2019 Moebius Green Monster Trail 50K

There is suddenly slippery mud that you don’t notice until it sneaks up on you. There’s mud that lurks below shallow pools of water and streams, Then there’s ankle-deep, shoe-sucking mud. Guess which is my personal favorite? And guess which was the most prevalent at this year’s Moebius Green Monster Trail 50K? I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the one other kind of mud that I’ve encountered, though thank goodness not today. Of course that’s the waist-deep kind.

Besides the mud, there’s the ever-present rocks, roots, fallen trees, and stream-crossings. This may come as a shock to some, but I’m not much of a trail runner. Since I don’t run trails so much, those things, and of course the mud, are a challenge to me.

What didn’t challenge me today was the weather. It was mostly clear, cool, and nice for the entire run. All the other runners, some of whom are old friends that I hadn’t seen in a while, were enjoying the weather immensely.

Photo by Syd

Having done this run in the past as fast as five hours flat and around five-thirty, I thought I could at least break six hours this day. Alas. It wasn’t to be. My 10K loops were 1:12, 1:12, 1:14, 1:14, and 1:19. I never really got going fast enough to come through with a fast overall time. I crossed the line in six hours, 14 minutes. That’s about the same time as my last 50K. But I had slightly higher expectations this time.

At least I’m still vertical. And I certainly did enjoy the run. Despite the rocks, the roots, the fallen trees, the stream-crossings. And the mud.

Going a Little Too Fast

I've been pretty good about getting to the track once a week for the past month or two. Most track workouts (I hesitate to call them speedwork) take place at the Mayfield High School track. It's close to work, so I can drive up there early and beat the morning freeway traffic. After the run, I drive a couple miles to the Fitness Center, shower, dress, and then walk over to the office. It works.

Things took a slightly different turn today. I was minding my own business driving in on I480, when I saw the flashing lights behind me. Surely they weren't for me, I thought. Oh yes, they were. I got a citation for driving 76 in a 60. This is ironic, because I've been known to drive even faster, and may well have been, had there not been a car in front of me doing the same speed. I was the unlucky one. It's also ironic that traffic sometimes moves even faster still when there is somewhat more of it. This early morning there wasn't all that many of us about. I suppose it's easier for cops to single victims out when they're sparse.

Although I was a little upset, and although I was now starting later than planned, I was also determined to still run some (relatively) fast 800s today. Could I do as well as last week?

I could, and I did. Barely: only 1 second better per repeat. But an average of 3:43 is something I'll take.

It isn't too fast.

MCRR President's Corner

I am honored to have been chosen to become the President of MCRR. This has happened before, and now they want me back. Ain't that something?

As President, I contribute to the club newsletter in the form of the monthly President's Corner articles. Here is the first installment. I think you'll like it.



Now that I’m here, we’re going to turn this team around 360 degrees ~ Jason Kidd, as he was drafted to the then-lowly Dallas Mavericks


Thank you for your service. Yes, you’ve heard that before. In this case, it applies to your current and past members of the MCRR Board. These folks devote their time and effort to make MCRR the great running club that it is. This is volunteerism at its best. Excuse me, but I’m going to get personal. These personal thank-yous are in no particular order.


Christy Wilmoth: Thank you for stepping up to fulfill the job of President. I know you have a busy life and you probably didn’t need another place to spend your time. But you did serve us well. I’m happy you’re still on the Board. I plan to rely heavily on your experience.


Beth Bugner: You’re new on the Board, but of course you’re familiar to all of us. With your dedication to the Half-Marathon, the MCRR Scholarship, gobs of other things, and now the Board, you are the best of the best. What a great role model you are.


Harold Dravenstott: You’ve taken the Treasurer Role on for another year, and no amount of appreciation is adequate for that. It’s nearly a thankless job (except that I’m thanking you now), but it’s oh so necessary. You make it look easy, but I know it isn’t. Thanks for all your other volunteerism as well.


Tim Pepe: Welcome to the Board. I am certain you will provide very valuable contributions, as you bring your running experience and MCRR friends into the mix. I know you volunteer for a lot, and it’s grand that you’re joining us here as well. (By the way, since you missed the meeting, you’re lucky that you weren’t chosen to be President.)


Michelle Wolff: It’s hard to remember a time when you were not on the Board. And you do another job that’s not an easy one: that of Secretary. You’ve always been the most supreme of volunteers. MCRR (and I, your running partner) would be lost without you.


Karen Hammon: I believe you’re yet another person who is invaluable to the club. As Vice President, you do all kinds of stuff that no one else is willing to take on. I am so happy that you’re staying on in this role. Prepare to be leaned on. A lot.


Sydney Chinchana: You have made the newsletter great again. Greater than ever, in fact. I very much look forward to that thing coming to my email each month. When it does arrive, I read every word as if my life depends on it. I suppose it does to some degree since running is my life. You have become a valuable member of our Board, and also the entire club. For everyone else in the club, if you don’t already know Sydney, get that changed right away.


None of this is to say that there aren’t a whole lot of other fantastic folks in the club. I wish I could name all of you right here and now. Suffice it to say that your volunteering efforts are indeed appreciated.



As for me, it’s an honor to be on the Board and even more so to be chosen to serve as President again. I promise to do my best to help keep the lights on and to try to avoid doing anything truly stupid. I know. It’s a stretch. I do plan to focus on making running fun and fulfilling for all of us. It’s why we’re all here.


Volunteering and doing good things. It’s what makes MCRR great.

Featured Runner

Every month the Medina County Roadrunners feature a member in their monthly newsletter. Recently, I had my turn. Here it is:

Can you give me a short description about yourself?

I run a lot. But you probably already knew that. Instead, let me tell you a little about my non-running life.

My day job is this: I’m a project planning analyst specializing in software metrics. I positively love this work. More so when it doesn’t conflict with running, traveling, or spending time with the family.

Did I just mention travel? Yes, I like to explore far and wide. I consider myself lucky to have had some wonderful travel opportunities so far. And I’m planning more all the time. Related to some extent, I also like hiking, theater, good food, and other cultural stuff.

Besides MCRR, I belong to, and serve on the executive board of another organization called the Sierra Club. I have strong feelings about the environment, and I believe we all need to work together to leave the planet a better place.

I enjoy writing. I have three blogs on the topics of running, travel, and the environment. This is at least some indication of what’s important to me. I’ve written a couple dozen articles and I’ve self-published two books.

I mostly like spending time with my family and friends. This takes precedence over work, travel, and even running.

How long have you been running?

The bronze age was just ending. I was lucky that they selected Pheidipides instead of me to run from Marathon to Athens in 490 B.C. A little more seriously, I started running in the mid-1970s, when running became a thing. Sure, people did run before that, but it was mostly on the track. There wasn’t much road or trail running until that 1970s running boom.

My first marathon was also the first Cleveland Marathon in 1978. I didn’t know much about training, other than I needed to run a lot. That’s been my mantra ever since.

Do you run alone or with a group?

Both. Weekdays are mostly solitary, with a few exceptions. Weekends are nearly always with my MCRR peeps. I do prefer having the company. As you might guess, I’ve had a lot of running partners over the years, many of whom have become good friends. But none have been as great as my MCRR buddies. MCRR is da best.

Road or trail?

I love trails 1: The Towpath and similar trails – those that are straight, wide, and smooth - are just the thing for me.
I love trails 2: Slightly rougher trails like bridle trails are also fine, but for hiking, not for running. I don’t really like face-planting myself.
I love trails 3: Trails that are rougher still are also fine. Except for rocks. And roots. And mud. And ankle-twisting ruts. And stream-crossings. (Also see #2)

I don’t really like the hard surface of roads, but they work better for me overall. I do try to get 25%-35% of my running done on softer surfaces however.

Running in 0F or 90F?

How about neither? I think I suffer less in the cold, so I prefer the former. But I usually can survive the latter, especially if I’ve gotten used to it. Don’t get me started on cold rain, however.

Favorite race distance? why? 

Over the years, my favorite racing distance has undergone quite the evolution. I think my first fav was 10K. Even as I began running marathons, my 10K runs were always a great experience and challenge. At some point, it switched to the marathon. I think this was because I started doing so darn many of them, and because I actually reached a point where I was reaching my goals. Then came 100K. I did a few of them, and despite the challenge, I was happy with the results.

Now it’s been years since I’ve run that far. But I have done some 50s. 50 what, you ask? A couple years ago I ran a few 50 milers including the National Championship, and they mostly went okay. Maybe you can say that that was a favorite distance. Until it wasn’t. I haven’t even done one of those in a while now.

Now it’s just 50Ks. I’ve done a bunch, and I’m still doing them. So after all that, 50K is my favorite race distance. Wasn’t that simple?


Most memorable race? why?

If you know me, you probably think I’ll talk about the 2008 Green Jewel 100K. You know, the one where I had to run fast in order to get done in time to get on a flight to Europe, except that I got lost in the downpour yet still made it. Or maybe my only completed 100-Miler: Mohican in 2001. But no. Instead, allow me to tell you about my first sub-three hour marathon.

After that 1978 Cleveland marathon where I ran a 3:04, I had it in my head that I wanted to break three hours and qualify for Boston. Three hours was the standard for Boston for years and years, although it was even tougher for one or two years: 2:50. I tried to break three hours for eleven years, coming close a few times. Then finally, the 1989 Cleveland Marathon came around. I’d worked and trained, trained and worked, and I finally put it all together and ran 2:59. I remember the bright sunny day, the warm temperatures (which were not helpful), talking with others along the way. Mostly I remember the final quarter mile on Euclid Avenue. I was running fast and strong, and I felt great. Time seemed to stand still as I knew I’d made it, and just wanted to savor that moment.

Then something ironic happened. Within a couple weeks, Boston drastically relaxed their qualifying standards, to 3:15 in my case. I had already been qualified based on previous races. I still liked where I was at, however. I’d gotten the formula right, and managed to break three hours six more times. Nothing feels like running strong at the finish of a fast marathon. Nothing.

Dream race/destination?

There are a few runs and races on my bucket list. Rim to Rim to Rim in the Grand Canyon is one. Comrades (Ultra)Marathon in South Africa is another.

Favorite pre-race food/drink?

For a marathon or anything longer, a small bowl of cereal works well. And coffee. There has to be coffee.

Favorite post-race food/drink?

I don’t eat a whole lot of red meat. But for some reason, after a long race, I crave a nice, juicy steak. I suppose it’s the protein.

Favorite local route/place to run?

I love Hinckley, but in my mind, it’s the Towpath. Peninsula and the Station Road Bridge areas are some of my favorite places on Planet Earth.

Do you cross-train? If so, what do you do? 

I lift weights – light ones – a few days a week. I also swim (poorly) about once a week.

Have you ever run in costume? What was your favorite costume?

No, but some people say I dress funny anyway. Also, there was that time that I stood in for Roy Heger as race-director for the day so that he could run his own race, Run with Scissors. My wife helped me disguise myself to look like Roy, and he sure was surprised to see me!

What’s the most ridiculous thing a non-runner ever said to you?

After a friend and I trained together and ran that first marathon, an incredulous non-runner asked, “How did you ever train for such a thing?” (Remember, marathons were rare in those days.) My running buddy, who just didn’t want to get into all the intricacies of our training regimen, replied, “We ran a lot.”

Name of an MCRR member that you want to us to interview next: 

Christine Orwin

A Ten

1) To run fast, you have to start fast. Or is it: Don’t start too fast; save something for the rest of the repeat and finish strong. What to do when you consider conflicting advice? Both things, of course. I’ve started my Yasso workout at Buckeye H.S. track. Lap one is always the toughest, except for the other nine. I’m starting with the philosophy that I do need to begin fast, but not so much that I feel it a whole lot. This before the devil knows your dead strategy is something I apply to the first 200 meters of every 800-meter repeat. It seems to work, as the next 400 meters feel tough, but not exhausting. I’m able to run the final 200 meters fairly fast. Even so, I’m pretty tired after this one. And egads, I have nine more to go. 3:47.

2) Last week I managed to run the ten 800s at an average time of 3:50. That was a little slower than I’d wanted, but at least they were steady and consistent. Today I want to do them all under 3:50. Is it possible? Well, I did okay on my first one; all I need to do is continue running that fast for all the others. This one seems a teensy bit easier than the first. 3:46.

3) Light rain is falling on and off. The 69F temperature doesn’t feel too bad, but the humidity is through the roof. This repeat is feeling easier still, and I’ll get a quick water break afterward. 3:43.

4) I pick up a little trash whilst going around on my recovery lap. This is just something I do when the notion hits me. One item is a water bottle that seems full. I twist off the top and hear the familiar click to indicate that it hadn’t been opened before. This is good; now I can drink at the edge of the track rather than going all the way over to the water fountain, saving me at least 25 extra steps each time. It’s official. These are definitely getting easier. At least a little. 3:44.

5) I hear footsteps and look back. No one is there. The noise is my own big floppy shorts, soaked with rain and sweat, flapping in the wind. Since I’m the only one at the track this early morning, and since I’m traveling clockwise (something I never do when others are present) the noise did manage to spook me just a bit. Not enough to run faster, however. 3:43.

6) After that last one, I took a water break (out of my new-found bottle) and stopped to stretch for just a minute. It’s always hard to get moving again after a brief rest like this, but here I go. I’m only half-way done and I feel shot. How in the world will I be able to do five more? 3:44.

7) Well, now it’s only four more. That sounds so much better. Maybe I will indeed be able to do this. 3:44.

8) Number eight somehow sounds better than three more to go. I’m not sure why that is. It sounds even better to say when I’m done with this one, I’ll only have number 9 and number 10 to finish. 3:44.

9) I’ve seen it happen. Occasionally, I’m able to pick up the pace during the final one or two laps such that they are my fastest two of the bunch. Today is not one of those occasions. But at least I’m not slowing down, either. 3:43.

10) Now I think I am going to make it. The last one always feels good to say to oneself. For this and the last couple, I skip checking my watch at the first 200 meters. I’m still following the before the devil knows you’re dead strategy, and it’s working well for me. I only look at the end of each 200-meter section after that. As with number 9, I can’t run any faster, but I don’t slow down either. No big deal. I’m extremely gratified to be finishing and to have met my time goal for the day. 3:43.