Getting To Know the TARC - Liana Kolodenker

he has run Boston, the TARC Spring Thaw and is now going to tackle the TARC 50 miler this June. Her blog is called "Run to Munch"  where she gives us updates on her training miles and recovery dishes. Please  give it up for Liana Kolodenker.  

How did you get into running? I got a desk job and realized I hated sitting still.   Started running for the general girl vanity reasons.   Fell in love with running after running a half marathon in 2011 and limping for a week.   I guess I'm a masochist.   I got into trail running through some Daily Mile friends after the TARC 50K in 2012.   However, I'm still a relative newb to the trails.   

What does your weekly training look like? I   try to run at least 50 miles   a week.   At the moment I'm hitting 60-80 but after the 50 miler,   I'll probably be back on the 40-50 miles a week.   Currently, I do 1-2 days of two runs a day, a lot of my runs during lunch.   On weekend I try to get one long trail run and one long road run.   

You ran the TARC Spring Thaw in March, was this your first foray into trail running? I ran the TARC 50K last year and loved it.   TARC Spring Thaw was my second trail race and just reconfirmed my love for it.

You are signed up for the TARC 100/50!! Are you excited about going for 50 miles??? I'm terrified!   I'm scared of the dark!   

What got you into ultra running in the first place? My addiction to running.   Trying to get faster was too harder, so I decided to just run further instead.

What is your favorite race? Trail or Road. I love all TARC races for trails.   For road, Boston Marathon because my friends are spread throughout the whole course.

Your favorite trail to run is…? Hmm, I've run so few!   I'd say the Fells for proximity but I'm still searching for a favorite.

One piece of advice for a newbie runner would be…? Run at an easy pace more often than a hard pace, it prevents injuries

10 in 60 (10 questions in 60 seconds. One or two word answers will suffice or the first thing that comes to mind)

1. Solo runs or group runs? Solo

2. Favorite trail shoe? Innov 8s Roclite but those are the only ones I tried

3. Technical or non-techy trails? Non-techy, I hate falling, I hate rock climbing

4. Favorite aid food? Girl scout cookies

5. Music while you run? Podcasts, sometimes music on roads, not ready for distractions on trails

6. Biggest running accomplishment to date? BQing, Running the full 6 hours on TARC Spring Thaw

7. Cold or warm weather? Cold, I like layers

8. Run mountains or run flats? Mountains, but I hate running downhill, okay not hate, more like fear

9. Water or Gatorade? Water

10. I run trails because... It's never the same experience

Big A 50k Race Report - 2013

Mt. Agamenticus
York, ME
May 4th, 2013

In this the third year of the Big A 50K, co-RD's, Bob Najar and Rich Collins, simply nail it. With a start/finish at the top of Mt. Agamenticus, solid course markings, a great variety of trails and elevation and post-race BBQ to top it off, this is one race that should be on everyones running calendar.

Better running form than her Dad!!

This year, as explained by Rich, was the biggest turnout out of it's three year history. About 50 runners toed the line for the 7:30am start, which my two little people and wife joined me at. Getting a 2.5 year old and 11 month old up at 4:45am was quite the challenge!! My family saw me off, and then hit the sandy beaches of Ogunquit and retail shops of Kittery (hide the credit card!!)
I spoke with Greg Esbitt pre-race and told him I wasn't into racing today and would just chat it up and see how things proceeded. However, when I took it out hard from the start, my racing brain nixed those plans. I figured few would follow, but I never really heard any footsteps.

That's my boy! Who needs a trail. 

The course consisted of two loops. An initial 3.5 mile loop that came back to the start/finish and a 7 mile loop that did the same. There was one aid station out on the 7 mile loop, which provided much needed liquids on this warm and windy day.

With the first lap completed in 1:37, I knew I was going a touch too fast. Oh well, nothing new there. I figured the second lap would consist of a few hiking sections, unlike the first, which consisted of a steep hike up the blueberry trail during the first 3.5 mile section. Other than that I ran the entire first loop.

1:49 was the second loop split and not to far off for the third in 1:54. I used some music to push the pace in the last loop. I haven't run with music since last summer and it felt good to be distracted from my tiring legs and 4,600' of total elevation gain.

Upon completing the course, my family arrived and helped me cross the finish line. One of those moments you will never forget as a Dad.

The BBQ was great, with burgers and dogs for all (including families, thanks guys!) and all the watermelon my little girl could eat.

My little watermelon addict

I felt a bit beat up at the end, but once I got some solid food in me, I started to recover.

I ate 10 total gels over the 5 hours and felt my nutrition was almost spot on. I could have used maybe one more during a slight lull during my third loop, but neglected to take one. I used water for 1.5 total loops, then switched to Gatoraide. It was slightly diluted, which was perfect for me. At the final aid station stop, I switched to a half water, half coke combo to give me a little boost to the finish.

For salt, I was sweating pretty heavily and needed to replenish with Scaps. I took about 8 total during the race. I felt pretty tight and started to cramp up a bit after about 30 minutes post-finish. I think I need to up my salt intake next race/long run. I'm a heavy sweater and the temps have already begun to rise around here.

I want to thank Rich and Bob for putting on a great event. In the next few years, I see a few hundred ultra runners standing atop the Big A. The views are superb and the things to do near the coast make this a pretty race for families or anyone that wants to spend some time near the ocean.

Next up, the TARC 100! I'm super psyched about this race. The first 100 mile race in Massachusetts and the whole TARC gang in attendance. I've set some personal goals and some time goals, but inevitably, just want to have some fun out on the trails. My training has been going well with a few minor injuries finally clearing up. I've taken many days off, which is unlike me, but I think it is really doing wonders for my recovery (duh..) and mind.

There is a slight chance I may be running the North Face Endurance Challenge down in DC. We are attending a wedding shower during the first weekend in June and the race just so happens to be the same day as the shower. Maybe I can sneak in the 50k race...

Full Results

Getting To Know the TARC - Karna Skoog Hyman

Welcome to the next edition of "Getting to Know the TARC". In this installment, we will be learning about a fellow club member that is tearing up the ultra running scene. Watch out because Karna Skoog Hyman is on a roll! 

How did you get into trail and ultra running. Did you have a running background growing up?

Well, this is funny....in Mar 2011, I saw in my TV Guide, that Dean Karnazes was running across the United States, so I googled him, and then ultra marathons, and somehow, information about The North Face Endurance Challenge, D.C. appeared and I immediately thought, I want to do the 50 mile race in June!!!  So I found a training plan and somehow got myself ready to do my first ultra and I was hooked from the get-go!!!  I have been running for over 20 years and did my first marathon, San Diego Rock 'n' Roll, in 2007 and ran it again in 2008. 

You’ve run some really great races lately. A third at Jack Bristol, just last week, a second at the Ghost Train 100, UROC 100k and 24 hours at Around the Lake during 2012.  I would say that you are on a roll! Tell us about your training and what it takes to finish at the front.

Thank you very much.  I just show up on race day, and it is what it is....hahaha!  My training...oh boy!  I followed a training plan for my first 50-miler, but that is the only time I have followed a plan.  I trained on the road and treadmill for my 10 ultras!  Since moving to RI last summer, I have done a few trail runs with a friend who also does ultras.  I am still figuring out my food and hydration during ultras!  I just keep moving forward and focus on crossing the finish line, healthy and strong.

What are some of your running goals for 2013?

To stay healthy and do whatever races that will fit into my schedule!

Describe the perfect trail run?

Partly cloudy and the temperature is around 50 and the scenery is spectacular.  I don't trip or fall and I don't have to worry about snakes or wild animals.

Where do you do your trail training and what is your favorite New England trail to run on?

I have done the most trail runs at Burlingame State Park.  

I see that you’ve signed up for the TARC 100! What are your goals for this race?

I am excited about doing TARC100!  I have the same goal for every race...to cross the finish line, healthy and strong!!  I would like to get under 24 hours, too!  :-)

I like to ask fellow trail and ultra runners about the balance between family life and running life. How do you balance it?

The balance...well, I don't train as much as I probably should.....but I'm okay with it.  My husband and daughter are very supportive and understand that I love to run.  I try to do some long runs during the week, so we can have family time on the weekends.

10 in 60 (10 questions in 60 seconds. One or two word answers will suffice or the first thing that comes to mind)

  1.Bonking?  Yes...unfortunately...ugh!!! 

  2.Types of shoes you wear? Brooks Cascadia and Mizuno Wave Rider

  3. Favorite aid station food? All of it...hahaha!!

  4. Ever want to give Western States a try??? Yes!!!

  5.Mountain runs or fast and flat? Mountain runs

  6. Favorite trail/ultra race? I like all my races for different reasons!

  7. Ipod on the run? And what’s on the playlist? No iPod.....

  8. Furthest you’ve run in a training run? Around 27.....on a treadmill!!!!

  9. Uphill or downhill? Uphill. :)

  10. Favorite running related quote (can be any amount of words) Not just for running....."Pain is weakness leaving the body."