running, life and living the dream

The Mogollon Monster did not go as planned. I know why. Training. More specific and more. You can’t cram for 100 mile. I guess I thought my knowledge of the course, past experiences and WILL would get me to the finish line. Live, learn, and come back stronger and more prepared. I was featured on the Burnt Sky Broadcast  Podcast . Also it can be found on ITunes . It was such a good experience. I also made a short video about the experience.  MOG100 VLOG This past weekend I once again found myself at Mcdowell Park for the Javelina Jundred. I volunteered (worked) , crewed , paced, and had a blast. Love that race. Video from my POV  JJ100 Still on a high from such a great weekend. I got Zane Grey 100K in April. Before that not sure. Running, raising my kids and learning. Life . Never stop learning

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...

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 Mogo...

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 h...

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

WESURG  IS IN Full Swing.  Its  been exciting how the Facebook club page has taking off. Lots of interaction.  We have had two group meet ups. Trail Run and Track Practice.   A few scavenger Hunts. More to come for sure. Here is a  link to the facebook   Here Running has been fun again.  Been writing and being creative in other ways Also   Here is a Video I made . Check this one out.   Groom Creek Prescott Memorial Day Weekend Lots more ups then downs lately.   Full Schedule ahead. Jack Rabbit Jubilee 12 hr  Sept ST George  Marathon , Utah.  Oct. JJ100   AZ  Oct Few things in between.  I think the tide is turning.  Can I Survive the ride. YES I CAN !!!

When I got into running around at the end of 2010 I begin to seek out anything running related.  This included books, magazines, blogs, documentaries , and social media outlets.   At some point, not sure when, I discovered podcast. It changed my world. Several shows I enjoyed, in the early days, and are still out there. There are few that i listen to on a regular basis.  Some shows I feel lost there way, by going to commercial , and only focusing on the Elite runners of the sport.  Which is fine. its a business .  I always root for the under dog, the mid packer.  Dave, who has kept it real and honest, would call himself a back of the packer.  Dave is runner and inspiration  to me! I begin emailing Dave in regards  to his show topics. It was like having a pen pal.  At some point it seems we become friends.  I hope to meet Dave one day.  I'll never forger when he asked to  interview me about my first 100 miler foot race...

Zane Grey number four is in the books. It hurt as much as I remember.  I also puked as much as the previous year. At least this year I was able to keep moving and was not laid out on the side of the tail for passerby to see and think, DAMN POOR GUY. Run, walk and puke.  Well it was more like run, walk and dry heave.  At some point I had nothing left to spew.  This was the last 16 miles or so. I am beginning to think it's elevation sickness that is getting me at this race. Either way I knowthis is one hard ass race.   I felt confident in my fueling and hydration.  However, I did start out faster then I planned. Truth is I felt good and did feel as though I was not laboring. Heck I consistently took video the first 25 miles. I did it to capture this awesome trail and race.  I also did it to help slow me down and relax my mind. I wanted to feel like I was just enjoying a run in the woods.  I am still amazed at all the diversity ...

About to head into my fourth Zane Grey, was nice to be bouncing off the walls again, been a while since I've been excited about a race like this. Kid like energy. Crown King was a great experience and it definitely gave me confidence moving forward. I just didn't know how to follow up, my hundred mile finish, at Across the Years. It was such a great performance / accomplishment and i'm afraid I'll never be able to top that.  I guess I've been like that my whole life, a worry wort. Believe me I may look confident, I do work hard, but I get nervous and insecure about things.  For as long as I can remember I've never felt good enough. It's in my own mind, a character flaw, because I know that I continually accomplish things and inspire people. I love to get emails/text or even post of people telling me how inspired them. I want to continue that.  As I sit here, eating breakfast,  ready to leave to Pine AZ I just want to remind myself to be grateful for a...

Roll 'N' Rock nah man Rock 'N” Roll. I have been asked every year since I made it known I was a runner, 2011, if I was going to Run the Arizona Rock 'n' Roll (RNR) Marathon. I have always had interesting excuses. Some legit. Like its always the weekend before the Coldwater Rumble , an ultra race at Estrella Mountain Regional Park, put on by Aravaipa . Its basically my back yard so how could I miss it. But also i stayed away because it seemed like it was a huge corporate race with too many people.  But my opinion has changed.  Yes it has.  IT WAS FUN! the wife and I race morning I singed up for the RNR Marathon close to a year in advance. The price was just to good to pass up. I was also in a bit of a fog mentally, and needed to change things up. I love trail ultras, but I was in a rut, I thought a road marathon and Boston Qualifier race would get me moving. That was until I was inspired to go for a big ultra. I paced my buddy and Chris at t...