Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Free State 100k


We had a great week of camping at CLinton State Park last weekend for the Free State 100k. It was nice to spend 3 days just hanging out and enjoying the days instead of trying to get a list of crap done.
We camped next to Darin, Darcie and Jarret. It was weekend full of Mushrooms, Beer, Smores and running. I don't really have much to say about the race other than I am glad it is over so I can truly focus on Western States.


I finished about the same time as last year which is fine. I had no time goals and was simply running it to get in another long run. It was my 3rd 50+mile run in 5 weeks. The Mud, tornadoes, rain and hail made it pretty memorable. I am tired of doing those really long runs, it just takes too long to recover and get back to normal.

So, now I get to focus solely on Western States with about 6 weeks of solid training including 3 days at WS100 training camp memorial Day weekend. I have done a fairly food job of maintaining my weight but I am hooping to drop around 5 lbs before the race. I am doing a ton of core work also and trying to focus on strengthening that area.
Everything is going by so quickly right now. Both of the boys are into Baseball season full speed. Coaching Corbins team and Managing/Asst coaching tristans team has really been keeping me busy. I am back to having maybe 1 night sports free but there is a ton of stuff to do for Pop Warner football since I am on the board of directors we are already getting ready for the upcoming football season also so I am staying crazy busy, but I absolutely love it.
I am so freakin stoked for Western States, I have been running for about 3 1/2 years now, Western States means more than all of the other races I have done put together. I desperately want that Silver sub 24 buckle. I know I am much faster and stronger but just haven't put it together yet. I am saving it for this one, at least that is what I keep telling myself.
There have been a lot of tears at our house this week, our old dog Kramer is on his last leg. I brought him home over 14 years ago from the pound, I think he is a lab/Great Dane mix. He got ran over by a car when he was 1 year old, I had to borrow money in college to have his hip reconstructed. He has been in several times for other surgeries and has always pulled through. Tiffanie took him to the ER vet in the middle of the night once, he had a twisted stomach and his spleen was removed. She actually had to assist the vet with that surgery because there was no one else there at 1 AM. My kids are really really attached to him. Corbin was laying in the closet with him last night, crying, trying to get him to eat some food. He laid in his bed and cried himself to sleep last night and was almost late to school because he was trying to get him to drink his water this morning. Tristan has been carrying him outside to go to the bathroom, he can barely get his old body up so he has to have help to go outside. He has been having a lot accidents in the house and Tristan is always the first one there to clean everything up. It is amazing how they act so responsible and take such good care of him. It makes me proud to see that.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

So sorry to hear about Kramer. He sounds like a great little guy. Well, maybe not little. I should've known you were a "dog dad." I knew there was something I liked about you.

There'll be a lot people rooting for you at WS. Me included. Git 'em!

Lee said...

Damn. Hate to hear about your dog.

Cynical Dirt Doll said...

Oh Gabe! I'm so very, very sorry to hear about Kramer.. dogs will break your heart but they are so worth it. Sounds like he's had a great life with a lot of love.

I'll be sending you all my energy at WS, and cheering from afar. I KNOW you will succeed!

Anonymous said...

Good Luck at States brother. You'll put it all together. Just live in that moment and feed off all that positve mojo out there. Your going to be running some of the most beautiful trails in the world. In California!!!How much more perfect can it get than that?If you see Bigfoot get me a freakin autograph dude. Later and take care.

The Stretch Doc said...

awe sad on Kramer.. sorry.

WS!! Wow..!! I'll be watchn ya..

I just signed up for my first 50 miler, yikes! So WS, You Da Man!!

thanks for the inspiration!

rockon`

Olga said...

Gabe, you got a pacer for WS? Email me if you can.