Psychodelic 5K, Ice Version - RR

What: Psychodelic 5K, Ice Version
When: January 16, 2011 @ 9:00a.m.
Where: Wyandotte County Lake Park
Why: A lot of FUN
Weather: cloudy and 16F
Finish Time: just under 34:00

This event was put on by the Kansas City Trail Nerds. For pre-registering for the race I received a mug:



After picking up my bib and mug, I headed back to my Jeep to stay warm:



I had about an hour to kill before the race started so I decided to spend 30 minutes keeping warm and then 30 minutes walking around outside to get the muscles moving.

About 15 minutes before the race I put on a pair of Yaktrax XTRs for traction and walked around taking general pictures:


Looking off to the side of the course.


Looking through the finish chute. It was an out and back course so we ran through it shortly after the start.


Trail Nerds and Mud Babes flag near the shelter.

The race started and we were on our way.





I started way too far back, but decided it wasn't a bad thing since it gave me time to warm-up and ease my knee into the race.

Eventually there was too much walking going on so I started looking to pass.




The lady in the pink getting ready to go down the hill was being very cautious so as soon as I made it down the hill I sped up to pass her.

There were a lot of loose rocks and roots hidden under the snow, but somehow I managed to avoid them all. I knew this was going to be a slow race overall since there is about 1,200 feet of elevation change throughout the race. This is also part of the course for the 50K I'm registered for next month.





A gentle incline


Nice downhill that we'd have to run up on the way back.




Another gentle incline






heading downhill


Getting ready to pass


Next runner to catch.


Downhill heading to the turnaround point.


Ran around the field to head back


Heading up


The ascension begins.


It's a walkin time


Getting ready to pass in the snow on the right.


Pass completed




Uphill time again


Time to pass soon


Final photo.

I had 1 person pass me after the turnaround, but passed about 20 myself. It was a blast. I made the last pass up a final uphill by running in the deeper snow on the left of the trail. I managed a kick to the finish and didn't even notice the clock while crossing the finish line.

Some people may be wondering how the Yaktrax XTR fared, good and bad. I had great traction, but noticed at about the halfway point that a chain connecting the spikes had busted on both feet. My right foot had the rear left chain holding down the heel come apart, while my left foot had a middle chain holding down the front spikes come apart.

For being labeled as "extreme," construction is poor. This was my first time running in them. What happened is that the links are just clamped shut and came apart during a downhill section. Very poor design and I'm not happy that they broke about halfway through a 5K on their first outing.

The race was a blast though and I'll update with official pics as soon as they're posted.

I hope you enjoyed the pics.

Eric

Coleen's Frozen Fat Ass Night Trail Run

What: Coleen's Frozen Fat Ass Run
When: January 7, 2011 @ 7:00 pm
Where: Prairie Center, Olathe, KS
Why: Why not! Night trail runs are a blast.
Weather: avg. temp about 27F with windchill in the teens.

This run started at 7:00 p.m. and finished 12 hours later, or whenever you decided to call it quits. It was put on by the Lawrence Trail Hawks out of Lawrence, KS. Now if you are like me and have no clue what a "fat a$$" run is all about, here's the skinny: it's a run held generally after the holidays to help you burn off all those extra pounds. With all the food that people brought to share, I think the purpose of this run was to add more pounds to ya.

The run was held on a 3.2 mile loop on the trails out at the Prairie Center in Olathe, KS. These are nice, well groomed, non-technical trails. There are two water crossings, but one was dry and the other only had about an inch of water. There are two noticeable inclines, but since it was dark, I can't really say if they would qualify as hills or not.

As some of you know, I've been having issues with my right knee for the past two weeks or so. I would feel soreness while walking up/down stairs, but could run up/down stairs fine. The only time I would feel soreness while running is if my right foot did the initial push-off to start up a hill. After that, no soreness while running at all. My knee felt good after a 5 mile run on Thursday and I had no soreness during the day on Friday. My goal for this run was to take it one loop at a time and see what happens, hoping to complete at least 4 loops.

I started off the first loop and just fell in behind a group of runners, by the end of the loop we were talking like we knew each other. That's what I love about trail runners, they're a very welcoming group. We stopped at the aid station, got some water, I took an S!Cap, and we started loop 2.

At this point, I fell in with another runner, Kevin, and we passed the time talking about various races, jobs, etc. Before I knew it, we were back at the aid station.

There was a lot of cloud cover which helped keep the temps in the 20s and for the most part only a slight breeze at this point. I was very comfortable in my 2 shirts (tank/SS), arm warmers, my Mizuno breath-thermo pants and brooks lightweight gloves. My stocking cap was a bit much, but it was nice when the wind was blowing. I had brought 2 other pairs of gloves and a jacket in case I needed to layer while out on the run, but it never reached that point for me.

Loop 3 went by quickly as well, but it was almost as if Kevin and I were the only ones out there running because we couldn't see the lights from anyone else. The cloud cover caused a slight reddish glow and it was just a beautiful sight to see while running. It was during this loop that I actually realized there were animals out as I heard a coyote howling in the distance. I was anticipating some deer sightings or at least some shining eyes, but nothing was seen during my time out running. Toward the end of the loop we fell in with another runner, Lloyd (I believe), who was a marine veteran out doing his first 50K. Just like before, it seemed as if we all knew each other and we passed the time talking about various races and trails to run.

At the start of the fourth loop the knee feels good, but I'm starting to realize that I won't be able to run too many more loops. At the end of the fourth loop, I think that I have another 2-3 loops in me. I was wrong.

The fifth loop starts fine, but during the first 3rd of the loop I can feel my ITB starting to slightly tighten. No soreness at this point, but something I needed to keep an eye on. At the 2/3 point of the loop, I can feel it protesting so I let Kevin and Lloyd know that this will be my last loop. When we stopped at the aid station to end the loop, I could tell that if I went out again I would have to walk the majority of it. I wished them good luck on their run and called it quits. I was pleased with how I did, even though I was hoping to do better. I had a blast and ran a total of 16 miles, what's not to be happy about.

I liked everything about this run. The location was gorgeous, the runners were awesome, and it was well organized. Since I plan on running a 50K this year, I used this run to test eating real foods to see which worked for me. I found the PB&J works (quarter sandwiches), granola, and part of a cookie all seemed to work fairly well. Each taken on a different lap, not at the same time. :) I also realized that heed doesn't cause any stomach issues either. I kept with my schedule of taking 1 S!CAP after every loop. It seemed to work and will likely be what I do during the summer as well.

To record the distance ran, they had you place your name on a board and record each lap as you passed. It was cool to see how everyone was doing.

I heard that last year they had a similar run held out at the same place during the summer, if it's held again this year it might just turn into my first 50K.

As promised, here are a few pics from the even. The first pic is one I took while running and the rest were official photos taken during the event.



This was taken during the 3rd loop I believe.


I'm in the yellow and look like I'm glowing.


I told ya the run was a blast.


coming in from loop 2


gathered around the aid station. I'm on the right drinking some heed.

A run around Wyandotte County Lake - 12/17/10

I ran a preview of the course for the 50K this morning. The race will be three loops around Wyandotte County Lake. I used the "course" feature on my Garmin, but unfortunately started the wrong direction. I ended up running into some other runners, Dan and Mark, who were getting ready to run the course and invited me to tag along. The last mile or 2 has some serious inclines. Lets just say my glutes were a bit sore after the run. I ended up doing 15 miles instead of 20. I was fine until my 11 when I stopped to use the restroom. My arm warmers and gloves ended up thawing out and becoming damp. Because of that, my arms and hands were getting colder as the miles went on. I decided I better head back to my Jeep and warm up. Since I only ran a portion of the trail alone, I only have pics from part of the course (I didn't take any when running the course the first time around). I hope you enjoy the numerous pics.




A view from the trail


One of the many uphill sections (nowhere near the worst of them).


near where we started the first loop


Frost on the armwarmer


Another view from the trail






Another uphill section (again not the worst)






view through the trees

Unfortunately I didn't get pics of the best parts of the trail, guess that will happen next weekend. I hope you enjoy the pics.

Eric

Cliffhanger Run 8K - RR

What: Cliffhanger Run 8K
When: November 7, 2010
Where: Cliff Drive, Kansas City, MO
Weather: 50F with slight breeze (perfect!)
Finish Time: 36:24 (new PR by over 5 minutes)
AG: 6/23
OA: 82/558

I wasn't quite sure what to expect with the race this morning since I ran a challenging 5 mile XC race yesterday. During the XC race, I never could get into a groove and seemed to be working harder than I should have been for the pace I was running. Even so, I still set a new 8K PR with a finishing time of 41:41. Although I considered it a bad race, I was pleased with the result.

Since I awakened during the night (Friday/Saturday) with a sore throat, I figured I might be on the verge of getting sick. Well, I woke up with a sore throat this morning as well. I took some cold medicine about 2hrs before the race and decided to see what happens.

I get to the start area about 1hr before the race since I knew parking would fill up quickly. It was almost full, but I managed to get a decent spot. I walked around for a while, drank some water, used the facilities, and relaxed prior to the start.

With about 30 minutes to go, I ate some Honey Stingers and headed to the start. I did some stretching and lined up a little behind the 7 minute pace sign. After the National Anthem was sung I quickly snapped pictures before we took off.


Looking ahead toward the starting line.


Facing behind me (into the sun) as we started to move foward.

Mile 1 starts and I realize that A LOT of people overestimated their pace and lined up too far ahead. OK, I know that people just don't pay attention and line up wherever they feel like it, but I feel like giving the benefit of a doubt. As I weave my way through the crowd, I get a sense that this might be a better race than yesterday. I finally get into an area with people running a similar pace and realize how nice it is not having to dodge a lot of people. I finished Mile 1 in 7:10 and snapped the following pics.


Early in Mile 1


About 1/4 mile into mile 1


Shortly after the turn in the previous pic


About halfway through the mile


Near the end of Mile 1.

At the start of Mile 2 I realize I am running at my 5K PR pace and should probably slow down a little. I see a gal up ahead in a blue shirt and decide to pace off of her. I'm working hard, but I know I will be able to keep the pace so I think I made a good choice for a pace bunny. I finish Mile 2 in 7:28 and snapped the following pics.


Start of Mile 2.


Shortly after the previous pic


About 1/4 through mile 2


About halfway through mile 2


About 3/4 through mile 2

I was happy with how the race was going. It felt like I was working hard, but not too hard. My pace bunny picked up the pace abit during Mile 3 and I decided to pick up the pace as well. I think it was during this mile that we had a water stop, which was much needed. They did have an aid station during mile 2, but I decided to wait a bit later before grabbing water. I walked for about 5-10 seconds while I drank some water. Even with the water stop, Mile 3 finished in 7:25. I snapped my final picture of the race during this mile.


Start of Mile 3

Mile 4 starts and I decide to leave the pace bunny. I was in a groove and decided to start picking up the pace. It went by uneventfully and I finished in 7:20.

I decided to pick the pace up for Mile 5. I started pacing some people running/walking the associated 5K. I could tell I was really working but was determined to stick with the pace. When I had about a half mile to go, I decided to pick up the pace. I was determined to leave everything I had on the course. This mile turned out to be my fastest mile ever (outside of a 1 mile race) and I finished it in 6:57.

I finished the remaining .02 miles at a pace of 6:16. I was SPENT. After catching my breath and getting a drink of water, I went back out to try and find my pace bunny, but was unsuccessful.

This is a great race on a beautiful course and I highly recommend it for anyone in the KC area.

If you made it to this point, thanks for reading my RR.

Eric