229 days until 2012 Leadville Trail 100 Mile Run....
Welcome to my Leadville blog! I am excited to share with you the remaining part of my journey in preparing to run this incredible race on August 18-19, 2012. I've had my eye on running this race for more than a year and officially began preparing for Leadville on September 1st. I've run over 450 miles in the past 4 months and have much more in store for the next 8 months. I run stairs at the Bettendorf High School football stadium about once a week - more than 1000 times since September 1st.
I've been fortunate to have others train with me and look forward to introducing them to you in the future on this blog. Except for some out of town running when I was in Texas and Korea, + 95% of my training has been with my good friend Rick Fountain. Rick will be running his first Leadville in 2012 also. He is the best training partner a guy could ask for - he is willing to do anything, he never says 'no', and he is always encouraging and positive - quite impressive since most of our workouts start before 6 am.
I welcome any thoughts, advice, encouragement, and advice you may have along the way. The race is phenomenal; however, the journey is quite special too.
A few thoughts to share with you...
Goal - Run 2012 Leadville in less than 24 hours
Previous Attempt - 2005 Leadville - 29 hours 57 minutes 43 seconds
Obstacles - Altitude averaging + 11,000 feet; treacherous course, extreme weather conditions, exhaustion, dehydration, nausea, fatigue, pain
Assets - Most awesome race atmosphere in the world, great training buddies, inspiring race, experience of running this race before, family and friends will be there, stubborn as a mule
Expectation - Achieve my goal
Welcome to my Leadville blog! I am excited to share with you the remaining part of my journey in preparing to run this incredible race on August 18-19, 2012. I've had my eye on running this race for more than a year and officially began preparing for Leadville on September 1st. I've run over 450 miles in the past 4 months and have much more in store for the next 8 months. I run stairs at the Bettendorf High School football stadium about once a week - more than 1000 times since September 1st.
I've been fortunate to have others train with me and look forward to introducing them to you in the future on this blog. Except for some out of town running when I was in Texas and Korea, + 95% of my training has been with my good friend Rick Fountain. Rick will be running his first Leadville in 2012 also. He is the best training partner a guy could ask for - he is willing to do anything, he never says 'no', and he is always encouraging and positive - quite impressive since most of our workouts start before 6 am.
I welcome any thoughts, advice, encouragement, and advice you may have along the way. The race is phenomenal; however, the journey is quite special too.
A few thoughts to share with you...
Goal - Run 2012 Leadville in less than 24 hours
Previous Attempt - 2005 Leadville - 29 hours 57 minutes 43 seconds
Obstacles - Altitude averaging + 11,000 feet; treacherous course, extreme weather conditions, exhaustion, dehydration, nausea, fatigue, pain
Assets - Most awesome race atmosphere in the world, great training buddies, inspiring race, experience of running this race before, family and friends will be there, stubborn as a mule
Expectation - Achieve my goal
Until my next post, have a great day! DIG DEEP!
18 comments:
Why 24 versus 25 hours? The big belt at Leadville can be earned at under 25 (are they changing it for '12?). Karnazes made the 24 hour mistake during his one in three successful finishes!
Make sure you're doing weekly power incline walking on the treadmill (12 plus degrees at 4.2 mph or faster). All the running is great, but you will still be walking a chunk of the time (even on a 24 hour pace).
If anyone can break 24 or 25 hours . . . I say "you da man!" Good luck with the continued training. You've got a great base under you already.
24 hrs was my original goal in 2005 - no rhyme or reason, just thought it would be cool to do it in less than a day. I think the big belt is still 25 hrs - if 24 hrs doesn't happen, I'll still smile with a sub 25 finish. I'll keep Karnazes in mind. Thank you for the advice on the power incline - you are right in saying that I'll be walking a lot too. Hope your new year is off to a good start. Would love to have you join us for some weekend runs if it works in your schedule.
John, dig deep indeed! As a leadville finisher that is eternally greatful for your for help and your persistance that I finish that darn race, I have no doubt you will accomplish that goal. I would be honored if I could join you on some of those early morning runs.
Thanks Dave. I knew you had what it took to finish and I was not going to let you 'not finish'. I appreciated running with you as much, if not more, than you did having me run with you. I must admit that you did surprise me though as to how strong you finished - you were running stronger at miles 95-100 than you were at 72-75! I would love to run more with you. We're looking at going long a couple times this weekend. Please send me your email so I can send you a direct email. you can email me at byrnejohnp@sau.edu
You will achieve your goal, your strength is amazing! I am so happy to have had the opportunity to run with you and Rick. It has been great to extend our friendship through the time we have spent running together, even the cold mornings at 4:25am when we have had our 20 miles runs! You are an inspiration and I wish I was going on this journey with you to Leadville .....one day I will!
Dig Deep ;)
Julie,
Thanks :o) It has been an absolute pleasure having you run with us. We are both so impressed with the pace that you set as well as what you have accomplished in the running world over the past 6 years - you have done more in a short amount of time than most people accomplish in a lifetime. One day I'm sure Leadville will be lucky enough to have you.
Cool blog, John. Great way to set your goals out in public- a powerful motivator- though you don't seem to need any extra motivation. You are right, the "journey is quite special". There are many memories associated with the journey and they're awfully sweet, too. Some of my most vivid memories are from some cold, dark, early morning runs- the homework that makes you attain your goal. When you're on the trail you'll have plenty of time to think back and enjoy the contrast- but you know that from 2005. Stay healthy!
Thanks Paul. You are right about the accountability factor of putting your goals out there - I don't like the thought of letting others down. Other cool people really do motivate me so it is powerful. Honestly I have been feeling really good. I feel like I've been training steadily but not pushing it to the point of pain or injury - gradually ramping it up - and the body seems to be responding well to it. At this point I know of 2 others who are signed up for Leadville 2012 - my friends Rick Fountain (1st timer) and Scott Passman (Leadville 2010 finisher - sub 29 hrs) - do you know of anyone else who has signed up? I heard that the cap is 850 this year and that they are within 100 of being full! I think the Lance Armstrong effect has really elevated the visibility of Leadville.
Great update John. Looking forward to seeing you out here and being a part of the festivities!
Thanks Reid. Hope your fitness goals continue to progress as well in the future as they have in the recent past. Looking forward to seeing you again - the environment at Leadville in mid August is quite inspiring.
I believe with every fiber of my being in you, Pop! I hope that this summer's training, and your final race this fall will give you a satisfaction and peace you can carry with you the rest of your meaningful life!
Your #1 Fan,
Michael
Thank you Michael. You are an awesome son. Whenever I run into some walls in life, you and your siblings inspire me to keep driving to succeed ;o)
How the heck did you run 100 miles? You're a real inspiration. Thanks!
Thanks Joe. That's a great question. Remember the song from "Santa Claus is Coming to Town?" - ... "you put... one.. foot.. in front.. of the other...." I knew this was a race I wanted to finish so I worked hard and I focused on how much my family and friends were pulling for me, and I relied on God when I was really struggling - that helped me get through it.
You are an animal, John! Keep up the great work!
Shef,
Thanks my friend. The training is going awesomely well and the blog is therapeutic as well as gives me the opportunity to share this wonderful experience with others. One day at a time, I keep taking a bite away from the elephant - eventually I'll have eaten all of it :o)
John,
What an amazing challenge! How do you get the motivation to make this all happen? I am interested to learn all that is involved to achieve success and attain such a goal I will follow your blogs as they are a testimony to unbelievable character development in overcoming obstacles and staying the course.You are a great teacher, not just in the classroom but in life!!!
Thank you Barbara. I've been very blessed in my life and have had many role models who have taught me that I am capable of much more than I sometimes believe I am. Thank you for following my blog and for the kind comments on my teaching. Have a wonderful day!
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