Categories
Club Events Featured Member Information Misc

Kinetic Mobility Forum & Injury Prevention Seminar

Kinetic Rehab
Run fairly consistently and one of the top questions you’re sure to be asked, along with such interrogative winners as, “without stopping?” and “don’t you get tired?”, is, “What’s the hardest part about running?” Even if you have to play schedule-Tetris to fit in your daily run or you’re tough enough to survive the Barkley Marathon, I’m betting I have a good shot at being correct by guessing the true answer is “stretching” (or really anything related to warming up, cooling down, or doing anything physically beneficial). Run 50 miles? Sure! Spend 15 minutes ensuring you don’t get injured? Well…

Our excuses range from it not being that important (lame) to not really knowing what is best (slightly less lame) to just not wanting to spend the time (truth). The thing is, being able to run without injuries and without injuring yourself is a huge component of being able to run well, and at all. As a running club, SRC has a vested interest in keeping our members active, which is why we’ve teamed with Kinetic Sports Therapy in Fremont to offer free Mobility Forum and Injury Prevention Seminars to all of our members.

Kinetic offers a unique blend of Chiropractic care and Rehab Therapy. The clinic focuses on athletes of all levels, shapes and sizes and does so with cutting-edge soft tissue techniques and functional rehabilitation exercises. These seminars will cover some warm-up/cool-down techniques to ensure that you don’t injure yourself by overuse and that will actually increase your abilities as a runner. Be sure to bring any questions you have about dealing with current injuries. We had a well-attended event with Kinetic in August and hope to spread the word to more of our club members!

Mobility Forum & Injury Prevention Seminar
November 3rd, 2015
6pm
Kinetic Sports Rehab
701 N 36th St. Suite 430

Categories
Club News Featured Member Information Misc

“Run Free” Movie Showing

run-free-posterWe are proud to be assisting in and sponsoring the Seattle premiere of the feature-length documentary about the one and only Caballo Blanco. Please see the press release below for more information, and we hope to see you at the film on Wednesday, October 7th!

Q&D Information
When: October 7, 2015. 7pm
Where: 7700 Sand Point Way NE
Price: $12 via online preorder; $15 at the door
Beer available?: Yes, from Flying Lion Brewing!

******

“RUN FREE: THE TRUE STORY OF CABALLO BLANCO”
TO PREMIERE IN SEATTLE ON OCTOBER 7

“Run Free: The True Story of Caballo Blanco,” a feature-length documentary about ultra-running legend Micah True, will screen at the The Mountaineers Program Center in Seattle on Wednesday, October 7th at 7pm The one-night-only event is sponsored by the Seattle Running Club.

Special guests at the event will include Sterling Noren of Seattle, the producer of the film, and “Barefoot” Ted McDonald, president of Luna Sandals, sponsor of the film. They will conduct a Q&A after the screening.

Micah True, better known as Caballo Blanco – the White Horse – was the focal character of Christopher McDougall’s 2009 best-selling book “Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen” about the Tarahumara Indians of northern Mexico. Also known as the Rarámuri, or Running People, they are some of the best long-distance runners in the world.

Caballo Blanco was an enigmatic visionary who lived and ran with the Tarahumara after moving to remote Copper Canyon in the 1990s, and who created the fifty-mile Copper Canyon Ultra-Marathon to honor their running traditions and aid in their sustainability. Now in its thirteenth year, the race attracts hundreds of local Tarahumara to the village of Urique to compete alongside some of the best runners in the world. All race finishers receive five hundred pounds of corn, which the international runners traditionally donate to the local Tarahumara, commemorating the spirit of sharing, or “kórima,” which is a way of life among the natives of Copper Canyon.

The documentary is directed by Sterling Noren, a filmmaker from Seattle who met Micah True in 2009. Most of the material for the film was recorded in the weeks leading up to the 2012 race. Shortly after that race, Micah True disappeared in the Gila Wilderness of New Mexico during his daily run, prompting ultra-runners from all over the country to drop everything and join in the search. His body was recovered several days later, found on a trail in a deserted canyon by some of his friends.

“We wanted to tell the story of Micah True in a way that was exciting and authentic, so that viewers could get a sense of what an amazing and inspiring person he was,” said Noren. “Micah’s vision lives on and his legacy is honored in this film. The film shares Micah’s compelling message of love, hope and kórima with the world while helping sustain the people and culture that meant so much to him. We’re honored to be part of this project and are committed to keeping Micah’s mission alive.”

“Micah’s genuine passion for honoring the sacred running traditions of the Tarahumara people was the essence of his being,” said Maria Walton, executive producer of the film and Micah True’s girlfriend at the time of his death. “We made this film to share Micah’s vision of hope for the Tarahumara culture and empower people everywhere with his joy of running.”

The 90-minute film recently won the 2015 Bud Greenspan Memorial Film and Video Award, presented by the Track & Field Writers of America. In addition, the film also was named winner of the prestigious Award of Excellence from the IndieFEST Film Awards, which recognizes film, television and new media professionals who demonstrate exceptional achievement in craft and creativity, contributing to profound social change. The IndieFEST Film Awards said of its latest winners, “The IndieFEST is not an easy award to win. Entries are received from around the world from powerhouse companies to remarkable new talent. The judges were pleased with the exceptional high quality of entries,” of which Run Free was singled out for its creative excellence.

Most recently, the film was named the Best Documentary at the 2015 Arizona International Film Festival.

A percentage of the film’s profits, including from DVD sales, will go to benefit Norawas de Rarámuri (Friends of the Running People), the non-profit agency founded by Micah True to preserve traditional Tarahumara culture. Norawas de Rarámuri works to provide maize, non-GMO seed corn, and cash awards for participating Tarahumara runners, both men and women alike. On this way, the organization offers Tarahumara families nutrition during drought and support for a tradition of small farms necessary to both physical and cultural survival.

Tickets for the event are $12 in advance at www.imathlete.com/events/runfree or $15 at the door the night of the show. The Mountaineers Program Center is located at 7700 Sand Point Way NE in Seattle. For more information, go to www.mountaineers.org.

The Seattle Running Club is a Puget Sound-based running group that “celebrates the beauty of our region and our personal potential with training, competition and community. While the club offers a unique focus on trail running, members also rally on the road, track and cross country course.” For more information, go to www.seattlerunningclub.org.

For more information about the film, go to www.runfreemovie.com.

#####

For Immediate Release; for more information or to arrange interviews with principals of the film, contact promoter Garry Harrington at gharrington3165@hotmail.com or 603-209-5010.

Categories
Featured Misc

Marathons with Meaning

Peter Kline
It took SRC club member Peter Kline until the age of 53 before he finally ran his first marathon. In no time he was thinking of ways to allow a disabled person to complete that distance as well, and born from that idea is Marathons with Meaning.

On Nov 15 and 16, Peter headed down to Las Vegas and completed his first Marathons with Meaning Ultra 100, which was 100 miles in 24 hours. He pushed a series of disabled children on a track for the first 74 miles and then ran the Las Vegas Marathon, completing 102 miles in those 24 hours.

Next up for our esteemed club member: of course, the Seattle Marathon on November 30th. If you’d like to see more about Peter’s charity and possibly learn how you too can get involved, please visit MarathonsWithMeaning.com.

Also be sure to check out the great feature Brooks Running did on Peter’s Las Vegas 102 miler.

Thank you Peter for all you do!

(And if that’s not enough for you, Peter also selflessly hosts our annual Fat Glass 50k. The man does it all!)

Categories
Cross Country Misc

A Thousand Words

Is a picture worth a thousand words? “No, of course not, what a silly question,” is how you would surely answer, if I had the courage to speak to you face to face. It’s what I thought as well, until I saw a particular team photo. A recent SRC team photo. You can see it above. It is the Seattle Running Club mens team at the Emerald City Open. Lower Woodland Park, October 19th, 2013. I think there are a thousand words going on up there easily. It starts and ends though, for me, with irrepressible laughter. In a way it’s not fair of me. We’re still waiting for the big guns to fill out the rest of our roster. The Steidls, Crowthers, Boyds, Lavertys, Barkhauses, etc. This team is and will be much better than that day a week ago when I was its 2nd finisher. Most likely at the very next race, PNTFs, on November 3rd a the same venue.*

*(come out and run with us, or cheer us on!)

This is my first time running XC since high school, and I’m having a great time. I love SRC and everything we stand for. I love our colors. I love our logo. I love the multitudes of disciplines and interests you can find within our club. And it’s a fun thing, once again being part of a team. Lining up next a bunch of determined guys, patches of matching jerseys making up the start line’s rainbow. Everyone’s ready for that burn. You all suffer together. Afterward you find yourself accidentally cheering for Patrick Niemeyer as he comes down the home stretch, simply because he’s wearing the same blue singlet you are. The singlet bonds you to others, if only for a race. Team photos like the one above though, those bond you for life.

While chatting with Patrick, I asked if he’d help me describe the feeling of bemusement (and helplessness) I feel when looking at the photo. He was less than helpful.

JRC Patrick ICQ

So it’s on me then.

**********

Destry Johnson
Destry Bot 3000
We’ll start with the team’s leader this day. I have literally never made eye contact with Destry since meeting him 20 years ago and NOT seen this exact face. Coupled with his hair that is surely made of a special kind of plastic manufactured in China, I’m 25% sure he’s a robot. Is it legal under USATF rules to have a robot running for us? Let’s hope so because Destry Bot 3000 will always crush me and this team needs him.

Lance Thompson
Lance Thompson
Lance and I go way back. I’m proud to say he almost took me to prom one year. He’s a great runner and a nicer guy you’d be hard-pressed to find. That all said, Lance is looking more prepared for the JC Penney photoshoot he’s apparently got scheduled than he is for the impending 8k.

Mark Davies
Mark Davies
I met Mark about 45 seconds before this photo, which should be obvious given his slumped shoulders and defeated expression. I’m confident Mark will more easily tolerate me as we get to know each other. If he’s reading this, this blog post is probably a good start!

Evan Williams
Evan Williams
Evan has great hearing, as far as I know (which, well…I don’t know very much about Evan. But I’m pretty sure he’s not deaf), so I’m sure he heard Win’s call for a team picture. He must be distracted though by the dog just out of frame that, considering the look on Evan’s face, is defecating on an American flag while somehow flipping him the double bird.

Patrick Niemeyer
Patrick Niemeyer
As you can see from his blurriness, Patrick was still getting into position for our photo. What you can’t see is the waft of B.O. gently passing by my nose seconds later 🙁

Guillermo Gallacher
Guillermo Gallacher
Fresh from Argentina, Guillermo was a surprise new racer for us. In addition to running fast, it appears Guillermo is not wasting any time in his mission to put us all out of our misery and take out Patrick Niemeyer. Godspeed, Guillermo.

Cliff Richards
Cliff Richards
Cliff wasn’t our fastest male runner this day, but, despite what some people allegedly think of *my* age, he was definitely the oldest. To his credit though, he displays a wisdom I can only hope to obtain as I grow older: the ability to see trouble brewing before anybody else and wisely hide everything but his hat from Win’s camera. Well played Cliff, but I know that’s you.

??
Erik B.
Hopefully by this time a week from now I will, but at the moment I have no idea who this guy is. I do know he ran with Erik Barkhaus’ bib number, which it seems he’s putting on in the photo while hustling to the start line. So I suppose in the meantime I will refer to him as Erik. He did whip Patrick’s ass during the race, which makes him alright in my book.

Joe Creighton
Joe Creighton
“Win, can you wait 10 seconds so I can apply my fake tanner? No, you’re going to go ahead and take the photo anyway? Well just wait all I need is 4 secon–”

**********

The obvious first idea I had for this photo was to print it poster-size and hang it above my bed at home. That idea was nixed though by an unnamed party.

One idea was to perhaps milk this photo and get some free product out of the deal:

SRC Probars™
“I don’t know about you guys, but my favorite pre-race snack is a delicious ProBar™ and as you can see, my teammates agree! Thanks ProBar™! #Probar™ @PROBAR™. I also enjoy ProBars™ immediately after races and once in awhile during races! Thanks again ProBar™!”

That idea was a dead-end though; my letter was returned unopened. 😐

I thought our friendly “rivals” Club Northwest could perhaps use it as a promotional brochure:

SRC Club Northwest
It’s been four hours however and I’ve yet to hear back from them.

Finally, I just went with my first instinct upon seeing the pic. It took me over 1000 words to get to the point, but here it is:
SRC Bad News Bears

My brothers and I look like the Bad News Bears, and I couldn’t be prouder to be among them.

“And another thing (Club Northwest), just wait til next week!”
Timmy Lupus

Categories
Misc

The once and future ultrarunner

It’s been over three years since my last ultramarathon.

Since then, I’ve weathered an Achilles injury and surgery along with various non-running distractions, leaving me unsure as to whether I’d ever do another ultra. But now I’m sure. 2014, the 10th anniversary of my first race beyond 26.2 miles (the Cle Elum Ridge 50K, for anyone interested in such trivia), will also mark my return to such races.

My long-dormant interest in going long returned unexpectedly last month when I was in McCall, Idaho for a wedding. On a whim, I decided to circumnavigate Payette Lake, a distance of about 20 miles. Suddenly I was an ultrarunner again, at least in spirit — aching to go far rather than go fast, happily committing to a multi-hour journey and the attendant logistical challenges of refueling and bathroom stops. It was a satisfying outing, and there was no heel pain at the end, just the dull protests of overworked muscles.

I’ve since increased my long run to 29.5 miles, rediscovered the art of eating while in motion, and started picking races. My current plan is to do the Bridle Trails 50K in January and the Mad City 100K in April.

In returning to these sites of past success, I’ll need to manage my expectations carefully. Not only will I be slower than before, but the competition may be faster.

An example from a different race: when I won the JFK 50 Mile in 2009, my time of 5:50:13 was the 2nd-fastest in race history. In the past two years alone, four people have surpassed that: Michael Wardian (5:43), David Riddle (5:40 and 5:45), Trent Briney (5:37), and Max King (5:34!).

It would have been just about impossible for me to keep up with those guys when I was in my prime, so what chance would I have against them now? I’ve become — sigh — “a top masters runner,” rather than a top runner period.

Despite all of that, it will feel good to get out there, post some times, and then try to improve.

Categories
Featured Interviews Misc

Shoeless Joe Interview #4 – Sarah Robinson

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.

********

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 Athlete Big 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?

SR: You can’t go wrong with jewelry; Oiselle-inspired is even better. Or arm warmers, a tee shirt…my namesake the Mac Jacket is very popular–obviously–or a gift certificate to spend in spring 2013. Every new season makes me giddy.

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!

Sarah Robinson and Shoeless Joe

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!
  • Did you not enjoy this? 🙁

Prior Episodes

Moon Boots

All photos of Sarah & Joe: Terry Creighton

[Editor’s note: A first draft of this interview featured an “SJ:” in a non-bold font. Seattle Running Club regrets the error.]

Categories
Featured Interviews Misc

Shoeless Joe Interview #3 – Sage Canaday

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.

********

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: At least a couple. I am never satisfied!

SJ: Rate these activities in order of difficulty from easiest to hardest: Setting a 9-minute course record at the White River 50 mile, writing a book, qualifying for the US Olympic Trials in the Marathon, reading posts on a typical letsrun.com message board thread.

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?

SJ: I demand you choose one bride for the rest of your life: Kelly, Lisa, or Jessie or Zack’s mom?

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 Nicky Simmons 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 ___?

SC: A fighter pilot, duh.

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–

********

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!
  • Did this offend you? 🙁

Prior Episodes

Categories
Cross Country Featured Media Misc

2012 USATF PNW XC Championships Images

Two hundred images from a beautiful fall day full of cross country racing here in Seattle at Lower Woodland Park. Seattle Running Club also debuted their slick new jerseys!
The USATF Pacific Northwest Open Cross Country Championships.
November 4, 2012
All images © John Wallace III

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Categories
Club News Member Information Misc

Tribute To The Trails 2013 Calendar

2013 Tribute To The Trails

It’s that time of year again, folks. Time to decorate your home & office walls with some of Glenn Tachiyama’s stunning race photography. From here in Washington down to Northern California and out to Logan UT, the 2013 Tribute to the Trails calendar highlights the very trails and that we here in the Pacific Northwest get to experience all year long.

The calendars will be ready to ship on November 16th and will cost $23 online* or $20 in-store. ALL profits from this calendar are donated to the Washington Trails Association, helping ensure we’ll have these trails to enjoy for many years to come.

For more information, please visit their FaceBook page. Online orders will be possible at Zombie Runner. In-store orders and pickup are possible at our partner stores, Fleet Feet Seattle as well as The Balanced Athlete in Renton (The Balanced Athlete is now accepting pre-orders).

*online orders include $3 in PayPal processing fees

Categories
Cross Country Featured Misc

Sundodger!

I have a race in one week. The day is circled on my calendar. Every day I jot down my training and the circle haunts me from its space one row down. I haven’t tailored my training for this race and yet I harbor a mini-obsession about it.

Because I’ve run this race before and it spells FALL. I can run a marathon in any weather, anywhere. The first trail race of the year denotes spring on muddy trails adorned with wildflowers. But September means cross country. And my first cross country race is Sundodger.

If you think cross country is only for high school and college runners, you’ll be surprised to know there is a thriving Master’s division of cross country in the Pacific Northwest as well as throughout the country. It is the arena where seasoned road racers, track stars and trail runners meet and the strengths of each discipline are necessary for success.

Sundodger is not a fun run. People don’t dress in goofy costumes and gorge themselves at a finish line buffet. We are dressed in uniforms. We are a team, bravely facing off other teams. Bravery is requisite because we’re Masters competing in a college meet, so we’ll be tearing it up against legs and lungs half our age.

Sundodger – I love the name. It evokes images of heavy clouds bombarding runners who must dodge a gauntlet of raindrops. The race, however, means something different to me. True, the sun is scarce in West Seattle’s Lincoln Park. And dodging does describe the style of racing. It’s not raindrops that I’m dodging. I’m dodging the other women, their elbows pink from the cold, like jabbing weapons as I weave around them. It is dodging in tight, feather-light spikes around turns in the trail, stepping on the balls of my feet, pushing off roots and edges of puddles and pivoting, my ankles working hard, coordinating with my core to steer me.

Cross country gives me the exhilarating feel of a herd in flight. Maybe for some it is like being in a pack of wolves. But for me, it’s like I’m a deer. I’m running together with the herd but I’m always trying to break ahead, not necessarily victory seeking. Rather, I’m pushed by a fear of being at the back, of being devoured, engulfed. The whites of my eyes likely show, though I never look back.

There’s more adrenaline packed into the 22 minutes of the 6k for me than is spread out in an entire marathon. My race is about intense alertness and physical intent.

I hope readers are not turned off by this extreme description. Cross country is not all seriousness. There are elements of fun and team camaraderie. Honestly, I am one who hated cross country in high school but love it now, for its purity and quintessence in the vast milieu of weekend races. I manage to drive five hours round-trip several times each fall because the obsession hasn’t weakened its grip on me.