Affinity for Leadville

I’m pretty much in love with the event, had some great years there and have a bank of experience to bring to the table. I’ve essentially scouted the course repeatedly and know the terrain from a technical standpoint. It’s similar to the way some professional golfers are attuned with a particular course such as Augusta where the “Masters Championship” is played.  I also know, from experience, the optimal training progressions that work for that 100 mile distance at altitude. What’s more, I’ve studied a diverse sampling of race-day splits and understand the pacing strategies that are suited to an individual runners fitness and ability. I’ve been there in almost every situation as a competitor or pacer, be it overcoming adversity or having the run of your life. So there you have it.

In fact, I may have never chosen ultras if it weren’t for the Leadville event. Bearing witness to it, pacing and helping others succeed with their races and eventually going on to compete there myself was a formative aspect in what I do. It was running in the mountains and challenging myself over longer and longer distances that provided the crucible that forged my body and being over the course of many years.

During the 7 year hiatus I’ve taken since that time, even with some of the struggles I’ve gone through, there have been moments where the positive memories and achievements came flooding in. I’ve been waiting for the right time to go back. There were prospects for pacing a talented local trail runner last year but I did not feel physically ready so I set my sites on this year.

NOW the inspiration for and connection to helping people with their own striving has truly grown strong.

Hence the specific Leadville and Trail Running Program, one of my freshest new offerings! I also hope to bring in past champions for panel discussions and to share their experiences.

THE ENTIRE SERIES IS FREE!

• The Mini-clinics are complementary (free) for both aspiring and accomplished trail runners, LT100 entrants etc. I hope you will join me!
• Please RSVP if you are planning on attending.
• Watch for Denver dates and venue.
• One-to-One Sessions additional

It’s really simple.

From the outset, my running experiences put me in contact with an invisible power source that seemed to exist within the body as well as outside, in the space, the air and the impressions of nature. I could sense a mixing of the energies of the two worlds; the raw physical power of the body working with the miraculous qualities of natural phenomenon. The effort to run at a steady state, simultaneously pushing and relaxing my body, seemed to yield a perfect equilibrium of inner with outer.

From then on I made it my mission to know and understand the source of those energies as intimately as possible. Where else could it be found and what factors made it come and go? How could I align myself with it in order to draw from it? How could I befriend it? I both sought and was receptive to any guidance that gave me clues and/or indications as to how to recreate those circuits.

Early on, I remember reading an article in which Pat Porter, the great cross country runner from Alamosa, Co. gave an account of a mile repeat workout that was so demanding, he “saw God.” This only served to peak my interest.

In the many years since those initial openings, I have verified for myself that training the “Running Body” and challenging it with rigorous physical work on a regular (although not reckless) basis, does provide the most direct link/gateway for me into this reality.

In turn, several other aspects of the quality of my life and efforts must be put in the proper balance to make everything work at a high level.

To fully accept this and let go of my attachment to “Runner’s High” has been an arduous process and only recently have I made this knowledge my own. I learn a new lesson in this regard almost every day. I want to shed light on these connections so you, as runners, can benefit even more from what you do and thereby more fully enjoy your life and sport involvement.

Hence “The Way of Running” and the current content and format of my coaching practice.

My hope is that those of you who visit the site will share my passion for deeper running and be motivated to use the information to expand your possibilities and explore your utmost potential.

I’ve found this to be  both a vitalizing process and a great way to connect with others of like mind, exchange ideas, share experiences and work as a team!