Fort Worth Marathon'n For Lupus

It's been a while since I've posted. I'm afraid that life is somewhat interfering with my running and definitely getting in the way of my blogging. As a quick update, I've had my first DNF at the Hallucination 100. I probably shouldn't have tried a second 100 miler less than two months after Burning River. I want to thank Dirt Dawg for dragging me through that last loop and Nate and Mae for being willing to come out and crew in the middle of the night. As always, thanks to my wife for waking up early, staying up late, and driving around to all those aid stations to make sure I was functioning as well as possible. Also, thanks to my parents for being there to support me.

I've actually decided to write this quick post to ask all of you out there to support another Lupus Runner. Cruz Pitre is running his first marathon on November 8th to help raise money. He has been a tireless supporter of the fight against lupus and he deserves our support. All you runners out there know how difficult those last miles can be and your contributions support a worthy cause and a worthy runner. I'm re-posting information about Cruz's run below.

From Cruz Pitre:

On November 8, 2009, I'll run my first Fort Worth Marathon. My wife, Michelle, my cousin Marisol, and friends (or some of their relatives) have Lupus. I would like to use this occasion to raise funds for Lupus research.

TO SPONSOR MY FIGHT AGAINST LUPUS, simply go to Brian's Firstgiving page at http://www.firstgiving.com/lupusrunners. When you make your donation, PLEASE MAKE A COMMENT along the lines of "FOR Cruz AT FORT WORTH" or something that makes it obvious that your donation arose from reading this page.

There are other Lupus Runners also raising money on this page so don't let that confuse you.

(I should note that we've "followed the money" and any donation will go directly to the Lupus Foundation of America. None of it goes to the Lupus Runners. We are only facilitating the fundraising.)

After you donate, you will be able to print out a receipt page, and you'll also get an email receipt.

If you would prefer not to donate online, you may send money to the following address and I'll donate the money in your name.

Cruz Pitre Jr.
600 Parkview Court
Kennedale, TX 76060

Upon request, I'll send you a donation receipt for your taxes.

2009 Burning River 100 Race Report

Well, it's been nearly two weeks since the race so probably about time that I put together a race report. First of all, this was probably the funnest race that I have ever participated in. It was well-organized and scenic and a pleasure (er, relatively) to run. Holli, as always, was the best crew that I could ask for and deserves my utmost thanks and appreciation. I'd also like to thank my parents for coming out to support me and for my brother Dave and sister-in-law Lauren for coming out to help pace. I'd like to thank Dirty Girl for some much needed cups of soup and espresso beans at the covered bridge station, Kevin for his help as I cruised in and out of aid stations, and Mae and Nate for their enthusiastic support. Finally, I'd like to congratulate Dirt Dawg, who has finally chased down his first 100 miler and thank him for his support and company during those first miles.

In truth, there are many others who also deserve thanks. There are Tom and David who I had not met until the covered bridge station, but who both volunteered to pace me through much of the night. David, good luck finishing the Grand Slam--that is an incredible accomplishment. There are the podiatry students who did their best to keep my feet from falling apart at various aid stations. There are the aid station volunteers and fellow runners who magically showed up with mole skin, duct tape, and a variety of other medical supplies when the podiatry students weren't around. Then, of course, there are all the volunteers who just made the whole event happy.

I've decided not to write much about the details of the race itself. Let me say that the first 50 miles went pretty well (11 hours) and I was even feeling pretty good after 60. Then a couple blisters began to form. Then, I made the mistake of removing some moleskin that I thought was bunching up on me (it was, but it was also providing some critical padding). Then it began to rain. Then I had to run through some pretty significant mud.

I finished in just over 28 hours and 30 minutes, but my final pace was a pretty pathetic hobble and my over-riding memory of the last third of the race was largely one of, let us say, discomfort. It was frustrating as my leg muscles held up well and it was really my feet that caused me such significant problems. As you can see from the photo of Holli and I crossing the finish line, she is quite literally pulling me along. Still, I didn't give up and I am proud of that accomplishment. Furthermore, I think the foot problem is something that can be managed. In fact, two days after the race I realized that my toes were so cramped up that during I was not actually moving most of the muscles in my foot. I'm not sure if this was caused by the change in my gait due to the rather large blisters on my feet or the other way around. In either case, it gives me an excuse to buy some new socks and shoes and, perhaps in the near future, to try out some barefoot running to strengthen my foot muscles.

All that aside, here was my epiphany as I cruised through the ups and downs of the race. What if, rather than thinking of all this running as a series of training cycles and races I just ran when I felt like it. I mean, why does something as fun as running 100 miles need to be a once a year event? In fact, it has taken me a couple 100 mile races to realize that I do, in fact, really like to run. Perhaps for people who are training intensely for particular times or to win competitions, the distinction between training runs and actual races matters, but I have typically run races at nearly the same pace that I train. So what is the point of distinguishing between training and racing? This matters because, despite the foot issues, Burning River was just fun and I would like to do it again.

So, I've decided to go ahead and sign up for the Hallucination 100, which is Michigan's first 100 mile race. You are all welcome to join me as spectators, crew, or pacers. The run is a series of 12.5 mile loops and there is a campground on the loop where everyone can hang out all weekend. What else can you ask for in a good time?

Lupus Foundation of America Needs Your Hel

Lupus Foundation of America Needs Your Help -- Urge Your Senators to Cosponsor S. 1630, the Affordable Access to Prescription Medications Act

Go to http://capwiz.com/lfa/home/

Click on the link "Urge Your Senators to Cosponsor S. 1630, the Affordable Access to Prescription Medications Act," enter your zip code in the box called “Call Now” and click on the “go” button. You’ll then be presented with the contact information for your senators, as well as get talking points for what to say when you call.

Please ask your family, friends and coworkers to call on your behalf as well.

Webcast of Burning River

I almost forgot. If you would like to see how I am doing on race day, check out the BR live webcast. I'm bib #68.

http://www.burningriver100.org/webcast.html

Why run 100 miles? Or getting psyched for Burning River

I am a bit ashamed to admit that I have spent quite a bit of time in the past few days reflecting on why I like running 100 mile ultramarathons. I really have wanted this to be a good post on the eve of Burning River as, after nearly 200 blog posts and raising nearly $12,000, I've decided to take a break from fundraising. While it has been an integral part of my ultrarunning and it is both an important and personal cause, I have only barely had sufficient time to keep the group operating as it warrants. At the same time, I'm still receiving emails and comments from interested runners and getting an average of two-dozen hits per day so I've been hesitant to just let the group disappear and the hard work that we have together put into this fade away. That is why I am happy to announce that Cruz Pitre has agreed to take over management of the Lupus Runners website to keep the movement going and growing. We need to talk about the details still, but some time after Burning River I will redirect the www.lupusrunner.org to a new site. Cruz is adamant runner and been a dedicated member of Lupus Runners this year and I know that he will do a great job as I take a break to focus on other things.

You will, of course, still be able to see what I am up to at my various other websites such as www.brianthesociologist.com and, now that I finally have my hands on a Blackberry, I'm increasingly addicted to Twitter so look for me at www.twitter.com/thomasb7. Also, rest assured, that I will keep running. Which takes me back to the point of this post--why run 100 miles? Since I haven't been able to come up with an eloquent and thoughtful diatribe, I'm resorting to a bulleted list. Here goes.

Why run 100 miles?

• It's a great way to get people to donate money to an important cause
• The food at aid stations tastes really good after 50 miles
• You meet some really great people
• Because no matter how hard you train you never know what's going to happen
• A central precept of Buddhism is that life is suffering and the key to happiness is letting that go. Running 100 miles involves suffering, then letting that go, the suffering some more, then letting that go, then you finish.
• You get to know people really well when you run with them for 12 hours.
• You get a cool belt-buckle at the end.
• You get to know yourself really well when you run for 24+ hours.
• Marathons are way too crowded
• It requires more patience that any other sport I've participated in
• I was a really bad wrestler in high school
• No one ever asks you your time afterward, they just ask "At one time?"
• It's a great way to spend time hanging out in the woods
• Training with a jogging stroller is a great way to get a toddler to nap
• The week before or after a race you don't have to feel guilty about going to a buffet
• There is definitely an ego driven cool factor
• Did I mention how good certain food tastes after 50 miles?
• No one looks at you funny if you walk
• It's a great time to listen to audio books (entire novels at a time)
• Dawn looks great after 75 miles
• Night time is magical when you are in the middle of the woods with nothing but a headlamp
• Other things in your life feel more possible, and less stressful, afterward

After my first 50k, I almost cried because I was so glad that I actually did it. After my first 50 miles, I felt a deep sense of satisfaction. After my first, and only so far, 100 miler I was so tired I didn't particularly feel anything other than some mild confusion that I did not need to keep running. In fact, rather oddly, after 50 miles I was glad to be done. After 100 miles I was somewhat disappointed that it was over.