Mission Possible -- Badwater

A Brave Heart is a Powerful Weapon

Aloha Athletes and Friends !

Yikes !! A heat wave has hit Death Valley...record highs of 127-133 degrees F. The good news is that hopefully it will be back to "normal" fierce heat by the time the race starts on July 23. Well, we can hope. The foot report is promising with the neuroma seemingly better and the recent heel pain subsiding a little. I'm optimistic...of course, I'm always optimistic. Aw, let's face it, I'M GETTING EXCITED !! In fact, it could be hazardous to my health to be getting this excited at my age !

Being involved with fund-raising has been really good for a basically selfish individual like me. My exposure to the Challenged Athletes Foundation has taught me that almost anything is possible. On the wall in my office is a poster of one of the CAF athletes, Rudy Garcia-Tolson. Rudy has two artificial legs. Rudy runs a mile in 6:48, a 5k in 22:15, neither of which I can do with the two perfectly good legs that I was born with. He also holds records in his class in the half marathon and the 200m breaststroke. Rudy's motto is "A brave heart is a Powerful Weapon". This is a powerful statement, especially coming from someone like Rudy. When the race gets tough (and it will) one mantra I will be repeating over and over is "A Brave Heart is a Powerful Weapon". Thank you Rudy !

Friends, the experience leading up to this race has been phenominal, especially due to the overwhelming support from people like you. I would have never thought so many would have stepped-up with so much support. Before I leave for the race on July 11 to heat acclimate I'll be sending out one or two more updates. Thanks everyone ! Don

More Pain, More Gain

Aloha Athletes and Friends !

Seems like when I've heard the saying "No Pain, No Gain" it was in reference to weight lifting, but it seems appropriate now, with what I'm undertaking. Like the continuing saga of a daytime soap opera, my foot problems seem to have an exciting life of their own. Last week it was a neuroma and this week it's heel problems. The good news is that the neuroma pain seems dormant. The other good news is that the heel pain is just pain, and we must love pain...that's why we keep doing ultramarathons. Leon keeps reminding me that the more challenges I overcome getting to the finish line, the sweeter the finish...thus my saying: "More Pain, More Gain".

The heel pain started on Sunday, after I'd done a walk with Heather to get the cobwebs out of my legs. I saw the podiatrist today, just to make sure that I wouldn't cause any serious damage by continuing with my plans. He said it shouldn't be a problem...only pain, so back to work.

In spite of my primal urge to get out and do some running, I've restrained, and have followed the advice of my running mentor, the amazing Monica Scholz. Monica still holds the world's record (for men and women) for finishing the most 100 mile runs (23) in a calendar year (2001). She actually had a neuroma during the last several 100's she did in 2001 ! So, it's been core, core, core, some light spinning on a stationary bike, ice, ice, ice (the foot) and sauna, yuck !...lots of sauna ! Not exactly the leg training I need, but it's more important to preserve the foot. Oh well.

By the way, to answer the questions "what's an Oik?"...it's a "punk", ya know, like a punk kid...kinda like me 50 years ago. Thanks for all the kind words and all the wonderful support !

Yikes ! It's getting close to time in the Desert. Aloha all !  Don

Happiness

Aloha Athletes and Friends,

It seems to me that athletics have gotten more serious these days, even amateur athletics. What do you think? Granted, over 50 years ago when I was playing Little League baseball, the parents would throw a fit over nothing. Other than the embarrassment they caused us kids, I thought that was hilarious at the time and still do. But today, even in amateur athletics, success is measured by performance. Did you win? Trust me, winning is more important than it was 50 years ago. So please Don, what are you getting at?

When I started running ultras some 8 years ago, only two things mattered...finishing and having fun. The entire journey was fun...learning the sport, spraining ankles, having leg cramps...ya, it was a blast. But, let's face it...we are a competitive bunch. One day you wake up and finishing isn't enough. We love to win. We love to "reel-in" the runner in front of us. That's fun too. That too makes us happy. Either way it's happiness. Well, let's throw in "expectations". An entire book was written about expectations. Regardless of whose expectations it is, yours or someone elses, if you fail to meet them, someone won't be happy. I can tell you, even as a back-of-the-pack ultrarunner, you have great expectations and therefore great disappointments. Frankly, I was happier a few years ago when neither I nor anyone else expected a certain level of performance from me. Hey, I'm going to return to the good old days !

I'm really looking forward to the challenge at Badwater.  Going into the race with an injury, and being severely undertrained, along with my normal problems, should make me...how did Leon say it?..."savor crossing the finish line even more". Yeah !! After all, like the old happy days, Badwater will be about experiencing something new and  exciting...finishing a tough challenge and having fun along the way.

I'll leave you with this thought (sent to me by a very wise friend):

Happiness is a journey, not a destination, So work like you don't need money...Love like you've never been hurt...and...Dance like no one's watching. Don

The Best Laid Plans of Mice and Muench

Aloha Athletes and Friends,

Somewhere along the hard, hot highway on Saturday, reality "finally" set in. Rex, Muench and I had been doing a relatively short, slow Saturday training, when "Knock, knock...is anybody home?" resonated inside my overly thick skull. It all started when Mike complained that "his" feet were hurting. "Hey Mike, that's supposed to be my territory...I'm the one with foot problems", I thought. Anyway, the discussion that followed made me closer to understanding where I'd gone wrong with my training.

The fact is, myself, Mike and most all my running buddies are "trail" ultrarunners. We do long distances, even 100 miles, on trails, NOT roads ! In fact, the longest "road" run I'd ever done before Badwater training was 52.4 miles...a double Honolulu Marathon that Cheryl and I suffered through together a few years ago. And yes, we suffered. So, take heed 'O Majestic Runner of Trails, the roads will beat you up, if you're not careful! Granted, I needed to train on the roads...but, duh...not 75-100 miles a week, for three successive weeks, on asphalt and concrete. "Don, did it ever occur to you that you might be putting too many road miles in...too soon?"..."uh, no". Didn't you realize that those seemingly endless hours, week after week, of the same, repetitive "tap, tap, tap" might cause problems. Ever heard of carpel tunnel?

So, with only a few weeks left on the training clock, I'm sitting here with two very sore feet and one foot neuroma. But guys and gals, I'll be the first to admit that I love a challenge, and like my buddy Leon told me today, under these conditions, "I will savor crossing the finish line even more". I like Leon's attitude! Looks like The Best Laid Plans will require a little more tweaking. Such is life. Hmmmm??, where did I put my tweaking tools?  Have a great week ! Don

Two Yobos and an Oik

Aloha Friends !

Last Saturday's trial training, to see if the previously injured lil' foot was ready for light duty, was a success. It did fine ! With the group over at Tantalus doing a 10 mile Mango Madness race preview loop, it was possible that I would be doing the 20 miles alone, which wasn't a problem, since it was just exciting to be back hoofing the hard, hot highway. It had been 4 weeks ! However, my 10am start time to maximize the heat of the day provided a window of opportunity for two of my HURT pals to do both. So there we were, two yobos and an oik, having the time of our lives, out Makapuu way, totally enjoying one of the most beautiful days on record, and getting in some great training. Cheryl, who is always a kick, was in rare form and was running ahead,  having a blast taunting Mike (Muench) and I, while we excitedly discussed Mike's ideas for a mega-Badwater-training-run on the Big Island later this month. We took a planned short jaunt out to the Lighthouse at Makapuu and ran into Steph and Joel Jenkins. It was great to see them, and visit a few minutes, as it has been a while.

The two hooligans and the punk had probably as much fun as could be had, and it was great to get back outside, enjoying your friends and beautiful Hawaii. Don't forget that the HURT Trail Series race Mango Madness will be held this Saturday at 7 am. For complete info, please go to www.HurtHawaii.com See ya !  Don

Phase2 Training Update

Aloha Athletes !

I'll keep this short and sweet. It's comforting to tell you that after a couple of days of light training, the lil' foot seems to be doing okay. I haven't really tested it, and it still feels a bit weak, but we'll take it easy and see what happens. Boys and girls, it really feels good to be back training again ! Yippee !!

Thanks to David Carlsson for the nice comment last week. David is a runner that I really admire for making some very smart decisions, and has returned from difficult times to become a serious runner. He also showed great courage, finishing Run to the Sun after having problems that would have stopped most. Keep an eye out for the name David Carlsson when checking the future running results. He's also a super guy.

Thanks everyone for your concern. I'm looking forward to seeing all of you soon ! Aloha !  Don

Refocus

Aloha athletes and friends !

Wow, I finally learned how to wake-up the sleeping giant(s)...just say in jest that some people are a pain in the ass or someone is a pit bull and they crawl out of the woodwork. Hey, I didn't mention names, but Cheryl sure admitted to the pit bull tag...and what's with McAllaster bringing up the pain in the a$$ thing? Feeling a lil' guilty, Bob? Being serious for a moment, I loving call Cheryl a pit bull for her tenacity about everything in life and McAllaster would be the last person to make my list as a pain in the ass. I could write a book (and maybe I should) about these two wonderful friends, and all the unselfish things that they do for all their many friends (especially me !).

Okay, I know, I'm getting out of hand with this "quote" stuff, but this one was really appropriate, at least in my case...for today (Outside magazine): "The hallmark of a lifelong athlete is not the ability to focus but to refocus." Yikes, that's all I've been doing for the past almost 3 weeks..."refocusing" ! Hopefully training will resume, short and slow, next Tuesday (5-29-07). My great PT guy, Wessel, put my injured foot through it's paces yesterday, and the lil' foot did great ! So, barring any unforseen problems, Phase2 of Ol' Don's Badwater training will begin then...short and slow, complete with serious heat training gear...how I love to sweat !! Obviously my original training schedule has been compromised somewhat, but I feel the resulting additional core-work may more than make up for less time on the roads. We'll know in 2 months. I admit I'm an optimist at heart.

In the mean time, I'm about ready to crawl the walls ! I'm even getting excited thinking about spending time on hot, hard pavement! I can hardly wait until Tuesday.

Thanks to everyone for their concern and their support, especially over the past few trying weeks, and to Paul and Larry for posting comments.

Have a fantastic Memorial Day weekend !

Aloha !

Don

Down-in-the-Dumps Don

Aloha Friends,

Usually about this time of the week, you are able to read what's been going on over the past week or so, out on the hard, hot highway. Well, let's turn the clock back about 8 days. If you've been following the training, you will remember a couple of reports, regarding the 71.3 mile training event. Neither report mentioned my sore feet, which I blew-off typical ultrarunner fashion, since ultrarunners deal with pain al the time. However, I might should have mentioned it...in fact, I might should have stayed at home (instead of doing the 71.3). To cut to the chase, now I've got rather serious foot problems, most likely due to over-use.

Last week I was a good boy and did zero training ! It would have been too painful. I know what you're thinking...what about you tough ultrarunners dealing with pain all the time?? I know. Folks, it hurt just to take a small step. Picture fire shooting out the end of your toe ! Okay, maybe I'm a wimp...a woose...a weanie, but I honestly felt that it would be in my best interest to give it a rest. But you can only rest so long. Besides, I can feel the Badwater clock ticking...tick, tick, tick. I made a trip to Wessel, my great PT guy, who thoroughly checked everything out, recommending rest, ice, ice, ice, ibuprofen, medicated pads, and metatarsal pads. I see him again on Thursday.

This morning, I just had to do something ! So, I put training plan B into effect and went to the YMCA for some aqua-jogging. After all, there would be no impact on the bottom of my injured foot. It worked well for about 35 minutes, until I the affected area began to ache. I exited the pool and by the time I got to my locker, it was really hurting. Not a good sign...now I'm really worried ! With just less than two months of actual training time before Badwater, and having an injury that could possibly take months to heal, I'm scared as hell !

Screw this...it's time to see the doctor ! I went straight there, without an appointment (not smart), but got lucky and they worked me in. After consultation, examination and x-ray, the diagnosis is the possibility of a bone spur (and of course, bruising, inflammation and trauma from over-use. They are going to have me see the podatrist. On hearing of my plans in Death Valley, the doctor actually suggested that she send me to a psychiatrist first, before the podiatrist. The nerve ! However, she was smiling when she said it. Now we wait to see the foot doc.

Okay, that puts us up-to-date as of 2:15 pm on Monday 5-14-07. Please keep your fingers crossed for me, as I need all your positive energy right now. It's very tough to just sit here, when I need to be out training. Just call me "Down-in-the-Dumps Don"

A Long Forced March

It's over now, but it is Tuesday and I am still dragging a bit, still finding myself standing in the kitchen wondering why I am there, still as edgy as shattered glass and just as likely to crack or cut.  And I didn't do the whole damn thing, just about  50 to 55 of it.  What am I droning on about?  Don's latest BW training run that's what, and it was a gem, and one for the history books, at least my history book.   We were supposed to meet at Don's before 5:00 am and head out at 5:00.  But I ran into some snags and tried to intercept them at Castle Hospital in Kailua.  I got there and headed back up the road, ducking in at Maunawili and taking the old road up, almost reaching Castle Ranch Office when I just figured I'd missed them and turned around and headed back to the car.  Fact was if I had continued going I would have run into them in ten minutes or so.  But I didn't and I drove back and forth on the Highway finding  them just as they hit the other old section of the road past the Detention Center.   

The 71.3 Mile Don Ho Memorial Training

Aloha Athletes !

It wasn't planned that way, but since it would be the day they spread legendary Don Ho's ashes off Waikiki, and we would be within a stone's throw of the somber ceremony, it seemed fitting to name our training run after the occasion. Had it been planned, we would have certainly made it 76 miles, to correspond with Don Ho's age when he passed. Oh well, the 71.3 miles definitely felt like 76 miles to me...maybe even more.

Friday, I had made the statement to one of my two partners-in-crime, Ernest Tay, that "it would be fun !" But, had it not been for Ernest's Grandma, who lectured him in the importance of always doing what you commit to do, I possibly would have been all alone for a portion of the trek. You see, I don't think he really believed it would be fun. Grandma won out and despite lingering foot and ankle problems, Ernest was there to down strong coffee, corned beef hash and pears in time for our 5 am start.

Had Ernest taken the easy route and stayed home watching basketball, and nursing his injuries, my other partner-in-crime, Mad Man Mike Muench would have likely joined me the entire way, but as it was, with Ernest there from the start, this gave Mike, who is known far-and-wide as one who will sleep-in at any given opportunity, the opportunity to do just that. Well, he didn't admit to it, saying he searched everywhere, trying to find us, but you need to understand that Mike is the best, at least in these parts, at following indescript pig trails, using long-lost indian tracking methods. For him to say he couldn't find us, in his car, on roads, using a printed street list, just doesn't compute. Mike didn't win the Mystery Run in 2006 by being a dumb-ass...no sireee ! Sorry Mikeee. Anyway, we knew he slept-in and that's okay. Mike's 50+ miles kept us motivated and entertained. When I was compelled to say "I want my mommy", it was great to have these two tough guys there to completely ignore me.

Obviously, several of our running friends sensed that we would sorely need moral and nutritional help along the way. Vernon Char was the first, not only bringing cold, fresh fruit and hummus, but actually joined us for a while on the road, providing us some needed chatter. Bob and Barbi tracked us down and then taunted us with visions of margaritas and mexican food at Compadres (which is where they were headed for Cinco de Mayo), but they did treat us to chips, salsa, yummy cheese dip and cold water. Our buddy Fish actually came to our aid on two occasions, first with chips, soda and water and later (when we were at a low-period) with hot pizza, soda, water, ice, cold towels and sweets. Such a cool guy ! My wonderful Heather and mom found us at Fish's second aid station with cheery faces and brightened my spirits for the remainder of the ordeal...oops, I mean journey.

Yes Ernest, I guess we can say "it was fun !" Many thanks to Ernest, Mike and all our friends who came out and supported us. Aloha ! Don