Tag Archives: Runner

Day 27 (Tsegi) 38 miles

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I almost used this picture for the cover of my book. Didn't quite work but its still one of my favorite shots and unknown places of the trip.

3/13 I stayed with Kent and Irene Orr in Red Lake. They proved to be very helpful on a stretch I had anticipated to be incredibly difficult. Kent helped me patch up Ruby’s right tire and for the time being it seems to be as good as new. It was 49 miles to Kayenta and I had every intention of covering the distance in one day. Unfortunately my body disagreed with me. The stories I will wait to share later in life seem to be adding up. However, I will say that the constant mix of different foods and the extreme mileage leaves certain pastimes uncomfortable and messy. If you are ever traveling up highway 160 through Red Lake do me a favor and don’t look behind the left foot of the elephant feet rock formation. By my fifth stop I was getting good at anticipating the sudden eruptions and took a small amount of joy and satisfaction in the fact that I was no longer completely ruining my running gear. Despite my muscles and insides completely hating the days activities my eyes were fascinated on the extraordinary new landscape. Patches of pure white snow lay on the cliffs equally revealing the vibrant red rocks.

I reached Tsegi Canyon an hour before sunset and was able to enjoy the suns rays finding holes in the breaking clouds as they shone down on the truly beautiful painted canyon. An old sheep dog slowly walked up and sat down next to me. I found comfort in his innocent approach and enjoyed the company. We sat together appreciating the unique moment when you can watch God’s beauty unfold. 

Day 8 (Amboy Rd) 28 miles

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Solo and Unsupported Run across America blog rerun. Posted every weekday at 8am. Buy the now complete book and full story at www.abrahamlouis.com/runningwater

I was on the road running at 8:00am and left right from the house I stayed at. My legs were feeling pretty good. I think the day off really helped. I was headed out of Twentynine Palms to Amboy Road. Even on the map Amboy Road looked long and desolate. I turned onto Amboy Rd and the first sign I read was, “next services 90 miles.” I was happy that I had stocked up on provisions and water. The road was awesome for running and I put 20 miles behind me before noon. There were not a lot of cars out, and I was able to enjoy the road. However, the miles were a bit harder to come by in the afternoon. I had made the only turn on Amboy and was now headed north. The wind was a whipping, and I was not so lucky to have it at my back like I did along Interstate 10. It may have been bearable if not for the sand. The funniest things would get caught in the wind and pass me, one of them being a car bumper. I’m not sure if it blew right off of the car or if it had come from some far away junk yard. I crossed through the salt flats and over a huge hill. I hit the peak and began my descent. It was so windy I still had to push Ruby going downhill. The landscape out here is HUGE! I was entering what looked like an empty Lake Michigan. I made it about halfway across before I decided to set up camp and get out of the wind. A lot of lessons where learned from my previous night, and I was excited to put them to use.

Day 6 (twenty-nine palms) 34 Miles

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Solo and Unsupported Run across America blog rerun. Posted every weekday at 8am. Buy the now complete book and full story at www.abrahamlouis.com/runningwater

Last night was pretty rough. I ended up camping in the back of Monongo Valley’s wildlife viewing park. For 3 hours I attempted to find a place to string my hammock. Trees are now sparse. After changing my hammock location four times, I finally settled for a less than perfect location. Two huge hills that came together formed a slopping ravine. I tied one end to a three-foot palm tree, crossed the ravine and tied the other to the base of a bush.

It was almost sunset as I unloaded the necessary gear from Ruby. A couple hand fulls of trail mix and a few pieces of beef jerky would serve as my meal for the evening. I put on all my clothing, took my 10 inch flat bear knife, bear pepper spray and crawled in for the night. It was a nightmare trying to get my sleeping pad and sleeping bag properly arranged in the swinging tent-hammock. I was exhausted. I was out cold the minute I was situated.

I woke up to find myself barely off the ground with little assurance that I wouldn’t end up rolling down the ravine. I checked my watch. It was 8 pm. I was in for a long night. The wind would blow up under my rain fly and lift the thin layer of insulation exposing me to the cool night air. If I breathed into my sleeping bag and didn’t venture any body parts off my sleeping mat, I was warm. The night wore on. At one point I heard cats meowing and thought nothing of it till the next morning. A sign read something to the effect of, “mountain lion warning, do not venture from trail.” I was happy I hadn’t discovered the sign yesterday for I’m not sure what my reactions would have been!

As the sun rose I started packing up camp. Ruby had survived the night as well, minus the small rodent that gnawed a hole in my trail mix bag. I found my way out of the park with only a few stares from avid bird watchers and was back on hwy 62. I felt accomplished having survived the night.

I jogged out of Morango Valley, and a green sign read 32 miles Twenty-Nine Palms. The highway was wide and long with gradual sweeping hills. It was all runable and I made good time. My hips ached from sleeping pinned between the hill and the hammock. Fortunately, my brother found two marines for me to stay with in Twenty-Nine Palms, and I couldn’t wait!

Day 4 (Cabazon) 22 miles (hwy 10)

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Solo and Unsupported Run across America blog rerun. Posted every weekday at 8am. Buy the now complete book and full story at www.abrahamlouis.com/runningwater

A decision was made. I would attempt to go around the mountains. The trade-off was a 4500 foot elevation and snow for extra miles. For the most part it was a gradual downhill route excluding one 3500 foot climb. It was another perfect sunny day, and I was excited to know I had a host family in the next town.

Everything was going good, too good. With 4 miles to go I hit a dead-end road. I had expected this from looking at the satellite map the night before, but didn’t expect the barbed wire fences. There was no clear-cut road aside the freeway but a mess of dead ends and dirt paths. To top it off every field was surrounded by barbwire fences. I found myself pushing Ruby through a huge field to find the other side of the fence. This would not have been a huge problem if not for Ruby’s 70 lbs. I found a dry water run off ditch that I was able to squeeze Ruby through after removing her back wheels. Long story short, I had to back track to find another dirt path.
I eventually connected to a service road that lead to an A+W. It seemed like a good meeting place to be picked up. It was awesome to have so much of the route be downhill, and at times I was doing 7 minute miles. I find humor in the reactions of people driving by. Some smile, some wave, some shake their fists, some give the peace sign and some simply point. One thing they all do is hold their stare a few seconds longer than socially acceptable! Kevin Allen picked me up and was very kind. He has a wonderful family and cute kids.

Motivational Speaker, Author, Philanthropist

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Abraham Louis Clark

  • Motivational Speaker, Author, Philanthropist, 
  • 15th person to run across America solo and unsupported. (15 states)
  • 8,840 mile bicycle tour on the outer edges of the continental 48. (36 states)

For Schools, Churches, Book and Running Stores – A presentation about living to a higher standard, acting on dreams, using your passions to help others, the water crises, high adventure and taking it all one step at a time. With a multi media presentation including video and pictures of compelling stories and high adventures. The presentation opens minds to realize the impossible is possible one step at a time. Following the presentation will be a short question and answer segment.

Requested fee for presentation $300 (+ travel)

My book “Running Water” will also be available for purchase ($15)

Upcoming appearances 

  • March 19th – Goodwill Room (Green Bay)
  • March 20th – Gillett High School, Wi.
  • March 21st – Menominee Tribal School, Wi.
  • March 22nd – Menominee Public School, Mi.

Contact: abe@h2oride.org 

350 miles – The Iditarod Alaskan Trail Runner

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An ultra marathoner whom I, and many others, have quickly grown a deep respect for is Geoff Roes. He has dominated the ultra scene for a number of years but probably first became a common name with his 2010 Western States 100 mile win which has now been made into the remarkable and intriguing film “Unbreakable” His quite humble nature mixed with a relentless drive to push past physical limits is simply mind-blowing. His recent win at the 350 mile Iditarod invitational was unreal and a great example of his character. Such an event tends to shed light on exactly who we are at our core, this in itself has tremendous value. In modern-day society we do not face our core nearly enough to have any recollection of who we are and what we are made of. Geoff Roes defiantly found out what he was made of.

The Iditarod Invitational is a human-powered race through the Alaskan wild in the dead of winter set on the Iditarod trail. The race is open to bikers, skiers, and foot racers. Roes not only won the foot division but nearly beat out all the bikers as well. This was in large do to some extremely harsh conditions that brought the speed of travel down to a crawling pace, (Literally Crawling) With temperatures plummeting to -50 degrees at some points in the race survival becomes part of the game as well (not to mention having to cover 350 miles on snow) I have personally been in Alaska when it has been -50 degrees and basic breathing is difficult. When the air hits your lungs it feels like your whole chest is going to collapse.

Geoff Roes nearing the finish line of the 350 mile Alaska Iditarod trail invitational

One thing I admire about Roes performance was that he had attempted the race the previous two years and failed both times. I don’t know how many times in life we see the final product and success of an individual and later find how many times they failed before everything came together for them. I truly believe that fueled by failure is a trait of many successful people. Most people give up on something far to soon.  Roes wrote up a very detailed race report about his experience. It is pretty long (it was a week-long race) but if you have some time it is defiantly worth the read. Roes character, respect for his fellow competitors and astounding drive to push pass human limits really comes through in this race report. Here is a short excerpt from his write up.

Day 6 / Mile 165 – 210 – “The wind had done its thing here also, and left in its wake some amazingly hard sastrugi drifts. It wasn’t the surface that was the comical part though; it was the lighting that was so flat that I couldn’t see what I was walking on. Numerous times I would walk off 2-foot ledges without having any idea that they were there. At times I was crawling on all fours just so I could feel what was underneath me. It was so difficult and absurd that it was funny. And so I walked, crawled, and inched my way upward toward the pass.” Geoff Roes

Read the whole story over at irunfar.com or check out the 2011 race video

 

Bitter the Beast – Q&A with Zach Bitter

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This past weekend I got the chance to met and race (well at lest for a few miles) Zach Bitter. Zach who in addition to having run the fastest 50 miler in the nation last year also won the Midwest North Face Challenge in 2010 and placed 2nd in 2011. I can honestly say this is a fun guy to cheer on. His passion for the sport really comes through in his dedicated outrages training schedule and sticking around hours after his race to chat it up with fellow runners. Below are a few Q&A’s about Zach’s record braking John Dick 50k (his first 50k) this past weekend and his up coming 2012 ultra races.

Zach Bitter Leaving an aid station during the Midwest Regional North Face 50 Mile with pacer Brian Finnel. In 2010 Zach won the race in 6:02 and came back the following year to place 2nd with a 6:08

This past weekend you just smashed the John Dick Memorial 50k course record by over 20 minutes setting the new mark at 3:32. Were you expecting to run such a fast time on the icy course going into the race?

To be honest with you no. I planned to treat the race as a training run. I had a total of 246 miles logged in the 13 days leading into the race, so I wasn’t sure how my legs would feel. Usually at the end of a running cycle like this my legs feel pretty heavy, but for some reason at JDM 50k I felt really smooth, so I just went with it.

Did you have any low points during the race? If so how did you pull yourself through them?

I didn’t really have any real low points. I guess the toughest part of the course for me was round four up the big hill on the out and back section of the course. My quads were burning a little more there than in other places. With tough spots like this I usually try to break the race down. I stop thinking about finishing and just focus on getting to a certain point on the course. It helps reduce becoming overwhelmed.

This years Ice Age 50 is shaping up to be quite the show down. With yourself, Timothy Olson (2012 100k USATF Champ) who is more of a pure trail / mountain runner and Matt Flaherty who seems to race just about everything distance and definitely has some leg speed with a 4:17 mile pr, 2:22:53 Marathon PR. And the list goes on from there… How do you see the race playing out?

I think the talented field will cause the race to get out fast. I see this resulting guys testing their limits and someone coming out with a spectacular time, maybe even a course record.

Now for some fun questions…  Whats your favorite kind of GEL?

I like anything fruity with a pinch of caffeine

Are you growing your hair out?

As of now, yes. But I can be a bit impulsive with my hair style based on convenience.

Favorite Running Book or Movie?

I would say Born to Run is my favorite running book. I think it really captures the drive inside an ultra-runner. I am eagerly anticipating the arrival of Bryon Powell’s book, Relentless Forward Progress, which I just recently ordered.

Who’s Your Running Hero?

Roy Pirrung. He is a great story, and a timeless ultra runner who truly embraced the sport, and continues to push his limits.

In Wales there is a 22 mile race where runners go up against riders on horses back. In 2004 Huw Lobb became the first and only runner (on foot) to win the race. If we all pitched in and flew you to Wales do you think you could take down those horses for us?

Haha! I would certainly be willing to try. That sounds like an adventure impossible to turn down.

Read Zach’s Race report of the John Dick 50k and follow his running blog Here. Zach’s product Sponsors - Fuel Belt, Illuminite, Sportmulti, Feed the Machine, Vespa, and Drymax.

Door County Fall 50 - Zach Cruising to the 2011 fastest 50 miler finishing in 5:26

Interview after winning the Midwest North Face 50 in a time of 6:02

Interview – Timothy Olson / Bandera 100K USATF Ultra Champion

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I am excited to bring you one of our first athlete interviews on the blog. Timothy Olson has just came off a huge win at this years Bandera 100k down in Texas which served as the USATF Ultra Championship for the 100k distance. Timothy ran a gutsy race taking it out hard with Dave James before James dropped around the 50k and Timothy opened up an 11 minute lead on race favorite Dave Mackey. Dave was the defending champion and curent cores record holder having run a 8:16:48 the previous year. As the race wore on into the late miles the heat started to take a toll on the runners and Timothy was able to out last Mackey’s  late charge crossing the finish line ten minutes in front of the defending champion with a time of 8:28:38. Below are a few Q&A’s catching up with the Wisconsin native and National Champion Timothy Olson 

Timothy Olson run's on the Pearl Izumi ultra team

 

How did you discover ultra marathon trail running? 

When I moved to Ashland Oregon I jumped in at the Running store’s Wednesday night group run. They kept inviting me to longer and longer runs on the weekends which I thought they were trying to kill me. I didn’t realize i was running with Hal Koerner, Ian Torrence, Kyle Skaggs and Erik Skaggs, I thought they were just normal fun loven runners. I eventually realized they are Ultra legends and I really dug their vibe and the fun they had with running for a really long ways. The more I ran in the mountains the more I connected with myself and nature, I fell in love with the trails and plan on running on them for years to come.


What was your journey like from mid pack D3 high school cross-country runner to 100k National Champion? 

It was a long journey. After high school I didn’t run much. After a few years of being a bum, I decide I wanted to get back in shape and started running more. I eventually started coaching High School and Middle school cross-country and track at Amherst High school. I really enjoyed helping the kids enjoy running and have a good time while working hard. Helping them helped me find the joy and peace that running brings. After I moved to Oregon I was in Massage therapy school where running was an excellent way to learn and memorize the muscles in my body and how they function. While going through school I just started running every morning which would increase with mileage and intensity over the last couple of years. When I wake up in the morning all I want to do is go outside, connect with nature and run free. That has been my training model for the last couple years. It’s worked pretty well so far.


You made the move to Ashland Oregon which is known for its running scene and beautiful trails. How has that move benefitted your training and involvement in the sport? 

Moving to Ashland was the best decision ever. I have actually mountains to run with plenty of winding trails. From my front door, i am on a trail in 10 steps and actually could hit less than a mile of pavement from my front door to Mexico, via the PCT. The trail i have in Ashland make running so much more fun. I don’t have much desire to run around suburbs and skyscrapers in cities and such. I want to be away from the noise and ciaos of life. I run to be free from society and all the things this world tells you, you “need”. I really appreciate going for a peaceful run in the morning to start the day and ground my self to go and be a light in this world. I feel like running gives me this stillness inside that allows me to take that from the woods and put that happiness into the world as I interact with people throughout the day.
I love Wisconsin and love to visit, but running in the mountains has definitely changed the time I like to spend out running in them and I’m very happy with the move to the west coast.


You have finished near the top in a lot of recent major ultra’s but haven’t gotten a win until today. How were you able to get over that hump? Did you change your training at all? Did you have a different race strategy going into it? 

I normally try to go out ‘smart’ and let people blow up. I start catching people towards the end, but come up short on races because i started to conservatively. This race I decided to go all out from the beginning. I was hurting towards the end, but had enough in the tank to fend off the other runners. I guess I’m getting the hang of racing again. i still do it for the pure joy of running, but it is fun to up with the top people at races. The competition pushes me to places i could not do on my own. It’s fun to test your body and see what is possible.


You have really proven you belong in the top group of U.S ultra runners over the past couple of years and have started 2012 off with the big win. What are your goals moving forward in the season?

My goal is to inspire as many people as i can to get out in nature and explore. We are blessed to have the opportunity to go play in this beautiful creation. I want others to see the joy it can bring and try it more for themselves. Running can be a really healthy lifestyle for your mind and body.
For the 2012 season, I plan on running many big races. 2 I’m really looking forward too are the Ice Age trail back home in Wisconsin in May and Western States 100 in June. I really like the 100 mile distance and hope I can have some success in pushing my self in the 3 100′s I have planed for this year.  I don’t have a goal, but I do hope to keep improving and testing my self through out this season.
cheers,
Timothy

Olson cruising at mile 42 on his way to his first National Championship title. Olson runs for Pearl Izumi ultra running team.

THE BOOK IS DONE!

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Cover image of "Running Water" by Abraham Louis ClarkFirst off, I would like to apologize for my lack of blog post over the last few months, especially in the closing months of the h2o ride. However, I do assure you that there are epic tales to be told and I do plan on blogging a few of the great stories now that my book is done! When I started writing Running Water over a year ago I never would have thought of how big a project this would be. I truly do have a new found respect for authors, and find myself almost sad whenever I see an old used book for $1 or $2. Despite those depressing thoughts, it really is a wonderful feeling to have such a complete and wonderful story jammed into 184 exciting pages. After numerous cover revisions I am very pleased with the final cover image. It may just be my attachment to it but, I think its beautiful :)

I have so many people to thank in helping get this book out and the biggest thanks has to go to my mom. I have to admit, spelling and grammar have never been my strong points and if there is a typo hiding somewhere in those 60,000 words it almost deserves to be there due to its astonishing elusiveness from my dear mother and other editors (Rebbecca Rousseau and Jennifer Boettcher). I was also very thankful to get some great reviews from some very respected athletes such as Chris Solinsky (Wisconsin running legend and first non-African to brake 27 min for the 10k, Lisa Smith-Batchen, who has so many ultra running career highlights its a little hard to believe. Also Roy Pirrung who has won an unbelievable amount of extreme ultra events and has toed the starting line over 900 times for various distances. I have also been thankful for Dave McGillivrays, director of the Boston Marathon, encouragement throughout the run and for his review the book (I’ll have to get out there to that race of yours some time :) The last review that I got was from Jonathan Beverly, Editor in Chief over at Running Times magazine. Definitely one of, if not the best running magazine out there. You can read all of their reviews over at the My Book page on my web site.

Well I hope everyone enjoys the book and please leave a message of what you thought of it over on the facebook wall or the My Book Page. Also feel free to order as many as you like. No, honestly as many as you like :) Christmas presents for everyone! With that I will leave you with a small sneak peak of page 2!

Now go buy the rest ha