The May/June Issue of Endurance Racing Magazine is online.

Covered in this issue:

Nutrition: Daniel Ballin and Crystal Witte

Information on the IUTA

Feature Stories: Ghislain Marechal and Dr. Jessica Deree

The Newbie Ironman: Vicki Chernin

Competing with Rheumatoid Arthritis: Angela Durazo

Hard Core Iron: Kale Poland

Middle of the Packers: Paul Corderoy and Earl Furfine

Ironwomen: Laura Brandon

Long Distance Cycling: Wounded Warrior’s Soldier Program.

Visit Http://EnduranceRacingMagazine.com to download the issue.

Charles Bungert wanted nothing more to support his mom in her fight against lung cancer…but he also had an opportunity to do something good for himself too. At over 400 pounds, Bungert is the heaviest man to run a marathon…and that earned him a Guinness World Record. See his page at www.running4mom.com.

Nike Sibley

Niki Sibley plans to run across Washington State this June.

“My goal is to complete all 403 miles in 10 running days (with a possible rest day, if needed). I was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease in 2012, so I will be running to raise funds and awareness for the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA),” she said.

To learn more visit:

http://online.ccfa.org/site/Donation2?df_id=11620&11620.donation=landing

I am deeply saddened by the loss of life and opportunity at the Boston Marathon on Monday, April 15, 2013. I am troubled by the needless injury and the stress, confusion and heartbreak this event caused to runners on one of the momentous race days in America. There is no larger international marathon stage than the Boston Marathon.

Without a doubt, all of us were personally affected by this tragedy, but collectively, our condolences go out to the families of Martin Richard, Krystle Campbell and the Chinese graduate student. Our hearts go out to these victims and those of the families who have their loved ones in local hospitals.

I want to personally thank Andy Schachat, a reporter for the New Hampshire Union Leader and a fellow 3-time Boston marathoner who provided me two photos, a link to his story in the newspaper and who had this to say:

“Tuesday was day that I spent recalling my story of being at the finish line. Talking about it was good therapy for me. I wound up doing five radio interviews and one newspaper interview. I also spoke at my running club’s meeting (the Rochester Runner’s Club).

As I stated in my article the sounds of sirens was a lasting impression. On Tuesday afternoon I heard some sirens in my hometown and I found myself feeling a little unsettled.”

I want to put together a panel of athletes, race directors, sponsors and others who would like to talk further about this – for the benefit of athletes around the world. It just so happens that the September/October issue of Endurance Racing Magazine this year is our Marathon Issue. You can bet, we will have some special coverage of the Boston Marathon.I want to thank the running community for being so loving and kind. I have been reading your stories on Facebook and following as many posts and image/story shares as I can. All of you are have touched me deeply – and for family and friends who cared about my safety, I am humbled.It’s time to get ready for the next training run, next race, and next opportunity to shine.  I love this sport – from the sprinters, to the middle distance runners, to the marathoners and endurance athletes.

The human spirit will endure.

Profiles of all the fallen victims can be found here: http://www.cnn.com/2013/04/16/us/boston-marathon-victims-profiles/index.html.

Much love,

Alix Shutello

THE MARINE CORPS MARATHON:
BROUGHT TO YOU BY TWO OF THE WORLD’S MOST EXPERIENCED MCM RUNNING JOURNALISTS!

Two veteran running journalists have come together to capture vivid images of 37 years of the Marine Corps Marathon in a lavishly illustrated commemorative hardcover photo book. For the first time ever you can relive the glory, struggle, and inspiring images of nearly four decades of the People’s Marathon! Whether you or someone you know has run the race last year or 30 years ago, that journey has finally been captured in 150 art-book quality pages, brought to you by two of the world’s most experienced MCM running journalists.

Through the lens, you will experience the pageantry of the race, Marines in action, personalities over the years, the bling, the triumphant post-911 race, the ecstasy and the misery from within the race, and more from one of the world’s most revered endurance events.This book is sure to be a collector’s keepsake for years to come.

Release date late April 2013. Reserve your copy today!  www.mcmphotobook.com

Special for Runners Illustrated and Endurance Racing Magazine readers, get  $10 off the $75 list price. Use the online code:   CB10

About the Authors:

Steve Nearman has reported on running for The Washington Post, The Washington Times, The New York Times, Running USA and many other publications for the past three decades, and is the event director for the Woodrow Wilson Bridge Half Marathon, now in its fourth year. He lives in Alexandria, Va., with his wife Melanie and son Jonathan. He has run four marathons including the 100th Boston Marathon and enjoys a competitive masters track career as a middle-distance runner. Nearman has covered every Marine Corps Marathon since 1982 except for 2004.

Jeff Horowitz is an experienced runner, coach, youth non-profit program director and author. He’s raced in over 170 marathons and ultramarathons across the U.S. and around the world, and is a running, cycling and triathlon coach. He is a college instructor, the author of My First 100 Marathons; 2,620 Miles With An Obsessive Runner (Skyhorse Press 2008) and Smart Marathon Training (Velo Press). He has also been an editor, and is a frequent contributor to various running and fitness magazines.

AMERICAN ADVENTURE SPORTS
Doug Crytzer – Founder/President
125 S. Pennsylvania Ave, Greensburg, PA 15601
T: (814)397-4316 E: doug@americanadventuresports.com

March 5, 2013

Greetings – We hope this newsletter finds you well. We have arrived safely back in the U.S. and have spent the last  week reflecting on our experiences and how lucky we are to have the opportunity that now stands  before us. Belize and its people have provided us with incredible inspiration, and, since our return, we  have been hard at work transforming our experience into action. There is much to do!  The Maya Mountain Adventure Challenge (MMAC) has  taken on a life of its own. What started as a typical  adventure race production has developed into a testament of one of the last truly unspoiled corners of  the world. On our first trip to Belize in February 2012, we were introduced to the beauty of the Maya Mountains and its people. When we returned in November of 2012, Friends of Conservation and  Development (FCD) director, Rafael Manzanero, unlocked for us the secrets of the Chiquibul and the Mountain Pine Ridge and, with them, the possibilities they contained for an epic adventure race. We knew we’d come to the right place. During this last visit to Belize, we set several goals for ourselves including routing the course, testing individual segments, deepening existing relationships to understand how we might mutually benefit from a world-class event, and securing new Belizean partners to provide logistical, operational, and media support for our endeavor while starting to generate local interest. Due to the warm receptions of Belizeans, as we’ve grown accustomed to, we were more successful than we could have hoped. 

We started the week meeting with Ian Lizarraga, Chairman of the Belize Tourism Board (BTB) and Nancy  Marin from the Belize Film Commission (BFC)/NMProductions to forge a partnership for financial support of the MMAC. After gaining a better understanding of BTB’s own goals and initiatives to boost adventure tourism in Belize, we are now hard at work drafting a detailed grant proposal to obtain matching funds from BTB to produce a feature documentary of the race. Aside from providing compelling, adrenaline pumping coverage of the event as teams race non-stop across 220+ miles of jungle wilderness, the film will showcase the natural beauty of Belize and the opportunity for adventure that exists within its borders. We truly believe that supporting each other will help us all achieve our goals.

The talented film crew from Aphelion Entertainment and Curbside Productions, who accompanied us on this latest trip to Belize, captured hours of amazing footage that included sweeping vistas, majestic  scenery, and candid interviews. NMProductions additionally helped facilitate filming on location in Belize – a tremendous asset that allowed us to maximize our time.  Curbside’s Dan McBride and Aphelion’s Justin Holt are now working on creating a trailer that represents our vision for the documentary, which we will be submitting along with the grant proposal later in March when we return to Belize to continue work on the MMAC. Every seasoned race director knows that it takes an army to successfully produce an adventure race. When hundreds of sleepdeprived racers are spread out over hundreds of miles of remote wilderness, communications and safety are critical as well as having the trained staff and volunteers who provide them. While in Belize, we were lucky enough to connect with Loyda Martinez and Sargent Thomas Rivars representing the Belize Disaster and Rescue Response Team (BDARRT). As an NGO focusing on skills training for emergency response in both urban and wilderness settings, BDARRT will provide both ropes management and medical response for the racersshould any emergency present itself. Loyda and Thomas additionally introduced us to Major Charlton Roches, the Operation and Training Officer of the Belize Defense Force (BDF). Major Roches and his resources will provide communication capabilities over the race course as well as additional medical response capabilities.

Although we dedicated a lot of time to securing these partnerships, wealso were able to cover a great deal of the course by vehicle, on foot, and by boat. Aside from setting off on a few of our own expeditions to vet the proposed routes, Raul Rodriguez and Misael Romero at Hidden Valley Inn (HVI) graciously opened the doors of their 7,300 acre jungle paradise to us and lent us guide Rick for an amazing day that showed us even more beautiful locations for this epic race. Situated along the banks of the Macal River, Blackrock Lodge shared with us their stunning views of Blackrock Canyon and tranquil environment which attracts some of the world’s most beautiful birds (and some pretty adventurous travelers). Do we sound excited yet?!

The possibilities were expanded even further when Brian Woodye at the Institute of Archaeology/NICH granted us access to Belize’s magnificent Mayan ruins which will allow us to connect the race with the cultural heritage of Belize and its people. And of course, this was made possible by Major David Harvey at the British Army Training Support Unit Belize (BATSUB) who  first unlocked the Maya Mountains for us by providing us with quality maps that previously seemed
nonexistent.

We have accomplished a great deal, but there is still more to do. We will be returning to Belize in just afew weeks to work further on routing the course, finalizing checkpoint locations, securing sponsorship,and formalizing a detailed operational plan. We continue to work with the AR World Series to have the race sanctioned as an AR World Championship qualifier for 2014. We are also working on producing a race packet so that we can provide prospective racers with as much information about travel and accommodations as possible to aid in their race planning. We are happy to announce that Cahal PechVillage Resort overlooking beautiful San Ignacio will serve as the host hotel for the race.

As a result of our hard work to date as well as the support of our partners as detailed above, the Maya Mountain Adventure Challenge promises to be an epic event. We have been overwhelmed by the beauty and hospitality of Belize and its people, and are so grateful to have the support of these skilled individuals and their organizations. While we have been successful in our quest to deepen the relationships with our partners, we are even prouder to say that many have also become close friends.

At American Adventure Sports, we measure our success, not in dollars, but in the relationships that we build as we grow our business and our family. It is impossible to value the relationships we’ve made in Belize – they have not only enriched our lives but they also now provide the foundation for turning our vision into reality. Moreover, we hope that we are all moving towards a unified vision and a common goal of enhancing environmental awareness through adventure and making this world a better place.
Stay tuned!! There’s so much more to come on the Maya Mountain Adventure Challenge!
- Doug, Julia, and the AAS Staff!

AMERICAN ADVENTURE SPORTS
Doug Crytzer – Founder/President
125 S. Pennsylvania Ave, Greensburg, PA 15601
T: (814)397-4316 E: doug@americanadventuresports.com
www.americanadventuresports.com
Life’s an adventure – let yours begin!

By Lisa Smith-Batchen

What does retired mean? As you know I retired from running races and I was graciously inducted into the hall of fame. I am full of gratitude for this honor. I wanted to be the first women to do 10 Badwater races, however my last try did not turn out the way I had planned and dreamed about.

I was taking Celebrex for my foot pain, out of shape and needless to say “the perfect storm” hit me. I spent 6 days in the hospital in Lone Pine, and accumulated an extra 38 pounds of fluid. I was one very sick person. After out of the hospital Sister Marybeth reminded me that I was the first women to do 10 Badwater races. One year 7 miles from the finish line I had to get an IV, I went back and finished the race but was NOF, as it should have been. Sister Marybeth asked me, “Who do you need credit from to be the first women to have 10 Badwaters?” This question hit me hard as it sunk into my heart. Did I need the credit of the race, would I give myself credit? Who had to give me the credit? Sister Marybeth said, “God gives you credit Lisa, His credit is the only one that really matters”.

WOW! She was right! I am the first women to do 10 Badwater races. God gives me credit and I give myself credit. Amen. A few weeks ago I went on a 10 mile walk. I was praying, meditating, crying and thinking about the big journey I am dreaming about in Death Valley this summer.

Very few people know my plan but I am going to attempt the Badwater Quad. The missions Marshall Ulrich and I raise money for need our help. We have 7 missions that each have over 700 children. Four of them have NO water at all and the other three have broken water wells. Doing the Quad will be to raise money for water wells and clean water for all of these children. Anyone else want to help raise money? We need to raise $70,000. Dreamchasers Foundation! On my walk I started to think about the race and my EGO said “YES Lisa why not make your journey part of the race and GET the OFFICIAL 10th Badwater and have the credit of the race as well as God and yourself.” I started to laugh because as I was walking I said out loud, “NO.”  Then (as we all have at times) my mind went back and forth, “Why not? Well because I retired. You can just finish the race, you don’t have to race the race,” I thought.

Will the real Lisa please stand up!

Ego is something we all have, I have tried for a very long time to leave mine at the door!! We all have ego and I feel at the age of 52 mine is a healthy ego. For so long my dream was to be the first women to complete 10 Badwater races. As an athlete or non- athlete I know all of you can appreciate the hard part of letting go of a dream, moving past it, and acceptance. I have not been able to let go of the fact that I don’t have completion. I have unfinished business. My life is about no regrets and no second thoughts… I would always have a twinge of regret about not making it “official”…. It would be a grain of sand in my shoe. I think that I may owe myself one last shot at the official 10th. This is not about EGO… this is about self-fulfillment. It is also about unfinished business. My personal goal was always to have 10 official Badwater races. I don’t have any desire to race any longer or to beat people. The desire to complete my goal of 10 is what I have not let go of. Let the training begin. I am honored that I will stand one last time at the starting line of the Badwater 135 with so many wonderful and amazing friends. My heart is full of gratitude!

Train for Badwater with Lisa and Pam Reed

We may not have extreme heat but we have hot yoga, saunas and steam rooms. The one thing we do have is LARGE trails or roads with big, long and steep mountain passes to climb. Come train with us for your race this summer, bring your friends!

This year I am fortunate enough to be able to give my 10^th official Badwater race another try. Unfinished business is hard for all of us. My training is going really well. Pam Reed who also lives here in the Tetons is going for her 9^th Badwater.

How cool is that? Pam and I have both won the Badwater race 2 times and we would love for you to come and train with usJ

Pam and I would like to invite you to come and train with us in the magic on the Grand Tetons on Tuesday June 4^th through Sunday June 9^th.

This training is FREE to all of you and your friends. We will supply one airport pick up on Tuesday June 4^th and one airport drop off on Sunday June 9^th. The airport you will fly into is Jackson Hole Wyoming.

There will be a small fee for the shuttle or you can rent your own car.

You will either stay at Teton Springs Resort and Spa in Victor Idaho for a very reduced rate or we will find you a home stay with a local family.

Lisa works at Teton Springs Resort and it is amazing! Located right at the base of the Teton pass where most of our training will happen. The Resort has a 25 meter salt water pool, golf, tennis, fitness center where we do all kinds of yoga and functional core training.

Here is what your week would look like

Tuesday: June 4^th: arrive to Jackson Hole Wyoming by 3 pm. MST.

Meet for dinner at 6 pm.

Night run up to 2 hours with headlamps starting at 9 pm.

Wednesday June 5^th: Up to 30 miles of steep hill training on the Teton Pass. We will start at 6,000 feet and climb to 10,000 feet doing repeats. Crew will be available to carry your supplies.

In the evening we will do hot yoga.

Thursday: Up to 30 miles again but this time going from Teton Canyon uphill for 8 miles. We will be doing repeats.

Crew will be available to carry your supplies.

In the evening we will do yoga and functional core exercises for runners.

Friday: Up to 25 miles on the “Old Pass Road” from Jackson Hole Wyoming.

On Saturday, Pam is the Race Director of the Jackson Hole Half marathon today and we are all going to run the half marathon and after the race go White Water rafting!

Sunday: early morning up and down the Teton Pass for a total of 15 miles and then depart to airport. Your depart from the airport can be after 12 noon.

For more information, contact:

Lisa and Pam

www.dreamchaserevents.com

Support for breast cancer has now turned to endurance racing

Last year was the inaugural 110 miles for Donna to Finish Breast Cancer.  Due to the dedication and outreach of the David Green, CEO of 110% Play Harder and his team, the company exceeded their fundraising goal last year by raising over $115,000 and triggering the $100,000 match from the Weaver Foundation.  In all, they helped Donna and her team raise over $600,000 to support groundbreaking breast cancer research and to provide financial assistance to women suffering from this dreaded disease.

David Green himself will be running the full 110 miles this year joined by several relay teams.

“We will begin our 110 mile journey on Saturday, February 16th and run continuously through the night until we converge with the thousands of marathon runners that will begin their run on Sunday, February 17th.  The journey will continue onto the marathon course and end at the finish line of the 26.2 with Donna at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville”, he states on his fundraising page.

Further, for each team that raises at least $10,000, the Weaver Foundation will generously provide a $10,000 matching donation.

In all, we hope to raise over $110,000 again this year and play our small part in assisting Donna to reach her fundraising goal.

To invest in this cause, please follow this link and click on the pink DONATE button:

http://donate.breastcancermarathon.com/?fuseaction=fundraising.handleAlias&fundraisingCampaign_id=7&alias=david110

Thanks in advance to all of you for your generous support.

Visit: 110PLAYHARDER.COM

A slog in the dark ~ North Face Endurance Challenge 2012

By Erica Gratton

Erica on La Jolla Valley

As with most challenges in life, they never really begin when they present themselves. They can usually be anticipated weeks, sometimes months before and the North Face Endurance Challenge was no different.

By December 1, I had been training for several months. I felt confident in my abilities. My training regime consisted of endless miles, lots of hills, technical single track, open fire roads, at least a dozen Bonkbreakers, too many gels, several bottles of Perpetuem and one trip to Bear Mountain. Did I mention I was trying snowboarding for the first time over Thanksgiving? Ah yes. The brainiac that I am didn’t think twice about seizing the moment. My legs would carry me. My core would stabilize me, but my tush couldn’t cushion me!!! After numerous run-ins with the mountain, my body was worked. So I headed home.

I got a few tapered runs in before leaving for San Francisco, but my sacrum ached, my wrist was weak and my shoulder tweaked. I realized I might not be able to make it 50 miles on my wrecked body. Being a competitor I was struggling with the admission, but I’m no pro. No one cares if I toe the line and NFEC was not a qualifier. So was it worth the risk?

When the weather forecast for race weekend presented itself, that answer became more blurred. Regardless of what that answer was going to be, I headed to SF to cheer on my friends. Seven plus hours driving in the rain, my friends and I arrived at Union Square around 4:30 Friday afternoon. Hungry, tired and anxious to get settled for the next day, we grabbed our packets, ate and drove across the bridge to our hotel.

With clothes laid out, gear checked, showers done, alarms set, and a quick look at the new course map, we called it a night and lights were out at 10:30 pm.

Race Day

3:30 am came early and so did the rain. What might have been soothing sounds on a “stay in bed late” Sunday” were far from welcomed on a “get your gear on and suck it up Saturday.” The rain had been coming down for more than 24 hours and I knew it was going to be a long day.

Waiting, as usual, was the toughest part. My friends and I stood in the cold drizzle anticipating the shuttle bus. Typically I would have walked to stay warm, but I didn’t have my bearings and it was very dark. The bus arrived and we piled in for the short ride. Arriving at the start area, we unloaded, checked our drop bags, used the bathrooms and cheered the Elites as they took off. Minutes after, we crossed the timing pads and began our own race.

Staying with the pack served a great purpose. Our united headlamps illuminated the trail much better than my mediocre one. As every runner found their pace though, the pack separated and I found it very challenging to navigate in the dark. The rain was consistent and the fog heavy as I climbed out of the first valley. I slowed to find my way and became increasingly concerned that if the sky didn’t lighten up, I might need a running partner. My lamp was failing me.

And the Gun Goes Off

As I ran to the first juncture with volunteers, one of them hollered out ~ “Hills for breakfast people. Hills for breakfast!” I do not know who this gal was. Nor do I think I could pick her out of a crowd, but I want to give her a huge shout out. Her words were the fuel I needed. Her words reminded me why I persevere. Why I struggle sometimes, but ultimately triumph; why I challenge the challenge. My answer: When it’s just you vs. you on the trail (of life) you must make a choice. Whatever your choice, you must live with it. So I say to that brave volunteer, thank you for enduring the weather and bring on the breakfast! Not a complimentary continental one either. I want a full on, all you can eat, champagne brunch buffet, but I digress.

By 7 am, the glow in the sky was enough to find my way. The slog in the dark had mentally drained me and I needed the visual boost. I pocketed my headlamp out of Tennessee Valley and was feeling rejuvenated. Until now, all my miles had been run in shades of gray. I could finally start to see the beauty surrounding me. Even in the rain, I could see the Headlands charm. As I ran out of another valley, I could hear the crashing of waves. Through an opening in the mountain, I could see the ocean and as I ran closer to the coast I heard the rhythmic blow of a fog horn. Still many miles to go before descending into Muir beach, the sounds were a nice distraction.

The Mental Game

It’s funny when you are left with only your mind for over 10 hours, what you recall. I remember approaching huge unavoidable puddles and instinctively slowing down. “Maybe there was a way around it?” Comical I suppose, considering every cell of my skin was saturated to the bone. What’s funnier is that I wasn’t the only runner pausing for a moment. What were we thinking?

The Pacific Coast trail was lined with pods of bamboo grass so brilliantly green, I nearly tripped up the steps trying to take in their beauty. I followed this trail to the first of many muddy descents. I was so paranoid of falling on my bruised sacrum, I practically walked downhill. Actually, I would call it a loosely controlled slide. There was two-way traffic, so I had to stay upright and not take anyone out on my way down. Once I reached the bottom, there was an aid station with some of the best folks around; serving up smiles and the finest PB&J this side of the Golden Gate Bridge. After a brief stop, I was on my way back up that muddy mess. I’m not even sure how long it took to get up and out, but I recall the gal on top saying she’d see me again in about 2 1/2 hours. Really? Sometimes ignorance is bliss. The course reroute was so last minute, I didn’t glance at it more than once. I figured I’d just follow the orange ribbons knowing I had to do a few loops twice. Was this really one of them? Ugh. I survived the downhill once, but did I really have to surf it again?

The Beauty of the Run

Unbeknownst to me, on an adjacent was a breathtaking Eucalyptus grove. Giant, towering Eucalyptus trees with paper thin bark, perfectly peeling and others with English ivy climbing their trunks. Their fragrance was invigorating. It was my reward and it would become my strength hours later when I needed it most. Mother Nature continued to amaze me with her wild ferns growing between the trees. They were huge; looking bigger than VW bugs. All I pondered was why I couldn’t grow one that bountifully. Some things are simply best in nature. As would prove true when I ran out of Alta Vista and caught sight of nearly a dozen magical mushrooms…and I don’t mean that kind of magical mushrooms. I mean the kind from Alice in Wonderland. Their canopies were brilliant reds and oranges with polka dot splashes. I wish I had a camera. They were one of a kind. It seems most things in this enchanting place were larger than life. At one point I found myself staring at the largest slug I had ever seen. Guess that’s why it’s called a Banana slug. Holy bananas Batman, that thing was huge!

After leaving the emerald forest and passing through the next check point, I was headed back towards the start/finish area. I vaguely remembered passing this way in the dusky hours, but more so was grateful to make my second pass and be done with this section. My elevated mode was instantly crushed when a runner I had been sharing miles with told me this would not be our last time down this trail. What? Another time? These multiple passes were wrecking havoc with my mind. I needed to pull it together.

As I approached the next aid station, I was sent left. Back to the start/finish area towards the half way point. If I was going to drop, now would be the time. It had taken me about 5 hours to go approximately 24 miles. I had shaken the negative thoughts of doing the loops again and was feeling good. The weather stunk, but that was no reason to stop. It was part of the adventure, so I ran on.

Nearing the End

The trails were starting to look familiar to me now. Some I had done already and others I had run from a different direction. That was the confusing part. A tough job for the volunteers too. Unless they saw you pass through once, they may have sent you in the wrong direction or allowed you to pass in another. Luckily I made all the right turns and the one time I almost goofed up, I saw a friend who guided me the correct way. Thank goodness. I would have been so frustrated if I missed miles and got disqualified.

As minutes turned to hours, my thoughts became more focused. Only one goal remained – to be done! My adventure was nearly over as I ran into Tennessee Valley for the last time. Only 5’ish miles remained. I would hit the groves one more time, one more slip ‘n slide descent, one more aid station, then the pavement home. As I controlled my slide down the slippery slope, I caught up with a guy I had been leap frogging all day. We ran the last few miles together recalling memories made. As I crossed the finish line I was greeted by my friends who were happy to see that I was still in the “fully upright and standing position”. My sacrum muscles were aching, but I felt euphoric. A warm shower, good food, great friends and a bed did my body better.

The next day’s drive proved to be a challenge of its own. With the freeway closed due to flooding, it took about ten hours to get home. Come Monday though I was feeling the itch…and I don’t mean to run. I mean literally. I had a very aggressive case of Poison Oak on my leg. Within a day I had remote patches showing up on both legs. I was pretty miserable and couldn’t sleep, so I went to the docs. One steroid shot, a splint for my sprained wrist, a script for prednisone (cause my Poison Oak was infected too), a script for a mega dose antihistamine and a topical anti-itch cream. In theory, I was good to go.

Chances are if you are reading this, you are an endurance runner and can empathize with me. If you’re wondering how I got Poison Oak running on a well groomed trail, well…you probably haven’t run long enough for nature to call!

About Erica:

Erica Gratton is an award winning trail runner and an accomplished endurance athlete. She is a RRCA, USAT&F and Natural running certified coach, freelance writer & photographer and co-host of The Natural Running Network radio show.

As an athlete, Erica has been featured in LAS&F and Ultrarunning magazines. Her first ultra was the Coyote Two Moon 100K in February 2011. In nearly two years, Erica has completed over 6 endurance races including her first 70.3 triathlon, Wildflower, this past April. GORE-TEX North Face Endurance Challenge 50M in San Francisco on December 1^st rounded out Erica’s 2012 season.

Follow Erica’s race schedule at http://www.socalultragirl.com to see where she’ll be in 2013.