OMG, what has happened to January?
I mean we are a few days away from the beginning of February. Where has all the days gone?
This means I best get busy.
Besides going to work and family life, which is all great, here is a quick review of January’s highlights.
* Finish the First Call Marathon with son Ammon on January 1. Finish time: 3:54. Not to shabby and a great way to start the new year. Downside to this event was running by the Red Hook Brewery four times – without stopping.
* Started a three month commitment as Lego Coach to a group of 6 year-olds, including grandson Finn. Being a Lego Coach is very similar to herding cats who are playing with Legos. First order of Coach duties is to separate the difficult Lego pieces. Trust me, 6 year-olds are not very patience. Good thing is most know how to tie their shoes.
* Granddaughter Harper turned 4! As a gift Shelly and I took her to the American Girl Doll Store in Lynnwood. It was a horrific interesting experience. I have never seen so much pink and so many freaky looking dolls in one place in all of my life. Did I say it was horrific interesting?
Nightmare on Doll Street
* Seattle Seahawks are going to the Super Bowl. Just want to point out that Shelly and I move to Seattle and the Hawks go to the Super Bowl. Coincidence? I think not. The whole Seattle Gilbert Clan have been enjoying all the games leading up to Super Bowl Sunday. Go Hawks!
For Super Bowl Sunday we will be enjoying my home made chili, which is becoming a football tradition. Well, we have had it once, with enjoyment.
Running is going pretty good. Wish I running more miles than I am, but . . . there is February.
See you on the roads.
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I ran 331 miles in 12 days.
Not all at one time.
In May I ran 167 miles in 7 days from Vernal, Utah to Steamboat Springs, Colorado. In August I ran 164 miles in 6 days from Mahoney City, Pennsylvania to New York City, New York. All for MS Run the US Relay.
I learned a lot about myself and about running.
Want to learn what I learned?
Keep reading.
- Getting started. Sometimes when you first wake-up and realize you need to run long, the mind starts telling you all the reasons why you can’t. Leave it to the mind and you’ll stay in bed. I found that getting my feet moving was the key to waking the mind up to what my body could actually do. When the brain gets on board anything can happen.
- Real Food is good. That just seems silly to say, but it’s totally true. I have tired most name brand sports drink, gels and the what-have-yous. Running magazines are full of ads that tells us what products works best. My truth is that sports-aid-items do not work for me. I have found that real food in the form of fruits, oatmeal, raisins, nuts, whole grains, and potato chips (I realize that potato chips might not be considered a real food, but it doesn’t come out of a tube) really works for me. I also like water over sport drinks. And Coke. Nothing like a cold satisfying Coke at 10 miles. Just the right amount of sugar, caffeine and pleasure; which can keep me going for another 10 miles. Add some potato chips and I will run 30 miles. Don’t even get me started on doughnuts.
Beer – it’s an acceptable post-run beverage. I am a man of rewards and beer is one of those rewards that can keep me moving forward. Knowing that a cold frosty bottle of brew; which has my name on it, makes those last few miles bearable. Oh, there are some nutritional benefits, but who cares. Right?- Shirtless running. When the sun is out, the temperature warm and the humidity is high I prefer running without a shirt. Please do not give me all that crap about sunburn, sunscreen and skin cancer. We were born to run and we were born to be out in the sun. Period. Give it a try, you’ll find it refreshing. Anton knows. (Disclaimer – local decently laws may apply.)
- Wear the right shoes. The right shoes for you, that is. A good running store, like West Seattle Runner, will have you try various models to help you decide what feels good. Pick the shoes that are going to support you on your adventure. I would have been nuts to pick a lightweight, minimal shoe to run 30 miles on pavement. With broken glass and dead snakes.
High tech material can make you day. These new tech shirts and shorts will wick (a word a runner never said in 70’s and 80’s) moisture away from your skin. This allows you to stay cool and dry. Easy to pack, carry and dries quickly. Make sure they fit and will not rub you in all the wrong places. If they do rub, get some Body Glide.- Have a great support person or team to help you. These will be people who care about you and will have your food and gear ready for when you’ll need it. They can also do your thinking for you when you aren’t thinking right. Just remember to be nice to them, especially when your Demon Side appears.
- Know your equipment. The morning of your adventure is not the time to try to figure out your new GPS watch. Or even a headlamp. You need to know how everything works before you even put them in your pack. Read the manual and experiment.
- Know where you are going. External input is nice, but comes with a percentage of error. GPS watches can be off. A nice person may not know what they hell they are talking about. Memory fails. It is your responsibility to know where you are going. Know your route and make notes if needed.
- Have Fun! This adventure is yours. You trained and dreamed to do this. Now, go out and have some fun. And be safe.
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Last week, which ended on Sunday March 31, was a positive week for me. Here are my stats:
Weekly Miles: 68
Time Ran: 13:57
Calories Burned while running: 14,136
Longest Run: 30 miles
I changed my training this week to a more traditional short/long method. I run a short or recovery run of six miles on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. On Tuesday and Thursday I ran longer for 12 miles. On Saturday I ran the Gorge Waterfall 50K, which was a tad short. I figured I still ran around 30 miles.
This type of training is similar to my approach to how I plan to run 163 miles in 7 days, the length of my MS Run the US Relaysegment. My plan is to run 30 miles (spilt into two runs) on the odd days and 17 miles on the even days an average of 23 daily miles over 7 days. I am hoping that the shorter days will provide me with adequate recovery.
This past week of running short/long days was a good thing. The shorter, recovery days provided relief of both body and spirit, which is really important. If my spirits aren’t up, then it’s harder to get out the door.
Highlights.
- Finished the Gorge Waterfall 50K. My goal was to finish in the 6 to 7 hour range, but missed by 25 minutes. Still, the experience was positive. I was also able to experiment with my eating plan. I am still looking for something that will work with my stomach on these longer runs, while replenishing my energy.
- Weight loss continues with my new way of eating, which started on March 1. Part of my reasoning to participate in the Relay was that this would force me to deal with my weight issues. So far so good. I am down 26 pounds since January 1. I feel better and have more energy. I feel like my eating is supporting my running rather than my running keeping my eating in check.
- Every Monday night is running American Camp Trails with my running buddies, who are all younger and faster than me. For the past couple of years I have needed to walk up the steep backside trail to Mt. Finlayson. This has been frustrating for me as I use to run up with no problem. This week was my third week in a row of running up this steep trail. I am happy about that.
Running Schedule for April 1 – 7th.
Monday – 7 miles on trails
Tuesday – 14 miles
Wednesday – 7 miles
Thursday – 14 miles
Friday – 7 miles
Saturday – Rest/Recover Day
Sunday – 30 miles
Total: 79 miles.
I would like to thank all those who have given to help me reach my goal of running $10,000. It seems like a long way to go, but . . . so is 163 miles, but it can be done.
Hope you all have a great week!
Clark
Donate Today I would appreciate it as well as those suffering from the effects of MS.
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Friday, last, I received my sponsorship contract for 2013 from Brooks Running. Thank you!
I really like Brooks. Not just because they sponsor me, but they make great shoes. They are also a great, progressive company that seems to be keeping stride with the ever changing running shoe market. That impresses me.
For example, January 1, 2013 Brooks will be releasing the PureDrift, the latest model in the Pure Project line. I predict this shoe is going to be a great seller. Weighing in at 5.6 oz with a split toe design. The removable sockliner will allow the shoe to “transform” from having a 4mm heel toe drop to a true zero drop. We are talking minimal with a nice anatomical foot shaped sole. I can’t wait to get these puppies on my feet.
Thank you Brooks Running for another year of sponsorship, but most importantly, thank you for designing and producing the greatest running shoes on the market.
Run Happy!
Clark
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Triple Ripple is just fun to say. Makes the mouth feel good. Try saying Triple Ripple, Triple Ripple, Triple Ripple really fast and a smile will surely form on your mouth. Go ahead, try it.
The Triple Ripple isn’t a mouth exercise. It’s short for Orcas Island Triple Ripple Trail Running Festival, a two day running experience starting on October 13th and ending on the 14th. Kind of like Woodstock, but much, much, much smaller, less music and more running. Childhood friends Susanna Beck and Jen Volmer, both living on Orcas Island, came up with the idea as a great way to promote fun and different running events on Orcas Island. Beck isn’t a stranger to trail running having heaped some whoop ass on many a trail during her elite running career. Volmer is a grace full runner herself, she just doesn’t know it. Together they blended their creativity and talents to come up with a two day running festival that looks and sounds more like a running camp. All centered on Orcas Island.
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Thanks to John Rogers for creating this video about this year’s event. San Juan Island Marathon 2012
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I have been challenged by Scott Jurek, one of the greatest ultramarathoners we have seen in the last 20 years or so. Scott didn’t slap my face with a pair of synthetic leather gloves, then offer me a choice of swords or pistols. No, nothing like that. His challenge was more subtle.
You see, Jurek’s new book, Eat & Run – My Unlikely Journey to Ultramarathon Greatness, authored with Steve Friedman and published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, contained a challenge. Maybe not every reader would find it, but it spoke to me. I knew that Scott had come out with a new book on eating and running. It was on my list of books to read. A week ago, I received a copy from the publishers. I started reading it when I returned from Winthrop, where I had just completed the Sun Mountain 50 Miler. I was surprised to learn that this book was not just about eating; although there are cool recipes at the end of each chapter. This book is a honest look into the life of someone I admire.
For the past two decades Scott Jurek has ruled the ultras. He won the Crown Jewel, the Western States 100, seven times. He has won Hardrock, Badwater, Sparatathon, and many others. He set the U.S. record in the World Championships 24 hour run, placing second overall. He ran 167.5 miles that day in France. Scott traveled to Mexico to run against the Tarahumara people, which Christopher McDougall detailed in his best seller, Born to Run. Scott is having an amazing career. He is living the life that so many of us dream of living.
The thing is, Scott and I are a lot alike, at least in my mind we are. He is tall and thin. I’m tall and chubby. He is from Minnesota. I am from Wyoming. His father had issues with him and his mom died younger than she should have. Ditto. He use to wear his curly hair long. I currently wear my curly hair long. He is a runner and I’m a runner. He is a vegan. I eat animals that are vegan. He is fast and I am so-so. He is sponsored by Brooks Running and I am a member of the Brooks Running Inspire Daily program. He designed the Brooks Pure Grit, my favorite running shoe. How cool. He lived in Seattle. I live on San Juan Island. I actually met Scott before a trail race on Orcas Island in 2010. Scott finished well and placed 3rd. I tripped and crashed. By the time I finished, Scott had a hot shower, massage, two beers and a big bowl of vegan soup.
The point I am trying to make is Scott is just a normal guy. He grew up like most of us did, went to public school, etc. He worked hard for what he wanted and what he has accomplished. He probably was born with some nice genes, but genes just don’t develop on their own. Training and hard work are required. Scott arrived at this point in time by doing the work. Nobody could do it for him. Greatness takes much effort, daily.
I enjoyed reading Jurek’s book. It is well written and it kept me interested. His words inspired me. I am looking forward to trying some of the included recipes; such as the Minnesota Winter Chili (page 70), the 8 Grain Strawberry Pancakes (page 79), and plan to start my day with a smoothie.
I feel challenged to do more with my life. To lose the weight I have always wanted to lose. To look at my food differently and to use food to properly fuel my life. To run those races that I have dreamed about. To speed up. To live my life as I truly want to live. Eat & Run has inspired me to dig down deep and push myself towards the goals that I want to accomplish.
I highly recommend this book. Read it and listen for your own challenge, then do something about it.
Run Happy, Run Hard
Clark
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Last night Brian G., Susan S., Brendan C., Nick and myself met out at the Y in the road on Roche Harbor Road for some good old trail running.
Run Happy, Run Hard 