My Record: 270 Miles This Month (+ Tooth Extraction)

"In an ultra you should eat like a horse, drink like a fish, and run like a turtle." ~ Unknown

Monday, October 31st 2011: 7 miles @ 10:39 minutes per mile pace. This was my last run for October and completed the most miles I have ever run in one month: 270 miles! This has been a big confidence boost in helping me feel prepared for the ultra. I had to take a picture after the run to celebrate my new record:


Tuesday, November 1st 2011: 2 miles @ 9:10 minutes per mile pace in the morning. And then in the afternoon..... I got a tooth extraction. My big tooth on the bottom went to meet it's maker. Hanging out with the oral surgeon was not on my "To Do" list the week before the 100 miler. It was highly un-awesome.


But I realized something when I went for the tooth extraction: I wasn't too worried. And I think it's because of running! I think running has taught me how to handle challenges by having the attitude that you just do what you have to do to get through hard times. Control what you can control and accept the rest. When the going gets tough, you just put on your big-boy pants, suck it up, and get it done. So good riddance you dumb tooth!

Wednesday, November 2nd 2011: Rest. Bring on the oatmeal, soup, and ice cream! (I realized that having a gaping hole in the back of your jaw is even less fun than it sounds.) Oral surgeon said I shouldn't run for a few days. How's that for a forced taper?

Thursday, November 3rd 2011: Rest.

Friday, November 4th 2011: Rest.

Saturday, November 5th 2011: 5 miles @ 12:26 minutes per mile pace. This is the first time Mel and I have run together for a while. It was really cold and even snowed on us for part of the run.


After about a half hour the snow stopped and the sky started to clear a little bit.


I must tell you - I am so thankful for Mel. She has been beyond supportive about this ultra. She has never said "I don't think this is a good idea." or "I'm not sure you can do it." She has never been doubtful or critical or questioning. She has only been 100% supportive and encouraging. That means a lot. I am so thankful for her.


I can not believe that my first 100 miler is less than ONE WEEK AWAY! I am so excited, I can't wait. I feel good, nothing is hurting, and I'm ready for the challenge. I'm ready for the sleep deprivation and the throwing up and the hallucinations and the belt buckle. Ah....the belt buckle. (For all 100 milers you don't get a medal at the finish line. You get a belt buckle!)

Stay tuned. In a few days I'll post some last minute preparations for the 100 as well as information on how you can watch the race live online. Let's get ready to rumble!

Fotography Friday - Fall Is In The Air

Last week I told you I was going to try to get back to Sheeps Bridge to take a few pictures of the autumn colors. Well....I made it back last night. Here is what I got. I edited them with Photomatix to make them look a little edgy:




This one's my fav:


I took my girls and their friend Navey with me. They were totally excited to try a jumping picture. (Note to self: getting four people in the air at the same time is slightly challenging.) We tried 5 times and this was the only shot where more than one person was in the air. We all had went home dirty and had a blast.

I Got A Nice Complement

I received a nice complement from my son a while ago. We were talking about how it's important to take care of our bodies and get some exercise. He said "Well, you hardly ever run."

He had no idea that I had run 60 miles that week.

I was so happy to hear his complement (which wasn't intended to be a complement). It meant that my training for a 100 miler hasn't taken away from family time. Ever since I started running I have really made an effort to not let this hobby have a negative impact on my family. Time with my family is so valuable and I want to take advantage of that.

This means making a few sacrifices.
Sacrifice #1: Sleep. I don't get quite as much sleep because almost all my running is done early in the morning or at night after kids have gone to bed. Most of the time I'm home from my run and showered before they even wake up. If it weren't for the races I do, they might not even know that I'm a runner.

Sacrifice #2: TV. Aside from watching some of the news each night I don't watch hardly any TV.

These really aren't too much of a sacrifice though. After some adjustment I can function just fine with a little less sleep. And there's not much worth watching on TV anyway.

I really believe that family should be my priority. There is no sense of accomplishment or finish line medal more important than my relationship with my wife and kids. I've found that it is possible to work a full time job, spend lots of quality time with my family, and still train for an ultramarathon.

Nathan HPL 20 Hydration Vest Review

I must tell you about the greatest hydration pack ever: the Nathan HPL 20 Hydration Vest. (They didn't sponsor or provide anything for this review by the way.)

This was the third hydration pack that I have used. The first was a Costco special that was fine for hiking but totally uncomfortable for running. The second was the Camelbak Rogue. It was more comfortable than the first but still not great. It rubbed against my lower neck and bounced around quite a bit. It's not a horrible pack, but not something I wanted to wear for tons of miles.

I noticed that in pictures from ultramarathons, many runners were wearing the Nathan hydration vest. I'm training for my first 100 miler so I figured I should go with the experts and try Nathan. Notice that they call it a hydration vest instead of a hydration pack. The vest wears differently. It's kind of like the vest is hugging your body instead of riding on your back.


This made it super, super comfortable. It doesn't bounce around even when it's filled to the 2-liter capacity. It has some storage on the back, but my favorite part is that it has two storage compartments in front for easy access. I keep my camera on one side and my gels in the other. It is SO nice to not have to take my pack off to reach my camera. My sister described the look perfectly: from a distance it looks like a saggy bra.


Pros
*Easy to refill
*2 liter capacity
*Storage compartment in the back
*Two storage pockets in front
*Very comfortable

Cons
*None (if you don't count that saggy bra look)

If you're in the market for a hydration pack (or vest) for long distance running, the Nathan HPL 20 is definitely the way to go.

What NOT To Eat

"When we walk to the edge of all the light we have and take the step into the darkness of the unknown, we must believe that one of two things will happen. There will be something solid for us to stand on, or we will be taught to fly." ~ Patrick Overton

All week long I’ve been expecting a camera crew to show up at my house and say “We’re filming a documentary called ‘How NOT To Eat When Training For An Ultramarathon’ and you would be perfect for the show!”

Seriously, I have gone off the deep end this week. I’m sure my arteries are starting to get clogged with brownies and Halloween candy. I need to fix this quickly. It will be mighty embarrassing if I start sweating frosting during the big race in two weeks.

Monday, October 24th 2011: 5 miles @ 11:05 minutes per mile.
Tuesday, October 25th 2011: Rest
Wednesday, October 26th 2011: Rest
Thursday, October 27th 2011: 3 miles @ 11:00 minutes per mile.

Friday, October 28th 2011: 16 miles @ 11:33 minutes per mile. I felt like I was really dragging for the first half of the run but loosened up after about eight miles. This was my first run using gaiters which help keep rocks and dirt out of your shoes. The MENS gaiters I ordered don't look quite as manly as the online picture where I ordered them. Oh well. They're flashy and bright and I've decided I'm going to like them, in spite of their un-manly-ness.


After my long run for the week I indulged in a cardiologist's nightmare: carne asada fries. (Yes, there is a load of fries and cheese under that meat.) Forgive me, for I have sinned. I felt guilty afterward. Dear body: I'm sorry, I promise I'll do better next week. I promise.


Saturday, October 29th 2011: 8 miles @ 11:31 minutes per mile. I ran around the Sheeps Bridge road and Jem Trail near Zion National Park. The leaves in the area have started changing:


The scenery along the Virgin River was spectacular with the fall colors.


I think the leaves still have some changing to do so I will try to get back there over the next week. Pictures don't do justice to how beautiful it was.


This was one of the best runs I've had in a while. I loved every minute of it and I didn't want to leave.


On a side note, we added a new member to our family a few weeks ago: a Boxer named Ace. He is a good dog and our family has fallen in love with him. I'm still lobbying to change his name to something a little more unique. Like Geraldo or Jorge (pronounced Hor-hay). Can I get your support on this?


I can't believe that the 100 miler is less than two weeks away. Right now I'm not really feeling nervous or scared. I'm more anxious and excited. Really excited. Plus.....the aid stations have pumpkin pie!!!! This. Is. Awesome! I have a firm belief that every race should include pumpkin pie.