Advice for Finishing an Ultra-Marathon from a Non Ultra-Marathoner - The Rock the Ridge 50 Mile Challenge

If you are like me, you saw the videos and photos of all the smiling, happy racers at the starting gate and the finish line of The Rock the Ridge 50 Mile Challenge.  Splashed in, you saw the spectacular views that were calling your name.  Like me, you pictured yourself running The Challenge.  This is true for almost any ultra-marathon - the marketing lures you in.

The videos and photos always show the top finishers and they are practically sprinting to the finish line.  You will see all those happy, smiling people at the starting gate. While watching all that is inspiring, if you are like me in the middle of the pack in two races and towards the back of the pack in another, you should erase that video from your mind because that (most likely) will not be your race.

That was me four years ago -- a 57 year old man who had never run anything longer than a half marathon and thought he could do 50 miles easily.  The crazy thing is, I did it not once but three times!  While it is not easy, it is certainly possible as my accomplishment can attest too.  First of all, there are 49 other miles that are not on the video highlight.  Those 49 miles are between the beginning and the end, which highlight videos don’t always capture but should not be taken lightly at all.  While I did finish the race, I saw many people who did not.  I observed that there are lessons to be learned from them as well.

Meet the Doubters – While you will be excited and pumped up after signing up for the ultra, others will not share your enthusiasm.  As I did The Challenge, I talked with other runners and almost all of them had someone tell them they couldn’t do it.  Stay away from those people because those seeds of doubt may crawl into your head as you run.  I met one woman, Linda, who was an avid runner and a marathoner, who was told by an ultra-runner that a 50 mile run was too big a jump and that she should do a 50k.

It may be impossible to avoid all the doubters.  If that is the case, what I did was use the doubters as a motivational tool.  They are the ones who I want to tell first that I did it.  I also kept going because I did not want to go back to work not finishing the run, as that feeling would be awful.  I met another woman, Jen, whose (almost) entire office told her that she couldn’t do it.  Yet when we met up, I told her let’s finish this race no matter what, so you can show your co-workers your medal.  I think that helped get her to the finish line.

Mother Nature is Not Your Friend – I know that the purpose of the race is to preserve land and most ultras are in beautiful areas.  It may seem counter to the purpose, but be prepared for what Mother Nature has in store for you.  The three times I did the race it rained and was cold.  Especially the second year.  This was without a doubt the main reason people did not finish.  It is one thing to run 10K in shorts and a t-shirt on a cold, rainy day but quite another to do 50 miles.  Instead of being out in the elements an hour or two, you will be out in the elements 10 to 15 hours and you can easily get hypothermia.  I know because I saw so many runners ill prepared for the cold and rain.  Linda, who I mentioned earlier, brought along garbage bags with cut-outs for her head and arms so she could stay dry, and it worked.  I packed a poncho and it was amazing how much warmer that thin poncho kept me.

I brought something for all different types of weather, and then the night before decided what to wear and put in my drop bag after viewing the weather reports.  While I did not have the opportunity to run in sunny, warm weather, if it was warm I was prepared.

Prepared for Mother Nature

Stay Confident – One of the reasons why the weather is such an obstacle is that it plays tricks with your head and your confidence.  You not only wonder if you can go another 20 miles or so, but you wonder if you can tolerate being cold, hot, sore, wet for another four or five hours.  Negativity has a way of creeping in when things are not going well, and believe me, somewhere along the line something will go wrong.

You need to develop mind games that keep you focused and staying positive.  For me it was breaking the race into finishing the various legs, not finishing the entire 50 miles.  So when I got to the last leg (which was at mile 37), I could say that now that all I have to do is a half marathon, which I have done before.  When I was cold and wet despite my gear, I told myself that I have been colder during the numerous Tough Mudders I had completed.

On my first race, I made a wrong turn that forced me to run an extra six miles.  The hard part of that was not the extra mileage, but the way it shook my confidence, which did not come back until I met a new friend.

Meet Trail Angels and Take in the Views –As I previously alluded to, I made a wrong turn during my first race.  My confidence was shaken, and it was like a cloud of negativity following me (as were actual rain clouds).  It was not until I met another racer, Jen, did my spirits lift and my confidence return.  I would also mention that she was in just as bad shape, if not worse than I was, but having another person just to talk with helped her as well.  We later met up with another woman whose race partner could not finish.  We all became close through the end of the race.  I called them my trail angels.

The next year when I did the race, I made it a point of starting conversations with fellow runners, which was a very positive experience.  You will be surprised that for miles you will be running with the same people, so why not talk with each other?  In fact, everyone was so encouraging to each other that we, in essence, kept each other going.  I ran with one man for several miles just because he liked my pace.  I ran with a complete stranger for 15 miles who really kept a good pace.

I should also mention that there were numerous day hikers and rock climbers on the trails, and almost all of them were cheering the runners on. Not to mention the race volunteers who are so positive. You must and I can’t over emphasize this enough always thank the volunteers. Without them you will not make it to the finish line.

While my fellow racers kept me positive and confident, so did the beautiful landscape.  Even in the rain, the views were inspiring.  Awosting Falls made me stop to take in the sights and sounds of the water.  I know, believe me I know, that you just have to keep going to finish, but every once and a while you also need to slow down and take in views of a truly beautiful place.

Be a Trail Angel – As I have run this race three times, I have been a trail angel to others. During the first race, I gave away one of my water containers to a runner who was not prepared.

The last time I ran, I brought along some Ibuprofen, (I had tweaked my knee a few days before the race so it was hurting) and twice near the 37-mile mark, I overheard two runners looking for aspirin from the medical staff, only to hear they had none.  I told them that I had Ibuprofen and they eagerly accepted it.  They both thanked me profusely at the finish, indicating that they were not sure they would have been able to finish without it.  Can’t tell you how great that made me feel.

Keep the Pace - The first time I did The Challenge, I walked the last 20 miles because my new best friend, Jen, had hurt her knee and could not run.  I figured a regular walk was not much slower than a slow run -- boy was I was wrong.  The second time I ran almost the entire time, albeit not very fast but consistently.

I mentioned Linda before, she had a timer, running four minutes and walking one minute.  I stayed with her a long time, but eventually at the hills could not keep up.  I continued that ratio and actually found a second wind the last 13 miles, which was one of my faster legs.

The second time (in much worse weather) I was able to finish in daylight, while the first time it was closer to midnight. A slow steady run really helped.  I didn't linger for long at the aid stations.  The first time I ran, I sat to rest and it took my body a long time to get going again.

Bad Weather Training – As I stated, the longest I ever ran before the Rock the Ridge 50 Mile Challenge was 15 miles the first time and 20 miles twice since then.  With my schedule, it's difficult to do very long runs of 20 or more miles with any regularity.  I did however, run often and completed two long runs on back-to-back days.  What I found extremely helpful was running in any kind of weather whether it was snow, rain, frigid temperatures or even sunny, hot days.

This accomplishes several things.  It gets you accustomed to dealing with all types of weather conditions, and I soon realized that once I started running I was fine.  You don’t want the first time you run in a cold rain, to obviously be in an ultra-marathon.  It also helped me overcome the weather as being a factor in breaking my confidence, and I could honestly say that I have run in worse weather.  As far as I know, you can’t simulate the weather on a treadmill.

Just as important as the mental aspect, is the physical.  If you brave the elements, you will find out how to dress for the different weather conditions and what gear works best.

I am also noting that you should train on hills.  Running on flat ground is one thing, but the hills drain your energy.  I would also recommend that you do some trail running because it's a lot different than running on a road.

Use a Drop Bag and the Aid Stations – If you plan it right, you do not have to carry much food or water with you because there are aid stations frequently available.  I was able to refill my water supply and graze on some snacks as I went along.  The first time I did it, I was carrying too much food and found that I could get by solely on the aid stations for food, though I did carry some.  This is a matter of preference.  There may be certain foods that you are partial to, so bring them.  I have to say that the hot chicken broth with brown rice at one aid station really lifted my spirits, and the second time I ran was really looking forward to the aid station because I knew what food was there.

Since I am not an ultra-runner, I found that the drop bag was great.  I changed my soaking wet sneakers and put on warmer, dry ones for the second half.  If you will be ending in the evening like I did the first time, you will greatly appreciate your flashlight or headlamp.  The drop bag definitely helped me prepare for the poor conditions.

The Challenge will Stay with You a Long Time – Some things are hard to explain unless you have experienced them, and I believe that completing your first ultra-marathon or any ultra for that matter (if you are not an ultra-marathoner). Technically, I suppose that I am now an ultra-marathoner since I have completed it for three years in a row.  I have also completed three 50ks since my last one.

There are very few instances during a lifetime when you feel you can accomplish almost anything, but that is how I have felt each time I finished the Rock the Ridge 50 Mile Challenge.  Every time I complete The Challenge, I carry the finisher medal in my pocket for a couple of weeks. This is unusual for me because normally I am thinking about the next event, but for some reason, this one is makes you feel great for a long time. 

I was at the farmer's market where I am a regular, and the woman behind the stand saw my shirt that had imprinted “Rock the Ridge 50 Mile Challenge” and she asked, “You really did 50 miles?” I said yes, and before I knew it she was putting a free soup in my bag.  It is that sense of awe that you get from others which gives you a tremendous sense of pride (I have to admit having gray hair and doing 50 miles probably helps impress them as well.).

You will get remarks like I got several times -- "50 miles! I get tired driving 50 miles.”

Not to make it too idyllic, you will most likely be very sore for a week or so.  To top it off, on two occasions I have lost toenails, but not to fret they do grow back.

As I was slowly but steadily trudging along at about mile 40, a person walking in the park said to me, “You are killing it man!” Now I know that while I was not walking the race, I was hours behind the leaders and told him that I was not killing it.  He replied, “Only about 1% of the populace can do this so you are killing it!” You know what? He was right -- I killed it, and so can you.

Zion Ultras Vs COVID-19

Dateline – April 10, 2020

My body felt off so I eschewed my normal run for a six and a half mile walk.  I am always diligent about getting my miles in especially on a weekend.  I felt okay at first but a couple of miles in, I started to feel tired and a cough creeped in. By the time I was a third of a mile from home I was struggling. Me struggling? A man who had trained for the 50k at the Zion Ultras was now struggling with a simple walk around the neighborhood.  When I got in the house, I collapsed in our family room and fell asleep exhausted. COVID had canceled the Zion Ultras and now it had claimed me. My sixtieth birthday present to myself was to travel to Utah to run in the 50k at the Zion Ultras but that present and the dream that I talked about for a year was now dead.

I live in Northern New Jersey and in the spring of 2020 we were a hotspot when COVID-19 first burst onto the scene. The distress that gripped our area is hard to capture now but most of it was built on fear. A fear that was well founded. Because it was obvious that we had little tools at our disposal to use to battle the virus and deaths started to mount at an alarming rate. However, I was lucky, I was not hospitalized despite being laid up with a fever of over 102 degrees for eleven days, plus a persistent cough, aches, and extreme fatigue. My wife was by my side (figuratively since it was COVID I isolated myself in a room. Which I describe in early blogs.) taking care of me.

Fear gripped me, not that I would not recover but would I be able to run again? Reports were coming out that there may be some long term effects from COVID-19 especially with your lungs. I was determined to win this battle not just to be okay but to be fit and run again. Not only to run but to run an ultra. I was not only battling COVID-19 I was also battling Father Time since I was sixty years old and running ultras in your sixties is not something everyone does but it was my goal. It was my dream not to just run an ultra but to run the Zion Ultra 50k. So, I began my journey to running, with slow short walks.

Those slow walks turned to slow runs. Then to steady, frequent and longer runs. I was piling on the miles and in the year from when I was hit by COVID I accumulated 2271 miles of walking and running about 800 miles more than I had ever done before.

Dateline - April 10, 2021 (exactly one year later)

I am at the starting line of the Zion Ultra 50k and it is cold, hovering somewhere in the low to mid-forties. I am excited and nervous which happens before every race.  I feel strong and know I have the endurance to finish but six days before the race, a pain shot up in my ankle and my ankle swelled up.  I rested it and then ran lightly two of the three days leading up to the race and while I could run I did feel it and was extremely worried that while it may be okay for a six mile run a thirty three mile run is quite another thing.  I took some Ibuprofen before the race and brought some with me so the pain would not be too bad. The night before I couldn’t sleep because after a year of pushing myself with one goal in mind. I thought I might fall short because of an ill-timed orthopedic injury.

I felt like a winner at the starting line. With my Ibuprofen in my pack I knew I would finish and maybe even have a shot at placing in my age group. I felt strong and fit. Everything was completely different than exactly one year ago except one thing. My wife was still by my side this time literally giving me a hug at the starting line and offering me words of encouragement. We all need someone by our side I thought even if they think that you are a bit crazy.  Maybe us crazy people need the support even more, because we tend to choose the path less traveled.

It was a rolling start and the 50ker’s could go out any time between 7:00 and 7:30am a concession to COVID protocols to keep the crowd at the starting line smaller. I chose the 7am time because I just wanted to get started.

When I run a long distance that first mile always seems uncomfortable like I am not in a rhythm.  This time was no different, Except that the scenery was already spectacular. As we started I could see the sun rising over the mountains and it was rejuvenating. I was excited and definitely running to fast but the course at this point was slightly downhill and on a dirt road so I figured that I would take advantage of this terrain because that would not always be the case. We all soon fit into a steady conga line of runners when we hit the single track up the Grafton Mesa only changing one runner at a time when runners stopped for gear adjustments or like me stopping to take pictures and videos of the dramatic vistas on top of the mesa.

I was running pretty steady through the race making steady time sometimes slowing to walk after the mile 13 mark on the uphills to conserve energy.  About halfway through the race I notice that a woman runner was just behind me. This is the nature of ultras in that you will be running with someone for a long time.  I stopped to eat a gel and drink some water and she came upon me and said “Don’t stop you are keeping me going with your pace!” I quickly took a drink of water and followed her and we stayed with each other until mile 29 with us taking turns pacing each other and encouraging each other and not too mention making sure we did not miss a trail marker and lose the trail.  Her name was Kira and she was from San Diego, and she was a veteran of ultra races.  She really kept my pace up and me moving forward during some of the roughest parts of the course over the slick rocks of Gooseberry Mesa. Without her encouragement, I definitely would have slowed down.

There was one point on the race when I was at the end of a point on the Gooseberry Mesa with 360 degree views in which I said to myself “This is why I wanted to run this race.” I wanted to stand on top of a mesa and view the landscape of the Southwest. I took in the view with great satisfaction.

At about the 20 mile point I noticed a young man who was sturdily built with a large beard. His name was Fletch. This is when I found out that this 50K was a bit longer than the 31 miles it should be it was closer to 33 miles. The aid station that was to appear at the 22 mile mark appeared at mile 24. Trail races by their very nature are not exact measurements but in this case it was more a psychological obstacle as we were all moving aid station to aid station and when the aid station is not there when you expect it, it is a bit disheartening. We finally arrived at the aid station grumbling to the poor volunteer that it was mismarked.

From mile 24 to 29 it was the three of us together. We talked some, which is natural in an ultra. Fletch told us this was his first ultra, Kira and I were veterans this was my sixth one and I  told them that I didn’t do my first till the age of fifty seven. He was shocked and asked “How old are you?” I told him “sixty-one”. He said “Can’t wait to tell my parents who are in there sixties and complain about just walking, that a sixty-one year old helped get me through this race!”

At the last aid station, Kira left first smelling the finish line and we never saw her again.  I looked at Fletch and said “You ready?” He wasn’t but that did not stop him. It soon became apparent that he would have difficulty running because his leg muscles had seized up on him and he was in pain. We mostly walked the last four miles with some jogs place here and there.

We did talk and Fletch had his own journey to this ultra. He had been in some dark and scary places in his young life but was now pretty much out of them and this ultra was part of that journey to a good life. Fletch and I were on the journey to the finish line together but our real stories was about the journey to the starting line. That is true for all runners in any race but especially ultra-runners. The journey to the starting line is often more difficult than the journey to the finish line.

At one point when I know he was struggling I offered up some very simple advice that helps me get through a tough race “Just keep moving forward”. It is simple but it is amazing how many people just stop and feel sorry for themselves.

My journey began laying on a couch with COVID. The next step was first walking, then running and training never very far from my house with over 2,000 miles of running and walking to get to the Zion 50k. I didn’t know the details of Fletch’s journey but I know that it was not an easy one but I could tell a couple of things about him. First, he was good and kind man. Second, that he was tough and determined. His life journey would be a good one.

While as much as I like to think of myself as a “badass” for completing the race I know that it was not a solo feat.  The other runners on the course kept me motivated and going. In addition, the race volunteers at the aid stations were also amazing so they are also a part of the accomplishments of the runners.

When we were less than a mile from the finish line I said to Fletch “We have to run through the finish line. It looks better than walking.” At about a half a mile away we started to slowly jog and it felt great as a small crowd of people scattered along the way cheered us on. We ran through the finish line and there was my wife there to greet me, and meet my new best friend. I even did get third place in my age group missing second by less than two minutes.

Looking back I realized that yes I needed the assistance of the other runners and the volunteers on the race, but I need the assistance and love of my wife on the journey to the starting line and after the finish line.

Date Line April 11, 2021 (The day after)

My wife the next day asked me “So did the race live up to your expectations? You have been talking about it for two years!” I said “Yes it had”. The course was gorgeous and the other racers so encouraging.

My mind then began to wander to my next starting line. It is the journey to the starting line, that keeps me motivated. If my battle with COVID taught me anything, it is that don’t take life and your health for granted. In life, like in an ultra, sometimes you just have to keep moving.

 

Fletch and I at the finish line.

 

Running with and for a Purpose and Finding that the Butterfly Effect is Powerful

The "Butterfly Effect", how just small changes can accumulate with massive effect... the flap of a butterfly's wings might cause a hurricane. 

It was the first day of the team running competition among over one hundred various charities and I felt great about my contribution to the team, my daily run, which was usually a little over five miles, this day was 7.5 miles. I felt great almost smug about that contribution. Surely, that had to be a superior contribution.  I went to our team Facebook page to see how the day was going and it was a flurry of happy and determined posts of people getting in their miles. Getting in their miles for our charity Dylan’s Wings of Change (DWC). Ian Hockley the Executive Director of DWC had lost his son in the Sandy Hook School shooting and had created programs for school districts that improve school climate and culture.

Instantly when I looked at our group Facebook page I felt a breeze and saw that I had to step up my game. I had told Ian that I had been averaging over 40 miles per week and so could probably get him around 200 miles for the month, which he seemed happy with. These numbers were the highest I had ever logged. In the last nine months working from home had allowed me to spend more time running and not in my car commuting to work. I had maximized my fitness with the time I had pushed my body to its limits.

I soon found out that sometimes you have to know what your limits are so that you can exceed and push past them.

That first breeze I felt on day one was the “Butterfly Effect”. I saw the effort others on the team were putting in and it motivated me to push a little harder. So the next day I did 8 miles and then on the third day 8.5 miles. It meant I had to get up earlier and get out the door earlier but I would do that for the team. A team in which I really only knew one person, Ian. At the end of day three, I check the team standings to see how we were doing. There were over hundred teams and each team was comprised of one hundred runners so one or two strong runners could help but you needed a great effort by everyone. I had no idea how we would stack up but there on day three we were in first place!

That first place position I believe started to motivate everyone just a bit more. Everyone’s small increased effort had a larger impact on others.  It was the “butterfly effect”. That breeze I had felt on day one, was now a strong gust of wind. Yet I was not running against the wind but it was at my back and the backs of the other runners seemingly lifting our feet to take extra steps for Dylan’s Wing.

I was extremely energized and motivated and wanted to give more, but how? I only had so much time in the morning and no time at night.  Yet I noticed that others were running more than once a day. I could run a short time on my lunch break. After all, I did have a treadmill.  In all my time of training for Tough Mudders, Spartan Races, trail races, and ultra-marathons, I had never really run more than once a day.  I was not sure how my body would react especially since I had increased my daily run at the same time.  Yet with the “butterfly effect” now pushing me even more I took the plunge and did an additional 3.3 miles on my treadmill on day five. There was no turning back now I was going to average over eleven miles a day from here on out.

It was obvious after ten days that I was going to set a personal record for most miles run in a month, which I did with 345. Yet despite my tendencies to be self-absorbed, this was about more than me. Others on the Dylan’s Wing team were also setting personal records and smashing goals. While the “butterfly effect” was the guiding principle of Dylan’s Wings of Change, that was more about affecting positive change in our schools and our youth, not about adults running more.

Yet there is a vital similarity. That is the power of positivity! Our Facebook page was built on many of the same principles as Dylan’s Wings used in our schools. It was fun, it was encouraging, it built connections, and it was a source of positive energy and enthusiasm. It also built a team.

There were amazing athletes like Michael who did a 200 mile run, Andy who was averaging over 200 miles a week of running.  Please don’t ask me how these feats are done but they did them. Ka who I believes only eats, sleeps and runs.  Whenever she had a free second she went out and walked or ran. Others such as Kelly, Tee, Robb, Joanna, as well as so many others were a source of positive energy and they were a lot of fun.  Andrew’s posts of his hair made me laugh out loud.  There was such energy that getting motivated to do an extra run or walk was not a chore but a joy. We were running for Dylan.

I should note it was not just the one hundred runners that were part of this we actually had three teams though team one was the one that was expected to log the most miles.  However when team members from team two and three posted about their extra effort even though they had no shot of winning the prize money, it motivated me even more.  If they could give for Dylan so could I.

Frankly I could not believe how focused and motivated we all were.  After three weeks we had a pretty comfortable lead and the only thing that could stop us is if we just eased up but the opposite happened we all started piling on the miles.  Not only were we piling on the miles we were having a ton of fun sporting our purple clothes in honor of Dylan (Whose favorite color was purple.) We won the competition going away.

When the competition was over, I have to admit I was a little sad. I have rarely been so motivated and inspired to give my all than in this competition and I suspect the others were to.  When I signed up for this competition, I was thinking that I would just do my normal workouts and see how things would workout. Little did I know that this was a great memorable running experience.  While all my miles were logged on solo runs, I was truly never alone on those journeys.  Everyone on teams 1, 2, and 3 were with me pushing me on.

Yet the biggest lesson from this entire experience is that “Butterfly Effect” is more powerful than I thought, even virtually.  A small word of encouragement in a post, creating a fun post that brings a smile to ones face, watching others pushing past their limits, these all start small but their effect is huge.  It is something we all should remember that a small gesture of kindness and encouragement can have an immense impact especially when many people do it.

Looking back at the competition with other great charities and able runners who cared as much as we did, I realized that we had an unfair advantage: we utilized the “Butterfly Effect”!

The Case for Participation Trophies

In our society today one of the most compelling arguments made by the older generations against millennials and the generations following them is that those generations feel entitled and one of their favorite examples they cite to prove their point is that the problem is that everyone gets a trophy!  Not just those who win, but all kids get a participation trophy so they all feel like they are winners even though they are not winners. 

It is as if the act of getting a participation trophy has almost single handily ruined a generation and will lead to the downfall of our country.  I am a Baby Boomer and it is my generation that complains the loudest about this custom (We somehow conveniently ignore the fact that we started this practice as parents.)

I remember one year when my kids were young, probably around 13 and 14 and they were on our lake’s swim team.  They were average swimmers and some years at the championship swim meet, they may place in the top six and be rewarded with a special ribbon but this particular year that did not occur.  At the swim team banquet, they received their swim team ribbon, which was basically a “participation trophy” which all the team members got.  Some of the swimmers who had placed got other ribbons and trophies.  At the banquet I went up to them and asked to see their ribbon and acted as if I was really  impressed.  They looked at me incredulously and said “Dad everyone gets these.  It doesn’t mean we were special.” While I didn’t tell them at that moment but they were right. (No! Stop! I don’t mean my kids are not special they are. I love them with all my heart, but they were not particularly gifted swimmers. I guess there goes my dad of the year award.)  They saw the ribbons for what they were “participation trophies” and that while they were happy to participate they did not feel special and certainly not entitled.  I think kids can pick-up on social ques more than adults realize.

Even if our kids are not impressed with their “participation trophies” or at least see them for what they are, there is a place for “participation trophies” and it is for me and all the other runners! I am a runner and runners have almost an unhealthy attraction and love for participation trophies.

As a runner that means I am fully stocked with participation trophies, which most often take the form of a t-shirt.  However, I also have an array of medals, sweatshirts, headbands, drinking glasses, coffee mugs, jackets, and even socks!  Full disclosure here, I love my participation trophies and am proud of them.  Also in full disclosure in all the races I have participated in, I have not won one, with the notable exception of placing first in my age group for a mile run, in a very, very small local meet.  I was  in the oldest age group and there was only three people in that group (One of the advantages of aging is that there are fewer competitors as you get older) so it was not a tremendous feat but I also would like to add that I beat all those youngsters in the age group below me.

I am not unique in this need for a participation trophy.  All the races I sign up for whether it is an obstacle run like the Spartan or Tough Mudder or a noncompetitive charity 5K, they promote their bling which in reality are participation trophies.  In fact, for those rare races that do not provide race swag or bling they have to clearly state that they don’t have any bling, and then give a damn good and compelling reason.  There is one race I do that is small charity race and they don’t charge a lot so that all the funds can go to the charity.  While I run it every year I have this ache in my heart for my participation trophy. The point is everyone wants there participation trophy. At least I hope so, or am I the only shallow person out there?

As I stated earlier I love my “participation trophies” and to the dismay of my son I wear my race shirts often.  (My son thinks that I wear the shirts to show off that I am old guy who still can do it.  Which is of course is completely true.  The fact that it drives him crazy is just a major bonus.) When I go to a race it is a smorgasbord of race shirts as everyone is wearing some past race shirt. 

This is why participation trophies are important because they help foster participation as their namesake clearly indicates.  They get people involved not just in running but you see numerous volunteer groups also do similar things to get people not only involved in their cause but make them feel good about being a part of something.  This is important because the lack of participation is a chronic issue in the nonprofit world and even in democracy itself.  Before I get to deep and go over the top with all this because it sounds like I am arguing that “participation trophies” are essential to democracy, which is almost as crazy as saying they are the demise of a generation, let me continue.

Running may be a bit unique, in regards to winning and losing, in that you can enter a race that may have less than a hundred participants or thousands of other competitors and 99% of them know they are not going to win the entire race or even their age group, yet they still compete.   

Then why do we do it?

The answer it is not about winning as much as it is about improving yourself.  Maybe you do it to stay fit.  Maybe to challenge yourself to accomplish something you were not sure you could do.  Maybe to get a personal best in a distance. The reasons are very personal but those personal reasons are the best motivators.

I know for myself that there were several grueling races in which I finished significantly behind the winner, who by the time I finished, was probably in their car on their way home. However, I felt like a winner just by completing the race.  That is why I like my “participation trophies” I earned them especially since they pretty much all came after the age of 50.

That is the lesson our youth should get from the “participation trophies” it is not about winning but about being a part of something, being part of a community, and of improving yourself.  If you do these things you are not just a participant but you actually are a winner.

Runners 101: A Basic Guide for Nonrunners to Understand the Runner in their Life

There two types of people in this world runners and nonrunners.  One thing is obvious, and that is they do not understand each other.  Runners have certain tendencies that nonrunners think are a bit odd and quirky. While it may seem odd and quirky to a nonrunner, it makes perfect sense to a runner.

Since we are all together in this world with runners and nonrunners being in relationships, being married or related by blood or marriage, it is important that we get along and understand each other.  That is why I am here to help the nonrunner understand their quirky obsessed relative, friend, lover, or spouse.

What are my qualifications to solve this problem you might ask? Firstly, I am a self-obsessed quirky runner. Secondly, I came to running later in life so I was also a nonrunner. Most of my friends and family are nonrunners, including my wife.  If they gave out degrees for being a nonrunner my wife would have a masters. Then again, my wife would argue if they gave out degrees for being an odd and quirky runner, I would have my doctorate. So, as you can obviously see I am overqualified to pontificate on this subject.

To follow are some of the burning questions that the poor runners are peppered with on a daily basis that nonrunners think are strange but runners have perfectly logical reasons for doing.

Why do you have so many running shoes? Wouldn’t one or two suffice? This question exposes the naïveté of the nonrunner. First of all, you need two shoes for the different types of runs you do.  For example, trail running has a different shoe then road running.  So that is four shoes right there. One more for your treadmill running. That is five. You also need to always be breaking in a shoe for each run another two, so we are up to seven. I always have a pair for bad weather, now that is eight. Finally, some shoes have sentimental value such as the shoe you finished your first half marathon in, or you recorded your fastest 10k in.  So that makes it ten shoes that runner needs to have on hand. If the runner in your life has less than a ten shoes give them a gift certificate to purchase a new pair of running shoes. (Never, ever, buy a pair yourself and give them to them because we are also very particular on brands and models.)

Why do you have to drive three hours for a race when there are races much closer? A race is a race isn’t it? Another very silly question with a logical and mathematical answer. There is a mathematical formula (M x D x RB x PP x PR = RA) to explain the attraction of races that are not close to home. Let me explain the formula. It is M(miles from home) X D(distance of race) X RB(race bling) X PP(Posting power of photos) X PR(if a personal record is possible) = RA(the race attraction rate) This means that the longer the distance of the race and the further the race is from home, the harder it is to resist.  This was all discovered by an online university that is no longer in business but trust me this not theory but fact.  You want proof?  The Western States 100 mile race attracts thousands from across the world and the only way to get in is to win a lottery, and less than 5% usually win. Runners have been known to travel hundreds of miles for a trailfest (A long weekend with trail races over several days.) and then only have enough money to sleep in a tent, but hey they get a great t-shirt.

Aren’t you worried about your knees? Running is bad for the knees isn’t it? First of all if you are a runner do not answer this question with the first things that comes to you.  For me that was to answer the question, with my own question. “Aren’t you afraid that your growing fat ass will put too much weight on your knees?” For some strange reason that person unfriended me on Facebook.

Actually in this case there are studies that indicate the opposite of this “old wives tale” (Can we still use that term or is it sexist? It is also not accurate I have found that old husbands are better at making things up then any woman.) Any way luckily this study was done at Boston University which is still around and here is the evidence. Spoiler alert – It may actually do the opposite and strengthen your knees.

Why do runners have to always get their run in even when there are other obligations? For example why do you have to do your long run this morning we might be late for my sister’s wedding? We all have priorities in life and somedays getting your run in is the top priority.  If you start taking days off you can soon start slipping in a dark deep hole of becoming a nonrunner – no offense.

As for that measly reason for not getting in a run, going to a wedding.  Here is how I would reply.  Firstly, I have an important half marathon coming up and I need my long run day. Secondly, she will hopefully be married for the rest of her life and in fact this day is the least important because she will not even be married for the whole day. Even if we are a little late for the ceremony we will not miss the reception and that is the best part. Did I mention that I have a big race I am training for?

I have seen you after some tough races and you seem like you are near death. How is that fun?  This is a common misconception that nonrunners have. They see a runner gasping for his or her last breath of air; or laying on the ground with their legs cramping up and unable to walk or even stand and think that we are not having fun. Yea, I have to admit that this is a tougher one to explain, but remember this is near death not actual death. We have a secret process that starts the healing process quickly and begins to erase the feelings of pain from our memory. This powerful healing tool is mass produced out of cheap metal, and it is called the finishers medal. Its powers are amazing. It is almost impossible not to smile when it is put on. Even if you come in last place, in fact, it might be more powerful for that individual. Twenty-four hours later amnesia sets in and we believe that we crushed that race with ease. We are then scouring the web looking for another race.

You make runners sound like self-obsessed fanatics who are addicted to running and part of a leaderless cult. Am I wrong? Now finally a breakthrough and you only thought we were odd and quirky. We are much more than that! We are a movement with a purpose. Now I have a question for you.

What?

Do you want to join us?

The Seduction of the Algorithm

There is moment when you realize that you are being lead on and seduced. That moment is when you have given in. This is my story.

The beautiful picture appeared on my news feed. It was not a link that I subscribed to, but on a site an algorithm had decided I was interested in.  I have to say my interest was piqued.  I know that I should not have been interested because I am married with a family, work obligations, and very little spare time. I was also in my upper 50’s at the time so maybe this was my midlife crisis.  I stared at the pictures and she spoke to me.  She was beautiful and exciting. “You are not too old. It is now or never.” She said.  I knew this was not me searching for this excitement but an algorithm preying on me for money.  My saner side was winning at first but the more daring side was interested and kept taking a peek.  It was wearing my logic down.  I did not give into the seduction the first few times but I could not forget it either. Finally, I gave into the seduction and clicked on to join. Maybe the algorithms knew me better than I knew myself. 

Being the good husband that I am, I confessed to my wife “Hun I signed up to do a 50 mile ultra-marathon”. I had never even run a marathon before, so this was a big and daring step for me.  Maybe my wife knew me better than I knew myself because she was not shocked nor surprised. Maybe everyone knows me better than I know myself.

The thing is I knew from that moment, was that I was being targeted.  Targeted not because I am a nice guy, smart, or even wealthy. No. I was targeted because I am a runner.  The algorithm knows that runners are easy prey. Put any new race in front of them with smiling runners and photos of beautiful landscapes, and a t-shirt and they are interested. We are like cats following the red dot of a laser pen.

They are also hard to avoid especially since I also shop online.  Doesn’t matter what news story I am reading whether it is on public education, global warming, impeachment, or a grisly murder; there are my brand of trail shoes happily following me as I scroll through the article.  Telling me that I need a new pair, even though I just bought a pair last month. 

I would like to say that I learned my lesson and have stayed away from unsolicited running ads but I cannot lie.  I do click on the many races that appear but it is almost a flirtatious relationship on my part not one of commitment because while I will tease them with numerous clicks. They are almost always too far a drive for me to commit to.  Though once and a while if the race is close by and fits in my schedule I commit.

One however did not play fair and that was Vacation Races.  Because it not was not just a race but it was numerous races, set in places of natural beauty. This captured my other passion besides running and that is seeing national parks and being outside in areas of immense beauty.  They also had a variety of dates and locales to choose from so my biggest reason for not succumbing, the date, was off the table. Fitting one into my schedule was relatively easy. Then they also included epic short videos with dramatic music.  I saw myself running in these beautiful places. There now was only two obstacles, traveling a long distance to get to the race (and the costs associated with that) and convincing my wife.

Luckily for me, that while my wife has little interest watching me run for hours she does enjoy, like me, traveling, and seeing our country’s beautiful places.  My strategy was set.  We always wanted to go back to the Southwest and see places like Bryce Canyon and Zion National Park and Vacation Races provided me the perfect cover to say that this was about the both of us when in reality it was about the race and me. 

Despite my knowledge that my wife would love to visit Zion and Bryce and that this is something we both wanted I did have pangs of guilt about asking her because the motivation was not about our pleasure but was about my race. It was time for me to admit that running and racing, was my mistress and the algorithms knew that and played on my weakness. 

That realization however, did not stop me from pursuing the Zion Ultra and telling my wife that the race was only one day and the rest of the time, I would be hers. I then picked the 50k over the 100k because it was a shorter race. It would be only one day just about me, instead of the longer race that would go on into the night.  I was proud of myself for being so thoughtful. I could have easily opted for a half marathon and it would be about a two-hour commitment. Yes, I could have, but the views that my race mistress flirted in front of me made me commit more time to her.

The issue though is not just this race.  It is that the algorithms know me and can prey on me. While I am set to do the Zion Ultra this April there are other beautiful races out there almost all of them calling my name. I even joined the Friends of Vacation Races Facebook page. Now I am seeing posts from other runners also seduced by the algorithms.  Yet we are happily seduced. We are very willing victims.

It took me a month or so of cajoling my wife about how great this time alone would be for us and that the race was just one in a series of events that would have on this trip before we committed.  Though she saw right through my charade and laughed at my attempts to make this trip about us. I am like a man coming home with lipstick on my shirt collar.

After this race, I plan on turning over a new leaf. I will no longer succumb to these race ads.  I am a new man. I know that my wife would love to see Yosemite, Yellowstone, California wine country, or even go overseas to Italy or Ireland. I will gladly join her and even help plan the dates we go. It will just be a simple coincidence that there happens to be a race going on at the same time we are there. It is after all only a few hours and the rest of the time I will be hers. I think that I may need help.

 

The Argument between the Brain and the Toes

The weather outside looked ugly.  It was a light yet steady sleet coming down on a Saturday morning.  Weekends are my time to run outside and get in more miles.  While I have trained myself to run in almost any weather that doesn’t mean that I always relish it.  It also doesn’t mean that I do not constantly check the weather reports, to see if I wait an hour so that the temperature will rise a bit in the winter or the rain let up at another time of the year.

Yet, there is only so much my smartphone can tell one about the weather.  I do have a front door and can open the door to see it firsthand.  So, I went to the front door and opened the door and immediately the cold air hit me and I could hear the familiar sound of sleet bouncing off the ground.  My toes however felt the cold air immediately and rejected any notion of going outside.  I did not have slippers, shoes, or even socks on, so while the rest of my body was clothed my feet were completely exposed and immediately sent a message to the nervous system.

“Close the freaking door!”

I instinctively closed the door.  I thought to myself “What should I do?  Should I run now or later?”

My toes with anger yelled back at my brain “What the #@%$ ! Are you crazy?  It is not only cold but there is sleet and it is very slippery out there.  Have another cup of coffee.  Read the newspaper, scroll through your Facebook page.”

My brain answered back “Look I signed up to do a thousand miles with I Love to Run this year so today is my day for the long run.  The calendar says so.”

My toes shot back to my brain “You felt it.  This is no time to go outside. Your decisions don’t have to be made by a calendar or some website!  It is sleeting out there and it is slippery, use your brain! After all you actually are a brain.”

I paced around the house trying to decide what I was going to do.  I was a little aggravated because I really needed to get the miles in because I hadn’t gotten in many miles that week.  I started getting my cold weather gear.

The toes shouted “Okay I understand you need to exercise and get your miles in but let me remind you that you do have a treadmill.  You can get your miles in without battling the elements.  It is much safer that way.”

My view is that battling the elements is important in being a runner and a trail runner in the Northeast.  So I decided to head out.

My toes rebelled “Hey are you crazy?”

My brain responded “Yes maybe a little”

The toes responded “I can’t believe this! Why am I the brains in this body?”

As a concession to my toes I eschewed doing a trail run because I did not want to drive the car in the elements to the park but I figured I could run in it.

As I got out to the road I was bundled up and only my face really felt the cold as the sleet steadily blew into my face.  While the ground was a little slippery the more I ran the more I enjoyed the run.  There is almost a quietness to running on snow even though this was only a half inch of the sleet on the ground. There was even more quietness because there were very few cars on the road.  A sense of pride came over me as I could sense I was conquering the elements.  This would serve me well down the road when I am in a race and the weather is bad.  Besides there is nothing like being outside in the fresh air.  That is why I almost always decide to run outside if I have a choice.

I know many runners (Not trail runners) who live in the Northeast and they retreat to the warmth and reliability of the treadmill in the winter months.  I remember seeing a runner in Florida post how the difficulty in a race was the cold, and it was 50 degrees!  I laughed at that, for that is shorts and t-shirt for me.

At about mile five as I was running on a winding country road I noticed the road was a bit icy when I saw a skid mark and a tree that very recently had been hit by a car that had lost control on the icy road.

Immediately my toes piped in “See Mr. Conquer the Elements it is too dangerous out here.  We were obviously right!”

I kept on enjoying my run but made a note to myself “Always have shoes or at least slippers on when checking the winter weather on a cold winter day”.  It is now something I have held to for a few years now.  It really keeps the arguments down.