Max King Sets Record at Way Too Cool

Oregon based ultra runner Max King again shows why he's among the best. For the story in the Auburn Journal click through at Auburn Journal

Nike Sport Research Lab Recruiting

I work on the Nike Sport Research Lab in Beaverton, OR, and the group that tests running shoes is looking for subjects. There are a variety of studies and you don't need to be an elite athlete. If you are interested  please drop a line to nsrl.testing@nike.com. If you get selected for a study, be sure to look me up when you are at the lab!

Oregon Mountain Running Series for 2013

I am putting the finishing touches on the plans for this summer's race series and will post the schedule by early next week. There will be at least 5 races, and possibly 6. La Sportiva has again been very generous in their support. Look for details soon!

Registration for Granite Man Open

Registration for this summer's Granite Man 10 Mile USATF Mountain run is open. This year's race will take place on Sunday June 2nd at Applegate Lake in Southern Oregon.  This 10 mile trail race features a single 10 mile loop climbing and descending over 1000' with scenic views throughout the course.  The 2011 edition of the event was won again by Erik Skaggs (Ashland, OR) on the men's side.  Jenn Shelton (Ashland, OR) won the women's race by over 8 minutes. 

This race will be part of the 2013 La Sportiva / USATF Oregon Mountain Running Series. I will have more details on the other races in the series in the next couple of weeks.

Sunday June 2nd, 2013 at Applegate Lake, OR

Event Location: Applegate Lake, OR

Start Time: 9:00AM
Event Date:Sunday, June 2nd, 2013
Start Location: Hart-Tish Park, Applegate Lake, OR
Finish Location: Hart-Tish Park, Applegate Lake, OR
Course Map: 10 Mile Mountain Run Course Map
Packet Pick-up: Friday, May 31st, 2013 location TBA.
Race Day Packet Pick-up: Sunday, June 2nd, 2013 at event, starting at 6:30am.
Race Day Information: 10 Mile Mountain Run Info and Rules
Rules: iPods are allowed however, please use them in one ear only or keep the volume down so you can be aware of people coming up from behind.
Awards: Rogue Valley Runners will be awarding prizes to the men’s and women’s winners of the Granite Man 10 Mile Mountain Run.

If it hurts, see the doc!

About a year and half ago, I took a fall while ice climbing in some crevasses in the Elliot Gracier on Mt. Hood. As I fell I tried to arrest with my right hand axe, which caught, seriously yanking my right shoulder. The pain was not too bad and after a few days it seemed all was well. Last spring I started getting some serious aches in that shoulder and had a couple of steroid injections which helped temporarily. With the summer running season in full swing I was more worried about recurring calf and hip pains. Meanwhile I could no longer hold a carry bottle in my right hand for more than a couple of miles. Finally, a week before the USATF Trail Marathon Championships, I went in for an MRI. When I returned and saw the doctor, the news was not good. A massive grade II rotator cuff tear. I had surgery on November 30th. Because of the extent of the damage, it was an open surgery rather than arthroscopic  After repairing three tendons, reattaching one to the bone and using what looked like a dremel tool (luckily I was asleep) to clear out scar tissue, they detached my bicep tendon and rerouted posterior to its normal position. Here I thought I was tough, but after coming out of surgery, I cried like a baby. Anyway, 8 weeks in a sling with NO RUNNING. I should be able to start running again on March 1st. Meanwhile I can start riding my rollers (with a great fork stand attachment from the folks at Kreitler) on the 24th.

Moral of this story, if it hurts for more than a coupe of days, see the doctor! Had I heeded my wife's advice to do so sooner, the surgery would have been much less invasive as there would have been little scar tissue. I have always hesitated to go to the doctor for sport related issues. I started running in the early 70s back in the day when it seemed like doctors told their running patients to stop running whenever there was an injury. I've torn my ACL, and more, over the years and got tired of hearing the doctor tell me to stop running. Fortunately sports medicine has come a long way and most of us have access to doctors and physical therapists who have much better understanding of endurance athletes.

I want to thank George Eichen, my PT at SportsCare for getting me on the road to recovery. If you live in the Portland area and need a good PT who understands runners, see George at SportsCare!

Now that I can type again, I'll be posting updates on the upcoming USSSA Snowshoe Nationals as well as the 2013 Oregon Mountain Running Season.

USATF Trail Marathon Championships

Last month, on November 3rd to be specific, the USATF Trail Marathon Championships were held in Moab, UT in the famed slick rock region. This was the most technical course I have ever encountered complete with a couple of sections that required rappelling. The scenery was incredible as was the race organization and support. I thoroughly enjoyed myself at the race as well as meeting the locals and taking the opportunity to do as much trail running as I could. Jason Bryan of the USATF MUTS Council did an excellent job of representing the USATF going the extra mile which included a last minute verification for Kerri Lyons who won the women's division with a time of 3:21:46. The men's open division was won by Cody Moat in a time of 3:08:26. Jason Bryant was 3rd overall in the men's open and first in the 40-44.  I was fortunate to place 2nd in the men's 50-54 division.

In years past I have headed to southern Arizona in March to put in some early season long runs, this year I think I'll try Moab! If you get the chance to visit the area. Plan on getting in some great running. Trails abound, some leading directly from the town of Moab itself.

One particular out and back route, known as the Whole Enchilada serves up some awesome trail and incredible scenery. I ran part of that trail on the Sunday and Monday after the race.