Here's a recap of the 2007 running season for me.
Taste of Delafield 5K June 23 23:13 (first ever race)
Pewaukee Run to the Beach 5K June 27 23:50
Race to the Taste of Chicago July 1 22:48
Hartfest 5K July 7 22:32 (2nd place age/gender group)
Delafield Log Cabin Trail Run 5K 25:10 (2nd place age/gender group)
Lake Country Half Marathon Sept 2 1:41:00
Tosafest 5K Sept 8 20:44 (Personal record for 5K 2007) Try to beat that!
Fox Cities Marathon Sept 22 3:35:00
Glacial Trail 50K Trail Ultra Oct 14 5:58:00
Devil's Dare 45K Trail Ultra Dec 1 5:15:00
No real injuries except for a lingering IT band issue in the ultras. Seems to be a problem in both legs. The right side hurts when running long distances on uneven ground but goes away a day after the run. The left does not hurt during the run but hurts a day or two after the run. It too goes away within a week after an Ultra. It will be good to give it some time off.
What a great 1st season of running!! I hope to be able to run longer Ultras after our travels with a goal of running some 50 milers and even a 100 miler in 2009. 2008 looks a bit light running and long on hiking. Life's good.
Except of course for the 5K on New Years Day in Chicago I just registered for :)
Thanks for stopping by. I hope you are all getting out!!
Friday, December 7, 2007
Thursday, December 6, 2007
Devil's Dare 50K Dec 1
The Devil's Dare 50K was held at Devil's Lake State Park. home of the rock climbing center of the Midwest, and one of my favorite parks in the Wisconsin system. I'm not here to climb today. I'm here to run my second and last Ultra of the season.
This race is put on by the fine people from the Madison running group Fat Thigh Thursdays. Brenda, the race director, did a wonderful job. Thanks Brenda!
The race started in nice weather with a a small group attending due to the weather forecast later in the day. Turns out, the drive home would be the crux.
Pics are of the whole group and of me at mile 21 aid station.
This was a grass roots race. Such an awesome group that invited me with open arms, large plates of food, a large fire and after the race a few Millers! Below is a write up from Brenda. She sums the race up as well as I could:
Devils Dare 50k, Devils De-lite 45k, and Beezlebum 23k
The Day started in excellent running conditions. Temperatures were
in the low 20's with highs expected in the mid to upper 20's. It
looked like the course change may have been unnecessary as the
runners queued up for the run. The original course would have taken
runners out to Parfrey's Glen, a steep, rocky, treacherously hilly
run, and then a flat out and back. With 5 inches of snow and sleet
predicted the day before, I decided to use the flatter second half
of the course for the entire run.
All runners left in high spirits, and headed out for the inaugural
event. A light dusting of snow from earlier in the month was still
on the ground, and was quite picturesque as we made our way of the
woods and into the open prairies surrounding Devils Lake State
Park. Runners continued to chat and cheer and happily prance
through the trails on their way to the turn around at mile 7. The
Aid station was expertly manned by Dave Sarocka and Jason Dorgan,
and boy did all the runners appreciate them! By the time runners
were on their way back from the turnaround, the snow had started and
had changed from picturesque to slippery and the wind picked up.
The Start/finish was also the turn around point for the 14 mile out
and back, and is located right on Devils Lake. By the time all the
25k runners had finished, you could no longer see across the lake in
the sideways blowing snow and dropping temperatures.
The weather continued to worsen as the run progressed, oftentimes
causing runners to point their head sideways in some of the open
prairies when the wind picked up and the sleet whipped on their
faces. The snow accumulated to several inches and running became
even tougher. Somewhere around mile 18, the race director (me)
decided to add a new distance to the race. It was originally
designed as a 50k and a 25k, but at that moment I decided to add a
new distance of 28 miles (45k) thereby allowing runners to
officially finish, but skip the brutal 3.5-mile lake loop. It would
also allow everyone to get home faster as the roads were getting
worse by the minute.
At 6 hours and 3 minutes, the last two runners finished the 45k, and
thereby set a PR for that distance. Perhaps not the fastest time
they'll ever run at that distance, but certainly the toughest!
Everyone had a great time, and everyone got back safely. Gene
Taylor had a lovely, warm fire going at the Start/Finish, and the
runners supplied plenty of delicious hot food. Gene and Robert
Wehner helped with the food and fire, and generally made sure
everyone was taken care of while I was out running the course.
(Thanks guys, you're the best!) I love grass roots events like
this, as it shows everyone at their best as they pitch in to make a
great day for everyone.
The "official" results follow.
Name Distance Time
Joel Lammers 50k 4:35:07!
Kevin Radel 50k 5:23:25
Name Distance Time
Adrian Korosec 28 mile 5:17
Laura Clark-Taylor 28 mile 5:37:25
Kristen Johnson 28 mile 6:03:05
Brenda Bland 28 mile 6:03:05
Name Distance Time
Robert Wehner 25k 1:42
Brian Watzke 25k 2:07:58
Jenny Meyer 25k 2:13
Mike Sproul 25k 2:18
Chrissy Wittleder 25k 2:18
Shana Sheiber 25k 2:18
Brian Fuhrmann 25k 2:18
LaDonna Radel 25k 2:42:42
Andrea Cox 25k 2:42:42
Linda Dunk 25k 2:42:42
Brenda
So you can see I opted for the 28 miler. The 3.5 run around the lake is not hard in most conditions, but in 4" of snow, I opted out. This race, thoug flater than the Glacial Trail 50, was much harder due to conditions. A great challenge for true!
My choice of travel home was stupid and I got caught in a huge snow storm with a two-wheel drive pick-up truck with no weight in back. What is normally a 1.5 hour drive took me 3.25 hours. EPIC!
Well that's it for the running season, except for maybe a New Years run. Sad, but true.
Race Day
Up at 5am, at the start at 6am and the gun at 7am. The race starts at the fire station in Greenbush. There were about 200 runners amassed. 104 for the 50K and rest for the 50 miler. Above is a glimpse of the course.
The gun goes off and what seems like the whole group of runners pass me by. I don't look back, but I'm sure most of the runners are ahead. Fine by me I'm thinking. These are seasoned vets. Deep down I know most are going out too fast. It's a long race.
After a few miles I hook up with a group of 4 runners who appear to be friends and running this race together. Their pace suits mine, and I latch on to the rear and enjoy the run.
Aid stations are 8 miles apart and loaded with good food. Soups, chips, pretzels, pickles, olives (see a salt theme here?), and vitamin I as in ibuprofen. Very cool people are ready to help. Coming to the Butler Lake half way aid station I see my Mom, Tanya, Karina and Sierra! How's that for a cheering section?! It's so nice that they were able to meet me for my first trail ultra. Thanks you four!!
As I hit the turn around, this is an out and back race, I look at my watch and it reads 3:00 hours exactly. How cool! I'm feeling strong and my time is better than what I had expected. I'm a bit worried that I'll have the quad pain around mile 20 or so like I did at the Fox Cities Marathon, so my elation is tempered by caution.
I'll keep walking the up hills and shuffling a long with my pacesetter group of four a head of me.
The miles tick by and around 26 I feel like its time to reel in the group and pass them. As I take off a guy from Madison latches on and we start running up hills now too. 5 more miles and still feeling great! A bit of pain in the right IT band by the knee, but nothing a few Advil doesn't fix.
I hit a wall around mile 30 and my buddy passes me, but not before we pass a bunch of other runners. The last mile is tough but I know I'm close when I see the streets of Greenbush. Then, with just a few people amassed, the finish line comes into view. I cross at 5:58!! A negative split finish! I ran the second half faster than the first. I might be getting a hang of this sport after all!!
My time is good enough for a 39 place finish overall, 5th in my gender/age group and 29th out of all males. I'm tired but happy!!
First Ultra Glacial Trail 50K
I was nervous the day before the race. Because the race was over 1.5 hours from my house, I decided to camp out at Mauthe Lake State Park friday night. I packed up the Henry Shire Tarptent to be used on the PCT, and the Western Mountaineering Alpinlite Down bag to be used on the same, and drove to the campground.
The colors were beautiful and the weather nice. I had arranged for my buddy Scott to save me one of the two last spots when I found out he was up there already. He stayed for a while after I arrived and then headed back to Brookfield.
I cooked a light meal, had a couple beers (for carb loading of course) and stoked a fire before kicking back to read a book. I miss the days of solo camping and this was a nice mellow night before what was surely to be one hell of a tomorrow. After a couple hours I let the fire die and crawled into my bag for the night.
I want to take a moment to talk about carb loading before a race. I believe you should run your own run so don't take this as pontification. Take it for what it is, that which works for me. When running long distances, we need to rely more and more on stored energy, rather than immediate simple sugars. Without the stored energy, we'd bonk after 10-15 miles. Stored energy comes in various forms, but complex carbs are most important for runs under 50 miles. So, yes, we must carb load before a race. When, though, becomes the question.
Previous knowledge has taught me that carb loading the night before a race is the way to go. Hence the popular pasta dinners we hear so much about the night before a marathon or other long race. I have found that this does not work for me. Because the race starts early, I do not want a big plate of pasta in my digestive tract minutes prior to the race. Even if you do manage a good "movement" that morning, I still feel heavy. It's the same with water. If you are trying to hydrate the morning of the race, it's too late. I taper the water and food off before the race, replying on the days prior to prepare my energy stores. Water I drink though out the race to replace what I'm losing.
My advice to budding long distance runners is to hydrate and carb load 2-4 days prior to the race. Have a light meal the night before, and keep drinking lots of water until the morning of the race. That morning, if the race starts at 7am like the Glacial 50K does, get up at 5am, have some coffee or tea and a light breakfast. i had pop tarts and a banana. Drink small amounts of water until one hour before the start and then taper to little or no water until the gun goes off. Now you have an empty digestive tract, empty bladder and are ready to go.
During the race, make sure to drink often and eat often. Since you are burning calories and water, you need to replenish. This will not add any weight, rather just keep you even. That's the ticket.
That's just what I did and it worked great.
Up next, the race.
The colors were beautiful and the weather nice. I had arranged for my buddy Scott to save me one of the two last spots when I found out he was up there already. He stayed for a while after I arrived and then headed back to Brookfield.
I cooked a light meal, had a couple beers (for carb loading of course) and stoked a fire before kicking back to read a book. I miss the days of solo camping and this was a nice mellow night before what was surely to be one hell of a tomorrow. After a couple hours I let the fire die and crawled into my bag for the night.
I want to take a moment to talk about carb loading before a race. I believe you should run your own run so don't take this as pontification. Take it for what it is, that which works for me. When running long distances, we need to rely more and more on stored energy, rather than immediate simple sugars. Without the stored energy, we'd bonk after 10-15 miles. Stored energy comes in various forms, but complex carbs are most important for runs under 50 miles. So, yes, we must carb load before a race. When, though, becomes the question.
Previous knowledge has taught me that carb loading the night before a race is the way to go. Hence the popular pasta dinners we hear so much about the night before a marathon or other long race. I have found that this does not work for me. Because the race starts early, I do not want a big plate of pasta in my digestive tract minutes prior to the race. Even if you do manage a good "movement" that morning, I still feel heavy. It's the same with water. If you are trying to hydrate the morning of the race, it's too late. I taper the water and food off before the race, replying on the days prior to prepare my energy stores. Water I drink though out the race to replace what I'm losing.
My advice to budding long distance runners is to hydrate and carb load 2-4 days prior to the race. Have a light meal the night before, and keep drinking lots of water until the morning of the race. That morning, if the race starts at 7am like the Glacial 50K does, get up at 5am, have some coffee or tea and a light breakfast. i had pop tarts and a banana. Drink small amounts of water until one hour before the start and then taper to little or no water until the gun goes off. Now you have an empty digestive tract, empty bladder and are ready to go.
During the race, make sure to drink often and eat often. Since you are burning calories and water, you need to replenish. This will not add any weight, rather just keep you even. That's the ticket.
That's just what I did and it worked great.
Up next, the race.
Friday, October 5, 2007
50K Training
Ran a brutal 8 miles today in 80 degrees with 15000% humidity. It took a long 1:10. At that pace I should complete the ultra by early next year. Haha.
Here's the link to the Ultra if you want to come watch.
The plan is to walk all up hills and steep down hills taking care to protect the quads and calves (and ankles of course), as well keeping me from bonking. I would like to do 12-13 min miles if possible. That'd be about 7 hours...a tad faster than the elite runners doing the 50 miler that started 1 hour ahead of us. The cut-off is a generous 10 hrs.
Good stuff.
Here's the link to the Ultra if you want to come watch.
The plan is to walk all up hills and steep down hills taking care to protect the quads and calves (and ankles of course), as well keeping me from bonking. I would like to do 12-13 min miles if possible. That'd be about 7 hours...a tad faster than the elite runners doing the 50 miler that started 1 hour ahead of us. The cut-off is a generous 10 hrs.
Good stuff.
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Glacial Trail 50K Ultra Prep
Here's a look at a typical flat section along the Ice Age Trail near Butler Lake upon which I will be running next Sunday. In the 50K distance, the approximate elevation change will be 15,000 feet. Doesn't sound like a Wisconsin trail does it? Think again. This is glacial territory and there are many hills, most small and steep, but hills nonetheless.
Kirsten and I hiked a 5 mile section of the race over the weekend and the leaves are just starting to turn colors up high in the Maples. Conditions should be nice for the race but they are calling for cold temps. We shall continue with style, regardless of the conditions!
Fox Cities Marathon Update
I finished with a 3:34 time, which was good for a beginner I'm told. My goal, which really had no sound basis for being, was 3:30. The plan was to follow the 3:30 pacesetter but I soon became bored with the slow pace and moved ahead....rookie mistake. At around mile 22 the 3:30 pacesetter, who was now alone instead of with the 8 people at the beginning, ran easily by me.
My quads were ruined for about 2-3 days after and when they recovered, I felt pain in my right foot just to the right of the instep. I stopped running for a few days and cross trained by road biking. The last two days I've been running again, nice and slow and not too long. It's better now.
I have, as of now, decided to not race the Colorama 10K trail run and instead focus on logging a long run on trails to prepare for the 50K ultra on Oct 14.
Next marathon I know I can do better! Boston qualify? maybe not, but I'll break the 3:30 for true with some luck!
My quads were ruined for about 2-3 days after and when they recovered, I felt pain in my right foot just to the right of the instep. I stopped running for a few days and cross trained by road biking. The last two days I've been running again, nice and slow and not too long. It's better now.
I have, as of now, decided to not race the Colorama 10K trail run and instead focus on logging a long run on trails to prepare for the 50K ultra on Oct 14.
Next marathon I know I can do better! Boston qualify? maybe not, but I'll break the 3:30 for true with some luck!
Monday, September 24, 2007
Remaining Running Season
Writing this the day after the marathon, I'm a bit frightened that I have too full a plate with my remaining two races. The Lapham Peak Colorama 10K is up on Oct 4 and the Glacial Trail 50K is the following weekend on the 14th.
I've been training on the 10K Lapham course in order to place well in that race, but now that race has turned into a last training run before tapering for the GT 50K. The 50K is too close to the marathon but I'm going for it anyway. I'll make good use of the generous 10 hour cut-off for 50K runners on this ultra marathon.
It's sad the running season is coming to an end. I've enjoyed my first full season of running and racing. I've exceeded my expectations and am kinda bummed I won't be able to race next years due to our upcoming travels. Let it be known I'm NOT complaining however!!!!
The last race of the year, the Glacial Trail 50K, will be my first ultra trail race!
This was truly a year of firsts, and the season is in memory of Chloe, who got me out running in the first place. I owe it to her!!
1st 5K race (4 total for the season)
1st 10K trail race (pending)
1st 5K trail race
1st half marathon
1st marathon
1st ultra marathon (pending)
1st Marathon ever!
So I completed my 1st ever marathon yesterday. It was the Fox Cities Marathon up in Appleton, WI. I must say they put on a great event! Many very supportive spectators, and the volunteers were top notch.
As a rookie would, I started out of the gate too fast and really hit a wall at mile 22 or so. My goal was 3:30 but I ended up finishing 3:34:40. As I saw the 3:30 pace setter run by at mile 22 I knew I would not be able to keep the pace. I tried to keep up but my body told me in no uncertain terms that I was not up to the challenge. Next time I will force myself to start out slower and run smarter.
My results were 94 th overall out of 853, 63 of all males, and 10th in my division of 35-39 year old males. I'm happy from the result and have learned a bit about long distance running.
Hats off to all the spectators, organizers and volunteers of the Community First Fox Cities Marathon!
As a rookie would, I started out of the gate too fast and really hit a wall at mile 22 or so. My goal was 3:30 but I ended up finishing 3:34:40. As I saw the 3:30 pace setter run by at mile 22 I knew I would not be able to keep the pace. I tried to keep up but my body told me in no uncertain terms that I was not up to the challenge. Next time I will force myself to start out slower and run smarter.
My results were 94 th overall out of 853, 63 of all males, and 10th in my division of 35-39 year old males. I'm happy from the result and have learned a bit about long distance running.
Hats off to all the spectators, organizers and volunteers of the Community First Fox Cities Marathon!
Friday, July 27, 2007
In Memory of Chloe, our dog
She's been gone for some time now and I still missed her each day. The pain still strikes deep each time I rememebr that terrible, terrible evening. All I have left are memories, happy mostly. I hope her and Kaiser are together again and I can;t wait to be reunited with them and the rest of my family and friends on the other side. Here are two documents to memorialize the sade day Chloe was killed my a motorist:
Chloe, our wonderful friend and family member, was struck and killed by a hit and run driver 5:45pm, Monday night, January 22, 2007. She will be sorely missed.
We were on the side of the road, with a flashlight, and bright red outerwear. The driver, going northbound on Nagawicka, swerved to the right and hit her while she was only 10 feet in front of me. She only had one paw on the asphalt. She did not run out into the street. The driver never stopped.
Another document I wrote the day after as to not forget the night. It was a life changing event.
Dear Chloe,
Kirsten and I never had a chance to say goodbye to you. I’m so sorry for that. I’m so sorry that I could not jerk you out of the way before that terrible accident. It all happened so fast, for you and me.
I was in a state of shock when the driver drifted over at the last second and I heard you get hit. I had zero time to react. As you tumbled by, one foot to my right, it did not seem real. I expected the car to stop and help us, but it didn’t. It just drove away with total indifference, leaving us by ourselves.
As I came upon you, you looked as shocked as I must have looked. I noticed your cut leg. I thought for sure you’d be dead, but you were breathing. I calmly told you you’d be alright and that I will carry you home, where it would be safe and warm. You were heavy in my arms, but you kept your eyes open and helped me along with that cute look, even as you faced death.
I got you home and laid you down on the kitchen floor while hurrying to get your bed, that familiar resting pad you loved so. I knew it would soon become your death bed, but I also knew you’d feel at ease in its comfort and familiar smell. You were very calm and never fought. You lay still, breathing softly, and not under stress. I was so thankful for that.
I fumbled with the computer to find the telephone number of your vet in Oconomowoc only to find that they had gone home for the night. I called the emergency number, while talking calmly and petting you gently. She gave me directions and we were soon on our way.
Even though I knew how it would end, we had to make a go of it for help. Who knows right? Miracles do happened, from what I’ve been told. I guess Kirsten saving you from the wilds of Utah was one of them. You coming into my life was another.
You passed away about 5 minutes from the vet after what seemed like a very gentle heart attack…or something. You had some blood coming from your mouth, so I suspect you had major internal injuries that I could not see. Later I noticed a mark on your right temple area that took the first and biggest hit, which was a blessing in disguise, taking away the pain.
You never complained Chloe. You never cried. You tried to make it easier for me, I know. You never wanted it to end like this, nor did I. I’m so sad that you are not coming back. I love you. I’m in total shock and keep hoping that this is all a bad dream. I know it’s not. I thought I heard you walking around the house so many times last night while I lay in bed.
We are having you privately cremated, so we can plant your ashes with Kaiser’s somewhere meaningful. I’d like to plant a tree where we put your ashes so that we can remember you in a different form, for many, many years.
Chloe, the times you, Kirsten and I had together were so much fun. We were robbed of more such experiences, and we did not deserve to be separated so suddenly. That’s why I wanted to take this moment to say good bye. I love and miss you, and feel so sad that you are gone.
Good bye.
Love,
Adrian
It's Been A Long December
Monday, July 23, 2007
Shasta Climb 2008
It has been some time since posting! Here's something that might be of some interest to the climbers out there.
I'll be back soon to tell a tale of "The Climb".
I'll be back soon to tell a tale of "The Climb".
Friday, June 15, 2007
Graduation Weekend
Well it's official! Kirsten is a Master Journalist. She will be walking this Saturday. The family from Tucson is in town to celebrate with us, which makes it that much more special.
Kirsten has worked very hard for this day, and we've both made sacrifices to reach this goal. From the get-go we knew this wouldn't be easy. We'd be spending many nights and weeks apart, spending many dollars, and generally just wishing we could see more of each other. It was expected though, for it is clear that greatness was never achieved without struggle and sacrifice.
We have many people to thank, and I'm sure Kirsten will want to add to my list. Kirsten's family was very supportive and helped her stay mentally tough at times when she thought she was alone.
Her professors were a great resource, and she loved them all. The few I met had a great combination of intellect and humor. Oh how I miss the academic life. Maybe one day I'll go back.....maybe not :)
The students she was fortunate enough to meet and work with were some of the most talented people I've met (the few that I did meet). Group dynamics provided much synergy and energy. The crew she lived with in Washington D.C. were a tight group, watching out for each other and spending many hours watching the "Wire" seasons (yes seasons, not just episodes).
Last but not least, my family helped out as well. When times were slow and lonely at the lake house, I always had an open invitation for dinner or weekend get together. It gave me an opportunity to spend more time with them. I have to mention that this adventure would have been much harder on us, in many tangible ways, without the support of my Mother. Thanks so much for your generous gifts!
So in a couple hours I'm heading out of the office and driving down to the Second City to meet everyone that has already arrived. I'm looking forward. Please stay tuned for a trip report and pictures of the weekend.
I'll leave you with a little image of the lake until I'm back. Thanks for tuning in!
Kirsten has worked very hard for this day, and we've both made sacrifices to reach this goal. From the get-go we knew this wouldn't be easy. We'd be spending many nights and weeks apart, spending many dollars, and generally just wishing we could see more of each other. It was expected though, for it is clear that greatness was never achieved without struggle and sacrifice.
We have many people to thank, and I'm sure Kirsten will want to add to my list. Kirsten's family was very supportive and helped her stay mentally tough at times when she thought she was alone.
Her professors were a great resource, and she loved them all. The few I met had a great combination of intellect and humor. Oh how I miss the academic life. Maybe one day I'll go back.....maybe not :)
The students she was fortunate enough to meet and work with were some of the most talented people I've met (the few that I did meet). Group dynamics provided much synergy and energy. The crew she lived with in Washington D.C. were a tight group, watching out for each other and spending many hours watching the "Wire" seasons (yes seasons, not just episodes).
Last but not least, my family helped out as well. When times were slow and lonely at the lake house, I always had an open invitation for dinner or weekend get together. It gave me an opportunity to spend more time with them. I have to mention that this adventure would have been much harder on us, in many tangible ways, without the support of my Mother. Thanks so much for your generous gifts!
So in a couple hours I'm heading out of the office and driving down to the Second City to meet everyone that has already arrived. I'm looking forward. Please stay tuned for a trip report and pictures of the weekend.
I'll leave you with a little image of the lake until I'm back. Thanks for tuning in!
Wednesday, May 2, 2007
Starting out
So it begins...
Baboquivari Summit via the Regular Route. Climbed with Kirsten and Robbie. Such a fun time. Camped over night somewhere on the mountain, couldn't find the SE Arete and climbed it via the Regular. We almost lost Robbie on the hike out, but he came back just a bit worse for wear. In his words, "i got in a tangle with a mountain lion. Keep an eye out for one with three legs". I guess he won the fight?I'm happy we left water and beer in the truck before leaving the day before. We drank up and all was well. We laughed and chatted about the climb on the drive off the rez and back to Rancho Selby. Talks began to drift towards the next ascent, and maybe even finding the right route next time!
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