tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49643988160921266792024-03-05T01:33:31.180-05:00Running with WazHusband - Father - Ultra Runner - Race Director - DreamerTim Wazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16571827715930538368noreply@blogger.comBlogger62125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4964398816092126679.post-67838830742597001312022-12-07T09:50:00.001-05:002022-12-07T09:50:34.251-05:00Thanks Victor...<p> Well it was bound to happen... I finally got Covid. After two and a half years of licking every door knob I could I finally got Covid after a fun weekend with friends in Charleston. </p><p>What it feel like? I had a tension headache all day Monday and just felt run down. I crashed hard that evening and just felt drained. When I got up on Tuesday I felt even worse and Lainey told me that one of our friends had just tested positive so I took a nose swab and it immediately popped a POSITIVE. Crap.</p><p>Three days later the pressure let up in my head and surprisingly I felt much better but I still felt drained. I would fall asleep around 1:00pm and sleep late into the evening. I gave it a few extra days before I jumped back into training and everything felt great. <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDPqvfmSUe22fqLzdDFmfQhKV9_085d1MVQo8DpMjL4CYaGvL0uiVcvQaCnQ02r5kx-xpc-MMdXItoj0-P_NvwE1K0CqHLJ6MAMp51Z0UxtHaokFVtYx2GLxWdcTFtaLrHtsL-CCWYH2XPVsmV52vsaAe7ZlADPwVk-QgAKGS_fUCvKuIUV3V98pj_/s1723/covidtraining.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="1723" height="144" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDPqvfmSUe22fqLzdDFmfQhKV9_085d1MVQo8DpMjL4CYaGvL0uiVcvQaCnQ02r5kx-xpc-MMdXItoj0-P_NvwE1K0CqHLJ6MAMp51Z0UxtHaokFVtYx2GLxWdcTFtaLrHtsL-CCWYH2XPVsmV52vsaAe7ZlADPwVk-QgAKGS_fUCvKuIUV3V98pj_/w491-h144/covidtraining.jpg" width="491" /></a></div>I hate that I lost two weeks, but I actually feel great almost rested now that I'm back into doing two a days on the road and the incline trainer. 105 Days left... time to get rolling!<br />Tim Wazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16571827715930538368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4964398816092126679.post-31016939299917824822022-11-08T16:36:00.009-05:002022-11-08T16:36:55.591-05:00Here we go again...<p> Back in the saddle training for my favorite race and I'm scared to death being 10-years since I made my way "out there"... Let's see how this goes!</p><p>Day 1: <br /></p><p><b>Treadmill Climbing: </b><br /></p><p>1 Mile at 30% grade 1584 feet of climb<br /></p><p><b>Road Miles</b> <br /></p><p>3 miles at 8:50 pace<br /></p><p><b>Strength Training:</b></p><p>3 sets of 15 push-up</p><p>3 sets of 12 double step-up unweighted<br /></p>Tim Wazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16571827715930538368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4964398816092126679.post-79924979010441756742019-07-15T14:19:00.003-04:002019-07-15T14:19:27.072-04:00Road to Ouray 100<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
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Last year a documentary came out on the Ouray, Colorado 100 Mile race, rightfully name the Ouray 100. The story featured Avery Collins's win during his 2016 race and the issues he faced during the race. </div>
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Watch the documentary on Amazon Prime <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Ouray-100-Avery-Collins/dp/B07BXY92LH" target="_blank">HERE</a> </div>
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After the movie was over I printed out the very detailed course details which quickly reflected 83,724 of total change at an average elevation of 10,239 (Peak 13,365 & low 7,640). I quickly threw the newly printed packet in the trash since I was only two weeks post inguinal hernia surgery recovery. I made Stephen watch the movie a dozen more times that summer and we were even watching it while we both pulled the trigger for the Georgia Death Race lottery...</div>
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Road to Ouray 100... </h2>
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2017: </h2>
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<li>I ran one Ultra all year, the <b>Chattanooga 100</b> on Dec 1st and had a miserable performance finishing in 31:19:33. </li>
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2018: </h2>
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<li><b>Inguinal Hernia Surgery</b>: March 11th (Thank you Snarkle: REDEMPTION)</li>
<li><b>Savannah Sultry Swamp Run 20K</b>: July 28th 1:51.54 - My core was still so weak and continued to have a significant about of pressure when I ran</li>
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<span style="color: red;">I get into the Georgia Death Race but don't have a qualifying race... What was I thinking?!</span></div>
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<li><b>FATS 50K</b>: October 7th 8:01.11 (I dragged myself through 8 hours of hiking so I'd be able to run GDR the following Spring. Miserable, miserable day.</li>
<li><b>One EPIC Run</b>: December 1st - 26 miles (pacing duties with Stephen) miserable wet cold night.</li>
<li>Decided at this point that I was ready to sign up for the Ouray 100 (even though I didn't have a qualifying race... maybe I could use GDR) </li>
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<span style="color: red;">Noah Moore texts me and says, "you know, if you don't run my race next month, this will be the first year in 8 year that you didn't run a 100?!" Dammit Noah... Rich and I pull the trigger with less than 3 weeks before the race. Oh, yeah this seems like a great race to use as a qualified for Ouray too!</span></div>
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<li><b>Charleston 100 Miler</b>: December 28th 25:51.20 - not miserable considering my longest run in over a year was 28 miles. Rich ran an awesome first 100!!!</li>
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2019:</h2>
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<li><b>Foot Hills Trail</b> (Whitewater to Table Rock 51ish miles): <div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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February 16th - Awesome day out on the trails with Rich and Lainey, everything felt great! Started sleeping in the Hypoxico Tent at 12,500 feet each night.</li>
<li> <b>Georgia Death Race:</b> 74 Miles 22:21.38 - Training leading up to GDR was going great, started having some Achilles/ Arch/ Leg issues leading into the race which stuck around through May.</li>
<li> In June I was finally able to hit my training hard again with the use of an incline trainer and Hypoxico Elevation Machine getting in more than 20K of incline per week </li>
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At this point I feel that I put in all the miles and training to give me the best opportunity to finish this race considering that I live below sea level. Thanks to Coach Pat Regan for keeping me on the right track! I decided to drive to Colorado and meet my Crew Chief, Victor Fallon there to acclimate to the elevation before the race and car camp out before the event. More to come!</div>
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Event Website: <a href="https://www.ouray100.com/home" target="_blank">Click Here </a></div>
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Live Tracking: <a href="https://www.ouray100.com/tracking" target="_blank">Click Here</a></div>
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Tim Wazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16571827715930538368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4964398816092126679.post-29597694657312367422016-02-04T20:55:00.000-05:002016-02-08T14:09:25.762-05:00Susitna 100 - Pre Race<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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On February 13-14 I will be running the Susitna 100 in Susitna, Alaska. I've have zero experience running in the snow, very little experience running in the expected temperatures and will also be required to pull a sled behind me with all of my required gear. What could possibly go wrong?<br />
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I'll be checking in at the following points:<br />
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Mi 0 - Happy Trails Kennel / N 61 deg 33.04' W 149 deg 56.33'<br />
Mi 20 - Point MacKenzie Parking Lot / N 61 deg 25.35' W 150 deg 5.30'<br />
Mi 32 - Flathorn Lake / N 61 deg 28.01' W 150 deg 24.47'<br />
Mi 46 - 5 Star Tent Checkpoint (Waypoint for Scary Tree corner: N 61 deg 35.97' W 150 deg 27.16')<br />
Mi 60 - Eagle Quest Lodge / N 61 deg 43.22' W 150 deg 11.33'<br />
Mi 77 - Cow Lake Cabin / N 61 deg 35.37' W 150 deg 11.98'<br />
Mi 89 - Big Hunter Loop Trail Tent / N 61 deg 36.96' W 149 deg 56.17'<br />
Mi 100 - Finish<br />
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Race Details: <a href="http://www.susitna100.com/" target="_blank">Susitna 100</a><br />
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Spot Tracker Link: <a href="http://tinyurl.com/TimSusitna100" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>Tim Wazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16571827715930538368noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4964398816092126679.post-29081738548625559292014-12-30T15:06:00.000-05:002014-12-30T15:06:10.500-05:002015 Race Schedule<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfI56qiT89CHzW1F30HTGwfmG8PyuzWc65ZnNJF7BU08YBg4TKK4cTTYE7MqRpvqbgxx9B1J-CyjdDWJaHYvVYX2nsS9M8YTqr_f5o5wuRpfFGLCK8zoGpd1471qcGPHFldri5lQUjsr8/s1600/2014-12-30_10-39-42.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfI56qiT89CHzW1F30HTGwfmG8PyuzWc65ZnNJF7BU08YBg4TKK4cTTYE7MqRpvqbgxx9B1J-CyjdDWJaHYvVYX2nsS9M8YTqr_f5o5wuRpfFGLCK8zoGpd1471qcGPHFldri5lQUjsr8/s1600/2014-12-30_10-39-42.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfI56qiT89CHzW1F30HTGwfmG8PyuzWc65ZnNJF7BU08YBg4TKK4cTTYE7MqRpvqbgxx9B1J-CyjdDWJaHYvVYX2nsS9M8YTqr_f5o5wuRpfFGLCK8zoGpd1471qcGPHFldri5lQUjsr8/s1600/2014-12-30_10-39-42.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfI56qiT89CHzW1F30HTGwfmG8PyuzWc65ZnNJF7BU08YBg4TKK4cTTYE7MqRpvqbgxx9B1J-CyjdDWJaHYvVYX2nsS9M8YTqr_f5o5wuRpfFGLCK8zoGpd1471qcGPHFldri5lQUjsr8/s1600/2014-12-30_10-39-42.jpeg" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
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The following is a quick look at my 2015 Race Calendar as it stands today. Hope to see a lot of my friends out on these trails and roads with me!!!<br />
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J<b>anuary 10, 2015</b> - Cloudland Canyon 50 Miler<br />
Rising Fawn, GA<br />
<a href="http://www.runbumtours.com/#!cloudland-canyon-1150m-/c1uqg" target="_blank">Official Race Website</a><br />
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<b>Description:</b> 46 miles of trail and 4 miles of paved road within the park. We cannot reiterate how beautiful this course is! 17,000 ft of elevation change for the 50 miler. 5:00am start time guarantees an amazing sunrise. Rocky and technical, when you run this you will feel like you are in the pacific northwest.</div>
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<b>March ???</b> - Double Foot Hills Run</div>
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Oconee State Park, SC</div>
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<a href="http://www.foothillstrailultraruns.com/" target="_blank">Official Run Website</a></div>
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<b>Description:</b> The Foot Hills Trail is a 77 mile trail which connects Oconee State Park to Table Rock State Park.</div>
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<b>April 18, 2015</b> - Leatherwood Ultra 50 Miler<br />
Ferguson, NC<br />
<a href="http://www.leatherwoodultras.com/" target="_blank">Official Race Website</a><br />
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<b>Description:</b> Held on the ground of Leatherwood Mountains Resort. The race course will take place over varied terrain in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. Much of the race will be on single track. Course will consist of 4 loops. There will be 3 unique loops with one loop of 10 miles being repeated. Gain and loss will be about 13,000ft, giving you 26,000ft of change.</div>
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<b>May 23-25, 2015</b> - Savannah Grit 175K stage race<br />
Savannah, GA<br />
<a href="http://danlhernandez.com/savannahgrit175.php" target="_blank">Official Race Website</a><br />
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<b>Description:</b> This event will be a true test of endurance and toughness! The Savannah Grit 175K stage race will consist of:<br />
Stage 1: 100K at the Whitemarsh Island Preserve, Savannah GA<br />
Stage 2: 50K Tom Triplet Park in Pooler, GA<br />
Stage 3: 25K Robert's Dairy Farm in Thunderbolt, GA<br />
Stage 4: 1 mile sprint Wormsloe Historic Site<br />
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<b>July 9, 2015</b> - Vol State 500K<br />
Tennessee<br />
<a href="http://volstate314.com/" target="_blank">Official Race Website</a><br />
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<b>Description:</b> The Vol-State is a journey, an adventure and an exploration of inner space. It begins with a ferry ride across the Mississippi River, from Missouri to Kentucky and finishes at "the rock" high atop Sand Mountain in Northeast Georgia. What lies in between are 314 miles of the great unknown. From the time the Vol-Stater steps off the Ferry, until they reach the Rock, they are totally reliant upon their own physical and mental resources.<br />
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<b>August 15, 2015</b> - Death before DNF 100 Miler<br />
Black Mountain, NC<br />
<a href="http://www.upstateultra.com/death-before-dnf.html" target="_blank">Official Race Website</a><br />
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<b>Description:</b> This will be a semi-marked course with maps that you will be provided with in order to traverse the trail. 26 mile loop that climbs and ascends, and ascends and climbs and gets harder and harder. Aid is what you bring with you on the trail. This challenge is designed to awaken the soul and the mind in pushing your perceived limited beyond the intangible. Running alone is important. You should find what drives you and pushes you to dig deeper and endure more pain.<strong style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: small; line-height: 30px;"><em style="position: relative;"> </em></strong><br />
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background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 26px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 252px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a>Tim Wazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16571827715930538368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4964398816092126679.post-73516113282563573522014-11-18T16:13:00.000-05:002014-11-19T18:45:24.189-05:00Foot Hills Trail Run - Nov 13th<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvYE8KE_RmrHjJh2vdBL4hSVa6H0oE63BLh61Ny_lZR625DuthKfpx0ZkqyzxQvY3TFGgskgkkbLfjwUVzye7TkHo2-Y7XhzZ7DKNH5DF2cY3DinIf9V12bfiCu2dXk9wW4XYA2_SlSZU/s1600/8529c1aa7065bdea367a78bd31b1f37f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvYE8KE_RmrHjJh2vdBL4hSVa6H0oE63BLh61Ny_lZR625DuthKfpx0ZkqyzxQvY3TFGgskgkkbLfjwUVzye7TkHo2-Y7XhzZ7DKNH5DF2cY3DinIf9V12bfiCu2dXk9wW4XYA2_SlSZU/s1600/8529c1aa7065bdea367a78bd31b1f37f.jpg" /></a></div>
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I usually wait a week or so before I put a race report together. Since this wasn't a race I figured I could get a recap together as I have already begun thinking of what went wrong, what went right and how can I improve for next time....</div>
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<b>Forward</b></div>
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My plan was to run a Double Foothills Trail run beginning and ending at Oconee State Park, covering 154 miles. My goal time was 55 hours with a sub 24 hour first leg. I would start thursday morning at 4:00am and be done by Saturday afternoon. Karen would be crewing me for the entire run and Bo, Tiana and Kelley would be coming out as the weekend rolled around to help me wrap things up.</div>
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<b>History</b></div>
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The development of the Foot Hills Trail began in the 1960 and was complete by 1981. Please take a few minutes and check out the Foothills Trail Conference website by clicking <a href="http://www.foothillstrail.org/" target="_blank">here</a></div>
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<b>The Start</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEvY4wNVfTjcBsGhj3hVtf42yJWrZnIMYD2EkjBek6evvWfxsHetTmbliD-L8hbuDdLAeGDCoRnoNj0jvi2JUE0VSDH1XfN-X9Lkg-0YhLZaNaqkE1ev-4XojabwGThE4r2rPXUcmGExM/s1600/10676143_10203123729481957_3757237427816075819_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEvY4wNVfTjcBsGhj3hVtf42yJWrZnIMYD2EkjBek6evvWfxsHetTmbliD-L8hbuDdLAeGDCoRnoNj0jvi2JUE0VSDH1XfN-X9Lkg-0YhLZaNaqkE1ev-4XojabwGThE4r2rPXUcmGExM/s1600/10676143_10203123729481957_3757237427816075819_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
The morning kicked off at 3:00am with the French Press brewing and the wind blowing. The temperatures were near perfect in the mid 50's and not a cloud in the sky. We packed up quickly to make the short drive up to the trail head. Pictures were taken and my BO-2000 watch (A gift Bo gave me at Frozen Head this past March) rolled over to 04:00:00. A few strides up the trail I decided that I wasn't going to look back that I wanted to see what was behind me on my return trip. My plan laid out 7 points before I'd reach Table Rock State Park where my crew would be able to meet me, snap a quick required pic, and then send me on my way. I put these check points to memory not knowing what they'd actually look like or if I'd be able to easily recognize them or not. They included:<br />
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1. SC HWY 107 @Cheohee Rd - 6.1 miles<br />
2. Burrell's Ford Access - 16.8 Miles<br />
3. Fish Hatchery Rd - 20.6 Miles<br />
4. SC107 Sloan Bridge - 23.9 Miles<br />
5. Whitewater Falls Overlook - 29.4 Miles<br />
6. Horse Pasture Rd - 61.8 Miles<br />
7. Sassafras Mtn - 66.4 Miles<br />
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The plan I put together was pretty spot on, but I have a few adjustments to make before my next trip. By the time I reached stop #5, I was exactly where I wanted to be, it was high noon and I'd be heading out into Laurel Valley.<br />
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<b>The Valley</b><br />
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I've joked since Ive been back that LV threw everything it could have possibly come up with... but it was true. I was in a rush to head out that the mistakes started happening before I left the parking lot. I ate lunch packed an outer layer and then heading back out onto the trail. I took some amazing pictures of the streams that I crossed and loved that the sun was overhead warming me up. It was a perfect afternoon!Another few minutes passed away and I took a sip from my hydration pack... it was dry. I never filled it up, opted not to take my filter and, oh crap... let my iodine tablets on the tailgate of my truck.<br />
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My first thought was panic and that I'd only have the 20oz bottle of Gatoraid that Karen mixed for me before I headed out. My second thought was... I'll find plenty. And I did. I was able to refill my pack within the hour and had plenty of opportunity to do so through out LV. I was back on track and having fun again. The scenery was amazing and I took some great photos. I convinced myself that I'd take more on the way back and missed several places that the sun and the trees and the sky was just amazing.<br />
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<b>3:00pm</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVuWPW9NQsk24zTUb6M9TBadtfHVx3LUIYX08bhPlLPJgrDFKm7ZgOkhSld0pPxmw1sKp6btD4Cof8qlWBRhfygoJVMDeocgUBLDcaUYOT7qImxhFAyLnSpEesBy5ytTYqjBN93IBIPO4/s1600/1546353_10204845660568835_4645599703191563773_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVuWPW9NQsk24zTUb6M9TBadtfHVx3LUIYX08bhPlLPJgrDFKm7ZgOkhSld0pPxmw1sKp6btD4Cof8qlWBRhfygoJVMDeocgUBLDcaUYOT7qImxhFAyLnSpEesBy5ytTYqjBN93IBIPO4/s1600/1546353_10204845660568835_4645599703191563773_n.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
This time was important to me because I looked at my watch as I crossed this bridge because rain began to fall. When I looked down at my watch, I found myself falling off the edge of the bridge, four steps off the ground and approaching quickly. I was holding my dinner, Pizza, in my right hand and as I threw my arm back trying to regain balance, I chucked my dinner into the stream that ran below me. My dinner was gone and I just hit the ground... hard.<br />
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It was time for a break and time to put on my extra layer as the rain began to fall harder and harder. I took a quick systems check and I was okay, but where the hell was this rain coming from? I checked weather.com 137 times the night before and there was 0% chance of rain. Z-E-R-O. But I was not wet and of course did not have a rain coat with me. I ended up banging up my left knee, but I didn't feel that until I finally stopped and put all the pieces back together. 3:00pm was also the last time that I'd be on track with my plan<br />
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<b>Someone else's plan</b><br />
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The next several miles found me wet and cold and failing to make a single checkpoint according to my plan. I started getting mad with myself because I was getting addicted to staring at my second watch, my Suunto GPS watch because I felt like I was not making any progress and falling further and further behind schedule. I decided to stop and attach my GPS watch to the back of my pack so I couldn't see it anymore. I had it hooked up to a backup battery pack and was planning on using the data to document my whole run. The plan that I was now running was not mine. It was nothing like my plan and I had no idea what was going on. The only thing I knew now was that the sun was setting, I was wet, there was 6 inches of wet leaves not he trail soaking my feet and the temperature was dropping minute by minute. I decided to pull my socks off as they were drenched and were collecting more debris than anything else.<br />
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By the time I reached "the bench" I was 2:30 behind schedule and freezing. I started playing they "oh shit how pissed is Karen going to be" game. I was supposed to be to Horse Pasture Rd at 9:00pm and I figured that she wouldn't "worry" until at least 10:00pm. At 11:00 I thought she'd panic and by 12:00am I was just hoping that she'd still be there.<br />
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I rolled in frozen, wearing shorts and sandals and starving. Karen busted out the stove and quickly had a cup of HOT soup and hopped in the car to warm up and take a quick 15 minute nap. I found out from Karen that Lester and Eddie had been out there too and that they had gone to look for me. I have never felt so bad in my entire life! These guys are awesome.<br />
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<b>One more try</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXxpskf7oU9MXir81mXein3l4Emx-M5_A2HBwhyG40yJagKMaMGA53Eobl64LGjuvNgOi_aC-h_vaxN-Wo3cIBFFRzoI7hjMxxes9MZMHERP5yUk9QDKxMSn_bwD1yNyAgzOAX_0amXdw/s1600/10437780_10203126714956592_4760669865458542431_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXxpskf7oU9MXir81mXein3l4Emx-M5_A2HBwhyG40yJagKMaMGA53Eobl64LGjuvNgOi_aC-h_vaxN-Wo3cIBFFRzoI7hjMxxes9MZMHERP5yUk9QDKxMSn_bwD1yNyAgzOAX_0amXdw/s1600/10437780_10203126714956592_4760669865458542431_n.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
I was still cold, but everything else felt fine. Nothing "hurt" and I was only 14 miles from Table Rock. A quick run up to Sassafras and then down to Table Rock and I'd be heading home to Oconee. At least that was my mind set when I left Horse Pasture.<br />
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It was cold. I've been cold before, but this was cold-cold. I made it to Sassafras, long overdue and had to get help getting in the truck. I don't remember the conversation with Karen, but remember waking up and saying the words "I'm done, can you text Holly and my mom." Then I cried, a lot.<br />
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The trail was simply amazing, the picture that I did take along the way could never do it justice. I choose the short straw when I schedule my vacation days from work and we got hit with this polar vortex or whatever we call it these days. My plan is doable and I think another try in March or April will let me pick up and continue where I left off. I learned so much while out there for as long as I was, those are lessons that make us better people, better runners and most importantly better friends.<br />
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<b>I need you help!!!</b><br />
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So, when my run ended... I never turned off my GPS watch that was attached to the back of my pack and was also hooked up to a back up battery. I drove all the way home with the watch running. Opps, my bad. A quick google search "taught" me how to delete end points from the GPX file that were unwanted, as this is something at happens quite frequently. I did it with ease and was trilled to be able to reload the data back up to Strava but come to find out I delete bunch of required data to actually map the course at the end of each GPX file. If you have any experience with GPX files and are able to correct this for me I'll be forever in your favor!! Please let me know: tim@lowcountryultras.com<br />
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A big thanks to my wife Holly for letting chase these white rabbits and be an amazing mom to our two wonderful children Jake and Izzy. My crazy mom who worries more about me today than she probably did when I was a kid (but probably not) and still supports my craziness. To Karen for being an amazing friend and for never giving up on me. To Bo, Tiana, and Kelley for being on standby... I'll get there next time!<br />
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Tim Wazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16571827715930538368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4964398816092126679.post-9043840407110198992014-09-16T23:10:00.000-04:002014-09-22T17:56:59.704-04:00Barkley Fall Classic<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiU0YZ1KGkhJM1IVSW_i6jbTJjs2mD-G-RCojl3FaeREH18qUJnspH7pEB9_GdTTEkMUSHv3AK7ef6vei8ycquiTXe_n8H8sgMwUL2a8y_LhXTgdLPsTJ2-ScMcVSi78gLFIh8SC0GfNQ/s1600/2014-09-22_08-29-33.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiU0YZ1KGkhJM1IVSW_i6jbTJjs2mD-G-RCojl3FaeREH18qUJnspH7pEB9_GdTTEkMUSHv3AK7ef6vei8ycquiTXe_n8H8sgMwUL2a8y_LhXTgdLPsTJ2-ScMcVSi78gLFIh8SC0GfNQ/s1600/2014-09-22_08-29-33.jpeg" height="290" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Barkley Fall Classic Course Map</td></tr>
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The first edition of the Barkley Fall Classic took place on September 20, 2014. The race opened with 300 slots and filled in less than two week. Quickly the wait listers were pulled in with over 60+ runners dropping out before packet pick up and another 40+ runners deciding to DNS according to Race Director, Steve Durbin.<br />
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The Fall Classic was a chance for the masses to get a taste of the Barkley Marathons which takes place in the Spring each year at Frozen Head with a limited field of 40 participants and overlaps some of the trails that we would run through the park during the Classic including one off trail section know as "Rat Jaw" which gave the Classic runners a hands on feel of the real thing.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPVgLaBY5Kc8InWb7Cq_2Xtz33ZDF9Wfj55wjJzU3TyuyrdZIYrdxOcL0HcFB_E_8q6y1smHBumA1DjELkqojTk3YkCQ57KJcMarqF6Rg9ALo6rnaYZ-55bfUvMlKgbcn3TEQP1zol_i4/s1600/10687066_10204461555966460_1131430760709589927_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPVgLaBY5Kc8InWb7Cq_2Xtz33ZDF9Wfj55wjJzU3TyuyrdZIYrdxOcL0HcFB_E_8q6y1smHBumA1DjELkqojTk3YkCQ57KJcMarqF6Rg9ALo6rnaYZ-55bfUvMlKgbcn3TEQP1zol_i4/s1600/10687066_10204461555966460_1131430760709589927_n.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a>My last experience "racing" at Frozen Head the weather was less than perfect. Mid 30s, rain, sleet, snow, rain, wind and a little more rain. The Classic gave us near perfect running conditions with a clear morning in the mid 60's and a high of 80. The Classic also featured 5 aid stations most of which were manned by local Wartburg Basketball and Football player along with several Barkley legends. Everyone was amazing out there but Carl Laniak was my saving grace.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwkoN8H62-TMaIkmKXRNDy4a3j_Vg_kQPFfBoOO-w_O5Pl-q45cc9a73w1AZu8mMKswpqjm2sKMZVkDyIULTSmqaEPzfGQaOoX7Glx9AYSQEI2nhylMJXPkNU5B9Cds4nYFZ2ZikQ_OAo/s1600/10411742_10204461556966485_5001641145819312905_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwkoN8H62-TMaIkmKXRNDy4a3j_Vg_kQPFfBoOO-w_O5Pl-q45cc9a73w1AZu8mMKswpqjm2sKMZVkDyIULTSmqaEPzfGQaOoX7Glx9AYSQEI2nhylMJXPkNU5B9Cds4nYFZ2ZikQ_OAo/s1600/10411742_10204461556966485_5001641145819312905_n.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You were right Karen, I was wrong</td></tr>
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The race started promptly at 7:00am with Gary Cantrell lighting a cigarette sending the masses down the first 1.5 miles on the asphalt before reaching the famed Yellow Gate sending us up Bird Mountain. By the 6th switch back both heels began to burn. My last 1000 miles of racing and training have been in my Luna sandals and switching back was a horrible mistake. I ran in my Inov-8 Roclite 295 (same shoe I ran with in March) but my feet had changed. I pulled off the trail at the top of the first climb to see if there was something in my sock that was causing my feet to burn so much in the first 3 miles. I was shocked to see that a 3 inch blister had already formed on each heel.<br />
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The Black Dog in this race was the memory of quitting last March and there was no way that I was walking down the mountain again to give Laz and Steve the satisfaction of hearing... "I quit". I hooked up with a awesome crew from Birmingham <a href="http://runbuts.com/" target="_blank">(BUTS)</a> as we ran across the North Boundary Trail towards the first aid station at mile 7.6 on top of Bald Knob. Chatting kept my mind off the burning discomfort as we went down the back side of Bald Knob towards The Garden Spot where running legends Mike Dobies and Joe Fejes were standing on the side of a mountain looking to punch your bib before you began working down towards Coffin Springs. I had a quick conversation with Joe about his upcoming race schedule and then headed off again.<br />
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2014 Barkley Alum, Bill Lovett and I continued to leap frog each other through out the course and he took off blazing down the trail with a small group. When I got to the top of Little Fork Mountain you could finally see what a gorgeous day it was turning out to be. I actually said out loud, "I love this place" and started back down the trail. Before I got to Panthers Gap, I felt the skin on my left heel rip and I knew that I'd be rolling into the second aid station at Tub Springs very soon. When I did, the first thing I ask was if anyone had any tape: medical, duct, masking, scotch... I didn't care. Mr. Vol State Carl Laniak came to the rescue and even made some make shift "bandaid" pads out of a paper towel. I cleaned off both feet as much as possible and then wrapped them with tape and then headed out.<br />
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The next section of trail was an out and back "6 miles total" with Rat Jaw just prior to the third aid station (the same one that I was currently at). This section sucked. My feet were trying to get use to the tape and I could still feel the skin tear as I went up. "This isn't how I wanted to meet you!!!" was how I finally met Stephanie Miller who was flying back down Fodderstack and I hobbled up. When I made the top I snagged 4 jelly beans from some awesome dude and then started back down. Down felt great, but my feet were getting wet. I pulled over on the trail and pulled my sock back... BLOOD. Four more miles till I would see Carl again and his magic roll of tape.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Wizard sticks and Bo</td></tr>
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Bill and I caught back up with each again and then we ran into Bo, Karen and Brian coming off the Fodderstack Trail. We all hugged and went off in opposite directions. A few strides later, I came across Verity who was all smiles and seemed like she was having a blast out there. Working my way back up the OPM Trail, I saw a flustered Jason who took a wrong turn leaving the last aid station and headed toward Rat Jaw early. We chatted briefly and took off, as I said good bye I took a sip from my hydration pack and it was dry. I never filled it at the second aid station and I was about to go up Rat Jaw. Like a homeless man I was begging for water, everyone was low. 1000 feet in 0.8 miles with briars neck high. Half way up... I found a 16oz bottle of liquid gold laying in the middle of the briars! I was saved AGAIN!<br />
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Coming in to Carl's Aid station again my feet felt as bad as they could possibly get so I figured why bother taping them again. I filled my 70oz bladder to the very tippy-top and my newly acquired 16oz back up bottle and headed off for 4 miles of downhill trail to come off Old Mac Mountain. I spent a lot of time walking over this stretch and tried to figure out what Katy Perry said, "it tasted like" when she kissed a girl. Come to find out later, it was "cherry chapstick".<br />
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Aid station #4 = Trekking poles<br />
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I loved my stick pictured above but my poles with their padded-formed hand grips and wrist straps felt amazing. Before heading out on the final loop, I met up with Tim (Salt Shack). Salt asked me about the next section and took off, my legs were getting heavy and my feet were still screaming. My trekking poles made the next climb almost enjoyable. I could smell Fall in the air and a weird fog drifted down the mountain. Coming across Low Gap, I found Tim again and we hiked together for several more miles. He's an awesome guy and gave me my favorite quote of the day: "...and in 10 steps... I.will.puke" I think he made it 6 steps. We chilled out for a few minutes and then Jason "Yeti" Green came up the trail smiling and we cruised into the finish together. It was great to close out the day with him.<br />
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Overall the race was everything that I hoped it would be. The additional struggle from my feet could have been left out of the equation but like they say... "Bad decisions make for better stories". This race was planned as my Fall training kick off and I got out of it everything I wanted and then some. It was a great weekend with great friends and can't wait to go back and be out there again!!!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finishing sore and happy - I promise I wasn't trying to stab Steve with my pole!<br />
Photo Credit: Teresa Sunshine</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Barkley Fall Classic Profile and end results 12:14:22<br />
Full data links:<br />
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<a href="http://www.strava.com/activities/197784073/overview" target="_blank">Strava</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.movescount.com/moves/move41253442" target="_blank">Movescount</a></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiU0YZ1KGkhJM1IVSW_i6jbTJjs2mD-G-RCojl3FaeREH18qUJnspH7pEB9_GdTTEkMUSHv3AK7ef6vei8ycquiTXe_n8H8sgMwUL2a8y_LhXTgdLPsTJ2-ScMcVSi78gLFIh8SC0GfNQ/s1600/2014-09-22_08-29-33.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><br />
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<b>Pre-Race Information:</b><br />
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<b>Barkley Fall Classic</b> - September 20, 2014 7:00am Start Time<br />
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<b>Who am I running with</b>: Brian Reddish, Bo Millwood, Karen Jackson, Bill Lovett, Andrew Snopes, Verity Gray, Dawn Brown, Jason Edenfield and a TON of other runners!!! See the full line-up here: <a href="http://ultrasignup.com/entrants_event.aspx?did=27407" target="_blank">Runners</a><br />
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W<b>here am I staying</b>: Frozen head State Park Camping site #7 - stop by and say hello!<br />
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I don't anticipate there being much coverage through out the park, but I'll have my tracker on during the race. Click the logo below:<br />
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<a href="http://tinyurl.com/WazBarkleyFC"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMFYRDdj1pHWaI_9CD9j5BvEcG-XJVHQG_6vvUFF75vhlQodc7G4e6qqhb37cVZrBaYvu5_v8dgKOopjKR1mYacCZo7BpPR6QxLDMdsCo30Tp8JoIT0deu_YGFE9a6ri1XXfwUUDxNcmI/s1600/Unknown.jpeg" /></a></div>
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Track my progress while "out there": <a href="http://tinyurl.com/WazBarkleyFC">http://tinyurl.com/WazBarkleyFC</a></div>
<br />Tim Wazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16571827715930538368noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4964398816092126679.post-8782718788632001502014-07-24T09:08:00.002-04:002014-07-30T09:45:12.975-04:00Mattamuskeet Death March Race Recap<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mattamuskeet Death March:</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2014 MDM Badasses</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The 2014 Mattamuskeet Death March is listed as "the most miserable 100K race you will ever attempt". "MDM" takes place in Eastern North Carolina and is the dream-child of Brandon Wilson and <a href="http://www.mattamuskeetdeathmarch.com/Welcome.html" target="_blank">RacENC</a>. Seven runners finished the race in the first year and we started year two with 14 brave souls. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I ran this race with Karen Jackson and Bo Millwood after deciding very late that I would make the trip with them thanks to a very gracious Race Director. We all met at the Host Motel, Carawans on Friday evening for dinner, a pre-race briefing and to receive our 50mm Ammo Cans that we would be required to carry through out the event. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bo, Karen and I with our new friends</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The rules stated that as a first year runner you could not add or remove anything to your can... Karen and I speculated on the seven hour trip up what the "add" might mean but never would we have guessed that Brandon would be adding 50 marbles in to all the virgins' boxes. As the Ammo Cans were being awarded one-by-one, the race director would give a few little tie bits of information and have</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> a good laugh with each runner before moving on to the next. Then he pulled out a "pretty princess pink" can and began to dump the 50 marbles and then says, "but race directors get special treatment here, so this can get 100 marbles" as he spins the can around and I see my flaming </span><a href="http://www.lowcountryultras.com/" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Lowcountry Ultras</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> logo on the side of the box.... despair sets in. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtmtpHbn4htH2c8m_J5OEJ60Rr_I5KesyKf4lwUA00VsFGQmp25eL3uCjausUQORam-Rsqz4HY77bY46XuaT0kw0ghiq60Ps7gT96gu0Yf-RviScg40BQ5QetMSfqjFyCJaj-SmED4az8/s1600/10525600_10204050819978317_8224495116004933277_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtmtpHbn4htH2c8m_J5OEJ60Rr_I5KesyKf4lwUA00VsFGQmp25eL3uCjausUQORam-Rsqz4HY77bY46XuaT0kw0ghiq60Ps7gT96gu0Yf-RviScg40BQ5QetMSfqjFyCJaj-SmED4az8/s1600/10525600_10204050819978317_8224495116004933277_n.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The race course was set up as a figure 8, running around both sides of Mattamuskeet Lake and back to Carawans Motel. There are no port-a-potties or aid stations so a crew is required. We were lucky enough to have Dylan & Kyle (Bo's Daughter and Karen's son) crew for us. They were AWESOME! Fun, high energy and ready with what anyone needed in seconds! I'll have them back to crew me at any race any time. Actually I believe that they are going to set up their own "Crew for hire" business if anyone is looking.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The race it self was long... 66ish miles but they were LONG miles...</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lowcountry Lunatics</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At any given time you could see a mile down the road (unless you were running through corn fields then the turns were just mind-numbing) and the entire course was exposed. It made for a long day, but the heat was better this year than last (or so they say). It was great to have Bo and Karen to burn away those long miles, but running with three people is hard. Heck, running with another person for 18 hours is hard. We all hit low spots at different times but worked well together trying to get everyone through it and on to the finish.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All in all the race was great. The ammo can and noise factor were something that you really cannot ignore, but become white noise as the race goes on. The MDM is a challenge that will test every aspect of your strength and will to continue. For me having great friends every step of the way made it possible. </span><br />
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The first 56 miles of the course before my watch died: <a href="http://www.movescount.com/moves/move36763813">Movescount.com</a></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGw1K13nywiBDNtInf0nBtoOGzDQYfwPHyp4mqNtfWhDEHOysyCy8t53_2ZVcOT_0bDWcQcl8VoaEp1Qp9sK3-P44U1fvbXyWOkgR1tEvQ-iUCCSu8HsNeJLYBpinkXvT2prhqieH7I9k/s1600/10511297_10204046402547884_5709241344923216052_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGw1K13nywiBDNtInf0nBtoOGzDQYfwPHyp4mqNtfWhDEHOysyCy8t53_2ZVcOT_0bDWcQcl8VoaEp1Qp9sK3-P44U1fvbXyWOkgR1tEvQ-iUCCSu8HsNeJLYBpinkXvT2prhqieH7I9k/s1600/10511297_10204046402547884_5709241344923216052_n.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is why people want to punch Race Director, Brandon Wilson in the face<br /></td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
There is a long standing stereotype in running that has not been addressed, but I cannot stand by and let it continue.</div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Inseam Flash Judgments</b> or <b>IFJ</b> happen everyday at group runs, every weekend at starting lines and even at running speciality stores. When a guy reaches for a pair of split cut 3 inch running shorts, people immediately begin to pass judgement. They don't even bother looking at your ultrasignup.com rankings before they immediately start thinking that you're "one of the fast guys". It's not fair and quite honestly... it hurts. Please take a second and think twice before passing <b>IFJ</b> because it may just be the guy standing there in basketball shorts that takes the win. Together we can make <b>IFJ </b>a thing of the past!</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
One of my favorite things to hear during races is, "what are you doing back here?" and I'm never really sure how to respond to that. I'm pretty consistent with my races 4:30-4:45 50K, 20-21 hour 100s so I typically respond with a "yeah, just cruising..." But "back here" is where I find the balance of pushing myself and still having fun. I like being the "Tall-skinny guy that wears the short-shorts" but my 3 inch inseam doesn't translate to speed, at least for me. Don't forget to have fun guys, we are supposed to enjoy this!</div>
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See you on the trail!Tim Wazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16571827715930538368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4964398816092126679.post-44359549877139113062014-05-16T22:12:00.003-04:002014-05-16T22:12:50.781-04:00Quintessence of Ultra Running, what you can learn from a guy named Walter Mitty<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
There
are many things in life that motivate us: fear, self-improvement, nature,
family and sometimes we find motivation in odd places, such as a mix reviewed
Ben Stiller movie, “<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0359950/?ref_=ttqt_qt_tt">The Secret Life of
Walter Mitty</a>”. The premise of the movie is based on a day-dreamer who
escapes into his own world to break out of his mundane existence until the day
comes when his real life adventures surpasses any and all of his expectations.
Along the way he learns some valuable lessons that I think can carry over in
the Ultra running world, and for me has lead to some additional motivation
lately.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
The Ultra Running lessons (without giving any of the movie away) can be broken down into these
four thoughts:</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
</div>
<ol>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Jump</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Stay in it</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Look inside</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">The quintessence of life</span></li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<u><b>Jump</b><o:p></o:p></u></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Most
Ultra Runners progress along from a life-time of running, kicking things off
with the mile in middle school and progressing upwards in distance as their age
and experience increase. Other runners would never even consider stepping up to
the “Ultra” distance because of the pure fear and unknown that the distance
presents. All runners regardless of experience reach that point when stepping
up to the next level is all they have. Take it from Walter, when the
opportunity comes you have to jump. Don’t think twice, don’t second guess your
abilities. The fact that your heart is pulling you towards the distance is
enough to push you through the event. JUMP!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<u><b>Stay
in it</b><o:p></o:p></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
When
race day finally comes, enjoy it. There are a million things that will go wrong
during the race, except them as part of the journey. It is very easy to forget
what brought you to this point. How many miles you’ve run up to this point. How
much time you spent building up your strength and endurance. You earned this
moment, now enjoy it. Don’t let it slip by, it’ll be over before you know it
and you’ll miss it.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<u><b>Look
inside</b><o:p></o:p></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
If
I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a million times… “Humans are awesome”. When all
the gear has failed and you hit rock bottom dig deep inside yourself and you’ll
be surprised what you can do. How far you can go and how long you can keep
moving. The bottom will drop out and there is nothing but your self to decide
what happens next. Magic potions, energy drinks and<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Be amazing, you just have to find it in you…
and it is there!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<u><b>The
quintessence of life</b><o:p></o:p></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
When
the first three thoughts are actualized the quintessence of life is yours for
the taking. It is something different for all of us. Completing a new distance,
running a new PR, staying alive… it doesn’t matter. The best in life is within
all of us. We have the power to be awesome, we have the ability to achieve
greatness, it just takes the human will to drive us to that point! Be the
greatest you that you can be.<o:p></o:p></div>
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This
movie has stuck with me for the past few weeks and I really enjoyed watching it
with my son Jacob because I could see the light coming on inside him as we
watched Walter Mitty struggle to greatness. My kids are in fact my greatest
motivator when the going gets tough but following these simple thoughts are a
great way to stay focused when doubt begins to enter your mind.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
I
close this post off with the Life Magazine’s Motto:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #262626; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;">To see the
world, things dangerous to come to, to see behind walls, draw closer, to find
each other, and to feel. That is the purpose of life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Tim Wazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16571827715930538368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4964398816092126679.post-19629343912344362312014-04-29T23:15:00.000-04:002014-04-29T23:15:03.710-04:00Confessions of an independent runner: Terra KigerMy name is Tim Waz and I love the new Nike Terra Kiger trail shoe.<br />
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Whoa, it's out there now and I don't care who knows it! I swore off Nike back in the mid 90's with my last pair of Waffle Racers... how can you screw up a shoe with so little? But they did. Nothing felt right on my foot, toe boxes were too tight, heel counters were too stiff, uppers were either too tight or too loose, and not to mention... what did Nike know about running off road?!<br />
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Well, it took a few years but they nailed it and they nail it good. The Nike Terra Kiger is designed to fit like a track spike with a sock-like upper that is very low-profile. The mesh on the upper is very lightweight and breathable (which is great around here with our long hot summers) but still gives you a decent amount of support through what they call "Flywire" technology. Think of it as light bondage for your feet. The movement that you foot gets is tucked right in between "perfect" and "amazing". This is by far the best outsole I've felt in a long time.<br />
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The sole is made up of a dual-density blah blah blah... there are two "Zoom" pockets of air one in the forefoot and the other in the heel which gives the low profile design a feel more like a Brooks Glycerin without all the bulk. The outsole is patterned after my longed after original Waffle Races with aggressive cross angles cut into the sole for enhanced traction. The sticky rubber was great for moving fast over wet rocks and had no issues with slipping on steep climbs or quick descents. My first run in these shoes we on very technical single track and had no issues with the lack of a rock plate which only adds additional weight and stiffness to a shoe.<br />
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After logging my first 100 miles in my first pair of Nike Terra Kiger, I give Nike two thumbs up. This is a "go-fast" trail shoe, if you want something bulkier with the same feel, you may want to check out their Zoom Wildhorse (the Terra Kiger's beefier big brother).<br />
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What I really liked:<br />
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Looks: cool design, very sleek<br />
Grip: a lot of traction with a very light sole<br />
Upper: I can not say enough about the comfort of this upper<br />
Drainage: Step in a puddle, the water pours right out - NICE<br />
Weight: 8.6 ounces, lets me know that I'm wearing shoes but still lets me feel the trail<br />
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What I didn't like as much:<br />
Sizing: In typical Nike fashion, I had to step up to a size 11.5 (Brooks size 10)<br />
Laces: a little long and the material may slip if not double knotted<br />
Brand: Sorry Nike... it'll take some time for me to get over what you did to my Waffles<br />
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My first 100 miles were broken down to 44 miles on trail and 56 on road. The wear pattern was very minimal even after some fast speed work on the road. So there you have it, and now you know... My name is Tim Waz and I love running in my Nike Terra Kiger.Tim Wazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16571827715930538368noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4964398816092126679.post-11217417785716422312014-04-05T15:41:00.000-04:002014-04-05T15:46:18.908-04:00Barkley Marathons: Education 101<div style="text-align: justify;">
Remember what it was like on your first day of school each year? You wore your best outfit, you were excited to see your friends again, and while there was a nervousness in the air, no one would ever let on that they were anxious about what this year would bring. Pulling into Frozen Head State Park had the same feeling. I've looked forward to this for so long and I could not actually believe that it was finally happening.</div>
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In January of 2014, I moved off the "Weight List" from the #3 position and was granted a seat in Lazarus Lake's class room. I knew a few of this year's classmates from years of stalking them on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook, and the rest of the class would not be strangers for long.</div>
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Karen Jackson, fellow Barkley Weight lister, joined me in the 8 hour trek to Tennessee in hopes that the stars would align and she too would be standing at the Yellow Gate when Laz lit his cigarette this year. The drive was pretty uneventful with a quick stop for lunch in Spartanburg with Tiana Cain. When we reached the state line going into Tennessee, the snow started and kept falling, and falling. We were both in shock with how much snow was actually coming down. It continued to fall until we made a pitstop for dinner with my Mom and Grandmother at Calhoun's on the River in Knoxville (a belated birthday dinner). Grama was not impressed with the idea of the race and thought that the race and director were "stupid". Maybe she was the only sane person at the table that night.</div>
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We rushed through dinner to get up to FHSP and set up camp before the storms blew in and it got dark. The first night in camp was miserable. A frozen 15 degrees with winds that didn't quit. It got so cold that our propane tanks actual froze in our space heater. Morning could not come fast enough, and we actually got up before the sun did just to start moving around. A quick pancake and bacon breakfast with some French press coffee hit the spot and Karen and I were past the gate heading up Bird Mountain for a day of hiking. It still did not feel "real" yet. Just an idea that we were at FHSP "out there" training.</div>
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Half way up Bird Mountain, we met Barkley veteran Chip Tuthill and was given the VIP park tour. On day one we spent 7.5 hours on the trail and saw a good bit of wildlife including a sounder of wild boar including several young piglets. <b>Note to self:</b> Boar do not like it when you crest a hill and your hiking partner suddenly gets cell coverage and her phone begins to ring nonstop with Text and Facebook notifications. When we made our way back to camp, we realized that we needed several items including propane and decided to head into Oak Ridge to hit up Wal-Mart and decided to grab a pizza while in town. A sleepless night and a long day on the trail left us both staring at our pizza before calling it an early night. We had big plans for Thursday!</div>
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Thursday morning was still brisk but warmer than yesterday. We met up with Bill Lovett and headed out on the trails. We returned mid-day for lunch and was lucky enough to meet up with Frozen Ed Furtaw and reviewed the park map with him for quite some time. This picture was by far one of my favorite from the entire weekend. Frozen, talked with Bill and I for almost an hour before we headed off to camp for a nice thick Bacon Cheese Burger for lunch (we ate good all week!!!) Frozen Ed is a pioneer in the Barkley and knows these trails like the back of his hand. I wanted his autograph, but was too caught up in the moment to ask. These "old" guys are my heroes!</div>
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We still wanted to head up to the fire tower before dark and to see Rat Jaw, so we wrapped up lunch quickly and headed back out that afternoon. Bill was our tour guide and we hiked up the "candy ass trail" to the summit. The amazing thing about FHSP is the wind. It can be calm as can be one second and then you turn a corner to 40mph headwinds and this is what greeted us at the top.</div>
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At the top of Rat Jaw, you finally began to see and identify how much climbing there actually is "out there". The climbs never seem to end. On Thursday it was clear as could be. We could see clear into Kentucky, North Carolina and even Georgia, but race day would be something else. Visibility would be limited to 10 feet or less on certain climbs leaving you wondering if you'd ever reach the top.</div>
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We played tourist at the top, with a few pictures and Bill was even able to get enough cell coverage to make a quick call home while the nerves began to set in as we saw more and more of the course.</div>
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Thursday night was T-bone night! We ate until our stomachs were full and then called it another early night. Friday was going to be a long day and my body was pretty tired from another long day on the trail. I slept like a rock that night, waking up to high winds and pouring rain well after 9am. Karen and I strung up our tarps the night before so we were able to cook breakfast without getting drenched. Bo Millwood made it to camp just before 11am and all the excitement of the race was now buzzing around camp. I turned in my virgin licenses plate, got checked in (Bib #9 for lap one) and got to meet a lot of the racers. My plan was to hang around camp until the map was put out, copy it with accuracy and then try to lay down for a quick nap. I opted for a short hike with Bo and Karen to burn off some nervous energy as it would be a few hours until the map was visible.<br />
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We took an easy stroll to the top of Bird Mountain again and I'm glad that we did. Sitting around camp in the damp rain was making my body stiff. When we got back I copied the route onto my map and got some last minute advice from the veterans before heading down to Jodi Isenor's camp to review the Stallion Mountain area in great detail. This proved very useful on race day and I'm glad I took the extra time as a lot of people find themselves lost on this section. Jodi was an awesome guy and you could just tell that he was going to do well on race day!<br />
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A nice pasta dinner followed by a hot shower had me backed up to "bed time" as the race could start as early as midnight. Bo volunteered to stay up and listen for the conch as Karen was still on deck with the possibility of getting into the race! Then I did something that I thought would never happen: I fell asleep and slept well.<br />
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<b>Race Day</b></div>
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The Conch blew at 5:47am and I jumped out of my sleeping bag like the tent was on fire. I thought I was going to vomit. The nervous energy that built up was sickening and knowing that in less than 58 minutes we'd be starting, was pretty damn awesome! I had all my gear packed and my clothes laid out. I ate breakfast: Bacon with rye bread, Ensure, Cracker barrel cheese and what seemed like a gallon of Orange Juice. This was the shortest hour of my life. We were now standing at the gate waiting on Laz's bad habit to send us off.</div>
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It was my understanding that the unspoken rule was that no one lets Laz see you run out of camp, but a pack of 15+ "runners" did just that... they took off... and ran out of camp. I was next to Frozen Ed and he counted the "fools" out loud. I turned around quickly and watched camp fade out of site as we began the very familiar climb up Bird Mountain heading toward book #1. I hooked up with Nicki Rehn on the climb up as well as Jodi and volunteered to pull them to the first Book and then back down to the North Boundary Trail. We had a flawless navigation and made the trek in exactly one hour. Jodi took the lead up to Jury Ridge and on to Book #2. Our small pack was moving very efficiently. We took a quick compass reading and headed off into the "new section" to Book #3. 1:45 into the race the skies opened up and the rains began to fall. This was the Barkley that I was expecting. We dropped off the trail exactly where we needed to be and I found the Book exactly where Frozen said I should look. We were still making great time but the climb back to the top of the ridge would give me an idea of where my failure would come this year.</div>
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The climbs at the Barkley are never ending. You think you're are the top, looking at what surely is the cap stones and then you climb some more and more and more. It was early in the race and my body was feeling pretty fresh so I pushed on. 3/4 of the way up Jared Campbell came flying by us like we were standing still (chances were pretty good that I actually was) and shortly behind him were veterans Alan and Bev Abbs. It took a few seconds to realize it, but for a few short minutes we were leading the Barkley past Book #3. We found out later that the leaders missed the compass heading off Book #2 and found themselves off course looking for Book #3. That alone gave me a nice boost of energy.</div>
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The North Boundary Trail is in fact a "candy ass" trail but it goes on forever and the trail was slick from the rain. Trying to run downhill in certain sections was very difficult as I continued to slip off the trail. I watched Jodi pull away and found myself alone for the first time as I headed towards Book #4 at the Garden Spot. Prior to the race, everyone said, don't be alone out there, latch onto a veteran that knows the course and hold on for dear life. I continued to navigate the NBT alone until 5-Lap Finisher John Fegyveresi came into sight behind me on the trail. I pulled myself up Son of a Bitch Ditch and continued towards the Coal Ponds as John pulled me along to The Garden Spot and Book #4 where the first water drop was located. Nicki also came up at this point and I was set on holding on to her throughout the rest of Stallion Mountain.</div>
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About this time Willy "Natureboy" Syndram came up on us and took off with a blaze and a quick "be sure to look for these rocks next time Tim, it's your marker to go down". Willy was looking strong and eating a tortilla wrapped hotdog. We continued to navigate to such famous Barkley markers such as Bobcat Rock, Leonards Butt Slide and Hiram's Pool and Spa. We hit Book #5 in 4:20 and the course was now soaked and muddy. I was loving every minute of it.</div>
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Then the real climbs began. Testicle Spectacle would be the location where I decided that I was missing a key piece of equipment: Trekking Poles. Everything at the Barkley is dead. Trying to find a walking stick that can hold your body weight as you scamper up the mud banks and to push down briars is harder than you'd think. Fortunately I was able to find two good candidates at the base of Book #7 to help pull me up to the top. Unfortunately, only one stick actually lasted to the top, but more importantly I was still hanging on to Nicki.</div>
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We passed Meth Lab Hill and Raw Dog Falls before seeing something that was my biggest fear coming into the this race. It was a ziplock baggie, filled with someone's lost pages. Someone was out here and they no longer had their "proof". We saw Nikolay Nachev back up on Stallion Mountain and he too was looking for his lost pages. The thought of being in that position just made me want to cry. A quick decision to bi-pass Danger Dave's Climbing wall and opt for Pussy Ridge was short lived and we continued to push on. I must have checked for my pages a dozen times over the next mile to make sure they were still with me.</div>
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The rains continued to fall as we reached the base of Rat Jaw and began our climb. I scrambled again looking for a second stick to use but came up empty handed. Using a single pole I developed a stab and pull method to get up some of the slicker and steeper sections as we rounded 7 Mine. Half way up, the fog rolled in and you could not see more than 20 feet up the trail. This was both negative and positive as you could not see the top, but at the same time... you could not see the top. A quick scramble to the top of a rock climb I found my long searched for second pole. I made good time on the next section as I was now singing in the rain and could hear voices coming from the top.</div>
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"Is that Tim?!?!" I heard Bo & Karen say and I responded with "Whats up Bitches... What does the Fox say?!?!" It was so good to see and hear their voices even though they could do nothing for me. I think they were both afraid to even touch me in fear that I would be disqualified. I reached the top and grabbed Book #9 and quickly topped off my water as this would be the last water drop until I got back to camp. The only thing I remember about this time with them was my comment of "you have no idea..." when asked how it was out there.</div>
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I scrambled back down Rat Jaw and met back up with Nicki as we headed for the Prison with a cool hike through the tunnels under the prison and up to Book #10. Damn that water was cold! As we started to climb up towards Indian Knob my body began to shake and my legs felt like bricks. I had to say good bye to Nicki, my tour guide, my confidence marker. I couldn't climb fast enough to keep up. We quickly reviewed the map and I sat down for my first real break in now almost 8 hours. My body was shutting down and I thought this was going to be the end of my race. The problem with the Barkley is that there is no easy way to quit. At this point I had to hike back to camp the same route as the race itself. I took a systems check and thought I might need more fuel. I ate a full bag of beef jerky and another of Trail mix. My water bladder was full and my backup bottle was topped off so I drank a little more than I was all morning. Thirty minutes burned away when I finally realized that I had to "move". From tree to tree I awarded myself with a strong "you've got this". Typically at this place in a race I reach out mentally to my kids for extra strength, but I was having a hard time focusing and couldn't get past the though of that next tree.</div>
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Five fee at a time, I started feeling better and better. But this damn climb would not stop. This damn rain would not stop. When I finally reached the top my body was spent but was quickly energized by locating Book #11. I was now a decent and a climb away from finding the last Book. I continued to eat and I continued to feel better. Book #12 was in my grasp and I was on my last long climb up Big Hell. My directions for this section was to "keep taking the steepest possible way until you believe that death is imminent." I hit rock bottom again but made it to the top and collapsed onto the capstone in total exhaustion. I pulled out my instructions and looked for the book. I couldn't find it. Was it here? Was I at the right spot? I learned back against the rock and something poked me in the neck. It was Book #13. I grabbed the book, now in the pouring rain and pulled out page #9. I had 13 Pages in my hand and was one Candy Ass trail decent away from finishing a lap at the Barkley.</div>
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I mustered up the energy to push on through the wind and rain and began running down the trail and back into camp. There was Bo! I made it. I put in my food order like I was at a cafe and headed off to get my pages counted. I couldn't go to camp until I was checked in. When I reached the gate Laz was in the process of checking people in and out so "some guy" reached his hand out to grab my pages and I refused to give them to anyone other than Laz himself. Sorry dude, but these 13 crunchy pages were my life at that moment. 1... 2... 3... 4... 5... 6... 7... 8... 9... 10... 11... 12... I think I actually pumped my fist when Laz said "thirteen".</div>
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A quick change of clothes and a refuel I was back at the gate with bib #19 in hand and I was heading out for more. It was going to be a cold and wet night but I was exceeding my own expectations at that point. The climb going up Bird Mountain would set my pace for the rest of the night. I had "no more up" in my legs, but I continued to push on. I was very comfortable getting to Book #1 and down the back side of Jaque Mate Ridge and ran into Bob Jones on his way back up to camp from Book #1. I talked him into following me to at least Book #2 and we headed off together. We followed our early tracks to the NBT but when we reached the creek bed at the bottom I felt lost. Nothing looked the same. The small creeks were now rushing streams and I couldn't tell if we were too far North or too far South. We hiked 30 Minutes North along the creek before realizing that we were not going the right direction. We turned around and hiked back to the point where we started and could not make heads or tails of our location. We sat down on a rock and then saw an Orange trail blaze on the tree in front of us. We had found the trail and decided to push on to Book #2.</div>
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The climb up to Jury Ridge was LONG. I still had "no more up" in my legs and the switchbacks seemed to go on forever. The wind was strong and the rain/ ice/ snow mix hurt when it hit your face. My core was warm even though my feet were drench from the rivers that now flowed down the trail. Bob and I found Book #2 and we each pulled out our page. In front of us was a tough decision. Do we push on into the "new section" for Book #3 and try to climb out or do we turn around here and start the long and hard climb back to camp. I had "no more up" in my legs and knew that we had at least 18 switchbacks of "up" directly behind us just to quit. That was the moment I quit the Barkley - It may have taken three more hours to get back to camp, but sitting at Book #15, I was done. The long process to get here was over and I knew that the education I got out there was more valuable than any lesson I could learn in any other classroom.</div>
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Friends that know me, know that I've been addicted to the Barkley Marathons for a long time. I'm very sorry to say that unfortunately it's now worse. I got a taste. I learned what I need to do to improve. I saw the books, I held the pages. Every once in a while you luck out and get what you really want and for me the education that I got through the slowest marathon I've ever run will be enough to keep me motivate until next time.</div>
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My piece of advice: Climb and climb and climb. When you get to the top, go back down and climb and climb and climb back up. When you feel like your legs are going to fall off, do it three more time and then repeat from the beginning.</div>
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I heard some amazing stories out there this year, Veterans getting lost before book one. Friends spending 9 hours and walking away with a single page. A two time winner running all 5 laps. Virgins completing their first Fun-Run. Champions loosing pages and their ways. The Barkley Marathon is truly unlike any race I've ever experienced before. The fight to get in and the nerves it takes sitting at camp knowing that you are 2 slots away from running the damn thing but still not 100% sure 5 minutes before the race starts is daunting. Every runner regardless of how many pages they got, or how many loops they completed is amazing. Amazing for wanting to go through Hell just to stand at its gate begging to be let in. Amazing for failing beautifully and then wishing for more in years to come. I posed the question early in the week as to why most of the veterans come back year after year willing to fail again and again and I found that the answer is that they don't have a choice. They have the Barkley in them. They are part of the Barkley. Now, I feel like I'm part of it too. Class dismissed.</div>
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<b>Lap 1 Nutrition: </b></div>
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8 - Hammer Gel</div>
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2 - White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Clif Bars</div>
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1 cup - Beef Jerky</div>
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2 cup - Trail Mix</div>
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3.5 lt - Water</div>
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20 oz - Spark Energy Drink</div>
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<b>Camp Nutrition before starting lap two:</b></div>
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16 oz - Chicken Broth</div>
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8 oz - Ensure</div>
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16.5 oz - Chocolate Milk</div>
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4 Strips of Bacon</div>
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1 Grilled Cheese on Rye (with two more slices of bacon)</div>
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<b>Equipment:</b></div>
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Shoes: Inov8 RocLite 295 - Size 10</div>
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Goat Head Sole Pikes</div>
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Socks: Swiftwick</div>
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Pack: Ultimate Direction - PB Adventure Vest 2.0</div>
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Headlamp: Petzl - MYO RXP</div>
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Tim Wazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16571827715930538368noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4964398816092126679.post-87906858354465608252014-03-24T21:32:00.002-04:002014-03-24T21:32:53.027-04:00Why the BarkleySince January, I've had so many friends ask me "Why the Barkley" and for the me, the answer is pretty simple:<br />
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Because, it's the BARKLEY!<br />
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In 1998 I was enjoying the faster side of running and racing hitting up a 5k or 10K each weekend in and around Knoxville, TN. After a horrible few years of running in college and a coach I despised, I finally began falling back in love with running thanks to my good friend and now coach, <a href="http://www.knoxvilleendurance.com/" target="_blank">Bobby Holcombe</a> and the Knoxville Track Club. Running was just fun, something that it had not been for me in quite a long time. We'd run, we'd drink beer, I'd go to work, get off and run again day after day. All my friends were runners, all we'd talk about was running and even when we had too much to drink, we'd create insane training plans standing around the kitchen in Bobby's apartment.<br />
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At the time, I worked for Coca-Cola and my territory cover a good section portion of East Tennessee from Madison to Oneida (a great place to run!) Right in the middle is Frozen Head State Park, home to the Barkley Marathons. Another good running buddy, Greg Johnson, began filling my head with stories of the Mt Masochist 50 Miler and introduced me to the existence of Ultra Running.<br />
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At the time, the internet was not what it is today and the information that I could find on Ultra races was very, very limited. I continued to drill Greg about Ultras and get as much information as I could from the rest of the Knoxville Track Club. At a post track workout dinner, someone made mention "Barkley" for the first time and I was hooked. How could this "thing" be going on in my back yard and I not go see it with my own eyes!<br />
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A few weeks went by and fellow KTC members got me pointed in the right direction and I drove out to FHSP on a miserable saturday afternoon. Apparently there was a race going on, but all I saw were a few "old" guys hanging out. I asked them if they knew where the "race" was and the gentleman responded... "you're in the middle of it" and they laughed. Not sure what to say next I asked them how far the loop was and they responded "20 miles". I thanked them and did some quick math in my head thinking the lead pack should be running back through here anytime being that it's been four hours since the race started. I was wrong.<br />
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I hung out for another 4 hours until two runners came in, after being "out there" for just over 8 hours. I didn't know it at the time, but it was Dave Horton and Dink Taylor. It would be almost another hour before another runner came through. Almost 9 hours to run 20 miles? That 27 minutes per mile pace! I left amazed, feeling like an outcast. This was stupid. This wasn't running. Running was fast and sleek and sexy. This was slow and morbid and ugly.<br />
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A year later I moved to Birmingham, AL and started running less and less. The Barkley Marathons continued to baffle me. I didn't understand it. As the internet expanded, information on the race continued to grow. I got married, moved a half dozen times, and then we started having kids. More and more articles on the Barkley began surfacing, race reports popping up on the web, and people were starting to finishing this thing!<br />
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With a moved back to South Carolina in 2009, I began running again or at least tried to. Jumping back into 5ks and never seeing anything under 19:00 was hard to swallow. I decided that maybe if I couldn't run 16's anymore I'd start being "the fast guy pushing the double stroller". I was getting back into shape, but my body was not responding the way it did a decade ago (damn). At the time, I started the "Palmetto Pacers" running Club in Bluffton, SC as a way to meet other runners in the area and a group of us, including Holly decided to run the USMC Mud Run in Columbia. 4 Miles, 30 obstacles and a ton of fun. Running was fun ago!<br />
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I did what so many of us did that night, I went looking for another race to run! After an hour of searching "active.com" I came across a race called "Mad Marsh Trail Run". It was a 7 lap 4.5 mile trail run or 50K. Hell, I just ran 4 miles I could knock out 31. The race was in 3 weeks and I decided "let's try it". After 3 weeks of steady training, I ran a sub 4:40 50K and was hooked in the Ultra Community! A few years later I would take over this race when "Ultra Becky" and her family moved away.<br />
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Now, I was an "ultra runner" and the more I ran, the more this whole big thing began to make more and more sense to me. Barkley continued to loom in the back ground. Nine runners have completed the race now, and rumors that the course continued to get harder and harder only began to peak my interest more and more with every passing Spring. Thanks to the help of some AWESOME people int he Ultra Running community I first, incorrectly, applied to the Barkley in 2011. In 2012, I got some better information and ended up 33rd on the "Weight List". In 2013, after waiting a week after applications, blood samples and the 48 page Race application was submitted, I gave up waiting at 1:00am and went to bed. The next morning I woke up with a text message from Karen Jackson saying "OMG, you're so in!" I ended up 3rd on the List and a few short weeks later I was in fact... IN.<br />
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16 Years later from the first time that I heard about the Barkley, I'm in. I'm willing to admit this now as my truck is packed and in less than 12 hours I will be on the road to FHSP. I look at this years Barkley as an education. An education about the course, the people and most importantly about myself. I'd be lying if I said I didn't have goals, because I do (We'll talk about those after the race). I see the Barkley as another stepping stone in life that I hope to cross for many years to come. As it's wonder and awe has kept me in its grasp for a very long time.<br />
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So why the Barkley? Because I have not yet had the opportunity to experience it first hand and I have been living "in the middle of it" for 16 years and its now time for me to go out there.<br />
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<br />Tim Wazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16571827715930538368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4964398816092126679.post-26291448074594993592014-01-13T08:26:00.003-05:002014-01-13T09:21:25.126-05:00Distracted by the #3<div style="text-align: justify;">
Since 2013 ended and 2014 began... 13 days ago, I've run the Pistol 100 (sub 24 hours) in Arctic Vortex conditions and then turned around the following weekend and ran the Ledesema Sports Medicine Rails 2 Trail 50k logging 145 miles in less than two weeks. But I haven't had a single word to type about either race because I've been distracted.</div>
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For those who know me, my main goal over the last two years has been to get into the Barkley Marathon. A 120+ mile, 5 Loop course in Frozen Head State Park, which only allows 35 entrants per year and has only seen 14 finishers since 1986. Essentially, a race that I know I will not finish... </div>
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This past weekend while running with fellow "Weight Lister" Karen Jackson, we were asked "Why the Barkley, whats the appeal". I found myself getting very quiet and muttered out some BS response in hopes that the question would go away. But I continued to hold that question in my gut the rest of the afternoon, evening and even until this morning.</div>
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Let me preface the rest of this post by saying the following: I am not a religious person. To me religion is a personal choice needed for those without direction to help fill much needed voids. This is not a religious discussion, these are my thoughts. I don't judge you for your beliefs and certainly do not ask for your guidance or acceptance on the lack of mine. Do what's right. The buddhists got it right, end of discussion.</div>
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To me the Barkley represents more than a race, more than a journey. It's a right of passage that I can </div>
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actually see peace in. Very similar to the harsh treks that Buddhist monks must undertake to reach their new homes such as the Agia Triada Monastery. The Monks find peace through their physical and personal struggles. They learn more about themselves through those struggles than they could ever imagine. They understand the core of themselves, what it means to be at the brink of disaster, when all hope is gone and realize that we still can control our emotions and physical bodies during those times. We have no control over our surroundings. We have no control over the weather. We have no control over what is happening to us because of our surroundings. Responding to those conditions to survive is what will get us to our destination and is what we can control.</div>
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Barkley to me is a journey of self reflection. I'm not looking forward to the struggle, I'm not looking forward to the pain. I am looking forward to running with myself and I see Barkley as a test of enlightenment and because of this, I have been distracted.</div>
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I am still sitting 3rd on the "weight list" which if history is correct, means I have an excellent shot of getting into the race this year. Because of this, my training has been more focused than it has been in years. It is still my responsibility to ensure that my body is ready for the Journey. With only 35 runners in the race, I would hate to take this away from someone else and not be 100% on race day.</div>
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While my main goal over the next few months is preparing and hoping that 3 people drop out. I still have to remember to enjoy the process or I'll miss out on much, much more. I am distracted by the number 3, however it does have me focused and hopefully I'll be ready to take the first step in what I know will be a long process of self discovery.</div>
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"No one saves us but ourselves, No one can and no one may. We ourselves must walk the path." Buddha</div>
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Some GREAT friends that I've run with recently:</div>
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Tommy Neeson: 4000 Steps book signing in Savannah, GA</div>
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Christmas Run 2013 - All the crew!!!</div>
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Pistol 100 with Brian Reddish and Karen Jackson and of course can't forget about Sallie!</div>
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(Woody Aid Station)</div>
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My best bud, Bobby Holcombe - Pistol 100</div>
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A long recovery run at Rails 2 Trails 50K with Karen Jackson!</div>
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And my favorite 2 miles in a LONG time was spent yesterday afternoon with Jake and Izzy, trying to find the "Rock Quarry". We walked through the woods, swamps and finally found it... together!!! Those were the best miles, ever!!!</div>
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Here's to staying focused over the next three months... see you on the trail!!! </div>
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<br />Tim Wazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16571827715930538368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4964398816092126679.post-16954176748231392382013-12-14T08:43:00.001-05:002013-12-14T08:55:08.127-05:00One EPIC Run 24 Hour - Race Report<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>One EPIC Run – 24 Hour Race</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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It’s always good to end things on a high note! My 2013
Racing season can easily be summed with three little letters: DNF<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Going into this year I never started a race that I didn’t
finish. This year I logged three: Chattanooga Stage Race, Viaduct 150 and Pinhoti 100.</div>
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<br /></div>
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This meant that I didn’t finish the same number or races
that I did finish for the entire year. Luckily, for 2013 I’m able to go out on
a high note!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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My last race of the 2013 race calendar was scheduled for the
weekend of December 7<sup>th</sup> in Spartanburg, SC and held inside the Camp
Croft State park. The 24-hour course was made up of a 3.1 mile loop course and
going into the race I had a goal of 86 miles, which was pretty aggressive based
on previous performance over the last two years.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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I drove up to Camp Croft on Friday and set up our Crew tent
on Site #8 to get a spot close to the trailhead and the single aid station. We
had a full line-up planning on setting up shop with us: Sara Maltby, Lara
Zoeller, Tiana Cain, Dawn Brown, Bo Millwood and Andy Bruner. The weather on
Friday was near-race-perfect! Blue skies, upper 60’s with a slight breeze. But
the forecast for the rest of the weekend would be anything less than desirable.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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I got to meet up with my brother Eric on Friday after and
talk about the kids, sports and of course running. Lots and lots of running!
Eric just came off coaching a SC State win where his girls beat second place by
127 points. He’s best statement all night. We’re going to be even stronger next
year! That’s awesome… and motivating! We snuck out for a quick dinner at Wings,
had a beer or two and was still able to get to bed early.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Laying down to head off to sleep, the skies opened up and
dumped some serious rain down onto the trail!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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I woke up the next morning at 5:00am, I always like to get
an early start before a race! I had my two cups of coffee, Oatmeal and Banana –
my pre-race routine, and then head to the start. The morning was cool, in the
upper 50’s but there was no wind and rain had long since stopped falling. The
race didn’t kick off until 9:00am so there was plenty of time to dig through my
chest of race gear and try to organize everything for easy access later. As
much as I bring to a race… I very rarely touch, eat, drink or wear more than 5%
of everything I bring. I’m a race horder.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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I checked, double-checked and then triple-checked my
headlamp (the root cause of my last DNF at Pinhoti) and then hung it up in the
tent in plain sight.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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30 Minutes before the start of the race, the skies turned
blue and I thought, maybe, just maybe we’d luck out. But by the time Race
Director, Angela Merrill sent us on our way, we were back under gray and dreary
skies.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>The Start</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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The start of the race sent us on a small loop around the
campground before heading out on a single track trail. This gave the runners
time to spread out before bottle necking onto the trail. There was a nice
downhill as the trailhead began, which meant each lap would end will a long
up-hill climb (that got longer and longer as the night wore on!) Then you ran
over a beautiful river and began climbing again. The trail was wet, but still
in great shape. There were a few sloppy spots early on in the race but the
quickly dried up with the 170+ runners forming new lines around the deep spots. <br />
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The race staff took great means to mark the course and even
added a metal bridge across one creek crossing, which I dubbed: The bouncy
bridge, for course location purposes. It was perfect and kept our feet out of
the creek.<br />
<span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-align: center;">The first 5 (15.5 mile) laps I ran with Sara and Lara as we
all had the same goal of 86 miles and it’s a lot easier to work together
especially as the night wore on. Then my body began to tighten. I dropped back
trying to relax my back, stretch out my legs and just get my body under
control. At that point in the race I caught up with Dawn, Tiana and Bo. A
couple of good laughs and “are you ok” – I mentally agreed to help Dawn get to
her 100K goal if my body wasn’t going to play “nice”.</span></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br />
<b>The Recovery</b></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Starting my 7<sup>th</sup> lap, Tim Worden (One of the race
Directors for Leatherwood and Annihilator) was about to take a break. I pulled
him out on the course to walk a lap with me. Mentally, I was ready to pack it
in. What’s another DNF in my long list of shitty races this year?!?! Tim and I
had a great conversation over the next 3.1 miles and met up with Richard
Abernathy toward the end of the loop and the merry-three of us meandered closed
out what would be my slowest lap of the day at 1:37:16 (yes, it was still only
a three mile loop) High-fives and fist bumps later, we parted ways and I
hobbled back to our tent to decide where do I go from here.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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I pulled out my Doterra DeepBlue Rub and rubbed it into my
calves, quads and lower back. At this point I was mentally and physically…done.
Andy pulled into the tent with Dawn and they were both laughing and “still
having fun”, then Sara and Lara came in for a quick grab and go and took me
back out with them. I never got the chance to tell them that I was done.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>The Middle </b><o:p></o:p></div>
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Half way through my 8<sup>th</sup> lap, now back running
with Sara and Lara, my body finally began to relax. My legs felt loose again
and most importantly… I was running. The conversation between the three of us
kept us moving at a very good pace. We all right “there” together. If someone
needed an extra minute in the aid station we waited, if someone was cold we
waited to put on more clothes, if someone had to pee we stopped. We were
working well together, clipping away the miles and we were still on track to
meet our goal… 86 miles.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The only thing that kept going through my head was… We are
all running together, but I’m still a full lap down.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>The Douche </b><o:p></o:p></div>
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Finishing lap 16, I mentally decided that I was going to try
and make up the lap I was down on Sara and Lara. Coming into the Aid Station
Lara said she needed to run to the bathroom and that Sara was going to grab a
jacket. I didn’t say anything and immediately turned around after getting my
lap counted and headed back out onto the trail to start lap 17. My body felt
great and I was making up a good amount of distance… or at least I thought I
was as I continued to ask the lap counters to let me know how far back (or at
this point still ahead Sara and Lara were) as I ended each loop. I wasn’t very
smart as I was only focused on making up that lap. I wasn’t eating or drinking
right. Then I started having my “bladder issue”. I couldn’t give up at this
point and pushed out for one more, hard loop.<o:p></o:p><br />
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Coming into the Aid Station after getting my 21<sup>st</sup>
lap counted, I saw the greatest thing ever! Lara was standing under the tent,
which meant I was back on the same lap as them. I felt like a douche, but more
importantly I was glad that I was back with my friends as the coldest and
wettest part of the night was about to begin. We all decided to walk/ run the
next loop and that sounded perfect to me! It was more of a run… but the walk
breaks were welcomed!!!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Over the course of the next few loops, I continued to deal
with what I call my “bladder issue” where I feel like I have to go, but I
can’t. So I focused on drinking as much as I could to see if I could help get
things flowing again. It was lap 25 that we all celebrated with a full flow! I
know, I know… I need to get that checked out.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br />
<br /></div>
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<b>The Darkness</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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Sure enough the rains came it, and at one point snow began
to fall. It was cold, dark, wet and the trail was getting worse as the night
went on. We were still focused on meeting our goal. The ladies were now well in
first place and I was sitting in second with Deano fast approaching after a nap
break. We kept each other moving and it was beginning to get hard now. We were
all tired and very cold. But we kept going. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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On lap 25 I hit rock bottom. I felt nauseated as the lap
began, and couldn’t tell if it was from being tired or if my stomach was
turning sour. Whatever it was, it got worse as the lap continued. I began
getting dizzy, and wandered off the trail 2 or 3 times before I just sat down…
twice. I tried to each a Snickers bar I had in my jacket pocket, but it was
frozen and very hard to crew. We finished that lap in just over 1:10:00 and I
was finally feeling better and hopefully the sun would be coming up on this
next loop.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>The End</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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As we closed out loop 27 Sara and Lara agreed that they were
done. I still had time left and was in a very close second place. I had to go
back out for at least one more to meet my 86 mile goal and to try to holding
off getting passed. That last lap was very cleansing. The air was cold and
crisp the water was rushing in the river. I could see my breath, thick and
white every time I exhaled. But most importantly, I was running. I felt smooth
and relaxed as I sloshed through the mud. The trial was very quiet that last
loop as I didn’t see another soul the entire time.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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I was happy that I didn’t quit back at lap 8. I was thankful
that I had two great friends to burn away the miles all night long. I was
excited that the race was almost over and that I’d be heading home to the
family and that I’d be sleeping in my own bed that night. I was impressed with
how well the volunteers took care of us and that Angela was still standing
after taking care of all the runners and two sick kids in the camper. I was
thrilled that I met my goal of 86.8 miles and I was shocked that I ran away
with a second place finish.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Great job to everyone that ran, thank you for all the cheers
and support! My 2013 Racing season ended on a high-note which has me motivated
for my next race: The Pistol 100 on Jan 4, 2014 in Maryville, TN. See you on
the trial!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Tim Wazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16571827715930538368noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4964398816092126679.post-13810532764841091792013-11-12T13:35:00.000-05:002014-09-24T21:45:02.728-04:00Pinhoti 100<div class="MsoNormal">
My 2013 Pinhoti 100 race was more of a learning lesson than
anything else. It was a lesson about myself, about my gear, about my family and
my friends. I didn’t finish the race, but I walked away feeling great and even
more confident. I would have never expected my race to end the way it did, but
I’d like to think that I’m a better runner and person for completed what I did.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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Prior to this years Pinhoti 100, I got a Facebook message
from Kelley Wells asking me if she could crew for me since she was unable to
run due to an injured hip. I immediately said yes was excited to have someone
else at the race as I was originally planning on running it unassisted and
using only drop-bag for my gear. Then I got an unexpected surprise that one of
my running heros, Joe Fejes would be joining along too!<o:p></o:p></div>
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I drove my truck to Columbia and picked up an exhausted
Kelley before heading to Sylacauga, AL for packet pick up and the pre-race
dinner. Kelley just got off a three day night-shift rotation was slept most of
the way as I chipped away at the 6 hour drive ahead of us. We rolled into the
Sylacauga Rec Center as packet pick up was kicking off. I grabbed my bib, #253
and then we settled in for the pre-race dinner and briefing.<o:p></o:p></div>
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We met up with Dan Hernanadez, Bren Thompkins, Karen
Jackson, Brian Reddish and a slew of other local runners and their crew. After
a big pasta dinner and some good pre-race information from RD Todd, we decided
to call it a night and headed back to the hotel and get everything laid out and
set up for the morning. Joe Fejes was running late after a long day of
traveling home, but he rolled in and we all crashed.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Bright and early at 2:30am the alarm went off and we were
all up and ready to go. Then Kelley walked in the room white as a ghost. “You
locked the keys in the car, didn’t you” I said. 20 Minutes later we were on our
way to the start. A quick Waffle House stop and a few missed turns we rolled up
to the start (from the wrong direction) with 15 minutes to spare before the
raced started. I said my quick good byes and headed to the start. I finally got
to meet Tim Worden and took a few quick pictures with Lara and Tiana.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The race kicked off right on time and the masses quickly
aligned single file into a kanga-line as we headed out on the single track. I
was able to grab Lara’s arm and pull he in front of me as the trail shrunk down
and we clipped away the frist few miles together.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The aid stations burned away one after another. Kelley and
Joe met me at every station ready to keep me rolling onto the next. My race was
right on track and I was well ahead of the 24 hour cut-off pace and feeling
great. As I rolled into the 13 mile aid station my stomach gave out and I
tossed my cookies as I climbed up the waterfall into the aid station. I told Joe
and he soaked my shirt in ice water along with my bandana. That turned me
around quickly and I was back on my way. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Everything was great. My body felt good, I was eating right
and taking in enough fluids. I was having the race of my life and having fun doing
it! The temperature was starting to drop as the sun went down so I began adding
layers and grabbed my headlamp and headed out from mile 65 heading over the
shortest leg of the day. Just prior to reaching the 68 mile aid station I ran
into Andy on the trail heading the opposite direction as he was heading out to
meet up with Bo. I asked him if he had an extra headlamp and a jacket I could
borrow as mine was burning out and I needed some additional layers on before I
headed up Pinnacle.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Andy gave me a long sleeve shirt, jacket, pants and a neck
sleeve and the lamp off his head and I was heading out. Within a few feet up
the trail, the lamp began flashing three times fast and little did I know, but
that meant the lamp was about to die. Before long I found myself in complete
darkness, trying to follow what I thought was the course through the woods and
over rocks. I tried to stay on course as long as possible before completely
getting myself lost.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Not wanting to lose any time I decided to backtrack and try
to find my way to the course. I was officially lost. I went left. I went right.
I went up and I slid down a lot. I could not find a blaze, a flag or anything!
At this point my emotions began to get the best of me and at one point I
considered burying myself with leaves until the morning and walked out when the
sun came out. But before I set up my bed I screamed at the top of my lungs,
“Where the F$%# are all the damn headlamps!!!” and still no reply. At this
point I knew that I was trying to get up Pinnacle so I decided to just start
climbing up, but I had no idea what side of the Mountain I was on but I
couldn’t just stay where I was and freeze.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Almost four hours had past since I left the last aid station
and then I finally heard the sounds of boomin’ bass coming from the top of the
mountain. That HAD to be the aid station! I continued to traverse the side of
the mountain sliding down as much as I was going up before I feet landed on a
very flat section of trail. TRAIL!!!! My gut immediately said go left and that
is when I saw it, a bright orange flag under a tree with a big blaze right at
eye level! Not to much longer after that I saw a poster board that hung on the
side of a tree that said the aid station was only a ½ mile away. That half mile
felt like a life time.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Once I got in the BUTS guys got me some warm soup, fresh
batteries and I was back on my way. At the point I was still 30 minutes ahead
of the cut-off time and didn’t want to waste another minute. My legs were now
cold and my body was very stiff from not moving much over the last few hours
but I refused to give up.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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I continued to press on until the 85 mile mark when I rolled
in just past the 30 hour cut off and was told that I was done. My first
reaction was disappointment. I have never had a DNF and this would now be my
third of the year. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I used one of the aid station workers phones to call my
family to let them know that I was okay and to see if they could reach Kelley
to have her come pick me up. I stood in front of the fire and tried to warm up
slightly before the truck pulled up. I was already ready at that point to
register for next years race and knock out those last 15 miles.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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The race was everything that I had hoped for and there was
no way that I would have ever guessed that I would end up lost for hours on end
before making my way in the darkness to the top of the mountain. I learned a
lot about myself in those few hours and decided that my wife was right:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Sent via text: “You have nothing to be disappointed in, you
tried your best”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Looking forward to trying again next year!<o:p></o:p></div>
Tim Wazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16571827715930538368noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4964398816092126679.post-12632305952297427882013-10-10T22:44:00.000-04:002013-10-10T22:44:56.330-04:00FATS 50K... kindaThis past weekend, I ran my first ever FATS 50K. Except it really wasn't the FATS 50K because the course wasn't actually run the FATS 50K course.<br />
<br />
Let me start over...<br />
<br />
David Nance recent took over the long lived FATS 50K which has been part of Terri Hayes Ultras on Trails Series and was faced with something that no one would have expected. The trail system that FATS lives on is other words known as Fork Area Trail System was shut down over night due to the recent Government Shut down. In a last minute attempt David was able to move the course and ensure that the race still took place.<br />
<br />
The event, now known as the "Not-so-FATS 50k" would now be held on private land and would be made up of 8 laps to round out the 31 mile course.<br />
<br />
Not what I was expecting but, it would be 31 miles of training as I get closer and closer to Pinhoti less than a month from now. I made the drive up Saturday afternoon and met up with Bo, Andy, Doug and Tiana for a pre-race dinner at Mellow Mushroom. I'm always a sucker for the Big Dog Cheese Dip! Great conversation about the Foothills Trail 77 Mile "race" which I need to get on my schedule for sometime in the first of the year!!!<br />
<br />
An early bedtime and an earlier wake up (due to the race being move to Aiken, 30 Minutes north-east from Augusta) got us all on the road heading up to the course. A few missed turns and we were back on track pulling into a private drive way, up a long clay road and out into a vast field which was covered in a thick blanket of white fog.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbhHHA4hP1h4YDF8_vYFARbwl0EMBqSgrua7mbbM2Xw6udFT1pojM3I6pe738GLqI6ff2vY5bEAha734Z-SzxNYjqOevhb46HyCHbXp7lt0UE7K7Tfcl3Olqt7rpgm2wxyv9e_g4Q2JGE/s1600/IMG_4707.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbhHHA4hP1h4YDF8_vYFARbwl0EMBqSgrua7mbbM2Xw6udFT1pojM3I6pe738GLqI6ff2vY5bEAha734Z-SzxNYjqOevhb46HyCHbXp7lt0UE7K7Tfcl3Olqt7rpgm2wxyv9e_g4Q2JGE/s320/IMG_4707.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
I checked in as number 42 and broke several safety pins trying to pin my bib to my shorts. I complained to the RD as any Ultra Runner in their right mind would, but my complaints were ignored as I threatened to sue. Oh well, I know how little Ultra RD's actually make!<br />
<br />
A few chuckles here, a couple of meet and greets there and we were ready to line up and get the morning started. A simple 3,2,1 got us on our way.<br />
<br />
The course started out in front or our "host family's" home and rounded their horse pens as we set off into the fog The sand got deep quickly and most runners shot to the outside edges of the trail to find firm ground. The sand would get thicker and thicker as the day wore on. As we blindly ran through the horse pastures we kept the flag on our right-hand side changing from wet-grass to deep sand, to gravel, back to sand, to perfectly laid and packed trail before we came up to our first short climb up a power-line break which was covered in mesh grass netting which had not completely taken root yet. We joked as we ran up the hill the first time about getting traction, but it really did get bad as the day went on. Hopefully we didn't do too much damage to that hill!<br />
<br />
A quick down hill brought us to the bottom of the only second hill on the course which was made up of packed sand. Later on in the day Kelley Wells and her kids would be standing at the top with their Cow-bells cheering us to "charge up that hill!!!" Can't wait to hear that at Pinhoti!!!!<br />
<br />
My goal for the day was to get 20 miles in at an 8:30-8:45 pace and then mix up the last 10 miles with some short stents of walking into my routine over the course of the last 11 miles. I stuck to my plan pretty dead on and my body held up great through out the day. I finished in 4:46:05 which was exactly where I wanted to be.<br />
<br />
It was great day. The weather got a little hot as the fog finally burnt off. I didn't take any Salt during the race and may have skimped a little on my fluid intake because I did not want to stop at the aid station every lap. I was at a lost for word when I finished and had a hard time asking Kelley for a Mountain Dew even though I could think it in my head. But after a quick rinse with a little ice-water and a long gasp... I regained control of all my faculties.<br />
<br />
The body felt great and had a spring in my step as I walked back to my truck to change and grab some well earned adult beverages! Doug gave me the best tasting muffin I've ever had and I rejoined the group hiding in what little shade we could all find.<br />
<br />
Once I was fed and rehydrated I said my good byes and started the long haul back home. Even though I still have not run on the FATS course, I'm glad that I was able to get up to Augusta... I mean Aiken, for the 2013 Not-so-FATS 50K. Good times!Tim Wazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16571827715930538368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4964398816092126679.post-91328181545158293042013-10-01T08:42:00.001-04:002013-10-01T08:42:14.678-04:00DN-DNF Chase the Sun Ultra
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
DN-DNF Explained<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This past weekend I race in the inaugural Chase for the Sun
Ultra in Savannah, GA put on by Run 4 a Reason, aka, Dan Hernandez and Tony
Varney. The race included a 6 and 12 hour option over a 1.87 mile loop course
with a single Aid Station located a the start/ finish line.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I registered for the 12 hour Race the night that
registration opened. I looked at this race as a great end of summer build-up
that would take me into the Fall racing season. After a dismal summer in which
I logged my first two DNF’s back-to-back at the Chattanooga Stage Race and the
Viaduct 150, I decided to back down to the 6 hour event and make sure that I
had a good run.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My goals for the race was simple, break it up into six
1-hour segments.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My race plan would look like this:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hour 1: 4 Laps<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hour 2: 4 Laps<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hour 3: 3 Laps<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hour 4: 3 Laps<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hour 5: 3 Laps<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hour 6: 3 Laps<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Logging in a total of 20 laps or 37.4 miles. At least that
was the plan.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When the race started several relay teams took off flying!
Two team in the 12 hour race had goals of logging a 100 day. I settled into
comfortable 8:00 mile pace for first two hours and felt very fresh. The heat
turned up fast! I started shedding layers on the first lap and it only got
warmer as the day went on.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I held onto my race plan until the 5<sup>th</sup> lap and
only completed 2 laps. But I realized that I was having fun, chatting with old
friends and new as we went around and around. The fun part was something that I
really needed after not finishing my last two races.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I wrapped up my last lap with 5 minutes to go until the race
ended, but was pleased with how I felt and didn’t feel the need to head back
out for “just one more”. I logged in a very comfortable 33.66 miles and was
please with my first DN-DNF of the Summer.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Next up I have FATS 50K on October 6th and Pinhoti 100 on November 2nd. See you on the trail!!!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNNydIJYzJY0Fgs-Xn98TYXY2xZuyMlzN4SpqZvZXI00fsRp3DzlY-EuwYO8q7x5rSRPL96IbLu4ajjqpU4GWcylH_2G414HbNH4wvSl_byV-zShWzxG-0N62WtEwO8NCPavCF1g8E2zw/s1600/893339_546795968720563_1076546785_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNNydIJYzJY0Fgs-Xn98TYXY2xZuyMlzN4SpqZvZXI00fsRp3DzlY-EuwYO8q7x5rSRPL96IbLu4ajjqpU4GWcylH_2G414HbNH4wvSl_byV-zShWzxG-0N62WtEwO8NCPavCF1g8E2zw/s320/893339_546795968720563_1076546785_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<!--EndFragment-->Tim Wazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16571827715930538368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4964398816092126679.post-4908909092651185012013-03-22T09:45:00.000-04:002013-03-22T09:54:03.524-04:00What's up BIG BOY...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #262626; font-family: calibri; font-size: 12px;"><br /></span><span style="color: #262626; font-family: calibri; font-size: 12px;">The week after our Delirium Ultra this year, I got a call from my good friend Alfred from On On Tri saying that he was considering bringing in a new line of shoes and wanted to know if I had ever run in “Hoka’s”. My response was no as I typically train and race in very minimal shoes including the Brooks Pure Project line and Green Silence (whenever I can score a pair through Zappos.com since they decided to get rid of this amazing shoe… but that’s another conversation!)</span><span style="color: #262626; font-family: calibri; font-size: 12px;"><br /></span><br />
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<span style="color: #262626; font-family: calibri;">Alfred responded that I NEEDED to try these things out so I opted for a pair of Trail Mafate 2. For those of you not familiar with the Hoka One One brand, think “Butt firming shoe” meets your grandmothers “walking” shoes. At least this was my first response…visually.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #262626; font-family: calibri;">The Mafate 2 sole features a 39mm heel height and a 35mm toe height at a super light 11.46 oz. The upper of the shoe fit my crazy foot to a “T” with a slightly larger toe box and I found myself stepping up a half size over my typical Brooks. The first time I stepped up onto the shoe I was impressed. I anticipated feeling clumsy or awkward because of the additional thickness of the sole but I did not. The first thing I noticed on my 100+ mile in 24 hour tired feet, was how comfortable they were… not the bulk.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #262626; font-family: calibri;">My first run in my new Mafate 2 was almost perfect. I really found the shoes to be very stable and extremely comfortable. The Mafate 2 is designated as a “trail” shoe but with 5mm lugs, I was able to transition from the trail to the road very easily and could transition without feeling like I was running on spikes.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #262626; font-family: calibri;">The second time I laced up my shoes and headed out the door I didn’t miss a beat and was completely in LOVE. I could see the benefit of additional cushion, while still keeping my foot in a forward position which was allowed by the minimal 4mm degree drop (yes, the same as the Kinvara). Adding in some quick turnover was not an issue either nor did I feel like the extra “bulk” was holding me back at all. Our friends at Hoka explain it best:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: calibri;">In 2010, Hoka one one, introduced the idea of oversized running footwear out of the founder's desire to have running shoes that would allow</span><span style="font-family: calibri;">them to fly down the hill. Their quest in simple terms, was no different than previous other sport equipment makers like Prince tennis rackets or Taylor Made Golf, who introduced oversized equipment to perform better in their respective sports. What was discovered in those similar introductions, as well as Hoka one one, was the benefits of their idea were far broader than could be imagined. What has been discovered by thousands of Hoka one one committed ultra-distance athletes, is that the amplified midsole geometry technology of Hoka one one allows them to go further with less effort, run more relaxed, and finish less fatigued.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: calibri;">Being the original oversize athletic footwear company allowed Hoka one one to engineer a patented midsole that features more volume of softer density and higher rebounding midsole foam, allowing for optimum cushioning, and an energizing, stable ride. Hoka one one understood from the beginning that natural foot motion was extremely important for uniformity</span> <span style="font-family: calibri;">of stride and incorporated minimum drop geometry along with a rolling rocker design to promote consistent rhythm in the runner’s foot strike.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: calibri;">As word of mouth spread through thousands of testimonials, it inspired countless runners who had been faced with the idea of not being able to run due to injuries or legs that simply couldn’t take the pounding anymore to now have hope.</span><span style="font-family: calibri;">Hoka one one allows for active recovery with its oversized, increased forgiveness. The faithful swear they have been saved. now hundreds of Specialty Running accounts across the globe prescribe to all runners Hoka one one running footwear for those planned long-low intensity runs that are part of a successful training program. Hoka one one is a shoe for all seasons and disciplines.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #262626; font-family: calibri;">Several friends in the Ultra Running community have been running in Hoka’s for a very long time so I decided to reach out to them and get their input too.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #262626; font-family: calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Beth McCurdy:</span></span><br />
<b><span style="color: #262626; font-family: calibri;">How long have you been running in Hokas?</span></b><span style="color: #262626; font-family: calibri;"> A little over a year.</span><br />
<b><span style="color: #262626; font-family: calibri;">Which model are you currently wearing?</span></b><span style="color: #262626; font-family: calibri;"> Bondi B</span><br />
<b><span style="color: #262626; font-family: calibri;">What is the biggest benefit you’ve found from wearing Hoka’s during Ultras?</span></b><span style="color: #262626; font-family: calibri;"> My feet don’t hurt nearly as much at mile 75+</span></div>
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<span style="color: #262626; font-family: calibri;"> </span><span style="color: #262626; font-family: calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Joe Fejes:</span></span><br />
<b><span style="color: #262626; font-family: calibri;">How long have you been running in Hokas?</span></b><span style="color: #262626; font-family: calibri;"> I have been running in my Hokas since I ran the Chattanooga Stage Race in June 2011.</span><br />
<b><span style="color: #262626; font-family: calibri;">Which model are you currently wearing?</span></b><span style="color: #262626; font-family: calibri;"> I have always worn the Bondi's for both road and trail. I haven't tried any of the other models yet.</span><br />
<b><span style="color: #262626; font-family: calibri;">What is the biggest benefit you’ve found from wearing Hoka’s during Ultras?</span></b><span style="color: #262626; font-family: calibri;"> The Hokas have revolutionized ultra running with their super cushioned sole. I ran 329 miles at Across the Years on 1 pair with no real issues. I wear my Lynco 405 metarsal pad insoles with my Hokas to help alleviate my metatarsalgia and I’ve cutout the toe box to help avoid blistering issues and I find it to be much more comfortable. I would probably still do it even if Hoka widened the toe box. I also poke a hole in the sides of the shoes to help alleviate my sesamoiditis that results from my sesamoids rubbing against the side. Love my Hokas though.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #262626; font-family: calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Karl Meltzer:</span></span><br />
<b><span style="color: #262626; font-family: calibri;">How long have you been running in Hokas?</span></b><span style="color: #262626; font-family: calibri;"> I have been running in Hokas before they hit the market in 2009. I tried them on, ran around the block, almost instantly dropped my previous sponsorship and have been in them since, and have been watching them evolve.</span><br />
<b><span style="color: #262626; font-family: calibri;">Which model are you currently wearing?</span></b><span style="color: #262626; font-family: calibri;"> I wear the Bondi Speed. but have been running in protos for about 6 months now, the Bondis fit my foot well. The EVO, although it has better traction for trail, don't work for my feet that well.</span><br />
<b><span style="color: #262626; font-family: calibri;">What is the biggest benefit you’ve found from wearing Hoka’s during Ultras?</span></b><span style="color: #262626; font-family: calibri;"> Best benefit is just the ultimate cushioning, it really helps the body go longer. They aren't heavy, actually quite light, and a shoe fitting so much like a glove, being soft, there is no comparison to the comfort they give.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #262626; font-family: calibri;">Like I said, don’t just take my word on it! These folks have been wearing, racing and winning in Hoka One One for a very long time and to me, that speaks louder than words! All in all I give my new Mafate 2’s two thumbs up and if you can get past the visual aspect of the sole you’ll be glad you did as your mileage continues to increase!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #262626; font-family: calibri;">Be sure to check out On On Tri’s webpage for ordering information for a pair of the most comfortable running shoe you will ever put on! </span><a href="http://www.onontri.com/Hoka-One-One-Footwear.html">http://www.onontri.com/Hoka-One-One-Footwear.html</a><br />
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Tim Wazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16571827715930538368noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4964398816092126679.post-34740027827509821392013-03-19T17:26:00.002-04:002013-03-19T17:26:57.042-04:00How I didn't get into the Barkley Marathon, and what I learned.<br />
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<b style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">Following the Rules:</b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">Just to get your name considered for the Barkley Marathon you need to know the secret hand shake, bat signal and location of the safety deposit box to submit your 4-page race application along with your blood and hair sample. Once you have that part down, it’s up to pure luck. When a race only allows 35 runners, your chances of getting in are slim to none. Each year “Lazarus Lake” reviews the hoards of entries (on a secret night) and places 35 runners on to the List. The next 35 get added to the “weight list”. This year, my first year entering, I made it on to the weight list. Only one “virgin” is allowed into the top 35 slots and this year my cards just were not stacked properly.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">Over the course of the last two months however, I moved up 21 slots on the weight list… YIKES! So, following the rules, playing the “man’s” game and doing what you’re told, can in fact get you ahead every once in a while. A lot of people have asked me how did I get my name so far up on the list?<br /><br />Answer: I listened</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">Friendship:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">I didn’t get my name on the “weight list” by my self and that IS THE TRUTH. A lot of people helped me but at the same time a lot of people lied to me (a LOT of people). With a race size of 35, most people do not want you to know how to get in because you could in fact be taking their spot. So, before you ask anyone to help you “get in the Barkley” ask yourself one simple question… do you trust this person?!?!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">The help I did get was VITAL to my “almost success” at getting into Barkley this year and without it I would not as miserable as I am today as I watch more and more names fall off the “weight list”. I’m not going to name the folks that were key to getting me this far this year, but you ALL know who you are and your help means more than you could ever imagine!<br /><br />One day (after I run the race) I’ll help someone else get to this point, but until I see my name in the top 35… consider EVERYTHING I tell you about the Barkley one big lie!</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /><b>Training:</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">Being signed up for an Ultra that you know you are running AND you know the distance you are training for AND you when you know the course, that’s easy. On the other hand, being on a “weight list” and not knowing if you might be running in a few weeks is nerve-racking.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">With an Ultra looming out there that you may or may not run, it kind of keeps you on your toes and forces you to training like you’ve never trained before. I was injured for almost all of last year and was unable to training for most of the summer. This year, I rebounded quickly after my last 100+ mile 24 Hour event and kept that base rolling through today.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">Living in the Lowcountry of South Carolina does not leave a lot of options for elevation training outside of a day spent running back and forth over a bridge, so I will typically push miles and mix in a lot of speed and core work. Over the course of the next year (as I work towards the 2014 Barkley since my hopes of a 2013 race continue to look bleak) I will plan my race schedule accordingly to ensure the time I spend on my legs are filled with enough elevation to get me up and down those East Tennessee mountains.</span></div>
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<b style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">Determination:</b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">So, I was not one of only 35 people to get into a single event the FIRST year that I tried to get in. But I did find myself on front end of a very long “weight list” which has made me more determined to be race ready for when the time comes. The words or Eminem, yes the rapper, come to mind:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">“Look, if you had one shot, or one opportunity to seize everything you ever wanted in one moment. Would you capture it or just let it Slip? Yo”.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">Those words have been muttered by higher intellectuals throughout the years, but you can’t argue that the back-beat that comes with his message doesn’t drive the point home! In running as in life, if we are willing to work hard enough to get there, why would we not be willing to be ready to take the bull by the horns. Not getting into the Barkley has energize my training and brought me out of a huge injury-driven-slump with new found energy and determination. When my opportunity comes around and I see that cigarette light, I’ll be ready and you can count on that!<br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><img mainsrc="http://app6.websitetonight.com/projects2/9/3/8/6/2956839/images/e72edaf1af2cb9b2ea69218ad3d3fbf0.jpg" src="http://app6.websitetonight.com/projects2/9/3/8/6/2956839/images/e72edaf1af2cb9b2ea69218ad3d3fbf0.jpg" style="text-align: -webkit-auto;" uid="2d3cb97f-e921-4957-96a9-986611823204" wstxclass="Image" /><br /><br />(Seeing your name on the Barkley Marathon "weight list" brings all kinds of emotions)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">
Anyone interested in not getting on the list for next year, please email me directly and I will be sure to tell you exactly how not to get on it, or maybe I'll tell you exactly how too. Guess it'll just depend on how much I like you and how much you think you can trust me. Either way good luck!</div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span>Tim Wazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16571827715930538368noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4964398816092126679.post-72129790718012242132013-02-22T11:00:00.002-05:002013-02-22T11:00:25.928-05:002013 Delirium Ultra Race Recap<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Delirium Ultra Race Recap</b><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12px;">So it’s been a month since I last posted, but I have been very busy with the final race preparations getting ready for our second annual Delirium Ultra 24 Hour Endurance Race on February 9, 2013. At the same time, I was continuing to ramp up my training getting ready to run the 24 hour event.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12px;">Going into the race my last four weeks of training maxed out with 103 miles three weeks before the race with a 40% decline the week after (62 miles) and then a 33% increase the week prior to the race (80 miles). This had me feeling strong and fresh the week leading up to the race.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12px;">The 7 days prior to the race were full of last minute details and set up for the Saturday race. Friday morning Gary and I began setting up the finish line and marking the course. Paul & Kayla come out later in the afternoon to wrap things up and then Joe met us for dinner (oops, I forgot about lunch) prior to packet pick-up at Station 300.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12px;">As we wrapped up packet pick-up, Joe & Kayla each headed home to get a good nights sleep before I hand the reigns over to them the next morning. Paul and I stayed overnight in the camper, which didn’t leave much sleep to be had as we were parked next to the road and every car that zipped by felt like it was about to drive through the side. Morning was here before I knew it and I was out of bed by 5:30am placing the “Runner Xing” signs and making a last minute bread run at the local Publix.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12px;">The next 4 hours flew by and before I knew it I was kissing my kids and Holly and handing the microphone over to Lisa Sulka the Mayor of Bluffton to start the race. With 30 seconds left to go, Holly motioned me “come here” I ran over and she asked “do you think you’ll be up for a BBQ tomorrow after the race?” I gave her a thumbs up as I heard…. 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 Go!!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12px;">My first lap was a chatty one with Beth McCurdy, and it was great to finally spend some trail time with her. We ran the next three laps together and got to hear the kids yell their “Go, Daddy Go”. After the fourth lap the heat really began to rise so I stopped to shed one layer and change over to a tank top. I comfortably settled into a 9:00 minute pace and began chewing away the miles. On my 9<sup style="line-height: 0;">th</sup> lap I started getting tired. Not “oh, my body hurts I need to walk” tired, but a “oh crap, I’m about to fall asleep” tired. This only lead to negative thoughts and in a 24 hour race it was way too early to be thinking this way.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12px;">After my 11<sup style="line-height: 0;">th</sup> lap I was done… mentally.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12px;">I pulled into the aid station and sat down by my gear and saw Paul. I told him that I was done. The lack of sleep over the last week had gotten the better of me and that “my head just wasn’t in for 100+ miles today”. Paul flagged down Kayla and set her over my way. I told her the same and she refused to “DNF” me. She suggested that I go lay down for a while and just see what I wanted to do at that point. I took off my shoes and then went back into the camper. I tried to call Holly to let her know that I was pulling out of the race but didn’t her. I started stretching on the bed and fell asleep instantly.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12px;">“Go, Gary Go” was all I heard when I woke up. I peaked out the window and saw Gary wrapping up one of his laps and I decided that the 90 minutes that I slept was plenty and that I would go help count laps. I sat down at the starting line and began crunching the numbers in my head. </span><span style="font-size: 12px;">By the time I pulled off I was 1 Hour and 7 minutes ahead of my “fail safe” plan to make 100+ miles. I was now off the course for 1:45 and I knew that I could make up the time, but I needed to go NOW!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12px;">Powder on the feet, socks, shoes, and with my water bottle in hand I told Kayla that I was heading out. I took off at around a 10:30 pace just to stretch out my legs. As I rounded out my 12<sup style="line-height: 0;">th</sup> lap, I told the counters to ”mark it and let’s go!” My goal lap pace was 20:00 per lap. Over the next 5 laps I was coming back around between 14:00 and 14:30 but now I was mentally back in this race. I continued to press on pushing harder but was trying to strategically back down to save enough for the second half of the race.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12px;">Night rolled in and the temperature dropped to around 39 degrees. I walked the last lap with Beth M. and Ray K. that closed out her win in the 12 hour race. The night pressed on and only got colder as the fog rolled in and everything began to get soaked. The Chicken Noodle Soup was perfect to warm the soul and keep you going for another lap.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12px;">Paul began picking up a lap here and another lap there with me and the company really was appreciated. The last 10 laps seemed to fly by even though they were by far my slowest of the entire day. I got to share laps with Joe, Paul and Kayla as I rounded out my 58 laps crossing over to 101.7 miles with 3 hours to spare. </span><span style="font-size: 12px;">This time, I was in fact done! The goal was reached and I was happy to stop there. I scarfed down some pancakes and three whole oranges and stripped out of running clothes and got into something a little warmer.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12px;">It was great to be on this end of my goal and the battle to fight back after my early resignation made the victory that much sweeter! A long clean up process after the race, finally got me back home to shower and just in time to head off to the BBQ with Holly and the kids!</span></div>
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Tim Wazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16571827715930538368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4964398816092126679.post-86719798398472960162013-02-12T19:58:00.003-05:002013-02-12T19:59:58.336-05:00A mental win from not struggling physically<br />
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It’s been almost a year since I signed up, ran and finished a 50k race. This past weekend was the 3<sup style="font-family: arial, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; line-height: 0;">rd</sup> Annual Harbison 50K in Columbia, SC. This great race is put on by a good friend in the Ultra community, Dan Hartley. The race is challenging for a guy that does 100% of his training runs at or below sea level. Harbison has 4,186 feet of elevation change so it always offers a nice change from the Lowcountry. For the last two years this race has been a warm up and build up race for our Delirium 24 Hour Ultra, which takes place in February.</div>
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Last year at Delirium I fell 8 miles short of 100 miles and hurt my right knee. Very disappointing! After a full year of NO RACING, Active Release Therapy, Dry needling (Google it) and a lot of stretching, I finally began to ramp up my training in November of this past year. I went from ZERO miles back up 56 miles my first week of training and felt really strong. My training consisted of a lot of two a day runs: 4 in the morning, 4 at night etc. to stretch the weekly base up without putting a lot of strain on the body all at once. My peak week leading up to Harbison was 84 miles with my longest single run being 18 miles.</div>
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<span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">(my training over the last 26 weeks)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: -webkit-left;"> As race day approached, I began getting phantom pains in my knee. Not only did I begin to over think the pain I also began contributing every sore muscle, ache, crack, tickle or prick back to my knee. Quickly my goal became, finish with two legs and the ability to walk.</span><br />
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I decided a week prior to the race that I would run the race differently than I have ever run a distance event before. I would pace myself the same for this race as I would for a 24-hour event. This would put me between a 10-11:00 minute, which I knew would be hard for me to mentally hold back that much, especially toward the beginning of this single track event.</div>
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When the race started with a very cold 26 degrees, we settled into a very comfortable 8:45 pace as we turned off the gravel roads and onto the trails.</div>
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<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Breathing was under control: CHECK</div>
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<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Body was warming up: CHECK</div>
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<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Legs were confortable: CHECK</div>
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<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Knee was still attached: CHECK</div>
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<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>I was sticking to my game plan: FAIL</div>
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I really wanted to finish the race and feel like I could run for another 10 hours (even though my longest run in a year was less than 20 miles) so I stepped off the trail and let the conga-line of runners behind me go.</div>
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I settled in to a slower and much more controlled pace and clipped away mile after miles. I got to run with some great friends and final got to meet and run with some great “online-friends” for the first time!</div>
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There was no stress. There was no pain. There was just RUNNING.</div>
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When I passed the 18 miles mark I didn’t start thinking, "that I was going farther than I have over the past year", I actually started doing the math of how I could still run negative splits and finish just over 5:00.00. But quickly said out loud "that's not my race."</div>
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The last 2 miles were fantastic for me! The sun was shining, my body felt great and I was almost to the finish line. One last climb and then a quick quarter mile stretch and I’d be done.</div>
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As I approached the finish line, a volunteer began handing me my metal and I told him to wait a second… I put all my weight on my right leg and did several one legged squats just inches away from crossing the line of my first Ultra in a year. I know that I have a long way to go still, but this was a mental win for me that I needed more than anything right now.</div>
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Everyone laughed but I needed those last few seconds to reconfirm that I was healthy again, that I could run the distance and that once again I was an Ultra Runner.</div>
Tim Wazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16571827715930538368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4964398816092126679.post-50380731014007759602013-01-06T21:25:00.002-05:002013-01-08T08:32:25.851-05:00Race Spotlight - Destin 50 Beach Ultra<div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Congratulations to Brandi Zakrzewski for winning the comp entry into this years Destin 50 Beach Ultra! A huge thanks to Zane for donating this! Be sure to buy your raffle tickets at <a href="http://www.raceraffle.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">www.raceraffle.com</span></a> and help support SOWF, this also make a PERFECT Christmas present for that special Ultra Runner in your life!!!</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"></span></div>
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<b>1. Can you tell me a little about your event?</b> The Destin 50 Beach Ultra has 50K and 50M distances and takes place on the white sand beaches of Destin, Florida on February 17, 2013. I created the race to benefit the Special Operations Warrior Foundation (SOWF) and every dollar goes toward putting on a great race and the SOWF. </div>
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<b>2. This year, leading into your event you have begun a special fund raiser. Who is that going to benefit and how does it work?</b> The Destin 50 was created to benefit the Special Operations Warrior Foundation (SOWF). We encourage all runners to raise funds for the SOWF and this year we reached out to race directors all over the nation to get entries donated for us to raffle for the SOWF. They responded in true ultra fashion, blowing us away with generosity. To date, we have over 90 entries in 30 states! This means we will have 80+ people winning free race entries.</div>
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<b>3. Where can we find more information about the Fund Raising Event?</b> All the races up for raffle and instructions how to buy tickets are at <span style="color: red;"><span style="color: red;"><a href="http://www.raceraffle.com/">www.raceraffle.com</a>.</span> </span> You just buy tickets online and then rank all the races in order of preference on our website. We will fill out the paper tickets for you and have the drawing on Feb 17th at the Destin 50. If folks don't want to buy a ticket they can still donate to the SOWF there.</div>
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<b>4. This year you have several folks attempting to break the world record, how did that all come about, who's racing and what is the current record?</b> In an effort to raise awareness for the SOWF Sean 'Run Bum' Blanton and I talked about putting together something unique for the 2013 Destin 50 Beach Ultra. We were kicking around the 24hr idea when I approached Mike Morton with the idea. Being in special operations, and an all around great guy, he liked the idea and it really took off from there. We have a team of some of the greatest ultra runners in the nation to attempt to break the Guinness World Record for 'Greatest Distance Run on Sand in 24hrs'. The current Guinness record is 83.04 miles and the greatest known distance (not certified by Guinness) is 94.08 miles. Each of our runners is unique, but they are a great team together. I have already been enjoying the banter and challenges between the runners. It is pretty interesting that 23 years separates our oldest and youngest runners but they all seem to have an unlimited supply of energy and positive attitiudes!</div>
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<b>Mike Morton</b>, who everyone reading this is sure to know after his amazing 2012, is the men's 24hr American record holder, 2012 24hr World Champion, 2012 Badwater winner, 2012 USATF Ultra Runner of the Year. </div>
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<b style="font-family: tahoma; font-size: 13px;"><b>Connie Gardner</b> is the women's 24hr American Record Holder, 2012 USATF Ultra Runner of the Year, and just ran across Ohio last weekend.</b></div>
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<b>Joe Fejes</b> was on the American 24hr Team in 2012 and is a very experienced fixed time runner.</div>
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Sean 'Run Bum' Blanton has ran over 80 ultra races in just a few short years and, as mentioned, helped come up with this event.</div>
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<b style="font-family: tahoma; font-size: 13px;"><b>Dustin Krajewski</b> is a Leadville 100 finisher who has been my best friend since we were about 10 and is representing me and all of us 'non-elite' runners.</b></div>
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<b>5. A lot of talk within the Ultra community lately has be in regards to course distances and the validity of the advertised distance. For your event to qualify for a World Record, you had to have your course certified. What was that process like?</b> Our ultra courses have always been very close to the advertised distance since they very close to a straight line. But the measurement of the 24hr course has been quite a process since it is all on the sand and the beach is constantly changing. These factors make it impossible to measure with the normal distance wheel. According to Guinness, it has to be measured within 1/2 meter, so we enlisted the equipment and expertise of some of our special operations troops who are specially trained to survey airfields. They have extremely precise GPS survey equipment that we have used to layout a straight line 1 mile out and back (2 mile total) 24hr course that is within an error of .3 meters.</div>
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<b>6. Will we be able to track the runners during the event?</b> There is internet at one turn-around point, so we plan on posting hourly updates on our Facebook page at the very least.</div>
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<b>7. On a personal note, how did you get involved in running and ultimately putting on this event?</b> I had been running marathons for several years and had talked a lot of friends/family into running marathons. One was my cousin, Jake Holscher, who really got into running and started taking on ultra events. During his first Leadville 100, he asked me to pace him the last 23 miles and that was my first exposure to ultra running. I was simply amazed by him and the other runners there. That same summer, I moved to Destin, Florida for a new assignment with the Air Force and was getting involved with the Special Operations Warrior Foundation. With no mountains in Destin, I wanted to create something that would really test people and raise money for the SOWF. Having already put some miles in on the beach, I thought 50 miles in the sand would be pretty tough and unique. Four years later, I am still in the Air Force and I spend most of my spare time trying to improve our events and raise more for the SOWF.</div>
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<b style="font-family: tahoma; font-size: 13px;">8. Where can we find all the details for your event?</b><span style="font-family: tahoma; font-size: 13px;"> </span><a href="http://www.destin50.com/" style="font-family: tahoma; font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: red;">www.destin50.com</span></a><span style="font-family: tahoma; font-size: 13px;"> has a ton of information on all our events. I also encourage folks to email me personally at </span><a href="mailto:destin50@live.com" style="font-family: tahoma; font-size: 13px;" target="_blank">destin50@live.com</a><span style="font-family: tahoma; font-size: 13px;"> with any questions they have. </span></div>
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<b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">FREE STUFF!!!</span></b><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial;">Zane has agreed to donate a comp entry into the 2013 Destin 50K or 50 Miler to one lucky reader. Be sure to sign the <a href="wstxpagelink:8e55da56-3666-4ee6-8d34-1f4583240904">Guest Book</a> and tell us why you want to race for free, be sure to put Destin50 in your post!!! I'll be pulling one lucky winner on December 14th at 8:00pm. Please support this amazing cause by purchasing a raffle ticket. <a href="http://www.raceraffle.com/" style="font-family: tahoma;"><span style="color: red;">www.raceraffle.com</span></a></span></div>
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Tim Wazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16571827715930538368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4964398816092126679.post-19867357791024154532012-12-10T08:04:00.002-05:002013-01-08T08:33:54.789-05:00Weekly Spotlight: Dan Hernandez - Ledesma Rails to Trails 50K<br />
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 18px;">Weekly Spotlight: Dan Hernandez - Ledesma Rails to Trails 50K</span></b><br /><br /><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: red;"><b>Update: </b>We ran a random number generator to pick our winner for the free entry, and congrats to <u><b>Kerrie F</b></u> for winner the Comp Entry! Thanks again to Dan for all his efforts (along with Michelle Daniels!) for putting together what will become another GREAT Ultra event!!!</span></span><span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial;">My very first Spotlight is on Savannah, GA's newest Race Director, good friend, and Mr. "</span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Savannah-Running/67998844351?fref=ts" style="border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: arial; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Savannah Running</a><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial;">" himself Dan Hernandez and his </span><a href="http://www.lowcountryultras.com/Rails_to_Trails_50K.php" style="border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: arial; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Ledesma Rails to Trails 50K</a><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial;">. The event takes place on Jan 12, 2013 in Savannah, GA and features a 50K, 25K and 5k. The first time event is to benefit the Savannah Rails to Trail with much needed Trail Maintenance and upkeep. Dan and I first met on Twitter almost 3 years ago and has been a runner, a volunteer and a photographer at several of our events over the years.</span><br /><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 10pt;"><b>1. How did you come up with the Race idea?</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 10pt;">I’ve wanted an ultra in the Savannah area for several years but I did not know how to go about putting one together. Then, last Spring I ran into Tim Waz at the Shamrock 5k in downtown Savannah and asked him about doing an ultra in Savannah with the proceeds benefitting the Rails to Trails restoration which has been eroding at an alarming rate. That started the ball rolling. In the middle off this past summer, Michelle Daniels, began raising her concerns about the rapidly deteriorating Rails to Trails with the Chatham County Commissioners. That’s when she and I teamed up in trying to find ways to raise awareness about the Savannah Rails to Trails.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 10pt;">By late August, Tim and I began serious discussions about bringing an ultra to Savannah for the sole purpose of helping in the restoration costs and maintenance of the Rails to Trails.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 10pt;">Here is where it gets even more interesting, - We approach Fleet Feet about putting on a race benefitting the Rails to Trails and what do they recommend? Yup, you guessed it, doing an Ultra!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: bold;">2. What is the estimate cost to get the Rails to Trails property repaired?</span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 10pt;">I do not have the expertise to answer that question but one of the Chatham County engineers told me the problem areas of the trail could be fixed from $25,000.00 to $30,000.00. Mind you, this is a maintenance fix that would more than likely have to be addressed again in the near future which this engineer actually admitted to me. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 10pt;">In 2009, the Rails to Trails was built up and restored at a cost of approximately $400,000.00. In less than three years the trail is back to where it was before the 2009 restoration, unfortunately.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: bold;">3. What kind of role has Social Media played in the role of advertising this first year event?</span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 10pt;">The short answer? An immensely significant role!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 10pt;">I do not believe this race would be happening if not for Social Media. Social Media has allowed us to effectively promote this race without any significant financial cost. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 10pt;">Through social media we’ve been able to reach runners that have registered for the R2T 50k from as far away as New York, Pennsylvania, Missouri, Virginia, Tennessee, Puerto Rico. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 10pt;">In promoting this race we’ve effectively used Facebook, Youtube, dailymile, twitter, Pinterest and web blogs.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: bold;">4. What is your running background?</span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 10pt;">I’ve been a dedicated runner for the last twelve years.In that time frame I’ve run numerous 10ks and half marathons, 2 ultras, 1 marathon. </span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 10pt;">One of my big highlights in running came in 2008 when I ran my first ultra marathon, the Boulder 100. I placed second overall with a finish time of 24:07. It’s funny but I made the leap from half-marathon to 100 miler. I then, did the marathon afterward. </span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 10pt;">The upcoming Delirium 24 hour race will be my next quest for 100 miles. This time I hope to complete 100 miles in less than 24 hours.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: bold;">5. As a first time Race Director what has been the largest lesson you've learned?</span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 10pt;">Oh my gosh, how much I have learned!! It’s difficult to decide on just the one biggest lesson learned because there are so many things I’ve had to learn and learn fast! But, if I must answer what the one biggest lesson learned so far, I would have to say it’s the importance of being organized. There is so much to putting together a race but it will not happen if you do not organize every aspect of the race. You have to compartmentalize every aspect of this race and be ready to answer any and every question a potential sponsor(s), runners, government entities etc. ask. And, believe me, you will be expected to know what you’re talking about and how you are going to make it happen. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: bold;">6. Where can runners find more details on the event?</span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 10pt;">There are several online sources where you can get information on this event. </span></div>
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<li style="direction: ltr; font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0px 0px 0px 36pt; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 10pt;">Lowcountryultras is hosting the LSM R2T on it’s </span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 10pt;">website: </span><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 10pt; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.lowcountryultras.com/Rails_to_Trails_50K.php" style="border: 0px; text-decoration: inherit;">http://www.lowcountryultras.com/Rails_to_Trails_50K.php</a></span></li>
<li style="direction: ltr; font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0px 0px 0px 36pt; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 10pt;">We have a Facebook page that gets updated daily:</span><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 10pt; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/SavannahRailsToTrails50kUltraMarathon2012" style="border: 0px; text-decoration: inherit;">https://www.facebook.com/SavannahRailsToTrails50kUltraMarathon2012</a></span></li>
<li style="direction: ltr; font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0px 0px 0px 36pt; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 10pt;">Fleet Feet Savannah also has a page for the R2T Ultra: </span><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 10pt; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.fleetfeetsavannah.com/ultra" style="border: 0px; text-decoration: inherit;">http://www.fleetfeetsavannah.com/ultra</a></span></li>
<li style="direction: ltr; font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0px 0px 0px 36pt; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 10pt;">Lastly, the registration site, <a href="http://ultrasignup.com/" style="border: 0px; color: #2e8000; text-decoration: none;">ultrasignup.com</a>: </span><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 10pt; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=17809" style="border: 0px; text-decoration: inherit;">http://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=17809</a></span></li>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px;"> Thanks Dan, we appreciate you giving us the additional insight on the race and look forward to the event!!! If you'd like more information on the Ledesma Rails to Trails 50K, please visit one of the links above.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 15px;"><b><span style="font-size: 16px;">FREE STUFF!!!</span></b> <span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px;">Dan has agreed to donate a comp entry into the 2013 Ledesma Rails to Trails race to one lucky reader. Be sure to sign the <a href-publish="Guestbook.php" href="http://timwaz.com/Guestbook.php" style="border: 0px; color: #2e8000; text-decoration: none;">Guest Book</a> and tell us why you want to race for free!!!! I'll be pulling one lucky winner on December 8 at 8:00pm.</span></span></div>
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Tim Wazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16571827715930538368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4964398816092126679.post-44563713559216366122012-09-16T07:37:00.002-04:002012-09-16T07:37:25.995-04:00Sticking to it...Another week of very solid training! Nothing exciting again, other than the fact that I have been able to continue pressing the miles with almost ZERO discomfort to the outside of my right knee. The weather has begun to drop, with lows in the mid 60s at night and highs maxing out in the mid 80s.<br />
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I'm heading out to Turks & Caicos this week for a week trip and plan on running a 50K on Tuesday morning. I feel that my body is up for it, so we'll just see what happens!<br />
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Another Episode of Ultra Running #Waz200 is now up. Check out the latest product I review: Goat Head Sole Spikes<br />
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwQ-FhbHJFU&feature=youtube_gdata_player">Running with Waz: Episode 2</a><br />
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See ya on the road!Tim Wazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16571827715930538368noreply@blogger.com0