9 myles - 1.05:02

Lone Tree Loop - 9 AM

30s, clear, dry

mind/body - not working for me today

easy effort

Very uncomfortable run this morning, not sure why since the body and mind are rested. Guess that's just how it goes sometimes. I also had a strange twinge in my calf that hurt all day but now is fine. Just the creaks of getting old huh?

I finally watched Super Size me. Wow! What a good reminder of how bad we eat here in the United States. This guy put on 17.5 lbs in 30 days with 10 of that coming in the first week. Which means the body stored as much as it could initially to preserve itself and then leveled out and adjusted to the calories coming in, ~5000/day. Also he found himself depressed most of the time and the only time he was happy was right after a meal, which made him want to eat more Micky-Ds. On top of all that his cholesterol shot straight through the roof, chest pain, and a fatty liver. Make no mistake about what is happening here in the U.S. with very powerful lobbyist in Washington protecting fast food. Things are NOT going to change unless YOU decide to boycott chains like Micky-Ds.

See if you can set a New Years resolution of not eating the big four: Mickey-Ds, Burger King, Wendy's, and Jack in the Box. Save your calories for beer....

6.2 myles - 51:15

Lone Tree loop - 12:30

50s, partly cloudy, dry

mind/body - ahhh....

easy effort

Very relaxing and revitalizing run today with Good Ben, thanks for the call Ben. First run since the dealeo with no complications. I'll ease back into little by little but I hope to running solid again by December 18th for El Chubbo Grande 50K in The Fort. A couple different distances going on so I'll make a last minute decision on which one based on feel. And then it's off to Breckenridge for a week of skiing.

Check out this video taken at The North Face 50 on Saturday. Pretty good coverage and kudos to Dakota for talking to that guy while he was just trying to concentrate on the finish.

8.5 myles - 1.02:41

Lone Tree + loop - 8:30 AM

30s, clear, dry

mind/body - good

easy effort

Just plugging along here and feeling good. 64 myles on the week and 2928 on the year. I'm trying to get to 3000 before Wednesday but I don't think that's going to happen unless I come up with some crazy 50 mile run on Tuesday night. Hmm...

My feet are a little sore but that's only because I've been running in the new Peak IIs, which is more of a light weight trail racer. I'm used to more of a padded shoe, like the Fuel XC, so I'm just conditioning/strengthening my feet to get comfortable in these new Peak IIs. And just a word of caution: If you are used to a beefier shoe, don't expect to go to any type of minimalist shoe and run in it all the time for long distances without some sort of discomfort or even worse - injury. Work your way up in time and distance in a shoe that is considered minimalist in nature.

These will be available mid 2011 and if you liked the 1st edition of the Peaks then you'll love these! Some changes: A more aggressive lugged sole, more durable upper, stiffer toe cap, gusseted tongue, and a more defined heal drop (not sure exactly how much) - all coming in at ~9.5 oz.

8.5 myles - 1.02:01

Lone Tree + loop - 8 AM

40s, clear, some snow

mind/body - refreshed

easy effort

Felt great this morning! It was nice to be out there with no agenda, just ran as far or short as I wanted. Last week I put in a smashing 11 myles, ate lots of bad food, and drank lots of good beer. Now the mind is already thinking of ramping it back up because I'm leaning towards Bandera 100K on January 8th. If I do, I've gotta get back on to a regimented training schedule by Thanksgiving if it's going to happen.

If you missed the Red Bull Human Express on Sunday, check this out.

Also good luck to my Mother who will be running a 1/2 marathon in Mesquite, NV on Saturday. PR Mom!

8.5 myles - 1.03:34

Lone Tree + loop - 8:00 AM

70s, clear, dry

mind/body - sluggish

easy, easy effort

Never snapped out of being lethargic on this run but I know how important it is to get out following a hard run. Definitely Indian summer right now as we sit in the 80s going into the weekend.

In years past, October has been my down month so I really thought I'd be dreading the runs... hasn't been that bad. In fact, I feel solid both physically and mentally - looking forward to competing at Mt Masochist and then shutting it down in November. I bought a season ski pass for myself and Jaxon so that will force me to take it easy (running wise) through the early part of 2011.

Tomorrow at Mt Falcon. Changed the time to 6:30 AM if anyone wants to join.

Cool interview over here on my friend Tim Hola. Very classy and humble guy! 12 times in a row at Kona! And footage of the Timex guys finishing.

9 myles - no time

Lone Tree + loop - 8:00 AM

50s, overcast, dry

mind/body - zippy

easy effort

Easy effort with a hard effort sprinkled in that is! I'm an addict to running period. Even though I committed to taking two weeks as mellow as can be, I'm finding it more difficult than I imagined. I'm 41 years old and when my legs are zippy I have to jump at the opportunity cause these days don't come 'round too often. So what I did today was just a sprinkle of hard (2.55 m - 16:06 (6:18 pace) - 337 ft climbing) to get the legs and lungs conditioned for the next couple of weeks. I feel quality, not quantity, is what my training has been lacking.

9 myles - no time

Lone Tree + loop - 8:00 AM

50s, clear, dry

mind/body - refreshed

easy effort

Still keeping it real mellow - for the most part. There were a few 30 second pick-ups just keep the legs honest. I feel fully recovered so by the end of the week I will start to put in some quality stuff. Maybe just a couple mile repeats and a couple 1:30 5K efforts but really only to make sure everything is working.

Got some good feedback to take back to PI about the ultra series - thanks for the input. And just so you know, I was thinking along the lines of touching all the distances (as Nick mentioned) and picking the toughest of courses. Seems most people feel the same way. It would be nice to get a race back East but I also feel if it's kept in the Rocky Mountain Region then PI can really put their stamp on it and gain the identity of: Extreme/Rugged/Tough/Animalistic/Badass - choose whatever term you like but you get the point. Just my opinion, not PI approved.

Here are my choices:

• Red Hot 50K - February or Chuckanut 50K - March
• Zane Grey 50 - April
• Pocatello 50 or Jemez 50 - May (pick one)
• San Juan Solstice 50 - June
• Katcina Mosa 100K - August
• The Bear 100 - September

Not many 100K's to choose from so Nick's Comanche 100K in August? would be pretty cool to include. Lot's of 50 mile races so I'm not sure what to do there because I didn't even include Squaw Peak 50... They are all just jammed right in that late May, early June time frame so maybe you could have 6 to pick from in the 50 mile. A lot to sort out for sure.

6.2 myles - no time

Lone Tree loop - 10 AM

70s, clear, dry
mind/body - recovering
easy, easy effort

Yesterday 6 myles. Today 6 myles. I plan to keep it really mellow (20-30/wk) for the next two weeks. Not only does my body need the break but my mind as well. Although after today's run I can already sense the wheels starting to turn on "turning up" the intensity notch. But I think it's a trap I've been stuck in every since Hard Rock. A vicious cycle of: not having the performance I wanted thus my training must not have been good enough. I think if I take a couple weeks, re-evaluate the situation, and then get back after it for 3 weeks leading into MMTR, I "should" come away with a satisfying result. Nothing scientific here, just random thoughts. Stay tuned.

346 for September, 2468 for the year. I should still be able to catch Tony....

I know it's hard to believe but this is just right around the corner

6.2 myles - 43:48

Lone Tree loop - 5:00 PM

60s, clear, dry

mind/body - buzzing

easy effort

Real quick, nice little run today to keep the streak alive. In two weeks time I've put in 214.1 myles. Today I was easily inspired by the happenings of Wasatch. My father in law is out there crewing for the Nick's (Clark and Pedatella) who are currently running one-two. Clark just went through Desolation with Pedatella right on his heels. Clark got lost for about 45 minutes going into Alexander Ridge and was pretty bummed. Looks like he's shrugged it off and is looking to go under 20 at this point. Christian will pick him up at Brighton and lead him to the finish. Hopefully Pedatella is close so they can make a cozy threesome - gonna get pretty cold tonight. Darcy is also tearing it up, currently only an hour behind the leaders and on record pace. Would be pretty cool for Pearl-Izumi Smith to bring home the titles!

Update: Looks like Pearl-Izumi Smith came away with the titles at Wasatch! Very well done Nick Clark and Darcy Africa! Matt Hart ran a very smart race by moving his way up steadily all day and ended up 3rd. Unofficial but it looks like Neal Gorman broke Joe Kulak's long standing Grand slam record by 12 minutes - very nice job Neal Gorman! Culpepper slid a couple places but hung in there for 4th and Nick Pedatella who ran strong all day without a pacer hung on for 6th. Gangelhoff rallied to get a top 10 spot in 23.19. And last Peter Lindgren was lurking all day and finished strong 9th overall in a shade over 23 hours. Nice job to all!

9 myles - 1.05:15

Lone Tree + loop - 8:00 AM

70s, clear, dry

mind/body - still rollin

easy effort

I wasn't going to run today but for the simple fact that I have no soreness or stiffness from yesterday - why not? I think I may have "turned the corner" on this slump. The runs are more enjoyable than ever before and I actually look forward to getting out everyday. Whatever has happened over the course of the two weeks since Where's Waldo, I sure do hope it continues through the end of this month. You know the finest steel has to go through the hottest fire so maybe Hard Rock and Where's Waldo were my living hell....

For the week: 115.4 myles, 15,082 ft of climbing, 17 hrs 58 mins. Over the course of 9 days: 158.4 myles. Will these numbers translate into a good 100 mile race to finish the year? I hope so because I officially signed up for The Bear last night.

6.2 myles - 45:29

Lone Tree loop - 7 AM

50s, clear, dry

mind/body - a little creeky

easy effort

The only thing sore on my body was the ankle I rolled yesterday. Very happy with how my body feels right now. Slowly but surely I sped up this morning and by the end had a great pace (7:02). Tomorrow will be another long day but I am looking foward to it. It's not so much that I'm getting over 100 myles this week but more about how good I'm feeling doing it. We'll see how I feel after tomorrow.

One year ago on the CT - I'd be on this section (6) right now

9 myles - 1.04:03

Lone Tree + loop - 8:00 AM

60s, clear, dry

mind/body - positive/good

easy effort

Two days in a row feeling good - a positive sign to get back on track. I took the watch today just to verify my pace (7:07) was as good as it feels. Maybe it was all those tasty Cokes after the race that put me back on the right track... or was it the Laurelwood and Rogue IPAs?? Either way things are looking up. My only stumbling block now going into the Bear is that I have a week long meeting in downtown LA the week prior to.... maybe the rest will be good.

The Beard

I think a beard will help....

Ha, go figure.... got out for 6.2 myles this morning and felt GREAT! One of those runs where you get the little tingles in your head and the world is a perfect place. No soreness or stiffness. AND left the watch at home (thanks for the advice Darren). Trying to put the 'fun' back into this shee-ite!

I just happened to look over the Grand Slammer list and noticed Neal Gorman is quietly making a run at the record. Joe Kulak's record pace thru Leadville was 53.13:50. Neal Gorman is 53.35:05, just 21:15 behind JK. For the record Neal Gorman must run 21.31:44 at Wasatch. Good luck Neal!

6.2 myles - 44:34

Lone Tree loop - 5:00 AM

60s, clear, dry

mind/body - feeling really good

easy effort

I thought I was going faster than that (7:11 pace) but it's early so I'll take it. My body seems really refreshed after taking two days off in a row. I've been getting 6 days a week in since Hardrock and feel I've been wearing myself out a little too much. I looked back at my prep for Miwok last year and was happy to see I'm doing the same types of workouts with similar times now so hopefully the outcome will be the same, if not better. We shall see.

16 myles - 1.59:48

Lone Tree + Wildcat Ridge - 8:00 AM

60s, clear, dry

mind/body - focused/strong

easy effort

Recently my Mom has picked up running. Growing up, she thought I was crazy but I think she's caught the bug. Today I had the opportunity to run with her for a bit, so it was an extra special run. She's training for the Hobble Creek 1/2 marathon next week so she did a 7 mile loop while I did my 2 hour route. Nice and easy to begin and then slowly picked it up as the run went on - 7:29 pace. Not a blazing run but this is the best (and fresh) I've felt in a long time.

On another note I've been trying out a new watch. It's the Highgear Alterra, lots of features but still learning all of them. I used the altimeter today (barometric pressure) to get a sense of the elevation gain this route has in it - 1342 ft of climbing. The watch also gives you total time during this log. The downside is that you can't see running time while using the altimeter, only after the workout is over.

It looks as though AJW has entered the 3rd leg of the Grand Slam. Is he going after the record? Officially or unofficially, I don't know?? Deadline for entry was June 23rd. Joe Kulak's record pace through the first 1/2 is 33.10:25, AJW is currently 33.33:05. What's the latest AJW?

	JK	AJW
WS	18.14:59	17.31:25
VT	14.55:26	16.01:40
Pb	20.03:25
WF	21.53:10

Post run with Mom

8 myles - 1.05:08

Lone Tree loop - 8:00 AM

80s, clear, dry

mind/body - good

easy effort

Just a shake out of the legs today. I felt like today was just as an important run mentally and physically as yesterday. I didn't want to run (mentally) but once I got going I was fluid - 8:08 pace today. Really good week for me; 83 myles with one track workout and one tempo run. Still waiting on a couple details to work out for Ireland but the longer they take the slimmer the chance of me going.

Check out this photo. The two guys on the left inspired me 7 years ago to jump into ultras. Care to comment Carolyn?

Can you name everyone? Where? What year?

9 myles - 1.03:00

Lone Tree + loop - 5:00 PM

80s, clear, dry

mind/body - wishy/washy

easy effort

Promising run today. Legs were feeling a little sluggish to start but to be expected after all the climbing yesterday. I decided to keep it mellow for the majority of the run and then the last mile see what kind of speed I have left in the ol legs. Not too shabby - 5:59:36. Although wind aided. I certainly didn't feel comfortable but that's OK being the first leg turnover stuff in 5 months. I was feeling and thinking "light and fast" today. A lot of that had to do with my shoes or should I say slippers.

The new Streak - 7.9 oz

10 myles - 1.10:47

Lone Tree loop+ 8:00 AM
60s, overcast, dry
mind/body - feeling really good
easy effort

Nice run today with almost ideal conditions again. 7:04 pace with only about 800 ft of climbing. My legs feel fully recovered (as they should) after Pokey. Believe it or not I have yet to make a trip down to Pikes, so this Saturday I will make my debut. I'll get a good 5 hour run with tons of climbing.

Every since coming back from Pocatello my mind has been consumed with thoughts of Hard Rock. I'm #2 on the wait list and will most likely get in, but my mind set is that I'm already in... So naturally I start thinking of strategy. I'm climbing better than I ever have before, while my descending is still the same old conservative approach. Each of the 4 times I've done HR I've continually gotten faster but I feel like I'm pretty close to my ceiling. In order for me to lay down a faster time than last year I need to nail a "perfect" race... but I know there is no such thing as a "perfect" race at HR. HR comes down to how quickly you can resolve the bad spots. Because bad spots will happen. The other piece to the puzzle is how hard to go at San Juan Solstice? People who have raced hard at San Juan Solstice come back to HR and not do too well - don't know why that is but it concerns me. I want to do well at SJS but I'm not willing to sacrifice HR. So I guess for SJS we'll just have to see how things shake out during the race.

6.2 myles - 43:48

Lone Tree Loop - 7:00 A.M.

60s, partly cloudy, dry

mind/body - ready to go!

easy effort

Got home late last night from KC. Supposed to be in by 5 PM but the storms delayed everyone. In fact, a storm was blowing in while we landed as the pilot struggled to keep the plane shiny side up - we landed on one wheel, bounced up, and then properly landed. Then they closed the airport because of lightning and clouds with rotation so we waited on the tarmac for another 1/2 hour - pretty nasty. But made it nonetheless.

Yesterday I made it out in the morning, 4 myles-32 minutes with 10 x 20 second hill sprints. Felt kind of sluggish but probably due to the humidity, not used to it. Today, however, I felt great! No aches or pains, including the calf. Gonna travel out to Wyoming today, stop at a couple of my accounts and then make our way to Idaho tomorrow. Should be a great race with the cast of great runners showing up. I looked at the entrant list this morning and this is who is on my radar: Karl M, Erich P, Luke N, Joe G, Ty D, Ajaydub, Matt H, Sean M. Speed wise - I'm not the fastest guy in this group. Climbing wise - I like my chances. Did I miss anyone? There's always a dark horse, who is it?