2009 Ultrarunning Calendar

The Ultrarunning Calendar with pictures by Glenn Tachiyama is now for sale! The lovely calendar is just what you need: all the trail / ultraruns are already listed, so just circle your goal race and check the picture for motivation. Sells for $18.00. All proceeds go to The Washington Trails Association, which manages the land for many ultras in the NW. Here's a preview of the 2009 calendar: http://www.pbase.com/gtach/2009calendar

Glenn is sending me a box of calendars in the first week of December, so you can simply tell me -Jamie Mieras- that you want one at a run or by e-mail jmieras@gmail.com

Payment by check / cash happens when I hand it to you at a WMRC run in December (first / second week). I can also accommodate another time to pick up the calendar if required.

Thanks! Jamie

WMRC Run Reminder for 11/19/08

Hello all. We are on for an hour+ trail run at an easy to moderate pace. Game time- 5:16am on Wed at the top lot of SQ PK DR.

What a great weekend by the WMRC – Javalina Jundred went off in Fountain Hills. Jamil Coury, race director put on a great show. He organized great weather and a huge entrants list. Way to give back Jamil, Great job!
ROW award could go to so many people but it is tough not to give it to Michael Chen- He completed his first 100 mile trail run at Javalina (28hrs) this weekend smiling the whole way. He has inspired me to start running again. That is the only race I am afraid of and he flew thru it with blisters the size of my dog on both feet. I am sure he is sore today but still smiling. Welcome to the club Michael!! You should be very proud! Bear Down!!!

Runner up goes to Andrew Heard who finished in 17 hrs and 2nd place overall. Why does 2nd pl. get runner-up? He always gets 2nd, when he wins, he’ll get runner of the week. He didn’t train very hard but his own admission and agreed that rest is more important than training. So I am doing this right, I will start training for WS 100 in May. Just in time to taper. Great job Andrew, Lucky, my ass!
Very honorable mention- Debbie Leftwich- she completed her 194th 100 mile race this year. But seriously, she cruises thru Javalina like it is easy. Her last lap was probably as fast as her first. She just knows how to run that course. Great job Debbie!

Other WMRC Javelina 100 Runner notables: Nick Coury, Joanne Hughes & Gary Culver. Nice work!

Other notable WMRC pacers and aid workers: Higg, Honey, Jeff Jones, Jeff McCoy, Jody, Robert Andrulis, Nathan Coury and John Roig. Also, Jamie Mieras working her magic foot repair at race headquarters.

Lots of stories, reports and photos to come. In the meantime Check out JJ's video:

See you Wednesday. Cosmas.

Javalina Jundred from Jeff Jones on Vimeo.

Javelina 100 updates

Jamil and the Javelina race crew are posting updates and photos on the javelina blog.

Here is the link http://javelinajundred.blogspot.com/

Looks like Nick Coury and Chris Harrison are running also??

WMRC Run Reminder for 11/12/08

The Drill: Group trail run in the Phoenix Mountain Preserve Wednesday 11/12 5:15 AM meet at the very top lot of Squaw Peak Drive, North of Glendale Ave. Plan on a little over one hour run. Headlamps are now needed for most of the run.

Runner of the week goes to Kate McCarville for running the Mad Dog 50K in Scottsdale. 5:09:38. Great job Kate. Make sure Kirk makes room on the mantel for your ROW.

Up next this weekend is the Javelina Jundred 100 mile trail run in the McDowell Mountain Park, Fountain Hills Arizona. Some WMRC notables to keep track off: Andrew Heard, Michael Chen, Debbie Leftwich, Joanne Hughes and Gary Culver. Good luck to you all!!!

Grand Canyon Running - Rim to River to Rim

I joined in on a run in the Grand Canyon on October 27th with my brother Nick, our friend Brian McKinley from Flagstaff, and Jenn Shelton from Ashland, Oregon. Jenn won the World of Hurt ultra marathon the weekend prior and wanted some friends to take here on a run in the canyon. We started down the South Kaibab trail on a spectacular day and reached the Canteen at Phantom Ranch a short time later. After drinking way too much of their really strong lemonade, we headed back up to the top of the south rim via the Bright Angel trail. The up part was especially tough for me since I had not run more than 2 miles total in the previous 7 weeks. Ouch! We all made it to the top, Nick and Jenn smiling while leading the pack, me trudging along well behind them, and Brian in the back (he qualified for Boston at the Denver marathon the week prior). Brian's famous words at the top, "Never Again" were later history as he now can't wait to go back. I was so sore for the next week that I could barely walk! A run in Grand Canyon is truly breathtaking and I was never "higher" on life than I was running down the South Kaibab trail. It can also be said that the climb out can be one of the biggest "lows" if you are undertrained!Lesson of the day: do not try to ride the free Grand Canyon shuttles with no shirt on (they yell at you and will kick you off). A big thanks to the tourists who lent Nick and I a shirt so we didn't have to walk back to our car! Jamil

Cave Creek Trail Marathon Fun Run January 25, 2009

When: January 25th, 2009

Time: 7:30 AM

Where: Spur Cross Conservation Area

Cave Creek, Arizona

Distance: 26.2 Miles with 6,200' elevation gain

Hydration: 60 oz. Minimum to start

Aid Station: There is one aid station at the 12 mile mark. It will have all the regular ultra type food.

Jody Chase would like to invite my running friends to participate in another trail run in beautiful Tonto National Forest. This is only a gathering of friends who enjoy each other's company, the trails and would like to train on this gorgeous loop in a semi supported fashion. I will provide water/aid at the "top" of the loop, approximately 12 miles and will mark the course so I don't lose anyone. Maps will be provided. Although you are responsible for your own direction finding and well being. Donations of $10.00 will be graciously accepted. Whatever is left over after I pay for aid station supplies will be given to charity or other needy entity. This is a tough course that is not for the timid. The average finishing time is 6 hours. If you are not familiar with trail running, trail finding, trail etiquette, are ill-equipped, do not hydrate or are not prepared for the rigors, challenges of trail running in Arizona's back country, please wait another year. Search and rescue are not in my budget. Otherwise, for those who meet the above criteria, I would love to see you in January as some of the toughest runners in the valley gather to share a great run.

For additional information contact Jody Chase at: ultrachase_1@yahoo.com

Grand Canyon Double Crossing Video

WMRC Next Run Reminder for 11/5/08

Another week, another Wednesday morning group run. 5:15 AM top lot squaw peak drive. 5-minute rule applies. Plan on a run of 1 hour and 5 minutes, slow to moderate pace. (If Higg has pacing duties). Last week's run was awesome. It was so great the leader lost track of time and went a little long. Sorry if anyone got into trouble getting to work late. A doctor's note is available upon request. If you are a doctor then a jury summons can be worked out.

Nice little adventure for Honey, Chip, Dave, Jody and Joe this weekend. They went to the Grand Canyon an did a rim 2 rim 2 rim (double crossing). Approximately 46 miles. Runner of the week goes to Dave C. who completed this run for the first time. It was also his longest run to date.

Check out Joe's photos of the run here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/8409896@N07/sets/72157608601443978/


ROW runner-up goes to Blue Cosmas who still won't let Mark take off the "Super Dog" outfit 3 days after Halloween. Don't be surprised to see Blue out there Wednesday in his new threads. Do be surprised if Mark is still wearing that goofy referee costume!

Lastly, Jeff Jones has been busy uploading some of his running videos from trips and races. If you haven't seen it check out the one he did a few months ago after his first 100 mile foot race, Big Horn 100. One of my favorites. The scenery and music are great. The reflection period during the night very touching. Check it out below:

Big Horn 100 from Jeff Jones on Vimeo.