Ten Years of Blogging

It’s hard to believe that I’ve been blogging for ten years now. This project started as a mistake late at night while I couldn't sleep. While reading a runner’s blog post about the Tahoe Rim Trail Endurance Runs, I accidentally clicked on the Google “Blogger” icon. I didn’t know anything about blogging and was even quite new to Facebook and social media in general. When I clicked on the icon it said something to the effect of, “create your own blog” so I started poking around and, before you know it, I had a template set up and was on my way.

W. Texas, wide open spaces

I sometimes refer to my blog as my insomnia cure, because most of my posts are certain to loll you to sleep. Nevertheless, every significant running adventure of the last 10 years is documented including race reports, adventures with my dogs, vacations to national parks and our family’s ranch on the border and other ultramarathon related posts. I get a lot of questions especially from non runners about why I do what I do. They find it strange that anyone would run all day, all night and part of the next day, but this is what humans have done for eons while hunting, gathering and living as nomads. Therefore, I created a frequently asked questions page to answer everyone's questions about my strange lifestyle. Like this one: Aren't you addicted to running?

Taz sporting his new serape

Gambler

In 2009 when I began bogging there weren’t many books on ultrarunning so most of us learned how to run long through the internet; perusing runners’ blogs for information on how to train, fuel and hydrate while covering distances of 50-100 miles. However, shortly after I started my blog, Christopher McDougall released the famous book, Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen which started the trail running boom. Trail running exploded and many books about ultrarunning were published by elite runners and coaches. Crazier races started to pop up, new shoe companies were born and people even started to make their living by hosting trail running events.

Franklin Mountains State Park

Sweet acacia

Texas spotted whiptail lizard

I’m not writing as much as I used to, but am still running as much as ever and taking a lot of pictures that are featured on my running gallery and wildlife gallery pages. Even though two of my races were cancelled this year due to heavy rain and snow pack, I still managed to run several races I had never run before and also ran Grand Canyon R2R2R. I also finished two of my annual events, the Jemez 50 Miler in Los Alamos, NM and the Bataan Memorial Death March at White Sands Missile Range, NM.

Barrel Cactus in bloom

Unfortunately, I had one DNF at the Wildland 52K in Jemez Springs, NM when I fell near the end and dislocated my shoulder. I considered finishing the race, but thought better of it since I was using trekking poles and didn’t know how steep or treacherous the last five miles would be. My shoulder has mostly healed now and I plan to start training with poles again next month to get ready for the Lone Star 100K in the Franklin Mountains in El Paso, TX. I finished this race in 23:45 earlier this year and hope to better my time next year. 

Gambel's Quail

I also had my first finish at the Old Pueblo 50 Miler in Sonoita, AZ south of Tuscon. A rare snowfall before the race blanketed the surrounding mountains in white, but made for an extremely wet course with somewhere in the neighborhood of 30 ankle deep stream crossings. Nothing like slogging through 50 miles with numb toes! The highlight of my 2019 though, was a life changing double crossing of the Grand Canyon. The beauty of this natural treasure is unmatched and the challenge of climbing out of the deep chasm after covering 40 miles is enough to test anyone’s mettle. 

Checkered garter snake

Recently I’ve been running with my life coach and personal trainer, Taz since the rattlesnakes have mostly gone into hiding to wait out the winter. He tags along behind me on my daily route at the Lost Dog Trail near my neighborhood. Taz is part Xoloitzcuintli or Mexican Hairless of ancient Aztec fame. Xolos were created by the God of Lightning and Death to guard humans and guide the dead into the underworld. Taz is always happy to guide and guard me especially since I’m the keeper of the bacon! Since he is hairless we bought him a new coat that matches his namesake; a poncho made from an authentic Mexican serape. 

Lucky

Harry (Potter)

I had a great Thanksgiving at our family’s ranch in West Texas where I ran in the borderland with the ranch dogs. I’m always most thankful for my health and opportunities to spend in the great outdoors soaking in the vast desert views and spectacular sunrises and sunsets. Downtime enjoying great food with family can’t be beat; so we did plenty of that too. I’m looking forward to many more running adventures in the years to come. Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

See you on the trail.