Javelina Jundred Recap

I seem to make a habit of writing part of a recap a couple days after a race, let it sit for like weeks, erase what I wrote and rewrite it. I'll just touch base on some brief parts but in tradition please see the following better race reports first: Jay Danek's report @ McDowell Mountain Man and Jeremy Dougherty's report here. Also see Hal Koerner's website and Liza Howard's post.

The Arizona Crew
Photo courtesy of Manoj Nagalla

What a crazy day... this was my first hundred, well 101.4 to be exact! That matters because 1 mile felt like 10 and 9 felt like 90. It definitely felt like a journey despite being a 15.4 mile loop in the desert. The day started early and wrapped up late like all good things should. I finished in 18 hours and 53 minutes and despite having a lower number in my head and snags along the way, I finished and did my best in regards. I actually have never ran a complete loop out there so it was pretty much new for me. I wasn't sure I wanted to do a run on a loop course but it wasn't as bad as I thought. I do think I perform better on mountainous type routes but not having to worry about following ribbons or where aid stations are has its advantages. There definitely were times when I'd curse it as I had mistaken runners headlamps for an aid station's soft glow of refuge in the later hours.

That's my "slightly concerned" look

Photo courtesy of Manoj Nagalla

The snags... I'd say shoes, stomach and nutrition were my main things and that's all experience. I had an issue getting enough calories in and Carb Boom gels were upsetting my stomach. I found a couple things that worked but it wasn't enough to sustain me for the long run. Next time will be different! Oh and I also learned that music is really important for me to keep moving... I had a loop where my ipod died and it was really tough for me. Pacer and Volunteer Jeremy Dougherty let me borrow his later on which saved me along with asking me the best questions in my delirious state. Oh yeah - Tylenol is really helpful. I learned that a little too late in the game.

Photo courtesy of Manoj Nagalla

Want to know what it feels like that night after running your first hundred? Managing to crawl to the refrigerator... making it just about there but passing out on a cold tile floor. Waking up a couple minutes later and thinking how hard it will be to peel my body off the floor then open the door and pour a glass of water. yeah.

Now that I'm done I've asked myself  "Would I do Javelina again?" and the answer is Yes. I would do it again and again. Why you ask? I have a buckle now so what's the point of another one? Because it's not about the buckle. It's about the experience that you have out there with other crazy ass people like yourself. It's a way of validation that you're not the only one who enjoys it. It's a time to hang out with people who I can relate with.

People who are awesome:
The Coury's - Top gun classy. THAT is a title that is VERY hard to achieve and I bestow it to them
My pacers - Jon Roig and Jeremy Dougherty (thanks for the ipod sucker!!) and my Dad. Finishing your first hundred with your pops is pretty cool. Also a thanks to Boone who was really awesome and helped me a lot
Super runners: Awesome job by Jay Danek and Bret Sarnquist... both totally blew past me later in the night. Strong running out there! I have some things to learn! Also Michael Miller for being a badass. Lori for air high fives and being my lunch buddy.

So what's next? I'll save that for another post!

Cave Creek Thriller 50k

Firstly I'll say I really don't have much to add in addition to already superb race reports from Aravaipa Running & McDowell Mountain Man AKA Jay Danek. Definitely check those out as I'll be brief in my account.

Went into the race not fresh being that I did Mt. Ord (couldn't resist) the Wednesday before... awesome time but it does include 4k ascent and decent. My hamstrings and calves were feeling a bit tired from that.

50k group on the charge

Photo courtesy of Aravaipa Running

The field out there was quite competitive with a variety of Arizona's talents. The trails at Cave Creek are just superb... very nice and manicured. I think this is relative to each person but I found them to be nice. Runnable all throughout and I think that is what got to people. You can go all out if you want and that's what people did. People started out fast and it was pretty much a game of who could last the longest. Despite cursing my shoe choice (despite looking cool) and muscle fatigue from some good recent training I went out there and did my best. I think 4:10's out there is realistic (ran a 4:26). It's a really sweet course that isn't the easiest or hardest but is a great example of desert trail terrain. I also donned the Aravaipa jersey and am super excited to be part of their team. It's an honor to be a part of such a talented and incredible group of people.

Until next time!

Photo courtesy of Bret Sarnquist

Man Against Horse 50 mile

If you were a centaur could you win both man and horse races? A plausible question I ask myself during the 28th annual Man Against Horse 50 mile endurance run & ride.

Start of the 2011 Man Against Horse Run

A run where both Man & Horse share the trail through the beautiful mountains of Prescott Valley. Man and beast pitted against each other in an eternal battle for grand dominion of planet earth (cue dramatic music). OK so that last past isn't totally true.

This has been on my radar for about a year and I'm so glad I did it. It was a really unique experience and the funnest runs I have done as of yet (even though I had a couple rough patches). I'd like to extend my utmost gratitude to Nick Coury for his help on a couple aid stations where without I would have be much worse off. I also am led to believe his mountain beard does have magical powers just by the sight of it you can run faster.

Pictures I have can be found here: https://picasaweb.google.com/103914733600237276293/ManAgainstHorse50Mile?authkey=Gv1sRgCLzgw-6O45KQnwE
More race pictures can be found here (very nice and high quality): http://mapphotography.smugmug.com/Running/Man-Against-Horse/19366190_FJr4TM#1514276844_HvBXRVt
2011 Results: http://managainsthorse.net/result.html

Paatuwaquasti - Water is Life 50k

It's been a long time since I have posted anything and it's mainly because I never know where to start. So instead of thinking I'll just start.

I didn't do any races from April to August so it feels like a LONG time. I however did some pacing/crewing at Angeles Crest 100 (which was amazing, scary and inspiring at the same time). Other than that most races during those summer months normally require long travel or are things that require entry that involve lotteries or extra requirements.

Finally racing season has finally starting to begin here in Arizona, for me at least. I did the Paatuwaquasti - Water is Life 50k which is not a race more-so a run or experience. It was really awesome and lots of fun to be out there with other people. You can read a great report on that here: http://iantorrence.blogspot.com/2011/09/paatuwaqatsi-run-water-is-life-50k.html

Here are some digital photographs:

I really wish they wouldn't put those awful power lines everywhere. Ugh.

Dude on the left there had a little too much sun tan lotion on... looks like casper.

Finishing up wearing my Air Jordans

It was that big.

Finish conversation. All the cool people wear baller shorts. Just FYI.

Always one step ahead of fashion. Don't hate.

Upcoming Stuff:

I have given a lot of thought of the runs I will be doing in the upcoming months. This is what will happen:

Man Against Horse 50 mile - October 1
Javelina Jundred 100 mile - November 12
TNF 50 - December 3

I think that looks good. The thing I'm a bit... uhh inquisitive? about is Javelina. I have no idea how that shit will play out. It's loops but it looks fun because of the Halloween aspect and huge group of runners and support... but damn loops. Oh well. It's close... has a sweet ass belt buckle. I want a buckle so I can:
a) wear a rockin' belt
b) intimidate people
c) intimidate intimidating people
d) look badass

Yeah I have no idea how my training is going to play out for 100 miles but I'll finish one thing a time.....