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We are almost there!

Published
by
Speedgoat Karl
on December 29, 2009
in Uncategorized
. 10 Comments

Just a few more days till registration goes live for the Speedgoat 50k!  Reserve your spot for the toughest 50k in the US.  After some new mapping, I’ve found there to be 11,945′ of climb and descent. Throw in a few rocks, snow, scree, billy goats on the ridge, and 200 crazy runners, and we’ll have a race for $500 bucks!

We are also close for the announcement of “Ultrarunner of the Year”.  There’s been lots of talk about last year, and how many stellar performances there were.  They were everywhere, from the flats to the mountains.  Big wins with big comp, big wins with little comp, fast performances all around.  Who’s it gonna be?  We’ll find out in a few weeks at Ultrarunning.com. 

Next year?  Still somewhat debating, but I’ve managed to send in 3 apps so far…..Hardrock, Mt. Blanc, and Wasatch.   The only tough one is Mt. Blanc.  Hardrock and Wasatch are guaranteed for me, so I can’t complain.  Hopefully we’ll have strong competition at these two races.   Of course Mt. Blanc will have some fast Europeans.  Maybe if I get in, I can see how fast Mr. Jornet really is…cuz’ I don’t think we really know yet.   It’s time for the US boys to show a presence there.  We haven’t had our best runs there yet.

I haven’t run since the Chimera 45ish race.  I’ve been on a battery recharge for the past few weeks.  This is the first time I’ve taken a significant time off after a long season.  My batteries are now 95% charged, once the last 5% loads, I’m heading out, and never turning back…. even to see if someone is on my tail.  As I get older, I’ll probably be looking forward more often.  :-)

Thanks to all my personal sponsors for jumping on board for 2010.  Red Bull, La Sportiva, First Endurance,  Nathan hydration packs, Ryders Eyewear, Petzl, and Backcountry.com.  Without these guys, I couldn’t do what I do.  It’s an honor to have a line-up of sponsors like this….the best in the business!

Backcountry.com is now having the after Christmas blowout sales, so check it out if Santa didn’t bring every request down the chimney, I’d be willing to bet BC.com has what you need.

Santa is on his way!

Published
by
Speedgoat Karl
on December 24, 2009
in Uncategorized
. 2 Comments

Hopefully he’ll have his laptop so he can sign up for the Speedgoat 50k.  Registration goes online  January 1st at Ultrasignup.com.   The race is limited to 200 runners.  This year the fastest nannie and billie will take home $500 bucks, along with a goat leg for the dog to stare at.  Expect a flyover map of the course this year.  I have some software to figure it out, so check the Speedgoat registration page for details on that.  But give me a few weeks, cuz’ I’m computer illiterate. :-)

I haven’t run now since the Chimera 100.  I am on a hiatus (briefly) until the new year begins.  Why?  I’ve been building an epic luge run here in the Wasatch Range.  But I ain’t telling where it is, it’s my little secret.  All I can say is that it’s a 1960’s replica of luging in the woods.   Also hope to have a video of this one in the near future. 

My plans for next year are still not set in stone.  I may go to Europe, I may run Hardrock again.  Still not sure, but he apps are on the way just in case I want in. 

Ultrarunners of the Year should be coming out soon from Ultrarunning Magazine.  Stay tuned for that.  I think the date is sometime in the middle of January.   I think we all know who’s gonna win, but you never know.  It’ll be interesting.   Stay tuned for that. 

Stay tuned for big sales at Backcountry.com after Christmas.  It’s been a lean spending year and many shoppers are waiting for the sales.  There will be lots of great stuff going cheap!

Now go run!

El Nino—1, Chimera—0, Karl—still 28!

Published
by
Speedgoat Karl
on December 14, 2009
in Uncategorized
. 19 Comments

If you haven’t already heard, this one was cancelled during mid-race.   Two aid stations were blown off the mountain by 40-50 mph winds, leaving no aid on the ridge for 20+ miles.  Even with aid, the right call was made.  It is rare in any sport to make the call during the event, but this one was welcomed by all…even me!  :-) 

It was shaping up to be a good race, Richie Cunningham was only 10 minutes behind me when the race was called.  Noone else was in sight, but the way I was feeling, I bet it would have been entertaining. 

Check back later for a better report.  I will now go shovel 3 feet of fresh at Alta, to “warm down” from that crazy adventure.

One more 100……then I guess I’ll take a nap!

Published
by
Speedgoat Karl
on December 10, 2009
in Uncategorized
. 21 Comments
Off to the Chimera 100 this weekend.  Looks like it’ll be uncharacteristically muddy, but that’s good, cuz’ I like it when it’s ugly! 

Report when I return on Tuesday.

“100 miles is not that far”
 

Steidl beats Roes at the NF 50!

Published
by
Speedgoat Karl
on December 5, 2009
in Uncategorized
. 56 Comments

Ulli Steidl runs 6:33 and change, while Geoff capped off his “Runner of the Year” performance throwing down a 6:40.  Both these times are faster than last year, but let’s remember it was a slightly different route. 

More to come from me, but follow Irunfar.com and click on his twitter feed for the best up to date info for now.

Time to eat!

Published
by
Speedgoat Karl
on November 25, 2009
in Race Updates, Speedgoat 50K and Uncategorized
. 14 Comments

With the big turkey day upon us, think about running far today. 

Coming next week is the North Face 50 odds!  This should definately be a hot race to follow.  Hopefully, I’ll have some connection in Cali to get me the results.  I’m working on that.  With $10,000 on the line for the winner, it’s sure to be fast.  The Men’s and Women’s races will both be tigth, right from the start.

The Speedgoat 50k online registration will begin on January 1st, 2010.  We’re still hoping to get 200 runners in this crazy race.  11,000′ of climb is all I should need to say to get 200 of you here.  Trust me, it’ll entertain you!   Watch the video here, let us entice you a little bit. 

On my own end of things, I’ve found it entertaining to flip through a few blogs and read about the Western States Track Meet Lottery, coming Dec. 5.  I’m sure there will be plenty of discussion after a few fast guys and gals miss out, so I’ll leave that for another date and put it on the backburner for now.

The Chimera 100 mile is rapidly approaching, and rapidly closing, so if one more 100 is in the cards for you, this is the last 100 mile trail race of the decade.  But that has no significance. :-)  I’ll be looking for win #6 this year.  I still have the textbook in the back pocket, so I should at least run a decent race…..but we’ll see.  

“100 miles is not that far”

 

JFK 50 was a fast one!

Published
by
Speedgoat Karl
on November 22, 2009
in Uncategorized
. 5 Comments
Devon Crosby-Helms killed it for the women, breaking Ann Lundlbad’s record by a scant 21 seconds!!!
She must have been thinking about that for the last 10 miles!
  1 Gregory Crowther    36   1/212  M SEATTLE      5:50:13  7:01 
  2 Michael Arnstein    32   2/212  M NEW YORK      5:50:58  7:02 
  3 Matt Woods          30   3/212  M FALLS CHUR    5:54:10  7:05 
  4 Hal Koerner         33   4/212  M ASHLAND       6:05:02  7:19 
  5 Chad Ricklefs       42   1/298  M BOULDER       6:06:51  7:21 
  6 Matthew Lavine      35   5/212  M CRYSTAL LA   6:08:17  7:22 
  7 Oz Pearlman         37   6/212  M NEW YORK     6:09:39  7:24 
  8 Ben Ingram          32   7/212  M BALTIMORE    6:21:45  7:39 
  9 Jon Lawler          46   2/298  M KNOXVILLE     6:24:20  7:42 
 10 Devon Crosby-Helms  27   1/37   F SAUSALITO     6:29:21  7:48 
 11 Scott Jurek         36   8/212  M SEATTLE       6:31:12  7:50 
 12 Josh Brimhall       34   9/212  M HENDERSON     6:32:13  7:51 
 13 Andrew Mason        37  10/212  M HAGERSTOWN    6:34:36  7:54 
 14 David James         31  11/212  M SOMERS        6:36:00  7:56 
 15 Blake Benke         33  12/212  M DANBURY       6:43:28  8:05 
 16 Timothy Smith       38  13/212  M GLENELG       6:44:08  8:05 
 17 Kyle Cashin         39  14/212  M WESTLAW       6:44:55  8:06 
 18 Vladimir Banas      40   3/298  M MOUNT AIRY    6:46:22  8:08 
 19 Jeffry Buechler     35  15/212  M PORTLAND           6:47:40  8:10 
 20 Ian Torrence        37  16/212  M ASHLAND       6:48:14  8:10
Obviously a great race up front.  Eric Clifton’s record remains intact…..barely. 
Rogue Valley Runners appear to have won the “team” title with 4 of 5 runners in the top 20.  Eric Clifton was the #5 man finishing in 8:12…..a few beers behind teammates Koerner, Jurek, Brimhall and Torrence. 
Devon Crosby-Helms appears to have smoked the women with a stellar 6:29, Meghan Arboghast ran well too, finishing in 6:56.  Annette Bednosky is back to old form running 7:02 for third.  
 

I guess I’ll run another 100

Published
by
Speedgoat Karl
on November 18, 2009
in Uncategorized
. 27 Comments

Well, the plan was to run the North Face 50 in San Francisco.  Due to a weak webpage and updated runners list,  I didn’t get the invitation or money in, in time.  So I bagged it.  I don’t feel I am qualified to compete for the $$ anyway, so I decided I’d go run another 100 miles to get rid of this nagging periformis issue I’ve been having.   The one thing I’ll be missing is chasing the front of the women’s race in the Marin Headlands…..not to mention the original plan was to go visit some good friends in Ashland before the race.  That’ll have to wait for another road trip.

So another 100?  Why not?  I feel fine, other than the periformis.  The periformis hurt before the Pinhoti 100 two weeks ago, only to go numb by mile 40. It stayed numb until the following Wednesday. Funny how running a 100 miles for me gets rid of injuries instead of creating them.  I am truly a freak sometimes. 

The Chimera 100 is the race, it boasts 24,000′ of climb.  I figured that sounds like another 20 hours of fine trail running in California.  It also gives me a chance to win at 100 miles for a 6th time this year.  NO, I’m not cherrypicking races, (if anyone out there thinks I am) I’m running this one cuz’ I have nothing better to do that weekend and it looks like a fun course.  Unfortunately on the competition side, most of the faster guys will be in San Fran the week before.   The beauty of it is I get to run all day supported, they only get to run 7-8 hours.  So I win! :-)    Funny how my brain thinks that way. :-)

The Speedgoat 50k is rapidly approaching the opening of registration, that’ll be on January 1st.  Sign up early and commit this time, or take the risk and sign up later.  Either way, it’ll be a fun day at Snowbird Ski Resort running on one of the most beautiful courses this planet has to offer.  Check out the video of the race here.   Some day when my site takes a u-tube video, I’ll have it here to view.  At least the link works! 

Backcountry.com is constantly having sales these days, with coupon codes, deals and motivation to get the gear we need.  Click the goatman on the right hand corner above and check out this week’s specials.

Also, the JFK 50 mile is happening Saturday.  It should be a great race to follow.  Team Rogue Valley Runners are looking to win yet another team title with Ian Torrence leading the way with the most JFK finishes.  His team consists of Hal Koerner, Josh Brimhall, Scott Jurek, CR holder Eric Clifton, and Ian himself.   The dream team is set.  Enjoy!  I”m goin’ runnin’

Oh the Pinhoti Trail!

Published
by
Speedgoat Karl
on November 5, 2009
in Uncategorized
. 27 Comments

This weekend I’ll be at the Pinhoti Trail 100 down in Alabama.  Roch Horton are running for team Utah.  My wife Cheryl will be crewing, keeping us efficient throughout.  It should be a pretty good race with about 5 of us thinking about winning the thing.   I have some periformis issues, but hope for that to get numb by mile 40 so I can start running.  It’s been a little shifty after a short 5 mile run about a week ago.  But I’m not gonna sandbag….I know I’m the favorite. :-)

Also check out the Mountain Masochist 50 mile in Virginia this weekend as the field seems to be real competitive.  Through the grapevine (but not confirmed) Geoff Roes, Anton Krupicka, and Valmir Nunes should be on the list.  Jasper Halekas should also give these three some problems.  I was gonna do odds, but because these three aren’t on the runners list, I decided to bag it and think about Alabama.   If I were to pick anyone, I’d pick Anton, then Geoff right behind.  Valmir is probably the fastest guy in there, but his trail experience is nothing compared to Anton, Geoff and  Jasper.  We’ll see if Mr. Badwater can hang with some trail junkies.  

Gotta go, cuz’ I got a flight to catch.

The “Desert Halloween Party” up next

Published
by
Speedgoat Karl
on October 29, 2009
in Uncategorized
. 24 Comments

The Javelina Jundred happens this weekend.  A few fast guys out front should make this one to watch.  Will Jorge finally break my record?, or will Paul DeWitt and Josh Brimhall get the best of the fast starter….we’ll see.  Here’s my picks:

Jorge Pacheco  3-1.  Jorge gets the nod because he’s the previous winner, but he’ll have to run smart to outdual the other two right below him.  Last year he was on record pace, but fell off on the 5th lap.  We’ll see if he holds it this year.
Paul DeWitt  7-2.  When Paul is on, he’s tough to beat, he’s certainly got the speed to run under the record too, if his legs hang on that long.  He’s got a plan mentioned on his site...something about 14:30.  Pretty ambitious with the current record at 15:25.  His conservative start plan looks good on paper, we’ll see how it pans out on dirt.
Josh Brimhall  5-1.  Josh is real fit right now, but may have other plans with the “dream team” at JFK next month, so he may not show up, but if he does, he’s no rookie on the Pemberton trail, and can certainly hang with Paul and Jorge.  100s aren’t really his specialty, but he’s due for a fast one.
David James  7-1.  Tough call on David.  He ran some fast times early this year at the Pocatello 50 in May, but had a hard day at Western.  It’s his time to shine now.  He’ll be the “darkhorse” for the men.
The rest of the field below won’t contend for the win, but look for these guys to battle it out for 5th, and two steps off of the podium unless those up front call it a day early and go trick or treating.   Alan Abbs, Sandy Baker, Mark Matyazic, Dean “the bowling machine” Dobberteen, Logan Beaulieau, and John Ticer should round out the rest, as well as a few others I’ve missed.

The Ladies race is a two women battle + some darkhorse who may show up. 

Bev Abbs gets the nod at 3-1.  Bev has more 100 mile experience and is always tough to the end, so without any real issues, she’ll be the first women done by an hour.
Michelle Barton  5-1.  Close, but not quite as quick as Bev.  She’ll go out a bit easier too, and will hope to chase down Bev later once the wolves start howling at the moon.
Darkhorse #1  7-1.  Don’t know who that is yet, but tune in during race day to find out, cuz’ there’s always a few in the field, and this race always puts a few fast ones from the Phoenix area on the starting line.

My  next race is the Pinhoti 100 down in Alabama, I’ll be looking for win #28 at 100 miles.  This race looks sweet as 85% of it is singletrack deep in the woods.  I’ll do odds on that one early next week, so stay tuned.  The race looks like some good comp too, so it should be interesting to see if I can bang out one more to make it 5 100 mile wins this year.

The Speedgoat 50k applications are going online January 1st this time, one month later than last year to avoid the tax man.  Put it on your calendar for July 31st.  It’s the toughest one in town!  Chances are it’ll fill up this year at 200 runners after that sweet spread in Ultrarunning mag in the October issue.   If you want a cool shirt with that silly goatman on it, sign up on Jan 1st to assure a position in the herd.

If anyone local here in SLC is interested in some very cool “brain mapping”, contact Dr. Aharon Shumlinson for more details at aharon@xmission.com.  He’s been doing extensive research on why us crazy people in ultrarunning can keep on going for 100s of miles at a time.  He helps us at the Big Mountain aid station being the captain, why not help him with some cool research.  It only takes about an hour.

Along with the Pinhoti odds next week, the Mountain Masochist 50 odds will also be attempted.  Word is out that along with a few fast guys officially on the list, Anton Krupicka, Geoff Roes, and Brazilian star, Valmir Nunez is in the field.  These guys will take a crack at earning the spot at Western next year thru that silly cup thing.  Check back next week for my mildly entertaining write-up.

And don’t forget to click the goatman in the upper right corner for random deals at Backcountry.com.  They constantly run specials, so always good to check back occasionally, especially with Christmas coming.  

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