Dean Karnazes's Blog, page 5

Gore-Tex TransRockies Run 2011

Multiday running events are becoming increasingly popular, both in the US and especially abroad. Races like the Gobi March, Atacama Crossing, and Marathon des Sables fill very quickly as runners seek new and unique challenges.

Some races take place in remote and exotic locations like the Antarctica,Namibia and the Australian Outback. Typically, they are self-supported (i.e., you must carry all of your necessary food, clothing and supplies) for the six-day race. The course is set in stages and covers a total distance of 250 kilometers (155 miles). The 4 Deserts Challenge combines four of these events into an overall series, which TIME magazine included in the Top 10 Endurance Competitions (seven places ahead of the Tour de France, for comparison).

For those looking for an excellent US-based multiday event, the GORE-TEX TransRockies Run is about as good as it gets. This 113-mile, six-day race is staged in the spectacular mountains of Colorado and is fully supported (i.e., you only need to carry a limited amount of mandatory gear, such as: a small first-aid kit, a survival blanket, warm hat and gloves, etc.). All meals are prepared for you. Instead of eating freeze-dried mush out of a bag, you're eating fajitas, grilled steak and roasted salmon!

Another element that sets the TransRockies apart is a two-person team event. This year, I'll be running with five different individuals during the course of the event. The experience level of these individuals ranges from elite athletes to beginning trail runners. For someone who has competed in hundreds of endurance races across the world, I'm really looking forward to experiencing this race through the eyes of another.

I'll be blogging nightly about the day's stage and how things went during the course of the run. It should be an interesting and engaging journey for all!

The GORE-TEX TransRockies Run begins on Sunday, August 21nd. Stay tuned for updates and commentary as the event unfolds.

Off to Colorado,

Dean

Kids These Days

MOST OF YOU know of me as a runner and athlete, but I also recently joined the ranks of small business owners.

Prior to opening my operation I had read, with no small degree of uneasiness, countless accounts of business owners highlighting the declining work ethic of kids these days.

Knowing that I would largely be relying on high-school and college kids to staff my business, I opened the doors prepared for the worst.

After now being open for six months, I can tell you firsthand that those negative accounts I read have been the exact opposite of what I've experienced.

My staff has been responsible, reliable, hard-working, and dedicated (much more than I was at their age).

They show up for work on time and strive to do their best while on the job.

On many instances, I've run by the shop unannounced and caught them doing something right, be it cleaning the cabinets, restocking, or taking out the trash unprompted.

Have I ever seen them texting while on the job when they know it's not allowed? Well, yes, on occasion I have.

Have I ever found myself texting while at an important meeting when I know better? Well, yes, on occasion I have.

Granted, we've tried to provide our employees with a working environment that treats them fairly and as adults.

They have responded, in turn, by not taking advantage or abusing this freedom, but by respecting and honoring this latitude and always giving their best while on the job.

How do I know this? I've had numerous customers tell me how cheerful, helpful, and pleasant my staff has been to them.

Today's generation is inheriting a world that is much more complex and confusing than the one in which I was born.

If my experience with this little frozen yogurt shop in California is any indication of how the current working-aged generation will lead us into the future, we're in better hands than many may recognize, occasional text behind our back or not.

Blister Relief

While running 3,000 miles across the country, I suffered only one small blister along the way. This may lead you to conclude that I know volumes about blister prevention. I don't, and fortunately, I don't need to. Some people, it seems, are just more prone to blisters than others. I am not one of those people. I could run in sandpaper socks and probably not chafe. Lucky me.

But this article is not about me. It's about strategies for those people who do get blisters. Given my lack of practical experience, I am probably the least qualified person of all to write this piece. So if any of you readers can offer some suggestions, please leave your comments below.

Okay, here goes.

Blister Prevention 101 involves keeping your feet as dry as possible. Wet feet are a surefire recipe for blisters. A pair of good moisture-wicking socks is essential in keeping your feet dry. Some runners also find it useful to sprinkle some talcum powder in their socks to help absorb excess moisture. Blister Shield and Gold Bond are two popular options.

Another strategy is to keep your feet lubricated by using a product like Body Glide, Sportslick, Aquaphor, or Sports Shield.

Of course, taping your feet in advance with a product like 2nd Skin Blister Pads or Moleskin remains a popular approach.

One product you may not have heard of is a blister prevention spray called Blisstop. I know some blister-prone runners who swear by the stuff.

Others swear by the Injingi toesock. They give these out at the Badwater Ultramarathon, which is a testament to their efficacy.

An African proverb reads: "Life is short and full of blisters." Hopefully these tips can help your running be long and blister-free!

Okay, my fellow blister-savvy comrades, now it's up to you. Any additional thoughts, suggestions, insights, or recommendations?  Take it away…

Dean