NUUN Tasting - July 9th

                

“NUUN tasting” at Noon, July 9^th 12-4pm at Missouri Running Company - Cape

Who: Bryan and Kim Kelpe (managers at Missouri Running Co.-Cape)

What: Sample from 11 fun flavors of NUUN electrolyte drink and be educated on the effects of dehydration and how to avoid it.  Also, great in-store deals and door prizes.

When: ‘NUUN’-4pm, July 9^th, 2011

Where: Missouri Running Co. – Cape, 1131 N. Kingshighway, Cape Girardeau, MO

Why: Hydration is key in athletic performance and in daily life.  Also, we want to introduce ourselves to the greater running community in a fun interactive way.

Store Hours:

M-W-F: 10 – 6
T/Th: 10 – 7
Sat: 10 – 5
Sun: 12 – 4

(573)803-1193

Marathon training

I started the training program for the St. Louis Rock n Roll marathon this week. I hope to post weekly updates on progress of training. As of now my goal is a sub 2:45 marathon which I believe is achievable. So far my fitness is reasonably high with only sporadic running the past 2 months. I am still tweaking my plan but hope to get my weekly mileage into the 70-80 mile/week range. Marathon date oct. 23

Charleston Dogwood Azalea Fest 5k



Well, I wasn't sure how race would go considering I haven't ran much since the 24hr last month and the last tempo session I did was back in January.  But, was able to cover the certified Dogwood Azalea course in 17:04, improving my time from last year by almost 30seconds.  Not a personal best on the course, but enough for the victory.  The plan going into the race was to get in behind the main group and let them block the wind and try and make a move between 1.5-2 miles into the course.  However, when the race began everyone must have had the same plan, because we were all looking around to see who would break the wind and set the pace.  So, after about a 1/4 mile I decided to change strategies and to put a little distance between me and the pack.  I came through the mile in 5:16, again had planned on 5:30, so I knew the 2nd mile would suck.  It did, 5:43, but I still had the lead and felt comfortable.  During the final stretch I tried to pick the pace back up a little and covered the final 1.1 miles in 6:05.  It was a beautiful day, little windy, but a great day for the 220+ participants in this years event.  Wayne always puts on a great event and the city looked incredible with all the blooming azaleas. 

The Beard Gains Respect



So, if this is an April Fool, it is a good one.  When I got to school and checked my emails I already had 3 emails congratulating me on being on the cover of ULTRArunning magazine.  Cannot wait to get my copy and read the article.  Will have to grow the beard out again, next winter.

On another note ran 3.5 miles today, not much.  But, I had decided to take 2 weeks off after the 24hr and will return slowly, partially because track season does not allow me to get much running in during the week.  Legs felt good, hopefully will get a chance to hit the trails sometime soon.

In addition, we will have photos and race report of the endurance run in the next issue of ULTRArunning.

Race Report

“It’s not a handicap, it’s an inconvenience.” – Howard

The 2^nd Annual Howard Aslinger Foundation Endurance Run was held March 18-19, in Cape Girardeau, MO.  The event is held to honor the memory of Howard, a successful insurance agent, coach, father and husband.  Howard, who had contracted polio at age 11, had a goal to provide those with disabilities a scholarship to pursue their dreams and to open opportunities that were not available to him as he grew up.  After his passing in June of 2009, his family setup the foundation to make his dream a reality.  This year’s event, which offered a 24hr, 12hr, 1hr, and Midnight 5K, drew 131 runners from 10 different states.   37 participants pushed beyond the marathon distance, with 28 going beyond 50 miles and 3 covering at least 100 total miles.  Those covering 100+ miles were John Pollihan (St. Charles, MO), Mike Fitzgerald (Kirkwood, MO) and Bryan Kelpe(Cape Girardeau, MO).  Carol Bradshaw (Los Angeles, CA) was the top female, covering 79.92 miles.  Scott Winkler (Murray, KY) and Suzanne Kenyon (St. Louis, MO) were champions in the 12hr event covering 62.192 miles and 55.264 miles, respectively.   Many stories were shared and created throughout the race, from Richard Reinhardt completing his first marathon, after only taking up running 3 weeks prior to the event, to Kari Aslinger’s determination to complete 50 miles (the shot of tequila before her last lap I think helped).  For Pollihan the event would be his 2^nd 100miler reaching the milestone in 18hrs 51 min, a new PR, much to the credit of his brother Steve who ran by his side for 50+ miles. 

Nearly 50 runners came out late in the evening to participate in the Midnight 5k, as well.  This event I believe will continue to grow.

A few comments from participants:

“The hardest part for me was starting at 7pm. I'm not used to running in the evening at all. Also, my 4 year old daughter does a pretty good job of making sure I don't have much energy left by 7pm. At mile 30 the urge to go to sleep was pretty overwhelming.” – John Pollihan

“I would think it is great first ultra because of the one mile loop, plenty of bathroom access, it is everyones race if you are a beginner, or seasoned ultrarunner someone is always there to help you make your goal.” – Frank Dietiker

“the aslinger family as well as the many volunteers, put on one of the best atmospheric runs, laid back atmosphere, great bag, door prizes, food , and to top it all off it went for a great cause thank you for making thoughts become reality” – Tom Bolen

“Thanks to you, Jean, and all of the volunteers from the weekend.  You put on a great race!!  I was impressed with the fact that our race director ran the whole time with us.” – Scott Thompson

   We hope you will “inconvenience” yourself  March 16-17^th, 2012, and join us as we honor Howard’s memory.

Howard Aslinger 24 hr - Update



Time is running out to register for the event to be held on March 18-19, in Cape Girardeau.  Within the 24 and 12 hr events we have 10 different states represented.  In the 24 hr we have a total of 30 registrations, 20 male and 10 female.  In the 12 hr we have 13 registrants 5 male and 8 female.  I have heard a lot of interest in the midnight 5k but currently only have 10 registered, 5 male and 5 female.  The most competitive divisions look to be the male Grand - masters (60+) and the female Masters (40-49).  If you have not registered do so before the next deadline, March 1st. 
We are planning to have a great post-race party, with homemade food, music, beer, and plenty of raffle prizes.  We will also be giving a free pair of BROOKS shoes to the top Male and Female in the 24 hr run.  Raffle prizes will include a Mizuno hydration belt, nuun products, t-shirts and equipment from irunfar.com and Cape Road Runners, and sunglasses.  We are also hoping to have a special prize for the top donator at this years event, raising a minimum of $250. 
The course has been measured using a calibrated Jones counter to be .9839 miles.  Paperwork is being completed for certification. 
24hr
Gabriel Boorn, 27, Wilton, IA
Nicholas Ventimigilia, 28, O'Fallon, MO
John Pollihan, 29, St. Charles, MO
John Mossman, 31, Edwardsville, IL
Pieter Teeling, 33, Manchester, MO
Bryan Kelpe, 33, Cape Girardeau, MO
Cory Kirchoff, St. Peters, MO
Michael Gibson, 39, Davenport, IA
David Stores, 40, Washington, MO
Michael Linkogel, 40, Brentwood, MO
Robert Wagner, 41, Knoxville, TN
Mike Fitzgerald, 42, Kirkwood, MO
Mark Simon, 43, Cape Girardeau, MO
Scott Thompson, 43, Edwardsville, IL
Ronald Morgan, 46, Belleville, IL
Lee Dougherty, 60, Swansea, IL
Fredrick Davis III, 63, Cleveland, OH
Joseph Neubauer, Ferguson, MO
Jan Ryerse, 65, Manchester, MO
Thomas Reich, 70, Manchester, MO

Maddison Aslinger, 19, Cape Girardeau, MO
Christina Dambach, 23, Cape Girardeau, MO
Kim Kelpe, 30, Cape Girardeau, MO
Amber Prasanphanich, 30, Cape Girardeau, MO
Kari Aslinger, 36, Cape Girardeau, MO
Shelley Kirchoff, 40, St. Peters, MO
Jameelah Mujaahid, 42, Atlanta, GA
Carol Bradshaw, 42, Los Angeles, CA
Angela Ivory, Nashville, TN
Jean Aslinger, 61, Cape Girardeau, MO

Run Toto Run 50k Race Report

Run Toto Run 50k Race Report

2/12/2011

            I had been looking forward to this race since last year when I finished 2^nd with a time of 4:42.  The race is held in Wyandotte County Park, Kansas City, Kansas and unlike what you think of Kansas it is not flat.   The course is mainly single track bridal trails with 14,000ft+ change in elevation, according to several reports I have read.  My goal for the race this year was to be competitive and if the trail allowed to run sub 4:30.  Kim, my wife, and I decided to also turn this into a mini vacation by staying at the Great Wolf Lodge and in addition to bringing our son Kenyan we also brought our nephews, JD and Connor and niece Abbie, Kim’s mother also came along.  Friday night we ate dinner and enjoyed conversation and a couple beverages with a group of fellow SLUGs at Yardhouse.  Upon returning from dinner I laid out all my gear for the race and realized I had forgotten my bottle of EFS, my main source of planned calories.  Luckily I had packed a 3 Stinger Honey waffles, some ShotBlocks and a couple GUs.  However, now I had the dilemma of rethinking my caloric intake during the race.

Saturday morning Kim drove me to the course, allowing the kids to sleep in.  The temperature was in the mid 20’s and several inches of snow still covered the ground.  Warming up I attempted to run over a section of the course to develop a plan of how to efficiently make my way through the snow.  The planned race strategy was to attach myself to the lead group, which I figured would include Ivan Marsh and Trey Vernon, and allow them to set the pace for the first loop.  However, when Ben and Sophia sounded the starting gun I quickly found myself alone out front.  Ivan, would eventually make his way up to me and we would alternate the lead throughout the 1^st loop, neither of us wanting to control the pace.  Ivan is a beast on the hills and completely dominated me going uphill.  We completed the first loop in a little over 1:26, would have been faster had I not missed a turn just prior to the Dam.  At the start/finish aid station I quickly switched out bottles of nuun, grabbed a wafer and was back on the trail.  When I glanced back heading up the first hill I did not see Ivan, but knew I needed to push to extend a gap. I would not see Ivan after the aid station.

           

Trail conditions improved slightly, on the 2^nd loop, after having nearly 500 participants trod over the course.  However, some sections were beginning to become soft and when I would push off the snow would compact on one side of the foot and remain stiff on the other, causing me to run with arms in more of a swimming motion.  The biggest obstacle of the 2^nd loop however would be weaving my way through the conga line of 10 milers that began their race an hour after the start of the 50k and 20 mile.  Many of them would politely move to the side of the trail, some did not have an opportunity as the trail was very narrow and still others with their headphones had no clue I was coming up behind them.  At the base of the Dam I decided just to move to the left of the line and push through the unpacked snow.  This was very exhausting and I was sure Ivan or Trey would be chasing me down quickly.  I completed the 2^nd loop in 1:29, made another bottle switch and asked for a GU at the aid station, when I could not find one I quickly headed back onto the course.

            Once on the trail, for loop 3, I consumed another wafer and tried a ShotBlock, but they were still a little frozen.  I could sense I needed calories and with the rising temps was going through water at a much faster rate, running out half way between aid stations.  My confidence was waning and began to wonder when the chasers would arrive.  At the “Triangle” aid station I had my bottle refilled and grabbed some pretzels and oranges.  I would do the same upon exiting the triangle, shoveling 6-7 pretzels into my mouth.  I quickly found myself out of water, so I began scooping up fresh snow from the side of the trail.  By the Dam Hill aid station the ShotBlocks had thawed and I was able to get a couple down and refuel. At this point my quads were beginning to cramp and I had to focus on form more and more. Knowing that the chase pack was still out of site I calculated what it would take for someone to catch up to me.  I approximated a 5 minute lead, so that meant they would have to run a minimum of 1 minute/mile quicker than me to the finish. My confidence began to rebuild, but each uphill I had to remind myself that the chasers also had to climb that hill.  I completed the 3^rd lap in 1:35 for a total time of 4:31, slightly off my goal but I was pleased.  Anyways, had I not missed a turn or had not forgotten my EFS at home, I would have easily achieved that goal.  How could I not be excited? This was my first 50k victory and my third consecutive ultra win, I was pumped and Kim and Kenyan were at the finish line to celebrate with me.

 

            I hung out for awhile at the finish line packing up my stuff and talking to finishers as they came in.  I would spend the rest of the day trying to assist Kim in watching the kids at the waterpark, however I’m not sure I was much help as I was not moving very quickly.  It was a good day.  I want to thank Ben and Sophia for another great event, I hope to do it again, Tim Bradley, at Big River Running for helping me with my training, and my wife for all of her patience.