My 2018 year of running was a great one. It consisted of five ultra marathons, four of which I finished, and an attempt at my first 100 mile ultra. It’s the most ultras I’ve completed in one year. I also completed my 8th full road marathon this year, along with a smattering of smaller road races from the 10 mile up to a half marathon. All of them just as…
The holiday’s are here! For the runner that seems to have everything, there is always something that’s missing. If you’re struggling to find that last minute gift idea, hopefully I can help. I had a pretty big year of training and running in 2018 with some rather lofty goals. I’ve accumulated all kinds of gear. A lot of this gear was junk, but there are a few select items I’ll…
I’ve been an Apple iPad user since the 1st generation iPad was released back in 2010. I love this thing. I use it every day from reading news, playing games, photo and video editing, and writing. It’s pretty much with me everywhere I go. Needless to say, I was pretty excited when the most recent version was announced back in late October. I picked up the new 11-inch iPad Pro…
Everything|Fitness + Running|Reviews
I’ve always been a big proponent of carrying a phone along on a run mostly for safety reasons, especially when I’m out on the trail by myself. Sometimes I’ll use it for music, navigating a new route, and for emergencies. I usually carry my phone in a waist pack. I’ve never been a big fan of carrying my phone on an armband, but I recently had the opportunity to try…
Orcas Island 50K, Feb. 4 2017 (Orcas Island, WA) My first and only trail ultra in the pacific northwest to date. I was untrained for all of the climbing that was involved being a flatlander from the midwest. Not to mention the trail was like nothing I’d seen before. I didn’t really know what to expect. Still, I went into it with a positive attitude hoping I’d finish, but a wrong…
Confession: I’m a news junkie. I’ll take any news – political, local, world, tech, online blogs – anything that peaks my interest at the time. I enjoy reading about the things going on around me and always feel the need to know the latest and greatest the very minute it happens. I like to take in articles and news stories using my tablet, iPhone, and laptop since I’m using either…
Everything|Fitness + Running|Reviews
My 2018 was a great year for running. My race finishes this year included a variety of smaller races, one full road marathon, four trail ultras, and one attempt at a 100 mile – the most ultras I’ve run in one year. I learned a lot. Not only was getting the miles in important, but knowing what works and what doesn’t is a critical part of any training plan. By…
(Photo: Between miles 23-24 on Michigan Ave. Chicago Marathon 2018) Chicago Marathon, Oct. 7, 2007 I remember this day clearly. It was a day that changed my life. It was less than a month previous that I ran my first 5K race after a long layoff of running. I was back on the roads and it felt pretty dang great. I’ve always known about the Chicago Marathon from seeing it…
If only. If only I could have done this differently, or that. If only I could have those agonizing two hours back suffering up high on that ridge in the early miles. If only. Distance: 90.7 (DNF) Location: Sawbill Elapsed Time: 33:40 On September 7 & 8th, I took on the monster that is the Superior Trail 100 mile ultra. An ultra that has staked its claim as one of…
Okay, here we go. I’ve had lots of ideas for this site, but primarily I’m looking forward to writing about the many things I love, like outdoor gear reviews, gadget reviews, running, and, well, life in general. I’m not a professional writer by any means, but I do enjoy writing about things I’m passionate about – and hopefully help others in the process. I’ve actually had a blog since 2007….