A camp, a house, a horse, a race and some kids. These are big pieces fitting into the puzzle of my life this year.
Archive | Training & Racing
Lessons from Ultras that Help in Real-Life Struggles
When I feel overwhelmed, or try to help my kids deal with their stress, I draw on lessons learned and strategies developed through ultras.
“You Have Only Moments to Live” and Other Musings for a 24-Hour New Year’s Eve Ultra
I need to sort out thoughts about the coming year and beyond, and that’s another reason I’m looking forward to this 24-hour hamster-wheel ultra on new year’s eve—it’ll be a retreat of sorts.
It Was a Beautiful Day: Vista Verde Skyline 50K Race Report
Like the “super moon,” the course seemed unusually brilliant and exaggerated in its beauty. Little did I know on that blissful, escapist day that disaster would strike 36 hours later.
Running the Bay Bridge Bike Path—Plus Yerba Buena and Treasure Islands
I wrote this post four years ago, in the fall of 2013, and am updating it since I revisited this cool urban run last week. Now that the entrance to Yerba Buena Island is open and links to Treasure Island, you can loop around there for a longer run!
My 2017 Gift Guide for Runners and Adventurers: Good Stuff, No Fluff!
A roundup of nifty products I discovered and used this year to better enjoy running and the outdoors.
Making Peace With “My Old Self”: Advice on Aging and Longevity in Running
I need to let go of longing for a supposedly better version of myself from years ago. Remember and celebrate all the things that this 2017 version of me did that the 2007 person couldn’t fathom.
5 Recommended Books About the West, Plus My Grandpa’s Ultra Report
The summer, I read about the West to deepen my understanding of Colorado, California and states in between—their history, culture, politics and myriad pressures. Rest assured, these books are good reads.
A 3-Part Plan to Build Up to a Self-Supported Stage Race (Or Any Kick-Ass Ultra)
I spent ten months coaching two clients for the Grand to Grand Ultra and the Atacama Crossing. Here’s the outline of their training plans, and their stories of what the events were like, to show how to meet the myriad challenges of an ultra-long stage race—and, perhaps, to inspire your new year’s goals.
Tips to Get Through Post-Ultra, Life-Transition Blues
After several mornings in a row under the covers with that novel, it hit me: This is what post-100-mile-ultra, midlife, empty-nesting transition feels like.