I’m not big on writing a turn-by-turn recap of my races; honestly, I don’t see how people remember all those details! However, I will try to summarize my 2010 Western States.

For the past few years, I have been snake bit during 100 milers with stomach issues. I’ve run over 100 ultras and 20 plus 100 milers and recently, for some unknown reason, I can’t seem to avoid horrible stomach issues in 100’s after about 40 miles. I trained hard this year in preparation for WS, and I worked with a dietician (who is also an ultra runner) to try and avoid any major stomach issues. All the training runs and preparation races went well. With Western States approaching, I developed a plan that broke the race into thirds, adjusting my hydration/nutrition plan as the mileage increased.

The race started well. With all the snow in the high country, I decided to go out at a conservative pace and I took it very easy to Robinson Flats (located at mile 30). My plans called for:
an average of about 300 calories per hour (60/70grams of Carbs)
between 300-700mg of sodium per hour
20 to 50oz of fluids per hour depending on the heat

Just outside of Millers Defeat, I started having issues with my stomach. This continued to worsen through the canyons; I really couldn’t push the pace along this section and lost time especially on the climbs to Devil’s Thumb and Michigan Bluff. My crew did a great job trying to help me turn things around, and Francesca was even texting with our dietician looking for advice. Once I arrived at Foresthill, everything I ate or drank immediately made me nauseous. I spent extra time at Foresthill with my crew before heading down California Street, but nothing seemed to improve the situation. I had picked up my pacer, Alyssa Godesky at Foresthill. She did everything she could think of to help me as we proceeded down to the Rucky Chucky, but things only got worse. By now, everything that went in, came back out! By the time I arrived at Green Gate (mile 80), I hadn’t had any real sustenance for over 25 miles and had to call it a day.

So what happened? Because my stomach issues have been associated with dehydration in the past, I was topping off my bottles in between aid stations from the creeks along the course. This is a common practice at WS and since I’ve run the race twice before, I knew where all the good water sports were located. In hindsight, I think I was over drinking early in the race. Also, I had planned to get most of my sodium from my electrolyte drinks and avoid taking sodium capsules, because they seem to be too strong. I changed this strategy early (in the first 10 miles) by taking 1 to 2 S-caps per hour, because I was getting stitches along my sides in the high country. Mistakenly, I continued to drink the electrolyte drink and probably put too much sodium into my stomach.

So, what did I learn? As my running coach Scott Jurek pointed how, TRUST YOUR TRAINING and avoid making any major changes on race day. Well, onward to Leadville in August. This will be my 4th time running this terrific event and I’m really looking forward to the high mountains and the cool temperatures. Oh yes, and not seeing the contents of my stomach along the way!

If you are curious on what the trails in the mountains look like, I found out today.  Gill and I went for a long run in the Shenandoah National Park.  We started at the bottom of Brown’s Gap Road, climbed up to the Blue Ridge Parkway, ran out and back on the parkway, and back down the mountain.
The valley is almost clear, and the snow is patchy until about 1000 feet.  At that elevation, the snow went from patchy to constant, getting deeper with every step.  By the time we hit the Doyle trail, the snow was at least 1/2 foot, and soft enough that almost every one of our steps broke through.  It was a painful and slow process, frustrating and very tiring for my legs.  Once on the parkway (the 5 mile climb took me 25 minutes longer than normal), I took one look at the Appalachian trail, and decided to stick to the parkway.  The road was plowed with patch snow: the trail was under at least a foot of soft, untouched snow.  No one had been anywhere near the trail.
The parkway was also considerably colder, with wind gusts in the low 20s.  The wind also carried a lot of drifting snow, perfect for my naked legs.  Nevertheless, the parkway was absolutely beautiful, with views of the white surrounding mountains that took my breath away.  The parkway is also very runnable.
Once I left the parkway and headed back down on Brown’s Gap road, conditions were not any better.  The soft snow took away all my momentum.  The hard ground felt too hard, after all the very soft snow, but at least I had some grip!
So, if you are thinking about hitting the trails this weekend, bring some skis or a rescue dog!  Sorry, Sammy is not available.  Have fun!

J Russell Gill III joins the La Sportiva Mountain Running Team

La Sportiva bolsters its mountain running lineup, welcoming one of the country’s most influential runners to its team.

BOULDER, Colorado - February 10, 2010 - For over 80 years, La Sportiva has been the world’s premier supplier of technical and innovative footwear. Today, La Sportiva announced that ultrarunner J. Russell Gill III has joined its Mountain Running Team.

In 2003 La Sportiva formed the premier trail running team in North America. The idea was to support and grow the sport by supporting the people who are the heart of the sport. Each year 35 professional athletes push the boundaries of personal achievement and enjoyment, learn how to go higher, further, and faster, and share their experiences with others.

“I am very excited to run for a team that includes such tremendous athletes. Throughout La Sportiva’s 80-year history, they have been dedicated to the mountain running and ultra scene” said Gill. “I feel that the vibe at La Sportiva is the best of any running company that I have had the opportunity to represent. They look to all their athletes to provide feedback and direction in order to create the best possible products. I’m a big believer that innovation is a cooperative process and look forward to working with the La Sportiva team. I try everyday to promote a healthy balanced lifestyle through running and encourage as many people as possible to “Get out and Get Moving”.

Gill, the owner of such successful businesses as Charlottesville Running Company and Bad to the Bone Endurance Sports, looks forward to working closely with the La Sportiva Design and Development team on footwear. Gill and his partner, Francesca Conte, maintain a very active and busy lifestyle. When not running, they Co-Host the radio show “Get Moving Charlottesville”, coach runners of all abilities, direct over 16 running races annually and have been featured on the Discovery Channel as one of the Country’s top endurance couples.

About La Sportiva
La Sportiva’s mission is to bring the best technical footwear to explore the outdoors. For 80 years we have been producing innovative footwear and we are looking forward to the next 80 years. Produced and designed in a small mountain town at the foot of the Dolomites, La Sportiva supports 140 families in a unique and enviable environment. Everyday the mountains surround the people who handcraft your shoes. Being mountain based and family run allows us to draw on eight decades of experience handed down through the generations. With this heritage we can focus on the future and meld new technologies, ideas and innovation with our rich knowledge of shoe making to give you the most amazing products on the market. Products that let you go where you dream to go, do what you dream to do and live how you want to live.

For more information on the La Sportiva Mountain Running Team and La Sportiva, check out www.sportiva.com

Mike Walllenfels, President and co-founder of Mountain Hardwear left the company on Monday to become the CEO of Timbuk2.

Through our professional relationship with Mountain Hardwear, Francesca and I had the opportunity to have Mike on our radio show (Get Moving Charlottesville) and had a terrific interview.

Mike is a great guy and I know he will be missed at MHW. We wish Mike all the best and great success at www.timbuk2.com

gill

One of the most popular parts of participating in a Bad to the Bone event is passing through Camp Marty!

Marty Roddy, better known to most as BAV (short for Big Ass Volunteer), has become a staple of all Bad to the Bone events for the past 8 years. BAV is hard to miss: standing 6′8″ and weighing somewhere north of 250 pounds, he is an imposing figure. BAV was an offensive lineman at Notre Dame University and played alongside great athletes such as Tim Brown and Mike Golic (from the ESPN Show “Mike and Mike”). At Bad to the Bone and Charlottesville Running Company, BAV started out as the world’s best volunteer. A few years later, we hired him as a full time employee and he quickly became the world’s most OVER-WORKED employee.

Many runners comment on their love of Camp Marty and BAV’s infectious enthusiasm that keeps them moving along the course.

So, if you haven’t visited Camp Marty, put it on your travel plans and, if you try to drop out at this aid station, be prepared for the Biggest Bear Hug of your life!

The Charlottesville Running Company and Montrail are teaming up to find out What Moves You!

Road Running or Trail Running - Tell us which you enjoy the most and why?

The best comments will receive either a free “iRun” wicking shirt or a pair of Montrail Running Shoes!

Post should be 50 words or less and will be accepted until September 26th, 2009. Winners will be notified via email…

Francesca and I had a great run this morning at Walnut Creek Park. Walnut Creek is a great park located about 20 minutes from downtown Charlottesville. You will find miles and miles of trails to explore and beautiful scenery all along the way.

Walnut Creek also serves as the venue for our Fall trail half marathon event on November 14th. We also have a Canine Run/Walk 5K that day starting 30 minutes after the runners.

For more info, go to www.badtothebone.biz

Francesca and I had a great run this morning along the Sugar Hollow trails. I also had a KOOL soak in the Moormans river following the run!

This is a blog about running, but the world of sports can often learn from itself, which is why I feel compelled to speak about Michael Vick’s reinstatement into the NFL. About 20 minutes ago, the Philadelphia Eagles hired Mr. Vick with a two year contract. Two years have gone by since his arrest and yes, Michael Vick has paid his debt to society. Let me add a disclaimer at this point: I find Mr. Vick’s actions deplorable. I know dogs well, and their company has brought me happiness for many years of my life. I think no animal deserves the cruelties I read about in the papers, not for sports, entertainment nor for any other reason. Most importantly, and this is the point of contention, I believe Mr. Vick was only sorry that he got caught, and not about the fact that he brutalized dogs for several years. The dog fighting business was part of his life and entertainment; if he hadn’t been forced to go to prison and dismantle his operation, he would be fighting dogs maybe this very night. I really don’t know if Mr. Vick truly repented, but what I do know is that it’s hard to do the things he did to the dogs without being immune to that kind of violence. And that immunity is hard to loose.
With all the outrage gone, all I hear from commentators is that “Michael Vick has paid his debt to society”, and he should therefore be able to play in the NFL. Yes, paid he did indeed, but is this what we want the NFL, one of the largest sports businesses in the world, to reflect? Is the NFL only a collection of individuals competent at throwing a ball, or is it a league of extraordinary gentlemen, men who worked hard for this privilege, men who can be held as a standard to our generation? Is Michael Vick really the only men out there with enough strength, speed and agility to be the Eagle’s quarterback?
This goes beyond Michael Vick of course. Playing in the NFL, or in any major sports league, is a privilege and should be reserved to the best, not just at sports, but also at morality. Which brings me to running… it seems that most elite runners live a normal life, where deception, gun fights, alcohol or violence are very rare. The worst thing we have heard about in the last few years was the Marion Jones doping case, and, if I am not mistaken, Marion is not running. I am not sure if there is something to be learnt here, but it certainly gave me pause.