Tussey mOUnTaiNBACK

This week’s Discovery run #2 offers a workout of about 8 miles on unpaved roads: Legs 2 and 3 of the course (7.8 total miles).

RUNNERS: Be at Whipple Dam State Park (beach parking lot) by 5:40 p.m. sharp to catch a ride to the start (at the end of Leg 1). The run starts at 6:00.

POTENTIAL SHUTTLE DRIVERS: If you have a vehicle for shuttling, drive to Whipple Dam and let runners know you’re taking passengers.

Here is the complete Discovery Series schedule, including meeting times and driving directions: http://www.tusseymountainback.com/tips.html.

A popular series of Thursday evening group runs preceding the 2010 Tussey mOUnTaiNBACK 50 Mile Relay and Ultramarathon starts today. This week’s run begins at 6 p.m. at Tussey Mountain Ski Area to kick off the Discovery Training Series, a sequence of eight runs that cover the entire 50-mile course, in a noncompetitive fashion, one or two segments each week, from August 19 to October 2.

You’ll find a schedule, with meeting times, driving directions, level of difficulty and mileage, at http://www.tusseymountainback.com/tips.html. These runs are a great way to meet other runners and old friends, and get in some pleasant non-urban training.

Todd Braje is set to defend his 50 mile championships title at the Mountainback on October 16. His winning time of 5:57:18 in 2009 was his first foray on the course, and the third fastest time ever. Braje set a course record (15:29:24) at the Burning River 100 Mile Endurance Run on August 1. Runners representing 12 states are currently registered for this year’s race.

Lately, Warren Renninger seems to be off on trail adventures more than he’s at home in PA. Having twice through-hiked the Appalachian Trail and last summer completed the Pacific Crest Trail, last week the long distance runner-hiker quietly announced his next outing. A few days before he set off, I got a quick e-mail note from him.

“Hey, Mike, won’t make Tussey this year. Leaving Monday to do the Continental Divide Trail. Won’t be back until November. What am I thinking!!?? Pushing my brother to do Tussey. He did the Rothrock (Trail Challenge). That’s a cool shirt from the race he had.”

Warren also has the most completions of the Tussey Mountainback 50: he’s done it seven times.

Fortunately for the rest of us, he’s also plugged in technologically. He left his journaling address, where one can follow his long meander: www.trailjournals.com/Lakeland, then under “my other journals” click 2010 CDT.

His brief e-mail’s closing line reminded me of another outdoors guy, and a movie I’ll never forget. “If the Grizzlies get me, thanks for putting on a great race and being a cool guy.” That’s Warren’s hyperdry sense of humor. He’ll be back.

I did manage to eke out another exchange with Warren before he left. Found out his rough itinerary, and some mail drops where he can receive communication and small packages.

What does a long hiker like to receive? “CLIFF BARS and SKITTLES! Just a word of encouragement would be great. I will be able to get emails along the way once I figure out how to use the new phone.”

Warren is beginning his 3,100-mile hike near the Canada/Montana border and plans to finish in New Mexico before November 15. To wish him well, send an e-mail to: trail@sosbbs.com.

It’s only 10.6 miles, but a great way to get a group run in on the roads of the course. Water at the turnaround, timing at the end. A limited supply of TKTYM shirts will be available. Starts at 8:30 a.m. at Colyer Lake (south access lot).

The fourth Tussey Teaser of the season, the Treaster Kettle Test-Your-Mettle 10.6 Miler, will be here soon. This is a good excuse to break out of the box and test your training mettle with an out and back on Leg 10 of the mOUnTaiNBACK course. A limited supply of “Test-Your-Mettle” shirts will be available at cost ($8) for those who mail in or drop off their waivers by May 24, and there should be some available on the day of the run. As always, we supply timing, and there will be water at the halfway point and some cool door prizes at the end.

Unfinished business from the May 8 Sidewinder race:
Lost and Found: Blue and gold fleece, size 12/14, labeled Urban Extreme. Please claim!
Used and need to return: Swiss army knife. Anyone notice who loaned this?

So, come out and Test-Your-Mettle!

Thanks to Subway Restaurants for their support of the Tussey Teasers series.

The area’s classic age- and gender-graded 10K race, the Sidewinder, is fast approaching, on May 8. Individual and team entries are welcome (it’s not a relay, so you’ll run the full 10K). Several teams vied for dominance last year, and soon after they were already discussing their rematch. Age and gender grading (by WAVA standard) levels the playing field for the results and the individual and team awards.

Runners meet at Whipple Dam and board a big yellow school bus for a free “tour” of the course en route to the start line. They then run back to Whipple Dam beach. The buses leave from Whipple Dam at 9:30, and the race starts at 10. The race takes place on Leg 4 of the Tussey mOUnTaiNBACK, but is run in the opposite direction.

Registration is available now at http://www.tusseymountainback.com/downloads/brochure_Sidewinder_10K_2010.pdf.
On-site registration will take place at the Whipple Dam State Park beach parking lot from 8:30-9:15 a.m.

Afterward, runners will enjoy delicious Subway party sub grub – and maybe even a dip in Whipple Lake!

If it hasn’t bitten you yet, you should check it out: this venom is guaranteed to powerize your running.

Thanks to sponsors Subway Restaurants and Tom Cali – RE/MAX Centre Realty for their valuable support.

The Tussey mOUnTaiNBACK 50 Mile Relay and Ultramarathon will be the focus of the Free University event at 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 15 at Appalachian Outdoors, in State College. Event director Mike Casper will present a short video from the 2009 event and discuss the spring ‘Tussey Teaser’ series and summer ‘Discovery Training’ group runs on the course.

In addition to the relay and ultramarathon, the mOUnTaiNBACK event, on October 16, will host world-class ultramarathoners in the 2010 USA 50 Mile Championships.

App Outdoors is located at 123 S. Allen St., in downtown State College. They validate for parking and there are free meters after 6pm on the downtown streets. Phone: 814-234-3000.

Proceeds from the 2010 Tussey Mountainback 50 Mile Relay and Ultramarathon, to be held in Rothrock State Forest on October 16, will support Centre House, an emergency shelter program of Housing Transitions, Inc. “Given the difficulty the average family has finding affordable housing in our area, the services HTI is providing are critical,” said Mike Casper, race founder and director. The Federal Reserve Bank, in a recent statewide housing report, listed Centre County as the worst in Pennsylvania in terms of affordability versus income.

Centre House provides shelter and food to families and individuals who are homeless or in crisis. HTI’s website states: “We believe that housing crises are caused by a multitude of personal and financial difficulties that must be handled properly in order to arrive at sustainable solutions. Providing individuals and families with a stable housing environment allows them to more effectively address underlying problems and increase their self-sufficiency and independence.” HTI’s mission is to assist families and individuals achieve a more independent lifestyle by providing a continuum of effective and well-managed services.

“We at HTI are extremely grateful that the Centre House building expansion and renovation project has been selected as the beneficiary of the 2010 Tussey Mountainback Relay and Ultramarathon race,” said Ron Quinn, executive director of Housing Transitions, Inc. “Our ability to provide a warm, safe, and supportive living environment to Centre County residents in need is the direct result of the overwhelming generosity of efforts like the Tussey Mountainback.”

Now in its 11th year, the Mountainback hosts recreational and competitive teams and ultramarathon runners from all over the United States. More than 600 runners took part in last year’s event. This year’s race will once again host a field of top ultramarathoners competing in the USA 50 Mile Championships.

The Central Pennsylvania Convention and Visitors Bureau is a major sponsor of the Mountainback event. Complete details and online registration are available at www.tusseymountainback.com. For information on participating or volunteering at the event, call 814-238-5918 or send e-mail to info@tusseymountainback.com. For more information about Housing Transitions, Inc. or Centre House, visit http://www.housingtransitions.com or call 814-237-4863.

The flyer put out by Appalachian Outdoors and titled “Trails: Embracing Hills and Sidestepping Injury,” summarizes it nicely: “Tara Murray used to dread hills. Over the past 9 years, she has grown to love them, seeking them out on the trails. An avid runner and veteran of trail events throughout Pennsylvania and the Northeast, Tara will present photos and describe her approach to enjoying the trail, training for hills, and staying injury-free.”

Murray will present her own experiences and insights on Thursday, March 18 at 7 p.m. The talk is part of AO’s “Free University” series of free events, held the first and third Thursdays at the AO store in State College. They validate parking and refreshments are served.

Murray writes a regular running column for the Centre Daily Times, in State College, Pa. She also leads a noontime hill workout every Tuesday on a range of local venues.