Jeff Christian's Running Page

Im still alive!!!

2011-09-14T00:17:00.002-05:00

It's been a long time since i have posted. I have had a pretty good year running, with recent fourth place finish at the Marquette 50k in 5:11. I attempted two 100 mile races this summer and came up short in both of them. I'm singed up for the Oil Creek 100 and it looks like I might make it to the starting line. I'm coaching an awesome cross country team here in Michigan and we have that weekend off so it looks like I'm giving the hundred one more shot. I hope everyone is doing well and maybe I will keep up with this blog! :)

2010 Races

2010-03-27T11:51:00.002-05:00

Well,I have started to put some races on the calendar for this year. My training is going ok and I'm enjoying running again. I have registered for the Promise Land 50k in VA in April and the Highland Sky 40 mile in WV in June. I plan on running 3 more races just not sure yet.Well I hope everyone is well.

Update

2009-05-05T10:11:00.002-05:00

I have decided to pass on the Capon Valley 50k race this weekend in West Virginia.I decided to spend another weekend camping and training on the Shore-to-Shore trail in Northern Michigan to get ready for my next challenge of three 100 mile races in a month.I'm running Sulphur Springs on May 23 ,Old Dominion on June 6 and Mohican on June 20.This should prove to be a worthy challenge with plenty of ups and downs.My goal's for these races are to have fun and finish and run as fast as I can in the process.It's going to be a busy month and should be interesting.I have no races planned for July and will be in Leadville from August 3 to the 23 for the Leadville 100.Hope everyone is doing well.

Recap for the Month

2009-03-02T21:51:00.003-05:00

I finished the month with 223 miles(also took four days off).I finished my first ultra in over a year,running 5:00.45 at Holiday Lake. I'm getting stronger by the day and have added speed work to my training twice a week.I feel that keeping the speed is more important than running long twice on the weekend.I wish everyone well.My next race is March 14,I will be running The Land Between the Lakes 50 mile in Grand Rivers KY.

On track

2009-02-25T18:30:00.002-05:00

I'm on my way to running over 220 miles for the month.I ran a pretty good race at Holiday Lake on Feb.14(5:00.34 for 33.66 miles).I signed up today for a 50 miler on March 14(Land Between the Lakes).I feel things are coming together nicely and look forward to warmer weather in the coming months.Good luck to everyone with your training and racing.

Great month !!!!

2009-01-30T23:08:00.004-05:00

Well as of today 1/30, I have run 272 miles this month and ran 5 races from 5k to 25k.The races have all been difficult with the weather and trail conditions.The weight is starting to come off and I'm feeling really good.Today I registered for the Leadville 100 mile trail run and hope to put to rest the Dnf from 2007 at 72 miles.I have also registered for some 50k races and will be running the Mohican 100 in June. I have planned a total of seven ultras this year and five of those will be 50k's along with the two 10o milers.This is about half of what I ran in 2007,I started 17 and ran a 210 mile multi day.I think if I run the 50k's as training run's and race the 100's I will do just fine.I'm really excited to be back and look forward to seeing friends out on the trails.

The long road ahead.

2009-01-04T12:10:00.002-05:00

Wow,I ran a 10k yesterday(50:05) and I do have a long way to go to get back to where I was. On the bright side my legs felt great and once I lose 30 pounds things will get easier.I have registered for a couple of races including the Holiday Lake 50k++ in Virginia next month. I'm also running the Witchy Wolf 15 miler and the Paint Creek 50k later this month.I have also registered for the Forget the PR 50k in April, in Ohio.If I'm ready I will run the Mohican 100 in June and go from there.I wish everyone well and good training.

2009

2008-11-22T10:52:00.004-05:00

Paint Creek Trail 50k
Holiday Lake 50k
Fools 50k
Forget The PR 50k
More to Come

Road Trip

2008-10-27T06:46:00.002-05:00

I'm thinking of taking a road trip in couple of weeks ,to run some trails in Kentucky.Things have been stable around the home front,running and teaching are going good,but I'm really missing the adventured of the trail. All lights are Green for my Long Trail attempt in June,but I could really use some help with sponsors and crew.I have been running about seven miles a day right now and have felt great after the runs,my energy is back and it's is fun again.I want to wish everyone well with their upcoming races,and hope to see ya on the trails soon.

Balance In Life

2008-09-29T07:03:00.002-05:00

Well it's been a while since my last post and I have had a few changes in my life.I have gotten a teaching job for an after school program.I'm going to be teaching nature study,go green ,outdoor adventure and yes running! The classes are run in 30 minute blocks and I'm teaching three nights a week so it's a start.We also have a new member in the family,a beautiful Turner and Hooch puppy with the slobber.As for the running it has been going pretty good also,I have run every day this month except two days.I'm thinking about running a race of some sort next month just to test my fitness.I'm also going to do some bow hunting this week and hope to get a shot at a nice buck.I wish everyone well with life and running.

What a summer.

2008-08-16T18:55:00.001-05:00

Well we are starting are transition back to our home from our cabin.I can't really explain how well I feel (except for the added weight)about my time off from running.We have been staying at our cabin since May 20Th and it has been great waking up everyday and fishing and spending time with the family.We bought a boat and have been fishing almost every day.I have been running and hiking on and off.I was going to return to racing this month but have decided not too.I have to say it feels good to be out of shape for the first time in four years.I know that the ultras I ran last year kicked my ass and that my body is finally starting to feel normal again.I'm not sorry I ran all the races I did and I'm sure I will be back,but for now I'm going to just take it easy and do some long hiking.I'm leaving Tuesday for a five day hike on the Midland to Mackinaw trail. As for when I will run and ultra again time will tell.Later friends

It's on!

2008-07-12T14:33:00.003-05:00

I 'm looking forward to the next couple of weeks,to test my fitness level.My back seems to be recovered and my legs feel fresh.I have decided to run from Munising to the Mackinaw Bridge,and use this as a high mileage training week.The plan after that is to travel to Leadville and get a finish and race hard at the Haliburton 100 in September.Hope everyone is doing well.

Life is good

2008-06-18T10:02:00.002-05:00

Hey all, sorry I have not posted much lately.We have been staying at our cabin and putting in a hardwood floor.I started running around six miles a day again and I'm happy to report I'm out of shape!I also have been spending time fishing and hiking with the family.I passed on the Kettle race because,I was really not ready to try to race yet.

As for what the future holds for running this summer,I have planned another long multi day run.On July 31,I'm going to run from St.Ignace, Michigan to Munising, Michigan on the North Country Trail(240 Miles).This should be a very nice journey,running by waterfalls as well as Lake Superior.I would welcome some people to run with me or help my crew.After that adventure I plane on running the Haliburton 100 In September. Well thats all I have for right now ,Later

kettle 100km?

2008-05-25T21:58:00.002-05:00

Well, as of right know I'm 77% sure, I'm going to give it a shot.That's all I'm going to say about it for now.We just got back from our cabin and I took a week off from running.My wife told me yesterday that I could run kettle if I wanted to so,I'm going to try to put in some miles this week and see how it goes.

32:09:13

2008-05-18T16:36:00.003-05:00

First Sherpa,good job on the finish.But how about the fat mans prediction 31:50.Yes I know my shit as well!Now see if ya can break 22 at Vermont.I love ya kid.Well until I return from retirement, I will just continue to predict your times and maybe you should get a shirt that reads "I wish Christian was my coach".

Sick!

2008-05-06T12:09:00.002-05:00

Well I graduated from MMCC last Saturday and I'm happy with that accomplishment.My son ended up getting the flu at the ceremony and I caught It after running 15 miles on Sunday.I'm resting today because I still feel sore and stiff. I'm also starting my third class online today at Ashford University. Well that's about all that's going on with me right now.I wish everyone well.

Speed Work!

2008-04-18T13:12:00.002-05:00

I finally got back on the track yesterday, After warming up for two miles I ran 4 X 1 Mile and than 4 quarters. I have run 50 miles since my drop at MNP.Well I'm on my way to the trail, it is beautiful outside today. I wish everyone a great weekend.

2008-04-15T23:48:00.001-05:00

Just some pics from the MNP150

Feeling good.

2008-04-15T23:20:00.002-05:00

I decided not to take any time off after my DNF on Saturday.I ran 5 miles on Sunday and 20 over the last two days. My quads felt pretty bad on Monday but are fine now. I'm still in shock at how muddy the McNaughton course was and feel I made the right decision in stopping when I did. I was looking at a past training log and think I'm going to start doing some more speed work in the coming weeks,with the weather warming.I think that I need to work on the speed and drop some weight so I can start running in the front of the pack again instead of in the middle.Well that's all for now and I hope everyone is having a wonderful week.

Good training run.

2008-04-14T12:48:00.003-05:00

Well after four mud filled,icy cold laps I threw in the towel at McNaughton Park Saturday.My wife even thanked me because she was freezing! I don't mind the cold but the rain and mud drove me over the top. My legs felt really good and I was running in 3rd place but my mind was beaten by the weather.My hat goes off to all that finished their races under the extreme conditions. Next up for me, the Sulphur Springs 50 mile next month and than the Kettle 100KM. I have decided to not run the 100 mile at Kettle and focus on getting a finish at Leadville in August.

Ready To Roll.

2008-04-06T23:30:00.003-05:00

Well I had another strong week 56 miles, following a 96 mile week that had a 30 mile trail run in 4:16. I still feel I'm not in racing shape, so the game plan is to start slow walk the hills a try to have as much fun as I can. I ran a local 4 mile race on Saturday and ran it as a tempo in 26:20 which is fine for the shape I'm in. I'm really looking forward to seeing friends and doing what I love to do.Well that's all for now and I wish everyone well.

So far so good

2008-03-25T22:14:00.003-05:00

Well its march 25Th and the weather still sucks here in Michigan. I caught some kind of bug after running 22 miles two weeks ago but seem to be back to my old self now. I have been able to put in 67 miles since Friday and look forward to a good week.The MNP race is a little over two weeks away and I have not ran a race this year,you better bet against the fat man, I think not! I'm looking at starting slow and adding another sub 24 hour to my 100 mile list of finishes. I have also been checking out other web sites and blogs and can't believe how many people are offering coaching services and running advice. I think its cool that the sport is excelling and moving ahead and that in the near future some of the young studs might just make alittle money. I myself am not very coach able and like to run how I feel ,and I log my miles on a calender.I love the social aspect of the races and the people I have met in the last four years. I thank the good lord fore giving me the opportunity to return to running after hanging my running shoes up for ten years. I look back at those early years and don't think think I would change a thing. Running has always come easy to me and I know I can run 100 mile races well ,on 50 miles a week but the real challenge in my life right now is finishing school. I think that this is the race that has been the hardest for me to finish and I can see the finish line and think I WILL FINALLY MAKE IT!

Howdie

2008-03-04T20:43:00.002-05:00

Is the weather ever going to break or what!I have just about had it with running on the treadmill.I did get the chance to run on the rail trail with my little buddy on Sunday and that rocked out loud.I'm on spring break right now from Mid Michigan Community College but I'm also enrolled in the accelerated bachelor's program at Ashford University(online).I will be really glad when May comes and I only have one class at a time. I should graduate in September of 2009 with a degree in social science.All these classes have taken away some of that training time that I'm used to.I'm hoping to get two 25 mile runs in before MNP 100 and a few 15 milers.I'm not really worried about how the first 100 of the year goes,I just want to be out there enjoying what the trail has to offer(mud and blisters!).Well I'm going to put a few cold ones away(carbs) and I'm going to try to get a couple of hours in on the trails tomorrow.Later

Will the weather ever break

2008-02-15T10:32:00.005-05:00

Well everything has been real good around here as of late except the weather.I have been doing well with my classes and putting in enoughf miles to stay fit.I'm really looking at the MNP 100 as a long training run in April.I feel that is the month that my training really starts and by the end of May Im ready to race.I'm still looking at keeping my weekly millage at 50/60.Well I have to keep it short(I always do!)I have four kids today that want to go sleding because the are on winter break.

Cold,Ice And Wind!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-01-30T12:32:00.000-05:00

Wow! what a difference 24 hours makes,yesterday it was almost fifty degrees outside and today its about seven.I thinking its a good day to run on the treadmill.I just can wait for the warm weather and the fresh smells of spring to arrive.I had to give a presentation last night in my humanities class on culture as far as i now it went well that's kind of a hard topic to cover because culture falls into so many areas.Well friends stay warm and talk to ya later.

Good running

2008-01-27T20:18:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I put in 20 miles on the Mid-to-mac trail,I got a late start and ended up running the the bulk of the miles in the dark.This was my longest run since October!I have not ran a ultra since than and my legs as well as my mind feel crisp.I also have removed last years post from my blog because that was last year and my new goals have been set and I'm not one for living in the past.Having some time off has giving me a chance to reflect on the first 3 years of my ultra career I have finished 51 races in that time and meet many awesome individuals.I'm also thankful for the two seasons I had a chance to be a part of the Montrail Regional Team and wish the remaining runners on the team the best.I'm also very thankful to all the help that Bill at Runner's has giving me over the years and I'm looking forward to showing up at races in his gear.Well happy trails everyone and good luck in your training.

Mid West Slam?

2008-01-16T00:09:00.000-05:00

Well I have decided to run what you would call the Mid West Slam,I going to run the McNaughton 100,Sulphur Springs 100,Kettle Moraine 100,Mohcain 100 and the Haliburton 100 in 2008.I'm also going to try and get a finish at Leadville.I'm just going to have fun and try to finish these races.I'm presently in college and my training is limited and this could be a good thing or a bad thing.Well I hope everyone is doing well and hope to see ya on the trails soon!