New SB 50k pic

Jeff and Frank Lilley climbing out of the valley after the storm that drenched us ending our quest at the Sweaty Butt 50 K in Umstead State park in Raleigh. At least we were all smiles. Thanks to Mike Day for a great event.

Umstead 100 mile endurance run

Word is that this opens for registration on 1 September. Just an FYI to everyone.
http://www.umstead100.org/

Sweaty Butt 50 k race report

Mile 25 or so

Mile 25 again

Jeff Dufour and Frank Lilley

My butt was Sweaty

I promised some of you all a post race report on my run on Saturday.
The Sweaty Butt 50k was a no frills run that was held in William B.
Umstead park in Raleigh. We started promptly at 715 am after our RD
Mike Day gave out instructions as to the course. The course would go
all through single track trails that would combine two of the main
trails, Company Mill and Sycamore. They are both breathtaking and are
challenging as well. We were to do three loops that measured a little
over ten miles each and were to complete all of these in less than ten
hours. The weather was warm from the beginning and I did the first
loop in a little over two hours, which I realized climbing up
subsequent hills on loop two was way too fast for me. I ran a decent
pace the second lap and ran about 5 miles with some buddies of mine
from my other running club, the Mangum Track Club. They were all in
the zone and began to pull away from me before my ascent out of the
Company Mill basin as I finished my 2nd loop. I sat down at the
pavilion with my butt very sweaty and only managed to run my second
loop in a little over three hours. As I sat there I saw Frank Lilley,
also a member of MTC and the co-director for the inaugural Medoc
Mountain Marathon and 10 miler that will be held in October. I
suggested we go out again and off we went. We ran, talked, chatted in
general about everything under the sun. I quickly forgot my pain, the
time, and just enjoyed being there doing what I love to do. We were
beat but we knew there was strength in numbers. We got poured on,
dodged lightening (not fun) and managed to run some climbing out of
the last part of Company Mill loop. We finished in 9 hours and 30
minutes and I never have been so happy. Not cup, no mug, no t shirt.
Just Mike Day there with cold ice cream for us to eat (Gotta love dry
ice).
My wife was there as she ran some, my trail puppy Odie ran one lap
with me, My daughters bf had chicken cooked for us and it never tasted
so good. Things I learned from this run. Life is too short to stand
back and that the fastest time isn't always the one you cherish the
most. Thanks to Sharon for telling me to slow down. And you think you
can't teach an old dog new tricks.

Happy Trails. Jeff

Umstead 100 Miler Pacing

This was the second time that I have paced at the Umstead 100. I have my sights set on running a 100 miler and have been trying to put those wheels into motion this year. I live about an hour and a half from Raleigh (Greenville NC is VERY flat) and I love running at Umstead. The serenity always hits me the same. Whether it is the hills, streams or the occasional runner, it is a great place to train and is well worth the drive. I got to Umstead early in the afternoon. I was supposed to go the day prior but bad storms kept me at home and from camping in the park Friday night. I put up my tent in the rain and rested patiently while thinking about my job as a pacer this year. It had rained most of the day since the race had started. It was cool and I knew that we all had our work cut out for us considering the weather. I got to the Lodge at about 835 after slogging into the parking lot. It was very soupy and I was worried about getting my Focus stuck in the mud. I looked about and saw many familiar and smiling faces. I checked into the pacing desk and waited for whomever needed a pacer. At about 915 pm my turn came. I was asked to join Craig Sandstrom from the other Greenville (SC). I found out that he had ran this race before and was normally around the 20 hour mark. I have been training hard and peaked for the pacing like I would any race of this distance. I found out that he was on lap 7 and only had two to go. I came with the understanding that I could have run up to 50 if I had wanted, but I decided to run both with Craig. We ran a very even pace the 7th lap and we only spent a small amount of time back at the lodge before lap 8. He had a small spot on his foot where an old blister came off but other than that he was in good spirits and was feeling ok. He said that he had gone our easier than last year and was feeling stronger every lap. We ran a very fast last lap and he finished the race 8th overall in the 100 with a time of 20:18:32. I was very glad that I had the opportunity to run with someone that gave me some insight as to how to plan my first 100. He is running MMT in May and I would love to pace him again but unfortunately that is our state Track meet day. My training is still going great. I have my heart monitor down to a science and my gym workouts are awesome. Many thanks to all of the Umstead 100 staff. Mike Walsh, Sally Squier and Blake the RD are just first class. A must for all east coast runners. Happy Trails. Jeff

Off to pace at Umstead

I am off to do my yearly volunteer duty at the Umstead 100 Miler. I am slated to begin at 10 pm and the forecast isn't too good now. It has been raining on and off since last night and is to continue until early tomorrow morning. I am planning to do at least 2 loops and more if I am needed. I will write some next week about my runner and how hey did. 2 years ago I got the chance to pace for a guy that was preparing for Western States. More to follow. Happy Slogging. :)

Spring Break 08

Spring break always manages to rejuvenate me. our track season has gone well so far and has gone according to plan. I am loaded with seniors and most of them have been around for at least 3 years. I have done a good job of recruiting this year and have some top notch freshman girls and guys that will stabilize the program for the long haul. I have been running as much as my body has been willing to do especially with the long days of teaching/coaching. I am off to the NC mountains tomorrow through Sunday to prepare for my pacing event at the Umstead 100. I plan on doing at least 3 loops and more if needed. I am also getting ready for my summer running calendar. I am very active in my church and I am fortunate that we head to the mountains for a week every June and I use this time wisely to get closer to God and do that by running every hard and steep hill in Black Mountain that I can find. We also do our XC camp there in July and I run on the other side of the mountain range then. I am very happy to say that my wife has taken up running for the first time and she finally finished 5 long, hilly miles the other day at a good clip. It hasn't hurt that my daughter runs for my track team and she is a pretty good runner and a great hurdler. She is on the brink of automatically qualifying for regionals in both the 100 and 300 hurdles. it also looks like her 4x 400 relay team will make another trip to the NC State Championships in May. Well, sorry for the ramblings. I hope everyone onthe team is doing well and are reaching their goals. God Bless and Happy Trails, Jeff

Ankle sprains. I can live without them

At 46 you think I would have managed to figure out how to go through life without a sprained ankle. I have had a great two weeks since my PR at the Uwharrie 40 mile Mountain run. I have a very busy and great life. I coach 3 sports at my high school and with the shape I am in, I still feel 18 even though my mornings say otherwise. Growing up in Ky. as a kid, basketball and running seemed almost second nature to me. In the last JV practice of the year we were playing knockout. I was in against my leading scorer and point guard when I went up for a rebound and one of my helpful kids attempted to assist me by getting the rebound. Pow. That was it. His foot and my ankle were suddenly incompatible. I was able to get up, finish the game (high tolerance for pain, Gotta love ULTRA'S) but lost unfortunately. So what is the outcome? Ankle swelling is down, I need no crutches, and I will attempt to run tonight in my church basketball league. I think I will be fine. Every time I get injured I take it as a chance to reassess my goals and figure out if I am doing what I need to do to succeed in making them happen. I hope everyone does the same periodically. Don't despair, the trails will wait for you.Happy Trails. Jeff