Race Report: 2015 Joanie Bumpus Daffodil 10k

"You go ahead, I'm not going to race it in," Rose said as I began my finishing kick. I could see Western Gateway Park and the finish line of the 2015 Daffodil Run. I had sat on Rose's hip for the duration of the race, as my Garmin had died during the Hotshot Half Marathon the day before. I latched onto her as we passed the first mile split (8:45) and we enjoyed talking about everything from her upcoming Boston Marathon to poison oak remedies.

My legs were weary from the previous day's effort. I ignored the discomfort, shooting for a nice negative split over the out and back course. Makie "Hula Girl" Ohler came back at us, leading the race with young Devon in her pocket. She said afterwards that he tried to back off a few times but she kept him honest, beating him by less than a minute in the end.

Rose and I kept edging the pace up, hitting an 8:15 mile on the home stretch. As we crested the last small hill, she told me to go ahead. I set my sights on a guy who looked like he might be in my age group and reeled him in as I entered the park. About 150 yards from the finish, I hear spectators cheering Rose in as she sprinted to catch me, nipping me at the line by 0.2 seconds. That's the last time I fall for that trick, Rose!

54:20 was a good effort for a rest week with back to back races; I stuck around for the awards because the age group listings had me in third, but they were wrong. I was fourth. Which is fine, I don't need any more medals, just miles ;)

The Gold Country Grand Prix is off to a great start in 2015. I highly recommend you visit the foothills and take in a race this summer.

Starting Over with a 10k

I lasted 6 weeks with no races scheduled. It was a liberating limbo. My focus is still strength conditioning and nutritional experimentation. The ketogenic diet is manifesting and my core gets stronger every day. It was time to put a local 10k on the docket, giving me an excuse to push the pace on my infrequent runs.

Batwa Pygmy bracelet age group award

The Kellerman 10k is one of my favorite Gold Country Grand Prix events. The age group medals, made by the Batwa Pygmys in Uganda, make it impossible to use this race as a training run. Despite a serious lack of chops right now, I'll be toeing the line, chasing another Pygmy bracelet on Saturday August 16th! The course has changed, and I have no idea how much elevation it entails. It feels good to be flying by the seat of my pants. Been a long time!

Race Report: 2013 MEB2 Turkey Trot 10k

2013 was my fourth running of the Michael E Bratton II Turkey Trot. In 2009, it was my first 5k; I was elated to go sub-30 minutes. In 2010, I repeated the 5k and dropped my time to 25:43. In 2011, I was nursing stress fractures in my left tibia, but still managed a finish in 34:38. In 2012 I stepped up to the 10k as I ran my tenth race of the Gold Country Grand Prix (GCGP), cementing third place in the race series with a 48:42. I ran my first road marathon a little over a week later.

Pre-trot: the weather was beautiful in the foothills Thanksgiving morning

For the 2013 edition, I came back to the 10k, with a 5k running Twirly in tow. I was in the midst of a taper for the North Face Endurance Challenge 50 Mile race in San Francisco, but I had a tempo run on the training plan, so I kept it in the 8:0x range after a nice warm up mile spent running with Twirly.

The MEB2 Turkey Trot is by far the largest race in the GCGP series, and it is always good to catch up with other members of the Sierra Trailblazers Running Club. Word had spread that I would be representing the club in the 2014 Western States 100, so that dominated much of the small talk before and after the race.

We got a late start, likely due to the 500 or so runners registering on race morning (total participants was estimated to be over 2000). A new timing system meant that the start/finish line was narrower than previous years, which actually helped spread everyone out before funneling through the gate as we left the track.

By the time we reached the single track, Twirly and I were cruising at an easy pace. As we climbed towards Sierra College Drive, I wished her well and upped my pace to tempo range, between 8:00 and 8:30. Running uphill felt good, and I began passing people.

I kept my pace steady through the rest of the first loop, and wondered if I should ease up to adhere to the tempo workout on my schedule. I was supposed to do 2 tempo intervals of 15 minutes separated by 3 minutes of easy. After some quick mid race calculations, I figured that 40 minutes of solid tempo wouldn't wreck me. I was feeling good, and having a blast. Maintaining tempo pace on a hilly course was feeling easy, and my confidence for the 50 miler was bolstered.

I wished each runner a Happy Thanksgiving as I passed them, and crossed the line in 51:28. No PR, but a great training race. I cooled down with 25 minutes of jogging on the football field as the back of the pack finished.

When I compare the Garmin data from the 2012 10k to the 2013 event, I can see that I am in similar shape. That bodes well for the North Face 50.

Reno resident Chris Badolato brought his ringer-ness and won the 10k; beating second place by over a minute and a half. I have been trying to coordinate a run and/or beer with Chris for a while now. Alas, it wasn't in the cards this time.

Cruisin' on a Thursday before noon...

And, the details:

Race Report: 2013 Harmony 10K

The Harmony Run 5K/10K was the fourth race in the 2013 Gold Country Grand Prix, hosted by the Sierra Trail Blazers Running Club. In 2010-2011, the course was 8K, the start/finish mere blocks from my house. 2013 saw the event return to the traditional 5K/10K offering, and the course was laid out on the grounds of Nevada Union High School, utilizing the track and cross country trails.

I used my voucher for a free entry to a Grand Prix race. While I had been hoping to enter the 8K to have a run at my PR (8K's are hard to find!), the 10K course followed the usual trails around NU High School, but in the opposite direction than other Grand Prix races. I entered with hopes of setting a new 10K PR, but injury prevented me from giving the race my full effort.

As it was my first Grand Prix event of the year, I spent the morning catching up with the local elites, fellow runners and my age group competition. Familiar faces abounded as I did lunges to warm up and stretch out my groin, which was still suffering from the Zombie Run. I told Twirly that I should take about an hour to complete the course, hoping to negative split.

The best intentions, etc...

A rush of race morning registration delayed the race start for about ten minutes, and then we were off. I fell into a steady gait, trying to stay symmetrical and tall as we wound around the school, gaining elevation. The course was a mix of pavement, asphalt, single track and gravel, with three mellow climbs for about 250 feet of elevation gain over the 5K loop.

I held my position amongst the runners for the first loop, gaining on some, passed by others. The clock-wise direction of the course really smoothed out the climbs, and I felt stronger than I had in weeks. Because of the MAF TWT diet, I was trying to keep my heart rate below 150, which was difficult because I wanted to run the hills. Twirly joined me on her bike as I ran by the stadium, completing the first lap in about 25 minutes. As the 5K runners peeled off onto the track to finish, I continued on, breaking into a walk to drink some water from Twirlys bike bottle. The 10K runners in front of me disappeared, and I began to wonder if I was going to be DFL.

I walked the inclines on the second lap, and actually caught up to a man who had been run/walking in front of me. We chatted for a couple of miles, talking about my injury, and his injury (broken ribs in January). He was a Californian living in Boston, and was in town for a wedding. His aunt had signed him up for the 10K, and he had not been training. With a half mile to go, he left me in the dust.

I kept a slow slog going as I entered the track, and crossed the line in 60:32 for 24th place. I guess a personal worst was to be expected given the state of my hip, regardless, I found it difficult to find satisfaction in my performance. I realized my injury was going to derail my training more than I had hoped, and resigned myself to finding an alternative source of exercise to let my body heal.

American Canyon 50K Training Week Five: Running in Sabino Canyon and GCGP Awards (or: One Medal and a Funeral)

Rest In Peace, Uncle Russell

What a whirlind week five was... My coolest uncle passed away on Tuesday morning, prompting an unplanned trip home to Tucson for the memorial service on Saturday. While that provided an opportunity for an impromptu family reunion and much waxing philosophical about mortality and memories, it also made for a disjointed week. I skipped 45 minutes on Friday morning to spend more time in bed with Twirly before my flight (no brainer). My long run on Saturday was an out-and-back in Sabino Canyon, jewel of the Santa Catalina Mountains. The low temps in Tucson were only a couple degrees warmer than Nevada City! And at 26 degrees, I am not sure there was much difference (although it was a "dry" cold, lol). Sunday I flew home to California and managed to slip into the Gold Country Grand Prix awards ceremony in time to receive my third place age group award.

Awards ceremony

 

2012 Grand Prix bling

Here's the week:

Tuesday: 45 minutes at 9:00 pace

Wednesday: 70 minute tempo (8:00)

Saturday: 3:30 in Sabino Canyon

Sunday: 60 minute recovery jog

Totals: 35.91 miles, 6148/6033 elevation gain/loss, avg HR 145

Uncle Russ was a Navy Veteran, a long haul trucker and a civilian contractor for the Marines in Iraq and Afghanistan. He was opinionated, and would let you know how he felt, especially if you held a contrary viewpoint. However, he was willing to agree to disagree, and if he felt heard, would not bludgeon you with rhetoric. He developed lung cancer-induced pneumonia in early 2012, which was too much to defeat. Fortunately, he did not suffer long, having been diagnosed this past New Year's Day, and passing away January 8th. He relished life, and was quoted on Thanksgiving counseling my sister's room-mate regarding her decision to adhere to a vegan diet: "if you can't eat the good foods you want, what is the point in living." He will be missed greatly by our family, and is survived by his daughter, granddaughters, sister (my mother) and my siblings and me.

So dry you can't see our breath, but it was COLD

I got up early on Saturday before Russ' memorial service and set out into the cold with my father for my long run up Sabino Canyon. Dad jogged the first miles with me as we warmed up in the brisk air. Thoughts of Russ forced me to soak in the experience of running with my father, trying to commit every step to memory and live in the moment while I tried not to think about his own inevitable passing. Then we parted ways as I hit the trail and climbed steadily up the eastern side of the canyon on the Phoneline Trail towards Thimble Peak while he stuck to the road along the canyon floor and cheered me along. The trail was rocky and technical and I picked my way at about 12:30 pace, figuring I could make the return trip at 10:00 pace, using gravity to assist me. I paused occasionally to snap a pic as the sun rose and illuminated the desert around me, and the trail leveled off after about an hour, affording some steady running for a spell.

Looking up-canyon, trail is on the right

Sabino Canyon is a favorite spot from my adolescence in Tucson. Vivid memories of a backpacking trip my father and I did when I was 15 years old came flooding back while I ran. We hiked for three days from Pusch Ridge Wilderness on the west side of the Catalinas, over Romero Pass and down through Sabino Canyon on the very trail I was running; we got caught in a thunderstorm in the middle of the second day. My father likes to recount a moment when the skies opened up and lightning lit up the mountains surrounding us, and my eyes became wide as saucers (he uses his fingers to splay his eyelids open as he tells the story). The highlight of the trip was Hutch's Pool, a deep crack on the bedrock where Sabino Creek created a deep swimming hole. Years later, I would hike there with friends toting a cooler full of beer and steaks for a weekend of delinquency (can you imagine hiking five miles with a full cooler?!?).

Thimble Peak, right horizon

Good morning, Tucson!

Phoneline Trail traversing the left side

 The miles slipped away from me as I recounted these memories along the way, and before I knew it I was running through a campsite full of small children; a couple families worth of backpackers were surprised to see me as they cooked their breakfast and drank coffee around their campfire. I ran another couple miles up into the east fork of the canyon before a quick pit-stop (thank god for the foresight to pack TP) and then turned around for the return trip.

Three horizons, one shot

Thimble Peak silhouette looking up-canyon

Looking West

Upper Sabino Canyon

On the return trip, I realized that the trail was so technical, it was like playing hopscotch! There was no way my fatigued ankles were going to carry me at 10:00 pace, even though I could have crushed it if I were fresh. I picked my way back down the trail, and called my father to let him know I was running a bit behind. I did not want to be late to Russ' service, and I was about 15 minutes behind schedule, so I had him meet me at the trail head instead of running the last mile back to the house.

Headed home

Thimble Peak silhouette

Russ also rode motorcycles, and was a member of the Star Touring Club in Tucson. The club met early on Saturday to do a memorial ride, led by my younger brother, who rode Russ' bike wearing his colors. This was the first funeral in a long time for my family, but only the tip of the next generation's iceberg. Tears flowed, and awkward silences punctuated the afternoon. By the time we all moved to a local restaurant, the mood had lightened a little, and people began to feel somewhat normal. A surreal trip, to be sure; Russ' memory will live on.

After only 40 hours, I got back on a plane Sunday morning and flew home. The silver lining was I received an unsolicited upgrade to first class for the Phoenix to Sacramento leg!

Camelback Mountain, from Sky Harbor tarmac

San Francisco Peaks and the Mogollon Rim

Lake Tahoe, looking picture perfect from the plane

Now, I am thrust back into the daily grind, and my maintenance runs midweek are becoming ten milers... Four weeks to American Canyon. I think I'll be ready.

I invite comments regarding loss and memory. Have you experienced flashbacks to forgotten memories while running? Had to get a long run in during an emergency trip home?

Sunday's details:

Series Report: 2012 Gold Country Grand Prix

One of my 2012 goals was to place in the top three for men aged 40-49 in the Gold Country Grand Prix race series, running the 10K's whenever they were offered. My previous best, running the 5K's, was 5th place (M30-39 in 2011), and I had not run the last half of the series due to injury. If I could stay healthy, I figured a top three would be an easy goal to achieve. However, my competition for the M40-49 age group was faster than I had anticipated!

 The 2012 Gold Country Grand Prix Race Series, organized by Sierra Trail Blazers Running Club, concluded with the Michael E Bratton II Turkey Trot in Grass Valley. Traditionally ten races, this year's Grand Prix was expanded to eleven:

1. Daffodil Run 5/10K
2. Spring Run 5/10K
3. Community 5/10K
4. Harmony 8K
5. Freedom 5K
6. Bear River 5K
7. Kellerman 5/10K
8. Hunger 5/10K
9. Cystic Fibrosis 5K
10. Falling Leaves 5/10K
11. Turkey Trot 5/10K

Points were awarded to age group finishers in each distance as follows:

• 1st place - 10 points
• 2nd place - 7 points
• 3rd place - 5 points
• 4th place - 4 points
• 5th place - 3 points
  

  • All other places - 1 point 

A runner's top ten races were counted; the low race was discarded if they ran all eleven. The top three in each age group received awards, and everyone who ran ten races received a free voucher for one race entry in the next year's Grand Prix.

The series began with the Daffodil Run, a street race in Penn Valley, which takes the runner along a flat out and back road run surrounded by pastures. The race begins and ends at Western Gateway Park. I skipped the 2012 event to run my first half marathon in San Francisco.

Second is the Spring Run, a street race incorporating dirt roads along Deer Creek in Nevada City. The Spring Race has more vertical, and forces the finishers to climb 100 feet to the finish at the top of Broad Street in downtown Nevada City. I felt strong in this 10K, taking 3rd place (out of three).

The Community Run starts on the street, but spends most of the race winding through a hilly orchard and along an irrigation ditch before returning to finish at Twin Cities Church outside Grass Valley. My fitness did not serve me well on the hills in this course, but I finished in 3rd place again (out of six). At this point, I began recognizing that the second place finisher in the 10K's, Kevin, was a step or two faster than I, and my competitive juices began to flow. If I was going to crack the top three, I was going to have to start finishing in front of him.

The Harmony Run is a road run in my neighborhood near Scott's Flat Lake outside Nevada City. The course follows my favorite training route for a five mile (8K) out-and-back including rolling hills and not much flat. Once again, I finished in 3rd place (out of six), and Kevin once again beat me. The competition for second place began to take shape between Kevin, Machen and myself, with Rob running away with first place, having won 10 points at every event.

The Freedom Run is held on the cross country course at Nevada Union High School in Grass Valley. I set a PR at the 2012 event, and took sixth place (to Kevin's fifth, grrr). At this point in the series, I realized that if I could not begin finishing in front of Kevin, I would end up on the bubble (4th place) at the end of the year.

The Bear River Fun Run was an "A-Race" on my 2012 schedule. The course follows pavement and trail around the grounds of Bear River High School. I had set a 5K PR there in 2011, and had trained hard all summer to improve my leg turnover and aerobic fitness. A new PR and third place provided a boost, as I finished in front of both Machen and Kevin. Kevin pulled up with an injury at this race and would not compete in the rest of the series. In hindsight, I had my top three locked up at this point, but trying to best Machen for second place filled in the drama for the remainder of the series.

The Kellerman Batwa Challenge  was held in Nevada City and incorporated paved and gravel roads rolling through an old mining claim before looping through Nevada City. Rob and Machen both ran the 5K, allowing me to get an age group win in the 10K. I broke in some new Hoka One Ones in this race, using their extreme cushioning to bound down the steep paved hills on the course.

The Run to End Hunger  follows surface streets in Nevada City and along Deer Creek. I took second place in the 10K, and Machen took second place in the 5K. Our point totals were close enough that all I needed was a position or two better than he in the remaining three races to grab second place from him, but ties would secure second place for Machen without contest.

The Cystic Fibrosis 5K was a tear through the trails of Empire Mine State Park, and I managed to pull away from Machen early for a second place finish. With two races left in the series, only 3 points separated 2nd and 3rd places in the Men 40-49 age group.

The Falling Leaves Run once again followed the surface streets of Nevada City and along Deer Creek. Rob ran, and won, the 5K, once again leaving the 10K open for my second age group win of the series, and Machen took 2nd in the 5K, leaving us tied with one race remaining: the ringer-filled Turkey Trot.

The start of the 2012 Turkey Trot, source

With so many unknowns from out of town, the Turkey Trot could have gone either way. Apparently the masters runners like the 10K's these days, as I do, because there were 10 M40-49 runners in the top 50 finishers of the 10K, leaving me in 9th place. Machen took 5th in the 5K, beating sixth place by 15 seconds (I think I could have beat him head to head, but I stuck with my goal of running the 10K's instead of changing strategies to accomplish a goal I had not set - 2nd place). In the end, Machen bested me by two points for the second spot on the podium.

I set out to place in the top three, and I ended up third in my age group. I really appreciate the motivation that participating in the series provided. To do well, an average runner simply needs to stay healthy and consistently participate in the races. The fact that the 5K and 10K racers are competing against each other adds a layer of strategy and potential for variety in your race calendar. Machen, Kevin and I fostered a healthy competition which evolved over the year, which doesn't come easy for us middle-age guys, short of going out for a softball team. Second place came down to 15 seconds after an entire season of racing!

Looking at the final standings for the 2012 Grand Prix, one can see that some other age groups are fairly competitive as well: first place for men over 70 beat second place by only five points, the top three women aged 60-69 were separated by only four points, and second place in the women's 19-29 age group was decided by two points. Whatever your age, the Gold Country Grand Prix offers healthy competition on some absolutely beautiful courses. The foothills offer awesome weather, varied terrain and small town hospitality. If you have the opportunity, please consider one (or more) of the races offered in scenic Gold Country. I do not intend to compete for the series in 2013, as my sights are set on cutting my teeth at ultra distances next year. I will, however, be selecting a few convenient weekends to compete. The races are all for a good cause, and the terrain and scenery are well worth the trip.