In late December store staff were casually talking about resolutions and our collective tendency not to make any. Spontaneously however, staffer Erik and I settled upon some 2010 goals. Always up for a challenge, Erik’s intention is to do one more push-up each day than he did the day before. My plan is more modest: Drink a cup of tea (no kidding… when I say modest, I mean it) and, do any sort of core exercise each day... continue reading

Staffer Jeva has caught the trail running bug and just took part in her first epic event. We asked her to share a bit.

This summer I competed in the Ed Anacker Bridger Ridge Run in Bozeman, Montana. I first heard about this epic race a few years back through a college friend. After pondering and talking about it for awhile, I finally pumped myself up to sign up for it this year. I love competing. I love adventures. So why did it take a few years and a lot of pumping up for me to finally sign up, you ask? I'm a sprinter. I have never competed in anything longer than a 5k and this was a BEAST! The race is 20 miles long. The course is on the spine of a mountain ridge with the highest point almost reaching 10,000 feet. The total elevation gain is 6,800 feet and a total elevation loss is 9,500 feet. There is also a cut-off time of 8 hours. I was definitely in for an adventure.

First off, training....Off the bat I was very confident that I could hike 20 miles. I just took that confidence and made sure to stay positive in workouts. I think the hardest part of training for this race was being unfamiliar (and being 2 states away) with the course. It helped me to stay in contact with my friend in Montana who was also doing the race. We really talked about our goals and made sure we made it our own. I love that, no matter what shape you're in or what activity you're doing, it's so important to do something for yourself, making it your own. That really helped me look at this HUGE intimidating mountain and make it a little more manageable for myself. My goal for the race was to at least finish the before the cut off time (8hrs).

Day of the race...I was a rollercoaster. I would be so excited one minute, then five minutes later I was super nervous. There were 287 participants ranging from 18 to 82 years old. Once I was there the race vibe was fantastic, it was competitive, yet, I felt we were all in it together and helping one another succeed. Going into it, I knew it was going to be beautiful. But there is no way I could have prepared for the beauty I saw on that run. HOLY COW, it was heavenly!

So, In order to beat 8 hours, I had to make it to the halfway point in 4 hours. If I missed that time I would be "escorted" off the mountain. The first half of the race was bizarre; I was taken back by the beauty, getting a feel for the terrain and was hyped off the adrenaline that pushed me to the halfway point. The uphills where insane, very steep, but very rewarding at the top. When I came to the halfway point I had never been so happy to hear people cheering. I made it, with 20 minutes to spare.

I had zero experience with fueling myself for such a long race. I ended up taking a three-liter Camelback filled with Perpetuem. Over the 20 miles that I ran/hiked I consumed 3 liters of Perpetuem, 2 Hammer gel-packs, and an array of grapes, pretzels, and gummi bears at the aid stations. Without trying to sound like an advertisement, I truly think Perpetuem saved me more than a few times. Dehydration was something I really didn't want to experience on this adventure.

Long story short...7:36:08.7 to be exact. I hiked the uphills and ran the downhills. I would talk and laugh with the awesome volunteers at the aid stations and talk to some of the runners. I finished the race in less than 8 hours! Crossing that finish line knowing I made my goal, seeing my friends and family, experiencing what I had just experienced, it was AMAZING! So far, physically, it was the hardest thing I've ever done. Mentally, I really stayed positive and appreciated where I was.

Though this race was a bit out of my element, I'm 100% happy that I did it. It took me a few years to work up the guts to do it, but I'm so pleased and proud of myself for sticking to it. I have gained a lot of confidence in what I'm capable of doing. It was a wonderful adventure that will stay with me for a lifetime.

Bellingham runner Barb Macklow is set to embark on an awe-inspiring quest -- The Umstead 100-Mile Endurance Run on April 4 in Raleigh, North Carolina. She'll be running just weeks shy of her 75th birthday along with her young friend, Vicki Griffiths, who will be 65 on race day.

While the ultimate goal is to run all 100 miles, there is a 30-hour time limit so Barb said, "I'll accomplish as much as I can in the time allotted or until something comes up that makes me stop."

To prepare, she's done back-to-back long runs on the weekend totaling up to eight hours. And, as she tries to replicate what it feels like to run while sleep-deprived, some training runs of three hours have been scheduled in the middle of the night!

Barb will carry very little with her as she will have extra supplies waiting for her in a drop bag at various aid stations on the route. Necessities include:

• GU Energy Gel: She will consume 30 packages over the course of the race, once every hour for 30 hours. Chocolate Espresso (extra caffeine) and vanilla flavors are on the menu.
• 2-3 six-ounce bottles (carbohydrate/protein drink and water) -- a serving of replacement drink every hour and water to wash down the GU.
• Paper towel: Her all-purpose, low-tech nose blower, blood-blotter/scrape-wiper, etc.

What's in Barb's drop bag?

• Extra GU and replacement drink.
• Additional clothes, shoes and socks. Temperatures and conditions can vary tremendously during the course of an ultra run, so she'll have everything from shorts to tights to a jacket, just in case.
• Motrin and antacids -- for achiness and upset stomach.
• Headlamp -- for all the hours of running on trails in the dark.
• Hat/Visor - for the sunny hours.
• Band-Aids

Barb considers her most important item to be shoes. To be active on her feet for so long, she needs to find her perfect match. Her current favorite is a model from the Adidas Super-Nova line.

The plan is to alternate between 18 minutes of running and 2 minutes of eating/drinking -- and other chores like bathroom breaks and equipment changes.

So when you get ready do doze off on April 4, think about Barb and Vicki! They will have mostly likely been running for hours and will still be running when you wake up the next morning.

Ever wonder how some folks can walk so far? Part of it has to do with slowly working up the miles until they are in better shape. Part of has to do is having the sheer will, tenacity, and good spirit to continue. And, part of it comes down to the gear they carry in their training bags.

Sally Lewis--friend of the store, runner, and walker--has committed to her fourth Breast Cancer 3-Day Walk, a 60-mile walk over a long weekend. To prepare, her longest training walks will be 18 miles on a Saturday and 15 miles the next day. She will walk as long as 5-½ hours during a single training session!

So, what's in the bag that keeps you walking, Sally?

• Two 20-ounce bottles (water and electrolyte drink)
• Pair of extra socks--loves soft, comfy Balegas
• Cell phone, though she hasn't needed rescue yet!
• Gum, for fun
• Candy--personal favorite: Coffee Nips
• Two energy bars--doesn't eat them both but might share with ravenous walking partner
• Sport Shield skin lubricant
• Chapstick
• Band-Aids--a precaution, as planning and good fortune have kept away blisters
• Cash--never knows if she might want to stop for coffee!
• Whistle--hasn't used it yet, but it's loud!

Sally considers her most important items the extra socks and Sport Shield. Halfway through long walks, she changes socks and applies a fresh coat of Sport Shield to her feet. Fresh socks make her feet feel "a whole lot better."

Sally also relies on her trusty Garmin Forerunner to accurately track mileage and total time.

Thanks for letting us take a peek, Sally.