It's Friday night and I am getting ready for the bike ride next week. Tomorrow is Annie's run, a six hour run here in the South Hills. I plan on doing about four hours before catching a ride to Omaha for the start of RAGBRAI on Sunday. I should be able to post a few reports from the route.
Jason D., Dave M., Donny K. and Sue W. are in Vermont for the 100 miler which begins Saturday morning. Word is that the trail is muddy, but I am sure they will all do well. Wayne and Jan K. will be at the mile 76 aid station helping out. Always cool to see folks helping out at races.
Jeff Gleason had a great run at the Badwater 135, I can't wait to get a report from him. There were two other somewhat local runners at Badwater, Alicia S. from Pa, and Elizabeth C. from Jersey both had excellent runs in the desert. They both finished Laurel last month so I was rooting for them.
I will check in from Iowa next.
Rick
Friday, July 17, 2009
Sunday, July 12, 2009
The Dog Days are here...
... and the running is hotter than ever. The spring and early summer saw many local runners doing extraordinary races. There was the Bull Run Run 50 and MMT100 in Virginia. The Laurel Highlands Ultras in PA, the Highlands Sky 40 in WV, Mohican 100 in OH and of course Western States and Hardrock out west.
There were a bunch of local runners who completed the Bull Run Run 50 in April to kick off the season. All of them did well, and there were a few humorous stories as well.
Dave Micklo did well at Western States 100, the first leg of the ultrarunnng grand slam. Up next for him is the Vermont 100. Perhaps I can get him to write a few words about Western States.
Bob Combs, our good friend from nearby Youngstown, OH is set to finish the Hardrock 100 as I write this. The HR100 is considered by many to be the toughest 100 mile run you can do (except perhaps the Barkley, but that is a different discussion).
Ron Ross from Cleveland finished the Mohican 100 in Ohio for the what seems like the umpteenth time.
Jeff Gleason should be in Death Valley right now, acclimating for the Badwater 135 which begins on Monday. If you get a chance, check the Post Gazette, as there are a couple of articles about Jeff running Badwater. He should do well, and has a great crew with him.
Wayne Kurtz returned from Hungary where he raced a double iron triathlon. He told me the race was held in a small town there, and all of the residents treated them like stars. They were asking the athletes for autographs. If you know Wayne, he is not into the publicity thing, but I am sure he enjoyed a moment in the spotlight. His training for the deca-iron in November is going well. I will be there reporting for the latter part of the race this year.
Next month, Bob Fargo and Dave Micklo will be traveling to Leadville for the 100 trail run there. I know Bob has some unfinished business there and will be ready to rumble. Bob has been putting in some monster miles on the Laurel Trail.
The Laurel Races went well this year, and the weather was perfect. If you always wanted to run a good time, in good conditions at Laurel, this was the year. For those of you that have not experienced this beautiful trail, you owe it to yourself to check it out. You don't have to wait for the race, as you can hike or run it any time of the year.
Next up, Anne's run on July 18th. It is a six hour run at the Gilfillen Trail in Upper St. Clair. The trial is a 1.25 mile loop on a wood chip surface. The race honors Sam Bertenthals' late wife Anne whom we sadly lost this past year. The race starts at 0600. Check the Greater Pittsburgh Road Runners website for more information.
Don't forget the Greek Fun Run at Wayne's house at the end of August. It will be a great training run for those of you getting ready for fall races. The info is here: www.laurelultra.com/greek_fun_run.htm
I will try to check in next week before I leave for RAGBRAI, where I will be touring the great state of Iowa for a week.
Keep running well,
Rick
... and the running is hotter than ever. The spring and early summer saw many local runners doing extraordinary races. There was the Bull Run Run 50 and MMT100 in Virginia. The Laurel Highlands Ultras in PA, the Highlands Sky 40 in WV, Mohican 100 in OH and of course Western States and Hardrock out west.
There were a bunch of local runners who completed the Bull Run Run 50 in April to kick off the season. All of them did well, and there were a few humorous stories as well.
Dave Micklo did well at Western States 100, the first leg of the ultrarunnng grand slam. Up next for him is the Vermont 100. Perhaps I can get him to write a few words about Western States.
Bob Combs, our good friend from nearby Youngstown, OH is set to finish the Hardrock 100 as I write this. The HR100 is considered by many to be the toughest 100 mile run you can do (except perhaps the Barkley, but that is a different discussion).
Ron Ross from Cleveland finished the Mohican 100 in Ohio for the what seems like the umpteenth time.
Jeff Gleason should be in Death Valley right now, acclimating for the Badwater 135 which begins on Monday. If you get a chance, check the Post Gazette, as there are a couple of articles about Jeff running Badwater. He should do well, and has a great crew with him.
Wayne Kurtz returned from Hungary where he raced a double iron triathlon. He told me the race was held in a small town there, and all of the residents treated them like stars. They were asking the athletes for autographs. If you know Wayne, he is not into the publicity thing, but I am sure he enjoyed a moment in the spotlight. His training for the deca-iron in November is going well. I will be there reporting for the latter part of the race this year.
Next month, Bob Fargo and Dave Micklo will be traveling to Leadville for the 100 trail run there. I know Bob has some unfinished business there and will be ready to rumble. Bob has been putting in some monster miles on the Laurel Trail.
The Laurel Races went well this year, and the weather was perfect. If you always wanted to run a good time, in good conditions at Laurel, this was the year. For those of you that have not experienced this beautiful trail, you owe it to yourself to check it out. You don't have to wait for the race, as you can hike or run it any time of the year.
Next up, Anne's run on July 18th. It is a six hour run at the Gilfillen Trail in Upper St. Clair. The trial is a 1.25 mile loop on a wood chip surface. The race honors Sam Bertenthals' late wife Anne whom we sadly lost this past year. The race starts at 0600. Check the Greater Pittsburgh Road Runners website for more information.
Don't forget the Greek Fun Run at Wayne's house at the end of August. It will be a great training run for those of you getting ready for fall races. The info is here: www.laurelultra.com/greek_fun_run.htm
I will try to check in next week before I leave for RAGBRAI, where I will be touring the great state of Iowa for a week.
Keep running well,
Rick
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Iditarod Trail Invitational - Part 1
Okay, here is the beginning report that you have all been waiting for, the Alaska Ultra Sport 350.
Chuck and I began the 350 mile race on March 1st, along with Tim Hewitt and Tom Jarding who were doing the 1100 mile race. We met James Leavesley at the Minneapolis airport, he was going to attempt the 1100 mile race on a snow bike. Our flight from Pittsburgh was delayed so we did not arrive in Anchorage until Friday evening. We spent the evening hanging out with other races at a local bike shop which hosted a pizza and beer party for everyone.
It snowed all day on Saturday and we debated how the foot or so of new snow would affect the trail when we began on Sunday. The race organizers do a great job of transporting everyone to the start and the bus picked us up promptly at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday for the ride to the start at Knik Lake. The Knik bar was not aware of our impending arrival and had a little trouble keeping up with food orders prior to the start because they did not have enough staff. It was cool to spend some time with others racers. Eric Johnston, who we met last year was at the bar getting some last minute calories. Here is a picture of us at the start, that is a cheeseburger in my hand.
The weather was pleasant, with sun, and temps in the twenties. The trail was well packed and the start was picture perfect. In the small world category, Doug, who sat next to me on the flight to Anchorage was at the start taking pictures. He was from Denver and was in town visiting another photographer friend who dragged him to the start.
Our sleds performed well and we quickly settled into a comfortable pace. Our first goal was to get to the sign for Nome before dark, so that we could get a few pictures of the sign with the Kennywood arrow. The temps began dropping and the wind picked up so when we got to the sign, it was time to add another layer of clothing and get prepared for a long cold night on the lakes, swamps and rivers before arriving at the first checkpoint. When participating in a race that lasts a week or more, it is hard to get into the proper mindset in the early hours of the race. With this in mind, we continued on into the night, heading toward Flathorn Lake, the Great Dismal Swamp and the Big Susitna River.
This is when we encountered our first obstacle.....
Chuck and I began the 350 mile race on March 1st, along with Tim Hewitt and Tom Jarding who were doing the 1100 mile race. We met James Leavesley at the Minneapolis airport, he was going to attempt the 1100 mile race on a snow bike. Our flight from Pittsburgh was delayed so we did not arrive in Anchorage until Friday evening. We spent the evening hanging out with other races at a local bike shop which hosted a pizza and beer party for everyone.
It snowed all day on Saturday and we debated how the foot or so of new snow would affect the trail when we began on Sunday. The race organizers do a great job of transporting everyone to the start and the bus picked us up promptly at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday for the ride to the start at Knik Lake. The Knik bar was not aware of our impending arrival and had a little trouble keeping up with food orders prior to the start because they did not have enough staff. It was cool to spend some time with others racers. Eric Johnston, who we met last year was at the bar getting some last minute calories. Here is a picture of us at the start, that is a cheeseburger in my hand.
The weather was pleasant, with sun, and temps in the twenties. The trail was well packed and the start was picture perfect. In the small world category, Doug, who sat next to me on the flight to Anchorage was at the start taking pictures. He was from Denver and was in town visiting another photographer friend who dragged him to the start.
Our sleds performed well and we quickly settled into a comfortable pace. Our first goal was to get to the sign for Nome before dark, so that we could get a few pictures of the sign with the Kennywood arrow. The temps began dropping and the wind picked up so when we got to the sign, it was time to add another layer of clothing and get prepared for a long cold night on the lakes, swamps and rivers before arriving at the first checkpoint. When participating in a race that lasts a week or more, it is hard to get into the proper mindset in the early hours of the race. With this in mind, we continued on into the night, heading toward Flathorn Lake, the Great Dismal Swamp and the Big Susitna River.
This is when we encountered our first obstacle.....
Spring in Pittsburgh
It has been a few weeks since my last post and I decided it was time to get going again. I spent the last week getting caught up after returning from the Alaska Ultra Sport race. Here is a quick recap of what has been going on in the area. I will post my race report separately. I did get to put the Kennywood sign up but did not have time to get a Terrible Towel to the bar in McGrath.
Saturday, March 21st was spent helping out at the J.C. Stone 50k race here in North Park. This was the second year for the race. Lou D. and the Rotary volunteers are doing an excellent job of improving the race. There were 47 runners who started, and a lot of fast times.
Dave Micklo sent me the list of runners who ran a Mingo last month, I will have them on the website shortly.
The Pittsburgh Marathon and Half-Marathon has sold out, pretty impressive for a race that is getting back on it's feet. I will be part of the NUGO pace team, leading the 3:50 group. If you want to hear a few stories about Alaska, join me in running 3:50 at the Pittsburgh Marathon.
Jeff Gleason was accepted to run in the Badwater 135 this year, we spent some time while volunteering at the 50k race talking about what is involved in doing the BW135. Many of you will recall that Wayne and I crewed for Mary K. a few years ago, so I had some ideas about how to make things a little smoother for Jeff's crew. Jeff and Scott F. are heading down to North Carolina for the Umstead 100 in two weeks. I told them to look up Peter Lefferts from Naples, Fl while there. Peter was very entertaining when I met him at the Deca Iron in Mexico last year.
Friday, February 27, 2009
It is time to go
It is Friday morning and we are ready to get the show on the road. I received an e-mail from Bill Merchant stating that Mt. Redoubt is steaming again, after being quiet for a while. The volcano is not too much of a threat to the race, but we will take dust masks with us just in case. Bill also said that on the bright side, if there is ash in the air, the sunsets get even more spectacular.
Thanks to everyone who has called or e-mailed to wish us luck during the Iditarod Trail Invitational. I learned a lot last year, and hope to learn even more this time around. You never know what the trail has in store, and this year should be no exception. Of course, Chuck and I will take as many pictures as possible.
I will talk to everyone in a couple of weeks.
Thanks to everyone who has called or e-mailed to wish us luck during the Iditarod Trail Invitational. I learned a lot last year, and hope to learn even more this time around. You never know what the trail has in store, and this year should be no exception. Of course, Chuck and I will take as many pictures as possible.
I will talk to everyone in a couple of weeks.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Racing season begins soon.
I have a lot of ground to cover in this report. The first annual Mingo Mingle was held on February 14th. Dave Micklo hosted the run at Mingo Creek county Park. Approximately 35 runners showed up on a cold and cloudy morning to run a couple of loops on the trails in the park. Dave's wife Sarah and John Buckwalter staffed the aid station at the start finish area. The support was excellent, it was set up just like an actual aid station, with many food choices. John even entertained us with magic tricks, balloon animals and unicycling. I will post the runners names and the distances they ran when Dave gets it all deciphered. I got a chance to talk with many of the runners, asking what their racing plans are for the upcoming season. Dave has an interesting decision to make. He was accepted into the Hardrock 100, considered by many to be the toughest 100 miler there is. He also plans on completing the Grand Slam of Ultrarunning, which consists of the Western States 100, Vermont 100, Leadville Trail 100, and Wasatch Front 100. Hardrock would be sandwiched in between two of those races, which are plenty tough already. He is going to have a busy summer. The picture above is of one of the creek crossings at Mingo. The temps where in the middle 20's most of the day, there was plenty of ice in the creek, and the trail was crunchy. A perfect day for a run.
Don't forget about the J.C. Stone 50k in a few weeks. The race will be held in North Park and is entirely on roads, those of you looking for a fast 50k should check this race out. The website is jcstone.com. The course is fast and the aid stations are first rate.
I heard from Jeff Gleason earlier this week, he is going to do the Badwater 135 this summer. I will try to keep you posted on his training as the event approaches. I will talk with him while volunteering at the JC Stone race, and will update you on his plans.
Jason D. will be competing in the MMT 100 in May, that is one tough race. It is presented by the VHTRC and is probably the toughest 100 mile race east of the Mississippi River.
Only one week to go before Chuck, Tim, Tom and I get started at the Iditarod Trail Invitational. I completed my sled and can not wait to get underway. Here is a picture of the blank sheet of plastic, and the finished product. Pretty cool, eh. I can take out the fasteners, roll it up and put in my duffle bag for the plane ride. The airlines are getting pretty tough on the size of items you check. Chuck had an article about the race in the Post Gazette this week. Tim and I were interviewed by the Tribune Review. You can find either article by going to the website for each paper and entering Iditarod in the search bar.
We leave on Friday and the race begins on March 1st. It is the only race I have been to where everyone is eating right up until the start. We will be in the Knik bar having a burger and fries before the race. I will tray to post one last report before leaving.
Lastly, Wayne has informed me that he will be hosting a 6 hour fun run at his house in August. It will be a trail loop format with an aid station at his house. His wife Jan has promised a tasty feast afterwards for all of the runners. Also, I have heard that Steve Miller may be putting together a fun run at North Park, I will let you know when I get official word.
Take care and run strong. Spring will be here soon.
Monday, February 2, 2009
Six more weeks of winter
It's Groundhog Day and Phil determined that there will be six more weeks of winter. That is great news! Our training for the Iditarod is going well, and the more cold weather we have, the better. A couple of weeks ago, Chuck, Tim, Loreen, Rick B. and myself did a training run in the Laurel Highlands. The snow machine trails were in great shape and we were able to pull our sleds for about five hours that night. Afterwards, we camped out in the woods, where night-time temps dropped well below zero. It was really good training for Alaska. Chuck mentioned that he learned a lot on that trip. The next day we traveled to the Cleveland area for the Buckeye Trail 50k. They had a lot of new snow, which made the trail fairly slippery the entire day. We chalked it up as a good training run.
We got a good run in at Mingo Park on Sunday in preparation for the fun run coming up in a couple of weeks. The trails were snow covered and tough to run on. The weather is going to warm up for a few days, so the trails should be better by the end of the week. At least they are not muddy, which is the case much of the year. Don't forget to join us for the Mingo Mingle on February 14th. You can view details on the webpage, which can be found here: http://www.laurelultra.com/mingo_mingle.htm
I added links to a couple of images of the trail that Bob Fargo sent to me.
Steeler nation is fired up, as our favorite team won it's Sixth Super Bowl last night. What a game, as the lead changed hands three times in the final minutes. Many of the South Hills area ultra-runners watched the game at Don's house.
I am still waiting for the new plastic to arrive so that I can complete work on my sled. I am guessing that the bad weather across the country slowed the delivery, and hope that it arrives this week. I will put a couple of pictures up when I get it finished. I also plan on switching from a synthetic sleeping bag to a down bag so that I can shed a few pounds on my sled. We will be sending our food drops to Alaska shortly, which the race will take by plane to the two drop points along the Iditarod course. I am beginning to get excited again, and can not wait to get started.
We got a good run in at Mingo Park on Sunday in preparation for the fun run coming up in a couple of weeks. The trails were snow covered and tough to run on. The weather is going to warm up for a few days, so the trails should be better by the end of the week. At least they are not muddy, which is the case much of the year. Don't forget to join us for the Mingo Mingle on February 14th. You can view details on the webpage, which can be found here: http://www.laurelultra.com/mingo_mingle.htm
I added links to a couple of images of the trail that Bob Fargo sent to me.
Steeler nation is fired up, as our favorite team won it's Sixth Super Bowl last night. What a game, as the lead changed hands three times in the final minutes. Many of the South Hills area ultra-runners watched the game at Don's house.
I am still waiting for the new plastic to arrive so that I can complete work on my sled. I am guessing that the bad weather across the country slowed the delivery, and hope that it arrives this week. I will put a couple of pictures up when I get it finished. I also plan on switching from a synthetic sleeping bag to a down bag so that I can shed a few pounds on my sled. We will be sending our food drops to Alaska shortly, which the race will take by plane to the two drop points along the Iditarod course. I am beginning to get excited again, and can not wait to get started.
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