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Sent: Friday, October 24, 2003 8:58 AM
Subject: Incline Club V7 Off Season #1
Hi ICers,
Can you believe that it is only one month until we start up our 8th season? Hope you have been enjoying this incredible Fall weather!
Over the next couple of weekends volunteers are needed to help with some work on the Barr Trail. There are two projects in the works; 1) putting up 75 new rails to replace broken/damaged ones and 2) installing a new culvert at No Name Creek. On project #1 help is needed in carrying the rails to their spots. Quite a few ICers did this a couple of years ago and it only took about 1 hour. On project #2 there is the potential for shovel work if heavy equipment can’t be arranged. Please let me know if you can help! THE BARR TRAIL NEEDS YOU!
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NEXT RUN:
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Sunday, November 30 (updated from the 23rd), 8:00am — Memorial Park
We will kick off the IC’s 8th season with our old standby and friend — Waldo Canyon. See http://www.inclineclub.com/maps.htm for details.
Here is a 2003 Season Wrap-Up:
Summary
317 Sunday runners
172 Thursday runners
357 different runners
59 club workouts and events
3,782 *’s
119 B’s and V’s at the Barr Trail Mountain Race
98 A’s and Vs at the Pikes Peak Ascent
95 P’s at the year end party
89 R’s for different Races
52 G’s, Vs and a ? (Paul Sullivan) at the Garden of the Gods 10 Mile run
36 M’s at the Pikes Peak Marathon
33 S’s and Vs at the Summer Roundup Trail Run 12K
7 F’s who came to just the VanFeed
5 L’s who did Leadville
2 D’s who did the PPA/M double
2 p’s who paced at Leadville
4,320 total or 73.2 people per workout. 12.10 workouts per person
History:
2002 season: 3,856 total or 65.36 people per workout. 12.16 workouts per person
2001 season: 3,204 total or 53.38 people per workout. 11.28 workouts per person
2000 season: 2,542 total or 42.35 people per workout. 8.28 workouts per person.
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ICers WRITE:
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Todd Walton writes:
Could you send out a message to the IC regarding Mayor’s Cup?
25-Oct-03 Manitou Springs Mayor’s Cup 5K and Kids 1K $18 Entry includes 100% Cool-Max T-shirt. Come support the Mineral Springs Foundation and enjoy the Emma Crawford Coffin Races immediately following the race. For details and entry forms visit http://www.slowtwitchathletics.com
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Sarah Altonen writes:
I am looking for a female roommate. I have a spacious 2bdr 1 1/2 bath westside condo. Located close to Uintah and 19th St. in a nice area. You will have use of the washer and dryer and access to some storage. I also have a dishwasher as well. The bedroom I am renting out is big with a big closet. I am located close to shopping and downtown. I am asking $325 plus 1/2 utilities. The utilities run around $30 in the summer and between $60 to $100 in the winter. Please call me (Sarah at 291-1723 if you are interested)
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Tom Kelecy writes:
Attached is the flyer for our first and last “Gravity Tattoo” band party on Saturday, November 1. Feel free to pass on the invitation to anyone else you think might not have too keen and ear for music. No guarantees for how it will sound, but please come ready to have fun! Hope to see at least some of you there.
Aloha, Tom Ps Bring Your Own Ear Plugs
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NOVEMBER 1ST
HALLOWEEN THEME COSTUMES OPTIONAL AND SO IS CLOTHING
MOOSE LODGE ON THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF CIRCLE AND FOUNTAIN NEXT TO MCDONALDS!
THE GRAVITY TATTOO BAND WILL PLAY FROM 7:30 TO 10:00 MATT “GUITARZAN” LARSEN - BASS; WOODY “WAKING UP WITH WOOD” NOLEEN - DRUMS; DAVE “FROM THE DAVE NELSON BAND” NELSON - VOCALS, GUITAR; THE FLYING KELECY’S - GUITAR, CLAVICLE AND VOCALS; AND SOME GUY NAMED MARALYN “MIKE” — KEYBOARDS
PAY AS YOU GO BAR/MAYBE SOME FOOD PROBABLY NOT (GO TO MCDONALDS)
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OFF SEASON NON R REPORTS:
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Dan Smith reports:
Race = Twin Cities Marathon
Location = Minneapolis-St Paul MN
Date = 10/5/03
Distance = 26.2 miles
Goal = 3:15
Results = 3:15:24
Website = http://www.twincitiesmarathon.org
General = Everything boded well for this day. Perfect weather: 40s at the start, a slight breeze, dry air. My training had proceeded without any blips all year. At the gun I quickly found a comfortable pace, goaded to a little quicker two mile split by all the adrenaline, but then I settled back down and watched the heart monitor settle down to 155--right where I wanted it and the pace was a little faster than I had hoped. Through halfway on 3:11 pace, I still felt very comfortable with pace, breathing, joints and muscles. At mile 18 there was a little bump and I felt rotten for half a mile, then recovered. Heart rate took a jump at that point, so maybe I was starting to get a little dehydrated. Then the average pace slowed down for the gradual climb between miles 20 and 23. I started to grind a bit, but I still was catching more than being caught. At the finishing straight had slight regrets about not being under 3:15 after such a great first half, but could not be unhappy overall.
Right = Good training background--particularly the Pikes Peak Ascent. Continued to work on a good tempo run twice a week and a quality long run every two weeks. No injury time off! On race day kept an empty Gatorade bottle under my garbage bag wrap so I could relieve myself discreetly and without making a puddle while waiting for the gun to go off. Made sure that I ran the shortest possible line on all the curves in the road, since that’s how the course was measured. Amazing how many people don’t do that and end up running a couple hundred meters (or more)extra.
Wrong = Probably should have taken more water--I usually do in these things, but it was so cool that I didn’t flood myself.
Other Stuff = This is a tough course to run a PR because of the elevation gain between mile 20 and 23. Its not much, but if you are getting tired, just like Boston, the hill will murder your morale.
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Dan Smith reports
Race = Apple Fest 5 mile
Location = Gays Mills, WI
Date = 9/27/03
Distance = 5 miles
Goal = Win my age group
Results = 1st place overall in 33:15
General = Only 50 people in this small town low key race, but kind of an edgy name, fun to get the T shirt at least. Twenty years ago I could have gone faster on a training run, but kids these days don’t train as hard as we did, so it was time for this blind pig to find the proverbial acorn. The two mile race was run simultaneously, so at the one mile mark six out of the seven people in front of me made the turn. That left one guy to catch, and I had him before another 200 meters. At that point I put my head down and ran as if chased by demons. I could see at the turnaround that I had about a 20 second lead, but no lead is ever safe, so I made the third mile my fastest and continued to pull away. Crossing the line in first place was sweet any way you slice it. I wish everybody could experience that feeling at least once in a lifetime.
Right = Wore my light training shoes because my right calf had been sore after my most recent tempo run.
When the gun went off, I remembered the club motto: Go out hard, when it hurts, speed up.
Wrong = Failed to bring a video crew to document my shocking victory (first win since 1984 in an open race). Just kidding!
Other Stuff = The town lies in the bottom of a very steep valley and the course was out and back along the valley wall. Considerable up and down, but nothing like Pikes Peak, of course.
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Dan Smith reports:
Race = Get Ready to Rock 20 miler
Location = White Bear Lake MN
Date = 9/13/03
Distance = 20 miles
Goal = 2:45
Results = 2:37
General = No white bears at this lake, now or ever. Planned this as a training run building up to the Twin Cities marathon in three weeks. Measured course, water every three miles, other bodies out there. Sure beats those solo 20 milers. Wanted to keep my heart rate at 150 or less, then see what happens. A majority of the time HR averaged mid 140s, felt very easy and I was running 8 min pace in training shoes. Shades of summers past when I could do this distance training under 7 minute pace. Those days are gone, but I am regaining fitness lost while recovering from a multitude of injuries.
Right = Trusted my heart rate monitor and had the self discipline to let all those other people charge out ahead of me at the start. When the time came to engage in some tactical racing near the end, let my rival surge away repeatedly and then gradually caught up without changing my overall pace. With two miles to go I covered all his moves and we dropped our pace by 35 seconds per mile. With a mile to go I surged on one of the few small hills and found another gear ten seconds faster still, dropping my opponent and capturing about half a dozen other runners approaching the finish.
Wrong = For once I can’t second guess myself.
Other Stuff = It would be interesting some year to run this race all out instead of as a tune-up effort, just to see how fast I go do 20 miles. There are enough younger and faster runners that I should be able to find some company at a quicker pace.
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Dan Smith reports:
Race = City of lakes 25K
Location = Minneapolis MN
Date = 9/7/03
Distance = 25K
Goal = sub 1:55
Results = 1:55:01
General = This is a very flat urban course that circles some of the famous Minneapolis lakes. The weather has been warm, but fortunately the dew point stayed below 60. Nevertheless I decided to be conservative because two weeks before I ran a half marathon very aggressively and died in the last three miles. Go out hard....sometimes
Right = Conservative pace, stayed well within myself for the first twenty Ks. Took lots of water. Short walking breaks at water stops a la Jeff Galloway. Always caught up with my group in a short time. At 20 K mark, put the pedal to the metal and dropped down to 7:10 pace.
Wrong = Poured PowerAde instead of water over my head at the last water stop. Very sticky!
Other Stuff = Good tune-up for the Twin Cities marathon in a month. Hopefully I can run just a tad faster overall pace and maybe run about 3:15
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Jonathan Veteto reports:
Race = Imogene Pass Run
Location = Ouray, Colorado
Date = 06SEP03
Distance = appx. 17 miles
Goal = 3:15
Results = 3:13
Website = http://www.imogenerun.com
General = A race I have heard of but never done. Since I am from Colorado, and have been over lots of the high mountain passes with my father as a youth, this was a super cool chance to run the 2nd highest pass in North America (a little known fact, I was told) -> Mosquito being the highest. Definitely one to do again.
Right = Got up in time for the race. This was apparently not so obvious to some, as my brother watched people start over 15 minutes late. Lots of long runs prepared me for the distance. Took my own gel & water. Wore a smile for the day :)
Wrong = a) Went out with a friend on Thursday and had a few beers. Not a good idea :) b) Didn’t go back to altitude since the Ascent. Not a good idea. c) Didn’t run as fast as possible downhill, it was kinda sketchy in spots and I feared crashing. Need to get over that.
Other Stuff = Lots of good runners at this race. Might have had the best aid stations I’ve ever seen. Huge vats of snickers, gummi bears, m & m’s, peeled bananas, etc. I didn’t eat any of it b/c I thought I would get sick, but it was still fun to look at :) Visibility at the top was *maybe* 20-30 feet when I passed. Sweet !
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Adam Feerst reports:
Race = Imogene Pass
Location = Ouray to Telluride
Date = 9/6/03
Distance = 17.1mi
Goal = see below
Results = 2:37:45, 10th overall
Website = http://www.imogenerun.com
General = Goal: It’s hard to make an accurate prediction the first time on a course like this. I talked to lots of friends who have done the race, but without first hand experience on the course, I could only guess, based past results from others I know. So, my soft goal was 2:45, and hopefully top 3 master, and top 10 overall. I didn’t race a lot this year, and had mixed results in my training, so I wasn’t really sure what kind of shape I was in.
Right = Training: Much more cycling than in the previous few years. I am stronger running hills when I am a stronger biker. In the last several weeks, I changed my uphill stride to a longer, slower, more powerful stride. This is going back to the way I used to run. I’ve been trying to run with shorter, quicker strides. While this is generally more efficient for most, and what Matt recommends, it doesn’t work as well for me. I have more leg power than high end cardiovascular ability. With more of a powerful stride, I can run uphill faster, with a lower HR, and less strained breathing.
I didn’t do a lot of long, slow, ultra-type training runs. It was good to take a the year away from ultras. This let me regain some of my speed. I usually don’t worry about my endurance anyway, and the race was “only” 17 miles.
In the race: Lined up near the front at the start so as not to get caught in the crowd.
I didn’t go too hard at the start. A lot of people seemed to go out at a frantic pace. I let them go and didn’t get sucked into going anaerobic too early. I doubt I was even in the top 40 after 1 mile. The course is wide, so I knew I didn’t have to worry about getting boxed in. I didn’t rush or worry. Once I settled in and felt warmed up, about 1.5mi, I picked up the pace. I passed people all the way to the finish.
I started easy on the descent. The first couple of pitches are the steepest. I took a minute or so to get my downhill rhythm going. I hear a lot of people fall on this section.
I took two Endurolytes (salt tablets). It was humid and I was sweating a lot.
I debated carrying a water bottle, and decided against it. I didn’t need it. I thought about carrying an empty bottle to the top, filling it there, then using it to drink on the descent so I wouldn’t have to stop. The aid stations were enough.
I wore road, rather than trail shoes. The road shoes are lighter and more comfortable. It’s not a technical course.
I took two shortcuts above Camp Bird. The first one about 7.25mi. There was a break in the bushes so I cut up the switchback. I was able to walk, and thus recover a little. I only saved about 10 seconds, but I did pick up a place or two. I was the only one who took that short cut. The other shortcut was at mile 8. The mile marker is actually on the shortcut rather than on the main road. I followed one other runner on this one. Note: shortcuts are allowed all the way to the summit. Almost everyone cuts the road in a couple of places near the start.
Wrong = Training: I didn’t do as many AT long tempo runs as I would have liked. I had a lot of financial problems this year, which created stress. However, on race day, none of that matters.
Race: I didn’t push hard enough, early enough. I had planned to go as hard as I could from the Upper Camp Bird aid station, 7.6mi, the last aid station going up, to the summit, 10.1mi. I didn’t. I was too conservative. Part of it was not really knowing the course. Also, I was just being my typical afraid-to-go-hard-too-early self. I could’ve pushed harder to the top, and started pushing earlier.
I didn’t know the finish. I might have pushed extra hard a little earlier on the trail. I thought we might have to sprint 400 yards or so on a flat street in town to the finish.
Other Stuff = Ideal weather. Partly cloudy. Almost no wind and about 40 at the summit. A little fog near the top on the Telluride side. No snow or ice on the course.
I got a side stitch about mile 4. It didn’t affect me too much on the climb, but did bother me on the descent. I wasn’t able to push as hard as I would’ve liked, especially when it flattened out a bit. I still had the 5th fastest descent, but think I have another 2 minutes in me.
The volunteers said I was 14th at the summit. I had no idea where I was until then. I then tried to get into the top 10. I’m a very good downhill runner, and there were several runners within sight at the top, so I assumed it would be easy. Unfortunately, my side stitch kept me from pushing too hard and from picking up a few more places. I only counted passing 3 on the way down. I red lined it the last mile, fending off a challenge from behind and closing on what I thought was 10th. I didn’t catch 10th. Apparently, someone who summited in the top 10 DQd or DNFd.
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Jonathan Fitton reports:
Race = American Discovery Trail Marathon
Location = Palmer Lake to Colorado Springs
Date = 9/1/03
Distance = 26.2 miles
Goal = 3:10
Results = 3:01:12, 5th overall
Website = http://www.adtmarathon.org
General = This is a mostly downhill (1,260ft elevation loss) marathon along the New Santa Fe Trail. Weather was foggy and overcast for the first hour or so, then cleared but didn’t get too hot by the time I finished.
I decided to enter since it was local and I thought I had a chance to qualify for Boston. It worked.
Right = Pace: Didn’t go out too fast; kept my pace under control for the first few miles, which was quite a challenge since the first 6 miles were a steady downhill. The second half was only 3 minutes slower than the first. Actually passed a couple people in the last 5 miles. My heart rate monitor confirmed that I never really entered the red zone.
Fueling: Followed the same regimen as I did for the Ascent and carbo-loaded for 2-3 days before the race. Carried my own energy drink (Hammer Gel and water) and took water at every aid station. Felt strong all the way to the end.
Preparation: Rode the course on my bike with a GPS receiver so I could really study the elevation changes. Helped me mentally prepare for where the hills were.
Wrong = Not enough long runs. I had been focusing on the Ascent, so my longest runs were only about 15 miles on Barr Trail, of which half was downhill. Did one 22 miler the week before. I was exhausted after, but I think it ultimately helped prepare me for the marathon.
Taped the two little toes on my right foot to prevent blisters, but the tape started rubbing against the third toe around mile 3 and caused a huge blister there. Fortunately it didn’t burst or cause any major problems while I was running.
Other Stuff = Water stops were frequent and well manned (especially the first one, although I almost ran over Matt while he was taking pictures from the middle of the trail). There are a couple sections that are as steep (up and down) as almost any part of Barr Trail (though not very long). There were a couple sections that were very muddy from the rain earlier in the week. Mile 24 was the hardest one; the course turns back north in North Monument Valley park and heads up around the soccer field.
Running downhill HURTS! My quads were so sore I couldn’t get into or out of a chair without using my arms for 4 days.
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Stephen Mitchell reports:
Race = American Discovery Trail Marathon
Location = Palmer Lake — Colorado Springs
Date = 1SEP03
Distance = 26.2 miles
Goal = 3:20:59 (Qualify for Boston Marathon)
Results = 3:14:49
Website = http://www.adtmarathon.com
General = Marathon from Palmer Lake to Monument Creek Park South in Colorado Springs, loss of 1260 feet, over rolling hills, mostly on trail, some paved surface. Support every even mile up to 20, then every mile to finish. Weather was foggy and about 50 degrees at start and then turned to 65 degrees and sunny at finish. Very enjoyable course.
Right = All the things Matt has taught us over the years, hydrated well beforehand and walked to drink at every opportunity during race (with a creased cup so I wouldn’t lose a drop), lubed the feet with Bag Balm before leaving the house, placed band-aids in the appropriate locations, wore my USA flag shorts and GO USA socks, wore my favorite running shirt (IC tank), warmed up by walking and jogging before race start, trained on the course every weekend, Carb-Booms at appropriate intervals, ran relaxed, and more than anything a consistent pace throughout (~1:36 first half, and ~1:38 last half) with the help of my faithful Timex GPS speed + distance watch! Sure are a lot of things that go into a good race......
Wrong = Sure could have used a couple of more Carb-Booms, just had two.
Other Stuff = This was a really well supported race, and it was especially beneficial to see all the IC folks at the first aid station. That was a great boost to me personally and thank you to everyone that helped out in that regard. Thanks for being there!
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Derek Griffiths reports:
Race = Golden Gate Headlands 50K (USATF 50K Trail Championships)
Location = Golden Gate NRA, CA
Date = 8/23/2003
Distance = 50K
Goal = Top 10 (to get a USATF award)
Results = 17th in 4:28:50
Website = http://www.headlands50k.org
General = This race at the Golden Gate NRA in Marin County, CA served as the USATF 50K Trail Championships. It started at Rodeo beach and ran on the Miwok trail north for about 10 miles before hitting the famous Dipsea trail down to Stinson Beach. Here we ran up the Dipsea trail and then back down to Muir Beach at 25 miles. And the we ran through hell!! This race had 7500’ of climb and decent in it, so it is not an easy trail 50K. There were 7 major hills in the race and the last 3 came in the last 6 miles. The very last hill at mile 29 climbs over 1000’ in less than a mile!!! then you get about 800 meters of rolling rocky terrain before finishing with less than a mile and a half of 1000’ decent! What a quad burner! This years race was the first year that there was no fog, so the temp was hot (in the 70’s)
Right =
- I told myself that going in I was going to run the uphills conservatively because my strong suit is definitely downhills. I did this throughout the whole race and it allowed me to run the entire way until the last hill.
- Hydrated properly, filling my bottle up at every other aid station and took a gel every 45 minutes
Wrong =
- I fell on the long downhill going into Stinson beach and banged my knee up pretty good. After this I kinda lost my nerve and started to run conservatively even on the downhills.
- I was sub 4:00 pace at half way, so I think overall I went out too hard.
- The downhill going into Muir beach and the last downhill were very steep. I did not do enough running on steep downhills to prepare for this event.
Other Stuff = Hopefully the USATF champs will be hosted by this race next year. That will I will know the course going in, which is a huge advantage in a trail race.
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R REPORTS:
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NOTE: All 53 PPA/M/D R reports are archived at:
http://www.skyrunner.com/story/p_stories_03.htm
Jonathan Fitton reports:
Race = Pikes Peak Ascent
Location = Colorado Springs
Date = 8/16/03
Distance = 13.3 mi
Goal = 3:15
Results = 3:09:45
76 13/142 Jonathan W Fitton 34 Colo Spgs CO 3:09:45
Website = http://www.pikespeakmarathon.org/
General = This was my second time running the Ascent. In 2002 I got to the summit in just under 4 hours and felt horrible from Barr Camp all the way to the top and most of the way driving down the Peak. I really wanted to avoid that again this year, so I put in a lot more miles, especially on the Peak. Result: dropped 49 minutes and finished in the top 100.
Right = Trained on the Peak. I did a number of runs from the bottom to at least No Name Creek and even went as far as the Bottomless Pit sign. I also did several runs down from the summit to Barr Camp and back up.
Proper fueling: Carbo-loaded for several days before the race and made sure I was hydrated. I took along my own energy drink (Hammer Gel in water) and only took water at the aid stations.
Proper pacing: Kept a steady tempo all the way up. Only broke down briefly about 2.5 to go. Had enough left over that I could push the last little bit from the 16 Golden Stairs to the finish.
Wrong = Started too far back in the pack and had to fight my way through them up Ruxton and the switchbacks. Ended up missing 3rd place in my age group in the Triple Crown series by 6 seconds 8-<
Other Stuff = This gave me good hopes of qualifying for Boston this year.
I wish I was going to be around next year. I think I’d have a shot at 3 hours since I don’t plan to quit running from October to January like I did last year.
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Brenda Cowell reports:
Race = Pikes Peak Ascent
Location = Manitou Sp
Date = Aug 16, 03
Distance = 13 + miles
Goal = 5:00
Results = Just missed the cut off
Website = http://
General = Had a good race and felt pretty good to the A-frame. Asthma kicked in at tree line and it took about three hours from the A-frame to reach the top.
Right = Kept a steady pace as far as I could. Breathing didn’t cooperate the last half of the race. Hung in there at the end and was happy to finish the race course even though I missed the cut off on top.
Wrong = Longer runs at high altitude and different asthma meds might help. Need to experiment during off season
Other Stuff = There is always next year. Can’t wait until November.
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Joe Cowell reports:
Race = Pikes Peak Accent
Location = Manitou Springs
Date = Aug 16, 03
Distance = 13 +miles
Goal = 4:00
Results = 469 77/187 Joe T Cowell 49 Woodland Park CO 4:03:46
General = Race went pretty much as planned. I Didn’t crash too hard the last three miles like I usually do. The congestion on the trail was worse though as I went out slow and was in the second wave. Caught a lot of first wavers but I think I lost a lot of time trying to pass people.
Right = Went out slow, drank lots and ate power gel.
Wrong = Need to spend more time on my feet during long runs. Four and five hour runs during training help for a race like PP.
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Tibor Kiss reports:
Race = Pikes Peak Marathon
Location = We all know
Date = Aug 17, 2003
Distance = 26.2 miles
Goal = 5:30
Results = 5:07
34 8/102 Tibor Kiss 40 Colo Spgs CO 3:10:43 1:56:20 5:07:03
General = My first PPM, an incredible experience. Since I never ran it before, I had little clue about what time I should expect. I was hoping for better than 3:15 on the way up, but did not know how much the downhill part would beat me up. Luckily, I wasn’t hurting too much and could keep up a good pace till the finish line.
Right = I was pretty anal to do the right things before the race. I ate well, I took lots of fluids, I slept well, and I was breathing well for days before the race. I ran pretty hard two weeks before the race but had a week long winding down period and felt strong on race day. I had a big dilemma about carrying my camelback, but at the last minute I decided I would leave it behind. I did not regret it. But I did spend over a minute at each aid station gulping down 2-3 cups of liquid and eating something salty. I think it worked, I did not run out of energy or get dehydrated towards the end.
Wrong = More high altitude training would have helped a lot. I need better than 19 minute miles near the top.
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Elizabeth Ahola reports:
Race = PPM
Location = Manitou Springs
Date = Aug 17, 2003
Distance = 26.2
Goal = better last year of 6:38
Results = 7:47 or something
105 26/42 Elizabeth C Ahola 44 Colo Spgs CO 4:52:51 2:55:04 7:47:55
website = http://www.pikespeakmarathon.org
General = My training this season has been ‘Hit or Miss’ with my allergies and asthma. Today’s race SUCKED — but I remembered a lesson that probably all racers go through. Painful because it zeros in on your pride and goals.
Last year my race was measured by how many toe nails I lost and how many cups of water I poured over my head at the H2O stations.
This year it is measured by how much air I can get into my chest — I forgot my inhaler.
Times on W’s and Creek were good and my asthma was mild. I figured if I kept it in check I’d be clear of it soon. It tends to disappear as I go higher in elevation.
I started loosing time on the ridge. I couldn’t breath. Asthma was getting worse not better. Even the downhills were not relaxing. I pulled into Barr 8 minutes late debating if I should go on. I thought about how some racers DNF if their times aren’t going to be good and I figured I signed up for it — I’m going to do it.
To make this short --- I got to the top in 5 hours. Man, I thought I’d make it in 4:30 at the max. Must have been all those rests and PEOPLE — :-). Now I’m calculating how fast I can get down and still make a good finish. If I hauled it all the way down — not thinking about that face plant in Dec. — I could do it. NOT!. My breathing got so bad I couldn’t jog slowly and had to walk most of the way down. This became extremely FUSTRATING because my legs were fine by my slow Ascent time. I would give running a few tries and my wheezing became SO loud I couldn’t hear anything else — but I was running. Next I would have outer body experiences of me wildly sucking air.
At the finish the kids — relieved I wasn’t hurt — asked why the man with the busted chin didn’t get someone in a car to take him down and me too. I told them you finish what you start — you hang tough — you do your best and be proud of it — not all races are going to be good ones — AND if you get hurt you get yourself out. I hope they’ll remember this. And that was the lesson. BLAH BLAH BLAH
Right = Did all the pre-Race norm stuff. Even stopped drinking alcohol 2weeks ago — AH HA — maybe that’s it....
Wrong = Probably should not have had the window open next to the bed with the fan blasting me last night because I woke up with a really stuffy nose and sneezing. Also, I spent the week before the race painting with some very strong Acetone stuff.
Other Stuff = Thankfully, Mik had a good run and finished in 5:38. We are all very proud of him and wonder just how fast he could get up that there hill if he trained.
Congrats to Matt and his family on Matt’s win. It really does take sacrifices from the whole family.
This leads me into — Mik and I are taking next PPA/PPM session off to spend more time with the kids doing fun stuff (not that running isn’t). We’ll be at a few club runs and maybe we’ll do lower elevation races — Good Luck to all and Adios till November. And by the way-- why is it that everyone knows your times on bad races?
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Mary Jo Campbell reports: (virtual ICer)
Race = Pikes Peak Ascent
Location = America’s mountain, God’s country
Date = Aug. 16, 2003
Distance = 13.32 mi.
Goal = Meet or beat my last attempt 10 years ago: 4:28 & change
Results = 26/67 Mary J Campbell 46 Colo Spgs CO 4:29:41
Website = http://www.pikespeakmarathon.org/
General = Nice day, perfect weather. Was happy to be in the first wave. Got a kick out of the announcer with the slight accent at the start who said no matter who won, we were all “weeners.” Several of us women looked at each other and said “But, we don’t WANT to be a weener.” =) Nothing like a good laugh to stem the pre-gun jitters.
Right = Got altitude training in on several weekends, didn’t donate blood for awhile and have to replace those valuable red blood cells, went out easy and picked people off starting in the W’s and never saw them again. Perfected my fast hike by training on steep trails (and the Incline) with a friend 16 years younger who has much longer legs (thanks, Sarah!), bought a Fuel Belt the day before the race and carried my own diluted GU bottle. (Can’t stand the fruity varieties and never feel like finishing a whole packet, so this allowed for smaller sips as my energy would begin to dip.) Did the Barr Trail Mountain Race. Wore neoprene ankle sleeves to support my wobbly, sprain-prone ankles. Tried out Pearl Izumi trail shoes which are like having studded snow tires (or screw shoes?) on ice. The traction is amazing and the treads don’t clog in mud. How cool is that?! Wrote optimistic split times on my hand from the calculator. Didn’t meet them, but was hopeful. Promised myself that I’d say something encouraging, friendly or nice to everyone I passed.
Wrong = Not enough speed work or long flat runs. Should have committed to Incline Club runs instead of being a virtual member. Tore ligaments in my ankle shortly after sending in my Ascent application and had to curtail/modify training. Wasn’t sure what caused the nausea after the Barr Trail Mtn. Race and had the same feeling the top 2 miles and for a couple hours afterward. I think I need more crackers or pretzels to stem all the sweet stuff...Gatorade, Gu, power bars, etc.
Other Stuff = A kind friend looked at the age group results before I did and noticed that in the 20-24 women’s age group, only the first person beat me! Or, as he said, “You soundly kicked the backsides of girls who were in diapers when you were having babies!” Thanks, Scott! I feel better already.
One suggestion — have something else besides hot dogs for runners afterward (back at the Park). Gag! I can barely handle those on a strong stomach. String cheese, PBJ’s, pudding, yogurt, bread sticks,...I dunno, something less hostile to the gut and slightly more nutritious for post-race refueling.
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Curt Krieger reports:
Race = Pike’s Peak Ascent
Location = Manitou Springs and above
Date = 8/16/03
Distance = 13.32 mi.
Goal = 3:15 — 3:25 and an age group award
Results = 55 2/100 Curt Krieger 51 Mason City IA 3:01:27
General = Felt relaxed the day of the race. Weather seemed to be cooperating. Good day for a trip up the mountain!!
Right = Listened to advice of others that had experience with the race. Matt Carpenter (spoke at last year’s pre-race event), Jim Friem (wrote articles for the AATRA newsletter), other ICers when I was able to run on Sunday’s once in March and again in May, and several friends that participated in the 2002 Ascent.
Worked at developing my endurance to feel comfortable on 2 to 3 hour training runs. Did toe lifts regularly during the final month before the race. Practiced being efficient at the transitions between walking and running.
Careful to hydrate and stay relaxed the day before the race. Went to a movie and didn’t spend a long time in the sun at the packet pick-up.
Stayed a bit reserved at the start of the race. Felt held back by some of the runners but passed when I could without any dramatic shifts in pace. I was encouraged by my splits when comparing to the calculator from the website. Walked at a fast rate to recover and then push on at a steady pace. Used gel before three of the water stations, W’s, Barr Camp, and A-frame. Again became encouraged when able to pass other runners above the tree line. (In fact, I was even able to pass a couple runners that were running while I was recovering by walking!!)
Wrong = In this category I need to plead “unable” rather than wrong. By this I am referring to the fact that I did no high altitude training. I was fortunate to have hosts in Woodland Park and made several runs at 8500 to 9600 feet in March, May, and the week before the race. However, I had never been higher than Barr Camp in training.
I didn’t have the confidence to push just a little harder to reach the summit in under 3 hours.
Other Stuff = I love running the trails in the Colorado Springs area and the Pikes Peak Ascent and Marathon are awesome. I hope to be back sometime for the Marathon.
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WWW POSTS:
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NONE! It is the off season:-)
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Go out hard, when it hurts speed up...
Matt Carpenter
http://www.skyrunner.com
Incline Club
http://www.inclinclub.com
Barr Trail Mountain Race
http://www.runpikespeak.com
presented by Pikes Peak National Bank
Friends of the Peak
http://www.fotp.com
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