2020 Running and Racing Review

Running mileage was 3219 which is the highest since 2008 when I ran 3014..

Accomplished in 2020:
57 weight workouts which was much better than the 22 I ended up with last year. 

Only 7 races this year which is a record low for overall races. The good news is that 5 were ultras and 1 marathon. I also ran a few ultra challenges (50K - 40 miles) of my own just for fun. I lost 15 lbs and have gained back 6 lbs so at least I'm ahead of where I started the year. I stayed injury-free other than currently taking a few days off recently for some toe joint pain (possibly turf toe).

Ran 1 marathon and 5 ultras this year. I've ended the year feeling tired but I think more from the stress than the running. 

Total Miles:

2020 - 3219
2019 - 2728
2018 - 2471
2017 - 2529
2016 - 2472
2015 - 2588
2014 - 2683 (yes, the exact same as 2012)
2013 - 2405
2012 - 2683
2011 - 2460
2010 - 2839
2009 - 2675
2008 – 3014
2007 – 2572
2006 – 1937
2005 – 2090
2004 - ~1000

Marathons (37 total):

2020 - (1) Heart of America Marathon (BQ)
2019 - (1) Heart of America Marathon (didn't BQ but ran less than a week after running The Dome)
2018 - (1) Heart of America Marathon (BQ)
2017 - (2) Marathon to Marathon (BQ), Heart of America Marathon (BQ)
2016 - (1) Heart of America Marathon (BQ)
2015 - (1) Heart of America Marathon (BQ)
2014 - (1) Heart of America Marathon (BQ)
2013 - (2) Heart of America Marathon (BQ), Kansas City Marathon (BQ)
2012 - (2) Post Oak Trail Marathon, Heart of America Marathon (BQ)
2011 - (2) Berryman Trail Marathon, Heart of America Marathon (BQ)
2010 - (2) Go! St Louis Marathon (BQ), Heart of America Marathon (BQ)
2009 - (5) Disney Marathon (BQ and Sub-3 hr), 3 Days of Syllamo (Trail), Boston Marathon (BQ and Sub-3 hr), Heart of America Marathon (BQ and Course PR), Louis & Clark Marathon (BQ and Sub-3 hr)
2008 - (4) Boston Marathon (BQ and PR), Laughing Out Loud Marathon, Heart of America Marathon (BQ), Twin Cities Marathon (BQ)
2007 - (5) Laughing Out Load, Berryman (First Trail Marathon - placed
4th), Heart of America (BQ), Baltimore Marathon (BQ), Bass Pro
Marathon
2006 - (3) Flying Pig (BQ), Heart of America (BQ, Chicago (BQ)
2005 - (3) Mad City, Heart of America (BQ), Portland (BQ)
2004 - (1) Heart of America

Ultramarathons (85 total):

2020 - (5) - Quivering Quads 50K, Dark to Dawn 6 hour 33.5 miles, Rock Bridge Revenge 50K, Ozark Trail 100 mi, 4 Fore 30 Infinity - 75 mi
2019 - (9) - 3 Days of Syllamo 50 mi, Lion's Roar 24 hr - 118 mi, Berryman 50 mi, Last Runner Standing 62.4 mi, Dark 2 Dawn 6 hr 33.5 mi, Never Summer 100K, Six Days in the Dome 48 hr 129.78 mi, Big's Backyard Ultra 104.16 mi, 4 Fore 30 - 112.5 mi
2018 - (9) - Ozark Foothills 50K, Strolling Jim 40 mi, Berryman Trail 50 mi, Last Runner Standing 54 mi, Get Your Butt Kicked at Route 66 41.7 mi, Psycho Psummer Run Toto Run 50K, Rock Bridge Revenge 50K, Big Dog's Backyard Ultra 112.5 mi, Fore for 30 88 mi
2017 - (4) - Berryman Trail 50 mi, Psycho Psummer Run Toto Run 50K, Rock Bridge Revenge 50K, Big Dog's Backyard Ultra 100 mi
2016 - (10) - Psycho Wyco Winter 50K, Ozark Foothills 50K, Free State Trail 100K, Flatrock 100K, Berryman Trail 50 mi, Kettle Moraine 100 mi, Psycho Psummer 50K, Barkley Fall Classic 50K, Rock Bridge Revenge 50K, Big Dog's Backyard Ultra 91.67 mi
2015 - (8) 3 Days of Syllamo 50K, 3 Days of Syllamo 50 mi, Berryman Trail 50 mi, Psycho Psummer 50K, Mark Twain 50 mi, Rock Bridge Revenge 50K, Defiance 50K, Ozark Trail 100
2014 - (7) 3 Days of Syllamo 50K, 3 Days of Syllamo 50 mi, Berryman Trail 50 mi, Mohican 100 mi, Barkley Fall Classic 50K, Rock Bridge Revenge 50K, Big's Backyard Ultra 104 mi
2013 - (4) Land Between the Lakes 50 mi, Berryman Trail 50 mi, Psycho Psummer 50K, Leadville Trail 100 mi
2012 - (9) Post Oak 50K, 3 Days of Syllamo 50K, 3 Days of Syllamo 50 mi, Free State Trail 100K, Berryman Trail 50 mi, Kettle Moraine 100K (PR), Psycho Psummer 50K, Burning River 100 mi, Big Dog's Backyard Ultra 104 mi
2011 - (5) Psycho Wyco 50K, Grand Canyon 47 mi, Psycho Psummer 50K, Rock Bridge Revenge 50K, Pumpkin Holler 100 mi (PR)
2010 - (6) Psycho Wyco 50K, Free State Trail 100K (PR), Kettle Moraine 100 mi (PR), Flatrock 50K, Rock Bridge Revenge 50K, Ozark Trail 100 mi
2009 - (4) 3 Days of Syllamo 50 mi, Psycho Wyco 50K, Berryman 50 mi, Q50 Ultramarathon 50K (PR)
2008 – (4) 3 Days of Syllamo 50K, 3 Days of Syllamo 50 mi, Berryman 50 mi, Rock Creek Trail 50K
2007 - (1) Hocking Hills Indian Run 60K

Number of each type of races for 2020:
100 mi+ - 1
100K+ - 1
50 mi+ - 0
50K+ - 3
Marathon – 1
25K - 0
Half Marathon - 0
20K - 0
10K - 1
5 mi - 0
5K - 0

Total running miles run in 7 races - 304 miles (2019 - 20 races – 863 mi)

States I ran marathons and ultras in 2020 (5): MO
All states I have run marathons and ultras (19): AR, AZ, CO, FL, IA, IL, LA, KS, KY, MA,MD, MN, MO, OH, OK, OR, TN, WA, WI

2019 PR - 24 hr - 118 mi
2018 PR - 6 hr - 41.7 mi
2015 PR in 4 mi
2014 PR in 4 mi
2013 PR in 50 mi
2012 PRs in 25K, 100K
2011 PRs in 4 mi, 10K, 100 mi
2010 PRs in 1 mi, 4 mi, 10 mi, half marathon, 3/4 marathon, 100K, 100 mi
2009 PRs in 5K, 25K, half marathon, and 50K
2008 PRs in 5K, 5 mi, 10K, 10 mi, marathon, 50K, 50 mi
2007 PRs in 5K, 4 mi, 8K, 5 mi, 10K, 10 mi
2006 PRs in 20K, half Marathon, and marathon

Possible races planned for 2021:
April - Lion's Roar 24 Hour
May - Trail of the Four Winds 25K, Berryman 50 mile
September - Heart of America Marathon
October -  Rock Bridge Revenge 25k, Arrowhead Endurance Run 24 hour

November - Thanksgiving Day Pie Run 10K
December - 4 Fore 30 to Infinity

2020 - 4 Fore 30 ♾

I spent December 5 - 6 running loops at 4 Fore 30 ♾ in Camdenton at Lake Valley Golf Club. I've now run 3 times but this year was the first time there was no predetermined end and a Golden ticket to Big Dog's Backyard ultra was at stake. The format is 4.1667 miles and 1 hour to finish. Everyone lines up again the next hour until they have the good sense to drop or go over 1 hour for the loop. 

There were 104 runners starting which was 45 more than last year. We had several runners from Columbia and we were able to run some loops together. Typically, we walk all the hills and try not to trash the quads too early on the downhills. The first loop seems like it drags on forever and after that the time goes by quickly, at least for awhile. Once it was down to just me and Joe Cooper, we ran nearly every loop together until miles 58 - 62. I think we were both starting to get unmotivated or bored. Perhaps a crew would have helped? Warmer temperatures would have been nice since it cooled down from a high of 56 to around 34 while I was still in the race. Whenever someone asked how I was feeling I stayed positive but inside I was doubting I felt that good. I felt okay but not great for so early in the race or at least early for me. I wanted to see if maybe a little faster pace would help so I picked up the pace on loop 15.

After 15 loops, I was thinking 100K sounds like a nice number but then I felt a little more motivation so lined up at the start again. It was cooling off so I put my pants on and changed shoes, hoping maybe that would help something. The frost made my pants damp but Sam's heater that he left helped me warm up and dry them out a bit. At this point I was thinking maybe I could get to 100 miles and then evaluate if I was feeling good enough to go further. Last year I was still feeling pretty good at 112 miles when the race ended. I definitely wasn't having that same feeling at 62 this year.

Loop 16 felt decent but I became very uninspired during loop 17 with negative thoughts and slowed down. Even though I had 5 minutes on the clock, I was thinking about quitting but returned to the starting line after the 1 minute whistle. During this loop I felt like I was slowing more. I found a driver's license about a mile into the loop and I think I was the last runner. I turned the license in at 2 miles and noticed the clock was already 33 minutes, my slowest time at that point on the course so far. I had plenty of time to finish the loop at the pace I was running so kept going. I made the decision I would quit at the end of the 18th loop, decided 75 miles was a nice number and felt at peace with my decision. The 3 minute warning whistle sounded as I finished the loop and I said I definitely said I was done and was happy to receive the coveted 💩dog tag. 

I packed my things up, started to get cold and sat in the car a few minutes to warm up and eat something before taking off. Once I got into Camdenton, I was hungry and thankfully McDonalds drive-thru was open. I was hesitant due to my last 2 negative experiences after a race at McDonalds but the quarter pounder with cheese, fries and chocolate shake were the perfect recovery food before the drive home. I was feeling great but ready to cuddle up next to a dog.

On paper I should have been prepared to run at least 100 miles. I've run over 3,000 this year and have now surpassed my record for yearly mileage set 12 years ago. However, more logged miles doesn't necessarily help prepare for an event. Rest at the proper times is also necessary. Although Ozark Trail 100 miler on November 7 was good training it was probably a little close with only 4 weeks between events. Last year I had 7 weeks between Big Dog's and Fore for 30. I think at least 2 more weeks would have helped with recovery. Also, typically I take off weight lifting at least 10 days before an event but I've been attending a weekly class since October and doing an extra workout on my own. I did one weight training workout during the week of the race but it was tough and I had 4 days to recover. I didn't run and felt good going into the race other than not sleeping well the night before. I've learned a lot this year and am hopeful I will be better prepared next year.

The race directors once again put together a top notch event and registration is already open for 2021. This event is the perfect opportunity to challenge your limits both physically and mentally. This will once again be my last event in 2021.