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.…
It’s Not You, It’s Me
Dear 100-Miler, Dude, we are absolutely crushing it this year. My first two sub-24 hour finishes to start things off followed by an enjoyable ES100 finish. I wouldn’t quite say I feel comfortable with our relationship, but I’m definitely becoming more comfortable. When things are going well, there’s a tendency to do one of two…
Is Endurance Transferable?
Given I write a blog about running ridiculously long distances, it won’t surprise you to learn that my primary forms of exercise are either running or running’s slower cousin, walking. This isn’t the entirety of my fitness routine, but it’s pretty close. In addition, I do 5-10 minutes of core work 4 or 5 days…