FreedomRunner: October 2009

This is my likely race schedule now, through end of March 2010. I am getting back in running shape and will set as a goal to be 15-20 pounds lighter, leaner, with more muscle mass and very high mileage training. part of the strategy is to run an ultra/trail (sometimes a road ultra) at least every 4 weeks, sometimes even a week or 2 apart. Cutting out junk food, and getting proper rest is key.

Races upcoming:

Sun, Oct 18, 2009
Six Hour Sixtieth Birthday Run
Kings Park, NY 8:30 AM
Scenic 2.1 mile loop in Sunken Meadow State Park, primarily on dirt paths, with several rolling hills and one bridge crossing. Time limit (hours): 6. Field limit: NA. Fee-pre:$ 30; $25 for those born in 1949. Fee-post:$ 40 after Oct. 12. Hi quality sweatshirt to every entrant; post race food and beer party. Annual: 10th
GLIRC, c/o Myron Bellovin, 101 Dupont Street, Suite 24, Plainview NY 11803, 516 349-7646 (w) Email: mybellovin@aol.com Web: http://www.glirc.org

Sun, Oct 25, 2009Sun
Bimbler's Bluff 50k
Guilford, CT 8:00 a.m.
The Bimblers Bluff 50k is an off road foot race through several woodland preserves in southern Connecticut. Consisting entirely of single track or forest roads. Time limit (hours): 10. Field limit: 150. T-shirts to registered entrants and finisher award. Annual: 2nd
Jerry Turk, 806 Durham Rd, Guilford, CT 06437, 203 376 2893
Email: jerry@mrbimble.com Web: http://bimblersbluff.com

Sun, Nov 15, 2009
Rhode Island 6 Hour Ultra
Warwick, RI 8:00 a.m.
Wooded, paved bike path with slightly rolling hills. Time limit (hours): 6. Fee: $40 before 6/1/09, $50 before 10/1/09, $60 before 11/13/09. Long Sleeve technical shirts, Awards to 1st, 2nd, & 3rd place M/F. Annual: 1st
Robert Jackman, 1038 West Shore Road, Warwick, RI 02889, 401-477-3173 (h)
Email: ri6hour@yahoo.com Web: http://www.ri6hour.com

Nov. 28 or 29 : Run from Brooklyn NY to Franklin Lakes/Oakland NJ- 50-60miles Nov 29th

Sat, Dec 19, 2009
Seashore Nature Trail 50K
Virginia Beach, VA 7:30 a.m.
Flat dirt/hard pack sand trails, except about 1/2 mile pavement at start and finish. Tree lined, half jeep road and half 2 track. Time limit (hours): 9. Field limit: 250. Fee-pre: $75. Fee-post:$90 after Nov 29.
Tech T-Shirt to all entrants. Finishers award to be determined. Annual: 1st
Mel Williams, P. O. Box 2121, Chesapeake, VA 23327-2121, 757-531-9220
Email: ProfRunner@aol.com Web: http://www.tidewaterstriders.com

Sat, Jan 2, 2010
Phunt 50K
Elkton, MD 9:00a.m.
90% single track trail through rolling terrain, both forest and meadow.
Three aid stations. Time limit (hours): 8. Annual: 7th
Phil Nissen, 55 Knight Island Rd, Earleville, MD 21919, 800-949-1003 x5422 (W)
Email: philnissen@intergate.com Web: http://traildawgs.blogspot.com

Sat, Jan 9, 2010
Watchung Winter Ultra 50K and Marathon
Springfield, NJ 8:00am
3 loops of the White trail (10.3 miles). Time limit (hours): 8. Field limit: 100. No amenities, no awards, no dinner, self supported. Annual: 2nd
Rick McNulty, POB 127 Mount Tabor NJ 07878, 973-627-2575 (h)
Email: rmcnulty13@gmail.com Web: http://sites.google.com/site/wwultras/Home

Feb 2010:
Maine- Sandy Neck beach 50K Feb 2-4
Feb 15-17 : Run from Brooklyn NY to Franklin lakes/Oakland NJ- 50-60miles Feb 15-17

Sat, Mar 6, 2010
Seneca Creek Trail Marathon and 50K
Damascus, MD 8:00 a.m.
Fairly benign single track dirt trail with some hills, The March weather tends to be the major factor. Time limit (hours): 8. Field limit: 350. Fee:$ 20. Annual: 7th
Ed Schultze, 516 Paradise Court Gaithersburg, Maryland 20877, 301-258-0281
Email: edschultze@comcast.net Web: http://www.senecacreektrailrace.com/

March 13th: 30-40 mile training run (adventure run) venue TBD with buddy(s)

March 27-28 2010: Pinelands NJ 100 Mile Race
First ever 100 mile trail race in New Jersey! Need family participation (crew) and friends, as this race is un-aided!

History of My Running in Brief:

When I was 28-34 years old, I raced 5K in 15:35, 10K in about 33:10, 13.1 miles in 1:14, 15.5 miles (25K) in 1:28+ and marathons, well I don't even want to post the times.

Priot to that, In middle school, high school and college I was a track and cross-country runner, emphasizing the middle distances where I had some regionally competitive times in the NY/NJ/CT/PA regions. I am running for 43 years and my legs still work OK.

Needless to say I had to take different paths and though I always ran some, by the time my 2 kids were born (son when I was 31 years old and Daughter when I was 33), I was already on "maintenance". By 40 my times began to decline as I got involved much more in our kids sports and other family things. That was great and the cycle of life requires it I feel. By the time I was 50, my "kids" were in college and I began to take interest in running more again. I decided to try ultra-running.

I trained for 3 weeks after about 10 years of running only maybe twice a week, upped my mileage instantly to about 60 per week, and ran the JFK 50 in a relatively slow 11:34.

Business drivers also have played a role in my racing and training. So it has not been all roses since I began my "comeback". I am 57 now and have gotten over a 2.5 year long problem with "heel spurs"...that "plantar facia" thing. During that time, I hobbled through races on trails in pain. Then one day, 2 years ago, it left me!

I was fine! Last year, I ran a race every month and sometimes only 1-2 weeks apart, and ran a 9:41 for 50 miles, and also under 5 hours for 50K. I was 2nd in USATF 50K in the over 55 years age group.

This year, I have not raced much but that is now changing. I had a dismal July and August of almost no serious training (business needs and work anxiety) and ran the Northface 50 in DC in a slow time on almost no training. Now I am back for sure.

I am pointing for a 100 mile race at the end of March. Also inventing the term "adventure running"-as these can be very long (30-60 mile) training runs with a friend/buddy or two where we take a whole day and go inter city/town/state just for the fun of it. I would like to try a few of these in place of actual races leading up to a 100 mile run.

Signing off for now- Rich