The end of the couple’s relationship, watching them both drift from each other and to someone else was the most impactful and meaningful aspect of this movie for me. I felt sad and upset, even though I understood how and why it happened. I wanted someone to be there to … Continue reading
We have three published books about hiking (Julie has done nearly all the work on making these books happen). They’ve all been for sale for at least 18 months. We’ve had thousands of copies downloaded. It’s been a rewarding experience in many ways. The work was largely put in on … Continue reading
I remember nearly passing out while watching my first circumcision. I remember my friend Anna accidentally stabbing herself with a needle the first time we practiced giving injections. I remember the 95 year old woman that I worked with two weeks in a row that passed away before I arrived … Continue reading
“This sucks!” “It definitely sucks!” responded Dave. We both then smiled and laughed. It wasn’t a “this is hilarious” kind of laugh, it was more of a “we’ve done everything we can and all we can do now is laugh” kind of laugh. We were more than fifty miles into … Continue reading
Relief. Excitement. Nervousness. After nine months of actively attempting to create a new human being, we were finally successful this past spring, and we were able to fully experience the range of emotions that come with this major life milestone. Julie is now 24 weeks into pregnancy with our little … Continue reading
On attempt #7, I have finally run what I believe is my most complete 100 mile race. I was running the entire time minus a few steep and rocky climbs. I didn’t bonk, I didn’t blow up, and I stayed positive throughout. There was no notorious death march. Western States … Continue reading
Why LA? From the moment I stepped outside on November 30th, 2014, into a brisk, 27 degree morning in Seattle, awaiting the start of the Seattle Marathon, I thought to myself, “Damn, I need to find a warmer marathon.” I had signed up for the marathon back in October, when … Continue reading
I’ll start with the facts of the story as I know them: 16:26.42 to complete the 100 mile course at Rocky Raccoon 2015 18th place overall, 8th male in the USATF Trail Championship race Best 100 miler I’ve raced yet. Course is five twenty mile loops on rolling, rooty, soft … Continue reading
Here is our ongoing story of our life off the trail, off the bike, and off the road. We try to keep the adventuring spirit, even in between our more adventurous adventures. Ready for Rocky Raccoon 1/29/15 Interestingly, as I type this, “One More Time” by Daft Punk is … Continue reading
I may not be the most outdoorsy hiker out there, but I know that I’m definitely a hiker who can live outdoors. The two qualities are entirely distinct and I never quite knew the difference until two weeks ago when Matt and I went backpacking with a newbie. Two friends … Continue reading
Wow. I got worked by the Run Rabbit Run 100 miler. I’m really happy with the results. I know I can race in the mountains now and given a few simple twists of fate, I think I can and should be much more competitive in years to come in mountain … Continue reading
This past Sunday marked the end of a journey that we began last summer on May 25th, the journey from Mexico to Canada along the Continental Divide Trail. Only this journey, unlike our other two thru-hikes of the AT and PCT, was much less linear and a little more complicated. … Continue reading
It’s my birthday today, and strangely, I’m at home in my living room, and not on a trail or out adventuring. For the past three birthdays I’ve had the good fortune of being in the midst of unique life adventures, and this year, we missed the mark by a day. … Continue reading
This season I’ve moved away from tracking my training on urbyville and have instead begun using a Google Docs spreadsheet to log my miles. I’ve included the link here for anyone interested in following my training. I’ve also left the spreadsheet open for comments, should someone be so inclined. … Continue reading
Here are some of the changes/improvements my racing strategies for ultra distance trail races have undergone this past season. It’s a constant game of minimizing suffering, maximizing performance, and setting myself up to get the most from my abilities on race day. I’m sure there will be plenty more changes, … Continue reading
The Fat Dog race had a homey, low key vibe that was ideal for what I was looking for. Waiting in the bathroom line before the start of the 70 miler a local who had run the race in a previous year said that the people that come to this … Continue reading
My White River 50 race results made perfect logical sense to me, but I still felt like crying as I neared the road at Buck Creek near the finish line. I mustered a smile, I kept running, felt the emotions swell up again, and kept pushing toward the line for … Continue reading
My racing season so far this year can be characterized by one word: sluggish. I haven’t exactly filled up the calendar, but out of the few races I’ve run, including the Chuckanut 50k and the Gorge 100k, I barely managed to keep my pride during one race and DNF’d in … Continue reading
Our first co-authored book about our adventures has been published! A Long Way From Nowhere: A Couple’s Journey on the Continental Divide Trail has made it through the writing and editing phases and is now available for purchase on Amazon in ebook and paperback. In the book we tell the … Continue reading
Wired is hiking the AT this summer and if you have an ounce of interest in hiking a trail or living vicariously through someone that is hiking a trail, then follow her on her blog www.walkingwithwired.com. While I would love to be thru-hiking this summer, it’s not in the … Continue reading
After taking a few days to regroup and recover from the Gorge Waterfall 100k, it is time to reflect on the experience and as I do, numbers flood my head. Here are the eleven most memorable numbers from this uniquely brutal race: 1:45(am): The time we had to wake up … Continue reading
I recently read a Runner’s World article by Lauren Fleshman titled, “How to Injure Yourself Like a Pro,” where she comically spelled out all the bad training and racing habits that led her to injuries, burnout, and unsuccessful racing. I thought about the article today as I tried to sift … Continue reading
A curious guy walking around Green Lake asked me, “What are you all doing? I see you wearing race bibs, what’s going on?” I excitedly told him that it was Dizzy Daze and that whoever ran the most laps (3.2 miles each lap) around the lake in 12 hours was … Continue reading
As part of my training for the upcoming Tahoe 200 in September, I’m letting all my failures and weaknesses materialize in race settings before Tahoe so that I can continually improve and hopefully arrive at the 200 as a strong, mentally tough, well-prepared runner. I would say that mission was accomplished … Continue reading
After dealing with injury after injury, going to doctors, and taking time off I’m trying a new tactic and simply getting back at it. I’m not fully healed but it’s time to start going again with hope that my sore spots will gradually go away as I get back into a normal … Continue reading
Training has been an absolute train wreck since mid-January when my lower leg issues started. I’ve tried to be proactive throughout, staying on top of the injuries and diagnosing them as well as I can. I rested for two weeks before RR100 and had MRIs done on my left leg/foot … Continue reading
Sunday, March 16: Off, recovery day Ran the Chuckanut 50k yesterday and taking today off. Not very sore at all, so that’s a good sign. A little pain around my ankles and lower legs because of all the technical terrain, but otherwise, I should be able to run tomorrow. Saturday, … Continue reading
I am excited to announce that I’ve been selected as a 2014 Gossamer Gear Trail Ambassador! Only a handful of people are picked for this role on a yearly basis and I’m proud to be in such a talented, enthusiastic group of people that all have a passion for the … Continue reading
2/19/14: 40 minutes Easy Run Ran with a group from Seven Hills at 7pm around Magnolia. It was a Pearl Izumi demo night so everyone was running in PI’s. My left foot is still hurting but is gradually getting better. My foot is currently its best on hard, even surfaces. I got … Continue reading
The weekend really was a good experience and I’m so glad we were able to be part of the Rocky Raccoon 100 in Huntsville, Texas once again. It does indeed suck to DNF and to not finish what I started. However, this was a good experience for me and … Continue reading
Friday, February 28: Easy, 50 minutes Again, shocked myself by waking up at 5 to hop on the treadmill at 5:10am. Felt way better than yesterday and was entertained by a movie on the TV. Best treadmill run ever with distractions! Thursday, February 27: Easy, 50 minutes Easy on the … Continue reading
All was moving along swimmingly leading up to my first 100 miler since the CDT hike. I won both of my recent local 50ks and I had a solid showing at the Seattle Marathon in December. Then the mystery pain started. Two weeks ago on a Sunday afternoon after an … Continue reading
“Self Absorbed Hiker Does the AT” “Not Fond of the Author” “Complain Much?” “I would never, ever hike with this woman”. These are titles from some of the more scathing reviews Julie and I have endured since the publication of her second book, Between a Rock and a White Blaze … Continue reading
There’s a new kid on the block, a new race in town, and that is the Tahoe 200. Yep, 200 miles around Lake Tahoe, all in one go, with a 100 hour cutoff time, and we’re running it. This epic event will take place September 5-9 (wow, never written down … Continue reading
We didn’t even know if this event was going to happen. As we all stood under tents like little sheep staying dry from the rain, waiting to hear the word, the thought of the race being cancelled had never actually crossed my mind. Then the race director, after nearly half … Continue reading
It’s high time I started professionally coaching distance runners. One, I’ve already been coaching for nearly a decade with family and friends. Two, with my school schedule I have the time and the flexibility, and three, I think there is a need for my type of coaching in Seattle (and … Continue reading
1/26/14 I took a few days off hoping my leg would feel better. I haven’t needed any pain meds the past couple days and didn’t take any before this workout. First lap into the warm up I felt a pinpoint pain in my outer lower right leg. I took it … Continue reading
I am once again on a team and I think I’ve landed on a really good one. I have joined forces with Seven Hills Running Shop in the Magnolia neighborhood in Seattle and with owner Phil Kochik. While my past running groups have been more focused on the speed of … Continue reading
New year, new month, new racing season. It’s time to keep track of my runs more consistently, so this is my attempt. Friday, January 31: Off Flew to Texas for the Rocky Raccoon 100 miler. Had intentions of getting to the race course by 4 for the race briefing, but … Continue reading
The idea of quality over quantity is by no means a new approach to training. However, as I often do, I’m taking it to a bit of an extreme. How extreme? I am generally running three quality days per week and unless there is a social run, usually with the … Continue reading
12/31/13 Closed out the year with a bang with a strong track workout. As with most days when an interval session is planned, I didn’t want to do this workout upon waking up this morning. I wasn’t sure which specific workout I was even going to do until the car … Continue reading
First road marathon in 1.5 years and it felt awesome. I’m pumped to be back, I’m pumped to be racing well, and I’m still feeling the buzz 10 days later! Why have I waited so long to race again? After my ambitious 2012 racing schedule that included 11 road marathons … Continue reading
Matt and I spent the better part of yesterday in 40 degree temps, intermittent rain, and gusty winds, and had a blast (nearly) the entire time. Ourselves and 700 other runners toed the starting line for a trail race about twenty miles outside of Seattle in Issaquah, Washington, the Grand … Continue reading
Who doesn’t love a good gear review? Here are my thoughts on most of our big categories of gear after the gauntlet known as the CDT. I haven’t included every little item but rather the stuff people might be interested in getting for themselves, or the stuff that I think … Continue reading
Just to wrap up our CDT hike and feel some closure to it, here are my final thoughts about it. -The CDT is hard. Bottom line, I think it’s the hardest of all the trails I’ve done because of the route-finding, the remoteness, the high elevations across the board, and the … Continue reading
It’s finished! Through all sorts of wild adventure, logistical twists and turns, fires and floods, and more, I completed the Continental Divide Trail in 108 days and 19 hours. I experienced so much and learned a good deal about myself, the outdoors, my wife, and more and over the next … Continue reading
Things rarely turn out how we envision them to be, and that was the case with Part 3 of our CDT hike, the section from Copper Mountain to Steamboat Springs, which I originally skipped the first time through. We could have never guessed the curve ball that Mother Nature would … Continue reading
After our amazing journey back to the trail from Canada followed by our harrowing experiences in the San Juans, along with our top-notch trail magic in Creede, it was on to the last 100.5 miles from Spring Creek Pass to Monarch Pass to finish up my CDT thru hike for … Continue reading
During Part 2 of our CDT hike, from Cumbres Pass to Spring Creek Pass, a total distance of 188 miles, we managed to fit in a little ultra training while getting in a large amount of miles in a short amount of time. Here’s how it all went down… -On … Continue reading
8/31/13 6:45am – left our last campsite in Glacier National Park heading north along Waterton Lake. 8:30am – reached the Canadian border with Raisins, took some photos, and headed on into Canada. 10:00am – arrived at Waterton village, ate a sub, and then checked in with the Royal Canadian Mounty … Continue reading
