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Sent: Tuesday, April 10, 2001 3:41 PM
Subject: Incline Club V5 TH #2 LR #21
That was pretty neat getting to do some hurting on the Barr Trail last Thursday! Hydro Street sure did not take very long to remind us what it was about. Now there are two * boards and we can really start working towards the 30 *s needed for the IC award. Even with the increase from 25 over last year it looks like there are going to be a lot of awards handed out. Remember there are about 60 workouts in the season and we are only 1/3 into them. Plenty of time to get a lot faster:-)
####
Thursday, April 12, 5:30 p.m. meet at Soda Springs Park.
Warm-up to Hydro Street. 30 minute tempo run up the Barr Trail. Easy down. 4
X Hydro Street Hill. Cool down back to park.
Sunday, April 15, 8 a.m. meet at Soda Springs Park.
Run out the Ute Pass Trail and turn right and then cross Hwy 24 and do the
Waldo Canyon lollipop loop clockwise (less downhill on ice that way). Cross
back over Hwy 24 (be careful) and then go straight and head up Longs Ranch
Road. Go straight at the “J” pipe to the top of Incline and down Barr Trail
to finish the run. Run down the Barr Trail to finish the loop. 2.5-3.5
hours. If it would take longer just do the Longs Ranch Road loop.
Or depending on the snow melt
Run up the Barr Trail and turn left at the 1/2 mile to Barr Camp sign and head 1.25 miles over to Mountain View by the COG. Return but at .8 miles from Mountain View turn left and up to get to Barr Camp. Run down the Barr Trail, left on Bob’s Road, left on LRR to “J” pipe, right to top of Incline and down Barr Trail to finish the run. 2.5-3.5 hours. If it would take longer skip Mountain View and head to Barr Camp only.
####
Richard B writes:
I did such a poor job on Barr trail last
week I decided to skip Rampart Range
today and tackle Barr again. I did much better
and made it to within 1 mile of Barr camp. It
was incredibly windy and cold and my lack of
significant altitude training left me light headed.
I believe I’ve pushed my conditioning up another
notch!
Until next week!
####
Laura L writes:
Once again I am soliciting volunteers for another wonderful community
running event. Tom K and I are in charge of registration for the Feats of
Fire — a kids only free event sponsored by the Colorado Springs Fire
Department and the Pikes Peak Road Runners, the three running stores, and
some other groups I’m sure I’m forgetting. This event will happen on
Saturday, May 19th at 4:00 p.m. in Monument Valley Park. We are expecting
around 1200 kids to show up and would love to have your help! Let me know if
you are interested by e-mailing me at (e-mail address removed for www posting). We would
sure appreciate it! If your kids would like to run, look for the event on
the PPRR web page (www.pprrun.org) or contact me for more details. There
should be flyers up around town pretty soon. Should be a real neat event
with 4 races, lots of kids safety activities, a clown and puppet show, and
free stuff! If this helps you make up your mind, Matt C and Yvonne C have
graciously agreed to volunteer (hey, Yvonne, did you know about this?!?!).
####
Assistant CC Coach Vicki Butchko writes:
You wouldn’t happen to know of anyone that might be interested in
volunteering with a track and field meet on Sat. April 14th would you? We
sure could use a hand. Perhaps, 5-6 are needed for i.e. flaggers and field
event assistants. Pre-event refreshments and lunch provided. If so, could
you have them give Coach Ted Castaneda a call at 389-6483 or email me at
(e-mail address removed for www posting). Thanks.
####
Rick H writes (combined from 2 e-mails):
I showed up Sunday for the Incline Run but I took off before the 8:00
meeting time because I ran up the Barr Trail then over on the Elks Park
Trail to the Meadow. From No Name to Barr Camp there are more dry spots than
icy spots. There’s some snow pack right after No Name to about 500 feet up.
Then also where it starts to level out about 3/4 from No Name. That’s the
part that is also in the shade even in the summer time. Then the little hill
you go up just before the 2.5 Miles to Barr Camp sign there’s some snow
pack. Also, right after the hair pin turn about 1/4 away from Barr Camp
there is still a good section of ice and snow. Finally, right as you
approach Barr Camp where the sign reads “use foot path” there is ice and
snow all the way to the little bridge you cross before you get to the porch
of Barr Camp. For the most part the snow that is still left on the trail
seems like it may take a while to melt because it’s packed down and is
mostly ice, but with the warming of the day and cool nights the ice isn’t
that slick because it’s being kicked around during the day when it’s slush
so it doesn’t freeze smoothly like a ice rink if that’s makes any sense.
That trail we took several months ago at the 7.5 mile sign, that trail still
has still over a foot of snow on it. The trail out to the Elk Park Meadow is
still mostly about 6 inches or more of snow pack. The snow pretty much was
still frozen from what thawing and freezing that has been occurring so we
where able to run on to of the snow didn’t have to post hole through it.
Coming down we took the single track trail down towards the water pipe and
then over to No Name. That trail is clear the whole way. The Experimental
Forest Road to Long Ranch Road and down to the J Pipe is mostly clear except
the last small hill on Long’s Ranch Road before coming down to the
Experimental Forest Road. The “we” runners are myself, Neal T, Teresa T and
John M.
####
Tim E writes (combined from 2 e-mails):
Fellow running friends in wonderful Colorado (hint),
I have run every day since Christmas 2000.
In Israel, it’s been great running on the very clean beaches of the
Mediterranean Sea, but some days I’m at the Intel plant (far from the sea)
and must get creative to satisfy my desire for running on trails.
I developed a painful blister on a toe and have had difficulty walking in the factory (typically about 3 miles a day), much less having an easy time running. The Intel nurse drained the blister one day so I could go for my run. “I cannot miss a day of running,” I told her.
One day I ran barefoot on the sandy beach, which was great for the blister - but it sure stressed my calves!. On one of my runs I went to the Dead Sea and had a great time.
I ran several miles along the shoreline at WAY BELOW sea level, wearing my heartrate monitor, taking data to see how well I could breathe in rich oxygen. (SkyRunner is right: “Oxygen is Overrated”). It was very interesting to see how differently my heart reacted to the overload of O2. (We read that it’s 23%). I noticed my max rate started dropping off (hard to sustain), and when I rested: very fast recovery.
After my run, I walked out into the Dead Sea as far as I could, then -all of a sudden, my feet popped-up and there I was, floating horizontally like a cork. Took one little taste and MAN, THAT WATER IS VERY, VERY SALTY. (Spit!)
I hope the rest of my stay here proves as fun but I can’t wait to return to ColoRADICAL and run with the Incline Club.
####
Tom K writes:
Sorry we missed everyone at the start today. Laura and I decided to do the
Ute-Waldo-Longs-Barr route, and left on our run 5-10 minutes early (someone
checked us in). All of the route was dry, with the exception of a few
meters of thin, slushy snow higher up on Longs. We decided before hand not
to push ourselves too much, but to just enjoy being out on such a beautiful
day. We did keep a pretty even (moderate) pace throughout the run and,
guess what? We PR’d the course for this season by almost 5 minutes! I
wonder what we will do later in the season when we’re in better shape, and
push ourselves a little harder? Maybe crash and burn, but we’ll see.
Talked to Neal T, Teresa T, and Rick H at the park after finishing. They went up Barr, and then up towards Elk Park. Sounds like there’s still some snow above Barr (not much below), but it’s still doable. You might talk to one of them if you would like a more detailed report on that part of the trail (unless, of course, you’ve already been up there).
####
Glenn G writes (in part):
I have thoroughly enjoyed the e-mailings and club member writings this
winter. I feel like I am part of the club “in spirit” and appreciate the
encouragement you all have provided me all winter. What a fantastic group.
Thx to all. I especially enjoyed Carol S. and her L.A. Marathon story! I
know you all are an encouragement to a lot of us who don’t have the
comradeship of a club as we do our long runs alone on Sun, but we continue
to “fake” ourselves out by saying that there are 54 plus others (give or
take some) each Sunday that are either ahead or behind me as I do my runs
and that fake-out thought helps a lot as I go up the trails in and around
Littleton and Evergreen and the Mt Evans area. See ya soon I hope.
####
And now, Incline Club boys and girls and every thing, it’s once again time
for “Ask Doctor Rocket,” where each week we feature a perplexing running
related question that requires rocket science to answer. Ask Doctor Rocket
(he’s got a PhD... in Rocket Science).
Here’s a nagging question for Dr. Rocket.
Whenever I run, so do my sinuses! I am constantly needing to practice my “farmer blow,” which isn’t particularly appealing to my running partners (unless I’m running with the dog, she doesn’t care). If I don’t “blow” I have the problem of all that disgusting stuff running down my face. Any suggestions? Does anyone else experience this phenomenon?
Sue L
Hello Sue,
I fear Dr. Rocket has opened a “Pandora’s Parallelepiped” with his expertise on bodily functions. Please let me make it clear, I am not a medical doctor, though I do have a PhD... in rocket science. So I am obligated through the “Rocket Scientists Oath to Not do Anything Terrible to Humanity, Including Runners” to provide the best solutions to your running problems that rocket science can provide.
Runaway sinuses can indeed be a snotty issue. Though most hardened trail runners are accustomed to any manor of disgusting bodily functions, typically manifesting themselves while on the run, there are always some sights that are just too darn disgusting for some runners to endure, particularly if they are in a position of having to look at it while they are trying to down a badly needed package of Gu. But from your perspective, who cares? If they start making a big deal about it, I say let em have it with both barrels.
I must say though, you are fortunate to have such an understanding 4-legged running partner. Most dogs aren’t into the “moussed fur” look. For those IC members who also have a drainage problem, and are concerned about a soggy doggy, you might consider running with a Chia Pet. They don’t bite, they don’t crap in other people’s yards, and best of all they thrive on moisture. (For more information, check out www.jeiusa.com/cgi-bin/webc.exe/chiapet.html).
But you came to the right rocket scientist Sue. Dr. Rocket has had some recent personal experiences with his own heinous sinus problems. While on a run up to Barr Camp a few weeks ago, on the way back down I could feel my sinuses starting to revolt, and the situation soon became VERY revolting. For the next 24 hours I was sneezing and sniffling with extreme hayfever like symptoms, with associated abundance of viscous fluids jetting out of my nose. I was so bad off that at the post run breakfast I had to reassure Matt C, who was sitting across from me nervously eyeing my watery eyes, runny nose and dodging me frequent sneezes, that I did not have the dreaded and extremely contagious Trans-Siberian Sinus Eating Nose Fungus. At least I don’t think I do. I’ll get back to you on that, Matt.
(NOTE: I am not making the most of the following stuff up about the stuff up my nose)
I went in for an allergy test just last week to try to resolve the chronic sinus problems I have experienced on and off over the past 2 or so years. For this test, the Allergist “scratches” your back with 70 some-odd potential allergens, waits 15 minutes, and then looks to see what you react to gauged by the size of the welt that develops on a particular spot. Can you imagine the sensation of being “stabbed” in the back 70 times with allergen impregnated razors? No matter how a kindly and gently it’s done, I’d rather look at someone’s snotty face then have that experience again. Anyway, after 15 minutes of waiting for reactions, my back had lit up like the Apollo 13 control board after the #2 oxygen tank decided to pass a little gas. I think there were 10 items out of the 70 that I WAS NOT allergic to. I found that I am allergic to a variety of trees, weeds, grasses, molds, mites, plastic flowers, cats, dogs, 100 mile ultras, wheat, almonds, mad cows, “real life” survival TV shows, enemas, weddings (just kidding Laura), and the dreaded and extremely contagious Trans-Siberian Sinus Eating Nose Fungus. You might say that Dr. Rocket is a very sensitive guy. As a bonus, I had the joy of experiencing a rather moderate anaphylactic reaction to something they were testing me for. It required real-time medication to reverse the effects and associated symptoms. The scary thing is that I don’t know which of the 60 or so things it could have been (hopefully not marriage).
So this is what might be happening to you too Sue. When you are running outside on planet Earth, you are exposed to any number of potential allergens, and exposure to them triggers your sinus reaction. (Most other known planets are not a problem.) Your body might not contain the right antibodies to fight off all those pesky Alien allergens. There are preventative prescription drugs that you can see your real doctor about (e.g. Claritin or Allegra), or you can build up your immunity through a rather lengthy treatment of allergy shots. If you are not fond of drugs or needles, then you can always try taping a “Breatherite” strip across your nose, though I suspect that eventually the stuff would just come out your ears with a viscous vengeance, and boy wouldn’t you running friends be impressed! As a last resort you might also consider moving to Mars where, aside from the occasional seasonal aggravation of the odd space probe up your nose, there are no known allergens.
SIDE NOTE:
Of cultural interest to you might be the latest “real life” malady TV
series where a bunch of pretty people are kept in a hot, humid, cat, dog
and pollen-filled tropical space station, and just float around watching
each other drool and drip out of various oralcavities in three dimensions.
No Kleenex’s, space suit sleeves, farmer blows, etc., are allowed. When
someone runs dry, they have to leave the tropical space station via “direct descent” back to Earth. The last one to run dry wins a box of
tissue, a package of Sudafed, and a cheesy token prize. This prime time
show, called “SALIVAR,” comes on every Thursday evening on the Nasal
Channel.
Anyway Sue, next time someone tells you “Hey, it’s snot rocket science!,” just tell them Dr. Rocket says
Blow out hard, when it hurts speed up!
Adios,
el doctor del cohete
Translation: “Thank you and goodbye, but, say, isn’t that green Saturn V 3-stage rocket booster hanging from your left nostril?”
Go out hard, when it hurts blast off!
ADDENDUM TO SPECIAL ADDENDUM
OK, the response for a remedy to Hans Zs groin problem were, well, let’s just say that it was less than underwhelming. Surely, there must be some IC members who would be willing to share their groin stories and fixes with Hans. In the original e-mail (see below), I offered two prize options. To provide a little delta-V to this gig, I am adding a third prize option, something I know most IC members can really use: A 6-pack of beer. Really! A fresh, unused 6-pack of good quality beer can be yours for free. The original rules still apply, but the deadline for submittals will be extended to Midnight MDT, Monday, April 16, 2001. If we get no valid submittals, then Hans gets the beer (it may not fix the groin problem, but it sure might help ease his groin pains). Now take your cyber pens, and blast off...
SPECIAL ADDENDUM
If you were paying attention to the last IC e-mail, you remember Hans Z (one of the infamous members of the maniac down-hill running “Pair-o-toxin Twins”) asking “Now the question to DR. Sprocket Rocket, how do you get over a lingering, annoying groin injury? (Other than more training and speed work) I’m looking for the easy fix.”
First of all Hans, rockets stopped using sprockets when Schwinn’s big project to build a moon bike failed miserably to attract much of a market here on earth (it slid backwards when you peddled forwards). Anyway, since my nose is becoming weary, I thought this might be an appropriate time for a
POP-ROCKET QUIZ!
Yes, it’s your turn IC members! Time for all of you aspiring Rocket
Scientists to submit your best remedies for Hans Z’s groin problem.
Here are the ground rules.
1. It must, of course, address his present injury to the groin in a unique,
and imaginative way
2. The solution must involve Rocket Science
3. It must be printable in the IC e-mail
4. Entries must be submitted by the deadline for the next e-mail
distribution
5. Entries must be 100 words or less
6. You know use mostly understandable, English so?
7. No kicking, biting, scratching, spitting, belching, farting, hitting
below the belt, Sumo wrestling holds, you know...
All entries will be published in the next IC e-mail, and the winner will be picked by none other than Hans Z himself (after he tries the remedy, of course, to see if it works), and shall receive either: (a) an all expenses paid round trip vacation to the International Space Station, or (b) some cheesy token; whichever I can find rummaging around in my rocket laboratory. Now if you will excuse me, I have to go soothe my worried nostrils and go snort of a nice hot cup of Nisqullybucks Mukluk Mocha.
Oops. We have once again accidentally on purpose revealed the true identity of Dr Rocket.
Roger
Memorial Hospital Psychiatric Ward
PhD, MSc (Post Hole Digger and Miscellaneous Collector)
####
“R” reports:
Kees G reports:
Well, here is the race report from db (dutch boy) in db&dg-land. Since it
is an overseas report I thought it would be appropriate to write it in the
hosting country’s language, db-talk, no rule in the unwritten
incline-rulebook talks about the language. Plus, who really reads these
anyhow??? I’ll tell you a few things: People smell different here... They
have racers and runners. You can only get where the racers are by having a
license... guess what, get a license (don’t know how...) or be stuck behind
big mammas in tights for about 10 min on the narrow roads! Oh, I forgot to
tell that the sequence at the start is not determined by (predicted) time.
According to the smell I had for 10 min, it seemed like the worst smelling
people were all in the front at the start! This is the run to prepare for
the Rotterdam marathon (which is the fastest course in the world?). Top 5
were 4 Kenyans (1:05-ish) and a db 3rd (I think he was the db in the olympic
marathon but I am not sure).
CAI westland halve marathon
Start klote achter alle huisvrouwen in leggings, 30 s tot de startlijn, 5 min om eigen tempo te kunnen lopen, zeker nog 5 min om echt te kunnen lopen.
Weer: zon, regen, wind, koud, 5C
Hoogte: -20m?
Tijd: beetje teleurstellend met name door de start maar toch wel blij: 18e overall, 1:17-ish
Kan het vertalen mocht ooit iemand dit willen lezen.
(Matt C adds: now that made for some spellchecker fun:-)
####
WWW posts:
4/8/2001 A great day (although a tad windy at times) brought out 50 to head
up Rampart Range Road. This is the first time we have done RRR in good
weather and the views were as awesome as they were rumored to be. It was
strange to be able to see the antenna (the goal for many) so early into the
run because it looked much closer than it really is thanks to the winding
road. No mud or snow also meant that some were going a bit faster today to.
The trip down was good and the nice weather kept some chatting in the park
for a while.
4/5/2001 44 came to the first Thursday run of the 2001 season. It was hard to recognize anyone because of all the shorts and short sleeve shirts. It was pretty obvious by the blinding reflection that many of these legs have not seen the sun in a long time — scary indeed. We started the season off with 30 minutes of 1 minute hard, 1 minute easy. A few reported that they are already as far along as they were last year. More than a few ran hard enough to start the sewing machine leg syndrome after the 4 Hydro Street hill repeats. Almost all suffered a bit the last 4-5 hard minutes. A ton of the snow at No Name has melted just since Sunday:-)
####
Go out hard, when it hurts speed up...
Matt Carpenter
www.skyrunner.com
Barr Trail Mountain Race
www.runpikespeak.com
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