Donald Buraglio and Michael Dove's Blog, page 4
October 7, 2012
Random Shots of Beauty
It’s late on Sunday night, which means it’s still
technically the weekend, which means I’m just barely in time to post a Random
Shot of Beauty:
(click to enlarge)
The Virgin River winding through the valley below The
Watchman at Zion National Park, as seen earlier this evening at the end of a 12-hour driving
session. Which also explains the late
post.
The first time I was at Zion, it was a whirlwind one-day tour that gave me a sense of just how magnificent this place is – and it also made
me realize that one epic run isn’t sufficient to take it all in. So this time around, I’m doing a couple of
things differently …
1) I’m leaving a bit more time to explore some
areas of the park I didn’t get to experience the first time around, and …
2) I’m sharing it with my family. Because places like these just seem meant to
be appreciated with others.
Needless to say, posts may be somewhat sporadic for a while,
but I actually do have an agenda of unrelated topics penciled in, so we’ll see
what I can do. I also want to put
together at least a couple of Zion photo tours at some point, but in the
meantime my trip here might be presented in periodic snippets. I really don’t know, and it’s honestly the farthest thing from my mind.
More importantly, it’s autumn in Zion, and my family and I
have wondrous places to explore. Happy
trails!
Get updates as soon as they're posted! Click here to subscribe to Running and Rambling.
Check out the Running Life book for a collection of our most popular columns.
October 4, 2012
Doc Waddel's Barefoot Training Sandals Review; Patagonia Fall Apparel Sale
Before today’s post, a sale announcement: I’m trying out a
new vendor affiliate called Massey's Outfitters, who initially attracted me based on
the strength of their Vibram FiveFingers inventory. It turns out that they also carry the entire
Patagonia catalog on their site. That’s
current stuff, not last year’s holdovers.
They also offer free shipping on all orders over $75, and to kick off
the fall season, they’re offering savings of up to 20% on a huge selection of
Patagonia gear. Check them out by
clicking the banner below, then come back after you’ve done some shopping.
**
One of the most interesting developments in the whole minimalist
running phenomenon is the increasing number of do-it-yourselfers: plucky
individuals with an abundance of both ambition and time who decide that they’d
rather create, use, and (in most cases) sell their own hand-made products than
settle for the more mainstream offerings available.
Over the past few years I’ve received many requests to
review footwear made by some random dude or another, but for various reasons I’ve
always been reluctant to comply. That
resistance ends now – not because of dissatisfaction with other products on
the market or any other intuitive rationale, but for a far simpler reason: I
happen to know the guy who makes them.
Les "Doc" Waddel, with raw materials for Barefoot Training Sandals
So in case it isn’t obvious, let’s slap an enormous disclaimer
on this review: I’m friends with Les Waddel, more commonly known as Doc
Waddel for his professional exploits as a chiropractor to both animals and
humans. He was one of the first health care
providers to embrace the minimalist movement, and in the years since he
launched Barefoot Training Sandals, he’s been spreading the word online, at
race expos, and with every one of his patients (the human variety, that is –
most of the animals are already shoeless).
The backyard workshop; note all the surfboards
Doc is pretty much the epitome of California cool: he’s laid
back, super friendly, and is an avid surfer who seldom wears more than a Hawaiian
shirt and beach trunks. He also happens
to be one of the founding fathers of Monterey County endurance sports. Les was a collegiate swimmer who read about a
crazy new sport called triathlon in 1980, and eventually became a regular at
the Kona World Championships while logging insane training mileage in all three
disciplines. Along the way he operated a
running store, was an original member of an open-water swim club, running club, and triathlon club on the Monterey Peninsula, and mentored one of his
daughters in her own path to becoming a professional triathlete.
The garage workshop ... and still more surfboards
Now in his 60s, Les’s running-related aches and pains were increasing
and his mileage was dramatically decreasing until he converted to minimalism in
the wake of Born to Run and noticed that his injuries disappeared. However, he didn’t like the construction of
Vibrams, and wanted to develop something on a flat platform that still provided
a bit of impact cushioning for transitioning to full-fledged barefoot-style
running. Soon thereafter, Barefoot
Training (BFT) Sandals were born.
To say that BFT is small-budget operation is an
understatement; it’s quite simply a one-man show, and the manufacturing takes
place in any room of the house where Les can find vacant space – which,
considering that his sales have been steadily increasing, is getting harder and
harder to come by. Les is completely self-taught in the methods
of shoe construction, and is constantly tinkering with various tools and
equipment to make the process more manageable.
Some of the equipment is scavenged, such as the dies he
scored from a retired shoemaker in Santa Cruz (probably after a surfing
trip).
What the company lacks in size, it makes up in commitment;
everywhere you look around Doc Waddel’s house - at least, everywhere that's not already occupied by triathlon gear - there are gadgets and raw
materials and various staging areas for one step of the process or
another.
Although Les is an experienced craftsman (he’s especially
gifted at building surfboards and ukuleles), there was an extensive trial and
error process in getting the right materials and prototype design of BFTs established. Les attempted six different prototype models, and is still experimenting with various materials that will improve
either comfort, performance, or ease of construction. Perhaps predictably, the current product
looks something like a Frankensandal, but has some unique design and
construction points that make them very interesting.
For example, even though the sandals were inspired by
classic huaraches, BFTs eschew the traditional strap between the toes in favor
of one that goes over the top of the metatarsal heads. This is a comfort feature for many users, but
also prevents anterior slippage of the foot on downhills, in similar fashion as
the strap across the top of New Balance’s first Minimus Trail shoe.
The ankle closure is a combination of a backpack-style strap
on top of a soft neoprene layer that sits across the top of the foot for
comfort. In my testing, BFTs are a
significant improvement over classic huaraches in staying comfortably connected
to your foot. However, the last is
somewhat narrow for me through the forefoot, so if you have wide feet you’ll
probably need to ask Les about custom sizing.
Another pleasant surprise is the outsole, made from a Vibram
rock-climbing compound which has no visible traction knobs at all, but is
remarkably durable and grippy, even in off-road conditions. I’ve only logged about 75 miles in my pair,
but Les has over 1000 miles* on one of his own pairs without wearing through the
outsole.
(*ADDENDUM: That's not 100% true ... Les corrected me to say he put some LiquiSole on the metatarsal area at 600 and 800 miles on his way to 1000. The durability is still pretty impressive, though.)
Overall weight of one BFT is roughly equivalent to
FiveFingers or moccasins at 5 to 6 oz depending on size. Standing height is roughly 12mm, with a
midsole layer composed of pliable EVA. In
true minimalist fashion, there is zero drop from heel to toe, however, there is
one difference in the midsole design of BFT …
… at the front of the toe box area, where the material
tapers upward from ground level to just a few millimeters thick at the big
toe. I happen to think this is a
brilliant stroke, in that it significantly decreases the risk of my biggest pet peeve about
running in huaraches: accidentally scuffing the big toe against roots or rocks
on the ground, which as anyone who has done it can tell you is extremely
painful.
Les in action at the Big Sur Marathon expo
As a one-man show building sandals in his spare (that is,
non-surfing) time, Les doesn’t have any grand aspirations to become a
millionare by hawking BFT sandals.
Rather, he sees his role as a health and fitness ambassador, and is
dedicated to teaching as many people as possible the benefits of natural
running. When I first started seeing him
at race expos, he made a point to tell me it wasn’t about making sales, but simply
spreading the word. This fall he’ll be
at several race expos, preaching to anyone who will listen, and making sandals
for anyone who wants to buy a pair.
BFTs are probably best suited for people who want to combine
the biomechanics of huaraches with the comfort of a moderate midsole, or for
those who have trouble with the fit of traditional huaraches. They are available for purchase from DocWaddel’s Barefoot Training Sandals website, where they retail for $90.
*Product provided by
Doc Waddel
**If you have a
product you’d like reviewed, contact me at info@runningandrambling.com.
Get updates as soon as they're posted! Click here to subscribe to Running and Rambling.
Check out the Running Life book for a collection of our most popular columns.
new vendor affiliate called Massey's Outfitters, who initially attracted me based on
the strength of their Vibram FiveFingers inventory. It turns out that they also carry the entire
Patagonia catalog on their site. That’s
current stuff, not last year’s holdovers.
They also offer free shipping on all orders over $75, and to kick off
the fall season, they’re offering savings of up to 20% on a huge selection of
Patagonia gear. Check them out by
clicking the banner below, then come back after you’ve done some shopping.
**
One of the most interesting developments in the whole minimalist
running phenomenon is the increasing number of do-it-yourselfers: plucky
individuals with an abundance of both ambition and time who decide that they’d
rather create, use, and (in most cases) sell their own hand-made products than
settle for the more mainstream offerings available.
Over the past few years I’ve received many requests to
review footwear made by some random dude or another, but for various reasons I’ve
always been reluctant to comply. That
resistance ends now – not because of dissatisfaction with other products on
the market or any other intuitive rationale, but for a far simpler reason: I
happen to know the guy who makes them.
Les "Doc" Waddel, with raw materials for Barefoot Training Sandals
So in case it isn’t obvious, let’s slap an enormous disclaimer
on this review: I’m friends with Les Waddel, more commonly known as Doc
Waddel for his professional exploits as a chiropractor to both animals and
humans. He was one of the first health care
providers to embrace the minimalist movement, and in the years since he
launched Barefoot Training Sandals, he’s been spreading the word online, at
race expos, and with every one of his patients (the human variety, that is –
most of the animals are already shoeless).
The backyard workshop; note all the surfboards
Doc is pretty much the epitome of California cool: he’s laid
back, super friendly, and is an avid surfer who seldom wears more than a Hawaiian
shirt and beach trunks. He also happens
to be one of the founding fathers of Monterey County endurance sports. Les was a collegiate swimmer who read about a
crazy new sport called triathlon in 1980, and eventually became a regular at
the Kona World Championships while logging insane training mileage in all three
disciplines. Along the way he operated a
running store, was an original member of an open-water swim club, running club, and triathlon club on the Monterey Peninsula, and mentored one of his
daughters in her own path to becoming a professional triathlete.
The garage workshop ... and still more surfboards
Now in his 60s, Les’s running-related aches and pains were increasing
and his mileage was dramatically decreasing until he converted to minimalism in
the wake of Born to Run and noticed that his injuries disappeared. However, he didn’t like the construction of
Vibrams, and wanted to develop something on a flat platform that still provided
a bit of impact cushioning for transitioning to full-fledged barefoot-style
running. Soon thereafter, Barefoot
Training (BFT) Sandals were born.
To say that BFT is small-budget operation is an
understatement; it’s quite simply a one-man show, and the manufacturing takes
place in any room of the house where Les can find vacant space – which,
considering that his sales have been steadily increasing, is getting harder and
harder to come by. Les is completely self-taught in the methods
of shoe construction, and is constantly tinkering with various tools and
equipment to make the process more manageable.
Some of the equipment is scavenged, such as the dies he
scored from a retired shoemaker in Santa Cruz (probably after a surfing
trip).
What the company lacks in size, it makes up in commitment;
everywhere you look around Doc Waddel’s house - at least, everywhere that's not already occupied by triathlon gear - there are gadgets and raw
materials and various staging areas for one step of the process or
another.
Although Les is an experienced craftsman (he’s especially
gifted at building surfboards and ukuleles), there was an extensive trial and
error process in getting the right materials and prototype design of BFTs established. Les attempted six different prototype models, and is still experimenting with various materials that will improve
either comfort, performance, or ease of construction. Perhaps predictably, the current product
looks something like a Frankensandal, but has some unique design and
construction points that make them very interesting.
For example, even though the sandals were inspired by
classic huaraches, BFTs eschew the traditional strap between the toes in favor
of one that goes over the top of the metatarsal heads. This is a comfort feature for many users, but
also prevents anterior slippage of the foot on downhills, in similar fashion as
the strap across the top of New Balance’s first Minimus Trail shoe.
The ankle closure is a combination of a backpack-style strap
on top of a soft neoprene layer that sits across the top of the foot for
comfort. In my testing, BFTs are a
significant improvement over classic huaraches in staying comfortably connected
to your foot. However, the last is
somewhat narrow for me through the forefoot, so if you have wide feet you’ll
probably need to ask Les about custom sizing.
Another pleasant surprise is the outsole, made from a Vibram
rock-climbing compound which has no visible traction knobs at all, but is
remarkably durable and grippy, even in off-road conditions. I’ve only logged about 75 miles in my pair,
but Les has over 1000 miles* on one of his own pairs without wearing through the
outsole.
(*ADDENDUM: That's not 100% true ... Les corrected me to say he put some LiquiSole on the metatarsal area at 600 and 800 miles on his way to 1000. The durability is still pretty impressive, though.)
Overall weight of one BFT is roughly equivalent to
FiveFingers or moccasins at 5 to 6 oz depending on size. Standing height is roughly 12mm, with a
midsole layer composed of pliable EVA. In
true minimalist fashion, there is zero drop from heel to toe, however, there is
one difference in the midsole design of BFT …
… at the front of the toe box area, where the material
tapers upward from ground level to just a few millimeters thick at the big
toe. I happen to think this is a
brilliant stroke, in that it significantly decreases the risk of my biggest pet peeve about
running in huaraches: accidentally scuffing the big toe against roots or rocks
on the ground, which as anyone who has done it can tell you is extremely
painful.
Les in action at the Big Sur Marathon expo
As a one-man show building sandals in his spare (that is,
non-surfing) time, Les doesn’t have any grand aspirations to become a
millionare by hawking BFT sandals.
Rather, he sees his role as a health and fitness ambassador, and is
dedicated to teaching as many people as possible the benefits of natural
running. When I first started seeing him
at race expos, he made a point to tell me it wasn’t about making sales, but simply
spreading the word. This fall he’ll be
at several race expos, preaching to anyone who will listen, and making sandals
for anyone who wants to buy a pair.
BFTs are probably best suited for people who want to combine
the biomechanics of huaraches with the comfort of a moderate midsole, or for
those who have trouble with the fit of traditional huaraches. They are available for purchase from DocWaddel’s Barefoot Training Sandals website, where they retail for $90.
*Product provided by
Doc Waddel
**If you have a
product you’d like reviewed, contact me at info@runningandrambling.com.
Get updates as soon as they're posted! Click here to subscribe to Running and Rambling.
Check out the Running Life book for a collection of our most popular columns.
September 30, 2012
Llamas and Moccasins and Masculine Fairies: Leadville 100 Post-Race Q&A
Shortly after returning to the Internet after my post-Leadville
hiatus, I mentioned that I would do some sort of recap post to answer a few
questions and other points that were raised in the comments section or in my
e-mail inbox afterward – and then in classic slacker fashion, I proceeded to
put that idea on the back shelf for a few more weeks.
So maybe I haven’t fully put Leadville behind me – and perhaps
finally getting around to the post I promised will help close the book and move
on. Or not … I really have no idea. But I do owe you a post.
However, before we get to it: if for some reason you missed
either this Salomon Running Leadville video that I embedded in August, or my almost embarrassingly long race report, check them out for the background to this
post. We’ll do this in Q&A fashion,
starting with an easy one:
Q: Is this a new thing: every time you come across a llama,
it’s going to make the race report?
A: Absolutely.
Longtime readers may recall an earlier proviso to my personal race
report manifesto: if there are cows on the course, they’re making the
report. It seems only proper that the
same recognition should be given to llamas.
I’ll call this the Leadville Proviso.
And if you can get your picture taken WITH a llama, that's a no-brainer.
Q: Do you win the award for most minimal footwear that day?
A: I’m not sure. In
the first half of the race, I yo-yoed back and forth with a couple of guys
wearing Luna sandals, which are significantly thicker underfoot than my Soft Star RunAmoc Dash Lites 10mm to 5mm, respectively), but the huarache-style upper
leaves your foot a lot more exposed. I
also saw a couple of people in Vibrams; I couldn’t tell what model, but I think
one was KSO Treks and the other might have been Spyridon LS.
The problem is, I have no idea if any of these people
finished. I lost track of the Luna guys
somewhere on Hope Pass, and I didn’t catch either of their names to check the
results. Both Vibram guys were inbound
toward Winfield quite a while after I had started making my way back, so I have
a feeling they didn’t make the halfway cutoff. If anyone can fill me in on this one, I’d
love to hear about it.
Q: What kind of hydration system do you use? How do you carry food / gels / gear, etc?
A: My normal preference for ultras is to wear an Ultimate Direction Uno on my waist and a Nathan Quickdraw Elite on my hand, and that’s what I ended up using at Leadville as well.
However, I gave this one a lot of thought beforehand, because Leadville
has longer than usual distances between aid – up to 13 miles in some cases –
and some stretches that are shorter but can take in excess of a few hours due
to the terrain (see: Hope Pass). I
considered wearing a hydration pack instead, but ultimately I decided to trade
weight (or lack thereof) for fluid capacity.
It worked well for me, but I also saw a ton of people with hydration
packs, and I certainly wouldn’t suggest that was the wrong choice.
Outside Fish Hatchery at mile 25
For food and gear storage, the Uno is really ideal, as I can
zip 5 gel packs into one pocket and a compact headlamp into the other. I also carry food in my hands a lot – in particular
when walking away from aid stations with a few PB&;J squares in tow.
Q: That is no “her” with the wings.
A: OK … this isn’t exactly a question, but a remark that hit
me like a hammer when I saw it in the comments section. The reader was referring to this picture of
someone’s pacer that was forced to dress as a fairy with angel wings while
running for 50 miles. In my race report
I (understandably) called the fairy a girl, but a reader in the know corrected
me.
Here’s the funny part: when I passed the fairy in person, I seriously
thought it was a guy. But I was above
12,000’, with more than 45 miles on my legs, and as I’ve mentioned several
times before, ultras do bizarre things to your head. So when I looked at the photo afterward and
realized that I only had a couple of seconds to make sense of what I saw on the
trail that day … it definitely wasn’t out of the realm of possibility that I had
things mixed up. I mean, the dude is
wearing women’s shorts … and upon closer inspection, appears to have shaved
legs. Not that there’s anything wrong with that.* But I’m certainly happy to have some closure on this topic, which was starting to develop a creepy Crying Game
element to it. I think for everyone’s
sake, it’s best that we never speak of this again.
(*Coincidentally, taken from another post-race Q&A from several years ago, after one of my very first race reports.)
Q: What will you remember the most?
A: This one’s pretty much impossible to answer, because I
brought home a ton of memories that will stay with me forever – or at least for
as long as my website remains live and Google’s web storage remains intact. Most of them were described in the report,
but there is one small moment that wasn’t included there but is growing more memorable
in hindsight.
In the Salomon video I posted a while ago, Leadville’s race
director comments, “It’s going to get to a point … no matter how good a
athlete you are, it’s going to really hurt, and it’s going to transcend the
physical, and become about the mental.”
His quote was bouncing around my head off and on early in the race, but
hit me like a bolt of lightning when I saw this sign in a meadow at the base of
Hope Pass:
(click to enlarge)
It says “Transcend the Physical,” and more than anything
else I saw or heard on the course, drove home the fact that You’re here – and this
is The Moment. There are very few points in life when there’s so much clarity
about preparation (and anticipation) meeting opportunity, and very few experiences where
I’ve been as completely at one with the moment as I was when going back and
forth over Hope Pass. And if that sounds
bizarrely spiritual … well, it was just that kind of race.
But now it’s probably time to leave it behind – and on that
subject, one more question …
Q: What’s next?
A: I truly, honestly, sincerely have absolutely no
idea. There are plenty of adventures out
there, but I’m simply not at the point of giving any of them an ounce of
consideration. I feel like I might run
another 100 next year, or I may never race again – at this point, both
scenarios seem equally likely. I’m sure I'll settle in some sort of middle ground, and that something will capture my imagination someday … I’m just not in a hurry to
actively seek it out on my own.
And trust me: that feeling’s not a bad thing at all.
Get updates as soon as they're posted! Click here to subscribe to Running and Rambling.
Check out the Running Life book for a collection of our most popular columns.
hiatus, I mentioned that I would do some sort of recap post to answer a few
questions and other points that were raised in the comments section or in my
e-mail inbox afterward – and then in classic slacker fashion, I proceeded to
put that idea on the back shelf for a few more weeks.
So maybe I haven’t fully put Leadville behind me – and perhaps
finally getting around to the post I promised will help close the book and move
on. Or not … I really have no idea. But I do owe you a post.
However, before we get to it: if for some reason you missed
either this Salomon Running Leadville video that I embedded in August, or my almost embarrassingly long race report, check them out for the background to this
post. We’ll do this in Q&A fashion,
starting with an easy one:
Q: Is this a new thing: every time you come across a llama,
it’s going to make the race report?
A: Absolutely.
Longtime readers may recall an earlier proviso to my personal race
report manifesto: if there are cows on the course, they’re making the
report. It seems only proper that the
same recognition should be given to llamas.
I’ll call this the Leadville Proviso.
And if you can get your picture taken WITH a llama, that's a no-brainer.
Q: Do you win the award for most minimal footwear that day?
A: I’m not sure. In
the first half of the race, I yo-yoed back and forth with a couple of guys
wearing Luna sandals, which are significantly thicker underfoot than my Soft Star RunAmoc Dash Lites 10mm to 5mm, respectively), but the huarache-style upper
leaves your foot a lot more exposed. I
also saw a couple of people in Vibrams; I couldn’t tell what model, but I think
one was KSO Treks and the other might have been Spyridon LS.
The problem is, I have no idea if any of these people
finished. I lost track of the Luna guys
somewhere on Hope Pass, and I didn’t catch either of their names to check the
results. Both Vibram guys were inbound
toward Winfield quite a while after I had started making my way back, so I have
a feeling they didn’t make the halfway cutoff. If anyone can fill me in on this one, I’d
love to hear about it.
Q: What kind of hydration system do you use? How do you carry food / gels / gear, etc?
A: My normal preference for ultras is to wear an Ultimate Direction Uno on my waist and a Nathan Quickdraw Elite on my hand, and that’s what I ended up using at Leadville as well.
However, I gave this one a lot of thought beforehand, because Leadville
has longer than usual distances between aid – up to 13 miles in some cases –
and some stretches that are shorter but can take in excess of a few hours due
to the terrain (see: Hope Pass). I
considered wearing a hydration pack instead, but ultimately I decided to trade
weight (or lack thereof) for fluid capacity.
It worked well for me, but I also saw a ton of people with hydration
packs, and I certainly wouldn’t suggest that was the wrong choice.
Outside Fish Hatchery at mile 25
For food and gear storage, the Uno is really ideal, as I can
zip 5 gel packs into one pocket and a compact headlamp into the other. I also carry food in my hands a lot – in particular
when walking away from aid stations with a few PB&;J squares in tow.
Q: That is no “her” with the wings.
A: OK … this isn’t exactly a question, but a remark that hit
me like a hammer when I saw it in the comments section. The reader was referring to this picture of
someone’s pacer that was forced to dress as a fairy with angel wings while
running for 50 miles. In my race report
I (understandably) called the fairy a girl, but a reader in the know corrected
me.
Here’s the funny part: when I passed the fairy in person, I seriously
thought it was a guy. But I was above
12,000’, with more than 45 miles on my legs, and as I’ve mentioned several
times before, ultras do bizarre things to your head. So when I looked at the photo afterward and
realized that I only had a couple of seconds to make sense of what I saw on the
trail that day … it definitely wasn’t out of the realm of possibility that I had
things mixed up. I mean, the dude is
wearing women’s shorts … and upon closer inspection, appears to have shaved
legs. Not that there’s anything wrong with that.* But I’m certainly happy to have some closure on this topic, which was starting to develop a creepy Crying Game
element to it. I think for everyone’s
sake, it’s best that we never speak of this again.
(*Coincidentally, taken from another post-race Q&A from several years ago, after one of my very first race reports.)
Q: What will you remember the most?
A: This one’s pretty much impossible to answer, because I
brought home a ton of memories that will stay with me forever – or at least for
as long as my website remains live and Google’s web storage remains intact. Most of them were described in the report,
but there is one small moment that wasn’t included there but is growing more memorable
in hindsight.
In the Salomon video I posted a while ago, Leadville’s race
director comments, “It’s going to get to a point … no matter how good a
athlete you are, it’s going to really hurt, and it’s going to transcend the
physical, and become about the mental.”
His quote was bouncing around my head off and on early in the race, but
hit me like a bolt of lightning when I saw this sign in a meadow at the base of
Hope Pass:
(click to enlarge)
It says “Transcend the Physical,” and more than anything
else I saw or heard on the course, drove home the fact that You’re here – and this
is The Moment. There are very few points in life when there’s so much clarity
about preparation (and anticipation) meeting opportunity, and very few experiences where
I’ve been as completely at one with the moment as I was when going back and
forth over Hope Pass. And if that sounds
bizarrely spiritual … well, it was just that kind of race.
But now it’s probably time to leave it behind – and on that
subject, one more question …
Q: What’s next?
A: I truly, honestly, sincerely have absolutely no
idea. There are plenty of adventures out
there, but I’m simply not at the point of giving any of them an ounce of
consideration. I feel like I might run
another 100 next year, or I may never race again – at this point, both
scenarios seem equally likely. I’m sure I'll settle in some sort of middle ground, and that something will capture my imagination someday … I’m just not in a hurry to
actively seek it out on my own.
And trust me: that feeling’s not a bad thing at all.
Get updates as soon as they're posted! Click here to subscribe to Running and Rambling.
Check out the Running Life book for a collection of our most popular columns.
September 25, 2012
Patagonia Nano Puff Pullover Review
In recent years a new category has become popular in
outdoor active wear: ultralight down jackets that are thin enough to be
layered and compressible enough to be stowed into a day pack. Patagonia was at the forefront of this
development with their nano puff technology, a synthetic insulation that blocks
wind and traps heat without excess weight or bulk.
Patagonia Nano Puff pullover; photo from Patagonia.com
Patagonia has a variety of nano puff options to choose from,
including a zippered jacket, a hooded jacket, a vest, and a hybrid fleece/nano
puff jacket. This summer I’ve been
testing the original of the series: the men’s nano puff pullover, and it has
become one of those items that is a must-have for any outdoor excursion.
At Yosemite High Sierra camp
Although I tested the jacket during the summer, I had
several opportunities to test its insulating capacity in cold weather,
particularly in trips to Yosemite, the High Sierra, and the Colorado Rockies
where temperatures routinely dropped into the 30s at night. I’ve worn it in active and casual settings,
and it has proven much more durable than its lightweight construction appears.
Here’s a quick rundown of some features: the entire pullover
weighs just over 10 oz (10.2, to be exact), and the insulating material is called
PrimaLoft One, a microfiber material that is hydrophobic and highly
compressible. The fabric maintains thermoregulation
even when wet, but since the external polyester ripstop shell and interior
lining are both coated with Durable Water Repellent (DWR), you have significant
water resistance in a sudden storm before getting soaked.
True to its green construction principles, the shell is made
from 100% recycled materials such as soda bottles, old carpets, and worn out
clothing. There’s a single vertical zip
chest pocket to store something light like sunglasses or a trail map – and when
you need to store the jacket …
… the entire thing compresses into the aforementioned pocket
and zips closed into a hand-sized pack that can easily be crammed into a duffel
bag or backpack. And if for some reason you can't fit it in your pack, there also a carabiner loop if you want to clip it on the outside.
All of Patagonia’s nano puff tops have elasticized cuffs and
hemlines to further trap warmth, and the pullover version I’ve tested has a
deep collar zipper to help ventilate when the weather gets warmer. Considering that it’s essentially a down
jacket, I’ve been impressed with the nano puff’s comfort across a wide
temperature range; it breathes reasonably well during light aerobic activity
like hiking or slacklining, and it traps body heat quite well after the sun
goes down.
Early morning hiking in Yosemite; nano puff sitting comfortably under backpack
Without question, the most attractive aspect of the nano
puff is its versatility as stand-alone outerwear, or as a middle layer for
seriously cold outings. The jacket is
thin enough and straight enough that you shouldn’t have to size up on your
outer jacket, and it fits very easily under a backpack. The exterior surface is
pleasantly slick, allowing the sleeves to slide underneath an outer layer very
easily.
The only minor tweak I’d suggest for my own preference – not
to mention my 6’2” height - is to make the trunk length slightly longer. It falls just above my waist line, which is
ideal if used for layering under a jacket - but since I’ll probably use mine as
an external layer for the vast majority of my use, I’d prefer a couple more inches
of length in the trunk.
I wouldn’t use the nano puff for running, because its
ventilation is relatively limited compared to Patagonia’s outstanding fleece
and lightweight breatheable shells.
However, for pretty much all other activities, and for all-purpose
outdoor recreational use, the nano puff pullover has become the first thing I
grab, whether I’m headed up to the mountains, or just out into the
neighborhood.
Patagonia’s nano puff pullover retails for $169 from the company website – and here are the other varieties the company has available for both
men and women:
Nano puff full-zip jacket - $199
Nano puff full-zip hoody - $249
Nano puff vest - $149
Nano puff hybrid jacket - $249
Nano puff kids full-zip jacket - $99
*Product provided by
Patagonia
**If you have a
product you’d like reviewed, contact me at info@runningandrambling.com.
Get updates as soon as they're posted! Click here to subscribe to Running and Rambling.
Check out the Running Life book for a collection of our most popular columns.
outdoor active wear: ultralight down jackets that are thin enough to be
layered and compressible enough to be stowed into a day pack. Patagonia was at the forefront of this
development with their nano puff technology, a synthetic insulation that blocks
wind and traps heat without excess weight or bulk.
Patagonia Nano Puff pullover; photo from Patagonia.com
Patagonia has a variety of nano puff options to choose from,
including a zippered jacket, a hooded jacket, a vest, and a hybrid fleece/nano
puff jacket. This summer I’ve been
testing the original of the series: the men’s nano puff pullover, and it has
become one of those items that is a must-have for any outdoor excursion.
At Yosemite High Sierra camp
Although I tested the jacket during the summer, I had
several opportunities to test its insulating capacity in cold weather,
particularly in trips to Yosemite, the High Sierra, and the Colorado Rockies
where temperatures routinely dropped into the 30s at night. I’ve worn it in active and casual settings,
and it has proven much more durable than its lightweight construction appears.
Here’s a quick rundown of some features: the entire pullover
weighs just over 10 oz (10.2, to be exact), and the insulating material is called
PrimaLoft One, a microfiber material that is hydrophobic and highly
compressible. The fabric maintains thermoregulation
even when wet, but since the external polyester ripstop shell and interior
lining are both coated with Durable Water Repellent (DWR), you have significant
water resistance in a sudden storm before getting soaked.
True to its green construction principles, the shell is made
from 100% recycled materials such as soda bottles, old carpets, and worn out
clothing. There’s a single vertical zip
chest pocket to store something light like sunglasses or a trail map – and when
you need to store the jacket …
… the entire thing compresses into the aforementioned pocket
and zips closed into a hand-sized pack that can easily be crammed into a duffel
bag or backpack. And if for some reason you can't fit it in your pack, there also a carabiner loop if you want to clip it on the outside.
All of Patagonia’s nano puff tops have elasticized cuffs and
hemlines to further trap warmth, and the pullover version I’ve tested has a
deep collar zipper to help ventilate when the weather gets warmer. Considering that it’s essentially a down
jacket, I’ve been impressed with the nano puff’s comfort across a wide
temperature range; it breathes reasonably well during light aerobic activity
like hiking or slacklining, and it traps body heat quite well after the sun
goes down.
Early morning hiking in Yosemite; nano puff sitting comfortably under backpack
Without question, the most attractive aspect of the nano
puff is its versatility as stand-alone outerwear, or as a middle layer for
seriously cold outings. The jacket is
thin enough and straight enough that you shouldn’t have to size up on your
outer jacket, and it fits very easily under a backpack. The exterior surface is
pleasantly slick, allowing the sleeves to slide underneath an outer layer very
easily.
The only minor tweak I’d suggest for my own preference – not
to mention my 6’2” height - is to make the trunk length slightly longer. It falls just above my waist line, which is
ideal if used for layering under a jacket - but since I’ll probably use mine as
an external layer for the vast majority of my use, I’d prefer a couple more inches
of length in the trunk.
I wouldn’t use the nano puff for running, because its
ventilation is relatively limited compared to Patagonia’s outstanding fleece
and lightweight breatheable shells.
However, for pretty much all other activities, and for all-purpose
outdoor recreational use, the nano puff pullover has become the first thing I
grab, whether I’m headed up to the mountains, or just out into the
neighborhood.
Patagonia’s nano puff pullover retails for $169 from the company website – and here are the other varieties the company has available for both
men and women:
Nano puff full-zip jacket - $199
Nano puff full-zip hoody - $249
Nano puff vest - $149
Nano puff hybrid jacket - $249
Nano puff kids full-zip jacket - $99
*Product provided by
Patagonia
**If you have a
product you’d like reviewed, contact me at info@runningandrambling.com.
Get updates as soon as they're posted! Click here to subscribe to Running and Rambling.
Check out the Running Life book for a collection of our most popular columns.
September 22, 2012
Random Shots of Beauty
What my running has lacked in quantity lately - and believe me - there's a lot lacking - it has more than made up in quality; case in point is this weekend's Random Shot of Beauty:
A scene from a sunset 5-miler I took with my 11-year old daughter in Point Lobos State Reserve this week. It occurs to me that I've never done a photo tour of this area, which is one of the most spectacular in all of the Monterey Peninsula. Perhaps some day I will ... but in the meantime, to make up for the past few weekends of Internet silence, here are some bonus shots from the same run.
Low mileage, beautiful scenery, and magic moments with my daughter - this is the kind of training I could really get used to.
Get updates as soon as they're posted! Click here to subscribe to Running and Rambling.
Check out the Running Life book for a collection of our most popular columns.
A scene from a sunset 5-miler I took with my 11-year old daughter in Point Lobos State Reserve this week. It occurs to me that I've never done a photo tour of this area, which is one of the most spectacular in all of the Monterey Peninsula. Perhaps some day I will ... but in the meantime, to make up for the past few weekends of Internet silence, here are some bonus shots from the same run.
Low mileage, beautiful scenery, and magic moments with my daughter - this is the kind of training I could really get used to.
Get updates as soon as they're posted! Click here to subscribe to Running and Rambling.
Check out the Running Life book for a collection of our most popular columns.
September 19, 2012
Newton Distance Performance Trainer Review; Newton 60 Days of Better Campaign
My original plan for today was to take a look back at my
epic race last month, but in light of a recent promotional opportunity, I
decided it might be better to move ahead for the time being and let folks know
about a pretty interesting offer going on at Newton Running.
Even with all the newcomers to the natural running market
over the last few years, Newton’s unique design stands alone. They also enjoy one of the most loyal and
rabid fan bases out there, whom I’ve fondly taken to calling the Newton Army
for the way they’ve descended upon product reviews I’ve posted here (in a good
way, of course), as well as for their willingness to engage in verbal battle
with anyone who questions the performance benefits of the distinctive shoes.
Although their footwear is by no means minimalist, Newton
has been one of the leading proponents of natural running technique for the
past several years, offering instructional seminars and videos about proper
running form to anyone and everyone who would listen. Much of that knowledge was downloaded into company
co-founder Danny Abshire’s outstanding book Natural Running: The Simple Path to Stronger, Healthier Running (see my review here), which has enjoyed ongoing success since its release in early 2011.
So Newton clearly is a prime mover in the natural running Renaissance,
and many of their new customers quickly become customers for life. However, one of the largest barriers to entry
for many potential Newton recruits has been the steep price tag for most of
their models. To entice those folks to
finally take the plunge and try their product, Newton has launched the 60 Days of Better campaign.
The deal is this: you can buy a pair of Newton shoes between
September 1 and October 31, and try them risk-free for up to 60 days. If you don’t like them or aren’t entirely
converted to the Newton Way, you can return the shoes for a refund. There’s a little bit of fine print - the shoes
have to be purchased through the website, and you have to live in the US or
Canada – but for the most part the deal is pretty straightforward, and could be
your best chance to test the shoes if you’ve been on the fence about trying
them.
Newton Distance performance trainer
To pique my interest in promoting the campaign, Newton
offered a pair of Distancia (or Distance; newton uses the names
interchangeably) neutral trainers, which I’ve been looking to test for a while, mainly because they’re the lightest shoe Newton offers.
Newton's calling card: Action/reaction forefoot lugs
Although I fully embrace the biomechanics and endorse the design
of Newton shoes*, one of my biggest complaints about the company’s lineup is
how heavy they are. When you’re used to
running in 5-oz moccasins or Vibrams, strapping on the 9-oz Gravity or
especially the 11-oz Terra Momentus feels something like affixing a brick to
your feet.
(*the details of which I'm not going into here, because I've previously done so in my original Gravity review)
Therefore, with a weight of 7.8 oz, the Distancia seemed
destined to be my favorite Newton model, and my testing (albeit with relatively
limited mileage compared to my normal standards, thanks to my post-Leadville
lethargy) has confirmed it. All of the biomechanics
are the same, and all of the comfort is there – in fact, I’ve exclusively worn
these sockless without any blisters or hot spots.
All of the Newton flair for color is there as well; the
Distancia comes in day-glo yellow for men or bright powder blue for women. This is one of those “love it or hate it”
things about Newton shoes, and I, um … probably shouldn’t say what side of the
argument I fall on.
The Distancia’s upper is definitely the most breatheable of
any Newton shoe I’ve worn, and would be great for staying ventilated during warm
summer months or drying quickly during long foul-weather outings.
Aside from the weight, here’s my other complaint about
Newtons: there’s extremely little heel to toe flexibility in the midsole
area. I’m not exactly sure how Newton
could accomplish this without compromising the action/reaction forefoot lugs,
but I do feel that there’s more foot constriction in these than any other
footwear I use.
The Distance next to two other shoes I'm currently testing from B2R and Adidas, along with the moccasins I wore at Leadville
It’s also odd for me to wear a shoe with such a large standing
height, at 24mm in the heel and 21mm in the forefoot (which results in a 3mm drop, for all you math-challenged folks
out there). As I’ve already mentioned, Newton
isn’t anything close to a minimalist shoe – but to their credit, they’ve never
claimed to be. Rather, the shoe is all
about the biomechanics, and about a natural running alternative to break the standard
running shoe mold.
The Newton Distance retails for $155 from the company website, and remember that you can test them yourself for up to 60 days during
the company’s 60 Days of Better campaign from now until October 31.
*Product provided by
Newton Running
**If you have a
product you’d like reviewed, contact me at info@runningandrambling.com.
Get updates as soon as they're posted! Click here to subscribe to Running and Rambling.
Check out the Running Life book for a collection of our most popular columns.
epic race last month, but in light of a recent promotional opportunity, I
decided it might be better to move ahead for the time being and let folks know
about a pretty interesting offer going on at Newton Running.
Even with all the newcomers to the natural running market
over the last few years, Newton’s unique design stands alone. They also enjoy one of the most loyal and
rabid fan bases out there, whom I’ve fondly taken to calling the Newton Army
for the way they’ve descended upon product reviews I’ve posted here (in a good
way, of course), as well as for their willingness to engage in verbal battle
with anyone who questions the performance benefits of the distinctive shoes.
Although their footwear is by no means minimalist, Newton
has been one of the leading proponents of natural running technique for the
past several years, offering instructional seminars and videos about proper
running form to anyone and everyone who would listen. Much of that knowledge was downloaded into company
co-founder Danny Abshire’s outstanding book Natural Running: The Simple Path to Stronger, Healthier Running (see my review here), which has enjoyed ongoing success since its release in early 2011.
So Newton clearly is a prime mover in the natural running Renaissance,
and many of their new customers quickly become customers for life. However, one of the largest barriers to entry
for many potential Newton recruits has been the steep price tag for most of
their models. To entice those folks to
finally take the plunge and try their product, Newton has launched the 60 Days of Better campaign.
The deal is this: you can buy a pair of Newton shoes between
September 1 and October 31, and try them risk-free for up to 60 days. If you don’t like them or aren’t entirely
converted to the Newton Way, you can return the shoes for a refund. There’s a little bit of fine print - the shoes
have to be purchased through the website, and you have to live in the US or
Canada – but for the most part the deal is pretty straightforward, and could be
your best chance to test the shoes if you’ve been on the fence about trying
them.
Newton Distance performance trainer
To pique my interest in promoting the campaign, Newton
offered a pair of Distancia (or Distance; newton uses the names
interchangeably) neutral trainers, which I’ve been looking to test for a while, mainly because they’re the lightest shoe Newton offers.
Newton's calling card: Action/reaction forefoot lugs
Although I fully embrace the biomechanics and endorse the design
of Newton shoes*, one of my biggest complaints about the company’s lineup is
how heavy they are. When you’re used to
running in 5-oz moccasins or Vibrams, strapping on the 9-oz Gravity or
especially the 11-oz Terra Momentus feels something like affixing a brick to
your feet.
(*the details of which I'm not going into here, because I've previously done so in my original Gravity review)
Therefore, with a weight of 7.8 oz, the Distancia seemed
destined to be my favorite Newton model, and my testing (albeit with relatively
limited mileage compared to my normal standards, thanks to my post-Leadville
lethargy) has confirmed it. All of the biomechanics
are the same, and all of the comfort is there – in fact, I’ve exclusively worn
these sockless without any blisters or hot spots.
All of the Newton flair for color is there as well; the
Distancia comes in day-glo yellow for men or bright powder blue for women. This is one of those “love it or hate it”
things about Newton shoes, and I, um … probably shouldn’t say what side of the
argument I fall on.
The Distancia’s upper is definitely the most breatheable of
any Newton shoe I’ve worn, and would be great for staying ventilated during warm
summer months or drying quickly during long foul-weather outings.
Aside from the weight, here’s my other complaint about
Newtons: there’s extremely little heel to toe flexibility in the midsole
area. I’m not exactly sure how Newton
could accomplish this without compromising the action/reaction forefoot lugs,
but I do feel that there’s more foot constriction in these than any other
footwear I use.
The Distance next to two other shoes I'm currently testing from B2R and Adidas, along with the moccasins I wore at Leadville
It’s also odd for me to wear a shoe with such a large standing
height, at 24mm in the heel and 21mm in the forefoot (which results in a 3mm drop, for all you math-challenged folks
out there). As I’ve already mentioned, Newton
isn’t anything close to a minimalist shoe – but to their credit, they’ve never
claimed to be. Rather, the shoe is all
about the biomechanics, and about a natural running alternative to break the standard
running shoe mold.
The Newton Distance retails for $155 from the company website, and remember that you can test them yourself for up to 60 days during
the company’s 60 Days of Better campaign from now until October 31.
*Product provided by
Newton Running
**If you have a
product you’d like reviewed, contact me at info@runningandrambling.com.
Get updates as soon as they're posted! Click here to subscribe to Running and Rambling.
Check out the Running Life book for a collection of our most popular columns.
September 17, 2012
Cool Hand Donald
“Sometimes nothing can be a real cool hand.”
-
Luke (Paul Newman), from Cool Hand Luke (video
clip after post)
*
For the past few weeks, doing nothing has been a very cool
hand indeed.
I make it a habit to take a pretty extended training break
after running a 100-miler, and sometimes that promise of extreme laziness is
the only thing that motivates me through periods of extreme fatigue during the
training and racing season.
No writing. Hardly
any running. No ridiculously early alarm
clocks or constantly aching legs or falling asleep at the dinner table. You get the idea. It’s the kind of thing I could get used to –
you know, if I didn’t also happen to gain about 5 pounds per week while doing
so.
It’s actually kind of a good thing that I’m not in training
mode, because here’s where I’m spending the vast majority of my leisure time
lately:
This fall, my wife and I have become bona fide water polo parents - a
distinction that isn’t quite as popular as soccer moms or NASCAR dads, and one
that requires a remarkably high threshold for watching your kid get pounded.
The good news is that I’m really becoming a fan of the sport,
and don’t really mind spending all day watching consecutive games at a
tournament somewhere. The bad news is
that with all the time he’s spent in the pool, my son has developed a much
better tan than me. I thought I’d be OK
with this … but apparently I’m not exactly there yet.
With the number of workouts he’s doing, it may not be long
until he’s a faster swimmer than me as well – so it's probably time for me to start
getting in the water or hitting the trails at least every now and then. Which
means it’s also time to get the blog rolling again as well.
I’ve got some product review posts that are piling up, as
well as the other assorted odds and ends you’re accustomed to finding around
here. I’ll also indulge a couple more backward
glances at last month’s Leadville 100 – starting with my next post, which will
be a responsive effort to answer a variety of questions and comments I received
after my superlong race report.
In between, there may be also be some prolonged periods of nothing …
but rest assured I’m still out there doing something pretty cool.
*
"A Real Cool Hand," scene from Cool Hand Luke (click to play):
Get updates as soon as they're posted! Click here to subscribe to Running and Rambling.
Check out the Running Life book for a collection of our most popular columns.
-
Luke (Paul Newman), from Cool Hand Luke (video
clip after post)
*
For the past few weeks, doing nothing has been a very cool
hand indeed.
I make it a habit to take a pretty extended training break
after running a 100-miler, and sometimes that promise of extreme laziness is
the only thing that motivates me through periods of extreme fatigue during the
training and racing season.
No writing. Hardly
any running. No ridiculously early alarm
clocks or constantly aching legs or falling asleep at the dinner table. You get the idea. It’s the kind of thing I could get used to –
you know, if I didn’t also happen to gain about 5 pounds per week while doing
so.
It’s actually kind of a good thing that I’m not in training
mode, because here’s where I’m spending the vast majority of my leisure time
lately:
This fall, my wife and I have become bona fide water polo parents - a
distinction that isn’t quite as popular as soccer moms or NASCAR dads, and one
that requires a remarkably high threshold for watching your kid get pounded.
The good news is that I’m really becoming a fan of the sport,
and don’t really mind spending all day watching consecutive games at a
tournament somewhere. The bad news is
that with all the time he’s spent in the pool, my son has developed a much
better tan than me. I thought I’d be OK
with this … but apparently I’m not exactly there yet.
With the number of workouts he’s doing, it may not be long
until he’s a faster swimmer than me as well – so it's probably time for me to start
getting in the water or hitting the trails at least every now and then. Which
means it’s also time to get the blog rolling again as well.
I’ve got some product review posts that are piling up, as
well as the other assorted odds and ends you’re accustomed to finding around
here. I’ll also indulge a couple more backward
glances at last month’s Leadville 100 – starting with my next post, which will
be a responsive effort to answer a variety of questions and comments I received
after my superlong race report.
In between, there may be also be some prolonged periods of nothing …
but rest assured I’m still out there doing something pretty cool.
*
"A Real Cool Hand," scene from Cool Hand Luke (click to play):
Get updates as soon as they're posted! Click here to subscribe to Running and Rambling.
Check out the Running Life book for a collection of our most popular columns.
August 24, 2012
Random Shots of Beauty (Leadville Edition)
“And I wonder … If everything could ever feel this real
forever -
If anything could ever be this good again … “
-
Foo Fighters, “Everlong” (video after post)
**
I’m not sure what I was thinking, but clearly I must have
slipped into one of my idiot moments.
I thought it wouldn’t be that big of a deal to run 100 miles
across the sky, fly back to town the next day, jump right back into the school
and work routine, and plunk out a race report by the end of the week. I managed to click those first few things off
the list, but when it came to the race report … not so much.
I’m still awfully tired, I guess. OK - make that undoubtedly.
However, there’s something larger at play in my lethargy as well. Part of me is still processing the whole experience,
partially in disbelief that everything went as well as I could have hoped
for. There’s also a fair amount of ennui over the fact that last weekend will most likely be the pinnacle of my
running career – and with each passing day that goes by, the memories will be less vivid, and the emotions will fade and feel a little less real. And when
I finally write the race report, the whole episode will be officially and
permanently in my rearview mirror, which makes me more than a little sad.
(Remember how I've mentioned that I can find the down side of
anything? And you thought I was
kidding.)
So while I’m working through this ridiculous bout of sturm und drang over my Leadville
report, here’s an advance Random Shot of Beauty from the course - click to enlarge for the full effect:
An abandoned ranch shack as seen at approximately mile 25, in the shadow of Mount Elbert (center background) and Mount Massive (at right), otherwise known as the two highest peaks in Colorado. This one
actually didn’t make the final cut for the race report, so perhaps it’s good
that I’ve become such a writing slacker this week.
**
And I suppose it’s fitting that one of my all-time greatest
running experiences should be paired with one of my all-time favorite rock
songs; one true classic to go with another.
Foo Fighters, “Everlong” (Live on Letterman - click to play):
Get updates as soon as they're posted! Click here to subscribe to Running and Rambling.
Check out the Running Life book for a collection of our most popular columns.
forever -
If anything could ever be this good again … “
-
Foo Fighters, “Everlong” (video after post)
**
I’m not sure what I was thinking, but clearly I must have
slipped into one of my idiot moments.
I thought it wouldn’t be that big of a deal to run 100 miles
across the sky, fly back to town the next day, jump right back into the school
and work routine, and plunk out a race report by the end of the week. I managed to click those first few things off
the list, but when it came to the race report … not so much.
I’m still awfully tired, I guess. OK - make that undoubtedly.
However, there’s something larger at play in my lethargy as well. Part of me is still processing the whole experience,
partially in disbelief that everything went as well as I could have hoped
for. There’s also a fair amount of ennui over the fact that last weekend will most likely be the pinnacle of my
running career – and with each passing day that goes by, the memories will be less vivid, and the emotions will fade and feel a little less real. And when
I finally write the race report, the whole episode will be officially and
permanently in my rearview mirror, which makes me more than a little sad.
(Remember how I've mentioned that I can find the down side of
anything? And you thought I was
kidding.)
So while I’m working through this ridiculous bout of sturm und drang over my Leadville
report, here’s an advance Random Shot of Beauty from the course - click to enlarge for the full effect:
An abandoned ranch shack as seen at approximately mile 25, in the shadow of Mount Elbert (center background) and Mount Massive (at right), otherwise known as the two highest peaks in Colorado. This one
actually didn’t make the final cut for the race report, so perhaps it’s good
that I’ve become such a writing slacker this week.
**
And I suppose it’s fitting that one of my all-time greatest
running experiences should be paired with one of my all-time favorite rock
songs; one true classic to go with another.
Foo Fighters, “Everlong” (Live on Letterman - click to play):
Get updates as soon as they're posted! Click here to subscribe to Running and Rambling.
Check out the Running Life book for a collection of our most popular columns.
August 21, 2012
Food for My Belly ... and Fuel for the Party
Admin note: a quick post tonight that will serve as a place
holder while I’m plunking out what’s turning into a seemingly Homeric Leadville
100 report. When it comes to writing, brevity
has never been my strength; hopefully this post will be an exception.
**
It’s not much of a secret around here that my favorite
sponsors are CLIF Bar and Soft Star Shoes by a long margin. And while a lot of it is attributable to the fact that they make outstanding products which suit my needs extraordinarily well, there’s
also an element of caring that registers even more profoundly in this desensitized
modern age.
Case in point are a couple of deliveries I received last
week, both of which had a direct impact on my Leadville race.
The first was from CLIF, who sent me on my way with a box of
Shot gels and Bloks that I stashed in my drop bags for race day. (I also spent two days before the race
noshing on Mojo bars to avoid any unhealthy food cravings - very effective.) The Bloks in particular helped turn my race
around when I was battling some nausea issues; immediately after getting sick in
the middle of the night, all I could do was to suck on a single Blok until it
was soggy enough to slide uncontested down my throat. A short while later, after gaining some
momentum back, I nibbled down a couple more, and shortly before dawn I finished
the pack and kept plugging along. Some cookies
also played a role in this story, but for that you’ll have to wait for the race
report.
Without question, the best gift I received was from Soft
Star, who sent this care package to my room in Vail two nights before the race,
along with a card that was hand-signed by all of the Elves. The box held a pair of race-ready mocs in case
I needed a spare, which I turned out not to; I wore the same pair through day and night and hot and cold and wet and dry, but it was reassuring to know I had
another pair in my drop bag if necessary.
What caught my attention more, of course, were the other
goodies inside: some strawberry chutney from Corvallis (home of Soft Star, of
course), as well as some items that tested my willpower before I even stepped
to the start line. Wine and gourmet
chocolates aren’t exactly the best food for tapering, but they sure come in
handy when it’s time to celebrate after the race.
My only regret was that I didn’t have any Elves around in
person to share them with. Obviously I need to go run an ultra in Oregon sometime.
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holder while I’m plunking out what’s turning into a seemingly Homeric Leadville
100 report. When it comes to writing, brevity
has never been my strength; hopefully this post will be an exception.
**
It’s not much of a secret around here that my favorite
sponsors are CLIF Bar and Soft Star Shoes by a long margin. And while a lot of it is attributable to the fact that they make outstanding products which suit my needs extraordinarily well, there’s
also an element of caring that registers even more profoundly in this desensitized
modern age.
Case in point are a couple of deliveries I received last
week, both of which had a direct impact on my Leadville race.
The first was from CLIF, who sent me on my way with a box of
Shot gels and Bloks that I stashed in my drop bags for race day. (I also spent two days before the race
noshing on Mojo bars to avoid any unhealthy food cravings - very effective.) The Bloks in particular helped turn my race
around when I was battling some nausea issues; immediately after getting sick in
the middle of the night, all I could do was to suck on a single Blok until it
was soggy enough to slide uncontested down my throat. A short while later, after gaining some
momentum back, I nibbled down a couple more, and shortly before dawn I finished
the pack and kept plugging along. Some cookies
also played a role in this story, but for that you’ll have to wait for the race
report.
Without question, the best gift I received was from Soft
Star, who sent this care package to my room in Vail two nights before the race,
along with a card that was hand-signed by all of the Elves. The box held a pair of race-ready mocs in case
I needed a spare, which I turned out not to; I wore the same pair through day and night and hot and cold and wet and dry, but it was reassuring to know I had
another pair in my drop bag if necessary.
What caught my attention more, of course, were the other
goodies inside: some strawberry chutney from Corvallis (home of Soft Star, of
course), as well as some items that tested my willpower before I even stepped
to the start line. Wine and gourmet
chocolates aren’t exactly the best food for tapering, but they sure come in
handy when it’s time to celebrate after the race.
My only regret was that I didn’t have any Elves around in
person to share them with. Obviously I need to go run an ultra in Oregon sometime.
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Check out the Running Life book for a collection of our most popular columns.
August 19, 2012
Leadville in RunAmocs
Mission accomplished at Leadville! I finished the race in 28 hours and 33
minutes.
So apparently it probably helps to do some altitude training
for this race; Hope Pass absolutely kicked my butt – twice – but otherwise
there were no major crises, and the event was completely awesome. Full details to follow in the next week or
so.
You may recall a photo like the one above after last year’s
Tahoe Rim Trail 100; the difference is that this time around the moccasins of
choice were RunAmoc Dash Lites, which have probably overtaken the Original Lites as
my moc of choice for ultras. I may go
into details at some point, but for now all I’m looking to do is hit the bed
for a nice long nap.
On that note, since I’m a little goofy from about 40 hours
without sleep, here’s a picture of me and a llama at the aforementioned Hope
Pass:
And if you’re wondering – yes, the llama will make the race
report, too.
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