ULTRA MARATHON DUDE

24 Hours On A Treadmill

2008-01-25T13:30:00.000-08:00

24 Hour Treadmill Challenge

January 18th, 2008 10:00am

My set up team had been at Snap Fitness setting up for the treadmill race for 2 hours before the planned race time. They did a great job of making this happen. It's not just two treadmills and a clock. We had to move the treadmills into position, set the fans, run power cords, get the Internet connections up and running for a 24 hour webcast and a dozen or more key tasks HAD to be completed before 12pm and we started running.

I arrived at Snap at 11:ooam with my friend Cliff who would prove once again to be THE key player in my success during the 24 hour race and THE success of the webcast and website activity. After we tested the equipment and got everything in place I did one last "check your head" inventory and decided I was ready to run.

Time: 12:00PM The Start

Cliff (Also the official timer) got us started on time. I planned to start off like you should when running a 24 hour race, in control, relaxed, paced and prepared to slow down as the hours go by. It sounds weird to acknowledge that when just starting but I have learned from racing 24 hour races and studying 24 hour results of top 24 hour runners that slowing down cannot be avoided and must be embraced. My plan worked great. If you then put a well crafted hydration and nutrition plan with the pacing goals you can make some big miles happen in 24 hours. Off I ran...

I started eating and drinking at 20 minutes. My plan was to eat solid food every hour (PowerBars and EFS bars) as long as my stomach would let me (goal 18 hours or so). I would drop in 2 gels every hour. This worked out to eating every 20 minutes. Over the course of two hours I would also work on 1 bottle of Infinit Nutrition Red Rock Running Rocket Fuel (this is a drink I created for me that is designed to do one thing - keep me running hard for a long time). This formula/mix is available in the store, stop in and check it out.

Time: 2pm

All was well we had changed runners on team many a couple of time now and Cliff had this process down and I had begun to settle in to my running, eating and finally started to relax and run.

Time: 3pm-6pm

Time went by very fast during the first 6-7 hours. I went by the 26.2 mile mark about 4:08, 50K shortly after. Things were moving along. I really had nothing to add to this report that was unique or strange because all was well. That is good since it was a 24 hour race.

Time 8pm -11pm

During this time block things got interesting. I passed 100K, took on some more EFS bars and Infinit protein and electrolyte drink. The main thing that happened during this time was I came to the harsh reality that this was going to be a race between me and my feet. In some races it's you and your stomach others it's your legs (cramps) sometimes your mind. In this case it was going to be me dealing with my feet for 14 more hours.

Harsh reality. It hit at 10:40pm. I was running with Casey "I can sweat" Harney and all of a sudden I got a new (as in different that I had) pain on my little toe. It was sharp and sudden. I didn't know what this was at first however, after looking down and seeing my white shoe turn red from the blood I knew what had happened. The huge blister I thought I had popped! WOW! What relief! I was able to get some relief off of something so damaging. Damaging because the blister was now a wound, open and exposed to infection and irritation. But who cares, it feels better now and I can run faster so I'll deal with the infection and problems when I am done. Let's run!

Time 12 Midnight - 3am

Half-way. Now just do it all for 12 more hours. The cool part of this is your half way done. The sick part was that I felt sad to think it would be over in 12 hours. Sick!?! Yes, I do love to run. I look at 12 and 24 hour races as a gift. The gift to run non-stop and have nothing else to do or focus on but running! Every time I get to do one of these race I love the whole experience no matter what. No matter the size of the blister - I love to run, race, compete and in this case I am racing against myself and I love that also.

James showed up to run for Team Many at 12am and decided to run in his sunglasses also. The sunglasses helped for many reasons. 1- it gave me a bit of a change of scenery. 2- I had a big, bright flourescent light above my head. 3- I always train with sunglasses on so I felt at home in them. You should know the rule... if you do it in training do it in the race.

The darkest hour of this event came at about 1:30 am. I was running with Ernie and I hit a low spot from HELL! Highs and lows come and go. You always hope that the highs are not too high and that the lows are not too low. I did not have any luck with that on this particular low. It hit me like a ton of bricks and man did it hurt.

The trick with really bad lows (with 8 + hours to go) is to not FORCE yourself thru it or out of it. When this is done it often causes too much fallout and damage that you have to deal with later. Some athletes force themselves out of a low by eating too much, drinking too much, taking too much caffeine, etc... I have found that a zen like approach works best. Breathing, relaxing, a little food, a small amount of fluid and embrace it for a small time while you give the body a chance to do what it is going to do with or without your help. Ernie (an experienced ultrarunner herself) knew I was in a low and did the best thing she could do to help me. Nothing. You simply have to go through this alone. Once the low passes you are like a new person running, joking, singing (Barry Manilow) and back to the business end of the treadmill!

Time: 3am - 7am

"I just lost 4 hours" I yelled to Cliff. It's like I was asleep I told him. Where did the time from 3 am to now (7:10AM) go? He assured me that I had not been sleeping or dreaming but that I was running very well the entire "lost" 4 hours. I asked him if I ate and drank his reply was "like normal" he then mentioned that it was time for me to urinate and weigh myself again. This would only be my 3rd time off the belt.

55 seconds later I returned from the bathroom. My weight was the same as when I started and all was well with the urine. If you cared?

Time: 7am - 10am

It's getting close now. I think Cliff told me this to get himself going until the end. Everybody was tired now. My support crew had worked hard to keep timing Team Many, feed and hydrate me all day and now the end was in sight.

My feet were so bad at this point that blood was oozing out the side of my shoe and if I slowed my pace it actually hurt my feet to change my stride length. The best thing to do at this point was to disassociate completely.

Time 10am - 12pm

The last 2 hours of timed events usually gets going at a good clip since you want to be done. This event was no different. I took in a 100mg of caffeine and chased it with a few shots of coffee and off I went. Clipping off miles at 9 minute pace (fast for having run 23 hours). During the last hour more and more people showed up to see the end of the event. I was so glad to see everyone even if I didn't talk much I was happy on the inside. As I approached 10 minutes to go I got that sad to be done feeling again. 23 hours and 50 minutes of running and deep down inside I didn't want this to be over. On the surface I needed to be done. I needed to get my feet the medical attention that they needed! 2 Minutes to go. Stephanie was right there with me as I cranked out the last 2 minutes of the NEVER TO BE REPEATED EVENT. 30 seconds Steph told me. I reminded her that I am going to go and sit as soon as I was done and then Cliff hit my stop button. 24 Hours! I was done.

12pm - 12:10pm

My feet were screwed up beyond belief. Swollen, bloody, raw, blistered, and red. I didn't know it then but I would later learn that two of my blisters were infected. The total damage report was all to my feet. Legs were great, stomach great, back fine, all over ok! Feet, not good! 6 blisters, 3 toe nails gone (2 fell off during the run, 1 to be removed later), swelling so bad that I don't know when I'll get a real shoe on it.

But man that was fun! I love to run.

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Adrenaline Junkies!

2008-01-23T13:34:00.000-08:00

Adrenaline Junkies!

Team Xtreme Couture is looking for male and female athletes to run the most challenging adventure race on earth. If you are a strong mountain biker, fit runner, like to kayak and spend days out in the wilderness, then we are looking for you. Primal Quest 2008 will be ran in Montana from June 23-July 2nd. Yes, this is a 10day race! We will be racing against the best Adventure Racing Teams in the world. There are only 90 teams selected to run this race. We have 1-male and 1-female position open with entry fees paid for by sponsors so only the best will go. If you think you have the “stones” to keep up, then email Mark at jacksonvo2@cox.net. If you are slow, whine, cry, or need your beauty sleep…don’t even bother replying. This is the worlds most challenging human endurance competition and has been called the “Super Bowl” of Adventure Racing. We are looking for rock hard athletes who love a challenge.

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123.59 miles, 24 hours, all on a treadmill

2008-01-20T17:04:00.000-08:00

It's over! 123.59 miles in 24 hours ALL on a treadmill!!!

Hour 9, running with Denise.

Don't come in to the store and tell me about how BAD your blisters are!!! This one popped and I still ran 14 more hours on it. By the way, it has nothing to do with the shoes, socks and has everything to do with the treadmill and running for a long time. It's not the shoes. It's me and the running surface.

9pm Josh Brimhall cranks out a fast 9.06 miles in one hour!

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Just a few more days

2008-01-13T17:06:00.000-08:00

On Friday, January 18th at 12pm I will start running for 24 continuous hours on a treadmill at Snap Fitness on Cheyenne. In addition to running for 24 hours I am racing 24 runners doing 1 hour at a time relay style.
Click here to check it out.

Snap Fitness

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THIS IS HARDCORE RUNING

2008-01-09T12:22:00.001-08:00

SLOWING BETWEEN HOUR 5 and 6 ONLY TO PUT FRESH BAND AIDS ON MY NIPPLES! HARDCORE BABY!

Cornbelt 24 Hour Race 2006.

2008-01-06T18:40:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was the Running From Angel 50 Miler at Lake Mead. It was a chilly 50 degrees, wind (most of it in our faces) at 25 MPH and hills... the non stop hills 4722 feet of climbing.

At the turn around, ready to move into 2nd place.

This is my training partner Happy Jimmy on his way to winning the 50 mile race. I finished 2nd.

More pictures and a full race report later.

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E would have made a great ultrarunner!

2007-12-11T12:34:00.000-08:00

“Far better is it to dare mighty things,
to win glorious triumphs,
even though checkered by failure…
than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much,
because they live in a gray twilight that knows not victory nor defeat.” - EVIL KNIEVIL

That says it all! That is the answer to why we (ok... I) run!

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24 hours on a treadmill and you can run one hour with me

2007-12-04T11:51:00.001-08:00

The Idea:
Can one man (Running for 24 hours straight, solo) outrun 24 other runners (Running only one hour at a time-relay style) on a treadmill???

The Race:
Eric Herdman will start running on Friday, January 18 at 12 PM and finish 24 hours later. 24 individuals will race in one hour slots on a treadmill next to him, each of them will have one hour to run as many miles as they can at the end of their time they will switch to a new runner. This continues for 24 hours.

Why do this and participate?
To see what happens, to run a lot AND for charity! The winning team or person will win $1000.00 in prize money for their charity! If Eric wins the prize money goes to his charity (Dan Campbell Medical Fund). If The Many win the money will go to their charities (Divided among all charities chosen).

- Eric Will be running for the Dan "THE RUNNING MAN" Campbell Medical Fund - Dan has built the Las Vegas running community and is the driving force behind "The Las Vegas Running Team." Dan suffered an aneurysm on November 11th.

- "Team Many" efforts will benefit the following charities: Dan Campbell, Friends of Feral Felines, Karno Kids and Opportunity Village - Las Vegas. The charities will receive funds based on the proportionate share chosen on the entry forms.

How to register for TEAM MANY and run one of the one hour slots?
Sign up in person at the Red Rock Running Company .

Registration has been open for 4 hours and we have sold 8 slots and as I am typing this 7 people are on the way to the store to sign up. Thank you! I know Dan would laugh really loud at all of us for doing something so crazy!

They DId It Again

2007-12-03T09:35:00.000-08:00

This is a message board post from the Las Vegas Marathon Site. What a F*#King mess. As a runner this should not happen. As a race director this should not happen.

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Silverman Tri

2007-11-11T16:15:00.000-08:00

Caden (age 5) and I made our annual trip to the Silverman Triathlon this weekend. He loves to watch people suffer. We also made our way to Whole Food for lunch. His choice. He eats great for a 5 year old.

This is his lunch.

Puke!

2007-10-22T11:42:00.000-07:00

I will give a slightly longer race report later... but for now here it is.

This is your stomach doing fine...

This is your stomach after vomiting 4 times an hour for 2 hours in a row.

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Red Rock Running Company

Race Day Webcast Link

2007-10-18T09:12:00.000-07:00

Click here for the link to the race day webcast from San Francisco's Crissy Field. The race goes from 9AM to 9PM. You should be able to send me email messages and see race pictures. Enjoy the suffering!

San Francisco 12 Hour

2007-10-14T08:34:00.000-07:00

Next Saturday I'll go at it again in the San Francisco 12 hour at Crissy Field. Each lap is 1 mile around the lagoon at Crissy Field with spectacular views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Angel Island, Alcatraz and the San Francisco Bay. The course is flat with 60% dirt and 40% asphalt path.

The race is full and the field is L O A D E D with tons of ULTRA RUNNING TALENT. I'll have my work cut out for me this day.

The race will have a webcast and picture post during the event. I will post the link, so you can play the 12 hour race home version on Saturday October, 20th at 9AM to 9PM, Thursday before I fly to San Fran.

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A Race Called For Heat... Come On!?!

2007-10-07T18:48:00.000-07:00

I have heard everything now. The Chicago Marathon called off because of heat. 10,321 (out of 45,000) didn't even start because it might get hot! IT MIGHT GET HOT! MIGHT? 11,000+ DNF'ed due to the heat! You've got to be kidding me...

Heat! What? Wait a minute... the race was stopped because of heat? That was the way the phone call went.

Red Rock Running Company employee Juliet Lord was running the Chicago Marathon today and called me with the news that she made it to mile 22 before being stopped. I said for what and the answer I hear was... "the Heat."

Working at a running store I am always amazed at how weak some of the runners of the world are. Weak you say... yep, weak. Let it be known, running is not for the weak and the faint of heart!!! It hurts, causes pain, injury, death, blisters, dehydration, and a boat load of other vile conditions. It requires dedication, patience, preparation and a host of other things. Yet, every week I hear this one, (it's my personal favorite) "when I get to mile (insert and number from 3 to 15) my feet hurt!" I hear this and I just want to vomit! Don't worry, I don't. I say the only thing I can say without offending them and that is "running hurts!"

My Cross Country coach always told us that if we couldn't handle his (running) workouts, if they were too tough, too hard for us that the football team would take us and we could try and get a varsity letter that way.

Running has been a tough sport and form of exercise for a long, long time. So toughen up people! Get a grip! Stop being a group of whiners, and sore feet (knees, toes, lower leg, hamstring, etc...) complainers.

To be helpful, let me inform you about how hard running can be and some of the biggest issues you so called (weak) runners complain about... let this be a quiz for some of you in deciding if you want to continue in the best form of exercise and sport available.

1. Running hurts
2. Feet hurt when running
3. Running in the heat (cold) is hard... boo hoo!
4. Running a race requires preparation. Yea... there is a big news flash!
5. Running for fitness/weight loss requires that you do it on a regular basis.
6. There are 24 hours in the day. Don't tell me (more like whine and think of excuses) about your job, clients, kids, spouse, a cold, the flu, being tired, your black toenail, it's a holiday, a blister, the cold, the heat, the sun, the dark, the traffic, you phone doesn't have service there - Please... shut up! Train in the early morning, in the middle of the night, late at night but get out and run!

I could go on but I think you get the idea... If you are weak and afraid get out running (I hear in bowling you can rent the shoes). If you think you want to try... every looser I have know has whined and cried about how they will try or had tried. If you really want to be a runner them get out there and RUN, NO MATTER WHAT! NO MATTER WHAT!!!

If running is too hard for you there are a group of people that play horse shoes at Bunker park on Sunday morning maybe you can join them for you exercise routine... it that's not too hard one you.

Happy Running,
Eric
Running happily for 29 years, no matter what.

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The editorial views of this blog do not represent the views and opinions of the staff, owners (at least one), and management of the Red Rock Running Company.

Team Red Rock Running Co and A Sunday Long Run

2007-09-28T10:46:00.000-07:00

Lots going on...

4 Day Adventure Race

Team Red Rock Running Company is competing in a 4 day Adventure race in Moab, UT. Mark Jackson (from the store) is the team captain. Check in on them and send the team a message at the race website.

32.8 Miles On Sunday

Runner wanted!

I need someone to run the last 10 mile (you can do more if you want) of a 32 miler with me on Sunday AM at Sunset Park. Must be able to run 7:30-8:00 per mile pace and be positive. If you think that's you... call me at the shop 702-870-4786 by Saturday at 11AM for the details. I'll provide all the gel, recovery drink and H2O. You run me hard the last 10+ miles!

Flatlanders 12 Hour Race - St. Louis

2007-09-03T14:43:00.001-07:00

Friday - Stephanie and I arrived in St. Louis in the evening and made a dash for the Sheraton Hotel. After a day of traveling and flying all we wanted to do was rest and eat. I have been on a day of low fat, low bulk (fiber), high carb foods eating almost non-stop. Once we made the short drive to the hotel we checked in, made sure we could get online, watched Survivorman and ordered room service. What a great way to end the day... a big bowl of pasta, watching Survivorman all while wearing a hotel robe. Nice!

Saturday - I woke up on Las Vegas time at 2:30AM. 4:30AM St. Louis time and did a 7 mile run. After the run we had breakfast, did the store run for race supplies and then I did nothing all day. Except, take two naps, eat, stay off of my feet and eat some more. Stephanie checked out some of the local malls and shopping spots. Dinner was the normal Mexican and then to bed.

Sunday - 4:15 AM. Time to rock! One cup of coffee, ProBars, Liquid Endurance and some final packing then we were off to the Fenton (Burb of St. Louis) City Park.

We put our crew area in the same spot as last year. I like familiar when it worked the year before. Steph set-up the bottles and some of the first items I would need to get going and I got my race number set and applied Body Glide all over.

The race started on time at 7:30AM. Weather conditions at the start were great. 63 degrees and sunny. The race went out super fast (7 min/ml pace). That is fast for a 12 hour race. Chuck Goetschel (5th place at the 2006 US 24 Hour Championships), Chris Roberdeau, Paul Schoenlaub (Winner of the 6 hour race last year 45.96 miles, moved up to 12 hours this year.) took off!!! I hung back. I told myself "run your own race" advice that would prove to be solid later on. They continued at this crazy fast pace for at least 2.5 hours. Then Paul took a break and the other two continued on.

I maintained my planned pace that would take me to 80.7 miles and all systems were go. I was running with my Garmin on and kept an eye on my my average pace per mile. The hours clicked by and I kept right on pace. The race continued on at a faster clip than I wanted to be part of.

The race reached the 6 hour mark and my Garmin mileage showed 42.75 miles. Perfect! I felt great. Eating, drinking, taking my endurolytes as planned. One additional development with the leaders was taking place... they were having a rough time. Chuck was apparently on the rivot and Chris was in a spot of bother also. I took the lead some where around the 6.5 hour mark.

Hour 7 to 8 were still on track however, Bad news!!! The temperature jumped to 92 degrees, 75% humidity also the sun covered almost all of the course... no shade! It started to get hot and this worked on me slightly so slight that hours 8 to 9 I slowed and fell of of my goal pace.

Hours 9-10 - I go a little of my speed back but 80 miles looked rough. I grew my lead to 9 miles and kept on rocking the 1.4 mile loop.

Hour 10-11 - I got back on track with the pace mainly because it started to cool down and we got some shade back on the course. I ran strong and grew the lead to 12 miles.

The last hour - the race directors put us on a small loop (1/2 mile. 1/4 out and back) the last half hour and then use a flag with our race number that we place on the spot we stop at when the 12 hour gun fires! This is done to measure the EXACT distance we ran. It was close to the time I needed to jump on the small loop. I came into the lap counting area and the race director said I was running fast enough to do one more FULL (1.4 mile) loop. Glad he thought I was running fast. He said, you can do a full one but!... if you don't make it back before the gun the lap will NOT count! So... off I went on the full loop. I felt confident that I could do it. I would have to run a 7:50 to 8 min/mile pace for the loop after 11 hours and 45 minutes of running. I can do that!!!

With 5 minutes to spare I made it and jumped onto the small loop and ran a few loops here. The gun fired and I planted my flag and walked to Stephanie and a recovery drink. It was over... suffering done!

What did I do... I won, set a new course record and fell short of 80 miles by less than 1.22 miles! This is my 8th 12 Hour Race that I have ran and I have won all 8! Most of all... it was fun. Even with all of the pain and soreness that would soon start... I had a great time.

Thanks to all of the volunteers that counted laps, worked the aid station and gave me words of encouragement lap after lap. The race directors did a great job with this event.

Thanks to Dave at Brooks for the shoes, Hammer Nutrition and Motor Tabs. Most of all my wife Stephanie for putting up with my training schedule, early AM workouts, having me tired and beaten down for many weeks leading up to the race and for helping me kick-ass during the race. Crewing is tough. Crewing me is rough, tough and a royal pain in the ass! She is the best crew! There is no way I could have done it without her! Stephanie - thank you so much!

My equipment list for the race:

Brooks Axiom 2 shoes
Brooks Singlet
Brooks HVAC Shorts
Brooks HVAC hats
Brooks Burn Ped Socks
Up to 3 Hammer Gels an hour
Hammer Perpetuem
Hammer Endurolytes - Lots
Motor Tab

Post race - we headed off to the awards ceremony and I started to feel like crap. This is normal for me. This horrible feeling of nausea, soreness and over all weakness sets in. After the awards and a short drive back to the hotel I took well deserved and needed shower and then it was room service in bed. I tried to go to sleep but the aching and pain in my legs would not let me catch even an hours worth of shut-eye. So, I watched 5 episodes back-to-back of Survivorman and stayed awake all night. It wasn't a long night we have to be at the airport at 6:15 AM for our flight back to Las Vegas.

More Race photos soon.

12 Hour Race This Weekend

2007-08-29T12:43:00.000-07:00

The race is full.

70 runners will toe the line and brave what looks like 95 degrees and 70% humidity. The field look good also 5 or 6 top loop/time runners are showing up. This could be a tough one. Between the weather, the tough competition and the challenge of doing better than I did last year is going to make this a rough one!

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12 Hours Around This 1.4 Mile Loop

2007-08-26T08:53:00.001-07:00

This is the loop I will spend 12 hours running on September 2nd.

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Red Rock Running Company

Saucony Paramount Has Arrived!

2007-08-24T12:42:00.000-07:00

Try one of the most comfortable, cushioned, and responsive running shoes ever – the ProGrid™ Paramount from Saucony. This shoe combines three great technologies: Flexion Plate technology, designed to propel runners onto their forefoot; Comfortemp® material to monitor foot temperature and cool when necessary; and the full-length ProGrid™ system to provide support and rebound.

Mesh and Comfortemp® upper
External TPU heel counter
Arch-Lock™
Flexion Plate
HRC Strobel Board
ProGrid™ System
Weight: 12.1 ounces, Mens size 9.

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Early Post... More to come...

2007-07-02T05:57:00.000-07:00

The Running With The Devil 50 Mile Ultra was last Saturday!

It was hot! Check out the pics.

Revised Temps For Lake Mead

2007-06-26T10:31:00.000-07:00

For Saturday June 30th...

High at 2pm
109°F

Temp at 6am
100°F

Low at midnight
85°F

Normal humidity is 5-8% they are calling for 15% humidity. I know that's not a lot however, when you are normally exposed to 5%, 15% is going to feel like you are running in a sauna.

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June 30 - Time To Suffer

2007-06-25T12:01:00.000-07:00

This Saturday, June 30 at Lake Mead I will be running the Running With The Devil 50 Miler.
This might be the hardest ultra race I have ever done. Hills, wind, more hills, and lets not forget the HEAT! My guess is that it will 100 degrees at the start and 110-112, if not higher at the finish. It is going to be one of those - who can survive the fastest races.

If you are out that way Saturday morning give me a yell. I will need all the help I can get. This will be a real suffer fest, hurt a thon! and a big long trip into the pain cave.

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Heat, Hills and Wind

2007-06-04T16:31:00.001-07:00

That was my weekend. Saturday, I ran my home 27 mile course (not easy but not hard). Sunday, I ran the first 10 miles (20 miles out and back) of the Running With The Devil Ultra course. Kinda tough!

Heat -Saturday 27 miler, 87 start, 92 finish. Sunday 20 miler 97 start, 104 finish!
Hills - Saturday 3670 feet of climbing, Sunday 4025 feet of climbing.
Wind - Saturday 12 mph, Sunday at my back going out and 15-19 mph in my face coming back! That's just what I wanted!

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Weights, Bike, Run

2007-05-23T12:51:00.000-07:00

Weights for 45 minutes, Bike for 90 minutes on my spin bike and a 10 mile easy recovery run. Before I take on a grueling 15 mile hill workout tomorrow morning. I am getting ready for The Running with the Devil 50 Mile Ultra at Lake Mead on June 30th. That should be both hot and fun!

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Red Rock Running Company

Back To The Track And Feeling Like A Human Again

2007-05-22T10:48:00.000-07:00

I went back to speed/track work today. Total miles 13.5. I warmed up with a 6 mile tempo run to the track and then 4 X 1 mile with a 1/4 mile jog, then ran a few easy miles home. Held all of the miles below 7 per mile. Felt like CRAP! Heavy! Like I ran a 12 hour race a week ago... wait a minute I did run a 12 hour race a week ago! Tomorrow is a spin bike training ride, an easy 10 mile recovery run and a weight workout.

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Red Rock Running Company

Lake Merritt 12 Hour

2007-05-14T10:29:00.000-07:00

This past Saturday we went to the Lake Merritt half-day race in Oakland. What a day!

The weather was great.
A bit windy 15-20 mph, in our face for about 1.25 miles of the 3.1 mile loop.
51 and sunny at the start
71, windy and humid for about 6 hours in the middle of the day
65 for the last 2 hours.

The race went well... very well.
The pace went out a touch fast for me. I was in the lead pack of 4. Three of the guy kept talking about all of the miles they wanted to run that day and it had me wondering if they might be able to keep this pace going for 12 hours!?!

So, for almost 4.5 hours we ran as a group. Finally, one gut slowed and then over the next 30 minutes they all cracked!

So, I ran in the lead for nearly 7.5 hours. Left alone on a 3.1 mile loop with a scary thing... my brain. A funny (funny because it didn't happen in my last two races last year) thing happened during those hours. I kept to my race plan as planned! No deviation! I ran the whole 12 hours. Steph just kept giving me fresh bottles every lap and I kept running. It was great.

Finally, I reached the last hour of the event and had to go on the .7 mile loop. This is normally looked at as a good thing. However, this .7 mile loop had a hill on it. Not much of one on a normal run but at 11:17 it was HUGE!!! After 4 or 5 laps around the short loop it was nice to be done.

Total miles 75.8

Now all I wanted was food!

Thanks to Wendell and Sarah for putting on a great event.

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Almost ready

2007-05-09T12:02:00.000-07:00

Easy 7 miles today on the trail and I felt great. The weather in Oakland is going to be ok... I think. As of today they are calling for 71 degrees, some wind and pt cloudy.

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Taper and Top 50 Running Shops in the US!

2007-05-05T09:02:00.000-07:00

One week until the race. I hate to taper. It is the hardest part of training. It requires that you hold back... hold back miles (kinda my new taper requires about 55 MPW), effort, food, no new gear, really nothing new or hard!

Today I am doing my run around 11:00AM. Over the next week the only new thing will be a few runs at different time during the day just so my body gets use to running at different time between 7AM and 7PM (race time).

On another running related note: The store was voted one of the top 50 Running Specialty Retail Shops in the US according to a survey conducted by RUNNERS WORLD Magazine and customers who voted! These votes come from customers, visitors and fans of our shop. They had to go to the Runners World website and vote and fill out a questionnaire. To those of you that voted... THANK YOU! My goal is not to get us into the top 10 next year.

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World OF Hurt Red Rock Run

2007-04-30T04:11:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we ran the WORLD OF HURT Red Rock Run.

It was great. We had a great turn out. 14 of us started. I ran with Mark, Chris and Pup for about a mile and then I asked if everyone was warmed up... the answer was... yea... why? I said it's time to get it on. I ran (alone) to the 5 mile mark in 40:47. Remember, this first 5 miles is ALL UP HILL.

I went back after reaching the 5 mile mark and picked up Chris we ran the remaining 10 mile together at a really good pace.

Once I got to the parking lot I switched my 2, 22oz handhelds for my Ultimate Direction Hydro pack containing 64oz of H2O, 22oz of HEED, and a few HAMMER gels and some fig newtons. Total transition time: 1 minute 15 seconds.

The second loop. I started off with Mark and Chris and they both turned around by the 1.5 mile mark and all of a sudden I was alone. Alone with the only person I trust to get me around the loop for a second time!

It was a fun second loop first task... get to the 5 mile mark... again! This time only a little slower: 42:51. Remember, this first 5 miles is ALL UP HILL. Did I say that already?

From there is was a simple run to the main free lot and then back up to the mile mark again to get a total of 32 miles for the day.

Overall: 32 miles. Felt great. Strong.

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World Of Hurt Run This Sunday!

2007-04-25T12:29:00.000-07:00

A few of us are getting togather at Red Rock Canyon FREE parking lot for the Spring version of the WORLD OF HURT RUN.

Date- Sunday, April 29th
Time- 6AM... we get out of our cars grab our water and go... no waiting!
Who- NO WIMPS! If you cry, bitch or moan about the heat, cold, wind, hills... anything for that matter I will force feed you to a Wild Burro.
Where- Red Rock Canyon Free Parking lot
Distance- 30.1 miles (Most just do a loop 14.9 miles, some are going out 5 or 6 miles and back)
Why- Because we can
How- Lots of gel and endurolytes
Fee- A WORLD OF HURT
Support- yea, right!
What to bring- guts, crying towel (if you need one), balls (it takes a set to get up that first 5 miles of the loop the SECOND TIME!), lots of water and gel!

If you are not wanting to go into a WORLD OF HURT and run the whole run (30.1 miles) but would like to do some running. I am looking for a few runners that would like to run the second loop with me. I would estimate that I will start the second loop between 8 and 8:15. Let me know if you are interested. Call or email me you can get my info on the Red Rock Running Company site.

See you at Red Rock Canyon Sunday!

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BIG race weekend

2007-04-12T11:02:00.000-07:00

The store has been busy with runners and triathletes getting ready for two big races.
1. The Ironman Arizona is Sunday
2. The Boston Marathon is Monday
I think these qualify as BIG races. The Ironman is 140+ miles or racing and the Boston qualifying standards and 20,000 runners makes it very interesting and tough.

Think an American will take Boston this year? The last time that happened was 1983. I don't think it will happen this time either. Most of the top American men are saving it up for the Olympic Trails the day before the NYC Marathon.

Good luck to all that are racing this weekend.

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Training for a 12 hour race on May 12th.

2007-04-03T11:25:00.000-07:00

Today marks the start to a 5 week build up to the race on May 12th. Today was a speed workout. Tomorrow a 12 mile trail run and an hour on the spin bike.

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Turned The Corner On 2006

2007-03-15T11:18:00.000-07:00

For the past month and a half I have been battling a string of injures from 2006. Yep, that’s right from 2006. In 2006 starting in September I averaged 134 mile per week! A few weeks before a couple of 24 hour races I ran 170 miles in a week. Hey, at the time it sounded good and it worked… at the time. What happened first was I gave all I had to give in my training runs. Leaving nothing for the races. Second, I lost tons of weight like 16 pounds. Making me underweight for 24 hour ultra races. Third, mentally I was a mess. After the first race that I could not get my body to respond in I was a wreck! However, I kept on putting in the killer miles.

Fast forward to the end of 2006 what a bad finish to a good year 2 wins, 2 second places and 3 top ten finishes. The year was over most of it good but from October thru December it sucked!

I started 2007 off with 2 weeks rest and 1 more week of cross training. Then started running with some low mileage running. Long story short… I had a pelvic/adductor/hip flexor/low abdominal problem. Got that fixed… returned to running only to do something weird to my foot/ankle/achilles tendon. All of this because I HAD to run sooooo much. Never again! Never! I learned my lesson.

This week I finally think I turned the corner on all of this mess. I am felling good, healthy and holding down 75 mile weeks.

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Eric and Red Rock Running Company visit
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This says it all!

2007-02-14T14:13:00.000-08:00

"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act but a habit." - Aristotle

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Resting For Now

2007-01-05T11:56:00.000-08:00

I am running a few easy (40-55 miles per week) weeks for the next 3 weeks. I am running the Dead Presidents Run on February 24th.

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How to follow the race

2006-12-27T14:56:00.000-08:00

Go to www.acrosstheyears.com

A race-day front page to the web site will make its appearance the afternoon of Saturday, December 30th, the day before the race.

The navigation bar to the left will remain unchanged.

The center panel will have three short columns at the top. On the left is a link to Current Standings, which will be automatically updated every few seconds, showing close to real time progress.

Beneath that is a link to On-Site News Reports, verbal descriptions that will be posted periodically by observers at the race.

The center column has links to pictures that will be uploaded during the race, labeled according to time: Prerace, Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, and Postrace. There are 3 races a 72 hour, 48 hour and a 24 hour. Steph and I are in the 24 hour race starting on DECEMBER 31 @ 9AM.

On the right is a link to a form by means of which you may send greetings to runners. Beneath that is a link to view all messages that have been sent to all runners. If you are inclined to send messages, be aware that what you write may be read by anyone who visits the site. Think of your messages as being like posts to an email list with many readers.

Below the top links will be a webcam image that will be constantly updated for the duration of the race. At this writing we have had trouble getting Rodger's new cam working, but we are optimistic that by the start of the race it will be operational.

Please tell your family and friends to tune in during the race, which starts at 9:00am on Sunday, December 31.

Across the Years 24 Hour Race

2006-12-25T12:51:00.000-08:00

Here I go again...

The 24-hour race begins on December 31st. The start and end time is 9:00am.

You can follow the race here by clicking here

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Eric and Red Rock Running Company visit
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Dallas

2006-11-17T06:59:00.000-08:00

We are here! Arrived in Dallas yesterday. Today, I am resting and eating well. We will go to packet pick up after lunch and then chill the rest of Friday. I've got a big day tomorrow.

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Almost Ready!

2006-11-14T13:24:00.000-08:00

A few final touches and I will be ready. Just a few days before we go to Dallas for the 24 Hour Ultra Running U.S. Championships. All systems are go.

Check back the morning of the race for blog updates that will last all day and night long. Remember, we will be on Central Time. The race starts Saturday, November 18 at 9AM.

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What a finish!?! OUCH!!!

2006-10-22T16:41:00.000-07:00

Check this video out! Chicago... 26.2 miles and then this happens.

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Next....

2006-10-09T12:51:00.000-07:00

Thanks for all of the email, phone calls and for dropping by the store. That stuff is all very cool.

However, many of you have started asking what's next?!? Well...

On November 18th at 9AM Central Time I will be competing in the United Stated 24-hour Championships is Dallas, Texas. This is a qualifier for the World Team and Championship. It is also the largest purse ($12,000) for an ultrarunning event.

2.4 mile course

Needless to say I will be running and running and running a lot in the next 7 weeks.

We will be doing live updates on the blog starting shortly after the start (9AM Central Time) on November 18th.

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After the toenail is removed

2006-10-02T20:30:00.000-07:00

This is after the toenail has been removed. Looks good... right? The pain is intense! Note how swolen my toes are. You think my toes are swolen you should see the rest of my feet.

This hurts!!!!

2006-10-02T11:38:00.000-07:00

Going to the the best foot doctor in the world (Dr. Jerry Henry) to have this toenail taken off. After this one is gone I will only have 6 toenails left.

It is infceted and painful. I can't wait to have it taken off. I will post a picture later of the hole he makes when he takes it off.

The Race Details

2006-10-02T10:48:00.000-07:00

September 30, 2006. Start time 12 Midnight. Distance 72 miles.

This was the strangest race I have ever done. This was the hardest ultra I have ever done. I felt the worst in this ultra than any other. I had the best pacer that I have ever had in an ultra. There is some good and bad to start with.

Now… the rest of the story.

I woke up on Friday morning at 4:30AM my hope was to get up early so I could go down for a L O N G nap at 4PM until 10PM. The race started at 12AM, midnight, on Friday night. I had to shift my normal eating schedule because of the 12AM start time. SO, I ate and rested all day. At 11AM as planned Chris Mech, his wife and I went to IHOP for the last supper. The race meeting was at 3PM, Steph arrived and then everyone went off to bed.

At 4:30PM, I went to bed and DID NOT SLEEP ONE SECOND. The alarm went off at 10PM and I got out of bed after watching TV all that time.

The start was a half mile south of the Pope Beach entrance. It was totally dark, as in cannot see your hand in front of your face, dark. We only waited for a few moments and then they called for the racers to get to the starting line. The usual suspects were there Sean Meisner, Pam Reed, Sam Thompson and a few regular ultra dudes from the northern Cal area that I recognized from races. Some of them I remember as being rather fast. As with most ultras the start was a “go” and the click of a stopwatch and we were off. Running by the light of our headlamps.

For the next 7 hours I ran in total darkness with only my headlamp as a form of light. I started off running a smart, slow, conservative race by keeping myself in 13th place for the first 12 miles. As we came out of the tunnel around mile 13 and ran down a narrow downhill section I passed 3 runners who didn’t know how to run an ultra and admitted this to me as I passed. They proclaimed the went out “way fast” for these hills!!! I slowly came up on 2 other runners in the total darkness and passed them with ease. We exchanged the normal word of encouragement and then off I went back to being alone in the night of Lake Tahoe.

I was approaching Incline Village and could see two other runners out in front of me. As I made the turn into Incline Village, Chris informed me that the two in front of me were fifth and fourth place.

He said “catch them… you got them” and I did feel myself pick it up slightly. I caught the fifth place runner in about 5 minutes and then we, yes he ran with me as we caught the fourth place runner. Now we are running as a pack and I am leading them thorough Incline Village at 4:45 in the early morning at 8:30 pace. We saw the third place runner about ¾ of a mile out in front. As the climb out of Incline Village was approaching I did not want to pull EVERYBODY up the hill. I knew this was going to happen because I could tell I was feeling better than everybody else at that time. Also, as the songs changed on my Ipod, I heard one runner say to the other who ever this guy is he is running really well… he has been moving on me all night. As you can imagine, we caught the third place guy at the base of the climb and I lead all three of them up the climb out of Incline Village and pulled them right along with me. That sucked! But things were about to change.

We came into Tahoe Vista, Steph came out to give me some water and run a few strides with me. As she ran back to the van, I ran another mile up the road and noticed that the second place runner was not doing so well. As soon as I passed him, Steph and the crew van came by and yelled, “You are in 2^nd place go, go, go don’t mess it up… run!!!” They made me feel like I was running only for 2^nd place. This was not the case inside my head. I ran balls to the wall… solid 7:15-8:00 pace for the next 2 hours. As the sun came up on the East side of the lake I got a brief recharge of energy and was able to run this pace another 90 minutes to the start of the marathon. Funny thing about this…I was actually excited about starting the marathon portion… even though I had already ran 2 marathons I was ready to run this one. This one took me to the finish. However, this one took me to the highest point on the course (7100 feet) and to the steepest sections of climbing I would face.

Chris joined me at the start of the marathon and I informed him that I didn’t come to this race to run for second! So we set off in pursuit of Sean. We hammered the early miles of the marathon and worked the rolling hills like they were the flats. One of the recon missions that Steph and Chris (Chris’ wife is named Chris also) discovered was that he was 30 minutes ahead of me. That made me feel like crap. We later found out that we did come within 14 minutes of him. However, I came that close because he was in a very low spot (in ultras you come in and out of these horrible highs and lows) and I had been in a high spot. He got his gap back because we basically switched spots I went into a very bad LOW and he has a very high- HIGH! This is how it was going to be on this day. It’s the way you want to finish in second. Someone having more than you and using it. I hit the 24 mile mark of the marathon (that was mile 70 for me) and we knew it was over. We were going to finish second, but with a good time 11:42. That is 9:38 pace for 72 miles.

Sean is a nice guy he waited for me at the finish line and we congratulated each other and then I could let the pain in and allow my brain to relax and it was hurting. You run your brain for that long not letting it know what is hurting, going wrong and blocking all signals the body is sending it and when that race is over, you have to give control of it back. It’s at this point that the pain, suffering and brutal burning of racing for almost 12 hours set in. Everything hurts. Nothing is comfortable. You feel sick. You wish you would die, but you don’t. It was so much fun. And sooooo worth it. Nothing else is like it.

As I walked to the car I started thinking of training in a few days and my next race. Oh yeah and IHOP pancakes!!!

Thanks to Chris and Chris! Pacer Chris… I know you hurt but the cool thing is I didn’t know it until today. Steph, thanks for staying awake for 30 some hours and feeding me, cheering me, running with me, driving me and everything else you did for me.

This is the view at the top of 7100 feet. Steph drove it, I (with my pacer Chris) ran to the top of it. This was around mile 18 of the marathon section... 64 miles for me on the ultra course.

Going down! At this point downhill hurt just as bad as going uphill. This is the spot where I went into an INCREDIBLE LOW and Sean came out of his low and grew is lead.

Finished! Overall ultra race time 11:42:34. Marathon split 4:22:03! Overall ultra race place 2nd.

This is what the crew bathroom looks like in an ultra

2006-10-02T10:41:00.000-07:00

Race Pics

2006-10-01T18:57:00.000-07:00

Next... 72 Miles Around Lake Tahoe

2006-09-24T20:07:00.000-07:00

This is whats next for me. 72 miles around the lake starting at 12AM Saturday morning September 30th.

This is the profile of the course. It's going to be tough.

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Flatlanders 12 Hour Race - Final Update

2006-09-03T09:13:00.000-07:00

Well it's now official and in the books:

Total Distance: 77.89 miles (A new course record)!!!!!
1st overall!!!!

Way to go Eric - GREAT JOB!!!!!!!!!

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Flatlanders 12 Hour Race - Update

2006-09-02T16:51:00.000-07:00

Under an hour to go to finish

72 miles completed

He is now if first place by 15 minutes!!!!!! - what a machine!!!!!

Way to go Eric - this one is all yours!!!

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Flatlanders 12 Hour Race - Update

2006-09-02T15:09:00.000-07:00

2:30 to go to finish

60.2 miles completed

He is now if first place by 30 seconds and pulling away!!!!!!

Assume job!!!!

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Flatlanders 12 Hour Race - Update

2006-09-02T14:21:00.000-07:00

3:45 to go to finish

53.2 miles completed

Eric is closing the gap on first place - he is now @ 1/2 mile back (5 minutes)

Way to go Eric!!!!!

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6 / 12 hour race update

2006-09-02T10:20:00.000-07:00

Update on Eric and Stephanie:

Steph finshed her 6 hour race with 32.4 miles and 2nd in her age group!!!!!!

Way to go Steph!!!!!

At 7 hours 15 minutes Eric is at 45 miles and is 1st in age group - 2nd overall. He is 1 mile back from the leader, and closing the gap. He is doing good with nutrition, hydration and everything.

Current temp is about 72 with high humidity.

Way to go Eric!!!!!

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Flatlanders 12 Hour Race

2006-08-27T13:39:00.000-07:00

On Spetember 2nd at 7:30AM (Central Time) I will begin a 12 hour race in Fenton, MO.
We will be doing web updates starting the morning of September 2nd. The first update will post sometime after the race has started. The start time is 7:30AM CENTRAL TIME.

This is the view/map of the 1.39 mile loop I will spend 12 hours on.

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What's Next?

2006-08-26T20:15:00.000-07:00

A 12 hour race (on a 1.4 mile loop) in Fenton, MO.
More details tomorrow!

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PCT 50 Mile Ultra

2006-07-30T20:09:00.000-07:00

I did the 50 miler. It was great. Good training race. Very hilly!

This is the course profile for the 50 mile race! Going up was great coming down sucked.

The view from 5100 feet

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The distance between pain and suffering

2006-06-22T13:36:00.000-07:00

Check this out.
http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2006/Jun-22-Thu-2006/sports/8070051.html

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9th Place OVERALL!!!!!!!

2006-06-06T08:22:00.000-07:00

Great job Mark on you 9^th place in the Gobi Race. Check it out!

Gobi March Final Results
Race Site

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This Is What The Gobi Desert Will Do To You!

2006-06-01T10:27:00.000-07:00

The best part about this is that tomorrow this person will continue to race on that foot. By the way, Marc Jaget is currently in 12th place and 2nd American overall.

9th Place, 2nd American!!!!

2006-05-30T10:05:00.000-07:00

Entry fee for Gobi Desert 6 Day Stage Race $2000.00, Hydration Pack From Red Rock Running Company $25.00, Having The Balls To Run 6 Days In One Of The Most Unforgiving Deserts In The World... PRICELESS!!!

Mark Jaget Las Vegas. Second from left.

Mark Jaget 6 Days In The Gobi Desert

2006-05-24T13:02:00.000-07:00

Today my friend and training partner Dr. Mark Jaget is on his way to China to the Gobi Desert to compete in the Gobi 6 day stage race.

Follow his progress here

The Gobi March is a six-stage, 250-kilometer footrace. The six stages range from 10 - 50 miles (20 - 80 kilometers) over seven days. The stages are arranged to cover the most spectacular and varied parts of the Gobi. Each stage consists of several legs whereby competitors must pass through a checkpoint to collect water and where medical assistance is also available. A typical day will have three or four checkpoints which includes the finish line checkpoint (or campsite). The longest stage, usually stage 5, will be approximately 50 miles (80 kilometers) long and competitors will have 48 hours to complete it, meaning most will run or walk this stage through the darkness of night. All competitors must carry all their own food, gear and clothing while navigating through about 25 checkpoints.

Follow his progress here

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Picture For The Davenport IA Newspaper

2006-05-07T20:01:00.000-07:00

Cornbelt 24 Hour Race Winners
Womens winner Bonnie Busch and Mens winner Eric Herdman

ERIC WINS CORNBELT 24HR RACE

2006-05-07T08:02:00.000-07:00

THE DARK HOURS OF THE RACE HAD THE CREW PACING ERIC TILL DAWN. SORRY FOR THE LATE UPDATE. ERIC WON!!! BEATING THE CLOSEST CHALLENGER; WHO DID NOT STOP PUSHING, GIVE IN OR QUIT BY NEARLY 10 MILES.

Some Pics During The 24 Hours

2006-05-06T20:11:00.000-07:00

Eric is starting to have highs and lows.

2006-05-06T15:30:00.000-07:00

Eric is starting to have highs and lows. We are working hard to help him with both of these. His lows are really bad. His highs are more manageable. The lows are really wierd... sometimes physical, some of the time mental.

10 HOURS DOWN 14 TO GO

2006-05-06T15:18:00.000-07:00

ERIC HAS OPENED UP A 2 LAP LEAD ON HIS CLOSEST COMPETITOR AND IS DISCUSSING RACE STRATEGY FOR THE DARK HOURS OF NIGHT. IT COULD BE A LONG NIGHT!

ERIC PASSES 200 LAPS

2006-05-06T14:12:00.000-07:00

AT 201 LAPS ERIC HAS TAKEN THE LEAD AT 8 HOURS 59 MINUTES

163 laps finished

2006-05-06T12:20:00.000-07:00

The Cornbelt is shaping up nicely. Tempature is in the mid 60's and a slight breeze Eric is maintaining a top 5 position.

5 hours in to CB 24

2006-05-06T10:07:00.000-07:00

Raspberry gel and water on the half hour. Eric is down to shorts only in the brisk 60 degrees with a slight cross wind. 118 laps in

100 laps

2006-05-06T09:17:00.000-07:00

Eric has completed his first 100 laps in the CORNBELT 24 HOUR race and is feeling strong.

2 hrs in

2006-05-06T07:13:00.000-07:00

18 oz of water 7 oz of gel 52 laps

First hour in the books

2006-05-06T06:14:00.000-07:00

Eric is increasing pace and is now at 9:00 per mile and feeling strong. 29 laps complete. Wind starting to pick up a bit.

Race under way

2006-05-06T05:23:00.000-07:00

The race has started with sunny skies and balmy

38 degrees. Eric is currently maintaining a 9:22 pace.

24 Hour Run Updates

2006-05-03T14:38:00.000-07:00

Web updates are scheduled to begin 7am Central time Saturday May 6th.
Be sure to bookmark the page and check back then.

Thanks,
Cliff and Stephanie
Eric's 24 Hour Race Crew

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I Go To Iowa Tomorrow

2006-05-03T13:42:00.000-07:00

The race is 3 days away. I travel most of tomorrow morning to Iowa.

Body feeling rested, legs need a good massage tonight and with really good sleep the next 2 nights I sould not have a sleep problem on Saturday night.

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Easy 12 Miles, No Really It's Easy!

2006-04-30T13:40:00.000-07:00

6AM
I love to run but it feels really good to run short and easy.

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The Taper Is On...

2006-04-28T13:55:00.000-07:00

5:00AM
Easy 13 miles on the track. I usually hate to taper. However, this taper is well deserved. I am beaten, bruised and battered. I need rest, ice therapy, massage and anything else I can get my hands on for recovery.

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Easy 20 Miles Early In The Morning

2006-04-27T13:54:00.000-07:00

3:50AM
20 Miles EASY
No food or water. I needed one more beatdown workout before my taper.

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Crosstraining Day

2006-04-26T16:21:00.000-07:00

Did the elliptical for 1 hour this morning, abs, low back and got out of that place.

I am growing to hate the gym. I am growing to hate lifting. I loved lifting, but recently I have been using all my training time to run. I have not lifted a weight since March 18. Will see how it all plays out on May 6 and 7.

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Speed Workout On The Track In The AM & More in PM

2006-04-25T17:36:00.000-07:00

AM Workout
4AM
8mile run to the track
4X5K pace is the only thing that matters today.
1: 7:30 per mile
2: 7:15
3: 7:00
4: 6:54
3miles home

PM
9PM
8 Miles in the dark. It's tough running when you are normally in bed.

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55 Miles in the middle of the night

2006-04-23T14:25:00.000-07:00

1AM
I left on a 55 mile journey during the middle of the night. I did 35 miles on the road and 20 miles on the track. Tough run. So tired. I only let myself sleep a few hours. I was wasted at the end.

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No Effort Saturday Run

2006-04-22T14:20:00.000-07:00

18 miles
This was one of those runs where you feel like you could run all day. Wait a minute... that's good since I am racing a 24-hour race in a few weeks. Wore a heart rate monitor. My heart rate did not go above 130.

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Friday Double Run Day

2006-04-21T14:15:00.000-07:00

AM
16 miles on the track. 15 minutes hard @ 7:15 pace, 15 minutes easy @ 8:00 pace. No food or water. Total beat-down workout.

PM
8 miles around the store on these crazy basin things.

Really tired now. The attempt to bury myself is starting to work. I am so tired when I run it hurts to run with a tailwind.

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Tempo Run

2006-04-20T13:44:00.000-07:00

4:30AM
18 Mile tempo run at a killer pace. Working will solid food all week. I went Wild Oats and picked up food supplies for all of the running I will do this weekend.

Organic peanut butter and almond butter with salt
Fruit spread
Potato chips I made sure they had tons of salt.
Flaxseed bread
Uncle Eddie Cookies chocolate chip
Fabes Peanut butter cookies
Newmans fig newtons
Organic baby food just in case I get sick on a long run I can go to the baby food.

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Eric and Red Rock Running Company visit
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Crosstraining Day

2006-04-19T10:15:00.000-07:00

1.25 hours on the elliptical.
Core work

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Track Workout

2006-04-18T10:51:00.000-07:00

4AM
7 mile run ending at the Green Valley Track.
Track workout:
3 X 5K with 2 minute jog for rest, 2 X 800 with 1 minute rest.
1: 23:09 (7:28 min/mile)
2: 21:33 (6:57 min/mile)
3: 20:58 (6:46 min/mile)
4: 3:07
5: 3:01
5mile run home

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Eric and Red Rock Running Company visit
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LONG Run

2006-04-16T11:26:00.000-07:00

41 miles on the Green Valley High School Track. I went in and out of these weird lows and then highs. These highs and lows were different than the norm. They were shorter and hurt more.

I hate solid food for the whole run. Uncle Eddies Cookies, almond butter and jelly and chips are great for ultra events. I hate the taste for some of these foods but they are a must for this type of training and racing.

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Eric and Red Rock Running Company visit
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Easy 12 miles in Green Valley

2006-04-15T14:38:00.000-07:00

Today was an easy 12 miles at an 7:30 minute pace after my initial warm-up with my wife. No water, no gels and no food. Just an easy day for time on my feet. 2 hours of paved trail and sidewalk.

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Eric and Red Rock Running Company visit
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15 mile Run on the Track

2006-04-14T14:35:00.000-07:00

AM
15 miles on the Green Valley High School Track. Alternating between 15 minutes hard and 15 minutes easy (7 minute pace for the hard pace/8 to 8:10 minute pace for easy) for the entire 2 hours. This run was without food or water to further try to beat myself down into submission for the trial to come on May 6th.

PM
7 miles easy.

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Eric and Red Rock Running Company visit
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Thursday Tempo Run Day

2006-04-13T22:30:00.000-07:00

15 mile tempo run on the road. Practiced with solid food today. That went ok... no ugly vomit or stomach stuff!

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Eric and Red Rock Running Company visit
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Easy Cross Training Day

2006-04-12T13:11:00.000-07:00

1.5 hours on the elliptical

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Eric and Red Rock Running Company visit
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Track Workout

2006-04-11T15:07:00.000-07:00

Today was another track workout. They are almost all track workouts these days. However, today was a speed workout on the track. I did a 7 mile warm-up. Next was 3, 5K repeats, 30 second faster per mile than race pace. Then I did and additional 5 miles on the track.

I am not going crazy yet... with all of this track running. I am starting to get the feeling that it is going to be tough running in circles after about 16-18 hours.

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Eric and Red Rock Running Company visit
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1 Hour H20 Run

2006-04-10T10:01:00.000-07:00

1 hour water run in the LVAC pool. Fun!?!

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Training for a 24-hour race on a quarter mile track

2006-04-04T16:12:00.000-07:00

Today, I made the switch from the training I did for AR50 (trails and hills) to training for a 24-hour track race (running on a track and flat roads).

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American River 50

2006-04-02T14:01:00.000-07:00

American River 50

Muddy, wet and ugly

50 miles of crap!!!

Do you know how to break yourself?

2006-03-15T14:24:00.000-08:00

We have to break ourselves to make something better out of ourselves!

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Eric and Red Rock Running Company visit
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Laughlin Half-Marathon

2006-03-12T16:09:00.000-08:00

I ran 28 miles before the start of the race. That was fun!

28 miles and then a 13.1 mile race

2006-03-11T14:26:00.000-08:00

I got up at 3am to do a 28 mile training run before the Laughlin Half-Marathon. The 28 miles went fine. The weather conditions were cool and windy for the half-marathon. I waited 3 minutes after the official start. Then I left the start to pick off as many people as I could. Great race. This should be good prep work for the AR 50 in April.

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44 miles road and trail

2006-03-05T13:55:00.000-08:00

2:33 AM left on a 44 mile run. This run took me from Green Valley to Bootleg Canyon and back.

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2006-01-09T10:03:00.000-08:00

Spinning for 1hr and 10 minutes. She killed us for an hour. Core for 20. Easy stretching for 10. I am so recovered it's not funny.

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2006-01-08T11:00:00.000-08:00

Easy day...

Weights (not very heavy... I am trying to get small... body wt at 187, going to 181) for 50 minutes. Core for 15. Starbucks for 30. What a great way to start a Sunday.

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Eric and Red Rock Running Company visit
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