Haven't posted in a while, but back in October I did the hardest (most technical for one thing) 50K ever - the Stone Steps 50K. I guess by the name I should have known it would be hard. We did these steps four times (to get a perspective of the distance, note the runner toward the top of the steps):

Then a week ago I did the Route 66 marathon in Tulsa OK, not to eventful, but it did have over 300 Marathon Manics and is a very well organized race. 

Confetti cannons at start line.

Saturday I ran the annual "Waterfall Run" in the CVNP with a couple hundred other runners from Wooster, Ashland and the Akron area. Covered 17 1/4 miles on the Buckeye Trail and a few other trails. Weather was fantastic, and the mud was awesome. Beautiful waterfalls.

Mohican 50 mile was a great experience. I really loved the feel of the ultra, it a very laid back feeling compared to most road races. We started at 6:00 AM on the first of two loops, which was 26.8 miles and included the famous Lyons falls area. At the falls we encountered a wooden stairway descent and then a hand over hand climb up the tree roots a little later. Also a lot of mud, which I mostly avoided, due to my superhuman capability to avoid getting muddy shoes! Shortly after that we came out at Pleasant Hill dam where I met my wife, refilled a few supplies and we were off again. Had a nice peaceful run down the side of the river to the covered bridge aid station (had to avoid a large puddle again but thankfully there was a very convenient log laying right by it that I could hop onto).

After grabbing a few things at the aid station we were of up the hill towards Hickory Ridge, and that section seemed like the longest to me for some reason. Refueled a little at Hickory Ridge and we were off again to the start area.

We started the 2nd loop shortly after noon, this loop included a portion of the 1st, but then split off and was 23.2 miles total.Somewhere in this section the downhills really started getting to me, my quads really started to hurt when running the downhills.When we got back to Hickory Ridge the second time, I could have stayed and ate for half hour if I would have let myself, but since that would not have got me an closer to the finish line, I refilled my bottles and stuffed my face with: chips, a ham and cheese sandwich, more chips, a doughnut & some Twizzlers and I was off. My friend Daryll (which I had run with for about 90% of the race) had taken off before me and was about 1/2 mile ahead, so I ran a bit more till I caught up with him.

When we got the campground area close to the end I met my support crew (my wife Victoria and daughter Natasha) and we walked a good part of the rest of the way, then closer to the end Natasha ran with me to the finish line, and I finished in 14 hours & 14 minutes.

The next morning we headed back to the finish area and watched some of the 100 milers finish, including my friend Marilyn Hershberger who finished in 28 hours and 32 minutes.

It was a great weekend, and I had that feeling I used to get after a marathon, it's hard to explain but it felt really good (in a painful way).

There will be more of these in my future and I sense a100 miler in my future!

Ran another 5 miles of the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail Saturday in my quest to run the complete trail. This time I ran from Crystal Springs trail head to Canal Fulton, I didn't realize it, but Canal Fulton was having some Civil War stuff going on and also shared the path with the horses pulling the canal boat. Was a nice bit of distraction from the normal things I see when out running. Total mileage run of the trail is now 21.4, only 59.6 to go!

1st Double

On the weekend of October 20/21 we headed to Kansas City for the 1st marathon of the double, got into KC on Friday afternoon after many stops along the way. Ran the marathon on Saturday, ate lunch with my wife's cousin and family from MO, and then booked it up to Des Moines to pickup my race packet.

We made it in after the expo closed, but they were allowing runners to pickup packets during the pasta dinner so that was no problem (other then a security guard who claimed he would have to charge me $15 to park for 10 minutes, no thanks, I will park on the street thank you very much). After that we grabbed a late dinner and hit our hotel. Next day we were up bright and early for the marathon and found a cool little coffee shop close to race start to hang out in till the race started (why don't more restaurants open early during a marathon? Seems like a lot of potential customers to ignore). Anyway, I ran the race and only ended up with a small blister on my small toe and annoying pain in my left foot, don't know what that was all about. Des Moines is much nicer city then I remembered it being, it really was very nice.

Right after the race I found a YMCA that let me shower for no charge (love that) and then we headed for home (via Chicago). Spend Monday in Chicago doing Chicago things (eating deep dish pizza, standing in line for Garretts popcorn, shopping etc.) 1,650 miles later we were back home.

I didn't realize till I was done that I got a new Marathon Maniac level for doing a double, I am now 4 star or Iridium.

2*

Got my 2nd Marathon Maniac star back in Feb., forgot to post it.

Canton marathon coming up Sunday, marathon starts @ 6 AM, hoping the temps stay cool, for summer running (and this weekend if I need it) I ordered a cool-off bandana - http://www.zombierunner.com/store/brands/cool_off/product152.html., hope it helps.