Ultrarunners are always looking for new challenges whether it’s bigger mountains, longer runs, or more extreme weather. Anything that is out of the ordinary or could be considered epic intrigues us. We’re trying to find the next big A Adventure. And when we find something that tickles our fancy, we’ll spend countless hours planning and…
2017 Stone Mill 50 Preview
So I have a race this weekend. While I had signed up for it earlier this year, it wasn’t until this week that I was 100% sure whether I was going to run it or not. I had some family obligations that might have precluded me from running it, but I got them sorted out…
Now It Might Be Another Thing
Recently, I’ve been attempting to decide whether I’m injured or not. The good news is that my knee is feeling better. Or more accurately, I don’t notice it feeling a little weak nearly as often. I wouldn’t say may knee is strong, but I don’t have quite the same fear of it being injured as…
From Thought Toward Action
It started with a thought. And for the past 8 months that’s all it was. It wasn’t even a constant thought as I would go weeks or much longer without thinking about running the Mason-Dixon Trail. I had three hundreds on my schedule that took all of my time and attention. I then had my first…
It Might Be A Thing
I’ve been debating with myself for a while now about writing this post. I’m not really a superstitious person (knock on wood), but I’m more than a little afraid that if I say it out loud (or post it on the internet) then it’ll come true. Rationally, I know this isn’t the case. Saying or…
Letting Myself Go
I’m in a bit of a funk. Ever since Boulder Field, things have been a little out of whack for me. It started with my mental state. Normally, the cycle is you get amped up for a race, run it, and then get a little depressed because your big race is now behind you. I…
Moments in Time: 2017 Old Dominion 100
It’s sometime around 11pm and I’m tired. My hopes and dreams of buckling the OD100 (no belt buckles for finishes over 24 hours) have just been shattered by the recently completed climb up and over Sherman’s Gap. I’m low on calories and desperately looking for the next aid station, Veach East*. My headlamp dimly lights…
2017 Boulder Field 100K Race Report
You would not believe how dark it can get at 5am in the woods, which is when the Boulder Field 100K starts in Hickory Run State Park. We’re talking pitch black outside. It’s so dark that not only can you see the stars in the sky, but you can see the stars behind the stars.…
Grit
Grit is one of the key qualities that makes for a successful ultra runner. I can’t adequately express all of it’s nuances, but I know it when I see it. And if that link was too depressing for you, then try this one.
2017 Boulder Field 100k Preview
Well, this should be interesting. My race this weekend (Boulder Field 100k) has kinda snuck up on me. And with only a couple days left until the start this Saturday, I am remarkably ambivalent about the whole endeavor. This shouldn’t be the case. This is a new race and a completely new distance for me.…