The Runner's Trip: Run Long, Travel Far, Discover More
trail running and travel blog by Sarah Lavender Smith
Could I successfully race for three days straight? Could the organizers pull off their idea for a trail-running “festival”? How the heck would they shuttle hundreds of runners for hours each day to trailheads on the edges of the national parks? Turns out, the transportation became a part of the adventure.
In spite of never running close to 100 miles before, and in spite of having his longest prior race nearly break his desire to run ultras, Tim ran such a strong and positive UTMB that he came from behind to place third overall. What can we learn from his performance?
This post highlights key take-aways from the book—several of which I appreciate because they articulate and support my views on some topics that have generated controversy in our sport.
From my perspective as a child growing up in Ojai, the mountains that make up the Nordhoff Ridge always looked so big and far away. I could only reach them on horseback. On my last visit, I decided to step out of my comfort zone of running familiar streets and go up and along the […]
I was nervous, not so much about the competition—which was out of my league, attracting the country’s top ultrarunners—but about how I’d do compared to my younger self.
When Ultimate Direction came out with a new-and-improved version of the Ultra Vesta—and also launched a women’s version of the larger-capacity SJ Ultra Vest (which I use for longer, unsupported treks)—you bet I was excited to try them.
Doing “just” the 50K felt like pedaling behind the big kids with training wheels on my bike. Here’s my Sean O’Brien 50K race report, with bonus content at the end: “The Idiot’s Guide to Race Day Planning.”
So much of my stress is tied to perfectionism, to wanting to get it just right or not do it at all. I overthink and underproduce.
After five days and some 60 miles on the trail, I felt far more fulfilled than fatigued, perhaps because, as John Muir once said, “In every walk with nature, one receives far more than he seeks.”
The story of my client Jami Sutter shows how careful, steady training and mental determination can lead to a highly respectable mid-pack finish in a grueling stage race. Jami answers questions about the highs, the lows and the lessons learned.