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The “Desert Halloween Party” up next

Published

Speedgoat Karl

on October 29, 2009

in Uncategorized

. 24 Comments

The Javelina Jundred happens this weekend. A few fast guys out front should make this one to watch. Will Jorge finally break my record?, or will Paul DeWitt and Josh Brimhall get the best of the fast starter….we’ll see. Here’s my picks:

Jorge Pacheco 3-1. Jorge gets the nod because he’s the previous winner, but he’ll have to run smart to outdual the other two right below him. Last year he was on record pace, but fell off on the 5th lap. We’ll see if he holds it this year.

Paul DeWitt 7-2. When Paul is on, he’s tough to beat, he’s certainly got the speed to run under the record too, if his legs hang on that long. He’s got a plan mentioned on his site...something about 14:30. Pretty ambitious with the current record at 15:25. His conservative start plan looks good on paper, we’ll see how it pans out on dirt.

Josh Brimhall 5-1. Josh is real fit right now, but may have other plans with the “dream team” at JFK next month, so he may not show up, but if he does, he’s no rookie on the Pemberton trail, and can certainly hang with Paul and Jorge. 100s aren’t really his specialty, but he’s due for a fast one.

David James 7-1. Tough call on David. He ran some fast times early this year at the Pocatello 50 in May, but had a hard day at Western. It’s his time to shine now. He’ll be the “darkhorse” for the men.

The rest of the field below won’t contend for the win, but look for these guys to battle it out for 5th, and two steps off of the podium unless those up front call it a day early and go trick or treating. Alan Abbs, Sandy Baker, Mark Matyazic, Dean “the bowling machine” Dobberteen, Logan Beaulieau, and John Ticer should round out the rest, as well as a few others I’ve missed.

The Ladies race is a two women battle + some darkhorse who may show up.

Bev Abbs gets the nod at 3-1. Bev has more 100 mile experience and is always tough to the end, so without any real issues, she’ll be the first women done by an hour.

Michelle Barton 5-1. Close, but not quite as quick as Bev. She’ll go out a bit easier too, and will hope to chase down Bev later once the wolves start howling at the moon.

Darkhorse #1 7-1. Don’t know who that is yet, but tune in during race day to find out, cuz’ there’s always a few in the field, and this race always puts a few fast ones from the Phoenix area on the starting line.

My next race is the Pinhoti 100 down in Alabama, I’ll be looking for win #28 at 100 miles. This race looks sweet as 85% of it is singletrack deep in the woods. I’ll do odds on that one early next week, so stay tuned. The race looks like some good comp too, so it should be interesting to see if I can bang out one more to make it 5 100 mile wins this year.

The Speedgoat 50k applications are going online January 1st this time, one month later than last year to avoid the tax man. Put it on your calendar for July 31st. It’s the toughest one in town! Chances are it’ll fill up this year at 200 runners after that sweet spread in Ultrarunning mag in the October issue. If you want a cool shirt with that silly goatman on it, sign up on Jan 1st to assure a position in the herd.

If anyone local here in SLC is interested in some very cool “brain mapping”, contact Dr. Aharon Shumlinson for more details at aharon@xmission.com. He’s been doing extensive research on why us crazy people in ultrarunning can keep on going for 100s of miles at a time. He helps us at the Big Mountain aid station being the captain, why not help him with some cool research. It only takes about an hour.

Along with the Pinhoti odds next week, the Mountain Masochist 50 odds will also be attempted. Word is out that along with a few fast guys officially on the list, Anton Krupicka, Geoff Roes, and Brazilian star, Valmir Nunez is in the field. These guys will take a crack at earning the spot at Western next year thru that silly cup thing. Check back next week for my mildly entertaining write-up.

And don’t forget to click the goatman in the upper right corner for random deals at Backcountry.com. They constantly run specials, so always good to check back occasionally, especially with Christmas coming.

What’s Next?

Published

Speedgoat Karl

on May 28, 2009

in Race Updates, Snow Reports and Speedgoat 50K

. 14 Comments

The Bighorn 100 starts June 19th. Am I recovered from Massannutten? Absolutely! I feel as though I didn’t even run in Virginia a week and a half ago……scary!

Why am I recovered already?…….because I’m a mutant? or is it the multiple scoops of Ultragen I consume after every run. I’ll call it the Ultragen. Not to mention I have a great coach…..myself!

Last Friday I was summoned to fill in for Missy Berkel at the Pocatello 50 mile relay. I was called on my way up to Pocatello where my wife Cheryl was also participating in the 50 mile relay division. So I said why not?, What’s another 17 miler? I ran it with intentions of just having fun. It certainly was fun. Cruising along on prime Pocatello singletrack comfortably at 10.5 mph had me feeling pretty good. I won the first leg by 5 minutes. Recovered from Massannutten……I think so! Bighorn will be the real test…..then of course the beast of all beasts, The Hardrock 100 follows three weeks later!

Now it’s time to check out Hucknroll.com and Realcyclist.com. Backcountry has now added cycling to there already huge inventory, great discounts at random times and only top-flight gear for the real athlete……..that’s all of us!

The Speedgoat 50k has only 6 weeks to go till entries are closed, so time to suck it up and run/hike the toughest 50k on earth, covered by the greatest snow on earth. That’s right, it’s still buried up in Little Cottonwood Canyon. Perhaps I should start shoveling the course now to get it ready. We still need volunteers for the big dance, so if anyone out there is interested in watching some carnage, come help us out. It’s a great race to be a spectator!

I continue to review gear, not to mention others out there doing reviews for Backcountry.com, so check it out if you need anything, but only the good stuff, cuz’ they don’t sell junk.

The Miwok odds and the last 3 spots…for the big track meet at Squaw Valley.

Published

Speedgoat Karl

on April 27, 2009

in Race Updates and Speedgoat 50K

. 23 Comments

Dave Mackey’s record should remain a tall order, but the race to win will be tight as always.

Full Results here

The Men:

Scott Jurek 2-1. Let’s put a little pressure on Scott and give him the nod. He may not be racing this one to win, (maybe he is) He is sure to be in the mix as the race progresses.

Geoff Roes 5-2. His performance at the North Face 50 in December on the same trails proves he can run up front. He wasn’t 100% that day either, and he wants in at Western.

Eric Grossman 3-1. He’s fast on hills and flats, so this course should suit him well, his long loping stride that I witnessed (for a few minutes) at Cool was a good indicator he’ll be in it running for the win.

Todd Braje 4-1. His 5:30ish 50 mile was the fastest in recent history, not too long ago. If he’s still got that energy, he may just run away with it from the start.

Phil Kochik 5-1. He’s run here many times and always near the front. He’s a little erratic though, so I see him either running 5th or winning the thing.

Other guys in the mix, but not out front: Matt Lonergan, Erik Skaden, Scott Jaime, Graham Cooper, Brian Morrison, Mark Lantz, Mark Hartell, Jean Pommier……and maybe a few I missed as well.

The Ladies:

Kami Semick 2-1. Her performance on her home turf last year at the NF 50 was stellar and should be no different this week. She knows it and owns it, and should win by a comfy margin.

Joelle Vaught 4-1. She’s fast and just a little bit faster than Anita on smooth terrain, so she gets the nod for first loser…….in the women’s race.

Caitlin Smith 9-5. Caitlin has proved to be super fast in shorter races, but this is a bit new for her. I’ll call her the sleeper. If she manages her run well, she’ll be in it to win it and surprise a few…..then she can take a crack at 100 miles.

Anita Ortiz 5-1. Not enough leg speed to run to win, but hills are her friend and she’ll be no further back than third.

Prudence L’Heuruex. 7-1. She’s a little erratic, but has it in her to crack the top 3, but needs a great day to beat the three in front of her.

Suzanna Bon 8-1. I’m thinking this is not necessarily her type of course but she’s sneaky and may just squeeze out a third.

Rob Lang calls in Nicola Gildersleeve as a darkhorse from our neighbor to the north!

Needless to say the race will be fun to watch, and running at the front will be stressful for those trying to make the start line at Squaw. Scott has no pressure on him, he’s in this for the fun of it. Sometimes with no pressure we run better. I am a classic example of that!

For the right shoe, check out my user profile at Backcountry.com. This course is smooth and hilly, so the lighter the better!

It freakin’ snowed big again at Alta, making the Speedgoat 50k course buried even deeper, but have faith, it’ll melt…….at least most of it. Check back soon for good deals at Snowbird for the Speedgoat race.

I just ran the Bonneville Marathon, a muddy, singletrack marathon here in SLC. I went to break my previous CR and came up 6 minutes tall, breaking it by almost 6 minutes. The 6500′ of climb was no match for goat legs. I am finally feeling like I am back in solid form for my assault on 7, 100s this summer. 3:47.52 was the time, that one should hold for a while!

Now go run!

Now…….the season can begin!

Published

Speedgoat Karl

on April 18, 2009

in Race Updates, Snow Reports and Speedgoat 50K

. 18 Comments

Stay tuned for Monday’s post: The Miwok odds are coming, and this year’s race is a barn burner for the last 3, Western States Track Meet qualifiers!

Watch the Boston Marathon LIVE right now! (it’s 8:32 MST) at this website:

http://www.universalsports.com/mediaPlayer/media.dbml?CLIP_ID=110201&_MODE_=EVENT&db_oem_id=23000

Ryan Hall is pushing the pace, the 10k split was 29:30. I can run 5 miles at that pace….maybe!

After shoveling almost 700″ of the “greatest snow on earth”, my tenure at Sugarplum condos and townhouses ended yesterday, (these condos are sweet and would be a great deal if you have a group running the Speedgoat 50k!). Now I can start preparing for 7 100 mile mountain races. It all starts with Massannutten on May 16th. First I’ll hammer out the Bonneville Shoreline Marathon as a tune-up on April 25th. While 165″ of snow sits on the ground at Snowbird and Alta, I’ll have to run at a lower elevation, but the hills are steep, and just as relentless as the higher stuff.

I really think the Appalachian Trail helped me put down a huge base for this year. Although I have run far less mileage as last year at this time, I have been running faster over my standard “bread and butter” routes. Doing it with ease. Two good races behind me. My “Way Too Cool” finish didn’t look that impressive, but only because my right calf siezed at 23 miles and I had to slow down to make sure injury stayed out of the picture. It did, and all is well.

What’s the goal this year? Only to win one 100 miler. It would give me 10 years in a row with at least one 100 mile win. I believe only Ann Trason can say that. Unless Mr. Jurek can too. I’m not sure about Scott, but it is certainly a possibility with his stellar 7 win streak at Western.

Alot of cool races are starting now, and I’ll start doing some odds again, as I now have more time to spend in front of the screen, I’ve been a slacker again lately, but only because of the 230″ of dumpage we’ve recieved since March 22. It was simply out of control shoveling almost 20″ daily….but again, it’s over now, so no excuses!

Western States is getting even more interesting as a few more super fast guys have qualified for the 2009 Auburn Track Meet. Max King is certainly the leader with speed as his stellar performance at the Pear Blossom 10 mile CR was only a week after his win at the American River 50. But Western is 100 miles, hopefully he’ll toe the start line and step into a different realm. Miwok is the last qualifier, and a few others are trying to get in to WS. Geoff Roes is hoping to qualify as well, he certainly has it in him to make it happen. Scotty J would be a stellar addition, (although, he should not have to qualify), He is Mr. Western! I guess time will tell. Miwok will likely be my next attempt at doing the odds.

The Speedgoat 50k entrants list is creeping upwards, check it out. Sign up if you want a real 50k challenge. No PR’s at this race, only satisfaction of getting it done!

Big hugs and kisses to La Sportiva and Backcountry.com for supporting me and the Speedgoat race this year! Our prize list includes killer stuff from La Sportiva, Nathan Packs, Drymax socks, First Endurance, and Ryders Eyewear along with a few goat legs for the fastest Billies and Nannies. Not to mention a few other prizes we’ll muster up. Along with this year’s prize list comes 100 bucks for the winners and 100 bucks to break a record. Yah, it’s not much, but I’m poor and it’s coming from this kid’s pocket. A C-note never hurts!

Way Too Cool, Way Too Wet, Way Too Sloppy,…PERFECT!!

Published

Speedgoat Karl

on March 9, 2009

in Race Updates

. 19 Comments

Ahhhhh….Way too dry! Full results here:

Let it rain, snow, or just be freezin’, I need some type of advantage for this one!

And the Odds are:

First off, this is a tough one. The results of previous years was coming up moot, so I’m rolling with what I know! Also, this year’s course is slightly longer to make a perfect 50k, so all the times I refer to in this list are as if they would be run on the old course, (to make it a bit easier for me).

Erik Skaden 4-1. He’s no rookie here, and it’s about time he won something big. He knows the course well with his Western experience and local knowledge. It’ll all have to click.

Eric Grossman 5-1. He always seems to run fast, every race, even without competition. This race has the comp and should push him even faster.

Paul Dewitt 6-1. He’s got the speed. If he nails it, he can run near 3:32 (old course time).

Dan Olmstead 7-1. Another fast guy. He hasn’t raced much lately, but if he’s on, he’ll be in it.

Phil Kochik 7-1. His best time is 3:37.56. No slacker here. His run in Moab 3 weeks ago was good on goat terrain, not his specialty. This course is smooth (when dry), this year it should be ugly. This won’t help him.

Lewis Taylor 8-1. His best time is 3:41.50. If he’s good in the slop, he be further up than this.

Thomas Reiss 8-1. He brings a solid year behind him. He ran well early season last year, hoping it’s the same deal this year. He’ll have the good beer at the end.

Speedgoat Karl 9-1. I feel pretty good, Moab didn’t even really phase me. With all that shoveling at Alta, Utah this winter, my upper body strength should carry me to a strong finish. 31 miles is like a blink of the eye these days.

Mark Richtman 11-1. He surprised us last year with some great times, he’ll crack top 10.

Justin Ricks 12-1. I would put him at least top 5, but he’s had a recent issue which may have set him back a bit. If not, he’ll pay the most!

Scott Jaime 13-1. A sneaky fast one. If he runs well, he’ll also be much higher. His PR is in the 3:45 range.

Rod Bien 14-1. He’s looking to buy all the beers. He’s from Oregon, he must be fast!

Andy Jones-Wilkins 16-1. He says he’s a little tired from that fast 100, but chances are he’ll have autopilot on and still run well.

Others who could crack any of these places: Scott Wolfe, Craig Thornley, Jeff Riley, Nicholas Bingham, Mark McManus, Matthew Lonergan, Michael Buchanan, Nate Bowen, Kenny Brown, Michael Cook, Jed Tukman, Jean Pommier, Justin Angle, Jeff Browning, Jeff Kozak, and Greg Nacco

The Ladies:

Devon Crosby-Helms 5-2. If she’s fit, she’ll take her speed and win by more than 5 minutes.

Caitlin Smith 4-1. An inside tip let me know if this speedster. It’s her second Ultra, so we’ll see. She hasn’t lost a short mountain race in 4 years. She recently broke the Seqouia 50k record.

Prudence L’Heureux 5-1. Fast at some of the NF races, she’ll crack at least top 3.

Bev Abbs 6-1. Probably the most experienced here. She’s got a best time of 4:07. She could win it and pay the most if she runs well.

Joelle Vaught 7-1. Another girl with a fast PR of 4:17, but not quite quick enough to take a podium spot. She needs a few more hills to move a few spots up.

Jenny Capel 8-1. Just a notch under “elite status”. She can now prove it with this field. She’s got it in her, and has run the course many times to help her out.

Caren Spore 8-1. Like Jenny, right on the edge of being up front.

Helen Cospolich 10-1. Good run a few weeks ago in Moab, but she also needs hills to be up front here.

Other ladies in the mix: Anne Hitchcock, Meghan Arboghast, Suzie Lister.

Dont forget the Speedgoat 50k for July 18th, tickets for the toughest 50k are on sale now until July 5th.

And check out Backcountry.com and my user profile for gear reviews, deals and other random happenings with BC.com athletes.

It keeps on Dumping at Alta!

Race of the Year…The North Face Endurance 50!

Published

Speedgoat Karl

on November 30, 2008

in Race Updates

. 48 Comments

Carpenter “gets it right” this time and hands Ulli Steidl his first Ultra loss! Now they are 1-1 against each other. Perhaps $20,000 next year to settle the score. Having the top 4 within 10 minutes makes this easily the best race of the Year!

And don’t forget Kami Semick for putting herself on top once again. She ran stellar, very smart passing me at about 15 miles and running away from a charging Susannah. I wish I could have stayed closer to the two of them to watch…but I was fried. Full results here

There is no doubt, this race is the one to watch for 2008. The $30,000 purse brings us the fastest and deepest fields. Both the men’s and women’s races should come down to the wire….although I’m thinking the men’s race is already over…if no late entries show up…there may be a few. Hit this link for further info on the race of the year.

The Men’s Race will be fast!

Ulli Steidl 3-2. Ulli won last year in his duel with Matt Carpenter. He knows the course better than anyone else when running it top speed, and Ulli’s top speed is easily faster than all the rest. He’ll win by at least 15 minutes! Marathon best….2:13. Without Matt Carpenter on his heels, Ulli’s record will remain intact. Winning time around 7:10.

Kyle Skaggs 3-1. This is Kyle’s chance to take Ultrarunner of the Year without any hesitation from the voters. He’s proven everything in the mountains, and although this race is hilly, it still suits Ulli better in terms of technicality and raw speed. Look for Kyle to stay ahead of Mike Wardian because of his hill strength. He could scare Ulli, but Ulli runs scared alot….out front!

Mike Wardian 7-2. Mike has the best speed amongst the others in terms of road marathon speed. He knocks them out with ease under 2:30, but Ulli will have to get lost for Mike to hang with him,and Kyle will have to crash (which he does alot cuz’ he’s going so fast). This is a hilly smooth course, like White River where Mike won with an impressive 6:55ish. He was still 23 minutes behind Ulli’s record there. If he wins it, he takes Ultrarunner of the Year from U-mag.

Hal Koerner 4-1. Hal is on a roll, his injuries have subsided and running around Ashland with all those fast young kids has taken his speed to another level.

Leigh Schmitt 9-5. Leigh was 3rd last year, and has all the tools to crack the top 3, if he’s ready my 9-5 odds could be off a bit.

Geoff Roes 5-1. Geoff is the newcomer to the scene…sort of. He ran fast at the Miwok 100k (8:32) and the Wasatch 100 (20:01) to put his name on the map, now’s his big chance to make it a household name.

Phil Kochik 5-1. Phil knows Ulli, and knows Ulli will run away. If Phil runs smart, he could easily slip to 2nd. He has scary fast speed, and has posted some sick times. Look for Phil to be a mystery man this weekend. It doesn’t look as though he’s raced much, this could hurt him a little with this field.

Zach Miller 6-1. Zach has posted very fast times at Masochist and other tough east coust races. He too, could run a smart race and slip into the money. He should be fresh and ready to rip after Tussey Mountain.

Adam Lint 8-1. Not as well known as some others, but he’s shown great speed breaking 7 hours at the White River 50, only a few minutes back of Wardian this year.

Guillermo Medina 12-1. The Southern California representative will run top 10, but doesn’t carry the speed weapons to hang up front. The NF’s best finisher this time.

Joe Kulak and Topher Gaylord 15-1. The last two North Face hopes to slip into the top 10.

Speedgoat Karl 40-1. He’ll be lucky to be chicked only 3 times.

Who’s missing? Matt Carpenter, Dave Mackey (broken), Anton Krupicka (broken), Erik Skaggs (just won the Quad Dipsea 28.4 and broke Andersen’s record yesterday) Scott Jurek, Erik Skaden, Graham Cooper, Jon Olsen, Jasper Halekas, Matt Estes, and Brian Morrison. They still have time to enter, this is an elite race and fast guys get in at the end.

The ladies race, should once again, be the most interesting to watch:

Susannah Beck 2-1. Susannah has all the tools for the smooth hilly course. She’s only lost once this year at the NF Bellingham to Nikki Kimball. Her only downfall is 50 mile experience, and if she’s not on her game she could go down. We’ll see if she can hold top form all year long. She should make the 10,000 bucks for the ladies.

Lizzy Hawker 3-1. The North Face Team is the strongest at this race and Lizzy seems to be the number one girl here for the North Face Team, she won it last year and if she can handle the pressure of the 4 behind her, she’ll make some cash this weekend.

Kami Semick 7-2. Kami was very impressive this year at the World 100k. Her speed is intact and this is some of her home turf. She’ll also make some money this weekend, and with a little luck, she could knock out the fastest time.

Nikki Kimball 7.1-2. Nikki, Kami and Lizzy are so close it seems wrong to put Nikki fourth in this list, it could go either way. She had a tough early season, and hasn’t raced as much as she normally does. If she is real fit, she has the chance to knock off the three ahead of her on this list.

Anita Ortiz 4-1. Anita is the best “shorter distance” mountain runner in this field…hands down. She smoked Moab (2nd behind Susannah by only a few minutes), and smoked the Speedgoat 50k course. But at this race, altitude doesn’t matter. Her experience at 50 miles is also somewhat limited, so I put her 5th. She could, on a great day run away with the win too, if her mountain strength works for her at Sea Level. La Sportivas’ hope to take the big prize.

Jean Coulter 8-1. Jean also has great mountain prowess, but is a rookie amongst the rest. The stars will have to line up…during the day… for her to win, but if she can keep her head in it, she could mop up the last $1000 of the day. La Sportiva’s number 2.

Other fast girls to watch:

Prudence Le’Heuruex, Helen Cospolich, Justine Morrison, Carol O’hear, and Kathy D’Onofrio. All these women, in some rotation, should round out the top 9.

Who’s missing? Susannah Beck, that’s about it.

Speedgoat 50k Applications online December 1st!!

….that’s tomorrow….Monday. Limited to 200, I doubt it’ll fill up like Way Too Cool, but check back regularly if you’re interested in running (and sometimes hiking) the hardest 50k on the planet.

And finally after battling the crowds at Walmart yesterday, why not just shop online at Backcountry.com to avoid the hastle of being trampled. Let the boys and girls in the warehouse do the running this time! Use coupon code: 3PU-1-R38LT for 20% of some stuff.

Oh yah, I ran a 5k on Thanksgiving…18:19! Watch out people, my speed is returning!!

See you in San Fran

I’ll stick to my strength…

Published

Speedgoat Karl

on November 20, 2008

in Award category and Race Updates

. 10 Comments

Next up is the North Face 50, after looking at the most recent entry list, these odds are gonna be good! Both the men’s and women’s race will be spectacular. Ain’t it true that money talks and bullshit walks? $10,000 to win, $4000 for second and $1000 for third sums up the reason top competition shows up for this one. I’ll post my odds on Friday.

And even though I can’t offer prize money….yet, the Speedgoat 50k applications will be available here only…online on December 1st. Put this brutal run on your July 18 “things to do list”.

At JFK:

It looks like the top runners are:

Mark Lundblad

Paul Dewitt

Matt Lavine

Pete Breckinridge

Lundblad wins it in 6:07! Connie Gardner runs relatively unchallenged in 7:15!

I posted the top 10 in the comments section. Nice run Ian!!

I can’t even look at the women as I don’t even recognize any except Bethany Patterson.

Check this link for a good writeup of competition today:

I won’t be googling 1000 names, I have golf to play right now.

Any way you look at it, the race will be a steamer, and once that towpath gets it’s first steps, the fastest runner on the flats will likely prevail. We’ll see if Torrence wins the sprint points to the end of the AT at 15.5 miles!

In other news: We’ve been yacking about the “Speedgoat of the Year”. Instead of having a vote online, what’s better, a panel of 10 making the decision?, an online vote where the “refresh” key comes into play?

I say we select a panel of 10, but that’s my idea, most of us who comment on my site about it are certainly interested in making the right decision. Maybe we’ll do both and see how it turns out. Still a few more races to go. It’s not over yet.

For me, my schedule for next year is looking like a bunch of 5k’s early season, then I’ll take on a few 10k’s by April. I”ve decided to bag Western, as most already know….so I’ll go back to Silverton and have a relaxing two week camping vacation, then run through the San Juans for 101.7 miles of the best terrain on earth. Then back to my roots here in the Wasatch mountains. Keeping it simple in my old age. The AT will wait till 2010 if all goes well, I have some unfinished business there…to say the least.

The Speedgoat 50k applications will go online on December 1st, for those who want to commit to the pain of running goat trails around Snowbird Ski Resort.

And lastly….Just go run! Get off the computer!!

….or at least go shopping on the computer and get somethin’ good for Christmas: Backcountry.com

Speedgoat 50K Humbles Everyone!

Published

Speedgoat Karl

on July 28, 2008

in Race Updates

. 9 Comments

The Speedgoat 50K wasa huge success this year…..yah we had a few more dropouts, a few injuries, but in Speedgoat Country it’s a common scene. The Wasatch Mountains are relentless and Saturday was no exception. Find the results on the Speedgoat 50k page, just click on the link!

Nate McDowell and Anita Ortiz dominated the race and lead start to finish, right after the BAAAAHHHH starting gun.

I’m off to the AT tomorrow morning, 3 days of powerdriving…47 days of powerhiking to follow. Follow me online at whereskarl.com. The Backcountry crew will be handling the website from here. I won’t dissappear, butit’ll be erratic on my posting. Stay tuned for the Leadville and Wasatch odds. That one I won’t miss, even on the long green tunnel.

I’m off and thanks to all who follow my silly website. Wait till the real story comes out when it’s all over!

Stay on this site to get 15% off at Backcountry.com, one of the only places with a standard discount on almost everything they sell, not just trail running gear.

TRT 100 and the Vermont 100 up next!

Published

Speedgoat Karl

on July 16, 2008

in Appalachian Trail, Race Updates, Speedgoat 50K and WheresKarl?

. 29 Comments

The USATF 100 Mile Trail Championship on the line!

He kinda looks like Mr. Bill!

And the odds are:

Erik Skaden: 5-2. He was ready for Western and will likely be ready forthis one

Jon Olsen: 7-2. Not far behind Erik, these two guys should battle it out.

Ian Torrence: 12-1. Claims he’s not quite readyto race up front, but I know he has it in him, every time we run, he kicks my ass!

The women’s race gets good too!

Nikki Kimball: 3-1. Simply put, she’s the best, but this course could test her raw speed, a few speedsters will be following.

Jenn Shelton: 7-2. She’s probably the one with the most speed, and if she nails it, she’ll run away withit. The technicality is the only thing that can slow her down, and I’m not sure how technical it is.

Bev Abbs: 6-1. In it all the way, she can win too, if she has a good run!

Connie Gardner: 8-1. Better at the smoother and flatter stuff, but who knows!

Jenny Capel: 9-1. It’s certainly her turn to win something, she could easily make the podium…..if they have one.

The Vermont 100, an old classic!

Glen Redpath: 5-2. I’m thinking it’s his turn to show his speed, and Vermont is essentially a dirt road race.

Bradley Mongold: 4-1. He showed uslots of promise early season, and this race fits his style. Still a rookie at 100 though, he could blow early if he’s not careful

Andy Jones-Wilkins: 5-1. Andy always has a good race in him, he’ll run solid as usual and win by slight default if #1 and #2 suffer.

Joe Kulak: 7-1. We’d like to see some of that old Vermont speed return, but he might be consuming some Long Trail Ale, it could slow him down a bit.

Kevin Sullivan: 10-1. Not as much experience as those few others, but the potential isthere.

The ladies:

I only see two right now:

Devon Crosby-Helms: 3-2. Should be a no-brainer for her to win, she just needs to run smart and not let the fast early pace get her.

Michelle Barton: 5-1. She’ll be styling in her Moeben Sleeves, the ice in the sleeve trick could keep her cool and give her a chance at a win in the Green Mountain State.

Diana Fitzpatrick: 9-1. Experience will take her to the top 3, and potentially even a win.

I may have missed a few here, so help, I’ll update tomorrow if needed.

Today was the last day for the Speedgoat 50k apps to come in, but I’ll take more as we have not yet reached our limit, so send it in and come run the sickest 50k in the US! The goats will be out in force on July 26th.

Check out the new Whereskarl.com website, it is a thing of beauty!

Click the Goat man for 15% off at Backcountry.com or use coupon code 2JV-1-QJE3H. The discount will show when you update the cart! Order up!

The Speedgoat 50K course is melting fast!

Published

Speedgoat Karl

on June 30, 2008

in Appalachian Trail and Speedgoat 50K

. 4 Comments

26 days till post-time for the toughest 50K on earth!….maybe not, but it sounds good!

This mornings run took me to the summit of Snowbird to scope out the Speedgoat 50k. It looks like a butt-slide is likely in Little Cloud Bowl for the final descent! It’ll bring back those childhood memories of you’re favorite sled run! I’m working on logistics now and soon we’ll have a map so you can salivate over the course.

We plan to have the $100 bill at the top for the first man and women who make the 4500′ climb to the peak first….but you gotta finish to collect….no sandbaggers here!

Entries Close on the 15th, so if you’re gonna run, send it in now to reserve a spot in the field, and some pizza and beer* at the finish line.

For those who don’t know, directly after the Speedgoat 50K, I’ll be heading out for the run of my life with the Appalachian Assault beginning August 5th on the Summit of Mt. Kathadin in Maine. For more details, whereskarl.com will be the command center for the entire AT run, check out my training, the GPS, the podcasts, the U-Tube videos, and all the other cool stuff we’re gonna do while everyone watches me suffer for 2174 miles.

* Beer must be purchased by runners, I can’t legally buy it for you…damn disclaimers!

Click the Goat for 15% off at Backcountry.com or use Coupon Code 2JV-1-QJE3H