I have to be brief, I only have 30 minutes of time to use this internet, or I’m chumped 10 bucks an hour for usage…:-)
Check out the seedings for this year’s Grindstone 100, brought to you by eco-xsports!
Here’s the link for seeds, also you can watch it live here:
Looks like I’m on the top of the list. I’m not sure how it’s gonna pan out, but if it’s as technical as the first few miles I ran today…..I like my chances! I feel OK, not really sure how the body will hold up. But that’s ultras…always a mystery!
Looking forward to watching you race. You are amazing.
Kick a$$ Karl!!
run your gutz out karl! you’re gonna kill it!
Eats lots of Gels…
dude you killed it…way to go
Looks like another 100-mile win, sweet!! Congrats, man.
Karl Congrats!!! way to lay down some hoof prints.
hell yeah. was stoked to see you run away with this one… now go get some rest down in moab.
Another win, great.
Congrats Karl!
Well, well, well, not like I’m surprised but that was one hell of a run at Grindstome. So, what are we going to do about UROY? We got Geoff (HURT, Wasatch, Bear) and we got Karl (Masanutten, Bighorn, Hardrock, Grindstone). On sheer numbers it seems like Karl should get the nod but all of Geoff’s races are CR’s and, in the only head-to-head battle between the two, Geoff prevailed. Thoughts?
AJW….thanks for the good words. I think we’ll let the voters decide…whoever they may be.
My thoughts? Geoff’s three runs were absolutely sick! But here’s how I look at it. No DNF’s for me, two for Geoff. Although when the voters look at results, I don’t think they take that into consideration….they should.
Geoff did prevail in the head to head battle, and in convincing fashion. But it’s not like I bowed down and lost by 3 hours, I also ran a sick race, and went under the previous stout record. Geoff had a DNF at Miwok and the 350 mile Alaska race. Although the race is Alaska is understandable to DNF because it’s so hard…it’s still a DNF, and that should work against the voting. :-).
I think in reality, Geoff gets the Performance of the Year, hands down with Wasatch, and second performance may even go to the HURT performance. Bear was just another record under a previous “soft” record. No offense Ty!
Endurability wise: I win because of more results stacked together. The only thing Geoff put together close were Wasatch and Bear, (not that it isn’t impressive!). Bear and HURT were uncontested like my Massannutten, Bighorn and now Grindstone.
And guess what? although many think the season is over, it’s only the beginning of October…….it ain’t over yet, so I bet the two of us will keep the throttle down till December! I know I’m not done yet, and through the grapevine, Geoff’s ain’t either!
Geoff may not have the guile or the looks to scare off a moose, if that counts. And, Karl is right about finishing what he started. He was on the AT last year long after the record chase. Somewhat remindful of Matt Carpenter finishing LT100 the first time. Karl for UROY! And many more…..
Geoff was sick as a dog in the Alaska race, while Karl had tendonitis on the AT…big difference in the willingness to go on and finish the race. Also at Miwok I believe Geoff was hurling on the side of the trail, so again, can’t fault him for not finishing, even if he did “owe it” to everyone :). I say give the award to Karl, because of his consistent domination, and also because Geoff will definitely be winning it over Karl in the coming years. POY still goes to Geoff though; in fact, both HURT and Wasatch beat anything Karl did. But runner of the year: Karl M!
Trail Clown. I agree 100% on the top two performances of the year. Geoff’s two 100s at HURT and Wasatch should go one-two. But I bet the voters give him #1 with Wasatch and HURT will be a few down the line, only because most that vote, don’t realize how stout that time at HURT really is. I realize it!
You are right, it’s hard to fault Geoff because he was sick in Alaska, but it still counts cuz’ he started. Miwok, same deal. He puked, alot of runners puke in races, that’s part of the deal, and if it leads to a DNF, then everyone beat you.
The only run that puts me close to what Geoff did at HURT or Wasatch is my run at Hardrock. It will be a little un-noticed, because it was not a “race record”, but it’ll stand as one of the best Hardrock’s ever….especially since it was only 3 weeks after breaking my own record at Bighorn. Kyle’s race before Hardrock was the Jemez 50 about 8 weeks earlier. It’s gotta count for something!
I agree totally. In re-reading my post, I made it sound like you did nuthin’ all year! But from fighting off mooses at the Horn to winning Hardrock in dominant fashion while tired, to grinding out the rocks of Virginia not once but twice, plus all the stuff you will still do this year, you had one of your most amazing years, if not the most amazing, of your stout trail career. As a fan of the sport, that’s why I would vote 100% for you as runner of the year (unless Geoff rips off a couple more wins, including NF in Dec?). But I still disagree with: (1) the Iditarod “counting” against Geoff, because it’s just a whole different animal and is like comparing apples and oranges; and (2) I still think Kyle’s Hardrock was the best of all time because of his lack of veteran experience and because no one was pushing him. But again, I’m just a BOP fan throwing out the dish, and my main goal was to give you props for showing who’s the king. Keep on keeping on…
Good job! A good 2009 so far.
Trail Clown: Yah, the Iditarod is a different beast. Almost somewhat like what I did last year ( different of course ). Because I didn’t break the AT record (or even come close) I still did it in 55 days, which being the 4th fastest ever was pretty darn quick. But unrecognized by the ultra world because it is not a race.
The beauty of it is that it is NOT over yet. I look at it as we are both neck and neck and we have to both keep banging shit out to win it. Should be fun any way you look at it.
Yah, Kyle’s time is out of control, when he did that it blew away the ultra world. It was not surprise to me, I just hope he doesn’t make it a “one hit wonder”. It seems sometimes when guys run such a stellar performance, they suddenly drop off the radar a bit. NOthing wrong with that at all. I am sure Kyle will come back with a vengeance and go break every record I still have. He’s a better runner than I, an alot younger.
Thanks for the props, I’ll take all I can get!
Speaking of dropping off the radar, where IS Kyle these days? Haven’t heard a peep about him. I assume he’s busy with classes perhaps. I had a chance to meet him in Ashland last year and I can say he’s a very humble young man with a great running future ahead of him.
CJ
Year in and Year out, Karl is the 100 mile man. Not a flash in the Pan. Perhaps others will be, but they are not proven stock yet. Just fast times for a couple years.. A few years from now will be the determining factor for seeing who is still out front. Karl will still be there. As he always was, and is. Tough Ultra Stock.
Jeff
I would also like to stay that 2009 has all around been an amazing year for ultra running. Highlights include the Western showdown anticipation, some amazing individual efforts (CR being smashed such as Anton at White River, AJW top 10ing it at 3 monster races), and a good debate for runner of the year where we’re comparing guys who each had multiple 100 wins and CRs destroyed… wow. I’m just hoping that the all speedsters come out of the mountains for the NF50 showdown to cap it off. How can 2010 get better?
I need to chime in one more time on this. Talking to a lot of the HRH vets it is conventional wisdom that the CCW direction is tougher. Why? Well, I leave that to the vets. Karl says they’re the same cuz you start and finish in the same place. However, the real pros say the course comes down to two words, “ramps” and “walls.” In the CCW direction you go up the “ramps” and down the “walls.” CW you do the opposite. I’ve only done CCW but I gotta say, I am looking forward to the CW direction because those long, smooth downhills will be sweet. My bet…Karl goes 23:?? next year.
karl has had a better year than i… so far. no doubt about it as far as i’m concerned.
tough to imagine the iditarod invitational is even known to the “voters.” the course record in that race was a few years ago by steve reifenstuhl. it is without question one of the most impressive ultra running performances in the history of the sport and i’m pretty sure it got exactly zero votes that year.
as far as my dnf in that race, finishing was not an option. even the 70 miles i ran caused my nasty head cold to turn into pnuemonia that didn’t go away until 6 weeks later. i would have died before i made it another 280 miles in the dead of winter in alaska.
anyway, point is, my miwok dnf should and probably will count against me but i’d be pretty surprised if the iditarod dnf will even be noticed… which is only fair since a succesful race there would also go un-noticed, much like karl’s AT run last year. the multi-day thing just aint gone that mainstream yet.
Excellent points Geoff, you are correct, the Iditarod would probably go un-noticed even if you blasted the record out of the water. Let’s throw it into the ocean!
I had a lousy race too this year, at Way Too Cool. I ended up 20th, which would make it look like I am not that good at 50k’s. Truth is, I was closing fast with about 10 to go, moved up to almost 7th, then my calf tightened so hard at about 26 I had to slow way down. I had a good run going and was in good position to be around Scott Jaime where he finished 5th. But that’s how it works.
“It is what it is”.
joe hildebrand won 4 100’s in 1999.
What 4? Of course I could be wrong.
That wouldn’t surprise me. I know he won 3 and in a pretty tight span, I think.
yep, not surprising considering mid west gets little love. that’s the way we like it though, low profile. The results speak for themselves: Setnes, Klecker, Szydlik, Held, Grum, Hubbard, Jurek to name just a few.
Hildebrand won Rocky Raccoon, Old Dominion, Arkansas and Haliburton in 99.
I think I missed RR, thanks Wynn. I do see all those fast guys from the Midwest!
What about Wynn Davis? He’s pretty quick!
Us Western boys get lost in these mountains is all, can’t see over the ridge.
I do see a few one or two hit wonders in there though.
hehe! i hear ya man. yeah I’m slowly working my way into the 100s. hopefully try and run a fast 50m at the end of the month.
Held and Grum probably sound like one hit wonder names, but they were dynamite at the 50mile distance especially at Ice Age 50. Held has the fastest American time at the world 100km. he lives not to far from me and still can run fast miles on the track in his ripe old age!just up the road here lives Barney Klecker and his wife and are not only two of the top ultra runners in the world, but they set a ton of records on the track and won marathons.
a lot of the midwest guys that were dominant in that group were heavily into the 100km road. Look at the 100km American teams over the years and you’ll see at least two wisconsin or minnesota guys on there. Setnes was a good recruit! Thanks for vote of confidence, there are some other youngster up here that are also reviving the runners of old.. (i.e. Zach Gingerich, Zach Miller, Pat Russell, Chris Lundstrom). Lundstrom made olympic qualifying standard again last weekend here at Twin Cities.
Superior Sawtooth 100 is calling you, it beckons for you to endulge in the epic beauty of the northshore and its ridiculous rocky, rooty, scrambling climbs, point to point singletrack. i can almost bet you’ll rank it up there with one of the toughest. we’d like to see a sub 20hrs on there.
congratulations on another solid year. SPOTY goat skull!
get after that AT again!
Wonder if a masters runner has ever won ROY? And one that is a race director, too. Maybe Ann Trason? And, perhaps DNFs are noticed by the ROY voters, whoever they are.
Who in the hell are the voters? Is this some kind of secret sect of some kind? If so I will convert for a vote. Just tell me what to wear at the baptism.
LB, thanks for the kudos. I’m not sure if a runner over 40 has won ROY. Good question. I only consider myself as a “master of sport” :-), not a masters runner. Maybe Ann Trason, but I”m not sure how much she was running over age 40. It’s a bummer to see Ann out of the game, she was the best women, hands down–in the world, not just the US. When I won Wasatch for the first time in 1998, she also won that year. I was in the presence of greatness at the time.
Evan, yes they are the mystery men/women of Ultrarunning mag. They really should be listed before or after the voting, and how the process is handled should also be explained, with all the runner’s results shown, along with DNF’s and who they raced. A good panel is all that’s needed, along with a “fans vote too”.
This is of course why Mr. Wynn Davis has created the ultimate trophy with the “Speedgoat of the Year” award…..priceless!
Wynn,Karl, let’s not forget another midwestern from Ohio by the name of Mark Godale. He not only owns the 24hr record - 162.4 miles. I think this record has stood the test of time, but eventually as all records do, they get broken. Many have gone after it. This guys’ record says it all: http://www.usatf.org/athletes/bios/MountainUltraTrail/Godale_Mark.aspand he is still going strong.
No doubt Craig, how can we forget “fat boy”
He’s got a better resume than any of those mentioned from Wynn. His 162.4 will stand for a long while in my opinion. Many of us have flocked to the trails…with the exception of Scott Jurek who has given the 24 hour circle runs a few tries. I did it once and won’t do it again, I think Scott should do the same. The trails are better, and Scott is a master of trails.
Round and round she goes!
I’ve met Scott one time a few years back (2005 White River 50M) while he was crewing for his wife and can’t agree more with you. Scott should definitely stick to the trails. Definitely easier on the body. Heck, I even met you briefly. Of all places, atop Hope Pass at the 2006 Leadville Trail 100M. Small world this ultrarunning!
ok, whoa whoa whoa. i agree Godale’s record is awesome and he has been solid, but he is nowhere near the fellows I mentioned above. Obviously you have not looked very hard at the resumes then. BARNEY KLECKER!!!! how does this name not ring a bell. I have barely been running for 5 years and I know enough that this guy held a crap ton of American track records at various distances, ran hand fulls of sub 3:00 50kms, set the 50mile WORLD! record at Chicago Lakefront back in 1980 before it was beaten by 1 minute 4 years later by Fordyce. Klecker was not afraid of anyone. if you were not a sub 2:17 marathoner you were not threat to him. He also won twin Cities and Grandmas a couple of times.
Setnes: holds many American masters records at 100km. Roy Pirung. Guy holds a bounty of records. Dan Held: sub 6 hours at Ice Age 50m on his first 50mile! One of America’s best 100km runners.
In my mind there are just a few elite ultra runners: Truly elite: Kouros, Andy Jones of Canada, Klecker, Trason, Fordyce. they may not have run in a ton of races, but when they ran they did amazing things. That speaks more than just racking up “screen door” 50km races every weekend where there is no comp.
http://runningminnesota.blogspot.com/2007/12/barney-klecker.html
check out that link. good stuff.
50k’s are hardly ultras. They are only a marathon with a 5k tacked on…not that far…hard, but not far.
OK, I’ll have to chime in on the Barney Klecker interview.
YES, the man was fast, and his 4:51 50 mile run is retardedly fast. then Fordyce beats it, those two performances are sick and will stand forever. Only Todd Braje came within 40 minutes of it last year?
Klecker seems he is one of the few that “dipped” into ultrarunning. I would call Barney a generally fast road marathoner with ultra talent, left untouched. He did some crazy things and ran some crazy times, but where was that 100 mile run? Even if it were on the roads…where is it? I know the focus around then was the 100k road run, but he’s got something missing on his resume. Even a 24 hour “circle race” would qualify for me. In my opinion, he was a stellar road marathoner, just below “elite status”. Elite marathoners in my book must run 2:12…but that’s my opinion.
Kouros: The king of the ultra road and 24 hour races. Noone beats Kuoros for the endurability he’s shown…and probably still going strong in his 50’s. That’s the difference.
Trason: The queen of all women’s ultra dreams.
Fordyce: Fast as shit who dominated at the world level. Didn’t he win Comrades a few times? That is saying something.
Dan Held: Fast as shit, one hit wonder.
Andy Jones: I’ll let Wynn chime in on AJ, cuz’ I know he was the man in his time too, but I don’t know his accomplishments until I google them. Didn’t do that yet.
Klecker: Fast as shit, but only “dipped” into the ultra scene. He probably could have done more, but looks like he stuck to the pavement 50k’s, and although fast, the 50k is a set-up for the road marathoner.
Godale: Every time he bangs another one out, he shows more “endurability. Not as fast as Klecker, Fordyce, and Kouros, but continues to run ultras strong.
Setnes and Pirrung: Yes, very accomplished road ultra guys from the midwest. These two show more “endurability” than those mentioned above, except Kouros, Trason, and AJ?
Just my two cents…….probably worth a penny!
very well put and justifiable. Barney did give WS a go one year and in the lead with King, but got lost 10miles off course. I guess for me there is something to be said about Klecker’s range. There are few ultra runners that can bang out fast times at all distances. And anytime someone holds a world record, in my book that trumps a whole stack of various wins or course records. Yes, I believe Fordyce won Comrades 7 times.. Yes, go to AUA records and you’ll see a host of Andy Jones amazing stats. He’s just below Kouros in my mind.
I’m not sure it’s so much a question of durability because these guys did not necessarily race every weekend or month. A bunch of wins with little comp is not as impressive as someone who bangs out an sublime performance. I look at it from a level of difficulty. winning a 100mile versus winning a 50mile and setting a world record in the process is not even comparable.
unfortunately road running at ultra distances lacks in popularity in the US, so it’s easy to see why 14, 48, and 100km records are not busted on a more frequent basis. Hopefully a revival though with MadCity, and some 24hours out there. I mean look at Tussey 50. there were like 40 people in that race…. how can anyone call that a national championship race.
It’s sad to see there were only 40 people at Tussey, that’s a damn shame. ULtrarunning has just flocked to trails and coming back to roads is gonna be tough…unless of course $$$$$ talks. Who in their right mind these days would travel across the country to “have a chance” to win $1000. It costs more to make that trip. Seems silly to me. Look at the NF50. $10,000 to win brings in the big boys….so guys like me can watch! Which is exactly what I’ll be doing this year.
” winning a 100mile versus winning a 50mile and setting a world record in the process is not even comparable”.
I agree 100%, cuz that 50 mile WR is sick.
Mad City, although probably a good road course, only a few show up, so it’s like saying someone won the US championship 100k with little comp. The guy who wins always runs a great time. I can’t take that away from him/her, but same goes for many other races. Kyle Skaggs won Hardrock by 6 hours. Is it safe to say his performance wasn’t that impressive because noone else was even in it…not necessarily.
Torrence won 12 50k’s one year with hardly any comp, but his times were all stellar, in my book, that counts for something. He got no love that year when the runner of the year came out. He should have been closer to the top of the voting.
Wasn’t there a guy named Alex Tilson that set up his own 50k to try and break the american record, only to have a handful of competitors show up and make it an “official race”. He ran a great time, but beat noone! Same as winning 100s by a few hours? HMMM!
I don’t think anyone in the US cares much about 24 hour races anymore. Jurek keeps trying, but with no success….yet. I commend him for giving it another go this past weekend, but he should run trails where everyone else is. That’s his strength.
My two cents…..worth a penny.
There’s a huge difference between road & trails. So many great roadrunners get eaten alive on the trails because their bodies simply aren’t conditioned for the terrain. Though it seems the fastest guys stick to roads, I believe the toughest runners pound for pound are found on the trails on some of the most rugged terrain. Here are a few notable trail dogs that I believe could smoke most elite roadrunners on the more rugged terrains: Killian Jornet, Bernie Boettcher, Matt Carpenter, Kyle Skaggs, Karl M, Tony Krupicka, AJW, Geoff Roes. Of course, this is merely a short list but did you notice something that each of these guys has in common (other than being trail runners)? They all live and train in high mountain areas. That’s the difference folks and the reason why flatlanders of the midwest & east have no chance at competing with these guys. People may not realize that Kyle trained on that Hardrock course for 3 months leading up to his record setting performance. That’s what it takes, in my opinion. The body has to be able to adapt to the terrain you plan to race on.
This from someone who loves the trails but sticks to races that are anything under marathon distance…I’ve realized I’m a wimp in the ultra scene:-)
Great points CJ! we like trails. The only guy on that list that does not train at altitude is Geoff Roes, but at the same time acclimated well for Wasatch and Bear, hanging in Colorado and Utah beforehand. Smart man. Good stuff!
You’re two cents is worth a nickel!
CJ: Trails are tough, I agree, but if you’ve not run your guts out on a 100km paved or road course then its impossibe to say trails are tougher. Roads are just if not more tough. and I can assure you that your body won’t be dancin and a prancin afterward. You’ll be every bit as shot both physically and mentally and maybe even more than you might experience on trail. altitude yes, favors those that run mountain races no question, but i think more importantly intimate course knowledge. Most of the runners you mention have the ability to spend months-weeks to train on the course. I should sincerely hope that they would do well. No different really then running against a flatlander with solid speed and the adaptations that go with flatlander races. I think a course like Western States is a great 100. The greatest simply because it is fair game to all that enter. You don’t have to live at altitude to win there. It ecompasses all terrain and climate that seems fair. Although Jurek does not have as many 100mile wins as other runners, I believe his 100mile wins count as something more than a rack full of smaller 100s with little comp.
oh yeah and on one last note regarding Klecker and his wife who also was world class: both ran at world class level while working full-time and raising 6 kids. Impressive, absolutely impressive.
Great points Wynn. I do agree that running on pavement can be brutal. That’s one reason I like trails, specifically for that softer landing per step. I should have been more clear regarding just plain climbing and the skill of downhill running (Boettcher the best downhiller in my opinion) on mountain trails.
I think we all need to have respect for anyone endeavoring to do well in any arena and on any surface. I’ve been humbled both on trails and pavement by some talented athletes across this great land of ours.
That is impressive to know that Klecker and his wife did those things while raising a family and working full time. That takes discipline and determination. Time management becomes a must
Carpenter is better than Boettcher, easily. I may even contend with Boettcher downhill. A good place to judge that is the infamous Pikes Peak Descent. What’s Bernie’s best descent there.
Yes, roads are more painful than trails. I think that’s why many have flocked to trails. Not to mention the exhaust-less air.
I have to chime in on the comment about having six kids and all the training involved to make it happen. 6 kids was their choice, and noone else’s. Hard to have sympathy for that if they want to be world class.
My two cents again.
I think roads are every bit as hard as trails. I do not think anyone can say one is harder or more painful than the other. If I prefer roads than I will train on roads and my body will adapt accordingly. The same goes for trails. I have personally never run a race that did not hurt like hell regardless of terrain.
It is impossible to compare a fast road 50k to a tough mountain 100. They really are 2 different sports. Both athletes are every bit as elite. It is easier to compare and have “standard” established times on flat road races. In mountian 100s the terrain varies to much on each course to have such a standard.
I honestly think because of where I live that I am a bit more biased toward the mountain scene and tend to forget about the road races but the same can be said of other parts of the nation where fast flat ultras are the more popular events.
So a 20 hour HURT impresses me a lot more than a 7 hour Mad City 100k just because of the enviroment I live in. Though I respect both.
They really good runners can do it all…..Of course I suck at both.
understood it was there choice, that’s not the point. it’s that they were able to do that and still be WORLD class. Makes what they did even more amazing. I can only imagine what they might have been had they been in “professional runner mode” in Mammoth Lakes or on a TEAM Minnesota or Flagstaff. Good points CJ.
Karl, you’re correct regarding Carpenter being the faster downhiller. I was thinking Bernie had a quicker Pikes Peak downhill time this year than Matt. Matt’s descent was 1:24:58, Bernie’s was 1:30:18. Matt simply crushes the field on the uphill which is why they call him “The Lung”.
Mackey is also insane downhills
i’m just amazed with the tangents that this thread has gone off on. lots of interesting stuff here and where it’s ended up has almost nothing to do with where it started. good stuff.
i agree that the road stuff is at least as (or more) impressive than the trail stuff. i just don’t understand why anyone would want to do it. i guess it’s just not for me but I find very little pleasure in running on the roads. i just don’t see the point in running/racing if it isn’t fun, but i guess the road thing must be fun to some people.
I think it started with “Good luck at Grindstone Karl” And here we sit 50 comments later.
Oh yah, we forget to mention Dave Mackey downhilling. He’s so smooth, it’s scary.
I did forget to mention with the Klecker clan that yah, if they had been runners only, and noone else to think about but themselves (in terms of running), they probably would have been faster. Sounds like they are pros at “time management”. Definately the best husband wife duo!
Shall I start something new. I’ve been thinking about something, but am at a loss for words.
I hear ya Geoff in regards to roads, but I guess when I think of roads or maybe the misconception is “auto roads”. Indeed those are usually dreadful almost all of the time especially if they are busy. However I consider roads to be gravel, paved/asphalt closed courses, back country roads, and my favorite being jeep/serivce roads with very little if any traffic at all and no canter. I really like race courses like this too, which mix in single track trail. I guess when you run on super rocky, rutty, narrow single-track like Superior Hiking Trail close to where i live, which is probably very similar to Massanutten trails, Alaska, etc.. Just a different kind of running. I know when I have not run on technical single-track in awhile because I get impatient and usually try and push to hard in areas that should approached differently.
yeah I guess we have come full circle. how the hell did we get here? ha! what does it all mean!
This is a great dialogue. The slant towards trail running (at whatever speed) interest goes with the territory. This is Karl’s site and he runs trails. Nice to see mention of The Lung, that’s a new one! Honestly, anyone running at the elite level on any surface could and should be called the lung.
On a note of interest, The Dartmouth Alumni Club ran the whole AT Saturday. Divided and conquered it, yes Mr. Doyle, conquered it. My friend, the alumni, had a 13 mile section somewhere in Maine. He said it was “unrunnable”. Took him all day, I bet the Goat did it in a few hours. I very much hope the logistics work for another try.
Kyle vs Killian, Ryan & Dathan vs The Africans, roads vs trails, pretzels vs peanuts just run!
http://www.dartmouth.edu/~news/releases/2009/10/02.html
AT in a day, pretty cool, but kind of odd. With enough people, wouldn’t that be easy? Granted, putting this together logistically must have been brutal, and hats off to the guys and gals that did that. Nice work. How about 4 guys leapfrog it in 3 weeks? HMMMM, there’s an idea. I would say it was alot easier to put my adventure together than this one. Crazy shit. I wonder if Mr. Doyle approved it!
“The Lung” is the man….or shall we say 4 lungs, his V02 max is almost twice mine, does that mean I have but one lung?
Wynn, it all means nothing really….alot of yack dickety doo da!
Entertaining to say the least.
And my comments on Godale started it all. Wynn does make some valid points. A friend of mine told me about the Kleckers (Derek Dippon - Wynn knows him personally) and they were able to accomplish some things on the pavement few would ever try. There are many specialists among us. Sure glad Karl is sticking to the 100s. In my opinion, “no one” will match what he has been able to accomplish on the trail. Some may beat him, but those same guys won’t bounce back on a consistent basis and do it over and over.
Craig, the reason I went after 100s is for that very reason. I Like to run 100s, I don’t have to run as fast and I enjoy it more. There are definately other runners faster than I. Many are faster than I, but the perseverence of keeping up on banging out hundreds is tough. I thrive on the challenge of not knowing exactly how I feel when I stand on the starting line because I just ran one a few weeks earlier. Many runners won’t do that because they are afraid of not performing at their highest level. Geoff proved others can do it at the Bear. We just have to accept the fact it may not be our best time. Will others follow my lead and chase my # of wins? Probably not, until they get closer.
It’s also true I’ve won a few 100s with very minimal comp, but that was never my objective going to these 100s. They were new courses and always singletrack or nice terrain. Running them blind makes them that much more of a challenge.
Thanks for the kudos Craig! Cool!