Good Times in the Natural State

   This past weekend I had a chance to get away and run a little 50km down in the Boston Mountains of Arkansas. The White Rock Classic 50km. This is a great little race put on by the great  folks of the Arkansas Ultra Runners Association. The race takes place just west of Turner Bend, Arkansas. Near Cass, Arkansas about an hour east of Fayetteville. It is held on the forest service road that takes you up to the overlook pavillion on the top of White Rock Mountain. The picture below is actually a shot taken from the top of White Rock Mountain by Deb Johnson.

   The day  before the race was a little hectic for me. In wanting to maximize my vacation time this year for actual vacation and not racing. I had to be creative and make full use of every hour of every day. So the day before the race I had gotten off work at 7 in the morning. After working midnight shift. At 7 in the morning I had already been up for 10 hours. No big deal. Except when I got home I didn't get a chance to lay down. My son had a play group to attend and I stayed home to watch the little one. When I layed her down for her nap. I used the time to get everything packed and loaded into my car. I had to leave by 2:30 that afternoon to meet up with Stewart and Deb Johnson who I was hitching a ride down with.

   Once I made it to Stewart and Deb's house we loaded everything up in the car and headed over to pick up a couple of more runners for the carpool. I thought That I might be able to catch a quick nap on the way down but I was too cramped in the car and having such a good time talking to everyone that it just didn't happen. We finally arrived at the hotel in Fayetteville around 10 that night and I think I ended up falling asleep a little after midnight. Meaning I had been awake for over 25 hours. Not really the rest day I had planned for myself the day before a race but oh well.

   6 am came early enough and we were heading out at 6:45 to get to the Turner Bend General Store to sign in for registration. The drive heading east out of Fayetteville was gorgeous. Noticing that the further we drove into the mountains tha taller they seemed than what I was used to seeing before down here in races like Midnight 50km and 3 Days of Syllamo. Not to worry though. I had an idea of what I was getting into and that was good enough for me.

   Arriving at Turner Bend store the faces in the crowd were all familiar to me. All the usual suspects from the Arkansas scene. After signing in at the store we headed over to the starting line about a mile up the road. At 9 am the race got under way and I found myself in the lead pack running next to good friend Stan Ferguson. Stan has won the race more times than I can count on one hand. He also holds the course record for the race at 3:58:27. I was right where I wanted to be. For the moment anyway.

   After running a few high mileage weeks back to back to back. I had only given myself a few days to bounce back. So I was more interested in seeing how my legs responded to the workload then how fast I could run on this day. The only real goal I had was that I wanted to run under 4:30. Which I felt was a pretty reallistic goal. Considering the course had over 5400 ft of vertical gain over 32 miles. With 6 climbs of around two miles in length or better. Giving those statistics I figured that would tell me I was in 4:15 shape on the average course back home. Which is faster than I have ever been in the month of February.

   Back to the race as Stan and I were running along.      

Accompanied by another friend Paul Turner I couldn't help but notice how quickly the first couple of miles flew by. Considering they were going uphill at a 10 percent gradient. We trucked through the first two in a little under 18 minutes. Two minutes faster than I had planned too pre race. What the hell. I was in the moment and it didn't seem to be bothering anyone else I was running with so I went with it. Mile 4 saw us come through under 32 minutes. With the help of a downhill we dropped the pace down to 8 minute miles. No sweat. I still felt good and wasn't in danger just yet. Mile 6 a little over 47 minutes. O.K. not bad. Lets just keep it right here boys. Was what I was thinking. But Stan had other plans. Stans biggest strength is in his ability to hammer downhills. Which is what he decided to do. After the second climb at 9 minute pace Stan proceeded to drop it down to a 6 min mile. Doing it ever so relaxed. Mile 8 we came in right at an hour. Which doesn't seem like that big of a deal except when you throw in nearly 4 miles of climbing. Your legs will start to feel it a bit. Being a flatlander I was really starting to feel it but was in no position to start my death march just yet.

   I kept up with Stan's torrid pace for as long as I could handle and as quoted by one of the aide station volunteers. "Stan was in Candyland." Indeed he was. He was having one of those days where nothing he did could go wrong. We came through 10 miles in 1:15:XX almost 7:30 flats. With 16 miles being the turnaround for the race I was begining to wonder if I'd be able to hold onto Stan. I didn't have to wonder for much longer. Around mile 13. Stan started pulling a slight lead on me on the last climb. I didn't panic though. I was on his turf and this is what he ran everyday. This was nothing like what I eat for breakfast so, advantage Stan. I just tried to limit my losses on the climb the best I could. Then I heard the foot steps of another runner Stan and I had past earlier in the race. We chatted for a bit an made small introductions. I could still see Stan about 100 yds ahead. So I still wasn't worried. Then the next thing I knew this guy was starting to pull a gap on me. WTF? Oh well I thought. I'll just keep doing my thing and try to catch back up on the return trip. With any luck if I kept the pressure on their wheels may fall off and the race would be mine to lose. 200 yds from the turnaround I see Stan coming back down the mountain. Running smooth not really pushing it. Then right as I get to the turnaround the other guy that had a small gap on me was coming back. O.K. time to get some time back. As I went to grab my top gear. I was shocked to find that it just wasn't there. Stuck in fourth gear I couldn't do what I had to do to close the gap and get back in the race. So I did the only thing I know how to do. Which is redline as long as I can. The entire five miles or so back down to the aide station at mile 22. I was on the bubble. Legs trashed from the beating the course had given me thus far. I walked out of the aide station  and tried to get the legs switched back to a climbing gear. SHIT. Yeah. On the downhill I turned my legs into Jell-O and my platform now was shakey at best. The only gear I had left was super slow motion.

   This isn't good at all. I had this climb and another after this one to get through before I could let myself fall to crap. What now? Run 150 ft. walk 50 ft. then repeat until I got to the top of the climb. That strategy was enough to let my legs recover on the following downhill where I was able to save myself from losing anymore ground to runners behind. At this point the only way I would move up in position was if either Stan or the other guy had gotten mauled by a black bear. I was running for 3RD at this point.

   Knowing I was near the top of the last climb in which I somehow managed to jog at a slow but albeit consistant pace. I was on my final descent. Looking at my watch with two miles to go. It read 4:14:XX. At first I just wanted to take it easy the last two and except whatever time I got there in. That quickly faded though as it always does when I find myself on the bubble with my pre race time goals. It was downhill. At the very least I could average 8 minute miles over the next two. So I went all out as fast as I could make my oxygen starved legs move. Not long after the decision to go for it. The finish line came into sight. I glanced at the watch and it read 4:26:XX. I knew I made it so I shut off the gas and cruised across the line in a time of 4:27:27. Going well under my pre race goal of 4:30:00. Reassuring me that I was right where I need to be for February.

   Stan finished off his strong effort with a winning time of 4:12:18 I think. The other guy finished around seven minutes ahead of me in 4:20:XX. Paul Turner had a strong run bringing it home in a time of 4:50 something and 2009 Arkansas Traveler 100 mile Champ. Po Dog Vogeler rounded out the top five with a 5:08 and change.

   After the running was over everyone had a great time sitting around the grill swapping war stories and pigging out on Moon Pies and Dr. Peppers. 

   It's now been three days as I sit here and write this out since the race and my legs are still tender to the touch in spots. I still can't say enough about what a great time I had on a very tough and beautiful course. With great friends. I'm already chomping at the bit to get back down there in five weeks for this years running of the 3 Days of Syllamo. 

Pre-Occupied

   Well here we go ready or not. A new racing season is upon us and I have once again been consumed by the trail. Since my last entry I've gotten on the ball a bit with my running. Almost to the point of getting carried away.
After starting off this year under the weather for the first couple of weeks. The first chance I had where I felt somewhat normal I started loading on the miles.     
   Over the last 21 days of which only 18 of them were running days I managed somehow to cover 332 miles. Mostly all slow easy miles between an 8 and 10 min pace per mile. With the occasional tempo run in the low 7's upper 6 range. Sticking to the guidelines I had set forth in the last blog entry. Concerning myself only with getting some kind of consistency back in my day to day running while trying to maintain a high volume. Not knowing if my body would be able to handle the workload. 
   I called it my top secret plan #303 (300 miles in 3 weeks.) I came out of it alive thankfully. I originally wanted to just try and run 100 a week for 3 weeks. The first week was 108 miles and it felt great. So the second week I wanted to see just how many miles I could rack up. After the second week I had racked up 134 miles. To end that week though I needed to get a significant run of atleast 24 miles in. I did it but after 110 miles over the first 6 days of the week the long run left me gassed. So I decided to take the first day of the third week off. Knowing I needed only 82 miles for the week to get 300 in 3 weeks.
   The third week I hit with a little less enthusiasm than the first two. Still managing to make it just under 91 miles. Leaving me with the feeling of being worked over by a steam roller. Why would someone do this to themselves so early in the season? I don't really have an explanation or an answer other than "because I could." I'm not looking for burnout or injury. I just felt good at the time and went with it. Theres nothing I'm really gearing up for. I have the White Rock 50km this Saturday. Which I just want to go in and run hard. I Don't really care how I do overall. I'll just be glad to get away for the weekend and see some friends. Then 5 weeks later I'll be heading back down to Arkansas for my favorite race of the year. 3 Days of Syllamo.
   I'd like to do well there. Again I won't lie to you. I would like to win it again. But you never know who's going to show up. It'll happen if it happens I guess. I'm not gonna go into that one expecting to win. Just run it to the best of my ability and give it 110 percent everyday with everything I have in me. However that ends up sobeit.
   The only real thing I have my mind on this year is my big walk in the desert of the Colorado Plateau. To give too much attention to anything other than that right now running wise would be foolish. Whether I feel good about my season this year or look back on it and feel bad. Is all going to hinge on what I do out there.
   I still have to get that itinerary put together like I've promised some people I would. It's coming. I have it about half way done. Just need to finish it up and get it e-mailed to the right people. You all should have it in a week. I might even post it to a couple of the running sites to see if I can spark up anymore interest in volunteers to help.
    I'll post back in a week or so to let everyone know how things went down at White Rock. Til' then keep your feet on the ground.

Clock Keeps Ticking

Man I can't believe it's already been a month since I made the annuoncement to run the Kokopelli Trail. Where did that time go and what did I do with it?? Both good questions. I'd like to have been able to say I've been training like a mad man towards my goal but I haven't really. In actuality It's been more miss thatn hit lately. It's taking a little longer getting started back up from this offseason. Just when I felt like I wanted to start running again. A head cold hit me and it hasn't left yet. I've been on medication to try and knock it out for the last three weeks but to no avail. The S.O.B. is pretty damn stubborn.
As for the initial response to my announcement. It was pretty good. There seemed to be a few people that were interested. More than enough to help me get the job done. Whether we manage to all show up on May 1ST is left to be seen. I need to get back with everyone that had shown interest in my record attempt and give them a rough itinerary. So as they can see what all is going to be invovled and asked of them. A lot of the who's going to pace me through what section of the trail will have to be determined a couple of days before. But things like my goal pace and splits. Nutrition, aide stops, clothes changes, things of that nature will be included in the plan.
I want to thank everyone that has offered to help me on this in one form or another up to this point. The reality of what I have bitten off here hasn't sunk in yet but I'm sure in the next few weeks it will. Right now I have a lot to work on. Getting some consistency back in my runnig and feeling comfortable with high mileage weeks will be the most impportant thing. I'll have a couple of well one really.. Gauge race to see where my level of fitness is here in a few weeks then. I need to hit it hard for 3 Days of Syllamo. I plan on taking an easy week after 3 Days. Then I'll start my major build up in mileage towards my trek across the desert. Gotta get out of here now. Only 101 days left until Kokopelli Trail.

The Desert is Calling Me.

   Well I might aswell let my big plans for the spring out of the bag. Since moving back to Kansas from New Mexico. This is one of the things that I truely regret not doing when I had the chance and lived so close. It's something I've dreamt about since I first read of the record setting run Peter Bawkin and Stephanie Ehrhart set back in May/2004. And its something that has been on my mind a lot over the past eight months. Eight months in which this has progressed from something I wanted to try. To, something I must do...

   Which is why I'm extremely nervous right now as I make this announcement. I know once I punch in the words on the keyboard and see them in black and white. There will be no turning back. Whether I succeed or fail in my goal which I have set for myself. This will become something that will totally consume me. Over the next five months there won't be a moment when I'm not thinking about it.

    Aside from the amount of training that I'll have to do. In trying to pull this off. I'll need a strong support group. I'll need key individuals in key positions. Crew persons, Pacers, Drivers. People who are good with map reading. People who have great organizational skills. Basically a rolling aide station. Staffed with the best people I can find. More importantly, people who are willing to take time out of their lives to come and fan the fire of someonelses dream. I'm not looking for front of the pack speedsters to help if that's what your thinking. This is going to be one big family. As such is Ultrarunning. It takes all kinds to make up a family and anyone that wants to help is more than welcome to. I'll find something for everyone. Everyone will be equally important. As it will take everyone for me to succeed.

   So... Without any further delay. I'm officially announcing my intentions to take a shot at Peter Bawkin and Stephanie Ehrharts speed record on the Kokopelli Trail on Saturday, May 1ST of 2010. As it stands the current supported record for the trail is 32 hours/ 47 minutes and 41 seconds. For the entire length of the trail which spans from Loma, Colorado to Moab, Utah.

   A description of the trail I pulled from the trail guide The Kokopelli Trail Mountain Bike Guide by Alex Hearn says this. Without any additional loops, the trail covers approximately 142 miles total. Most is on remote BLM land, with a few confluences on private and state-held land and a short jaunt thru the Manti-La Sal National Forest.

   The terrian is classic Colorado plateau and will vary frequently. You will start off skirting the Colorado River outside of Fruita Colorado, following increasingly technical singletrack on hardpack and occasional slickrock. Later that day, the trail climbs out of the Salt Creek area to gentle hills and rolling jeep trail past enormous Entrada formations reminiscent of a moonscape from a Dr. Suess book. Past the Entrada formations the trail drops into the Cisco Desert. This is typically a less colorful section passing a ghost town frozen in time on smoother 2wd roads eventually narrowing into singletrack that dips so close to the Colorado River you can almost kiss it - a great time to put it on autopilot and score some fast miles while soaking up the desert. Once you've reached pavement at Utah highway 128, the trail crosses over into Yellow Jacket Canyon for a fun climb before a fast sandy descent to the historic Dewey Suspension Bridge, once the only passage across the Colorado. From Dewey Bridge, you are again confronted by numerous photo ops as the trail climbs - sometimes steeply - thru sage and juniper forests into Fisher Valley, passing thru several canyons and a slickrock playground if your willing.

   From Fisher Valley, the trail carries the runner through an extended climb into the pine and aspen forests of the La Sal's and Castle Valley. From the second summit, the views of nearby Moab are spectacular, and its all downhill from here! Descend through rollercoaster singletrack to Sand Flats road, and choose between the traditional casual descent past the Slickrock trail or for those feeling strong, the daring descent along Porcupine Rim.

   After a description like that. How could one not want to give such an adventure a shot. Combined with my own experiences from running countless hours on trails that seemingly never ended. Amongst the rocks, sand and sage. Where the wind would speak to my soul every time it blew and thunderstorms reminded me what an insignificant part of this universe I really am. I can't help but become restless in the anticipation of such an epic undertaking.

   There's power in the desert. The Native Americans who lived there knew that. They embraced it in such a way that celebrated life. In an environment that would at first glance celebrate very little life at best. It's a magical place steeped with running tradition and lore. Dating back to Pre-Columbian times.

   It is said by the Navajo people that. When the sun comes up. The Gods come up. So we run to greet the Gods in the morning. Running has it's roots in spiritual tradition. Since before recorded time, American indians  ran -- for trade, for communication and for the spiritual belief that a runner creates a living cord between the earth and the sky. 

   Writing this I contemplate my own Native American Heritage. Though my last name is Wakefield. Along with being English, Norwegian and a dash of German. I am also 1/4 Mohawk from the Iroqouis Confederacy of upstate NewYork and a small amount of Ojibwa to go with that dash of German. Knowing that about myself adds some signifigance to this run. This is why it is something I must do. It's not merely an attempt at a speed record that was set nearly six years ago. It's not a test of discovering new limits and breaking through walls of impossibility. This is a rite of passage for me. This is a way to honor my heritage and give back to that which has been given to me. A gift of endurance and the ability to run.

   This isn't the last anyone will hear of this. Right up until May 1ST I'll be actively recruiting people to help out with this adventure. Again, you just have to want to help. Any and all are welcome. For anyone who wants to help. You can contact me via my e-mail address http://www.davidultra49@yahoo.com/ Hopefully when the time comes I'll have a solid team together and we'll get this thing done.