tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7253889399530817072024-03-14T11:21:19.306-07:00Running Trails In Atlanta (No More)Enjoying and discovering trails everywhere I go. I used to live in Atlanta (and still have many close ties there), but have moved to California during the summer of '08. Now, I spend my running time exploring the trails of the SF Bay Area, particularly the East Bay (Berkeley).Dave - Atlanta Trailshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13870521955679174148noreply@blogger.comBlogger152125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-725388939953081707.post-33095779689946907912010-01-30T23:51:00.000-08:002010-01-30T23:52:55.163-08:00Good-Bye Atlanta Trails Blog! Hello Golden Trails Blog!I have decided to move this blog to the <a href="http://goldentrails.wordpress.com">Golden Trails Blog</a>. Hope to see you over there!Dave - Atlanta Trailshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13870521955679174148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-725388939953081707.post-26314788050737941992010-01-06T17:03:00.000-08:002010-01-06T17:03:00.403-08:002009 in ReviewLooking back at my 2009 season, I have found that it fell in four phases:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnVsjJWeTTatwwe60AOaHXN-2Sx8KVOVkwi9Dntvv3G0J4D42qypBHMUTkxtGhlOv_TByXwlO_eNidrEJPnQAvmYnJ1Gup9wfedyTwuQltNTLW02YHCNshKgDVff49-fzAX7b24RmJxeQ/s1600-h/S2S3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnVsjJWeTTatwwe60AOaHXN-2Sx8KVOVkwi9Dntvv3G0J4D42qypBHMUTkxtGhlOv_TByXwlO_eNidrEJPnQAvmYnJ1Gup9wfedyTwuQltNTLW02YHCNshKgDVff49-fzAX7b24RmJxeQ/s320/S2S3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422684383471889922" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Cruising at S2S 50k<br /></span></span></div><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Phase I: Successful Spring Races (February-April)</span><br />February through April proved to be the busiest from a racing perspective. I raced five times in three months and paced once. This was also a very successful period. Each race was either a PR or a top 10 finish or both. Prior to this period I had never finished top 10 in any trail race. I also pushed my 50k PR down by 35 minutes. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Phase II: Getting Faster (May - August)</span><br />The heavy spring mileage and extensive travel and work forced me to focus on shorter runs. And to great effect. The Angel Island 16k was probably my best race of year (3rd in a sold out race).<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Phase III: Life and Such (September - October)</span><br />I really struggled those two months in terms of keeping up my running and staying motivated. The wedding, start of school and Cal's football season made things really busy. More importantly though, I was struggling mentally to get in my runs, especially long runs. But I fixed that by late fall to...<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Phase IV: Finish with a Bang! (November - December)</span><br />Both December races went really well. I am especially proud of my time at the Muir Beach 50k (4:55). Not only did I finally break five hours, but it also represented a 52 minute (!) improvement over my 2008 50k PR time. What a great way to finish up the year!<br /><br />Overall, I feel that I am much better runner, but I am itching for more! I've got some surprises in store for 2010!Dave - Atlanta Trailshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13870521955679174148noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-725388939953081707.post-31539498050535860942010-01-03T16:32:00.000-08:002010-01-03T16:45:13.018-08:001883.14That's my mileage total for 2009, which I'm happy with. It beat my <a href="http://atlantatrails.blogspot.com/2009/01/124359.html">minimum goal</a> (1,500) but fell <a href="http://atlantatrails.blogspot.com/2009/01/124359.html">a bit short of my dream goal</a> (2009). 1883 gets you from Berkeley somewhere outside of Iowa City if run consecutively. Not bad at all. It's also my most ever annual mileage. Sweet!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpFKy4HMxHhOmxU7jsmLeghaQqh2gIQvqF_lVP4BjCsGYmF0VczL1-7suRn14ln10sH9gl2U27rnx-olsUYtM_WTlWX68mbOd0x57qcHwoO6wJ6FCuYmmRpqsEB-EixagfSqCSKjdXuu8/s1600-h/2009map.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 162px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpFKy4HMxHhOmxU7jsmLeghaQqh2gIQvqF_lVP4BjCsGYmF0VczL1-7suRn14ln10sH9gl2U27rnx-olsUYtM_WTlWX68mbOd0x57qcHwoO6wJ6FCuYmmRpqsEB-EixagfSqCSKjdXuu8/s320/2009map.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422678772305504914" border="0" /></a>This is my third straight year of tracking my mileage all 12 months (I used to track only my training to an annual road marathon or two in years prior).<br /><br />Here are the previous totals:<br /><ul><li><a href="http://atlantatrails.blogspot.com/2009/01/124359.html">2008: 1243.59 (Berkeley to Estes Park, CO)<br /></a></li><li><a href="http://atlantatrails.blogspot.com/2008/01/141267.html">2007: 1412.47 (Atlanta to Albuquerque, NM)</a></li></ul>Unfortunately, I couldn't find a city this time that I had actually been to for visualization purposes. I have been to Dubuque, IA, but that's 2003 miles from Berkeley...Dave - Atlanta Trailshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13870521955679174148noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-725388939953081707.post-33484476164262362322009-12-24T13:01:00.000-08:002009-12-24T23:47:27.403-08:00Wind(Fall) at the Rodeo Beach 50kLast Saturday it was time to close out the 2009 season with the Rodeo Beach 50k. It was a chance to get one more ultra in (first one since August), to see some trailrunning friends and to once again enjoy the wonderful trails of the Marin Headlands.<br /><br />The lady would join me at this race and meet me several times throughout the race (all three Tennessee Valley aid stops plus Rodeo Beach at the 30k mark). We got to the start rather early and, as usual, fueled by Peet's coffee. The second I got out of the car, I knew conditions would be tough. A cold and surprisingly strong wind was making everyone put on an extra layer. Brrrr!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoc4F44ufyfPVwYpXA-h-Nb9cRwuyQUGAqX7N_k5S7NzoD3BCyvJVRut0JTqeRzy8hJoYmz7gqrh0GlIAaBA3gNeDXzXzxFhw5PrlQMjqPHXtRhz-uZENlF-UESFFTUEOMzClDXq6fsbA/s1600-h/IMG_2027.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoc4F44ufyfPVwYpXA-h-Nb9cRwuyQUGAqX7N_k5S7NzoD3BCyvJVRut0JTqeRzy8hJoYmz7gqrh0GlIAaBA3gNeDXzXzxFhw5PrlQMjqPHXtRhz-uZENlF-UESFFTUEOMzClDXq6fsbA/s320/IMG_2027.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419075968457635234" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Pre-race - all layered up<br /></span></span></div><br />The course is typical Headlands fare: big hills (nearly 6,000 feet gain) with smooth, non-technical trails and, most of all, breathtaking views. I had provided my lady with an aggressive time-table of splits (5 hour pace; my 50k PR was 5:12). There was really no basis for this other than <a href="http://atlantatrails.blogspot.com/2009/12/running-with-ken-burns-at-muir-beach.html">my race the previous weekend on almost the same course</a>, which gave me plenty of confidence. In general, I was a bit undertrained (no runs of >20 miles since August), but my head was in the right place. And that's usually half the battle.<br /><br />We took off from Rodeo to Tennessee Valley (TV) via the Miwok Trail. Strong headwinds made the first climb quite a chore. That 5 hour pace seemed ludicrous only two miles into the race. But somehow I emerged five minutes ahead of that pace at TV. Had I pushed too hard?<br /><br />Next up was Pirates Cove, perhaps my most favorite of all Bay Area trails. It's a single track trail that runs along high ocean cliffs down into the cove and then back up. Crashing waves provide the backdrop. The winds continued to be very strong and made balancing a bit more precarious. Further, the strong head winds made climbing out of the cove along the already steep, steep trail even tougher than usual. Back at TV though, I was now 7.5 mins ahead.<br /><br />It was time to take it a bit easier to the halfway point at around the Conzelman aid station. From here it's a long downhill back to Rodeo Valley. As usual, I was cruising on this trail. And then BOOM! I tripped and fell. Hard. I found myself with cramping hips, completely disoriented and a bit of shock laying on the trail. Thankfully, somebody behind me pulled me up and got me going again. In a haze, I continued to the 30k mark.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoBsGG8sSX5KUBlVzvsQTvvycnZUTHmZTfJxjK3_jrV57jct0JSmCCjQG4sFe5GRfBgOWrJXu8s0SMOnJrM7-uKHv0OKj16TpmlHaTbT_aA-jjSQWs_52xjAFiDVXUlgjVpFoq9F17bdo/s1600-h/IMG_2038.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoBsGG8sSX5KUBlVzvsQTvvycnZUTHmZTfJxjK3_jrV57jct0JSmCCjQG4sFe5GRfBgOWrJXu8s0SMOnJrM7-uKHv0OKj16TpmlHaTbT_aA-jjSQWs_52xjAFiDVXUlgjVpFoq9F17bdo/s320/IMG_2038.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419075730352025042" border="0" /></a></div><br />Over time, it became clear that nearly everything was hurting, in particular my right shoulder and wrist, which took the brunt of the fall. Then the wheels came off going up Miwok again. My legs just didn't seem to want to move. I had gone out too hard.<br /><br />I rolled into TV aid completely demoralized. I strongly questioned how I was going to make it back up the Marincello let alone run another 13k. People were saying things to me, but I couldn't tell you what it was. I was in a complete daze. Five minutes later, I decided to try to walk up Marincello and somehow make it to the top. Moving <span style="font-style: italic;">slowly </span>helped. And slowly I came to. Once I reached the top, I realized that it hadn't taken me all that long and that a PR was still possible. My spirits took a 180 degree turn. Time to get a move on!<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIrfEBFzcoyUrmbshLJ7Mmy7lEe3I4Jud_LPcVvQEL4B2UFa6NksaqhNZOwFgY8Sd_y7S2YA2H-RCM1L1ACOUlrDh9P8JiJVu2PM-zMnwFGq54sJLrq14JFE2GoJnWKGG31Xo0bEMKuUI/s1600-h/IMG_2042.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIrfEBFzcoyUrmbshLJ7Mmy7lEe3I4Jud_LPcVvQEL4B2UFa6NksaqhNZOwFgY8Sd_y7S2YA2H-RCM1L1ACOUlrDh9P8JiJVu2PM-zMnwFGq54sJLrq14JFE2GoJnWKGG31Xo0bEMKuUI/s320/IMG_2042.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419076182925722626" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">The Marincello Trail. Treat it with the utmost respect or it will get you!<br /></span></span></div><br />I couldn't believe that I got to Conzelman aid at 4:27. Only 6k to go! Could I break 5 hours? Despite the fall, the winds and my less than ideal state of mind? Why not! I seized the moment and ran as hard as I could to finish in 4:55. That's a 17 minute PR. What a way to end the season!<br /><br />At the finish, I caught up with some of the other finishers and learned of the Nathan Yanko's brilliant performance (<a href="http://pctrailruns.com/RB_RESULTS_09.HTM">3:43:51</a>) beating the blazing-fast Chikara Omine by a whole 13 minutes. It was a very fast field as a whole. A whopping 21 people finished in under five hours. While this may not be the most difficult (i.e., technical) course in the world, it's not exactly the easiest either. Them are some big climbs in the Headlands.<br /><br />As usual, my thanks to Sarah, Wendell and all the volunteers who braved the elements and pulled off a another sold-out event without a hitch. Can't wait for 2010!Dave - Atlanta Trailshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13870521955679174148noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-725388939953081707.post-4246268793166533782009-12-12T15:21:00.000-08:002009-12-12T16:04:05.942-08:00Running with Ken Burns at Muir Beach (18M)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8pZp5pRszHozxlyHILtspAvnX0yK-fIzlbszfLxGzAyrLNBX4bEprj1_z8Ham9uX_i2rUSC5EU4eIHgdqMcar7cllQERHpaJ_2UxCNSNASFAhfgOW4LzuUsoeecBETihnFxH69HJIYI4/s1600-h/kenburns.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 226px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8pZp5pRszHozxlyHILtspAvnX0yK-fIzlbszfLxGzAyrLNBX4bEprj1_z8Ham9uX_i2rUSC5EU4eIHgdqMcar7cllQERHpaJ_2UxCNSNASFAhfgOW4LzuUsoeecBETihnFxH69HJIYI4/s320/kenburns.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414496537283265026" border="0" /></a>Another frustrating non-race last weekend. Woke up sick the morning of the race. Not good timing particularly with finals upon me. It continued an awkward string of issues getting in the way of my racing this fall. BUT THEN:<br /><br />I got an e-mail reminder about the <a href="http://www.coastaltrailruns.com/">Coastal Trail Runs</a> and this weekend's race at Muir Beach. Forgot about those! I promptly decided to sign up for the 18 mile version of the race. It would be a decent warm-up for the season-ending Rodeo Beach 50k and a nice present to myself for finishing my penultimate semester of grad school at Cal.<br /><br />Some of you may have seen Ken Burns' <a href="http://www.pbs.org/nationalparks/">documentary on National Parks</a>. It's BIG. BEAUTIFUL. AWE-INSPIRING. Of course, the series spends some time talking about John Muir for whom so many natural landmarks in California are named, including the start location of the race.<br /><br />Anyhow, the show came on the night before the race. I started to watch, of course. And what can I say? <span style="font-style: italic;">It fired me up</span>! Some people watch Rocky for inspiration others watch Chariots of Fire. I watch Ken Burns. (Yes, that's my wife in the background yelling: "Nerd!").<br /><br />Some of you may know of the anecdote of John Muir sitting through a <a href="http://pweb.jps.net/%7Eprichins/w-storm.htm">massive storm on the top branches of a 100 foot tree</a>. I agree with Mr. Muir's sentiment that nature is best experienced during "bad" weather. And that's what we had for the Muir Beach 18 miler: rain and wind.<br /><br />I bundled up well knowing that I'm not fully recovered from being sick yet. The idea was to get my legs moving at a decent pace for an extended period of time without killing myself in anticipation of Rodeo Beach next week. Jason Reed, <a href="http://ultrasignup.com/results_participant.aspx?fname=Jason&lname=Reed&age=0">who is quite the speedster</a> and runs a LOT of races, lined up for the 18 miler as well. I figured he would win.<br /><br />We took off and immediately hit Pirate's Cove, one of the most beautiful sections of trail in the Bay Area. You gotta love the sound of the crashing waves while trail running! I was cruising on the downhills but my legs felt a bit weak when going up (perhaps from being sick?). Jason and I hit Tennessee Valley together before he pulled away by a couple minutes on the uphill.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJMlbOWLz-Ecaurw6f7YqIPstnUMKX8hDB2lw_PM_wp0rx_2bpxS-qswrUPmwmDaecyTY5K8ErMs1oNpwdkt4g0xcXLtZ4sUQxRoqd6nkqjtaKNF7PTcdqJmMHJMwB9fk4imt7gciLmao/s1600-h/coyote.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJMlbOWLz-Ecaurw6f7YqIPstnUMKX8hDB2lw_PM_wp0rx_2bpxS-qswrUPmwmDaecyTY5K8ErMs1oNpwdkt4g0xcXLtZ4sUQxRoqd6nkqjtaKNF7PTcdqJmMHJMwB9fk4imt7gciLmao/s320/coyote.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414503107713763106" border="0" /></a><br />It was windy and raining with increasing intensity. But it was fun playing in the mud and listening to the little creeks that formed on the trails. At aid 2, Jason was about 2 minutes ahead, which I was able to halve on the ensuing downhill. Time to go up again (3,780 feet of gain in just 18 miles means a lot of up and down). Here I ran into a coyote right in the middle of the trail. I stopped and Mr. Coyote started to approach me. Time to whistle and make him move. I had a race to run!<br /><br />This was also about the time I considered upgrading to the marathon. I wasn't going to catch Jason, but I would have a sizable lead in the marathon race. The switch was something I had discussed with people prior to the race, so I wasn't just being opportunistic! In the end, I decided to keep some juice in the tank for next week. Jason came in at 2:40 and I came in second a little under 2:43. A lot closer than I had anticipated!<br /><br />As always thanks to Sarah and Wendell and all the volunteers for making this race happen in sub-ideal conditions! It is much appreciated<br /><br />Onwards and upwards!Dave - Atlanta Trailshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13870521955679174148noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-725388939953081707.post-75850803295860841562009-11-17T22:30:00.000-08:002009-11-23T23:43:40.937-08:00Know Anything About Running in China?Over winter break (which is a nice side effect of grad school, btw), I will be going to China as part of school trip. (<a href="http://atlantatrails.blogspot.com/2009/01/anybody-have-experience-in-running-in.html">No, I am not just discriminating in favor of countries starting with "Chi"</a>).<br /><br />I am wondering whether any of you have traveled to Shanghai or Beijing and gotten some running in. While in South America, I went on an amazing <a href="http://atlantatrails.blogspot.com/2009/06/running-in-beautiful-buenos-aires.html">running sight seeing tour of Buenos Aires</a> (something you can do in most US cities, too, btw). Something of that nature would be fun. Or any other tips you might have. There is one <a href="http://www.cyclechina.com/Tours/2008/1/200812380338.html">running tour group that I found in Beijing</a>, but their runs seem awfully short.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDGEQg-srs8-HA7bA9hDRRImz0fi-vagaTe8zfF8lekSEnadbU0PSVniPIy_EcY8Erpxlb8H0sCoriRpISpveQZ-akLUIyQQxkvTPEnWHqZu_TIiedVB8C2jnzLuml77kmBh3uZv1SCwY/s1600/beijing.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDGEQg-srs8-HA7bA9hDRRImz0fi-vagaTe8zfF8lekSEnadbU0PSVniPIy_EcY8Erpxlb8H0sCoriRpISpveQZ-akLUIyQQxkvTPEnWHqZu_TIiedVB8C2jnzLuml77kmBh3uZv1SCwY/s320/beijing.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407572236477915234" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Beijing at night<br />(sort of a surprising image, don't you think? - can't wait to explore!)<br /></span></span></div><br />Any tips, advice, etc. would be very much appreciated!Dave - Atlanta Trailshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13870521955679174148noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-725388939953081707.post-46048801380269503542009-11-17T09:12:00.001-08:002009-11-17T09:36:41.928-08:00Odds and EndsI know, I know. I have been noticeably absent over the past couple of months. So what has happened? Here are some incomplete thoughts:<br /><ul><li>SF One Day was supposed to be my big race for the fall. A friend's wedding got in the way of that. Such is life. I wish there was a comparable race some time in the spring to make up for it. I'm still a bit bummed.<br /></li><li>The kids (wait, they're my age) over at <a href="http://www.trailruntimes.com/">trailruntimes.com</a> featured a blog entry of mine as a winner of the "My First Ultra" contest. <a href="http://www.trailruntimes.com/?p=716">Read it here.</a> It won me the most comfortable sweater of all time. I wear it 8 or 9 days a week. Thanks to Brett Rivers, et al in making that happen. Visit their site, read their race reports and meet them at a race. Likely before or after, since their are all <span style="font-style: italic;">fast</span>!<br /></li></ul><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.trailruntimes.com/"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 72px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ-i_Hr3KbGa6EhnDRIhVYNNIW1elGqUjv69Js_mBF_CmgUgXJqkAhK6FpNfYl2qFP_-CZPJCkFnEeLvMd7dd9gU6sltbscFVeSc5ddgf0p-8XTIDeqGu971TA0OlKrpJh58o-5qrtLeo/s320/trailruntimes.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405124482043083794" border="0" /></a><ul><li>Cal football - Yes, football Saturdays make both race and long-run scheduling surprisingly difficult. Oh, well, at least it was worth it with the Bears living up to expectations this year. Oh wait, that's right. We only really good on paper. That helps. They must beat Stanford this weekend for this season to find a sweet ending, but I digress.</li></ul><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfebpLfAt8g"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 234px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoqZxNMkQBuosJQuUNAlxJe370zoi8hqK9ZMJXTR_z3wDgWreslhqL4qnkN7_07yXZ_5kvCs6tBS41U7J_svXJAwgyQ3UkGX0CbFYFvzfh6t8ofj2m5q7HHfjxhQ4K4HOV3HFds0ICvc0/s320/The-play.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405127353087986770" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Best. Sports. Moment. (links to 45 sec. YouTube clip)<br /></div><ul><li>I loaded up heavy on academics this fall to have a bit more time for job search in the spring. That's kept me busy. That edumacation thing is pretty important, you know? 16 credit hours is a lot though.<br /></li><li>Without any real races on the calendar, it's been hard to motivate myself to run much this fall. Been feeling both mentally and physically tired for a couple of months. It took me a while to realize that the lack of race goals may have contributed to that. I also need to get out more. I've fallen victim to running the same long run in Tilden over and over. Why? No idea. The Bay Area is trail heaven. I must be stupid for not having taken better advantage of that. Headlands this weekend. I'm making a change!<br /></li><li>With school, job search, etc. I have really fallen behind on reading blogs, the other HUGE source of inspiration. I am slowly catching up, so don't be offended if I comment on a race you did in September. :)</li><li>I'm going to run Woodside and Rodeo Beach to finish the year out in style. And I cannot wait. See you all out there!!<br /></li></ul>Dave - Atlanta Trailshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13870521955679174148noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-725388939953081707.post-30719756318031225592009-10-05T09:14:00.000-07:002009-10-05T09:39:04.204-07:00A Twitterific Skyline Ridge Race Report<span style="font-style: italic;">(Trying something different for this race)</span><br /><br />6:10 - getting up...been awake since 3 a.m. Bleh.<br />6:17 - Not sure whether I can do 50k without proper training. 37k at a minimum today, right? right.<br />6:27 - at Peet's, getting the usual pre-race food (caramel latte, scone, muffin)<br />6:55 - crossing Bay Bridge. Golden Gate, the city, Marin....esp. gorgeous in this morning light<br />7:02 - still brooding over Cal's terrible loss...season down the drain<br />7:12 - wondering how walking all over Berkeley and standing all through the game last night will affect my legs. Likely not good.<br />7:35 - Arrive at race. Say hi to @BrianWyatt<br />7:36 - Brrrrr...I doubt it's even 40 degrees. very windy, too. Check in time. hug @SarahSpelt<br />8:00 - bio taken care of. Changing into race gear and keeping warm in car.<br />8:15 - Meeting some Floridians, including first time ultra-runner. Big day for him<br />8:24 - another bio break. wtf?<br />8:29 - Hello @RickGaston! Smile. Picture.<br />8:30 - Off...taking it easy.<br />8:33 - Super smooth trails. <br />8:40 - Relaxing big time<br />9:28 - Out and back...time to grunt my "g'd'job"s<br />9:29 - g'd'job!<br />9:30 - g'd'job! g'd'job!<br />9:31 - g'd'job! g'd'job! g'd'job!<br />9:37 - aid #1. Lamenting my out of shape self and the Golden Bears disappointment with @BrianWyatt<br />9:40 - Feeling GREAT!<br />9:55 - Running smoooooooth<br />10:12 - stomach acting up. It should be settled after two bio breaks before race<br />10:37 - Now, it's completely empty. bio break #3<br />10:38 - Desperately trying to eat at aid 2. Not working out so well.<br />10:42 - starting to eat another gel. Tastes terrible. Usually that's my favorite.<br />10:44 - stomach cramp. ugh<br />10:52 - cramp, cramp, cramp<br />11:02 - still trying to eat that gel. Not good. <br />11:24 - at aid#3. Have yet to finish gel. pretzels work better but not enough. stomach still cramping.<br />11:45 - can't run more than a quarter mile without stomach cramps. Legs are starting to feel ueber-weak b/c I have no calories in me. BAD<br />12:02 - walking way to much in order to try to settle stomach cramps.<br />12:08 - This is stupid. I'll take the 37k and call it a day.<br />12:15 - Pulling out of race. Realizing I'm in 4th and had a good pace. @Wendell looked surprised. I'm frustrated<br />12:20 - time for chili! @RickGaston is the cook<br />12:35 - saying my good-byes. <br />12:45 - driving home. Really wish I could have finished. Must return next year. Definitely some unfinished business. <br />2:02 - Back in Berkeley. Shower and off to the Spice of Life festival. Food, food, food right at my door step!Dave - Atlanta Trailshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13870521955679174148noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-725388939953081707.post-15217380816352950592009-08-16T09:41:00.000-07:002009-08-16T10:10:58.701-07:00Psychedelic Climacteric 50kWoah! What a name. Don't try looking it up online. It's a small run put on by Mike Palmer every year. Mike is a well-known figure in the Bay Area community who is also known for his in-the-know e-mail list.<br /><br />12 of us gathered at the starting line on a small dirt track near (on?) the UC Berkeley campus. There were lots of hugs, smiles and laughter. A few speedsters were there. Mark Gilligan (1st TRT 50 mile), Joe Binder (3:47 at Skyline 50k) and Rob Silva (5th at Ruth Andersen 50mile). But no one was really there to race. We were all out to have a good time!<br /><br />The PC is a tough course. 7000 feet of elevation will do that for ya. You get a course description, hope that there may be an aid station at mile 8 and perhaps a few ribbons and chalk arrows on the ground. Old school. And I like it that way. (It turned out that the course was pretty well marked actually.)<br /><br />I settled in with Rob, who was returning from an injury. We got to Volmer Peak without any issues, passed the aid station and headed to one of my favorite spots in the area: Wildcat Peak. It usually has sweeping views of the entire Bay, but it was hazy that day. Bummer. We hung out for a bit anyways. <br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3-USozXbcPvTltHK6vX4qjK4bVXf7PXJmiM5s9NxItGMZnxdr8l2UqrYsVBhAr2bNZtX_HT0iVxpUkvXplCsKe_S_QVhb3iXV7tmUy6sBxN-B9iZDrJjtrCvb8-L_SC-QNin2a0upN9g/s1600-h/CIMG0647.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3-USozXbcPvTltHK6vX4qjK4bVXf7PXJmiM5s9NxItGMZnxdr8l2UqrYsVBhAr2bNZtX_HT0iVxpUkvXplCsKe_S_QVhb3iXV7tmUy6sBxN-B9iZDrJjtrCvb8-L_SC-QNin2a0upN9g/s400/CIMG0647.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370609846374064098" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">View towards the Bay on a clear day (with a bad camera). </span></span><br /></div><br />Somewhere past the ensuing downhill things started to not go so well for Rob. We were slowing down considerably. Time to walk and see if I can get him out of the funk. But things were just getting worse and worse for Rob. After about two hours, Rob declared he was going to walk the whole way back to Lone Pine (another 2.5 miles or so). I decided it was time for me to move on. Rob had a cell phone, the next group of runners was going to happen upon us soon and we weren't too far from the Jewel Lake parking lot (to get picked up if necessary). We said our good-byes, and I took it up a notch.<br /><br />I ran a couple of sub-8s without much effort. Bought some M&M's at Lake Anza and headed home. I was surprised at how relatively easy it felt going back up to Strawberry Canyon. Still running the uphills. Good stuff! I know the firetrail like the back of my hand and that energized me even further. In the end, I finished in 6:19. I ran the last 12 or 13 miles in 1:45 and felt very strong throughout the day. My summer training has definitely come together well. Now, it's time to take that into the fall.<br /><br />My thanks to Mike, the aid station guy (sorry, didn't get your name) and whoever else helped in putting this event together. It was psychedelitastic!Dave - Atlanta Trailshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13870521955679174148noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-725388939953081707.post-33288317752020130442009-08-13T08:45:00.000-07:002009-08-13T09:23:37.639-07:00Lessons Learned Sweeping the Headlands Hundred CourseThis past Sunday, I volunteered at the Headlands Hundred. I took on the task of sweeping 17 miles of the 25 mile loop. Armed with a ton of podcasts, sunscreen and a camelback I set out to clean up the course that witnessed local Nathan Yanko take home the win in his very first 100. Nice job, Nathan!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXCMWcrX0tY5VvZgxFAMvMGXLzRj_XKhywEH5AhfZyMpCfwsNVqu_1UT3chE1j77avtLsHWGy1QWdaiCaw5_QEjdWDaObozG01Fyt2GSK-dk1daAFm42R7H9HpS34LUdjkjVu9Hn5xZNM/s1600-h/race1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXCMWcrX0tY5VvZgxFAMvMGXLzRj_XKhywEH5AhfZyMpCfwsNVqu_1UT3chE1j77avtLsHWGy1QWdaiCaw5_QEjdWDaObozG01Fyt2GSK-dk1daAFm42R7H9HpS34LUdjkjVu9Hn5xZNM/s400/race1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369484754415972994" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Course Markings are Heavy!<br /></span>It may have been the fact that this was an overnight race, but, sheesh, course markings are heavy. Course flags, clothespins, glow sticks, those little metal flag thingies, signs and tent stakes (!) add up quickly, especially on a course as well marked as this one was. Between the start at Rodeo Beach and and Tennessee Valley, I picked up at least 15 lbs worth of stuff (including a few gel wrappers). I was glad to leave those course markings at the Tennessee Valley aid station and head back out with an empty bag. (Btw, it was fun to hang out at an aid station for longer than 30 seconds for once. I enjoyed my 45 minutes there).<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">It Takes Longer Than You Think<br /></span></span>With all that extra weight and the time it takes to pick everything up, it really takes some time to clean up a course. I ended up doing 20 miles (added some out-and-backs for good measure) in five hours. That's probably about two hours longer than it would have taken during a normal run. <span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />Sweeping Is A Fantastic Workout<br /></span></span>Boy, was I tired. You run 20 miles, but it's more like a 25-28 mile effort. I was BEAT afterwards. <span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />You Become An Ambassador For The Sport<br /></span></span>About 20 people must have stopped and asked me what the course markings were for. "A race" was my usual answer. The reactions were all over the board. Some were "just happy that people are finally cleaning up after themselves" while others (most) were completely taken aback by the distance (50/100 m) of the race. You end up talking a lot about your sport. "People run for that long?" Yes, sir, they do.<span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></span>Dave - Atlanta Trailshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13870521955679174148noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-725388939953081707.post-47090068395165288562009-08-08T12:01:00.000-07:002009-08-08T12:12:54.945-07:00Winners!As you were leaving great comments on why you deserve a free pair of running shoes, I started thinking about how to pick the winners. The dilemma I was faced with is that I know some entrants, which inherently introduces some bias. Not a fan of bias.<br /><br />Soooo, what is an MBA student to do? What is it that they teach us to use to solve all of the world's problems with?* EXCEL! All you of you were assigned a number (in order of submission) and I entered you into a little <span style="font-style: italic;">Randomizer </span>I put together (randbetween function for you excel geeks). That left each person with exactly a 21.43% chance of winning. Not bad!<br /><br />Without further ado, here are the winners:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6aTdQ7vmF4FhCe17yTq8pX-H1H_kJ4B_SbU2GM5l9jIdsDipgBgmD97QrC1KFmeB3mAIXt2tZmSCoooTCcKjPhMmMDJRfTZSSzRmv45uoRYET0i_1iYu4_4_2mpCocO2ylK8pTgwYaSw/s1600-h/winners.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 255px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6aTdQ7vmF4FhCe17yTq8pX-H1H_kJ4B_SbU2GM5l9jIdsDipgBgmD97QrC1KFmeB3mAIXt2tZmSCoooTCcKjPhMmMDJRfTZSSzRmv45uoRYET0i_1iYu4_4_2mpCocO2ylK8pTgwYaSw/s400/winners.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367672431667271202" border="0" /></a>Ben, Robin and Leslie, please e-mail me at davidrschoenberg <at> gmail dot com. I will put you in touch with the Vibram people, who will send you the shoes. You have until 8/14 to contact me. If I haven't heard from you by then, I will choose another winner as a replacement.<br /><br />CONGRATULATIONS!<br /><br />*(that's an exaggeration, of course)<br /></at>Dave - Atlanta Trailshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13870521955679174148noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-725388939953081707.post-89189537723427331042009-07-30T20:20:00.000-07:002009-07-30T21:16:35.904-07:00Vibram Sole Review (and Shoe Give-Away!)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7xZNQVB5NSMrpO65FZKR0G3pN38Ev3ZZYJw7-MHPOiOSiiBtl9umSxwU_vkJk9LxOep0Zg5Ayu9N446ZxrwZGWWZu3Cy_8VaCalHBsQFNAIA_mQVjTDna2uqWLFDQKfrUR4iOreK9zGM/s1600-h/vibramlogo.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 314px; height: 185px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7xZNQVB5NSMrpO65FZKR0G3pN38Ev3ZZYJw7-MHPOiOSiiBtl9umSxwU_vkJk9LxOep0Zg5Ayu9N446ZxrwZGWWZu3Cy_8VaCalHBsQFNAIA_mQVjTDna2uqWLFDQKfrUR4iOreK9zGM/s400/vibramlogo.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364470141426189714" border="0" /></a>One of two things usually come to mind when you hear "Vibram": solid soles or <a href="http://www.vibramfivefingers.com/">those funny finger shoe things</a> that are oh-so cool right now. (Keep reading, btw. I have three pairs of trail running shoes to give away).<br /><br />I myself <a href="http://atlantatrails.blogspot.com/2008/09/climbing-mt-elbert-14433-ft.html">climbed the highest mountain in Colorado</a> on the backs of Vibram soles. Naturally, I was excited when I heard that they were looking to get back into trail running. Vibram struck a partnership with Saucony and are featured as part of the <a href="http://www.saucony.com/ShoeDetails.aspx?gen=m&id=1146&rel=1118,1109,1113,1057,1110,1104,1107,1115,1041,1056,1076,1083,1128,1086,1102,1067,1093,1089,1116,1064,1062,1090,1144,1142,1146,1134,1138,1136,1148,1155,1157,1159,1152,1150">Xodus shoe</a>, which is earning very good reviews, btw.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-JL8sL0W82hQExrs-lHoAE3fR0c6vRrHDgao-P_U6xb7eKEVjeWv26FEBnThDFbrpx6VR7RuISp9_AHQr1rQKO1oSYrQ1KTxP3PNka_j4AntAbmEL4qTxW-1P4yc9VVwxoN3AlkUPwQU/s1600-h/vibram.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-JL8sL0W82hQExrs-lHoAE3fR0c6vRrHDgao-P_U6xb7eKEVjeWv26FEBnThDFbrpx6VR7RuISp9_AHQr1rQKO1oSYrQ1KTxP3PNka_j4AntAbmEL4qTxW-1P4yc9VVwxoN3AlkUPwQU/s400/vibram.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364469820551062386" border="0" /></a><br />My job was to review the soles, not the shoes. I took them out on all types of different terrain to see how they would perform.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">First Impression</span><br />This is like running on air! Fantastic!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Smooth Single Track (10/10)<br /></span>Perfect! I was flying on buttery, rolling single track. The soles handled small obstacles (small rocks, occasional root, etc.) with ease. The best part was that I was able to cut around sharp turns (such as switch backs) without having to worry about losing traction. That's a HUGE advantage. You can really make up some time here during races.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Rugged, Technical Single Track </span>(8/10)<br />The soles definitely performed very well here, too, especially on the uphills. I was a little worried about sliding when traversing larger rocks or boulders. But I shouldn't be running those anyhow.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Rooty Trails</span> (9/10)<br />No complaints here. Exposed roots did not turn into slip'n'slides as they so often can.<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />Fire Road</span> (10/10)<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span>Didn't I say something about flying earlier? You can FLY on fire roads with Vibram soles. Just enough grip to hold on to the dirt, but light enough to feel like you're running in road shoes. I was positively surprised! <span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />Very Steep Inclines </span>(8/10)<br />Climbing was absolutely no problem. Perfect traction here. On very, very steep downhills (30%+), I did lose traction a couple times. But I have never not lost traction on these particular sections of trail. Gravity can be a pretty strong force (thanks, Newton!).<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />Sandy Trails (9/10)<br /></span>There aren't too many around...unless, of course, you run a <a href="http://atlantatrails.blogspot.com/2009/04/fun-marathon-in-marin.html">race that traverses a beach</a>. No complaints here. <span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />Road (10/10)</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span>Yes, sometimes you have to traverse asphalt or, worse, concrete to get to a trail. No issues here. <span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /></span></span>Soooooo, here is the part you have all been waiting for.<span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span></span>I have three (yes, THREE) pairs of Saucony Xodus' to give away, so you can try out the Vibram soles yourself.<span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span></span>In order to enter, you have to answer one of two questions in the comments:<br /><ul><li>Why do you want a pair of free trail running shoes? OR<br /></li><li>What is the wildest (or most unexpected) thing that has ever happened to you out on the trails?</li></ul>Sign with your name and city. You have until 11:59 pm PST on August 7, 2009. I will pick the winners on August 8. Check back then, and contact me if you're one of the lucky ones. Good luck!Dave - Atlanta Trailshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13870521955679174148noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-725388939953081707.post-5174793786009408242009-07-29T09:13:00.000-07:002009-07-29T09:27:28.105-07:00UpdateInstead of telling you how wonderful a time I had at the Salt Point 50k, I have to give you an injury update. Rats! My ankle was hurt bad enough that running 31 trail miles would not have been a good idea. I do value long term health (and my ability to run!) over short-term fun. With that I stayed home all weekend and worked. Yes, I'm busy as heck with my work and with the wedding coming up. It's all fun actually. Just get to do less blogging.<br /><br />One interesting thing that happened was that my ankle/foot went numb some time during the middle of last week. Freaked me out a bit. Turns out that I had been icing it a little bit excessively. Imagine that: an ultra-runner going above and beyond what's required. :)<br /><br />I have started to run again albeit lightly. The focus is now on the fall season, which will be busy, busy, busy!Dave - Atlanta Trailshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13870521955679174148noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-725388939953081707.post-22559266512911277212009-07-19T15:57:00.000-07:002009-07-20T08:19:19.262-07:00Tale of a Short One at SequoiaI was really looking forward to yesterday's Sequoia 30k. Not only was it supposed to serve as a final tune-up before the Salt Point 50k eight days later, but I was anxious to test out my racing legs. I had been training hard over the last month despite a twisted ankle three weeks ago, which had sidelined me for (fortunately only) four days.<br /><br />The lady would again join me partaking in the challenging 10k version of the race. Her friend Meghan was also coming along for her very first (but not last!) trail race. We were running unusually late, and I got there 10 minutes before Wendell sent us on our way. It was just enough time to check in and say hello to some friends (<a href="http://wcaitlinsmith.blogspot.com/">Caitlin </a>(50k), Will (20k) and <a href="http://ultrailnaka.blogspot.com/">Mark </a>(50k)). Knowing these trails fairly well, I would know when to push and for which sections to conserve my energy. My goal for this race was to break 2:40, which would be challenging but attainable.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVuRSLKsIQZIkml9cpKTccLwpISN1H7lcE2JtqNK_W_cTetEZh-biPaHZKnY5XW7zlx6HBSauKmS3TKm_PZooUDN99XKARw66dolUXiQ85yOXPt5fdp4x2Ny3wqLzT33pgdetGR2iIe1E/s1600-h/IMG_1802.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVuRSLKsIQZIkml9cpKTccLwpISN1H7lcE2JtqNK_W_cTetEZh-biPaHZKnY5XW7zlx6HBSauKmS3TKm_PZooUDN99XKARw66dolUXiQ85yOXPt5fdp4x2Ny3wqLzT33pgdetGR2iIe1E/s400/IMG_1802.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360559887407195890" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Mark and I are cute, aren't we?</span></span><br /></div><br />From the start, I was running somewhere among the first seven runners between the two races (both the 50k and 30k started at the same time). Soon we hit the first aid (Moon Gate), and I was rushing through in an effort to catch up to Caitlin and/or Mark in order to pace with them. At Moon Gate, speedy Berkeley runner (and quasi neighbor) Bryan Wyatt said hello. It's always nice to see familiar faces at aid stations.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgud7GPNpxjqPffUK_-91nf8bYDu2YwxoT-7WdYSQ65PDJRnUfrLQy4Rzg61cUmNIi-SyjuYJJ7ic2I1WuS-oJhZnxzedzwSPfDZqer0F-LVQN_3mT2RsATHm_vjeF34n5FcotGcbaU1KA/s1600-h/IMG_1804.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgud7GPNpxjqPffUK_-91nf8bYDu2YwxoT-7WdYSQ65PDJRnUfrLQy4Rzg61cUmNIi-SyjuYJJ7ic2I1WuS-oJhZnxzedzwSPfDZqer0F-LVQN_3mT2RsATHm_vjeF34n5FcotGcbaU1KA/s400/IMG_1804.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360560043987578930" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Runners taking off so fast, it was too much for the camera to handle<br /></span></span></div><br />Then it was time to hit the single track. A very steep and technical trail (Tres Sendas?) connects over to the infamous French Trail. I've run down this trail many times and knew exactly what was coming. Charging down as fast as I did was simply stupid and my reward came quickly in the form of a nicely twisted ankle. Game over! Having twisted my ankles many, many times to varying degrees, I have the useful ability (I guess) of assessing very quickly how bad it is. I immediately knew the race was over for. This sprain was worse than the one three weeks ago (same ankle), but it wasn't nearly as bad as the one that severed three tendons and took me out of commission for two months <a href="http://atlantatrails.blogspot.com/2007/10/end-of-run.html">almost two years ago</a>.<br /><br />The good news was that I was close to an aid station with road access. Only a half mile climb out of the ravine and I'd be on my way back to the start/finish area. Trailrunners being trailrunners I got lots and lots of "Are you OK?"s. Many of them stopped (some running in the top ten in their respective races). I felt bad about that knowing that I could make it back under my own power, so eventually I took off my race number (looking a bit more like a hiker).<br /><br />Back at Moon Gate, I watched Will and Guillaume Hansel fly by as leaders of the 20k. It turned out to be a bad day for Will as well, and he would later drop out. The Moon Gate crew gave me some ice for my ankle and some M&M's for my soul, before Craig (?) drove me back to the start/finish.<br /><br />Back at the finish, volunteers were scurrying about getting ready for the 10k runners to finish. I obviously couldn't help them, so I joined a group of about a dozen wives and husbands waiting for their loved ones while tending to dogs, kids or both. It was kinda nice to sit on the meadow and enjoy a gorgeous day. I really tried hard not to let the disappointment get to me. Keeping up my spirits got much more challenging once the first finishers came in though. I had hardly gotten a workout in! Ummph. Soon, I spotted Caitlin who opted to run just 20k instead of the planned 50k. The trails had been kicking her butt lately (literally!), and she was smart to listen to her body and drop out. We chatted some before Meghan and Melanie finished.<br /><br />Despite the disappointment of a DNF, I really enjoyed myself out there. The trailrunning community pulled through once again. In many ways. How can you not enjoy yourself? Injuries are part of the game, and the trails aren't going anywhere, so you may as well enjoy yourself out there, even if things don't go your way.<br /><br />Thank you, Wendell and Sarah (where were you?) for yet another great race and, of course, all the volunteers, especially the Moon Gate crew.<br /><br />P.s. There is a chance I may run Salt Point this weekend and an even greater chance I won't. The ankle is still very sore.Dave - Atlanta Trailshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13870521955679174148noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-725388939953081707.post-45272268618820260282009-06-22T08:03:00.000-07:002009-06-22T08:54:35.994-07:00What a day at the Angel Island 16k!For two days now, I have been on a high from my experience at the <a href="http://pctrailruns.com/Angel_Island_Summer.htm">Angel Island 16k</a>. Sitting in the northern part of the Bay, Angel Island is east of Berkeley, just south of Tiburon and north of the city. You can see it from all of the major bridges (Golden Gate, Bay, Richmond) and from many of the trails here in the northern part of the East Bay as well as the Marin Headland. In other words, you see it A LOT. The <a href="http://pctrailruns.com/Angel_Island_Summer.htm">Angel Island races (8k, 16k, 25k, 50k)</a> were an opportunity to finally check this gem out from up close.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR5JkLEdbzcp2YJr678oAv-S3SfWLQtoUftLhLfhqP1EfiMKbWAflkoe9rDSPO6WAL-_ffV1hIY7Hxv6wvvE4Fv2e4tmidRyV6H-FYn7p-3_YcXPpBpQMUwLrEQ5PVzVYpoDcq10cFXw8/s1600-h/ai3.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR5JkLEdbzcp2YJr678oAv-S3SfWLQtoUftLhLfhqP1EfiMKbWAflkoe9rDSPO6WAL-_ffV1hIY7Hxv6wvvE4Fv2e4tmidRyV6H-FYn7p-3_YcXPpBpQMUwLrEQ5PVzVYpoDcq10cFXw8/s400/ai3.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350180323730472898" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">It's the one marked with an "A". (Thanks, Google!)<br /></span></span></div><br />This race was a family affair for me. The lady was ready to take on her first Bay Area trail run (8k), my friend Will (fresh off a sizzling 2:32 at the L.A. Marathon) was ready to once again compete in the longest-distance-that-is-not-an-ultra category (25k in this case). He has three wins so far this year (I like to brag on him :)). Finally, his friend Pete was ready take on his first trail race (25k). With a 2:53 at L.A., Pete is very fast himself. I would compete in the 16k. Friends would join us throughout the day to picnic.<br /><br />Having taken a bit of a breather since the <a href="http://atlantatrails.blogspot.com/2009/04/skyline-2-sea-simply-must-do-race.html">Skyline to the Sea 50k</a>, this race was supposed to be a litmus test to see how much fitness I had lost with all those 20-30 mile weeks and countless miles of travel over the past couple of months. The minimum goal was to break 90 minutes (otherwise I would really have my work cut out for me with the upcoming schedule). I would be happy with a time in the low 80s and thrilled to beat 80 minutes. Secretly, I really wanted to break 80 mins.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZus9ZUNwOFN0SUkejuSu-iePHanTcT3C9BZBllBQU8PADLu8X6-sutrIYhpEjxO_zeO-UnpkHkd_hHimGdi2O5RjTbJ3MS90rPsYHNvCPawyJE86K0kd4FSnIDz0KRTVqsQpW9El3-LQ/s1600-h/ai2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZus9ZUNwOFN0SUkejuSu-iePHanTcT3C9BZBllBQU8PADLu8X6-sutrIYhpEjxO_zeO-UnpkHkd_hHimGdi2O5RjTbJ3MS90rPsYHNvCPawyJE86K0kd4FSnIDz0KRTVqsQpW9El3-LQ/s400/ai2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350180238821900914" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">View of the city from Angel Island.<br /></span></span></div><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span>The race started out with the steepest section of the day. It wasn't very long, but intense enough for me to completely lose my breath. Similar to the <a href="http://atlantatrails.blogspot.com/2009/03/in-footsteps-of-legends-rucky-chucky.html">Rucky Chucky</a> and <a href="http://atlantatrails.blogspot.com/2009/04/skyline-2-sea-simply-must-do-race.html">S2S races</a>, I had breathing issues from the onset. However, running somewhere in the top 10, my legs felt really good, so I just motored along. I definitely got the "no way he can keep up this pace" look from people as I passed them. Maybe they would be right.<br /><br />Or maybe not. Because once things flattened out a bit, I got into a good rythm and started to feel very good. At 37 mins, I passed the half way mark. Not a bad time for a hilly five miler. Five more to go, which tops out at at the highest point of the Island, Mt. Livermore (788 ft). I was happy to go back up, because the views of San Francisco, the Golden Gate and the Marin Headlands were absolutely <span style="font-style: italic;">spectacular!</span> Really, it doesn't get much more stunning than this in terms of views. What a beautiful place Angel Island is!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLJvFBfKLys-JRLNweJtgdTodLcKGo0pQNb8H5WQfKKhdmEl19W4ySHSLe7E9cublt6Y9RUug5vuZzxld3Q1ROMEYSrAaPq5mIDUc7pH83yobAvQp1gqoHrD6dv2X0w9_aqYr_ZAWyxx8/s1600-h/ai.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 260px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLJvFBfKLys-JRLNweJtgdTodLcKGo0pQNb8H5WQfKKhdmEl19W4ySHSLe7E9cublt6Y9RUug5vuZzxld3Q1ROMEYSrAaPq5mIDUc7pH83yobAvQp1gqoHrD6dv2X0w9_aqYr_ZAWyxx8/s400/ai.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350180177328956994" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">No introduction needed.<br /></span></span></div><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span>Of course, this second major climb really would decide how well I was going to hold up. Soon, I saw a fellow runner about 50 yards ahead of me. Slowly but surely, I was able to reel him in. Just below the summit I passed and offered to "work together." He said something about "dead legs", which gave me a psychological boost, since I was still feeling good (my legs were tired, but definitely not dead). Didn't see many runners coming down from the summit (well, only one) and thought that I must be running somewhere in 6th or so place, which would be my best PCTR finish so far.<br /><br />Then it was time to tackle the final downhill, which is my strength (I think). We were running into the back of the 8k race. Passing several dozen people on a narrow single track definitely led to some precarious situations. Lots of "on your left!"s for sure. All of the sudden, a fast moving runner appeared about 30 or so yards behind me. My goal was to keep him at bay, but he was <span style="font-style: italic;">flying.</span> Eventually I happened upon a slow runner with headphones blearing. I literally had to stop and tap the dude on the shoulder, so I could pass. That was enough time for the other guy to catch up. He was faster anyways. Had him within sight the whole way in, but couldn't quite catch him without risking life and limb flying down the trail.<br /><br />It didn't matter. Crossing the finish, I had reached all my goals. And then some: 1:17:53! Good enough for <a href="http://pctrailruns.com/AI_SMMR_RESULTS_09.HTM">3rd overall</a>. The way it worked out, we all finished around the same time. The lady killed it and surprised herself (as I told her she would) with a strong, strong 49th overall at the 8k. So, so proud! Will won the 25k and Pete finished strong in 3rd overall. What a day for this crew!<br /><br />We had set up a little picnic and enjoyed a few more hours of hanging out, throwing the football and, of course, eating. Also met friends old and new (hello, neighbor Brian!). A perfect day on the Island on easily one of the most scenic courses around. Thanks to Sarah, Wendell and all the volunteers for another perfectly organized race. We'll be back!Dave - Atlanta Trailshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13870521955679174148noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-725388939953081707.post-21383651138390126562009-06-12T21:00:00.000-07:002009-06-12T21:00:03.281-07:00Mid-Year "Off-season" and Upcoming RacesEven before my final race of the spring season, the <a href="http://atlantatrails.blogspot.com/2009/04/skyline-2-sea-simply-must-do-race.html">Skyline 2 Sea 50k</a>, I started feeling a bit sluggish. It had been an intense (by my standards) race season with 150+ miles of racing in just 11 weeks. That's definitely more than I had ever raced before. It was also my most successful (half-) season with a couple of top-10s and a couple of PRs (spread over four separate races).<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyjv72wxyE7z04v53KEvQmbURpEOM5huyQnfMfwvXhaHQmkROXo5ifl2r4THcIv_lNgFrnR_InbXXE3kVQVMgcYDCTmaMi-YzF2tF-rE1kzTAzzZthmqBv78-eTda5lK_-v8AgnrNUwvY/s1600-h/icecream.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyjv72wxyE7z04v53KEvQmbURpEOM5huyQnfMfwvXhaHQmkROXo5ifl2r4THcIv_lNgFrnR_InbXXE3kVQVMgcYDCTmaMi-YzF2tF-rE1kzTAzzZthmqBv78-eTda5lK_-v8AgnrNUwvY/s400/icecream.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345113714575193346" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Give me a break! It's off-season. That means "eat ice-cream" where I'm from.<br /></span></span></div><br />With my trip to Chile as well as a bunch of other travel (Pittsburgh, Vegas, Atlanta...phew!) looming in May and June, life has been pretty busy (oh yeah...I had finals, too!). May/June always looked like the perfect time to rest.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij481IdfTgzzSm7mfkWMW4nrPqe1kJzyKQ9FWu7kAKXWU_0RwA0hBBXNGod_S-7HsrOWDqQhRXX50j7P_Ec0dqySlYpNPJz_HERItmaNri8ho8OSn9dNqfRs9AWn36yolaPE0FYa0zJyk/s1600-h/steak.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij481IdfTgzzSm7mfkWMW4nrPqe1kJzyKQ9FWu7kAKXWU_0RwA0hBBXNGod_S-7HsrOWDqQhRXX50j7P_Ec0dqySlYpNPJz_HERItmaNri8ho8OSn9dNqfRs9AWn36yolaPE0FYa0zJyk/s400/steak.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345113799752765330" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">That's an Argentinian steak, Chilean wine and a Californian carnivore</span></span><br /><br /></div><br />I need the rest. Physically and emotionally. My runs have been very short (except for two 17ish mile efforts) and relaxing. Then last week it happened: I got a little spring in my step. My legs feel strong again! Without even thinking it, I easily ran 40+ miles this week (including some mountain running at high altitude. Not bad for "off-season." In all, I will have probably run around 250 miles during seven weeks of downtime, which officially ends June 15. (It's "official," because I say so!). <br /><br />With that, I have also started signing up for a bunch of summer/fall races. Here is what's on the plate:<br /><ul><li><a href="http://pctrailruns.com/Angel_Island_Summer.htm">Angel Island 16k (June 20)</a> - My first weekend back in the States. Nine miles...sort of like a long sprint. The lady will be running too. So will Will.<br /></li><li><a href="http://pctrailruns.com/Sequoia_Smmr.htm">Sequoia 30k (July 18th)</a> - I know the course and plan to run hard. This should also be a good long-run getting ready for the following week.</li><li><a href="http://pctrailruns.com/Salt_Point.htm">Salt Point 50k (July 26th)</a> - Looking forward to running 50k's again. This can't come soon enough!</li><li><a href="http://pctrailruns.com/SF_One_Day.htm">San Francisco One Day: 12 hour (Oct. 24)</a> - A timed race will be a new experience for me. I do have a little adventure planned around this though, which the RD has already approved (thanks, Sarah!). More on that later. </li><li><a href="http://www.runcim.org/">California International Marathon (Dec. 6)</a> - Haven't run a road marathon since 2004. Me thinks that the 3:47 PR should fall on this fast course. Curious to see how well I can do on the road after my five-year hiatus. <br /></li></ul>Other races under consideration (likelihood of me entering in %)<br /><ul><li>Pacifica 30k (5%) - July</li><li>Headlands 50k (30%) - August<br /></li><li>Santa Cruz Mountains 50k (90%) - September</li><li>Dick Collins Firetrails - Marathon (75%) - October</li><li>Dick Collins Firetrails - 50 mile (15%) - October<br /></li><li>Carmel Valley 50k (25%) - October</li><li>Rodeo Beach 50k (15%) - December</li></ul>I may throw in another short race in November in order to get ready for CIM. I don't really know how to look those up efficiently anymore though. :)<br /><br />And, yes, all races have been cross-referenced with Cal football home games...GO BEARS!Dave - Atlanta Trailshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13870521955679174148noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-725388939953081707.post-8927232672500839642009-06-08T15:05:00.000-07:002009-06-08T15:44:33.809-07:00Running in Beautiful Buenos AiresWhile down here in Santiago, our group decided to go on a weekend trip to Buenos Aires, Argentina. It's just as far south as the capital city of Chile, but on the other side of the continent, which means that the flight is a little over an hour: perfect for a weekend trip!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIue5SJxFj2AGx8yuM4soXVsUP7QeMnQBhBQpVay__4N5D26YygGjmGtE2QPyQyCHoJbDAAuxd5I4toqHbPHDQCHMseBgkEJgdCfJpqNm1HlYeVY9N22rHiNQkf2z5LjgasKKyvqEP92Q/s1600-h/sasaba.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 357px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIue5SJxFj2AGx8yuM4soXVsUP7QeMnQBhBQpVay__4N5D26YygGjmGtE2QPyQyCHoJbDAAuxd5I4toqHbPHDQCHMseBgkEJgdCfJpqNm1HlYeVY9N22rHiNQkf2z5LjgasKKyvqEP92Q/s400/sasaba.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345083571249754482" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Practice your geography skills!<br />(and, yes, I'm really far from home)</span><br /></span></div><br />As we were planning the trip, my friend C points out this "perfect" tourism tour for me: <a href="http://urbanrunningtours.com.ar/en/running-in-buenos-aires.php">Urban Running Tours</a>. As the name suggest, this isn't your ole' see-the-city-from-some-double-decker-bus, but a personalized running tour of the key sights in Buenos Aires. Sign me up!<br /><br />Normally, the tours are about 10k. But I'm not normal people (and you are probably not either if you're reading this), so I contacted them to see whether I could combine several tours into one. That wasn't a problem, despite the crappy weather. It just meant that I got passed off like a baton between two guides. This allowed me to get two different perspectives on the city. Cool!<br /><br />The guides were very knowledgeable and answered all the questions I had. Another cool thing about the tour is that they take pictures of you with the sights. Some of them you can see after the jump.<br /><br />So, next time you find yourself in Buenos Aires and want to see the city in an active way (without breaking the bank, btw), you know where to go!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-W1IAqXBEC_SAzjPkOLBQu8mAWUnkhCYjdQoTW3mXnje3nrXrHwdNEtFbaa22NayrHCcjmw0A_edy81BxbUTcYj7ToG-PF1bYGTbnMNg84-3H_OaiGlU-MItPLRMkHZfPguLnoRcD3vk/s1600-h/David_FloralisGenerica.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-W1IAqXBEC_SAzjPkOLBQu8mAWUnkhCYjdQoTW3mXnje3nrXrHwdNEtFbaa22NayrHCcjmw0A_edy81BxbUTcYj7ToG-PF1bYGTbnMNg84-3H_OaiGlU-MItPLRMkHZfPguLnoRcD3vk/s400/David_FloralisGenerica.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345087623536681794" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">I forget the name of it, but that statue behind me is supposed to represent all the flowers in Argentina. It also closes at night, which this geeky runner finds pretty cool!<br /></span></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgciRriO-jIeOxozhUt1fkeNaj-aXoW-D0XWhxAnkhVY3VsxOD-s7ciWO7VqRK9PdvwshPyI2tND0t7UexL7HQUdDTaG4skq3_jgqm7PrPF4ywDKSA7qEfM7AbZm-PY59-5ToQaIAqqc5M/s1600-h/David_GermanSquare.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgciRriO-jIeOxozhUt1fkeNaj-aXoW-D0XWhxAnkhVY3VsxOD-s7ciWO7VqRK9PdvwshPyI2tND0t7UexL7HQUdDTaG4skq3_jgqm7PrPF4ywDKSA7qEfM7AbZm-PY59-5ToQaIAqqc5M/s400/David_GermanSquare.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345088107004366146" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:85%;">This park was donated by Los Alemanes and I had to pay my respects. The guide did not immediately know where the American counterpart was. I wish we could have made it here, too, because I unquestionably would have done the same thing there. :)</span><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-HO493DlaA34Hw-FOB5pGgZvpzxsIwMZwkHFrC3McroB2hHV7ALHUwn_YK43zTjl3b9P65odamxc9g9RiizGXmVEiNvj9AULyvOYiiwOKUzlwEX0ttwOfDl-rnoIA_uup1f5db8-nhzY/s1600-h/David_PuertoMadero.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-HO493DlaA34Hw-FOB5pGgZvpzxsIwMZwkHFrC3McroB2hHV7ALHUwn_YK43zTjl3b9P65odamxc9g9RiizGXmVEiNvj9AULyvOYiiwOKUzlwEX0ttwOfDl-rnoIA_uup1f5db8-nhzY/s400/David_PuertoMadero.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345088524203354210" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Looks a like Hamburg here in this picture. The building in the background to the right that looks like the Plaza Hotel in New York...that's the headquarters of the Argentinian military. Wouldn't have guessed that!</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifWLpqiMkAaooa5nPpF3vtluPcOFfoMOtI3cNYm-qBpbYGHfBV6Dch_Vtu17zg6rwmKswLst32uEG9tgHTbs3kKAG-8aF_QA3d14a9S-EVtCHknhXHxRHSuKiKWdGfzMZyyFQ5VeZSEZg/s1600-h/David_WomanBridge.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifWLpqiMkAaooa5nPpF3vtluPcOFfoMOtI3cNYm-qBpbYGHfBV6Dch_Vtu17zg6rwmKswLst32uEG9tgHTbs3kKAG-8aF_QA3d14a9S-EVtCHknhXHxRHSuKiKWdGfzMZyyFQ5VeZSEZg/s400/David_WomanBridge.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345088834599921490" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Women's bridge in the background celebrating all the achievements of women (cool!). The shape is inspired by the tango. Argentinians are really into design (clothes, building, furniture, etc.).<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitxu7tLdbptKS3RNTIawSB3d29IZtoe1UJi_HTkitMtlqmLlG0i0KTnferGxgdPghFhQ85KxKJz2zDGRttgG3FJ4Dywn8Vuhdjpk5HgyY419R8ZMITzw3LB4eODhCOhUHiB6lkJmiEfe0/s1600-h/David_PalermoBridge.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitxu7tLdbptKS3RNTIawSB3d29IZtoe1UJi_HTkitMtlqmLlG0i0KTnferGxgdPghFhQ85KxKJz2zDGRttgG3FJ4Dywn8Vuhdjpk5HgyY419R8ZMITzw3LB4eODhCOhUHiB6lkJmiEfe0/s400/David_PalermoBridge.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345089255989178674" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">This is a suspension bridge and therefore bouncy as heck. Also, if I hadn't tilted my heads and arms ever so slightly, the picture would have been nearly symmetrical. </span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">(There were more pictures, but my connection is not exactly speedy).<br /></div></div>Dave - Atlanta Trailshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13870521955679174148noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-725388939953081707.post-89739612200725821632009-06-03T06:56:00.000-07:002009-06-03T07:03:23.004-07:00An Interview with Caitlin Smith<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaL5EVC3cIbb8hZbOCh-M7Ilb_X81FsnnZvrWMLMGDnnq3CZd7MRE0_QtybfYqe4W-v69SagOGenkUZIEQZtqMjpp1CyjhBLZBHfl1ye0yU6aLyUh-V0YwXFeJuD7kHo2Q09-rnW1EeDA/s1600-h/Caitlin2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" 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style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shapetype id="_x0000_t75" coordsize="21600,21600" spt="75" preferrelative="t" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" filled="f" stroked="f"> <v:stroke joinstyle="miter"> <v:formulas> <v:f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0"> <v:f eqn="sum @0 1 0"> <v:f eqn="sum 0 0 @1"> <v:f eqn="prod @2 1 2"> <v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth"> <v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight"> <v:f eqn="sum @0 0 1"> <v:f eqn="prod @6 1 2"> <v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth"> <v:f eqn="sum @8 21600 0"> <v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight"> <v:f eqn="sum @10 21600 0"> </v:formulas> <v:path extrusionok="f" gradientshapeok="t" connecttype="rect"> <o:lock ext="edit" aspectratio="t"> </v:shapetype><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_0" spid="_x0000_s1026" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="Caitlin2.jpg" style="'position:absolute;margin-left:0;margin-top:0;"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\Users\DAVIDS~1\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image001.jpg" title="Caitlin2"> <w:wrap type="square" anchorx="margin" anchory="margin"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--><a href="http://wcaitlinsmith.blogspot.com/"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:10;" >Catlin Smith</span></a><span style=";font-family:";font-size:10;" > has exploded onto the national ultra-scene this year.<span style=""> </span>After easily winning her first ultra on her hometown trails at the Sequoia 50k, Caitlin made a name for herself on the national stage by winning the über-competitive Way Too Cool 50k and a string of Bay Area ultras and remains unbeaten at the 50k distance.<span style=""> </span><b style=""><o:p></o:p></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><b style=""><span style=";font-family:";font-size:10;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><b style=""><span style=";font-family:";font-size:10;" >Please talk about your evolution as a runner and how you got into ultrarunning.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:10;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:10;" >I grew-up dancing, but in sixth grade the track coach insisted that I try running. He told me I was a distance runner and that I should try the mile. Ummm, yeah, 100 meters and I was literally out of breath and walking. I think I ran the 4x100 relay that year at a few meets, insisting that I was NOT a distance runner. In high school I continued to run track. Once again I had a coach that tried to get me to run farther and during workouts she would always have me run more miles than everyone else. It was in high school that I joined cross-country and truly started running farther and enjoying it. My track coach from sixth grade saw me out running one summer, pulled over, rolled down his window and said, "I thought you weren't a distance runner?" I just had to smile. I slowly started to really fall in love with running and obviously I've been doing it ever since. I ran two marathons, one in 2002 (Grandma's) and the other in 2003 (Boston). When I moved out to California that is when I found trail running, my escape from the chaos of city living. I ran my first trail run in 2006. I did a few more in 2007. A ton of 20k's in 2008. And, then bumped it up to 50k's and beyond this year. That's my evolution to ultrarunning.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:10;" >
<br /><b style="">It is widely known in the community that Will Gotthardt acts as your mentor and coach. How did this relationship get started?<o:p></o:p></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:10;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:10;" >Will ran behind me in a few races last year. He was doing the 50k's while I was doing the 20k's. We would find ourselves chatting here and there. He told me I would do really well at the ultras, which I had on my agenda for 2009. Then at the beginning of this year, Will gave me a ride to Pacifica, seeing that I don't have a car. My 30k didn't go so hot. I bonked in the last few miles and I had to walk a ton. On the ride back, Will told me that water, electrolytes, and fuel were going to change that (and yes, they did). I had a lot of doubt about my abilities and the transition, but Will really believed in me. His best question, "you know you're fast right?" My response, "umm well" (which pretty much means “no”). We started training together and he got my splits figured out for my first 50k, Sequoia. Ironically, I came in faster than all my splits and ended up passing Will during that race (neither planned, seriously). Now, we continue to run together and push each other. We're also just good friends. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqYFiBx77S-nHMSqiY90r2Nvl3tngU2NoVqLHjbgP2s91LgPj_pPd85wOIRsWLH9156dTurXODlelvS_YdnM_dIEf7NadIcQ5RkuYiWfMMqGPogC48S-OD2P0vWNwwJ-7OPWrRio6u7Xc/s1600-h/Caitlin1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 297px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqYFiBx77S-nHMSqiY90r2Nvl3tngU2NoVqLHjbgP2s91LgPj_pPd85wOIRsWLH9156dTurXODlelvS_YdnM_dIEf7NadIcQ5RkuYiWfMMqGPogC48S-OD2P0vWNwwJ-7OPWrRio6u7Xc/s400/Caitlin1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343100476762442850" border="0" /></a><span style=";font-family:";font-size:10;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><i style=""><span style=";font-family:";font-size:10;" >Caitlin and Will Gotthardt<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:10;" >
<br /><b style="">You have won not one (Way To Cool) but two (Miwok) automatic entries for Western States. However, you have decided not to enter. Tell us about your decision and whether WS is a goal race for you in the future.<o:p></o:p></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:10;" >I am not ready. My goal this year was not to do Western States. I just wanted to try ultrarunning. There are several reasons for my decision, but mainly I want to be prepared mentally and physically for that race. And, when I do run it, I want to run it really well. I think it will be a race in my future, but again not until my heart and body are in it 100%.
<br />
<br /><b style="">What does your average training week look like? What are you favorite cross-training activities?</b><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:10;" >I don't think I have an average training week. It seems to vary, somewhere between 60-90 miles. Some weeks I run 7 days, others more like 6 (as I learn that resting is good), and sometimes 5 with races and so forth. When I go out and run, I try to just pay attention to how my body feels. When it feels like going fast, I run fast and when I am dragging, I take it easy. I tend to follow the hard-easy rule. If you run hard one day, then next day you take it easy. As for cross-training, I don't own a car, so I walk and bike to work. I swim. And I practice yoga and pilates.
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<br /><b style="">Please talk about how important yoga is to your running.</b><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:10;" >Yoga has transformed my running. My breathing, focus, flexibility both mentally and physically, awareness, and joy have all blossomed with yoga. Also, I tend to be a go-go kind of person, so yoga balances me out. It slows me down (at least a little). My yoga practice always reminds me how grateful I am to have a body that can move and run. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:10;" >
<br /><b style="">What are your favorite foods for training and running?<o:p></o:p></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:10;" >Ummm yeah, Clif Shot Bloks are basically a staple and honestly, I haven't found much else that works while I am actually running other than chocolate milk. I really like these things called Suncakes for pre-race meals along with yogurt and cereal. Overall, I am a vegetarian minus cheese, post-vegan, and possibly future carnivore. I just eat what my body craves and try to mix it up. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:10;" >
<br /><b style="">What runners do you admire?<o:p></o:p></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:10;" >All runners, really. Of course there are some that come to mind too like Bev Anderson-Abbs, Kami Semick, Ann Trason, and there are some guys on the list too, but I'll keep those to myself. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center">
<br /><span style=";font-family:";font-size:10;" ><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_2" spid="_x0000_i1026" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="Cailin4.jpg" style="'width:165.75pt;height:136.5pt;"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\Users\DAVIDS~1\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image005.jpg" title="Cailin4"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyAIU-__AInmPfk3T5vfxvv7NRCs3fWAbwBkOE8jhrZNZ4NgwuxDlDhvrJzpY1GitMMs6vfNm4kh8ObIU2S8HP2b_QTkoGFLL_ckJ-GaawQXKDob1HyNT6D0DgQuykz5bR31M4Y5KWDvY/s1600-h/Cailin4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 330px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyAIU-__AInmPfk3T5vfxvv7NRCs3fWAbwBkOE8jhrZNZ4NgwuxDlDhvrJzpY1GitMMs6vfNm4kh8ObIU2S8HP2b_QTkoGFLL_ckJ-GaawQXKDob1HyNT6D0DgQuykz5bR31M4Y5KWDvY/s400/Cailin4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343100557466342722" border="0" /></a>
<br /><span style=";font-family:";font-size:10;" ><!--[endif]--></span><span style=";font-family:";font-size:10;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><i style=""><span style=";font-family:";font-size:10;" >Caitlin competing with one of her idols, Bev Anderson-Abbs, at Way Too Cool</span></i><span style=";font-family:";font-size:10;" >
<br />
<br /></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:10;" ><b style="">Do you have any advice for other runners looking to make the jump to ultras?<o:p></o:p></b></span></div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:10;" >Be patient and consistent, listen to your body, have fun, be social, do yoga and pilates, cross-train, sleep, take naps, eat good food, rest, believe in your body and mind, find a training partner, breathe, swim, bike... and of course there are logistics, so talking with someone that has done one makes the transition much easier.
<br />
<br /><b style="">The SF Bay Area has a plethora of tails. What are your favorite trails/parks?<o:p></o:p></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:10;" >French Trail in Redwood Park is my ultimate favorite trail. [That sucker is <i style="">hard</i>. – The editor]. I love running and tend to run a lot in Redwood, Tilden, and Chabot, but put me on any trail and I am happy.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGBwBWmjlG_3ijrwmVzRa01Ax4xnp1aSlss2s-lHGCqwx0Tziorp1yoglt-mGfwFHjDlUab_HzDIHNZYHaZALS1_xOMhkv0bjqurGjccsg0lzJovWLhE3aKhTHujm7q6d7bCoNnnoSFw0/s1600-h/Caitlin3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGBwBWmjlG_3ijrwmVzRa01Ax4xnp1aSlss2s-lHGCqwx0Tziorp1yoglt-mGfwFHjDlUab_HzDIHNZYHaZALS1_xOMhkv0bjqurGjccsg0lzJovWLhE3aKhTHujm7q6d7bCoNnnoSFw0/s400/Caitlin3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343100618980837042" border="0" /></a>
<br /><span style=";font-family:";font-size:10;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style=""><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_3" spid="_x0000_i1025" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="Caitlin3.jpg" style="'width:152.25pt;"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\Users\DAVIDS~1\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image007.jpg" title="Caitlin3"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]-->
<br /><!--[endif]--></span><span style=";font-family:";font-size:10;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><i style=""><span style=";font-family:";font-size:10;" >Caitlin finishing her first 50k (Sequoia)…beating the blog author by a solid hour in the process </span></i><span style="color: rgb(68, 68, 68);font-family:Wingdings;font-size:10;" ><span style=""><span style="font-style: italic;">:)</span></span></span><i style=""><span style=";font-family:";font-size:10;" ></span></i><span style=";font-family:";font-size:10;" >
<br /><!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--> <!--[endif]--><b style=""><o:p></o:p></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><b style=""><span style=";font-family:";font-size:10;" >What is your favorite race and why?<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:10;" >I try not to pick favorites and just try to enjoy them all. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:10;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><b style=""><span style=";font-family:";font-size:10;" >What are your running plans and goals this fall, next year and in the long run (pun!)?<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:10;" >After Ohlone 50k [<i style="">which Caitlin won in CR time this past weekend </i>– The Editor], I am going to focus back on some shorter runs, which are part of La Sportiva's Mountain Cup. The finale of this year will be the North Face Endurance Challenge 50 miler. There is also potential that I will do the TransRockies run in August. But if not this year, possibly next.
<br /><b style="">Do you have any dream races?</b><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:10;" >Not a race, but I'd like to run across the United States via trails, ideally no roads. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:10;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><b style=""><span style=";font-family:";font-size:10;" >Thank you for your time, Caitlin, good luck and keep smiling!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> Dave - Atlanta Trailshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13870521955679174148noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-725388939953081707.post-46298965539764607442009-05-25T06:22:00.000-07:002009-05-25T16:42:23.638-07:00Running in Santiago de ChileHola! (Doing my best to assimilate).<br /><br />As you may remember from an <a href="http://atlantatrails.blogspot.com/2009/01/anybody-have-experience-in-running-in.html">earlier post</a>, I am on a school-work type thing in Santiago de Chile. In short, companies around the world hire Berkeley MBA students every year to consult on a variety of projects. Right now, we have people in places like Laos, Liberia, South Africa, Finland, Easter Island, Zambia,...., and, of course, here in Santiago. (If you want to read more, check out <a href="http://ibdclass.blogspot.com/">our class blog</a> or this <a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123733912733864703.html?mod=WSJ_TimesEMEA#articleTabs%3Darticle">Wall Street Journal</a> article).<br /><br />On to the actual blog post. Anticipating this trip, I was very unsure of how much I would get to run down here. Unfamiliarity with South America in general and Santiago in particular fueled my concerns of potentially not being able to get in any miles (or very few). Fortunately, that has turned out to be not the case. There are several things I learned though.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">No Runners</span><br />I have been here four full days now and live in a very busy neighborhood, however runners are basically non-existent (I can count the total number I have seen in four days on one hand...try that in any US city). People look at you like an alien when you're running. I have even had some schoolgirls mimic my running and giggle... None of that will stop me, of course.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Smog</span> The air in this place is POLLUTED. There are no ifs and buts about it. Frankly, I have never seen anything like it. L.A. (which has the worst air pollution in the U.S.) is child's play compared to what's going on here. The smog has definitely caused me to slow down a bit, but it ain't gonna stop this runner.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmsXuduRGZ-5dIzxc0eH3EXFPUgX4GnAf-HSnaZBdCJFL6ZYObTIxiQ5ZKvmrpCqSufMBtq2kZoYL_0EIIkNTXEw8mT6q931GEcE_479hyphenhyphenQ6iTQ6QY9DNgc6d0F-NgMdld3h8E-UrZq9M/s1600-h/164.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmsXuduRGZ-5dIzxc0eH3EXFPUgX4GnAf-HSnaZBdCJFL6ZYObTIxiQ5ZKvmrpCqSufMBtq2kZoYL_0EIIkNTXEw8mT6q931GEcE_479hyphenhyphenQ6iTQ6QY9DNgc6d0F-NgMdld3h8E-UrZq9M/s400/164.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339910045023632210" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">This is a sunny day. I wish I were kidding.</span></span><br /></div><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Safety</span> Not an issue. Whatsoever. I know plenty of US cities that are less safe to run in (comparing downtown areas). Atlanta is one of them.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Dogs</span><br />In a city of seven million, there are an estimated one million stray dogs roaming the streets. For the most part, I have found them to be friendly (i.e. they won't attack, chase or bark). There was one exception, but I was crossing a construction site that probably wasn't supposed to be crossed. There, I had a couple of mean-looking doggies bark at me from about 100 yards. I yelled back, picked up a rock and got the heck out of there. Fortunately, they didn't follow.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Trails</span> I have found trails! They are right near downtown, and I enjoyed some wonderful miles on them on Sunday. Of course, it's winter here, so it's still dark until I leave for work and dark when I get home. I won't be running them in the dark, since there are, well, no trail maps.<br /><br />All in all, I am very happy that I get to run here, while my mileage will probably be moderate at best. That's better than no miles at all!<br /><br />P.s. I have a very cool interview in store for you. Check back in a couple of days.Dave - Atlanta Trailshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13870521955679174148noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-725388939953081707.post-8460045309189490872009-05-11T15:48:00.000-07:002009-05-11T16:05:54.739-07:00Pacing at the Beautiful Santa Cruz Half-Marathon<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm8AWvJ2ro8EmeRWdJiO2Cm2Zb_1wzKpINhcDgCDtl_M9yaRiNXgpbqijeJwyRZk8yMHhAKK6CBHwjSZDb_zCLYQzuwASWc1WVOOHns2Wmi776uBEkdHrbX6lbvP_YkjQTjj8AO-KWKSU/s1600-h/sc10.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm8AWvJ2ro8EmeRWdJiO2Cm2Zb_1wzKpINhcDgCDtl_M9yaRiNXgpbqijeJwyRZk8yMHhAKK6CBHwjSZDb_zCLYQzuwASWc1WVOOHns2Wmi776uBEkdHrbX6lbvP_YkjQTjj8AO-KWKSU/s400/sc10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334705211960756978" border="0" /></a>With a little delay I am finally getting a chance my report on the <a href="http://www.firstwave-events.com/sc_half/">Santa Cruz Half-Marathon</a>. This one was all about the lady. She had trained hard for many months to get ready for this event, and I was anxious to see her do well here.<br /><br />We decided to drive down the morning of the event, making for a very early wake-up call. Somewhere near San Jose, it was finally late enough (6 a.m.) to score some coffee at Starbucks (not quite <a href="http://www.peets.com/Default.asp">Peet's</a>, but who cares?). As we arrived in Santa Cruz, I was quietly reminiscing about my college days when I went on a much talked about bike trip along part of the California coast. I distinctly remember not wanting to leave Santa Cruz.<br /><br />We got there early enough to get a great parking spot and quickly got our numbers, which we pinned on ultra style (folded). You got to represent, ya know? My job today would be to pace the lady and more importantly keep her company. I took a ton of pictures, which I will just let speak for themselves (that's 1,000 words each!).<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqIefK5q9ErN2w4Uw1sXdU82rJ-djvSZ5B7873Uo50SLWOQ3U2MqB8L1pt61JOGH8PnhNEGT1wANZB5MCH4weWK2G23mkE7MgdtKFZE5XZ7vE3YMxqFMF2zpKTX33XcI_JS9eI11ze2pQ/s1600-h/sc1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqIefK5q9ErN2w4Uw1sXdU82rJ-djvSZ5B7873Uo50SLWOQ3U2MqB8L1pt61JOGH8PnhNEGT1wANZB5MCH4weWK2G23mkE7MgdtKFZE5XZ7vE3YMxqFMF2zpKTX33XcI_JS9eI11ze2pQ/s400/sc1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334704871153956434" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">not used to crowds anymore...they're like picture-worthy</span></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG4G0yivkfbTLxjaRHx4I1944ROTM3ydAovvf6E_sRJVxZe84uyrKx3rFGMka6GjKCuMB8qxtxjLukQa69QELjpALsmn8My5QpP_MMjWUoorxqFUvH-hQDndt12kBG6Tk4mipZz_XdaPA/s1600-h/sc3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG4G0yivkfbTLxjaRHx4I1944ROTM3ydAovvf6E_sRJVxZe84uyrKx3rFGMka6GjKCuMB8qxtxjLukQa69QELjpALsmn8My5QpP_MMjWUoorxqFUvH-hQDndt12kBG6Tk4mipZz_XdaPA/s400/sc3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334704926617634290" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_xWY_X0SK982U0tt3Oc-RWM0JscL62Bl6cGDhR1Z7dXscC5qV-cCkvT1HWtrBXEgZTfdPc4yWqys1ByzlrXMGxcWtbosanw-JPnUJueX72rQREaLIECKug6MX_hcM-eRFZIg197GhKJQ/s1600-h/sc6.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_xWY_X0SK982U0tt3Oc-RWM0JscL62Bl6cGDhR1Z7dXscC5qV-cCkvT1HWtrBXEgZTfdPc4yWqys1ByzlrXMGxcWtbosanw-JPnUJueX72rQREaLIECKug6MX_hcM-eRFZIg197GhKJQ/s400/sc6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334704977590302354" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQfsi37JyXWZxflJWeZqCbQbO7p5p2SM9r5JDx9DFzR7AUhLCWCuWp80okijSHlWtnS6kv-9S4TaqWVkEHFuUdLGWY21jrHKsW4aOeTnHO1IlR76_2Vp1BY1gg5CUvIVb9xXICtLw-zsI/s1600-h/sc8.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQfsi37JyXWZxflJWeZqCbQbO7p5p2SM9r5JDx9DFzR7AUhLCWCuWp80okijSHlWtnS6kv-9S4TaqWVkEHFuUdLGWY21jrHKsW4aOeTnHO1IlR76_2Vp1BY1gg5CUvIVb9xXICtLw-zsI/s400/sc8.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334705033450366002" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZMWab4aEYztROq2ZeHXnWR__r3nHSA_yvrSK81fGUOAs2nCrI-QtExjvK0dd8ItTZsHXWteGcBo8zAA9FcUUz5RpjbzMgZmGE8GfW4UWzBawtWuPG9VVwnX3e9EdfUP_DmomK58sVCQk/s1600-h/sc9.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZMWab4aEYztROq2ZeHXnWR__r3nHSA_yvrSK81fGUOAs2nCrI-QtExjvK0dd8ItTZsHXWteGcBo8zAA9FcUUz5RpjbzMgZmGE8GfW4UWzBawtWuPG9VVwnX3e9EdfUP_DmomK58sVCQk/s400/sc9.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334705078039127298" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">trail > pavement</span></span><br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPOYu2u5Ju-qWTq4D53ZRXyO5lEwIxNl88v0gdvcn_zXMSxtHAucW0hiP_rMd2WnZ4dESfSTgn4jo_B5xhjlE0P6mb9PIUViVw7O0t9CZQDwjimvU3QoWYgV_PvlYg_0iWGLkgGRa5CQ0/s1600-h/sc14.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPOYu2u5Ju-qWTq4D53ZRXyO5lEwIxNl88v0gdvcn_zXMSxtHAucW0hiP_rMd2WnZ4dESfSTgn4jo_B5xhjlE0P6mb9PIUViVw7O0t9CZQDwjimvU3QoWYgV_PvlYg_0iWGLkgGRa5CQ0/s400/sc14.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334705283819065010" border="0" /></a>The Lady ran the race very consistently and finished very, very strong for a PR leaving me in the dust as we approached the finish line (she finished five or six places ahead of me! :)).<br /><br />In all, this is a fantastic race, part of which is even run on a trail. It doesn't get much flatter than this around here and the beauty of the race definitely rivals some trail runs.<br /><br />P.s. Lots of travel and finals are eating up my time, so the entries and reports are going to have to be much shorter than usual.Dave - Atlanta Trailshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13870521955679174148noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-725388939953081707.post-46121319961148098722009-05-04T23:35:00.000-07:002009-05-04T23:51:11.849-07:00How Running Has Changed My LifeOver on irunfar.com, an interesting question was raised:<br /><span style="text-decoration: underline; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-style: italic;">How's has running changed your life? I'm not talking about how it may have helped you improve your health, become more confident, or the like. Nope. I want to know if and when your love of running, in whatever form, has been a deciding factor in a major life decision. Did you choose your college because you could run on the cross country team? Have you ended a relationship... or gotten married because of running? Have you ever moved across town... or across the country to be closer to better running grounds? Ever taken or not taken a job based on how it would affect your running? </span><br /><br />To answer this question I have to go all the way back to how I started running. (Trust me, this goes beyond me getting healthier, slimmer, nuttier, etc....just hear me out). As you may know, I attended college in Atlanta, GA, and <a href="http://www.emory.edu/home/index.html">my undergrad institution</a> required that we take four PE classes. I chose to take, no, not running, but swimming.<br /><br />At the beginning of the course, they made us all swim a work out and based on the results put us in particular lanes based on our skill level for the rest of the semester. I ended up in a lane with three ladies, one of whom struck my fancy. Eventually, I managed to ask her (completely out of breath, mind you, she was in better shape than me) what she liked doing in her free time. "Running," she said. "Me too!" I replied, which was a complete lie. Of course, I asked whether she wanted to go running together some time. Clearly, I wasn't fully in control of my senses, since I had never run more than one continuous mile in my life. Ever.<br /><br />She wanted to go the next day, but I pushed back to the following week, immediately embarking on a ridiculous training regimen (one, two even <span style="font-style: italic;">three </span>miles in one day) that left we sore, tired and exhausted for our date. She crushed me (get it?). I was hooked on the girl and running. All this happened almost nine years ago.<br /><br />Later this summer, I will be getting married to girl "from swim class.'<br /><br />This is how running changed my life.Dave - Atlanta Trailshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13870521955679174148noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-725388939953081707.post-82149490412555595502009-04-27T07:53:00.000-07:002009-04-27T10:07:31.314-07:00Skyline 2 Sea 50k - Simply A "Must Do" RaceWell, you read the title already. That's not just a suggestion, but a <span style="font-style: italic;">strong</span> recommendation. Let's start at the beginning.<br /><br />My first job of the morning actually started the night before. <a href="http://ultrailnaka.blogspot.com/">Mark Tanaka</a> had left for the coast on Saturday to get in a little vacation time with his family and forgotten his shorts. So, I brought all of my clean running shorts not knowing what would really fit him. Mark showed up in Hawaiian type board shorts and generally looked ridiculous. Here's proof:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz1RmJY3L2qnuZqBGDxcrUbH90dYKWQf_5fgauNCIdby3wA_8_7OiJPZHnT9CcRLFMvIcmAZSSQG-P0yMsS6UdjFZZiU7NO8UdoSWfqaQp3Q_V0xw_bGvq_-T_itGwuuF-JhfQx7f7MYI/s1600-h/S2S4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 297px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz1RmJY3L2qnuZqBGDxcrUbH90dYKWQf_5fgauNCIdby3wA_8_7OiJPZHnT9CcRLFMvIcmAZSSQG-P0yMsS6UdjFZZiU7NO8UdoSWfqaQp3Q_V0xw_bGvq_-T_itGwuuF-JhfQx7f7MYI/s400/S2S4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329399737817878498" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Before</span></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuA5evkTYy4Kt7VDN45x0FWO6Ti-vpAGil8uTn9sU_UbhHF-YXrlJOlQKELUTNyJ3qGren1RrlVkAoHpy9dFmZHb9PTo2arLyMh6x7xeutY4ej8wYKbb0XiAdFgfx3PhisaEO50vbayrc/s1600-h/S2S5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 297px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuA5evkTYy4Kt7VDN45x0FWO6Ti-vpAGil8uTn9sU_UbhHF-YXrlJOlQKELUTNyJ3qGren1RrlVkAoHpy9dFmZHb9PTo2arLyMh6x7xeutY4ej8wYKbb0XiAdFgfx3PhisaEO50vbayrc/s400/S2S5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329399793190450530" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">after</span></span></div><br />We had actually never met in person and used the 75 minute bus ride to the start to catch up on everything from running to chess to the swine flu. (Btw, the man is just as funny in person as his blog writing suggests). In general, this race was a great re-union of the ultra-community. I was able to meet so many people I have met in the blogosphere in person (<a href="http://wcaitlinsmith.blogspot.com/">Caitlin</a>, <a href="http://addygrl.blogspot.com/">Addy</a>, Mark, etc.), reconnect with acquaintances (Will G.) and get to know new people (<a href="http://365ultra.blogspot.com/">Rick</a>, Nathan, etc.). I'm sure, I'm leaving people out here and I'm sorry. The point is that the community aspect of ultra-running was especially pronounced during this race. And I really enjoyed that. On to the race.<br /><br />Having run my best season so far and facing a course playing to my strength (lots of downhill), my hopes were high for this one. I felt confident that my PR (5:24 - Sequoia) would fall and really hoped to make a run at at a sub-5.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-g9xUdCAU6T2eAhgbOaDccPnVWKc6rWUfNQMbKma9gxN4zRrdMMDcD_4wWd9RDBpddpp6IsKq9Qml7RtJ1c6Nb-CLU_xZtVphWnoTNyd2ImMrgo5uOLQSftqHwPdqxz5v82kB4QniuU8/s1600-h/S2S1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-g9xUdCAU6T2eAhgbOaDccPnVWKc6rWUfNQMbKma9gxN4zRrdMMDcD_4wWd9RDBpddpp6IsKq9Qml7RtJ1c6Nb-CLU_xZtVphWnoTNyd2ImMrgo5uOLQSftqHwPdqxz5v82kB4QniuU8/s400/S2S1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329398673537182706" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Right after the start</span></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjM5ewoj3A1lxmrkdsg08UmJKG9YDFzf1OjEHj9U2ChYgjHn31CcLvbk2biUFvFqsm6pFw56CSa_bSZdJflVgJWSL7D3eVT3nbQgBcVn2cpRWjdBEfDnFIaOWTkxAl7s6tOmhgozqJ7uI/s1600-h/S2S2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjM5ewoj3A1lxmrkdsg08UmJKG9YDFzf1OjEHj9U2ChYgjHn31CcLvbk2biUFvFqsm6pFw56CSa_bSZdJflVgJWSL7D3eVT3nbQgBcVn2cpRWjdBEfDnFIaOWTkxAl7s6tOmhgozqJ7uI/s400/S2S2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329398737443458546" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />However, the race didn't start well. As at <a href="http://atlantatrails.blogspot.com/2009/03/in-footsteps-of-legends-rucky-chucky.html">Rucky Chucky</a>, I couldn't get my breath under control on the initial downhills and generally did not feel good. My legs were heavy, and I just felt out of it. Soon I would pay for my lack of focus, missed a turn and kept going up and up instead of down and down. Lost about 12 mins here.<br /><br />However, this wasn't all that bad, since I snapped back to reality and focused on downhill running. I flew through Aid 2 and arrived at Aid 3 in fairly good shape (about 2:11), but I could also feel the effects of probably going a little too fast in an effort to catch up on my lost time. Time to climb, eat and relax. I took my time at Aid 4, because the next section would be long and I was tired.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimAyS6dOD5TEEpzP0DfPVS4KnJFIMAeEj3KJSxxVj1PLg2xo0rkHDFg-_jI_UdThWeSNzAsHlWMsDqK-bt8wiV2G74e0EkTXrxLob4tw32ZobSmpk_94v33PgnOHZDqQW1KQ9UVPzuUmg/s1600-h/S2S3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimAyS6dOD5TEEpzP0DfPVS4KnJFIMAeEj3KJSxxVj1PLg2xo0rkHDFg-_jI_UdThWeSNzAsHlWMsDqK-bt8wiV2G74e0EkTXrxLob4tw32ZobSmpk_94v33PgnOHZDqQW1KQ9UVPzuUmg/s400/S2S3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329398795268420722" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Before the slump</span></span><br /></div><br />Soon after that aid, I missed a turn again and lost another eight minutes. Not happy...and I'm starting to get into a funk, as a sub-five seemed nearly impossible now. About ten minutes later...THUMP!...I run into a tree. Completely dizzy, I was forced to walk for a bit with my head pounding. It just wasn't my day. Severe foot pain just compounded things and the pity party was on. I was limping, cussing and generally not in a good mood. A shame really, because Big Basin is absolutely breath taking. You couldn't really ask for better scenery.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1riQvcZwIa_NwM32g9zLuml9ueymCETZu5SShMh-o2XxpAlzBrMvn0kvU8LYdhtEIcB_TnvgEDnzTFhE5-EVvY9GuprJL3nEKUuJWj_2Ow4wsC1r-mgIEid4lcUtC9xaHwGbz4nutK4c/s1600-h/S2S6.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1riQvcZwIa_NwM32g9zLuml9ueymCETZu5SShMh-o2XxpAlzBrMvn0kvU8LYdhtEIcB_TnvgEDnzTFhE5-EVvY9GuprJL3nEKUuJWj_2Ow4wsC1r-mgIEid4lcUtC9xaHwGbz4nutK4c/s400/S2S6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329399864126437554" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">One of the many giant tree formations<br /><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaSPFTftTPr4WHtwGJSmKD-0BL3o6DrTQaAgY45izaMLg9gMgMbdLziUSb46qzUpXbOwiEaCKC98SYOUpBFaSDFbJWbBy2f6FT0UjYiLt0miMQh6MXyBrwjGA8jyYNsKzqbxHW9hplEGk/s1600-h/S2S7.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaSPFTftTPr4WHtwGJSmKD-0BL3o6DrTQaAgY45izaMLg9gMgMbdLziUSb46qzUpXbOwiEaCKC98SYOUpBFaSDFbJWbBy2f6FT0UjYiLt0miMQh6MXyBrwjGA8jyYNsKzqbxHW9hplEGk/s400/S2S7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329399910357935858" border="0" /></a><br /></div>Eventually I got over myself, focused on just finishing and picked it up (mile 27ish). Ultra-running is also about getting through the lows. And I did. In the end the effort was enough for a 5:12 finish, probably below my potential but good enough for another PR. And I'm happy with that. Once I got to the finish, my mood picked up even more. It was fun to hang around and talk to people. Smiles were everywhere. No wonder after such a beautiful run!<br /><br />My thanks to Sarah and Wendell, all the volunteers, and all fellow runners for making this a great day. There is no question that I will be back next year.<br /><br />(Also, thanks to Addy, Mark and <a href="http://callery.org/callery.php?ALBUM=gallery/2009/20090426_Skyline_to_the_Sea">Cal</a> for all the pictures!)Dave - Atlanta Trailshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13870521955679174148noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-725388939953081707.post-34991748896235968982009-04-05T12:54:00.000-07:002009-04-06T08:25:19.885-07:00A Fun Marathon in Marin...is the title of this race report because "A Spectacular Day at the <a href="http://www.envirosports.com/events/event.php?eventid=2562">Golden Gate Headlands Trail Marathon</a>" would have been too long.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjBFyqfdANDSeuIdgxCvlSkYTGlm7HHk49y6EAHH_LxODA7cttk7ZbsNJMYBqMhjkfk-9UiP_vZZOKmXI95ozAnobr7hmWM8JiSfBU-Q9dytCoXf4uWFAOCa5NM6fRTT3-jMa4fVumn90/s1600-h/race2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjBFyqfdANDSeuIdgxCvlSkYTGlm7HHk49y6EAHH_LxODA7cttk7ZbsNJMYBqMhjkfk-9UiP_vZZOKmXI95ozAnobr7hmWM8JiSfBU-Q9dytCoXf4uWFAOCa5NM6fRTT3-jMa4fVumn90/s400/race2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321595930725884002" border="0" /></a><br />There were a couple of reasons for picking to run this race. (1) The lady was celebrating her bachelorette party/weekend, so no coordination of plans was necessary. (2) This weekend falls exactly two weeks after Rucky Chucky and three weeks before Skyline 2 Sea, my two goal races of the spring. This would be a great carry-over long-run at a targeted 85% effort. In order to minimize any sort of possibility of running too hard or becoming too competitive, I ran naked. No, not that kind of naked...just without a watch.<br /><br />You could tell right away it was going to be a glorious day. Not a cloud in the sky and comfortably cool at the start. The start area was over at Rodeo Beach, and I spent most of my pre-race time watching the surfers catch waves. I knew the course wasn't going to be easy (4,400 feet of climbing), but it was going to be gorgeous (I had run 95%+ of the course as part of the Muir Beach 33k <a href="http://atlantatrails.blogspot.com/2008/12/beautiful-day-at-muir-beach.html">back in December</a>).<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmZ9f1llJpE4D8JHib_EsLPQh7hqj3tOhYR4aLyEk6YWpU8G2ztvVtCPTI8GGKi8aCGET651Lj49LBiyk7JnW05orKp2LnFoO0gJQ1XfonyvyiTuk44IFBouhwkLfFAmGggld_Bfwd6Wk/s1600-h/006.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmZ9f1llJpE4D8JHib_EsLPQh7hqj3tOhYR4aLyEk6YWpU8G2ztvVtCPTI8GGKi8aCGET651Lj49LBiyk7JnW05orKp2LnFoO0gJQ1XfonyvyiTuk44IFBouhwkLfFAmGggld_Bfwd6Wk/s400/006.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321596801954982690" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Rodeo Beach just before the start<br /></span></span></div><br />There weren't a whole lot of familiar faces. Only one as a matter of fact. So as we took off and tackled our first major climb of the day, we started chatting. Turns out the suspicion was mutual even though we couldn't quite place where we had seen each other before. Anyways, talking to Nicole Duke was a joy. We share the same values and attitudes towards trail running with the only difference being that Nicole is <span style="font-style: italic;">way</span> more experienced than me.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgleY6QYKRDReiK2rlnQq3vcYLcPSCpuW0A0T5de1zLaBN0FEwZcIxTgavdc2i99pjTjNgFKuGn82Ex8bQyXNqik_d1ios4mc30ci4y4c9vZbVx4H6oxwTsSOCmJ_cWzkcT_IKUaHJbvpw/s1600-h/005.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgleY6QYKRDReiK2rlnQq3vcYLcPSCpuW0A0T5de1zLaBN0FEwZcIxTgavdc2i99pjTjNgFKuGn82Ex8bQyXNqik_d1ios4mc30ci4y4c9vZbVx4H6oxwTsSOCmJ_cWzkcT_IKUaHJbvpw/s400/005.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321596740774163090" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Start area with our first climb looming behind it. It does go further up to the right.<br /></span></span></div><br />So, here we were floating among the wildflowers, taking in breathtaking views and enjoying a day on the trails. This is LIVING! I was feeling strong and conversation was good enough for me to change my race goal from "85%" to "stick with Nicole as long as I feel good". We were running somewhere among the leaders and kept gaining ground. By the midway point, there was only one person ahead of us (quite a few marathoners dropped out at this point...we ran two identical loops).<br /><br />Nicole was determined to win the women's event and woman #2 was right behind us. So, I changed my race goal again "help Nicole win". I held on until Tennessee Valley and the start of the final climb of the day. Climbing on Marincello Trail, Nicole was about 1 minute ahead of me, woman #2 about 1 minute behind me. It was fun to be right in the middle of the action!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgff7-an_S-9h4_73F0KskSq8Dv8Hxs9sntgtmY9VIRVVSIq6z2GpngJfVf2YYq-6sfrxcP8pcl8Zck9Yy_6a_yM6vEjVnBMH8fcIb2JWG1nFKrObFg1LO_oIUs8R4veZJ4fhOIxkLg2E4/s1600-h/race1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgff7-an_S-9h4_73F0KskSq8Dv8Hxs9sntgtmY9VIRVVSIq6z2GpngJfVf2YYq-6sfrxcP8pcl8Zck9Yy_6a_yM6vEjVnBMH8fcIb2JWG1nFKrObFg1LO_oIUs8R4veZJ4fhOIxkLg2E4/s400/race1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321596007148034194" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Terrible lighting...GREAT trail (Rodeo Valley Trail)<br /></span></span></div><br />At the top of the climb (and second to last aid), Nicole was leaving as I was arriving and woman #2, let's call her by her real name, Karalee Morris passed me here. I had been battling cramps in my right foot and needed to take in food and salt. For much of the rest of the way I was able to watch the women's race unfold. Karalee had pulled closer on the uphill but Nicole was slowly but surely pulling away on the long downhill and flat sections over the last 6 miles.<br /><br />Before long I hit the hardest part of the course: the 1/4 stretch in the deep sand at the beach. This section was draining at the halfway point, but at the end it was the sort of brutal section that makes you question the sanity of the race organizers. It was t.o.u.g.h....and I loved it. In the end, I crossed the finish line in 4:16, which was good enough for 4th place overall. Nicole had actually gotten within 30 seconds of the overall win, but a spill at the end put an end to that dream. Regardless, she ran a fantastic race! Well paced and strong throughout.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG45ZV1tTykZszFIfeZuItfZp880fg1eNT1D_D1dFNXBmwQahwDP6D57ZM4RNoQYirouCMBh0WaZv8JzFEd2c5MQn1IGlQxKeoPFEzNzgy39zZJZsukcJaAIgYHz22AFmGuP1SRzvVSa0/s1600-h/007.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG45ZV1tTykZszFIfeZuItfZp880fg1eNT1D_D1dFNXBmwQahwDP6D57ZM4RNoQYirouCMBh0WaZv8JzFEd2c5MQn1IGlQxKeoPFEzNzgy39zZJZsukcJaAIgYHz22AFmGuP1SRzvVSa0/s400/007.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321596856275745602" border="0" /></a><br />All in all, it was a perfect day on some of the most scenic trails around. And I made a new friend in the process. What more could you ask for?<br /><br />(My thanks go to all the volunteers who make such perfect days possible for us).Dave - Atlanta Trailshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13870521955679174148noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-725388939953081707.post-18432447098398145492009-03-29T21:15:00.001-07:002009-03-29T21:31:46.234-07:00Wondrous Yosemite<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI4SAht81scG3z0mI3Qg9O2C_OyGYor0Zhah4XuUa3y8b7qmk-szfsfvlD4u0txX0MD73mVUJtTVtjFWDXJNZcMAaIKZwyGwnrMzS0UoIcluOXdlWG0fYrEoc5N3W51rjJDf3ltMs8Edg/s1600-h/IMG_1667.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 275px; height: 367px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI4SAht81scG3z0mI3Qg9O2C_OyGYor0Zhah4XuUa3y8b7qmk-szfsfvlD4u0txX0MD73mVUJtTVtjFWDXJNZcMAaIKZwyGwnrMzS0UoIcluOXdlWG0fYrEoc5N3W51rjJDf3ltMs8Edg/s400/IMG_1667.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318832064322543378" border="0" /></a>A set of unexpected circumstances presented me with some free time towards the middle of last week. So what is a runner recovering from Rucky Chucky to do? Check out some trails in Yosemite.<br /><br />To some people's surprise, I had never been to this most famous National Parks (along with Yellowstone, I suppose). People like Muir and Adams have captured the imaginations of millions describing Yosemite through their literary and photographic talents. Now it was my turn to check it out.<br /><br />To put it in one word, Yosemite is simply spectacular. It was early enough in the season to where the park wasn't too crowded and it was easy to get away from people. I like my solitude in the wilderness. Here are some choice photos from the trip. Enjoy!<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxUaLUhAG5xuyMkmR_3OCV-52CtR9bLH3VZIYUvvtZsIOLlIhu96raqsCJoHuljjlk03lu3K76XuBA8hiwBxP_TpUm3HXFbkyUh9D-J0wVnhiDuhiFlsVEWH6-21vuV8bSyuVICK8qI08/s1600-h/IMG_1673.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxUaLUhAG5xuyMkmR_3OCV-52CtR9bLH3VZIYUvvtZsIOLlIhu96raqsCJoHuljjlk03lu3K76XuBA8hiwBxP_TpUm3HXFbkyUh9D-J0wVnhiDuhiFlsVEWH6-21vuV8bSyuVICK8qI08/s400/IMG_1673.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318832665008352242" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">El Capitan</span></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4pn9lX2u2Y73iWFfzifnqFcnS-DvGAcezj3l0DNdN2qWJsqeh2Bz8KxaKClezxpvRf8FZaDmeEXWt0_ViDDrg4i4QJdqO6F7ggsfvNIp3dFj-cJKRI9pdMqsGJtqm7a5brOfk8zh0O5g/s1600-h/IMG_1665.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4pn9lX2u2Y73iWFfzifnqFcnS-DvGAcezj3l0DNdN2qWJsqeh2Bz8KxaKClezxpvRf8FZaDmeEXWt0_ViDDrg4i4QJdqO6F7ggsfvNIp3dFj-cJKRI9pdMqsGJtqm7a5brOfk8zh0O5g/s400/IMG_1665.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318832182648120322" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Rock face with snow melt glistening in the sun</span></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGouHmUNch7qNXhsCS0Hd0Ts7G7fZBgGdIrVjflTclrOEEakFKsescT3QWVXi-Rr98wztHEcH_6YBLw19m1hyRSOKqs032RAXNrHZjQxuLdLD8gZYCO9wjaBashKe5W_lP9X2vBph9zDg/s1600-h/IMG_1682.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGouHmUNch7qNXhsCS0Hd0Ts7G7fZBgGdIrVjflTclrOEEakFKsescT3QWVXi-Rr98wztHEcH_6YBLw19m1hyRSOKqs032RAXNrHZjQxuLdLD8gZYCO9wjaBashKe5W_lP9X2vBph9zDg/s400/IMG_1682.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318832431627066530" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">My favorite shot: mountains and trees mirroring on the Merced River</span></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCOajinIEwitij6Oa0U8231oz7aV9DilFZJa-3ROnGviQhenybBnT2e0Z1KUIyiNp-4mBlkHeQXwtAOk6jwEVP4F-2myagaL6F09G8SWLGVQJdgxDf9zN-nDn5jUsQjVJacKfGadqXils/s1600-h/IMG_1692.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCOajinIEwitij6Oa0U8231oz7aV9DilFZJa-3ROnGviQhenybBnT2e0Z1KUIyiNp-4mBlkHeQXwtAOk6jwEVP4F-2myagaL6F09G8SWLGVQJdgxDf9zN-nDn5jUsQjVJacKfGadqXils/s400/IMG_1692.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318832293757519986" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Having fun with the self timer. North Dome and Half Dome in the background. </span></span><br /></div></div>Dave - Atlanta Trailshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13870521955679174148noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-725388939953081707.post-14866603955851690012009-03-23T08:04:00.000-07:002009-03-23T08:37:36.546-07:00In the Footsteps of Legends: The Rucky Chucky 50k<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWNe1t2ACnbbvvW3Za2tRAMzC3krhGdrTljQxozfIhzdibU3zywmJ8nsDgX3rX3eZSJgHOBMKW6VFzTQIiFlav5oMU53J-l9CxFNgj9X7p2666RLotAqimANiKpiFUr8_uFqyJqK8efP4/s1600-h/logo_chucky_sm.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 220px; height: 196px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWNe1t2ACnbbvvW3Za2tRAMzC3krhGdrTljQxozfIhzdibU3zywmJ8nsDgX3rX3eZSJgHOBMKW6VFzTQIiFlav5oMU53J-l9CxFNgj9X7p2666RLotAqimANiKpiFUr8_uFqyJqK8efP4/s400/logo_chucky_sm.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316406031248385202" border="0" /></a>
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mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} .MsoPapDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; margin-bottom:10.0pt; line-height:115%;} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} /* List Definitions */ @list l0 {mso-list-id:1960068441; mso-list-type:hybrid; mso-list-template-ids:1792555938 67698689 67698691 67698693 67698689 67698691 67698693 67698689 67698691 67698693;} @list l0:level1 {mso-level-number-format:bullet; mso-level-text:; mso-level-tab-stop:none; mso-level-number-position:left; margin-left:40.5pt; text-indent:-.25in; font-family:Symbol;} ol {margin-bottom:0in;} ul {margin-bottom:0in;} --></style>“The <a href="http://www.ultrarunner.net/raceseries/rucky_chucky.html">Rucky Chucky 50k</a> is a humbling introduction to the Western States 100 course” reads one of Scott Dunlap’s race reports.<span style=""> </span>That assessment couldn’t be more fitting.<span style=""> </span>Rucky Chucky runs between miles 62 and 78 of the <a href="http://ws100.com/">Western States 100</a> course, which is like playing 3 holes at Augusta National except the eligibility requirements for getting on this course are pretty much the opposite.<span style=""> </span>They go something like this: “You think you can run (any portion of) the course?<span style=""> </span>Have at it!”<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p> <p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">In a previous post, I described my pre-race excitement of running those hallowed trails, which had been mixed with a healthy dose of anxiety due to some foot issues.<span style=""> </span>Most of that was forgotten on my 2+ hour drive up.<span style=""> </span>Between sipping coffee and continuously switching radio stations, I was reminiscing about my first ultra, the <a href="http://atlantatrails.blogspot.com/2008/03/oak-mountain-50k-experience.html">Oak Mountain 50k</a>, which I had run exactly one year earlier.<span style=""> </span>(read <a href="http://run100miles.com/race-reports/oak-mountain-50k-race-report/">Christian’s</a> and <a href="http://seedadrunrundadrun.blogspot.com/2009/03/oak-mountain-50k-race-report.html">David’s</a> accounts of this year’s event here).<span style=""> </span><o:p>
<br /></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">I was one of the first to arrive and had the unusual pleasure of parking 10 feet (literally) from the starting line.<span style=""> </span>My race number turned out to be pleasant surprise as well, since its digits also match my birthday (110).<span style=""> </span>The pre-race atmosphere was relaxed.<span style=""> </span>It was easy to meet people and people either caught up with old friends or eagerly made new ones.<span style=""> </span>I had the great pleasure of meeting <a href="http://runlaketahoe.blogspot.com/">Peter Lubbers</a> in person.<span style=""> </span>We have been blogging friends for a couple of years now, but never met in person.<span style=""> </span>(As a side note, somebody needs to come up with an name for that.<span style=""> </span>“Blogging friends” is kinda weird.<span style=""> </span>As is “bliends”). Also, thanks to Peter and his buddy Troy, I've got lots of fun pictures in this report. Thank you!<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgstZikCqW-PKvHOpS3B7BeP1hZBlyrQyJt9C-2y-bW66LsrLnV9zTGKZyH4aEfSE-VOu6VKPobKRgaXZznCLBWyr0urgiPWk_TYvtE8b9r9I3-GTc8clK7hFtrlBsjiOf2NXDEZujxFrY/s1600-h/rc1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgstZikCqW-PKvHOpS3B7BeP1hZBlyrQyJt9C-2y-bW66LsrLnV9zTGKZyH4aEfSE-VOu6VKPobKRgaXZznCLBWyr0urgiPWk_TYvtE8b9r9I3-GTc8clK7hFtrlBsjiOf2NXDEZujxFrY/s400/rc1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316403839889114066" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Peter, who would finish 4th, and I before the race</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKMuf9fGAl4qd8PufYfXAthT1evqJfa03RD88gdYDX8K7pVX_CZguKuwcqcRn8VKp6ldHg0pE0W6ENDJpu0qrl-zEMHPL4JkHSUgV5gd2i7H8gzyeVD8KMwUdb_ZgCLAEIowUap-QBkwI/s1600-h/rc3.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKMuf9fGAl4qd8PufYfXAthT1evqJfa03RD88gdYDX8K7pVX_CZguKuwcqcRn8VKp6ldHg0pE0W6ENDJpu0qrl-zEMHPL4JkHSUgV5gd2i7H8gzyeVD8KMwUdb_ZgCLAEIowUap-QBkwI/s400/rc3.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316403936795201394" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Discussing the race profile at the start (looks staged, doesn't it?)</span></span>
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">This was a small race and <b style="">I love that</b>.<span style=""> </span>RD Robert Mathis gave us all the necessary instructions (“Follow the pink ribbons or Peter in the bright shirt.<span style=""> </span>Turn around by the river and make sure you tell this guy [pointing] when you get back, since he keeps the time.<span style=""> </span>It may rain depending on how long you’re out there.<span style=""> </span>So, yeah,…3,2,1…go!”<span style=""> </span>There are many reasons why I don’t miss big city races with 52,000 runners (<span style="font-style: italic;">new record!</span>), $150 entry fees and Runner’s World coverage.<span style=""> </span>All I need are some trails, a few runners and some dude who says “go”.<span style=""> </span>Simple.<o:p>
<br /></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">So, off we were and it didn’t take long before we hit the Western States Trail.<span style=""> </span>Woah! <span style=""> </span>Huge forest, magnificent views of the Sierra foothills and a few thousand feet below us the Ruck-a-Chuck River, our turn-around for the day.<span style=""> </span>
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLXTwASXHwpkjSSVJfvd-SdJyYI-cUyi_LBUlrbvInp4sELlFAaet5hkgk82sgqmtgy7LmS4kwsVOJ4cg-IgCF0bjg47XCEGjBflXPhfMLmb_ezAekt8VDFmERu4zncOO-KdEcp9Vnags/s1600-h/rucky-chucky-50k-2009-14.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLXTwASXHwpkjSSVJfvd-SdJyYI-cUyi_LBUlrbvInp4sELlFAaet5hkgk82sgqmtgy7LmS4kwsVOJ4cg-IgCF0bjg47XCEGjBflXPhfMLmb_ezAekt8VDFmERu4zncOO-KdEcp9Vnags/s400/rucky-chucky-50k-2009-14.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316403793410798930" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Somewhere near the top</span></span>
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">We would be going downhill for about 11 miles or so (save a couple teeny uphills) and the strangest thing was happening to me: I could not get my breathing under control.<span style=""> </span>I was panting and losing my breath over gentle running.<span style=""> </span>Maybe it was the little running over the previous two weeks (15 miles or so total).<span style=""> </span>Maybe it was the altitude (we weren’t high though and altitude doesn’t bother me much). Who knows.<span style=""> </span>That was the bad news. The good news was that my foot seemed to be doing fine (phew!). And once I passed the first aid (8.7) things started to improve with the breathing as well.<span style=""> </span>The volunteers shouted “have fun on the next section," and I was wondering what could await me that I hadn’t seen yet.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdeXFq6RQFJdXbbLIEZo0SuXQ32MSty6PWTztR26TWfPaF0ZdfayYyMExhND3OKuGRMUunRZ4UesP8ehtVdNEm05l99o8xyLwvcwZ7xr3MlF_CQufWN99e7AMakQw54rCrbEeIFt6h6Qw/s1600-h/rc4.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdeXFq6RQFJdXbbLIEZo0SuXQ32MSty6PWTztR26TWfPaF0ZdfayYyMExhND3OKuGRMUunRZ4UesP8ehtVdNEm05l99o8xyLwvcwZ7xr3MlF_CQufWN99e7AMakQw54rCrbEeIFt6h6Qw/s400/rc4.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316403984226707474" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Somewhere near the bottom</span></span>
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">Flowers.<span style=""> </span>Beautiful, magnificent flowers.<span style=""> </span>Everywhere.<span style=""> </span>Orange, purple, yellow, blue,…<span style=""> </span>Have a favorite color?<span style=""> </span>There was a flower for you.<span style=""> </span>Mother Nature was out there putting on a show, and we were all invited.<span style=""> </span>It was incredible!<o:p>
<br /></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">An out-and-back course make it very easy, of course, to see how you’re doing half way through the race.<span style=""> </span>To my surprise, I was running in 6<sup>th</sup> when I hit the turn-around (2:13). That was good enough to get my competitive juices flowing.<span style=""> </span>Number 7 was a minute or so behind me.<span style=""> </span>It was time to push…just I had no juice left.<span style=""> </span>My legs were trashed from the downhill (not good), but a good overall placement and a PR were still in the mix.<span style=""> </span>After some more flower treatment on the river banks and saying my "hello"s and "good job"s to everyone, it was time to head back up.<span style=""> </span>And, boy, was I hurting.<span style=""> </span>I was struggling just to make it to the final aid station, which is no less than 8.7 miles of tough uphill from the finish line.<span style=""> </span>I took my time here to refuel and regain strength.<span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span>A mix of will-power, salty potatoes and BBQ chips (my favorite!!) was just what the doctor had ordered.<span style=""> </span>I thought a lot about how so many runners have suffered here before.<span style=""> </span>Not just the field, but big names like Trason, Twietmeyer and Jurek pushing for the win.<span style=""> </span>And, truth be told, I was thinking most about Ansleigh.<span style=""> </span>To run these trails unsupported and on a whim...mindblowing!</p><p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfkFz_Fa-yILi3bWfHU6UP8VoCoDQmOuJHtKBDHkHoe4EW5oqW2-_HxJU_-KGZ7zQYgIINLak0Hn-OAtstgPleyV-ahpvBTdD5_wlUCsatrvIHhAtC15PzDHYYiExMt_Oj84OYuVntcHY/s1600-h/rc2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfkFz_Fa-yILi3bWfHU6UP8VoCoDQmOuJHtKBDHkHoe4EW5oqW2-_HxJU_-KGZ7zQYgIINLak0Hn-OAtstgPleyV-ahpvBTdD5_wlUCsatrvIHhAtC15PzDHYYiExMt_Oj84OYuVntcHY/s400/rc2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316403890833597922" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Shoulda smiled for this one</span></span>
<br /><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">After some time, I passeed a sign that said “Foresthill 3.3 mi”, so I had about 3.5 miles to go (the finish line was at the other end of town).<span style=""> </span>48 minutes to break my PR and still in 6<sup>th</sup>…I was in great shape.<span style=""> </span><i style="">Not so fast</i> was what trail quite literally seemed to say throwing the final, massive, steep, painful uphill in my way.<span style=""> </span>I was reduced to walking a lot of it.<span style=""> </span>In the end, I missed my PR by 4 minutes, but still stayed under 5 ½ hours (5:28) and successfully defended <a href="http://www.ultrarunner.net/raceseries/rucky_chucky_2009.html">6<sup>th</sup> place overall</a>.<span style=""> </span>I was stoked!<span style=""> </span>In terms of overall standing, this was my best finish ever, and it was about to rain cats and dogs.<span style=""> </span>Sitting inside and eating cake sounded perfect right about now.</p> <ul><li><o:p></o:p><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">In the end, I learned a few things:</span></span></li><li><span style="font-size:100%;">Despite doing a lot more uphill training, I still have a lot of work to do in this department</span></li><li><!--[if !supportLists]--><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size:100%;">I <b style="">love</b> this race and hope to return here next year</span></li><li><!--[if !supportLists]--><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size:100%;">The Western States course is no joke.</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span><span style="font-size:100%;">Those trails are rocky and fairly technical</span></li><li><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:100%;">Birthday cake is GREAT post-run food</span></li><li><span style="font-size:100%;">Driving two plus hours after a race stinks.</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span><span style="font-size:100%;">But an In-N-Out chocolate shake can really improve the experience.</span></li></ul> <span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" ><span style="line-height: 115%;">
<br />My thanks to the RD Robert and all the volunteers, some of whom braved some serious weather and temperature swings, especially the guys manning Cal2.</span></span>Dave - Atlanta Trailshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13870521955679174148noreply@blogger.com7