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…

Lots has gone down hill for me lately. but I did run my first marathon about 5 months ago, after reading The Cool Impossible about 4 months before that. 3 days later I crashed my motorcycle and wound up in a wheelchair for a month and almost had 2 twos amputated, lost the girl I thought I was gong to marry, my company is in the red, and I can't find a job in my field my field or with any real responsibility or pressure. That being said, today is the first day I put on my full running gear…

I am really enjoying the mild seasonal weather.   Running in shorts in December in the Midwest is awesome. 

Been working on some strength exercises on hard running days.  My muscles started to relax this week. I took two extra days off from week one.  Over did some basketball coaching and was wiped out.  Much better week.  Quads are sore on todays recovery run from hill runs yesterday.   Checked my mileage and I am up to 22 so far this week.  Will see what the end of Phase I week 2…

Having never been to San Francisco, I can’t imagine a better way to see it for the first time than running across 50 miles along the….ahem...Northern California coast line. I would be staying with friends and had intended to drive from home in Arizona. In my brain, which has long since looked at the state of…

A cool and cloudy  morning greeted us on Sunday the 18th of October, just perfect for running and though my preparation had been interrupted due to work travel and a virus, I felt excited for what lay ahead. 

I woke at 4.00am dressing and eating a breakfast of muffin with honey, a banana and black tea. Up alone with my thoughts and the silence I started to get nervous with a few…

When I think of the Rocky Ridge Half Marathon, I remember the words of Wesley (aka the Dread Pirate Roberts) to Prince Humperdink in the movie version of The Princess Bride.

Wrong! Your ears you keep and I’ll tell you why. So that every shriek of every child at seeing your hideousness will be yours to cherish. Every babe that weeps at your approach, every woman who cries out, “Dear God! What is that thing,” will echo in your perfect ears. That is what to the pain means.…