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Sent: Friday, February 13, 2004 5:04 PM
Subject: Incline Club V8 LR #11 &12
Hi ICers,
I am sorry to have to pass on the death of ICer David Swiderski who was killed in a car wreck last week. Although he had only run with the club once this year, last year David was a regular who made over 30 workouts. At that time he had a few of us training harder and rather worried because he was very competitive and had done the Ironman in Hawaii. At the same time, he also had a great sense of humor and could be quite the practical joker. One time he signed up Willie Makit (will he make it) and Betty Wont (bet he won’t) on the sign-in sheet and took great pleasure in the fact that “they” were counted as part of a club record.
Read more about David here:
http://www.inclineclub.com/show.asp?Name=David%20Swiderski
News like this for sure gives one pause for thought — especially with tomorrow being Valentine’s Day. Tell someone you love you love them. On second thought, tell everyone you love you love them!!!
See you Sunday...
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NEXT RUN:
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Sunday, Feb. 15, 8:00am — Memorial Park
Head out El Paso and take a left after hwy 24 into the GOG. Run up Rampart Range Road to just past the antenna. Head left down Williams Canyon one mile and take the right up to Waldo and head back to the park via UPT. 2.5-4.0 hours. Shorter option is to head all the way down Williams. See map! http://www.inclineclub.com/maps.htm
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ICers WRITE:
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Matt C writes:
There was no newsletter last week so this serves as LR #11&12. My apologies, but I got swamped. Just remember the runs never get cancelled and are always posted on the website. Fortunately at least 81 people knew that and came out for an awesome run on Section 16!!!
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Dan Odell writes:
I read with great interest about the mountain lions, realizing that it is a wonderful habitat through which we run. Somehow, as I worship my way up and down the Ute Pass Trail under a pink, purple and orange sky, it seems OK. At worst, I would be a 190 pound Happy Meal!
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Jackie Burhans writes:
In regards to your advice on mountain lion safety while running:
“As far as being safe, if you are going to let it concern you I would just run with someone.”
I can see I’m going to have to step up my training since I spend a lot of trail time on club runs alone.
Still, it reminded me of running the San Juan Trails 50 miler years ago and finding myself, despite a field of 10s or even 100, alone on a trail in the Cleveland National Forest where signs had been prominently posted at trail heads warning of mountain lions. As I ran down the trail, I heard rustling in the bushes on the hillsides nearby. I deliberately tried to breathe more quietly, to hear, again rustling in the underbrush! So, having read much of the same mountain lion safety advice but wanting to keep my relative position, I began running down the trail with my arms above my head shouting: I am WAY too big for you to eat, so don’t even think about eating me because I am WAY WAY too big! I felt a right fool and was glad that the trail has a way of thinning the pack. On the other hand, I did NOT get eaten!
Then there was the time I was puffing so hard up Monument trail in, well Monument, when I thought I heard a growl. I stopped to listen and heard...nothing. But had to really consider the danger since I was running truly alone, not alone on a club run. I had only gone a mile and what a short run it would be if I turned back but if that was a growl what a stupid thing to continue on. I dithered. I waited. And then, I heard it again...a motor bike! So I got a longer run in that day and I did NOT get eaten!
I also did not get eaten on the run last Sunday and Williams Canyon was glorious even if I did talk myself into believing it was a longer run that the web site map shows. See y’all (for awhile) on Sunday!
(Matt C adds: This (not the lion aspect - although that is funny:-)) brings up an interesting phenomena. I have been noticing quite a few slower runners this year who are leaving 10 or so minutes early with some going the second after they sign in. When I pass them (or when they write to get a * if they left before sign-in) they say the are leaving early because they are slow. However my logic says that if we all left together as planed more people might have someone to run with at their ability. Now we have people alone who are leaving early and people alone who start on time. Something for the early birds to think about...)
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Terry Buehl writes:
Hey, I saw the mention to Skyrunner/screwshoes in Trailrunner. Great idea. I think I’m going to make a pair — a great way to recycle the 20 odd pair of old runners I have. I went for a night run in Fox Run Park recently and fell on my behind 3 times... it was icy, dark and the dying battery in my flashlight didn’t help. Could have used the traction.
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Gordon Barnett writes:
I for one really enjoyed the Rampart Range Road run on Sunday, I think it was a wise decision to change the route. I continued on up above the rifle range for 30 minutes, this was a first for me. I was awed by the great “new” views, and that part of Rampart RR which was unfamiliar to me. I’ve heard Rick Hessek and others talk about the Overlook... how far is that above the rifle range? And speaking of that, I was pretty disgusted running past the range. Usually we don’t have the “pleasure” as we’re ducking whistling rounds as we drop into Williams Canyon. I don’t know what was worse, the trees that were blown away to splintered stumps — or the ton of garbage that lined the road. Other than that it was an amazing morning.
(Matt C adds: For those that did not make the run two weeks ago it was changed to an out/back on RRR because of the potential for ice on Waldo and Barr. At any rate, the Overlook is just shy of 6 more miles past where we normally turn by the antenna. However as Gordon suggests you would do well not to do a lot of looking around when you go by the shooting range because it is an eyesore! )
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Karl Schab writes:
Due to my annual Navy Reserve duty, for two weeks I will be doing my running
on Guam. I often hear it said that Guam has the tallest mountain on the
planet. Unfortunately, you can only run on the top 1300 feet of it. It’s
only the highest mountain if you measure it from it’s base, at the bottom of
the Marianas trench, 39,000 feet below sea level.
I hope I can find a race to get a star while I’m gone. And I’ll jump into the ship’s freezer when I’m done with my runs to simulate our climate. See you all in a few weeks.
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Sid Rubey writes:
Just a note to appreciate your discussion on email privacy; a year or so ago I got on the pikes peak triathlete club email list ( aspirations high before two kids ;-) ) which resulted in a flood of emails — every day — and ultimately a virus; I tried a diplomatic suggestion that the group should guard the email list a little more closely; the club secretary in charge of email didn’t appreciate it :-D because I never paid my club dues anyway so it served me right :-| ?! — I didn’t follow that logical train of thought, anyway, maybe I’ll still do a tri one day, right now I have my sights on Turq Lake 20K and BTMR!, maybe the ascent.
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Levi Hensel writes:
Dear Matt and IC’ers,
Although I’m no longer in CO, and now race/train/live in Bend, OR, (where I did see another fellow in an IC shirt at a road race this summer...very nice) I still love getting the IC updates, and wear my IC shirt in warmer weather with pride. Although I’ve been running quite a bit less this year, I wanted to shoot you an update from the xc skiing world. this year I’ve been making the transition from collegiate racing to full time pro racer, and focusing on the marathon side of things (as opposed to the 10k/15k distances in college). I’ve increased my training by about 100hours this year (only possible because so much of xc training is non-impact) and it seems to be paying off very well. this racing season I’ve been splitting my time between shorter pro-tour ‘prep’ races pre-christmas, and marathons after the holidays. by then end of march i will have raced 8 races of 30k or greater. I am recently returned from my longest racing road-trip of the year. this included pro races i
n Utah, the US Senior National Championships in Maine, a guest invite to the US Masters National Champs in N. Michigan, and a American Ski Marathon Series (the main national marathon circuit) race in Michigan as well. Although faced with “fun” conditions at every race (freezing rain, then sub-zero temps in Maine, and wind-chills of -20 in Michigan), I managed to snag a 23rd in the 50k skate race at the US Senior National Champs (over half the field dropped out due to the cold), won my age group and was 21st overall at Masters Nationals in the 30k skate (despite a very heinous bonk at 25k), and then was able to hunt down a majority of the elite field in the Subaru Noquemenon 51k Classic the following weekend, on my way to finishing 10th (out of 300 racers...over 1200 people participated on the day in the various races) and smiling the whole way (despite it being pretty damn slow conditions (sitting right at 0 degrees), i skied my last 10k in about 28min...total race time was about 3:20. So, as that w
as the first ASMS points race, I’m now sitting 10th and getting fired up for the next points race (and hopefully a battle with Loomis!) at the Wells Fargo Boulder Mountain Tour 32k Skate in Sun Valley, ID next weekend...
At any rate, just thought I’d fill you and the crew in on the latest, and wish you all the best in your training and racing endeavors over the next year.
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Bob Haines writes:
Matt, my name is Bob Haines I am stationed at Carson, I signed up to the
incline club and due to deployments and other work have not managed to
make one Sunday yet. Anyway, I and my other teammates are organizing a
fundraiser to support a great support package program for our soldiers
overseas. I would like the opportunity to pitch it to all IC’ers. Rather
than type all the details in this message I invite you to look at the
information on our web site www.vvnw.org The home page has all the info
about the event and how to sign on as a runner. Thanks in advance and I
will be out there Sunday.
(Matt C adds: Bob has made it to the last two runs and told the group about the fundraiser. This is for you virtual ICers.)
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R REPORTS:
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Neal Taylor reports:
Race = Rocky Raccoon 100 mile
Location = Huntsville State Park, North of Houston
Date = Feb 7-8, ‘04
Distance = 100 Mile
Goal = Finish
Results = 20hrs 23min
Website = http://www.hillcountrytrailrunners.com/raceRockyRaccoon.html
General = 5 x 20 mile loops, with a couple of out/backs thrown in. Run around a lake, single track trails some jeep road. Small hills that get bigger with each loop. Roots are the main hazard for this run, they also get bigger each loop!
Right = Miles 1-75 and 91-100
Wrong = Miles 76-90
Other Stuff = About 10 minutes into the run, we were all still a big group on the trail with a park road about 50 yards off to the right, it was still dark in the a.m. I could kind of see a “Texas sized” pickup truck pull along side on the road and a very sweet and powerful voice yelled out “YEEE-HAWWWW, WELCOME TO TEXAS.” I couldn’t be sure but I think it was a Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader! It was a nice start to the day, and I did feel very welcome in their event.
There are a lot of benefits to running loops. Crew and gear access on every loop and getting to know the course after the first loop are a couple.
Does the course get “old?” No.
Does one feel like dropping out when they come back to the start/finish? No.
Great organization and friendly folk!
And lastly, I wore my Incline Club shirt the whole race. I was prepared for all of the TV cameras and news reporters! Problem is, I don’t think they got the memo. Oh-well, next time...such is ultra-running.
At least they had a cheerleader!
(Matt C adds: Neal took off over 3.5 hours from his time last year!!!)
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Teresa Taylor writes:
Race = Rocky Raccoon 100 mile Trail run
Location = Huntsville State Park, Texas
Date = Feb 7 & 8
Distance = 100 mile ***PACER not RACER***
Goal = Pace Neal 1 loop of 20 miles, crew & volunteer
Results = Successful on all accounts!
Website = http://www.hillcountrytrailrunners.com/raceRockyRaccoon.html
General = Great race origination and people, great course, COLD and DAMP weekend. I was fortunate enough to be able to pace Neal his last lap of 20 miles! I signed up to volunteer, and worked in the kitchen all day Friday helping put on the Friday pasta feed and Sunday with the pancake breakfast — right up my alley! I was able to crew during the race, pace, catch about 3 hours of sleep and go back to do breakfast. Not sure I could have fit much more into the weekend! Neal ran nice and fast, so I got those 3 hours of sleep!
Right = As a pacer, tripped over the worst roots on a very rooty course so Neal knew right where NOT to step. This also served as a diversion for Neal, as he worried more about me falling than his tiredness! Not sure that I had anything to do with how well he ran — PR of 20 hrs 23 min — other than a positive attitude and talking a lot in the dark night!
I think that volunteering and therefore getting to meet so many of the wonderful people involved in the race was definitely “a thing done right” and I am now torn between volunteering and running in 2005! Being a part of the feeding of everyone was especially rewarding to me — it is an act of giving and sustaining.
Wrong =
Other Stuff = I am still wondering about the noises we heard in the night! Around the swamp end of the lake we heard what I assume to be owls of some sort, and another sound we do not know! I like to say it was the alligators (which we have yet to see) but I think it may have been some other night bird. I sure do love running in the night!
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Steve Bremner writes:
Race = Birmingham Mercedes Marathon
Location = Birmingham, AL
Date = 2/8/2004
Distance = Marathon
Goal = under 3hrs
Results = 3:03
Website = http://www.mercedesmarathon.com
General = The Men’s Olympic Trials were run on Saturday on a 3-loop course through downtown Birmingham, while the marathon was run in a big loop on Sunday. Both days were unseasonably cold. I always have worn just a singlet and shorts for road marathons in any weather, but this time I wore a cotton shirt over the singlet for seven miles. Even after that long warm-up I was cold for the next ten miles after I shed the shirt.
I ran an extra mile as well. After the half marathoners split off I suddenly found myself all alone on the marathon, running about 6:20 miles. The course went up a long hill alongside a highway, before exiting on an off ramp. At the bottom of the ramp a policeman was standing, pointing to the right. He stood there signaling a right turn continually during my 150 yard approach. Naturally, when I reached the bottom of the hill I turned right. Not a peep out of him nor from any spectators. I continued for half a mile before I came to an intersection and realized I was off course. When I returned to the policeman and gave him hell he said he was directing traffic, not runners.
Right = Started out easy and tapered off from there. Kept running and finished the race even after going off course.
Wrong = Went off course.
Other Stuff = The marathon course is very scenic and has many serious hills. Challenging and enjoyable. The race volunteers were quite good and the spectators were enthusiastic. Great race, excellent organization, good post-race party. Showers were made available in the local YMCA. Birmingham is worth a visit for the Museum of Art and Civil Rights Museum, both downtown within walking distance of the marathon start and finish.
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Anita Bower reports:
Race = Death Valley Trail Marathon
Location = Death Valley CA
Date = Feb. 7, 2004
Distance = 26.2 miles
Goal = finish
Results = finished
Website = http://envirosports.com
General = The DV Trail Marathon is normally held in beautiful Titus Canyon, however due to supposed snow fall the race course was changed at the last minute to the most boring, flat, dirt road the RD could find. The RD obviously hasn’t run with the IC Club, or he would realize what a wussy he is.
Right = Took in calories primarily via liquid. Hammer gel is the best. Took in protein after 90 minutes, and felt strong and steady all the way to the finish.
Wrong = Could have went A LOT faster. But with several of my Badwater crew members running the race, there was just too much to talk about and to catch up on. The 7 minute miles up the steep two mile climb to the finish was a dead giveaway that we all could have pushed a bit harder earlier on.
Also, should have kept my Hammer Gel in the refrigerator instead of leaving it in the same flast from Avalon 50 just a month ago, on top of the refrigerator. Fortunately the resulting stomach problems happened after the race.
Other Stuff = I am a bit skeptical that the last minute change in race plans were “unexpected.” There were a dozen portapotties that weren’t at this race last year, and getting portapotties to Death Valley is no small feat.
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Gordon Barnett passes on:
I received Jonathon’s results from Keith Grimes, and wanted to forward them on to you and the IC.
Pemberton 50Km
Foungain Hills, Arizona — 7 February 2004
McDowell Mountain Regional Park
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1. Josh Brimhall 28 3:38:37
2. Jonathon Cavner 29 3:47:41
3. Paul Bonnett 42 3:52:16
4. Chase Duarte 36 3:59:47
5. *Anthea Schmid 32 4:02:36
6. *Tauna Vargas 36 4:08:22
7. Tim Varner 52 4:08:43
8. Mark Marcelli 45 4:16:40
9. Chris Fall 41 4:21:45
10. Jason Zilveti 23 4:22:35
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WWW POSTS:
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2/8/2004 Sun: 81 came out for a trip around Section 16 via the Intemann Trail. Even though we have gotten quite a bit of snow the last week or so it has never really gotten warm enough for there to be a lot of melting/freezing cycles taking place. Therefore the most of the loop was in great condition and made some awesome running. It even warmed up a tad towards the end. Looks like some more cold is on the way however... Congrats to ICer Trent Briney for taking 4th at the Men’s Olympic marathon trials yesterday!!! He has been away a while (running with the Hanson’s Running team in MI) but we were still excited to see him run a 2:12:34 — a PR by over 8 minutes!!!
2/1/2004 Sun: A cold winter day (or was it Super Bowl Sunday?) turned out the smallest group of the year — 64 runners. The expected snow storm that everyone was predicting was a dud and we ended up with just a dusting of snow. Unfortunately this served only to cover the existing ice on the trails and make things really scary. As such we changed the run today to an out/back on RRR which was in awesome condition. Also because of the out/back many got up RRR a lot farther than they ever had to get some new, and awesome, views. In fact a couple of us went so far we actually topped out and started heading down RRR towards Woodland Park. Of course every mile we went down ways a mile up on the way back:-O
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ACCOUNT SETTINGS:
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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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