an amazing run

Runner Reinvention

I ran and walked through a 10-mile run the other day in just under two hours. I looked at my watch and remarked that I used to be able to run 10 miles in 70 minutes. I haven’t done a lot of half-marathons, but all of them have been 1:40 or less. Both of those efforts seem like an impossibility now. And I don’t even want to race a 5K anymore for fear of my finish time showing how slow I have become. I have become older and slower and it bugs me.

It is probably no surprise to most people that aging will cause you to slow down, making once easy things seem difficult at times in your older years. Except for runners, runners think that they will continue to run in their 50+ years just like they did in their 20s. But eventually runner me has to at least acknowledge the red flags my aging body is waving emphatically in my face. I’m slowing down, I’m struggling with muscle soreness, I take forever to recover, injuries linger, and it seems like I redline my heart rate on the easiest of runs. I guess I expected to slow down as I aged, but I was expecting it to be more gradual, not a sudden fall off just because the age odometer hit the big 6-0.

It hasn’t been easy for me to admit that I’m not the runner I used to be, not that I was anything great but I always tried to push myself to my greatest potential and the younger me benchmark can no longer be met. Once you hit 35-40 years old, the sport labels you as a “masters” runner, which allows you to compete against older runners instead of just the younger athletes, but I was still doing quite well at that age. Masters shmasters. As I got into my 50s, I was on another level, competing well, beating 30-somethings in the local road races, accomplishing five Ironman finishes, qualifying for the Boston Marathon, and setting new personal bests. I set my marathon PR of 3:25 just before turning 53 years old. I’m not sure that I could hold that average marathon pace of 7:52 min/mile for even a 5K right now.

Doom and gloom are starting to set in. But I don’t want running to end for me. Some can let it go quite easily. They tire of their bodies hurting, other endeavors have replaced running, or just maybe the flame of interest has flickered and died out. It isn’t that easy for me. I’ve kept track of every run since 1989. Memories of all those training runs and races are very special to me. Running has been my thing for 35 years. I want to keep that going. It seems that I need to reinvent myself and set new expectations and goals. I can’t run in the past, I have to run in the now and look to the future because I refuse to let my running life die.

So how do I create a new runner me? Other than running just for the sake of running, there are really two things about running that one can pursue – running fast and running far. I think that the running fast portion is the one I will struggle with the most now. The past couple of years have shown that I’m slowing down, but I have set new distance personal bests and I enjoy seeking that distance potential. It’s pretty clear to me that going far outweighs going fast at this point. Here are some things I need to consider and change:

Stop focusing on what you can’t do, and focus on what you can. – It’s pretty obvious that I’m slowing down, and trying to run faster has only proven to make me sore and cause injuries. But since I started running ultra-distance events, slow running is the recipe for going far. Maybe running fast is in the rearview mirror, but I’m just now tapping into how far I can go. My max has been 76 miles, maybe I can exceed that. And since I have fallen in love with the Backyard Ultra/Last Runner Standing format, maybe seeing how many “yards” I can accomplish can be a new goal.
Embrace walking. – Walking saved my season last year when I struggled with my knee injury. I had already built walking into my running and was fine with using that pacing method training for ultras, but now I had an injury that made running hurt. Walking kept the mileage up, kept my other muscles working, and kept me moving forward without further damaging my knee. I was able to get back to running by the fall and participate in my final two ultras. The plan for this year will include a run/walk pacing plan for most longer runs, say 8 miles and above. I still get the work in, still get my heart rate going, and still get to be out there running.
Take care of the other things I have neglected. – I am not a limber man. I have gotten by in the past, but muscle tightness has a lot to do with why I’m sore and prone to injury. I’ve got to include some stretching and massaging to keep me fresh.
Cross-train more. – I admit that I miss triathlon. It was really a great cross-training sport. While triathlon training you have to make time for swimming and cycling, which means taking time away from running. I found this to be a good thing when I trained for Ironman. My running was actually at its best when I was doing triathlons. I’m going to add more cycling and swimming back into the mix, and maybe toss in a few sprint races too.
Stop being so negative. – Things are going to happen, and when they do I need to adjust and not get so down on myself. Winter is a motivation killer for me. I dislike being cold, and indoor workouts suck the life out of me. But the weather will get better, and doing less actually means that I am inadvertently allowing myself to have a recovery portion of the season, which is sorely needed. My wife rolls her eyes when I claim to be an optimist, as she knows that I am pessimistic to no end, but maybe a little optimism is what I need.

Reinventing myself as a runner may just be what I need. And maybe just making some small and smart changes could be the key to keeping running in my life.

I’d love to hear how other older runners have dealt with age-related performance decline. Drop a note in the comments.

2023 Running Year In Review

2023 Running Year In Review

Walking saved my season. Old me would have thrown in the towel if I had to resort to walking, but as I became a more experienced and seasoned ultra-distance runner, I found walking to be not only necessary but enjoyable. This year though, without walking I might not have accomplished much.

In May I developed knee pain that would later turn out to be patellofemoral pain syndrome, also known as “runner’s knee.” This knee injury was a bear and the most difficult of running-related injuries I have ever had to get over. It took rest and some physical therapy to get a handle on it. But what salvaged my season was walking. Walking wasn’t making my knee hurt, and when the plan called for miles of running I substituted walking. Most walks were in the 4, 5, and 6-mile range, but I eventually reached 10 miles and more. Time on my feet was important, whether I walked or ran.

May, June, and July took the biggest hits as far as running goes, but I was back to getting my training runs in by August. A little knee brace I bought on Amazon was a gizmo that I thought was a waste of money, but whether it was a physical positive or a mental one, it seemed to help me run without hurting my knee. I used it up through September and during the Broken Anvil Backyard Ultra, until I decided to take it off in the late portion of the race. I stopped wearing it altogether after that.

By November and Tunnel Hill 100, I felt pretty good. I amazed myself by getting through 76 miles of that run, knowing full well that walking was the reason I got that far.

So when I look at the total running mileage of 1214 for this year, I’m pretty surprised that I amassed that much. Add in the 522 walking miles and it adds up (1736 miles!) to be a pretty good year!

2023 RACES

The racing season was held to just four events, which were eventful for sure.

First up was the Paleozoic Trail Runs – Devonian Spring II 25K, a local trail race that I’ve done twice and really enjoyed. The 2022 race was a complete mud-fest, but 2023 would be bone-chilling cold. I felt pretty good condition-wise for this race, but it really did paint a picture of what was to come for me. Once the race started I felt sluggish and didn’t have any speed. I tripped over a hidden tree root on the trail about halfway through and landed on my face. I pushed on but finished missing out on the podium. Race recap: Paleozoic Trail Runs – Devonian Spring II – 25K Race Report

I think I immediately stopped bleeding when the blood flash-froze on my face.

Next up was a return to the WausaUltra Backyard Ultra in Wausau, Wisconsin. I really enjoy the backyard/last runner standing format and WausaUltra really puts on a good event. The weather was a little better this year and not as warm, but seeing how I tripped and fell at this highly technical trail course in 2022, I managed six 4.16-mile loops before I pulled the plug on it before I tripped on something significant – i.e. a jagged rock. Of the backyarders I have done, this one is the most technical and toughest. Race recap: 2023 WausaUltra Backyard Ultra Race Report

Totally beat after one loop. It’s a tough course.

After suffering through the knee pain earlier in the year and learning to train around it through walking, I was elated to even be able to show up for the BROKEN ANVIL BACKYARD ULTRA, in West Point, Iowa in September. Another second year in a row race for me, and I wasn’t quite sure what to expect or even if I would get more than a couple of loops run. Kari joined me for this race and ran a personal best farthest distance, before dropping out to help crew me. She’s the best crew/sherpa ever. I managed to get through 9 yards and 37.5 miles before deciding that I had had enough. I was tired, starting to chafe, and did not want to overdo it and jeopardize the looming third attempt at Tunnel Hill 100. I could have run up to 50 miles, but I was being cautious. I was also starting to have a Forrest Gump moment, that point when I was kind of sick of running. Race recap: 2023 Broken Anvil Backyard Ultra Race Report

Kari and I wrapping up her last yard together.

I ended the year in Vienna, IL to attempt running the Tunnel Hill 100 for the third time. Honestly, I couldn’t believe that I had gotten enough training done to even show up prepared to run. The first 50 miles went pretty well, and I looked forward to pressing on for the second half. Kari and Ben had joined me to crew and pace for me. Kari joined me for the trip from Heron Pond to the turn-around, and back toward Vienna, slogging through 21 miles with me – a new personal best distance for her. But as we pressed on, it was clear that I was starting to struggle, with cramps popping up here and there in my feet and calf muscles, as well as being just generally worn out. For the second year in a row, I happily pulled the plug at 76 miles in Vienna, with no regrets at all. I’m not sure a 100-mile finish is in the cards for me, but I won’t say I’m done trying. I just need the perfect training season, and 2023 was not it. Race recap: 2023 Tunnel Hill Race Report

Some day I hope to finish the race with this pose.

2024 GOALS

I’m not really sure about what to plan for 2024. I decided after Tunnel Hill to put ultras on the shelf for a while and focus instead on rebuilding some speed and getting back to triathlon. But I did something dumb and signed up for the Chicago Marathon, something I claimed that I would never do again. And trying to reclaim some of the speed I have lost doing nothing but long, slow distance running is not going so well. I may have to come to grips that I am an old guy and those days of running fast are fading behind me. That’s okay, I’m really enjoying setting new distance records, running backyard races, and experiencing new types of events. One on my radar is a trail race in June in Valparaiso, IN called Trail Golf Endurance Challenge. It’s a trail run, covering nine “holes” of distances of about 3.5 miles each. The faster you run, the lower your score. I may have a conflict that weekend, but if not, I will show up and give it a go. Here’s the link if you are interested: Trail Golf Endurance Challenge

So there you have it. A season that clearly had no business turning out the way it did, and I’m so glad that walking was an option to keep me moving forward. On to 2024!

RUNNING STATS

JANUARY – 15 Runs / 96.5 Miles / 24 Miles per week
FEBRUARY – 13 Runs / 83 Miles / 21 Miles per week
MARCH – 15 Runs / 136 Miles / 34 Miles per week
APRIL – 14 Runs / 145 Miles / 36 Miles per week
MAY – 14 Runs / 114 Miles / 28 Miles per week
JUNE – 4 Runs / 28 Miles / 7 Miles per week (Injury impacted)
JULY – 6 Runs / 42 Miles / 10 Miles per week (Injury impacted)
AUGUST – 12 Runs / 111 Miles / 28 Miles per week
SEPTEMBER – 11 Runs / 151 Miles / 37 Miles per week
OCTOBER – 13 Runs / 141 Miles / 35 Miles per week
NOVEMBER – 6 Runs / 101 Miles / 25 Miles per week
DECEMBER – 16 Runs / 88 Miles / 22 Miles per week
2023 TOTALS – 135 Runs / 1214 Miles / 23 Miles per week

LIFETIME RUNNING TOTAL

31903 Total Lifetime Miles / 5522 Total Lifetime Runs / 35th Year of Running

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!

I Have Heard That Before

I’ve been running for a long time and occasionally the topic of running will come up in conversation with non-running friends. I love those conversations because I love talking about running. But there will be a point where I can almost predict what they will say next. And then I chuckle at it, not because I’m laughing with them, but rather at them. Because it’s something I’ve heard numerous times before. Here are the most common things I’ve heard over the years.

“WHEN IS YOUR MARATHON?” Somehow it became the norm for non-runners to think that any running race is called a marathon. If my friends remember that I have a race on the weekend, they will wish me luck with my marathon, even if I’m just running the local 5K. The term “5K Marathon” has become a joke with us runners, as if the two distances will be forever linked.

“SOMEONE WOULD HAVE TO BE CHASING ME TO GET ME TO RUN THAT FAR.” Or, “I’d probably be on fire if I’m running!” are common statements. I guess I would also be running if someone was chasing me or if I was on fire too. That’s actually pretty sound advice.

“WHAT ARE YOU RUNNING FROM?” I heard this twice at a backyard ultra I did a couple of years ago from a kid who was camping nearby and not aware of what was going on. It was puzzling to me. The guy I was running with brushed it off as a kid just trying to be funny, but I spent the next two loops thinking about what I was running from. I eventually turned it around and decided I wasn’t running from anything, I was running to something – a greater personal good.

“EVER GET RUNNER’S HIGH?” Sometimes I think they ask this to determine if running is something they would endure to get high. I guess that exercise can release endorphins that make you feel good, but in all honesty, I’ve never really felt “high” from running. So, no I have never had runner’s high. Sorry to disappoint you.

“DON’T YOUR KNEES HURT?” My neighbor says this to me every time I come back from a run. Recently I had to confess that yes, they actually do hurt as I have been doing a lot of long-slow distance running pursuing ultra-distance runs. But in general, running is beneficial to your joint health, as long as you don’t overdo it. And for me to have very few issues of knee or other joint pain over 30+ years of running is pretty strong evidence that I’m doing my body good.

“HOW CAN YOU RUN THAT FAST?” This one I actually find a little bit insulting, especially when it is specifically directed at me! Listen, I realize I’m lacking the slim figure of most high-level runners, but I worked my butt off to run as fast as I do. One year I was issued a “B” corral bib number for the Chicago Marathon, which puts me near the front of Wave 1 of the race. As I got into the elevator to head to the start corral, another runner took one look at the bib and then looked at me and said “Wow! You’re in the B corral?!” like I somehow didn’t belong. There are certainly lots of runners gifted with speed, but almost all of us who run fast (which is relative) have something in common – we worked at it.

“YOU KNOW THAT YOU DON’T HAVE TO DO THAT.” A coworker laid this gem on me once, after I was complaining about having to do a 6-hour bike ride and a 3-hour run on the weekend for the Ironman I was training for. She’s right, I don’t have to do it, and sometimes I don’t like to do it, but I achieved some personal greatness because of it. Don’t we all complain about the things we don’t have to do, but do anyway? My friend Jodi is running a 50-miler today – in the cold and rain. She doesn’t have to do that. But she will, and she will have a pretty special memory from it when she crosses the finish tonight.

“I COULD NEVER DO THAT.” When I say that I’ve finished numerous marathons and Ironmans, I can pretty much expect them to say that they could never do that. My response to that is that there is a difference between could and would. What you are really saying is that you would never do that. You definitely could do it if you tried. You just don’t want to do it, which I totally get.

“I JUST DON’T LIKE RUNNING.” A friend uttered this to me this week. He is attempting to get into a training class for law enforcement that requires that they pass a physical fitness test first. The running requirement is one 10-minute mile. I’ve been trying to help him with it and told him he just needs to run more. That’s when the “I just don’t like running” statement was made. I get that, I didn’t like it at first either. But somehow I tolerated a jog around the neighborhood and then turned that into running a couple of miles and then much more. I have always said that the first step of any run for me is the hardest, after that you just keep going and pat yourself on the back when you are done. You just need to take that first step. It will lead to many more.

And finally, the most common thing that I hear non-runners say…

“I DON’T EVEN LIKE TO DRIVE THAT FAR!” Neither do I.

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.

A Glimmer of Hope

For a little more than a month now, I have dealt with some knee pain that has prevented me from running. I’ve had aches and pains over the years as a runner and for the most part rest and easing back into running was sufficient. But not this time. This injury seemed to be lingering and not getting better with rest.

I tend to self-diagnose, and I came to the conclusion that my knee pain was most consistent with “runner’s knee,” aka – patellofemoral pain syndrome. But just knowing that alone, along with rest wasn’t cutting it for me, so I swallowed my pride and went to see my doctor.

I was able to quickly get an appointment to see my doctor’s physician assistant and she advised me to take a prescription anti-inflammatory and try some physical therapy. So with the referral in hand, I went to get some “physio” as the hip kids say.

The first trip didn’t do much for me, she evaluated me, told me that I had no flexibility, and rubbed some cream on my leg and used some sort of ultrasound gizmo on my knee that made me roll my eyes. But she advised me to come back on Tuesday and see another therapist to have my knee taped.

On Tuesday I was prepared for another “you’re not very flexible” lecture, but I could tell right away that this lady was going to get me on the right track. I told her that I have pain with stairs and we tested that out. Just stepping down a single step slowly was very painful. I was ordered up onto the bench and the tape came out. Of course, I was skeptical (I’m the biggest pessimist in the world), but she wrapped the knee up and explained the whole process to me. After taping we tried the step-down test again and there was no discomfort. IT WAS GONE! I was surprised, but also kind of excited. Although we were out of time for our session, she wanted me to go for a run and see how it felt. That was all I needed to hear.

I drove from their office straight to the nature preserve and hit the trail. I ran a hilly 3-miler at a pushed effort, and although the taping felt a little weird, there wasn’t any knee pain. The muscles around the knee felt a little sore, but I haven’t run in several weeks, so that was expected.

The next day the air quality was so bad thanks to the Canadian wildfire smoke drifting down into the Chicago area, so I opted for a walk instead. But two days after getting my knee taped, I went for another run/walk (2min run/2min walk) at an easy pace and it felt great. I only planned for five miles, but when I got to four miles, I detoured my route to extend it and had no discomfort at all. The taped knee was doing great! I ended up doing 7.75 miles and have no lingering knee pain.

So, I will need to continue improving my flexibility through stretching, and foam rolling, and hopefully strengthen the appropriate quad muscles so that my knee actually moves in the spot it is supposed to move and then maybe I won’t need the taped knee.

My ultrarunning goals for the year may have been saved thanks to a knowledgeable physical therapist and some athletic tape!

A Serial Pooper In Our Midst

If you have been a runner for any length of time you probably have experienced the dreaded “runner’s trots.” It happens to all of us, and fortunately for me, I run on trails and areas around town where there are plenty of toilets on my route. But eventually, you might have to find a place to go – like immediately. Been there, done that. You would think most people would be discreet about having to drop a load outdoors, but in the last few weeks, I have come across three very indiscreet piles of excrement – human excrement! WE HAVE A SERIAL POOPER ON THE LOOSE! And I’m on the case.

I encountered the first pile as I crossed a small dirt path that leads to the nature preserve trail. It was right in the middle of the trail, covered with a light blue running shirt. At first, I thought that maybe someone accidentally dropped their shirt, but when I saw the flies buzzing around it I quickly figured out what had gone down. I guess I shook my head and had some empathy for the pooper, but then I was a little miffed that this person dropped their load right in the middle of the trail. Couldn’t you have moved off the path to do that?! Also, this person seemed to care enough to cover the pile with a shirt that he/she obviously used to wipe their ass with. If you cared enough to do that, wouldn’t you also take a few more steps off the trail so people wouldn’t have to step around it? Seems whacky to me.

The next day I found the shirt-covered poop still there and decided to use a stick (a really long one) to move the shirt and push the pile off the trail. It was disgusting, but it had to be done. About a week later I was on a walk and took a separate little access trail and to my surprise, I found another pile of crap in the middle of the trail again! WTF?! This time it was covered with napkins. So now I’m thinking this isn’t someone out for a run with a sour stomach, this is starting to look like a weirdo is on the loose.

My third and most recent encounter happened last weekend while on the main path in our area, just off of the trail, once again covered in napkins. Now this person is getting bold by pooping right next to a heavily traveled trail.

This isn’t the first time a serial pooper has terrorized a community, (see below for links) but it’s a first for my area. The reasons for doing this type of thing are puzzling to me. Are they just looking for the thrill? Are they being vindictive? Do they have health issues? Whatever the reason, I hope it stops soon. Until then, I’m on the lookout for more malicious activity!

Police catch ‘serial pooper’ after wrong woman gets a bum rap in Indiana

https://www.thrillist.com/news/nation/mad-pooper-colorado-jogger-apologizes-for-pooping-on-familys-lawn

https://www.nj.com/monmouth/2018/05/superintendent_out_out_for_job_relieved_himself_un.html