Crossing the Catalina Channel

Last weekend I accompanied a stand-up paddle boarding team that raced from Catalina Island to Dana Point California -- 39 miles across the Catalina channel. The two-man team consisted of my brother Al C and Keith.  The crew boat was captained by Greg P who was supported by his son and first mate Daniel P with me serving as head swabby.    I filled in by grabbing the board during the many transitions along this trek, downing Red Bulls on the hour and scarfing whatever food remnants I had leftover from my 50 mile race the day before.  It was a great effort by Al and Keith who paddled a combined 8 hours and 42 minutes, much of the time in a difficult head wind,  and came in third place in the Masters two-man relay division.  Good job guys!

Al C

Keith

Old Goats 50 Miler -- Race Report

Knowledge is patience. Patience is knowledge. These were the words I kept repeating to myself at the Old Goat 50 miler.  Over and over.

Going in I knew this was going to be a big hurdle.  Old Goats is the second race I entered that is part of the Southern California Ultra Grand Prix series.  A reported 13,423’ of climbing and descending, a lot of technical trail and several stream crossings.  According to the Old Goat website, the “race ranks among the toughest fifty milers in the country”.

This course is nestled in the Santa Ana Mountains, a mountain range that extends for 36 miles between Orange and Riverside counties.  We started out of Blue Jay campground and headed “out and back” for 20 miles through a pretty technical single track.  This was the hors d’oeuvre served to the runners before they were offered up the 4000’, 8 mile climb from the bottom of Holy Jim Canyon to the top of Saddleback Mountain.

I need to say cheers to Charlie Nickell for standing in butt cold water to help all the runners cross a creek before we hit the Candy Store aid station.  Wearing a wetsuit and booties, Charlie stood in a stream for hours to help the runners get through a rather rapid section of the creek. How many people do you know that would do this?

As I made my way up the 4,000’ climb of Holy Jim trail and then Main Divide, I continued my mantra, knowledge is patience and patience is knowledge.  And as I approached the summit, I realized it was beginning to work. Saving my energy on the climb, I had the strength to motor through the last 15 miles.  On another note, have you guys ever listened to the song Rise by Eddie Vedder?  It was in my head for much of these 15 miles.  It’s such a cool song I hope you give it a listen.

9 hours 10 minutes and 7th place overall.  I actually felt good at the finish!

Knowledge is patience. 
 

Run Ultras - Why Do I Do It?

The moon breaks through the twilight.  Its light glows on the path before me. Over my head looms the night’s sky and in front of me the steely blue horizon is fading. I notice a tiny yellow star, twinkling.  Then it finally occurred to me why I’m out here. 

This week I signed my name on an application, licked a stamp and dropped an envelop in a big mail box on the side of the road. I drove away and looked in the rear view mirror. I could feel the skin tingling on my back.  That feeling of anticipation, kind of like jumping from a cliff to a lake far below. I’m now airborne, and there is no turning back.  Exhilaration seeps in.

Inside the envelope was an application to the Angeles Crest 100 mile run.  But sealing the envelop was my decision to run at least six ultras this year as part of the Southern California Ultra Runner Grand Prix. This is a “points earned for races completed” series of ultras with 19 races from 50k to 100 mile distances.       

Sometimes people ask why.  Why do you do this...run 50, 100 Miles?  Ok, yes, its a little different, I’ll admit.  What are the alternatives, golf?  Tennis?  Enough said there. I used to like surfing, but found it to be a little boring, waiting for the waves and all.  Cycling?  Way too much emphasis on equipment to be a genuine endurance sport for me. Swimming? Great for kids.

Viktor E. Frankl wrote in Man’s Search for Meaning that the prisoners in the Nazi concentration camps, men suffering in horrid conditions “experienced the beauty and art of nature as never before“.  In this book he writes “If someone would have seen our faces on the journey from Auschwitz to a Bavarian camp as we beheld the mountains of Salzburg with their summits glowing in the sunset, through the little barred windows of the prison carriage, he would never have believed that those were the faces of men who had given up all hope of life and liberty.  Despite that factor—or maybe because of it—we were carried away by nature’s beauty...”

Frankl published more than 30 books on theoretical and clinical psychology.  He maintained that the primary drive in life is not pleasure, as Freud believed, but the  discovery and pursuit of what we find meaningful.

So what does all this mean? I’m not really sure and I wish I had the answer. Maybe being carried away by a moonlit path or a steely blue horizon, or feeling the simple exhilaration of sealing an envelop, has something to do with why I do this.  Maybe I've come to realize that it's the simple things, those I used to take for granted, that matter the most.          

I hope you are carried away by your own moonlit path.  

Japan Disaster: Send a Donation

Now is a good time to send a donation to help the victims of the worst disaster that has struck Japan since the dreaded American atomic bombs destroyed Hiroshima and Nagasaki.  All you have to do is send a text and you can donate $10.  The American Red Cross raised over $32 million in a similar campaign after the Haiti Earthquake.

How?  Text to the following number: 90999 and type in REDCROSS.  I did this and immediately got a reply asking to confirm the donation.  It's as easy as that.

The Salvation Army, which has had a presence in Japan since 1895 is also providing relief.  Text QUAKE or JAPAN to 80888 to donate to SA's relief efforts there.

You can also visit these organizations websites at the following links to make a donation via credit card.

The Red Cross

The Salvation Army

This Sport Needs An Enema!

Can somebody tell me what kind of a sport we compete in when somebody dressed up as a [insert here] gets all of the press?

One of the most interesting things about ultra running is the lightening rod effect Dean Karnazes has on the sport.  The guy is not considered by many to be an elite runner in the sport (although he has won races) yet he attracts more attention than most if not all of the “elite” runners.  What is the beef here?  Dean makes money in a sport that is not considered a money maker?  Or is it just the media attention?  Since money follows the media my guess is its all about the money.

Which brings me to this post. For those ultra runners who complain about Dean, you should stop for a second to remember that every company selling you products is making money off of you!  That’s right, you!  PROFIT. Take a look at Montrail for a minute.  Glance through their “team” member websites.  Everyone of them – hook, line and sinker – is pitching the product.  They're even pitching the Montrail website!  So who is in it for the money?  Why do we have sponsors in our sport?  Why do runners seek sponsors?  For the money! Is there a line between sponsored “elite” runners and Dean?

Of course ultra runners that win the races should get most of the media attention and the money. But when you think about the general population who think running 100 miles is a throw back to Forest Gump and read People Magazine for the news, are you surprised they don’t?

Like the Joker once said, “Never rub a man’s rhubarb".

Yes of course I would like your comments! 

My Neuroma

Lyrics not to be confused with My Sherona.  No, this song goes something like this...

What the &%$# is wrong with my foot!  It feels like it is on fire.  And we’re not talking about a small brush fire here.  Holy crap I’ve got another 20 miles to run.  What am I going to do?  I wish they carried fire extinguishers at the aid stations. Every time I take a step my toes feel like they are going to explode.  Did someone stash a gaggle of fire ants in my shoe? Running gods can you hear me?!  Help.  Me......

This, of course, is the scene I’m trying to avoid at my next 50 miler just three weeks away. But this, of course, is the predicament of one runner with a neuroma on his right foot.  I thought it was just a rock that I had stepped on a few weeks back.  The burning, ugly feeling that enveloped my toes and forefoot was downright rude to me and had no sympathy for my trail savvy feet.  The burning, ugly feeling only showed itself on the longest of trail runs, but then started rearing its obnoxious head on the simple little runs during the week. Burning, ugly feeling, you're going to do this to me now? Oh boy.

So when I showed up at the podiatrist with shoes in hand I wasn’t surprised when he said it wasn’t a broken bone.  What?  Doctor please tell me I didn’t come here to find out I don’t have broken bone.  No, you’ve come here to learn about a neuroma, and that you have one in your right foot.  Neuromas suck, because they cause a burning, ugly feeling.  And it feels like your foot is on fire....Thanks Doctor.  Actually the guy was pretty cool, and he injected my foot with cortisone.

Image: jscreationzs / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

That was what he did.  What I did was rotate several shoes through several runs. I found out that certain shoes cause the neuroma to flair up, and others don’t. Unfortunately my go-to trail shoes I’ve worn in the last few races—Montrail Mountain Masochist—seem to trigger the darn thing.  My New Balance 760s, a road shoe, don't seem to trigger it.  So until such time as this $%#@ thing packs its bags for good, I’ll be running in my 760s, which of course were discontinued this year. The good news to all this? 760s are available all over the internet at half price!  Thanks running gods!  I new you would look out for me! 

Snow Running In Orange County, CA

Orange County California.  Known for its warm weather, sandy beaches and oceanside communities.  But most don’t know that the highest elevation in the OC exceeds that of Denver Colorado.  That’s right, the OC trumps the mile high city 5,689’ vs 5,280’.

When Rob M and I started running Harding Trail for a 29 miler to the top of Modjeska Peak and back, we looked up and saw snow on the ridge some 4’000 feet above us. “Think we’ll see much snow”? I asked Rob.   He didn’t seem as convinced as I that the snow would be a factor today.  Wow!  Was I right about the snow!  Once we approached the Main Divide road the snow was a foot deep and we became very determined to get through it. We trudged like yaks for several miles in OC’s finest powder!

There is something to be said for running into thinner air.  Starting low and going high.  900’ to 5’500’.  Getting off the roads.  Falling face down in the snow.  Keeping going while things aren’t going too well.  Then rounding that last turn to see that small place you’ve been struggling to get to.  Then to get there!  Wow.  Every time, every opportunity, I will relish it.


Here are a few photos and a short video of the journey. 

Untitled from Will C on Vimeo.

Yak'n Aint Just For Frat Boys

I'm getting ready to step outside for a 5 to 8 miler.  The range is due to my lack of confidence in how I'll long I'll last out there.  It's 21 degrees and still dark out where I'm at in the So Cal mountains and according to Weather Underground, where I am is the lowest temperature in the State of California.  Before I go I'll be strapping on my Yak Trax which (hopefully) will keep me safe as I tread on black ice under the dark sky.  I'm at a loss as to how you Canadians and snow bound Americans do this every day in the winter.  Keep on Yak'n folks.    

Tennis Ball Run

Sometimes you just have to liven things up a bit.  Today Rob M and I kicked a tennis ball for 6 miles along the beach during a 20 mile run.  Sprint, stop, run, in the water, out of the water...great strength builder.  You should try it sometime!

The Fifteen Five Technique

A Trail of Snow in Chicago

This last weekend I tried a new training technique that should hold some promise for some long races this season.  I was in Chicago for the weekend which is nothing but flat and mostly road/asphalt running (and lots of snow!).  This stuff really tears me up if I'm running anything longer than 2 hours.  Since I needed to get 30 miles in I did a 10 miler on Saturday and a 22.6 miler on Sunday.  

The Primanti Sandwich -- A Pittsburg Favorite

I knew I was going to be on my feet for up to 4 hours on Sunday so I decided to try something different than the typical long grind pavement.  I decided I'd do 15 minute/5 minute run/walk combination the entire time.  I've heard several accounts of ultra runners doing planned walking like this during races with very positive results.       


How did it go?  I think it is something I'll be doing on a regular basis when I'm putting in longer aerobic runs.  There are many benefits to the run/walk approach.  First, I'm able to keep my running form during the entire time.  Turnover, leg lift, and stride, the things that tend to get sloppy on longer runs, are maintained with the run/walk approach.  Another benefit is my average heart rate remained pretty low, 132 bpm, even in during the later miles. 


Another benefit of the run-walk technique is recovery.  Neither during the run nor after did I ever feel the soreness normally associated with running on roads.  My legs grew tired, but not enough to slow my pace or change my form.  Run-recover-run-recover.  Unlike when I finish most long runs, I felt relaxed and ready to keep running.  Relaxed enough to enjoy a Primonti Sandwich and a Guinness before the Superbowl at Dunlay's on the Square! 

Mega Storm? Yea Right.

I'm going to cancel my trip".  The words rolled off my tongue as I sat in front of the tv  monday night watching the "mega" storm pummel the Midwest on it's way to the East coast.   But when I boarded the plane to New York tuesday I decided the media was hyping the storm for ratings, and, after all, if my plane took off, surly it would land!

This week brought another road trip I've grown accustomed to as a working runner.  This time to New York City and Columbus, Ohio for work and then to Chicago this weekend for a quick vacation.  Despite all the miles in the air I managed to get some miles on the ground. I showed up in  New York without any running shorts but i didn't let that slow me down (a little cold for streaking so I had to buy a pair).

I think traveling as a runner keeps me 'green and growing', a preferable state than, say, ripe and rotting.  On this trip I was able to meet a very cool runner/ blogger, Eric G, who finished three 100 mile races in 2010 to qualify for Badwater (http://justamiletogo.blogspot.com).  He did this despite crewing a runner at Badwater last year under the stifling heat.  "It made me want to do it more", Eric said to me as we sat at a bar musing about ultra running and other necessities in life.  I met Eric's dad on a plane to Milwaukee a year ago who told me that his son ran those crazy distances.  I've been following his blog ever since and recommend it for some good  running inspiration.

After running central park on weds evening, I gained some valuable experience running at Columbus airport on Thursday afternoon.  I had several hours to kill so I bought a cheap pair of Ohio State sweats, changed into my running gear in the handicap stall in the mens room, put an extra shirt in a plastic bag, checked my bags and then stepped outside in 12 degrees to knock out 5 miles.   Not the ten I would have done at home, but 5 less that I have to do this weekend on vacation to hit 80 this week.

Now I sit on Delta flight 1327 to LAX listening to Pandora uploading this post via wifi.  This gig is kinda fun!

Keep it real, bloggers.

Trail Cop...Run!

Forgive me officer, I am a runner.  I run these trails with no malicious intent.  I just like...."do you want to be arrested son?!  This could cost you $1,600!"  No sir....

Moments after being "busted" by Irvine Police (photo J.Rowland)

Socially Awkward?

"Men and women who race at distances longer than marathons—also known as ultrarunners—are by reputation and reality a strange, obsessive, and somewhat socially awkward lot."

Ok, they're taken from last year's Runner's World article on Scott Jurek (the King of Pain), but do these words really describe us ultra runners?  Ok, I can handle strange--I'll even consider this a complement in a world of plain vanillas.  I can deal with obsessive--hell I'm now counting my weekly elevation gain.  But socially awkward?  Man, that one hurts.

Thanks Runner's World for describing us so equivocally.  Oh, sorry, that's a little awkward.  I meant go *#!* yourself!

Avalon 50 Mile - Race Report

Bino M Finishing the 50

Have you ever seen the sun rise over the Pacific Ocean? Stood 20 feet from a wild buffalo?  Peered 1,000 feet over a school of dolphin?  If you haven’t, it's time you check your calendar and run the Avalon Benefit 50 mile run on Southern California’s Catalina Island. Avalon 50 is an old school ultra, now in it's 30th year, predating most ultras around the country.  The course, with over 7,300 feet of elevation gain, is challenging yet offers some of the best scenery in southern California.

The race started at 5 am when the race official simply said "go" in a voice soft enough to be mistaken for a church prayer.  Then some 250 runners scampered into the darkness up the streets of Avalon until we reached the trail head. From there we started the 2 mile, 1,600 foot climb to one of the Pacific Coast’s most glorious trails, the Trans Catalina Trail.  As we climbed, I glanced to my right and for a second I thought I was peering over a glassy lake, with the stars above shining up at me from the darkness below.  But the illusion quickly revealed itself when the reflection morphed into flashlights of runners on the trail below me.

Once to the top of the trail we continued in the darkness for another 30 minutes until we were greeted by the glow of an amber winter's sunrise over the Pacific Ocean.  Next to me were two masters runners clipping along like they were running a 10k.  Ray, a 54 year old runner from Long Beach, was training  for Wasatch 100 mile run in Utah.  We talked over several miles, covering many topics, from how we got into running to the ubiquitous lotteries of 100 milers.  “Its all about the money” Ray laughingly said as we each descended into our own 50 mile odyssey.

I continued down the trail, feeling pretty smug listening to the Chemical Brothers’ ‘Asleep From Today,’ Moby’s ‘Hotel Intro’ and other trance VO2 vibe.  The only hiccup listening to music on trail is that it has a limited life.  Don’t expect to use it for more than a few hours, because the mind also needs to connect with the natural sounds around it.  If denied this primitive need, my mind will tumble into a dark place I don’t want it to go.

The trail didn’t disappoint as it traversed dozens of miles of remote territory around Santa Catalina Island.  Just after spotting a school of dolphin while cresting a hill hovering above the Pacific Ocean, I ran upon a giant buffalo right in the middle of the fire road. Do I run right by and hope for the best?  Or do I saunter by gingerly to avoid a confrontation? Glancing for escape routes as I approached the behemoth, I chose the former, and got through unscathed.

At this point I was nearing the turnaround so I started counting the number of runners coming back to me. This was when I realized my goal of a top ten finish was in serous jeopardy.  One, two, six, ten, twelve, fourteen...ok I got the message and just stopped counting.  From here I resolved to do two things for the next several hours: keep my feet turning over, and pick off as many in front of me as possible.

So I kept on moving, through several aid stations where the volunteers worked tirelessly to help us tired runners, and through many miles of running in solitude.  One by one, six runners came back to me, beckoning me toward the finish.

Then, finally, I turned the corner for the 2 mile, 1,500 foot decent on the paved road to the finish line.  Wow, I thought, who ever thought of this punishing finish deserves a place in the funny farm.  What we runners do for tradition!  8 hours 13 mins.  14th overall.  A good day on trail. 

360 Degrees of Motivation

Today’s run almost didn’t happen.  As I sat at my desk this afternoon feeling run down from working through my second cold in a month, my head felt like it was full of enough Elmer’s glue to supply a second grade craft project.  I coaxed myself into it by making a promise just to go out easy on a 10 miler. What the heck, I thought, maybe I’ll feel better once I’m out there.

So there I was. Running along on a familiar trail, trying to determine how the next hour and half would unfold.  As I moved through my playground, the motion took control of my mood, while my eyes feasted on the spectacles around me.

Sure, the dirt turned to sludge under my feet, and mud rose to my ankles, but when I looked up, the sky drooped with golden clouds that glowed like magic plumes.  Yes, a favorite trail of mine was closed, and I couldn’t run down my preferred route, but when I turned around, Saddleback Mountain glowed from the sun’s nascent rays.  Of course, I could feel the grasp of a stubborn cold, and my breath struggled to find its place, but as I stood under this inviting sky, I turned, and turned, and turned.  By the time I turned 360 degrees, I knew I’d made the right choice.  Indeed, I found my motivation.

I felt better being out there. 


Here is what I saw when I turned all the way around. Be sure to click on the enlarge icon on the bottom and listen to the sounds.  





360 Degrees of Motivation from Will C on Vimeo.