Tuesday, January 8, 2019

2018 Recap, 2019 Look Ahead

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Last year, 2018, was full of new running challenges for me.  I decided in December of 2017, I would attempt 12 marathons in 12 months.  I was coming off of a DNF at the Leadville 100 in August, both bummed I was unable to complete it and amazed I was able to make it through 70ish miles of running through and over the Sawatch Range of the Rocky Mountains.  I had never taken on a challenge that involved this many races in a calendar year, let alone so many marathons.  For me this was a chance to see what I could do, knowing full well this would take up a lot of my free time and weekends.

With 2018 in the rear view mirror, I can say I finished 7 marathons and 3 races of other distances.  The biggest factor that held me back from running 3 races was time.  Family has to come first, yes even over running, and trying to balance these two was always tough.  Time has finite limits and skipping out on time with those who matter is not an option, running can always be done at a later date.  The two other marathons I skipped out on was simply due to lack of recovery or injury.  While I enjoy running and pride myself on being able to go for running for long periods, I'm not a professional and avoiding injury is always my number one goal.  In the end, I still need to be able to go to work and pay my bills.

Here are my races from 2018:

2018 Marathons:
Run for Regis - 1/20/18 - 5:00:52 (2nd overall, 1st male)
                          - ran self supported due to a government shutdown.
Olde Girlded Grit - 2/24/18 - 4:40:17 (7th overall, 7th male)
Glass City Marathon - 4/22/18 - 3:48:06 (435th overall, 308th male) PR!
Pro Football Hall of Fame Marathon - 4/29/18 - 3:59:28 (213th overall, 163rd male)
Flying Pig Marathon - 5/6/18 - DNS - time issue
Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon - 5/20/18 - 3:56:49 (568th overall, 418th male) 2nd fastest time ever!
Youngstown Marathon - 6/3/18 - time issue
Mohican Marathon - 6/16/18 - 5:14:14 (14th overall, 10th male)
Air Force Marathon - 9/15/18 - DNS - inured/recovering
Akron Marathon - 9/29/15 - DNS - inured/recovering
Towpath Marathon - 10/7/18 - 4:29:28 - (89th overall, 59th male)
                           - reaggravated hip injury, officially end race season
Columbus Marathon - 10/21/18 - DNS - time issue

2018 Other Races:
Buzzard Trail Race 25k - 3/17/18 - 2:34:57 (8th overall, 8th male)
Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon 8k Challenge Series - 40:04 (65th overall, 51st male)
Leave No Trace Half Marathon - 8/31/18 - 2:14:00 (44th overall, 39th male)
                           - hip injury aggravated during this race, cut down from the full marathon mid race

Pretty happy with my results overall, other than the little bit of injury that slowed me in prime fall racing season.  Any year I can set my two fastest times in a marathon, I'm happy with the results. The pleasant surprise of the year for me was seeing how highly I placed in the trail races.  This clearly reflects the amount of time I spend running trails and my love for this venue. Some other highlights include: setting a near PR at the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon while running the race with friend to her first marathon finish, setting a personal record for the most marathons done in one year,

I'm sad to hear that the Run for Regis is now canceled due to changes in how the National Park Services allows for use of certain areas of the Cuyahoga Valley. I hate seeing the government stop a sport that has so many supporters of it's services, but they did cite some valid reasons as to why.

2019...

I've decided to tackle some new challenges and start doing more diverse races.  Here are my immediate goal races for 2019.  I also hope to do a race or two with my wife, one with my dogs and tackle some ultramarathons.

Here is what my rough calendar looks like as of 1/8/19:

February: Olde Girdled Grit Half Marathon
March: Buzzard Day Trail Race 50k
May: Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon Challenge Series (Full Marathon and 8k) GOAL: PR
June: Mohican 50, (maybe also the Green Jewel 25k)
July: Burning River 100 (backup in case I am not fortunate enough to make Leadville), Muddy Paws 2 Mile Dog Run
August: Leadville 100 (pending the lottery of course) GOAL: FINISH
September: Northcoast 24 hour Endurance Run (backup to the previous two races)
December: Regal Beagle 50k or 25k


There will hopefully be some smaller races throughout, but this calendar will keep me enjoying the outdoors and all Ohio has to offer, with some possible high altitude racing as well.  I'm always one to aim high but I think everything listed is achievable.

Who's going to talk me into other/more races?

So here's to a new year of running in 2019!




Tuesday, January 1, 2019

How To Run In A National Park During A Government Shutdown

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As of the writing of this blog post, we are in day 15 of a partial government shutdown.  While many parts of the government are still functioning, this shutdown directly impacts runners due to the shutdown of our National Parks Services (NPS).  As a runner who lives near the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, I use it multiple times a week.  This national park practically buts up to my house and is one of the main reasons my wife and I bought a house where we did.  

To quote the NPS website, "The National Park Service preserves unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations. The Park Service cooperates with partners to extend the benefits of natural and cultural resource conservation and outdoor recreation throughout this country and the world."  Sadly, a lot of park rangers are working without pay or not working at all and our naturally beautiful lands are not being cleaned and protected. This means facilities can be closed, trash may not be picked up and in some races may be canceled.

While the races may be the least to worry about here, this concerns me.  For some, if not many, people, races in national parks may be their first interaction with a park.  This was true for me when I flew out west to visit the city of Leadville, Colorado and race in some of their awesome races.  I grew to love their little city and the expansive national forests (yes, this is different than national parks but the National Forest Service is also shutdown) that surround it. In my trips there, I have visited other national parks, like the Great Sand Dunes, and always had an immense amount of fun and time to find myself.  Isn't that what national parks are for?

Below is some of my advice of how to enjoy the national parks (or forests) and things you should do while you are there:

1. Stay on the trails  - I can not say this enough.  The trail systems these parks provide are there for many reasons, to provide a fun and safe path for visitors to enjoy, to prevent erosion and to protect plant and wild life areas.  Staying on the trail is not only for the safety of nature but for the safety of the visitor as well.  Sure 99% of the time, you will be fine stepping off the trail, but if you wander too far or get lost (which is easy enough to do on the trails) you could get seriously hurt and it will only be that much harder to find you.

2. Pick up trash - I know, this isn't your job.  The problem is, that with the government shut down, it's no one's job.  If you see trash where it shouldn't be, pick it up.  I try to make it a personal goal of mine to pick up 2 pieces of trash every time I visit any park, though I am not always successful.  With the shutdown, I have kept my eyes on trash containers, with the intent to empty it if it is full by putting it into my SUV to take home or to a local facility to dispose of.  Full trash containers risk litter spilling out into the surrounding nature reserves and animals learning food may be present there and thus increasing encounters with humans. Maybe it's just my inner boy scout but I was always taught you should leave it better than you found it.

3. Be respectful of the land - This sounds similar to #2, but this includes staying on proper roadways.  Again, this is for everyone's safety. If you see an area that is in disrepair, avoid using it to worsen it further.  Make a note and contact the park services. 

4. Follow posted instructions - If a park is truly closed, stay out.  If the park is open, you may enter.  I know I can take care of myself out in most wilderness, but if something happens there may be no help available.  Facilities that are often relied on may be closed, which presents further danger than previously thought and thus why you should stay out.

5. Use the facilities before hand - I've had personal experiences with this during a few government shutdowns, which makes me sad to say I've had to experience more than one while running.  Use the restroom, particularly number 2, before you go.  Restrooms are usually locked and this can make a big issue as we all know what runner's trots are.

6. Whatever you bring in, bring it back out - Again, there is probably to refuse service occurring during a shut down. Do not be the asshat who makes a mess and has to leave it for the unpaid park worker to clean up.  An animal make beat them to it, especially now, and get sick off of it. Neither should happen, so pack out what you pack in. The boy scouts teaches you to "leave no trace", remember that and to learn more follow or volunteer with Leave No TraceHere are their principles to follow

7. Be respectful to the rangers - Do not take your frustration out on a park ranger who is doing their job.  They want this less than you do, don't beat them up for it.  They may just not come back until they are paid and then the park suffers more.

8. Be the park ranger - Ok, so don't go stopping poachers (unless you're Dog the Bounty Hunter or something).  Be smart but if you see someone doing something they shouldn't be, say something.  Back off if you feel uncomfortable but we really need to do our best to protect the land from people who are doing things they shouldn't be, whether it's a kid playing in a wetland or a company illegally dumping.  You can volunteer your services to better the parks here for the parks and here for the forest services, once they are up and running again.

9. Donate! - You can donate here, and pick your favorite National Park to donate to.  You can donate here for the National Forest Services.




Here is a list of all of the interior United state departments that are shut down when a government shut down occurs.

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