The Mile

I am heading out to Oregon with my family tomorrow for Thanksgiving and along the way we plan to stop off at Hayward Field to run a mile. Readers of this blog may recall that last year I attempted to run a 5 minute mile at Hayward only to "fail epicly" and limp in at 5:14. This year, I have no illusions of running sub-5 but I am racing my good friend and fellow Western States geek Craig Thornley. And, unlike last year, we are running "mano a mano." No pacers, no spectators, just Craig, me, and, hopefully, MonkeyBoy with his video camera. The plan has the gun going off sometime after noon on Wednesday, the day before Thanksgiving.

Here's the video from last year's debacle. With post-race commentary:

Hardrock!

Lots of chatter today about lotteries and the like and, I must admit, it gets me psyched for the season. In addition to all the usual suspects I am particularly pleased that Scott Jaime and Joe Kulak will toe the line at WS in June. It'll be a bit like old home week. (Especially so if Criag weasles his way into the race again after spending 90 mins on the cot at 49 in 2010).

But, more to the point, and more meaningful to me now, I am in Telluride, CO for a job interview this week and had a 90 min window to run this evening. It wasn't much but I got onto the HRH course and realized how great it is. Truly, there are no mountains like the San Juans. The descent off Imogene into the setting sun really did it for me. Yes, indeed...

Another WS Memory

The Awards Ceremony at the WS100, while a bit over-the-top, is always one of the highlights of my year. After all of the emotion of the race and the celebration of the finish the awards ceremony is the final chapter, the dessert, if you will.

This past year, my family found themselves in the front of the group and therefore we were right there when everyone received their buckles. In the photo above you can see the legendary Ian Torrence after he received his buckle.

Ian has always been one of the classiest guys in the sport and after chasing him through mountains, forests and deserts for the past 15 years I can honestly and sincerely call him a friend. His post-race congratulations accompanied with the words, "Impressive work, brother." will stay with me for a long time. Thanks Ian!

Western States Memory

"If you guys had longer hair you could stand over here with us!"

Tenacity

This is good!

Teton Redux

A great race report from one of the classiest guys in the sport here.

I look forward to the next time DC!

Marathon

Last time I ran a marathon was Vancouver in 1997. I think it's time for another. So, I am heading to Boise for the City of Trees Marathon on Sunday. I have no idea what to expect but it will be fun.

You know, for me these days, running is that thing that I have, no matter what. So, I figure, I might as well have it any way I can.