Tag Archive for 'Scott Jurek'

JFK 50 was a fast one!

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

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’

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

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.

Check out Mt. Blanc now!

Scott Jurek is currently in 3rd place and still in position to win the European’s big dance.  Check it out here.

Last year’s winner is currently leading, but the pressure is on.  Let’s hope Scotty J can rally and pull it off….completely under our radar….go Scott!

Krissy Moehl is now in the lead and looking to win her 2nd UTMB!  We’ll see

The “wild” and scenic Bighorn 100 gets a little too “wild”!…..And the Western States Odds!

I put my odds for Western on the previous post, but for some even more entertaining info, read on…..the Bighorn 100 was an adventure into the wilderness where sometimes it gets just a little scary!

The Bighorn 100 was another great win for me….that’s #25 in the 100 mile trail race “win category”.  Nick Clark kept it close early, but in the end I was showered, sleeping and thinking about what “could have happened”….but didn’t.  So here’s the story………..

Ever had a run-in with a moose?  I can now say I have.  It was funny the day before at the packet pick-up as I heard some other folks talking about how the leaders get to see all the wildlife.  This race I was the leader.  I saw all the wildlife, from big bucks, to big moose, even a skunk to perhaps throw some stink into my finish (that didn’t happen), but was close.

I was about a half mile from the turnaround point at the Porcupine Aid Station where I came upon old mama Bullwinkle.  I stopped, she stopped.  We both proceeded forward, when Bullwinkle started walking away from me towards the aid station, I also proceeded forward.  She then started to run away from me.  All I could think was “great”, she’s out of here.  When I started moving again, she spun a 180, snorted and started charging at me from about 40 meters.  I moved left behind a large tree, baiting her to pass me on the right.  She was about 5 feet…yah 5 feet from me, I darted left behind the tree to protect myself.  She turned around, charged at me again only to find that big tree in her way and a little 142 pound runner hiding behind.  She was only 5 feet from me staring me in the face.  We played cat and mouse 5 more time before she decided to head back up and away from me.  I felt better now, hoping she was out of there.  At this area on the jeep road there was about 75 meters to the next big tree where I could protect myself, in the direction of the aid station.  It seemed she was gone as I could no longer see her in the woods about 50 meters away.  I started running quite fast towards the aid station, she then came barreling out of the woods and started chasing me!  As I was sprinting faster than Carl Lewis ever has, I turned around to see her snout only 5 feet from me and ready to pounce on top of me and possibly kill me.  I dove like superman behind that first big tree.  She kicked my right shin as well as my left hand.  When I hit the ground, I bounced up quickly to hide behind the tree again, only to play cat and mouse 5-6 more times.  Standing in front of a moose 7 feet tall is pretty scary from a distance of only 4-5 feet.  I don’t recommend it!  After a minute or two or her standing there debating whether I was worth more effort, she moved up and away into the woods again. This time I waited out of her sight a little longer than the first time.  I finally went and she was never seen again.   I was shaking at the aid station knowing I had to head back that way.  Two younger guys went ahead to spook her, they did just that.  For the next 20 miles I was shaking while running as I kept turning around thinking something was coming after me.  Finally it was over.  I survived a moose attack, won the race in record time, and now it’s a no-brainer when someone asks me a “wildlife story” when running in the wilderness.  Lesson to be learned……nah, it was about time this happened, I’ve been running in the woods for 25 years! 

Bighorn results here:

Now we can proceed to the Western States Odds!

Bighorn should be a sloppy mess!

A quick look at the Bighorn 100 this weekend:

This will be my second 100 of the year.  Five weeks after a great win at the Massannutten 100 May 16th.  If all goes well, (and it should) I feel pretty confident that I’ll have a decent run on the muddy cow trails.  Odds on this one are tough, as only know three other guys in the field have a chance at challenging me for the overall win.  So I’m gonna make it simple here and try to pick the order for the top 5. 

I’m also gonna do the mighty Western States odds on Monday when I return, so check back after this weekend for that.  There’s been alot of chatter at AJW’s blog about it, so go there for this weekend, then come back and see what I came up with……all off the cuff of course!

Bighorn 100:

1. Speedgoat Karl 7-2.  After putting pressure on myself at Massannutten, why not do it again right?  I feel good, no injury issues and running 100 miles is not that far after running the AT.  I have the textbook in my back pocket too, in case I need to refer back to the basics :-).

2.  John Anderson  5-1.  If John puts down a good run, he could win and go under 20 hours.  His performance at the Speedgoat 50k last year was good evidence he’ll be near the front.  He excelled at technical terrain at the Speedgoat, and if he’s good in the mud, he’s next in line.

3.  Harry Harcrow  7-1.  This guy runs textbook and under the radar a bit.  Good runs at Leadville and Bighorn shows he’s got talent.  But he’s got some good talent in front of him to beat.  3rd no problem, but an hour or two back.

4.  Phil Shaw  8-1.  Another guy that has great talent and has run some solid 100 mile times.  On another blog mentioned in the comments on my last post, shows he has 16 minute 5k speed…..that doesn’t matter here.  He’ll run solid and could crack top 3 if he keeps that 5k speed at bay.

5.  Sander Nelson  11-1.  Sander ran great behind me at San Diego a few years back.  If he throws down another good one, he’ll run under 22 hours. 

The ladies race is very open with Ashley Nordell leading the way in my book.  She, like Amy Sproston at Massannutten should run away……unless I missed someone……cuz’ I always miss someone!

Top 5 at Western:

1. Scott Jurek  3-1.  He has to be the favorite, he’s won the thing 7 times. 
2. Dave Mackey  7-2.  Hot on Scott’s heels, and with unfinished business at Western he’s my pick to win….even though I have him second here.
3. Hal Koerner  4-1.  He likes to go out quickly, and if he holds it, he’ll be right there at the Auburn track at 930pm.
4.  Eric Grossman  5-1.  I should probably give him some more love here.  He’s been stellar all year and this is his chance to shine.  Definately the best on the east coast.  The darkhorse (sort of) to win it.
5.  Erik Skaden  7-1.  He’s proven he can run fast at Western, and although he hasn’t shown big stuff this spring, I’m sure he’s focused on being another darkhorse to win.  
The mens race is so tight it’s a tough call, but here’s another bunch of guys that will be in it at Robinson Flat…..at least.   These are in the order I think they’ll finish.

Jasper Halekas, Zach Miller, Kubaragi from Japan, Todd Braje, John Olsen (if he runs), Josh Brimhall, Graham Cooper, Dave James, Dan Olmstead, Brian Morrison, Hiroki Ishikawa, Lon Freeman, Marco Olmo (he wins the over 60 category too), Laval Benoit, Mike Wolfe, AJW, Chikara Omine.

I think top 22 is enough for now.  The real odds come out Monday.

Western Women: 

1.  Nikki KImball  3-2.  If she’s fit, she’s the one to beat.  She rarely gets beaten, and all the girls behind her on this list have never beaten Nikki at Western.  She may crack top 10 overall.
2.  Krissy Moehl  4-1.   Wouldn’t it be great if Krissy would be real competitive here.  She’s got the talent, and could squeak in a win if Nikki doesn’t get to Auburn first.
3.  Anita Ortiz  6-1.  I almost missed her here.  She certainly has the talent, but it’s her first 100.  The girls behind her will mop her up if she has a bad day, but she’s tough as nails.  The only thing holding her back is maybe the heat.  She’ll be close early when it’s hilly. 
4.  Bev Abbs  7-1.  Another girl right in the mix, she’s been running well, and now is her turn to show it off.
5. Jenn Shelton  8-1.  She’s horrible in the mountains, (sorry Jenn), but if she hangs in there to Foresthill and is still going strong, she is easily the fastest girl once the trail gets smooth.  I’ll have the shot glass loaded for her if she wins.
5.  Jenny Capel 10-1.  Another girl that is pretty quick, but has her hands full with the 4 in front of her.  She’s the sleeper in this field.
6.  Connie Gardner  11-1.  She kills it at 24 hour races and on the roads.  Same as Jenn though, if she hangs tough through Foresthill, she’ll be running to win.
Prudence L’Heureux and Meghan Arboghast take the next two.

Remember the real odds come out on Monday, I’m gonna need something to think about while I’m running from the Bears in the Bighorn Mountains this weekend.

I won’t be able to moderate comments while I’m in Wyoming, so register to see your comment. I’ll try Thursday but no promises on that.

Now go Run!

An old legend back on track!

When I started Ultrarunning, I had two guys I wanted to race…..One was Eric Clifton.  Eric was so fast I had to go test myself against him to see if I had what it takes to succeed in this silly sport.  I beat Eric the first time I raced against him at the Crown King 50 mile….only to be beaten at the finish by Dennis Poolheco. 

A few months ago I noticed a guy named Ben Hian had run a race in California.  I don’t remember if he won, but he ran fast and it reminded me of my first ever 50 mile race at the Leona Divide 50 in 1999.  I won that race edging out Tom Nielsen by a scant 1:25.  I didn’t go there to race Tom.  I went there to race Ben Hian.  At the time this guy was the fastest and seemingly unstoppable.  He didn’t have his best day and ended up 4th…….soon thereafter, Ben dropped off the radar and pursued other interests.

Well….he’s back!! 10 years later.  He recently won the San Diego 100 in a tight race with guess who?  Tom Nielsen.  His time was 18:15.  The record of 17:40 (mine) hung in there, but I think it’s time to pay attention to Ben as his form is returning.  And we all know being 40 years old doesn’t mean squat in a 100 mile race.  We don’t have to run fast, we just have to run all day.  Congrats to an old (not age old) legend!!!!  It’s great to see his return. 

This past weekend I had the pleasure to run an aid station at mile 29 at the Squaw Peak 50 mile.  I only saw a little carnage, nothing major, but entertaining to say the least.  The race had it’s highest finish rate ever.  95% of the runners finished the tough course in perfect weather conditions.  The only real carnage was Scott Mason’s vehicle.  A dead limb about 15 feet long fell on Scott’s car the evening before while we were camping at the aid station.  Good thing he had the “hard shell” tent. 

The Speedgoat 50k is coming soon as we only have 26 days to register and 5+ weeks till the start. Registration is still open.  If it would only stop snowing here!….yah, that’s right, snow on the peak again this morning.  I’ve never seen Utah this green.  It’s melting fast but expect to see some snow in Little Cloud Bowl on the final climb and descent.   We still need some course marshalls to help keep runners on track.  If anyone out there is interested in helping out, contact me at speedgoatkarl@gmail.com for more info.  It is certainly an entertaining day! 

The Bighorn 100 is coming June 19th, I’ll be looking for a good run there.  I’ve been a little erratic in how I feel, I think I’ll blame it on the weather.  The rain continues and the joints hurt a little every morning waking up to 50 degrees.  It seems like early spring around here.  The “boxers fracture” I recieved running 6 weeks ago is now healed, so my days off can now consist of a round of golf to prepare myself for the senior tour…….I better get on it.  My legs feel recovered, but as usual it’s always a mystery on how the race will go when I stack alot of 100s together.  Hopefully I can find that “autopilot” gear and just run it like the rest of em’.  It may just take me 6 hours or so to warm up…….silly how it works that way. 

If recovery from injury is an issue for anyone out there, consider getting those bikes and their parts from Hucknroll.com or Realcyclist.com.  These guys have all high quality bike gear to keep you going when running is not the option. 

Other gear reviews can be found at my user profile page at Backcountry.com.  The leader in gear AND gear knowledge.  If anyone needs any gear, check it out as every item has multiple reviews from people who actually use the gear.  It’s pretty cool. 

The next few weeks have me trying to figure out some odds for the Western States 100.  We all know the field is sick there and will be one hell of a race to say the least.  AJW has posted his poll, check this out.  We’ll use his poll as the “mass voting”.  I’ll do my “Speedgoat Odds” for this one, in a week or two.  First I’ll do Bighorn.  Not sure who the favorite is at Bighorn, the field is still growing.  It’s amazing this field is not full.  It is easily one of the nicest courses in town. 

Now go run! 




FireStats icon Powered by FireStats