Oops, I did it again!

Posted on February 26, 2012 by jvaupel

OK, I’ve decided this silent treatment doesn’t work for me. I need to start writing again. So here’s what’s been happening since JJ100.

Trail Running ClubThe first piece of business is I launched a new website Friday with the help of a couple running partners. It’s called www.trailrunningclub.com. It’s a running website, mostly geared toward trail running but anyone that runs can benefit from the articles and information. Check out the website, I’d be interested to hear any comments you have and if you’re on Facebook click the link and join our group. We welcome runners of all shapes and sizes, runners who run 1 mile or 101.4.

I had very little motivation to run through December and most of January. In January I started having problems with my right knee, then my right hip, then when I didn’t think it could get any worse I was at the gym working out three weeks ago and my back popped. I couldn’t stand up straight and it took me 15 minutes to get out of the gym to my truck…about 200′. Luckily Laura was in the gym and could drive home. I spent the day in bed and in more pain than I can ever remember and over the next few weeks, a Dr. visit, then an MRI, then an appointment with the pain specialist all agreed on one thing. My knee and hip problems were because of my back and I didn’t know all the signs to realize it. The MRI had words like “tear”, “leakage”, “impingement”, all the way from L3 to L5-S1. The pain specialist told me L4 is out of place to the right and pressing against the nerve, thus all the problems with my right knee and hip. I walked out of the office not willing to take his advice, steroid shots in the spine.

So now I’m better. That’s like saying the ocean is less wet. I can tolerate what I have now for normal activity. But I’m still having problems that prevent me from running the miles that I want and need to run. I have a good week then a bad week. This was a bad week. Saturday I ran 20 miles on the National Trail in South Mountain with friends. Didn’t feel very good pounding down the side of the mountain on the rocky trail. I’m thinking serious about the evil doctor sticking a needle in my spine now.

Zane Grey 50 MileSo why did I title this “Oops, I did it again”? Soon after I finished JJ100 the next race I wanted to run was quickly filling up. Zane Grey 50 Mile is run on trails built under the Rim in Arizona between Pine and Christopher Creek. The Zane Grey website says it’s “Regarded as the toughest, roughest and most beautiful 50 mile trail runs in the country.” Just thinking about Zane Grey 50M excites me, it’s in one of the most beautiful parts of Arizona and a place I love to visit. I waited as long as I could and even though Mrs. Vaupel needed a break from my running I had an “Oops, I did it again” moment and signed up anyway. Of course I’m smart enough not tell her immediately that I did this. :-) Because of my back problems I’m a little behind in training and have decided not to run in a scheduled 50K training race on March 11. Instead I’ll do all training on my own and with friends until race day on April 21. My training will be different than Javelina Jundred. I’ve been training going up and down the mountains near my house more, trying to run on loose, rocky trails and generally anything that seems too hard to run on I do because I think it’s not hard enough.

I’m hoping by sharing all this it will help push me through my current physical barriers and motivate me to get to the level I need to be at to do well at Zane Grey 50M.

So now I’ve confessed. Hey I feel better already…not really but I will.

Until the next time…be safe and have fun. And make sure you check out www.trailrunningclub.com!

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A Wife’s View

Posted on November 20, 2011 by Laura

When I asked John for one last post, I thought my intent was to going to be to give my view of this last seven months and all the things I wanted to say along the way, but bit my tongue instead. Instead. I start this post thanking him for letting me be a part of this crazy journey he took us on and letting me have the last nine miles of it with him. It was one high point of my life with him, and I really didn’t expect that.

I will step back and say when he asked me if he could do this and said with a serious straight face, “now this won’t effect you”, I should have sat him down right then and there. The training for this effected us every day he ran, whether he realized it or not. When he was out in the mountains running at 3 AM, somehow my body knew and sleep was lighter or shorter. When the kids and I went places without him so he could sleep or work, we missed having him with us. I think he would still say it didn’t effect us, but maybe we just tried to make it so he could stay focused on the goal and accomplish his quest successfully. That was our way of participating along the way and supporting him, because that is what family does. It isn’t any different than having a demanding job that takes you away from your family, and this was equivalent to, a full-time “job”. I guess my point to make is that whether you are the runner or the support staff, this type of quest does consume your whole family, and be aware of that and stop to say how much you appreciate it often. There are sacrifices by all on quests like this.

I found being his crew and his pacer was right up my alley though, and let me be a part of his race, and not just wonder how it was going, which in past races is what had occurred when I stayed home. In the future I’d find someone to watch the kids, as they were not as gung ho about staying at the race base camp and waiting for him every 3 1/2 to 4 hrs. Having friends come out helped not only him, but me get through the laps during the day.

Today, a week later, I ran the final 9 mile loop on my own in 1:34, as opposed to the 2:24 time John and I did. The memories were great to relive as I ran it, recalling where we had to walk and recover along the way, what our conversations (mostly mine) were and the feeling of elation as we came down the final mile, knowing he really was going to do this. I thought I had to train to run this last nine miles with him and was out there every week hating that trail with each step. As the weeks though unfolded, I even began to enjoy trail running and have decided I will now continue it even though the race is past. So, thank you, John for exposing me to this. What I want to say though is my training didn’t prepare me for this last nine miles with him. It was all about just keeping him moving and any tricks to do that was what was required.

So those who know me have heard me say “never again” to being open to letting him do another 100 mile race. I’ve decided it’s like childbirth though, you quickly lose the memories of all the hard work, sacrifices and pain, and only remember the great parts and feelings when the end goal is accomplished. If we lived every day doing the same thing day in and day out, when we were on our deathbed, there would never be any highlights that stood out. I don’t want that for him or for me, and this was definitely a life highlight. He has already asked me if I’d be willing to him entering another one next May. I haven’t said yes, but I haven’t said no either. It’s nice to be asked though, and have a vote in the decision. At least we aren’t going in so naive on the committment it takes from us ALL this time.

Thanks John for one final blog. Thank you for all the memories from this Quest I’ll have years to come. You did awesome.

~L~

John on Monday after the Javalina Jundred spinning at the gym.

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Mission Accomplished!

Posted on November 15, 2011 by jvaupel

My Quest to Run 100 Miles (in less than 24 hours) is over. On Sunday morning, 23 hours, 45 minutes and 43 seconds after I started Javelina Jundred I finished 101.4 miles! It never would’ve happened if not for the support of my family, pacers and friends. It was an amazing day and one that will never be forgotten. Read my race report here for all the details.

The final tally for miles since my training started over 5 1/2 months ago was 1,551.58 miles. Enough to make it way north of Edmonton, AB or far enough east to pick peaches in Atlanta, GA. It’s crazy what can be accomplished just a little at a time if you stick with it.

What’s Next?
Oh boy, I could get in a lot of trouble with this one. I don’t think Mrs. Vaupel has recovered enough from me chasing 100 miles in less than 24 hours to allow me to even think about what’s next. But I have some ideas. I’d like to someday run Western States 100, the original 100 mile ultra race and granddaddy of them all. I’d also like to improve on my time at Old Pueblo 50 Mile. I want to run Zane Grey 50 Mile to complete what I think of as the Arizona Trifecta, all three 50 mile races held in Arizona. There are several options. But #1 on my list is to run a double crossing of the Grand Canyon or most commonly referred to as Rim to Rim to Rim (R2R2R). Because of weather concerns in the Grand Canyon this is best attempted in late Spring (May) or Fall (October/November). So stay tuned, when I’m ready to commit we’ll do this all over again!

Thank you for following along on my Quest to Run 100 Miles. It’s been a lot of fun for me and interesting to talk about it and see the genuine interest from people as I made my way toward the finish.

One last bit of housekeeping before I close this chapter. Mrs. Vaupel has asked for and been granted (what was I supposed to say, no?) one more opportunity to write on my blog. Heaven only knows what she has in mind and I’m afraid to ask. But stay tuned, over the next few days I would expect her to take a few minutes and share some her own final thoughts with you.

Until the next time…stay safe and have fun!!

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His Quest is Completed

Posted on November 13, 2011 by Laura

John has completed his quest. He crossed the finish line at 23 hrs, 46 min and 6 seconds (I think. I was crossing too) The last miles were pretty rough out there. Lap 6, he did end up with a pacer, Ricardo Maldonado, who he said if he had not had him, he would have never got through it. Ricardo told me about half mile after starting Lap 6, John decided to lay in the desert and be sick again with stomach issues and light headedness. He got him up and moving though and they were off. They had a good downpour out there also, which caused the course when I got out there to be pretty muddy. It didn’t seem to bother John though. In fact he told me he enjoyed the rain when it came (obviously, more light-headedness). They finished lap 6 at 3:20, giving us about 2 hrs and 40 min to complete the final 9 miles. I thought this would be a breeze since when I started running my worst time doing this was 1:55 min. Well, I soon discovered it was going to be a lot of walking (I’m not sure why I trained to run it) and me helping him just not think about his stomach. His spirits were good though and he was determined he was going to get in under 24 hrs. We talked about everyone that helped him over the weekend and how great it was that people came out, we talked about everything I could think of and then some. With 4 miles to go, I ran out of talking but he needed the distraction and at that point I remembered he always said when he needs to get through tough times, he counts his step. So, for most of 2 miles, I counted to 100 with each step. I discovered I personally don’t like this method for myself, but it seemed to work for him and we made it down the Tonto Tanks trailed at about a 10 min. pace. With 1 mile to go he could feel that he was going to make it in time and got all relaxed and appeared to enjoy the final mile. We crossed the finish with both kids (thank you to our great friends, the Forman’s for bringing the kids out and having them last night) and a huge smile on his face. At the finish were the entire Forman family, his friends Todd and Tom also.

We let him bask in the moment for about 45-50 min. out there and packed up and just got home. He said from start to finish he only lost 5 lbs and that is great news since in the past it has been a whole lot more. He’s now stiffening up and feeling it in his legs (which were strong until about mile 88) and is ready for bed after being up 28 hrs. I am on the same lack of sleep but will let him have first dibs at some rest. He ran a bit more than me.

I am sure he will post it all (what he remembers) here in the next day or so. Until then though, know that he appreciates all the support he received through this journey and words of kindness and powerful thoughts. Until then, stay safe and have fun……

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Lap 4 – an ugly one

Posted on November 12, 2011 by Laura

This will be the last post until the race is done as I am going out to stay now. He had a very rough lap 4, of about 4 hours and stomach issues pretty bad. He came in not wanting anything to drink or eat, which is a bad sign and so his pacer, Rich, took on everything with him and was going to try and get it in him. Hopefully, having a pacer will help distract him and he will be a bit stronger this lap. I am now going out to stay and hopefully catch a few hours sleep in the car. I have determined one thing, which is you are either a crew member or a pacer and shouldn’t do both since I’ve been on the run since 4 AM this morning and not sat down or rested yet. Good thing to remember going forward. Until the race is over, keep those powerful prayers and thoughts coming our way. We need them. Laura

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Lap 3 Update

Posted on November 12, 2011 by Laura

We’ve just returned from the park and seeing John make the turn at Lap 3. He came through about 3:10 PM, which has him at 45 miles at 9 hrs 10 min. The kids ran out on the trail and came in running with him which perked him up, plus another running friend, Christy, came out to surprise him and cheer him on. Both, hopefully, gave him a little boost in spirits. After running through the lap tracker, he wanted a sandwich and soup again. He said he was beginning to feel the effects of being out there 45 miles and his legs were beginning to tire (ha, mine are tired after 7 miles) and his stomach was starting to bother him a bit. Hopefully some solid food will help this issue. He decided to wear his race belt to free his hands from carrying his energy drink and conserve some energy too. We set him up with his headlamp since when he finishes this next lap he’ll be doing that in the dark and need it. After this, he will run with a pacer for lap 5 and I think that will really help. I’m hoping that the person also runs lap 6 with him as mentally I think he is going to need it. It was tough to watch him go knowing that lap 4 was going to be the first time he would see longer than 50 miles, but one thing I’ve realized in this journey is I have to just not worry and let him keep going. We’ll see if I’m still saying this after lap 5. I’ve been told that at that point I will be the one to use some tough love on him and make him keep going. We will see. Rain is predicted to come in about 2 AM tonight, although the cloud cover now looks like it could open up at any point and pour. Keeping our fingers crossed it holds off until later though. Until after Lap 4…….

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Lap 2 Update:

Posted on November 12, 2011 by Laura

John was in good spirits when he came in at 5:49ish after lap 2. His friend, Rob Forman, had riden his bike to a fork in the trail that hit the Pemberton and saw him 11 miles into this lap. I think it was a “boost” mentally to see him as that is the first thing he told me as he came in. He changed his shirt and gum, ate part of my sandwich (he had insisted earlier he didn’t need one, but I figured it wouldn’t hurt if he wanted it) and downed some chicken noodle soup as he was leaving and heading out for lap 3. He’s not taking in much of his Gu gel and I’m a bit concerned about that, but will keep an eye on him. Lap 3 will be a mental lap for him since it will take him up to 45 miles and getting close to his farthest distance. All in all he is still in good spirits and feeling strong. He was looking for the kids and I could tell wanted them there so the next two laps they will likely be with me to cheer him on and keep him “up”. Til lap 3……

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Lap 1

Posted on November 12, 2011 by Laura

Hey, this is Laura and wanted to give you all an update on John since he started. I think both of us had minimal sleep last night although we were in bed quite early, but I think minimal sleep was had. Even Grace said she slept light. We were out the door by 5:10 this morning and to the park by 5:30. It was like “Base Camp” at Everest. A bustle of activity and energy. With 3 min. until the start, John decided to get in line. Always the guy that shows up in the nick of time. It was a chilly 46 F with a light breeze. At the buzzer 391 races were off. With only a small trail it was rather a “walk” at first though. The kids and I headed back into town to warm up and gather a few things before we headed out again at 8 AM to see him make the turn at Lap 1. He was trying to come into Lap 1 at 2 hrs and 50 min. and he showed up to see us at 2:51 min. So a great first lap. He said he felt good and strong. A bit chilly but ready to keep going. An off he went again. We are estimating him coming in now from lap 2 at about 11:50 AM. It is still overcast and 50 F out there, so hopefully, the sun will peek out a little bit to give them some relief from the dreary look of the day. Until after lap 2, keep sending positive vibes and thoughts his way!

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Jappy Javelina Jundred Eve!!!

Posted on November 11, 2011 by jvaupel

I realize for most of you it’s not as exciting as Christmas or New Years Eve but this has been forefront in my mind over the past 5 months much more than any holiday I can remember in recent years (except for my Wedding Anniversary ;-) of course).

As I write this I’m less than 16 hours away from the start of the race, My Quest to Run 100 Miles (in less than 24 hours). Unlike the Man Against Horse race I’m not nervous at all, in fact I’m wondering if I’m too calm as I haven’t even started preparing for the race yet. Of course I’m the guy that packs 20 minutes before I leave for the airport when traveling also. When I finish writing this I’ll get my hydration drinks mixed and nutrition items ready for tomorrow and in the cooler. Pick out my first set of clothes to wear, I say first set because I’ll change shirts a couple times during the race so as the sweat dries and hardens it doesn’t wear like sandpaper against my skin and I’ll change socks once or twice to get a dry pair as needed. Other than that I don’t care. I’m trying to act as though it is simply another Saturday training run and I just won’t come home until Sunday.

After packing I need to be at the race headquarters about 4:30 p.m. to check in, get my race packet and the mandatory medical check in. I don’t plan on staying for the pre-race dinner so I can just come home and chill out.

The weather for tomorrow has changed almost hourly throughout the week and is now forecast to be 75° for a high, sunny with rain moving in late. We haven’t seen the sun all day today so don’t know if the clouds are going to move out or if they are here earlier than forecast. I guess it doesn’t matter because I have to run no matter what.

I was recently passed emails back and forth with my mother-in-law (she sometimes refers to me as her “idiot son-in-law” I’m sure) regarding my ability to be around “ordinary people” after this and what my thoughts would be. I’m not sure if it was serious or in jest but I suspect a little of both. I’m paraphrasing the conversation but the point I want to make is my sincere response was I don’t think there is such a thing as an “ordinary” person. We are all extraordinary but some people just choose to only do ordinary things every day. Each and everyone of us has it within us to do extraordinary things in and with our life. Maybe it’s taking better care of our health and weight, maybe it has nothing to do with running or physical activity, maybe it’s helping children that need a proper adult role model and mentor to guide them down the right path. Maybe it’s traveling to places you only dream about. The options are limitless, the extraordinary part comes from getting outside your comfort zone and challenging yourself to live your life so you have no regrets in later years. Please, anyone that has always wanted to do something and always had an excuse not to, go find an excuse to do it instead. You won’t regret it I promise.

Race Updates
Tomorrow the race starts at 6:00 a.m. Arizona time. I’m turning my website over to my wife Laura and she will update throughout the day as the race progresses. It will be very interesting to see what Laura does with her opportunity to write whatever she wants on this topic. Her version of the past 5+ months and mine might not be exactly the same!

If you are facebook friends with Laura or me, Laura will also update those periodically. Lastly, there will be a live webcam at the race start/finish line throughout the race as well as live updates as runners complete laps. That webcam can be viewed at https://s3.amazonaws.com/Aravaipa/Ultracast.htm.

Thank You
I’ve mentioned it in the past that sharing this Quest with everyone is very out of character for me. I didn’t feel comfortable doing it at the beginning and honestly I’m still not comfortable with sharing it. But it has been a great experience and I’m very glad I brought all of you along for the ride. The support I’ve received over the past 5+ months and especially this week has been overwhelming. I would like to sincerely thank everyone that has sent me notes and called. Knowing so many people are thinking about my progress and wondering how I’m doing will help keep my legs moving during the coldest and darkest moments tomorrow night. And so you know “darkest moments” to someone running 100 miles in less than 24 hours has nothing to do with the amount of sunlight there is.

I kidded about it earlier but I need to thank my wife Laura, my son Sam and my daughter Grace for all their support. It’s been a lot of fun for me sharing this with them and no way could I have gotten to this point without their help, encouragement and teasing me along the way. I know the training and race itself will be something all 4 of us will never forget and will influence us as a family and individuals for the rest of our lives.

Until the next time…be safe and have fun!

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In the Home Stretch.

Posted on October 23, 2011 by jvaupel

I have 18 days before I toe the line at Javelina Jundred in my attempt to run over 100 miles in less than 24 hours. It’s unbelievable to me how fast the time has gone since I officially started training on May 31st. Those 40 mile weeks I ran early on slowly grew into the 50′s, then 60′s and so on until August when I hit my first 80+ mile week. Since then I’ve run two more weeks above 80 miles, finished in 9th place overall at the Flagstaff Trail Marathon, completed a 50 mile trail race in 10 hours and ran over 90 miles three different weeks, the last two weeks 90.70 and 96.50 respectively. Back in June when I looked ahead at my October schedule I wondered how I’d make it through this month, both physically and mentally. I’m now looking back in amazement at how strong I’ve become in both areas. It just proves how adaptable and incredible the human body is if you train it properly. To see someone else run the distances I’ve been running every day, to see someone else run 31 miles one day and turn around with a strong 13 miles the next in 90° heat or to see someone else run any of the mountain trails I train on daily I would say they are a unique and gifted athlete with special abilities. In reality anyone with the perseverance to stick with their (or my somewhat educated) training each day has the ability inside them to accomplish the same thing and more. You just have to want it bad enough and stay focused on the end goal.

So far as my quest nears the home stretch my map shows during this training cycle I’ve run enough miles to make it to the Mississippi River to the east, almost to Calgary Canada to the north.

During the next three weeks I’m going to slowly reduce my miles but keep the intensity at a high level. This coming week I’ll cut back 25% and run in the low 70 mile range. The following week I’ll cut back again to the low 50 mile range and then it will be race week where I’ll only run two or three days at 4-5 miles each (just enough to burn the nervous energy I know I’ll have).

Unless something unexpected happens I’ll send out one last update prior to race day. There will be a live internet feed of the race that I’ll share with everyone as well as I’ll have my wife update my website throughout the race so you can follow along. It will be a good way to experience some of the day with none of the pain!

Until the next time…have fun and be safe!

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