In this episode, we roll out our very first “My First Hundo” episode with Wesley Schlabach. Wesley recently ran the Tuscazoar 100 in Ohio.
Wesley’s story features his weight-loss journey, positive attitude and pursuit to affect positive health outcomes in others. Not to mention that his unsupported 100-mile finish is only his second ultra to date. His first ultra was a 50k back in the spring.
If you ask an ultramarathoner what it is like to run 100 miles, they will often tell you it is not for the faint-hearted. The 100-mile journey is an extreme example of its kind and not suited for someone who always plays it safe. During the 2021 Burning River, this phrase took on an entire new meaning.
In January, Krista and I looked at our race calendar with excitement, which included Runamuck 50K and Infinitus 50-mile in the spring, Vermont 100 in the summer and a grand finale of the Tahoe 200 in the fall. It was a fool proof plan—until it wasn’t.
Mike Tyson once stated, “Everybody has a plan until they get hit.” The question becomes what’s our response when and if it happens to you, because the likelihood of getting hit in a fight is about 99.9%. In ultrarunning, what is it that allows one runner to soldier on while another succumbs to the upheaval of the moment?
Alaska is fabulous. The Resurrection Pass Ultras showcase the Resurrection Pass area of the Kenai Peninsula south of Anchorage between the towns of Hope in the north and Cooper Landing in the south, which comprises just one tiny corner of the vast miracle that is the state of Alaska. Running the Resurrection Pass 100 was one of the greatest adventures I’ve had in 25 years of ultrarunning.
The Arc’teryx Aerios line of backpacks are designed for year-round use with 15, 30 and 45L capacities to accommodate day use or overnight outings. Their focus is on lightweight and durable material construction to help you go farther, faster.
Panic had set in. It was the middle of the night at the inaugural Zion 100 and the only thing we could see by the light of our headlamps was a vast expanse of slickrock. I was running with a dozen other runners and we were all lost because the markings on this particular section of the course were sorely lacking.
After nearly a 17-month hiatus, the notoriously competitive Lake Sonoma 50 returned to action this past weekend in Northern California’s renowned Sonoma County. In addition to the traditional 50-miler on Saturday, the race director and owner of Healdsburg Running Company, Skip Brand, recruited Keira Henninger to add a 100k race on Sunday.
We tried two new shirt options from Ibex’s summer 2021 lineup. Both are soft, lightweight, odor resistant and temperature regulating; we tested them on cool and foggy coastal trails, as well as temps in the high 90s. Both feature classic styling and exceptional comfort that is true to the company’s heritage, which makes them equally suitable for athletic or leisure pursuits.
Speedland has made an outstanding trail shoe in the SL:PDX. Between the secure fit, responsive midsole and strong traction, there’s virtually nothing holding you back from running fast on all kinds of terrain, and there are enough comfort elements to keep you rolling during ultra-distance outings. If you have enough disposable income and share the company’s “no compromises” approach to your training and racing, this shoe is certainly capable of helping you accomplish those objectives.
After dedicating himself to an education in engineering and working nearly 80 hours a week as an information technology professional, Brandon Miller knew what it would take to achieve his dreams. In the energy infrastructure industry, he was operating on the ground in the harsh elements of northern Alberta, Canada. He originally thought his career was a dream come true but seemed on the brink of burnout way too early. Exhaustion, a decline in health and most importantly, unhappiness, had him soul-searching for change.
In this episode we take a trip down under to the Land of Oz and have a talk-about with the spirited Katie Visco. Katie is on a mission of self-discovery and self-love, which is interwoven into her passion for running and community.
She joins the program to share her recent adventure in Australia, participating in the 1000 Miles to Light, a 1,000-mile relay race to raise awareness and funds for youth mental health services.
It was three weeks till Eastern States, and in the heart of the White Mountains, the mornings start like something out of a movie. Under a cloudless sky and the majesty of Carter Notch, Veronica Leeds set out to run the Hut Traverse – 50 iconic miles, 15,000 feet of climb, unpredictable conditions and rocky, technical terrain. It was the perfect prep for the Eastern States 100—or so she thought.
New to the La Sportiva lineup this year, the Cyklon is a dedicated mountain running shoe that represents years of collaboration between La Sportiva and the BOA company. The Cyklon is an excellent choice for traversing steep terrain, and the BOA lacing system provides a secure fit on technical surfaces.
Darcy Piceu talked to Scotty and shared her experience after placing second at this year’s Hardrock 100. She also talked about Hardrock’s new policy to get more women to the start line, practicing mindfulness and meditation, life balance and much more.
In a new report released on itra.run, ITRA’s new president, Bob Crowley, reveals his vision for the future of trail running, ITRA’s role in the global trail running community and answers questions about their relationship with UTMB.
The primary change to the Mafate Speed 3 is the upper, which replaces the previous monomesh material with a recycled polyester mesh. This is in line with HOKA’s ongoing sustainability initiatives and thus far, we have been pleasantly surprised at how well the uppers have held up after about 300 miles of testing, including some thick bushwhacking adventures.
Tears of joy and relief fell from Sam Farnsworth’s cheeks as he crossed the finish line of the Vermont 100 in the summer of 2018. “Being out in the woods anywhere is so uplifting. And it has opened doors to achievements I never could have envisioned possible for most of my life.” At age 61, he is just getting started.
Looking back on the last few decades, Merrell has been synonymous with hardcore hikers, dominating the footwear sector of the outdoor industry with their innovation, style and durability. Afterall, they were founded when Rossignol ski company executives Clark Matis and John Schweizer teamed up with Randal Ivan Merrell of Utah, a craftsman of custom leather boots.
Around mile 28 of the High Lonesome 100, when thunder rumbled overhead from slate-gray clouds to the west, a man ahead of me turned back to ask, “What do you think, is it safe to keep going?”
UltrAspire is a pioneer in waist-mounted lighting systems, which are becoming more ubiquitous during 100-mile and multi-day events. We’ve been impressed with the Lumen 800 Ultra 2.0 in our testing. The bright lumen output and wide angle lens illuminates the trail clearly with minimal bouncing, and the 3D lighting technology creates shadows behind objects and provides a depth to your surroundings.
As an autistic runner, running is how I care for myself. The movement is important. My daughter Kala is also autistic with Cerebral Palsy, and I share my self care with her by pushing her in her Chariot. Although, the Galena Sky Trail Race was for me alone, and I had been looking forward to it for months. This is where I belong, and it felt so good.
A longstanding name in footwear, Saucony also has an apparel line with new options for summer running. A key component across Saucony’s entire apparel line is the predominant use of sustainable materials. All of the pieces we tested feature a high percentage of recycled materials in their construction.
Hal Koerner and Jimmy Dean Freeman put on a master class about how to approach ultrarunning after a long break, and how to maintain fitness while upholding one of life’s most important roles: fatherhood. While their paths might be different, they are united by their passion for endurance running and raising their children.
Cry Me A River! is where resolve goes to die. At least that’s where mine is buried, near mile 44 in the wooded hills north of Peoria, Illinois. The course is relentless, as one hill collapses callously into another and another, ad nauseam. The 100-mile run entails roughly 23,500 feet of vertical gain. A fool’s endeavor.
The Pace 2 from USWE has a lightweight, minimalist design that allows runners access to their essentials while maintaining a low-profile, bounce-free experience. With thoughtful design for access, the Pace 2 puts almost everything up front. The Pace 2 is a solid choice for training days where less gear is needed, and for those looking for a lightweight, minimalist option come race day.
Before a race, we train our hearts out, study the course, prepare our mind, visualize success, taper marvelously, sleep more and eat all the right things. Yet for reasons beyond comprehension, sometimes the day just doesn’t go the way we envisioned. It’s a tough pill to swallow for any athlete, but you can find solace in the fact that it does happen to everyone at some point.
Sean Mullett was the second to last finisher at this year’s Western States 100, crossing the line in 29:58. His lap around the Placer High track was the most dramatic one of the race. Hear about his experience and what led up to his struggle during that final mile, and how he recovered at the hospital in the days after.
The Ultra ProVest from Camelbak was designed with racing in mind. Built to be ultralight, the minimal pack offers 6L of carrying capacity and the ability to hold a 1.5L bladder (not included). Two 500ml soft flasks sit on the front of the chest while a convenient pull-through compartment allows for gear storage on the run.
Last weekend I was reminded that there is still a long way to go in the fight for gender equality in our sport. On Saturday, I passed one of you in a race. You had your head down and were walking. You did not look good. When I stopped to ask if you were injured or needed help, the first words out of your mouth were, “I was doing okay until a woman passed me.” Come again?
