What’s it like to spend several days in the mountains around Juneau at a champion ultrarunner’s camp, and how can it change you? It’s hard to describe how amazing it is, but I try.
Author Archive | Sarah
Book Review: Scott Jurek’s Journey to Vegan Ultrarunning Champ, As Told in the Inspiring “Eat & Run”
I picked up Jurek’s new book, Eat & Run: My Unlikely Journey to Ultramarathon Greatness, eager to read his reflections on his journey as an athlete, since he had been on my radar screen for more than a decade. Also, I was curious about the nutritional side of his book. Here’s why I recommend it, […]
Trying to Break the Busy Trap Through Summer Training and Travel
What happened to my running and state of mind the past two months? In this post, I take a deep breath and reflect. Also included: “Training for a Self-Supported Stage Race,” a reprint of a recent article on preparing for the Grand to Grand Ultra.
Victory Is In the Bag: Ultrarunner Victor Ballesteros Talks About Gear, Running and the Coolest Drop Bag Ever
A Q&A with top Bay Area ultrarunner Victor Ballesteros, who recently designed and launched the Victory Bag for use as a drop bag at aid stations.
2012 Miwok 100K Race Report: The Highs, the Lows, the Strange Bodily Functions and Everything In Between
Running the Miwok 100k was a pivotal experience in my 18 years of running—longest distance ever, hardest course, a new approach to training and preparation—and it almost didn’t happen. Here’s the story of my very long day out there.
How to Train and Gear Up for Mountain Running and Fastpacking Adventures
This guest post by Karen Schwartz of Sage to Summit is useful for anyone planning a challenging mountain run or hike. Here’s what you need to do and take with you before heading out all day or many days in the wilderness. Plus, recommendations of trails to run in the Eastern Sierra.
Q&A with Rickey Gates on Trail Running, Traveling and Living the Dream
In a sport not lacking offbeat characters with exceptional endurance, Rickey Gates stands out. Trail running’s Kerouac-quoting, motorcycle-riding nomad with the serious ’stache and tangled tresses talks about mountain running, ultra distances, global travel and what inspires him.
The G2G Ultra: A Grand Adventure Is Calling
Seven days, 160 miles, Arizona to Utah, carrying my food and gear. Can I do it? I don’t know, but I do know I can’t pass up the opportunity to attempt and report on this amazing inaugural event.
2012 Oakland Marathon Race Report: So Good, So Bad, So Oakland
After so many trail races, it felt good to line up and take off through the heart of a city in an urban road marathon again. Over 26 miles, I went from feeling like a rock star to feeling like a Southwest jet ready to rip apart and crash land from metal fatigue.
Ten Weeks and then a Taper: Reflections on a Marathon-and-Beyond Training Cycle
I reflect on what I did right—and what I might have done better—over the past ten weeks while training for the upcoming Oakland Marathon and Miwok 100K.