Latest Issue
UltraRunning July 2017
- Shaking It Out With Topher Gaylord by Mario Fraioli
- Barkley Marathons by “Laz” Cantrell, RD
- From Desperation to Salvation by Robert Plagmann
- Hill Training for Flatlanders by Travis Macy
- How to Run in an Inferno by Dean Karnazes
- The Joy of the Ultra Community by Ellie Greenwood
- Weight and Resistance Training by Ann Trason
Featured
Never Alone at the Eagle Up Ultra
When I signed up for the Eagle Up Ultra in Canal Fulton, Ohio, it was for the sole purpose of earning a belt buckle. The course was newbie friendly, a five mile loop on a flat tow path and had nice swag like a headlamp.
Commentary
Seeing the Elephant
Many comparisons have been made to modern-day ultrarunners and the Pioneers who crossed the continent in covered wagons back in the 1840s and 1850s. The Pioneers risked everything and took on a massively arduous 2,000-mile trek, often for a dream or nebulous “better life” out west. As with ultrarunners, a common question from onlookers was: “why?”
Featured
Review: Ultimate Direction Crew Bag
A spacious and versatile crew or travel bag with durable construction and thoughtful compartmentalization. It can be carried as a duffel bag, but does not have dedicated straps for this purpose
Commentary
Struggle and Doubt
I stood at the finish line of my first half marathon, confused. I was surrounded by people who had somehow found a singular, defining experience that morning. Was this why people run? What had I done wrong that prevented me from reveling in a sense of accomplishment?
Confession of a Steam Room Junkie
Among the many alternative cross training and recovery methods out there, I’ve found the one true, revitalizing cure-all: the steam room.
2016 Allegheny Front Trail Run
Mild temperatures and a gentle breeze in Central Pennsylvania’s Moshannon State Forest ushered in the daylight at Mid-State Regional Airport for the fifth annual Allegheny Front Trail Run.
Longevity in the Sport
Let’s face it, ultrarunning is a really difficult activity. It requires a huge time and lifestyle commitment. But many people are attracted, like moths to flame, to the opportunity to do something epic. And often once they do a few ultras they realize there is a steep learning curve and they achieve faster, and faster, times. Soon, they are pulled into the drive to reach their highest potential by racing ultras – they are all-in.
Battling Running-Induced Stress
Stress is a topic I’m not fond of. For years, running has helped me deal with it during blowups at the office, riffs at home or just plain, rotten days. Hopping on the trail with a friend can ease the pressure with a little sunshine, fresh air and welcome distraction. On the flip side, there are times when a big dollop of cortisol gets tossed at me and causes my running to cease completely.
Peterson Ridge Rumble 40-Mile
I first ran the Peterson Ridge Rumble 40-Mile two years ago – my first ultra. This year the race was a 65th birthday present to myself.
Running While Pregnant
When I first found out I was pregnant, I googled “running while pregnant” and was disappointed in the lack of information out there. There was information about Olympic athletes and information for recreational runners, but not much for someone who fell in between these two categories.
Angel Fire Endurance Runs
A gentle “angelic” loop around the valley floor gives you a chance to adjust to the altitude, enjoy the pine forest and valley meadows, and picturesque mountain cabins and ski chalets. The “fire” comes when you begin the 18.5-mile out and back over the top of the ski resort and down the other side, topping out at about 11,000 feet where you feel like the sun is microwaving your exposed skin.
ITRA Response to the article published by 9 American organizers
ed note: The following was issued by ITRA in response to a press release issued by Hardrock and 8 other…
Five Tips for Running Your First Ultra
Running your first ultramarathon is a great commitment to make to yourself. It’ll hurt you in ways that you didn’t know running could hurt you and it will force mental fortitude that you didn’t know you possessed.
Gorge Waterfalls: Beyond the Back of the Pack
The back of the pack runners come straggling in to Wyeth Campground. Thirty-one miles is a tough distance no matter what day it is, even if running sixty-two is your goal, and these runners have endured thirty-one rocky, rooty, sloppy, and gorgeous trail miles in the Columbia River Gorge.
Hawkeye 50k: Iowa Nice
On April 8, 2017, 83 Midwesterners came together to run one of Iowa’s few ultras. The Hawkeye 50K starts in Solon and sends runners on two laps around the man-made Lake MacBride.
Michele Pauley: California Triple Crown Finisher
The only woman to have finished the California Triple Crown of ultrarunning.
A Western States Hangover
The past 24 hours weighed heavily on my eyelids as we began to close in on a successful finish at Placer High. Like thousands of others, my dream is to one day run Western States, and being so close to the action as a crew member is intoxicating.
Tools We Did Not Know We Needed: The Best New Apps for Ultrarunners
A humorous look at apps that are not really available to ultrarunners – but that should be.
Why we won’t pay: UTMB, ITRA and the “pay for points” racket
Several weeks ago the Hardrock Hundred received an email from Catherine Poletti, who, along with her husband Michel, owns UTMB and ITRA. It stated, in essence, that Kilian Jornet (defending Hardrock champion) wished to run UTMB, but since Hardrock had not paid to join ITRA, Kilian lacked the qualifying UTMB “points.” So, the gist was, won’t Hardrock pay up so that Kilian could run? The answer is no. And here’s why.