Pioneer Saloon Ghost Run..recap..

Back in January I was asked my Molly, owner of DesertSky Adventures to be a co-race director with good friend Brendan B. and take on this race that was scheduled out in GoodSprings, NV about 40 minutes South of Las Vegas Strip as you head South on I-15 to California. After meeting with the owner of the Oldest Saloon and General store in Clark county we decided to set a race date and start/finish at the actual Pioneer Saloon and call it, the Pioneer Saloon Ghost Run 10k/Half/50k. The reason for the Ghost part is simple: There's a Ghost that has been seen there many times by the works and many crazy things occur at random times. The great TV show, Ghost Hunters and Travel Channel have been there to film the place.

The Pioneer Saloon was built in 1913 and known for having wet many a thirsty miner's whistle. It's also known for its patterned tin exterior and interior walls, some resembling bricks. The Pioneer Saloon is one of the nation's oldest stamped-metal building still standing, its thought to be one of the last if not, the last of its kind in the United States. The famous screen legend, Clark Gable, waited for three days at the bar for word on his wife of less than two years Carole Lombard. She was lost in a plane crash near Mount Potosi just oustside of Goodsprings. There are actual shirts from the Saloon that say, "Where the Hell is Goodsprings?"... funny.

After seeing this place it was great and I knew I wanted to take it on. So we got a date set, submitted for permits, traffic plans, porta-janes, GPS'ing the course, finishers medals, shirts, food, prize donation, and many other behind the scenes things in preparing for the event. 

The race course would be through the small town of Goodsprings, with approx. 3/4 mile of asphalt, then on to dirt road leading on out and back course. A gradual incline would find all the runners making there way till about mile 6 when the course drops down and had a long 9 mile gradual drop all the way to the California State Line! Yup, Run to California from Nevada on this 50k turn around, cool huh! 

We only had one minor hick up, okay, it was Major. A date Change! Long story short, we had to change from a Saturday date to Sunday due to a motocross event taking place the same day and with almost 200 motocross bikes on and around our running area it was deemed unsafe and we were forced to move, but all worked out great as we picked up a couple more runners. The race was small, only 36 for such a short planned event of 5 weeks!

Come race morning, also happened to be Day Light Savings time forward to not only was I waking up early to meet Brendan/Kendall to drive out to Goodsprings we were losing an hour, so 1am came super fast. Once we hit the race course, weird things and noise's were occurring at the Saloon as we started set up, guess the Ghost knew we were there! Brendan and I took off setting/marking the course while it was still dark outside, dropping aid station set ups and supplies and getting back to the start before the event went off at 7am. The Ghost made his presence known when our 2 mile sign/marker came up missing from the course, turns out some yahoo that we saw out there now has it hanging in his garage. We blame him because one, we never saw the Ghost and two, there was only one vehicle driving around in the middle Where the Hell is Goodsprings at this time of the morning!

Once everyone was checked in and ready to go we lined them up, went over the brief description of the course, let Noel, the owner of the Pioneer Saloon give the count down and everyone was off!! all 36 of them, 2 others would show up later missing the time change and take on the 10k, so 38. I quickly headed out to my aid station, I was manning the Half Marathon turn-around and mile 24 on the out and back course of the 50k. Come mile 24 on the 50k course runners would be looking to see this aid station as they made the turn around at the State Line and made a 9 mile gradual to building climb back to me. Then there was 3/4 mile steep climb to mile 25, then all down hill back to the start.

The day seemed to go by fast as the Half Marathoner's arrived with the 50ker's and those turned around and  others pushed on to the State Line. Then I was alone and eating all the snacks at my aid station for about 2 hours. Once the 50k's came back through they moved on quickly to get to the top of the hill and hit that last 5 miles down hill. Once the last runner past, who, had just ran a marathon the day before, I started clean up and Brendan showed up from his mile 9.6 mile aid station. We chatted for a while and then headed towards the finish picking up gear along the way. I eventually passed the last runner and Brendan stayed behind to follow behind at a long distance as to not make him feel pushed. The course was open for 10 hours and this guy was slated to finish in about 7 so plenty of time. Back at the finish line I hung out with some of the runners, chatted and heard nothing but great things about the race and the Pioneer Saloon, where Noel, was cooking up Burgers/Hot Dogs and other goodies for the runners and there families. Of course beer was being served and others were hanging out in the back of the saloon lounge area. Also, many bikers/motor cycle riders come here as a stop on there cruising around day and along with a small band playing there was lots going on. 

Soon the last runner arrived and was cheered on by all the race staff/crew and new biker friends, who just wanted to join in and help cheer him in! It was a great time!! Not only that but every finisher received a finisher medal that is also a bottle opener! What better medal than for finishing at a Saloon!

It was a long day but totally worth all the time we all put into it, even the crazy change in the date. We are excited for the Fall event of the Pioneer Saloon Run, Oct. 22, 2012 which will include the 10k/Half/50k and 50 miler!!!! and next Spring will be the 100th Anniversary of the Saloon so we will have a HUGE event! which should include a 100 mile distance! (also we will include more trails other than the dirt road, which by the way is the Original State Highway from NV to Cali.)

I also decided this week to enter the Leona Divide 50k April 28, so its game on for the next 5 weeks! Time to go run!

Rockon'

A race in sight.

Now that Feb. has blown through, just like January soon July 28th will be here and this my friends, is the first race of the season for me! SpeedGoat 50k! Of course I don't pick an easy anything to start back into, that wouldn't be classic JohnnyTri. In all reality I am actually taking my roll over from the race I had last year being as I went to India to help crew Molly.

Now that I am working my way back into running and have a race in site its time to get busy. I am incorporating a LOT more strength training into my legs using the TRX and Rip Trainer by TRX, along with running Stairs, Plyometrics and some general weight training. 

Let me back up just a little and throw in there that I will be heading out Western States course to help out the Big B aka Sweet Baboo in any way that I can and then I will be heading to crew Death Valley to crew my 4th year!! so Excited!! 

After SpeedGoat 50k I will be looking to head over to Rio Del Lago100 and tackle that once again but this year I will be much more ready for the heat and with the help of the race being moved to Oct 6 I may not have as much heat anyway. Then my tentative plan will be to Enter HURT100 and hopefully get picked for Jan2013 in which case that will be the next in line! If I don't get picked I think it will then be Rocky Raccoon 100 in Feb 2013.

The year in advance! Wow that flew by! 2013 already. haha..

rockon'

What February!!

Where in the heck have the weeks gone?
You all probably thought I pulled a Formulaic and no longer blog, or maybe hoping so you don't have to read, haha.. but nope, I'm still around and things are moving right along.

So since Dec. let's see... I have been hitting the gym regularly and working to get my strength and lost muscle back on from all that running last year! I have also been working on functional training and working to rid the nagging pain in the hip/butt, although, its not really pain just something not right. I have taken time off from running but it doesn't seem to get better or worse, its just there. These day's its better as the functional training stuff, more glute work and corrective exercises to fire posterior muscles that have been weakened or simply not working.

I have been liking banging on the weights again although it took me a while to find my groove in the gym with all the other meat heads so now I guess I have temporarily become one too :-) and I get in, move around, stake my claim to this bench, or dumbbell and get to work! Been keeping up the cardio sessions using the elliptical training, rotating StairMaster and versa climber. I

Work has been going good and of course working with Frank Mir continues, which, is always a fun thing as he is a hard worker and overall nice, down to earth guy.

I got my new logo complete and once again had to change business cards but now its officially done and I am setting my mark with it.

So what's next on the run schedule you ask? Well, I am confirmed with my roll over to SpeedGoat 50k on July 28, which is in the Wasatch Mountain range and pretty freakn' tough I am told. I entered it last year but then took the roll over as I went to India for the La Ultra-The High. I will look to take on the 50k and then I am setting my sights on Rio Del Lago 100m again this year, as it's been moved back to Oct. 6, so that will make it a little less hot and I will be more prepared! 

I was looking to do a triathlon, 70.3 but I still have this quest for 100's so I think it will have to wait, or maybe I can sneak one in along the way. Also, this is my 3rd year to enter New York Marathon, and it appears I have the automatic entry but am deciding to roll that over to next year, as travels to NYC is EXPENSIVE! but the downside is that I would have to pay the registration fee of $280 this year and Next! dang..!!

Okay everyone, great to be back!!

Rockon'

Running and UFC!

Wow how time fly's when you're having fun!! Coming off of JJ100 I have been just basically taking it easy in the run world and resting my foot as much as possible. I have been more on the weight training and TRX training plan for the time being along with some elliptical training and other cardio work but running has been far and few between. Now I know that I am losing my cardio fitness for running but overall I think at this time its okay as soon I work to build it back.

One of the cooler things that has been occurring is working with 2x UFC Heavyweight Champ Frank Mir in preparing for his UFC140 rematch with Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira. I have been stretching and utilizing Chiropractic to help him improve his range of motion and recover between training sessions. Since the fight was in Toronto, Canada he asked me to come along for the days leading up to the fight. This was a totally great experience and I am very blessed to be asked to be a part of his traveling team, Team Mir!

While in Toronto I also had the great pleasure of introducing Fascial Stretch Therapy to Ricky Lundell from University of Grappling, Mike Whitehead, and Danny "DeeOne" Davis Jr. all part of Franks training team. I also got to meet some really great people involved in the UFC world and just experience the world of UFC. Fight night was very exciting with Frank submitting Nogueira in a Kimura and earning Submission of the Century! and submitting a legend in the UFC world, it did end in a break of Nog's arm.

It was a fast fun week and again I am very thankful to all of Team Mir!

Since I got back I was interviewed by Chris Fredrick co-founder of Stretch To Win on working with MMA/UFC fighters and Frank Mir. Check out the video here: http://vimeo.com/33734677

Also, back in the run world, I didn't get selected for the Western States 100, boo!! but I should be in for New York Marathon 2012!! its my 4th year to enter so 3 times prior I have been denied! NYC watch out, JT is coming to town!

rockon'

Javalina got me early

The short story: I dnf'd at mile 46.2, 12 hours 26 minutes. Next Year!

The long story: 

My foot had been bothering me for a few weeks leading up to JJ100 and finally about 3 weeks out I just took completely off from running, with my last long run of 20.5 miles. I did all I could to help relieve it but finally the week of the race I was able to get some KT tape on it and although I have never been a big believe as I have used it before for an ITB issue but didn't notice it helping, this time I noticed a quick 180* on the foot, so it works, maybe better in other areas but I am glad it got my foot under control before race day. Hat's off to Dr. Victor Leach, from Bio-Mechanics of Las Vegas for helping me out. 

Tim and his wife, Catherine and I left Friday morning in there RV and I would pick Dez up later that night in Phoenix as she was flying in late. The ride down was cool as I have never really rode in a 37' RV, its a house on wheels so that was pretty cool. Cynthia and her husband, Tim, were already at JJ100 and had set up a tent/canopy site and gave me the location and save a spot next to them. Once we got into Fountain Hills we unhooked the SUV and I went down to set up our canopy area and Tim/Catherine went to set up the RV at the camp ground site. I came back after setting up and then we all returned to packet pickup where I saw my great friends, Andy and Catra, George V, and Connie and her husband David. The line for the pre-race food was pretty long but that was okay, because we were not staying and heading back to the RV for some grilled chicken and pasta that Catherine was cooking. We got a pretty neat soft cooler but Dez would later say it leaks so maybe it's not that great but looks cool, and of course a great tech shirt. 

Once back at the RV we ate and I chilled out for just a few then I headed off to the hotel room I had reserved for Dez and I on Friday and then would pick her up later. The hotel was an Extended Stay and it was pretty nice with all the kitchen stuff but just a little far from the race site. After picking Dez up and returning back to the hotel it was lights out as I had everything ready to go for the morning and 3:30am would come fast since it was already 10:30pm. 

As I woke up I was already excite and feeling good. I quickly cooked up some scrambled eggs and a bagel and cream cheese and some coffee. I would drink an Isagenix shake just after this on the drive to the race. We had to pick Tim up from the RV at about 5am and get our drop bags checked in. Once all that happened it was preparing for the start, filling water bottles, putting gels and Isagenix bars in my pockets, ipod and a light. I had about 10 minutes and was finally ready to go. I kissed Dez and made my way to the starting line.

The Race: 15.5 mile loop and is run odd # loops clockwise, even # loops counterclockwise for a total of 6 loops and then a short 9ish mile loop to make it complete. This year there would be 3 aid stations. First on 2 miles from the start, then 6.4 miles, then 4 miles then another 3ish and your back at the start/finish. Last year there was only 2 aid stations on the course so it was good to have another one. There was 391 registered to start but looks like 339 actually started.

173 completed 101.4 miles of which 65 were Sub-24 finishers, Tim was 23:26! (the winner Hal Koerner 13:47! wth!! this guy actually lapped me twice) There was 126 runners credited with 100k finish. This course is talked to be flat but it really is not and is quite deceptive. It has many short rollers and is a gradual up and down hill portions depending on which way your running.

With the start of 339 people on some narrow trails almost single track at times it takes a while to thin out the crowd and so I just stayed my easy walk run pace and let people pass as they needed. As we started clockwise there is a section I had remembered from last year about mile 2-5 that was pretty rock and this year it was still rocky but seemed to me a little less or maybe it was just me. As I was in the rocky section I just took my time and being careful not to jam my foot and make it hurt early and once through the section it was back to running the rollers and finally making it to the 2nd aid station which was 8.4 miles from the start. I remember thinking that later on this was going to seem like forever but being as it was early I didn't worry about it. I checked in, found my drop bag and ditched my light jacket as it was warmer now than the start. 

My nutrition was pretty simply, use some Hammer gel's and a few Accel Gels along with Isagenix IsaLean Lemon and a Chocolate/Peanut Butter bar and I would drink an Isagenix Shake at then end of each lap. An interesting twist to all my hydration is that I would be using water, other than from the aid stations, from a Kangen machine that alkalized all the water with at least 9.0ph. I would fill all my bottles each time I came in from the lap and drink some with my all my shakes and just take a few drinks before I left. I actually felt a difference in using/drinking this water and with a task of a 100 miles at hand, anything to help.

By the end of the 1st loop I was feel okay and all was good. I felt a little tight in the legs but I figured that was from lack of running over the last 3 weeks and so I kept things nice and easy finishing up the loop in about 3:30 mins, on track. I started the 2nd loop and remembered what fun it was going counter-clockwise as its a long continuous uphill grind, although not steep just a gradual incline for the next 6 miles and while I took it easy and walked/jogged at times I was soon to the downhill section. All nutrition was going well and I was liking the use of the Isagenix shakes and the lemon bar, the chocolate was not the best and played with my taste buds so I backed off on it for a while. The Hammer gels were okay too for the time being. As I hit the rocky section I really started to run and was enjoying this part of the trail. I started to pass a few people and then I just found myself in the groove and was hammering down the trail through this rocky area and feeling comfortable. Once passed this its the 2mile aid station and then back to the start/finish which seems to take forever to get to because my legs were not happy running this easy non technical portion, weird. I finished up the 2nd lap about 3hrs 45 mins and had to take some time to work on my feet as I could feel some hot spots coming on and needed some BlisterShield. I also ate some sandwich's, another shake and refilled all my waters. Being as my hip was starting to hurt I had mentioned it to Tim, Cynthia's husband and he said he had some Kool n'Fit spray I should use, so he sprayed me down right through my shorts with a bug sprayer. I immediately felt the coolness of the spray but then soon came the warm sensation, similar to a Bio-Freeze but different, I felt good quickly and then I was off for the start of the 3rd.

As I left on the 3rd loop my right leg was bothering although not nearly as much as before I had the Kool n'Fit spray, it had actually been more in my right glute region and I was stopping to stretch it several times during loop 2 but now it has moved to more of ITB/Hip flexor region and making it difficult to run. I started back up the rocky section and quickly settled into a strong power hike and worked my way past some people but once I was through all that and back on the more runnable portion they all passed me back. It was hear where I started to become really hungry and not having the lemon bar was down side, I only had the chocolate one. I took hammer gel and was lucky it didn't come back out. My pace was much slower now and I was just in the total Funk Zone, it was warmer out now too and I knew that wasn't helping. I kept moving but noticed my pace was 18-20 min/miles and so I tried to work a little harder to keep it lower but then my leg was just happy. Getting to the aid station at mile 8.4 from the start finish took what seemed like forever but I had a little goal in mind and that was to beat Tim and Bill Andrews there as I had got a text from Dez as to when the left starting there 4th loop. I was also trying my hardest to get there because I wanted some FOOD! I finally made it there and grabbed Cynthia's bottle of Kool n'Fit she had in her drop bag, ahhh,, but this time I sprayed both legs! Then I made my way to 2 cups of soup, 2 cookies, Mt. Dew, and then I was back on the trail. I knew eating all that food I would need a little time to digest it so I took it easy for a mile or so then I started running and that's when I finally saw Tim and Bill coming, Yes, I had not only beat them in/out of the aid station but even a little farther down the trail. We stopped and chatted briefly and then I started walking again but I noticed my leg was nagging again so I would run for a short distance just to shake it off but then have to walk. The sun was setting and I was behind on my time to arrive back at the start/finish before it got dark and knew I would be in the dark soon. Several other people had passed me while I was walking after eating and it had been about 30 minutes and all of a sudden I got a good song going and started jogging, then I replayed the song 3 more times and was running! It came to me to take advantage of this moment for as long as I could because 1) it would be dark soon and I wouldn't be able to see the trail that good to run safely, 2) I couldn't feel my leg and 3) I wanted to catch some of those people that had passed me. I caught all but one guy before I finished the 3rd loop but about 2 miles out it became too dark to run and I had to stop. I would use the lights from the oncoming runners to jog for a brief time but then walk again and now my leg was really pissed off at me for all that running and chasing I was doing. I was limping now. Looking at my time I would be finishing this 3rd loop in about 5 hours and I immediately knew I was done!

I wasn't even back to the start/finish but I knew my legs just didn't have it in them to go 100 miles, or 64 more miles. Excuse me for saying but I was also not interested in walking the 4th loop for 6 hours and dropping at 100k being as I had finished the 100k last year. I came into the start/finish, found Dez got some pizza and went to sit down. I told her what was going on and that I was going to drop. This is always the toughest part simply because she works hard and is out there for me and to tell her I am stopping is just not a  fun thing, not so much that I am physically just not there but telling her. She supports me and understands to some level and with that, I am done. I sit around for a while and get some more food and then really start to stiffen up so walking like a mummy is very apparent now. Tim and Bill have arrived and Bill has finished the 100k and in a qualifying time for Western States so he is done, he actually took 3rd in the 100k! Tim's stomach is on the blink and finally moves out to start his 5th loop. I calculate he will be back in about 3:30-4hours so we go to the RV where I showered up and slept. 

As I was sleeping the rain started to come down pretty good and knowing that Tim was out there working it was very inspiring because it just makes it that much tougher. He finished and arrived back at the RV where we congratulated him, then went back to bed. 

Dez and I went in the morning to get all of our gear, drop bags and stuff from the start/finish area and grab some breakfast while Tim rested up. We later were packed up and headed back to Vegas.

Overall, the race was a blast and I enjoyed it, even if I did dnf. I knew going into the race that not running the 3 weeks before would have some effect on me. My base for going the distance felt good but just the lack of time on the legs/feet was the missing link. The foot issue leading up to this event was a definitely a factor that changed my mechanics and effected my kinetic chain. Now its time to recover and then get to work on my strength factor and make sure my leg/s are back in action before another big run is taken on. I will enjoy my time off from longer stuff and look forward to getting back to it next year. I will be back at Javalina100 next year, as I know it is a race I can finish!

rockon' 

my nagging foot and Javalina100.

One more race to go and it seems like it's taking forever to get here but the days are rolling by so fast I need more time to train, does that make sense? 


Javalina100 is 24 days away and although I have been getting some runs completed I have been having some continuing problems with that right bone bruise from a year ago. It has it's days where its just not happy to walk let alone run so I have been training with it annoying me, which sucks. The plan was to have 3 weeks of 50+ miles but I have been lucky to get into the 40's with the foot issue, so I'll have to take what I can leading up to the race and play a smart race day strategy to get me to the finish, which despite any other crazy things I should  complete it. 


Last weekend was a great event fascial stretching lots of triathletes at the Pumpkinman Triathlon and a great opportunity for Hurt Less Play More, LLC to show its expertise! Thanks to all the people that came and got stretched, must have been about 45+, it was a long day but went pretty fast.


I was watching the Ironman World Championships a couple of weeks ago and was really excited to see a great race in both the men and women's fields and while I was watching I really got the tri-bug going and now for 2012 I will be looking to jump back in the tri-arena, just have to find the right race and distance but I do know it will be a 70.3 or 140.6, maybe not "M-dot" but a sure distance. 


As for ultra-running I am looking to get this Javalina100 under the belt and take a little time off and recoup the foot. I wanted to look at applying for Badwater2012 but with the foot and still needing another 100 by Feb, its just not a good time so I will focus on crewing for my 4th year. Overall I haven't really thought much about next year which is probably a good thing being as I usually plan so far ahead but I will revisit this thought after JJ100.


rockon' 

October

Wow, what a busy last couple of weeks. Not only have I got a little busier at the office, which is much welcomed coming back from India, but my run training has also increased.

I put the plan in action to increase my run volume heading towards Javalina 100 and although I could probably be doing a little more I am keeping at 50-60 mile weeks simply because my right foot has been bothering me more after my runs and in early mornings. I did need new shoes and so I purchased a new set but no real change in the pain to my foot after an 11 mile run. This foot pain is the same one that I have had since this time last year when I hit my right 5th metatarsal base while running at Mt. Charleston and my foot slipped. It hit right on the bone and bone bruise occurred and at times it feels fine but since my volume has increased it has just not been happy. Maybe also because I have been primarily running on the road because JJ100 is a very runnable course and I wanted to keep my speed and overall running up vs. run-walking on other trails.

The team we had scheduled for Las Vegas Ragnar Relay fell apart this past week which is no worries as the timing just seemed to be off the mark heading into JJ100 and work.
On a cool note, this weekend, Oct. 15th.  I will be out at the Pumpkinman Triathlon providing some recovery stretching all day long!! I am excited to be out working in the community event and getting as many bodies on the table as I can. I know it will be long tiring work but all worth it.

rockon'

Fitness Challenge - Vegas, Who's in?

This week has been a totally recovery week, not that I did a lot of miles at RDL but the heat really took it out of me and it took several days to really feel "normal". During this time I have been looking at my training schedule leading up to Javalina100 and wanted to incorporate some other fitness training and along with my office get some people interested in joining me to get in shape. I figured why not, I'm already working out so let's see if anyone in the community wants to come along. 

Announcing the Hurt Less Play More - Fitness Challenge! 

I will be teaming up with Jill Birth, 2011 IsaBody Grand Champion who won $120,000 in doing so. check out Jill's Way and see her story. Jill released 131 lbs and went from dress size 22 to 4! It didn't happen overnight, it took 8 months and she achieved her goals and changed her life forever! 

The challenge will be starting in October and will include fitness routines during the week and sessions to work out with me personally. Jill will also attended as scheduled and assist in weekly team calls for questions/answers as well as assist in nutritional counseling to educate the team on daily meals to prepare/cook and to incorporate Isagenix nutrition. 

80% of all fitness and health gains are nutritionally with 20% being the physical aspect so its very important in this challenge to educate the team on changing there lifestyle habits. 

Various workout routines will be held at different locations in the city of Las Vegas and will be using various exercises to train, example: running/jogging/walking, TRX, circuit routines, jump ropes, kettle bells, swimming, biking, weight training. A variety of things to keep it fresh and have fun!

I am excited to offer this to the community of Las Vegas and help people change there lives and improve there health! 

I've always helped people in my live/career and now this is a huge way to help! I am so excited!

If you live in Vegas and are interested in joining, email me at Hurtlessplaymore@gmail.com for more details.

rockon'

RDL100 went down in flames.

I am not really sure where to start this recap so let's start at the end..

I dnf'd at mile 33.5! 11 hours 10 mins into the burning depths of the RDL100 course.

I was totally dehydrated, dizzy, throwing up, and had a slight chest pain, I knew my day was done.

The morning was great, waking up, excited ready to go. I ate a bagel on the way to the start and showed up with about 10 mins to go, I didn't want to get there too early and just wait around so my timing was good. I quickly checked in and did last minute checks for things I needed as I would not see Dez, my awesome crew support till mile 15 or more so I needed to be prepared. It was dark for the 5am start and we would be running  in the dark for at least an hour. The temperature at the start was low 70's and felt okay. The great race directors gave last minute instructions and then lined us all up and here is where I found Tim Duffy, who also ran LOL100 with me, he was ready to go as well and at the count down we shook hands and this was the last time I saw him as the we all started.

The excitement was great and I was nervous. I told Dez I wasn't sure why I was nervous because its not like a sprint, its a long ass day and it will be slow and steady but I loved the way I felt and that made me realize that I enjoy preparing, training and getting to the start line! I started running nice and easy but the pull of pack of 80+ runners was immediately noticed and I knew I was running fast but thought I would hang with everyone for 3 or 4 miles and then settle down. I ran with Ed Ettinghausen and caught up on his Badwater135 run from July and we talked about AltoLabs, La Ultra - The High and other cool stuff. After about 2 miles I knew I was just running too fast and started slowing down and was chatting with other runners at the back. It was approaching 6am and the Sun was starting to shin as we moved through to the single track portion of a lot of this run, soon the headlamp was off and I was enjoying the morning.

I could tell it was warming up but running in and out of the trees along the Folsom Lake was a great feeling. The rolling hills of the course also made it fun and somewhat interesting as I knew I could run these little rollers but then made me think that these little rollers could come back and get you later in the miles, as I learned at JJ100k last year, even after Sweet Baboo warned me about them. I would continue to run some and walk some but overall was just taking my time, my current pace after 6 miles was a nice 13mins/mile and although I knew it was too fast I was taking it because with the Sun coming up I knew I would be slowing down per my race plan and I would need the extra time bank.

The first 15 miles were pretty nice running on the trail, its really a neat place to run and even though there were some rocky sections and some shorter climbs it was great. By the time I hit Rattlesnake Bar aid station, mile 15.71 I was feeling good, eating well, drinking and not really too hot, although I was sweating and fighting off bugs who seemed to like my chap stick I came refilled all my bottles, took a great picture with my friend and aid station captain Dr. Bill Andrews, CEO of Sierra Sciences and off I went. 

When I left Rattle Snake aid station I had grabbed a couple of small PB&J's but soon noticed that my stomach was not to happy about that. I had been drinking Succeed - Ultra since then and at Rattle Snake I dumped it out as I noticed it was changing my stomach as well. (I think I actually used too much of this in the early hours, I double up and sipped on it but I think it was enough to throw my system off early in the day.) Being as it was starting to heat up I started taking my electrolytes, S-Caps, one per hour but it had already been about 4 hours since I started that I had take my first one, as Ultra drink has electrolytes I wanted to make sure I didn't over salt myself. 

Rattlesnake Bar to Cardiac Hill aid station was 6.28 miles. This section of the course was more technical, rocky at times and lots more of the shorter steep climbs. I remember thinking that this section was going to be tough at 3am!! I was starting to get a hot spot on the ball of my left foot, something that I have noticed in a couple of my last longer runs so I knew I was going to need to take care of it at Cardiac and apply BlisterShield, great stuff. During this section I was really noticing the heat starting to come out and we were in less covered areas, I was still running good at times when I could but I would start to heat up so I would slow down or walk just a short ways. I had already started using ice under my hat to keep cool and since I was in miles 15-21, my standard Suck-Zone I was feeling it. I am not sure why this is usually my "wall" area but 18-20ish is always a low spot for me and today was no different. I was hot. I had cramped already one time in my lower shin, so I took more salt and seemed to walking a little more than I wanted to, even in nice areas where I should be running but nothing I could do but keep moving and get the aid station. When I got there just before 11am Dez was waiting and I was glad to see her. She helped me with my BlisterShield in my socks, refilling my bottles, and ice in hat and bandanna. I also took a small Dr. Pepper bottle to carry with me and get something to calm my stomach. I hadn't anything in a while but knew I needed to as the couple of gel's I took were not going to be enough. Just before I left out of Cardiac there was a Rattle Snake crawling across the trail just about 20feet from the aid station table!! crazy!! but cool to see. I left feeling better after about 10 mins of getting cooled down and some hydration.

The climb from the bottom of Cardiac Hill to the top is a little less than mile but pretty much straight up with just a couple of switch backs, about 700foot climb and once at the top another 1/2 mile to the next aid station at Maidu. I took my time climbing up and had passed a great lady attempting her first 100, as she had passed me earlier in the day. I actually felt good climbing up and although it was hot I did my best to keep water on my head and stay cool but now after 11am its just getting hotter out, luckily this section has more trees so shaded areas were nice for a short rest. At the top I started running along the water canal that is here and would stop and wet my head down instead of using all my water in my hand held. I got to Maidu and was feeling good, another short refill stop with Dez, a couple of gels I picked up and ice and off I went to Auburn Damn overlook another 1.52 miles.This section at first was great because it was still along the canal and I was feeling good so I started running as much as possible and making up some time, I passed a couple of runners here but soon hit a couple of short steep climbs getting up to Auburn but was still moving good even though I was really feeling the heat and pouring water on me every few minutes. My stomach was still not happy even though I shoved a couple of gels down it along with more S-Caps. It seemed the more I tried to get a balance on my stomach the more it seemed to go the opposite direction. I got to Auburn Damn and again refilled all water and ice. Dez tried to get me eat something but I was just not having it, I didn't want anything. I put more sun block on and Dez had made a great duct tape job on a different hand held bottle I wanted to use because it help 4oz more and was insulated. This was a great idea and worked great but I also noticed the extra weight of it and had to switch hands more often.

Heading to No Hands Bridge from Auburn was 4.34 miles away and now I was just overheating like crazy. This section also was more exposed to the sun and I found myself walking a lot! I simply could not run as I would start over heating like crazy and I just felt worse, so my walking pace was about 18 mins/mile at times I would get to 16s but it didn't last long. I was bummed at this point because this part of the course is very runnable and I wanted to run but the heat was still killing me and I knew this was not part of the race plan. Stick with walking as fast as possible during the hot portion of the day and then we'll run at night was the plan. It was great seeing the leaders during this section of the course and encouraging them on as they did the same for me but it only last for minutes as my thoughts were fried from the heat on my head. Have I mentioned its hot? I forgot how far it was to No Hands Bridge and as I saw others coming towards me I would ask them which wasn't a good idea because the first time I asked the guy said 2 miles maybe a little more!! SHIT!! I kept moving and soon got close enough that one guy said, Just around the corner, maybe 1/2 mile probably less!! Yahoo!! that was great news as the dude before him said "yo man, your pushing the cut off, you need to run".. WTH, no shit dude! I was irritated by that comment but kept doing my race not his! As I came around the corner I saw No Hands Bridge and I was just about out water. I had used all 64oz I was carry, drinking probably 45oz of it but in 90 mins that may not have been enough in this heat. I was glad to see Dez on the far end of the bridge at the aid station because we had talked about her not stopping her as she would have to walk a little ways to get to the aid station and so I would just see her at Cool Fire Station but nope, she was here! As I was walking across the bridge I got closer to her and she was talking pictures and I had posted on my facebook that I would be Planking at No Hands Bridge and now was the time, unfortunately, one of the aid station ladies was not aware of this and I felt bad because I scared the shit out of her as I moved to the edge of the bridge and laid down on the edge as Dez was getting closer to take my picture, Sorry nice aid station lady for scaring you. I really think she thought I was going to jump or passing out or something. Anyway, we took the picture and I got into the station, mile 29, 2:00pm.!!

I sat down for a few minutes as everyone helped to refuel my bottles and get me ice, I must have looked bad because they were all over me with cooling aids, which I welcomed. Dez said I needed to eat something as it had been hours since I had anything so I ate 1/2 a cookie and drank some Pepsi. I drank lots more water and took a S-cap, sat around for about 5 mins and started to head out to Cool Fire Station which was at the top of K2!! 3.31 miles away and 1200 feet of straight up climbing, no switch backs in less than couple of miles. I was still in good spirits and was ready for K2 leaving out, I told Dez I would probably be a 30min/mile pace so at least 90 mins before I got to Cool Fire Station. I was still ahead of the lady I passed at Cardiac but we were pretty much together by 4-5 minutes.

K2 hell:

As soon as I left out of the No Hands aid station I was walking up the short switch back in the covered tress and it happened. My stomach had decided no way and out come contents from previous aid station 5 minutes ago. Maybe it was too much at one time, but the cookie seemed to be the factor that pushed the button. Blow and Go as I'm told so that's pretty much what I did. It didn't seem all that bad and I wasn't worried about it other than, Okay, let's drink some water. The trail here is pretty much a straight up climb with 6 or 7 false summits, so unless you're at the top you're not at the top! I mean this thing was so steep I could only walk a few steps at a time before I was wobbling all over the place from over heating and exerting myself. I took it slow and steady but that didn't seem to matter to my stomach a 2nd time as I had to spit up a bunch of water I had drank, again, too much at one time. About half way up I finally just sat down on the side of the trail and rested as I poured ice water over my head and cooled down. Some other guy came storming up the trail with walking sticks and blew right by me, the first time I had seen him all day. I got up and kept moving, now just about mile into the climb and then I got dizzy again, this time it was a little different. Dizzy followed by a sensation to breath deep but couldn't, followed by a slight pain in my left chest.! NOT GOOD! I immediately sat down again, more water on my head, body, and sipping. I knew my race was over!! I had two options: go back down the trail to No Hands or continue up K2 another mile-ish to Cool. Well, I wasn't going backwards even if I wasn't going to finish this thing and the stubbornness of I will get to the top of K2! Just then the lady was coming up the trail and asked how I was, I said okay but severely over heated, dizzy, and puking, she laid down on the trail about 10 feet from me and said yeah me too! I kind of laughed as I though, well at least I am not the only one but I do believe our feelings were quite different. She encouraged me to get moving again and so we started but she soon dropped me and I caught back up a short distance later but then got dropped again. On this climb, I felt the worse I have ever felt in any endurance event. An all time LOW in my experience, I wanted to cry but couldn't, I wanted to scream but couldn't, I wanted to stop but couldn't! I was a little lost in my feeling and what to do so early in a race but I knew the heat and dehydration had dealt the winning hand. I finally made it to the top of K2 after all the false summits and was walking a great open meadow area and off to the right there were 4 deer's standing there watching me, Yes, they were there, I was not hallucinating! and I enjoyed the mutual stares we shared as I passed. Knowing that Cool was still a little less than a mile away I kept moving as much as possible because I wanted to be done. I started seeing runners coming towards me again so I knew I was closer and then I saw the top of the Fire Station bldg in the distance but also this helicopter flying circles overhead like a vulture waiting to start eating me. It eventually landed at the Fire Station and as I got closer it was a good distraction to the fact that I was done.

I got to the aid station, mile 32.5 and Dez approached me asking how I was but I was in a pretty low place, I just said not good! Not Good at all. I quickly checked in and saw Tim Duffy standing here, he had fallen down 4 times during the day and said he was dropping from the race, he was at mile 39.  I quickly told him that I was done too but wanted to get to the car to cool off. I sat down in the car and Dez was checking on me to refill my bottles but I told her I was dropping, that I had a pain in my chest and that was not a good thing. My body was telling me to stop or it was going to shut down on its own. Just then the aid station lady came over and said that if i wanted to continue the 100 I needed to go now or if I wanted to drop to the 100k I could just continue back down but I needed to make a decision. I just said I was dropping overall. 

Tim was here and we were chatting about things. I was still very over heated and it was hard to focus at times. Part of me really thought about going on but I just knew it was not a smart thing to do. The lady came back and asked if I was dropping to the 100k and I said no, I was dropping completely. She said okay and I called Molly to inform her. There was also another gentleman that had just dropped and needed a ride back to Auburn so we all piled in the car with the AC and left. This guy was done because he was over heated and exhausted and realized he was going to finish a 100k in 21 hours and didn't want any part of that. Matter of fact this guy had actually left Cool heading back and turn around and was walking back to Cool when I was coming in and I saw him turn around and thought what the heck but just eventually thought he was heading into Cool Station for the first time and I had caught up to him.

After getting cooled down and drinking more water and taking another S-Cap I was feeling a little more with it. We dropped off Tim and the other guy and headed back to the hotel. Dez and I got showered and cleaned up and headed to eat. I was feeling so much better, just tired and some soreness. After dinner we returned to the hotel and as I laid down I was restless and slept restless with a calf cramp in the middle of the night. The next morning we packed up and drove back to Vegas.

I am feeling totally good now, still some minor soreness but normal stuff. Ultimately, my demise was the Heat and lack of preparing for it and some training. I feel if I would have had known we were going to have 96* heat I may not have changed from Wasatch and taken the climbs and elevation more but when I made the decision I was still having some climbing issues with my hamstring, which are okay now. I learned that I have a new low in feeling like shit and despite the heat I made it to the top of K2! I know I need more heat tolerance when picking a race with these temps, especially Badwater! I know I have some training in the next 7 weeks to get ready for Javalina 100 as I am not going down in an dnf there!

I learned that my stomach shut down completely in the heat and will need to find some sort of nutrition to use, maybe Amino or Clip from Succeed would have worked but I didn't try it. All I know is I can't wait for the next one!

rockon'

race to Rio Del Lago 100

This weekend, in 3 days, I will be running the Rio Del Lago 100 put on by Desert Sky Adventures and with the expected temperatures to be in the low 90's I have my work cut out for me.

This race came about as a change from Wasatch 100, which I am a little bummed in not heading to but with my little issue I have been dealing with in the glute/hamstring area I was not feeling confident in my hiking pace and climbing power as it was aggravated by any uphill climbs, so while I was in India I had made a decision to change races and stick with something a little more flat but now I also have HEAT to deal with and that is something I am not looking forward to.

I mean for Badwater I prepare with sauna training and hey, come on! its BADWATER!  but I have not had that much heat training or run training heading into RDL so it will be quite interesting on how this goes down. I am confident I can get to the end it will just be a matter of how I get there. I will also be using a lot of Isagenix nutrition products, such as shakes, bars, and of course Product B! so I am excited to try out some new things during this run, you know me, forget trying it in training, slap it down on the race! haha! totally not the way to do it but again I feel confident in Isagenix and myself so I am not worried.

I am also happy to report that Dez will be crewing me along the way and she is quite familiar with Isagenix and all that I will be needing during the run.

I will look to get another post up before I head to RDL up in Granite Bay, CA. area so stay tuned!! also I will have cell phone service on the course so check out my facebook for updates.

If you're not familiar with Isagenix products or heard of Telomere support you soon will as Product B will become known. Check out www.hurtlessplaymore.isagenix.com for information.

rockon'