Archive for the 'Uncategorized' Category

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.  

Is the season over yet?

Published
by
Speedgoat Karl
on October 20, 2009
in Uncategorized
. 7 Comments

Of course not!  I’m just a slacker and haven’t posted anything in two weeks.  I guess running is taking over my life. 

The snow has started to fall here in the Wasatch range.  Everything up high above 9000′ is now either buried or super icy, leaving me with lower (but still stellar) trails to run on.   The legs are still a little shaky from the last 100 miler in Virginia two weeks ago, but seem to be coming around slowly….just in time for my next adventure.

I am headed to the Moab area this weekend, along with a two day excursion to the Needles District of Canyonlands.  If you’ve never been down this way, save some time for next spring and get a real tour.  Check my guiding page for more details on that.  

When I return, the winter boots will be pulled out of the closet for more abuse, shoveling the greatest snow on earth at Alta.  I start when the real snow flies in a month or so.   My core workout program is on the horizon.  Some would look at this as a tough job.  I only look at it as a good workout.  Ultrarunners are wierd, and sometimes I think I lead the way.  Who in their right mind would have a job shoveling at a ski area that recieves 500″ annually?  Only me.

I’ll get to the North Face 50 miler in Marin Headlands near San Fran on December 5th.  I’ll have a better chance of beating all the ladies this year as the Appalachian Trail legs won’t be slowing me down this time.  It should be a great showdown up front.  I hope I can stay close to the women this year for the first hand look at a great race.  The men up front will probably be out of my sight by mile 3…or even sooner.    There aren’t many of the fastest guys or gals on the list yet, but I would assume for the $10,000 first prize, that “elite list” will grow quite rapidly once mid November falls.   Maybe this year I can win a pair of underwear that fit.  Last year I won some panties that hung past my shins. :-)  They were a little big.  Perhaps NF should re-evaluate their guess on sizes.  Runners are typically smaller people, right?

Interested in having your brain mapped?  DR. Aharon Shumlinson is doing state of the art research with brain mapping, trying to figure out how us silly ultrarunners think and run 100s of miles.  It is VERY COOL, if interested in having this done, it takes only an hour and a half.  Dr. Shumlinson’s office is conveniently located here in the Salt lake Valley, in Sugarhouse.  Check back next week as I’ll be recieving the images from my brain and post a few on this site……sure to entertain everyone!  Contact me at speedgoatkarl@gmail.com if interested in the study, I’ll hook you up with the Doc.

Always good deals going on at Backcountry.com,  jot down this coupon code, then click the goatman on the upper right hand corner and start shopping.  The code gives 20% off, and Christmas is just around the corner.    4LO-1-M8Z8P   for the deals. 

Now go shop!

Time to Grind it out!

Published
by
Speedgoat Karl
on October 1, 2009
in Uncategorized
. 56 Comments

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!

Time for another adventure!

Published
by
Speedgoat Karl
on September 20, 2009
in Uncategorized
. 2 Comments

Something different sits on the horizon for a few lucky souls interested in a quick get-a-way to Disneyland!  No, not the Disneyland our kids love, the Disneyland for Ultrarunners.  A quick 5 day excursion to southern Utah to play in the sand and go on the most epic of runs, all with the luxury of having a guide…….who knows all the great routes.  Here’s the details:

Special Moab Running trip October 8-13, 2009
Now that I have completed my 100th Ultra, I am ready to share!  Come join us for a magical week of running in one of my favorite locations, Moab, Utah! We will have a great time running, playing and experiencing the beauty of Moab and the surrounding area.  Each day we will run a new and incredible trail and then enjoy the sites and fun around Red Rock country.  Come see why Moab is one of my most cherished running areas on Planet Earth. If you need a last minute excursion, make your plans today to join us on my personal favorite trails that will simply blow your mind!  Guaranteed to exhaust and exhilarate you in every way.
The trip is all inclusive:  You get to Salt Lake City International airport on the 8th and we cover the rest for you.
We pick you up at the airport and provide you with;  Transportation, Lodging, Food, entertainment and excellent Coaching!  Just bring your running gear and you will be ready to rock and roll!  Belly laughs included at no extra charge.
We are offering a special deal for our first trip.  Tell us what you want and we’ll create an adventure!
Are you ready to create amazing stories to share with your family, friends and co-workers?  
Please contact me, or my partner Larry O’Neil for more details:  Larryoneil@gmail.com or 801-597-7555
Check out www.sherpafit.com for more events and options to get you strong and fit!
All trips are pending upon approval from any authority we need permits from. :-)
What’s next for me?  I’m on my recovery train after chasing Geoff Roes around the Wasatch mountains last week.  Geoff and I both are feeling pretty good, all things considered.  We’ll play a round of golf today then go off to another 100 mile race.  Geoff will head to the Bear 100.  I’ll be off to the Grindstone 100 in Virginia.  We’ll see how these all pan out.  In reality, Geoff will try and be the 4th person in history to win at least 3 100s in a calendar year.  I’ll be looking for my 4th 100 mile win this calendar year, making it the fifth time I’ve won 4 times at 100 miles in the 12 month stretch.  But it ain’t over till it’s over.  We’ll see! 
Stay tuned for what’s coming up for me next year, all the wheels are turning, where they stop, I don’t know yet.  Either way, it’ll be an interesting year next season once the deal gets finalized.
Don’t forget to click the goatman in ther upper right corner for deals at Backcountry.com 

Records get ruined at the Wasatch 100!!!

Published
by
Speedgoat Karl
on September 13, 2009
in Uncategorized
. 15 Comments

All predictions aside, I think I nailed this one!

Geoff Roes and Betsy Nye both came out victorious in the end.  I wasn’t kidding when I said it was gonna be a burner!

While hanging out last weekend with Hal and Geoff talking about this year’s race, the three of us knew it would probably take a record to win it.  We also knew it would probably be one of the three of us.  Well, we were right.  Two of us went under the old “fast” record of Kyle Skaggs (19:35).  Geoff took it to another level breaking the record by only 65 minutes!, leaving the front of the field early at “Charlie’s Corner” at about mile 20.  It was the last I saw of Geoff all day.   Hal did not have his best day but still managed to squeak out 6th place.  I managed to be the “chaser” all day coming in strong at 19:12.  19:12 isn’t so fast compared to 18:30!  The closest I came to Geoff was in the heat at Lambs Canyon (mile 53) only 9 minutes back.  I was encouraged, but Geoff soon recovered from a brief episode of a bad stomach and regained his 15 minute lead he held back at Big Mountain Pass (mile 39). Although I felt I was moving slow, I still stayed within reach at Brighton 21 minutes behind.  Geoff left a comment at Brighton (mile 73.5) with my crew, Catherine Mataisz…”tell Karl I’m just warming up”.  I laughed, but at the same time I was thinking the same thing.  The race starts at Brighton…so here we go!   

Geoff’s lead was still 21 minutes at the Ant Knolls aid station, (mile 78).  I was holding my own to this point.  I started to feel even better running into Pole line (81). I gained only 2 minutes, but still was actually gaining ground slowly.  I didn’t expect to catch Geoff, but wanted to keep the throttle down and give it all I had.  I felt great and really wanted to rally.

Soon after Pole Line a knife was inserted into my right ankle joint, from a previous rolling of that very ankle at about mile 10.  I wasn’t catching Geoff no matter what, cuz’ he was on fire, but I think I could even have been under 19 hours as well without this little blade twisting around in my foot……..I dealt with it and still ran in slowly in 19:12.

The real race for the win was in the women’s field.  Although I can’t say I was in the middle of it and have a close account of how it went down, but we got words at the finish that the two leading ladies (Betsy Nye and Mandy Hosford) were duking it out for the win at mile 81.  Betsy was only planning on breaking 24 hours.  At least that was her plan, and she was sticking to it according to her pacer Roch Horton.  Mandy pulled ahead briefly after Pole LIne, only to realize it was time for her belly to go a little sour.  Betsy decided to put the hammer down and ran away slowly to win by only 10 minutes at the end….sick race! 

The synopsis:

Geoff Roes now has the “Performance of the Year” hands down.  18:30 on this course is sickly fast and one for the archives.  I was psyched to stay close and push Geoff to run this kind of time.  It helped me go 23 minutes under the previous record as well…..I guess we nailed it sitting at the BBQ saying it was gonna take a record to win it……but only one guy gets the “Golden Skull”.

Betsy Nye notched her 6th or 7th win at Wasatch.   It’s so many I’m not even sure if that’s right.  It seems when we run our own race, good things happen.   Let’s not take anything away from Mandy Hosford either, she put a great fight and she, as well, went a few minutes below the old record of 23:29.28.

4 RECORDS, TWO WINNERS, SICKLY FAST ON A HOT DAY! 

Check full results for the Wasatch 100 here

Kilian Jornet and Krissy Moehl take the Tour Du Mont Blanc!

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

If ULF CLERWALL is out there, please email me again as my email back to you was spammed.  Sorry for the inconvenience.  Now go run!

Wasatch 100 odds coming Sunday, stay tuned for a look at this year’s stellar field.  It may be the race for “Speedgoat of the Year” !!!!!

Congratst to Krissy Moehl for winning the UTMB for the 2nd time.  One more time for the hat trick for her!  Kilian Jornet, showed who’s the best in Europe garnering his second win in as many tries in  Chamonix.  Keep watching the race here.  Scott Jurek should be next to finish at 17th. He has the monkey off his back now in getting the UTMB done.  Now it’s my turn in the future to get the monkey off of my back!

ERIK SKAGGS UPDATE:  Erik is no longer horizonal!  He’s out of the hospital.  Check info at Roguevalleyrunners.com. 

For those who don’t know Erik has had some kidney issues after his stellar performance at the Wheres Waldo 100k last weekend.  Read on for details….and consider helping this guy with his med expenses.  He’s a star and we all want him to fully recover….so he can kick my arse later!    Read on——-

As you may already be aware, Erik Skaggs is currently in Rogue Valley Medical Center in Medford, OR.  Erik ran and won the Where’s Waldo 100 Kilometer Ultramarathon last Saturday in record time but began having medical difficulties later that day. After being treated with IVs in the emergency room earlier in the week, he was admitted to the hospital on Wednesday suffering from nausea and pain.  His kidney function has not improved during the last few days.

 

Erik remains his usual good natured, positive self.  He has been surrounded by many of his friends during his hospital stay.  His brother Kyle arrives from out of town on Friday to be by his side.  At last report, he was timing his splits as he walked around his hospital wing.  Jenn, his girlfriend, has been supplementing moldy hospital food with treats from home.

 

Many friends throughout the ultrarunning community have already asked how they can help.  One of Erik’s biggest concerns is the mounting medical bill.  Erik does not have health insurance. He may be eligible for some assistance through his membership with USA Track and Field, but will no doubt require monies for the deductible and for the expected costs well above the coverage.  An Ashland runner and friend of Erik’s has opened a bank account at Umpqua Bank in Ashland, Oregon to receive donations that will be used to help defray these medical expenses.  You can contribute by sending a check to Umpqua Bank, 250 N. Pioneer Street, Ashland, OR 97520 made out to the “Erik Skaggs Medical Fund.”  Any assistance that you could provide would be much appreciated by Erik.  Please note that the Fund name should be on the outside of the envelope. 

 

Updates on Erik’s medical condition will be posted to the blog at Rogue Valley Runners’ website, at http://roguevalleyrunners.blogspot.com/, as it becomes available.

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