The Hash and The Beast

Last weekend was a great weekend for nutjob runners.

Our first trip was to Widewaters in Lockport, NY where the Beast of Burden 100 was coming to a close. It's amazing to see the transformation at Widewaters along the Erie Canal as the spirit of the beast takes over.

 For those of you who don't know, the Beast of Burden 100 is a 100 mile race along the historic Erie Canal. It is run once in the summer and once in the winter. You can also choose to run the 50 miler or the 24 hour race.  Not your ordinary run in the park.

When we got to the Widewaters Marina the race had already been going on for 25 hours. One of the directors, Jim Pease told us there were still 10 people out there. The 100 milers had to finish the race within 30 hours.

We watched as Milko Mejia from Fresh Meadows, NY came in at 25:31. He was welcomed home with cheers, cowbells and the Rolling Stone's Beast of Burden blasting out of the loud speakers.

The race started 10:00 Saturday morning. It was now 12:30 Sunday afternoon. That is a long time to be on your feet.

Edward Broadmax from Ft. Bragg, NC ran a 12:35:40 and Kerri Haskins from Danville, NY ran a 14:22:55. Both were still there cheering in the rest of the runners. Jim Pease did fifty miles as a practice run!

Dominic Pasceri the youngest of the runners, just 13 years old ran 50 miles in 17:13:38! His proud father, Sam, looked on with pride. The day before the race Sam fell from the first floor to the basement and broke 11 vertebrae, herniated 5 other discs, broke his left shoulder and most of the ribs on his right side. Originally he was going to pace his son. Obviously he was no longer able to run in the race but nothing was going to stop him from being there when Dom crossed the finish line.

The winner of the race, Joseph Czabaranek from Dayton, Ohio came in at 14:47:30 beating the course record of 14:56:50 set by Valmir Nunes from Brazil at the Summer Beast.  Click here for the rest of the results.

Next we headed out to Gonzos Bar in Lockport NY where the Buffalo Hash House Harriers were meeting for Hash #704 - NUTS, it's Cold Out! The Hashers are billed as a drinking club with a running problem.

Barebackbullseye and Cowgirl (the man on the right is Cowgirl) were setting the trail. I'm not sure how he got the name Cowgirl but I'll bet it's a great story.

When we entered the bar I felt like we were being let into a secret society.

Having heard all kinds of strange stories about the Hashers we were expecting a bunch of crazy, drunken redneckers. Instead what we found were the nicest bunch of well read, personable runners you'd ever want to meet.

BangsforABuck and SudsandJugs were kind enough to let us in on some of the finer aspects of hashing. HeadDispenser also added some input.

Disorganization is the rule of the day. The hash officially starts at 12:69 (1:09) but in reality it actually starts around 2:30 because everybody first meets inside the bar for a beer or two and socializes before the run.

As it was explained to me, every hash is different, nobody but the hares know where the trail will lead them. You just follow the hash marks. All hashers wear a whistle (if you forget your whistle that is a penalty - more on that later). If someone is off the trail they will blow the whistle to keep everyone on track. There are no winners or losers here.

At every mile marker you drink a beer and sing.  The fastest runners wait for the slowest runners. Nobody is left behind. I hope I am getting all of the details and names right. There is a lot to learn.

Other penalties include no peeing on the trail, no hats in the circle and other violations that are made up along the way.  Any hasher can call a penalty on their fellow hashers during the run. When the hash is over everybody gathers in a circle and the penalties are doled out, one cup of beer at a time.

Being injured and on meds I decided to send a scout out on the trail with the hashers to see what it was all about. I needed someone ready to run anywhere, anytime for any reason, someone not quite right in the head.  The choice was obvious. The Cannibal quickly changed into his running clothes at the bar.

After the run he reported back to us. Having heard some of the details I wasn't sure if he was reporting accurately or just delusional from the beer and snow. It was obvious I was going to have to run this thing myself next time.

When I do my first hash I will report back with the details.

* * * * *

So what's next? Rumor has it there is a race coming up in February where the guys run in heels and red dresses. You'd have to be a real nut job to do that one.  See you there.

Ravaged By The Beast

The Beast of Burden Summer 100 Ultra Marathon



The day started off innocently enough.  Baba and the Cannibal were happy to snag a picnic table in the shade right next to where we had parked our vehicles.

As it turned out, the shade by our picnic table was the last we would see for the day.

It is wide open along the canal. There are no overhanging trees to duck under or paths that lead you through the cool woods for awhile.  You are at the suns August mercy.

 Blisters, sun poisoning, dehydration, you name it, we got it.

But one of the nice things about an ultra is the social aspect.  You meet people from many walks of life.

At mile three we met Ali.

His philosophy on running was, "There is joy in movement".

His daily workout is to walk three miles, jog three miles and then run three miles.  By the time he has warmed up with the walk and the jog, he can't wait to run.  The joy of movement.



I wish we could have talked with more people along the way but unfortunately misery came pretty early at this one.


Still, when you're running a local race you can always count on your friends to convey those special messages to you, like Richard Clark did to Bob, when we ran into him at Gasport -  "Clyde says to tell you, you suck!"  What a great motivator that was.



Yes, we were ravaged by the beast on Saturday. 


Some days you get the beast and other days the beast gets you.


It had it's way with us on this one but redemption is just a run away, or as the Hashers would say, "On On".

Good Karma, Bad Karma

To different minds, the same world is a hell or a heaven." - Ralph Waldo Emerson 
 

When the karma is good the running is good.

For instance, whenever I am on vacation I seem to run better.  Is it because I am well rested?  Probably.  But another part of it is karma.  Being away from knife wielding workmates is like stripping the shackles from my feet.

There is a type of people I like to call "Black Clouds".  Their glass is always half empty and they see nothing but doom ahead.  They will try and drag you down into their dark, depressing world whenever they can.

Want to improve your running?  Surround yourself with nut job runners.  They are on the whole a very positive, upbeat bunch and will take you to mental heights usually reserved for angels and mental patients.


Lighter mind, lighter feet.

Upcoming Ultras:

Summer Beast of Burden 100

Oil Creek 100 Trail Runs

Links To Check Out:

Core Strengthening

 

Running Without A Nut Job

"Not until we are lost do we begin to understand ourselves." - Henry David Thoreau

I don't usually run alone but for various reasons this particular day I was without a running partner.


My normal (?) running partner, Baba the Freak, has lectured me many times about running by myself.  "You have to be careful.  There are a lot of perverts out there."


But with the Summer Beast looming ever closer, I needed to get some miles in.  And anyway, I was only going to run a few miles.  It shouldn't be a problem.


Problem - I got lost.  How I got lost in my own neighborhood I really can't explain.  All I know is I was running down the road I live on when I turned down a road I had never turned down before and a few twists and turns later, there I was, face to face with a dinosaur.


I was no longer in my own neighborhood.


To sum it up, my two mile run turned into a nine mile run.


Baba thought my biggest problem would be other people if I ran by myself.  It turns out my biggest problem is me.


So remember, never leave home without your nut job running partner.

Upcoming Races:

Buffalo Greek Fest 5k - Friday, May 21, 6:30 PM
DNFBA Running With The Rapids - Saturday, May 22, 9:00 AM

Upcoming Marathons:

Buffalo Marathon - Sunday, May 30, 7:00 AM

Ultras To Check Out:

Summer Beast of Burden - Saturday, August 21, 10:00 AM
Oil Creek 100 - Saturday, October 16, 2010

Interesting Links to Check Out:

Grilled Cheese Academy
Shakespeare Insult Kit
Chipmunk Story

The Journey

“Some people never go crazy, What truly horrible lives they must live” - Charles Bukowski


We ran on the towpath with the Cannibal today.  Just six miles, but it was a good six miles.

The time  went by quickly as we listened to his stories of the Boston Marathon he had just returned from.  It was his first time back there in thirty years!


Running with nut jobs is a wonderful thing.  They are adventurers in every sense of the word.

Whether it's Boston or the Beast of Burden or Climbing Mount Everest backwards, the journey seems to mean just as much to them as the finish line.


Carol and I both signed up for our first Ultra.  I don't expect it to be easy, but with friends like Baba the Freak and The Cannibal, and all of the other nut jobs of the towpath,  I know it will be a most interesting journey.

Thanks for the inspiration, guys.

Upcoming Local Events:

Cummins Run For Literacy - Saturday, May 8th 9:00 AM

DeSales Race For Fitness - Saturday, May 8th 10:00 AM

Heritage Centers Foundation 5k - Saturday, May 8th 10:00 AM
The Elephant Run - Sunday, May 9th, 9:30 AM

Nut Job Ultras: 

Summer 100 Beast Of Burden

Oil Creek 100

Interesting Links To Check Out:
runningmap.com
Boston Marathon Qualifiers

Putting the Beast to Bed

"There are two types of people in this world, good and bad. The good sleep better, but the bad seem to enjoy the waking hours much more." - Woody Allen

You've built a base, you've trained, you've tapered .  Now it's time to go to sleep.

Most normal adults need 7 - 8 hours of sleep a night to receive maximum benefits.  Mutants need only about 5 or 6 hours.

A good nights' sleep will reward you with sharper cognitive functions in the morning - decision making, reasoning and memory.  For the big race this translates into smarter running, knowing when to refuel and not getting lost.


So how do you go to sleep when you're all keyed up?

• Have a light snack - 1/2 a turkey or peanut butter sandwich with a glass of warm milk, perhaps.
• Get rid of all distractions.  Keep your bedroom dark and quiet.
• Shake out any lingering stress.  Toss the day's pressure out the window.

• Close your eyes and take deep, slow breaths.  Visualize how perfect tomorrow will be.

See you at the race.  Good night everybody.  Zzzzzzzzzzz . . . . .

Madness And Ultra Running

"It's astounding, time is fleeting
 Madness takes it's toll
 But listen closely, not for very much longer
 I've got to keep control."

- from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show"

 "It isn't a race until the nut jobs arrive."

The trouble with being a nut job is that you are constantly signing up for madness.

Watching my friends train for the Beast of Burden Winter 100 ultra, I am in awe of what they are about to go through.  I'm not crazy enough to do it myself (yet), but I am definitely in awe of their voluntary madness.

In an attempt to help them, I've been cruising the internet looking for great sights to inspire and strengthen them.  Here is what I came up with:

Strength Training Exercises - Tabata
(Clyde suggestion)

Mind Training Exercises

Sanity Test

Just remember, when the going gets nuts, who cares.
You're a nut job.  Madness looks good on you.

Eat, Run and be Healthy

Sacred cows make the best hamburger”  - Mark Twain

 

I love eating.  I run so I can eat.  I eat so I can run.

Anything that will help me keep up with my nutjob running friends is worth trying.

Super foods, core training, dark beer - whatever it takes to swallow all of those miles before they swallow me.


Today we will be running one loop of The Beast  (25 miles).

Ingredients for today's long run:  Chia seeds, Jack Lalanne Juicer, 5 bean soup.

Directions:  Mix chia seeds with fresh juice.  Let stand for ten minutes, then mix again.  Chill for half hour, then drink before the run. 

Have 5 Bean Soup simmering in crockpot.  It will be a warm welcome home after the run and great for refueling the body.

Best wishes in your training to all of the Beast of Burden runners.  February 27th is waiting for you with baited breath. 

Beware the angry mule.

Bringing The Run Inside

"There's no such thing as bad weather, just soft people."

- Bill Bowerman

Winter running is great for thickening the blood, building endurance and just plain toughening up, but sometimes you need a break.

There's no shame in doing an inside workout now and then, no matter what Bill Bowerman says.  After all, isn't that why you bought all of that equipment?

Constant running in the snow and ice can be tough on your body.  Give your knees and hips a break.

The elliptical is easy on the joints and will give you a great workout. 

For cardio workouts and endurance training, try the sparkpeople site.

Of course, eventually you do need to go back outside, especially if you're training for something completely insane like the Beast of Burden.

But who would be crazy enough to do something like that?

Canal Fever

"Ford, you're turning into a penguin. Stop it."
— Douglas Adams (The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy)

The signs were there. It was so obvious once you knew what to look for.

It explained why Cliff insisted on marking the trail beforehand with 40 lb cannonballs. And why Rajiv felt it was okay to run a 100 miler in a  tutu.

They had Canal Fever- the disturbing mental state from running too many winter miles along the Erie Canal.

Some say the ghosts come right out of the water to greet you as you pass mile 50.

Baba watched the meltdown of his life long running buddies and smiled.

Perhaps this race was winnable after all.

“Baba, I need your opinion,” Cliff said, wild eyed, at mile 53. “I’ve been seeing ghosts for the last couple of miles. They want me to swim in the canal with them. Do you think I should?”

“Sure,” said Baba “If you can’t trust a ghost, who can you trust?“

He watched Cliff do an Olympic somersault dive into the icy canal and float away.

As Rajiv and Baba continued down the trail, Rajiv looked worried. “Hey Baba," he whispered. "Can I ask you something?”

“Sure Raj.  What's up?”

Rajiv ducked from a forty foot imaginary bird flying overhead. “It’s that damn pterodactyl,” he said. “I can’t seem to shake him."

Baba nodded knowingly. He pointed to a few cannonballs Cliff had planted at mile 54.  “Why don’t you run with one of those. You can throw it at the bird if it gets too aggressive."

Rajiv looked at Baba as if he were a genius.

“Thanks,” said Rajiv, adjusting his tutu as he picked up one of the cannonballs. The weight of it gave him a feeling of safety. “Maybe I should take two. Just in case.”

“Good thinking,” said Baba as he ran ahead, leaving Rajiv to struggle with his balls.

There was a gurgling sound from the water. “Hey Cliff,” Baba shouted as he ran by. “This isn’t a triathlon, you know. but have a good swim anyway.”

"Gurgle, gurgle, aaaaahhhh," said Cliff with a great deal of emotion.

“Only 42 more miles to go,” Baba thought, laughing aloud. “And I still feel pretty damn good.”

Up ahead a giant drooling mule waited for him, gnashing her sharp, jagged teeth.

The clouds seemed to be forming words -

“Beware the Canal Fever.”


Have you registered for the Beast of Burden yet?

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Crunch Running

Crunch, crunch, Crunch, crunch.

That was the background cadence as we ran a half loop of the upcoming Beast of Burden Ultra.

 

Twelve and a half miles along the blustery Erie Canal. 

The crunching sound I don’t mind. It’s the "crunch, crunch, splash" that I don’t like.

Running in snow and ice and whatever else the day decides to serve up is what Crunch Running is all about.

Learning to stay upright through quickly changing winter conditions.  Adjusting your stride, keeping your form, and shaking off the ice puddles.

As I train with the Three Amigos (Nutty, Nuttier, and Nuttiest) for their upcoming Ultra, I can only image what they will go through on February 27th. 

It's going to be one hell of a run.

Or as Dan "G-Man" Grayson said of the VHTRC Trac Run:  "The only safe place to be during this run, is someplace else."