Weekly RunDown #181

"Don’t let fatigue make a coward out of you."

Steve Prefontaine.

My Training Overview #40 for last week

Fast Women #64 - March 23, 2020

The 2020 Tokyo Olympic games have been postpones to no later than the summer of 2021

With the postponement of the Olympics athletes have to adjust their plans

An update on Anton Kruprica

Ian Sharman on using the skills you have used to adapt during races to adapt in all the craziness around us

Track $ Filed News interview with Emma Coburn

Some thoughts on how COVID-19 will affect Ultrarunning

An older interview, not sure if I posted it before, with Jim Walmsley after his run at the trials

Some thoughts on what to expect if your race is canceled and why a refund is unlikely

A look at what's up with Anton Krupicka

Grand Canyon Rim-Rim History Part 5 & here are the first parts of this series: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 & Part 4

A look at why there is such depth in Japanese distance running: Part 1 and Part 2

How are some pros staying in shape in these crazy times

No Treadmill - try this

Article on John Kelly running his own 5 loops at Frozen Head - funny they have him listed as a "British" runner - by the way he did do all 5 laps.

Tim Smith talks about the Mississippi Marathon and his trip to watch the Olympic Marathon Trials

New route feature in Strava

Big news from SFuels coming Saturday


Masters News
Pan American Masters Games still on for September as of now


Local, to Kentucky, Races and Events
(If you have a race in the area, including surrounding states, let me know and I will post about it)

Running groups are a great way to get to know people but also a great way to help you progress and get out and run.  If you are in the Elizabethtown KY area check out the Running Soles Group and if you are closer to Campbellsville check out the Campbellsville Running  Club.  There is now a running group starting over in Burkesville, for info check out their FB Page- Burkesville Running Club.  Have another local running group in KY let me know and I will list it.

Check out these Race Companies for local races: Good Times Even Services & Central Kentucky Race Management.  For trail and Ultra races in Kentucky and Virginia check out Next Opportunity Events

A good race in Somerset KY, and for a good cause, is the Over My Head 5K June 6, 2020

Always a fun race, well races, is the Freeman Lake Summer Trail Challenge 5K and 10K on July 11th, 2010 - Run either race or both

Next Opportunity Events Hot Hot Hundred is August 8th and this year they have added a 50K

A great race to add to your list is the 8hr Backyard Classic in Elizabethtown, KY on August 15, 2020

The Lake Cumberland 1/2 Marathon is Sept 12th in Somerset KY

If you want to check out a great trail but do not want to do an ultra try the Rugged Red Half Marathon in the Red River Gorge, KY on Sept 26, 2020 - Register here

Looking for other races around the world, here is where I get most of the ones I list: ahotuMarathons (covers the world), American Trail Running Assoc.  (Mostly US but does have other races on the list),  Running  in the USA & Trail Runner Magazine


Races this Coming Week - Keeping in mind many races have been getting canceled
For now will only post on races after they take place - if they take place - until this craziness passes as most race are canceled or will be - If I find one I am sure that will be run I will list it.


I shared this in my Training Overview and is directed at cycling but some good info on whether working out makes one more susceptible to viruses


Mtn Outhouse from March 22, 2020


A look back at the MIUT 2019


What would you pick as the greatest track race of all time


Top 5 Ultra Running Mistakes to Avoid


The Cocodona 250 Ultra


Big news coming from SFuels on Saturday


As a reminder, you can join the SFuels Strava Club and join others on the LCHF for Endurance journey

Also, check out the whole line of SFuels products: SFuels Life , SFuels-Train and SFuels-Race products.  Also, just back after reformulating them are SFuel LIFE Bars.  You can also download the updated Get Started guide at the site.

Weekly RunDown #154

“You have to wonder at times what you’re doing out there. Over the years, I’ve given myself a thousand reasons to keep running, but it always comes back to where it started. It comes down to self-satisfaction and a sense of achievement.”

Steve Prefontaine

Fast Women Newsletter Issue #34 for August 26, 2019

iRunFar.com This Week in Running: August 26, 2019

Here is a an Overview of Week #11 of my training for some up coming runs and races

Zach Bitter breaks the World Record for 100 miles and 12hrs

The race Zach set the record at is still going as it goes for up to 6 days and ending Saturday - 6 Days in the Dome

Other articles on Zach's record: Runner's World, SI, Washington Post,

UTMB is here and here are some runners to watch: Men's Preview and the Women's Preview  - you can also catch live updates with iRunFar.com's Live Coverage

Want to check out great live video coverage you can check out the UTMB site

With the rise of ultra running in China here is a look at some Chinese runners to watch at UTMB

With a number of races already run at UTMB there is already news to report - Hilary Allen who had a near-death fall at a skyrace a couple years ago in Norway got second in the UTMBs TDS race (145K)

Lilian Jornet and Maude Mathys win the Pikes Peak Marathon

Joe Gray and Kim Dobson win the Pikes Peak Ascent

David Roche and 5 speed workouts to get faster

Ruperto Romero won the AC100 at 55

From being paralyzed to finishing a 130K trail race

A talk with Michele Yates who for sure has had her share of ups and downs

Podcast with Dr. Mark Cucuzella and Brad Kearns on "The Biggest Mistake in Human History"

Want to combine Golf and Ultras  - how about Marathon Golfing

Usually post info on gear reviews by DCRainmaker, as below in the videos, but here is his post on a Few Epic Days in the French Alps

Tim Smith talks to Blake Wood


Masters News
Masters record holder Pete Magill's (58) training for 3 weeks

Do older runners have an edge in Ultras?

Speaking of older runners - I posted this above but deserves to be her as well - Ruperto Romero won the AC100 at 55

Records fall at the USATF 1 Mile Championships

Local, to Kentucky, Races and Events
(If you have a race in the area, including surrounding states, let me know and I will post about it)

Running groups are a great way to get to know people but also a great way to help you progress and get out and run.  If you are in the Elizabethtown KY area check out the Running Soles Group and if you are closer to Campbellsville check out the Campbellsville Running  Club.  There is now a running group starting over in Burkesville, for info check out their FB Page- Burkesville Running Club.  Have another local running group in KY let me know and I will list it.

Check out these Race Companies for local races: Good Times Even Services & Central Kentucky Race Management.  For trail and Ultra races in Kentucky and Virginia check out Next Opportunity Events

Always a good race is the Lake Cumberland 1/2 Marathon in Somerset, KY on September 7, 2019.  They have also added a 10K this year.  Still time to enter and here is a code so you can save $5 - GTRACES

Want a tough but beautiful 100 race in the Daniel Boone National Forest then check out the NoBusiness 100 - October 12, 2019 - See video below on the 2018 race.

My friend Judy Walden is putting on the Judy Walden 5k October 26th in Elizabethtown, KY.  This is a free race (actual and virtual) but you can donate as all donations go to the Cancer Center of Elizabethtown in eh name of Judy - who herself is fighting cancer.  If you donate $30 or more you get a t-shirt.  Here is a short video on Judy:


Want to do a fun race before you dig into the days festivities then how about the Pilgrimage in the Park at Pulaski County Park in Nancy Kentucky on November 28, 2019. Did it last year but will be out of town this year but highly recommend this one. Great trails and great people.

In it's second year is the Falls 100 Ultra Trail Race (also a 50, Marathon and 1/2 Marathon as well as a 100 mile relay) - Run at the Falls of the Rough Resort in KY December 7, 2020

Looking for other races around the world, here is where I get most of the ones I list: ahotuMarathons (covers the world), American Trail Running Assoc.  (Mostly US but does have other races on the list),  Running  in the USA & Trail Runner Magazine


Races this Coming Week
UTMB, Chamonix, France - August, 30, 2019
Cabernet Canter 5K/10K, Lexington, KY - August 30, 2019
Alamo City Ultra, San Antonio, TX - August 31, 2109
Wildcat 100, Pensacola, FL - August 31, 2019
Run the Rut 50K, Big Sky, MT - September 1, 2019


Past Weekend Race Results
Hood to Coast Relay, Mt. Hood, OR - August 23-24, 2019
Cascade Crest 100, Easton, WA - August 24, 2019
Shawnee Hills 100, Ozark, Il - August 24, 2019
Castle Peak 100K, Truckee, CA - August 24, 2019
Ridgeway Challenge, Ivanhoe Beacon, UK - August 24, 2019
Pikes Peak Ascent and Marathon, Manitou Springs, CO - August 24 & 25, 2019


It's Time for X-Country


Matterhorn Ultraks Extreme Highlights - and they mean extreme!


Ginger Runner Live talks to World 100 Mile and 12HR Record Holder Zach Bitter


Mtn Outhouse News from August 24th, 2019


The Mocko Show - Squamish 50


16 New Things to Know on the new Fenix 6 Series watch - Here is the more in-depth review 


I share this because a number of you ride as well as run and also many know of the Leadville 100 Running race but this is the MTB Race


As a reminder, you can join the SFuels Strava Club and join others on the LCHF for Endurance journey

Also, check out the new SFuels Life  and SFuels Race producs.  You can also download the updated Get Started guide at the site.

Weekly Rundown #43

Steve Prefontaine

“A race is a work of art that people can look at and be affected in as many ways they’re capable of understanding.”

Steve Prefontaine

iRunFar.com's report on the 2017 Western States 100

A couple different posts on Jim Walmsley's DNF at Western States 100:  Jim Walmsley  & Walmsley Blows up Again (glad he changed the original title).  At the end of the day lets hope Jim learns from this and moves on to the next big race which is UTMB.

Here is an interview with Jim and to be fair, as he did win after all, here is the GingerRunner interview with Ryan Sandes and one from iRunFar.com with Ryan.  Not to be left out in all the hype here is an interview with Cat Bradley the women's winner

A post on a subject I had not thought about and am still not sure what I think but for now I do not see them as a problem and for sure like the ability to see al the action I would otherwise not see: Cameras on the Course

Speaking of cameras.  Here is video of a descent in the Mont Blanc Marathon this past weekend at about mile 15.  According to a post from Sage Canaday this is where he got dropped as it was very technical and slippery.  While the title focused on Kilian I was impressed by the guy with the camera: Kilian Jornet Descends Treacherous Route at Marathon du Mont Blanc

More on Western States: A Western States Hangover.  It was good to hear that John Fegyveresi, who you might remember from The Barkley  Marathons Movie and got 3rd that year, was the next person on the wait list on his 6th try to get in and went to WS hoping someone might not check in.  Well check-in came and went and there was not a spot open., that is till Gordy Ainsleigh, yes that Gordy, gave up his spot to Jim.  To top it off Jim finished in a hard year, I think being a finisher of Barkly might make the word "hard" take on a new meaning, in 27:51:46 and 145 place.

UltraRunner Podcast talk with Kaci Lickteig - Kaci won Western States in 2016 but this year finished just over 24 hours

iRunFar.com's This Week In Running: June 26, 2017

LetsRun.com's The Week That Was in Running: June 19-25, 2017

I guess it was time for a change as the 2020 Olympic Trials will not be in Eugene or Sacrament but in L.A at Mt. Sac, home of the Mt. Sac Relays, in Walnut CA.

Interesting article on Prayer and sports

No problem with UTMB making money but charging races to have them be able to provide points for qualifying for UTMB seems stretching it.  Here is a response by The Hardrock Hundred as to why they will not pay: Why we won’t pay: UTMB, ITRA and the “pay for points” racket

If you want to see where you ended up in the 2016-2017 UltraRunning Race Series you can check out the results here

Check out the 2 Part interview at Heartland Running with Naresh Kumar:  A Story Worth Telling Part 1  &  A Story Worth Telling Part 2

Nice article on one of my favorite marathoners, Yuki Kawauchi - often known as the Citizen Runner.  He is a one of a kind runner who does not fit the mold of most world class runners in that he holds down a regular job yet this Sunday he will be running his 70th marathon (Gold Coast Airport Marathon) and of those 48 have been 2:15 or faster with 14 sub 2:10's and a PR of 2:08:14  -  Yuki Kawauchi: A Long Road of Long Races

Don't forget that the Mount Marathon Race in Seward Alaska is this July 4th.

Race report on the very wet Bighorn Trail 100 in Wyoming where of 437 starters only 175 finished.

If you are in the Colorado Springs area July 16th you might want to think about running the Barr Trail Mountain Race.  A 12.6 mile trail race that goes up 3630FT to the 6.3 mile point and turns around to descends back to the finish, here is the Strava Route.   One of the sponsors is Carson Footwear.


Masters Running News
Steve Spence keeps up his streak by running 4:55.7 to make it 42 straight years to dip under 5:00 for the mile

US Masters Track and Field Championship Results held in San Diego June 24 - 25, 2017


Races this Coming Week
Finger Lakes 50's, Hector, NY - July 1, 2017
Lake District's Ultimate Trails Challenge (110K & 55K), Lake District, England - July 1. 2017
Paris Diamond League, Paris, France - July 1, 2017
Gold Coast Airport Marathon,  Southport, AU - July 2, 2017
Mount Marathon Race, Seward, AK - July 4, 2017
Peachtree 10K,  Atlanta, GA - July 4, 2017
Lausanne Diamond League, Lausanne, SUI - July 6, 2017

Past Weekend Race Results
Lavaredo Ultra Trail, Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy - June 23, 2017
Western States 100, Squaw Valley, CA - June 24-25, 2017
USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships, Sacramento, CA - June 22 - 25, 2017


When I started running Fukuoka was a major marathon.  Here is the 1982 race,


You Might Be An Ultra Runner If.........


Some Scenes from the 2017 Western States


Some video of the 2017 Marathon du Mont Blanc


Mt. Marathon - Salomon video on the race


Trailer for Run Steep Get High movie on the 2017 Western States 100 - Ice, Fire, Grit

Weekly RunDown #33

Steve Prefontaine

“Somebody may beat me, but they are going to have to bleed to do it.”

Steve Prefontaine

Ryan Ghelfi reports on his run at the 2017 100 Miles of Istria in Croatia

UTMB is not too far away (Sept 1st, 2017) so if you want to keep up to date they have a new blog - UTMB Blog

Looking back at the 2002 London Marathon where Paula Radcliffe ran 2:18:56 to just miss the world record and Khalid Khannouchi ran a then world record of 2:05:38.  Radcliffe would go on to lower the World Record to 2:17:18 at Chicago later in 2002 and then to the now world record of 2:15:25 at London in 2003 - that's some string to times!

iRunFar.com's This Week in Running: April 17, 2017

Quite the run for Jordon Hasay at Boston with an American record marathon debut

Adidas may be the Boston Marathon sponsor but Nike got the podium with the top three in both the men's and women's race.

LetsRun.com gives it's report card for the Boston Marathon

They also give their preview of the upcoming London Marathon

You can watch the marathon on NBCSportsLive if you have a cable account and if not and are adventurous you can try WatchAthletics.com.  I say adventurous as many times the links are filled with spam you have to find your way through.  I have not had a problem in the past on my Mac but no guarantees so proceed at your own risk and just wait for the replay on Youtube.  The elite women's race starts at 4:15 AM (EST) and the men's at 5:00 AM (EST).

Dr. Mark Cucuzzella, who is 50, writes on his run at the 2017 Boston Marathon where he went under 3 hours ( 2:56:03 ) in the marathon for the 30th time in 30 years with the record at 33 years: Mysterious Reservoirs of Power at the 2017 Boston Marathon

Another 50+ runner, Rich Hanna, was 3rd overall at The 2017 American River 50 with an amazing 6:18:40.  Being 57 it is nice to see what what can be done in later years if you run smart - Way to go Rich and Mark

If you watch the Mountain Outhouse videos here and other places here is a Q&A with the guys from Mountain Outhouse.

Are you getting ready to run the Spartathlon, as Will Rivera of Running Soles in Elizabethtown KY is, then here is some advice to get ready for it.  By the way if you are in the E'town area make sure to stop by the store and if Will is there he is a wealth of info, especially on Ultras of which he has completed many.

Interesting site as there is a link to where you can see the comparative difficulty of Ultras in your area. 

Sounds like a nice race, and a beautiful place to run, if you are in the Big Bear, CA area June 3rd - HLÖKK Race Preview

Speaking of a beautiful run I bet the Blue Ridge Marathon, being run this weekend, is very scenic but for a road marathon it is a tough one with a total elevation gain & loss of 7430ft.

DC Rainmaker always has good watch reviews and here is his review of the Garmin Fenix 5/5S/5X and the Garmin Forerunner 935

Races this Weekend 
London Marathon - April 23rd, 2017
Leona Divide 50/50 - April 22nd, 2017

Race Results from the Last Week
Lake Sonoma 50 - April 15th, 2017
Boston Marathon - April 17th, 2017


In honor of the Prefontaine quote here is the 1972 Olympic 500m Final



If you missed the 2017 Boston Marathon you can catch it here



Great video from Run Steep Get High of the Lake Sonoma 50



Jamil and Schuyler of Mountain Outhouse add their own flair to an aid station at the Lake Sonoma 50



Here is one from the Ginger Runner on his wife's run at the Lake Sonoma 50


2017 TransGrancanaria - 6 Races between Feb 22-26, 2017



Cappadocia Ultra Trail - Turkey October 2017




2016 Wooler Trail Marathon in Northumberland National Park, North East England - Course Video



1965 - 13 Minute Barrier Broken



The guys at Mountain Outhouse were busy this week and as usual here is their weekly roundup

Weekly RunDown #23

"You cannot propel yourself forward by patting yourself on the back."

Steve Prefontaine

There was a lot of running going on this past Saturday (Feb 4th, 2017): Six Takeaways From Some Fantastic Action Across The Globe on Super Saturday

And in the Ultra world we turn to iRunFar.com and This Week in Running: February 6, 2017

The Tarawera 100K (actually 102K) is this weekend and it should be a good one, check out iRunFar's preview.

LetsRun.com's The Week That Was in Running

How many of these have you run: 2017 Marathon Calendar

Ryan Kaiser earned a Golden Ticket to Western States 100 and ran 80% of his training on a treadmill:  From Treadmill to the Western States 100.  Results for the Sean O'Brien 50M/50K/26.2

Lori Masterson, of Loloruns.com and recent winner of the Bear Bait 50k, writes a review of the 2017 Louisville Lovin' the Hills races - Lovin' the Hills Results

Mud and snow - now there is X-Country: U.S. Cross Country Championship 2017

Have you entered a lottery for a race and not gotten in well here are the 4 Stages of Lottery Grief

Some quick times at the 2017 Rocky Raccoon 100 Miler in  Huntsville, TX this past weekend.

I just found out that I was chosen to be a Carson Footwear Ambassador this year.  I was very
impressed that while I was investigating the shoes the owner, Everett Carson, contacted me to answer some questions, not many shoe company owners have ever contacted me in 44+ years of running.  Carson's are a minimal shoe that, based on its design, has, at least to me, more cushioning than you would expect.  I will not be doing any ultras in them for now but will be using them to strengthen my feet and work to build up to being able to run longer in them.  I will be having a review of them in the next month after I get a few more miles on them but so far they are a great shoe.  I am running in the Black Ops version.


At the Nitro Athletics meet in Melbourne they added a new event called the 1 Mile Elimination.  If you know much about bike racing on the Velodrome, I have also done the race on a road circuit, there is a race called the "Miss and Out" or also called "Devil Takes the Hindmost."  The idea is the last person across after a particular lap is eliminated until a set number of laps or people are left.  For the Mile they eliminated 1 each for the first three laps till three were left for the final sprint.  Makes for an entirely different race, see below, there seemed to be a glitch in the video but it will go back to working, or forward it a little:



Salomon's new running series "How to Run"  -  Part 1 - What is Trail Running



Part 2 - What to Wear  -  More to come



This weeks Mountain Outhouse



Limone Skyrunning Extreme World Series Final 2013 -  I may have posted this before but it is great one to watch again: