jturnerx Member

I'm afraid I don't know where else to get Unbreakable but at their web site. It is a good movie though and I got to see it at a screening with Geoff, Anton, and Hal.

I used to put everything plus the kitchen sink in my drop bag. I've cut way down since and things are much more manageable now. What goes in there totally depends on the race and the weather. Meds, sunscreen, water spray bottle and towel (it's amazing how much better you feel when you have a chance to clean the grime off…

Wow, Dave, your race sounds similar to the North Face 50 I did in 2012. It was miles and miles of chocolate pudding on a course with a lot of elevation change. The worst environmental conditions I'd ever faced until the sandstorm I had to contend with at Monument Valley last month. The mud and rain at NF was annoying and…

I've written reports about a few of the 50 milers I've done which can be found in the link below. http://coffeemoneyrunning.blogspot.com/search/label/50%20mile Lately I've tended to pick hard courses for some reason. Or they become much harder due to circumstances beyond my control. I'm doing another really hard one in two…

OMG! Nobody told me we had bumper sticker police!

My weekday run schedule is Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and it's 6.5 miles to work if I took the most direct route but I usually need to get more in than that so some days I do a round trip and others I don't. I have to pre-plan the clothes for the 3 days and bring in/take home on Mondays and Fridays because I don't…

On the getting lost bit, carry a copy of the trail map with you. Race staff will do their best to mark the trail but course markers can be vandalized or you miss a turn or you get incorrect directions from a day use hiker. You have to try really hard to get lost in a road race. You can easily do that in a trail race just…

Speaking of winners this reminds me. I was doing this 50k in January and the winner, Ian Sharman, goes flying past me. Ian set the course record for the Grand Slam of Ultra Running last summer and won Leadville while he was at it. He's also finished top 10 in the tough Miwok 100k in an Elvis costume but I digress. I did…

^^ This The other day it was raining and cold and the woman who was cutting my hair was surprised when I told her I was going to run that day. My response was I don't just run when it's nice out. You never know what's going to happen on race day so you better be prepared for anything. I've had race days that were perfect…

I call these character building events. Good for you for sticking it out.

I thought I saw a post from you on the forum that you are in CA. Then the aid stations being at the half way point and at 9 miles to go is very familiar. It sure sounded like AR50. I've done it a couple times and paced a friend from Rattlesnake Bar once. They changed the course this year but on the old course I did that…

This sounds like you are doing AR50.

I think as long as you are maintaining a regular period you should be okay. That's the biggest red flag to me. In 2009 went from 140 to 108 in about 6 months. I had kept my calories to around 1400 and at the time was trained up to do half marathons, certainly not the sort of volume I do now. I'm 5'-0" and 108 put me well…

I use the Stinson Tarmacs for the road and love them. Just hands down the best road shoe I've ever used. I use the Stinson Evos for the trail. The Bondi doesn't fit my foot well at all. I haven't tried any of their newer models yet. The Evos I like as long as the conditions are dry. If it's wet and muddy they SUCK,…

Yes, I know lots of people that just use handhelds in ultras. Depends on the ultra too. Some have aid station placement frequent enough where you don't have to carry anything. Some have them placed so far apart you need to be a lot more self sufficient. Personally, I use a pack. I can finish an easy 50 miler in 10.5 hours…

My friends are awesome and nurturing those relationships means a lot to me. My training also means a lot to me. I balance the two. I don't sacrifice one for the other.

If you are looking for a super light weight race vest (no hydration bladder) look at the Nathan HPL #028 (http://www.zombierunner.com/store/categories/bottles_and_packs/hydration_packs/product4665.html). It might fit your needs. I have used this before for trail ultras where I opted to used a handheld instead of a bladder…

The thought of really racing a 5k is scarier to me than doing an ultra. The closest I've come to it was a 2 mile time trial. Holy cat was that awful on a whole other level.

I am going to be 51 this year and I started running when I was 46. Wow, just saying that I can't believe that was 5 years ago because it feels like yesterday. I typically do trail ultras. The 40's age bracket in my area is really competitive although I've noticed a fall off because I've been hitting the podium in races of…

Elevation gain is an easy metric to look at to determine how hard a course might be. I saw the 50 mile had about 4,000 feet which for me seemed like a piece of cake since most 50 milers in my area have easily two times that or more. Oh, I could not have been more wrong. This was easily the hardest 50 miler I've done.

Thanks you all. There was probably only 10-12 miles that weren't on soft sand so that, as you read, was very challenging. It's so strange but I can barely remember my own phone number but during an ultra I remember the tiniest details and conversations.

.

To answer your question in the most simplest terms ... yes.

I generally don't run with music but I'm 100% an outdoors runner. If I were stuck on a treadmill it would be a different story. I'd need something to overcome the monotony. When I do, I use a headset that's designed with a single ear bud so I can be aware of my surroundings. My music selection is all over the place. It can…

Having actually had someone shoot bullets into my living room and dining room kind of sucked the funny out of gunshot humor for me a long time ago.

Stair well or stadium steps?

One thing you might find helpful is to volunteer at an ultra. Education through osmosis. You'll see what gear people use and how they deal with any issues they are having. Other volunteers are likely quite experienced and you can pick their brains for information and insight. It's a lot of fun and inspiring to see people…

It is a long way. I'm doing my 7th 50 miler in a couple of weeks. I never know what to say to people when they ask for advice about doing ultras. So much of it is an experiment of one. Keep an open mind. Learn to problem solve on your feet. You could have your worst possible day and your best possible day in the same race.…

My ideal weight is the one where I can be healthy. I'm 5'0". When my weight has dropped to around 110 or thereabouts I lose my period. This has happened consistently and that's the sort of health Russian roulette I don't feel particular keen on playing. So I keep my weight around 115, I have a regular period and I can…

My best friend is a massage therapist so I get the friends and family discount. I'm a little spoiled. lol I get massage on a regular basis as part of my training regimen. She's also licensed in kinesio taping technique so that's helped me when I've needed it. I swear it cured me of a lingering calf issue I had. I look more…