50 @ 51

A couple of years ago, I bought my first iPod and I had it engraved "50@50". I was going to attempt the 50 mile Trail Ultramarathon at McNaughton Park in Pekin, IL the year I turned 50, but I chickened out. I had serious doubts that I could do it since I'd gained all the weight back that I'd lost 4 years ago, but I was mostly lazy and enjoyed our big new TV better than exercise.

But now the weekend has arrived for my 50-mile race. Two weeks ago I was nervous about a 30-miler, but I knew I could do it because I'd run that distance 3 times previously. Saturday, however, is a different animal altogether. I've never run farther than 34 miles. And limping to my car after a 30-mile training run doesn't really count for farther in my mind! To say I'm nervous is an understatement, I'm scared. It's not like I'm competitive ... I'm just trying to finish. I don't even have a goal time in mind. If I was only running 30 miles, I'd probably be shooting for a sub-7 hour finish, but I need to save my legs for the final unknown 20 miles. My bigger goal is to complete the Illinois Trail Ultra Grand Slam and if I can finish 50 at McNaughton, I'm way over half way to my goal.

http://www.secondwindrunningclub.org/Clinton/GrandSlam.htm

The guy in charge of chip timing for the McNaughton Park Trail Runs this weekend is also going to be running the 100 mile race. He will be updating splits from his computer at the park, through his cell phone and uploading them to the internet when coming through the start/finish line every lap. If all works out, you may be able to see my progress this Saturday at my 50-mile race. I wish I could hook up my heart monitor ... that way you could see if my ticker is still working!

Click on this link:

http://www.timetorun.net/Results/results.html

I think you'll be clicking on the "Overall" link under McNaughton Park 2009. I'm assuming because it currently says "No results have been posted at this time, check back later for new updates.".


Jerry

PS ... If I finish the race, I might buy this t-shirt:

http://www.zazzle.com/any_idiot_can_run_a_marathon_quote_tshirt-235623759530722322

BMI

I lost about 5 pounds this week in our "Biggest Loser" contest at work ... and quietly slipped from OBESE to OVERWEIGHT according to BMI charts. I think I'll celebrate with a piece of cheesecake. Better yet, we celebrated tonight at Kaiserhof.

My taper has begun ...

I discussed my upcoming tapers and recovery for pre-Clinton, post-Clinton and pre-McNaughton with Marvin, my "coach" at work last week. We agreed that this past Saturday would be my last long run, about 10 miles, but a little faster than usual. Then shorter than usual, quicker runs on Monday and Tuesday. Well ... with Caleb out of town, Debbie and I slept in on Saturday, went to a few sales, and just hung out all day long. My knees ached and my ankles were screaming from the long miles I'd put in the previous 4 weeks (185 miles) so I cancelled my run Saturday. Today (Sunday) I decided I better not only run, but step it up a notch. I decided to run my 6 mile course and try to go for a PR. I absolutely shattered it. I won't be winning any road races anytime soon, but for me, I'm very, very pleased. I ran 6 miles in 51:25, for an 8:34 avg/mile. I ran a negative split for the 2nd half of the run (3 miles in 24:47). I don't know if that says anything about how I'll run my 2 upcoming ultras, but training-wise, it shows me I'm making progress. People also tend to get out of my way when they see me coming ;-)

Test run @ Clinton Lake...

This past Saturday I travelled to Clinton Lake State Recreation Area near Dewitt, IL, to run with Chris Migotsky, race director of the Clinton Lake 30 Mile Trail Run, where I'll be running/walking/crawling/suffering this coming March 28th. Jeff Riddle, his buddy and creator of the "Riddle Run" came along, too.

http://www.secondwindrunningclub.org/Clinton/Clinton.htm

http://chrisultra.blogspot.com/

It was the warmest weather I'd run in this year ... it was around 50º at 9:00 a.m. Between my long sleeve tech shirt and vest (quickly shed) and the hills, I worked up quite a sweat.

I was glad I got to see the course before the race. It will help on race morning that I already know exactly how to get there, what the course is like, and that I only need to carry one bottle with me.

As you can see from the elevation chart, there aren't many places for me to get into my gentle, lumbering running form. You're either going uphill or downhill. This should be quite a challenge ... and then with only 2 weeks rest I'll be attempting the 50-mile McNaughton Park Trail Run in Pekin, IL on April 11th.

2009 Illinois Trail Ultra Grand Slam

The following is from Chris Migotsky and the Second Wind Running club ... HERE:


Finish all four of these fine trail ultramarathons and you are an Illinois Trail Ultra Grand Slam finisher! No extra entry fees or paperwork needed. Pretty easy, eh? What’s the prize? The four race directors are still working on that ... but it will be worthwhile and cool. All Grand Slam finishers will get the award and the overall male and female winners (lowest average finish place in their respective M/F category) will get an extra Grand Slam prize! Awards will be given out at the conclusion of the Farmdale race.

2009 Grand Slam Events

• Clinton Lake 30-Mile Trail Run: March 28


• McNaughton Park 50/100/150 Mile Runs: April 10-12


• Rock Cut Hobo 50K: September 20


• Farmdale 32-Mile Trail Run: October 17