Berryman Trail Epic Update

The RD's from the Berryman Trail Epic were kind enough to post the information for the 2010 race on their website.  I was surprised that they already had the information up since the tour/race is not until October.  For those of you who don't know, the Berryman Trail Epic is a 50+ mile Mountain Bike tour on Saturday, and race on Sunday.  There are a couple of new things for 2010, the first of which is a two person team category, and the second is the "back to back" riding both the tour and the race for over a 100 miles of tough single track in just two days.  I know one person is contemplating the back to back, personally I think this year it would be too much for me to handle.
For details on the race please click the link above.
This looks to be a great race.  I know some of you have participated in the past but come on out and do it again, and for the first timers like myself, sure it's 50+ miles but at least you don't have to run it.

Berryman Trail Update

Here we go.  Registration for the first Berryman Cup race will open on January 1st 2010.  The Berryman Trail 50mile/Marathon will take place on Saturday May 15, 2010.  I've heard some buzz about people being interested, but the time is drawing near to register, and I wouldn't advise waiting to the last minute as this race only allows around 150 entrants.  So as they say "think long, think wrong".  The information will be posted on the SLUG website within the next two weeks.  Which is why I can't give any information regarding registration fees, and other minor details of that nature.  I will be running the 50, and invite all of you to come out and run it with me.  I don't plan on running it very fast my only goal is to beat my time from two years ago, roughly 12.5 hours.  It is a good way to spend a day.
I still need to find a good finishers award.  I had something really awesome in mind but as it turns out it would have been very expensive.  Don't worry though it will be cool.
Now lets get this ball rolling!

Berryman Cup

WHO: Team Godzilla members and a few select individuals. I don't expect there to be too many takers of this challenge but I want to make sure it doesn't get out of hand.

WHAT: There are four races that take place on or around the Berryman Trail, and they are:

• The Berryman Marathon/ 50 Mile Trail Run


• The Berryman Trail Epic 50 Mile MTB Race


• The Berryman Adventure Race


• The Berryman 6/12 Hour Off Road Duathlon

These are all very challenging races, and not to be entered into lightly. In order to qualify as a Berryman Cup finisher you will be required to complete three of the four races in the same calendar year.

WHERE: DUH! see the individual race web sites for more detailed info

WHEN: It's still 2009 so the race directors of these events have yet to put out any info regarding 2010 races. However the first event, the Marathon/50 Mile Trail Run takes place in May so you may not want to put off training for too long. I will email the RD's and ask them to send me the info as soon as it becomes available so the interested parties can plan accordingly.

WHY: For the usual reasons, and I'm trying to find a unique finishers award that is interesting as well as inexpensive. The cost for participation should be pretty low, but will ultimately depend on what type of award I can round up. Also their may be something different for people like Robin and Chuck who will do all four races. Maybe not though so nobody get their hopes up. As far as an actual competition goes I haven't been able to figure out a way to make it work in a way that would be fair (to me) so lets just keep it friendly for now.

HOW: RUN,BIKE,REPEAT

This is going to a great time, and I'm sure everyone will be pushed to limit and beyond. If this is not something you would be interested in competing in then feel free to come on down to the trail and support those who are. It's always a real pick me up when I have someone to cheer me on, and besides it's the perfect excuse for a weekend camping trip.

I will post more info as it becomes available.

Welcome To The Burnout!

Yesterday was the Lewis and Clark marathon in St Charles Mo. It was my 13th race of the season. I ran the first part too fast, not because of some rookie error in race strategy, but instead because I just didn't care. I wanted to see if how long I could maintain the pace I was running. The race itself was unimportant. With 8 races left this season I am feeling pretty burned out. Today I feel better than I did yesterday, but I am still in state of general malaise regarding the rest of the season. My friend Jim came out to pace me for the last 6+ miles, and I was glad he did because misery truly does love company. Had I been alone I would have fared even worse.
Yesterday I made a lot of declarations (to Beth, not to the public). About what I was never going to do again, and how I was going to Blah, blah, blah, etc, etc, etc. But then I remembered the best piece of running advice that I ever received "Never make a decision on an uphill". That is where I find myself now on an "uphill". Once the season is over I am really looking forward to taking some time to rejuvenate and get excited about racing again. The good news is that I have something to focus on other than running.
I've already registered for the remaining races of the season so I will run them, but I will be less attached to the results and more focused on having some fun.
Things are looking better already...

Change of plans

Knee trouble + Many races left still this season = No PM run until race season is over.

In other news:
The Wood River Tri went very well. As much as I cried about the swim I found it to be quite enjoyable. Next year I plan on doing a longer Tri so I am still working on the swim. I have much room to improve with all this multisport stuff, but that is good. I am pleased with where I am right now but seeing improvement is always a huge motivating factor.
I always tell Beth that it is time to get serious about my training. Getting serious I believe will ultimately lead to my downfall. So "serious" is out the window. I am going to start training more I just won't be too serious about it. I will do this endurance stuff for as long as it is fun. When it stops being fun I will move on to something else, but with all of the many chalenges these types of activities present I think I will always be able to find the fun.

It is Time...

Well tomorrow is the big day. The Woodriver Triathlon is finally upon us. I am not as ready as I would like to be but that is no ones fault but my own. I thought the swimming would come along faster than it did. Last night's swim class went really well, and I am not dreading the swim tomorrow. I still won't be able to swim the whole 450 meters but it's ok I will do better next time. I plan to continue swimming. Eventually I would like to do an Ironman but that is down the road a bit still.
Wish me Luck!

Pere Marquette Run

The run to Pere Marquette has been moved to August 15th. This will be a much better time to make the attempt. When I had originally decided on August first, I checked my race calendar and that was the first weekend I did not have a race. However upon further review I have about a month off after WoodRiver so it was a real no brainer to make the switch.