Training Blog - Mother Road 100 is Nov. 8th!
Return to the Homepage
---------------------------------------------------
9-10-08 Ran 6.2 miles in 1:00:27
Anxious to get a short run in. Hit LaFortune Park just as the mist/light
rain started. Felt great.

9-03-08 thru 9-10-08 Vacation!
Went to San Antonio and Austin for some needed R & R. My wife and
I hHad a great time. Did a few runs of distances from 3 to 6 miles. Austin
has tons of running trails and a lot of biker lanes on the roads.

8-30-08 Ran 28 Miles in 6:01:22 Went out Friday night to Elk City. Checked into the Motel 6, then drove the first 30 miles of the course. It was raining hard at times and difficult to see the road. I took notes, so I would know where to stash the ice chests the next morning.

Michael Talbert and I left the hotel at 4:45am Saturday morning to hide 3 ice chests. I put them at 8 miles, 16 miles, and 24 miles. We left Michael's vehicle at the VFW in Clinton which I calculated was about 30 miles from the start.

We had planned to get back to the motel by 6am to meet up with the other runners but were late. Maurice Lee and Joel McCarty were there waiting to begin.

Joel and Maurice were wearing matching shirts from El Scorcho trail run they had done.

This is Michael and I at the KOA campground office. Since we started running at about 2 miles into the race course. We hit this after running 10 miles but during the race this will be near mile 12. There was a clean port-o-potty here, and would be a nice spot for an aid station. If you plan to run Mother Road II be prepared to be bored. The road is for the most part flat and straight. There are very few places where there is a shoulder to run on. The good news is, the road had little to no traffic on it, and you can see them coming for a long way.

Route 66 between Elk City and Clinton is the access road on I-40. So it's in good shape. Unless the course is not marked well, it will be a challenge to know what side of the I-40 you should be on. Part of Rt. 66 is run on the north side, then a couple of times it crosses under I-40 and is on the south side.

Here we crossed from the north access road, went under I-40, then ran on the north access road. At least there is some shade here.

This is good advice for this race and really for any time. Not sure why they felt the need make a sign. Had to be a story there........

The weather was fantastic the first couple of hours, then started warming up by 10am. We kept a very conservative pace and stayed together until the end. Michael could have easily dropped us at any time, he was nice enough to take it easy on us.

The cement was in good shape. Flat and very hard. This section is typical. Portions did have a slight 4" flare at the very edge of the road. If you had planned to run on the grass, be aware much of it was unmowed and 6" to 10" grass and weeds (with stickers) on the edge.

It wasn't all flat. In our 28 miles on the course we ran up 3 or 4 inclines. Not really steep hills, just some long slopes. But they do qualify as hills so you can feel good about walking.

I had scribbled out some notes so I would know where to make the turns.

I took more pictures, but my camera was acting up. Towards the end, Michael was concerned about getting home in time to take his family to the OU game, so at 26 we cut him loose to run ahead to get his vehicle. He sprinted to the end and drove back to pick us up at aprox. 28 miles.

I really enjoyed seeing and running the first 28 miles of the race course, and know it will give me confidence during the race. More so, I enjoyed spending time with these guys. Sometimes I can be a bit of a loner training solo because of my odd work hours. But this run went by so fast because of the great company.

Michael, Maurice, and Joel are all terrific guys. Hope to have the opportunity to run with them again. It was an fabulous run!

8-27-08 Ran 10 miles in 1:40:38
Thought I would try to run fast, but that didn't happen. Hit the 5 mile
turn around at 46:06. I honestly thought I was doing 8 minute miles.
The speed is gone. Took it easy the final 5 and did it in 54:32.

8-26-08
Spun for 30 minutes then lifted 30 minutes. Wasn't going to check my
weight until the end of the month, but stepped on the scales tonight and
found I have lost 5 lbs. in August. Had hoped for more, but with the 5
lbs. in July, it is a step in the right direction. The race is 73 days from today!

8-25-08 Ran 10 miles in 1:45:00
Now that the home construction is winding down, it is time to step up my
training. Did an easy 10 this morning before it got hot. Felt great to be
running!

8-19-08 Ran 6 miles in 1:05:12
Just needed some easy miles, but a 10:50 is probably too slow for
me to be training. I am exactly 80 day away from the big race.
Need to stay healthy, get in about 4 more long runs, and work on
lining up pacers. May need to buy some hotel rooms to get folks
out to western Oklahoma for the race.
----
Hope to run long this weekend. Shooting for 35 to 40 miles.

8- 14-08 Ran 10 miles
Needed a nice easy relaxed run.
Did not take my watch or heartrate monitor. Ran slow and relaxed......

The house work is killing me. Almost finished with everything,
so I can step up my training. Need to put the shutters back
on, finish the french drains, dig up some of the old pavers
used for a sidewalk. Oh well, it is good "cross training".

8-9-08 Ran 27.9 miles in 5:40:53
Hit LaFortune Park at 4:45am and started doing laps. Did the first 2
with a headlamp then settled into a relaxed and comfortable pace. Each
lap is 3.1 miles and I tried to run a slow consistant pace.
Lap 1 - 34:35
Lap 2 - 35:53
Lap 3 - 37:47
Lap 4 - 34:21
Lap 5 - 34:07
Lap 6 - 34:40
Lap 7 - 38:30
Lap 8 - 40:26
Lap 9 - 43:03

8-1-08 Ran 21.7 miles in about 4:35
Wanted to beat the heat, so I got up at 4:30am and drove over to LaFortune
park. Started running at 5:20am. The first lap and a half was dark, but after the
sun came up the heat kicked in. Went through about 10 bottles of Gateraid,
and was still thirsty. Felt good but slowed down quite a bit the
last lap.

7-27-08 to 7-31-08
Work is ending on our house. Painters almost finished, porch almost
completed, and landscaping nearing an end. I plan on running tomorrow,
no matter what. Need a good long run.

7-26-08 Ran 14 in 2:29:32
Left home at 5am and it was pretty dark. About 3 miles into the run got
chased by three dogs. Had to change my route and not run into Tulsa, did
my old 10 mile loop route. Needed to do more but had lots to do today.
Felt fantastic.

7-18-08 to 7-25-08
Worked on the house. Wheel barrow, jack hammer, rock moving, etc.
Porch is almost finished and house is almost painted.
It has been a long hard week and no matter what I do plan to run tomorrow.

7-19-08 Ran 16.5 miles in 3:03:33
Ran into Tulsa with a steady slow 11:07 pace. Felt great, but ran out of
water. Took a couple of GUs and a half a pita & peanut butter sandwich.
Saw several Tulsa Training run groups.

7-17-08 & 7-18-08 Worked on the porch @ yard.

7-16-08 Ran 12 miles in 2:13:04
Left the house about 7am and ran to Tulsa on the trail. It was great.
Took it very easy and enjoyed the run. My new double water bottle belt
works well. Not as comfortable as my old single bottle one, but I'll get
used to it.

7-12-08 through 7-15-08
Finished demo on the flower beds and started removing the porch and
railings. Still lots of work to be done but no matter what, I will run
tomorrow.

Before the demolition

7-11-08 Ran 20 in 4:07:14
To beat the heat, I got up at 5am. Went east on the Katy Trail and ran to
Tulsa. On the River Trail, I went south to MM 4, which is now in
the construction area. Wow, I felt fantastic. I have been pretty bummed
out about not getting to run but the rest on my legs did me a world of good.
Felt stronger in my core muscles, and had lots of energy. Have to continue
work today on the yard, but glad to have a decent run in!

7-10-08 More yard work. Had to go to a promotion event at noon, then
off to work. Rain, sleet, or snow, no matter what, I will run long tomorrow.

Took this picture of my hands a few days ago. I have more
blisters now.

7-9-08 More demolition. I should have hired someone
to do this. I need a run real bad.

7-8-08 Another non running day. Worked 8-4 at the station working
on a story for sweeps. Went home and did more demolition. Had a
dumpster dropped off at my house. Need to fill it up in the next week.
After flower beds are removed, will begin tearing off the porch decking.

7-7-08 Worked in the yard. Now it is more like prison work. My back,
arms, and legs are sore.

7-6-08 Took the day off. Continued dem

olition on the front flower
beds. Hauled about 40 loads of dirt and bricks. I 'm going to consider
this cross training. The more of this I do, the more cross I become.

7-5-08 Ran 17 miles.
It was good to run with someone else. Earl is strong. His knee was giving
him problems so he ended at 15. I planned to get in another 5 but got hot
and went back to the truck. Will nap then work in the yard in the heat.

7-4-08 Took the day off. Earl Blewit called and wants to run, we
will meet at 6am tomorrow on the River Trail.

7-3-08 Ran 10.5 in 1:50:05
Tried to get in a few more walks. Need to start training as if it were the race.
Felt great! Need to get in a long run. Perhaps this weekend can work in a 30.

7-2-08 Mowed the front and side yards. Moved more dirt from the front
flower beds. Will try to sneak in 10 or so tomorrow.

7-1-08 Ran 10 in 1:41:39
Did the first 5 in 47:18. Got a late start so it was a bit warm and humid.
Felt real good. The two days off made a huge difference. Need to look at
getting another pair of shoes. Goals for July: Stay healthy, drop more 10 lbs,
and get in at least 3 runs of 20 or more.

6-30-08 Worked in the yard. Half of the demolition is completed!!!

6-29-08 Slept in and missed church. Worked on the front demolition.

6-28-08 Ran 14 miles
Read on the TATUR web site there was a night run planned for 10:30pm.
Met up with 12 others at the Quik Trip at 94th and Riverside. A nice
easy pace. They had stashed an ice chest along the route, at the turnaround
Cindy's husband was there with a trunk full of drinks and snacks. Got home
at 3am.

6-27-08 Stayed at work until 2am working storms, so will work in the yard
today and get ready for another long day tonight. More storms are likely. Will
run tomorrow.

6-26-08
For Father's Day my daugher gave me a gift certificate from Performance Bike.
I ordered a trainer and it was delivered. They old one I used when I trained for
Ironman was used when I bought it and worn out. Will use this on recovery
days to add more cross training to the routine. Not going to run today.

6-25-08 Ran 10 miles in 1:48:23
Got up early to get my miles in before I met a photographer to shoot a July
sweeps story. The first 5 went very well then I slowed down quite a bit. Went to
Weleetka (my hometown) to shoot a story. Interviewed my high school football coach
and a couple of classmates. For lunch we went to the Weleetka's Roundup Cafe. Our
photographer had their famous Chicken Fried Steak. I was amazed at the size so
I snapped this picture before he dug in. No, he could only eat about half of it.

6-24-08 A morning of yard work. Continued chopping up a tree and hauling it off.
Finally finished with that sucker! Then mowed part of the the yard and went to work.

6-23-08 Feel pretty good after yesterday's run. Will rest
a couple of days before hitting it again. Have lots of clean up
to do. Began cutting up the tree we cut down. Tool load after load in my
wheel barrow to haul off the wood. A good workout from my arms,
back and legs.

6-22-08 Ran 20 in 3:48:22
Knew if I didn't run early it wasn't going to happen so I left the house before
sunrise. First 10 went easy and did it in 1:48:55. Ran out 5 then back changed
clothes, ate a banana, and refilled my water bottles and went back for
another 10. Started getting warm and I slowed some. Did a bit more walking
the last 5. Finished the second 10 in 1:59:27.

6-21-08 Yard work. Continued demolition on the front flower beds. Went
to Broken Arrow to buy some sod then got that down. My neighbor, Sam, wanted
to cut down a tree so we did and worked on getting it cut up. I really need a
long run. Maybe tomorrow.

6-20-08 Worked a lot. Did some yard work, but need a rest
day to recover from yesterday.

6-19-08 Ran 10 in 1:40:19
First 5 went great then I slowed down some. The last 5 were very slow
as I got a little warm.

6-18-08 Severe Weather Again
Expected a long day at work so I took the day off running.
Worked 12 hours.

6-17-08 Ran about 8.5 miles in 1:25:57
Radar showed a lot of rain, but most of the lightning was west and south so
I headed out. It is great running in the rain. After two days off, I felt very
fresh. My 10 mile trail was blocked off due to construction so I turned around
sooner than I wanted.

6-16-08 Back to Work
Didn't run so I could get in early to work. After being off for a week I had
ove 1,000 emails and 16 voice mails. That afternoon we dealt with more
severe weather. Looks like rain in the morning, but I still plan on running.

6-15-08 Took another Rest Day
Went to the Tulsa Triathlon to see Russ McCaskey. Never found him. They
had changed the course so the bikes would go south from Lake Skiatook to Tulsa
(into the wind). T2 was at The River Park area on the west side of the River. Here
is a shot of the transition area.

6-14-08 Ran ? miles in 1:37:00
Met at 7am on Turkey Mtn. with Ken Childres, Vicky Arterburn, and a few
others. I have not run up on the mountain in more than a year. It had grown
up a lot and the new paved trail is completed. I was pretty much wasted after
an hour and a half. Later that evening went to Country Fever where I was asked
to introduce Trace Atkins. Saw Gretchen Wilson's set too. She is amazing.

6-13-08 Ran 10 miles in 1:45:05
Outflow boundy dropped our temp. to 69 and winds shifted north at 15 mph.
I was looking forward to running at a slightly faster pace. Radar showed a few
showers west of town so I expected to get a little wet. Kept dry until the last mile
and had a few sprinkles but it felt great. Will try to do a longer run Saturday or
Sunday morning.

6-12-08 No Running
Some days it just doesn't work out. Was dressed and ready to head out on
a run when my phone rang. It was another contractor called to say he was
coming by for an estimate. We are planning on doing a lot of work to the house
and have had numerous folks coming by for estimates on the various jobs.
By the time the guy finally left I was ready to get back to work on demolition
of the front flower beds. Worked in the yard from 8am until 4pm.

6-11-08 Ran 8 miles
Got up early with the idea of doing a nice long run but my
stomach had other ideas. Got to the trail at 5:30am but by 7am I was
done. Was this picture out of focus or just my eyes were blurry?
I think it was a little of both. Went to Muskogee to see my family.

6-10-08 Ran about 8.5 miles
Was on my way to do a 10 or 12 mile run but got a call on my mobile
from a house painter. He had called back to tell me he was free to come
by my house for an estimate. Ran home at a slightly faster pace.

Later I got a call from Brian Hoover. I hadn't spoken to him in a very long
time. Brian is an amazing guy and an excellent runner. After I was injured a
year ago I sort of cut myself off from all my running friends.

6-9-08 Took a rest day.
Worked in the yard started tearing out the front flower beds. Used a
sledge hammer and hauled loads of dirt and bricks. Worked for about
3 hours in the rain. With my inside suit and tie sissy job it is great to get
good and stinking dirty.

6-8-08 Ran a 16 miles (untimed)
After looking over this blog I realize that I keep repeating that time is not
important, yet I keep timing my runs and splits. So today I did not start my
watch. Started at 6am to try and beat some of the expected high winds and
heat. It went well. On my last mile I saw ultramarathoner Earl Blewett.
He was tapering for an ultra in two weeks. He had lost weight and looked
strong, but claimed he hadn't been running much.

6-7-08 Ran a 5K in 26:25
It wasn't pretty but I finished. It was the Panera Hunger Run at Mohawk park.
Had a lot of energy at the finish, so I could have probably gone faster, but
just wanted to do it and not get injured. Ran the first 1/2 mile with Beth Burnett
from the station.

6-6-08 Took a rest day.

6-5-08 A Lot of Severe Weather
A very long day. Went home at 2:30am.

6-4-08 Ran 5.4 (estimated) in 52:58
Construction crews tore up the trail near my house. They are building a school
and I'll need to change my route. I have never seen more construction
projects going on. It reminded me of a grapic someone sent me at work.

6-3-08 Ran 6 miles in about 1:10
Went to the river at about 7am and forgot my running watch. Did more
walk/run as I will in the race. A good sweat. Noticed they had finally
finished resurfacing the first mile of the trail. Saw friend Charlie Wilsey,
he is training some folks from Channel 6 to do the Tulsa Run. He asked me
to join them so, weather permitting, I may run with them Thursday.

6-2-08 Ran 5.2 miles in about 52 min.
It was warm and humd and I was slow. Took the day off work, had a
landscaper come over to look at some yard problems, rented a generator
to run a few fans, so we wouldn't burn up, mowed the yard, took the wife to
dinner. Power was restored!

6-1-08 A huge severe weather day
Tulsa had 70 mph winds, baseball sized hail in Mannford, a lot of flooding,
and 70,000 lost power, including our house. It was a very long day.

5-31-08 Worked severe weather
2 Tornadoes in Osage County

5-30-08 Took a rest day

5-29-08 Rode 36.3 miles in 2:27:20
Avg. speed only 14.8. Stiff south wind slowed me on the way out. Took the
river trail and turned around at the Yale exit on the Cimmaron Turnpike. The
Mother Road Race is 162 days away.

5-28-08 Ran 5.2 miles in 55:46 3776
Took a rare day off to rest. Waited until 1:30pm so it would be warmer
and more humid. Not a great idea as it turns out. I sweated like a pig in an
overcoat. It was slower than yesterday, but a real good sweat.

5-27-08 Ran 5.2 miles in 51:23
This loop may be farther, I need to check this distance on my bike, because
it felt faster than a 9:50 pace. The legs a bit sluggish from yesterday. It was short
but a good workout.

5-26-08 Worked all day
Just a lot of severe weather today, not much of a Memorial Day.

5-25-08 Ran 14 in 3:05:18
Did about a 60% slow run and 40% walk. Trying not to dwell on the fact that this is
about a 13:14 pace. I am pretty sure some people can crawl this fast. Just trying to
build up my long runs. I felt good. My next long run I will try to walk a little less.

5-24-08 Mowed the yard
Spent 3 hours mowing the yard. Drove into Tulsa to visit Runners World bought a
new pair of Asics GEL-1130. Had to go in for severe weather and stopped on the
way to filled up my truck. Snapped this picture. Gas had gone up again! It was a
very long Saturday. Not the relaxing day off I had planned.

5-23-08 Ran 10 miles in 1:50:14
Ran at a comfortable ultra pace. First 5 in 52:11 then went even slower coming
home. Shoes feeling a bit worn, time for a new pair. I want to begin logging my
hours of sleep every night. I'll need more rest as my mileage increases to keep my
body from breaking down.

5-22-08 Ran 6 miles in 59:03
Had more energy. Decided to drive to the River Trail and do some intervals.
Did a fast, slow, fast miles. Here are the splits:
Mile 1 - 8:25.......... Mile 4 - 13:34 (stopped and visited with a couple)
Mile 2 - 9:43 ......... Mile 5 - 8:47
Mile 3 - 8:14 ......... Mile 6 - 10:17 (very tired here)

5-21-08 Rest Day!
Rested my legs but exercised my heart. Went to Muskogee to visit my
sweet little mother. Someone at work ask me to do a Panera Hunger Run 5K
in a couple of weeks. It has been a long time since I did a 5K. I've lost all my speed
doing ultras (and there wasn't much speed to start with) So for fun, I will attempt to do some
"fast" miles tomorrow.

5-20-08 Ran 5.2 miles in 55:28
Somedays you do, somedays you don't. Today the leges were heavy and I had little
energy. Will plan on a rest day tomorrow. The neighbors had construction workers
coming in and out. Emma was very interested, so I opened the window so she could
get a better look.

5-19-08 Rode 32.3 miles in 2:17:44
Avg. speed a sluggish 14.1 mph. A stiff west wind cause me to work a little harder the
final 5 miles. 126 bpm avg. heart rate. Just took it easy and enjoyed the ride. Went down
the river trail and turned around near 96th street.

5-18-08 Ran 12 miles in 2:22:27
At this point in my training speed is irrelevant. I'm doing a walk/run as I will do in
the race. Still, I thought it might be interesting to take my splits so here they are:
Mile 1 - 15:43 .. .. .. Mile 7 - 12:46
Mile 2 - 12:01 .. .. .. Mile 8 - 11:11
Mile 3 - 10:53 .. .. .. Mile 9 - 11:05
Mile 4 - 11:47 .. .. .. Mile 10 - 10:35
Mile 5 - 11:39 .. .. .. Mile 11 - 12:18
Mile 6 - 12:45 .. .. .. Mile 12 - 9:40 (for no reason, I tried to kick but didn't have much left)

5-17-08 Ran 10 miles in 1:56:55 3872
Drove to the river for the run. Saw the Aduddell 5 Mile Race in progress.
I didn't know there was a race going on until I saw #165 was running towards me
doing a about a 5 min/mil pace and not breaking a sweat. He was about 300 yards
out in front of everyone else. Will try to run before church tomorrow. I kept hearing
gas prices were going up again, so I topped off and took this picture.