As is my custom, in the winter I start running lots of flat pavement in the name of convenience and trying to rest recurrent IT band problems (vert makes that worse). With some IT issues stemming from my New Years Revolution Run, I decided to hit the pavement. In previous years that is what CAUSED my IT band pain and also what caused stress fractures on my ankles. This time, it let to hip bursitis (I think). Woot woot! So……
Last year and this year I organized a secret Santa type gift exchange for my trail-running club, the Wasatch Mountain Wranglers. People signed up, I assigned them a person to hide for, people then hid gifts up in the mountains, and I then relayed the instructions/clues to the people they hid for. Last year it was fun and this year people enjoyed it again. Since I didn’t assign anyone to myself (that would be weird) a few very kind Wranglers…
2015 was my 2nd full year trying to be a “runner” and it was full of a lot of “mile”stones. (see what I did there? Eh?! Eh?!) It really was big though. By the measures of some of my running friends, not so much. But for me, the guy who hates running, this has been quite a wild ride. I still can’t believe it. Who have I become?! I don’t even know who I am anymore! Let’s review how I…
Friends! I am excited to announce that I have joined the Ultra Adventures team for 2016 as an ambassador. This means I will help set up some races, run a few races, and try to convince all of you to come join! I don’t get kick-backs if you register off a referral, I just want as many people to come join the fun (and suffering) as possible. If you have been one of the many that comments on how beautiful…
As explained HERE, I did some fundraising for the Syrian refugee crisis by running a track race and having people pledge $ per lap. It was painful, but great. We raised a little of $1,200. Held at the Olympic Oval, the track goes around the speed-skating track. It was fun watching Olympic medal winners zoom around as we labored slowly around the 344 meter track. This was the longest I have ever run flat. I was on pace to hit…
Home for the holidays, I took my Christmas present out of their box a few days early to hit some trails in my hometown. The Olympus 2.0 might be my favorite shoe ever. Seriously. I hit my childhood mountain bike trails on Galbraith Mountain one day and Whatcom Falls Park another day. Beautiful. I learned how to mtn. bike in the mid-90s on these trails. Back then, it was a quasi-legal affair (lots of signs saying no trespassing, but community…
In hopes of rehabbing my IT Bands and increasing my flat-terrain endurance and speed, I have stayed off the trails for a couple weeks. (I want to be injury-free and flat-fast for my fundraiser on January 1 – read about it here to help Syrian refugees). One treadmill run and 3 on paved trails around my house. The treadmill was horrible. The ones around my house were convenient and actually somewhat enjoyable…but I missed the mountains. It is entertaining to…
Inspired by some recent calls in my church congregation to raise funds and supplies to aid the Syrian refugee crisis in the Middle East and Europe, I decided to start a little fundraiser of my own. I have an old friend who runs a non-profit organization that provides education opportunities to Syrian refugee children in Lebanon. All funds raised will go to his Sadalsuud Foundation. I am registered for the January 1, 2016 New Years Revolution Run at the Utah…
I have done a number of runs in the Orem/Lindon foothills on the side of the mouth of Provo Canyon, but not much on the south side of the canyon mouth. I remedied that this last week with 2 runs. Starting at the Indian Hills trailhead I headed up the first mile climb and then another couple miles along the BST that travers up-canyon. The was ice in a few spots, but not bad. It felt great to be out….
It hurt, but it was worth it. My two 50k finishes have now taught a number of important lessons. Foremost among them is this: I can finish 50k ultra-marathons without much training, but it’ll hurt. Next time, train. This was my 2nd ultra-marathon. You can read about my first, the Bryce 50k, and my thoughts about doing it again here. Saturday started a bit chilly, with a slight breeze. I chose to just wear a long sleeve tech-tee (later a…