Happy Sunday!

"Trois...deux...un...allez!"
MDS Race Director Patrick Bauer has yelled into his megaphone, "Trois...deux...un...allez!" and they were off…ready to start their desert adventures this morning.

As for Stage 1, it looks like they started running right away into some beautiful sand dunes! The course looks a bit challenging for the first day but not too bad :) Should be fun!
Here is the road book to follow along.

FROM the DARBAROUD WEBSITE:
This years MDS promises to be a tough one: not only is it the longest ever but it also kicks off with Morocco’s highest dunes - a 31.6 kilometres long first heat that could do much damage. Not enough to demoralize the competitors, only too happy to be facing the enemy at last. Old hands mix with newcomers who get to discover the special atmospher of the caravan, bringing together 32 nationalities and people coming from all walks of life, from policeman to baker, and psychiatrist to former football coach.

Me & My Dad
Many of you are asking and wondering why I am not in Morocco running the MDS this year.
(Photo of me and my Dad after I finished my very first marathon)

It was decided that I would stay behind this year due to a very ill father who has been in and out of the hospital and who is looking at having another surgery. I have been spending a great deal of time helping care for him at the hospital and at his home along with my other siblings. It became very clear to me that I did not need to be out of the country at this time. It has also become very hard for me to leave my two little children ages 2 and 5 for this amount of time, I miss them way too much! Next year the entire family will go over and we even hope to get grandma and grandpa to go to!!!

I have not been doing much training at all but doing a small amount when I can, in the garage on my spin bike, rowing machine and versa climber!!! My secret weapons :):)

Message I received from Patrice Clapacs, who did MDS in 2007:
Hi Lisa...So jealous of everyone out there about to start out on the most amazing adventure of a lifetime. It was absolutely one of the most amazing experiences of my life and gave me the most cherished new friends. I can thank you for getting me there and getting me to the finish! Hopefully my photo won’t scare anyone off but here’s my memory…



My feet after just the first 2 days. The day after the long stage I woke up to go see the Doc Trotters medical staff and as I was leaving the tent I kicked the tent stake with my pinky toe and it was the first time I cried. (but not the last! I had many tears of laughter and joy) Definitely NOT something I am looking forward to next year.

You are all amazing and are in for the time of your lives over the next week! Best of luck to all !!!




Let the party begin!

Sending E-Mails to MDS Competitors

Hi All!

Marathon des Sables begins tomorrow, on Sunday morning. I will continue to be doing daily updates on my blog and look forward to your comments. You can send all of the MDS competitors emails starting tomorrow and the emails get delivered to them at the end of each day.

This is the link to send the e-mails:
http://www.darbaroud.com/uk/html/mds/general/uk_23mds_ecrire.php

The e-mail service is in operation from March 29th to April 4th.

It is so nice to get these emails and it really helps each runner feel the love!!!

Here are the Dreamchasers race numbers:

Laurie Andrews 465
Ted Archer 466
Jeff Arricale 467
Jay Batchen 469
Kay Bellor 470
Mary Betts 471
Jeffrey Brandner 472
Van Bryant 473
Marc Caldecourt 474
Andrew Cohen 475
Damon Goerke 476
Stephen Jackson 477
Leigh Corbin 479
Aaron Davison 481
Marianne Demarco 482
Francis Dodd 483
Marc Duplain 484
Martin Edwards 485
Mike Ehredt 486
Ashley Ellenor 487
Jeffrey Fortman 488
Adwin Gallant 489
Peggy Gaudet 490
Paul Gladwell 491
Jeff Grant 493
Fleur Grose 494
Andrew Hackett 495
Jason Hogue 497
Chris Hornell 498
Jeffrey Hunt 499
Michele Jensen 500
Edward Kelly 502
Danny Kendall 503
Robert Kent 504
Joshua Kennedy 505
James Laing 506
Chole Lanthier Brandner 507
Michael Le Roux 508
Suzanne Lucas 509
Toby Luxford 510
Martin Mack 511
Terry Madl 512
Kira Matukaitis 513
Sandy McCallum 514
Meagan Mcgrath 515
Cliff Mckinley 516
Karen Meades 517
Morgan Murri 519
Rebecca Oliver 521
Stuart Paterson 522
Vincent Robert 523
Arthur Glen Russell 525
Gregory Ryan 526
Brendan Sainsbury 527
Markus Schar 528
Antony Shaw 529
Alan Silcock 530
David Simon 531
Mark Simon 532
Andrea Lynn Sloan 533
Georgia Stansell 534
Keith Sullivan 535
Patrick Tomada 536
George Velasco 537
Steve Ward 538
James Whelan 540
Stephen Wolk 541
Elizabeth Zaitzeff 542
Lara Zaitzeff 543

Find Your Own Adventure while following MDS

Hope you are all enjoying the Blog coverage of the Marathon des Sables…and hope you are inspired by the efforts of your friends & family to choose your own adventure.

E-mail me at lisa@dreamchaserevents.com and I can help you see which adventure is right for you. I’d love to hear from you and help you find your dream and chase it down!

Some things to consider (the photo above is from Mt Kilimanjaro...an incredible place to visit!) Click on these three options to learn more about how we at Dreamchasers can make these adventures happen for you:

Climb Mt Kilimanjaro, run the Mt Kili Marathon or go on safari
Attending a Dreamchasers Camp
Running the Grand Teton Races


And now for a few laughs…here you go:

George Carlin's Views on Aging

Do you realize that the only time in our lives when we like to get old is when we're kids? If you're less than 10 years old, you're so excited about aging that you think in fractions. 'How old are you?' 'I'm four and a half!' You're never thirty-six and a half. You're four and a half, going on five! That's the key

You get into your teens, now they can't hold you back. You jump to the next number, or even a few ahead. 'How old are you?' 'I'm gonna be 16!' You could be 13, but hey, you're gonna be 16! And then the greatest day of your life ... . You become 21. Even the words sound like a ceremony YOU BECOME 21. YESSSS!!!

But then you turn 30. Oooohh, what happened there? Makes you sound like bad milk! He TURNED; we had to throw him out. There's no fun now, you're Just a sour-dumpling. What's wrong? What's changed? You BECOME 21, you TURN 30, then you're PUSHING 40. Whoa! Put on the brakes, it's all slipping away. Before you know it, you REACH 50 and your dreams are gone. But wait!!! You MAKE it to 60. You didn't think you would!

So you BECOME 21, TURN 30, PUSH 40, REACH 50 and MAKE it to 60. You've built up so much speed that you HIT 70! After that it's a day-by-day thing; you HIT Wednesday!

You get into your 80's and every day is a complete cycle; you HIT lunch; you TURN 4:30; you REACH bedtime. And it doesn't end there. Into the 90s, you start going backwards; 'I Was JUST 92.' Then a strange thing happens. If you make it over 100, you become a little kid again. 'I'm 100 and a half!' May you all make it to a healthy 100 and a half!!

HOW TO STAY YOUNG

1. Throw out nonessential numbers. This includes age, weight and height. Let the doctors worry about them. That is why you pay 'them.'

2. Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches pull you down.

3. Keep learning. Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever. Never let the brain idle. 'An idle mind is the devil's workshop.' And the devil's name is Alzheimer's.

4. Enjoy the simple things.

5. Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath.

6. The tears happen. Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person, who is with us our entire life, is ourselves. Be ALIVE while you are alive.

7. Surround yourself with what you love, whether it's family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever. Your home is your refuge

8. Cherish your health: If it is good, preserve it. If it is unstable, improve it. If it is beyond what you can improve, get help.

9. Don't take guilt trips. Take a trip to the mall, even to the next county; to a foreign country but NOT to where the guilt is.

10.Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity.

AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

And another update from the Sahara :)

LOOKING BACK TO YESTERDAY
So how did yesterday go? My student Jeff Grant uses this neat service that allowed him to send text messages to his Blog throughout the bus ride journey and from the bivouac yesterday (and thanks so much to Becky for keeping Jeff’s Blog updated!) Here is a bit of stream of consciousness from Jeff over the course of yesterday:

After a long drive on a rough and very twisty road, we just stopped for lunch - not at any of the several oasises we passed, but in the sun.

After 8 hours, just left the road. Driving on dirt toward the big dunes we'll run over on Sunday.
We're at the bivouac getting settled, it all seems surreal. We can see big dunes from camp. Watching beautiful stars over the Sahara. G'nite from Tent 77 in Maroc.

Last SMS updates in the A.M. before we check our non-race gear.

Just finished dinner in the desert. We're all ready for some sleep (in the Berber tents tonight). Admin checks tomorrow - 1 more day to go!



And I also came across a great Blog that highlights the efforts of Markus Schär and Joshua Kennedy-White, two MDS runners who are part of our US-Canadian-Australian Dreamchaser group…I love Markus’s description of his MDS motivation:


If an event requires a compulsory snakebite kit, flares, survival blanket and an insurance for funeral expenses, you know you are up to something serious ... Marathon des Sables 2008, here I come!

Fortunately for us, Markus's wife Uli (who explains that she only runs in cases of emergency :) updated their Blog

Joshua and Markus have dedicated their race to “The Fred Hollows Foundation, a non-government organisation whose vision is of a world where no-one is needlessly blind and of a land where Indigenous people enjoy the same health outcomes as all Australians” I wish them the best in this effort to help such a worthy cause!




AND WHAT’S GOING ON TODAY
Today they go through the admin check and continue to study their road maps. Here is a great description of the course on the darbaroud site…sounds like a very worthy challenge!

Tomorrow, the race begins!!!

Sleep well everyone…

Lisa

March 28th Update

Hello!

This is a card that I was sent from my friends Todd and Helene and I think it is so beautiful that I want to share it with all of you. It is so fitting for all those running the Marathon des Sables (nearly 900 people!), or for those of you running any other race or just the fact that we believe in all of you!

I believe in you...in the things that are important to you and in the way you choose to live your life...I believe that you can accomplish anything you set out to do, that you have many talents and the wisdom to use them well...I believe that you have what it took to overcome obstacles and to grow from every experience life brings your way...I believe in your courage, your compassion, your integrity, and your strength. I believe in your goodness...
WE BELIEVE IN YOU!!!!!!!
Photo: me with Todd during the Badwater Double (2006).

Ok...an update from the Sahara :)

They are on the 5-8 hour bus ride right now to the starting line and they were given the road map book and the distances of each day. Here is what they are looking at! Keep in mind they have 2 days to complete day four! Distances are as follows

Day 1 (Sunday) – 31.6k (19.6 miles)
Day 2 (Monday) - 38k (23.6 miles)
Day 3 (Tuesday) - 40.5k (25.2 miles)
Day 4 (Wednesday & into Thursday) – 75.5k (46.9 miles)
Day 5 (Thursday) - rest day (because not everyone finishes Day 4 on Day 4)
Day 6 (Friday) - 42.2k (26.2 miles)
Day 7 (Saturday) - 17.5k (10.9 miles)

Total distance = 245.3k (152.4 miles)

Jeff has his Blackberry and sent this note to me! Jeff has done so much to prepare for this race and I want to share his story with you. He has a beautiful wife, Jessie, and four amazing children: 6-year-old son, Jake, and sisters, Emma, 4, Sami, 2, and 8-month-old daughter, Gracie. Jeff’s MDS fundraising efforts are particularly in honor of supporting research and resources that will help Jake and Gracie who have children's interstitial lung disease. Read this great article about Jeff.

And then read Jeff’s comical blackberry note from the bus: "We just stopped for lunch and got off the bus. what a bus ride through the mountains. I have flip flops on and I stepped on a scorpion, scared the pants off of me. It is amazing that the race has not even started yet and people already STINK!!!!"

Well, as you can see...the adventure begins!

One more thing…part of the challenge of MdS is braving the heat of the day and the relative cold that can come in the evenings. On average, daytime temps for the race range from 40C-50C (104F – 122F) and the overnight temps can be from 0C-5C (32F–41F). But word is that this year – 2008 – could prove to be the hottest MDS yet.

Stay tuned!


Photo: Tonight, MDS competitors start to sleep in tents. It's truth time...you discover who in your tent snores!! :)

PLEASE POST YOUR COMMENTS: Are you checking in because your boyfriend, cousin, crazy co-worker is doing MDS? If so, please post and let me know your out there. Tell me the things your friend has done to get ready for the race and how you have helped. Tell me what you have planned for their return. Or just stop and say hi!

TELEVISION COVERAGE: Various TV crews will be present this year filming the MDS. Here is a link describing the coverage. If anyone know someone at ABC in the US, I would love to learn what day/time they are planning on showing coverage fo the event. And if anyone catches coverage and can tape it, I would be so grateful!

Please e-mail me at
lisa@dreamchaserevents.com

Marathon des Sables: March 27th Update

FROM LISA:
Hello Everyone,

You may still be getting e-mails today from your friends and family members who are participating in MDS, but they soon will be away from computers and immersed in the magic – and the challenges – of the race.

Today, most will have run 30-40 minutes...and then tomorrow, Friday morning, the group has an 8 hour bus ride to the race site.

Jay (my husband) ran with the 3rd place runner from last year with a group of Dreamchasers. Jay said it is an amazing group and so many very fit people full of excitement! Laurie Andrews said...it is such a magical place!

Let me share with you what the runners are saying already...enjoy!

Happy Feet!

Lisa



FROM TED ARCHER (from yesterday):
Lisa and anyone interested in the pre-race experience . . . We've arrived in Ouarzazate, Morocco, a town of a few thousand people out in the desert. I wrote some friends that it is a mix between Las Vegas (the dry heat, dust, sand, and rocks with new construction everywhere) and the third-world feel of Mexico. We are all quite excited--but nervous. This morning Jay Batchen walked us through a pack tutorial, with many of us frantically getting rid of items in order to get down to a smaller weight. Marianne seems to be the winner, with a 15-pound pack; mine is just a hair under 22 pounds, which seems to be about average. Two more days in Ouarzazate, and then off to the first Bivouac! - Ted Archer


FROM ROBERT KENT
This is an edited dispatch Robert sent to family and friends, posted by National Post © 2008 Canwest Interactive, a division of Canwest Publishing Inc. It's a great read!

Robert’s Update


FROM M DeMARCO
Bunny, as everyone calls Miss M, is always helping us find the humor in at all. Read her Blog.


FROM LEIGH CORBIN
Leigh has some great updates on her Blog. I am so proud of Leigh for doing this race...she just planned her daughter's wedding and she still managed to sew her very own gaitors. Leigh, you will do beautifully out in the desert!

Dreamchasers Are Already Grabbing Headlines

As everyone makes their way to the race, the pre-race coverage is starting to build on the http://www.darbaroud.com/ website. How great it was to visit the website today and see the efforts of these Dreamchasers featured on the homepage.

To read their complete stories, here are the links:

Jeff Grant - ING Chances for Children

Paul Gladwell & Martin Edwards - Cancer Centre for St. Vincent's

Markus Schar and Joshua Kennedy White - Run 4 Vision


You can also read about Paul, Martin, Jeff and many other Dreamchasers who are running for a purpose on our website:

About the Dreamchasers Who Compete at MdS: Running for a Purpose

What kind of people run the MDS???

For those of you wondering who and what kind of people run a race like the Marathon des Sables in the next 2 weeks you will get a really good idea:)

Bottom line is this: people from all walks of life. People of all shapes and sizes!!

This year Dreamchaser's has over 80 running in the 23rd year of the MDS. Two sisters (twins) from NYC both lawyers who will walk the entire race. Kay from Thailand who took this challenge on because I put the carrot in front of her to do something adventurous for her 50th Birthday.
The stories will all unfold in the next 2 weeks.

On Monday most going over to run the MDS boarded a plane to Ouarzazate, Morocco, they are all there safe and sound. The weather in Ouarzazate is going to be high 80 this week. Once the runners reach the desert it could get as hot as 110-120!!!!

Below is an overview of the race!


The Marathon Des Sables (or MDS) is a 145 mile, seven-day stage race conceived and organized by Frenchman Patrick Bauer and Atlantide Organisation Internationale.

While the event can be very demanding if you are racing, the daily time cut-offs are generous enough to allow someone to power-walk the entire 145 miles.

Consequently, it is not necessary to be an elite runner to take part in the Marathon Des Sables.
During the event, competitors run on foot through some of the most beautiful, remote sections of the Moroccan Sahara while carrying a backpack with essential gear, food, sleeping bag and clothing for the week.

The race organizers provide water (generally 9 liters per day) and a traditional, two-sided Berber tent each night for sleeping during the seven days of racing.

There are six stages over the seven days, with the first three daily stages set around 20 miles each. The fourth stage is around 50 miles; the fifth stage is always a full marathon of 26.2 miles, and the sixth (and last) stage is from 9-12 miles.

Runners are typically given 40 hours to complete the 50 mile stage, with most finishing the stage in one day. This essentially provides most people with a rest day in between the 50 mile stage and the Marathon stage. Each year brings a new course, which is not revealed until two days before the race.

The terrain at the MDS is not all giant sand dunes. In fact, most of the course is run over salt flats, dried up river beds, rocky desert plains, and ancient, dried up lakes. And, it is not uncommon for the course to wander through a remote desert village. The course is usually well marked and all competitors receive a "Road Book" which provides an official course description for each stage.

Temperatures can be extreme, with possible daytime highs reaching 125°F and night-time lows of 38°F. Additionally, the occasional sandstorm can add to the mix. Thus, competitors should be prepared for anything.


MEDICAL & SAFETY CONCERNS

There is a full-time staff of professionally trained doctors that follows the race, however, each competitor is required to carry at all times a snake bite kit, emergency blanket, signal mirror and distress flare. The Medical Team is highly trained and is fully equipped to treat heat-related illnesses, blisters and other medical emergencies that might arrive over the course of the seven days. Should the need arise for serious medical treatment during the event, the Race Organization can utilize their helicopter to assist with an emergency evacuation.



I hope you will DANCE..all who will run the MDS sure are:)

Don't put things off that you really want to do...take action. Either find a way or make one!!!

This was written by an 83-year-old woman to her friend. The last line says it all.

Dear Bertha,

I'm reading more and dusting less.

I'm sitting in the yard and admiring the view without fussing about the weeds in the garden.

I'm spending more time with my family and friends and less time working.

Whenever possible, life should be a pattern of experiences to savor, not to endure.

I'm trying to recognize these moments now and cherish them.

I'm not "saving" anything; we use our good china and crystal for every special event such as losing a pound, getting the sink unstopped, or the first Amaryllis blossom.

I wear my good blazer to the market.

My theory is if I look prosperous, I can shell out $28.49 for one small bag of groceries.

I'm not saving my good perfume for special parties, but wearing it for clerks in the hardware store and tellers at the bank.

"Someday" and "one of these days" are losing their grip on my vocabulary.

If it's worth seeing or hearing or doing, I want to see and hear and do it now. I'm not sure what others would've done had they known they wouldn't be here for the tomorrow that we all take for granted.

I think they would have called family members and a few close friends. They might have called a few former friends to apologize and mend fences for past squabbles.

I like to think they would have gone out for a Chinese dinner or for whatever their favorite food was.

I'm guessing; I'll never know. It's those little things left undone that would make me angry if I knew my hours were limited.

Angry because I hadn't written certain letters that I intended to write one of these days.

Angry and sorry that I didn't tell my husband and parents often enough how much I truly love them.

I'm trying very hard not to put off, hold back, or save anything that would add laughter and luster to our lives. And every morning when I open my eyes, tell myself that it is special.

Every moment is a gift from God!

Run, walk..what ever it takes....enjoy your journey and your adventure and don't put it off for another day!

Lisa

2 amazing videos of 2 great runners!!

Here' This first video is about the 101-yr-old marathon man who is running the London marathon. Inspiring to say the least!

:http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/living/2008/03/11/chang.uk.101.marathon.runner.cnn

**Next is friend and Dreamchaser Mike Wardian!!!

Reference: Wardian-Video-3/21/08-NBC4-National Marathon

The video that aired last night on NBC 4: +++ http://video.nbc4.com/player/?id=231814

**Get ready to start following my play by play action of the 23rd running of the Marathon des Sables this week. Most all of the Dreamchasers are boarding a plane today in NYC (all 80 of them)...they are in for one wonderful adventure!!!!

Have a great day
Lisa

101 year old man to run marathon

You have got to read this article about a 101 year old man who is going to run the London marathon!!!!

He looks so young.
This is really amazing don't you agree!!!

http://sports.yahoo.com/top/news?slug=britmarathon030508&prov=reuters&type=lgns

Many of you have asked me where have I been the past few weeks!!! Well: my father was put back in the hospital and I have been back with him for just over 2 weeks. It has been a really long painful road for my father and for all of us but the wonderful news is that we brought him home last week and he is getting better and better each day!!! We even had him out in his garden...it took they a very long time to figure out where and what the health problems were coming from and most was due to a staff infection from the open heart operation.
I can tell you this: if you ever have a loved one in the hospital make sure you have someone with them 24/7 to over see what is going on medically. The best possible place for anyone is to get them home and care for them at home.
We are so thankful to all of you for the continued prayers, love and support. My father is a walking miracle for just 3 weeks ago they called all of us and told us we needed to get there ASAP that he was really failing...well, today he is home. Thank you God.

During all of this I have really done NO training, a few 1 hour walks.
Tues. I went to the track and did 3x 1 mile at 7:15 pace:) How is the world I was able to pull this off..no idea but to say for me..less is better. I am very sore but running hard felt good for the mind, body and soul!
I am back in many ways and I am more thankful and more at peace than ever.

A big hug and much love
Lisa

You are what you eat???

It seems funny to me each time I get an email with the question what should I eat the night before my race or before my big event.

The answer is very simple.

The optimal combination of food and nutrition for an athlete really varies from one sport to the other depending on whether it's a weight lifting sport, an endurance sport, or a team sport.
If you want to compete, you need to be mindful or your eating habits. This mean making conscious decisions to eat a variety of foods that will ensure you adequate iron stores for muscles, enough carbohydrates for energy, optimal levels of antioxidants, whole grains, lean protein, and omega-3 and monounsaturated fatty acids. The foods you choose should optimize your ability to recover, to maintain a strong immune system, and to support your training!

I hear this all the time: :What I eat the night before my race or game is the most important part of my race and strategy." Wrong!!!

If a solid nutrition base hasn't been established throughout your training, what you eat the night before a race or event will have very little impact on your performance.

Living a healthy lifestyle is the key to good performance.

Here are suggestions that I give to my students for pre-race meals..but these are also meal suggestions for the other 6 days of the week:)

Morning: oatmeal with honey and a banana, or toast with peanut butter and yogurt. 1 bottle of sports drink and water.

Snacks: raw veggies or handfuls or raw almonds

Lunch: lean fish, chicken or tofu! raw of steamed broccoli, brown rice, wheat bread or wheat pasta.

Snack: apple with peanut butter

Dinner..very much the same as lunch but also a large dark green salad with tons of raw veggies.
Desert...bowl of fresh fruit!


Snacks!

94% Fat-Free Popcorn

(6 cups popped)
110 calories
2.5 grams fat
4 grams protein
5 grams fiber
410 milligrams sodium

PRETZELS

(1.5 ounces)
167 calories
1.5 grams fat
3 grams protein
1 gram fiber
881 milligrams sodium

I mix the 2 of these together with a handful of raw almonds and have it to snack on all the time:)

Lisa

Running MdS for a Purpose: BECKY OLIVER

For what charity or cause are you running the 2008 Marathon des Sables?

I am supporting the Butterfly Foundation, a community based charitable organisation that supports eating disorder sufferers and their carers through direct financial relief, advocacy and lobbying, awareness campaigns, health promotion and early intervention work and professional training in primary and secondary schools.

Why did you decide to run with a purpose?

The cost of treating sufferers of an eating disorder is extremely costly with fees running into hundreds of thousands over a period of years, meaning many sufferers go untreated as they can not afford the access to treatment that they need. The Butterfly Foundation works towards helping these individuals.

How can people contribute?

Please visit:

http://www.thebutterflyfoundation.org.au/how_to_support_butterfly/sponsor_becky

READ MORE: http://www.dreamchaserevents.com/mds/pdfs/2008_BeckyOliver.pdf

Running MdS for a Purpose: JEFF GRANT

For what charity or cause are you running the 2008 Marathon des Sables?
I'm running to support ING Chances for Children. It's an ING Group and UNICEF corporate program that aims to give 120,000 children access to education in 2008. According to UNICEF, more than 115 million children in the world do not have access to education. This program advocates quality basic education for all children — girls and boys — with an emphasis on gender equality and eliminating disparities of all kinds.

Why did you decide to run with a purpose?

I'm proud to work in a corporate culture that values giving back to the world. My employer is based in the Netherlands, I work in Switzerland, and we have offices in dozens of countries. My job puts me in touch with people from all corners of the world on a daily basis. Through my work I've been fortunate enough to experience the immense power, benefit, and fulfillment that global collaboration brings. It's inspiring to see what can be accomplished when people from all parts of the world with different cultures, languages, and backgrounds join together in a positive spirit. I'm hopeful that the ingredients of this athletic pursuit, ING's Chances for Children program and my global network will come together in a perfect recipe to raise awareness and funds to provide education to impoverished children.

My secondary aim is to inspire others by showing how it is possible to make a lifestyle transformation as I did 12 years ago when I lost 65 pounds and shed an unhealthy, sedentary lifestyle and set a new course for health and fitness.

How can people contribute?

Please see my blog http://mds2008jeff.blogspot.com/ for more information, including the announcement within the coming weeks on the launch of a donation site with ING and UNICEF. More information on the ING Chances for Children program is available here: http://ingchancesforchildren.com/

What is the Marathon des Sables?

To check out more details about the Marathon des Sables go to: http://www.dreamchaserevents.com/mds/index.htm

Marathon des Sables, or MDS as we call it,
is a 150 mile foot race through the Sahara Desert!!!

It is so hard to even believe that the 2008 MDS is going to happen in the next month!

Dreamchasers has many students from all over the USA, Canada, New Zealand and Australia! The 2009 MDS is selling out faster than this year did which goes to show what an amazing event this is to run.

It is so much more than a running race. It is a journey of a lifetime!
My good friend Cathy Tibbets said it well,
"I ran and walked 150 miles through the Sahara Desert, I know now I can do anything!!!"

This is the 23rd year of the MDS!!!

I personally have many coaching students running this year's race. People from all walks of life and people with many different kinds of goals. Some to just walk to the finish line each day and others run with hopes of placing in the top of the men's and women's race!

Ted who won the RR 50 mile:
I am pushing him to place in the top 15!

Michele, Laurie, Kira and Peggy are all capable of placing in the top 5 for the women!!! Michele and Laurie have both won the Grand Targhee 100! Laurie won the Desert Rats 150 mile stage race. Michele was 2nd at the Leadville 100. Kira was just 2nd at the RR 100 and Peggy is closing the cap with her amazing training :)

So many others to tell you about but I will leave you in suspense…so keep checking my blog for updates. We have several runners that are "running for a purpose" and you are going to read about many of them in the coming days. I hope this will motivate you too!

I will be following the race daily on this blog, with photos and updates…it is going to be one exciting year!

Some photos from the 2007 race,
courtesy of Elad Benjamin and Leslie Martin (thank you both!):

Running MdS for a Purpose: M (MARIANNE) DeMARCO

For what charity or cause are you running the 2008 Marathon des Sables?

Inwood House -- a maternity residence for pregnant unwed teens who are homeless or in the New York City foster care system.

Why did you decide to run with a purpose?

If I'm going to lose my toenails, I might as well do it for a cause. Not only is Inwood House the only maternity residence for homeless teens that accepts HIV infected girls, it has been helping pregnant teens with nowhere to go since 1835 -- so I know it's not some fly-by-night operation. I also work there, so I can see first hand that it works. It really does change lives. Plus I raised money for Inwood House last year by running the North Pole Marathon, so I had to try and top that one.

How can people contribute?
Go to http://www.americasnexttopwaddle.com/

Above:
M at the North Pole in 2007,
where she ran the North Pole Marathon
to raise money for Inwood House.

The Fastest Way Up Hills: Zig Zag

A friend sent me this article on zig zagging hills, which is great. This is in my opinion the best way to get up a hill and even down a hill if you are trying to save your legs!

I would also like to say a big WAY TO GO TO our good friend and dreamchaser Mike Wardian.
Mike ran the 50k Championships this past weekend at Camuset State Park in a time of 2:55:05.
This was good enough for not only 1st place but also broke the course record that was 2:55:54 set in 1981 by Richard Holloway. Mike is running Western States this summer and it is going to be so fun to follow him! YEAH MIKE!

Zig Zag!

A straight line may be the shortest distance between two points, but on a steep slope, zigzagging is the fastest way to go, a new study confirms.On flat terrain, a straight line is typically still the best way to get from point A to point B.
But climbing up a steep hill is a whole different ballgame; the mechanics and energy costs of walking up a hill alter the way we negotiate the landscape.

"You would expect a similar process on any landscape, but when you have changes in elevation it makes things more complicated," said study author Marcos Llobera of the University of Washington.

"There is a point, or critical slope, where it becomes metabolically too costly to go straight ahead, so people move at an angle, cutting into the slope. Eventually they need to go back toward the direction they were originally headed and this creates zigzags.

The steeper the slope, the more important it is that you tackle it at the right angle."Llobera and co-author T.J. Sluckin of the University of Southampton in the U.K. developed a simple mathematical model showing that a zigzagging course is in fact the most efficient way to go up or down a steep slope.Most people don't need a model to tell them that though, they do it without even thinking."I think zigzagging is something people do intuitively," Llobera said. "People recognize that zigzagging, or switchbacks, help but they don’t realize why they came about."

Great moments in training!!!

Happy Thursday!

It is sunny and going to hit 80 degrees here today.

Below are the 100 mile splits from student Larry Kings 1st 100 mile race at RR!!! Check it out. Last lap was just 1 min. slower than his 1st lap:)
The link below that is the link to the RR web site so you can all look at your splits!
Would love to know how many of you had your last lap as your fastest or close to it:)


Loop 1 Loop 2 Loop 3 Loop 4 Loop 5 03:39:12.5 03:59:13.0 04:09:36.0 04:08:28.9 03:40:31.9 3h39m 3h59m 4h9m 4h8m 3h40m

http://www.tejastrails.com/docs/Rocky_splits_2008.html


*This email below is from Mike..an Ironman coaching student who just got a new bike and took it out for its first spin on the road..you are going to get a great laugh out of this one!!!

Hi Lisa..
I finally took my bike out on its maiden voyage. I got about 5 miles out when at about 20 MPH I hit a curb and crashed. 200lbs of man flying through the air attached to a bike. My shoulder and head hit the ground first. My helmet cracked in half, and my hip and shoulder feel like I just played a football game. Like a good boy trained to be tough like my coach. I got my ass up, climbed back on that bike, and went home with a smile on my face.

Injury report: Giant abrasion on my shoulder, hip, and knee and both hands. Broken helmet, brakes levers on front of bike broke, brake on rear tire loose, handle grips stained with blood (their white), and bike makes funny noise when riding.

Nothing exciting has happened to me like that in a long time. Car stopped and two people jumped out to help. Woman tells me she is going to call 911 and man could not believe I got up after the “horrendous spill” (his words). I proudly told them I was trained by Dreamchasers and was just testing my helmet with a planned fall. I know this doesn’t top a Scottish man flying down steps in a kilt with no undies next to nuns, but a 200 pound man in biker tights flying through the air with a bike is kinda closeJ

Ironman in November or bust! Still coughing and a little scraped up but hey..that is a good day..!!!
Mike


*This next email is from Joe who is about done with winter:)

Hi Lisa,

I look forward to getting my Dreamchaser shirt in the mail.
just tell the delivery guy to take it to "that city on the midwest where of snows every damn day!" He'll know the place. There is obviously nothing between my front door and the north pole but a barbed wire fence. Maybe I didn't have the flu, maybe I'm just alergic to blowing snow! Sorry, I'm ranting. (God,I hope I ordered a long sleve shirt.) Joe


** Sorry that it is warm and sunny here and so many are dealing with tons of snow! Make the best of it. Snow running is a great cross training for the MDS and the sand...and so is running in the wind! Nothing like a good old sand storm.

I hope you all have a great day
Lisa

Our Run Across America/Trans Con

Yes, you heard it right my run across America with Louise has been postponed.

There are several reasons behind why we have moved the date and even the year but the main reason is that I want my kids to be part of this with us. They are both just a bit to young right now and having them along for a good part of the run is very important to me and what a life journey for them as well!
The run has been moved to either 2009 or 2010, this will depend on some other events going on in both mine and Louise's life and also the sponsors.
It is looking more like Sister Marybeth will get to be part of our run and the dream school that we hope to see in progress even before the run starts.
So..in the end the stars are all lining up for us just as they should and we are thankful.

Thank you for all the emails asking about our run,,,we will keep you posted.
You will have many other's to follow this year who are doing the run across America!
I have some friends and students who are running, it is going to be busy out there!
We wish everyone great success!

Talking about emails. I love getting all of your emails in response to my blog postings, but I also think that everyone else who reads the blog would love to know what you are thinking! I got at least 20 emails the other day about the blog on diet and I know so many others would love to know your thoughts..so send me the emails but also post them on the blog!
I got an email this morning about tire pulling. I did not start the tire pulling but I can tell you that I have been pulling a tire since High School....This is since 1976! I have coached many to use the tire and it seems that many coaches are now using the tire as a tool. The one thing I do need to say about pulling a tire is that it has to be the right one for you. I have seen many people get very injured pulling tires that are to big, to heavy, the rope is not the right length and the belt around your shoulders and waist does not fit you the right way.
This is a fine line you walk if you are not sure how to set up the tire the right way for you.
Be careful of hip, knee, back and even stomach pain. These are signs that the tire is hurting you and not helping!

Training for me has been slow going since getting hit with the flu so hard. I have started back just walking and this is fine with me. I am going to get back on the bike and in the pool this week.
I have started back doing core workouts which I love!
Since the Trans Con has been postponed I have decided to run my 9th Badwater and this was only with 3 days left before the deadline to apply and only when I got an email from sister Marybeth saying she could crew this year and wanted me to take her up Mt. Whitney!!
This is a long time dream of mine and we are going to try to raise a ton of money and promote her new book! So..my badwater crew came together very quick and they are all on board to help raise money as well!
I don't plan to spend much time training this year..I really feel the need to spend time with my family and my kids. I want to have a normal summer!

What is a normal summer?:) go camping, fishing, swim in lakes, take hikes with picnics, ride horses, BBQs,...do all the things on weekends that kids love to do and that I have not been able to do when training for big events. I look forward to a normal summer and just train when I can!
I feel so good about this plan:)
I will crew and pace my friend Laurie for a few of her races and hope and pray I will be able to keep up with her!

Take a look at this link. It is one of the most amazing race finishes I have ever watched.
Notice how many times he turns his head back to see who is coming after him, count the seconds it takes for him to turn his head and then count how many seconds he looses the race by.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xo-nbnw8zSI

2004 Olympics triathlon silver medalist Bevan Docherty of New Zealand lives up to his motto of "He who wants it most wins!" Here, he sprints from behind to clutch victory from the grasp of compatriot Kris Gemmell at the 2005 New Plymouth ITU World Cup triathlon.

I leave you with this quote today by Eleanor Roosevelt:

"You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, I lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.. You must do the thing you think you cannot do."

Many Blessings to you all
Lisa

Kids need your help today Feb. 19th..must read!

Sorry for the 2nd post today but this one is much more important that the 1st one!
My very dear friend sister Marybeth has a book that you all need to buy and read. Siter Marybeth and I will being doing a big book promotion in the next several months to raise tons of money and awarness for Aids Orphans Rising. I have been fund raising for sister Marybeth for close to 20 years and this time for the time time ever sister will be able to join me on my 9th Badwater race and then summit Mt. Whitney to carry all the children to the top with us!
Please join us today and buy a book..and for today only look what else you will recieve. Next please copy this blog and send it to all your friends and family.
Thank you so much!
Lisa



Good morning everyone...

I've just returned from India where the need to help the orphans is indeed rising in unbelievable numbers...
we've recently opened a new home for the orphans near to Bangalore...it is filled to capacity...
one quick story...of some new orphans at our home...

a 5 year old boy I met there...kept doing somersaults in front of me...making us all laugh...the sister in charge told me --that is exactly what he was doing when they rescued him...on the highway of Bangalore! He was doing this trick to raise money for himself and his younger sister!

To help these children I have written the book Aids Orphans Rising
a good friend, Joe Vitale,
has gathered many of his friends to help not only the children but you and your friends too!

Today--February 19th if you or anyone you tell to go to this site
http://www.aidsorphansrising.org/bonuses.html

and purchase the book will receive many wonderful and valuable materials free...Joe has really gone out of his way to provide a great assortment of wonderful materials from all of his marketing friends to help this cause...

could you please send this email to all on your list--I know it will be a great help to the children.

I've attached a formal sales letter if you would also like to include that in the email it will explain to all what we are trying to accomplish for the children.

I will be back in America by February 23rd and look forward to seeing you.

Thank you and God bless you all.
Sr. MB

The word diet has to go!!!

Good morning!

I think in the past week I have gotten 5-6 emails talking about the I need to loose weight!

Many of my students are over weight but they are all dropping weight!

How does one become overweight is the big question? It is simple..to many calories compared to how many calories you are burning each day. if you eat a big box of candy and 2 donuts and have no time to exericse you are sure to gain weight.
Weight gain is a very sensitive subject to many and we all go through phases of gaining and then dropping pounds.
In the winter months most seem to gain extra weight but it then comes right off when it gets warmer.

There is no real sure fast way to drop pounds but I do know that saying these 5 words are some of the worst for most.
I AM ON A DIET!!! The word diet is so sabatoging. This word means to so many..I CAN'T, I WON'T. Thinking that you can't have a cookie may lead you to eat 10 of them.
Thinking you can't have a slice of cake may eat at you all day and you may eat the entire cake!
Anyone ever feel like this?????

The year's leading up to memopause, known as perimenopause, are prime time for weight gain. Most women put on a pound a year, mostly around the waist. Out-ofpwhack hormones and slowing down metabolism are a couple of the culprits. But getting older does not have to mean gettting plumper!
Many studies show that the more you work out, the slimmer you will be. Keep your eating habits in check is the answer! Not a diet but making the right choices and getting rid of sugar and white flour. It really is that simple in some way.

If your ready to start to loose weight and you are serious about making some "life style changes"
these are things I suggest that will help you.

Make a list of why you want to do this...

Give youself a pat on the back for getting started with this list

Enlist in a buddy that can help you stay motivated: shoot email me!

Set a goal to loose 1 pound and then set a goal to loose 5 pounds: another pat on the back and maybe even treat yourself to a massage!

Set up exercise dates with friends: write these dates down in your appointment book and keep them in GOLD so that there is not going to be anything that stands in your way of this special time for yourself. Set these exercise dates with people that are of a simular pace so that you feel happy and not over worked. We want you to show up at the next appointment:)

Find something to distract yourself: It is so hard to want something but say I can't. When you are around large amounts of food just make the right choice..pick something off the table that is good for you and stay away from the high sugar foods. Drink a large glass of water, this will help your tummy feel full. You will conquer this!

Plan out what your going to eat and shop for this plan!

Write down everything you eat and drink: This is what I have my students do for 2 weeks. Most of them who are stuggeling are amazed at what really goes into there mouth once they see it on paper!

If you slip up just move forward: so you went for the donut this morning, this does not mean that you need to sabatoge the rest of the day..just move forward and get back on track. We all have setbacks..

Sit down and make a list of all your sabotaging thoughts: what is going through your mind when you want to eat a box of cookies?

Come up with a response for each sabataging thought, even write them down on 3 by 5 inch cards and read them when you need to.

Remind yourself that if you eat because you are depressed, stressed, or lonley it won't solve the original problem, you will end up feeling worse because you got off your new eating plan. Distraction, find one!

Set a big long term goal! Make your plans now, don't wait until the weight comes off. Travel, find a new hobby, change your job...make a list of all the things you have always wanted to do and let's get going.

Now...keep it going..this is a life style change. This is not about looseing 50 pounds and then gaining it back again. This is about changing the way you do things.
You are the one who goes to the grocey store and buys the food, you are the one who puts the food in your mouth...right?
Distractions and goals are so very important for those who struggle with weight.

Try to take 1 bad food out of your diet today and this week and continue to move forward.

We are all here to support you and to help your goals and dreams come true!

1 pound at a time.

Lisa

All Women's Camp in sunny Tucson!!!!

Happy Valentines Day!!!!

Wow..what a few weeks many of us have had with the flu, somehow I got hit with it twice. This is the 1st time in 10 years I did not get a flu shot and it is the last! I can't thank you all enough for your continued prayers and support for my father. This last hospital stay was tough with an awful staff infection. This man has shown me so much in last several months about the human spirit that words can't even begin to describe. I sat in my fathers home and read 60 cards that he had been sent from so many of you, I sat speechless and I sat with tears. I thank you from the bottom to the top of my heart for your act of kindness to cheer up a man that I adore and love so much. Please..if I can ever do anything for you just say the word!

As you can see Dreamchaser's had a great turnout with amazing success at the RR 50 and 100 mile races. We were to have over 40 past and present coaching students running but some unfortunatley were stuck in airports due to snow storms and were not able to make it. I have to say you were sure missed but we look forward to many group runs again soon.
A big thank you to Joe the RR race director for setting up a large tent for the Dreamchasers and all the support for an amazing event he puts on. We look forward to many more and we look forward to Joe and his Texas group to run in the Tetons!!!

Ok..Finally the women's camp I have been waiting for! Come on!!! Let's go. If you can't join us they pass it on to some women that you think can. Looks like we may have to have 2 camps:) Which of course would be wonderful!!! Don't worry guys..we have a camp for you coming very soon.

ALL WOMEN'S CAMP IN SUNNY TUCSON!!!

Alright, it is finally here and we are going to have such a great time and I hope you can work it out with your schedule to come to sunny Tucson! I have finally found the most amazing house that sleeps 15 really well to hold the all women's camp I have been dreaming about putting on and I hope you can come.

What a great Valentine's Day gift to give to your wife or to your wife and daughter, your girl friend or just a special friend!!!

Here is a list of what this camp includes with the price...keep in mind this camp is going to be geared towards your own personal wants and needs... If you want to make it a hard core boot camp then we can do that, if you just want to take easy walks or hikes and sit by the pool and read your book all day you can do that as well.

This camp is about learning what it is you want and how to make it happen. We will have many round table group discussions about how to find the balance in your life and how you can accomplish anything, I mean anything you are dreaming about doing! "Find a way or make one"!!!

Services provided:

-Airport pickup and drop off -Wholesome, all natural breakfast, lunch and dinner...snacks too. -Fully guided sag support for those wanting to do road walks or runs
-Hammer Nutrition products, and nuun to!
-Accommodations in a very nice 7 bedroom house.
-laundry
-free wifi
-massage therapy, hot stone massage and more!
-lap pool and gym minutes away
-pool in the back yard big enough to do deep water running, water aerobics or just float!!! -shuttling to and from trail heads
-core training workouts -stretching
-vedio gait analysis
-group discussions on many topics

Don't miss this camp in sunny Tucson with me..I promise you it will be full fun and information for you to take home and start living that healthy, fit life you are dreaming of...or just a plan kick in the butt!

When: Check in on Tues. April 8th anytime after 4pm and check out after 12pm on Sunday April 13th

Where do I fly to: Tucson AZ!!

How much does all of this cost? $1,500!!! The only extra would you pay is for any massage services.

Space is limited so I hope to hear from you soon.

Much Love Lisa

From the Race Front: STEVE HOLMAN

On last weekend's Rocky Raccoon Race in Huntsville, TX


What surprised you most about the race?
Two things:
1. I was surprised at how great I felt from mile 75 on.2. I was quite surprised that after taking it easy in the beginning I began passing many people who were ahead of me most of the race. I even passed people who, at one point, had almost an hour lead on me.

What advice helped you achieve your goal?
Take it easy in the beginning. The first hour I went much slower than I felt I could. This paid off in a big way later on in the race.

Did you meet any new friends on the course?
Yep.

Is there something you learned that you'll use in future races (good, bad, or ugly!)
I learned I need to eat more consistently.

Any words of advice for others thinking about doing an ultra?
Learn to take it easy in the beginning, don't run out fast with the crowd. Eat more consistently. Get a good pacer who knows how to run a 100-miler and more importantly knows you and your abilities so they can push you when you need it and let you rest when you need it. (I had an absolutely incredible pacer!)

From the Race Front: STEVE WOLK

(From L to R: Steve with friends Larry King and Ed Mafoud)

On last weekend's Rocky Raccoon Race in Huntsville, TX


What surprised you most about the race?

Nutritionally how well I did. I felt hydrated and my belly always said ‘yes’ to anything that I wanted until the last aid station when after drinking HEED and cocoa- cola I had some momentary nausea which quite to my delight passed as I started for the lodge.

What advice helped you achieve your goal?

Coaching from Lisa.

Did you meet any new friends on the course?

First, I got to see many of the past ‘troopers’ cruising along the way in their 50 or 100 races. (You guys made the race that much more enjoyable)! Hats off to TED, LARRY & KIRA- on their performances in the 100; and ED- his first 50! Then I have to mention who was a physicist. He and I spent almost 10 miles talking! (He picked my brain on cardiology since many aspects of high tech stuff use applied physics and I asked him questions about quantum physics and an area that interests me- Cosmology (the study of the Universe). Then he says, “Man, I wish that I knew as much about the heart as you do about physics”! What a fantastic compliment! Here was someone who teaches in pretty ‘big’ places, his wife works for NASA as a physician; wow- this is about as good as exercising gets- having a chance to chat with company like that! (If you like physics).

Is there something you learned that you'll use in future races (good, bad, or ugly!)

Here comes the good part! I was well aware of the respect others had for ‘THE ROOTS’ but this being my first trail run I guess that I had to be ‘initiated’ (I am still recovering!). I stumbled at least 5 times on the 50 course- 3 of those times, ‘I checked out the real estate’. No matter how careful I was, I had a great propensity to find exposed roots just below the leaves and pine needles. By the 3rd loop, I got the hang of how to avoid falling but I had to walk (because I repeatedly fell on my left side). A new problem soon developed however, I started out the last loop with my prescription sunglasses instead of my regular lenses. This was a major tactical error! I almost turned around back to the lodge. (Good heavens man! Take those sunglasses off- you’re scaring everybody!). Since this was my 1st trail 50, it never dawned on me how dark it can get in the park after 5PM (especially wearing sunglasses)! The only solace was that I was now on the return loop. I didn’t know whether to take the glasses off and not see the ground well or keep them on. I decided on the latter. Lucky for me, 2 people volunteered their extra lamp to me (I also didn’t think that I would need a light!). You may ask yourself after repeatedly ‘crashing through the course’, not having taken off my sunglasses and not having a lamp in a state park after dark (supposedly- I understand with alligators) why I did not ‘initiate the termination sequence’ for this race. Let’s just say, it’s all about completing the ‘mission’ and leave it at that! I could heal up later. I met some great people. It was well worth the adventure. And I’m still here! I’ll be ready for MDS next month!

Any words of advice for others thinking about doing an ultra?

Two sentences: I’ve only done 3- 50’s so I’m too ‘brand new’ to give advice. But, not being ‘brand new’ (but still being able to run), if I can do it; I would say most people who focus on the ‘task at hand’ would surprise themselves!

From the Race Front: TERRY MADL

On last weekend's Rocky Raccoon Race in Huntsville, TX

What surprised you most about the race?
Not much. I had done the RR50 in 07, so I had a pretty good idea of what to expect. But the course was in even better condition with no spots under water, and all of those new boardwalks. Of course you still have to be on constant lookout for roots. This is really a wonderful course.

What advice helped you achieve your goal?
Well my first goal is always to finish (which I did), but I didn't hit the time I had hoped for. What I did learn was that no matter how you prepare, you always have to be ready to make adjustments on race day. So many things can happen when you're pushing the limits like we do in ultra distances. My training felt right--I was really strong when/where I wanted to be. My food/nutrition plan went well--no stomach problems, and I felt like I had plenty of energy throughout the race. But I developed a problem with my left hip that was a leftover from a 'little tweak' I felt during my long training run a week before. By the third loop if felt like I had dislocated it or something. Just about that time I kicked a root with my right foot and drove one of my toenails back into my toe. Needless to say, the 3rd loop became more about finishing than about setting a personal best time. In the end, that was fine; it was the best I could do on that day and I was happy with the result.

Did you meet any new friends on the course?
Not really on the course (where I pretty much stay to myself). But there was plenty of time to visit with new friends before and after the race. That was really great.

Is there something you learned that you'll use in future races (good, bad, or ugly!)
I guess there is a fine line between approaching each race with a willingness to adapt and possibly back-off when necessary (as I noted above in #2), as opposed to digging down and pushing hard for a tough objective. The more of these I do, the better I think I can manage that line.

Any words of advice for others thinking about doing an ultra?
If you're going to do an ultra, get really serious about training and nutrition. It is hard to explain what a challenge it is for both body and mind. I think ultra distances are way more mental than marathons. The one way to start preparing for that mental challenge is by putting in the long training runs. But I think you have to be just as committed to the rest of a well-rounded training regimen or else you'll beat yourself up and risk injury. That's where Lisa's program has really helped me out a lot. I'm not as young as I used to be, so I need to remain injury free during the intense training plan. Hey, it really works! Next stop: MDS!!

From the Race Front: KATY COTTON

On last weekend's Rocky Raccoon Race in Huntsville, TX


What surprised you most about the race?
Oh man, the trails were so clean - no mud, no water and who brought in all those additional boardwalks!!! The other thing is the number of runners, justifiable, Rocky is such a great race!

What advice helped you achieve your goal?
Gosh - all of it! And all the things I've learned from Lisa over the years. Despite the guidance for this race, when things get hard, one thing that always pops back into my mind "Run when you can, walk when you have to" works very well in the last miles.

Did you meet any new friends on the course?
Always - can't avoid doing so.

Is there something you learned that you'll use in future races (good, bad, or ugly!)
Hmmm, despite only training seriously for 6 weeks - have more confidence in my fitness, training, strength and race plan.

Any words of advice for others thinking about doing an ultra?

Go for it - with Lisa:) Especially for a first ultra, a coach (esp. a good one) helps you avoid all those newbie mistakes that can set one back and cause a runner to fail or give up. It is so much better w/the experienced guidance.

From the Race Front: COLLEEN WOODS

On last weekend's Rocky Raccoon Race in Huntsville, TX


What surprised you most about the race?
Not too much. I had done the race in 2007 and it was nice to return to a course that is familiar and filled with so many friends.

What advice helped you achieve your goal?
My goal was to start this race. I have had a lot going on recently and I had let training fall by the wayside. I knew if I got to Rocky Raccoon and saw so many of you out there, doing your best…I would be inspired. Needless to say, I absolutely was! And thanks to Tom Triumph for having me out to his house the weekend after the race, so I could continue work-outs with someone who is so great!

I did two loops and earned the three dreaded initials…DNF. But I am not too bummed about this. And I hope to be back in 2008 to claim a finisher’s medal.

Did you meet any new friends on the course?
I laugh that I went from NY to Texas to find a new friend from Staten Island! I did two loops of the course with Marisol Mafoud, Ed’s wife. She was excellent company and had me laughing so hard. It was also great to spend time with Lora on the course. Hope to see you in the Tetons this summer, Lora!

Is there something you learned that you'll use in future races (good, bad, or ugly!)
I learned that not living in the same town as Lisa and Jay when training for a race definitely affects my race performance!

Any words of advice for others thinking about doing an ultra?
The best way to even consider if ultras might be for you is to volunteer at an ultramarathon. You’ll get to see the stages a runner goes through and decide if it has an atmosphere you’d enjoy. Volunteering helped me decide that I was interested in the 50 mile distance, but not in running a 100 mile race any time soon. You guys that do 100’s are crazy…and I love you for it!

From the Race Front: JEFF ARRICALE

On last weekend's Rocky Raccoon Race in Huntsville, TX


What surprised you most about the race?
How many older people do ultras. Also, the incredible support of the aid station crews.

What advice helped you achieve your goal?
Lisa's training program that I have been (mostly) following for some time.

Did you meet any new friends on the course?
I met many new friends whose names I won't remember, but we will remember each other when we meet up at future races.

Is there something you learned that you'll use in future races (good, bad, or ugly!)
Breaking the race down into component parts is a great way to overcome the daunting figure (50 or 100 miles or whatever). "I can do a 17 mile loop". "I can run 4.5 miles to the next aid station".

Any words of advice for others thinking about doing an ultra?
Pretty much anybody can do it if they are well coached.

From the Race Front: GEORGE VELASCO

On last weekend's Rocky Raccoon Race in Huntsville, TX

What surprised you most about the race?
Many things surprised me…the weather, how well organized the race was, how much of the course was run-able and how many people I knew.

What advice helped you achieve your goal?
I followed all my coach’s advice except for her instructions about food and salt…and I paid for it!

Did you meet any new friends on the course?
Yes, I met new friends and I must have known about 80 people there, so I got re-meet old friends, too. It was an inspiration a blast and fun to see all the Dreamchasers zooming all over the place, most of them smiling.

Is there something you learned that you'll use in future races (good, bad, or ugly!)
I learned you never stop learning and that sometimes a fast course is not easy!!

Any words of advice for others thinking about doing an ultra?
Rocky Raccoon is a great course for new people coming into the sport-and listen, listen to your coach ormentor.

From the Race Front: BOB BECKER

On last weekend's Rocky Raccoon Race in Huntsville, TX

What surprised you most about the race?
How different it is to run 100 miles without a pacer. I'm not as disciplined as I'd hoped I would be!

What advice helped you achieve your goal?
I didn't achieve my most aggressive goal (under 22 hours), but did finish under 24. Lisa's advice to keep moving, and to "go slow to go fast", rang true once again.

Did you meet any new friends on the course?
Yes, both Dreamchasers people and people involved with the race. Joe Prusaitis, the Race Director, was very accommodating. He allowed my wife, Suzanne, and me to stuff each runner's race bag with a card promoting the "Keys Ultras", our new race in the Florida Keys in May. My only regret was not being able to spend more time with all of "Lisa's Kids" in Huntsville. I'm just hoping to make up for that the next time.

Is there something you learned that you'll use in future races (good, bad, or ugly!)
I'll prepare my race strategy more carefully to better align with the actual course and weather conditions. Since I have no place to train at night on trails, I am pretty tentative at night, I'll run faster during daylight hours to account for the slower night-time pace.

Any words of advice for others thinking about doing an ultra?
Yes. Rule #1: Train under the tutelage of Lisa Smith-Batchen. Rule #2: If that's not possible, beg. Sell your house. Whatever. Train with Lisa!

http://www.keys100.com/