Pinleland Farms Trail Challenge

Last week I registered for the Pineland Farms Trail Challenge 50 miler in New Gloucester, ME, located about 15 miles north of Portland. Amie made arrangements for our family to stay in Freeport and make it a Memorial Day weekend getaway.

We made the 3 hour trip to Portland on Saturday and stopped by the Maine Running Company where I picked up my race number, race shirt and the kids were given rub on tattoos of the race logo. After lunch on Commercial St in Portland, checking in at our hotel in Freeport and a walk through LL Bean we met up with Clint who arrived from CT to run his first 50 mile ultra race.

We went to a local Italian eatery for dinner to carbo load and discuss the next day's plans. While talking about the race and my upcoming plans for a 100 miler this summer, my daughter Lora asked "Daddy, what if you die?" My response was "It'll cost less for the family to go out for dinner." I assured and promised her that I would not die while running ultra races, and I hope it's a commitment I can keep. Then my daughter Emma had a question for me that she was a little hesitant for other's to hear, but eventually let it out. "Can I run the race with you tomorrow?"

Clint and I checked our drop bags and made final preparations so that we could get out the door quickly in the morning. During this process I recalled that when Scott and I ran an aid station at the Northern Nipmuck trail race earlier this year we recognized that many of the front runners had "ink", and now it was my time. Lora, experienced at the art of press ons, skillfully applied the race logo tattoo on my bicep..perfect, now I was ready!

After a 4:45 wake up, stop at D&D, and short drive we had arrived at Pineland Farms. A quick pre race briefing by the race directors and we were off and running. I felt comfortable and strong heading into the race and focused on using it as training for the VT100 with plans to:

• make stops at the aid stations as quick as possible
• try eating a variety of foods from the aid stations to determine what's best for me
• run a steady pace throughout and not go out too quick
• complete without compromising my ankle/foot that has given me issues
• use my Go-Lite double water bottle pack the whole time, even though unnecessary

The first 10 miles or so Clint and I talked with several of the other runners and learned that many were using the race as training for upcoming 100 milers...many for Vermont 100, one for Western States 100, and another for Cascade 100. We ran comfortably and finished the first loop, at 19 miles, and re-loaded with supplies from our drop bags and I grabbed some kisses from my "crew" of Amie, Lora, Katherine and Emma. Clint and I parted about the halfway point as our paces were starting to vary. A couple of miles later I had a pleasant surprise, I ran into Steve Nelson (finished 4th last year) who was there in support of another runner, we ran a bit, chatted, and moved on.

Clint

19 down and feeling good

To this point everything was falling in line. I was quick at the aid stations. I tried all foods offered including PB&J, oranges, watermelon, M&Ms, Skittles, boiled potato with salt, Coke, Mountain Dew, pretzels, etc...and didn't have issues with any of them but tended to favor oranges and PB&J. My ankle felt really good and my pace was steady.

As I finished my 2nd of 3 loops and came by the start/finish line my energy levels increased as I was greeted again by my crew who helped me re-load with salt and gels. After another round of kisses and being told that I smell, I moved on. 35 miles down and 15 to go.

At this point I had not seen another 50 miler in 10 miles so I decided to turn on my MP3 player and enjoy some freshly loaded tunes. I inserted the buds, turned on the player, enjoyed about 10 seconds of music, and it went dead. After fussing with it for too long I gave up on it. Oh well...I opened up my pack to take out a package of Accelerade to mix into my water and realized I didn't grab any out of my drop bag on the way through....Oh well, time to adjust, Gatorade and water to drink and PB&J for protein.

As delirium started setting in I heard dogs barking and some one yell "get em". As I turned I saw a couple of dogs back on the path flying towards me. I increased my pace as I thought I was an escapee on a prison break in an action thriller and was being hunted down by guards and their dogs. The dogs were harnessed to their masters almost pulling them along, and they cruised right by me. A second came by, then a third, etc..I learned that this was part of the 4K Canicross race happening the same time. Very interesting..

Now on my third lap through the rolling hills were becoming more of a challenge and my pace started to slow. At this point I still felt fairly good and pushed but my legs didn't seem to be moving as quickly as I had thought they should be. With a couple of miles left the rains stopped, clouds cleared, and it was sunny for the first time in the race. As I neared the area before the finish line my crew cheered for me and Lora, Katherine, and Emma ran with me.

Emma stayed with me right to the end as we held hands and ran to the finish line. She got what she wanted, to run the race with dad, and I couldn't have been happier.

Total time was 8 hours and 39 minutes.

85 runners started, 76 finished, I was 22nd.

Coming through the finisher's chute I (actually Emma) was handed a golden cowbell for finishing, as well as pint glass with the race logo and a very comfortable Innov 8 running hat. We enjoyed the post activities with some grub, live music, and a great time talking with others.

Clint came through at about 9:30 for the completion of his first 50 miler, great job.... We shared our experiences of the day, watched the awards ceremony, showered, and called it a day as Clint headed back to CT and we went out for a seafood dinner and then back to the hotel for some swimming with the kids and time in the hot tub.

Hats off to the race directors as the race was very well organized, the course was well marked, aid stations were well stocked, aid workers were enthusiastic and helpful, post race activities were right on, and the swag was exceptional.

Monday ended up being such a nice day we decided to head to Old Orchard Beach on the way home for a few hours of fun at the shore. All in all, a great weekend.

A Look Into Ultras

50 Miler --- DNS

There are two well known acronym's in endurance races....DNF, Did Not Finish, for those who start and don't finish and DNS, Did Not Start, enough said. My list of DNS's is starting to grow more than I"d prefer. Yesterday was the North Face Endurance 50 Challenge at Bear Mtn in New York. Scott and Mark made the journey without me as I made the decision that it would be in my best interest to "DNS". I've had some issues with my right foot, that with attention has brought me from walking with a limp 4 weeks ago to being able to continue running on stable surfaces, including a 30 mile training run just yesterday. The North Face Endurance Challenge is a 50 mile race on single track trails over some good elevation changes and has a reputation as one of the more challenging races in the area. Last year 18 of the 86 starters finished the race. As my foot issues have improved I've gone from running slow on the flats only, to being able to run the hills at a quicker pace, but it's wasn't quite ready for 50 miles of single track. Keeping my eye on greater challenges planned for this year, it was in my best interest to "DNS" (not an easy decision, look at me mature).

I've been training about 50-60 miles per week and continue making progress. The Vermont 100 Endurance race is just over 2 months away and my weekly miles will continue to increase. I expect to run in a 50 miler in the near future and march on.

Saturday's Run - per Scott

Click link below

http://scott-turco.blogspot.com/2009/03/long-run-on-rail-trail.html

Nipmuck Trail Training Run

Click link below....

http://scott-turco.blogspot.com/2009/03/trail-run-on-nipmuck-courses.html

What are your plans for 2009?

This question has been asked of me often over the past weeks.

I initially started this blog as a way to share some experiences with friends and family who've inquired about my races. Since I haven't posted in a while (since the VT50) many have wondered "What are your plans for 2009?" and "Are you still training/running/biking/swimming?".

I generally use this space to give race reports and since I have not actually started the last two races I've registered, I thought I'd give an update. I had plans to run the StoneCat 50 in November of 2008 and did not participate as I spent the day celebrating a life, at a memorial service. I then set my sights on the Hyannis Marathon using focused training to improve speed and see how much I could reduce my best marathon time. My training combined weekly long runs, intervals at the track, and some standard 5 to 8 mile maintenance runs. As my training progressed I was conscious of some discomforts and wrote them off to typical tweaks that I could run through. Well, discomfort turned to pain and after seeing an Orthepedic I landed in physical therapy to strengthen my hip and address issues with my IT band, which landed me out to the Hyannis Marathon in February. This was the best thing that could have happened. I became very diligent and disciplined in doing daily strengthening exercises and stretching, emerging much stronger from the experience, which will provide great benefits in nailing this year's plans.

In seeking a new challenge for 2009 I had my sights set on either an Ironman distance triathlon or ultra marathons. As I explored Ironman options my decision was made for me as these events are "sold out" a year in advance, which is amazing. Since volunteering at an Ironman event guarantees entry into the following year's race, I was planning to spend a July weekend helping out at this year's Lake Placid event which would enable me to register for 2010. Sounds like a good plan, right? I thought so too, until I found out last week that the volunteer slots have "filled" for this year...Are you kidding me? I have to plan 2 year's in advance to do an Ironman?

Ultra marathons it is. Which ones? Thoughts went something like this........I did a 50miler in September, maybe I'll tackle 5 or 6 50 milers this year. But I've already done a 50 miler, maybe it's time for a new challenge......The next real distance beyond 50 miles is a 100 miler.....It's hard to imagine it's possible......I like the idea of the challenge, just not the running part of it, as 100 miles will be painful.....100 miler it is.

I'm officially registered for the VT100 on July 18th and 19th. You know it's a long race when the date is expressed in days. In my opinion my athletic make up is average. I believe that with the proper preparations an "average" person can accomplish many things that most consider out of reach. My focus has been to keep myself injury free and improve my endurance level by making sure I get in a weekly long run.

I've hooked up with Scott and Mark the past several weekends for long runs as they are also training (their 2nd) for the VT100. Clint has also joined in as he considers a 100 miler this fall. The runs have been between 22-26 miles and will increase in distance. I've recovered well from the long runs which is a good sign. My plan is to hit peak training distance of 50 miles 2 months before the race which puts it in May. The timing coincides with some 50 mile ultra races, so I'm signed up for the North Face Endurance Challenge50 at Bear Mountain in NY, which is my planned next race.

When posting I wonder if anyone reads these things. Don't hesitate to comment so I know this blog isn't just me talking to myself, which would make me question my mental well being...

Cascadia 3s Trail Tested

As the year winds down I don't have much to report on other than a new pair of trail running shoes. I've had a love/hate relationship with the Asics shoes that I used for most of the time spent on the trails during 2008. They're sturdy and proved to be successful as I avoided typical ankle injuries all year. The stiffness that helps protect can also be uncomfortable over longer runs, which I was reminded of about half way through the VT50. Was it the shoes or the miles of the ultra race that caused the discomfort? I'm sure both contributed.

A few weeks back I signed up for the StoneCat 50, a 50 mile trail race in Ipswich, MA and decided the Asics would not be joining me on the journey. After much research and probing others who run trails, I decided on Brooks 3s which received glowing independent reviews and was eager to put them to the test. Due to the unfortunate but expected passing of Amie's grandmother, my day would be spent at a memorial service, etc.. instead of beating myself up at the Stone Cat 50.
PS …Keith, Mark, and Scott all ran the race and set PRs. Great work guys!!!

I headed out this morning for an hour of running on the Nipmuck trail in Ashford wearing my new Brooks. The dirt road where I enter the trail is usually without sign of human life, so I was surprised to see someone gearing up for a trip into the woods, camouflaged from head to toe. Is this a hunting zone? I hope I'm not mistaken for deer. With my pace, no chance in that.

This run would be the perfect test for my new Cascadias. I started in the dark, my headlamp lighting the trail in front of me. Consistently directing my light up to search for the next trail blazer to keep on course left dark minefields of rocks, hidden under the recently fallen leaves, to be an unavoidable hurdle and challenge. Time and time again an unexpected foot placement on the side of a hidden rock caused many twists, turns, and close falls. The Brooks were up to the challenge as they provided just enough support to prevent the ankles from rolling and gave incredible comfort at the same time. At one point my toe caught a rock head on and I started to spread my wings getting ready to take flight. I was able to recover just in time and was grateful as the design of the shoe's toe area gave solid protection, cushioning the impact, showing that it was up to taking a solid hit. The soles gave good traction on the face of larger, smooth faced boulders. These were less than ideal conditions for a run, but perfect conditions to test the new shoes. They proved to be rigid enough to take a hit and keep ankles secure, yet flexible enough to be comfortable. I look forward to testing their comfort levels on a long run.