What’s Up With This Blog

Destinations, Training & Racing, Travel & Gear

What’s Up With This Blog

12 Comments 25 February 2011

Two months ago, I launched this site. The other day, I caught myself wondering what I'm doing and whether it's worth my time. It seems like a good time to assess what The Runner's Trip has accomplished, how I hope to develop the site in the coming weeks, and how I hope you will consider helping me.

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Running California’s Central Coast: Why a Painful 50K Made a Romantic Getaway

Destinations, Training & Racing

Running California’s Central Coast: Why a Painful 50K Made a Romantic Getaway

13 Comments 20 February 2011

The Montaña de Oro 50K near Morro Bay was an excuse for a weekend getaway to a state park and small town we never had visited. Then the trail race took the weekend to emotional and physical extremes.

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Running In Portugal: One Runner’s Quest to Reach the Westernmost Edge of Europe

Destinations

Running In Portugal: One Runner’s Quest to Reach the Westernmost Edge of Europe

6 Comments 15 February 2011

This guest post from a roving European runner spotlights the Fim da Europa, a 17K race where you can enjoy in a single day one of the best national parks in Portugal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the westernmost European place.

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Tamara’s Extreme Challenge at Costa Rica’s Coastal Challenge

Destinations, Training & Racing

Tamara’s Extreme Challenge at Costa Rica’s Coastal Challenge

1 Comment 11 February 2011

The 46-year-old from Pleasant Hill, California, survived severe heat, extreme nausea, fever, bugs, and blisters in Costa Rica's jungles and mountains. Here's her report of mud, sweat, and fears.

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How to Recover from a Race that Sucked

Training & Racing

How to Recover from a Race that Sucked

9 Comments 08 February 2011

If you identify with the symptoms of Post Personal Worst Disorder, a clinical form of post-race blues marked by dwelling on a lackluster performance and wallowing in loserdom, you might benefit from this perspective drawn from my time at the Kaiser San Francisco Half Marathon.

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Northern Italy: Races and Places to Run and Hike, Dolce-Vita Style

Destinations

Northern Italy: Races and Places to Run and Hike, Dolce-Vita Style

6 Comments 04 February 2011

Everyone should see Italy's cultural and historical treasures, but I'd also urge any visitor to explore the countryside. Here are lots of suggestions on where to run or hike, with several links to Northern Italy races recommended by my Italian trail-running friend.

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How to Run and Go Green: Eco-Friendly Lessons From An Earthy 10K

Destinations, Training & Racing, Travel & Gear

How to Run and Go Green: Eco-Friendly Lessons From An Earthy 10K

2 Comments 01 February 2011

I have run many 10Ks but none quite like the European XC Challenge in Ventura, the inaugural event by an eco-conscious upstart company called Compete Green. I signed up to walk the talk (or better, run the talk) of this blog's message to keep improving and to cultivate meaningful experiences as a runner by trying new things, exploring new destinations, and finding new routes in familiar places. What's more, I've been considering the environmental consequences of our allegedly green sport.

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Recommended Product

I recently discovered the Nathan Quick Shot Plus 10 oz. hand-held bottle with a pocket, and I really like it for shorter races when all you need to carry is a gel, your car key and a small amount of liquid. The squeeze spout works efficiently too.

My 2013 Race & Family Travel Calendar

mid-February: Telluride
Way Too Cool 50K Mar. 9. Race report.
Oakland Marathon, not racing but volunteering as leader for the 3:40 pace group, Mar. 24
Lake Sonoma 50M Apr. 13. Race report.
mid-April: exploring Vancouver for Spring Break
East Bay Triple Crown Series: Tilden Tough 10M May 19, Lake Chabot Half June 2, Woodminster 9M June 16.
Marin Ultra Challenge 50M training run, June 22.
mid-summer: 6-day Maine biking trip and 8-day Colorado River rafting trip! Details.
Aug. 11: Skyline 50K in the Oakland hills
Pine to Palm 100M Sept. 14

My 2012 Race Calendar

Brooks Falls Trail Run 30K, Jan. 22, report & commentary
Oakland Marathon, Mar. 25, race report
Miwok 100K, May 5, Race report (it's a doozy!)
Marin Ultra Challenge 50K, June 30
Geoff Roes Alaskan training camp, July 24 - 28. Read about it.
Skyline 50K, Aug. 12. Pack training run.
The Grand to Grand Ultra, Sept. 23 - 29. Amazing.
Save Mount Diablo Half Marathon, Nov. 4.
Piedmont Thanksgiving Turkey Trot 3-mile (1st age group, 4th F).
North Face Endurance Challenge Championship 50M, Dec. 1. Race report.

My 2011 Race Calendar

Epiphany Ultra, Jan. 2. Did it! Here's the writeup.
European XC 10K in Ventura Jan. 30. Here's the writeup.
San Francisco Half Marathon, Feb. 6. Ugh, a hard one! Race report became "How to Recover from a Race that Sucked".
Montaña de Oro 50K, Feb. 13. Did it! Here's the writeup.
Oakland Marathon, March 27. So fun! My race report became a haiku.
American River 50M, April 9, race report
Santa Barbara Wine Country Half Marathon, May 7, race report
Tilden Tough Ten 10M, May 15, and the two other races in the Triple Crown trail series, too: Lake Chabot Half and Woodminster 9M. I ended up winning the women's 2011 East Bay Triple Crown trophy for the fastest cumulative time in the three events! (news blurb & pic)
Ohlone 50K, May 22, Unforgettable!
Pacing the last 25 mi of Hardrock 100 in Telluride! Here's the pace report.
Skyline 50K in Oakland Aug. 7. Bummer, no go because I'm injured.
Piedmont Fall Fest 5K Sept. 24: Placed 2nd
North Face Endurance Challenge 50M, Dec. 3. Race report.
PCTR Rodeo Beach 50K, New Year's Eve. Nice to end the year with a win! Race report.

Proud to race on the team of Inside Trail Racing. Check out their calendar of great trail races.

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