March 29, 2011

Three More Sleeps

Randomness in the shadow of this weekend's Umstead 100-Miler in Raleigh, N.C. ...

• My Umstead PR is 21:57. I did that in 1998.

• It's 100 miles. Stuff is gonna go sideways. The Fun Factor will take some dips. Deal. With. It.

• I'm going with a 10 oz. FuelBelt Sprint. Totally tempting to punt that with all the aid at Umstead. Not carrying always blows up in my face. Every. single. time.

• This time, I'm bringing my own aid. Frito's corn chips. Chocolate milk. Nutella crackers. Feeling fairly certain that I'll grab here and there from Umstead's awesome fare, too.

• That famous Fred "Doom" Dummar quote is plain down truth: "The party don't start till the lights go out." Leave. some. running. for. later.

• Of my 10 Umstead 100-mile finishes, I have zero in the 22s. Or the 26s, 28s or 29s.

• On the 12.5-mile Umstead loop, it's crazy easy to waste gobs of time at both of the manned aid stations. Really, really easy to add 2 hours. Something to think about.

• In the first three months of 2010, I knocked out 42 runs of 2hrs. or more for 114:10. For 2011, numbers so far are 51 for 132:34. Feeling pretty good about those.

• I have gained 5 pounds in the past month. Happens when you add two meals a day. Strength is way up. Way way up.

• I see that I'm tied for fourth on the all-time Umstead finish list. Pete Lefferts should match Tom Sprouse's all-time mark of 13 this year. Louise Mason should get to 12. Alex Morton and Mike Smith will get to 11. With some good luck, I will join them. Bob Calabria, Fred Davis and Susan Rozanski are each poised to snag 1,000-mile buckles this time. Here's hoping that their respective weekends will be a magical as last year's was for me.

Another Umstead 100. Three more sleeps.

11 comments:

jennifer Nichols said...

good luck!!! I am SO excited for you!! I will be checking on your progress online, cheering you on and praying for ya!! ((HUG)) HAVE A BLAST!!! I know you will!!!

bill gentry is my hero!!! :o)

Unknown said...

Take no prisoners, Bill! Hear my cheers!

Unknown said...

Bill-I paced a lap with you in 2009and I will be there again pacing this year...One of these years, I'm going to run this silly thing. Great reading your blog and hopefully I run into you...Have a great run!

Unknown said...

Bill-I paced a lap with you in 2009and I will be there again pacing this year...One of these years, I'm going to run this silly thing. Great reading your blog and hopefully I run into you...Have a great run!

run4daysbill said...

@Jenn: Appreciate your support, as always! You are one of the BEST!

@Phil: I hear 'em, bro. Thanks!

@Chris: Remember '09 well, dawg! In fact, I'm thinking we did Lap 7 and then the LAST half of Lap 8 together, yes? Hoping to see you again this wknd.

Casseday said...

Go get'em Gentry!

Rick Gray said...

Another one is getting ready to go down in history. I am so looking forward to this weekend and my 3rd Umstead. You are going to have a fantastic run. See you Friday!

run4daysbill said...

@Rick: Good luck on Umstead #3, bro. It will be SOOO great to see you and Tammy again. Anywhere you guys are is always a great place to be! :)

Rick Gray said...

Two More Sleeps!

ultrarunnergirl said...

Sounds like you are well-prepared. Good luck and ENJOY the journey B!

Rick Gray said...

One More Sleep!