Forget the PR

Last weekend I ran a race called Forget the PR a trail run through Mohican State Park.  This race is very popular and sold out in just 26 days. 

One of the reasons I wanted to do a long event in the spring was to test a nutrition plan for my upcoming triathlons.  During the race I wanted to use Hammer Perpetuem, which is liquid fuel for endurance events, I just call it “mud”.  I wanted to use this as my only form of nutrition to see how my body would react.  Mud worked great, I never felt hungry and maintained good energy levels throughout the race.

I was new to this event and I didn’t know exactly what to expect.  I was familiar with some of the trails because I mountain bike on them.  The first aid station was at the fire tower which was about 5 miles in.  I told my wife I would get to this point in about an hour, it took me longer because I slowed down on the section the race director calls big ass hill and it was.  From there the trail made its way down to the covered bridge aid station.  Both of these aid stations were well stocked with food and friendly volunteers.  Thanks to everyone who helped me along the way.  My wife was waiting there with a wonderful smile and encouraging word.  I refilled my water bottles and headed out to the Lyons Falls loop; parts of this section were more like extreme hiking than trail running.  I made my way up a ravine to the base of Little Lyons Falls where I climbed up tree roots like a ladder to reach the top.  Next I ran to Pleasant Hill Dam, up the road then back on trails to Big Lyons Falls, returning to the covered bridge aid station.  As I was running towards the aid station I saw friends Greg and Dee taking pictures. 

Leaving the aid station I had to cross the Mohican River.  The water was thigh deep and startling cold.  As I started in the water I saw Samuel who was sitting on the rocks under the bridge watching the runners cross the river.  I walked carefully to maintain good footing to make sure I didn’t fall in.  My legs were cold I didn’t want the rest of me in the freezing water.   My wife was waiting on the other side with dry shoes and socks.  I quickly changed, drank some mud talked to Greg, Dee and Samuel before starting the last 5 miles.

Photo by Dee Brandes

I finished the 17.35 mile trail run in 4 hours 2 minutes.  This was a little slower than I thought I would do, but it was a very enjoyable run.  At the finish line there was hot soup, sandwiches and beer.  I am already looking forward to doing this event again next year.

A Ride for ALL Ages

Kyrsten, Lucas, Evan and me

Most adults have forgotten what it is like to be a kid.  I had the opportunity this week to experience one of the simple joys of life; I went on a bike ride with my grandkids.  We started in Bellville and headed north on the bike trail.  We saw birds and a squirrel and rode over sticks and leaves.  Nobody was thinking of going to work or what we had to do tomorrow we were riding bikes.  The kids never stopped talking or smiling.  The youngest one, Lucas, started singing as he peddled his new bike.  His first ride was over 3 miles, not bad for a 4 year old.  Kyrsten wanted to ride fast; she was going 14 mph at one point.  Evan likes to mountain bike so he kept riding on the grass on the side of the bike trail.  The next time you pass a family on the bike trail, remember the fun you had when you were a kid.

Chain Reaction Part 3

During 2001 and through early 2003 exercise and restricting my foot intake became more like work.  Between those dates my weight dropped from 300 down to 232.  One set-back came in May of 2002.  I was mowing the lawn, slipped on a hill and broke my ankle.  I did not exercise for the next 2 months.    Looking back I realize that taking 2 months away from exercise gave me the mental break I needed to continue, even though I gained weight during this time.  I realized I had to find a way to turn exercise into fun, something that I loved to do.  I remembered that I used to enjoy riding a bike; I had sold my bike at a garage sale when my weight reached 300 and I thought I would never ride again.  I decided to give riding a bike a try, I bought a Trek 7200, it was a heavy bike, but it was just what I needed to cruise up and down the bike trial.  I found my love of biking again and looked forward to riding and I did it more often.  Biking is still one of my passions; yesterday I rode 46 miles with some of my friends.  By the end of 2003 my weight was 203.

May 2002 with my Grandson Evan