Interview Tuesday: Meet Kentucky and Masters Runner Patrick Jenkins

Boston 2018

For this weeks Interview Tuesday I talk to Dr. Patrick Jenkins.  Dr. Jenkins took part in this years cold, wet  and windy Boston - as you will see in the pictures.  Enjoy getting to know him.


Tell us a little about yourself not necessarily related to running: age, where born, education, area you live in, etc…..
I am 56 years old. I was born in Bowling Green Ky. I grew up primarily in Fordsville Ky in Ohio County. I attended WKU for undergraduate studies and medical school at UK and completed my family practice residency at St. Elizabeth hospital in Edgewood Ky.  I have practiced in Somerset for the past 28 years.  I am married to Shelly and we have 4 children, Patrick, Kirk, Tyler, and Andrea.


What is your profession?
I am a family physician and have been a member of Lake Cumberland Medical Associates since 1991.


How did you start running and what prompted you to do so? 
I started running as a junior in high school to get in shape for basketball.  Our school did not have track or CC.  I “jogged” in college to help prevent my freshman 40 from becoming 80. 


How long have you been running?
I have been running seriously since 1997 when Allen and Arthur Crawford helped me get in running shape.


Did you participate in any other sports over the years? 
I played HS basketball and baseball.


Did you run in grade school, High School or College? 
My only competitive running experiences started after 1997.  Our HS did not have any CC or track.


So we get an idea of where you have been with running can you share your PR’s for: 5K, 10K
marathon and any other distance you may have run in the past.

• 5-K:18:03
• 10-K:38:15
• Half-Marathon:1:26:18
• Marathon: 3:14:17

What is your most memorable race or races and share a little about at least one of them?
My first half-marathon was the derby half in 1997. It was the first competitive race after I became a serious runner.  I ran a sub 1:30 and the bug hit.  The Dipsea trail race in Mill Valley California was a very unique running experience.  I qualified for my first Boston Marathon in 1999 at Kiawah Island SC.  Jack Evans and I ran it together and he really helped me complete it and gave me the opportunity to start my times in Boston.  I have been fortunate to run Boston 4 times.  It is unlike any racing experience that  I have experienced. It is the only athletic event where also rans like me are on the same stage on the same day with the world’s elite.

Boston 2018 Finish

You ran Boston this year, can you tell us about how it went and how you dealt with the weather?
I love cold weather running and enjoy running in the rain; however, this was a little extreme.  The race started with 19 degree windchill and a 30 mph headwind.  I had been injured in early January and was in very poor running shape.  I ran/jogged/walked the whole thing and finished last among all Kentuckians: however, it was one of  the greatest thrills that I have experienced to just complete it.


Do you plan on going back?
At this stage I have no plans except to try and get healthy enough to run fast again.   I do get 15 minutes at age 60!!!!!


Do you have a favorite workout you do?
I do a core strengthening circuit 1-2 times/week that has helped my overall strength and helped with injury prevention.


How about a favorite route you like to run?
My favorite training route is a 10 mile loop we call the black hole.  I enjoy running the Blue Herron loop in McCreary Co.


What is your favorite distance to run and race?
I love the half-marathon distance.  It takes the rabbits out and gives plodders like me a chance to compete.


Do you have any long-range plans?
I just want to get healthy again and be able to run/train with my friends again.


What do you like best about living and running in KY?
I love the seasons we have.  I enjoy being able to race virtually every weekend if I so desire.  We have an abundance of races close to our home town.  Our community is blessed with many runners of all levels and ages. 


What do you struggle with most with regards to running?
I hate injuries.  Running is my Prozac.  I deal with the pressures of work and life in general much better when I am able to run 4-5 times per week.  Even if it is just 3 miles or so. 


What do you see as a trend in running?
There has been a resurgence of new runners in our area the last 2-3 years.  It is very exciting to me to see so many people trying to better themselves physically. 


If you had one, well maybe two or three, things to say those that are running to encourage them what would it be?
Enjoy the daily runs.  Each day you get to lace up your shoes is truly a gift from God.  The beauty of running is that you can choose whether to be competitive or just run for fun.  Learn from your mistakes whether racing or training and better yourself.  My #1 bit of advise would be just keep moving and be glad that you are able to be around those that enjoy doing what you love to do as well.

Weekly RunDown #89

"The mountains don't care! They'll wipe you out in an instant if you give them a chance. That's part of the appeal. There are times when I knew, if I didn't get down, it would kill me. And that's okay."

Rick Trujillo

Interesting article on Rick Trujillo that was originally published in Runner's World in 2008 - Twilight of the Mountain God (PDF)

A Story on Rick Trujillo from a couple years ago: What's Up? For running pioneer Rick Trujillo, the glory

This week's Interview Tuesday was with Chance Fox

The Prefontaine Classic begins tomorrow - preview of Friday and Saturday

Saddly, while track and field may be big in the rest of the world it is not in the US - So who get excited to see track and field

Interview with Kilian Jornet: Competition, Training and Everest

iRunFar.com's This week in Running: May 21, 2018

LetsRun.com's The Week That Was in Running: May 14-20, 2018

Someone on Twitter mentioned Charlie Spedding and his book "From Last to First." I came across this article that talks about how he was looking to help people lose weight via diet - specifically LCHF.  Need to look into this more as his website loseamillionpounds.com does not work.

Meghan Arbogast and her 2018 Lake Sonoma 50

While not a household name today there was a time he was well known - Laszlo Tabori passed away Wednesday at 86

How about this race in the Philippines - 100 miles and about 37,098 FT of climbing - that has Western States and Hardrock as qualifying races

I know I tend to post info on longer races but I like a good 5K and here are 10 from around the US.  The only one I have done is the Carlsbad 5K back in the day

If you like running downhill, how about this race

IRONMAN, a Wanda Sports Holdings Company, has announced the acquisition of AROC Sport and Ultra-Trail Australia

Well Yuki is not just sitting around after his Boston win as he ran, and won, his longest race as he got the course record running the Yatsugatake Nobeyama Kogen 71 km Ultramarathon

Comrades Marathon is right around the corner - 16 days to go.  Looking forward to seeing how Camille Herron does this year after her win in 2017.  Here is an article on Camille from The Marathon website and one NewsOK: Why Oklahoma native is an ultra running rock star

Toni Reavis looks at the Supreme Court ruling on gambling and running and he also looks at Rupp's rebound race in Prague

A look at one athletes loss of love for the sport of running

The next Balanced Runner Online Camp is starting May 26th.  Sign up was supposed to close today but due to some technical issues it will be open till May 31st at midnight (PST).  You will then get the class you missed and have time to catch up as there is a built in catch up week.   here is a review of the Balanced Runner I did after I took the class.   There is a 90 day guarantee from the purchase date as well as being able to take the class again and again, as I am doing, at a later date  - To be upfront these are affiliate links but I would share either way as I hope you can see in my review.

July 7th in Elizabethtown, KY Running Soles will be hosting the Freeman Lake Summer Trail Challenge.  You can run a 10K or 5k and if really inspired run both

Here in the South-Central Kentucky area we have our own running camp if you are a JV or Varsity distance runner. Look at attending the 3 day KY Elite Distance Running Camp being help July 12-14 in Somerset KY.  This camp is put on by KY 2000 AA State Cross-Country Champion Daniel Roberts who I interviewed at the end of February.  The price for the camp is $50 but it increases after April 15, 2018 at 11:59pm EDT.   You can also get information at the KY Elite Running Facebook page

If you are going to be in the Nancy Kentucky area July 21st, 2018 you might consider doing the Mud Mayhem & Fun Lake Cumberland 5K Obstacle Challenge.  The race proceeds go to help the local Phoenix Racing


Masters Running News
ABC News’ latest short documentary, Ice Runner, follows Barahona as she takes on a marathon across the frozen waters of the world’s deepest lake, Siberia’s Lake Baikal in Russia.

Masters news at Master-Athlete.com


Races this Coming Week
Azores Trail Run, Horta, Portugal - May 25 & 26, 2018
Calico Centennial Celebration, North Muddy Mountains, NV - May 26, 2018
London 2 Brighton Challenge, London, UK - May 26-27, 2018
Zegama-Aizkorri Marathon, Zegama, Spain - May 27, 2018


Past Weekend Race Results
Cruel Jewel 50 &100, Blairsville, GA - May 18-19, 2018
Ultra Trail Australia 100K, Katoomba, NSW - May 19, 2018
Keys 100,  Key Largo, FL - May 19, 2018
Silver State 50/50, Reno, NV - May 19, 2018
North Downs Way 50, Worthing UK - May 19, 2018
The Transylvania 100, Transylvania, Romania - May 19, 2018
Horse Capital Marathon & 1/2 Marathon, Lexington, KY - May 19, 2018


Kroger's Canteen - A look at the aid station at 32.7 miles on the Hardrock 100 course - also includes Rick Trujillo


Nice video on Krista Olson (wife of Timothy Olson) running the Pine to Palm 100 together with her father Bob Loomis. Anyone else run an Ultra with a family member?


A look at the Azores Trail Run in this 2018 Promo for the race


A look at the Ultra Trail Australia 2018 from last week


Solomon video on the 2017 Zegama-Aizkorri Marathon


And one from the 2014 Zegama Race

This is what happens when you go out too slow


2018 Canyons Endurance Run

Interview Tuesday: Meet Kentucky and Masters Runner Chance Fox

Land Between the Lakes Marathon

This week I talk to Chance Fox from Elizabethtown Kentucky.  I met Chance via the Running Soles store and races as well as their FB page and see him whenever I am out that way to run.  Chance has started riding bikes as well as running and in the interview shares some about that.  It was nice to learn a little more about Chance than I knew from talking on my infrequent trips to E'town.  Chance is yet another runner who took it up much later in life.


Tell us a little about yourself not necessarily related to running: age, where born, education, area you live in, etc…..
I was born at Ft Knox, KY and then almost immediately moved with my family to Germany where I lived my first 8 years.  I recently moved to Elizabethtown after living in Howevalley KY for 20 years but I’ve lived in Hardin County most of my life. I graduated from North Hardin High in Radcliff and then from the University of Kentucky       


What is your profession?
I am the CFO (Director of Finance) for the City of Radcliff where I have worked for the last 27 ½ years.  I was very young when I started there 😊 My background is in finance, accounting and budgeting 


How long have you been running?
I’ve been running for 7 ½ years now but I have really increased my mileage the last 2 ½ years.   



How did you start running and what prompted you to do so?

I never did any form of cardio exercise once a graduated college up until 7 ½ years ago.  I found myself gaining weight even though I generally ate fairly healthy.  I was up to 188 lbs and I didn’t feel good about myself so I started running on the treadmill at the gym.  I soon got bored running indoors so I decided to run outside.  I literally couldn’t run a 1/3 of a mile without walking. The more I ran the further I could begin to run and then over time the faster I could run.  I’ve been able to keep the weight off ever since! 
             

Did you participate in any other sports over the years?
After college I began weight training as a means of exercise and I have continued to maintain this ever since.  I’ve gone from 5 days a week for over 20 years and then down to 2-3 days a week once I discovered running         


Did you run in grade school, High School or College? If so where?
The only sport I played during high school or otherwise was tennis 

Mammoth Caves State Park

So we get an idea of where you have been with running can you share your PR’s for: 5K, 10K marathon and any other distance you may have run in the past.

• My 5K best is 21:20 (I don’t run many of them anymore)
• 10K best is 44:40
• 10miler is 1:14
• Half is 1:37
• Full is 3:51
• Ran just shy of a 60K last August at the Backyard Classic Ultra
• Distance running is fairly new to me as I’ve done my 5 marathons only in the past 14 months.         

What is your most memorable race or races and share a little about at least one of them?
I will always remember my first road full marathon which was the Derby in 2017 mainly because I had been running for 6 ½ years before attempting that distance.  I kept talking myself out of doing one because I felt as though I would not be able to finish it. Everyone kept telling me to go for it but I always found a way out of it.  Once I finally completed it, I felt as though a weight of doubt had been lifted off of me. The other race was the Backyard Classic in 2017. It was my first attempt at a distance beyond the full and I was ready to see how far I could go in an 8 hour time limit.  I got about 36 miles in just under 7 ½ hrs. I also really love this race because so many of the local runners that I’ve ran and trained with for the last 4 years also run this event and being there with them is very gratifying.               

Do you have a favorite workout you do?
I really don’t follow a program or a structured plan even when training for a marathon.  I just try and increase my mileage to the point where my pace and breathing feels comfortable.  I try and vary doing longer runs with tempo runs.  I usually don’t run relaxed short distances which I’ve been told is not ideal so I’m still learning about tempo and recovery.       


I notice you have been getting into riding, which do you like better – Running or Riding?
I still consider running to be my main sport of choice mainly because that’s all I’ve done in my free time for the past 7 years.  However, I really do enjoy the speed and freedom of being on a bike.  You’re just able to cover so much more territory for the amount of time.  So I have had to learn to incorporate 2 days a week of riding into my running schedule.     


What got you to take up riding?

Getting Ready for a Central Ky Wheelman Ride

I never considered cycling as an alternate form of exercise.  I was comfortable with only running because I enjoyed it so much and did it all the time.  However, earlier last year my friend Kiersta, who’s an expert cyclist, got me interested to try it. So I then bought my first bike in February. In less than 2 months, I had bought another road bike and was riding with my local bike club, Central Ky Wheelmen.  Shortly after that I bought another bike because I wanted to participate in off road gravel rides.                   


Do you ride roads or trails or both?
My favorite surface is road riding.  I really like the tempo of road riding and cycling the backroads of my county and the surrounding area.  However, the more I’ve begun riding my cross bike on gravel rides, it is also very enjoyable.  The elevation on those rides are usually more severe which brings new challenges.  I’ve also done some mountain bike riding but I still need more training and pedal time on this type of riding.       


What is the longest you have ridden to date?
I didn’t really begin riding longer distances until late Summer.  I’ve done 2 century rides.  One was a training ride and the other was the Bourbon Bluegrass Century tour ride in Owensboro.  I definitely plan on riding several more this year.   


Any advice to those taking up riding?
Gosh there is so much more to begin riding than to begin running!  It’s not only learning the aspects of how to ride and how to ride safely, but its learning about all the proper gear you need not to mention the aspects of bike maintenance.  I really am very green on the maintenance part so I rely a lot on my local bike shop.  I do hope to learn more as I ride more.  I would strongly recommend riding with a friend or a group of people when you get started.  So many variables can go wrong on a bike especially for a new rider and a seasoned cyclist who can act as your partner is invaluable.   I am very thankful for friends who have taken their time to help me learn.             


How about a favorite route you like to run?
I am pretty open to any route anywhere whether it be road or trail.  I run so many similar routes locally as many of them are with my local running group with Running Soles.   Our group run club always runs on Tuesday’s and Thursday’s and all of the routes begin downtown E-town which is very cool and extend out into neighborhoods or run along a commercial corridor or run into and along a trail.  Freeman Lake and the Veterans Nature Park in E-town is a beautiful course to run because it includes both gravel, dirt and grass surfaces along with running beside creeks, open pasture and the lake.             

Mammoth Cave Gravel Ride

What is your favorite distance to run and race?
Honestly I don’t really have one.  I run them all.  I’ve more recently though gotten away from the 5K distance only because I prefer now to get more bang with my bucks.  I really enjoy the aspect of group team running and therefore my favorite race has become Ragnar Kentuckiana at Otter Creek Park.  I just really love the competitive team spirit part of it.                 


Do you have any long-range plans?
Any plans at this point would likely include additional distance running and distance cycling. I would also like to venture away from home a bit more to try new race venues.  I also want to pick up where I left off last September with cyclocross racing.  I sustained a mountain bike injury and had to stop cycling for 2 months.  I did the first 2 cyclocross events as part of a 7-8 race series before my accident.         


What do you like best about living and running in KY?
Ky running for the most part is all that I know.  I’ve only done a hand full of races out of state.  Kentucky has so many state parks, lakes, trails, and quiet country roads to either run and bike on.  You can basically travel anywhere for a new adventure within a relative short distance drive.  I’ve lived here most of my life so this is home for me.       


What do you struggle with most with regards to running?
My biggest struggle is probably trying to educate myself more on proper rest and recovery as well as pre and post run stretching.  I’ve always been healthy and injury free so I’ve never worried about these things.  It’s only been recently with fighting an IT band issue that I’ve had to learn more about foam rolling, and bar rolling and hip/core stretching to help reduce injury.  Other have told me to take the time to learn more but I tend to be hard headed as many locally will attest to - haha.     


What do you see as a trend in running?
The obvious one would have to be an increase in ultra running.  It seems as though more and more races are forming even here in Kentucky where there were limited options just a couple of years ago.  I also think footwear has more of a focus now than in the past, both for road and trail.  So many shoes now are specialized not only for specific surfaces and also for specific distances. Shoes have become so ultra light but still have so much support.         


If you had one, well maybe two or three, things to say to those that are running to encourage

Youngers Creek Tunnel E'town

them what would it be?
You got to stay with it!  So many start off and then slowly begin to get discouraged and stop.  It took me a few months to begin seeing benefits in increasing my distance and tempo. What I first began to hate I then began to love.  Also, I ran alone for about 3 years and I began to get bored because of it.  I would see runners in a group as I passed them talking and appearing to be really enjoying one another.  So I went to Running Soles to be a part of a group run.  I went there for the social interaction initially and it then became so much more.  There’s a sense of accountability when you belong and participate to a run club that you just can’t get when running alone.               


Do you have a website or other social media site you would like to share?
The one site I use locally/regionally for events or training runs is the Running Soles Training Group site on Facebook.  I love my local run store/group and get most my information from it.   


Any closing comments?
I’d simply say don’t be afraid to try something new as a means to add to your training regimen.  I think we all get comfortable in a routine and sometimes don’t realize how much more we can be doing if we don’t try it.  I am so thankful I was able to add cycling to running.  I think they go so well together.   

The Next Balanced Runner Online Camp is Starting May 26

Sign-up for the next Balanced Runner Online Camp is now open and the camp starts Saturday.  I did a review of this camp a while ago and you can read about it here.  This is in many ways a different way to look at running and in my mind a more natural way than most as it looks at how your body wants to naturally move and then works to get you to move as such but naturally and nto by forcing some motion.  As in my my review this way of looking at things may be difficult if you are like me, someone who just wants to be told how to move or do an action.  The good part with the class is if you do not quite get it the first time you can retake the class over and over for free - as I am taking it again this time so things may set in better.  Also there is a money back guarantee in that after 90 days of purchase you decide this is not for you there is a full refund - hard to beat that to try it out.


"GUARANTEE: I realize you have probably already spent a lot of money trying to solve your running problems, so I won’t ask you to risk losing any more. If you complete The Balanced Runner Online Camp and are not happy with how your running feels, contact me within 90 days of your purchase and I’ll give you a full refund. (If only your doctor offered that, right?)"

Let me also add that the link above is an affiliate link but as i hope you get from my review, I would suggest this class, as I have done before, even if there was not one

Update 5/24/18:  This is from Jae who puts on the class - Due to problems with PayPal and the email chaos created by GDPR, I am extending the registration deadline for the camp by a week. The new deadline will be Thursday 31 May at 11:59 pm Pacific.

While the class will still start on the 26th if you register later you can jump right in and there is a catch up week in the schedule.  Also, looks like you can also register with other than Paypal now if you like.

Weekly RunDown #88

"If you are not enjoying training, stop all anaerobic training. Go out for a long jog, so slow that the old ladies with shopping baskets go past you. Do that until you start to enjoy it!"

Arthur Lydiard

Alex Hutchinson writes on The Ultimate( Evidence Based) Guide to Recovery

A look at Ann Trason's run at the 1995 Western States 100 where she was 2nd overall for the second year.

This week's Interview Tuesday was with Alabama runner David Corrie

The US women take 3rd at the Trail World Championships and the men get 4th

Well Gary Cantrell, aka Lazarus Lake, is on his trek across the US

An article that looks at "What extreme athletes can—and can’t—tell us about human endurance" and looks at Scott Jurek and Jennifer Pharr Davis as well as insights from Alex Hutchinson's book Endure

iRunFar.com's This Week in Running: May 14, 2018

LetsRun.com's The Week That Was In Running: May 7-13, 2018

How Gordon Ainsleigh qualified for this years Western States 100 at the Umstead 100

You may have heard his name but what do you know about Ian Torrence

Looking forward to a good Bowerman Mile at the Prefontaine Classic May 26th, 2018

A win at Boston changes everything for Desi Linden

For all the talk about legalizing gambling interesting to see that gambling as we know it may have been spurred on by Competitive Walking, yes walking.

How about a Road Running League

Nice article on Mark Cucuzzella and extending his streak to 31 years with a sub 3:00 marathons - but even more you see his great attitude in dealing with this year's Boston

Write up by Steve Speirs on his run at Dawn to Dusk to Dawn (D3) which did not go as planned but he shares lessons learned

Maggie Guteri also writes about her run at Dawn to Dusk to Dawn

A look at Piriformis Syndrom which can be a real pain in the butt - I know from personal experience

Check out Zack Bitter and Dr. Shawn Baker interview of Jeff Browning

Jospeh looks at his upcoming run at the Mohican 100, his first 100, and talks about the difference between "motivation" and being "driven" - some good distinctions to think about

Hope there is a good field at Chicago as Rupp and Hasay will be back

Some exercises for your ankles and feet

Need more time to run, here are "11 Creative Ways to Find More Time to Run Today"

As a reminder if you need a podcast to listen to I have a post that I update with new ones as I find them, so check out Podcasts and More Podcasts

As I mentioned last week there is a new Balanced Runner Online Camp starting May 26th with sign up starting May 20th, here is a review of the Balanced Runner I did after I took the class.   I hope some of you were able to try the free The Mind Your Running Challenge.  As I mention in my review if the class seemed strange you are not alone but I do think the underlying principal is one we need to learn, and if you are like me it may take longer to learn than some.  That principle is that our bodies have a natural way to move and often with all the info we get inundated with we start to force what is not really natural and it can take some effort to get back to it.  Also, there is a 90 day guarantee from the purchase date as well as being able to take the class again, as I am doing, at a later date  - To be upfront these are affiliate links but I would share either way as I hope you can see in my review.

July 7th in Elizabethtown, KY Running Soles will be hosting the Freeman Lake Summer Trail Challenge.  You can run a 10K or 5k and if really inspired run both

Here in the South-Central Kentucky area we have our own running camp if you are a JV or Varsity distance runner. Look at attending the 3 day KY Elite Distance Running Camp being help July 12-14 in Somerset KY.  This camp is put on by KY 2000 AA State Cross-Country Champion Daniel Roberts who I interviewed at the end of February.  The price for the camp is $50 but it increases after April 15, 2018 at 11:59pm EDT.   You can also get information at the KY Elite Running Facebook page

If you are going to be in the Nancy Kentucky area July 21st, 2018 you might consider doing the Mud Mayhem & Fun Lake Cumberland 5K Obstacle Challenge.  The race proceeds go to help the local Phoenix Racing


Masters Running News
While not directly talking about running still these are good points to keep in mind

Epic Ultras' featured runner for February 2018 is Joe Galloway

Sad to hear Bob Hayes (91) passed away.  If you have not seen the short documentary,  , on him, see trailer below, you need to - you can rent or buy it here



Races this Coming Week
Cruel Jewel 50 &100, Blairsville, GA - May 18-19, 2018
Ultra Trail Australia 100K, Katoomba, NSW - May 19, 2018
Keys 100,  Key Largo, FL - May 19, 2018
Silver State 50/50, Reno, NV - May 19, 2018
North Downs Way 50, Worthing UK - May 19, 2018
The Transylvania 100, Transylvania, Romania - May 19, 2018
Horse Capital Marathon & 1/2 Marathon, Lexington, KY - May 19, 2018


Past Weekend Race Results
Transvulcania, La Palma, Canary Islands - May 12, 2018
Trail World Championships and Penyagolosa Trails, Castellón de la Plana, Spain  - May 12, 2018
UROC 100k, Skylark, Virginia - May 12, 2018
Ice Age Trail 50,  La Grange, WI - May 12, 2018
Orcas Island 50 Mile/Marathon/Half, Orcas Island, WA - May 12, 2018
Priest Lake 50K & Marathon, Hill's Resort, Priest Lake, ID - May 12, 2018
Lijiang Skyview Adventure (65K), Lijiang, China - May 12, 2018
Dawn to Dusk to Dawn Track Ultras, Sharon Hill, PA - May 12-13, 2018


Ultra Man


A look at FKTs


Here you go - the Transylvania 100K in Romania - Start and Finish at Dracula's castle - course looks like a tough one


Flagstaff Extreme Big Pine Trail Runs 2018


Stian Angermund-Vik VK Transvulcania 2018


Ultra-Trail Australia 2018 is this weekend

Interview Tuesday: Meet Alabama Runner David Corrie

It's my pleasure to share this week’s interview with David Corrie of Alabama, but he does have a Kentucky connection:)  I met David via the  MAF FB page and we have chatted back and forth as well as keep track of each others runs on Strava.  I hope to be able to meet up with him in the not to distant future as he really is not too far from me.


Tell us a little about yourself not necessarily related to running: age, where born, education, area you live in, etc…..
I was born in Chattanooga, TN and grew up in Southern Indiana/Louisville, KY.  Graduated HS from Christian Academy of Louisville and went then graduated from Samford University in Birmingham, AL in 2000.


What is your profession?
Sales, I work in commercial roofing and my territory is the Southeast, AL, GA, MS, LA.


How did you start running and what prompted you to do so? 
I ran track in HS along with playing multiple sports and have always run kind of off and on since then.


How long have you been running?
I started back to legitimate running I would say with my first 50K in 2012 at the Duncan Ridge Trail 50K.  It took me 8:27 and was pure hell.  I had NO idea what I was getting into.


Did you participate in any other sports over the years?
Nothing really to speak of other than a few sprint triathlons my senior year in college and I ran a marathon that I signed up for about a week beforehand, which I don’t recommend. 😊


Did you run in grade school, High School or College? If so where?
High School Track at Christian Academy of Louisville.


So we get an idea of where you have been with running can you share your PR’s for: 5K, 10K marathon and any other distance you may have run in the past. 
I have no Idea my 5K PR😊 nor a 10K pr😊.  I don’t think I’ve ever run either on roads that I can remember.

• I ran a 10K on trails in 2017 and finished in 40:57. 
• 50K:  Oak Mtn 50K, 4:56:51, 3rd OA -  3/24/2018
• Lake Martin 50Mile: 9:04 1st OA -  3/19/2016

What is your most memorable race or races and share a little about at least one of them?
I’d have to say winning the 50 miler at Lake Martin.  I was in a bad place and deep into overtraining which I new nothing about at that time.  I just new I wasn’t performing well in those days.  I almost didn’t run it and decided the night before to do it.  My wife and my boys made it for the finish which made it memorable.  I wasn’t that fast that day and luckily no legitimately fast runners showed up, so I snagged a win.


Do you have a favorite workout you do?
I do a lot of MAF training so most of my runs are low HR.  I enjoy hill intervals though and I have a hill close to my house that I have a love/hate relationship with.  I feel like Hill intervals give me the best bang for my buck it that training phase.  I hate to do them, but I always feel like I see big improvements quickly from them.


How about a favorite route you like to run?
I run a lot of trails and I have an old standard 6 mile loop that we run very regularly.  My favorite trails are the Backcountry trails at Oak Mountain State Park.  They are pretty nasty and steep, some of them could definitely use ropes on rainy days. 


What is your favorite distance to run and race?
At this point I’ve completed mostly 50Ks, but I feel like that at my age it is getting harder to compete at that distance.


Do you have any long-range plans?
50K June 2nd.  50 miler September, 100 miler in November, Pinhoti 100.  I signed up for the 100 last year after a 4 month break from running and have been using it as inspiration to stay more consistent.


What do you like best about living and running where you live in Alabama?
I really enjoy being able to run in shorts basically the entire year except for a short winter where it can get cold enough for pants and long sleeves.  The weather here is perfect for running except for summer.  Summer can get brutal so I feel like it actually takes more discipline that any other time of year.

What do you struggle with most with regards to running?
Balancing family/work/running and staying consistent with it.  I’ve been married for 16 years and have 3 active boys that are 11, 8, 5.  I’m in sales so I travel a lot and many of my runs during the week are completed out of town from a hotel.  The boys have sports and I coach a lot of them so this takes even more time.  My wife is super supportive of my running and I do my best to get my runs over with as early as possible.  Many times that means 4:30 Saturday and Sunday mornings.  If my wife wasn’t supportive and flexible with me, I don’t think I would be able to run ultras, they are just too time consuming to train for and to painful when untrained.


What do you see as a trend in running?
I feel like I’m seeing a lot more people on the trails and I’d like to see more.  I feel like the trails are a little healthier place to train and safer.  I run a lot of roads but really would run trails every day if I could.  I feel like too many people chase their watch all day long during training on roads, whereas running trails is a little more relaxed and enjoyable. 


If you had one, well maybe two or three, things to say those that are running to encourage them what would it be?
Be intentional about rest.  I made the huge mistake of thinking that more hard work was better and it almost ended my running.  It has taken me almost 2 years to recover from overtraining.  I’ve learned a lot of lessons the hard way from my overtraining ways.  Now, I do my best to never run junk miles.  Keep your easy days easy and keep your workouts intentional.  Its ok to bail on workouts if you think your body isn’t ready for it that day.  Typically, I keep workouts 2-3 days apart from each other and everything else is run at low HR.  I never recovered early on in my running and this really set me back.  I just didn’t really believe it was needed, but I was very wrong.

Also, diet is a very big part of running.  I follow a moderately LCHF diet and I feel like it helps me recover faster, along with maintaining a healthy weight.  I’m not saying LCHF is for everyone, but being intentional about what we eat as fuel definitely helps you train better.


Any closing comments?
I got into running ultras when I was going through a very difficult career time in 2008.  I literally turned to running because I think I felt like it was the only thing I could control in my out of control life at that time.  It helped me get through some very difficult times as an outlet for stress.  These days, it helps me stay stable and consistent and has finally just become part of my daily routine.  I’m not elite by any means, but if I can put together a couple good training cycles, I can compete with some faster guys which is a lot of fun.  It all depends on the day, but I love competition and I love to race.

Weekly RunDown #87

"Every single one of us possesses the strength to 
attempt something he isn't sure he can accomplish."

Scott Jurek

iRunFar.com's talk to Scott Jurek after his Appalachian Trail FKT

I have not read Jurek's new book, North: Finding My Way While Running the Appalachian Trail, yet but it is on my list.  Here is a review by ATRA

Parade talks to Scott about his run of the AT and here is National Geographic's look at the run

Outside on line talks to Scott Jurek

A look at 6 Principles of Naturopathic Running Health

iRunFar.com's This Week in Running May 7, 2018

LetsRun.com's The Week That Was In Running, April 30-May 6, 2018

Some guidance on running slow which can often affect your form

I guess Galen Rupp's dropping out of Boston was the correct decision as he ran 2:06:07 to win the Prague Marathon - see video below

Check out this weeks Interview Tuesday as I talked to local runner Tabitha Bell

Zack Bitter wrote a good article for Mark's Daily Apple on Periodizing Nutrition: The High Fat Approach

Thoughts on looking at a run that does not go as expected, well as you might have wanted: Ego and Excuses vs. Joy and Self-Compassion

Do you know what shoe has the highest brand loyalty? Find out here

A look at a 2018 Spring Shoe Review

A good field at this years Ultra Race of Champions (UROC) in Skylark VA

As I have mentioned before I am an Ambassador for SFuels and they are working on the Ultra-FREEdom project in seeking to get 20% of Ultra races by 2020 to offer Low Carb alternatives and the UROC race is one of those races offering an alternative offerings along with the usual fare.



Well, no more 2020 Olympic Track & Field Trials for Mt. Sac as they loose them and bidding re-opens

OK, not really running related - except he does need to run to get over the bar, but this is pretty impressive as 18 year old Armand Duplantis goes 19' 5.5" (5.93m) in the pole vault in his last High School meet.

Louisville is not only part of the horse racing Triple Crown with the Derby but they also have their own Triple Crown of Running

Here is a race you might want to do one day in Italy: Amalfi Positano Ultra Trail.  This years edition is May 27th.  There is also a series of other races in the same using these trails.

Trail World Championships Men's Preview and Women's Preview

There was destined to be other races seeking to be like the Barkley - I just came across the Niwot's Challenge in the Colorado Front Range


Or how about the Baldy Marathons which is a 5 x 20mile loop on So. Cal's Mt. Baldy in 60 hours.  So far no one has finished.  Here are the results for the April 29, 2018 run.  In looking on YouTube it might be So. Cal but they got some snow in the 2017 race in May.

Speaking of Mount Baldy there is a 7+ mile run with 4000' elevation gain to the top and this year is the 53rd running of the race.  I will be in town this year for the race, a race years ago (25 or so) I used to run yearly.  If you want to run registration is now open here: Mt. Baldy Run to the Top

Dr. Mark Cucuzzella and Katie Nolan Thompson will be hosting River Runners Summer Youth Run Camps in West Virginia. They are offering an overnight High School Camp July 22-25 and a Middle School Day Camp July 25-27.

Need an idea for a marathon to run?  How about the Banff Marathon on June 17, 2018?  Here are 8 reasons to run it, not sure I would need that much coaxing if I could get there as it is a beautiful area.

More Track & Field this Saturday with the Shanghai Diamond League Meet

Interview with Desiree Linden on Boston and Future and other things

Five of the Coconino Cowboys get into the Western States 100 via Golden Tickets

I wrote a review of the Balanced Runner a while ago and will be posting links to the next online class soon.  The next class starts May 26th with registration opening on May 21st and am taking again for a refresher.  If you want to try out some lessons you can, for free, try The Mind Your Running Challenge  - To be upfront these are affiliate links but I would share either way as you can see in my review.

July 7th in Elizabethtown, KY Running Soles will be hosting the Freeman Lake Summer Trail Challenge.  You can run a 10K or 5k and if really inspired run both

Here in the South-Central Kentucky area we have our own running camp if you are a JV or Varsity distance runner. Look at attending the 3 day KY Elite Distance Running Camp being help July 12-14 in Somerset KY.  This camp is put on by KY 2000 AA State Cross-Country Champion Daniel Roberts who I interviewed at the end of February.  The price for the camp is $50 but it increases after April 15, 2018 at 11:59pm EDT.   You can also get information at the KY Elite Running Facebook page

If you are going to be in the Nancy Kentucky area July 21st, 2018 you might consider doing the Mud Mayhem & Fun Lake Cumberland 5K Obstacle Challenge.  The race proceeds go to help the local Phoenix Racing


Masters Running News
Masters runners from across the UK gathered in Birmingham over the weekend to compete in an England versus Celtic Nations match incorporated within the Simplyheath Great Birmingham 10k


Races this Coming Week
Transvulcania, La Palma, Canary Islands - May 12, 2018
Trail World Championships and Penyagolosa Trails, Castellón de la Plana, Spain  - May 12, 2018
UROC 100k, Skylark, Virginia - May 12, 2018
Ice Age Trail 50,  La Grange, WI - May 12, 2018
Orcas Island 50 Mile/Marathon/Half, Orcas Island, WA - May 12, 2018
Priest Lake 50K & Marathon, Hill's Resort, Priest Lake, ID - May 12, 2018
Lijiang Skyview Adventure (65K), Lijiang, China - May 12, 2018
Dawn to Dusk to Dawn Track Ultras, Sharon Hill, PA - May 12-13, 2018


Past Weekend Race Results
Miwok 100k, Stinson Beach, CA - May 5, 2018
Strolling Jim 40 Miler, Wartrace, TN - May 5, 2018
North Face Endurance Challenge New York, Bear Mtn St Pk, NY - May 5, 2018
Wild Wild West  50M, 50K & Marathon, Lone Pine, CA - May 5, 2018
Whisky Row Marathon, Prescott, AZ - May 5, 2018
Flying Pig Marathon, Cincinnati, OH - May 6, 2018


4 secrets to ultra running success from US legend Scott Jurek, part II of III (Part 1  & Part III)


In Constant Motion - Story of Adam Campbell and his running Hardrock after a near fatal accident 10 months before.  Here is the OutsideOnline article on the run


Last kilometers of the 2018 Prague Marathon won by Galen Rupp in 2:06:07


Stian Angermund-Vik goes for the VK world record which the best I can tell is 28:53


Buffalo Stampede 2018


Running on Empty - Rory Bosio running Corsica’s GR20 trail


The latest edition of Mountain Outhouse News

Interview Tuesday: Meet Kentucky and Masters Runner Tabitha Bell

This week I talk to Tabitha Bell about how she started running and why?  It has been great getting to know the many runners in KY and the surrounding areas.  One thing I have learned is that why people come to running is for different reasons and at different times in their lives - one constant is their love for running.

Tell us a little about yourself not necessarily related to running: age, where born, education, area you live in, etc…..
I was born in Tipton, IN on March of 1974.  We moved to KY when I was 7 years old.  I graduated Russell Co High School in 1993.  I’ve lived in Russell County for about 36 years.  I have one child, Megan, who is a Sophomore at Lindsey Wilson College. 


What is your profession?  
For 14 years, I have work with the Russell County Board of Education.  I am currently the Director of Pupil Personnel Administrative Assistant.  


How did you start running and what prompted you to do so? 
My New Year’s Resolution in 2012 was like most everyone else’s… to get healthy and lose weight.  I went in with a different approach this time, a healthy lifestyle change, not a crash diet.  I seemed to be making progress and the pounds slowly fell off, a couple each week.  In April of that year, my daughter was in High School track and asked me to go to the park so she could get a practice run in.  She jokingly asked me if I wanted to run, but to her shock, I gave it a shot.  That’s when I decided to add running into the lifestyle change.  We would go to the city park or the school track and run a few days a week.  At first I couldn’t even run one lap around the track without getting out of breath, but with the guidance of my daughter to run the straight stretches and walk the curve, I slowly build my way up to running a lap, a couple laps then even a mile.


How long have you been running?  
I’ve been running for 6 years now.


Did you participate in any other sports over the years?  
I enjoy swimming and biking, but running is my passion.

Did you run in grade school, High School or College?

I did not run in high school.  I think if I would have had someone to encourage me to do it, I may have.


So we get an idea of where you have been with running can you share your PR’s for: 5K, 10K marathon and any other distance you may have run in the past. 

• 5K - 20:28 11/28/14 - Run Run Rudolph in Louisville
• 10K - 43:28 4/11/15 - Berea Police Dept 10k in Berea
• Half  - 1:37 3/28/15 - Total Fitness Connection in Bowling Green

What 250 races looks like

What is your most memorable race or races and share a little about at least one of them?  
From June 2013 until today’s date, I’ve ran a total of 250 races, but I’d say the most memorable one would have to be my first.   It was the “Run With All Your Heart” 4 miler in memory of Sarah Hart, who’s life had been taken too early doing the thing she loved… running.  I was hesitant to even sign up for the race since I had only been running for a few months, but I did and it was truly a blessing.  With a small town population of about 17,000, over 1,200 runners finished the race that day.  There was such an outpour of love and support for their family.  This was a race I wanted to do again the next year.  I trained and improved over the next year, but didn’t even realize there was a running community or race calendars to exist until I started goggling for a 5k and that’s when the race addiction began.


What is your favorite distance to run and race?
The distance I seem to do most often is a 5 miler daily run, and a 5k weekend race. 


Do you have any long-range plans?
My long-range plans would have to be to someday run at least 1 full marathon.  





What do you like best about living and running in KY?

I’m blessed to be able to live and run in Kentucky.  My daily running course runs along the beautiful Lake Cumberland.  It is always easier running when the landscape can take your mind off the pain in your legs.  I’ve run in about 31 counties in KY and enjoy getting to run a different course and take in all the different scenery. 


What do you struggle with most with regards to running?
I used to struggle with the thought of “when have I got time to run”, but soon learned… if you enjoy something, you’ll make time for it. 


What do you see as a trend in running?
I’ve seen running races increasingly more popular over the last few years.  I think running helps promote a healthy lifestyle and more and more people are figuring that out.


If you had one, well maybe two or three, things to say those that are running to encourage them what would it be?
Sometimes it is difficult to find the motivation to get out the door and keep running especially in the hot summer heat or when a run didn’t go as planned, but I would have to say to never give up.  
“Now if you are going to win any battle you have to do one thing. You have to make the mind run the body. Never let the body tell the mind what to do. The body will always give up. It is always tired in the morning, noon and night. But the body is never tired if the mind is not tired.” — George S Patton


Do you have a website or other social media site you would like to share?
I always get motivation and enjoy reading stories from Runners World. and a great site to find upcoming races is Running in the USA


Any closing comments?
My advice to new runners would be to start off easy and listen to your body.  If you’re having a difficult time, cut back a little.  Walk if you have too… but never give up.  If you’re anything like me when I first started running, every run felt like a bad run.  It was so hard.  I couldn’t breathe and the mile felt endless.  After a few months, it did get easier and I’ve learned to love it.

Weekly RunDown #86

"Probably the Barkley marathon. It sounds sort of off the wall. I don’t know if I’d go to complete it, maybe just take part in it. No woman has actually completed it."

Nicky Spinks 

(When asked: Are there any races around the world that you’d really like to do?)

Not sure how many of you know who Nicky Spinks is but you do if you know much about Fell Running.  Nicky Spinks made fell running history in 2016 being the fastest to run a Double Bob Graham Round.  Below, in the video section, is a film on Nicky Spinks and some info on the movie and Nicky here.  If you have not heard of Nicky you can read more on her here: My Double Bob Graham Round & How to Run Farther than You Thought Possible.  As per the quote above it would be great if Nicky would run the Barkley, how about it Lazarus, or Gary for those not in the loop.

iRunFar.com profile on Nicky Spinks

LetsRun.com's The Week That Was In Running: April 23 - 29, 2018

Trail Runner Nation talks to Nicky Spinks about fell running

Tips for women on the trail with Nicky Spinks

Check out this week's Interview Tuesday with Trevor Tucker

Jospeh Fuller writes on the Parable (Matt 25:14-30) of the Talents from an Athletes Perspective

Another Kenyan, Absbel Kiprop, looks to have been caught using a banned substance - he is denying it, here is Kiprop's response,  so we will have to see how this plays out.  Citius Mag looks at Kiprop's response.

Sad part is when big named people like Kiprop get caught, or even appear to have done wrong, it sways the opinion on others.  Is this fair - no  - but often the way it is.

A behind the scenes look at Desi Linden's win at Boston

And more Boston news - a look at Amby Burfoot's running of Boston 50 years later

Magda Boulet talks about her win at this years Marathon Des Sables

A look at 13 ultra running myths

Top tips for the traveling mountain runner

18 year old Kipruto runs a 27:08 10k

When talking about a LCHF diet as opposed to a carb-centric on often people will speak about the problems with relying on fat during high intensity training.  While this will not settle the issue there has been a study that has shown this change did not hinder performing high intensity interval training (HIIT) as compared to a control group.

Top 50 songs with "running" or "run" in the title

US runners announced for the 15th WMRA Long Distance Mountain Running Championships being held in June 24th in Poland

Sometimes you just have to keep trying: After 11 DNFs Taryn Graham finished a 100 miler

Bruce Tulloh, known as "the barefoot runner," passed away April 28th

July 7th in Elizabethtown, KY Running Soles will be hosting the Freeman Lake Summer Trail Challenge.  You can run a 10K or 5k and if really inspired run both

If you live in the South-Central Kentucky area and you are a JV or Varsity distance runner you should look at attending the 3 day KY Elite Distance Running Camp being help July 12-14 in Somerset KY.  This camp is put on by KY 2000 AA State Cross-Country Champion Daniel Roberts who I interviewed at the end of February.  The price for the camp is $50 but it increases after April 15, 2018 at 11:59pm EDT.   You can also get information at the KY Elite Running Facebook page

If you are going to be in the Nancy Kentucky area July 21st, 2018 you might consider doing the Mud Mayhem & Fun Lake Cumberland 5K Obstacle Challenge.  The race proceeds go to help the local Phoenix Racing


Masters Running News
Masterstrack.com becomes Masterstrack.blog


Races this Coming Week
Miwok 100k, Stinson Beach, CA - May 5, 2018
Strolling Jim 40 Miler, Wartrace, TN - May 5, 2018
North Face Endurance Challenge New York, Bear Mtn St Pk, NY - May 5, 2018
Wild Wild West  50M, 50K & Marathon, Lone Pine, CA - May 5, 2018
Whisky Row Marathon, Prescott, AZ - May 5, 2018
Flying Pig Marathon, Cincinnati, OH - May 6, 2018


Past Weekend Race Results
Ultra Trail Mt. Fuji, Yagizaki Park, Japan -  April 27, 2018
Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon, Louisville, KY - April 28, 2018
Canyons 100K, 50K & 25K Runs, Forest Hill, CA - April 28, 2018
C&O Canal 100, Camp Manidoken, MD - April 28, 2018
Sinister Night Trail Runs, Queen Creek, AZ - April 28, 2018
North Face Endurance Challenge - DC, Washington D.C., - April 28, 2018
Madeira Island Ultra-Trail, Madeira Island , Portugal  -  April 28, 2018
Backside Trail Marathon and 1/2,  Louisville, KY - April 29, 2018


The film Run Forever about Nicky Spinks and her Double Bob Graham


Nicky Spinks talks about Making the most of life


Here is some downhill fell running


Another look at the Bob Graham Round - just one loop this time


More Bob Graham info


A look at the Hurt 100


The new for this year Tarawera 100 Mile Race


Zack Bitter on the Joe Rogan show - it is Joe Rogan so there are F-Bombs


The Latest Mountain Outhouse