Supplements

So, for whatever reason, I've always been interested in supplements, vitamins, etc. I guess just looking for that extra edge. Anyway, I've tried some different stuff but on the vitamin side, I've never had any real concrete feelings that something truly works. "Recoverite" is probably the closest supplement that I know really works for me. I bought some cow brains or something from a guy a while ago but that seemed to pretty much just have a placebo effect. Anyway, so, I'm curious what you out there use and what you have had success with. Chime on in!

Cross Training

It started innocently enough. It was the 2008 S.O.B. I ran into Jenn Shelton the day of the race. She said, "Erik (Skaggs) was right. You are grossly skinny!" What? This was coming from a guy who is about as skinny as a broom. "I" was grossly skinny? That and the jokes about having ice for lunch. Was I getting too skinny? I think I got about as low as about 135 lbs. I'm 5'10 and a runner.....
In my post college, "fat boy" days, I weighed about 180 pounds. Lots of lifting weights and drinking beers. I was never fat (I don't think..." but I definitely remember thinking that if I hadn't actively lifted weights for a few days, I did look a bit soft.
Where am I going with this? So, is there an ideal weight for ultrarunning? I don't think you can pigeon hole runners by their body types but I do think you can look for trends. Take the best 100 mile runners, they don't tend to be total waifs. Hal Koerner, AJW, Erik Skaden, and even Karl Meltzer don't look like the stereotypical "marathon runners". So, what does this all mean? Well, I think that overall strength and athleticism come into play in the "longer" ultra running events where the sprinters kind of flame out in events that go beyond 50K. Anyway, just another perspective. I'm sure you can make an equally compelling argument with amazingly talented 100 mile runners like Geoff Roes, Anton Krupicka, and others that are on the "leaner" side.
Anyway, this did all make me analyze (at least on a vanity standpoint) that I should add a bit more muscle and variety to my routine besides just logging the miles.
I started doing a few things that I do think have added to my overall ability as an athlete, if not as a runner. The most affective was P90x. Yep, the infomercial that you see at 2 a.m. on cable. Simply put, it totally changed how I looked at a "gym style" of training. In short, it is the most affective cross training program I have ever tried. It WILL kick your ass. It is a blend of weight lifting (much of it your own weigh ex: pull ups, push ups), yoga, plyometrics, kenpo, and core work. It is a 90 day program. Anyway, I felt I made great overall gains by just becoming stronger. It did bring my weight up a little bit but I am happy feeling stronger and as I am trying to transition more into making my emphasis on the longer races, I personally think that this will help. If nothing else, I really like mixing it up in the winter time and getting my exercise in more ways than just running. I'd be curiuos to hear what others do to mix it up in the winter or during summer training. And, do you think having a little extra poundage helps in the longer events???

Races as Training Runs?

I was talking to AJW on a run a couple of weeks ago and after I was telling him how I was looking forward to giving him a can of "whoop ass" at Sonoma 50 Miler (after he left me off of his poll :), he said that he would probably just be doing that run as a "training run". Its funny, I have a hard time using races as training runs. Sure, sometimes I go into races with a lot of miles on my legs in peak season, but I always give everything I have at races. I feel if I am pinning on a number, I'm there to race. If not, I'll go out on my own. I found AJW's comment especially interesting as he will be a long way from home, probably have to pay for a hotel, race fees, etc.
Anyway, I was curious how many others like to use races as training runs or if they feel compelled to race when the gun goes off. For me, even if I'm on tired legs, I'm there to race. How about you?

Western States Memory #2

Everyone has their favorite moment at Western States. Okay, we all know that the track at Placer HS isn't too bad.... but there are some other great moments. Coming into Michigan Bluff? Climbing the Thumb? Hearing the hashers blaring music as you weave in and out the canyon walls. I know its generic but I sure love the river. Hitting the Ruck-A-Chucky junction is the best. At that point, you know you are about to embark on the last section of the course. Yeah, you still have 22 miles to go but if you can still run upright, you are probably going to make it. You also know that the REAL racing is about to come!
Since I have a broad range of finishing times, I've crossed the river at different times. In my first race, I hit it in pure darkness and it was not refreshing but cold! Yet, it was still an incredibly exciting moment for me as I had seen so many images and heard so many stories about that section of the course.
The second time I crossed the river was my first time breaking 24 hours on the course. Night had literally just set in and the buzz of breaking 24 hours was all around me. I wanted it SO badly that year and had run conservatively, so it was an exciting time for me.
In 2007, I hit the river when it was still hot out and the river felt wonderful on my beat up legs. Unfortunately, you only get to enjoy it momentarily as that little bitch of a climb up to Green Gate is coming.
I think there is something about that river crossing that makes the event epic. With so many photos of that moment, it is one that many non-runners are curious about and it gives the race that look that it is more than just a run on trails. Anyway, it is definitely my favorite moment.
Anyway, what's your favorite????

Western States Memory #3

"100 miles is a really long way........"

I have to look back and laugh at my first Western States. I had only run three races of 50 miles or more when I first tackled Western States in 2002. It really wasn't until the Memorial Day training runs that I realized how unprepared I was. I had been running these super groomed mountain bike areas that really have no elevation gain (Phil's Trail). So, when I went to the training camp I was shocked at how much climbing and descending there was. I came back to Bend and did a cram session out at Smith Rock but Western States was a bit too close to change my destiny.
I had run the first 62 miles with my best friend, Steve King, and my running pal from Bend, Jeff Browning. It was the first 100 miler for all of us.
The first 62 miles went according to plan but when I picked up my dad at Foresthill, I think I had a mental letdown thinking that I would be coasting in from there. I wasn't eating or drinking properly and that really came back to haunt me as I headed down to the river. I was puking and had severe diarrhea. Although, the main thought I had in my mind was, "how in the world are 400 other people out here doing the same thing?" The mileage seemed absolutely and totally overwhelming to me. The run down to the river truly DID take forever. It was awesome having my dad with me. But, I definitely was losing my shit. I'll always remember this conversation.
Me: Dad, I need to ask you a question that might seem crazy.
Dad: What is it?
Me: Well, I'm f'n soooo bloated right now.
Dad: You need to take some salt.
Me: I can't. I'll just puke it up. So, I know this sounds crazy but can I just take off my pants and run naked?
Dad: Rodney, I want you to listen to me. You CANNOT take off your pants and run.......

I'm not sure why but that will always stick with me. My dad passed away before I ran another 100 miler. I think given that he was a Navy SEAL, I always wanted him to know I could be tough as well. I'm sometimes bummed that he never got to see me progress in the sport. He'd be stoked....
Anyway, that's my memory for the night.
The moral of the story. No matter what, when you first run a 100 miler, you will always get that "100 mile shock". Its part of the learning curve.

The Western States Countdown.....

December 5th sort of feels like Christmas for me. Will I get to run Western States 100 via the lottery or will I get coal in my stocking and be left in the cold? Nothing to stress about though. It will happen or it won't. If I don't get in, I'll see if I can run sub 8:40 at Miwok and we'll see if that gets me any closer or not.
Anyway, with the lottery being in four days, I thought I'd give four of my most vivid memories of Western States (good and bad) to relive my time on the course.
First a quick step back. When I ran with AJW the other day, I was surprised that he had not known of just HOW slow I was when I started this sport and how truly blessed I feel to have made strides to run with guys that when I started, I thought were Gods of running!
I wasn't a runner growing up. In fact, I kind of despised running. My dad, who was a Navy SEAL, was an ultra runner and I thought there was nothing cool about it. He seemed like a novelty.... but not in a good way. He would at times run from Kailua to his work at Camp Smith on O'ahu, where I grew up (20+ miles away). He would run the main road (Pali HWY) and I remember friends teasing me about seeing my dad running amidst the cars and traffic and why he would possibly do that. No, I pretty much went out of my way NOT to run until after college. I can say for fact that I know I never ran once in college and would not have even considered it.
It wasn't until I tried to impress my wife (while dating her) that I took up some running. We trained for a marathon and I ran as hard as I could for a 3:58. Later, after running got into my blood, I started running ultras. My goal for the first few years was to finish in the top 1/2 of the race field.
The dream of running 100 miles came as "Chunky Rod" was in the steam room at Squaw Valley resort. I was there for a sales meeting while working for The North Face. I was alone in the steam room when Topher Gaylord and Dean Karnazes came in. Oblivious to me (minus the social "hello"), they went on talking about running Western States 100. They talked of 40 and 50 mile training runs. I soaked it all in and was instantly intrigued. Later, during the conference, The North Face played a promo video about Western States and man, I was hooked. The mileage, the suffering, THE BELT BUCKLE. Now, I needed to get myself one of those! I still remember sitting there watching the video and my heart was racing. I knew what I wanted to do......
Western States became a dream and then a reality. I finished my first one in 2004 in 26 hours and 5 minutes. So, that is how it started.
But, like I said, I am now going to rattle off some of my most distinct memories from the race.
Tonight, #4........
2007.....
I knew I was in trouble running down to the swinging bridge and the climb up Devil's Thumb. Moments earlier, I had heard the booming voice of Andy Jones Wilkins behind me and then passing me. That bummed me out but not as much as the trouble that I knew my legs were in. I love downhill running but now my legs literally seized with each step downhill. Just a few hours before, I was dreaming of running sub 18 hours and I was certainly on pace. I had Ann Trason's splits from her 18:40, and was already 40 minutes ahead of them at Red Star Ridge. But, I think the punishment had come by running hard from Robinson Flat with Jon Olsen on my tail (we had had some battles with each other earlier that summer) and I just "raced" too hard, too early on those "o so runnable" downhills early on the course.
So, what to do? Drop? Change my goal? I didn't know but just kept moving forward. My legs simply got worse and worse as the race progressed. I could run the flats and the uphills pretty decently but I just was losing tons of time by literally tip toeing down the downhills. I saw my place go from 6th early on and it just kept falling. I was damn lucky to have two solid pacers that day who knew my goals and pushed me hard. David Easa and Sean Meissner did their parts and didn't let myself slip out of the race despite my ailments. In the end, I battled as hard as I could and I laid it all on the line. I finished the race in 19 hours, 20 minutes and was the 11th place Male. If you had told me in 2002, that I would be in 11th place 5 years later, I would have never, ever believed it. But, after a summer of solid results and meeting some lofty goals... yeah, I was disappointed. I also spent the better part of the next two days in hospitals with CPK levels of 95,000 and that belt buckle cost me a couple thousand dollars in medical bills.
But, with a little hindsight, I was happy. You never know how 100 mile races will go. There is hard work, suffering, and yeah, some dumb luck. Maybe 19:20 wasn't my best time, but there are a lot of runners who are much more talented than me that haven't even run that fast there. And, maybe that is the allure of Western States and 100 mile running. You always think/know that you can improve. But, in the midst of the action, it is very real and very hard. So, sometimes you just have to be satisfied. And so, I am.
Of course, I want another shot. Can I run sub 18? Absolutely. I have no doubt in my mind that if I run a solid race, I will absolutely be in the 17 hour slots. Will I do it? Who knows? But, I sure want to try.

Tomorrow: Cal Street with my dad.

Plans for 2010

Well, its time to start planning for 2010. Cascade Crest is a distant memory and being 37 years old, I realize my years of really "racing" are limited. My kids are getting older: 7, almost 5, and 1.5 and there will be more more soccer games, swimming meets, and days on Mt. Bachelor in the future.
So, I kind of look at this as a big year for me. In setting my sights on the year, I had to really ponder what are the events that I want to concentrate on and prepare for. I have tried to get myself psyched on running a marathon but they just don't excite me that much. In my heart, I want to run 100 milers. Why? You know, I'm not even sure. They kind of suck for the last 40 miles but I have realized that there are two things I love about 100 milers. That is the preparation leading up to the event and the feeling that I have after running a successful 100 miler.
Preparing for 100 milers are now kind of ritualistic and I enjoy that. You know you have to get the hill work in, the long distance stuff, and the tempo work. You know you mentally have to prepare for the miles when other people fold up shop and you have to hang in there. When the going gets tough and you start puking, are you going to quit, limp to the finish? Or are you going to suck it up, put one foot in front of the other and tough it out even when everything attached to your body says to let up. I love that. To me, 100 miler separate a lot of talent from toughness. I'm the first to admit that I will never, ever be a sub 2:30 marathoner but I like to think in a 100 miler, when guts come into play, that I can hold my own against guys with better leg speed than me.
And then, I love the feeling after running a successful 100 miler. I just feel content. And you know that you had to put in the work and mental discipline to make it happen.
That, and I want to run some new races. I'm looking forward to cutting back on 50K races and focusing in on 50 milers and above. There are a lot of races in that distance that intrigue me. I'd like to run Pocatello in Idaho and Sonoma 50 miler. I have put in for Western States 100 and that is where my heart really is. I'd love to run sub 18 there and know that I can do it on the right day and I look forward to the challenge. If I don't get in, I will focus in on running Vermont and Leadville 100 milers. Those are both races I have wanted to do for a while and that I think are good for my running style. So, that's the plan. Cut back on the 50Ks.. focus on the longer races and really try and make my mark on a few 100's this year.
So, what have I been up to lately. I kind of like this time of year. I literally do no runs over 15 miles. I'm running pretty much every day but am focusing in on my speed work. I think it is very important to have a mental break from all the summer racing and training. I am doing some road work, some rolling trail work, and working on speed on the treadmill as well. It leaves me hungry to run longer which is what I want but it will have to wait until January. Most of my weeks are in the 30-55 mile range lately and I am totally fine with that. My body feels super healthy and I'm enjoying lifting some weights and throwing in the weekly yoga class.
The other tool that I will do this year is to hire a coach for my prime month training. I have made huge steps in my running career by doing things my way but I'd like to mix it up and get some insight from someone else. I have always pretty much done all my training runs at tempo pace and would like to learn another perspective to see if I can go to another level. Anyway, just some rambling going on here. Hope everyone is feeling happy and content.