I’m going on 43 and starting my 18th year of running. Why not make it the best year yet? Why not explore new territory and go farther than ever before?
Tag Archives | Sarah Lavender Smith
Lessons Learned from the 2011 North Face Endurance Challenge 50-Mile Championship
My legs cramped, toes bruised, gut blew up and skin chafed over the 50 miles. My mind sunk into a funk of negativity and aimlessness, but strong running and a steely determination book-ended those dark middle miles. Throughout this past week, I pondered questions about what went right and wrong, reflecting on how much I […]
Getting Ready for the Ultimate Day Trip: The North Face Endurance Challenge 50M
My thoughts the day before attempting The North Face Endurance Challenge 50M (gulp).
A Dose of Thanksgiving Gratitude to Lift My Holiday Spirit and Savor the Trip
We came to Cabo for an escapist, easy week after a challenging year work-wise. The time on the treadmill, along with the time spent poolside, makes me travel far inside my head and contemplate countless things not related to running. I focused on making a list of gratitude to help dispel some less-than-happy thoughts that […]
Book Reviews: How Dean Karnazes and Jim Axelrod Manage Midlife While Running Long
I recently finished two books about runners that I recommend for anyone—especially any guy—on your gift list. They’re not only about running and for runners. Midlife career shifts, friendships and father-son relationships run through “In the Long Run: A Father, a Son, and Unintentional Lessons in Happiness” by Jim Axelrod and “Run!: 26.2 Stories of […]
The Story Behind “Unbreakable,” the Anticipated Film About the Showdown at the 2010 Western States 100
“Unbreakable: The Western States 100” captures the extraordinary drama and physical effort of the 2010 Western States 100 Endurance Run. I interviewed filmmaker and ultrarunner JB Benna as he races to finish the film before screenings begin November 25. He revealed how the film took shape and turned into a year-and-a-half-long ultra-effort for him.
How to Jump Off a Cliff and Other Lessons in Life and Travel from Our Meet, Plan, Go Event
I recently hosted San Francisco’s version of the national Meet, Plan, Go! event. This post focuses on two panelists’ anecdotes about taking a major break from their careers for the sake of travel and personal fulfillment. In other words, doing what many thought was “crazy” because it seemed so risky and unconventional.
A Small-World Story of One Email, Two Families and Round-the-World Travel Advice
Out of the blue, I received an email from a man who reminded me why I’m hosting the Meet, Plan, Go event in one month, and why I care so much about long-term family travel. This is the story of his family–a Romanian family of five living in New York–and how they are leaving everything […]
Running and Racing: How to Choose the Distance, Difficulty and Destination?
As I’ve pondered running events and goals, I’ve wondered what makes one event “harder” or “tougher” than another, and is “harder” always “better”? I know I derive pleasure from the challenge that training for races presents—that is, from the thrill of competing with others and with myself to set new PRs. But what kind of […]
5 Steps to Get Out of a Rut and Plan a Dream Trip
In six weeks I’m hosting a big event to extol the virtues of long-term travel and encourage people to think outside the box in terms of their career and life choices. Yet I find myself struggling to walk the talk. Taking a big, meaningful trip again is starting to feel impossible for a number of […]