Old People Have Ruined Facebook

I decided that during my vacation I would take a minute and write a few non-running related posts that I have always wanted to take time to write about.

I missed the MySpace era.  I didn’t join Facebook until the late 2000’s, and I basically only joined it to have an efficient way to schedule and meet up with running friends.  It seems that every year more and more moms and dads and grandparents join Facebook.  In fact, kids don’t use Facebook much at all anymore.  

As a consequence, it has become one of the most stale, narcissistic, socially awkward and annoying cyber-locations ever. 

Yes, I realize at 42 I may technically be an “old person” in the eyes of many.  I also note that the fact that I even have a Blog makes me, to a degree, a narcissist.  Nonetheless, I’m going to take a minute to let you all know the dirty secret that many of your friends are irritated by your Facebook posts.  Your Fakebook posts.  You’re whining, unimaginative, lack of intellect and humor status updates that no one (and I’m actually including the people that “like” them) cares about.  Let me give you a few examples.

1. Weather Posts.  NEWSFLASH!  If I have Facebook I have a computer or smartphone.  As such, IF I am unwilling or unable to experience the weather outside on my own, I already have a very advanced device to fill me in on it.  Every day it is below 20 it isn’t “COLD!!!!” and every day it is over 80 it isn’t “HOT!!!!!”  I know this snow or rain might have seemed substantial to you, but trust me, no matter what your alarmist mom or grandpa has said it isn’t.  Please don’t post about the weather. 
2. Kids and Pets.  I love my dog.  I love my dog as much as anyone has ever loved anything, ever.  Nonetheless, I am mindful that everything he does isn’t cute.  You don’t care about most of the things he does.  I may post a good pic or a funny story now and then, but I am mindful that everyone doesn’t think everything my dog does is cute, funny or interesting.  I think the same applies to your children, dog, cat, ferret or the like.  I bet I would love them.  But I don’t need to be updated about everything they do on Facebook.  Every picture of them isn’t cute.  Everything they do isn’t FB worthy.  (But there will be an alternative described to you below).
3. Throw Back Thursday.  Can we just end this?  Please?
4. Talking to people that can’t hear you.  As a rule of thumb you should not post messages communicating with people that have no chance of reading your post.  This includes: sports teams, deceased family members, famous people that don’t follow you on Facebook, your infant or your pet.  I realize that some people feel better paying tribute to loved ones that are gone publicly, but it really creeps many of us out.  Think about it this way….if we were all at brunch together would you say it?  If not, consider deleting that post before you make it.
5. Expressions to the person on the couch next to you.  Imagine you came to my house for dinner and in the middle of it I went on a long very personal rant about how much I love my wife.  Would you feel a little creeped out?  I would.  How about if I we had an argument and said mean things to each other in front of you?  Everyone loves that!  Instead of telling them how much you love them/hate them on the internet do something productive for your relationship and communicate with (only) them.  Another phenomenon I don’t get is the ‘routine daily life spouse post.’  “Looks like we’re watching survivor tonight…I’ll pick up a pizza.”  Really?  You should find a more private way to make your evening plans than on Facebook.
6. Share if you Care.  Changing your FB picture or posting a picture of something related to a holiday doesn’t show you care about something.  In fact, very often when I see these posts I imagine that the person’s only contribution to the cause in question IS the FB post.  Instead of posting a picture of your mom and telling us how much you love her (even though she’s not on FB to appreciate it) how about going to her house and doing something for her?  Just because you posted a picture of a tragedy you have not become part of the solution.  And the fact that I don’t share it doesn’t mean I care any more or less than you do.  Save your abused animal shots, your inspirational memes.  Go out in the world and do something. 
7. Politics.  I love news and politics.  Not on FB.  There’s no discourse.  There’s no fact checking, there’s no listening…only talking.  It’s not the time or place.  If you think your pro-life, pro-choice, anti-X and/or political rants have changed anyone’s minds you are delusional.
8. Selfies.  By selfies I’m talking about both you and your food.  I’ve posted about ten food pictures in my life.  I’ve been interested in 0.  Let’s just agree not to do it anymore.  If you must take a selfie: 1) don’t hold up your phone in front of a mirror; 2) I don’t want to see the toilet behind you; and 3) PLEASE try to make it fun.
9. Boring Posts.  Before you hit send ask yourself, would I be interested in this if someone else posted it?  Only a few of the details of your life are interesting to most of us, and only in a general way.  If you are exploring the great wall of China I might be attracted to your every move.  If it is laundry day I might not need status updates.  If you’re feeling sad I may care if you post about it once.  By the third time you lost me.  This category can save the others.  If I see a food, dog, weather, political, etc. post that is funny, interesting, thought provoking, etc. I actually appreciate it.  But for god’s sake if you’re going to be boring be boring at home, not on FB.
10. There is hope for you.  Many people are unaware of the fact that FB allows you to make friends lists and post to those groups.  For instance, I have a group called “running” and a group called “non-running.”  I try to keep my running posts to my running friends.  I have seen people do this with Yoga, Children, Politics, Family, etc.  Here’s how it works:  1. Make a list of all of your friends that you already know LOVE [X] stamp collecting like you do.  Put those friends on a FB Friend List Called “Stamp Collecting.”  Then make two posts:

A.    “If you are seeing this post I have added you to a friends list called Stamp Collecting where I will make most of my stamp collecting posts.  If you do NOT want to see my posts about Stamp Collecting that’s OK, just “like” this post and I will remove you from the list and you will not see those posts.”

B.    “If you are seeing this post I have not added you to a friends list I have made for all my stamp collecting posts.  If you DO want to see my posts about Stamp Collecting that’s OK, just “like” this post and I will add you to the list and you will see those posts.”

Many people are unaware of this feature, which is a shame.  The other benefit to managing your friends lists is that you can just watch a particular group in your feed depending on what you are interested in.  For more help just search on FB re: Managing Friend’s Lists. 

I know this post might seem harsh and offensive to you.  I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t guilty of several of the above.  Hopefully it at least gave someone something to think about.

Comrades

My next adventure is to travel to South Africa to run the Comrades Ultramarathon.  The Comrades is an approximately 56 mile road race run in Africa between the cities of Durban and Pietermaritzburg. the direction is changed every year from "Up" to "Down," and vice versa.  this year is a "Down" year so I will be starting in Pietermaritzburg and running to Durban.

It is the world's largest and oldest ultramarathon.  Approximately 18,000 people will be participating.  There is a strict twelve (12) hour cutoff to make it the distance.  I will be dealing with some different kinds of food and nutrition.  I will be treated to many locals and attractions along the way.

Although I do not believe I will struggle with the cutoff, I do not intend to run the race as quickly as I can.  I do not know if I will ever be in Africa again, so I do not want to spend the race looking at my watch or doing math in my head.  I am going to run at a comfortable pace, listen to some traditional South African music and enjoy the entire experience.  I may need to stop and take a picture or two.

Prior to the race I am spending a week relaxing and resting in Cape Town, which looks like one of the prettier cities I have ever seen.  My wife and I will be shopping (for fabric) exploring and just plain relaxing. (As if the 30 hour flight each way isn't going to give me enough time to relax).

 While I am gone I hope many of you (Melissa Pizarro) will be training your asses of for the Kettle Moraine 100.  I'll be there pacing and crewing.  Have a great Memorial Day holiday!

Marathon Training is a Big Fat Lie

One of the nine people that actually read this blog asked me what I've been up to.  So I thought it was time for a short post about what is new and noteworthy.

April was about training  After healing from Potawatomi I tried to ramp mileage back to around 80-90 miles per week.  The overall goal in April and May is weight loss to try to make climbing the mountains of the San Juans and the San Gabriels a little bit easier.  I've been running well and really enjoying the training.  The Flatlander Ultrarunners have been interested in a lot of group runs in interesting places.  That really helps.

I also had an opportunity to pace two good friends - Tony Cesario and Alfredo Pedro Perro at the Indiana Trail 100.  Both finished.  It was a great time and a great race.  I am definitely putting it on my to do list. I really enjoy pacing.  I think it is an important part of giving back to the sport.  If you haven't done it you should.  

The sub 24 Hour crew!

Todd and Siamak

Alfredo Pedro Perro

In late May I am scheduled to run the 56 mile Comrades Marathon in South Africa.  One needs to "qualify" for the race by running a sub 5 hour marathon or a longer distance within certain time restraints.  Those restraints are not conducive to people like me that run at the back of the pack in tougher type trail races.

I thought I had my qualifier.  Three days before the deadline I determined that I was wrong and that I needed to go run a marathon within three days.  All I needed to do was break 5 hours.  BUT I needed to get to Kenosha Wisconsin in rush hour traffic, sign up, go home, get a few hours of sleep, pack, and drive back at 4 a.m.  And nothing could go wrong in the interim.  

I ran (plodded) road marathons for many years before I became an ultra runner.  In those years I was taught many keys to marathon running: the virtue of the taper, training programs, speed work, proper planning and race execution, etc. etc.  I'm sure someone will argue with this point, but some marathoners tend to be over planners, somewhat superstitious and ritualistic (okay, douchey).  What I was about to do ran counter to everything I was taught about marathoning.  No specific training.  No planning.  I had run 90ish miles the week before and I already had 40 miles of training that week.  I did no speedwork.  I barely slept the night before.  I threw my gear together last minute (including some 'seasoned' Hokas) and the entire thing was executed by the seat of my pants.

Now, of course, four other members of the Flatlander Ultrarunners hopped on board.  If you want people to make bad decisions at the last minute which are running related, join an ultrarunning group.( #crazypeople #bandwagoners)

I set the "virtual partner" on my watch to five hour pace, stuffed a bunch of salted caramel gels in my waist pack, and ran by feel staying ahead of that qualifying time -- with no race plan whatsoever.

My prior PR was 3:50.  To attain that time (my first sub 4:00 marathon) I lost weight, did speedwork and tapered.  I was also about 20 pounds lighter than I am now.  Although I had a secret goal of beating that time I was realistic about the fact that it was unlikely.  

At the halfway point I was shocked to see a clock that read 1:47.  I knew that was too fast, but I started to negotiate with myself that if I could hang on a bit longer I would break 4 hours.  I stopped at every other water station, stood still and drank.  I made two bathroom stops.  I petted one dog.

I resisted the urge to look at my watch the entire second half.  (Not a peek).  The negotiations continued mile by mile.  I think the fact that I started passing many people in the last 6 miles really inspired me.  In the last two miles I probably passed 50 people.  When I turned the corner to the finish line I had NO idea what the clock might say.

3:41

I was shocked.  Every mile I ran in the race was faster than my average training pace.  I have absolutely no idea how that happened.  Could it be the extra weight? The lack of speedwork?  The failure to taper? part of me thinks it was not looking at my watch.  I guess I'll never know.  But the experience led me to the (tongue in cheek) conclusion that marathon training is a big fat lie.  My best guess is that taking all of those "truths" out of the equation and remembering that its just running makes all the difference.

*I realize that half (meaning 4 or so of you) of the readers will say "Just imagine if you trained right..."  We will probably never know.  

Next up....Comrades!!!!

New Beginnings

NEW BEGINNINGS

          Well, it certainly has been a crazy March/April!  In mid March a group of friends and I decided to set up a small informal ultra running Facebook Group so that our friends could connect and meet for runs and talk about ultra running.  Little did we know that it would develop into a close to 200 person club.  As you may guess, this created quite a bit of administrative work, as well as conflict.  All's well that end's well because I now have a way to run with my friends without any drama, commercialism or superimposed authority figures.  The group is called the Flatlander Ultrarunners in Chicagoland.  The website is:

http://www.flultra.com

          And our Facebook group can be found at:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/218252358381561/

          So far we have a great group of hardcore ultra and trail runners.  I think it is going to be a solid group.

          The other thing I did in March was train my ass off for the Potawatomi Trail Races 150 Mile race.  I came up about 50 miles short, DNF'ing at mile 100.  I went into the race confident and well trained.  My wife Kylia was there to crew me throughout and all my friends were there.  The race also has the best RD's around.  They treat everyone like family.  In the first few loops I ran a little too fast and had way too much confidence.  I really believed I would finish 150 miles and break 48 hours.  My training and experience at SOB 50 really paid off!

          Then I got sleepy.  Then my feet started to hurt.  Then they started to hurt even more.  I knew by mile 70 that it wasn't going to be my day.  Between the streams and the blisters I reached a point where it was a reality that I wasn't moving fast enough to finish 150 miles within the cutoff.  (or....it became clear that I wasn't tough enough, trained enough or talented enough to push through what I was experiencing and finish anyway).  It's a tough call.  I'll let you decide.

          Fortunately for me I was sent ultra angels from the heavens.  My friends Tony, Joy, Matt, Julie and Eric formed a group of people that were changing to a goal of only running 100 miles.  We stuck together.  We laughed.  We labored.  We made it to 100 miles and got our 100 Mile DNF Buckle.  I consider it a great day.  I consider it a learning experience.  It was both a 150 DNF and a 100 finish.  Looking back, I know I made the right decision.

          The highlight of March/April was watching my friends finish at Potawatomi and cheering for them at the Mad City 100k.  I have to admit, I can't watch a finish line without tearing up.  I love watching others succeed.  Even in the face of my own failure.  I don't want to list you all.  You know who you are.  I want you to know that you amazed and inspired me.  I can't get enough of your success.

50 Mile Finisher - Tony Silvestri

Last second decision to run 100 - FINISHER - Katerina Claiborne

150 Mile Finisher - Melissa Pizarro

First 100 - Jeff Moss

150 Mile Finisher - Tiffany Dore

What it is all about

          What's next?  I am pacing Alfredo Pedro in the Indiana Trail 100.  After that, I need to train my ass off for the Comrades Marathon in Africa followed shortly thereafter by the San Juan Solstice 50 Miler.  I have some work to do!

TRAINING FOR ADVERSITY

TRAINING FOR ADVERSITY

          It has been a brutal winter.  I'm sure you've heard.  There has been a ton of snow and it has been colder than usual.  With that snow and cold came a few of my new, most hated, phenomena: the weather selfie (snapshot of the temperature) the projected forecast panic (a/k/a the "weather alarmist") and the....well......person who's non-stop bitching about the weather keeps it the forefront of your mind constantly.  Many of us took extra days off, hit the treadmill, found an indoor track or, just decided to wait till the weather got better.  Our training suffered.  But more importantly, our mental toughness suffered.

           Let's face it....most of us run with the ability given to us by our genes.  Sure, we may get relatively quicker or slower based on training and weight, but few of us are going from cutoff chasers to lead chasers in our ultra career.  As such, I don't think "running ability" or "training" is the deciding factor in most of our "performance."  

          I have participated in some difficult events.  Some were 100 mile races.  Others were long senseless fat-asses.  When I have been successful (which I define as completing the event) I have chalked that success up to three things:  1) my ability to eat or drink absolutely anything while running ("nailing the nutrition"); 2) the experience gained from long training runs, pacing and crewing those that know more than me (which is almost everyone); and 3) Mental toughness.

          Which brings me to this brutal winter.  Or the soon to come too hot summer.  Let's also include: the rain, snow, darkness and ice.  Let's not forget that when we are training things will happen in our lives: people get sick, family problems, work problems, stress, fear, anxiety, lack of sleep, sleepiness, boredom, sloth and lack of motivation.  All of these things are often used as reasons why we take a day off, skip a run, or explain our poor training.

          Here's a novel idea: if you want to improve your mental toughness these are all EXACTLY the times you need to run the most.  Because guess what?  All of these things can hit you on race day.  So instead of looking at the 50 mph wind outside and complaining about it putting a damper on your training see it as what it really is:

A TRAINING OPPORTUNITY

     

OVER THE HILLS AND FAR AWAY

Last year I spent a week running in California and tackling a tough 50 miler (Ray Miller 50) in an effort to give myself a wake up call on some tough trails.   It worked.   I consider it a major reason why I was able to finish my first 100 miler (Potawatomi 100) and my first Hardrock Qualifier (Superior Trail 100).   This year I decided to do it once again at the inaugural Sean O' Brien 50 miler in Calabassas, CA. 

Unlike last year, I brought some company.  Melissa, Cory, Jeff and Kevin who are each in a couple of my running groups joined me.   Melissa and I flew into LA on a Wednesday night.   We stayed with a longtime friend of mine from Milwaukee in the Calabasas area which is northwest of LA.

We started the trip with a 7 mile run with the SoCalCoyotes and one of my personal heroes Jimmy Dean Freeman.  Although I had communicated him with online and seen him at a few races, this was the first time I actually got to meet and spend time with him and the Coyotes. We met at Westridge and ran with a large group.  It was nice to chat briefly with Kate Freeman and Jimmy, as well as a surprise couple of miles with the extremely talented Guillaume Calmettes (who ran a couple of miles with us).   

Guillaume!!

Afterwards we went for coffee with the Coyotes and we made a few more Coyote friends (Erin, Jennifer, et. al).  Jimmy and the Coyotes treated us extremely well....and we even came away with some swag! (Coyote Shirts).  

Spirit Freeman!

Coyote Swag

We had a nice dinner at Wolf Creek Brewery that night (the GM, James, being the guy Melissa and I stayed with) and also had the pleasure of meeting Keira Henninger (RD, ultrarunner and nutritionist), Chandra Farham and and Bryon (irunfar) Powelll. 

The following morning Melissa and I had Roscoe's House of Chicken and Waffles, 

and then headed to Wrightwood, the city where the Angeles Crest 100 begins.  We drove to Vincent Gap (mile 13ish of the AC100 course) and made a stab at Mt.  Baden Powell (10,065 ft. - the tallest summit on the course).  The mountain was snowy and beautiful.  The scene was spectacular.  We ran until it became too dangerous to continue (sheer ice).   We got in 2,500 feet of climbing and got up to 9,000+ feet of elevation.  We had a final pre-race meal at Wolf Creek, packed up our drop bags and hit the sack early.

Race day for the Sean O' Brien 50 began on Feb. 1, at 4:00 am.  The field contained the best of the best.  To name a few, Domonic Grossman. Tim Olson, Dylan Bowerman, Chris Vargo, Chris Price, Mike Aishe....the list goes on and on.   The women's field included Cassie Scallon, Meagan Arboghast and Sally McRae, among others.  This will be one It was extremely cold (for CA) and we started in the dark with headlamps.  We didn't really get to see many of the other competitors due to the darkness and we were all pretty separated when the field spread out.  We passed very few people.   We took it easy and enjoyed the amazing views being revealed by the morning sunrise.

The cutoff was 14.5 hours.  The race was advertised to have more than 10,000 feet of vertical climb.  Melissa and I had a plan to run together and try to keep a 12 hour pace as long as we could and make a decision when one of us struggled.  Both of us acknowledged that POT 150 was the next big race, and that just finishing was all we expected. 

The good news was that the race was, for the most part, not too technical.   There were a few rocky sections and a few sections of running on amazing rocky hill/mountain tops, but the course was overwhelmingly smooth fire roads and/or gentle single track.   Neither Melissa nor I tripped during the entire 50 miles (which is unusual for me). 

The bad news was that there were more ups and downs than any race either of us had ever done.   Long.  Sustained.  Climbs.  I'm talking 2,000 feet in 5 miles.  If you can't imagine 2,000 feet imagine the Sears (fine...Willis) Tower....on top of the Willis Tower.   That's 3,000.   Gulp.   We went up up up and then down down down, with a little bit of technical.   We worked our asses off and just barely made the 15 mile cutoff (thanks Flo;) ).  Melissa had some early struggles we had to work through, but we got though them and got to roughly the halfway point on 12 hour pace.   Then shit got real.

We had a 2,000 foot climb followed by a 1,500 feet descent followed by a 2,000 foot climb that kicked our asses.   It was the hardest 7 mile stretch I have been on to date.  I'm talking straight up, straight down and then straight up again.   It left Melissa and I winded and stopping in the shade to catch our breath.  We both ran out of water.  It was a low I have not been to in a LONG time.

Then we hit the next aid station and it was a total reload.  We never returned to that bottom again....but we were pretty burned out.  With our makeshift trekking poles from trees on the side of the road we looked more like characters from the Lord of the Rings than serious runners.  We laughed.  We cried.  But we made it to the finish with 15 minutes to spare.

Our finish is captured on this video:

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=509795495803882

Three takeaways from this trip:

1) Ultrarunners are AWESOME people.  Jimmy Dean Freeman literally took us into his home and gave us Coyote Clothing.  We made so many new friends.  Every time we turned a corner we knew someone.  The elites posed for pictures with us and talked to us.  Some even came to the fun run just to meet us.  We were welcomed into their homes, given their gear....and a few of them even stayed at the finish line until we ultimately finished.  .  That just doesn't happen at road races or marathons.

2) Never discount the value of doing HARD SHIT.  Get out of your comfort zone.  Do a race that is WAY outside your skill range.  Try to run up an Icy Mountain.  Try to run 50 miles.  Try to run too much.  Too hard.  Too high.  Too fast.  Try running at altitude.  But most importantly....just try to fucking do something. If you find yourself gripping the side of an icy mountain and afraid you are about to fall off or if you come in last place at the race, or find yourself sucking wind at altitude - GUESS WHAT??  You're LIVING!!!!   Don't wait to try to reach your goals.  Do it now.  If you fail you can try again.  And AGAIN.  Because it is only when we try and fail....when we push our limits....when you taste the adrenaline in the back of your throat that you can look back and say "Did that REALLY just happen?"

3)  This one of the most obvious.  CA is awesome.  I have to go live there.  Soon.