running, life and living the dream

14 day till the Monster.   MOG100   Got a new gimbel and have been shooting more footage.  Having fun with training.  Also started WESURG group runs back up again at Friendship park.  more to come.  check the face book page. here is a link to my videos on you tube.  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMwvaIsZUv1cXyDo78KSIeQ?view_as=subscriber Taper mode.  Mental preparation has begun. See you all soon.

raw AND UNCUT    I FOUND THIS. Wish I had finished it. It was an incredible journey Ideally less then a month before I take my shot at her. It was talk, adults, nah dreamers; men thirsting to suck the very narrow out of an ambitious challenge.  The idea, the race, the draw, was the Mogollon Monster.  Chris said “I know it can be done.”  I smiled, knowing how much effort it took me to finish my first Zane Grey, and yes Mogollon is on my bucket list; but this race is so intimidating to me.  Mogollon is like Zane Grey on steroids.  But Chris’s argument was that it really is all mental. Well less than a year after these words flooded my brain, and about 3 months prior to the race, Chris sent me a text with a picture. His Ultra Signup screen shot.  Holy Shit!  He signed up for the monster. FUCK, 107 miles and 22,000 feet of climbing.  I had promised to crew and pace, if and or when he did this race. I never doubted he would do it, I just hadn’t it expected it to be so SOON.   Tr

I am talking a new year in May. What the heck, where has the time gone. In a few weeks will be half way through 2019.  It seems to have happen with the snap of a finger.  Got some big challenges ahead.  I am chasing a certain monster on the Mogollon rim in September.  I am also looking  to possible complete my first triathlon.  Possibility of career change at work. This excites me.   But when I mention “Old Demons” it’s in reference to depression. I was in a dark storm late 2017 early 2018.   I never want to go back to that place.   From medication to counseling and lot of prayers. Also writing, faith, having good friends, and support has helped me. Also understanding it, as much as anyone can.   One day at a time. Next, I hope to conquer few other monsters that haunt me. I am in a good place right now.   Never thought I’d be exciting about cycling and the idea of a triathlon.   I talked over and over about the Mogollon Monster 100. Now my name is on the starting list. I be

The run/race took place, literally, in the Race directors backyard on a 238 meter hand made course. Trail work at its finest. The event was labeled as an 8 Hour Ultra Marathon where you could go as you please. It was also a bring your aid event. Besides your own aid we were all encouraged, of course if its your thing, to bring beer and or any other adult beverages of your choice. I knew this was going to be fun. The moment I saw this run advertised I had to sign up. I had missed out on the Black Friday Backyard Ultra in November 2018. Which was in the same backyard but a shorter loop. As that run progressed, so did the length of the course, which gave birth to the April Fools Backyard Ultra . Big Shout out to JAM JAM AKA Jamil Coury for hosting such a great event. Muchos Gracias Image from Jamil Coury Instagram page. This was the whole course  OK time for the Juicy stuff. vid of a loop on the course My dad and I pulled into a neighborhood near the Pho

finishing races never get old When I started running again back around 2009-10 and got hooked. I had began searching for every run available. One run that kept showing up was this run at Lake Pleasant which was advertised as the only time you could run across the the Dam. But the price and distances available held me back. I had also become obsessed with ultra marathons, any mileage over 26.2 miles, and just kept putting it off. A few weeks I ago I finally took part in The Dam Good Run. I am not sure how many years its been since Aravaipa has taken it over the race, but I was excited knowing the quality of their races, and one of my best friends was going to lose his Aravaipa Race Virginity! Dam Good Run I opted to run to run the 26k. I was still recovering from the Black Canyon 100k, busy life, and my training had been minimal. But also was hoping to maybe be able to race and actually compete. Typically I am a mid to back of the pack runner in Ultras. Have had s

Man I really had a good time at This race. I hit a wall, which is to be expected, but did not suffer to the point of death marching, like I have in the past. Across the Years a few years ago is still my best performance as an ultra runner. I may follow this up with a written report. Here is a video I made of this race. https://youtu.be/NZHZWnQ6JUg