Summer Reading: Eat & Run

As much as I enjoy a good western or sci-fi novel, the genre I most enjoy hunkering down with is non-fiction. Especially if the book's topic is one about which I am passionate about, and Eat and Run by Scott Jurek with Steve Friedman, is that and more. Equal parts autobiography, running advice book, diet/nutrition treatise and inspirational story, Eat and Run is a book I have returned to quite bit over the past few months (at one point tweeting out its cover on a bus ride to a high school track meet that met with resounding support from some of my son's collegiate teammates), and with my own return to plodding, found myself once again engaging it early this week with a fervor that found me reading straight through the final 120 pages in three sittings.

As suggested by the book's subtitle, Eat and Run is written as a narrative explaining "My [Jurek's] Unlikely Journey to Ultramarathoning Greatness." Though I am went into it with a knowledge of Jurek's feats and backstory as a result of having read numerous articles and interviews with him in running magazines, he is probably most recognizable to the non-runner as one of the characters in Christopher McDougall's uber-successful Born to Run. Jurek does briefly revisit the events of that novel, while telling of his success in the world of ultramarathoning.

As one who doesn't "believe in secrets"(Eat and Run, 155) when it comes to training, Jurek also imparts on the reader a variety of practical recipes, dietary experiences and insights garnered from his personal experiences as a champion athlete in one of the most grueling ports imaginable. For those who have never run an ultramarathon, Jurek also offers detailed descriptions as to the impact on the body during the course of such a  race in a manner that clearly paints for the reader an image of the pain and glory. "my hypothalamus was pumping antitdiuretic hormones, which told my kidneys to mitigate fluid loss by concentrating my urine. ... without enough water, dehydration would thicken my blood." (97).

At the heart of the novel, and Jurek's story to this point in his life, is his relationships with his father, mother and the sport he continues to love. Two attributes further elevate its potential for enjoyment: the inclusion of accessible vegetarina recipes which the reader is invited to try and the multiple book titles and authors Jurek references as influential that are sprinkled throughout. I found myself frequently dog-earring recipe pages (which, along with basic running advice, conclude each chapter), and starring margins that include potential future reading materiel.

After finishing Eat and Run while waiting to board a flight to visit a high school friend, it was clear why my son's teammates were so enamored with Jurek memoir/handbook: he clearly and sincerely speaks to the nascent mystic-philosopher that lies in most distance runners, even those (like myself) who enjoy the practice of reading and recollecting about races more than competing in them myself. I highly recommend this book to athletes (runner and non-runner alike), as well as those searching for some meaning in their physical activities, and look forward to sharing my copy with others.

Seen It: Running On the Sun (2000)

Given the current state of my personal training (which is to say, I'm not doing anything other than resting), I have taken to following the racing of others on-line and in person (sort of). On a personal level, this means taking my son to and from practice and following the successes of some of the folks I teach summer school with. Also, unbeknownst to me until I happened upon it online, the "king of all American Ultras," The Badwater Ultramarathon began yesterday, July 13 [Note: this post was originally published in 2009].

The race website (linked above) provides a variety of resources (Twitter, webcam, etc.) helpful in following the 83 individuals who are attempting to compete the "135 miles (217km) non-stop (run) from Death Valley to Mt. Whitney, CA." This is a very bad-ass run, that only the incredibly fit and mentally ironclad athletes FINISH.

My introduction to the Badwater Ultra came, as things often do nowadays, via a documentary I purchased on a lark from Amazon.com about eight(!) years ago when I first began running (sort-of) seriously again. At that point in my life, I had a goal of running first a 5k, then a 10k and eventually planned to run a 50k, something I recently did for the second time.

Running On The Sun: The Badwater 135 (2000), this film is a documentary about one of the world's most infamous ultra-marathons. The "135" in the title refers to the race's one-hundred and thirty five mile distance! This intriguing, and often difficult (crazy grueling experience) to watch, documentary follows thirteen participants and their support teams as they train and compete in the most grueling ultra-marathon, the Badwater 135, which goes through Death Valley to the peaks of Mount Whitney. If this film is any indication it was as painful to run as one might suspect. The film, by director Mel Stuart, follows male and female athletes who each have taken very different paths to to this race, where finishing IS the accomplishment.

A mailman, a fitness instructor, a member of the Armed Forces, an amputee and others all start the race, while only a few finish. This film, in parts, becomes something of a horror movie: the intrigue is in watching to see how the runner's attempt to avoid (while eventually succumbing) to the film's "protagonist", the course itself. Turns and twists in the story are around every corner. One would imagine that the director had to make many difficult choices while editing the film, given the runners he chose to follow most closely, as they were not always the ones who emerged as finishers.

Those whom you would think at the start have the greatest chance, fall by the wayside, devastated by their failure to finish. But the overall sense of community these runners share triumphs in the end as those who have failed themselves, rally to support the runners who, though dehydrated, blistered, and psychologically battered, make their to the top of the mountain, both literally and figuratively.

Running On the Sun provides both an excellent introduction to the race and an entertaining diversion for those who do not participate in adventure racing, and a must-see for those who currently run, or have in the past, and are seeking to re-ignite their internal flames of motivation. I reckon I'll pop it into the DVD over the next two days, in addition to following the race online.

With visions of my own eventual return to training, dancing, sweating and bleeding in my head...

Finger Lakes Fifties, Part 2

Run: 31 miles in approximately 5:31:43 min. @ 6:30 a.m.
Weather: Mostly Cloudy, 65°F, 70% Humidity, Wind: SW @ 10 mph; feels like 65°F.
Pace: Loop 1--9:39 min./mi, Loop 2--13:31 min./mi
Course(s): 50K (two loops) on forest trails, roads & pastures in the Finger Lakes National Forest, Hector, NY.
Official Results: Available Here.

Continuing my thoughts/reflections on this past weekend's run... As mentioned in the previous post, the first loop went very well primarily (I think) because the other runner whom I trailed maintained a pace that pushed me but that also allowed me a level of comfort. (It's always a difficult decision to "trail" or pace off of another runner especially as I think it distracts or throws some people of their own game. As is usually the case, shorty after following the individual for about a half mile, I'll strike up a conversation--something that rarely happens in 5-10ks--and get their "permission.")


As you can see from the pic above, I would often check my proximity to the person so as not to be overbearing. Once I realized I could hang with him, it made it easier to briefly slow down at aid stations or to use the potty, comfortable with the fact that at certain points (downhills for me) I would be able to make up the lost ground and continue the pace.

Following the first cow pasture in loop 2, the athlete whom I had been pacing lost me ("You go ahead--I'm slowing down"), and with this came a slight sense of defeat. While I was still moving at a fair pace by myself, I had to recognize that I would definitely lose more ground than could be made up, especially as the mud pits became denser and deeper. It was at this point that I thought briefly about "how can I get out of this," but persevered ahead deciding to test my ability to stay the course and follow the flashes and signs to the finish.


My waning energy needed to be addressed. Previously, I had used the aid stations to load up on the electrolyte replenishment drink (Heed) and water. At the second to last aid station, I changed strategy and downed both 2 cups of a generic cola and two red Twizzlers. The rush of sugar and caffeine reinvigorated me and gave me the "whatever" to focus through to the next (last) aid station.

Early in the day Daryl (the fellow I'd been pacing-off earlier had told me that his strategy was "walk by your own choice early and often, so when you need to walk, it is your choice." I took his advice ver seriously and found the key moments (inclines without mud) to preserve my energy and "power hike."

There I repeated the Cola/Twizzler combo and pushed on through to the final half-mile of the race, most of which was uphill and through thick, gooey mud, which by this point had come to resemble (very) watered down clay pools. (How I did not lose a shoe during the race is a credit to the sheinking value of water!)

I was very ecited to finsih (relatievly) strong and with a grimace smile on my face and mostly becuase I had accomplished (finsh, smiel, stay on path) what we had set out to do and that my wife was waiting at the finsih for me.

Breathe in, breathe out… YOU AND I ARE ALIVE!

Finger Lakes Fifties, Part 1

Run: 31 miles in approximately 5:31:43 min. @ 6:30 a.m.
Weather: Mostly Cloudy, 65°F, 70% Humidity, Wind: SW @ 10 mph; feels like 65°F.
Pace: Loop 1--9:39 min./mi, Loop 2--13:31 min./mi
Course(s): 50K (two loops) on forest trails, roads & pastures in the Finger Lakes National Forest, Hector, NY.
Official Results: Available Here.

Waking up a little before 4 a.m., I had my traditional pre-race "breakfast" of granola with raisins and two cups of coffee. Roughly a half an hour later, Anne and I set off on the hour drive from her parents camper in bath to the race location in Hector. the evening before we had made the trip to be sure of the amount of time we would need (we had some conflicting estimated times from Webquest and Yahoo maps), and also picked up my race number and scouted out the course a little. As suggested on the registration, there really was very little of the course (and race) which could be viewed given the nature of the trails and density of the Forest.


I was pleased to see a few other runners from the Rochester area, and having slept well the night before, was excited to get going. I had three goals that ran though my mind as I mentally prepared at the starting line: finish better than 5:30 (the same time as my previous ultra), enjoy the run and avoid getting lost on the trails. In order to meet the third goal, I'd told my wife (who was concerned about my inability to follow some trail flashes) I would latch onto someone about my pace.


Fortunately, the trails were very well marked using both wooden planks with orange arrows (as above) screwed into trees, as well as both smaller plastic arrows adhered to posts and red ribbon tied to branches.

After about three miles into the course, I settled into a pace directly behind a runner who had traveled with his family from Washington, DC, Daryl. He proved to be an excellent guide of sorts, as he had run the course before and was a veteran of numerous ("so many I've lost count") ultra runs. His camaraderie on the first loop was key in helping maintain a strong pace, one which I felt was fast for a 50k, and was surprised to find that ("if conditions don't get too sloppy") he had intended to extend the run to 50 miles!


There were a number of unique aspects to the course (which consisted of two 15 mile loops that equated to a single 50k (there was also the option to continue onto a third loop and shorter fourth if one (not me, thanks!) chose to run a 50 miler. The oddest was the four (five?)pastures through which the course ran. We had been warned at the start to be prepared for possibly "running into" both cows and bulls and that it was mandatory that we close and lock each gate after we pass through it.

Though we saw a number of cows in the pastures, it wasn't until going through the first pasture of the second loop that it was necessary to "shoo" a group of ten cows off the trail so we could get through.

The trails were particularly sloppy during the first loop, a situation that only became more challenging in the second. Though the course fairly be described as "fast" on a good weather day (the sun did come and go, and the temperatures were favorable it had rained much of the previous week and night) nearly half of all trails were wet and muddy resulting in (by the second loop) the need to high-knee through calf-deep puddles of thick mud. Nearly half way through the second loop, I recognised that here would be no PR today. This set well with me as my goal of having a good run and enjoying it was well on its way to be accomplished. The "time thing" quickly became secondary...

Breathe in, breathe out… YOU AND I ARE ALIVE!

On the Road Again!

Anne, Gracie and I are leaving shortly for parts known (Bath, New York) and tomorrow I'll be attempting my second compete ultra-marathon, the 50k (32 miles) Finger Lakes Fifties.

My mantra while I run this time "be here now." I also wish I hadn't eaten all of the delicious fritata (with green peppers, red peppers, onions and potatoes)... I always feel sick after eating eggs (even those made without steroids and free-range).

I look forward to reporting back on my progress tomorrow!

Breathe in, breathe out… YOU AND I ARE ALIVE!

The Training Week That Was... 6/22-28

This past week I successfully continued my taper down to next Saturday's Finger Lakes Fifties 50k at the Finger Lakes National Forest in Hector, NY. My wife and I are planning on driving down the night before for an impromptu night of camping at the start/finish location.

After corresponding with the race director via e-mail a few weeks ago, we are being led to believe that there will be plenty of room for us to pop up a tent for the night--the only "inconveniences" being that there are no electrical outlets and that we (I) will need to carry all of our equipment the 1/2 mile not the forest where the campsite is located. Fortunately, I have all week to iron out any minute details and having camped together multiple times before, I'm very confident that Anne and I can get all of the necessities together with time to spare.

More details about the racing specifics continue to be communicated through the race blog, the most important of which is more clarification regarding course markings. The red sign at he top of this post is the only marker we will be following (and these will be set up by volunteers in advance this week). Honestly, its this kind of seemingly obvious, but entirely relevant information, that make me feel more confident about the most challenging part of any trail race for me... staying on course!

Here is what took place this past week with my training:

Monday: Rest
Tuesday: 4.9 miles @ 7:31 min/mile pace
Wednesday: 8.2 miles @ 7:51 min/mile pace
Thursday: Rest
Friday: 6.4 miles @ 7:53 min/mile pace
Saturday: 10.7 miles @ 7:45 min/mile pace
Sunday: 7.3 miles @ 7:39 min/mile pace

TOTAL MILEAGE: R 37.5 miles (-11.4 miles from the previous week)
Weigh-In*: 183.5 lbs. (-1.5 lbs. from the previous week) [* @ 6:30 a.m. on 6/29/09]

I also unintentionally dropped another pound-and-a-half. I say "unintentionally" because while my goals is to eat healthier and more reasonable portions a by-product of this approach is that I am (hopefully) avoiding wasted and wasteful calories while maintaining a higher level of protein intake to offset the lack of red meat. The obective for this week is to charge the battery and fuel the engine for net weekend's race.

Breathe in, breathe out… YOU AND I ARE ALIVE!

Thinking 'bout Next Weekend's 50k

It's been a pretty busy few days her at the ranch, what with graduations, school ending and general end-of-year activities, so fortunately given eh tapering I am doing prior to next Saturday's race I am not feeling too guilty about taking a few days off (yesterday and today). Tomorrow I will "right the ship" and put in a moderate run before severely tapering leading up to next Wednesday; the last short run prior to the race.

Other than the psychological (mis) perception that I'll lose fitness in the interim, I am trying now to just stay healthy and injury free until running next weekend. I have trained well and the die has been cast relative to my success or failure in completing the race. The only additional preparations left for me to consider are the logistics of the run.

To the right is a minimized map of the course which, according to the web site's description will be

"starting and finishing at the POTOMAC CAMPSITE located off Potomac Road. You will be doing multiple loops in the FINGER LAKES NATIONAL FOREST, utilizing forest trails, roads and pastures. While racing across grazing pastures watch for the cows and cow pies. There will be short stints on shaded, dirt roads. Cooling ponds will be located sparingly along the trail... The 50K entrants will do the same (as those running the 25k) 15.69-mile first loop, plus one circuit of the 15.53-mile loop..."

The very informative Finger Lakes 50s Blog also has a General Course Design Walk-Thru available for review. My primary concern fear is getting lost on the trail (as has happened before albeit in a different race), so any information/dirctiosn I can allow to seep into my skull prior to the event is helpful.

Breathe in, breathe out… YOU AND I ARE ALIVE!

Ultra Prep, Part 1: Bring On the Weekend Weather Forecast!

Following yesterday's "training run," and subsequent evaluation of how I'm feeling, it appears as though I will be making the solo trek about an hour-and-a-half away to run in the BPAC 6-Hour Distance Classic.

Whether this is a good idea or a foolhardy lark will likely only be determined on Sunday evening after I have a) driven the 80 miles to suburban Buffalo, b) run about twenty six or so miles in six hours straight, and c) turned immediately around and drive home. Now that I have the correct date (Sunday rather than Saturday---as I had been posting prior too yesterday), I can begin to finalize preparations and expectations around how the day (and run) will go.

The greatest variable that will likely impact my performance (beyond training) is the weather. For me, it has always been an indicator of what might come to pass. Last fall, when I attempted to run the Rochester Marathon I ended up pulling out at mile 17 due to the extreme humidity and heat. On the more positive side, in November 2007 I ran the Mendon Trail Ultra (32.6 miles) in cool, cloudy drizzly conditions, which are much more preferable. The weather forecast for Sunday (as found on the Weather Channel's website) is:

Weather: Partly Cloudy, 72°F, 30% Humidity, Wind: From SSW at 9 mph; feels like 57°F.

It would appear that there will be a mix of the two "types" of weather for which I have gained experience running in. Now, I'm no weather person, but I would bet that there will be little actual precipitation (30% chance = thunderstorms?), but that it will indeed be warm (by April upstate New York standards anyway. The potential for this weather pattern doesn't concern me so much, as knowing is half the battle, and given the forecast, I can pack accordingly for some eventualities...

Breathe in, breathe out… YOU AND I ARE ALIVE!

A Challenging Potential Lark

lark /lɑrk/[lahrk] (noun) 1. a merry, carefree adventure; frolic; escapade.

While perusing the various local road racing calendars yesterday (a bi-monthly ritual during which I will occasionally map out my intentions for the upcoming months) I came across a number of runs of interest ranging from the very common 5k to a number of ultra marathons. In these days of reduced dinero for running graces, I rarely find something as short as a 5k worth dropping $20-$35 (I'm looking at you Chase Corporate Challenge!), so I have tried to find longer more challenging distances worthy of my hard earned money.

A run that came on my radar screen for the third consecutive year, and that I failed to sign-up for last year, is the BPAC 6-Hour Distance Classic. "It is what it says it is"... you run/jog/walk 3.25 mile certified scenic loop (pictured to the right) for as long as you are capable in a six-hour window, the goal being to run at least 26.3 (just 0.1 over a marathon distance) thereby making it "officially" and ultra (over) marathon. I actually competed in the last "leg" of this series of races (Western New York Ultra series) a year ago last fall when I ran my first and only ultra, a six mile trail course not far from my home. The BPAC, however, while flatter, is a bit of a hike from home (to just outside Buffalo from Rochester).

After seeing the online registration sheet, I quickly printed it off and put it in my pocket to share with my wife for her impressions when I picked her up from work. While I have been training for "something," which anyone will tell you is probably not the most intelligent way to train for anything, despite my recent health concerns I am in relatively good shape... good enough to punch out 26.2 in six hours (my PR at that distance is 3:26).

The cost ($20) and spartan prizes (Certificates for all finishers; finisher medals for only the top 30 finishers) are both attractive features, and though my wife said "If you want to go, we'll go" I know she does not want to sit and (in effect) wait around for me to pass every 3.5 miles... so though it would be bit of a lark, is this something I should do?

Breathe in, breathe out… YOU AND I ARE ALIVE!

Delusions of Mediocrity?

Run: 11 miles in 1:29:26 min. @ 6:45 a.m.
Weather: Cloudy, 44°F, 73% Humidity, Wind: From S @ 7 mph; feels like 40°F.
Pace: 8:08 min/mi
Course: Park Ave Hood to Naz and Back made using USATF Map It!.

Though I haven't been training specifically for "it," I have been running the last few weeks and was coming off of a training plan for my ill-fated September marathon. With everything going on in our lives right now, I would have to do this thing alone, without Anne who (while still hospitalized this morning) has a lengthy convalescence ahead. Is it possible I could still do "it"?

Is it possible that I could be ready in only two weeks to run the 50k one year removed from my first one last year (a picture from which is to the right)? Methinks I may be deluding myself, and watching my kids run and feeling good on a slow eleven miler this morning only strengthens the fantasy...