tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8316132958955128472024-03-04T22:51:07.312-08:00Suck It Up .... Rantings of a Runner on the Edgechris mcpeakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15488479732649522465noreply@blogger.comBlogger136125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-831613295895512847.post-3892646265095462352016-05-11T06:57:00.001-07:002016-05-12T08:12:02.353-07:00Hynerview Challenge 50K Race Report<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKR3MBTw-TRdRf4wqEZwv5k3XKTFIxF3h1rdpnmnEbHKvHhUfPYsUbP3cppMEQJRCwGRb5l0fTh_RZqYSpVy9g_7fE2N8PAZQCQ4iiIXvCbPmNDvDyK4zaMX8vGWbQGQzijvNZsNF3sQ-a/s320/hynersob2.jpg" width="179" /></div>
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SOB hill</div>
Hynerview Race Report <br />
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On April 22nd we headed down to Pennsylvania for a big trail running weekend. The plan was to run back to back 50k races on the weekend so that I could really test the calf. Before I attempted to run any longer races I wanted to see what my gimpy peg leg was going to do when it got really tired. I managed to find two races with a huge amount of climbing which was a perfect test for the leg. First up on Saturday was the <a href="http://www.hikerun.com/" target="_blank">Hynerview Challenge</a>.<br />
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As some of you already know I absolutely love this race. The course is beautiful, extremely challenging, super well marked and the RD does a great job of putting on a top notch event. Haven't run this race? You are definitely missing out and its only a 5 hour drive from Toronto.<br />
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This is the third time I have been to this race. We drove down Friday and stayed at the same place we have in previous years. The Kettle Creek Inn which is only about 10 minutes from the start line and has a restaurant with good food. It is no frills but decent and best of all the room is also super affordable. I am all for being cheap.<br />
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Saturday morning we picked up our race kits and made our way to the start line. Kim and our friend Elizabeth were both running the 25k race while Chris H and I were doing the 50. All four of us have run this race before so we all had a really good idea of what we were getting into.<br />
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50k elevation profile</div>
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The 50k race features 9000+ feet of climb with a lot of single track and a decent amount of technical thrown in for fun. While the huge amount of climbing makes things difficult the way the climbs are laid out ups the Holy Crap factor substantially. There are numbers steep climbs that go on for 1-3km and the downhills tend to be steep and quad busting as well. Talk about fun!<br />
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25k elevation profile</div>
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The plan was simple, no racing at all, just run it slow and easy to try and save something in the legs for the next day. I planned to treat it like it was 100 miler and just enjoy it. How long we were out there was not even a consideration.<br />
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As mentioned earlier I have run this race twice before. The first time I ran it at a moderate effort as a training run. Last year I attempted to run it in the midst of all my medical issues and it ended up being a disaster. I could not climb, could not breath and ended up turning my ankle at 12km and having to drop out. Okay it was not all bad I got to drink lots of free beer at the finish line.<br />
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<b>Off and Running</b><br />
The race starts off with about a mile of road until you hit the trail head then maybe another mile of slightly rolling single track. We ran this nice and easy and soon were at the first big climb "humble hill". Its steep, its long and pretty much goes on forever. After at least a good 2km of climbing you finally reach the lookout at the top of the hill. Someone told me that they use this place for hand gliding which makes sense, it's a long way down.<br />
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part way up the first climb<br />
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at the top of climb #1</div>
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As we reached the top I told Chris that I felt a hundred times better than the year before. It was a tough climb so it hurt but in the way it was suppose to. Also it put a huge amount of stress on my calf with no negative effect at all. That was a huge relief.<br />
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For the next few miles everything continued to go as planned. We stayed slow and before long had passed the spot where I had turned my ankle over the year before. I had come to call this place scream valley because last year you would have heard my scream (okay screaming curse word) for a long distance in either direction.<br />
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It's here that we saw our first course change, a new section for the 50k runners. This cut out a few kms of running along / through creek beds. The new section was nice but honestly I really loved the creek running so kind of missed that part of the course. Once we finished the new section we were at the bottom of "Sledge Hammer". As most trail and ultra runners know when hills have names they tend to be pretty nasty. Sledge Hammer is long, I was told 2 miles, steep and kind of never ending. After a long climb you are on to the 25k loop which will eventually lead you right back to the top of Sledge Hammer again.<br />
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This section went okay, lots of ups and downs. Lots of single track, lots of wondering why I didn't do the 25k. Legs were starting to tire as Chris H and I hit the 30k mark and headed back down that crazy hill. Turns out running 2 miles of steep downhill is not the break for your legs that you might think. By the time we got to the bottom and turned back into the creek bed our legs were shot. My quads seemed a bit confused and didn't seem to want to work / run much at all.<br />
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Its hilly in PA</div>
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SOB Hill</div>
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From that point on it became a slug fest. Lots of climbing including the infamous SOB hill which is so steep your hands are sometimes touching the ground (oh and keep an eye out for rattlesnakes) then a very long few kms of downhill back to the start of the trail head. By the time we make it to the road Chris H was feeling nauseous which is usually my job so we just kept moving forward until we finally make it to the finish line.<br />
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Both of us coming in</div>
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finally finished</div>
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I was really glad to be finished and tried not to let it bother me that we were so slow, after all that was actually the plan. We got a cool finishers hat at the finish as well as some barbecue. Kim and Elizabeth also both had hard but decent races and were already into the post run beer by the time we got back.<br />
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Kim at the finish</div>
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Unfortunately we didn't get a long time to relax as it was back into Chris's truck to drive 3 hours further south for our Sunday race.<br />
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Up next - <a href="http://www.ironmasterschallenge.com/" target="_blank">Ironmasters </a>race report<br />
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<br />chris mcpeakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15488479732649522465noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-831613295895512847.post-87869694921977545282016-04-12T10:09:00.000-07:002016-04-12T10:09:19.018-07:00Around the Bay, Beer and Running, Sad news<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>ATB</b><br />
Around The Bay went fairly well as far as training runs go. I would not call this a race report because I did no racing, just easy running but some observations. There was a great turn out in general as well as a lot of Longboat Roadrunners at the Race.<br />
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I had not planned on actually running ATB at all but with Longboat renting a bus for the race and a runner friend giving me his bib because he could not run I decided why not. It was cold but road conditions were good and the sun was out. I find it really hard to put the full winter gear back on when just a week earlier I had been running everyday in shorts but given how nice it was this winter I am going to try and not complain too much.<br />
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I ended up running into my friend Ryan Wilson for the second race in a row. For a guy that says he is not running much he sure is signed up for a bunch of races. He was just running it to get kms in as well so we decided to just run along at around 6 minute kms and see how it went.<br />
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For the first 20 kms or so I was really glad that I had signed up. Its much easier to do the long run in the cold with thousands of other runners instead of by yourself. Once I got to the last 10km I really just wanted to get finished. I was cold, hungry and getting tired but we kept the same pace anyway.<br />
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I did end up seeing a lot of road runners and ultra people that I knew, many using ATB for the same reason I was. One big downer was that once again the bigass hill near the end was not on the course. That kind of sucks as that is my favorite part of the whole course. Ryan and I ran together until maybe somewhere where around 28k where I briefly lost him. Thanks for putting up with me for 3 hours Ryan!! Ended up running 3:02ish so pretty close to dead on a 6 minute pace.<br />
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<b>runTObeer</b><br />
Lately I have been doing a few of the runTObeer events in Toronto. This combines my love of beer and my love of running perfectly. It also gives me a chance just to run slow with my better half Kim which I dont get to do very often.<br />
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These guys have done a fantastic job of putting this group together where you sign up and end up running to local breweries where you often start with a free beer. The only draw back is its becoming so popular that events are filling up in hours after being announced which means if you want to join in you better be paying attention.<br />
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At the last event Kim as lucky enough to win a box of Powerbars which I am slowly devouring on running days which don't have a beer at the end.<br />
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You can check <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/RunTOBeer/" target="_blank">runTObeer here.</a><br />
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<b>Sad News</b><br />
Yesterday I was given some very sad news. Richard Leib a runner who I had the pleasure of coaching a number of times for Marathons passed away in early April. Richard was such a nice guy and pretty much always had a smile on his face. He was also one of those runners that is very easy to coach, he just showed up, did the workouts like he was suppose and never complained. Condolences to his family and friends.<br />
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Richard Leib (far left)</div>
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This past year has been really tough. Kim and I have lost some very close family members, friends and acquaintances. I think more than any other time that I can remember in the past. One thing that has become clear for me is that we never know how long we are going to be here and healthy enough to do what we want. It's a pretty stark reminder that you should do what you love and live full out while you have the chance.<br />
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<b>Next Up : </b><a href="http://outrace.ca/races/spring-warmup" target="_blank">OUTrace Spring Warm Up</a><br />
<br />chris mcpeakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15488479732649522465noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-831613295895512847.post-470214262371283662016-03-28T10:13:00.003-07:002016-04-07T05:21:26.907-07:00Chilly HM and Upcoming Season <br />
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Kim after the Chilly HM</div>
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<b>Chilly Half Marathon and Pikes Peak Qualifier</b><br />
Chilly Half Marathon was a big success for Kim. We set a target time of 2:15 which slightly slower than her half PB even though there was really no proper training for the race as Kim hadn't started doing any quality runs in her program yet.<br />
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We had a really good day weather wise and the race started off well in the early going. We ended up running with our friend Ryan and I got to spend the first 5km of the race listening to him explain to Kim how Sith Lords are really not as badass and evil as they should be. Seriously I kid you not, my wife is such a geek sometimes.<br />
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After that Ryan took off and we settled into a steady 6:20 pace for pretty much the rest of the race. Kim ended up running 2:14:46 so pretty much right on the plan and less than a minute off her PB. Also this was easily good enough for her Pikes Peak qualifier.<br />
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As some of you know I am not a big fan of VRpro races and lets just say that I am still not a big fan of their races. I will continue to try and avoid them in the future that's for sure as I had lots of issues with this race (again). I really don't want to get into details much here but having runners running in the middle lane of the road with live traffic on BOTH sides for the final 5km of a race is a big safety issue particularly when the sweepers on the out and back course have picked up all the cones that were separating our lane from the outgoing traffic lane. Live traffic on both sides and no cones separating the traffic on one of those sides. Golly guys what could possibly go wrong in that scenario.<br />
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<b>Racing Season Looking Clearer</b><br />
The plans for this season are starting to take shape. What I know for sure is I will be running <a href="http://www.hikerun.com/" target="_blank">Hynerview 50km</a>, <a href="http://www.pickyourpoison.ca/" target="_blank">Pick Your Posion 50k</a> and <a href="http://www.seatontrailrace.com/" target="_blank">Seaton 50k</a> as training runs for a return to 100 milers. Right now I am thinking I will run 100 miles at <a href="http://www.outrace.ca/races/sulphur-springs-trail-races" target="_blank">Sulphur Springs</a> in May but that will be dependent on where I am at as far as my fitness level goes.<br />
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We have registered for the <a href="http://www.pikespeakmarathon.org/" target="_blank">Pikes Peak Ascent</a> in August and I plan to run 100 miles at <a href="http://leanhorse100.com/" target="_blank">Lean Horse</a> in South Dakota the following weekend. I fully expect to also run <a href="http://www.outrace.ca/races/dirty-girls-run" target="_blank">Dirty Girls</a>, <a href="http://www.outrace.ca/races/creemore-vertical-challenge" target="_blank">Creemore</a>, and <a href="http://www.outrace.ca/races/haliburton-forest-trail-run" target="_blank">Haliburton</a> if my legs are feeling good. Not sure about distances but I expect that I will do semi long to longer distances.<br />
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The last race of the season has already been decided as Kim has signed up to run 50km at <a href="http://www.oilcreek100.org/" target="_blank">Oil Creek </a>again this year and she is super excited about this. It was no easy task to get signed up as the registration was open and closed at random for short windows of time in order to try and keep the servers from crashing. When I say short I mean short, I am guessing 3 -5 minutes. I will return to OC as well to try and get myself another 100 mile finish there. Both of us really love this race. The course is beautiful but it's a tough one particularly so late in the season and the 18,000 ft of climb can<br />
be challenging.<br />
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Oil Creek 2014</div>
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<b>Current Training</b><br />
My current training as I work my way back from injury is going about as good as expected. I have settled into 100km weeks which feel fairly comfortable now although I'm not yet at the 120 - 130km volume that I usually like to be at.<br />
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I have not started quality workouts yet as I wanted to be careful upping the mileage however starting last week I have added some very hilly runs on the road. I also returned to the trails for the first time since the injury. Nothing gets me back in shape quicker than running some hilly trails. Things went okay on the trail but I got a lot of work to do. The uphills were not so bad but I found that I was having to think a little bit about picking my lines instead of it just happening naturally. I was horrible on the downhills though but I am sure that will all come back soon enough.<br />
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Still slow and still got some weight to get off but progressing so I can't complain. Bring on the summer.chris mcpeakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15488479732649522465noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-831613295895512847.post-30040032309965795632016-03-11T11:33:00.000-08:002016-03-11T11:33:04.480-08:00Here is a short update on the follow up after the discovery of my DVT and my attempt to get back into shape. Most of its good news but also there is some not so great news.<br />
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In December the Hematologist that I saw about my calf told me that she suspected based on the blood work that my clot had become scar tissue in the vein and so the symptoms that I was experiencing were most likely not going to change. That meant that if she was correct the swelling in my calf would always be there due to the restricted blood flow. Also the tightening up of the calf when I walk or run would also be with me for life. Good grief.<br />
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The good news is that she is also a marathon runner so at least I felt like I was talking to someone that actually got how big a deal this was for me. She also cleared me to start running as there was no worry about doing any further damage to the leg. I was put on blood thinners for the next three months with a follow up after that.<br />
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I immediately put together a schedule to rebuild my mileage, a slow realistic build up to begin to get my base mileage up. I also really needed to get rid of the 25 pounds that my friend Mr. Beer had given me over the past 6-8 months of inactivity.<br />
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Week 1 of running consisted of two 4km runs during the week. In all seriousness these may have been the most difficult runs I have ever done in my life. I was overweight, out of shape and my calf was a maddening painful ball of hate. I have not been this heavy and also this out of shape in at least 10 years. I was breathing like a freight train while running so very, very slowly and at 4km I was completely spent. Adding to this was a great deal of frustration as I had no idea if my calf would get better or worse as I went to longer distances. The reality is that I began to think distance trail running might be a thing of the past.<br />
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Oh yeah, one other thing, I forgot just how hard running can be. Man this running thing is tough sometimes. I found it hard at the end of week 1 to even imagine that at some point in the not so distant past I enjoyed going out for my runs or would enjoy going out for runs in the future.<br />
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Here is where I count myself extremely lucky. I have the good fortune to have a fantastic support system of other runners in my life. My wife Kim (who is also a distance trail runner) was unbelievable over my down time and also dealing with the assholiness that came along with the aggravation and depression that I was feeling. Besides Kim my co-coach and running buddy Chris H. was great at helping to get me out for daily runs as were a number of other runners that I had been coaching last year. They were all kind enough to run really slow and listen to me complain about how out of shape I was.<br />
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Last week I had my follow up with the specialist. As expected the vein is scarred which happens in about 30% of all cases. The cause of the original blood clot is unknown which I was told is the case in about 50% of patients. They have no reason to expect that there will be a recurrence and I no longer need to be on blood thinners. That's great but still with a calf that will probably never feel normal it is a bit scary.<br />
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Last week was also my first week of getting in 100k of running for the week as well as my first long run over 30k. Everything seems to be going okay so far and I have managed to shed 15 of my beer pounds. Still I am trying to be careful and so far am sticking to building up the base so no quality runs yet and not a great deal of running on hilly courses which are usually a staple of my training. The plan is to begin adding more climbing over the next few weeks including some step mill or stair workouts. If all stays fine I most likely will ease back into tempos/hill repeats in 2 or 3 weeks.<br />
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If things continue as they have been I should be in pretty decent shape by the end of April. To celebrate we will be headed back to Hynerview, PA to run the 50k with the hope of getting into 100 miler shape by mid May. Thats the hope but we will see how it goes from here.<br />
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Up next - pacing Kim in the Chilly Half Marathon on Sunday.chris mcpeakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15488479732649522465noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-831613295895512847.post-7745567731750992562015-12-04T09:28:00.000-08:002015-12-04T09:28:03.379-08:00Seriously Scary Stuff - a WTF Moment <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: 18px; vertical-align: baseline;">Three weeks ago I sat in the ER at St. Joesph's hospital and had one of the scariest and somehow bizarrely surreal experiences of my life. I had given my test results to the doctor and as he read them he asked me "Do you know what this is?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18px; vertical-align: baseline;">"Yes" I did, unfortunately.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18px; vertical-align: baseline;">"Do you know how lucky you are to still be here?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18px; vertical-align: baseline;"> No reply from me as my brain tried to grapple with what was going on.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18px; vertical-align: baseline;">"You might think your unlucky because you have gotten a blood clot but actually you are very lucky."</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18px; vertical-align: baseline;">And so my year of running hell continues.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18px; vertical-align: baseline;">Its been over 8 months since I posted here, wow. I would like to chalk it all up to laziness but the truth is I have not felt like talking about running AT ALL. This past year has been highlighted by health issues and been pretty much a disaster. Every time I thought I was about to come out of it I got hit by another bombshell.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18px; vertical-align: baseline;">Western States was a disaster and it was all down hill from there. In the next few weeks I will be retracing my steps and putting up an couple of posts on exactly what went on all spring, summer and fall. I expect that maybe the most boring series of posts in the history of the internet but I want to get it all down somewhere. The hope is that I will be able to look back at it all at some point down the road and be glad I am past it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18px; vertical-align: baseline;">So here is the short version of what is happening right now. After not being able to run since the summer I was given a preliminary diagnosis of Compartmental Syndrome in my lower left leg which seemed really bad at the time. That means surgery and probably 6 months minimum off. Definitely not good but it could be worse. Well turns out it was worse.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18px; vertical-align: baseline;">I was sent to get imaging done so I would have those tests to give to the specialist I was going to have to see. What those test revealed was that what I really had was Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT). You can read about </span><a href="http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/deep-vein-thrombosis/basics/definition/con-20031922" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 18px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">it here</span></a><span style="font-size: 18px; vertical-align: baseline;">. Essentially a large blood clot in my left calf. It was chronic meaning it went undiagnosed for most likely months. This might have started last July but maybe it goes all the way back to March.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18px; vertical-align: baseline;">From the doctors office it was straight to the ER where they started DVT periodicals. That meant a visit once a day to the ER for multiple injections of blood thinners into my stomach for 8 days until the oral medication could take effect.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18px; vertical-align: baseline;">It ends up that a DVT a very serious, sometimes fatal condition (death rate is 1 in 9). Its most dangerous in the first 1-10 days as a piece of the clot can break off and go to the lungs. During that time I didn't even know I had it which is why I was lucky that it didn't turn into something worse.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18px; vertical-align: baseline;">So where does that leave me now? I can start exercising again so I began to ease back into things with a couple of 4km runs this week. With any luck I will be able to build things back to where I used to be as a runner but that will be a slow process. It certainly doesn't help that I am now really overweight and completely out of shape. I will be okay to run as long as there are no more complications. How long and how far is another question which I have no answers for at this point. The hope is to go back doing all the things I did before but right now there is no way to tell for sure. Next week I hope to get a little bit more information when I see a Hematologist.</span></div>
<br /><span style="font-size: 18px; vertical-align: baseline;">One of the issues is that I don't really fall under the categories / risk factors that usually cause this to happen. Was this related to my breathing issues earlier this year? None of the doctors are sure but all my tests (heart, lungs, blood, etc.) came back normal. Maybe that was viral, maybe that was Over Training Syndrome (OTS) or maybe the two things are related. All I know is that at least there is a little bit of a light at the end of the tunnel.</span>chris mcpeakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15488479732649522465noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-831613295895512847.post-20643669922220961012015-03-28T12:18:00.001-07:002015-03-28T12:18:33.377-07:00Running Again, Looking for Pacers, ATB this WeekendRunning
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Finally I am back to running again. The
calf is not 100% so I have to stay away from hills and trails for now
but at least I am able to run. I expect I should be totally back to
“normal” in another week or so. I am trying really hard to be
smart and sensible about things but the trails tempt and taunt me
every single day when I run past High Park. Man this running thing
has to be the stupidest sport ever.</div>
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Pacers???</div>
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So with a return to running I can begin
to allow myself to think about all my upcoming 100 mile races. I have
already secured a pacer to run with me for the last 50 miles of
<a href="http://www.wser.org/" target="_blank">Western States</a>. Norman Nadon from Running Free Orangeville and Race
Director for Chase The Coyote has been kind enough to offer to drag my
ass through the Sierra Nevada mountains.</div>
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<a href="http://chasethecoyote.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="http://chasethecoyote.com/" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2hbyPaDkn-zE90i2eVFwUvNUqfyBP_JwbXN-Zjye2tFRzYtgUduoUvy4iiePft9dvoJPI3b9QE3P_p8jJCVYEjfwIF8S-unP5qqfaL5sJTy1FqiW0F8FBToQImnZOzkmi89F6UoXXIG8v/s1600/Chase_Coyote_final_colour-2.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://chasethecoyote.com/" target="_blank">chase the coyote website</a></div>
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I also have coaching and running buddy
Chris Henderson coming out to Utah to pace me for part of <a href="http://www.wasatch100.com/" target="_blank">Wasatch</a>.
Karen Pride, fresh off of racing the <a href="http://www.canadiandeathrace.com/" target="_blank">Canadian Death Race</a>, will help
get me through to the finish as well. I have run with both of them
before and they have seen me at the end portions of other 100s so
they already have a good idea of what to expect.</div>
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I don't have anyone officially lined up
to run with me at <a href="http://vermont100endurancerun.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">Vermont </a>but because we are driving to this race I
am fairly certain I will be able to drag a few of my coaching clients
out onto the trail with me. Kind of gives them a chance to torture me
and get back at me for all the ridiculously hard workouts I keep
giving them.</div>
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That leaves me looking for pacers for
<a href="http://www.leadvilleraceseries.com/run/leadvilletrail100run/" target="_blank">Leadville</a> AGAIN. Why I have so much trouble finding someone to run
with me here is odd. I mean they have legalized marijuana in
Colorado, that should make this pacing gig a no brainer. Okay
seriously if you are interested in running (or walking slowly) in the
mountains on August 22<sup>nd</sup> let me know. As an added bonus I
all but guarantee that there will be bacon. Pot and bacon, together,
seriously, thats like the biggest incentive ever.<br />
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Around the Bay</div>
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This Sunday is <a href="http://bayrace.com/" target="_blank">Around the Bay</a>. I have a
good group of runners that I have been coaching that will all be
running the 30k race. I will be pacing someone as racing is out of
the question due to the wonky calf. Should be fun regardless although
I am super disappointed that they were forced to take out the big
hill at the end of the course due to construction. I think this is
the 7<sup>th</sup> time I have run this race and I have somehow
managed to have fun every time. Now if we just get decent weather it
should be a great weekend.</div>
chris mcpeakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15488479732649522465noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-831613295895512847.post-8948946313153894402015-03-12T07:46:00.001-07:002015-03-12T07:46:08.931-07:00Running frustrations, a slight reprieve, more running frustrations<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_nyb04f-lo4y41-RJQdN_m_W__Fpjhm4A81wLC-copQXmKERI0C89VO8aA_xyxEHs-N6aljjIaMaVxcTYDfBwoVyA-b2eHMn2jPwrYv1XDOjN5aVtualMjQGx4KoVxcrTfAztNKsYLzAh/s1600/Frustration.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_nyb04f-lo4y41-RJQdN_m_W__Fpjhm4A81wLC-copQXmKERI0C89VO8aA_xyxEHs-N6aljjIaMaVxcTYDfBwoVyA-b2eHMn2jPwrYv1XDOjN5aVtualMjQGx4KoVxcrTfAztNKsYLzAh/s1600/Frustration.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
All I can say is wow what a frustrating
February and March it has been when it comes to my running. Things
had been going so great in my base training until I got the flu in
January and since then its been like I am trapped and blundering
through a really bad Monty Python skit.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
After I got mostly over the flu in
January I just could not seem to shake off the cough and lack of
energy. I was slow and lethargic even though I was putting in normal
base effort. By mid January it was pretty clear that running the
Beast of Burden 100 was not a good idea. Honestly I just didn't have
the energy that it was going to take me and I worried how much it
would end up beating me up for my spring training. I made what as it
turns out was a good call and went for the DNS however unfortunately
the right call didn't help me as much as I had hoped.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
At the end of January I made trip
number 1 to the doctor where they gave me a puffer and what I can
only call a patronizing attitude. That was on the Friday and two days
later I headed out to meet my coaching clients for a Sunday long run.
Half way up the hill coming out of the humber valley on Bloor Street
my run was reduced to a walk. I could not run at all as I could not
breath. Air seemed to be going into my lungs yet failing to make it
any farther. What the heck! I walked to the flat area at the top of
the hill and tried to run again but same thing. So much for the long
run but it was really cold out and I figured maybe that was an issue.
Yeah I know thats a total lie to myself, we all know it but it made
me feel better in the moment.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Two days after I headed into the gym
figuring I would jump on the dreadmill where it was warm, dry and
there would be not hills in sight. First attempt I lasted less than 2
minutes before I had to get off breathing like i just ran my 5k pace
for 10k. I was incredulous, I walked around the gym in disbelieve
until eventually ending back at the treadmill again. I know I stood
there for a minute or two sizing the damn thing up like a sparring
opponent. If anyone was watching I would have looked kind of silly to
them for sure. I figured back on and just go really, really slow.
Take 2 lasted less than 60 seconds, what the @%&#.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The next day it was doctor visit # 2
for a second opinion. They put me on a stronger inhaler and
antibiotics with suspected bronchitis. I did not attempt to run for
10 days in fact walking up stairs or the escalator in the subway was
leaving me winded. After 10 days I headed out for a slow run planning
to pace Kim. It was a disaster, I could have sworn that I heard some
yell “Ice-burg Ahead” but probably not as I was moving so slowly
I could have easily turned the ship away.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
I am now totally freaking right out and
I mean right out. Seems being able to breath is somewhat important
for a runner. Is there something seriously wrong with me (okay bit of
a trick question). I stop calling myself a runner and think about
taking up smoking right away. Kim must be a saint because I know that
I am miserable and must be a great deal of fun to be around, even the
cats avoid me.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Back to the Doc for trip # 3. He comes
in and he looks like he is about 12 years old which makes me realize
that I am getting old faster than expected. He tells me to do nothing
and give it 4 more days over the long weekend. I put my smoking
experiment on hold for the time being and wait it out.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b>Reprieve</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
After the 4 days are finally up I head
out for a easy run. Holy crap I can run, not back to normal mind you
but at least I can run and breath at the same time. I am so glad to
be able to run even if every day it is -25 and the footing is
terrible. Time lost to bronchitis ends up being 18 days, damn thats a
long time.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
I join some of the Longboat guys on
Saturday morning for a short run. Its snowing and footing sucks but I
actually run my normal easy run pace and it is easy. Hallelujah,
finally let the serious training begin again.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b>Here we go again</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Hold on, not so fast buddy. I feel fine
after the run and head back home. Sometime later in the afternoon I
feel some soreness in my left calf. No big deal, happens all the time
to us old dudes. I go back to a more normal running schedule and all
is fine for 3 or 4 days except for a bit of discomfort in the calf.
Then after my end of week runs the calf sudden gets really angry and
apparently hates me as it becomes very sore. Not sore (just tight)
while running but really sore when not running.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
I try to run through it for a few more
days but its clear I need to get it back to normal or there will be
no serious training especially hill training. As I type this its day
7 of no running. The good news is I could probably run on it right
now but I am giving it an extra day or 2 to play it safe. With any
luck the next time you hear from me I will be complaining about how
the weather sucks during my runs or some such thing.</div>
chris mcpeakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15488479732649522465noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-831613295895512847.post-36446130563356544652015-01-10T11:27:00.000-08:002015-01-10T11:27:15.586-08:00Running Plans in 2015<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDudw7QG1185AMft-2ajBlWzgMQQbgUYLsfrE1SjXtVss-sHPvgBqklkcyqKnUQJImByy_YCrTmdKSVTcp6i0UqzGxfsG9IcaW_KZC8uv_yvx9fuNtKCszmyvcEB4b3pBwU6WfTenrLaye/s1600/2015-13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDudw7QG1185AMft-2ajBlWzgMQQbgUYLsfrE1SjXtVss-sHPvgBqklkcyqKnUQJImByy_YCrTmdKSVTcp6i0UqzGxfsG9IcaW_KZC8uv_yvx9fuNtKCszmyvcEB4b3pBwU6WfTenrLaye/s1600/2015-13.jpg" height="179" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Well 2014 just flew by, so much pain,
misery and fun that its going to take a lot longer blog entry than
this to get it all wrapped up. I will save that for another upcoming
post and talk about what 2015 has in store as far as my own running
stuff.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
First and foremost on the coaching
front I have a really good group of runners doing mostly long
distance programs and training with me. Who knew there were so many
people that are such gluttons for punishment and also willing to pay
for it. In all seriousness though a big thanks to those that have
chosen me to entrust their training to. It should be a lot of fun.
You can check out what we are doing on the website.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Secondly I am in the process of trying
to organize a couple of races for the coming year. I hope to have a
lot more about that in the next few months so stayed tuned.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Last but not least my own racing
schedule is quickly coming into focus. Originally the plan was that I
was going to run both the winter and summer Beast of Burden 100s and
if the lottery gods were kind run the Western States 100 in between.
Well I got into Western so that should have been that until I woke up
the next day with a bad case of the crazies.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
I had always planned to attempt at some
point to run the Grand Slam of Ultrarunning. A huge and difficult
goal for anyone little lone a back of the pack 100 guy like me. When
I got into Western after 5 years of trying I realized that this most
likely will be the only chance I get to attempt this. If I manage to
get into WS again down the road I will be older (read slower) so it's
kind of like now or never. I am not sure what will happen but I know
it will be a crazy adventure and hell what else can you ask for out
of life.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
For those that don't know the Grand
Slam consists of 4 different 100 mile races run over the course of a
single summer. Each one is very tough on its own with every race
having its own unique challenges so here they are.<br />
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.wser.org/" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">Western States June 27 - 28th</span></a></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCJdKXm4XuEBBVSUbzmPFdifxSTeMwfYFPT2EbEdrPPLT3NltVdr1UWApSsiSlo-7sWBUi4UGyCj7ZR8pp-Uz_dqgFpYwmq-a4JT0jJ0lkirWPyMX3ofimuWDXS0q_IZ84Z3UjKrpKOUmR/s1600/wslogo1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCJdKXm4XuEBBVSUbzmPFdifxSTeMwfYFPT2EbEdrPPLT3NltVdr1UWApSsiSlo-7sWBUi4UGyCj7ZR8pp-Uz_dqgFpYwmq-a4JT0jJ0lkirWPyMX3ofimuWDXS0q_IZ84Z3UjKrpKOUmR/s1600/wslogo1.png" height="286" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLFU_2GQGGXm619kutVA58F-bLQKjy-wk6ZWdTBdT-qxS0iRpYBbGwGD6r6k34f0Yfp6FmSQgX_q6BBpn-pK-CRaSWGYHAPqPpH_MgxKQEPW8122-cf8DSQQNVg5y6wnpDh9nQDD6NcXZ1/s1600/wselevation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLFU_2GQGGXm619kutVA58F-bLQKjy-wk6ZWdTBdT-qxS0iRpYBbGwGD6r6k34f0Yfp6FmSQgX_q6BBpn-pK-CRaSWGYHAPqPpH_MgxKQEPW8122-cf8DSQQNVg5y6wnpDh9nQDD6NcXZ1/s1600/wselevation.jpg" height="123" width="320" /></a></div>
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Western States Elevation Chart</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb9rg_VYt7SYv3hWv-22iWHxC5DdYMy_KNK89dqUl3Fqcp2ytNGrF2-Aj4m4uoZxkcIPi4nLdY-kjvJHQmkQN9Xu16F99wMC-W6_ItQeoSPmif3jBs-d2-_oTfZjdKBOXSXUGJeG_W30xQ/s1600/2013-Western-States-100-lower-Escarpment.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb9rg_VYt7SYv3hWv-22iWHxC5DdYMy_KNK89dqUl3Fqcp2ytNGrF2-Aj4m4uoZxkcIPi4nLdY-kjvJHQmkQN9Xu16F99wMC-W6_ItQeoSPmif3jBs-d2-_oTfZjdKBOXSXUGJeG_W30xQ/s1600/2013-Western-States-100-lower-Escarpment.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Western States, busted quads here I come</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://vermont100endurancerun.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">Vermont 100 July 18th - 19th</span></a></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8exLH-t4pW5ejoo05mKfHks-iSG9v574vFIB6wGAZV2uS2kkQuZSXYFoiL5mSEhmIXPu2ZCYnEQtcVNhebHoiQEZ4KTVuoKFcvTK9GOCIhSGKOMnNs8ueG4KMPHV0pNOQTLk_XeIm7dc7/s1600/VT+100+color_logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8exLH-t4pW5ejoo05mKfHks-iSG9v574vFIB6wGAZV2uS2kkQuZSXYFoiL5mSEhmIXPu2ZCYnEQtcVNhebHoiQEZ4KTVuoKFcvTK9GOCIhSGKOMnNs8ueG4KMPHV0pNOQTLk_XeIm7dc7/s1600/VT+100+color_logo.jpg" height="248" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-6KRbKWRfoYfKVpEVZVnHw-Us9dGVa1pv19fkMQWQXe7DAXu4jHdBipXL0ER48rHOi_KUcjhz4MoxPJhzhqSuYip3rr2RIZrKqAyl8_kag8uVPhu_jQk6OGMtGk5io7d8tNRD9e9hTb6I/s1600/vt100-elevation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-6KRbKWRfoYfKVpEVZVnHw-Us9dGVa1pv19fkMQWQXe7DAXu4jHdBipXL0ER48rHOi_KUcjhz4MoxPJhzhqSuYip3rr2RIZrKqAyl8_kag8uVPhu_jQk6OGMtGk5io7d8tNRD9e9hTb6I/s1600/vt100-elevation.jpg" height="112" width="320" /></a></div>
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Vermont 100 elevation chart</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtOCQLAaj0vJqoUbHyICo4BbMjJrKbDjWPTLR3EojyV7qRQGvSxinhZz5VmkQgiIAYj3e_TfUMN0DElo_0ueOv0dNWizejXRTrRj0dos0eSkCpgqhyphenhypheng5gzanQTAPNpxg_WI1dAjj1nVZhC/s1600/vt100-landscape.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtOCQLAaj0vJqoUbHyICo4BbMjJrKbDjWPTLR3EojyV7qRQGvSxinhZz5VmkQgiIAYj3e_TfUMN0DElo_0ueOv0dNWizejXRTrRj0dos0eSkCpgqhyphenhypheng5gzanQTAPNpxg_WI1dAjj1nVZhC/s1600/vt100-landscape.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Vermonts heat and humidity makes it tough</div>
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.leadvilleraceseries.com/run/leadvilletrail100run/" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">Leadville 100 August 22 - 23</span></a></h2>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwfTmvOC8JRelCE5eC7l4YRRqmMi20TODxyMhKGo5kawUi9aXRHxv_rEuXzfA6-xioCBv7AV4gK5klvDfW7wQxYtZ5hlimsxKMNjbnsp-BnNiOIY2TyhKSzZJkhhDr58TKsT7bucNaING-/s1600/leadville_logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwfTmvOC8JRelCE5eC7l4YRRqmMi20TODxyMhKGo5kawUi9aXRHxv_rEuXzfA6-xioCBv7AV4gK5klvDfW7wQxYtZ5hlimsxKMNjbnsp-BnNiOIY2TyhKSzZJkhhDr58TKsT7bucNaING-/s1600/leadville_logo.jpg" height="227" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRMF58_hAWJ9fDMqwayGlRGrYmWrRZJ_7EIQ9C2_1IbY9dEUR9Ae_iEMI2kPbclfTtT7fYMDCtCXJhHFDrZ0o9SooXdOk_8UrhakulOptjWYM0YjW6UbGNx2QX0MPfgiwZEBxd9UJnlT_2/s1600/m_leadvilleelevat.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRMF58_hAWJ9fDMqwayGlRGrYmWrRZJ_7EIQ9C2_1IbY9dEUR9Ae_iEMI2kPbclfTtT7fYMDCtCXJhHFDrZ0o9SooXdOk_8UrhakulOptjWYM0YjW6UbGNx2QX0MPfgiwZEBxd9UJnlT_2/s1600/m_leadvilleelevat.gif" height="208" width="320" /></a></div>
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Leadville elevation chart</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfcbAFj1zTBEXsl5OB-RApQ5LQF7_dITfCgngE0_ESgCelqfD0PL_cp8oqvt9P_nYMSRToTWaLCaLX-vmIhe4Li0DFwhG5J-_fAUQm5r1Gkl-Z8Nsn8pLBQGUKxUh6g79O7poArXr85ZVI/s1600/leadville100_0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfcbAFj1zTBEXsl5OB-RApQ5LQF7_dITfCgngE0_ESgCelqfD0PL_cp8oqvt9P_nYMSRToTWaLCaLX-vmIhe4Li0DFwhG5J-_fAUQm5r1Gkl-Z8Nsn8pLBQGUKxUh6g79O7poArXr85ZVI/s1600/leadville100_0.jpg" height="198" width="320" /></a></div>
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Leadville, its all about the altitude </div>
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<br /></div>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.wasatch100.com/" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">Wasatch Front 100</span></a></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2hASXhJLyh2WDqXQKa97GXmkXbyXxqkQcHzSfBAQqtAbCuuoTHkC_62glKqkp7oMrVVW6ywG8QlM5Lv2Uf1kuB0eih0WvWjJexEhLEP_wA1I_Kpdjhg-sDM7sbVeDbvrFBooQFr4GwjG4/s1600/wasatch100logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2hASXhJLyh2WDqXQKa97GXmkXbyXxqkQcHzSfBAQqtAbCuuoTHkC_62glKqkp7oMrVVW6ywG8QlM5Lv2Uf1kuB0eih0WvWjJexEhLEP_wA1I_Kpdjhg-sDM7sbVeDbvrFBooQFr4GwjG4/s1600/wasatch100logo.jpg" height="84" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLctcXCU0Ry3T0xIvDXLkrOXQPMuntMCatnxOI6RiRp80b9wgbqUbyb1jm1_6A7VrrHchjEg4dYAcpLAUY7SxhCOnFCQL3FMBm1XFmkiO3E97PNc-QVCp-BOB2lylQv2xfYTnzR4A6ZunK/s1600/Wasatch-100-Elevation-Profile-v2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLctcXCU0Ry3T0xIvDXLkrOXQPMuntMCatnxOI6RiRp80b9wgbqUbyb1jm1_6A7VrrHchjEg4dYAcpLAUY7SxhCOnFCQL3FMBm1XFmkiO3E97PNc-QVCp-BOB2lylQv2xfYTnzR4A6ZunK/s1600/Wasatch-100-Elevation-Profile-v2.jpg" height="117" width="320" /></a></div>
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Wasatch Front elevation chart</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgP6qIroQS6fG1Dq2LdkYrjXV86HTEyLm_PaVtvf61nNLH9RF7u-DuAf-LWByXTLigGuC6tIN-nVgKlBvYUMnczNRaR7Gh1KoxGgSlCgPiMbpgZDqzU2_HHjbMady5mdUN3_aAF4sFNtql/s1600/wf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgP6qIroQS6fG1Dq2LdkYrjXV86HTEyLm_PaVtvf61nNLH9RF7u-DuAf-LWByXTLigGuC6tIN-nVgKlBvYUMnczNRaR7Gh1KoxGgSlCgPiMbpgZDqzU2_HHjbMady5mdUN3_aAF4sFNtql/s1600/wf.jpg" height="204" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: normal;">25,763 feet of climbing, yikes! </span></div>
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I am also running <a href="http://beastofburden100.com/home_winter.html" target="_blank">Beast of Burden</a> 100
winter addition on January 24<sup>th</sup>. I hope to run the full
100 however with the Slam now my main goal any potential serious
problems will cause me to not take any chances. I really need to make
sure I enter my WS training healthy.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Also expect to run a pile of trail
races and maybe a couple of marathons as training runs starting in
April. I know I expect to be running <a href="http://www.bayrace.com/" target="_blank">Around the Bay </a>30k, <a href="http://www.hikerun.com/" target="_blank">Hynerview Challenge</a> 50k and <a href="http://www.pickyourpoison.ca/" target="_blank">PYP </a>(50k or 25k). In early May it will be back
to <a href="http://www.thenorthface.com/en_US/endurance-challenge/bear-mountain-ny/?stop_mobi=yes" target="_blank">Bear Mountain</a> to pace my friend Chris H to his first 50 Mile
finish then <a href="http://www.seatontrailrace.com/" target="_blank">Seaton</a> (25k or 50k) and Sulphur Springs 50k. Good
possibility that I may throw in <a href="http://www.buffalomarathon.com/" target="_blank">Buffalo</a> and <a href="http://www.waterloomarathon.com/" target="_blank">Waterloo</a> Marathons to
give me some big back to back long run days.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Kim will joining me in Colorado for a
week leading up to Leadville so she will be running the <a href="http://www.pikespeakmarathon.org/" target="_blank">Pikes Peak Ascent</a> and then it looks like she will do <a href="http://www.oilcreek100.org/" target="_blank">Oil Creek</a> (if she can get
in). I may join her to pace during those races.</div>
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<br /></div>
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HOLY CRAP thats kind of busy but you
know what they say keep moving or die. Want to crew or pace and watch
me suffer live and in person? Let me know!</div>
chris mcpeakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15488479732649522465noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-831613295895512847.post-44027846003307234342014-12-17T14:43:00.000-08:002014-12-17T14:43:05.444-08:00Beast of Burden 100 (summer) Race Report
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirYlNsZd3haUZ1VNwR7hk5ztMkbG8lxmYryiKQB1HFrCV3bmV_mf_fxlcxesfr7mRJ5DjatCRXPsFEOYf-Hio02aFA6jCUqbQDJhvbnqt9RWyHzQs8gPSgpbdldvQMdbyCX3VXJZjIW-Zv/s1600/bobpath.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirYlNsZd3haUZ1VNwR7hk5ztMkbG8lxmYryiKQB1HFrCV3bmV_mf_fxlcxesfr7mRJ5DjatCRXPsFEOYf-Hio02aFA6jCUqbQDJhvbnqt9RWyHzQs8gPSgpbdldvQMdbyCX3VXJZjIW-Zv/s1600/bobpath.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>Beast of Burden 100 Race Report</b></div>
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The first question to be answered is
how did I end up in this race? I had originally intended on running
48hrs at Dirty Girls which is held the same weekend. Unfortunately
crushing my ankle at Limberlost derailed those plans. I could not run
for the next 2 weeks and after that I could only run flat. DG is very
hilly and I knew that there is no way the ankle would last for 2 days
of running on a tough technical course.</div>
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<br />
</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxmfUb-2KToZgg1xKHBYVADeP_DEGk7DKgLZ0Id-_1GtmVlxIpg33AuDfBDMvtlltfjewgphp11huw4Jl8UwYBG7KsTDOlEasSctzYrAZUory6hqawOf9D30MnVDuZphnLL3GLT2pmHaeC/s1600/photo(7).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxmfUb-2KToZgg1xKHBYVADeP_DEGk7DKgLZ0Id-_1GtmVlxIpg33AuDfBDMvtlltfjewgphp11huw4Jl8UwYBG7KsTDOlEasSctzYrAZUory6hqawOf9D30MnVDuZphnLL3GLT2pmHaeC/s1600/photo(7).JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a>Problem is after getting my Western
States qualifier at Mohican my main season objective was done so I
came up with a new goal. I would attempt to run four 100 mile races
in 4 months, kind of my own secret slam. I really wanted to see how
my body would react as I was considering racing the mid Atlantic slam
next year if I didn't get into WS.</div>
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<br />
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A quick look at other 100 mile races in
the area led me to Beast of Burden. The good, course is flat, on a
towpath so not technical and less than 2 hours away. The bad, course
is flat, not technical and totally exposed to the sun. Given my
training had been aiming at hilly, technical runs I knew this would
be a challenge. I figured I would either put up a really good time
or I would struggle to finish, there would most likely be no
in-between on this one.</div>
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<b>Pre race</b></div>
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Kim and I drove down the morning of the
race and arrived in plenty of time. This race starts at a weird time
for 100 milers, 10AM. Good as we could drive there the same day, bad
because if I ended up being slow I would be running in the midday
heat twice. So far the summer had been unusually cool but forecast
was calling for very hot temperatures all weekend.</div>
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<br />
</div>
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I picked up my race kit which had a
huge amount of swag in it and headed for the start line where I
chatted briefly with fellow Ontario runner Brian Groot and then we
were off.</div>
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<b>Race</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr9KhQPrUz8ngyflBagM0GMwgMaJLaimjRiyx832cZQ3STci8n48IbQFR2TOWxbMasDB2ofnERO3Yp3fMlOMlyR0Xct4M0DjLVXwTKIW41WmlWOR5mbzQMWU4pcb_2H_alhJl7fu8cTF1A/s1600/photo(13).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr9KhQPrUz8ngyflBagM0GMwgMaJLaimjRiyx832cZQ3STci8n48IbQFR2TOWxbMasDB2ofnERO3Yp3fMlOMlyR0Xct4M0DjLVXwTKIW41WmlWOR5mbzQMWU4pcb_2H_alhJl7fu8cTF1A/s1600/photo(13).JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a>It didn't take long to discover what I
was in for as it was already hot right out of the gate. The course is
a simple 12.5 miles out, 12.5 miles back along the Erie Canal. Just
complete it 4 times and you're done, that’s all there is to it,
easy right? Yeah not so much.
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The race was as advertised completely
flat (I got 36 meters of elevation change over 100 miles) and there
was not a root or rock in sight to trip you up. The running surface
is a bit of pavement and a lot of finely crushed gravel on the
towpath. Actually a very comfortable running surface which should
lead to putting up a great time. Yeah not so much.</div>
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From the start line you run about a
mile, cross a bridge to the other side and run back in the opposite
direction so that you pass the start line but on the other side of
the canal at about 2 miles. From there you keep going along the canal
in the same direction to the next aid station at 6.5 miles.</div>
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<br />
</div>
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I run along with a guy from Florida for
the next 6 miles or so and things seem to be going okay. My plan is
to run faster than I would on trail and see what kind of time I can
put up. It’s either crush it or be crushed and just end up
finishing. There will be no in between in this race. I figure since
there are no hills to walk I will run 25 min, walk 5. I mull this
plan over for a week before the race and promise myself to stay with
the plan. A mere hour into the race I end up off the plan. I feel
great and am enjoying the company so I start skipping the walk
breaks. It’s hot but not crazy hot so I kind of just go with it.
</div>
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I end up losing Florida guy at the 6.5
mile aid station and back out on the course I run into another couple
of Ontario guys at about 10 miles and run with them for a bit before
letting them go. Its gone from hot to stupid stinking hot and its
only noon. It is clear that this is going to get tough. The course is
completely exposed to the sun and that is sure to spell trouble for
me. By the time I hit the turn around aid station at 12.5 miles I am
still hopeful of a good time but mildly concerned.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq4aVHjoXmqyxzOVYFgVil-ycvM2te6jwGU8oGFz_F7xc7xcgzy99O8lLoe1A3HNoaEUmChWXdlQ0Cy1y-vFjK8bLqGFzLQpeu3tVis-w8oO8XxH6dMBIcg0ilLje4nGFlyn9xqb9ypEIf/s1600/photo(4).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq4aVHjoXmqyxzOVYFgVil-ycvM2te6jwGU8oGFz_F7xc7xcgzy99O8lLoe1A3HNoaEUmChWXdlQ0Cy1y-vFjK8bLqGFzLQpeu3tVis-w8oO8XxH6dMBIcg0ilLje4nGFlyn9xqb9ypEIf/s1600/photo(4).JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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Kim is there and helps me get in and
out fast. I pack some ice in my hat and bandana around my neck in an
effort to stay cool and then head back out. It hits me right away, a
wall of heat as soon as I turn back onto the canal to head the 11.5
miles back to the bridge crossing. There had been a nice breeze
earlier but now that is gone and it is hot. I see a lot of people
passing me outbound and many of them don't look happy.</div>
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This race is hard. I am roasting like a
chicken on the spit at a Kenny Rogers restaurant. I stay on my
drinking, take my salt and try to take my gels. The sun has converted
the contents of my gel flask into a hot chocolate fudge sauce. It is
disgusting but I manage to keep it down. It is so damn hot and at 20
miles I feel the wheels starting to come off already. What the hell!</div>
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I begin to see why this race can be so
tough particularly for someone who does not run well in the heat. You
often see a good mile ahead along the towpath where small ant size
runners are making their way along the course well ahead of you until
the path disappears around the next bend in the canal. Everything
looks the same under a blazing sun, you can see the heat shimmering
off the path ahead and the worse thing of all is you can see there is
no shade. No shade just ahead, no shade for the next mile, no shade
coming at all.
</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgFClcxpu2aDKEWgEAI32cPkL5cwlKxgPexTIsoSzbLHi4R7rZ-JwQ-8hyhkfxdpIEoVW5d6gPVwvFVGLO0G9xrj8ihhDM8YGPYZunZOT5Zv7Ese1fwoVaWnoR0tcmXK1lTHT_t-nTvRg5/s1600/photo(5).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgFClcxpu2aDKEWgEAI32cPkL5cwlKxgPexTIsoSzbLHi4R7rZ-JwQ-8hyhkfxdpIEoVW5d6gPVwvFVGLO0G9xrj8ihhDM8YGPYZunZOT5Zv7Ese1fwoVaWnoR0tcmXK1lTHT_t-nTvRg5/s1600/photo(5).JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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At 23 miles I pass the start/finish
point which is still across the canal and 2 miles away. These next 2
miles seem to take forever. Finally I am in at 25 miles but things
are a mess. My nutrition has been okay but I feel completely
destroyed. The heat has already sucked most of the life out of me. I
sit in a chair in complete disbelief as Kim gets me some food from
the aid station. As far as I can remember I have never been this
messed up this early in a race. Maybe at Creemore a few years back
when it was crazy hot but that was a 50k, I didn't have 75 miles
still to go.</div>
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<br />
</div>
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I sit for a few minutes and rehydrate a
bit. Kim brings me a snow cone from the aid station. Yes a snow cone
and it is the best damn snow cone that has ever been made. I tell her
I am no longer racing for time. I just got to make and effort and try
to finish. I get ready to head out but first I pop into the aid
station for another snow cone. I have to check and yes still the best
snow cones ever made.</div>
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<br />
</div>
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I am back on the course and moving,
slowly but moving. I begin to feel a little better but not much. I
run with an number of different people including a girl for Texas who
was attempting the winter/summer Beast. She had done the winter
version earlier in the year where there was no problem with it being
too hot. I also ran a good deal of the leg alone which may have been
good as I remember being tired and grumpy but slowly starting to come
around.
</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Pw4eSH-bFJDabJhNHwimBtP6NX98sDOakl5FFIHHUblW7UrGBeHzOZ0cqBcWMmr1_o-J_1YR6FuOwBGbtzpIOcqi3N3qNlmFXm25-cMHAu7rqyY_1PHbRFkRenmIwKU5NS_e6rDl-C1b/s1600/photo(12).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Pw4eSH-bFJDabJhNHwimBtP6NX98sDOakl5FFIHHUblW7UrGBeHzOZ0cqBcWMmr1_o-J_1YR6FuOwBGbtzpIOcqi3N3qNlmFXm25-cMHAu7rqyY_1PHbRFkRenmIwKU5NS_e6rDl-C1b/s1600/photo(12).JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a>I meet Kim and the 37.5 mile turn
around. She gives me freezies and beer a near perfect combination for
revival. I am starting to bounce back. She tells me that in the 15
minutes she has been at the aid station 7 people have come in and
dropped. That is a huge number of drops for so early in the race. I
tell her I am not surprised. The reality is there was only one reason
that I had not dropped at 25 miles and that was previous 100 mile
experience. If it had not been for all the previous races I had done,
some ending in DNFs and some ending in finishes I would have called
it quits. The one thing I have learned is that if you can hang in
sometimes (but only sometimes) you can come back from the edge.</div>
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<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Soon I am back on the course again
heading inbound. I go super slow to save my energy in the heat as
soon it will be night and much cooler. By the time I get back to the
50 mile mark the sun is beginning to go down. I get a good bit of
food into me and then proceed to throw it all back up as quickly as
possible.</div>
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<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Back out the course I hook up with
another guy and run a bit with him. The sun is almost down and swarms
of black flies are out. I end up taking an unusually large mouthful
of flies and one sticks in my throat. After a coughing fit I proceed
to impress my new running buddy by puking out the flies, some gels
and water all without having to stop or breaking stride. He says
“Wow, that’s impressive.” I tell him not so much I just have a
lot of practice at it.</div>
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<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The night arrives as does the cooler
temperatures. I had hoped to pick up the pace but I am having a
problem with my hamstring. I have lots of time and know time will not
factor into my finish so I opt to run less and walk more. I get to
the 62.5 miles turn around in decent time. Its actually cool enough
to put on a long sleeve. I head back out quickly and early on I get
passed by Brian. He is 25 miles ahead of me and as far as I can tell
is in second place which is where he ends up finishing.</div>
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<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Its dark and I run the whole way back
alone. For the most part I see nobody. Usually I occupy my mind
during night running by watching out for tripping hazards, hills,
wild animals and trying to not get lost but there are none of these
issues on the course. Outside of one aid station stop all I see is
gravel path in the beam of my headlamp for hours. A new problem rears
it ugly head during this time as I begin to fall asleep on my feet. I
have heard of this happening to others but have never experienced it
myself. It is bizarre, I keep almost nodding off and am not able to
run or walk in a straight line. I end up spending the next hour
wobbling along the trail like a drunken partier just out of the bar
after last call on Queen St. West. Finally I can see the start/finish
turn around on the other side of the canal. The 2 miles to get there
takes forever and I roll in just before dawn.</div>
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<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Kim goes to grab me food at the aid
station and comes back with bacon. I have come to the conclusion that
bacon is the greatest ultra food ever invented and send her back for
more. I swear it must have some kind of magical powers. You can eat
it no matter how messed up you are. I am told it comes from pigs but
I doubt it. At least I doubt it about this bacon, this bacon clearly
comes from Unicorns or maybe a Griffin.</div>
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<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4OwF-52UmuKvw4AAmQ0LDnMGZWfkMrp08y7Os6_NCpbDU7RK-882D6RgS4t3P0B_BvHXD4I_D5yYb2TB-g3bono9vGWfW7rPe33GWvFIykUhq1XvWFcuKQTBUa9syOfV2YWpSAUeZrSkM/s1600/photo(9).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4OwF-52UmuKvw4AAmQ0LDnMGZWfkMrp08y7Os6_NCpbDU7RK-882D6RgS4t3P0B_BvHXD4I_D5yYb2TB-g3bono9vGWfW7rPe33GWvFIykUhq1XvWFcuKQTBUa9syOfV2YWpSAUeZrSkM/s1600/photo(9).JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a>I head back out for the last 25 miles
just as the sun comes up. I feel okay but the hamstring is not very
cooperative. Kim meets me at mile 2 with a Tim Hortons coffee and a
gallon of sugar which really hits the spot. I am mostly walking or
running very slow due to the leg.</div>
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<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
I have no worries about finishing now
but its going to take awhile and I can tell from the mist coming off
the water that it is going to be hot again soon. By the time I hit
the middle aid station it is scorching hot. I ask them if they know
the temperature. The guy checks his phone and tells me 84 degrees,
its only 9 AM! Oh crap.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
I stagger along to the turn around for
the last time occasionally seeing a few runners well ahead of me. I
make it to turn around and Kim fixes me up and sends me back from the
direction I have come. Much of the final 12.5 miles is a blur, mostly
burnt out of mind by the pounding sunshine. I remember seeing Texas
girl at the half way aid station. She wants me to run with her but my
leg will not allow it, I am into zombie mode now.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc2ORPJcqQDI4vogiJmOz0lOorovfoVeO6tHgucsxLBJdT_4QoLtUcUyhKqZGtR3ZRYnvvfg8ubHUktGJDUW3M9yqdPsLoFJspSEWeicSkrIgbun2W1WKQUyeRSyjykXZdiudB3NKLKxJi/s1600/photo(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc2ORPJcqQDI4vogiJmOz0lOorovfoVeO6tHgucsxLBJdT_4QoLtUcUyhKqZGtR3ZRYnvvfg8ubHUktGJDUW3M9yqdPsLoFJspSEWeicSkrIgbun2W1WKQUyeRSyjykXZdiudB3NKLKxJi/s1600/photo(1).JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a><br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Foot traffic has picked up along the
towpath some kids run by me and just before they get to me one yells
snake and jumps in the air. I look over as I pass and sure enough
there is a big ass snake lying in the middle of the path. Probably
would have stepped right on it if the kids weren't coming in the
other direction. No idea what kind of snake it was, maybe poisonous
maybe not, don't think I cared much at that point. Pretty sure it
wasn't a cobra or a black mamba but it was freaking big.</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Just past the snake I see one of the
bridges that cross the canal. I know its just a mile to the 10.5 mile
mark from here. I am so happy I try to run some. It hurts but I don't
care soon I will be done. I run for a good mile only to discover that
the bridge I saw was not the one I though it was. Did I mention
things looked the same on this course? When I see the actual real
bridge I can't believe it and immediately fall back into the death
shuffle.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Finally I round a corner and see the
start finish line across the canal. I am literally 300 meters away
but still have to run 2 more miles. So cruel, so very, very cruel.
Kim meets me here to “run” me in. It is a million degrees out now
and every step elicits a grunt, groan or some other sound effect from
me.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHdZjhmZ-DWkRWVkAqQkVVJq8uepRxxFgJOpKb0BV3n_tcOCgSjn_jsNSw2rnZxQctBNDU71v6YP5PoUbEqthhE2eFZAfEYoPUYoQNuI4WRL40OUOmIDduLT_Zwr1KhM1rmNkCrjHX-l1K/s1600/photo(10).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHdZjhmZ-DWkRWVkAqQkVVJq8uepRxxFgJOpKb0BV3n_tcOCgSjn_jsNSw2rnZxQctBNDU71v6YP5PoUbEqthhE2eFZAfEYoPUYoQNuI4WRL40OUOmIDduLT_Zwr1KhM1rmNkCrjHX-l1K/s1600/photo(10).JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioMyvxpP_JoMvM_Fxj6Q_CEsJMhH-k8-_89uRVnaK65Q8xG2jKVT9_Ysk5ZnAYgyvpduuOpcQg6wZWoNrFhqaMFfR4hdCWEoiffJP2y94vMVLmicjSu816K7ldVqwNpA_HB8o43XrpxRxM/s1600/photo(11).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioMyvxpP_JoMvM_Fxj6Q_CEsJMhH-k8-_89uRVnaK65Q8xG2jKVT9_Ysk5ZnAYgyvpduuOpcQg6wZWoNrFhqaMFfR4hdCWEoiffJP2y94vMVLmicjSu816K7ldVqwNpA_HB8o43XrpxRxM/s1600/photo(11).JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Some other struggling runner catches up
with me and Kim in the last half km. He chats with us a bit and the
tags along. I think he didn't want to pass me in the last few 100
meters of the race so I tell him he should go ahead if he can which
he does. Somehow this says a lot about what ultra running is about.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNV-CwdoC9e3RBDIV2CAd9suF_MWs6FNoTl5-XebZzxIitlcelM6C74q2I7gpeWaFE7pTygzkz5l8R9zfFJJX6LyTnyOdWZLGTZKY7airGLWvDSiibmOFc5zf5iE34NPFx1McIXlQS8xvc/s1600/photo(14).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNV-CwdoC9e3RBDIV2CAd9suF_MWs6FNoTl5-XebZzxIitlcelM6C74q2I7gpeWaFE7pTygzkz5l8R9zfFJJX6LyTnyOdWZLGTZKY7airGLWvDSiibmOFc5zf5iE34NPFx1McIXlQS8xvc/s1600/photo(14).JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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Finally I see the finish line and
slowly make my way across it. I am slow with a finish time of
28:16:01 but I manage to get it done on what turns out to be the 2
hottest days of the summer. I pick up my belt buckle and sit in front
the cooling station which is a giant fan that blows water mist at
you. Greatest invention ever. I little bit of cooling and then its
time for a beer sitting in the shade.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjik4JHHrmguFaJvwsDIpG5JhnagTOubAI72n0kTyj-0a0-PlRQMI5N33comqtb1o-_wLJnUUUOtfc_pYfHbStlyzMkkxNmF4wcTrtAnO2Xywtdffj51vm_z171eM33BE_g71BMvFhI0OZ-/s1600/photo(6).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjik4JHHrmguFaJvwsDIpG5JhnagTOubAI72n0kTyj-0a0-PlRQMI5N33comqtb1o-_wLJnUUUOtfc_pYfHbStlyzMkkxNmF4wcTrtAnO2Xywtdffj51vm_z171eM33BE_g71BMvFhI0OZ-/s1600/photo(6).JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<b>Post race</b></div>
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<br />
</div>
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A couple of final thoughts about this
race. I had a lot of fun here, race is very well organized,
unbelievably good volunteers and aid stations. Also crazy race swag
including 2 shirts, beer mug, almond butter, bandana, sombrero. Even
though the terrain is not my cup of tea somehow I ended up signing up
for the winter version in January.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBwCwep7DdBCYsA6aqom0IDmC9D2Jfwf5jlJXHLSBemiQN0KwHgWohHRTyVPeMXJsDeBXV4keP5UVUKXqDFBD2gQuOhkUqhtH4p8DmoJ5uO7Zp3yud_fgEoaD0P5QBvchxk8J_p5g8na_c/s1600/bob_bb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBwCwep7DdBCYsA6aqom0IDmC9D2Jfwf5jlJXHLSBemiQN0KwHgWohHRTyVPeMXJsDeBXV4keP5UVUKXqDFBD2gQuOhkUqhtH4p8DmoJ5uO7Zp3yud_fgEoaD0P5QBvchxk8J_p5g8na_c/s1600/bob_bb.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFykYk-egMFGhV-lBYiy1TOy-uwkrQqotVrEVPESPwksFOJPTBiasBm-Ow0NM9xVH5gG3NyTc3o_fjR_09O_FFyqCBHQP6TkrYu4CpbcJ0JPbINtzvsQh_kyPPyE-IfIgzat_N2vqtdWy-/s1600/bobfinish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFykYk-egMFGhV-lBYiy1TOy-uwkrQqotVrEVPESPwksFOJPTBiasBm-Ow0NM9xVH5gG3NyTc3o_fjR_09O_FFyqCBHQP6TkrYu4CpbcJ0JPbINtzvsQh_kyPPyE-IfIgzat_N2vqtdWy-/s1600/bobfinish.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
PS. thanks to Kim for driving me, snow
coning me, beering me, getting me bacon, coffee and helping me to
keep going. Sorry for almost throwing up on your shoes. No way I
finish without that help.
</div>
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</div>
chris mcpeakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15488479732649522465noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-831613295895512847.post-54047656969799535012014-12-11T04:36:00.003-08:002014-12-11T04:36:58.724-08:00Western States Entry, Time for a Slam, Pacing at the Tannenbaum 10k
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj19j16ohjUTdvmVYQhi-fiUjn_51skW_Otc9YKG9VHG3GvvfOqPr2Ux-zwzL0ubxjY-hBua-gQA4uVnb3GrYCv-5clzbdrXyL9OEheudeb6ksXDZAdN75IttlZrigAHinOZiz6v2p9-jbW/s1600/ws2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj19j16ohjUTdvmVYQhi-fiUjn_51skW_Otc9YKG9VHG3GvvfOqPr2Ux-zwzL0ubxjY-hBua-gQA4uVnb3GrYCv-5clzbdrXyL9OEheudeb6ksXDZAdN75IttlZrigAHinOZiz6v2p9-jbW/s1600/ws2.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>Western and the Grand Slam</b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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</div>
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So for the fifth year in a row I rushed
home from my Saturday morning run, booted up my computer and watched
the Western States 100 lottery live online. Early on I was hopeful
given all the tickets that I had in that big spinning drum but as the
270 spots for runners began to fill up things began to look grim
again this year. By the time they had gotten to 200 runners picked a number
of Ontario runners were already selected including Iris Cooper and
Ken Niemimaa.</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiobegQdPApQSgh3BJyzvmxIgS0rEV1IgePBG0Uo5nQj22ROAkhZpy_U9n5DJvbtaPmkVFbkWA9NiOLwT4SIejZbO4thPGh2aRXrCurTj8wgH3r8wzTWF3fOYTOvR4mELZDG5jou5WDu5Ka/s1600/TwietMC-900x600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiobegQdPApQSgh3BJyzvmxIgS0rEV1IgePBG0Uo5nQj22ROAkhZpy_U9n5DJvbtaPmkVFbkWA9NiOLwT4SIejZbO4thPGh2aRXrCurTj8wgH3r8wzTWF3fOYTOvR4mELZDG5jou5WDu5Ka/s1600/TwietMC-900x600.jpg" height="209" width="320" /></a></div>
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I had already begun to ponder what race
I would run in 2015 to get my next WS 100 qualifier when I could have
sworn I heard my name called. I actually thought I might have been
hallucinating so I waited to see it posted in the list and sure
enough there I was #219. I would like to say I was happy and I was
very, very happy but also I think I must have been in shock because
it took me a good hour to realize that I was actual going to be
running this thing. </div>
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I spent the next few days thinking
about what I was going to do. You see I had told myself that the only
way I would go back to try and run Leadville again is if I got into
Western and then I would attempt the <a href="http://www.run100s.com/gs.htm" target="_blank">Grand Slam of Ultrarunning</a>. You see since I
figured I was never, ever getting into WS I was in no danger of going
back to Leadville and being stomped on by that altitude anytime soon.</div>
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Finally I figured heck I may never get
another chance to do this with it being so hard to get into WS that I
might as well go for it. Am I biting off more than I can chew,
probably but it would not be the first time and hey sometimes it all
works out. I have never regretted trying so no matter what happens I
will not end up sitting around crying about what if I had taken a
chance and just gone for it. I mean really failing and not trying
both have you ending up with the same result.</div>
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<br /></div>
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</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
So the big races for the season are
set, <a href="http://www.wser.org/" target="_blank">Western States 100</a> on June 27-28, <a href="http://vermont100endurancerun.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">Vermont 100</a> on July 18-19,
<a href="http://www.leadvilleraceseries.com/run/leadvilletrail100run/" target="_blank">Leadville 100</a> on August 22-23 and <a href="http://www.wasatch100.com/" target="_blank">Wasatch Front</a> on September
11-12. Throw in a bunch of trail races in the spring to get
ready such as PYP, Seaton, Sulphur, Hynerview and NFC Bear Mountain
and we should be good to go.</div>
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</div>
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<b>Elf Sighting</b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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On Sunday fresh off of my Western
States delirium I headed down to the beaches to pace the <a href="http://www.tannenbaum10k.com/" target="_blank">Tannenbaum 10k</a>. I had a number of runners that I coach running it so I wanted to
be there but with my ankle still a bit tender from a trail “mishap”
I was not going to be able to race it. Instead I volunteered to be
the 70 minute pacing elf. </div>
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<br /></div>
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</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
I knew this would be a bit of a
challenge as going that slow would force me out of my natural gait
making it hard to keep a consistent pace. I figured a good start was
to run with slightly tired legs so I ran a double on Saturday and
then ran the 19km to the race start Sunday morning.</div>
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<br /></div>
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</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
I have to say I had a lot of fun. The
weather was really good for a December race and the course was ice
free. I started with a fairly big group of runners and just tried to
stay as close to 7 minute kms as I could. We ended up hitting the 5km
mark just slightly ahead of schedule, 15 seconds fast overall, not
perfect but acceptable. The section between 4-6km the group somewhat
split up with a bunch of runners actually taking off ahead. From
6-9km I managed to keep a very consistent pace and chatted with the
runners that were with me. It turns out that at least 4 of them were
running their first 10k race which was very cool and they were all
working really hard. When I hit 9km all my runners took off ahead of
me and I was running alone but still stuck to the pace just in case
anyone was trying to catch up from behind. At this point I was 20 seconds ahead
of schedule so still pretty good. With about 500 meters left I passed
a girl that was struggling. She asked me if I was on time, which I
was, as she really wanted to break 70 minutes so I paced her / talked
her into the finish with plenty of time to spare. Final time for the
70 minute pace Elf was 69:33.</div>
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</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Some of the runners that had gone ahead
came and found me after to thank me which was nice but really they
were the ones that did all the hard work. I think pacing at a race is
one of those things that ever runner should do at some point, not
only are you giving back but it can be a lot of fun as well.</div>
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</div>
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Race day was not quite over though as I
went with the rest of the <a href="http://www.candcrunningfactory.com/" target="_blank">C+C runners</a> up to Mackenzies for brunch. I
felt that it was part of my coaching duties to make sure my runners knew the proper way to consume beer with their breakfast.</div>
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</div>
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Next up: Flash back - Beast of Burden
100(Summer) race report</div>
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chris mcpeakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15488479732649522465noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-831613295895512847.post-66293321290664673272014-12-04T09:20:00.002-08:002014-12-04T10:36:45.547-08:00I'm Back .. Western States Lottery and becoming a pacing Elf<br />
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I'm back! At least that's the hope
anyway. Would like to make some kind of guarantee about that but I
seem to remember promising to start posting regularly again a few
times before only to follow that up with the greatest impression of
Houdini ever.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
I have not died, okay maybe just a
little bit inside. I have not been institutionalized in a State
Hospital which is actually pretty surprising to some people and I did
not decide to swear off technology and move to a remote cabin like
Ted Kaczynski.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
No I just got real busy and real lazy
all at the same time. Yes it is possible to be both at the very same
time. Looks like I am not going to fix the busy part so I will try to
at minimize the lazy part. So what has dragged me out of my summer
slumber? Well first came the realization that if I don't write this
stuff down I am bound to forget that it happened or at least exactly
how it happened. That's old age for you. Even the stuff I would much
rather forget should be written down somewhere. Then there is the
wife who likes to remind me that I once had a blog that some people
actually read once and a while and when am I getting back to that.
Lastly there was this encounter at Oil Creek as my wife ran me in to
the finish. HaHa ran, who am I kidding, try slowly walked me in at a zombie death shuffle pace.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Runner passing me “Hey I know you”
says the guy I don't think I have seen before.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Yeah, I used to read your blog” he
says.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Ouch!! I mean he meant it in a nice way
but all I heard was used to read your blog which kind of translates
into what ever happened to your blog. I just got lazy seems like a
wildly inappropriate answer to that. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Turns out I have lots to write about
that is going on right now and lots of stuff coming up. I also have a
pile of unfinished oh so last summer race reports. I will try to keep
up on the new stuff while revisiting this past summers racing with a
few untimely race reports. Nothing like reminiscing about a run in a
heat wave while the snow is falling outside.</div>
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<b>Western States Lottery</b></div>
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Here we go again,
names in for the <a href="http://www.wser.org/" target="_blank">WS 100 lottery</a>. Drawing is this Saturday and I will
be watching it online which is some kind of sick self torture. This
is the 5<sup>th</sup> year of attempting to get in and the chances
are 54% according to the website. All my previous failures give me 16
tickets and it looks like a good chance but I am not holding my
breath. The lottery gods hate me so I think it will be another 2 or 3
years before they honour me by agreeing to take my money.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>Tannenbaum 10k</b></div>
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Will be heading
down to the <a href="http://www.tannenbaum10k.com/" target="_blank">Tannenbaum 10k</a> on Sunday. I am not racing but will be a
pacing Elf for one of the pacing groups. That's Elf not Alf. It
should be a lot of fun and there are about 6 runners <a href="http://www.candcrunningfactory.com/" target="_blank">I am coaching</a> racing. Here's hoping for no snow between now and then. Check
back next week to find out how it went.</div>
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chris mcpeakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15488479732649522465noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-831613295895512847.post-18476806006527000042014-07-23T08:56:00.000-07:002014-07-23T08:56:29.786-07:00Mohican Trail Marathon report – Limberlost not really a race report
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<b>Mohican Trail Marathon</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
While I was running around in the woods
in Ohio for what is a ridiculous amount of time and distance by sane
peoples standards my wife was running with 5 other Ontario runners in
the Marathon. Apparently she is still smart enough to run reasonable
races no matter how hard I try to make her to get whacky.</div>
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<br />
</div>
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Read her Mohican Marathon race report
over on my coaching website.</div>
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You can check it out here. <a href="http://www.candcrunningfactory.com/whats-new-c-and-c-running-factory.html" target="_blank">C+C runners at the Mohican Marathon.</a></div>
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<br />
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<b>Limberlost- not really a race report</b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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Well things didn't exactly go as planned in the 56k race at Limberlost. I made it a whole 13k before severely turning my ankle. I decide I should not be stupid and stopped running on it right away. I want to say that is because of the lessons I learned from running on a sprained ankle at Haliburton 2 years ago but that is most likely not true. The decision to drop was easy with 43k still to go, not sure how easy it would have been if I had been deeper into the race.</div>
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<br /></div>
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This is the second time I have taken a DNF in a 50k race. The first time was at ..... you guessed it, Limberlost. Have no idea why that is but it sucks.</div>
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It was kind of weird at the race this year as many of the usual ultra people were up in Collingwood running the NorthFace Challenge. I had actually though about doing Limberlost on Saturday and then hitting the half marathon distance in Collingwood on Sunday. Glad I did't sign up as there was no way I would have been able to run on my gimp leg.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I also noticed that there were a lot of very fast road runners that I know that were doing the HM, many of them as their first trail race which was kind of cool. I felt bad for the front of the packers as I read that they were misdirected by a race marshall and ended up DNFing. They didn't run the full course through no fault of their own. Not exactly the first time trail race experience you would want. Hopefully some of them will end up hitting the trails again.</div>
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I went up to Limberlost with Kim and a few other runners that I coach / run with. They all did the 28k and had decent races. See my previous comments about Kim being smart.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Hopefully Dirty Girls is up next but that will depend on how quickly this ankle heals.</div>
chris mcpeakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15488479732649522465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-831613295895512847.post-75934589727026383702014-07-17T06:20:00.002-07:002014-07-17T06:20:38.229-07:00Mohican 100 race report - part 2<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt5ejGowOfYbvcmHUFdxchUS5ngSOIj0xOCfZBgRxyWKjOKNTS6oaYbN_mrxOosvUDW07aa-810G51t92En9Qmbyl2wXca2F7xcgGlEhctmdzdmcAyN47YxqIczm2Jdlpw3NwMg06fH39a/s1600/mohican-100-finish-area.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt5ejGowOfYbvcmHUFdxchUS5ngSOIj0xOCfZBgRxyWKjOKNTS6oaYbN_mrxOosvUDW07aa-810G51t92En9Qmbyl2wXca2F7xcgGlEhctmdzdmcAyN47YxqIczm2Jdlpw3NwMg06fH39a/s1600/mohican-100-finish-area.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
Here is part 2 of the Mohican 100 race report. <a href="http://chrismcpeake.blogspot.ca/2014/07/mohican-100-miler-race-report.html" target="_blank">Go here for part 1</a></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<b>Now for the easy part</b></div>
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For the most part my second loop of
<a href="http://ombc.net/mohican-100-trail-run/mohican-100-trail-run-general-info" target="_blank">Mohican course</a> is very much just a blur. I ran decently, stayed on
top of my gel and salt intake but was running alone. By this point in
the race the field was well spread out so I got lots of personal
trail time which was nice.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I hit the crazy root climb section for
the second time of the day sometime in the mid afternoon. It was hot
(maybe 30) but not crazy or stupid hot like it was supposed to be and
I was real happy about that. Although I liked the waterfall / crazy
root climbing section of the course I was glad when I finally popped
out of the woods by the dam. It is definitely the hardest part of the
course but you only do it in the first 2 loops so at least that was
out of the way.</div>
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<br /></div>
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This time the climb out of covered bridge
seemed longer and further than on loop 1. It's got to be a good 1000
feet of climb in the first 2 miles past the aid station and was only
going to get harder later in the race. So far so good and everything
body wise felt okay. I passed over the ridge line where it had all
really fallen apart in 2011 (the site of JD's “<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3Es--rdeI8" target="_blank">its all gone to shit video</a>”) and was feeling great. I took this as a great sign.</div>
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<br /></div>
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By the time I hit the last aid station
I had begun to wonder how Kim's marathon was going and how the 5
that had come down with us had made out. Three miles later I came out
of the woods and into the camping areas. I was kind of lost in my own
head when I heard someone shout my name.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
A couple of Ontario guys that had run
reasonable race distances were sitting at the campsite watching the
foolish longer distance runners go by. James who I know from OUSER
races shouted out to me that Kim had finished and ran well. Man did I
ever want to stop for a beer at that point.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Soon enough I was back at the start
area. Kim was there and as I had requested she had gotten me fries and
a mcchicken from McDonalds. Unfortunately my stomach was begining to
sour a bit and the lunch pickup was a bit mistimed (kind of hard to
time it as Kim was unsure where I was on the course). Fries were not
edible and they accidentally gave Kim spicy chicken which was not
going to go down well at all. I ended up chugging an ensure and
heading back out.
</div>
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<br /></div>
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Wish I could tell you what the loop
time was but my watch died during the loop. Usually I run with a
cheap normal watch as a back up but hadn't been able to find it when
we packed. Kim said she would find me a watch before the next crew
access point. I seem to remember the race clock telling me I was in
at around 13:45 into the race giving me a loop of 6:45 but things are
kind of foggy.</div>
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<br /></div>
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The 5 miles to the next aid station
went okay but the stomach was definitely turning. I ate and walked a
bit out of the station along a brief road section. It was starting to
get dark and almost headlamp time. I was not looking forward to
running alone in the dark with no watch to pace by and a wonky gut.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Just then a guy and girl passed me as
we turned to go back onto the trail head. They seemed to be moving
pretty well. Slowly but smooth and steady clearly taking a smart
conservative approach. I decided that I would just settle in behind
them for a while and see what kind of pace they were setting. I spent
sometime behind them and liked the way things were going so decided
to stop lurking in the background and talk to them. I asked them if
they minded if I latched on and they said no problem.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Steve and Casey kept us moving along
well with me bringing up the rear and in no time we had hit the Fire
Tower aid station. I had been thinking about this aid station since
the start of loop 3 as this is where I dropped last time. I was
feeling decent which was a far cry from how I had been in 2011. Kim
was there and gave me a new watch. She was kind of sheepish when she
handed it to me. I think she thought I would hate it. I felt quite
the opposite though, it was ungodly and hideous which seemed perfect.
I immediately dubbed it the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFE31-GzjaY" target="_blank">Herb Tarlek</a> of watches due to its oh so
stylish white vinyl strap. I plan to wear it at every 100 miler from now
on. Kim was also glad to see that I was running with others.<br />
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We headed out and were quickly on to
Covered Bridge and then up the steep climbs and switchbacks. Steve
lead almost the whole way and really pushed us along nicely but the
hills took there toll on all of us. We ended up losing Steve
somewhere along the ridge line as he slowed with bad stomach issues.
Both Casey and I hated to drop him but unfortunately you have to run
your own race. That didn't make it any easier though.</div>
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<br /></div>
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We ended up sticking together until we
were out onto the last km of road back to the start line. Caesy sped
up here and ended up disappearing ahead of me. I figured that would
be the last I would see of her but with only a few hours of darkness
left and 23 miles to go I was really glad to have had someone to run
at night with.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I rolled into the start line aid
station but did not see Kim. My stomach was starting to give me some
grief again so I took 5 minutes to sit on top of my cooler and drink
half a beer. This was the only time I had sat down since the race
started. I had lots of time to finish but figured I should get going
when I finally saw Kim. She had gone back to the car to get more food.
I had her find me some pizza at the aid station and then got her to
walk me back out to the trail head.
</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Just as we passed the washrooms Casey
came out which was awful good timing. She was having some stomach
issues as well so we started out on our struggle to the finish line
together. The going was slow but steady. Casey lead when she felt
good, I lead when she didn't and it seemed to work out well. The sun
was up by the time we got to the Fire Tower. It was stomach issues
galore at this point but Kim met us and made us at least drink some
pop. I was doing a really bad job of hydrating and eating at this
point which probably didn't help much. Still things were going well
and we had lots of time to finish.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
I had actually started to feel good
again until we hit the big climbs after the bridge. They just seemed
to suck every last bit of energy that I had left right out me. From
that point on the last 10 miles became a mammoth struggle. I hit the
last aid station and plowed right through it not even pausing. I
would have liked to stop but I felt like I might end up puking or
passing out. I was toast and the morning was starting to really get
hot.<br />
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Casey and I hung together until about
96 miles when her walking shuffle became way too fast for my zombie
lurching and I fell behind. It didn't matter as I entertained myself
with the hallucinations that I was now having. I stopped to pee and
the stump in front of me was literally breathing, it kept getting
bigger and smaller. So many people passed me in the last 3 miles I thought that there might be some kind of parade going on but
I didn't care, I just needed to make the finish still standing. For
the first time ever in a 100 mile run I was in actually danger of
falling asleep on my feet. What an amazingly odd feeling that is.</div>
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Finally I was into the campground and
headed down the last mile. Way down the road I could see people
waving at me. It was Kim and all the other runners that had come to
Ohio with us. Seeing them gave me a little boost as I realized I was
going to make it. They met me about a half mile from the finish and
walked me most of the rest of the way in. Somehow I was able to
muster enough energy to at least jog the last 300 meters to the
finish.<br />
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<b>After the finish line</b></div>
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I grabbed a chair and a beer and
watched the rest of the back of the pack come in. Ended up being done
in 31:17. That is the longest I have ever been out on a course by far
and probably the most tired I have ever felt overall. My legs held up
a lot better than I expected and were not nearly as demoed as they
were at Haliburton.</div>
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On the one hand I think I could have
run this a few hours faster if I had not been so conservative but on
the other hand going out faster or pushing during the night could
have just as easily ended in a total meltdown or blow up and a DNF.
No need for that as I got what I wanted, a Western States qualifier
and my UTMB points. I also finally got a US 100 finish in the bank
which was beginning to mentally mess with me.<br />
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Big thanks to Kim and the marathon
group for all the help and support. Also a huge thanks to Casey,
Steve and the other runners I had the pleasure to run with. In the
end thats really what its all about. </div>
chris mcpeakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15488479732649522465noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-831613295895512847.post-28235523668492705252014-07-13T15:30:00.000-07:002014-07-13T15:38:45.271-07:00Mohican 100 Miler Race Report<br />
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Have to say that I was pretty nervous going into this race. The last time I attempted to run the Mohican 100 back in 2011 it ended up being a train wreck for me and my first, but not last, DNF in a race. I learned a few things that day none of which were particularly helpful. I learned that it was freaking hot and humid in Ohio, that it was super hilly in Ohio, and that this race was kind of hard. You would would think these things might have dissuaded me from picking this as my spring goal race but I can be a sucker for punishment and besides I needed a Western States qualifier and a big fat plate of redemption. Okay its true they also give out a pretty snazzy belt buckle.</div>
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Kim and I headed down to Loudonville, Ohio on Friday with 5 other runners tagging along. Somehow I had managed to convince (read trick) 5 marathon runners I have been <a href="http://www.candcrunningfactory.com/" target="_blank">coaching</a> into running their first trail marathon. Kim was running the marathon as well and would crew me after that.</div>
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<b>Things start bad and get worse</b></div>
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I figured things should go okay as long as it doesn't get too hot. My weather watch starts in earnest 10 days before the race. Each day I check as the race approaches and each day I find myself cursing under my breath. Forecasts bounce between hot, 32 C to stinking hot, 35 C to stupid hot, 40 C. A little know fact, once you have been forced to run with <a href="http://chrismcpeake.blogspot.ca/2011/06/mohican-100-race-report-meltdown-in.html" target="_blank">your balls in your hand</a> at a given race you tend to become really sensitive about the weather.</div>
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With the anticipation of stinking to stupid hot I decided to change my race plan from running my normal paces to going extra slow early on as heat exhaustion is not my friend.</div>
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The Thursday night before the race I go to bed earlier so I can get lots of rest and then proceed to not sleep at all. Somewhere around 3 AM I think about sticking my head in our oven, you know just to practice for the weekend, but worry Kim might wake up.</div>
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pre race dinner</div>
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On Friday we drive to Ohio. We are late leaving as I had to work and get to our hotel in Mansfield later than expected. After having dinner I head to bed hoping to get a solid 4 hours in but instead its mostly a repeat of Thursday.</div>
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<b>And worse</b></div>
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We leave the hotel a good hour before the race to have lots of time to drive the 30 minutes to the race start. Its humid and foggy and unbeknown to us the drive is almost all on back roads. We can't see a thing and are forced to drive very slowly. We end up making it to the race 5 minutes before the start only to discover bib pick up is back up the road a mile.</div>
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Ever have that dream where everything goes horribly wrong and you can't seem to get to where your going. Welcome to my world. We head back and pick up my bid as fast as possible. Strangely enough there is another guy there picking up his as well so I only feel like half a moron. We race back to the start line, again.</div>
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The RD is still at the start with a camera guy. I say hi, ask which way to go, click on my headlamp and head off down the road. Its dark and very quiet, I have never started a race by myself before and its totally freaking me out. No running along with the pack this time. I end up starting 15 minutes late.</div>
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I didn't see this in person</div>
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Heres the thing about racing, you kind of want to get to the start line before the start. Lets just call that like a rule or something. Otherwise you end up having to talk about it in public while feeling kind of stupid.</div>
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I am into the woods and climbing by myself but worse yet mentally I am messed up. I know I have to focus, run my pace and just get going but I keep thinking how I will end up missing the cutoff by 10 minutes at the end of the race. The temptation to go fast is hard to resist but I fight it the best that I can. It doesn't help that I am coffee deficient on top of everything else. I think I now know how Darth Vader felt after being sucker punched by the Millennium Falcon. I am spinning out of control.</div>
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<b><br /></b><b>Light at the end of the switch back</b></div>
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I have been angry running for about 30 minutes alone in the dark up and down hills, damn its hilly in Ohio. As I come to the top of a switchback I turn and see the headlamp of another runner on the switchback behind me. I slow a little and let the light gradually catch up. I am kind of expecting to see the same guy that was at the kit pick up but its a totally different guy. We start chatting and since we are both running along at around the same pace we stick together. He lives just down the road in Columbus and he missed the start because he though the race started later. We will end up running the next 20 miles together.</div>
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A few minutes of running along with another runner and I find I am no longer running angry. There is lots of time to make up the mileage and we actually start to catch the back of the pack before the first aid station just as the sun comes up.</div>
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Things go really well for the next few hours. It is starting to get hot but not really hot. I am feeling great and moving well but still remembering to stay very conservative. Finishing is the only goal I have for the day. I am also quickly reminded that Mohican is a great course, tough but really beautiful. I am surprised by how much of the trail I still remember. Still I make sure to stay slow, last time I was here we were having a great time until the wheels fell off and when that happened it happened fast.</div>
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Soon we are about half way through the loop and pass by Lyon Falls. Last time I was here you had to climb down a stair case of huge stones to the bottom of the falls. Since then the stones have been replaced with actual stairs. Honestly I preferred the you could fall down and die stone stairs but thats just me.</div>
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At some point along this area we ended up falling in with another group of runners. Most of them were running their first 100. I ended up talking and running with these guys for the next 10 miles or so. One of the guys in the group was know as Tattoo Tom. He had set up a charity to help kids with cancer after his daughter had passed away and his run was raising money (per mile). Talking with this guy really inspired me, you can check out his charity here at <a href="http://www.stillbrave.org/">http://www.stillbrave.org/</a>. Spoiler Alert - Tom finished the 100 and won the Last of the Mohicans award (last finisher).</div>
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Tough climbs out of the covered bridge aid station soon gave way to some really great running along the ridge lines and into the last aid station before you head back towards the start line. I was forced to make a sudden stop here to take care of some morning "business" which ended up taking way too long and costing me even more time.</div>
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The last few miles went well and I sauntered into the start line finishing the first loop in 7:01. That was much slower then what I would normally expect but still kept me on pace to finish. I also had to take into account losing 25 minutes to the late start and the call of the porta potty.</div>
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Part 2 to follow</div>
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<b><br /></b>chris mcpeakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15488479732649522465noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-831613295895512847.post-63624887526420433912014-06-20T04:35:00.001-07:002014-06-20T04:39:26.468-07:00New Coaching Site, Mohican 100 this weekend<br />
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<b>Coaching site is up</b></div>
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As some of you already know I have been
coaching distance running for a running store for about the last 4
years with co coach Chris Henderson. Although we are still doing
that we figured that it was finally time we start taking on some
runners on our own.</div>
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Check out our website at
<a href="http://www.candcrunningfactory.com/" target="_blank">candcrunnningfactory</a> to see what kind of programs and group runs we
have going on. If you have any interest just let us know. We are
looking forward to spreading our own personal kind of misery as far
and wide as possible.</div>
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<b>Return to Mohican</b></div>
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This weekend I am headed back to
Loudonville Ohio to run the <a href="http://ombc.net/mohican-100-trail-run/mohican-100-trail-run-general-info" target="_blank">Mohican 100 miler</a>. In 2011 I attempted
this race only to be forced to drop out at around 70 miles with heat
exhaustion. If you need reminding <a href="http://chrismcpeake.blogspot.ca/2011/06/mohican-100-race-report-meltdown-in.html" target="_blank">read it here</a>. It was my first DNF ever and left me bitter for years
afterwards. Some say I am still bitter today. I had no idea it was so
stinking hot in Ohio. So here goes with the do over. Funny thing is
it looks like after 2012 and 2013 of having hot but not crazy hot
weather the same nasty temperatures have come back for my return run.
Not much you can do about that though. I plan to start slow and
stagger across the finish line at a snails pace where Kim will
resusatate me with a giant beer.</div>
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Should be fun though as Kim is running
the marathon distance and 5 other marathoners that I coach are also
joining us. It will be the first time doing the marathon on trail for
all of them. Hopefully nobody bursts into flames.</div>
chris mcpeakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15488479732649522465noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-831613295895512847.post-58580686590739333182014-05-13T13:45:00.000-07:002014-05-13T13:52:18.121-07:00Toronto Maraton 2014 Race Report - Alice runs a marathon <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Got to be honest here, originally I had no intention of running the <a href="http://www.torontomarathon.com/" target="_blank">Toronto Marathon</a> this year. I had expected to go back to <a href="http://www.thenorthface.com/en_CA/endurance-challenge/bear-mountain-ny/" target="_blank">Bear Mountain</a> which is on the same weekend but sometimes things just don't go as planned. Okay really things rarely go as planned.<br />
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As it turned out the place we lived in was going to be sold so May 3/4th became stay home and move your crappy weekend. We planned to be done moving by Saturday evening and I needed to get a long run in on Sunday so running the Toronto Marathon made sense. I know myself and there was no way I would wake up and run 40k on my own Sunday so at least the race would get me out to run plus I had a cheap entry through the <a href="http://www.runningroom.com/hm/" target="_blank">Running Room</a>.<br />
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There was just one rule, NO RACING! I would find someone mid pack to pace and stick to my long run speed.<br />
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<b>Prerace</b><br />
I met up with a few of the runners that I have been coaching and we shared a cab up to the start line. Two of them were first time marathon newbies and were excited and nervous. Once we got up to the start line I ran into lots of clinic members and a good number of Longboaters as well. Everyone seemed pretty pumped and the weather looked good except for the predicted 35k winds on the Lakeshore, yikes!<br />
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One of my runners who was trying to BQ had her watch die before the race start. I ended up giving her my Ambit so she could pace properly and since I was going slow I was not worried about time at all. Soon I found Sarah, another runner I coached, who said she was going to run around a 3:55 - 4 hour race so I decided I would run with her for as long as she could put up with me. No easy task on her part.<br />
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Just before the gun Sarah asked me why my race bib said ALICE. I looked down and what the heck it did say Alice. Turns out the race was out of blank bibs and the manager at the Running Room thought it would be funny to get me "an interesting pseudonym". I didn't mind but was disappointed that I had not noticed it at home. If I had I would have donned the Alice Cooper makeup and run incognito. We lined up in the corral and then we were off.<br />
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<b>The Not Racing Race - Go Alice</b><br />
Sarah and I ran the first few kms at a decent but easy pace effort wise. We chatted and she told me that she would have liked to beat her PB which was just under 3:49 but didn't think it was doable. When I heard this I decided that we should at least go fast enough to give her a shot at it so I picked it up some. There is a good bit of downhill in the first half of the race so now was the time to take advantage.<br />
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Since I didn't have a watch I just ran by feel and whenever Sarah called out a split I found a little slow I would pick it up just a bit. I wanted to make sure she ran hard but didn't want to see her burn out in the second half. The race was going pretty good as we turned into the wind hitting the half way point at 1:50. That meant Sarah was on pace for a PB and that I was running way to fast for an easy run. I was right in my junk mile zone, too fast to be an easy run but too slow to be at race pace. That means you are doing more damage to your legs than a training run with no real training benefit you would not get running easy. My legs were getting tired, 3 hours of sleep and 2 days of lugging furniture and boxes around was catching up fast. Might have still been feeling the 50k trail race from the week before in my legs, who knows. I decided I would keep pacing for as long as my legs felt okay and then would back off.<br />
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The wind for the next 12 -15k was soul sucking. Looked like the weather guy got it right as much of this section was into 35k winds. I ended up staying with Sarah until the 31-32k mark. She was running great and had lots left so at that point I slowed it way down to save my legs and let her go. Even going slow my legs were beat. The damage was done already which made for a painful last 10k even going extra super slow.<br />
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The one great things was all the Longboaters and clinic runners that were out cheering (about half my clinic people were running Ottawa so not racing that weekend). As anyone who has run in Toronto races knows fan support is few and far between. Kind of sad really but for those that came out a great big Thank You.<br />
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Ended up finishing in a more painful than necessary 3:58. Sarah ended up just sneaking in under her PB. Way to go Sarah. <br />
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Next up <a href="http://www.seatontrailrace.com/" target="_blank">Seaton 50k</a> May 10th<br />
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<br />chris mcpeakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15488479732649522465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-831613295895512847.post-78119745836876120102014-05-08T07:53:00.000-07:002014-05-08T08:27:51.689-07:00Pick Your Poison 2014 50k Race Report<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>PYP 50k - Pick Your Poison race report</b><br />
Finally after a winter that seemed to never end the start of the Ontario Ultra season was just around the corner and six months of road training had left me twitching like an addict to get back onto the trails. For two weeks I ran on the snowless trails of High Park and the Sulphur Springs course getting the legs ready for the first race of the OUSER, <a href="http://pickyourpoison.ca/" target="_blank">Pick Your Poison</a>.<br />
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On Saturday April 26th I headed up north of Barrie with Chris H. for the 9 AM race start. Kim was nursing an IT Band injury from Around the Bay so decided to be smart and rest it. Chris was running 25k while I was in for 50k of hilly goodness.<br />
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We arrived at Horse Shoe Valley Ski Resort nice and early only to be met with an unexpected treat. There was a tonne of snow still on the course and I mean a tonne. It was a little startling given the clear trails at Sulphur but apparently Northern Ontario gets more snow than we do. I guess I knew that but given this is the 5th time I have run this race and every other time out there was little to no snow it was surprising.<br />
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Snow on the course</div>
We grabbed our race kits, which contained a nice race shirt and a bottle of fresh honey, chatted with other runners and then headed to the start line. There were some last minute race instructions from the RD and a quick up date on course conditions, something about snow on the course, and then we were off.<br />
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PYP is a 12.5k loop course which has a little bit of everything. There is some wide groomed trail, a good deal of technical single track, some jeep / logging road, open field running and even a small bit of pavement. Oh I almost forgot there is also the hills, lots and lots of hills, with each loop coming in at around 2000 ft. of climb and 2000ft of decent. You got to love that.<br />
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Loop 1 0 - 12.5k<br />
I came in planning to run semi hard my first loop, take it easy for the next 2 and then pick it up in the last one. With my goal race being Mohican in June I really just needed to get some decent miles in on the trails. Chris and I ran together for most of the first loop but it became clear pretty early that a hard first loop was not the way to go. The course was slow due to the snow and my ACL less knee does not do well running in the snow. After a few km I fell into a decent but moderate pace and ended up just using the first loop to get a feel for the course.<br />
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Race Start</div>
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Some sections were clear and very runnable others not so much. I would guess there was packed snow on around 30 - 35% of the course but the rest was relatively dry and not much mud at all. At some point I lost Chris and ended up finishing the first lap in 1:29 much slower than expected but okay given the conditions.<br />
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Loop 2 12.5 - 25k<br />
I stay at the start/finish aid station for a minute or 2 waiting for Chris to show up but I don't see him so I just take off. It's a bit of asphalt and a quick turn onto jeep road which is clear and very runnable. Soon you it hit a little short section of technical running and then are out onto wide groomed trail. This is all snow covered and slow going. The jarring is already bugging my knee and my feet are wet but besides that things are going okay. I bump into a number of other runners that I know during the loop although most of them are doing the 25k and I end up running parts of this section with different people.<br />
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Eventually the snow gives way to some nice clear technical single and double track before reaching the mighty ski hill climb at around 5k. Its long, its tough and the snow make it even harder. I plod along eventually catching up to Andrew H. who was kind enough to pace me for a loop at Sulphur last year and who I keep running into at short road races (which is kind of weird). We cruise along together for the rest of the loop. I end up running 1:33 for loop 2.<br />
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Loop 3 25 - 37.5k<br />
Just as I finished 25k Oliver F. arrived at the aid station at the same time. I met Oliver during my first 100 miler at Sulphur where he was also running his first. I can remember running together for a while debating whether we had come out too fast (I had of course). I had also seen him at Leadville last year where we both ended up DNFing.<br />
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As it turned out we were running around the same pace so we just ended sticking together. Oliver was running to get Ks in and not racing either so it made sense to cruise along with each other. We chatted about upcoming races and bitched (but only a little) about what had happened at <a href="http://chrismcpeake.blogspot.ca/2013/08/leadville-100-race-report-2013.html" target="_blank">Leadville</a>. I told him I was going back in 2115 or 16 as for me that race has become my White Whale. He told me he would come crew and pace me if I wanted....SWEET.<br />
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How Leadville has become in my mind</div>
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With the 25k runners done we saw nobody else on the course until we hit the big ski hill at 5k. Way up at the top of the hill we could see 2 runners going through the aid station. They were about 3 minutes ahead so we decided to try and run just fast enough to catch them before the end of the loop. By the time we hit Mount Evil <a href="http://chrismcpeake.blogspot.ca/2012/05/pyp-pick-your-poison-race-report.html" target="_blank">(see prior PYP reports)</a> we had closed in on them and quickly passed them at the next aid station.<br />
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By now my legs were getting tired, my knee was becoming very unfriendly, and I was in no mood for a snow cone. Ended up finishing the loop in 1:38<br />
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Loop 4 37.5 - 50k<br />
The first part of the loop both Oliver and I seemed to get that "almost done" feeling and picked up the pace some. Honestly I think I was just wanted to finish quick and get to the hamburgers. Once again when we hit the big ski hill we could see people at the top so we ran a little faster with the plan to catch them in the next few kms. Once again we passed them just before Mount Evil. This time it was a bit different however. I knew one of the runners Kim V. and when we passed her it was clear she still had lots of energy left.<br />
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She ended up falling back some but was still in sight most of the time. That meant that my plan to putter along into the finish was out the window. Thanks for keeping us honest Kim we thought you were going to pass us for sure. Soon it was down the last big snow covered ski hill and into the finish where I picked up my finisher socks and made a bee line for the burgers. Loop time was 1:36.<br />
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Post Race<br />
Final time was 6:18 which was not the 5:50 I had planned for but not bad given the conditions. Once again RD Adam Hill put on a great race. I always have fun on this one. Special big thank you to<a href="http://inhumilitatevincis.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank"> Carlos </a><a href="http://inhumilitatevincis.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">Vicens</a>. for sticking around and giving me a drive home.<br />
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Next up Seaton 50k on May10th<br />
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<br />chris mcpeakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15488479732649522465noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-831613295895512847.post-72528352801081423282014-05-01T09:20:00.004-07:002014-05-01T09:20:54.353-07:00Out of Hibernation <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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In my mind I look like this</div>
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This is probably more accurate though</div>
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Over the last few weeks it has become clear that it's finally safe to come out of my self imposed hibernation and get back to some running and blogging. Don't get me wrong I still ran all winter but holy cow did it suck a great deal of time. Snow, ice, -25, snow, -30, ice storm, -25, snowy ice, pretty much sums up the entire last 4 months. It was easily the worst winter for running in the 7 years that I have been doing serious distance. Nobody wants or needs to read about that and I really didn't want to write about it either.<br />
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Well thankfully thats done and now its time to get back to some serious running and training. I have started to ramp things up and the last 3 weeks have been solid (100k, 115k, 125k) although I am a little behind where I like to be at this time of year.<br />
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<b>Whats Coming Up</b><br />
This years running schedule is starting to take shape. There some changes and some maybes but the spring at least is becoming clearer. First the bad news. I had to drop from the SD100 in June. I was pretty disappointed but work made it a no go this year. I will get out to California to run this in the next few years though unless I decide I hate running, trail and sunshine. I might go for it next year depending on what fate the Western States Lottery Gods have in store for me.<br />
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The biggest goals for the summer are to get my WS qualifier in and to make sure I have my 8 points for the UTMB lottery. That ends up playing into race selection in a big way. I have decided to run the <a href="http://www.mohican100.org/" target="_blank">Mohican 100</a> as my goal race in the spring and the <a href="http://www.OilCreek100.org/" target="_blank">Oil Creek 100 </a>as my goal race in the fall.<br />
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Some other races that I am running most likely will include.<br />
<a href="http://pickyourpoison.ca/" target="_blank">PYP 50k</a> (yeah it was last weekend, race report will follow shortly)<br />
<a href="http://www.seatontrailrace.com/" target="_blank">Seaton 50k</a><br />
<a href="http://www.CayugaTrails50.com/" target="_blank">Cayuga 50m</a><br />
<a href="http://www.ouser.org/races/cree2014.pdf" target="_blank">Creemore 50k</a><br />
<a href="http://thelimberlostchallenge.com/" target="_blank">Limberlost 56k</a> or NFC 50m in Collingwood (same day but will run one)<br />
<a href="http://dirtygirlsrun.com/dirty_girls_run/index.html" target="_blank">24 or 48hrs at Dirty Girls</a><br />
<a href="http://www.burlingtonrunners.com/index.cfm?pagepath=Races/Iroquoia_Trail_Test&id=5710" target="_blank">ITT</a><br />
<a href="http://www.HaliburtonForest100.org/" target="_blank">Haliburton 100</a> or <a href="http://www.RunWoodstock.com/" target="_blank">Woodstock 100</a> (if I have my WSQ it will be Hali)<br />
<a href="http://www.VirgilCrestUltras.com/" target="_blank">Virgil Crest</a> 50m or 100m<br />
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Maybe races:<br />
<a href="http://www.westernreserveracing.com/events/burning-river-100/" target="_blank">Burning river 100</a> (depends on how Mohican goes)<br />
<a href="http://www.bear100.com/" target="_blank">The Bear 100</a> - might do this race instead of Virgil, will be a work / money decision<br />
Sulphur Springs - 100 is probably not a good idea, 50k and 50m are sold out. Might end up pacing someone. Have done the 100 the last 4 years so will be strange not to run it.<br />
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<b>Coaching and RDing</b><br />
The running room marathon clinic that I coach ends this week although some of the runners will be racing at Ottawa in 3 weeks. The clinic went well but the brutal weather was a big deterrent to some, particularly first timer newbies.<br />
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I will be helping with the next clinic in June but I am also going to start coaching more runners privately which will include weekly group runs. I expect to have the website up for that in the next week or 2.<br />
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I am also in the middle of putting together a new 50m / 100 mile race. It will be held in late October or early November. The last couple of years there has been a 100 miler in Creemore which will not be happening this year so it seems like a good time to start up a race. The former Creemore 100 (and current Creemore 50k) race director has kindly offered to lend a helping hand. Thanks Pierre! Yes I realize that will mean more hills. I hope to have the course details confirmed in the next month and the website up in early June.<br />
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Good luck to those running the <a href="http://www.torontomarathon.com/" target="_blank">Toronto</a> and <a href="http://www.mississaugamarathon.com/default.shtml" target="_blank">Mississauga</a> Marathons this weekend.chris mcpeakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15488479732649522465noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-831613295895512847.post-29336339921214042432013-12-06T14:27:00.001-08:002013-12-06T14:27:14.916-08:00A blog post about nothing or something like that<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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You would think I would have lots to say as I have not posted in forever but even so this is pretty much my blog equivalent to a Seinfeld episode. I figured that it was time to get back at it anyway. Its not like there is not much to write in fact the current state of this blog reminds me of our return flight from NYC. Just like the hour we spent at LaGuardia waiting in the airplane conga line to take off I have about 10 posts in various stages of completion. Hopefully I will be able to shove them out the door and into the world in quick and short order.<br />
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In the meantime this is week 8 of marathon training and so far so good. No injuries and lots of good strong workouts. Whats that? Didn't I mention I am training for a February marathon? Guess that infos in one of those not yet released blog posts. More to come on that later for now here is Novembers training numbers. Mileage was a bit low after running 500km in October but I ended up losing a week to a bad cold which cost me a few hard workouts as well.<br />
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Runs - 21</div>
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Quality runs - 6</div>
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Long runs -4</div>
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Total time - 35:14:22<br />Distance - 226.57 miles or 364.9km</div>
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The one other big deal this week is that its that time of year again. Its time for the <a href="http://www.wser.org/" target="_blank">Western States</a> lottery. That means what I run next year as far as big races go will get decided fairly quickly once the lottery verdict is in. This is the fourth year in a row for me and I am not holding my breath even with 4 tickets in the lottery. Looks like that gives me about a 25% chance of getting my name pulled but given my 0 for 14 lottery losing streak I am pessimistic. Okay I am always pessimistic but even more than usual. I will stay glued to my computer WS live feed tomorrow like a little kid waiting for his Daddy to come home after he went out for a pack of smokes. Hope springs eternal .... Yadda Yadda<br />
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<br />chris mcpeakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15488479732649522465noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-831613295895512847.post-78068019206613314012013-08-28T15:09:00.000-07:002013-08-28T15:09:37.802-07:00Leadville 100 Race Report 2013If you know me you know that I am usually very rarely at a lost for words but after everything that went on at the Leadville 100 this year I find it hard to know what to say. I feel amazingly conflicted over the event but positive about my actual run even though I DNFed. Confused? Yeah me too.<br />
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If you have read my blog in the past you know I am also rarely critical except about my own running but this time there is just no way around it. I promised when I started writing this blog I would be honest about what goes on out there in my running world and so I will be. I have decided that I will do this in two posts in an attempt to keep some separation between my own run and the actual race / event. Here is part 1 which is my actual race report on my run. Part 2 about the overall event will follow shortly.<br />
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<b>Leadville 100 race report</b><br />
I can honestly say I don't think I have ever been more prepared for a race in my life. Its been a year of training, plotting and planning my revenge after DNFing at Leadville last year. The good news is I know the course, am healthy, well trained and have a great crew. The bad news is that there is still no oxygen on Hopes Pass and no mountains in Toronto to train on. I also dont have any pacers but heck from past experience all they do is eat all your food and make fun of your snail like death shuffle pace anyway.<br />
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I arrive in Leadville in a long black hearse also know as the rental car on Friday morning for medical with Kim and JD. I blame JD for me being here as it was his plan to return after last year that convinced me to sign up. He takes no ownership over my registration and at one point a few months ago even tries to tell me that we are both adults. Now thats hilarious!<br />
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At medical/weigh-in I find out that I am fatter than I expected and then head into the Leadville store to buy some running crap. No danger in that because I feel great and am definitely going to finish this year. I mean I feel really good for a fat guy that cant seem to breath and already has a headache from the altitude. We settle on Pizza and beer for dinner. Its the perfect fat guy food and I really need a drink but when the beer shows up its 3.2%. Yummy thats some really tasty beer flavoured water. Apparently the low alcohol content of beer bought in Leadville restaurants have something to do with tourists and altitude. You can get the real deal at building with the big sign that says Liquor but we figure our water beer is good enough.<br />
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We head back to the hotel to get a couple of hours of sleep then its back downtown for the 4AM race start. Is it just me or is this race corral really crowded this year?<br />
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<b>Start line to Mayqueen (13.5 miles)</b><br />
Last year I started out too slow and ended up getting caught up in traffic so this year the plan was to make sure that didn't happen. JD and I ran the first 5 miles of road / dirt road at a good pace but still made sure to not be too fast. I have to say I was feeling really good. Okay I know I had 95 miles to go but I felt great. We kept the pace solid as we hit the early part of the trail and I chatted with a couple of guys from Chicago for the next hour or so. Just before we came into the Boat Ramp at 7.5 miles I looked back along the lake. There was a line of headlamps extending back around the lake for a very long way. Man there was a lot of people on the trail.<br />
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A short distance past the Boat Ramp you are into single track trail. Last year I really got hung up here as the number of runners created a slow moving conga line. At first it looked like it might be the same thing again as things slowed down but after passing a couple of slower runners the trail opened up some with everyone right in front of me running a good pace. As it got light out I glanced behind me but no JD. I figured he would catch up soon enough.<br />
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I cruised into Mayqueen in 2:24 which was 4 minutes faster then planned. It was going great and I was stoked as I crossed the timing mat and stepped into unbelievable chaos. The aid station area was a zoo. It was nuts last year but this was bedlam. Both sides of the paved roadway crammed with people that were pressing in on the runners. I kept going along the gauntlet looking for Kim until finally getting to the end and the main road. No Kim, good grief. I turned and headed back towards the aid station watching for her but realizing that I was probably going to have to just hit my drop bag instead. Finally I saw her (she still didnt see me).<br />
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Kim felt so bad when she saw me coming from the wrong direction and that she had missed me. I made sure she knew that I didn't blame her. It was nuts there. She said other crew kept pushing their way in front of her and then standing there making it hard to see anything. I swapped hydration vests and headed back onto the course. My 1 minute stop ended up being 5 but I was still 10 minutes ahead of last year.<br />
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<b>Mayqueen to Outward Bound (Fish Hatchery) 23.5 miles</b><br />
A very short run on the road and we are back on the trail. This is one of my favourite parts of the course. I cruise along the single track trail still in great spirits and am quickly out of the wood and onto the road along Hagermans Pass. Its a pretty big climb but the terrain is not difficult and the views are spectacular. We cross under the powerlines and I know that its almost all down hill from here. The couple of miles of running down the powerlines is great fun but I know enough to keep it reigned in. There is a great oppurtunity to damage the quads here so running downhill stupid is not a good plan. Just before the bottom I catch up to the guys from Chicago and chat a little more.<br />
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The course at the bottom of powerlines where we hit the road seems different to me from last year. There was no announced course change here, maybe I am just remembering it wrong which sometimes happens. I ponder this for the next mile of road as we make our way to Fish Hatchery.<br />
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This is a big change for the race. The aid station is no longer at the Hatchery which you now run past and go further up the road for about a quarter mile. I check my split as I pass it to compared to last year. I am 3 minutes slower than last year for the section but still 5 minutes ahead of my planned pace. I arrive at Outward Bound soon enough.<br />
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<b>Outward Bound to Treeline</b><br />
The aid station is a joke. It is complete and total disaster. Anything I write here will totally fail to convey just how amazing awful, disorganized and dangerous it was. Kim sees me just before the turn off the road and into the aid station. I might not have even know where to turn without her pointing it out to me. There are cars parked all along the road and people everywhere but even worse there are cars leaving the aid station "parking" right next to the timing mats. To leave these cars then have to pass right through the line of departing runners coming out of the aid station. Honestly I think that its a miracle that nobody was injured or killed here.<br />
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I drop my hydration pack and pick up my bottle for the short run to Treeline. Kim asks me if I want to take my other handheld but I say no. Its only 4 miles to treeline where I will meet her and switch back to the pack. This turns out to be a very big mistake on my part.<br />
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I leave the aid station having to dodge cars just to get out onto the road and then its a couple of miles pavement until you hit jeep road. The first mile is scary as the traffic coming and going from the aid station is heavy and we are running with traffic so you cant really see the cars coming up on you. I run this section really well and glide into the crew area at treeline.<br />
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Treeline is not an aid station but is a crew access point and that means there is no race aid here. Something very strange is going on. There is very little crew here. Last year the field was packed with cars and people but not this year. Have I missed the Rapture? Has the zombie Apocalypse started without me? I hope not I have big plans for that one and I left my machete at home. I arrive at the spot I am suppose to meet Kim. We actually picked an exact spot because it was so crowded last year. Is that a tumble weed rolling by? Kim is not here and its not hard to tell because the place we are suppose to meet is nearly empty.<br />
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I dont need to consult with Stephen Hawking to know that the aid station mess at Outward has caused her to miss me. Now I have got a big problem of my own making. I am running with a single bottle instead of my pack and that is just not going to cut it. I should have enough water to get to Halfpipe but just barely. Oh did I forget to mention that its around 10 AM and is starting to get hot. Looks like my timing is perfect.<br />
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I run this section to Halfpipe really well but I am forced to carefully ration my water instead of just drinking which worries me. I arrive at the aid station and take a couple of minutes to rehydrate a bit before heading back out.<br />
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<b>Halfpipe to Twin Lakes</b><br />
This section is 8.5 miles of mostly awesome running. I am good as far as gels go but water will be an issue. Luckily there is a water only station at 5.5 miles so I might be okay. Why the heck didnt I take that extra handheld with me? For the next 5 miles this thought gnaws at my brain like the larva from a Ceti eel (hows that for an obscure reference kids).<br />
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I somehow manage to run out of water just before the water station but refill there. Still I am off my nutrition and hydration slightly which is not good for me (see pasts posts involving all my mid race exorcist impressions). The next 3 miles are beautiful single track and then lots of downhill which carry me into Twin Lakes.<br />
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<b>Twin Lakes to Winfield</b><br />
I arrive at Twin Lakes 12 minutes ahead of schedule wondering just how that happened. The aid station is crowded but somewhat normal and organized. Kim sees me right away and guides me to our crew area. She tells me it took her over an hour to get out of Fish Hatchery and drive the 3 miles to treeline. She also tells me that JD was about an hour behind me at that point. I feel good and still strong but am a little worried. I take some extra time to try and hydrate plus I lose some time "using the facilities". Still I am out of the aid station and headed towards the Pass well ahead of last years time.<br />
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I promised myself while relaxing on the couch in my living room that I would run the entire field swamp section to the bottom of the pass. Man that seemed so easy a thing to do while I was surfing the sofa but not so easy in real life. The field is hot and EVERYONE is walking it. I run, walk, run, walk. My lack of discipline here is disturbing but the oxygen deprivation makes it all seem just fine.<br />
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I soon start the long climb up Hopes Pass. I get passed by the guys from Chicago again but keep a decent rhythm and keep moving. I have never used poles before but find they help me a fair bit. Everyone is struggling here, well everyone expect the elite guys that are passing us going back down towards Twin Lakes. Just before we hit the switchbacks Scott Jurek flies by. I begin to think about taking up bowling or maybe lawn darts. There are no 3.5 mile hills in bowling and your table has a little cup holder for your beer. That sounds just about perfect.<br />
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It takes forever to get to Hopeless aid station. I seem to remember the course all wrong as there is a great deal more running above the switchbacks and not one but 3 fields. Guess the no O2 at 12,000ft really does affect you. I grab a coke at Hopeless and have them add some water to my pack. I would rather not stop but worry I might run out of water on the back side of the Pass like I did last year. I also hear some of the aid station people talking about having to recycle cups as they are running out. Given less than 20 runners have passed me going inbound this is not a good thing.<br />
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Out of the aid station I make the last half mile climb and am soon on top of the pass. I pause briefly to soak in the scenery. Okay maybe I was just trying to catch my breath but it was still awesome. The back side is steep but a good 2 miles of downhill which I run pretty fast. The poles worked great allowing me to open it up without busting up my quads or falling. Unfortunately there are many runners coming back up the Pass and the trail is narrow. That means a lot of stopping and starting trying to let people pass.<br />
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Once out of the downhill its 3 miles across the Colorado trail and then down into Winfield. I am slow along this section and it seems to have a lot of climbing. I also begin to feel the first signs of stomach trouble which is a very bad sign for me.<br />
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Getting into Winfield is an absolute joke. Cars block the way and there is hardly enough room to get by them just to get into the aid station. I see Kim and give her my pack and poles. She tells me I have to turn around and go back in through the chute to weigh in. I totally didn't see the chute due to the F@$#ing cars. I weigh in 7 pds light while last year I was only 2 lbs down. This only confirms what I already suspected, I am dehydrated and my nutrition is messed up.<br />
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I know I cant stay here long but try to rebuild a little as I am an hour ahead of the cutoff. I go to grab some Cokes at the aid station but all they have is Diet Coke. I find this stunningly ridiculous. Why the heck would you have something with zero sugar and calories at an Ultra Aid station. I mean its not like anyone needs to get calories in them after running 13 hours.<br />
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I head back out and by the time I am on the Colorado Trail again my stomach is freaking out. I run this next 3 miles at a quick pace mainly because I have to if I want to have any chance of making over the pass in a decent time. I see JD sitting on a rock along this section and he looks tired. By the time I hit the bottom of the climb back up the pass I am in big trouble.<br />
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I find a rock and sit for a few minutes contemplating what to do as I stare at tiny chunks of chewed up roma noodles that are now adorning my shoe tops. I do the math and know there is no way for me to rebuild while making the climb. It will be a long puke filled trek up the mountain. I have done the vomit dance many times and kept going but I am really worried about the dehydration and also that I will be so slow that I am going to have a cut off issue. I have gotten sick at exactly the wrong spot in the race. After some contemplation I decide I dont want to risk getting stuck on the pass. My race is done.<br />
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This ended up being a really tough day for me and really I don't think I will run this race again. Kim says she will NEVER crew here again unless she has at least 2 other people with her. JD dropped at Winfield and said he is never coming back. My DNF is on me, everything has to go right for me to have a chance to finish this race due to how the altitude messes with me. It didn't but thats how it goes sometimes. That said Lifetime Fitness has really messed this thing up. Stay tuned for part 2.<br />
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<b><br /></b>chris mcpeakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15488479732649522465noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-831613295895512847.post-64905299569750496072013-06-25T14:18:00.000-07:002013-06-25T14:18:28.922-07:00Looking for Leadville Pacers and sweet new gadget <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So much for keeping up with my regular postings. Looks like I have become about as reliable as the Postal Service. Checks in the mail, honest. I have unfortunately (or perhaps fortunately depending on your view point) fallen way behind on my race reports. Will try to play catch up in the next few weeks to give you even more internet content that you can and should ignore.<br />
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Hey before you actually start that ignoring thing its that time again. Its time to crank up the final 8 weeks of training in an attempt to get ready to run 100 miles at Leadville. You would think that I might have learned my lesson last year. Man you couldn't be more wrong. Have you not read this blog before? I almost never learn my lesson and if I do I soon forget. Thats one character trait you really need to run Ultras, the ability to totally forget just how horrible it sometimes gets. You call it horrible, we call it "having fun". Also someone told me that there will be way more oxygen at the top of Hopes Pass this year and I am choosing to believe them.<br />
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After a two week break to let my injured foot recover from Sulphur Springs I have built the mileage back up to an acceptable 125km a week level so time to start more race specific training. Not much I can do about altitude here in Toronto so the next 6 weeks will see lots of stair climbing, hill repeats and back to back long runs including 50k runs at Creemore and Limberlost. I will also be picking up trekking poles next week in time to get a bit of practice before Leadville. I plan on using them on the Pass and maybe inbound on the Powerline. They should really help because last year when I couldn't breath I had to lean forward hands on my knees. This year I can just use the poles to hold me up and its easier than caring a chair.<br />
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<b>Pacers???</b><br />
Okay so in all seriousness I am looking for a couple of pacers this year. There is little doubt that I will be running just ahead of the cutoffs again this year. Thats just a sucky high altitude fact of life for someone like me. Having someone to mule and help pull me / push me along might be the difference between finishing or curling up in a ball at the side of the trail.<br />
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If you happen to live in CO or are going to be in CO on Aug 18-19th and are interested in pacing leave me a message.<br />
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<b>B-Day Gift</b><br />
Last weekend was my birthday and I got a huge surprise from my wife. She bought me a Suunto Abit to replace my ancient Garmin which was just about dead. Holy crap a GPS that will actually last as long as a 100 mile race. Will be taking it out for a test run this week once I figure out how to set the thing up.<br />
<br />chris mcpeakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15488479732649522465noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-831613295895512847.post-78761174742975686332013-05-01T14:55:00.000-07:002013-05-02T02:51:17.966-07:00Hyner View Challenge 50k - race report<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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elevation chart of 25k, 50k about 7000ft of climb</div>
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A little over a week ago Kim and I headed down to Pennsylvania to run the Hyner View Challenge. I decided to run 50k while Kim stuck to the 25k option. I was really looking forward to being able to hit the trails for 6 or 7 hours of tough long climbs and descents on challenging technical trail. All I can say is "Wow" this race did not disappoint at all. I would call it a little hidden gem but with 1200 people in the 25k I guess only I was in the dark. Still the 50k race was very small with about 130 runners.<br />
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We drove down on Friday and hooked up with a couple of other Ontario runners at the hotel before picking up our race kits. The kits were great, awesome shirt (no advertising), socks and all kinds of editable goodies. We also got a good look at a few of the hills. I pointed out to Kim the little viewing area way up at the top of the hill that we would be climbing. Holy crap it looked like a hard climb but luckily that doesn't come until you are at least 2 miles into the race.<br />
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Saturday morning all of us headed to the start line where we got ready and met up with Carlos <a href="http://inhumilitatevincis.blogspot.ca/2013/04/37-hyner-50k.html" target="_blank">see his report here</a>. Weather was okay but cold so it was gloves and tights for this one. The 50k started before the 25k so I said goodbye to Kim and we were soon off and running.<br />
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The first mile was on road and then it was into nice single track for a mile or two. I felt good and clipped along at an okay pace. I could have gone faster but one side of the trail dropped off almost straight down into the river 100 feet below so some caution was in order. I figured its cold out and I didn't bring my swimsuit so no need to go down there.<br />
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Everything was moving along well when we hit the first major climb. I cant complain as I knew this would be the first of 4 big climbs on the 25k route and that didn't include what I would find on the other 25k loop that I was running. The hills were actually the reason I picked this race. They all have names and everyone knows that when hills have names they need to be respected, or hated, or something like that. The first climb was up "Humble Hill" and it was tough. My calves were on fire by the time I made it up the 2 mile climb. I would say the view was worth it but I was too busy sucking wind or too scared to look over the edge to enjoy it. I am still not sure which one it was.<br />
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Soon after it was about a mile of steep downhill. Okay so I had a plan for this race. I would power up the climbs and take it easy on the downhills so that I didn't destroy my quads. Sounds great when you put that plan together sitting on your couch but in reality standing at the top of steep technical downhills not really doable. Who was the moron that put that plan together? It was clear going slow (breaking) or going fast were both going to pound the quads so I went fast, at least while I could.<br />
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By mile 5 we were into the "flat". Oh good a new brand new wrinkle as the trail made its way along a creek bed and by along I mean in a creek bed. It was technical and crossed the stream many, many times. Sometimes you could rock jump but mostly you just got wet but hey I needed to clean the mud off my shoes anyway.<br />
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Right around 8 miles we left the 25k route and headed onto the other section for the bonus 25k. Some nice flat running and then we were climbing again up "Sledgehammer" for a 1000 ft. climb over just 1 mile. Some more flat running, the weather warmed up and I was feeling good. There was another big downhill and then something happened. Not sure what it was but it was something.<br />
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First the sun disappeared as I made my way up the second long creek bed of the day. Is it snowing? What the heck! Then it was into the creek, out of the creek, run 50 meters and back into the creek. Repeat for the next few miles. Don't they know that I already cleaned off my shoes in the last creek? Good thing this was the exact moment that my legs abandoned me. Way to go legs, thanks for coming out. Next stop was dark and brooding land. The only good thing about this is that I have been here many times. I think I must have purchased a time share in miseryville since I just keep on coming back there every spring. I also know that if you push through you can come out of it pretty quickly so I cling to this idea. Even when I fall while going uphill and bash both my knees into a giant rock I cling to the hope.<br />
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I am soon at the aid station at 18 miles and starting to feel decent again. I am slowing down but have started to actually enjoy the trail again. At mile 21 we are back headed down the "Sledgehammer" which is totally runnable unless of course your quads are toast which mine are so I take a controlled descent here until I am right back onto the 25k course where we left it.<br />
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More creek running but in an added twist its all going up hill. Just when you think you have seen it all the RD throws another sinister twist at you. I am really starting to like this guy, is that sad or what? Another big downhill, its long its technical, its single track and its got a fair number of back of the pack 25k runners making their way to the finish. At first I am thinking crap this is going to make it harder but I could not be more wrong. The 25k people were amazing, they watched for the 50kers and quickly moved out of the way as soon as they saw you. Man people at this race are really nice.<br />
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Finally it's onto the last big climb which is actually 2 climbs. First you make your way up a number of switchbacks for a good mile or so and just when you think you are almost done you hit SOB hill. It's name is very well deserved although it's only about 400 meters long it goes almost straight up, hands were required at a number of points in time.<br />
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climbing up SOB</div>
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Looking back at SOB</div>
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I was gased after this but you get rewarded with some nice runnable fire roads before being plunged into your last downhill. It was so long and technical with a nice drop off down to the creek below that I must have been running it slower then the flats I had just come off of. I was just not going to trust my trashed legs at this point. Finally after well over a mile we were back onto the road and headed for the finish line. The flat road was quite welcome at that point but a tease as just before we hit the finish it was back into the trail for one more steep hill climb to the end. I heard lots of swearing here and it wasn't even coming from me. Nice of the RD to throw in one more gottcha just for fun.<br />
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Finished in 7:17:22 a little slower then I had hoped for (7 hours) but given the workout I was happy with it. Kim ran a good race as well considering she has never run on a course this technical before so it was a good tune up for Bear Mountain. Finish line food was some of the best I have had at any race. BBQ chicken, hotdogs, potato salad, baked beans, pizza and lots of local micro brewery beer.<br />
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I can't say enough about how great this race was. Every aspect was 5 stars. No doubt we will be returning to run this one again in the years to come.<br />
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<br />chris mcpeakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15488479732649522465noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-831613295895512847.post-89635472753740447452013-04-17T14:27:00.001-07:002013-04-17T14:30:25.544-07:00Boston sorrow, Hyner View Trail 50k this weekend<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>Boston Marathon</b><br />
Not a lot I can say here. Its often hard to understand or believe that there are people out there in the world that are this sick and twisted. Like most distance runners I had a lot of friends running Boston. They all were lucky enough to escape being physically injured although some saw things that they will surely never forget. Our hearts go out to those that were injured and their families. I can't image just how awful this is for them.<br />
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On the same note what is the main stream medias problem? How about you guys try to report actual facts instead of speculating and then calling those musings factual information. From constantly reporting on more bombs found right after the event to today saying an arrest had been made when it hadn't. Really guys? Really? How hard is it to actually get facts before reporting something as reality. We used to have a word for that. It was called journalism.<br />
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<b>Hyner View Trail 50k</b><br />
We are headed down to Pennsylvania this weekend to run <a href="http://www.hikerun.com/" target="_blank">Hyner View</a>. Kim is running the 25k and I am doing 50. Not really racing it as much as using it as a nice hard long run. Trails look really great with the 50k having 6600 ft of climb. The 25k also has a whopping 4226 ft of climb. Seems like a perfect way to open up the spring season.<br />
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This is a race almost didn't happen for me. The registration closed a month before the race and I totally missed this fact while I was considering running the race. I knew I really wanted to do it but was waiting for my injury issue to clear up before registering.<br />
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I actually left a message on the site expressing my disappointment at not noticing this and then I got a huge surprise. The RD, Craig Fleming, reopened the 50k registration for an extra week. That allowed both myself and <a href="http://inhumilitatevincis.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">Carlos Vicens</a> to sign up. So a big thank you to the Race Director on this one.chris mcpeakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15488479732649522465noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-831613295895512847.post-47278372887969068332013-04-09T14:10:00.002-07:002013-04-09T14:10:23.668-07:00Krissy Moehl talk monday night talk at the Patagonia storeOn monday Kim and I headed downtown to take in the talk being given by Ultra Marathoner Krissy Moehl. Great event all around. We got some free endurance swag on top of getting to hear an amazing runner talk about her experiences in the sport. It was also really great to talk with lots of people that we haven't seen since the trail season ended last fall.<br />
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On Tuesday morning Chris Henderson and I headed back down to the Patagonia store to join in the fun run. It was a small but fun group and great weather.<br />
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Krissy Moehl speaking in Toronto</div>
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fun run tuesday morning</div>
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running with April & Melanie Boultbee and Krissy Moehl</div>
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<br />chris mcpeakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15488479732649522465noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-831613295895512847.post-56705194389274455252013-04-01T14:24:00.001-07:002013-04-01T15:00:06.966-07:00Breaking up is hard to do, March stats, Injury update<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Dear Elliptical,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">I am breaking up with you.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">A few months ago we started hanging out together and at first things when great. I was relieved to be able to spend time with you having been abandoned by my ability to run. Truth is running had kept me really busy and on the days I had gone to the gym I hadn't even noticed you there sitting along the back wall. I came, I did weights, I headed home, not even noticing you were there.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">After being hurt by running I was sad, lonely and desperate. Yes I said it, desperate! Thats when I saw you at the back of the room. Often you were alone, occasionally someone would engage you but they never stayed long. Once we got together I spent hours a day on you, pounding away with reckless abandon. At first it was fun. You were new and different and I got what I needed out of you. I was temporarily satisfied. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 18px;">Unfortunately that did not last.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 18px;"> </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">I have been plotting to move on. It can't be helped elliptical. You are just boring, really uninspiring and boring. It's the same thing every day, you sit in the corner and never want to go anywhere else or do anything different. In the last few weeks our every day get togethers began to become every 2 days and then 3 days. Even when we did see each other I began to stay for as little time as possible. I got to be honest here. I began to loath you. I dreaded the thought of having to drag my ass out to the gym to see you. I couldn't wait to be rid of you. Frankly you suck, BIG TIME.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">Well its official, we are done. I have gone back to my first love and have no intention of ever having anything to do with you again. I am going back to just ignoring you when I see you at the gym. Yes its true I was just using you until I could get back to my first love. Hasta La Vista baby.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>Injury Update</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">No problems so far. I got a strong week of running in last week with no hip pain. Currently I am ramping the mileage back up. Maybe this thing is finally behind me. Not planning another injury update in my future posts (I hope).</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>March Training</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Here are my March training totals. Finally it includes some running.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Running - 12 workouts - 15hrs 51 min 103.7 miles or 166.9km</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Weight Training - 24 workouts - 28hrs 20 mins</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Elliptical - 24 workouts - 28hrs 20 min</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Cycle - 3 workouts - 1hrs 50 min</span></div>
chris mcpeakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15488479732649522465noreply@blogger.com18