Racevine

Good place to find races, reviews of races, all that good stuff.

Posting the obligatory post for some extra contest entries.  Plus the contest is for Brooks stuff, my favorite shoe company.

Racevine Giveaway

Why We Run

Here's a great video, very inspiring!  It says it all about running.  It is also episode 1 of Salomon Running's YouTube series that I have been following for awhile now.  They are on Season 3 now, check out the other seasons and episodes.

I also love the Kilian Jornet series they also produce, great humble ultra runner that I respect and admire greatly.

If you get a chance, this Heinrich guy has written some great biology books and has a great writing style.  Have really enjoyed the 2 books I have read by him.

Hey look! I'm blogging again already!! Look out!

Long Trail Run

Redding Marathon, Relay and 5K

Update: 1/23  Marathon was awesome and the Green Team finished the marathon in 3:38:29.  Fantastic run to our 3 person team, we all ran absolutely wonderfully!

Excited to run in the 3 person relay this Sunday.  Being so close to holidays, as much as I wanted to run the full marathon, I am not even close to being in shape.  I will be running with 2 folks who work in the forest service, fire field, with me: my best bud Joni and a Hotshot firefighter Gerry. I will be running a 9.8 mile leg.  The course is absolutely awesome and beautiful, following one of many wonderful trails that spread throughout Redding.  

The course starts from Shasta Dam and heads down the Sacramento Rail Trail, with a few side tracks, and ends at the great Sundial Bridge.

Redding Marathon Site

Weather has been incredible lately and should stay that way on Sunday.  Feels like cool summer weather, even breaking 70 the other day.  

Marathon is a Boston qualifier for 2014, has medals for the finishers, 1/4 zip long sleeve tech shirts, and some cool food from locals.

This past week I've managed to get a long 13 mile trail run and a 6 miler at work so feeling pretty good about picking up my pace for the 9.8 mile stretch.

WOOHOO! Can't wait!

My Review of Brooks PureGrit Trail-Running Shoes - Men's

Originally submitted at REI

A collaboration with ultrarunner Scott Jurek, the Brooks PureGrit trail-running shoes free your feet to embrace the trails and connect to the ground below. Lightweight uppers feature conforming foam, highly breathable mesh and a rubber instep band to provide a comfortable, secure fit regardless of ...

Brooks PureGrit Trail-Running Shoes - Men's

My Only Running Shoe

By Buckizard from Redding, CA on 2/24/2012

5out of 5

Sizing: Feels true to size
Width: Feels true to width
Arch Type: Average Arch
Pros: Good Traction, Lightweight, Comfortable, Cushions Impact
Best Uses: Trail Running
Describe Yourself: Avid Athlete
Was this a gift?: No

I now own 2 pairs of these after putting over 200 miles on my first pair, and they are still going strong. I run almost exclusively trail but feel just as comfortable in these on the road. I average 25-45 miles a week with long a long run of over 20 miles.

The 4mm drop is perfect for my current running state. I love the cushioning in these and they feel great over long distances. Traction is fantastic in rain, mud, and even snow. Crossing creeks these drain quickly and dry just as fast. The smaller profile lugs make running on any surface a happy affair, though trails is where these really excel.

Durability has been great, haven't noticed anything going wrong or wearing out after a few hundred miles. As soon as I got a new pair for races, they went for a 23 mile trail run without any break-in. They were flawless. I recommend these for any trail runner or for Brooks fans trying for a minimal shoe along the Cascadia lines.

Really enjoy these!!

New blue ones, on the trail

Tags: Using Product, Made with Product, Picture of Product

(legalese)

My Farthest Run--Non-race and on Trail

Friday night and I was supposed to run a 4 mile Frosty Fun Run in the morning.  It was pouring! I couldn't stand the thought of wasting such fun on a populated and paved race.  I decided to hit the trail instead.

The route I wanted was a single track loop I had rode the weekend before on my mountain bike.  The Clikapudi Trail, on Shasta Lake NRA in California.  It is almost a 10 mile loop, with my previous farthest distance being a 1/2 marathon on a paved course.

That morning the rain decided to stop, upsetting me a little, since I really wanted some rough conditions.  It was still muddy, water filled, and even some snow leftover.  I ran with my fairly new Brooks Grit trail shoes, and nothing different from any other run except I had my running pack, a Nathan.  The Grit handled fantastically!!! Water drained quickly, traction was great in mud and snow, and I felt like I had plenty of cushioning. 

After almost one lap complete, and almost 1.5 miles from the car (which I didn't want to see or would never convince myself), I decided to turn around and do the loop in reverse.  I was at mile 8.3 when I turned around, knowing this was going to be my longest run. 

So I totaled 16.6 miles in just under 3 hours, 2:53:14.  Surprisingly I have never felt better after a run, as most my trail runs seem to do.  So I have decided to make my first marathon (or further) a trail one.  Haven't decided yet or found one semi-close to me but something will turn up.

Here is a link to the route on MapMyRun:

Clikapudi Trail x2

Trailhead

Shasta Lake is REALLY low

This creek was barely a trickle a week ago

Some snow still on the trail

Sweating dork alert!

Going to hit a lot more trails this winter and this year.  Going to clear most of the trails around Whiskeytown Lake, then head deeper into the Trinities for some backcountry trails.  Also plan on making some days du/tri-athlon types.  Bring my kayak and mountain bike and try to get 2, if not 3, different exercises in!  Sounds FUN!!!

Reviews of Running Stuff

I've been meaning to throw at least a few words out regarding different things I've had a chance to try and now enjoy, mostly running related, for now.

To throw another plug out there, The Clymb has been a great place for me to try out some items I've heard about, but was unwilling to invest the money trying them out.  Outdoor stuff for half or more off.

NUUN

I always only brought water.  Mostly because I hated the heavy sugar of sports drinks.  Well, I've found a permanent favorite in these guys.  Electrolytes without the sugar.  Very light taste and light drinking, nothing heavy feeling at all.  Easy on the stomach while running.  They come in boxes of 4 tubes, 12 tablets in each tube. 1 tablet in 16oz of water and it fizzles away like an alkaseltzer.  Enough said--great hydration helper.

Garmin 410

I love keeping track of my activities 'behind the scenes'.  I don't like bulky big things while running, or while doing much of anything outdoors.  This little baby answers my problems.  Easily picks up satellites, and keeps them.  Running through the Redwoods and forests has always played havoc with my huge backpacking gps, as well as my phone.  This has yet to lose its satellite tracking no matter where I am.  Must be the antennae built into the wristband.  And works indoors on a treadmill (which I don't do).  Waterproof.

Hit a button, and start running.  Forget about it.  Tracks my route, and everything in between.  It does things I don't use as well like below-pace reminders or a 'virtual racing buddy' and such.  When I get home and get within 6' of my computer, the data downloads automatically.  Another button push on my running site and its downloaded from there to my online run tracking (My MapMyRun Profile)

FuelBelt

I love my fuel belt.  I can't tell its there when I'm running.  2 small 8oz jugs, can't tell you have water, easy one-hand in-out.  Pouch holds plenty of gels or keys.  I also have in this picture: a Nathan blinking light (though its usually in the front) lots of blinky settings--love it.  I also have my RoadID around the pouch and my mp3 player attached to that.

Brooks Pure Project: Grit & Connect

Brooks Grit: Trail Shoe

 Brooks Connect: Road shoe

My new running shoes!

As my running has progressed (not even a year yet), my shoe needs have changed.  I have previously been transitioning to a lower heel drop ratio which makes my form so much easier to run.  My 2 previous shoes were 12mm and 8mm.  Both of these are 4mm, I noticed the difference immediately and fell in love.

Super light weight and flexible, great traction.  The low lugs on the Grit make it comfortable on the trail or road and wide spacing keeps mud from building up.  The Grit's design was helped by Scott Jurek, the same ultra-runner who helped build the successful Cascadia.  7.2 oz Connect, 8.9 oz Grit. Brooks also makes 2 other road models in the Pure Project line.  I got the Connect because they are zero guidance or support.  The other models offer a bit of each.

The Connect won Best Debut by Runner's World.  The Grit has been getting great reviews from Trail runners and I love em both.  Fantastic shoes I will be running in for awhile.

Vivobarefoot Evo

One of the first 'barefoot' shoe makers and now have one of the widest selection.  Used and promoted widely  with the POSE method.  They are normally a more expensive shoe for me to just try, even though I've only read great things about them.  When they came up on The Clymb for $50, I went for it.  

100% Vegan: soles made from recycled rubber; Drilex performance lining with environmentally sustainable Sorona yarn.  Zero drop and only a thin 3mm sole, 1mm is a puncture resistant layer.  Can roll them up in a ball so flexible.  No cushion and a true 'barefoot' shoe.  I can't run in them, I'm not at the zero drop or zero cushion place, if I ever get there.  But I wanted a nice looking zero-drop shoe I could wear to work and not look too goofy.  These fit the bill, keep my legs and calves working while I'm at work, comfortable, feel like I'm wearing slippers.  If you are a barefoot runner, these get rave reviews and seem to be very durable (think a recent review I read from a girl that was at over 500 miles on hers).

My 1st Half-Marathon, 13.1 miles

I finished my 1st half-marathon!!! 1:57:XX (1:57:34 by my Garmin) Both goals accomplished: finish and finish under 2 hours. Felt incredibly awesome!! Well this place outta be getting familiar to me; my first race ever, a 10k in May, and now my first half-marathon and the farthest I've ever run in my life!  What a gorgeous place to run!

Saw a few familiar faces including 2 of the Calfire dispatchers I work with, Shana(?) and Jackie.  Was also Jackie's 1st half marathon (she smoked me) and Shana has been training for a possible Boston qualify.  Loved  knowing they were ahead of me, gave me something to try and track down.

Weather was cloudy, overcast, and cool.  Absolutely awesome running weather.  Again, this place is beautiful to run.

Pre-race training: Lets just say I was consistent.  I never made it to the max mileage I was supposed to be running on my long day, which was 10 miles.  I never made it past 8, but didn't try real hard to go past that either, oh well.  Even though I'd been doing most of my road running in my Brooks Green Silence, they are still my transition shoe and didn't want to risk this long run so went with my die-hard Brooks Cascadia, a trail shoe that runs just as good on the road, and is my go-to shoe for whatever the run. (and soon to be replaced with Brooks new Pure Grit, trail runners, but alas, I won't get em till a week after the race.)

Other Gear:  wore my Avenue of the Giants tech shirt from my first race, Brooks Sherpa running shorts, my awesome Brooks running hat (wicks sweat away incredibly!), shades, my Garmin Forerunner 410, my Fuel Belt with 2 bottles (1 water and the other sports drink) and the pouch full of Power Bar Gel Blasts. Didn't even finish one bottle and still had gels left.

Carbs: I actually decided to semi-follow a plan from Runner's World for carbing up days before a long race.  Daily eating 4g of carbs per pound of body weight.  This put me at 650g a day!  Holy crap was that hard!  Think my highest day I only got to 525, usually was in the high 475 range.  Really made me realize how little I eat normally 8\S  Having that energy in reserve really paid huge dividends I will be doing it again for future races.  I never hit an energy wall or felt weak, in fact haven't felt stronger in a long time!

Can't wait to run the next half or maybe my first full marathon! Actually tentatively planning on my first full marathon to be this race next year, run some half's till than.  Hoping to run into a running partner soon, this solo stuff blows.

WOOHOO I AM SO STOKED!!!

4th of July Arcata Marsh 5K

Gorgeous day down at the Arcata Marsh for the Six Rivers Running Club's 4th of July Arcata Marsh 5K.  Did pretty good at 24:32. Not a PR but my only other 5K wasn't an accurate measured race and it may have been short.  I was pleased with today, except having to go to work right after.  I wore my Brooks Cascadias and they performed awesome!

Start/Finish

Cool shirt, 2 cute butterflies on the back

WTF!?!? How did I end up with that number!

Contest to win a pair of Luna Sandals

Here is a link for a chance to win a pair of the awesome Luna Sandals, the ever-growing 'huarache' style sandals made up in Washington State.

Good luck!!

BourbonFeet Luna Giveaway

Shelter Cove

I have never been to Shelter Cove.  I know it is isolated, the beginning or the end to different sections of the Lost Coast Trail.  Kings Range borders here and you drive through much of it gettting there.  So when I found a race there, I grabbed the opportunity to explore.  I woke up early and took off to the Whitethorn School 3rd Annual 5k/10k/fun run in Shelter Cove.

Rain was steadily wetting the car but it wasn't downpour size.  A short 45 minute drive down the 101 found my exit and the beginning of a windy but absolutely gorgeous additional 45 minutes to Shelter Cove.  Having never been here, I left extra early and was rewarded with an empty road the whole way; not that there was going to be a huge crowd for the race, but it was a holiday weekend.  Several curves at the top of ridges revealed clouds above and a fog below sitting atop the trees like a blanket.  Beautiful country, mostly BLM run so it does have a good amount of farmland/grazing as well as off-road use, but otherwise is maintained as a fairly pristine area.  Finally I arrived at the coast in the beautiful and cozy little coastal town of Shelter Cove.  I quickly found Mal Coombs Park where a few people were already setting up. 

A light rain was falling so I dressed for wet and headed down to the beach, walked quite a ways both directions, snapped a few shots.  I can see why this is a good whale watching area.  Even with the cloudy day I could see forever into the ocean.  Mendocino Lighthouse sat on the bluff above me.  The private campground in town was realtively crowded but there were a few spots still, the weather probably scaring many off.  Originally was planning on making a camping trip out of this race but it didn't quite work out.  Good thing because it would have been wet and muddy.  Checked out the area for a few hours than came back to get registered, got my shirt, and headed to the car (20' away) to fuel up for the run.

There were probably fewer than 50 total people for the race.  There were runners, walkers, strollers, unleashed dogs, kids, the works!  The 5k was a loop and the 10k was the 5k twice.  The fun run/walk was a shorter 2 mile loop.  I signed up for the 5k, using this as a warmup for a 10k next weekend in Vacaville, CA.  I took off a little quicker than I wanted, trying to get ahead of the kid-mass and strollers.  (like I said there weren't a lot of people but it was still a little crowded to begin)  Not knowing the course, this quick start almost killed me.  The first half of the course has 3 killer progressively longer hill climbs.  By the time I crested the last one, I didn't think I could go on.  Than I saw that scraggly little 10 year old kid in front of me, seeing if I was going to catch up.  I found my burst on the downhill and slowly worked my way home.  Finished with a time of 23:55, my first 5k race so nothing to compare to.  If I could run my 10k at that pace I'd be stylin.  Sometime during the race the rain stopped, I didn't even notice.

I waited around at the finish for another 30 minutes, cheering the finishers on as they crossed the line.  I drove down to Black Sands Beach to check it out (WOW! beautiful!) and than headed for home since I had to work some night overtime that night.  

Coming weekend I am heading over to Yreka for Sam's high school graduation HOLY SHIT!!! wow where did the time go?  After his graduation on Saturday I am driving down to Vacaville, CA to visit with my sister and race the California Run Festival And Relay  the inaugural race which includes a 5k/10k/half-marathon/full marathon/ and 50k.  I'm running the 10k and I hope Christy and John decide to race as well. 

In unrelated news: my work schedule is changing for the summer months, any social life I had will now end.  I lose the one weekend day I had and now my days off will be Wed/Thurs/Fri.  Guess I still have Friday nights, but with work the next day probably won't be too many exciting nights.  But since my social life is almost non-existent here, I can groove on a busy fire season to make some good money and make the time fly.  I will be too busy anyway, running, working.  I plan on running my first half-marathon locally in October Redwoods Marathon.  I have Hal Higdon's half-marathon guide already above my 10k guide and ready for action!  I also now have a local gym membership with Healthsport which I'm really excited about.  I mainly signed  up for the Yoga to help my horrible flexibility and help relax while running.  Also the treadmills should get some use on rainy days.  They also have great equipment so I can do some REAL cross or strengthen training on days that call for it. 

Kids: Sam graduating high school;  signed up already for College of the Siskiyous;  got a job for the summer at Raley's (woohoo, Sam!); 4.0 in high school, never missed a single day of hihg school (made some school record for his attendance), made homecoming king; won a couple of academic scholarships.  He's had a terrific time with high school and I love seeing his high spirits.  Emily has been doing awesome in school and her recent project won her science fair.  AWESOME, Emily!!  She also has been driving her mother around everywhere now that she has her permit and is a driving nut now! 

Ciao! for now! Love everyone!

Running

I titled this post running because that seems to be the latest activity to spring forth in my life.  I've always been a runner, and loved it.  Most of my running has been shorter runs associated with some sport I was in.  Never thought about running for distance until a friend turned me on to its wonderful powers of clearing the mind and soul.  So gathering some long-lost self-motivation, I set out to run.

My first few runs weren't what I was looking for.  They felt good but my (hand-me-down) shoes needed replacement, my form was for short runs, I was more tired than I expected, and a little worried.  So the first thing my 'coach' recommended was start at the beginning, with the most important item: shoes.  I went to a Fleet-Feet in Sacramento and got custom fitted with some shoes, complete with fancy inserts. I ran my ass off after getting those shoes, logging almost 20 running miles in that first week.  The runs felt great, but was still worried.  For the first time ever running, my lower legs were hurting, shin-splint-type pains. 

By this time I was already sold on running.  While running, after running; my mind was clear, it gave me time to unwind (previously reserved for the couch and a beer), and made the body feel awesome.  I had so much more energy, even with the running.  My thoughts seemed clearer and less confusing.  Even though I was running alone, I felt less alone (kinda weird?).  So despite these new pains, I was determined to continue what was really inspiring me.

I dove into researching my pains, solutions, etc.  I decided to work on my form.  I decided to stop running for a week, let my pains heal, and keep my workouts strictly to my bike (which even with running was logging 30 miles a week).  After looking into my form, I also studied my new shoes, and more specifically the new inserts.  The inserts were supposed to assist with my pronation but I really felt that it was too much.  The inserts had a real stiff bottom.  The new shoes were already designed to help this and were known for how well they did this.  I decided to try them without.

So after a week of run-rest, a day off presented me with an opportunity to get back on my feet and see how healed I was.  I started off focusing on form.  I took shorter strides, WAY less heel-strike, slowed my pace (fast enough to still maintain a conversation).  WOW!  I felt like, endurance-wise, I could run forever.  The new stride quickly reduced painful impacts and really helped my endurance.  My pace didn't seem to suffer much either.   I ran the farthest I've ever run, 6 miles, almost a 10k.  And, ran for over an hour straight, including making it non-stop up the last 3/4 mile stretch of STEEP hill to my apartment. 

This one run shot my confidence level up to a new high.  Was exactly what I needed.  We'll see how well the excitement and training pays off as May 1st I have my 1st race ever, The Avenue of the Giants run, where I will be running the 10k.  My son will there as well with one of his friends running the half-marathon.  I also have some other friends running in the race as well.

I finally broke down and bought a Kindle.  So tired of my constant reading habit cluttering things with so many books.  I've already got a list of 1st books to get downloaded which includes about 6 running books, some home brew classics, and a few random books.  Can't wait for it to come!

I am officially out of my last home brew and waiting for the ingredients to arrive for my next batch, a Honey Porter.  This should be a really great beer, especially since Porters are one of my favorites.

I also had my first real sushi experience.  For some reason I always had a trepidation over raw fish.  Well, that has sure changed!  I went to a place in Eureka called the Baymont.  Fantastic sushi rolls!  I will now be seeking out good sushi on a regular basis 8)  My personal cooking and nutrition has really changed as well.  Even though weight is never an issue with me, trying to maintain my weight is.  Whenever I start exercising again, my weight drops and I am shrinking again, nothing fits.  So I have been more aware of what I am eating, spending less on quicky meals on the way home, and buying more healthy foods AND cooking them.  Home cooking is always SO much better and really glad to be on this route again.  Plus I used to cook all the time and loved it, glad to be back in the saddle.

Personal life is still blah.  Nothing new or exciting, nothing much developing.  Starting to find a friend or two in the area which has helped.  Never can tell what life has in store for you so I'm just keeping my options open and enjoying life and people day by day.  Always nice to meet new people and have someone to talk to.  Staying as close to my kids as is possible at this distance from them without a car.  It has been a tough road but my kids are old enough and strong enough to be weathering the storms without their father quite well.  They are awesome kids.  Sam just went to his senior prom Saturday night.  Emily just had her birthday on the 1st and seemed to have a good time.

So able to kill little bit of time at work.  Work has been good.  Need some days off badly!  Was in Sacramento training for a week, came back 1 day off, then worked a 60 hour week, 1 day off, now my regular 40 and FINALLY 3 days off!  WOOHOO.  Not sure what I'm going to do but want to do something and a few runs will be in there.  Am planning a trip to Eureka, eat some sushi, have some personal things to take car of, maybe a run, whatever the day shows.  I'll just be glad to not be at work for a few days, I don't care what I do, as long as its not sitting around like a vegetable like I'm used to doing.

See you at the finish line!