Aint Your Average Teachers!

Some exciting news regarding two colleagues I work with just down the hall. Both Joe and Chris extend a variety of passions outside the classroom. First, Joe Paatalo brings us his first novel titled, The Eddy. (the pilot is below). I encourage you to pick up a copy on Amazon, and book stores soon. It just so happens that in the timing of this publication release that Chris Silver is having a concert on the 5th and will also be debuting a new album in February in Duluth. Chris is phenomenal with the mandolin and is considered the best flat-picker in the Midwest. Oh yeah, and if you're like me and love to fish, especially trout then you'll enjoy Chris and Joe's, FISHIN' WITH JOE podcast.

After 18-year-old Toby Casper survives a suicidal motorcycle ride, he attempts to reclaim his life. But some things don't rest that easily. When he meets Mitchell James, the wildly erratic English teacher who harbors his own dark past, the two strike up an unusual partnership. From the tough halls of an inner city high school, to the trout filled waters of the American West, The Eddy takes the reader on a memorable journey sure to resonate with anyone who has ever longed to break away. Don't just give this book to the fly fisher in your life; give it to anyone who knows what it's like to be different, to anyone who struggles to find a place of comfort in this world.

NYC Marathon

Congratulations to Mike on his awesome race at NYC marathon in what could have possibly been one of the deepest fields in race history. Mike ran a solid 2:16 and change, well under the Olympic qualifying standard. I was quite surprised to see how it all played out. Guys with padded resumes and sub 2:10 times dropping like flies. In the end it was a great site to see two seasoned veterans mechanically forge ahead.. Robert and Meb, two legends. Even more surprising was that Meb PR'ed with a 2:09 for the win, considering how many sub 2:09 guys were in that race including his own training partner, Ryan Hall. The beauty of racing is having it all together on race day. My winning pick of Kwambai (spl?) was not fruitful. He cracked in a major way. It happens.

Moving Swiftly in RF

I have to give a big congratulations to our high school girl's XC team. Last week they took top honors at the Division 1 Big Rivers Conference meet and this weekend they crushed everyone including the Mississippi Valley conference with their overall win and trip to the state finals next weekend. These girls are feisty, tough, young, and know how to go to the well; and as a coach you have to love when your runners are all freshmen, sophomores and juniors. Our top girl who is a frosh placed 2nd overall at the meet and another 3rd, 12th, and then top 20. My buddy and colleague Pat Lorentz who is the skipper was very pleased with the performance despite the rain soaked course. Posted above is the photo I took of the team last week at school, which you can also find in last week's River Falls Journal with more insight on the team.

Another shout out that I failed to mention was Joe's 12th place finish in 2:35 at the Portland Marathon. Joe recently moved this year from River Falls to Eugene to pursue his practice in Physical Therpay. Finch showed us some excellent footage of the race over the weekend.

One more shout out goes to our good friend Melissa Burkart RF/Hudson. Melissa ran a solid 2:50 at Twin Cities Marathon. Must be getting that secret speedy turnover from Jeff!

Fast and Furious in River Falls

I have to give a shout out to my good friend Jason Finch. He ran an awesome race a few weeks ago winning the Portland Marathon. Running with Jason this year I knew he would kill this race, as he has been on fire all year. Ironically the same weekend another River Falls now by way of Milwaukee runner, Ryan Meissen won the Lakefront marathon in a very similar time. For more on Finch's race click here.

Wild Duluth 50km

(photo courtesy: Zach Pierce) Magney-Snivley Park aid station.

Race: Wild Duluth 50km/100km races (1st annual).
Location: Duluth, MN
Terra-Firma: Superior Hiking Trail (Fon Du Lac - Bayfront Park), rocky, technical.
Ascent/Descent: 5,045 ft+/about equal descent.
Time: 4:11/present CR.
Weather: Perfect, sunny, cool.

Race Report: I can't speak highly enough about these two races. Yet another high-ball set of races within the Upper Midwest trail series. Andy and Kim do a fantastic job and I encourage everyone to run these races and explore the visceral fall foliage along the Superior Hiking Trail section of Duluth. The blend of the city/trail amalgamate perfectly together as you begin your journey out of the city toward Fon Du Lac. Expect lots of climbing, rocks, and diverse landscape such as Magney-Snivley, Ely's Peak, Piedmont overlook, Enger Tower, Spirit Mtn, and water gorges. The whole course setup reminded me a lot of Quad Dipsea in Mill Valley, regarding the raw beauty of the trail right within the city.
Once again I had to re-educate myself early in the race in respect to running technical trails. I had some near-falls, but after the scrambling climb up the Powerline I seemed to find my form for the most part. I figured if I could reach Enger Tower in 3:40 I could bust sub 4:00, but a few miscues on my part. I'm still quite pleased with the time even though it's hard to judge a time against anything due to it being the 1st annual. I will say that the course is tougher than Superior 50km or the marathon for sure, and everyone I talked to seemed to confirm this indeed. A great race and I highly encourage anyone to experience it. A fall classic. Plus, anyone looking to tackle the beast that is the Superior Sawtooth 100m, I can't think of a better gauge race.

Beirut: Mausoleum i had this wonderful rhythm swimming through my mind which made running feel effortless in ways on Saturday.
Beirut: a night with a prostitute from Marseille

Arkansas Traveller 100: DNF

Seems to be a recurring theme with my last two ultras (Lean Horse 50m, Traveller 100)
For whatever reason my stomach has seemed to seize up, I stop sweating and peeing somewhere after the 50km mark. I hold water and a vicious cycle of puking and then drinking followed by puking. It's not a calorie issue. Unfortunately the condition makes running extremely uncomfortable and the only way for the issue to go away is to rest. I thought it was just a one time incident at LeanHorse just because the conditions were so hot that day, but I was surprised on Saturday when it happened. The weather was warm, but not terrible by any means. It's a frustrating situation because my legs and head were ready to roll. My fitness seems to be getting trumped by some issue whether it is a lack of salt or not enough of something?? If anyone has ever had this condition I'm all ears... I felt like I was taking enough salt, but maybe I need more than what is recommended. It probably does not help that I rarely train with any fuel either, in which I never have issues, so maybe when I do add salt or something it's a shock to the system. My legs felt great the whole time a testament to 140 mile weeks. I was trying hard to run slow and splits were right on for 15:50- 16:00 finish time. It's frustrating to have good fitness and not be able to use it to its full extent and have something like a gut issue wreck the experience. Total yearly miles: 4,085.
On a positive note: Congratulations to some local River Falls runners: My good friend Jason Finch ran a low 2:24 for the win at Portland Marathon, and Ryan Meisen now by way of Milwaukee area won Lakefront Marathon in 2:24ish as well.

In Yan Teopa 10mile XC

Back down to one of my favorite little races, one that Larry puts on in his neck of the woods; Mount Frontenac State Park. The weather was gorgeous despite the heavy fog, which made the air thick and pretty humid. The grass sections can also make it tough almost as if you are running in sand at times. My favorite part is rounding the edge of a small lake about 3 miles in. The goal: Run comfortably with some turnover, nothing crazy though. Finish time of 1:03. Sub 1:03 was evident, but not worth the 50 yard sprint and risk something bad happening. Now if it was for a sub 1hr, then a different story. I still think it can be done if rested, solid speed work, a rabbit and intimate course knowledge, or I could just get Finch and Reneau out there to really stamp an impressive time!