Finally got my first run in last week on Saturday. I wanted to do trails but the narberth run was on Saturday as well as a full day of baseball at the park so I decided to leave the car where it was and just hit the roads. I took my Nike Plus out and set it for a 5k and off I went. I just ended up going up Wynnewood to Montgomery and then back into Narberth through the cobbled street and back into town and to the park and a little beyond the house. Just a little over 3 and then I watched the race.
It was so much fun just spectating. it has been a long time since I have just sat on the side of the road and cheered on people. They had a great turnout probably around 4-500 with strollers and walkers and runners combined. They also changed the route a little adding a little bump from rockland to chestnut and back to rockland again. They took out the overlapping piece in narberth choosing instead to start and finish at the park. The thing about the old route to get 10 proper miles in on the course you had to reverse direction. With this route you could go around and around.

After the race we went to the shore to get the house ready. The weather was beautiful and we got lots done and only reluctantly returned home.

Last night I did a bit of speedwork over at Welsh Valley while my son played baseball. They have a great cinder track over there and I really enjoy running on it, as it reminds me of the tracks of my youth.

Just some product stuff i wanted to say. I used Nuun during the last 50k. I really like this product. The product comes in tubes with individual tabs that dissolve in your water bottle. The drink is slightly carbonated which actually helped my stomach issues that I had at Foxcatcher. Also Nuun is not made with sugar so the flavor is light and it stays drinable for the whole run unlike Gatorade which I filled up with at the first aid station and had a hard time with wanting to dump the bottle about halfway to the next aid because it was too sweet.

Endurolytes. I took these in the beginning of the race. first time I ever took the pills. they did not upset my stomach. I failed to maintain a consistent schedule with these and I do not know how effective they were in keeping away the cramping that occurred later in the run. I did not cramp early on but that might have been because I was not dehydrated.

Ultimate Direction. I have used a 20 oz UD carrier for the last three years on every run. The product has worked for me. It has a small pocket that i carry my telephone and keys and credit cards in. My only problem with this product was that some of the seams gave about 2 years ago. I used dental floss to repair and have had not further problems with the carrier.

Hammer Gels. I got a bunch of these a couple of months ago. The Espresso and Tropical have caffine in them and they are very tasty. My only problem is the packaging. The hammer top tends to get stuck in my shorts and I have difficulty removing them while I run. I plan to try the large refill cannisters and just a gel container in the future because the gels are really good. Filling and tasty.

I have felt better after this 50K than any race in the past. By Tuesday my legs no longer felt fatigued nor did they feel sore in any way. I probably could have run last night but watched my daughter's baseball game instead. They lost, but added confidence which sometimes is more important than the win. Right now I could use a little of that. I think I need to get a good run in and then pay some attention to my diet.
After this foray into two long distance runs in a month, I intend to keep this up but just do some self supported events like maybe first finishing my first 4 corners at Valley Green. I have heard this is a 20 mile run and I am hoping to try this on Saturday morning. Sunday I have to head down to the beach to help my brother get my mother's house in order for her return in May.

These are all pictures from the race of the Foxcatcher. From top to bottom, Me at the finish, Jeff at the finish, Steve at the finish, Group shot from the start, and cee at the finish.

Foxcatcher 50K Race Report

Got up at 4:00. Put my stuff in a bag. Twittered for a while, ate, packed some water bottles and got in the Blue PT Cruiser,(that I asked the car rental guy if he had anything and I meant anything else. Mais non I was told in a much too chipper voice) and headed on down to the liquor store in Delaware where the wonderful cee was to meet me. I got there a couple of minutes early for the 6:30 meet up and got out of the Cruiser to loosen up a bit when cee arrived. After a wonderful greeting and catching up a bit I made sure she wouldn't' be too embarrassed by the cruiser and off we went to the race.

We pulled in a bit before the 7:00 start of the 50 mile horse race that was going on and headed up to get our numbers. Pawl was waiting for us and handed out the numbers and the very bright cotton tees and we went back to the car to prepare for the 8:00 start. What to wear was the big question of the day as it was a little chilly but promised to warm up quickly this highs in the 70's predicted. I settled on a tech tee and went with the Asics trial shoes and injinji socks. cee went long sleeve at the start and road shoes because she was afraid of blisters because the memory of her 50 mile race blister were still fresh in her mind.

After a short race briefing on what the course markings represented and a group picture we took off into the woods. For some reason I had put myself in the front but that quickly changed after I lost my left shoe in some mud and a guy named Steve fished out for me. I was now in the back and recognized a guy that had run HAT who was running a 5 minute 1 minute walk run. His name was Jeff and he and I ran the rest of the race pretty much together. The course was beautiful Fairhill is a gorgeous place the views were incredible unfortunately my camera gave up the ghost as soon as I started.

At aide station 1 (9 miles) I still felt pretty good. A couple of peanut butter sandwiches some mountain dew and I filled up with very sweet gatorade. I noticed the beginnings of some stomach issues. I was taking Etabs and trying to stay hydrated.

Aide Station 2 (18 miles )noticed my hands were bloated. Thought I was retaining too much water. Eased off the etabs. Stayed with the gels peanut butter sandwiches and mountain dew. First started talking to Steve who was a great guy and chatted the whole way. Jeff kept chugging along beautifully, telling stories about the various marathons ironmans he has done. Truly incredible. Started to notice how much up an down we were doing. and noticed that we were out in fields a lot getting baked.

Aide Station 3 (25) my car was only about 200 yards away very tempting. Jeff actually said he was going to bail but decides to finish out the run. I am starting to feel nauseous. Jeff Steve and I catch up to a couple of dudes who were out in front I am dragging behind and not feeling very well. I dry heave not having enough in my stomach to puke. Drop a gel and feel better. We cross a river and I get mud up to my mid calf climbing out but do not lose my shoes!!! We all walk this long slow uphill and get to aide station 4.

Aide station 4 (28 miles) Phil is here and he tells us the winner finished in around 3.5 hours. Steve takes off saying he just wants to get the thing done. Jeff is kind and stays with me. My phone rings shortly after the aide station, it is my sister in law, my father in law is in the hospital. I ask if I can call back because I am in the middle of something. My calves are cramping pretty badly but I hang with Jeff for two miles. A mile to go and every time I start to run my calves cramp. Jeff gets a little out in front checks on me. I tell him about the cramping and tell him to go on. After a long walk in an open field a lovely woman tells me it is just through the storm tunnel and up a hill to the end. I struggle to run in the last few steps and am thankful it is over.

I shake Jeffs hand and thank him for helping me. I do the same with Steve. I don't believe I could have finished this one without them. Just great guys. cee is there looking very fresh. She finished about 45 minutes before me. I stop my watch at 7:20 but am not sure how long I have been in when I do that so 7:20 is my official time. They give us a coffe mug and a very stiff bandanna. I try and get as much fluid in me as possible. I am really dehydrated get dizzy and have to sit. After clean up I am feeling a lot better and drink as much as I can. I can't eat even though the food looks great.

About the race. This was a TrailDawgs related race. These guys are the best. They always put on a relaxed and fun event. I'd highly recommend this race to anyone. This would have been a great first time 50k for anyone. couldn't have asked for better conditions and beautiful scenery. Phil and Pawl are two of the nicest guys and they did a great job of taking care of us all. Much thanks to them, Ruth and Marjorie for their help at the aide stations. They were incredible.

Also thanks to the horse people the ham radio operators and everyone else who provided support.

Much thanks to cee, Jeff and Steve for the great company and encouragement. I really couldn't have done this race without them. BTW my father in law is ok.

Racing tomorrow at 8:00. I feel completely unprepared. I have a cold that has only just begun and my ankle is hurting as I sit here. I am complaining so I must be ready for the run. It will be long but I will survive and it will not kill me.

Ok now that the pep talk is done the weather should be beautiful. they are predicting 75 and sunny. I may have to pack suntan lotion and lip balm. I am scheduled to meet Cee at the liquor store on Naamans road at 6:30. The horses are to take off at 7:00 and we leave at 8:00. It is a two loop course that doesn't overlap. A 25 and a 7 mile loop. That will be a new experience since the HAT was a two loop over the same ground and the Blues Cruise was an out and back. I am really looking forward to this race. I don't know what I am going to do after this. I may have to take some time off to attend to the family and be around a little more.

I have been away. Thanks for the patience. I went to St. Louis to visit my fatherinlaw and my brotherinlaw. I had a good time and managed to get a couple of nice runs in. After the 15.5 hour drive from Philly to StL I managed a 10k in Forest park. The weather was beautiful and the park is pretty impressive having been built for the Worlds Fair. We took a couple of days and went to the city museum and to the Arch and then on my last day I got a run in on the streets about 4.5. StLouis is odd in that there are a bunch of gates on streets so you can get into a block but you can't get out. So I would run along and have to turn around and have to reverse course. Since being home I got a run in on sunday and then took a couple of days off because I have been tired and today I gave blood so that means a really small run tonight and then Saturday is the Foxcatcher. I am finally getting excited about it.

From 2009-04-12 StLouis2009

Dudes and dudettes, I had the most miserable run on Friday in the best weather of the season about 70 and sunny. In my defense I didn't eat lunch and only had a couple of pieces of roast beef before the run. I wanted to do 6 but ended up with 4 and had to quit before I wanted. I had no energy and lost my will before the 1/2 way point.

In typical night and day fashion, yesterday I ran the Tyler Arboretum 10K and although slower than last year it was a quality training run. The Delco RRC puts on a quality event on the wide trails of the Arboretum. The race began at nine. My friend and fellow Wanderer Doug picked me up at 7:30. We figured we would be early and got there about 45 mins ahead of time, and were greeted with a packed parking lot.
The race got a much larger turnout this year. And there were a bunch of Wanderers in attendance and as this was a USATF race I could hang back and be as slow as I wanted. The race started on time and after short down hill starts a gentle climb. I spotted a guy with a HAT shirt on from the 2008 race and tat on his calf. It turned out to be Phil Anderson the A in HAT. We talked a little bit and I thanked him for putting on such a great race every year and then he took off from me. I saw him a couple of times afer that but lost him after about 20 minutes. He is an amazing guy. He ran the HAT last year after coming back from a stroke. The down hills started and then the first stream crossing in which I managed to keep my feet dry. The only aid station was next at a little past the 2 mile mark. The trail was pretty muddy here but I had trail shoes on and just moved right on through. The street shoe people were tip toeing around the mud. After getting some gatorade (i didnt bring my water bottle, first race in long time i didn't wear it.) There is a nice downhill section a water crossing that I just ran through and then a climb to the section where the course splits. The lead runner was coming back as I was going up this hill as I crested it Chris, Bob and Noah were on there way back all looking really strong. The split part is a big loop starting with a climb and then it levels off. At the 1/2 way point the volunteer lied and said it was all flat from here and then said April fools. I felt pretty good and climbed the uphills as a fast walk and then bombed the downs. I started picking off people and traded spots with a couple of others. After the aid station I managed to run just about the whole way back to the start finish and wasn't passed by anyone the whole way. I also just ran through the two water crossings. I also just ran straight through the mud. I finished in a little over an hour, picked up my boxwood (they gave out plants, pretty cool) and got some food. I was the last wanderer in. After the race I picked up my plant. I got a boxwood and some food had my picture taken with the club and then we headed out. Doug graciously had us leave before the awards so that I oculd see my daughters baseball game.

My Review of Cutter

Onlineshoes.com

Smooth out your casual style in the Cutter clog from Dansko. The classic design approach ensures an appropriate look for all occasions. The polyurethane midsole dissipates pressure, securing an energetic stride. Product features include: Leather lining, Leather upper, Polyurethane midsole, TPU supp...

Cutter

Very Comfortable

Kiltrunner Philadelphia, PA 4/1/2009

 

5 5

Sizing: Feels true to size

Width: Feels true to width

Pros: Comfortable, Looks Great, Stable, Breathes Well

Best Uses: Casual Wear, Business Casual

Describe Yourself: Comfort Driven

Most comfortable shoes I own. This was a replacement for my 10 year old Dansko Clogs that finally gave up the ghost. These are much more stylish and better fitting. My foot is stable in the shoe and I am able to wear them all day and not feel fatigued. Great Shoes.

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When I got home last night i had to watch my daughter practice baseball. She did well as always, she is a pretty natural athlete and the nice thing about this year in baseball is that they are teaching her the techical parts of the game. Running bases, positioning, quick releases, everything. They had her at short stop last night and she ate up every ball that came to her. Well after that was over I had to make dinner and do kids homework which was quite painful with a tired kid. I didn't get my run in.

Up at 4 today and over to the field to get in an early morning speedwork session. It was painless. I was in a really cool zone. I did a mile warm and then started doing 20 second sprints with almost total recovery in between. I don't know how many I was doing because I was lost in my thoughts. My life is due to get really complicated soon and I don't know where to turn. I was hoping to do a 50 miler in the fall but I don't believe I will have the time to train. Its just not fair to the people around me. I think that I will have to scale everything back and build on the little things.