Winter Running

Why is it so hard to train in the winter? Nearly every time I go running in the winter I have a blast yet I still struggle leaving my warm and comfy couch. The first 4-5 minutes are always tough but after that I'm usually great. I did a 2 hour snowshoes run up at Snowbasin today and that was awesome. Hard to run with this latest batch of snow but I needed a long session in the mountains. Probably only made it 7-8 miles. I've decided I'm going to run with snowshoes at least once a week to get ready for the Kahtoola 50k. It's in a month so I better get cracken. Recently I've been using the LaSportiva hobnails in my zero'd Cascadia's and it's been a dream on the packed Bonneville Shoreline Trail. Last two weeks I've only done about 25 miles per week but it's been good solid mileage. I'd like to beef it up over the next three weeks to get in decent shape for the 50k. At least I'm totally injury free right now. On a side note, if you want to know how I feel about the running footwear industry check out my fraudulent theory. Anyway, get out there and run no matter what. You'll feel better.

Bozung's Ultra Cup

Yes I did it. It was not well thought out and totally impulsive but while signing up for Squaw Peak 50 on December 1st I signed up for Bozung's Ultra Cup races. A 32 miles snowshoe race in 8 weeks is probably the most nerve-racking. I am obviously excited about Squaw, like every other year, but dreading another crack at the burning hot Katcina Mosa 100k. Should be another exciting year of racing!

Anticipated 2010 race schedule:

Kahtoola Bigfoot Snowshoe 50k Jan 30th

??Antelope Island 25k or 50k March 27th

BSTM April 24th

Squaw Peak 50 June 5th

**Hardrock 100 July 10th-12th (If I get in the lottery, which is highly unlikely)

Katcina Mosa 100k August 6th

**Wasatch 100 September 10th-11th (Lottery, pretty good chance...I'm feeling good about it)

??Maybe a later autumn race depending on how I feel.

Barefoot and Minimalistic Running

So I've mentioned several times that I would write about how over the last 5-6 months I have evolved my running. So here goes:

Yes, I have embraced the barefoot movement. In fact some friends and I have created a new website that I think you all should check out. barefoot-running.com In fact I just published a personal article about how my ultra running has been affected by barefoot running. This blog which has been renamed "The Ultra Experience" will stay the same. It is pretty much my personal journal. However, my theories, articles, running opinions, gear reviews, etc will all be posted on barefoot-running.com. It is on my blog roll so check it often because it is/will be an awesome resource, especially as it grows and develops. It is not a true barefoot site yet we believe in the principles of barefoot running and adapting them to every day runners. Hence barefoot/minimalistic. Running barefoot is still extremely helpful yet not always practical. Check the website, it's pretty cool and it's only at it's early stages.

On a separate note...is everyone getting amped for Squaw Peak 50 2010? Registration is in a week, so do not forget to send in your registration on December 1st. Ran part of the course yesterday and it is as great as ever. Cheers y'all.

Final Trip Up Ben Lomond

Ran Ben Lomond for what will probably be my final time for the year. If was nice to get out for a long run in the mountains while the weather was nice. Despite warm weather there was still a bunch of snow on the backside of the mountain which made things exciting. It got a bit dark on the way down but ended up being a perfect Saturday afternoon run. It was my sixth time to the top this year. I would like to try and do it mountaineer style over the winter. What was a 3 hour run will become a 16 hour ordeal. Worth the excitement. I am now ready for it to snow snow snow. Bring on winter!

Final grunt up the backside

Chillin on the top with Willard Peak in the distance

Baby Update

So Ari and family are doing great. Zanna has recovered incredibly well and I've been able to squeeze a couple runs in. How do you pass up this weather!? I don't find many babies attractive but I'm pleased to say my baby is better looking then most...honestly. Personal bias and emotion involved and I think he is amazingly beautiful. Here are some professional pictures taken 18 hours after Ari's birth. I had no idea how fun it is being a father!

"Let the great experiment begin!" Introducing Ari Emerson Beckstead

Zanna and I had our baby! Ari Emerson Beckstead was born on Tuesday October 27th at 5:20pm. He was 6 lbs 12 oz, 20 inches long and healthy. I have never been happier.

Many people have already asked where the name came from so here you go. It's a long explanation and probably lame but we like it. The direct translation for Ari in Hebrew is lion. Ariel is a common name in Israel, and in Judaism in general, meaning Lion of God. El is God in Hebrew but we like Ari rather then Ariel. Ralph Waldo Emerson is one of my favorite philosophers and his theories of transcendentalism match my feelings of running ultras. Like it or not, there it is.

Needless to say, Zanna and I are so excited to be parents and looking forward to this the ultimate adventure.