Cortland 10 Miler

Yesterday, the Cortland 10 Miler took place and was dominated by the Harris family. NEO Trail member Jim Harris got third overall in the 10 miler with a 1:07:32 while his son Heath won the race in a time of 1:01:25. Also capturing a title was Eric, who won the 2 mile event.

QotD - June 22-26

Every weekday NEO Trail member Jim Harris sends out a Quote of the Day (QotD) that is inspiring, insightful, or just plain funny. Sometimes it's not even a quote but a comic!

At the end of each week, the quotes he sends out will be posted on the NEO Trail blog. If you would like to be added to Jim's email list, then shoot him an email at james.a.harris@delphi.com. Enjoy!

Monday, June 22nd
Without clearly defined goals and a desire to achieve them, it is very difficult to excel.
-Rich Vrboncic

Tuesday, June 23rd

I'm an endurance athlete for many reasons. Escaping mindfulness, with all the lost brain cells that may or may not imply, is one of them. I'm also a closet control freak. Weird as it may sound, fretting about a problem and then solving it while getting hammered with a healthy dose of dopamine as I grind alone up a mountainside is one of my greatest fulfillments. I certainly get cranky when I don't get out there to train.

-Martin Dugard, from his blog

Wednesday, June 24th

If exercise were a pill, it would be the most expensive drug on the market.

-Dr. Carstensen

Thursday, June 25th

If the miles behind me could be put into words before you…
you would feel my efforts, my struggles, my desires,
most of all you would see my joy…
Watch me from afar run the trails and hills
and miles upon miles and you will see…

A runner.

Friday, June 26th

So There I Was...

Have a great adventure story that you think deserves being retold and recaptured? Whether you're defying gravity, pushing the human limits, escaping death, or just plain living it up then tell Outside magazine your story. Submit a picture and story to Outside's "So There I Was..." contest and have a chance to be featured on their online photo gallery or even right in the magazine!!

Highlands Sky 40 Miler

Presented by the West Virginia Mountain Trail Runners, the 6th annual Highlands Sky Trail Run took place last Saturday at the Canaan Valley Resort State Park.

This point to point course travels across some of the most rugged and beautiful terrain in West Virginia. Trail surfaces and scenery vary greatly throughout the run, as well as elevation which ranges from 2500 to 4700 feet. The course travels through the Canaan Valley, the highest large valley east of the Mississippi.

NEO Trail club members Bruce McMurray and Rich Vroboncic took part in the event this year. Bruce finished with a time of 11:08 while Rich followed close behind with an 11:18 finishing time.

Detailed Race Description - Course Maps

Kettle Moraine 100 Mile Endurance Run

Last Sunday, Nick Billock became a member of the 100-mile club finishing his first at the Kettle Moraine 100 Mile Endurance Run held in Wisconsin. His finishing time was 25 hours and 39 minutes. Pictured above is the hardware...err kitchenware...that Nick and other finishers received.

Nick's Race Report: Part 1 & Part 2 - Race Info

Another Dam 50K Run

On Saturday, NEO Trail club member Greg Murray participated in the 5th running of Another Dam 50K Run held in Englewood, OH. This race consists of a 7.9-mile loop repeated 4 times. The terrain is primarily dirt trails with very few hills.

Greg finished in 5:30:04, a great run in preparation of his first 100-mile attempt at Burning River. William Allen won the event with a spectacular finish of 3:43:03, over 7 minutes ahead of the 2nd place finisher! On the women's side, Terri Lemke won running a 4:25:36.

Race Results - Course Map - Greg's Report - Greg's Race Pics

2009 OHSAA Track & Field Championships

This past Friday, Heath Harris, son of NEO Trail club member Jim Harris, competed in the 1600 meter race at the Ohio Track & Field State Championship meet in Columbus at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium. Heath finished 5th overall and capped off a great high school career. Below is a recap of the day by Jim and a video provided by Flotrack.

Jim's Report
It was warm and nothing but sunshine for the entire day. Probably low 80’s with just a slight breeze occasionally in the upper level of stands, but down near the track there was no breeze and it was warm. This track has a slightly different configuration and the straight sections are shorter than 100 meters long. Heath mentioned that the turns feel really long and look a little shallower also. Also a rail on the inside of lane one, which hardly anyone is used to and causes some problems for athletes during the 2 days of racing.

Only 12 made the start of this event with the others bowing out for the 3200 only. Heath was lined up outside in lane 8 and after 100 meters he was in last place by at least 2 meters to the pack. Last still at 200, but at least he has contact with the group now. Around 250 meters in he moved up to next to last. Through the first 400 in 64.52 seconds and at 500 meters he is back to last place.

On the back stretch he makes a big jump up in position passes over half the field to move into 5th place at the start of the far turn. After the turn at 700 meters in, Heath is back to 6th, and then at the half way mark he is in 7th. White comes around Heath on the front stretch and positions himself better approaching the line. Heath’s second 400 split is 66.76 seconds and that gives him an 800 split of 2:11.28, which is really fast.

Into the turn after the line and Joe White leads out with Eick right behind. Going into the far turn at 1000 meters in, Heath is in 6th. After the turn, he is in 5th and they are 3 wide coming out of the turn with Heath right behind the leaders at 500 meters to go. Heath moves closer down the front stretch and then near the half way point of the front stretch Heath moves out to make the group 4 wide and surges ahead. At the line Heath comes around the whole pack to take the lead starting the last lap. He looks good and gets a small gap back to the field.

Round the turn Heath is leading the race and then at 300 to go Eick and Hix come up on him and with 250 to go they blow by Heath and then White and Miller come around him as well. At 150 to go he is in 5th and holds that to the line for 5th overall in a time of 4:21.77, not quite a PR, but only a second off of his regional time. His third 400 was a 64.96 and then closed with a 65.10. Very even splits across all four laps.

Eick did what he needed to win and if you watch the race you will see him position himself in 2nd place the entire race until the end when he out-kicks Hix for the win. White ran well and was with Heath in the beginning and then moves up through the field and did what he could with 800 to go. Heath ran a great race and his move with 400 was his attempt to try and get away from the pack. Not sure if it was great strategy or not, but it was exciting to see him attempt that.

As far as the team scoring went, here is a quick recap. On Thursday Ben Moody took 4th in the long jump for 5 points. Then he won the 110 hurdles, and then backed that up with a win in the 100 dash as well. That effort gave Lakeview 25 points, then Heath got 4 more in the 1600 and the 4x100 team took third to get 6 points to give Lakeview 35 points going into the 3200 and the 4x400. Tyler would need to win or get second in the 3200 and Eastwood would have to be last or DQ in the 4x400 for a tie as the best that Lakeview could place as a team. Tyler ended up in 6th place for 3 more points and Lakeview finished in 2nd place as a team with 38 points and Eastwood won with 47. 69 teams scored at least 1 point at the state meet, and this is the first time ever that Lakeview earned a trophy for 2nd place. Lots of pictures and a trip to the podium for the Lakeview boys at that point. They knew they had a shot, and was happy to be where they ended up. Every individual from Lakeview that raced at the state meet made it to the podium. No disappointment and everyone was happy with their efforts on the day.

Looking forward to the summer and training for CC for Heath and also Kristen and Eric. I am itching to run some longer distances and after Heath’s open house I already have one ultra on the schedule and am looking to get some more on the calendar.

Video of Heath's Race

New CVNPA ParkShares Website

Check it out - www.parkshares.org/

2009 No Frills, Just Hills FA

The 2nd Annual No Frills, Just Hills FA took place yesterday at Kendall Hills in the Cuyahoga Valley. Twenty-four total runners started the event sharply at 8 AM, seeing how many loops they could complete in the 6-hour time limit. An alternative course was required this year due to construction at the dam. This year's loop totaled 2.25 miles instead of last years 2 mile loop.

Jim Chaney won the title this year in a record setting 15 loops. Suzanne Pokorny led the women with 11 loops. And Jim Christ's dog, Jordan, led the non-human category completing 1 loop. Again, runners enjoyed the event sharing stories, miles, and food afterwards.

NEO Trail members that took part in the event include: Brian Musick, Courtney Baker, Dave Peterman, Jeff Musick, Jim Christ, Kim Love-Ottobre, Mark Anson, Paul Lefelhocz, Tanya Cady, Jim Harris, and Bob Combs

Pictures of the event can be viewed on Facebook. For complete results, click here.

Massanutten Mountain Trails 100 Miler

This past weekend several NEO Trail members completed the 15th running of the Massanutten Mountain Trails 100 Mile Run despite having some of the worst weather conditions in the race's history and the 3rd lowest finishing rate to date. The day began with light fog and humidity levels near 100%. As the sun burned off the haze, the temperature and the dew point quickly rose. In nearby Front Royal, the temperature topped out at 85F at 2 pm, while the dew point was miserably above 70 from noon until after 2 p.m.

After being broiled, the runners were "treated" to a round of torrential rain and frequent lightning durign mid-afternoon. A second more significant round of thunderstorms swept over the course between 6 and 7 pm with nasty lightning and even reports of golf ball sized hail. This second system lingered until 10:30 or so. Radar estimates showed that 1 to 2 inches of rain fell over the entire course between 2 p.m. and midnight.

Here are the club results:

Lloyd Thomas - 100 miles - 27:41:38

Bill Losey - 100 miles - 33:51:31

Bob Combs - 100 miles - 34:32:44

Paul Lefelhocz - 81.4 miles

Brian Musick - 64.9 miles

Dave Peterman - 48.2 miles

Cleveland Marathon 2009

3:50 pacer Brett Himes finishing (on right)

The 32nd annual Cleveland Marathon was underway bright and early this morning at 7:00 AM. Runners toed the line at the intersection of E. 9th St. and St. Clair Ave. The race this year featured a brand new course which headed West for an out-and-back loop then headed East past the start for another out-and-back loop. The newly designed course directed runners East on the lakefront so the wind was at their back. The course also featured less turns and traffic, extended views of the lake, views of all three professional sports stadiums, and a spacious finish line area. The events Sunday drew a large diverse crowd providing four events including the marathon, half, 10K and 5K.

Jeff Musick finishing

This year, seven NEO Trail Members participated in the races. Their times and event are listed below.

Half Marathon

• Barbara Broad - 1:39:36 **Won 55-59 Age Group
• Robert Clark - 2:38:29

Marathon

• Jeff Musick - 3:07:01
• Ronald Ross - 3:15:33
• Brett Himes - 3:48:45
• Doug Delahanty - 4:05:00
• Bruce McIntosh - 4:45:03

For a recap of the day's events click here. For complete searchable results click here.

Forget the PR, Mohican 50K

This past Sunday, 11 NEO club members took part in the Forget the PR Mohican 50K held at the Mohican State Park Campgrounds in Loudonville, Ohio. The event, in its inaugural year, was a success and lives up to its name with plenty of hills. Complete results are available on the race blog. Don Baun's Race Report - Kim's Photos

The club members that participated include:

• Dave Peterman - 5:17
• Ron Ross - 5:23
• Courtney Baker - 6:39
• Doug Delahanty - 6:39
• Paul Lefelhocz - 6:43
• Bob Combs - 6:43
• Corey Volz - 6:4
• Don Baun - 6:56
• Bill Wagner - 7:13
• Bruce McMurray - 7:24
• Mike Halkovich - 7:37
  

The Barkley Marathons - 100 Mile Run

Considered one of the toughest 100 mile runs in the world, Barkley consists of 52,900 feet of climb (and descent) and has only been completed by 8 runners since beginning in 1986. Runners complete 5 20-mile loops with cutoffs of 12-hours per loop and they collect pages from various books along the way to prove they were there. This year, NEO Trail members John Dewalt, Bill Losey, and Jim Harris took part in the event.

Jim Harris completed 2 official loops in 22:08 and continued on for 7 more books. Becoming an ultra veteran, Jim is tough as nails and is a good measure to how tough the course really is. He will likely make a return to Barkley in the future with even higher goals. After the race Jim had this to say about the mental toughness required for Barkely and plans for it in 2010:

"Once you let that doubt creep into your brain, you are done. QUIT is a tough word to deal with. Took me 5 minutes in the moment to decide to give it up, but hard to get over and hope to come to grips with it soon. Wish I could go back and at least try to make it up to Fyke’s Peak. I was too scared to go back into the woods. Being alone is huge and that is where I gave up. Laz already called the race date for next year, March 26th. Hope that I am in Tennessee that weekend for another try on the course."

John Dewalt finished 1 loop in 11:27 officially, but toughed it out and finished another loop over the limit. At the age of 71, John is an ULTRA LEGEND. He has completed countless ultras including Hard Rock 13 times!! Anyone who has seen him run cannot believe his age and toughness. John has run Barkley many times in the past and consecutively in recent history since 2005.

Bill Losey finished 1 loop in 9:31 officially, but also was not satisfied and ran 7 more books off the clock. Bill has also run Barkley before 5 times including '06 & '07 in recent history. Wild Bill AKA Shubi is always up for an adventure and to test his limits. He has run over 20 ultras including Hardrock 100 and Laurel Highlands 70 just to name a few. After the race, Bill had this to say about the "Barkley experience":

"The course is relentless and never lets up. The atmosphere is what I wish for every ultra and hope that every runner has a chance to experience once in his/her running life. Gather thirty-five of your dear friends and share an experience that is wrought with challenges and obstacles and bundle all that up into one hell of a good time and you just found yourself in Frozen Head.

I am humbled by the determination of those that go further and am in awe of the "8" that have completed the 100. They are a special breed. I believe that I can honestly say that a Barkley finisher is as elite as you can get. This was my fifth year attending and each year I have hopes of exceeding my own expectations and each year I fall short of my goal but get just a lil bit closer.

The hills suck and briers bite which is not the worst of the game, it is the mental that creeps in. Jim was faster and stronger than most. Mentally and physically. Not knowing the course, mental took over. Mentally at some point in this run you ask yourself, WHY. What for and what am I trying to prove and to whom. For me at least, knowing what you have ahead and knowing the suffer sometimes is enough to say "I am done." Take all the training, dreaming, preparation, planning, and it all boils down to when, in your mind, you're done, you are done. That is a hole I can't seem to climb out of. If this makes any sense."

For many, this may not make true sense in the sense that to fully understand what goes on mentally and physically during this event is like what few other athletes experience. It is in a class of its own and has drawing power like no other race that keeps runners coming back year after year trying to finish one more loop, one more book, or one more step.

Results are posted on the Barkley website along with various pictures and race reports. To view all the pictures taken of NEO Trail members click here. Also, stay posted to the TeamPR forum as Jim will most likely post a report soon.

Umstead 100

On Saturday, two NEO Trail members, Joe Novicky and Kim Love-Ottobre, completed the 15th Annual Umstead 100-Mile Endurance Run in NC. Joe finished in 27:14 and Kim in 27:33. Kim got a PR and Moose completed his first 100!

Kim's blog report - Results - Pictures

Fools 50K & 25K Trail Run

Last Sunday, NEO Trail had a great showing of 15 members at the Fools 50K & 25K Trail Run organized by club member Lloyd Thomas. A total of 191 people crossed the finish line with 67 in the 50K and 124 in the 25K. Click here for full results. Below are the results of NEO Trail members:

50K

• Dave Peterman - 4:51:18
• Ron Ross - 5:10:47
• Frank Dwyer - 5:23:53
• Nick Billock - 5:26:15
• Bob Clark - 5:34:34
• TJ Hawk - 6:01:47
• Paul Lefelhocz - 6:02:00
• Tanya Cady - 6:09:58
• Kurt Osadchuk - 6:13:31
• Courtney Baker - 6:20:28
• Bill Wagner - 6:28:07
• Don Baun - 6:47:00
• Mike Halkovich - 6:47:46
  

25K

• Bob Johnson - 3:38:39
• Bruce McIntosh - 3:38:40

Drake Well Marathon & Half Marathon

With the 150th Anniversary of the historic Drake Well approaching in August of 2009, Titusville Renaissance, Inc., will start off the festivities surrounding the celebration of the first working Oil Well in the planet by having a top-notch race weekend.

• Date: August 9th, 2009
• Time: 7 AM
• Location: Drake Well Museum, Titusville, PA

For more information and a very interesting history of the race click here.

North Coast 24-Hour Endurance Run

The North Coast 24 is an exciting new 24 hour endurance race held in Northeast Ohio at the scenic Edgewater Park in Cleveland directly adjacent to Lake Erie. Runners will travel around a loop of just under a mile covering as many miles as possible within 24 hours. Runners may elect to run any amount of time or distance that they wish. The male and female leaders at the 6- and 12-hour marks will receive recognition. The winners will be those who cover the most distance in the 24-hour time period.

• Location: Edgewater Park, Cleveland, OH
• Date: Oct. 3-4, 2009
• Start: 9 AM, Oct 3rd
• Finish: 9 AM, Oct 4th
• Aid Stations: 1 – and well stocked. Crew may access their runner within 100 feet of aid station.
• Course Description: 0.91 mile loop. Flat! All purpose trail. Immediately adjacent to Lake Erie.
• Awards: Top 3 Male and Female and top Masters Male and Female.

Green Jewel 50K Fun Run Results

Yesterday, Lloyd Thomas and Courtney Baker ran the Green Jewel 50K which starts in Scenic Park in Rocky River and finishes at Oak Grove in Brecksville. The event had 35 runners. Lloyd and Courtney ran 4:14:11 and 5:05:20, respectively.

Elizabeth Furnace FA 50K

On Saturday, Bob Combs ran the Elizabeth Furnace FA 50K. This event is held in the Elizabeth’s Furnace/Signal Knob area of the George Washington National Forest in the Fort Valley of Virginia. He finished in 8:17. For complete results click here.

Pittsfield Peak Snowshoe Marathon

This past Sunday, Bill Losey participated in the Pittsfield Peak Snowshoe Marathon in Pittsfield, VT. The course consists of a 6.55 mile loop repeated 4 times. Shubi finished in 7:08:40. Click here for complete results.