It's Not a Sprint

If running is the answer, what's the question?

[sk88z]

Still buzzing from Saturday’s finish. . Reliving the journey through the Lethbridge coulees and hope to post my race report soon. . For now and for #medalmonday, I give you this sexy beast of a tile. . . . #letsgo #enjoyeverystep #lostsoulultra #lostsoulultra2018 #myfirst100km #100km #ultrarunner #ultrarunning #lethbridge #trail #trailrunning #wearetherunners #trailrunner #newbalance #nbrunning #nbrunner #nuunambassador #nuunlife #lsu100 #runfam #fitfam #getoutside #ultrarunnersofinstagram (at Lethbridge, Alberta) https://www.instagram.com/p/BnjlRVPldB8/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1y0w062uwjp2y

[sk88z]

I did it! First 100k complete, officially in at 19:27 and change. . I couldn’t have done it without my soul mate Carissa crewing me throughout the day and the cheers from everyone. . Full race report to come but for now, sleep is in order. . Thanks for all the love and support!!! . . . #letsgo #enjoyeverystep #lostsoulultra #lostsoulultra2018 #lsu100km #run #runfam #trail #trailrunner #ultrarunner #trailrunning #lethbridge #finishline #wearetherunners #nbrunning #newbalance #salomonrunning #blackdiamondequipment #runhappy #runlong #100km #goalachieved #suunto #justdidit (at Lethbridge, Alberta) https://www.instagram.com/p/BndpVjKF9fh/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1cfp4miqkmxtz

[sk88z]

Leading up to #myfirst100km race tomorrow, I’ve run 1781km and have climbed up and descended down close to 42,000m of elevation. . Needless to say, the hay is in the damn barn!!! . Let’s do this, #LSU100km . . . #letsgo #enjoyeverystep #run #runfam #rungear #runstagram #trail #trailrunner #trailrunning #ultrarunner #raceday #racedayready #toeingtheline #gear #fit #fitfam #fitness #ultramarathon #mountainrunning #skyrunning #wearetherunners #salomonrunning #newbalance (at Lethbridge, Alberta) https://www.instagram.com/p/BnZh7gUF-Tw/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=10w71rcusjzwx

[sk88z]

First of three runs left this race week which called for 30 min of interval work to open things up a bit. . I haven’t done much speed work lately as to avoid injury but today, with the ankle brace on, I wanted to see where things currently stand. . Getting up to speed felt great and I felt even better recovering in between strides. . All in all, I’m feeling strong and pretty confident going into this week and continue to plan on staying relaxed and getting as much rest as possible. . Super stoked to have everything coming together at the right time and so much looking forward to toeing the #LSU100 line on Friday!!! . . . #letsgo #enjoyeverystep #run #runner #running #trail #trailrunner #trailrunning #ultrarunner #instarunners #portmoody #tricities #stravarun #suunto #nathansports #nuunlife #nuunambassador #wearetherunners #runaddict #igrunners #runhappy #pnwbc #pnw #fit #fitness #fitfam #newbalance #nbrunning (at Shoreline Trail) https://www.instagram.com/p/BnO07VcF1tO/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=srgmmts5njl4

[sk88z]

Happy last days of summer!!! . . . #letsgo #enjoyeverybite #nomnomnom #instacake #chocolate #cake #cakedecorating #cakesofinstagram #igcakes #desserts #dessertstagram (at Casa Del Pane Bakery & Deli) https://www.instagram.com/p/BnNIW58lmUY/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=ozgu88zjbyht

[sk88z]

Learning to #embracethenight. . I’ll be the first to admit that running in the dark isn’t one of my strengths. . I try not to think about bears, cougars, mice sounding like lions, or clowns jumping out from the trees, but sometimes I can’t help it. . In exactly one week from now, I’m hoping to be running in the dark at the #LSU100, three hours from my planned finish. . Fortunately, I hear there are less trees on the coulees for the clowns to jump out from. . Cause I won’t hesitate to take a clown out with a pole swing if I need to. . 🖕🤡🥊 . . . #letsgo #enjoyeverystep #run #nightrun #bridge #runstagram #igrunners #instarunners #wearetherunners #stravarun #fridayrun #getoutside #trail #trailrunning #ultrarunners #ultrarunnersofinstagram #overcomingfears #blackdiamond #headlamp (at Shoreline Trail) https://www.instagram.com/p/BnLEOkyFsTK/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=14dekubalbrgs

[sk88z]

Fridays are brought to you by... . Maple bacon and caramelised cheese burger goodness. . #tapering . . . #letsgo #enjoyeverystep #burger #burgertime #rickysrestaurant #nomnom #tgif #friday #foodporn #instafood #foodie #drool #bacon #maplebacon #nomnomnom #eatthis #runforburgers #burgerrunners (at Ricky's Family Restaurants) https://www.instagram.com/p/BnKbH24FP17/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=wkojfpe5cp44

[sk88z]

Sweatin’ it up with Coach Sammy! . You better sign up for that marathon before I do it for you!!! . . . #letsgo #enjoyeverystep #run #runfam #runspo #runfie #trailrunning #ultrarunner #tapering #wearetherunners #runstagram #instarunners #strava #stravarun #deerlake #explorebc #burnaby #boardwalk #igrunners #getoutside #training #workhardplayhard (at Deer Lake) https://www.instagram.com/p/BnHkJpmlis1/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=17rkpjv811beu

[sk88z]

Striding into my taper like... . . . #letsgo #enjoyeverystep #wearetherunners #runaddict #run #runspo #trail #trailrunning #trailrunner #salomon #salomonrunning #stravarun #suuntorun #fit #fitness #fitfam #burnaby #explorebc #deerlake #summer #runstagram #igrunners #instarunners (at Deer Lake) https://www.instagram.com/p/BnCdM_KFzVC/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=guerujaf0x60

[sk88z]

Enjoying the misty mountains on my last long run up to and around the lake and back. . With heat and smoke over the past couple of weeks, today’s mist and showers were a welcome delight. . Not to mention a solid easy race pace over 32k to build the confidence with a dozen sleeps to race day. . Now it’s REALLY time to taper and enjoy dialling it back. . . . #letsgo #enjoyeverystep #wearetherunners #runaddict #run #runshots #runstagram #trailrunning #ultra #training #nbrunners #newbalance #stravarun #suunto #mountainrunning #lakeview #buntzenlake #bertflynn #trails (at Bert Flinn Park)

[sk88z]

With a noon flight out of Austin today after a solid week of work, it was an early wake up call in order to get in a morning trail run with 2 weeks to race day. . The main trail out of Barton Springs didn’t disappoint and provided the perfect mix of rocks, roots, and rolling terrain. . The heat was still no joke at sunrise and it got up to 30+ degrees by the end of the 10 miler. . Fortunately the springs provided the perfect post run dip with its cool temps and small morning crowds. . A great way to end off a solid week of work and play! . . . #letsgo #enjoyeverystep #run #runfam #runspo #trail #trailrunning #trailrunner #getoutside #austin #texas #bartonsprings #ultrarunner #wearetherunners #runstagram #runaddict #nathansports #stravarun #suunto #runner #runnersofinstagram #runshots (at Barton Springs/Zilker park)

[sk88z]

Alright, alright, alright! . Totally geeked out at Top Notch which is the burger joint in Dazed and Confused, one of my favourite movies of all time. . Can’t believe I didn’t know that it was filmed here in Austin. . Even Stiles Switch where we had BBQ last night was where the movie’s Emporium was set. . Might have to check out the school where the hazing went down or make my way to the where the party at the Moontower was filmed another time! . . . #letsgo #enjoyeverystep #dazedandconfused #dazedandconfusedmovie #topnotch #drivein #goodtimes #summer #lastdayofschool #schoolsoutforsummer #movie #movies #instalove #instamood (at Top Notch Hamburgers)

[sk88z]

THIS is Franklin’s BBQ. . I know I’ve had BBQ all week but this is the top of the line when it comes to BBQ. . Locals in Austin stand in line all day to eat this at the restaurant, and to even get take out one needs to order days in advance. . Needless to say, I’ve been wanting to try this ever since I’ve heard about it and today I finally got a taste and was not disappointed. . I may now not be able to eat BBQ for the rest of this year. . And Ima be ok with that. . . . #letsgo #enjoyeverystep #enjoyeverybite #foodporn #foodie #foody #brisket #ribs #franklins #austin #texas #foodstagram #food #foodphotography #eatthis #bbq #meat #meatsweats #sausage #foodie #bestbbq #instagood #instafood (at Electronic Arts)

[sk88z]

Using my Trailforks app to find some trails near the Domain on my morning run today. . With close to 40 degree temps midday the only time to get a decent run in is during sunrise when it’s only 28 degrees. . Won’t complain about the heat though and happy that I’m not having to run in smoke this week. . But man, getting into a car after work when it’s 40...😓😥🤯 . . . #letsgo #enjoyeverystep #run #runfam #runspo #trail #trailrunning #trailrun #austin #texas_ig #ultra #training #heattraining #fit #fitfam #fitspo #morningrun #trailforks #wearetherunners #fitness #runaddict #runfie #nbrunning #newbalance (at Walnut Creek Metropolitan Park)

[sk88z]

Cheers to a solid first day in office at EA Austin! . . . #letsgo #enjoyeverystep #margarita #drinks #workhardplayhard #instabooze #boozy #cheers #instacheers #austin #texas #instadrink #instamood #goblet #workin #businesstrip (at Morelia Mexican Grill Parmer)

[sk88z]

I needed to simulate the multiple steep coulees in Lethbridge so had this idea to break apart the 2.5k/220m Coquitlam Crunch into 5 segments and run the pyramid. . Start at the bottom on Guildford and run up to the first road and back down. 1st segment done. Go up to the second road which includes the new steps and back down to Guildford. 1st & 2nd done. . Rinse and repeat til I finished 1 full up and down. About 9 miles before I had to refuel at the 7-11 a block from the bottom. . Then do it again, this time in reverse starting with the full. . Crunch was busy and I was greeting folks up and down, and reaching out for the odd fist bump from any kids that were doing the climb. . Even bumped into @camboutin at the top of my first full who was powering his way up the mountain. Would’ve preferred discovering some of the trails he planned to go on, but I had work to do!!! . Ended up getting a little light-headed with a few climbs to go and thought about calling it quits. Likely a mix of the smoke I the air and me not getting enough water in. But then I actually thought of the elevation profile I was creating and thought I’d ruin it if I didn’t finish as planned. Runners can be so stubborn. . So I found the water pump near the public garden, sat down for a few minutes and drank over a litre. . Eventually found my bearings and got through the last up-downs, super pleased with the effort. . A couple hours later, legs feel pretty good. Had the wonky ankle braced and it held well. A little sore but manageable. . Now to pack and get some rest before flying out tomorrow morning to 38 degree Austin. Prepping for FIFA 19 launch and putting in a final week of serious heat training before I taper off! . . . #letsgo #enjoyeverystep #run #running #runner #instarunners #elevation #profile #runstagram #strava #stravarun #suunto #coquitlamcrunch #coquitlamcrunchchallenge #igrunners #trailrunning #ultra #ultrarunning #training #trailrunning #trail #coquitlam #wearetherunners #runaddict #climbing #hiking #pnwbc #tricities #fit #fitfam #fitness #nbrunning #newbalance #910v4 (at Coquitlam Crunch)

[sk88z]

It’s the first time in three years that I’m not participating in one of the Squamish50 races, and I’m definitely feeling the #FOMO. . However, after finishing the 50 miler last year, this year’s goal of finishing a 100k race is well within sights as I enter my last week of solid training before tapering off. . It’s been a roller coaster ride of a year with a great 50k race at Diez Vistas, followed by some not so great shorter races where I likely pushed too hard when I should’ve been recovering and ended up injuring an already bad ankle. . Fast forward to the last few weeks of discovering new trails in Whistler and on the island, and despite a slight roll again and a this recent bout of sickness, today’s run finally felt right. . So as I think about the year it’s been since last year’s 50 miler, I smile knowing that I’ve done the best I could given the obstacles I’ve faced. And I’m confident that I’ve got what it takes to cross that 100k finish! . And to those racing in Squamish this weekend, congratulations for getting to the line and an even bigger congrats for crossing that finish in whichever race you are challenging yourself with. . . . #letsgo #ultrarunner #enjoyeverystep #runnersofinstagram #wearetherunners #runaddict #suunto #strava #stravarun #suuntorun #instarunners #run #runner #running #runstagram #newbalance #nbrunners #igrunners #runhappy #runshots #trail #trailrunner #trailrunning #portmoody #rockypoint #pnw #pnwbc (at Rocky Point Pier)