Big things in 09'

Lot's of stuff has happened since my last post. I've participated in several races, met some very fascinating ultrarunners and set up my races and training plans for the rest of the year.

Since January I have participated in 4 50k races put on by Pacific Crest Trail Runs. The races were all held at state parks throughout the bay area. They have been a great way for me to get to know the area, train for the rest of the running season, and get to know the local trail running community. I have been happy with the results for the most part: 7th place at the Pacifica 50k January 17th, 10th place at the Woodside 50k February 7th, DNF at the Sequoia 50k February 28th (My first DNF! I lost my concentration and got lost), and 4th place at the Pirates Cove 50k March 21st.

Throughout these races I have gotten to know Brett Rivers, an up and coming runner who has started a great new website, Trail Run Times. I think the site is destined to become a great central location for the trail running and ultra running community.

I also recently met a fascinating man with some of the most incredible running stories you will ever hear. His name is Reza Baluchi and, among other things, in 2007/2008 Reza ran around the perimeter of the United States. 11,500 miles and he did it in 202 days. That's 57 miles a day every day for almost 7 months! I got to know Reza while we were both in Chicago recently, and I now plan to crew with him this July at Badwater. Reza's next big adventure is the most ambitious human endeavor I have ever encountered. Reza is planning on running through all 194 recognized country's in the world and cross the ocean in a human powered craft! Reza is currently raising money for this 5 year endeavor, check out his website for more information.

2009 is shaping up to be a busy year. April 20th I head to Boston to complete my dream of running the Boston Marathon. This summer I am running the Tahoe Rim Trail 100 a few days after crewing for Reza at Badwater, that should be a tiring week. Then 3 weeks after Tahoe Rim, I am signed up for the Headlands Hundred, put on by PCTR, practically in my back yard. The final race I am planning on (for now, I may add some) is the San Francisco One Day 24hr event. I suprised myself by winning the 2008 San Francisco One Day, so I feel like I need to defend my title. I also just read in the latest issue of Ultrarunning Magazine that my 130.2 mile 24hr performance was the 6th best 24hr performance by an American in 2008. Rock! I can run around in circles hour after hour after hour with the best of them.

Finally, the people at New Balance Outlet recently contacted me with an offer I couldn't refuse: free shoes! In the near future, I am going to be subjecting some New Balance shoes to 100 mile per week training weeks and perhaps a trail race or two and then writing about my experience with the shoes here. Frankly, I am a little worried because I have been wearing Mizuno Waverider shoes for several years now and it took me several tries before I found a shoe that wouldn't kill my feet. However, I have never worn New Balance before, maybe I will love them. We shall see.

That's it for now. Next post will most likely be my review of the Boston Marathon, along with training plans for the summer running madness.