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Broken…Bruised…Battered, but not beaten yet…

Let me explain:  first, I’ll say “battered” should be “broken”, cuz my shoulder is broken now too. :-)  See you all at Hardrock!

The last 6 weeks have been tough.  Crashing backwards climbing over a dead tree started it all at Zane Grey.  We all know I broke my arm there.  The status on that is “very slow improvement”.  I bruised my ribs falling on my cast in a random situation 4 weeks later. The Status on that is, “much quicker improvement”, and almost out of the picture.  That’s cool.  Battered?  I crashed on my left side again, and had to protect the arm and ribs.  So, I used my left shoulder to break the fall.  I rolled once over a rock, it dug into my neck and shoulder.  My guess is either a blown rotator or a traumatic blow to the muscle, which is not allowing me to raise my arm while holding it out straight.  I can raise it wing style….we’ll see what happens Tuesday when I see Dr. Toronto. 

These injuries all stemmed off the fall at Zane Grey, none of the three injuries are “running injuries”.  I think the running gods are testing me to see if I can handle training in pain.  The gods lose, I can train in pain, and feel it’ll make me tougher again when Hardrock comes around in a month. :-) Positive thinking.  The gods haven’t beaten me yet!

The Speedgoat 50k is now full, sorry to all of you who procrastinated, next year we’ll try and raise the limit a bit, and bring in some more prize money.

Jemez 50 Mile…..training run?

Hard to say what’s gonna happen this weekend in regards to me running the Jemez 50 mile.  I’ve been officially cleared to run if I want…that’s pretty cool only 4 weeks after a broken wing at Zane Grey.  Will I “race”?  No, not likely, the risk factor is still there if I crash….I tend to take a few risks running downhill.  It would be safer if I just ran it as a good training run for Hardrock, somewhere in the 10 hour range.  I won’t decide till Friday.  I will be there regardless as my wife Cheryl is running the 50k.  I would love to be in the mix with the large handful of fast kids running, but with age comes wisdom……..and Hardrock is far more important to me.

So I entered the Pocatello 50 one week later, to give the arm an extra week….probably smart.  I’ve been running for two straight weeks now and figure my fitness level will continue to improve…with age comes wisdom. 

However, here’s my picks for Jemez:

#1, the record will not go down, that’s an easy one.

1.   Nick Clark, Ryan Burch, and Dakota Jones are the three out front, you pick’em, it’s gonna be close.  Nick hasn’t run here, the other two have and ran in the mid 9’s.

4.  Tim Waggoner, just as fast as the other three, but a little less experience, also running blind.

5.  Nick Lewis, claims to be nursing a hamstring, saving it for some track meet in California.  He’s quick, and could be sandbagging. :-)

6.  Tom Neilsen, his experience puts him fairly close, but not close enough.

7.  Speedgoat Karl, with a broken wing, he’ll need a little more Red Bull to fly, but his NEW HOKA SHOES create flight, so who knows, if he’s close, the hammer may go down on that last 9 mile descent….then again, he may not even run…..and save it for Pocatello.

8.  Nicolas Mermoud, Claims he’s not so fit, but he’ll have the Hoka’s on too, so he’ll be flying.

9.  Brett Rivers, Harry Harcrow, Tim Barnes, Scott Eppleman, and David Coblentz, round out the rest.

Diana Finkel should run away.  I don’t think Anita Ortiz is running and Petra McDowell has dropped to the 50k, Diana all the way.  It would be different if Anita and Petra were running the 50…but they’re not.

HOKA’S ARE NOW AVAILABLE IN THE US IN 4 STORES!!

Wasatch Running Center, Salt Lake City,Utah
Salt Lake Running Company, Salt Lake City, Utah
Boulder Running Company, Boulder, Colorado
Playmakers, Okemos, Michigan  (May 24 ish)

Scarf them up now, they are already selling in SLC!  If they get ordered online, or over the phone, bump up a half size larger….they’re european you know! :-)

The Speedgoat 50k is now 90% full, don’t ask after it’s closed. :-)  ….or it’ll be $200.

Massannutten 100 this weekend

One of my favorite 100 milers happens this weekend in Virginia.  The Massanutten 100.  This race is a rocky one and moderately hilly to my standards.  Total climbing in the 18,000′ range.  The course is somewhat different this year, starting at a different location. It should be a real competitive race up front.  Noone reallly sticks out in my mind, but whoever comes out on top, it’ll be close.  My picks:

1.  Todd Walker…..He’s due to win Massanutten, too many times he’s been close.
2.  Dan Barger…..He’s familiar (unfortunately) with 2nd in his last few 100s, I give Todd the nod because of MMT experience.
3.  Sean Andrish…..He could easily sneak away on a good day, he’ll probably lead early.
4.  Harland Peele…..If he’s fresh and ready, he’s my sleeper to win.
5.  Joe Kulak…..He’ll win the race to the keg, but comes up a little short on the win.
6.  Mike Mason…..Another guy who could be close with a good day.
7.  Aaron Schwartzbard…..tough call, but he’ll be in it.
8.  Kieth Knipling…..If he’s fit, he could win, he’s got it in him.
9.  Chris Reed…..He could surprise everyone, he ran pretty well last fall at Grindstone.
10.  Mark Tanaka…..The mystery man from out of town.
11.  Steve Anderson…..trained by a goat.

Doing real “odds” with this field is really tough, as all these guys listed could pull it off.  Although, I don’t see any records going down, only a “new” course record as the route has changed a little.  Follow the race, it should be interesting.

I have no clue as to who will win the women’s race…..maybe Ragan Petrie?

On another note:  

The Pony Express Trail Run is moving forward, my crew is being assembled nicely. More details on that when they come available to me…..I’m just the crazy guy who thinks 1840 miles isn’t that far. 

I’m really psyched on my new shoes, The Hoka’s, for all my races and the Pony Express Trail.  Hopefully in a few weeks, they will be available for purchase.  I do know that Boulder Running Company, Wasatch Running Center, and Salt Lake Running Company will be expecting some soon.  How many?  probably not enough the way it’s looking, so if you are interested in changing your running style to something comfortable, check back periodically as I’m gonna post the day they will be available, and when they’ll be in stores. 

The Speedgoat 50K is still open, only about 50 spots left if you want to endure some pain, it should fill quickly from this point, so keep paying attention. 

In the meantime, today was my 8th run in a row.  The legs are coming back already, so fitness levels are improving.  In 10 days I may or may not run the Jemez 50 Mile.  It all depends on what the x-ray shows next week.  The catch is:   if I do run, it’ll be a fun run and not a “race”.  It would be too risky if I crash on the wrong arm….it’s already happened once a few days ago.  Although all is well, it was a quick wake-up call and reminder to SLOW DOWN on the downhill.  It’s hard to resist running downhill in the Hoka’s, it’s too fun…

That’s it for now—————–  

Off to the other “Moon”

This coming weekend, the Coyote Two Moon 100 mile and 100k will all begin early Friday morning March 5th.  What’s unique about this race?  Both races run simultaneously with staggered starts.  How cool is that?  I get to start last, 3 hours behind Jared Campbell.  I’ll start at Noon on Saturday and have 22 hours to get er’ done.  If I don’t finish by 10am on Sunday morning, I don’t make the cut-off…..not make the cut-off?  Yah, I better keep on moving.  This race boasts 28,000′ of gain, up and down the Ojai ridge, all under the light of a full moon…well….. almost full.

It all begins on Thursday with the traditional “Ray Miller Loop” at Pt. Mugu state park, from there we’ll go bowling where we’ll consume some beverages hoping to earn “bonus minutes”, from king doofus himself, Chris Scott, the RD.  A talent show, a few meals, and off we go into the darkness.  Nothing like another day at the office for me, it’s only 100 miles! 

Well, I made the 11 hour drive straight to Pt. Mugu, jumped out of the car and threw down Ray Miller Loop #1.  Loop #2, starts in an a few hours, then we’ll put on the bowling “game face”.  In the Meantime, check out Wednesday night’s talent show winner!  http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=Gravityh#p/u/0/AbrpJ7tFZc8

Here I am with the leaders Twirlybird hat in 2008, on my way to victory in 19:24!

Don’t forget to register for the beating at the Speedgoat 50k on July 31, the race is filling faster than ever nearing the 50% full stage.  The goats are out there, you should be too!

I’m still shaking my head!

It appears as though the HURT 100 mile record has gone down AGAIN.   Gary Robbins and Tracy Garneau appear to have both broken previous records.  Gary by just 16 minutes, Tracy by alot more than that.  What is this world coming too?   Or am I just getting old?   20:12 for Gary, 24:06 for Tracy.  Nuts!  Another performance of the year performance, and it’s only January 16.   I still need a confirmation as I’m dumbfounded. 

In a brief conversation with my dad about “Ultrarunner of the Year“, he mentioned to me how all the guys in the top 10 were quite a bit younger than I.  Me being 42 ( I was voted 2nd ) and most of the others in there early 30’s or 20’s.  Maybe I should move forward to the Masters Division?  I just can’t think that way, I feel alot younger than that, at least in my brain.

Congrats to all that have now finished and will be finishing in the next 14 hours.  Enjoy the stellar meal at the country club.  First class all the way. 

And now that you’ve finished ( or will be finishing the HURT 100 ) enjoy the rest,  it’s well deserved.  Now we can watch Mr. Greg Crowther see if he goes under the record at the Rocky Racccoon 100.  It wouldn’t surprise me, what are these guys doing……levitating? 

In a few days the drawing is held for the Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc.  Geoff Roes and I are both on the list to hopefully get in and give the Europeans another shot at kicking our american asses.  I think Geoff and I have other plans on that one.

Don’t forget the Speedgoat 50k is filling fast, click here to find all pertinent info on the toughest 50k in the US.  And now theres some prize money to entice you fast “young” guys out there. 

I better go run, cuz’ if I don’t start training hard now, I will be a master!

We are almost there!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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.




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