I have a theory. After years of trial and mostly error, I’ve come to the belief that bad runs are good for you. It’s not that good runs are bad, it’s just that you don’t get much training stimulus from them. A workout is supposed to stress your body and if you feel great after…
The Mid-Week 11 Miler
Math sucks. As you increase your weekly mileage, you eventually reach a point where your mid-week run crosses the double digit barrier. There are lots of ways to add miles (extra long long runs, doubles, no off days), however these tricks will only get you so far. Once you’ve hidden miles in all the nooks…
Chasing 10K by UTMB
I am excited to announce that I have partnered with the amazing UTMB race organization to bring you a one-of-a-kind blog experience. Not only will you get my standard race reports and periodic musings on my ultrarunning, but I’ll now be writing about all the incredible UTMB races. I’ll help peel back the curtain to…
Now Back To Our Regularly Scheduled Program
I tried a thing last year where I would publish a blog post every week. I actually started in December 2021 and was able to keep it going into September only missing a week or two along the way. I then entered a little funk with my running after Grindstone and my failed attempt at…
Too Old for PRs?
If you run for a long enough period of time, you will eventually reach an age where you stop getting faster. That age is probably different for everyone though. I’m too lazy to look it up, but I remember reading a while back that runners typically start slowing down after about 8 years of consistent…
Fifty Ultras
Glancing over my training log, I noticed that DUC was my 50th official ultra finish. Well, technically the 49th, but I’m counting my DNF at Capital Backyard as a finish and if you’d like to argue, I’d be happy to take it up with you in the comments below. Those of you familiar with this…
2023 DUC 100K Race Report
The first rule of DUC 100K is. . . The Delmarva Ultra Challenge is best described as an underground ultra club. Only 30 people are invited to partake each year. The entry standards are a little hazy (experience running overnight?). And you’re told nothing about the course until literally minutes before it starts. You don’t…
Variety
I believe one of the bigger contributors to my ultra longevity is attempting new races annually. Last year I ran 4 new (to me) races and this year I have four more on my calendar. This has helped me remain interested in the sport and motivated to keep logging miles every week. Even in the…
2023 Phunt 50K Volunteer Report
Over the years, I have run a lot of races. And I mean a lot of races. The lifeblood of these events are the volunteers who take time out of their busy schedule to help put on the races. I always make an effort to thank them for their efforts, however this really isn’t enough.…
Long Live The Long Run Streak
It took me till the absolute last day of December, but I was able to keep my long run streak alive. I now have done a run of at least 20 miles in 38 straight months. Here’s my favorite chart updated through 2022. My simplistic theory on ultrarunning is that in order to be good…