#7287904 - 09/15/13 06:15 PM
Re: Running/Cardio Thread
[Re: Sir Ironpool]
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Ampsman in Extremis
I PITY THE FOOL!
Post Master Supreme
Registered: 04/10/00
Posts: 15465
Loc: San Jose, Ca, USA
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This is probably going to be rambling but I am writing it while watching the kids and trying to prep for having family over for dinner tonight.
So I stared the race with alot of doubt about my IT band, I even went to the sports therapist the day before because I had some tightness on a short run on thursday and I was freaking out. I'm pretty sure he thought I was crazy trying loosen up my IT the day before a 50 miler. Along with all the IT issues came some doubt about my fitness since I hadnt been able to get a good solid long run in about 6 weeks. I was still running 40-50 miles a week thru the whole thing and getting lots of vert but no good long runs. The race was a 7am start at Rodeo Beach, just north of the golden gate bridge. It was a cloudy and slightly chilly start, perfect weather. I saw some familiar faces before the race but pretty much kept to myself, nervous as hell. The race consists of two 25 mile loops, each with about 5k of elevation. The first is run clockwise and then you run the second in reverse. I decided to start with one handheld since the first 3 aid station were all only 4 miles apart, I threw a waistpack that holds two 10oz bottles in my drop bag and also had my hydration pack, I wanted to have some options after my first loop since I had no idea how I would feel. The best part about these types of races is how impromptu the starts are. I saw everyone heading to an area in the middle of this road so I followed and moved my way towards the front, next thing I know everyones running. I didnt even hear a count or a go or anything. Oh well, lets do this. The first 2 miles a starts with a solid climb and I felt great heading up it, a little to good perhaps because I ignored all the sections where people were walking and powered up the whole thing. Ended up hitting the first aid station feeling awesome, filled my bottle and headed back out. I caught up to this guy Adam and started chatting with him, it was nice cause it helped me settle down a bit and get into a rhythm. About a mile after we started running together we see this guy John (who ran western in just over 20 hours this year) stop to hit a porta-potty, he comments that he shouldnt be catching up to John and hes definitely going to fast. We hit a hill soon after that and he says hes going to take it easy...I on the other hand power up the hill. So far no issues at all with the IT, though every little twinge has me panicking. I power thru the next couple aid station and get to the final aid station (mile 18) before the first loop is over. Still feeling super strong. I powered back up the hill out of this aid station and started the 3 mile downhill/flat to the start line to finish the fist loop. This is wear shit went pear shaped. Both of my hips started hurting like a bitch and I honestly didnt know how I could keep running, I convinced myself to drop at this point. There was no way I was going to go back out for the second loop. I rolled up just under 4 hours, my goal pace. I filled up my bottled, ate everything I could see and tried to act like I was going back out even though I knew I wouldnt. I then started running, even though I had decided to drop...for some reason I was still running. I told myself I was going to run to the next aid station about 6 miles away, just so I could atleast have run 50k. 6 more miles, thats all. The great part about ultras is how humbling they are, I was run/walking up a section of hill, feeling like complete shit when I hear someone coming up behind me...it was a 50+ year old woman...who was running the 100 mile race. Turns out shes an ultra beast who has run western in 19 hours. She lied and told me I was looking strong. I finally got to the top of the climb and started the downhill to the next aid station where I was going to drop and call it a day. During this downhill I started feeling the familiar tightness and knee pain that had been haunting me...fuck. Oh well, I thought, a couple more miles and Im done anyway. By the time I got to the aid station I was hurting pretty bad, which became apparent when a couple people came up to me and asked if I was ok. I told them about my IT band and they offered some ibuprofen, I decided to take it and give them the impression that I planned to keep going. Even though I was done. Just then I see a guy I had run with briefly earlier cruise up behind me, hes hurting pretty bad also and gives a head nod. His girlfriend is there crewing for him and has a cooler full of goodies so he calls me over and says I need to pound a sierra mist because its the best thing ever when you're running. I figure I might as well, I'm done anyway. So I wash down my ibuprofen with some sierra mist. He lingers a bit and I am wondering if he is going to drop...next thing I know hes out of there. Fuck. Maybe I can make it to the next aid station? I start walking out of there. Eventually start jogging up the hill, and not long after catch up to my buddy with the sierra mist. We start talking and find a good rhythm. The next thing I know there is no pain and we are only a couple miles from the next aid station. Holy shit. We cruise into the mile 38 aid station by ourselves, I dont think I have ever been so motivated by strangers clapping and telling me I look great. We fuel up and head out within about 30 seconds...he tells his girlfriend we have to hurry up and points to me and says, "because his kids are waiting for him." The next 12 miles are kind of a blur, lots of power hiking up some pretty gnarly hills and cresting the final hill and seeing the finish line about 2 miles away. I was about to finish something that I had convinced myself wasnt possible. Part of me wanted to run as fast as I could and part wanted to savor it. I ran across the finish line to my kids jumping on top of me. I think I ended up at 9:03, which means I ran the second loop in over 5 hours after running the first in under 4. I'll work on pacing next time. All in all an incredible experience, you read about the highs and lows during ultras but its amazing how fast they come on. Moments of euphoria where you could run forever followed by hating everything. I recommend it highly.
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Paki: 3:36
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#7287979 - 09/15/13 07:11 PM
Re: Running/Cardio Thread
[Re: Ampsman in Extremis]
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Sir Ironpool
Sponsored by Toyota
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Registered: 03/12/01
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#7290146 - 09/16/13 05:15 PM
Re: Running/Cardio Thread
[Re: 2000SiRacer]
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2000SiRacer
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#7291374 - 09/17/13 10:49 AM
Re: Running/Cardio Thread
[Re: Sir Ironpool]
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Ampsman in Extremis
I PITY THE FOOL!
Post Master Supreme
Registered: 04/10/00
Posts: 15465
Loc: San Jose, Ca, USA
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Dude...awesome report. It's pretty amazing how you have those mental battles along the way, feeling super low then bam...on top of the world. Sounds like hooking up with that other guy was your saving grace. That happened to me on the run at the Louisville Ironman. I was hurting bad, then ended up running and chatting with another guy and the next thing I know we've put away 6 miles. So we're you saying maybe, or hell no about another race at the finish? You're at least putting infor the WS lottery, right?
The first thing I told my wife when I finished was I'm never doing that again. I'm totally putting in for western though, thats one of the reasons I did this race. I know its a super long shot but might as well go for it. I'm thinking about actually going up there for the drawing because they have a bonus drawing if you are present for the drawing.
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#7292028 - 09/17/13 04:04 PM
Re: Running/Cardio Thread
[Re: Sir Ironpool]
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Ampsman in Extremis
I PITY THE FOOL!
Post Master Supreme
Registered: 04/10/00
Posts: 15465
Loc: San Jose, Ca, USA
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Yep. That's how my buddy Joe (the guy I paced) got in...he was the last wild card handed out. Good news: Quad Dipsea is way shorter than 50 miles.
But the same elevation gain as the 50.
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Paki: 3:36
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#7299125 - 09/21/13 02:05 PM
Re: Running/Cardio Thread
[Re: Sir Ironpool]
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dirtyS13drifta
dirtyS13drifta
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50% chance of snow for my race tomorrow.
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#7300196 - 09/22/13 05:10 PM
Re: Running/Cardio Thread
[Re: Ampsman in Extremis]
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dirtyS13drifta
dirtyS13drifta
Unregistered
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High alpine half was outstanding. Beautiful terrain, nice snowy weather, sunshine at the finish. Finishers kegs of local Bend beer, and catered Mexican. Super cool event. First trail 1/2 in the bag. 2:15 not bad for like 5 training runs
Already thinking about the 50k
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#7309960 - 09/27/13 04:38 PM
Re: Running/Cardio Thread
[Re: Sir Ironpool]
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Design
Post Master Supreme
Registered: 12/11/02
Posts: 11460
Loc: The OC
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Congrats guys on some great mileage. Hit my goal this week and put away 25 miles. Squeezed out 13.1 in 2:07 on the treadmill lol. Not expecting to break 2 hrs at Long Beach but we'll be happy just beating my previous time.
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09 CWP MS3 01 Echo 5MT 00 EBP Si - Sold - Pics89 Camaro - Sold CSI. What's your diversion?
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#7310843 - 09/28/13 02:42 PM
Re: Running/Cardio Thread
[Re: Design]
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2000SiRacer
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Loc: Colorado
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#7312702 - 09/30/13 08:15 AM
Re: Running/Cardio Thread
[Re: 2000SiRacer]
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2000SiRacer
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Registered: 04/19/02
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Loc: Colorado
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#7313441 - 09/30/13 03:07 PM
Re: Running/Cardio Thread
[Re: Ampsman in Extremis]
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2000SiRacer
Post Master Supreme
Registered: 04/19/02
Posts: 42801
Loc: Colorado
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#7315625 - 10/01/13 06:20 PM
Re: Running/Cardio Thread
[Re: Ampsman in Extremis]
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2000SiRacer
Post Master Supreme
Registered: 04/19/02
Posts: 42801
Loc: Colorado
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