Prairie Spirit 50: The Key to a PR

I came off the trail, made the final turn into the fairgrounds, and there was the finish line. After nearly nine hours of “run south, turn around, run north” I was about to find out if I would set a new personal record (PR) for the 50-mile distance. Did I? Result momentarily. But can you …

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Failure + Failure + Failure = Success

The title of this post is based on something similar I read online today. I hope it’s true. I think it’s fair to say that my race season this year was disappointing. I failed to finish either of the 100-milers I started, and even though I got past 100 miles at the Tahoe 200, I …

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Chocolate, Chimneys, and (Gut) Checks

Last Saturday I went to New Hampshire to torture myself with a double mountain-climbing 50K. Because? Because chocolate. After I ran the Boston Marathon in 2017, Joyce and I went up to Manchester, New Hampshire to celebrate her birthday. The B&B owners referred us to a great chocolate shop nearby. This was the Dancing Lion, …

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Washed Out at the Ozark Foothills

So, Jeff, how was your latest ultra in Missouri? Well, I had a great view of the Gateway Arch driving in. And a great lunch the day before at this one restaurant. Okay, how about the race? Did I mention the Arch and the lunch? Actually I found the dessert more impressive. That probably fueled …

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