Friday, September 30, 2011

Fri, Sep 30, 2011

Must read: Transitioning to trail prowess.

Running outdoors can improve your mental health. So see, we're not the crazy ones!


Ten awesomely forbidden places to run.


Winter's approaching. Will you be hitting the treadmill?


How do you tie your shoes? I'm a Yankz fan, but this guy is obsessed with knots.


This guy tested this beet juice study and found that it turns your pee pink, is expensive, tastes like hell, and doesn't improve your fitness. FAIL.


Great article on why cross country is the best sport. Some solid links and tips in there, too.




Thursday, September 29, 2011

Thurs, Sep 29, 2011

How exercise strengthens the brain.

This Irishman just ran his first trail ultra, and it sounds like's addicted already.

Meb is racing in Skechers. Really? Sounds sketchy.

Dean Karnazes is continuing his speaking tour and inspiring new runners.

How do forefoot runners walk around the house? Interesting question.

Karl Meltzer learns what the back of the pack looks like...And he's impressed.

Looks like Geoffrey Mutai will be running the NYC Marathon. This should be awesome.

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Wed, Sep 28, 2011

A competitive runner transitions to running off the clock.

Sponsored runner Tim Waggoner buys his shoes at a thrift store, then puts 1500 miles on them.

Rod Bien poses the question: Is a 50k really an ultra?

Nikki Kimball broke the course record at Bear 100 this weekend. Not surprised. When she's on...she's on.

You've heard our new podcast with Mike Wardian, right? Does he make you feel lazy?

Amby wonders if Usain Bolt could make it as an ultrarunner.

This article claims that this gal will be the oldest woman to complete an ultra at 71 yo. That doesn't seem right. Can anyone dispute it?

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Tuesday, Sep 26, 2011

This trail run in S Africa might just make it onto my bucket list, and with Ryan Sandes running this year, seems there'll be even stiffer competition.

Here's a real brief UROC rundown, but we're posting our post race interview with Mike Wardian later today, and it's awesome. Stay tuned!

Roes' UROC race report.

"A competitor waits for the start of the 12-hour....Endurance Race in Billingshurst, England. There is little commercialism or sponsorship, no cash prizes...and the trophies are donated from various sources."  Oooh! A new ultra? No, it's actually endurance racing on lawnmowers.

Jellyfish thwart Diana Nyad's epic Cuba to Florida swim.

This cyclist just earned himself a beer. Wow!

Monday, September 26, 2011

Mon, Sep 26, 2011

Hundreds run through Salt Lake City to protest the city being "too uptight." Some were runners, some protesters, some fall into the "other" category, I think.

You know that Max King won the Flagline 50k on Sat, then the XTerra Championships 50k on Sunday, right?

Americans take 1st male and female at the Fifth Avenue Mile for the first time since 1980.

What's going on? Pacific Coast Trail Runs have had a last minute cancellation, then an apparent no-show at their event this weekend.  Race report from this weekend's spontaneous fatass.  They're a quality group and this is sorely out of character for them. Any word? Hope all is well.

"In 1980, the median age for a marathon runner was 34 for men and 31 for women. By last year...it was...40 for men and 35 for women." I wonder what the numbers are for ultrarunners.

Friday, September 23, 2011

Yiannis Kouros captures a burglar.  Article translated from Greek, so beware.

Interested in Cherie's Burning Man 50k? Here's more info.

Mr. Roes makes a strong case for UROC.

Flagline 50k is tomorrow in Bend, and the RD says volunteers will not be leading runners off course.

Great blog, and a great post I'd never read. Hat tip to AJW.

...and here's your portal for all things UROC.  Live race day coverage, video, results, etc.

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Thurs, Sep 22, 2011

Why do clydeldale categories exist in marathons but not in ultras?

Here's a fun 12 hour adventure trail race report from an Englishman.

Karl's odds for UROC. He's got Mackey up front, but my money's on Wardian. What do you think?

So it looks like AJW will be the special correspondent at UROC this weekend. Should be hilarious.

This guy rode around Ireland--literally around Ireland--on his bike in 90 hours, non stop. And I thought I had chafing problems.

Have you seen one of these things? Kind of cool, I guess, until I saw the price tag.

Why do you run?

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Wed, Sep 21, 2011

The discussion continues with Lord Balls asking "who should speak for the ultrarunning community?" Pretty good analysis of the debate here.

Rethinking the "talk test."

Love her or hate her, Sarah Palin runs a decent marathon.

"Should I wear an ankle brace while trail running?"

World Mountain Running Championships video. Awesome!

Gonna be in Kingston, Canada any time soon? Looking for a trail?

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Tues, Sep 20, 2011

The correlation between patience and success.  I'd like to see how many ultrarunners could hold out for the second marshmallow.

Now scientists tell us to only drink when we're thirsty.

Nick Clark's Run Rabbit Run Race Report.  Say that 10 times fast.

Timmy Olson kills it at Pine to Palm 100.

AJW is taking a poll on the best trail running blog.  How about the best trail running podcast, eh?

Ian Sharman talks about the upcoming UROC.

Monday, September 19, 2011

Mon, Sep 19, 2011

Kevin Lin (Ray Zahab's buddy) finishes 10,000 kilometer run along the Silk Road from Instanbul to China.  It took him 150 days. Whuck?

Zeke Tiernan takes first at Run Rabbit Run, beating Nick Clark by two minutes.  Mud, rain, hypothermia, and untied shoes...sounds like a great run!

Skyrunner World Series Finale.  Check out that elevation chart.

Got a story you think belongs here? Email me!

Track: David Rudisha, who hasn't lost in the 800m in two years, loses to a 17 year old. Here's the video.


This guy finds the positives of unemployment. More running time!

Friday, September 16, 2011

Fri, Sep 16, 2011

Equestrian endurance event takes place, and some guy decides to run it. This is not a repeat from 1974.

Run Rabbit Run kicks off tomorrow in Colorado. James Bonnett, Nick Clark, Bill Fanselow. This could be good.

Max King offers tips on running the trails. Listen up.

This could get interesting.

Runner discovers the trails of Los Altos.  Shhhhh, don't tell everyone!

Running through San Francisco in the dark.

Does stretching prevent injuries?

Ian Sharman talks about UTMB and crewing for Hal K.

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Thurs, Sep 15, 2011

In case you haven't been listening to Sunny Blende's podcasts, here's a primer on nutrition for the endurance athlete.

Anyone know what happened to Michael Kanning?  The dude had legs, but went to UCSC and seemingly stopped running.

Cyclocross season is coming up.  Why don't I see more trail runners doing CX?

The incredible shrinking Olympic sports press box.

Ever heard of Doubly Labeled Water? Interesting.

A great non-running related story from one of our favorite runner/writers.

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Wed, Sep 14, 2011

Your finishing kick is in your head, not in your legs. Interesting study.

Karl's Wasatch race report.

Read Max King's hilarious race report from World Mountain Running Champs in Albania.


At what point do you know you will finish?

I'm running in the new New Balance spikeless XC700s and loving them. Product review forthcoming.

Mr. Roes talks about socks.

Have you seen this UTMB trail porn? Wow! How about this?

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Tues, Sep 13

Which is harder to get into? States or Boston Marathon? Boston registration opens today.

Veteran ultrarunner and RD of the Minnesota Voyager has heart attack after race. Get well soon.

...and this triathlete passed away after going into cardiac arrest during a tri.

Older athletes pushing the limits.

Jurek's 5 years at UTMB. Good read.

Scott Dunlap's Wasatch 100 race report with some incredible pictures. What would you expect?

Timmy Olson's TransRockies "big kids camp" belated race report.

And Jean Pommiers turns in a race report from Rio Del Lago 100. Didn't go as planned, but Jean is a fighter.

Monday, September 12, 2011

Monday, Sep 12, 2011

Team USA cleans up at IAU 100k champs in Holland.  Wardian takes silver after winning Kauai Marathon last weekend. Crazy!

Max King takes gold at World Mountain Running championships in Albania. We'll be talking to Max soon.  Any questions for him?

Big congratulations to Anthony Brantley for his Rio Del Lago 100k victory. More kudos to Julie Fingar (1st female) and Lukas Temor and Jimmy Dean Freeman for taking 1st and 2nd in the hundo.  That was Lukas' virgin attempt. Well done!

Another Lukas (this one HS mile phenom Verzbicas) takes gold at World Junior Tri Champs in Beijing.  Nice story, too.

You've got custom-designed shoes from your sponsor, right?

Saturday, September 10, 2011

200 miles through the Alps with 80,000 feet of climbing and a 150 hour time limit.  Whether or not you speak Italian, we think you know how it's translated...Meet the Tor Des Geants.

Congrats to Evan Honeyfield for taking 1st at Wasatch in hot, hot conditions.

Speaking of heat, Rio Del Lago 100 starts today in Sacramento, where temperatures will be right around 100.

Friday, September 9, 2011

Meet Michele. A world class marathoner and a go-go dancer.

Does cryotherapy work? Brrrr.....

US Mountain Running Team ready to take on the world in Albania. Starts Sunday.

....and they're off! Track your Wasatch runner here.


Does it seem like more articles are written on Badwater than any other ultra?


Feel like running a grueling 10 mile XC run with a 35lb pack and boots? If you're in Northern England this weekend, you're in luck!


Another blogger takes issues with Born to Run.


Thursday, September 8, 2011

LATE Thursday Edition

New podcast available from your friendly neighborhood Ultrarunner Podcast.


Congrats Missoula, you're now a runner friendly community. But why won't you friend me on Facebook? You can friend me here.


SPREADING THE WORD: A runner needs help getting back to Kenya for a funeral. Details here.


GEAR: Sony releases a new walkman. (WHUCK? Hello, 1986.) But this one has running tips from an Olympic Silver Medalist integrated into it. Cool.



Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Late Tuesday Edition

Hal Koerner's UTMB RR. One of the best we've read all year.


21 marathons in 21 days; all to help the son of a departed friend. Good luck Sean. Oh, Sean has never run a marathon before.


Ultra marathon organizers under questioning after runners severely burned on course.




Nakadai & Greenwood to defend IAU 100k titles in the Netherlands this Saturday! WHERE'S MY PASSPORT?!!

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Late Monday Edition

Take our Facebook poll. Let us know what kind of interview you prefer to hear.

Don't believe in Superman? Then you haven't heard of this man.

For those running their first ultra, have a look. Pretty basic stuff, but always a good refresher.

Wasatch 1oo is this weekend. Here is a 3D map of the course. 3D glasses not required.

Run the Mississippi 50 Miler and get one of these.

Friday, September 2, 2011

Fri, Aug 2, 2011

Runners knee pain is usually linked to foot or hip problems.  Huh.

Runner finished marathon seven months after she started.

Could you run a 50 miler with your jaw wired shut? This guy did.

Comrades ups its prize money by 20%

Next weekend is the World Mountain Running Championships in Albania. Max King will be there to help represent the US team.

RaceReady apparel sold, with plans to expand.  May I request that quality stays the same?

Thursday, September 1, 2011

Thurs, Aug 1, 2011

Did you cry during your first time?

Serial Racing: The Wardian Way.

Are you watching the Track and Field World Champs in South Korea? You should be.

Remember Al Howie? The Original Ultramarathon Man? He's 65 and about to celebrate 20 years since he ran across Canada.

New study shows that chocolate is...*flips coin*....good for you!

This guy is running routes that form letters. Meanwhile, this guy ran an Apple logo in honor of Steve Jobs.  Two words: Weir. Dohs.