Congrats WG!! Badass is right!
Wow, WG. Way to really hang in there! The only thing anyone sees later is the win, not how you got there.
Imminent Catastrophe
WG, I saw how much pain you were dealing with. Amazed that you endured that. Then we came back the next day and you were STILL in pain, and still moving. Amazing.
For my part, I wasn't sure I'd like this event, it's hard in a very different way than the typical trail ultra. I was shooting for 100 in 24 but couldn't stand the possibility that I'd end up with 97, so took the wimpy route and signed up for the 48 hour. I really enjoyed this, the atmosphere was incredible, so many cool people of all types and abilities, a great turnout from the Georgia runners, Watching the elites competing (that includes you WG), Ray K hitting on DW, the kids with 72 and 6-day bibs. What fun. DW enjoyed it too, running her first ultra and more (52 miles, her age).
Now I know why ATY is so well regarded.
WG, did you have issues with the air quality? This morning when we left it was AWFUL, really dusty and smoky.
"Able to function despite imminent catastrophe"
"To obtain the air that angels breathe you must come to Tahoe"--Mark Twain
"The most common question from potential entrants is 'I do not know if I can do this' to which I usually answer, 'that's the whole point'.--Paul Charteris, Tarawera Ultramarathon RD.
√ Javelina Jundred Jalloween 2015
Cruel Jewel 50 mile May 2016
Western States 100 June 2016
flashlight and sidewalk
Thats awesome. Congrats on the win, congrats on the 48 tough hours.
**Ask me about streaking**
Occasional Runner
I just stumbled across this thread and sifted through the commentary, so I'll add a couple thoughts.
First, congratulations on the win WG.
I had never done a timed event and really had no idea what to expect. However, I race in AZ a lot, specifically at Aravaipa events, so I had every reason to expect it to be a great race, and t was.
Personally, I went into the race with two goals. 1) Hit 200 miles...2) Win the 48 hour. When I overtook Jon Olsen's spot at 201 miles, I was only into the race for 41 hours and I stopped running at that point. I had hit my 200 mile goal and I knew I couldn't be caught by any other runners currently on the course. I may later regret that decision but I doubt it.
I really enjoyed the race and it was great to meet so many people and have multiple opportunities to interact with them. The format and race style was entirely new to me and I learned a lot from the experience that I'll apply to other types of events that I run. I probably learned more in that race than I have any other.
Somebody commented on the lack of competition in the 24 hour event. I noticed that too, and I'm curious about that. I hit 130 miles at 23:15 and rested for 45 minutes before starting the next 24 hours. That distance would have been more than enough to win the 24 hour event. I would have expected to see 140ish miles posted in that race. But this is an assumption based in ignorance because I really don't know anything about timed races. I just thought it was odd.
At any rate, it was a fun race and I'm happy to have been able to participate in it. I'll need a few weeks of reflection before I decide if I'll run it again though.
Kalsarikännit
lack of competition in the 24 hour event. I noticed that too, and I'm curious about that. I hit 130 miles at 23:15 and rested for 45 minutes before starting the next 24 hours. That distance would have been more than enough to win the 24 hour event. I would have expected to see 140ish miles posted in that race. But this is an assumption based in ignorance because I really don't know anything about timed races. I just thought it was odd.
I obviously can't speak for most people, but as someone who has done a bunch of 24's, I will throw in my two cents.
I think it's a few things. Only a certain percentage of runners are going to put down a high number, say 135 men/120 women. Most of the people aren't doing fixed time events. They are capable, but not interested. Of the people that are interested in 24's, a much smaller percentage of people than you think can hit these numbers. Look at the USATF team qualifiers. Small draw.
So now you have a small number of people that can run those miles. The choice is where to attempt it. I don't find the ATY course to be fast. That doesn't mean that it is slow (it definitely isn't), there is just faster out there. They had some bumps that feel like mountains in the end, and the crushed path was a bit more loose than other types that I have been on. Straight pavement is faster, and there are a bunch of other 24's on New Years that are better for putting up a higher number, and they (Freedom Park especially) draw runners looking to maximize their miles.
Also, the people that have historically put up nice 24's are now doing Desert Solstice, two weeks earlier, or are at ATY, but attempting longer distances.
I talked to Nick C on a loop, and we had this same conversation. ATY just never draws people going for a big 24.
I want to do it because I want to do it. -Amelia Earhart
1st congrats on the great race.
Some thoughts
* Your 24 hour split can be used to make US national team, but you need a minimum of 135 miles, personally I would have rested after 48 hours and tried to get at least the minimum 135 (2 years ago they went with 5 because people declined and 135 would have made the team.)
* I am not sure how well you were moving with 9 hours left, but Phil McCarthy owns the current 48 hour record with 257.34(2011), he beat John Geeslers long running 248.55 (2003)
* Both Phil and John took little to no breaks in their 48 hour races
* 230-235 would have put you top 10, maybe top 5 all time list for Americans.
* Sometimes you get blessed with a great day and should not waste it with anything but an all out effort.
* Sometimes you discover a talent and can repeat or improve on the race and doing enough to win, avoiding the extreme damage that comes from pushing the last 20% of the race is wise
I just stumbled across this thread and sifted through the commentary, so I'll add a couple thoughts. First, congratulations on the win WG. I had never done a timed event and really had no idea what to expect. However, I race in AZ a lot, specifically at Aravaipa events, so I had every reason to expect it to be a great race, and t was. Personally, I went into the race with two goals. 1) Hit 200 miles...2) Win the 48 hour. When I overtook Jon Olsen's spot at 201 miles, I was only into the race for 41 hours and I stopped running at that point. I had hit my 200 mile goal and I knew I couldn't be caught by any other runners currently on the course. I may later regret that decision but I doubt it. I really enjoyed the race and it was great to meet so many people and have multiple opportunities to interact with them. The format and race style was entirely new to me and I learned a lot from the experience that I'll apply to other types of events that I run. I probably learned more in that race than I have any other. Somebody commented on the lack of competition in the 24 hour event. I noticed that too, and I'm curious about that. I hit 130 miles at 23:15 and rested for 45 minutes before starting the next 24 hours. That distance would have been more than enough to win the 24 hour event. I would have expected to see 140ish miles posted in that race. But this is an assumption based in ignorance because I really don't know anything about timed races. I just thought it was odd. At any rate, it was a fun race and I'm happy to have been able to participate in it. I'll need a few weeks of reflection before I decide if I'll run it again though.
I am fuller bodied than Dopplebock
Hey WG - How's you ass?
They have been talking about how bad the air quality was on the news. They said it was really awful. I figured I'd be hacking today just from the dust that was stirred up on the trail, but I'm not. After WSER, I think I coughed up 99% of that trail in the following days.
Lots of people were having problems with the air and dust. I saw masks and buffs covering the mouths.
My ass is fine, my feet are not. Worst bilister situation ever.
At one point when I was getting a blister taped, the right spot of my butt must have been in contact with the chair, because, DEAR SWEET LORD, it was unreal. I just start yelling at the person holding my foot, "Up, up, up, up! I NEED UP!" I managed to nicely alarm everyone.
Also, I think all the walking caused more soreness in general than running. I'm used to running long distances. I am not used to walking 100+ miles. The hips came into play much more. I was definitely more sore at 80 miles than I would be when running. Funny how that worked, but I guess it makes sense.
work blocks ATY - I could see it fine at home.
Could anyone post the current top 3 men and top 3 women for the 6 day race?
On On
work blocks ATY - I could see it fine at home. Could anyone post the current top 3 men and top 3 women for the 6 day race?
NJ Trail Series NJ Trail Series on Facebook NY NJ Runners Group @rickmcnulty
Thanks
Things I wonder
* Is Ray K talking someones ear off non-stop for 5 days straight?
* Can Joe Fejes continue this great run?
* Does John Geesler drink as much soda for a 6 day as he does for a 24 hour race (per day)
* Is there any 6 day person that is still out there that does not have "Monkey butt"?
1 1M Joe Fejes 48 469.26 755.21 119:24:05 850 Dec 28 2 2M Yiannis Kouros 57 458.77 738.31 119:25:05 510 Dec 28 3 3M William Sichel 60 401.03 645.39 119:21:32 397 Dec 28 4 4M Ed Ettinghausen 51 390.53 628.49 119:10:47 814 Dec 28 5 1F Liz Bauer 54 353.78 569.36 119:22:14 812 Dec 28 6 5M John Geesler 54 328.59 528.81 119:12:38 346 Dec 28 7 6M Bill Heldenbrand 67 324.39 522.06 119:25:58 870 Dec 28 8 2F Vikena Yutz 43 312.84 503.47 119:06:31 775 Dec 28 9 7M Anthony Culpepper 33 310.74 500.09 119:22:29 1010 Dec 28 10 8M Victor Vella 60 279.25 449.41 119:21:33 1359 Dec 28 11 3F Martina Hausmann 53 277.15 446.03 119:15:54 195 Dec 28 12 9M Andy Noise 50 263.5 424.06 119:06:28 1276 Dec 28 13 10M Michel Gouin 53 263.5 424.06 119:24:45 1030 Dec 28 14 11M Bill Schultz 61 253 407.17 119:09:52 940 Dec 28 15 12M Ray Krolewicz 58 250.9 403.79 119:16:42 38 Dec 28 16 13M John Wallace III 37 235.16 378.45 118:53:39 1324 Dec 28
Yes, your ass is fine ... I can only immagine your feet ... did you take any pictures?
Fast is better than long
yes, yes she did; ick ^ (sideways eight)
2017 Goals: Give up goals; they're stoopid
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