The most painful race I have ever experienced was my first attempt at an ultramarathon, in 2012. Way Too Cool seemed like a soft transition into ultrarunning: The famous race is a 50K, only five miles farther than a marathon. And while the Way Too Cool course is all on trails of the Sierra Nevada foothills, the route is not especially brutal. Starting just east of Auburn, California, it winds down dirt fire roads to the banks of the American River, before rolling back toward the finish along forested ravines and canyons.
Pain is perhaps the most common experience in competitive distance running. If you want to achieve your best performances, you must be willing to suffer. In trying to podium or snag a personal best, your own physiology will fight against you. Your muscles ache, the lactic acid builds, and you slip into oxygen debt. So why do it? Why do runners willingly enter the pain cave?
This is why the metaphor of the cave is so very apt. When we hurt, the outside world becomes bounded and excluded, and we descend into a chasm of ourselves. And when things go especially pear-shaped because of a bonk or bad pacing, the contours of the pain cave turn jagged and sharp.
Competing in ultramarathons is not unlike the discipline of academic research, said Herbst, who is a professor in the School of Public Affairs and a faculty affiliate in the School of Social Work in the Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions. He researches early childhood education, child care and the impact of policies and markets on child, parental and family well-being.
ASU News followed Herbst earlier this year as he trained for the Bryce Canyon 100 race in May, which was 50 miles in and around the national park in Utah. Here, he answers some questions about ultramarathoning.
Previously I ran one marathon, which was not a good experience. It turns out all I needed to go was get on some trails. I discovered this love for long-distance running. And we have an embarrassment of riches with trails around here.
A: From the time of my first trail run to my first ultra run was about two and half years. I built myself up: 5 miles, 6 miles, 10 miles. I worked up to 16-, 17-, 18-mile distances. And the idea of running 31 miles seemed more plausible and a little less crazy.
The transition from running 5 miles to going out to run 31 miles on a trail required as much an adaptation to my mind as it did to my body. By far the biggest barrier to imagining ourselves running an ultramarathon is our brains, not our bodies.
The longest distance I did was 91 kilometers, about 55 miles, called the Whiskey Basin Trial Run in November 2020. You run the Prescott Trail, which encircles the city of Prescott and goes through the Prescott National Forest.
It was very cold, very windy, and at one point it started to hail. I was physically and mentally devastated. What happens is that your body starts to reject food, which it desperately needs. No food, sweet or savory, real or synthetic, hot or cold, appealed to me.
A: I think of trail and ultra runners as Type A hippies. You have to be driven to get up every day to do your run, but you also have to love the outdoors and appreciate our public spaces and almost take on the mantra of environmental advocacy.
A: In order to be successful as an academic researcher and as an ultramarathon runner, you have to enjoy the process and not be outcome-oriented. Academic research and training for an ultra are time-intensive and energy-intensive endeavors.
If you enjoy the process of waking up early, getting out on the trails and getting in 5 miles and then coming into the office and chipping away at a research problem, over the long term it will bring more pleasure and success.
Rumor goes that the tunnel used to lead to a house, but has since been closed off and the entrance to the house covered. Having been inside, I can see where the tunnel most likely took you to and it is not to a house. Check out these photos of what Sunset Cliffs used to look like:
There is a lot of rubble in this area, my guess is it the rubble of the ruins that used to be there. My point is things looked much differently than they do now. I have heard that there used to be homes directly along the cove. There most likely used to be a home that lead to the tunnel that no longer exists. Now all that remains is a closed up hole by the city leading to this amazing spot and broken rubble below.
Personal Experience: If you find it, come prepared with proper safety gear, good traction shoes, flashlight and candles to light the hallways! There was a draft the day we went so our candles kept blowing out. There are dangerous areas where you could fall into the water or back down to the bottom of the cave. Be very careful.
The race starts in a beautiful valley with picturesque mountains and fields in the background. Once runners get to the 1.9 mile mark they will enter the crown jewel of caves in the Southeast. The portion of the 5k course that runs through the cave is an out and back 0.6mi that is wide enough for 2 way traffic. Runners will pick up a glow stick at the turn around point and the decorative lighting will be on at all times. The average temperatures for race day are a low of 54F, high of 79F. Meanwhile inside the cave the year round temperature is a cool 58F. This will truly be a race like no other.
Packet pickup will be at Fleet Feet Sports Huntsville on a TBA date. Fleet Feet is located at 2722 Carl T Jones Dr SE B2, Huntsville, AL 35802. There will also be packet pickup at the race on Sunday.
THERE WILL BE NO SHUTTLE SERVICE OR HAYRIDES BACK TO CARS THIS YEAR. In order to keep this race as safe and spread out as possible, participants will have to walk back to the parking area. It is about a half a mile walk back from the entrance of the cave.
There will be very loose cutoffs. Our goal is for everyone to have a blast and a one of a kind experience running/ walking through a natural wonder, no matter what your experience level is. There will be a 1hr and 5min cutoff. We ask that you please respect the state park and volunteers and adhere to this cutoff time. Walkers are more than welcome! The average walking pace is around 18-20min/ mile. The reason we advertise a 1hr and 5min cutoff is we can't have people standing inside the cave. Everyone has to continue moving and make forward progress.
Lodging will be available at the Lake Guntersville State Park Lodge. Call 256-505-6621 to make a reservation. To ensure that you receive the special rate extended to the race, please mention you are with the Conquer the Cave 5K. Guests can also make reservations online at -guntersville-state-park-reservations.
Lace up your running shoes - we've mapped out a 5k-ish course that starts and ends at this awesome taproom in Niles. We'll start all together at 10:30 AM. Run, walk or jog before celebrating with a locally-made craft beverage at the finish line.
Whether you're a seasoned runner or just looking for a fun way to stay active, this event is fun for all. The 5k course will take you through scenic routes, allowing you to enjoy the beautiful surroundings while getting your heart pumping.
Our mission is to be active, have fun and give back. A portion of all proceeds from our events supports local nonprofits - over $500k raised to date! This event will add to that tally by donating 10% to local organizations like Chicago Run and Chicago Parks Foundation. So not only do you get to enjoy some healthy activity and great, local beer - you are helping us support local organizations that do important work in our community.
The Brewery Running Series was founded in Minneapolis, MN in 2012. We started with one event - a 5k at a local brewery in celebration of Global Running Day. We now organize over 300 events per year, across 22+ states and counting!
Runners of all paces know this truth: the pain cave is uncomfortable. But research, elite runners, and coaches suggest that you can improve your relationship with your own pain cave, which can lead to improved performance.
Getting pulled along by friends takes the guesswork out of pacing or sticking with a higher intensity. (See: Pacers at track meets who are paid to push races to a certain pace!) Use social incentive to practice speed, endurance, or any specific effort.
Runners create comfort zones, and we tend to take actions to protect ourselves within that zone. The good news? Our brains are trainable. Scientists call this neuroplasticity. Start by journaling or keeping a training log to identify your physical and mental boundaries; how might you approach redrawing them, physically and mentally? (A coach or sports psychologist or even therapist can also help with this.)
Named after the historic railroad that once roared through Mammoth Cave National Park from 1886 through 1931, the Bike & Hike Trail provides a scenic, wooded experience within the Park on a crushed gravel surface. The trail offers some challenging ascents/descents along its 9-mile crushed stone route, and is perfect for the first-time trail runner or racers looking to set a lightening fast PR!
Due to National Park restrictions, registration will be capped. At present, we are opening registration to 125-150 runners, with the hopes of increasing pending permit approval. Based on demand, we may open additional spots in the 50K distance by eliminating open spots in the 25K, or vice versa and adjust as needed.
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