Greenway UltraMarathon March 1st

The Seneca Creek Greenway Trail 50K and Marathon (we just call it Ed's race) is on March 1st. Jane and I have been training pretty hard for this race, at least I've been feeling tired on most of our runs the past couple of weeks. We have one more long training run this weekend and then we'll probably....hopefully back-off on the mileage. I'm not sure whether I'll go for the 28-ish mile marathon or just bite the bullet and do the 50 K ultra. I just visited the site this morning and was amused by this cautionary note in the"New and Notes" update about the race.

Snow, ice, rain, cold, sleet, wind and high water do not bother us. However, if the weather is really severe.......the race may have to be cancelled.

Read my account of last year's race to get a flavor of what is consider acceptable weather conditions.

Here's the last admonition: No complaining.

I'm really looking forward to this race!

March 4, 2008. Well, my race was largely forgetable.....bad leg cramps and nausea developed during the 4 mile loop (miles 15-19) around Lake Clopper and by mile 21-22 (after the section of trail after Riffleford Rd.) I was toast and out of the race. I'm not sure what went wrong. I don't think I went out too fast, I was with a running buddy (Jim C.) at Lake Clopper (who finished the 50K in 6:45) and I had run the HAT 50K in around 6:50 last year so I don't think I was going too fast. Perhaps I should have been taking in more salt, using the Succeed supplements I used last year during the Marine Corps Marathon. I don't know, anyway Jane went on to finish in 6:24.55 (finishing 23 out of 36 women runners) and received a nice finishers hat. I'm just kidding about the hat, she got one but it wasn't reward enough for the effort Jane expended. She is still little sore but intends to do some light running tonight. I didn't have as much muscle strain and have been able to run the past few days. Hopefully, we'll get back on track for our morning runs soon and now that it's gettng warmer and both Elroy and Judy don't have any spring sports commitments maybey we'll be able to get them out with us as well.

Running Log The Week Ending January 6, 2007

Weekly mileage for the week ending January 6, 2007:
Mon, 8 mi;
Tue, 4 mi;
Wed 6mi;
Thu off;
Fri 5 mi;
Sat 12 mi.
Total for the week was 35 miles. Saturday's run was really tough. I got out late around 9:15 because I had to bring Elton to a wrestling match, the day was really warm for the first week in January (in the 70's) and my plans/commitment to this run were not there. But I did them and will take tomorrow off to rest up. I was thinking of baking some bread in the morning (more about that later) and making pizzelles with Judy.

Running Log (12-30-2006)

The Friday before we left for Cincinnati was a 16 mile run--and so two weeks ago was approximately 28 miles. Over our Christmas vacation Jane and I ran three times for around a total of 16 miles and this Saturday did 11-ish on the Rock Creek Trail for another 27-28 miles. I'll have to pick-up my mileage this first week of the new year.

I think Jane and I will target the Seneca Creek Greenway Trail Marathon & 50K, which will be held on March 3rd, 2007. The next question is whether we do the marathon (26.2 miles) or go for the 50k (31 miles). I think we can decide in real time as were running. Okay, so we have a goal.....that is the first step!!

Running Log 12-19 and 12-20-2006

I been having a little difficulty updating the blog--between making cookies (look for pictures of these soon), work and the kids schedules the past couple weeks have been hectic. I currently have a backlog of posts to enter, but these will have to wait until the end of the week or next week when the family is in Cincinnati, Ohio for the holiday break. Anyway, I did want to make a quick post to the Running Log. Yesterday and today I ran 6 uneventful miles. Jane and I will do a long run on Friday, soooo Thursday will be a rest day. On Saturday we'll be on the road--therefore this week's total will be around 28 miles.

Running Log forWeek of 12-10 through 12-16-2006

Saturdays are dirt trail runs through beautiful Rock Creek State Park. Jane and I almost always run together on Saturday mornings with our trail group buddies (a few are pictured at left). However, today Jane and I ran alone (due to scheduling problems). Mileage on trail runs are always approximate but today I'm giving myself 12 miles, although I may have done a little more than that. I was out 2 hours and 16 minutes, but some parts of the run were walking, some were scrambling up shear rock cliffs 50 feet above the Rock Creek. It was a nice run, but I was really tired at the end. Over that last 7 day period I ran approximately 43 miles, and that is a lot for me. Next week will be less.

Running Log 12-14-2006

Had another run with Jane yesterday morning. We were out for 1 hour and 6 minutes for approximately 6.4 miles. The temperature at the start was ~40 with heavy fog which made for a nice run. I used my Adidas everyday shoe. It was nice running along Rock Creek Park as the fog gently lifted. Today is a rest day, no running. Wednesday was a good day for the Elroy and Judy. Elroy wrestled on the varsity squad and won his match despite getting mat bruises on his arm (the result of a vicious take-down), getting his shoulder wrenched a little and throwing-up. It seemed like he had a good time and I'll try to get some pictures posted over the weekend. Judy ran in a developmental meet and tried the 2 mile run for the first time in indoor track. She ran ~13:25, which she was happy with and thinks she can do better once she gets the pacing down.

Judy told me that these Running Log posts were boring. Hey, like I said earlier, they just for me. But I thought I would jazz this post up with a couple pictures of Desiree Ficker.

Running Log 12-13-2006

Today Jane and I went out for a nice, approximately 6.34 mile, run. We left the house around 6:15 am, the weather was ~50, there was substantial ground fog that turned into a nice, gentle rain about halfway through the run. We we're out about 1 hour, 7 minutes--which is about right for an approximate 10 minute pace. I wore Adidas Supernova shoes and felt very relaxed--my hip has not been a problem, during the run or afterward.

Jane and I had watched a former MCRRC member, Desiree Ficker, finish second in the ultimate Ironman Triathalon Competition in Hawaii recently and her performace has been a source of motivation in my recent running activities. Anyway, she has a blog-website that....well promotes her of course, but also gives some interesting training tips if I ever decide to do a triathalon. Let's see....first, learn to swim.

Running Log 12-12-2006

I had a nice 6 mile jog today while at EPN. I went out around 10:30, got back at 11:30 so I'm estimating 6 miles. The day was bright, clear skies with temperatures in the high 40s. I wore Nike running shoes. My hip which has been bothering me, felt a little stiff when running uphill but felt fine after a hot shower. My hip hasn't been an issue as I've finished up at work after sitting at the desk for extended periods of time.

Running Log 12-10-2006

Serious runners keep a daily logbook of the running activities--recording various observations including, weather conditions, distance run, time elapsed, what shoes they were wearing and whether they experienced any physical ailments or noteworthy happenings along the way. There are several reasons, besides obsessing over details, to chart one's training. The most important is to track weekly mileage and types of training runs (speed, hill, or long-slow-distance, LSD) so one can gradually ramp-up weekly mileage and conditioning runs in preparation for a race without getting injured. So, I figure if Jane and I are going to prepare for some running event (still not sure exactly what, where or when), I'd start my own running log so I can chart my training. Therefore, if you reading this, I would seriously consider making better use of your time. These posts (under Running Log) are intended for me, but will be posted on this blog. Anyway, you've been warned!


First, before recounting today's run I want to mention the shoes I use during the week. My newest pair are the Adidas Supernova Cushion. I like the Adidas Supernova series. They fit my feet just right and are a good balance of support and cushion and generally last 4-5 months--which is a good thing. These are now my everyday shoe. I've only had these about a week and in the picture they still look new.


On Saturdays Jane and I run on dirt trails in Rock Creek Park and the shoe I'm currently using for those runs is an Asics (the one with silver and orange stripes). I'm not sure the precise shoe name; I got it at 50% off at our favorite running shoe shop that routinely sells going out-of-stock shoes at discount prices. This shoe is okay for trails but a little hard for running on streets. Asics generally tear my feet to pieces, but I have found these quite refreshing when used on dirt trails. I have another trail shoe I use when the trails are muddy--another Asics, the Gel Trail Attack. This is a dedicated trail shoe with a hard feel, but good knobby undersole for traction. I'll have these a long time since dirt trails are gentle on shoes and runner's bodies.

Lastly, is my occasional street shoe a Nike. I like the Nike Swoosh. All Nike shoes are fun to run in, they're so light and cushiony, but they don't last very long--at least not for me, so I only use this shoe the day after a hard training run as a treat.

Okay, now for today's run. The weather was cold and clear, in the low 30s when we left the house around 7 am. I wore the Adidas shoes and ran 12+ miles mostly along the bike path in Rock Creek Park. Total elapsed time was 2:04:20. My laps were comprised of:

Lap 1: 19:28:27 (~2 miles From the house to the trailhead)

Lap 2: 10:24:43 (1 mile)

Lap 3: 10:01:96 (1 mile)

Lap 4: 9:54:26 (1 mile)

Lap 5: 9:46:84 (1 mile)

Lap 6: 35:23:76 (~31/2 miles detour along the Capital Crescent Trail)

Lap 7: 9:49:37 (1 mile)

Lap 8: 19:31:53 (~2 miles home)

I took a short walk after leaving the bike path at the beginning of Lap 8, but jogged the rest of the way. The final mile I was pretty tired and had shooting pains running down the sides of both legs. Other than that it was a really good run I felt fine.