DaCrizzow

California's Mt. Shasta     Two weeks after missing the cut-off at mile 40 at the Mt. Hood 50 mile, I'm either getting an opportunity for "redemption" or just another chance to wreck my body and soul over what many would say is a pointless activity. At the very least it's an excuse to go hang out on some amazing trails, taking in beautiful views, meeting interesting people and hanging out in Ashland, OR. One of my favorite towns.     I did this same race last year, it was my first (and only) 50 mile run. Finishing in 10:40. I probably ran about 43 miles of it with just a couple short breaks of walking until getting a boost in spirits at the mile 45 aid station and running as hard as I could manage all the way to the finish. Things didn't quite go that way this time around.     Any of you who know me or have read this blog know I've been dealing with a lot of set backs this year. Nothing too damaging, just some life stresses and injuries that have lef...

    Heading into the race I knew I wasn't quite prepared. Due to several injuries and a stressful job situation my training runs had come to pretty much a complete stop. My races had become my long runs. I'd built up a good base so I can usually pull out a decent 20 miler off the bat, maybe even a 30 miler but after that, anything can happen. Don't know if it's going to be a gradual fade or just a sheer drop but I know something will happen. Also, due to my unstable training as of late, my pace has slowed quite a bit so the idea of putting some time "in the bank" early in a race might take a lot of energy out of me that might be real real important later in a race.     We had a six hour cut-off at mile 28 which i made with basically no problem. Plenty of room to spare. The only issue so far was some stomach issues that i blame on coconut water I had in a drop bag at mile 15. I'd heard others doing this and thought I'd give it a try. Nope, won't be...

    Not much I can do now but rest, stretch eat right and get my attitude together. Next weekend, July 12, I'll run 50 miles then two weeks later do it again. I had had some hopes of hitting a PR, maybe come in under 9:30 hours. Don't see that happening though. So....this is where getting my attitude right comes in.     I came in to 2014 strong. Several back to back long runs for a few weeks, followed by several weeks of some good 20 mile runs before everything got shifted around. As it turns out, stress and emotions are directly connected with my back, legs and feet. Didn't take long till I had some kind of issue going on with all three. Training all but stopped. I managed a 40 miler that went really well but just recently ran a 35 miler that just about broke me. Now, when I say "broke," it doesn't mean what it used to mean. It used to lie more along the lines of almost being reduced to tears. These days it's more about problem solving, moving forward ...