Topo Terradventure Review

Topo Terradeventure

One of my favorite Christmas presents so far is my new Topo Athletic Terraventure shoes (Thanks mom, dad, and Dahlonega Mountain Sports). Put 7 miles on them today; a mix of trails and road. So far I really like them. The shoe combines three of my favorite shoes.

Altra Instict 2 - similar footbed to
the Topo Terradventure

It has the width and toebox of the Altra Instinct 2. The tread and rock plate feels like Merrell Trail Gloves - good grip on leafy trails but harder tread, so might slip on wet rock.

The upper reminds me of the Vivobarefoot Breatho. Has a 3mm drop and feels like a good high mileage shoe with a little more cushion than a minimalist shoe, like the Altra Instincts.

Vivobarefoot Breatho - Similar Upper to the Topo Terradventure

I wouldn't buy a shoe that is uncomfortable. This shoe definitely fits my foot and has no tight spots. Running downhill my feet did not slide forward and slam my toes.

Merrell Trailglove - Similar tread and rockplate to the Topo Terradventure (Thanks myfivefingers.com)

I like the idea of an all-around shoe. Their site says that it is geared more toward trails, but the tread looks and feels fine on the road.

I'm very excited about these and hope they work out!

Never Wipe Your Ass With A Squirrel Book Review

Since The Barefoot Running Book originally came out, Jason Robillard has learned many tricks to make trail running, and living, more comfortable. He opens up in Never Wipe Your Ass With A Squirrel and lets you in on all of his secrets.

Jason Robillard is an ultramaraton trail runner who originally started out passionately pushing the barefoot running movement. Since then, he has learned moderation and implements shoes as tools. This typically leaves him running in minimalist shoes on the rocky trails all across America. I believe he chose trail running as the theme for this book because he has more experience with it than roads, and generally prefers trail running.

Never Wipe Your Ass With A Squirrel is written in a handbook-like fashion. Some tips are short and sweet, others are more in depth and require an entire chapter to cover. Overall, the book has a solid structure with little fluff.

Compared to other running books that I have read I am tempted to say that Never Wipe Your Ass With A Squirrel is the most laid back running book I have ever read. I believe this book is not intended for a serious audience. It is not meant for the guy that runs ahead of the crowd to get his mileage in. Instead it is meant for the guy that is in the back showing his friends that he can write his name with his pee and pulling out beers 10 miles into a run.

Why would you pay for this book? Because it is fun and memorable! If you are hanging around 10 years from now do you remember the guy that ran ahead and got 10 more miles than the group in the same amount of time, or do you remember the time you got drunk on a 20 mile out-and-back and learned a new skill? I believe your answer is the latter, especially if you are a girl! How does this help you? Well when you are 90 miles into a race, your legs are on fire, and the miles are turning over slowly, are you going to be implementing some bullshit formula to keep your heart rate below your lactic threshold so you can do this or that, or are you going to remember something clever, funny, and interesting? I, personally, would remember the easier, funnier option and would not care to do math.

One critique that I have is that not all, but some of the advice given is the same advice that is on his blog. This is convenient for those that do not follow his blog, but somewhat repetitive for those that do. Even though I have read a majority of his blog posts I found that the repeated content was helpful and more in-depth in the book, as it should be.

Al-in-all Never Wipe Your Ass With A Squirrel is an excellent addition to your running library. I ended up reading it over 2 days, which is extremely fast for me since it typically takes me weeks to read a book. I was very entertained by it and recommend it to anyone that runs trails, new or elite.

Jason had/has an odd sales plan with this book. Basically if one person buys it they can share it with their friends. I don't know if this still holds true, but either way I do not encourage you to do so. Instead, help a runner out who is trying his hardest educate you and make a buck(not a big one) writing about the things that he has spent years learning.

Here is a free sample to get you hooked.

To purchase Never Wipe Your Ass With A Squirrel go here and pick your format.

Luna Sandal Leadville ATS Laced Review

While running 24 Hours of HOSTELity I noticed a runner was wearing some Luna Sandals . After looking at them over from a distance and approving of the construction, I decided to purchase a pair for myself to test out(this may or may not have been an excuse to buy yet another pair of running shoes). These were developed and made by Barefoot Ted and his crew. If you don't know who Barefoot Ted is, give Born to Run a read. I figured with a 30-day guarantee, I have nothing to lose.

The Luna Leadvilles after a loop around a muddy lake :)

I anxiously waited for these to be made and ship. I believe they are handmade by a small office of "monkeys". I figured out my size by cross-referencing my Vibram Five Fingers size to centimeters to the Luna Sandals size. I had them shipped to my parent's house and I am pretty sure I drove my dad crazy with "Are they here yet?" text messages. Finally he said that they had arrived. Knowing what they were, he opened them.

The first thing we noticed after opening the package was that it came with "A Guide to your New ATS Laced Luna Sandals". I won't give away any spoilers, but it involves a monkey and his Lunas.

My dad said these were the stages I was going through. (from the guide)

The first time I put them on they felt pretty comfortable. I noticed the thong part between my toes, but it didn't bother me. The fit looked right, so I accepted them as mine and took them on a run.

I figured the intended use for this shoe would be a rocky trail, so I took them for a spin around the lake which has tons of sharp pointy rocks.

ATS Laces
 The lacing system on these is extremely simple compared to the lacing system of traditional huaraches. You basically just slide your foot over the back heel strap, then put your heel in the heel strap. The heel strap is a little elastic, making it easier to put on. This elasticity also contributes to comfort while running.

After my first mile I felt like the heel strap was slipping. I had not tightened the straps since I purchased the shoe, so I figured that was something that would need to be adjusted. Throughout my run I had to adjust the straps 3 times. After the run I asked a friend of mine that has them about this and he said that it took about two runs to get the ATS lacing system setup right. I figured lack of experience was making this harder than it should be. I think once I get these figured out they won't be a problem and will probably be more efficient than any other lacing method, shoes and huaraches included.

Luna is awesome enough to provide videos on how to use your sandals. Basically any problem you can imagine is talked about. Here is one on the heel strap.


MGT(Monkey Grip Technology) Footbed/Soles
This model has the thickest footbed of all the sandals at 11mm. That sounds a little thicker than most minimalist shoes at the 2mm or 4mm mark, but since they are completely flat everywhere I am able to run with proper barefoot form. The added height keeps annoying rocks from ruining my run. The more I run the more important it important to eliminate these annoyances. The soles are a little more flexible, kind of comparable to Sanuks. I suppose the right word would be cushy. They don't have a rock guard like the Merrell's, but the thickness prevents sharp rocks anyway.

The footbed has monkey grip(not made from real monkeys). I am not sure which side is monkey gripped though. The part my foot rests on is very grippy. I was able to run through muddy Georgia clay and slip minimally, while still enjoying the mud on my feet. The Vibram sole of the shoe is a treaded and grips well. I did not slip once in muddy conditions with the Luna Leadville's. I believe this is because the sandal makes me more observant of my running form, thus keeping me from putting too much weight in one direction. The monkey grip is just an added bonus!

Comfort
These sandals are very comfortable, right up there with my Sanuks. I think every shoe has good features and bad features as far as comfort goes. I really like the laces on the Lunas. They stop my feet from sliding around without applying repetitive pressure to one area(I noticed my Merrell Trail Gloves and VivoBarefoot Neo Trails do this). I also like the soles on these. They are thick enough to block out the sharp rocks, but still provide some ground feel.

Proprioception
 Proprioception - the ability to sense the position and location and orientation and movement of the body and its parts.

Even though the sole is thicker in these shoes, proprioception is increased because your feet are out in the wild, compared to closed shoes. I am much more observant of the trail I am running on. I know that I could, for example, stub my toe, so I look around more. Also, feeling the air against your feet awakens a feeling I used to get when I ran strictly barefoot.

Running in Luna Sandals feels very primitive. It is a feeling similar to being an animal in the forest. You are the animal, you must be on the lookout for other animals and dangers. Things are dangerous. This is the real world.

It is nice to leave a stressful job, run in these, and forget all your worries. 

Even though I have yet to stub my toe, I would imagine it may happen one day. It is probably less likely to happen than my mind is making it out to be. The body tends to amplify dangers when in an unfamiliar situation(ie running in sandals).

Different Terrain
The Lake Zwerner loop that I tested the Leadvilles on provides a variety of terrain in a small package. On the flat sections I was able to run just like I do any other day. On uneven terrain I paid attention to where I was stepping but was able to keep a consistent gait. On uphills and climbs I was able to use my method of running more on my toes and plow up the hill with no problems. The heel strap stayed snug on my heel with this elevated heel method. On downhills I was a little more cautious, due to the openness, but was able to run efficiently. The laces held my foot in place and I did not feel any stress in one specific area. One thing I was worried about was the thong part on downhills. Luckily there was no more force than anywhere else in this area, keeping my toe webbing comfortable.

When To Use?
I wouldn't want to use these sandals in a major race right off the bat. They are too unfamiliar. I would like to get at least a hundred miles on them before attempting to use them for an ultra. This is kind of my rule for any new shoe, but I feel it is important when transitioning from a shoe to a sandal.

If I stay in Georgia my first use for these will be in Merrill's Mile. It may even be earlier, but I haven't considered any other races.

I plan to keep these off of the roads. I have other shoes for that, including invisible shoes. I consider these trail sandals and I have had some problems with trail shoes on the road(tread wearing down). I figure I better just use the right too for the job and not risk ruining my sandals.

Compared To:
Now I will compare these to other shoes I have had experience with.

• Vibram Five Finger KSO, KSO Trek, or KomodoSport - These are more open and have a thicker sole and block the sharp and pointy rocks. No grip on the toes and less stress on the toenails. The sandals naturally have less rub spots than VFFs, because there is less shoe. VFFs are more popular nowadays and are probably more socially acceptable.
• Invisible Shoes - These are thicker and feel more substantial. They are also quieter(I may need to cut the soles on the invisible shoes for a less slappy sound). I think the lacing system is more comfortable on the Lunas. The ATS laces are much more comfortable than the rope supplied with the Invisible Shoes. Invisible shoes do provide more ground feel and a more liberating experience.
• Sanuk Sidewalk Surfers - My Sanuks got me through Merrills mile when my other shoes just felt uncomfortable. Sanuks are the most comfortable shoes I have ever worn. With that being said, I think my go-to shoe after all other running shoes have failed would be my Leadvilles, then my Sanuks. Sanuks tend to slide around when I run, but for walking and just trying to keep moving Sanuks are nice.
• Merrell Trail Gloves - Trail Gloves provide a rock plate and are an excellent shoe option. Leadvilles are more comfortable to wear in messy situations. In my opinion it is easier to embrace nature than fight it. If I am going to be running through water it would be easier to wear the Leadvilles. Trail Gloves have a few spots that put pressure on my foot, especially on the downhills. This does not exist with the Lunas. Merrells and VivoBarefoot Neo Trails(below) are probably the most socially acceptable minimalist shoes on this list.
• VivoBarefoot Neo Trails - These are kind of in the same boat as the Merrells. They don't have a rock plate, but are thinner than the Luna Sandals. The Neo Trails have a pinch spot as well, unlike the Leadvilles. I still highly recommend this shoe to minimalist trail runners.

But it is winter in the US... Aren't you cold?
Very observant of you! Previously when I ran barefoot full time I did run in the cold. The amazing thing about feet is that they are kind of like hands! When they are cold and get used, they warm up! Cold feet wouldn't really be an issue unless you were running in the snow(which may soak shoes and have the same outcome). Typically it takes a mile for the feet, and body, to warm up. After that it's all comfortable.

Some Questions
I asked the good people of /r/barefootrunning if they had any questions they wanted answered. I only got a few responses, but they were good questions. I may have answered these questions already, but I will put my answer below their questions. You can read the full thread here.

How well do they stay attached to your feet? I've always feared catching the top half of the sandal on something (a root, step, stone, whatever).

Comfort? Do the straps dig into your feet at all? -jammism

I feared that the lip would catch on something, but it hasn't yet. So far I have done a 3 mile run and an 11 mile run with them on semi-technical trail and I have yet to snag it. I think it is something to look out for, but less likely to happen than perceived. I will have to see how well that statement holds after I am extremely fatigued and not paying attention to what I am doing.

They are very comfortable. The thicker sole is nice on the trail and the straps are wide enough to not put pressure in all one spot(like a rope would). They don't dig into my feet. I did notice the buckle(similar to that of a backpack strap) was drawing some pressure to the area. I loosened the strap just a tiny bit and it moved the buckle just a hair.
When you adjust these it doesn't feel like you are actually moving the strap, but after a little pull on the strap it does actually get tighter and more snug.

How many miles did you get out of them, and on what terrain, until the treads started to wear out, if at all?  -imgladtheworldisflat

I literally just got them, so I am still doing durability testing. I can tell from the construction that I should be able to get at least 1000 miles out of them before some maintenance needs to be done. They are very simple as far as structure goes, so doing little work on them wouldn't be a big deal. The soles are treaded vibram soles, so I would imagine they would last similar to that of the five fingers.

Tread wear depends on what terrain you run on. I plan on keeping these strictly for the trail and avoiding roads as much as possible. I made the mistake of wearing trail shoes on a road one time and it wore down the tread faster than that of the trail.

I am going to start logging in my runs which shoes I wore and creating a durability list on my site so others can know what to expect from their purchases.

I just bought them. They are awesome. Better than invisibleshoes. I even use them for backpacking. -Gamermatt

Yep. I have invisible shoes and I prefer the ATS lacing over traditional huarache lacing.

Conclusion
I am very excited to be a Luna Leadville owner. They are super comfortable and a very liberating option for minimalist trail runners. I would highly recommend them for anyone interested. With the 30-day guarantee, you can't go wrong.

I did notice that they are no longer listed on the Luna Sandals website. After speaking with them on Twitter I found that they were just out of stock.

Lack of Running and Nagging Pains

I have been taking it easy for the past month. So easy that I haven't even ran 50 miles. This is caused by a combination of a few different factors.

• Burnout: I simply did not have the ambition to run. I didn't even get cranky from not running for a few days.
• Weather: The weather has gotten colder and I haven't adjusted. I am cold all the time and don't feel like going outside and running.
• Tiredness: I am more tired than usual. I feel this has to do with a lack of vitamin D(from less sun exposure) and the cold(which requires more energy for my body to stay warm).

So I haven't ran. 

Today I slept in, got myself ready and went out for a run around the lake. I had every intention of doing a 10 mile run. I carried my Camelbak and listened to some music. I was really enjoying myself. The sun was out and I was soaking it up. Then I started to get a nag on my inner ankle. I am very familiar with this nag and have learned to just deal with it. Today it seemed to be a little more naggy. This is where I drew the line and decided that something had to be done about it.

The pain circulates around this area

 Another long-time discomfort I have had is that it feels like, when I'm standing, that my toes are crossing over each other. I wear minimalist shoes all day that have a huge toe box. My toes have plenty of room to splay. Coincidentally this discomfort takes place on the same foot.

I think I have some muscle groups that are just tight and need to be loosened up. I feel a massage will accomplish this. I don't really want to pay someone to massage me, since I am cheap and am actually interested in how my body works.

I had remembered a friend of mine had a book about massaging different parts of your body. It basically used a ball a little bigger than a golf ball. (It is a ball used in a sport, I just don't remember the sport). Anyway the book shows you how and where to massage different muscle groups. Definitely something I should look into!

Something else that might be of consideration is strengthening. Maybe I could make a balance board and strengthen the stabilizer muscles in my ankle.

Being a Mule

Today my Dad, Angela, and I had a nice run up to Springer from Amicolola Falls. I tried something I have never tried before: Running with twice as much water.

Last week I did a tough run at 2:30 PM. It was around 95 degrees and sunny. At mile 6 on the trail I felt myself getting low on water. We still had 4 miles left and I was wanting to drink it all right then an there.

Fortunately we found a water pump and were able to refill/dunk our faces. From that I learned a valuable lesson: Run with enough water.

So this weekend I took my mom's CamelBak Women's Day Star 70 oz. Hydration Pack(Amazon Affiliate Link) and put 2 70oz bladders in it. I tested it with a quarter mile run, decided it would work, and set out to run 15 miles with it the next day.

RunningAhead Link of Run

Springer was an excellent run/hike. It is the approach trail for the Appalachian Trail. In my bag I had 1 70oz bladder of water, 1 70oz bladder of Gatorade mixed with Cytomax, a PB&J, 5 Banana Nut Cookies, and toilet paper - weighing in at 13 pounds. This was 8 or 9 pounds more than what I am used to running with.

It ended up being cool and rainy. I figured I wouldn't drink all my water, but it would help me as far as training goes to carry more weight and get stronger.

The first few miles were tough. I didn't drink much water and didn't really need to. It felt hard to move forward and I was tempted to dump out my bladder.

Around mile 3 I got used to it and felt like I was just carrying my Camelbak. Now you may be saying, "Well that's probably because you drank all of your water!" No, I still had at least 4/5 of both bladders left.

We made it to the top of Springer. Susan(she likes it when I mention her) had made some amazing Banana Nut Cookies. They were so delicious and moist. Well, most everything was moist at that point, but these were made that way. They really helped me not have a low point on this run. I also ate a PB&J. Another thing I like about this bag is the extra space. I can carry 4 times as much food as with my Camelbak XCT. Different tools, different tools... Of course, with this extra space, everyone handed me their trash, which I didn't mind.

On the way down I was able to handle my downhills as usual. During the times that I wanted to go slow on the downhills I had to work a little harder. Other than that it was all the same.

Around mile 14 of 15 my Dad ran out of water. I shared mine with him. He drank a 100ml of water during his run. This is great, but would have left him uncomfortable/stressed for a mile.

So, in a fast-packing and ultra-lite world where people are claiming to be minimalist, I am finding the good in carrying a little more. I was able to eat more and not worry about running out of water. Nor did I have to carry a water pump and worry about my water source. I had more food and I was able to share my extra space with others.

My P90X and Ultra Running Schedule

Since I am starting to feel better from the strep throat I am going to start doing P90X again. I previously did P90X, got a month into it, and stopped. I think back to when I did it and think, "I would be in such good shape if I didn't stop." Well I am back at it again with an ultra running schedule!

This plan takes 2 weeks, then repeats until I feel I need to change it to something else.

Short runs range from 3 to 5 miles and will be performed at a faster pace (7 min/miles to 9 min/miles) weighted, hilly, or all/some of the above.

Medium runs range from 5 to 10 miles and will be at a moderate pace (9 min/miles to 11 min/miles) and will be weighted, hilly, or all/some of the above.

Long Runs range from 15 to 20 miles and will be at an ultra trot (12 min/miles to 15 min/miles). I will carry my Camelbak and run these on mountainous trails or hilly roads.

Of course the speed is going to slow when I add weights or hills. Essentially I am shooting for high intensity short workouts and low intensity long workouts, meeting in the middle on the medium run.

Monday: Shoulders and Arms + Ab Ripper X
Tuesday: Short Run
Wednesday: Medium Run
Thursday: Legs and Back + Ab Ripper X
Friday: Chest, Shoulders, and Triceps + Ab Ripper X
Saturday: Long Run
Sunday: Yoga X

Monday: Back and Biceps + Ab Ripper X
Tuesday: Short Run
Wednesday: Med Run
Thursday: Legs and Back + Ab Ripper X
Friday: Core Synergistics + Ab Ripper X
Saturday: Long Run
Sunday: Yoga X

So what have I done to make sure I stick to this?

• I met a P90X coach on Facebook, Lou Trentadue, that has added me to his P90X group THE RESISTANCE. We motivate each other.
• I created a group called The Yahooligans for us Dahlonega natives to hook up and run together.
• I created an Astrid Tasks list to remind me on my phone.

Basically I am going to use peer pressure and annoyance.

I would like to say that I am going to change my diet and eat healthy, but I don't see that happening. Hopefully exercise is enough.

Bring it!

My First DNF - The Georgia Jewel 100K

I am starting this post by telling you that I did not finish this race(kind of like how some books start with you knowing the main character is going to die).

The race, The Georgia Jewel 100k proved to be a tough course for my amateur legs.

Here is the map/elevation chart of the race

Before signing up for such an ambitious distance I thought it would be nice to speak with the race director to make sure the distance would be possible.


Our email conversations went like this:

I am pleased to see that you signed up.  We went and finalized the course this past weekend.  The 100K has four loops which consist of roughly 1400 feet of climb per loop.  Some parts are technical and there are a few water crossings so you will get your feet wet.  However, I've extended the time limit to 18 hours and if you train on trail with some climbing involved you will be fine.  Hill repeats will help as well.

Thanks for signing up.  I'm giving buckles on the 100K.

See you in April.

- Karen



Thanks! Just to clarify, I have 13 hours to run the 46.5 miles(3 loops), then I am on my own to finish? This is my first ultra and I am not sure how my pace is going to be, so I am just trying to plan ahead. The way the race was presented in the handbook gave me the idea that we would have ample time to finish. Honestly I am not sure if I can finish now with less time.
Regards,
     Barefoot Tyler - barefoottyler.com

 You have to leave The House on the fourth loop by 8pm.  The finish is at 1pm so that gives you 5 hours for 15 miles.  That's 3 miles an hour on the last loop which is very manageable.  You will be fine.  18 hours is a lot of time for a 100K.  It is not a tough course - well there are some good climbs with a few technical parts but it's very runnable.   Just remember that you will have to make the 8pm cut off but you will have 5 hours to do 15 miles.

I have been known to be lenient on race day but one has to draw the line.

Don't worry you will be fine.

See you race day.
Karen

Impressed with the quick replies and information given to me I signed up for the 100k, as my Dad did for the 50k!

Race day came. We all stood in a crowd as the race director gave a slightly confused but carefree guide to the race. Basically we start at The House, follow a bunch of pink ribbons through the trail for 5 miles, and end up back at the house. Then we run 5 miles to a cottage, and come back for 5 more miles.

Simple enough, I thought. The race started at no defined spot, and we were off. The most eventful thing about this 5 mile loop was the two river crossings back-to-back, which after crossing we noticed that they were completely unnecessary and Karen was just messing with us. We laughed and kept running. Apparently somewhere along the first 5 mile lap I missed a turn(as did other people) and only had 4 miles on my watch. This was after getting turned around a few times, but I thought, "Hell, I'll just keep going and get as far as I can.

The 10 mile loop after the house was confusing and hard to follow. We would be on a defined trail and all the sudden not see any pink ribbons. Run back 10 feet, and we found a ribbon in the woods completely off the trail. Times like this were frustrating but were not as taxing as some of the later confusion.

Somewhere in this mess I met a man named David, who went on to finish, and a woman named Elizabeth(I think). David had completed a 100k before and kept me excellent company. Elizabeth was a minimalist runner and commented that she liked my gait. Sweet!

At one point after running past The Cottage and fueling up myself(at this point David and Elizabeth were ahead of me) and the running sisters(I don't know their names but they are the neatest girls ever. They are 15 and 16 I think, and can probably outrun you) started running together. Then the major confusion happened. We ended up right where we started to make our way up to the cottage. WTF! This race is stupid!

After about a half mile of listening to the girls yell at each other we finally got back on what we thought was the right path(I looked at my watch and saw that we hadn't been that way before, so it might be correct...)

The only major climb of this section was the climb to the water tower. It wasn't so bad though on fresh legs.

Finally, after getting turned around a few times with a different group we made it back to the house. At this point, mile 14.5, I was feeling pretty good. I fueled up and went back to start on my second loop. Despite the confusion I felt like I had a better understanding of the course and told myself, "You can do this!"

The back side of The House

During the second 5 miler I was expecting to get on track with what the race director wanted us to do. With only missing one mile I wasn't that worried about it.

As I ran up on the dual river crossings I saw where I was supposed to go and where I went. Basically I originally had went straight across the river, saw an arrow pointing to the right, and ran that way. Sensible right? Nope!

Apparently I was supposed to make a slight left while crossing the river and go down a side trail. No problem, I'll just go this way!

Then I hit it.

The mile that I missed was the hardest mile of the whole course. I have never climbed anything that steep for that long. It was steeper that Duncan Ridge Trail(but not as long thankfully). During this time I sent my mom a variety of text messages. They said,

Don't let my dad come back out again.
Why not?
It's really hard
He has already left
Great. I had tried so hard to warn her. Now all I can picture is my dad crawling up this hill, dying, and rolling back down.

Some pretty flowers greeted us on the 10 mile loop

Making it back to the house I told my mom of my experiences. I told her, "I probably won't finish this. It is much harder than anticipated." She told me to try my best and that my dad had already done that mile the first loop and he already knew about it. Relieved, I set out on my last 10 mile loop.

This loop was less eventful. My pace went up by about 3 minutes during this loop. It was in the heat of the day and I had no ambition to run any faster.

This second lap was much easier to follow. The race directors went out and added some touches to the course. I also had a mental map of the course and could find my way around.

During this lap I lost a lot of something. I felt like junk. I had been drinking Gatorade, but I was forgetting to eat. When I hit the cottage I was greeted by some awesome volunteers who filled my Camelbak up and cooled me off with ice. There was also pizza. ALL HAIL PIZZA!

After chilling there with another 100k'er named Mark my friend Paul came up. He was looking pretty beaten up, but still staying strong. The volunteers had noticed that I was shaking when I came in(from malnourishment), but told me I was good to go if I wanted to. After talking with Paul for a minute we agreed to go out and get after it!

The last 5 miles were pretty uneventful. The climb to the water tower was much steeper this time and took much longer. Through all the complaining we couldn't help but appreciate the land.

Mark, Paul, and I kept leap-frogging each other all the way back. We weren't trying to beat each other(I think), but we were just hitting highs and lows in our runs.

Finally coming in I ran past the imaginary finish line and sat down at the house. I had zero incentive to keep moving. I looked at my watch and it told me that I would have to do the next 15 miles in 4 hours. This is extremely do-able on flat ground or even semi-hilly, but not possible for me on this course.
 
After chilling out for a minute I thought I might-as-well get up and run another 5 mile loop. I took about 10 steps and my head was killing me. Forget it.

One of the few flat spots on the course

 I walked over to the race director and told her that I was dropping out. Other runners tried to convince me to keep going and that I would regret it.

I still don't regret it.

We still had to wait for my dad to come in. I was pretty happy about that because it was an excellent day to sit outside and talk to people.

During this time I met a super awesome runner chick named Brandi. We talked running, technique, products, gels, etc. She tried to convince me to do the Northface 50k. I tried to convince her to do the Duncan Ridge Trail.

She mentioned that she had finished the race around 6 hours and was awarded the 3rd place girls overall plaque. Shortly after the girl who came in 4th accused Brandi of missing the 1 mile section of the first 5 miles(the one I missed). She had admitted to that before, compared GPS watches with the 4th place girl, and had her award taken away from her. This is complete BS. This was not her fault. I would understand if this was intentional or if she was the only one but I believe a majority of the runners missed that turn.

Brandi's friend, Dean, was out in the lead for the 50k. He was running without a shirt and looking like he knew what he was doing! He had about a 15 minute lead on the second place runner and about a 30 minute lead on Mitch Pless and his gang.

As we waited for the 100k to come in I talked with my dad. He said he was basically hiking and would be a while. He mentioned that he was being lapped by 50k'ers.

My Dad is on top of the hill(This is the climb to the water tower)

Dad?

My dad came in and about 45 minutes later the first 100k'er came in. He was running without a shirt. Brandi was so excited to see her runner come in. The runner let out a, "WAHOO!!!" and held his hands up. As he got closer we all started to realize, "Wait, that's not Dean! That's Mitch!"

Dean bringin' it home

Mitch had caught up to Dean and passed him, filling in that 30 minute gap. What a beast! While most people are breaking down he is breaking in!

Shortly after Mitch Dean arrived. Everyone was happy to see each other and were super congratulatory to each other. Although Dean didn't have his win, he did do a great job especially for his experience compared to the other runners.

 Overall my feet held up great during this run. I did not have any blisters and they seemed dry. The VivoBarefoot Breathos and Swiftwick Socks really helped!

So all-in-all it was a just okay experience. I had a good time finding my way through the woods. Once I got over the idea of not finishing and just enjoying myself things got better.

Will I run another Georgia Jewel race? Probably not. I obviously don't agree with how the race director sets up her races. Instead of making a big deal out of it I will just avoid the races. I don't know why some ultra directors find it necessary to lie. If they were just truthful I could mentally prepare myself. This is why I like The Duncan Ridge Trail. Yes, it is hard. I can mentally prepare myself for it and chose my distance wisely. This year I am doing the 50k, a step up from last years 30k.

Some other blogs about this race are:
Determined to be Fit
GnarlyRunner7(Brandi)

VivoBarefoot Breatho Trail Review - My Trail Running Glass Slipper

Take that title as a Cinderella reference, not a hazardous barefoot running warning!

VivoBarefoot Breatho Trail

On Saturday my parents and I took a trip to Natural Strides, a minimalist running store, in Marietta, GA. We went there in search of one thing: find Tyler some good shoes for the ultra.

Some history is involved before I start talking about these shoes. I purchased and returned a few pairs of minimalist shoes from other stores with limited minimalist selections. These shoes included the Merrell Trail Glove and New Balance Minimus(first generation). Both of these shoes were too skinny for my foot and gripped in places that caused bruising and rubbing.

After a long drive we finally arrived. I was blown away. The selection was huge. All the major minimalist shoes that I had read about were there!

Like a kid in a candy store I began trying on shoes. One thing lead to another and I stumbled on the VivoBarefoot Neo model. It was love at first step. They were so comfy.

Unfortunately, as life goes, they didn't have my size and the only size that was remotely close was a pink pair. No thanks!

The sales lady then suggested I try on the Breatho model. This zero-drop trail running minimalist shoe was an excellent second choice!

When asked what the difference was between the Neo and Breatho by the sales lady(she likes to get different opinions) I responded, "The Neo is like laying in a bed with a comforter on. It is soft, comfy, and encourages you to stay there all day. The Breatho on the other hand is like laying in bed with a sheet on. You can feel the air around you and you are more aware of what surrounds you." She liked my metaphor.

I figured the Breatho model was a better choice anyway since the Georgia Jewel will have river crossings.

Next was the sizing. I was somewhere between a men's 40 and 41. My toes barely touched the tip with the 40s, but the 41s felt a little looser. I called my ultra running buddy Willy "Natureboy" Ingram who told me to definitely go with the 41s if I plan on keeping my toenails. Sold!

I took the Breathos out for a run today and have a lot to say about them.



Fit & Comfort:
These are the second most comfortable minimalist shoes I have stepped foot in, the Neo being the first. I have a wider foot and don't like shoes that wrap my foot tight. I have tried the New Balance Minimus and Merrell Trail Glove. Both of these shoes don't give me enough room on the bottom of the shoe. Maybe it is a preference as I have been told the Trail Glove uses the inner part of the shoe as arch support. I think that is bogus. The inner part of these shoes is the way I envision the perfect shoe. It is big enough to let my foot do the work.

The toe box on these shoes is huge without looking silly. My toes can splay naturally and do what they are supposed to.

This ties into construction as well, but there are NO seams that I can feel while wearing these shoes. This is a lot to say from the guy who in elementary school refused to wear socks because he could feel the seam in them.(I have come a long way) :)

One downside to the added room is there is some movement of my foot when I am going down hills. I believe I have worked this out with a form change, but there seems to be no downsides to this movement anyway. My toenails are fine and I see no rub spots.

Another spot I had problems with my Vibram Five Fingers was the spot that grabs your Achilles. The Five Fingers would get tight and leave a bruise on my Achilles. Being more traditionally constructed, these don't grip your Achilles and leave room for movement. When fitting these my mom let me in a little hiker trick. She said to tap my foot so my toes were at the front of the shoe. She suggested the right shoe size leaves a finger's width between my Achilles and this spot. Perfect tip for a perfect fit!

Construction:
This shoe is well built. As mentioned, the seams are phenomenal and not noticeable. The soles look like they are going to last a long time. I can see myself running in these shoes for at least 1000 miles.

Ground Feel:
This shoe feels like the Merrell Trail Glove or New Balance Minimus 2011 model when it comes to ground feel. They are a little thicker than the Vibram Five Finger KSO Trek. While running in them I had to remind myself to keep a fast cadence. For the most part this is the trade off when it comes to slightly thicker minimalist shoes. As Karl Meltzer wrote on Jason Robillards Facebook wall, "When it comes to ultras comfort is much more important than form." I disagree with this but agree with it the same time. While some may enjoy excessive ground feel during an ultra, I want to concentrate on finishing. For this I do not need a rock on mile 16 of 62 to ruin my day. I can remind myself to keep good form with less ground feel, but it is hard to forget the sharp pain from a rock I stepped on 20 minutes ago.

The shoe also has some great grip on the sole for trail running. I don't think this is really necessary. Typically when I run, wet or dry, my feet stay under me. I'm glad to have the extra assurance that after 50 miles I have less of a chance of busting my ass. This tread, while maybe not necessary, is not a disadvantage to the shoe.

Drainage:
I ran through a stream about 7 times today. Every time my shoe was drained within a tenth of a mile. This + Swiftwick socks are my new favorite combination. Five miles after running through my first stream I had no rubbing, no blisters, nothing. Freaking incredible. Swiftwick gets a review next!

Weight:
I have never paid much attention to the weight of a shoe(unless it is ridiculously light or heavy). These weight 9.6 oz, which I find non-obtrusive to my running. That's about all I got to say about that.

Conclusion:

As you may have guessed, these are my favorite minimalist trail running shoes. The non-restrictiveness and strong construction get my stamp of approval. I feel like I have finally found a shoe that fits my foot right. With my current set of tools I feel like I have everything I need to get across the finish line at the Georgia Jewel 100k. I just have to use myself correctly. 

The 2011 Duncan Ridge Trail 50k/30k Race Review

My day began with 5 scrambled eggs and a slice of toast.

Dave met me at my apartment, ready to go.

Me: Hey do you know how to get there?
Dave: Not really, but I have a GPS. It should take us right there.
Me: Okay, I'll follow you.
Dave: I really don't like it when people follow me.
Me: *are you serious face*
Me: *Loads GPS on phone*
Me: Fine, let's go.

The drive out to Vogel State Park was pretty uneventful. Apparently we took the windy way there, but it didn't matter since we were about an hour early.

We picked up our goodie bag and bib number and waited. It was cold so I was wearing long pants and jacket.

My dad and I trying to keep warm

Chattin' with the Natureboy

Dave, Angela(shiny), and I

Me, Dave, Paul, Angela, and my dad (clockwise)

Finally, Bobby, the race director, gave a speech about the race and we were off! I didn't really pay attention to the speech since I had run most of the course before.

Some were colder than others

The first mile was to get us out of the park and to cross the road. Right before the road crossed I realized that I was hot and threw my jacket in a tree. Hopefully nobody will take that...

The 3 miles downhill to the bottom of Coosa Bald was awesome. We glided down the hill in around 30 minutes. Great time! I felt it was a little fast, but I felt good and didn't want to do anything that messed that up. This was the first aid station. I handed my mom some gloves and kept moving. No sense in stopping when I'm not tired!

The climb up Coosa Bald was pretty nice("climb", "Coosa Bald", and "nice" are not usually used in a sentence). At this point I was glad that I had done the practice run. I had mental checkpoints that really made the mountain easier to climb. At this point I think I was still with Angela and Paul. I really needed to climb faster at this point and went around them. They were smart for keeping their pace, but I just needed to move faster at that point in my run.

Some runners around me started to complain toward the top of the mountain. Once again, the training runs helped as I knew what to expect. After 4 miles of climbing we were in a cloud. The cold mist felt great against my body warmed-up body.

The descent to the second aid station and turn-around point began. We were all lined up on the 3 foot wide trail trying to safely make it down the steep and leafy hill. I felt that I could have went down it a little faster if I didn't have to slow down for the person in front of me(I'm sure I'm not the only one). At this point though, I was just happy to be going downhill. Apparently these two sisters(couldn't have been older than 18) flew past us. They got the right idea!





Soon enough we made it to the second aid station where my dad greeted me with the above video. I didn't know he was taking a video and stopped to talk to him and get my Sanuks out of my bag. The Vibram Five Fingers Trek Sports that I was wearing were pinching my Achilles. Instead of wearing the Sanuks I slid them in my Camelbak just in case. My legs felt good. I saw on my watch that I was 2 hours and 15 minutes into the race. Could I break 4 hours? My dad said “no”, but my mind said “yes!” 

I refilled my Camelbak and drank some Coke. The sugary caffeinated sweetness was perfect. Off I went!

Leaving the second aid station

The dirt road to the “out” was longer and more uphill than I thought. I had imagined that this section of the trail would be my break, but it didn't turn out that way. It was at this point that I started to feel not-so-good. In search for food to eat I found some GU gummies. GU gels and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches were not favorable at this time or any other time previous to this discomfort. I forced myself to eat the gummies. I knew I needed some of the sugars and other stuff they put in those things that make them great for running.

I was cruising along at 10 to 11 minute miles on this dirt road when some weird things began happening. I suppose this is normal for long-distance or fatigued runners, but my legs started to spasm. First my quads began pulsating, then my calf, then back again, then all together. It didn't hurt, but it did feel weird. I drank more water and tried to get more nutrients in me. The next few miles another woman and I went back-and-forth Tortoise and the Hare style. She would walk a bit, I would pass her, she would run and catch up to me then walk some more, I would pass her, repeat.

Finally at about the same time we made it to the turn-around. She said, “I can't believe we have to climb all the way back up that again!” A little frustrated by the situation myself, I put on my power-walking legs and hustled up the hill. By the time I reached the top I felt like junk and didn't want to run move anymore. My legs were pulsating and were very tired. I played the, “One Mississippi, Two Mississippi” game until I made it to about 45. It wasn't making things any easier. Or was it?

Eventually a nice guy came up behind me while I was doing a semi-run/walk. I asked him if he wanted to pass and he replied, “Nah, that finish line isn't going anywhere.”

Now, when somebody is 3 feet behind me I can't help but feel guilty for them. Even though I asked, I still thought he wanted to get by but was being polite. I increased my pace, as did he. We made small talk(I don't really remember what all we talked about). Soon enough we were out of the turn-around loop and making our way back up Coosa Bald.

He continued to hike behind me up the mountain. Have you ever been in a situation where everything is just bad and more bad things keep happening and all you can do is laugh about it? Well I was cracking up half-way up this hill.

Surrounding runners cheered as we made our way to the top. Down the mountain we passed a few runners and really started increasing the pace. I asked in concern of my slowness, “Are you shooting for a specific time?” He informed me that he wasn't and we kept on moving. My legs started going faster and before I knew it I had lost him. Darn, I didn’t' even get his name!(If you are that guy say so in the comments please.)

Moving down the mountain I ran into a group that had a dog. The dog would run 10 feet out in front of them, stop, look back, run back to them, and repeat. I honestly think that dog ran the length of the course twice.

This group was moving a little slower down the mountain than I wanted, so I asked to pass. The guy in front of me yelled, “Passer on the right!” and gave me the go-ahead. I always feel guilty when passing, but everyone in the group gave me nice complements like, “Go for it!” which made me feel better.

At this point I broke away from them. The thing is, the dog followed. It ran by my side for a quarter mile. I figured I and the owner were going to the same place, so it wasn't a big deal. Finally, the dog stopped and went back to it's owner.

Free at last I flew down the hill. My feet glided across the rocky slope. I was doing great until I saw that three feet in front of me the trail was ending! I grabbed a tree and swung around it. Apparently I didn't see the 45 degree turn at the bottom of the downhill. I re-associated myself and decided I needed to pay more attention to my surroundings.

By this time the group had caught up to me. We were starting to hit some uphills and my legs were toast. I tried to keep a steady pace since I was guilty for passing them.

Soon enough it was just me, the dog, and a few members of the group. She asked me, “How much further until the next aid station?” I looked at my watch and saw that we only had 3 more miles to go and said, “I think they took it away. We should have passed it by now.” Her silence was her nice way of saying, “I don't think you are right, but I'll let you find out for yourself.”

About 10 minutes later we hit the aid station. My watch read 16 miles. Odd, I didn't remember the aid station being this close to the beginning...

I decided not to stop. My mind was still set on 4 hours. If I ran 10 minute miles all the way back I could make it! The group disbanded and I was left alone in the woods.

I hit the hill and my legs fell apart. I did not remember that hill being that steep or that long. I was trying so hard to walk fast, but my watch informed me I was moving at a 30 minute mile. “Great, I can't make the 4 hour mark. Oh, and I might get passed by a dog.”

Struggling up the hill I tried everything. I counted, said “if I only get to that tree...”, tried running. Nothing worked. Finally I said, “What if I drag myself up this hill!?” I found a decent sized stick and tried walking with it. It was working! I had sped up by a few minutes per mile(not hard to do from 30 min/mile) and felt a little better. This continued for a long time. Too long.

Battling the hill I looked down and said, “Okay, I'm not going to look around for a few minutes. When I look up everything will be different.” I walked, and walked, and walked. Finally, I felt it was time to look up. I opened my eyes and BAM. Everything was the same. TORTURE!!!

At this point the girl who stopped at the aid station was catching up to me and passing me with the dog following her. She said, “I don't know who's dog this is, but it's following me!”

I laughed. She said, “Come on, we don't have too much longer to go!” I watched her run off into the mountains while I hobbled along. I just couldn't run.

After some minutes of walking another guy with a group passed me. He asked me if I was okay. I have been better.

Not one minute after he passed me he yelled, “Road!”

Oh what a sweet word. I knew the road was only one mile away from the park. I reached the top of the hill and broke into a slow run. As I approached the road I joked with the person next to me that it would be my luck to get hit by a truck or motorcycle after 18 miles.

I remember bits and pieces of the last mile, which involved a few more people passing me. I didn't care. I just wanted to finish.

After the passing I ended up on a road in Vogel. I ran a little bit, looked around, saw a bunch of campers in trailers and felt that I was not in the right place. I ran a little longer until I spotted a man. I asked him if the runners were coming through here and he told me that they were coming out over near some steps(the ones we went in on). His wife then yelled, "They are making a turn right there." This reassured me I was going in the right direction.

I wasn't. How did I get lost this far into the race? I looked at my watch which said 19.4. Since the road she was talking about was right there I decided to see what it led to. I figured I had already run my share of 30k, so followed the road which was marked with markers from the race. I took this opportunity as a time to open up and run a little faster. It felt good on my spent legs. Finally, I spotted the finish line and ran in.




I ended up finishing at 4:45ish, which wasn't bad at all. :) 

Shortly afterwords my friend Leigh finished. She did a killer job keeping a steady pace, which ultimately allowed her to catch me toward the end when I was struggling up the hill. Great job Leigh!

Paul came in around 5:15 I think. I was extremely impressed. He has only been running for less than a year and completed a really hard 30km in short time. Great job Paul!

Angela came in next at around 5:30. Apparently she had been battling stomach cramps the whole way. Her time and smile didn't show it! She gave me a big hug. I think she is getting hooked on the idea of ultra-running.... Great job Angela!

Dave came in around 5:45, which was also great. He apparently twisted his ankle and fell a lot. I need to talk him into getting some minimalist shoes. I have never twisted my ankle and feel like we have a much lower chance of doing it.


The food at the end was perfect. There must have been 30 pizzas and a ton of other food. I was really impressed.

The race was really well organized, especially for the small $35 entry fee. The course was well marked(even though my dumb self got lost) and there was a ton of support from volunteers. I am definitely adding this race to my calendar next year. Maybe the 50km...





Did I cheat by getting lost? I don't think so. I asked others and they all got 19.6 miles, which is what I got. Either way, it was more than 30km, so I was happy. Anyone got a good story about getting lost in a race? If so, post in the comments!

The Duncan Ridge Trail Race 30K is Approaching...

This Saturday is the Duncan Ridge Trail Race (30K for me, 50k for the loco). Honestly I am less nervous about this race than any race I have done. These longer runs are great for me because I don't have to stress like the 5k races, which are essentially sprints.

My quads are gonna be sore after this one!(out and back)

Instead, I can relax and enjoy the run. Hopefully I don't hit a time when I feel bad and I actually enjoy it. I hope to run it between 4.5 to 5 hours. I know that sounds slow, but this trail has some hills!

So this Saturday when you are out on your long run think about me dragging my butt up a mountain while eating peanut butter and jelly and whining about my leg chafing.

The Duncan Ridge Trail Run - Training Run #2

Yesterday I did a training run for the Duncan Ridge Trail Run 30k/50k. The run was much better than the last because we went out more prepared, both mentally and with gear.


I started off the day eating a large breakfast, something I didn't do for the last training run. I packed two peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and a bag of candy corn, as well as my usual CamelBak full of water.

This preparation helped me out a lot. We ended up running 15.8 miles on these trails. I ate during mile 3, 8, and 12. This stopped me from hitting a bottom and feeling like crap. Staying full, for me, is really half the battle if not more.

The other plan we had was to stick together(Angela, Paul, and I), run the flats and downhills, and walk the uphills. This kept us feeling good for the whole run!

Anyway, I took some pictures and a video(sorry the audio didn't come out too good on it). I'm really looking forward to this race!

This is where we kind of started

We sure do have some beautiful mountains.

Initiating the "walk" of the "walk/run". It's sometimes hard to remember to run again.

And the video. I have to remember to hold my camera the other way next time...