Thread about Running

[WhatTheHeel?]

Well, my UTMB experience didn't go so well. I picked up a bad cold a few days before the race and didn't have the steam to pull it off. I got to mile 50 and was legitimately worried I might push myself into pneumonia. It is a HARD course though. How they run that in 20ish hours is inconceivable. My goal was 36 (before my cold) and now I wonder if I ever had a shot at that. It took me about 15.5 hours to do 50, though some was due to the fact that I was always stuck in a group on a narrow trail with little room to pass.

I think I will try again, possibly without all the vacationing beforehand.

Walmsley was the only one I saw around town before the race.

 

[uncboy10]

Well, my UTMB experience didn't go so well. I picked up a bad cold a few days before the race and didn't have the steam to pull it off. I got to mile 50 and was legitimately worried I might push myself into pneumonia. It is a HARD course though. How they run that in 20ish hours is inconceivable. My goal was 36 (before my cold) and now I wonder if I ever had a shot at that. It took me about 15.5 hours to do 50, though some was due to the fact that I was always stuck in a group on a narrow trail with little room to pass.

I think I will try again, possibly without all the vacationing beforehand.

Walmsley was the only one I saw around town before the race.

Sounds like you weren’t the only one. Several elite runners dropped to shorter distances because of colds.

I’m sorry to hear that though. But the great thing about this sport is that you still did something that 99% of the human population couldn’t do. 50 miles on the UTMB course is one hell of an accomplishment. I’m sure you’ll be back to Chamonix to get that finish before ya know it.

 

[uncboy10]

 

[WhatTheHeel?]

Sounds like you weren’t the only one. Several elite runners dropped to shorter distances because of colds.

I’m sorry to hear that though. But the great thing about this sport is that you still did something that 99% of the human population couldn’t do. 50 miles on the UTMB course is one hell of an accomplishment. I’m sure you’ll be back to Chamonix to get that finish before ya know it.

I knew a lot of the elites had dropped but did not know why. The post-race coverage acted as if the weather was really bad but I didn't think so (unless there were issues on the course the second night, when I was out of it.)

Once daylight came, and I could see the Alps (I was in a fairly remote area at the time) I kind of didn't want to run anyway. I just wanted to sit there and look.

 

[uncboy10]

 

[Heelicious]

I leave from Minnesota to Berlin this evening, I get there about 2PM Berlin time Thursday. I run the Berlin full marathon on Sunday at 9:15 AM. Berlin is one of six Abbott World Major Marathons and will be my third (I've run Boston and Chicago) - then I have NYC in seven weeks, and London next spring. Only Tokyo will remain.

I think Berlin has about 45,000 runners. It is a fast course - flat - where the current (and many past) marathon world records are set. Eliud Kipchoge is running this year. He currently is the fastest recent marathoner in the world. The weather seems to be forecast somewhat cool around 55-65 degrees F for race time , so it may set up for a good day for him (and me)

I have a goal of running all 6 majors in under a 3:20 finish time. So far so good.

Berlin Marathon is usually end of September, aligning with prime Oktoberfest timing in Munich and throughout Germany. They had to move the race earlier this year by a couple weeks, but there will still be some lesser Oktoberfest activities, including in Berlin. I will report back on how it goes.

 

[WhatTheHeel?]

I leave from Minnesota to Berlin this evening, I get there about 2PM Berlin time Thursday. I run the Berlin full marathon on Sunday at 9:15 AM. Berlin is one of six Abbott World Major Marathons and will be my third (I've run Boston and Chicago) - then I have NYC in seven weeks, and London next spring. Only Tokyo will remain.

I think Berlin has about 45,000 runners. It is a fast course - flat - where the current (and many past) marathon world records are set. Eliud Kipchoge is running this year. He currently is the fastest recent marathoner in the world. The weather seems to be forecast somewhat cool around 55-65 degrees F for race time , so it may set up for a good day for him (and me)

I have a goal of running all 6 majors in under a 3:20 finish time. So far so good.

Berlin Marathon is usually end of September, aligning with prime Oktoberfest timing in Munich and throughout Germany. They had to move the race earlier this year by a couple weeks, but there will still be some lesser Oktoberfest activities, including in Berlin. I will report back on how it goes.

Good luck. I hear it's a fast course. That's a lot of people to dodge though.

 

[uncboy10]

I leave from Minnesota to Berlin this evening, I get there about 2PM Berlin time Thursday. I run the Berlin full marathon on Sunday at 9:15 AM. Berlin is one of six Abbott World Major Marathons and will be my third (I've run Boston and Chicago) - then I have NYC in seven weeks, and London next spring. Only Tokyo will remain.

I think Berlin has about 45,000 runners. It is a fast course - flat - where the current (and many past) marathon world records are set. Eliud Kipchoge is running this year. He currently is the fastest recent marathoner in the world. The weather seems to be forecast somewhat cool around 55-65 degrees F for race time , so it may set up for a good day for him (and me)

I have a goal of running all 6 majors in under a 3:20 finish time. So far so good.

Berlin Marathon is usually end of September, aligning with prime Oktoberfest timing in Munich and throughout Germany. They had to move the race earlier this year by a couple weeks, but there will still be some lesser Oktoberfest activities, including in Berlin. I will report back on how it goes.

Get some!!! That's awesome man, good luck! Go run down Kipchoge Definitely want to hear your race report after you crush that sub 3:20!

It will be interesting to see if EK goes after the world record or just races for the win. He's already proven he can run a world record pace under optimal conditions. IMO he's the greatest marathoner of all-time

 

[WhatTheHeel?]

Get some!!! That's awesome man, good luck! Go run down Kipchoge Definitely want to hear your race report after you crush that sub 3:20!

It will be interesting to see if EK goes after the world record or just races for the win. He's already proven he can run a world record pace under optimal conditions. IMO he's the greatest marathoner of all-time

Here's your answer...

Marathon Record Set in Berlin

 

[uncboy10]

Here's your answer...

Marathon Record Set in Berlin

What a beast... the dude is a freak. Probably on PEDs but that’s still insane

 

[gteeitup]

What a beast... the dude is a freak. Probably on PEDs but that’s still insane

incredible

 

[Heelicious]

Get some!!! That's awesome man, good luck! Go run down Kipchoge Definitely want to hear your race report after you crush that sub 3:20!

It will be interesting to see if EK goes after the world record or just races for the win. He's already proven he can run a world record pace under optimal conditions. IMO he's the greatest marathoner of all-time

This race was so exciting! ....mostly to say I was on the course at same time the new world record was set: 2:01:38 (or 39). Still is amazing to me how fast EK runs, and how effortless and easy he makes it look when he's running - surely he is a superior species to me in terms of running!

EK is without a doubt it seems the best marathoner of all time. I believe he's won 10 of 11 marathons he's competed in, now holds the world record, won last Olympic Gold, and has won at Berlin 3 times. His face / was engraved on the back of everyone's finisher medal, which I've never seen before.... sort of odd.

For me, it was a different sort of day. First half marathon was okay, second half fell apart pretty bad due to heat and maybe dehydration and possibly some sort of cold or sickness. I ran second half about a minute per mile slower than first half (7:24 / 8:35)
Anyway - ended with a 3:34 which was OK but well below what I had trained for and hoped for.

Not sure what played into it: long travel and time zone / sleep difference (7 hours for me); the fact they had something called Beetster on the course (not Gatorade or PowerAde) - I didn't drink any of it on the course, since I wasn't familiar with it. Good thing I guess, because after the race at the finish line I drank a couple glasses, and within 5 minutes I "burped up" everything that was in my stomach. Had such severe cramps and dehydration too, after race. Not pretty.

I don't offer those as excuses though - my time is my time, period..... everyone ran the same course - about half the people I knew had good days, but I was amazed at how many said they were ill or had severe cramps or heat exhaustion during or after the race.

But Berlin is a great, beautiful city, and the people are nice, and the volunteers, etc put on a good race.

As someone said above: 40,000+ people are a lot to navigate in a race.... even though I was in the 4th corral of the starting wave, there still were a couple thousand people in front of me, and there is a lot of jostling, pushing, etc. It doesn't really open up much for the first 6 or 7 miles.

I'm starting to think that no world major is a good target for a good time just because of the number of people to navigate - unless you're out front like the elites / EK.

I will remain confident, but adjust my expectations for NYC marathon in 7 weeks. I needed humbling as a runner I think, and Berlin definitely did that for / to me last Sunday. Bigly.

 

[uncboy10]

This race was so exciting! ....mostly to say I was on the course at same time the new world record was set: 2:01:38 (or 39). Still is amazing to me how fast EK runs, and how effortless and easy he makes it look when he's running - surely he is a superior species to me in terms of running!

EK is without a doubt it seems the best marathoner of all time. I believe he's won 10 of 11 marathons he's competed in, now holds the world record, won last Olympic Gold, and has won at Berlin 3 times. His face / was engraved on the back of everyone's finisher medal, which I've never seen before.... sort of odd.

For me, it was a different sort of day. First half marathon was okay, second half fell apart pretty bad due to heat and maybe dehydration and possibly some sort of cold or sickness. I ran second half about a minute per mile slower than first half (7:24 / 8:35)
Anyway - ended with a 3:34 which was OK but well below what I had trained for and hoped for.

Not sure what played into it: long travel and time zone / sleep difference (7 hours for me); the fact they had something called Beetster on the course (not Gatorade or PowerAde) - I didn't drink any of it on the course, since I wasn't familiar with it. Good thing I guess, because after the race at the finish line I drank a couple glasses, and within 5 minutes I "burped up" everything that was in my stomach. Had such severe cramps and dehydration too, after race. Not pretty.

I don't offer those as excuses though - my time is my time, period..... everyone ran the same course - about half the people I knew had good days, but I was amazed at how many said they were ill or had severe cramps or heat exhaustion during or after the race.

But Berlin is a great, beautiful city, and the people are nice, and the volunteers, etc put on a good race.

As someone said above: 40,000+ people are a lot to navigate in a race.... even though I was in the 4th corral of the starting wave, there still were a couple thousand people in front of me, and there is a lot of jostling, pushing, etc. It doesn't really open up much for the first 6 or 7 miles.

I'm starting to think that no world major is a good target for a good time just because of the number of people to navigate - unless you're out front like the elites / EK.

I will remain confident, but adjust my expectations for NYC marathon in 7 weeks. I needed humbling as a runner I think, and Berlin definitely did that for / to me last Sunday. Bigly.

Fueling can be a challenge even for the elites. Not getting it right isn't an excuse, its a perfectly legitimate thing to bring up when you don't hit your goal time. Maybe it was a salt issue and your body wasn't retaining water?... 3:34 is still a really good time. Lots of people would be thrilled with that. But like you said, a humbling race is always a good learning experience. And you can still build off of that training for NY

Kipchoge is definitely a different species. I don't think I could run a single mile at his marathon pace...

 

[WhatTheHeel?]

This race was so exciting! ....mostly to say I was on the course at same time the new world record was set: 2:01:38 (or 39). Still is amazing to me how fast EK runs, and how effortless and easy he makes it look when he's running - surely he is a superior species to me in terms of running!

EK is without a doubt it seems the best marathoner of all time. I believe he's won 10 of 11 marathons he's competed in, now holds the world record, won last Olympic Gold, and has won at Berlin 3 times. His face / was engraved on the back of everyone's finisher medal, which I've never seen before.... sort of odd.

For me, it was a different sort of day. First half marathon was okay, second half fell apart pretty bad due to heat and maybe dehydration and possibly some sort of cold or sickness. I ran second half about a minute per mile slower than first half (7:24 / 8:35)
Anyway - ended with a 3:34 which was OK but well below what I had trained for and hoped for.

Not sure what played into it: long travel and time zone / sleep difference (7 hours for me); the fact they had something called Beetster on the course (not Gatorade or PowerAde) - I didn't drink any of it on the course, since I wasn't familiar with it. Good thing I guess, because after the race at the finish line I drank a couple glasses, and within 5 minutes I "burped up" everything that was in my stomach. Had such severe cramps and dehydration too, after race. Not pretty.

I don't offer those as excuses though - my time is my time, period..... everyone ran the same course - about half the people I knew had good days, but I was amazed at how many said they were ill or had severe cramps or heat exhaustion during or after the race.

But Berlin is a great, beautiful city, and the people are nice, and the volunteers, etc put on a good race.

As someone said above: 40,000+ people are a lot to navigate in a race.... even though I was in the 4th corral of the starting wave, there still were a couple thousand people in front of me, and there is a lot of jostling, pushing, etc. It doesn't really open up much for the first 6 or 7 miles.

I'm starting to think that no world major is a good target for a good time just because of the number of people to navigate - unless you're out front like the elites / EK.

I will remain confident, but adjust my expectations for NYC marathon in 7 weeks. I needed humbling as a runner I think, and Berlin definitely did that for / to me last Sunday. Bigly.

I know you've done this long enough to know this, but some days the stars just don't align. And the time shift almost certainly was a factor. Everybody is different, but I run every distance up to a marathon carrying a bottle (it's a pack for anything longer) and use Tailwind. It's not as sweet as Gatorade and seems to work better for me. No stomach/GI issues later on. I also pop S-caps electrolytes every hour or two if it is really hot. I've qualified for but never run Boston. However, I've spoken to people who have and they say requalifying there is challenging for the crowd reason. You spend a lot of energy (mental and physical) just dodging, passing, etc...

Surely New York will be cooler for you, though certainly no less crowded. And they certainly won't have "Beetster." That sounds awful. Is it beets? I think you had a good time considering everything you faced and you knocked another one off your list!

 

[uncboy10]

Have you guys seen Kipchoge's workout regimen? This is insane

http://www.sweatelite.co/eliud-kipchoge-full-training-log-leading-marathon-world-record-attempt/

 

[gteeitup]

Have you guys seen Kipchoge's workout regimen? This is insane

http://www.sweatelite.co/eliud-kipchoge-full-training-log-leading-marathon-world-record-attempt/

dude

 

[uncboy10]

dude

My thoughts exactly. Its hilarious to me that a 40 minute 10K is an "easy" effort for him. That's a little over 6 minute per mile pace.

 

[Heelicious]

I know you've done this long enough to know this, but some days the stars just don't align. And the time shift almost certainly was a factor. Everybody is different, but I run every distance up to a marathon carrying a bottle (it's a pack for anything longer) and use Tailwind. It's not as sweet as Gatorade and seems to work better for me. No stomach/GI issues later on. I also pop S-caps electrolytes every hour or two if it is really hot. I've qualified for but never run Boston. However, I've spoken to people who have and they say requalifying there is challenging for the crowd reason. You spend a lot of energy (mental and physical) just dodging, passing, etc...

Surely New York will be cooler for you, though certainly no less crowded. And they certainly won't have "Beetster." That sounds awful. Is it beets? I think you had a good time considering everything you faced and you knocked another one off your list!

WTH and UNCBOY10 -
Thanks for your comments. Yes, the second ingredient in Beetster (after sucrose (sugar)) - is beet root extract. But everything else seems pretty normal: green tea extract, grape skin extract, etc. Doesn't seem like beets should make a person ill.

Thanks for the tip on Tailwind: it looks like a very good option, especially for use if carrying my own fuel. I do know I need to find a way to take salt tablets (s-tab electrolytes?) more in the future, I have suffered heat exhaustion often from times when I was a kid out on the farm. I perspire way too much and its a struggle keeping salt and mineral levels up during a race.

I enjoyed the dragon pic. In Berlin there are statues of bears everywhere, like a city mascot. After the race, I thought: "some days you get the bear, some days the bear gets you. Last Sunday the bear got me." But in some weird way, I feel less pressure now - I think I put a lot of pressure on myself to run fast at Berlin. I feel relieved with lowered, more realistic expectations for NYC. I've already heard frequently just how crowded it is.

I did qualify for 2019 Boston at both Chicago 2017 and at Boston 2018, by 14 and 11 minutes respectively, but did not sign up to run it this spring. Instead I am signed up to do London 2019 two weeks after Boston. Its too close IMO to run both well.

Thanks again for sharing the nice comments, the EK info, and the nutrition info. Happy pain-free running wishes to all of you!

 

[Heelicious]

Have you guys seen Kipchoge's workout regimen? This is insane

http://www.sweatelite.co/eliud-kipchoge-full-training-log-leading-marathon-world-record-attempt/

You're right. This does seem insane. I was looking through it for some off days. There are none. Then look for down days. There are none - unless you consider an occasional 20K (12.5 miles) a "down day".

And all the paces for even long runs are crazy. Almost all of it seems under 6 minute miles.

Looked like about 30 miles a day (210 miles a week). That seems like a heavy load to be running, week after week (not just peak week), even for elites.

Most people I consider to be VERY FAST (in their age group or overall) that are still amateurs, might be able to achieve between 6:00-6:30 per mile over a marathon.....

EK averaged like 4:39-4:40 per mile for the entire race last Sunday. That is just unbelievable, especially when you think that at one point in time, running ONE 4-minute mile seemed like a nearly unreachable goal. And he strings 26+ 4:40's together. Even if my body was possessed, I couldn't get my legs to do one mile at that pace.

 

[uncboy10]

You're right. This does seem insane. I was looking through it for some off days. There are none. Then look for down days. There are none - unless you consider an occasional 20K (12.5 miles) a "down day".

And all the paces for even long runs are crazy. Almost all of it seems under 6 minute miles.

Looked like about 30 miles a day (210 miles a week). That seems like a heavy load to be running, week after week (not just peak week), even for elites.

Most people I consider to be VERY FAST (in their age group or overall) that are still amateurs, might be able to achieve between 6:00-6:30 per mile over a marathon.....

EK averaged like 4:39-4:40 per mile for the entire race last Sunday. That is just unbelievable, especially when you think that at one point in time, running ONE 4-minute mile seemed like a nearly unreachable goal. And he strings 26+ 4:40's together. Even if my body was possessed, I couldn't get my legs to do one mile at that pace.

EPO is a helluva drug lol

I hate to be the negative guy, considering Kipchoge is pretty much universally loved by runners because of his awesome attitude. But I have zero faith that any of the super elite endurance athletes are clean. It’s just too easy to get away with doping.

 

[uncboy10]

 

[gteeitup]

so i ran this virtual 5k yesterday on strava...that went fine, although slow, then walked the dog after changing into different shoes.

the problem now is i can’t put any walking weight on my left foot; i can stand, and it’s a dull pain, but walking is sharp pain...no pain icing or just sitting down.

it didn’t give me any issues during or immediately afterward...literally an hour later after i put flip flops on.

wtf!?!?!?!?!?

 

[uncboy10]

so i ran this virtual 5k yesterday on strava...that went fine, although slow, then walked the dog after changing into different shoes.

the problem now is i can’t put any walking weight on my left foot; i can stand, and it’s a dull pain, but walking is sharp pain...no pain icing or just sitting down.

it didn’t give me any issues during or immediately afterward...literally an hour later after i put flip flops on.

wtf!?!?!?!?!?

Top of the foot or bottom? Or just throbbing through the whole thing?

 

[gteeitup]

Top of the foot or bottom? Or just throbbing through the whole thing?

bottom...left side of left foot toward heel...if you move your finger from toe to heel along the bottom/side, it starts where the bone ends.

 

[uncboy10]

bottom...left side of left foot toward heel...if you move your finger from toe to heel along the bottom/side, it starts where the bone ends.

Usually pain on the bottom of the foot is plantar fasciitis. Did you run it hard? It’s pretty easy to tweak something when you’re pushing hard

 

[TarHeelMark]

Could be any number of things but plantar fasciitis is very common for runners. I'm not a runner but I've dealt with it for years, and sometimes it can flare up and hurt like a mother. If you have it, and take some precautionary measures, you can probably get it under control pretty quickly. You can goggle up some stretching exercises that will help, plus icing it to reduce inflammation. Or you can always get a cortisone shot; that didn't help me but most people that catch PF early it will help. Good Luck.

 

[gteeitup]

i feel like my previous experience with that was on the bottom of my foot, but toward my toes.

this is bottom, outside, toward heel.

thanks for the replies.

 

[uncboy10]

 

[Heelicious]

i feel like my previous experience with that was on the bottom of my foot, but toward my toes.

this is bottom, outside, toward heel.

thanks for the replies.

Gteeitup - I agree with all here who say it sounds like plantar fasciitis. I've had it a couple times and I'd say it lasted a few months (6-12 months) both times. BUT - I was stubborn in "running through it" (not smart, not fun, not pleasant) both times because I had a lot of races on the schedule. So if you take time off and do things to treat it I believe the recovery can be much shorter.

It is caused by the muscle / band from your midfoot that stretches back to your heel / Achilles, contracting and becoming tight. Not having your foot bent at a 90 degree angle often enough. Especially when sleeping, that's why it hurts most upon getting up in the morning. Most have found that heel striking when running inflames it as well. Generally impacts people most once they get up to 40 yo and beyond.

Here are just some things that have worked well for me and others in recovering.
icing: I froze a water bottle or Gatorade bottle (single serve size) and would roll it under my foot while watching TV.
Boot at night: you can wear a strausberg sock or a hard plastic boot type device when sleeping to keep your foot at a 90 degree bend. It can take some getting used to, to where these at night, but I've found them to be quite helpful.
I also rolled a squishy dryer ball or some other sort of massage ball or device under my foot at work.
Would also manually stretch my foot with my hands or leaning against a wall.

Finally.... the last time I had PF I was so fed up and discouraged and worn out about it, I bought this book called chi running by a very accomplished runner named Danny Dreyer. He's made a big business out of chi running, and puts on clinics, etc in cities. And people can become certified chi runner teachers.

Anyway - I read his book and watched his DVDs and bought into almost all he had to say - as a way to avoid PF and many other run injuries ongoing. Basic themes are:
- change run method from heel striker to midfoot striker, directly underneath your body. This puts a lot less stress and pain and work on your feet and all your joints. If you see most elites, they run this way.
- get foot stikes per minute up to around 180 steps per minute. this shortens your stride and forces more of a midfoot strike. He even advocates wearing a very small metronome to help you with the steps per minute pacing. I've worn it and I like it a lot. It has helped a lot. I even wear it during some races, which helps keep my cadence up late in races.
- leaning forward from ankles so your weight is in front of you - like keeping from falling over forward....vs. with your weight behind your feet and dragging all your weight across your feet each step. This is a lot more work and energy exerted, than the lean forward technique.

OK - that's a lot of info. Maybe too much. But maybe some of it is helpful. Best wishes!

 

[uncboy10]

 

[gteeitup]

thanks @Heelicious and others for the info...i did a lot of those rehab techniques and it’s helped...the tennis ball underneath with ice has worked wonders so far...took two weeks off, but plan on ramping it up this week during thanksgiving break.

 

[WhatTheHeel?]

thanks @Heelicious and others for the info...i did a lot of those rehab techniques and it’s helped...the tennis ball underneath with ice has worked wonders so far...took two weeks off, but plan on ramping it up this week during thanksgiving break.

I've known people who battled that for months. I've been fortunate in my 15 years of running to only have had it once and briefly. This may be only anecdotal, but the only people I know who've had it were those who ran more on roads/sidewalks than trails. My case was very early on, when I was mostly on a greenway.

 

[uncboy10]

 

[uncboy10]

Any big running goals for 2019? I’m planning to ramp up my mileage and attempt a 50 miler. Possibly even a 100 miler if the 50 goes well. I’ve got my eye on Pinhoti so that I could get a western states lottery qualifier

 

[UNC71-00]

I think my days of marathons are over. Gonna run the Chapel Hill 10 miler in April and probably a half in the fall.

 

[WhatTheHeel?]

I'm going to try to get all my qualifying points for 2020 UTMB. It would be a pretty aggressive year for me if I do. My biggest problem is I'm losing my training partners to injury or there just being too big a speed difference between us.

It's too late for this year, but the Georgia Death Race is a WS qualifier and it's "only" 68ish miles. It sells out pretty quickly (or maybe now it has a lottery.) It's challenging but not terribly difficult compared to some races. I think it would be relatively close to you as it's in northwestern Georgia.

I started following you on Strava after you posted one of your runs here. You've been putting down some fast miles.

 

[WhatTheHeel?]

View embedded media

The day this was announced was the day I stopped using ibuprofen. I never used it a lot, but that cut me off cold turkey.

 

[uncboy10]

I'm going to try to get all my qualifying points for 2020 UTMB. It would be a pretty aggressive year for me if I do. My biggest problem is I'm losing my training partners to injury or there just being too big a speed difference between us.

It's too late for this year, but the Georgia Death Race is a WS qualifier and it's "only" 68ish miles. It sells out pretty quickly (or maybe now it has a lottery.) It's challenging but not terribly difficult compared to some races. I think it would be relatively close to you as it's in northwestern Georgia.

I started following you on Strava after you posted one of your runs here. You've been putting down some fast miles.

Training partners are a big help. Definitely makes it easier to get out the door. I’m interested in GDR but I’m pretty sure it sold out almost immediately. It would be a fun race to try though.

Thanks. It’s a work in progress. I’ve got to rebuild my base after some knee problems.

Hopefully you can get those UTMB points though. That’s my other big bucket list race.

 

[Heelicious]

Any big running goals for 2019? I’m planning to ramp up my mileage and attempt a 50 miler. Possibly even a 100 miler if the 50 goes well. I’ve got my eye on Pinhoti so that I could get a western states lottery qualifier

That sounds awesome! Good luck!

What does acronym UTMB represent? I missed it / forget. Western States is a great goal race to try to get into.

I qualified by enough time even with new faster standards for Boston 2019 but passed on entering, because I'm dong London 2019 which is two weeks after Boston. London will be my 5th of 6 World Majors - I'm hoping to somehow get into the 6th (Tokyo) in 2020.

Other than that, mostly targeting some pretty, race-cation destination races, mostly half marathon distance, like Sedona AZ in Feb, Monterey half in November, maybe even Kiawah half which is I guess on an island?? by Charleston SC in December - somewhat close to those of you who may live around Charlotte.

Would also like to do a RAGNAR trail race this year, and also qualify for Boston 2020. I currently don't have a 2020 qualifying race. I am hella out of shape after taking seven weeks completely off to recover from back-to-back Berlin and NYC marathon - seven weeks apart last Sep & Nov. I have a long way to go to get back.

Best wishes for fast times and no injuries to all of you in 2020!

 

[WhatTheHeel?]

That sounds awesome! Good luck!

What does acronym UTMB represent? I missed it / forget. Western States is a great goal race to try to get into.

I qualified by enough time even with new faster standards for Boston 2019 but passed on entering, because I'm dong London 2019 which is two weeks after Boston. London will be my 5th of 6 World Majors - I'm hoping to somehow get into the 6th (Tokyo) in 2020.

Other than that, mostly targeting some pretty, race-cation destination races, mostly half marathon distance, like Sedona AZ in Feb, Monterey half in November, maybe even Kiawah half which is I guess on an island?? by Charleston SC in December - somewhat close to those of you who may live around Charlotte.

Would also like to do a RAGNAR trail race this year, and also qualify for Boston 2020. I currently don't have a 2020 qualifying race. I am hella out of shape after taking seven weeks completely off to recover from back-to-back Berlin and NYC marathon - seven weeks apart last Sep & Nov. I have a long way to go to get back.

Best wishes for fast times and no injuries to all of you in 2020!

UTMB = Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc. I was sick this year and DNF'd.

I don't think I've known anyone whose done all the Majors. That's a pretty neat goal.

I did Western States in 2014 and enjoyed it. As an event, it's awesome. As a course, it's just OK. It can get pretty hot in the canyons (I saw 95 on a thermometer in the shade) and there aren't a ton of epic views to keep you going. But, just being part of the historic event is pretty motivating and there's great crowd support throughout (unless you finish at 4:00 a.m. when the streets of Auburn are deserted and the stadium has only a few people around.)