Comments on: Steidl beats Roes at the NF 50! http://karlmeltzer.com/2009/12/steidl-beats-roes-at-the-nf-50/ World Class Endurance Runner Sat, 31 Jul 2010 07:26:44 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: Tim http://karlmeltzer.com/2009/12/steidl-beats-roes-at-the-nf-50/#comment-7663 Tim Tue, 22 Dec 2009 16:36:48 +0000 http://karlmeltzer.com/?p=974#comment-7663 I train (stumble)on a few sections of the AT, mainly in the Bear Mt/Harriman Park, NY. I dilligently followed the whereskarl attempt 2 summers ago. To traverse the entire trail in record time in almost inconceivable. I know that ME & NH are far tougher than the tough sections I've seen. I agree that it is unbelievable and hope it keeps calling. The time standing is daunting but your abilities allow you the possibility of topping it! Its August 2010, Where's Karl? I train (stumble)on a few sections of the AT, mainly in the Bear Mt/Harriman Park, NY. I dilligently followed the whereskarl attempt 2 summers ago. To traverse the entire trail in record time in almost inconceivable. I know that ME & NH are far tougher than the tough sections I’ve seen. I agree that it is unbelievable and hope it keeps calling. The time standing is daunting but your abilities allow you the possibility of topping it! Its August 2010, Where’s Karl?

]]> By: Speedgoat Karl http://karlmeltzer.com/2009/12/steidl-beats-roes-at-the-nf-50/#comment-7584 Speedgoat Karl Fri, 18 Dec 2009 13:50:17 +0000 http://karlmeltzer.com/?p=974#comment-7584 I don't think starting fast on the AT is a good idea. "The rabbit rarely wins", and in Maine it's even impossible to move like a rabbit. There are NO trails out west comparable to Maine, Not Hardrock, Not Zane Grey, Not Speedgoat 50k, nothing. If you haven't been there, you don't understand. They marked the trail by bushwacking through swamps and super rugged mountains....then people started walking to pack it out. They didn't build anything there, all you have to do is hike a few miles in the Chairback range, or Mahoosucs. It's unbelievable....and it's still calling me to return! I don’t think starting fast on the AT is a good idea.

“The rabbit rarely wins”, and in Maine it’s even impossible to move like a rabbit.

There are NO trails out west comparable to Maine, Not Hardrock, Not Zane Grey, Not Speedgoat 50k, nothing. If you haven’t been there, you don’t understand.

They marked the trail by bushwacking through swamps and super rugged mountains….then people started walking to pack it out. They didn’t build anything there, all you have to do is hike a few miles in the Chairback range, or Mahoosucs. It’s unbelievable….and it’s still calling me to return!

]]> By: Tim http://karlmeltzer.com/2009/12/steidl-beats-roes-at-the-nf-50/#comment-7438 Tim Fri, 11 Dec 2009 15:35:21 +0000 http://karlmeltzer.com/?p=974#comment-7438 If the ferryman in ME is hesistant to cross the river, Karl has his moose connections on whose back he can cross. Also, I figure the tailwind off of Mount Washington should be helpful, maybe land him in Rutland. I'm not sure about the flowers. If the ferryman in ME is hesistant to cross the river, Karl has his moose connections on whose back he can cross. Also, I figure the tailwind off of Mount Washington should be helpful, maybe land him in Rutland. I’m not sure about the flowers.

]]> By: CJ Hitz http://karlmeltzer.com/2009/12/steidl-beats-roes-at-the-nf-50/#comment-7434 CJ Hitz Fri, 11 Dec 2009 01:49:06 +0000 http://karlmeltzer.com/?p=974#comment-7434 Great idea Tim! That really would give Karl a fast start for the speed record...he could practically cruise the rest of the way, stop while and smell the flowers. Great idea Tim! That really would give Karl a fast start for the speed record…he could practically cruise the rest of the way, stop while and smell the flowers.

]]> By: Tim http://karlmeltzer.com/2009/12/steidl-beats-roes-at-the-nf-50/#comment-7425 Tim Thu, 10 Dec 2009 18:00:58 +0000 http://karlmeltzer.com/?p=974#comment-7425 For the New Year's Eve "run=off" for UROY, I would suggest starting at the Northenmost terminus of he AT and ending 100 miles later. Then Karl and Geoff could have a beer, tip their hats and Karl would continue SB, eventually setting the thru speed record. He also could be recovered by Spring to start cranking out 100's. Who da man? For the New Year’s Eve “run=off” for UROY, I would suggest starting at the Northenmost terminus of he AT and ending 100 miles later. Then Karl and Geoff could have a beer, tip their hats and Karl would continue SB, eventually setting the thru speed record. He also could be recovered by Spring to start cranking out 100’s. Who da man?

]]> By: Speedgoat Karl http://karlmeltzer.com/2009/12/steidl-beats-roes-at-the-nf-50/#comment-7420 Speedgoat Karl Thu, 10 Dec 2009 16:11:52 +0000 http://karlmeltzer.com/?p=974#comment-7420 Nice Trail Clown! Hey, I won 5 100s a few years back and still didn't get UROY, so why not 6 this time eh? But, Chimera is not over yet. Don't count it till it's over. Cuz' 100 miles is far...."but not that far". I still like the UROD "D" for decade. :-) Nice Trail Clown! Hey, I won 5 100s a few years back and still didn’t get UROY, so why not 6 this time eh?

But, Chimera is not over yet. Don’t count it till it’s over. Cuz’ 100 miles is far….”but not that far”.

I still like the UROD “D” for decade. :-)

]]> By: CJ Hitz http://karlmeltzer.com/2009/12/steidl-beats-roes-at-the-nf-50/#comment-7419 CJ Hitz Thu, 10 Dec 2009 16:08:27 +0000 http://karlmeltzer.com/?p=974#comment-7419 Karl no doubt had a UROY kind of year and # of races should be one factor in the consideration. But I believe Geoff won both their head to head battles and this should also be a heavy consideration, not to mention all the other ultras Geoff won...most in CR fashion. I think it would be awesome to see co-UROY. Or, let's just have them to a tie-breaker 100 miler that begins in the early hours of New Year's Eve, thus insuring a 2009 finish! Any suggestions on location? ;-) Karl no doubt had a UROY kind of year and # of races should be one factor in the consideration. But I believe Geoff won both their head to head battles and this should also be a heavy consideration, not to mention all the other ultras Geoff won…most in CR fashion. I think it would be awesome to see co-UROY. Or, let’s just have them to a tie-breaker 100 miler that begins in the early hours of New Year’s Eve, thus insuring a 2009 finish! Any suggestions on location? ;-)

]]> By: TrailClown http://karlmeltzer.com/2009/12/steidl-beats-roes-at-the-nf-50/#comment-7418 TrailClown Thu, 10 Dec 2009 15:56:19 +0000 http://karlmeltzer.com/?p=974#comment-7418 I think it stinks that Karl seems to be getting short-changed on all this UROY talk. I mean, everyone is handing Geoff the award mainly based on his amazing 50 mile performances. Yes, people are giving him love about HURT, Wasatch, Bear, but it's really his MMTR50 and NF50 (both in the 6:30 range?) that has everyone conceding it to him. But quantity should count for something in ultras, and Karl's six(6) 100 wins (if Chimera goes well) should count for something huge, whether or not comp was a factor, etc. I say make two awards, "UROY" and "100 mile runner of the year", because I think it's silly that people don't respect the distance involved when counting up races to compare. My two cents, worth $10,000! I think it stinks that Karl seems to be getting short-changed on all this UROY talk. I mean, everyone is handing Geoff the award mainly based on his amazing 50 mile performances. Yes, people are giving him love about HURT, Wasatch, Bear, but it’s really his MMTR50 and NF50 (both in the 6:30 range?) that has everyone conceding it to him. But quantity should count for something in ultras, and Karl’s six(6) 100 wins (if Chimera goes well) should count for something huge, whether or not comp was a factor, etc. I say make two awards, “UROY” and “100 mile runner of the year”, because I think it’s silly that people don’t respect the distance involved when counting up races to compare. My two cents, worth $10,000!

]]> By: Scott http://karlmeltzer.com/2009/12/steidl-beats-roes-at-the-nf-50/#comment-7411 Scott Wed, 09 Dec 2009 20:15:52 +0000 http://karlmeltzer.com/?p=974#comment-7411 I think that's Kenenisa Bekele looking casual with Uli in the pic on his blog. Sub-13 5Ks and not even looking like he's breathing hard. He has to be a huge star where track is a big deal. I think that’s Kenenisa Bekele looking casual with Uli in the pic on his blog. Sub-13 5Ks and not even looking like he’s breathing hard. He has to be a huge star where track is a big deal.

]]> By: Chris Lundstrom http://karlmeltzer.com/2009/12/steidl-beats-roes-at-the-nf-50/#comment-7410 Chris Lundstrom Wed, 09 Dec 2009 18:41:04 +0000 http://karlmeltzer.com/?p=974#comment-7410 Uli -- wish I could have stuck with you for longer. You ran an incredible race, especially considering the puking. Everyone -- I felt great on the climbs, but those downhills did get to me, especially the section from 30 to wherever. Lots of stumbing and cursing under my breath. Uli and Geoff really put the hammer down there, and I never saw them again. At one point I took a wrong turn and was sure that a steady stream of runners would be passing me shortly. The next time gap I heard was 7 minutes. Ouch. Once things flattened out for a stretch, I pulled it back together a little bit, but at that point I was just trying to finish it up respectably. I really enjoyed the climb out of Tennessee Valley, mainly because I was familiar with it and knew that the end was near. I did a lot of running in the Headlands when I lived in SF, but not much on the trails further north. I was definitely stronger on the fire roads than on the trails, though I guess climbing was fine either way. My quads were (and still are!) pretty wrecked from the downhills. I got some good advice from other Minnesota trail guys regarding how to train in the flatlands for such a hilly run. However, I didn't have much chance to actually do the training as I was focused on the marathon this fall, and took a couple of weeks off after a disastrous run at NYC. On the whole, it was a good experience. I really enjoy the strategic aspects of racing, and a hilly 50 miler definitely has strategic challenges in abundance. 100 milers I'm sure take that to a whole other level, which I will continue to vicariously experience through the tales of others... As for the above discussions of ultrarunner of the year, sponsorship, etc., I'm not really the expert but for what it's worth...I tend to look for quality rather than quantity, but then again it seems to me that if anything is about quantity, it's ultrarunning. Prize money, sponsorship, and professionalism certainly change a lot of things. I'll say this...I told one of the kids I coach that I won $1,000 for running this 50 mile race. He said, "That's a great way to make money." I said, "No it's not. It's about the worst way to make money I can imagine. Stay in school." Uli — wish I could have stuck with you for longer. You ran an incredible race, especially considering the puking.

Everyone — I felt great on the climbs, but those downhills did get to me, especially the section from 30 to wherever. Lots of stumbing and cursing under my breath. Uli and Geoff really put the hammer down there, and I never saw them again. At one point I took a wrong turn and was sure that a steady stream of runners would be passing me shortly. The next time gap I heard was 7 minutes. Ouch.

Once things flattened out for a stretch, I pulled it back together a little bit, but at that point I was just trying to finish it up respectably. I really enjoyed the climb out of Tennessee Valley, mainly because I was familiar with it and knew that the end was near.

I did a lot of running in the Headlands when I lived in SF, but not much on the trails further north. I was definitely stronger on the fire roads than on the trails, though I guess climbing was fine either way. My quads were (and still are!) pretty wrecked from the downhills. I got some good advice from other Minnesota trail guys regarding how to train in the flatlands for such a hilly run. However, I didn’t have much chance to actually do the training as I was focused on the marathon this fall, and took a couple of weeks off after a disastrous run at NYC.

On the whole, it was a good experience. I really enjoy the strategic aspects of racing, and a hilly 50 miler definitely has strategic challenges in abundance. 100 milers I’m sure take that to a whole other level, which I will continue to vicariously experience through the tales of others…

As for the above discussions of ultrarunner of the year, sponsorship, etc., I’m not really the expert but for what it’s worth…I tend to look for quality rather than quantity, but then again it seems to me that if anything is about quantity, it’s ultrarunning.

Prize money, sponsorship, and professionalism certainly change a lot of things. I’ll say this…I told one of the kids I coach that I won $1,000 for running this 50 mile race.

He said, “That’s a great way to make money.”

I said, “No it’s not. It’s about the worst way to make money I can imagine. Stay in school.”

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