I started these rankings a couple years ago. No race is exactly the same and since everyone looks for something different when choosing races, I thought I would give you my ranks in various categories. Two races get added to the lists this year (Greenbrier, Grindstone). I’m excluding NJ One Day and Capital Backyard Ultra…
2022 Grindstone 100 Race Report
This race has been on my bucket list for a while. I was originally signed up for the 2020 version, but well . . .COVID. One of the things that draws me to hundred mile races are the many different challenges you can expect to encounter along the way. I try to pick races that…
Back-to-back Hundreds
I’m now less than two weeks out from my next hundred and Eastern States seemed like it was just the other weekend. The five weeks between the two races is my shortest turnaround time to date. I had six weeks between races back in 2019 and seven weeks in 2016. In both of those cases,…
Eastern States 100 Splits
They say a picture is worth a thousand words. This post is for those people who think a chart full of numbers is worth a thousand words. There’s a lot to unpack here so let’s start at the end. Somehow I’ve managed to finish each race quicker than the year before. In 2016, I was…
2022 Eastern States Race Report
I am so grateful to the Eastern States Trail-Endurance Alliance and all of the volunteers who put on this amazing event. Every year I come back and it’s a little better than the year before. This year there was upgraded finishers jackets, “Wrong Way” signs on side trails, and cooler temperatures. Honestly, I’m fully expecting them…
Know Your Why Not
To be successful in ultras, you need to know your why. Why do you want to run long distances? Why explore your limits? Knowing this why will help you push through the dark moments and reach the finish line. To enjoy ultras, I think it’s also good to know why you don’t do ultras. Acknowledging…
Eastern States Training Volumes
For a number of years, I’ve tracked the amount of miles and long runs that I’ve done heading into my hundred milers. These aren’t training plans or even training blocks per se. More a general description of my running volume leading up to races. First, let’s take a look at the 100 days before each…
Capital Backyard Ultra Race Report
First off, thanks to Sarah (RD) and all the amazing volunteers who helped put on this event. All of your hard work is greatly appreciated! Capital Backyard is a Last Man Standing race put on over Memorial Day weekend in Lorton, VA. For those not in the know, backyard ultras consist of a 4.16 mile…
Greenbrier 100 Mile Race Report
Greenbrier Ultras hosted three distances (100M, 50M, 50K) in its namesake state park in Boonesboro, MD last weekend. The 100 mile race stared at 2pm, the 50 mile at midnight, and the 50K at 8am the next morning. The RD, Kevin Sayers, is gearing the race for first time 100 milers by providing a generous…
Greenbrier Preview
My next 100 miler is this weekend down in Boonesboro, MD. The race hosts three distances (100M, 50M, 50K) in Greenbrier State Park. This will be the third year or the race after Covid cancellations in 2020 and 2021. The course is set up as one single loop of 5-8 miles with 98% trails that…