Some Serious Accomplishments

 

Just a small collection of awards from the past 4 ultra parties.   

Along with the fantastic skit many of you have viewed, a number of significant achievements were recognized on the evening of the ultra party.  Some I have chosen to leave out because, well, you have to be there to fully comprehend the madness.  


Gold Toe- Mel Bailey ( for completing all ten running's of the  Hagg Lake 50k )

Mel receiving her 10 year plaque

Mr Obscurity - Ben Benjamin ( running the most obscure 100 milers of 2010 )

Mr Boring - Erik Skaggs ( usually pertains to clothing choices, no hospital visits lets him take this one )

Too Damaged to Party - Eric Poole ( and to have kids too )

Longest Way - Tia Boddington ( Traveled to Morocco for the Marathon des Sables )

Bloodiest S.O.B. - Aaron Brian ( That's why they invented nip guards )

I've run everywhere - Shahid Ali ( 10 plus ultras in 2010 )

Under the Radar - Carly Koerner ( sub 24 at Western States )

Breakout award - Carly Koerner ( Western States 2010, literally not figuratively )

Pretty big inside joke, but relevant either way.

Gold Toe - Jenn Shelton ( fastest 10 miler in a monokini, also literally not figuratively ) 

Pacer of the Year - Jenn Shelton

Dead on Arrival - Neil Olsen ( Dutchman AS at Pine to Palm )

Fastest Family Woman - Dana DuVivier

Fastest Family Man - Neil Olsen

Gold Toe - Erik Skaggs

Biggest Asterisk of the Year - Erik Skaggs ( Flagline 50k ??? )

I wasn't at the finish with everyone but I think this is what it looked like.

Training Log - J.C. Callans

Traveling Beer Mile Trophy - Hal Koerner ( Still undefeated! )

Most Focus Beer Miler - Brad Noyz ( check the video )

Worst Judgment - Heidi Paine

Worst Blister - Annie Crispino-Taylor

Gold Toe - Timothy Olson

The Big Toe Award

Longest 100 Streak - Ben Benjamin

Gold Toe - Karolina Wyszynska  ( Skyline 50k, for wins people )

Running during Ramadan - Shahid Ali

Credit Card - Hal Koerner ( nuff said )

Didn't Get lost - Erin Keller

WTF award - Timothy Olson ( victories everywhere )

Virgin S.O.B. - Mike Sotos

Gold Toe - Hal Koerner

Injury of the Year - Darcy Kleiman 

Additionally, there were many awards that centered around the first annual running of the Pine to Palm 100 Mile Endurance Run.   Likewise, there is video of this circulating on youtube as well, however this announcement is more to let you know that registration is open for the 2011 event.  Yes, we will be running it again so ultrasignup.

This is the guy you'll be chasing!

Ultra ROAST 2010

It's supposed to be a party, which it is, but it's quite apparent the evening has morphed into a roast for some.

I was not alone this year, as JC will attest (that's JC Callans - not the big JC)  but this piece will prove that there's less respect when you don't win Western States.

Just to clarify, in the video Rob is trying to convince me (Erik Skaggs, not Kyle) that he is worthy enough to pace me at WS 2011.   Tambien, Erik is trying to convince me not to fire him after alluding to my Forrest Gump likeness in parts of South America and the number of photos of me that adorn the store.  
   





Now there were a number of worthy awards this year and I hope this keeps you entertained until they are listed.  

Doing the Leg Work

Alright, alright, alright.   Here we are, San Francisco, CA for The North Face Enducance Challenge Championships.  If you are reading this blog on Friday then you are way too geeked out on the ultrarunning scene, and there are a lot of you. None however has dropped in more than Bryon Powell over at irunfar.com.

He'll be tracking the race tomorrow as media liason for the TNF and more than likely a number of other running companies. He's done some great pre-race interviews over on his website so check that out as well.  Ashland is respresented WELL at this years race and it is going to be arguably the most competitive ultra (male/female) on US soil ever.

I ran on the course a couple of times this week and it's not as fast as previous years, but there have been a few changes or reroutes that may make up for lost time.   There's considerable mud out there and a high probability for rain tonight and tomorrow.  the pack should stay bunched for 20 miles and then it's anybodies guess. HA!

I however, have been laying low, in the city by the bay - thank you John Denver, trying my best to ignore the hype surrounding the event.  An OR photoshoot for The North Face on Tuesday was followed up by an amazing trip to the House of Air in the Presidio.  Some acrobatics with the TNF action sports team, had the owner of the place (a former TNF product manager) exclaiming, " these guys don't have to follow the rules," We followed with a sprightly game of dodge ball in which the endurance runner was able to show off some of his skills.

take it easy on the plantar.

Only for the big boys and girls.

Yesterday I headed over to San Leadro, the North Faces world headquarters for an athlete summit of the design variety.   I was joined by fellow teammates Jez Bragg, Lizzy Hawker and new addition Rory Bosio.  We looked at the Spring and Fall 2012 lines and I must say this company has come a long way in 4 years.  After which, I am now gonna taking a page from wikileaks, I was privy to a showing of an 8.5 oz branded trail shoe that will keep me grinning all of 2011.

So now we wait until the alarm rings at 3am tomorrow morning. Off to the headlands and another amazing race, can we wait another 24 to see who the champs are?

Still the man to beat, Uli Steidl