1st Annual RUT Fat Ass 50K(ish) at Pontiac Lake

Had a great time running this morning with a big group of crazies on the trails. Perfect weather conditions and company made for really fun time. Thanks Farra and everyone for putting on such a great non-event.

Dances With Dirt – Devil’s Lake 50 Miler

Running Fit has done it once again; they found a way to make people use expletives while praising their event. This was the hardest f@!%ing, most exciting race I’ve ever done. This race was 50 miles of running, 6000 feet of climbing and descending, temperatures hitting the high 80s, and trails covered in roots, rocks, stones, running water, and asphalt. It was awesome!

Running Fit was directing the race; it is one of four of the Dances with Dirt races that they set up. And, since Running Fit also runs the (RunningFit Ultramarathon Team) RUT, a bunch of us just had to be there.

After a lot of different plans, I finally set up a rental and room at the Devil’s Head resort; the location of the start and finish. We planned to drive out the day before and head back after the race. Just a quick, cheap trip to do the race. Friday morning came up and out the door I went. I swung by Farra's and Kai’s houses, and headed west. We were on our way to Baraboo, WI. More specifically, to Devil’s Lake; I now know that the name is appropriate for the occasion. After a nine hour drive, we arrived at our destination.

The race start was 5:30am, Saturday morning. We were up and ready with the rest of the runners watching the sun rise and the day come alive. Then I ran…

My first Ultra Marathon – 50 miles of running! Playing in the woods with friends for 10 hours was a great way to spend the day.

Thanks Kai, for suggesting the race. To Farra, Kai, Andrew, Mark, Ellen, and all the others - it was great fun and I look forward to the next one. To the Head Goat - "thank you" for letting us shower at your place after the race.

Ran the race on Saturday, July 10th 2010

Stony Creek MTB Marathon

I went out to the park today with Paula to meet up with the RBS Cycling team to ride the single tracks during the SC Marathon. This was a last minute decision, and I’m glad I decided to do it. The weather was great, the RBS turnout was large, and Paula also decided to race.

I signed up for the Sport class this year. I raced it last year as my first race ever, signing up as Beginner. It kicked my butt in 2009. So, I was a bit nervous about signing up for Sport this year (beginners do three 11 mile loops, while sport riders do four loops). But, screw it, if you’re gonna do a Marathon race, go big.

The race was great. I took my time and didn’t push it to the limit for the first three loops; rode it at a temple pace. I felt great until I started climbing the last big hill on the third loop; the left calf started to cramp. I slowed it down a bit, and after the climb the leg worked it out. But throughout the entire fourth loop, the calves were cramping periodically. Not too bad, just enough to remind me that they were working hard.

As I came into the finish shoot, I saw Paula waiting for me; she looked refreshed and excited. I finished strong and felt great – but a bit tired from the three and a half hours of riding.

We hung out with the RBS team for a few hours, watched the other riders come in, had some pizza and a beer or two, and watched the award ceremony. I placed 8th in my group and Paula placed 1st in her group – she rocked it! I should mention that this was her first race ever. I think she’ll be more competitive biking than running - and that’s saying a lot.



It was great fun. I really enjoyed sharing this day with Paula, the RBS team, and John and Jamie Martin.



Rode the race on Saturday, July 3rd 2010

The Big Fish Olympic Distance Triathlon

Well, my first triathlon has come and gone. It was a real experience, to say the least. I was really nervous about this race, mainly because I didn’t know when to really exert myself. I didn’t want to push too hard at the swim or bike, just to find out that I had run out of energy for the run. I should clarify; I wasn’t lollygagging through the race. I was pushing the entire time.

I’ve decided to break down the event into the three sports instead of treating it as one since I still have the mind-set that I went to the park to do three events, back to back.



The 1500 meter swim was first on the agenda, and started at 8:00am. This was a two loop, open-water swim in Big Fish Lake. It entered and exited on the beach area about 150 meters from the transition area. We went out clock-wise; which was better for me because I can get a better feel for where I am when I breathe on the right. But I still played it safe and swam at a comfortable pace and stayed wide of all the buoys. Exiting the beach area just a bit more than half of the pack back, I felt fresh and ready to get on the bike. It took me 32:49 to make the loops, and another 2:36 to transition onto the bike.





The 40K bike race was a blast. The out and back route was a scenic, rolling course with little wind. Not too much happened during this leg of the event except I realized two things. One, gearing really does come into play during a road race. I was riding a 50/34 chain ring while the Tri bikes were equipped with a 54/39, giving those riders an advantage on the down hills and flats; I still ended up passing many of them on the hills but could have done better with the bigger gear ratio. The second thing I realized was that riding was more legs than lungs for me. While I was exerting myself during the ride, I was limited by the leg muscles and the concern that they would be fatigued before the running began. I finished at 1:16:35, and was on to running less than two minutes later.



The 10K run was the last leg of the event. It was another out and back route, and was mostly rolling, shady dirt roads. This was just fun! I was in my element; I was experienced enough to push it to the limit without crashing. And since this was the last leg, I planned to give it all I had. I could feel I had another gear in me after mile one; my legs found their rhythm and I settled into a nice pace. Once I hit the first hill and realized that many of the racers were not prepared for the run, I picked up the pace and started to pass, and kept passing the entire time. I ended up finishing the run in a time of 43:37, and an overall time of 2:37:33.

After the finish, I felt great. I got some liquids and we hung out for the results and the drawing – I won some Heed! So I walked away from my first Tri feeling good, enjoying the lovely weather with Paula, and winning some swag.



Competed in the race on Sunday, June 20th 2010

The Trail Marathon

What can I say? It’s a 26.2 mile race on a trail.

What more can I say? It was a great time running my first trail marathon (already signed up for two more this year). A bunch of my RUT friends were also doing the run, along with Paula and a few others doing the Half (one loop). Before the race, we had a chance to relax, talk, and enjoy the cooler day. Everything was set-up, organized, and ready for the race; as it always seems to be with the RunningFit races.

As the race started and progressed through the woods, I found my pace and stuck with it. At about mile seven, Kai caught up and ran with me through the first loop and until mile 20ish. At which time I slowed down and dropped back.

The last few miles were a bear; I overdressed and didn’t drink enough. The clothing got me overheated in the beginning of the race. They became soaked from the sweat, and when I slowed down for the last four miles, I became extremely cold. Add the dehydration from not drinking enough and fatigue from running the Boston six days earlier, my body told me that enough was enough.

I finished the race at 4:14:00; not a bad time for my first. And looking back, it was a great experience and I can’t wait for the next one.

Ran the race on Sunday, April 25th 2010

The 2010 Boston Marathon

What a great experience. This was truly high up on my list of things to do before I die – and it was all I thought it would be. I enjoyed the trip from beginning to end; the drive out East, spending time with friends and family, the race experience, and the wandering back home.

Although I didn’t do quite as well as I was hoping, time wise, I did soak in the excitement and festive atmosphere of the event. I took full advantage of the Expo (very big, crowded, and not many deals) and the pre-pasta dinner (sat outside in the wind and rain and ate cold, icky food – but free beer!). I staked out the drive for the morning of, to get me there fast and in time (went right to the park and skipped the buses altogether). Hydrated and kept warm before the race started. And when the gun went off, I headed to Boston.

The race was great; so many runners and spectators during the entire course. The crowds were alive and cheering and the volunteers were expert. I hit my time at the half, but fell from grace at the 14 mile mark. By mile 18, I slowed too much to make up the time loss and decided to take the rest of the course easy and enjoy the people. After that point, it was a lot of hand slapping with the kids watching, smiling, and sucking in the mood of the race.

The CITGO sign was exactly as I expected. I knew that after I passed it, the road would soon lead me to Boylston Street and the Finish line. The people were going crazy with cheers and support, every racer that had reserves left kicked it into high gear, and I watched the last miles from my vantage point – some runners whipping by, some walking or limping, some waving their hands to get the crowds riled, and some doing the same as me.

Soon enough, the Finish Line was in view and the race was over. It ended as all races do; a blanket, water, a banana, a finisher’s medal, and a lot of “Good Job”s. For me, it was more than the end of a 26.2 mile race, but years of dreaming, months of training, and hours of running to accomplish The Boston Marathon…

Ran the Boston Marathon on Monday, April 19th 2010

Running with the RUTsters

This was my first time running with this bunch of "crazies". I don't know what I was thinking. I had to get up at 5:00am just to get there in time - mad.

The plan was to meet up at some parking lot outside of Island Lake Recreation Area at 6:45am to hit the yellow loop. Then drive into the park and meet up with the less-crazy people at 8:00am. And then run some more.

The early bunch was going for 50 kilometers for the day, the rest of them were going for anywhere between 10-20 miles, and I needed to get in at least 18 miles; I had to get my mileage in by 10:15am. I opted to run early and was hoping to get over 24.

I woke up at 4:30 – wide awake, like it was a race day. I was excited to get started. I coffeed-up, got my gear together, and headed out for the hour drive to the park. I even got there ten minutes early (so I went to the gas station to get more coffee and ended up getting back last).

The day was just right; clear and chilly, but with the promise of warmth, sun, and trails ahead. The lakes were shaking off their sleep. The mist was lifting, evaporating for the day. And while dispersing, sticking gently to all of the spider webs that Farra would soon be running through.

I looked through the darkness to get a head count, 1 -2- 3- 4- 5 -6 -7. Seven people out this early Easter morning. Seven of us sneaking away from our sleeping families to take this opportunity to run with some friends. Introductions were made – “Greetings and Salutations”, Farra, Kyle, Kai, Martin, Matt, and Andrew.

And off we went with Farra in the lead…


P.S. This was my first run with the group. I was looking forward to it and was not let down. These guys are a bunch of good people and they made the run something more. And, I was glad to be a part of Kyle’s crossing over to the really dark side as he tipped the 100 mile mark for the week during the run (and went on to do a total of 31 miles for the day).