How Balanced Are You?

When I start working with a new athlete, I analyze how balanced they are between their speed and endurance. 

Just like the program in The Cool Impossible, at start up, I have my athletes perform two field…

My first ultra-marathon is now in the books.  Wasn't a fabulous finishing time, but I finished.

This year's Jack's 50k in Palm Coast, FL was six laps of the 5-ish mile Male Compra Greenway Trail and mountain bike course, plus a half mile to/from the start/finish.

I only had 3.5 hours of sleep the night before due to getting back late…

If you are experiencing "runners Knee" with discomfort on top of knee, under knee, or on the medial side of the knee, you might be keeping your legs too bent.

If your legs remain too bent throughout the running gait, you are prone to stressing your quads too much and 'turning off' or not using crucial muscles very well - all leading to a vicious cycle of…

Warning, this is almost longer than the race itself.....above PC @ Charles Danforth.

After 14 hours of driving, I arrived in Sheridan WY on Wednesday evening before the race. My two pacers/crew, David Newman and James Reeves, right picture…

This was a “training through” race. My big race is Bighorn 100 in 4 weeks. The goal was to have really good focus in this race, to do well, but not go out too hard and have to recover much in the days following the race. I need to be able to put in another week of high mileage, quality work for Bighorn after…

When I first read Cool Impossible back in 2013 my original “Cool Impossible” running goals were all time based, and essentially based around achieving ever better half marathon PBs

A disappointing half marathon result in October 2014 followed by a period of reflection after my 2^nd London Marathon in April 2015 led me to revise my goals – a never ending quest to continually shave seconds off race times not only seemed ultimately futile (I’d naturally hit a limit –…

Tulsa Area Trail and Ultra Runner’s (TATUR) Snake Run is timed event. There is a 3 hour and 6 hour division. The goals is to run as many miles, all on single track trail, as you can in the time allowed. The course is a 3.75ish loop, with 1 smaller 0.5 mile optional loop to run around. The course is relatively…

There is this misconception out there that if you want to pursue your dreams and cool impossibles, you have to know exactly what you’re doing. Just look around at all those other, more successful people out there. They move through life with a crisp smile and no body fat, and you ask them, “how’s it going”, they always say the same thing, “GREAT!” It’s actually kind of…

A whole different experience this year and a nice platform for next year’s training….

I checked in with friends and hosts Ashley and Michael on Thursday evening after arriving in San Francisco. We headed to the pre-race event at Equator Coffee. It was exciting to see the elite…

This race takes place in the North Phoenix community of Cave Creek. Flagstaff has already cooled down to evening temps in the 40s, so the car’s outside temperature reading of 90 as we rolled into the area made me a bit nervous. I had also downed a yummy frozen custard treat about an hour before that was now making me a bit nauseated.



We arrived a bit early, so I took off to do a little pre race warm up. My goal race is now The North Face Endurance…

Hi Everyone,

I hope your running is going strong and well.  This year marked the 10 year anniversary of my Born To Run adventure to the Copper Canyon.  In honor of this, I was invited to visit Oaxaca Mexico this past August for a 3 day run adventure.  The purpose of this was to explore the Oaxaca region, running from town to town.  This is a lawless state that operates independent of the Mexican government, with a focus on eco-tourism and harmony.

We ran 100k within the 3 day…

Home Grown Adventures! When I was with Eric last September at his run camp we talked about a new direction for my running, at the time I was tired of…

I just caught Eric's interview on the Connect Run Podcast while on my 8-miler yesterday. Excellent interview, Eric! While listening, it reminded me of how far I had come as a runner since I started 5 years ago and how The Cool Impossible had helped become a better runner.

I was diagnosed with hypertension about 7 years ago at age 36. At the time, I was a smoker of 17 years, sitting around much of the day, and eating fast food regularly. Somehow, I had deluded myself…

Yup, I'm gonna do it. I'm going to Giants. Tor Des Geants, that is. It's a 200+ mile race following the Alta Via 1 and Alta Via 2 around the Italian Alps. There will be 24,000 meters/78,000 ft of climbing...and descending. It is a single stage race, meaning there is no designated down time for rest. You rest as much or as little as you need, but the race goes on. We have 150 hours to complete the course. There will be "life bases" every 30 ish miles with cots and showers and hot food.…

I’ve been running for years, (like 23 of them), but only started my true love affair with running 4-5 years ago when I sought Eric Orton to coach me to my first ultra marathon. At that time I didn’t “love” running. I ran for years for fitness and to keep my weight in check. I do not look like the lean female…

After my time with Eric last September his plan was for me to run as much as possible in HRZ2 which for me is 134 to 144 BPM, Aiming to build endurance. At first it felt weird because its so 'slow'. But after several months I can feel my endurance building. And my pace and heart rates are interesting as well! Based on 10 mile and more runs, Averages are

November 13:15 min mile with HR 145

January 12:47 min mile HR 139

February 11:12 min mile HR 140

Want to go faster for…

Yea.....I'm not a consistent journal writer or blogger.   I have been working on the 'Cool Impossible' book training program  for the past 11 weeks.  I thought I would update in case someone was interested. The workouts have been very motivating and challenging at the same time.  Its nice that you can read a chapter in the book about the 'why' you are doing a particular run.  Some of the speed hill days have taken me back to childhood cross country days.   The coaches never…

I’ve always admired adventurous women. Women who were out there, doing what they love with passion and grit, seeking to inspire other women to do the same. I also use “she” to 

motivate me to get out the door on days when the warm covers begged me to stay, when I had been up 3…

Starting week 6 Phase I.   Recovery run today.  Was stiff at the start.  Loosened up in middle, but some muscles got sore at the end.  I may have gone a bit far.   Weather has changed to cold, but got a good running jacket for Christmas.  Dormant muscles keep firing and getting sore and then recover.

I'm not much of a blogger, but still am working at the program.   Got the puppy on a leash...not so distracting anymore.  I think the fat burning is working more on the dogs then…