I have been considering running the Seaton race for over a decade. With the river crossing and single track trails, it was never on Lee Anne's wish list, so it never made it to mine. This year, we are mixing up our races, skipping a few we have frequented and trying a few we don't normally do, or have never done. If you read one of my earlier blog entries, yes, the list has changed. Quebec City marathon is a likely candidate for 2016. A marathon is a race of medium length, typically run on roads. I know, you're thinking what type of daft idiot would want to run one of "those" races, but marathons are surprisingly popular. Some even attract more people than the 250 that show up at my race.
It was time to try the Seaton Soaker. Missing Pick Your Poison and skipping Sulphur swayed the decision. On Saturday, Lee Anne elected to run 32K in Toronto, so friends Kinga and Stephan Miklos and I headed to Pickering.
Colin Arnott (Seaton race director) and a plethora of volunteers did an excellent job of staging the race. Colin has a fantastic race base, in a large high school. Plenty of hot showers, bathrooms and the cafetorium was ideal for registration, awards and food. The trail is mostly single track, although there are many areas of double track and even some pavement, in which to pass or be passed. The 12.5K course was well marked and the trails were perfect for running, aside from being slippery due to the rain. The temperature was optimal for running, although the trails soon became greasy in the rain. I fell twice, not because of the slippery conditions, but because of 2 small rocks or stumps that I stumbled over. The first fall was an impressive head first glissade through the mud. It was quite enjoyable to be sliding along and the Russian judge gave me an 8.3... Which brings me to a tip that I should pass on to the visually impaired. I don't run trail with my glasses. This has nothing to do with the difficulty in seeing through glasses during a rain storm. Without my glasses, I don't see obstacles on the trail, so I don't slow down. Perfect!
Since I recently got over a battle with the flu, I took it easy on the way out to the 12.5K turn-around. Footing was an issue, but I doubt it slowed us down all that much. I ran for a while with a fellow for whom Seaton was his first trail race. He picked his inaugural race well, as footing required considerable concentration around the curves and up and down the hills. He mentioned that he was surprised at how much effort trail running required. I suggested that he should not focus on his max VO2 (typical in road races), but concentrate on maintaining a steady level of effort. He asked "what about the stairs?" Alas, I didn't have an answer!
12.5K of mainly single track in slick mud takes almost as high a mental toll, as a physical one. Since it was less than a week ago that I was not able to breath while running (and I kept having to stop and pick up a lung - such an annoyance), the outbound leg seemed fairly easy. Not that I broke any land speed records. The first place runner passed me near the 9K mark. That means I had run 9K and the lead runner was already at 16K! I reached the 12.5K turn-around at about 90 minutes, turned and decided to pick up the pace slightly. On the way back, I was able to run a few kilometers with JD Begin, an old friend who was in the 50K race. JD had taken a couple of years off running and was just getting back into ultras. It was good to run with JD and he helped me to maintain a hearty pace for the last 6K. At 22K, there is a river crossing. On the way out, a different trail is used that crosses the river on a bridge. On the way back, runners must negotiate about 8 meters of open water. Great! I thought. I can put all my river running to good use. On hot days in Creemore, I run about 2K along the Ganaraska trail, then hop into the Mad river and run upstream back to the house. It sounds incredibly dangerous, but falling into a foot of water is quite gentle and very refreshing! Since I was running at a good pace and did not want to slow down, I took the shortest line through the river, at race pace. With some luck, I did not face plant in front of the volunteers, who were positioned at the river as a safety measure. A woman who was navigating the river by using the rope, talked to me at the finish and mentioned that she was impressed with my river crossing method.
My A goal for Seaton 25K was to be under 3 hours, so it was nice to cross the finish in 2:56. I don't think I would have been any faster if the trails were dry, possibly slower on a hot day, so I was happy with my start to the OUTRace season.
Many thanks to Collin, the volunteers and the fellow runner who redirected me when I was about to go off course, about 1K from the finish. The post-race pizza and refreshments were great, although the hot shower was pivotal in my opinion.
It was also great to talk with all my racing buddies, both on the race course and after. May you all do incredibly well this year, except those in the male 50+ category...
Sunday, May 15, 2016
Friday, May 13, 2016
Pick Your Poison "Bed" Report
In Ron Irwin's race report on Creemore last year, he states that after running the 50K distance 8 times, the score stands at Creemore 7, Ron 1. Until April, I thought I understood perfectly what he meant. That is, until I contracted the flu in April and was too sick to volunteer at Pick Your Poison. As posted previously, I delayed the decision to sign up for either the 25K or 50K until PYP sold out. Perfect! I can volunteer. For those who have not vollied at a trail race before, let me assure you that it is a LOT easier than running 50K, or even 25K. There is also a bit of a mean streak in me that enjoys watching other people struggle in a race while I stand around and shout out "GET YOUR PRETZELS HERE!". Fun times!
But lying in bed running a fever and wishing I could "get out there", either running or volunteering at PYP is no fun. The flu won that round, although in my fevered state, I was trying to figure out what clothes I should wear, in order to stand at an aid station beside a ski hill for 8 hours and assist runners. It wasn't so much common sense that kept me home, but a desire to avoid the embarrassment of asking a 50K finisher if he or she could drive me to the morgue.
And yes, the above convoluted segue is a recommendation to watch Jeff Rowthorn's Youtube PYP race report for Get Out There magazine. Maybe I could have worn a parka? Jeff had an impressive finish, at 7th overall. Well done Jeff! In 2016, GOT magazine will undertake to videotape most of the OUTRace events. Hopefully it doesn't wear Jeff out!
Tomorrow I will attempt the 25K distance at the Seaton Soaker race. You would think that after completing 6 ultras last year, a 25K should be a walk in the park for me, but the reality is that it might just be a walk in the park... In the last 4 weeks, I have run further than 10K once, and it was not what I would call a quality run. I am able to breath again, which is really important in races. Training was abysmal, so I will run slowly and see what happens.
Preparation for the Creemore Vertical Challenge goes well, although I am still looking for 100 meters vertical, to add to the course. This is to satisfy the minimum requirements for the Canadian Skyrunning Series. I have my eye on a cute little hill, which I am sure people will love!
Cheers!
But lying in bed running a fever and wishing I could "get out there", either running or volunteering at PYP is no fun. The flu won that round, although in my fevered state, I was trying to figure out what clothes I should wear, in order to stand at an aid station beside a ski hill for 8 hours and assist runners. It wasn't so much common sense that kept me home, but a desire to avoid the embarrassment of asking a 50K finisher if he or she could drive me to the morgue.
And yes, the above convoluted segue is a recommendation to watch Jeff Rowthorn's Youtube PYP race report for Get Out There magazine. Maybe I could have worn a parka? Jeff had an impressive finish, at 7th overall. Well done Jeff! In 2016, GOT magazine will undertake to videotape most of the OUTRace events. Hopefully it doesn't wear Jeff out!
Tomorrow I will attempt the 25K distance at the Seaton Soaker race. You would think that after completing 6 ultras last year, a 25K should be a walk in the park for me, but the reality is that it might just be a walk in the park... In the last 4 weeks, I have run further than 10K once, and it was not what I would call a quality run. I am able to breath again, which is really important in races. Training was abysmal, so I will run slowly and see what happens.
Preparation for the Creemore Vertical Challenge goes well, although I am still looking for 100 meters vertical, to add to the course. This is to satisfy the minimum requirements for the Canadian Skyrunning Series. I have my eye on a cute little hill, which I am sure people will love!
Cheers!
Monday, April 18, 2016
Ontario Spring Warm-up
For those who follow my blog or have taken a wrong turn and ended up in Creemore, you might be under the impression that the weather around here is less than calm. Extreme is what I would grudgingly call an apt moniker. Fellow runners who live in exotic locals such as Brampton or Hamilton love to regal me with horror stories about how the Creemore weather affected their race or training run. And I have to grit my teeth and bear it, because it is true. You know the red bar on the weather network that indicates a Sunday hike might be out of the question? In a 3 week period this Spring, the Creemore forecast had a severe weather watch or warning on all but one day.
During the 2009 OUSER Spring Warm-up (which is now the OUTRace Spring Warm-up), 2 young ladies asked if they could run the route in the opposite direction. "Sure" I said, then asked them why. Apparently the gale force winds, sleet, snow and rain was making it difficult for them to run against the wind on top of the Niagara Escarpment. In other years, we have experienced bad weather...
The Sunday before this year's Spring Warm-up, Stephen Bridson, Stephan Miklos and I ran the course. I was going to run it with my chainsaw, but I had forgotten my chainsaw camel pack at the sugar shack. Why would I run with a chainsaw? Aside from the advantage of being left alone (people will actually move off the trail, if they see you coming), a chainsaw can be handy shortly after a weather forecast red bar indicating an ice storm. Just a note, don't run with a chainsaw on your back in the Dundas / Yonge street area of Toronto. There are some crazy people down there!
I forgot to bring my camera, so the picture (Stephan Miklos climbing a tree in Dunedin) is from a few year's back. The Bruce trail portion of the SW course had about 4 inches of firm snow (this is on Sunday, 6 days before the SW), which was quite a good running surface. However, with the warm weather predicted for the coming week, I could easily see the trail becoming an almost impassable surface of mud and ice, along the cliffs. Here we go again!
To our surprise, the trail was mostly dry! Stephen Bridson ran a loop of the course early in the morning, on the day of the Spring Warm-up and reported the incredible findings. Coupled with a bright blue sky and ideal running temperatures, most people wanted their money back...
With exemplary weather and an appealing course, most people had a great day out on the trails. About 50 of us enjoyed talking about our race plans and how mutual friends were doing. A few people mentioned that the SW was their first chance this year to get out on some technical trails and "get ready" for the race season. As I am nowhere near ready to run an ultra, 2 loops of the 13K course were enough for me, clocking just under 4 hours. Quite slow to run 26K, but you should experience the course before judging me too harshly. I would guess the better runners were pegging about 90 minutes for the 13K course.
Speaking of better runners, Hans Maier won the Grand Prize! Hans has been a mainstay and supporter of Ontario trail and ultra circuit since before pavement was invented. It could not have been granted to a more deserving individual. Way to go Hans!
My goal of running 50K at Pick Your Poison hit a bit of a snag. Due to lethargic training this Spring (or second winter, depending on your viewpoint), I waited a bit too long before signing up. I could not decide if I should run the 25K or 50K. PYP sold out! So I will be a vollie (volunteer) at PYP. I might head down to Seaton, a race I have never run before. Otherwise it will be a very late start to the season, if I wait for Kingston. Lee Anne and I will miss Sulphur Springs for the first time in about 6 years. No big reason. Lee Anne is not happy with trail races, after falling at both of them last year (PYP and Sulphur).
Note to self: You need to sign up for a race if you want to run it...
I boiled down today for the last time this year. I made 200 litres of maple syrup, so those of you whose race strategy includes an age category podium finish at Creemore, there will be syrup! The last batch is always tough. Not because of any sentimental tripe about it being all over for another year, but because I'm not mentally equipped to waste sap. It takes so much effort to get sap into the evaporator, that I don't want to waste any. So the last batch becomes tricky... The evaporator is comprised of a finishing pan (2' X 2' flat bottom, on the left) and a sap pan (2' X 4' drop flues (trenches), on the right). This morning, the 2 pans were filled with cold concentrated sap. There is no more sap in the storage tanks, so to make the last batch, I plug the finishing pan (small pan) and drain the sap pan. I cannot start a fire without liquid in the sap pan, so I fill it with water. This is the tough part. I have drained 80 litres out of the sap pan. Yes, 80 litres! I then add 120 litres of water to the sap pan. I can now start the evaporator. Over the next 4 hours, I add the 80 litres of concentrated sap to the finishing pan. During the same time period, I add a total of 320 litres of water to the sap pan. I carry 40 litres of water from the Mad river, which is about 100 meters from the sugar shack. By the time I reach the sugar shack, my arms are 3 inches longer.
Now, I need to clean a few kilometers of sap line and mainline, dismantle the evaporator and clean it, and haul everything home. The sugar shack is about 25K from where we live in Creemore. I also have a few branches to pick up at home... from the ice storm.
The problem with being retired is that there is no time off...
During the 2009 OUSER Spring Warm-up (which is now the OUTRace Spring Warm-up), 2 young ladies asked if they could run the route in the opposite direction. "Sure" I said, then asked them why. Apparently the gale force winds, sleet, snow and rain was making it difficult for them to run against the wind on top of the Niagara Escarpment. In other years, we have experienced bad weather...
The Sunday before this year's Spring Warm-up, Stephen Bridson, Stephan Miklos and I ran the course. I was going to run it with my chainsaw, but I had forgotten my chainsaw camel pack at the sugar shack. Why would I run with a chainsaw? Aside from the advantage of being left alone (people will actually move off the trail, if they see you coming), a chainsaw can be handy shortly after a weather forecast red bar indicating an ice storm. Just a note, don't run with a chainsaw on your back in the Dundas / Yonge street area of Toronto. There are some crazy people down there!
I forgot to bring my camera, so the picture (Stephan Miklos climbing a tree in Dunedin) is from a few year's back. The Bruce trail portion of the SW course had about 4 inches of firm snow (this is on Sunday, 6 days before the SW), which was quite a good running surface. However, with the warm weather predicted for the coming week, I could easily see the trail becoming an almost impassable surface of mud and ice, along the cliffs. Here we go again!
To our surprise, the trail was mostly dry! Stephen Bridson ran a loop of the course early in the morning, on the day of the Spring Warm-up and reported the incredible findings. Coupled with a bright blue sky and ideal running temperatures, most people wanted their money back...
With exemplary weather and an appealing course, most people had a great day out on the trails. About 50 of us enjoyed talking about our race plans and how mutual friends were doing. A few people mentioned that the SW was their first chance this year to get out on some technical trails and "get ready" for the race season. As I am nowhere near ready to run an ultra, 2 loops of the 13K course were enough for me, clocking just under 4 hours. Quite slow to run 26K, but you should experience the course before judging me too harshly. I would guess the better runners were pegging about 90 minutes for the 13K course.
Speaking of better runners, Hans Maier won the Grand Prize! Hans has been a mainstay and supporter of Ontario trail and ultra circuit since before pavement was invented. It could not have been granted to a more deserving individual. Way to go Hans!
My goal of running 50K at Pick Your Poison hit a bit of a snag. Due to lethargic training this Spring (or second winter, depending on your viewpoint), I waited a bit too long before signing up. I could not decide if I should run the 25K or 50K. PYP sold out! So I will be a vollie (volunteer) at PYP. I might head down to Seaton, a race I have never run before. Otherwise it will be a very late start to the season, if I wait for Kingston. Lee Anne and I will miss Sulphur Springs for the first time in about 6 years. No big reason. Lee Anne is not happy with trail races, after falling at both of them last year (PYP and Sulphur).
Note to self: You need to sign up for a race if you want to run it...
I boiled down today for the last time this year. I made 200 litres of maple syrup, so those of you whose race strategy includes an age category podium finish at Creemore, there will be syrup! The last batch is always tough. Not because of any sentimental tripe about it being all over for another year, but because I'm not mentally equipped to waste sap. It takes so much effort to get sap into the evaporator, that I don't want to waste any. So the last batch becomes tricky... The evaporator is comprised of a finishing pan (2' X 2' flat bottom, on the left) and a sap pan (2' X 4' drop flues (trenches), on the right). This morning, the 2 pans were filled with cold concentrated sap. There is no more sap in the storage tanks, so to make the last batch, I plug the finishing pan (small pan) and drain the sap pan. I cannot start a fire without liquid in the sap pan, so I fill it with water. This is the tough part. I have drained 80 litres out of the sap pan. Yes, 80 litres! I then add 120 litres of water to the sap pan. I can now start the evaporator. Over the next 4 hours, I add the 80 litres of concentrated sap to the finishing pan. During the same time period, I add a total of 320 litres of water to the sap pan. I carry 40 litres of water from the Mad river, which is about 100 meters from the sugar shack. By the time I reach the sugar shack, my arms are 3 inches longer.
Now, I need to clean a few kilometers of sap line and mainline, dismantle the evaporator and clean it, and haul everything home. The sugar shack is about 25K from where we live in Creemore. I also have a few branches to pick up at home... from the ice storm.
The problem with being retired is that there is no time off...
Sunday, March 20, 2016
Happy Spring!
Spring might be early this year, but it certainly hasn't brought warmer weather. It was -10 in Creemore this morning. Brrr!
Running has not gone well so far this year, mainly because I've been desperately seeking alternatives to lacing up the shoes and heading out into the cold gloom. Every Autumn I convince myself that running in cold weather has its advantages, such as (help me out here!) less foliage blocking the views and (a bone, throw me a bone!) uncrowded trails. But around early February, I'm fooling nobody. Running in Ecuador, although difficult to breath, made it that much harder to don the winter running uniform and head out the door, once back in Creeland.
Eventually, it is time to ramp up mileage. Yesterday was scheduled to be a 20K run. However, we slept in a bit and took our time getting ready. The start was slow, even by my standards. At 10:42, we had reached the 10K turn around; a hamlet called Dunedin. Those of you who have joined in the OUTRace Spring Warm-up fun run will know the local. The hall is exactly 10K from our house. This is about the point where I woke up and realized that meeting Andja at the sugar shack was going to be dicey. I had to run home (10K), then drive 25K to the property, by 12:00. Epiphany! I will combine a longish run (20K) with speedwork! I turned for home and increased my speed. This lasted about 5K when my bad knee (left) started complaining. Not sure how many people have a chronic injury, but my bad knee has been hurting since 1975. Yes, my doctor has suggested that I take up a different sport, but I'm an optimist and somehow I keep thinking that my knee will get better, possibly in the next 40 years. Yes, I can guess what you are thinking, about how my knee will get "better"... Needless to say, I had to slow down and was a bit late meeting Andja.
A timely segue into the Spring Warm-up. OUTRace (Ontario Ultra and Trail Race series) puts on an annual fun run that doubles as a fund raiser. This year, Stephen Bridson and I are organizing the run. For a modest entry fee of $35, runners get to test their "winter legs" against some big hills and part of the course follows the Bruce trail. There is also a grand prize of free entry into most of the races in the series. Lunch is typically soup and pizza and there are spot prizes to compliment the grand prize. For me, the best part is chatting with some of the regulars on the Ontario circuit. The Spring Warm-up is on Saturday April 16, 2 weeks before the first race in the series, the dreaded Pick Your Poison. Better to test the legs early, than in a race! For details and to sign up:
OUTRace Spring Warm-up
This has been a troubling year for maple syrup. It is still a bit early, but there has been a plethora of warm days with no sap run. My concern is that the tap holes will heal early, reducing the sap yield later this season. I have made 37 litres of syrup so far, which is less than half the syrup needed for the race. I would also like to sell some syrup to recover the costs and a bit for personal use would be enjoyable. This year, along with cutting 4 bushcord of firewood for the evaporator, I had to replace about 200 feet of tubing. The warm December resulted in more squirrel activity and they chewed through quite a bit of tubing. Add in general maintenance, jars and cleaning supplies, the cost adds up! I normally make more than 200 litres of syrup in a year, so the current tally is not healthy.
Today is too cold to make syrup, so I will start a fire in the pottery studio and start making the CVC medals.
Cheers!
Running has not gone well so far this year, mainly because I've been desperately seeking alternatives to lacing up the shoes and heading out into the cold gloom. Every Autumn I convince myself that running in cold weather has its advantages, such as (help me out here!) less foliage blocking the views and (a bone, throw me a bone!) uncrowded trails. But around early February, I'm fooling nobody. Running in Ecuador, although difficult to breath, made it that much harder to don the winter running uniform and head out the door, once back in Creeland.
Eventually, it is time to ramp up mileage. Yesterday was scheduled to be a 20K run. However, we slept in a bit and took our time getting ready. The start was slow, even by my standards. At 10:42, we had reached the 10K turn around; a hamlet called Dunedin. Those of you who have joined in the OUTRace Spring Warm-up fun run will know the local. The hall is exactly 10K from our house. This is about the point where I woke up and realized that meeting Andja at the sugar shack was going to be dicey. I had to run home (10K), then drive 25K to the property, by 12:00. Epiphany! I will combine a longish run (20K) with speedwork! I turned for home and increased my speed. This lasted about 5K when my bad knee (left) started complaining. Not sure how many people have a chronic injury, but my bad knee has been hurting since 1975. Yes, my doctor has suggested that I take up a different sport, but I'm an optimist and somehow I keep thinking that my knee will get better, possibly in the next 40 years. Yes, I can guess what you are thinking, about how my knee will get "better"... Needless to say, I had to slow down and was a bit late meeting Andja.
A timely segue into the Spring Warm-up. OUTRace (Ontario Ultra and Trail Race series) puts on an annual fun run that doubles as a fund raiser. This year, Stephen Bridson and I are organizing the run. For a modest entry fee of $35, runners get to test their "winter legs" against some big hills and part of the course follows the Bruce trail. There is also a grand prize of free entry into most of the races in the series. Lunch is typically soup and pizza and there are spot prizes to compliment the grand prize. For me, the best part is chatting with some of the regulars on the Ontario circuit. The Spring Warm-up is on Saturday April 16, 2 weeks before the first race in the series, the dreaded Pick Your Poison. Better to test the legs early, than in a race! For details and to sign up:
OUTRace Spring Warm-up
This has been a troubling year for maple syrup. It is still a bit early, but there has been a plethora of warm days with no sap run. My concern is that the tap holes will heal early, reducing the sap yield later this season. I have made 37 litres of syrup so far, which is less than half the syrup needed for the race. I would also like to sell some syrup to recover the costs and a bit for personal use would be enjoyable. This year, along with cutting 4 bushcord of firewood for the evaporator, I had to replace about 200 feet of tubing. The warm December resulted in more squirrel activity and they chewed through quite a bit of tubing. Add in general maintenance, jars and cleaning supplies, the cost adds up! I normally make more than 200 litres of syrup in a year, so the current tally is not healthy.
Today is too cold to make syrup, so I will start a fire in the pottery studio and start making the CVC medals.
Cheers!
Tuesday, March 1, 2016
In Like a Lion
Not sure what the rest of Southern Ontario is like today, but the Creemore area is white and cold. Running this time of year is a challenge; the struggle to don outdoor running gear AGAIN and run in slush along the side of the road. The alternative - an epic run on the treadmill, is less than inspiring. Also at this time of year, I have a few too many distractions to focus totally on winter running, Today, I transported the evaporator up to the sugar bush, hauled it 1K to the sugar shack and assembled it. Tomorrow, I'm helping to build a deck at my son-in-law's in Toronto.
However I did get a trail run in recently. It was tough, although I was only sinking about 4 inches into the snow. Only once did I break through the ice into the Mad river, so it was a fun run (no police reports to fill out).
Hauling the evaporator to the sugar shack was also quite pleasant. One reason I decided to do so today is because we are expecting about 25 cm of snow, which makes pulling a 2' X 6' drop-flue evaporator on a sled by hand, quite difficult. Think in terms of pulling a plow for 1K. Today, the sled was only sinking about 3 inches, so there was no need to hyperventilate. Building the evaporator went smoothly as well, which is why I'm home by noon and have time to write this post. To avoid boring people with the build details, assembly requires using nifty little clamps for the drain valve, draw-off valve, anti-backwash coupler and float box. I'm supposed to level the sap and finishing pans, but I forgot, for the sixth year in a row... Hopefully I can add a picture to show the end result.
This weekend, the plan is to tap. With only 1 foot of snow in the bush (yes, I mix up imperial with metric in a most confusing fashion, look! An eagle!) tapping should be easier than most years, when there is 1.2 meters of snow. In recent years I've had help tapping, which is wonderful, as drilling 325 tap holes and setting the spiles takes a bit out of me. Daryl (son-in-law) and Stephan (good friend) both claim they enjoy it. I guess there are worse things than being out in the bush, tramping through snow and working up a thirst!
Another reason for this post is because I tend to get real busy during maple syrup season. If you are interested in checking out a small / medium sized operation, feel free to drop by in mid / late March. Email me for directions and disclaimers. Note the 1K hike through forest, to get from the road to the sugar shack. Most years all you need is boots, but snow shoes, a canoe and perhaps a helicopter might come in handy.
Cheers!
However I did get a trail run in recently. It was tough, although I was only sinking about 4 inches into the snow. Only once did I break through the ice into the Mad river, so it was a fun run (no police reports to fill out).
Hauling the evaporator to the sugar shack was also quite pleasant. One reason I decided to do so today is because we are expecting about 25 cm of snow, which makes pulling a 2' X 6' drop-flue evaporator on a sled by hand, quite difficult. Think in terms of pulling a plow for 1K. Today, the sled was only sinking about 3 inches, so there was no need to hyperventilate. Building the evaporator went smoothly as well, which is why I'm home by noon and have time to write this post. To avoid boring people with the build details, assembly requires using nifty little clamps for the drain valve, draw-off valve, anti-backwash coupler and float box. I'm supposed to level the sap and finishing pans, but I forgot, for the sixth year in a row... Hopefully I can add a picture to show the end result.
This weekend, the plan is to tap. With only 1 foot of snow in the bush (yes, I mix up imperial with metric in a most confusing fashion, look! An eagle!) tapping should be easier than most years, when there is 1.2 meters of snow. In recent years I've had help tapping, which is wonderful, as drilling 325 tap holes and setting the spiles takes a bit out of me. Daryl (son-in-law) and Stephan (good friend) both claim they enjoy it. I guess there are worse things than being out in the bush, tramping through snow and working up a thirst!
Another reason for this post is because I tend to get real busy during maple syrup season. If you are interested in checking out a small / medium sized operation, feel free to drop by in mid / late March. Email me for directions and disclaimers. Note the 1K hike through forest, to get from the road to the sugar shack. Most years all you need is boots, but snow shoes, a canoe and perhaps a helicopter might come in handy.
Cheers!
Wednesday, February 24, 2016
Running in Ecuador
Just a note for those die-hard runners, who think in terms of "running" and "other", where "other" is a series of boring tasks (eating, sleeping, working) required before the next run... The subject line is completely misleading. Yes, Lee Anne and I ran in Ecuador, but we ran no races and my mileage was not significant. Unless you want to read about hiking in Ecuador, skip this post. I ran 10K, mainly on a track in Latacunga and 12K, also on a track, in Ibarra. That's it, for 12 days!
Mind you, running at altitude is a bit weird. Picture shuffling along at your slowest training pace when the visual world starts to get darker, similar to your computer screen just before it launches a pop-up. Your body knows it is not pushing hard (it is not complaining to the brain), but there seems to be an element lacking in the mix. Or technically, a compound, known as O2... We found it almost amusing that we could only run about 400 meters flat, before being forced to walk. Even walking at 2800 meters above sea level takes a surprising length of time, before there is enough oxygen in the legs to consider assuming a running pace.
Ecuador is a series of contrasts. With some foresight, they have vastly improved the road infrastructure, in what I assume is an attempt to prepare for more tourism and a 21st century lifestyle. However, a large percentage of the buildings are old or unfinished. By unfinished, think of buildings with a completed ground floor in which people are living, yet the second floor is partially built concrete block walls with rebar sticking out the top. I heard many reasons for why this was happening. I am not sure which are true; likely all are factors. Ecuadorians would simply build until they ran out of money, then stop until they saved up a bit. Or they had failed to obtain the proper permits and work was stopped. Another "rumour" is that they prolong the building period, as the tax is not increased until the building is completed. As long as they can complete 10% each year, the building is considered under construction. So, there is a modern airport in Quito, excellent 6 lane highways, with 18th century buildings along the way.
Private roads are another matter. Again, only what I was told, but maintenance of the smaller roads is performed by the locals. They would pool their funds and provide the labour. The private road we traveled upon near the Quito airport was comprised of rocks embedded in sand. Similar to cobblestone roads, but much rougher. Tires last about 2 years for those who must travel these private roads on a regular basis. I can see a rally race along these roads!
Travelling in Ecuador is inexpensive. Our flights were about $600 CAD each. Hotels (Hostals) range from $25 to $70 for a private room. We stayed at Las Orquideas hotel in Ibarra for 3 nights. Including 3 breakfasts and doing our laundry, our bill came to $75 USD. Mind you, they waived the laundry and the $2.50 breakfasts. Meals are also less expensive, although wine is on par with Canadian prices. There is considerable tariffs on the import of wines.
Our first day was spent touring the old section of Quito. We elected to stay at the same hotel for the first 2 nights, to help acclimatize to the altitude. This had an added benefit, as my luggage did not make the flight from Bogota to Quito. The airport was able to send my luggage to the hotel the following day.
Our third night was spent in Latacunga, a staging area for the Quilotoa Loop hike. The next morning we set out for Sigchos, were our hike would start. We were travelling with Barb and Manny (Manfred), as our schedules aligned nicely. Barb and Manny are also retired. Things went south quickly for Barb, at this point, as she succumbed to the flu. Picture travelling in a coach bus along rough and steep mountainous roads, with the flu. I am not sure how she did it! Mind you, there was little choice. Getting off the bus in the mountains was not an option.
It is always a good idea to have some flexibility in your travel plans. Barb was in no shape to hike from Sigchos to Isinlivi. So, while Lee Anne and I hiked, Barb and Manny took a taxi to Llullu Llama, out hostal in Isinlivi. This 4 hour "warm-up" hike presented incredible vistas and one taxing uphill climb, with a pinch of altitude. The next day, while Barb recovered a bit, Manny, Lee Anne and I hiked a loop trail and we all stayed a second night in Isinlivi.
Again, Barb was in no shape to hike, so while they took a taxi to Chugchilan, Lee Anne and I hiked. This was to be the theme for the Quilotoa Loop. I almost feel bad (we owe Manny and Barb big time) but while Lee Anne and I enjoyed hiking with one light pack, Barb and Manny drove in a taxi to the next hostal, with our heavy pack. The pack I should have been carrying!
The hike from Chugchilan to the Quilotoa crater is tough. There are two long steep climbs, the second of which reaches 3900 meters (12,800 feet). Fortunately the hike is relatively short (5 hours), so although the altitude takes its toll, it is not coupled with complete exhaustion. Mind you, sleeping at 3900 meters is a nuisance. Imagine having a minor hangover for the duration. No one slept well that night!
The next day we set out for Ibarra, where we had planned to hike the nearby Imbabura volcano. Since the volcano was a significant hike (over 4600 meters / 15,000 feet), we decided that it would be a better idea to tackle something less technical and altitudinal (it's a new word, buddy) and opted for the nearby Cubilche volcano. At 3800 meters, it would make for a satisfactory hike. It also had a cute little lake at the top!
For the hike up Cubilche, we hired Emerson Obando, a professional guide. Emerson is extremely fit and guides tours in the area 2 - 3 times per week. I still can't figure out how he ran up a steep hill at 3800 meters, while I had to stop every 50 feet to avoid blacking out. I thought I was in shape! Hiring a guide provides one pleasant bonus. We did not have to spend hours scrutinizing trail maps and questionable directions. Simply admire the views and take pictures. Emerson did all the navigation. Emerson is positive, talkative and very sensitive to the environment. I'm sure that it was not part of the tour, but we helped Emerson collect garbage at the crater lake. If you ever plan a trip to Ecuador, consider using a guide. Emerson also runs a hostal in Esperanza, basically a suburb of Ibarra. Check out his website at:
www.refugioterraesperanza.ec
After returning from the hike to his hostal, we donned traditional garb and enjoyed a photo op!
Our last day was spent at the Otavalo market, which has a huge variety of traditional clothing, leather, art and food. Prices are great ($5 for a Panama hat, $15 for a Llama wool shawl) and the atmosphere is something to experience. I normally don't like shopping (this is an understatement), but there was so much to see, it was bearable...
One reason our flights were inexpensive was because the return trip was not ideal. We left the hostal at 2:00 AM for a 05:20 flight. We had considerable excitement at about 04:00 when Lee Anne figured out that she dropped her money bag in the back seat of the hostal van, on the way to the airport. After some panic, she was able to contact the manager, who drove the van back to the airport and delivered her money, credit cards and birth certificate.
After a short flight from Quito to Bogota, we had an 8 hour layover. Time creeps ever more slowly when waiting for a connector in an airport. For fun, I converted my USD into Columbian pesos, then into CAD. Yeehaa! We finally embarked on the last flight and landed in Toronto at 9:40 PM. Daryl (son-in-law) was kind enough to pick us up and drop us at Manny and Barb's place, where we had left our car. The drive to Creemore was quick as there is little traffic after 11:00 PM on a Sunday night. I activated the woodstove in record time and it was almost warm by the time we went to bed, at about 1:30 AM. Almost a 24 hour day!
Conclusion:
Hiking in Ecuador will take you out of your comfort zone. This becomes important as you get older and avoid new experiences because they don't fit your schedule. We experienced some inconvenience in the hostal in Latacunga, where the average age was about 18. But we most definitely gained incredible experiences not available in a package deal to Cuba. Consider hiking Ecuador because it requires some effort to absorb the culture. Then we will have earned our lattes and petit four...
Mind you, running at altitude is a bit weird. Picture shuffling along at your slowest training pace when the visual world starts to get darker, similar to your computer screen just before it launches a pop-up. Your body knows it is not pushing hard (it is not complaining to the brain), but there seems to be an element lacking in the mix. Or technically, a compound, known as O2... We found it almost amusing that we could only run about 400 meters flat, before being forced to walk. Even walking at 2800 meters above sea level takes a surprising length of time, before there is enough oxygen in the legs to consider assuming a running pace.
Ecuador is a series of contrasts. With some foresight, they have vastly improved the road infrastructure, in what I assume is an attempt to prepare for more tourism and a 21st century lifestyle. However, a large percentage of the buildings are old or unfinished. By unfinished, think of buildings with a completed ground floor in which people are living, yet the second floor is partially built concrete block walls with rebar sticking out the top. I heard many reasons for why this was happening. I am not sure which are true; likely all are factors. Ecuadorians would simply build until they ran out of money, then stop until they saved up a bit. Or they had failed to obtain the proper permits and work was stopped. Another "rumour" is that they prolong the building period, as the tax is not increased until the building is completed. As long as they can complete 10% each year, the building is considered under construction. So, there is a modern airport in Quito, excellent 6 lane highways, with 18th century buildings along the way.
Private roads are another matter. Again, only what I was told, but maintenance of the smaller roads is performed by the locals. They would pool their funds and provide the labour. The private road we traveled upon near the Quito airport was comprised of rocks embedded in sand. Similar to cobblestone roads, but much rougher. Tires last about 2 years for those who must travel these private roads on a regular basis. I can see a rally race along these roads!
Travelling in Ecuador is inexpensive. Our flights were about $600 CAD each. Hotels (Hostals) range from $25 to $70 for a private room. We stayed at Las Orquideas hotel in Ibarra for 3 nights. Including 3 breakfasts and doing our laundry, our bill came to $75 USD. Mind you, they waived the laundry and the $2.50 breakfasts. Meals are also less expensive, although wine is on par with Canadian prices. There is considerable tariffs on the import of wines.
Our first day was spent touring the old section of Quito. We elected to stay at the same hotel for the first 2 nights, to help acclimatize to the altitude. This had an added benefit, as my luggage did not make the flight from Bogota to Quito. The airport was able to send my luggage to the hotel the following day.
Our third night was spent in Latacunga, a staging area for the Quilotoa Loop hike. The next morning we set out for Sigchos, were our hike would start. We were travelling with Barb and Manny (Manfred), as our schedules aligned nicely. Barb and Manny are also retired. Things went south quickly for Barb, at this point, as she succumbed to the flu. Picture travelling in a coach bus along rough and steep mountainous roads, with the flu. I am not sure how she did it! Mind you, there was little choice. Getting off the bus in the mountains was not an option.
It is always a good idea to have some flexibility in your travel plans. Barb was in no shape to hike from Sigchos to Isinlivi. So, while Lee Anne and I hiked, Barb and Manny took a taxi to Llullu Llama, out hostal in Isinlivi. This 4 hour "warm-up" hike presented incredible vistas and one taxing uphill climb, with a pinch of altitude. The next day, while Barb recovered a bit, Manny, Lee Anne and I hiked a loop trail and we all stayed a second night in Isinlivi.
Again, Barb was in no shape to hike, so while they took a taxi to Chugchilan, Lee Anne and I hiked. This was to be the theme for the Quilotoa Loop. I almost feel bad (we owe Manny and Barb big time) but while Lee Anne and I enjoyed hiking with one light pack, Barb and Manny drove in a taxi to the next hostal, with our heavy pack. The pack I should have been carrying!
The hike from Chugchilan to the Quilotoa crater is tough. There are two long steep climbs, the second of which reaches 3900 meters (12,800 feet). Fortunately the hike is relatively short (5 hours), so although the altitude takes its toll, it is not coupled with complete exhaustion. Mind you, sleeping at 3900 meters is a nuisance. Imagine having a minor hangover for the duration. No one slept well that night!
The next day we set out for Ibarra, where we had planned to hike the nearby Imbabura volcano. Since the volcano was a significant hike (over 4600 meters / 15,000 feet), we decided that it would be a better idea to tackle something less technical and altitudinal (it's a new word, buddy) and opted for the nearby Cubilche volcano. At 3800 meters, it would make for a satisfactory hike. It also had a cute little lake at the top!
For the hike up Cubilche, we hired Emerson Obando, a professional guide. Emerson is extremely fit and guides tours in the area 2 - 3 times per week. I still can't figure out how he ran up a steep hill at 3800 meters, while I had to stop every 50 feet to avoid blacking out. I thought I was in shape! Hiring a guide provides one pleasant bonus. We did not have to spend hours scrutinizing trail maps and questionable directions. Simply admire the views and take pictures. Emerson did all the navigation. Emerson is positive, talkative and very sensitive to the environment. I'm sure that it was not part of the tour, but we helped Emerson collect garbage at the crater lake. If you ever plan a trip to Ecuador, consider using a guide. Emerson also runs a hostal in Esperanza, basically a suburb of Ibarra. Check out his website at:
www.refugioterraesperanza.ec
After returning from the hike to his hostal, we donned traditional garb and enjoyed a photo op!
Our last day was spent at the Otavalo market, which has a huge variety of traditional clothing, leather, art and food. Prices are great ($5 for a Panama hat, $15 for a Llama wool shawl) and the atmosphere is something to experience. I normally don't like shopping (this is an understatement), but there was so much to see, it was bearable...
One reason our flights were inexpensive was because the return trip was not ideal. We left the hostal at 2:00 AM for a 05:20 flight. We had considerable excitement at about 04:00 when Lee Anne figured out that she dropped her money bag in the back seat of the hostal van, on the way to the airport. After some panic, she was able to contact the manager, who drove the van back to the airport and delivered her money, credit cards and birth certificate.
After a short flight from Quito to Bogota, we had an 8 hour layover. Time creeps ever more slowly when waiting for a connector in an airport. For fun, I converted my USD into Columbian pesos, then into CAD. Yeehaa! We finally embarked on the last flight and landed in Toronto at 9:40 PM. Daryl (son-in-law) was kind enough to pick us up and drop us at Manny and Barb's place, where we had left our car. The drive to Creemore was quick as there is little traffic after 11:00 PM on a Sunday night. I activated the woodstove in record time and it was almost warm by the time we went to bed, at about 1:30 AM. Almost a 24 hour day!
Conclusion:
Hiking in Ecuador will take you out of your comfort zone. This becomes important as you get older and avoid new experiences because they don't fit your schedule. We experienced some inconvenience in the hostal in Latacunga, where the average age was about 18. But we most definitely gained incredible experiences not available in a package deal to Cuba. Consider hiking Ecuador because it requires some effort to absorb the culture. Then we will have earned our lattes and petit four...
Sunday, February 7, 2016
Advice on Living with a Runner
I have thoroughly enjoyed writing this blog and the friendships with runners, made along the way. The trail and ultra races are tough, but that is why we sign up. Greeting friends at races is always a great moment and a significant aspect of why I keep going back to the various Ontario races. I mention this in case this is my last post. If you see something along the lines of "We Will Talk at Home" from Lee Anne, in the comments section, followed by my eternal silence, you'll know what happened. For my epitaph, I'm thinking:
Brave and Stupid
Of course the epitaph can be applied to most trail and ultra runners...
Living with a runner is never easy. In a shallow attempt to preempt an adverse reaction from Lee Anne, I would like to state that in our case, the above observation goes both ways. I will grudgingly admit that I have a few idiosyncrasies. There. That should ward off her attempts at manslaughter.
From one perspective, we have it easy. Both of us are runners, so we don't normally experience shock when one of us proposes some outlandish running objective. Lee Anne likes running long and on road. I have difficulty running long and prefer trails. I have only run 50 miles once, a distance that Lee Anne considers "shortish". Even though we have diverse running preferences, we typically sign up for the same races. Even when we don't, it is usually no big deal. I avoid marathons. They are too short, flat and painful. Lee Anne loves the marathon, because it is short, flat and on road. Lee Anne is running Boston soon, whereas I would gladly pay to avoid running Boston. Her daughter Lily will accompany her. They will spend about $2,000 so that Lee Anne can run a marathon. I'm not sure how couples with only one runner handle this type of objective. It has to be a stressor.
My first bit of advice on living with a runner is to encourage them to reach their goals, but make it implicitely clear that they owe you. Get it in writing. If they are overly keen on their goal, they should grant you a big ticket item to reciprocate.
Crewing is a totally different matter. Be very careful what you sign up for. I typically crew for Lee Anne, because there is usually no need to crew for someone (me) running a 50K or 6 hour race. Crewing becomes essential for races 12 hours / 50 miles or longer. The idea of crewing your spouse is very romantic. You are helping a loved one during their toughest challenge. They will be filled with gratitude, right? Right? Hello?
I last crewed for Lee Anne in September, 2015. We were extremely fortunate to have help from our good friend Sharon. Lee Anne had a fantastic race, which means that there was less of the "ugly" that typical transpires during a long bout of crewing. Even so, here is what I did:
Drive 16 hours to Tennessee. Help Lee Anne prepare for a 28 hour run. Set up a tent and Lee Anne's aid station. Wake up at 04:00 on race day and get Lee Anne to the start. Monitor her fluid, calorie, salt and electrolyte intake. It was a hot day, so the sodium and electrolyte intake had to be monitored separately. During the 26 hours and 34 minutes that Lee Anne ran, provide her with something that she would enjoy. Keep track of her metrics, to provide her with up-to-the-minute progress reports.
Make no mistake, Lee Anne ran for 26.5 hours, not me. All I did was keep her running. Without Sharon, my task would have been nearly impossible. I was able to catch an hour or two of sleep during Lee Anne's run. A great quote, which I first heard in relation to Badwater, was that a crew cannot win a race, but they can certainly lose it. I was also able to drive to a store to get hot food. Fortunately, they sold ice at the race site, which was convenient as I was giving Lee Anne a bag if ice every mile. However, here is my schedule for the race:
Wednesday night: 5 hours sleep (in Toronto)
Thursday: 06:30 to 23:00: Drive (forgot our passports in Creemore)
Sleep for 5 hours (I don't sleep well after driving for 16+ hours)
Friday: 08:00 - 23:00: Prep for the race, inspect race course, run 9K (it was HOT!)
Sleep for 4 hours (I don't sleep well before crewing for a race...)
Saturday: 04:00: Set up at race site
05:00 - 21:00: Crew for Lee Anne
21:00 - 23:00: Try to sleep
23:30: Buy chicken sandwich for Liz Bauer (a surreal moment!)
Sunday: 00:00 - 8:30: Crew for Lee Anne
09:00 - 12:00 Try to sleep in the car, in the heat
12:00 until Tuesday: Drive home
As mentioned above, Lee Anne's race went very well. This means that she never reached the point where tantrums became the main theme. The mental state of a person who has run for 20+ hours is equivalent to a cranky 3 year old. They are not thinking rational or logically. Continuous suffering starts to block out the world. Runners are only thinking about how they can make their current status a bit better. If they want coke with ice, you had bloody well better have it ready, even if you have no inkling that is what they want. Conversely, if you provide the runner with something they had not expected and enjoy, it can dramatically improve their mood. This aspect can be exhausting for the crew, always striving to think of something the runner would appreciate. Especially if the runner passes the shelter every mile, in a 100 mile race.
My advice on crewing is: Nothing longer than a 5K race...
Day-to-day living can also have its struggles, especially for spouses of ultra runners. Lee Anne runs a back-to-back every Friday and Saturday. Since I am also an ultra runner, I understand how critical it is to maintain your running schedule. Missing even one day can throw a wrench into your training program. This is different than what I tell people who are just starting to run. They can easily miss a day or three. But (think old testament here) NEVER TAMPER WITH THE SCHEDULE. Lee Anne has asked people to reschedule their funeral, to avoid conflicts with her running schedule.
Yes, my sense of humour has made my life difficult, why do you ask?
Everything from washing clothes to diet is a bit upside down in running households. We have 2 shelves in our medicine cabinet for Ibuprofen. Although there are only 2 people living in our house, we wash a large load of laundry every day. Most people consider pretzels to be the worst food imaginable. Empty calories with a massive amount of salt. Pretzels are so significant to ultra runners, they are considered a separate food group. Winter running brings the concept of drying racks to a rarified level. Although our dryer runs every day (the clothesline cannot dry clothes between runs), we still have 3 areas for drying running clothes, shoes, camelbacks, hip belts, hats and gloves. A shelf in our fridge is for "in progress" water bottles and gels. We are experts at rolling up 3 yards of toilet paper, so that it fits into a small ziplock baggy.
Our knowledge of weather patterns rivals meteorologists. We are always aware of the phase of the moon, snow and rain forecasts, temperature, wind and humidity. Sunrise is at 07:32. I had to look this up because I thought it was early now (my guess was 7:25). However, it is getting light enough in Creemore to run before 07:00. On August 6 (Creemore Vertical Challenge), sunrise will be 06:15ish (I have not looked this up), but there will be enough light to run at 05:50, 10 minutes before the 75K start. Okay, I just looked up sunrise in Creemore on August 6 and it is 06:13...
So, my advice for runners, regarding living with another runner is: Go for it. This takes 2 runners out of the dating pool and you deserve each other. My advice for non-runners: If it not too late, consider dating someone normal. Or if you are brave and stupid, start running.
Cheers!
Brave and Stupid
Of course the epitaph can be applied to most trail and ultra runners...
Living with a runner is never easy. In a shallow attempt to preempt an adverse reaction from Lee Anne, I would like to state that in our case, the above observation goes both ways. I will grudgingly admit that I have a few idiosyncrasies. There. That should ward off her attempts at manslaughter.
From one perspective, we have it easy. Both of us are runners, so we don't normally experience shock when one of us proposes some outlandish running objective. Lee Anne likes running long and on road. I have difficulty running long and prefer trails. I have only run 50 miles once, a distance that Lee Anne considers "shortish". Even though we have diverse running preferences, we typically sign up for the same races. Even when we don't, it is usually no big deal. I avoid marathons. They are too short, flat and painful. Lee Anne loves the marathon, because it is short, flat and on road. Lee Anne is running Boston soon, whereas I would gladly pay to avoid running Boston. Her daughter Lily will accompany her. They will spend about $2,000 so that Lee Anne can run a marathon. I'm not sure how couples with only one runner handle this type of objective. It has to be a stressor.
My first bit of advice on living with a runner is to encourage them to reach their goals, but make it implicitely clear that they owe you. Get it in writing. If they are overly keen on their goal, they should grant you a big ticket item to reciprocate.
Crewing is a totally different matter. Be very careful what you sign up for. I typically crew for Lee Anne, because there is usually no need to crew for someone (me) running a 50K or 6 hour race. Crewing becomes essential for races 12 hours / 50 miles or longer. The idea of crewing your spouse is very romantic. You are helping a loved one during their toughest challenge. They will be filled with gratitude, right? Right? Hello?
I last crewed for Lee Anne in September, 2015. We were extremely fortunate to have help from our good friend Sharon. Lee Anne had a fantastic race, which means that there was less of the "ugly" that typical transpires during a long bout of crewing. Even so, here is what I did:
Drive 16 hours to Tennessee. Help Lee Anne prepare for a 28 hour run. Set up a tent and Lee Anne's aid station. Wake up at 04:00 on race day and get Lee Anne to the start. Monitor her fluid, calorie, salt and electrolyte intake. It was a hot day, so the sodium and electrolyte intake had to be monitored separately. During the 26 hours and 34 minutes that Lee Anne ran, provide her with something that she would enjoy. Keep track of her metrics, to provide her with up-to-the-minute progress reports.
Make no mistake, Lee Anne ran for 26.5 hours, not me. All I did was keep her running. Without Sharon, my task would have been nearly impossible. I was able to catch an hour or two of sleep during Lee Anne's run. A great quote, which I first heard in relation to Badwater, was that a crew cannot win a race, but they can certainly lose it. I was also able to drive to a store to get hot food. Fortunately, they sold ice at the race site, which was convenient as I was giving Lee Anne a bag if ice every mile. However, here is my schedule for the race:
Wednesday night: 5 hours sleep (in Toronto)
Thursday: 06:30 to 23:00: Drive (forgot our passports in Creemore)
Sleep for 5 hours (I don't sleep well after driving for 16+ hours)
Friday: 08:00 - 23:00: Prep for the race, inspect race course, run 9K (it was HOT!)
Sleep for 4 hours (I don't sleep well before crewing for a race...)
Saturday: 04:00: Set up at race site
05:00 - 21:00: Crew for Lee Anne
21:00 - 23:00: Try to sleep
23:30: Buy chicken sandwich for Liz Bauer (a surreal moment!)
Sunday: 00:00 - 8:30: Crew for Lee Anne
09:00 - 12:00 Try to sleep in the car, in the heat
12:00 until Tuesday: Drive home
As mentioned above, Lee Anne's race went very well. This means that she never reached the point where tantrums became the main theme. The mental state of a person who has run for 20+ hours is equivalent to a cranky 3 year old. They are not thinking rational or logically. Continuous suffering starts to block out the world. Runners are only thinking about how they can make their current status a bit better. If they want coke with ice, you had bloody well better have it ready, even if you have no inkling that is what they want. Conversely, if you provide the runner with something they had not expected and enjoy, it can dramatically improve their mood. This aspect can be exhausting for the crew, always striving to think of something the runner would appreciate. Especially if the runner passes the shelter every mile, in a 100 mile race.
My advice on crewing is: Nothing longer than a 5K race...
Day-to-day living can also have its struggles, especially for spouses of ultra runners. Lee Anne runs a back-to-back every Friday and Saturday. Since I am also an ultra runner, I understand how critical it is to maintain your running schedule. Missing even one day can throw a wrench into your training program. This is different than what I tell people who are just starting to run. They can easily miss a day or three. But (think old testament here) NEVER TAMPER WITH THE SCHEDULE. Lee Anne has asked people to reschedule their funeral, to avoid conflicts with her running schedule.
Yes, my sense of humour has made my life difficult, why do you ask?
Everything from washing clothes to diet is a bit upside down in running households. We have 2 shelves in our medicine cabinet for Ibuprofen. Although there are only 2 people living in our house, we wash a large load of laundry every day. Most people consider pretzels to be the worst food imaginable. Empty calories with a massive amount of salt. Pretzels are so significant to ultra runners, they are considered a separate food group. Winter running brings the concept of drying racks to a rarified level. Although our dryer runs every day (the clothesline cannot dry clothes between runs), we still have 3 areas for drying running clothes, shoes, camelbacks, hip belts, hats and gloves. A shelf in our fridge is for "in progress" water bottles and gels. We are experts at rolling up 3 yards of toilet paper, so that it fits into a small ziplock baggy.
Our knowledge of weather patterns rivals meteorologists. We are always aware of the phase of the moon, snow and rain forecasts, temperature, wind and humidity. Sunrise is at 07:32. I had to look this up because I thought it was early now (my guess was 7:25). However, it is getting light enough in Creemore to run before 07:00. On August 6 (Creemore Vertical Challenge), sunrise will be 06:15ish (I have not looked this up), but there will be enough light to run at 05:50, 10 minutes before the 75K start. Okay, I just looked up sunrise in Creemore on August 6 and it is 06:13...
So, my advice for runners, regarding living with another runner is: Go for it. This takes 2 runners out of the dating pool and you deserve each other. My advice for non-runners: If it not too late, consider dating someone normal. Or if you are brave and stupid, start running.
Cheers!
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