Twenty-four hours after finishing the Sulphur Springs 100, I am happy to report I successfully completed all 100 miles on foot, even if barely. Due to the numerous hills, nearly freezing to death at one point, having problems seeing where I was going at night even with a headlamp, foot blisters, utter fatigue, and getting lost with just 5.5 miles to go (and hence actually “running” 102.5 miles, total), I finished with just 20 minutes to spare in second-to-the-last place of all finishers… but of course I was just happy to finish. This was definitely the hardest one-day event I’ve ever done; a true suffer-fest. Continue reading »
There were many reasons for me to visit southeastern Canada, including taking French classes, seeing where my father grew up, and visiting relatives I haven’t seen in 23 years. Here’s another reason: to attempt to run 100 miles, again!
My last attempt ended after 100 kilometers in the Boulder 100 last October. This time, I intend to go the full distance in the Sulphur Springs 100 in Ancaster, Ontario this Saturday, starting at 6:00am. In fact, there will be 47 of us attempting to do so. Here is the full race roster. Continue reading »
Fellow Fort Collins Running Club member Alene Nitzky will be running in a 48-hour race around a 500-meter track in Arizona starting today. She ran in the Boulder 100 a couple of months ago, and not only was ahead of me the entire time and ended up running farther, but was doing so with a smile on her face every time I saw her! I will be cheering for her from afar (about 1,000 miles away) over the internet, and so can you. The message below tells how. She also describes a little bit the spiritual aspects of running for so long. Good luck, Alene! Continue reading »
I’m done with the Boulder 100… or actually, since I stopped “early” (midnight), the 24 Hours of Boulder. The weather was cold and wet, my legs were not recovered from last week’s St. George Marathon, and I was not having fun. Still, I did manage to run 64.4 miles — or over 100 kilometers. Good enough.
Here are some excerpts from an email I wrote to a friend. My recovery season begins today, so no more running for me (say, over 5 miles/week) for the rest of the year. Exercise-wise, I’ll just be doing strength training and some occasional indoor rock climbing and yoga the next couple of months — nothing very time-consuming and just for health and fun. Continue reading »
There was never any question in my mind that for this ultra-marathon that I should be running ultra-conservatively with nary a thought of time goals or personal records. After all, my longest run this year was only 20 miles, I had only averaged 11 miles/week in the last three weeks, and recently my running has been more off than Britney Spears’ singing. Clearly, this race was should have been approached as just an opportunity to do a “very fast hike” while taking in the views of oak and golden hills in the South Bay of California. Continue reading »
 it was dry and 2) I was still smiling. (Photo: SkiPix.com)&title=Boulder 100 "Clearly, this photo was taken early in the race because 1) it was dry and 2) I was still smiling. (Photo: SkiPix.com)")
