Exciting news from Colorado. Jamie Donaldson, women's winner of the last two Badwater's is officially registered for this upcoming Leadville event. One can understand why she has not done this event the last few years needing time to recover from Badwater. She did the Leadville burro event with her trustee stead Sabina last week though (see her blog, Run Like a Girl for the fun footage). So, was it something Sabina said? Good luck and have a safe race.
Personally, as I have said before, amazed anyone can do these events. 100 miles? I have been following several women and men who do these ultra distances - and I am humbled beyond humility. Super Human fetes! As also mentioned before, I am biased toward women runners. I really feel women long distance runners and soccer players are better athletes at these sports than men. At least within the US. Good luck to all at Leadville, especially Jamie Donaldson and Coleen Voeks who is doing her first.
Now for my less than Super Human fetes. The reality of DNA. I have the heart of an ultra trail runner and the body of a short middle linebacker. Just call me Slugboy. However, I did enjoy my 8 miler yesterday AM. Human Bio/Physiology kept me from doing another 8 this AM. Where are those Honeybuckets (porta johns) when you need them? Run Bitch Run (see her last blog posting), I would have been happy with your race day one of disgust this AM. Not too many locations on my 6-8 mile routes to do number two. So, I had to cut my distance in half and only did 4. I will make up for it tomorrow. Was expecting to take a day off, but if the calves are not stiff - I am off for another. Thursday will be a day off. Which works since along with realworld living, first Soccer practice coaching my daughters team. Long run for the week will be Friday or Saturday. I am sure the distance will be around Half Marathon length, however, you never know? Once I have my Camelbak strapped on, a few Hammer gel packs - who knows where I will go.
Speaking of going, and earlier Colorado - check out more great photos on the Happy Trails blog. I don't know this couple other than what they put forward on their blog - but what a good life they live. Not that their blog doesn't do this already for me, once I start seeing Fall in Colorado on the trail shots - I am gone. Thanks, Happy Trails Couple.
8 comments:
Easy now - you are raising the bar pretty high on our blog - I'll be afraid to post now!!! We live a pretty normal life, we just happen to live in extraordinary surroundings. And there is plenty of trail to go around, so come out for a visit and we'll show you some running areas. BTW, we are rooting for Coleen too (and Tony K)!
Steve
Have you spent much time in Zion, Bryce, or Capitol Reef parks? We noticed your comment about the hike in Zion - do these parks have much trail running potential? We are familiar with the areas up around Moab and over into Fruita, but don't know much about the western/southern side.
I have a friend that is really into the Ultra trail running thing. She has done a couple of 50 milers and a 100 miler in San Diego. The interesting thing is that she says it changes your outlook on running. It's no longer about getting a PR - it's about making sure you get to the next checkpoint before cutoff time.
Just as an aside - she ran a marathon this year and bettered her PR by 90 (that's right - nine zero) minutes!
And the Long Beach thing - I had not heard that story. But, if you've been to parts of Long Beach - I'm not so sure that someone didn't like the marathon as much as it is just being in some of those parts of Long Beach (if you know what I mean).
Glenn - fun commentary about Long Beach. I was recently (Spring) there. Yeah - know exactly what you mean with regards to the 'hoods of LB. The Beach itself was an enviromental nightmare (washed up trash). I have a past blog entry on that weekend. Only there because I wanted to support my wife at a Medical Conference. Not the Jewel of the Cali Coast. Now Newport/Balboa and Laguna/Dana Point areas are beautiful. We liked the Aquarium though.
I would like to try a 50K trail run sometime next year. There are some in my home state of Washington and in Oregon eyeing for next summer. Training for it here in Vegas is something else though? I will have to make lots of weekend trips to the Cedar Breaks area above Cedar City, Utah I guess?
Happy Trails - Sorry, I hope I did not breach any blogging etiquette commenting to a comment on your blog. They had a recent fall/death up there I believe. It is the Hogs Back portion of the trail that can be frightening for anyone unprepared. Most who visit the park are just that. Hiking trails in flip flops.
I have done most of the trails off the main highway thru the park. All of them are pretty short, and are not trail running trails. Heavily traveled by Park goers. Zions gets a lot of foot traffic. There are some trails outside the main drag I have not done that have been recommended - West Rim and Wildcat Canyon connector trails. Zion can get a lot of people through it (thank goodness they have the bus/trams now). However, I like that. You meet people from all over the world there. Plus, it is very hiker friendly for the ages of my kids. Living in Vegas, it is a great place to getaway to somewhere that is really remarkable and unVegas/desert like. St. George/Huricane (just outside the park) areas have some MTB fav. trails recommended for running to me recently. I have not had the time to check out yet.
Bryce - only have been there once, years ago. I had no time to really explore it. We will be up there this Fall for a family trip though.
Moab - one of those places I would love to move and open a breakfast/cafe. I have run along some of the Marathon route. Never on any trails there. Love Arches. If you have any trail info please pass it on.
If I were you I would be pinching/smacking myself each day I lived with beautiful running trails minutes from your front door. I have never been to Colorado Springs (which is where I think you live?), but have been to many other areas of Colorado. I love the San Juan Mountains. Just great to see your pix's and read your love for the trails in your area. It really is a treasure. I will look the two of you up if/when I am there. Would love to live there and raise my family.
Whoo Hoo - go Coleen! Tony K is the dude! I have been incredibly impressed with Jamie Donaldson. Or anyway else who does Badwater. Just Super Human fetes to me. Krissy Mohl and Scott Jurek (Western States Winner) from the Seattle area are amazing as well.
No worries at all - that's what the comment page is for! Moab is good as long as it is not hot - there is just so much exposure there that you can get absolutely baked in no time.
But Fruita has better trails :-)
Slomohusky,
Thanks for your constant support! Unreal! It doesn't matter how far or how fast you run...you are out there doing what you love doing! Keep it up!
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