tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7299086143790529567.post5568283404133618744..comments2023-10-30T02:19:26.396-07:00Comments on A Life on the Run: Umstead 100 mile 2009 Lap 6 & 7 Pictures including Race ReportRunner Tammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00059758273238421216noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7299086143790529567.post-2182936238703576682009-04-11T05:08:00.000-07:002009-04-11T05:08:00.000-07:00Hi Dan,Thanks for the comment. I love your recoll...Hi Dan,<BR/><BR/>Thanks for the comment. I love your recollection of the night running during your Ironman. 100 milers may be more expendable so we do not get any reflective or glow gear, so instead of aliens we sort of can sneak up on each other and act like bears, sasquatch, or other real or fictional woodland creatures. <BR/><BR/>I had a really great time at Umstead. But until recently Western States 100 (WS100) was not on my radar (I knew of it but thought it was for more hard core runners than I...but now it is starting to leach into my to do list). <BR/><BR/>My "to do" list is exceptionally long which I have to think about before I send in my check for WS 100. I have VT100 this summer (hoping for a PR), then a half Ironman which hopefully is a stepping stone for an Ironman (although currently I only have the run mastered and am planning to fake my way through the bike and swim:-) oh yeah and the transition area which my PR from swim to bike is 15 minutes and PW is about 20 minutes!!!Runner Tammyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00059758273238421216noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7299086143790529567.post-28978508102751660252009-04-10T23:11:00.000-07:002009-04-10T23:11:00.000-07:00Hi Tammy. Found your blog via this comment over a...Hi Tammy. Found your blog via <A HREF="http://mostlyrunningbull.blogspot.com/2009/04/o-boy-o-boy1.html?showComment=1239396660000#c4246024124948199643" REL="nofollow">this comment</A> over at GQ's place and thought I'd say hello. Just now finished reading all (so far) of your Umstead 100 race report postings. Nice job! And great pictures! I especially liked <A HREF="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7tcO1P5U3jw/Sd_a4A34JmI/AAAAAAAABic/8IF24JA4Tjk/s320/P4030198.JPG" REL="nofollow">this one</A>. Kinda reminds me of my first Ironman. Here's a snippet from my race report:<BR/>______<BR/><BR/><I>However, there is one neat part about being out on the run course well after dark with all the other slow folks. Except for the first mile or so right around the finish area there were no streetlights. It was dark. I mean pitch-black dark. And no matter where you happened to be when it got dark, the volunteers would give you one of those green glow necklaces. I got mine at the turn-around point on my third lap. It's hard to believe but there were runners behind me, so when I turned around I could now see them coming towards me headed for the turn-around. Remember, it's totally black out on the road so all you can see are these bouncing green circles of light slowly approaching you, spaced out every 50 yards or so. And then you pass like two ships in the night, exchanging a brief greeting if you can remember how to make your mouth work.<BR/><BR/>But somehow, somehow, I managed to get back to the streetlights near town on the final lap. I felt like I was having one of those near-death experiences. You know, total tunnel vision, running towards the light, seeing the faces of long-lost relatives, and shouting "I'm coming, I'm coming, wait for me!"</I><BR/>_____<BR/><BR/>I'm thinking of taking up ultras once I convince myself (and my fragile male ego) that I'll never be anything more than a mid-pack Ironman finisher. Of course the premier ultra out in this neck of the woods is the Western States 100. Is that one on your "to-do" list yet?<BR/><BR/>Also ... I know <B>exactly</B> what you mean about a heavy waist pack. Lately for my long runs I've been carrying 24 oz of water and 6 gels. That's 2 pounds right there, plus the weight of the pack and the water bottle. Feels like I'm dragging an anchor around on the trails!<BR/><BR/>Best of luck with your running. I look forward to reading about more of your adventures.Danhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12284851364148075468noreply@blogger.com