Wondering where Conway / Arkansas runners are running this weekend is a little like the old Where’s Waldo challenge. Last weekend we had runners in the New York Half Marathon and the L.A. Marathon. Above are the results we know about from these events. I’m sure there were more in the New York race (or I think there are?), but the results did not have a search by state or city. If you ran either of these events and are not listed, please email us and we’ll add you to the list.
And beyond these two “coastal” races, there was a group of 28 runners who ran a the High Rock Hop Trail Run in Arkansas. Not everyone got a finishing time because I hear some of them got lost and ran different distances and it wasn’t quite as “precise” of a race as the L.A. and NYC races.
Whether you are doing a training run around here in Conway, getting lost in the woods in Nowhere, Arkansas or running a major large city event, chances are you are having a great time. Keep runnning Conway – and if you aren’t out there running yet, why not?
Race Results, Trail Runs, Training / Racing, Ultra Running
Well it started out as a big trip to run a beautiful 15k trail run as a group. It ended up with Melissa and Earl representing the CRC by themselves, running through the slush, mud and 
snow, crossing a running creek 6 times. Others thought it was going to be cancelled, decided it didn’t fit into their marathon training schedule, was too cold, or whatever. And all I have to show for it is a picture at the finish line and some elapsed times and places in a nicely formatted spreadsheet table. It certainly doesn’t do justice to the experience they had running through the woods, over hills and creeks on a single track trail most of the way. I guess it’s for them to remember and the rest of us to find out next year.
Race Results, Trail Runs
For some people, running a marathon is a life long accomplishment. For others it is an unimagineable distance to run. But for ultra runners, the marathon is simply a training run, something they might do once or twice on a weekend as they prepare for an upcoming event. Marathoners usually look for flat and fast courses. Ultra runners seek out muddy, hilly courses with lots of obstacles like darkness and creeks with running water. The White Rock 50k was an opportunity for some Conway non-ultra runners to get a taste of this experience.
Dustin Speer ran his second 50k at White Rock this weekend and reported this on Facebook: “50K done in 5:16. Ouch… Those hills hurt.” Curt Amenta did 25k (first half) and said it was the toughest run he had ever done. Stan Ferguson “smoked” the course and won the race. If you are interested in knowing more about ultra running, check out the Arkansas Ultra Running website.
Below are the 50k results for Conway runners, CLICK HERE for complete results. 25k results will be posted when they are available.
Race Results, Trail Runs, Ultra Running
I recently read a blog post / race report written by a very competitive runner, running a 10 mile trail run on New Years Day. I especially liked his perspective on the uncomfortable zone we enter when we race.
So I knew I would be entering the uncomfortable zone – that time when the mind and body are raising the caution flag and there’s one guy in the corner of my head insisting on keeping his foot on the gas pedal. And these moments of truth are why I enjoy running a race. There’s no sweet talking through a race. There’s no telling how much better you could have done. There’s no selling yourself a faster time than what you are truly capable of running. The truth is if you want to win, you’d better be ready to be the fastest one out there and when it hurts you have to look that hurt in the eye and, with a smile, ask for some more. When you cross that finish line and see the time, good or bad, first or last, that is the moment of truth. And today, a couple others were faster. Oh the run will not suffer the fool. But another truth is that I finished and finishing any race, just being able to be outside and run in these mountains, is a good thing. Michael Cook
Trail Runs, Training / Racing
With Earl at the lead, the CRC is venturing into some trail running. Starting in 2010, a group plans to run the trails up at Woolly Hollow (Wooly Holer for Earl) every Sunday at 1:30, meeting at the fitness center at 1:00. You need to check with Earl if you plan to go to make sure it is on. I’m sure it will depend on the interest and what everyone is doing on that weekend. The trail is a 3.1 mile loop and you can walk, jog, run or sprint, whatever you like. Best thing is to try it, you might end up looking happy like those in the picture above who just finished 6 miles running in light snow.
If you want to get really serious about trail running, check out the Arkansas Ultra Running Association. There are some crazy ultra runners here in Conway who would love to entice you on a 100 mile run through streams, up hills and into darkness.
Running Opportunities, Trail Runs
February 13, 2010 – CRC “Field Trip” is in the works. Will be doing the Freakin’ Eurekan 15K Trail Run in Eureka Springs followed by a trip to the Thorncrown Chapel and then it’s off to lunch at the Bavarian Inn for some authentic German food.
There is a possibility we will be borrowing/renting a van or bus. For more information, contact Christian Sterka via email.
Running Opportunities, Trail Runs
