Running and Family
First things first. A lot has happened lately (none of it directly related to me) that has reminded me of how important it is for dedicated runners to keep it all balanced and not lose sight of what really matters in life. What do I mean by that? Unless you're an elite with sponsorships and stipends, you run in your free time, while managing...read on.
Benefits of Cross Training
This bout of Achilles tendonitis may have been one of the best things that ever happened to me. I've been cycling, running and fast-hiking, maintaining my usual volume as far as hours this time of year (about 10 hours a week). To protect my Achilles while it...read on.
Ultrarunning as an Egalitarian, Outlaw Sport
I ran my first ultra in 2005 and was quickly hooked. Over the past few years, I've taken to learning as much about ultrarunning as I could. I've read nearly every book about ultrarunning that I could find, including a few--like this one and that one--that are exceptionally good...read on.
Losing Weight
I read this blog post by Ben Davis, aka "Ben Does Life," and it got me to thinking (always a frightening thing). I'm one of the few who has lost weight and kept it off. A lot of people, including many I know, have lost weight and then, in time, put it all back on, plus some. I recently read that most of the weight gain people experience happens over the...read on.
Watching Kilian Jornet Run
Continuing my previous post on "heart" and "head" runners, one of the great pleasures of being a part of the ultra scene these days is watching 24-year-old Kilian Jornet of Spain do his thing. Over the past few years, Kilian, who anchors the Salomon Running team, has accomplished some incredible feats, such as resounding wins at Ultra-Trail du Mont Blanc, the Western States 100 and many European mountain races. But with...read on.
Random Observations and What I Think about Ultrarunner of the Year
I think it's possible that I'm done with big races for the year. My time off from work for the rest of the year (especially with the holidays approaching) is very limited and so traveling for a key event is going to be tough. Plus, I'm just not motivated to travel right now. I will still do some shorter...read on.
Mike Morton, Ultrarunning Legend
Every so often an ultrarunner does something that makes your jaw drop. Among the truly great performances/achievements in recent memory: Matt Carpenter's record-setting 15:42 at the 2005 Leadville 100. Legend has it that Carpenter, the Pikes Peak Marathon king...read on.
10 Things I Think I Think (Ultrarunning Edition)
Man, the ultrarunning blogosphere has been alive lately with new and creative insights, banter and even controversy! Taking a page from the playbook of Sports Illustrated's Peter King and GZ himself, here are 10 things I think I think. 1) This isn't the first time a non-North American might be considered deserving of the Ultrarunner ...read on.
Quitting
The closest I've ever come to DNF'ing (note: DNF stands for "did not finish") at a race was the 2010 Leadville Trail 100. I've already recounted what happened in the Mayqueen inbound tent last year, so I won't go into it again. Anyway, as I lay in the cot at Mayqueen...read on.
Oprah May have Saved My Life
The year was 1999 and Anne and I lived in Raleigh, North Carolina. I was fresh out of graduate school and working as a branch manager for a document-delivery company in Research Triangle Park--a truly God-awful gig. I remember the day in question. I saw my doctor...read on.
Nutrition and High-Altitude Racing: My Plan for the Leadville 100
I'm hard at work planning for my nutritional needs at the Leadville Trail 100. Going into last year's race, my nutritional plan was really no different than what I'd done in previous 100s--"real food," along with bananas, gels, sports drink, soup and, of course, Coke...read on.
Book Review: I'm Here to Win, by Chris McCormack
When I was asked by a promotional firm to review Chris McCormack's new book, I'm Here to Win: A World Champion's Advice for Peak Performance, I was immediately stoked. The reasons are threefold. First, though ultrarunning and racing 100-milers is my first love, I've always been interested in dipping my toes in the Ironman triathlon waters (and seeing what's harder--Ironmans or 100-milers). Second...read on.
Laws of Ultrarunning?
After a super-busy stretch at work, I'm just now getting caught up on my blog reading. I came across an interesting comment on Anton Krupicka's excellent blog (see reader comments via this link). Anton has been battling injury and this particular reader cited the following training rules/laws he lives by as an ultrarunner...read on.
What It Takes to be an Ultrarunner
This morning's long run in the hills (elevation 6,100-6,700 feet) was a disaster. I just wasn't feeling it and ultimately bonked. I haven't bonked in a while--a long while. I think the bonk was due to the fact that I didn't have enough calories before the run (just a 150-calorie English muffin) and didn't carry any calories with me on the run--just some water...more.
BOOK REVIEW: Book Review: Running on Empty, by Marshall Ulrich
Marshall Ulrich makes even a hardcore ultrarunner look like a cotton tee-shirt-wearing hobby jogger out for a stroll through the 'burb. Look at what this ultrarunning and adventure racing legend, who also happens to be a highly accomplished mountaineer, has done and it makes finishing a 100-miler look like a few laps around your kid's soccer field...read on.
The 10 Hardest Moments I've Ever Endured as a Runner
We've all had crazy-tough moments in our running. Well, here are mine, in order of difficulty from "easiest" (10) to "hardest" (1), with a few honorable mentions thrown in...read on.
BOOK REVIEW: Run!: 26.2 Miles of Blisters and Bliss, by Dean Karnazes
There have been greater ultrarunners, but never has an endurance athlete come even remotely close to achieving the fame, image and fortune of Dean Karnazes. It all started in 2005 with the release of a little memoir that Dean, in an awe-shucks kind of way, says he never envisioned as a New York Times Best Seller...read on.
The Charlie Sheen Tragedy and Ultrarunning
What the hell does Charlie Sheen have to do with ultrarunning?...read on.
Boston's New Standards are Right On!
After years of being in the wilderness on qualifying standards, the Boston Athletic Association finally made the right move...read on.
The Hardrock 100 and the Worsening Problem of Race Demand Outstripping Available Supply
Ultra races are now harder than ever to get into. It used to be you could drive to a race on a whim and register the morning of. No more! What ultrarunning needs to do now to help fix a worsening problem...read on.
The Difference between a 50-Miler and a 100-Miler is Way more than 50 Miles!
Say what? No, I didn't fail math class...read on.
Is the End of Ultrarunning as We Know it Here?
The increasing influence of money may just be killing a sport we all love...read on.
10 Tips for the Aspiring Runner
This blog isn't all about the advanced runner. If you're looking to enter the wild, wonderful world of running, then read on for all that you need to know before taking your first step!...read on.
7 Weight Loss Tips
From a guy who's lost and kept off over 53 lbs.!...read on.
"Miners, Muckers and Mean MF'ers": The Story of Leadville and Tips on Finishing the Race Across the Sky
After the best-selling Christopher McDougall book, who isn't fascinated by Leadville? Read about Leadville from someone who's been there and finished the 100 in under 25 hours...read on.
Poor Spot
When you cut through the BS and PR campaign, it's clear Michael Vick is an evil dog killer. Don't believe what we're being told...read on.
Ryan Hall's New Coach is God
Ryan Hall has fired his coach and left his track team. A lot of people are questioning his sanity and heart. But is there a better coach than God...read on.
Lies from Big Food
We may not know it, but Big Food is lying to us and it may just end up killing you and your family....read on.
I will Not Leg Big Food Kill Me or My Family!
It may be packaged to look good and make you think it tastes good too. But it may just kill you and your family...read on.
Bullying
Few of us haven't been bullied? I have been bullied and here I say a lot of things few would ever utter...read on.
It's Time for the USATF to Stop Ignoring Ultrarunning
Despite ultrarunning's explosive growth, the USATF gives lip service to the sport, not celebrating its biggest stars, not telling stories of those who toe the line, and really doing very little to promote ultrarunning...read on.
The Ultrarunner's Quandary: The Fine Line Between Productive, Intense Training and Dimishing Returns
There's a fine line between productive, hard training for an ultramarathon and training to the point of diminishing returns. Many of us have crossed that line to our own detriment...read on.
Why Books about Ultrarunning Sell Like Hotcakes
From Dean Karnazes' books to Christopher McDougall's best-seller about the Tarahumar Indians, books about ultrarunning are selling like hotcakes. But why?...read on.
Why Does One Run Ultras?
What are you running from? Why do you do it? How is that even possible? These are just a few questions that ultrarunners are often asked. The question of "why" isn't an easy one to answer, especially when the one asking has never gone long themselves...read on.
