Runners are different. We’ve got unique coping mechanisms which help us hurdle through our training. I’ve got friends who won’t slow down until their watch reads “.00” after the last …
Amy Clark
Amy Clark
Amy Clark is the Editor of UltraRunning Magazine. She began her career at a small advertising agency in Bend, Oregon, where she enjoyed the fast pace and creative environment. For over 15 years, lunch hour runs were a ritual. Amy also joined the board of the local running club, became a race director and finished her first ultra. She has completed over 35 marathons and ultras combined, and continues to run long distances while encouraging both kids and adults to ignite their own passion for running.
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I won’t deny it’s been a tough year. Three months of the longest mileage I’ve ever done, only to be sidelined with an injury the week before my race. Putting …
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Last weekend, I literally stepped beyond the screen I had watched so intently while following the Western States 100-Mile Endurance Run online. I’ve never missed a live feed of the …
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After years of training for long distances, I have become savvy to the ways of the pre-dawn runner. While mornings have always been my favorite time of day, getting up …
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Little voices can pop up in the back of our head before the start of a race. They ask questions like, “Am I ready? Do I have what it takes?” …
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When you get a text message from a friend who ended up in the emergency room due to chafing, it’s never good. The consequences of fabric rubbing away at flesh …
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It’s not hard to remember those pivotal moments as a runner. Personal records, third place finishes, and wins, if we were really lucky. Starting young, my most potent memories of …
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Spring weather has a way of teasing runners into thinking winter snow storms are a distant memory, and the sun is here to stay. But those who’ve lived in mountain …
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Think back to high school, when your coach was probably balding, had a belly hanging over his shorts, and a whistle around his neck. My basketball coach was actually a …
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The world watched as The Barkley Marathons unfolded this past weekend – an ultra marathon that, for the past 30 years, has been virtually unknown to the general public. That …
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Injuries have always been for other people. Until now. My cautious sensibilities have always kept me from pushing too hard when it comes to anything. In my mind, that even …
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Ryan Bak won Chuckanut 50K last weekend with the second fastest time in the race’s history, propelling him into next month’s Lake Sonoma 50. While he seems to be finding …
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For those in the thick of training for a spring race, high mileage just got very real. Long training runs have likely amplified weaknesses, making inadequate preparation very apparent as …
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In the beginning, someone likely sparked your enthusiasm for running. Maybe your dad was a runner, or a favorite teacher encouraged you to join the cross country team. I’ve written …
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The trails we run have years of history packed deep beneath the ground. While surfaces wash away with each passing season, those who’ve traveled the single track helped reinforce the …
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Think back to your first ultra. For most of us, there was a lot of pain and struggle to continue those last few miles before crossing the finish line. Now, …
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“There’s no need to apologize, Dad, lots of people have called me crazy.” It’s official – I’ve joined the club ultrarunners find themselves in when trying to explain the sport …
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The team at Ultra Adventures (UA) puts on seven races each year, all located within the Grand Circle – an area encompassing seven National Parks in the states of Colorado, …
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Jeff Browning, an elite ultra marathoner and 23-time 100-mile finisher, recently completed and won his 14th 100-miler – the HURT 100. Just seven weeks prior to race day, he made …
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Stop for a minute, and think: can you recall the best night of sleep you’ve ever had? Maybe your top five nights of nocturnal bliss? One in particular stands out …
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Married for 46 years, Dan and Kathy Harshburger knew that if they didn’t take the opportunity to visit Patagonia now, there was a good possibility they would never get the …
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Dan started running with his wife Kathy in 1980. After a brief four years running road races, they were introduced to the trails in Southern California by a group from …
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Looking back on my first two years of training for ultra marathons, a lot has changed. Relationships with training partners have waxed and waned, and my running dramatically improved due …
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The start of a new year means ambitious resolutions and often, reflection of the year gone by. Motivation to improve ourselves is at its peak, and planning commences to get …
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Professional travel writer, Tim Neville, has visited over 50 countries. He’s skied in North Korea, sea kayaked around the Galapagos Islands and climbed pyramids in Egypt – all while researching …
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Talking with my grandmother isn’t easy these days. Her brain repeats the same conversation three or more times in the same sitting. So when she looked at my shirt and …
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When we aren’t training for a race, we’re making big plans for the year ahead. Excitement turns into anticipation as the lotteries decide our fates. And when all the names …
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As Old Man Winter makes his callous return, those of us who’d rather forgo an alternative winter sport must make the transition into cold-weather running. And it’s not always easy. …
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Could it be that our strong hearts keep us filled with gratitude? A recent study by U.C. Davis showed that ultrarunners on average, are a healthy bunch of folks. With …
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Rain, freezing temperatures, and sweltering heat are a given in ultramarathons. With trail events occurring year-round, there’s a general understanding that sometimes the weather is going to suck. So when …