2015 - A year of many firsts and many friends

     Happy New Year everyone!  I hope you are all doing well.  I thought that, in the spirit of the upcoming holiday, I would take a look back at my running in 2015.
     At the start of the year, I had just signed up for my first marathon.  At that point, my longest run ever was a 14-miler that took me through sidewalks and streets.  By the end of the year, I would not only complete my first marathon (26.2 miles), but also my first half-marathon race, and my first ultramarathon distance, a 50k (or 31 miles).
     It wasn't a smooth road.  Training up for the Vermont City Marathon in May was difficult - I had to deal with winter running, higher mileage than I'd ever done before, and other challenges.  But with some help from my friends, particularly in the Long Trail Running Club, I pushed through and completed my first marathon.  Although I felt disappointed by my finishing time (4:24:01), it is still a major milestone. 
     I didn't train nearly as hard as I should have in the summer, but I was still able to complete the St. Albans Raid Half Marathon in decent time in August.  Although I had complete the half-marathon distance loads of times before, I had never raced it, so I was glad to check that off.
     Doing some workouts with some friends of mine, I heard about this event called Run Your Can Off - a trail run held for up to six hours in Gilbrook woods featuring 1.25 mile laps.  Wanting to get into trail running, intrigued by the event, and believing in the mission of Run Your Can Off (the entry fee is food donations that go to charity), I signed up, and trained to run 50k in under six hours.  It was the longest run of the year, but I managed to complete the distance in just under six hours, being one of three people who ran the entire six hours at Run Your Can Off..
    All of these races and accomplishments have been great, but what has been even more awesome is the community of runners I now find myself part of.  Because of my involvement with the Long Trail Running Club and running these races, I have made connections and friends who are all awesome.  These people inspire me to be my best, to push harder, and to dare to dream bigger.  And the support I have gotten from family, friends, and coworkers has been incredible.  To everyone, I have one thing to say.  THANK YOU.  YOU'RE ALL AWESOME!
     And stay tuned.  2015 may be over, but I have plans for 2016.  Big plans, which I will talk about in the next post.  Until then, Happy New Year's!  Let's rock 2016!
     Brian B

Product Review - Road ID Slim

     Hey everyone.  This is the last review for a while.  Like the other reviews, this is a product that focuses on safety.

     Fun fact - like a lot of runners, I despise carrying any extra stuff when I'm out running.  I don't run with a phone or a wallet because I don't like the feel of them jostling around in my pockets.  However, running without ID poses a risk.  It's not fun to talk about, but occasionally, runners do get hit and injured by inattentive motorists.  That alone is bad, but if you happen to be injured, unconscious, and lacking ID, the paramedics are going to have to figure out who you are.  Not good.
     That's why I wear this Road ID Slim (other styles are available).  Basically, it's a livestrong-style stretchy bracelet with a removable metal plate on the front.  The metal plate has space for five laser-printed lines of text.  I was able to fit my name and birth year, some emergency contacts, and two lines detailing some medical information.  The reason it has tape on it in the picture is to protect the phone numbers of my emergency contacts, as this picture is going on the internet.
     Besides the obvious function of this being able to potentially save your life, one benefit is that it's easy to use.  The metal plate can be removed and attached to other bands of the same size, which is good since I have broken one or two bands (but they're cheap, so not a big deal).  It's extremely lightweight and comfortable once you get it on, so much so that I wear it during the day when I'm NOT running.  Finally, one of these will run you $20, which, considering what this is for, feels like a bargain.
     This is one of the few times where I will almost outright endorse a product.  I don't like being a brand loyalist, but I feel strongly about this, as it's a low-cost safety solution for all runners, and it's made pretty well.  It's like putting on a seat belt in a car - I hope I never have to use it, but I'm glad it's there in case I need it.

Product Review - Nite Ize LED Sport Vest

     Hey everyone.  So, as the holidays are pretty much here, I figured it would be a good idea to get into another gear review right away.  Today, I am going to review another piece of gear intended for night running - the Nite Ize LED Sport Vest.  You can find it on Amazon for around $15.

     This vest should be a good idea.  The white stripes are reflective, meaning that any lights from cars will bounce right back, illuminating your position to vehicles and idiots who point flashlights in random directions.  But the party piece of this rig are the orange LED stripes.  One for the front, one for the back, they are operated by a coin-style battery and can be set to either glow or flashing mode.  And for the most part, it works.  It's reasonably bright and people do seem to notice it.
    However, I am sad to report that this particular vest may be a case of good idea, shoddy execution.  First of all, the material that is not reflective is black, which I just think is bad design.  But more alarmingly is that track record I have had with reliability.  When I first got this, one of the straps snapped, and a friend of mine had to stitch it back on (thank you!).  For the next few months, it was fine, but lately, I have been having problems with the LED strips turning on or off, or more specifically, NOT turning on or off.  It would appear that the LED strips don't do great with rain, and the connection with the battery becomes suspect the more that connection is exposed to water.  As I write this, the strip on the vest that is pictured is still glowing, and about the only way I know to shut it off is to remove the battery.
     Admittedly, this only costs $15.  But if you are interested in an LED vest of some kind, it might be worth looking into other brands and seeing if you can find something a bit better built, even if they are a bit more expensive.  Now, if you will pardon me, I have to shut the darn thing off.  I will be releasing one more gear review tomorrow, and then taking a break from reviews for a while.

Product Review - Energizer Micro Sport LED Headlamp

     Hey everyone.  So as some of you may be aware, it is the holiday season.  As it is the gift-giving season, I thought I would review some of the gear that I have used from a runner's perspective to let people know how well it worked, and whether it was worth buying.  My first review is of the Energizer Micro Sport LED Headlamp.

     First of all, I feel it is important to restate the following; if you are running at night, a headlamp or reflective gear of some kind is pretty much a necessity, unless you want to get hit by an idiot in a Volvo.
     One of the biggest problems with headlamps is their price.  A top of the line, high-powered running headlamp can set you back a hundred dollars or more. When I purchased this, it costed around ten dollars.  Sadly, I can't seem to find it for that price anymore (did they stop making it).
     The Micro Sport looks and feels like a cheap piece of equipment.  The light output is 37 lumens on high mode, which isn't as powerful as other lamps.  Battery life is OK-ish, but if you're using rechargeable AAAs, shouldn't be a problem.  And, as you can probably tell from the photo, it's made of plastic.
     However, I maintain that for those people just starting to run at night, this or something like this is an excellent choice.  I have run with it in the rain, snow, and I've even dropped it once or twice, and I haven't managed to break it or damage it at all.  It's light and fairly comfortable, as the front lamp is curved on the inside to be a better fit to your head.  Also, the back blinker is bright and just a good idea.
     I can't recommend this model for night running on trails.  There is no way to adjust the angle of the headlamp, and the beam is fairly wide and low-powered to begin with, which is not useful when trying to spot obstacles.  But for those looking to get in to night running and looking for an affordable rig for running along the street, this or something like this is an excellent option.  Considering what I paid for it, I can't really complain.

The Blog Returns! Reflecting on RYCO and plans for December.

     Hey everyone,
     First of all, I would like to apologize for leaving the blog behind for so long.  After Run Your Can Off, I needed some time to crash and just get away from it for a little bit.  Mind you, I am definitely getting back into the running groove, and figured that as such, I needed to actually post on the blog.

    So, as you might be able to guess from the picture, I completed RYCO and got the medal.  I managed to get 25 laps in just under six hours.  That translates to just over 50K (or 31 miles and change for those of you who do not speak metric).  A few observations.  First of all, that little hill that seems so innocuous at the beginning seems like a cliff by about lap 18 or 19.  Secondly, running for that long is pretty hard work.  There were times where my legs started to feel like jelly, but I pushed on.  (Seriously, I need to get into better shape).  Nonetheless, I am very glad I did it, and I am fairly happy considering that was my first ultramarathon distance.  I am also glad that the event helped the local food shelf.  Plus, I made a few new friends, which is always good!
     So here is what's next for me.  I'm currently working my way back into decent high-mileage (for me) weeks - hoping to get over 40 miles for this week by Sunday.  For the next month, I will be balancing this with holiday obligations.  I don't have any races I have signed up for yet, but stay tuned, as I do have plans for next year.  (For those in the know, your discretion is appreciated).  I do plan on posting to the blog regularly-ish.  As it is the holiday season, I may do a few product reviews.  Of course if anyone has any suggestions about content, I am all ears.  Until next time, I have to run.  Take care everyone.

A Tale of Two Long Runs (RYCO Training Update)

     Hey everybody,
     It's been a bit since I posted, and I'm sorry about that.  As you might expect from the title, I've been busy with training for Run Your Can Off (RYCO).  The good news is that for the most part, with the exception of one or two missed runs, I have been successful in getting my miles in.  The past two weeks in particular were both 50 mile weeks, and the short runs... have been the short runs.
     What I'm a little concerned about are my last two long runs.  Run #1 happened a little over two weeks ago.  It was a 22-mile long run and it quickly turned into a disaster.  The first nine or ten miles went by all right, but by the two hour mark, it was clear to me that I was in trouble.  I hadn't done a great job with pre-run nutrition, I hadn't gotten quite enough sleep, and to top it off I was running in shorts and a t-shirt... in 50-degree weather with occasional rain showers.  That combination off bad decisions and bad luck just destroyed my time to the point where I was starting to reconsider my goals for RYCO.
     Luckily, I had another long run, a week later, a little over a marathon (26.2 miles) in length.  I know it might be unconventional to run that distance as a training run, but (A) I've been running A LOT and (B) I take training for a 50k (31 miles) super-seriously and feel that running a marathon-length beforehand can help.  Unlike the previous long run, my pre-race nutrition was a little better and critically, I dressed for the weather.  (Still skimped on sleep).  I actually finished the marathon-length long-run faster than the 22-miler, which is encouraging.  It didn't break my marathon record from Vermont City Marathon, but it was better and felt like a much better run.
     So, is there a moral to this rant?  Besides the normal dress for the weather and don't be an idiot with nutrition and sleep, probably not.  It's just I am still nervous about this whole thing and needed to vent a little.  I've never run six hours before and my longest run to date is a little more than a marathon.  If things go according to plan, I'll be breaking through both those barriers.  That being said, after the 2nd long run, I believe that my goal of 50k+ in 6 hours is reachable.  (50k is 31 miles for those of you that don't speak metric).  It's probably gonna be HARD, but I'm going for it.  And in the face of the unknown, in the face of a huge challenge, that feels like all I can do.
     I'm gonna be tapering until the race, so you might see some more postings.  Until next time, I gotta run.

I AM THE NIGHT... Runner. (And how you can be a night running bad***)

     Hey everyone.  Sorry I haven't been posting as much as I would like to be.  I've been a bit busy with training for my first ultra (sort of) and about three or four other projects.  As a result of having a ton of projects, not to mention the days getting shorter, there are a fair amount of times when I run at night.  Admittedly, I actually enjoy night running - it's a great way to clear my mind before bed, and it's fun to run a course at night that you usually see in the daylight.
     I've only been running a year and half, but I thought I would give my advice for running at night safely.  This advice is geared towards beginners who are running short solo practice runs, so if you're looking for advice on how to deal with staying up all night during a 100-mile ultra, this won't help you.  For everyone else, here are my tips on night running.
     #1 - Know the course.  Particularly if you are a beginner, you should probably not be to run in an unfamiliar area.  Also know the hazards, both traffic and (in bad neighborhoods) people.
     #2 - Master the art of seeing and being seen.  I almost put this as #1.  If you are going to run at night, YOU NEED A HEADLAMP!  Also, reflective vests or jackets should also be on your shopping list.  Whenever I go out for a night run or a run that I feel might turn into one, I take my headlamp with me (to see where I'm going) and a vest with an LED bar that flashes (to be seen by cars).  Also, in the same vein, if you have to cross the street, watch for cars carefully - they probably aren't expecting you.
     #3 - Do NOT worry about pace.  I've never set a PR running at night.  I think the reason for this is simple - you have to be more cautious at night since you can't see the terrain as well as you could in daylight, so don't worry if you can't run 5-minute miles at night.  (Not that I can run a 5-minute mile to begin with).
     Night running might seem daunting at first, but it's a great way to change up your training routine.  Also, you'll feel like a bad***.  (At least I do).  Seriously, give it a try and let me know how it goes.  Until next time, I've gotta run.

A totally unecessary analysis: Runners vs. the Zombie Apocalypse

     Hey everyone.  So, as I mentioned in the first post of this blog, there will be times where my posts aren't really about anything useful or directly related to my running, but are about random thoughts I've had about running or while running.  This definitely fits the bill.
     As Halloween is around the corner, I ended up thinking about costumes and for some reason, zombies, during one of my trail runs.  In case you've been living under a rock, they're very popular right now.  (Thank you Walking Dead.)  And a random thought occurred to me.  Supposing that the zombie apocalypse actually started to take place, how would long-distance runners, particularly marathoners and ultra marathoners, fare in this environment?
     First things first - know the enemy.  The scary thing about zombies, in my opinion, isn't their speed or strength, but their sheer numbers.  It doesn't really matter how fast you are if you get cornered.
     Long-distance runners do have several advantages.  First and foremost is their ability to hold a pretty decent running pace over long distances, and in open areas, simply outrun many of the zombies.  On top of that, they may know the local geography very well (this is especially true of trail runners) and may be able to utilize the terrain to their advantage.  I also tend to think that long-distance runners, be they street or trail-oriented, generally have good situational awareness skills.  Finally, there is some evidence that suggests that exercise can help with mental conditions like PTSD, which I imagine would be common among survivors.  The biggest disadvantage I can think of is that burning so many calories when food is scarce might be an issue.  Also, as most runners prefer to run light, they probably wouldn't be used to carrying lots of supplies or weapons.
     All things considered, I think long-distance runners would do rather well.  If you agree or disagree, let me know.

New shoes and training for an endurane test!

      Hey everybody, hope you are doing alright and having fun.  So I just wanted to update the blog with some news related to my running.  The first bit of news, as you may have guessed from the headline, is that I FINALLY HAVE NEW SHOES!

 

     These are the new kicks that I was able to get with some help from Mom.  (thanks Mom!)  They are Pearl Izumi M2s, and so far I am liking them.  I don't feel comfortable really endorsing them yet, as I've only sunk 21 or so miles into them, but they work.  They're also my first real pair of trail shoes (that I can also use for the road), and believe me, on some of the more technical terrain, that tread beats the snot out of the road shoes I was trying to use earlier.  Also, and I promise to make this the last shoe-related detail, THEY HAVE ORANGE HIGHLIGHTS!  (Orange is a underrated color).

      The second bit of news is something that I have been training for.  On November 14th, there is a run in my area called Run Your Can Off.  It's held at Gilbrook Natural Area, and for those of you who are Saint Mike's connections of min, that might ring a bell because it's basically that stretch of woods behind the townhouses.  The way this run works is that instead of a standard race fee, you donate canned food - however much should depend on the distance you run - in order to help out the local food shelf.  (Which is freaking awesome!)  The course is a 1.25 mile lap.  And they basically have the trail system out there for six hours.  

     Now, you don't have to run the entire six hours if you don't want to.  But because I have no concept of self-restraint and I needed a challenge, I have decided that I am going to run the entire six hour length of the event.  Doing this, I anticipate that I will not only run longer than a marathon distance, but also potentially longer than 50K (or 31 miles for those of you who are metric-challenged).  The long and the short of it is that either way, that's longer than I've ever run in one sitting to date.  And that is why I have begun training pretty hard.  So if I mention in some future posts something about 20+ mile long runs or the like, you'll know why.  I have to say that I'm both kind of excited and kind of terrified that I'm doing this - which is a good feeling!

     In any case, that's about all I have right now.  Until next time, I gotta run!

Obligatory Introduction Post

     Hey everybody.  In case you haven't already figured it out, this is the introductory post of the blog where I explain who I am, what I do, and all that other stuff.  If I don't sound too horribly enthusiastic about the first blog post, it's because they are generally all the same no matter what blog you are reading.  Anyhow, my name is Brian (if you hadn't already guessed that).  

     First - the boring stuff.  I am twenty-seven years old, live in Vermont, work in a factory to make a living, and... actually, that's all I can think of.  But when I am not working, I go run.  I started running a year and a half ago and so far I have completed 5ks, a 10k, a half-marathon, and the Vermont City Marathon.  I am currently doing a lot of running on both the trails and the road in hopes of both getting better at the marathon distance and getting into the world of ultra-marathons.  I'm not a fast runner by any stretch of the imagination - I just want to keep going.

     This blog is intended to do several things.  First, it is intended to be a chronicle of my adventures and misadventures in running, as well as my thoughts on running-related topics.  Occasionally, I may throw in a post or two concerning random thoughts that I had while running.  If you (the readership) have any particular topics you want me to delve into, let me know and I'll see what I can do.

P.S. - I added a picture so you know what I looked like - as of six months ago.  Yay for outdated photos!