RunWell, literally.

There have been a couple of interesting things going on with running life lately. I mention the Burning River 100 mile race a lot because it was a big accomplishment to me. A few years ago I just said "those people" are crazy…referring to folks doing regular 100 milers and beyond; especially at paces that are simply amazing. With 3 young children, a full time career, and all the duties that come along with being a husband and "responsible" adult I am just happy that I have been given the opportunity and ability to be able to pursue something like trail & ultra-running. We are so fortunate to live within running distance to some of the best and most scenic trails in the area. 
With that said and thanks to social connections I've made through Outrun I was over-joyed to receive a phone call from Linda Quirk (Racing the Planet, Run 7 on 7, and now RunWell) for a little conversation or two that has turned into what I feel is a phenomenal opportunity. You may have seen communications on RunWell from Pam Rickard who has also taken a role with Linda where she is essentially promoting the mission of RunWell as well as embarking on an amazing journey in 2012 at the Gobi Desert! It's not often I get phone calls like that….wait, no….I've never gotten a phone call like that. These are things that you sit back and watch on the Discovery channel and think, that's amazing…. "I wish I could do that." Well, here it is…staring me in the face, with the caveat that you promote what you love to do and encourage others to do the same. No problem.

So, bottom line….I have accepted a spot as 1 of 4 US Ambassadors with RunWell (Non-Profit 501(3)(c)) to help promote the mission of recovery (drug, alcohol, & wellness) with a focus for now on the domestic Ultra & trail running scene (Leadville 100??). We'll look internationally later. For now, I am just happy to be a part of it. I feel that the focus on recovery through competing in events and raising funds & awareness for RunWell supports my perspective of the reasons why I have always pursued endurance sports. For me personally, it's been the element that helps keep me balanced in life and that is a big part of recovery and life in general.
If you take a look at all the folks in the local ultra-running community, it's staggering to try to keep up with all the good things that people are doing. I see people raising awareness & funds for all types of amazing non-profits like Girls With Sole (Liz Ferro), YMCA's, Camp Sunshine of Aurora, etc… How amazing is it to see people working so hard to accomplish things like running 100 mile races, desert expeditions, local 5k's, etc… and on top of it all working to help others! If you are not giving back to those around you, not bettering the community, not offering your skills to help, what are you doing it for?

Like I said, I'm excited to be a part of it. Outrun (group & team) will continue to progress through group runs, events, & discussion. We have members on the team who run for other organizations (both profit & non-profit). It's all such a great time to be a part of the growing sport of ultra-running.
So, there's the update on my little running life. I'm not elite, not the fastest guy in the pack, but I love the challenge & reward that comes from it, no matter how fast or slow I may be moving that day.



Push-ups:

I have kept up with it….I love this little app on the droid called "100Pushups". I started being able to do like 44 good pushups straight, by week 2 was doing 65, and by week 3 or so I was able to knock out 103. I love it, it's simple, effective, and I can do it anywhere. I have taken it back a notch but work to complete at least 100 a day. I also picked up another app called Pull-ups and I am progressing on that to be able to complete 25 consecutive pull-ups. Both of these are in effort to work on things that I have always been pretty terrible at. Pull ups more than pushups, I don't think I've ever been able to do more than 15 at a time. I'm up to ~40 a night now (total set).

Shoe review:

Adidas Adistar XT-3 – (Weight: 10.4 oz (size 9)Stack Height: Heel (20mm), Forefoot (13mm); excludes 5mm average lug height. I don't see these on the Adidas website anymore, looks like they have been replaced by the Response Trail 18? I )I have got to admit after the great experience I had with the Boston II shoes, I took the recommendation from the Adidas rep for the XT3 at BR100. I am on my second pair of them now. I honestly would have been happy to run the entire 100 miles in them, if needed. I've talked about them a lot and have a couple friends loving them now, too.
Nutrition:

Man, this has been, and will continue to be…a journey. I mentioned before that I have been giving the Hammer Perpetuem a serious second consideration for runs going beyond 3-4 hours. I am loving it. You simply load up the multi-hour bottle and sip on it every 10-15 mins. NO PROBLEMS! LOVE IT LOVE IT!!. I have finished a number of 4+ hour runs strong, no bonk, no gastro issues, etc. There is a little tweaking on the amount I intake per hour…but that is not bad. I load up with NUUN in my Nathan 020 hydration pack for my hydration & sodium plan, stash a few backup calories (Hammer Gel or similar) in the pack… but I have been so happy so far! We'll see how it all goes this weekend at the Run With Scissors Double Marathon.

Races:

Run With Scissors Double Marathon is next. I have the Autumn Leaves 5miler (I know, short) Then we have the upcoming Snowshoe Race Series (registration opening 11/7) and planning a 24 hour trail race in April. 
Leadville 100 or Cascade Crest 100 are the ultras I am looking at for RunWell. I am also wanting to get into The Mountain Masochist 50mi Fall, 2012. 


The list for the RWS is looking pretty good. I think there are like ~65 people signed up for the double and more for the single. I'm excited to do this one, it's going to be nothing but fun!!!!


z