Just a few more days till registration goes live for the Speedgoat 50k! Reserve your spot for the toughest 50k in the US. After some new mapping, I’ve found there to be 11,945′ of climb and descent. Throw in a few rocks, snow, scree, billy goats on the ridge, and 200 crazy runners, and we’ll have a race for $500 bucks!
We are also close for the announcement of “Ultrarunner of the Year”. There’s been lots of talk about last year, and how many stellar performances there were. They were everywhere, from the flats to the mountains. Big wins with big comp, big wins with little comp, fast performances all around. Who’s it gonna be? We’ll find out in a few weeks at Ultrarunning.com.
Next year? Still somewhat debating, but I’ve managed to send in 3 apps so far…..Hardrock, Mt. Blanc, and Wasatch. The only tough one is Mt. Blanc. Hardrock and Wasatch are guaranteed for me, so I can’t complain. Hopefully we’ll have strong competition at these two races. Of course Mt. Blanc will have some fast Europeans. Maybe if I get in, I can see how fast Mr. Jornet really is…cuz’ I don’t think we really know yet. It’s time for the US boys to show a presence there. We haven’t had our best runs there yet.
I haven’t run since the Chimera 45ish race. I’ve been on a battery recharge for the past few weeks. This is the first time I’ve taken a significant time off after a long season. My batteries are now 95% charged, once the last 5% loads, I’m heading out, and never turning back…. even to see if someone is on my tail. As I get older, I’ll probably be looking forward more often. 
Thanks to all my personal sponsors for jumping on board for 2010. Red Bull, La Sportiva, First Endurance, Nathan hydration packs, Ryders Eyewear, Petzl, and Backcountry.com. Without these guys, I couldn’t do what I do. It’s an honor to have a line-up of sponsors like this….the best in the business!
Backcountry.com is now having the after Christmas blowout sales, so check it out if Santa didn’t bring every request down the chimney, I’d be willing to bet BC.com has what you need.
Thanks for the update Karl! Whichever race(s) you decide to do, there is no doubt you will put your best hoof forward. Nice to see you have the support backing you as well. No doubt you’ve earned and will continue to earn it. A little down time doesn’t hurt anyone, but I know what you mean by wanting to get back out there and do what you do best and enjoy. Happy New Year to ya!!!
Yes!
Bonnes fêtes,
I hope I could meet you in Chamonix on August! I’ll be there for reporting and cheer
Stéphane — I hope I could meet you at Hardrock too, but the lottery is not as easy than for UTMB!
What a great race you put on. Might as well throw in a another 55ft. of climbing to make it an even 12,000.
Now now, we want to keep the number exact! It’s more entertaining then fun!
Snow, scree and billy goats? This one could be hard to pass up. Sorry to hear about the Chimera blowout…those conditions are guaranteed every 2 to 3 years on saddleback. Not a good time for a 100 miler. I’m surprised they chose December.
Good luck this year Karl. So, no AT record attempt for 2010? Would love to see you smash it! Check this out.. http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?t=57229 You guys could battle it out……. You would be the young guy!!!
I think you’ll have a pretty good idea of how fast Kilian is at WS
JB, I know he’s fast, it’ll be interesting to see if he’s “carpenter-esque” or will fall to the pressure. Cuz’ everyone is gonna be watching him and expecting him to smoke it. Western is the race with the most pressure, and alot of top runners have gone down there when they were expected to challenge for the win. Haven’t seen how well he does in 110 degree weather yet, that’s always a factor.
I’ll be watching, but not racing. I can’t get in.
I’ll be the first to say, that if Anton can back in to the shape he was in during the spring of 2008 then he will be hard to beat at western. Had the race not been cancelled he would have given the CR a real test.
Big G, absolutely, Anton was ready to go. I was too, for the first time in a while, being somewhat rested. Anton would have smoked me, but I think somewhere in the mid-high 16’s is doable for me. Funny how that year I was invited and it got cancelled, I had my chance for fame!