Ultra Running – an amazing run

2025 Broken Anvil Backyard Ultra Race Report

09/20/2025 ~ West Point, Iowa ~ 10 hours/loops/yards ~ 41.6 total miles

It’s my fourth time at this event, and it’s become an addiction. I love the backyard ultra/last runner standing format, and I love pushing myself to new distance goals. Broken Anvil is a great event, and if you’re looking to find out how far you can go, this is an awesome way to do it.

My wife, Kari, decided to join me this year – not just crewing, but also running – the second time for her, and my fourth here at Broken Anvil. We arrived on Friday night and set up our tent in the same spot we were in last year. We also set up our collapsible canopy next to it, as the tent can get warm. We spent most of our time with our chairs under the canopy in between loops.

The day was forecast to have some rain, and there was a little bit at the start, but then it let up for a few hours. Most of the midday, afternoon, and early evening was spent running in a steady light rain, with the occasional bit of heavier rain thrown in. Honestly, it didn’t bother me at all. When I run, I sweat, and the rain didn’t make it any worse. The temperatures were also mild, which helped keep the day manageable.

I was using my typical two-minute run/two-minute walk pacing plan from the start, and found that I was bringing up the rear. Most of the pack was finishing ten minutes ahead of me, if not more. But my pace plan has worked well for me in the past, and I kept chugging along.

On the second loop, it is not yet raining.

I made the switch to Tailwind this year as my primary hydration/nutrition, and it was working great for me. Gels tend to give me a sugar rush and then a blood sugar crash. Tailwind eliminated that issue, and I felt great on each loop of the race. I supplemented every loop with snacks in camp – pretzels, grapes, chips, a yogurt, bananas, etc.

Our camp setup – we spent most of our few minutes in between loops in the canopy.

As the guy coming in with less than 10 minutes to spare before the hour was up, I found myself worrying about anyone who was behind me. Sometimes they would squeak in under the cutoff, but I knew when I didn’t see them on the last out and back portion of the course that their day was probably done.

The field getting ready for the top-of-the-hour start.

Kari went out for the fifth loop, and she had been ahead of me for most of the loops for the day. It wasn’t long until I passed her, and then I became worried that she might not make the hour cutoff. I made it back to the tent, grabbed a couple of sandwiches, some chips, and refilled my handheld water bottle, and heard the 1-minute warning whistle. It was time to head back to the start corral for the next loop. Kari hadn’t made it back yet.

Kari and the rest of the runners were ahead of me, as usual.

But as the seconds ticked down, the runners ahead of me started cheering, and I realized that they were cheering for Kari, making it across the line just as Loop 6 began. Others were encouraging her to “Do One More!” loop (a sort of motto for this type of race), but she had collapsed on the ground. Now I had some concerns. I offered to walk her back to the tent, but she was having none of that and encouraged me to continue on with the race, insisting that she would be fine. I’m not sure if she crawled back or was dragged back to the tent, but when I returned to the tent, she said that others had assisted her in getting back on her feet, both literally and figuratively. When I came back in from that loop, she had changed clothes and looked refreshed. An impressive 20.8 miles, a personal best distance for her.

Sometimes hilly, sometimes flat – a little grass, asphalt, dirt & concrete.

I swapped to my backup pair of shoes when it was clear the rain was going to be around for a while. The pain I have been having at the top of my left foot made an appearance around Loop 4, so I popped a couple of Ibuprofen pills to take the edge off. Other than that, I had really no issues with strains, pains, chafing, or other issues that are typical for me. I used a product called Salty Britches anti-chafing ointment, and it performed really well. I would also add some Squirrel’s Nut Butter occasionally, as it was less hassle to apply, and to keep any chafing at bay.

Whispering Pines Trail is mostly dirt, pine needles, and tree roots, but it offers a definite walk break opportunity.

On Loop 8, I was getting pretty tired of running and was thinking of pulling the plug on the day. Loop 8 is a popular drop point in this race format, as it gets you an ultra-distance finish of over 50K. But I pushed myself back out there to the starting line to “do one more” loop. While in the corral awaiting the start of Loop 9, I met Matthew, who was wondering if he could join me for the loop. He was attempting his first ultra and was hoping to reach 50 miles before dropping. I advised him of my pace plan, and he was cool with going along with me at that pace. We chatted, and for the first time in the race, I wasn’t running mostly by myself. It was a relief not just to be in my own head for the first time. There were a few runners in the field like Matthew, who were there learning as they went. I am eight events into this type of race, and I am still learning as well.

Matthew and I paced through Loops 9 and 10, and upon finishing Loop 10, I decided that I had had enough. Matthew continued on and got his 50 miles/12 loops done. Pretty impressive. Well done! Also impressive were the runners who made it past 100 miles. The winner was Nick S., with an impressive 33 total loops and 137.5 total miles. The assist went to Keely Y., 32 loops, 133.2 total miles.

Out of the running and sitting in our chairs, waiting for the rain to stop. It’s tough packing up after 41.6 miles of running.

Kari and I hung around in the tent for a couple of hours, waiting for the rain to stop before tearing our tent down and heading back to the hotel for well-earned showers and some solid sleep. Another great experience at the Broken Anvil Backyard Ultra, and I hope to be back again next year.

RESULTS: 2025 Broken Anvil Race Results

POST-RACE NOTES FROM THE RACE DIRECTOR

83% of the field completed the ultra-distance
60 % of the field completed 50 miles or more
100% of the field are badass humans
3 out of the top 10 (distance-wise) were females (just got goosebumps typing that)
We had an age gap of 53 years from the youngest to the oldest participant (16 – 69 years young)
A total of 5,000 miles were collectively run during the race – That’s like running across Iowa 17 times

NOTES FOR NEXT TIME

I am really fond of my 2-minute run/walk pace plan, but maybe I am a little too faithful to it. The goal is to get in before the hour, and I was doing that, but I was also not leaving myself much time to regroup for the next loop. I may play with a 3-minute run/1-minute walk, or maybe stick with 2 minutes of running and only 1 minute of walking. Lots of time to try it out.

Our tent is great, but it might be time to buy a 10’x10′ canopy for easier setup and takedown. It’s miserable having to try to get everything packed up after running 40+ miles.

Caffeine! I totally forgot about adding some caffeine into the mix. I had about 5 ounces or so of Coke at noon with my sandwiches, but that was it. I might have gotten an extra loop or two more done with some caffeine in me.

Photos by Austin Roe | Mile 90 Photography

PHOTOS FROM THE EVENT: Mile 90 Race Photos – 2025

Thanks for reading. See you next year at the Broken Anvil BYU in West Point, Iowa. I’m already signed up.

2024 Broken Anvil Backyard Ultra Race Report

Broken Anvil Backyard Ultra / West Point, Iowa / September 21, 2024

10 Yards/Loops – 41.67 Total Miles – Tied for 31st place with 11 others

Results: 2024 Broken Anvil BYU Results

Well-run and fun events always strike a chord with me, and this race is one of those that I really enjoy doing. Endless loops of 4.16 miles every hour on the hour may not sound like a fun time, but race director Nic, the volunteers, and the other participants made for an excellent day of pushing the boundaries and testing our limits.

It appears that we had 89 “finishers” out of the 102 that had signed up, and that made for some crowded running on portions of the course. But since I was bringing up the rear it wasn’t an issue for me. My usual plan for this race is to run for two minutes and then walk for two minutes, and I had no problem following that plan. During the walk I made sure I was drinking water from my handheld bottle, downing 12 ounces every loop. A few of the hills were walked even if it called for running at the moment. My splits looked great until yard/loop nine when it was clear that I was starting to slow down : (1) 52:29, (2) 52:56, (3) 52:38, (4) 52:12, (5) 52:07, (6) 52:21, (7) 53:06, (8) 53:44, (9) 55:18, (10) 56:36. Yard/loop 9 took longer because I made a dash to the toilet while on course. On the 10th yard/loop the chafing started to get to me and the slowing was more to do with that issue than actually running out of gas.

My wife Kari was once again dialed in to keep me going. On every return back to the tent I was met with all of the things that I needed to refuel and rehydrate. I was eating a gel, something solid like a couple of cookies or some banana, electrolyte pills, and she was quick to swap something out for me if I requested. She also had a wet washcloth to clean up with and refresh myself with. I swapped out shirts and visors about three times and made one sock and shoe change after dealing with rain for some midday loops. The rain was somewhat welcome, cooling us down and keeping the sun hidden behind the clouds. When the sun was out, I felt the worst. Fortunately, the course has good shade for about 2/3s of it.

It seemed that yard/loop two was a struggle for some reason, but the rest felt great and pretty much on repeat – run/walk/drink/eat/rest/refuel – and be back in the corral at the one-minute warning. One change I made this year was to eat more, which included taking a GU liquid gel with me and eating it around the two-mile mark, and also eating more in camp. Sometimes it’s difficult to eat when you don’t want to, but I knew that it would make a difference. Plus, I spent $$$ for some good snackies this year!

Even with dealing with the chafing when I sensed that it was starting, it wasn’t going to change the outcome, and that is what really pushed me to decide to pull the plug. I had gotten past the 50K mark for another notch in the ol’ ultramarathon belt and I didn’t want to make my evening uncomfortable for myself. I lined up for the 11th yard/loop, started it, and then walked over to my tent. Other racers and participants don’t like to see another pull out, but it was time for me. 41.6 miles and 10 hours of running made for a pretty memorable day, and an easy way to get that last long-distance training run done for the Chicago Marathon in three weeks. That’s the A-race and should be the focus.

I walked over to the tracker table and told them I was pulling out, grabbed my loser keychain, and thanked everyone for an awesome day. Back in the tent, Kari started organizing and packing up things while I took a few minutes to let my body come down. We finally got our tent put away and decided to eat a bowl of chili that they had made for the participants and anyone else who might like a bowl. Once we got the tent down, we loaded up the car and made our way back to the hotel. It was a terrific day.

Thoughts and Observations on the Day

~ Run the tangents! – I don’t know if it is the road racer in me, but it seemed at times that I was the only one running the tangents and taking the shortest line. I would think that if you could reduce even a few steps throughout double-digit miles you would take advantage of that. I was also staying in the shade more than some of the others. Simple things to make it easier on myself that others could have benefited from.

~ My pacing method may not be for everyone, but I can’t help to think that others could be missing out on saving some intensity minutes by dialing it back and walking more. I don’t know if they prefer to have some extra rest time between loops, or if they are just younger and don’t feel like they are working that hard, but I am only running for 26 minutes of that 52-minute loop, and they are running for 45 minutes or so. That is almost 20 minutes more intensity time spent than what I am doing, and burning more calories while doing so.

~ I met some great people out there and had some good conversations. One older guy like me seemed to be really enjoying the day. He was bringing up the rear but always had an “attaboy” for anyone out there. I could tell that he was struggling in the latter part of the race, but you couldn’t tell it by his demeanor. He ended up missing the cut on the 7th or 8th loop and I saw him coming in as we were heading out and gave him a bro hug for his effort. He also needed some medical care, which I believe was due to heat exhaustion. He was looking good after a visit with some EMTs.

~ Heat exhaustion could be sneaky, and fortunately it didn’t affect me on the course. But after a shower and resting back at the hotel, I could feel how hot my core was when I was lying in bed trying to go to sleep. I made Kari feel my back and she agreed that I was warm to the touch. I should have taken some anti-inflammatories before bed.

~ Don’t judge a runner by their look. I was guilty of this as well, thinking some of these people would not last very long, but I was proven wrong time and again. One woman was consistently coming in with just a minute or two to spare, and I thought that she was cutting it close. But as the miles wore on I realized that she was executing her plan very well. There were several that far exceeded my expectation for them. Congrats to everyone!

~ I have the main pieces of the “go far” puzzle established. I was solid with my pace plan, Kari kept me on point with my nutrition/hydration, and although the training miles I had done might have been on the low side, I felt great muscle-wise and felt like I still had a lot of miles left in me. It’s the mental side of ultra running that I have continued to struggle with. When the going gets tough I tend to fold my cards so as not to destroy myself. Chafing is no fun, and it was only going to get worse. I have to figure that issue out for next time. And there will be a next time.

Event Photos Link: Mile 90 Photography – 2024 Broken Anvil

Off-Season Thoughts

I shut myself down from running in mid-November, after attempting Tunnel Hill 100 for the third time, only running occasionally and only short-distance stuff. Doing nothing but running long and slow had been a blessing initially because speed was causing me some issues. But now, after three years, long and slow is wearing me down too.

I’ve spent some time this fall thinking about what I want to do next year. I like to find races and set goals, and I really miss riding my bikes and doing triathlons. I was pondering whether to keep running ultra-distance runs. I have really grown to like the challenge, and the backyard/last runner standing events are so enjoyable to do. I know one thing for certain – I’m done chasing the 100-mile finisher goal for a while. I’ve had three shots at it, and I’m not sure that distance is for me, an aging runner who should have attempted that distance earlier in life. I’m not saying I’m done, I just don’t want to put myself through that again right now. I already have the Chicago Marathon on my calendar, and I believe that is more than I should tackle.

I recently came across a new race format that I found very interesting. It’s an ultra-distance event (50K) that has an element of the backyard/last runner standing format to it but adds a speed challenge. It’s called the “Trail Golf Endurance Challenge” and is local to me, located in Valparaiso, Indiana. The format is runners will run nine “holes” starting on the hour. The distance of each hole is a little under 4 miles of technical trail terrain. If you can average an 8 min/mile or under for the hole, you get an “eagle,” worth two points. A sub-1o min/mile is a birdie-3, a sub-12 min/mile is a par-4, a sub-15 min/mile is a bogey-5 and anything over a 15 min/mile is a double bogey-6. So if you run an average of 10 min/miles for each of the nine holes, you will end up with a score of 27. The runner with the lowest score will be the winner. Sounds like a lot of fun to me.

But there are two things that stand in the way of me signing up for it. First, my daughter will be starting a new job and may have to move to another area on that weekend, which will require dad to assist. And secondly, I KEEP TRIPPING AND FALLING DOWN!

The crack, the shoe, and me wondering what the hell happened.

I really don’t understand how a simple trip to put the garbage bins to the curb and to grab the mail can be a tricky endeavor for me, but on this cold day I decided to pick up the pace a little to get back up the driveway and into the house and my foot got caught on the lowest of low trip hazards ever – the small little gap between sections of my concrete driveway. It’s barely 2mm high! My legs were doing a cartoon spin trying to catch myself, but I went down anyway. Fortunately I had time to get my hands under me to prevent a face plant, but my shoe went flying and so did the mail. Fortunately, my dog Murphy was the only witness to this craziness.

So, maybe I should stop thinking about trail running altogether because my past history has shown that a fall is certainly a high probability.

If you are less of a klutz and would like more info about the Trail Golf Endurance Challenge, here’s the link: Trail Golf

2023 Tunnel Hill Race Report

November 11-12, 2023

Start time: 7am Saturday
Finish time: 3:50am Sunday
Approximately 160,000 steps
Lots of memories made

Not in last place, but definitely bringing up the rear in the first couple of miles into the day.

Tunnel Hill 100 ended with me running 76 total miles, ending with a drop to a 50-mile finish officially. If I could just get the race director to add a 75-mile belt buckle, I’d be all set.

Lots of beautiful scenery along the trail.

Seventy-six is plenty of miles for me. I’m starting to believe that it’s my max running distance since I have now done it twice. What stings a little is that I was hoping that I could run one hundred miles. Silly me.

Coming into Vienna and finishing up the first 26 miles. Time for lunch!

This was my third attempt at running one hundred miles at Tunnel Hill, and the third time I settled for less than that. People who have run the race will make an effort to tell you to not quit, knowing that Tunnel Hill makes it easy to do so – the start/finish for the 50-mile race is the same as the 100-mile race, your car/family/crew are all right there, and the race director will also let you accept the 50-mile finisher time and buckle even if you “DNF” the 100. But that is not why I quit this time or even the last time. It’s just a very, very difficult thing for me to accomplish.

Funny story about this photo. The guy in the red hat is none other than Laz himself, who happened to be walking with another runner when I took the opportunity to grab a selfie. I think they both thought that I was taking a picture of the smiling lady, who unbeknownst to me had just set the course record in the 50-mile race. She had a good chuckle when she realized that I actually wanted a picture with Laz. I’m surprised Laz didn’t whack me with his walking stick.

I could go into a whole list of reasons for why I quit, but they are just excuses and excuses won’t change 76 into 100. I think that the truth is that maybe, just maybe I’m not capable of it, just like someone with a baritone voice not being able to sing soprano, or maybe in a sense that my level of ability in playing the drums would ever make me a rock star.

But that’s not to say that running 76 miles should be considered a failure. It’s actually pretty damn far! I wouldn’t want to drive that far in a car! It is interesting to see some of the comments to my post on Facebook from my friends. Of course, my non-runner friends are in awe of doing something like that. They feel that way because they aren’t even comfortable running one mile, let alone 76 of them. My ultra-running friend Jodi, who has numerous 100-mile finishes, was the opposite of that thinking and I think that she believed that all I needed to do was just keep going. Like it is just that easy. Maybe easy for her, but not so easy for me. She has an amazing skillset for this distance that I’m not sure that I will ever have. Another friend Leah, a TH100 finisher herself, made a very interesting point that I didn’t actually quit, in fact, I came back for a third time knowing all too well how hard attempting this dumb quest is.

The northern turnaround. A desolate, lonely place.

Another friend, Tony, came to TH100 to attempt to run it for the first time. He found out that running 100 miles is a tough thing to do, also dropping at 76 just like I did. I think he is motivated to give it another go next year. I hope he does because one attempt at this is just not enough to know what it really takes for some people. He’s just starting his journey to his Rubicon. I think that I have found mine.

Of course, I couldn’t have done the 160,000 steps of this run without the support of my wife Kari, and son Ben, who were there to crew me and run with me. Ben didn’t get the chance to run the last 24 obviously, but Kari joined me for the last 21 miles coming back into Vienna. That is a personal record distance for her and should not go without notice. They were outstanding at crewing me, getting me exactly what I needed, and keeping me moving forward until it was clear that moving forward was no longer possible. I’m blessed to have them both in my life. With all my love, thank you.

Thanks for the memories, Tunnel Hill!

2023 Broken Anvil Backyard Ultra Race Report

BROKEN ANVIL BACKYARD ULTRA RACE REPORT

WHEN: 09/23/2023

WHERE: WEST POINT, IOWA

RESULTS: 9 YARDS/LOOPS – 37.55 MILES.

THE DETAILS – Broken Anvil Backyard Ultra is a last runner standing format running event. 4.16 miles every hour starting at 7 a.m. and running until there is only one runner left to complete the loop. Make it back before the hour is up, or you are out. Not in the corral for the next lap, you are out. Decide to drop on your own and not start, that’s right – you are out. Most use this type of race to see how far they can go, often running their first ultra-distance run. The event was held in West Point, Iowa in the local park, with a mix of grass, gravel, paved road/path, and wooded trail. Lots of variety without being too technical. Lots of shade as well. This is a well-run event and a great place to experience this type of running. But in the words of Lazarus Lake: “It’s easy – until it’s not.”

~~~

Hey! You’re the guy… who wrote the race report I read. I heard that several times pre-race, at packet pick-up, at the hotel we stayed at, and on the morning of the race as we were all waiting for the 7 a.m. start time. Several of them mentioned that they were inspired to do the race because of it. Some even said they tried my 2-minute run / 2-minute walk pace plan and would utilize it during the race. I was beaming pretty good from hearing all the praise. I write my blog and these race reports so I have the memory for myself and my family, but when someone mentions that they got something out of it, I couldn’t be happier.

Kari and I sitting in our tent waiting for the start. (Mile90 photo)

Get on the bus, and head to the back… was the plan, and several joined me in that strategy. I told myself to be patient on the first yard and was glad that I executed that. No sense in going out strong on the first yard (4.16-mile loop) – which is a common mistake to make when race day adrenaline and feeling good early make you want to blast off. But this race format isn’t about how fast you can go, it’s about how far you can go. The bus should have had more, but the younger and more serious runners preferred to be ahead for some reason. I stayed in the back for all 9 of my completed yards.

Kari feeling good on the second yard. (Mile90 photo)

The sweeper… in runner parlance is someone bringing up the rear, and usually, someone who is keeping the bare minimum pace to make a cutoff. I was becoming the sweeper in this field. I was completing my yard in about 52 minutes, leaving just about 8 minutes to refill my empty handheld water bottle, take a cold wet towel and wipe myself down with it, and refuel with some food for the next yard. If I was ahead of anyone, I often wondered how close they would be to making it back in an hour. I think the others also knew that if I was overtaking them in the later stages of the yard, they might want to pick up their pace to make the hour cutoff.

I hear that you’re the guy… to beat, said another runner, which gave me a pretty good chuckle. It was early, and I was feeling good, but there was no way I was going to outlast most of this talented field. It brightened my mood, though.

Staying hydrated… was becoming difficult for some reason. Well, the reason was that the day was sneaky warm. It didn’t really feel hot, as there was a good breeze most of the day, and the clear skies would be replaced by general overcast conditions. But by the third loop or so, the heat was making itself known. Lots of clothes changes going on, as sweat-soaked singlets and hats were replaced with fresh ones. Plenty of shirtless runners ahead of me, as we made our way around the course. Dad bods were on full display.

Heavy sweating forced a clothing change.

The check engine light… came on around yard six or seven. I was drinking a full twelve ounces of water every yard, but I was draining it dry by the 45-minute mark. I was peeing nearly every time I came out of the trail at the port-o-let there, but the need to go stopped. I was still sweating somewhat, so that was a good sign, but I could tell I was getting dehydrated. Even with downing a Gatorade at my camp between yards, it wasn’t enough.

“You Got This”… shouted a kid, as he rode his bike past me in the closing half-mile of yard nine. “I got this? I don’t even want it!” was my response. The kid seemed a little confused. As I was running what would be my last yard, I had a Forrest Gump moment. I didn’t really want to run anymore. Not just running the event, but in general. I had already passed the 50K mark and I wasn’t sure that my dehydration issue was going to get better. I felt pretty good still, but I didn’t want to end in a crash and burn. It was then that I decided to call it a day. I just wanted to be done. 9 yards and 37.5 miles was a pretty good running day.

Kari and I finishing her last yard together. (Mile90 photo)

My wife Kari is… pretty awesome. Not only did she crew me once again, helping to set up the tent and make sure I had all of my junk, she also participated in her first backyarder, setting a personal distance record of 4 yards and 16.67 miles! Farthest she ever run in her life! And I think she might have enjoyed it, too.

Congrats to all… the others that I met. Many set personal bests as well. There was one guy named Drew, who had to be the most popular guy in the race. He had quite a cheer crew. I was watching him in the latter stages and he had slowed quite a bit, walking with his hands on his hips often. But he lasted a yard or two more than I did. The race director congratulated him and said that he had never run longer than seven miles before. Pretty impressive leap from seven to over 40. Congrats to Ben, Todd, Nathan, Brian, Allie, Clayton, and anyone that I met along the way. You all did fantastic.

Radio Ga-Ga

Hey! I was on the radio! It was my first time and I had a great experience. I know you are probably wondering why this dummy was on the radio, and I am right there with you. But sometimes an opportunity to do something new and exciting plops onto your lap and you say “Why not?”.

Brian Swift is an acquaintance who has a radio program on a local AM radio station called “All Things Inspirational Show” on Wednesdays at noon. Brian is a quadriplegic but has not let that slow him down at all. Brian has some use of his arms, and can often be found woodworking, pumping iron, and generally keeping busy around his home. Brian is an inspirational guy himself, working as a success coach and public speaker, has written books, and runs a nonprofit organization called SOAR, which provides accessible outdoor recreational opportunities for people with disabilities. Brian finds inspiration from others and feeds off of it. And being Facebook friends, Brian thought that I might be a great guest to have on his show.

Brian was impressed with my running and triathlon adventures and asked me to come on his show to discuss how I use determination and grit to accomplish my endurance goals. My first thought was that there had to be a lot more local athletes more interesting than me, but Brian knows me, and that was enough for him to ask me to join him this week.

We talked about what it takes to go from being a beginner runner to running marathons and beyond. We chatted about how special it feels to accomplish goals, such as finishing a special race or becoming an Ironman, and how that changed my life. We also chatted about the challenges that an older athlete (I’m almost 60 – *gasp*) faces and how I approach those issues.

I was amazed at how fast the hour went, as his questions were very thought-provoking, and I tended to ramble on until I forgot what the question was. Anyway, my first time as a guest on a radio program was a total blast, I’m glad I didn’t swear, and another special experience in this life of mine. Another chapter in “an amazing run” for sure.

For more info on Brian and his work, please see the below links.

The Brian P. Swift All Things Inspirational Show

Swift Outdoor Accessible Recreation SOAR

“The Quadfather” book by Brian Swift

Singing (And Walking) In The Rain

Today, the forecast called for rain and I was really hoping to go for a walk. I’ve been enjoying walking lately, as it has allowed me to keep building my mileage while recovering from an injury. I pulled up my weather app on my phone and saw that the rain was already happening on the radar and would be heavier later. But a peek outside showed that it was barely drizzling. The weather app always seems to over-emphasize the rain, so I put on some swim trunks (I’ve been walking in swim trunks so I can jump in the pool afterward), grabbed a plastic rain jacket, and hit the start button on my watch.

Ten to twelve miles of walking was the plan, and I could barely tell that it was raining. When I got to the trail I could see that I wasn’t alone in thinking the rain was nothing, lots of others out on the trail. The sprinkles started getting stronger about three miles into the walk, so I grabbed the rain jacket and slipped it on. I would keep it on for the rest of the walk.

Walking has been a savior for this injured runner. Running injuries can be minor, a big deal, or something in between. I have “runner’s knee” which has become the most serious and longest running injury that I have had to deal with. Taping the knee with kinesio-type tape help with the knee pain, but I stopped trying to tape it in order to run on it when I realized one of the major issues was the soreness of my quad muscles, especially the one known as VMO. And that was caused by running, which was also causing the knee pain, I suspect. Taping wasn’t going to help the muscles. It’s never easy for a runner to stop running, but I committed to getting the knee better. However, when you have three races coming up in the fall, not running for a month is going to put a dent in those plans.

I recently re-evaluated the races I had signed up for. My “A” race was going to be Broken Anvil in September, a last-runner standing/backyard ultra that I really enjoyed doing last year. The second race was Mines of Spain in Dubuque, Iowa. I don’t know what I was thinking when I signed up for this one – that area is really hilly and the race photos from previous years showed people wading through thigh-high water. I decided that I better pass on that one, requesting a (partial) refund, and letting someone from the waitlist take my spot. I had also signed up for Tunnel Hill 100 in Vienna, Illinois in November as a back-up, in case I failed at getting my 100 at Mines of Spain. Now it looks like Broken Anvil might be a tune-up for Tunnel Hill. And walking just might be what gets me there.

Stopping running was necessary to get the knee back in good condition, but I felt the pressure of the race calendar, and I also felt like I would be losing a lot of conditioning to at least not do something. Riding a bike was good for cardio, but it wasn’t good for the knee. Any standing and pedaling caused the knee to ache, so that was stopped. But walking seemed to fit the bill. I could walk without my knee hurting, and eventually, the muscle soreness diminished. I kept doing the stretching regimen that the physical therapist told me to do, and I added a 15-20 minute session of muscle massaging using my Theragun Mini massager.

I may not have been able to run, but I was still getting the miles in. Walking has become really enjoyable for me. I look forward to them, maybe more so than a planned run. I haven’t been doing the really long-distance stuff that the ultra running plan has in it (runs of 20 miles or more) on a Saturday, but I was averaging about 5.5 miles of walking per day, almost 38 miles per week! That was a surprise, and an especially good one when I realized I was keeping the miles going without getting sore or aggravating the runner’s knee. I’ve walked 150 miles since July 9th. I’m very happy with that.

I got six miles into my walk and contemplated doing another mile before turning around, but thought better of it. One thing that this past month has taught me is patience, and I’m not about to push it too hard.

Saw a group of wild turkeys cross my path on the Old Plank Road Trail.

The rain picked up in its intensity, but I wasn’t worried about it at all. I was maintaining less than 17 minutes per mile, which is pretty good for me. I had some good tunes playing in my ear (Rush, of course!), and I was really enjoying the walk. The best part about it was that I didn’t bail on it just because it was raining. It may rain in the race I do, just like last year when it poured at Broken Anvil.

I ended with 12 total miles, done in three hours and twenty-three minutes (16:55 minutes/mile pace). And the best part is that I am not sore or beat up like I would have been if it had been a run. I think that I will wait one more week before adding some running back into the mix. I’ll start with some one-minute slow-paced intervals just to make sure I don’t overdo it. Thanks to walking, I just might be able to get to the start line next month in Iowa. Fingers crossed.

Finding some enjoyment in walking in the rain.

2022 Tunnel Hill Race Report

Ask any runner if they check the weather report weeks ahead of the big race and I would bet that most would say they do. I’m no different. We had really great fall temperatures the week before the race, but it was about to change – just in time for race day, naturally. Instead of packing several pairs of short sleeve shirts and shorts, I packed for a day in the low-30s, with evening temps below freezing. Kari told me later that the truck’s outside thermometer reading only reached a high of 34 degrees.

My super awesome sherpa/crew wife Kari and me heading to Vienna.

But as it turned out, the cold temperature for the day didn’t bother me at all. They say that you hope for the best conditions and prepare for the worst, and if some freezing-type temps were the worst of it, then that’s no big deal. I’ve run plenty of times in the cold. I knew it was going to get cold, but the two inches of snow we woke up to was quite a surprise. That’s the weather in the midwest for you.

Yes, two inches of freshly fallen snow greeted Kari and me as we went out to the truck for the trip to the starting line in Vienna. This will be interesting, I thought. We arrived, parked, and found our way to the start area to look for some familiar faces. My son Ben and become friends with a guy named Sean, and they had done a lot of running together. Sean was there to run the 50-mile race and I was glad to see him. We greeted each other at the pre-race dinner the night before and again just before starting our journeys, wished each other luck, and he took his rightful place in the front of the starting group and I made my way to the back. I found my local friends, Jim and Calvin, both doing the 50-miler, and we took some selfies. Jodi, Jennifer, and Lara must have been avoiding us, but I would see two of the three later in the race.

Sean and me at the start. He’d finish 4th overall in the 50. Impressive!

I’m not sure if I was just not hearing the national anthem or if they didn’t sing or play it this year, but the race seemed to start before I was aware it was time to do so. A trip around the parking lot led to the trail, and to the south, we all headed. As we trampled through the now slightly muddy trail, we all were taking the least sloppy line. But before too long, the trail firmed up, and only the edges of the trail and the numerous wooden bridges would show the icy reminders of the early morning snowfall.

Staying near the edge of the trail where it was less mushy.

I felt great as I pressed on, keeping on track with my plan to run for two minutes, followed by walking for two. I did really well with this method in September at the Broken Anvil Backyard Ultra, and it was netting me about 4.5 miles every hour. I met Kari at the second aid station located in Karnak, Illinois, and advised that all was good – and it really was. I tend to sweat, no matter if it’s hot or cold, but I wasn’t sweating at all. I must have picked the right amount/type of clothes for the day – two thin, long-sleeve undershirts, a pair of running shorts under a light pair of running pants, and my 2016 Ironman Lake Placid Finisher jacket, a jacket that is more like a windbreaker than what is typically offered by Ironman as a “finisher’s jacket” but was the perfect thickness for this day. I topped my head with a visor covered with a running beanie and of course a pair of gloves to keep my hands warm. I was shocked that I wasn’t sweating at all, and I attributed it to the run plan that I was following, keeping my heart rate down, and not heating myself up for too long. Of course, the weather and my clothing were contributing as well to keeping me dry.

Ran with Calvin for a bit and stopped for a picture.

Since I wasn’t sweating, and I was doing my best to keep hydrated, I was developing a new issue – I was peeing a lot. I estimate that I was drinking about 1/4 of a cup of water every couple of minutes. Early in the race, I was peeing every 10-15 minutes or so. By the later stages of the run, I was peeing about every five minutes. At one point it seemed like I would take a drink and then stop to pee. And since there was snow along the edge of the trail, I could clearly see that I was peeing very clear, not yellow at all. It was like the water was running straight through me. I took it as a good sign, but it was a little bit of a new experience for me and I thought about it a lot. Too much info, I know, and I’m sorry. It’s just a memory from this race that I don’t want to forget.

Chad Colson Photography – used with permission

There are another 3 miles from the first major aid station in Karnak to the turnaround and when I got back to Karnak again I decided to make an attempt at pooping. Into the port-o-potty I went, and was glad to take care of business. I walked back over to Kari to swap out my vest and I was approached by a woman who very delicately informed me that I had toilet paper trailing behind me from my pants. I would normally be thoroughly embarrassed, but when you’ve been whipping out your wiener to urinate in front of everyone for the last 16 miles, it really didn’t faze me that much. Kari got a kick out of it though. Another bit of too much info, and another memory for posterity.

Run for two minutes. Walk for two minutes. Pee. Eat a gel every half-hour. Eat something solid every hour. Repeat for hours. And that’s how the first fifty miles went. Very uneventful, and highly executed. I was dialed in. At a couple of points, I was pretty bored, so I pulled out my phone and called my super-fan Carl and chatted him up a little. I also called my daughter Rebecca who seemed a little surprised that I was taking time out of the race to chew the fat with her. Both conversations were big pick-me-ups.

The northern section of the trail has better scenery.

Upon reaching the 50-mile mark and being back at the start/finish again for the second time, I couldn’t help to think about how I was doing. The prior year I had quit well before I crossed the mat. This year that wasn’t happening. Kudos to Kari for being wise with where she set up her chair and had our gear; it was roughly the same place as last year, and I had no trouble finding her. Of course, she found me before I found her most of the time, but I wasn’t having to figure anything out. I would take off my vest and she would either refill the bladder of the vest I preferred or swap it out with my secondary vest with a full complement of snacks and water. Occasionally I would forget to swap my phone over, and once I realized that I didn’t have my gel flask with me. But overall all, we were dialed in.

Finishing 50, ready to eat, and head back out.

Kari had dinner ready for me again, more Ramen noodles and broth, a sandwich, some potato chips, and my favorite drink Lipton Lemon Brisk tea. I ate what I thought I needed and headed off for mile 51 and more. It was just a few miles later that I felt so good that I called Kari to tell her so. I was really feeling good, and that continued for most of the night trip on the south portion of the out-and-back course.

Upon getting back to Karnak for what was now the fourth time, things were getting a little weird for me. The energy I had in the mid-50 miles was no longer there, and I was struggling to get through the two minutes of the run portion of my run/walk. I was definitely running slower, and would occasionally skip a run turn. Another thing I noticed was that I was drifting while walking, not staggering, but just having trouble walking straight. I thought of an old childhood friend named Mike who did that type of walking normally, and it gave me a chuckle. I think that it being so dark and that I was using a headlamp to light my way was causing me to get a little off. It’s like when you are driving in a car and being okay when you stare off into the distance, but try focusing on the things speeding by right in front of you and it becomes hard to focus. And I was staring at a gazillion rocks passing by my feet very quickly.

Heron Pond aid station is between Karnak and Vienna, and I tried to eat something there. I had some more ramen and broth, and a portion of banana. Kari walked with me for a while, and I mentioned that I felt like I was starting to get drained.

One weird sensation I was experiencing was uncontrollable yawning. This happened a couple of times. I was perplexed by it because my mind was pretty sharp, having consumed caffeinated gels every 30 minutes. I think it was my body telling my brain that it was tired. A very strange sensation.

From around mile 70 to back to Vienna I knew the writing was on the wall. To continue on was going to be tough. I told myself that I would try to eat some more food, maybe drink a 5-hour energy drink, and see how I felt. Kari met me and walked me to the warming tent, and then scrambled to get me the things that might turn me around.

As I attempted to sit in a chair in the warming tent, I had already unofficially quit the race. I stumbled a little trying to sit down, which wasn’t surprising to me. I had difficulty walking in a straight line for the last six miles and felt a little wobbly for quite a while. But I had been telling myself all day to keep giving it the “old college try.” They say in ultras that if you feel crummy at some point, you may feel totally better a little later. Kari had gotten me some of the creamy potato soup they were serving inside the tent, and I began eating what I could. But it wasn’t long before I was covering my face with my hands attempting to hide my emotions, and through some sobs, I confessed I no longer had the ability, nor the desire, to continue. Kari, without a doubt the best crew/sherpa ever, would have tried to push me on, but she didn’t try to convince me otherwise. It was pretty clear that I was done and she could tell.

I scanned the faces in the warming tent and I could see some of them were making the same difficult choices. Continue or quit? Some had already quit and were at peace with it, others had that 76-mile stare like I had just before getting back to the tent. Then in walked a guy around my age, who threw down a shiny new belt buckle on the table and declared “I’m done.”

“Did you drop, too?” I asked through some foggy mind haze. “DROP?! NO, I FINISHED!” he declared. I sat there somewhat dumbfounded. Finished? Puzzled, I looked at his belt buckle again, this time a little closer – 100 Mile SUB 20. It became crystal clear and I sank further into my hard metal folding chair. This guy had just gone 100 miles in under twenty hours and looked like it was no big deal. I picked my jaw up off the grassy floor of the tent, offered a small apology for making an erroneous assumption, and advised that I just misunderstood. I told him that I was dropping and was very impressed with his accomplishment. I think at that point he realized that I was not quite all there at the moment. He offered some encouragement, but by now my body was going into recovery mode, and any further energy would be spent keeping myself from uncontrollable shivering and hobbling to the truck for the ride back to the hotel.

Last year I went into the scoring tent to notify them that I was dropping to the 50-mile finish, which resulted in them encouraging me to continue before handing me a 50-mile finisher buckle. But this year the volunteer just asked for my bib number and offered me another 50-mile finisher buckle with some brief well done’s. Kari had pulled the truck close, I stiff-legged to it and got in, and off to the hotel, we went.

Officially I am a Tunnel Hill 50-Mile finisher, with an official time of 11 hours and 50 minutes. But my Garmin watch told the real story – 76.8 miles in 19 hours and 23 minutes. Farthest I have ever run. Last year it didn’t take long to regret dropping at 50 miles. This year there is none of that. I’m damn proud of those 76 miles.

It took me three Ironman races to finally dial in my approach to that race distance, and I’m finding that it’s a learning process with the 100-mile ultras as well. I’m not sure if I’ll make it back to Tunnel Hill for another shot at 100 next year, but I’m not giving up on this quest. Hey – I made it a marathon further than last year!

When Running Clicks

I started running in the late 1980s and like most, I was just dabbling with it. I was a recent college grad in a new job, living away from family and friends and pretty much bored. I was also gaining weight and couldn’t afford to buy new pants, so running became my interest. It was never easy at first. A few trips around the apartment complex were all I could do initially. But I stuck with it somehow.

One day I decided to attempt to go further than I had gone previously, and before I knew it I was at five miles before stopping. But when I got to that mark I had a feeling that I could keep going. It was at that moment that running seemed to click with me. I could and would keep going. Within a year or two of starting those laps around the apartment complex, I set a goal of running a marathon.

I started doing local races and marathons. I was just winging it. How complex could running be? You just run, right? There was no internet during this time for me. It may have existed, but it was in its infancy, and I didn’t have a computer to even do any sort of research into how to train for a marathon. The first couple of marathons went okay. I ran 3:50 in the first one and followed it up with another 3:50 a year later. I really thought that I would demolish that 3:50, but a lack of knowledge about fueling and hydration was my downfall.

It would be a couple of decades later that I would become a triathlete with the goal of completing an Ironman, and that is where my mindset changed. I followed a plan for the first time and learned a ton about how to fuel for the race. Successfully training for and completing that first Ironman was a big deal. It taught me loads about how to train and I applied that to my running goals as well. Although I feel that it took me three Ironman races before I finally dialed it in and set a personal best, it did finally click with me and I found personal success.

Not long after that, I applied what I had learned from the triathlon training to running and I found myself setting new personal bests in the marathon, and getting that once elusive Boston Marathon qualifier was now in reach. I set new personal bests in the marathon distance, all in my 50s. I have now achieved three BQs and run the race in 2018, CLICK!

For the past few years, I have set my sights on becoming an ultra-distance runner. Something that I hadn’t done in the previous thirty years of running, and I had to learn to apply what I knew from my triathlon and marathon running experiences to running stupid far. I basically had to learn to run slower and pace myself. It clicked for me when I started applying walk breaks into my runs. I had more energy to run farther. Even with four ultra-distance finishes completed, I still am adapting and learning about how I manage the run. Last weekend I ran my fourth last-runner standing format ultra and went farther than I have ever run – 54 miles. I was shooting for 50, but knowing one more 4.16-mile loop would benefit me mentally, I pushed on and it helped me understand that I could get past that 50-mile mark and keep going. CLICK!

Yesterday, I ended my recovery week with a run that I was planning to last about ten miles. But as I meandered my way around the community, I started thinking about doing more. I felt really good. I ended up playing it safe, finishing with twelve total miles. When you find yourself thinking that ten miles are just okay and want to do more, then I think that the work that I have been doing to get me to the finish line of Tunnel Hill 100 in November might just be clicking with me.

CLICK! CLICK! CLICK!

When did running click with you? What was your a-ha! moment?

Broken Anvil Backyard Ultra Race Report

BROKEN ANVIL BACKYARD ULTRA RACE REPORT

WHEN: 09/17/2022

WHERE: WEST POINT, IOWA

RACE FORMAT: BACKYARD ULTRA/LAST RUNNER STANDING

RESULTS: 2022 Broken Anvil Backyard Ultra Results

I had to juggle my 100-mile training plan for the Tunnel Hill 100 due to a planned 30th anniversary trip to Italy, and it was looking like I would have to sacrifice either the 50-kilometer run or the 50-mile run. I decided that the 50-miler was probably more important to the training than the 50K, so I started looking around and found the Broken Anvil Backyard Ultra that would work perfectly for me. Running an organized 50-mile race would be a lot easier than having to do it solo and provide my own support for twelve hours. So I signed up, told the wife (hint – always tell the wife after you sign up), got a hotel for the weekend, and then started thinking about how to run the course.

After doing some research into the event, it looked like a perfect opportunity to get in 50 miles without having to walk up really long hills, shimmy down rocky terrain, or duck under or climb over fallen trees (I’m looking at you Big Hill Bonk and WausaUltra!). Seeing that there wouldn’t be any hills to force me to walk, I decided that a run/walk plan of 2 minutes of running followed by 2 minutes of walking would probably do it. Just to make sure, I did a 4.2-mile run at home on Wednesday following that pace plan and finished right around 50 minutes. Perfect.

Friday night my wife Kari and I jumped in the truck and headed west on I-80 for a little under four hour trip to our hotel in Fort Madison. After arriving, we decided to drive the route to the event location to make sure there were no surprises Saturday morning. Upon getting there we found the super-cool race director Nic still there and a few of the other participants milling around. He allowed us to set up our tent so we didn’t have to worry about it on race day, and I grabbed my bib and the event sweatshirt.

At 7am on Saturday, 30 of the 36 registrants (there were six no-shows) got into the corral and were sent off on our way. The first loop, or yard as they are also called, went really well. I quickly came to realize though, that I was the only one doing a dedicated run/walk thing, as the others just jogged until they came upon one of the few small hills or when they needed a break before doing any walking. Most of the runners were finishing about five minutes or so ahead of me, and I was consistently finishing the 4.16-miles in 50 minutes. I was really dialed in and super consistent with my pace plan. Ten minutes after each loop is plenty of time to sit, rehydrate, refuel, make clothes changes, etc. My super-sherpa race crew wife Kari was also dialed in. All of my next lap drinks, food, electrolytes, and a cold washcloth/towel were ready for me without ever having to ask. I would make some requests for certain things here and there, but she was anticipating my every need.

Some pictures of the course, a mixture of grass, crushed gravel, pavement, and a short pine needle-covered dirt trail.

The loops went by quickly as usual. A couple of women dropped after one lap, but I think they were just there to experience some fun and support other racers. One guy was using the race to get his tempo miles in for an upcoming marathon and would quickly blast through the loop. But for the most part, we would all start each loop together and I would bring up the end. Seven runners dropped before the marathon distance of loop 7, which is a little surprising. However, it was loop 7 when the Iowa skies decided to open up and pour on us.

I wasn’t really worried about running in the rain. I had an extra pair of shoes, plenty of extra running clothes, and also a rain jacket that I decided might be beneficial to help keep me warm in case the rain made me chilly. The jacket actually just made me sweat more, and I didn’t wear it for more than a loop or two. However, the rain caused a problem that I hadn’t quite planned for – chafing. I had lubed up my inner thighs in the morning as is typical for me before a long run, but the rain and the running must have caused it to wear off. When I noticed the chafing I started applying Vaseline like crazy, but I think it was too little too late. I have never had chafing as bad as that. I kept applying Vaseline every loop, hoping that I could continue on.

Races always provide some sort of distraction, and I was trying to remember all that I could. There was a guy who was talking to his group ahead of me and said “Prince Charles is a DICK!” Not sure what that conversation was about, but it gave me a chuckle. Another runner was in the starting corral when he realized he didn’t have his watch, and after the loop starts you are not allowed to leave the course except for bathrooms, nor are you to receive any outside assistance. Another guy spoke up and said “Spoiler alert! It’ll take you an hour.” That got a good laugh out of the group as the bell rang and we were off. I think he got his watch just in time.

The course took us through Pollmiller Park, which included a small lake and a campsite. I joked with one camper and asked how he was enjoying “the dumbest parade ever.” He chuckled and said “See you in an hour.” He must have gotten used to our routine. Another group of campers included some kids and one teenager asked me “What are you running from?” I wasn’t sure what she meant and I replied that I wasn’t running from anything. I asked the guy next to me how was I supposed to answer that? He said that it was just a “smart ass kid being a smart ass.” But it gave me something to mull over for the rest of the loop and the next. She asked again on the next loop, and I said “I’m not running from anything, I’m running to something.” A higher purpose, maybe? I don’t know, I’m still searching.

I really didn’t have a problem with the course other than there was a steady stream of cars in and out of the park. They were generally cognizant of us and gave us plenty of room, except for one car that came right in front of me and cut me off from the course and stopped. I wasn’t sure really what she was doing, and I don’t think she knew that she was blocking the race route, but it wasn’t a place to park, and she was miffed that I raised my hands as if to say “what the hell are you doing?” She backed up and I carried on to the finish.

When I hit loop 8/50K I knew I had 50 miles in the bag. Aside from the chafing, I felt really fresh. My legs weren’t tired, I had plenty of energy, and I was really enjoying each loop. When I was on the twelfth loop I was telling myself that I would do one more, possibly two after that. I finished the 13th loop and decided that the goal of 50 miles was reached, plus one extra for a total of 54 was enough for the day. It was the furthest I had ever run. I lined up in the corral for loop fourteen, and when the loop was started, I walked over and rang the bell. I was taping out. Everyone was extremely happy for me and they were applauding my effort. I told the race director “Let the record show that I started loop 14 but did not finish it.” It doesn’t really matter, but it sounds better than stopping at 13 loops.

Ringing the bell – making it official that I was done.

It took a while for the results to get loaded up and when they were I was shocked to see what had happened. The results showed that there were two runners that finished with 66.7 miles, the top male and the top female. But in a backyard ultra, there can only be one finisher! What this means is that there was NO finisher! Everyone DNF’d this race! Kari and I were discussing this and we weren’t sure if they just didn’t know the rules, or if the weather turned worse and they decided to quit, or if they were both happy with being the top finisher in their gender. The other part of it for me was that I am sure that I could have run past 66.7 miles! That’s only three more loops!

In the end, I finished in 4th place, as there were two that did 66 miles, six that tied at 62 miles, and another runner did one more lap than me. But really I was the 10th out of 30 starters, which really pleased me.

The results of the race weren’t the only thing that surprised me. What really surprised me was how dialed in I was and how good I felt, minus the chafing of course. I could barely walk when we returned to the hotel, and the shower was extremely painful when it hit my sore groin. But overall, I had no tiredness or soreness in my legs or feet. I could have kept going. The hydration was spot on, as was the nutrition. It’s making me rethink my 4-minute run / 2-minute walk pace plan for the 100 miler in November. I might have to shorten that run time down to two minutes because it worked so well here at Broken Anvil.

Overall, I loved this event. It was super fun, and if I plan to do more backyarders in the future, this one will definitely remain on the list.