2013 Delirium Ultra Race Recap

Delirium Ultra Race Recap

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!!!!

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^th 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.

After my 11^th lap I was done… mentally.

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.

“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. 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!

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^th 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.

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.

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. 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.

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!

A mental win from not struggling physically

It’s been almost a year since I signed up, ran and finished a 50k race. This past weekend was the 3^rd 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.

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.

(my training over the last 26 weeks)

 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.

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.

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.

Breathing was under control: CHECK

Body was warming up: CHECK

Legs were confortable: CHECK

Knee was still attached: CHECK

I was sticking to my game plan: FAIL

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.

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!

There was no stress. There was no pain. There was just RUNNING.

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."

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.

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.

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.

Race Spotlight - Destin 50 Beach Ultra

Weekly Spotlight: Zane Holscher - Destin 50 Beach Ultra

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 www.raceraffle.com and help support SOWF, this also make a PERFECT Christmas present for that special Ultra Runner in your life!!!

1. Can you tell me a little about your event? 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. 

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? 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.

3. Where can we find more information about the Fund Raising Event? All the races up for raffle and instructions how to buy tickets are at  www.raceraffle.com.  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.

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? 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!

Mike Morton, 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. 

Connie Gardner is the women's 24hr American Record Holder, 2012 USATF Ultra Runner of the Year, and just ran across Ohio last weekend.

Joe Fejes was on the American 24hr Team in 2012 and is a very experienced fixed time runner.

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.

Dustin Krajewski 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.

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? 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.

6. Will we be able to track the runners during the event? There is internet at one turn-around point, so we plan on posting hourly updates on our Facebook page at the very least.

7. On a personal note, how did you get involved in running and ultimately putting on this event? 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.

8. Where can we find all the details for your event? www.destin50.com has a ton of information on all our events.  I also encourage folks to email me personally at destin50@live.com with any questions they have. 

FREE STUFF!!! 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 Guest Book 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. www.raceraffle.com

Weekly Spotlight: Dan Hernandez - Ledesma Rails to Trails 50K

Weekly Spotlight: Dan Hernandez - Ledesma Rails to Trails 50K

Update: We ran a random number generator to pick our winner for the free entry, and congrats to Kerrie F 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!!! 
My very first Spotlight is on Savannah, GA's newest Race Director, good friend, and Mr. "Savannah Running" himself Dan Hernandez and his Ledesma Rails to Trails 50K. 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.

1. How did you come up with the Race idea?

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.

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.

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!

2. What is the estimate cost to get the Rails to Trails property repaired?

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.    

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.

3. What kind of role has Social Media played in the role of advertising this first year event?

The short answer?  An immensely significant role!

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.  

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.  

In promoting this race we’ve effectively used Facebook, Youtube, dailymile, twitter, Pinterest and web blogs.

4. What is your running background?

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. 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. 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.

5. As a first time Race Director what has been the largest lesson you've learned? 

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.  

6. Where can runners find more details on the event?

There are several online sources where you can get information on this event.  

1. Lowcountryultras is hosting the LSM R2T on it’s website: http://www.lowcountryultras.com/Rails_to_Trails_50K.php
2. We have a Facebook page that gets updated daily:https://www.facebook.com/SavannahRailsToTrails50kUltraMarathon2012
3. Fleet Feet Savannah also has a page for the R2T Ultra: http://www.fleetfeetsavannah.com/ultra
4. Lastly, the registration site, ultrasignup.com: http://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=17809

 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.

FREE STUFF!!! 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 Guest Book and tell us why you want to race for free!!!! I'll be pulling one lucky winner on December 8 at 8:00pm.

Sticking 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.

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!

Another Episode of Ultra Running #Waz200 is now up. Check out the latest product I review: Goat Head Sole Spikes

Running with Waz: Episode 2

See ya on the road!

Back in the game

So after 5 weeks of consistent training, I raced today for the first time since April (Francis Marion Dirt Dash 1/2 Marathon - 1:49:26). That was 6 months of nothing more than 2 or 3 miles at a time, maybe once or twice a week. Over the last month I have already logged 350+ miles and have been feeling very strong again.

My training plan over the next 10 months puts me with over 4200 miles of training and racing as I lead into my next goal of racing and going after the course record at the Viaduct Ultra Marathon (Current record 73:48 200 miles)

Between now and next July I am going to begin recording highlights of my training and racing with a video blog of the journey.  

Enjoy! See you on the trail!

So negative... yet positive!

Kinvara 3

     My training plan of late has had nothing but mileage for each day. No other goals, no labels such "tempo" or "Zone 3"... nothing but miles. When I headed out tonight, the rain began to fall slightly, and the air was pretty cool. Just to get to the end of my driveway is a perfect half mile. As I turned onto Hwy 462 (kinda like the highway from Pet Cemetery) the roads were clear and for the first time ever I did not have to run on the shoulder. A quick first mile got me off the the main roads in a very comfortable 8:06 and then I was free!

     

The back roads around my house are simply that, BACK ROADS! When people drive past me, as I run practically naked with my long hair bobbing behind my headlamp, the looks are of utter confusion as to "way is that boy always runnin'..." But outside the strange looks, the road are fairly empty and everyone is always considerate (or afraid) as they pass.

     

Mile two came quickly, just pass Cherry Hill Cemetery, in 8:06. Now to a long time competitive runner, seeing a negative split simply becomes a challenge! The game was on! Over the course of the next few miles I continued to press out faster and faster splits, in a game of "how long can I hold on". My weekly log called for 7 miles this evening, so at the 3.5 mile point I turned around and headed back home.

     

The rain continued to fall, heavier now, and the miles were clicking away...7:47... 7:32... 7:13. Now I know that my no means did I set any records on the roads tonights, but once again a run of redemption and validation reconfirmed my return to running. Next week it may be time to add some labels to my workouts. See you on the trail!

7 Miles: Cherry Hill Road  8:06, 8:01, 7:57, 7:47, 7:32, 7:13, 8:24 (cool down)