Five Fingers vs. Full Protection

If you like the thought of using five fingers instead of traditional protection…then read on!

Running may be considered as one of the cheapest sports out there to-date. In the summers…all you really need (as a man) is a pair of shorts, socks, and sneakers. Depending on your style it could cost up to maybe $155.00 in total. I, like many runners, have used full protection and purchased many sneakers to make my feet, body, and justifiably avoid injury. Luckily I have for the most part. I have been running in Saucony Trail and Stability versions for the past two years. I have also had to use ortho’s to alleviate any pain (I originally had some pain around my ankles) and to give me arch support.

Just recently, I have tried ‘my fingers’ and purchased a pair of Vibram(R) FiveFingers to give my body a well deserved break from running on ‘traditional sneaks’. In my opinion…one must truly embrace running to physically go out on the road barefoot for more than five yards at full running motion. Meaning that if you start running and complaining immediately…well my friend…STOP and lace ‘em back up!

I originally planned to run only 2 – 3 miles and ended up running ten miles. Throughout it all, the sound of my feet hitting the road sounded like a bread-maker hitting the mass of bread before it is baked. Although this sounds as it hurts…it did not hurt at all. It took maybe two minutes to get used to the feeling. Reason being that you cannot keep the same posture/format of running barefoot as you would do so in ‘traditional sneaks’.

So why did I do this! I would say the book “Born to RUN” motivated me to give barefoot running a try. The book encourages running naked without protection – just bare feet or with as minimal protection as the Vibram.

Overall, the Vibram’s have been great and looking for a nice trail run to see how they do in the trail. Totally recommend them! Plus they are cute/unique!

Mountain Madness 50K

Non-fluff is what is awesome about running ultra races on trails. Well ultras are usually ran on trails!

As I noticed on the site introducing you to the MoMa (Mountain Madness) it is a very basic website with no elevation chart. It has a map that you may view. I didn’t view… nor print it! A mistake I noticed I committed late throughout my run. I was heavily fixated with having an elevation chart but even if provided what good would it have made? None!

Regular marathons (26.2 miles) wait for their participants with smiles and cheerful people at the start line. These races (this one in particular) is not for the weak hearted. You are there for a purpose and accomplish that task and you will be part of a great network of people. All as insane as you are-regardless of the time you complete the damn thing.

So when the gun goes off…I mean when Rick (race director) announces go…I remember stepping into the unknown at 9am on October 16th 2010. The trails were very technical as I had to befriend the rocks, dirt, tree stomps, streams underneath my Saucony Trail Sneakers. All other races I have accomplished (Virgil Crest 50 miler, Turkey Swamp 50K, and my very satisfying failure in attempting at the Green Lakes 100K) were not as technically difficult as the MoMa. I will have to continue running to see if I find another. However the other races where rough on me as well considering that my body is not a running body! Society would prob want me to play football…BLAH!

The rock climbing, jumping over rivers and rocks, reaching the highest point of the county of Passaic, meeting new people, seeing Johnny (if you run ultra trails in NY and NJ you know who he is), getting lost and not losing your cool, accomplishing a great run like this in 8 hours and 2 minutes truly beats anything else on a great Saturday. Also running together with three great people/runners : Kim, Glenn, and newly indoctrinated trail runner Patty!

Oh, also getting drunk with a great friend before the race also adds flavor to the entire event! Jerome and I had a 12 pack of great Belgian and German beer the night before….and we went to sleep at 2 am! Nuts I know but waking up to do the run at 9 am and finishing at 5:02PM was an amazing experience.

Next big race for me is 100miler. Let’s see where I will do it!

Ultramarathon Excitement: A Ukrainian Batman, Italian Rambo, and Dominican Marine

What do you get when three completely outraged guys get together for a night of camping and then run an ultramarathon? Well…for starters a lot of great stories and great nicknames!

Meeting people you do not know for the first time could really be interesting – either you cannot stand the person or you click immediately. On August 28th myself and Jerome (Italian Rambo) set up camp at Verona Beach State Park in Fayetteville, NJ while awaiting for our new crazy and very interesting friend Mishka (Ukrainian Batman). We all awaited anxiously for Sunday August 29th to arrive as both Jerome and Mishka would embrak on completling the 50K Great Lakes Endurance Runs and I the 100K.

As we prepared ourselves on Saturday afternoon we realized we share similar interest and passionate about the same things in life… I.R. has completed Lake Placid Ironman, plus several other marathons and triathlons. U.K. is a great rocker and has passion for this sport too! He has completed many ultramarathons across the U.S. some with running shoes and some BAREFOOT! Could you believe! Mishka is an outraged dude for pushing forward when his feet are on the brink of pain…

Both I.R. And U.K. Successfully completed the 50K as they planned. Mishka was hanging around while I was finishing my 5th and 6th loop and really came through by just being there to offer assistance! That goes a long way! Jerome was also doing this after he crossed the finish line. While I was getting my massage…he kept me refreshed and hydrated with Gatorade and tool my shoes off! Awww…thanks J!

Well, the Sunday morning started out just as planned. We had to be at the startin line at 5 for a 6 am start. The crowd was filled with pure raw ultramarathoners. I was one of the novice guys. As a matter of fact I was the only person that jumped from a 50k to a 100k race.

The entire race went well for me as I managed to learn the course and strategize while I was running how to progress forward. It was on a mountain trail basically…a lot of steep hills and beautiful scenery once you reached the top….each loop was 7.75 miles and I ended up doing only 6 out of 8. My body reached it’s limit after running for 11 hours straight. I have never put my body through so much stress and I paid big time for it.

As I started my 6th lap I reached the 48 mile mark and picked up my pace a little bit. This was the wrong approach as I was just shuffling my feet so I could progress forward quicker than walking. As I picked up my pace, my right calf muscle tightened up BIG time then my thigh then my quad. At this point my leg was really straight and I was literally screaming loud since I couldn’t move. I saw a branch from a tree and held it with my left arm. Wrong idea part 2. This arm reacted in the same way my right leg did. Now my pain was greater. Then my left chest squeezed hard as well followed by my right chest.

After 15 minutes of all this commotion, I managed to sit on a rock for 1 minute. I then threw myself on the floor because I couldn’t sit up straight and was feeling awkward. Two people where watching me through this entire time and the lady was really concerned for me. I then threw up like 8 times near her everything I had in my system! This is the point when I said I have to call it a day and attempt to come out some other time.

So…apparently I found out that I did well considering the circumstances. I officially joined the crowds of ultramarathoners. A lot of people experience this and this is how they get better.

I have already signed up for a 50 miler on September 25th at Virgil Crest.

100K & 50K Training

100K here I come! Training is underway at for my first 100K to be ran at Green Lakes State Park in Fayeteville, New York starting at 0600 on August 29, 2010. My good friend Jerome will also be running at the 50K ultramarathon level.

Both Jerome and I trained together on August 15th in River Road Park, Bedmister, NJ. The total miles we covered was 21.56 and we felt and looked great afterwords! We originally planned for a 20 mile training session but we felt great by combining walking into the run.

Above all the trails were perfect as no sight of traffic was upon us. Just the trails, dust, rocks, hills, and our thoughts/conversations consumed our time. One single loop is roughly 4 miles. Although we did various loops it came in really handy as we staged our solid food at the beginning of the run. We would take breaks similar to that of race day…preparations key especially with the type of food and frequency you eat/drink.

Next training session for us will be a 26.2 mile run in the same location! 50/100K here we come!

Recovery: Post 50K Ultramarathon – 5 Tips

I have read plenty blogs, websites, magazine clippings, etc… on the art of running an ultramarathon but have yet to read the experiences endured during post-race. As such I would like to take a stab at it.

Okay…okay I know this past Sunday was my very first taste of ultra’s in Turkey Swamp Park in Freehold, NJ. However as I received my medal for successfully completing the ultra I realized that my recovery was going to be different. It must be in order to continue doing what I am passionate about – running.

I walked right to the BBQ held for the runners that day and waited impatiently for the burgers to cook. I felt horrible for the chef working diligently to feed our appetites. Something told me one moment I am a bit rude won’t hurt – I just ran and I was demanding! ;o)

Following the delicious burger I walked slowly (Step 1 of recovery) to my car. This is when I actually noticed how challenging the trail run is laid out. My toes were very tender. To my amazement the tip of my toes were completely white and soft. Why? I didn’t change socks or need new more breathable socks. Luckily I didn’t get any blisters or end up losing a toe nail.

I realized I needed to eat more too late! Not more as in pigging out but consuming a combination of good protein and good carbs to assist the muscles recover quicker. (Step 2 of recovery) At the moment I couldn’t eat… So I drove home – a two hour drive – with major fatigue and hunger.

I tried to sleep the first night and couldn’t because my thoughts were on my overall performance, my toes, and my legs which were a bit sore. (Step 3 of recovery) I would recommend getting a good night rest before the start in case this occurs.

I completely skipped any running on Monday morning. Tuesday I went for a brisk 3.5 mile run at the pace my body allowed. (Step 4 of recovery) As I write this memo I am walking a total of four miles at a 15:50 minute per mile pace. This seems very slow but I gotta be truthful…incorporating walking is highly essential to completing an ultra AND I believe you have to understand yourself through walking as well not just running.

My last advise would be to discuss your experiences – not brag – so you could assess what you need to improve on the next run. Discuss with people who are interested so you could receive positive feedback and critical advise.

Next run is 100K in Green Lakes State Park, Fayetteville, NY on August 29th….

Losing Your Ultramarathon Virginity

I just completed a 50K run. My first ultramarathon. It is bizarre to even say that I did because it was a thought I had building up to running nearly 50 miles per week. It was held on August 8, 2010 in Turkey Swamp Park located in Freehold, NJ. I ran/walked the ultra in 5:42:48.

Many people would argue that a 50K is not considered an ultra at all. I would like to disagree with this notion…especially now having the knowledge of what it takes to actually complete one!

A marathon (26.2 miles) should not be taken lightly. Nor should a trail 50K (31 miles) for that matter. Prior to running this trail 50K I had no complete training. I have just bumped up my miles to nearly 50 miles per week. Each run I would average 8:30 miles during training. I had the notion that I would be able to replicate the same performance on the race as in training. Wrong!

Going into this 50K I planned to run 2 miles and walk five minutes. I actually did implement this strategy early into the race in order not to fatigue and attempt to cramp at the end. However I began running a 7:30 pace from the start and felt great. I reached the 10 mike mark in 1:25 through implementing the walking. I was trying to keep tabs in my head of how much more to use my strategy and whether I should adjust anything. Well…I did.

Normally I would reach the 20 mile in 3 hours flat. Oh how I quickly learned to throw all the marathon training and running compositions out the door. Marathons are normally ran on concrete…or street roads. This race was all on dirt, grass, hiking trails with tree roots sticking out. So essentially I needed to pick up my legs constantly in order not to trip. As such my muscles had to work harder and I had to use energy conservatively. I did not reach the 20 mile mark until roughly 3:30 – roughly.

By the time I reached the 26th mile, I drastically modified my pace, time walking, and started to really learn how ultras are ran. This might sound crazy but the 26 miles were a warm up to complete the next 5 miles left. I had to literally run slower from miles 22+ especially when I reached the 26th. By this point I was jogging one mile and walking 6-9 minutes in between miles. I was letting my body do the talking and commanding instead of relying on my strategy or GPS watch.

There is plenty more for me to write: the weather, the lap counter ladies, the food/beverage stations, the volunteers, the cheering crowd, the experienced ‘true’ ultramarathoners, the gear to run in…the list goes on and on. I will leave these topic for my next posting. Oh and I also do want to run another ultra. Maybe a 100K? Who’s with me!

I need more training on all that I have mentioned before I go too crazy!

Challenge and a Bit of Insanity

June 17, 2010 was a day of excitement for me and my colleagues.  There was a 3.5 Mile Corporate Challenge being held in Central Park, NYC which my job was participating in.  Considering that it is a corporate challenge…I personally saw this as an opportunity to push my body to the limit!

So….I did so by running from the corporate offices of Mercedes-Benz in Montvale, NJ to Central Park, NYC at 2:30PM.

Why?! Two reasons…First, to push my body as hard as those babies born with CDH which fight for survival. Second, I to participate in a corporate challenge hosted by J.P. Morgan following my 21+… miles of warm-up! The corporate challenge is a 3.5 mile course which I will also ran to support Mercedes-Benz USA.

I departed Montvale, NJ around 2:30PM and arrived into Central Park at 6:30PM. My 3.5 mile run (the sanctioned event) took 39 minutes (yes, I walked!) to complete following my 23 miles of running (on my own) into NYC from Montvale, NJ which took close to 4 hours.

Interested in what path I took? Have a look at this below:
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20 Mile Run

As many of you are aware, I am currently training to run the Boston Marathon on April 19th and the NJ Marathon on May 2nd.  I know its a bit much doing two marathons in less than two weeks apart.  In doing so, I have organized a team of ten dedicated and committed runners to complete the May 2nd event in Long Branch, NJ as part of Team GCDH.  These ten runners have raised over $3,000 to benefit the mission of Global CDH.  Thank you to all who have supported and sponsored each runner.

As part of my preparation I have officially completed one of my 20 mile training runs this past weekend!  To many runners, this is an essential component of the marathon training.  To me I realized why this is by-far more essential to training than anything else.

While on the road to hit the 13 mile mark my body was drastically feeling the heat, the pain, the challenging hills, and yes the hunger to eat a nice meal instead of a Chocolate Gu-gel and water!  Each step I took, made me realize that the pain I felt and will feel on race day throughout my legs, feet, and arms does not compare to what many babies and parents experience when their child is born with an irregular health condition such as congenital diaphragmatic hernia.

20 Miles!

This weekend I am getting ready to complete my longest run of my training.  20 miles!  Yes, it will be fun…and now that I have read a great article I think I am confident I will accomplish this with some ease.

Have a look here…

Mind over Matter

So…they say mind over matter.  Long miles = Potential Pain (without proper training).  Tired and not running = Build up of pain for lack of training.

Generally, placing matter over mind may be key to completing your goal.  This is always the case during those hard days of training when you really do not want to go out and complete those 5 to 10 mile runs.  In my opinion this is an important component of your training as well.  From experience, marathons take a heavy toll on your body after 18 miles!  This past weekend was the case for me.  My long-run training was scheduled for 18 miles.  I did complete the 18 miles as planned but really thought about the next 8.2 miles left to complete (if a true marathon).  These 18 miles were my longest since running the NYC Marathon in November of 2009.  They were challenging and worthwhile.  Challenging because of the distance, terrain, and weather factors I had to balance. Worthwhile because I got a taste what I will experience in mile 18 and beyond in the upcoming Marathon.

The next weeks in training for me are crucial…as they should be for anybody doing a half marathon as well in Long Branch.  The mileage should be increasing and the intensity should be balanced from day to day in order not to drain yourself out.  What do I mean?  Many great trainers I have a good friendship with always tell me to run my long runs a bit slower than race pace.  Also to train throughout the week smart while balancing the intensity I complete either sprint, hills, or those lovely 5-10 miles we all love!  Again it comes to mind over matter.  Your body could do so much…the mind takes control afterwards.

Happy training! I am going into my 20 miles threshold in the next couple of weeks.  Looking forward myself to see how I do as I get ready for both Boston Marathon and the New Jersey Marathon in support of Global CDH!