running, life and living the dream

This is my second time participating in an inaugural event. So far I am 2 for 2.  I don't only mean finishing the races; I mean well put on races that have the feel of a race that's been around for years.   They inaugural  Colossal Vail took place on Saturday November 15, 2014 in Vail, Arizona on the Arizona Trail .   Vail is 25 miles South of Tucson.   50k and 50 mile race options were available; I chose the 50 Mile option.     When Tim, my good running buddy and doctor from California, and I arrived at Colossal Cave Park it was dark. I could only see the lights near the packet pick up table.  I had already got my swag bag the day before, so all I needed to get was my bib.   A few minutes before 6:30 am, the race starting time, the mile 50 mile race participants gathered together at an imaginary start line and listened to instructions. I was excited and slightly nervous but not my typical bouncing off the walls nail biting self....

Aravaipa Instagram Post  Bad ASS shirt Anytime rain is in the forecast for a race my mind drifts back to last year’s Zane Grey 50 Miler.   That one still stings.   But for the Javelina Jangover 50k I was looking forward to the rain.  The lower temps and a run-able course made my mind spin with thoughts of a PR. But I had to remind myself, not to go out to fast! My wife and I carpooled to McDowell Mountain Regional Park with Chris, a fellow runner and accomplished bow hunter, and his wife.   We got to the park, picked up are bibs, and begin to get our gear ready for the run. I was excited to be back on the Pemberton trail, last time I was there was for the JJ100. Looking West from the parking lot Looking East Near the Start line The skies were beautiful, any direction you turned to look you were in for a treat.   I snapped a few photos, caught up with a few friends and eagerly awaited the start of the 50k.   The 75k runners wer...

The last few days I’ve had this hunger and desire for running I have not felt in a long time. It’s exciting and nerve racking at the same time. I have to stop the urge to sign up for every race. Financially I would go broke and physically I’d be in pain and ailing from every over use injury possible. Nonetheless, I am focused on a few races for sure. This Saturday I’m participating in the Aravaipa’s Pass Mountain 50k Endurance run. I want to run it hard and leave it all out on the trail. I have some fears of doing that, yet I have nothing to lose. All I know, I never want to DNF again. That may or may not be possible, but I hope to find the strength I had during my first 50k - in September of 2011 - in all my future races. The Noble Canyon run lived up to everything I had read and heard about ultra running. I started this blog just before I ran Noble Canyon. In all honesty, I have always had the desire to be noticed and in the lime light and alas was the wrong reason to...