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Well, CC season is in full swing at GHS. This means no time to train for me and severe competitive burnout. Seems i put all my competitive juices into the fire up speeches and kids races that there's nothing left for me. Oh well, its over on Nov. 8th and then i'm back at it - this time on skis!

crap

after my last long run i got sick, 9 days of no running means no trail 50 miler. crap.

18+17 North Country Trail 50 prep

I've had a pretty good summer of running and I'm ready to take the plunge - the North Country Trail 50 miler is on my calendar. The Grand Island Trail marathon was my first prep, followed by the Marquette 50k, and now an 18 mile and 17 mile run the last two days. After this its time to taper and just relax, the work is done. Been getting some coaching from Nick after his Leadville 100 2nd place ( http://ultrarunnerdude.blogspot.com/ ) and coach Dean Hebert ( http://coachdeanhebert.wordpress.com/ ).

Marquette 50 mile and 50k

Brutal! That was my only word I shouted as i crossed the finish line. The low key Marquette 50k was brutal. Hilly (4000+ feet of elevation gain), rocky (granite outcroppings galore with lots of talus), rooty (thick nasty roots to twist your ankle on), and beautiful (along the shore of Lake Superior up Sugarloaf, Top of the World, through Forestville, and lots of the North Country Trail.) Joe Jameson worked his tail off to mark the full course VERY well (I'll admit i was a bit skeptical of getting lost) and had a great inaugural event. I'll post more pics tomorrow and a link to results - I'm still a bit tired!!

Miles 1-10 Easy start, followed by some gnarly rock areas, then nice trail, then hills, then road crossing then Sugarloaf. First Aid station, water, Gu, etc. About 1:32 for me.

Miles 10-20 amazing trail along Lake Superior out to Little Presque and beach, back across road through Harlow Lake area. Another 1:34.

Miles 20-25 BRUTALLY tough this took me about an HOUR !!

Miles 25-30 BRUTALLY rocky rough terrain after easy Forestville roads along the North Country Trail.

Miles 30-32 Easy finish, smoother trail, under the bridge and done.

TOO TIRED

4 days of fun in the UP, waterfalls, hiking, running, beaches, great food, late nights, early mornings.

check my "other blog" and you'll see why. http://gaylordxc.blogspot.com/

Grand Island Trail Marathon 2009 & Memorial Falls

Picture of Grand Island trying to rise out of the mist on Friday before the race.

Well, its in the books, Grand Island Trail Marathon 2009. My training was up and down all summer/spring but I think I had a good race overall considering my lack of miles, being sick all spring, and doing little speedwork.

Here is the rundown. Arrived in Munising via Bergland (visit with parents) on Thursday to rain and mist and 65 degrees. Friday, more of the same. Slept in the van (wife and kids in camper) so I could get a good nights rest and not wake them up at my 5am wake up call. One cup of coffee, one gatorade, one banana, one powerbar for breakfast. Hit the ferry to the island at 6am. 50 foot walk to the start line and chip timer on ankle. Vaseline and more vaseline. Porta john. Talk with Eric (the eventual winner!! good job man) about the outlook for the race. 7am start and off we go.

Miles 1-6 i felt absolutely horrible. Maybe it has something to do with not running the past 7 days?? Oh well. Gradually I felt better and moved up from 40th to about 30th from miles 7-15. At mile 15 you hit a big hill after a sand beach run. I walk it all the way up and drink water and hit the Gu. At the top you go downhill and I fly and catch all the people that caught me. Its more downhill then some flat for a bit. Then at mile 20 or so another steep, short climb that I walk. Then same plan, fly down and catch the people that are falling off their pace. Picked up 6-7-8 more people here. Caught at guy at mile 23 and couldnt go any more. I sat on him and ran 8:20 miles to the finish, nothing left in the tank and 23rd overall. Not bad considering the MUDFEST that was the trail!! Gotta love Grand Island and Munising in the summer.

So far I've done all five and I'll continue to do this marathon until the old legs won't carry me any more.

We also found a GREAT new waterfall on this trip. Memorial Falls is the BEST waterfall in the Munising area. Park at the corner where H-58 splits from Sand Point road on the hill and the falls is on the south side of the road with a tiny small set of stairs. Amazing hike and waterfall.



Memorial Falls - this picture doesnt even come close to doing it justice.

Alpenfest 4 mile

15th overall, 27 minutes or so. Not bad, good prep for Grand Island Trail Marathon next weekend.