tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62867345874026698582024-02-07T13:37:51.385-08:00Scofflaw Runner: Chasing Dreams...John Nguyenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15557997208342746899noreply@blogger.comBlogger78125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6286734587402669858.post-11545557957903674082022-04-20T18:45:00.000-07:002022-04-20T18:45:29.228-07:00Born to Run 2022 RR<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg33hKR4EesXT5ZoYxUQ9xTYe2yF5DGTUf_2nHIaqZvJ_EnWnbngglTDHzEvfAG46WUgk19XOyNgjy5RHjuuR6lYsI2Yk2AoETq_JgGMVty5sJijuDh9lgxIU1q3DKChGraPzDBLYv4THEHHOEBWQ6PO75nnUIhs4TezGLUwmUnCcjZpyd0pn7kAid-qA/s1237/276132085_535764757913583_7558302682048205949_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1237" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg33hKR4EesXT5ZoYxUQ9xTYe2yF5DGTUf_2nHIaqZvJ_EnWnbngglTDHzEvfAG46WUgk19XOyNgjy5RHjuuR6lYsI2Yk2AoETq_JgGMVty5sJijuDh9lgxIU1q3DKChGraPzDBLYv4THEHHOEBWQ6PO75nnUIhs4TezGLUwmUnCcjZpyd0pn7kAid-qA/s320/276132085_535764757913583_7558302682048205949_n.jpg" width="279" /></a></div><br /><p>I came to the Born to Run Race to "find myself".</p><p>I have done the 30-mile race here three other times consecutively from 2014-2016. This is one of my favorite races - and not just because of its connection to the Born to Run book and all the amazing people I've met here. It reminds me of my old high school cross country days. I was slow as molasses, even back then, but I had teammates and a coach that cheered for me and believed in me. When someone believes in you and cheers for you in your moments of despair and loneliness, it can feel so uplifting and magical. </p><p>Maria Lorena Ramirez of the Tarahumara, and her family were going to be there! There is a Netflix documentary about her called "Lorena, Light-footed Woman", that I highly recommend. The Tarahumara people in general are fascinating, and not just because of their superhuman running ability! Meeting and running with the Tarahumara is an opportunity that should not be passed if given the chance. I was racing with some of the greatest runners in the world. I was so honored to share the same racecourse as Lorena and her family!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit7pOLPEMyGP8XnLIxP5zW9aleKHqPvCBkX_-jJNAAgH5QNPE9ng529S_jQkIB1e_HwSau188HiCgw9g_pVV_xpqGFgcIELjMA2jLUgOZJHeRgRJ-CrAUTlzRc0cRJr5DoFNMxuqnzdUBWoN9DLoncRzVpyBn_WSHczckH2En3eIzePbdTv1knuJQMcQ/s4032/524A976A-D439-4493-BB37-FF4E26E4FE91.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit7pOLPEMyGP8XnLIxP5zW9aleKHqPvCBkX_-jJNAAgH5QNPE9ng529S_jQkIB1e_HwSau188HiCgw9g_pVV_xpqGFgcIELjMA2jLUgOZJHeRgRJ-CrAUTlzRc0cRJr5DoFNMxuqnzdUBWoN9DLoncRzVpyBn_WSHczckH2En3eIzePbdTv1knuJQMcQ/s320/524A976A-D439-4493-BB37-FF4E26E4FE91.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p>By February, I had done a couple of solid 20-mile trail training runs. Things were going great, until I caught Covid (Omicron) - despite being fully vaccinated and boosted. It felt like the flu for a few days, with the fever, cough, and sore throat. The worst part for me was the fatigue that made me want to crawl into bed and hide from the world. After 7 days of zero running, I snuck out and did some short runs (masked up and avoiding people like I had the plague - which I did). It felt like I was starting over again. Even a short 6-mile run felt hard. I built up my long run again in a few short weeks and managed a couple more 20-mile trail runs before signing up for the Born to Run 30-mile. </p><p>It took me around 4 hours to drive to Los Olivos, where most runners choose to camp the night before their race. The beer mile starts at 4 p.m., which is always fun, but I was hesitant to commit myself this year. I had my beer ready but chickened out. I am sure I would have enjoyed it, but I was still nervous about the 30-mile race the next day. I grabbed some awesome tacos for a late lunch and just chilled for the evening with old and new friends. I pitched my tent on a lonesome hillside and went to sleep early. </p><p>My race started with 10-mile, 30-mile (190 registered), and 60-mile runners, at 7 a.m. The race consists of 2 different 10-mile loops (which overlap at points to maximize aid station usage). 30-mile runners do the pink loop (marked with pink ribbons), then the yellow loop (the tougher loop), and then back to the pink loop. </p><p>This was my fourth Born to Run 30-mile race. In 2014, I ran a 5:26 time, as a training run for Western States (which I sadly failed to complete). In 2015, I ran a 5:55, and in 2016, I ran a 6:07 time. My main goal this year was just to finish without crashing too badly. If I went out too fast or got dehydrated early, things could get ugly real fast. </p><p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhWCM-aj8GO9mLmWi1aqd2yNQqQfKdAYNMQUSgM_91rT2XOKam718IlTx-NbGtwlSi3I24BdS-Ekfnn_ksBt8GRFgpHgM4b4EzHQsmXtDTidkWw9mGPSTtqlz29dzcj29NBzXzF4iHDw7IqB1kNHWqNqR2vVK3cZq1RfknBvdJ9PJOLTSwKj6ncHucvA/s4032/C09BB822-1343-43ED-A359-6BC29E23C481.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhWCM-aj8GO9mLmWi1aqd2yNQqQfKdAYNMQUSgM_91rT2XOKam718IlTx-NbGtwlSi3I24BdS-Ekfnn_ksBt8GRFgpHgM4b4EzHQsmXtDTidkWw9mGPSTtqlz29dzcj29NBzXzF4iHDw7IqB1kNHWqNqR2vVK3cZq1RfknBvdJ9PJOLTSwKj6ncHucvA/s320/C09BB822-1343-43ED-A359-6BC29E23C481.jpeg" width="240" /></a></p><p>I went out nice and easy, for the first lap. I hiked the hills and took walking breaks whenever I felt tired. The first lap needed to feel easy. I also needed to hydrate and fuel well, so I took my time at the aid stations to eat and drink. I talked to volunteers and runners at almost every opportunity. I was a social butterfly out there! One of the most beautiful aspects of trail running, is the people you meet out there. The collective energy from the big crowd of runners in the first lap felt refreshing and energizing. I finished the first lap feeling good! I was recording my time with Strava on my phone, but felt no urge to check my time or distance - which I would normally do with my Garmin watch. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMDbjX1j8ahYJ3-rNVec72TYrFUJBC9BIrx9U3jWilbps9yNVqGBu13uXWvCTDVZDPevRGHjjBqecS5dPs76hip2SXpk3LoXVRxJfJOdqzN7I0795kbgz0S4pVu0TZ95RS1koIvN2Yvv3fVX_6iN9odM88knX-Gc__PeKgwnonp7e_f63a2z7h-aY7YQ/s4032/5C2121FA-2A0B-4CCB-BDDA-978FF151D626.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMDbjX1j8ahYJ3-rNVec72TYrFUJBC9BIrx9U3jWilbps9yNVqGBu13uXWvCTDVZDPevRGHjjBqecS5dPs76hip2SXpk3LoXVRxJfJOdqzN7I0795kbgz0S4pVu0TZ95RS1koIvN2Yvv3fVX_6iN9odM88knX-Gc__PeKgwnonp7e_f63a2z7h-aY7YQ/s320/5C2121FA-2A0B-4CCB-BDDA-978FF151D626.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>In the second loop, there is a lot less company, and most of the runners I encountered are doing longer distances than I am. The 30-mile runners are now in the "fun run" category! This loop has a big hill mixed in the middle of it. Talking to the longer distance runners makes the remaining 10+ miles seem like child's play. One guy that I talked to had done nearly 80 miles and was still smiling and emanating a positive, cheery vibe! I met some 30-mile runners that were struggling too. One guy was training for the Swiss Alps 100 with blown out calves and was reduced to power hiking the second half of his 30-mile run. Another guy admitted to his lack of training and vowed to be back next year with redemption in mind. I was feeling a little tired at the end of the 2nd loop, but the weather was amazingly cool with even some rain! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxON2lj1v3YCmKuwQQYaLwHakMe6qtZYfC10k6RaDhsuHokPGL3lrjiXBMhTi2AmzVMm_4hGnSEFKnjsCm-Ig' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><p>I kept telling myself that the last loop was my victory lap. "Running is breathing", I would tell myself. Keeping positive is so important during a tough run! "Whether you think you can or can't, you're probably right." I kept picking a tree or bush in the distance to run to. I'd reward myself with a short walking break to bring down my heart rate and slow my breathing. The idea was to run strong and with good form when I ran. Then, walk briskly and with purpose when I walked. It must have looked odd to anyone watching or to anyone I passed. Doing this for the last lap felt good - I was running my own race. Nothing was hurting and my hydration and fueling felt fine. I almost felt guilty for feeling so good! Maybe I was messing around or lollygagging at the aid stations too much! A few runners caught up to me before the finish line and I suggested that we race it in. I burned whatever I had left in the gas tank and sprinted home (with a few runners chasing me)! It was the perfect way to end my racing day!</p><p>Here is a picture of my Tarahumara-made medal, and other swag.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizmuLHkLsY6oVxaoGcoNXqSowhXcynAH-_87YfAPQW72gdG9-tYmIP3bk9o7GIAzdDPxYaij0OvvkB1keq79Kvp-DYZZ2MEDlLr8tEUr0cXpiUyP-4sRTILLNFf2npDn7wMwnTJ8HShA1yjlW4UPRe3XKohi4Axy0tbdG_Po6Jw2zKy78_GZICPvbFLQ/s2204/709BCC1F-9691-40A1-BB48-729F9CF44596.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2204" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizmuLHkLsY6oVxaoGcoNXqSowhXcynAH-_87YfAPQW72gdG9-tYmIP3bk9o7GIAzdDPxYaij0OvvkB1keq79Kvp-DYZZ2MEDlLr8tEUr0cXpiUyP-4sRTILLNFf2npDn7wMwnTJ8HShA1yjlW4UPRe3XKohi4Axy0tbdG_Po6Jw2zKy78_GZICPvbFLQ/s320/709BCC1F-9691-40A1-BB48-729F9CF44596.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>Other notes:</p><p>I packed my car with a cooler, a tent, drinks, clothes and a bunch of stuff. I drove on the freeway for a few miles before realizing that I forgot my running shoes and had to turn back! Doh!</p><p>I met Caballo Blanco in 2009 and can understand how passionate he was about being a messenger for the Tarahumara. If you want to contribute to a worthy charity - buy something or donate here: <a href="https://www.truemessages.org/korima-store">https://www.truemessages.org/korima-store</a></p><p>I talked to the founders of this charity, and they are such wonderful people! </p><p>I didn't stay for the dirtbag prom, the evening after the race. There really isn't a good time to make the 4-hour drive home, but I felt the need to get home early to rest and recover. Plus, my wife wasn't with me. One of these years, I'll need to drag my wife to the race weekend and ask her out to the prom!</p>John Nguyenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15557997208342746899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6286734587402669858.post-85101043262750091912017-12-05T11:26:00.001-08:002017-12-05T12:01:22.856-08:00Quad Dipsea Race Report 2017"First run in 1905, the Dipsea is the oldest trail race in America. It is run every year on the second Sunday in June. The scenic 7.4 mile course from Mill Valley to Stinson Beach is considered to be one of the most beautiful courses in the world. The stairs and steep trails make it a grueling and treacherous race. And its unique handicapping system has made winners of men and women of all ages." (http://www.dipsea.org/)<br />
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The Quad Dipsea is a bit easier to get into, but still sells out pretty quickly every year (4 times the fun of the Dipsea?). This year was the 34th running of the Quad Dipsea! This was my second attempt at this race. I started this race a few years ago, only to sprain my ankle and drop after only 7 miles. So there was unfinished business to attend to. My goal was to just finish the race in the 8.5 hours we are given for an official finish.<br />
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Eight and a half hours for only 28.5 miles sounds pretty easy, doesn't it? The 9200 feet of elevation gain makes things just a tad more interesting...<br />
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The course is beautiful, despite seeing the same sections 4 times!<br />
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I was having a wonderful time in the first half. I was running well and climbing well. I even blew through a couple aid stations! I got through the first half in 3:28, but I already knew that I was going to slow down in the second half. I was running well, but my climbing legs were woefully under-trained.<br />
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My climbing grew slower and slower as the race went on. My legs started to cramp and hurt on the steep climbs. I was officially in survival mode, despite being able to run on the descents.<br />
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On the last lap, I was scared I wasn't going to make it. The climbs hurt, and I had to take breaks going up just to keep my heart rate down. I kept telling myself to take one step at a time. I was still able to drink my Tailwind Mix in my handheld bottle, but nothing was easy at this point. One of the great things about a race like this is the people. Everywhere you go, people are cheering you on. And you get to see everyone racing on the out-and-back course, twice! When you're hurting and suffering, you can take comfort in the fact that you are not alone. You can see pain etched in the faces of many of your fellow runners. It's a reminder to keep fighting, to dig down deep and to keep moving despite the pain.<br />
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Somewhere in those final miles, I must have found my limit, and ran right past it. "You must do what you don't think you can do." Isn't that one of the reasons why we run ultras? To find the limits we place on ourselves (mentally), and then surpass them? It's a great feeling! Of course, I would've had a better limit if I had trained better! Oh well. Life goes on.<br />
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I finished the race in 237th place out of 300 finishers, in 7 hours and 53 minutes. The shwag was great (a finisher's patagonia jacket and long sleeve shirt)! I felt sick for hours after the race (even after throwing up). My legs randomly seized up through the night. It was all worth it, because I didn't give up and I finished. I didn't win the race. I just owned it (my own race, that is).<br />
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Find your limit. Pass it. And don't look back.<br />
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<span style="text-align: center;"> </span><a class="ipsAttachLink ipsAttachLink_image" data-cke-saved-href="https://loopsters.org/uploads/monthly_2017_12/dipsea.JPG.eeb5837470b8e07aaf899365f0b73528.JPG" data-fileid="593" href="https://loopsters.org/uploads/monthly_2017_12/dipsea.JPG.eeb5837470b8e07aaf899365f0b73528.JPG" rel="" style="text-align: center;"><img alt="dipsea.thumb.JPG.ecc8d02d37ed49b6bb9d0cab703e791f.JPG" class="ipsImage ipsImage_thumbnailed" data-cke-saved-src="https://loopsters.org/uploads/monthly_2017_12/dipsea.thumb.JPG.ecc8d02d37ed49b6bb9d0cab703e791f.JPG" data-fileid="593" height="320" src="https://loopsters.org/uploads/monthly_2017_12/dipsea.thumb.JPG.ecc8d02d37ed49b6bb9d0cab703e791f.JPG" width="239" /></a>John Nguyenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15557997208342746899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6286734587402669858.post-4649972419198485952017-10-06T12:40:00.000-07:002017-10-06T12:40:14.717-07:00Overlook 50K Race ReportThe Overlook 50K was created by Ann Trason and is run mostly on the Western States course. Most of you know that I hired Ann as my coach a few years ago when I trained and ran my first Western States race. Despite the painful DNF (did not finish) there, I had a wonderful journey, highlighted by Ann Trason's inspirational tutelage.<br />
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I came into this race pathetically under-trained, with no long trail runs for about 4 months. Still, I was hopeful that I could fake my way to a finish and get a long training run in the process.<br />
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Surprisingly, I ran really well for about 27 miles! Then it got hot and hilly. I became mildly dehydrated and my body started to protest with a series of cramping and pain. The last 4 miles were slow and tough. But somehow, I managed to run-walk-crawl to the finish line in 6 hours and 7 minutes. Good for 49th place out of 139 finishers! I had a great time!<br />
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Everyone is wearing tutus at this river crossing aid station! The river is both refreshing and a shock to the system!</div>
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Laura Matz, in the distance...<br />
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The views are breathtaking everywhere you turn!<br />
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It's a waterfall!</div>
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Gordy Ainsleigh! He is local hero/legend, and everyone around here loves him. He always gets a nice ovation and cheer at the finish!<br />
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Other notes: One the mantras I used in my first 27 miles was, "Run like you're in 2nd place." I was thinking about my 2nd place finish at the Mokelumne River 50K when I was better trained and the fast kids were doing a different race. I ran like I was being chased. I ran like I was protecting a lead. And I passed a lot of people after going very easy in the first 10 miles. And I really thought I could keep it up right to the finish.<br />
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John Nguyenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15557997208342746899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6286734587402669858.post-55833578522222638932017-05-01T11:10:00.000-07:002017-05-01T11:57:43.325-07:00Mokelumne River 50KThe Mokelumne River 50K seemed like the perfect opportunity for a long training run. While I was out doing this long training run, my wife and kids would be hiking at Folsom Lake with my in-laws and their kids. I got to the race at 5:45 in the morning, just 15 minutes before the start. I scrambled to sign up and get ready just barely in time for the start. It was just supposed to be a training run, so even though I was rushing through my preparations, I was not overly stressed.<br />
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I tapped Tony (AKA Endorphin Dude) on the shoulder and said hi just before the race started. This guy is always so full of positive energy. Ann Trason is coaching him, and he too is using this race as a training run! I miss Ann's coaching. She is simply amazing. Her kindness, her expertise, and her friendship makes you want to run better and smarter. I am a better runner because of her.</div>
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The race starts and I quickly settled into a comfortable pace. I look around and find myself in 6th or 7th place. Why is everyone going so slowly, I wonder? The 50K runners and 50 Mile runners start together, so I have no idea who my competition is, but it doesn't matter at the time. I make some small talk with the lead lady, who I recognize as Beverly Anderson-Abbs (a well known ultra speedster!). Her husband, Alan Abbs was running the 50 Miler, who is also an amazing ultra runner. </div>
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http://www.atrailrunnersblog.com/2005/09/family-that-goes-distance-interview.html. </div>
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Bev was dealing with some knee issues, so wasn't as speedy as her usual self, but was still looking super-strong. I felt honored and inspired to be running with a local legend. And it was a beautiful day to be running! <br />
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I skipped the first aid station because I had plenty of fluids and calories to last at least 20 miles. I just kept Bev close and "zoned out", The hills were mostly rolling and not outrageously steep, so I ran up most of them. I had never run in this area before, but I had childhood memories of camping and fishing at this lake we were running next to - Lake Camanche. I remember thinking about how cool it would be to finish in the top ten - which is rare for me. I do not consider myself to be fast and have only placed in one ultra (a 12 hour night race where there were only 15 of us). <br />
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When we got to the aid station at mile 12.5, I was shocked when the volunteers told me that I was 3rd overall and 2nd man! I wasn't sure I wanted to know that. While it was an awesome place to be, there was still 19 miles to run! And it was supposed to be a training run! Do I put my game face on and dip into beast mode? Or do I run easy and focus on the original plan (so I don't wreck myself)? I was still feeling good, and the opportunity to win hardware was too much to pass up. Game on.<br />
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In racing mode, I started to take mental notes of my competition both ahead of me and behind me. The course is an out-and-back course, so you get to meet everyone, especially those that you might be chasing and who might be chasing you. 1st place looked way out of reach at the turn-around. I had a decent lead on third place, but in a long race anything can happen.<br />
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Other runners I passed would comment on race position and cheer me on! I felt like a rockstar and an imposter! I don't belong in the top 3! I was loving it, but also feeling the pressure to keep it up. I kept looking back to see if someone was chasing me. Bev was still there just ahead of me. It was like having a personal pacer tow me along. I thought about racing Bev, and maybe even passing her near the end, but quickly dismissed the idea. I was honored to have her there and didn't feel like pushing for an extra place in the overall standings was worth it. At mile 24ish, I took a couple extra minutes to fill my hydration pack. It had gone empty and it was getting warmer. That's when I lost Bev for good.<br />
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By mile 26, I started to feel the effects of all that "racing". Up until now, I ran up most of the hills. I let myself hike up some of the uphills. Running those hills, while possible, would surely wreck me. And then it was all over. I finished in 5:20:07, 2nd man and 3rd overall. I was still in a state of disbelief and shock. I received my snazzy finisher's medal and a wooden spoon trophy. It wasn't traditional hardware, but it didn't matter. The field size was small, but that too did not matter. It felt like a dream, and it wasn't even a goal race. I won.<br />
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The Quicksilver 100K is coming up on May 13th. It won't be easy and it might be hot. I have no idea what will happen. It will surely be an adventure though and I like my chances with the training I have under my belt. Wish me luck!<br />
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John Nguyenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15557997208342746899noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6286734587402669858.post-59212408424487807242017-04-11T13:37:00.002-07:002017-04-12T12:56:31.500-07:002017 Night Sweats MarathonI ran this race back in 2014 as a training run for Western States. Back then, I had a ton of training miles under my belt and had just run a PR 50K. That year, I ran this trail marathon in 5:20. This race was just a training run for me, so as long as I finished without wrecking myself, I would count it as a win. I drove to the race and signed up just 15 minutes before the 8pm start! With some rain earlier in the day, I was hesitant to even sign up! I am so glad I did!<br />
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If you love trails, put the Marin Headlands on your bucket list for places to see. Whether you run or hike, this is a magical place you have to visit! There are plenty of races here to choose from too if that's your "cup of tea". </div>
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I had been running really well lately, with long runs of 25, 28 and 20 in the previous 3 weekends. I turned my ankle a couple times in my 28 miler, so I was extra careful with my ankle on any technical trail sections. </div>
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Early in the race, I ran to a fellow runner whose headlamp was terribly weak. I was very concerned. I had an extra flashlight as my backup light, but I was initially very selfish. If my main headlamp ran out of batteries, I would be in trouble. I had not tested any of my lights for three years! After an internal debate, I decided to offer my extra light to the fellow runner. After all, "light was meant to be shared, right?" Super corny, I know. But it was those words in my head that settled the debate. I found out it was Randall's 20th marathon and that he flew in from Arizona to run the race. There was a chance that I had just derailed my own race, but I knew it was the right call. It was just a training run for me. Without my flashlight, Randall could have gotten hurt and his race would definitely be in trouble. I was just doing what most trail runners would do; helping each other stay safe out there. </div>
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There were about 50 of us running the marathon. I had Strava running on my phone, but never looked at my progress. The miles ticked away almost effortlessly. The night sky was brilliantly lit with the familiar glow of the moon and the stars. I turned off my headlamp whenever I could just to admire the night sky. I wish I had a real camera with me, but no picture would do this world justice. There was magic in the air. I felt so alive and strong. I run-walked many of the hills and felt at peace with my effort level. It was still a training run, after all. </div>
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With about 5 miles to go, I caught up to a random girl who was running very strongly. After running alone for most of the race it was nice to follow someone. I wasn't sure I could keep up with her, but I was going to try. I zoned out and just ran as though it were a road marathon. And road marathons are supposed to hurt at the end, right? I eased into the "pain cave" which was more discomfort than pain. And then it was all over, after 5 hours and 19 minutes. I was shocked with how well I did! And I felt like I could have gone on for much, much longer! What a wonderful run! I would have gone back out for bonus miles, but another fellow runner needed a ride home. I received my snazzy wooden medal with pride and drove off into the twilight, feeling amazing.<br />
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John Nguyenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15557997208342746899noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6286734587402669858.post-25514785243738925792016-11-15T15:18:00.000-08:002016-11-15T15:18:02.072-08:00Pacifica 30K Race Report<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Me: It's been a long time since we talked or simply hung out and had a beer together! How are you? How's your running going? Anything new and exciting happening in your world?</div>
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You: It has been way too long since we got to talk. The election week was emotional and I'd rather not talk about politics. I hear you ran a race on Saturday! How did it go? Did you have fun?</div>
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Me: After that crazy election week, I think we all need a beer and a really long run! And yeah, I ran the Pacifica 30K this past Saturday. It was really no big deal. Just a good long training run with good friends, great weather, gorgeous trails, and a beer (an ale actually). </div>
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You: That does sound like a good time. But why 30K? I thought you ran really crazy long distances all the time.</div>
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Me: Haha! A 30K trail race is a great way to train for the longer stuff, especially if you haven't been doing enough trails! </div>
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You: How has your running/training been going? </div>
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Me: It's nothing special. I'm not training for anything specific. I'm running 3-4 times a week. Usually just 8-10 flat miles at a time. At least once a month, I'll go out and do a long run on trails if possible. </div>
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You: I'd love to hear more about this 30K you ran. I know you don't want to bore me with mundane details so give me an executive summary.</div>
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Me: The race was supposed to be 30K race, but it ended up being only about 16 miles long according to my Garmin. I went out too fast, not knowing how hilly the course was. The first 10 miles were quite hilly! Some of the downhill sections were very steep. After a couple miles, I dialed back the effort level and just enjoyed the weather and the scenery. I was done after 3 hours and 19 minutes. </div>
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Here are the pictures I took with my iPhone: </div>
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You: Any closing remarks?</div>
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Me: I really enjoyed this race distance. I felt good after the race and I didn't feel like I needed any real recovery time. Races with old friends on awesome trails remind me of how much I enjoy this stuff. It's easy to forget about the things you love in this crazy world. Find the time to do the things you love, people. Life is too short to neglect the things that make you happy. And be kind to one another out there. </div>
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John Nguyenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15557997208342746899noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6286734587402669858.post-4049778914173746172016-07-08T14:02:00.000-07:002016-07-08T14:02:21.923-07:00Just some senseless rambling...Do you ever feel like you have nothing noteworthy to blog about? Especially when your running isn't going well or you're sidelined by a pseudo, semi-serious injury? Who want to read about a vacation to Hawaii on a running site, anyway? <div>
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After my last race (Born to Run 30) in May, I decided to run more. I used a step-counting, fitness challenge at work as an excuse to run every day. I ran every day for 17 days straight, and at least 8 miles for each of those days. I should have taken some days off or cross-trained on some of those days. Consequently, I developed a twinge in both my heels, which was probably the early stages of the dreaded plantar fasciitis. I shut down my running, and have been hitting the elliptical machine since then (with a couple more recent 5 mile runs to test the running waters). After a chiropractic visit and maybe a good massage, I'll probably ramp up the miles again soon. I'm turning 40 in August, so I'd like to run an 50K or 50 miler before the summer is over, just to mark my passage into the "masters" division.</div>
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On a side note, I did have a wonderful trip to Hawaii at the end of June! If my heels weren't bugging me, I would have been able to run the Kona Marathon while I was there! We went on a 6-hour fishing trip (which cost over 700 dollars). My brother in law is a serious fisherman! For 5 and a half hours, we got nothing! And then a blue marlin hit one of the lines! Estimated at 9 feet long and 120 pounds, it was a monster (relatively speaking, since these fish can get a lot bigger). My brother in law got strapped in "the chair" and pulled in that fish in about 10 minutes - a surprisingly short amount of time for such a powerful fish! It was amazing to witness the action. It was a dream come true for any serious fisherman! </div>
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The next day, I went on 1-hour helicopter ride with two of my sisters to tour some inaccessible waterfalls on the island. I always thought those helicopter rides were overpriced, so never even considered them. I really, really enjoyed the ride! It was almost magical and epic. It was as if we were flying beside these majestic waterfalls. It was all just so beautiful. We also spent a lot of time on the beach and at the pool. Having my parents, siblings, and nephews there made it all extra special. It was a truly epic vacation that I will never forget. </div>
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I've been reading a lot of great Western States race reports lately! I even dreamt that I was running Western States last week! It is still my dream race, and I hope to make it back there someday. Never give up on your dreams, people, no matter how crazy or unattainable they may seem at times.<br />
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John Nguyenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15557997208342746899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6286734587402669858.post-69384557085776140422016-05-23T10:19:00.001-07:002016-05-23T11:13:28.656-07:00Born to Run 2016 RRThe people that come to the Born to Run Race Weekend are a mixture of humble, crazy, fun, inspirational, and all-around wonderful people. There was a 4-day, 200 mile, 100 mile, 60 mile, 30 mile, 10 mile, and 0.0 mile race! And yes, some people took the 0.0 mile very race seriously. There were archery runs, bolla races, a beer mile, a cartwheel challenge, wrestling matches, a talent show, a dirtbag prom, and lots of live music. I'm sure I left out plenty of undocumented shenanigans that took place over the long weekend. It was more than just a running event. It was a party. It was a family reunion. Arnulfo Quimare, and the Tarahumara were there. Christopher McDougall was there. Words and pictures only tell part of the story. Some things need to be experienced in person to be fully understood. Born to Run is one of those things.<br />
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I arrived on the ranch in Los Olivos on Friday afternoon after a 4 hour drive from San Jose, California. I missed the archery and the bola races with the Tarahumara, which was a shame. I have fond memories of playing a shortened version of the Rarajipari game with the Tarahumara in my first Born to Run two years ago. Having the Tarahumara there amongst us is a special treat. And the legendary Arnulfo Quimare was there! He is the one that beat Scott Jurek in "the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen", down in the Copper Canyons. Seeing Arnulfo speak to all of us was surreal. I wonder if he needed a few drinks to do that! And he was one of the judges in the Talent Show!<br />
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I met Christopher McDougall and shook his hand. And I told him how his book opened a door to this amazing world of ultras to me. I told him how it inspired and motivated me to run far, as though I too, was "born to run". Meeting Christopher McDougall and shaking his hand was very cool! My iPhone was having storage problems, so I was unable to take any pictures this weekend. Totally lame, I know! I have my memories though and there was no shortage of pictures from everyone else!<br />
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So there was a cartwheel challenge that was going to happen. It wasn't in my plans, but it made perfect sense at the time. I have always been pretty good at cartwheels. The rules were simple. Keep doing cartwheels, back and forth, until you cannot do any, anymore. Last man/woman standing wins. If you fall, you're out. If you take more than 10 seconds in between cartwheels, you're out. I lost track of how many cartwheels I did, but they got progressively harder. My lungs were burning and I was getting dizzy from all the cartwheels! I bowed out in 5th place. The college girls that won the event were animals! I could have sworn they were gymnasts!<br />
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Next came a 1 Kilometer vertical challenge, sponsored by Patagonia! Sprint straight up a hill for cool prizes! It was tempting, but my head was still spinning from all the cartwheels. And there was still a beer mile coming up! I was content to spectate. There was no way I could compete with these trail studs anyway. It was a very intense scramble up the hill for the men and the winners scored a very nice Patagonia jacket! The short race did look like fun...<br />
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Here is Luis Escobar being chased by a shark in the Beer Mile!<br />
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Last year at Born to Run, I sat out of the Beer Mile. I felt undertrained and needed every muscle fiber available for the 30 mile event the next day. Watching it from the sidelines last year was tough, so I decided to do it this year, knowing full well that it could affect my race the next day. This was only my 2nd beer mile, having done my 1st beer mile at my first Born to Run two years ago. I chose Bud Light, just because I am not a seasoned veteran of beer chugging. I marveled at how hard it was to chug down the beer. I had to take burping breaks while drinking the beer, which never happened before. Perhaps my beers were extra gassy after being shaken up during the drive? Anyway, the beer mile was super hard and I almost threw up. I did record it on Strava, which had me running at a 7:22 pace when I was moving, and about 11 minutes for the whole beer mile. There was about 100 of us doing the beer mile! Good times! The beer mile left me a bit tipsy, but I was no where near "drunk". I was buzzed just enough to float around camp and enjoy myself without making an ass out of myself.<br />
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I listened to a special tribute to Akabill before the start of the 100 mile race, who had passed away unexpectedly in the past year. He was the one who crafted all the amulets that we received after our little adventures on the trails. He was always there at the bottom of the steepest hill to cheer for us and to take our pictures! That hill was fittingly named Akabill Hill, in his honor. He was an accomplished ultra runner with 100 mile finishes at Western States, HURT, San Diego, Angeles Crest! But what moved me most was how much his old cross country students loved him - like a father. I had a really cool father-like coach back in high school too. Luis Escobar (AKA, the sheriff and Race Director) is also a great coach and mentor from what I hear. It's no wonder that Akabill and Luis were such good friends. Like Caballo Blanco (Micah), Akabill will be missed by everyone he touched with his kindness, love and support.<br />
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I woke up Saturday morning feeling like I got hit by a truck. Okay, maybe not a truck. Maybe more like a professional linebacker. My shoulders, hips and hamstrings were sore. Even my right calf seized up in a cramp for a second! And I knew exactly why. It was the damn cartwheel challenge! My spirits sunk for a moment, knowing that my 30 mile race was going to be slower. I had no idea what to expect, but I wasn't going to let it bother me. If I screwed up my race, it was my own damn fault.<br />
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This is what an ultrarunner dog looks like.</div>
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Waking up at 4:30AM to the sound of shotgun blasts was pretty cool. There was no way anyone was oversleeping and missing their race start. The 10 mile, 30 mile, and 60 mile race starts promptly at 6:00AM. Christopher McDougall leads us in the traditional Born to Run oath started by Caballo Blanco himself. Raise your right and repeated after Chris: "If I get hurt, lost, or die, it's my own damn fault." With that, Akabill's sister fired a shotgun and we were off.<br />
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My race was nothing special. I could probably describe it all in a short paragraph. I was happy to be consistent throughout the day. I finished in a respectable 6:07. Not too fast, not too slow. Pretty boring, if you asked me. I felt more like a spectator than a racer. I took no pictures (since my phone was having storage problems), so I was planning on borrowing lots of wonderful pictures from everyone else. I blamed the cartwheel challenge more than once, for all my lollygagging throughout the race. The race felt harder when the sun came out and it got warmer. The rattlesnakes must have woken up too, because I could hear a few rattles in the high grass once in a while. The most memorable and enjoyable parts of my race happened when I shared the trail with others. I loved hearing about others' inspiring stories. And when I ran alone, my thoughts drifted to friends who shared these same trails with me in previous years.<br />
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If you got this far in my race report, I strongly suggest you put the Born to Run race on your calendar. If a 7 year old can run the 10 mile so can you. A cute little 7 year old ran the 10-miler this year. A 9-year old boy ran the 30 miler. A dog also finished the 30 miler! There is no shortage of inspiration and support on the ranch. And there isn't much of a time limit either. And if you weren't "born to run", sign up for the 0.0KM race and come out to have a beer and see all the crazy people as they run around in circles while having the time of their lives.<br />
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"Life is good! And getting better..." -Akabill<br />
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Interested in race results and where you'd stand?<br />
<a href="http://livensr.com/btr16/">Born to Run Race Results</a><br />
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<br />John Nguyenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15557997208342746899noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6286734587402669858.post-31228603544901011452016-03-14T10:04:00.001-07:002016-03-14T10:50:22.300-07:00Razorback 100 Race Report, Guest Blog by Matt Carvalho<h3 class="post-title entry-title" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'abril fatface'; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0.2rem 0px 0.5rem; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility; word-wrap: break-word;">
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<em style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;">What are you running from is probably the most common quip I hear from people who find out about my hobby the last few years. I decided to sit down and write not just about my most recent run, but what lead me to run in the first place.</em></div>
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“Hmmmph”, the reply from my high school PE coach, accompanied by a sad shake of the head, as I hand him yet another doctor’s note excusing me from running the mile due to asthma. I could never run more than a quarter mile lap without being completely out of breath. And so I never tried. I played tennis and did other sports where I could run for just seconds at a time before being able to catch my breath again. I took one prescription medicine after another every day for what felt like 10 years straight basically just to get through the day.</div>
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A few years after college I tried to start a new life- tired of my addition like reliance on antihistamines and whatever new decongestant was on the market. I was a type A personality in many other aspects of life, yet when it came to control over my own body, rather it was breathing, or resisting fast food I never had any direction.</div>
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Shortly after marrying my college sweetheart Maria in 2008 we moved in with her parents in order to try and save up in hopes of buying our first home shortly down the road. Her dad was a small man by stature, but enormous by any measure of life. I didn’t notice at first, but after a while I caught on that he would go out for a run just about every morning for a few miles.</div>
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They live in a very hilly part of San Jose, these were not easy miles by any means. Yet it seemed to leave him happier each day- there was no special diet he followed, no fancy workout gear, he just enjoyed throwing on an old pair of shoes and running for enjoyment. He often asked if we’d ever join him, but with my embarrassing track record when it came to running- I would always decline.</div>
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“The diagnosis is not good”, news we received from my wife’s eldest brother. My farther-in-law had late stage cancer and would not be with us a year later. This was devastating for the whole family. We did what we could with the time we had, including a last minute trip with him to visit Lourdes France. But before long there was an enormous hole.</div>
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In an effort to keep the family close knit, we signed up for a 5k run up in San Francisco with all of the siblings. Having nightmares of my previous attempts at running a single mile, this simple 3 mile run seemed an impossible hurdle.</div>
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We started training, heading to the Campbell Community center track and running in circles. At first 4 or 5 laps (1-1.25 miles) was a big day. Each weekend I’d try to add on one more lap. I would bring paper clips in my pockets and move them from one to another each lap in order to keep track (I have the short term memory of Dory from Finding Nemo).</div>
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Along the way, someone mentioned to me: you don’t have to run it straight through- run a mile and then walk for a minute and then run another mile. As simple as that sounds, it broke down this overwhelming mental hurdle that I had built up over the years.</div>
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What before seemed like an impossible achievement, suddenly seemed like something I could plan and train my way towards. The year was 2010. I turned 29 in Jan that year, and I couldn’t run a 12 min mile if I tried. That August I finished the San Francisco Marathon weekend 5k in 33:08, a 10:40 mile pace for just over 3 miles.</div>
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I felt on top of the world. I literally wore a cap during the run because I felt like a super hero. I truly believed that if I could actually finish that 5k race, I could do anything. I headed back to the track, with more paper clips. If I didn’t die from a 5k, would I be able to pull off something really crazy like a 10k??? That would surely satisfy any deep hidden bitterness I had from not being able to run a mile before all those years before, right?</div>
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My wife and I ran a 10k shortly after, and then we set our sights on a half marathon.</div>
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Somehow I came across an ad for a run down in Long Beach- it advertised that 90% of the half marathon was within sight of the beach, you were literally running down the paved bike paths common on the SoCal beaches. That sounded pretty ideal. Not to mention we could make a weekend out of it and stop by Disneyland for a day or two. Sold.</div>
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That was honestly the longest 13.1 miles of my life. It was hot, humid and miserable. I dragged myself to the finish, vowing I’d never run another mile. My time was 2:32, about an 11:40 min mile pace.</div>
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But that thought didn’t last long. Perhaps it was the venue that was rough? So I tried a few more places. In fact over the next 12 months I ran about 20 half marathons. That’s not a typo, literally having some on back to back weekends.</div>
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Maria and I ran them in San Francisco. San Jose. San Leandro. Disneyland. Disneyworld. Lisbon, Portugal. We ran them everywhere.</div>
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And along the way we signed up for a Full Marathon. This was the ultimate. Finish this, and I was sure the running world would be in my rear view mirror. We decided to head back to Long Beach, because hey- why not.</div>
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On a training run a few weeks before the race, I hurt my foot. I needed a walking boot for a time, and I didn’t run for the few weeks leading up to the race. Then my stomach got to me the night before. I did all types of crazy concoctions to my shoe to try and accommodate my foot issue that day. And for a while it worked. 10 miles in, I was as happy as could be. Then the injury, lack of sleep and deficit of calories got to me. I finished in 6:18. A 14 min pace.</div>
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At this point I had pretty much had it with road races. Crowded, painful, isolated. Then my brother in law Will mentioned these runs that people did on trails, often in the mountains. There was a family friend, John Nguyen, who was a pro at these things and gave us a big recommendation for them. We started YouTubing Ultra Marathons.</div>
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Ultra Marathons are basically runs of any distance beyond a traditional marathon of 26.2 miles. They often go for 50k (~31 miles), 50 miles, 100k, or 100 miles. These are ridiculous distances to think about, and if you bring it up to anyone, the most common reply is I don’t even like to drive X miles. Oh, and often these runs are on single track technical trails with a lot of elevation gain.</div>
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I like being out in nature. And I also liked running. This was a phenomenal combination of the two. The culture at these events was far different as well: people were friendly to each other, it never feels like a rat race. Few people were worried about time, everyone was there for the experience; simply finishing these long runs was prize enough. Their aid stations had candy, soda and potatoes with salt. The dirtier you were at the end, the more you could boast about your run. People worked hard on the trails and then celebrated with beer and BBQ afterwards.</div>
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Luckily enough NoCal is the epicenter of ultramarathons, the combination of great natural sites and good weather meant there are a lot of events in our area.</div>
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I signed up for the Quicksilver 50k. It’s main selling point? It’s a beautiful course with great views and the starting line is 15 mins from my house. The downside? It’s got over 6,000 feet of elevation gain and can get extremely hot.</div>
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It was hot that day, unseasonably so, reaching the 90s in early May. Despite collapsing about a mile from the finish (that race could be a whole separate piece), I finished. 7 hours and 37 mins.</div>
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This was 2012. To recap:</div>
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<li style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">In 2009 I couldn’t run a mile</li>
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">In 2010 I crossed a 5k, 10k and half marathon off the list</li>
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">In 2011 I crossed marathon off</li>
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">In 2012, I was an ultramarathoner.</li>
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Would I recommend that? Maybe not. It’s always easy to find an excuse not to do something. I look back over the years at some of my notes from previous runs and it was never an easy process. But if you really want to accomplish something, you shouldn’t let anything stop you- especially the little things we all face: lack of free time, stresses from work, and too many distractions.</div>
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Along the way I had been approached by an old college friend who had started a health foods company and was looking for some ‘everyday athletes’ to help promote their brand and provide testimonials on their website. I blushed at the request- why in the world would anyone want me to set any kind of an example in the athletic world. In my own eyes, I still didn’t see myself as a runner. But before I knew it- I could smirk and call myself a sponsored athlete- a line my wife has understandably cursed many times.</div>
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Over the next few years I continued to push the distance. A few more 50ks and then some 50 milers, then a 100k (62 miles). Now I was ready to take on what I thought was an insane challenge, completing a 100 mile race.</div>
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I signed up for the Razorback 100 mile race, located in the foothills of San Martin, a tiny town about 25 mins south of San Jose, to be held on March 5/6, 2016.<br />
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Starting Jan 1st of this year I was on a mission. I was set on starting and finishing this run. That meant no fast food or alcohol, getting plenty of sleep, taking lots of vitamins, turmeric, fish oils and a boat load of chia seeds. I didn’t run huge miles, but I was running 5-6 days a week, sometimes in the morning, sometimes at night, or in the afternoon right after lunch. I would throw in an occasional 10 mile run one night followed by another 10 miles as soon as I woke up in the morning. Or perhaps doing 4 different 5 miles runs within a 36 hour period. I was trying to make my body anti-fragile. I started Orange Theory classes to work on my speed and core.</div>
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Doing this I was only logging 25-30 miles a week, which sounds like a lot until you consider the faster people at this distance may average 80-100 miles a week at the peak of their training.</div>
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Nevertheless, I just wanted to reach the starting line healthy. An added bonus was a week out the weather looked absolutely perfect.</div>
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Then three things happened. Like a clutz, I twisted my ankle on a pothole walking to grab lunch during work one day. The swelling wasn’t bad, but it was tender. I iced it, soaked it, rubbed it, and generally tried to stay off it as much as possible during the 8 days before the run. But trying to stay as sedentary as possible for 8 days before attempting to complete a 100 mile race is absolute terror on your psyche. I had a bad case of the ‘taper tantrums’.</div>
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The second complication was that Maria and our daughter Kate had both been sick over the preceding week. This meant I was paranoid I may catch the bug and also that Maria wouldn’t be able to help crew as much for this run as she had in the past. Not only is she my wife and best friend, but also my coach, motivator and ass kicker out on the course, having made sure I finished each of the previous runs I had started. It was like losing your safety blanket.</div>
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Luckily a few months before I had asked my Mom if she could get the weekend off work to help out as well, it was going to be a busy weekend taking care of me out on the trail and 2 year old Kate at the same time. Mom hadn’t been to any of my big runs before as they were often on days she worked or far out of the area. I told her it would just be like one long picnic.</div>
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The third unfortunate aspect was that the weather forecast turned uglier as race day grinded closer. First rain appeared in the forecast. Then wind. The weather service issued a wind advisory and flash flood warnings- the strong el Nino weather which had been promised but unrealized all year was finally going to make an appearance!</div>
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The race would go on. People in the ultra running community are the toughest folk I know. They’d be doing mud runs out in nature decades before they were cool.</div>
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Race Day.</div>
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The alarm went off at 3:45am. I got up, took a shower and managed to down most of a humungous bowl of steel cut oatmeal/chia seeds/hemp seeds/blueberries/banana and drank a cup of coffee, my pre-race routine.</div>
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Arriving at the race my nerves were still going crazy, I got sick to my stomach, consistent with each of my previous times attempting a new, ridiculous length run. Mom and I set up the tent and got a few essentials into it.</div>
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I finished my most recent half marathon in just under two hours (~8:50 pace, quiet a difference from my first one), but with distances this long you never want to get your heart rate elevated, aiming for an average of somewhere right around a 9:30-10:00 min mile the first 10 miles or so would be perfect.</div>
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The bullhorn went off, I started jogging and chatting with a few friends who were also just as twisted in the head. And then, about 5 mins into the run, it started pouring. This course is a simple two mile loop around a large open space in the foot hills of the mountain range around Coyote Lake. Yet in the 20 mins it took me to get back to the aid station, I was soaked from head to foot. Knowing that I had 24-36 hours left to go, I was shell-shocked.</div>
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The next few hours went by fairly smoothly. I was wet the entire time, but it wasn’t my first mud run.</div>
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As the miles ticked by, the rain simply didn’t let up. I hit mile 20 around 4 hours in, and started to worry. I had been moving well, but wouldn’t the rain eventually get to me? My feet were so cold, and I knew there would be no way to keep them warm in the foreseeable future. The wind was picking up- were the stakes in the tent going to be enough?</div>
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I continued the pace, knocking off another few 2 mile laps- I needed to get the first 26 miles out of the way as quickly as possible to both have completed a marathon but also know that I was now a quarter of the way into this race.</div>
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During every ultra marathon you’ll have numerous ups and downs, I think it’s just part of the nature of any challenging activity that takes more than a few hours. I finished the 26 and pushed ahead for a few more, but I noticed I really didn’t have an appetite which was odd and concerning this far into a run. Around mile 30 I started adding up the facts I saw in front of me:</div>
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<li style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Pouring rain since the start- won’t I get bad blisters sooner or later?</li>
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">I’m a bit behind where I wanted to be because of the wind and rain, changing toe socks often and applying desitin on every occasion was time consuming!</li>
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">I’ve probably burned about 5,000 calories and eaten maybe 1,000 since the start of the run.</li>
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And I still had 70 miles to go. This was not good. At that point my stomach decided it would echo the uncertainty my mind was currently feeling.</div>
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I tried to regroup- reminding myself I had been down and out before, but never given up. I popped in a few ginger chews (helps with an upset stomach) and was able to down a few precious madeleine’s and some coconut water with chia seeds. I walked for about an hour, and then my energy returned.</div>
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Mile 34 I was cranking, my speed slowed a bit from the start, but I was making steady consistent progress knocking miles off at around a 11:00 pace, which I felt was pretty good at this point in the race while still taking in a few calories here and there as well as trying to change socks often. This was probably around 3pm.</div>
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My written goal (all of you probably know I documented everything in Excel from my pacing for the day, to the exact workouts I wanted to accomplish in the 30 days leading up to the run) was to get to 50 miles in the first 13 hours of the run, basically during daylight.</div>
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But my secret goal (thanks Bernadette for that term), was to knock out the first 50 in closer to my American River 50 mile pace of closer to 11 hours the last 2 years. I felt I was in better shape now, and this course had less elevation gain. Well, secret goals are a dangerous thing for me, because if I don’t hit them- I start to really lose my mojo. I finished mile 50 right around the 12 hour mark, basically splitting the difference.</div>
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I decided to take it easy for a bit and walk a few laps. But the constant rain and the idea that walking it in would take me almost an entire day to complete was pretty heavy.<br />
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Tracy Johnson is the race director of this run and is a really great chief. Unfortunately because of my intolerance for food most of that day, I didn’t get to try much of her great home cooking. However, there were hot meals being prepared at the aid station every 6 hours, and that evening was every ultra runners favorite- pizza.</div>
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Eating and running is an acquired skill, which comes better for some than others. Historically, it had actually been something I excelled at, often running with a pb&j sandwich in a ziplock bag in my pocket- waiting for a step uphill section during which I would hike and eat- continuously moving forward. However, on this run- not even piping hot pizza sounded appetizing or would stay down…</div>
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I missed Kate and Maria and picture them at home in a warm bed- and thought, why am I away from my family? What the hell am I doing? I’m struggling to some made up goal. I would keep in the back of my head my Grandpa’s stories of his time in Europe around WWII, or my Father-in-Laws struggles getting to the US from a war-torn Vietnam.</div>
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Perhaps it’s that search for accomplishment that pushes you to do seemingly impossible things. But those other stories were real life struggles; I was spending my weekend running in circles through the rain in the hills 30 mins from my house- that’s got to be pretty close to the legal definition of insanity.</div>
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I struggled on for a while longer, getting to mile 64 (which beat my previous longest distance ~100K), before the weather really turned- suddenly the windy constant rain turned violent, coming down in sheets and getting right into your face no matter how far you had your hood pulled down. The aid station flooded, the trail flooded, there were suddenly rivers on the course where there had not been before- this was a biblical downpour that I haven’t seen in California in years… About half of the remaining runners decided to call it a day at this point- I couldn’t blame them, if I hadn’t been so focused on this one event I would have called it early as well.</div>
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During 100 mile runs, some runners choose to take a nap for say an hour or less, others keep going the whole time. My original plan was to keep going- I was paranoid that if I was to stop for any meaningful period of time- I might not be able to get up and get going again.</div>
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I wasn’t tired in the traditional sense, I was just so defeated from the rain, wind and wet shoes; I had to get dry. It was around midnight when I headed to join Mom in the car which she had wisely sought shelter in some time ago, and planned to change into something dry, try to feel my feet again, and think things through.</div>
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I was able to nap for about 90 mins, waking every 10 mins to listen to the rain- it continued the whole time. I checked my phone and saw all the warnings of flash floods and high wind advisories.</div>
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I began to doubt everything, and why did this have to happen to me?? I had put in so many hours of training, so much preparation making sure I had the right supplies, was ready for this specific course on this specific day, and now this. I asked Mom is God was telling me that I shouldn’t being running a 100 miler?</div>
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I decided I would quit. I made my way over to the aid station in search of Tracy to tell her. A bit of background here, I had lobbied hard for her to hold this race when there were some doubts after the park permits took way too long to get approved. This was a small race by most standards, but to me- it was the opportunity I needed, and I pleaded as hard as I could to make sure the race went on. Telling her I was throwing in the towel was going to be brutal. By this time about 2/3 of the crowd already had.</div>
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But she wasn’t there. She was off taking a quick nap at 2am, and so I chit chatted with the remaining few people at the aid station for a bit, seriously weighing my options as I stared at the accumulating rain drops- the aid station despite being a fantastically large tent was now in several inches of mud. How bad I would feel if I turned tail in the middle of the night without even saying goodbye? She might literally kill me!<br />
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Suddenly the rain stopped. It was the middle of the night and the trail was completely underwater- but the rain had stopped!!! Worried it was only a temporary reprieve, I told myself I would do some laps for an hour or two and then reconsider my circumstance once Tracy was back at the aid station.</div>
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The clouds began to part and it looked like the rain might hold off a bit longer. I took it as a sign, and I knew exactly where it came from.</div>
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This wasn't the first 100 mile race I had planned for. Last August I had trained for a very similar run. Leading up to that run I went through a similar practice of calibrating my runs, workouts, diet, massage, stretching- all to peak on a certain date which was preset months in advance.</div>
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My Grandma Jean had been sick for some time, in and out of the hospital the last few years, and she had currently been in the hospital for some time. We had visited her there a few times over the previous months, but this time was different. Early on the day before the race, I got a call from Mom saying her health had deteriorated and that I might want to come visit soon. I already had the day off from work as I had planned to spend it prepping all the supplies for the following day. So I headed up to Walnut Creek early, and spent time with Grandma. But as the day wore on her condition worsened, groups of our family arrived from all over the Bay Area to say their last goodbyes. And late that night she joined Grandpa up in heaven.</div>
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I was cranky that day back in August. I was so frustrated because I wouldn’t be able to complete the goal I had spent months preparing for. But immediately afterwards I was furious at myself for even being the tiniest bit upset at the timing. What kind of a monster was I? How could I be so selfish?</div>
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But these were the types of thoughts that go through your head when you are so singularly focused on one goal for such a long period that you start to loose site of its relative importance. Dedicating more time to Kate, grabbing a beer with coworkers, having more free time on the weekends to spend with friends and family- these were all things I had sacrificed over the last few months, to some degree years for this goal.</div>
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I hesitated to even mention that story as part of this blog. But it’s part of the story of me, and it played over and over again in my mind that night.</div>
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I had listened to music for a while earlier in the day, but my normal running routine is podcasts. I listen to everything from financial market updates, sports talk, bio hacking techniques (how to program your body to perform better, which comes in very handy during these type of runs), or sometimes books on tape. Right then I needed something different, and I queued up Dan Carlin’s Hardcore History. I listed to about 4 hours of WWI history retold in a story format with all types of random tidbits form a variety of sources thrown in. The detailed stories helped put my focus somewhere else.</div>
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I was fascinated at the sea of stars that had replaced the clouds which had been the scorn of my day. The stars had that feeling of being so close you could touch them that you only get when far away from the city lights.</div>
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Time passed quickly, and before I knew it I was arriving at mile 74. The prospect of “only” having a marathon left was a huge relief. Finishing the race finally felt like an actual possibility.</div>
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The two mile course was both a blessing and a curse. It’s short enough that you’re never far from food or a change of clothes. But it also means it’s very hard to get into a rhythm and it’s easy to waste a few minutes lingering at the aid station each time you pass through.</div>
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By this point I was walking about 90% of it, I ran here and there, but it was pretty painful and I ended up deciding I was more likely to hurt myself and therefore decrease my walking pace than I was to appreciate that slightly faster pace. I was pretty steady at around a 16-18:00 walking pace.</div>
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A lot of runners cry when they complete their first marathon, or certainly a race of this distance. Somewhere around 5am was probably my most emotional point. I thought of all the times I had sacrificed away from family, the Sat mornings Maria would have to take care of Kate so I could go to this race or that. The times she had helped crew for me at previous runs spending whole weekends away in the mountains somewhere so that her crazy husband could fulfill this weird new fetish of his. The nights I would complain about what we were planning to have for dinner because it had too many carbs or not enough fat in it (I’ve found a high protein/fat/veggie diet worked the best for my training). These were the crazy things I put my family through in order to get to this point- I HAD to make all of that effort translate into something meaningful.</div>
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Around 6am I woke my Mom in the car with the good news that I had continued through the night and that I was closing in on 80 miles complete! At my current pace, knowing I’d need to continue to eat calories along the way, I was looking at somewhere around 6 hours to go. Most days that would seem like an eternity, but at this moment that felt like the best news I had heard in years.</div>
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As dawn crept up, I came across a coyote clutching a squirrel in its mouth. I was quiet happy he already had a meal- as I wasn’t going to be able to outrun a snail by this point. The frogs who had serenaded me all night gave way to songbirds and roosters off in the distance. I turned off the podcasts and just enjoyed the slow transition to daylight. A new day was beginning, and on this day I would complete my journey.</div>
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As crazy as these long runs sound, they often have periods of intense peacefulness. Surviving these distances is all consuming, suddenly those work emails don’t exist anymore, that room in the house you’ve been meaning to paint is not a concern, you’re not worried about the future- you’re completely present, and at this moment you only have one task to focus on- keep moving forward.</div>
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Mom was able to walk the next few laps with me, as I happily enjoyed a hot breakfast burrito from the aid station. I love burritos, and with my stomach finally settled, I was eating everything in sight. It was also a great time just to just walk and talk about life. For such a disaster filled weekend, there were many silver linings.</div>
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A few more laps passed and then sister/brother in law Ann and Will came back out to the course, they had dropped of some additional dry clothes and shoes the previous afternoon. Will walked many laps with me, we talked about movies, sports, anything really helped pass the time and keep my mind away from my body that was getting sorer with each step.</div>
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The sun came out later in the morning and while the course was still mud and water, it felt great to have just a bit of warmth for the first time in so long. My mind was furious that this couldn’t have been the weather yesterday. But, I was ticking off miles now into the 90s and with the finish line in sight I couldn’t worry about how hard the journey was to get there- I just needed to be thankful for where I was at that very moment.<br />
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And then the finish came. I mustered up enough energy to run the last little quarter mile, and finish strong heading back into the aid station were Maria, Kate, Mom, Ann, Will, a group of race volunteers and a park ranger were waiting. This was not some big city marathon, with rows of cheering fans 10 people deep. This was much more personal, it was just me and some close family, those willing to take time out of their own weekend to indulge my madness.</div>
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What had been a village of tents and ice chests 24 hours before had been washed away leaving just a few battered remains. There were about 80 runners signed up for the event, of which about 25 were aiming for the 100 mile distance. I came in third out of the seven of us that finished.</div>
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What a thought. I look forward to telling my grandchildren someday how I was a sponsored athletic who finished on the podium of a 100 mile race through rain, wind, snow, hail, and tornados, naturally going up-hill both ways.</div>
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I was both elated and letdown at the same time. The training, concentration and actual execution of the run can be so all consuming, that when you’re done some tiny piece of you is hollow- part of your purpose and drive are suddenly gone.</div>
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You pretty quickly learn it’s not the length of the race, but how prepared mentally you are for it. I’ve never been a great runner. But running has transformed my life in so many ways. It’s introduced me to great new friends and amazing places all around the world. It’s a place where I can think. When time is at a premium, it’s a very efficient form of exercise. But most importantly I’ve learned more about myself during those hours out on a trail than I ever would have imagined.</div>
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It was a race I’ll always look back on fondly, regardless of how terrifying it was at times. It was the moment I proved so many people in my past wrong. It was the moment I realized that if a wind sucking, clumsy runner with bad breathing habits like myself can finish a 100 mile footrace, than anything in life was truly possible.</div>
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<em style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;">"When I'm out on a long run, the only thing is life that matters is finishing the run. For once- my brain isn’t going blah, blah, blah, blah, all the time. Everything quiets down and the only thing going on is pure flow. It's just me and the movement and the motion. That's what I love, just being a barbarian, running through the woods." </em></div>
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<em style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;">-Jenn Shelton, Ultramarathoner</em><br />
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John Nguyenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15557997208342746899noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6286734587402669858.post-77077647861847977762016-03-11T09:51:00.002-08:002016-03-11T09:51:47.300-08:00Way Too Cool 50K Race Report Q&AWay Too Cool 50K Q&A<div>
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Q: So you ran a 50K ultra last Saturday! How did you feel after the race and are you already recovered?</div>
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A: Yeah, it was my 27th ultra finish! No big deal really. With some weak training, I just wanted to take it easy and get it done. I kept telling myself that it was just a long training run. </div>
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Q: I heard it was super muddy out there with a gazillion stream crossings, not to mention the wind and rain! </div>
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<br />A: Yes, it was really muddy out there and it slowed most of us down. But we come into this race expecting the mud and stream crossings. And I think we really lucked out with the weather! We got some rain in the afternoon, but it could have been a lot worse. </div>
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Q: I know you don't want to bore everyone with all the little details of your run so maybe you can give us a few highlights of your race.</div>
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A: I saw Gordy Ainsleigh in the early miles, and a girl that was running her first ultra was all starstruck about meeting Gordy! She was taking a few selfies with Gordy, and I asked to photobomb one of her selfies. I asked Gordy if he ever got tired of being a rockstar. Of course he replied with a no, and a childish grin on his face. It was a whimsical, cool moment with a legend.</div>
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Another highlight of my race was running with Christine Hartman, who I met at Born to Run back in May of 2015. I just enjoy her company and friendship. She had a torn meniscus in her left knee and was in a bit of pain. It was inspiring to see her still pushing and running strong. She even told me to "get my ass going!" when I was walking at one point. It cracked me up! Christine is a young 57 year old, who doesn't act her age, by the way. Her chiropractor is Gordy Ainsleigh and her main endurance events are 100 mile horse races! She is a Tevis Cup pro! How cool is that! </div>
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Q: What was your official time for the race, and are you happy with it? </div>
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A: My time for the 50K was 7:41. I was very happy with how I did, considering my lack of training and the cold I was fighting. I ran a 5:18 on the same course two years ago, so I know I can do better if I train better. However, I don't think it's fair to compare myself to the faster version of myself from two years ago. "No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it's not the same river and he's not the same man." Each time we lace up for a race, we just have to make the best of what we have.</div>
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Q: Are you signed up for any more races? And do you plan on training for them? </div>
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I plan on running the Born to Run 30 mile coming up in May. It'll be by third year in a row. And yes, the plan is to start training now. Good thing I have a good 50K training run under my belt now! </div>
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John Nguyenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15557997208342746899noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6286734587402669858.post-28220837401283721372015-10-29T15:44:00.000-07:002015-10-29T16:02:30.486-07:00Overlook 50K Race Report<div>
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The motivation to run and the motivation to write are similar. Writing, like running, is therapeutic. Writing is a form of artistic expression. When we are comfortable with who we are, we are more willing to express ourselves through writing, or other forms of art. When we lose faith in ourselves, we retreat to our windowless corners and hide away from the world. When my motivation to run flew south for a lengthy winter, the motivation to write went with it. After having such an amazing journey and falling short at Western States, my running has been mostly uninspiring. It is difficult to share race reports laced with struggles and poor planning. Wouldn't you rather read about a great race, perfect planning, and flawless execution? I've been winging 50Ks all year, in the hopes that being around great people and runners would somehow help me find my mojo or my lost passion for running. I've started 6 50Ks this year, and finished 4. I have not finished the race reports for the 3rd, 4th and 5th 50K races, mainly because I sucked at them. Big Basin 50K (AKA Skyline to the Sea) in July was okay for about 20 miles. The last 10 miles there were miserable, but I finished. The Cinderella 50K ended prematurely, as the heat, the hills, and the smoky air left me gasping for breath. The 50K became a half marathon finish, but might as well be a DNF. The Ohlone 50K in September, was insanely hot, with temps reaching 107 degrees on the course! I bailed on that one too, after about 13 miles. I was on a losing streak. I talked to Ann Trason at the Ohlone 50K, and knew her Overlook 50K race was coming up. I was just going to volunteer at the race, partly because I feel like I owe my coach some support. Western States may have ended poorly, but I was really glad to have such a wonderful coach on that crazy journey. My confidence was still at an all-time low. Another DNF might kill my running for good. The Overlook 50K was on the Western States course and the sections that I never got to, during my Western States race. Ann Trason told me that I should run the race. So that's what I planned to do.<br />
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I procrastinated, and missed the deadline to sign up for the race online. But as luck would have it, they were accepting race day sign-ups. I just needed to drive 3 hours to the starting line, run the race, and then find a ride back to my car, at the start (it being a point to point race, starting in Foresthill and ending in Auburn). I told very few people that I was planning to run, just in case the weather forecast gave me a good reason to bail. Luckily the weather forecast for that Sunday morning was perfect. When I got up at 3 in the morning, I still hesitated. I could crawl back in bed, and no one would have to know that I chickened out on a 50K. I remembered Ann's email after Western States, telling me not to quit. Coaches that care about you, believe in you. They believe in your potential and they sincerely want you to reach your goals and achieve your dreams. I will not quit today.</div>
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I left my house at 4AM, stopped by the ATM for my cash registration fee (150 bones), and headed up to Foresthill. I got there in 3 hours, saw Ann and a bunch of friends (including Endorphin Dude, who just hired Ann Trason as his coach and was coming off two DNFs of his own). We made a pact to get to that finish line to break our losing streak. </div>
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The race started promptly at 8AM. The weather was chilly, but not cold - just the way I like it. I only brought one handheld and planned to rely on the aid stations for everything I needed. I brought about 40 dollars, just in case I needed a taxi back to my car. </div>
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The first section of the race has a lot of downhill. And it's the longest stretch between aid stations. There were 8.7 miles between the start and the first aid station. I brought no electronic devices, so had no idea what my pace was, but I took it very easy. Congo lines formed often during the first 8 miles. At one point, someone behind me made a joke about farting after I asked him if he wanted to pass me. Playing along, I said, "I swear it wasn't me!" We had a good laugh. Mother Nature/ God/ Fate has a sense of humor. Be careful what you joke about. Not long after the fart joke, the runner in front of me lets out an audible fart! (his/her identity will be concealed for his/her own good). My sense of smell is pretty bad, so smells rarely bother me, but this was a real stinker! Wow! That was an epic fart! I had to turn my head a bit to breathe! </div>
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The miles melted away in the cool morning air. The running felt effortless and blissful. It reminded me of my Born to Run 30 miler back in May. The views were absolutely stunning at times. I wished I had a camera with me, like I used to carry during all my races, so long ago. Maybe it would make writing these race reports easier. A picture can relay what a thousand words fail to impart. And sometimes no words or pictures can do an experience justice (or perhaps we lack the eloquence of a seasoned writer). I turned a corner and heard the wings beating of a large bird, no more than 20 feet away. I looked up half expecting to see a giant vulture. Instead, I saw a large brown bird flying around a corner. It's tail was white as snow. I did not see the head, but the tail suggested it was a majestic bald eagle. I was stunned. I felt like I had just encounter a super rare pokemon!. Were there really bald eagles on the Western States course? A friend later confirmed that there are bald eagles in the area, but normally higher up in elevation. </div>
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The eagle reminded me of something I saw during my Western States race. I saw so many different varieties of butterflies on that warm, summer day. I let the different varieties of butterflies represent people in my life. Friends and family that inspired me and gave me strength were assigned butterflies. Caballo Blanco, inspired me as a runner, and each time I saw a plain, white butterfly, I thought of him. It was his spirit, cheering me on from the afterlife. Tom Kaisersatt, an inspirational runner from my workplace, was a orange, speckled variety. When I saw a large white swallowtail, for the first time in my life, the only friend/spirit that came to mind was God himself. It was a spiritual moment for me. I cried. I laughed. It was so emotional. I felt so blessed to be out there, chasing my dreams. I felt powerful. It was a flood of emotion. God was with me, manifesting himself through a butterfly that I never knew existed. Later in the race, when my body was failing, and I was being eaten alive by mosquitoes, I felt forsaken and abandoned. It was the exact opposite of the life I felt, only a half a day earlier. </div>
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Anyway, after seeing the bald eagle, I felt like God was with me again. I felt peace. At mile 21.5, at an aid station, I sat down and felt nauseous. I drank some ginger ale, lingered a bit, then got up and started running again. I was not planning on quitting today. I focused in on another friend in the distance. Martin doesn't wear a watch, but he is an amazing pacer. He is always kind and positive. He was one of the safety runners that helped me at Western States! I ran when he ran. Walked when he walked. He didn't even know he was pacing me! I got some good running in, thanks to you, buddy! I stopped eating and drinking though. I knew I was running on fumes. And it was getting warmer. I downed a cup of coke at the last aid station (4.3 miles to go), and just kept moving. I was running well and I didn't want to break the momentum. The last three miles were tough. With lots of uphill, I ran out of gas. I slowed to a crawl, but knew that I would finish. One by one, many runners passed me. But I didn't care. I was going to finish. After 7 hours and 4 minutes, I finished the race. And I was met at the finish with a big hug from Ann Trason herself. It meant a lot to me. It was the hug I never got at Western States. </div>
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Thank you, Ann. For being a caring, kind, and all-round amazing coach. Thank you for believing in me. I'm not quitting. Not today. Not anytime soon. </div>
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I wasn't the only one that got a hug from Ann at the finish. But mine was still special! </div>
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And yes, that wild growth on my chin is a beard. It isn't as impressive as the European variety, but it's still a beard. The reason for it is tied to running... and maybe Forest Gump...</div>
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A lot more pictures can be found here:</div>
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<a href="https://joemccladdie.smugmug.com/Ann-Trayson-Overlook-Races/">https://joemccladdie.smugmug.com/Ann-Trayson-Overlook-Races/</a></div>
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John Nguyenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15557997208342746899noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6286734587402669858.post-9291625172914376972015-06-29T10:59:00.002-07:002015-06-29T11:30:26.204-07:00A Very Late Born to Run 30 Mile Race ReportIt's no secret that Western States broke my heart. "Time heals all wounds." This kind of wound to the spirit, however, is taking more than just time. Once the heart and body have recovered, we also have to find the strength and courage to dream again.<br />
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But with time and every run since Western States, my heart and spirit are recovering. I found some quality healing this past weekend at the Born To Run Race in Los Olivos, California. Many of the people there, I have only met once - just at last year's race. Still, the people there make you feel like you belong, regardless of how fast or crazy you are.<br />
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This song from Rachel Patten, played a lot on repeat, in my head this weekend.<br />
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This is my fight song<br />
Take back my life song<br />
Prove I'm alright song<br />
My power's turned on<br />
Starting right now I'll be strong<br />
I'll play my fight song<br />
And I don't really care if nobody else believes<br />
Cause I've still got a lot of fight left in me..<br />
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I do still believe, that I'll run Western State again someday. That dream is still alive. Even if I don't get there, I can't stop believing or dreaming. Never, ever give up on your dreams, folks.<br />
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I was not planning on running the race this year. The weekend was going to be busy with my daughter's First Communion (it's a Catholic thing) and her birthday party on Sunday! My wife however, being the real trooper, told me to just do it. Perhaps she sensed that it's what I really wanted or even needed. Thank you, dear wife, for your support!<br />
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I got to the race camp in Lost Olivos on Friday, at 3:30pm, after about 3.5 hours on the road. Festivities had already begun. The Tarahumara had already done a Rarajipari demonstration and Bolla Races had been run. I floated around camp saying hi to everyone, but I didn't feel like I really belonged. With my shoddy training and lack of motivation, I felt like an outsider among a sea of passionate runners. Perhaps if I had done the beer mile, I would have loosened up and had more fun!<br />
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Instead of taking the time to set up my tent, I just lazily pulled out my sleeping bag and slept in my car. It wasn't comfortable, but I rarely have trouble sleeping. Last year, while training for Western States, 30 miles was an easy training run. This year, on minimal training, the idea of 30 miles is a bit more daunting. I know I can roll out of bed and knock out 30 miles, but I had no idea how fast I could go or how much it would hurt.<br />
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Once the race began however, the world just slipped away. I was in my element. I was inspired by the Tarahumara. I was inspired by my fellow runners. And I fit in perfectly. I was not fast, but I ran well. And the friends I ran with were just amazing to me. I shared my Western States story, and they embraced me (figuratively). I shared a lot of miles with Toni and Christine, and they were my angels out there. That's the other wonderful thing about ultras - you meet amazing people. And often times, when you're struggling out there (a common theme in really long races), you find some special people that really connect with you.<br />
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At the end of my race, I wanted to finish strongly, but my calves had had enough. My calves did not like running any more. They began to cramp in the final seconds. I shuffled in to finish my race in 5:55, which I was very happy with. It was an amazing day with some amazing people. It ignited a little spark in my heart. It helped me believe in myself a little more. And it felt awesome.<br />
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This video by Crista best reflects the party that is the Born to Run Ultra Weekend. If you ever want to be a part of a fun, running weekend, you have to try this race (10, 30, 60, 100, 200, or 300 mile option)!<br />
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<br />John Nguyenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15557997208342746899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6286734587402669858.post-33321845220782882302015-04-02T17:18:00.001-07:002015-04-02T17:18:48.333-07:00Disneyland ReportDisneyland has often been labeled as the "Happiest place on Earth". I'm sure for every person that believes this, there is someone who believes the exact opposite. After all, what is so great about standing in long lines in the hot sun, paying outrageous prices, and going on artificial, man-made contraptions that spin and shake you for fleeting moments in time? People, in general, believe what they want to believe. This report won't convince you otherwise. I believe that kids will enjoy Disneyland the most, because they aren't footing the bill and if they love Disney movies, the magic of those movies come to life at Disneyland. So yeah, for most kids, Disneyland is the happiest place on Earth. It can be a nightmare for an adult who has outgrown their inner child. Still, there is lots of fun and happiness to be found at Disneyland, with the right attitude of course. <br />
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Day one: Disneyland<br />
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Disneyland really hasn't changed much over the years. Many of the same rides we went on when we were younger and more naive are still there.<br />
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It's a Small World is a classic ride that has been around for ages and never fails to disappoint. It represents all the different cultures and lands in the world and our kids loved it. It was like traveling all around the world. And even though I've been on it many times, each time feels special and new. It was the perfect way to begin our little Disneyland Adventure.<br />
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It was going to be a hot day, so we bought a misting fan (for about 20 dollars). The Alice in Wonderland ride was quick and nothing too special (partly because our kids had never even watched the movie). We got our Fast Pass for the Frozen Theatrical Show, then went to ride on the Buzz Light Year ride and to meet Tinkerbell and Fawn the fairies. Meeting Disney characters in person never gets old.<br />
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The Frozen Theatrical was very professionally done, and very enjoyable even for crusty anti-Disney personalities. If you enjoy theater, you'd enjoy the Frozen Theatrical Show. It basically tells the Frozen story, but with a comedic twist. The story is narrated by two men, who also happen to do most of the singing. The actresses that portray Elsa and Anna were great - other than their lack of singing. The kids loved it. And it was probably the highlight of their whole Disney Adventure! Too bad their Mom was at a career fair! Their Mom would surely have loved it too.<br />
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By now, the kids are hot and tired. And they want to go back to the hotel. But for the price we paid for admission, I wanted them to go on more rides and see much more of Disneyland - especially since it would be our only day at the classic Disneyland Park. The next two days would be spent at California Adventures.<br />
Like a slave driver, I dragged them along on more and more rides (Star Tours, the Finding Nemo Submarine Ride, and the Jungle Cruise Boat Ride, which are some of my favorites). Then we sit on a curb to watch the Disney Parade, which they also really enjoyed! Even though they were exhausted by the end of the day, they enjoyed it all. Mom would never have survived.<br />
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Day Two: California Adventures<br />
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Disneyland would be tough to beat, but meeting Elsa and Anna would surely help make California Adventures worth the admission price, right? Having a Frozen Fun section at California Adventures was perfect. One of the kids' favorite things to do was to play in the snow! Racing down a snowy slope on a sled was pretty awesome. The kids didn't care too much for the Monsters Inc. ride, but the Little Mermaid ride was perfect for them. The Jumping Jellyfish and the Flying Zephyr were also fun rides for them. We went back to the Indoor Snow park for round 2, before going to meet Elsa and Anna. We also took an Animation Class where we were taught how to draw Piglet from Winnie the Pooh. Ally, being the young, budding artist loved it. And she did pretty awesome for a 7 year old!<br />
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Meeting Elsa and Anna was very quaint and personal. It seemed a little artificial and scripted to me, but the kids loved it. In fact, I think Grace was a little star-struck. She didn't know how to act or what to say. Still, they enjoyed themselves.<br />
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We also went to see a Frozen Sing-Along show, which the kids really loved. They played clips from the movie with lyrics on a big movie theater screen. But the light and smoke show all around the theater is what really wowed my kids. And the snow falling in the theater was the perfect touch!<br />
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The day culminated with another parade, this time with Pixar characters Toy Story, the Incredibles, Monsters Inc., and Bug's Life. We got back to the hotel and went out to a nice sushi dinner with Mom, where the kids got to share everything they saw and did throughout the day.<br />
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Day Three: California Adventures with Mom and Dad<br />
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We let the kids decide which park to take Mom to, and they unanimously chose California Adventures on the third day because Mom had never been there. I wasn't too impressed with the rides, but there was still a lot we hadn't done the day before.<br />
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We went on the Little Mermaid ride again, and toured the fake Redwood Forest, where there was an assortment of things to do for Ally - like rock climbing and zip-lining. Then we went on a white-water rafting ride (with just Ally and I). Ally was nervous and scared of the waterfall drops and she got drenched, but it was still a lot of fun. Then we went to Bug Land, where we went on a bunch of kiddie rides (bumper cars, spinning ladybugs, giant caterpillar trains, and a flying balloon ride.<br />
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The highlight of the day though, was the Aladdin Musical Spectacular Theater show. There were no Fast Passes available, so we were told to just arrive 20-25 minutes before the show to get good seats. We ended up sitting in the second row, which was pretty awesome. This show was amazingly good. I've seen a number of theatrical shows, and this was probably one of my all-time favorites. It would sit right up there with Phantom of the Opera, in my humble, limited opinion. The singing, dancing, choreography, and special effects were pretty amazing! I was very impressed. If you ever go to California Adventures, I would highly recommend this show! I would come to California Adventures just for this show, even if I didn't have kids! Great job, Disney!<br />
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The final thing we did together was the Animation Class again, except this time we were drawing Tigger - a much harder drawing than Piglet from the day before. Ally had trouble, and was very frustrated. It was clear though, that the instructor was going very fast and the drawing was too advanced. Still, I think Ally did a fantastic job. <br />
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3 Days in Disneyland came to an end, but the memories will last a lifetime. Was Disneyland the Happiest Place on Earth? It was the happiest place on earth, at the time, for us. But then again, the happiest place for me is always right beside my family and friends. Isn't happiness just a state of mind cultured with a good attitude and a healthy perspective? Labeling any place the Happiest Place is just a marketing scheme to sell you stuff. Find happiness in your own heart, and the Happiest Place on Earth becomes wherever your feet takes you.<br />
<br />John Nguyenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15557997208342746899noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6286734587402669858.post-56798839508315367362015-03-17T14:34:00.003-07:002015-03-17T14:34:59.844-07:00Way Too Cool 50K, 2015 Edition<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Last year, I ran the Way Too Cool 50K as part of my Western States training. I was running 250 miles per month and routinely running 30 mile training runs. It was a piece of cake. I ended up running my fastest 50K in 5:18 last year, without really pushing too hard. This year's race was a completely different story. I had not run much since Western States and was in terrible running shape. Still, I planned to take it easy and just enjoy the perfect weather and wonderful people. The temperature was going to reach a high of 70 degrees!<br />
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How do you run a 50K without training? You just keep moving forward. And you take your time at the aid stations. And you walk whenever you want. That was basically what I did for most of the race. I took my time thanking the volunteers. If you were walking or struggling, I probably slowed down and hung out with you. I wanted to find out what was wrong or right with everyone and offered advice and encouragement everywhere I went. I wasn't wearing a watch and didn't really care what my final time was (okay, maybe I did care a little bit). My main goal was to finish the race and to soak in the whole experience.<br />
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I was connecting with people everywhere I went. And I was reconnecting with old friends and acquaintances. I was in my element, and I felt great! The two people that stood out the most during this race was Elisa Park and Tony Nguyen (no relation). Elisa, like me, was under trained. Her husband and I ran Western States together. He is a very cool dude. Elisa was struggling and was thinking about dropping after just 8 miles. I told her that she was probably running too much. And that she was probably running how she would normally run if she was fully trained. I told her to just keep moving forward and to take whatever her body gives her. Its okay to be slow. Let the course sweepers remove you from the course if need be, but don't give up. We shared the trails for quite a while. I think she helped me just as much as I helped her.<br />
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Then I run with Tony Nguyen, who is also struggling a bit, but for different reasons. He just ran the Rocky Raccoon 100 a month ago and hadn't fully recovered. Tony has a brother named John, and I have a brother named Tony, and we always find that rather comical. Tony runs a lot of 100 milers and hopes to run Western States someday. Tony wonders why I'm floating in the back of the pack and I tell him about my lack of motivation and running since Western States. He reminds me that Western States was last year and that I need to move on. Words of wisdom are often very simple, yet so often neglected and not taken to heart. I do need to move on. And there is no time better than the present time.<br />
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Tony has a very inspirational story to tell. He ran his way past his health problems and overcame diabetes. He weaned himself off insulin, and now leads a healthy, running lifestyle. He is always full of enthusiasm and encouragement. Even as he struggled, he was all smiles! Eventually, I moved on to run my own race. I was feeling too good by mile 20, so I figured I would push a little to put in a decent effort. I kept reminding myself to soak in all the sights and to "seize the moment". We were really blessed to be out there enjoying the fabulous weather and pristine trails. The wild flowers were in bloom. Butterflies flitted around here and there. And you could hear frogs croaking at some of the streams! I splashed through a lot of stream crossings like a carefree little child - not much different than my three year old, splashing in puddles with her rain boots! Even when there was a bridge or dry ways across, I had fun simply splashing through the water. It truly was a great day to be alive.<br />
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I braced myself for the biggest hill of the day: Goat Hill at mile 26. But it felt so much easier than I expected! Maybe I had been lollygagging too much throughout the race! Near the top an older gentleman shook my hand and tried to pull me up the hill! I had to resist a bit! I didn't need any help! But it was a kind gesture which I was grateful for. At the aid station, a boy with a wet sponge was cooling off runners! I asked him to squeeze some water over my head. I told the boy and some volunteers that the last person who cooled me down with a sponge was Ann Trason!<br />
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The last few miles were tough, but they always are on this course. Having run this race 4 other times, I knew exactly what to expect. I tried pushing the pace a few times, but my calves cramped up any time I tried to speed up. As I came closer to the finish line, I felt emotional. I was finishing my first race since Western States. I was happy. And I was relieved. A weight was lifted from my shoulders. That weight probably contained some self doubt, some remnants of a crushed dream, and maybe some fear; the fear that maybe I wasn't born to run after all. I don't know what the future holds in terms of running and racing, but it's time to truly move on. <br />
<br />John Nguyenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15557997208342746899noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6286734587402669858.post-85258144995141066272014-07-10T14:16:00.000-07:002014-07-10T14:43:59.148-07:00My Western States Experience Report<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I did everything in my power to not only train and prepare for Western States, but also to earn the privilege of running in this iconic race. I hired Ann Trason as my coach and I ran my heart out for over 6 solid months. Sadly, I was unable to finish my Western States race. I have no regrets. I may not have gotten the finish I wanted, but by chasing my dreams with all my heart, I got an amazing journey and lots of new and wonderful friends out of the deal. I'll be back to Western States someday to finish what I started. Until then, the amazing journey and dream will continue. </div>
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My mantra for the race was to "float like a butterfly". The first 30 miles are run at high altitude (Average of 7000 feet), and can be very rocky. By floating like a butterfly, I hoped to navigate the rocky terrain lightly and gently, without disastrously spraining an ankle. I also wanted to keep my heart light, and to soak in the experience. This is probably the most beautiful section of the race and I wanted to be fully present in the moment. It was a blissful 30 miles. </div>
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The first 3.5 miles climbs 2500 feet to the highest point in the race. It's the only section that I did not run in training. I hiked up the climb, like everyone else, and it felt great! The silence was deafening though. Everyone was probably conserving their air. Maybe I should have too! I was just so happy to be out there! I reached the aid station at the top in about 1 hour and 6 minutes. The sun was rising on a glorious morning. I felt so alive. </div>
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<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; display: inline; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><i>Imagine your feet are carried on the wings of a butterfly</i></span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; display: inline; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><i>Light and soft, gentle and kind</i></span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; display: inline; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><i>Flit and flutter over rocks and earth</i></span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; display: inline; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><i>Dance between earth and sky</i></span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; display: inline; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><i>Keep the heart light and embrace the beauty all around</i></span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; display: inline; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><i>And see the world through a butterfly's eyes</i></span><br />
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I arrived at the Duncan Canyon aid station (mile 24) in great spirits after about 6 hours and 15 minutes. This aid station is run by the Quicksilver Club, which I had joined this year. The cheering was simply amazing! I was surrounded by teammates and good friends. I drank some coconut water and got a fresh bandana, filled with ice, to combat the mild heat that would creep up on us in the next section.<br />
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The next six miles included a tough climb, but I planned to take it easy and to take breaks anytime the exertion felt too strained. We had three things going against us in this section: the heat, the altitude, and the climb. I slowed down, but got through this section in great shape. I came into Robinson Flat (mile 30) feeling great! And Ann Trason was here crewing for me! She sat me down and sponged me down with cold ice water. She stuffed gels in my pocket, handed me a cold Pediasure, and told me I was doing great! I felt great!<br />
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Unfortunately, my bubble was soon to be burst. After a couple miles, I learned from some safety runners that I was only 40 minutes ahead of the cutoff time. How was this possible? It scared the hell out of me! I panicked. I began to run scared. I no longer floated like a butterfly. I ran harder and faster to make up some time. And still, I felt really slow. By the time I got to the Last Chance aid station (mile 43), my quads were hurting and I was in a bad state of mind. I was right at the 30-hour pace and now one hour ahead of cutoff times. Eric was there to calm me down. He told me to focus on getting to the next aid station and to take one aid station at a time. And just like that, my fears were abated, and I was back in the game.<br />
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At mile 46, after a soothing river crossing, I had to climb one of the toughest climbs of the race. My quads were shot. I trudged up the climb slowly. I was not feeling good. I stopped to drink from my handheld bottle and just started to throw up. The rest of the climb took what seemed like forever. At the top of the climb (mile 48), the Devil's Thumb aid station took care of me. The wonderful volunteers checked my weight, fed me soup and ginger ale. They convinced me to get going again. On my way out of the aid station, I threw up again. It broke my heart and my spirit. I cried, as I stood, hunched over, as waves of nausea overtook me. I was a mess. And still, the volunteers pushed and prodded me to get going. Time was running out. I needed to eat. I needed to keep moving. But my stomach was not happy and my spirit was broken. I did keep moving though. I wanted to believe that a second wind would come and that I could chase the cutoffs to the finish line. The next 5 miles were miserable. I was being eaten alive by mosquitoes, and I could barely muster a 30 minute pace - walking, downhill. Sips of water only made me feel more nauseous. By the time I got to the next aid station at mile 52.9, I was done. My race and dream was over. I felt like a failure. I had let down my coach and everyone that believed in me. I wanted to crawl into a deep, dark hole, and die. But those feelings quickly passed. And I realized that I was lucky to have gotten the chance to shoot for such a crazy dream. I am still sad, disappointed, and heartbroken, but my hopes and dreams are still very much alive and strong. I will be back.<br />
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Thank you, to everyone that helped me during this journey and on the day of the race. Matt and Ann, my crew - you were awesome out there! My pacers, Jeremy and Eric - who cheered me on and waited patiently to pace me through the night, thank you! I really wished I could have shared the trails with you! And to my loving and supportive wife, who made plenty of sacrifices to help me realize my dream, thank you from the bottom of my heart. There is so much more I could say about this epic journey. I could probably write a book about the whole experience. But maybe I'll save that for the day when I have a happier ending!<br />
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I believe we learn more from our defeats and losses than we do from our victories and wins. Life is too short and fleeting to worry about winning or losing. Play the game, enjoy the journey, and whatever you do, don't stop dreaming or believing in yourself.<br />
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<br />John Nguyenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15557997208342746899noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6286734587402669858.post-11744208698726820442014-06-11T11:05:00.000-07:002014-06-11T13:34:36.492-07:00Chasing Dreams<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<i>“Do not worry about how you will make it all work. Just focus on how you feel and go towards those things that bring forth joy. When you are living in your joy, the Universe is living joyfully through you. When you are living a life of fear, the universe is dying and becoming smaller. Remember you are a child of the universe and everything the universe provides is abundant. The sun shines rays of joy, the bird sings a song of joy, the tree joyfully grows to provide shade and keep the air clean. Everything has a purpose and when we are living in our joyful purpose we will be supported because the universe loves joy. It takes a little bit of time to go from fear to joy, but if you stay steady and keep the course you will at last come to see that your joy can be your reality. Trust in promise of joy, it is your birthright.” – Jackson Kiddard</i></div>
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There is great joy and an uneasy fear present as I face the greatest race of my life. This is my pie in the sky, my Superbowl, my World Series, my Boston Marathon; this is my dream, materializing before my very eyes. If I could pick one race to run, over and over, it would be Western States. I know there are many other great races out there that I have yet to experience. I know I would enjoy many other races - ones with great support or amazing sights. But in the present, its all about Western States. Everything I've read, everything I've seen and heard lead to Western States. It's what my heart wants and it's what captures my imagination - it's my dream. And it's here. Now. </div>
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This race is the Superbowl of Ultra Running to most people. The field limit is only 400 runners, and a third of that number is reserved for elite runners, international runners, or runners given special consideration. Over 2700 people wanted to get into the race this year via lottery. These people have already proven their worthiness by qualifying for the race through a fast 50-miler, 100K, or 100-mile completion at a qualifying race. There were runners with up to 5 tickets in the lottery, based on the number of years where they qualified but were not picked. I had one measly ticket in the lottery. And somehow, through some twist of fate, I was chosen. I did not feel worthy of this honor. I knew other runners much more qualified and deserving than I. So I knew I had work to do - to earn the honor, to train my heart out, and to prepare for the race of my life. On that note, I began my training. I hired an amazing coach in Ann Trason to help guide my training, which in itself has been an amazing experience. </div>
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Training consisted of running nearly 6 days per week with a long run every week. The first couple months were solely dedicated to building a mileage base. The next couple months included more quality runs that included more speed workouts, and the final months included speed workouts, hill repeats, and training runs on the Western States course itself. All throughout the training, core workouts and upper arm strength training were added in addition to all the running. Any time there was a sign of injury, aqua jogging, elliptical machines, or stationary biking was prescribed in addition to a trip to the chiropractor or massage therapist. A handful of 50K races and a 50 mile race were used for training, along with a handful of organized training runs. All in all, there were 9 training runs/races over 30 miles plus another 11 runs in the 20-26 mile range. In 6 months, I had run over 1500 miles, averaging 250 miles per month and 58 miles per week. My massage therapist, Greg Finney (Sports Medicine Institute, Palo Alto) and chiropractor, Lyresa Pleskovitch (Spine Therapy Center, Palo Alto) played big parts in treating my injuries and kept me healthy enough to run consistently throughout my training. And Ann Trason, my coach and friend, always knew what to say to motivate me, inspire me, and guide me through this epic journey - which will hopefully culminate at the finish line in Auburn, California. </div>
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And lets not forget about my wonderful wife and two beautiful daughters! It breaks my heart to leave my wife and kids for many of these long training runs and races. Without their support, patience, and love, this dream of mine is empty and meaningless. My eggs are not all in one basket. Regardless of whether I finish Western States, I am already greatly blessed - with a loving family, good health, and the opportunity to chase my dreams. Allyson and Grace, I hope that you believe in yourself and your dreams. And I hope that someday, you too will chase down your dreams and make them come true. </div>
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John Nguyenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15557997208342746899noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6286734587402669858.post-38977666989690015082014-06-02T10:40:00.000-07:002014-06-02T10:40:16.400-07:00Western States Training Update Q&A: The Final PushOnly 26 days remain till Western States!<div>
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Q: Hi John! What is going through your mind right now? You must be so excited for the big race! Your training has been awesome!</div>
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A: I won't lie to you. I'm kinda scared. </div>
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Q: What's wrong? I thought your training had been going great! </div>
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A: My training has been pretty great. Not perfect, but I am very happy with how my training has been going. However, I sprained my ankle this past Saturday on a 22 mile night run. I turned my ankle after about 8 miles. It wasn't a terrible sprain, so I slowed down and just finished the last 14 miles. </div>
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Q: Oh no! You poor thing! How does it feel now? And how long do you think it will take to heal?<br />A: It feels okay. There is still some minor pain and swelling, but I'm not limping and can even jump a little on the bad leg. I'll trying running 4-6 miles today and see how it goes. I'm hoping to be back on the trails this weekend for a last, long trail run before tapering. If that doesn't happen, it's still okay. </div>
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Q: The month of May was supposed to be a big training month for you. How did May treat you? Other than your little mishap at the end, that is. </div>
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A: May was pretty awesome! I logged about 274 miles in May, and was able to get some training in the infamous canyons twice. I only ran 48 miles on the first day of the Memorial Day Weekend WS Training Camp, and it ended rather poorly, but I am okay with that now. </div>
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Q: Finishing a 48-mile training run on the WS course on a warm day sounds pretty good! And yet, you still sound disappointed! What's wrong with you?</div>
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A: I made some mistakes and bonked badly in the last 10 miles. It was a big blow to my confidence! Ann Trason tells me that she sees it as a good thing though - as long as I learn from it. And that makes a lot of sense to me. </div>
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Q: Speaking of THE Ann Trason, everyone wants to know how that is working out. What insight can you share about this mysterious legend who's won Western States 14 times? Is she a good coach? Would you recommend her?</div>
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A: Ann Trason is a great coach! If you need evidence of it yourself, you can listen to Trail Running Nation's Podcast where she and Andy Jones Wilkins are interviewed about the Western States Race: <a class="_553k" href="http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Ftrailrunnernation.com%2F2014%2F05%2Ftraining-with-ann-trason-and-ajw%2F&h=YAQExHZ5L" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: white; color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; white-space: pre-wrap;" target="_blank">http://trailrunnernation.com/2014/05/training-with-ann-trason-and-ajw/</a></div>
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One of the main reasons why she is a great coach is her genuine passion for running. She is humble and kind and just a pleasure to work with. I really feel lucky and blessed to have her as my coach. All her legendary accomplishments are irrelevant when it comes to Ann Trason as a coach and friend. I talked to her on the phone the other day about my bad 48-mile training run, and she reminded me that she failed to finish WS on her first two tries. She made plenty of mistakes. Shocking, I know! And it's okay to make mistakes. Bad stuff happens. Learn from your mistakes, plan accordingly and solve your problems as they will surely arise.</div>
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Q: I know this race is your dream race. Will your family be coming to cheer you on? </div>
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A: Sighs... At the least, my wife and kids will be there at the finish line. I'm hoping that my wife can make it to Foresthill (mile 62) the night before, but that may not happen. I've asked my parents and siblings to come out to the finish line, but I'll be lucky of any of them show up. They've never come out to any of my races. It's a little sad, but I'm okay with it. Coming out to cheer for us ultra runners must be a tough job. I really admire those of you that have family cheering for you. I'm just happy that my family loves me and supports me (mostly from a distance, in spirit). </div>
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Q: What do you have left to do? Is the taper going to drive you nuts?<br />A: I still have some running and training to do, but it'll be just a little less running. I'll be doing more heat training to acclimate to the heat that we'll be expecting on race day. Ann calls it "protection mode". The proverbial hay is in the barn. </div>
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Q: Do you have any time goals? Or are you focused solely on finishing?<br />A: Finishing under 24 hours feel like a pipe dream. On a cool day, I think it would be possible. I believe I need to run "by feel". Get to Foresthill (mile 62) conservatively. If I can get there with some fresh legs the whole experience will be so much more enjoyable. I'll be happy just to finish. </div>
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Q: Any last thoughts you want to share about this big dream of yours, that is coming to fruition?</div>
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A: I want everyone to believe in the power of their dreams. Dreams do come true. Western States isn't just my dream. A lot of deserving folk (many faster than me) did not get into this race this year. When I got into this race, I knew I had work to do - to earn this privilege. I need to fight for that finish to the very end. I have to want it. I have to believe in the power of my dreams. And simply make it happen.</div>
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And thank you, my friends, for following along on my little journey. And I wish you luck on the chasing of your dreams. Believe in yourself. </div>
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John Nguyenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15557997208342746899noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6286734587402669858.post-87146749762565623752014-05-21T16:09:00.001-07:002014-05-21T16:47:47.337-07:00Born to Run Ultra Marathon Experience-Race Report<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 26px;">The Tarahumara are a beautiful people. "The Tarahumara live in and above the canyons of northern Mexico's Sierra Madre Occidental, where they retreated five centuries ago from invading Spaniards." They call themselves the "Rarámuri", which is a more respectful term for these amazing people. The Rarámuri are human just like you and me, but I believe they represent so much more - living and running free.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 26px;">"They are extraordinary endurance runners, having lived for generations amid a transportation network of narrow footpaths through the canyons; Rarámuri means "foot-runner" or "he who walks well," and they've been known to irritate American ultramarathoners by beating them while wearing huarache sandals..." ("A People Apart", National Geographic, November, 2008) </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 26px;">Caballo Blanco had a deep passion for running and the Rarámuri. He would have loved the Born to Run Ultra Marathons this past weekend, if he were still alive. He would have been surrounded by people he loved and the people that love him. A team of Rarámuri racers had come to run! Jenn Shelton and Billy Barnett were running the 100 mile race. And El Coyote, Luis Escobar, was running the show as the Race Director. It was a reunion of the Born to Run cast! Without the spirit of Caballo Blanco, there is no "Born to Run" book or Ultra Marathon weekend. Caballo Blanco made all this happen, through his love and passion for running and the Rarámuri. There were over 550 people registered to run the Born to Run Ultra Marathons (10 mile, 50K, 100K, 100 mile). The festivities began on Friday, May 16th, and the Rarámuri were conducting a Rarajipari Bolla Race demonstration! "This will be the only acceptable time to photograph them." I was actually going to see the Rarámuri playing Rarajipari! How cool is that!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 26px;">I bought a fantastic burrito lunch and took a front row seat to witness the Rarámuri play their legendary game. Volunteers were needed to join the Rarámuri in a 5-on-5 Bolla Race! How would you feel if you were given the opportunity to play basketball with Michael Jordan on a friendly 5-on-5 game? Utter shock. Joy. Honored. I quickly stood up, abandoning my lunch to join in on the race. Maria Walton and Billy Barnett were also on my team along with one of the Rarámuri. Each lap is about a quarter of a mile and we were going to complete 10 laps. Each team has a wooden ball and the Rarámuri runner holds a wooden stick (you can't use your hands). It's like racing with a soccer ball, except with a wooden ball the size of a softball. I threw all caution to the wind and played my heart out, like there was no tomorrow. It was a blast! We ended up losing, but no one cared. We were all champions. I was exhausted, but </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 26px;">happy!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 26px;">There was going to be a beer mile, led by Patrick Sweeney, an amazing ultra runner who has raced in the Copper Canyons for the past 4 years. On Thursday, Patrick set a world record for the beer half marathon! He drank 13 beers and ran 13.1 miles in 2 hours and 17 minutes, with temperatures in the mid-nineties! After the Rarajipari Bolla race, I was tired and had no intention of running the beer mile. Fortunately, Gregorio, who also participated in the bolla race convinced me to join in on the fun. I caved pretty quickly, in the spirit of stupid fun - since it was for a good cause (donations as entry fees into the beer mile). I just planned to take it easy and just have fun with it. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 26px;">There were over fifty people doing the beer mile. We were supposed to bring our own beer, but I was able to get 4 free Bud Lights to participate with. It was a lot of fun, but it got progressively hard to chug down the beer after each lap. We cheered each other on as we drank beer and ran. The winner, Nick Coury, finished in 7:26. He would go on to win the 50K the next day in 3:17. I finished my first beer mile in 10:39. It was such stupid fun! After a nice burrito dinner, I headed back to my campsite to set up my tent, prepare for my race, and get to bed at a decent time. The band, Metalachi, had begun to play, and the party had just begun for a lot of people, but I was content to call it a night.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 26px;">All the ultra distances started at 6:00, and we all started on the same 10 mile loop (marked with pink ribbon), while the 10-mile runners start a bit later on a different 10 mile loop (marked with yellow ribbon). Before the start, we raise our right hands and recite Caballo Blanco's disclaimer: "If I get hurt, lost or die - it's my own damn fault."</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 26px;">This was a training run for me, so I just took it easy and enjoyed everything about the race. I chatted with a lot of runners and made new friends at seemingly every turn. Everyone I met this past weekend was just so damn cool! </span></span><br />
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I finished the first 10 mile loop in 1:38:17. The second loop was a little harder, but very manageable. There was a really interesting downhill section that was a lot of fun to run down! I channeled my inner-Killian Jornet and ran down it with the joy and freedom of a little kid. I finished the 2nd 10-mile loop in 1:55:59. The first 20 miles flew by all too quickly and I felt fresh enough to hammer through the last ten, but I knew that I needed to stay conservative and keep it easy. I have a 50-mile training run on the Western States course the next week, so I could not afford to wreck myself with a fast finish.<br />
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I ran into Patrick Sweeney at mile 22, and was wondering what he was doing, going so slow! This guy won last year's 50K with a blazing time of 3:49! Apparently, the world record beer half marathon took its toll. He was having a "lazy" day - unmotivated to run fast. I hung out with Patrick for a while, slowing down just to hang out with the cool speedster who I will probably never run with again! We talked about Western States and the Rarámuri. He described the Rarajipari Race that he witnessed down in the Copper Canyons, which I found fascinating! On a 4 mile course, teams consisted of 25 players, and they would cover up to 100 kilometers, or until one team lapped the other. This eventually happened in the game Patrick witnessed after over 10 hours! I eventually took off to finish my race but I really enjoyed our conversation! </div>
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With about 3 miles to go and a gentle downhill slope, I decided to finish strong and ran the last few miles at a comfortable 9 minute pace. I finished in 5:26:20, which is my second fastest 50K time with a relatively easy-effort, which I was happy with. With less than 7 weeks till Western States, I am in the best shape of my life. I feel so lucky and blessed lately. I'm living the dream, and loving it! </div>
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Photo Credits to Jeff Genova, Rony Sanchez and Michele Evans for the wonderful pictures!</div>
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John Nguyenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15557997208342746899noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6286734587402669858.post-55888519553533342982014-05-14T10:25:00.000-07:002014-05-14T11:04:24.055-07:00Born to RunThe book Born to Run changed me. It captured my imagination and opened up a new world to me. It gave me big dreams and bold goals. After reading this book, I felt a renewed sense of purpose and belonging. Maybe I was "born to run" after all! I didn't have to be fast. I just needed to believe in myself and "keep on, keeping on."<br />
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I met Caballo Blanco in October of 2009, in Palo Alto, California, at our local ultra running store, ZombieRunner. After reading Born to Run, I really wanted to run Caballo's race in the Copper Canyons. But there were too many risks associated with the trip into such a remote area of the world. The perceived dangers from the Mexican drug cartels alone was enough to keep me reserved. Being married with children forces me to reduce risks I would otherwise take in the name of adventure and excitement. So I asked Caballo Blanco a question: "Would you ever organize a race in the United States, and invite the Tarahumara?" I don't remember how he responded, but I'm pretty sure it wasn't in his plans.<br />
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJzm09YPkW0RO6J3wpQJgym08N4BJobOHrGCm4iWGLRD_eEwD-QGyekGzYhg0PfwfqnZsNqb8ctmekXIv_9XXwBqsveYtczqkXQaF50d_qRl_2_95BAqVaY3OSQrjNwcvahDXiV8RM1-m1/s320/caballo.jpg" /><br />
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In October, 2010, I met Ann Trason, another hero from Born to Run. It was her last year as the race director of the Dick Collins Firetrails 50 Mile race. It was such an honor to shake her hand. I was so starstruck that I neglected to take a picture of her or with her. The memory of meeting her was enough. Ann Trason was an unsung hero in the book. She raced with the Tarahumara in Leadville and was a fierce competitor with the best of the best. Having 4 sisters, 2 daughters, and an amazing mother, you could say I have a huge love and respect for women. Ann Trason is more than a legend to me. She is a role model for any woman who seeks strength and power. I want to teach my daughters that anything is possible for them. And I would use Ann as the perfect example of a strong woman who kicked men's butts in the ultra world.<br />
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In June, 2012, I got to meet Scott Jurek in San Francisco for a fun run and book signing. I read Born to Run like a science fiction novel. I fell in love with all the characters. And meeting them, in real life was a dream come true. Running ultras made me feel like I belong to this isolated community of running people. We run far. Very far. And Scott Jurek - well, he's just cool.<br />
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This is the 4th year of the Born To Run Ultra Marathons in Los Olivos, California. This is about a 4 hour drive for me, and a very busy time of year for me (my wedding anniversary and daughter's birthday are in May). There are also a lot of very popular races being run in May that are much closer to me. This year, however, a team of Tarahumara were making the trip to the Born to Run Ultras! I talked to my wife about it and she thought it would be okay for me to sign up and run it. After all, chances to run with the Tarahumara may never happen again (in the U.S.) in my lifetime.<br />
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So yeah, I'll be running with the Tarahumara this Saturday. And yes, they will kick my butt. Luis Escobar will be there as the race director. Jenn Shelton and Barefoot Ted are signed up for the 100 miler. It should be an epic weekend!<br />
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Did I mention how lucky I am to be coached by Ann Trason? And that I'm running Western freaking States in 45 days? My cup overflows with blessings!John Nguyenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15557997208342746899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6286734587402669858.post-64362492260902338842014-05-07T09:39:00.001-07:002014-05-07T09:39:14.133-07:00The Canyons 50K Race Report<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The Canyons 50K is a new race. It covers 16 miles of the Western States course and it is tough! The race contains 9714 feet of elevation gain over 32 miles. It starts in Foresthill (mile 62 of WS), runs to the base of Devil's Thumb (mile 46) and heads back the same way, back to Foresthill.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The views were fabulous!</td></tr>
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It was my 11th wedding anniversary. Somehow, I was able to convince my wife to let me go off to run all day in the wilderness, hours from home. I'm really lucky to have such a loving and supportive wife! I would have run long the day before if I could find someone to run with. The Western States canyons are fairly remote and can be dangerous for anyone running alone, unsupported, and in the heat! And unless you know the trails, the chances of getting lost are pretty high.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The charred trees on the Devil's Thumb climb is sad - but it helps us appreciate the green forests a little more.</td></tr>
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After contacting the race director, I was able to sign up, minutes before the start of the race when a handful of runners did not show up. I think I was the only race day entrant!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was full of energy climbing Devil's Thumb! Hopefully I can do that again at Western States!</td></tr>
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It was a great day to run, out on such beautiful trails. The volunteers were all fabulous, as usual. And the fellow runners I got to run with were all amazing. I took it really easy for the first 16 miles. For me, it was just a long training run and I took my time socializing with everyone out there. At the turnaround, after running down Devil's Thumb, we get to hike back up it!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gretchen Brugman took this picture of me shortly after I climbed Devil's Thumb</td></tr>
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It took about 4 hours and 7 minutes to cover the first 16 miles. My legs felt super fresh, so I decided to work a little harder in the second half. I passed a bunch of people and ran up some of the hills. I took my time to eat and drink at the aid stations, and just had a blast! I finished the second half in around 3 hours and 48 minutes and felt great. I would have added some bonus miles, but my left toe was bugging me a little, so I just called it a day and drove home (3 hours away).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_HlBEnfo_HQ8JjbAOie-tdSkO0D11gVXy2Tr3xgfTvKez2ftmP5YvFYFDMwbD7q1s7b2KG9231RC95St2Cqyp_YeLnISOI17CV2ncspAzgQ8FBryWnWRVNmSm2TVatoyA8rH0CXayBX6R/s1600/10301973_10200936493173429_3416260817834356683_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_HlBEnfo_HQ8JjbAOie-tdSkO0D11gVXy2Tr3xgfTvKez2ftmP5YvFYFDMwbD7q1s7b2KG9231RC95St2Cqyp_YeLnISOI17CV2ncspAzgQ8FBryWnWRVNmSm2TVatoyA8rH0CXayBX6R/s1600/10301973_10200936493173429_3416260817834356683_n.jpg" height="320" width="234" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is "Devil's Thumb", a rock formation that looks like a black thumb! The view is obstructed - it was the best I could do without scrambling off the hillside.</td></tr>
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There were a lot of special details I left out - particularly about the new friends I made that made this run so special. One new friend, and Western States finisher, will be pacing me at Western States! I was also chatting with someone who remembered me from the American River 50 way back in 2010. He remembers me because I blew by him near the finish line! Since we were getting close to the finish line of the Canyons 50K, there was no way I was going to try the same thing again!<br />
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John Nguyenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15557997208342746899noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6286734587402669858.post-23857463939134392172014-04-29T13:06:00.001-07:002014-04-29T14:50:11.620-07:00Western States Training Update! 60 Day Countdown! Yet another Q & AQ: The Western States Endurance Run is in 60 days. How are you feeling?<br />
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A: I feel nervous, excited and scared for a variety of reasons. While my training has been going great, the next 5 weeks are still tough and I haven't done any serious heat training yet! With a three week taper, that only leaves about 39 days of real training! Excuse me, while I freak out. </div>
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Q: What has your training been like?</div>
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A: Over the past 4 months, I've run a ton of miles (Jan: 253, Feb: 274, Mar: 249, Apr: 253). That puts me at 1030 miles over 4 months. To put that in perspective, I ran about 1000 miles in 2013. Since December, I've run 14 long trail runs over 20 miles (20-25mi.: 4, 26.2mi: 4, 30mi: 4, 36mi: 1, 50mi: 1). </div>
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Q: That is a lot of miles! Have you been doing any cross training or injury prevention activities?</div>
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A: I'm glad you asked. I've been using a ton of kinesio tape, mostly on the bottom of my feet to keep the Plantar Fasciitis in check. I've also been foam rolling whenever I have some spare time in the evenings to take care of any soreness/tightness in my muscles. I've gotten an orthopedic massage almost every month to keep things in order/check. I'm working on my core strength and some light weight training for the arms about 2-3 times a week. I'm also hiking more on the treadmill - about twice a week to improve my hiking abilities (usually 2 miles at a 15% grade). </div>
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Q: Besides a lot of miles, have you been doing any speed work?</div>
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A: Unless it's a taper/recovery week, Ann (my coach) has me doing one tempo run per week, and recently added some hill repeats on the treadmill (since she knows how hard it is for me to get to hills on the weekdays). </div>
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A: Things have not been perfect. I struggled a little in the last 10 miles of the American River 50 Mile race. I've had a few "niggling pains" that have come and thankfully gone. I had a few runs where I felt tired and burnt out. I still don't know this will all work out. Overall, things have gone amazingly well. It is a bit shocking to think how far I've come and what little time is left till my big race! </div>
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Q: How is your coach, Ann Trason, working out? Any stories about your coaching experience with her you'd like to share?</div>
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A: Ann Trason may be a ultra running legend, but she has become so much more to me. She has become my coach, mentor and friend. She is kind and caring. She is the kind of person that you'd trust babysitting your kids or fur-babies. And she is an excellent, knowledgeable and responsive, coach! I am very lucky and blessed to have her coach and mentor me in this journey of a lifetime. Regardless of how Western States turns out, I have already won - an amazing journey with a great coach and friend. </div>
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John Nguyenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15557997208342746899noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6286734587402669858.post-56603384420768561432014-04-21T15:54:00.001-07:002014-04-21T15:54:28.041-07:00Running is SufferingI have been getting re-acquainted with Buddha's teaching on suffering lately. My wife had gotten copy (audio CDs) of "Coming Closer to Ourselves" by Pema Chodron from a colleague, so we have been listening to it during our morning and evening commute. I had studied some of Buddha's teachings and philosophy back in college when I majored in Philosophy at San Jose State. During my long run on Saturday, Buddha's teachings about suffering came to life and brought me to a more enlightened state of being. Words will surely fail to describe all the thoughts and feelings I had that day, but I know I have to try. <div>
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"Life is suffering". Life is full of suffering, regardless of how blessed you are or think you are. Suffering is complex subject. We suffer due to sickness, death, pain, and a variety of things that are outside of our control. I thought about the suffering in my life and the suffering of everyone close to me. Compared to many of the friends and family I know, my suffering is minuscule. My brother has Cerebral Palsy. A friend is fighting Cancer. An uncle has lost a son to suicide. Another uncle has lost a son to Heart Disease. I cried for them. And I cried tears of joy for all my blessings. I have two beautiful daughters and a loving, supportive wife! I laughed at my own suffering. It was a very emotional run. </div>
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I have been suffering more lately during my long runs. I took a few moments to try and understand why I have been suffering. I have been training for the biggest race in my life - the Western States Endurance Run, and it represents something that I really want. And for that reason, I was suffering. I was afraid of an unfavorable outcome on one of the biggest stages of my life. And because of that fear I had stopped listening to my body on these long runs. Most long distance runners know that on long training runs, you need to listen to your body and just take what it gives you in a very relaxed manner. Save the aggressive running for races or for the shorter speed oriented training runs. </div>
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After 13 miles, I was tired. My training plan for the day included 30 trail miles. I took a 20 minute break to rest and recover before heading back on the trails. I did not know how much further I could go. My coach had told me to "do what you can." So my plan was to go as far as my body would let me. Suffering is greater when you resist that which you cannot change. Because I wanted to do well at Western States, I had been running harder during these long runs. I was resisting the possibility of failure at Western States. When I realized this, I let it go. I accepted my fate at Western States and it automatically lifted a huge weight of suffering off my spirit. And miraculously, I could listen to my body again. I could simply take whatever my body gave me, whether it be a slow hike up a hill or a relaxed shuffle down a hillside. And I could run with the ebb and flow of the earthly trails. I was one with the world around me. It was a beautiful run. I felt so blessed and so alive.</div>
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With a mile before arriving back at my car, I tried to assist a little furry caterpillar across the trail, so that it won't be trampled on by any unsuspecting hiker or runner. But instead of climbing on my little branch, it took it's time across the trail - much like the way I found myself running my own pace. We accept our fate and our pace, and in doing so, we lessen our suffering. </div>
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On a scenic hilltop, I stopped and practiced a few Tai Chi movements. I am more than just my running. I am also a martial artist, a husband, and a father (among many other things). I am blessed regardless of what happens at Western States. Even though I deeply desire a good finish at that race, it does not define who I am or who I will become. It is all part of the path to MY awakening. I found such joy and peace during those last 12 miles. </div>
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At the end of run I found a little inch worm and two other little bugs on my shirt and arms. I gently helped them get back to their home on the trails. </div>
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During those 12 miles, I also ran into a fellow runner wearing a bright yellow Adidas shirt and Boston blue shorts. I cheered him on and told him that I recognized his Boston colors. I may have also yelled out, "Boston Strong!". Congratulations to all you Boston Finishers today!</div>
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John Nguyenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15557997208342746899noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6286734587402669858.post-61073685347319490752014-04-15T15:25:00.000-07:002014-04-15T15:25:28.509-07:00A Yosemite Long Run This past weekend, I went to Yosemite with my family! My parents and siblings all went. About 20 of us stayed at the Yosemite View Lodge Hotel, which is only a short distance from the entrance to the park. We went on a easy hike in the morning with the kids. In the afternoon, I went back into the park to go for my long run. I was still recovering from the American River 50 Mile from the previous week, so I was only planning to run around 15 miles.<br />
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I parked at the Bridalveil Falls parking lot and started my run through Yosemite Valley. It was a glorious run. I ran up past a ton of tourists on the Mist Trail, past waterfalls and all kinds of amazing sights. I did not want to run back the same way I had run, so I decided to hop on one of the free shuttles to get back to my car once I was done with my run. My run was not easy. There were some really steep sections that could only be hiked at a snail's pace. At 14.3 miles I ended my run and hopped onto a shuttle bus.<br />
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That would have been the perfect ending to a great run filled with gorgeous sites. But I made a mistake. It turns out the shuttles don't go as far as the Bridalveil Falls parking lot, where I parked! I was tired. I had already run for 3 hours. Usually another 5 miles after 14 would not be a problem, but I had no more fuel and it was getting dark and cold. Instead of hitting the more windy trails, I chose to run back on one of the main roads. It sucked. But I got it done. Here are some more pictures from the run! And one bonus picture of my family.<br />
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<br />John Nguyenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15557997208342746899noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6286734587402669858.post-35160804450335321972014-04-07T16:40:00.000-07:002014-04-07T16:40:12.835-07:002014 American River 50 Mile Race Report"You are not qualified to quit."<br />
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I met some wonderful new people at this year's running of the American River 50 Mile. Michaela ran Western States in 2012 as her first 100 miler. She shared this piece of advice with me. Unless you're injured, you do not have the qualifications to decide to quit. Leave those decisions to the doctors and the running experts. It was simple, yet very profound.<br />
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Throughout the day, I ran into friends, both old and new everywhere I turned. The volunteers and crowd support were amazing! The weather was perfect. The course could have used a little less pavement and poison oak, but we can't have everything we want, can we?<br />
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For 36 miles, I ran really well. I executed my fueling plan flawlessly. Unfortunately, I neglected my hydration, and that eventually affected my fueling. By mile 40, I had slowed down to a crawl. I felt nauseous and did not feel like eating anything. I was tired - really tired. Jim Magill offered some friendly encouragement as he passed me here. This guy is 67 years young and still running strong! After a few miles of "crawling", I was eventually able to run better. The last 3 miles are all uphill, but I was able to run in most of the last 1.5 miles, which made me happy. I finished in 10:25:33 (340/826), which was a respectable finishing time. It wasn't finishing time I wanted, but I wasn't supposed to be racing anyway. Let's just call it a good training run for Western States!<br />
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Other notes:<br />
I decided not to run with Vespa, again. I have not decided whether or not to use Vespa at Western States yet. Instead, I chose to consume as many calories as I could (along with my Pediasure). I should have also planned to drink more water - that would have helped! I was originally planning on running with a new pair of La Sportiva Crosslites, until I talked to Ann Trason about it! I ended up using an older pair that has less tread, but felt much more comfortable.<br />
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I took more pictures this time!<br />
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There were some fabulous views along the course!<br />
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The pavement sucks, but at least its surrounded by beauty!<br />
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Wildflowers were everywhere on the course! <br />
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Watching the sun rise during a long race is a special treat! I just had to stop and snap a picture of it!<br />
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We start in the dark, but it gets brighter pretty quickly! Especially if you're running in the second wave at 6:15!<br />
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Folsom Lake is really dry! But still really pretty.</div>
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More pavement. But at least I met a new friend along this pavement! Blakely was his name, and he is a philosophy professor! Since I got my bachelor's degree in Philosophy, we had to chat about it!<br />
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A friend took this picture of me crossing the finish line!<br />
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Watching the sun set after getting a shuttle ride back to the start in Folsom, California<br />
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<br />John Nguyenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15557997208342746899noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6286734587402669858.post-61800611566713075082014-03-27T10:26:00.002-07:002014-03-27T10:32:54.863-07:002014 Night Sweats Trail Marathon <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtEgKBMYGI__5eWUMBXDOt7xOtjXnnf7rtJUQTCEUFKMuKY40a8kMUgRr-Ogqd-NwdAW7bE_opJDpZsaaZddD4S1gw1poyq-MW_jXPLsTHDB2TpaXnEcoNVOBohUQyLXeU68rIyOPYIOw-/s1600/golden-gate-bridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtEgKBMYGI__5eWUMBXDOt7xOtjXnnf7rtJUQTCEUFKMuKY40a8kMUgRr-Ogqd-NwdAW7bE_opJDpZsaaZddD4S1gw1poyq-MW_jXPLsTHDB2TpaXnEcoNVOBohUQyLXeU68rIyOPYIOw-/s1600/golden-gate-bridge.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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The PCTR Night Sweats Marathon starts at 8pm under the Golden Gate Bridge in Sausalito and runs through the Marin Headlands with about 5000 feet of elevation gain. The Marin Headlands is a beautiful place just north of San Francisco. The redwood forests and the beaches are beautiful and breathtaking. Experiencing this place at night during a trail marathon is indescribably amazing.<br />
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My plan was to run the race conservatively as a training run. I ran most of the race with a new friend who is also running Western States this year. We met in February at a Western States training run, and our pace is very similar, so it made sense for us to run together. It helped me keep my pace more on the conservative side.<br />
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It was a beautiful clear night. I bombed down a few downhills and found myself running by myself for some short stints. Kim was never far behind and we would reconnect at the aid stations. During some of those solitary moments, I would turn off my headlamp and flashlight to gaze at the stars. And on the trails we saw lots of millipedes and a few newts. These little creatures are very cool!<br />
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Millipedes like this one were everywhere!</div>
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After about 22.5 miles, I decided to take off on a downhill to charge toward the finish line. It was a lot of fun to run faster on some easier terrain. I finished the race in 21st place out of 44 finishers, at 1:20am. On September 13, <a href="http://www.pctrailruns.com/event.aspx?dtid=9979">Pacific Coast Trail Runs (PCTR)</a> is running this race again. I'm tempted to run it again - and if I do, I'll probably be running a little faster!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEJQrHMpfJj5oLojPhJFU6-pM_yRH0KkC95iHWg9Q22PoCXtUT0N-1EjpZvFinSr3Yqg_gAYuKXlFFfwSxoUkoqSR_LWiHZwScZssDODejhmen0TEb38kE0K5UNFHvtk-IAqEP6GpHCopm/s1600/nightsweats.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEJQrHMpfJj5oLojPhJFU6-pM_yRH0KkC95iHWg9Q22PoCXtUT0N-1EjpZvFinSr3Yqg_gAYuKXlFFfwSxoUkoqSR_LWiHZwScZssDODejhmen0TEb38kE0K5UNFHvtk-IAqEP6GpHCopm/s1600/nightsweats.jpg" height="320" width="234" /></a></div>
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Here is the one of the pictures I took during the last few miles. The city lights are very pretty. </div>
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This is what we would see during the day (I took these pictures in 2011)! </div>
John Nguyenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15557997208342746899noreply@blogger.com1