So much for running 100 miles at one pop! It’s time to go big again….this time from Missouri to California. It’s the 150th anniversary of the Pony Express Trail, so I’ll be teaming up with Red Bull to make it happen. It’s all gonna start in mid September after I crew for my wife at the Wasatch 100. More details to follow in the near future.
Before the mighty Pony Express 1840 miler, I’ll still run some big dances. Here’s the list:
Zane Grey 50mi, April 24. Jemez Mts 50mi, May 22 Hardrock 100mi, July 9 RD Speedgoat 50k, July 31 Tour Du Mont Blanc, August 28One might say I have a ”light schedule” this year. Not really the case, it’s more about focusing on winning Hardrock for a 6th time and running well at Mt. Blanc. After that it’s all gravy running across the country….well at least half of it.
This past weekend I attended the opening of the brand spankin’ new Red Bulls Soccer Stadium near NYC. Noone else goes above and beyond like Red Bull. First class accomodations, heli rides for athletes, Knicks game, Red Bulls Soccer game, NYC nightlife….you get the picture. I even got in a run between events…not a bad weekend in the big apple. The Speedgoat 50k is still continuing to fill quickly! It is approaching the 60% full mark. Don’t wait too long, we’re only allowed 200 runners, and at this rate the $89 rooms are gonna get snagged in a hurry. I’ll be off to Memphis on April 2, to promote a new store opening in the Memphis area, called “Breakaway Running”. If you are in the area, come join us for discounts, a cool trail run and perhaps a few beers afterwards. Guaranteed to be a fun time, and you may even find that these guys at the store know what they’re talking about.
Pony Express sounds like a logistical nightmare, but epic endeavor indeed! Can’t wait to see how it all comes together and would love to run awhile w/ the team whilst you bomb through Nebraska; should be in good spirits considering you won’t have more than a few hundy in the bank by then
Looks like a lot of flat running -straight into the wind- to me. Good Lord! btw - it doesn’t matter which way you run in Wyoming, the wind is in your face.
Might run west to east to avoid potential weather, how bout that for a tailwind.
The challenge is there, which is what I like. Flat or hilly, it’s running supported, first class accomodations.
I’ll have a few Hundreds in the bank, race wise, not too concerned about my account, I can live on rice and beans if I have to…but I’ll be eating first class all the way.
Red Bull is working logistics, it actually shouldn’t be too bad, we’re gonna scope it all first beforehand.
Wow! Races befor and after the pony. What kind of time are you shooting for the pony, or is it just for fun?
Can’t wait to see this go down. good luck! BTW nice job at C2M heard from the RD the weather was less than ideal. Sure helps to be from the granite state.
No races planned after the Pony Express. Timewise I’m thinking about 50 miles per day would bring me to the mailbox at 37 days. We’ll see, no real record to chase, only to establish.
There will be a website to watch it all go down. That’s in the works as well. I know more in a week or two.
We will love to follow your adventure as you cover the Pony Express! Good luck, plus good luck at ZG50, it is packed with several runners that will give you a good run for your money. I have my money on you but am pulling for some friends here in Arizona. Thanks for coming to Arizona and making the race interesting. You are a legand!
What’s amazing is not that you’ll be running half way across the country, but that you’re crewing and not running at Wasatch. That’s true love. Are you going to have another “Where’s Karl?” RV set-up? Are TrailAngelMary and all the ol’ naysayers gonna pop up out of the woodwork too? Here we go again…:) All I know for sure is that 37 days of drinkin’ Red Bull is gonna cause some serious damage to some part of your body.
I will have the RV set-up, and for sure there will be naysayers, that’s standard procedure. Hope to hear from them, I think they are very entertaining.
“All I know for sure is that 37 days of drinkin’ Red Bull is gonna cause some serious damage to some part of your body”.
Not the case Trail Clown, Red Bull gives you wings.
There will be a website, more info to come in the near future.
I’ve got shotgun during the weeks, right here at my friendly PC! But I reserve the right to pound the dirt on the weekends. Giddyup
Just living “the Dream” Karl. Except in your case it is reality. I’m all for Red Bull. I know it gives me wings
Any odds on the Erik Storheim/Ryan Burch/Scott Jaime slugfest tomorrow?
No odds now, too late, but I’ll pick Jaime, Burch, Storheim. 6:48 winning time. I’m volunteering so check back late tomorrow afternoon, and I’ll get results.
Ryan Burch and Scott Jaime were neck and neck all day! Scott Jaime had about a 400 meter lead with less than a mile to go, but pulled a “Roes” and made a wrong turn opening the door for Ryan Burch to cross the line first in around 6:32 ish. A CR! It was a great race to watch.
Lot’s of races won by “default” already this year.
Nick Clark put a few rookies behind him and won the 50k in 3:48, also lowering the CR, he looked strong. A few others stayed close early but faded back into the road marathoning scene. Nick is becoming a force. He’s off to a great start for 2010.
Buffalo Run results are posted here.
http://strideracing.com/2010/march/buffalorun.html
On a side note, Zach Gingrich obliterated the CR @ Umstead 100. Somewhere in the 13.50hr range. And to think he just ran 6:40 @ Land Between the Lakes 50M 2 weeks ago and set the CR there. And set the CR (37:59) @ Arrowhead 135 in February.
Flatlanders run fast in the flats. Something to think about.
Wow, with 3 months behind us in 2010, looks like Zach Gingrich has to be frontrunner for UROY.
Zach has zero desired to be a part of the UROY nonsense. Dude likes to stay low profile. Out of sight out of mind.
It’s pretty early, but yah, nice results. We’ll talk about it later.
Although fast, who did he beat? that matters.
It’s just running, that’s all.
Karl which Ryders sunglasses do you like?
Hello BL! I like the Ryders Flow or Shot the best. The airflow is great without the rim along the bottom of the lens. They also come with three sets of lenses which is cool.
Not to mention they are super light!
good luck for the pony express! i hope its a warm up for the AT next year. i am hoping to go for the GR20 record this year and would love some advice if you get a minute
Good luck at the UTMB
Squeaky! Go to my coaching page and contact me through my email.
We’re gonna rip the AT in 2011!
odds for the NF 50 in NY would be interesting. 2X defending champ, Leigh Schmitt, New England stud Ben Nephew, G. Redpath & Wrong Way Roes all running in about a month. Footing will play a major role, experiance vs speed, hmmmmm
And, I hope you “uber” rip the AT!!!!
Nice Tim, I’ll put that on my list. Roes will win. Done, anything else?
I will also be doing Zane Grey 50 odds, it’ll be a great race too.
No “uber” runner this time, or angry karl Photos.
The Pony Express Trail site will also be at Whereskarl.com. It’s in the works now. Wait till you see it, super cool.
That is an awesome adventure you have planned Karl. Keep those of us in the Deep South in mind when you’re heading our way late on our 2011 AT run. Would love to help out.
My friend and I have our own (shorter) adventure planned to start May 1st. Running the 335 mile Alabama-Georgia Pinhoti Trail.
http://pinhotitrailadventurerun.blogspot.com/
Goal is less than 6 days but will settle for a finish as this is the biggest adventure I’ve ever done. Fully supported by a great crew of friends.
Was just checkin out the entrants for Wasatch and saw both you and Cheryl on the list. Id heard you were crewing rather than running. Just holding a spot “just in case” or are you gonna school the field again?
Also really looking forward to you seeing what you and Roes can do in Europe. Forget fighting moose and bears, go fight some alps! Best wishes with all your adventures this year.
I am only crewing at Wasatch, my name is on the list, but that’s because I did plan on running until the Pony Express Trail came about.
Because there is no “wait list”, it doesnt’ matter if I take it off or not…unfortunately.
No Miwok either? I saw your name on the list. I take it that Zane Grey and Jemez will be of more benefit for HR and UTMB. The field at MiWok looks like a decent one on the mens side: Krupicka, Koerner, Bien, Skaden, Gingerich, Redpath, Rennacker, Yanko. I see Wardian pulled out as well. It will be nice to see Krupicka get back to form.
I was on the list at Miwok? didn’t know that…
ZG and Jemez are more my style…..some technicality to it. That helps this old man. Miwok should be a great race, I suppose I’ll put that on the “odds” list…to do.
ZG and Jemez are perfect line-ups for my season. I’ve run them both before, so I know the deal. What really matters is HR and Mt. Blanc in terms of races. The Pony Express Trail is simply icing on the cake.
Either way, I’d like to run each of these race one of these days. So many good ones out there. Look forward to the “odds” coming out. Next up AR50?
I’m gonna try to get in AR50, that’s always a great race competitively.
Well, hopefully you can get in. You should be able to based on experience, but you know those “RD’s”. Sometimes it doesn’t matter who you are when it comes to entering a race. Not mentioning any names of course.
Craig, that was a misprint. I meant I’m gonna try to get in the “odds” on the race. I’ll never run there again. It’s boring, flat, not my style.
At the same time, a great race to watch.
I was wondering when you said that. Good for you! Stick to the mountains. Alot more to see for sure.
That’s great you are doing the Pony Express. We’ll be running the Pony Express 50 and 100 in west Utah Desert on Oct 15-16. If you are going west to east, I’m guessing you would be far away. I’ve run about 700 miles on the trail. It is nice to feel a piece of history. You’ll enjoy the Nevada/Utah dirt road sections. Our race site is at: http://ponyexpress100.org/
Karl, good luck on the Pony Express. What a cool opportunity. Run fast and get to Utah by Oct 15th and you can run the last half of Davy’s race. Having run a small chunk of the PE trail I can sympathize with what you are in for; dust, wind, sage brush, antelope, wild horses, and miles or road stretching out in front of you as far as the eye can see. Dreamy? Not for the faint at heart. Good luck.
On October 15, I hope to be somewhere in Eastern Wyoming. We’ll see, I”m going West to East. yah, lots of straight road, but that’s part of the challenge. I like challenges.
Just for fun I’d like to add: on the NF 50M in NY, note the names Brian Rusicki, some blow out CR in our little New England region, and Amy Lane for the women, same deal, she had some great CR also in 2009. Both I believe are on the entrants list.
Try out some odds for our little Northeast race :0)
The NF 50 in NY is a great course. If only the website for the race had an entrants list. One of the biggest challenges to doing some odds are having a current list. NF does NOT do a clean job on there website. Please correct me if I’m wrong, but I don’t see an entrants list currently available. NF has a history of not getting a current list until the last minute…if they even do that.
Yes, Brian Rusiecki is a fast one, just ran second behind Leigh Schmitt at Bull Run. He’ll be a contender for sure.
http://www2.thenorthface.com/endurancechallenge/registered.html
Only a few top contenders show up on this list but you already called the race, “Roes will win, Done”. Then you mysteriously mentioned No “uber” runner this time, or angry karl Photos for the Pony. I still have yet to see an angry Karl picture!
4/1/10 11:00ish AM
Don’t count out Leigh Schmitt if he runs as well. This one could turn into a real battle. 1)Roes, 2) Schmitt, 3) Rusiecki
Glen Redpath(?) & Ben Nephew too!
Tim, hard to imagine me angry. I don’t recall ever really being angry. I never really liked the photo on whereskarl.com. I didn’t approve that one. It’s ok, just makes me look like I’m staring down at people. I am the last person to feel like I’m better than anyone else.
Schmitt might hang with Geoff for a little while, but Geoff has to feel somewhat invincible right now. It would be great for Leigh to win it, just to put it into perspective that Geoff can be beaten. At this point, I would think only Tony, Ulli, and Matt C could beat him. Tony K is the real mystery too, we don’t really know what kind of “race shape” he is in. We know he can run a ton of miles…and is dang fast. Hopefully he’ll throw something quick down before the track meet in Auburn.
I’m wondering if Geoff will run Miwok now??
Yes, it will be interesting to see what kind of shape Tony K is in. His mileage is definitely high the last 4-5 wks 152,168,170,170. The altitude training is definitely there. My guess is that at MiWok he will be there to lay one down. And it would be “finally” sweet to see him show at WS. Geesh! The talent that will be there this year has to rival 2009. I know Jurek/Mackey won’t be there, but with Bragg, Koerner, Roes, Lewis, Miller, Omine, Schmitt, Skaden, Krupicka would more then make up for it. Geesh!
Don’t forget Killiam Jornet! This Western could be the best field ever.
According to this comment by Scott Dunlap on Roes blog it looks like he may just be doing that:
“Sub 5:50 is crazy fast! Nice transition to the roads. And the California curse is now lifted, just in time for Miwok and States!
Glad to hear you will be around for Miwok…I think you’ll find the climbs to be more up your alley. SD”
Hey Craig, if you are referring to me being around for Miwok, strike two. I may be on the list, as I was invited to run, but turned it down due to the fact I wanted to run Jemez. yah, I know, there is more comp at Miwok, but after running the NF50 there a few years ago, I see it’s mostly a road race….we’ll very hard packed dirt. I will agree it’s plenty hilly, which is good for me, but I need some nasty rocks, some washed out gullies, and some more junk to get excited about it. Jemez has all that, not to mention I’m tying in a visit with family in New Mexico.
I don’t think Geoff should run Miwok, unless there is a carrot at the finish line. If he doesn’t run, he’ll let two other fast guys get in WS. Tony K of course..hopefully, and someone else super fast.
As far as me qualifying for WS there. I won’t even bother, I won’t finish top 2 there anyway. Hardrock is my dance, it’s much more fun for me.
And yes, Killian at WS. I think he’ll get smoked, only cuz’ he’s shown great prowess at big mountain courses. WS is only a hilly course early…..and freakin’ hot. Hope I’m wrong though,it’s gonna be a great one to watch.
I think it’s about time the WS board puts some carrots out there for fast men and women…..at least $2500 to win it. It would make it more interesting for the guys up front…who certainly deserve it. It should really be $10,000, then we’d have a stronger international field as well.
I guess we’ll keep running for silly buckles, cool cougar trophies, rocks on wood, golden skulls….I could buy all that stuff with the cash….OK, I’m rambling.
Does Uli get his name in the mix for Western? I’d love to see him and Krupicka throw down.
Oh, I know you aren’t running MiWok. No reason to really with the big mountains on the horizon.
I agree. Geoff shouldn’t run MiWok either. Really of no benefit to him other then to pin another possible win on his belt. Bigger fish to fry at WS and beyond.
Yeah. I forgot about that Jornet guy. Obviously a “great” mountain runner, but only time will tell whether he can hang with the likes of the field at WS. And it will be loaded.
And you are right! There should be some kind of purse for winning WS. Make it interesting for the guys up front aside from winning that coveted cougar. Maybe one day if a sponsor decides to cough up some moola.
Ulli isn’t “qualified”. He’d have to run one of those races to get in….which we all know he’d do just fine.
Time to update your post!
I love you!
OK, I’m getting some grief, look for Zane Grey odds on Monday.
I don’t see how Geoff could get in to Miwok when it’s been full with a wait list.
Anton has pretty much worn down the 8k peaks of Boulder.
Hey cheryl,
Karl likes to see how many comments he can get on one post - kinda like how many friends you can get on facebook…
And Karl - bring some GOOD bier to ZG! Friends don’t let friends drink Busch
Comments….I’m just lazy sometimes…been busy. You are right though, it is time for some new material!
And since my wife is giving me some grief, I better get on it.
What is facebook anyway? Do we really need to tell friends where we are all the time? How do I log in?
You don’t like Busch, what about Milwaukee’s Best. It is the best in Milwaukee. I’ll make sure I have a beer waiting for you at the finish line…unless I drink them first.
whad’ya mean?? Are you just going to watch? I don’t get it then… how are you gonna have a beer waiting for me? …Oh. Maybe you’ll tell your crew to have one for me when I get to Christopher Creek, right? If not then I’ll make sure I save one of mine for you… Milwaukee’s Best or PBR in the can is fine with me!
Ha! Facebook. what a funny thing that is…
NEW MATERIAL - WE NEED IT!
Silly man, I have no crew for this one, it’s only 50 miles.
I’ll put the beer in Christopher Creek for ya, it should have plenty of time to get cold.