Normally, I'm not scared of anything.
But, when I think about running 100 miles I now get scared. Yep, I said it. Scared. I can, and have "faked" my way through every other distance out there, but running 100 miles is not something you can just "fake" your way through.
I'm confident that I can finish a 100 mile run, but I think it's the fact that I'm pretty sure what I'm in for when I do try to finish one. So far this year I've run three 50 milers. Each one, getting progressively harder. With each one, I feel my performance got worse and worse.
Over the next few weeks/months I'm really going to work hard on getting back into the mindset of "training", something I've slowly worked my way away from. Too me, I've found SO much joy in just doing whatever I feel like when I feel like it. (not that I'm not going to be having fun as I train for my 100 miler)
The biggest problem I've had lately with my 50 milers is this odd sensation/feeling of not being able to eat ANYTHING. The thought of putting any food in my mouth at all makes me want to throw up. I've convinced myself that it's time I venture away from eating gels anymore, and try other things. I will definitely be trying different things as I train my way to the Arkansas Traveller 100 miler.
My question to any of my fellow readers/ultra runners (especially those of you with experience) is, have you ever experienced the sensation I'm speaking of? Is it possible that it's due to dehyrdation, or too much hydration??? I've definitely got to get this figured out before Arkansas, in October.
This Monday I had a great run on the Northshore trail at lake Grapevine. Got a nice 22-23 miles in, with some pretty oppressive heat. I experimented a little bit with Sport Beans (which I've tried before) and enjoyed them. The packs are only 100 calories a piece so I'll have to work with that and see what I feel I need an each hour to sustain myself for around 24hrs.
Any advice is much appreciated!! Hope everyone is training hard and living harder :) Also, if anyone would ever like to trail run in the DFW area just let me know!
_Jacob_
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Two Races, Two Weeks!
I'm super disappointed in myself for not updating last week after a great weekend of racing!
Last Saturday I raced the Metroplex Sprint Triathlon for Ironhead Race Productions based here in the Dallas/Ft Worth area. As most everyone knows by now, my focus as of lately has not been triathlon, but long distance running.
Well last weekend I proved that swim training is not all that important! I ended placing first overall, by 11 seconds! I had the 6th fastest swim, 2nd fastest bike, and 2nd fastest run splits for the day. I couldn't have been any happier with the result.
This past Friday night I raced my first timed ultra event in Abilene, Texas which is about 3hrs West of Dallas. The event took place in a park on a 1 mile loop starting at 8pm. The winner was the one who ran the most laps before 2am! Long story short I ended up running 36 miles in 5:57:34, which was good enough for 2nd overall. My original plan was to get 40 miles in, but that unfortunately did not happen.
If you'd like to read that race report, just CLICK HERE.
I have a another triathlon early next month, then I have a 50K at the end of July in Forth Worth starting at midnight. I'm going to train hard in hopes of getting the win out there. There should be a big crowd with lots of fast runners. I'm totally looking forward to it.
Hope everyone is training hard and staying safe in the awesome Texas heat!! See you guys and gals out there.
_Jacob_
PS- I'll post pics from the 6hr race once they're up!
Last Saturday I raced the Metroplex Sprint Triathlon for Ironhead Race Productions based here in the Dallas/Ft Worth area. As most everyone knows by now, my focus as of lately has not been triathlon, but long distance running.
Well last weekend I proved that swim training is not all that important! I ended placing first overall, by 11 seconds! I had the 6th fastest swim, 2nd fastest bike, and 2nd fastest run splits for the day. I couldn't have been any happier with the result.
This past Friday night I raced my first timed ultra event in Abilene, Texas which is about 3hrs West of Dallas. The event took place in a park on a 1 mile loop starting at 8pm. The winner was the one who ran the most laps before 2am! Long story short I ended up running 36 miles in 5:57:34, which was good enough for 2nd overall. My original plan was to get 40 miles in, but that unfortunately did not happen.
If you'd like to read that race report, just CLICK HERE.
I have a another triathlon early next month, then I have a 50K at the end of July in Forth Worth starting at midnight. I'm going to train hard in hopes of getting the win out there. There should be a big crowd with lots of fast runners. I'm totally looking forward to it.
Hope everyone is training hard and staying safe in the awesome Texas heat!! See you guys and gals out there.
_Jacob_
PS- I'll post pics from the 6hr race once they're up!
Thursday, June 10, 2010
The SUPERDROME!
For sometime now I've been wanting to race on a velodrome. AKA, "track racing". A velodrome is an oval banked track of various lengths. Here in the North Texas area we have a track in Frisco. It's one of three olympic velodromes in the USA. It's 250 meters with the most banked sections being 44.5 degrees, and the "flats" being 17 degrees.
To race on this track one has to be qualified, not only for their safety but other racers safety. I FINALLY had the chance to take the "development" class so that I'll be qualified to race on the track.
MAN, what an experience! This thing was incredible. It was a 4 hour class starting at 9am. A lot of the people in the class were brand new to track racing, and had pretty much zero knowledge. Track racing requires a "fixed gear" bicycle. Fixed gears obviously only have one gear, no brakes, and the rear cog is "fixed" so that one cannot coast.
To most people this concept seems unbelievably dangerous but it's for the opposite reason that it's so. On a track people ride really close together, and really fast. If you've ever been on the highway and the car 10 cars up slams on it's breaks you know the result. It's a chain reaction and everyone behind them will have to slow down. On a track the fixed gear bikes keep people from being able to slam on their brakes and cause wrecks. (not that wrecks don't happen)
After finally working our way onto the track and doing some practice laps we worked our way all the way up to the top. It was an unbelievable sensation riding so high. I'd say it was between 20-25 feet up from the bottom of the track when we were at the top of the 44.5 degree banked turns.
By the end of the class we were able to do some "mock" racing. There were two other knowledgable cyclists in the class. Due to my ridiculous type "A" racing attitude I ended up winning both races. (I actually meant to lose the last one on purpose, but couldn't do it) After racing I'm extremely excited to get to legitimately race. Unfortunately most their races are on Friday nights and that doesn't work too well for me.
Below I'll be posting another video of a group doing a "paceline" on the velodrome, and I'll also be posting a few photos I took of the track. If you're interested in track racing or the Superdrome in Frisco here are a few links.
Click HERE for the Superdrome.
Click HERE for track racing information.
I hope everyone is having a great week! Looks like the weather isn't going to be too bad for my triathlon this weekend. I'll try and give a good update early next week with some photos and results!
_Jacob_
To race on this track one has to be qualified, not only for their safety but other racers safety. I FINALLY had the chance to take the "development" class so that I'll be qualified to race on the track.
MAN, what an experience! This thing was incredible. It was a 4 hour class starting at 9am. A lot of the people in the class were brand new to track racing, and had pretty much zero knowledge. Track racing requires a "fixed gear" bicycle. Fixed gears obviously only have one gear, no brakes, and the rear cog is "fixed" so that one cannot coast.
To most people this concept seems unbelievably dangerous but it's for the opposite reason that it's so. On a track people ride really close together, and really fast. If you've ever been on the highway and the car 10 cars up slams on it's breaks you know the result. It's a chain reaction and everyone behind them will have to slow down. On a track the fixed gear bikes keep people from being able to slam on their brakes and cause wrecks. (not that wrecks don't happen)
After finally working our way onto the track and doing some practice laps we worked our way all the way up to the top. It was an unbelievable sensation riding so high. I'd say it was between 20-25 feet up from the bottom of the track when we were at the top of the 44.5 degree banked turns.
By the end of the class we were able to do some "mock" racing. There were two other knowledgable cyclists in the class. Due to my ridiculous type "A" racing attitude I ended up winning both races. (I actually meant to lose the last one on purpose, but couldn't do it) After racing I'm extremely excited to get to legitimately race. Unfortunately most their races are on Friday nights and that doesn't work too well for me.
Below I'll be posting another video of a group doing a "paceline" on the velodrome, and I'll also be posting a few photos I took of the track. If you're interested in track racing or the Superdrome in Frisco here are a few links.
Click HERE for the Superdrome.
Click HERE for track racing information.
I hope everyone is having a great week! Looks like the weather isn't going to be too bad for my triathlon this weekend. I'll try and give a good update early next week with some photos and results!
_Jacob_
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
TEXAS Heat!
The heat is on in North Texas!! I've been getting in some great trail runs recently, but they've been steamy. (My friend Alan can attest to that!)
I've been doing most of my runs around 1-4pm and it's been averaging between 96-101 everyday. Yesterday I was running one of my favorite trails in Oak Cliff just south of Dallas and the humidity had to be around 1,284% and about 100 degrees. I was sweating as soon as I stepped out of the car!
The run was superb. Get's me excited for my upcoming races/runs. This weekend I've got my first triathlon of the season. Unfortunately it will also be my first swim of the year as well! Haha. Man, this could be bad. Of course I'm still going for the win, and I'll be slightly disappointed with anything less. Despite my lack of any organized training, much less triathlon specific training!
The next weekend I'm doing a 6hr run in Abilene, TX that starts at 8pm and is on a one mile loop. I'd LOVE to log about 40 miles out there (which would be a sub 9min pace).
Just wanted to give everyone a heads up on my recent runs and some of the races I'll be doing soon. Next post?? My exciting adventures at the Frisco Velodrome. Aka, the SUPERDROME! I'm out for now.
(Photo is from the Jemez 50 in new mexico a few weeks ago)
_Jacob_
I've been doing most of my runs around 1-4pm and it's been averaging between 96-101 everyday. Yesterday I was running one of my favorite trails in Oak Cliff just south of Dallas and the humidity had to be around 1,284% and about 100 degrees. I was sweating as soon as I stepped out of the car!
The run was superb. Get's me excited for my upcoming races/runs. This weekend I've got my first triathlon of the season. Unfortunately it will also be my first swim of the year as well! Haha. Man, this could be bad. Of course I'm still going for the win, and I'll be slightly disappointed with anything less. Despite my lack of any organized training, much less triathlon specific training!
The next weekend I'm doing a 6hr run in Abilene, TX that starts at 8pm and is on a one mile loop. I'd LOVE to log about 40 miles out there (which would be a sub 9min pace).
Just wanted to give everyone a heads up on my recent runs and some of the races I'll be doing soon. Next post?? My exciting adventures at the Frisco Velodrome. Aka, the SUPERDROME! I'm out for now.
(Photo is from the Jemez 50 in new mexico a few weeks ago)
_Jacob_
Friday, June 4, 2010
Runnin 50s for what?
Geezz. I'm not really even sure where to start this post.
I've been so unbelievably lazy with my posts lately. It's amazing how the more I have to talk about the less I actually post stuff.
About two weeks ago I ran my third 50 mile race in the past four months. The Jemez Mountain 50 miler in Los Alamos, New Mexico. I had such high hopes going into this race. I don't know if I was expecting some kind of breakthrough ultra race, but I got almost the total opposite. Once again, a hard ultra mountain race showed me whose boss.
This race was 50 miles in the heart of the Jemez mountains. We started around 7,500 ft and topped out over 10,300 ft at least three times for a total climbing amount of 12,000 ft. (Loss and Gain in 50 miles)
After my previous experience at the Zane Grey 50 where I felt like I'd pretty much hit rock bottom, I didn't think it got much worse than that. Boy was I wrong. The Zane Grey 50 took me around 12:47. (That's 12hours and 47 mins for those non ultra runners out there). The Jemez 50 took me something like 14:19. Yea. That's pretty much an average mile of 16:50 something. Borderline embarrassing for me. I trained for the Jemez race fairly hard but just got completely owned by the terrain and altitude.
I feel I made a few critical mistakes looking back now. First I took a gel that I RARELY use if ever anymore. After about 4-5 of these things I couldn't eat one more. Literally. Everytime I tried to take one I started dry heaving. I also feel that I got pretty dehydrated pretty early in the race. While it wasn't hot at the start it warmed up by mid day to around 80 degrees. I ended up dehydrated (I guess) which led to me not being able to eat a whole lot. Finally around mile 44 (I forgot to mention the last 10 miles or so are pretty much ALL downhill) I started dry heaving. I knew it was coming up. For the first time in my career of running in general I threw up. Let me tell you. It's GROSS watching brown and black gels come back up! Haha.
I pretty much walked the last 6-7 miles. Downhill. Like I said. Embarrassing.
I crossed the line, got my finishers award, hopped in the car, went straight to Sonic, went back to the hotel and fell asleep. While I was "racing" I literally felt like I was sleep walking at certain points. Again, not sure if that was the altitude or what, but I was literally exhausted.
During races like that I really question my reasons for doing those things to myself. I question my ability to do that stuff, and I question if I'm even an ultra runner.
Of course, I don't do it for the time, I don't do it for anyone but myself, and the fact that I get to see some of the most gorgeous terrain the U.S. has to offer, all on foot. Obviously I'm going to have to do some tweaking with my nutrition and be sure that I stick with my tried and true.
I've got a few more races lined up pretty soon. The Abilene 6hr Endurance run is coming up that starts at 8pm. (1 mile loop) Then in July I've got the El Scorcho 50K that starts at midnight in Fort Worth. I'm really pumped about that one. I'm not going to keep it a secret, but I'm definitely racing for the win out there. Hopefully the guy that won last year (Ran like 3:06 or smoething crazy) won't show up and I'll at least have a chance at the top 3.
**********************************************************************
In the personal life things are pretty busy! Courtney is planning away at the wedding and things are REALLY going smoothly. We now have a wedding venue and reception venue! The date is set for January 8th, 2011. It definitely couldn't come fast enough.
I'm gonna try to post more pictures and videos from now on. I'm working on updating my Picasa page, much like my facebook. You search Jacob Evans (Dallas, TX) you'll find me there!
Enjoy the video! (Not made by me)
Train hard and live harder.
_Jacob_
I've been so unbelievably lazy with my posts lately. It's amazing how the more I have to talk about the less I actually post stuff.
About two weeks ago I ran my third 50 mile race in the past four months. The Jemez Mountain 50 miler in Los Alamos, New Mexico. I had such high hopes going into this race. I don't know if I was expecting some kind of breakthrough ultra race, but I got almost the total opposite. Once again, a hard ultra mountain race showed me whose boss.
This race was 50 miles in the heart of the Jemez mountains. We started around 7,500 ft and topped out over 10,300 ft at least three times for a total climbing amount of 12,000 ft. (Loss and Gain in 50 miles)
After my previous experience at the Zane Grey 50 where I felt like I'd pretty much hit rock bottom, I didn't think it got much worse than that. Boy was I wrong. The Zane Grey 50 took me around 12:47. (That's 12hours and 47 mins for those non ultra runners out there). The Jemez 50 took me something like 14:19. Yea. That's pretty much an average mile of 16:50 something. Borderline embarrassing for me. I trained for the Jemez race fairly hard but just got completely owned by the terrain and altitude.
I feel I made a few critical mistakes looking back now. First I took a gel that I RARELY use if ever anymore. After about 4-5 of these things I couldn't eat one more. Literally. Everytime I tried to take one I started dry heaving. I also feel that I got pretty dehydrated pretty early in the race. While it wasn't hot at the start it warmed up by mid day to around 80 degrees. I ended up dehydrated (I guess) which led to me not being able to eat a whole lot. Finally around mile 44 (I forgot to mention the last 10 miles or so are pretty much ALL downhill) I started dry heaving. I knew it was coming up. For the first time in my career of running in general I threw up. Let me tell you. It's GROSS watching brown and black gels come back up! Haha.
I pretty much walked the last 6-7 miles. Downhill. Like I said. Embarrassing.
I crossed the line, got my finishers award, hopped in the car, went straight to Sonic, went back to the hotel and fell asleep. While I was "racing" I literally felt like I was sleep walking at certain points. Again, not sure if that was the altitude or what, but I was literally exhausted.
During races like that I really question my reasons for doing those things to myself. I question my ability to do that stuff, and I question if I'm even an ultra runner.
Of course, I don't do it for the time, I don't do it for anyone but myself, and the fact that I get to see some of the most gorgeous terrain the U.S. has to offer, all on foot. Obviously I'm going to have to do some tweaking with my nutrition and be sure that I stick with my tried and true.
I've got a few more races lined up pretty soon. The Abilene 6hr Endurance run is coming up that starts at 8pm. (1 mile loop) Then in July I've got the El Scorcho 50K that starts at midnight in Fort Worth. I'm really pumped about that one. I'm not going to keep it a secret, but I'm definitely racing for the win out there. Hopefully the guy that won last year (Ran like 3:06 or smoething crazy) won't show up and I'll at least have a chance at the top 3.
**********************************************************************
In the personal life things are pretty busy! Courtney is planning away at the wedding and things are REALLY going smoothly. We now have a wedding venue and reception venue! The date is set for January 8th, 2011. It definitely couldn't come fast enough.
I'm gonna try to post more pictures and videos from now on. I'm working on updating my Picasa page, much like my facebook. You search Jacob Evans (Dallas, TX) you'll find me there!
Enjoy the video! (Not made by me)
Train hard and live harder.
_Jacob_
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