Who wants to run long . . . really long?

Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go.

- T.S. Eliot

This is a great quote, whether or not you are a runner.  Many long distance runners, especially ultramarathon runners, ascribe to this motto.  I am not an ultramarathon runner . . . yet!  You can see where I am going with this, so I will save you the suspense . . . yes, I plan on tackling my first ultramarathon in 2014.  I just need to figure out what will be my first race.  I'm thinking 50K to start, so any suggestions would be appreciated.

Some of you may be asking "what is an ultramarathon?"  For those of you who have never heard of ultramarathons, these are race distances that are greater than a marathon (26.2 miles).  A 27 mile race = ultramarathon!  A 127 mile race = ultramarathon!  It's that simple!

What does it take to be an ultramarathon runner?  That's a hard question to answer.  I have no idea.  Since I'm in the process of researching this myself I thought I would share my research with you.

To get started, I've compiled some quotes from ultra runners who have plenty of experience in this arena to gain some insight into what it means to run such extreme distances. 

“Unless you're not pushing yourself, you're not living to the fullest. You can't be afraid to fail, but unless you fail, you haven't pushed hard enough.”
- Dean Karnazes

“The longer and farther I ran, the more I realized that what I was often chasing was a state of mind--a place where worries that seemed monumental melted away, where the beauty and timelessness of the universe, of the present moment, came into sharp focus.”
- Scott Jurek

“Think Easy, Light, Smooth, and Fast. You start with easy, because if that’s all you get, that’s not so bad. Then work on light. Make it effortless, like you don’t give a shit how high the hill is or how far you’ve got to go. When you’ve practiced that so long that you forget you’re practicing, you work on making it smooooooth. You won’t have to worry about the last one – you get those three, and you’ll be fast.” 
- Micah True (aka Caballo Blanco)

“We've got a motto here-you're tougher than you think you are, and you can do more than you think you can.”
- Christopher McDougall

Coolest Ultramarathon Ever . . . The Western States!

If you want to learn about what it takes to run an ultra marathon, you can read some books, like Ultramarathon Man by Deen Karnezes, Born to Run by Chris McDougall, or Eat and Run by Scott Jurek.  All three of these books provide an account of one of the coolest ultramarathon ever . . . The Western States ® 100-Mile Endurance Run.  Described as "truly the ultimate challenge for the long distance runner"  and "entry in this event should not be taken lightly". 

This race starts in Squaw Valley and ascends from the valley floor (elevation 6,200 feet) to Emigrant Pass (elevation 8,750 feet), a climb of 2,550 vertical feet in the first 4 miles. From the pass, following the original trails used by the gold and silver miners of the 1850’s, runners travel west, climbing another 15,540 feet and descending 22,970 feet before reaching Auburn, a small town in the heart of California's historic gold country.  Check out the cross section of the race route below (pretty scary)!

Cross Section of Western States 100-Mile Endurance Run.

It starts a Squaw Valley (right) and ends at Auburn University Track (left)

You can learn more about this race by watching Unbreakable, the documentary film made in 2010 that followed the runners taking part in the race that year.  It's amazing!  I can only imagine the pain involved with running 100 miles over such terrain, but there is a secret part of me that wants to do this so bad!  I just have to work my way up to it slowly, so I don't beak along the way.  My journey begins now!  Wish me luck!

A Fantastic Marathon in Scenic Maine!

Start of the Maine Marathon, 10/6/2013.  I'm in the top center - blue hat, purple singlet over a white shirt!

Start of the Maine Marathon, 10/6/2013.  I'm in the top right with my head turned - blue hat, purple singlet over a white shirt!

I completed the Maine Marathon this weekend and enjoyed every minute of it!  Here are some highlights:

• So many inspirational runners raising money for many good causes!  The MA Team-In-Training team was only 10 runners out of thousands who ran this weekend.
• Ran with KC Fitch of Portland, ME, who was also part of the MA team.  She was a great running partner!  We helped each other stay on pace and execute a sound race strategy.  Thanks KC!
• The coaches from Team-In-Training kept our spirits up, and made sure we were running strong!  It was great to have such support.  
• The views along the route were spectacular.  Downtown Portland, Casco Bay, Yarmouth, foliage, beautiful historic homes, and rolling hills.
• The music was great.  Live music at many of the water stops.  Really helped in the last few miles!
• Wonderful volunteers.  My family, Stacie, Mia and Michael, volunteered at the 4.6 mile water stop.  They were great volunteers and had fun doing it!
• I ran a personal best by more that 2 minutes (see below).

Finishing strong at the Maine Marathon, 10/6/2013.  Go Team!

I placed 252nd out of 923 runners; 183rd out of 519 male runners, and 24th out of 55 men in my age group.  My half marathon time was 1:52:22, my marathon time was 3:46:41, and my pace was 8:41 minutes/mile.  Best race of my life!  I couldn't have asked for a better day, a better group of people to run with, or a better cause to support!

Thank you to everyone who supported me!  Thank you to my family for enjoying the weekend with me and for volunteering at the 4.6 mile water stop You did a great job!

For those of you aspiring to run a marathon...do it, and let me know!  I'll be happy to run with you!

Until then, run happy, and run strong!

Peace!

Gearing up for the Maine Marathon!

I'm getting ready to run the Maine Marathon this Sunday.  I'm very excited.  I've trained long and hard for this and I feel more ready for this race than I expected to be.  Every time I head out to run I feel comfortable and relaxed.  I've pushed my workouts hard so that when it comes to race day, I won't feel the need to do more than I am capable of.  I can't wait to hit the road and complete 26.2 miles.

This is my second marathon.  My first marathon went well, but it was hard!  Here is what I wrote after my first:

I finished the Baystate Marathon today.  3:47:58.  I placed 508th out of 1144 runners, and 120th in my age group!  I was hoping to run faster, but as the saying goes, even the best laid plans go awry sometimes.  Let's just say, I should have fueled better.  Oh well, there's always next time!

Anyway, right now I'm too exhausted to write more!  I'm just proud to have raised more than $1,300 for the North Shore Medical Center's Cancer Center, and to have finished the marathon in a decent time, considering the circumstances.

Wow, I tough race, but a good time and a good feeling overall.  Well, this is "next time" and what I have I done so far?  I've raised more than $1,800 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and I am ready to fuel better, run stronger, and run faster! 

So, in two years I have raised more than $3,000 to help those struggling with cancer.  What a privilege it has been to serve and support those who can use a helping hand!  I won't let them down, nor will I let any of my sponsors down.  For those of you who donated, thank you.  For those of you who have not yet done so, it's not too late!

Thanks, everyone!  Look for an update on Monday!

20...oops...21 miles on Plum Island

 

Heading out to Plum Island along the Plum Island Turnpike, I could see the sun rising through a small gap in overcast sky right at the horizon.  It was really cool a few seconds before this shot, but you have to take what you can get!

I kept going and headed down the main road onto Plum Island.  It was a great run!  It was cool, comfortable, and the sun was not beating down on me.  I love running in the fall!

So, I headed down Plum Island looking for the right turn around point.  Since I ran 20 miles on Plum Island before, I thought I would remember the spot no problem.  I was wrong.  I came around a corner and all of a sudden I saw features I had never seen before.  That's when I said "oops, I think I went too far"!

Being almost at the end of the island, I decided to take a look at the beach.  As I approached I could hear the familiar sound of waves breaking on the shore.  Having grown up near the beach, I always love that sound.  And the view, well...

Breathtaking!  So what if I ended up running an extra mile.  It was worth it!

Happy Running!

The Applecrest Half Marathon!

I ran and completed the Applecrest Half Marathon this weekend!  I finished in 1:38:27.  44th overall (out of 410 runners) and 5th in my age group (out of 19).  I was pretty pleased.  No pictures yet, will post them on Friday.

Over all, it was a great run.  Lots of hills, so towards the end I was getting a little worn out, but not enough to be demoralizing.  Afterword I enjoyed some apple pie, homemade ice cream, and fresh pressed apple cider.

But best of all, me and my wife and kids enjoyed some time at Applecrest Farm, where we purchased some fresh apples, and pet some goats and bunnies.  It was a great family Sunday!

Lovely Event in Memory of Cancer Victims

In Newburyport, lanterns were set a float at Bartlett Mall in memory of cancer victims. This video shows the event, and this article provides the details.  It was a lovely event, and a fitting tribute.  I remembered my father during this event.

Soaked During 16 Mile Run

It started raining 10 minutes into my run and it didn't stop until I was done!  About 8.5 miles into my run, it was raining so hard, I could barely see ahead of me.  During a break in the rain (when I say break I mean it was just raining lighter.  It never stopped) I got a few pictures.

As you can see, I was soaked.  That's not sweat (not entirely) covering my body.  My shoes were soaked as well, an I developed a bit of a blister on my big toe! 

But, the view was pretty good!

Over all, it was a good run.  I'm just happy to be running healthy no matter the weather.

Peace!