Disneyland Report

Disneyland has often been labeled as the "Happiest place on Earth". I'm sure for every person that believes this, there is someone who believes the exact opposite. After all, what is so great about standing in long lines in the hot sun, paying outrageous prices, and going on artificial, man-made contraptions that spin and shake you for fleeting moments in time? People, in general, believe what they want to believe. This report won't convince you otherwise. I believe that kids will enjoy Disneyland the most, because they aren't footing the bill and if they love Disney movies, the magic of those movies come to life at Disneyland. So yeah, for most kids, Disneyland is the happiest place on Earth. It can be a nightmare for an adult who has outgrown their inner child. Still, there is lots of fun and happiness to be found at Disneyland, with the right attitude of course.

Day one: Disneyland

Disneyland really hasn't changed much over the years. Many of the same rides we went on when we were younger and more naive are still there.

It's a Small World is a classic ride that has been around for ages and never fails to disappoint. It represents all the different cultures and lands in the world and our kids loved it. It was like traveling all around the world. And even though I've been on it many times, each time feels special and new. It was the perfect way to begin our little Disneyland Adventure.

It was going to be a hot day, so we bought a misting fan (for about 20 dollars). The Alice in Wonderland ride was quick and nothing too special (partly because our kids had never even watched the movie). We got our Fast Pass for the Frozen Theatrical Show, then went to ride on the Buzz Light Year ride and to meet Tinkerbell and Fawn the fairies. Meeting Disney characters in person never gets old.

The Frozen Theatrical was very professionally done, and very enjoyable even for crusty anti-Disney personalities. If you enjoy theater, you'd enjoy the Frozen Theatrical Show. It basically tells the Frozen story, but with a comedic twist. The story is narrated by two men, who also happen to do most of the singing. The actresses that portray Elsa and Anna were great - other than their lack of singing. The kids loved it. And it was probably the highlight of their whole Disney Adventure! Too bad their Mom was at a career fair! Their Mom would surely have loved it too.

By now, the kids are hot and tired. And they want to go back to the hotel. But for the price we paid for admission, I wanted them to go on more rides and see much more of Disneyland - especially since it would be our only day at the classic Disneyland Park. The next two days would be spent at California Adventures.
Like a slave driver, I dragged them along on more and more rides (Star Tours, the Finding Nemo Submarine Ride, and the Jungle Cruise Boat Ride, which are some of my favorites). Then we sit on a curb to watch the Disney Parade, which they also really enjoyed! Even though they were exhausted by the end of the day, they enjoyed it all. Mom would never have survived.

Day Two: California Adventures

Disneyland would be tough to beat, but meeting Elsa and Anna would surely help make California Adventures worth the admission price, right? Having a Frozen Fun section at California Adventures was perfect. One of the kids' favorite things to do was to play in the snow! Racing down a snowy slope on a sled was pretty awesome. The kids didn't care too much for the Monsters Inc. ride, but the Little Mermaid ride was perfect for them. The Jumping Jellyfish and the Flying Zephyr were also fun rides for them. We went back to the Indoor Snow park for round 2, before going to meet Elsa and Anna. We also took an Animation Class where we were taught how to draw Piglet from Winnie the Pooh. Ally, being the young, budding artist loved it. And she did pretty awesome for a 7 year old!

Meeting Elsa and Anna was very quaint and personal. It seemed a little artificial and scripted to me, but the kids loved it. In fact, I think Grace was a little star-struck. She didn't know how to act or what to say. Still, they enjoyed themselves.

We also went to see a Frozen Sing-Along show, which the kids really loved. They played clips from the movie with lyrics on a big movie theater screen. But the light and smoke show all around the theater is what really wowed my kids. And the snow falling in the theater was the perfect touch!

The day culminated with another parade, this time with Pixar characters Toy Story, the Incredibles, Monsters Inc., and Bug's Life. We got back to the hotel and went out to a nice sushi dinner with Mom, where the kids got to share everything they saw and did throughout the day.

Day Three: California Adventures with Mom and Dad

We let the kids decide which park to take Mom to, and they unanimously chose California Adventures on the third day because Mom had never been there. I wasn't too impressed with the rides, but there was still a lot we hadn't done the day before.

We went on the Little Mermaid ride again, and toured the fake Redwood Forest, where there was an assortment of things to do for Ally - like rock climbing and zip-lining. Then we went on a white-water rafting ride (with just Ally and I). Ally was nervous and scared of the waterfall drops and she got drenched, but it was still a lot of fun. Then we went to Bug Land, where we went on a bunch of kiddie rides (bumper cars, spinning ladybugs, giant caterpillar trains, and a flying balloon ride.

The highlight of the day though, was the Aladdin Musical Spectacular Theater show. There were no Fast Passes available, so we were told to just arrive 20-25 minutes before the show to get good seats. We ended up sitting in the second row, which was pretty awesome. This show was amazingly good. I've seen a number of theatrical shows, and this was probably one of my all-time favorites. It would sit right up there with Phantom of the Opera, in my humble, limited opinion. The singing, dancing, choreography, and special effects were pretty amazing! I was very impressed. If you ever go to California Adventures, I would highly recommend this show! I would come to California Adventures just for this show, even if I didn't have kids! Great job, Disney!

The final thing we did together was the Animation Class again, except this time we were drawing Tigger - a much harder drawing than Piglet from the day before. Ally had trouble, and was very frustrated. It was clear though, that the instructor was going very fast and the drawing was too advanced. Still, I think Ally did a fantastic job.

3 Days in Disneyland came to an end, but the memories will last a lifetime. Was Disneyland the Happiest Place on Earth? It was the happiest place on earth, at the time, for us. But then again, the happiest place for me is always right beside my family and friends. Isn't happiness just a state of mind cultured with a good attitude and a healthy perspective? Labeling any place the Happiest Place is just a marketing scheme to sell you stuff. Find happiness in your own heart, and the Happiest Place on Earth becomes wherever your feet takes you.

Way Too Cool 50K, 2015 Edition

Last year, I ran the Way Too Cool 50K as part of my Western States training. I was running 250 miles per month and routinely running 30 mile training runs. It was a piece of cake. I ended up running my fastest 50K in 5:18 last year, without really pushing too hard. This year's race was a completely different story. I had not run much since Western States and was in terrible running shape. Still, I planned to take it easy and just enjoy the perfect weather and wonderful people. The temperature was going to reach a high of 70 degrees!

How do you run a 50K without training? You just keep moving forward. And you take your time at the aid stations. And you walk whenever you want. That was basically what I did for most of the race. I took my time thanking the volunteers. If you were walking or struggling, I probably slowed down and hung out with you. I wanted to find out what was wrong or right with everyone and offered advice and encouragement everywhere I went. I wasn't wearing a watch and didn't really care what my final time was (okay, maybe I did care a little bit). My main goal was to finish the race and to soak in the whole experience.

I was connecting with people everywhere I went. And I was reconnecting with old friends and acquaintances. I was in my element, and I felt great! The two people that stood out the most during this race was Elisa Park and Tony Nguyen (no relation). Elisa, like me, was under trained. Her husband and I ran Western States together. He is a very cool dude. Elisa was struggling and was thinking about dropping after just 8 miles. I told her that she was probably running too much. And that she was probably running how she would normally run if she was fully trained. I told her to just keep moving forward and to take whatever her body gives her. Its okay to be slow. Let the course sweepers remove you from the course if need be, but don't give up. We shared the trails for quite a while. I think she helped me just as much as I helped her.

Then I run with Tony Nguyen, who is also struggling a bit, but for different reasons. He just ran the Rocky Raccoon 100 a month ago and hadn't fully recovered. Tony has a brother named John, and I have a brother named Tony, and we always find that rather comical. Tony runs a lot of 100 milers and hopes to run Western States someday. Tony wonders why I'm floating in the back of the pack and I tell him about my lack of motivation and running since Western States. He reminds me that Western States was last year and that I need to move on. Words of wisdom are often very simple, yet so often neglected and not taken to heart. I do need to move on. And there is no time better than the present time.

Tony has a very inspirational story to tell. He ran his way past his health problems and overcame diabetes. He weaned himself off insulin, and now leads a healthy, running lifestyle. He is always full of enthusiasm and encouragement. Even as he struggled, he was all smiles! Eventually, I moved on to run my own race. I was feeling too good by mile 20, so I figured I would push a little to put in a decent effort. I kept reminding myself to soak in all the sights and to "seize the moment". We were really blessed to be out there enjoying the fabulous weather and pristine trails. The wild flowers were in bloom. Butterflies flitted around here and there. And you could hear frogs croaking at some of the streams! I splashed through a lot of stream crossings like a carefree little child - not much different than my three year old, splashing in puddles with her rain boots! Even when there was a bridge or dry ways across, I had fun simply splashing through the water. It truly was a great day to be alive.

I braced myself for the biggest hill of the day: Goat Hill at mile 26. But it felt so much easier than I expected! Maybe I had been lollygagging too much throughout the race! Near the top an older gentleman shook my hand and tried to pull me up the hill! I had to resist a bit! I didn't need any help! But it was a kind gesture which I was grateful for. At the aid station, a boy with a wet sponge was cooling off runners! I asked him to squeeze some water over my head. I told the boy and some volunteers that the last person who cooled me down with a sponge was Ann Trason!

The last few miles were tough, but they always are on this course. Having run this race 4 other times, I knew exactly what to expect. I tried pushing the pace a few times, but my calves cramped up any time I tried to speed up. As I came closer to the finish line, I felt emotional. I was finishing my first race since Western States. I was happy. And I was relieved. A weight was lifted from my shoulders. That weight probably contained some self doubt, some remnants of a crushed dream, and maybe some fear; the fear that maybe I wasn't born to run after all. I don't know what the future holds in terms of running and racing, but it's time to truly move on.

My Western States Experience Report

I did everything in my power to not only train and prepare for Western States, but also to earn the privilege of running in this iconic race. I hired Ann Trason as my coach and I ran my heart out for over 6 solid months. Sadly, I was unable to finish my Western States race. I have no regrets. I may not have gotten the finish I wanted, but by chasing my dreams with all my heart, I got an amazing journey and lots of new and wonderful friends out of the deal. I'll be back to Western States someday to finish what I started. Until then, the amazing journey and dream will continue. 

My mantra for the race was to "float like a butterfly". The first 30 miles are run at high altitude (Average of 7000 feet), and can be very rocky. By floating like a butterfly, I hoped to navigate the rocky terrain lightly and gently, without disastrously spraining an ankle. I also wanted to keep my heart light, and to soak in the experience. This is probably the most beautiful section of the race and I wanted to be fully present in the moment. It was a blissful 30 miles. 

The first 3.5 miles climbs 2500 feet to the highest point in the race. It's the only section that I did not run in training. I hiked up the climb, like everyone else, and it felt great! The silence was deafening though. Everyone was probably conserving their air. Maybe I should have too! I was just so happy to be out there! I reached the aid station at the top in about 1 hour and 6 minutes. The sun was rising on a glorious morning. I felt so alive. 

Imagine your feet are carried on the wings of a butterfly
Light and soft, gentle and kind
Flit and flutter over rocks and earth
Dance between earth and sky
Keep the heart light and embrace the beauty all around
And see the world through a butterfly's eyes

I arrived at the Duncan Canyon aid station (mile 24) in great spirits after about 6 hours and 15 minutes. This aid station is run by the Quicksilver Club, which I had joined this year. The cheering was simply amazing! I was surrounded by teammates and good friends. I drank some coconut water and got a fresh bandana, filled with ice, to combat the mild heat that would creep up on us in the next section.

The next six miles included a tough climb, but I planned to take it easy and to take breaks anytime the exertion felt too strained. We had three things going against us in this section: the heat, the altitude, and the climb. I slowed down, but got through this section in great shape. I came into Robinson Flat (mile 30) feeling great! And Ann Trason was here crewing for me! She sat me down and sponged me down with cold ice water. She stuffed gels in my pocket, handed me a cold Pediasure, and told me I was doing great! I felt great!

Unfortunately, my bubble was soon to be burst. After a couple miles, I learned from some safety runners that I was only 40 minutes ahead of the cutoff time. How was this possible? It scared the hell out of me! I panicked. I began to run scared. I no longer floated like a butterfly. I ran harder and faster to make up some time. And still, I felt really slow. By the time I got to the Last Chance aid station (mile 43), my quads were hurting and I was in a bad state of mind. I was right at the 30-hour pace and now one hour ahead of cutoff times. Eric was there to calm me down. He told me to focus on getting to the next aid station and to take one aid station at a time. And just like that, my fears were abated, and I was back in the game.

At mile 46, after a soothing river crossing, I had to climb one of the toughest climbs of the race. My quads were shot. I trudged up the climb slowly. I was not feeling good. I stopped to drink from my handheld bottle and just started to throw up. The rest of the climb took what seemed like forever. At the top of the climb (mile 48), the Devil's Thumb aid station took care of me. The wonderful volunteers checked my weight, fed me soup and ginger ale. They convinced me to get going again. On my way out of the aid station, I threw up again. It broke my heart and my spirit. I cried, as I stood, hunched over, as waves of nausea overtook me. I was a mess. And still, the volunteers pushed and prodded me to get going. Time was running out. I needed to eat. I needed to keep moving. But my stomach was not happy and my spirit was broken. I did keep moving though. I wanted to believe that a second wind would come and that I could chase the cutoffs to the finish line. The next 5 miles were miserable. I was being eaten alive by mosquitoes, and I could barely muster a 30 minute pace - walking, downhill. Sips of water only made me feel more nauseous. By the time I got to the next aid station at mile 52.9, I was done. My race and dream was over. I felt like a failure. I had let down my coach and everyone that believed in me. I wanted to crawl into a deep, dark hole, and die. But those feelings quickly passed. And I realized that I was lucky to have gotten the chance to shoot for such a crazy dream. I am still sad, disappointed, and heartbroken, but my hopes and dreams are still very much alive and strong. I will be back.

Thank you, to everyone that helped me during this journey and on the day of the race. Matt and Ann, my crew - you were awesome out there! My pacers, Jeremy and Eric - who cheered me on and waited patiently to pace me through the night, thank you! I really wished I could have shared the trails with you! And to my loving and supportive wife, who made plenty of sacrifices to help me realize my dream, thank you from the bottom of my heart.  There is so much more I could say about this epic journey. I could probably write a book about the whole experience. But maybe I'll save that for the day when I have a happier ending!

I believe we learn more from our defeats and losses than we do from our victories and wins. Life is too short and fleeting to worry about winning or losing. Play the game, enjoy the journey, and whatever you do, don't stop dreaming or believing in yourself.

Chasing Dreams

“Do not worry about how you will make it all work. Just focus on how you feel and go towards those things that bring forth joy. When you are living in your joy, the Universe is living joyfully through you. When you are living a life of fear, the universe is dying and becoming smaller. Remember you are a child of the universe and everything the universe provides is abundant. The sun shines rays of joy, the bird sings a song of joy, the tree joyfully grows to provide shade and keep the air clean. Everything has a purpose and when we are living in our joyful purpose we will be supported because the universe loves joy. It takes a little bit of time to go from fear to joy, but if you stay steady and keep the course you will at last come to see that your joy can be your reality. Trust in promise of joy, it is your birthright.” – Jackson Kiddard

There is great joy and an uneasy fear present as I face the greatest race of my life. This is my pie in the sky, my Superbowl, my World Series, my Boston Marathon; this is my dream, materializing before my very eyes. If I could pick one race to run, over and over, it would be Western States. I know there are many other great races out there that I have yet to experience. I know I would enjoy many other races - ones with great support or amazing sights. But in the present, its all about Western States. Everything I've read, everything I've seen and heard lead to Western States. It's what my heart wants and it's what captures my imagination - it's my dream. And it's here. Now. 

This race is the Superbowl of Ultra Running to most people. The field limit is only 400 runners, and a third of that number is reserved for elite runners, international runners, or runners given special consideration. Over 2700 people wanted to get into the race this year via lottery. These people have already proven their worthiness by qualifying for the race through a fast 50-miler, 100K, or 100-mile completion at a qualifying race. There were runners with up to 5 tickets in the lottery, based on the number of years where they qualified but were not picked. I had one measly ticket in the lottery. And somehow, through some twist of fate, I was chosen. I did not feel worthy of this honor. I knew other runners much more qualified and deserving than I. So I knew I had work to do - to earn the honor, to train my heart out, and to prepare for the race of my life. On that note, I began my training. I hired an amazing coach in Ann Trason to help guide my training, which in itself has been an amazing experience. 

Training consisted of running nearly 6 days per week with a long run every week. The first couple months were solely dedicated to building a mileage base. The next couple months included more quality runs that included more speed workouts, and the final months included speed workouts, hill repeats, and training runs on the Western States course itself. All throughout the training, core workouts and upper arm strength training were added in addition to all the running. Any time there was a sign of injury, aqua jogging, elliptical machines, or stationary biking was prescribed in addition to a trip to the chiropractor or massage therapist. A handful of 50K races and a 50 mile race were used for training, along with a handful of organized training runs. All in all, there were 9 training runs/races over 30 miles plus another 11 runs in the 20-26 mile range. In 6 months, I had run over 1500 miles, averaging 250 miles per month and 58 miles per week. My massage therapist, Greg Finney (Sports Medicine Institute, Palo Alto) and chiropractor, Lyresa Pleskovitch (Spine Therapy Center, Palo Alto) played big parts in treating my injuries and kept me healthy enough to run consistently throughout my training. And Ann Trason, my coach and friend, always knew what to say to motivate me, inspire me, and guide me through this epic journey - which will hopefully culminate at the finish line in Auburn, California. 

And lets not forget about my wonderful wife and two beautiful daughters! It breaks my heart to leave my wife and kids for many of these long training runs and races. Without their support, patience, and love, this dream of mine is empty and meaningless. My eggs are not all in one basket. Regardless of whether I finish Western States, I am already greatly blessed - with a loving family, good health, and the opportunity to chase my dreams. Allyson and Grace, I hope that you believe in yourself and your dreams. And I hope that someday, you too will chase down your dreams and make them come true. 

Western States Training Update Q&A: The Final Push

Only 26 days remain till Western States!

Q: Hi John! What is going through your mind right now? You must be so excited for the big race! Your training has been awesome!

A: I won't lie to you. I'm kinda scared. 

Q: What's wrong? I thought your training had been going great! 

A: My training has been pretty great. Not perfect, but I am very happy with how my training has been going. However, I sprained my ankle this past Saturday on a 22 mile night run. I turned my ankle after about 8 miles. It wasn't a terrible sprain, so I slowed down and just finished the last 14 miles. 

Q: Oh no! You poor thing! How does it feel now? And how long do you think it will take to heal?
A:  It feels okay. There is still some minor pain and swelling, but I'm not limping and can even jump a little on the bad leg. I'll trying running 4-6 miles today and see how it goes.  I'm hoping to be back on the trails this weekend for a last, long trail run before tapering. If that doesn't happen, it's still okay. 

Q: The month of May was supposed to be a big training month for you. How did May treat you? Other than your little mishap at the end, that is. 

A: May was pretty awesome! I logged about 274 miles in May, and was able to get some training in the infamous canyons twice. I only ran 48 miles on the first day of the Memorial Day Weekend WS Training Camp, and it ended rather poorly, but I am okay with that now. 

Q: Finishing a 48-mile training run on the WS course on a warm day sounds pretty good! And yet, you still sound disappointed! What's wrong with you?

A: I made some mistakes and bonked badly in the last 10 miles. It was a big blow to my confidence! Ann Trason tells me that she sees it as a good thing though - as long as I learn from it. And that makes a lot of sense to me. 

Q: Speaking of THE Ann Trason, everyone wants to know how that is working out. What insight can you share about this mysterious legend who's won Western States 14 times? Is she a good coach? Would you recommend her?

A: Ann Trason is a great coach! If you need evidence of it yourself, you can listen to Trail Running Nation's Podcast where she and Andy Jones Wilkins are interviewed about the Western States Race: http://trailrunnernation.com/2014/05/training-with-ann-trason-and-ajw/

One of the main reasons why she is a great coach is her genuine passion for running. She is humble and kind and just a pleasure to work with. I really feel lucky and blessed to have her as my coach. All her legendary accomplishments are irrelevant when it comes to Ann Trason as a coach and friend. I talked to her on the phone the other day about my bad 48-mile training run, and she reminded me that she failed to finish WS on her first two tries. She made plenty of mistakes. Shocking, I know! And it's okay to make mistakes. Bad stuff happens. Learn from your mistakes, plan accordingly and solve your problems as they will surely arise.

Q: I know this race is your dream race. Will your family be coming to cheer you on? 

A: Sighs... At the least, my wife and kids will be there at the finish line. I'm hoping that my wife can make it to Foresthill (mile 62) the night before, but that may not happen. I've asked my parents and siblings to come out to the finish line, but I'll be lucky of any of them show up. They've never come out to any of my races. It's a little sad, but I'm okay with it. Coming out to cheer for us ultra runners must be a tough job. I really admire those of you that have family cheering for you. I'm just happy that my family loves me and supports me (mostly from a distance, in spirit).  

Q: What do you have left to do? Is the taper going to drive you nuts?
A: I still have some running and training to do, but it'll be just a little less running. I'll be doing more heat training to acclimate to the heat that we'll be expecting on race day. Ann calls it "protection mode". The proverbial hay is in the barn. 

Q: Do you have any time goals? Or are you focused solely on finishing?
A: Finishing under 24 hours feel like a pipe dream. On a cool day, I think it would be possible. I believe I need to run "by feel". Get to Foresthill (mile 62) conservatively. If I can get there with some fresh legs the whole experience will be so much more enjoyable. I'll be happy just to finish. 

Q: Any last thoughts you want to share about this big dream of yours, that is coming to fruition?

A: I want everyone to believe in the power of their dreams. Dreams do come true. Western States isn't just my dream. A lot of deserving folk (many faster than me) did not get into this race this year. When I got into this race, I knew I had work to do - to earn this privilege. I need to fight for that finish to the very end. I have to want it. I have to believe in the power of my dreams. And simply make it happen.

And thank you, my friends, for following along on my little journey. And I wish you luck on the chasing of your dreams. Believe in yourself.  

Born to Run Ultra Marathon Experience-Race Report

The Tarahumara are a beautiful people. "The Tarahumara live in and above the canyons of northern Mexico's Sierra Madre Occidental, where they retreated five centuries ago from invading Spaniards." They call themselves the "Rarámuri", which is a more respectful term for these amazing people. The Rarámuri are human just like you and me, but I believe they represent so much more - living and running free.

"They are extraordinary endurance runners, having lived for generations amid a transportation network of narrow footpaths through the canyons; Rarámuri means "foot-runner" or "he who walks well," and they've been known to irritate American ultramarathoners by beating them while wearing huarache sandals..." ("A People Apart", National Geographic, November, 2008) 

Caballo Blanco had a deep passion for running and the Rarámuri. He would have loved the Born to Run Ultra Marathons this past weekend, if he were still alive. He would have been surrounded by people he loved and the people that love him. A team of Rarámuri racers had come to run! Jenn Shelton and Billy Barnett were running the 100 mile race. And El Coyote, Luis Escobar, was running the show as the Race Director. It was a reunion of the Born to Run cast! Without the spirit of Caballo Blanco, there is no "Born to Run" book or Ultra Marathon weekend. Caballo Blanco made all this happen, through his love and passion for running and the Rarámuri. There were over 550 people registered to run the Born to Run Ultra Marathons (10 mile, 50K, 100K, 100 mile). The festivities began on Friday, May 16th, and the Rarámuri were conducting a Rarajipari Bolla Race demonstration! "This will be the only acceptable time to photograph them." I was actually going to see the Rarámuri playing Rarajipari! How cool is that!

I bought a fantastic burrito lunch and took a front row seat to witness the Rarámuri play their legendary game. Volunteers were needed to join the Rarámuri in a 5-on-5 Bolla Race! How would you feel if you were given the opportunity to play basketball with Michael Jordan on a friendly 5-on-5 game? Utter shock. Joy. Honored. I quickly stood up, abandoning my lunch to join in on the race. Maria Walton and Billy Barnett were also on my team along with one of the Rarámuri. Each lap is about a quarter of a mile and we were going to complete 10 laps. Each team has a wooden ball and the Rarámuri runner holds a wooden stick (you can't use your hands). It's like racing with a soccer ball, except with a wooden ball the size of a softball. I threw all caution to the wind and played my heart out, like there was no tomorrow. It was a blast! We ended up losing, but no one cared. We were all champions. I was exhausted, but happy!

There was going to be a beer mile, led by Patrick Sweeney, an amazing ultra runner who has raced in the Copper Canyons for the past 4 years. On Thursday, Patrick set a world record for the beer half marathon! He drank 13 beers and ran 13.1 miles in 2 hours and 17 minutes, with temperatures in the mid-nineties! After the Rarajipari Bolla race, I was tired and had no intention of running the beer mile. Fortunately, Gregorio, who also participated in the bolla race convinced me to join in on the fun. I caved pretty quickly, in the spirit of stupid fun - since it was for a good cause (donations as entry fees into the beer mile). I just planned to take it easy and just have fun with it. 

There were over fifty people doing the beer mile. We were supposed to bring our own beer, but I was able to get 4 free Bud Lights to participate with. It was a lot of fun, but it got progressively hard to chug down the beer after each lap. We cheered each other on as we drank beer and ran. The winner, Nick Coury, finished in 7:26. He would go on to win the 50K the next day in 3:17. I finished my first beer mile in 10:39. It was such stupid fun! After a nice burrito dinner, I headed back to my campsite to set up my tent, prepare for my race, and get to bed at a decent time. The band, Metalachi, had begun to play, and the party had just begun for a lot of people, but I was content to call it a night.

All the ultra distances started at 6:00, and we all started on the same 10 mile loop (marked with pink ribbon), while the 10-mile runners start a bit later on a different 10 mile loop (marked with yellow ribbon). Before the start, we raise our right hands and recite Caballo Blanco's disclaimer: "If I get hurt, lost or die - it's my own damn fault."

This was a training run for me, so I just took it easy and enjoyed everything about the race. I chatted with a lot of runners and made new friends at seemingly every turn. Everyone I met this past weekend was just so damn cool! 

I finished the first 10 mile loop in 1:38:17. The second loop was a little harder, but very manageable. There was a really interesting downhill section that was a lot of fun to run down! I channeled my inner-Killian Jornet and ran down it with the joy and freedom of a little kid. I finished the 2nd 10-mile loop in 1:55:59. The first 20 miles flew by all too quickly and I felt fresh enough to hammer through the last ten, but I knew that I needed to stay conservative and keep it easy. I have a 50-mile training run on the Western States course the next week, so I could not afford to wreck myself with a fast finish.

I ran into Patrick Sweeney at mile 22, and was wondering what he was doing, going so slow! This guy won last year's 50K with a blazing time of 3:49! Apparently, the world record beer half marathon took its toll. He was having a "lazy" day - unmotivated to run fast. I hung out with Patrick for a while, slowing down just to hang out with the cool speedster who I will probably never run with again! We talked about Western States and the Rarámuri. He described the Rarajipari Race that he witnessed down in the Copper Canyons, which I found fascinating! On a 4 mile course, teams consisted of 25 players, and they would cover up to 100 kilometers, or until one team lapped the other. This eventually happened in the game Patrick witnessed after over 10 hours! I eventually took off to finish my race but I really enjoyed our conversation! 

With about 3 miles to go and a gentle downhill slope, I decided to finish strong and ran the last few miles at a comfortable 9 minute pace. I finished in 5:26:20, which is my second fastest 50K time with a relatively easy-effort, which I was happy with. With less than 7 weeks till Western States, I am in the best shape of my life. I feel so lucky and blessed lately. I'm living the dream, and loving it! 

Photo Credits to Jeff Genova, Rony Sanchez and Michele Evans for the wonderful pictures!

Born to Run

The book Born to Run changed me. It captured my imagination and opened up a new world to me. It gave me big dreams and bold goals. After reading this book, I felt a renewed sense of purpose and belonging. Maybe I was "born to run" after all! I didn't have to be fast. I just needed to believe in myself and "keep on, keeping on."

I met Caballo Blanco in October of 2009, in Palo Alto, California, at our local ultra running store, ZombieRunner. After reading Born to Run, I really wanted to run Caballo's race in the Copper Canyons. But there were too many risks associated with the trip into such a remote area of the world. The perceived dangers from the Mexican drug cartels alone was enough to keep me reserved. Being married with children forces me to reduce risks I would otherwise take in the name of adventure and excitement. So I asked Caballo Blanco a question: "Would you ever organize a race in the United States, and invite the Tarahumara?" I don't remember how he responded, but I'm pretty sure it wasn't in his plans.



In October, 2010, I met Ann Trason, another hero from Born to Run. It was her last year as the race director of the Dick Collins Firetrails 50 Mile race. It was such an honor to shake her hand. I was so starstruck that I neglected to take a picture of her or with her. The memory of meeting her was enough. Ann Trason was an unsung hero in the book. She raced with the Tarahumara in Leadville and was a fierce competitor with the best of the best. Having 4 sisters, 2 daughters, and an amazing mother, you could say I have a huge love and respect for women. Ann Trason is more than a legend to me. She is a role model for any woman who seeks strength and power. I want to teach my daughters that anything is possible for them. And I would use Ann as the perfect example of a strong woman who kicked men's butts in the ultra world.

In June, 2012, I got to meet Scott Jurek in San Francisco for a fun run and book signing. I read Born to Run like a science fiction novel. I fell in love with all the characters. And meeting them, in real life was a dream come true. Running ultras made me feel like I belong to this isolated community of running people. We run far. Very far. And Scott Jurek - well, he's just cool.



This is the 4th year of the Born To Run Ultra Marathons in Los Olivos, California. This is about a 4 hour drive for me, and a very busy time of year for me (my wedding anniversary and daughter's birthday are in May). There are also a lot of very popular races being run in May that are much closer to me. This year, however, a team of Tarahumara were making the trip to the Born to Run Ultras! I talked to my wife about it and she thought it would be okay for me to sign up and run it. After all, chances to run with the Tarahumara may never happen again (in the U.S.) in my lifetime.

So yeah, I'll be running with the Tarahumara this Saturday. And yes, they will kick my butt. Luis Escobar will be there as the race director. Jenn Shelton and Barefoot Ted are signed up for the 100 miler. It should be an epic weekend!

Did I mention how lucky I am to be coached by Ann Trason? And that I'm running Western freaking States in 45 days? My cup overflows with blessings!