Stay Strong - Run Long

Running/racing in 2016 for me was a majorly great year. I've said many times, running doesn't define who I am. I am a husband first, a dad second, a friend third and lastly a runner. I wear a lot of hats and running is a vehicle I use to define where my passion and zeal for life come from. I've been blessed with a very full life and one that I wouldn't trade for the world. Running gave me my life back when the world tried to steal it away from me over 12 years ago. Running is my hobby, it's my sport, it's my stress reliever, it's my way to meet people and it's a social outlet for me that keeps me out of situations I don't want to be in. My family is my galaxy, running is my world. 2016 started out really great with a trip to Texas to run the Rocky Raccoon 100 miler and get my first Western States qualifier and a 26:55 finish. It wasn't the result I was hoping for, but a memory that I will always cherish as my first official trail 100 mile

I love trails. I've said it a million times over. I love to run on the trails, I love to hike on the trails, I love to sit and look around. I love parks, I love mountains...I love trails. Unfortunately, living in Iowa puts me in a position that I have to travel 30-45 minutes from my house to get in some longer trails with some technical footing. That's what I always thought...until I discovered RCC Run The Woods ... I discovered this race somewhat by accident a few years ago. I was looking for a November race and saw that this one was a few short miles from our old house. If I would have been paying attention to the race description I'm not 100% certain I would have gone to try it out. Thus, changing my opening statement and my running career. "4-Mile trail runs over open pasture to dense timber; including rocks and rough terrain, steep upgrades and water crossings. (Your shoes WILL get wet" ACTUAL RACE DESCRIPTION :) RCC Run the Woods is 4 mi

I’m from Iowa. I love it. I’m not ashamed to admit it. It’s where I grew up. It’s where I call home and more than likely where my kids and their kids will live too. It’s a great place to live, it’s a great place to raise a family, and it’s a great place to go exploring in the mountains…..(insert screeching car noise)…..what? Oh, wait…..you think that just because we don’t have 14,000 ft peaks and thin air we don’t have mountains? Let’s give you a little insight into a race called the Booneville Backroads 100 Mile race, shall we? J You’ll never hear me claim to be an expert at doing “smart things”. Most of the time, it’s on the contrary. I like to do a series of really dumb things and see how they turn out. The same goes for training for the 2016 Booneville Backroads Ultra . After Rocky Raccoon left me a little down in the dumps because I knew that I could have done better after making some questionable decisions when it came to nutrition and hydration, I knew that I had a chance t