Ryan Hall's Blog, page 187

‘Running With The Belles’ Explores the Splendors of Colorado’s Four Pass Loop

Elinor Fish, Michelle Smith, Kylee Schuler and Jen Burn take a break while running Colorado's Four Pass Loop. Photo: Courtesy of Michelle Smith

While attempting an alpine ice climb of the Enclosure Couloir on the Grand Teton in August 2010, Michelle Smith suffered a harrowing fall resulting in a broken back and shattered right leg. As her partner stabilized her and called for helicopter rescue, she pulled out a camera to document a story that was not certain to end well. Thankfully it did, and as she recovered from surgery, she worked through emotional trauma by creating her first short film, and in the process, a new career was born. Though she still thrives on outdoors adventure, Michelle gets an even bigger rush from telling stories through filmmaking and editing.

After moving from Jackson Hole, Wyo., to Carbondale, Colo., in 2012, Michelle, an avid trail runner and new mom, was welcomed into the Maroon Belles trail running club, a community for runners of all ability levels in the Roaring Fork and Crystal River valleys. Michelle quickly forged lasting bonds with several of the other Belles, and during group runs on the spectacular trails that weave through the nearby Elk Mountains, she brought her camera to capture the moments the women were sharing on the trails.

Feeling inspired after just a few runs, the women decided to take on the legendary Four Pass Loop. One of the most famous mountain runs in North America, the “4PL” crests four 12,000-foot alpine passes over 27 miles. The run’s non-stop scenic splendor is matched by its grueling 8,000 feet of vertical ascent. For some of the women, Michelle included, this would be their longest, and toughest run ever.

Running With The Belles is the story of their experience.

RELATED: Running Colorado’s Four Pass Loop

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8 Tips to Stay Motivated Throughout the Year

Photo: Shutterstock.com

Consistency is imperative for maintaining and improving fitness and remaining injury free. While it should be as easy as simply lacing up every day, physical training is only part of the equation. Daily motivation, what gets you out the door, is a mental game, and one that needs constant attention. There are three main types of motivation: intrinsic, extrinsic and self-motivation. Intrinsic motivation is your desire to do well. Extrinsic is driven by external stimuli, think of the energy at a race, the feeling you get when you cross a finish line or the rush from standing on a podium. While similar to intrinsic motivation, self-motivation is more complex. It’s the ability to do what needs to be done, no matter how tempting the distractions or how hard it seems. And face it, that’s no easy task.

Once you recognize your mental gremlins—I don’t have enough time; I’ll start tomorrow; I can’t do it; It’s hard; The weather is miserable; What’s the point—you can identify ways to work around them and maintain your enthusiasm throughout the year. To help you on your way (and remove the first obstacle!), we’ve put together eight tips based on anecdotal successes and insights from Steve Portenga, a Performance Psychologist at iPerformance Consultants in Englewood, Colo.

RELATED: How to Beat 6 Common Excuses for Not Running

Consider why?

Portenga says the first step when motivation is lagging is to consider why you want to run? What’s important to you and what do you hope to get out of it? Write down the answers to all three questions and keep them handy as a guide. Refer back to your thoughts whenever you begin to wonder, “What’s the point?” Also make sure your goals are in line with your reasons for lacing up in the first place.

Set several goals

Choosing and working towards a goal will definitely keep you inspired. Even better, select a mix of short and long term goals, so you have the opportunity to make confidence boosting achievements on your way to a bigger goal and beyond. Portenga suggests asking yourself: What do you want to achieve? How do you want to improve and what do you need to do to make this happen? Then create a plan. Keep it interesting by thinking outside the box when it comes to setting your goals. Sure, you can train to complete a half marathon or a marathon. But also consider things like setting a PR, organizing a beer mile, running for charity or trying trail running for the first time.

Grab a friend

When you run alone, it can be easy to settle into a routine, be it your route or your pace. Running with a friend will help push you outside of your pace and distance comfort zones. You’re also less likely to flake if you know a friend is waiting for you. Plus, conversation helps the miles to fly by and stimulates you mentally.

Up the ante

Increasing the cost to flake out on your plans and goals can be a powerful motivator according to Portenga. “Too often the cost of skipping out is in the future, making it easier to ignore it in the moment.” Maybe you put $5 in a jar for someone else every time you skip a run. Maybe you ask your running partner to call you out on social media. Or perhaps using a workout tracking platform that automatically alerts your friends will do the trick.

Join a running group

Not only will a running group hold you accountable, they make running more fun. A group provides support and brings community to what can be a solitary sport. You have running partners, post-run beer or coffee partners and people to help with your training and gear questions at the ready. Investigate groups in your area to make sure you find a good fit and that they offer run times to work with your schedule.

RELATED: 7 Tips for Starting a Successful Running Club

Go somewhere new

If you always run the same 5-mile loop, in the same direction and at the same time of day, try mixing it up. Run it in the opposite direction or in the morning instead of at night. Alternately, map out a new route or two, head to a trail new to you or hit the track.

Plan rewards for achieving certain steps/goals

What’s your biggest running dream—maybe a destination race or a running vacation? Perhaps it’s buying a quiver of shoes or a new kit. Portenga recommends setting up a reward system as you determine your goals—although a destination race or running vacation make good goals as well—so there’s something fun to achieve on the horizon. Maybe a month of no missed workouts warrants the latest headset, or booking a trail running camp with your favorite ultrarunner can count as both a reward and a step towards your first trail race. Remember, running is supposed to be fun!

RELATED: Running Adventures Around the World

Plan ahead

“Always get prepared the night before, no excuses,” Portenga says. Whether you’re running in the morning, at lunch or after work, have your gear ready to go before you go to bed. That way you can simply lace up or grab your gym bag and go. The easier you make your run, the more likely it is to happen.

RELATED: 9 Ways to Improve Your Fitness for the Year

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Best of Competitor 2016 — Northeast Region

Congratulations to all of the Best of Competitor 2016 winners for each of our eight distribution regions!

Competitor magazine is one of the world’s leading running and fitness publications. The free printed edition of the magazine is distributed nationally every month across the U.S. Check out this link to see where to find a copy in your region. The free digital version is available free through Competitor.com or on ISSUU.com, as well as on iTunes. More stories, photos and videos can be found at Competitor.com.

Every year, we ask our online readers and social media followers from around the country to vote for their favorite races, specialty shops, clubs, charity programs, coaches, products and more. Competitor is pleased to announce the 2016 winners for the Northeast region.

Best of Competitor 2016 — Northeast

Best 5K/10K: Ocean Road 10K, South County R.I.

Best Half Marathon: Newport Half Marathon, Newport, R.I.

Best Marathon: Boston Marathon, Boston

Best Trail Race: Loon Mountain Race, Lincoln, N.H.

Best Destination Race: Wineglass Marathon & ½ Marathon, Corning, N.Y.

Best Women’s Race: Tufts 10K for Women, Boston

Best Race for Kids: Citizens Bank Pell Bridge Run, Newport, R.I.

Best Running Club: (tie), Rhode Runner Running Club, Marathon Endurance and Somerville Road Runners

Best Running Shoe: Saucony Kinvara 7

Best Specialty Running Store: Marathon Sports, numerous locations

Best Running Store Group Run: Rhode Runner, Providence, R.I.

Best Charity Running Group: Dana Farber Marathon Challenge

Best Charity to Fundraise For: Dr. MLK Jr. Community Center

Best Running Celebrity: Kevin Hart

Best Triathlon: Patriot Half, East Freetown, Mass.

Best Cycling Event: Rasputitsa Spring Classic, East Burke, Vt.

Best Obstacle Race: (tie) Spartan Race and Tough Mudder

Best Race Swag: Newport Marathon, Newport, R.I.

Best Race T-shirt: (tie) Ocean Road 10K, South County, R.I., and Super Sunday 5K/5mi, Boston

Best Outdoor Shop: REI

Best Cycling Shop: Wheel Power Bicycle Shop, Exeter, N.H.

Best Triathlon Shop: Fast:Splits, Needham, Mass.

Best Triathlon Club: (tie) Zoom Multisport Club and Six03 Endurance

Best Sports Massage: Marathon Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine, numerous locations

Best Health Club: Marathon Fitness and Wellness, numerous locations

Best Fitness Studio: Marathon Fitness and Wellness, numerous locations

Best Spinning Class: Flywheel Sports, Boston

Best Yoga Studio: Marathon Fitness & Wellness, numerous locations

Best Personal Trainer: (tie) Adele Khaski, Wonder Woman Fit, Brooklyn, and Tyler Budwey, Marathon Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine, Mansfield, Mass.

Best Sports Rehab Center: Marathon Physical Therapy And Sports Medicine, numerous locations

Best Sports Medicine Doctor/Therapist: Chris O’Brien, Marathon Physical Therapy Fitness and Sports Medicine, Newton, Mass.

Best Sports Supplement: Advocare

Best Post-Race Restaurant: Brick Alley Pub, Newport, R.I.

Best Summer Resort: Cape May, N.J.

Best Winter Resort: Sugarbush Resort, Warren, Vt.

Best Active Lifestyle Vehicle: Subaru Crosstrek

RELATED: Best of Competitor 2016 Winners Announced!

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Best of Competitor 2016 — South Region

Congratulations to all of the Best of Competitor 2016 winners for each of our eight distribution regions!

Competitor magazine is one of the world’s leading running and fitness publications. The free printed edition of the magazine is distributed nationally every month across the U.S. Check out this link to see where to find a copy in your region. The free digital version is available free through Competitor.com or on ISSUU.com, as well as on iTunes. More stories, photos and videos can be found at Competitor.com.

Every year, we ask our online readers and social media followers from around the country to vote for their favorite races, specialty shops, clubs, charity programs, coaches, products and more. Competitor is pleased to announce the 2016 winners for the South region.

Best of Competitor 2016 — South

Best 5K/10K: Honored Hero Run, Fort Worth

Best Half Marathon: Rock ‘n’ Roll New Orleans 1/2 Marathon

Best Marathon: Houston Marathon

Best Trail Race: War Eagle Trail Running Festival, Rogers, Ark.

Best Destination Race: Rock ‘n’ Roll San Antonio 1/2 Marathon

Best Women’s Race: Jiggle Butt Run, Arlington, Texas

Best Race for Kids: Honored Hero Run, Fort Worth

Best Running Club: Cox Running Club

Best Running Shoe: Hoka One One Vanquish 2

Best Specialty Running Store: Forth Worth Running Company

Best Running Store Group Run: Luke’s Locker, numerous locations

Best Charity Running Group: Team in Training

Best Charity to Fundraise For: Leukemia And Lymphoma Society

Best Running Celebrity: (tie) Liz Northern and Will Ferrell

Best Triathlon: Mayor’s Tri, Fort Worth

Best Cycling Event: Hotter ‘n’ Hell 100

Best Obstacle Race: Spartan Race

Best Race Swag: River Cities Triathlon

Best Race T-shirt: Labor Day Run, Fort Worth

Best Outdoor Shop: Backwoods, numerous locations

Best Cycling Shop: Richardson Bike Mart, Richardson, Texas

Best Triathlon Shop: Tri Shop, Plano, Texas

Best Triathlon Club: Fort Worth Tri Club

Best Sports Massage: Cyril Russel-Harris, CR Massage, Fort Worth

Best Health Club: Lifetime Fitness, several locations

Best Fitness Studio: APEC, Fort Worth

Best Spinning Class: Psycho Cycle, Fort Worth

Best Yoga Studio: Eastside Yoga, Austin

Best Personal Trainer: Shawna Gibson, The Brick Gym, Fort Worth

Best Sports Rehab Center: Active Spine And Sport Therapy, Fort Worth

Best Sports Medicine Doctor/Therapist: Dr. Brian Mulhall, Active Spine & Sport Therapy, Fort Worth

Best Sports Supplement: Advocare

Best Post-Race Restaurant: Tommy’s Hamburger, numerous locations

Best Summer Resort: Moody Gardens, Galveston, Texas

Best Winter Resort: Breckenridge Resort, Breckenridge, Colo.

Best Active Lifestyle Vehicle: Subaru Outback

RELATED: Best of Competitor 2016 Winners Announced!

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Best of Competitor 2016 — Southeast Region

Congratulations to all of the Best of Competitor 2016 winners for each of our eight distribution regions!

Competitor magazine is one of the world’s leading running and fitness publications. The free printed edition of the magazine is distributed nationally every month across the U.S. Check out this link to see where to find a copy in your region. The free digital version is available free through Competitor.com or on ISSUU.com, as well as on iTunes. More stories, photos and videos can be found at Competitor.com.

Every year, we ask our online readers and social media followers from around the country to vote for their favorite races, specialty shops, clubs, charity programs, coaches, products and more.

Competitor is pleased to announce the 2016 winners for the Southeast region.

Best of Competitor 2016 — Southeast

Best 5K/10K: Peachtree Road Race 10K, Atlanta

Best Half Marathon: Rock ‘n’ Roll Savannah 1/2 Marathon, Savannah, Ga.

Best Marathon: A1A Half Marathon, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Best Trail Race: Rock/Creek StumpJump 50K, Chattanooga, Tenn.

Best Destination Race: Rock ‘n’ Roll New Orleans 1/2 Marathon

Best Women’s Race: Savannah Women’s Half Marathon, Savannah, Ga.

Best Race for Kids: Atlanta Thanksgiving Day 50-Meter Dash

Best Running Club: Atlanta Track Club

Best Running Shoe: Mizuno Wave Rider

Best Specialty Running Store: Fleet Feet Sports, Delray Beach, Fla.

Best Running Store Group Run: Funky Fun Run, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Best Charity Running Group: Scott Rigsby Foundation

Best Charity to Fundraise For: Best Buddies International

Best Running Celebrity: Kevin Hart

Best Triathlon: Miami Man Half Iron Triathlon

Best Cycling Event: Mack Cycle Women’s Ride

Best Obstacle Race: Tough Mudder

Best Race Swag: Flanigan’s Rockin’ Rib Run, Davie, Fla.

Best Race T-shirt: Run From The Ray’s 5K, Boca Raton, Fla.

Best Outdoor Shop: REI

Best Cycling Shop: (tie) Mack Cycle, Miami, Fla., and Tune Cycles, Boca Raton, Fla.

Best Triathlon Shop: (tie) Mack Cycle, Miami, Fla. and All3Sports, Atlanta

Best Triathlon Club: Alien Endurance, Miami, Fla.

Best Sports Massage: Atlanta Muscle Melter, Atlanta, Ga.

Best Health Club: Lifetime Fitness, numerous locations

Best Fitness Studio: Evolution Fitness, numerous locations

Best Spinning Class: Energy Lab, Atlanta

Best Yoga Studio: Cary Hot Yoga, Cary, N.C.

Best Personal Trainer: Andy Clark, Alien Endurance, Miami, Fla.

Best Sports Rehab Center: Jaguar Therapeutics, Miami

Best Sports Medicine Doctor/Therapist: (tie) Dr. Geoff Rudy, Coconut Grove, Fla., and Dr. Kevin Christie, Health Fit Chiropractic and Sports Medicine, Miami, Fla.

Best Sports Supplement: Base Performance

Best Post-Race Restaurant: Cool Moose Cafe, Jacksonville, Fla.

Best Summer Resort: The Cloister, Sea Island, Ga.

Best Winter Resort: Vail, Colo.

Best Active Lifestyle Vehicle: Jeep Wrangler

The post Best of Competitor 2016 — Southeast Region appeared first on Competitor.com.

Best of Competitor 2016 — Pacific West Region

Congratulations to all of the Best of Competitor 2016 winners for each of our eight distribution regions!

Competitor magazine is one of the world’s leading running and fitness publications. The free printed edition of the magazine is distributed nationally every month across the U.S. Check out this link to see where to find a copy in your region. The free digital version is available free through Competitor.com or on ISSUU.com, as well as on iTunes. More stories, photos and videos can be found at Competitor.com.

Every year, we ask our online readers and social media followers from around the country to vote for their favorite races, specialty shops, clubs, charity programs, coaches, products and more. Competitor is pleased to announce the 2016 winners for the Pacific West region.

Best of Competitor 2016 — Pacific West

Best 5K/10K: Carlsbad 5000, Carlsbad, Calif.

Best Half Marathon: Rock ‘n’ Roll Las Vegas Half Marathon, Las Vegas

Best Marathon: Carlsbad Marathon, Carlsbad, Calif.

Best Trail Race: Double Dipsea Trail Race, Mill Valley, Calif.

Best Destination Race: Santa Barbara Wine Country Half Marathon, Santa Barbara, Calif.

Best Women’s Race: See Jane Run Half Marathon, San Francisco

Best Race for Kids: Carlsbad 5000, Carlsbad, Calif.

Best Running Club: West Coast Road Runners

Best Running Shoe: Brooks Ghost 9

Best Specialty Running Store: Movin’ Shoes, numerous locations

Best Running Store Group Run: Road Runner Sports Adventure Run, San Diego

Best Charity Running Group: Cheetah Charity Runners

Best Charity to Fundraise For: Emilio Nares Foundation

Best Running Celebrity: Meb Keflezighi

Best Triathlon: Nautica Malibu Triathlon, Malibu, Calif.

Best Cycling Event: Belgian Waffle Ride, San Marcos, Calif.

Best Obstacle Race: Camp Pendleton Mud Run, Carlsbad, Calif.

Best Race Swag: Hot Chocolate 15K, numerous locations

Best Race T-shirt: Big Sur Marathon

Best Outdoor Shop: REI, numerous locations

Best Cycling Shop: Mike’s Bikes, numerous locations

Best Triathlon Shop: RIDE Cyclery, numerous locations

Best Triathlon Club: Triathlon Club Of San Diego

Best Sports Massage: The League Sports Rehab, San Diego

Best Health Club: Recharge Sport, numerous locations

Best Fitness Studio: Barry’s Bootcamp, numerous locations

Best Spinning Class: The Rush Studio, numerous locations

Best Yoga Studio: Buddhi Yoga, La Jolla, Calif.

Best Personal Trainer: Jennifer Samuel, Bodies By Perseverance

Best Sports Rehab Center: The League Sports Rehab, San Diego

Best Sports Medicine Doctor/Therapist: Dr. Chad Wells, The League Sports Rehab, San Diego

Best Sports Supplement: Nuun Hydration

Best Post-Race Restaurant: Zazie, San Francisco

Best Summer Resort: Northstar at Tahoe, Truckee, Calif.

Best Winter Resort: Mammoth Mountain, Mammoth Lakes, Calif.

Best Active Lifestyle Vehicle: Subaru Outback

RELATED: Best of Competitor 2016 Winners Announced!

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Best of Competitor 2016 — Northwest Region

Congratulations to all of the Best of Competitor 2016 winners for each of our eight distribution regions!

Competitor magazine is one of the world’s leading running and fitness publications. The free printed edition of the magazine is distributed nationally every month across the U.S. Check out this link to see where to find a copy in your region. The free digital version is available free through Competitor.com or on ISSUU.com, as well as on iTunes. More stories, photos and videos can be found at Competitor.com.

Every year, we ask our online readers and social media followers from around the country to vote for their favorite races, specialty shops, clubs, charity programs, coaches, products and more. Competitor is pleased to announce the 2016 winners for the Northwest region.

Best of Competitor 2016 — Northwest

Best 5K/10K: Seahawks 12K, Seattle

Best Half Marathon: Lake Sammamamish Half Marathon, Redmond to Issaquah, Wash.

Best Marathon: Portland Marathon, Portland, Ore.

Best Trail Race: Orcas Island 25K, Orcas Island, Wash.

Best Destination Race: Moran Constitutional Relay, Orcas Island, Wash.

Best Women’s Race: Snohomish Women’s Run, Everett, Wash.

Best Race for Kids: Superhero Showdown, Anchorage, Alaska

Best Running Club: November Project, Seattle

Best Running Shoe: Brooks Ghost 9

Best Specialty Running Store: Super Jock ‘n’ Jill, numerous locations

Best Running Store Group Run: Fleet Feet Hillbillies, Seattle

Best Charity Running Group: Cheetah Charity Runners

Best Charity to Fundraise For: Emilio Nares Foundation

Best Running Celebrity: Meb Keflezighi

Best Triathlon: Lake Meridian Triathlon, Kent, Wash.

Best Cycling Event: Seattle to Portland Bicycle Classic

Best Obstacle/Adventure Race: Ragnar Relay

Best Race Swag: Base To Space Stair Climb, Seattle

Best Race T-shirt: Windermere Half Marathon, Spokane, Wash.

Best Outdoor Shop: REI

Best Cycling Shop: Gregg’s Cycles, numerous locations

Best Triathlon Shop: Northwest Tri and Bike, Kent, Wash.

Best Triathlon Club: Raise the Bar, Seattle

Best Sports Massage: Performance Bodywork, Portland, Ore.

Best Health Club: Olympic Health Club, Seattle

Best Fitness Studio: Fly Fitness, Kirkland, Wash.

Best Spinning Class: Flywheel Sports, Seattle

Best Yoga Studio: The People’s Yoga, Portland, Ore.

Best Personal Trainer: Brandon Hughes, ‎Energy Fitness and Wellness, Seattle

Best Sports Rehab Center: InHealth, Seattle

Best Sports Medicine Doctor/Therapist: Jason Villareal, Therapydia Portland

Best Sports Supplement: Nuun

Best Post-Race Restaurant: Hopworks Urban Brewery, Portland, Ore.

Best Summer Resort: Crystal Mountain Resort

Best Winter Resort: Whistler/Blackcomb Resort

Best Active Lifestyle Vehicle: Subaru Outback

RELATED: Best of Competitor 2016 Winners Announced!

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Best of Competitor 2016 — Midwest Region

Congratulations to all of the Best of Competitor 2016 winners for each of our eight distribution regions!

Competitor magazine is one of the world’s leading running and fitness publications. The free printed edition of the magazine is distributed nationally every month across the U.S. Click here to see where to find a copy in your region. The free digital version is available free through Competitor.com or on ISSUU.com, as well as on iTunes. More stories, photos and videos can be found at Competitor.com.

Every year, we ask our online readers and social media followers from around the country to vote for their favorite races, specialty shops, clubs, charity programs, coaches, products and more. Competitor is pleased to announce the 2016 winners for the Midwest region.

Best of Competitor 2016 — Midwest

Best 5k/10K: AIDS Run & Walk, Chicago

Best Half Marathon: Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon, Chicago

Best Marathon: Chicago Marathon, Chicago

Best Trail Race: The North Face Endurance Challenge, Madison, Wis.

Best Destination Race: Rock ‘n’ Roll Las Vegas Marathon and ½ Marathon

Best Women’s Race: Esprit De She, Naperville,Ill.

Best Race for Kids: Santa Hustle 5K, Chicago

Best Running Club: Chicago Endurance Sports

Best Running Shoe: Hoka One One Clifton 3

Best Specialty Running Store: Fleet Feet Sports, Chicago area (numerous locations)

Best Running Store Group Run: Chick’s Night, Fleet Feet Sports, Chicago area (numerous locations)

Best Charity Running Group: Team to End AIDS

Best Charity to Fundraise For: AIDS Foundation of Chicago

Best Running Celebrity: John Bingham

Best Triathlon: Chicago Triathlon

Best Cycling Event: Scenic Shore 150 Bike Tour, Mequon, Wis.

Best Obstacle Race: Spartan Race

Best Race Swag: Hot Chocolate 5K/15K, Chicago

Best Race T-shirt: Soldier Field 10-Miler, Chicago

Best Outdoor Shop: Uncle Dan’s Outdoor Store, Chicago area (numerous locations)

Best Cycling Shop: Turin Bicycle, Chicago

Best Triathlon Shop: Element Multisport, Chicago and Oak Park, Ill.

Best Triathlon Club: Vision Quest Coaching, Highland Park, Ill.

Best Sports Massage: Aligned Modern Health, Chicago area (numerous locations)

Best Health Club: Fitness Formula Clubs, Chicago area (numerous locations)

Best Fitness Studio: Fit Body Boot Camp, Chicago area (numerous locations)

Best Spinning Class: Soul Cycle, Chicago area (numerous locations)

Best Yoga Studio: CorePower Yoga, Chicago area (numerous locations)

Best Personal Trainer: (tie) Kyle Blust, Fit Body Boot Camp, Chicago, and Rick Applewhite, Exercise Life, Chicago

Best Sports Rehab Center: (tie) Physicians Plus Chiropractic & Sports Rehabilitation, Chicago, and Aligned Modern Health, Chicago area (numerous locations)

Best Sports Medicine Doctor/Therapist: (tie) Dr. Paul Marando, and Dr. Tim Marando, Physicians Plus Chiropractic & Sports Rehabilitation, Chicago

Best Sports Supplement: Nuun Hydration

Best Post-Race Restaurant: Goose Island Brewpub, Chicago area (numerous locations)

Best Summer Resort: Kohler American Club, Kohler, Wis.

Best Winter Resort: Boyne Mountain Resort, Boyne Falls, Mich.

Best Active Lifestyle Vehicle: Subaru Outback

RELATED: Best of Competitor 2016 Winners Announced!

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Best of Competitor 2016 Winners Announced!

Competitor magazine is one of the world’s leading running and fitness publications. The free printed edition of the magazine is distributed nationally every month across the U.S. Check out this link to see where to find a copy in your region. The free digital version is available free through Competitor.com or on ISSUU.com, as well as on iTunes. More stories, photos and videos can be found at Competitor.com.

Every year, we ask our online readers and social media followers from around the country to vote for their favorite races, specialty shops, clubs, charity programs, coaches, products and more.

We are pleased to announce the Best of Competitor winners for 2016! A big congrats to the winners in each of our eight distribution regions.

Best of Competitor 2016 — Northeast Region

Best of Competitor 2016 — Mid-Atlantic Region

Best of Competitor 2016 — Southeast Region

Best of Competitor 2016 — Midwest Region

Best of Competitor 2016 — South Region

Best of Competitor 2016 — Mountain West Region

Best of Competitor 2016 — Northwest Region

Best of Competitor 2016 — Pacific West Region

 

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Michael Wardian Tells How He Shattered the World Marathon Challenge Time Record

Wardian, shortly after crossing the last marathon's finish line in Sydney, Australia. Photo: Courtesy of World Marathon Challenge

It began on a glacier in Antarctica, the morning of Jan. 23, a Monday. Seven days later, it ended in the middle of a Sunday night on a beach in Sydney, Australia. By the end of the World Marathon Challenge, with stops in Argentina, Miami, Madrid, Morocco and Dubai, 31 runners had run 26.2 miles on each of the seven continents.

In the lead, Michael Wardian, frequent-marathoner and current average time record holder for running all six World Marathon Majors in 2016, had averaged 2:45:56 per marathon, winning and shattering the record for the event, which was previously 3:32:25 per marathon, set by Dan Cartica of Chicago during last year’s challenge.

The World Marathon Challenge was conceived and is now managed by Irishman Richard Donavan. In 2009, Donavan, flying coach on commercial airlines, completed the feat himself in five days, nine hours and eight minutes, raising funds for the international aid agency, GOAL that works to alleviate suffering in Sudan and Somalia. In 2012 Donovan did it again and lowered his total elapsed time record to 4 days, 22 hours and 3 minutes.

In 2015, Donovan organized the first official challenge, this time in a chartered plane taking 10 runners around the world. In 2016, 15 more runners completed the challenge. This year, 32 runners ponied up the $38,000 entry fee, and 31 joined the club, with one having to drop out after Antarctica due to injury.

Despite having had little sleep for a week, Wardian was enthusiastic and full of energy when he spoke on the phone from Sydney on Sunday afternoon U.S. time, early morning Monday Sydney time. He had just returned from running an additional 17 miles in order to get 200 miles in one week for the first time in his life. “I feel fantastic,” Wardian said. “I’m excited about the way my body responded and what it allowed me to do.”

RELATED: Elvis (aka Mike Wardian) Wins Rock ‘n’ Roll Las Vegas Marathon

Wardian compared the challenge to a stage race such as the Marathon de Sables (156 miles over six days in the Sahara Desert), which he’s completed three times. “It’s a mobile stage race,” Wardian said. “A globe-trotting stage race. It’s got all the things you experience in a stage race, except that you’re changing locations by thousands of miles. So you have to deal with all the challenges that come with travel.”

 While the charter plane reduced some of those challenges, many still remained. “Getting your passport stamped, making sure you have the right visa, making sure you fill out the customs forms. Figuring out where the bathroom is. Being confined to a small space,” Wardian listed. “Also, running a marathon then jumping on a plane, so your feet swell up.”

And the schedule was relentless. “Most people get somewhere and it takes you a week to adjust to a new time zone,” Wardian said. During the Challenge, however, he explained, “You just get off the plane, and you start running. You have like two hours to clear customs, change into your running kit—sometimes change in the airport—then you go run, then get back on the plane. I thought I’d have time to work and get food and stuff. None of that. It really was all encompassing. It took every ounce of energy just to be ready to go the next day.”

Wardian said he went all out every day. “If I just ran a marathon in a couple weeks, I’d probably be in the low 2:20s. That would feel pretty comfortable,” he said. “That was the kind of effort I was putting out. But with all the different circumstances, that’s not quite the time you’re able to put up on a daily basis.”

Participants carried their own luggage, and Wardian, a vegetarian, also brought much of his own food, including oatmeal, almond butter, ramen noodles, nuts, and dried fruit. “I had a big duffel, and a relatively big backpack, and a bunch of plastic bags of food,” he said. “I looked like a homeless person.” He wore the same running gear every day, washing it out by hand, although he did have several pairs of Hoka Bondi and Cliftons, which he alternated in different locations.

Wardian was able to take advantage of what he called a “Hunger Games air drop” from his wife in Miami, who switched out his cold weather clothes from Antarctica for lighter gear more suited for the hotter climes to come.

“One of the biggest challenges was being able to adjust to all the temperatures we needed to run in,” Wardian said. “From Antanctica at -30 to Dubai at 95 and no shade, with a headwind, to last night [in Sydney] with the humidity.”

That variety reflected the vastly different places they ran in, which was both a challenge and a major part of the appeal. “It was so cool, the diversity,” Wardian said. “From Antarctica, one of the most barren places I’ve ever been, but also stunningly beautiful, to the little red buildings in Morocco, to the glitzy skyscrapers of Dubai, to the surf hippy culture of Manly Beach, to a scrappy little town in Argentina. In Madrid, we went to a park and ran a marathon. There were trees on both sides of the road, and bikers and joggers. Everywhere we went, there were people out.”

While Wardian said spectators found the runners going “back and forth, back and forth” a bit strange, he appreciated the small loop courses. “I kind of loved that aspect of it,” he said. “If you’re a faster runner or slower runner or mid-pack, you only get to see the runners around you. This was good, you got to see everyone the whole time. You could see them hurting or looking good. I would try to cheer for everybody every time I saw them. When it got hard, that turned to a thumbs up or a nod.”

That shared experience helped everyone to bond during the week. “We had a really good connection, there is going to be a lot of lasting friendships,” Wardian said. “The group was small enough, you got to interact with everybody during the course of the week. Everyone was cool—full of adventure and exciting. And everyone in the group was super driven and incredibly successful, at the height of whatever they’ve focused on.”

One of those highly successful people was the great marathoner Ryan Hall, who holds the American record for the marathon at 2:04:58. Now retired from competition, Hall accepted an invitation from Pastor Matthew Barnett to run the challenge in order to raise funds for The Dream Center, a non-profit care center in downtown Los Angeles. Hall, a two-time U.S. Olympian, also had some unfinished business.

The night before the final race in Sydney, he said, in a video on Facebook, “This is going to be a special one for me. I never got to say a proper farewell to the marathon distance. This will be that. I came into the sport with a super epic 15-mile run around the lake in my hometown when I was 13. Now I’m 34, I’m going out with 7 marathons in 7 days on 7 continents. It’s all come full circle. I’m thankful for the marathon. I’m thankful for everything it taught me, all the experiences it gave me, all the people I came into contact with. This is my way of saying thank you to the marathon distance. This is the last run.”

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Admittedly unprepared, averaging 30 miles per week with a long run of 8 miles during training, Hall had an up and down experience completing the challenge. After the Miami race, where he finished in 3:15, he wrote in an email, “The hardest thing is the pounding on the legs. We just ran two marathons in a row on concrete, which is 10 times harder than asphalt so my legs are taking a beating. I would never run on concrete in training. Never.”

Unlike Wardian, Hall didn’t seem to have trouble sleeping. “The travel is nice,” he said. “We are on a chartered business class flight so sleeping is no problem. I actually wish the flights were longer so I could sleep more.”

After each run, Hall went to the gym to lift, something he’s doing more than running these days. “I have been doing an hour in the gym after each marathon,” he explained. “Today in Madrid I took an uber to a local gym. It seriously clears my head and helps my body feel better. I rotate between chest/back one day, then arms and shoulders the next. I go harder in the gym then on the runs.”

It must have worked. After struggling home in 3:41 in Madrid, Hall had a surprisingly easy run in Morocco, finishing in 3:04. “Man, today was crazy,” he said in a post-run video on Facebook. “One of the biggest surprises of my career. I thought I was going to feel like trash, I could barely walk when I got up out of bed, and for some reason, I don’t know why, I felt good.”

That would be the last time he felt good, though, struggling in Dubai’s heat, and walking some during his 5:15 final marathon in Sydney. But he said in another video recorded while running mile 23 that he found it fitting. “That’s how my career went, high highs and low lows. That’s what happens when you dream big, train hard and go for everything,” he said. “I’m grateful for everything, good ones and bad ones. I’m grateful for the marathon.”

Of the nine female participants, Silvana Camelio of Chile was the winner, averaging 4:12:37 per marathon. BethAnn Telford, the only American woman, wrote in an email that the hardest race was Dubai, but the hardest part was “saying goodbye and thanking all the participants, race staff, etc. as they ALL have been extremely supportive of me and the rest of the group. It was an amazing bonding experience for us all.” Telford was running with brain cancer, and reportedly raised over $1 million for the foundation ABC2 (Accelerate Brain Cancer Cure).

No one knows the full total of charitable contributions associated with the challenge, “There’s been millions raised for charity!” Donavan said, when asked for an estimate, which seems appropriate. Registration is now open for the 2018 challenge, tentatively scheduled to start in Antarctica Jan. 23.

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