tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3807027359418593456.post53594637043782797..comments2024-02-29T02:06:59.726-09:00Comments on Fumbling Towards Endurance: The Four Steps To My WS DNFUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger50125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3807027359418593456.post-50300319182484450362011-07-09T17:45:07.995-08:002011-07-09T17:45:07.995-08:00This comment has been removed by the author.The Happy Mealshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07880307879088798563noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3807027359418593456.post-47082728935144647042011-07-06T20:03:42.029-08:002011-07-06T20:03:42.029-08:00It is what it is on race day ... you have a fabulo...It is what it is on race day ... you have a fabulous attitude and will always be a great ambassador for ultra running whether or not you come in first, second or DNF.brendaontheRunhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04292068836907139430noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3807027359418593456.post-27792529561740219742011-07-03T10:09:53.412-08:002011-07-03T10:09:53.412-08:00Keep it up Mister. One bad race. oh well. You ar...Keep it up Mister. One bad race. oh well. You are a huge motivator to the majority of trail runners out doing what we love. Good luck on your training.cul8rhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16443355266596783529noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3807027359418593456.post-75197983444621728152011-07-01T23:35:17.671-08:002011-07-01T23:35:17.671-08:00Well, you're still the best of the best, Geoff...Well, you're still the best of the best, Geoff. You'll get 'er next time.<br /><br />I know many folks who hope you give the AC100 a try some year while you are still in your prime. <br /><br />No matter who runs it, no one can break the 22 year old record Jim O'Brien set on a course that was 2 miles longer than the current one. But you can.<br /><br />Take care.Kangsanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02014800496334513052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3807027359418593456.post-54312486167659671112011-07-01T12:18:53.147-08:002011-07-01T12:18:53.147-08:00Check out the link about Killian. Article says Kil...Check out the link about Killian. Article says Killian is considered by most the world's greatest trail runner. My question is who is "most." I would put Krupicka, Roes, Jurek and of course the great Matt Carpenter in front of Killian anytime!<br /><br />http://runningtimes.com/Article.aspx?ArticleID=23236Krishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08649849068889638443noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3807027359418593456.post-19265376634583979692011-07-01T12:17:42.883-08:002011-07-01T12:17:42.883-08:00This comment has been removed by the author.Krishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08649849068889638443noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3807027359418593456.post-46053415863725662062011-06-30T20:54:44.460-08:002011-06-30T20:54:44.460-08:00Reading that last sentence was very awe-inspiring,...Reading that last sentence was very awe-inspiring, Geoff. I love it!saschasdadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06920379008380900505noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3807027359418593456.post-26043989635788771112011-06-30T19:27:39.365-08:002011-06-30T19:27:39.365-08:00Hey Geoff, thanks for your honesty. It is inspiri...Hey Geoff, thanks for your honesty. It is inspiring to here. I am learning ultra running by experience. There are races this year I feel like crap and others great. For various reasons and challenges I have learned from every one of those experiences. No matter what, I still enjoy the essence of running and community, which is far more important than the time goals. Keep it up and good luck for your upcoming races.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3807027359418593456.post-83573604175147503562011-06-30T09:17:02.207-08:002011-06-30T09:17:02.207-08:00Roes... you dont owe us crap man. you are a stud ...Roes... you dont owe us crap man. you are a stud and seem to be a cool dude. your post seems to be explanations when we dont deserve them. screw what people think and say about WS. Ultras are crazy and you happen to be one of the best on the planet. I'm a fan of ultras and yourself and always will be - i just dont like when people micro-analyze. run. be happy. do your thing.twardzikhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11284264042497331759noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3807027359418593456.post-29081449528431814752011-06-29T10:53:26.794-08:002011-06-29T10:53:26.794-08:00Geoff,
Some days you just don't have it. Of ...Geoff,<br /><br />Some days you just don't have it. Of course there may be reasons and lessons to be learned, but as you said so well, controlling all of the factors all of the time is next to impossible.<br /><br />I do have one question: Do you think orgainizing and participating in the Alaskan Running Camp in early June contributed in any way to you feeling lousy on race day? <br /><br /><br />All the best at UTMB?Burthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07211770147671970928noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3807027359418593456.post-48090877676514272432011-06-28T22:37:32.088-08:002011-06-28T22:37:32.088-08:00Geoff, I agree. All body/race feedback is good. Yo...Geoff, I agree. All body/race feedback is good. You will be so motivated by this that you will DESTROY UTMB, not in a negative way but it will be a very triumphant experience to be running so well in two months.<br /><br />PS: run where you love to run. If it's Alaska, it's Alaska.<br /><br />PPS: thanks for autographing my hat on the Bridge while waiting for Ellie. I know I came off as goofy, but I thought you showed great humility and honesty when I asked you how it was out there today. <br /><br />Benbmundyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11669473192956493403noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3807027359418593456.post-3220168785945117692011-06-28T22:35:23.424-08:002011-06-28T22:35:23.424-08:00This comment has been removed by the author.bmundyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11669473192956493403noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3807027359418593456.post-60285136291094282202011-06-28T19:36:11.352-08:002011-06-28T19:36:11.352-08:00Hi Geoff, sorry that things didn't go your way...Hi Geoff, sorry that things didn't go your way this year at WS.<br /><br />In addition to the factors you mentioned in your post, do you think heat could have played a role too? I remember thinking before the race that you might lack acclimatization to the WS temperature since for the last few months you lived and trained in wintry conditions. I live in Montreal and can testify that when it comes to runnning, even a sunny day at 20˚C (68˚F) isn't necessarily easy to handle in the Spring after 3 months below or near the freezing point. But again, sometimes I get the feeling that you ultrarunners come from another planet and have your own separate genetic code...<br /><br />Enjoy your recovery, and best of luck for UTMB!Pepérehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11905406962926549541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3807027359418593456.post-39341389802519226052011-06-28T19:11:42.898-08:002011-06-28T19:11:42.898-08:00Geoff, thanks for your candor. I'm just ventur...Geoff, thanks for your candor. I'm just venturing into the ultra scene and it is great to read about candid and authentic experiences.<br /><br />It sounds like you keep close track of your mileage and elevation, time, etc. Are there particular tools you prefer to track your training. For example, do you use a GPS device, use a particular tool to log everything, etc?<br /><br />Cheers and best to you in the next one!David Criswellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12001660387797476051noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3807027359418593456.post-67798569356223191952011-06-28T18:51:28.906-08:002011-06-28T18:51:28.906-08:00It was great to see you at WS, Geoff! I'm sor...It was great to see you at WS, Geoff! I'm sorry the race didn't go well but really glad to hear that you're feeling good about UTMB!!!!<br /><br />Obviously, I'm the last person who should be giving you advice on ultras ;) but this is what helps me: In your post you mentioned that you like to tell it like it is about how your feeling because of the mind game factor. I have a different technique that helps me a lot. When you vocalize that you're not feeling well to others, you are, in effect, telling yourself that you don't feel well. By not playing mind games with others your are playing mind games with yourself. In races, the worse it gets, the more I force myself to smile. Our brains default to learned response patterns (neurons that fire together wire together) and habits are formed. Eventually, the challenge of feeling like crap is something you look forward to and enjoy (which I'm sure you already do!). This is why/how I usually seem so happy while I'm on the course for such a long time! Maybe it's silly, but I really think that this is my one secret to ultras and the only reason I'm able to finish the ones I actually finish! I'm not sure if any of this will help or not but it is what works for me!<br /><br />Another bit of advice would be to have someone else monitor your blog and delete comments by Cloud (before you can read them) until he/she gets bored and goes away. I get the occasional negative comment with Running Stupid and even though I try to not let them get to me, I know they do.<br /><br />Hope your recovery is quick and you can get back out there and do what you love to do!!!!<br /><br />All Day!<br />~KenAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3807027359418593456.post-63069886850644945902011-06-28T18:32:08.611-08:002011-06-28T18:32:08.611-08:00I guess you can sum it up like a friend of mine (w...I guess you can sum it up like a friend of mine (who is from China and speaks somewhat broken English) said when I asked her how her race went. "IT WAS SUCK!" My new favorite expression for bad runs.Billhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06945635877613515468noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3807027359418593456.post-66910458034166417192011-06-28T18:23:05.313-08:002011-06-28T18:23:05.313-08:00geoff,
don't know for sure if this is signific...geoff,<br />don't know for sure if this is significant, but I started taking a chewable vitamin c every morning a few years ago, and have gotten far fewer colds. maybe I get one a year. might be a harmless thing to try (we do share some of the same genes after all)Michellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13263973963138224921noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3807027359418593456.post-82289576339666493872011-06-28T15:18:05.013-08:002011-06-28T15:18:05.013-08:00I met you at the airport on Monday and my heart go...I met you at the airport on Monday and my heart goes out to you. Wishing you all the best.<br /><br />Runingfool<br />Texasruningfoolhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08796685196387238517noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3807027359418593456.post-8776405796567527052011-06-28T15:13:57.938-08:002011-06-28T15:13:57.938-08:00Geoff,
Maybe I'm too patriotic but please win ...Geoff,<br />Maybe I'm too patriotic but please win UTMB! And next year if you run WS 100 we want the cougar back in the USA! :)Krishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08649849068889638443noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3807027359418593456.post-44649105289526815542011-06-28T14:32:49.804-08:002011-06-28T14:32:49.804-08:00Geoff - Good honest analysis! It certainly makes ...Geoff - Good honest analysis! It certainly makes sense to me. (I commented on your June 26th post, which for the most part fits here, too).<br /> <br />I'm new to ultras, so I really appreciate reading about your conclusions on both the great days as well as the "bad" days in both training as well as races. <br /><br />As for prevention of colds, I find that taking echinacea at the very earliest onset (or when around people who have a cold or flu) boosts the immune system so I don't get sick. This in combination with increased fluids, fruits and vegetables, has successfully knocked the average of 3 to 4 colds per year down to one or less. If you're interested in learning more, you can easily google this herb. Probably best to stay away from formulas that contain goldenseal since it's hard on the kidneys. <br />I hope my little blurb is helpful info for you. ;)<br /><br />Best to you.Tinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08775228546118366802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3807027359418593456.post-56120128228883268882011-06-28T13:58:42.738-08:002011-06-28T13:58:42.738-08:00Thanks for sharing all of this...I was eagerly wan...Thanks for sharing all of this...I was eagerly wanting to know what you thought caused your tough day...I am getting ready for my first 50m (Headlands 50). I was thinking of running my legs into the ground and then resting 3 days prior. After reading your blog, maybe being healthy and getting some quality runs and rest is a better idea. It is such a ballance between resting and running and timing is so key. Also, it takes months/years to improve (talking about myself)...I can only do so much in 2 weeks. Thanks for your insight.Erik Sagerdahlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02778751522342458094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3807027359418593456.post-64799597412270795722011-06-28T12:57:45.868-08:002011-06-28T12:57:45.868-08:00Geoff:
Please take 30 seconds to view this video:...Geoff:<br /><br />Please take 30 seconds to view this video:<br /><br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LqjbwA8JDW4<br /><br />Pulling for you, bro!<br /><br />WyattWyatt Hornsbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14224514798393011001noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3807027359418593456.post-88540182520366705002011-06-28T12:20:35.447-08:002011-06-28T12:20:35.447-08:00I was going to tell you to read Devon's blog f...I was going to tell you to read Devon's blog from WS 2010 but she has already given you the short story. I had similar problems last year, was a little sick the week leading up to last years race and was worst the night before (but still "just" a cold I thought). Was feeling good when I woke up and the first few miles but then everything went the wrong way, my legs were totally ruined after 25 miles and I DNF'd at ALT, and my legs ain't no toothpicks :). I was shivering constantly for four days after the race, never experienced that before and don't want to.<br /><br />Beforehand I didn't realize that simple cold could ruin a race, maybe a little short on breath but that the whole body just stopped functioning was totally unexpected.Börkurhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17595122456504523658noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3807027359418593456.post-82248804286098516002011-06-28T12:19:02.360-08:002011-06-28T12:19:02.360-08:00Geoff, you are still a class act regardless of wha...Geoff, you are still a class act regardless of what happened at the race this year. We've all had our issues in races 50 Miles and beyond. Sure, we'd like to turn back the clock, sitting around thinking about what could have been. You will bounce back no doubt about that. As you know, the immune system gets obliterated during these type of events. And when you're running at or near max level like most guys at the front, you are always living on the edge. Good luck during this recovery phase.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03662322900559660512noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3807027359418593456.post-60753315633743144712011-06-28T12:11:41.597-08:002011-06-28T12:11:41.597-08:00Geoff,
Thanks for the thoughtful and honest post....Geoff,<br /><br />Thanks for the thoughtful and honest post.<br /><br />All you can do is prepare yourself as best as you know how, race hard, and look back and try to sort out what worked and what didn't. You do all of those things as good as anyone. <br /><br />Anyone who races understands that bad days happen. Enjoy your recovery and best of luck with the rest of your year.<br /><br />b.t.w., I wish I only got sick 2-3 times per year!Lundohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05436249092937928700noreply@blogger.com