31 October 2012
Posted by Ultra Kraut in 100 Mile Training, Road Running, Training Logs, Ultra Running
23 October 2012
At 5:30PM, my wife decided it was time for her after work run and since I took it easy this morning, I figured I'd join her on a short run. We did 3.5 miles on the UAH campus and temps were much milder at this point, probably in the 70s. My legs felt good, but sciatica is ever present.
Posted by Ultra Kraut in 100 Mile Training, Road Running, Training Logs, Ultra Running
20 October 2012
Team M&M was race team #8. |
A bit cold but still all smiles just before the race. |
The host city for the Grunt 'N' Grind. |
One of the "clues" we had to locate. |
The Map. |
The Clue Sheet. |
Happy Finishers, 9th out of 17 overall:-) |
Posted by Ultra Kraut in 100 Mile Training, 2012 Gunter's Grunt 'N' Grind Urban Adventure Race, Adventure Race, Canoeing, Cycling, Grunt 'n' Grind, Race Reports, Running
17 October 2012
Posted by Ultra Kraut in 100 Mile Training, Road Running, Training Logs
15 October 2012
Posted by Ultra Kraut in 100 Mile Training, Trail Running, Training Logs, Ultra Running
13 October 2012
Very nice new tech shirt this year...and the 15K State Championship no less. |
Me on a picturesque road section inside Monte Sano State Park just after the race start. |
Anya looking very relaxed early in the race. |
As the race start approached, I decided I would try to stay with Jason as long as possible and if I couldn't maintain pace, I'd lust drop off and take it easy. However, I was still running with him with a mile to go, I was going to give him a run for his money. RD Mike O'Melia signaled the race start with the traditional musket (or whatever that riffle is called) and we were off. BTW, it was absolutely great to see Dink Taylor out there looking just like his old self (minus a few pounds). From what I hear, his recovery is going rather well and I am extremely glad to see and hear that.
I was feeling pretty good very early on running sub 7 min pace. Jason was just ahead of me and Kathy Youngren and Dana Overton were just behind me. I figured it would only be a matter of time before they'd pass me. As usual, Mike had taken off like a rabbit. He never faltered and had a strong race. Congrats Mike! I kept Jason right in front of me, but at just 3 miles into the race, I started to feel pooped already. I immediately turned inside and started to argue with myself. "Why am I even out here? I just ran a 50K and a 100 miler just 3 weeks ago. I have neither the pace nor the mental fortitude right now to turn it on, so why don't I just walk it in. Seriously, who cares." Well, I care, so while I slowed down significantly, I decided to treat this as a tempo run. I allowed myself to slow my pace to at least talk to fellow racers or shout words of encouragement, but I more or less maintained this pace til the finish.
I crossed the finish line in 69 minutes, about 4 minutes slower than my goal. Oh well, it was still a course PR and a fantastic race nonetheless. I actually got to enjoy the scenery this time, able to take it all in. The view just after the start with the sun breaking through the fog and the trees and hitting road and us runners below was amazing. I look forward to running this race for the fifth time next year and hopefully, I get to battle it out again with my running buddies, cause this time it was no contest! Congrats to Jason, Mike, Andy, Kathy and all the other runners who finished this race.
A special congratulations goes out to my wife and better half Anya for completing her first 15K road race and for doing it not only in style, but extremely well. Running negative splits on a challenging 15K road course like this one is no small feat. I am extremely proud and excited to see that her training and hard work is paying off. Nicaragua, here we come!
Anya crossing the finish line looking strong! |
Posted by Ultra Kraut in 100 Mile Training, 2012 FleetFeet Monte Sano 15K, Monte Sano 15K, Race Reports, Road Races, Road Running, Ultra Running
12 October 2012
Posted by Ultra Kraut in 100 Mile Training, Trail Running, Training Logs
10 October 2012
We ran 4.5 miles at an easy pace and the temps were nice and cool. Im going to keep my runs easy to allow myself to recover properly for the Pinhoti 100 in three weeks. I decided to opt out of the Mystery Mountain Trail Marathon, even though I've been wanting to do that one for the last couple of years as some very special peeps organize and run that event....next year for sure!
Posted by Ultra Kraut in Road Running, Training Logs, Ultra Running
06 October 2012
Nice swag, tech hat, tech shirt and finisher´s medal. |
Posted by Ultra Kraut in 100 Mile Training, 2012 StumpJump 50K, Race Reports, Stump Jump, Stump Jump 50K, Trail Races, Trail Running, Ultra Running
03 October 2012
The temps were almost a little chilly to start, but I quickly started sweating in my half-zip top that I chose to wear over a short sleeve tech short. Still, I kept it on. Temps never got above the high 50s or low 60s on this run and when it was all said and done, Ed and I had completed close to 10 miles in just over 2 hours. Slow and leisurely, but fun. I have the StumpJump 50K on the agenda for this weekend, but it will be a mere recovery/tapering effort for me with the Georgia Jewel 100 just behind me and the Pinhoti 100 just ahead of me. It's going to suck not to be able to push, but I have to be smart about and keep my eyes on the big prize.
Posted by Ultra Kraut in 100 Mile Training, Trail Running, Training Logs, Ultra Running
01 October 2012
First stop, White House! |
Second stop, The Capitol! |
This run has to be my second most favorite big city run of all time. My favorite run of all time was a similar run in the center of Berlin, the capital of Germany, my home country. Yeah, I know, not really a fair comparison when you're biased like that. My third favorite city run of all time was a run through Central Park in the center of New York City.
Third stop, the Washington Monument! |
I had worked out a 10K loop that started at our hotel just one mile north of the White House and would lead past and around the Washington Monument as well as past multiple properties of the Smithsonian Institution (including the Museums of Natural History, American History and Air & Space and the Smithsonian Castle, to name a few). At one end of the loop, I stopped to take a picture of the US Capitol.
I continued my loop on the other side of the National Mall, this time passing the Washington Memorial, this time to my left. I stopped yet again to snap a picture. I had picked the perfect time for my run. At 7AM, almost all sites were still closed and there was very little traffic at any of the monuments, yet. I continued my run past the Word War II memorial and the reflecting pool until I reached the Lincoln Memorial. Again, it was time for a quick pic before moving on.
Final stop, the Lincoln Memorial! |
Posted by Ultra Kraut in 100 Mile Training, National Mall Loop, Road Running, Training Logs, Ultra Running, Washington D.C.