Ran the Mississippi Blues Marathon as a workout - I knew I wasn't in good marathon shape going in, so I ran the first half at decent pace and ran the rest slowly enough to enjoy it. Fun race, and I would recommend it to anyone who has the opportunity to run it. Oh well, on to the fun races: 50k's, 12-hr's, and beyond (does anyone know of a good 100 in the late spring/early summer?)....
I knew going into the marathon that I wasn't in top notch shape for the event, given the fact that I had not run more than a couple of miles in the previous couple of weeks, so I decided to run the first half at a decent pace (went through the half at around 1:30), and jogged in from there. From what I saw, this was a good decision on my part, because with the hills in the latter parts of the course, trying to run a fast time could have been a frustrating experience. People would pass me during the second half, and I'd talk to them for a little while, but they would inevitably appear less happy than I was at that point. I guess trying to run hills fast late in a marathon has that effect on people. In any case, it was a solid training run and a fun visit to Jackson.
I'm guessing you've already found this site if you are looking for a 100. But if you've not had any luck finding a spring/summer race try run100s.com
Tue, Jan 06, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
10.25
0.00
0.00
0.00
10.25
"Do not pray for easy lives. Pray to be stronger men. Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers. Pray for powers equal to your tasks. Then the doing of your work shall be no miracle, but you shall be the miracle." - Phillips Brooks
I see you have another 100 miler planned... addict!!!
I had to cancel my 50k plans after talking to people who think it would be too hard for me to run out west with no altitude training. One of these days I'll fit an east coast one into my schedule.
I admit it; I am addicted, but I must say that I think there are worse addictions out there...
Sorry to hear about the 50k; I have heard that ultras at altitude are tough, and given what little altitude training I have done, I would imagine they are correct. There are plenty of good races on the east coast, for example, I know the Georgia ultra group GUTS puts on several good races, and there's always Mountain Mist...
Wed, Jan 07, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
6.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
6.00
weird
Comments
From Inimitable Mother on Wed, Jan 07, 2009 at 21:52:26
I have a friend who is crazy enough to want to do the Barkeley marathons too. Crazy ultra runners :-p. I only hope I can aspire to be like Nevels one day :(
Well she's known about my hard-headed ignorance my whole life; the ultra runner part I'm not so sure about...
From Inimitable Mother on Thu, Jan 08, 2009 at 22:23:25
Yes, I've known he was hard-headed since the day he was born -- ON his exact due date, even though everybody said your first baby will be late -- just hard-headed enough to prove them all wrong! The ignorance part really didn't show up very much until middle school, though, which, interestingly enough, is when the runner part started showing up more and more, too! (Go figure!) The ultra part, now that's new -- it just started showing up in the last 4 years or so. I guess it's a culmination of all the other parts!!:)
Thu, Jan 08, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
10.20
0.00
0.00
0.00
10.20
"Great ability develops and reveals itself increasingly with every new assignment." - Baltasar Gracian
Nevels, coaching seems to be in both your sole and soul. Nice quotes, it reminds me of work assignements, getting out of your comfort zone, face the next challenge, take a different road. Nice quick recovery from the marathon.
Stay Kool, Aristotle, B of BS Rools out
Sat, Jan 10, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
12.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
12.00
"The heights by great men reached and kept were not attained by sudden flight, but they while their companions slept, were toiling upward in the night." - Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
I have finished one 100-miler (Pinhoti) and crashed at another (Arkansas), so I am fairly confident in my ability to prepare for and (hopefully) complete Western States whenever I can find the time and funding to do so, both of which are somewhat scarce for me as a grad student. If I had to give a time estimate, it would be within a couple of years of finishing my grad work, so, perhaps, two to three years from this summer...
How about you; when are you trying to run Western States, and do you have other 100's that you're eyeing?
"Cocooned inside our private dramas, we often don't realize life is rolling by us like it should."
What I live my life trying to avoid...
Tue, Jan 13, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
10.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
10.00
Met and ran with a solid running group today. They all seem to be pretty serious about their training, so I may try to run with them more often; I always like to run with people that are faster than me.
I know that at least one has a marathon PR faster than me, and I think that one has a 5k PR ahead of me. I didn't get a good feel for how fast the other two are, but they all ran 7+ miles with me at what felt like 6:45 pace or so, and they laid out a pretty stout training plan, so things are looking up.
Excellent quote. Made me think of a friend I "lost" because she didn't agree with some of my views on immigration... which was funny because her family is Irish...
8 big ones, you're rockin'! How's the weather down there this time of the year?
It's not quite as cold as up in DC, New York, or Utah, but it is getting colder and colder. The high today is supposed to be 40 or 41 with the low at 19. At home (just a few hours north of here) is was supposed to get below freezing last night and not get back above freezing until the weekend or early next week. To a Southerner, this is pretty cold.
Thu, Jan 15, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
8.00
0.00
2.00
0.00
10.00
"Seek freedom and become captive of your desires; seek discipline and find your liberty." - Frank Herbert
"In the absense of clearly-defined goals, we become strangely loyal to performing daily trivia until ultimately we become enslaved by it." - Robert Heinlein
Tue, Jan 20, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
9.50
0.00
0.00
0.00
9.50
Bartram Trail run with Peter
"There is no cure for birth and death save to enjoy the interval." - George Santayana
Nevels, your runs must be peace on earth. Love the quotes. Boast not, run not for the race, run for the sole.
Stay Kool, B of BS Rools out
Sat, Jan 24, 2009
Race:
Mountain Mist Double (62.2 Miles) 14:48:03
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
62.20
0.00
0.00
0.00
62.20
I had been planning on taking it easy at the Mt. Mist 50k and just enjoying the day, so I was looking for an excuse to run slow. At about 1 pm the day before, that excuse came. A few of us are always on the lookout for ways to spice up races, especially races like Mt. Mist that we do every year and have courses that we know pretty well. It is a great course with vast majority single track trails (probably less than a mile of pavement), three substantial climbs, a plethora of smaller hills, and plenty sections of ankle-breaking technical trails, so three of us came to the only logical conclusion: we should run the course in reverse starting at midnight the night before the real race. Like I said, having a 31 mile warmup sounded like a good excuse for me to run slow.
So at midnight Friday night (or Saturday morning, depending on how you're looking at it), four of us set out to run the course from the finish back to the start. Rob Youngren, another doubler and a venerable trail runner, did the same double a few years ago, but this was the first time in reverse. The course was marked pretty well will flags, but, because he knows those trails better than the rest of us and is much much faster than us, we let Rob lead. The first 14 miles (the last 14 miles if running the actual race in the proper direction) contained two of the three big hills, which warmed up our quads nicely going down, but, as is always true in running, what goes down must come up. One of these hills is called Waterline and has a portion of hand over hand climbing, which was interesting to go down (those that have run this will really appreciate the thought of going down Waterline at night in the rain). Other than Waterline, the first 14 (commonly known as the 2nd half) went relatively smoothly.
At the approximate halfway point, Blake Thompson proved that he really is smarter than the rest of us and called it a night by taking the short jog back up the road to Rob and Kathy's house to sleep. Rob and I pressed on, as did Josh Kennedy, who proved himself to be a trooper, running most of the first loop by himself. The next 17 went by as well as could be expected; the only problems we had were the occasional bouts of windy freezing rain/sleet, which aren't problems so much as slight discomforts. Another feature of the reverse course that proved to be interesting was the ascent up Warpath Ridge (again, other Mt. Mist runners will appreciate the thought), during which Rob smoked me and had to slow down at the top to let me catch back up. Once at the top of the ridge, the next six miles were on noticeably easier trails, and before we knew it, we were done with the first loop in 6:51:05.
As a side note, the wildlife was a captivating feature of the night loop. At one point, we looked around, and with the light from our headlamps, we could see ten or twelve deer on both sides of us staring right back from about 15 or 20 feet away. We saw a couple of skunks (thankfully we didn't excite any of them too much), and with only about two or three miles left, a coyote ran straight into Rob's leg and then back into the woods.
The second loop (the actual Mt. Mist race) started at 8 am, which gave us about an hour to change out of our cold, wet clothes and convince ourselves to do it again. The whole second loop was an exercise in will power. Needless to say, my "excuse" worked; I did run the second loop very slowly. Fortunately, the actual race was pretty uneventful for me; no falls, no cramps, no turned ankles, just the ever-present mind game trying to simultaneously convince me to quit and keep going. The only time I really thought about not finishing the double was about 20 minutes before the actual race (second loop) started, and fortunately Rob, Kathy, Blake, and Josh convinced me to keep going. I ran a large portion of the second loop with Josh, going back and forth between who was in front (he ended up beating my by around 5 minutes), and I know that provided some much needed motivation for me, and it might have for him as well. In any case, once I got to the "halfway point" at mile 17, I figured that I had gone that far, and since there wasn't anything really physically wrong with me (notice I didn't say mentally...) I might as well push through the fatigue and finish. I don't know what the official cutoff time is now, but I know that it used to be 8 hours, so my goal was to finish under that, and I wasted a whole three minutes, because I finished in 7:56:57, which produced my 100k time of 14:48:03
I will go ahead and chalk this one up as one of my more eccentric running adventures, given my complete lack of planning and almost whimsicle participation. All in all, however, I'm glad I did it, and who knows what's next...
From Inimitable Mother on Sun, Jan 25, 2009 at 23:28:53
Idiot.
From Josh Kennedy on Mon, Jan 26, 2009 at 11:00:56
My ankles are still are tad stiff from that adventure. You know, it SOUNDED like a darn fine idea on Fri afternoon! I can now truly say I got that out my system....
So, you decided that your idea of running a 50k a week for a month or two was crazy, but running 2 50ks back-to-back was sane?
It's good to know that there is someone in town who makes me look very conservative with my running, and that whatever crazy scheme I might come up with I'll be able to find company.
From Rob Youngren on Tue, Jan 27, 2009 at 22:04:43
Thanks for keeping me company on Loop 1 John. I was totally shocked when you and Josh just up and threw down the gauntlet mere hours before the midnight start! Awesome job you should be very proud (and very sore)! So what's next?
I don't know, Rob, I caught myself thinking about the triple earlier...
I know I'm not in anywhere near the shape to pull that one off (at least, not under the cutoffs), but it is something to think about for years to come...
From Josh Kennedy on Wed, Jan 28, 2009 at 00:06:20
Not that I'm even considering it, but how would the Triple work? I guess start about 4pm and get done before midnight? Direction of travel is runner's discretion? Rob would have to be the owner of that rule-set.
Intimidating thought, isn't it? Rob and I actually toyed with the logistics of it as we were finishing up loop 1, the thought being, as you said, start at 4pm Friday. As far as direction is concerned, I would probably do it in the normal direction first, reverse second, then normal third (obviously). All of this is complete heresay, however, because I am NOWHERE near in the shape I would have to be in to do 3 loops all under 8 hours. It would be interesting to hear Rob's take on some of the "official" logistical rules...
"A little stiff"??? Wow. You're awesome man! Congrats! You should do the Hellgate 100k this December - I'll be your crew :)
From Josh Kennedy on Wed, Jan 28, 2009 at 17:50:31
Actually I was thinking Loop #3 on 4pm SATURDAY, finish before midnight. Primary reason is that if the actual race was loop #3, meeting the cut-offs would be in serious jeopardy! But, just as Rob got to make the rules for our Double, he/she who does the triple gets to make the rules for that.
But I really don't know why I am discussing this, since there is ZERO chance I will ever do it. After the Reverse Double I got nothing to prove!
Nevels, loss for words, what noble name can be bestoyed that would be of your worthy?
62.2 miles,up and down, darkness, rocks, loose footing, lack of sleep, concentration ....
Stay Beyond Kool, B of BS rools out
From Marcus on Fri, Feb 06, 2009 at 23:35:12
When I was in the Monte Sano Lodge about 30min before Mt. Mist started, I noticed dried dirt all over your calves, and soon there after I heard rumors about people that had run the race backwards already. I thought if anyone was ridiculous to do it, it'd be you.
Wed, Jan 28, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
5.25
0.00
0.00
0.00
5.25
Don't you just love days when all you have to do is the warmup?
Thu, Jan 29, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
9.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
9.00
"I try to avoid looking backward and keep looking upward." - Charlotte Bronte
Sat, Jan 31, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
17.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
17.00
"Attempt easy tasks as if they were difficult, and difficult as if they were easy; in the one case that confidence may not fall asleep, in the other that it may not be dismayed." - Baltasar Gracian
JD: I think this quote was in some graffiti somewhere.
Mike: I agree; I love running in the woods, but it wasn't happening tonight (too busy to get out there before dark), so a slightly up tempo run with the Auburn running club was on the schedule, plus a few filler miles to help me out since I've been slacking the last couple of weeks...
Thu, Feb 05, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
6.00
2.00
0.00
0.00
8.00
"Procrastination is the art of keeping up with yesterday." - Don Marquis
When I left my apartment yesterday morning, weather.com said it was 18 with a wind chill of 5. When I went out running last night it had just dipped below 30. It might not be as cold as Utah, but it's really cold for Alabama...
Nevels, weather will not deter, adds to mental toughness. The lonely long distant runner is peaceful during the winter when roads or trails are not shared with others. Some of the most enjoyable days are a surprise.
OK, the mean streak in me absolutely loves those quotes. I'm going to try and manage that first one into my dinner conversation with the hubby tonight.
I think it means that if you give a man a fish, he'll eat well for one meal, but if you throw a man in the water for the fish to eat, the fish can eat for weeks.
There may be some political/social undertones there, but that's just thinking too hard about it.
"Guard well within yourself that treasure, kindness. Know how to give without hesitation, how to lose without regret, how to acquire without meanness." - George Sand
"It is only necessary to make war with five things; with the maladies of the body, the ignorances of the mind, with the passions of the body, with the seditions of the city and the discords of families." - Pythagoras
Actually, I just noticed two good quotes today on the website from which I get the quotes, and, truth be told, I probably won't remember them tomorrow, so I put them both up today.
Kelli's quotes (and cartoons) are better than mine, anyway.
Wed, Feb 11, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
9.75
0.00
3.25
0.00
13.00
"Education is the ability to listen to almost anything without losing your temper or your self-confidence." - Robert Frost
Comments
From Inimitable Mother on Wed, Feb 11, 2009 at 21:10:18
Education is also the ability to learn to spell, especially words like "THE".
Nevels, I was glad to see that you signed up for the Delano 12 hr.Once again I will be part of a 2 man,2 lady relay team.It will be cool to put a face with the name.
Yeah, I think she especially likes to find little bits of irony (such as a misspelling in a quote about education) and make sure everyone else becomes aware. Oh well; at least she keeps me humble...
From Inimitable Mother on Thu, Feb 12, 2009 at 15:38:17
Hey, it's in the job description!
Thu, Feb 12, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
12.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
12.00
"I can't complain, but sometimes I still do." - Joe Walsh
Comments
From Inimitable Mother on Fri, Feb 13, 2009 at 18:40:29
"Life's been good to me so far."
Fri, Feb 13, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
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Total Distance
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
Running on Friday the 13th just seems like a scary prospect to me.
A long, long time ago... I can still remember How that music used to make me smile. And I knew if I had my chance That I could make those people dance And, maybe, theyd be happy for a while.
But February made me shiver With every paper Id deliver. Bad news on the doorstep; I couldnt take one more step.
I cant remember if I cried When I read about his widowed bride, But something touched me deep inside The day the music died.
So bye-bye, Miss American Pie. Drove my chevy to the levee, But the levee was dry. And them good old boys were drinkin whiskey and rye Singin, thisll be the day that I die. Thisll be the day that I die.
Did you write the book of love, And do you have faith in God above, If the Bible tells you so? Do you believe in rock n roll, Can music save your mortal soul, And can you teach me how to dance real slow?
Well, I know that youre in love with him `cause I saw you dancin in the gym. You both kicked off your shoes. Man, I dig those rhythm and blues.
I was a lonely teenage broncin buck With a pink carnation and a pickup truck, But I knew I was out of luck The day the music died.
I started singin, Bye-bye, Miss American Pie. Drove my chevy to the levee, But the levee was dry. Them good old boys were drinkin whiskey and rye And singin, thisll be the day that I die. Thisll be the day that I die.
Now for ten years weve been on our own And moss grows fat on a rollin stone, But thats not how it used to be. When the jester sang for the king and queen, In a coat he borrowed from james dean And a voice that came from you and me,
Oh, and while the king was looking down, The jester stole his thorny crown. The courtroom was adjourned; No verdict was returned. And while lennon read a book of marx, The quartet practiced in the park, And we sang dirges in the dark The day the music died.
We were singing, Bye-bye, Miss American Pie. Drove my chevy to the levee, But the levee was dry. Them good old boys were drinkin whiskey and rye And singin, thisll be the day that I die. Thisll be the day that I die.
Helter skelter in a summer swelter. The birds flew off with a fallout shelter, Eight miles high and falling fast. It landed foul on the grass. The players tried for a forward pass, With the jester on the sidelines in a cast.
Now the half-time air was sweet perfume While the sergeants played a marching tune. We all got up to dance, Oh, but we never got the chance! `cause the players tried to take the field; The marching band refused to yield. Do you recall what was revealed The day the music died?
We started singing, Bye-bye, Miss American Pie. Drove my chevy to the levee, But the levee was dry. Them good old boys were drinkin whiskey and rye And singin, thisll be the day that I die. Thisll be the day that I die.
Oh, and there we were all in one place, A generation lost in space With no time left to start again. So come on: jack be nimble, jack be quick! Jack flash sat on a candlestick Cause fire is the devils only friend.
Oh, and as I watched him on the stage My hands were clenched in fists of rage. No angel born in hell Could break that satans spell. And as the flames climbed high into the night To light the sacrificial rite, I saw satan laughing with delight The day the music died
He was singing, Bye-bye, Miss American Pie. Drove my chevy to the levee, But the levee was dry. Them good old boys were drinkin whiskey and rye And singin, thisll be the day that I die. Thisll be the day that I die.
I met a girl who sang the blues And I asked her for some happy news, But she just smiled and turned away. I went down to the sacred store Where Id heard the music years before, But the man there said the music wouldnt play.
And in the streets: the children screamed, The lovers cried, and the poets dreamed. But not a word was spoken; The church bells all were broken. And the three men I admire most: The Father, Son, and the Holy Ghost, They caught the last train for the coast The day the music died.
And they were singing, Bye-bye, Miss American Pie. Drove my chevy to the levee, But the levee was dry. And them good old boys were drinkin whiskey and rye Singin, thisll be the day that I die. Thisll be the day that I die.
They were singing, Bye-bye, Miss American Pie. Drove my chevy to the levee, But the levee was dry. Them good old boys were drinkin whiskey and rye Singin, thisll be the day that I die.
From josse on Sun, Mar 15, 2009 at 19:40:22 from 70.192.23.85
I am amazed that you know how to spell such a word. I don't know if you get those smarts from running or civil engineering. But I got to get me some of those.
Wed, Feb 18, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
10.00
8.00
0.00
0.00
18.00
Took a page out of Brent's "Rool Book": pick up the pace into the wind; pick up the pace up a hill; pick up the pace into the rain.
Fun run.
Thu, Feb 19, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
5.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
5.00
"Those who face that which is actually before them, unburdened by the past , undistracted by the future, these are they who live, who make the best use of their lives; these are those who have found the secret of contentment." - Alban Goodier
Yeah, I'm actually already signed up for the Delano 12 hour event. I've participated in it for the past couple of years, and it's a well put together race. The race directors are on the blog at schotz.fastrunningblog.com and jelmo.fastrunningblog.com
An event with a set time rather than a set distance is an interesting variation on the ultra, so if you're on the lookout for something a little different, I recommend the Delano 12.
I wish I would have found this sooner. I've signed up for a marathon the weekend beforehand. I don't think I can get the boss (hubby) to agree to 2 back to back travel races. Oh well, there is always next year.
It's worth doing, and there are distance-oriented events concurrently with the 12-hour; this year I think there are both 50-mile and 50k options (and I think it's the only certified 50-mile in the state), and if you can get past the possible monotony of running in circles for 12 hours (it's a 1-mile loop), the course is a very flat cinder path, so it could be a great place to shoot for a PR in the 50k, 50m, 100k, or all at the same time...
Mon, Feb 23, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
10.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
10.00
"The best and safest thing is to keep a balance in your life, acknowledge the great powers around us and in us. If you can do that, and live that way, you are really a wise man." - Euripides
Nevels - 10 miles ho hum, to the beat of the drum? Upcoming challenges? Mountains to climb, sunsets to watch, clouds to follow? Where is the traveler Nevels heading next?
I'm running the Mount Cheaha 50k this Saturday, and I've got a 12 hour run two weeks after that. Past that, I'm not entirely sure. I like your idea of following a cloud, though...
I have only been on the course once, and that was during the Pinhoti, during which I was going in reverse and mostly at night, so I'm not incredibly familiar with the course, but from what I remember (and things were getting a little hazy at that point in the Pinhoti), it is vast majority single track trail, but I think most of it is more technical than the trail in the picture. Oh well, more rocks means more fun...
From jelmo on Wed, Feb 25, 2009 at 12:19:26 from 97.67.1.66
Best of luck to you and your brother at Cheaha, keep verticle.
From Nevels on Wed, Feb 25, 2009 at 13:44:24 from 131.204.15.93
thanks; we'll need it.
Wed, Feb 25, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
9.00
5.00
1.00
0.00
15.00
"What others think of us would be of little moment did it not, when known, so deeply tinge what we think of ourselves." - Paul Valery
Thu, Feb 26, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
5.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
5.00
"The trouble with jogging is that, by the time you realize you're not in shape for it, it's too far to walk back." - Franklin P. Jones
Sat, Feb 28, 2009
Race:
Mount Cheaha 50k (31.1 Miles) 05:48:30
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
31.10
0.00
0.00
0.00
31.10
This is the fourth year of the Mount Cheaha 50k, and I've been
hearing about it (and its difficulty) since the first running, so this
year I decided that I should finally see what all the fuss was about.
I must say that it did not disappoint.
The night before the race,
I rode up to the Bald Rock Lodge, which served as the race
headquarters, finish line, and location of the prerace supper and
briefing. My brother and another Auburn student went up there with me,
both of whom would be running their second 50k. After eating, getting
some final race instructions, and chatting it up with some ultrarunner
friends, we headed back to the hotel. The next morning, I got up at
about 4:40 to get myself dressed and ready to go in time to make a
quick stop at Waffle House before picking up Josh Kennedy, a friend
from Huntsville staying at another hotel to head toward the race
start. Because my dad had come, we had a driver to take the car back
from the start (once the race was over, there would be no
transportation back to the start), so we did not have to park at the
finish and ride a bus to the start. The race was supposed to start at
7:30, and we had to check in at the starting area before 7:15, so we
decided to arrive at 7. Once we arrived, however, we got word from a
few others who had driven themselves that the bus had gotten stuck in
the mud, resulting in an hour delay. At 8:45 or so, the bus finally
got there, so at 9, after we had been standing around for 2 hours, the
race got underway.
Other than working on getting through aid
stations quickly, I didn't really have a race plan, but I had told Dink
Taylor (the eventual winner), that I would run through the first aid
station with him. Needless to say, this was a less than wise
decision. The first aid station was a little over three miles into the
race, and even though none of the runners around me stopped, I knew
that I had better slow down; otherwise the last few miles would turn
into a hike. After the first aid station, I reigned in the pace a
little and settled into a more comfortable pace for the long haul. The
next several miles and couple of aid stations went by relatively
quickly and uneventfully, plugging away the miles at a modest but solid
pace. Shortly after the third or fourth aid station, my good luck on
the rocks came to and end when I managed to turn my ankle like a pro,
leaving me limping for about a half mile, but, counter-intuitively and
fairly well known among ultrarunners, if you manage to turn your ankle
(as long as you don't actually tear a tendon or break something), the
worst thing you can do is stop; continuing running hurts, but it keeps
the swelling down and lets the blood flush out the area. In any case,
after hitting my ankle, it took quite a while for me to get back into a
rhythm.
Also during this portion of the race, we had several
creeks to cross. The course contained a plethora of little streams and
unavoidable puddles, but there were several notable creek crossings
that could sweep you off your feet if you weren't careful. One in
particular was about 15 or 20 yards wide and came up to my waist with a
strong current. Even with the rope strung across the creek, it was
pretty hard to keep from being carried downstream. Some might see the
creeks as utter inconveniences, but all of them were somewhat
refreshing for me, cooling off (or numbing) my legsand providing a nice break from the monotony of uphill-downhill-uphill downhill...
After
the big creek crossing was another section of trail that spit us out on
a road that carried us to the last aid station. The aid station is at
mile 28, which means that there was only a 5k left in the race. This
5k took me a little over 45 minutes. Why? The first mile or so is on
a trail affectionately known as "Blue Hell." It is an incredibly
steep, rocky section of trail that slows down even the winners, but is
an enjoyable (in a weird, ultrarunning way), albeit difficult section.
Once at the top of the mountain, just a few more minutes of running
through the park to get to the finish.
Marcus Farris, one of
the guys that rode to the race with me, finished about 20 minutes ahead
of me, Josh Kennedy finished in around 7 hours, and my brother Peter
finished in about 8 hours. Several others from Auburn with whom I have
run also completed the race. Allen Smith and Bob Lawson finished a few
minutes after me, and Fred Trouse (who was a pacer for me in the
Pinhoti 100, during which I think the "caught the bug" and decided to
try this crazy pastime of trail ulrarunning) finished a little ahead of my brother.
All
in all, I think this is a very worthwhile race. Although it's not
necessarily a PR course, it does manage to keep your attention (as the
race director, Todd Henderson said, there aren't 3 miles of flat
running in the whole course). This is definitely a race where people
realize that just because you're running on a nice bed of leaves, it
doesn't necessarily mean that you're not running on jagged,
ankle-twisting rocks; it just means you can't see them. If anyone is
looking for a well organized and very enjoyable event that presents a
true challenge to runners of all abilities, I would highly recommend
the Mt. Cheaha 50k.
My apologies on a bit of a ramble.
Comments
From Lucia on Sun, Mar 01, 2009 at 11:48:06 from 98.204.55.168
Ummm... so the race was 31.1 but you only ran 31 miles? Wow you were soooo close ;)
Nice job! Eat and sleep lots!
From Eric Day on Sun, Mar 01, 2009 at 12:01:58 from 187.133.7.5
Rest sounds like a good idea after that! Looking forward to your report.
From Jon on Sun, Mar 01, 2009 at 15:13:37 from 75.169.139.171
Sounds like a nice race!
From jun on Sun, Mar 01, 2009 at 15:24:45 from 71.213.28.43
Fantastic race report and nice job on your finish.
I have my first 30k coming up and I have no game plan yet. With a little luck I'll maintain that winning attitude all the way through. LOL.
From Brent on Sun, Mar 01, 2009 at 17:50:40 from 66.7.127.219
Nevels, liked you race report, ramble on, could read several pages. I am impressed that you had no falls given the hidden rocks. Great race with great buddies, does it get any better?
Stay Kool, B of BS Rools out
From kelsey on Sun, Mar 01, 2009 at 20:05:51 from 98.230.3.218
Nice race! Waist deep crossings sound like fun! (Aside from the wet shoes part.)
How is the ankle doing?
From jelmo on Mon, Mar 02, 2009 at 01:43:03 from 205.188.116.5
great run!, sub 6 on that beast is awesome.
From Nevels on Mon, Mar 02, 2009 at 05:37:55 from 131.204.15.93
Thanks, yall.
Kelsey: The crossings were pretty fun; fortunately the wet shoes never caused any problems, and the ankle is a little sore and swollen today, but pretty good considering...
Brent: I tried to fall several times, but kept catching myself and never managed to successfully hit the deck. And the longer the better...
From Burt on Mon, Mar 02, 2009 at 15:33:52 from 68.76.197.194
Sounds fun. I thought my stream was bad where I had to tip-toe across. Obviously I'm a wimp.
Sun, Mar 01, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
5.33
0.00
0.00
0.00
5.33
I've got to question my own sanity when I use running as my preferred means of procrastination.
Mon, Mar 02, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
6.50
0.00
0.00
0.00
6.50
At the office until 6am. Solid 30 minutes of sleep. Back at the office by 8. Life is good.
Comments
From Deborah on Wed, Mar 04, 2009 at 13:45:02 from 68.98.198.29
Hope you had an extra strong cup of coffee!
From Ericka on Thu, Mar 05, 2009 at 13:37:01 from 66.182.89.5
you can always take a nap under your desk, no one will ever know (:
From Josh Kennedy on Thu, Mar 05, 2009 at 18:24:08 from 70.169.166.66
Cracking the whip on the grad student!
From Nevels on Thu, Mar 05, 2009 at 18:44:23 from 75.143.70.65
Yeah, and the timing was perfect. I can't think of anything I'd rather do the day after a 50k than pull an all-nighter...
Wed, Mar 04, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
8.50
0.00
0.00
0.00
8.50
"Training is principally an act of faith." - Frank Stamfl
Comments
From Kelli on Thu, Mar 05, 2009 at 15:46:07 from 71.219.75.10
AMEN!!!!
Thu, Mar 05, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
10.25
0.00
0.00
0.00
10.25
"Maybe it's easier to like someone else's life, and live vicariously through it, than take some responsibility to change our lives into lives we might like." - Tish Grier
Comments
From Eric Day on Thu, Mar 05, 2009 at 19:12:15 from 200.52.202.163
Thou are wise, my lord.
From Marion on Tue, Mar 10, 2009 at 12:34:46 from 71.213.118.174
That one gave me a little zap in the heart. Interesting... I am going to have to ponder that one ;)
From Kelli on Sun, Mar 15, 2009 at 21:57:35 from 71.219.76.202
How did I miss this one? THAT is what I needed to read right at this very moment. THANKS!
Sat, Mar 07, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
14.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
14.00
"If you have a talent, use it in every which way possible. Don't hoard it. Don't dole it out like a miser. Spend it lavishly like a millionaire intent on going broke." - Brendan Francis
Comments
From kelsey on Sun, Mar 08, 2009 at 21:38:45 from 68.35.237.127
i like it.
p.s. don't know if you saw yet, but there's an ultra article in runners world this month. with a gross toe nail picture. anyway, thought you would enjoy it.
From Nevels on Sun, Mar 08, 2009 at 23:00:35 from 131.204.15.93
I haven't seen it yet, so thanks for mentioning it; I'll have to look it up.
From Will Carruth on Tue, Mar 10, 2009 at 00:49:33 from 24.233.219.64
I'm loving this site man, the rules for commenting are hilarious!
Tue, Mar 10, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
0.00
5.33
0.00
0.00
5.33
"We can aspire to anything, but we don't get it just cause we want it. I would rather spend my life close to the birds than waste it wishing I had wings." - Eli Attie
Comments
From Kelli on Tue, Mar 10, 2009 at 18:33:19 from 71.219.87.34
Another great quote!! I like that one. Great miles this week, month, year, life! You are an inspiring soul.
So, my 50k got canceled. Now I need to find a new one to run this year. Hmmmm....which to run. It needs to be close becasue we already travel too much for running. Any suggestions?
From Nevels on Wed, Mar 11, 2009 at 00:22:06 from 75.143.70.65
Which 50k were you planning on running?
I am not too familiar with many 50k's in Utah, but the Antelope Island one looks fun, and the RD, Jim Skaggs, is on the blog at ultrajim.frb.com. It's a little soon (March 28), but when (ballpark) were you planning on running a 50k?
There's also the Sapper Joe 50k on May 23 in Riverton that looks pretty good.
For what it's worth, if I were in the area, I'd probably run both, so they both look pretty good and worth the entry fee.
Hope that helps, and good luck with whichever you choose....
From Lucia on Wed, Mar 11, 2009 at 14:08:07 from 74.9.147.114
So this means I should stop trying to grow body hair to look like a grizzly bear and move to Alaska instead?
From Nevels on Wed, Mar 11, 2009 at 15:15:18 from 131.204.15.93
I guess it depends on how hairy you've successfully managed to become...
From Brent on Wed, Mar 11, 2009 at 19:56:16 from 66.7.127.219
Nevels, just do it! Great quote. close to the birds - Except for Seagulls, fly around, drop poop, and leave.
Stay Kool, B of BS Rools out
From Kelli on Wed, Mar 11, 2009 at 22:53:05 from 71.219.87.34
I am committed to run a Riverton 1/2 on March 28th, so that made the Antelope Island one out. I may look into the Sapper Joe (being that I LIVE in Riverton). I had not heard about that one. I do have the Ogden Marathon sometime in May, but I do not know when!
THANKS for your input. Now, if that one does not work out, are they any others for next fall that you know about (I will travel some, but just can not be gone for more than 2-3 days, I have 5 kids at home to take care of!)
From Nevels on Thu, Mar 12, 2009 at 16:38:34 from 131.204.15.93
Perhaps the Goblin Valley 50k in October? I don't know much about it, but it appeared to get good reviews.
Wed, Mar 11, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
8.40
0.00
5.00
0.00
13.40
Probably not the smartest thing to do 3 days before a 12-hour race, but I've never claimed to be the smartest runner out there...
Comments
From Will Carruth on Wed, Mar 11, 2009 at 21:08:12 from 24.233.219.64
You need to do some V02 Max Miles John. I've heard they are good for ultra runners.....NOT!
From Nevels on Wed, Mar 11, 2009 at 21:36:07 from 75.143.70.65
VO2 Max miles are handy only in that they do increase the VO2 Max, and that is perhaps the best indicator of natural ability at any given time, but I prefer to go about the same process via lots of long miles, which has the added benefit of training other systems handy in distance running. Just my $0.02...
Thu, Mar 12, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
7.50
0.00
0.00
0.00
7.50
"More often than not, a hero's most epic battle is the one you never see; it's the battle that goes on within him or herself." - Kevin Smith
Comments
From Kelli on Fri, Mar 13, 2009 at 21:43:27 from 71.219.76.202
Ain't that the truth!!! No one knows but me...and everyone I tell.
When is your next big race???
Sat, Mar 14, 2009
Race:
Delano 12 (55 Miles) 10:08:08
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
55.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
55.00
Ran the third edition of the Delano 12-hour run, and, true to form,
I kept up my own tradition of not going the full twelve hours and
stopped around 10...
The day got started at about 6am, in about
47 degrees and rain. The course is a 1-mile cinder path loop around a
park in Decatur, AL, and it is an ideal place to run fast (if you can
keep your head in the game, that is).
Against my better
judgement, I went out way too fast, running with a couple of running
friends of mine from Huntsvillle. After a couple of hours, I decided
that I had better settle into a slightly more manageable pace after
lapping a couple of guys that I knew would end up beating me handily,
and we all set about plugging away at the miles.
An hour after
the 12-hour started, the 50-mile and 50k options started, and guys
began flying past me on a quest to get in a good time, which several
did. As the day progressed, the rain would lighten up, then come back,
but it had more or less stopped completely by early afternoon, which
was a nice improvement. The course was affected by the rain in several
ways. For example, a stretch of about 15 or 20 yards was completely
submerged at the start with about ankle-deep water, which some skirted
around while others (such as myself) just plowed through; I just
figured that my shoes were already wet.... The race directors (Eric
Schotz and Jon Elmore, who are on the FRB at schotz.fastrunningblog.com
and jelmo.fastrunningblog.com) along with a couple of other
volunteers/spectators, did an impressive job of draining the course by
digging trenches and even using a bilge pump to clear the
aforementioned wet spot. Another fun spot on the course was a short
out-and-back that was needed to get the full mile from the loop and
left the cinder path for about 20 or 30 yards in the grass. Needless
to say, a grassy spot in the rain that gets run through by 60 or so
runners 40, 50, 60, even 70+ times a piece over the course of 12 hours
gets to be a bit of a bog. Again, some people kept swinging farther
and farther outside to keep from going through the mud (and avoiding
perhaps losing a shoe in the mud), but, again, being the 5-year-old
trapped in a 22-year-old's body, I plowed right through the mud every
time, and it got more and more fun as the day went on. I truly think
it will take weeks for all of the mud and crud to get out from under my
toenails (awesome!).
While the day went on, I definitely slowed
down, getting passed by more and more people, which was fine with me; I
was well ahead of where I was a couple of years ago at this event, so I
was happy as could be. Once I got to the 50 mile mark, I decided to
just play around, walking and running until I wanted to call it a day,
and after 55 miles, I got to talking for a while, and before I knew it,
45 minutes or an hour had passed, and I figured I would be way to stiff
to do any more running, so I called it a day and turned in my chip.
(So I finished my 12-hour race in 10 - BEAT THAT)
After I got done, a few people kept on chugging along for the
remaining 2 hours or so. Jamie Donaldson, the women's course record
holder at Badwater (135 miles) and 5th place finisher at the 24-hour
World Championships in Korea last year, won the overall title in the
12-hour with 76 miles (I think...). It was impressive watching her
plug and plug all day, not noticeable tiring much at all. Blake
Thompson, one of the guys I started with, kept putting in miles, and I
must say, I expected him to crash at the pace he was holding, but I
stand corrected; he managed to only marginally slow down, claiming 70
miles. Rob Youngren, one of the guys that ran the Double Mountain Mist
with me a couple of months ago (and beat me by an hour and a half on
the second loop), laid down the hammer in the final hours and made up
many miles, undoing the lap I had taken on him and putting many more in
front of me, eventually finishing 69 miles. Steven Speakman, a friend
from Auburn, AL, who had stayed at my house the night before, was in
his first foray beyond 50 miles. I lapped him early, but he easily
reclaimed that mile and kept going after I pulled out, pushing through
all the mental and physical challenges that don't present themselves
until after 50, to eventually claim 65 well-earned miles.
All
told, I thoroughly enjoyed myself. It was a well put on event with a
good crowd of good people, and time-based format provides a good venue
to change the way you approach a race. Much appreciation to Eric and
Jon.
Comments
From Burt on Mon, Mar 16, 2009 at 13:27:16 from 68.76.197.194
Wow, man! Great job and I enjoyed the report.
From mikemac on Mon, Mar 16, 2009 at 18:36:17 from 136.229.5.41
You are da man!! After 55 miles you looked like you had been for a walk in the park.(little muddy though)
From Kelli on Mon, Mar 16, 2009 at 22:01:42 from 71.219.76.202
A 5 year old trapped in an only slightly older body (you are a young one) playing in the mud for 10 hours. Sounds like a blast! So, do you get to switch directions at all? That would be a mental game for me to run the same 1 mile loop over and over and over-----55 times! AWESOME WORK once again. You will never cease to impress me!!!
From Ericka on Tue, Mar 17, 2009 at 13:25:27 from 76.27.95.241
Wowzer!! I've never heard of a long distance race on such a small course, and completely opposite of a traditional race... interesting. 55 miles in 10 hours is an amazing accomplishment! How are you feeling the morning after?
From Nevels on Tue, Mar 17, 2009 at 19:11:41 from 68.159.133.191
Kelli: Playing in the mud all day is a ton of fun, and unfortunately we ran in the same direction the entire day.
Ericka: I'm actually not too sore. I was a tad sore and stiff the day after, but as of Monday and today, I'm fine; I guess I need to push a little harder next time (or actually go the entire time). In retrospect, I should have gone ahead and finished the 100k, but laziness got the better of me...
From JD on Tue, Mar 17, 2009 at 19:33:08 from 64.65.159.206
One man's lazy is another man's 55 mile run...
From Kelli on Tue, Mar 17, 2009 at 19:57:30 from 71.219.76.202
Yeah, that is NOT how I would describe lazy. I can not believe you are not sore!! You are super human.
Tue, Mar 17, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
6.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
6.00
I truly hope that the golfers at Point Mallard enjoy the view of the river.
Comments
From schotz on Sat, Mar 21, 2009 at 16:51:54 from 68.190.4.225
They do have lots of views now don't they. All in all though, I think what they have done is an improvement. I like the look of the woods with all the Privet cleared out. I could have done without the clear cut sections but you can't have everything your way. Did you see the big greenhouse they have now?
Wed, Mar 18, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
4.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
4.00
4 with Lynn at Point Mallard. Sibling company always makes for a great run.
Comments
From Carolyn in Colorado on Thu, Mar 19, 2009 at 13:57:58 from 198.241.156.7
I have a sibling in Madison/Huntsville, AL. Maybe if I lived where you do I could run with a sibling. My brother's not really a runner, but he's a really cool guy.
From Nevels on Thu, Mar 19, 2009 at 14:16:11 from 131.204.15.93
I'm from a town near Madison and Huntsville. They have a great running community, so if you ever get the chance to visit your brother, come out to one of the races (and bring him along - you never know, he might get hooked); you won't be disappointed.
Sat, Mar 21, 2009
Race:
Oak Mountain 50k+ (33 Miles) 06:06:58
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
33.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
33.00
Oak Mountain 50k (actually 33 miles, but, as Dewayne Satterfield remarked, maybe the course was measured in Horton miles - let's see how many ultra junkies get that reference...)
More comprehensive report to come...
Comments
From Kelli on Sat, Mar 21, 2009 at 23:03:00 from 71.219.76.202
Anxiously awaiting! Another 50k, you are an animal!
From JD on Sat, Mar 21, 2009 at 23:05:16 from 166.128.154.202
ROCK
From Burt on Sun, Mar 22, 2009 at 01:00:00 from 98.167.151.26
Dang Nevels! Again? You're giving the rest of us civil engineers a complex.
From marion on Sun, Mar 22, 2009 at 14:49:36 from 71.213.116.115
Cool race! Those are some serious miles :) Anything exciting happen?
From ChrisM on Sun, Mar 22, 2009 at 15:36:24 from 86.133.95.31
WOW! 50k that's super - hope your legs are ok today, mine would be totally mashed!
Mon, Mar 23, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
6.60
0.00
0.00
0.00
6.60
"We may go to the moon, but that's not very far. The greatest distance we have to cover still lies within us." - Charles de Gaulle
Something for us "distance" runners to keep in mind.
Comments
From Will on Mon, Mar 23, 2009 at 20:23:18 from 24.233.219.64
Recovery Run?
From Nevels on Mon, Mar 23, 2009 at 20:56:14 from 75.143.70.65
More or less...
From Kelli on Mon, Mar 23, 2009 at 21:23:33 from 71.219.76.202
I agree. I always do.
From Brent on Tue, Mar 24, 2009 at 22:44:01 from 66.7.127.219
Nevels, any moon shadows to guide the quest from within?
Stay Kool, B of BS Rools out
From Kelli on Tue, Mar 24, 2009 at 23:01:10 from 71.219.76.202
I thought I was having deja vu, but then I realized you did not post a new quote!
From Nevels on Tue, Mar 24, 2009 at 23:31:47 from 75.143.70.65
Funny you should ask, Brent, I got a great night run in tonight. On a more internal and ephemeral level, the shadows of the primary guiding forces within are pointing me along; all I have to do is bite the bullet and follow along.
Tue, Mar 24, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
5.60
0.00
0.00
0.00
5.60
In the office until about 9:15, but it felt too good outside not to run. Great night run.
No quote tonight; instead, I'll reference Kelli's quote for the day. Lance effectively summarizes the inner motivation driving us all to keep...on...going...
Wed, Mar 25, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
11.50
4.00
0.00
0.00
15.50
"Don't bother just to be better than your contemporaries or predecessors. Try to be better than yourself." - William Faulkner
I like this quote. I take it to heart when I head out on the roads. Forget everyone else. It's just me and trying to best what I've done before. Thank you Mr. Faulkner for the inspiration! ;)
From Kelli on Thu, Mar 26, 2009 at 18:49:54 from 71.219.100.181
Okay, that is by far the best!!! I REALLY try to do this and it makes running fun. When I get caught up in beating certain people, the fun is sucked right out of it all.
And MAN, look at you run after that big race. And, to think, I have been moaning since running a mere 13 miles!!! You are a SUPERHERO, I think I have said that before. We need to give you a superhero name.
From jelmo on Sat, Mar 28, 2009 at 20:09:01 from 205.188.116.132
Sorry, this is completely off subject, name the character and movie this qoute comes from "Better, better get me bucket 'cause I think I'm gonna puke!
From Dr. Darwin on Sun, Mar 29, 2009 at 16:08:11 from 12.35.46.101
Mr. Nevels I am phone-less for the time being... but you should pick your brother up and come over tonight, because you know I will be hungry. Sorry this was my only form of communication. Hopefully I will see you later. Good Day Sir!
From Will on Sun, Mar 29, 2009 at 17:16:31 from 24.233.220.5
Nevels,
This is the next race you need to train for. I think I have told you about it before.
http://www.krispykremechallenge.com/index.html
Mon, Mar 30, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
9.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
9.00
9 out at Bartram to clear my head.
Got to test out my new Inov8 Roclite 295's, and they did not disappoint. For any of you trail runners out there (i.e. Ultrajim, Crockett, Tarzan, et al....), I would recommend giving Inov8's a try; they provide great traction and keep your heel low to the ground to let you "feel" the trail underneath you, acting like a minimalist shoe while providing the bottoms of your feet with the protection they need.
Comments
From Kelli on Tue, Mar 31, 2009 at 18:25:59 from 71.219.100.181
I WANT to be a trail runner, when I find a race I can get to!!! So, I will take your shoe suggestion. NancyR is also a trail runner and she is very cool.
I came here looking for typos, but DANG IT, there aren't any!!!!
From Nevels on Tue, Mar 31, 2009 at 20:05:40 from 75.143.70.65
Don't worry, keep looking long enough, and you can't help but find typos, and even if you (or anyone else) miss one, my inimitable mother will most likely point it out for all to see...
From Kelli on Tue, Mar 31, 2009 at 23:38:37 from 71.219.100.181
What does that word mean, anyway? You must come from a very smart family!!!
From Nevels on Tue, Mar 31, 2009 at 23:47:14 from 131.204.15.93
Thanks, although I must say that I think I'm the low man on the totem pole with regard to the average intelligence of the rest of my family (i.e. they're all smarter than me).
In any case, "inimitable" (presumably the word you're asking about) simply means that whatever it is describing cannot be imitated, which perfectly describes my mom. I think all that know her would agree that God broke the mold with her (for better or for worse...)
From kelsey on Wed, Apr 01, 2009 at 10:14:29 from 98.230.3.218
Look at you, always the good student. ("et al.") You've been writing too many papers.
From Kelli on Wed, Apr 01, 2009 at 15:10:32 from 71.219.100.181
I think I lost the majority of my intelligence when I quit working to stay home. I am in two classes right now and writing papers is hard for me. It used to be such a breeze. However, I never used all of these BIG words that you know (I just taught elementary school!!!)
Your mom sounds like a great person, not to be imitated. (I could have looked the word up, but I am lazy. Thanks for telling me.)
Tue, Mar 31, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
9.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
9.00
Ditto
"If you don't know where you are going, you will probably end up somewhere else." - Laurence J. Peter
Comments
From JD on Tue, Mar 31, 2009 at 20:15:01 from 32.176.27.65
Your head must be twice as clear now.
From Nevels on Tue, Mar 31, 2009 at 20:17:40 from 75.143.70.65
Clear and void (but then again, I've been accused of that quite often....)
From Deborah on Wed, Apr 01, 2009 at 09:27:14 from 68.98.198.29
Wow, your quote has just described most of the trail races I've run...I'm trying to find the finish line....I've no sense of direction (or abaility to follow flags) and end up somewhere else all together. :)
I posted some upcoming GA races on my blog if you ever find yourself in this neck of the woods.
From schotz on Thu, Apr 02, 2009 at 15:55:55 from 136.229.5.41
are you back running the same distance every day for a week like you did last summer?
From Nevels on Thu, Apr 02, 2009 at 16:02:04 from 131.204.15.93
Not just yet. I've been heading out to a trail this week to get off of the roads. I think I'll start back my buildup plan in a few weeks or so, though. This time, however, I might have a few alterations scattered throughout the summer to account for a couple of ultras I want to go do leading up to Arkansas.
Wed, Apr 01, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
I need y'all to come up with a good excuse for me not running today, because I sure don't have one.
Comments
From jelmo on Thu, Apr 02, 2009 at 23:21:47 from 68.191.136.253
the weather was too nice, where's the challenge?
From JD on Thu, Apr 02, 2009 at 23:27:07 from 166.128.92.213
Too many circus clowns roaming the hills?
From Will Carruth on Fri, Apr 03, 2009 at 11:33:03 from 130.18.245.191
You had too many exploding buildings to analyze??
Thu, Apr 02, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
9.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
9.00
Slightly up-tempo trail run in the rain - always fun.
Comments
From schotz on Fri, Apr 03, 2009 at 07:54:03 from 136.229.5.41
gotta love the rain runs. They were always my favorite in CC. The best part being running ahead of someone and grabbing a tree branch so that it let loose of all its water on the teammate behind you.
From jelmo on Fri, Apr 03, 2009 at 11:35:16 from 97.67.1.66
...or side kicking a puddle to splash the runner beside you, ah memories of youth.
From kelsey on Fri, Apr 03, 2009 at 14:17:27 from 68.35.237.127
From Nevels on Fri, Apr 03, 2009 at 14:28:36 from 131.204.15.93
Yeah, in 5th place. That was part of my build-up to Pinhoti, during which I would run x miles per day for a week, then (x+1) per day the next, and so on, with a 5k most Saturdays as speedwork. That being said, my time at the Sizzler isn't exactly my proudest moment in running, but it did get the job done (along with two more laps of the course, if I remember correctly).
I actually ran several Gulf Winds TC events last summer and enjoyed all of them.
From kelsey on Fri, Apr 03, 2009 at 14:42:27 from 98.230.3.218
That's cool, the Sizzler is a Grand Prix event this year so I'll be running it. You should do it again. Maybe by then I'll be able to show off a little juggling! (Highly doubt that though).
From kelsey on Fri, Apr 03, 2009 at 14:43:32 from 98.230.3.218
P.S. It's really weird seeing your name in the mix with so many of my running friends from around here!
From Nevels on Fri, Apr 03, 2009 at 14:49:02 from 131.204.15.93
I don't know if I'll make it this year. I was living in Mexico Beach (near Tyndall AFB and Panama City) working at the Air Force Research Lab, but this summer I think they're going to keep me locked up in my office here in Auburn, but if I end up being able to run some of the Gulf Winds races, I'll let you know (and try to put on a better showing than last year's Sizzler).
In any case, I'll be scanning the website for race pictures of you juggling...
Fri, Apr 03, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
3.33
0.00
0.00
0.00
3.33
"Accept the pain, cherish the joys, resolve the regrets; then can come the best of benedictions - 'If I had my live to live over, I'd do it all the same.'" - Joan McIntosh
Sun, Apr 05, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
15.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
15.00
"Knowledge speaks, but wisdom listens." - Jimi Hendrix
Comments
From JD on Sun, Apr 05, 2009 at 19:46:52 from 166.128.191.80
Nice run!
From Brent on Mon, Apr 06, 2009 at 08:20:06 from 168.178.30.75
Nevels, rock on -
B of BS Rools out
Mon, Apr 06, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
9.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
9.00
"The cost of a thing is the amount of what I call life which is required to be exchanged for it, immediately or in the long run." - Henry David Thoreau
As an aside, for anyone that is familiar with the ultrarunning scene, and, in this case, the ultrarunning underworld, the Barkley finished up last night with finisher number 8, Andrew Thompson, finishing in 57 hours and change. Oh, and when I say finisher number 8, I don't mean the 8th finisher of the race this year, I mean the 8th finisher ever (the race has been run every year since 1986, with no finishers for the first 9 years). Quite an accomplishment.
Comments
From JD on Tue, Apr 07, 2009 at 11:25:42 from 64.65.159.206
That would make television viewing very expensive!
From Kelli on Tue, Apr 07, 2009 at 16:53:21 from 71.219.95.20
That is very cool!
I do not get that quote. Am I tired or stupid? Do not answer that.
Tue, Apr 07, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
10.30
0.00
0.00
0.00
10.30
"If we value the pursuit of knowledge, we must be free to follow wherever that search may lead us. The free mind is not a barking dog, to be tethered on a ten-foot chain." - Adlai Stevenson Jr.
Comments
From Metcalf Running on Wed, Apr 08, 2009 at 12:44:51 from 207.225.192.66
Love the quote... I work with a few ultra marathoners... they do the wasatch back 100... Hardrock and numerous others. There is a sick place in my brain that wants to do the Wasatch back 100. :)
From Burt on Wed, Apr 08, 2009 at 19:23:19 from 68.76.197.194
Speaking of barking dogs, my lousy neighbors just called the cops on us because they think our dog barks too much.
Wed, Apr 08, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
6.25
0.00
3.75
0.00
10.00
warmup + 3x2000 + recovery + cooldown
Comments
From Carolyn in Colorado on Wed, Apr 08, 2009 at 20:50:49 from 71.229.164.25
+ good workout
From jelmo on Thu, Apr 09, 2009 at 01:37:19 from 68.191.139.103
ah ha, sneaking in that speed work, I think for self preservation I'll be seing your back at RC10K.
From Nevels on Thu, Apr 09, 2009 at 11:54:49 from 75.143.70.65
Just the usual gentle speedwork that the Auburn running club does most Wednesdays, and it might have just taken all of the speed right out of my legs (if there was any there to start)
Thu, Apr 09, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
9.50
0.00
0.00
0.00
9.50
"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away." - Anonymous, that most prolific of all authors
Comments
From Deborah on Fri, Apr 10, 2009 at 20:50:02 from 68.98.198.29
You know, that Anonymous fellow does have some really good sayings. :)
Sat, Apr 11, 2009
Race:
River City Run 10k (6.2 Miles) 00:34:59, Place overall: 6
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
4.00
0.00
6.20
0.00
10.20
So I went into this race not knowing what to expect as far as my performance was concerned. The River City 10k is a flat and fast course, so I knew that I would have no real excuses for running slow other than my own fitness. Keeping that in mind, I decided that I would try to hang onto Eric Charette, a friend from Huntsville who has been running some fairly impressive times recently, for as long as I could. My initial game plan was to run with him for the first mile or two and then make a judgement call as to whether to stay with him or not.
Once the race got underway, I tucked in right behind Charette and rolled through the first mile without much incident. During the second mile, we plugged along rather smoothly, encountering the only "hill," which would more accurately be described as a slight rise on the course. I did manage to inject some humor into the race when I mentioned to Charette as we approached "Oh no, a hill!" We got a little chuckle out of that, both having some trail ultra experience and knowing how flat the course actually is. In any case, we hit the second mile a little slower than the first, and I noticed I was feeling good, so I eased past Charette to take over pacing duties. The third and fourth miles went by in a blur, being the fastest miles of my race, and they, too, proved to be rather uneventful. Shortly after the four-mile mark, I began to slow, and Charette passed me again. I continued to hang on over the next mile or so, but he pulled ahead a little way, and I thought I would have to finish up alone. Fortunately enough, he began to slow as well, and we maintained a constant separation between us until just before the six-mile mark. I then managed to catch up and overtake him at about 5.9, and I felt fine to put together a solid kick; unfortunately, my body had a different plan. Just after the 6 mile mark, my stomach rebelled. Suddenly, I was convinced that I was going to throw up, and rather than tough it out and let it happen, I slowed down a little in an effort to ease the nausea. Charette, being the solid racer that he is, held the pace he was on and passed me with between one and two tenths left. The nausea did subside, and I simply held my pace to the finish line for a time of just over 35 minutes.
I am pleased with a new 10k PR, but at the same time, I am somewhat frustrated with the final minute of the race, during which I both missed out on getting under 35 and lost to Charette. Oh well, I guess that gives me something to shoot for; Eric ran a great race, which was exactly what I was counting on him to do. In any case, the race was a lot of fun, it was well organized, and it made for a great run.
For what it's worth, my mile splits were:
5:33
5:49
5:29
5:31
5:47
5:35~ish
1:23 (last 0.2)
Revised: Final time 34:59. I feel a little better.
Comments
From Burt on Sat, Apr 11, 2009 at 17:23:44 from 98.167.151.26
dang?
That either means you're not happy with your time (which looks pretty awesome), or you typed up the best race report ever and lost it.
From JD on Sat, Apr 11, 2009 at 20:41:04 from 32.176.77.75
DANG YOU'RE FAST?
From Lucia on Sat, Apr 11, 2009 at 23:53:05 from 98.204.55.168
Dang you rock!
From jelmo on Sun, Apr 12, 2009 at 02:26:06 from 75.137.252.89
nice run
From Eric Day on Sun, Apr 12, 2009 at 09:15:18 from 189.169.185.254
dang or no dang, good time!
From mikemac on Sun, Apr 12, 2009 at 15:38:08 from 136.229.5.41
Nice! Cant beat that puke zone.
Sun, Apr 12, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
3.33
0.00
0.00
0.00
3.33
yay
Comments
From Lucia on Tue, Apr 14, 2009 at 15:12:19 from 74.9.147.114
hooray
Mon, Apr 13, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
11.65
0.00
0.00
0.00
11.65
"That which we persist in doing becomes easier, not that the task itself has become easier, but that our ability to perform it has improved." - Ralph Waldo Emerson
Comments
From JD on Mon, Apr 13, 2009 at 22:47:12 from 166.128.216.90
Emerson's my favorite!
Good miles today.
From Brent on Tue, Apr 14, 2009 at 20:36:49 from 168.178.30.75
Quote is right on, so many say, you make it look so easy. The effort is no less, always pushing the edge.
Stay kOOl, B of BS rOOls OuT
Nevels, challenges, how can they be resisted, mountains to climb.
From Kelli on Wed, Apr 15, 2009 at 22:22:47 from 71.219.84.191
But then we just make it harder again by making it longer or more hilly or faster....
Tue, Apr 14, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
9.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
9.00
"It is in the knowledge of the genuine conditions of our lives that we must draw our strength to live and our reasons for living." - Simone de Beauvoir
HA! They revised the official results for the River City Run last weekend, which gave me the time I thought I had when I finished of 34:59. PR under 35 for a 10k. (Hey, it might not be the fastest out there, but it's exciting for an ultrarunner...)
Comments
From Eric Day on Wed, Apr 15, 2009 at 11:36:03 from 189.192.151.155
Allow me to congrat the sub 35 PR. Super time.
From Kelli on Wed, Apr 15, 2009 at 22:22:07 from 71.219.84.191
A 10k in under 35 minutes? I am super duper impressed. That IS fast, I do not care who you are!
From jelmo on Wed, Apr 15, 2009 at 23:07:43 from 71.91.81.23
maybe something to lift your spirits at mile 75 on your way to a hundred, or not.
Wed, Apr 15, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
8.50
0.00
0.00
1.50
10.00
"I like life. It's something to do." - Ronnie Shakes
Thu, Apr 16, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
12.25
0.00
0.00
0.00
12.25
"In politics, absurdity is not a handicap." - Napoleon Bonaparte
Comments
From JD on Thu, Apr 16, 2009 at 19:55:23 from 64.65.159.206
Lately, your consistency has been consistently consistent.
When's your next race?
From Nevels on Thu, Apr 16, 2009 at 19:59:44 from 75.143.70.65
I don't really know. I've got a 10k in late May and a 50k the week after, but I'll probably enter a race or two sometime in the interim. I am eyeing an 8-hour in Georgia mid-May...
As far as consistency, it is just a reflection of my lack of ultras in the last few weeks and the incredible irony that my mileage decreases during weeks when I'm running long races and increases when I get into short-race mode.
From The Howlinc Commando on Fri, Apr 17, 2009 at 19:47:22 from 72.224.24.41
I disagree with Napoleon.. look at Howard Dean a few years ago and the infamous "Hoo Haaa!" it basically sealed the deal. Unfortunately in American politics absurdity is a game killer ;(
Fri, Apr 17, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
11.65
0.00
0.00
0.00
11.65
"I will not allow yesterday's success to lull me into today's complacency, for this is the great foundation of failure." - Og Mandino
Comments
From Kelli on Tue, Apr 21, 2009 at 19:13:11 from 71.219.75.228
Just reading through all the quotes I have missed! This is a GOOD ONE!
Sat, Apr 18, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
9.50
0.00
0.00
0.00
9.50
runs like this are the reason i love this sport. if you cant sleep and are looking for something to do at 230 in the morning, lace up the shoes and hit the road
Comments
From Eric Day on Sat, Apr 18, 2009 at 09:25:20 from 189.169.185.254
At 2:30 am!!
Man, you ARE a running animal!
Good work!
From JD on Sat, Apr 18, 2009 at 11:51:37 from 64.65.159.206
Ultrarunners...
From kelsey on Sun, Apr 19, 2009 at 11:43:37 from 98.230.1.132
Haha seriously. You're crazy.
From Kelli on Tue, Apr 21, 2009 at 19:14:17 from 71.219.75.228
Nuts, just nuts. I am too scared to run alone, so I just lie awake in bed and stare at the ceiling and think about running!
Have you read Ultra Marathon Man? That guy is NUTS!! Super cool, but nuts!
From Nevels on Wed, Apr 22, 2009 at 21:19:18 from 12.35.46.101
I have read Ultra Marathon Man. Dean is a gifted athlete and an interesting individual...
From Kelli on Thu, Apr 23, 2009 at 16:19:04 from 71.219.98.70
So far I have only skimmed the book, I am reading a different one so it will have to wait. But, WOW. I can not believe some of the stuff he has done (like run a relay NOT as a team and then the marathon in 120+ temps when the asphalt melts your shoes).
From Nevels on Thu, Apr 23, 2009 at 16:33:43 from 131.204.15.93
I actually have a friend that is "lucky" enough (or unlucky enough, depending on your point of view) to get into Badwater, which is 135 miles from Death Valley to the Mount Whitney Portal, during which, rumor has it, you also have to run on the white stripe on the road to keep the soles of your shoes from melting. They offered to let me come out to crew for her, and I really wish I could, but, alas, it is in the middle of summer classes, and I'm already way behind on research. Maybe in the future...
From Kelli on Thu, Apr 23, 2009 at 17:15:26 from 71.219.98.70
Okay, yes! That was exactly what he said in the book. His first pair of shoes melted really fast, so then he started running on the white line. He did not finish this race, he passed out and did not come to for a BIT, right?
WOW, though, I can not imagine WHY anyone would WANT to do that. I really do not like heat, but that is insane heat. You will have to fill me in on how she does. Bummer you could not be there to help her out.
From Nevels on Thu, Apr 23, 2009 at 17:20:51 from 131.204.15.93
Dean dropped out that first year he tried it but has since gone back and finished it (I think several times).
It sounds a little crazy, but I understand for the ultra folks who truly want to see how much they can take in terms of heat and monotony. An interesting side note is that her husband is running the Hardrock 100 just a few days before and then immediately flying out to CA to crew for her. Busy week...
I'll let you know how she does.
Wed, Apr 22, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
11.50
0.00
4.00
0.00
15.50
4 x mile mixed in with a little mileage for the day to make up for my less than copious mileage week thus far.
5:43
5:42
5:42
5:39
Maybe I can reestablish some consistency for the remainder of the week...
Comments
From schotz on Thu, Apr 23, 2009 at 07:11:30 from 68.190.4.225
nice consistency on the mile splits!
From Brent on Fri, Apr 24, 2009 at 13:40:40 from 168.178.30.75
Nevels, very sweet miles, how long was your recovery between the miles? I am impressed, ultra running with wings.
Stay Kool, B of BS Rools out
From Nevels on Fri, Apr 24, 2009 at 13:43:14 from 131.204.15.93
Thanks.
My recovery was a quarter mile jog, which generally took around 2 minutes (I think)
Thu, Apr 23, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
13.50
0.00
0.00
0.00
13.50
"Of course there is no formula for success except perhaps an unconditional acceptance of life and what it brings." - Arthur Rubinstein
Comments
From Lucia on Fri, Apr 24, 2009 at 10:29:32 from 74.9.147.114
Wow, this is one of the best quotes I've ever read!
Fri, Apr 24, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
9.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
9.00
"Ahhh. A man with a sharp wit. Someone ought to take it away from him before he cuts himself." - Peter da Silva
Sat, Apr 25, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
22.75
0.00
0.00
0.00
22.75
"We should be taught not to wait for inspiration to start a thing. Action always generates inspiration. Inspiration seldom generates action." - Frank Tibolt
Sun, Apr 26, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
9.50
0.00
0.00
0.00
9.50
"Hills are speedwork in disguise." - Frank Shorter
That's great, because I must have done the slowest speedwork ever today.
Comments
From Carolyn in Colorado on Mon, Apr 27, 2009 at 00:43:44 from 71.229.164.25
Thanks for your nice comments on my blog, Nevels. You're a machine.
By the way, I love hills. Really.
From Eric Day on Mon, Apr 27, 2009 at 10:55:04 from 189.192.171.112
Good one.
Keep going Nevels !
From Inimitable Mother on Mon, Apr 27, 2009 at 15:27:43 from 207.157.127.254
I'm thinking I've probably got you beat in the slowest speedwork department!
From JD on Mon, Apr 27, 2009 at 20:51:06 from 166.128.137.135
Sorry Inimitable...I've got you all beat!
From Deborah on Mon, Apr 27, 2009 at 22:00:03 from 68.98.198.29
Keep up the hard work on the hill training!
From Lucia on Tue, Apr 28, 2009 at 14:43:25 from 74.9.147.114
I can go uphill fast and downhill fast, but go super slow on flat routes.
Inimitable, if you had a blog we could confirm who's indeed the slowest (wink wink)
From schotz on Wed, Apr 29, 2009 at 12:15:00 from 192.28.0.20
nice work John. I've always loved that Frank Shorter quote. I'll take a hill or a fartlek on trails over a track workout anyday.
Tue, Apr 28, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
6.20
0.00
4.00
0.00
10.20
And hills mixed into a fartlek are just mean
Comments
From Lucia on Wed, Apr 29, 2009 at 12:33:11 from 98.204.55.168
you're a mean fartleking machine!
I can't help laughing at the word fartlek... seriously???
From JD on Wed, Apr 29, 2009 at 17:42:55 from 64.65.159.206
Fartleks are great, except for dog fartleks, those are just plain nasty!
From Nevels on Thu, Apr 30, 2009 at 14:44:21 from 131.204.15.93
you mean you don't blame them all on the dog?
Wed, Apr 29, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
9.50
0.00
0.00
0.00
9.50
"The greatest discovery of my generation is that a human being can alter his life by altering his attitudes of mind." - William James
Comments
From will on Mon, May 04, 2009 at 17:48:45 from 76.247.165.234
Love the quote!
Thu, Apr 30, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
10.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
10.00
"An adventure is only an inconvenience rightly considered. An inconvenience is an adventure wrongly considered." - G.K. Chesterton
Fri, May 01, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
5.50
0.00
3.10
0.00
8.60
Ran a little 5k today that I think was a fundraiser for an elementary school in town. Ran something to the tune of a 17:20, which was good enough for the win (I think 2nd was 18:30 or so), which got me a $50 gift card to a local outdoors store. Oh, yeah, and this was all after a final. yay.
Comments
From JD on Fri, May 01, 2009 at 22:55:11 from 32.176.129.207
How would it be...I should've gone into Engineering.
From Burt on Sat, May 02, 2009 at 00:56:28 from 98.167.151.26
Awesome. Why didn't you enter it in as a race?
From Nevels on Sat, May 02, 2009 at 10:50:32 from 75.143.70.65
I didn't really go into it looking at it as a race, but more as an unscheduled tempo run (I didn't even know the race was happening until Wednesday, and I wasn't sure I was even going to run it until a few hours before).
From Eric Day on Sat, May 02, 2009 at 10:55:18 from 189.192.78.51
Cool. & nice time.
You forgot to enter it as a race..
From Kelli on Sun, May 03, 2009 at 01:14:01 from 71.219.95.5
GREAT JOB! Holy moly, that is fast.
So, what are ya gonna buy???
Sat, May 02, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
20.20
0.00
0.00
0.00
20.20
"Because things are the way they are, things will not stay the way they are." - Bertolt Brecht
Comments
From Lucia on Sat, May 02, 2009 at 20:42:46 from 98.204.55.168
And that's what makes things fun!
(nice mileage btw)
From Mike Warren on Mon, May 04, 2009 at 13:13:14 from 207.50.149.221
Thats what I am hoping for with my race times, LOL. Thanks for your comment on Brents blog. I have really been smart with my running this time, almost all really easy miles. Just hoping to find a rythem at Ogden and hold it. Should be alot of fun.
Mon, May 04, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
13.50
0.00
0.00
0.00
13.50
"Life is far too important a thing ever to talk seriously about." - Oscar Wilde
Comments
From Kelli on Mon, May 04, 2009 at 19:31:02 from 71.219.98.88
Agreed. We all take ourselves too seriously!
Great mileage to start the week off!
From kelsey on Mon, May 04, 2009 at 19:50:26 from 98.230.3.218
Sometimes it's kind of funny to think that we run a half marathon on a random day. And consider it a "medium" run. Gosh we're weird.
From Brent on Mon, May 04, 2009 at 22:19:38 from 168.178.30.75
I read you a Kelli's quotes everyday, seems to help make sense of it all.
Nevels, what is your next quest, adventure, midnight moon chasing madness?
Stay Kool, B of BS Rools out
From Nevels on Thu, May 07, 2009 at 13:38:19 from 131.204.15.93
Brent, I'm not sure what my next boundary-pushing adventure will be. I've got an 8k this Saturday, an all-comers track meet the week after, a 10k the week after that, and a 50k four days after that. I don't really have any big plans past those; I'm just going to try to build up a solid base and get back into good distance shape.
We'll see; you never know what I'll come up with on short notice, though...
Thu, May 07, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
14.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
14.00
"Let not thy will roar, when thy power can but whisper." - Dr. Thomas Fuller
And you're in luck; two for the price of one again today:
"Never feel self-pity, the most destructive emotion there is. How awful to be caught up in the terrible squirrel cage of self." - Millicent Fenwick
Comments
From Lucia on Fri, May 08, 2009 at 13:31:19 from 74.9.147.114
I like the 2nd quote... I am too guilty of doing that...
14 big ones, you're on fire!
Sat, May 09, 2009
Race:
Steeple Chase 8k (4.9 Miles) 00:28:35, Place overall: 2, Place in age division: 1
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
6.00
0.00
5.00
0.00
11.00
Contrary to what the name might suggest, the race is not what you're thinking in terms of a steeplechase; the race route simply passes a bunch of churches. My race was fairly mundane as far as races go. That's not to say I didn't thoroughly enjoy myself; I just didn't have an epic battle for the finish tape that sometimes happens. I started in second, and I finished in second (although I think that if there had been another mile I would have fallen to third, but that's another story). In any case, I beat a guy that I've never beaten before, and I got beaten by a guy that I have beaten before, so I guess I broke even. Oh well; it was a well organized race, and a good time was had by all.
Comments
From Burt on Sun, May 10, 2009 at 00:19:10 from 98.167.151.26
Did any of the churches give you a warm fuzzy inside?
From JD on Mon, May 11, 2009 at 13:11:09 from 64.65.159.206
That's a funny name/premise for a race. Good job. You should change your "Goal Type" on your blog to "local elite". You seem to dominate any of the road races you run.
From Nevels on Tue, May 12, 2009 at 12:05:01 from 131.204.15.93
Burt: To be totally honest, I didn't notice much of anything that we passed along the race route - too much wondering "when is Reneau going to slow down?!" (he never did, by the way)
JD: Thanks. I just figure that I both know enough truly elite runners and I tend to just play around with too many races to consider myself any kind of elite...
Sun, May 10, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
Happy Mother's Day to all of you mothers out there. Words cannot express how incredibly blessed I am to have my ever- and most amazingly Inimitable Mother. No ultra distance I will ever cover could even come close to the incredible effort and sacrifice she has put forth for my siblings and me, and I become more and more aware of this very fact with each passing year. I only hope that I can one day raise a family with as much faith and selfless determination as she has already done.
Thanks, Mama.
Comments
From mikemac on Mon, May 11, 2009 at 06:54:02 from 192.28.0.21
Its amazing how much smarter our moms get the older we get.
From Kelly on Tue, May 12, 2009 at 21:29:09 from 24.181.89.168
Your mom had told me you had written something that brought tears to eyes! Wow- that gives me hope because we are just entering the teen years with the girls:)
Mon, May 11, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
13.50
0.00
0.00
0.00
13.50
"The greatest good you can do for another is not just share your riches, but to reveal to him his own." - Benjamin Disraeli
Tue, May 12, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
10.50
0.00
0.00
0.00
10.50
running = escape
Comments
From Brent on Tue, May 12, 2009 at 22:25:47 from 168.178.30.75
Freedom Running
From sam on Wed, May 13, 2009 at 07:40:02 from 78.32.130.9
running = less frustrations
From montelepsy on Wed, May 13, 2009 at 07:53:05 from 64.235.121.163
If you drop the last "e" off of escape can you find the sequence that the remaining letters follow?
From Nevels on Wed, May 13, 2009 at 12:18:25 from 131.204.15.93
working on it...
From montelepsy on Fri, May 22, 2009 at 16:31:04 from 64.235.121.163
Would you like a hint? It's really not obvious...
Wed, May 13, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
18.75
0.00
2.00
0.00
20.75
"There is theory which states that if ever anybody discovers exactly what the Universe is for and why it is here, it will instantly disappear and be replaced by something even more bizarre and inexplicable. There is another theory which states that this has already happened." - Douglas Adams
Comments
From jelmo on Wed, May 13, 2009 at 15:52:18 from 24.181.89.168
busted out 1000+ and it's only May, nice job!
From JD on Wed, May 13, 2009 at 15:57:01 from 64.65.159.206
The answer is...42...
From Nevels on Wed, May 13, 2009 at 16:17:16 from 131.204.15.93
but what is the question...?
From JD on Wed, May 13, 2009 at 21:30:32 from 32.176.62.205
"What is the answer to the ultimate question of life, the universe, and everything?"
(okay, I had to google the precise question, but I've always known the answer was 42).
Thu, May 14, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
6.70
0.00
0.00
0.00
6.70
"Son, you need to buy a car!" - Mrs. Hunt, my high school cross country coach, as she drove past me today toward the end of my run.
I agreed
Comments
From Kelli on Thu, May 14, 2009 at 20:18:51 from 71.219.89.37
That is so funny! Why get a car when you can run like you do?
From Eric Day on Fri, May 15, 2009 at 11:31:49 from 189.192.26.241
LOL, good one.
Why spend money on a car when you can run...
Fri, May 15, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
11.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
11.00
"There is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening, that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one of you in all time, this expression is unique. And if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and will be lost." - Martha Graham
Mon, May 18, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
13.50
0.00
0.00
0.00
13.50
So I went ahead and decided to help out with Eric Schotz and Jon Elmore (schotz and jelmo on the blog) with the Run Across Alabama to benefit Tay Sachs disease. Eric's son Elliott was diagnosed with Tay Sachs several months ago, and currently there is no cure, so a group is running across the state to raise awareness and money for research. There is a link to the website for our run under the personal tab of my blog on the left, toward the bottom of the page. Take a look...get involved...
I'll only be running the last couple of days, but three guys (Schotz, Elmore, and Charette) will be covering the whole state in four days. It should be interesting...
Comments
From Lucia on Wed, May 20, 2009 at 16:16:28 from 74.9.147.114
I just read a little on the blog and about the disease (with tears in my eyes of course) - who could resist to contribute for such a worthy cause, Elliot is adorable! Good luck and have fun! I'll see how I can get involved, but can't figure out how the virtual running works... I'll get it eventually, i'm just a little slow :)
From JD on Tue, May 19, 2009 at 20:09:23 from 166.128.96.188
42.
From Eric Day on Wed, May 20, 2009 at 11:38:54 from 189.192.248.57
!!
From jelmo on Wed, May 20, 2009 at 15:31:15 from 97.67.1.66
ours is not to question why, ours is just to do and die.
From Nevels on Wed, May 20, 2009 at 17:07:03 from 131.204.15.93
spoken like a true ultrarunner
From Heather on Wed, May 20, 2009 at 17:57:53 from 143.117.236.41
Yeah, guiding one more summer! You're welcome to come out and train at altitude any time... I think Twig's going to come out in July.
That race across AL is cool, man! How's the training coming?
Wed, May 20, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
11.10
0.00
0.00
0.00
11.10
"How can you say luck and chance are the same thing? Chance is the first step you take, luck is what comes afterwards." - Amy Tan
Comments
From Eric Day on Thu, May 21, 2009 at 10:45:09 from 189.192.5.154
Nice quote, great mileage!
=)
Thu, May 21, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
6.00
4.00
0.00
0.00
10.00
"A goal without a plan is just a wish." - Antoine de Saint Exupery
Comments
From Eric Day on Fri, May 22, 2009 at 11:07:51 from 189.192.124.44
So my wishes don't count?
From JD on Fri, May 22, 2009 at 16:28:14 from 64.65.159.206
So, does that make a wish without a plan just a goal?
From Nevels on Fri, May 22, 2009 at 19:11:09 from 75.143.72.213
I don't know; let's see:
goal - plan = wish
Algebraically:
goal = wish + plan
Also:
(goal - plan) - plan = wish - plan
Therefore:
wish - plan = goal - 2plans
So, clearly, the answer is:
42
Fri, May 22, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
10.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
10.00
soothing rain run
Comments
From kelsey on Sat, May 23, 2009 at 13:45:38 from 75.65.235.114
weirdo! just kidding, i need to get more motivated on rainy days.
have you ever done the magnolia meltdown in jackson? i did that one this morning. pretty nice, actually gave a technical shirt and the mississippi track club got timing chips. impressive.
From Eric Day on Mon, May 25, 2009 at 12:12:41 from 200.52.200.64
ahhhh! rain runs! I want another one!
From Nevels on Mon, May 25, 2009 at 20:55:56 from 75.143.88.18
I've never done the magnolia meltdown, but I am impressed that the MTC got chip timing. Congrats on the win.
Mon, May 25, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
4.50
0.00
9.30
0.00
13.80
Cotton Row Run today in Huntsville. Ran a 37:10 in the 10k, which made for a good, solid-effort tempo run, and then ran the 5k, but ran it in a slightly more fun way than normal. I waited until all 1500 people in the race got ahead of me, and then started trying to see how far up I could get after starting in the very back. In any case, fun day.
We'll see how poor of a decision this was for the 50k on Saturday...
Comments
From mikemac on Mon, May 25, 2009 at 21:22:18 from 192.28.0.21
Great job in the 10k.Where did you end up in the 5k?
From Nevels on Mon, May 25, 2009 at 21:26:50 from 75.143.88.18
I ran as a bandit, so I won't have an official time, but I think it was around 20:30 (with which I am pleased, considering that I waited ~2 minutes for everyone to get by before I even started...)
From mikemac on Mon, May 25, 2009 at 21:28:53 from 192.28.0.21
Awesome!
From Will on Mon, May 25, 2009 at 22:01:18 from 24.233.219.64
So I gotta ask, how many people did you pass in the 5k?
From Nevels on Mon, May 25, 2009 at 22:13:23 from 75.143.88.18
Looking at the results, there were 1677 people in the 5k, and if I had officially finished in 20:30, I would have been 29th, so I passed 1649 people.
From Will on Tue, May 26, 2009 at 14:38:31 from 130.18.173.86
Hey man thanks for the congrats! I'm lucky that I've been able to work on my research this summer, so maybe the school year won't be so bad. I hope your research is going well, and good luck on your 50k.
From Nevels on Tue, May 26, 2009 at 14:41:06 from 131.204.15.93
What is your research project/thesis going to be?
From Will on Tue, May 26, 2009 at 15:05:42 from 130.18.173.86
Right now I’m working on testing cement stabilized slurries with Dr. Howard. Later this summer I’ll be starting testing on dewatering of slurries, so I have to pick my thesis to either be on cement-soil chemistry or dewatering and construction methods. I think I have to decide by October or something. I got an offer from N.C. State to go up there and do some computer modeling with Lunar soils, but I really like the research I’m doing here so far, so I think I made a good decision. Are you still working on “blowing stuff up” modeling? In Florida??
From Nevels on Tue, May 26, 2009 at 15:20:30 from 131.204.15.93
I would imagine that it's pretty fun working with Dr. Howard, so I'm sure you made the right decision. As far as the topic, it sounds interesting, but you'll have to explain whichever one you pick to me at some point. (I'm but a lowly computer modeler...)
I'm chilling here in Auburn for the summer, taking a class and trying to get the models running. yay...
Tue, May 26, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
11.85
0.00
0.00
0.00
11.85
You know, if the worst I have to complain about today is this run, then it's been a pretty good day.
Comments
From marion on Wed, May 27, 2009 at 23:08:02 from 71.219.53.30
Amen!
From JD on Wed, May 27, 2009 at 23:56:47 from 166.128.237.207
That would make a good quote...
Wed, May 27, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
16.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
16.00
"Do not consider painful what is good for you." - Euripides
Comments
From Eric Day on Wed, May 27, 2009 at 13:10:27 from 189.192.193.220
Short run today?
From Nevels on Wed, May 27, 2009 at 13:50:08 from 131.204.15.93
Morning trail run to get my trail legs back under me for a race this Saturday. I'll fill out the rest of the mileage this evening with a fun little run with some friends...
From Kelli on Wed, May 27, 2009 at 15:28:29 from 71.219.85.34
REALLY??? #1-I do not like pain. #2-9 miles is short??? Come on! You are superman! Another run later...makes me tired just thinking about it.
From JD on Thu, May 28, 2009 at 11:37:07 from 64.65.159.206
Looks like we all toppled the "hot discussions" board...alas, all good things must come to an end.
From Kelli on Thu, May 28, 2009 at 12:40:26 from 71.219.98.183
Where did it go?????
From Eric Day on Thu, May 28, 2009 at 13:06:04 from 189.192.70.151
twilight zone ...
From Carolyn in Colorado on Thu, May 28, 2009 at 16:00:34 from 198.241.156.7
So Nevels, I just put together your reference to Huntsville (in a different day's post) and the fact that you live in Alabama. My favorite brother lives in Madison and works at the Red Stone Arsenal. Alas, I do not visit him as much now as I did when I lived in Illinois.
From Lucia on Thu, May 28, 2009 at 18:43:43 from 74.9.147.114
Hmmm... I think school is quite painful but good for me... what should I do?
Thu, May 28, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
10.70
0.00
0.00
0.00
10.70
"If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate." - Henry J. Tillman
Comments
From Inimitable Mother on Thu, May 28, 2009 at 21:12:36 from 68.159.133.183
oooohhhhhhh! That one hurt!!
From Carolyn in Colorado on Fri, May 29, 2009 at 11:01:04 from 71.229.164.25
I would hate to be a precipitate. It would make me feel like rain.
From HMBeasley on Fri, May 29, 2009 at 17:28:56 from 143.117.236.41
If you're not part of the solution, it might not be a homogenous mixture.
Yeah, mom told me 'bout that over skype the other evening! Congrats on your times, sounds like it was a good day (not too hot from what mi madre said). Yeah, over here in N. Ireland, hence the references to Belfast everwhere :) I actually don't think that many people from ol' M. State even knew I was going, so yeah, it's been a good and educational semester...
Fri, May 29, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
2.70
0.00
0.00
0.00
2.70
I needed an excuse to take a shower.
Comments
From Brent on Fri, May 29, 2009 at 18:41:34 from 168.178.30.75
Nevels, what's up? some nagging thing? Not often you run unless time is counted by the hour or days.
Stay Kool, B of BS Rools out
From Nevels on Fri, May 29, 2009 at 18:57:53 from 75.143.88.18
I have a 50k tomorrow morning, so I figured that 55 miles for the week before the race starts is plenty. We'll see...
From kelsey on Fri, May 29, 2009 at 19:09:36 from 75.65.234.176
Good luck tomorrow!!
From Brent on Fri, May 29, 2009 at 19:11:02 from 168.178.30.75
Nevels, best to you at the race, look forward to a detailed race report. I know, not always you style, but, a race report often motivates others, me.
Stay Kool, B of BS Rools out
From Inimitable Mother on Fri, May 29, 2009 at 20:03:02 from 68.159.133.183
You don't need an excuse to take a shower.
From Carolyn in Colorado on Sat, May 30, 2009 at 15:50:48 from 71.229.164.25
Good luck on the race, which you've probably already done by now. A race report would be marvelous. And I hope you take a shower after the race.
Sat, May 30, 2009
Race:
Sweet H2O 50k (31 Miles) 05:01:25, Place overall: 10
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
31.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
31.00
So this was a pretty fun race...
I went to the Sweet H2O not really knowing what to expect. The elevation profile had its share of spikes, but none of the climbs were that long; on the other hand previous years' times seemed to be somewhat slower than most 50k's, so I was curious to see how it all panned out.
So at 3:20 this morning, Heather May, a friend from Auburn and venerable runner (having gone to the US Women's Olympic Marathon Trials the last two times), who was running her first trail 50k, got on the road to get to the park just west of Atlanta. Once we got there and got checked in, we had a little time to mill about and found several others from Auburn, including two more first time 50k-ers. I also got the privilege of meeting Deborah from the blog before the race started (aka the Little Engine that Could), and she seemed in good spirits for the day.
Right at 7:30, we got started, and from the start, I could feel and was telling people that we were moving quite a bit faster than course record pace. Even as the field thinned out several miles into the race, it still felt like I was moving a bit more quickly than I had anticipated, considering that all I wanted out of the race was a solid long run with relatively even energy levels (having run decent mileage all week somewhat nixed the idea of truly racing). The trail was very scenic, often running by the Sweetwater Creek, and it appeared to be, for the most part, very runnable. There were several relatively steep climbs early on, but nothing to write home about. That changed around mile 7....
Around mile 7, we came to a part of the course known as the Top of The World, which is a series of several brutally steep climbs through powerline cuts, each of which had an equally brutal, knee pounding, and somewhat frightening descent, and the whole section let you fry, being almost totally exposed. The best part about the Top of The World - we got the joy and priveledge of running it again around mile 23. I couldn't wait...
The next several miles were, as I mentioned earlier, by and large very runnable and went by relatively uneventfully. We got to cross a stream whose girth and current put those I mentioned in the Mt. Cheaha report to shame. The stream was wide enough to warrant (in the race director's eyes, at least), a rescue team on the other side to both instruct runners on how to effectively cross using the rope provided and to retrieve any runners who happened to want to ride the waves downstream a little. It was incredibly fun, and to cap off the stream crossing experience, there was a short, incredibly steep climb immediately following the crossing. Awesome.
At mile 23, we hit the aid station that signaled going back out to the Top of The World, but this time we got to take it from a different angle, and I'm not sure whether it was longer the first time or the second time, but both had all kinds of dramatic elevation changes that left the quads, knees, and back begging for mercy. My kind of section...
Once we got back to the aid station after the lovely Top of The World traverse, it was only a four mile jaunt to the finish, so I just trotted my way to the finish, and that was that. I will say, though, that I was surprised to see that I beat the old course record time of 5:01:44 which was good enough for 10th this year (the winner took an amazing 40 minutes off of the old course record with a blazing 4:20). Hmmm...
Shortly after I finished, Heather, my friend from Auburn, came in, taking the win for the women (for which she got one of the larger steins I have seen in recent history). Two of the guys from Auburn, Marcus Farris and Eric Gilbertson, smoked the course, finishing well ahead of me, two more guys from Auburn, Blake Henry and Lance Haney, completed their first 50k with style around an hour later, and Bob Lawson, a professor at Auburn, finished shortly after Heather. All in all, it was a solid day for Auburn ultrarunners...
After the race, we all sat around chatting it up for a while (sorry Deborah, I hope I didn't bore you too much or talk your ear off, but thanks for listening to me ramble). Fred Trouse, one of my pacers from Pinhoti, had apparently taken a pretty nasty fall and had to pull out, but was in great spirits at the finish nonetheless. It's always nice to see Fred...
A couple hours after we finished, Heather and I loaded back up in the truck and headed back to Auburn, one more race richer. To end my little ramble, I'll just say that if anyone ever has the chance, I would highly recommend this race. It has its fair share of incredibly challenging spots as well as some of the most runnable trail I've ever encountered. Fun stuff....
Comments
From Kelli on Sat, May 30, 2009 at 19:52:15 from 71.219.98.183
GREAT JOB! I would like to see what not "that long" of a hill looks like to you!!!
From JD on Sat, May 30, 2009 at 20:23:14 from 32.176.177.201
There must be something funky in the water y'all are drinking out there!
From Carolyn in Colorado on Sat, May 30, 2009 at 20:28:11 from 71.229.164.25
You really are a glutton for punishment. Dramatic elevation changes are your kind of section?! Not only are those ultra races long, but they've got crazy terrain.
Great job beating the course record and 10th place finish. And congratulations to your friend who took 1st for the women. You both are amazing.
From Brent on Sat, May 30, 2009 at 20:40:31 from 66.7.127.219
Nevels, mercy, without Duffy, great run, 1,000 commando points for being at the top of the world twice. Also, really liked reading your race report. Do Auburn fans like Utah beating bama? (had to throw that one in there, Go Utes)
Stay Kool, the hills are alive< B of BS Rools out
From Kelli on Sat, May 30, 2009 at 21:20:34 from 71.219.98.183
I only got the abbreviated report, so I had to come back for me. Now, I am TRULY in awe! And how fun to get to hold on to a rope and cross over (or through??) a river! That doesn't happen in every 50k!
Glad you had FUN and got to meet some new people!
From jelmo on Sun, May 31, 2009 at 22:54:26 from 68.117.245.18
great race John!, I'll put that one on my list.
From Heather on Mon, Jun 01, 2009 at 12:30:46 from 131.204.126.178
John, excellent race from you, and I can't believe what a beast you are. I am still completely hobbled. Of course, it's probably not so bad if you don't fall four times and if you are better trained for it! Maybe I'll be able to rejoin for a run in the next month. ;)
From Lucia on Mon, Jun 01, 2009 at 15:01:00 from 74.9.147.114
Wow, congratulations, sounds like a great time! You are one tough cookie!
From Deborah on Tue, Jun 02, 2009 at 09:28:21 from 129.54.8.46
Bore me? Are you kidding? I'm an engineer...I live for interesting stuff like that. Thanks for sharing.
Also, congrats on your finish.
Sun, May 31, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
10.90
0.00
0.00
0.00
10.90
Well it was 20 years ago today,
Sargent Pepper taught a band to play,
They've been going in and out of style,
But there guaranteed to raise a smile,
So may I introduce to you,
The act you've known for all these years,
Sargent Peppers Lonely hearts club band!
We're Sargent Peppers Lonely hearts club band, we hope you will enjoy the show,
We're Sargent Peppers Lonely hearts club band, sit back and let everything go,
We're Sargent Peppers Lonely, Sargent Peppers Lonely,
Sargent Peppers lonely hearts club band!
It wonderful to be here,
its certainly a thrill,
You're such a lovely audience we'd like to take you home with us we'd love to take you home!
I don't really wanna stop the show,
But I thought you might like to know,
That the singers gonna sing a song,
And he'd like you all to sing along,
So may I introduce to you,
The one an only Billy Shears,
And Sargent peppers lonely hearts club band!
Comments
From JD on Mon, Jun 01, 2009 at 11:36:47 from 64.65.159.206
So, 10.9 miles the day after a 31 mile mountain odyssey, that's some kind of recovery man!
From Inimitable Mother on Mon, Jun 01, 2009 at 18:09:25 from 68.159.133.183
What would you think if I sang out of tune?
From Carolyn in Colorado on Tue, Jun 02, 2009 at 12:16:22 from 198.241.217.15
I don't know, but for the benefit of Mr. Kite, there will be a show tonight.
Mon, Jun 01, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
13.50
0.00
0.00
0.00
13.50
What would you think if I sang out of tune,
Would you stand up and walk out on me.
Lend me your ears and I'll sing you a song,
And I'll try not to sing out of key.
I get by with a little help from my friends,
I get high with a little help from my friends,
Going to try with a little help from my friends.
What do I do when my love is away.
(does it worry you to be alone)
How do I feel by the end of the day
(are you sad because you're on your own)
No I get by with a little help from my friends,
Do you need anybody,
I need somebody to love.
Could it be anybody
I want somebody to love.
Would you believe in a love at first sight,
Yes I'm certain that it happens all the time.
What do you see when you turn out the light,
I can't tell you, but I know it's mine.
Oh I get by with a little help from my friends,
Do you need anybody,
I just need someone to love,
Could it be anybody,
I want somebody to love.
I get by with a little help from my friends,
Yes I get by with a little help from my friends,
With a little help from my friends.
Comments
From Kelli on Tue, Jun 02, 2009 at 15:37:50 from 71.219.98.183
;-)
From Josh Kennedy on Tue, Jun 02, 2009 at 16:42:47 from 136.205.16.3
Joe Cocker, best version of this one!
Tue, Jun 02, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
I'll run later, but I thought that since I've got your attention, I'd bring up the fact that it is now less than a month until the Run Across Alabama for Elliott begins. Check out the website at:
Very poignant entry today from Elliott's mom Liza.
As one who can attest to the character of the entire Schotz family, please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.
Comments
From Burt on Tue, Jun 02, 2009 at 14:53:37 from 68.76.197.194
Thanks for the update.
From Kelli on Tue, Jun 02, 2009 at 15:41:52 from 71.219.98.183
WOW, thanks for sharing that. What a sad thing, but they do seem very positive!
So, where do we donate? Did I miss it on there? Are you running?
From Kelli on Tue, Jun 02, 2009 at 15:42:47 from 71.219.98.183
NEVER MIND!!! I am an idiot---I see it all now (and see that you are running part of it). I type before I think.
Wed, Jun 03, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
7.60
0.00
3.10
0.00
10.70
"What we hope ever to do with ease we may learn first to do with diligence." - Samuel Johnson
Thu, Jun 04, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
Time for another shameless plug for the Run Across Alabama for Elliott. The run finishes up one month from today at the Alabama-Mississippi State Line just west of Red Bay, Alabama, at which point Eric Schotz, Jon Elmore, and Eric Charette will have run 183 miles over the course of four days across AL (I will only be running a paltry 75 or so miles over the course of the last two days).
If you are unfamiliar with the event, it is for a great cause, benefiting the research of a heartbreaking childhood disease. Check out the website:
From Carolyn in Colorado on Thu, Jun 04, 2009 at 14:23:14 from 198.241.217.15
A paltry 75 or so miles over the course of the last two days. You know how absurd that sounds, right?
Fri, Jun 05, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
6.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
6.00
"The strongest principle of growth lies in human choice." - George Eliot
Sun, Jun 07, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
10.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
10.00
Some days you just aren't feeling it, and that was today for me, but reading Holt and Crockett's reports on the Squaw Peak 50 was just what I needed to see to get my lazy bum in gear.
Hey Nevels : Was wondering if you could send me a suggestion on how to organize something like the runacrossalabama thing. I want to be productive on the bike. How do I organize a ride to raise money?
From Jelmo on Sun, Jun 07, 2009 at 23:11:17 from 71.91.80.193
yum...cupcakes
From Kelli on Tue, Jun 09, 2009 at 12:24:39 from 71.219.74.247
You are the farthest thing from lazy I know, but glad to hear you are human! Their race reports were amazing.
From Kelsey on Wed, Jun 10, 2009 at 13:20:07 from 24.35.47.77
Why would cupcake time ever end???
Mon, Jun 08, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
13.50
0.00
0.00
0.00
13.50
"I was the kid next door's imaginary friend." - Emo Phillips
Tue, Jun 09, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
14.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
14.00
Don't you love the days when you can set your body on auto-pilot and let your mind just come along for the ride...
Comments
From Kelli on Tue, Jun 09, 2009 at 19:38:48 from 71.219.74.247
It has never happened. Seriously, you are a RUNNER!
So, I REALLY am going to do a 50k. I just need to find one in November (I am still mad about my April one being canceled due to the economy!) Is there a good place to look, or should I just google it?
From JD on Tue, Jun 09, 2009 at 19:44:40 from 166.203.149.252
Love it when that happens.
You've been running a lot of great mileage lately. Nice job!
From Brent on Tue, Jun 09, 2009 at 22:21:16 from 76.8.201.223
Nevels, love those cruise control days, don't remember the run, just lost in a day dream, with the loving spoonful.
Stay Kool, B of BS Rools out
From Kelli on Wed, Jun 10, 2009 at 00:12:57 from 71.219.74.247
Oh, okay then...I have had that kind of run! I never remember anything I see, it is all a dream like state, fuzzy around the edges.
From Eric Schotz on Wed, Jun 10, 2009 at 21:29:12 from 68.190.4.225
Nice mileage. How about in july we get you fitted with a harness and you pull us from Hartselle to Russellville? We'll feed you cupcakes every mile.
Wed, Jun 10, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
8.00
0.00
3.00
0.00
11.00
"In great affairs men show themselves as they wish to be seen; in small things they show themselves as they are." - Nicholas Chamfort
Thu, Jun 11, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
13.50
0.00
0.00
0.00
13.50
"Live in such a way that you would not be ashamed to sell your parrot to the town gossip." - Will Rogers
Comments
From jun on Thu, Jun 11, 2009 at 10:06:52 from 66.239.250.209
Nice miles. Not only would I not be able to sell my parrot to the town gossip, I would probably have to kill it before giving it away. Does that mean I should be ashamed of my life? I hope not because I'm not.
From Burt on Thu, Jun 11, 2009 at 13:07:00 from 68.76.197.194
Good one.
From Carolyn in Colorado on Thu, Jun 11, 2009 at 15:38:20 from 198.241.217.15
I don't have a parrot. But I have kids and I have to send them out in the world.
From Brent on Thu, Jun 11, 2009 at 22:33:32 from 168.178.30.75
Darn birds, talk to much, great quote. How was the day dreaming boy today on the run?
Stay Kool, B of BS Rools out
Fri, Jun 12, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
23.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
23.00
23 for my 23rd birthday
Comments
From Burt on Fri, Jun 12, 2009 at 13:25:50 from 68.76.197.194
Way to treat yourself. LOL!
From Carolyn in Colorado on Fri, Jun 12, 2009 at 13:28:32 from 198.241.217.15
Happy Birthday you young buck!
From Eric Schotz on Fri, Jun 12, 2009 at 15:05:47 from 192.28.0.21
Happy birthday! Nice present. I need to remember that when I turn 38.
From Jelmo on Fri, Jun 12, 2009 at 17:03:02 from 97.67.1.66
Happy B-Day. Nice Run! I was in Wisconsin for my 42nd but only managed 22 in the cold and snow/ice covered roads. My goal is 50 @ 50! in January
From Jelmo on Fri, Jun 12, 2009 at 17:04:41 from 97.67.1.66
Happy B-Day. Nice Run! I was in Wisconsin for my 42nd but only managed 22 in the cold and snow/ice covered roads. My goal is 50 @ 50! in 7yrs
From JD on Fri, Jun 12, 2009 at 17:28:23 from 64.65.159.206
Happy birthday. Wow...23 yrs...I was that age once, but it was long ago and I don't remember much about it.
Great way to celebrate. Maybe I'll do 50 for my 50th, but that would make me an ultra runner, gasp!
From Brent on Fri, Jun 12, 2009 at 17:46:50 from 168.178.30.75
Nevels, happy birthday, such wisdom and humility at 23! Great things ahead for you. What's on the agenda for the rest of your birthday? Eat 23 tacos, balance 23 books, congo line of 23, the list goes on.
Stay Kool, Rock on Hard, B of BS Rools out
From Eric Day on Fri, Jun 12, 2009 at 18:09:48 from 189.192.166.38
23 Nevels...wow...the way your write in the blog I thought you were older. Maybe just the body is young. Anyways, happy birthday. I certainly will NOT do 40 miles in my coming birthday, you can bet on that!
Have super great day!
From Burt on Fri, Jun 12, 2009 at 18:25:00 from 68.76.197.194
Nevels appears to be older and wiser because he has just graduated from college with a degree in civil engineering. In 12 more years, when he's as old as me, he will sound like a goofy kid in junior high.
Sun, Jun 14, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
10.20
0.00
0.00
0.00
10.20
"One can never consent to creep when one feels an impulse to soar." - Helen Keller
new shoes
Mon, Jun 15, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
14.80
0.00
0.00
0.00
14.80
"Live well. It is the greatest revenge." - The Talmud
Comments
From JD on Mon, Jun 15, 2009 at 21:08:42 from 32.176.117.137
No doubt!!!
From Eric Day on Tue, Jun 16, 2009 at 10:53:51 from 189.192.150.180
My motto! I'm on a revenge campaign ...
From Kelli on Tue, Jun 16, 2009 at 13:59:37 from 71.219.76.64
Hey, thanks for all of the advice on my aches and pains. Glad to know it is most likely just the speed that is killing me!
From Brent on Thu, Jun 18, 2009 at 21:21:24 from 168.178.30.75
What, should the Count shall take heed? Monte Cristo - Life is a storm, my young friend. You will bask in the sunlight one moment, be shattered on the rocks the next. What makes you a man is what you do when that storm comes.
Nevels, what is your next adventure?
Stay Kool, B of BS Rools out
From Nevels on Fri, Jun 19, 2009 at 11:29:55 from 75.143.88.18
Good advice, Brent, and oh so true. (Not to mention that The Count of Monte Cristo is one of my all time favorite books)
The next adventure is the portion of the run across Alabama in which I have the opportunity to take part. It should go well. Check out the website at runacrossalabama.com
Tue, Jun 16, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
6.90
0.00
3.10
0.00
10.00
strategery
Comments
From JD on Fri, Jun 19, 2009 at 11:35:35 from 64.65.159.206
...on the internets...
From Jelmo on Fri, Jun 19, 2009 at 19:35:48 from 71.91.80.193
Mission Accomplished!
Wed, Jun 17, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
10.00
0.00
3.00
0.00
13.00
"Cabbage: A familiar kitchen-garden vegetable about as large and wise as a man's head." - Ambrose Bierce
Fri, Jun 19, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
24.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
24.00
"Self-respect is the fruit of discipline; the sense of dignity grows with the ability to say no to oneself." - Abraham Heschel
Comments
From Kelli on Fri, Jun 19, 2009 at 11:12:54 from 71.219.76.64
Nice running week, nice quotes. I really like today's.
Some people do have heads way bigger than a cabbage, though.
Have a great weekend.
From Eric Day on Fri, Jun 19, 2009 at 13:01:09 from 189.192.48.160
My father used to call me cabbage head ... no wonder ... now I understand.
ready to cross Alabama?
From Nevels on Fri, Jun 19, 2009 at 13:10:56 from 131.204.15.93
Eric, thanks for asking. I start two weeks from today, and the three guys going the whole way start in just 12 days. I'm excited about it, and I hope we end up doing some good/raising lots of money for the cause.
From Maurine/Tarzan on Fri, Jun 19, 2009 at 17:15:18 from 63.255.172.2
Lots of good miles this week. Hope your training is going well.
From Jelmo on Fri, Jun 19, 2009 at 19:39:24 from 71.91.80.193
you'll have to ask Schotz about his cabbage stories related to long runs, not pretty.
Sat, Jun 20, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
19.40
0.00
0.00
0.00
19.40
"Beginning today, treat everyone you meet as if they were going to be dead by midnight. Extend them all the care, kindness, and understanding you can muster. Your life will never be the same again." - Og Mandino
Comments
From Eric Day on Sat, Jun 20, 2009 at 11:08:28 from 189.192.116.248
That's a heavy quote, hard to do.
Excellent mileage!
From Maurine/Tarzan on Sat, Jun 20, 2009 at 11:09:02 from 97.117.76.235
Nice run!
From JD on Sat, Jun 20, 2009 at 12:40:01 from 64.65.159.206
Got miles?
From Kelsey on Sat, Jun 20, 2009 at 20:55:20 from 98.230.3.218
You're a beast this week
Sun, Jun 21, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
10.30
0.00
0.00
0.00
10.30
Since it's fast approaching, I guess I'll take a cue from Schotz and Elmore and start up a countdown until the start of the Run Across Alabama for Elliott, so here is the first installment thereof:
From Kelsey on Mon, Jun 22, 2009 at 15:59:49 from 128.186.154.139
Good, then you don't have to log too many more crazy mileage days before the race. Last week is enough to wear down anyone's body, even yours.
Is that about as intense as your training ever gets?
From Nevels on Mon, Jun 22, 2009 at 16:12:22 from 131.204.15.93
That's about as intense as it will get for now. I've hit a little over 100 for a week before (not including the week with the 100-mile race), and I'd like to hit a few more before the next 100.
I'd love to keep up the high mileage, but once I get above ~80/week, I begin to feel those little twinges of burnout approaching, especially since I run most of my mileage alone, so I have a hard time doing more than 3-6 weeks of it before I have to back off for a week or two.
In any case, this week will probably be relatively high (I haven't decided how high to go this week), and I'll back off for the first part of next week as a taper for the weekend...
From Eric Day on Mon, Jun 22, 2009 at 17:31:28 from 189.192.129.41
10 days will fly by very fast. Hope the Run goes really great !
Tue, Jun 23, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
21.00
3.00
0.00
0.00
24.00
Run, Part 1, done (91F, heat index of 102F - I love this time of year)
on to Part 2... check; much cooler as the sun went down
In case you haven't heard, a few of us are doing a little run in a little over a week....
From Kelli on Tue, Jun 23, 2009 at 14:29:54 from 71.219.76.64
Looking forward to hearing how it all turns out! Good luck to all of you.
From Eric Day on Tue, Jun 23, 2009 at 14:31:51 from 200.52.203.28
and no running today ? or is it : yet?
From Nevels on Tue, Jun 23, 2009 at 14:33:38 from 131.204.15.93
yet...
From Eric Day on Tue, Jun 23, 2009 at 18:34:56 from 200.52.203.28
there will be a sequel ? awesome !
From argentinerocket on Wed, Jun 24, 2009 at 13:16:56 from 74.9.147.114
Man alive that is hot! I won't complain about our weather anymore...
So did your Inimitable Mother get a fastrunningblog account so she can continue posting comments now that it's required?
I look forward to following your little trip!
Nice miles!
From Nevels on Wed, Jun 24, 2009 at 13:24:30 from 131.204.15.93
My ever-Inimitable Mother has actually been on vacation the past couple of weeks, but my bet is that she will just silently lurk around, musing to herself about what she would post if she were able...
Thanks, I'm anxious to see how the run goes as well.
Wed, Jun 24, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
4.50
0.00
3.10
0.00
7.60
"You can't turn back the clock. But you can wind it up again." - Bonnie Prudden
Your link doesn't work. :(. Question for you coach: should I be following the 3:1 ratio for buildup for 3 wks then 1 wk at 75%? the last 3 weeks I ran: 10.87, 12.15, 15.55. Should next week be a 12er? Also, I am running my first race since January 1st, 2008 on Monday. Any suggestions? Or don't worry about racing and just jog it as another run?
Fri, Jun 26, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
12.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
12.00
"First things first, but not necessarily in that order." - Dr. Who
From Brent on Mon, Jun 29, 2009 at 21:09:41 from 168.178.30.75
Nevels, pray for rain, hope you have good sag wagons.
Stay Kool, B of BS Rools out
Mon, Jun 29, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
8.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
8.00
"Give a man a fish, and you'll feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and he'll buy a funny hat. Talk to a hungry man about fish, and you're a consultant." - Scott Adams (Dogbert)
The Run Across Alabama for Elliott starts tomorrow with Eric Schotz, Jon Elmore, and Eric Charette heading from Menton, AL to Guntersville, AL, covering a distance of around 55 miles. The next day, they'll be heading from Guntersville to Hartselle, AL, which is where I will meet up with them for Friday and Saturday's runs.
If you get the chance, throw up a little prayer for them, and head over to their blogs at:
schotz.fastrunningblog.com
jelmo.fastrunningblog.com
siriusultrarunner.blogspot.com
to wish them luck.
God's speed, guys...
Comments
From Burt on Tue, Jun 30, 2009 at 12:53:23 from 68.76.197.194
Good luck gentlemen.
From Eric Day on Tue, Jun 30, 2009 at 13:35:04 from 189.192.216.251
God speed to all. Best wishes & hope you all have fun.
From Brent on Tue, Jun 30, 2009 at 22:29:14 from 168.178.30.75
Nevels, be safe, yes, best wishes and running well.
Stay kool, b of BS Rools out
Wed, Jul 01, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
6.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
6.00
The Run Across Alabama got underway today, with Schotz, Elmore, and Charette covering the first 50 miles in 9 hours and 50 minutes, apparently no worse for the wear.
Tomorrow it should get fun.
Check out the website for real-time tracking of where they are en route...
Comments
From Kelli on Fri, Jul 03, 2009 at 18:01:40 from 71.219.89.21
I have been following and you are out running and doing great! What an awesome event and for such a worthy cause!
Tell them they did a great job with the blog (twittering updates, posting pics, atc.)
From Eric Day on Sat, Jul 04, 2009 at 23:10:58 from 189.169.214.230
Super Nevels! Sounds like you are having fun. Hope it is all coming out as planned.
Cheers!
From Eric Schotz on Mon, Jul 06, 2009 at 07:31:16 from 68.190.4.225
you did more than 32 miles didn't you??
thanks for all the help.
From Nevels on Mon, Jul 06, 2009 at 10:41:01 from 131.204.15.93
I'm not entirely sure how far I went Saturday. I think Dink and Blake ended up with right at 30 by running an extra couple hundred yards, and I'm conservatively estimating that I put in an extra 2 with the back-and-forth stuff.
You did a great job, Eric. Pulling it all together there at the end to finish strong. It was an inspirational and touching moment for all the rest of us to watch there at the finish with you and Elliott. I only wish I could have done more.
Yeah!!! Way to get the RAA done! You guys are amazing! :D
From Brent on Mon, Jul 06, 2009 at 19:12:24 from 66.7.127.219
Nevels, congradulations. Great read on the link.
Stay Kool, out of the sun, B of BS Rools out
From Kelsey on Wed, Jul 08, 2009 at 09:45:40 from 98.230.3.218
Great job! I look forward to reading the blog.
Mon, Jul 06, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
10.40
0.00
0.00
0.00
10.40
Kind of anti-climactic after this past weekend...
Comments
From Will on Tue, Jul 07, 2009 at 15:43:39 from 130.18.173.86
Muffin! Yes, I fell into the abyss next to Walker Hall haha. Also I haven’t run much lately, so I haven’t posted any running stats! I read your blogs from run across Alabama and it sounded like a lot of fun and a good cause. Hopefully I will make it over to Auburn soon, and come to Starkville anytime!
From Jelmo on Wed, Jul 08, 2009 at 19:23:16 from 71.91.80.193
...yeah I woke up at 4am on Sunday thinking it was time to get up and run, but I had no where to run to.
Tue, Jul 07, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
5.10
0.00
3.10
0.00
8.20
"A synonym is a word you use when you can't spell the word you first thought of." - Burt Bacharach
Comments
From Burt on Tue, Mar 12, 2013 at 19:56:41 from 72.223.80.89
I really like this quote.
From JD on Tue, Mar 12, 2013 at 19:59:12 from 71.219.77.31
Burt really likes Burt's quote.
From Burt on Tue, Mar 12, 2013 at 21:11:27 from 72.223.80.89
JD!!!!
Wed, Jul 08, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
13.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
13.00
Desperado...
Why don't you come to your senses?
You've been out ridin fences...
For so long, now...
Comments
From Eric Day on Wed, Jul 08, 2009 at 16:31:44 from 189.192.238.174
Desperado or Desesperado?
From Nevels on Thu, Jul 09, 2009 at 10:27:12 from 131.204.15.93
Whichever is more correct....
From Brent on Thu, Jul 09, 2009 at 11:27:37 from 168.178.30.75
Lonliness of the long distance runner, we may have been fence riders in a prior life.
Stay Kool, B of BS Rools out - Moon Shadows this morning.
Sat, Jul 11, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
13.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
13.00
"Ambition is a poor excuse for not having sense enough to be lazy." - Edgar Bergen
Also, props to Karl Meltzer (who some of you might know...) for his impressive performance at the Hardrock 100.
Comments
From Brent on Sun, Jul 12, 2009 at 22:28:55 from 76.8.201.223
Nevels, how are the legs recovering? You ran a bunch of miles on pavement.
Stay Kool, B of BS Rools out
We all have no sense.
From argentinerocket on Tue, Jul 14, 2009 at 11:51:25 from 74.9.147.114
I've been reading some blogs about the Western States 100 and the Hardrock race... Crazy stuff if you ask me :)
Nice miles!
From Jelmo on Tue, Jul 14, 2009 at 23:36:50 from 71.173.127.73
crazy is as crazy does!
Thu, Jul 16, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
13.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
13.00
"Be life long or short, its completeness depends on what it was lived for." - David Starr Jordan
Fri, Jul 17, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
10.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
10.00
"We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give." - Winston Churchill
Comments
From Eric Day on Fri, Jul 17, 2009 at 19:50:51 from 200.77.33.99
That Churchill guy a such a character !
Sat, Jul 18, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
10.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
10.00
"Believe those who are seeking the truth. Doubt those who find it." - Andre Gide
Sun, Jul 19, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
11.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
11.00
"One of the advantages of being disorderly is that one is constantly making exciting discoveries." - A.A. Milne, author of Winnie the Pooh
Mon, Jul 20, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
14.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
14.00
"I know but one freedom, and that is the freedom of the mind." - Antoine de Saint-Exupery
Tue, Jul 21, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
10.20
3.10
0.00
0.00
13.30
"Nostalgia isn't what it used to be." - Peter De Vries
Comments
From JD on Tue, Jul 21, 2009 at 22:25:06 from 32.178.189.211
You're a machine...that runs.
From Eric Day on Wed, Jul 22, 2009 at 13:25:08 from 189.192.134.119
What is you next target John?
From Nevels on Wed, Jul 22, 2009 at 14:13:31 from 131.204.15.93
For the time being, I'm just laying down some good base mileage. I am currently trying to decide between whether to return to the Arkansas Traveller 100 in October or the Pinhoti 100 in November. I would rather go to Arkansas, but it may pose some logistical problems with a relatively rigid class schedule. That's probably a good thing, though; the Pinhoti course is more interesting, anyway. In any case, I guess the overarching goal is to substantially improve my 100-mile PR. We'll see...
From JD on Wed, Jul 22, 2009 at 15:08:49 from 64.65.159.206
Your reading assignment for this Summer:
Born To Run, written by Christopher McDougall. A quick, easy, and enjoyable read.
I'll ship you my copy if you'd like.
Wed, Jul 22, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
14.00
0.00
3.10
0.00
17.10
"No bird soars too high if he soars with his own wings." - William Blake
Comments
From Kelli on Thu, Jul 23, 2009 at 18:11:02 from 71.219.89.21
55 miles by Thursday, WOW. Nice work.
Fri, Jul 24, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
15.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
15.00
"The best way to live is by not knowing what will happen to you at the end of the day." - Donald Barthelme
Sat, Jul 25, 2009
Race:
Make it By Midnight Marathon (26.2 Miles) 03:23:36, Place overall: 1
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
26.20
0.00
0.00
0.00
26.20
So I went over to Macon, GA, to take part in the Make it By Midnight Marathon, put on by the blog's own Deborah (aka the Little Engine that Could). I went in with the plan to have a solid long run, without wanting to push too hard, and I got just that, a solid long run.
The idea behind the Make it By Midnight Marathon is that everyone picks when they want to start running, with the goal being to finish at midnight. The course is a 4.3 mile loop through a neighborhood in Macon, so six loops make a marathon. I started shortly after 8pm, not knowing what the course was like, and, I must say, I wasn't disappointed. The loop winds its way through a maze of streets within the subdivision, and I don't think there was more than a quarter mile of flat running anywhere on the loop. Fun stuff.
I cruised through the first loop without too much difficulty, simply trying to get a feel for the course, which, as I came to realize more and more, was relatively difficult as far as a road course goes. I picked up my water bottle for the second loop, and I grabbed my headlamp at the beginning of the third loop. I took a little supper break after the third loop, spending around 5 or so minutes at the aid station to throw some food down my throat and refill my water bottle, and was on my way.
As tends to be the case, the second half of the run was a little more difficult than the first, but only slightly so, and before I knew it, I was done. My unofficial time was a 3:23, which was good enough for the win and a course record, and I am very pleased with the time with respect to the amount of effort put into the run.
I must say, this race was a blast. The very nature of the loop course meant that I was constantly seeing other runners to offer and be offered encouragement. After I finished, I hung out at the finish line with the rest of the runners until everyone else had finished, chatting it up and having a good ol' time. It was definitely a marathon with an ultra "feel" to it. If anyone is ever near Macon in late July, I highly recommend this race, just for the fun atmosphere of it; as it was described to me, it is just a party with a marathon in the middle of it.
What a sweet run, John!! You're my hero! I just want to be able to finish another 'thon without dying :). Should I start to transition to 3-4 mile runs and start building long runs again? I am thinking the 4-5 days a week is my best bet as any more has the potential to bring injuries on.
From Jelmo on Sun, Jul 26, 2009 at 22:12:23 from 71.86.65.102
Very cool idea for a race, congrats on the win!
From jun on Mon, Jul 27, 2009 at 12:55:29 from 66.239.250.209
Sounds like a fantastic race. Congrats on the win.
From Eric Day on Mon, Jul 27, 2009 at 13:52:28 from 189.192.79.41
Best races are the ones where you have fun! But if on top of it, you win, well, I think they are fabulous.
Good work John !
Sounds like you had a very good time.
From Ericka on Mon, Jul 27, 2009 at 15:28:48 from 70.192.113.222
Nice, way to dominate!
From Brent on Mon, Jul 27, 2009 at 22:33:50 from 66.7.127.219
Nevels - nice race report, sounds like a fun race, 500 commando points for the 1st and course record, without giving it an all out effort. It sounds like the reward were the friendly runners, priceless. Intesting, about 90% of runners would love to have your easy time in a marathon. It would be great to see you give St. George your best shot?
Glad you could make it out. We enjoyed your company and stories. Here is a picture Tommy took of you on one of the laps: http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/9051514_97Fyn#602457882_x6rpx-A-LB
Thanks again for joining us!
From Eric Schotz on Wed, Jul 29, 2009 at 06:32:58 from 68.190.4.225
Great run John. Sounds like a fun race.
From Merri on Sun, Aug 02, 2009 at 00:06:19 from 160.7.234.108
nice job! that does sound like an awesome race!
Sun, Jul 26, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
5.30
0.00
0.00
0.00
5.30
"Anyone who takes himself too seriously always runs the risk of looking ridiculous; anyone who can consistently laugh at himself does not." - Vaclav Havel
Tue, Jul 28, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
6.00
0.00
3.10
0.00
9.10
"The trouble with our times is that the future is not what it used to be." - Paul Valery
Wed, Jul 29, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
14.50
0.00
3.10
0.00
17.60
Hey everyone, it's my Inimitable Mother's birthday; she's been twenty-something for twenty-something years in a row. Like I said, inimitable...
On a side note, I think that I've had a relatively successful last couple of weeks, because in the last 8 days, I've run 5 races and somehow managed 4 victories (and the other was a 2nd place finish) . Too much racing for me, but I'm pleased with it nonetheless, and it should provide some much-needed motivation in weeks to come...
Comments
From Eric Day on Wed, Jul 29, 2009 at 11:10:00 from 189.192.220.77
Well then, happy birthday to your inimitable mother! Hoe her twenty-something birthday is awesome.
From Carolyn in Colorado on Wed, Jul 29, 2009 at 12:11:54 from 198.241.156.7
If she's twenty-something, then how old are you? How may times have you finished 2nd grade while she's been holding at twenty-something?
Happy Birthday to your inimitable mother!
From Nevels on Wed, Jul 29, 2009 at 12:30:50 from 131.204.15.93
I'm twenty-three, and she was twenty-something when she had me, so she's been twenty-something for at least twenty-three years...
From Metcalf Running on Wed, Jul 29, 2009 at 12:42:01 from 207.225.192.66
Happy birthday to your wonderful Mother!
From april27 on Wed, Jul 29, 2009 at 12:45:49 from 99.188.251.180
Happy birthday to your mom...My mom is only 29 and has been taht age for atleast the last 20 birthdays!
From JD on Wed, Jul 29, 2009 at 14:40:28 from 64.65.159.206
From Burt on Wed, Jul 29, 2009 at 17:00:02 from 68.76.197.194
Did Eric just call your mother a hoe? I suppose there are better garden tools he could have used instead.
From Eric Day on Wed, Jul 29, 2009 at 17:21:55 from 189.192.220.77
p
From Eric Day on Wed, Jul 29, 2009 at 17:22:30 from 189.192.220.77
There, sent the missing letter !
Gee Burt, you don't miss anything, uh?
From Burt on Wed, Jul 29, 2009 at 17:31:33 from 68.76.197.194
I was going to say something else about that letter and Nevel's mother, but I've teased you enough for one day. Plus I don't want Nevels to kill me.
From JD on Wed, Jul 29, 2009 at 23:04:14 from 166.203.138.15
5 races. 8 days. 4 wins and a 2nd place...you must be getting old!
From Jelmo on Wed, Jul 29, 2009 at 23:29:30 from 71.86.65.102
John: one word- SLACKER
Kathy: two words- HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
From Eric Day on Thu, Jul 30, 2009 at 14:19:09 from 189.192.53.147
John, haven't seen your race reports. Where are they?
From Brent on Fri, Jul 31, 2009 at 12:13:52 from 168.178.30.75
Nevels - have you build your trophy room? At this rate, make it 10,000 sq. feet. HB to Mom. Nice running, consistent hard training has many rewards, the least being recognition.
Stay Kool, B of BS Rools out
Fri, Jul 31, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
8.20
0.00
0.00
0.00
8.20
"Defer not till tomorrow to be wise, tomorrow's sun to thee may never rise." - William Congreve
Comments
From hyth on Sat, Aug 01, 2009 at 22:03:13 from 131.204.222.190
nice :)
Sun, Aug 02, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
14.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
14.00
"After I'm dead, I'd rather have people ask why I have no monument than why I have one." - Cato the Elder
Comments
From JD on Mon, Aug 03, 2009 at 20:02:21 from 166.183.167.190
Good quote.
Tue, Aug 04, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
3.00
0.00
3.10
0.00
6.10
"I don't think anyone should write their autobiography until after they're dead." - Samuel Goldwyn
Wed, Aug 05, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
10.50
0.00
2.00
0.00
12.50
"Life's a tough proposition, and the first hundred years are the hardest." - Wilson Mizner
Comments
From Kelli on Wed, Aug 05, 2009 at 21:45:32 from 71.219.100.174
GREAT WEEK!!!! 2 quotes on being dead, hmmm...
From Eric Day on Thu, Aug 06, 2009 at 18:48:37 from 200.77.41.59
Like all, the first step is the hardest. Cheer on !
Thu, Aug 06, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
14.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
14.00
"Things are more like they are now than they ever have been." - Gerald Ford
Hey Coach! So I am at 22 for the week so far after 4 weeks of 26, 27, 31, 32. Should I take tomorrow off and use this week as my "easy" week?
Also, I am thinking about the fall half marathon. I can either do one along a bike path ($52.00) or there is a trail halfmarathon that is only $35.00 although it does state: "participating in this event maybe dangerous to my health. sprained ankles, and wrists, cuts, bruises, broken bones, insect bites, animal bites, encounters with just about anything can happen, hypothermia and heat exhaustion are all real possibilities." Sounds like fun, eh?
I just don't know which one to do. The trail 1/2 would probably be more fun, less people for sure than the bike path one that would have 500-700 runners. Also I don't know if I like the idea of paying 50+ bucks for a half marathon, lol. The trail 1/2 and full both cost the same as well (35.00). The full marathon on the canal would be 70 or 75. What do you think? Do you think I can handle a trail 1/2?
It's called Curly's Trail Marathon or Half Marathon in Pittsfield, Massachusetts.
From Nevels on Mon, Aug 10, 2009 at 10:59:41 from 131.204.15.93
Sorry for the delay (out of town for the weekend and away from my computer)...
I would say go for the trail half. In my experience, trail races are more fun, and it will not pound your legs quite as much as pavement. A caveat to entering a trail race would be that you would need to make sure that your training includes comparably difficult trails (I know you run on trails often, so if they are roughly the same type trail, great)
On the other hand, the trail half will be slower than the road half, so if you're shooting for a new PR, then I'd say go for the road.
In any case, I know quite a few people who run halfs off of similar mileage to what you are running now, so if you keep on building up, you'll be ahead of the curve.
From Nevels on Mon, Aug 10, 2009 at 11:00:45 from 131.204.15.93
Oh, and I know I'm a bit late in responding, but for what it's worth, a lower-mileage week would be a good idea about now...
Mon, Aug 10, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
11.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
11.00
"Barring that natural expression of villainy which we all have, the man looked honest enough." - Mark Twain
Comments
From Brent on Tue, Aug 11, 2009 at 21:35:34 from 168.178.30.75
We run alone, with or without our shadow or the shadow of others. Zen can only take us so far, how far?
Stay Kool, B of BS Rools out
From Nevels on Tue, Aug 11, 2009 at 22:40:16 from 131.204.15.93
I have yet to find out...
Tue, Aug 11, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
4.10
0.00
3.10
0.00
7.20
"Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." - Einstein
Ironically enough, this qualifies how I often treat some of my computer models, and it seems to actually work...
Comments
From Burt on Tue, Aug 11, 2009 at 22:49:39 from 98.167.151.26
Did Einstein say that? I hear so many people quote it. I knew I wasn't crazy.
From Nevels on Wed, Aug 12, 2009 at 11:31:38 from 131.204.15.93
I'm not entirely sure, but he is the one to whom it was attributed on the website I was perusing yesterday.
From Eric Day on Thu, Aug 13, 2009 at 12:51:31 from 189.192.179.35
Dang, then I AM insane... geez !
From Brent on Fri, Aug 14, 2009 at 21:59:59 from 204.113.19.55
Einstein must have been a runner, run the same route everyday, same pace 8 min pace, should be able to 7 min miles in a race.
Stay Kool, Insanity is as Insanity does, B of BS Rool sout
From JD on Sat, Aug 15, 2009 at 22:57:27 from 209.183.51.131
You're probably out kicking some butt in a race this weekend. Good luck!
Sat, Aug 15, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
10.50
0.00
0.00
0.00
10.50
Nice run on the mountain with the man, the myth, the legend himself, Dale Clem.
Mon, Aug 17, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
13.20
0.00
0.00
0.00
13.20
Fun run through the remnants of Claudette
Tue, Aug 18, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
14.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
14.00
"Procrastination isn't the problem; it's the solution. So procrastinate now; don't put it off."
Comments
From Burt on Tue, Aug 18, 2009 at 21:33:52 from 98.167.151.26
Great mileage.
Wed, Aug 19, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
16.75
0.00
3.25
0.00
20.00
"He who lives without folly isn't so wise as he thinks." - Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Comments
From JD on Wed, Aug 19, 2009 at 22:45:44 from 166.217.58.185
So are you tapering for something?
From Nevels on Thu, Aug 20, 2009 at 10:55:25 from 131.204.15.93
I wish
From Eric Day on Thu, Aug 20, 2009 at 12:23:35 from 200.77.42.126
20 miles is tapering? geeez. You guys make us rookie look, well, rookie !
Fri, Aug 21, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
I'll run later today, but I just got this via email from my Inimitable Mother, and we both plan on logging a few miles for it over the weekend. Check it out:
Good Run, buddy. I will run tomorrow and do an extra mile.
From Kelli on Sat, Aug 22, 2009 at 17:12:56 from 71.219.64.200
How cool is that! I ran across the park a few times to take pictures and did a bunch of walking around the park. but that is all that is allowed from me! I should have worn a bib!
Hope you are having a great weekend.
From Will on Sun, Aug 23, 2009 at 15:05:01 from 130.18.203.248
Nice Saturday run! Classes are pretty good so far. Stats is pretty boring, but I think it is about to get better. Taking a pavement course, so that should be fun trying to remember SUPERPAVE stuff. I’m also doing a Directed Individual Study, so even more research! How are yours?
Mon, Aug 24, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
14.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
14.00
howdy
Comments
From Jelmo on Tue, Aug 25, 2009 at 10:22:29 from 71.86.65.102
part'ner
From Eric Day on Tue, Aug 25, 2009 at 11:24:50 from 200.77.36.43
and howdy back !
From JD on Tue, Aug 25, 2009 at 12:00:56 from 64.65.159.206
I'll see your howdy, and raise you a doody.
From Jelmo on Tue, Aug 25, 2009 at 12:46:24 from 71.86.65.102
heh,heh,heh, you said "doody".
Tue, Aug 25, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
11.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
11.00
"You desire to know the art of living, my friend? It is contained in one phrase: make use of suffering." - Henri-Frederic Amiel
Comments
From Eric Day on Wed, Aug 26, 2009 at 14:15:23 from 189.192.156.72
mmmm...
Wed, Aug 26, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
9.40
0.00
1.50
0.00
10.90
Now somewhere in the black mining hills of Dakota
There lived a young boy named Rocky Raccoon
And one day his woman ran off with another guy
Hit young Rocky in the eye Rocky didn't like that
He said I'm gonna get that boy
So one day he walked into town
Booked himself a room in the local saloon.
Rocky Raccoon checked into his room
Only to find Gideon's bible
Rocky had come equipped with a gun
To shoot off the legs of his rival
His rival it seems had broken his dreams
By stealing the girl of his fancy.
Her name was Magil and she called herself Lil
But everyone knew her as Nancy.
Now she and her man who called himself Dan
Were in the next room at the hoedown
Rocky burst in and grinning a grin
He said Danny boy this is a showdown
But Daniel was hot-he drew first and shot
And Rocky collapsed in the corner.
The doctor came in stinking of gin
And proceeded to lie on the table
He said Rocky you met your match
And Rocky said, Doc it's only a scratch
And I'll be better I'll be better doc as soon as I am able.
Now Rocky Raccoon he fell back in his room
Only to find Gideon's bible
A Gideon checked out and he left it no doubt
To help with good Rocky's revival.
Comments
From Brent on Wed, Aug 26, 2009 at 22:38:07 from 76.8.201.223
Nevels, like the poem and the bible.
Stay Kool, B of BS Rools out
From hyth on Thu, Aug 27, 2009 at 03:01:30 from 66.157.131.50
I like the poem,Keep the good stuff :)
From Kelli on Fri, Aug 28, 2009 at 13:23:14 from 71.219.64.200
Rocky Raccoon, that sounds familiar for some reason.
Yeah, well, for the benefit of Mr. Kite there will be a show tonight on trampoline.
From Nevels on Fri, Aug 28, 2009 at 14:31:29 from 75.143.84.140
I heard; the Hendersons will all be there. Late of Pablo Fanque's fair; what a scene...
From Carolyn in Colorado on Fri, Aug 28, 2009 at 15:30:23 from 198.241.174.15
As long as Maxwell leaves his silver hammer in the Norwegian Wood.
Fri, Aug 28, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
20.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
20.00
conundrum
Sat, Aug 29, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
20.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
20.00
"If you live long enough, the venerability factor creeps in; first, you get accused of things you never did, and later, credited for virtues you never had." - I.F. Stone
Comments
From MIs Blog on Sun, Aug 30, 2009 at 12:31:44 from 75.137.244.244
Thanks for your post! Brooke Hill is a fun hometown race.
My next run is the NYC Marathon...which will be my first marathon.
From Kelli on Sun, Aug 30, 2009 at 18:33:10 from 71.219.64.200
And the more you start to fall apart.
Nice job this week.
From JD on Sun, Aug 30, 2009 at 20:01:30 from 209.183.51.66
back to back 20's...nothing wrong with that.
Sun, Aug 30, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
10.70
0.00
0.00
0.00
10.70
"I adore simple pleasures. They are the last refuge of the complex." - Oscar Wilde - The Picture of Dorian Gray
Wed, Sep 02, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
16.30
0.00
3.70
0.00
20.00
20 in the rain.
awesome
Comments
From Eric Day on Thu, Sep 03, 2009 at 09:14:57 from 189.169.237.133
John you are awesome! Can't wait until I can run 20 in the rain or 20 at all and call it easy AND awesome :D You're my hero.
Thu, Sep 03, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
14.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
14.00
does anyone else get this weird enjoyment out of running on tired legs?
Comments
From JD on Fri, Sep 04, 2009 at 14:20:07 from 64.65.159.206
Running on tired legs is great because there's none of the drama that comes with running on fresh legs and wondering "when will my legs get tired?". So in that sense, it's enjoyable.
From Brent on Fri, Sep 04, 2009 at 18:58:37 from 168.178.30.75
Yes, it always seems to be great mental toughness training. Also, the days the tired legs deliver a great run, make us feel like a super hero.
Stay Kool, Bad Moon Rising, B of BS Rools out
Sun, Sep 06, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
11.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
11.00
so i guess its about time to start getting ready for the 100
Comments
From Will on Thu, Sep 10, 2009 at 09:15:33 from 130.18.225.110
Yeah you might want to get on that...coming to Auburn for the game this weekend
Mon, Sep 07, 2009
Race:
R3 Labor Day 5k (3.16 Miles) 00:17:09, Place overall: 2
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
6.20
0.00
3.10
0.00
9.30
By popular demand:
So around Wednesday, I heard that a few folks from Auburn were going to head over to Montgomery to run a 5k on Labor Day, so when I finally made the decision to stay in town for the long weekend, I figured that I might as well head over there with them to get a little leg work in. That being the case, I joyously awoke at 4:30 to eat, find any clean (or at least only moderately smelly) running clothes, and stumble outside before Blake Henry, a friend and fellow runner in town, cruised over to pick me up at 5:25 (I love getting <3 hours of sleep the night before races; I think most of my PR's are from similar situations...hmmmm....)
In any case, we got to the race site around an hour before the start time, got registered, and I began my warmup, which simply consisted of running a loop of the course to get a general feel for it and to knock loose any... um.......business that needed to be tended to before the race. As I covered the route, the first mile presented itself as the obvious challenge in the race, being mostly uphill, but the rest of the course was relatively tame.
After I finished up with the pre-race business, I met David Wishunt, another AU grad student that ran for Syracuse during his undergraduate days, who became the eventual winner. As the start of the race approached, David and I discussed running goals, and I found out that he was shooting for a sub-2:20 next summer. I am always amazed by the fast guys.
Once the race got underway, David took the obvious lead, and after the first quarter or so, I was in second, steadily plugging away at the first mile. At about the 0.7 or 0.8 mile point, David actually missed a turn, and I didn't realize it until I was at the turn and saw the arrow, so I called out that he missed it, and after a few repititions of what I was saying (and several exaggerated and apparently obfuscating gestures), he figured out what I was trying to tell him and turned around, although he had already run around 100 or 150 meters downhill past the turn. I made the turn, and suddenly I was the rabbit, taking both the first and second mile splits in the lead. The second mile was fairly unremarkable other than a pretty steep downhill that reminded me how out of speed shape I am by my terribly ungraceful leaning back and flailing legs during the descent into downtown.
Somewhere between 2.25 and 2.5, David finally regained the lead (having run an extra 300m, half of which were uphill!), and ran away with it, although I couldn't help but find the humor when, at an intersection about a quarter mile from the finish, he yelled back to me "Right?", and I had to yell back up to him "No, Straight!" to keep him on course. Also, during the third mile, an issue that had been apparent since early in the race almost caused a real problem. With the exception of about a quarter mile during the first mile, the race had been run entirely sans police escort, which in turn meant no intersection control. This might not pose a problem in races run through residential neighborhoods, but this one was run mostly through downtown Montgomery, and I constantly found my head on a swivel looking for cars at intersections when I had a red light (I managed to not have to stop, I just made a few somewhat tentative crossings). In any case, just after David passed me, he was still only about 10 yards or so ahead when we crossed an intersection, and a car zoomed right through it, nearly hitting David and forcing both of us to swerve backward into the intersection to avoid it. Just what you want to happen 2.5 miles into a 5k. I love race memories...
David ended up finishing in 16:53, having put forth a pretty solid effort, considering the extra distance covered, and I wound up with a 17:09 for second, although I think I had a little left in the tank, because at the finish line, I managed to take a rather large penultimate step, and then launch myself into the air to give a heel click at the finish line (man, I wish somebody had gotten a photo...), which thoroughly amused the folks standing at the finish line.
We waited at the finish for the rest of the Auburn crew to finish before David, Micah Mauldin (another AU student), and I jogged another lap of the course (which was apparently 3.16 miles long, according to three different people's Garmins) for a cooldown. After we all got done running, the award presentation stuff was pretty longwinded, but that was made slightly more bearable given the primary sponsor of the race, Budweiser, which was providing a good breakfast of champions to go along with the hotdogs that were being grilled for us.
All in all, it was a fun race, a good way to celebrate Labor Day, and I think a good time was had by all...
That was nice of you to show David the way. You could have just let him go and won the race.
From Burt on Wed, Sep 09, 2009 at 11:44:52 from 68.76.197.194
Much better. And that's some serious speed.
From JD on Wed, Sep 09, 2009 at 14:51:07 from 64.65.159.206
Entertaining read. Of course once you've said "Budweiser", you've said it all.
Nice heel click!
From Brent on Wed, Sep 09, 2009 at 22:52:58 from 76.8.201.223
Nevels, very nice read, your sportmanship tremendous, 500 commando points, another 500 for second place and not becoming road kill. *Note, very impressed with your raw speed given your endurace running. Danger, Danger, Will Smith, leading a race has it's challenges to not becoming a lost sole.
Stay Kool, B of BS Rools out
From Jelmo on Wed, Sep 09, 2009 at 23:03:18 from 71.86.65.102
your conflicted... speed/ultra? In your next ultra run BTTW as long as you can and then just walk, you'll finish top ten.
From mike mcclellan on Thu, Sep 10, 2009 at 23:46:16 from 192.28.0.21
I wish that I had the breath to talk during a race.If someone takes the wrong turn in front of me after 1.5 miles they are in trouble.
Thu, Sep 10, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
16.50
0.00
0.00
0.00
16.50
"Look for the ridiculous in everything and you will find it." - Jules Renard
Sun, Sep 13, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
11.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
11.00
left foot, right foot, left foot, right foot, left foot, right foot........
Comments
From Jelmo on Mon, Sep 14, 2009 at 00:27:10 from 71.86.65.102
throw in two rights and then a left sometimes, just to mix it up.
From Eric Day on Mon, Sep 14, 2009 at 08:53:36 from 189.169.237.133
umm, so how many left foot's is 11 miles? And then, the most difficult question: how many right foot's?
Keep chugging along ...
Wed, Sep 16, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
15.50
5.00
0.00
0.00
20.50
splishy splashy slippy sloppy rain run
fun stuff
Comments
From Eric Day on Fri, Sep 18, 2009 at 11:24:49 from 189.192.127.83
cool ....
From Burt on Fri, Sep 18, 2009 at 11:25:42 from 68.76.197.194
20 and a half miles in the rain? I guess that's fun.
Fri, Sep 18, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
10.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
10.00
the clearing of the head
Mon, Sep 21, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
10.40
0.00
0.00
0.00
10.40
McDonald's double cheeseburger + chocolate milkshake + 10 mile run 45 minutes later = awesome ultra training
Were you able to keep that stuff in your stomach while you ran?
From Will on Tue, Sep 22, 2009 at 10:36:02 from 130.18.203.88
You need to start a new sport that is a combination of ultra running and competitive eating....
From Nevels on Tue, Sep 22, 2009 at 11:48:51 from 131.204.15.93
I had been having bowel trouble all day, so I had to make a couple stops for the other end of things, but I did manage to hold down the milkshake and cheeseburger (although there were some moments when I wasn't so sure that was going to be the case...)
Bill: Awesome idea; I'm thinking the Mugshot 5k....
From JD on Tue, Sep 22, 2009 at 14:29:40 from 64.65.159.206
Are those items on the dollar menu?
Are you training for Pinhoti, or is there another ultra before that one?
From Nevels on Tue, Sep 22, 2009 at 15:14:47 from 131.204.15.93
The mcdouble is on the dollar menu, and I splurged to get the milkshake.
Full steam ahead toward Pinhoti (clearly banking on there being milkshakes and cheeseburgers scattered all along the course...)
Tue, Sep 22, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
20.30
0.00
0.00
0.00
20.30
vague declarative
(please, no responses; we might step on the toes of the serious runners out there who deserve them more....note the tongue stuck firmly in cheek)
Comments
From JD on Wed, Sep 23, 2009 at 15:24:57 from 70.96.78.157
Hey Coach.. how am I supposed to learn from you, Mr. Nev when you never post more than a couple words on your runs! I got to get inside your head so that I can do ultras too! I'm excited for my next races!
From B. Craig on Thu, Sep 24, 2009 at 17:02:06 from 71.12.114.159
I am a very serious runner and am very offended by this comment. I run at least 3 miles a week and have been doing so for like a week now. Comments on a run that have nothing to do with your run should be deleted from the blog immediately.
convulsed spectator
From Brent on Thu, Sep 24, 2009 at 19:26:50 from 76.8.201.223
Nevels, serious is as serious does, no one could measure serious, pleasure, freedom or the spirit of Nevels running. Are they miles that are ran? What are they?
Stay Kool, keep em guessing, B of BS Rools out
From Jelmo on Thu, Sep 24, 2009 at 23:53:25 from 68.113.125.7
I've got nothing.
From hyth on Sun, Sep 27, 2009 at 14:56:33 from 131.204.223.169
So you are not serious, huh? :)
Wed, Sep 23, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
18.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
18.00
A good question was raised in the comments yesterday; how do you quantify the seriousness of an activity (like running, underwater basket-weaving, nail-filing, etc.) or the one partaking in such an activity? Obviously this question could easily be extended to any number of other abstract or ethereal mindsets or ideas, but I am curious as to the characteristics, however arbitrarily assigned, of an individual serious in his undertaking of a chosen activity.
The best illustration I can use is my own running. Some might say that I am a serious runner; I would, depending on the day, disagree. Granted, when I am in a situation in which I can establish a very set and regular routine, such as a "regular" job (as opposed school and work), I tend to run most days, but this is probably more to keep my sanity than anything (training for larger races is a nice byproduct, and an admitted catalyst for upping the mileage a little). Alternately, when I'm in school (like now), I tend to just take the attitude of "run as far as I can, as often as I can, whenever I can, however I can," which seems to be a bit passive to be considered serious, regardless of the mileage or the speed, but I must admit, I do get a bit antsy when I don't get to run; does that make me serious?
going to do something silly now...
Sat, Sep 26, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
5.20
0.00
3.20
0.00
8.40
Ran a little 5k in Montgomery today. Hit a 17:09 edging second place by 1:15 (he ran 18:24), but, truth be told, I'm a wee bit frustrated by this race. I would have been fine and well pleased, but a friend from Auburn who came to run the race as well checked the course with his Garmin, and it turned out that it was 3.19 miles, as opposed to the 3.107 that it's supposed to be; had I run the same pace for an accurate 5k (or just had the finish line in the correct spot), I would have had a 16:42, which would be my first 5k PR in about 5 years. Oh well; life goes on.
Other than the distance frustration, it was a fun race, with plenty of people (163 in the 5k results, I think...) and door prizes, and, true to form, I probably enjoyed myself too much, playing throughout the run, spreading my arms and imitating an airplane at every turn (much to the amusement of the course monitors) and jumping for a nice heel click at the finish and talking to everyone I saw throughout the race. Perhaps horsing around is the key to 5k PR's. Hhhmmm.....
Airplaning near the finish
Comments
From JD on Mon, Sep 28, 2009 at 14:54:43 from 70.96.78.157
Good job! So, YOU know you're faster now than you were 5 years ago. Call it an internal 5k, the course don't show it, but inside you know it.
From B. Craig on Mon, Sep 28, 2009 at 19:05:06 from 71.12.114.159
If you were a "SERIOUS RUNNER" like everyone else on this blog you would might have set a new PR like 4 years ago. Didn't your mom teach you to NOT "play" in the street (assuming this is a street course)? ...gosh...lol
From Jelmo on Wed, Sep 30, 2009 at 01:01:25 from 68.113.125.7
Garmin is not gospel, but you have become wicked fast!
From mike mcclellan on Wed, Sep 30, 2009 at 04:51:17 from 192.28.0.21
16:42 is smokin!!Glad that you had fun.I wish that I could heel kick at the end of a race instead of gasping for air!!!
From Eric Day on Wed, Sep 30, 2009 at 13:10:16 from 189.192.84.215
Fun & PR's. What else can you ask for?
Great job ! Sounds like you can a great time...those are the best!
From DoctorDarwin on Tue, Oct 06, 2009 at 01:51:44 from 66.157.131.125
B.Craig You have no room to talk. you are sitting there reading books when you could be out running. WHAT A NOT SERIOUS RUNNER... please comment again when you can say you actually ran... AND SO THE BLOG WARS BEGIN. I'm out for blood...
Wow that escalated quickly. Don't take the blood comment seriously besides we aren't serious runners anyways.
From B. Craig on Tue, Oct 06, 2009 at 02:05:41 from 66.157.131.125
obviously you do not understand what a serious runner is...how else are you suppose to become a better runner other than reading books that tell you how to run faster. you have to sacrifice time and effort and sit down and read writings from great runners such as steve prefontaine, bill bowerman, and so many others. if i have to spend time away from the trails and road courses to try and make the 2016 olympic trials, then that is what i will do. so while you were out "running", I was getting faster!
baby back...
From DoctorDarwin on Tue, Oct 06, 2009 at 02:14:46 from 71.91.23.86
B.Craig when is the last time you ran? oh I think I know. IT WAS WITH ME. so don't talk to me about who is making more of a sacrifice... you were reading books on how to make money which we both know is a waste of time... *long pause* Because who needs money right?... *crickets chirping*... right.
Sun, Sep 27, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
7.80
0.00
0.00
0.00
7.80
weeeeeeeeeeeee!
Mon, Oct 05, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
10.20
0.00
0.00
0.00
10.20
Legs, this is running. Running, these are my legs. I trust that y'all will get to know each other.
Comments
From DoctorDarwin on Tue, Oct 06, 2009 at 02:23:47 from 71.91.23.86
"Good for you." hahaha.
From JD on Wed, Oct 07, 2009 at 15:06:33 from 70.96.78.157
These are your legs...these are your legs on runs...any questions?
From Nevels on Wed, Oct 07, 2009 at 15:09:05 from 131.204.15.93
There are times when the egg in the frying pan is a strangely appropriate analogy...
Wed, Oct 07, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
11.50
0.00
1.00
0.00
12.50
"None of us will ever accomplish anything excellent or commanding except when he listens to this whisper which is heard by him alone." - Ralph Waldo Emerson
Nice runs, Nev. I am swamped with work. I don't know what to do. Crunch time with my first placement. I feel like my fitness is going down the tubes.. going to have to deal with running only 3 times a week hopefully about 10 miles per run :( I am in a sad sad state I do surmise.
From Nevels on Thu, Oct 08, 2009 at 13:59:11 from 131.204.15.93
HC (or, since you are now a teacher, is it Mr. Commando...): I feel your pain regarding being swamped. I took last week completely off from running; not one step. Sometimes life gets in the way. Don't let it get you down; to the contrary, if viewed in the correct light, the scarceness of the running can make it that much more enjoyable when you get to run, and you'll be able to get more out of each individual run through the added rest that will allow you to push a little harder and recover more fully between runs. You won't lose much fitness doing this, and when you emerge on the other side of the student-teaching tunnel, you'll be able to sharpen your speed again (if you lose much at all) and be able to up the training and take aim at new and exciting goals (half, full, 50k, 50m, ...who knows...)
Thu, Oct 08, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
10.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
10.00
"Time is that quality of nature which keeps events from happening all at once. Lately it doesn't seem to be working."
Comments
From hyth on Tue, Oct 13, 2009 at 01:21:44 from 66.157.150.34
Haha :) i like it
Mon, Oct 12, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
11.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
11.00
perspective
Comments
From JD on Tue, Oct 13, 2009 at 13:08:15 from 70.96.78.157
Nashville Ultramarathon (50 Miles) 07:53:28, Place overall: 8
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
50.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
50.00
So last week while working as a course monitor for a local 10-mile race, William and Emily Ansick, a couple of friends from Auburn (one of whom is also planning on running the Pinhoti), mentioned that they were heading up to Nashville for the 2nd annual Nashville Ultramarathon as the last big training run for Pinhoti. I had completely forgotten that this race even existed, but, since they had race-day registration (an oddity among ultras), I decided to head up there to try to remember what it's like to be on my feet for a while.
I showed up at the race site about 35 minutes prior to the start and got registered, and I must say, it is always somewhat gratifying to register for the 50-mile event when there are three shorter ultra options available (50k, 60k, and 70k). Shortly after that, while waiting in line for that all-too-important pre-race ritual of the porta-potty, I met up with Will, and we both realized that it was going to be a long day.
The race got underway a little after 7, and Will and I went out pretty fast for a 50-miler, hitting several 8 minute miles during the first 7-mile loop. After this preliminary loop, Will had to hit the head, so I mosied on along. Shortly into the second part of the course, we got to cross a long pedestrian-only suspension bridge, which thorougly piqued the interest of the structural engineer in me. Once across the bridge, I descended a rather large, spiralling hill to an intersection that had arrows pointing in every direction, so I picked the lowest number (figuring that an 8 next to an arrow shortly after seeing the eigth mile marker was no coincidence....) and followed it down a path that made an out-and-back with a loop at the end, so while coming back, I got to see the rest of the runners going out. I hit the confusing intersection again and went another way through it (later getting confirmation of the correctness of my choices through correct mile markers). While in this portion of the run, nature came a'calling, and I felt ever-so obliged to answer, so after taking care of business and making my way to the next aid station, I was pleased to see Will at the station with his crew (wife and dad); apparently our...um...time-outs had been of about equal length.
Will and I then set out for the next part of the course, which took us into downtown Nashville, right next to Titan Stadium, and over a marvelous pedestrian truss bridge. At some point I got ahead of Will, and before I knew it, the course had taken me back out of town, along the Tennessee River to the turn around. While heading toward and coming from the turnaround, I got to see who all was ahead of me, and quite a few people that were not so far behind me, including Will, who was still plugging along, looking strong. While on the Tennessee River bank trail, I had the pleasure of meeting Luke, a guy from Indiana running his first ultra after being a half-marathon guy for a while. He seemed like a great guy, and after getting ahead of me for a while, falling off for a while, and generally oscillating in his speed, he ended up finishing only about 6 minutes behind me for 50 miles in his first foray into ultra territory. Impressive.
In any case, as I made my way back along the course, I began to feel those fast first few miles around mile 30 or 31 (I think I hit the 50k mark in around 4:33 - not bad considering the 10 or 15-minute break...), and so began the mental fight against the slowdown of the ultra. I kept plugging away, passing a person or two along the way, ran the out-and-back with the loop at the end again, but this time, not nearly as many people were around...I wonder why....and then got to climb back up to the suspension bridge, a quick traverse, and I was back at the start/finish line. This is when you start questioning your sanity, because I was then at 37 miles (the 60k finish line), and had to do the first short loop again, followed by another out-and-back across the bridge and into the woods...I love ultras...
While on the next 10k loop, I saw Will on the trail, about 2 or 3 miles behind me, apparently having some IT-band trouble, but moving nonetheless. I later found out that he (probably wisely) opted to stop at the 70k finish. Sometimes discretion is the better part of valor.
Once again, I had to pass the finish line and keep going, which I guess is good mental training; I mean, I only had 6 miles left, anyway, and really, a 6-mile run should be easy, right....
So back across the bridge, down the hill, and into the woods for what seemed like a long time, I did see the winners on their way back, and they looked strong; I can only hope that I ever look that strong at the end of an ultra. In any case, I got to the turn around, and made my way back to the finish, arriving at 7:53:28, which was good enough for eighth place (I think it would have won it last year...that's the second time I've done that in a few months...). And for those wondering, yes, I did jump and click my heels together at the finish, much to the amusement of everyone around (except maybe some of the other runners, who appeared to be somewhat confused and/or upset that I still had the ability to do so...)
This race served as an excellent training run, both physically and mentally. I needed to reacquaint myself with being on my feet for a substantial amount of time, and I got the added benefit of toughening up mentally by crossing the finish line four times before I actually got to stop (three of which were legitimate finish lines when I could have stopped and still gotten an official finish). I also used this race as a chance to go through the mental exercise of making myself run (as opposed to walk) late in a race on tired legs, which can improve your times tremendously in ultras. If anyone is ever in the Nashville area in October and is looking for a good race with excellent volunteers and a very runnable course (about 99% paved, so no technical "bushwacking" skills required), I would definitely recommend this one. With a generous 12-hour cutoff (and even a 2-hour early start for those who needed it), and multiple distance options (50k, 60k, 70k, and 50-mile), I thoroughly enjoyed it, and it was a good first ultra for many of the runners.
Supposedly, there will be pictures on the website later, so if I can get my hands on some of them, I'll post them up.
For what it's worth, my apologies if this report is somewhat incoherent, seeing as it's 1:18am, and I've been in my office since about 9:30 this morning (trying to make up for a whirlwind last week or so). If it is a little unintelligible, then I hope you enjoyed the humor in it...
Happy trails....
Comments
From Jelmo on Sat, Oct 17, 2009 at 23:47:59 from 68.113.125.7
Sick run Nev! :D. I was holding out hope that I was actually going to beat you for miles in a week for once. Haha . Had 42+ last week :)
From Jelmo on Tue, Oct 20, 2009 at 16:23:46 from 68.113.125.7
...still waiting for more
From Brent on Tue, Oct 20, 2009 at 16:43:23 from 66.7.127.219
Nevels - 80% of the race on pavement, tough on the legs, nice race, 1,000 commando points.
Stay Kool, Eat Ice Cream, Ice from the inside out, B of BS Rools out
From Eric Day on Wed, Oct 21, 2009 at 12:14:26 from 189.192.154.88
U the man John !!!!
Awesome.
From Burt on Wed, Oct 21, 2009 at 16:29:34 from 68.76.197.194
Great report Mr. Nevels. Sounds like you weren't too far behind the winners. Maybe 5 miles or so? Not bad for a 50 mile race. I remember running the 2 mile in high school track and always, always, always getting lapped by the faster guys. Never in the 1 mile, but always in the 2. So that's not bad.
From JD on Wed, Oct 21, 2009 at 16:50:08 from 70.96.78.157
Excellent training run, eh? You are definitely an ultra fiend. Congratulations!
Thu, Oct 22, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
11.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
11.00
I used to make myself take a full week off after each and every 50k I ran. Now I'm running just a few days after a PR 50-mile.
I remember why I used to take a week off.
Comments
From Jelmo on Fri, Oct 23, 2009 at 14:53:14 from 68.113.125.7
You've developed your Ultra Legs, recovery comes easy now.
From JD on Fri, Oct 23, 2009 at 14:57:13 from 70.96.78.157
...and you're insane...
Mon, Oct 26, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
3.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
3.00
3 out on the Bartram trail with my Egyptian friend Hytham (hyth.fastrunningblog.com), testing the knee out again. I think I've now fully recovered from the pounding of the road 50-miler a week ago, and none too soon. Maybe I should start getting ready for Pinhoti...
On a side note, I recently noticed that Utah's own Karl Meltzer is entered in Pinhoti (Karl won the Hardrock 100, Grindstone 100, and Bighorn 100 this year already). It will be cool to meet one of the fast guys in the sport, but I guess the aid stations will have to open up a few hours earlier than anticipated...
Comments
From Eric Day on Mon, Oct 26, 2009 at 20:53:31 from 189.192.44.86
Good for that knee. Just keep caution on it...good luck on your training.
Hey JOhn got a question. Have you ever had any ankle issues? I rolled my left ankle last Tuesday, and it didn't bruise/swell up or anything. I finished 6 miles on it, then took 4 days off. Ran 15 yesterday at a 1/2 marathon on the trails, again twisted it. No swelling though. What's weird is the part that hurts is right in the front of the ankle where the leg/foot meet and it's only when I land/push off when I run. Walking it doesn't hurt. Should I take another couple days off? I am afraid that I'm losing all my fitness.
From Nevels on Mon, Oct 26, 2009 at 22:17:26 from 75.143.78.45
HC: I have had more ankle problems, rolled ankles, sprained ankles, swollen ankles, discolored ankles, and even some real ankle issues than anyone ever should, so I've got a little experience with it.
My first bit of advice would be what you apparently already did: if you roll your ankle mid-run, if you can put any weight on it at all, get running again; this will keep the swelling down. The amount of time that you need to take off is entirely up to you. All I can tell you is that if it HURTS, don't run on it, but if it's just really uncomfortable, try and get out for a few miles. In any case, a couple weeks of rest/rehab won't do too much to harm your fitness.
From your description of where it hurts, it sounds like you've stretched/strained the tendon on the top of your foot/front of your ankle, but that particular area of your foot should be relatively easy to "protect" if you run on easy trails or roads.
Hope that helps, and best of luck to you. If you have any more questions, just let me know...
Alright John. I think what I might do is jog easy tomorrow or Thursday, take Fri/Sat off because I have a race (only 5 mile) on trails on Sunday. You think it would be beneficial to wear the ankle brace on Sunday? although it doesnt seem to do to much for me since the pain is in the front of the ankle, not the side or back.
From Nevels on Tue, Oct 27, 2009 at 20:02:32 from 75.143.78.45
Sounds like a good plan to me. I would avoid the ankle brace, especially since it doesn't do all that much to help (admittedly, I've been paranoid about becoming dependent upon braces and such for years, but I still think that if you can do without it, don't give yourself the "crutch")
Again it feels fine.. I was walking around fine.. But again I only "feel" it when I start running. I tried jogging across the basement a few times. It's so weird. Still no bruising/swelling. Should I try jogging a couple miles tomorrow? When do I know when to stop? If the pain intensifies? Am I going to do more damage you think running easy on it? I mean I managed 15 miles on it the other day and that was a pretty muddy, hilly, rocky, root-filled course!
From Nevels on Tue, Oct 27, 2009 at 20:40:06 from 75.143.78.45
Jogging is probably fine. I don't think you'll do any extra damage by just running, so long as you don't re-twist it in the same spot. That being said, if the pain seems like it take a sharp turn for the worse (i.e. only gets a little worse when you first start running, but then gets drastically worse mid-run over a short period of time), then it might be prudent to pull off and walk it in.
And I can't blame you for running 15 on the muddy, hilly, rocky, root-filled course; those are the best kind!
Seriously! That was amazing! So much fun too. All the volunteers were dressed up as goblins, zombies and witches and GORILLAS and jumping out and scaring you and stuff !
From Nevels on Tue, Oct 27, 2009 at 21:17:03 from 75.143.78.45
You would have done loads better than me! Though a 2:02 ain't bad for a fatty fat fat like me I guess.
So I'll shoot to do a jog tomorrow and see how it feels. Should I go for time? Like 30 minutes or something? Or maybe 3-4 miles?
From Nevels on Tue, Oct 27, 2009 at 21:24:56 from 75.143.78.45
I'd say go for whatever is convenient. If you have a 3-4 mile route that you like, go for it; if you just want to wander for a half hour or so, do that. Just make sure it's all easy...
Didn't try running today. Had to do work and my ankle hurt jogging around the basement in the front again. It's getting frustrating. It only hurts when I run which is what I care about! Not walking. Grr
From Nevels on Thu, Oct 29, 2009 at 13:17:44 from 131.204.15.93
When it hurts while jogging, is it hurting when you are pulling your foot forward and pulling your toes on that foot up, or is it hurting when you put the foot down on the ground and put weight on it?
The putting weight on it as I'm running.. I think it's because jogging is like 3x more force than walking? I don't think it's the actual moving forward part though but it is hard to tell.
More out at the nice and muddy Bartram trail at twilight, trying to get my trail legs back under me and re-learn how to handle the transition between daylight and the headlamp.
Getting better all the time...
Comments
From hyth on Tue, Oct 27, 2009 at 22:51:44 from 131.204.218.228
Again :) ?
Wed, Oct 28, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
5.80
0.00
6.20
0.00
12.00
"Be a first rate version of yourself, not a second rate version of someone else." - Judy Garland
Comments
From Brent on Fri, Oct 30, 2009 at 17:23:39 from 168.178.30.194
Nevels - nice quote, one of a kind hey -
headlamps? Ultra coming up?
Stay Kool, B of BS Rools out
From Nevels on Fri, Oct 30, 2009 at 19:25:51 from 75.143.78.45
Yup; got the Pinhoti 100 in 8 days, so, as you mentioned, I've got to replace the batteries in my headlamp(s)
From B. Craig on Fri, Oct 30, 2009 at 21:05:44 from 71.12.114.159
Thought about doing Pinhoti but I I think I am a more olympic distance guy. Playing around on some trails is not a true test of athletic ability. Anyone can train themselves to suffer through an ultra, but it takes genuine aptitude to compete in the real races such as the 100, 200, and 400 meter dashes. Not in anyway excluding long distances such as the 1500 and 3000. Anyway, you are a very good friend and respect you a lot for your hobbies. I wish you all the best and will be there cheering you on.
From Eric Day on Sat, Oct 31, 2009 at 14:31:48 from 189.192.101.185
Waaahhooooo !!!
From mike mcclellan on Sun, Nov 01, 2009 at 15:15:11 from 192.28.0.21
Nevels, Is 160 - 170 miles a month enough to FINISH a 50k? With a long run mixed in.
From Nevels on Sun, Nov 01, 2009 at 18:08:24 from 131.204.15.93
Mike, 160-170 is plenty to finish a 50k. If you get a solid long run (say 15-20 miles) somewhere in there, you'll have no trouble finishing.
Which one are you considering?
From mike mcclellan on Sun, Nov 01, 2009 at 18:19:09 from 192.28.0.21
Black Warrior 50k. I did the 25k last year and vowed to do the 50k this year.
I ran 41 miles this week and if I start now I will have 12 to 13 weeks to be ready.
From Nevels on Sun, Nov 01, 2009 at 18:28:04 from 131.204.15.93
With your knowledge of the course and that much time before the race, you've got Black Warrior in the bag.
Good luck...
Mon, Nov 02, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
10.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
10.00
Working on homework until 5:30 this morning, back on campus by 7:45, and have a 10-mile trail run planned with a friend this evening. I'll just classify this as my last (hopefully) bit of sleep deprivation training for my little jog this weekend...
Life is good.
Last night trail run before my little trist through the woods Saturday - check.
Comments
From Brent on Tue, Nov 03, 2009 at 09:21:44 from 76.8.201.223
Nevels - good luck on the little jog. What condition do you expect the trail to be in? Wet, muddy, rocky, etc. It seems the elements could play a big part in the race. How many ultras will this make?
Stay Kool, Pick up Your Feet, B of BS Rools out
From Nevels on Tue, Nov 03, 2009 at 11:27:48 from 131.204.15.93
Thanks; I'll need the luck.
I expect the trail to be in relatively good condition. It rained around here quite a bit last week, but it has been (and hopefully will remain) pretty dry and sunny so far this week. The trail is a wee bit rocky at times, but no more so than plenty of other trails I have run, so as long as I keep my eye on the trail, I should be alright on that front...
You're absolutely right, weather (and other conditions) can make or break a trail run, and the longer the race, the more of a difference it can make.
I think this makes 18 ultras...
From Carolyn in Colorado on Tue, Nov 03, 2009 at 16:08:21 from 198.241.174.15
I don't know how you do it. The sleep deprivation thing, that is. I got 6 hours last night and I've been more or less useless all day.
If you were able to do that you are going to be fine this weekend. Can't wait to read the race report :D
From Jon on Tue, Nov 03, 2009 at 22:17:25 from 66.255.187.100
Good luck!
From Jelmo on Wed, Nov 04, 2009 at 14:30:55 from 97.67.1.66
You experienced the DEMONS of the 100 last year, and learned from them. You will conquer the trail this year!
BTTW
Tue, Nov 03, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
"I dwell in possibility..." - Emily Dickinson
Comments
From Kelsey on Sat, Nov 21, 2009 at 15:22:53 from 98.230.44.19
Hey, is there any chance you'll be doing Mississippi Blues again in January? I was thinking of bailing out of Disney and doing MS instead.
Wed, Nov 04, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
In case any of you have missed it, today is the 40th anniversary of Sesame Street.
Can you tell me how to get, how to get to Sesame Street?
I don't know why, but this seems oddly appropriate for me with my 100 looming on the horizon...
Comments
From Burt on Wed, Nov 04, 2009 at 15:00:51 from 68.76.197.194
So that's why Google has Big Bird feet on its homepage. Wait, is that me behind the slug bug next to Ernie?
From JD on Wed, Nov 04, 2009 at 15:15:49 from 70.96.78.157
Good luck this weekend!
From Brent on Thu, Nov 05, 2009 at 22:51:55 from 66.7.127.219
Nevels, if you start seeing odd things at mile 80, like big bird chasing you, cookie monster, you know that your still ok, just don't get grouchy. good luck saturday. I have ultra runner in the family, he has told me many stories of hulcinating. Do you have pacers the last part of the race?
STay Kool, Be Safe, B of BS Rools out
From Lybi on Thu, Nov 05, 2009 at 22:57:00 from 70.190.199.29
Good luck! How exciting! Can't wait to see the report, assuming you survive. Try very hard to survive, ok?
From Nevels on Fri, Nov 06, 2009 at 09:11:29 from 131.204.15.93
Brent: I've got pacers at least from mile 65 to the finish, and I'm thinking about talking one or two into running a bit further...
Lybi: Survival is the plan (not surviving would probably be somewhat detrimental to my finish time...)
Fri, Nov 06, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
The woods are lovely, dark, and deep, but I have promises to keep, and miles to go before I sleep, and miles to go before I sleep.
gulp
Comments
From Brent on Fri, Nov 06, 2009 at 13:14:19 from 66.7.127.219
Nevels, what an appropriate comment given your adventure challenge ultra, best to you.
The short version:I
went until I couldn’t go any farther, and then I went a little farther.
The long version (Warning:Long, boring, tale of silly
jogging/bushwacking that probably has subliminal messages if you play it
backwards):
Summer training went fantastically.I probably ran more miles this past summer
than I have ever run in any 3-month span before.But that was the summer.Between classes, research, and personal
stuff, the last couple of months have been somewhat lacking as far as mileage
is concerned that could be considered appropriate for 100-mile training.Sometimes life seems to get in the way, but
we push on and hope for the best; thusly I toed the line for the Pinhoti 100.
The morning started at 2:55 when I woke up 5 minutes before
my alarm and the wakeup call we had ordered from the hotel front desk.With the wakeup call, my dad and brother got
up, we all got dressed, and we headed to Huddle House for a quick breakfast
before driving to the starting area an hour and a half away.While riding shotgun through the wee hours of
the morning, the thought that hit me last year at that point crept back into my
mind.I was riding at 55-70 mph for an
hour and a half, and I had to run
back.
"The people that I have met are not foolish; they are
aware of how tired and cold and hungry and frightened and hurting and
discouraged and disoriented and how possibly injured they will become. They
know they will face great physical, mental, emotional, and possibly spiritual
challenges as they make their way to the finish. This is what they are racing
against. This is their challenge. This is what I admire." - Carolyn Erdman
The race got started at about 6:15 with about half of the
runners hollering at the top of their lungs and the other half silently contemplating
the task at hand.I managed to get out
in the second pack, figuring that I both wanted to let the lead guys get out
ahead to run fast (including pro Karl Meltzer, previous winner John Teeples,
and various stud runners such as DeWayne Satterfield, Roch Horton, John Dove,
and a slew of other fast guys), while also staying in front of the inevitable
conga line that would form for the first 5 or so miles on the single track
trails as everyone tried to find that elusive “sustainable” pace.What a laughable concept – sustainable pace…
I managed to get positioned right where I was aiming, with a
pack of guys I already knew, ahead of the bottleneck, and behind the fast guys.True to form, my one and only fall of the
race came in the first few miles of the race, when I slipped on some wet
leaves; the relatively small cut that was created bled like a champ, prompting
aid station workers for the entirety of the race to ask if I needed one of them
to clean it.I just figured that I’d rub
some dirt on it and move along.
My race plan was to run the first 50 miles in around 10
hours, allowing 14 hours for the second 50 miles to stay under 24 for the full
100.This seemed like a reasonable
strategy, given the impending nocturnal slowdown.I quickly learned that the rest of the pack
had adopted similar plans, and that being the case, our little group set about
plugging away at the miles.The first
few aid stations came and went relatively uneventfully, and we managed to stay
on pace while enjoying quite a bit of random conversation.I got into the rhythm of running,
anticipating the next aid station, meeting my crew, and repeating.It’s good to be able to go through the
motions for a while almost on autopilot.
"If you start to feel good during an ultra, don't worry
- you'll get over it." – Gene Thibeault
As the day progressed each of us that began the day running
together had minor ebbs and flows; we’d drop off the pace, then catch back up
with the group after a few miles and fall back into step.Then we started approaching Mt.Cheaha.I’m well aware that when compared to
mountains such as those in the Rockies, Mt.Cheaha is merely a foothill, but it is
the highest point in the state of Alabama,
and when you have to climb the bulk of it within a mile, it can sure be a
pace-killer, among other things.I had
started falling off the pace pretty badly somewhere around mile 35, and the
next aid station was at the top of Cheaha, just shy of mile 41.I was hitting my first bonk, and it was
messing with my head pretty badly.My
mind began formulating those ideas and questions that you can’t afford to let
it create:“It was too early to be
feeling this bad.If I couldn’t hold the
pace a mere 40 miles, how was I even going to keep moving for another 60?The heat is already killing my insides; I
can’t keep pushing for another 16 hours if I can’t regulate something as easy
as fluids in a little warm weather.What
am I doing here?I’m undertrained.I’m scared.Maybe I should just qui…”
And then I got to the top.The view was fantastic, and even more than seeing the sprawling
landscape laid out in front of the overlook, I was thrilled to see my crew, who
had by this time figured out that I was running a little behind schedule and
was ready and waiting to see what they could do to get me back on my game.I made use of the one bathroom on the course
(for the tourists at the “Top of Alabama”) to take care of some pressing
business, and I think the shear act of sitting down for a couple of minutes
revitalized my legs.While I took care
of that, my dad filled up my water bottle, my brother Peter got ready to come
in as my first pacer, and before I knew it, Peter and I were back out on the
trail.
We made our way back down Cheaha and resumed the continuing
task of chipping away at the miles.It
was getting late in the day, so around mile 50, we picked up an extra upper
body layer and headlamps for both of us, and as the dark of night relentlessly
approached, I remembered more and more vividly just how dark things can get.
At mile 55, Peter’s first pacing shift was over, and Fred
Trouse, a friend from Auburn
who had paced for me last year, began his first pacing shift.Having two veteran pacers is an asset whose
virtue I cannot begin to describe, and having these two particular pacers made
for, shall we say, an amusing and effective motivational system.
Fred and I made our way through the dark woods for quite a
while with Kip Chasse’, one of the guys with whom I had started the day before
we all began falling off the pace.He
had begun flagging before I had, but he had found a seemingly abundant reserve
of energy and was bouncing along, thoroughly enjoying himself, and incessantly
chattering about increasingly odd and off-kilter topics.Whereas this might have been somewhat
annoying at other times, it was a great way to keep our minds on things other
than running for several hours, and we all chatted and laughed our way from aid
station to aid station before Kip’s tide of energy swept him on ahead of me for
the rest of the race.
When Fred and I got to the mile 65 aid station (the one
where I utterly crashed and burned last year, spending an hour trying to
convince myself that I was still alive), I grabbed some hot soup, warmed up by
the fire, and encountered the first person I had seen of the day deciding to
officially drop.He looked fit, but had
apparently fallen apart in the last few miles, saying that the previous five
miles had taken him two and a half hours to complete.From my own previous experience, I understood
his predicament, and I almost let myself begin to think about how good it would
feel to….
Nope.Just when I
could see that my brain was heading in that direction, I got up, bid the
wonderful aid station workers adieu (complete with a bow to the self-proclaimed
hostess), and marched out toward the next aid station.I couldn’t afford those kinds of thoughts.
At mile 68, a decision must be made.Fred was finishing up his first pacing shift,
while Peter was gearing up to come back in for the infamous Pinnacle
ascent.The problem with leaving the aid
station at mile 68 is that you know that you won’t see your crew for the next
18 miles, and that those 18 miles are arguably the most difficult of the course,
so it amounts to a solid 5-7 hours cut off from the outside world.And darn my bullheadedness, I made the
decision to march out, head high, into the blackness, hoping that I could trick
myself into pressing on for a few more hours.
The next couple of miles went by a bit slowly.Fred had aptly described my running at that
point as a “good old man shuffle,” and Peter confirmed the sentiment, but it
was a good laughing point.As we made
our way along the trail, I found myself more and more sleepy, hardly able to
even keep my eyes open.A couple of times
I would even catch myself walking a couple of steps with my eyes closed, so as
we began the switchback ascent of Horn Mountain toward the Pinnacle aid
station, Peter and I did what any sane people would do in the middle of nowhere
in the middle of the night, half asleep, and 70 miles into a run.We sang.
Peter began singing, knowing it would lift me up a little, I
joined in, and we sang quite an eclectic assortment of music.From Sinatra to Pink Floyd to the Beatles to
Disney, we belted out the lyrics at the top of our lungs, hoping that the aid
station workers at the top could hear and were wondering who had escaped the
asylum below…
Finally, we made it to the top and the notorious Pinnacle
aid station, manned by ultrarunners who knew just what we would want and need
at that point in the race.The trademark
of the aid station last year had been their fried egg sandwiches, which I had
opted to avoid, given how upset my stomach was at the time, but this year was
different.I had waited a year for one
of those sandwiches, so when they asked, I ordered up a fried egg sandwich with
cheese and bacon and a cup of coffee, both of which were promptly served
up.I ate and drank while warming up by
the fire and realized just how good this particular aid station was, because in
addition to fun food, they were offering chocolate covered espresso beans,
toothbrushes, and diaper rash cream – the kinds of things most people would not
think to bring to an aid station…
"Your biggest challenge isn't someone else.It's the ache in your lungs and the burning
in your legs, and the voice inside you that yells 'CAN'T", but you don't
listen.You just push harder.And then you hear the voice whisper
'can'.And you discover that the person
you thought you were is no match for the one you really are." - Unknown
The mark of a truly good aid station is that the volunteers
show a genuine concern for your task at hand over your immediate comfort, which
in an ultramarathon aid station means that if you look good enough to run/walk/crawl,
they kick you out of the aid station to just keep you moving toward the
finish.That being the case, Peter and I
were promptly discharged from the aid station back along the ridge on top of HornMountain
working toward the next aid station.At
this point, at least in my head, I knew that the absolute worst of the race was
over.The last big climb was done; now I
just had to keep up the relentless forward motion to the finish and I would be
done.We made our way to the next aid
station five miles away (felt like 10, but I’ll pretend they measure the course
correctly at 5…), didn’t spend too much time there before departing toward
another much-anticipated aid station at mile 86.
We made a slow descent over the next 6 miles to the aid
station at mile 86, manned by a bunch of friends of mine from Huntsville, representing the Huntsville Track
Club and Fleet Feet Sports.When Peter
and I came into view (after hearing the music from their speakers for a mile or
so), they all started hooting and hollering to see me; it was a real
motivational boost.I think those guys,
and especially my dad, were a bit relieved to see me come out of the
woods.A minute or so later, when I got
into the aid station, they immediately got me the food I wanted, took the
clothes I didn’t need any more, and got me moving again, as I was within a half
hour of the cutoff time for that aid station.Peter’s pacing shift was over, and as Fred began his second pacing leg,
Peter drove off to take a well-earned nap.
Peter and me coming into the mile 86 aid station
I'm happy to be here. Really. I promise...
Fred (left), anxious to get his second round of pacing under way helps
expedite the stripping process along with Rob (back) and Kathy Youngren
(right). I guess it takes true friends to help you rip your pants off...
From left to right: Fred (ready to get moving), Rob Youngren (realizing
that me sitting down to take care of that might not be the best
thing...), Kathy Youngren (keeping me balanced while offering a
veritable buffet), Blake Thompson (happy it's me and not him), and
someone else, Josh Kennedy, perhaps? (what can I say, I'm a popular
guy...)
I mean, I don't really enjoy resting, anyway...
Newly rejuvenated, I took off down the gravel road that
would constitute most of the next 10 miles, Fred in tow.About a week earlier, I had told him that for
that last section, from 86 to 100, if I didn’t have a bone poking out, I wanted
to be running, and that I’d like him
to be as firm as he needed to in order to keep me from walking even the uphill
portions.That being the case, I was
probably running around 9:30 miles for the next 5 or 7 miles, only spending
around 30 seconds at the next aid station before getting the heck out of
there.I was trying to make up some lost
time.Given that Fred had told me that
the most recent runner to pass through the mile 86 aid station was 15 or 20 minute
ahead of me, I was pleased when I passed him somewhere between mile 90 and 95.At the FINAL aid station at mile 95, I shed
the remainder of my warm clothes and was back down to shorts and a t-shirt to
finish out the race.
The next couple of miles were spent getting back out to the
road that would take us into town to the finish line.I began to feel the previous few fast miles
and slowed for a couple of miles until I could “smell the barn.”At that point, I began picking up the pace
yet again.The finish was about 200
yards around a high school track, and as soon as we got inside the stadium, I
felt light as a feather, and, true to form from my last couple of races, I
spread my arms out and airplaned around the track, to the shouts of some
friends waiting at the finish.At the
line, as I had planned to do if my legs still had anything left, I jumped up
and clicked my heels to cross.
100 miles:27:38:20
The race director, Todd Henderson, handed me my new belt
buckle, a couple of pictures were taken, and that was that.Meltzer had won in an amazing 17:12, blowing
away the old course record by over 3.5 hours.Of the sixty-something starters, 38 ended up finishing.
The race was another testament to how much of a factor my
crew was for me.Having Peter and Fred
out there with me during those tough hours late in the race was critical, and
having my dad, the crew chief, behind the scenes, working out logistics and
making sure I always had whatever I needed kept me from making stupid mistakes
and probably saved my race.My gratitude
to these three simply is not quantifiable.
Well, that’s my story.I warned you it was long.I hope
you enjoyed it.
"Is this level of athletic competition the ultimate
distraction from real life? Or is it a form of prayer?" - Norah Vincent
Comments
From Jelmo on Sun, Nov 08, 2009 at 22:20:02 from 68.113.125.7
Another 100 in the books, I know you were hopeing for better, but you stuck in there and finished. Nice run.
From Burt on Mon, Nov 09, 2009 at 09:53:59 from 98.177.216.165
Can't wait for the full report. Rest assured I will be reading it with a bag of popcorn.
From Jeff L on Tue, Nov 10, 2009 at 13:44:53 from 76.164.29.58
Nice race and good report. Thoroughly enjoyed reading it.
From Will on Tue, Nov 10, 2009 at 14:14:52 from 130.18.243.67
Nice job! I'm sure beating your PR only added to your satisfaction! Doing that while researching is incredibly impressive...since I have a better idea about how hard that is now! haha
From JD on Tue, Nov 10, 2009 at 16:36:59 from 70.96.78.157
Congratulations on completing another 100 miler, and PR'n the course. Reading your reports relieves me of the necessity of actually ever running an ultra, so thank you for that.
From mike mcclellan on Tue, Nov 10, 2009 at 18:13:04 from 192.28.0.21
You are amazing John.Very enjoyable reading also.You are tough as nails!
From Metcalf Running on Wed, Nov 11, 2009 at 10:30:21 from 207.225.192.66
Inspirational race report! Thanks for posting!
From allie on Wed, Nov 11, 2009 at 14:01:27 from 67.177.43.41
i definitely enjoyed your story. great job.
From Brent on Wed, Nov 11, 2009 at 20:59:27 from 66.7.127.219
Nevels, absolutely, postively - the best report I've read for years, the emotions, the story, the toughness, the rawness - awesome race report. I felt like I were reading "Ounce an Ultra Runner" by Nevels, could not what for the next chapter. Be proud, be happy = great race.
Stay Kool, B of BS Rools out
From Burt on Wed, Nov 11, 2009 at 21:42:45 from 98.177.216.165
I finished my bag of popcorn before I was even half way through. It was a long report, but it was excellent. (Plus having 6 kids means a bag of popcorn doesn't last very long anyway.) You are one cool dude.
From Will on Wed, Nov 11, 2009 at 23:42:53 from 99.147.6.176
What a great race report, and congratulations on an amazing achievment! I'm trying to mentally prepare for my 1st 100 miler next spring, and your report is helping me along. Thanks for sharing the experience, and have a quick recovery.
Great race report, John. It's just what I needed to read after a long day of work. I think your report is a testament to the waves of emotions that come and go as you are out there all day and then all night. I hope one day I'll be like you! Forget Mike! Be like Nev!
From Eric Day on Thu, Nov 12, 2009 at 21:35:24 from 189.169.229.195
Wow John, just truly amazing. Eso son "cajones"
I humbly bow to you....
From crockett on Fri, Nov 13, 2009 at 11:51:36 from 71.36.70.141
Congrats on your great race. Good strong finish. Way to push through it. I enjoyed your report.
From JulieC on Fri, Nov 13, 2009 at 13:16:14 from 65.103.250.68
What is sick and wrong about me reading this long report is that I probably will be doing such events and writing about them in the future. If only I were Burt...cozily reclined in my lazy boy and eating popcorn.... oh no I am so on to the 100 miler,,,,if I survive the 50 first :D. Thanks for the full version of what it would be like. Geez how ever did that guy fly thru that course?!! I thought YOUR time was most astounding. I like the part about the singing and the kicking your butts out of the aid station to keep you movin' as a sign of a good aid station. I will keep that in mind. Good job!!!
From Sandy Dune-Howard on Fri, Nov 13, 2009 at 13:17:32 from 90.201.147.160
Holy Cow well done Nevels, and I love the airplane and click of the heels at the end of a 100 mile race.
Very impressive and a great read you amaze me :-)
From pumpcap335 on Fri, Nov 13, 2009 at 15:48:41 from 69.158.1.74
What can I say.Inspirational,and great to see we do the things which logic say's, what are you doing .I may try this one day because others like you have done it.
Thanks
Terry
Toronto Canada
From Scott Wesemann on Sat, Nov 14, 2009 at 01:28:01 from 75.162.88.112
What a great story, I really enjoyed it. congrats.
From Eric Schotz on Sat, Nov 14, 2009 at 10:28:24 from 68.190.4.225
Don't know if this link will work for all but some 85 mile aid station photos of John just showed up on my Facebook.
From Burt on Sat, Nov 14, 2009 at 12:19:36 from 98.177.216.165
John, you have longer hair than last year.
From Nevels on Mon, Nov 16, 2009 at 12:05:26 from 131.204.15.93
Thanks, y'all. I went ahead and posted the pictures that Eric Schotz got from the 85 mile aid station.
And yeah, Burt, I have a little longer hair than last year, but we'll see how long it lasts...
From Cookielover on Mon, Nov 16, 2009 at 20:54:41 from 97.81.82.211
WOW! It takes me two weeks to do what you did in a little over a day. I know that this is a bit late, but CONGRATULATIONS!
From Jon on Tue, Nov 17, 2009 at 23:35:52 from 75.169.155.153
Impressive. Good read. Congrats.
From Ericka on Wed, Nov 18, 2009 at 17:10:33 from 74.81.243.253
Shoot kid, you're crazy but amazing
From Kelli on Fri, Nov 20, 2009 at 12:00:28 from 71.219.71.229
Love the story, love the pictures, love the last quote. You are awesome!!!
From Kelsey on Sat, Nov 21, 2009 at 14:19:20 from 98.230.44.19
Great write up, and great run. You are such an inspiration! My brother is running his first 50 miler right now and it's killing me that I can't be there. Before he started he said he wanted to run a 100 miler in two years. If he still feels that way after his race today, I am going to make him read all of your race entries! Although I think you sounded more mentally stable in this one. Due to the experience maybe? Congrats on another job well done. I enjoyed the singing. If I was there I would play the air drums and guitar. I'll remember the singing idea if I end up pacing my brother. I can only imagine how monotonous the miles become!
P.S. I am experiencing the same grad-school running drought. It's a major bummer!
Sat, Nov 14, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
3.33
0.00
0.00
0.00
3.33
systems check
Mon, Nov 16, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
5.33
0.00
0.00
0.00
5.33
just flowing
Wed, Nov 18, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
14.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
14.00
meant to just do around 9 or 10, but met up with the Auburn running club for their midweek speedwork which turned out to be a 10 mile tempo. add that to their running a warmup and my own running from home to meet them, and, well....
Fri, Nov 20, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
3.33
0.00
0.00
0.00
3.33
figured that it was better not to squash the urge to go run.
Mon, Nov 23, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
9.50
0.00
0.00
0.00
9.50
"A sound mind in a sound body is a short but full description of a happy state in this world." - John Locke
Tue, Nov 24, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
9.40
0.00
0.00
0.00
9.40
"Muffin likes her squeaky chicken." - My darling baby sister (supposedly 16 years old now, but I'm not buying it...)
Makes perfect sense to me.
Comments
From Brent on Wed, Nov 25, 2009 at 13:21:41 from 66.7.127.219
Nevels, ever complex, squeacky chicken, must have depth of meaning I've missed. See your back at consistent running, no worse for the 100 mile wear?
Stay Kool, thanks and giving, B of BS Rool sout
From Nevels on Wed, Nov 25, 2009 at 15:39:28 from 75.143.90.116
Oddly enough, the 50-miler I ran a few weeks before Pinhoti tore me up worse than the 100, but I am trying to get back into the rhythm of putting in the daily miles.
Onward we trek...
From JD on Wed, Nov 25, 2009 at 20:07:35 from 166.183.68.187
What a coincidence! I like my chicken squeaky!
I'm officially giving up my quest to beat you on the yearly mileage total...dang.
Keep up the awe inspiring running. Enjoy your break from school (if indeed you get one).
Wed, Nov 25, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
11.50
0.00
0.00
0.00
11.50
I see skies of blue and clouds of white; bright blessed day; dark, sacred night. And I think to myself, "what a wonderful world..."
Comments
From Burt on Sat, Nov 28, 2009 at 23:11:16 from 98.177.216.165
I can see clearly now the rain has gone. I can see all obstacles in my way...
Sun, Nov 29, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
8.80
0.00
0.00
0.00
8.80
"It is of interest to note that while some dolphins are reported to have learned English - up to fifty words used in correct context - no human being has been reported to have learned dolphinese." - Carl Sagan
Comments
From Burt on Tue, Dec 01, 2009 at 18:12:17 from 12.231.112.98
Well, I don't know what reports Mr. Sagan has been looking at.
From Nevels on Tue, Dec 01, 2009 at 19:00:42 from 75.143.79.39
my apologies, burt; i should have known that if there were an exception to this statement, it would be you.
Tue, Dec 01, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
11.00
1.00
2.00
0.00
14.00
Fun 50 degree run in the light rain at dusk.
Run, Part 2: Met Bryan Craig to get in a few more miles, but by the time we planned on starting, it was in the mid 40's with a wind chill in the mid 30's, and raining for real, so we opted for treadmills. Since I have a general hatred towards treadmills, I decided to spice up the mileage a bit by speeding up, running the first couple of miles at a bit under 7 min/mile, and the last 5k a touch under 17 minutes, with the last mile at an even 5 minutes (treadmill wouldn't go any faster). Kind of makes me want to go run a 5k...
And, for what it's worth, I found it interesting yesterday when I totalled up the mileage on my current pair of shoes, coming in at a smidgen above 1000 miles.
Comments
From JD on Tue, Dec 01, 2009 at 20:33:40 from 166.216.128.77
Sending the jealous vibes right back at you today.
From Burt on Thu, Dec 03, 2009 at 16:26:27 from 12.231.112.98
I didn't know you had that much speed in you. 5ks, 100 milers, is there anything you can't do?
Thu, Dec 03, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
11.60
0.00
0.00
0.00
11.60
"Between two evils, I always pick the one I never tried before." - Mae West
Comments
From mike mcclellan on Thu, Dec 03, 2009 at 21:58:57 from 75.120.5.88
What kind of shoes do you have that have a 1000 miles on them? I tried to get 500 out of mine and still are paying for it.(Heel pain)It is painful until I get warmed up.This has been going on for 6 months now.
From Nevels on Fri, Dec 04, 2009 at 02:23:10 from 75.143.70.34
I'm using a pair of Asics Cumulus 11's. There's nothing really special about the shoes (I've run in every version of the Cumulus since Cumulus 2), but they start out with quite a bit of cushioning. I've been wearing them down since the middle of the summer.
I think the trick is that I don't really heel-strike much. I land on my midfoot or forefoot and roll inward, using the joints in my feet and legs as shock absorbers rather than the cushioning in the shoe. It works pretty well, but I am thinking that it's about time to get a new pair (generally I try to get a new pair every 500-700 miles; I'm just too broke to buy a pair of shoes right now).
What kind of shoes are you in that are still giving you heel pain?
From Brent on Fri, Dec 04, 2009 at 11:26:11 from 76.8.201.223
Nevels - choosing evils? Good for running, run new routes, they may turn out evil, never know until the feet until you hit the road less traveled.
Stay Kool, B of BS Rools out
From Nevels on Fri, Dec 04, 2009 at 11:27:38 from 131.204.15.93
Brent, my thoughts, exactly.
From mike mcclellan on Fri, Dec 04, 2009 at 11:35:13 from 75.120.5.88
Rebok Verona's. I dont think that it is the shoes,I dont think that I ever healed.When I get up in the morning I hobble around for a few steps and then it feels better.With all your miles do you have any pain?
From Nevels on Fri, Dec 04, 2009 at 11:43:44 from 131.204.15.93
It might be a nagging injury, and it might just be morning stiffness; it always takes me a few steps every morning to get unstiff (heck, it takes me a few steps to get unstiff after sitting down for an hour or so...)
As far as other pains, I am beginning to get the twinges of some old plantar faciitis, which generally indicates that I need some new shoes, so for the last couple of runs, I've been using a pair of Under Armor shoes I got as a wear tester for Runner's World. Joints generally don't bother me (with the exception of stiff ankles in the morning, as mentioned above)
All in all, I seem to have better and more pain-free joints than the vast majority of my friends (young and old) who tell me how bad I am screwing up my knees by running like I do. I love irony.
From mike mcclellan on Fri, Dec 04, 2009 at 11:49:57 from 75.120.5.88
If anything my knees and joints feel stronger than yhey did 3 years ago.Opinions vary I guess.
From Nevels on Fri, Dec 04, 2009 at 11:57:33 from 131.204.15.93
Apparently we runners have identified the great myth that running messes up your knees. Many of the people that claim that they can't run because of their knees (even at my age) are the ones that have never tried it for any appreciable amount of time. They just assume that it would hurt them further because that's what they've been told by others in their predicament who heard it from still others, and so on and so on...
I've recently read several university studies out of the US, Sweden, and France (I think...) that have all concluded that distance running (if done properly) actually strengthens joints and increases the longevity of their functionality.
From Kelli on Fri, Dec 04, 2009 at 18:48:59 from 71.219.71.229
I read an article recently about that "myth" as well. I actually have arthritis and since I began running I have felt so much better, including the achy knees. That is just a bunch of bunk, another excuse to sit around and do nothing!
Have a great weekend.
Sat, Dec 05, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
11.50
0.00
0.00
0.00
11.50
hills are fun...right...?
Comments
From Ericka on Sat, Dec 05, 2009 at 23:16:01 from 70.193.246.240
I like to think of them as character builders
From B. Craig on Sun, Dec 06, 2009 at 02:37:22 from 71.12.114.159
True story...When the writers of the English language were creating the spelling for what we know as "hill", they accidentally misspelled the word. "Hill" is suppose to be spelled with an E in the place of I. Just saying...
Mon, Dec 07, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
9.60
0.00
0.00
0.00
9.60
"Coming home from very lonely places, all of us go a little mad; whether from great personal success, or just an all-night drive, we are the sole survivors of a world no one else has ever seen." - John le Carre
Comments
From Brent on Mon, Dec 07, 2009 at 22:03:56 from 76.8.201.223
Nevels, nice consistent mileage.
The quote gives thought - making it back with self absolution and resolution to never return. Every person is challenged, many succeed, some never return.
Nevels, your a young man with wisdom beyond your years.
Stay Kool, B of BS Rools out
From Burt on Tue, Dec 08, 2009 at 14:49:32 from 12.231.112.98
Not for long. flatlander has volunteered to follow me around with a camera.
Tue, Dec 08, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
3.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
3.00
"Providence has hidden a charm in difficult undertakings which is appreciated only by those who dare to grapple with them." - Anne-Sophie Swetchine
Thu, Dec 10, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
14.80
0.00
0.00
0.00
14.80
Upper 30's night running bliss
Comments
From Ericka on Thu, Dec 10, 2009 at 20:41:14 from 74.81.243.253
I feel it, now I hope this bliss thing rubs off on me. Nice job today!
From JD on Thu, Dec 10, 2009 at 21:13:45 from 166.216.128.76
From Brent on Fri, Dec 11, 2009 at 14:25:42 from 76.8.201.223
Nevels - still running in shorts? triple layer in Utah - nice miles on miles with no trials
Stay Kool, B of BS Rools out
From Eric Day on Sat, Dec 12, 2009 at 11:49:59 from 189.192.53.247
Go John ! Is this night run on a trail, asphalt or concrete? Good going.
Sun, Dec 13, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
3.30
0.00
0.00
0.00
3.30
3 to stay sane
Comments
From Burt on Tue, Dec 15, 2009 at 13:18:17 from 12.231.112.98
Glad you made the Hot Discussion Board. Way to go!
From Nevels on Tue, Dec 15, 2009 at 14:23:20 from 131.204.15.93
Thanks, but it might be dangerous for the hot discussion board - the last time I was on it (entry from Dec.17, 2008), the entire hot topics board got taken down...
From Burt on Tue, Dec 15, 2009 at 14:25:56 from 12.231.112.98
Yeah. That was funny. By the way, your two-word quips were better than everyone else's.
From Bonnie on Tue, Dec 15, 2009 at 14:27:44 from 128.196.228.134
ha ha ha ... I remember that "discussion" it was full of wisdom and deep thoughts.
From Nevels on Tue, Dec 15, 2009 at 14:45:27 from 131.204.15.93
It was pretty entertaining and somewhat educational. Good memories...
(don't tell anyone, but since the powers-that-be deleted the 265 comments from that day, a few more have gone back up...)
From JD on Tue, Dec 15, 2009 at 19:36:02 from 70.96.78.157
Rebel.
From Nevels on Tue, Dec 15, 2009 at 23:59:29 from 71.12.114.163
Enabler.
From Jelmo on Thu, Dec 17, 2009 at 17:06:28 from 68.186.196.145
Insanity
From Nevels on Fri, Dec 18, 2009 at 11:49:45 from 75.143.73.94
Hilarity
From Jelmo on Fri, Dec 18, 2009 at 23:30:29 from 68.186.196.145
Schwetty
From Nevels on Mon, Mar 22, 2010 at 15:11:09 from 131.204.15.93
Baldwin?
From Burt on Mon, Mar 22, 2010 at 15:19:07 from 206.19.214.144
Shannon.
From JD on Mon, Mar 22, 2010 at 22:19:17 from 209.183.51.66
Classic
From Nevels on Mon, Mar 22, 2010 at 22:29:18 from 75.143.79.30
Iconic
From Burt on Mon, Mar 22, 2010 at 23:50:29 from 98.177.220.145
Sinatra.
From Nevels on Wed, Mar 24, 2010 at 11:50:11 from 131.204.15.93
troubadour
From Burt on Wed, Mar 24, 2010 at 13:31:24 from 206.19.214.144
jongleur
From Nevels on Thu, Mar 25, 2010 at 17:56:56 from 131.204.15.93
minstrels?
From Burt on Thu, Mar 25, 2010 at 18:40:15 from 206.19.214.144
Renaissance.
From Nevels on Thu, Mar 25, 2010 at 18:47:39 from 75.143.79.30
Leonardo
Tue, Dec 15, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
16.10
0.00
0.00
0.00
16.10
I went out tonight really only wanting to wander around for about two hours. 2:01:46 later, I got back to my apartment. Fun stuff.
Nice little jaunt, sir. I've found that running is very hard work once you give it up for a couple weeks because of grad school. Going to try to get back to running a couple miles here and there during the winter.
How did the end of your semester go? I am stoked. I now have a MASTER'S DEGREE Woot. Just waiting for it in the mail now.
From Nevels on Wed, Dec 16, 2009 at 12:40:24 from 131.204.15.93
It is a bit difficult to try to get back into a routine once you've gotten out of one, and having to start back a few seconds per mile slower is a pain as well, but it all comes back after a couple of weeks...
My semester wrapped up well. I got an A in one course and am still waiting on the results from the other course, and this finishes up my coursework for the master's. All I have left is to get the thesis done...
Congrats on finishing yours up, man. Maybe we should start calling you "Master and Commando"
Wed, Dec 16, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
4.25
0.00
10.00
0.00
14.25
Tempo run with the Auburn running club. I wasn't planning on running as quickly as we did, but fortunately, one of the guys came out to run, so we managed to drag each other through a solid 10-miler. Good run.
On an even better note, I just checked my grades, and I managed A's in both classes I was taking this semester, finishing up course work for my master's degree. Now about that pesky little thesis...
Comments
From ultrajim on Wed, Dec 16, 2009 at 22:49:48 from 63.248.177.164
Finally posted a race report from last Saturday.
From Ericka on Thu, Dec 17, 2009 at 20:05:36 from 74.81.243.253
Sounds like cause for celebration. Nice job on your run and grades :)
From Brent on Fri, Dec 18, 2009 at 13:36:52 from 204.113.19.55
Ah, almost a sigh, nice run and grades.
B of BS Rools out
Fri, Dec 18, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
10.20
0.00
0.00
0.00
10.20
"Surely there comes a time when counting the cost and paying the price aren't things to think about any more. All that matters is value - the ultimate value of what one does." - James Hilton
Comments
From mike mcclellan on Fri, Dec 18, 2009 at 18:05:47 from 192.28.0.21
Nice miles.I had to work today but looking at a 20 tomorrow.Congrats on the A'S.You look smart in your pic.
From Brent on Sun, Dec 20, 2009 at 17:53:39 from 76.8.201.223
Nevels - miles on miles, keep those legs ready to fly upon demand. Hilton may be over my head.
Is paying the price to achieve worth the acheivement? The known value is the daily reward of effort. Running - run, run and run with the expectation of finish, times and blogger comments only to be hobbled, recover and repeat the price.
Stay Kool, Keep the wallet filled, B of BS Rools out
Mon, Dec 21, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
9.10
0.00
0.00
0.00
9.10
wit and wisdom
Tue, Dec 22, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
5.20
0.00
0.00
0.00
5.20
Scrooge: "You're a little absent minded, Spirit."
Ghost of Christmas Present: "No; I'm a large absent minded spirit!"
courtesy of my Inimitable Mother
Comments
From B. Craig on Wed, Dec 23, 2009 at 00:24:54 from 71.12.114.163
This makes me happy. Not sure why...
From Nevels on Wed, Dec 23, 2009 at 01:28:10 from 65.4.23.198
It makes me happy, too, buddy. I actually snicker every time I read it...
From Kelli on Thu, Dec 24, 2009 at 00:08:38 from 71.219.95.151
Have a very MeRrY ChRiStMaS absent minded spirits and all.
Wed, Dec 23, 2009
Race:
Run From the Ranger 50k (31 Miles) 04:56:14, Place overall: 1
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
31.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
31.00
50k fun run a.k.a. First Annual Wheeler Refuge 50k a.k.a. 50k Run From the Ranger, organized by Eric Schotz (schotz.fastrunningblog.com) and Jon Elmore (jelmo.fastrunningblog.com). Had a blast with a group of ten or so guys (and almost as many dogs) in a very informal 50k run with a few water stops. Good course and good company. We mainly just ran along, chatting it up for most of the day before finally getting a little strung out in the last 5 or so miles. Eric and I pulled a bit ahead and managed to finish just under 5 hours (4:56:14), which is quicker than I figured we'd finish, given the relatively relaxed nature of most of the run. All in all, it was a fun day and a good run, and it has the potential to be a good, fast future race.
Comments
From Eric Day on Thu, Dec 24, 2009 at 16:52:54 from 189.169.169.1
Merry Christmas-Feliz Navidad !!!
Fun run....? wow...
From Burt on Thu, Dec 24, 2009 at 17:44:08 from 98.177.216.165
From Eric Day on Mon, Dec 28, 2009 at 12:55:10 from 189.192.47.180
Cool video John, thanks.
Tue, Dec 29, 2009
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
4.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
4.00
4 with lovely little sis. always fun.
Comments
From flatlander on Thu, Dec 31, 2009 at 09:47:05 from 198.207.244.102
Congratulations on a great running year. You have fun running, and running with family is the best. Doesn't happen often enough around my house.
From Brent on Thu, Dec 31, 2009 at 16:18:35 from 168.178.30.194
Nevels - Aristotle on the Run or Trailing Aristotle- you have earned a handle "Trailing Aristotle"
Keep it real - have a great 2010 running with spirit of running.
Stay Kool, B of BS Rools out
Thu, Dec 31, 2009
Race:
Recover From the Holidays 50k (31 Miles) 04:40:15, Place overall: 11
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
31.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
31.00
Ran the Recover From the Holidays 50k this morning. Fun run; did a lot of chatting with running buddies from Huntsville, and enjoyed pretty good weather. Ended up with a 4:40:15, with which I am well pleased, considering the amount of effort put forward.
Comments
From mike mcclellan on Thu, Dec 31, 2009 at 20:59:51 from 99.195.195.219
Thanks for all your encouragement man.You always have kind and encouraging words for other runners. I sort of under estimated the trail (mud,hills,rocks,roots) with all my training being on the road. But I must say that it feels good to have a mileage base good enough to finish and be able to walk around without being in a great deal of pain.
From mike mcclellan on Thu, Dec 31, 2009 at 21:00:44 from 99.195.195.219
You made the run look effortless!!
From JD on Thu, Dec 31, 2009 at 22:02:04 from 166.128.190.173
You do make your incredible running accomplishments look pretty easy (at least here in Blog World). Thanks for all of your input and humorous perspective throughout the year.
