Tag Archive for 'Speedgoat 50K'

It’s been a slow start to 2010!

Published
by
Speedgoat Karl
on January 30, 2010
in Race Updates and Speedgoat 50K
. 8 Comments

For me that is!  Performances continue to be stellar!

My 20 day hiatus from running in December had done me good!  My legs turned fresh again, and I was ready to roll.  I started back up and in two weeks, I was up to speed, feeling good and ready to have a decent run at the Moab 50k+ on February 13th.  I am still running Moab, but it’s starting to look like I’ll be in for just the fun of it,  as the past week I’ve logged a big 0 for miles.  Why?…You’ll have to ask me on the side, but things are improving and I should be back running in a few more days. 

The real question is:  Do I have that “autopilot” mode I know all too well?, or am I actually out of shape?  No Joe, I’m not sandbagging.  I’m by no means out of shape, but it’ll be interesting to see how I do with essentially very little miles under my belt over the  past 6-7 weeks.  Good thing it’s February.

On March 6th, the real test will come with the “autopilot” mode as I’ll be back at the big party in Ojai, California.  Something they call Dos Lunas.  A little bowling and some other entertaining events should make it fun no matter what happens. 

The cash has now been sent to Chamonix, so I’m committed to flying for 9 hours straight.  I’m not looking forward to flying for 9 hours to Geneva, but this one is worth every minute on that damn plane.   Geoff Roes and I plan on showing the great european runners that the US still has a couple fast 100 mile guys on the planet.   This time I’ll get my “unfinished business” in Chamonix taken care of.

No doubt the fast guys on the start line will be eyeing us this time…just like 2007.

Enough about me……

This coming weekend the Rocky Raccoon 100 happens down in Texas.  It’s been snowing in northern Texas.  Although it’ll probably melt quick, who knows, maybe it’ll snow on them this year.  It’s been quite a year in the weather department.   Here’s how I see the race panning out:

The Ladies:

1. Jamie Donaldson….becoming a 100 mile legend
2. Connie Gardner….her type of terrain
3. Anita Ortiz….she’s a mountain girl, but who knows
4. Jenny Chow….not as fast, but she ran a bunch of 100s last year too, and pretty quick

The Men:

1. Greg Crowther….fastest guy, somewhat of a rookie, but hey, 5:50 at JFK puts him on top
2. Nick Coury….he’ll team up with his bro
3. Jamil Coury….ditto
4. Dink Taylor…..he told me he’d never run 100 after Leadville?  he’s addicted
5. Scott Eppelman….his neck of the woods
6. Paul Hopwood….just ran HURT, so we’ll see how he recovers
7. John Allen….Utah boy tapping into 100s.  He’s got some speed.
8. Jimmy Dean Freeman….if he eats enough sausage, he’ll have a great day

Speedgoat 50k filling fast, time to enter now and commit!

Backcountry.com still makes deals even this time of year.  Check em’ out here, or pay full price somewhere else.

Check out what I’ve been shoveling over the past 7 weeks here….real live fun…kid style!

I’m still shaking my head!

Published
by
Speedgoat Karl
on January 17, 2010
in Uncategorized
. 34 Comments

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!

Drumroll please!

Published
by
Speedgoat Karl
on January 8, 2010
in Award category, Race Updates and Speedgoat 50K
. 13 Comments

On Monday morning Ultrarunning Magazine will announce the “Ultrarunners of the Year”.  Who’s it gonna be?  All we know is that it’s a tough vote.  So many variables, so many races, so many different circumstances, so many different courses.  I could go on and on and on, but I won’t.  Tune in Monday morning after I see the results for my two cents on the voting.  Some will rank higher than expected, some lower, some will see no love, some will be loved.   All for what?  Yah,  recognition, but not even a buckle?  :-)  

Like many other races, the Speedgoat 50k is filling much faster than last year, it’s amazing how this is evolving in our world.   If you don’t like a beating stay home, if you do….register here, but read the instructions first to get an idea of what it’s like….it’s no picnic!  :-)…..or is it?  Picnics are fun stuff. 

For the record, and to all of you who like running in the La Sportiva Fireblade, make a note that if you like the orange color, you better get out and hit up Backcountry.com for the remaining few pairs of orange.  The grey models WILL ALWAYS be available, they ARE NOT discontinued,  only the orange color will no longer be made.  :-(   If BC.com doesn’t have them, go to La Sportiva and see what’s left in the closeout section. Both outlets have them on sale, around 70 bucks, so pick em’ up!.  Stop wearing those “boot style” running shoes, get low to the ground, it’ll make you run faster! 

And finally this weekend the Bandera 100k happens down in Texas.  Two spots for the Western Track Meet are up for grabs.  A few fast guys are running, when I see results I’ll post it up.   My predictions:

Chikara Omine will come out on top, unless technicality gets him.  Zach Miller will challenge him along with Nick Clark.   Any of these three guys could win it, and one of them will be shut down.  It’ll be interesting to see how it pans out.

For the women:  It looks like Annette Bednosky is the shoe-in, but I don’t recognize any other women, so the race for second is on!

And for kicks, check out my latest creation at “White PIne” here in Little Cottonwood Canyon.  It’s a quarter mile long luge run, built solely by me.  As busy as I’ve been, I found a little extra time to build this classic track.  Click here to watch the fun as Matt Hart leads the way.  Tom Maartens and I are in the “chaser sled” with the video.  Good ole’ fun, not your typical luge run.

The final big dance of 2009…..The North Face 50 odds!

Published
by
Speedgoat Karl
on December 2, 2009
in Race Updates and Speedgoat 50K
. 57 Comments

First off, this is a tough one.  There are so many solid runners in this race, it could go to any of the top 10 I have listed below.   I like to think experience will play a role in who takes home the cake!

The men:

Ulli Stiedl 5-2.   No doubt  Ulli is the fastest in the field when it comes to turnover.  The man runs like a gazelle.  He’s the only guy in the field this year that’s gone under 7 hours, won the innaugural and was a close second last year….he gets the nod from me again.
Dave Mackey 3-1.  Dave will take the place of Carpenter this year and stay right on Ulli’s heals if he’s not ahead of him to begin with.  Dave’s incredible 7:51 at Miwok this year tells all of us he’s got it down at Marin and won’t lose the trail.   He’s the man to dethrone Ulli, if Ulli is not on his game.   Dave will be on his game.
Tsuyoshi Kaburaki 4-1.  3rd last year and has to get the nod to place the same.  He ran super strong at WS.  What this tells me is he is a tough competitor and will dig deeper than anyone else if it comes down to a sprint up that last little hill nearing the finish line.
Geoff Roes 9-2.  What can we say about Geoff, he’s the “Ultrarunner of the Year” for 2009 (in my book) and after his Masochist performance, is probably not getting as much love on this list as he deserves.  He broke Mackey’s record by about 20 minutes at MM, so he’s got it in him to pay for his Alaskan flight if he’s still on fire.  My guess is that he’s still on fire.
MIke Wardian 5-1.  He’s kind of a mystery man to me, although I certainly know he’s capable of running up front….something will happen putting him 5th in the end.
Sal Bautista 6-1.  Sal won two NF 50 qualifiers, beating some tough comp,  so if he’s fit he’ll be one of those guys not everyone up front recognizes, and this is somewhat of his home turf.
Chikara Omina 7-1.  Super fast at Helen Klein and over the past few years has been running strong.  He’s the guy that might surprise us all if he has a good day.
Leigh Schmitt 8-1.  Another guy who ran well here last year, I think 5th.  So like Geoff doesn’t get as much love as he should on this list, but certainly one who’ll be in it for the cash.  He’s faltered a few times in races at the end, hopefully not at this one.
Hal Koerner 9-1.  Fresh off a 6:06 at JFK, so he’s got some speed, but his camera might slow him down.  He claims to be this year’s front running photographer.
Chris Lundstrom 10-1. I’ve been notified he’s a super fast guy form the upper midwest, but failed to get good google results when I looked, so he slips in the top 10.

Other men looking to run well, but won’t make any money: Maybe they’ll win some shorts for the size of elephants in a age division category! :-)

Sam Thompson, MIke Wolfe, Chris Rennaker, Sean Meissner, Dakota Jones, AJW only gets mentioned here cuz’ of his 5:14 mile recently. :-)
Don’t forget I stumbled upon two other Japanese runners….Hidefumi Kimura, and Minehiro Yokoyama, who knows, they might be fast too.  If they are wearing a billboard like Kaburaki, you can count on them being quick.
 

The Ladies:

Kami Semick 3-2.  It’s her home turf, she’s the previous champion and is likely the “Ultrarunner of the Year” again.  She’s fast, but will have lots of pressure on her, especially from the two listed below.   She may end up being the richest NF athete in town when it’s all over.  
Caitlin Smith 3-1.  Caitlin has what it takes to win this thing if the stars line up for her, but it’s hard to put her ahead of the other two.  She ran well at Miwok, but was beaten by Kami.  She’ll earn some cash.
Joelle Vaught 4-1.  Joelle is my sleeper to perform well here.  Most won’t be watching her, and on a good day can run with the best of em’.   She’ll look to squeeze out $1000 bucks for third.
Lizzy Hawker 5-1.  Fast girl that hasnt’ proved herself to me yet on this track, but like Joelle, she’s quick and could surprise the few girls ahead of her.
Helen Cospolich 6-1.  Helen doesn’t give herself enough credit and with 10,000′ of climbing here, it works with her strength.  If she holds together the whole day, she’ll be thinking about $1000 bucks too.
Chris Lundy 8-1.  Don’t know much about her, so I give her some love on the list, we’ll see what happens.  Anton mentions she’s just run a 2:40 marathon at Twin Cities.  And beat Kami and Susannah there.  I guess on Anton’s recommendation look for her to be the sleeper.  Still, it’s 50 miles, not 26.2……..very different in my opinion.  But that’s only worth a penny. 

Just my two cents, worth about a penny!

Check out this flyover of the course, brought to you by “run scout”

Don’t forget the real mountain race, the Speedgoat 50k applications go online on January 1st.  We know I”ll keep mentioning it.  My prize money is no $10,000, but I”m working on $500 for the winners.  It’s a mountain race with real vertical!

After this one, I won’t promise odds for the last 100 of the year….the Chimera 100 in Southern California.  My last race and thankfully my last 100 of the year.  This year was slim for me, only 7 100s. Next year we may almost double that….we’ll see. 

 

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”

 

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’

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.  

What’s Next?

Published
by
Speedgoat Karl
on May 28, 2009
in Race Updates, Snow Reports and Speedgoat 50K
. 14 Comments

The Bighorn 100 starts June 19th.  Am I recovered from Massannutten?  Absolutely!  I feel as though I didn’t even run in Virginia a week and a half ago……scary! 

Why am I recovered already?…….because I’m a mutant?  or is it the multiple scoops of Ultragen I consume after every run.  I’ll call it the Ultragen.  Not to mention I have a great coach…..myself!  :-)

Last Friday I was summoned to fill in for Missy Berkel at the Pocatello 50 mile relay.  I was called on my way up to Pocatello where my wife Cheryl was also participating in the 50 mile relay division.  So I said why not?,  What’s another 17 miler?  I ran it with intentions of just having fun. It certainly was fun.  Cruising along on prime Pocatello singletrack comfortably at 10.5 mph had me feeling pretty good.  I won the first leg by 5 minutes.   Recovered from Massannutten……I think so!  Bighorn will be the real test…..then of course the beast of all beasts, The Hardrock 100 follows three weeks later!

Now it’s time to check out Hucknroll.com and Realcyclist.com.  Backcountry has now added cycling to there already huge inventory, great discounts at random times and only top-flight gear for the real athlete……..that’s all of us!

The Speedgoat 50k has only 6 weeks to go till entries are closed, so time to suck it up and run/hike the toughest 50k on earth, covered by the greatest snow on earth.  That’s right, it’s still buried up in Little Cottonwood Canyon.  Perhaps I should start shoveling the course now to get it ready.  We still need volunteers for the big dance, so if anyone out there is interested in watching some carnage, come help us out.  It’s a great race to be a spectator!

I continue to review gear, not to mention others out there doing reviews for Backcountry.com, so check it out if you need anything, but only the good stuff, cuz’ they don’t sell junk.

The Miwok odds and the last 3 spots…for the big track meet at Squaw Valley.

Published
by
Speedgoat Karl
on April 27, 2009
in Race Updates and Speedgoat 50K
. 23 Comments

Dave Mackey’s record should remain a tall order, but the race to win will be tight as always.

Full Results here

The Men:

Scott Jurek  2-1.  Let’s put a little pressure on Scott and give him the nod.  He may not be racing this one to win, (maybe he is) He is sure to be in the mix as the race progresses.
Geoff Roes  5-2.  His performance at the North Face 50 in December on the same trails proves he can run up front.  He wasn’t 100% that day either, and he wants in at Western.
Eric Grossman  3-1.  He’s fast on hills and flats, so this course should suit him well, his long loping stride that I witnessed (for a few minutes) at Cool was a good indicator he’ll be in it running for the win.
Todd Braje  4-1.  His 5:30ish 50 mile was the fastest in recent history, not too long ago.  If he’s still got that energy, he may just run away with it from the start.
Phil Kochik  5-1.  He’s run here many times and always near the front.  He’s a little erratic though, so I see him either running 5th or winning the thing.
Other guys in the mix, but not out front:  Matt Lonergan, Erik Skaden, Scott Jaime, Graham Cooper, Brian Morrison, Mark Lantz, Mark Hartell, Jean Pommier……and maybe a few I missed as well.

 The Ladies:

Kami Semick  2-1.  Her performance on her home turf last year at the NF 50 was stellar and should be no different this week.  She knows it and owns it, and should win by a comfy margin.
Joelle Vaught  4-1.  She’s fast and just a little bit faster than Anita on smooth terrain, so she gets the nod for first loser…….in the women’s race.
Caitlin Smith  9-5.  Caitlin has proved to be super fast in shorter races, but this is a bit new for her.  I’ll call her the sleeper.  If she manages her run well, she’ll be in it to win it and surprise a few…..then she can take a crack at 100 miles.
Anita Ortiz  5-1.  Not enough leg speed to run to win, but hills are her friend and she’ll be no further back than third.
Prudence L’Heuruex.  7-1.  She’s a little erratic, but has it in her to crack the top 3, but needs a great day to beat the three in front of her.
Suzanna Bon  8-1.  I’m thinking this is not necessarily her type of course but she’s sneaky and may just squeeze out a third.
Rob Lang calls in Nicola Gildersleeve as a darkhorse from our neighbor to the north!  :-)

Needless to say the race will be fun to watch, and running at the front will be stressful for those trying to make the start line at Squaw.  Scott has no pressure on him, he’s in this for the fun of it.  Sometimes with no pressure we run better.  I am a classic example of that! 

For the right shoe, check out my user profile at Backcountry.com.  This course is smooth and hilly, so the lighter the better!

It freakin’ snowed big again at Alta, making the Speedgoat 50k course buried even deeper, but have faith, it’ll melt…….at least most of it.  Check back soon for good deals at Snowbird for the Speedgoat race.

I just ran the Bonneville Marathon, a muddy, singletrack marathon here in SLC.  I went to break my previous CR and came up 6 minutes tall, breaking it by almost 6 minutes.  The 6500′ of climb was no match for goat legs.  I am finally feeling like I am back in solid form for my assault on 7, 100s this summer.  3:47.52 was the time, that one should hold for a while! 

Now go run! 

Now…….the season can begin!

Published
by
Speedgoat Karl
on April 18, 2009
in Race Updates, Snow Reports and Speedgoat 50K
. 18 Comments

Stay tuned for Monday’s post:  The Miwok odds are coming, and this year’s race is a barn burner for the last 3, Western States Track Meet qualifiers!

Watch the Boston Marathon LIVE right now!  (it’s 8:32 MST)  at this website:

http://www.universalsports.com/mediaPlayer/media.dbml?CLIP_ID=110201&_MODE_=EVENT&db_oem_id=23000

Ryan Hall is pushing the pace, the 10k split was 29:30.  I can run 5 miles at that pace….maybe!

After shoveling almost 700″ of the “greatest snow on earth”, my tenure at Sugarplum condos and townhouses ended yesterday, (these condos are sweet and would be a great deal if you have a group running the Speedgoat 50k!).  Now I can start preparing for 7 100 mile mountain races.  It all starts with Massannutten on May 16th.  First I’ll hammer out the Bonneville Shoreline Marathon as a tune-up on April 25th.  While 165″ of snow sits on the ground at Snowbird and Alta, I’ll have to run at a lower elevation, but the hills are steep, and just as relentless as the higher stuff. 

I really think the Appalachian Trail helped me put down a huge base for this year.  Although I have run far less mileage as last year at this time, I have been running faster over my standard “bread and butter” routes.  Doing it with ease.  Two good races behind me.  My “Way Too Cool” finish didn’t look that impressive, but only because my right calf siezed at 23 miles and I had to slow down to make sure injury stayed out of the picture.  It did, and all is well.  

What’s the goal this year?  Only to win one 100 miler.  It would give me 10 years in a row with at least one 100 mile win.  I believe only Ann Trason can say that.  Unless Mr. Jurek can too.  I’m not sure about Scott, but it is certainly a possibility with his stellar 7 win streak at Western. 

Alot of cool races are starting now, and I’ll start doing some odds again, as I now have more time to spend in front of the screen, I’ve been a slacker again lately, but only because of the 230″ of dumpage we’ve recieved since March 22.  It was simply out of control shoveling almost 20″ daily….but again, it’s over now, so no excuses!

Western States is getting even more interesting as a few more super fast guys have qualified for the 2009 Auburn Track Meet.  Max King is certainly the leader with speed as his stellar performance at the Pear Blossom 10 mile CR was only a week after his win at the American River 50.  But Western is 100 miles, hopefully he’ll toe the start line and step into a different realm.   Miwok is the last qualifier, and a few others are trying to get in to WS.   Geoff Roes is hoping to qualify as well, he certainly has it in him to make it happen.  Scotty J would be a stellar addition,  (although, he should not have to qualify), He is Mr. Western!  I guess time will tell.  Miwok will likely be my next attempt at doing the odds. 

The Speedgoat 50k entrants list is creeping upwards, check it out.  Sign up if you want a real 50k challenge.  No PR’s at this race, only satisfaction of getting it done! 

Big hugs and kisses to La Sportiva and Backcountry.com for supporting me and the Speedgoat race this year!  Our prize list includes killer stuff from La Sportiva, Nathan Packs, Drymax socks, First Endurance,  and Ryders Eyewear  along with a few goat legs for the fastest Billies and Nannies.   Not to mention a few other prizes we’ll muster up.  Along with this year’s prize list comes 100 bucks for the winners and 100 bucks to break a record.  Yah, it’s not much, but I’m poor and it’s coming from this kid’s pocket.  A C-note never hurts!

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