Lake McMurtry East Side

Dana, Jake, and I spent the weekend at Lake McMurtry, but not where the LMTR 50K/25K/12K is. We camped on the EAST side and ran the trailz there--somewhere I have never been, which is odd--since I claim to be a trail guru.

I don't think these trailz are color-coded--other than on this map. While the west side trailz make a perfect 25K (we set the course up to get the whole 15.5 miles), the east side trailz add up to almost a perfect HALF MARATHON. Hmmm....


We are really enjoying our camping trailer. The heater works, and the A/C works as well. The old Ford does a great job pulling the trailer around--we got a whopping 9.3 MPG going out,. and 11 MPG coming back.


We tackled the south course on Saturday, although Jake and I ran 1.5 in the utter darkness with a small handheld LED light Friday night. I couldn't wait. The trailz were super smooth, soft, rockless, but rooty single track.


This dying tree begged for a picture, and I obliged.


Lotsa red dirt. Occasionally, the trail would cross an open area, and later in the day, the sun started to beat down on us a little. Hate to complain, since it was only maybe 73°.


Despite running sort of around the southern end of the lake, we never really got close enough for Jake to swim, but he did find a couple of creeks with enough water for a dip. Muddy puppy.


As on the west side, there are lots of prickly pear cacti.


Reminiscent of Huntsville State Park (Sunmart, Rocky Raccoon) there are a few wooden bridges to cross, but no alligators.


The trailz closet to the lake were fairly flat with just a few gentle ups and downs. On the return trip, we were a bit further up on the hill, and with the usual switchbacks that mountain bikers seem to like, we had a bit more climbing. The advertised mileage of 6.5 miles was a bit short by our Garmins.


The steeper hills and warming temps slowed TaturCakes and Jake down. I had to promise Jake a swim before we were through.


No Jake--that's not where you're swimming. This was some nasty water, and we would have needed a rope to pull him out.


With more walking than running in the final push, we made it out with close to 8 miles to show for it--which included the distance from our camp to the trail head to and from.

We grilled some steaks and baked potatoes and had a lunch for a king. Then, we made a trip into town. Jake has a hard time getting into the truck, and we have to help him (basically lift his heavy butt up.) We really tried everything to coax him up, and may have given him a complex, because when we got back, he would not walk up the steps into the camper. So, we lifted him up for that. I let him out later to pee, and he scampered out, but would not come back in. I got out the leash, and he got all excited like he does when he gets to go for a run, and was jumping around being the silly dog he is, but still would have no part of coming back inside. He wanted to go for a run or a walk, so I walked him. The tail was wagging and he was pulling wanting to run--not at all like a dog too tired to walk up two steps. So, we went for a walk/jog--taking it easy. Still, he would not come up the steps. We continued to operate a lift service for him, and wondered if he would be good to go the next day.


The question of whether he would/could/should run was heartily answered by him the next morning. He was pumped and stoked to go, acting like he was full of piss and vinegar--tail flying, and pulling on the leash.


Today's route was shorter according to the map. Jake got a swim about a mile into the run, and he ran like the energizer bunny from that point on. Dana ran better, and if we had put our Garmins on auto-pause, we probably would have averaged under 15 m/m. But with pee stops and picture stops, is was a good hiking pace at best.


We really liked the north trailz. The map showed a series of loops, and in my thinking, if we made all right turns, we would run all of the trail system. But instead of the two loops connected by out-and-back sections, there were 4-5 loops. I was confused by this, but still felt that all right turns would get us there.


The north trailz had more variety--a few meadows, straight sections, twisty-turny sections, a few rocky spots, and a lot more steep ups and downs.


We also had more wooden bridges.


The mountain bike club that built and maintains these trailz are to be commended. Besides constructing bridges over the drainages, they had areas where they had paved wash-outs with stone, and built berms to help with erosion.


In places, it seemed the trailz specifically sought out these rocky outcroppings, but still, even with the twisty undulating routes, it is an easier course than Turkey Mountain.


It was cooler today--or maybe it was because we set out an hour earlier.


Jake enjoys another swim. I need to video him--he moans and groans when he swims--like "oooohhh--that feels soooo good!"


The return trip was closer to the lake, and I figured Jake could get another swim in. It was a little more jungle-like, which gave the course even more character.


Trail running does not get much better than this.


While it was not as warm as yesterday, the sun was doing it's job. I got just a tad of sunburn, but hey--I'm super-white.


A tailing Jake is a thirsty Jake. We were carrying water for him--so no, our poor puppy never went without.


Along the bottom area near the lake, we ran through a section of reeds. This was co cool. Jake wanted to swim here, but we said no. Finally, we came to a rocky shore, and were gonna let Jake go hit the water, and Dana grabbed his collar just in time!!


He would have stepped right on this beauty. This girl was sunning herself right across the trail leading to the water, and made no effort at all to move. I came within 12 inches of her taking this picture, and she did that slight coil thing, and I quickly retreated. We thought it might have been a water moccasin, but upon seeing the tail, I doubted it. I could not tell if it had round eyes or slitted eyes, but in this picture shows round and it's tail was skinny to a long point. A moccasin has a blunt tail.

So Jake finished off his water, and was denied a third swim for the day.

We got home and were unloading the camper--and Jake was in and out and in and out, up and down the steps many times. He has some explaining to do.

We loved these trailz--I like them better that the west side, although those are fun as well. It's a great half marathon trail run. Hmmm....

TZ an early favorite to WIN

My next racing event is 3 Days to 100K The Oklahoma Way. This is an easy 25K Friday night, a tough 50K Saturday, and an unknown 25K on Sunday (it may be a tough one too.) Kathy Hoover with the help of Derk and Barbara Pinkerton are putting this first year event, and it will test the mettle of all who go for this multi-day race.

What's the best strategy for an event like this? Conventional wisdom would suggest going easy the first day, and conservatively the second to assure there IS a third day. I do happen to know that the first day is paved, and a course I have ran MANY times. I always seem to run this stretch well, and I intend to run it at 99% effort. With a smaller field, and most of the runners reeling it back, I want to beat their butts. This may be my first WIN! I expect to finish top five for sure. I also expect to pay dearly for this tomfoolery the next day, but I'll have bragging rights.

So--what say you?? Anyone wanna come out and give me a run for the money? Are you gonna let a 50-something pudgy dude make you look bad? I need someone to push me. How about this--if you are reading this, and have not ponied up the entry fee for all three days, come out and run the first day. It'll cost you $35.00, and you'll get a shirt and medal anyway--and a 15.5 mile run with aid stations. You'd pay that for a 5K. Do it--set me back a few places. Or maybe you won't!!

You can sign up here. BRING IT ON!!

Fine Dining on Turkey Mountain

 

The Tuesday Night running group, known by some as the TOTs, and to others as the Tuesday Night Crawlers, enjoyed an hour or so of frolicking around on pristine single track in the Urban Wilderness not far from the zombie cave. 50 something people ran, divided into a couple of enthusiastic groups, thrilled to enjoy 77° degrees and a cool southern brteeze. Life is good--very good. And after our run, it got even better.

RiverParks sneaked in quietly as we ran our run, and set up several tables and chairs, spread cloth table cloths, set the tables with Chinette plates and wine glasses, set out salad bowls, dressings, nut trays, and tatur salad.

A huge charcoal grill was an artscape for master chef Edward perfected 60 chicken breasts.

Fine dining calls for fine wine. We had both kinds--bottled AND boxed.

Not everyone stayed for dinner--their loss. But nearly 30 hungry and grateful souls were treated to a formalish sit-down dinner with a full wait staff. Besides the amazement of having dinner served expected, we talked of running stuff. Past races, upcoming races, running in mud, running in heat and cold, who had a recent face plant, of gnarly blister--you know--trail-runner stuff. Blood and blisters go well with grilled chicken and boxed wine.

I caught a couple of the attentive wait staff--the brains and driving force behind this banquet--Matt Carver, and his head waiter Brian Hoover. I was giddy at having such an awesome feeing after such a perfect night of trail running. Thank you Matt and RiverParks. You are amazing!!

What an odd sight this must have been to passers by. And the great thing--anyone can join us. Our Tuesday Night/Sunday Morning group runs are open to anyone who wants to show up and run with us. We have groups that will fit anyone's pace, and bigger we get, the more groups we can have. There may end up being a fast group, a medium fast group, my group (zombie paced), and even a walking group if we get enough interest in that. And join our group, and you can partake of such awesome feasts (when we have one again.)

More thanks--Chrissy and Danielle who helped set up, and pack things away. Scott Smaligo for helping pack things away after the meal, and Edward for helping with the planning, setting up, and cooking.

John Nobles, Matt, Edward and Stormy dreamed all this up just last Tuesday. Get these guys together, and sometime great things happen. Good times.

Triangular Nutrition

There has been a lot of discussion lately over a new school of thought in sports nutrition. Getting calories into your system while participating in endurance events is important. Getting the right kind of calories is as important as getting the right kind of fuel in your car. And of course, getting the proper amount of calories into your system can make a difference in finishing--or running out of gas. But another groundbreaking discovery has emerged recently--a breakthrough that has empowered even middle age overweight competitors to significant PRs. The newest trend in sports endurance fuel is Triangular Nutrition.

Road marathoners for years have ran their races using mostly Gatorade or a similar sports drink, and gels. But as runners venture into further distances, solid food becomes the norm. Jog into an aid station in your local 50K or 100 mile race, and you'll see a splendid layout--a bodacious buffet of chips, cookies, fruit, candy, boiled potatoes, burritos, and even pancakes and bacon. But a new trend has crept in which has amped up the power of many of the staple aid station offerings. MAKING THESE SNACKS IN THE SHAPE OF A TRIANGLE GIVES THEM MORE APPEAL AND MORE POTENCY.

Here we have two sandwiches made out of the same loaf of white bread, and out of the same jar of grape jelly and creamy peanut butter. The sandwich on the left is cut into rectangles, and the one on the right has been crafted into triangles. Which would you choose? In a recent 50K in Oklahoma, one aid station served PBJs cut into rectangles, and another served sandwiches cut into triangles. The rectangle aid station used 1/2 of a loaf of bread and not all of the sandwiches were eaten. The triangle aid station went through two loaves of bread, and part of a third--proving that the three-sided shape is much more appealing.

Here are a few more pictures of how appealing sandwiches are when prepared in a triangular fashion.

In the second picture, the triangular sandwiches are mouthwatering--but the chips leave a little to be desired. Just imagine how much more appetizing they would be if they were Doritos!!

In this same race, one runner--Mitch Drummond--had eaten a rectangular sandwich and noticed a moderate boost of energy. Upon passing through the next aid station, he consumed a triangular one, and ate another when he passed back by. Mitch's next few miles were several seconds per mile faster, but after missing a triangular PBJ at the next two aid stops, his pace then slowed.

Mitch is a believer now, and makes eating triangles part of his training routine and race fueling strategy.

There is scientific backing to the triangular nutrition principals. A well known ultra runner, who is a veteran to several 100 milers, 50 milers, and 50Ks, and is also a renowned micro-biologist, says that sandwiches--particularly PBJs when properly cut into triangles, deliver the needed carbohydrates directly into the digestive system and subsequently into the bloodstream significantly quicker, as the crust in the bread does not act as a buffer. The sweet jelly and the oil of the peanut butter comes in quicker contact with the mouth linings and salivary glands. A laymen might describe this difference as a "yum" factor. I have noticed hungry ultra runners making large savage bites, often taking the majority of the triangle in a single chomp.

The triangle is not a new shape in nutrition. In fact, even in the early 70s the "food pyramid" was used in adding structure to the nutritional world.

At the bottom--Bread (cut into triangles.) This includes other flours products such as cake, donuts, and pizza crust. On the next level--Fruits and Veggies. Gotta include that if if has a prayer of being "healthy." Next up--Dairy and meats. Ice cream and BACON!!!! Then sweets--the purest form of carbohydrates. Making us middle aged overweight ultra runners what they are--AWESOME.

The triangle is the perfect shape. A square piece of cheese--one serving--when cut into triangles, has half the calories (a good thing to know when one is calorie counting.) And then cut those triangles in half and you have even more triangles. It's magic. And again, the appeal of the shape is undeniable.

Which side of the pizza would you eat first?

Mitch, and a few of his ultra running friends, who share his passion and desire to take their nutrition seriously, have found ways to incorporate Triangular Nutrition into their post-race meals.

After a recent weekend long-night-run, they found their selves at an IHOP where with very little extra effort, transformed their meals into turbocharged triangular super-fuel.

Another well known local ultra runner made yet another discovery recently. According to his Facebook page, "I just had an epiphany! I am convinced that eating triangles is vital to proper fueling in distance running. I have realized that the Braum's waffle cone I just ate WAS A TRIANGLE once I leveled out the ice cream on the top. It's kind of like a 3-dimensional triangle, which really rocks!!"

A few words and pictures from the Warrior Princess Trail Run

It's been a week since the Warrior Princess Trail Run--and I love this race and am sorry to be tardy in doing a zombie-ramble on it. The next day, I left for Kansas, and came back on Monday hobbling and humping to catch up at work. Plus, I have misplaced the camera I took the race pictures with. :-(

But I did have a few on my iPhone and I've swiped a few from the Warrior Princess page. Michael and Chrissy, along with Miss Piper catch their breath just before things kick off.

Right around 5:00, people started rolling in. Keeping with the under-the-sea little mermaid theme, this balloon sculpture was the focal point of many pictures.

I was out checking on possible course marking vandals, and most was good. All EXCEPT an aid station table being STOLEN on the road portion--along with a few orange cones. Bubba and Billy Bob made out good.

Beautiful custom made finishers medals awaited all the 10.3 mile, 10.3K and 1.03 mile runners.

Over 150 runners participated in this 3rd year event. This year, the women outnumbered the men 110 to 41, with more females than males in every distance. Impressive!!

Bill Ford aka Bagel Billy from Stillwater--owner of Old School bagel--furnished tons of bagels and cream cheese. Much carb loading was done before and after the race.

Tom Robinson adjusts his false teeth, while sizing up his competition. He was slobbering thinking about whether he could win his age group. Tom brought his granddaughters, who are getting caught up in trail running. It's a real sickness, you know.

Brandon and Cameron made up a third of the men's field in the 10.3 mile race. If it's a trail race within a days drive, you can bet they'll nag their dad into taking them there.

This is a Maggie Cooper pic of her--and Venus. Trail runners that they are, they took the easy route this evening. Probably saving their energy for the weekend races.

Mitch Drummond timed the race(s) this year. Jenni Hawkins was his right hand man (woman). Thank you both for all your hard work and expertise.

AT 6:00, the 10.3 mile race commenced. Half of this race was on the mountain bike trailz, which meandered over hill and dale, and across several water crossings. It features two miles of fairly technical trail--lots of rocks, and then settles down finishing with 3ish miles of fairly smooth single track. The next 5.3 miles were an out and back on old HWY 51--an almost forgotten asphalt road along the river bottom of the lazy Arkansas.

The 10.3K race was all on the road--heading down the same way the 10.3 milers eventually went, but detouring onto a short out-and-back to make the distance come out right. Both races, and the 1.03 mile fun run, had the pleasure of a 1/2 mile steep climb back to the finish line. A true Trail Zombie-style course. :o)

As the runners finished, refueled (remember the bagels?), and socialized, the top three winners were recognized for each distance.

Jordan Christy, a TATUR, won the 10.3 mile trail race. Jordan has been in the top three in several local trail races and I was glad to see him get the win.

Pam Young, another TATUR, was first female in the trail race. When I get the final results, I'll post more details on the other distances.

Thanks again to Michael and Chrissy, who worked tirelessly putting this race on. I have seen Chrissy work herself into a frenzy on this race in years past. This year was slightly more relaxed due to her volunteers, and to nice pre-race weather.


Yes, it's a fun race, but the real reason for the event was to celebrate the memory of Lillian Grace, who was with Michael and Chrissy for 103 days. I know she is smiling from heaven as we do what we love remembering her. As has been done each year, a sky lantern was lit and watched as it drifter out of sight--a nice finishing touch to a magical event.

Keep an eye and an ear out for a new running event in August to celebrate the day Lillian earned her wings. The plan is to have a 103 minute run in Chandler park. Chrissy and I are working our course details, and will divulge details as we have them!!

Brother, can you spare a dime?

Pssst--Hey Buddy--Can you spare a dime?

I'm in Tulsa Oklahoma and need to get to Uganda. Can you help? Just some spare change?
Anything will help.


Now before you pretend that you didn't hear me and walk on in to Quik Trip, hear me out.
I am part of a group of friends who are Running To Uganda.

Yep, that's a HECK of a long way--8,225 miles--the distance from Tulsa to Lira, Uganda.
Crazy, huh? Crazier yet--we're gonna run back too.

You should know a little more about the friends I run with. Paul Rejda and Jono Becker.


Here is a few words from their Facebook page.

"Run to Uganda" was the brainchild of Paul Rejda and Jono Becker. The main goal of the Run is to raise funds to build a school for Calo Me Lare, an orphanage built by Project Hope Worldwide (PHW), in Lira, Uganda. This page was created to track the progress of our little adventure that we have been kicking around for the past year.

As philanthropic as building a school may sound, the original goal was just to run 125 miles along Route 66 from Tulsa to Oklahoma City "for the fun of it." But as discussions became more detailed, it became evident this would be a great way to raise money for PHW, which both of our families have supported for a couple of years.

From there, it took off at a dead sprint! Jono wanted to set a huge goal. When he mentioned wanting to raise some $50,000, Paul was a shocked but immediately jumped at the challenge. To accomplish our monetary objective, we have recruited a few people to help with some of the fundraising logistics. We are also recruiting a running team of all skill levels as well as non-runners to help promote the fundraiser.

To get the fundraiser started, we ran Tulsa's Route 66 Marathon as a training run and a good place to spread the word to other like-minded runners. From there, our we and our team have been logging weekly running miles with the goal of reaching 8,225 miles - the distance from Tulsa to Lira, Uganda before we run from Tulsa to Oklahoma City. The 8,225 miles is looking too easy for our awesome team so we have decided to make it a "round-trip" journey of 16,450 miles.

With God’s help and a wonderful team of volunteers, we will reach the $50,000 goal by the end of 2013 and Calo Me Lare will be able to build another school to educate their growing number of orphaned children in what the United Nations considers the worst country for a child to be born.

Now that you have your coffee and are on your way back to your car, can I have a minute of your time? I'm TZ and I have a running problem. This run to Uganda is a tally of our running group's miles, and we're somewhere in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean right now. But here's where I need that dime. I'd like to use my running obsession to help build this school in Lira, Uganda.
I am running an event in Tulsa in a couple of weeks: Three Days to 100K. This is a stage race, which includes a 25K on Friday, a 50K on Saturday, and a 25K on Sunday. I'd like you to help me out with building this school in Uganda by pledging one thin dime per kilometer that I run, or that same thin dime per mile that I run if the metric system seems to new fangled.

And you don't have to worry about me spending those donated dimes on booze or cigarettes--you can donate directly to Project Hope and every dime goes directly to building this school. The administrative costs, red tape costs, business luncheons, etc, are all taken care of and are not funded by the donations to Project Hope. . Seriously, if you can help out, I'll post how many miles and kilometers right here, and on Facebook. If you'd let me know if you'd like to part with a bit of spare change that's weighting down your pockets ar is spread out all over the dresser or rattling around in the clothes dryer, 1. Comment here, or 2. Comment on my Facebook page, or 3. Email me at trailzombie@yahoo.com, or 4. Don't even tell me and use the Project Hope link to donate. I'll take your change and be responsible, but the Project Hope link is the better way. Ok ok, I won't bother you anymore, although I could use a cup of coffee.

Across Mongolia Expedition

Tuesday Night at Turkey Mountain, I met Brian Hunter. Brian run with us occasionally, and has planned an amazing adventure for this summer. Brian, along with a support team, will run 1500 miles across the country of Mongolia to raise awareness and support for thousands of orphans and abandoned children. I visited his website, the Across Mongolia Expedition, which gives many details of his upcoming endeavor.

A short insightful video on his website explains the genesis of this expedition, and introduces his team.

According to Wikipedia,

The country came under strong Russian influence and, proclaiming in 1924 the communist Mongolian People's Republic, it became Soviet Union's satellite state. It was only after the breakdown of communist regimes in Europe in late 1989, when Mongolia saw its own Democratic Revolution in early 1990; it led to a multi-party system, a new constitution of 1992, and transition to a market economy.
At 1,564,116 square kilometres (603,909 sq mi), Mongolia is the 19th largest and the most sparsely populated independent country in the world, with a population of around 3.2 million people. It is also the world's second-largest landlocked country after Kazakhstan. The country contains very little arable land, as much of its area is covered by steppes, with mountains to the north and west and the Gobi Desert to the south. Approximately 30% of the population are nomadic or semi-nomadic.

Brian and his support team plan of covering an average of 30 miles per day, and running border to border in 50 days. Partnering with the Christina Noble Children's Foundation, the proceeds will go to provide vitamins, medical supplies, coats, and shoes for the orphans and abandoned children living in horrid conditions--sometimes even in sewers beneath city streets.


Brian's quest is a noble one, and he has bitten off one tough yet exciting challenge. He is looking for sponsors and donations for the trip, and more importantly for the children in need. Please visit his site. I have linked his website to my blog so I can check in on his progress and the tales and pictures of his adventure.