I started this ranking 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. Only one race gets added to the lists this year (Devil Dog), however C&O Canal gets moved around a little…
Mind Games
They say hundreds are 90% mental. I’ve always thought that was 110% effort type math. Sure. I understand what you’re trying to say, but you’re undercutting your argument by being hyperbolic. Running ultras are extremely physical endeavors. Trying to undersell that I think is a mistake. That said, not having your head in the right…
Devil Dog 100 Mile Race Report
This race is hard. Let’s start things off with some facts. These numbers compare to 60-70% finish rates for most 100 mile races. One of the theories being tossed around at the finish line was a larger than normal number of inexperienced runners. I look at the demographics for all my races and the number…
Devil Dog 100 Mile Preview
Devil Dog will be my first new hundred of the year. While I don’t have a problem running the same race every year or going back and doing a race multiple times if it’s convenient, I do enjoy running new races. Each race brings its own unique challenges and it’s fun to try and figure…
Meh, not feeling it
I’ve been in a bit of a funk for the last 3 or 4 weeks. Practically wearing a groove in my snooze alarm. I’ve had a very active year so far with five ultra races plus my two failed attempts at the Mason-Dixon Trail (99 and 72 miles). And traditionally this has been my down…
The Ultra Runner Super Skill
If you want to succeed in ultras, then I have one skill for you to focus your time and attention. It’s not downhill technical descents. Not eating while running. Nor is it dealing with adversity. Though all those will surely benefit you, there’s one other skill I would recommend you hone: Patience. So I’m not…
Failure Sucks
While my second attempt at the Mason-Dixon Trail FKT wasn’t a repeat of my first, it did rhyme. TL;DR – I gashed my shin on a rock after 70 miles and got picked up after 72 miles. It’s difficult to put into words how frustrating this ending was for me. I was in the middle…
If at first you don’t succeed. . .
. . . I guess I might as well try and run the Mason-Dixon Trail again. My first attempt back in May resulted in me quitting after 99 miles. Even though I wasn’t able to finish what I started, I had a blast out on the trail and was completely satisfied with my effort. The…
Serendipity
Typically about 95% of my runs start and end at my house. The other 5% are split between races, occasional long runs at Cheslen Preserve, or random vacation spots. It is very, very rare that I actually get in my car and drive for a run. This morning was one of those exceptions. My son…
You Do You
At races, you end up talking to a bunch of different people over the course of the day. Two recent conversations stand out. While they were very different in specifics, both had the same underlying theme. The first was at Eastern States where another runner was planning to drop at Hyner Run. He’d finished some…