The HUFF 50K Trail Notes

Not a snowy year, so it must be a muddy year

2007-12-30T11:36:00.000-05:00

Josh Dillingham gives his 2007 race report on the weblog "On the Run."

His goal was 25 ultras for 2007. The 2007 HUFF was his 25th ultra of the year. Goal met.

He finished in a time within 8 seconds of his HUFF finishing time in 2006.

Josh writes:

I expected to feel pretty good going into HUFF because I hadn't run in two
weeks, so I thought I would be fresh. WRONG! I guess I really underestimated the
impact of the CrossFit workouts I've been doing. With the squats, burpees,
rowing and snatches I did this week, my quads were toasted before I even started
the race. Not to mention the 5k I ran yesterday, probably not one of my smarter
ideas.
HUFF is a 10.8 mile loop course repeated 3 times (you're correct if you
think that doesn't add up to 31 miles.) It is run around J. Edward Roush Lake in
Huntington Indiana. It's a pretty flat trail run. The course is usually either
muddy or snowy. This year it was muddy.

At the start of the race my quads felt heavy and a bit fatigued but I
didn't think it would be a big deal. I ran HUFF last year so I knew what to
expect as far as pace and terrain. My rough game plan was to run the first loop
in a comfortable time, something around 1:45, then pick it up on the final two
loops to run negative splits and finish with I time somewhere between 5:10 5:30.

That worked pretty will for the first loop.

I came in at 1:48, but I knew I was in trouble. My quads were already
completely fried.

If it wasn't for the fact that I was trying to keep up with Mike, I would
have ended up walking most of the 2nd and 3rd loops. Every time I slowed down,
he caught up to me and cracked the whip.

We ended up running the entire either together or within a minute of each
other, not by design, that's just how it happened. Believe me, I was trying to
drop him, It just wasn't happening today, he was strong!

At the beginning of my third loop I started re-tooling my game plan. 5:10 -
5:30 was way out of the picture. Now I would try to beat last years finishing
time of 5:56 (I couldn't remember the seconds. Not a big deal right? You'll
see.) But as I started the third loop that goal began to slip a way steadily.

I felt so bad during the second loop, it really didn't get any worse for
the third.

My quads were useless, and something weird was going on with my ankles (I
was worried about it during the race, but afterwards I notice both ankles hurt
in the same spot so it most be due to the two week running break.)

I kept plodding away until I got to the last aid station, with about 3.5
miles to go. I looked at my watch, which said 5:23. That meant if I could
maintain 10 minute miles I could finish under 6 hours. That would be easier said
than done, seeing as how I hadn't been maintaining consistent 10 minute miles
since the end of the first loop. They were now hovering anywhere from 10-14
minutes depending on the muddy sections and the road sections.

Regardless, I thought I would give it a shot.

Mike was right on my tail at this point. I tried to get him to follow me,
but we were both giving it all we had. I decided to make my final move. when I
got to the 1.8 mile to go point, I looked at my watch: 5:39.

I was keeping a steady pace. This is when I started thinking again about
beating last years 5:56. It would be tough but I though I had a chance.

I kicked it into gear. I reached the final .8 miles with 7 minutes to go. I
kicked it into the highest gear I had left and speed to the finish. The final
.25 miles is on pavement. When I hit the pavement the clock read 5:55, I crossed
the finish line in 5:56:41.
S
till unsure if I had beaten last years time, but pleased with my effort on
a day when I had far less than my "A" game.

I really only had one running goal for 2007. That was to complete 25
ultras. The Huff was number 25. I'd call that a successful year.

Congrats to Mike on a fantastic gutsy run. I'll let him tell you the
details.

HUFF commentary and first person accounts

2007-12-30T11:17:00.000-05:00

First up is this account from Dennis Duria, who blogs under the name RunBubbaRun at "Martial Artist, Triathlete, Ironman, Ultrarunner and Just Plain Craziness."

The new HUFF veteran from Chicago got a late start.

Dennis wrote:

Saturday was my last race of the year, the HUFF 50k in Indiana. I started
kinda of late heading out to the race. So when I arrived at the gate to pay my
DNR park pass I figured I had at least 15 minutes to spare.

Hmm, kinda of quite driving up to the race site. I think I have had
this same strange feeling once before at one of my triathlons. OHH crap, I park
my car and see no racers around. The race clock has already started. Instead of
having 15 minutes to spare, I was actually 45 minutes late for the race. "ROYAL
CRAP," what's up with the daylight saving time theory again.

So I was able to pick up my timing chip and was on my way starting the
race 50 minutes behind everybody else.

It had rained and sleeted in the area the night before, so I knew the
trail would be pretty icy and muddy. Okay, maybe it was not so bad running by
myself through the mud right now, at least I can try to find the best path
through this stuff.

But all I could think about was I really did not want to be last in the
race and try to at least catch up to a couple of people.

It was a three loop race, so the first loop I was feeling pretty good
and doing a decent pace, for me anyways.

So around mile 6, I spotted some back of packers moseying along. Okay,
I was feeling a little better, than I get a tap on the back of me saying "good
job". Crap, I just got lapped by the leader. Then around two more lapped me
before finishing my 1st lap. Dang [ ... ]

1 st loop ~ 1:50:48

So on the second loop I tried to relax and stick to a nutritional plan.
There was alot of mud on the trail and little streams big enough we could only
run through. So another round of cold wet feet we go. I managed to stay upright
in loop 1, but when I started to descend on one of the hills, I hit some "black
ice" and went down and banged my knee. Okay that hurt a little bit, I needed to
walk for a couple of minutes to shake it off. So a decent loop 2, I did have
some side stitch issues and some knee pain, but I was able to catch up to one or
more people on the course.

2nd loop ~ 2:04:14

So on the third and final loop, I was still running but getting tired.
I was not following my nutrition plan all that well and I felt it. But kept
running for most of it and stayed upright. I felt good about catching up to all
the people I saw ahead of me on the trail.

3rd loop ~ 2:19:30

So with all the mud, ice, wet feet, 31 degree weather, and 31+ miles
later, I finished in 6:14:30.
overall
place: 84 out of 149division place: 11 out of 19gender place: 67 out of
116

Dang that was a long day. But everything leading up to my 100 miler is
all training for me. On that end it was a good learning day as well. Talked
briefly with a fellow "Marathon Manic" on the race course.

Oh yes, I finally got my Maniac singlet, so
I guess I'm official now. #750
Marathon Maniac to be exact.

So with the end of the race, my 2007 racing season is finally at an
end.

Everybody have a SAFE and Happy New Years.

Results are in

2007-12-30T09:44:00.000-05:00

Congratulations to all the finishers in the 2007 HUFF Trail Run events.

You may view the HUFF results at Online Race Results by clicking here.

Hot showers after the HUFF at the Huntington Family YMCA

2007-12-27T16:16:00.000-05:00

Once again, the Huntington Family YMCA is opening its facilities to HUFF participants to shower, clean up and warm up after the race.

The shower facilities are a welcome perk - particularly for those who do the entire 50 kilometers. However, relay runners value the Y, too. A runner who has completed a leg can make the brief dash into town, get a hot shower, and then come back to the tent in dry, warm clothes to meet their relay partner at the finish line.

The famous HUFF soups taste just as good whether they are consumed before getting a shower or after the return.

The Huntington Family YMCA is located in downtown Huntington just two blocks north of the Courthouse at 607 Warren Street. Warren Street is also northbound US 224/SR 5 through downtown Huntington.

There is one change this year. The YMCA no longer provides towels for its members and visitors. Be sure and bring your own towel to the shower.

View Larger Map

And, like all HUFF runners, we know you won't be wearing you muddy shoes inside. We get wonderful feedback from the Y every year about the graciousness - and gratefulness - of the runners. Thank you for thanking the personnel of the YMCA when your visit.

The YMCA will be building a new facility soon in conjunction with Huntington University.

Kil-So-Quah Campground entrance, parking and lay-out

2007-12-27T15:58:00.000-05:00

You will know you have reached the right place for The HUFF 50K Trail Run when you see this entrance sign on US 224 (Markle Road):

It will be a little bit darker when you are trying to discover the large sign on the morning of the race. Once you turn in on the access road next to the sign you will come to the entry gate.

The DNR will be collecting an entrance fee of $5 for every vehicle entering the campground. This was first instituted in 2004 shortly before The HUFF. That made for long lines snaking out onto US 224 the first year.

Last year, the entry delay was much diminished by the fact that we sold entry passes before the race at the pasta dinner the night before and in Fort Wayne. We will have one-day passes available. Of course, if you already have a 2007 Indiana DNR state park pass or you have purchased a 2008 Indiana DNR state park pass, it will be honored at the gate.

Indeed we urge runners from Indiana to purchase a 2008 pass. These are available at most DNR sites in Indiana or are available online by clicking here. We will have some available for purchase at the pasta dinner.

Once you get past the gate and make the short distance to the campground you should see one of the members of the HUFF parking brigade who can help get you parked efficiently.

Each campsite shown below can accomodate 2 or 3 vehicles if the first vehicle pulls all the way into the space. 50K runners should try to pull in first. One-loopers should pull in after the 50 folks. Try to coordinate with other runners that you know to make parking as efficient as possible.

The map of the campground, which you can enlarge by clicking, show the approximate locations of the state, the main tent, the chute/relay transition area and path of the course through the campground.

The start will take place on the main road. The 50K and first relay runner of a team will start at 8:00 AM. NOTE: THE ONE LOOP RUNNERS WILL START 10 to 15 minutes after the 50K and relay runners start. This is in order to spread out the start, lessen the initial crowding on the trail and make for a more enjoyable - and faster - trail experience.

50K runners and subsequent relay runners will not run on the road on the 2nd and 3rd loops or legs. You will exit the transition area, hit the aid table if you need to, then run west through the short grassy area west of the main tent until you enter the trail.

This means the first loop or leg is slightly shorter than the 2nd and 3rd loops.

50K runners will pass through the campground as they finish each loop. This means that if you want to change shoes and socks, get drier clothing or pick up other supplies from your car, you can do so. This generally obviates the need for drop bags at one of the two other aid stations.

The other aid stations are located approximately 3.5 to 4 miles from each other and from the start/finish. Aid Station "A" is located at the entrance to the Little Turtle State Recreation Area just off Highway 5 (Warren Road) south of the dam. This is near the main office for the reservoir.

Aid Station "B" is located on Division Road where the trail crosses the road. This is past the shooting range. Note that Division Road ends in a cul-de-sac about a 1/4 mile past Aid Station "B." You can turn around there or you can greet your runner at that cul-de-sac as they emerge from the trail and then go down the trail east of the cul-de-sac as they head to Simpson Road and the bridge on the east side of the course.

Division Road is reached by exiting Aid Station "B" and turning left (south) on Highway 5. Go to the first county road south of the Little Turtle entrance and turn left (east) onto Division Road.
Since the opening of the shooting range in 2005, we have had to modify the course and divert runners onto part of Division Road in order to get them past the shooting range.

Please be careful as you drive on Division Road in order to provide the HUFF participants with the greatest measure of safety.

There will be a portable toilet at Aid Station "A" and at Aid Station "B'." There are additional pit toilets just beyond Aid Station "A" in the campground. (These are visible from the trail).

There are three sets of men's and women's modern and upgraded pit toilets at Kil-So-Campground. One set is at the east end where runners finishing the loop will be coming into the campground. Another set is on the west end near the access road. The main set is directly across (south) of the main tent and chute area. We have contracted to put another portable toilet in at that location to augment the two already there.

Aid Stations will have water, sport drink, defizzed cola and an array of solid foods such as fruit, pretzels, chips, cookies, M & M's, hard candy and the like. The aid stations will also have some things special to the aid station such as the traditional chocolate turtles at Aid Staion "A," or boiled potatos, chicken noodle soup and other goodies.

The main tent will, of course, have an amazing array of home-made soups and other goodies. More about that later. The HUFF is known for its food!

1 Day DNR entry pass for the Kil-So-Quah Campground

2007-12-27T15:47:00.000-05:00

1 day entry passes to the Kil-So-Quah Campground are available tomorrow from the Three Rivers Running Company in Fort Wayne or at the pasta dinner/packet pickup at St. Peter Lutheran School in Huntington, Indiana from 5:30 PM to 8:15 PM.

Three years ago the DNR instituted the new gate fee to the Kil-So-Quah Campground. The fee is $5.

In order to lessen the wait at the US 224 campground entrance, you are urged to obtain the one-day pass. If you are an Indiana runner with a DNR yearly pass, you may use either your 2007 or 2008 yearly pass.

The Three Rivers Running Company store is located on North Clinton in Fort Wayne just south of Coliseum Boulevard.

St. Peter Lutheran School is located at 605 Polk Street in Huntington on the near west side of downtown.

Pasta dinner tickets may be purchased for $8 at the door. Food will be served from 5:45 to 7:45 PM.

All proceeds of the pasta ticket sales go to St. Peter Lutheran Church for youth activities.

2007 HUFF 50K Trail Run has a Facebook Group

2007-10-25T12:23:00.001-04:00

Dave Boyer of Fort Wayne has formed a HUFF 50K 2007 Facebook group.

The HUFF 50K 2007 Facebook group was set up by Dave to be a place where runners who are students or graduates of his high school to set up relay teams and keep in communication.

Dave Boyer is a graduate of Homestead High School in Fort Wayne IN and is now a freshman runner for the Huntington University Foresters.

If you are a member of Facebook you can find the group at:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=5242247105

The HUFF Photos are posted

2007-01-05T15:06:00.000-05:00

The 2006 HUFF photos are now posted.

725 photos by award-winning sports photographer Andrew Hancock have been posted at AndrewHancock.com.

Go to his site at www.andrewhancock.com and click on 'CONTACT' on the upper right of the page.

On the bottom of the "Contact" page - go to the bottom of the page and find the 'SEARCH' field for Andy's PhotoShelter archives. In that search field, just type 'huff2006' and it will pull up the HUFF images.

Pre-race story on the 2006 HUFF

2006-12-31T19:15:00.000-05:00

Click here to view sportswriter Phil Bloom's pre-race story that appeared in the Fort Wayne Journal-Gazette.

The story features runner Kim Lefever of Columbia City, Indiana. Kim has participated every year of The HUFF 50K. He started out as a one-loop runner and then became a 50K regular.

2006 HUFF 50K Trail Run RACE RESULTS

2006-12-30T22:09:00.000-05:00

Race results for the 2006 HUFF 50K Trail Run can be seen here:

HUFF 50K at Online Race Results.

Results were updated continuously throughout the day on Saturday from the HUFF pavilion via a remote datalink.

Saturday to be sunny, warm

2006-12-28T23:54:00.000-05:00

According to Intellicast, this is how Saturday's outlook is shaping up for The HUFF 50K Trail Run:

Saturday
12/30/2006 Sunrise: 8:05 am UV Index: 1, Low Sunset: 5:21 pm
Moonrise: 1:49 pm Phase: Waxing Gibbous Moonset: 4:03 am
Predicted High: 49 Predicted Low: 39

Partly cloudy. Highs in the upper 40s and lows in the upper 30s.

The HUFF Course Map

2006-12-22T10:08:00.000-05:00

The HUFF 50K Course Map remains unchanged from last year.

Veterans of last year's run will remember that the course was changed on the south side as a result of the opening of the new shooting range and the DNR's experience with two major flooding episodes. The good news was that the change eliminated the chance to get your feet wet at a small stream crossing. And the new shooting range nearly eliminates noise from the gun enthusiasts. (Newbies: ask some veterans of the early HUFF years what the old shooting range could add to the flavor of the event.)

Unfortunately, there was a road section added to the course to bypass the shooting range.

Due to the requirements of some of the governmental funding sources, the shooting range was required to have a larger safety zone surrounding it. This meant that the then-existing trail was encroached by the new safety zone.

Once you bypass exit the road, however, you will reenter wooded trail that traverses some parts of the DNR property which were not part of the original HUFF course.

A particular thanks to Jerry Diehl and Bob Berger for laying out and measuring the course. Thanks also to Roush Lake Property Director Jeff Reed and his crew for trail maintenance and clearing. Several major downed trees have been cut up and removed from the trail in recent weeks. Ongoing trail maintenance kudos also need to go to the mountain bike crew of Huntington County who do ongoing trail clean-up throughout the year.

Jerry and Bob have placed small mile marker signs on the course for those who will be doing a training loop this weekend. Larger mile marker signs along with directional arrow signs, flourescent ribbons and other trail marking signs will be on the HUFF course for race day.

Trail Memorial Fund established for Bob Edesess

2006-12-22T09:53:00.000-05:00

A fitting memorial has been established in the memory of Dr. Bob Edesess of Indianapolis who died earlier this year in an aircraft accident. Dr. Edesess was a veteran of the HUFF 50K who tackled ultramarathons with good humor as well as dedication.

The Indianapolis Star carried a story earlier this month about the efforts of Dr. Brent Barta and other friends of Bob in creating a memorial to fund construction and maintenance of a trail at Eagle Creek Park in Indianapolis.

Brent Barta will be at this year's HUFF as he has been at so many of the prior years' runnings of this race. I urge you to talk with him about the fund and thank him for what he has done in Bob's memory.

From the Indianapolis Star:

Dr. Brent Barta, Zionsville, has established the Edesess Trail Project at Eagle Creek Park and wants to raise at least $10,000 to build the Edesess Nature Trail. The trail would connect the indoor learning facilities at the new Earth Discovery Center, scheduled to open in the spring, to the outdoor learning area at the park's Echo Pond.

Edesess died when his small plane crashed shortly after take-off from Eagle Creek Airport in August. He lived on the west bank of Eagle Creek Reservoir and was a frequent visitor to the park, running along its scenic roads and trails.

About $6,200 has been raised so far. Individuals or organizations interested in contributing should make checks payable to Eagle Creek Park Foundation Inc. and mail them to the foundation at 7840 W. 56th St., Indianapolis, IN 46254.

Kil-So-Quah Campground - Parking and Layout

2006-12-21T08:44:00.000-05:00

You will know you have reached the right place for The HUFF 50K Trail Run when you see this entrance sign on US 224 (Markle Road):

It will be a little bit darker when you are trying to discover the large sign on the morning of the race. Once you turn in on the access road next to the sign you will come to the entry gate.

The DNR will be collecting an entrance fee of $4 for every vehicle entering the campground. This was first instituted in 2004 shortly before The HUFF. That made for long lines snaking out onto US 224 the first year.

Last year, the entry delay was much diminished by the fact that we sold entry passes before the race at the pasta dinner the night before and in Fort Wayne. We will have both one-day and annual passes available. Of course, if you already have a 2006 Indiana DNR state park pass or you have purchased a 2007 Indiana DNR state park pass, it will be honored at the gate.

Indeed we urge runners from Indiana to purchase a 2007 pass. These are available at most DNR sites in Indiana or are available online by clicking here. We will have some available for purchase at the pasta dinner.

Once you get past the gate and make the short distance to the campground you should see one of the members of the HUFF parking brigade who can help get you parked efficiently.

Each campsite shown below can accomodate 2 or 3 vehicles if the first vehicle pulls all the way into the space. 50K runners should try to pull in first. One-loopers should pull in after the 50 folks. Try to coordinate with other runners that you know to make parking as efficient as possible.

The map of the campground, which you can enlarge by clicking, show the approximate locations of the state, the main tent, the chute/relay transition area and path of the course through the campground.

The start will take place on the main road. The 50K and first relay runner of a team will start at 8:00 AM. NOTE: THE ONE LOOP RUNNERS WILL START 10 to 15 minutes after the 50K and relay runners start. This is in order to spread out the start, lessen the initial crowding on the trail and make for a more enjoyable - and faster - trail experience.

50K runners and subsequent relay runners will not run on the road on the 2nd and 3rd loops or legs. You will exit the transition area, hit the aid table if you need to, then run west through the short grassy area west of the main tent until you enter the trail.

This means the first loop or leg is slightly shorter than the 2nd and 3rd loops.

50K runners will pass through the campground as they finish each loop. This means that if you want to change shoes and socks, get drier clothing or pick up other supplies from your car, you can do so. This generally obviates the need for drop bags at one of the two other aid stations.

The other aid stations are located approximately 3.5 to 4 miles from each other and from the start/finish. Aid Station "A" is located at the entrance to the Little Turtle State Recreation Area just off Highway 5 (Warren Road) south of the dam. This is near the main office for the reservoir.

Aid Station "B" is located on Division Road where the trail crosses the road. This is past the shooting range. Note that Division Road ends in a cul-de-sac about a 1/4 mile past Aid Station "B." You can turn around there or you can greet your runner at that cul-de-sac as they emerge from the trail and then go down the trail east of the cul-de-sac as they head to Simpson Road and the bridge on the east side of the course.

Division Road is reached by exiting Aid Station "B" and turning left (south) on Highway 5. Go to the first county road south of the Little Turtle entrance and turn left (east) onto Division Road.
Since the opening of the shooting range in 2005, we have had to modify the course and divert runners onto part of Division Road in order to get them past the shooting range.

Please be careful as you drive on Division Road in order to provide the HUFF participants with the greatest measure of safety.

There will be a portable toilet at Aid Station "A" and at Aid Station "B'." There are additional pit toilets just beyond Aid Station "A" in the campground. (These are visible from the trail).

There are three sets of men's and women's modern and upgraded pit toilets at Kil-So-Campground. One set is at the east end where runners finishing the loop will be coming into the campground. Another set is on the west end near the access road. The main set is directly across (south) of the main tent and chute area. We have contracted to put another portable toilet in at that location to augment the two already there.

Aid Stations will have water, sport drink, defizzed cola and an array of solid foods such as fruit, pretzels, chips, cookies, M & M's, hard candy and the like. The aid stations will also have some things special to the aid station such as the traditional chocolate turtles at Aid Staion "A," or boiled potatos, chicken noodle soup and other goodies.

The main tent will, of course, have an amazing array of home-made soups and other goodies. More about that later. The HUFF is known for its food!

PACKET PICK-UP

2006-12-21T07:41:00.000-05:00

PACKET PICK-UP and PASTA DINNER

$8.00 for the pre-race pasta dinner. The dinner will be held from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. the evening before the race at St. Peter Lutheran Church School at 604 Polk Street (the Church is at 648 North LaFontaine Street) in Huntington. The pasta dinner is provided by the St. Peter Youth Group and proceeds of the pasta dinner benefit the youth activities.

Packet pick-up at the St. Peter Lutheran Church School at 604 Polk Street (the Church is at 648 North LaFontaine Street) in Huntington the night before the race,or by 7:40 AM at the race site on race day.

You can view a map of the race site here on Google Maps. The entrance to the Kil-So-Quah campground is to the left of the arrow. Note: Markle Road is US 224.

Another map of the Kil-S0-Quah campground entrance can be viewed here.

After the HUFF, the Cannon is moving to Georgia

2006-12-21T07:19:00.000-05:00

The 2006 HUFF participants are going to be the last HUFFers to be dispatched on their adventure by the cannon which began our tradition of a booming send-off.

Two weeks ago we learned that the cannon is decamping from Wabash, Indiana, to head to warmer, southern climes. The cannon blast has been provided by the Great Lakes Historical Re-enactors.

The Re-enactors will remain a fixture but their member with the cannon is moving. We already have a line on a few other cannons and howitzers for future years but the concussive wave that enters your sternum and exits your spine to start the race will not quite be the same.

The cannon blast always comes as a bit of a surprise to HUFF newbies. Even though they can see the size of the cannon and even though some veterans may have told them what to expect, the impact is just something that has to be experienced.

Snow at The HUFF

2006-12-21T07:01:00.000-05:00

We've been receiving questions as to whether there will be snow at this year's HUFF 50K. Of course, we have no way of knowing that just yet. The year with the most snow at The HUFF was a year in which there was snow on the ground two weeks before the event. That's not the case this year - so, don't count on having excuses for not running your fastest time.

However, for those who might want to get in the mood for a snowy HUFF we are providing you with the animated image file below.

HUFF Snowglobe.swf

This requires a shockwave flash player.

If you don't have one the easiest to download is at:
http://www.globfx.com/products/swfplayer/

The 2006 HUFF Finisher Medals

2006-12-18T15:13:00.000-05:00

You will run the race on December 30th. When you finish, you will know that the medal you receive will have been hard won through the miles of effort that day, your mental toughness, and your hours and hours of training.

What will your 2006 medal look like? Here are the front and reverse of the 50K and Relay Finisher Medals:

Training Run on Sunday morning at 9 AM

2006-12-01T17:34:00.000-05:00

This Sunday some area runners,led by Anthony Juliano, will take a one-loop HUFF training run around the lake.

The runners will meet at the parking lot of the Kil-So-Quah Campground at 9 AM. The campground entrance is located on US 224 about 4.5 miles west of the I-69/US 224 interchange at Markle.

Also, check out the new northeast Indiana website, Fort Wayne Born to Run. It is aiming to fill the gap in the regional running scene since RunIndiana.com has gone on sabbatical. It is a "social networking" site and it looks to have a lot of promise in linking the running community in HUFFland.

Download Printable Entry Forms

2006-11-19T17:04:00.000-05:00

2006 Printable Mail-in HUFF 50 Trail Run Registration Forms are available below.

Of course, you can also register online here.

Click on the proper form below:

1. Individual 50K and One-Loop Fun Run
2. Team Relay (men's, women's, mixed)
3. 19 & Under Team Relay (men's, women's, mixed)

Yesterday, we were notified that the hosting service was down and that the forms were unavailable temporarily.

If you have dial-up and cannot readily print out a PDF form, please email mtchharper@aol.com to have a MS Word version mailed to you or to have a printed form sent by US Postal Service.

2006 ONLINE Registration is ACTIVE

2006-11-10T11:51:00.000-05:00

The HUFF 50K Trail Run is December 30, 2006 at J. Edward Roush Lake in Huntington, Indiana.

THE 2006 ONLINE REGISTRATION IS NOW LIVE AND ACTIVE.

Click on THIS LINK to go to the online registration site

or

Click on THIS LINK to get a printable entry form.

32 New HUFF 50K Photos

2006-01-11T18:31:00.000-05:00

Never Before Seen Photographs of The HUFF Surface! Runners Amazed!

That's a National Enquirer-type headline.

The real story is that Lucy Harvey of Wisconsin was kind enough to send along the photographs she took at The HUFF 50K in December. She wanted to make sure that the photos were shared with runners. You can view those photos here or you can click on the link under HUFF Photos to the right.

Lucy (aka Susie while in Fort Wayne) is the sister of Kay Feichter. Kay was one of the soup volunteers who cheerfully poured cup after cup of soup to warm the hungry runners. Kay's husband, John, was the chef who created the award-winning chili.

HUFF Veteran Back on The Roads

2006-01-10T08:40:00.000-05:00

9-Time HUFF 50K Finisher Ed Stuart Putting in the Miles

Ed Stuart of Ohio is a 9-Time Finisher of The HUFF 50K Trail Run. He is a member of a small fraternity of runners called "The HUFF'S TOUGHEST." The ranks of those who have completed every HUFF include Ed's son, Phil Stuart. That makes them the only father and son team.

The Stuarts are on track to come back for the HUFF's 10th Anniversary on December 30, 2006.

We know Ed is putting in the miles. We encountered Ed at Dave's 10 Mile Shoe Run on Sunday at Delta, Ohio.

Dave's 10 Mile is a road race. However, the temperatures are usually quite a bit colder than those for The HUFF. The other difference is that there are no trees to break the wind. The winds can be especially tough when runners make one of four crossings on overpasses above the Toll Road.

This was a relatively balmy 10 Mile Shoe Run. The traditional winds were back but with a strange difference. Most years, the westerly winds tend to be at your back in the early miles of the race but are punishing in the 4 mile to 7 mile sections .

This year, the winds were out of the east. Many of the veterans of Dave's 10 Mile Run had to do a bit of mental readjustment. However, most agreed it was a nice change to have a wind assist in the latter part of the race.

Jen's 2005 HUFF Report

2005-12-28T10:24:00.000-05:00

The HUFF (Huntington Ultra Frigid Fifty) 50k in Huntington Indiana was on Saturday. It's a beautiful 3-lap trail race around Roush Lake and the Huntington dam area.

ran it last year in fairly nice weather and on a dry course in 8 hours, 24 minutes. I was hoping to be under 8 hours for this year's race, and really wanted to be near 7 hours if the weather cooperated.

We have had crappy cold, snowy, wet weather around here for the past week, so noone knew what to expect for raceday. It turned out to be about 23F, light winds, no blowing snow. Very nice for a long distance run. But the course was another story: 4-6 inches of snow that caused unstable footing on most of the course. Oh well, what can you do, except toe the starting line and go.

The cannon went off (yes, a real, very loud cannon), and within the first quarter mile, my shoe came untied. Not a good sign! I started up again, and talked with some other runners around me. It was like a choo choo train, the course only had one semi-runnable lane, and everyone just fell into line one behind another.

We crossed the dam (3 mile mark), and guess what? My sock started rolling under my foot. A blister starting that early was another bad sign, so I sat alongside the road and again took off my shoe... I got water at the 4 mile stop and got back into line. Everyone really stayed about the same pace for the next couple miles.

The course was different than last year, due to a new shooting range at the park. I was very surprised that 2 of the most challenging things on the old course were now gone, a wide creek that always meant wet shoes, and the big hill right after it. I won't complain about either being gone, as we went on the road a bit, and it was nice to have a little traction for about 3/4 mile... I met some nice runners, including one guy from my area who might be nice to train with sometimes.

I got some pretzels at the 7.5 mile water stop, and chugged along some more. People were starting to spread out now, and when we got to the bridge before 9 miles, I only had a couple people near me.

I finished the first lap (10.8 miles) with a lady running with her boxer dog. Lap 1, approximately 2:15. I stopped at the tent to drop some extra clothes and use the restroom before starting lap 2. Again, I talked to some nice runners, and looked around quite a bit. The lap was pretty uneventful. I felt good, and kept eating and drinking various things, as well as taking my salt tabs every hour. Jolly Ranchers and gummy baears were my friends!

The wind was picking up a little as I crossed the bridge,a nd I had a little headwind going back to the campground. It was just past 5 hours when I came around again. Again, the available bathroom called, and I answered.

I hit the trails again to start lap 3, knowing fully that I was going to finish, and realizing that, even with the horrid footing all day, I had a chance of breaking 8 hours if I really concentrated.

My last lap was steady, and I still felt good. I got more candy and even passed someone at the 4 mile rest area. I kept chugging, setting pace goals for each mile. I met every one of these goals, and kept knocking off miles. By the time I reached the bridge the last time, my adrenaline was already pumping. With 2 miles to go, I knew I was going to be able to break 8 hours, but now I also realized that my 3rd lap could possibly be faster than my second! I had picked up the pace after nearly a marathon!

In the last mile, someone came up behind me and scared me by calling me by name. It was my friends Sam and Karen, who I hadn't seen all day. I had originally hoped to run some of this race with them, as Karen and I are very close to the same pace at practically every distance we run. Seeing friends getting close to finishing their first 50k and still running strong motivated me, and I actually picked up the pace in the last mile and a half!

I chugged in and rounded the last few corners with more energy than anyone should have after 32 miles. My fiancee John was at the finish line with my blanket and a big smile. He knew I had met my goal as the clock read 7:52:05 when my chip beeped!!!! My body wasn't ready for the sudden stop, and he had to hold me up.

I went into the tent and turned in my paper and chip and rejoiced: this year they had the medals at the finish line!!! I put mine on and waddled to the soup tent.

The soups at the finish line of this race are worth every minute of effort, and I had used the thought of the wonderful spicy corn chowder to keep myself motivated a couple times during the day. I had warm spicy corn soup, drink, my honey, a 32 minute PR (think about that, I cut off an average of a minute per mile!) and my medal. What more could I ask for???? I had no cramps, no deficiencies, no walls, no problems for the entire race. Truly amazing, considering I was out there almost 8 hours! I was thrilled with my day...

Now the amazing part: It is only 48 hours since the race, and I can walk stairs normally and even hopped on the exercise bike for a few minutes this afternoon to stretch out... I am already planning for another 50k PR at this race next year...

First posted on The Original Live Journal Runners Club on December 19, 2005.

BOOM!

2005-12-22T11:20:00.000-05:00