Scott’s Blog

So you may be wondering why I’ve been off the blog for a stint. I’ve been on what I call “winter hibernation,” where I recharge my batteries so to speak, both mentally and physically. I just needed some down time from running.

So what exactly have I been doing for the past month and a half other than not blogging? Not running! When I say “not running,” I mean NOT running. I’ve always taken 4 – 6 weeks off at the end of every race season to let my muscles and mind mend from the long months of hard racing and training. I truly believe this recovery period has been instrumental in enabling me to churn out top race results year after year.

I first began “hibernating” in my nordic skiing days. At the end of the ski season, the snow would start to melt away, and suitable ski conditions along with it. The warm temps and slush caused me to lose motivation to ski or even cross train. So instead of becoming depressed, I embraced the opportunity to take a complete rest from all types of specific training. Although it seemed unnatural at first, it later felt like the right thing to do. I started recognizing it was not only beneficial physically, but also mentally. Following the hibernation period I was ready to start running and cross training with a newly found enthusiasm for my goals for next season.

Then in my first couple years of ultrarunning, I came across the book Train Hard, Win Easy: The Kenyan Way by Toby Tanser. Tanser traveled to Kenya to learn the Kenyan secrets of success. He interviewed the Kenyan elite and coaches to better understand their training philosophies. A recurrent theme in their philosophies was the importance of rest and recovery during the offseason. Yes, even the Kenyans lay on the couch at the end of their season! Many of the athletes refer to taking time off in which they do not run a single step, sometimes for two months.

Top marathoner, Moses Kiptanui, states that he takes a two month break after the race season. 800 meter runner, Nixon Kiprotich describes the importance of the break for an “opportunity to relax, put on a few pounds, and catch up on family life he has missed while spending the summer on the European circuit.”

So not only was taking a break backed up by the Kenyans, but the restocking of my fat stores was given Kenyan approval. Even though I usually put on a few pounds during all of my breaks, I never worry about it. After a couple of good base building months I am back to my normal body composition. So stop feeling guilty about those pounds you packed on during the holidays!

Cosmas Ndeti says “The marathon recovery cannot be hurried; I like to eat well and spend time with my children, then begin a hard buildup.”

I have been eating well, while my break has hardly been hurried. What I thought would be 4 weeks turned into 6 weeks, and no it was not spent in front of a tv on the couch. I have been enjoying getting back in touch with some of the activities and friends that I was not able to keep up with during my busy travel and racing schedule. The break has been physically and mentally refreshing. In my next posts I will be giving the full rundown of what I did to get recharged and what lies ahead in 2009!

So the lessons learned from the Kenyans and the art of hibernation:

1. Take a hibernation break at the end of every season.
2. During the break, run as few steps as possible.
3. Eat well and don’t be afraid to put on a few pounds.
4. Make time for friends, family, and life outside of running.
5. Hibernate four to eight weeks or until fully recharged!

The Final Sprint just posted an interview I provided them with recently. We discussed my 2007 season, what’s coming up in 2008, mental aspects of ultrarunning, pain, and giving back to the sport.

The 2008 US Olympic Team Trials for the men’s marathon will be remembered for record performances and one of the most competitive fields in decades. It captured the hearts and minds of distance running fans and energized the spirit of distance running. Along with the triumphs on November 3, a day of celebration, tragedy struck with the death of Ryan Shay. My heartfelt condolences go out to Ryan’s family and all those whose lives were touched by this incredible athlete and human being.

My friend, Ian Torrence, got to briefly know Ryan and trained with his wife, Alicia, while he lived in Flagstaff. He recently notified me of the Ryan Shay Memorial Fund set up by the Center for High Altitude Training at Northern Arizona University. (more…)

My good friend, Don Mukai, has often told me, “Stumble seven times, get up eight times.” This is the Japanese proverb, 七転び八起き, nanakorobi yaoki. Perseverance over defeat.

Life is full of challenges, hard times, lessons. To me, these are our gifts. If we honor these times, we grow. We become stronger.

We all stumble. We all make mistakes. These can be made into our best moments. (more…)

I have always felt one of the beauties of running is the lack of required gear. Feel inspired, step outside, go. Unless we’re running barefoot and naked, which some of us nuts are, we require only simple clothing and shoes. I’ve commented some in previous posts about shoes I’ve raced with, but I’m frequently asked what shoes I wear for training. I’ll comment again on both. Here’s the scoop.

Most of us don’t have the exact same biomechanics side to side, which is also true for me. I am a strong supinater on one side and a neutral pronater on the other. I alternate a bit from a neutral cushion shoe to a mild stability shoe when training on the roads. For optimal performance on the trails I feel it’s important to run with a lower profile shoe without as much consideration to pronation and supination, unless severe, as the foot and ankle are continually adjusting to the varied terrain. (more…)

Coming off of a spectacular season filled with new adventures, tough competition, successes, lessons, and a couple of bizarre traumatic injuries, I’ve decided to call it a year. Having been eager to try a 24 hour race for the unique ability to “race” against all other previous 24 hour runners, I had been thinking I’d make my first attempt at Across the Years this 31st of December. However I usually take at least four weeks off this time of year to recover mentally and physically and quite frankly I feel like doing just that right now rather than waiting until January to do so. (more…)

Last February I did an interview with EliteRunning.com. We discussed my training, transition to becoming vegan, racing, and ultrarunning in general. I’m commonly asked a lot about these topics and feel this interview provides some insight.

Recently I had the opportunity to view the documentary “Forever Running” which chronicles the life and running pursuits of the legendary ultramarathoner Yiannis Kouros. While including archival race footage and interviews with Yiannis in his home, at work, and while training, Yiannis shares with us his upbringing, historical events, and inspirations that led him to amazing feats of endurance. Over the past thirty years Yiannis has set many world records that may, in his own words, last for centuries. His records span from the 200K to the 10 Day distances. These include his spectacular marks which no one has come near for the 24 Hour road at 290.2 km and 24 Hour track at 303.5 km (188 miles, 7:38/mile)!

Having great respect and admiration for this great Greek runner, I feel he is an inspiration for all runners aspiring to explore the depths of their endurance and inner abilities.

“Forever Running” is available for the first time in the US and can be purchased online through ZombieRunner.

The award ceremonies are over and most runners are back home following another successful running of an event we’ve come to know as Spartathlon. This year’s event was extra special being the twenty-fifth anniversary. But it was also an emotional one due to the disaster of forest fires that just a few weeks earlier brought enormous devastation to Greece, including the Peloponnese Peninsula where the race runs through. Nearly 500,000 acres were burned and the fires took 65 lives. Although the affect of the fires was felt by the runners and event organizers, the spirit and celebration of the race was alive and well. I’d like to make special note to the German runners who raised 10,000 euro for aid relief as well as point to a link on Daily Frappe with more information and links to numerous ways of helping.

BubbleShare: Share photos – Halloween contest

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As I arrived in Greece last week, I was reminded of last year’s arrival prior to Spartathlon. I was reviewing a new book written by D. Enette Larson-Meyer, PhD, RD, “Vegetarian Sports Nutrition”. Being very impressed with this book, I agreed to write the forward. Although a few books have been written about vegetarian sports nutrition, Larson-Meyer goes into great detail when presenting the science and does so in an easy to understand format. At the same time, she provides practical information that the veteran and aspiring vegetarian can each utilize in their daily and exercise specific nutritional planning. Many formulas and tables guide the reader in calculating their individual nutritional requirements both on and off the field or race course.

Carnivores read on! (more…)