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Sent: Thursday, February 08, 2001 3:20 PM
Subject: Incline Club V5 LR #12
So I guess Winter is not over? Bring it on I say because the tougher it is now the easier it will be come Spring! Speaking of which we are halfway through the Sunday only portion of our training program. This, the base building phase, is what I consider the most important part of the program. There are those that claim that speed is the answer to which I say bunk! It is part of the equation and a part which we will address in April but without a base you will go nowhere — fast! Another advantage of taking the time to build such a good base is that it will carry over for years to come. Laying a good foundation makes it so you don’t have to always panic at every little nag and can take the time to let things heal properly.
####
Sunday, February 11, 8 a.m. meet at Soda Springs Park.
Run up the Barr Trail and turn left at the 1/2 mile to Barr Camp sign and
head 1.25 miles over to Mountain View by the COG. Return but at .8 miles
from Mountain View turn left and up to get to Barr Camp. Run down the Barr
Trail, left on Bob’s Road, left on LRR to “J” pipe, right to top of Incline
and down Barr Trail to finish the run. 2.5-3.5 hours. If it would take
longer skip Mountain View and head to Barr Camp only.
####
In other news Yvonne C has scheduled a meeting next Monday with a screen
printer for the Barr Trail Mountain Race T-shirts. While there she will be
getting quotes on the often talked about club T-shits:-) This is just the
first in a series of well thought out and carefully crafted steps that will
be perfectly executed to make the Incline Club almost not completely unlike
a “real” running club. Next, I have enlisted the services of a doctor that
will answer any of your questions. His first column appears below. Please
take the time to take advantage of this generous offer from a fellow club
member!
####
And now, Incline boys and girls and everything, it’s once again time for “Ask Doctor Rocket,” where each week we feature a perplexing running related
question that requires rocket science to answer. Ask Doctor Rocket (he’s
got a PhD... in Rocket Science)
Dear Dr. Rocket,
I am having behavioral problems with the sheet metal screws on my “winter” trail running shoes, and I was hoping you might have a diagnosis and cure for this screwy dilemma. They keep running away, the screws that is. After inspecting my shoes after the last couple of Incline Club runs, I’ve noticed some of the screws are missing. Even after I replace them, at the completion of the next run, some of the same ones, and others, will be gone. What is more perplexing is that the left shoe seems to lose more screws than the right. Could this be an indication of an asymmetry in my running gate? Did I do something wrong in the installation? Should I keep the shoes and replace the screws? Or should I keep the screws and replace the shoes? These same shoes worked fine last year, and I had no problems with runaway screws. I’m afraid to change over to longer screws, as this would make removing the shoes after a long run rather difficult, if not downright painful. This is getting a bit frustrating, and with the price of sheet metal screws these days, well, frankly, I feel like I’m being screwed. Thank you in advance for your advice.
Sincerely,
Just another screwed up Incline Club Member (name withheld)
Dr. Rocket Writes:
Dear Tom K (I bet you thought I wouldn’t recognize you),
I certainly sympathize with your loss, as I have lost a few screws
in my life time. Your problem is more common than you might expect. In
fact, screw abuse accounts for the majority of runaway screws experienced
by winter trail runners. However, losing more screws on the left shoe
than the right, this is truly a noteworthy observation. The key question
here, is this truly due to a running asymmetry, or is it just a screwy
anomaly? A truly significant but unrelated adjunct question is, am I
overusing the word “truly?” In my opinion, truly not. My guess is that
if you have been suffering from a longstanding injury on your right side,
then you are probably favoring your left, and hence, experiencing greater
g-forces on the left side due to overcompensation. But to get to the
heart of the problem, how to resolve the loss of screws? Well, there are
several possible solutions. At least in theory, if you do all your runs
in tight clockwise circles (counter-clockwise in the southern hemisphere),
this would counter any impact related torques that might be causing an
unscrewing motion and, hence, loss of screws. This, of course, is not
really practical since after 2.5-3.5 hours of running in tight clockwise
circles you would likely fall down with dizziness and wreath like a
babbling idiot for the remainder of the day (but, hey, some of us do that
anyway after running Long Ranch Road). Likewise, duct tape is also
impractical. No, the problem likely stems from the way you installed
them. If you pre-drilled the holes, then these holes were probably too
large to begin with, and after a year’s worth of use, has worn them bigger
and so they can no longer hold the screws. According to renowned
researcher, Dr. Fila Screwsinski, MD, PhD, MS, BS, OBY, IOU, TCBY, CO
30132, of the Harvard School of Sheet Metal Screw Physics, the rubber sole
of your shoe may become less elastic with time, and so no longer retain
adequate elastic and frictional forces to firmly hold the screw, not
unlike the effect of stretch marks. My advice: keep the screws, and lose
the shoes. You should start of with another fresh pair of shoes without
existing holes, and use the proper techniques for installation (Send your
check or money order for $29,000,000,000.95 c/o this web address for your
complete screw installation kit complete with instructions. Order now and
receive a Delta-III 3 stage rocket at no extra charge). If you take care
to install them properly, this should keep you sufficiently screwed up for
years to come. Note, an alternative to sheet metal screws are Ice
Magnets. Neal T has used these with great success over the previous
several Incline Club Seasons. However, their propensity to repel common
dirt is a distinct disadvantage on mixed surfaces, as Neal will attest.
Good luck, and happy running.
Yours truly,
Dr. Rocket.
Go out hard, when it hurts blast off!
####
Gordon B writes:
02/04/01 What a run! We had a bit of everything thrown at us, I guess
that’s one of the great things about running trails. Ice, mud, mud that was
ice the first time through, snow, and more snow — thanks to the faster group
who were nice enough to break trail going up LRR, I stayed in the tracks
going up the “outside edge” which made for slightly easier going. Thanks to
Yvonne C for the great pace going through Waldo, sorry I didn’t keep up
through the loop. It felt good, so I decided that this would be the day to
attempt LLR and the “J” pipe trail after the Waldo Canyon lollipop loop. In
the past I cut the loop out, good decision glad that I didn’t — what a great
view of the Peak!
####
Kees G writes:
I was wondering if I qualify for a “*” because I am thinking about doing a
run on Wednesday? I also have the entry forms for several races. Now just
in case my ankle keeps hurting (I didn’t go out too fast!) and I miss the
next few runs, here is my wannabe star-list:
Next Sunday: I’ll think about a run on Wednesday (on the TRAIL)
18 Feb: Fill out the entry form for Collegiate Peaks TRAIL run, AND think
about a run on Sunday, AND eat bagels (do I get three stars for this?)
25 Feb: I’ll go snowboarding on the Vail TRAIL system (much more than 1/2
marathon!)
04 March: I am probably back, but just in case, I’ll send you a new wannabe
star list.
####
Rick P writes:
My wife and I came for our first incline run today. (Kim K. & Rick P.) We
cut it a little short but loved the run. Thanks for the opportunity. We
hope to show up often.
####
Dave S writes:
Hi,
(nervous fidgeting ... avoiding eye contact)
My name is Dave ...
(deep breath, regaining composure)
And I missed a Sunday long run ...
(voice straining)
With the Incline Club ...
(holding tears back)
I really wanted to come, really ...
(looking deep into the audiences eyes)
But ... but ... I was ... I was ... (losing composure again) ... I was ...
... OK ... I’ll say it ... I had the flu!
(assuming fetal position)
I feel so ashamed ...
There are guys who would still come with a broken leg ...
Or acute appendicitis ...
Or the latest terminal disease you’ve seen on TV ...
In blizzard conditions ...
(voice breaking again)
And I let a little thing like the flu get the best of me.
(getting on feet again slowly, collecting oneself)
I ask that you forgive me ...
(gaining confidence)
I promise to start a new streak of “*"s ...
Even if I have to crawl out of a hospital bed ...
(voice becoming strong and forceful)
For I don’t ever again want to fall 13 places on the leader board in one fell swoop!
(walking away confidently)
(Matt C adds: And there you have the first official “S” report. In this case the “S” being for “Sick report.” But since some miss due to other reasons the “S” report will hereby be known as the “Skipped report.” Send in your best excuses (I mean reasons) for missing a club run and you too can walk away confidently knowing that we have all been there at one time or another)
####
Kees G dreams:
Maybe that “first” arrow was the “second.".. we will never know, evidence is
probably gone by now... I’ll say NO NO NO to the lessons from Larry!
RE:>(Matt C adds: It turns out that Larry M was the yellow arrow artist >but Kees G was quick to point out that he made the second one (which >many, including myself never saw so perhaps Kees needs some >lessons from Larry).
####
Nancy A (used to be H) writes:
This relocated Bay Area incliner is missing CO a bit. In the past week, I’ve
been collecting stories about misadventures from trail runners for an
article that I’m doing for Runner’s World magazine. It’s been great fun to
read about deer, rattlesnake, bear, skunk, and mountain lion encounters but
alas, I have a story of my own about a rather sedate type of trail animal,
the domesticated cow. Near our house in Crockett (as in Davy), we have miles
of regional park trails. I’ve been exploring on my own quite a bit as
husband Jeff (can you build the bridges any faster!?) is working 12 hours a
day and our runs are usually those pavement pounders at 5am. The other day I
was out on the regional trails and I always see cows — both physical
presence and remnants of their presence in the form of large paddies. I must
say that the paddies combined with the heavy, thick, oozing, clay mud are
enough to pull the sneakers right off your feet. Well, the domesticated cows
decided that they’d be a bit more aggressive on this particular run. One of
the calves turned and started running after me with mom coming right along
with him. Although a cow and not a bull, she still appeared rather assertive
and being quite large, made me a bit nervous. I know, I know, who could be
nervous of the Borden Milk cow. Suffice it to say, I made tracks and escaped
the charge of the little critter and his mom. That’s not the end of the
story, I did a second loop of the trail and found a different single track
that ended up with an incline-like climb (not as long, not as steep, not as
high, much better footing, warmer weather, sun shining, running in shorts),
I felt right at home, well almost. I guess I’ve traded my elevation for salt
water breezes and snowfall for rain showers and mountain lions for cows...
####
Keith G writes:
Just to let you know... I still have my streak going.
The longest I have ever made it into a year is July before
ending my streak. I hope to break that this year.
####
Matt C writes about what Adam F writes:
Adam’s e-mails for his newsletter are getting pretty long. Since for the
most part these address running up to the North I will strip in his “index” and provide and e-mail so that if you are interested you can ask for the “whole nine yards.” He has lots of good stuff and since he has come down and
run with the club several times he has often been a contributor to the IC
mail. If you liked what he has written in the past don’t hesitate to contact
him and that way I won’t have to have an entire newsletter inside of a
newsletter.
* Thursday night racing at Eldora
* Screamin Snowman Race
* Byers Peak Snow Event
* Weekend Runs in Evergreen
* Sunday Run on Highline Canal
* Group Snowshoe Outing
* Upcoming Snowshoe Events
* Contact info and disclaimer
Adam Feerst: (e-mail address removed for www posting)
####
R reports:
Steve B reports:
Just got back from New Orleans and the “Mardi Gras” Marathon. This was
marathon number 39 and my 23rd state. (I also have two Can. provinces). Just
an “average” marathon for me. I ran 2:44 and placed 10th overall. They put
an asterix by my name though for “under USATF age-group guidelines.” I
interpreted that to mean I was pretty fast for an old guy. The only other
one in the race to have the asterix was the winner, age 41. He ran 2:32.
The weekend before when we ran Barr Trail my knee started hurting again (injury started from 50-mile race three weeks ago), so I took the rest of the week off before running the marathon yesterday. Around mile 12 it started to hurt slightly, but went away in just a few minutes. Then at mile 25 it came back with a vengeance. I kept going since I was almost done anyway. Now I am hobbling. I’ll be taking a couple of days off, so hopefully I’ll be out Sunday to run with the club.
The course was flat as a pancake and below sea-level. (New Orleans is below sea level. They pump the rain water out through an elaborate system of pipes and canals.) Pretty nice race and of course New Orleans is always fun. Recommended for marathoners looking for a fun run.
Laila was disappointed in her time: 3:31. She is recovering from the 50-mile race on Catalina Island too.
####
In the words of AOL — YOU GOT MAIL! I am happy to report that I heard from
a bunch of AOLers last week that got their first club mail in about 3-4
weeks so it appears that splitting the list worked. Good timing too because
we added another 9 people this week alone:-) I want to once again (now that
things seem to be working) say that no one is ever removed from the club
mailing list unless they ask! I feel bad that some thought they got nuked
because they did not come to a run or whatever and this whole AOL thing has
been AOhelL! If ever you don’t get a mail just ask and I will forward it on
you:-)
----
Kelly E writes:
I have not been getting your Emails for a while but I did get this last
one you sent. I’m really glad to be getting them again b/c I thought I was
removed from the list b/c I haven’t made it to a Sun. run yet. My kids play
hockey and it has taken over our lives!! I’ll be going to an incline club
run as soon as I can.
----
S M writes:
Got this email and the VR 5 #11 email today. I sent an email to AOL about
Bcc email. I’ll let you know what they respond with.
----
Fred W writes:
Didn’t get last week’s newsletter until I asked you to resend on Friday.
However, this week’s (#11), has arrived today (Thu). Thanks.
----
Margie S writes:
I have NOT been receiving the Incline e-mail these past few weeks. I was
SURE it was a sign that ‘I’m not really a runner, after all’. Just
kidding!!! It is the flip side of like when I receive an entry form to a
race — I’m sure that they REALLY, REALLY want me!!! (Even if I sent them a SASE)> ~.~
Anyway, thanks soooo much for working it out with split list, or whatever.
Even if I haven’t as yet (what am I waiting for???) run with your group — I
DO plan to. Til now I have been going to mass on Sunday mornings just
praying that when I do join you all I can’t keep the last of you all in
sight.
----
Glen A writes:
Receiving your IC mail OK now, keep up the good work.
----
Debbie M writes:
Thanks Matt. I got this email. Connilee forwarded the others to me so no
need to resend.
----
Sarah Hw writes:
I received the incline club mail.
----
Mike L writes:
I did get this weeks e-mail so whatever you did must have worked. Thanks!
By the way, did you see Christa L’s quote in Nancy Hobbs’ trail running
article in Runners World? That’s my girl!
(Matt C adds: Its true folks! On the middle of the right hand column of page 71 of the current swimsuit edition of Runner’s World Christa L did the Incline Club proud! One of my best memories of last year’s Thursday runs was the time when we had about 10 high school runners out running with us. They are the future and the BTMR has big things planned for high school runners this year.)
####
WWW post:
2/4/2001 45 people headed out UPT to get to Waldo. The weather started out
really overcast but Mr. Sun broke through and tried to convince us that it
was warmer than it really was. The humidity or the wind made sound travel
really well today and the Rampart Shooting Range sounded more like the guns
of Navaro. However the ice was not as bad as we thought it would be so the
Waldo loop went fast. LRR was in no mood for that however as the snow really
slowed things down. The “J” pipe trail saved the day!
####
Go out hard, when it hurts speed up...
Matt Carpenter
www.skyrunner.com
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