Reinventing the Run

The 2012 Olympic Marathon Trials: Houston, Texas

2012-01-16T15:58:00.000-08:00

This past weekend's US Olympic Marathon Team Trials was an emotional packed roller coaster for both competitor and spectator. Dreams were made and dreams were dashed. Tears of joy and sadness were shed. Exultation brought on by success and grimaces of pain and defeat riddled the streets of Houston. But in the end some of the best racing ever witnessed at the US Olympic Marathon Trials were had. The gauntlets were thrown early in both the men's and women's races and it resulted in the greatest running I've ever witnessed.

Full Results and some video coverage can be found here at Flotrack. Here's my photo break down of the weekend's race:

The ultimate finish line in the world of distance running...

Emily Harrison drops off her fluids and gels. They'll will be delivered to nine different aid stations along the course.

Emily undergoes the stringent uniform logo check. If logos are too big or too plentiful on any piece of equipment or uniform they must be covered with tape. IAAF rules.

Mike Spinnler (RD for the JFK 50 Mile), Craig Thornley (RD for the Waldo 100K) and Megan Arbogast (2012 Olympic Marathon Trials qualifier) during the pre-race technical meeting.

Jenn Shelton and Mike Wardian pose for an important photo opportunity pre-race.

A group photo, after Emily and my Q & A, with Katy (TX) Student Run: Where extraordianary coaches help teach high school students about nutrition and healthy lifestyles while training for the Houston Half Marathon.

Nick Arciniaga's stylin' adidas singlet.

Jordan Horn and coach Greg McMillan await the final count down.

A nervous smile minutes before the start says it all. "Is this really happening?"

The men's field strides out to the start line.

The lead pack surges through mile two: Hall, Trafeh, Abdi, Ritz, Meb and Chirlee.

Brett Gotcher in hot pursuit.

The chase pack with Bak, Carney, Hartman, Carlson and Cox.

Jordan Horn and Danny Mercado lead a small pack together side by side.

The women's front pack at mile two led by Desi Davila.

Ryan Bak (2:15:12) leads the chase pack at mile ten with Andrew Carlson (finishes 6th overall in 2:11:24 in his first ever marathon) and Brett Gotcher (finishes fifth in 2:11:06) close behind.

Mike Wardian (finishes in 2:21:50) in a pack of his own. However, one marathon wouldn't be enough for Wardian as he would go on to run the Houston Marathon the following day in 2:31:17.

Flagstaff's Danny Mercado at mile ten.

Emily Harrison at mile ten.

Oregon's Jenn Shelton is all smiles.

US National 100K team member Megan Arbogast finishes in 2:58:38.

Abdi leads Hall and Meb at mile 18.

Nick Arciniaga methodically works his way into the top ten and finishes in 2:11:56.

Hastings, Kara, Shalane and Desi at mile 10.

Deena Kastor and Janet Cherobon-Bawcom chase the leaders.

Stephanie Rothstein at 18 miles.

Emily at 18 miles (don't let the sign in the background fool you).

Ultrarunner Devon Crosby-Helms goes on to finish with a four minute PR (2:38:55).

Natasha LaBeaud (2:42:55)

Leah Thorvilson (2:42:09)

Meb with less than two-tenths of a mile to go finishes first in 2:09:08.

Ryan Hall (2:09:30) digs in. You can just make out Abdi making the turn in the background.

Abdi (2:09:47) in the home stretch with Ritz on his heels.

Ritz, in fourth, gives all he has (2:09:55) but misses the Olympic Team by eight seconds.

Max King (2:14:36) finishes in the top 20 with a new marathon PR.

McMillanElite's Jordan Horn (2:21:56) finishes his first marathon at the Olympic Trials.

Tucson's Craig Curley struggled with severe leg cramps in the final meters. But he still went on to finish his first marathon at the Olympic Trials.

Shalane Flanagan wins the women's race in 2:25:38 with Desi right on her heels.

Desi Davila finishes second (2:25:55).

Kara Goucher finishes third (2:26:06).

Looking down on the finish line.

Good friends Katie Koski (2:45:27) and Emily Harrison (2:37:45) post race.

Your Moment of Zen

Though Craig Curley's shuffle to the finish line with hamstring cramps was an awesome feat to witness, I still think that Dan Browne's finish was more inspiring. His 2:42:21 finishing time put him at the bottom of the men's results sheet. Dan's marathon PR is 2:11 and he made the 2004 Olympic Team in BOTH the 10K and marathon (finishing both at that year's Olympics). This past weekend he stepped to the line knowing full well his current fitness level and what he was and was not capable of. He went for it; a chance to garner another spot on an US Olympic Team and the opportunity to take part in history. I admire that.

Wish Them All the Best!

2012-01-09T17:08:00.000-08:00

This Saturday is a big day for a very special group of marathoners. The 2012 USA Olympic Trials for both men and women take place in Houston, Texas. The top three in each race will have the opportunity to take part in the 2012 London Olympic Games. Both races have large competitive fields. More than 120 men and 200 women have met the qualifying standards (2:19 & 2:46 respectively).

Along with the six I've come to know shown above (Nick, Brett, Emily, Jordan, Danny and Stephanie) I wanted to give a shout out and wish the best to a cadre of other qualifying runners I've come to know through racing, training, pot lucks, and correspondence over the years (I hope I don't miss anyone).

Best of luck to the rest of Flagstaff's qualifiers and those I've met during their stays here at one time or another: Jeffrey Eggleston, Abdi Abdirahman, Fasil Bizuneh, Stephan Shay, Alvina Begay, Paige Higgins, Natasha Labeaud, Trent Briney, Andrew Carlson and Ian Burrell.

I'd also be reticent if I didn't include those who have given some clout to those distances beyond the 26.2 mile mark. Here's to those ultrarunners that may or may not be representing this weekend: Catlin Smith, Kami Semick, Susannah Beck, Devon Crosby-Helms, Leah Thorvilson, Jenn Shelton, Meghan Arbogast, Mike Wardian, Max King and Ryan Bak (though not officially an ultra, Ryan's TransRockies finish is close enough).

You may know of someone who has qualified this weekend. Send them a note, cheer them on and show your support as the best of the best test themselves and each other. Good luck runners!

Catalina Island, TransRockies and Mount Elden

2011-12-27T15:28:00.000-08:00

What do these have in common? Well, not too much except for the fact that we'll touch on them all in this blog.

Catalina Island 100K, February 1999

I recently rediscovered this old ESPN video footage of Baz Hawley's Catalina Island 100K. It was a pretty sweet time in my running career. I was in the right spot at the right time for this one! Here's the grainy video and the dusty race results.

Gore-Tex TransRockies Run

I had the pleasure of running TransRockies in 2011. It was an incredible experience, one that I'd recommend and repeat. If you already haven't, you can read about my experience here. I also had the opportunity to design TransRockies specific training schedules for several participants. This year that trend continues as I'm currently working with The Running Martins to ensure that they are adequately prepared for their big Colorado adventure. I'd like to share Carey and David's amblings here. They are chronicling each day's training on You Tube for all to see. It's really an interesting, fun way to see them out there making it happen.

Here's one of my favorite entries. I challenged them, they meet the challenge well, but not without issue.

Here's their latest entry from Arches National Park in southeast Utah.

Mount Elden

Once the winter snow falls in Flagstaff your running options become limited. You can always escape to snow-free Sedona which is about 45 minutes to our south for hundreds of miles of single track in the 50+ degree desert weather. However, if you can't afford the time for the drive one of my favorite gnarly winter runs here in town is the Mount Elden Lookout Road. This 11-mile round trip mountain climb puts hair on the chests of even the fairest of us all!

Your Moment of Zen

Zoroaster makes the Angry Birds even angrier on Christmas morning.

The 2011 JFK 50 Mile

2011-11-22T06:52:00.000-08:00

The 49th running of the JFK 50 Mile brought me across the country from my high altitude Arizona home to Maryland, the state in which I was born and raised. It's a pilgrimage I've taken part in since I ran JFK in 1994. No matter where I happen to be in life, physically and mentally, JFK is that one beacon that solidifies my plans each year in mid-November. Hard to believe that I've been at attendance for this event for nearly half my life.

Here's an excellent race summary and several interviews with the top finishers (men and women) by Bryon Powell on his iRunFar site.

Results for all 864 finishers can be found here.

I'd like to thank Derek Schultz for the photos you're about to witness.

The 2011 edition of JFK underway through the streets of Boonsboro, Maryland.

My training partner and Flagstaff, AZ resident Brian Tinder comes off the trails on his way to the Canal.

Eric Clifton ran a 5:46:22 at JFK in 1994, a course record that stood for 17 years. He is crewed here by his wife Noni Nierenberg.

The final, rocky steps of the Appalachian Trail.

Cincinnati's David Riddle on his way to the win and a new JFK course record: 5:40:45.

Prolific marathon and ultra -stud Michael Wardian fought Riddle all day only to fall short by a few minutes.

Covering the miles on the C&O Canal.

On the women's side, Meghan Arbogast put her vast ultra and marathon experience to work and gave chase all day...

...but Wisconsin's Cassie Scallon proved herself a worthy opponent by finishing 4 minutes ahead of Arbogast in 6:31:22.

Running with good company (Emily Harrison and Derek Schultz) over the last few miles of road.

Running into Downsville (4 miles to go).

Finally, the finish chute: 7:24:15.

A warm congratulations from Race Director Mike Spinnler.

Celebratory hugs from Emily Harrison.

Team "Waiting for the Train": Brian Tinder, Eric Clifton & Ian Torrence

My 17th JFK finish in the books!

Special thanks to Derek and Emily for adding the giddy-up to my step, Mike Spinnler for keeping this event alive and well, and to the hundreds of volunteers that keep the oldest and largest ultramarathon in the country running smoothly. I'm looking forward to JFK's 50th anniversary next year!

Your Moment of Zen

After four days of driving across the country and crewing a 50 mile race this is all I'd want to do too.

The Inaugural Bootlegger 50K

2011-11-09T14:07:00.000-08:00

Thanks to all who came out and participated in the first running of the Bootlegger 50K trail race. We are already looking forward to 2012. Full results can be found here.

Many, many, many photos were taken on the course (special thanks to Tarl and Carrie Norman for their time out on the course). Follow the links below to view photos:

Bootlegger 50K Photos Part 1

Bootlegger 50K Photos Part 2

View & purchase Kristin Wilson's photos here.

We'd also like to thank those who raised donations for Miles for the Wild.

Here are some of my favorite shots of the day:

The gang's all here and ready to go.

From one side of the course you can see the prominent Las Vegas Strip...

...and from the other side the desert mountains stretch on forever across southern Nevada and into Arizona and California.

James Bonnett (Scottsdale, AZ) leads David James (also from Scottsdale) and Jesse Haynes (Vista, CA) over the first tight switchbacks. Bonnett would keep his lead and go on to win in 4:09. Haynes would finish second in 4:19.

Looking down on Jamil Coury (Tempe, AZ) as he leads Flagstaff runners James Willis and Eric Bohn up the first climb.

Joe Baumgarte from North Las Vegas heads uphill.

Paulette Zillmer, of Scottsdale, AZ, took home $500 after winning the women's race in 5:02 and finishing 9th overall.

Reid Swan leads fellow Flagstaffian Matthew Hintzman and North Las Vegas runner Jared Wicks over rolling terrain.

Flagstaff, AZ's Chris Purslow won the women's master's division.

Steven Smith, of Fort Mohave, AZ and in the white, won the men's master's division. He's followed here by Matt Koppenheffer of Henderson, NV.

16-year old Alek Dales from Henderson, NV completed the course in 7:25.

Duane Griff (60-years young) from Gainesville, MO tackled the course in 7:40.

Ultra legends Steve Burgess from Madison, MS and Rob Apple (Bootlegger was Rob's 601st ultra finish!) from Murfreesboro, TN stuck together the entire way.

Ultra newbies no more: Dana Clark follows her Henderson, NV training partner Paula Raimondi to their first ultra finish!

Flagstaff also welcomes another hometown ultra finisher to its ranks: Joel Axler finishes his first ultra in 5:32.

Gotta like seeing high fives between competitors.

I became efficient at pointing out where the kegs were. Dan Wachlaczenko finishes and gets great directions to the beer pavilion.

Co-RD Shad Mickelberry handles the timing system.

Stacey and Jason Brimhall volunteer at the POW Aid Station (miles 13 and 28). A special thanks to all our volunteers!!!

Race sponsor Tenaya Creek Brewery brought the beer for all participating.

Special thanks to Shad Mickleberry (middle), Casey Harney (right) and Red Rock Running Company's owner, race sponsor and impetus for the Bootlegger, Josh Brimhall (not shown). We'd also like to thank Pearl Izumi for supplying us with participant jackets and prizes.

Your Moments of Zen

or "How is Bootlegger better than the Tour de France?"

(note: no one was injured in the following photographs...except for the penguin)

At the Tour de France you get kissed by the ladies when you win. At Bootlegger you meet the lips of a furry canine.

At the Tour de France you have to dodge crazy roadside fanatics. At Bootlegger you have to dodge crazy trailside fur-balls. Like here...

...and here.

When you finish the Tour de France you get to pop a bottle of Champaign. At Bootlegger you are required to play tug-of-war with a deflated penguin.

And like after any ultra, we can agree that the handicapped spot suits us well.

New Digs

2011-10-11T15:39:00.000-07:00

Change is good and I've done my fair share of that over the years. I'd imagine the US Post Office has a huge file on me that contains nothing but change of address cards. Recently I've made one of the biggest commitments in my life, becoming a home owner. I've decided that Flagstaff is the place and now is the time: A new base for adventure! Here's a little tour of my new abode and why it's special to me.

A half-mile of running through residential streets brings you to the Arizona Trail. The Peaks (on the left) and Mount Elden (to the right) await exploration, as does the border with Utah some 200 miles beyond.

A two minute walk from the house and you're on the Sunset Trail, part of the Flagstaff Urban Trail System.

Formidable terrain just minutes from the new home.

Observatory Mesa and a setting sun seen from across Switzer Canyon.

The snow covered San Francisco Peaks from McMillan Mesa.

Woody Mountain peaks out from above Switzer Mesa.

Psyched on new digs!

How much single track can you fit on a twentieth of an acre?

Peering over the back fence and down into Switzer Canyon.

Zoroaster enjoys a good chew and the new backyard.

Your Moment of Zen

Penguins are a rare and endangered species but a penguin in Flagstaff is even more of a oddity. Zoroaster caught this one and I'm afraid things made a turn for the worst...

I have it on good authority that the Fish and Wildlife Service has now bumped my dog to the head of their top ten wanted list.

The Paatuwaqatsi Run - Water Is Life 50K

2011-09-14T19:05:00.000-07:00

The Hopi Reservation is located smack dab in the middle of the Navajo Reservation in the northeast corner of Arizona. For centuries the Hopi people have made their homes in villages atop three narrow mesas named, from east to west, First Mesa, Second Mesa, and Third Mesa. These mesas and their 600-foot cliffs, have provided the Hopi with water from reliable springs and protection from enemies. The Hopi keep in close touch with nature, actively farm their land and have developed a rich ceremonial life that maintains balance and harmony with their surroundings and one another.

In an effort to strengthen community involvement, keep the ancient trails open and keep the villages alive the Paatuwaqatsi Run or Water Is Life Run was created. The run is a conduit that allow the Hopi to share with other cultures their values and the role that water and running play in their lives.

The Hopi Reservation

First Mesa in the early morning light.

The Hopi village of Walpi sits atop First Mesa and dates back to the 13th century. Even today the village lacks electricity and running water. The race course would skirt below the village's walls.

A portion of the intrepid few: Torrence, Tinder, Andy (your story teller for the following blog) and Liz Roth and Rebecca Valenzuela Franklin

My very good friend Andy Roth traveled from northern California for this, his third Water Is Life Run. It was Andy who inspired me to join him and the many other ultrarunners, 3-person and 6-person relay teams for an event that's been in existence since 2003. He sent me his story on this year's run. His words capture the event so well and I'd like to share a few excerpts with you here. Thanks to Philip Stark, Michael Skeer and John Douglass for the photos used herein.

"Looking toward First Mesa as Bucky Preston completed his pre-race instructions, I noticed a Hopi woman standing near him, straight, still and focused. Her formal posture led me to expect that she was waiting to sing, to send us on our way. But when Bucky finished his instructions, he explained the start signal and, with a wave of his arm in each of the four directions, we charged down the trail, through mud and puddles from last night's intense rainfall."

Bucky Preston, the race founder, sent us off into the desert with a pre-race prayer and a wave and toss of this shirt.

The race lived up to its name this year. Friday's deluge left some of the course muddy but luckily solidified much of the loose sand that would have other-wise slowed us significantly. Large puddles and sticky mud awaited us here at the start line.

"A little over five hours later, I came across the woman again, standing the same way, on a berm about a mile from the finish. My run was going well, but I was tired and getting impatient to reach the finish line, which had been visible from miles away but never seemed to get any closer. As I ran past, she told me to run with courage and to be grateful to be alive. I thanked her for the encouragement and ran on, eventually crossing the finish line in just under 5 hours, 16 minutes, as the 16^th ultra-runner.

Waiting for the awards ceremony to begin, I went to refill my water bottle and came across the woman a third time. I thanked her again for encouraging me during the last mile of the run, and explained that her words had helped recharge me at a low point. She told me she had run for thirty years herself, and that running was a 'moving meditation.' She wasn't running today, but she wanted to be out on the course to see the runners."

Heading uphill between the rocks of First Mesa.

Typical course terrain and desert vegetation.

"She told me she'd seen many dragonflies along the berm, and that this was an auspicious sign: The Hopi hold dragonflies in esteem because they start "from humble origins" and attain beauty. I nodded and told her that I also had seen them along the course. We introduced ourselves by name, and I thanked her again for cheering me on, thinking our exchange complete. Looking me in the eye, she told me that she'd gone out to the berm to watch the runners shift from earth, to air, to water, and back to earth. She told me she could see each of the runners who passed her transforming like this. From previous experience at Hopi, I knew that when an elder begins to explain, it is important just to listen, not to ask questions or to be over-enthusiastic in agreeing. She emphasized again that each of the runners that she'd seen pass had transformed from earth, to air, to water, and back to earth, before her eyes. When we run, she told me, our spines are energized and our breath goes out, around the world four times before it goes out to the entire universe, blessing all of it. Before we parted, she asked me to give her greetings to all of my family. I thanked her and told her I would imagine her running the trails around First Mesa."

Ancient foot trails.

Climbing up mesa.

"As much as day's events encouraged all of us visiting Hopi land for the run to understand that "we are all one," my exchange with Janice made me realize that she, and others who hold firm to traditional Hopi beliefs, inhabit a different world as well. Sharing her vision of our dynamic, elemental form, she offered me a glimpse of that world."

Looking down and across to where we must go.

Atop First Mesa.

"This was my third time running the Paatuwaqatsi ("water is life") ultra, and I keep coming back for these glimpses. The grandmother and granddaughter from a home outside of Polacca, below First Mesa, are there every year, handing out cups of water, and giving thanks to the runners. Since 2008, I notice that the granddaughter is getting taller. Soon she'll be taller than her grandmother. In front of Polacca's general store, another old woman sat in a chair, showering water on each passing runner as she called Askwali!, thank you."

The final unrelenting hills as we closed in on the finish.

"The generosity of the Hopi, hosting this race and making visitors like myself welcome on their trails, is truly extraordinary. The material poverty that many of them endure is evident to anyone who runs around First Mesa, but this does not keep them from extending every kindness, from the encouragement and gratitude of volunteers and spectators all along the course, to the traditional meal served afterwards, to awards that would make the directors of other, more commercial ultra-running events green with envy. I'm grateful to have had the chance to participate again, and I look forward to returning next year." --Andy Roth

An authentic Hopi post-race meal - mutton stew and watermelon.

Gore-Tex TransRockies Run 2011

2011-09-01T14:23:00.000-07:00

Words can't describe my experience. It was a mixed bag of humble pie, adrenaline-charged excitement, tear-jerking pain and glorious, almost sinful pleasure. I was lucky enough to team up with my good friend and fellow Pearl Izumi teammate Timothy Olson (from Ashland, OR) for this year's Gore-Tex TransRockies Run. Our plan: Have fun and do a lot of running. We achieved both goals. Tim, who's a league above me in fitness, had just completed a stellar White River 50 Mile and was in the midst of training for the Pine to Palm 100 Mile Endurance Run, a race he won last year. It was a good time for him to relax and enjoy the event's atmosphere as I did my best to keep us within the top ten spots in the Open Men's Division. Will I return next year? You bet!

Special thanks and credit to those who took the photos used in this blog: Erin Strout, Timothy Olson, Klaus Fengler and Chris Hunter. The videos herein were filmed and brought to you by Timothy Allen Olson.

Team Pearl Izumi/Nathan with jerseys...

...and without.

Ian Torrence and Tim Olson (Team Pearl Izumi/Nathan)

Stage One: Buena Vista to the "Railroad Bridge"

20.8 miles, 2,500 feet of gain

This stage was brutal. Lots of runners discovered that a 75 degree day at 9,000' can really feel like a 90 degree day at sea level. Repercussions of an ambitious start would haunt some teams for the rest of the event. This was the only stage that race management didn't require runners to carry the mandatory team space blanket, jacket, gloves and hat. We soon found out why. The course looped around in the high desert hills east of Buena Vista. Though the scenery was breathtaking this stage had the latest start time of the event, 9am. We were exposed to the sun all day and the late start didn't help matters; just really hot and dry. The final four miles of the course ran down a road that never seemed to turn or end. You could look forward and back and see runners stretched for miles. Tim and I instituted a walk-run strategy in these closing miles and still managed to pass several teams on the way to the finish line. The cold soak in the Arkansas River at the finish was just what the doctor ordered!

Pausing during our warm-up above the Arkansas River in Buena Vista.

The sun is getting higher...can we please start already?

The first steps of a six day journey.

Not much shade on this stage...exposed, hot, sandy.

Rolling along the railroad grade with Buena Vista and the Collegiate Peaks in the background.

TransRockies Stage One Video from Ian Torrence on Vimeo.

The tunnels signal the final miles.

Andreas Santiago entertains the ladies at the Inov-8 Regeneration Tent.

Recharging the Garmin

Stage Two: Hope Pass

13.4 miles, 3,200' of gain

I had ambitions of running up Hope Pass. What was I thinking? I was familiar with the climb as I had done it several times while running and pacing at the Leadville Trail 100 Mile Run, but I had just forgotten how steep that trail truly was. I never found my groove on this stage and struggled the last five miles to the finish along the shores of Twin Lakes.

The expression is priceless. Mark Thurston eats Hope Pass for breakfast. Or was it the other way around?

Views down valley from below Hope Pass.

Jason Wolfe leads Mike Smith (Team Run Flagstaff) up Hope Pass.

Ladies in Pink: Cynthia and Ashley Arnold (Team Trailrunner Magazine) make Hope look like a joke.

Views continue to improve as you continue to ascend.

Eric Bohn and Sara Wagner minutes before the finish line.

Winners! Max King, Ryan Bak, Tom Owens, Ricky Lightfoot, Jason Wolfe and Mike Smith collect the day's loot.

Discussing the day's events over dinner in Leadville's 6th Street Gym.

Tent city in Leadville.

Stage Three: Leadville to Nova Guides (Camp Hale)

24.3 miles, 2,700' of gain

We were lead out of Leadville by police cars, but soon found ourselves off the pavement and thrust upon Zion Grade, a steep 4x4 road that definitely raised the heart rate. The second, more gentle climb took us to Ski Cooper and Tennessee Pass where we gained the Colorado Trail, some of the best single track running of the entire event. I was quickly reminded of the time I spent on this section of trail back in 2003 when I ran along side Hal Koerner as he went on to set the then Colorado Trail Fastest Known Time.

The pack heads out of Leadville under police escort.

Looking back on Turquoise Lake from Zion Grade.

Descending into Tennessee Park and the first check point of the day.

Rolling over the final miles of the Colorado Trail.

Getting ready for a well-deserved shower.

Erin Stout, finisher in the RUN3 race, is so happy to not have to run tomorrow.

Claire Lears and Anna Kobb (Team Gore Running Wear) show off their pink jerseys and smiles.

The Trail Loving Bastards of the Extreme (Andres Santiago and Mark Thurston) take the stand.

Liz Davis and Chris Purslow (Team Dominachix) pass the time with a game of checkers.

Mixed Open winners: Eric Bohn, Sara Wagner, Rickey Gates, Anna Frost, Zac Violette and Stephanie Howe.

No joke...my parents used to own a green Gremlin.

Congratulations to Flagstaff RUN3 finishers Janel Lanphere, Rob Hall and Erin Strout.

Nova Guides (Camp Hale). Our home for the end of both Stages Three and Four.

Tent city at Nova Guides.

Stage Four: Nova Guides to Red Cliff

14.2 miles, 2,800' of gain

My ears perked up when Mike Smith said it's the steepest thing he's ever run. He wasn't fooling, but how did he run it? This was another "short" stage, like Hope Pass, but the grunt to the top was out of this world! However, once on top we were rewarded with an awesome ridge run that afforded views of Mount of the Holy Cross and the remaining top of Colorado. It was on this decent that I had a tumble, the only one of the entire 120 miles, but one that shook my foundations and bestowed upon me some of the best trail rash I've ever had. The half-mile+ run through Wearyman Creek (3 miles from the finish) took my mind from my throbbing and bloody palms to my frozen feet.

Ready to go as the sun rises on Camp Hale.

Elizabeth Davis ready to tackle the day!

Max King and Ryan Bak (Team Bend) charge the long climb on Day Four.

Zac Violette and Stephanie Howe (Team Gore/We Might Be Crazy) work their way up the steep climb.

Finally on top and running across Hornsilver Mountain.

Trying to push at 11,700'. Mount of the Holy Cross sits mid-photo.

Angela Mudge works her way through a road turned stream.

Splashing through Wearyman Creek.

Finally out of the COLD water.

Skies darken at the finish line in Red Cliff. Mango's (Red Cliff's token restaurant) provided the perfect recovery sanctuary post run.

Just a wee bit bloody. My reward for the day's toil.

Rock and Roll. Joel Axler and Mark Williams find their stride.

Just glad to be done icing the legs in the frigid waters of Red Cliff's Turkey Creek.

Three-quarters of the Flagstaff contingent at Nova Guides.

Awards time! Excitement is in the air!

Brianna Torres and Jenny McCarthy "smile" at their winnings: shampoo and conditioner.

Tim figures out the route for the following day.

Stage Five: Red Cliff to Vail

23.6 miles, 4,100' of gain

They promised that the first aid would be at 7.9 miles, but when it finally arrived at 8.6 miles I was in no mood to debate. I thought this day was going to be worse than it was especially if I was complaining already about a 0.7-mile inconsistency. But after getting off the roads and onto the single track my mood and body changed for the better. We spent a solid 10 miles at or above 11,000' on this stage. The views from the ridge line were incredible and the long ~3,000' descent into Vail on single-track was as sweet as sweet could be.

Anxious at the chilly Red Cliff start line.

Eric Bohn and Sara Wagner work the tow rope.

Katie Caba (along with her husband Jeff Caba) competed as the Caba-nators and ruled the 80+ Mixed Division.

Cruising along at 11,000'.

TransRockies Stage 5 On Top of Vail from Ian Torrence on Vimeo.

Robert Steele and Joebob Armstrong (Team Gore Running Wear) finish day five.

My best stage...

Hands up ladies! Team Arcteryx (Amy Golumbia, Rosmarie Gerspacher), Team Trailrunner Magazine (Cynthia and Ashley Arnold) and Flagstaff's Jenny McCarthy and Brianna Torres.

Stage Six: Vail to Beaver Creek (The Finish)

23.6 miles, 5,000' of gain

With 5,000' feet of gain on the last day and the first 5K on flat bike path through Vail I knew the faint of heart would not enjoy this stage. We were lucky as we had cloudy skies and rain in the afternoon. On any other day I could see this being a repeat of Stage One; a very hot run as many of the trails and roads were exposed and on south facing slopes. All teams used what they left in their tanks, pulled all the stops and ran for the win on this final stage. With the exception of the round-abouts outside of Beaver Creek's Walmart, this stage was chock full of gorgeous, aspen laden and runnable single-track. The last climb (new to the event this year) seemed to never end, but it was all good, because beyond it the finish line awaited!

Sara Wagner's expression says it all. "Thank goodness I don't have to race tomorrow!"

The start of the stage six...the first and only uphill starting stage. This got us warmed up in a hurry!

You've got to love a single track through the aspens!

Yes, finally leading the Inov-8 boys : )

The coveted finish line in Beaver Creek, Colorado.

"Flagstaff's going down!" Down to the bank to collect their prize money.

Congratulations to Flagstaff's Jason Wolfe and Mike Smith.

The come back kids. After a wrong turn on day one and a tough stage two Sara Wagner and Eric Bohn created a myth of their own.

Hands and heads held high! Tim was a the best partner a guy could ask for! Thanks man!

Where'd these ladies come from? Brianna Torres (right) and Jenny McCarthy reinvent Flagstaff running!

Podium!!! Joel Axler and Mark Williams put the icing on the cake.

Max King, Ryan Bak, Jason Wolfe, Mike Smith, Ricky Lightfoot and Tom Owens enjoy what's rightfully theirs.

Go Flagstaff, it's your birthday!

Beaver Creek from The Pines Hotel.

My favorite photo from the week!

Tim, Stephanie Howe and myself are all smiles at Beaver Creek.

Rickey Gates (one half of Team Salomon along with Anna Frost) shows off his finishers shirt.

Your Moment of Zen

The theme of the week: Where the frick is Ian?

Tim Olson on his way to make the infamous cell phone call.

Full and final results can be found here.

More TRR race photos can be found here.

Frank Bozanich: An Ultra Legend

2011-08-18T18:46:00.000-07:00

“You must learn to lose before you can win.” - Frank Bozanich

The latest issues of Marathon and Beyond (March/April 2011, May/June 2011 & July/August 2011) carried Frank’s story “It was a Very Good Year…and a Half: A retrospective of the high points in a very long career. 18 months at the Front with Frank Bozanich.”

A present day Frank Bozanich at home in the Nevada mountains.

It was cool to read these stories and to know that I had hung out with this guy on numerous occasions. I knew Frank was an ultra legend but it was only after the pure action of reading his story that it all sank in. When you look up "longevity" in the dictionary you'll see Frank's photo there! So, without further adieu, let's take a look at a few year's of Frank's ultra-awesome running career.

Warning: When your head starts spinning simply take a sip of water, stand up, shake it out and then resume reading.

Out of 100 ultras Frank Bozanich has won 44 and finished in the top ten in 77. He's the only American to win ultras in four different decades: 1970's, 1980's, 1990's and 2000's. He's also won ultras in his 30's, 40's, 50's, and 60's.

Frank Bozanich, Mark Godale, Greg McMillan and Ian Torrence at the 2009 National Trail Marathon Championships in Ashland, Oregon.

1978

This was the year Frank learned just how tough ultras were and how much his training and racing strategy would have to change. He traveled to Great Britain that October to compete in London to Brighton, a 90-kilometer race through the county-side of England. Frank recalls, “I remember going through 10 miles in 56 minutes and being in 10^th position at the time and wondering what I had gotten myself into. I then hit 20 miles in just under 2 hours and thinking to myself that I still had 30 plus miles to go.” He finished 15^th overall.

Two weeks later Frank entered a 24-hour race at London’s Crystal Palace Stadium. In this race Don Ritchie would set the then world record for 100 miles. Frank finished 5^th overall and recalls, “I finally reached 100 miles in 17 hrs (my longest run at that time) and let me tell you my quads were screaming at me. It was difficult to run as each step sent excruciating pains throughout my body.”

However, things began to come together for the newbie. On the last day of the year Frank conveys this happier story, “In the morning Don and I did a hard and hilly 16 miler in which we ran 6 miles at 6-minute pace, then 5 miles at 7-minute pace and capped it off with 5 miles at sub 6-minute pace. We then ran another 5 miles in the afternoon before running a 5 mile race. I ran the Runner’s World Invitational 5 miler in 25:40. Don managed to break 25 minutes, not bad for a couple of ultramarathoners.”

Frank (red & white singlet) racing the Columbus Marathon.

1979 & 1980

It was during these two years that Frank took what he had learned the previous year and put it to use. Here’s a run down of his incredible achievements:

1/14/1979 Mission Bay Marathon San Diego, CA 2:55 Training Run

1/27/1979 RRCA 100 Km Miami, Fl 6:51:20 1st AMERICAN RECORD

“I was able to push myself through to the end and get the win and new American Record in a time of 6 hrs 51 min 20 sec.” Park Barner, the previous American record holder for 100 km, ran 7 hrs 11 min 44 sec.

2/25/1979 PA AAU 50 mile Sacramento, CA 5:19:10 1^st

“The weeks prior to the PA 50 miler I had training weeks of 136, 141 and 101 miles. I was pleased with my splits during the race which were: mile in 5:35; 5 miles in 30:09; 10 miles in 61 min; 15 miles in 1 hr 31 min 30 sec; 20 miles in 2 hr 2 min; 30 miles in 3 hr 6 min; and 40 miles in 4 hr 12 min. I was really happy having the ability to dig down and run my last 10 miles 66 minutes.”

3/11/1979 9 km cross country race Vista, Ca 30:30 1^st

3/25/1979 Catalina Marathon Catalina Is, Ca 2:46:54 2^nd

4/1/1979 UCSD 5 mile San Diego, Ca 26:10 5^th

4/16/1979 Boston, Marathon Boston, Ma 2:27;00 187^th

“I went through 5 miles in 26:10, 10 miles in 53:15 and was able to run strong from 15 miles on to finish in 2 hrs 26 minutes 59 seconds. The trouble was that this time only earned me 178^th place.”

4/21/1979 Spring Carnival 3 mile San Diego, Ca 15:04

4/28/1979 Mission Bay 10 km San Diego, Ca 31:45 5^th

5/6/1979 Yakima 50 mile Yakima, Wa 5:18:45 1st/ Course Record

5/12/1979 SDSU Track 100 mile San Diego, CA DNF @ 50k

“Finally after reaching the 50 km point with the temperatures soaring to 105 degree I decided to call it a day. I was running at 7:30 pace and finished the 50 km in 3 hrs 59 minutes.”

5/19/1979 Carlsbad 24 hr Relay Carlsbad, Ca 2-man team

5/26/1979 Carlsbad 10 Km Carlsbad, Ca 32:04

6/1/1979 Huntington Beach 24 hr Huntington, Ca DNF @ 88 miles

This was a rematch with Park Barner. “I left the track for good after covering about 85 miles in something less than 12 hrs.” Park went on to set a new American record of 162 miles. But improper lap counting nullified the record.

6/15/1979 New York Road 100 mi New York, NY DNF @ 50 mi

Frank was again racing against Don Ritchie. “I decided at around 52 miles to call it a day as my ailments were not easing up and it would be a long struggle to reach 100 miles. I stayed around and watched Don go on to establish a new world record on the road for 100 miles. I feel fortunate to have been a part of both races that Don set world records in.”

6/17/1979 Central Park 10 km New York, NY 34:10

7/6/1979 Western States 100 Mi Squaw Valley, Ca 18:37 6^th

7/15/1979 NCTD 10 KM San Diego, Ca 35:20

7/29/1979 Carlsbad 20 km Carlsbad, Ca 1:10:05

8/26/1979 SF Mayors Cup Marathon San Francisco, Ca 2:33:07 7^th

9/16/1979 National AAU 50 Brattleboro, Vt 3:03:39 9^th

9/23/1979 Michigan 50 mile Copper Harbor, Mi 5:05:35 1^st

10/13/1979 National AAU 50 mile Seattle, Wa 5:32:35 1^st

10/27/1979 Carson City Half Marathon Carson City, Nv 1:15:45 17^th

10/28/1979 Mt. Erie 3.6 mile Anacortes, Wa 1^st

11/24/1979 Seattle Marathon Seattle, Wa 2:39:45

12/1/1979 TESC 20 Km Olympia, Wa 1:11:25 1^st

12/15/1979 Striders 50 Mile (track) Santa Monica, Ca DNF @ 33 mi

1/19/1980 Nookachamps 11.3 mi Mt, Vernon, Wa 1:01:15 1^st

1/26/1980 RRCA 100 Km Miami, Fl 7:01:42 1^st

3/22/1980 Monroe 10 km Monroe, Wa 32:20 3^rd

3/30/1980 Lacamas 25Km Vancover, Wa 1:26:34 3^rd

4/21/1980 Boston Marathon Boston, Ma 2:36:37

4/27/1980 JV Soles 10 Km New Hampshire 34:00

5/4/1980 Yakima 50 Km Yakima, Wa 3:09:52 1st / Course Record

5/10/1980 Eddie Bauer 15 Km Seattle, Wa 50:21 15^th

5/18/1980 Revco Marathon Cleveland, Oh 2:31:00 15^th

6/6/1980 Biel 100 Km Biel, Switzerland 7:30:00 6^th

6/14/1980 Old Dominion 100 Mi Leesburg, Va 15:17:21 1st / Course Record

An old clipping documenting Frank's success in Yakima, WA.

Frank reminisces, “Looking back would I do anything different? I don’t think I would because it was a great accomplishment for me and I think showed my toughness and consistency. Even today in my sixties I still like to challenge the youngsters. I think I proved that you could run back-to-back ultra marathons without taking long breaks. I like to think that my runs in the early days of ultra marathons may have led to many of the runners today taking on back-to-back races. I have always said that you must learn to lose before you can win. I learned never to be satisfied with my efforts in races or training runs but to learn from them.”

Directing the adidas-McMillanElite High School Running Camp

2011-08-06T18:44:00.000-07:00

I had the pleasure, honor and difficult task of directing the first annual adidas-McMillanElite High School Running Camp in Flagstaff, Arizona this past week. Six days of lectures, runs, guest speakers and group trips to locales like the Grand Canyon and the slopes of Mount Humphreys. In total the camp attracted an enthusiastic collection of 80 campers and staff. This camp could not have gone forward without the full and elaborate sponsorship from adidas, the incredible support and participation of the McMillanElite coaches and athletes and the long, tiring hours put in by assistant camp director Emily Harrison.

The camp was held on the Northern Arizona University campus. Each morning we assembled for our group runs here in front of McConnell Hall.

School buses transported our group to places like Flagstaff's Buffalo Park for one of our afternoon runs.

The camp's long run was held on A1 Mountain Road. Some campers went as far as 16 miles (photo by Tracy McMillan).

The group took a run through alpine meadows on this Arizona Trail segment at Aspen Corners at 9,000' in the shadow of Humphreys Peak (photo by Tracy McMillan).

Coach Greg McMillan discussed core and strengthening routines with the group.

Amanda Carlson-Phillips (from Phoenix-based Athlete's Performance) taught a nutriton course.

Ben Evans, adidas' Northwest shoe & apparel rep, broke down the in's and out's of running shoes.

2:29 marathoner Stephanie Rothstein acted as one of the many camp counselors. Here she introduces Dr. Stan Beecham, sports psychologist.

Dr. Stan Beecham lays the framework for a riveting talk on goal setting.

"Every finish line is a starting line."

"You run with your body. You race with your mind."

The group absorbed discussions on nutrition, sports psychology, shoe manufacturing, core strength, flexibility, drills and strides, what running life can be like after high school and team work.

The very cool adidas lounge, set up in the dorm, provided ample excitement when we weren't running or in lecture. Pop-a-shot, ping pong, Wii, X-box, movies, board games and books were all at our disposal.

Ping pong tournaments!

The adidas store was open for business and full of new clothing and shoes.

At the Grand Canyon with special guest speaker, Todd Williams!

At Grandview Point with Dr. Stan Beecham.

Cibola High School (Yuma, AZ) with counselor Jordan Horn (orange shirt) and head coach Kris Norton (in sunglasses).

A job well done! Campers and staff are all smiles on the last day!

Full Moon Running at the Grand Canyon

2011-07-15T19:19:00.000-07:00

The thought hadn't even occurred to me until Evan Reimondo suggested it: A full moon waltz to the river and back. The timing couldn't have been better. Karl Jarvis and Evan piled in my truck and we headed to the Canyon for this 14 mile jaunt.

The South Rim faintly backlit by the full moon.

With the most difficult part of trip over, getting through the entrance station, we were ready to hit it!

Happy to be diving in again!

The first steps off the South Kaibab Trail.

Using the last few rays of sunlight to our advantage.

Coming...

...and going.

The South Kaibab's tight switchbacks are enough to scare away any of those with vertigo.

Sunset at Ooh Aah Point.

Shadows and definition.

The full moon shows itself.

Darkness surrounded as we crossed the Black Bridge and the Colorado River.

The lights of Phantom Ranch's meal hall light up the night.

Step inside for cooler temps, some lemonade and Snickers.

These folks were partying!

Now you know exactly what you can get at Phantom: Get a bed for the night for as much as a steak dinner, lotions but no raisins and tasty sack lunches.

Back out into the night, through the tunnel and up, up, up!

One step at a time.

Following Evan and Karl back out the South Kaibab.

Deer in the headlights at Tip Off.

Next up, Skeleton Point.

Cedar Ridge indicates the last mile and a half to the top.

The crew back on top at 12:30am. (l to r) Karl Jarvis, Torrence, Evan Reimondo.

Your Moment Of Zen

The Canyon is difficult no matter how you cut it!

24 Hours on the Square

2011-07-13T21:06:00.000-07:00

Last weekend Team Run Flagstaff hosted a 24 Hour Run on Heritage Square in downtown Flagstaff, AZ. They assembled two treadmills on the Square and kept them moving for 24 hours straight. Treadmills were powered by club members and other guests from the community. Each runner had a 20-minute window to do their part. The Run started at 10am on Saturday, July 9th and ran until 10am on Sunday, July 10th. It was great exposure for the club, an excellent way to fund-raise, promote running and a healthy Flagstaff lifestyle. Here's a great article about the Run. Thanks to Neil Weintraub for some of the following photos and video footage.

The Masterminds (left to right): Chris Budwig, Sara Wagner & Mike Smith

Big names & special guests highlighted the day...

...night and following morning.

The entire matrix set out in 20 minute increments.

The scene on Heritage Square in downtown Flagstaff, AZ.

Coach Jack Daniels, author of the Daniels' Running Formula, followed the Mayor of Flagstaff, Sara Presler, as the first two runners to kick things off.

Chris Budwig looks on as his daughter, Allie, is interviewed by Smith.

Ireland's Olympian and 1:00:57 half-marathoner Martin Fagan takes his turn.

Scotland's Olympic steepler and 2:13 marathoner Andrew Lemoncello steps up.

Team Run Flagstaff club member Mark Williams joins in.

Kellyn Johnson, a member of Team USA Arizona, and her family came to support.

I squeezed my 20 minutes in too.

Smith interviews NATRA's Neil Weintraub during his spin on the wheel.

Tony Mangine feeds Neil as he tires!

As the sun set, the rain, thunder, lightning and wind began. It was of no matter as the treadmills continued to roll.

Video footage of the event.

Your Moment of Zen

Tip of the Day: If you lack opposable thumbs eat your way into the center.

The Land of Rims

2011-06-27T20:36:00.000-07:00

No. I'm not talking about these kinds of rims.

Northern Arizona is known for its rim littered topography. It is here where the southern extent of the great Colorado Plateau reluctantly and abruptly gives way to the low lying Mojave and Sonoran Deserts.

The Grand Canyon from Grandview Point: Perhaps the most well known Arizona rim feature.

Further south, the Mogollon Rim (Zane Grey country) also comes to mind.

However, here are two much smaller, but just as enjoyable rim options that are often over looked and well hidden from the crowds.

The Coconino Rim runs north-south between the Grand Canyon and Mount Humphreys. It defiantly splits the cooler ponderosa forests of the Coconino National Forest from the Painted Desert of northeastern Arizona's four corner country. For roughly ten miles, a section of the Arizona Trail runs along the rim affording some great single track running (and biking) and views eastward towards the Little Colorado River and Cameron, AZ.

The well marked start of the Coconino Rim Trail section of the Arizona Trail. You can use the trail and Forest Service Road 310 to make a great 14 mile loop.

A view back towards the Grand Canyon from the rim.

Typical Coconino Rim Trail single track.

Also a popular mountain biking route.

The tall and still active Grandview Fire Tower sits atop the Coconino Rim.

Looking north towards the Grand Canyon from the fire tower. This photo was taken about half-way up. I had had all of the high winds and vertigo I could handle.

On the Kaibab National Forest, southwest of Flagstaff, one can find the well hidden Sycamore Rim Trail. Though not a smooth as the Coconino Rim Trail, this diverse 11-mile loop takes you to water holes, climbing areas, rim edges and mountain tops.

Sycamore Rim Trail single track.

Surprisingly this trail criss-crossed some very verdant wash bottoms.

Looking into Sycamore Canyon in its infancy. Lots of water running today.

Sycamore Canyon, now more adult-like, from the rim as it widens, deepens and heads south.

Emily Harrison and her dog, Bee, join in for this fun run.

One of many bolting Yucca.

The first of Pomeroy Tanks, a series of perennial "ponds" that support fish and amphibian life all year round.

More of Pomeroy Tanks and their unique surrounding rock formations.

The view of Humphreys from atop KA Hill; the high point of the loop trail.

Your Moment of Zen

Looking for water in a desert-like environment? Hire a thirsty border collie mix. They will sniff it out!

Flag Brew

2011-06-19T20:38:00.000-07:00

Can one wax sentimental about a bar? Sure! Here's two great examples...

Norm Peterson does it in Cheers.

Jack Torrance (um, yeah, no relation) does it in The Shining.

And here's an ode to my favorite hang-out...Flagstaff Brewery.

See the sign? Now you know you've found the right place!

Patio sittin' at Flag Brew on a summer afternoon can not be beat!

No worries, in the winter it's warm and cozy inside.

Beer aways flows from behind the long bar that looks out onto Historic Route 66 and the old Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway.

A series of paintings adorn the interior walls. There's a Watership Down motif. Here's the Badger.

This one's my favorite. The "Psychedelic Hare", as I fondly refer to it, overlooked my favorite indoor table before the paintings were rotated.

The Warthog.

The Stag.

Live music four days a week! Also the setting of the famous Party on the Patio, or as a close friend once referred to it: "Patty on the Partio."

But most importantly, it's a place of many important gatherings.

A place where friends come together to indulge in great food, drink and conversation.

A Loop in the San Francisco Peaks

2011-06-12T17:39:00.000-07:00

Scott Bajer put out the call. It was time to loop the Peaks for the first time this year. Emily Harrison, Zoroaster and I answered the call. Today we ran the 22-mile jaunt clock-wise (don't let Bajer tell you otherwise). We started at Schultz Tank and ran the lower portion of the Weatherford Trail, which was used as a fire line during last year's Schultz Fire. Then it was on to the Kachina Trail and into the Kachina Peaks Wilderness. After a short water stop at the Snowbowl, we proceeded up the steep, root strewn and rocky Humphrey's Trail and down the Weatherford Trail back to Schultz Tank. We found plenty of snow and downed trees to make things plenty exciting on the top portion of Weatherford (below Fremont Saddle) as you'll see in the photos below.

Starting out on lower Weatherford.

Emily and Scott catch their breath as we briefly discuss where we truly want to go.

Classic Kachina

Kachina views to the right.

Kachina views to the left.

Kachina straight ahead.

Kachina from behind.

Z patiently waits for Scott to pass before one of Kachina's small rock scrambles.

Looking into the Inner Basin from Humphrey's Saddle. The smoke on the horizon line is a result of the devastating Wallow Fire in eastern Arizona and, now, western New Mexico.

The quartet: Bajer, Harrison, Torrence and Zoroaster.

Ice axe and crampons anyone?

Big snow for mid-June.

Anyone have a fence, because there are plenty of post-holes here!

What trail?

Scott thought my expletives on the snow section were entertaining...

Finally out of the snow and around the downed timber on the way back to Schultz Tank.

Your Moment of Zen

After 22 miles, let sleeping dogs lie.

Down with Mono...

2011-06-05T14:06:00.000-07:00

...Lake.

North of Mammoth, CA, and south of Bridgeport, CA, on the east side of the mighty Sierra Nevada Mountains sits a lake, a lake I've driven by a number of times on California's Route 395. This time I stopped to explore.

Mono Lake is located at 6300' and is a terminal lake, meaning it has no outlet to the ocean. Water comes in but does not leave. Because of this the water within the lake is very salty. It is, however, home to brine shrimp (way too small for shish kabob's) and provides critical nesting habitat for at least 35 species of migratory water fowl who feed on the shrimp.

Mono Lake from 8,000' Conway Summit. Darker Grass Mountain (11,123') lies between Mono Lake and the still (June) snow covered White Mountains on the horizon. See more about White Mountain Peak here.

The Mono Basin Visitor Center (located off Route 395), a logical start to a jaunt down to Mono Lake.

A view of Mono Lake from the Visitor Center

Zoroaster takes one of the boardwalks out to a Tufa view area.

Ducks and the start of Tufa formations. Nope, not salt, but limestone.

My Tufa formations. See much better Tufa formations here.

Looking up from the lake to Mono Dome, a 10,600' peak that helps encapsulate the lake within it's basin.

Looking up from lakeside to the Mono Basin Visitor Center and the start of this recovery run.

Views from along one of the several dirt roads that round the lake.

Zoroaster intimidates the migratory water fowl.

California gulls covered the shoreline this day. Mono Lake is the gulls' second largest nesting habitat, first being Utah's Great Salt Lake.

Miles and miles of sandy beaches and salty water.

Z, aka Snake Tracker, stalks a reptile friend.

Our friend the garter snake.

Zoroaster refreshes herself in one of the few freshwater feeders of the lake, Lee Vining Creek. This water was cold!

Mono Lake as seen from its south side and CA Route 120. Next time we run around the Lake...I wonder how far that is?

The stunning White Mountains of California as seen from CA Route 120. Nevada's highest point is at the far left, Boundary Peak which sits at 13,140'.

Your Moment of Zen

Yes, it's true folks! As of January 2011 dogs are now allowed legally at Las Vegas Strip casinos. Here Zoroaster enjoys the comforts of the Flamingo Hotel and Casino. I really enjoyed the look on people's faces as we paraded past slot machines, lingerie shops and pool side cabanas on the way to the artificial turfed, 10' x 10' "Doggie Relief Area" at 2am.

Williams, Oregon

2011-05-08T22:08:00.000-07:00

Williams, Oregon sits just 15 miles from California's northern border and is nestled neatly in a valley that is surrounded by the Siskiyou Mountains. Just over 2,000 people live within William's unincorporated town limits. Most people commute to Medford, Grants Pass, Jacksonville or Ashland, Oregon for work, many are retired and a small number make a living right here in the valley. The lands surrounding town are a checkerboard of US Bureau of Land Management, US Forest Service, Josephine County and private (including commercial timber companies) property. Most of it open to exploration and adventure for those that seek that out.

My father, Paul, moved here in May of 2007. He settled in Williams because of its great hometown feel (neighbors helping neighbors) and its excellent growing climate. He's got a big green thumb. As irony would have it I moved to Ashland (only an hour to the east) for several years during his tenure here. I visited often, but never took too much time to explore his "backyard." Since moving to Flagstaff, AZ I've been back a few times for extended stays and have found this place to be a small mecca for the enthusiastic trail runner.

Since Zane Grey, I've taken some time to help my pa on the farm, explore what Williams has to offer and to get reacquainted with myself. Here's a small taste of what lies hidden here in the Williams Valley.

A view of the Williams Valley from the high slopes of Grayback Mountain.

7,050' Grayback Mountain looks down on Williams.

The Grayback Mountain Trail is better known to many ultrarunners as the first climb in the famous Pine to Palm 100 Mile Endurance Run. Construction of the the trail was started in 1990 and it was completed in 2006. Once on top you're afforded great views of southern Oregon and northern California. A few more miles further will lead you to the Pacific Crest Trail.

Enchanted Forest & Felton Trail

The Enchanted Forest Trail

This trail starts innocently enough, but soon turns into one steep mother near its terminus on the ridge line above. A side trail, the Felton Trail contours gently and leads to a memorial for three gentlemen killed in a helicopter crash in 1993.

Pipe Fork Trail & Port Orford Cedar

The Pipe Fork Trail is best done in conjunction with Rock Creek Road (miles 4 to 7 of the Pine to Palm 100 Mile course), the Glade Fork logging road and East Fork Road. A great loop. It is within this dark and lush drainage, when you're not hopping over and diving under downed trees and brush, that you can find the eastern most stands of Port Orford Cedar, a tree with very limited range (only found in northern CA and southwestern OR).

Brushriders and the West Fork of Williams Creek

This trail was built by the Brushriders Equestrian Club, hence its name. Though the single track lasts for roughly three-quarters of a mile, it leads to Clapboard Gulch Road and many more miles of logging roads.

Upper Powell Creek

The Upper Powell Creek Road (paved) follows the creek for many miles and is seldom traveled. As you climb higher and higher the creek gets louder and the shadows longer as the walls of the mountains close in around you. An extensive network of logging roads (some active, most inactive) open up many running opportunities from this main road artery.

Ferris Gulch

Like hollows are to Virginia, canyons are to Arizona, gulches are to Oregon. The Ferris Gulch Road starts off tame, but, like all logging roads, begins its ascent into the ridges and mountains above the Applegate Valley floor. This road, like the aforementioned Powell Creek Road, leads you to endless traveling options above.

Panther Gulch

The quiet lane that heads up Panther Gulch

The Panther Gulch Road, like its brethren above, starts out easy but smacks you in the face with a good climb. I found a sweet 10 mile running loop up here, but no panthers.

Findley Gulch Road takes you to the low saddle in the middle of the photo.

How many gulches can there be? Once you figure out which are the private driveways and which is the actual route Findley Gulch Road presents itself as a short and steep bugger. In fact, the local mountain bikers take time trial stabs on Findley. See them here.

Bristol Marble Mine

Believe it or not, there is a piece of Williams, OR in the Washington Monument in Washington, DC. The rock was quarried at Williams' Bristol Marble Mine (see the rock above) and sent to DC. The mine isn't too far off the main road, but, again, its neighboring logging roads make for an excellent detour.

Applegate Lake

Though Applegate Lake isn't in the Williams Valley it sits only two ridges to the east. I'd be remiss if I didn't include what I've found to be the only flat non-paved running in the area. 18 miles for the loop and home of the Granite Man Events. A popular run for those in Ashland as well.

It is also very important to include post run recovery havens in the Williams Valley.

The Out of the Way Cafe - great burgers and beer

The Williams General Store - everything you need post-run conveniently located under one roof.

Zane Grey 50 Mile - a story told in words

2011-04-23T16:59:00.000-07:00

My last post told the story in pictures. Click on Team USA Arizona website link below to hear more about my Zane Grey story in words...

http://www.teamusaarizona.com/training.html#staff

Cheers,
Ian

DNF...the 2011 Zane Grey 50 Mile

2011-04-17T16:18:00.000-07:00

Definitely Not Fun...

Believe me, the real meaning of DNF (Did Not Finish) entered my mind at roughly every mile on the mile at this year's Zane Grey 50 Mile Endurance Run. However, in gutting it out I experienced enough inspiration along the way to keep me going. Fellow runners, crew and aid station volunteers made my finish happen. So, thanks to all of you! Next year I go round number ten with Zane!

Congratulations to Geoff Roes, Hal Koerner and Bret Sarnquist for their podium finishes at this year's Zane.

Special thanks to Larry Hutton for all the photos you're about to witness.

Bedding down the night before Zane...dreaming of not getting lost.

A morning shot says it all. (from right to left) Bret Sarnquist: "Where's the start line?", Brian Tinder: "Where's my straight jacket?", Neko: "Where's my dog food?", Torrence: "Where's my bed?" Perhaps the music that was playing at that time had something to do with it?

Seconds before the 5am start, near Pine, AZ.

Flagstaff's James Willis (orange visor), Bret Sarnquist (yellow shirt) and Brian Tinder (back 'n black) await the "go" word.

And they're off.

Sunrise through the tall ponderosa pines in the Tonto National Forest.

Washington Park (mile 17)...trying to collect myself. Evan Reimondo made that possible. Thanks man!

The falls at Washington Park.

Bret Sarnquist started conservatively but finished a strong third by the day's end.

Women's winner Andi Felton ran solid all day long.

The Flagstaff Conga line: (left to right) 50-mile newbies Reid Swan and Evan Reimondo follow my foot-steps temporarily.

Jason Wolfe came out to pace Tinder for a spell.

James Willis rebounded well after experiencing a bad patch mid-race.

Portland's Amy Sproston made the trip only to be stymied by a recent calf injury.

A lot of walking this day.

Last year it was Karl Meltzer's arm...this year it was Sean Andrish's thumb.

Brian and Shea, his expectant wife, enjoy time together on the course.

Mile 44 felt like mile 97.

The weekend's group: (r to l) Brian Tinder (holding Petzl), Shea Tinder, Amy Sproston, Evan Reimondo, Bret Sarnquist, Larry Hutton (holding Neko), the author.

Your Moment of Zen

Not all pacers are this creative & motivational.

Zane Grey 50 Mile Course Marking

2011-04-04T19:56:00.000-07:00

This weekend, Brian Tinder and I headed south from Flagstaff to Payson, AZ to meet with Honey Albrecht, Zane Grey 50 Miler's lead course marking official. We were charged with helping mark the miles between 17 and 33 on the race course. The trail is rocky as ever, but not as overgrown as years past. We didn't have to crawl over a single downed tree. This was due to the hard work of Chris Thornley and the work he has been doing over the past weeks. He's cleared some big trees! Other work parties have also been out on other sections of the trail. Folks running this race in less than two weeks should remember that no matter how bad they think the trail is on race day, it's nothing near like it could have been. Thanks to the volunteers that put in the work to improve what must be one of the roughest recognized trails in the country.

Tinder and I started marking at Washington Park, mile 17 on the Zane Grey course. It is here that the Arizona Trail crosses the Zane Grey Highline National Trail.

The sign does not lie.

Typical trail for Zane. Washed out gullies. But awesome, sweeping views.

Some of the best tread you'll see until the final miles.

Yup, Tinder and Z run up the "trail." A four-foot gullied rut.

Here's more trail. The grass hummocks will be your favorite after you have 20 miles on your legs. They are slick as ice and hide all the ankle twisting rocks.

More of the course. Get ready for some memorable cuts, bruises and gashes on those bare legs of yours.

The trail through the manzanita. Notice the erosion control device in the foreground that has long since lost its function.

This trail marking crew consisted of Brian Tinder and Zoroaster. Siesta time!

Looking out across Zane Grey territory and the Mogollon Rim.

Looking back to where the first 20 miles of course stretch from.

Tinder climbs up through rocks, grass clumps and manzanita.

More panoramic Zane Grey views.

Water was plentiful two weeks before race day (This made Zoroaster very happy). Here water cascades over a natural slide in Dude Creek, mile 19 on the Zane Grey course.

Oh joyous trail.

Fire scars the Zane Grey landscape.

Your Moment of Zen

At least someone is having fun on the Zane Grey course.

The Call of the Wild

2011-03-28T18:37:00.000-07:00

Warning: If you have small children they should leave the room or if the sight of gore turns your stomach or if silliness isn't your thing then this blog entry might not be for you.

Once upon a time a little Easter bunny was hopping his way from house to house delivering all the good little boys and girls huge baskets of delicious sweets and treats.

When all of a sudden Mr. Easter Bunny was intercepted by a black and white cur.

Insanity, nay, pandemonium ensued!

Will the carnage ever stop!

Avert your eyes now! Someone please help!

But wait...what is this? A lull, no, a truce is made.

The black and white mongrel invites (insists, actually) that Mr. Easter Bunny come inside with all his chocolate knickknacks and view the parlor from within.

Ah, yes, this day the ending is happy. Mr. Bunny and the Z-monster split the goodies evenly. Fat on candied indulgences they laugh about and relive the day's frightful and inappropriate transgressions.

Looping Sedona Again

2011-03-22T14:17:00.000-07:00

Last year we discovered this fantastic loop in Sedona, AZ. At 19 miles in length, the trip circumnavigates Wilson Mountain, crosses over three passes (Brins, Sterling, and Wilson) and through the Red Rock Secret Mountain Wilderness Area. Spring was in the air and Tinder reminded me that it was time for this annual pilgrimage. Here's a link to the Garmin data for this run.

The Rag-Tag Fugitive Fleet: (left to right) Jamil Coury, Brian Tinder, Scott Bajer, Liz Davis, Christina Bauer, Zoroaster, Rob Krar.

The conga line dancing up the first climb to Brins Mesa.

Atop Brins Mesa.

Liz Davis happy to be done with climb number one.

Down the backside of Brins Mesa.

A coveted water stop, in another month these won't exist.

Refueling on Dry Creek Road.

Running towards Vultee Arch and Sterling Pass.

Regrouping atop climb number two: Sterling Pass.

Looking down from Sterling Pass through the matchsticks created by the 2006 Brins Fire.

The 2006 Brins Fire. (photo by David Sunfellow)

The 2006 Brins Fire burns to the summit of Wilson Mountain. (photo by David Sunfellow)

The tilted group tucked into narrow Sterling Pass.

Running across the broad shoulder of Wilson Mountain and the top of climb number three.

Looking down over a hazy Sedona and the Midgley Bridgely (the start and finish point for this run).

Your Moment of Zen-aster

Only two days after the Sedona run described above, winter regained its foot hold on northern Arizona. As you can see, some of us were happy about that.

Something for Everyone

2011-03-17T15:11:00.000-07:00

New to this year's Ultrarunning calendar!

This November the Bootlegger 50K comes to you from the mountains outside of Boulder City, Nevada, high above the shores of Lake Mead and the Las Vegas Strip. Find out more about this race sponsored by Red Rock Running Company, Pearl Izumi and Tenaya Creek Brewery at the event's website.

Coming to Flagstaff's Orpheum Theater on April 1st is the second annual Run to 2012 Fundraiser.

Please join the athletes, coaches and staff of Team USA Arizona for our second annual "Run to 2012" fundraiser on Friday, April 1, from 6-10 p.m. at the Orpheum Theater in downtown Flagstaff. The funds raised at this event will go toward training and support services for the team's elite runners as they prepare for the upcoming 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials. In addition, Team USA Arizona will donate $1 from the sale of each Run to 2012 admission ticket sold to both Fit Kids of Arizona and the YMCA's Strong Kids and Families Campaign to support the team's community mission of reducing childhood obesity in northern Arizona and promoting good health and physical activity among children, youth and families.

The event includes dinner from Big Foot BBQ, silent and live auctions, a raffle and a special guest appearance by Olympic Medalist and ING New York City Marathon Champion Rod Dixon. Tickets are $10 for adults; $5 for students age 10 and over; $25 for families; and free for children under 10. For more information or to donate an item to the raffle or silent auction, please call Tracy McMillan at (928) 380-0778 or email tracy.mcmillan@pphpartners.com. Silent auction and raffle items must be received by March 21.

The first annual adidas-McMillanElite High School Training Camp comes to Flagstaff, AZ

July 31st to August 5, 2011.

Come experience six days and five nights in Arizona's running mecca. During training you will experience Flagstaff's diverse trail systems. Group runs will take place on everything from unpaved forest roads to the Flagstaff Urban Trails System and mountainous single-track trails. Each run features scenic vistas and unique mountain vegetation and topography. Located at 7,000 feet above sea level, Flagstaff's ideal summer climate - the average high temperature is 82 degrees F while evening and morning temperatures can cool to the upper 40s F - is one of the reasons that the best runners from around the world choose to live and train here. Join other high school runners from across the country in a week-long training camp led by running experts in one of the most renown training meccas in the U.S.

2011 Mesquite Canyon 50K

2011-03-13T18:56:00.000-07:00

Aravaipa Running strikes again. Just like last year's inaugural running, the Mesquite Canyon Races again lived up to expectation. Another stellar event by Nick and Jamil Coury. This year's event was punctuated by the final race and crowning of the Desert Runner Trail Series (with both a Short Trail and Ultra Trail division) campions. Mesquite Canyon offered distances for all runners; 5 mile, half-marathon, marathon and 50K. With more than 325 runners showing for the races, the start/finish line was a buzz all day long. Full race results can be found here.

A familiar start line.

A dawn start. (photo Aravaipa Running)

Back at it again! His first race in over two years. James Bonnett shows he still has it by winning the half-marathon. (photo Aravaipa Running)

Lost among the rocks of Ford Canyon. (photo Justin Lutick)

Done and done, with blood and salt stains to prove it. (photo Bret Sarnquist)

The gentlemen of Flagstaff: (left to right) Scott Bajer (9th in the 50K), Ian Torrence (2nd in the 50K), Bret Sarnquist (3rd in the half-marathon) and James Willis (3rd in the 50K).

The winner, for the second year in a row, of the women's race and seventh overall: Paulette Zillmer

Shad Mickelberry came over from Vegas to get in his heat training.

Keira Henninger, Leona Divide's race director, made it a close women's race finishing only two minutes behind Paulette.

Flagstaff's Bret Sarnquist accepts his trophy from race director Jamil Coury. Bret wins the Aravaipa Desert Runner Trail Series. (photo Aravaipa Running)

Your Moment of Zen

A doggie Report Card. You gotta love the big, orange sticker in the upper left corner...

Alaska

2011-03-07T15:07:00.000-08:00

During the summer of 1990, after I graduated high school and before I headed off to college, my Dad put into motion a trip of grand proportion. The goal was to experience one of last truly wild places in North America, a place that up to that point in time, was only read about in books or seen on a television documentary. A place that didn't seem real or tangible. The mission was simple: Experience the magnificence of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. The plan: Two weeks of climbing in the Brooks Range and two weeks of rafting out to the Arctic Ocean. Our group of six would do all of the logistical planning without the assistance of a guide service. We did it all, right down to the food menus, travel, routes and equipment lists. Looking back now, it is hard to believe that I spent a month in such a place.

A few days ago my father, Paul Torrence, sent me a USB flash drive with the slides (not even sure if digital cameras existed) he took on this trip digitized for prosperity. The photos revitalized all my slowly fading memories and brought to light the fact that this was a trip for the ages. Below are a few of those shots.

Where this trip took us. North of the Arctic Circle.

A land of struggle...caribou and wolf prints. Hopefully it stays this way and we don't screw it up as the pressure for oil and gas extraction in the Refuge is higher than ever. While on this trip I saw the caribou, but never got to see the wolf.

Paul Torrence, the man behind the mission. The Brooks Range provides the back drop with its countless unclimbed peaks.

Once in Alaska the trip went like this: Anchorage to Fairbanks to Fort Yukon to the Hulahula River Valley. Roger Dowding, in red, of Yukon Air, was our bush pilot. He flew us from Fort Yukon to some random gravel bar in the middle of the ribboned Hulahula River. We would learn a few years later that Roger was killed in a crash while flying through the Brooks Range.

So what do you do when the plane, your only contact to the outside world, flies away? That's easy. Make camp and enjoy a place that only a handful of others have seen.

Backpacking in the Alaskan tundra. No trails here. Better know how to use a map. The group (left to right): Andy Kopek, Peggy Rosen, Al Rosen, Carl Solomon, Paul Torrence)

Yes, the backpacks were big. We had to be ready for every situation.

The first climb: Mount Michelson (8,855') Looks like Everest don't it?

During the ascent: A break on the shoulder of Michelson.

The summit ridge of Michelson. That's me in the orange helmet. Can you say "On belay!"

Camping in a glacial cirque.

Climb number two: Mt Chamberlin (9,020') The highest peak in the Brooks Range.

Not even legal enough to have a beer, but standing under Chamberlin's weighty summit. We never made the summit. The ice fall that shrouds it's summit was, for us, insurmountable. We stood fast to our trip motto: Live to play another day.

Now it was time to head for the coast. Rafting the Hulahula River. Andy Kopek in the rear and me up front.

Auf Eis (an ice formation typical of north flowing arctic rivers) on the Hulahula. Makes one look very small.

Made it! Al Rosen and I on the shores of the Beaufort Sea. The small village of Kaktovik would be our first "taste"of civilization in a month. I remember looking at myself in a mirror for the first time in four weeks...proof that you can forget what you look like!

Your Moment of "Alaskan Zen"

If I ever go into wine making this is what I'd call my first batch.

What was the worst part of the adventure? The freakin' mosquitos drove me mad!

The 2011 Pearl Izumi Ultrarunning Team Summit

2011-03-01T12:12:00.000-08:00

It was at the 1998 edition of the Vermont 100 Mile that I was approached by Montrail's Scott McCoubrey and asked if I'd be interested in running with the Montrail Ultrarunning Team. To join the likes of Tim Twietmeyer, Ben Hian, Steve Smucker, Dave Terry, Brandon Sybrowsky and Scott Jurek was but an honor. I remained with the Montrail Team for almost 8 years, even managing the team for a brief year while working at Montrail's Seattle office. Then Adam Chase offered me a spot on Team Solomon. Then it was up to Ashland, Oregon where I donned Rogue Valley Runner green for several years and ran with on a low-key, loosely built team consisting of Hal Koerner, Jenn Shelton, Erik Skaggs, Todd Ragsdale, Neil Olsen, John Leuthold and Chris Rennaker to name but a few.

Once again I find myself teamed up with some of the best in the country; the Pearl Izumi Ultrarunning Team. As of 2011, I now stand side by side with another dynamic and talented group of folks consisting of Nick Clark, Darcy Africa, Ashley Nordell, Josh Brimhall, Timothy Olson, Scott Jamie, Aric Manning and Kody Riley. To get the ball rolling, we all met this past weekend at Pearl Izumi's Headquarters in Louisville, CO for a unique team summit. Lots was accomplished in the four day venture. Here's a peak at what was covered:

The 2011 Pearl Izumi Ultrarunning Team: (from left to right) Kody Riley, Josh Brimhall, Ian Torrence, Nick Clark, Ashley Nordell, Darcy Africa, Scott Jamie, Timothy Olson, Aric Manning (photo by Robert Kunz)

Pearl Izumi's Moto

Clothes and shoes, at all stages of development, litter the hallways.

Pearl Izumi's staff bike rack. It is evident they practice what they preach.

Escaping the meeting rooms for a snowy Colorado trail run. (photo by Aric Manning)

Mike Thompson, Pearl's Run Footwear Product Line Manager, talks about what's new in shoes.

As Robert Kunz of First Endurance gives us the run down on the product line as Tim Olson builds a balanced nutrition regimen.

Dale Fleckenstein, from High Gear, brought a boat load of goodies to display, explain and share.

So...Who is Team Pearl Izumi?

Simply click on their names to see them a little more up close and personal.

Ashley Nordell (photo from Pearl Izumi Ultrarunning Team website)

Ian Torrence (photo by Eric Wynn)

And there you have it. (photo by Eric Wynn)

Moab's Red Hot 55K - The Year of the Wind

2011-02-22T16:39:00.000-08:00

Moab's Red Hot 55K & 33K

As always, the journey to Moab is something special. It is a time to see old friends and visit old haunts. It was excellent to see a large contingent of Flagstaff runners in attendance. This year's Red Hot was punctuated with some fierce headwinds (maybe 30mph gusts) that never seemed to blow at my back and hasten my arrival to the famous Red Hot post-race party.

Race Director Chris Martinez readies the runners at the start line. (photo courtesy of Anita Ortiz)

The first climb, 400 meters into the race. (Photo courtesy of ShotU. net)

Mile 3, below the Gooney Bird. (photo by ShotU. net)

Mile 10, overlooking the start line (photo courtesy of ShotU. net)

Aid Station #4, atop Gold Bar Rim (mile 21). Provided by Moab Friends for Wheelin 4x4 Club. (photo courtesy of ShotU. net)

Looking down from Gold Bar Rim onto Route 191.

Looking for Aid Station #5 (mile 28) among the endless miles of the petrified sand dunes. (photo courtesy of ShotU. net)

Wishing and hoping in the final miles that "the" Poison Spider would just go ahead and eat me already!

Trudging along the Poison Spider Trail a few miles from the finish. (photo by ShotU. net)

In her ultra debut, Sara Wagner (pictured here), of Flagstaff, placed fourth overall in the women's 55K race. Elizabeth Davis, also of Flag, placed second overall in the women's 33K. (photo by Elizabeth Davis)

Your Moment of Zen

Corona Arch in black and white.

The Grand Canyon - The Race and the Run

2011-02-15T12:37:00.000-08:00

Perhaps Dave Mackey said it best in a very recent KNAU interview about the Rim to Rim to Rim run of the Grand Canyon, "It's kind of a rite of passage in the ultrarunning world to do that run. It's something you'll never forget."

Or maybe Rae Clark hit the nail on the head in 1985 when he wrote about one of the last Rim to Rim to Rim races held in the Canyon, "Whatever it is that draws the ultrarunner to the Canyon, it seems special for each. Maybe it's the challenge of the 24,000 feet of elevation change in just 41 miles, maybe it's the spectacular scenery that changes color all day long with the movement of the sun."

As the photo below shows, the Canyon has withstood the test of time. Its canyons, ridges, river, thrones, temples, spires and hidden corners will be there forever.

Mark Klett and Byron Wolfe, 2008. Point Imperial on the Grand Canyon, 50% Ansel Adams, 50% Red Wall Limestone.Left: Ansel Adams, 1941, Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona. (Courtesy of the Center for Creative Photography, Tucson, AZ)

Here are the results and report by Rae Clark on what must have been one of the last Rim to Rim to Rim races in the Canyon. The excerpt below was taken from Ultrarunning Magazine.

Mark Klett and Byron Wolfe, 2008. Combined record of Ansel Adams' photographs made over the course of an entire day, Yavapai Point. Inset (all): Ansel Adams, 1941, Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona. (Courtesy of the Center for Creative Photography, Tucson, AZ and the National Archives, Washington, DC)

Mark Klett and Byron Wolfe, 2008. Descending into the canyon, mid-morning on the trail at Bright Angel. Composited from fifty-eight different pictures made over twenty-five minutes.

Here's the transcript for this KNAU interview with Dave Mackey, Jason Wolfe and me by reporter Laurel Morales.

Listen to it here and read along.

Running Grand Canyon Ultimate Challenge

Laurel Morales (2011-02-15)

FLAGSTAFF, AZ (KNAU) - The run begins at the south rim, dips all the way down to the Colorado River climbs up to the north rim and then back again. It covers 42 miles and ascends roughly 11-thousand feet. Runners must brace themselves for the drastic temperature changes from the rim to the bottom. Nowhere else in the world can you run from the alpine environment to the desert in such a short amount of time.

WOLFE: My very first canyon experience I fell down three or four times. It took me twice as long as it does now so I thought I'd never go back after that first experience.

That's Jason Wolfe who says the canyon's beauty and challenges lured him back to try again.

WOLFE: It was quite a struggle but just finishing it, accomplishing it and turning around and looking at all the ground you just covered feels good. (0:09)

Now Wolfe's training to beat the record time running the San Francisco Peaks in Flagstaff every chance he gets. Last year he finished just 13 minutes over the record, running from the south rim and back in seven hours and 12 minutes.

Up until the 1980s park rangers allowed organized races. But today the national park trails across the country are off limits to official events so athletes track fastest known times on an Internet message board.

Ultra running champion Dave Mackey, who lives in Colorado, is the current record holder.

MACKEY: It's kind of a right of passage in the ultra running world just to do that run. It's something you'll never forget.

TORRENCE: It is the best trail run in the country.

Ian Torrence is a record setting ultra runner and coach based in Flagstaff.

TORRENCE: In terms of difficulty in terms of what you see and experience it blows your mind.

Torrence says ultra running -- that's any race longer than a marathon -- has gotten more popular in recent years.
TORRENCE: Ultra running is a very raw sport it can really rip you down and it just tears away the ego tears away everything that makes you a person Finishing a 100 mile race in the mountains and bringing that experience back to "real life" it's good confidence building. If I can do that I can do anything back here you know.

Some runners have approached the Grand Canyon over confident. Torrence says even strong athletes should take precautions. Marathon runner Margaret Bradley died of dehydration while traversing the canyon in 2004.

TORRENCE: The Grand Canyon South Kaibab trail profile looks nothing like the profile of the Boston marathon and a lot of people forget that. They think I've done a marathon they can do anything that's the thing about the canyon it's a reality check for a lot of people.

A reality check that Jason Wolfe says he's prepared for this time.
WOLFE: I've almost been fixated on it the last 12 months that I really want to break the record now.

Wolfe will attempt to beat Dave Mackey's 6 hours and 59 minute run in early April when he'll take off from the south Kaibab trailhead with nothing but a few water bottles and gel energy packs to keep him going. Wolfe isn't the first to try to beat the record. But he may have the best chance of pulling it off.

In Flagstaff, I'm Laurel Morales.© Copyright 2011, knau

Double Duty

2011-02-13T20:34:00.000-08:00

Sedona Marathon & Half-Marathon

2/12/11, 7am

Sedona, AZ

Round one began early Saturday morning with the Northern Arizona Trail Runners Association at the Sedona Marathon & Half. Like previous years, we supplied liquids and encouragement at Aid Station 5 for 800 runners on Boynton Pass Road.

Flagstaff's Brian Tinder dwarfed by Sedona red rock. (photo by Bruce Higgins)

"Bob Marley" and "Big Hair Man" prepare aid station goodies.

Choose your color!

Mixing the Heed.

Getting water to the faster runners is sometimes a skill in and of itself.

Beverage sir?

Bret Sarnquist grabs the next batch of drink.

Jason Wolfe wins another Sedona Marathon.

Quality service with top hat and coat! (photo by Neil Weintraub)

Your Northern Arizona Trail Runners Association aid station volunteers. (photo by Neil Weintraub)

More photos can be found on the NATRA web site.

Pemberton Trail 50 Kilometer Trail Run

2/12/11, 4pm

Fountain Hills, AZ

Round two took Zoroaster and me further south to the desert mountains outside of Fountain Hills, AZ, and the Pemberton Trail 50K. We glow-sticked the first five miles of the course and assisted Ric Hatch at his aid station for the night 50K and the 100+ runners that braved the night.

Sun sets on the Arizona landscape in McDowell State Park.

Mile 5.3 and 20.5 - "Ric's Roost"

The location of "Ric's Roost".

Ric Hatch completes the final preparation of the aid station.

Josh Brimhall, followed by David James, wins his fifth Pemberton. Josh, you must have an awesome coach!

Runners take advantage of service with a smile.

Good times at dusk on loop one!

Busy place!

Ric awaits the next customer.

Night falls, temperatures plummet, things quiet down, teeth chatter and the propane lamp becomes our warming fire.

Your Moments of Zen

Confirmation that dogs really do smile...happy to have a stick and be in the Sedona sun!

Part of your 2011 Pemberton Trail 50K course marking team.

This day has been way too long (20 hours) and I'm cold and hungry!

Running Times Article - Going Up: Transitioning from Marathons to Ultras

2011-02-03T07:49:00.000-08:00

As featured in the 2011 January/February Issue of Running Times:

Going Up: Transitioning from Marathons to Ultras

Training tips for road and trail 50K's

Hope some folks find it useful!

Course Preview: Moab's Red Hot 33K & 55K Trail Races

2011-01-24T17:22:00.000-08:00

This weekend's Moab Red Hot 33 and 55 Kilometer course preview provided several runners the opportunity to scout the race's terrain. As it's name implies, the southern Utah slickrock spires and petrified sand dunes took the shape and glow of red hot embers hiding beneath white caps of snow. Barring any snow storms between now and race day, the course should be in excellent shape come mid-February. Race director Chris Martinez took the lead as we explored Moab's backcountry.

Here's a photo tour from this weekend's jaunt:

Special thanks to Sara Wagner and Rob Krar for spicing up the photos herein.

A Moab Scene (Photo by Rob Krar)

Christina Bauer and Sara Wagner enjoy the first climb...mile 1.

Slickrock running...

Race Director Chris Martinez points out to Mike Smith the surrounding scenery.

Yes, the course goes this way...

Flagstaffian's Sara Wagner, Christina Bauer and Mike Smith take a break.

Headed into a slickrock wilderness (photo by Sara Wagner)

Typical course terrain (photo by Sara Wagner)

Dwarfed by the huge petrified sand dunes (photo by Sara Wagner)

The author on Metal Masher, mile 10 (photo by Rob Krar)

A course rarity: soft tread (photo by Rob Krar)

The final miles have some flatter terrain...

Two miles to go! (photo by Sara Wagner)

The finish: Poison Spider Trailhead

A day's end: Clouds and Slickrock (photo by Rob Krar)

Your Moment of Zen...

Would you kill for a glass when the sand fills up your throat?

Water, water!

See ya'll in a month!

Running Times Online- A Group Effort: Pros and Cons of Crewing and Pacing

2011-01-13T09:26:00.000-08:00

New article posted on Running Times Online: A Group Effort: The Pros and Cons of Crewing and Pacing for Ultras. Tips and best practices for both runners and support members. Enjoy the read!