On the same weekend as the first Cougar Mountain Series races, I ran a beautiful trail marathon that goes from Mazama to Twisp, called the Sunflower Trail Marathon & Relay, put on by Winthrop Mountain Sports. I won the race, and ended up beating the male competitors too (that was a surprise). Two relay teams did beat me, but they had two people and five people, respectively. My time was 3:22:49 for a slightly-long course with just under 2000 feet of elevation gain. My next competitor was 3:29:37.
It was one of those races where everything came together. I could have had a problem with the heat, but I drank at every mile (when my new Garmin beeped) and I was more acclimated than most, because we had experienced a heat wave in Leavenworth. The elevation was less than I’d been training on, so that
was fine.
I was nervous for a few reasons: 1. It was my first running race of the year; 2. I hadn’t done a marathon since Pigtails in December but the difference was that I had really trained for this one, so more was at stake; 3. I love this race and hadn’t run it in several years, so I had high expectations for myself.
But it all went really well. I was able to have a strong finishing kick (when there are finally spectators again, after a lot of alone time), so I knew I had paced myself well.
The big bummer is I wore my new awesome Brooks team uniform and just checked the race photos and somehow there is a photo of everyone except me! I do think Kay Allen got a photo of my on her iPhone (standing still at the finish).
This race is 3 years old and I’ve run it every year. I also won it the other years and had a title to defend. Last year the next woman was very close to me so I couldn’t rest on any laurels this year. I was getting over a cold but that didn’t seem to affect me, and in fact it probably made me take last week a little easier, so I was more rested. I felt steady for the long initial climb (2000 ft in 4-5 miles), but I wished I was a little faster. My downhill running felt effortless and light and I was slowed only a bit by the mud patches. There’s still an extra 1000 ft of elevation gain, but it’s done over undulating terrain and I loved it because I enjoy switching from uphill to downhill mode and back again. I never saw the 2 men in front of me, but I think they were ahead by virtue of the uphill and if anything I think I gained on the downhill. I was thrilled to find out that I was over 7 minutes faster than I was last year, proof that my trail specific training is going well.
Hope your running is going well. Hope to see you on the trails…
Jodee Adams-Moore has been a (well, to now) relatively anonymous name on the trail-running circuit. A local high school phenom who later wore spikes out east at Georgetown U, she now relishes the trail and is routinely posting times that are slowly dropping more and more jaws. I broached this little kernel of an idea to her in January, and now I find myself rushing to get this out before iRunFar makes her a household name. To those who know her, you probably already love her. For everyone else, allow me to (obnoxiously, of course) introduce you to Jodee Adams-Moore.
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Shoeless Joe: Hi everybody and welcome to 2013! After some hemming and hawing from Win Van Pelt and a particularly testy round of emails with the SRC board of directors, I’ve been put on probation but thankfully have finally been approved for another round of in-depth runner interviews! This time I am honored and privileged to be speaking with Jodee Adams-Moore! I met Jodee for a few seconds over a year ago at the 2012 Chuckanut 50k when she passed me at mile 1ish. Do you remember me, Jodee? I had a blue shirt on.
JAM: Well, I can’t say I remember you specifically Joe, but did you have fun in the race?
SJ: I did! Well, for most of it. Parts of it, really. Very few, small parts. I don’t get to run in snow very often so I’m quite not good at it. Did you have fun?
JAM: I had fun for a while but there came a time–somewhere in the vicinity of Lost Lake–that I kinda lost it and had to ride the fumes of hallucinatory mayhem of the mind. Mantras popped into my head from seemingly nowhere. One was even in Spanish. What once was a flat and friendly Interurban Trail looks completely different to me now.
SJ: Wow that sounds like a lot of fun! Speaking of hallucinatory mayhem, I thought my eyes were broken when I saw you had a 99.5% UltraSignup score. In fact your runner-up finish at that 2012 Chuckanut is the only blemish so far. And this year you seemed to figure out the Interurban Trail part. How else did the 2013 race differ from 2012?
JAM: My mind was sharper and my body stronger this year. I’ve been practicing. I felt more floaty.
SJ: The only other things I’ve learned about you from extensive googling is a) you were a local high school runner and you ran track and XC at Georgetown b) you enjoy pottery and other art and c) your college transcripts. When did your interest in trail running begin, and why?
Jodee Adams-Moore: I grew up on the east side not too far from Tiger and Cougar Mountains, so I’ve been hitting up the trails since I was 14. Saw me a few black bears in those little mountains. Even at Georgetown I ran lots in the trails that weave throughout DC and always felt more invigorated running through the woods than running on the pavement.
SJ: I have only anecdotal evidence to back this up, but it seems a good amount of Division 1 collegiate runners either move on to the road running circuit or stop competing altogether, at least for awhile. What was your experience going from Georgetown to where you are now? Long break from hard training & racing? Jump right back into and embrace racing?
JAM: The transition from the running I did at Georgetown to the running I do now has been a seven-year evolution of finding where and how running needs to be in my life for me to be balanced and happy.I never stopped running after Georgetown and I raced a little bit with Club Northwest and ran road races in the area, but that energy slowly puttered out and I just ran during all those years just as my daily medicine. The more time spent running in the woods the more I craved it so the whole trail racing thing kinda happened organically. I met James Varner of Rainshadow Running one February at a time when I was isolated from any running community (other than my training buddy Pablo, the dog). I was living on an old dairy farm property in rural Snohomish County and running on Pilchuck Tree Farm trails. He urged me to try his races. That June I drove out to the Methow and ran my first 25k at Sun Mountain and loved the energy of the event; more like a picnic party in a beautiful setting with, oh maybe a 25k or 50k or 50m thrown in just for fun! I thought that would be the longest I’d want to run but over time my body grew stronger and longer runs in the trails naturally evolved. Recently, in a coffee shop in San Luis Obispo I stumbled upon a book, The Zen of Running, by Fred Rohe. This excerpt opens the book (alongside a black and white photo of a snowy mountain stream reflecting sunlight):
“This experience is a newly discovered form of meditation or one more way for you to discover you. So I suggest you joyfully, exuberantly, take a short run. (Short might be 10 yards or 10 blocks, that’s your own private affair.)”
The simplicity and joy in Rohe’s relationship with running reminds me how I experience running now. I don’t “train” anymore. The running of now is closer to a meditation, one blending the nature of the forest and the nature of my body, this amazing machine that is so very receptive to how I treat it as a whole. Do I run hard? Yes, sometimes I want to sprint up the street or up the hill! But I don’t log workouts, I don’t wear a watch and I don’t ever force myself out. More often than not though I find myself running up steep forested hills, happily.
SJ: Wow, that’s surprising. I know (of) a number of people who look at running in a similar light but none of them could ever dream of running Orcas in five hours, or Chuckanut in four. I had three followup questions about GPS watches but now I guess I won’t be asking you those. Umm. Does this mean you run without goals or planning of any kind? Race days like Orcas or Chuckanut are just little diversions on a schedule otherwise filled with whatever you feel like doing? And whatever happens on race day, happens?
JAM: Yes! Pretty much! Every day is its own little adventure. Some days more awesome than others…but all with little bits of awesomeness. Running is part of this. My last run’s awesomeness was similar to a strong dark beer–higher percentage awesome content.
SJ: Please tell me you at least get an occasional old, weak, watered down 3.8% abv beer cruddy day.
JAM: I do, I do.
SJ: I’m gonna go ahead and steal that and call those my “Michelob Ultra” days from now on if you don’t mind. Now, is it a compromise at all in terms of your speed? Maybe you *could* get even faster with some specific training, but you wouldn’t really enjoy it? Or is a happy Jodee also a faster Jodee?
JAM: For me happiness is the ultimate goal and most things should fall into place thereafter.
SJ: So what about running makes you happy? Is it something I can learn? Please?
JAM: Enjoying the inner nature and outer nature and realizing the connectedness of both. Often it feels like a meditation and ritual and that is soothing to me.
SJ: Does the same go for races? Or do those require a slight mental re-tooling?
JAM: Some races are wonderful and I feel super high the whole time but sometimes these thoughts go through my mind: “I just don’t care, I don’t care at all and I’m gonna stop. Soon I’m gonna just stop. My body hurts. This is not good for my body. F IT!” But I haven’t stopped yet.
SJ: Us runners can be slaves to finishing our beers, even those Michelob Ultras! I personally like to think about the cookies I will eat after runs. Before runs I like to plan out exactly how I will obtain said cookies, so that there’s minimal wasted motion. I also consider complementary food items. Will I eat them with milk? Coffee? Perhaps both? Umm. Yeah, so do you like cookies?
JAM: Yeah I like cookies. All sorts.
SJ: Cool me too! If you’re ready I think it’s time for the now-unsponsored Lightning Speed Round! I have a guy who wants to open a bakery in Seattle and he said he’ll sponsor it but he hasn’t opened it yet. Maybe he’ll have cookies! Anyway, I’m going to ask you some questions real fast-like and you’re gonna show everyone how fast you truly are. Jodee….I hope you’re ready for a little interval training.Favorite Metallica album?
JAM: I don’t listen to Metallica, never have.
SJ: We’re road trippin’ but the tank’s on E. What are you getting at the AM/PM?
JAM: Spicy bloody mary mix and some peanuts.
SJ: Describe, in as much detail as you’re comfortable and no less, your preferred PB&J sandwich?
JAM: Any PB&J I scarf at mile 18 and above in any race is a winner.
SJ: Fine, let me get to the heart of the matter. All things equal, and not late in a race: chunky or smooth?
JAM: (C)HUNKY!
SJ: I’m holding steady next to you in a race, and I start chatting. Do you a) return the favor b) run ahead of me or c) fake an injury?
JAM: B.
SJ: Sunrise or sunset?
JAM: Sunrise
SJ: Any past or current boyfriends/husbands/significant others ever spell your name wrong on a valentine or birthday card?
JAM: I dont think so.
SJ: Best cereal?
JAM: Puffins with granola on top.
SJ: With milk, water, oj, or dry?
JAM: Milk of vanilla hemp cow
SJ: I sit next to you on a fairly crowded bus. Eventually we’re the only two left. Should I move?
JAM: Yeah.
SJ: If you were on the outside seat, would *you* move? Even if it would probably hurt my feelings?
SJ: Wow! The bar has been set folks, I think we just witnessed a new land speed record in the speed round! I won’t pretend I’m not a little concerned about your bloody mary/peanuts mix but there’s no denying your speed Mrs. Adams-Moore!
SJ: I’d like to finally learn about how you *became* a runner. When did you start, and why?
Jodee Adams-Moore: I started running in 8th grade when I realized I could beat most of the boys in my gym class. Before running I’d been the average suburban child athlete. You know, swimming on the “B” team and being the back-up midfielder on the soccer team. I liked being good at something and it seemed the more effort and love I put into the running, the faster I became. I would get off the bus after school and run 12 laps around the dirt track most afternoons. I was crazy. Luckily, I found myself in a great HS Cross Country program led by a stellar (and speedy) couple, Mindy and Mitch Leffler.Running was definitely a mixed bag of positive and negative for me back then. I was obsessed with the sport and while that led to success as a high school athlete there was a dark side. Food issues and growing up issues and depression were mixed in throughout the early years and into college. The evolution of running in my life parallels my own growth. Happiness and overall wellness in life leads to better running. And by better I mean days and runs speckled with bliss. I read this quote last night from Fred Rohe’s “Zen of Running”:
“Remember: we create our world(s) with our mind(s). So let your mind say ‘look, I’m running and all runners do this beautiful dance, each stride a leap thru space–ho! what fun!'”
SJ: That’s one reason I wince sometimes at the glorifying of young, early/mid teenage athletes; to be that good at something, especially running, oftentimes means an unhealthy singular obsession at an age where one should maybe instead be exploring all kinds of different things. At least though you ended up focused on an activity that you continue to enjoy today…albeit somewhat differently, it sounds. What kind of sage advice would today’s Jodee give her younger self, or any other young runner? Besides to wear Vibrams, of course.
JAM: Life moves sooooo fast. Be brave and follow your bliss.
SJ: Shades of Ferris Bueller, I like it. Though I think you may want to add in something about avoiding boys with teardrop tattoos. Or beach cuts. I get the feeling you take your running one day at a time, but is there anything you’d like to achieve or simply just *do* with your two feet on this planet that you’ve yet to do, before it’s all said and done?
JAM: I’ve said it all!
SJ: Well Jodee you are a delight and I am envious of you in many ways. Mostlythoughbecauseyou’refasterthanme. Is there anything you’d like to ask me?
JAM: Nope!
SJ: Have you been courted yet by any companies or persons (myself not included) to endorse their products or lifestyles or energy ion bracelets or websites (not including seattlerunningclub.org)? Have you had to make any potentially tough decisions in that regard?
Jodee Adams-Moore: No, but if you know any companies that want to support my lifestyle, please by all means get them in contact with me!
SJ: Sorry, I do not. The only person to contact me was a guy who owned a t-shirt company…and he ended being my dad, playing a prank on me. I think you’ll be fine though. All in due time. That begs the question though, what *is* your lifestyle? How goes a day in the life of Jodee Adams-Moore?
JAM: • Wake up around 8 am and look out my basement window towards the light.
• Brew up some strong cofffee (cream and sugar, of course) on the stove and head back into the basement, aka “The Art Zone,” and get down with some clay and music for a few hours.
• Maybe go to a yoga class.
• Maybe go work a shift at the Skagit Valley Food Co Op.
• Look for jobs in Bellingham on Craigslist.
• Run in trails in the afternoon.
• Make dinner and kick it with the housemates, including two rad kiddos every other week.
• Check out some music and grab a beer in town if I’m feelin’ it.
• Bed time.
• Do it all again the next day.Sometimes I like to dance and write poems and also I play the kalimba.
SJ: Right on! I know a bartender at Sierra Nevada Brewery in Chico, CA; I will get you and Sage Canaday both beer sponsorships. Since this interview is live and in person and I’m nowhere near my googleable laptop, can you tell me what exactly a kalimba is? Is it a board game?
JAM: Don’t you see it right here in my hands, Joe? It’s a thumb piano! Also known as an Mbira!
SJ: Ohhh, yes of course, a….mbira! I…love those! Did you bring that as a gift for me? I don’t have anything for you. 🙁
JAM: No it’s not for you, but you can obtain your own Hugh Tracey Kalimba at www.kalimbamagic.com (!)
SJ: My brother used to play the drums, so you could say I have an ear for music. Can you play me a tune?
JAM: (plays) Did you like it?
SJ: (slow clap) That was pretty great, Jodee. Was that Styx? The next time someone insists to me that you are not multi-talented I will definitely set them straight. I also think that’s a great segue into the Hugh Tracey Lightning Speed Round! By now you’re probably aware how this goes. I ask you the tough questions, and you answer quickly. Race pace!Hottest US President ever?
JAM: Abe Lincoln
SJ: If you were ever going to become a hoarder, what would you hoard and would you ever then agree to go on the hit VH1 show Hoarders?
JAM: I don’t know, and I’m not into pop culture tv shows…sorry.
SJ: Ok that’s fine. Don’t apologize ever again for not watching Hoarders. What would you hoard though? Maybe…Kalimbas (mispronounced)?
JAM: Kalimbas would be a pretty nice thing to hoard! Thanks for the idea.
SJ: Please tell me you are familiar with Saved By The Bell.
JAM: Ditto.
SJ: John, Paul, George, or Ringo?
JAM: Yoko.
SJ: On a scale of 1-10, how loud do you snore?
JAM: Ask my ex.
SJ: Why? Oh, I get it. Most relatable Sesame Street character?
SJ: Dr Pepper or Mr Pipp or Dr Thunder or Dr Chill or Dr Skipper or Dr Shasta or Mr Pig or Dr Riffic or Dr Buzz or Dr Bold or Dr A+?
JAM: Mr. Pipp.
SJ: (hands Jodee a paper and pen) Could you please draw me a picture in one minute?
JAM:
SJ: Dirty Dancing or Pretty Woman, and why?
JAM: Neither! I don’t like these sorts of films, sorry! They depress me.
SJ: I personally find Dirty Dancing to be powerfully inspirational, but to each their own. Can you name a movie *you* find inspirational?
JAM: Inspirational movie…hmm. I have seen maybe three movies in the last year, that is how much I watch movies. I know, it’s crazy. If I think of one I will let you know. Oh! This movie called “Babies” was pretty interesting. It’s about babies from different countries and how differently they are raised. I liked it.
SJ: Great speedy job in the speed round, Jodee! Even faster than I was expecting!
SJ: I’ve heard of that baby movie but have not seen it on Netflix Instant yet. It’s interesting, huh? Have you ever had a baby?
JAM: No I have not.
SJ: Me neither. Do you think you ever will? I could see a baby enjoying the hell out of that kalimba.
JAM: Oh babies love kalimba. I just dreamt I was at the DMV and all of us waiting started an open mic. I was so excited because I had my kalimba and I got up there and started in with my spoken-word poetry–backed by kalimba–and even though many people were talking, when I started in with this poem about primal fear and the lioness, the crowd kinda hushed. But then I forgot some words and I looked over at this guy I was dating and he was sleeping. WTF?! Here is the poem I performed at the dream DMV:
fortune flavor fortune flavor
perched atop a toothy saber
dark and empty in the house
in the line
it calls me out
waltz the line of sleepy stranger
behind door
lingers danger
knoby hand to the knob
crack
the lioness
the throb
She the dark the primal one
She the fire
She the sun
at the disco death arrives
fancy dancing with alive
SJ: Wow that was great Jodee, thank you for sharing! I’m not a licensed psychiatrist but I think it’s pretty obvious your dream means we should step up to the mic, so to speak, and not be afraid to put ourselves out there. The sleeping boyfriend reminds us that, even if we miss a line, it doesn’t really matter and likely no one will notice. The important thing is to take the leap! Either that or it just means your boyfriend is a jerk! lol Have you been writing for a long time or was this a one-time deal in a dream?
JAM: I have a whole batch of poems I’ve written since August! I even recorded an album!
SJ: I want a copy! Name your price! How can I get it?! I used to be in a band back when I was 10 or so. We didn’t play any instruments, just wrote lyrics and sang them acapella. We were called The Bandits. I wrote all the “achieve your goals” inspirational songs while my friend Scott wrote all the “Baby I wanna get witchoo” love songs. Nothing much came of it, and I lost the tapes. Maybe if we had you with us, on the kalimba.
JAM: …
SJ: Ahem, well I’m certainly impressed by your wide swath of interests and talents beyond running, Jodee! I was worried we’d spend the whole time talking about gps watches or Gu. This was fun! Is there anything you’d like to ask me?
JAM: Not that I can think of right now.
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SJ: Ok, so you pick Labyrinth over Pretty Woman or Dirty Dancing. I am sad to say I have not seen that movie since prom night my junior year of high school. Why does the movie resonate so strongly with you?
Jodee Adams-Moore: David Bowie as king of the goblins, Jim Henson muppets and the quest for the baby… what more do you need Joe?
SJ: Hey I’m with ya! My only problem is David Bowie’s wig. Or at least what I hope is a wig. It just…breaks me and distracts me to no end. Or maybe I’m just jealous, I dunno.
JAM: I think the crotch is more distracting than the wig, but to each his own.
SJ: Ha. Not saying that crotch of his *isn’t* distracting, but hey thanks a lot now it will be even moreso for the rest of my life. Do you have any non-Goblin King feelings about David Bowie? His was the very first concert I ever went to.
JAM: Awesome! After the race the first thing I did when I got home was made up a bath with epsom salt and cranked the Best of Bowie…I’m not a die hard fan but it just seemed appropriate.
SJ: That makes me legitimately happy to hear. Ok then Jodee, to wrap this up, let’s each pick a Bowie song/video to send home with the readers. One of my favorites is Ashes to Ashes.
What say you?
JAM: Here is a trailer for an inspiring movie! Bruce Bickford is the man. I’m soooo over Bowie.
SJ: Wow that was fast! Just like you! Thank you for your time Jodee, this has been a blast. Is there anything you wanted to ask me?
JAM: Nah.
SJ: A little bird* told me recently that you are actually quite talented with pottery. How long have you been working/playing with clay and why clay of all things?
*”Little bird” meaning google when I was stalking** you before this interview. **”Stalking” meaning researching my interview subject.
Jodee Adams-Moore: I always loved art making and in primary school the clay day (which was once a school year) always was my favorite. Georgetown U didn’t offer ceramics but I had this dream that one day I would live in the woods and all my dishware would be handmade. A few years after college I was ready to commit to throwing (using the wheel) and my folks gave me a ceramic class for Christmas. The love affair began. www.batcavepottery.weebly.com
SJ: And do you live in the woods with all handmade dishware?
JAM: Kinda! Lotsa handmade cups and mugs and bowls to use and I live up against Galbraith Mountain!
SJ: How might someone, hypothetically, procure product? Just knock on doors around Galbraith Mountain?
SJ: You express yourself artistically in many ways, as I’ve learned in our in-person interview here. Pottery, music, writing. Perhaps even more. Steve Prefontaine looked at his running as an artistic expression. Would you consider YOUR running to be an artistic expression of any kind? Is destroying the field at Chuckanut an expression of creativity?
JAM: Yes. Life is one big art project, Joe! Thats why it’s so awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
SJ: Wow, and right in my ear! I will have to add more than a couple exclamation points, I think! Before I get out of your hair, I feel I should inquire about any other artful expressions you indulge in that perhaps we never got around to. Or have we covered the gamut?
JAM: My oil paintings are on display at Lighthouse Coffee in upper Fremont through April. But yeah I think we pretty much covered it.
SJ: What about dancing?
JAM: I like to tap dance on occasion…
SJ: I knew it! I was just gonna say “you dance, don’t you?” Well there ya have it folks. This woman is better than you. Jodee, I feel inspired. You’ve shown me there’s (slightly) more to life than Zack and A.C. Where might folks find you next, wearing a race bib?
JAM: I’m still working on that.
SJ: Are there any questions you wanted to ask me? (leans forward, expectantly)
JAM: Joe, I’ve been meaning to ask you… Would you like to learn how to shuffle-ball-change?
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I want to thank Jodee for welcoming me into her home and studio and backyard and almost her garage and taking part in the longest interview to date, by far. She didn’t need to trust me but she did. It was an honor to hang out with her and Pablo for the first time, and my only regret is I brought my brother along and thus could not go run some trail with her for a little bit afterward. I don’t know where Jodee is running next, but I know I’ll be pulling for her to beat everybody. In the meantime, you can see her paintings in Ballard through April, and gawk at or buy her rad pottery in a varietyofplaces. Or just find her on a trail near Bellingham. Listen for the kalimba.
Photo courtesy: Paul Nelson
So, I guess that race went pretty well. I’m not quite sure how I did that, but I’ll start at the beginning and explain how I got to where I am today. If you have something more important to do, I’ll just let you know now: it’s consistency. If you’re at work though, writing TPS reports, doing some crazy lab work (I’m looking at you Greg Crowther), or busy scoping out some nice real estate (Win…), feel free to kick your feet up for a minute and take a stroll with me down memory lane.
I can pinpoint the exact time I realized that people ran after college. It was early 2000s at Edmonds stadium. Lined up to run the 10k was two old dudes, some college guys, and the stands had maybe ten people. How or why I was there has slipped through the cracks in my memory, but there I was. I watched one of the older runners completely demolish the entire field–running under 30 minutes–at a time in my life when I was under the distinct impression that a 15 minute 5k was the limit of human achievement. At halfway, when the rabbit dropped out, I remember asking my assistant coach who the hell this guy was.
“Oh that’s Uli Steidl,” he said. “He is world class. I think he’s 40.”
My coach was correct about one thing and slightly inaccurate about the second detail. (Although to be fair I have asked a vast number of people about Uli’s age and only SRC members have gotten it right; everyone else just perpetually states “I think he’s 40.”) In any case, the memory of someone running THAT fast while not being sponsored or in school baffled me. How is it possible??? I didn’t really know, but I knew then and there I wanted to run after college. I never thought I’d be as good as Uli was, but I figured I’d give it a shot.
All through high school I had that image of post-collegiate glory bouncing around in my head. My high school coach, the venerable Jef Rettmann, gently explained, “Max, you’re never going to win state. The 5k just isn’t long enough for you. Wait ’til college though, the 10k is going to be your thing.”
So I kept at it.
In college the story was the same. My coach, the imposing Dave Warth, gruffly mentioned, “Max, you’re never going to win nationals. The 10k just isn’t long enough for you. Wait ’til you get out of college, the marathon is going to be your thing.”
So I kept at it.
After college, I tried the marathon. In fact, I might have even gotten good at it at one point. For a brief two month span through April and May of 2010, I honestly think I had that beast wrangled. But never tamed. I accidentally started in the wrong race in Vancouver that year, then ran back to the start after blasting four miles at five minute pace. The restart was no good, my calves blew to pieces, and mentally I was cooked. I spent two years trying to get it right and finally came to the realization “Max, you’re never going to win the Vancouver Marathon. The road is just too fast for you. Trails and ultras, that’s going to be your thing.”
So I kept at it. Photo courtesy: Pacific Party Canopies
In April of 2012 I entered the Yakima Skyline 25k with hopes of dipping under 2:30. I came blitzing across the line in 2:15. In July I wanted to run 2:30 at the Chuckanut 30k, I stunned myself running 2:24. Finally, this past weekend, after splitting 2:24 for the middle 18 en route to a 3:47 Chuckanut 50k, I think it can be said I found “my thing.”
A huge thank you to all the people that have helped me along the way. My high school coaches Jef Rettmann, and Brett Johnson, without whom I never would have kept running as long as I have. I have been lucky enough to have had a phenomenal running family in high school and college, notably Sam Ahlbeck who never let me win a race, Joel Purcell who still probably think I’m going to hell, David Desmarais for beating me in the PE mile in 8th grade, Nate Lowe for arguing with me for every step of a 15 miler, Chad Byler for taking a huge risk allowing some freshmen on the C2C team, and Michael Hardbarger for taking me shopping in the middle of the winter that one time. I now find myself with another host of incredibly friendly and supportive faces, the Balanced Athlete peeps without whom I would be sleeping on the streets with a cardboard sign (“will tie shoes for money”), Seattle Running Club, without whom I would never have even tried trail running, my father Mike for refusing to carry me on hikes after the age of two, and finally my mother Susan for allowing me to drop the trumpet for track in hopes of wooing chicks with my athletic prowess.
As long as I have the support of people like this: I’ll keep at it.
It has been 2.5 years since I ran a 50K trail race. I had been focused on the triathlon. I had the privilege of doing the Orcas 50K in February with 8,400 feet of elevation gain. It kicked my butt. I started out too fast, got dehydrated and bonked at mile 20. Learning all over again 🙂 Nothing like a nice dose of reality.
This last Sunday with my friends we previewed the Chuckanut 50K course. Beautiful scenery, lots of fun. Can’t wait to race March 16th.
Destry (2nd from right) and the SRC squadron at the Emerald City Open Photo: Win Van Pelt
I had dedicated the second half of 2012 to the preparation for and the successful execution of…the 2012 New York City Marathon. But I’ll get to that in a minute.
Having run the Seattle Rock and Roll Half Marathon every year since the inaugural 2009 race, I was excited to put down a solid half time in June of 2012. Unfortunately, the course had been changed from a one-way course to a loop course with much more difficult terrain. It wasn’t exactly a fast race before and the changes certainly didn’t make it any faster. I knew the course had been altered going into the race, of course, but I hadn’t scouted it out in detail. I knew the race…sorta, kinda…it was to head down from Seattle, cross Beacon Hill and then head back up around the stadium area to finish at Seattle Center. I took off and cruised through about the first half of the race on pace, but I slowed in the second half as the hills caught up with me. Boy, make sure you scout your course: Lesson Learned…again. I’m supposed to be older and wiser now, aren’t I? There was much carnage on the course and I didn’t fare too bad over all, finishing in 8th place with a time of 73:29.
August came before I knew it and that means the Seafair Torchlight 8k. Torchlight is one of my favorite races, hands down, even though I think the older course(s) were much, much better than the current version. It’s summer time, the race is in the evening, the course rolls through the parade route…it’s just all good. Well, until that last climb at the finish. They should change that…REALLY should change that. Anyway, I had been ramping the mileage up in August and I came into the race tired and ran my slowest time ever. At least it was still fun and I didn’t get lost like many of the 5k leaders did. Many of them ran 10k or more as they were still heading South when the 8k racers looped back toward Seattle Center! To top it all off I ended up with the flu the next day – honestly, who gets the flu in August?!
In September I decided to run the Joint Base Lewis McChord Half Marathon. I figured it would be a good way to gauge my fitness and probably run a decent time. The day was beautiful, with Mt. Rainier majestically rising in the east as the sun came up. The course is excellent, with just a few rolling hills. It’s definitely a PR course. With all the training and 100+ mile weeks I was unable to hang on for a real fast time, however, and finished 2nd in 71:50.
Emerald City Open Photo: Win Van Pelt
Having missed some of my favorite cross country races due to training or preparation for the JBLM Half, I was anxious to at least run in one cross race before New York. Seattle University’s Emerald City Open provided the opportunity and the shock and awe of the differences in training for 8 or 10k versus the marathon became evident quickly. Slow and steady didn’t win the race for me, but I did finish in 12th place with a 26:44. My ankles were sore for days due to my marathon training on mostly roads and paved trail.
In late October I recall watching the news coverage of a tropical storm-then-hurricane named Sandy as it decimated various areas in the Caribbean. “Glad I’m not headed that far South when I go East in a few weeks,” I remember thinking. Well as fate would have it, Sandy crashed into New York one week before the 43rd running of the New York City Marathon. “This is NYC,” I thought,” no way a storm will keep them down for a week. If there is one city on earth ready for anything, it’s NYC. Right?”
Monday and Tuesday more details became available: it had been a real whopper. No power, no gas, flooding, all three local airports closed until further notice, beaches gone, houses gone, a crane dangling in shambles from a Manhattan skyscraper. I had prepaid for some of my hotel stay, no refunds. I had paid for our airfare with points, no refunds. I had logged 1,251 miles from July 1st to the Tuesday before the race. Do I check in for my flight at 6:30AM Thursday if Newark is open?
I had been fortunate enough to qualify for the sub-elite group and thus had some good contacts with the NYRR association. Tuesday I called the elite/sub-elite coordinator to find out more information. I learned that the race coordination center was up and running, trying to rebook elite athletes from all over the world on flights later in the week. They had been told by the mayor’s office that the race would go on: the city needed the 370 million dollars the race brings in. Perhaps I would go after all. Wednesday I called again to make sure I wouldn’t be displacing any recently made homeless locals if I was to travel to NYC. I was assured that there was plenty of room and they wanted my business. Newark had just reopened. “OK,” I thought, “it’s on!”
As our plane turned in on final approach to Newark runway 22L, we had a view of Manhattan. Everything looked normal from the air. Once we landed and got inside the airport we found it sparsely populated. The van ride to midtown took us by lowland marsh areas where you could see storage containers and supply sheds near radio/TV towers that were in shambles, 3 mile gas lines, a traffic jam at the entrance of the Lincoln tunnel like I’ve never seen before and as many dead signal lights as one can imagine. You think traffic is crazy in Jersey? Try it without any traffic lights! Finally we arrived in Manhattan and everything seemed…fine. People were out, Times Square was bright and everything seemed normal. After dinner that night we walked down past Times Square toward 34th where the power was still out at the south end of the island. It was a very odd site indeed to see half of New York City bright and bustling behind us and then an imaginary line marked where power stopped and we looked down into a forest of cold, dark skyscrapers. Apocalyptic movies came to mind.
Friday came and I needed to go for a little run and pick up my packet at the runner’s expo. With breakfast came the worst effect of the storm we personally experienced: the hotel restaurant was out of wheat bread. As I ran up to Central Park I saw the now infamous crane dangling from a skyscraper. Our hotel was located two blocks away. Central Park was closed due to trees and branches being down, but it was a fraction of the devastation the Puget Sound saw last winter when an inch or so of ice covered everything. That afternoon we took the bus down to the runner’s expo, picked up my race packet and headed back to the hotel. My number for the 43rd running of the New York City Marathon was active! “It looks like I’ll be running this thing, after all,” I thought. At 5PM when we returned to the hotel I stopped by the elite runners suite to make sure everything seemed to be coming together. It looked like everyone who planned to run was going to make it in and the race really was a go! Thirty minutes later as my wife and I got ready for dinner we heard an announcement on the news: “There is a rumor that the New York Marathon has been canceled; press conference to come momentarily.” I couldn’t believe it, the mayor had gone on world news just a few days ago essentially begging runners from around the world to still come, and spend our money, in New York. The NYRR association had told me 30 minutes earlier that everything was coming together…and now it’s canceled?! I rushed up stairs and found the NYRR folks and many runners watching the news amongst murmurs. Nobody could believe it, including the NYRR employees there with the elite athletes. There had been no advance notice to any of them.
Destry & Amy Hastings
I think there were decent arguments to be made either way for both going ahead with the race or canceling it. What is unbelievable to me is the indecisiveness of the mayor’s office and it’s inability to communicate in an effective manner and timeline. I’m only speculating, but I do not think Rudy Giuliani would have handled the situation as Bloomberg did. He would have made a decision early and sold people on it with facts and data. That’s what clear leadership does. We were heading out to dinner Friday just after the news as two large groups of runners were arriving…they hadn’t heard the race was canceled until they got into the lobby of the hotel. One included about 15 folks from Japan and another was larger than 30 from Australia. I’m sure they would have preferred even more than me for a firm decision to be made earlier in the week. It’s certainly the truth that any of us traveling to NY for the marathon and were put out both financially and with our time have it much better than those who lost everything due to hurricane Sandy. But the mayor didn’t have to cause more problems with his indecisiveness.
With the race now canceled my wife and I had some time on our hands. We had heard of people volunteering in various areas, but reports were that there were too many people trying to help and the vast majority just stood around for hours as there wasn’t anything to do. As we walked through the city we realized the best thing we could do was to support local business, as many were not being patronized as they normally would. We went to a couple Broadway shows, ate good food and enjoyed ourselves. We also decided to leave Sunday afternoon instead of Wednesday afternoon.
Sunday morning I thought I’d go for a run. I mean, I had planned on it anyway! When I got to the lobby of the hotel Sunday morning I was greeted by droves of runners. Some wearing their number, some wearing their number upside down. Apparently all the runners in attendance for the NY marathon were going on a Sunday run too. The experience was quite surreal, as ran around the island I would see two runners here, fifty there, a few thousand running here and there in Central Park. Even down in Battery Park there were hundreds of runners. Nearly everywhere I turned I saw runners. It was awesome – every day should be like that America! Interestingly enough, one of the runners out and about in Central Park was Edgar Martinez’s wife Holly, who had organized an impromptu marathon around the park. I had the opportunity to meander over and chat with Edgar for a few minutes after the crowds died down. He not only is one of my favorite baseball players of all time, but one heck of a nice guy!
Destry & Edgar Martinez
In all, I’m not sorry my wife and I took the trek out to New York for the non-marathon. I feel as though I supported various businesses, both large and small, including Rupert’s Deli, in the process. My heart goes out to those victims of the storm and I hope my donations go to good use as they rebuild and get back on their feet. And like Arnold Schwarzenegger always says, “I’ll be back.”
Each Brooks Team member has accomplished a lot this year. Some are fantastic race highlights, particularly on the trails. Beyond racing, their efforts show that they are deeply involved in the local running community, giving back in many different volunteer ways and also being wonderful ambassadors for the sport, for SRC and for Brooks. Here is what occurred for members in the second half of 2012:
Travis Boyd
I volunteered for the second time in 2012 at the Cougar Mountain Race Series on October 28th. I also enjoyed running with and helping the Kamiak High School Cross Country team for speed workouts during the week and watching the boys team take first place at the conference and regional meet.
I ran several cross country races this season. My first XC race of the year was at Sundodger where I ran 25:39 for 8k and got 24th. Then at the Western Washington Classic on October 6th I ran 32:19 for 10k and got 26th place. At my next race, Emerald City on October 13, I finished my highest place of the year at 5th place. On October 27th I hit the roads and raced the Snohomish River Run Half Marathon in
Everett, WA and placed 1st in a time of 1:09:09.
Marlene Farrell
Image:Trisha Steidl
I ran a lot of trails this summer for the joy of it and also to stay injury-free. I enjoyed a couple months of not racing until I ran the Cougar Mountain half marathon trail race and came in first with a time of 1:56:09. I also helped with timing after my race. I raced with the SRC cross country team at three races this fall, Sundodger, Emerald City and PNTFs. My highest placing was at Sundodger, where I finished 2nd in the Women’s Open race in a time of 22:02. I kept my racing fun by inserting three low-key races into my late fall. As a giant candy cane I ran and won the Leavenworth Pumpkin Run 6.5k. I also won the Turkey on the Run 12k in Wenatchee and set a new course record for the Pigtails Marathon in a time of 3:02:09. I love doing events for good causes and ones in which I see a lot of friends. Now that it’s winter, I am focused on cross country skiing, ski coaching and ski racing. Come spring I hope to run the Sunflower trail marathon and one or more Cougar Mountain races.
My main volunteer efforts this year were my springtime running club for 75 elementary kids and my assistant coaching for the high school cross country team. I hope to continue both endeavors in 2013, with the hope of sharing my love of running, providing kids with a healthy after-school activity, and helping kids of all ages work toward running and fitness goals. I also write a blog for RunWenatchee.com (and occasionally for SRC) to share stories and inspiration about running. I was only able to volunteer at one SRC race, but I am taking over the coordination of the Brooks team, in terms of updates, apparel needs and hopefully organizing for Brooks team members to make a strong showing at certain events in 2013.
Max Ferguson
My summer started out phenomenally, following another disappointing Vancouver Marathon (3rd time, still haven’t gotten it nailed!). I chronicled the early portion of the summer in a blog post for the SRC. After a week long break following my victory at the Cougar Mountain 13 miler I began my build up for my upcoming assault on the Cle Elum 25k CR. I held a steady diet of long runs along the Wonderland Trail encircling Mt. Rainier. After months of phenomenal training and preparation, Cle Elum was cancelled at the last minute due to smoke. Using my fitness, I traveled to Mt. St. Helens and, despite a very scary dehydration situation, managed to squeak under six hours for the Loowit Trail. This sets an official FKT, and beats the winning time run a week prior at the Mt. St. Helens 50k. I will return next summer, and, with better knowledge of the course, hope to bring that record under five hours.
My fitness was at an all time high leading into XC season. However, my quickness seemed to have faded a bit over the summer. XC season flew by in a lactic haze, the only lasting memory being a slightly disappointing 35:53 at PNTFs, and a more uplifting 5th place at the NW regional XC meet.
This left me with one last race for the year before I was able to curl up in the fetal position and endure some much deserved R&R, Amica Seattle Half Marathon. Placing 3rd last year, I had high hopes for finishing top 5 regardless of who was there. The race went out brutally hard, and I was relegated to ‘hanging on’ for 10 miles until I FINALLY began to feel a smidgen of competitive juices. Rallying, I managed to hold off several other runners, and gain on the rest of the field. I finished 9th in 1:13:59. Not quite the time I wanted, or the place, but, given how poorly I felt before and during the race, I feel it is a testament to a base of fitness I had hidden away for months on end. The culmination of this year is a very real new year’s resolution to not train for road marathons for a full two years, and focus on the trails. My success there is hard to ignore, and I hope to add to the ever growing list of top finishes and course records I have been amassing off the roads.
Destry Johnson
Sunday morning I thought I’d go for a run. I mean, I had planned on it anyway! When I got to the lobby of the hotel Sunday morning I was greeted by droves of runners. Some wearing their number, some wearing their number upside down. Apparently all the runners in attendance for the NY marathon were going on a Sunday run too. The experience was quite surreal, as ran around the island I would see two runners here, fifty there, a few thousand running here and there in Central Park. Even down in Battery Park there were hundreds of runners. Nearly everywhere I turned I saw runners. It was awesome – every day should be like that America! Interestingly enough, one of the runners out and about in Central Park was Edgar Martinez’s wife Holly, who had organized an impromptu marathon around the park. I had the opportunity to meander over and chat with Edgar for a few minutes after the crowds died down. He not only is one of my favorite baseball players of all time, but one heck of a nice guy!
In all, I’m not sorry my wife and I took the trek out to New York for the non-marathon. I feel as though I supported various businesses, both large and small, including Rupert’s Deli, in the process. My heart goes out to those victims of the storm and I hope my donations go to good use as they rebuild and get back on their feet. And like Arnold Schwarzenegger always says, “I’ll be back.”
In August I raced the Cougar Mountain Half. Unfortunately somewhere on/near DeLeo Wall I smashed my right heel down on a rock and bruised it severely. Two minutes later I did the same thing in the same place, causing an immense amount of pain, leaving me unable to run normally. I ran as best as I could for the remainder of the race, which got me a 2nd place finish. After the race I wasn’t able to stand on my right foot. Long story short, I fractured my heel and, not too surprisingly, wasn’t able to run much. It’s been almost five months since then and the past three weeks finally put me back closer to my normal mileage and training. I’m still not 100% as my body adjusts to a new way of running and getting stronger, but there has been a lot of positive movement over the past couple of weeks and I look forward to getting back in shape and doing some racing again.
The lack of my own running allowed me to focus more energy on my team. The men finished 3rd and the women 6th in their first WAC XC Championship. My top guy, Erik Barkhaus, also won the conference meet and, thus, earned the Athlete of the Year award! The teams went on to finish 16th and 23rd respectively at the toughest regional championships in the nation, which was held on the same course as the 2011 Club Nationals race. Again, Barkhaus ran very well, finishing 15th in the Region. This earned him all-region honors. The team did our annual volunteering at Cougar Mountain, which gave SRC 60+ hours of work time to go towards our requirements to be able to host the Cougar Series. We have some pictures posted on our SU XC/T&F Facebook site.
Lance Thompson
I had a spring full of strong 5km races and 2nd place at the Cougar Mountain 5 Mile Race. I placed 3rd in the Cougar Mountain 8 miler. In the early summer, I had the first of a few injuries that kept me from racing the second half of the year. I then ran as a volunteer pacer helping those who wanted to break 3 hours through the first half of the Rock ‘n Roll Marathon in Seattle. I volunteered for a work party at Cougar Mountain, and also volunteered during the Cougar Mountain 50K as an aid station worker.
Wendy Wheeler Jacobs
After completing my racing season with a 100 mile endurance run in July, I focused on volunteering. In July I worked the first and last aid stations at White River 50 Miler.
In August I managed the marking for the Cascade Crest 100 Mile. I also participated in the WTA hike-a-thon, covering 250+ trail miles in the month to raise money for this cause. I swept the course for one of the Cougar Mountain races.
In September to October I volunteered my time on the “Tribute to the Trails” 2013 calendar, a fundraiser for the WTA. I was elected president of the board for the WTA and now lead the strategic planning effort for that organization. I will be working registration at Bridle Trails. I put in a lot of back-country mountain miles in the fall, mostly in the Goat Rocks Wilderness region, exploring trails there in between forest fires.
Wow look I’m back again already! I’m definitely feeling the love, so I figured “why not give SRC’s fans a little holiday treat?” And…since I only have some of your home addresses, the only thing I could think of was another interview! This time though you may have noticed I scored a woman, and I’m gonna let her close out the 2012 Shoeless Joe season!
Sarah Robinson (formerly Sarah MacKay) is a very fast local running talent. Even faster than me. She’s knocking on the sub-17:00 5k door, she recently bettered 1:20 in the half, and she’s one of the leaders at Oiselle, the local women’s running apparel company based out of Greenlake. So if you frequent ye olde loop, perhaps you’ve seen her gliding by, making it look easy (that said, the woman knows how to bring the pain on race days). She also twitters and has a wonderful blog, which is where I realized she’d probably be a good fit for something absurd like this. Enjoy, and I’ll hopefully see you in 2013 with another batch of nonsense, assuming Win doesn’t deactivate my admin access to this site.
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Shoeless Joe: Good evening folks! Today I am sitting here with Sarah Mackay (pronounced “Mackey”), an actual woman! Sarah…umm…(glances at paper) works at “Oiselle” (pronounced “Oy-sel”), a local womens running apparel company. She is a model and blogger and twitterer and is a surprisingly fast runner herself! Welcome Sarah!
Sarah MacKay: Actually my name is Sarah Robinson, or it will be once I get my personal assistant to file the appropriate paperwork. Thanks for getting the MacKay pronunciation right though…Massachusetts-style. The hard A sound in *Mackey* really gives it that delicate touch.
SJ: You’re welcome! My first question should be obvious: can you get me a job at Oiselle?
Sarah Robinson: A job as what? We are currently hiring Rundies models.
SJ: I don’t know what a Rundies model is but sure, that sounds fun!
SR: Rundies are days of the week underpants for runners. So instead of Sunday you wear ‘Long Run’, or Tuesday you might wear ‘Fartlek’ or ‘Track’. It’s for the dedicated yet forgetful runner.
SJ: Ahh, now I get it! That’s very clever! I don’t have a phone at the moment but I can tweet you my references and social security number after this if that’ll help grease the hiring process. I did do some modeling back in the day.
SR: Also please Tweet your credit card information. It’s just part of the application process.
SJ: Ok! Now I gathered from your website that Oiselle is mostly for women runners, right? You only seem to have a few items a man might wear. Can you guys make more stuff for men? Your designs are very good and I don’t think it’s fair that us guys have to keep wearing the same Nike shirts, which are all either weird, dishonest, or aggressively hostile & threatening. Just because I watch pro wrestling all the time doesn’t mean I want to dress like it!
SR: Yikes.
SJ: But I digress. Let’s talk about you. I did research so I know a lot about you, but the reader might not. When and why did you get into running?
SR: I was given my first Nike waffles as a baby.
SJ: Wait, huh?
SR: Yeah. It was clear to me that my parents were sending a message. Something was expected of MacKays….and truth be told I did feel lazy after 11 months of simply lolling around, eating. I knew it was time to stop crying and start making something of myself. It was hard work, but with some good coaching I went from crawling to running before my first birthday.
SJ: Wait a minute, how do you even *coach* a baby?! Are you exaggerating?
SR: Yeah, I mean my story is the typical one. I started running when my gym class had to run the mile in 4th grade. I beat everyone except one boy. I think I let him beat me because I had a crush on him. I beat everyone while wearing a jean skirt, white Keds and my favorite white and blue striped boatneck top. I know this because that day is also the day I left school early to fly to Florida to visit my uncle and go to Disney World. Also it’s true that running makes you smarter. I have a memory like an elephant, but I can even add up mile splits. Hmmm actually, maybe it doesn’t.
SJ: Disney World, huh?!
SR: Anyway, after that run I was invited to participate in a city-wide elementary school track meet of sorts. It was a big deal. My whole family was there to cheer. My little brother even drew a big poster board sign for me. But I stopped part way through the mile because some chick near me started having an asthma attack. I helped her off the track and made sure she was okay, then jumped back in. My mom was yelling “Get back on the track!!! JUST GO!!!” and that’s the day I realized my mom was crazy. And also that running is a dog-eat-dog kind of sport.
SJ: Wow, that’s very similar to my beginning as a runner! I knew I had a lot of talent when I ran my first “off campus mile” during 7th grade gym and I beat some of the guys in my class and almost all the girls. My gym teacher said “good effort!” and I knew I’d found my calling.
SR: …
SJ: So…I’m guessing with that speed and that mom, you ran in high school?
SR: Sure, despite my attempts at cheerleading, volleyball, basketball, acting, flute…it turned out I was a one trick pony.
SJ: But you must have been pretty good at that one trick…I saw a picture on your website of you in a college cross country uniform. They don’t just hand those out at freshman orientation. Well, I don’t think. Have you been running ever since?
SR: I wish.
SJ: Ahh (nods knowingly), I can relate. What was your undoing? Boys? Narcotics? Shin splints?
SR: All of the above, except the boys…and narcotics. And change the “shin splits” to “broken back.”
SJ: Broken back? (winces) Did that hurt? How did that happen…did you break it while running?
SR:(glares) Not funny.
SJ: Huh? No, no, I’m serious! (holds up four fingers) Scout’s honor! Do you not want to talk about it?
SR:(glares)
SJ: Ohhhkay…so, no. (rifles through notebook) Totally understand, I wouldn’t want to talk about it either! Let’s see. Well let’s just skip a few years I guess. Why and when did you move to Seattle?
SR: I think it was 2007. I heard it was sunny!
SJ: Wow, that’s wildly incorrect, whoever told you that! I’m surprised you’re still here. When did you resume a regular running regimen? See, for me, I was jobless and pathetic and needed something to get me out of the house. So I decided to run a marathon. Now I run all the time but I’m often injured.
SR: I was so jobless when I got here that I would take weeks off of running when I knew I couldn’t afford the amount food I’d need for my training Wow…that sounds sad out loud.
SJ: Yes it does 🙁
SR: I guess I started running consistently again in spring 2011. Twenty five miles a week or so. After the D1 running experience and so much injury, I was 100% against running seriously ever again. I guess the Beibs has it right: Never say never.
SJ: Was it just an influx of pay checks that got you doing consistent mileage? You could afford Powerbars now?
SR: Yeah, and getting the right job. It’s hard to NOT run when you work for Oiselle. I think it’s in my contract.
SJ: Did the competitive juices come back quickly? And how are those juices different, if at all, than they were in high school & college? Also what is your favorite Powerbar flavor?!
SR: It took a tutu to bring my competitive side back.
SJ: Interesting! Ok Sarah, you’ve done great so far! If it’s ok with you I’d like to move on to the renamed Balanced Athlete Big Acting Lightning Round, sponsored by my close personal friend Eric Sach of The Balanced Athlete in Renton! I’m guessing you’d rather not wear this mask to aid focus? SR: No thanks, only Oiselle’s elite fabric can touch my skin or I break out in hives.
SJ: Yeah that’s what I figured :\ Ok first things first, seriously what’s your favorite Powerbar flavor? SR: At one time it was the Berry one. Now, whatever is free. They should bring banana back though.
SJ: Yeah, wildberry! I used to have this friend back in high school whose parents always had a box of Powerbars in the pantry. Some runs would end at his house and assuming the parents were gone I would always immediately head to the pantry and help myself to one (or as he referred to it, “steal”). As you know, they were out of most 17 year olds’ price range. But they’d almost always just have apple cinnamon, and I grew tired of them. Every *once in awhile* though they would have a box of wildberry and it was like Christmas morning! SR:(nodding vacantly)
SJ: (ahem) Angry bicyclists on the Burke Gilman Trail…what’s their deal? SR: There are bicyclists on the Burke? I have my headphones on; I guess I never notice them.
SJ: Lucky you. Bananas: runner superfood or vile, sorry excuse for a fruit? SR: Better as a Runt. But when covered in peanut butter, a decent food.
SJ: Covered in peanut butter? Like, a whole banana…enveloped by peanut butter? Do you eat it with your hands? SR: Actually to get technical, I guess the banana covers the peanut butter. I slice it and fill it with peanut butter, like a banana peanut butter sandwich where the bread is the banana…this is getting confusing.
SJ: I agree! I was told this was a good question so I’m just going to repeat it. If you could only run one more race in your life, which specific one would it be? SR: Chicago Marathon.
SJ: Why Chicago? SR: I need redemption for my only marathon.
SJ: You have to marry one of these guys and spend the rest of your life with them in an 800 sq ft home: Zack, Slater, Screech, Belding, or Mr. Tuttle? Show your work! SR: Who? Are those runners?
SJ: What?! Saved By The Bell’s leading men! First Sage, now you?! I believe Zack was a member of more or less every sports team at Bayside…and I have to assume Slater was a track star. C’mon you’re not THAT young. SR: I was one of those ‘we aren’t allowed to watch tv’ kids. My childhood is missing huge chunks of pop culture. HUGE. It was humiliating. Thanks for bringing it up.
SJ: Biggest pet peeve committed by other runners, either in the act of running or in general? SR: Racing with earbuds. Also: leaking terrible, nervous runner farts at starting lines.
SJ: Haha, WHOA! We might have to edit that one a little, but ok! SR: Haha really!? Dude, sneaky runner farts are the WORST.
SJ: OK moving on before I get fired from SRC! Do you think you could beat me in a 400m race, and why not? SR: No. Maybe. I don’t know. I have one pace: slow and steady.
SJ: Would you rather be blind, deaf, mute, or paralyzed from the waist down? And why? SR: Mute. I think people might like me more.
SJ: The 2012 Summer Olympics will be upon us in a couple months. Any sports or events or athlete scandals you’re looking forward to? SR: I’m looking forward to watching Galen Rupp and Usain Bolt race…each other…in a pudding eating contest.
SJ: If I were lucky enough to take you to a movie–any movie, not just new releases–which movie would you like to see and when should I pick you up? SR: I’ll assume this is to find out my favorite movie, not looking for a date. Royal Tenenbaums or….Superbabies: Baby Genuises 2.
SJ: Ok great! And umm…if it…*was* me looking for a date? SR: Married. (waves bling finger)
SJ: Oh. On that note. I have (pulls out a few bills and change)…3 dollars and…27 cents. Will you please run XC for the Seattle Running Club in 2013? SR: Hmmm. Nope.
SJ: Please? I’m not allowed back on the board of directors if I don’t put you in a singlet. SR: Are you any good with Photoshop?
SJ: Pretty Woman or Dirty Dancing? And explain. SR: Dirty Dancing. There’s only so much of Julia Roberts’ laugh a person can endure.
SJ: I agree, she’s horrible!
SJ: Ok that’s a wrap! Sarah, aside from the excessive cursing and the fact you have no idea who AC Slater is, I thought you handled yourself extremely well in the Balanced AthleteBig Awesome Lightning Round, and why not, co-sponsored by Oiselle Running Apparel! Especially considering you’re a woman!
Before I let you go though I wanted to touch on a couple other topics. You recently ran the Hood To Coast Relay right? What did you think of this event and would you recommend it to other runners who haven’t yet experienced running at 3am or surviving a weekend from port-o-potty to port-o-potty?
SR: I recommend Hood To Coast to anyone. But if you are too type A, you better take your anti-anxiety meds or pack yourself a friggin’ drink. Things are going to get out of your control. And there is no room for cwanky in a van. Also if you have an A race in September, don’t do it. It will take some time to recover.
SJ: I’m usually not cranky and I don’t ever have A races. Can I be on your team next year?
SR: I’m a girl’s girl. Is that a thing? If this bird flies to the coast again it will be with Team Oiselle. Although if I went the mixed van route…yes, for sure. I think I’ve heard you’re good at beer ultras, so basically the same thing.
SJ: Well, fingers crossed my Rundies model application finds its way to…well, whoever hires the Rundies models! Speaking of Oiselle, do you have any personal favorite Oiselle products? Any tips for people shopping for their runner friends, wives, coworkers, baristas, strangers they’d like to meet, etc?
SJ: My bus is gonna be here any minute, but I wanted to ask if you had any long-term running goals…ones that you feel comfortable putting on the record? Distances, races, times, etc? Or do you just move one race at a time, day by day? Or should I mind my own business?
SR: Oh lordy, I’m giving myself until July to get some serious times in the books. I have a coach now! Like a real live runner, so I’m just seeing if my training with him gets me to the next level. I’d love to run the USA half marathon championships in June…but I need to get under 1:19. So that. I suppose.
SJ: Wow! That’s about as fast as I was…about 20 pounds ago. I’m sure you’ll do great! And I look forward to photoshopping an SRC singlet onto your half marathon championship race pictures!
Are there any questions you wanted to ask me?
SR: I guess the only question I have for you…is…aren’t you supposed to be SHOELESS? What in the name of kittens are those moon boots?
SJ: Oh yeah, aren’t they cool? I’m excited to announce a new supporter of the Shoeless Joe interview series: Hoka One One! They must have seen some of the sweet action Vibram is getting from my support and wanted a piece! So they sent me a pair of shoes! They’re pretty beat up, but you can’t beat free shoes. I look forward to working them into my rotation, as soon as I get over this achilles injury. Thanks again, Hoka One One!
Gracious thanks to Sarah for trusting me and taking the time to give us what the people have been clamoring for: an interview with a real-life woman! I highly recommend her blog for an ideal brand of self-aware runner humor that can be hard to come by. She’s also really fast, if that matters to you. Even though I couldn’t sell her on either Vibrams or Hokas, watch out for her in 2013 and beyond.
Call for Comments
Not letting your child or college son watch Saved By The Bell: child abuse?
Should Oiselle hire Shoeless Joe to model Rundies?
Favorite Powerbar flavor?
Call for Support
Did you enjoy this? Are you already a club member? If not, consider becoming a member, or getting one for that special someone for Xmas or New Years or whatever you like to celebrate! I’m hard-pressed to think of a better gift for the holidays…aside from Oiselle clothing of course!
OMG I am finally back for the 3rd Shoeless Joe Interview! To appease my growing number of fans (We need to think of a name for you guys! “Vibram-holics”? “The Never Shoe’ds”?), let me satisfy you by presenting my new interview with one of the hot, young, and new talents in the world of trail running, Sage Canaday!
Sage has built an impressive resumé of racing and non-racing accomplishments. He was the only collegiate runner to qualify for the Olympic Marathon Trials in 2008. He’s since run a 2:16 marathon, a 1:04 half, written a book (“Running For The Hansons“), and won the competitive (and straight uphill) Mt. Washington Road Race. But he really caught my attention since deciding to take on the trails and those epic miles found beyond 26.2. Sage has only run three ultramarathons. A 50k in March (Chuckanut), White River in July, and the UROC 100k in September. But heading into the NorthFace 50 Mile in a couple weeks, Sage’s name will be among those listed as pre-race favorites.
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Shoeless Joe: Welcome one and all to another edition of the Shoeless Joe Interview! Today we’re rolling deep with a young man named Sage (looks at card) Can…a-day…? Sage ran track and cross country for Grinnell University and he’s also twice run the marathon Olympic Team Trials!
Sage Canaday: Wait, wait, I’m going to have to stop you right there. I went to Cornell…not Grinnell *College.* Big difference. And I’m not talking about Cornell College in Iowa or wherever that is…I’m taking about Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, where we bleed Big Red and walk up 15% grade slopes in 10 feet of snow both ways to class. Ever heard of it?!
SJ: Ohhh! Yeah, my friends Clint and Sarah Wattenberg went there, I think. I should have known that! Only 26 years old Sage, you’ve since become an immediate presence in the trail ultrarunning circuit. In your first-ever ultramarathon, a nasty fall and an extra 1-2k kept you from winning the competitive Chuckanut 50k in course record time. I was there! About an hour behind you.
SC: Actually let’s not speculate too much there. A certain other former-Cornell runner named Max King also got lost and if that didn’t happen, there was a good chance he would’ve taken it to me in the last flat (and slightly downhill) 10k. But we were on pace to better Geoff Roes’ course record before getting lost…even in the snowy, slippery conditions.
SJ: Right. And in his first-ever 50 mile, Sage stayed on course and did not fall and easily beat Anton Krupicka’s(pronounced not even close to correct) White River course record. What’s the future have in store for Sage? More ultras? FKTs? Beer miles? Let’s find out!
First off I should note that in a departure from previous interviews, this one will be conducted over the phone, since Win Van Pelt refused to foot the bill for a flight out to Boulder, Colorado, where Sage is currently residing. Hopefully you won’t even notice!
So yeah…Sage, let’s get started. How are you, it’s great to finally speak with you!
SC: I’m pretty tired and cranky because I haven’t had enough coffee and beer today…yet. Anyway, thanks for your call, I’m always up for interviews and putting everything out there on the table, so this is good. How have you been doing?
SJ: Wow, thanks for asking! I’m doing ok!
Now, you’ve burst onto the scene and I’ve seen a few interviews here and there. Most of them discuss your college background, running with Hansons, marathon success, transitioning to ultra-marathons, et cetera. But no one really seems to touch on your high school career. What was that like? Did you run in high school? Or play football or some other sport?
SC: I actually started running pretty seriously in middle school and continued every year since then. I quit soccer in 7th grade because my coach told me I was better off running up and down the field as a decoy without the ball at my feet. From then on I pretty much devoted myself to year-round training for track and cross country.
In high school I had some decent success, running about 4:30 in the mile, but I never qualified for the Oregon state championships in track. In cross country I was a lot more competitive, although a certain someone named Galen Rupp was a good 50 seconds ahead of me for 5k at states.
SJ: Galen? That’s a funny name!
SC: The only other sport I seriously considered going pro in during high school was disc golf. I played in some monthly tournaments here and there across the northwest and got 6th place at State in the PDGA “throw-run-catch” event, clocking over 100 feet. Of course back then I wasn’t old enough to get a beer company sponsor so I gave up on the dream and just ran more instead.
SJ: Was your high school cross country team a meat market like mine? Guys and gals hooking up left and right? By which I mean holding hands shyly and doing homework together? And is the disc golf circuit similar in that regard?
SC:(Audible laughter!) I’d say it was more like a vegetable market, unfortunately. My college team was more down the lines a meat market though–
SJ: At Grinnell?
SC: No, Cornell. University. In the past I’ve only dated runner girls on the team and there is no way to get around the drama associated with that. In fact, one of my main motivations for starting running was to pick up a girlfriend. It’s worked out well at times and it’s worked out quite poorly at times. I can’t say the disc golf scene had very many young women to hold hands and play catch with…plus I have “speed goggles” for runner girls only! Also, just to throw this out there for the ladies: I’m currently single.
SJ: I too only started running to date a girl! Hopefully SRC can hook you up with a potential wife. How would you compare/contrast high school female runners, collegiate female runners, female marathoners, and your new experience with female ultrarunners? Are there any ultrarunners in Colorado?
SC: Now I don’t want to get in trouble here, so I’ll just say that all runners in general are crazy. Absolutely insane! And college runners probably are the most high-strung. Anyway, since crazy attracts crazy, I’m still holding out on the hope of finding that cute and fast runner-girl that will put up with my shenanigans and meager race winnings. From what I’ve seen there are hardly any ultrarunners in Colorado. I’ve seen a ton of disc golf players and roller skaters and BMX bikers though. Can’t say any of the female disc golf players have caught my eye…yet.
SJ:(laughing) I like your confidence! I’ll keep on the look out for hot women disc golfers around Seattle and report back if I find any. It’s too bad about the lack of ultrarunners in Colorado though; you’d think the state would be full of them. Can you describe your living situation there? A lot of roommates, or are you living alone? Do they have grocery stores in Boulder, or is it just one big farmer’s market on Sundays?
SC: I live off of the land…and with coffee from Starbucks. There are a lot of co-ops and communes with vegetable gardens and solar-powered clay huts. However, I try to simplify my life beyond that, with a meager existence in a 2-bed, 2-bath apartment next to the University of Colorado cross country course. I have one apartment-mate who used to cut the 10k in 31 minutes. He still jogs a bit with me. I don’t know about any farmer’s markets around Boulder, but if there were some they’d probably only sell fried rattlesnakes which I’m not interested in, being vegetarian.
SJ: Are there any training styles, theories or equipment that you simply cannot do with or without? For example, I know I will CrossFit for the rest of my life, and I will always wear Vibrams even if it means I’m always injured. I also started shaving my legs but wow that takes a lot of time so I’m not committing to it for life. Plus I bled a lot and almost fainted.
SC: First of all you need to get laser hair removal for your legs if you’re a guy. It’s just not worth the risk using a Gillette Mach 5 razor around the knees, getting a cut and losing some precious blood. I thought the Vibrams were too cushioned so I cut the heels off of them so I could have a *true* zero-drop for natural running. For my aerobic capacity I swear by the Powerlung since I have asthma and can’t breathe. Oh yeah, I also do 16 minute abs while holding a 10 lb weight across my chest. With weights, it’s not just about curls for the girls you know!
SJ: Good tips on leg hair removal! I’ll look into that. You don’t really see advice like that for guys on other running websites very often.
If you’re ready I think it’s time for the world famous Fleet Feet Fast Acting Lightning Round! Sponsored as always by Fleet Feet Seattle! We keep it short and sweet, and work as fast as we can. Ready?
SC: Let’s do it.
SJ: Ok. What are you wearing right now?
SC: Just my my whole birthday suit and a pair of shoes.
SJ: Really? Wow! What kind of shoes?
SC: The SCOTT Sports Race Rockers. They weigh next to nothing and they really rock! I feel naked when I have them on because they are so minimal. It’s good though. I like the whole idea of natural running.
SJ: If you have not yet raced in them I would highly recommend the Vibram SeeYa!
SC: …
SJ: Hello?
SC: Yeah I’m here.
SJ: Ok. How many Facebook fans do you have, and does that number satisfy you?
SC: Reading LetsRun.com posts is by far the hardest. It is such a chore because you can’t tell if people are trolling or are actually being totally serious. After that: writing a book (too many words and not enough numbers), the Olympic Trials Marathon and then the White River course record.
SJ: I recently dropped my phone in a public toilet and had to use a pay phone. When did you last use a pay phone?
SC: Hmm. What is this “pay phone” device you speak of?
SC: I have no idea who or what these people are. I’ll just go with Lisa because she sounds kinda hot.
SJ: Saved By the Bell man! You’re not *that* young are you? (singing) “When I wake up late for class, the teacher’s gonna be mad, nuhhh nuhhh NUH…cause I’m Saved By The Bell!”
SC: Oh really?! Well, I guess you must be really old then! I’ve heard the title but can’t say I’ve ever seen that show. I grew up in the backwoods of Oregon and our TV only had 3 channels so I didn’t really even bother watching it as a kid.
SJ: Wow. Ok. Well, so you know, you picked the rich spoiled one so good luck at your next few races! Umm. Where was I…oh. Usain Bolt: Inspiring or annoying?
SC: Annoying! He may be the fastest man in the world at sprinting, but he could probably win by a larger margin and set better records if he didn’t celebrate so much.
SJ: You wanna go halves on a pie? I only have enough cash for two toppings, what you got?
SC: At first I thought you meant a dessert pie, so in that case whipped cream and chocolate chips. But now I think you actually mean a pizza pie, so I’d go with extra cheese and extra cheese (they used to call me “Plain Cheese Canaday” at Hanson’s).
SJ: That’s crazy, a friend of a friend of my brother only liked sausage on his pizza. So I hear they called him “Sausage Party Paul”.
SC: Well, I think that’s kinda gross because I’m a vegetarian.
SJ: Oh I know. Totally gross! Back to you though, has Sage Canaday ever been to Canada, eh? lol get it?
SC: Not all all. I think you are making fun of my accent and that is not very funny to me!
SJ:(pause) Who, aside from Dean Karnazes I assume, inspires you as a runner more than anyone else?
SC: The Penguin.
SJ: What course record (any distance, any terrain), aside from Dean Karno’s South Pole Marathon course record I assume, is the most impressive to you?
SC: I’m not even sure what the time was officially, but I’d have to go with that sort of recent video of someone setting a world record in the beer mile. That is one tough event that requires a really special talent!
SJ: That was NickySimmons Symmonds and it was just a Oregon state U.S. record. But still, 6:31 5:19 was his time! If you have his home address phone number, I’d love to have it, or his social security number.
SC: I don’t have his digits, but maybe you could ask Paris Hilton for them?
SJ: Finish this sentence: If I wasn’t a runner, I’d be ___?
SJ: Cool! Finally, we have to ask…Pretty Woman or Dirty Dancing? And explain.
SC: I don’t remember seeing Dirty Dancing all the way through, so I’d have to go with Pretty Woman. They say that money can’t buy you love, but this movie seems to be hard evidence that money actually does talk, and it wins the heart of Julia Roberts.
SJ: Mark a yes vote for Pretty Woman, its first one so far! That does it for the Fleet Feet Fast Acting Lightning Round…nice work, Sage, and over the phone too! Enhanced degree of difficulty! Did you have fun?
SC: Thank you! And, it was ok.
SJ: I’m probably going to be fired from my non-paid position if I don’t ask you about White River, seeing as how it’s an SRC-related race and one of our most exciting times of the year. But you absolutely destroyed that course in your first 50 mile attempt and I was wondering if any aspects or parts of the course and race stood out as particularly enjoyable….maybe beside crossing the finish line of course! Or any parts of the course particularly unenjoyable?
SC: First of all, I’ll say that I’m really glad that I chose White River as my 50 mile debut. My Pacific Northwest roots really enjoyed the wooded trails and views of Mt. Rainier. It was a great crowd to run with as well as the race director put on an awesome event! I’d have to say my low-point in the race was in the middle of the big climb around mile 32. I had to make a pit stop in the bushes and before that I had started walking because my legs felt numb. It seemed like I had forever to go still and I was sure that I would be hitting some sort of wall. Then, the next aid station near the top of the climb, I felt great again because I got some Coke in me and the friendly aid-station volunteers snapped a picture with me; that was a high point. After that I was able to rally and I felt more confident as the downhill miles clicked off and I stayed under course record pace.
SJ: And recently you got 2nd at UROC (the Ultra Race of Champions), finishing about 15 minutes behind Max King. This was your 100k debut, yes? Was it hard to have such a disappointing race following your Chuckanut and White River 50k/50 mile ultra debuts? You seemed to handle Max easily at Chuckanut. Was it just an off day for you?
SC: Yeah, it was my first 100k. Max ran really strong and I was with him until about 35 miles when I felt the sudden calls of nature. That cost me a good 60 seconds or so. After that it really just turned into a matter of survival and I turned my focus from trying to win to just trying to make it to the finish line without walking. The parasites I had in my gut from Europe had curtailed my training and strength for ultras. I averaged only 60 miles a week for the previous 6 weeks. All I could do was muster up a weak jog for the last 20 miles. Max pulled away quite convincingly at a high rate of speed.
SJ: Aww man, that’s a shame. I had to pee during a 10k once and it definitely affected my race. So I can sympathize.
SC: Oh if it’s pee, I just let it flow. No use in losing 20 seconds when you can just wet yourself, get more chafeage, and test the fluid drainage in your shoes. This was a number 2 pit stop, which, in my book, does require an actual break from running. As a matter of fact right now I feel something brewing in my intestines so I’m going to have to hang up on you soon!
SJ: Ok, no problem! One last question then! In ten years…you’ll be 34 or 38 or…wait, how old are you?
SC: If years were miles in a marathon…that’s my current age, although I turn 27 in a few days.
SJ: Ok, so you’ll be 35. Wait, how many miles in a mara–36! Sorry! Lol. Anyway, what kind of accomplishments would you like to have achieved in this sport? Like, if we’re reading a biography about you in 2022? What is your “accomplishment bucket list,” I guess is what I’m asking.
SC: That’s easy! Of course, first I’d just like to still be alive in 2022 as that sounds like the very distant future. Athletic goals are easy to come up with though: Obviously a sub-6:00 in the beer mile and a sub-27:30 in the Kripsy Kreme 8k Challenge. It’s going to take a lot of dedicated training and a little bit of luck, but those are the two big ones I have in mind for the rest of my career.
SJ: Well I may as well throw in a plug for a race that sounds like it’d be right up your alley Sage, the 2013 SRC Fat Glass 50k! Six 5.2 mile trail loops, chug a beer before each loop! The Balanced Athlete’s Eric Sach is the defending 2-time champ. You keep improving as quickly as you are and I bet you could take him! There’s no prize money but there’s a potluck afterwards. You can stay at my house and I’ll give you a ride to the race! Are you allergic to cats? I have seven.
SC: Sounds like a good time as long as the beer is nice and hoppy! I’m all up for provided food and lodging at a race too. Not sure about staying at your place though; I’m kind of more of a dog person so I think I’ll pass. Anyway, I really gotta go! Last time I took my cell phone into the bathroom with me it drowned in the toilet!
SJ: Been there, done that Sage! Before you go…any questions you’d like to ask me?
SC: Yeah, I guess I just have just one question, and I’m only asking you this because it’s really important. When are you going to get that laser hair removal for your legs that I recommended earlier? You can tweet your answer to me @SageCanaday if you need more time to think about it! That’s all, I’m hanging up right now!
SJ: Ok Sage, thanks, just one more–
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Many many thanks to Sage for letting me call him on his friend’s phone! Sage will be winding up his 2012 season at the uber-competitive NorthFace 50 Mile in San Francisco, a little over two weeks from now, and as one of the contenders he will most likely be interviewed by irunfar.com. You can also enjoy his blog at sagecanaday.com and his running-related media ventures at vo2maxproductions. And like many people his age, he twitters and facebooks in lieu of watching Saved By The Bell!
Call for Comments (from Joe)
Which SBTB character have you fantasized about going steady with?
Isn’t Dean Karnazes great?
Are you a single female who would like to date or marry Sage?
Call for Comments (from Sage)
Do you like beer?
A lot?
What is your favorite type of beer?
What is your favorite brewery?
Any single ladies?
Call for Support (from Joe)
If you thought this was at least “ok,” please consider either becoming a member of Seattle Running Club or renewing your membership. Sage said if he lived here he’d totally do so himself. Fast slow and everyone in between, please join our community of running nerds!
Sunflower Trail Marathon, Mazama to Twisp
