Post Oak Challenge

Sunday, Feb. 27, Post Oak Challenge Marathon.

Up to this point, my training hasn't been consistent.  This weekend, I had scheduled a long training run.  So I just decided to run the Post Oak marathon.  I would rather have ran the 50K trail the day before, but had other plans going.

Saturday, the conditions were great for long run.  But sunday, it was the opposite, good chance of rain, high humidity, strong south winds, and temps. in the 60s, maybe 70s.  Not good conditions for marathon PR.  However, I hadn't plan on getting a PR anyway, just a good solid training run.

From start, the course is mainly downhill for about 4-5 miles, then turns on an asphalt trail (flat) for the next 15 or so miles.  I really treaded the flat sections.  I ran pretty good for 15 or 16 miles (9:55 pace), then I started having issues with my right calf muscle.  I slowed it down for next 4 or 5 miles. My pace was somewhat like 12:00/mile.

The course was basically out and back with few different turns here and there.  The 4-5 miles from start is what we had to back-track.  With legs trashed, it was tough going but got it done.  The last 1/4 mile was brutal.  Soon as I hit the top, I was able to run it in for 4:42 finish.



1/4 mile climb to finish line (garmin-20% grade)




nice bling.

 Congrats to all finishers!!  Thanks to all volunteers and race staff for a great race.

Snow Run

sunny start, but cold

Snow and cold saturday... it was still a great run.  I had hope to do a long run.  But today, I just made it short 8.5 miles.  There'll be another day.



roads mostly clear, but slick



Happy Trails!

DanMan 2011

 

DanMan Challenge 2011...cancelled!

DanMan playground





DanMan 2009



I was planning on doing a nice and slow 50 miler.  I like running DanMan trails.  It's just a great event.  I love the turkey leg after a long run.

Birthday Run

 Saturday, Jan. 22nd... I went on my birthday run.  This year I was turning 48...so that meant 48 miles.  (I wish I was 20 again...not really).

My start was Lafortune Park at 8:45am.  I had planned on starting around 6am..but it was cold this morning.  Since I was going to be out all day... I thought a later start with sun shining might be better choice.  Temp was still in mid-20s...which was good.  High was to hit mid 40s by afternoon.  I decided to run in my bikilas.  My longest run with the bikilas had been around 15 miles.  Today, I was living on the edge.. since I will not be able to switch to my regular shoes til I get back to my start point.

I had to abandon my original route due to snow and icy conditions, which was going from Catoosa HS (finish of Mother Road 100, part III to Carl's jr (west tulsa) finish of Mother Road 100, part I) and back, plus 8 miles.  So now, my plan was to just wander the streets of Tulsa, with some running on Route 66.

mile 4

Running in five fingers on ice is somewhat slippery since there is practically nothing on the bottom.  There were times when I had to run on grass so that I didn't slip and fall.



Riverside Trail, mile 8

Riverside trail was in good shape.. no ice, but few wet spots.  The wet spots did play some havoc...my toes got wet..and at times they were feeling numb.  I did have an extra pair of socks if they were to really get soaking wet.

Finally getting on Route 66 at 11th and Peoria, I headed west from there. I continue west all the way to Carl's jr in west Tulsa near Turnpike entrance.  This was the finish line for Mother Road 100, part I.



mile 15, 11th and Riverside





mile 12, getting on Route 66 (11th St)





mile 19.. Ollie's Restaurant



mile 21...Carl's Jr (west Tulsa)

I was getting hungry..so I went across to McDonald's to eat.  I thought about trying Carl's jr.  But I knew McD kid's meal works for me on long run.  Coming back on Southwest Blvd, my legs were beginning to feel it.  I was slowing down somewhat...doing more walking now.  I was at marathon distance.



mile 25... southwest blvd



Will Rodgers sign



As I came back across 11th St. bridge, I made a detour into downtown Tulsa and follow Route 66 marathon course.  I got back on 11th St and made it to 11th and Peoria and back to Veteran's Park.  I was at 30 miles.  My legs were really feeling it now.  And my foot were beginning to ache now..after going 38 miles in my bikilas.



mile 30...Veteran's Park

I started back on Riverside trail.  It was getting late in the afternoon.  I had about 10 miles back to Lafortune, and it will be getting cold again.  The next 10 miles was going to be tough.  I was getting hungry, and getting cramps in my left leg.  I would walk to relieve the pain, then start jogging again.

I made it back to Lafortune at sunset.  Mileage is at 38.5  I thought I have to make it to mile 40.  I took off my five fingers and put on my regular shoes, drank some pedialyte (works wonders for me) and downed some smoothies.  I was off and did the 1.5 miles to make it to mile 40.  The sun was gone...I was getting cold, and my son called and said he wanted pizza... I thought that sounds great... I can finish the 8 miles tomorrow.

Sunday morning... it was hard getting out...it was colder than yesterday.  I took it slow at start...then finally got into a groove.  I was able to manage 11 min. miles on this 8 mile stretch.  That completed my 48 miles.  It's a good thing I didn't opt for the 48 hr b-day run.  Happy Trails!!

night run

route



stats

After about week and half of the cruds, I'm finally out for a short night run.  It was a tad bit nippy out...actually great for running.  Temp was probably in low 40s.

I felt great from start to finish.  I ran 8 miles, with average pace of 9:07 per mile.  It was great to be out again.  I just love night running.

Elevation chart looks like some where in Colorado mtns. Wish it was, but it's just scaled weird.  I did hit a few inclines though...but nothing like a steep mtn.

T-TOTs



photo TATUR

Sunday morning, 7:30, TATUR Training On Trails (T-TOTs) started group training runs at Turkey mtn.  Some 75 people showed up to test their abilities on dirt trails.  As for me, I was glad to be running some dirt again.

The morning started with a chill in the air..enough for light jacket and gloves.  But as the run progressed, it got warm.  There were about 3 or 4 groups divided, based on 5K times, or more like fast, medium, slow, and walking pace.

T-TOTS training group

After varying distances of 3 to 6 miles, the training groups were treated to pancake breakfast back at the start.  Flap-jacks were flapped by none other than the Head Tatur himself...aka Brian.


Head TATUR

While everyone was eating pancakes, I went on to cover some more distance on the snake trail.  I just couldn't stop at 6.  At the end, I finished with about 9 miles.  It felt great to be back in the woods again.


nice hill training

 

cruising flat section



nice climb

Happy Trails!!!

Route 66 Marathon



mile 16.25



nice bling


Nov. 21st was the Route 66 Marathon in Tulsa, OK.  My duty for the day was pacing people who wanted to finish in 5 hours, or basically be a guide along the course as to where a person should be if they wanted to finish in 5 hours.  To keep an even split (11:27 per mile) is pretty hard.

Today, the challenge was gonna be more with a strong south wind, and warm temps.  As the day progress, people were having issues from cramps to dehydrations.  Running in these conditions does take a toll on a person if not trained properly.  Drink, drink, drink...was the call from the beginning.

At mile 12-ish, people were given the option of taking a detour to the center of the universe...an extra .3 mile added to 26.2...thus making the total distance of 26.5 miles.  By this point, my group had fallen apart, and I opted for the extra .3 and went to the center of the universe.  Just had to make it an ultra :)  But as a 5 hour pacer, I had to make up time for the detour.  We made it up in the second half of the marathon.


Center of Universe medal

From mile 16 to the turnaround at mile 21, we had a strong headwind.  I was on pace at this point.  Coming back with the tail wind, I finished almost 9 minutes ahead of schedule.  I even tried to slow down, or walked at times.  I finished with 4:51:46.  It was a good run for me...totally relaxed run.  For others, I'm sure it wasn't one of their best times.

I'm ready for some dirt trails now.  Happy Trails!