Kettle Moraine 50k (6:11:23)

I had been feeling weak for the last two weeks and couldn't run much. My expectation of this race was similar to IAT 50k except it starts at 1 pm. Well...considering the sun, I just need to go slow and listen to my body. The only thing kept bugging me was the lone peak 3.0 that didn't work out well on warm days. Anyway, we were off at 1 pm and the weather was unexpectedly nice for running except I fell once again around mile 3 that left bad scratches. The first half (13.1m) went by quick. However, the other half got me so badly with three bummers: (1) I recall now that I never liked heed, the sports drink. I kept drinking to stay hydrated and my stomach didn't like it at all (regret that I should've had only water as usual); (2) when the sun eventually out at mile 13, my feet were too warm so took off the calf compression for changing a shoe was not an option (it's out and back). It did help, but the main problem was the shoe that I won't wear this again on warm days. (3) I guess I went a bit too fast and the way back to the finish was very tough and I often felt a bit dizzy along with a stomach issue. So in sum, it was a rough day, but I am glad it's done.

strava: https://www.strava.com/activities/1613647103

Starved Rock Marathon (3:42:05 AG 2nd place)

The start- the race got delayed by 45min due to thunderstorm so we started off at 7:45 am. Still light raining, but then it got better (just cloudy with strong headwind).

The pace - since the weather wasn't too nice, I was going pretty slow making sure that I got warmed up nicely. Then, at mile 4 I caught up a friend whom I couldn't find at the start line. We started chatting and pacing together all the way to the finish line which was nice. So I guess I didn't push hard, but had a pleasant (and easiest) race.

The course- there was a pretty steep hill right after mile 10, but other than that there were rolling hills time to time.

The race shoe- I picked up the Altra Escalante Racer 2018, but worried quite a bit for I tested it only up to 13miles. It was holding pretty well than expected (maybe it was because I was not pushing hard enough...). I was feeling the fatigue around mile 20 and hoped my shoe had the cloud like cushion of hoka's original clifton. In any case, we were determined not to walk and so continued. Interestingly, my legs are just doing fine now so either the recovery seems very fast or I didn't run hard. It was still mentally challenging thou.

The unexpected - at mile 22 or 23, right after we passed a train track, there was a freight train going through. I guess some of the runners were stuck there.

The overall impression - I liked the (memorable) hills and the course so may come back again next year and also recommend to give a try.

strava

Earth Day 50K (5:28:17)

My 3rd ED 50k at Crystal Lake went well.  I wanted to hammer down the finish time under 5 hours, but soon I realize that the course was much harder than I remembered.  I think the steep downhill gave damages on the body that 3rd-6th loops were no longer my race.  I picked the altra lone peak which I had been training with, but guess my footstep (considering the shoe weight on heavy side) was not light enough that I fell down two times badly and time to time I was not sure whether I could finish the race which I did. Comparing to last year, I ran about 30 minutes faster, but close to my first ED 50k so my verdict for this race is reasonable.

To my surprise, I once again won the age group (3^rd place).

strava: https://www.strava.com/activities/1523285367

Paleozoic Trail Runs 50K (4:56:10)

It went well...I meant really well that I achieved two goals-finish under 5 hours and 2nd place in age group.

The longest distance I covered since last November was 14 miles on the road and this fact made me worry about how my body would respond after 20 miles.  About a month ago, I started running everyday by combining long and short runs, but run everyday.  That increased my weekly mileage from 30-40miles to 50-60miles.  I am not too certain whether the increased distance was the game changer, but I was able to hold on to keep going.  Of course, it was hard, but when I was getting close to the finish line, I knew that I can go at least up to 40 miles.  So that was a good sign for my new training method.

With Chris at the start/finish line (he and I placed 9th and 11th overall, respectively.

With Jung Kim for the first a few miles.

https://www.strava.com/activities/1469911976

What races I am looking into now for 2018?

Now that I am pretty much done with races in 2017.  I was thinking of doing HUFF50K or Arctic frog 50K, but am not sure at the moment.

So far, the races I already signed up or am thinking of signing up for are:

- Paleozoic Trail Runs 50K (03/25)
- Earth Day 50K (04/21)
- Samuel Adams Starved Rock County Marathon (05/12)
- Kettle 50K (06/02)
- Tunnel Hill 50 mile (11/10)

40th Chicago Marathon (3:42:56)

What a day!  This was my first Chicago Marathon and the course and the vibe were fantastic!
All flat, first half was quite nice with shade and second half was a bit challenge fighting with the brutal heat and mentally myself.  I felt the degree of efforts wasn't any different than running 50K or 50M trail races.  I felt bad when I had to walk which happened several times mostly at the water station.  I need to train better with high volume of mileages and core strength + squat.  Got lots of lessons needed to practice.

Always pleasant to running into my family on the course.  This was probably mile 13.

Finisher medal and beer - can't go wrong...

strava data: https://www.strava.com/activities/1221422968

Evergreen Lake Ultras 50K (5:29:33)

I enjoyed this race last year so signed up pretty early with no hesitation.  The difference the organizer made from last year was that the course was on a reverse direction and no muddy trail (as to no rain).  From my old memory, the course was all runnable meaning no steep hills so I decided to pace based on how I feel not worrying about saving energy in the tank.  Now, the course is not exactly same as before and noticed there were more hills; actually. the elevation gain was doubled from 760ft (last year) to 1600 ft (this year).  So clearly, I made a mistake that I should've slowed down when hitting hills which I didn't.  When finishing up the 1st loop (15.5 miles), I was informed coming in as 2nd place.  I smiled and that won't be true for the next loop.  Indeed, I started struggling from a fall once and hills (my quads and calfs were somewhat cramping).  I walked a lot for the last 3 miles?  Three runners passed me which I couldn't help.  When I was 400 yards to go to the finish line, I heard someone approaching very fast.  And then he said I won't pass, but push you to finish strong.  I really appreciated his friendly gesture.  So I was the 6th overall and 5th in male that was good enough for a top 6 male award.

With Andrew who pushed to finish strong!

Running in the heat!

strava data: https://www.strava.com/activities/1175957489