UltraRunning May/June 2019
- Flavor Science: An Interview with Magda Boulet
- Find an Epic Adventure
- How Not to Pack a Drop Bag
- Santa Barbara Nine Trails
- Way Too Cool
- Western States Research Update
The second annual Hellbender 100-Miler turned out to be a huge learning experience for me. Two weeks prior to race day I made a comment on Facebook about how the attention of a race should not always be on the front runners, but on those at the back of the pack. This race would hit home for me what my comment really meant.
Pam Chapman Markle entered the world of ultramarathoning in 2011 at age 55. As a certified registered nurse anesthetist for over 35 years, she had been working with a physician who encouraged her to sign up for an ultra.
The Teanaway Country 100 stands toe-to-toe with those 100-milers that are notoriously hard. I think that in time, it will be viewed as a low altitude Hardrock. The most obvious factor and where the comparisons to Hardrock begin, is the elevation profile.
As a mountain lover, the Continental Divide Trail (CDT) had tremendous appeal. The idea of connecting the mountain and high desert ranges through New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho and Montana was irresistible.
As I considered the apples-to-oranges comparison between road marathons and mountain ultras, I wondered. What if, instead of trying to be the marathon runner I used to be, I embraced the tougher, heavier, more truck-like ultrarunner I’ve become?
As days get longer and brighter, it’s important to protect your eyes from harmful glare and other elements. This spring we’ve been using three models that combine classic styling with the necessary protection you need.
Destination races are fun. But, they also are expensive and stressful. That’s one of the beauties of the Hawkeye 50K. Located within scenic Lake Macbride State Park near Solon, Iowa, it’s less than an hour from my front door.
Caffeine is all around us in the form of coffee, tea and chocolate, but most runners don’t have enough knowledge of the substance to maximize its effectiveness. This natural stimulant can be incredibly beneficial when used properly on race day.
Like bunnies and wildflowers, spring brings a fresh crop of socks each year. We’ve spent the past several weeks testing this season’s batch in a mixture of muddy, cool and hot conditions.
Sharon Knorr was quiet and reserved as a child growing up in Marietta, Georgia. Early on, after receiving discouraging advice from her doctor who suggested that she not run due to her asthma, she decided she wouldn’t be held back.
After being runner-up in 2016 and winning in 2017, it felt great to be back on the magical start-line of the Canyons 100K in Foresthill, CA. It was going to be a different ballgame this year, however.
Running on trails satisfies a primal need to connect with nature. The sheer thrill of treading across dirt, rocks and roots reaches deep into the soul and leaves us wanting more. After I began running ultras, I discovered another soulful connection with the trails that I never expected.
Raidlight, a French based-company that has recently started to expand its US presence, makes several products that support the trail running experience, including apparel, hydration packs and shoes. Among their shoes, the Responsiv line is geared to tackle a variety of terrain types.
I believe the Badwater experience is about being together in settings that involve intense running experiences, and then having the time and space to recover, relax, and rejoice together.
It was a perfect day for a Run through History with 68 runners signed up for the annual Hellcat 50k endurance run at the North Florida Military Museum in Green Cove Springs, Florida.
Orcas Island wasn’t meant to be this year, but I got to have an amazing running adventure with my friend in Washington and run some hard and beautiful miles, just in time to taper for LOViT 100.
The EVO Rehi is an outstanding shoe that tweaks the HOKA model to provide one of the fastest road or track shoes you’ll find on the shelf.
The long stage is the most feared stage of the race. This year, for the 34th anniversary, it was sandy and hot. Not really a day at the beach.
During exercise, we typically think of carbohydrates and fats as our main sources of fuel, while protein is associated with recovery. Today, many sports nutrition bars, gels and drinks contain branched-chain amino acids (a special subset of amino acids) or protein. If we aren’t using protein to help muscles continue to make energy and contract, then what is protein doing in those supplements? Is there a role for protein during exercise? Let’s take a look.