Archive for July, 2015

REFLECTIONS FROM A ’47 ROADSTER

Posted: July 28, 2015 by coachwestbrook in Daily Runs & Reflections
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JULY 28, 2015 (TUESDAY)

On the Silver Comet Trail this morning for 10.6 miles.  The SCT is one of my favorite running venues in the Atlanta area.  And, it’s not very crowded on a weekday morning.  I ran in the old Brooks Glycerin 9’s which now have 2500+ miles on them…still feeling good, but I can tell that the days for long runs in them are over.  Will they reach 3000 miles?  I think so…in small doses.

I think I’m still recovering from the Vol-State Road Race in which I crashed and burned picking up a DNF (Did Not Finish.)  That was on the heels of a debacle of a finish in the Peach State 300 in May which hit me hard physically and mentally.  In fact, if it wasn’t for my daughter, Season, being with me and helping me in the Peach State over the last 15 miles…I might still be there trying to finish.

I didn’t want to feel that way again, especially in the Vol-State.  But, I could feel it coming on after 250 miles. However, the big problem then was in my back with the lower back hurting with increasing pain with every few steps.  So, I decided to stop…to race again another day.  It’s just that a “DNF” is hard to swallow, especially in one of my favorite races.

I did wear the Altra Paradigm 1.5’s in their first race.  The shoes from a somewhat revolutionary company (based on evolutionary physiology) performed very well.  They held up well…better than the Hoka Clifton’s I had used in the Peach State 300.

So, the good run on the SCT had me thinking of trying to get my running through the recovery and feel good for the next race coming up.  I have a couple of problems to solve that I will be working on in training.  One is biomechanical.  The other, I think, is related to electrolyte levels in the long run.  Hopefully, I can solve those before the next race.

The next race is probably going to be “A Race for the Ages” on Labor Day weekend.  It will be a 24-hour run with some handicapping for those over 60 years of age (me.)

*Richard Westbrook

LAVS 2015 FINALE!

Posted: July 23, 2015 by smrtnsasy in Race Reports
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Vol State final location for Westbrook

Vol State final location for Westbrook

OK, folks, here you go..the final update for Vol State. In Westbrook’s words he, “crashed and burned.” In reality, he was doing well with fewer breaks than in prior years and moving right along. He took a break in Manchester, TN to wait out a storm and eat a little. Not sure if it was gradual or all of a sudden but the back pain hit (similar but different than Peach State 300). He ran a little further out but continued to feel shooting pain with every step he took, so he had to walk back into Manchester.

He finished with a completion of 257 miles. There remained 57 miles to go until the end of the race. We had to pick him up as the storm made it’s way to our house and knocked out all of the power and internet for a little too long. So, after running so far and ending in pain, he had to come back to a house with no power.

LAVS 2015 Day 5 – 24 Hour Update

Posted: July 14, 2015 by smrtnsasy in Race Reports
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Vol State day 5, 24 hour check-in, Westbrook's location

Vol State day 5, 24 hour check-in, Westbrook’s location

As of the end of day 5, Westbrook has covered 227 miles and is past Shelbyville, TN. He has slipped into 12th place in the screwed division consisting of 45 other runners. Overall, the crewed and unsupported runners total 61 with Westbrook holding 16th place. Only 87 miles to go until the FINISH!

LAVS 2015 Day 5 – 12 Hour Update

Posted: July 13, 2015 by smrtnsasy in Race Reports
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Vol State day 5, 12 hour check-in, Westbrook's location

Vol State day 5, 12 hour check-in, Westbrook’s location

Day 5 and Westbrook maintains 9th place out of 45 unsupported competitors. He has completed 212 miles and is past Lewisburg, TN. Just over 100 miles to go. Keep it up, Westbrook. We are cheering you on.

LAVS 2015 Day 4 – 24 Hour Update

Posted: July 13, 2015 by smrtnsasy in Race Reports
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Vol State day 4, 24 hour check-in, Westbrook's location

Vol State day 4, 24 hour check-in, Westbrook’s location

Westbrook is definitely feeling better and moving along. He has covered 193 miles and is just past Culleoka, TN. In the screwed (unsupported) division he is holding 9th place. Way to go!

LAVS 2015 Day 4 – 12 Hour Update

Posted: July 12, 2015 by smrtnsasy in Race Reports
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Vol State day 4, 12 hour check-in, Westbrook's location

Vol State day 4, 12 hour check-in, Westbrook’s location

In the screwed division, Westbrook is holding 12th place with one other runner. More unsupported runners dropped out of the race…4 more to be exact for a new total of 45. At this point, Westbrook is past Hampshire, TN with 170 miles behind him. Less than halfway to go, yay!

LAVS 2015 Day 3 – 24 Hour Update

Posted: July 12, 2015 by smrtnsasy in Race Reports
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Vol State day 3, 24 hour check-in, Westbrook's location

Vol State day 3, 24 hour check-in, Westbrook’s location

After 3 days complete, Westbrook is taking a break in Hohenwald, TN with 144 miles behind him. He had some difficult times, only being able to keep some V8 juice down and vomiting anything else up. I am sure the heat tends to get to everyone out there suffering through it. The heat index today is going to be 105 degrees. 4 more screwed runners have quit leaving a total of 49. Westbrook is currently 16th place tied with 3 other people. Pray he makes it along in the extreme heat today without any more issues.

LAVS 2015 Day 3 – 12 Hour Update

Posted: July 12, 2015 by smrtnsasy in Race Reports
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Screen Shot 2015-07-12 at 1.33.41 AM

Vol State day 3, 12 hour check-in, Westbrook’s location

As of day 3, two more runners have quit the race, both from the screwed division. Westbrook is moving on up and is now 14th place out of 53 total unsupported competitors. At the day 3, 12 hour check-in, Westbrook has pounded out 127 miles and is past Linden, TN. He tends to move ahead in the latter days of the race so we will see where he is again in the morning for the 24 hour check-in.

LAVS 2015 Day 2 – 24 Hour Update

Posted: July 11, 2015 by smrtnsasy in Race Reports
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Here are a few photos from the Last Annual Vol State facebook page for this year’s race. – “The Mississippi River was up about 20 feet and which submerged the first 1/4 mile of the course. We added an out and back to make up the unavailable portion.”

The start of the race is underwater. Hickman, KY.

The start of the race is underwater. Hickman, KY.

Start of Vol State 2015, underwater.

Start of Vol State 2015, underwater.

Richard Westbrook in Hickman, KY during the 2015 Vol State road race.

Richard Westbrook in Hickman, KY during the 2015 Vol State road race.

Richard Westbrook in Union City, TN during the 2015 Vol State road race.

Richard Westbrook in Union City, TN during the 2015 Vol State road race.

Vol State day 2, 24 hour check-in, Westbrook's location

Vol State day 2, 24 hour check-in, Westbrook’s location

Richard Westbrook is currently holding 29th place, out of 57 total unsupported runners. He is just passed Lexington, TN. The photos above show him running through Hickman, KY in the beginning of the race and then just before Union City, TN at the 20 mile mark. I have not heard from him today, but will keep the updates coming. Stay tuned…

LAVS 2015 Day 2 – 12 Hour Update

Posted: July 11, 2015 by smrtnsasy in Race Reports
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Vol State day 2, 12 hour check-in, Westbrook's location

Vol State day 2, 12 hour check-in, Westbrook’s location

On day 2 and his 12 hour check-in, Westbrook is at 81 miles approaching Parker’s Crossroads. In the screwed division he is in 26th place along with 2 other runners. As of this point, 6 runners total have dropped out of the race. 4 screwed and 2 crewed runners have quit, notice the gravestones on the map.

Also, I am editing the previous updates I have posted. I had Richard’s place wrong. I was reading the list in order when the names were mixed up by mileage. He began in 36th place at his 12 hour check-in, then moved to 19th place tied with one other runner by the 24 hour check-in. The next update is soon to follow.

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