USVI-On-Line

So, I sort of missed the boat on doing something "big" for my 30th last year. My 31st is coming up this February, and I've been looking for a Caribbean adventure to get things started right. The bio bays in PR aren't cooperating with my travel timeframe, but lo and behold, 8 Tuff Miles is just one week after my bday.

Just curious, has anyone done this race? I'm sure it's an absolute killer b/c of the hills on St. John, but I'm up for a challenge. Do mostly locals from STJ and STT participate, or do visitors do so as well?

PS- and I lost my da*n Soggy Dollar Bar hat... need to replace that. I'm thinking doing it in person is best.

I ran 8 Tuff miles 2 years ago. At the time I was running 6 miles twice a week and averaging about 7 to 8 minute miles on flat terrain. In other words, I did no special training prior to the race other than my normal running routine.

I finished 8 Tuff Miles in 1 hour and 20 minutes. My official time averaged out to 8:59 minute miles. The first half of the race is pretty much all uphill so it is definitely challenging. However, I discovered the next day that running downhill is pretty hard on the knees - especially if one is minus an ACL in one knee.

People from all over run the race. If I recall correctly, almost every state plus some 10+ countries were represented.

Richard N. Kurpiers

Wow ~ You REALLY must be up for an adventure!!!

XOXO
Bug

I'm impressed. I'd need a motor home and about 4 days to finish that race.

I've wanted to do this race since I found out it existed (a whole two years ago) but the timing just hasn't been right so far. From what I hear, if you're just training on mostly flat ground and with runs under 10M you can count on adding 40-60 seconds/mile.
That said, have you seen some of those finishing times on the race website? There are some amazing athletes both local and not that compete in that race.

Either way, I think it would be a blast and a great way to celebrate 31, or any age. Plus, you need to get that hat so might as well run a race while you're around.

Folks, I'm not trying to finish well, just to finish at all is an accomplishment, I'm thinking. I have a bit of a masochistic streak. After all, I am a lawyer. Anyone who would do that to themselves doesn't have a tremendous amount of self-love.

Besides, maybe I'd get to finally see a donkey that way. Soggy Dollar Bar hat, donkeys... there are just so many reasons to return to St. John!

As I sat back and relaxed while watching the race, my husband (Juice) ran in it a few years back. He would love to do it again if the timing worked out. We live in a pretty flat area, but he is a marathon runner so the distance wasn't hard. He did run every day prior to the race on the hills of St. John which I think helped him get used to it. He finished third in his age group and received a nice little glass trophy/sculpture thing. When he did the race in 2005, they had lots of choices for race shirts and also a band and such at the celebration party. Lots of fun.

Tracy

You guys are way to energetic for me! I twist both ankles within a few steps! In the water I am a little better but I'm not going anywhere too fast!

8 tuff is a blast........people on island and off register..........check out peter alters site
wwww.8tuffmiles. I think........I tell people to train by at least running from Mongoose to Bordeaux that is the hardest part. I have not done it, have clients that have.......
I have been told the hardest part is from Bordeaux to Skinny's the decline and keeping your pace.
Good luck and have fun..........

It's a hard race - but fun. I have run it almost every year and usually 1st in my (decrepit) age group. I actually meander rather than run flat out. There are tourists as well as locals, and even a few dedicated die-hard racers. My goal is to finish without any scrapes or pulled muscles. The after race party is always a blast.

peace.... bert

My trainer made me run for 3 minute intervals this morning. I usually just WALK very fast. OMG ... I could barely do that. I am sure I would die running anywhere at any time on St. John.

One of the funniest things I ever saw on St. John was a woman way out on the East End past skinny's running with her dog. We slowed down in the jeep and I SWEAR the dog was begging me with her eyes to kidnap her.

In the old days I would have done this little thing in about 64 minutes. Now it takes a little longer. Last year I stood at the foot of my street in Upper Carolina and cheered the runners as they passed 7.5 miles into the race.

Look here for info about it.

http://www.stjohntravelforum.com/viewforum.php?f=57

I'll be in it next year.

Thanks to everyone for the info. My husband and I are in what I will call the "discussion phase" for this event. St. John in Feb. isn't inexpensive, so we're crunching the numbers.

The race itself sounds like fun. To everyone who says "I could never," yes, you could. Running is part fitness for sure, but a big component of it is mental. Barring any sort of handicap, anyone could do a race like this with training. Now to "win" it, that takes talent.

I aim to complete, not compete.