tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21979315876150932782024-03-05T20:07:12.428-07:00Ultra ExperienceBrian Becksteadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01747927866800436635noreply@blogger.comBlogger181125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2197931587615093278.post-29123794675356255212017-02-12T20:12:00.000-07:002017-02-13T16:44:32.757-07:00UltraFishing Part 2. GearSo the gear for ultra fishing is a weird combination of trailrunning, flyfishing and fastpacking gear. I'll highlight the primary gear I use as well as other alternatives. Its important to note that wilderness skills are not just important but mandatory. Risk is inherent in most things but ultrafishing takes this to an extreme. Prepare, train accordingly, be safe, and haveBrian Becksteadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01747927866800436635noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2197931587615093278.post-61604220011131332652017-02-12T17:51:00.000-07:002017-02-13T16:46:43.804-07:00UltraFishing Part 1. GenesisI started fishing when I was 5 years old with my family. Each summer we would go to the Uinta Mountains in Utah for a week of camping and backpacking. I dreamt about that week all year. In my zeal my mom began driving me to the mountains for the day and my dad would squeeze an extra weekend to teach me how to backpack by going deeper in the mountains. It wasBrian Becksteadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01747927866800436635noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2197931587615093278.post-89469876780148938252016-05-27T11:50:00.000-06:002016-05-27T11:57:55.043-06:00Racing Spring 2016- Antelope, Boston, & WhistleDickRemember when blogs were all the rage?! Well now my reports end up as a couple pictures and a short post. Sad really as I used to post details that were important in framing my experience in the ultra world. I've learned a lot over the years and documenting those experiences has been helpful in looking back. Not just fun memories but important documentation of learned Brian Becksteadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01747927866800436635noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2197931587615093278.post-32358500444411614392016-01-03T23:31:00.000-07:002016-01-04T15:18:58.141-07:00Top 12 fish of 2015
2015 was the best year of fishing I ever had! I felt dialed all year and seemed to hit every hatch, river, and lake perfectly. Here's to the top 10 fish of the year along with a few of my favorite videos thrown in. 4 years ago I couldn't have even fathomed how good this years fishing was. 2016 will probably have a few more running days but I'm sure I'll have a few good Brian Becksteadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01747927866800436635noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2197931587615093278.post-54501795754770795802015-12-06T19:25:00.001-07:002015-12-06T19:25:20.172-07:002016 Race Schedule, Coming together!
Whoa, another year has past by! 2015 was an exceptional year for me on so many levels. I moved to a new area, bought a new home, grew my company, and checked off several bucket lists including the big one...UTMB! 2016 looks to be equally spectacular with my next major bucket list race, Hardrock 100, secured. Here is how my schedule lines up so far:
? USATF Snowshoe Brian Becksteadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01747927866800436635noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2197931587615093278.post-4710110655837595902015-09-10T12:24:00.004-06:002015-09-10T12:36:05.507-06:00UTMB 2015
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mso-font-pitch:Brian Becksteadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01747927866800436635noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2197931587615093278.post-56669690487804264452015-05-12T04:26:00.001-06:002015-05-12T04:39:17.343-06:00Boston 2015I've now been to the Boston Marathon 4 out of the last 5 years. It has become not only an annual occurrence but a ritual! I have such a deep affinity for the Boston Marathon. Perhaps it's because Altra was launched here 4 years ago. So every time I arrive it reminds me of packing up my Suburu and driving across the country starting my company. Seeing the fruits of Brian Becksteadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01747927866800436635noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2197931587615093278.post-26846616179865239032015-03-02T16:32:00.002-07:002015-03-02T16:32:26.252-07:00Top 10 Fish of 2014Looking back this past weekend on the top 10 fish of 2014. It was
probably the best year of fishing I've had in my life. Arguably the
summer of 2004 in Alaska is the only other year that compares. Using a
complex algorithm based on the below criteria points, I have created my
top 10 of 2014. 1st- How big was the fish? 2nd- In what method was the
fish caught? (sight, Brian Becksteadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01747927866800436635noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2197931587615093278.post-22997841663570366952015-02-22T11:38:00.001-07:002015-02-22T11:40:00.677-07:002015 Race CalendarLooks like the 2015 race calendar is more or less finalized. Should be a solid year with most races being close to home this year. Pretty excited for the challenges ahead and I may squeeze in another local race if time/schedule permits.
Antelope Island 50k- March 20
Boston Marathon- April 20
Zion Traverse- May 2
Squaw Peak 50- June 6th
Capital Reef 100- July 10-11
Quest for Kings- August Brian Becksteadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01747927866800436635noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2197931587615093278.post-87771063588162936512015-01-15T15:56:00.000-07:002015-01-15T15:58:09.892-07:002014 Wasatch 100 Recap (much belated)Only 6 months belated but since sending in my application and the pending lottery, my mind has wandered back frequently to my 2014 Wasatch 100 experience. After my epic DNF of 2013 I was out for a little revenge. Needless to say I had an absolutely amazing experience. I ran various sections with some amazing people. My tactical conservative approach to the race was perfectBrian Becksteadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01747927866800436635noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2197931587615093278.post-48688720893577903392014-06-25T14:38:00.001-06:002014-06-25T14:38:41.381-06:00Belated Squaw Peak 50 and Timp Trail Marathon 2014So a very late double posting of my two hometown races. Both of which I love!! We'll start with Timp Trail Marathon:
My only goal was to go under 4 hrs. Weather was good and the field was stacked. From the start the lead group took off. I intended to start out faster than usual but I lasted less then two miles with those guys! I found myself in 8th place whichBrian Becksteadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01747927866800436635noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2197931587615093278.post-22549826558220758832014-05-04T10:37:00.002-06:002014-05-04T10:37:44.137-06:00Ultra Trail Mount Fuji 2014What do you do with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity?! Take full advantage! That's what I did at Ultra Trail Mount Fuji. Zanna was able to come along which was so much fun. I'll make the report quick but I'll make no bones about it, this was the most difficult race of my life. Imagine taking all the climbing at Wasatch and consolidating into 50 miles. The Brian Becksteadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01747927866800436635noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2197931587615093278.post-59924985553068127482014-04-20T15:51:00.001-06:002014-04-20T16:01:46.912-06:00UTMF PrepFlying 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 canBrian Becksteadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01747927866800436635noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2197931587615093278.post-36642709733776183832014-04-17T12:00:00.000-06:002014-04-17T14:57:00.584-06:00Zion Traverse 2014Could 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 theBrian Becksteadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01747927866800436635noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2197931587615093278.post-66385436854556522332014-03-31T09:27:00.001-06:002014-03-31T10:03:27.770-06:00Antelope Island 50, 2014
Buffalo Run Festival! You know the season is upon you when Jim Skaggs annual race festival occurs. Its not "are you running" but "which race are you running". However I haven't done this one for a few years. Mostly because the out-n-back section KILLED me last time. However, this year was different. Came off the Moab 55k very well and with 5 Brian Becksteadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01747927866800436635noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2197931587615093278.post-79578511354682895422014-02-19T17:02:00.002-07:002014-02-19T17:02:47.576-07:00Moab Red Hot 55k 2014Its been 7 years since I last ran this event. Bad memories of starting out too fast, getting lost with Eric Storheim for an extra 3 miles, suffering in for the last 10 miles, and week long soreness from the pounding. However ALTRA is now a sponsor for this event, so a little representation was in order. That along with my aggressive Spring schedule and I figured I needed a long Brian Becksteadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01747927866800436635noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2197931587615093278.post-12784387442401945452014-01-01T06:11:00.003-07:002014-01-01T06:11:42.711-07:00The Almighty 2014 Race/Adventure ScheduleWell it's that time of year to start bragging of upcoming feats of strength, wishful epic adventures, and basically let the testosterone shine forth out of the cold dark depressing winter. This is that post for me....
The year that is newly 2014 will be as epically awesome as any year on record. The newest and most exciting adventure for the Beckstead clan is that we are expecting Brian Becksteadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01747927866800436635noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2197931587615093278.post-59015388662454218622013-11-25T10:23:00.003-07:002013-11-25T12:03:13.009-07:00Gear of 2013So I thought I'd throw out some "Brian's Gear Awards 2013". What do these awards mean? Nothing. However I've really enjoyed these products over the last 12 months and I thought that I would give them some love!
Award #1- Food
This is a split award. I've been using two new products that have absolutely blown my mind. The first is VFuel Gel. Its amazing not Brian Becksteadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01747927866800436635noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2197931587615093278.post-39909374365105659172013-10-06T08:58:00.000-06:002013-10-07T08:02:15.595-06:00Lackluster 2nd half, Wasatch 100 2013What's overall been a great year of running for me in 2013, the second half has been quite lackluster.
Since Devils Backbone in mid-July, I've been in a huge running rut. I had the best early season racing of my life but by mid-summer I was burnt out mentally and majorly work-stressed. Had a 3 week stretch with 20 miles...total. I decided to treat it as a taper and run Brian Becksteadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01747927866800436635noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2197931587615093278.post-41551110243187912052013-07-22T08:15:00.000-06:002013-07-22T08:15:06.896-06:00Devil's Backbone 2013I'm not the best with words, but even the worlds greatest poets can't describe the beauty of Devil's Backbone. I've heard nothing but praises about this super low-key Montana race....and it didn't disappoint. I had so much fun. With only 1 aid station at mile 25 and a laid-back mentality, I loved this race! Wildflowers, snow capped peaks, big horned sheep, and incredible Brian Becksteadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01747927866800436635noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2197931587615093278.post-40456750318367037622013-06-16T20:58:00.001-06:002013-06-16T20:58:47.842-06:00Flyfishing trip of awesomenessI consider myself an avid fly-fisherman. However, over the past few years I seemingly have headed out less and less. So a friend and I decided to plan and execute "the fly-fishing trip of awesomeness". Specifically targeted at BIG fish, over the last several days we executed our trip to perfection. Below is merely a sampling of the fish we caught. The highlights wereBrian Becksteadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01747927866800436635noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2197931587615093278.post-43192072667795281292013-06-03T22:17:00.000-06:002013-06-05T10:11:58.702-06:00Squaw Peak 50- 2013
7th attempt at Squaw. My 4th-6th attempts had been rather painful and didn't match my expectations. So for 2013 I didn't really plan much, didn't take a watch, and vowed to maximize my enjoyment by pushing the limits yet listening to my body. Needless to say, it ended up being my favorite and best Squaw!
It started with Seth Wold bolting off the starting line.&Brian Becksteadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01747927866800436635noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2197931587615093278.post-69619792639876032512013-05-28T15:46:00.001-06:002013-05-28T15:46:26.269-06:00Timp Trail Marathon 2013Quick and late recap from the Timpanogos Trail Marathon. I signed up late for this race but decided to not take a watch and treat it like a training run. I was hoping to try and win it using as little energy as possible and hopefully come in under 4 hours. That was the extent of my race planning....
It was another rainy year which I didn't mind. I love running in the mud Brian Becksteadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01747927866800436635noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2197931587615093278.post-38117974908142721082013-05-08T14:33:00.001-06:002013-05-08T14:33:33.712-06:00Miwok Race ReportMarin Headlands, Golden Gate Bridge, San Fransisco, Bolinas Ridge, classic/competitive ultra, I was pumped to run the Miwok 100k. Race morning came very early with a 3:15am alarm. After getting prep'd and driving to the start, the 400 runners and myself were rather disappointed by the news of a shortened course due to fire danger. Not an actual fire, just the threat. I Brian Becksteadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01747927866800436635noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2197931587615093278.post-31624637312064281652013-04-18T18:51:00.002-06:002013-04-18T18:51:58.567-06:00My Boston Marathon 2013
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