Monday, June 27, 2011

Preparing for a multi-day ultra

Busy days lately. Since last updating, I went for a group run with Tony Krupika. He just barely edged me out on a grueling mountainous course. OK, it wasn't a race and he was not even winded. He did offer some advice for my upcoming trip across Nevada. "That shouldn't be too hard. I could probably do that." Thanks, Tony. All kidding aside, he was excited for me and gave me loads of encouragement which made me feel pretty great.

A few sponsors have now come on board. The American Discovery Trail Society is providing major funding for marketing efforts in Nevada this year and my trip is one piece of that project. Kahtoola, the maker of awesome running gear for snow conditions heard about what I'll face on those mountain passes and they happily set me up with a full line-up of their gear. I'll have micro-spikes, running snowshoes, and KTS steel running crampons to choose from when the snow gets deep. Thanks Kahtoola. This is the second trip they've helped me out after supplying me in northern Arizona on the Arizona Trail.

Red Rock Running Company has stepped forward to provide my running shoes and pack this year. Red Rock is based out of Las Vegas and they'll be poised to get some good local exposure from my trip. When I contacted them, I knew the clerk's name sounded familiar but it wasn't until after we hung up that I realized I'd just been helped out by Josh Brimhall, four time winner of the Pemberton 50k and regular finisher with Karl Meltzer and others. He was classy when I was trying to brag about my 40 mile, 10 hour runs (not realizing at the time that the guy who was listening on the other end could do 50 in 7).

Another exciting development: I'm going to have my own personal EMT on the trip! Hewett Brown is a lead instructor for Backcountry Rescue Institute. Hewett and I have done some adventure running together in the past and he'll be on hand to inject the Perpetuem by I.V. or spear a bloody blister, should the time come. Hewett makes this Eagle Scout jealous when I recall how he confided in me on a trail run in Mexico one day that he had packed along his dental surgery kit. I guess since I had two root canals this spring, his services may be rendered.

Speaking of teeth, I've been reading online that there are some studies looking at tooth decay and ulra runners. I've never seen such degredation in my teeth as I've had this year - and it's interesting that this is a year of big running for me. The theories are that the sugary foods, coupled with dehydration and dry mouth rapidly break down the enamel. If anyone is studying this, feel free to send me your info.

On a 30 miler today in Flagstaff, I found a check for $400. That's the third time I've found a large sum of money while running, fourth if you count biking.

A few days of packing, some sleep and hydration and it'll be off to Nevada. Start date is July 14 at 5 am in Baker, Nevada. Hoping to finish at Lake Tahoe on July 24.