Saturday, September 29, 2012
Montana Fat And Slow Division: Tread Lightly Trail Series Race Review
Montana Fat And Slow Division: Tread Lightly Trail Series Race Review: So, the grand question for me was what to wear. Yes, I've got the standard running shorts, cool logoed shirts, but I was trying ...
Tread Lightly Trail Series Race Review
So, the grand question for me was what
to wear. Yes, I've got the standard running shorts, cool logoed
shirts, but I was trying to decide what to use for water bottles. My
plan was to go Euro-style, pushing on the legs, while trying to
propel myself up the mountain. I decided to just go light, since I
figured any extra weight would slow me down on the mountain. On the
upside, I knew that Trail Glovers are amazing uphill shoes (no
weight, enough traction), so I did have the shoes.
Anyway, the race swag bags were
awesome. I got a cool Asics logo running shirt, a cool set of socks,
a cool shirt with the race logo, a cool Nathan handheld water bottle,
a cool Pearl Izumi water bottle, and the obligatory Hammer gel.
There was the chip thing, which I tied into my shoes, and I realized
that I really need to just start wearing an ankle pouch for these
things. I'm obsessive about the lacing systems, and putting a chip
in there is annoying for me.
My plan for Mount Helena race was to
get a sweet start, and keep it strong on the uphill. I did manage to
get a cool start during the flat section, but I had a harder time
than I would expect doing the uphill. For some reason, my legs were
miserable on the uphill angle, and my arms are really not in the
propelling shape that they were back when I still had the gym
membership. The other problem was that the temperature was just hot
enough combined with the smoke that I was really getting dehydrated
fast. I though that I'd be fine to storm up the mountain and back,
but I usually ran Mount Helena during the days of good air and in the
cool of the evening. So, I ended up not having as much leg strength
as I expected and doing the uphill climb much weaker than I expected.
So, overall, I was ever so slightly disappointed in my performance,
but think that I've got a decent amount of time to get ready to do
straight uphill hiking, probably with a sweet ballistic vest for
weight.
Overall: 1.52mi, 29:31.84 1378 feet of
ascent.
For the second part, we ended up doing
a cool part of Mount Ascension that I never had experienced before.
There's a really nifty trail off of Lime Kiln that meets up with the
saddle, and is in amazing shape. There's something about running
fresh, rather than beaten trail that just softens up the body. I
decided to carry both handhelds, not because I was super worried
about water, but rather because I was worried about having something
to take the rocks when the inevitable slings and arrows of misfortune
call. I ended up getting a bunch of water on two nifty gals on the
trolley, which made me feel super sheepish. Also, I ended up using
quite a bit of arm to keep stable while standing on the trolley (this
will be important). I did a nice .67 mile warm up with the fast
crowd, which felt really good. I feel the importance of warming up,
I just usually fail at it. It's probably better to get a nice,
leisurely, mile in before the starting line, especially as today's
athletes are so gelled up that calories aren't an issue for distance
races.
There was quite the spring at the
start, since there was only about a quarter of a mile before hitting
the singletrack trail. I ended up being further back than I wanted,
so I got to do the strange hill passing thing. The problem is that
passing is difficult, and there are three parts, uphill, downhill,
and flat, where certain people are faster. I did get some sweet
assistance from my fellow runners when the tree took out my hat. So,
I spent most of the first part passing the galloping horses of the
first section, and then once we hit the new trail that wraps around
the North part of Mount Ascension running with the crew. I did pass
of the lovely ladies on the 2006 switchbacks, and got passed once we
hit Little Moab. In fact, I did see one of the lamer things on the
day, where one lovely lady with headphones was basically blocking the
same gal who cruised by me. I was almost frustrated, as it was on a
downhill technical section, and its dangerous not to let people pass
on those sections. I don't know if it's bad karma, or bad racing,
but headphone girl ended up slipping on the Moab rocks, which my
strong New Balance Minimus Trails held strong. Love that downhill
grip!
There was a cool uphill part on
Acropolis where I realized that I was pretty much set in where I
would finish, so I enjoyed 30 fine seconds of walking the uphill
before settling into the final stretch. It was a good rest, since my
legs basically had nothing left, and I'd just been running on
technical downhill skill. Plus, I was really low on calories, but I
didn't have the opportunity to Gel up.
Vital Stats: 3,48 miles, 29:53.43,
total ascent 503 feet and decent of 1587 feet.
The most race food and festivities
were mostly cool. The Pearl Izumi rep was really nice, even if the
shoes were way tight on me (foot swell, and general tightness).
Plus, they have a lot of midsole, and I run in Minimus and Trail
Gloves. It's too bad, although I hear that Izumi is going to do the
Hoka One One route (which my local running store needs to carry
before I try a pair at Runners Edge and have a spare $160). Inov8
had stuff more my style, but the rep was actually a real jerk, who
seemed to have no interest in me, but had interest in the gal and her
hipster (trucker hat and torn off jean shorts / plaid flannel wearing
hipster) boyfriend. So, I'm not buying anything from Inov8, since
they have really bad reps. Take that Google sentiment!
I did manage to come in first in my
race division, which was a good feeling, even if there probably
weren't a lot of people in it. I did run much faster than all the
people who stayed home. I got some cool compression socks for it,
although I think I'd like the bragaddocio of having a cool medal to
go along with it.
I was asked by the race director if it
would be cool to make a running weekend of it. I completely agree.
Maybe a running movie on Friday along with a casual beer run and a
cool running workshop with someone would be a good thing. There's
talk of adding a long Sunday race to go along with it. There's some
cool things that can be done with that, such as doing the Centennial
trail (which could make a sweet out and back) or bringing back the
The only that I actually question is
if the race needed to give prize money to the winners. I suspect
most of the people who ran did so because they wanted to do the race,
rather than because they needed / wanted the money. One option,
which might be worth considering, would be to divvy up the money for
the local running clubs and let people represent those. It's far
enough from the Montana Cup, and I suspect that the first time the
Bozeman runners come up and take $1500 for Bozeman will get all the
Helena runners going strong. I didn't seem to bring out the elite
runners the way the Icebreaker does. As the race gets bigger,
splitting up the crowd on the singletrack is going to be a real
issue. Adding another mile before hitting the singletrack would
probably do a decent job, without being unfair to anyone. Wave start
may or may not be a good option, although doing starting times based
on a set of qualifying races might be worthwhile.
So, next year, y'all should do the
series. It's awesome, the people are awesome, the swag is awesome,
the post race food and beer is awesome.
Saturday, September 15, 2012
Racing For Fun And Profit
Today, I volunteered at the Mount Helena Classic, a fine tradition put on by the local running club. I got a nifty shirt, hung out with a cool friend, and otherwise enjoyed myself. I was happy to put in my time, seeing as how I’ve done a pile of races, and wanted a chance to help put one of these on. Plus, I’m a veteran crossing guard, even if race directors won’t give me the proper tool for the job.
The Mount Helena Classic probably breaks even, and might make a bit of money for the local running club. I was glad to spend my time helping out. Most races hopefully break even, make some money for the group putting it on and a bit of money for a cool local charity.
At a run that I did, which I will keep confidential, I was talking with one of the members of the board of directors about putting on such an event. Even with thousands of entries (which were not entirely cheap), him and the rest of the board of directors ended up chipping in a few grand each year to help out the sponsor charity. He was the kind of guy who had a few grand to chip in, and was glad to raise awareness for what they did. I just thought it was interesting how $250,000 in entry fees get eaten up by expenses.
The point that I’m making is that I fundamentally view running as a non-profit event. I pay entry fees, those entry fees get split behind a combination of a charity and running club. The race directors here in Helena work way too hard, put up with way too much junk, and don’t really make any money off of their events.
Today, I saw an advertisement for a ‘warrior dash’ (name changed to prevent promotion of a blatantly commercial project). They wanted $60 in early entry fees, along with $20 for money to go to 'hurricane victims.’ They also had a volunteer sign up.
This is where I really start to get annoyed with the whole she-bang. The Missoula Marathon had 500 volunteers. Assuming the average volunteer put in four hours, and makes ten bucks an hour, it’s $20,000 in free labor of the cause. And, I think, everyone can agree that the Missoula Marathon is a worthy cause, as is Run Wild Missoula.
On the other hand, a commercial race would simply pocket that labor as additional profit for the race organizer. Events like the popular Rock And Roll marathon series (link not given, to avoid promoting commercial crap) draw thousands of competitors and spectators. Yet, those events exist only to draw money for some corporation called Competitor, Inc.
And, going back to the theme of this article, I’d be fine if these events simply came out and entirely talked about what they did. Maybe a commercial racing company has tastier gel, softer asphalt, or better post-race massage. I’m not sure it would draw me away from hanging out with a cool bunch of Vigilantes. But, calling anyone working to promote and help a strictly commercial enterprise is pure bullshit. General Motors doesn’t have volunteers, it has workers, which it pays. Even in the healthcare section, profits and non-profits compete. But, at the end of the day, the for-profits have to provide the value paid for by consumers’ wallets, not volunteers hearts.
Monday, September 3, 2012
New Balance Minimus Trail Review
I've decided to branch out to the
exciting world of gear reviews. So, all you awesome running
companies, send me piles of junk and I'll figure out a way to review
it, and I'll look cool wearing it. Plus, unlike those losers in the
front of the race, I'm always cheering with spectators and waving to
people, which is way more important than actually winning these
events.
On a trip to my local
gun store, I found the New
Balance Minimus Trail in 10 on sale for around $79. I already had
the Minimus Zero in 9.5, which I really liked, but had major problems
with feet getting pounded and the top has started to come undone.
Likewise, my year old Trail Gloves in 9 are nice, but I know that I
really do need to move up to the 9.5 as a standard. I had already
been wanting to consider something in a 10, mainly for doing longer
races when I know the feet will expand.
The Minimus Trail has a lot more foot
protection than either the Trail Glove or Zero. The Vibram outsole
is hard, but there's otherwise minimal padding. I'm hoping that it
will hit the rocks a bit better than the super soft options that I've
been wearing to this point.
Likewise, the shoe has good heal to
arch fit, which is what I've been looking for. I've realized that
I'm going to need to allow for more toe splay on the longer runs, as
the toes swell up over distance.
I took the Trails out for a road run
last night, to start the breaking in process. I didn't get the usual
sole beatings that I get with most minimal shoes, but still felt
plenty of ground contact. My only real complaint is that there was a
bit of slide around the left big toe that would have started to
blister. I'm not sure how much of that is due to shoe newness, how
much is due to sock newness, and how much is due to general foot wear
and tear. I think I'll take blisters over sole beatings at this
point.
I would recommend the Minimus Trail
for people who want an introduction to low-padding running, but don't
feel ready to feel the feet pounding of the more minimal cousins.
Trust me, once you hit that first rock, you'll be glad to be wearing
shoes with hard, rather than soft, sole.
Big Dipper Last Chance Half Marathon
I missed this one last year, and
really ended up regretting it. I did a run up Great Falls way with
the ever annoying Lucy Helena, whose favorite pasttime was making me
late for races so I couldn't get stretched out properly, and arguing
with me about what to wear for races. However, no such problems this
time, as I get to pick up the packet at Tread
Lightly, and get ready for the Big
Dipper Last Chance Half Marathon. I see that the shirts are way
cool Sporthill shirts (everyone is ordering those these days), and I
get the standard Hammer
Nutrition pamphlets. I also get another Hammer gel to add to my
collection, which is currently flush with little gel packets to open
up and goo out during races.
We start over at the edge of Le Grand
Cannon, on the traily part. I see Scott is doing this race, and I'm
talking with his friend Chris before it starts. As the race starts,
I see Scott come running back toward the starting line. The RD
decided to give us all a few early minutes, which caught Scott
unprepared. I'm having a tricky time getting paced out on the
starting part, especially as the trail is hammering my feet in the
trail
gloves. Those are the worst shoes for trying to tackle gravel.
Big rocks they can handle (or I can avoid), but there's nothing to be
done about those piles of killer little pebbles. I'm not feeling
fast, but I am going fast. I'm a bit behind a triathlete who is
doing a warm up half marathon. I also am behind two girls with
hypnotizing ponytails on the Le Grand Cannon asphalt path. Y'all
know me, I'm obsessed with hair.
We head down from the Le Grand Cannon
trail into the mansion district, where I get to 'wooooooo' at the
high school cross county volunteers. Y'all rock volunteers. There's
some nasty up and downhilling, and some awesome aid stationing
provided by Debbie's family. I'm still getting myself established
before hitting Park.
Once we hit Park, the officer is nice
enough to keep traffic stopped, and we begin a long uphill. There's
a three mile steady hill climb past Unionville that we all know
about, and get to deal with in our own ways. I keep at a steady
pace, and slowly start passing through the pack. At some point,
along Rodney Ridge, I remember passing someone at at 12:00 min / mile
pace, which is normally going molasses speed. Yeah, there's nothing
quite like slow speed passing, even when giving flatout effort. I
eventually reach Unionville, where I start to run into the race
leaders coming back from the turnaround. I like turnarounds, they
remind me that I'm doing the same event as faster runners. Once we
get past Unionville, I know that I've got roughly a mile to go before
getting away from the uphill hell and back downhill. I see Scott at
roughly a tenth of a mile from the turnaround, so I figure I might
have a good shot hitting him on the downhill. I high five the
volunteers at the turnaround, deal with the last part of the hill,
and change gears for a downhill run.
As I'm hitting the downhill, I realize
that I'm not going to pass anyone. Actually, I do pass one guy who
was two gals for a support crew and is getting his photo taken. I'm
not going to pass Scott, and that's all that matters. I end up
getting passed by a gal who comes out of nowhere and is flying down
the course as the course makes it way back to the city limits. I
also get to deal with staying on course, which is hard when I'm used
to running a section in a certain way. I manage to stumble my way
across the finish line, which is cool, and actually feel good doing
it,
Garmin stats: 13.10 miles, 1:55:15.97,
1552 feet ascent, 1727 feet descent
Zombie Escape Run Review
I have absolutely no idea how to
classify a zombie escape run. There's not really anything cool for
finishing first. In fact, it was part of my plan not to finish
first, but then again, plans aren't that important.
The goal of the zombie escape run was
to not get mauled by people dressed as zombies, which jogging through
a 5k course. This is a major pain, as the zombies have been standing
around, while I've been sprinting around. Nonetheless, I got dressed
up, worse some flags, and spent five bucks to have some extra flags.
We get to run around the fairgrounds.
There's some obstacles along the
course, which were actually somewhat pointless. I think they existed
mainly to keep the runners from getting in nice bunches, which would
make it harder for the zombies to do their thing. I fondly remember
seeing a fox after the first water station, which adds to the cool
wildlife theory of running. Actually, the waterslide obstacle was
cool, even if I am not that good at doing waterslides. There's
something about taking big running leaps that is really hard, since
runners are not usually natural leapers.
The one reason why this ended up being
insanely difficult is that it was a combination of jogging and
sprinting to avoid people trying to grab me, which actually does get
old somewhere in the first two clicks. Being near the front of the
pack is inviting trouble, and really gets to be a drag. I have to
give respect to the other cool zombie who grabbed my flag from behind
at the end of a section, right when I slowed down too soon. That was
awesome.
So, anyway, I did the event, and it
actually was pretty fun. I wouldn't brag about it being the most
awesome 5k ever, still don't know what I feel about obstacle style
racing (here's a hint, physical fitness isn't a prerequisite, and
doesn't help to win) but found it a change-up from the usual racing.
The trail series runners had to deal with a bear, so I'm taking
coolness points for avoiding dealing with avoiding the bear.
August 18, 2012
An Ri Ra Race Review
An Ri Ra Race Review
I end up being forced to deal with
getting my mom registered for this one, along with my own
registration. Yes, nothing gets me riled up like people who expect
me not only to pay for things that they do, but also to make sure
that they get done, but I didn't do enough of a job to get out of
this one. So, I get there nice and early, pick up packet (shirts
aren't as cool as last year's, weaker design and fabric) and ask when
the buses to the starting line leave. I'm told 8:30, so I don't take
the time to take personal break and get otherwise prepared. We roll
out at 9:00. No big deal.
The straight line from Emma Park to
the starting line is less than a mile away. Unlike last year, we
start a bit further back on the road, and get to hit the trail,
rather than deal with a strange loop out. I like this aspect of the
course, although it is a bit strange to start with an uphill. The
course starts above Butte, goes past three or four headers along
asphalt trail looping toward MT Tech, and actually jaunts around town
and through downtown at the end. I talk with a guy about the Memphis
Marathon (sounds cool, but it sells out way too early, since it's a
wintertime marathon and registration was full when I checked) and
settle myself near the back of the pack.
I had absolutely no idea how to
situate myself for this race. I usually do well on downhill, but
still had all the tired legs and sore feet from having done the 50k a
week before. On the other hand, I always like getting races done
with. I end up going hard on the initial downhill, and passing a
bunch of people along the way. It ends up being tricky, just because
the course is narrow and there is enough weave to make racing lines
matter. I'm still feeling awesome when we hit Tech's campus, which
is where the downhill really starts to level out.
I'm suffering the great problem of
most races on tired legs, which is that I've got no power on the
uphill sections. So, I'm really struggling to get uphill. On the
other hand, I'm inspired by running alongside a cool guy with a
double baby jogger. He's got bigger uphill / downhill swings than I
do. We hit a huge uphill in downtown Butte, and I manage to crest it
while still being alive. After that, the race course gets a bit
tricky to follow (lots of turns at the last part, and traffic to deal
with), and I end up getting passed by someone who looks young enough
to be in my age group. I end up getting passed by a fresh legged
Kenny Romaine, which does bother me. Punk youth and their fresh
legs.
So, at the award ceremony, I get
announced as finishing second overall, in the women's division.
Yeah, something strange happened there. I check the final, final
results, and see I managed to take second in my division, which
probably won't be happening again for a long time, since I'm moving
in the guys who know what they are doing, but still have to work age
group. And, despite the great overall descent, it isn't enough to
make this a fast course, just the easiest possible course in hilly
Butte.
Garmin Stats: 6.11 mi, 46:05, ascent
404, descent 954 August 11, 2012
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