder of my first redemption...also the color of red...when this sinnerman ran to the Lord all on that day...and He bowed his head and cried, "It is finished."

Running races like Palo Duro changes people. I think all 5 of my Ultras have changed me. I learn from every one of them. I have learned that the Ultra community is a bunch of really good guys. I have learned that things will always get better. I have learned that sometimes you have to just keep moving....and I learned to be grateful....for

"the truth that someday you will go for last run, but not today - today you got to run." - Matt Crownover

EPILOGUE:

Thanks to all my NTTR buddies...to Lynn Ballard-Bear 100 mile finisher this past year. To Bill and Wynn Ross who have brilliantly filled the enormous shoes of Red Spicer and all the PDTR volunteers and most importantly to my wife, Bren and kids Luke, Macy, Hope...and of course my Mom and Dad who weathered the all day event...because they would be out there till I finished.

Craig Miller is attempting to race $26,200.00 for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. If you would like to donate....go HERE.

Starring Mutha Blista...(not shown are her five dime size daughters between the toes.)

and finally - "SINNERMAN byNina Simone

U2...WHAT A SHOW!!!

2009-10-13T10:30:00.001-07:00

The EDGE, Larry Boy, Adam and Bono sauntered into North Texas, sat up shop, and applied their craft. That is an enormous understatement.

The event was housed in the new Dallas Cowboy Stadium...a venue that is an event in itself. It is good that the stadium holds such stature since the product that Jerry Jones has decided to put on the field on Sundays is leaving a lot to be desired. Not So with the third major concert performing at the stadium of stadiums.

The "Death Star"...I mean the Cowboy Stadium...do you feel the gravitational pull?

I had waited for over 20 years to see U2 Perform live. I have all their CD's...even the "weak" ones. I believe that when it all said and done, U2 will be recognized as the best and most renowned band in history. Their longevity and 30 years of continued high end production will leave second place light years behind...be it the Beatles, the Stones...you name it....

So paying $50 dollars to be a fan club member, allowing me selection and purchasing of tickets 3 days before they hit general public was a small price to pay. We sat first deck, 12 rows up, in front of stage and celebrated the night with about 80,000 of my closest friends.

I could spend reams of words and descriptions breaking down the show. They would fall short. Donald has described in details the time he attended the U2 concert at the Red Rocks...when Bono breaths to life the opening phrases of "Sunday Bloody Sunday." I am sure I experienced many of those same things last night. My highlight was when the Edge, Adam and Larry lowered the instrument volume, Bono stepped away from the mic, and the first stanza of "With or without you" was sang vocally by 80,000 concert goers. The band left everything on the stage...they sang a lot of new stuff, hit many of the classics and made one realize how much volume they really have.

I hear that the sound left some to be desired in the upper decks due to the venue's inheritant acoustics. Where we sat, that was not an issue.

What a night...what a show....What a Band...I left the evening with a since of being overwhelmed ...U2?

My Beloved

The U2 Posse

OINK OINK!

2009-10-11T05:14:00.000-07:00

Last couple of weeks have been in taper mode for the Palo Duro 50 miler. I am burned out...just let me begin with that. One day I was lamenting (bordering on whining) to my friend Patton Gleason about I am not having fun running and not feeling ready for Palo Duro. He then reminded me that after Grasslands 50, I took off about a week and then went right back into putting in some miles. He asked, how many of your "long" weekend runs have been in the single digits (9 miles or less) since the Grasslands. I responded...oh, less than five. So for the last 7 months you have had a run nearly every weekend that was 10 miles or longer...mostly longer. yep!

So this weekend, it was Luke's Renegade Y guide group's Camp out at Broken Bow Oklahoma. Beautiful country. We get there at about 5:30 PM on Friday and after the boys go to bed, I take off for a 12 mile taper run till a little after midnight. We get up the next morning and all for a nice little hike after breakfast. Luke had been having trouble with his asthma this past week and we did a breathing treatment before leaving for the hike. Coming back from the hike, he rolls down the window and tells me it is hot. It was cold out and I was not hot. Long story short, took his temp...102...came home...went to doctor....SWINE FLU. Keep the lad in your prayers as the asthma and swine flu don't mix well together.

So what does this week hold. Have to wait and see. The whole family was going to Palo Duro with me, leaving Thursday evening....don't know now. U2 is in town tomorrow and Bren and I plan on going to that. We have started a preemptive strike with the rest of the clan. Prayers requested....

Disney World, First Triathlon, and a Rocket Launch

2009-09-27T11:43:00.001-07:00

Ok, I know...I know...been out of pocket...but for good reasons:

Last Wednesday, September 16, we pulled our kids out of school and told them that all their weekend plans have been canceled. They were told to get in the van as we were on our way to the airport to go spend 7 days in Disney World. My wife and I had kept this as a complete surprise and they were totally surprised and stunned.

Seven days is barely enough but oh what fun we had. That place is truly magical. We stayed on Disney property at the Port Orleans Riverside resort. We covered a lot of ground and packed it in completely as we closed the parks down every night and capped it off at midnight with ice cream sundaes.

Highlights include, but definitely not limited to, eating breakfast in Cinderalla's Castle with all the princesses, eating at Chef Mickey's, seeing Fantasmic show at Disney Hollywoods and riding nearly everything possible. Macy even got on the Tower of Terror. Luke and I will ride anything and we put Hope on all the rides she was allowed to ride. Ask her and she will tell you that her highlight was riding Dumbo.

I was able to get in two 6 mile runs and even that was difficult after being on your feet for 16 hours a day...but I did what I could.

It was seven days that will never be forgotten. Here are a few of the 1128 pictures taken!

We come back and the next day I am back at work.

Three days at work and on Saturday, Luke had his first triathlon. He owned it and came in 4th in his age 8 group of 34 participants. He came in 32 place out of 115 overall (including the 10 year olds.) It included the following: Swim - 50 meters; Bike - 3 miles, Run - 0.5 miles. Luke's times respectively was 1:48 on the swim, 17:20 on the bike, and 3:36 on the run. His transitions went very well and I don't think he spent more than 30 seconds in both transitions combined. He absolutely loved it and left everything on the course.

On Saturday afternoon, we built a rocket for Cub Scouts and on Sunday we will launch it. This is an absolute blast and some rockets will reach 1500 feet of altitude.

On the training front: On Friday night, I took off for a 20 mile trail run at Erwin Park. Wrapped it up and got in bed a 3:00 AM and was up by 6:00 to get Luke to the Triathlon. Came back after the Tri and ran another 8 miles. Had planned to get up this Sunday Morning, but physically and mentally my body needed rest. I was still exhausted from the trip and with sleep deprivation on Friday night, I slept in and got rest. For the most part the training is in the bank for Palo Duro. I don't feel ready but it is what it is.
Stay tune as the the Adventures NEVER END here at TEAM ELLIOTT...and OH DO I LOVE THAT!

What A Mess!

2009-09-13T14:38:00.000-07:00

This week has been good. Luke's triathlon training is going well. Because of his swim classes, he has taken about 30 seconds off of his 50 meter time. Need to work on transitions though. He has already started thinking about this and asked the other day if he could duck tape his insoles to his feet for the swim. Oh good stuff.

As far as my training, well it started raining here Friday, and now on Sunday...has not stopped. I had no choice. Saturday morning I get out to Northshore Trail at Grapevine Lake and try to get a long run in. I ran just over five and half hours, only 24 miles through sloppy mud, and slick rocks. This trail is really technical to start with, throw in the rain and you have an amusement park of excitement. Only fell once...on a flat part while looking at my Garmin...I was even walking at the time. But I got it done...felt like I ran 30 miles...at the end. Got up on Sunday to knock out another 10 miles on the road....in the rain again.

On a whole different front, we had our first Cub Scout Den meeting for the year. After fall recruiting this past Wednesday, we had a few more to bring our total up to 17 eight year old boys. I have some plans to change things up a bit that will allow the den to stay together, but will need a couple of other parents to step up and sign up to volunteer. (BSA regulations recommends 8 boys to a den.) I love it and with the new changes, I think things will get better. Boy Scout Popcorn sales is in full swing and Luke started selling in the neighborhood yesterday while it was raining. He said...and I qoute, "It's hard to turn down a kid when he is standing in the rain." Makes me laugh.

Carry On!

Giving up the Ghost...Well, Nearly

2009-09-06T13:07:00.000-07:00

It has been so long since I have posted that I even considered giving up the blog ghost. After second thoughts, I will continue. I feel that most people couldn't care less about mile interval times, long distance training runs or what not. I will keep posting about future endeavors, adventures and what is important to me as a husband, father and endurance guy. So after three weeks...where to begin.

School is back in full swing so things have been hectic. Kids activities, Cub Scout leader planning for the fall, training for Palo Duro 50 miler...Luke is training for his first triathlon and in swim classes, Macy is in Dance and Girl Scouts, Brenda is training for the Palo Duro 20K...and a really big surprise happening in a couple of weeks that I will pontificate on at a later date....all this while I hold down a job. Breath...just Breath.

With this schedule, last Friday I take off at about 10:00 PM for a 30 miler...wrapped it up, cooled down and crawled into bed at about 5:00 AM. At 9:30 AM, I crawled out of bed and asked Luke what he wanted to do for fun. His response, "Go on a trail run for training." OK Then...we're off to North Shore at Grapevine Lake...2.5 miles on the trail, return home and I run another 2.5 miles at Russel Creek Park to make it an even 5 miles. Up at 5:00AM on Sunday to knock out another 8 miles on Erwin Park trails for a total of a 43 mile weekend. Combine all that with track work, spin class, and core work...great week with nearly a month and a half til race time.

On Wednesday, I was feeling as though my youngest daughter was sharing the love with a respiratory thing. Runs were slow and lethargic and on this past Saturday, I met my buddy Lynn Ballard at North Shore to get another long run in. After 11 miles it was apparent that the body was battling because the respiration was labored....really tough. Lynn went ahead and finished off 80 miles for the week with a 20 mile finale in preparation for the Bear 100 miler...to take place in about 3 weeks. HE IS READY!... 480 miles for August...how many did you do?

This morning I slept in...no run...I rested...sinus congestion persisted and the morale declined...I need to be training DANG IT! My running buddies, who know me, tell me I am ready right now...to relax. My mind tells me the Palo Duro cutoffs are stringent...and the only easy day was yesterday. With the upcoming schedule...I have 3 good long run weekends planned before the 2 week taper. Marching On!

Want to give a shout out to some of my friends: First to Dmitry...who had a tough time at CCC 100 miler...of course it's his 3rd 100 for the year with one to go. This weekend he was awarded the blue belt in Brazilian Jujitsu.

To Dan Hamilton and Jesse Wilson: Ran with them on the North Texas Trail Runners night run a couple of weeks ago. They ran 40 miles that night, all in preparation for the Wasatch 100 miler next weekend. I have never seen either look this strong...they will need to be for ole Wasatch...just asked Dmitry...he has a tattoo reminding him the fortitude it took to finish that race.

And of course to Lynn Ballard, my friend, who will be attempting to reinstate his Hardrock 100 mile qualifications by completing the Bear 100 miler....most people half his age couldn't carry his shoes for him...tough guy...real tough guy.

I close with some pics of Luke handling the North Shore Trail technical parts with ease and finesse. Great foot work and agility...can not tell you how proud of my kid I am...Carry on my wayward son.

Warning Shots, Two Skunks and Off to Mt. Hood

2009-08-18T20:50:00.000-07:00

This past week has been brutal on the training front. I have hammered the legs with weights, lunges, spin that darn near kept me anaerobic for a freaking hour and a track workout that made me want to write bad checks. I was going to have to be travelling to Portland Oregon on Sunday Morning for business and between balancing birthday parties and my wife’s schedule, dictated that I do a long run on Friday night. I was tired from work, my legs hurt, and when I determined to go long on Friday, it took all the good’ol Marine Corps motivation to get it done.

So at 7:30 pm, I was off to Erwin Park for a 20 to 25 mile trail run…most of which would take place under the cover of darkness. It was hot and muggy, but the only easy day was yesterday so off I go. At around midnight, when most normal people are dreaming of winning the lottery in deep slumber I was off in the woods attempting to stay hydrated. I had decided after about 15 miles on the trail to take to the rode and attempt to get a breeze that may offer some mild semblance of relief. I run down the road to the park entrance and head out on the road going north. It is where most Texans would call the country with various homes situated off the road. Most homesteads have elaborate gate systems guarding the roads up to each man’s castle. So as I turn off the road to head north, I hear a sensor start to beep on the gates and realized it was sensing movement. A minute later I hear a man call out and immediately fire 2 warning shots…at least I hope they were warning shots. Two thoughts ran immediately through my mind. One, get the headlamp turned off and why did I wear running stuff with some many dang reflectors…and two, get the heck out of Dodge for crying out loud. I turned immediately onto the park road leading back to the trail and went anaerobic. A little speed work on a long run never killed anyone…but not moving fast enough tonight may usher in results I wouldn’t be real fond of….And so, a lesson learned, don’t go that dang road at night unless you want a little excitement for the evening…I really need a life. Back on the trail proved relatively uneventful. I did happen upon two different skunks at two different times. Both times we made our acquaintance at about 8 feet. I nodded to them a good evening and they responded with a look that made me think they realized I had a screw loose and took great pity on me. They would scamper off the trail and once again I would go into Oxygen debt. It was a long, hot night. The legs took a beating, I walked more than I wanted, but did have a quality “on my feet” training run. Saturday morning at just before 2 bells in the am…22 miles done.

Saturday was a great time with the family and on Sunday I was off to Portland Oregon.

Never been to Portland…never been to Oregon for that matter. But Olga, Ultrarunner phenom and recent Hardrock 2009 100 mile finisher, had recently moved from Portland to Austin Texas. Poor girl is probably suffering a nominal, daily heatstroke after residing in Oregon and growing up in Russia….but I digress. In a email, she told me to contact the trail running club in Portland. I did….and they responded. Rick was up for a Sunday afternoon trail run, I would be landing at a little after noon...it’s a go. I changed into running stuff in the airport….took the train down town and literally 5 minutes later had grabbed a chicken gyro at the Sunday market in the square, and then jumped into Rick’s white Corolla. We introduced ourselves to each other. I ate my gyro and we made our way to Forest Park. An intensely wooded area with over 40 miles of trails….a true paradise. Rick was too kind. First the hombre can run a sub 8 hour 50 miler and second, he suffered my slower pace making sure I was having a good time. Eight miles and a hour and half later, we where back at the car, with Rick taking me to the hotel. What a great guy…and we had a great time. I will say this though, the first mile was all uphill with about a 600 feet climb…you just can’t do that in North Texas.

Rick showing Forest Park

When we were flying into Portland I realized a huge peak out the starboard side. There was Mount Hood in all his glory. OVER 11,000 FT!!! I began to imagine a route to the top as it beckoned. I asked Rick about it. He had summited Hood, I believe, 3 times. I asked the locals about it. I was intrigued. I made a special stop by REI to inquire about mountaineering equipment. I priced up alpine boots, and crampons…ice axes…I asked about schedules…when was the best time to summit? Early spring? Start a midnight? Got to get down before the glacier heats up and rocks start to roll? Yep, it’s definite! I have put it on the list.

I am now writing this on the plane ride back to Texas. It has been an incredible week of training and travel. Couple that with a productive business trip…I am ready to get home…and maybe work on a timeline….you only live once, make sure it’s enough! Stay Thirst my friends.

HELL YEAH IT'S HOT!!!!

2009-08-12T06:32:00.000-07:00

Just to catch you up….here we go. Winding down summer. Training in full swing for 4 Elliott family members. Bren, the HOT WIFE is having no foot pain and getting some good time on her feet, walking coupled with her spin classes. Working at keeping a good pace on the walk and averages 4 MPH for a couple of hours….really proud of the homegirl.

Luke is worked both on the bike and run. Has completed one Brick in 102 F TEXAS HEAT. Has kept a good pace for 1.5 mile run and loving the training aspect of it . We are signing him up for additional swim classes this week.. Really proud of the kid.

Me…well I am doing back to back long runs on Sat./Sun. One day of hard spin, One speed workout on the track, One temp/hill run and 2 to 3 core/weight workouts a week. Saturday ran 20 miles in that FREAKING TEXAS HEAT…it hurt at mile 1 and only got worse. Ran an 8 mile trail run on Sunday. Palo Duro 50 mi. is still 2 months away…

My brother, Sam Elliott, will be riding in the Hotter N Hell 100 mile Bike race in a couple of weeks. yep, it takes place in Wichita Falls Texas...and is talking about a 250 mile bike race in October....the week before I run Palo Duro...must be something in the genes.

There you go…RUN ON!!!!

It's an Affair - A Family Affair

2009-08-04T09:27:00.000-07:00

My Love - Bren

Luke

Luke at the pool

Luke on a trail run

Don’t even know where to begin…so let’s do this chronological. First, as it has been documented, I was going to pace my buddy Dmitry for the Cactus Rose 100 miler. What I did not realize that the race was Halloween night. When I had told my kids that I would be gone during Halloween because of a race, let me say that it was not well received by both kids and wife. My kids will one day be grown, so I consider my time with them precious. That left me with having to tell Dmitry about the change in plans, which really killed me. When I tell someone something, I want them to take to the bank. Frankly, I was in turmoil. After discussing my dilemma with some fellow trail runners, Laurie Underwood said that she would pace him. She is as tough as the come and a stronger runner than I anyway…and she has a 100 miler under her belt. Dmitry was most gracious then told me he would give me hell all 62 miles of Bandera this coming January. I would expect nothing less.

In this same conversation about being gone Halloween, my wife asked, “when is the Cub Scout fall campout.?” I looked at her and realized that it is the same weekend as the Rockledge Rumble 50K in November. In 5 minutes the best laid plans had gone seriously awry. Bren, then asked about the Palo Duro 50 mile Trail run…when was that…why don’t I run that…? Well because, I was going to pace Dmitry and didn’t think the legs could handle both with them being so close together. Bren then reminded me that the Palo Duro Weekend was the week the kids get out of school…let’s make it a family event. I looked at her and said, “Why don’t you power walk the 20K.” She grinned…”we’ll see…think I can do if I can get my ankle to quit bothering me.” Bren is in great shape. She will spin 2 to 3 times a week and do strength and flex training a couple of days a week. She has a problem with her ankle that will eventually need surgery, but Sunday night took off for training with “time on her feet walk.” If her ankle allows, I will be more proud of her endeavor than my own! So there you have it…50 mile redemption race for me 20K baptismal race for Bren….and the kids will be in tow….

That brings me to this weekend. After church, I told Luke to tune into channel 5 on the tube. There was a triathlon and Missy had shown her mad skilz by placing 6th in her age group. Luke would not leave the couch….half way through the airing, he turns to me and ask, “Do they have this for kids?” “Yep,” I replied. “I want to do one of these!” Luke said…and off we went to look one up…October 10 there was a Kid’s Tri in the area…50 yard swim, 2.5 miles on the bike, and 05. mile run. Luke then admitted that the swim part was his weakest and runs of to tell mom, “He as got to start getting to the pool.” There is a fall swim lesson for his level to refine his stroke so we will sign him up for that. This evening we got our first Brick training. 2.5 miles on the bike and ½ mile run to start a baseline. He has already started thinking about his pool transition and whether he wants to “waste time” putting on socks. Gotta love it!!! I have to say I was a little disappointed when he told me he didn’t want to play football this fall. I didn’t want to push him into something he really didn’t want to do. But with this tri thing, it has caught me off guard. It’s his idea and he has approached it with a vengeance.

Busy fall…good times….I am blessed….the truth that someday, you will go for your last run. But not today—today you got to run.… as quoted by .Matt Crownover after is Western States 100 mile finish!

El Scorcho Tres 50K

2009-07-19T18:19:00.000-07:00

And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint... Romans 5:3-5a

I am sure that the apostle Paul did not have Ultramarathoning in mind when he penned the above passage. But Paul was a big sports fan giving illustrations with boxing and running on more than one occasion, so I thought the passage in Romans was a concise description to what took place on the night of July 19, 2009.

This would be the second time I ran the El Scorcho 50K. Like last year, the course is a 3.1 mile loop that you run 10 times to get in the full 31 mile run. This years temperatures were as mild as they had been and I was looking forward to the race that commences at midnight.

Let me begin by saying that I believe that I was undertrained. The longest run in had done since the Grasslands 50 miler was a 20 mile run about a month previous of El Scorcho. Last year at this point I had completed a half dozen runs of 26 miles or longer....and many of these were back to back long runs as well.

So let me sum it up...what could go wrong did...dehydration, cramping, nausea, intestinal issues, and at one point the total lack of caring. I remember at mile 15.5, I came close to sitting down in my chair, telling the RD that, "I was turning this into a 25K...give me my 25K medal...so I can get the heck out of Dodge." The legs began hurting at mile 6...talk about a bad sign and I really need to get my nutrition dialed in...I can only gag down gel packs so many times. I would be lying to you if I didn't tell you that at the half way point I started calculating minumum splits to meet the deadline. I ran it 20 minutes slower than than last year and nearly as fast as I ran the Bandera 50 which is on of the toughest courses in Texas.

I finished within the time limit. I had many arguements with myself. In the end I knew that if I quit...whatever discomfront I was currently in, would never last as long as the misery of giving it up.

Thanks for all your support. There will be better days, better races...and better times (pun intended.)

BEEN A WHILE

2009-07-16T05:07:00.000-07:00

It's been a busy couple of weeks....but here is the long and short of it. Last week had to go to Tijuana on business....just those two words together make it a paradox doesn't it....or at least make you wonder what business that I am in. Think I'm going to leave you to speculate...it's more fun that way.

When I did step off the plane in San Diego, the 72 F temps felt quite refreshing. Of course when I looked out the starboard side of the plane upon the approach, I broke out in a cold sweat. It was nearly 21 years to the day, that I made the that trip to San Diego with the Marine Corps Recruit Depot as the final destination. (I really didn't know they could call my momma those names.) Had a great run on the sea walk.

Come back from the trip on Friday night...get home at 12:30 AM... get up early the next day and get on a plane with my oldest son Luke to fly him to his Gram and Pappy's house...come back and run 5 mile at 10:00 PM and then get up early Sunday and run 8 miles at 6:00 AM....

I have the El Scorcho 50K starting at midnight this coming Saturday...just hope I get this intestinal issue, Tijuana gave me, ironed out by then....That is all I got....RUN ON...

p.s. My buddy Paul Tidmore will be running the Vermont 100 miler this coming weekend...keep him in your thoughts and prayers....

CHEERS FOR ALL MY PEEPS

2009-07-01T09:00:00.000-07:00

"It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat." - Theodore Roosevelt

This post is about my friends. Some I have met and others that have become my blog buddies. Some I have run with and other's that I have run with in spirit. I love it when people step into the arena. I love it when they "dare greatly."

This past weekend was the epic 100 mile ultramarathon race known as the Western States. Thus, when I come back from my early morning Saturday run, I was on the live web updates checking the updates of my friends and the elites. Early on I knew it was going to be a rough day when I saw some of the Texas Runners dropping early. Tom Crull, my 66 year old Navy Pilot buddy had shown to have dropped at mile 40 or so. Come to find out, he had taken a bad fall. The weather report showed that the heat was up to a 100 degrees. My friend Dmitry was trying to complete his 3rd 100 miler this year. It was not to be. The heat had taken it's toll and cramping coupled with blood in the urine cause him to call it a day close to the half way point. Ultra phenom Dean Karnazes had shown to have dropped at mile 63...I understand for much the same reason. Even 8 time winner, Scott Jurek dropped at the same point. So when I wake up early Sunday and saw that my friend and fellow North Texas Trail Runner Matt Crownover was within 9 miles of the finish I was happy. So was my blog buddy Donald. I still have not talked to Matt about the race but that will come. Donald details the demons and terrors that encroached upon his endeavors. Read about it here.

On the other coast my blog buddy Missy was to partake in a woman's only triathlon. Let me note that she is both an Ironman with a very respectable time and came in the top 10 in a 5K open water swim race early this year. Say she owned it. Read about that HERE.

Staying with the tri theme, I want to give a shout out to Regina. Regina and Colby go to our church and we have known them for about 4 years. This past year, she decides to get off the couch and make it happen. She starts going to 0500 boot camps, she starts working out and dropping weight. She has now scheduled a tri to run early next year and will start training for it this month.

Let me close with someone near and dear to me...my wife. She will never run an Ultra....at least she tells me that. In fact she may never run further than a 5K. But at least 5 days a week she is in the gym. Either spinning, strength, flexibility or core. She makes it a priority. She imparts it to our kids. With that she is consistent and for that I am proud. Sometimes when 0430 comes too early, and I am contemplating on sleeping in, her encouragement comes with a nudge and a mumbling about "you'll hate yourself if you sleep in..."

I love endurance sports regardless of the event. Saturday I will have the the Tour de France on the tube. My 8 year old actually knows what a pelaton is. I love it when people test their limits. I admire the individual who steps into the arena. Sometimes it is painful and incomplete. Other times it is painful with great bliss and success. Many times only finishing is the herculean task asked of...and other times owning a race and being in the top 4% of ALL finishers is what is awarded. Either way, they will never have to share existence of the "cold and timid souls that know neither victory or defeat." Those cold and timid souls, quite frankly, disgust me.

TURNING UP THE HEAT!!!

2009-06-22T10:41:00.000-07:00

What a Father’s Day weekend. Of course the highlight was me spending time with my kids. Luke had 2 baseball games…his team won the Sunday’s 2:30 game…heat index at about 100 F…and I was sweating like a whore in church.

On the training front, I have NO heat acclimation yet. I have been doing most of my runs in the very early morning or very late at night….and with the mild spring…I am feeling it when I run with some higher temps. When we took off at 8:45PM on Saturday evening, it was 95 F. I do know that at this point last year, I was much better in the heat.

Saturday had scheduled a 2 a-day run as I met some runners early morning 6:30 AM to run a 5 mile run on the Erwin Park Trail…running hard. At 8:45 PM, I met Lynn Ballard, Mark Blendon, for the evening run. Rochelle Frazuer showed up later at about 10:30PM. Lynn wanted to show us the new trails he helped build at the Frito Lay property. All I can say is that the 3.5 mile loop is incredible with some climbs, some rocks, some roots…a good challenge. Lynn thought it would be good to take off at a quick pace to familiarize the trail at least once in the day light. We whipped through a couple of loops rather quickly and things felt decent, but I could tell that the heat was getting to me. At about mile 8, the stomach was nauseous and I had to drop Lynn’s pace if I was going to run a full 20 miles. Miles 8 through 16, I lingered behind, Lynn and company, but never too far behind…always able to regroup with the company a few minutes later at our self supported aid station in the parking lot. I remember having a “come to Jesus” meeting with myself at about midnight on the trial in regards of not getting in the driver’s seat and driving home at the next aid station stop. I do have to admit that part of my sick self enjoys the solitude of suffering on the trail. No one to talk to except the constant conversation with that little voice in my mind that keeps telling me that normal people don’t do this to themselves. In the words of Mark, “In Ultras, you have to keep running when it quits being fun.” In miles 14 to 16 the stomach improved a bit but it had quit being fun. The group had decided to knock out 4 miles on the crushed stone walking trail that circumnavigates the Frito Lay Property (at my suggestion.) The night breeze actually made it feel cool at this point…of course it’s all relative. I learned about Rochelle finishing the last 5 miles of a 200 mile race in flip flops…at this point I was able to actual smile at that.

At 2:00AM I had wrapped up 20 miles and was going to call it a night. Lynn, Mark and Rochelle were going on…remember Lynn and Mark will be toeing the line at the Hardrock 100. Some people would consider the night I had a horrible training run. I think of it differently….only as an opportunity to press on when it would be really easy to quit and go to bed. I plan on to doing some runs in the heat these next few weeks to acclimate myself. Until then Run On…even when it ain’t fun!

POST NOTE: Lynn's son, Keith joined us for a few miles. Unfortunately, because I was lagging, I didn't get to talk much with him. I expect we'll see more of him out there with his dad.

The Chaff Was Burned

2009-06-15T05:48:00.000-07:00

...he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire. Matt. 3:12

When I run alone all night, it is a far cry from apocalyptic; although it may seem like it at 0300 in the morning. The loneliness only intensifies any suffering the body is doing and it is during these times that my mind is purified. In the words of the apostle Matthew, the chaff is burned up. My thoughts are turned to what is important and they come to realized that juice stains on the carpet brought forth by my three year old is not something to get upset about. The tiny fingerprints left by three kids on the computer screen, are not only temporal but trivial...that the soul is more important than the body and at this point the body is hurting. Running alone at night tends to cause me to reflect on these things.

So when I got an email from a fellow North Texas Trail Runner, Lynn Ballard, about an all night on Friday, running on some new trails...I responded, "I am in." It appeared that there would be a good group of us, but the previous days of a rain deluge left the trails unrunnable and the plans for the night run with the group to be rescheduled at a later time. Knowing Lynn was going to be running at some point on the weekend, I inquired of his plans. Partially because I needed to get a long run in and partially because I wanted to be held accountable. He responds, "Lets still run on Friday night. I got a 7.5 mile loop on the golf course. Meet at my house. Call me when you get in from the Bill Cosby concert...I will wait for you."

The week had taking it's toll both physically and mentally and frankly I was dreading this run....but I cannot leave Lynn hanging out to dry. At a 10:45 PM I call Lynn and tell him I am on my way.

The humidity had turned the warm Texas air into a sauna. Lynn and I look at each other and mutually say to one another, "let's get this thing done." Despite the humidity the chaff began to be swept from the threshing floor into the fire. But this time it was different. It was not from the pain or the loneliness, but from camaraderie between two guys running into the night. We begin talking about what is important...what is not....lessons learned from the four 100 milers Lynn has finished. (Lynn is training for the Hardrock 100 miler with no garantee he will get in...he is on the waiting list.) Lynn's 3 kids are grown and he is about 12 to 15 years further down the road than I am in that respect. We talked about what is important to impart to your kids, what running does for the soul. We talked about patriotic things, about spiritually things, about things that actually mattered. We talked about courage and heros. The kind of heros that give up their gunners' seat in a helicopter so that Lynn's uncle could get medivaced out of a hot zone in Vietnam. The chaff was burned.

From a long run standpoint, it was not my best run by far. I didn't go quite as long as I wanted and the humidity beat me up pretty good... the legs just didn't seem to have it. It still was on of the best nights of running.

Hopefully, Lynn gets into the Hardrock. If not, he will pace someone...probably through the night...it is best that way. The chaff will be burned. What is important will be left unquenched. Running does that...and so I run on!

School's OUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2009-06-08T17:16:00.000-07:00

This is a photo intensive post so you won't have to deal with so much prose...yay for me and yay for ya'll. Friday was the beginning of summer. So Saturday morning up early at 0530 to get a 6.5 mile trail run. I had planned to knock out this little run at Arbor Hills in half a heartbeat. It was a struggle.

Luke had a baseball game at 0930 so I came back after my run, took a shower and we were ready to roll. I help coach and the head coach would be absent for the game. Since we play modified coach pitch at this age, yours truly had to deliver the ball to the plate for our batters to hit. Needless to say the Cubs have got to work on some hitting...much like the major league team. Luke plays the catcher position. He has always wanted to play catcher. I have tried to talk him out of it telling him it's hard on the body. I ought to know, I played it through high school. Problem: much like me, he ain't listening to his old man...my dad tried to tell me the same thing...kinda makes me proud.

That afternoon, Luke wanted to go ice skating...so there we were...looking like Bambi on ice. We escaped any real harm and went to a much safer location...The LEGO store in the mall. BIG Fun I tell you...don't know who enjoys that more, me or Luke.

Sunday Morning up again for a 0530 trail run at Erwin Park. I was meeting some real gazelles out there, but that doesn't bother me as I plow ahead as need be. I had planned to go 10 to 12 miles. Again, it was a big struggle. I think that last weekend's race was still taking it's toll on my body. I mailed it in at 8 miles and got ready for church. Sunday afternoon consisted of flying a kite with Macy and playing Bocce Ball with Luke. AD/HD Rocks.

Latter this month I am going to take art classes with Macy. She loves the arts and it helps me develop the right side of the brain. Something that being creative in Magic - slight of hand does as well. I have had requests to post some video of me preforming magic and someday I plan on getting to that...Hope you all had a great weekend and upcoming summer. I also hope to get my running mojo back because as of now I have an all night run planned for Friday night.

Yesterday I was reminded of my mortality. I will cover this at a later date. Running helps me relieve the stress and to focus. It helps me be a better husband. It helps me be a better father...and so I RUN ON!

Macy at her end of school dance recital a couple of weeks ago

End of School.....yeeeah Babyeeeeeeeeeee!

Hope and her neighborhood friend...Hope refuse to take her bike helmet off...already preping for her first triathalon.

WHO'S YOUR DADDY?

2009-05-31T17:07:00.001-07:00

“He feels but the pain of his own body and mourns only for himself." - Job 14:22

What a weekend…Saturday morning, after Luke’s 0800 baseball game I took of for the 4 hour drive to Austin. I would be staying at Dylan’s place while he was off on his weekend adventures. You see, Dylan and Daniel are brothers that grew up where I grew up, in Levelland Texas. They are about 7 to 8 years younger than me and I remember them since before they could walk. Furthermore Daniel married my one of my best friends younger sister….Leslie. They now all live in Austin Texas and Dylan lives about ½ mile from Daniel…so there you have it. Dylan is a single and between jobs…so he is doing something that I think is the coolest…he is touring all the Texas State Parks on his bicycle. I caught up to him Saturday before he took off to a nearby state park with his bike’s saddle bags loaded down. (I regret I didn’t get a picture of Dylan taking off on his bike.) Crashing at someone else’s place so that I can go do a trail run reminded me a lot of my college days. It was great to catch up with Dylan, Daniel, and Leslie.

Saturday morning, I was up by 0500 and headed to Emma Long Park to run the Rogue Race – The Loop 30 K for the second year. I got to the course about an hour before the 0700 start. This gave me a chance to catch up to my buddy Dmitry. He just came off of a brutal MMT 100 mile finish and has the Western States 100 miler in 3 weeks…just another training run for him. Why standing around conversing, I hear one runner say that this is his first ever trail race. I told him it was mine as well…last year. He respond that he read a guys blog about the race and determined to run it…come to find out…it was this here blog…I really hope he doesn’t hate me to much.

At 0700, Joe Prusaitis, starts the 30K and we’re off. Knowing the course and a year of trail racing experience, I was running well and feeling great. The course is really rocky and there are a lot of ups and downs. All the lunges with weights and core training paid off. The first loop (6.2 miles) was done and I felt really good. Two more to go. I press on and still felt really good. Last year at the ½ way point I felt like it became the Death March. This year at the ½ way point, I felt really good still and still had a sense of humor. At about 0930, the sun and humidity started to unleash and toward the end of the 2nd loop I was beginning to feel it. Because I was feeling so well the first 2 loops, I don’t think I was hydrating to the hilt…like I should. I was taking electrolytes and fueling, but by the third loop the heat started to take it’s toll. I had not been doing much heat training and now I could tell. My stomach was getting nauseas and I had some mild cramping in my calves. My heart rate was also high and I couldn’t get it down. The 3rd and final loop was about finishing. When I crossed the finish line my time showed 25 minutes faster than last year. I was cramping and felt like throwing up but still in better shape than the previous year. After 45 minutes of recovery I was good to go.

I talked with Joe Prusaitis a bit at the end of the race and asked him why this Godforsaken race is so tough…Bandera 50K was easier, the Grasslands 50 miler didn’t torment me as such. “It’s the heat and humidity, Dave,” Joe’s response, “A little cooler and this course would be a lot easier.” I wished Joe the best as he will run the Hardrock 100 miler in early June...100 miles in the Colorado altitude. Every year I think that someday I want to run the Badwater 135 miler through Death Valley in August. Every summer I mark that off the list. Every winter I put it back on there.

In closing, I did a lot better than last year. I still have a long way to go. Never underestimate the heat and humidity….get some heat training before this little jewel of a race. Until next time, Run On!

Daniel and Leslie

Dmitry and me (pre race)

Typical Trail Shots

Joe and Me (post Race)

Rogue Race - The Loop 30K

2009-05-28T08:36:00.001-07:00

Well, here we are on Thursday before the big Rogue Race – The Loop 30K. The above photo is me crossing the finish line of that little race. It was my first trail race last year and I freaking swore off running during the race. Then 30 minutes later thought that I could do better. Read last years report here.

Only 10 months after that brutal race, I finished my first 50 mile Ultra Marathon. Want to give a shout out to Rick Gaston who will be plowing through the San Diego 100 miler this weekend. Run on out there.

My Neighbor Finally Saw Me With My Clothes On!

2009-05-24T17:53:00.000-07:00

Yep...that is exactly what my neighbor, Lisa said to me Friday. That is a direct quote....and then she blushed a bit and said, "Ok, that didn't come out right....I meant with normal clothes on that were not RUNNING CLOTHES." Do I really run that much. I mean our neighborhood is a pretty tight knit group. We are always in the front yards, socializing while the kids play up and down the street. We have tons of kids in our hood...I mean tons. So there you are with the quote of the week.

On the training front, 2 trail runs this weekend. Six miles on Saturday, and 9 mile this morning...both completed by 0800. Heck, I even met up with some buddies at 0500 to knock out the run...remember: Run On out there...with clothes...or Not...

Cruisin' into the Weekend

2009-05-21T06:13:00.001-07:00

A big weekend with no apparent plans. No kid's events so it will be free form. Here's what I think we got. Go to the bike shop and get my wife some cycle shoes. She has become a spin monster...don't get between her and her spin class. Next, working on Luke's baseball skills, specifically hitting and playing catcher. Macy wants to go fly her kite so we'll put that on the books. As for training, I am tapering for the Rogue Race 30 trail race on May 31. That means probably two 10 mile trail runs at some point. Run On!

Change Is Hard!!!

2009-05-13T06:52:00.000-07:00

I am a heel striker…that’s right , when I run, my heel strikes the ground first. Now for all you in the know, that is not the most efficient form of running. If you run a 5K…probably doesn’t make a big difference…Run 50 miles, you will probably notice the difference.

I always knew I was a heel striker. Just look at he bottom of my 18 pairs of running shoes. But when I ran with Mark the Naked Runner a couple of weeks ago, we talked about running form, the better efficiency of a mid foot striker compared to the woes of a heel striker, injury risk with running forms, etc.

I had heard much of this before, but thought it futile to change. So I call my running buddy and phenom, Patton Gleason. Patton runs the training programs for Luke’s Locker and knows a little sumptin sumptin about running. “Dave,” Patton begins, “Running form is like your signature. You can change it, but it takes effort and thought. Run barefoot on grass tonight…for only about 10 minutes. Run barefoot some every week for the next week. When you run barefoot, that is your natural gait.”

Well, I am in week 2…so last night I ran 5 miles in the 170 acre park next to our sub-division. I can tell the difference. Shorten strides, quicker tempo…no busted up heels. I’m barefoot with no shoes to compensate or to absorb the shock. Oddly enough, not as sore as I thought I would be but the toes got a little beat up. Believe this change is a bit more tolerable that the change voted for in November…but then I encroach into the political realm and will only do that if I open another blog for that purpose alone….and heck, I have a tough enough time to keep up with this one...so I run on...with attempts to become a mid foot striker.

So Many Races...So Little Time

2009-05-07T10:49:00.000-07:00

I love to Race. Problem: Just not enough time. When I sit down and look at my schedule for the year, I have to coordinate with Lukes' sporting games, Macy's Dance recitals, Cub Scouting events...and of course Momma's calendar. Bren is always adaptive to schedule flexibility. But I refuse to miss too many of my kids events. They are growing way too fast and I refuse to look back with regrets of being more active in their lives. That's how I roll. So with all that in mind, here is the rest of the years Race Schedule. (Keep in mind that I have already ran Bandera 50K in January and the Grasslands 50 Mile in March.

On May 30, I will race the Rogue Race - The Loop. It was my first ever trail race and is absolutely brutal for a 30K. I want to make it mine instead of it telling me "Who's the Daddy!"

On July 19, I will run the El Scorcho 50K in Fort Worth. Cool thing about the race is that it starts at midnight...so you get to run all night long. Ran it last year.

On October 30, I plan on pacing Dimitry for the Cactus Rose 100 Miler...yep...In Bandera.

On November 14. Plan on running the Rockledge Rumble 50K.

I realize there is nothing in there longer that 31 miles but that is just how the cookies crumble. Plus next year I am contemplating running the Bandera 100K (62 miles). It is to be 5 days before I turn 40. Some foolish people say..."Oh, that's good, you move up to the next age group." Oh...yeah...that's what I wanted...to be in Scott Eppelman and Glenn Mackie's Group. Eppleman, I believe lead the U.S. Mens 24 Ultra team in Italy this past weekend.... 124.91 miles!!!

Running Naked...and a Wedding to Boot

2009-05-03T15:13:00.000-07:00

Yep! The title of the post is a cheap journalist tactic to get you to read....it it will make complete sense by the time we're done.

This weekend has been a whirlwind as Friday I boarded a plane to Lubbock Texas. My little cousin, Mandy Jean was getting married. I watched her grow up and it seemed like yesterday I was pillow fighting a 5 year old during the Christmas Break of my college years.

Before the arrival of my West Texas tour, I had called my running buddy and Ultrarunner, Mark the Naked Runner. A minimalist who runs in a Texas nudist colony's annual 5K run....au natural! He has had a really good year of racing and this past month completed the Texas Grand Slam Ultra Award by running and finishing four 50 mile trail races, all within the last few months (the 5th was canceled a few weekends back due to flooding and a lightening show that left few to wonder if they needed to run with a headlamp in the predawn hours...or sunglasses. The race was called after 12 miles of racing.) I can tell you February was a tough month for him as he completed the Rocky Racoon 50 miler and the Crosstimbers 50 miler...just two weeks apart. A previous email from Mark asked if meeting at his house at 0900 on Saturday was fine....we changed it to 0800.

At about 0700 I made the 30 mile trek from Levelland Texas to Lubbock. Singer and song writer, Robert Earl Keen was right, who ever settled Levelland either lost a wagon wheel or lacked ambition, one. I grew up there...it's not the end of the world....but you can see if from there...I once sat on my front porch and watched my dog run away for 2 days....it is freaking flat with nothing but cotton fields. During the spring sandstorms, the dirt in the air is so thick that I have seen prairie dogs 9 feet in the air trying to dig their way to the top....so when Mark tells me where going to run hills...I laughed and said where....on the overpass of Slide Road?

I get to Mark's home and he says, "Lets get going...we are going to Horseshoe Bend...it's near Buffalo Springs Lake in a canyon." About 30 minutes later we drop of into a canyon that one would find it hard to believe it exist on the Devil's back porch known as West Texas.

I have posted pictures that do not do it justice. Sam Houston was correct when we thought Texas was the best land that ever graced his vision...love Sam Houston...but I digress. We ran. It was cool and overcast. We went 15 miles up and down all the hills of Horseshoe Bend. There are three big ones and we climbed them all once and the steepest one twice. The time flew. The conversation between two runners was lively. I pushed harder than I would have when I run alone. Two guys enjoying the countryside and running. We ran for two and half hours....seemed like about half that time. I have to say that I had such a good time that it was my best run for the past few months. It does not get much better running with a friend....just doesn't.

I have posted some pics of the country side below. For the record, all pics were taken while descending. So I sacrificed down hill momentum so you could enjoy the views. Be appreciative...that's all I am asking....;-)

We wrapped up and I made it back to Levelland just in time for lunch. That afternoon, I caught up to some old friends and that evening had a great time at the wedding. Yep, I got a little misty eyed...when my daughters get married I will need Xanex.

(for the record...No! we did not run naked!...I know you are all asking that question by now;-))

(Also, the route we ran is the bike course for the Buffalo Lake 1/2 Ironman. So if you think you are going to saunter off to West Texas for a flat and fast 70.3 mile qualification for Kona, Hawaii, better think again!!! Although the winds should be good prep for the Energy Lab.)

Post Run Pics with Mark

The Naked Runner adorned in running clothes...this time

Mandy Jean and TJ...watch it! a United States Marine and a Texas Highway Patrolmen

Running to Camp - Literally-

2009-04-27T11:16:00.000-07:00

This is in honor of the first annual Estates of Russell Creek campout. That’s right. An overnight camping trip of about 9 families to Lake Ray Roberts. A big shout out to Lisa, Julie and Tiffany who organized the thing. The campout was a about 1/2 mile from the car on a rocky, sandy trail...no worries...chance to get about 6 miles of running in with weight training...good prep for the Bataan Death March Marathon with 35 lbs pack held every year in New Mexico. At this point, got to give a shout out to David Tallant who had the forethought to bring a dolly…still kinda tough to maneuver...but better than the alternative of actually humping a cast iron dutch oven!

In the back of my mind I kept hearing the words of Clint Eastwood, from the movie Heartbreak Ridge, telling me to adapt/overcome….which will come in handy later.

This would be considered by the Texas State Park Department as a primitive campsite as there was no bathroom or running water…those amenities would be ½ mile away….remember? So my sweet and lovely wife, who ain’t real hip on the camping thing as it is, was out more than normal. To the point, and lucky for me, she decided to make the 45 minute drive in a second vehicle in case she didn’t want to stay overnight…at least she would enjoy the days activities…which consisted mainly of moving your trash into camp near the edge of the lake. I have to give kuddos to my sweet Brenda for being a trooper for the entire day.

I pick a campsite and then commence to set up our little 8 man tent…which I had purchased for the specific purpose for family campouts…one with lots of room. Compared to most tents, it looks like a small condo…but since Bren isn’t into camping , size is a moot point….at least in the tent category. ;-)

Saturday afternoon, right next to the lake gave way to about 40 MPH winds…might as well been a Cat 4 hurricane trying to set up a condo tent. Luke and Macy are always great help and the tent is so large that you have to have help to get the fiberglass flex poles in place. I could have had all 8 men help set up the 8 man tent….it was not going to happened with the Cat 4 hurricane winds. Yep, we would get the tent up…but then the wind would blow so hard as to collapse the poles in on themselves and the tent would basically collapse. I tried two other times from some other help…only with the same results. So what to do…adapt and overcome….pawn off Macy and Luke to two other responsible families who have the fortune of not having to put up a condo…but more like a modest townhome. So at this point the Tallants and the Morrows commandeered two orphans from the throes of homelessness. (Hope, my youngest daughter, would go home with my Sainted Wife…did I mention she doesn’t dig camping…no matter how big your tent is!!!)
What about me you ask? Two options: either snuggle up to Matt Adey in his tent…NOT GOING TO HAPPEN!!!! Or sleep outside. Not much different than my USMC days so I decide to sleep under the natural lights that only God himself could create….but I get ahead of myself.

The kids played all day…the boys running the lake trying to catch live things that gross out both moms and girls…and girls talking, playing princess or whatever. It is so awesome watching the kids be kids in the great outdoors.

We get a fire started and get ready to cook dinner….I love cooking outdoors and had brought a couple of steaks and hot dogs. Some of the others cooked the hotdogs as well. I had forgotten the fresh asparagus in the refrig at home so we had to do without. Everyone ate and then I started to prep for the dutch oven peach cobbler. I had humped a 15 lb cast iron dutch oven ½ mile and I was going to cook a cobbler if it hair lipped the governor….plus dutch oven cobbler is some kind of goooood! 25 minutes later….wahlah….peach cobbler….the sun was going down and the kids were winding down and they eventually were put to bed. With that being completed, I donned the trail running shoes and head lamp to go out for a little run. I had planned on going 15 miles but already had about ½ that done with all the running to and from the car to the campsite. There was a really technical mountain bike trail I wanted to run. It was tough…to the point that walking with only a headlight seemed precarious. A raccoon, two snakes and an armadillo later I thought it was time to turn back. (plus I had fallen once and rolled my right ankle twice.) I completed my run at about 11:30 pm. I had not gone as far I wanted but did get about a 2 hour run in for the evening.

I get back to camp…and couldn’t believe it…everybody was already in the bag….not much to do but air up the air mattress (I ain’t in the USMC…NO MO!). Grabbed some baby wipes and commenced with a “whore’s bath” and bedded down. Thank goodness I had the foresight to borrow a tarpaulin from David Tallant because at some point during the night it started raining. I stayed dry but when I heard the rain…the first thought was…”Dang it…I got to hump my stuff through the mud tomorrow…back to the car.” After concurring with both Tallant and Adey…they had the very same first thought. I slept well though and all was good.

The Prills cooked some awesome breakfast burritos Sunday Morning. Since I didn’t have a tent to break down…it was easy to pack up and get ready to go. I was wanting to get the move on in case the sky’s really opened up to a downpour. I gave Brian Woodrick a run for his money on moving out of campsite in record time.

I saw where Julie Tallant was asked if she had a good time camping…her response, “the kids did.” I have to say that a day camping is better than any day at the office. All in all I had a good time…..maybe the 2nd annual Estates of Russell Creek camping trip will be a 2 day backpacking trip…I’ll be leaving the dutch oven home.

Stay tuned for the years' Ultra race schdule!