In my 20 years of running in wild places, I’ve encountered countless gorgeous, wild rivers but none of those made me younger by dipping my water filter in the cold mountain waters. I have, however, found a few strategies that have helped me continue to excel in ultramarathons and remain competitive with folks half my age.
In the past decade, something changed in the endurance recreation landscape. As long-distance triathlon finished its journey from the outskirts of sanity to the firm mainstream, those participants who longed for the hardest, longest, strangest challenges began to search outside the swim-bike-run barriers for whatever was next.
On the first Saturday in May each year, Esther Short Park is filled with the sounds of happy people, families and dogs. It is the most amazing sight to see more than 800 dogs happy to be with their people as they head out for a 5k run or 3-mile walk.
The beginning of a new year brings with it plenty of promise and possibility by hitting our internal reset button. While a plan to start anew simmers just beneath the surface, a little inspiration might be the jumpstart you need. Whether you’re looking for the ultimate bike race, ultra marathon or triathlon, we’ve compiled a list of races both old and new that promise to test your mettle for the year ahead.
Our pace had slowed to a sun-beaten crawl, and the shade that seemed to cover the trail kept hopelessly receding. The final climb of our rim-to-rim-to-rim adventure was easily one of the hardest things I’ve pushed through and I couldn’t help but let my thoughts turn to refreshment at the top: chips and salsa and… beer.
Trail running has many legitimate benefits over running on roads. And although it isn’t always possible to run on dirt, it’s worth staying off busy thoroughfares.
I am a runner—a senior runner. I have been running since I joined the track team at Roosevelt Junior High School—nearly 60 years ago! I never won any races, but I remember very well the good feelings and self-esteem I enjoyed after a hard workout or race.
It's grey, cold, and dumping buckets outside. I've been in a car for six hours listening to the strum thwack of wipers, squinting to determine if I'm staying between the striped lines, and white-knuckling the steering wheel driving to Marin, CA.
It may not boast the title of Tracktown, USA, or have the foodie culture and urban appeal of Portland, but the oft overlooked Corvallis, OR, has plenty to offer both locals and visitors. The city of over 55,000 residents has a wine walk, an annual Turkey Trot, an abundance of wineries and a state university offering cultural and educational experiences, as well as athletic spectatorship.
