The Ugly Mudder

Saturday Night I was sitting home and a few friends called me asking if I wanted to go out. I declined knowing I had this race Sunday morning. Sitting there on the couch wacthing the Olympics I started wondering what the hell was I doing. Why am I going to Reading at 9:00 in the morning in the middle of February for a run? What was the point of all of this? I should be out having some fun a drinking some beers. However, clawing and scratching my way up the final hill of this run with 50 people at the top yelling and screaming for me, I realized why it was worth.

This was my first trail run of any kind. I had heard many stories from last years run and I was very unsure of what to expect. I do a lot of trail running (or at least I used to) in the Wissahickon Park and also a lot of hill running in Manayunk so felt I had a shot at posting a good time.

The morning was very called, I met up with Goat and arrived at the start just before 9:00. We picked up our numbers and killed some time drinking coffee and talking. A little warm up and we were at what we thought was the starting line at 9:55 for the 10:00 o'clock start. At 10:10 Ron Horn, the race director, arrives and informs us that we should all be on the other side of the starting line facing the opposite way. I was actually surprised how orderly the 700 people made the transition. to the other side.

We started the race and I was quickly far behind the leaders caught up in a mass of people. We had a 1/4 mile before the trailhead and I made up a little ground when I could. The first portion of the run is mostly uphill but I was in pack of slower runners so I wasn't really struggling, I passed when I could and just tried to make up ground and keep good footing. After about a mile and half I cleared the masses and now the run was more single file. I was happy that I was a little behind at the start because now I was just passing person after person. I'd pass on the left, on the right, on the uphill, on the downhill. At this point I really felt great and I wasn't pushing to hard beacuse I was not sure what to expct up ahead.

Lucky for me I had held back. After mile 4 things really started to go up hill at this point I just didn't want too stop running no matter how slow I went. I kept repeating in my head "Don't wallk. Don't walk." I pased several more people during these uphill portions and I didn't wallk a step. At about mile 5 we turned into the woods, there was no defined trail, and it was very steep with horrible footing. I was forced to walk if I didn't want to die and my "No walk" mantra went out the window. Everyone else was walking this portion of the race so I really didn't feel to bad about it.

Once we crested the hill we were back on the path and the remainder of the race was mostly downhill. I passed a couple more people and then just held my position. We cleared the woods with about 1/4 mile to go and I was able to pick it up and pass one more person. As I went by he gave me a couple words of encouragement and also said "Don't let the final hill bite you in the ass".

What a hill it was. I heard a few stories from Ian and Russ about the finish but it truly doesn't prepare you for what your going to face. To call it a hill is really shortchanging it. It is more of a wall that has a slight incline and very loose footing. I started scrambling, pushing, and pulling my way up the wall on all fours. The people at the top were great, yelling and screaming at me to get my ass up the hill. I made it over the top and it was just a short dash to the finish in 1:02:25. Almost 9 minute miles. Wow. Had it really been that slow? I sure as hell felt like I had run faster than that.

It was a great time and I couldn't wait to get back to the final incline after finishing and cheer on the other runners. A great race. I hope to do it again next year and maybe talk a few others into coming.

A Run on the Drives

I went out for Saturday run with the Philly Runners. The face of the group has really changed since the fall. There a lot of new people which is great for the group and meeting people but I miss some friendly faces.

I kept an easy pace of about 8 mminute miles and just chatted my way around the drives with some new people in the group. It was just the kind of run I wanted one day before the Ugly Mudder.

Roxborough Loop

It was a cool and humid last night in Philly and for some reason I really like running in this kind of weather. You exhale large plumes of smoke with every breath and when your cooling down on your front steps afterwards the mist slowly rises off your shoulders and over your head.

I headed out on a loop that I only occasionally do. I really enjoy running it so maybe I should change it from occasional to often. It's a slow uphill trek for the first half of the loop. I stick to the small side streets just east of Ridge avenue, and cut through some malls and cemeteries. Its about 4 miles out to the trun around point just past Shawmont ave and then I head back. Whatever goes up must come down and the second half of this run on Ridge Avenue is awesome. It's slightly downhill almost the entire way so you end up cruising along and feeling great. Ridge avenue can also get quite busy along some stretches and I enjoy dodging cars and people on the way home.

I took it easy the entire way and finished very comfortably for 8.2 miles in 64 minutes. My best run in a week or so.

An Easy Five

Tuesday nights have been turning into 8-9 mile runs instead of the normal 5 miles with the Philly Runners. After a tough run on Monday I thought my best bet would be to skip the distance and just put in an easy five with the group.

Attendance was a little thin for a Tuesday night but I quickly fell into pace with Alex and Marita, a couple runners I really haven't talked with in a while. It was good to see Alex back after long hiatus. We cruised out to 2.5 miles and back for 5 in almost exactly 40 minutes. Two miles into this run I was really feeling good and I thought about tacking on a few more miles despite my mentality going into the run but I think I should be putting on some decent miles the remainder of the week so I just stuck to 5. In fact I might break 40 miles for teh week which would be my biggest since November.

Park Run

I took advantage of my Monday off and went for a run through the Wissahickon Park. The park is part of Philadelphia's gigantic Fairmount Park system. It runs for 6-7 miles along the banks of the Wissahickon Creek. It has a very wide, well maintained, level path that runs along one side of the creek. There are also miles of smaller trails ranging from flat single track to winding, rocky, hilly hiking trails. So you can choose between an easy run along the creek or a challenging trail run. I ran mix of both.

I started in on the trail and ran a little over a mile to the main path. I then took this for 4 miles, crossed the covered bridge and ran on the lower trail (less hills) for 2 miles. I switched back again to the main path and took this all the way back to the 100 steps for 11 miles in 86 minutes. I felt good up until about mile 8 butI really felt drained during the end of the run. Most runs I finish strong and my last mile feels as good if not better than the first. Not today, I was just waiting for it to end so I could warm up and relax. I think the race Saturday and skiing all day Sunday took it's toll. I do feel much better this morning and I think I just needed a good nights sleep.

Frostbite Five Miler

I arrived in the little town of Ambler a few miles outside of Philly at 8:00. It was cold, a little windy and overcast, not the best racing conditions but appropriate for a race with frostbite in the title. Going into the local gym to grab my number I ran into a few people I work with now and a former co-worker that were also running the race. We stayed indoors and made small talk. I found out that the former co-worker is shooting for a 2:30 in Boston. WOW. He ran a 2:40 at a flat course on 45 miles a week last year but a 2:30 just seems like a huge jump in one year especially at Boston. Anyhow, a few of us warmed up for a couple miles and then lined up at the start.

We were honored by the presence of Amy Freeze, a local meterologist, to start the race. I am not sure but from what I could gather through the horrible P.A. system ( I think it actually worked to quiet instead of amplify your voice) she lives in the area. She yelled ready, set, go and off we went.

I was confident I could break 32 minutes and if I really got lucky maybe 31. The first mile was fairly easy with a couple rolling hills and it went buy in 6:09, right about where I wanted to be. The next mile again had a few hills and the pack started to thin out. I ran a 6:15, still right on track but just a bit slower. Between miles 2&3 I was by myself and the course turned through a park which had a gravel/mud path, I lost some time and hit a 6:34. I was a little nervous that the miles were going to progessively get slower and I was going to miss 32 minutes. However, we were back on the road for for the remainder of the race and a couple guys passed me right after marker 3. It spurred me on a bit and I quickened my pace to keep up. I hammered it up a hill passing the two guys right before mile marker 4 but I paid for it at the top and they regained the lead not long after. Mile 4 went by in 6:17 and I was feeling good. The remainder of the course was generally downhill and I came across the line in 31:14 for a 6:02 mile, my fastest. I never did catch those two guys but I finished strong. I love ending a race with my fastest mile being the last mile.

I was happy with the time although I really was hoping to break 31 minutes. More miles and more speedwork and I should be good for several spring races on my calendar.

Next week is the Ugly Mudder. I am excited and nervous about this one.

Spring is in the Air

Earlier in the week I had planned on running 10 miles Mon, Weds, and Thurs this week. After a fairly hard run yesterday and short night of sleep I was tired all day at work and decided to cut todays run to 5.

It turns out I had a lot more energy then expected and I really felt great the entire run. Took the normal route down to Main Street out to Umbria and the Domino Diner and back. The night was very warm for Februaury, nearly 60 degrees, and it was great to see a lot of people out walking their dogs and shopping on Main Street. I also hit the streets a little before the sun went down so the entire run wasn't in the dark. Over the winter you kind of forget how nice it is to run on cool sunny evenings in the spring, I can't wait.

A Monday Repeat

Last night headed out the door thinking I was going to do 8 miles and I again ended up in front of the Art Museum steps for a 10.5 mile loop in 76 minutes. It was one of those nights where I wasn't really planning on going to fast but it just felt good to add some speed. Despite efforts to keep a mellow pace I would just start speeding up. I also did 4 quick repears up the Art Museum steps that aren't included in the distance or the time.

One more run tomorrow night and then Saturday I have the Frostbite Five Miler in Ambler. My first race of the season and a good test of how my fitness has held up over the winter. I hope I can break 32 minutes.

6, Maybe 8, Nah 10.

I felt like going for a run last night like I wanted a hole in my head. By the time I got home from work and was ready to run it was after 6:30 and I seriously debated just turning on the TV and vegging out. Snow and ice were all over the ground I wasn't even sure if I was going to have a clear path to run. However, I am not running today and I didn't run on Sunday so I would be staring at a big fat 3 days in a row without a run. Blizzard or no Blizzard three days in a row is just too much.

I decided to run Kelly drive because I heard that it was clear and as long as I could get to it I would be fine. I stuck to the shoveled sidewalks in my neighborhood and besides a 1/4 mile of unplowed sidewalk at the start of the drive everything else was pretty good. I took a very slow pace to start and just tried to get into the run which actualy wasn't to difficult. I had a great new album by Beth Orton on my iPod, the moon was full over the trees, the night was cold but the winds were calm and I quickly started to enjoy it.

I originally had planned on 8 miles but when I hit the unshoveled portion and my ankles started to hurt from the horribly uneven footing I decided on 6 miles. As I approached the 6 mile turn around I was feeling great and decided to press on for 8. When I reached the 8 mile turn around I thought what the hell, 1 more mile, and headed all the way to the Art Museum for 10.5 miles in 88 minutes. Kind of funny that a run I was dreading actually turned into 10.5 miles. It just shows what great music and an easy pace can do.

I only passed a few people on the run but when you are out on a night like last night where the conditions aren't the best and most people think your insane for even being out there you really feel more of a companionship with the runners that have made it out. You get a smile or a nod from every runner you pass.

Tired Legs

I planned a 12 mile route through east and west fairmount park and I was lucky enough to have several people join me in front of the Art museum at 9:00 am to run it. E Mike, Goat, Erin, and Jim headed up through East Fairmount across the Strawberry Mansion and over Georges hill. We cut across Horticultural Drive and there was talk before the run started that the gates might be locked on this route. Luckily this gate was open but it turned out to be the only gate open. We planned on cutting through behind memorial hall but the rear gate was locked tight. We look for spot to squeeze through but no luck. We ran along teh fence looking for a hole, we found one covered in barbed wire, no good. We decided to head back onto Belmont but that gate was also locked tight. At this point we were getting a little desperate, are pace was thrown off, we didn't feel like running all the way back to the gate we had come so we started eyeing trees to hop the fence. We quickly realized that it might be a little foolish to try this and then Jim had the idea of taking a small side path off of the main road. Low and behold at the end of this path was a a hole in the fence large enough to easily hop through. After a little delay we were right back on track.

As we continued running I just didn't feel the same. The break in running had thrown off all of our rythyms it seemed. The run continued at a fairly steady 8 minute pace down lansdowne, behind the zoo, down 34th to chestnut and then back on the river path. 12.6 miles in about 1hr 46min. Could we really have run that slow? It sure as hell didn't feel like we were running 8:25 pace to me. I really was spent by the end of the run. It was the first run in a while that I didn't finish strongly. Maybe that run on Thursday night took more out of me than I thought. The rest of the group felt about the same as me so I at least was not alone. It was still a fun run and that little detour could come in handy in the future.

Another Trip up "The Wall"

I was debating on wether to do a tempo workout or a hill workout for most of the day. I'm not a big fan of tempo workouts and I realy enjoy running the hills of Manayunk so, again, the hills won.

I was out the door at 5:45 on cool night and I at first regretted wearing shorts. The first couple of miles were pretty cold but by the time I had gotten to the top of "The Wall" in I was plenty warmed up. I headed down Green Lane and looped around the Fountain Street steps onto Umbria. Headed across Leverington, up over Churchview, down Terrace and up the Shurs/Pechin hill. I have run this route or a similar route several times in the last couple months but I felt especially strong last night. I kept up a good pace on the hills and wasn't totally spent by the top. I seemed to get stronger with each incline.

I added on a few extra miles by heading all the way down Ridge and then up School House lane. At this point I was really cruising and decided to add on a another 3/4 miles once I got to Henry ave. All told it was a 9 mile run in 69 minutes. A faster pace than I expected on a demanding workout. All this Hill rtunning should have me in tip top shape for the Ugly Mudder. I just hpe it doesn't totally humble me.

Splinter Group

I have been running with the Philly Runner crew for close to a year now and a normal Tuesday run with them is a 4.5-5 mile run out and back on Kelly Drive. Beginning this year a few of us started longer 7-10 mile runs through Fairmount Park with not only the intention of getting a longer run in but also avoiding the "Drives" at all costs. Three miles into our run last night I realized that the splinter group has grown to 11. How awesome is that.

The group held together pretty well and we kept up a decent pace of about 7:45. I felt great again. I really have been enjoying just about every run lately. I don't know if it is the distance, my fitness, the pace, the routes or the company. Maybe it is a mix of everything. In any case if we keep this up we'll all be in some kick ass shape heading into the spring. Bring on Caesar Rodney and the Broad Street!!

Hungover and Windy

After a lot of Super Bowl partying I was feeling tired and out of it the entire day. As long as I don't have a headache a run can help alleviate some of this feeling so I headed out the door for 6. It was sunny and windy, the sun was low in the sky as I headed out the Manyunk Canal Towpath. From my house to the end of the path is just over a 5K so the loop is a solid 10K.

The run felt great, it was just how I pictured it before I headed out the door. Slow and easy, cruising along a barren towpath, my body casting a long shadow across the grouond. I was totally zoned out during the run, miles passed by without me really looking up from the ground. I searched for my watch before heading out the door and couldn't find it. It wasn't until 5 miles into the run that I realized it was on my wrist. I must have put it on without realizing it. That is ZONED OUT. I had a good laugh at myself.

I don't often tack miles onto the end of my runs, if I head out the door with 6 miles in mind, chances are that's what I am going to run. However, today I had a lot on my mind, I was feeling good, and running is a great time to think things over. I added 2 miles onto the end of the run for a even 8 in 64 minutes.

A note: I signed up for the "Ugly Mudder" a trail run out near Reading PA. Many people from the running group are doing it and I've heard so many stories about how it is 7 miles of hell. So why not sign up? Should be good.

Running through Root Canal.

I had root canal at 3:00 and I really wasn't to sure if I was going to be able to make it out for a run. Thankfully a root canal is much more pleasant than I expected and there really wasn't any pain during or after the procedure so off I went.

I had no route in mind when I walked out the door, I just knew I wanted to run over 6 miles, around 50 minutes. These unplanned runs are often my favorite, I get to wander up and down the streets of Manayunk, looking for new streets and new sets of stairs that connect the streets in my hilly neighborhood. On these runs I tend to keep an easy pace, look at my surroundings and enjoy my iPod. Last night it was Mason Jennings, then the Long Beach Dub All-Starts keeping me company on my run.

I headed down to main street followed that through to Leverington, wound my up to Silverwood, Terrace, cut through the Manayunk Apts. then out Pechin and back on Ridge for 6.5 miles in 51 minutes. It was cool but comfortable and I enjopyed the run much more than I thought I should after running 10 miles on Tuesaday and speed workout on Wednesday night.

My running has felt really strong lately, my legs always seem fresh.

The First Fast Miles in February

I have been putting in more miles this year so far compared to 2005 but everything has been at a pretty lesisurely pace of 7:30-8:15. Last night I decided to add a little speed. I had done 10 miles on Tuesday night but it was all at a very a slow pace and my legs felt fresh enough to put in a solid workout.

The weather was cool and comforatble. I started off at about 7:45 pace and headed down to Main Street under the train station, followed Kelly drive past the falls bridge and I took off at the first mile marker. I had planned on running 4 miles straight at 6:20-6:40 pace but after the first mile in 6:25 I decided to split up three miles at pace with a slow half mile in between. Might as well take it a little easy, it was my first speed workout of the year.

I had on my "speed shoes" the Asics speedstars and it seems like just cannot get a good rythym down in these sneakers. My left foot, for whatever reason, will not land properly and I end up adjusting for it the entire time which makes me tighten up and gives me a shin split. I tried to ignore it and just let things flow. It didn't ruin my run it just was never comfortable. In any case the first mile at 6:25 felt pretty good. I did the second mile in 6:28 and that was with a slow turn around pjsut under the columbia bridge. For the third mile I decided not to look at my 1/4 mile splits and just run at what felt like tempo pace. I ended up with a 6:15 and really feel it was the right pace, i was breathing heavy but I easily could have kept going and got my breath back quickly after stopping. It seems these slow 8-10 mile runs several nights a week might be working, let's hope so.


Oh and by the way I put in 113 miles in January, thats 25 more miles than last January and I got off to a slow start putting in only 14 the first week. Not a huge number but a good number for January and hopefully and indication of the miles to come this year.