This isn’t about whether long runs are an important part of training for ultras. In my opinion, they should be a key component to your preparation. One of my core beliefs is that in order to get good at running long distances you need to . . . run long distances. Period. No, this is…
The Good Enough Ultrarunner
I feel like my motto these days should be “meh, good enough”, which would be one of the more ironic mottos in sports. People think of ultrarunners as elite athletes cranking out 100+ mile weeks in training or running for days on end. “Bigger, faster, longer” would be a great ultra motto. “Go big or…
Throwing In The Towel On A Training Block
OK, the title is a little dramatic, over the top, and maybe not 100% accurate, but that’s how I feel right now. Over the past 10 days I’ve managed to blow off two runs and cut another short. While not completely unprecedented for me, this is not the best way to train four weeks out…
DUC 100K: The Bespoke Ultra Experience
The DUC 100K is a race like no other. It’s so not like any other race that it’s not even like it was last year when I ran it! The race consists of an overnight 50K on Friday followed by the Algonquin 50K the next day. Each year the overnight race changes. It could be…
Strength Training Makes Me. . . Faster?!?!
I started up a strength training program six weeks ago. The goal wasn’t necessarily to run faster though. My focus is to get stronger in general. Mostly for injury prevention. Even though I haven’t been injured in the past decade, I’m fully aware that doing the same thing over and over again won’t work forever.…
Never Too Soon To Start Thinking About Next Year
I’m a planner. I spend a lot of time thinking about the future. What could happen, what I’ll do in certain circumstances, and how I’ll react to the unexpected. I do this in all aspects of my life: personal, work, and of course my hobbies. I am not the type of person to go from…
Kudos For Everything!
Despite the fact that I’ve had my own personal blog for over 8 years now (!), I’m relatively inexperienced when it comes to social media. It’s really only been within the last couple years that I’ve started creating accounts. It started with Reddit about four years ago as a way to connect with the ultra…
From Florida to 10 Degrees
I was down in Florida visiting my brother over the holiday weekend. I got in some very flat miles. The weather wasn’t great (60-70 degrees, cloudy, light rain several days), however infinitely better than what the Mid-Atlantic had to offer. Needless to say, it was a bit of a shock to the system when I…
When Is Not Feeling Well An Acceptable Excuse?
I am truly blessed with my health. Outside of the occasional old man twinges, my body never hurts. I very rarely get sick and when I do it’s typically very mild. I can count on one hand (with some fingers left over) the number of times I’ve been too sick to get out of bed…
Time To Get Swole, Bruh
I’ve spent the first 10 years of my ultra career mostly avoiding cross training. I’ve periodically dabbled in some body weight exercises (pull/push-ups and planks), but I always seem to drop the habit after a couple weeks or a month or so. The closest I’ve come is my evening walks and while I’m consistently getting…