UTMF Prep

Flying out to Japan today and everything is prep'd! The Ultra Trail Mount Fuji has a few reroutes that will make the race 105.7 miles this year.  Adding 6 miles seems cruel.  Longest race of my life, as if the 28,000 feet of climbing wasn't already intimidating enough...

Fitness level is solid although a touch weak on the climbing side of things.  However I'm in the best shape I can remember during the the month of April with solid long runs and tune up races. Had a little arch flare-up and a head cold last week that put a damper on my taper but I nipped that in the butt quickly (see below).

This is going be be a huge adventure and I can't wait for the challenge.  The race entrance list is daunting with names like Hara yoshikazu, Sebastian chaigneui, Anton krupicka, Altra athlete Nick Clark, Gary Robbins, Brendan Davies, Dave Mackey, and glen Redpath, etc etc etc.  1600 people in this Ultra!  I have a solid plan for a 27-30 hour finish as I won't be competing for the win among that international field.  Heck, I've never done a 100 miler this early in the season let alone such a tough one in a foreign country but I have the best gear in the world to help, a Japanese crew, my wife will be there with me, and life is good!  Off to conquer UTMF!

Zion Traverse 2014

Could a 50 mile run be more enjoyable?!  I got a call on Wednesday April 2nd from Ben Corrales about a group heading down on the weekend and doing this route.  I've wanted to do this for years and needing a big training run 3 weeks prior to UTMF, this fit perfectly into my schedule.

A group comprised of myself, Ben, Amy, Seth Hales, and Matt Connors set out a little after 7am from the East Entrance.  Weather was cool but comfortable and we chatted for much of the first couple hours.  We had the luck of being crewed by Shay throughout the journey.  He met us at several sections along the route.  And the route was spectacular!  The trail couldn't have been better and the scenery was near overload.  I felt great all day.  The cool whether including a couple of random light snow flurries followed by 55 degree sunshine was a perfect mix.

Towards the end the pace picked up and I made a surge up the last climb.  I couldn't believe how good I felt after running 50 miles.  Incredible.  Ran the route in 11 hrs 46 min.  Thanks to the rest of the crew for letting me tag along.  The only runs I've done that compare would be R2R2R or The Uintah Highline trail however I think this was the easiest.  Having Shay crew made the difference!  Highly recommend the route.  Incredible.