April 04, 2008
Ultra-Crazy!
In this newsletter:
1. Washington Ulta Series Results
2. New Oregon 100!
3. Crazy Tips
- Running uphill
- Strong Feet
- Find your "Spot"
4. Past issues and how to subscribe
Please pass this newsletter to a friend!
1. Washington Ultra Series Results
The Chuckanut Results are now posted. The series will really start to shape up after the Capitol Peak 50 miler. All you math wizards may have figured out that to get the most points, you've got to do both 50 milers in the series. So if you are going for a win in your age group, start planning now for the Capitol Peak 50 miler, the price goes up after April 11th. All the future age group winners will be there!
2. New Oregon 100!
Olga Varlamova and Mike Bushwhacker Burke have scouted out a great route for the first 100 miler in Oregon. Taking advantage of the PCT and a time slot in late September, this could be a winner. Check out the Hundred in the Hood web site.
3. Crazy Tips
-Running Uphill with good posture
Running uphill comes easier for some more than others. Part of it is strength and stamina but no matter how strong you are, if you don't have the proper form, you may not be going uphill as efficiently as you should. Watch this
Scott Jurek video to learn how to correct your posture for running uphill.
- Strong Feet!
In the latest Ultrarunning Magazine there are two great articles about your feet. (*Major Crazy Tip - subscribe to ultrarunning mag*) John Vonhof, author of "Fixing Your Feet", wrote a great article about foot care for optimal performance. Other than fitting shoes, hot spots, and fixing blisters, he gave some foot training advice worth repeating. His ankle strengthing exercise is to stand on one foot, or even on a soft pillow, with arms outstreched. You should be able to do this for 30 seconds with your eyes closed!The other article had the "Toe Scrunch". With your shoes off, strongly curl your toes downward to make a fist with them. You should see well-defined knuckles on top at the bases of the toes. Hold the position for 5 seconds as hard as possible and repeat 5 times. This exercise strengthens the Arch, not just the toes, especially if you keep your ankle at about 90 degrees to the leg as if you were standing.
- Find Your "Spot"
There's a new device out there called "Spot" that is perfect for us ultra runners . This is a personal satellite messenger that allows you to send your gps coordinates to a friend or family's phone or computer, no matter where you are. Take this thing with you on a solo run in the mountains and if you run into trouble, hit a 911 button for help, or check in with the family with just a click of a button, letting them know where you are and that you're ok. It also sync's with google maps so people can track you from home! Check it out at findmespot It's available at REI.4. Past issues and how to subscribe
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