You mean everyone doesn't do this?

Good job on the consistancy. That is cool that you are going for 100 miles. I will be doing 50 miles but 100 miles just seems so far out there. That will be incredible accomplishment. Good luck to you.

Looks like we'll have a nice break from the hot in a couple days. Lows in 50's! You're down by the gulf working for the summer right?

Yes, unless the clouds make the humidity stay closer to the ground!

So, are you an Ultra junkie? You're following the Western States race on the 28th?

I would like to call myself an ultra-junkie, but I don't know if I can claim it just yet.

3 straight 8 milers. Nice work.

I never thought about what they do with all those buffalo hooves.

See if this site helps you identify the snake:

http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/herpetology/fl-guide/snakekey.htm

Might be a good site to know for future serpent encounters.

there were about 85 in the 3 miler last week. Are you running trails or roads down there?

Is the heat getting to you?.... You are welcome to join me on the track anytime you're in town. I know you have the speed so I could chase after and get in a harder workout.

Is the heat getting to you?.... You are welcome to join me on the track anytime you're in town. I know you have the speed so I could chase after and get in a harder workout.

Glad you enjoyed the race. We've vacationed on St. George Island for about 7 years straight. Very quiet and you are right- flat...

We enjoy eating at the blue parrot - good oyster sandwiches.

Then you've really wasted a lot of time running in a straight line when you should have been turning yourself around!!

whats going to be your top out daily milage?

Wow. 11 milers now. Leave it to a structural engineer to draw a perfect stair step with your daily mileage. My daily mileage variation is so high I don't know what that says about ChemE's: I wouldn't want to walk across a bridge I built.

Good luck getting an answer to that one -- I've been asking it longer than you've been alive, and nobody's been able to answer me yet!!!!

Hence the reason I'm posing it to a larger audience...

give me your definition of easy pace miles. From your recent 5K time I would have to think you are getting some quality tempo and fartlek runs tucked into those 10 and 11 milers.

I was just checking results from the Da Do Run Run in Florence, and noticed that Eric Charette ran a 17:32 this morning also! What are the odds?!?!?!

Charette was leading the race with .05 to go but got out kicked by 2 young guns. He also ran at the Twilight 5k that evening in 17:52

at 12 miles a day hallucinations start to set in... keep running

Isn't it great?!

your "ish" is a lot of peoples WOW!

Nice run.

thanks

I like the quote.

Pure running is internal

Good running and blogging.

The century in 7 days, now that you have a good base in its time to get on the trails for some 25-35 mile long runs. If I can help out with a mobile aid station on any local trail training runs let me know.

Thanks, I may take you up on that when I'm in town.

Nice mileage last week (I hear you about the "zero" aspect!).

Are you training for anything specific with this type of mileage?

I'm training for the Pinhoti 100 trail run in November. Being a grad student, I figure that my mileage will take a hit as soon as school starts (next week), so I'm trying to get in some pretty high mileage weeks before then. After school starts, I plan on running as much as I can when I can during the week and hitting some pretty long runs on the weekends, hopefully topping out with a couple of 30-40 mile runs.

Coach Reed told me you've been putting the Austin boys through there paces. They came out to 3M on Thursday but I didn't run with them because I knew I may be tempted to run too fast and reinjure the hamstring. Their top three looks to be in a good shape.

there you go!! thats it.

Just get to a double weekend long runs by October and you'll hammer home Pinhoti.

So, just how happy was Peter to be rousted out of bed this morning?!?!?!?

Thrilled beyond belief

I was already awake.

Must not have been TOO early, huh?

No, I ended up doing a few more miles than I had anticipated with the running group, and that bought Peter another hour or so, and I didn't call until around 9 or 9:30. (And by his own admission, he was "laying in bed," just awake).

always a challenge to be out on a trial on a humid day and run short of water! sounds like a good run and good mental prep for the 100

Boy, I must be a real a good thing, 'cause I'm surely real slow!!

Kathy, that is spoken like a future ultrarunner!

You might be onto something, Eric...

I might be slow, but I'm not crazy!!

Why, radical you, of course!! DUH!

are you two from a different planet? :)

it's WHY

Not to show off how nerdy I really am, or anything, but, upon seeing the response from my ever inimitable mother, I can't help but think:

"Why, radical you" = y(u^(1/2))

Square that: (y(u^(1/2)))^2

You get: (y^2)(u) = yyu = y yu

What do you get when you square "Why, radical you?"

y yu; why, you, of course.

Is it a bad sign that I thought of that?

Yep, I'd definitely be worried if I were you, especially since it makes perfect sense to me!!

Another twist on this question. You for the person who is asking, is really I for me. Therefore:

sqrt(i) = sqrt(2)/2 * (1+i)

And some more:

Who are you? sqrt(-1)

sqrt(-1) ran 6 miles today.

And while we are at it, a Russian math joke. They told the residents of an insane asylum that they would be differentiated. Everybody started taking showers, shaving, etc. One guy just sits and does nothing. They ask him - what about you? He says, I do not care, I am the exponential function.

I don't know which is scarier, the thread we're having, or the fact that I'm following all of it AND catching the humor.

OK, so while we're on the subject of math jokes, here's a little limerick by that most prolific of all authors, Anonymous:

A burlesque dancer, a pip

Named Virginia, could peel in a zip;

But she read science fiction

And died of constriction

Attempting a Mobius strip!

PS -- sqrt(-1) only ran 2 today.

Can you put me in touch with some members of that team? Cause I really would like to know the meaning of life!

I would love to understand the epiphanies that come from this type of running, too, but it is an ever so elusive concept, and that team is from a bygone era of Oregon track and field, so I guess we'll all just have to figure it out the hard way: by putting in miles upon miles...

Solid? Insane is more like it man! If you ever get a chance, I have some questions about building up endurance over the winter and such. I really want to try out a 50miler at some point. I have been plagued by an injury this year, but I'm going to be doing a lot of biking indoors on a wind trainer to maintain fitness.

Insane might be a better way to put it, but I have to justify it in my own head somehow...

I'd be happy to answer any questions I can about building up endurance over the winter; I've gotten in some of my best training during the winter months while slogging out miles on treadmills. A 50-miler is a completely different animal from a marathon, but it is very runnable, and I enjoy the long stuff even more. Best of luck to you regarding the injury. I have been sidelined with injuries before and know how frustrating it can be.

4th place on a 10-miler is great! Congrats!

My friend Bryon has a great website for ultrarunners that may be of interest to you both; here's a post about how to train for your first ultra http://blog.irunfar.com/2007/10/training-for-your-first-ultra.html.

Injuries... yuck! Do you think they're caused by training improperly or wearing the wrong kind of shoes? My doctor thinks they're pretty much random and can happen to anyone, even if you train by the book... some coaches have told me otherwise. I'm leaning towards the randomness answer...

I think that injuries can be caused by all kinds of things. Improper training can hasten overuse injuries or put you in a more vulnerable position to get them; the wrong kinds of shoes can allow abnormally large stresses in your feet, legs, knees, back, etc. Unfortunately, sometimes our bodies just rebel. Maybe we have trained too hard or beyond our current fitness level, and our bodies force us to take a break and recover. So I guess my answer to your question is a little of both. Random injuries do occur, but there are certain precautions we can take to reduce the chance of injuries, like getting proper shoes, running with good form, paying attention to warning signs that our bodies give us regarding how much pounding we're actually giving them. Whatever the case, they happen to all of us, and all we can do is take them in stride (pun very much intended) and learn what we can from them.

good work John!

you are an inspirational, funny guy!

I don't know.....this jogger has sent in a LOT of entry blanks!!

Then clearly you're missing the point...

I don't get it :(

Dr. Sheehan was a cardiologist and running philosopher who wrote several books during the 1970's and'80's. He liked waxing philosophical on the nuances of running, and I think that in this quote he is implying that the difference between a casual jogger and a serious runner is the mentality of goal setting and attainment. A "jogger" goes out and jogs occasionally for, perhaps, health, and probably gets little enjoyment out of the activity and therefore has no goals pertaining to the actual running, just the health benefits (maybe). A "runner," on the other hand, runs with the additional goal of improving his or her running ability, whether that goal be the ability to complete a distance or the ability to complete a specific race in a certain time, hence the race entry.

At least that's my interpretation of the quote.

I'm getting the idea that the last couple of days have been hard ones for you!

Perhaps in aspects of life other than running

That's what I meant -- hard days, not hard runs.

I didn't know C. S. Lewis was a runner; however, I would imagine he ran with perserverance any race set before him.

Now I wonder where you would get that idea...

I love it that you are at a point where you go out and log 26 miles and your log shows it like any other day. Nothing special , just a marathon! Nice quote. Zatopek was quite the runner.

Yeah, I didn't realize I had gone that far until I got done; the real surprise though is that I'm not sore at all from it. Keeping in mind that we did stop for water 4 times, if I strung together the running time, it would have been a marathon in 3:07, which blows my mind; I only hope that I can get back into this kind of shape after this Pinhoti nonsense and hammer out a new marathon PR...

I agree; Zatopek was a hoss. Anyone who can win the Olympic 5k, 10k, and marathon in the same year and, on his only day off from heats/finals, put in a 20-mile training/recovery run is a beastly runner. I guess there was a reason he was called the "human locomotive!"

Been hanging around Peter?

It was just in my head; as far as I know, Peter hasn't played it recently.

LOVE IT!!!!

What a wonderful phrase.

Hakuna matata

Ain't no passing craze

It means no worries for the rest of your days.

It's our problem free philosophy.

Hakuna matata.

nice run. I hated to miss it. Jon said you and he got going at a pretty good clip at the end.

What is your nutrition plan for Pinhoti?

After some glorious bonks, I've gotten to be a huge believer in deciding ahead of time where and when I'll eat and how much.

Do you ever get scared that an animal will jump out of the woods and like eat you? I don't know if I could ever run completely in the dark even on the backroads instead of a trail - - I get a little skeeved out by weird night noises.

It is a little eerie when your entire world is encapsulated in the little orb of light coming from your headlamp, and I did notice (heard) several animals just out of view in the darkness, and even though I know that they are probably just deer, it is a little creepy. Fortunately, by the time the night portion of the race rolls around, I'll have a pacer with me, and having someone to run with eases the tension a little

Oooooohh, a 6 mile run AND you're tapering ? Cool! What are you tapering for?

The Pinhoti 100 is a week from this Saturday (and Sunday), on Nov. 8-9. Needless to say, the extra energy from the taper coupled with a slight anxiety about the race has me all wound up.

100 and is ONE HUNDRED MILES? AAAhhhhh! I am having a heart attack just thinking about it!!

The extra energy must be maddening! Do you have any dissertations to do or an extra thesis, maybe?

That's about the same reaction I have when I think about the distance too much.

You're right; I could make some awesome progress on my thesis if I could only channel all this extra energy into concentration on research instead of concentration on the race itself.

Sorry, I don't want to psych you out! You are going to do GREAT!!!

WHat is your Thesis on? Anything a zoologist could understand?

No worries; I can (and have) thoroughly psych myself out without any external prompts.

My research is on blast effects with regard to, let's say, less than sturdy structures. I'm doing a lot of computational modeling with some incredibly confusing finite element/computational fluid dynamics software, and, just to keep things interesting, I get to occasionally do model verification, which is a wonderful euphemism for blowing stuff up, complements of the US government.

That sounds AWESOME!! Isn't blowing things up every little boys dream?

It sure is. Most of the time, we get in trouble for it, but, through an incredible stroke of luck, I've found a way to get paid for it!

BRILLIANT!!!

Nevels, really like the quote, good luck on the 100 mile trail run. I have a good friend who has completed the Wasatch 100. It is quite an accomplishment.

The knee: arthritis, 30 years or running wear and tear. The menicus cartlidge is done. No regrets, it was a great 30 years of running. I hope to run enough to finish the St.George marathon each year.

Stay Kool, Fire it Up, B of BS Rools out

Does one turn into a philosopher the more miles one runs?

I like that quote- nice! GREAT miles !!!

I guess with a decent amount of time running, a plethora of excess energy (physical and mental) from a taper, and a pretty stout collection of quotes saved from various books and websites, one can wax philosophical with the best of them....

What's the countdown for?

So much truth in that quote! Thank you!

I think you captured the essence of why I run. I used to run to race. But there was something to be gained in all my long runs, in all the time I spent out on the road by myself preparing to "show" everyone, and I realized it isn't about that. It's about the spiritual aspect of running that appeals to me. I don't have to answer to anyone. I dont' need to SHOW them how or why I'm a runner. I just am. And it is about each and every one's own perspective on the world which makes this world so great! Running has unlocked the true meaning of life for me.

Lucia: The countdown is for the Pinhoti 100, my second attempt at a 100-mile run. Normally I wouldn't make a big deal over a race, but between excess energy from the taper and simply being anxious about the race, I'm steadily psyching myself up for it (and, ironically enough, calming myself down about it at the same time)

HC: I agree completely. Some might race to show off, but others of us run and race to see what we have within us, day in and day out, through slump and injury, and across the years. It brings to mind two other quotes: Pre's "Some people run a race to see who's the fastest; I run a race to see who has the most guts," and (I can't remember who said it) "For those of us who already know, no explanation is needed; for those who don't already know, no explanation will suffice."

Yeah I made my own running club just for fun in 2004, and me, my family and a couple buddies would wear shirts to races togther as an unofficial "team". That was the quote we put on our shirts, the Prefontaine one.

You are my idol, Nevels. I wish I could run 100 miles. Heck, I just want to finish a few more marathons and a 50 miler :( Hopefully I can slowly build up a fitness level that will allow me to do those things. That and Qualify for boston haha

I am assuming your countdown is for the 100 mile trail run this weekend? If so GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!!!!! You're my hero!!!

That's it...thanks; I'll need the luck!

I was thinking about it and I was like "Dang I don't even drive 100 miles in a day going to and from Albany from my house". And you're going to RUN that. That's crazy! :-D

Oh you mean you ultra runners don't have a windup motor? I beg to differ!

Yeah, but the spring starts to get a little loose after a while...

Good like on your 100 miler!! WOW. And, a fellow quote man!! Love the quotes!!

John, Good luck and run strong this weekend. I'll be thinking and praying for you, especially saturday night when you are motoring up and down single track with the rocks, wildlife, stars and moon as company.

Thanks to all, and I'll try to put up a good race report...

Maximus Decimus Meridius

Is there a reason why the death quote is the day before your race? Creepy.

How about this:

"The only way of finding the limits of the possible is by going beyond them into the impossible."

Much better pre-race quote! Once again, good luck!

You know, I like your quote better!

Thanks, again; I'll need the luck...

GOOD LUCK THIS WEEKEND, NEV - Can't wait to hear/see the race report! :) You are inspiration at its best!

Nevels, do you have pacers to help? Good luck.

Stay Kool, Fire it Up, B of BS Rools out

Thanks HC.

Brent, I had two pacers lined up, one to come in at 55 miles, the other to take over from 68 to 86, and then the first one to finish it out. I was lucky enough to have a friend from the Auburn running club that came to watch the race, and he was nice enough to take my offer of pacing from 41 to 55.

Don't you have money for gas; or, change for a bus to travel that distance?

And getting up at 3 a.m; the only things worth getting dressed at 3 a.m. for are duck hunting and a day of alpine mountaineering/rock climbing.

Congrats John, I know you wanted this.

Jim N Austin

YAY NEV!~!!! YOU DID IT! CANT WAIT TO READ THE WHOLE REPORT! GO GET A NAP! YOU EARNED IT!

You did it!!!! Congrats! Can't wait to read about it. You're my hero!

Great job John! That took alot of guts and an incredible amount of hard work and preparation.

Oh, and I'll pay good money for a video of you trying to get out of bed or go down stairs tomorrow :)

Um, I'm kinda thinking "easy" miles are not exactly what those were.....

Wow!

John,

Congrats on the finish. Nothing like reading someone's 100 mile race report to make you relive your own 100's. Take a break and have a beer or three.

Nevels, congradulations, crazy how the body works, 10,000 commando points.

Stay Kool, B of BS Rools out

You are truly amazing!! That was an awesome report to read. I hope you are feeling as well as could be and that you recover quickly!! Thanks for sharing all of that with us. And, can I just say, "with only a marathon to go..." is the most eye popping phrase I read in there!!! For most of us, that is as far as we go. Amazing!!!!

Way to Go!!! That is an increadible accomplishment!! I hope to run the Wasatch Back sometime... or the Bear 100.

Just came back to read the extended race report. How incredible! I have to agree with Kelli about the having "a marathon to go" part. It sounds like at 65 everything was telling you to stop, and the fact that you came through and ran 35 more miles is inconceivable. Congratulations on achieving your goal. Very impressive.

Great job - impressive write up - takes a very special person to accomplish something like this...very proud of you!

Very strong. Take time to recovery and enjoy the hard work you put into the effort. Look back on the process and enjoy. The finish line makes all of the effort worth it.

John, You're crazy... as hell. Haha, good job though man.

You are amazing Nevels! Congratulations on this fantastic accomplishment. I hope you're feeling well post-race.

Oh my! What a journey! I am so amazed that you were able to finish with all the hand shaking with 40 something more miles to go! WOW! I hope you rest easy and recover swiftly. You've definitely earned some R&R!

that was unreal! WOW!!! That is an amazing feat! Holy cow!!! Nothing like 100 miles to make grad school seem easy! Did you blow something up yet in honor of your VICTORY?

Hey- have you heard of the salt tablets? I have heard that they help tremendously on the ultras.

There are just not words for what you did. You are very blessed to have such an amazing support team! WOW!!

Thanks so much for your well-wishes for my marathon pursuits!! I'm just amazed by people like you that do ultramarathons! I've done one "ultra" training run of 28 miles back in March. Very frequently I want to do a 50K for my long run... and so far, always find a reason to go about 10 miles short. Truly, people like you amaze me!!

Great job John! Welcome to the 100 mile club! You are a transformed person now. Every (shorter) race just won't seem the same for now on... Hope to see you at a race soon, but not too soon, take a good break you deserve it!

Thanks, everyone. Rob is right; this kind of race definitely gives you a different perspective every other (shorter) race. If anyone gets the chance, I would definitely recommend trying something like this (not necessarily a 100-miler, but something that makes you push the limits of your endurance, both physically and mentally); it will show you a kind of strength and resolve you never knew you had.

Alas, Marion, I have not had a chance to blow anything up in celebration, but I'm working on it. Also, I did begin using the salt tablets at mile 65, and they helped tremendously; I am a now a firm believer in them.

Anyone got any good races coming up?

I am doing a 10k on Turkey day .. I am actually doing a double 5k/10k. I registered for the 10k, but the 5k is run first and my brother, sister and Emma are running that, so I am going to run it bandit and give my support (and probably get the pants beat off me), then turn around and run the 10k.. both just for fun, I'm not worrying about times for any races in the near future..

Its just I collect my bib numbers and put them on my wall, and haven't had any new bib numbers since LAST NOVEMBER :( My wall is lonely so I just HAD to sign up for a race :-P

Of course we have races coming up! A turkey trot, a hilly 1/2 marathon, a jingle bells run, a christmas lights run (that one is fun, you run dressed up with christmas clothes and lights and sing Christmas carols all over the city), and then the Myrtle Beach marathon! What about you, what's next in your calendar Nevs?

HC: Awesome. For better or worse, I've run my fair share of bandit races, and they are generally that much more fun. Your siblings and Emma will enjoy having you there, and it will make for a good mileage day.

I know how exciting it can be making a re-entry into the racing scene after an injury. Enjoy it, and it will be great motivation for weeks to come!

Lucia: I don't know what my next race is. I'm going to take a couple of weeks to recuperate and then take the first few tentative steps toward getting back into a running routine from there. I'm already signed up for the Mt. Mist 50k in the end of January, and I was thinking about doing the MS Blues Marathon at the beginning of January. Other than that, I am going to participate (notice I didn't say run...) in a 5k that my old high school cross country team puts on as a fundraiser in a few weeks. It should be fun, and the kids better take advantage of my somewhat debilitated state, because it's the only chance they may ever get to beat me! HA!

I think the best race hands down would be to have a FRB 1/2 marathon where everyone just like hung out before and after the race. have like a potluck afterwards or a BBQ. Man. That would be sweet, huH?

Sounds awesome. I've been to several really small races in little towns where everyone gets involved, and they'll have tons of homemade food afterward. Those are the best, and they quite often have the most unique awards as well.

One advantage the Pinhoti had was an open brunch that was already going when I got done, and if you could stomach it, there were breakfast burritos, spaghetti, pudding, etc. If I was only coherent enough to have enjoyed it...

We want pictures! Or else how can we believe that you really raced?

Hahaha yeah! I mean sheesh you're not credible at all! :-P

I'm working on the pictures. All I have so far are some that got emailed to me by my dad, and since I can't save the pictures on my work computer, I may have to wait until I get home to save them on my laptop and then post them up, but I'll keep trying...

Great job on the race!!! I felt like I was reading my own race report from the Wasatch 100. I was actually a pacer for a really good friend. I ran 40 miles with him and it was by far the most humbling experience I have ever had in a 12 hour period. I loved the aid stations on an Ultra course compared to a Marathong aid station. Any time you can drink coke and eat candy at an aid station I am all about that. Great job on the finish and I hope that you enjoy the highs that you will have over the next couple of weeks and months. By the way those miles are not EASY MILE, it is more like 50 marathon miles and 50 threshold miles.

I was thinking of doing the Mt. Mist 50k but I see it sold out a while ago. Oh well. I did the MS Blues half last year, it was pretty hilly but a really enjoyable race aside from that. I heard the marathoners say the hills in the second half were too much. But as long as you aren't trying to PR it doesn't really matter I guess. And some people ring cowbells on the course, which made my day :) Go State!

There were people ringing cowbells at some of the aid stations this weekend, which always put a little more pep in my step, because, as we all know, I got a fever, and the only prescription...is more cowbell!

MORE COWBELL!!!!! :D

Here you go! http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Hz5IpUFGZ5GyUGiX-PjIng

Nice! That is a sight that would boost anyone late in a race!

I see that some of y'all have ultra (and just general running) experience, and being the adaptive student of the sport, I was curious if anyone had any suggestions for a potential next time...

I am a small racer runner---1/2's and marathons. I hate little races (5k's and 10k's) becasue I am too slow, but I am working on that!

You have totally motivated me to run an Ultra one of these days. I never in a million years thought I would say that. BUT, after the St George marathon this year, I could have kept running. I felt great. So, one of these days....

I used to be a 5k/10k guy (still run them, but just as training/tempo type runs), and I noticed a bunch of running buddies of mine doing marathons and 50k's, so I decided that if they could do it, then I ought to at least do one 50k just to prove I could, and then I could get back to doing my little 5k's and 10k's, with maybe a half mixed in.

Well we all see how that worked out...

Go for an ultra; you'll be surprised with how you do. The atmosphere surrounding an ultra is amazing. Everyone is friendly and encouraging, the scenery around the course is better, you don't beat your joints up on asphalt, and, if all that isn't enough, the aid stations are lightyears ahead of marathon water stops.

I cannot believe that one of my students (whom I once considered extremely bright) decided to run 100 miles in one shot. Have I taught you nothing? Why???? I can already see that if I ever want to give you nightmares, I'm going to drink lots of Mountain Dew and eat Take 5 candy bars while riding alongside you as you run and yell, "Poe didn't do this and he was great. Faulkner didn't do this and he won a Nobel Prize. I didn't do this and I'm extremely content with my out of shape body." This is sad. Baxter just shakes his head when we discuss your choices....

Well I do hate to disappoint Baxter...

(PS: Forgive any grammatical errors in my account; as you can imagine, my writing abilities, along with the rest of my general higher thinking skills, were and are somewhat hindered, and the story was written somewhat hastily)

Funny comment, teacher! Made me laugh. Nevels is a smart and crazy guy.

So, here is a question for ya---how do you avoid your body shutting down when you atop at those great aide stations? Like I said, I felt like I could have kept going after the marathon, but once you stop, those muscles seize up!! I know you experienced this, but it was way into the 100. I can not figure how you get past that.

Whenever I stop at an aid station, I make a point to remain standing (beware the chair) and to move as quickly as possible through the aid station. Don't get me wrong; I make a very pointed effort to get what I need at every aid station, but I try to do it as expediently as possible. That being said, I did spend quite a bit of time at the 65-mile aid station, but there were some extenuating circumstances. In any case, in a 50k, you blow through the aid stations, because you will be done relatively quickly, so you shouldn't need to stop for long enough to stiffen up. You can just grab a handful of M&M's some Mt. Dew, and go...

Oh, that food does sound good!

I am an idiot, but how long is a 50k?

50k = 31 miles

Easier than a marathon...

Your pictures aren't showing up here -- are they showing up when you pull this up? (All I see are the little boxes with X's in them!)

I also see NO pictures.

Okay, I am going to sign up for a 50k sometime in the next year.

Awesome. A 50k is incredibly fun, and you really feel like you've accomplished something when you get done.

I'm still working on the pictures...

Thanks -- I just wanted to make sure I wasn't having a problem with something on my end when I couldn't see the pictures.

Wow, I ran 3/4 of a mile yesterday.

ALRIGHT THE PICS ARE UP! Way to go and nice hardware! (i.e. belt buckle) I think its funny how the ultras give out belt buckles. What do they surmise, that all great ultra runners change pants, let alone belts and buckles every day? It'd be funny to put all your buckles on a WWE belt though!

Very cool Nevels! You look as fresh after 100 miles as if you had just woken up in the morning! Amazing!

I loved reading your race report!! Congratulations on a fabulous race!!!! I have dreams of running a 100 miler, but I doubt it will ever happen. Maybe a 50, someday. Awesome!!!!!!

Fellow blogger Aaron and I have pledged to run the JFK 50-miler. It's one of the oldest and largest ultras in the country. The first half is in the rocky and rooty Apalachian trail, and the second half is on the flat and fast Chesapeake and Ohio canal. How cool would it be for all of us to run it together???

That would be awesome. I've heard about the JFK and know some people that have done it, and it sounds like a fun one to run. Maybe one day I can get up there for it...

yea we have some good trails in Northern Utah, makes for some fun running:

Great report I love reading and hearing 100 mile reports, i was meant to pace a guy at Wasatch this year but he dropped out at mile 50! I may shoot for Wasatch next year if I can get in!

Go for it, man; it's definitely an experience to be had!

If I ever get healthy again, the JFK is on my to do list :)

I'm in awe. I had no idea how much went into these runs. Thanks for the great description! And congratulations :)

Unbelievable! Your mother sent me this link. I'm so proud of you. Actually this blows my mind that someone could physically and mentally endure this. I think I'm fixing to walk around the block and see if I make it. :)

You do look awfully chipper and NOT DEAD for just running 50 miles! Once again, AWESOME job. How are you feeling???

Well done and way to keep those bad thoughts of quitting an issue! I got to tell you that there just isnt any way possible for me to do that. I give you the utmost respect for attempting and finishing that!

Nice pictures -- glad I can see them now!

Can I start a petition for this Inimitable Mother to join the blog??? It's not fair that she can read about us all and we don't know anything about her! ;)

I'm just his mother.

Yeah, this inimitable mother of mine is a squirrelly character, and she's starting to get the real running bug in her (she's been running for a lot longer than I have, but she's just now getting to where she enjoys it, whether she admits it or not). But I agree with you; she should put some stuff on here; she's got plenty of stories to tell (just not too many about me, hopefully)

I would read Mama's blog.

wow ... congrats man!

You are "just" the mother of a 100-miler finisher... I wouldn't say "just" there... What do we have to do to get you in the blog today???

My blog would be terribly boring -- it would read "3 miles slow in the neighborhood" about 3 - 5 days a week in warm weather, and less than that in cold weather. That would be pretty much it. I'm afraid I'm just a "shuffler." I guess the best story I can tell is that the first time John ("Nevels") crossed a finish line he was still in the womb! (And the same goes for Peter, too, who was one of his pacers.)

Inimitable Mom- your blog would be GREAT!!! I am the Queen of the shuffle!!! :)

Come on mama,please blog! I am probably around your age and I am having a ball bloging with this younsters! Your son is amazing! He is living my dream!

I'm sure your life is a lot more interesting than you think - and part of it is that we have different lives, so we find each other interesting! So, I can imagine what my life would be like with 6 kids like Marion, and she can live the single DC life vicariously through me!

That's such a cool story that you ran when you were pregnant with the kids! Have you checked out fastrunningmommy's blog?

Way to go.

I think I got a couple pictures of you right before aid station 5.

Take a look here, and the couple pictures next to it in the series.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bigrahn/3020983406/

Yup, that's me; thanks, and props to you on crewing. I know that from my runner's perspective, having a friendly face here and there was crucial. How did the race go from your perspective?

That looks like a beautiful run! I hope you enjoyed the scenery and colors! How much was paved vs running in the mts. like that?

Hey, you will be happy to know that I just signed up for a 50k in April. You have inspired me!

It was as very scenic run. I think that there was a grand total of 7 or 8 miles of pavement, 3 of which were at the very end just making our way to the high school track to finish. A little over 80 miles of the race was on those singletrack trails, with a few on jeep forest service roads. Solid course.

Congrats on signing up. A 50k is a fun race, and the atmosphere will be great. Good luck!

Awesome job! Sounds like a solid race, full of adventure.

Since a lot of the people on here are interested in ultras now, is anyone doing the Antelope Island 25k, 50k, 50 mile in March? I will be in Vegas for a conference the previous week, so I am considering renting a car and driving up to Utah and running the 50k. Maybe I could meet some bloggers!

I have run the Antelope 25K and 50K, it is a nice race. You should contact ultrjim on the blog he is the race director.

oops, I missed spelled it, it is "ultrajim"

Hmmmm, a run with Kelsey. How ever would I keep up with you??? BUT, if you do it we will all come and cheer you on and meet you! Keep us updated.

all I can say is wholy cow! That is amazing!!! Good for you!!!

Sorry, I have to plug my race. Registration for the Antelope Island Buffalo Run is open. There is no limit on entries for 2009. come on out to Utah in March. We have a great time. Lots of good food after the race (buffalo stew), some homebrew to replace those lost electrolytes. All trail for the 25K and 50K, a little bit of road for the 50 mile (less than a mile). Wonderful volunteers, some cool give aways, two tech shirts for 50K and 50 mile finishers, and here's the best thing, the entry fee is less than just about any marathon out there. www.buffalorun.org

Sounds like a good race. Any race whose website has a section entitled "Schwag" must be good, and all that homebrew electrolyte replacement is always an added bonus.

I'm likely going to do the buffalo run.

I bet Scott will do it with you, Jon! Especially if I do the other one!

It sounds like a good race. Be sure to write up a race report to let us ultra junkies know how it goes...

I hope you're ready to pound some brews at the buckle party.

You know it!

Nevs -- very nice write up, congrats again! You made it through the low points to get all the way to finish.

For those that don't know how smart this sucker (forgetting the 100-miler he just detailed), I watched him solve a Rubic's Cube in about 3 min while having a conversation with me and Rob Youngren about ultras.

Good luck with the rest of the semester, and see you at the Mist if not before.

Josh

WOW!!! You are a true iron man.

Just couldn't stand it, huh? How'd it feel?

Felt good. Averaged about 7:30 pace. My knee swelled up a little, and my left foot was a little sore today, so I took today off, but other than that, it felt pretty good. We'll see about tomorrow...

Your shoes are they up high in miles? Also are your shoes the right fit for your foot arch? Try doing some stretching to see if that will loosen things up. I would also recommend an ice bath.

I had Achillies Tendonitis for about a month, and all of a sudden it just went away without me really doing anything. Well I did do a lot of stretching during that period.

I've been running in my Nike Trail Pegasus for a while on the roads, because whereas I was not very impressed with them as a trail shoe, they make great road shoes. In any case, they don't have many miles on them at all (~100-150). I do need to do some more stretching, but I'm pretty convinced that my little maladies are just echoes of the Pinhoti not yet fully recovered. We'll see, and thanks for the advice.

Your welcome. It's hard at times what could cause an injury. Sometimes it's just overuse of the knees and causes other areas to hurt as well. It might be that the Nike Trail Pegasus might not work well on the road or causing discomfort where you really don't notice any. I don't know just a theory. Take care.

Good advice. Thanks again, man.

I enjoy the race, it is the training that is sometimes hard to LOVE!! The early mornings...yuck!

You are back at it already, wow!! AMAZING. I hope you are feeling all recovered. What is your next race gonna be?

I am feeling pretty good. It took a couple of easy runs to work some of the deadness out of my legs, but last night I just decided to go with the flow, and it felt great. As far as racing, I am going to run a little 5k in a couple of weeks that my old XC team puts on as a fundraiser (I don't plan on doing anything fast, just showing up to help out), I am signed up for the Mountain Mist 50k at the end of January, and I am thinking about doing the Mississippi Blues Marathon at the beginning of January, but I haven't quite convinced myself that it's a good idea, yet. Other than that, I'm just doing kind of open-ended, all-purpose training to try to stay in shape through the winter.

If it was too much fun it means you didn't run hard enough ;)

So I take it we couldn't talk your inimitable mother into joining the blog???

Are you all healed up yet?

No, I didn't run too hard, so it was a pretty enjoyable run. I think she is pretty adamant about staying off, but I agree with y'all; I think she should get on (she keeps a spreadsheet of mileage already)

I am healed up pretty well; still a little numbness in my left big toe, but other than that I'm back to normal. I have no excuse for not running the past couple of days, just being lazy near Thanksgiving...

funny stuff. thanks!

Pitted olives don't have pitts???

Shelled edamame doesn't have a shell!!!

A wonderful world indeed!

Great miles this week and I love your quote.

Mile man Nevels! I love that quote. We tend to curse the darkness/bad times, but it is only in the darkness/through the bad times, that we witness the most amazing things!

thx 4 the comment

Nevels, am I reading your blog today correctly? 17:30 in a cold weather 5K, holy cold cow, awesome time. Your running accomplishments are way under stated. It would be nice to know all your PRs. Humility, honor, 100 mile endurance, you have super hero running status.

Stay Kool, not frozen, B of BS Rools out

Thanks, Brent. I got started as a serious runner in high school cross country, so short races like 5k's are still fun, but I enjoy the challenges presented in the ultras. As far as PR's, some are good, some are not so good, but here are as many as I can remember:

200m: 0:26

400m: 0:56

800m: 2:06

mile: 4:45

2-mile: 10:30 (split in a 5k)

5k: 16:55

10k: xx35:27xx 34:59

10 mile: 59:19 (part of a 30-mile training day)

Half : I've only run a few as a bandit, so I don't have any real times

Marathon: 3:08:49 (3 weeks after a 40-miler, and 2 days after finishing final exams)

50k: xx4:55~ishxx 4:40

40 mile: 6:57:12

50 mile: xx9:47:47xx 7:53

100 mile: xx28:00:59xx 19:42:53

(updated 9/28/10)

Great quote! What do you do to protect that blister when you run? Antibiotic Cream? Peroxide to dry it?

Nevels, nice PRs. It would be interesting to see what you could with specific training for a marathon. Western States hey?

Stay Kool, B of BS Rools out

cp: I don't really use anything on my feet, but I do try to use good, clean socks, and if I get my feet wet in a long run, I'll change shoes and socks. For everywhere else, though, Body Glide is a life saver.

Brent: I've often thought about what I could run if I took the shorter races more seriously. For example, building up to the Pinhoti, I would go and do 5k's as speed work on weekends, just running them as a slightly up-tempo run and often in the middle of a 15 mile run or so, and I did a couple of these in 17:00 or under. As far as Western States, I have every intention of running it and some of those other epic 100's, such as Leadville, Hardrock, Wasatch, etc., whenever I can muster up the money and time (both of which are somewhat scarce as a grad student). But rest assured, barring any unforseen injury or setback, I'll do them as soon as I can get in, and who knows, maybe I'll even finish one or two...

Um, that is a fast 5k. Maybe you could win some cash if you actually TRIED, seriously! Do they give out cash to winners of 5k's, or just marathons??

Oh, I so love today's quote! It is deep, as always, but I GET IT!!!!

Good luck with finals and have a great Christmas break. I so do not miss college, it is one of the few times I am happy to be a "grown up!"

Luckily you are an ultrarunner so you are used to going above and beyond and can handle marathons in all their forms!

Nevels, mental exhaustion deserves a physical break also. Your finals sound like the CPA exam I took, 3 days in a row, 8 hours a day with only an hour lunch each day.

How long do you have before the marathon? I expect you will break 3 hours.

Stay Kool, B of BS Rools out

The marathon is on January 3, which will be just shy of two months after Pinhoti, so I'm not really shooting for any kind of stellar time; I'm just trying to get a good workout, and if that workout happens to be under 3 hours, so be it...

John, with your endurance training and great speed you could rest from now til Jan 3rd and have an excellent shot at 3 hrs.

If it makes you feel any better, your sister danced a beautiful Snow Princess!

(By the way, if you compare what happened this morning to what COULD have happened, it really is a triviality.)

Whereas I don't think I would have fully appreciated the rest of the ballet, I do wish that I could have watched her dance; will y'all have a video of it?

And I agree, all things considered (especially the others I watched happen after mine), we came out relatively unscathed. That quote was picked somewhat carefully.

I hope that things are better for you now.

Is that how you looked during you concrete final???

Nevels, Mississippi State or Old Miss?

I not sure about the the "look":

Girl watching - Hey she's hot

I'm lost, help?

I need a nap, no sleep for 6 weeks?

Hey, where is that next 100 miler?

Stay Kool, B of BS Rools out

Mississippi State (graduated last year)

The girl in the background does look attractive, but this picture was taken in Siauliai, Lithuania (any guesses on the correct pronunciation?), and I didn't know enough Lithuanian to ask.

Emma: "'Tis True"

Me: "Yup"

Man Nevels I didn't know you were such a scholar. As Emma said, even your name is the name of an intellectual :) Can't wait to be back to jogging, "COACH"!

Nice quote! That is what is wrong with the world. I LOVE it! Nice miles by the way!

fond memories

uh oh

no worries

he he

crankin up?

get ready

irony's awesome!

trouble maker

if possible

you- always.

I try...

I'm hungry...

fast food?

hamburger helper...

sounds good...

apron's ready!

stomach's rumbling

midnight snack

snack attack

apple sauce

chefy b

mac n'cheese

pb &j

ramen noodles

drive home.

i'll cook.

hamburger helper?

sounds good.

please hurry.

be careful.

miss you....

tastily tempting...

still waiting...

delano's approaching

TWO WEEKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

long day

15.25- ROCKIN' all the way!

More than two words today?

Nice run!

Cheers

OOOOO, I really like that quote. GOOD ONE! Great distance, as always.

Merry Christmas!!!

wow. no entry in 6 days does that mean you are actually tapering for your marathon? After the back to back 15+ mile days, I was wondering.

A completely unintentional taper, I can assure you. I actually ran twice this week (too busy looking for a vehicle to run more than that), but haven't gotten around to posting, and now that I'm only a week out, I guess I may as well call it a taper...

Nice taper! Good luck on your upcoming race.

and again i say: weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!

Are ya busted? When is your race?

By the way, I LOVE your blog title! and Happy New Year!

I'm not broken, but I have been rather busy, which is generally a poor excuse, but, for at least most of the days off, I have had extenuating circumstances.

The marathon is this coming Saturday, and the closer I get, the more I think I'm going to treat it like a training run and just enjoy it.

Glad you aren't broken :) Have a great new years and enjoy your marathon! Be careful!

Thanks, and Happy New Year to you, too!

John, Good luck on the marathon! Top 20 would be great. You should be listed with their elites. Put them in their place. Did you see that Bill Rodgers is running the half marathon?

Eat an extra plate of pasta for me.

I just got back from the expo, and Bill Rodgers gave a talk, which was interesting. Jeff Galloway was also there, but I don't know if he is running anything tomorrow. We shall see...

Saw the results. Top 50! Not too shabby. 2nd half must have been a little painful. Been there. A fast marathon is a special jewel to find. Sometimes it just isn't in the cards. Hope you recover well and get back out there to fight another day soon.

As much as it sounds like a cheap excuse, I actually had a blast. I went in with the plan of running the first half at a decent pace (hit the half right at 1:30, I think), and then proceed at whatever pace felt right, which turned out to be slow. In any case, by mile 18 or so, I was in full on ultra-mode, and jogged it on in. I was talking to everyone that passed me, but for some reason, they didn't seem quite as chipper as I did at the time... In any case, I enjoyed myself, and it served as a good training run for Mt. Mist.