When I finish the Black Earth 10 Mile on Saturday, I'll be glad I don't have another 52 miles to go. This will be my fourth BE10, and altogether I won't have racked up anything close to 100K. Good luck to the ultrarunners in Madison this weekend! After I shower, maybe I'll come over and root 'em on. Seeing Jurek in the flesh would be pretty cool.

BE10 is a Hash House Harriers event, so consequently it's a very low-key (yet pretty competitive) affair. Registration, day of, is only $3. E-mail Kristine at krg@oregon.k12.wi.us for more info.

Fleet Feet in Madison is also organizing a bike ride to and from Black Earth for the race; an opportunity for a brick workout for the duathletes/triathletes out there. (I biked from Mount Horeb last year. Shorter but hillier.)

quote:<HR>Originally posted by RunForFun:
Hey Wisconsin - Finally its racing season - Although I am far from in shape - yet - I am about 2 month behind, but catching up fast. If any of you are doing the 100k in Madison Easter weekend - I would love to hear how it goes and your thoughts.<HR>

I did the Mad City 100K this weekend as a relay runner. It really was a great event. The weather was definitely sub-par, but it was great to see eveyone out there. It was very cold (20s) and very windy (20 mph winds), but most of the course was relatively sheltered. The worst part was the last .6 miles of each loop (and probably the first .5 of the next loop) as there was a nasty headwind and we were right on the lake.

I ran it as my last training run before Boston. Ran with a very cool lady and just took it easy. The last 2 miles I picked it up and it was fun to come in strong. Once I get stronger I would love to venture into the ultra world. Some of the elites were just amazing out there - it was an honor to run with them.

Larry,

At first I thought it was nuts to do 10 loops around the arb for such a long race, but it really is a great course and pretty sheltered if there is bad weather (like yesterday). The relay was very fun of course b/c you only have to run one or 2 loops. The race director was great too and very into the race. He sent around a ton of e-mails pre-race and they seemed on top of their game.

My main problem was that I am not used to the spread they have at ultras. I grabbed a drink cup at an aid station thinking it was gatorade and it was mountain dew! Not cool!!

Enough of that though, best of luck to you at Boston! What is your goal? Be sure to report back when you get settled back in. I am so looking forward to it. We are going to a Sox game on Sunday, then the big day!!! Hopefully we will get some good weather!!

Mindi

http://This message has been edited by runninlaw (edited Apr-08-2007).

I saw no coverage in the Madison papers of the 100K National Championships. Not the day of the event, nor the day after. The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel had a piece on their "off the couch" blog last Wednesday, but no follow-up that I se. I look forward to reading a through report in Ultrarunning magazine, but you would think the event would have warranted some local media attention. It was a NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS taking place in our backyard, afterall. What gives?

Hmmm. I heard there were 56 solo entrants. From the results it looks like there were several DNF/DNS. The relay was actually pretty successful for a first time event. While I was on a 5 person team, there were many more 10 person teams. Multiply that by 24 and you have a fair showing for a new and very long race.

With that said, I was disappointed at the lack of media coverage and there were very few spectators due to the nasty weather. Running wasn't too bad, but sitting around Vilas was FREEZING! Realistically though, my impression is that ultras are pretty small affairs. They certainly have not caught on at all like marathons.

Larry: Good luck to you in Boston too. I sure hope the weather cooperates some! I am hopin for a 3:25, but I qualified at 3:37 - it may be hard for me to move up in the pack. I trained for the 3:25, but if conditions don't allow it, I too plan to just kick back and enjoy Boston!

Anyone doing the Oshkosh Half Marathon this weekend?