Listen in as I chat with Scott from the killer Athlete On Fire podcast!
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Talking Vegan Pig Farmers, The Leadville 100, and French Fry Vegetarians With No Meat Athlete
Today I had the insane pleasure of chatting with Matt Frazier (@NoMeatAthlete) and Doug Hay (@RockCreekRunner) from the wildly popular No Meat Athlete Podcast to talk about the film Once Is Enough and my experience so far going vegan and training for my first Ultramarathon...the Leadville 100.
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Journey To 100: Week 2
This week started off with me taking the plunge. The short shorts plunge. We're talking really REALLY short shorts. Like, 1.5 inch inseam short. They're the Craft Men's Run Race shorts and they are the most insanely comfortable shorts I've ever had on my body. But it took a bit of nerve to step out in public to show off these devastatingly pale legs.
The most interesting thing I've noticed is that the "for real runners" are now much more likely to greet me on the trail. Have I discovered the mark of a "for real runner?" Short shorts? Is that how you know somebody means bid'nass? Is my sporting these border-line inappropriate and indecent short shorts the key to earning trail cred? It sure seems that way.
This week ended on a less humorous note. During my post-50 miler break I dealt with some major sciatica caused by two herniated discs which I've been battling since college. While they're almost always in check and not much of a nuisance, this week they were anything but. My runs went relatively well until my 17 mile long run on Sunday. At mile 10 all hell broke loose.
Herniated or bulging discs are a strange thing. They cause very little pain in your actual back. But because of the pressure they put on your sciatic nerve they can render one or both of your legs completely useless in a snap. This was the case on my week 2 long run. After ten incredible miles I hobbled the six grueling miles back to my Jeep trying to stifle the tears welling up since I'm a grown ass man and all.
I'm under the care of an excellent medical team and under the supervision of one of the world's best ultra running coaches. They've put together an excellent plan to return me back to health. Although today was rough, my back issues have been steadily improving over the past couple of weeks. Hopefully this terrible no good very bad back pain day will be my last.
Journey To 100: Week 1
It starts today. I've completed my first 50 miler and have made the absolutely insane decision to train for my first 100 mile ultra marathon. The Leadville 100 in Leadville, Colorado. One of the world's oldest and toughest 100 mile ultra marathons...primarily because of the extreme altitude and lack of oxygen. What makes me think this 240lb husky ginger can finish it? I've no clue. But apparently I'm crazy enough to give it a try.
Luckily, I'll be in good hands as we've brought Ian Sharman on board as my trainer to help prepare and guide me toward the finish line. There's literally nobody on earth who is better equipped to train me for this challenge. Not only has Ian won the Leadville 100 he also holds the US record for the fastest trail 100 miler..among numerous other wins.
After taking a fairly inactive month off from running after completing my first 50 miler...the North Face Endurance Challenge 50 miler in San Fransisco, it was a slow start getting myself back in the groove of things. But by my long run at the end of the week I remember why I love this crazy sport so f$%&ing much!
My first week's long run was a 15 mile jaunt. I chose my favorite mountain training loop in the Santa Monica Mountains. A grueling 15 mile loop in Malibu Creek State Park. It was raining. A rare occurrence for southern California. It was muddy. I had to wade through flood waters. At times the fog was so dense I couldn't see more than ten feet ahead. And I LOVED IT! This is why I do this. Adventure. I'd rather eat a box of nails than run on a treadmill in a florescent lit packed gym. But sliding through 15 miles of muddy trail with my head literally in the clouds? Yes. Please god. Yes.