Wyvern Running

2008 No Longer the Easiest Hundred Miler

No longer the easiest 100 miler in the country, Leanhorse has evolved into one of the best! There are no oxygen sucking passes, death defying climbs or roped river crossings, but the 13 miles of rolling hills at the beginning and end of the race provide plenty of challenge.

The race headquarters and start/finish is at the Mueller Center in Hot Springs SD. The first miles wind along the Platte River, through about 5 blocks of residential streets and then open fields, before arriving at the Argyle Road around mile 5. Argyle is a wide gravel/dirt road with almost no traffic. After 11 miles on the rolling hills of the Argyle Road, runners arrive on the Mickelson Trail and continue there for another 34 miles (9 for those doing 50 miles) to the turnaround.

The Mickelson Trail provides the perfect venue for the runner looking for a PR or who wants to step up to the 50 or 100-mile distance. It is a wide, cinder trail that provides perfect footing. While there are a couple of long climbs, the trail is on an old railroad bed so the grade never exceeds 3% and the entire course is very runable. This was my third finish at Leanhorse and for the third year I never used my flashlight at night. Even in the moonless part of the evening, the stars provided plenty of ambient light for running on this superb trail.

The race management provides two days for pre-race check in so there is a relaxed atmosphere that gives plenty of time to visit and rest. Unlike most ultras, Leanhorse also has a small, but full service expo that provides opportunity to purchase last minute and hard to find running accessories. Also, in what was a change for 2008, the pre-race dinner was a homemade sausage and buffalo burger feast at the packet pickup area. The food was excellent and the ticket proceeds went to the local Kiwanis Club who prepared the meal.

Leanhorse is a great event. The course is scenic, it is a wonderful area to visit and race is superbly organized and managed. Jerry Dunn and his wife, Elaine Doll-Dunn are both very experienced runners and exceptional race directors. Their other races are the Deadwood-Mickelson Trail Marathon in early June and the Leading Ladies Marathon in mid August.
Put all three of their races on your calendar for 2009 and we will see you in Hot Springs next summer.

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Finally beginning to show some progress in healing, yet still unable to run…. A runner friend agreed to review Pacific Crest’s race this year.

Pacific Crest is a wonderful weekend full food, music, shopping and excitement. Then if you have energy left there are plenty of athletic events to choose from. This year I chose the one most familiar to me, the marathon.

The weather always seems to be clear and warm. The marathon is a double loop all run on blacktop trails. About 20 minutes before the start, everyone meets in the village area and there is a short walk to the start. The scenery for the entire loop is rewarding. There are homes, condos, lakes and wildlife to watch. The end of the first loop brings you back through the edge of the village and gives you a good opportunity to wonder why you didn’t just settle for the half.

AA Sports does a great job with all of their races and Pacific Crest is no different. It would be a great event to put on your calendar.

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Still unable to run due to injuries.. I cajoled a running friend to submit this review of Boston

Did you qualify for Boston? What is your Boston time? Have you done Boston?

You get the idea that Boston is the pinnacle of the marathon world. There always seemed to be so much hype about the race that you had to feel that it was overrated and actually running the race would be a let down. Not so.

There is plenty to read about the history of the race, racing strategies and the like but in a word, being there and running the race is fun. The first thing that struck me was the immense amount of organization that it took to get so many people to the starting line and then taking care of them for a couple of hours until the race actually began. I was surprised by the huge tents to house the runners at the high school in Hopkinton. I was surprised by the barricades and police as we walked the four blocks to the starting line although as I looked around for a last spot to relieve myself it was evident as to their purpose. I was amazed by the continuous wall of runners for the entire 26.2 miles and was not disappointed at the crowd support. It was all that I had heard before the race and then some. My only surprise during the race was Heartbreak Hill which didn’t seem that great an obstacle and I have encountered hills in many other races that are much worse.

My thoughts at actually “doing Boston” was that it was something to cross of the list, something everyone should do once, but now having now done it, I find that I really want to go again. It lived up to all of the hype and now I need to qualify again!

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Well.. due to some injuries, I’ve been temporarily (I hope) unable to run. However, I have nagged some running friends into writing some reviews…. please enjoy.

February in Birmingham can bring any type of weather so come prepared. Mercedes is a great race and very well organized. Best of all, if you are a finisher, you have a chance to walk away with a new Mercedes as well as a finishers medal.

Several runs at Mercedes have lest me with some vivid memories of the race and the weekend. First, is the friendliness of the Birmingham police as the provide traffic control on the course. Maybe this is just a reflection of the friendliness of the entire area, but it is something that gets your attention. I even stopped and asked one of the officers if they were briefed to be extra courteous during the event and was assured that this was not the case.

Hill. I have run two different courses and the hallmark of both was a hill that just seemed to go on and on and on. The most recent version has the hill coming late in the race, but it was still runnable and when you get to the top, all of downtown is in view and as the saying goes, then it is all downhill.

The last impression I have is of the post race food and beer. They put on quite a party at the end and I would heartily recommend both the race and the post race party to anyone looking for a February marathon

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