FOCUSED

SOOO if I can remain focused..

This is my fall schedule :

9/4/11: Labor Of Pain 12 hour Run (I get to run with Joe all day.. precious) http://www.pretzelcitytiming.com/laborpain.html

10/2/11: Wineglass Marathon (get to drive 5hours to NY to run for wine..) http://www.wineglassmarathon.com/


10/23/11: Tussey 50 Miler (50 miles of hills and running “with” joe..no comment) http://www.tusseymountainback.com/


First off though...I have to get the LONE RANGER out of the way......


7/16/11: Lone Ranger Ultra 24 Hour Run…(SAY WHAT!)

So once that is done I should be able to FOCUS …a bit….so yeah the Lone Ranger Ultra… 24 hours of running… it REALLY DID seem like SUCH a good idea at the time (when I signed up 7 months ago).. but HELLO… running for 24 hours??!..

This is when you say OMG what the hell was I thinking! Like waking up after a night of drinking and OMG who the hell are you?!..

BUT I am STOKED! Seriously excited to see what I can and cannot do for 24 hours… I have my plan of attack… Pacers on board .. here is some of the info from the website:

The Stroehmann Back on My Feet Lone Ranger Ultra Marathon starts in front of Lloyd Hall - One Boat House Row and has become one of the most popular Ultra’s in the country. It’s for experienced runners who want to test themselves to see how many 8.4-mile laps they can do around Philly's Schuylkill River Running Loop in 24 hours .

All Lone Rangers must get their vitals taken when they check in (weight, temperature and blood pressure) – NO EXCEPTIONS. PLEASE DO NOT RUN or BIKE TO PICK UP YOUR BAG AS YOUR VITALS NEED TO BE PROPERLY RECORDED, or they will have to be taken again on Saturday morning
(Seriously… like why would anyone run or bike PRIOR to running for 24 hours..WTF! )

Many participants choose to bring their own tent to have outside to be a part of the great 20in24 atmosphere. There will be a lot of space to set up camp and you can see the site layout here. Some people choose to rent a van or a RV and park in the parking lot.
(Now that’s what Im talking about…. A RV!)

Pacers are only allowed for lone rangers after the 4th lap and they must be on foot – not bike. They must check in at the table and get an official bib. Anyone caught using an unofficial pacer will be disqualified
(Check pacers only after mile 30+)

We have instituted a flag system to keep all participants aware of the weather conditions and each flag color represents a different level.

1. Green Flag - Race status is normal

2. Blue Flag - Require all racers to carry electrolyte replacement (Gu Electrolyte Brew -supplied on course). In general, you can expect a blue flag when the heat index is between 90 and 101.

3. Orange Flag - Require all racers to stop at both of the medical stations on course. This flag will be shown when heat index is 102-105. Heat cramps and/or heat exhaustion are a very real possibility; heatstroke is possible.

4. Red Flag - Require all racers to walk. Please know that we are also runners on this end and we know the idea of having to walk is not appealing, but we hope you understand that we would only ask this of you if the heat index gets to a dangerous level of 105 or more.

5. Black Flag - If the risk of lightening requires intervention. Runners should proceed to the nearest rest station and the rest station personnel will record the bib number of runners who took shelter at the rest station.
(SERIOUSLY FOLKS... like I will even know my name, let alone remember what color flag means what after running for God knows how many hours....)

SO here are some helpful hints I pulled up for Pacers:
A large part of a pacer's success is his or her sensitivity to the runner's emotions. (UH - OH)Knowing the runner well allows the pacer to provide different incentives at different times. And it helps for pacers to understand the peaks and valleys any ultrarunner experiences while covering many miles over long, lonely hours. Sometimes a runner might be encouraged by praise for a fast split between aid stations or a great climb. At other times, simply mentioning the amount of distance covered or the "measly" 22 miles left to go might spark a wrathful reply from a fatigued, nauseated ultrarunner. At such times, the pacer needs to use his or her best psychological skills to redirect the runner's venting and refocus him or her on the task and goal.

The point is, first, be prepared for all requests that a runner may have, and if that fails, be creative. It doesn't take much to redirect a tired runner's limp mind.
(So whose in to pace me?!)

Ultra Website: http://www.20in24.com/the-back-on-my-feet-lone-ranger-ultra-marathon.html
Lone Ranger Start Time: 10 am - Saturday, July 16th…..front of Lloyd Hall - One Boat House Row.

Each lap is 8.4 miles ..at a 12 min pace would take around 1 hour 40 minutes..

End: 10am - Sunday, July 17th.

Tentative Pacer schedule
10am–5pm: SOLO (4 laps) 33.66 miles
5pm – 7pm: (2 laps - 16.8 miles)
7pm – 9pm:
9 pm – 12am: NIGHT
12am-5am: NIGHT
5am-7am:
7am-8am:
8am-10am:


(So whose in to pace me?!)