Whenever someone talks about ultramarathons, I have visions of people running up mountains, through woods, jumping over rocks and tree roots, and crossing streams. There are famous races like the Hardrock 100, a 100.5 mile race in southern Colorado’s San Juan Range that runners must complete in 48 hours. The average elevation for the Hardrock … Continue reading The Ultimate Ultra
Endurance running
Just Like Meb
Back in the 90s Gatorade had a commercial featuring Michael Jordan slam dunking basketballs to the song “Be Like Mike”. The commercial captured the dream of every kid playing basketball at the time - they wanted to be like Mike. I just finished reading Meb Keflezighi’s book “26 Marathons” in which he describes each … Continue reading Just Like Meb
Where to Now?
My 2018 goal was to finish my 50 State Endurance Challenge (a full or half marathon in each of the 50 states). At the start of the year I only had four states remaining on my to-run list - Iowa, South Dakota, Nebraska, and New Mexico. I completed my challenge last September. In true funatical … Continue reading Where to Now?
Got No Time
When is a race trip not fun? When you get to the airport and check your race results online and they don’t show you finishing the race. This happened to me in May when I went to Iowa to run the Des Moines Women’s Half Marathon. I had a few nerve-racking hours before I was … Continue reading Got No Time
You Gotta Have Balance
At the end of last year, I asked my running coach for a week off. To be honest I was burned out. I had trained intensely all year to run three marathons. Mentally, I just wanted to check out for a bit and not be driven by a training schedule. It seemed as if my … Continue reading You Gotta Have Balance
2017 – What a Year It Was
This year has been one with more adventure than I ever could have imagined. I have been walking around thinking about 2017 and everything that happened. Even though it was not all smooth sailing, overall 2017 was a very good year for me, one I will never forget. I may be the Funatical Runner but … Continue reading 2017 – What a Year It Was
Chicago – My Kind of Marathon
People have told me the Chicago Marathon was their favorite race. Other people have told me how much they hated that race. I ran the Chicago Marathon a couple of weeks ago so I now have formed my own opinion about the race. Of the big city races I have run, the Chicago Marathon is … Continue reading Chicago – My Kind of Marathon
My Marathon Monk
Three years ago I read a book titled “The Marathon Monks of Mount Hiei” by John Stevens. The book focuses on the Tendai Buddhist monks who complete Kaihōgyō, 1,000 days of long distance walking, meditation, and prayer over a 7-year period. Kaihōgyō is by far more demanding than any modern-day athletic endurance event, so demanding … Continue reading My Marathon Monk
Running, Raptors, and a Rodeo
Vacation Races is a terrific organization that puts on races near national parks. It is a wonderful way to combine running a race with a visit to a national park. In 2015 I ran their Rocky Mountain Half Marathon and in 2016 I ran their Zion Half Marathon. Both races were challenging but memorable. Last … Continue reading Running, Raptors, and a Rodeo
I Ran Far in Fargo
Recently while flying to a race, I thought about how silly this all seems - traveling to 50 states to run endurance events. Aren’t they all the same? How can any race be different? 26.2 or 13.1 miles is the same not matter where you run it, right? My most recent race in Fargo, North … Continue reading I Ran Far in Fargo
