Ron Heerkens Jr. Blog - Latest Comments

Re: Oil Creek 100 Mile REVENGE

Doug DeWeaver — Fri, 17 Oct 2014 14:32:05 -0000

Just wow! Awesome way to keep going and finish.

Re: Oil Creek 100 Mile REVENGE

HeatherD — Wed, 15 Oct 2014 15:19:05 -0000

You didn't know it, but you were keeping me going too. I would check in with JD on your progress when I saw him, and I figured if you were still gutting it out then I could too. Congrats on your finish! BTW, I got lapped by the 100 mile leader when I was just starting my second loop.

Re: Oil Creek 100 Mile REVENGE

Amber Forkell — Wed, 15 Oct 2014 14:10:22 -0000

This makes me smile. I'm proud of you for being so positive. Give that wife of yours a hug from us! Miss you guys.

Re: Standing on The Edge

Jen Lacey — Wed, 01 Oct 2014 12:09:47 -0000

Eeeee how exciting! Enjoy! That is an experience that very few people ever have. No matter what Oil Creek throws at you, your awesomeness will far outlast 100 miles.

Re: Running With the Devil

Greg Rowe — Tue, 19 Aug 2014 20:12:04 -0000

Woah. That's all I have. Woah.

Re: Running With the Devil

Jill Behr Medved — Tue, 19 Aug 2014 16:18:50 -0000

Wow! Congrats on this brutal run! You really are an inspiration!

Re: Running With the Devil

Amber — Mon, 18 Aug 2014 16:37:04 -0000

This is truly something to be proud of. I'm looking forward to hearing more about the trip this weekend.

Re: Who Am I?: A Journey to Find Myself

Jill Behr Medved — Wed, 06 Aug 2014 18:26:14 -0000

I know this is an old post Ron, but I can really identify with much of what you said here. We don't know each other well or for very long. However, I'm sure that you will, in time, answer your own questions. I'd have to agree with Sheila though....whatever that is, hopefully you will enjoy the journey. Having been at this similar pursuit for some time now (36 yrs actually) I'd have to say that, even though I still have things to prove to MYSELF as a runner, I never really realized how much I inspired my family/children while I was chasing those pursuits. Mid-packers and back-of-the packers possess a huge amount of tolerance, strength and endurance that can't be measured in miles or finishing times. Our accomplishments on the trails/roads mirror our lives off the trails/roads. The strengths we gain in each arena help us survive the other. This is what I've come to learn over my 36 yrs as a distance runner. Slow or fast...doesn't really matter. You'll probably be surprised someday (haha...when you're as old as me!) when you look back at what you've accomplished. Hopefully, you will be proud of yourself. I bet your family will be!

Re: Breaking the Social Chain

Jill Behr Medved — Wed, 06 Aug 2014 16:27:15 -0000

No problem Ron! I enjoy (and am insanely jealous of) your running pursuits on Strava...haha! Keep up the good work. You inspire me!

Re: What The Muck? Finger Lakes 50 Mile

Scott Dawson — Tue, 29 Jul 2014 09:13:21 -0000

Ron, that's a great race report! I was in the 50K, and cannot imagine having gone out for a third loop (and a baby!). You did a great job persevering and listening to your body. I knew when it rained earlier in the week the mud was going to be worse than normal. And it delivered. See you out there!

Re: Breaking the Social Chain

Greg Rowe — Wed, 16 Jul 2014 14:29:36 -0000

More people will do it as time goes on.

Re: Breaking the Social Chain

Ron Heerkens Jr — Wed, 16 Jul 2014 12:15:52 -0000

Thanks Shme. That's probably it in the longrun. I think I've become more negative due to Facebook.

Re: Breaking the Social Chain

shme — Wed, 16 Jul 2014 12:09:19 -0000

I don't think this is selfish at all. I think it's a really cool idea, and I agree--it can be really easy to see what other people are doing and be sad or jealous that you're not. Facebook is good for a lot of things, but it can also be really negative...

Re: What The Muck? Finger Lakes 50 Mile

Greg Rowe — Thu, 10 Jul 2014 21:43:43 -0000

Hmm. Do you think the reduced pressure had anything to do with your success? The watch was gone. Your training was not regimented but still probably fairly intense. You got tired of mud. That's good! ;)

Re: What The Muck? Finger Lakes 50 Mile

Katie O — Thu, 10 Jul 2014 13:08:25 -0000

Thanks for sharing! Way to push through! Sounds like might have some underlying stomach issue that is not just sub-par race nutrition. Psoas or some deep muscular issues? I've known some runners who complain of "side-stitches" and focus on nutrition only to finally learn that is was a muscular or mechanical problem. Or maybe too much of a good thing, like gels with high sugar content? Either way, I'm sure you've thought long and hard about it, so just throwing out some suggestions. Hope you get it figured out! Happy trails!

Re: Training Report: 1/27- 2/2 & January Review

Amber — Wed, 12 Feb 2014 08:07:25 -0000

Looks like a solid week from my perspective. I'm looking forward to reading your report from Cast a Shadow.

Re: Running Theories & Training Tips

Hannah — Sun, 22 Sep 2013 07:54:23 -0000

Hi Ron, I was wondering where you found the above photo! It's really beautiful. Did you make it yourself?

Re: Vermont 100: Processing Failure

Hai Nguyen — Tue, 06 Aug 2013 13:00:34 -0000

Great report Ron. I really like the mile splits with the elevation and estimated finish time. I was in your shoes last year. I gave up at Margaritaville. It ate at me for a whole year and I was finally able to get the monkey off my back this year. Barely, I made it within 30 minutes of the cutoff. I know you will come back next year and have a great finish. Take heart.

Re: Vermont 100: Processing Failure

Joanna — Tue, 06 Aug 2013 07:38:35 -0000

Ron - this race does not define you as a runner. I know its disappointing but not finishing your race just means that it was not your day to run 100 miles. Thats it. You are a great runner and I know you will do what you set out to do. Keep your head up.

Re: The Legs Beneath Us

Eric — Thu, 18 Jul 2013 10:04:40 -0000

You'll be great!!!

Re: The Legs Beneath Us

Ron Heerkens Jr — Thu, 18 Jul 2013 09:41:14 -0000

thanks Jeff!

Re: The Legs Beneath Us

Ron Heerkens Jr — Thu, 18 Jul 2013 09:35:24 -0000

Thanks! (again :))

Re: The Legs Beneath Us

Jeffrey — Thu, 18 Jul 2013 09:33:35 -0000

Good luck this weekend!

Re: The Legs Beneath Us

Jamie @ couchtoironwoman — Thu, 18 Jul 2013 08:57:55 -0000

Aww, GREAT post Ron!! You are going to do amazing out there, I can't wait to hear all about it!

Re: Who Am I?: A Journey to Find Myself

shme — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 14:01:59 -0000

For the record, I have always found the midpacker to be more inspiring than the front-of-the-packer. Those guys have nutritionists, coaches, sponsorships, etc. that us normal people don't have. They have spent their entire lives with only one focus. To me, the beauty of running as a midpacker is that you can let running be a part of who you are without it being the only thing you are. Your competition should be with yourself, not with others--run for you, beat you. I feel like you are putting a lot of pressure on yourself and missing out on the fun of the journey of improving. Don't focus so much on your end goals that you miss all of the smaller, super-important in-between goals and experiences. You are a great runner and your commitment to running and the way that you don't ever stop trying and pushing yourself, even when things aren't going the way you planned is very inspiring.