Ultra Runner vs. Ironman

http://www.xtranormal.com/watch/8279147/

Island Training Run

On top of Elephant Head

I was able to get out onto the Island today for a training run. The plan was the 25k course but due to some post holing we cut it short and just did 12 miles. We did run up the Elephant Head which was pretty cool. I got to see owls, coyotes, antelope an buffalo. There was a good 15 people out for the run- some familiar faces and some new ones. The best news of the day was that my abs only had minor discomfort. I was expecting worse but they held out pretty well which is good news seeing it is about a month until Moab. I really tried to push the last 4-5 miles and felt pretty good maintaining a solid pace.
This year I am really going to try and document my running with pictures and video. Here are just a few below.

A few of the runners on top of Elephant head

My ugly mug at Elephant Head

2011 is here- ready or not.

This will be the first post for 2011. It will also serve as the  post I will come back to read at the end of 2011. Why? Well, let's call it a post that will hold me to my goals. Every year I jot down some things I want to do for the year- not resolutions just a nice 12 month "To Do List".
2010 was definitely not what I hoped but that all falls on my shoulders. So the 2011 "To Do List" here will consist of running goals. I like to keep these to myself so everyone doesn't know if I succeeded of failed. After careful thinking I am going to announce to the world- or to the 2 or 3 people that read this my plans and goals.
2010 never lived up to my expectations for so many reasons but at the end of the day I could have done more. 2011 will be aggressive and to be honest makes me a little nervous. I truly believe I can get things done but it will not be easy. Maybe that's why I want to do it. Who likes easy? Let's use 2011 as a year to test limits. We are all so much more capable of what we do but many of us are afraid to come up short or fail. Count me as part of that group. Failure is the real "F" word to me. 2010 gave me the "F" word in the way of the SwanCrest 100. These 2 days in July have truly haunted me with my running. It was an amazing experience and a real must do event. The people are fantastic and the scenery is something I cannot give justice in words. Never the less I "F"ailed at what I set out to do.
2011 is going to be EPIC  or insert a word less used over the past year.
I am looking forward to the challenge and must admit I am actually pretty exited. I have been training very minimal over the past month and have been going to PT to ensure I get off on the right feet.
So 2011 is here and here are my goals. Maybe lofty but what the hell.......

• Moab Red Hot 50k- run in less than 6:30 (this may be the toughest for me being a month away)
• Buffalo Run 50 mile- run a sub 10:30
• Complete the Rim 2 Rim 2 Rim
• Squaw Peak 50- sub 11:30
• Get into Wasatch and go sub 28- I control only the time- getting in is another story (if I don't get in I will change it but do a different 100 miler)
• Finish the year with over 2000 miles
• Be down 20 pounds

Alright- these are not maybe lofty goals for most people but they sure are for me.

Motivation Monday

Well back again for another Monday pep talk. I could really use one right now. I have been sick for a week and can't see it getting much better. I have been unable to do anything workout related and besides being sick, I am frustrated and feeling fat.
So here's to a recovery of sorts and I want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas!!!
Now on with some Motivation.....

It requires more courage to suffer than to die.  - Napolean Bonaparte

What worries you, masters you.   - Haddon W. Robinson

What great thing would you attempt to do if you knew you could not fail?  - Robert Schuller

Motivation Monday

I know everyone is looking forward to my Motivation Mondays so here is another installment- if you haven't noticed, December's motivation is about "COURAGE".

"Courage is contagious. When a brave man takes a stand, the spines of others are often stiffened."- Billy Graham

"Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgement that something else is more important than fear."- Ambrose Redmoon

"Everyone has talent. What is rare is the courage to follow that talent to the dark place where it leads."- Erica Jong

And lastly-
"If you're careful enough, nothing bad or good will ever happen to you." -Ashleigh Brilliant

Nice Saturday stroll

Got out on a great little trail run on Saturday with Jim, Jon, Bj and Forest. Weather was great and the trail was fantastic. Ran the BST north of Rainbow for a round trip total of 11 miles. Bj and Jon set the pace and I just tried to keep up. Major problem going on is a sore groin. I think I tweaked it a few weeks back playing indoor soccer and it just hasn't come around. The first 4-5 miles it wasn't bad but after 7 miles it got tough. Sore and tight! Not sure what to do at this point. I feel good and want to keep my training going so I don't have to start over but not sure how long I need to heal. I definitely don't want this thing to linger. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. Legs are feeling strong but the groin is slowing me down.
So I started a new idea for Mondays- Motivation Monday. This is actually more for me than anything. I am STILL struggling with my DNF at the Swancrest 100 way back in July. I really can't shake it and it feels like this added weight on my shoulders- and I really can't afford more added weight. I never thought it would be so challenging mentally to get over it. I am finding it hard not to think about on my runs. I want to use it for motivation but now it appears it is quite the opposite.
Update: my diet and core training is going well. I have lost 15 pounds and feel stronger in the core. This is a good mental boost. I do the cooking and being on a diet my family at times gets short changed on some good chow, the other night y daughter said to me "Dad- we are not on diets." I told her that soon as I lost my winter weight I would change it a bit for them (we are all eating healthy now). She said- " Dad it is barely winter and you are not gaining winter weight," my response- "Honey I am talking about losing my winter weight from 2007 still."

2011 and the big 4-0

So, I am hoping for a little help/inspiration/idea for 2011. I want to do something cool/different for my 40th b-day. The optimal idea would be run the Hardrock 100 but I did not do a qualifier last year so that is my bad and bums me out- big time (not that I would have gotten in or finished).
So that leaves me to find something to commemorate the day. My birthday in July 9th and falls on a Saturday so that could make things easier. I have a few ideas and hoping that if anyone does in fact read this they could throw out some ideas. I would like it running based since that's what I enjoy but it is no way tied down to that.
Well, here are just a few ideas: (please chime in)-
- Do the Zion Traverse
- Go to Hardrock and pace
- Run through the Uinta mtns...i.e Kings Peak, etc
- Find a 100 mile trail race
- Just sleep in (who am I kidding)
- Drink 40 beers
- Run 40 miles somewhere (this is done all the time)
These are a few to get things rolling.