Wednesday, September 17, 2008

how to finish a 100 when not completely fit


well since june i haven't been running much and it shows. what i would like to share with you today is what i learned from this.

if you ever want to run slow in a 100 i will try to give you some tips so you don't faulter in barely finishing a 100 under the cutoffs. believe me, this takes practice. i did my little runner-up training run at waldo 100k by running DFL for almost 3 hours. it was here at Angeles Crest 100 where i wanted to perfect this mastery of running pathetically slow for 100 miles and still complete the race.

here are a few tips that helped me accomplish this goal...

1. come into the race 15 pounds over weight...
-- i came into the race weighing 155 pounds. a full 15 or so pounds heavier than any other 100 that i have done. here you go, you get the picture. (states '06, 142lbs, rio '06, 141lbs, kettle, '07, 141 lbs, rio '07 142lbs.)

2. come into the race still with flirting with stroking out...
--yes, you see, 159 over 98. and that is on meds!!! oh, this is fun f$%king with the nurses taking your blood pressure. they love this shit.

3. come into the race as a seeded runner...
-- yes, i was seeded to run under 24. oh, if the rd only knew how pathetic my training had been and how the pilsbury dough boy showed up wearing #101 he would have thought twice about that seeding order.

4. come into the race plannng on sitting at aid stations...
i have never sat at any 100 before this one. but you guessed it. this lard ass had to sit for a few at aid stations in this one. i did and i accomplished my goal. that said, i think i actually bent some legs on a chair at idlehour... wow, what a lard ass...

5. come into the race to waist a lot of time... take a lot of pictures...


6. come into the race gazing at the morning sunrise... do this often...

7. come into the race gazing at more morning sceneries...



8. come into the race at noticing how you can't catch your breath at the elevation you are running at... i did, many times...
9. come into the race thinking you might not halusinate... wrong, i did, i thought that white rock was a mountain goat... what a dork...

10. come into the race thinking you can climb like a goat... i did... needless to say i was wrong about a million times... (click on picture to magnifiy... you see what i see, right?)



11. enjoy the views way longer than you should during a race... i did... but really they were awesome views...
12. gander at folks that pass you... i got really good at this... the training is paying off...
AC is a great race. if you ever want to run a 100 slow. i hope i was able to help you down this slow road. i have only offered a few tips, but i hope some of them help you achive your goals of also running really slow in a 100...


16 comments:

Olga said...

Stop whining. You finished! It was a very pretty course, and darn crazy difficult! I'd like to come when I am trained and uninjured...I would also like to do that at Wasatch. You know, struggling is no fun, I hear ya. But it is what we impose on ourselves by ourselves. Congrats, Tom. You did good, my friend. Really good.

Darin Swanson said...

I told you the views were awesome. Great pictures and a great run.

William Swint said...

Awesome pictures Tom.I think just finishing a 100 is a huge accomplishment.

Anonymous said...

Great pictures, Tom, thanks for sharing. Enjoyable race report as well. Congrats on your finish.

Rod Bien said...

Great job, Tom. I never doubted you would make it through. You're a strong old goat! I know you'll come back and make a run at that "Second Sunrise" buckle!
Glad to see you back in the blogging world!
Cheers,
Rod B.

David Ray said...

Sounds like a good race. Not much whining really. Nothing about blisters or hypothermia or gastrointestinal distress. Nice pics too. Way to finish the race and enjoy the journey.

Unknown said...

Tom, these methods are no secret to me. I have been practicing them for nearly three years now. Congrats on the slow ass finish ;)

rustyboy said...

Tom - we met while I was sweeping the course at the PCT 50. I didn't realize that it was *you*! I've been reading your blog for quite a long while. It was great meeting you and I look forward to chatting again.

That said, this is an awesome post. Congrats on toughing it out!

Anonymous said...

Seagull Junker,

Yep, that's the name BK, CB, Bili, and I came up with for you.

It's very obscure. Have fun figuring it out.

LB

saschasdad said...

You had a goal set before you and you accomplished said goal. What could be better? Perhaps the Poker Run party this weekend??

The Drakes said...

Love the pics. I live in Salem and havent connected with too many people interested in Ultras. Keep up the good work! Cheers, Kurtis
www.wannabeultra.blogspot.com

Steve S said...

I hope you are doing well with your running and health. The Puyallup gang will be down your way for Autumn Leaves. Will you be there running or shooting pictures?
Take care

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