Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Trail Maps

This is for anyone who has never run with us before, or is not familiar with the parks where we run. You can find maps for most of the Cincinnati Parks at: http://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/cityparks/pages/-4373-/
The big map is a little hard to follow, but you can find a map for a park near you.

-Adam

Monday, February 25, 2008

Dirt Days 2008

The dates for the Dirt Days 2008 Trail Series are online. There are a few changes this year. Racers can still be eligible for the Dirtiest Dozen by doing any 2 of the first 3 races, as long as they race in the championships at East Fork. Also, we will still have a handicapped start at East Fork, but those being scored for the Dirtiest Dozen will be awarded a place on raw time, not finishing place. For more information, check out: http://runningspot.com/trailrunseries.php

-Adam

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Holiday Lake 50k++

Blood, Sweat, and Redemption at Holiday Lake
Feb 16, 2008/ Appomattox, VA

My journey to the starting line of the Holiday Lake really starts at the finish of the 2007 Mountain Masochist 50 miler. That was to be my first jump from a 50k to a 50 miler, and I had trained hard for a full year for it. At the pasta dinner, Dr. Horton was glad to hear it would be my first Masochist and he looked me square in the eye and said, "Now don't go out too hard in the first half, and don't forget to eat and drink." So what did I do? I ran the first 25 miles at marathon pace, didn't walk a step, didn't stop at any of the aid stations, and let my water bottle go totally dry. I crashed very hard. After about 15 easy miles, I was able to recover and feel like myself again and run it in at a respectable pace.

When I finally crossed the finish line my first words to Dr. Horton were, "I should have listened to you." He laughed, knowing he was right, and said, "When you come back next year, I'm gonna ask you at the finish 'Did you run stupid or did you run smart?'" Being back on Horton's turf, I was determined not to run stupid a second time. Luckily, Mother Nature smiled on us that day. It was 30 degrees at the start, and warmed up to about 55 by mid-race, the sun was shining, and the trail was as dry as it would get in February. My main focus was to stay within my limits on the first loop around the lake. I tried to run just as fast as I could without huffing and puffing heavily.

I was running quick, but comfortably through the first aid station, when we came to a road crossing with a guard rail. Dr. Horton himself was there himself, directing the runners to a right turn on the road. I noticed all the runners in front of me were taking the long way around the guard rail and running far around the right of it and then back onto the trail. The rail looked just short of waist high for me, and I thought it would be much easier to do a quick hurdle over it, instead of alter my course. I was half right. I got my right leg over it just fine, and then I heard a very curious loud, metallic boom. Then I realized it was my left knee hitting the guard rail. Before I knew what was happening, I heard Dr. Horton let out a loud, "Ooooh, I wouldn't do that!" Luckily, it sounded a lot worse than it actually was. It didn't make any sense to me, but for some reason the knee I hit felt better than my unscathed knee. I didn't question it. In fact, I did think much of it again until I came to Aid Station 2 and one of the workers said, "Hey, that looks like Best Blood so far." Lo and behold, I had a stream of blood running from my knee into my shoe.
It didn't hurt, so I tried to not pay attention to it. Instead, I just tried to focus on my breathing. I was very surprised by the loop around the lake. It was very rolling but there was really no major climb or descent to speak of. This was the most runnable 50k course, I've raced yet. Thus far, my 50k PR was 5:55 at the Great Eastern Endurance Run. When I came through the half in 2:14, I was encouraged, to say the least. One of the other nice things about the Holiday Lake course is that there are no surprises on the second half. It is uniquely both a loop and out-and-back course. It was helpful to compare splits between aid stations and accurately guage my pace. Plus, there is something that really picks your heart up when you come out of the last aid station to run around the lake, and you can see and hear the people at the finish line.
Everything about the course and the weather helped me to a new 50k PR of 4:51. That may not have been a very competitve time, but I was glad to accept the award for Best Blood. It's an award that's very nice to have once, but not something you'd aspire towards. Considering the facts that you can have a warm bed at the starting line, the course is both very well supported and very runnable, and the fact that there are just plain fun people who come to run it, I would reccomend Holiday Lake to anyone looking for their first ultra.

-- Adam Schmidt