Author Archive for Speedgoat Karl

The Pony Express Trail is ON!

Published
by
Speedgoat Karl
on March 24, 2010
in Pony Express Trail and Speedgoat 50K
. 60 Comments

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 28

One 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. :-)

 

Leor Pantilat wins Way Too Cool……by default. Joelle Vaught takes the women’s title.

Published
by
Speedgoat Karl
on March 15, 2010
in Race Updates and Speedgoat 50K
. 15 Comments

By Default?  Yah, while hanging at the Way Too Cool 50k this past weekend, it was quite entertaining to watch the race from the other side of the fence.  I made the best of it and went for a 10 mile run and put myself out on the course to watch where no other spectators were.   At the Goat Hill aid station, mile 26.8, Max King, Geoff Roes, and Leor Pantilat were all together.  It was shaping up to be a great battle the last 4 miles.  I was sitting across a meadow where I could see a few minutes back.  Once I saw all three guys, I started running towards the finish line, thinking they would catch me.  They didn’t catch me, but I waited at the last aid station where there is only 1.3 miles to go to the finish.  Leor came in first, with a 3 minute gap over Max King.  Where was Geoff Roes?…..he was running on some other trail where he got off course….OUCH!  Geoff had the race in his pocket, but only to find he had burnt a hole in it running so fast.  Wrong way, lost 15 minutes…ended up third. Leor looked good at the end, but in Leor’s words….”Geoff was gone, and would have won”.  These things happen in ultras………..I guess it’s a good thing there’s no real prize money. :-)

Joelle Vaught returned to Way Too Cool after finishing 3rd last year.  She had some stiff comp from “expected winner” Kami Semick.  Joelle turned in a stellar performance running 4:13 to make it her second win at WTC, not too far off Susannah Beck’s record pace set on the old course. Kami Semick dropped for some reason, Bev Abbs ran second around 4:26, Darcy Africa ended 3rd a few minutes behind.  Both races were great to watch.  This one always brings in strong talent, and this year was no exception.

The Speedgoat 50k is now over half full, and I can now expect it to fill up early as entries continue to trickle in.  If you are thinking about running, time to make the committment and get’ er done.  Only 97 entries available at this point. 

This weekend I will travel to NYC for the opening of the new Red Bull Stadium, in support of the “New York Red Bulls” Futbol team.  (Soccer for all you US folks! ) :-) I don’t think I’ll be moving around like the guy in the video, however, it will be an extreme honor to hang with fellow olympians, Shaun White, Lyndsey Vonn, and all the other Red Bull athletes this weekend.  I hope I can hold my own in this crowd.  I’ll just be myself and be entertained in many different ways. 

Coyote Two Moon results are up now.  For the second straight effort, I finished 4 minutes behind the “winner” in this year’s event.  Although I was easily the fastest one to complete the distance, it doesn’t really matter here, it’s who has the most fun.  Although, I can say I was right in there in the “fun” catagory. 

I will have to add that this was my 29th 100 mile win in 44 starts.  The time counts in my book!

El Nino-0, and a peak at the moon!

Published
by
Speedgoat Karl
on March 8, 2010
in Race Updates
. 12 Comments

No other run on the planet is quite like the Coyote Two Moon 100.  150 crazy mountain runners get the opportunity to run 100 miles through the beautiful mountains of Ojai, California.  Our pre-race runs at Pt. Mugu state park began the fun.  Pt. Mugu is a cool place, views of the ocean on prime singletrack….a pretty nice place to go for a run after 11 straight hours at the wheel.

This years’ weather was typical for southern California…..rainy and snowing above about 4000′.  Yah, that’s right, my second 100 mile race in a few months in So. Cal in a snowstorm.  It rained and snowed most of the event, with the summit of Topa Topa catching about 5″ of new snow during the night of the race.   Crazy stuff, but this storm was a calm one, unlike the previous at the Chimera 100 where the winds topped 50 mph.  C2M was doable….and we even got a peak at the moon at about 4:00am.  The moon was bright, and one of the many reasons to come to this event.

It all starts early with the slowest runners starting first with 40 hours to get it done.  I started last with 22 hours to make the cut-off.  There was pressure, so I had to keep the throttle down.  I managed to keep the throttle down, although I’ll have to say, it wasn’t working as well with 15 miles to go.  I was still jogging…so I guess that’s acceptable.   The stats:

32 of 150 finished between both the 100k and 100 mile races!  That’s about a 21% finish rate….pretty low.  The beauty of it was, only one guy went over Topa Topa for a few hours, and still found his way back…no worries.

Fastest guy to cover the course in real time…Me, 21:05.  Second was Jared Campbell in 23:15 ish.  My guess is Betsy Nye was the fastest lady around 29:08 ish . That’s all I have on results.  The true results will be posted here, most likely Friday sometime,  after all of our boner and bonus minutes are added/subtracted from our overall times.

Best bowling score:  I don’t know :-)

Best race: C2M, a killer course, in a class of it’s own.

Off to the other “Moon”

Published
by
Speedgoat Karl
on February 27, 2010
in Uncategorized
. 13 Comments

This coming weekend, the Coyote Two Moon 100 mile and 100k will all begin early Friday morning March 5th.  What’s unique about this race?  Both races run simultaneously with staggered starts.  How cool is that?  I get to start last, 3 hours behind Jared Campbell.  I’ll start at Noon on Saturday and have 22 hours to get er’ done.  If I don’t finish by 10am on Sunday morning, I don’t make the cut-off…..not make the cut-off?  Yah, I better keep on moving.  This race boasts 28,000′ of gain, up and down the Ojai ridge, all under the light of a full moon…well….. almost full.

It all begins on Thursday with the traditional “Ray Miller Loop” at Pt. Mugu state park, from there we’ll go bowling where we’ll consume some beverages hoping to earn “bonus minutes”, from king doofus himself, Chris Scott, the RD.  A talent show, a few meals, and off we go into the darkness.  Nothing like another day at the office for me, it’s only 100 miles! 

Well, I made the 11 hour drive straight to Pt. Mugu, jumped out of the car and threw down Ray Miller Loop #1.  Loop #2, starts in an a few hours, then we’ll put on the bowling “game face”.  In the Meantime, check out Wednesday night’s talent show winner!  http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=Gravityh#p/u/0/AbrpJ7tFZc8

Here I am with the leaders Twirlybird hat in 2008, on my way to victory in 19:24!

Don’t forget to register for the beating at the Speedgoat 50k on July 31, the race is filling faster than ever nearing the 50% full stage.  The goats are out there, you should be too!

To the Moon!

Published
by
Speedgoat Karl
on February 12, 2010
in Race Updates
. 20 Comments

Valentines day weekend always brings the best race in Moab to the plate.   The Red Hot 50k.  Always a great tune-up and preview of some of the best running in the Rocky Mountain area.  This year is standard procedure.  Noone really stands out to win.  I guess I would be the favorite if looking at last year’s results, but with my last 2 months, I have no idea how I’ll do.  I think the record will easily remain intact, making it a better race for the leaders.  Many of us are in the same league.  For me it’s all about the tune-up for the Coyote Two Moon 100 on March 6th.

RED HOT RESULTS FOUND HERE  ……it went pretty well!  Off the couch.

In the meantime, check out the preview of Backcountry.com’s semi annual sale. Lots of stuff 60% off.  Mostly winter gear….you know the routine, time to blow out the warehouse and fill er’ back up with summer schwag.  

Check out some more interesting info on First Endurance.  These guys have been taking care of me for years and this is good evidence why I’m still running strong at the old age of 42.  Check it out here.

Don’t forget to register for a beating at the Speedgoat 50k!

It’s been a slow start to 2010!

Published
by
Speedgoat Karl
on January 30, 2010
in Race Updates and Speedgoat 50K
. 24 Comments

For me that is!  Performances continue to be stellar!

My 20 day hiatus from running in December had done me good!  My legs turned fresh again, and I was ready to roll.  I started back up and in two weeks, I was up to speed, feeling good and ready to have a decent run at the Moab 50k+ on February 13th.  I am still running Moab, but it’s starting to look like I’ll be in for just the fun of it,  as the past week I’ve logged a big 0 for miles.  Why?…You’ll have to ask me on the side, but things are improving and I should be back running in a few more days. 

The real question is:  Do I have that “autopilot” mode I know all too well?, or am I actually out of shape?  No Joe, I’m not sandbagging.  I’m by no means out of shape, but it’ll be interesting to see how I do with essentially very little miles under my belt over the  past 6-7 weeks.  Good thing it’s February.

On March 6th, the real test will come with the “autopilot” mode as I’ll be back at the big party in Ojai, California.  Something they call Dos Lunas.  A little bowling and some other entertaining events should make it fun no matter what happens. 

The cash has now been sent to Chamonix, so I’m committed to flying for 9 hours straight.  I’m not looking forward to flying for 9 hours to Geneva, but this one is worth every minute on that damn plane.   Geoff Roes and I plan on showing the great european runners that the US still has a couple fast 100 mile guys on the planet.   This time I’ll get my “unfinished business” in Chamonix taken care of.

No doubt the fast guys on the start line will be eyeing us this time…just like 2007.

Enough about me……

This coming weekend the Rocky Raccoon 100 happens down in Texas.  It’s been snowing in northern Texas.  Although it’ll probably melt quick, who knows, maybe it’ll snow on them this year.  It’s been quite a year in the weather department.   Here’s how I see the race panning out:

The Ladies:

1. Jamie Donaldson….becoming a 100 mile legend
2. Connie Gardner….her type of terrain
3. Anita Ortiz….she’s a mountain girl, but who knows
4. Jenny Chow….not as fast, but she ran a bunch of 100s last year too, and pretty quick

The Men:

1. Greg Crowther….fastest guy, somewhat of a rookie, but hey, 5:50 at JFK puts him on top
2. Nick Coury….he’ll team up with his bro
3. Jamil Coury….ditto
4. Dink Taylor…..he told me he’d never run 100 after Leadville?  he’s addicted
5. Scott Eppelman….his neck of the woods
6. Paul Hopwood….just ran HURT, so we’ll see how he recovers
7. John Allen….Utah boy tapping into 100s.  He’s got some speed.
8. Jimmy Dean Freeman….if he eats enough sausage, he’ll have a great day

Speedgoat 50k filling fast, time to enter now and commit!

Backcountry.com still makes deals even this time of year.  Check em’ out here, or pay full price somewhere else.

Check out what I’ve been shoveling over the past 7 weeks here….real live fun…kid style!

I’m still shaking my head!

Published
by
Speedgoat Karl
on January 17, 2010
in Uncategorized
. 34 Comments

It appears as though the HURT 100 mile record has gone down AGAIN.   Gary Robbins and Tracy Garneau appear to have both broken previous records.  Gary by just 16 minutes, Tracy by alot more than that.  What is this world coming too?   Or am I just getting old?   20:12 for Gary, 24:06 for Tracy.  Nuts!  Another performance of the year performance, and it’s only January 16.   I still need a confirmation as I’m dumbfounded. 

In a brief conversation with my dad about “Ultrarunner of the Year“, he mentioned to me how all the guys in the top 10 were quite a bit younger than I.  Me being 42 ( I was voted 2nd ) and most of the others in there early 30’s or 20’s.  Maybe I should move forward to the Masters Division?  I just can’t think that way, I feel alot younger than that, at least in my brain.

Congrats to all that have now finished and will be finishing in the next 14 hours.  Enjoy the stellar meal at the country club.  First class all the way. 

And now that you’ve finished ( or will be finishing the HURT 100 ) enjoy the rest,  it’s well deserved.  Now we can watch Mr. Greg Crowther see if he goes under the record at the Rocky Racccoon 100.  It wouldn’t surprise me, what are these guys doing……levitating? 

In a few days the drawing is held for the Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc.  Geoff Roes and I are both on the list to hopefully get in and give the Europeans another shot at kicking our american asses.  I think Geoff and I have other plans on that one.

Don’t forget the Speedgoat 50k is filling fast, click here to find all pertinent info on the toughest 50k in the US.  And now theres some prize money to entice you fast “young” guys out there. 

I better go run, cuz’ if I don’t start training hard now, I will be a master!

Drumroll please!

Published
by
Speedgoat Karl
on January 8, 2010
in Award category, Race Updates and Speedgoat 50K
. 13 Comments

On Monday morning Ultrarunning Magazine will announce the “Ultrarunners of the Year”.  Who’s it gonna be?  All we know is that it’s a tough vote.  So many variables, so many races, so many different circumstances, so many different courses.  I could go on and on and on, but I won’t.  Tune in Monday morning after I see the results for my two cents on the voting.  Some will rank higher than expected, some lower, some will see no love, some will be loved.   All for what?  Yah,  recognition, but not even a buckle?  :-)  

Like many other races, the Speedgoat 50k is filling much faster than last year, it’s amazing how this is evolving in our world.   If you don’t like a beating stay home, if you do….register here, but read the instructions first to get an idea of what it’s like….it’s no picnic!  :-)…..or is it?  Picnics are fun stuff. 

For the record, and to all of you who like running in the La Sportiva Fireblade, make a note that if you like the orange color, you better get out and hit up Backcountry.com for the remaining few pairs of orange.  The grey models WILL ALWAYS be available, they ARE NOT discontinued,  only the orange color will no longer be made.  :-(   If BC.com doesn’t have them, go to La Sportiva and see what’s left in the closeout section. Both outlets have them on sale, around 70 bucks, so pick em’ up!.  Stop wearing those “boot style” running shoes, get low to the ground, it’ll make you run faster! 

And finally this weekend the Bandera 100k happens down in Texas.  Two spots for the Western Track Meet are up for grabs.  A few fast guys are running, when I see results I’ll post it up.   My predictions:

Chikara Omine will come out on top, unless technicality gets him.  Zach Miller will challenge him along with Nick Clark.   Any of these three guys could win it, and one of them will be shut down.  It’ll be interesting to see how it pans out.

For the women:  It looks like Annette Bednosky is the shoe-in, but I don’t recognize any other women, so the race for second is on!

And for kicks, check out my latest creation at “White PIne” here in Little Cottonwood Canyon.  It’s a quarter mile long luge run, built solely by me.  As busy as I’ve been, I found a little extra time to build this classic track.  Click here to watch the fun as Matt Hart leads the way.  Tom Maartens and I are in the “chaser sled” with the video.  Good ole’ fun, not your typical luge run.

We are almost there!

Published
by
Speedgoat Karl
on December 29, 2009
in Uncategorized
. 10 Comments

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.

Santa is on his way!

Published
by
Speedgoat Karl
on December 24, 2009
in Uncategorized
. 2 Comments

Hopefully he’ll have his laptop so he can sign up for the Speedgoat 50k.  Registration goes online  January 1st at Ultrasignup.com.   The race is limited to 200 runners.  This year the fastest nannie and billie will take home $500 bucks, along with a goat leg for the dog to stare at.  Expect a flyover map of the course this year.  I have some software to figure it out, so check the Speedgoat registration page for details on that.  But give me a few weeks, cuz’ I’m computer illiterate. :-)

I haven’t run now since the Chimera 100.  I am on a hiatus (briefly) until the new year begins.  Why?  I’ve been building an epic luge run here in the Wasatch Range.  But I ain’t telling where it is, it’s my little secret.  All I can say is that it’s a 1960’s replica of luging in the woods.   Also hope to have a video of this one in the near future. 

My plans for next year are still not set in stone.  I may go to Europe, I may run Hardrock again.  Still not sure, but he apps are on the way just in case I want in. 

Ultrarunners of the Year should be coming out soon from Ultrarunning Magazine.  Stay tuned for that.  I think the date is sometime in the middle of January.   I think we all know who’s gonna win, but you never know.  It’ll be interesting.   Stay tuned for that. 

Stay tuned for big sales at Backcountry.com after Christmas.  It’s been a lean spending year and many shoppers are waiting for the sales.  There will be lots of great stuff going cheap!

Now go run!

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