“I’m not concerned with your liking or disliking me… All I ask is that you respect me as a human being.” – Jackie Robinson

In November 2010 Monumental Effort published the story “The Bunion Derby – Part 1”.  On the eve of the 3^rd edition of The Mother Road 100-mile run, we briefly presented the history of the famed Route 66.  We talked about sports promoter C.C. Pyle’s pet project: “The First Annual International Trans-continental Foot Race”, we presented the eventual winner, Andy Payne, and reviewed Randy Ellis’s book “Running with Payne.”  This book is an account of the author’s personal journey as he retraced the steps of the original “bunioneers”.  At the conclusion of the post we promised a second part to this story in which we would offer more literature on this epic race and introduce different characters from the inaugural event.

The 1928 Bunion Derby

The idea for Part 2 has been on the backburner for quite some time and I thought it would be most relevant if I blogged about it before the end of February.  (Yeah, I know…just like my universities days, I’m getting this one in just under the wire!)

In North America, the month of February is Black History Month.  During this period we are encouraged to remember and honor African Americans and African Canadians.  The Immigration and Citizenship Canada website says it best:  “We take this time to celebrate the many achievements and contributions of black Canadians who, throughout history, have done so much to make Canada the culturally diverse, compassionate and prosperous nation we are today.”

Jackie Robinson

Nearly two decades before the great Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in Major League Baseball, six black athletes toed the line of the original Bunion Derby to compete alongside their white counterparts in a time when racial tension was still very prominent.  Of these runners, five were African American and the other was a Jamaican-born Canadian.  A tailor from Hamilton, Ontario, Philipp Granville was in fact one of the pre-race favorites to actually win the race.  C. C. Pyle had recruited many proven and accomplished professional athletes from Europe, whereas most of the North American participants were unknown and untested.  They were adventurous and determined young men hoping to reach the finish line first and earn the $25,000 prize…money they felt would lift them from poverty or help them better feed and clothe their families.  Granville however, was an Olympian and the holder of several race-walking World Records.  In order to compete in the Derby, Philipp Granville had to give up something he cherished dearly:  his amateur status.

Philipp Granville

Over the course of their 84-day odyssey, the bunioneers endured many hardships.  In addition to the daily grind of all those miles on muddy, potholed and dangerous roads, runners had to contend with all kinds of weather conditions, from the 95-degrees in the Mojave Desert to the winter storms in Arizona’s high country.  Runners did not receive adequate nutrition to replenish their broken-down bodies and medical assistance was limited.   Many athletes suffered from stomach problems and other illnesses due to the unclean water that was supplied.  Thanks in part to C.C. Pyle’s extremely noisy travelling carnival that accompanied the runners across the country as a cash-grab for the event, sleep was difficult to come by despite the fatigue and the inhumane sleeping arrangements did not help the runners get the required rest.  Runner John Stone Jr. quoted:  “Our blankets and pillows were so filthy it was a disgrace to the race.  We did not even have our own.  We got different ones each night.  We undoubtedly slept with our head in one end of a blanket, where some other unfortunate had his sore bleeding feet the previous night.”  In addition to all this, the black runners were bombarded with racial abuse and even death threats.

As the runners made their way across certain Southern states, specifically in Texas where the Ku Klux Klan still had a dominant presence in legislature, black athletes were greeted head on with the racial tension.  As they crossed this part of the country, the black runners were no longer permitted to sleep in the same tents as the white runners, they could not eat their meals with them and were often refused service in many public places.  One African American runner, Eddy Gardner, was even followed for an entire day by a farmer holding a shotgun who was daring him to pass a white runner.  For nearly a month, the black runners endured a living hell.  As they finally crossed into Illinois, and with the help of the bonds they had forged with the white runners, the remaining black athletes in the race were finally permitted to focus on their running and no longer feared for their lives.  At one point, Philipp Granville even started referring to himself as “Jamaican Indian” in hopes of avoiding some of the threats.

As for Granville’s race strategy, he started the event conservatively by speed walking the early stages.  He actually only started running past the midway point of the race.  Had he made the transition sooner, many believe he would have challenged Andy Payne for the win instead of his (still very impressive) 3^rd place finish.

Two compelling books offer much more in-depth information about the characters and the issues of The Bunion Derby.  These books are Geoff Williams’ “C.C. Pyle’s Amazing Foot Race” and “The Bunion Derby – The 1928 Footrace Across America” by Charles B. Kastner.  Kastner is an independent historian; as a result, his book is researched in great detail.  He offers lyrical accounts of the daily routines and much background information is provided about the participants and organizers of The Bunion Derby.  Geoff’s book, on the other hand, reads more like a nostalgic narrative and is more light-hearted and entertaining.  Both books are equally enjoyable and offer a different perspective on this incredible event.  You can order your copies by clicking on the picture of the book covers.

Not only were the bunioneers exceptional athletes and a source of inspiration for their Monumental Effort, they were without a doubt the pioneers of desegregation in the world of sports.   Charles B. Kastner writes:  “The heroism of the black bunioneers was a symbol of hope and pride to black communities they passed along the way, and to black America as a whole… The derby also showed the nation that blacks and whites could compete against one another even if they were not yet ready to live together in harmony.”

Thanks for reading and please feel free to leave us a comment.

Gotta run,

Vince

“It winds from Chicago to LA, more than two thousand miles all the way.  Get your kicks on Route 66” – Nat King Cole

On November 13^th and 14^th, Monica Scholz will run in the third edition of the Mother Road 100-Miler in Oklahoma, and in the process she will eclipse her World Record of twenty-three 100-milers in one calendar year which she set in 2001.  The icing on this amazing ultra-cake will be her 25^th race of this daunting distance at the Creemore Horizontal on November 27 & 28 where she will celebrate her amazing accomplishment with family and friends.

In 2006 I had the pleasure of running in the inaugural Mother Road race.  At the time race organizers were calling it a “one time only” opportunity, but the event saw new life in 2008 and has made it to 2010.  The original course was along the historic Route 66 from Arcadia to Sapulpa, Oklahoma (basically two small towns on the outskirts of Oklahoma City and Tulsa) and the next two editions, MR100 covered other sections of “Main Street of America”.

Race swag for entrants in the Mother Road was quite impressive.  All runners received a duffel bag, a commemorative t-shirt and an actual concrete brick of the original Route 66 stamped with the race logo.  All finishers earned a belt buckle and an additional long-sleeve technical shirt featuring the names of all those who completed the distance printed on the back.  These were shipped to us a few weeks following the race.  In the race kit there was also a copy of Randy Ellis’s book “Running with Payne”.  This book marked my introduction to the Bunion Derby.

Historic Route 66

Established in 1926, Route 66 was one of the original U.S. highways, and a transcontinental one at that.  Also known as the Will Rogers Highway, the road was a gateway to the west for many migrants during the “Dirty Thirties”.  Route 66 serviced America and significantly helped the economies of many rural centers for several decades before modernized technology and engineering, with the help of the Interstate Highway Act, basically rendered it irrelevant.  Today, some states have managed to conserve sections of Route 66 and some parts have even been protected as part of the National Scenic Byway system.

The Brainchild of C.C. Pyle

In the late 1920’s, sports promoter and agent for many professional athletes, C.C. Pyle had an ambitious vision of a 3455-mile footrace across America.  The race was to commemorate and promote the newly completed transcontinental Route 66 from Los Angeles to Chicago to New York.  Pyle enlisted runners from around the globe, brought them to the U.S. and on March 4^th, 1928 199 men from all walks of life gathered in California in hopes of crossing the finish line first in New York city thus earning the coveted $25,000 prize.  Eighty-four days later, 55 bunioneers reached the finish line.

The eventual winner of the first Bunion Derby was a young Cherokee man from Oklahoma named Andy Payne.  Andy grew up on a farm, but did not like farm work or riding horses.  While his brothers usually rode horses to school, Andy chose to run the 5-mile distance and eventually became one of the top local milers.

A “Payneful” tribute

Inspired by tales of Andy’s incredible accomplishment, ultra runner Randy Ellis decided to complete his own version of a coast-to-coast run and retrace most of the steps taken by Payne and the other participants of the 1928 Bunion Derby.  This run was to serve as a tribute to his fellow “Sooner”.  His book “Running with Payne” is essentially a day-by-day account of his own physical and spiritual journey along Historic Route 66.

Although “Running with Payne” does offer some limited historical information about the Bunion Derby, it reads mostly like a personal journal.  Ellis had a small crew to accompany him on this two and a half month journey, but the original bunioneers had to endure more modest accommodations and harsher conditions.  Nonetheless, I was captivated by Randy’s effort day in and day out.  He had to endure high volume motor traffic on the highways of California and Texas and the mountains of New Mexico offered some inclement weather.  As he made his way through his home state of Oklahoma, he was moved by the support and encouragement encountered along the route.  Finally, although Randy’s run was almost 460 miles shorter (which translates to 6 fewer days on the road) the reader will appreciate and certainly understand Randy’s emotional finish in South Carolina.

Two different routes, both Monumental Efforts

As I have always been interested in statistics and numbers, I especially liked the appendix in which Randy Ellis presents a chart of the total daily mileage of his run compared to what Andy Payne ran in 1928 on each day of the Derby.  A comparison of both runners’ total time would have also been interesting to see.

In a future post Monumental Effort will present more literature about this incredible event and profile more of the remarkable athletes who competed in the inaugural race across America.  Particular attention will be given to the Canadian participants of the 1928 Bunion Derby.

You can order your copy of “Running with Payne” by clicking on the picture of the book cover.

Please feel free to leave us a comment.

Gotta run,

Vince

“Trail running is a unique sport…that transcends the mere act of running and embodies the essence of being in the outdoors.” – Brian Metzler, Founding Editor of Trail Runner

Over the course of our first year of blogging, Monumental Effort has reviewed nearly a dozen (what we thought were) inspirational books on running.  From memoirs to novels, bestsellers and obscure reads, we shared our thoughts and impressions.  These reviews are still available by going to the “Categories” drop-down menu in the sidebar and selecting “Book Reviews”.  You could also purchase a copy of these titles at Amazon by clicking on the book cover picture in the post.  In the coming weeks (and in no particular order) M.E. will examine different running magazines.  As a junky of literature on running, I will review some of the publications that appear regularly in my mailbox.   There is no science to the rating below and I don’t suggest that I’m an expert on this subject; these are simply my personal opinions and observations.

What’s the deal?

1 year – 7 issues for $19.95

2 years – 14 issues for $29.95

4 years – 28 issues for $55.95

If you buy it at newsstands:  $5.99/issue ($4.95 in the U.S.)

Who are these guys and what’s this rag all about?

Billed as the “only magazine dedicated to the off-road running community”, Trail Runner is published by Colorado-based Big Stone Publishing which also produces the acclaimed climbing magazine Rock and Ice.  Now in its 10^th year of publication, Trail Runner can justifiably claim to be the authorities of this fast-growing sport.

I especially enjoy reading articles in the “Run Amok” or “Last Gasp” departments, often written by contributing editors Garrett Graubins or Bernie Boettcher, who regularly explore the lighter side of the sport.  Some of my favorite articles over the years have been:

• Porta-Potty Predicaments – The suffering starts before the start (March 2010);
• Running on Empty – The perfect hangover cure (September 2005);
• Fault Lines – The trail runner’s guide to excuse making (November 2006).

Equally as entertaining to these clever pieces are the accompanying illustrations provided by Jeremy Collins.

A Jeremy Collins illustration

Runners can send questions on topics such as training and nutrition to “Ask the coach”.  The “Great Escapes” section recommends exciting running destinations and the magazine offers regular news on Adventure Racing.  “Trail Tips” offers pointers on everything from first aid, how to properly fall on the trail, what to do when a bear is encountered and how to pee in the woods.  Finally, gear, shoes and gadgets are reviewed in every issue in the “Trail Tested” department.

What’s the Canadian content, eh?

Thanks mostly to the Trail Runner Trophy Series, there have been some Canadian runners profiled in the magazine.  This series allows runners to automatically earn and collect points by completing any of the featured 1000+ trail events across Canada and the United States.  Additional points are awarded if the runner places in the top-3 of his/her age group.  The races are divided into two categories:  1. Marathon and shorter; 2. Ultra Marathon, therefore offering distances for every runner.   Since a lot of the Ontario Ultra Series races also belong to the Trophy Series, Canadians have been well represented.  Recent series champs who happen to be Canadian include:  Ian Hobler of Ottawa, Kitchener’s Theresa McGrath, Jim Orr of Toronto, Sue Lucas of Dauphin, Manitoba, and Janice MacKay of Sault Ste Marie.  Hamilton’s Mark Tarnopolsky, OUS standout Laurie McGrath, and North Vancouver’s Ryne Melcher are all in contention for the 2010 titles.  Aside from these profiles, not many Canadian races or cities are featured in the publication.  Perhaps we need to do a better job of promoting our races.  The Managing Editor, Elinor Fish, does have some Canadian roots so hopefully we will see a wider range of Canuck News in future issues.

For the techie:

You can follow Trail Runner on Twitter and Facebook.  As I don’t have a Facebook account, I can’t accurately comment on this, however; the Twitter updates seem to occur about twice a month and usually announce the news items that can also be accessed from the “Fresh Dirt” tab on their official website:   http://www.trailrunnermag.com/.

As I navigated the site I realized that a lot of the information seemed dated.  Specifically, some of the most recent race reports were from as far back as 2007, and under “Trail News and People” the latest article is a pre-Western States account about amputee runner Amy Palmiero-Winters.  An update on her incredible result and perhaps news about her disappointing Badwater experience would have been an interesting touch.

The website has a significant race calendar that allows readers to search by region (province or state) and by month, but not by distance.  Unfortunately, the 2011 calendar hasn’t been posted yet.  A retailers section lists some Canadian running stores but these are mostly Running Free locations.  If you are new to trail running, the “Beginner Trail Running” section offers a practical six part guide.

Electronic copies of the issues can be downloaded from the site (however I was unsuccessful in doing so on three different computers) and subscriptions and renewals can also be done via the Internet.

So, in a nutshell:

If you get your kicks on muddy single-track or mountainous trails this magazine definitely has something for you.  If you haven’t ventured off-road yet, you don’t know what you’re missing…so get out there!  Whether you are new to trail running or you’re an experienced ultra runner, Trail Runner serves up the essential ABC’s of the sport.  Although there isn’t a ton of content in each issue (I could usually read cover-to-cover in one sitting), columns are often witty, entertaining and generally informative.

Overall rating (out of a possible 5 running shoes):

Do you read this magazine? What are your views?  Click here to comment.

Gotta run,

Vince

Ask the coach illustration by Collins

“I’m not a dreamer, and I’m not saying this will initiate any kind of definitive answer or cure to cancer, but I believe in miracles. I have to.” – Terry Fox

During my latest race south of the border (Arkansas Traveler 100-miler, report to follow…), I ran a few early miles alongside a couple of American runners.  When one of them learned that I was Canadian, she informed me that she had recently seen the story of Terry Fox, “Into the Wind”, on ESPN’s  30 for 30.  This series of thirty documentary films depicts “issues, trends, athletes, teams, rivalries, games and events that transformed the sports landscape from 1979 to 2009.”

Seeing as pretty much every school across Canada hosts an annual Terry Fox run at this time of year, I’d say most Canadians above the age of 4 know about our beloved hero.  However, this U.S. runner who was most certainly in her mid-30’s confessed that she had never heard of Terry Fox.  The other runner replied:  “Who is Terry Fox”?  At first I was stunned and wanted to scold them for their ignorance, but I calmly proceeded to educate them about Terry’s inspirational accomplishments.  “Into the Wind” was co-directed by another Canadian athlete, 2-time NBA Most Valuable Player Steve Nash.  Thank you Steve for sharing Terry Fox’s story with our U.S. neighbors (or shall I say neighbours?).

Below is the movie trailer for “Into the Wind”.  This film is set to air on Canadian networks in the near future.  Check your local listings.

Into the Wind

« My feet are like gnarled old tree branches. »  – Dennis Rodman

Does anyone else feel inundated, and frankly really annoyed by all the talk about the barefoot running craze?  Sure I’ve read and very much enjoyed Christopher McDougall’s bestseller “Born to Run”.  I’m also a strong advocate for minimalist shoes.  Whether I’m running a 5K road race or a trail 100-miler, the only shoes I’ve run in during the past 3 years (nearly 30 ultras and/or marathons in that span) are Nike Free 5.0. When I’m not running, the only footwear that I trust are the super light Sanuks (I have 6 pairs, different colors and styles…even a pair of Sanuk winter boots!), but I just can’t wrap my head around this barefoot fad. 

Last summer I even had a pair of Vibram Five Fingers on my feet at the Zombie Runner’s store in Palo Alto, California, but I couldn’t justify spending the money on these things that would get very limited use.  And besides, they look completely ridiculous!  A non-running colleague asked me the other day if I’ve seen “those new running shoes that look like feet” that she had seen her neighbor run in.  I wanted to yell: “They’re not that new and they’re not running shoes!”  Thankfully I managed to hold myself back.  Nevertheless, it appears that the shoeless trend has gained some significant momentum over the past few months and Vibram Five Fingers will continue to fly off the shelves at local running stores everywhere.

Lately, I have come across articles, be it in a local newspaper or running magazines, about barefoot running way too frequently.  Furthermore, earlier this week there was yet another news report, this time on the Global Evening News, about this rage.  I had been contacted by the reporter who was researching this story.  I told him my story about how the Nike Frees helped me eliminate some lingering foot injuries and he said he would get back in touch with me to set up an interview.  He never did.  When the report finally aired I understood why I did not get a call back.  The problem is:  I still run in actual SHOES!

The story focused exclusively on barefoot runners and wearers of the Vibram Five Fingers.  At one point of the reportage, the camera zoomed in on a pile of Nike Free shoes and the reporter referred to them as “these clunkers”.   Clunkers?  Are you freaking kidding me?  These shoes weigh a mere 8 ounces!  By comparison, Five Fingers weigh around 5 ounces, but let’s get something straight; they were not created as footwear for distance runners.  Heck, their website even states:  “…we don’t believe it is the only footwear you will ever need.  There are many times when you need the protection and security of a shoe or boot”.   In my opinion, these times certainly include ultra trail running.

Anybody who knows me can attest that my feet are a mashed mess after an ultra.  Given the number of rocks and roots I kick on any given run, I can’t imagine how battered my toes would be if I ran in rubber windsurfing slip-ons…or even worse, without any shoes at all!  At a recent ultra I noticed two runners wearing Five Fingers.  From what I could gather, neither of these runners completed the race.  Whether the DNF’s were the result of inadequate footwear or not is unknown, but I’m just saying…

In my collection of running books you will find a copy of John Vonhof’s “Fixing Your Feet – Prevention and Treatments for Athletes”.  I recently pulled this excellent reference book off my shelf and started flipping through it again.  The author is a seasoned ultra runner and long distance fast-pack hiker.  John has race directed the Ohlone Wilderness 50K Trail Run in California for many years (arguably one of the most difficult 50K races in North America) and he continues to offer volunteer medical aid at countless other events.  These experiences, coupled with his work as an emergency room trauma/paramedic/orthopedic technician have permitted him to extensively research for this book.  Initially he intended on producing a brochure, but as his research grew, so did his vision of this writing project.  Now in its fourth edition, Fixing Your Feet is a must for anyone who spends a significant time on their feet, with or without shoes.

The book is divided into four parts.  Part 1: The Basics gives the reader a crash course on subjects such as biomechanics, anatomy of the foot and the nitty-gritty on the structure of a shoe.  In Part 2: Prevention the author offers hundreds of hints and tips on how to avoid injuries that might end your hike or race prematurely, or even worse, halt your activity altogether for an extended period of time.  Sprinkled throughout these chapters the reader will even find testimonials by some ultra running greats such as 5-time champion (and 25-time sub 24-hour finisher) of the prestigious Western States 100-miler, Tim Twietmeyer.  If you do happen to suffer from any foot injury, Part 3: Treatments will detail how you could get healthy and “back on your feet”.  Finally, Part 4: Sources and Resources lists websites and addresses where you can find a wealth of expert advice on medical treatments and gear review.

Although I still haven’t found the perfect remedy for my own reoccurring minor foot ailments, my most recent scan through this book has given me a snapshot of the evolution of my injuries.  In other words, I have realized that although I haven’t quite figured out how to completely eliminate my blisters, I was reminded that over the years I have made some significant changes and improvements.  I wear shoes that are a ½ size bigger.  I have modified my mechanics to a forefoot strike.  I have chucked my orthotics and have experimented with taping and different socks.  As a result of all these changes I no longer suffer from plantar fasciitis for example.

My big toe after an ultra...nasty!

Seeing as my feet, specifically my toes, are still beat up after an ultra, I simply started to accept the fact that I would always get blisters no matter what I tried.  However, by reading this book again I have realized that what I thought were simple blisters aren’t that at all.  What I suffer from appears to be “subungal hematoma” or runner’s black toenail.  As described by Vonhof, although the toes don’t necessarily always turn black, the result of the constant trauma placed on them during an excessively long run (or hike) is blood-filled swelling under the nail. As I read further, I also learned that there are other preventative measures that I have yet to try that could help, for instance the use of powders instead of the lubricants that I have been using for years.  Back to the drawing board!

In Fixing Your Feet author John Vonhof states that every foot is different and tactics that work for one person may not always work for someone else.  He continues by suggesting that remedies and practices that currently do the trick might be ineffective months or years down the line.  The key, says Vonhof, is to be proactive, “working to solve problems before they develop” rather than reactive, “working to solve an existing problem”.

Vonhof does touch briefly on the subject of barefoot running (I have the second edition , perhaps more is mentioned in recent editions) in Fixing Your Feet.  His definition of “barefoot” mostly involves not wearing socks inside your shoes.  With careful monitoring this method might help certain runners eliminate blisters caused by the friction between the sock and the foot.  He also succinctly states that limited barefoot running on sand or grass is a way to toughen your feet but “this is not a guarantee that you will not get blisters”.

I understand that those who endorse barefoot running, like Trail Runner magazine’s Michael Sandler, are suggesting that this practice “promotes good form, enhances stability and adaptability, strengthens your feet and provides a feeling of connection to the earth” (October 2010, Issue 68, page 30), but come on, how can lightweight shoes like Nike Frees be deemed too heavy?  And really, how can you honestly think you don’t need to protect your feet with real shoes?  Run barefoot on your treadmill.  Wear Vibram Five Fingers on a short run in a field if you must, but don’t complain if you’re so bold that you wear them on rugged trails and your little piggies really end up crying all the way home.

Although Nike has modified the Frees over the years by gradually making the arches more aggressive and the heel outer sole thicker, I will stick with these unless I find another minimalist SHOE that suits my needs.  I suspect that the barefoot fad will lure too many novice runners into believing shoeless running is the way to go and who knows what the long-term effect will be on this generation of runners?

I miss the original Nike Free 5.0

Do you run barefoot or are you like me and are sick of hearing about this subject?  (I guess I’m not helping the cause by blogging about it!!)  What are your thoughts on Vibram Five Fingers?  Do you have a free pair to give me (cuz’ I ain’t gonna buy ‘em) that I could try and perhaps be persuaded to change my tune?  Please leave us a comment below.

Purchase a copy of Fixing Your Feet today by clicking on the picture of the book cover.

Please leave a comment below.

Gotta run,

Vince

The sign I greeted my wife with at the airport. I had run a marathon that morning.

co-RD's: Vince, Shep, Scooty

Our tenure as Race Directors has come to a close,
So I thought I’d pay tribute with some poetic prose.
For nearly a decade we have organized the Iroquoia Trail Test,
With these duties behind us, it’s time for a well-deserved rest.

If you’ve ever staged a run, you can appreciate the work required
To get every runner across the finish line satisfied albeit tired.
Preparations begin several months before the event takes place,
With registration forms, website updates and advertising for the race.

One must obtain trail permits and insurance, purchase awards and gifts,
These are but a handful of the items found on a race director’s checklist.
We pride ourselves on all the personal touches that go into this run,
Hand-painted finisher’s rocks and a free kid’s race only add to the fun.

After loading up the truck with pylons, tables, water jugs and cups,
We head to Kilbride School the night before the race to start setting up.
The course must be marked and a finisher’s chute put together,
We’ll only get a couple of hours sleep as we hope for good weather.

An army of volunteers is the key to the success of any competition,
To the members of the Burlington Runners Club we owe much recognition.
Every third weekend of August we could count on this fine mass
For runner’s safety, hydration and to ensure the trail test is passed.

The race is a 32 kilometer trek along the rugged Bruce,
An escarpment trail lined with maples, pine and spruce.
This event was a labor of love for Shep, Scoot and me,
If we went back in time, we wouldn’t do it differently.

As we reflect back on our own race directing experiment,
We now fully appreciate RD’s and their everlasting commitment.
Without these organizers there simply would be no races,
They allow us to carry out our passion and put smiles on our faces.

With the gear back in storage and the truck returned to Discount Car rental
Our era as directors of the ITT is over, the Effort has been Monumental.

Please, leave a comment.

Gotta run,

Vince

Busy on race day

Another successful Kids Quiz

“In order to win you’ve got to avoid losing first”

— Dick Doobey, football coach at fictitious Southern University

Since I started writing reviews, first for the Burlington Runners Times newsletter then here at Monumental Effort, one book that has been recommended to me on occasion is Once a Runner by John L. Parker Jr. I purchased this book several months ago but had not gotten around to reading it until just recently. I now wish I would have read the cult classic years ago.

Of the dozens of books on running that I have read over the years, only a handful of them have been works of fiction. Once a Runner is by far the most enjoyable and well-written fictional story of the lot. From the very first chapter I was captivated by Parker’s almost lyrical prose as he describes the quiet track and stadium through the eyes of the young athlete.

Later, as the reader is introduced to the story’s setting and characters -the Southern University campus in Florida and its varsity teams- the author treats us to some more entertaining narrative as he compares and contrasts the various athletes in the different track and field disciplines. Of the weight men he writes: “These specimens made their particular way in the world by heaving sixteen-pound iron balls great distances, tossing fibreglass plates out of vision, whipping sharpened aluminum shafts to the horizon. They were the heavy artillery of old.”

Parker calls the distance runners the “serene messengers, gliding along wooded trails and mountain paths, their spiritual ancestors kept their own solitary counsel for long hours.” Finally, Parker calls the sprinters and jumpers “high-strung, either giddy with success or mired in swamp funk. They were the manic-depressives of the track world.”

The novel’s main character is Quenton Cassidy. Well-liked by all his peers, Quenton is the captain of the track team and on the verge of becoming a world-class miler. Not only is Quenton a talented runner, he is also quite comical and usually at the core of the amusing games and banter amongst the students of Doobey Hall where the athletes reside. The reader accompanies the runners through their gruelling workouts, the cross-country season and the indoor track meets.

Cassidy’s times keep improving and his competitive fires burning hotter than ever when controversy rears its ugly head. Upset over imposed rules by the athletic director and football coach, Quenton drafts a petition protesting the rules. Although the petition was signed by many athletes from all teams, Cassidy becomes the fall-guy and is suspended from competition for the remainder of the school year. This ruling prompts Quenton to quit school and to retreat to a cabin in the woods. Under the tutelage of Olympic gold medalist and close friend Bruce Denton (the self-proclaimed famous American clock-cleaner), Cassidy turns all of his attention and effort to his training and a quest to run a sub-four minute mile.

Will Quenton ever have a chance to “let loose his demons and just wail on” and compete again? Click on the book cover and order your copy to find out.

Parker’s personal running credentials are quite impressive to say the least. As a member of the University of Florida’s track team, Parker set the school record in the mile and was even the conference champion. In 1972 he competed at the Munich Olympics alongside his teammates Frank Shorter and Jeff Galloway. His extensive experience was quite evident throughout the book and in my opinion, certainly gave a lot of credibility to the novel.

Original book cover

Although sequels are generally not as good as the original, upon completing this book I felt compelled to order myself a copy of the follow-up to Once a Runner. This sequel was written three decades after Once a Runner was first published. Once a Runner had even been out of print for many years. According to Amazon, it was one of the most sought-after out-of-print books in the United States in 2007.

Look for a review of John L. Parker Jr’s “Again to Cartage” on M.E. in the future.

If you have read “Once a Runner” and would like to send us a comment, please do so by using the form below. Also, feel free to recommend any book with inspiring stories of determination and perseverance.

Gotta run,

Vince

“My report card always said, ‘Jim finishes first and then disrupts the other students’.” -comedian Jim Carrey

We are nearly halfway through 2010 and Monumental Effort thought it would be a good idea to revisit and assess some of the stories we have covered this year.  As the academic year winds down most teachers are currently in “report card mode”.  I will attempt to demonstrate my teacher skills by offering a grade and a report card comment for some of our featured athletes.

The story that has generated the most M.E. interest thus far is that of Monica’s 3000+ Mile Odyssey. The sidebar on our site serves as a reminder of Monica’s upcoming events as well as a summary of her past successes.

By the end of this month, Monica will have completed nearly half of her projected thirty 100-milers.  Her schedule has undergone some adjustments; most notably she has decided to forgo the grueling Badwater-135.  The cost of travelling to Death Valley with a crew of several people simply wasn’t feasible given the amount of races on Monica’s agenda this year.

Monica has won some of the women’s races and has finished second amongst the ladies in a handful of other events.  Her journey to this point has not been a stroll in the park.  Monica did encounter some significant challenges at the Coyote Two Moons 100.  This race features a staggered start and the race director determines the start times for all runners.  Monica started the race with the 3AM wave alongside some of the race’s fastest runners.  Monica soon realized that she hadn’t planned accordingly for this start time, she was underdressed for the cool start and her drop bag was not located at one of the nearest aid stations.  It took Monica ten hours to complete the first 30 miles and she decided that this was not going to be her day.  Monica chose to drop out of the race and catch an earlier flight home.  I’m sure she will redeem herself at this race next year.

On June 18-19^th,  I will have the privilege of accompanying Monica at one of my favorite events, the Mohican 100 in Loudonville, Ohio.  I’m sure Monica will once again do well and be her cheerful self as she cruises to yet another 100-mile finish.

Monica’s grade: A+

Monica’s report card comment: If Monica continues to put forth the determination displayed during this reporting period, she will certainly benefit from her hard work.  Monica is a good citizen, is working to her full capability and leads by example.  We encourage her to continue this Monumental Effort throughout all of 2010.

Monica cruising along at LOST

Another popular M.E. account was the Ray Zahab – Canada’s Karnazes…and more post.  I must admit that I was thrilled that Ray himself even submitted a comment.  This led to an exchange of emails, a couple of phone calls and our correspondence resulted in successfully landing Ray as the keynote speaker at the annual Ontario School Counsellors’ Association (OSCA) conference this November.  I attend this conference every year, and I have already done some lobbying within the organizing committee that will hopefully have me introduce Ray to the delegates.  I am definitely looking forward to meeting him and hearing him speak.  He will certainly close out the conference with a bang and send hundreds of educators back to their respective schools energized and inspired.

Over the course of the past few months, Ray has been doing so much wonderful work with Impossible-2-possible.   So far this year Ray and his team have led expeditions across frozen lakes in Siberia and through sweltering heat over sand dunes in Tunisia.  These expeditions are tracked by thousands of students who communicate with the adventurers as they battle the elements.  The mind-boggling excursions serve to raise awareness and funds for environmental causes around the world.  Ray has even recruited some youth ambassadors to accompany the travelers to some of the planet’s most remote places in hopes to “Educate, Inspire and Empower”.  What an awesome, awesome experience for these future leaders!  When Ray speaks at the November conference, he will have completed yet another expedition with some teens.  This mission has yet to be officially announced, but it is expected to be made public on his website very soon.

Ray’s grade: A+

Ray’s report card comment: If Ray continues to put forth the determination displayed during this reporting period, communities around the world will certainly benefit from his hard work.  Ray is a good citizen, is working to his full capability and leads by example.  We encourage him to continue this Monumental Effort throughout all of 2010.

Youth Ambassador's in Tunisia

A story that surprisingly received little fanfare was that of The Human Polar Bear Lewis Pugh.  M.E. is thrilled to announce that Lewis successfully completed his swim across Lake Pumori.  This lake sits at an altitude of 5,300 meters (17,400 feet) just below the summit of Mount Everest.  The water temperature was a reported 2 degrees centigrade (36 degrees Fahrenheit) and it took Lewis 22 minutes and 51 seconds to complete the swim.  While ascending the Himalayas, Lewis would contact his wife Antoinette by satellite phone and she would then post the updates on his blog.  After successfully completing what many thought was impossible, Antoinette announced: “Lewis has demonstrated that the strength of the human spirit can overcome even the most adverse conditions”.

When Lewis returned to Katmandu, his accomplishment earned him a meeting with the president of Nepal, Dr. Ram Baran Yadav.  They discussed the melting glaciers and the critical need to protect the environment.  Lewis has since returned to his home in London, England where he is doing some endorsement work for Speedo and is promoting his book “Achieving the Impossible”.  On his blog Lewis states:  “Now is when the real work begins to spread the message and build awareness of what is happening”

Lewis’s grade: A+

Lewis’s report card comment: If Lewis continues to put forth the determination displayed during this reporting period, our ailing planet will certainly benefit from his hard work.  Lewis is a good citizen, is working to his full capability and leads by example.  We encourage him to continue this Monumental Effort throughout all of 2010.

Lewis completes Everest swim

(Are you sensing a trend in my report card comments?)

Martin Parnell’s Marathon Quest 250 story is another one that didn’t necessarily draw much attention, but in my opinion, his Monumental Effort is worth reviewing.  I have been following Martin’s progress and on Saturday June 5th, Parnell completed his 99^th marathon of 2010 (appropriately baptized “The Wayne Gretzky Marathon”).  Some would consider his times a bit pedestrian, but running this many miles (to date he has covered 4178 kilometers or 2594 miles) at any speed is simply astonishing.

Early in the year Martin suffered some foot injuries and was ordered by his doctor to take some time off.  He was forbidden to run for over a week and fell behind schedule a bit.  Martin has visited over twenty schools at which he has run the marathon distance, often accompanied by students and staff for parts of the run.  The purpose of these visits is to raise awareness for the youngsters about the importance of being active and provide teachers with data and information that could be incorporated into the curriculum.

One of his most recent “official” marathons (his 94^th) was the Calgary Marathon which Martin completed in a very respectable 4:35:36.  To date Parnell has raised just over $30,000 for Right to Play.  This is a significant amount; however it is off his goal of $250,000.  Feel free to visit his site and make a donation!

Martin’s grade: A+

Martin’s report card comment: If Martin continues to put forth the determination displayed during this reporting period, children everywhere will certainly benefit from his hard work.  Martin is a good citizen, is working to his full capability and leads by example.  We encourage him to continue this Monumental Effort throughout all of 2010.

This post would not be complete if we didn’t take this opportunity to assess our own goals and performances.  Personally, I’m a bit disappointed with my results to date.  Although I successfully completed one of my major goals of 2010, the Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim adventure, I wasn’t sufficiently trained for an undertaking of this magnitude and suffered accordingly (and made my friends work doubly hard to ensure that I didn’t stay in the bottom of the Grand Canyon forever).  Also, I failed to complete both the Jerseyville and Sulphur Springs 100.  As my good friend Wade would say, it is time to “step my game up”.  In the second half of 2010 I will need to train harder and smarter if I want to complete the goals I have set.  More consistency on the track and on hills will certainly help.  I’m looking forward to the races I have planned this summer and I am determined to be better prepared for the Arkansas Traveler 100 in October.  EndurRun with Team M.E. will undoubtedly be a blast!

Vince’s grade: C-

Vince’s report card comment: Vince needs to put forth greater determination during the next reporting period in order to benefit and earn better results.  More hard work is required.  Vince is a good citizen, who is not working to his full capability and must lead by example.  We encourage him to improve his Monumental Effort during the next half of 2010.

Bill here.  My 2010 started rather disappointingly.  I had set a target date of April 25th to run a local marathon and failed to run it.  I didn’t even start.  I knew at the time that I was under trained and I’d be risking injury.  So instead, I’ve moved my marathon goal to August 12th as part of Team Monumental Effort, running the EndurRun.  As part of my training I’ve also scheduled a few races for added motivation.  I ran a 10K called the Mudpuppy Chase on May 2nd and managed my goal of less than 1 hour by finishing in 57:06 or so.  I also ran the inaugural Phlox Run 10K which turned out to be a fairly technical trail run with about 4K of consecutive single track trail.  It was very muddy and fun.  I turned in a 1:02:17 which I am fairly happy with.  I’ve got several more shorter races planned, the marathon in August and the The Run for the Toad in October.

Bill’s grade: B-

Bill’s report card comment: Bill is determined when he sets his mind to a task.  However, he’s easily distracted and has difficulty maintaining concentration on a single task through to completion.  With continued hard work and minimization of the amount of work items Bill takes on, he can certainly attain anything he has chosen to undertake.

Please click here to leave a comment on this or any of the other featured stories.  As always, you can share your Monumental Effort story by clicking the “Submit your story” tab at the top of the page.

Gotta run,

Vince

“It’s not easy being green” – Kermit the Frog

Happy Earth Day!  This important day has prompted Monumental Effort to offer hints and tips to runners on how we could be more environmentally conscious.  We are not suggesting that we are perfect when it comes to thinking about our planet, but we are hoping this post will serve us and others as a reminder that we all have a role to play.

1. Carry your own bottle: I co-Race Direct the Iroquoia Trail Test 32K race near Burlington, Ontario.  We have a strict limit of 175 runners, but usually get fewer than that on race day.  We have five aid stations on the course, some of which are visited twice by the runners.  Every year I am amazed at the amount of trash we generate.  Even with such a small field, we collect several bags of garbage.  Now imagine how many cups are discarded at bigger road events.  Some of the biggest marathons in North America have tens of thousands of runners and likely a dozen aid-stations.  What if each runner uses two or three cups per aid station?  I’m no mathematician, but that’s a lot of cups.  How many races in the U.S. and Canada each year?  How many finishers?  I carry a bottle at all my races and try not to use any cups.  Sure this costs me a few additional seconds at each aid-station but let’s face it, I’m not setting any speed records and certainly not contending for the win.  Some races (notably trail ultra marathons) have started requiring that runners carry a bottle and have altogether eliminated cups at aid-stations.
2. Goodie bags: Are these really necessary?  With all the information we could possibly need available in just the click of a mouse, are race flyers and pamphlets even relevant these days?  Most races have online registration and I assume a high percentage of entries are submitted via this medium, so the registration form and waiver are also obsolete.
3. Recycle your shoes: There are so many places that recycle shoes.  Check your local running stores as they often have boxes near the door to donate used shoes.  Other popular foundations include: Soles4Souls; Sole Responsibility, and Nike Reuse a Shoe.  Furthermore, some shoe companies have even designed shoes from biodegradable material…if the shoe fits….
   

   My pile of (slow) shoes which I recently donated to Haïti relief.

4. Travel or carpool with someone: When travelling to a race try to share a ride with other runners who live nearby.  Some events have limited parking space and reserve the prime spots to vehicles that have more than one rider.  If you are going out of town for an overnighter, many races have email forums which allow runners to get in touch and possibly make travel arrangements with others.
5. Eco-friendly tees: If you are a Race Director and absolutely want to give entrants a t-shirt, consider purchasing from a supplier with eco-friendly fabric.  More and more apparel companies are using organic cotton or bamboo to make their shirts.  One such company is Axis Gear Company in Toronto.  A percentage of sales is also donated to the David Suzuki Foundation.
6. Do trail work: Interestingly, more and more events are requiring runners to provide proof of volunteer trail work in order to be permitted to run the race.  This has sparked some debate, but if runners continually use local trail systems for training and leisure, shouldn’t they want to help preserve and maintain these trails?  This is certainly an area that I would like to improve upon.  Sure I donate regularly to the Bruce Trail Association, but I think it is high time I call the volunteer hot-line, dig out my work boots and gloves and join a team of volunteers for some trail maintenance work.
   

   "Heigh-ho, heigh-ho..."

7. Bring back trash: On your next trail training run, bring some trash back home.  If you see an empty can or bottle, pick it up and carry it back to your car and then properly discard it with your recycling at home.  Better yet, armed with garbage bags and your training buddies, organize a cleaning session on a section of trail.
8. Support Green Races: According to Runner’s World (by Kelly Bastone, from the November 2008 issue), below is the top-10 Greenest Races.  When preparing your next racing schedule, consider these:

1.  Austin Marathon, Tex.
As if solar generators, a finish-line farmers’ market, organic race tees, and bio-diesel vehicles weren’t enough, the event recycles 14,375 pounds of trash.
2. Nature’s Path Whidbey Island Marathon, Wash.
The event features an organic prerace dinner, goodie bags made of 100 percent postconsumer recycled paper, and finishers’ medallions made of recycled glass.
3. Manitoba Marathon, Canada
This Winnipeg event uses only compostable food-service items and diverts 1,723 pounds of plastic, cardboard, and aluminum from the landfill.
4. Canmore Rocky Mountain Half-Marathon, Canada
The start and finish areas are “waste-free zones,” where everything used must be reusable or recyclable. All proceeds from the 2007 event went to environmental causes.
5. City of Portland Triathlon, Ore.
Organizers use solar power and buy carbon credits to offset participant travel. Runners get local organic food, bamboo shirts, and age-group trophies made of recycled bike parts.
6. ING Hartford Marathon, Conn.
An innovative 2,000-gallon water fountain lets 40 runners drink at once, eliminating the use of 10,000 plastic bottles. Runners can enjoy a postrace feast of local and organic foods.
7. JP Morgan Chase Corporate Challenge Series
Participants get to races via shuttles or are urged to use a Web-based carpool coordinator. Other initiatives have saved five tons of paper, six tons of plastic, and 5,000 gallons of crude oil.
8. Portland Marathon, Ore.
Since 1993, more than 100,000 finishers have received a tree seedling. Also, aid stations are situated near hose connections, and bicycles are used for race-day course management.
9. Great Lakes Endurance, Mich.
This trail-running series serves mostly organic, locally grown food. Runners must carry their own water, and they receive organic cotton tees and prizes made by local artists.

Start of Green Lakes Endurance 50K & 100K

10. Eugene Marathon, Ore.
Volunteer “master recyclers” sort all garbage, collecting 70 percent of material for recycling. A solar generator powers the finish-line stage and vendor area.

Vince

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Last night I couldn’t sleep.  I tossed and turned, struggling to get comfortable in my king size bed, beneath my soft, flannel sheets and down filled duvet. At two in the morning I found myself splayed sideways across the bed and oddly my feet only lightly brushed the pajamas of my soundly sleeping spouse.  As I suffered in my 400-thread count sheets, my mind wandered to the book I’d just finished, a fantastic account of an Atlantic crossing in a rowboat by Julie Angus entitled, “Rowboat in a Hurricane”.  Specifically, I thought of Julie’s sleeping quarters on the rowboat; a tiny cabin essentially one third the width of a single bed with barely enough head room for an adult to sit up in without cracking their skull on the ceiling.  Dammit!  So now, not only was I becoming more and more sleep deprived by the minute, but felt completely guilty for my discomfort.  I blame Julie.

“Rowboat in a Hurricane” is the riveting tale of Julie and her boyfriend (now husband), Colin’s transatlantic, 10,000KM journey from Portugal to Costa Rica in their rowboat, Ondine.  As the title discloses the couple encounters a hurricane.  Actually, they encounter three.  Hurricane Vince, Hurricane Epsilon, and Hurricane Delta; not to mention Tropical Storm Zeta.  I’ve cowered like a frightened child on Great Lake ferries, so read these accounts with my jaw on the floor.  Who in their right mind would put themselves into this kind of situation?  But wait, isn’t that the state of mind that leads to greatness?  Of course it is.  It’s the same good-crazy that drives people to run hundreds of miles, to push their bodies to their limits and beyond.  Isn’t it?

Hurricanes are only the beginning of the interesting things that happen to the couple as they row. Some of the highlights include:

• A visit from a Great White Shark
• An amorous sea turtle with an interest in rowboats
• Kamikaze flying fish
• A close encounter with a giant ocean Freighter
• Holidays and birthdays at sea
• A possible pregnancy

I’ll leave it to you, the reader to discover the latter on your own as you read.

Perhaps the most compelling aspect of this book is the direct, first hand account of the environmental impact that humanity has inflicted upon it’s oceans.  I can only imagine the sadness one must feel being in the middle of ocean, thousands of miles from any major cities and seeing garbage float past your boat.  What else could explain hurricanes forming where and when they’ve never formed before except our changing environment?  Julie’s first hand account of these events serve to emphasize that we must change if we are to survive.  Qutie simply, if the oceans die, we die.

Should you read this book?  Absolutely, yes!  Go buy it today, you won’t be disappointed.  As far as Monumental Efforts go, we each have our own.  Some of us struggle to get up stairs, or to open cans.  Some strive to push their bodies to their limits, both physically and psychologically through grueling tests of endurance.  Then there are those who simply defy comprehension and definition; like Julie Angus.

To purchase Rowboat in a Hurricane click the book cover at the top of this post.
To learn more about Julie and Colin, click http://www.angusadventures.com/