running, life and living the dream

I have been slacking on my blog.  My original intent was to update at least bi-weekly, but life is busy. I have had a lot of hobbies/interest over the years but the one that has been constant is running.  I have been addicted since 2011.  I have had some ups an downs, mentally and physically, but it is still a passion burning deep inside of me!  I love it.. My last post was about the Javelina Jangover.  But prior to that was my April Zane Grey report.  I have had some adventures in between. Here is a quick look.  Kristen Steele's Birthday Run. 5/25/14 Competitive Loop, White Tanks  21 miles.  Good Times.  Kristen is a sweetheart and a friend to all.  She is very inspiring.   In between loops. Giles, Michelle, Kristen, Haley, Mike and others  Mt. Ord run near Payson.  Adam Livingston set this up.  Such an awesome time with good people and passionate ru...

On Saturday January 19, 2013 I participated in my second Coldwater Rumble 50K trail run.   The event is put on by Aravaipa Running and is run through the desert trails of The Sierra Estrella Mountain range, located southwest of Phoenix, AZ.   There were a few course changes and even a new distance option this year. This year a 50 mile run was added to an already solid list of options including 4 miles, 19k, 31k, and 50k.   I toyed with the idea of attempting the 50 mile run, but decided on the 50k, based on my training plan and goal to complete the Zane Grey 50 Mile Endurance run in April.   I had a few goals for this run, but the one that fueled me most, was to beat my time of 5 hours 58 minutes from last year. The 50k began at 7:30 and I immediately stuck to my plan of being conservative early; it can be hard to ignore the adrenaline that takes over at the start of a race.   The first few miles flew by, as I approached the first aid station...

The night before the race as normal I was anxious and a bit absent minded. I laid out all my gels and tried to picture in my head how many I would need to maintain 200 to 300 calories an hour. I had an idea of what I wanted to wear taking into consideration that it would be chilly at the start. My buddy Giles told me he would be picking me up between 5:30 and 5:45 a.m.   I set my alarm for 4:45 but snoozed until about 5:00 a.m.   Once I got up time seemed to fly.   I got dressed, drank half a cup of coffee and ate a peanut butter and Nutella sandwich. Giles picked me up and headed to Estrella Mounting Regional Park. We pulled into the parking lot of the Rodeo Arena, where the start and finish of the race would be. We had about 40 minutes until the start.    After picking up are race bibs we walked back to the truck to prep for the race and stay warm.   I pinned my race bib, #19 to my shorts.   I was curious about the live web cast.   So using ...

4 days until my second ultra marathon.  I really have not been too nervous about this race up until today.  Also taking into consideration in little over for weeks from now I will be running my third.  I got quite the line up.  I really feel like it is possible for me to run and finish these races. I am feeling confident in my training.  I wish could say my nutrition, I am eating more, but not so much the most efficient foods I could be.   A friend of mine asked me the other day if I run these races to win or place.  I kind of laughed and said no I mostly run to challenge myself, beat my own time and survive the challenge.  Truth be told, I do day dream of winning a race or being an elite, but I realize my limitations and I am completely satisfied with them.   I really enjoyed watching the coverage of the US Marathon Olympic Team Trials.  It made me curious about refocusing my mind from ultra trail running to marathon road races. Honestly right now I know I have just barley peeked ...

Been almost 2 months since I updated this blog; A lot has happen.  I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and looking foreword to a great 2012.      In November I put in a little over 70 miles of running. So far this month I am up to 90 miles.  I am feeling good and excited for the New Year.  Of course I wish I had more time to run and train, got to remember balance!   Yesterday my wife and I set off on a run with the kids and our dog, Honey.  I pushed the girls in the buggy while Honey pulled my wife, ha.  We had no plan on where to run.  My wife told me to lead the way and we ended up at Friendship Park in Avondale, AZ.  As we approached the park I had devised a plan to get me a few more miles.  The plan was that my wife would stay and watch the kids at playground and I would run back home and get the car and come back for them.   With 4.2 miles in the bank I kissed my wife and sped off towards home.  I took the shorter route back, 2 miles.  I pushed hard, wanting to get in som...