Max King missed out on making the US Olympic Team at the Track and Field Trials, but still had a successful evening. King’s time of 8:30.54 in the 3000 Meter Steeplechase was a personal best and was good enough for a 6th place finish in the Finals. View KDRV News Coverage on Max’s race here.

Montrail athlete Ellie Greenwood ran to a course record in under 17 hours on her way to being crowned 2012 Western States 100 female champion on Saturday, June 23. Greenwood finished with a time of 16:47:19, knocking 50 minutes off of Ann Trason’s legendary course record set in 1994. See the video of her strong finish here.

 
Three new Western States course records were set this year, including the men’s course record (Timothy Olson), the women’s course record (Ellie Greenwood) and the men’s masters course record (Dave Mackey).

 
Western States 100 Women’s Top 10 Results

Ellie Greenwood (Montrail) – 16:47:19 (Course Record)
Rory Bosio (The North Face) – 18:08:06
Aliza Lapierre (Salomon) – 18:18:29
Krissy Moehl (Patagonia/UltrAspire) – 18:29:15
Nikki Kimball (The North Face) – 18:31:39
Lizzy Hawker (The North Face) – 18:32:20
Tina Lewis – 19:09:49
Amy Sproston (Montrail) – 19:11:02
Ashley Nordell (Pearl Izumi) – 19:26:30
Meghan Arbogast (Sunsweet) – 19:45:24

Western States 100 Men’s Top 10 Results

Timothy Olson (Pearl Izumi) – 14:46:44 (Course Record)
Ryan Sandes (Salomon) – 15:03:56
Nick Clark (Pearl Izumi) – 15:44:09
Dave Mackey (Hoka One One) – 15:53:36 (Masters Course Record)
Ian Sharman (The North Face) – 15:54:38
Zeke Tiernan – 15:57:59
Dylan Bowman (Pearl Izumi) – 16:03:24
Jorge Maravilla (Salomon) – 16:05:30
Joe Uhan (Sunsweet) – 16:13:14
Neal Gorman (Salomon) – 16:18:40

General Overview Articles – via iRunFar.com

• Auburn Journal – Trail Records Trampled
• SacBee – Western States 100 in 2012 Breaks Records for Endurance Record
• SacBee – Oregon Runner Shatters Western States 100 Mile Record
• Trail Run Argentina – Triple Record en Western States (Spanish)
• Ultra168 – Olson and Greenwood Obliterate Western States Course Records (added 6/25 11 am PDT)
• [Ashland, OR] Mail Tribune – Record 100 for Olson (added 6/25 11 am PDT)

Interviews/Profiles

• Timothy Olson and Ellie Greenwood Finish Line Interviews
• Ellie Greenwood iRunFar Video Interview (added 6/25 11 am PDT)
• Timothy Olson iRunFar Video Interview (added 6/25 11 am PDT)

Race Reports
Coming soon.

Photos and Videos

• Luis Escobar’s Photos (Facebook)
• John Mackey’s Photos (Facebook)
• Brett River Photos (Facebook) (added 6/25 11 am PDT)
• Galen Burrell’s Photos (Facebook)
• Drymax’s Escarpment, Foresthill, and Finish Line photos
• Top 10 Women’s Finishes Video Montage (Facebook)
• Top 10 Men’s Finishes Video Montage (Facebook

Without confidence, you can’t fully take advantage of fitness, Written by Chris Carmichael

CTS Coaches work with athletes in a wide variety of disciplines, and we’ve seen a big increase in the popularity of ultra-distance events. One of the elite athletes we’re working with is Dakota Jones, a young ultra-runner who has been racking up some impressive wins, including the Transvulcania, a 51-mile race on the spine of La Palma in the Canary Islands. He’s currently in Silverton, Colorado training for the Hardrock 100, and his coach, Jason Koop, pointed out a very important component to ultramarathon coaching that has relevance to athletes at other distances as well.

Jason, who has finished close to a ten 100-mile ultramarathons – including two top-10 finishes at the Leadville 100 Run – himself, tells his ultramarathon athletes that their race day performance will depend as much on the confidence they go into the race with than the fitness they go in with. In the final weeks before an event, gaining confidence will do more for them than the slight gain in fitness that might be achieved in that same period. And the opposite holds true as well. If you go into a goal event lacking confidence, that will do more to hinder your performance than you can overcome with stellar fitness.

So, how does a coach instill confidence? Technically speaking, we don’t. We can’t. Confidence has to come from the inside; we can’t produce it for you. What we do is design a series of experiences that progressively challenge you. Those experiences have to push you outside your comfort zone, but enable you to be successful, and we gradually ratchet up the level of difficulty over time. Some people prefer the “throw-them-to-the-wolves” approach and push athletes into training experiences or competitions they are woefully unprepared for as a means of scaring them into taking training seriously. In my view, that’s just stupid. I have no problem with failure as a teaching tool, but smashing an athlete physically and mentally isn’t necessary.

In Dakota’s case, Jason set up a scenario where he’s preparing him for a great workout. He’s going to back down his training for a week to make sure he’s rested, then send him out for a huge run that incorporates part of the Hardrock course and trails that are even harder than the course. And because the subject of confidence is so important for ultra-endurance competitions, Jason was completely forthcoming with the goal for the workout. It’s not energy system development or technique practice. This is about going out and having an awesome day running really hard terrain alone, so he can hopefully do the same at the head of the field when it’s time to race.

So, as your big summer events approach, remember that the numbers on your power meter or heart rate monitor are only part of the equation. To be fully prepared for a great performance in competition you need to actively work on building your confidence level. I like to schedule a big confidence-building challenge about 8 weeks out from a big event. If it goes well it provides motivation for those final big training blocks before the race. If it doesn’t go well, there’s still enough time to make substantive changes to the athlete’s training plan and see improvement. A second challenge can be placed closer to the competition, but you have to be careful not to place a challenge during the timeframe when you’re really fatigued from that last big pre-competition training block.

One more thing about confidence-building activities. They need to be specific to your event, but they don’t need to be exceedingly difficult. For instance, one of my pre-Leadville 100 activities is a climbing workout up a very steep grade in Colorado Springs. It only lasts 90 seconds, but if 1 month out I can do a set of 10 accelerations up that hill and hit all the right markers for me, then I know I’m on track.

Featured Links:
SRM Payment Plan: No-interest, no-fee 12-month financing on a new SRM power meter when you sign up or renew for a 12-month CTS Coaching Package!
Tour of Utah Race Experience: August 7-12. Our proven Race Experience program, at the Tour of Utah!
La Ruta Race Experience: Come race across Costa Rica with CTS! Three packages to choose from.
PR Bar: Check out the Official Performance Nutrition Bar of CTS!

iRunFar Race Report

Dakota Jones won the 2012 Transvulcania Ultramarathon in an upset over favorite Kilian Jornet. In the men’s race, practically the whole field led at the first checkpoint, the little village of Los Canarios on the southern end of La Palma. In reality, Dakota Jones came first through that initial checkpoint, setting the stage for what would be a world-class performance. In the rest of the race, Dakota was either the leader or within spitting distance of him. Continue reading.

 
In the following interview, he discusses how his race played out against Kilian and Andy Symonds, what happened with Kilian fainting after the race, what he thinks of the European race hype now that he’s been the center of attention, and whether he plans to alter his season’s racing schedule to compete in the Skyrunner World Series. Read the Interview Transcript here.

Monday April 23, Max King and Dakota Jones hope to break Dakota’s R2R2R Grand Canyon, AZ record of 6h53min38s. “The rim to rim to rim, double crossing, out-n-back, or simply r2r2r is a substantial overnight hike for most people, who must already possess a level of fitness the average American will likely never attain. To run the r2r2r in a day takes the adventure to a new level, a goal that has been plunked into most trail runners’ bucket lists.” Continue reading Nov 2011 article featuring Dakota’s first record on Inside Trail Racing

 
Background via Fastest Known Time Pro Boards:

 
Cureton held the R2R2R record for 25 years at 7h51m23s, set in an actual race on 11/9/1981 (S to N to S Kaibab trails). Races have long been banned in the National Parks. The record was finally bested on 11/10/2006 by Kyle Skaggs, 7h37m. Kyle had to run a little extra due to a bridge being out. A year later (11/10/2007) Dave Mackey ran 6h59m56s. Mackey reported being held up for several minutes on his ascent back up the South Kaibab by a mule train. Mackey’s record held for about 4 years before being broken by Dakota Jones who ran 6h53m38s on Nov. 5, 2011.

 
Dakota Jones reported on his Blog as follows:

 
1.) Nobody goes into it rested. Everybody just runs the Grand Canyon as a training run, or in between races, or when getting back into shape. Nobody trains and tapers specifically for the Grand Canyon.
2.) You’re going to blow up on the ascent back to the South Rim. Stop deluding yourself – it’s going to happen. You can’t avoid it. However, I will stick my neck out and say that a fit and rested runner who finds the Canyon in good condition could significantly lower the time. My prediction is that within five years the men’s record will be under six hours. Go ahead – call me out on that. It will happen.” Jones also reported the following splits: River(49m), North Rim(3h22m), River(5h12m), South Rim(6h53m38s). Read the full Nov 2011 Grand Canyon report here.

250 runners entered this year’s Lake Sonoma 50. In muddy conditions with 12+ ‘stream’ crossings (some waist deep!) Dakota Jones and Joelle Vaught conquered all. Dakota placed 1st with a Course Record by 50 minutes, 6h17min. Joelle Vaught also placed 1st female with a Course Record time of 7h52m. While Erik Skaden and VP of Montrail, Topher Gaylord both took 17th place.

 

Via iRunfar

 

On Saturday, seven men broke Hal Koerner’s course record at the Lake Sonoma 50 Mile; however, only one owns the new course record – Montrail’s Dakota Jones. Not only did Dakota set a new course record by more than 50 minutes, he won by nearly 20 minutes in a time of 6:17:27. In the interview, Dakota discusses his race, his transition to working with a coach, and what he’ll be focusing on in the next couple months… among many topics.

 
Joelle Vaught led from start to finish, seemingly smiling the entire way. She reported slowing late in the race, but that didn’t stop her from taking more than half an hour off the course record in finishing in 7:52:44 (Old record: Devon Crosby-Helms ’10 8:26:53). She ran away from an amazingly talented field of women’s ultrarunners and bested Devon Crosby-Helms’ course record by more than half an hour at the 2012 Lake Sonoma 50 Mile. She shares how her race played out, her ill-advised race nutrition plan, and what races she might be running this season.

Montrail Shoes: Dakota – Rogue Racers, Joelle – Masochists

The American River 50 Mile Endurance Run has become the second largest 50 miler in the United States. The race attracts both veterans and novices alike. Whether you are attempting your first 50 miler, seeking a personal record and or dreaming of a qualifier for the Western States 100 Mile Endurance Run, this race is for you! Music, motivational quote signs, superb aid stations and encouraging volunteers will inspire you all the way to Auburn. At the finish line, you will be awarded your one of a kind finisher’s jacket as you enjoy the post race festivities and barbeque at Joe’s Café.

 
Montrail Athlete’s competing:

 
Ellie Greenwood – Talk Ultra Podcast: Interview
Erik Skaden – Trail Runner Nation Podcast: Training secrets
Sean Meissner – Nugget News Article: Peterson Ridge Rumble will be bigger than ever, April 14th in Sean’s backyard.

2011 Blog Post | A Runner’s First Ultra, the AR50
The temperature was in the mid 40′s during the start of the race. There was frost on the grass as the sun came up and the river had this beautiful and eerie low fog hovering just above. The first part of the race up until Beale’s Point which is about Mile 27 is along a bike path. For the most part, it looks like that (to the right) but there are more runners (pic was taken the day before) and some awesome river views that pop up between the trees as well as some beautiful meadows that happened to be covered in frost that morning (click the pics for larger versions). Continue Reading.

Follow the LIVE WEBCAST here.

The Trans-Zion Trek (sometimes also called the “Zion Traverse”) is a 48-mile route across Zion National Park in Southwestern Utah. It runs from Lee Pass in the Kolob Canyons section of the park, to the East Entrance Trailhead, though stunning and diverse high desert landscape. The route is typically done as a 5-day backpacking trip.

Dakota Jones will be attempting to break Matt Hart‘s Zion Traverse record, 7h58m tomorrow morning. He will be starting at about 7am.

The following is Matt Hart’s Zion Traverse Report after breaking the record,

Fastest known times page: In may of 2008 i visited my buddy karl meltzer in salt lake city. He had just returned from running across the entire zion national park with jared campbell. They had revived this incredible route and had taken some sweet video. Karl was pretty excited about the run (blog report on it w/video). I had never been to zion, but the seed was planted.

I arrived at the grotto bridge to meet linda in 1hr 40m. For the first section i had run with a nathan elite pack and a 10oz water bottle. I met linda at the grotto bridge and took a full nathan #020 running pack with 70oz of nuun in it. It felt sooo heavy. But I had 21 miles until i would see her again and it was the biggest part of the run with the 3,000 – 4,000ft climb up to the west rim. i ran that about 2mins faster than my scouting run and was feeling pretty good. once on the west rim the hr dropped and the smile extended. Stunningly beautiful scenary has a way of transporting me from the pain cave to a happier place. Continue reading.

1st place, Ellie Greenwood – 4:09:28
3rd place, Joelle Vaught – 4:35:15

For the second year in a row, Ellie Greenwood set a women’s course record en route to winning the Chuckanut 50k. In the following interview, find out how she was pushed by Jodee Adams-Moore this year, how she approached poor footing, and what it took to run a course record in less than ideal conditions. For more about Ellie’s 2011 race and her training this winter watch our pre-race interview with her.

Ellie Greenwood’s Race Report
The week prior to Chuckanut I was definitely keen to shoot for a new CR. I was somewhat confident my training had gone well as I had managed to get in decent mileage and was only lacking back-to-back long runs due to a new work schedule, but then back-to-back long runs really aren’t needed for a ‘fast’ 50km like Chuckanut. I had also worked well on my hill running and was excited to see if that 15% on the treadmill had paid off! However, a few days prior to the race the weather report sounded a lot like I was bringing the Alberta weather with me – snow up high and more forecast, this was slightly disappointing as I figured it would slow the course and thus a CR would not be in the cards. No matter, all runners would be in the same situation and as ultra trail runners we all know you just have to take what the weather throws at you. Read Ellie’s full race report Knuckling Down, Sucking It Up.

Joelle Vaught’s Race Report
The course starts with 10k of quite flat paved and gravel trail which means it is going to be fast. I rarely run flat so I knew this would be a challenge for me. I settled in to a nice pace with Jenn Shelton and Toshi also chatting with Brett Rivers and Pam Smith for a bit. I was thankful for the trail to start climbing but unfortunately my legs were feeling as strong as I had hoped. Continue reading the Chuckanut race report on Joelle’s blog, Pigtails and Montrails.

Chuckanut 50k Women’s Results and Men’s Results. More stories and information about the race on irunfar.com.

Bellingham Herald photo gallery.

Congrats to Geoff Roes who finished the 2012 Iditarod Trail Invitational, a 350-mile race across the Alaska backcountry, placing first in the foot division and fourth overall. Roes posted a full race report on Monday with photos and detailed daily reports that convey the both the extremity and the sense of accomplishment of this undertaking.

Going into the Iditarod Trail Invitational, my primary focus was on savoring and embracing whatever experience the trail threw my way. My secondary focus was to do whatever it took to make it the full 350 miles to the finish in McGrath. In two previous attempts (‘ 08 and ‘09), I had dropped out, not having made it beyond mile 150. This time around I really wanted to start much slower, and speed up only if I was feeling good later in the race. Therefore, I was actually relieved the day before the race when looking at a weather forecast brought up statements like, “blizzard warning” and “10 to 15 inches of new snow.” I figured it couldn’t be that bad, and anything that helped me stick to my plan of starting slow would be a good thing.

Continue reading Geoff’s Iditarod Trail Invitational Race report starting with Day 1.