Success vs. Failure
Lets talk about success and failure. What does it mean to fail or succeed at something? To understand success first we have to understand failure. Our society often has a love affair akin to romanticism with failure. They say phrases like, "We learned from it and got stronger." Failure is part of the learning process and we improve from it." and "Failure is part of life and a good thing." Many see failure as not meeting perfection. They say that unless one sets the course record on a course then they are a failure. Unless they win the competition they are a failure. What a pessimistic depressing way to think and live. No, people should rarely fail.
Let me offer a different view on this subject. What is failure? Failure is when one does not act or try. Often people may not act out of fear of failure. However, my thesis here is lack of acting is the failure. Let me give an example to show my point. Imagine a 12 year old who wants to learn to ride a bike. However they are too afraid to fail and refuse to even get on the bike. They refuse to even try, that is failing. Now imagine the kid tries and got on the bike and does not learn to ride the bike. That is success. They TRIED! They put forth and honest effort and improved.
Now imagine the Super Bowl. Did the losing team fail? Let me ask did they put forth an honest effort and try? Did the victors succeed? Once again, ask, did they put forth an honest effort and give it their all? If the losing team put forth an honest effort they they were successful. If the victors were cheating, lazy, or just did not care, then they failed!
How should we apply this to running and be successful at running a race? Easy, give it an honest effort and run to your potential. Will there be races where you run at 75% because you have an "A" race in 2 weeks, you don't feel emotionally, mentally or physically as vested, or you are just having an off day? Sure. But if you give an honest effort where you actually try and run to your potential for that day then you are successful. I have a friend who coaches 5 and 6 year old kids. He tells them,
"Quitters never win. Winners never quit." This should be your goal. You might not set the course record but if you run to your potential and give an honest effort then you are abundantly successful.
When running an "A" race I try to run right on the edge of my abilities where any faster and I'd falter and bonk; and slower and I'd not be running within my potential. Finding this sweet spot is difficult and takes a lot of practice, and even then depends upon what the day and race throw your way. Does this mean you need to run at the edge of your abilities to be successful? No. Once again to be successful you need to try and give an honest effort and enjoy the experience. Some days this will be a greater effort than others. Regardless of the finishing result if you run within your potential giving an honest effort then you will be a phenomenal running success! Go out there and work towards your goals. Enjoy the process and journey and you will be successful having all ready won before the race even starts!
Timmy
Saturday, August 3, 2019
Wednesday, July 17, 2019
1st Place: Kendall Mountain Run
I've been looking forward to Kendall Mountain all year. The race runs up jeep roads, with some high scrambling, from the quintessential Colorado town of Silverton up to 13,000. This year would mark my 5th year in a row of racing and I was determined to better my previous finishes from the last 4 years of 2nd, 3rd, 3rd, and 2nd place respectively. This year I knew I was fit and I was gunning for both the joy and the victory.
After camping out near by and waking up in near paradise I was ready.
By mile one I had a few second lead and knew I had to keep racing. The run gains 3,700 feet in about 5.5 miles. I pushed on up the steep rocky jeep road which was more wet even a little sloppy in a few places: a direct result of the the extensive winter and all the high mountain snow. Around 1 mile into the race I even had to run through a stream that was loudly flowing across the dirt road.
The 6 miles uphill are unrelenting. They are steep, rocky, steep, with thin air, and did I mention steep! Miles 2 through 4 were painful! I simultaneously ignored the pain and welcomed it. I ignored the hurt and welcomed the challenge. My lead was a minor 15 seconds over Tate Lagasca. Finally we reached 12,000 feet. Normally this is a great place to open up and run faster and smoother as the terrain (although higher) is not as steep. However, this year there were 10 snowfield crossings going up. Aravaipa Running did a great job shoveling in steps into the snow crossings for the runners.
Photo by Meghan Hicks/IRunFar
At 12,700 feet the jeep road running ends and the run heads straight up Kenadall mountain. Runners must power hike and pull themselves up using both hands and feet, until they summit and are treated to the amazing views in the heart of the San Juan's and Weminuchi. But Alas, upon touching the summit rock I immediately turned for the decent. My lead was a scant 20 seconds. I carefully bombed down the scramble climb back to the road and then tried to maintain about a 5:30 downhill pace which of course was intermittently interrupted by the snowfields crossings.
The downhill was fast, yet controlled and allowed my lead to grow. I wore the trusty Altra Olympus for traction and support. And honestly I can't complain about excessive soreness. I crossed the finish line in 1:44:19 a little more than 2 minutes over 2nd place. The run was a little slower with the snow crossings. I figure they slowed everyone down by 2-3 minutes. Overall, the day was fantastic: the snow crossings and blue bird skies and mountain snow interlaced with tendrils of mountain meadows, and smooth mountain peaks.
Praise God I can breath and run in such a pristine ethereal venue!
After camping out near by and waking up in near paradise I was ready.
By mile one I had a few second lead and knew I had to keep racing. The run gains 3,700 feet in about 5.5 miles. I pushed on up the steep rocky jeep road which was more wet even a little sloppy in a few places: a direct result of the the extensive winter and all the high mountain snow. Around 1 mile into the race I even had to run through a stream that was loudly flowing across the dirt road.
The 6 miles uphill are unrelenting. They are steep, rocky, steep, with thin air, and did I mention steep! Miles 2 through 4 were painful! I simultaneously ignored the pain and welcomed it. I ignored the hurt and welcomed the challenge. My lead was a minor 15 seconds over Tate Lagasca. Finally we reached 12,000 feet. Normally this is a great place to open up and run faster and smoother as the terrain (although higher) is not as steep. However, this year there were 10 snowfield crossings going up. Aravaipa Running did a great job shoveling in steps into the snow crossings for the runners.
At 12,700 feet the jeep road running ends and the run heads straight up Kenadall mountain. Runners must power hike and pull themselves up using both hands and feet, until they summit and are treated to the amazing views in the heart of the San Juan's and Weminuchi. But Alas, upon touching the summit rock I immediately turned for the decent. My lead was a scant 20 seconds. I carefully bombed down the scramble climb back to the road and then tried to maintain about a 5:30 downhill pace which of course was intermittently interrupted by the snowfields crossings.
The downhill was fast, yet controlled and allowed my lead to grow. I wore the trusty Altra Olympus for traction and support. And honestly I can't complain about excessive soreness. I crossed the finish line in 1:44:19 a little more than 2 minutes over 2nd place. The run was a little slower with the snow crossings. I figure they slowed everyone down by 2-3 minutes. Overall, the day was fantastic: the snow crossings and blue bird skies and mountain snow interlaced with tendrils of mountain meadows, and smooth mountain peaks.
Praise God I can breath and run in such a pristine ethereal venue!
Tuesday, July 16, 2019
1st Place: CR at Run the Wolf
Schweitzer Mountain Resort: Sandpoint, Idaho: July 6th: Inaugural Run the Wolf 25k: US Skyrunning Race
The race started out with a short 100 yard warm up followed direct with the first hill of the day. The course ran straight up the blue ski run for 400 feet. I took the lead and maintained a consistent yet easily controlled cantor, not full on running around a controlled jog. At the top I turned and ran down a serpentine single track back near the start and then headed off in a general counter clockwise loop of the main course. There was good competition and we ran along on the skiing roads and catwalks of the resorts in a pact of about 4-5 runners. After 2 miles of mixed catwalks and single tracks the front pack that I was leading had dwindled down to one other runner Peter Butler who was matching my pace stride for stride.
Around mile 3 we got on a wide service road with even, smooth, mostly flat footing. We picked up the pace now running sub 6 minute miles. Neither of us were willing to relax the pace. The road started a slow yet ever increasing decent. Peter and I picked it up. We were now running sub 5:30 miles. This was too fast... yet I could do, surely Peter would slow down. Peter thought the same; that surely I would slow down from the incredible pace. There was only one thing to do: Run Faster! I increased the pace to hover at 5:00 minute mile pace. This was fast! But it was "sea level" and we were running downhill. Peter reciprocated and kept within a yard of me. My mile splits were the following: 5:46, 5:07, 5:21, 5:15. This included clocking a 16:14 5k. Wow!
Finally with 4 speedy miles in a row Peter subsided his pace. I now had the lead just in time to start the 2 mile and 2000 foot climb up the ski slope. At this point I slowed dramatically to a steady, consistent hike focusing on just continuously putting one foot in front of the other over the incredibly steep terrain. My next 2 miles were a 12:34 mile with a gain of about 600 feet, then a 20:34 mile with an outrageous gain of 1,316 feet! Whoa! I estimated my lead had now grown to about 2 to 3 minutes. I ran on feeling confident and strong.
The next 8 miles consisted of double track, single track, another crazy steep mile long 1,400 foot climb up a steep mountain wall and a 1,600 foot decent down a single track with 40 or more switchbacks.
I crossed the finish line in 1st place setting the Course Record in 2:31 about 8 minutes ahead of Peter. The Altra Olympus is amazing! They held up to the brutally fast sub 5:00 minute pace, the continuous pounding of mountain running, and provided the support and grip need for the trail and off trail running!
Tuesday, June 18, 2019
1st Place: Leadville Heavy Half
A lot of snow and cool temps resulting in slow melting have forced many Colorado races to alter their courses or even flat out cancel their races this year. The Leadville Mosquito Pass Heavy Half was not exception. With snow still 2-3 feet deep at 12,000 feet and much deeper on parts of Mosquito Pass the race had to find an alternate course for the weekend. The Heavy Half 2019 course ran up 5th street to Adelaide Park, over and down to Cal Gultch, up to Printer Boy, down to Iowa Gulch, up Iowa Gulch towards the base of Mt Sherman and then back again.
I was ready for a great race. This was my first big race of the year and I was ready! I felt fit and ready to roll for the 15 mile race. My race plan was simple. Uptempo from the gun all the way uphill and see what my lead would be. I knew I would be up front and was ready.
I had an easy mile warm up and a few slow easy strides:
I was ready. The Star Spangled Banner sung and then the shotgun blasted. We were off.
I took it easy running a 7 minute opening mile. Yet, I found myself with only 2 or 3 other runners everyone else had fallen back in the pace. The first 2 miles gain over 800 feet. The dirt road we ran up got steeper. I maintained the pace and dropped the other runners. This gave me a slight 10-15 second lead. I now had the lead, my job was to increase it. I cruised down from Adelaide Park to California Gulch then once again pushed the pace up the paved road to Printer Boy.
The road was familiar. I've run it 100's of times mostly in the winter. I would not let up. I summited Printer Boy and from here the trail got fun. There was the following 1 mile rocky jeep road decent, followed by the 3 mile uphill to about 11,800 feet. I pushed all the way up, feeling strong and knew I was extending my lead. I hit the turn around in 59:47. My lead was about 1 minute 20 seconds ahead of 2nd. Solid.
I took off controlled downhill maintaining a comfortable just under 6 minute pace per mile for the next 3 miles. The run felt comfortable almost like a training day. Meanwhile 2nd place pushed his pace on the downhill to catch up. This maneuver paid off. With 3 mile to go 2nd place caught me. Averaging sub 7 minute miles above 10,000 feet with 2,500 feet gain for the previous 12 miles was not enough. It was time to race!
We hit the dirt road and hill up to Adelaide Park with about 2.8 miles to the finish. I raced up the hill and gained a messily 15 seconds. It was enough. The last 2 miles I ran downhill running 4:52 and 4:53 miles back to back. This was enough; my lead was secured.
I crossed the finish line clocking a 1:39:25 for the 15 mile course: Sub 6:30 average/mile on the course.
The race was fast! My Altra Olympus did the trick. They were both light enough yet also provided grip and cushion for the rocky trails, pounding downhill, and speedy conditions. Special Thanks to Altra. Glad I can be a part of # Team Altra. Thanks for thinking outside the box and making great shoes.
I was ready for a great race. This was my first big race of the year and I was ready! I felt fit and ready to roll for the 15 mile race. My race plan was simple. Uptempo from the gun all the way uphill and see what my lead would be. I knew I would be up front and was ready.
I had an easy mile warm up and a few slow easy strides:
I was ready. The Star Spangled Banner sung and then the shotgun blasted. We were off.
I took it easy running a 7 minute opening mile. Yet, I found myself with only 2 or 3 other runners everyone else had fallen back in the pace. The first 2 miles gain over 800 feet. The dirt road we ran up got steeper. I maintained the pace and dropped the other runners. This gave me a slight 10-15 second lead. I now had the lead, my job was to increase it. I cruised down from Adelaide Park to California Gulch then once again pushed the pace up the paved road to Printer Boy.
The road was familiar. I've run it 100's of times mostly in the winter. I would not let up. I summited Printer Boy and from here the trail got fun. There was the following 1 mile rocky jeep road decent, followed by the 3 mile uphill to about 11,800 feet. I pushed all the way up, feeling strong and knew I was extending my lead. I hit the turn around in 59:47. My lead was about 1 minute 20 seconds ahead of 2nd. Solid.
I took off controlled downhill maintaining a comfortable just under 6 minute pace per mile for the next 3 miles. The run felt comfortable almost like a training day. Meanwhile 2nd place pushed his pace on the downhill to catch up. This maneuver paid off. With 3 mile to go 2nd place caught me. Averaging sub 7 minute miles above 10,000 feet with 2,500 feet gain for the previous 12 miles was not enough. It was time to race!
We hit the dirt road and hill up to Adelaide Park with about 2.8 miles to the finish. I raced up the hill and gained a messily 15 seconds. It was enough. The last 2 miles I ran downhill running 4:52 and 4:53 miles back to back. This was enough; my lead was secured.
I crossed the finish line clocking a 1:39:25 for the 15 mile course: Sub 6:30 average/mile on the course.
The race was fast! My Altra Olympus did the trick. They were both light enough yet also provided grip and cushion for the rocky trails, pounding downhill, and speedy conditions. Special Thanks to Altra. Glad I can be a part of # Team Altra. Thanks for thinking outside the box and making great shoes.
Thursday, May 2, 2019
1st Place Course Record: Amasa 25k & Behind the Rocks 30k
Amasa 25k:
The desert! I went from the muddy and snow filled 30s and 40s of Leadville to the desert terrain of Moab. In Grand Junction I picked up Timbo Jenkins who had flown out from Kentucky to see what the desert Moab running is all about. We slept 40 yards from the start in the back of my 4Runner listening to rain pitter-patter on the roof.
After a leisure and relaxing start to the morning, coupled with an easy and slow warm up we were off. Ryan Smith quickly took the lead and gained 10 - 15 seconds on the rest of the field. He was ready for a great fast day. He led the first mile up a dirt road. At mile 2 we jumped onto a rough Jeep trail that required a little route finding. I quickly caught Ryan and we ran together uphill following the slick rock Jeep Trail. We flew by a few jeeps and quickly ran across Kane Creek which was about 4 inches deep. I gained a short separation from Ryan and pushed the hill determined to maintain the cadence to the top of Jackson's Ladder.
Jackson's Ladder is a steep trail winding and switch backing on itself down a narrow gap in the 300 foot tall cliff bands. The trail is renown in Moab and known for its steepness, ruggedness, and sheer delight it offers. It is nearly impossible to get into a steady consistent pace. I took the ladder one rung at a time not pushing the pace, it would be all too easy to fall and get injured. After descending into Jackson's Basin I once again pushed the pace as I ran around Jackson's Butte. Here I slowly increased my lead to 60 to 90 seconds. Then it was back up Jackson's Ladder. I power hiked and jogged up the Ladder ensuring I would have some energy for the last five miles.
After the ladder the race went back on rocky and sandy Jeep trail, route finding slick rock, and cairn laced single track. I maintained my pace but felt a little sluggish. I checked my lead and still had over a minute, could not let up. "Must maintain." I told myself. I ran down towards to the finish and knew the win was in my grasp. Then 100 yards before the finish the race crossed Kane Creek again... only this time it was backed because of its closeness to the Colorado River. The Creek was 10 yards wide and 7 feet deep. I jumped in and slowly doggy paddled to the other side. The water, pungent brown and full of fresh decaying plant matter was cool and wonderfully refreshing. This was followed by a muddy and slick climb out of the ravine and a light jog to the finish.
I wore my new favorite shoe the Altra Olympus. The shoe had ample cushion, grip, and support for the hard slick rock, soft mushy sand, and steep and uneven terrain.
Mad Moose hosted the race. Chris Martinez of Grassroots was an outstanding race director in years past. He is moving out of the Moab area. Wishing you the best of luck and health Chris! Justin Ricks and crew of Mad Moose has taken over. Great job guys!
4 races, 4 podiums this year for Altra. Their shoes are helping me go the distance!
March: Behind the Rocks 30k: 1st CR
March: Salida Marathon: 2nd
January: Arches 1/2 Marathon: 2nd
Monday, January 7, 2019
2019: New Year
Happy New Year. I'm excited to represent the Altra Red Team moving forward. 2019 will be full of races! I have over 25 races planned and hope to run fast and well. Training has started, albeit slow, I needed some time off after 15 difficult races last year. I'll be posting more in the coming days so tune back in. Thanks!
Monday, December 10, 2018
1st Place CR: Sawmill Trail Race:17 Miler
Sawmill 17 Miler: I ran the Sawmill 17 Miler in Golden this last week. The course is run in White Ranch Park on the north west side of Golden. I stayed at my brothers house in Golden and it was a good thing. It was cold out! 18 degrees. I parked a mile away from the start , along with everyone else, and hopped in a shuttle to the start. By 6:06 I had my bib and was standing outside freezing. I hopped back in a shuttle and went back to my car for the next 25 minutes. After warming up I returned to the start.
My race plan was to take it relaxed and easy, treating the race like a training run... and also try and break the course record. Soon I was running by myself on meandering trails run through grassy dales, and wooded glens. The course consistently threw hills and there seemed to be very little flat areas. It was fun. There were icy spots but for the most part there was rolling single track on smooth hard pact dirt. I kept a sharp eye out for course markings; after all, I did not want to go off course.
I knew my lead was solid and I would win the race providing I stayed the course. Half way through I figured I was on time to break the course record... but something kept telling me that the race would be a little long and I could not rest on my laurels. With 4 miles to go I consistently increased the pace to be sure I would break the course record of 2:24. I ran down and crossed in 2:23:30 for the course record.
The race helped me appreciate how difficult wins are. I have to be ready and prepared, and fit. Not an easy task. I had to make sure I followed the course and not get lost. Also a challenge. The footing with ice, rocks, and uneven terrain can be challenging. The race reaffirmed that running and racing is challenging and success at a high level can not be taken for granted.
A lot of people were racing and anyone that finished the race showed tenacity and was successful. I was thankful for the opportunity to run. The win marked my 6th win for the year, 4th course record, and 12 podium finishes.
As I ponder and look back at the success of this year I am grateful for the opportunity to race. The year had great races and poor ones: ups and downs, just like life. Keep running with Endurance!
My race plan was to take it relaxed and easy, treating the race like a training run... and also try and break the course record. Soon I was running by myself on meandering trails run through grassy dales, and wooded glens. The course consistently threw hills and there seemed to be very little flat areas. It was fun. There were icy spots but for the most part there was rolling single track on smooth hard pact dirt. I kept a sharp eye out for course markings; after all, I did not want to go off course.
I knew my lead was solid and I would win the race providing I stayed the course. Half way through I figured I was on time to break the course record... but something kept telling me that the race would be a little long and I could not rest on my laurels. With 4 miles to go I consistently increased the pace to be sure I would break the course record of 2:24. I ran down and crossed in 2:23:30 for the course record.
The race helped me appreciate how difficult wins are. I have to be ready and prepared, and fit. Not an easy task. I had to make sure I followed the course and not get lost. Also a challenge. The footing with ice, rocks, and uneven terrain can be challenging. The race reaffirmed that running and racing is challenging and success at a high level can not be taken for granted.
A lot of people were racing and anyone that finished the race showed tenacity and was successful. I was thankful for the opportunity to run. The win marked my 6th win for the year, 4th course record, and 12 podium finishes.
As I ponder and look back at the success of this year I am grateful for the opportunity to race. The year had great races and poor ones: ups and downs, just like life. Keep running with Endurance!
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