Given this, I thought it only appropriate to start the ball rolling on the Ultra front by featuring a local ultra runner who has put his long distance skills to good use by running across the state of New Hampshire each Fall for the past few years in support of some very good causes. Sherpa John Lacroix is a veteran of numerous ultras, and has now completed his annual Run Across New Hampshire (RANH) twice, with his third attempt schedule to occur on October 23-24, 2010. I had the honor to run about 10 miles of the RANH with John last year, and if my schedule permits, I may try to get out there again this year. He’s running the RANH this year in order to promote getting people active outdoors, and in keeping with the theme, this year he aims to run the entire way from to on trails. I sent John a series of questions about ultra running and the RANH – here’s what he had to say:

ME: How did you get into the sport of Ultrarunning?

SHERPA: In 2004 I was making a documentary film about hiking New Hampshire’s 4000 Footers. As I was nearing the completion of the list and film, I was in need of a new hobby, and wondered if anyone had ever hiked the mountains the fastest. What I found was a “mountain” of information and stories about folks as early as the 1970s who had indeed hiked the mountains the fastest. I went and met Tim Seaver who is the current record holder at 3 Days 15 Hour 51 Minutes (187 Miles), and he told me about this thing called Ultra-Running. I asked what someone needed to do to become an ultra runner and his response was, “Basically you have to be stubborn and able to put up with a little, well actually a lot, of discomfort.” I was hooked on the idea and started running. I couldn’t run a mile without walking back in 2004 when is started, so I’ve come a long way since then. (You can read more about how Sherpa got into ultras here: http://sherpajohn.blogspot.com/2007/10/ultra-running-how-i-got-into-it.html)

ME: Do you ever run shorter distances?

SHERPA: Yes I do, all the time. I tend to run shorter distances during the week which are anywhere from 5K to 10 miles or so. These shorter distance training runs are what I use to keep loose, go through the motions and refine a lot of my posture, speed and hill techniques. In terms of racing shorter distances… no. I can’t see paying $20+ to run a local 5K when I could pay $50 to run a 50 Miler in most cases. I like to look at signing up for races as a pay for value type system. I could pay $80 to run 26.2 or pay $175 to run a 100 Miler in some amazing place. I’ll take the 100 any day.

ME: Aside from the Run Across New Hampshire, what is your most memorable running moment?

SHERPA: Man… there are so many to choose from. I’ve been extremely lucky to have the various adventures I’ve had over the last 5 or so years. I’ve been from coast to coast, north to south.. it’s been great. But if I had to choose one I’d say it would be my finish at the 2009 Massanutten Mountain Trails 100. I had run the race the year before and finished a battered and broken man… but I was better for it. I always try to find ways to make things tougher, so the following year (2009) I signed up for the race in their new “Stonewall Jackson Division” where you are required to run from start to finish without a pacer or crew. You’re on your own for 102 miles through some of the rockiest terrain east of the Mississippi. It was one of the toughest and most painful things I’ve ever done. I think I crawled at under a mile per hour for the last 13 miles of that race just to finish. I had horrendous chafe, trench foot, you name it. But I did it.. and I’ll never forget the effort it took and how I felt after.

ME: I’ll be running my first Ultra next March (HAT Run 50K) – what advice can you give to a first time ultrarunner?

SHERPA: Ditch the watch. When training, it’s more about time on your feet, the speed will come the more you do it. It’s all about the journey in getting from A to B and looking good when you get to B. The watch is more of a nuisance and brain buster then anything else.. so ditch it. Left, Right, Repeat.

ME: What is the Run Across New Hampshire?

SHERPA: The Run Across New Hampshire is an annual run that I started as a way to try to get folks in the local area outside. Over the years I really feel like we’ve failed on this front so this year we’re really taking a hard stab at it. We’ve teamed up with Conservation New Hampshire and it’s our goal to get as many people outside as possible. This year’s run is being held on October 23-24, 2010 and is a trail run taking place on the Sunapee-Kearsarge-Ragged Greenway and the Monadnock-Sunapee Greenway. The run totals 128.8 Miles with over 54,000 feet of elevation change – basically I’m going to climb Everest, around the clock, day and night, for two days. It all ends on Mount Monadnock, the worlds second most climbed mountain, and we really hope folks will join us for the final climb.

ME: How many years have you been doing the RANH?

SHERPA: This is the third year of the run. We started in 2008 by running across the state at it’s widest point which started in the West on the Route 9 bridge connecting Brattleboro, VT and Chesterfield, NH; and then continued East along routes 9, 4 and 1A to Odiorne State Park in Rye, NH which is the Eastern-most point. In 2008 we ran 125 miles from point to point to make it an even 100K, we did it to raise money for Make-A-Wish Foundation of NH. We repeated the run in 2009 with a shorter version of 120 miles and we did it for funding for The Seacoast Science Center. This year’s run is more of a North to South lollipop and explores a section of our state that remains pretty rural and unused.

ME: Why the switch from roads to trails?

SHERPA: While planning the 2008 Edition of the run, my running buddy Nate Sanel and I had a long talk about how much the roads were going to hurt and thought about ways to run the width of the state on trail. We thought about how much more time that would take and wondered if it was even possible. After much debate, we stuck to the busier roads of Routes 9 and 4 for fundraising purposes. But the last two years, one of our aid stops out in Nelson, NH is the parking lot for a Monadnock-Sunapee Greenway trailhead. We’ve always kind of looked at the trail while sitting there resting, and wished we had done a trail adventure instead. Trails are a lot less punishing on your body and a lot more fun… no doubt about it. So the switch was an easy decision, besides, I’ve seen enough of Routes 9 and 4 to last a lifetime.

ME: What’s the hardest part about completing an event like this?

SHERPA: I’d say the mentality of it all. I’m a firm believer that the human body is a most resilient and amazing thing. We all can accomplish so many things that we think are impossible and far from reach. Truth is, your body is designed in such a way that physical accomplishments are actually closer to reality than most people realize. That’s the hard part right there, believing that you can do it and then actually keeping that thought in your mind from beginning to end. There is no doubt in my mind that there’s going to be a few points while out on the adventure where I doubt my ability to complete the task. To keep moving forward when I’m losing hope, and getting out of that funk and back to believing in myself, that’s a tough task that’s going to happen quite a bit. But hey… I want people to get outside and I’ll do whatever I can to convince folks that they too can do anything they put their mind to.

ME: What’s the best part about completing an event like this?

SHERPA: There are really so many facets to an event like this but I’d have to say the people. I have a great crew that comes out to support me. Seeing them have such a great time, outside, as dedicated to the run as I am is really something else. In the end, everyone feels the same sense of accomplishment. It’s a team effort. If we get some new faces to come out and join in that with us, it’ll be perfect. But that’s definitely the best part, the people.

ME: How should people go about getting in touch with you if they’d like to join you for part of the RANH (do you have a website with details?).

SHERPA: If you want to get involved There’s actually two ways you can you do so. We want to encourage folks to get outside and enjoy a section of our state that isn’t typically used or known about for recreational purposes. You can sign up to run or crew by contacting Leah Belanger. She’ll provide you with all the details. Runners: In the coming weeks, we’ll post a list of segments you are welcome to run as well as their level of difficulty based on the perception of a mid to back of the pack runner. Crew: Crewing is a hard job. It requires patience in that you do very little driving and a LOT of waiting around for the runner(s) to appear. Once they’re there, you spring into action for all of 5 minutes, rinse and repeat. For more info visit: http://sherpajohn.blogspot.com/2010/09/2010-run-across-new-hampshire.html

Every once in awhile you hear a story that moves you in a way that few others do. This was how I felt when I listened to Phat Disney Geek’s (otherwise known as Byron) race report from the 2010 Disney Half Marathon on the Running to Disney podcast (by Gordon H.). Byron’s story about completing the Disney Half after losing 70 lbs from the start of his running journey in mid-2009 was as emotional as it was triumphant, and I highly recommend that you give it a listen – you can download the episode here on Itunes. You can also read a race recap on Byron’s blog, Phat Disney Geek.

I was disappointed to find out that Byron more or less stopped running after Disney, and wound up regaining most of the weight that he had lost. In a recent blog post, Byron laments falling off the running wagon, and asks for help in holding himself accountable in order to get healthy again in preparation for a return to Disney in January 2011. Here is Byron in his own words:

“I believe that I finally have all the pieces coming together to get this going again. BUT, I need your help to get me going and keep me going. From those that are willing, I need the tough love. To hold me accountable to what I say I am going to do and what I need to do and to not let me get away with slacking off and making excuses.“

So I’m writing this in the hopes that you might stop by Byron’s blog and offer some helpful words of encouragement. As someone who has also made a dramatic personal transformation through running (you can read my weight loss story here), I understand the power that support and motivation from fellow runners can provide, and I wish Byron the best on his renewed journey, and I hope that you will too.

In addition to his blog, Phat Disney Geek, you can follow Byron on Twitter at http://twitter.com/phatdisneygeek, or on dailymile at http://www.dailymile.com/people/PhatDisneyGeek.

Below is a Race Report that Matt sent out regarding his experience running the 2010 Disney Half-Marathon:

“Thank you for supporting my Team In Training event for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS). Your help and encouragement is what got me across the finish line. But more importantly, you helped to accelerate finding cures for leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma and bring increased hope to the patients and families who are on the front lines of the battle against these blood cancers.

Leading up to this race I was not sure exactly how I would do. After originally planning to run the full marathon, then getting injured and having to drop down to the Half Marathon I was a bit worried i would even be able to run that distance.

My race started with my alarm going off at 2:30am to get my gear on and head to the bus for the quick ride to the starting line. The temp hovered around 30 degrees and before the gun went off at 5:40am the freezing rain had already started to fall. I was used to running in the cold after training at home, but I had never expected to run in the freezing rain in Floria – it’s supposed to be warm there!

During the run itself there were many times where I could feel my legs tighten up, and rather than focus on that, I focused on the support and encouragement I received from you and everyone else who has helped my fundraising for the LLS.

I finished the event in 2 hours and 12 minutes – not my best time, but considering how little I was able to train leading up to the event I am very happy with my time. As far as races go, this was my favorite so far – running through the Magic Kingdom, up main street, around Tomorrowland and finally through the Castle gates was truly amazing. The support at every mile was something I had never seen before. From fireworks at the start, to marching bands just about every two miles, to a sea of people congratulating you at the finish this was hands down the most fun run I’ve ever done.

From this event, and the previous event I ran last June I have raised over 8 thousand dollars to help find a cure for blood cancers and support those people who are currently fighting this disease. Your contributions got me to this amazing total.

On behalf of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, thank you very much for your support. I really appreciate your generosity.

If you’d like to learn more about joining Team In Training, you can visit http://www.teamintraining.org.

You can also read through my progress updates or make additional contributions on my fundraising page here: http://pages.teamintraining.org/ma/wdw10/mattallen

Thank you,

Matt Allen

Matt is yet another great example of someone putting his ability to run to use for a greater purpose than the achievement of mere personal goals – congratulations Matt on your accomplishments!

If you’d like to find out more about Team in Traning, please visit their website: http://www.teamintraining.org/

One of my running friends on Twitter, Matt Allen (@mattallenphoto), is preparing to run the 2010 Disney Marathon with Team in Training, a fundraising group that is part of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. His goal is to raise $4000 to contribute to the efforts of the LLS and their goal of eradicating blood cancers while assisting current cancer patients and their families as they work through treatment.

As part of his effort, Matt is holding a fundraising event at the Blue Mermaid in Portsmouth, NH on Nov. 21 benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in their fight against blood cancers. A friend of his, Seth Gooby, will be providing the musical entertainment for the evening.

There will be some great prizes raffled off throughout the night including a 2gb iPod Shuffle, gift certificates to local merchants, a hand loomed scarf from an Etsy artisan, and fine art photography. A suggested donation of $10 gets you 5 raffle tickets with more available to purchase at $2 per ticket. The more you donate the better your odds of walking away with a prize. All donations will be given directly to the Leukemia & Lymphoma society.

The details of Matt’s fundraising event again are:

Where: The Blue Mermaid, 409 The Hill, Portsmouth, NH
When: Saturday, November 21st at 8pm

To make a donation and join Matt in the mission to wipe out blood cancer, visit his Team in Training fundraising page at: http://pages.teamintraining.org/ma/wdw10/mattallen.

For more information, you can also follow Matt’s training for the 2010 Disney Marathon on Facebook.

About the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society:
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is the world’s largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research and providing education and patient services. We have invested more than $680 million in research since 1949 – over $69 million in 2009 – specifically targeting leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma. Last year alone, LLS made 4.9 million contacts with patients, caregivers and healthcare professionals.

About Team in Training
Over the past 20 years, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Team In Training® (TNT) has grown to become an unparalleled sports training program. More than 390,000 participants, from first timers to seasoned athletes, have trained with the Team and achieved their best at marathons, half marathons, triathlons, 100-mile century bike rides and hiking adventures. TNT is the world’s first, best and largest charity sports training program – and the only one to offer a full complement of exciting, sports training options.