My mom is in town and yesterday she gave Julie and I the opportunity to have a date day. We kicked off the day with a run at the Devil’s Backbone. Julie was killin it. It was cold and each step we took was through an inch of fresh snow. It was the first trail run Julie had done since living in CO…she never stopped smiling.

I love running and I miss it but I’m living through Julie’s training.

Today we are off the Denver Aquarium for Carter to see sharks.

Andy B
outsideallday.com

I have to admit that my wife is a stronger athlete than me. It takes a strong man to admit this, a really strong one. Julie is tougher than me, has better endurance than me and was designed by God to be better than me at anything athletic. Yea, it sucks.

Our youngest son Landon is now 5 months old and Julie is ready to race again. She’s registered to run two races in May 09.

OC Half Marathon
Orange County, CA
May 3, 2009
More info at: www.ocmarathon.com

Julie, Alison, Alex and Bryan will go head to head in Julie’s first race of the year. I be back at home with Carter kickin back for the weekend.

Bolder Bolder
Boulder, CO
May 25, 2009
More info at: www.bolderboulder.com

From what we’ve heard this is a huge races with thousands running. It will be fun for our boys to see their mom cross the finish line and Boulder is the coolest city in CO.

After these two races we’ll get her lined up with a few Sprint and Olympic distance triathlons and maybe one more half marathon.

I’m pumped to see my wife kick major butt!

Andy B
outsideallday.com

Racing to me is all about me and a clock. Gather together a good group of runners a table or two of water cups and I’m off. I don’t need a band at every mile, a one-time famous musician for post race entertainment acts or a bag full of useless marketing trinkets with my post-race t-shirt. I’m looking for competition. A few smiling faces along the race course are a total bonus.

Give me my OC Chili Winter Trail Run in O’Neill Park.

This morning the series kicked off. If you missed it, or, stayed home because of the rain than put March 8 and April 4 on your calendar.

If you have left the confines of your home or office in the past 48 hours you will know it has been raining quite nicely. Enough rain for the Regional Parks crew to keep us off the trails for the race. For me that is a bummer. I do everything I can to avoid anything but trails. Why? Two reasons: 1) I drive on concrete, why would I want to spend anymore time there. 2) I get shin splints in about 18 minutes and 36 seconds.

Logically, I can totally understand why we were off the trails. We would have destroyed them. And even though it would have been sweet to tear through the mud like a 5 year old it would have been a very bad idea. I have to move past that childish desire. Part of the reason we were all there was to support Trails 4 All. Not a good idea to go and destroy what you are trying to save.

Right as I was processing all this the national anthem began. Soon I was crossing a twenty foot section of the lightly flooded Trabucco Creek. Climbing up to the Mesa day use area I took in the views of the coast live oak and sycamore trees. Beautiful. The rain was coming down nice and easy, the air was crisp and the temp perfect. A great morning for a run.

The post-race Chili cook off was complemented with a fifteen minute giveaway of Montrail items and a sweet wood fire. There must have been at least 30 racers and volunteers who received cool gifts. That is another very cool way to stoke out the runners and a classic tradition in the running world. Race photos provided by Byron Moore Photography are here.

See you on March 8.

Matt S.
Outside All Day

Julie and I have not completed our 2009 race schedule yet but I wanted to point you towards a few resources for your calendar planning.

1. Check out this post from James Walsh.
http://www.jameswalshracing.com/2009/01/2009-plan-its-on.html

James is huge into Xterra and trail running and has put quit the schedule together.

2. Cycling links:
http://www.teambigbear.com
http://www.usacycling.org
http://www.americancycling.org
http://www.socalcross.org
http://www.uscup.net
http://www.warriorssociety.org

3. Running links:
http://www.bookthatevent.com/Trail_Run/Home.html
http://www.bsim.org
http://www2.thenorthface.com/endurancechallenge
http://www.thekauaimarathon.com
http://www.tricalifornia.com
http://www.hoodtocoast.com
http://www.pctrailruns.com
http://renegaderaceseries.com
http://www.trailrace.com

4. The 50 Mile Ride and the Sea Otter Classic

5. Felipe from Break-away Training sent out a list of races with dates:
02/08/09 – SAN DIEGUITO HALF MARATHON
02/14/09 – TOUR DE PALM SPRINGS
03/01/09 – GRAN FONDO CENTURY RIDE – LITTLE ITALY
03/29/09 – SUPERFROG & SUPERSEAL TRIATHLONS
04/04/09 – FORD IRONMAN 70.3 CALIFORNIA
04/05/09 – NEW ORLEANS 70.3
04/11/09 – BOSTON MARATHON
04/19/09 – TOYOTA DESERT INTERNATIONAL & SPRINT TRIATHLON
04/26/09 – LA JOLLA HALF MARATHON
04/26/09 – LONDON MARATHON
05/02/09 – WILDFLOWER TRIATHLON WEEKEND
05/03/09 – SPRING SPRINT TRIATHLON & DUATHLON
05/17/09 – ENCINITAS SPRINT TRIATHLON
05/30/09 – HONU 70.3 HAWAII
05/31/09 – IRONMAN BRASIL
06/14/09 – ESCAPE FROM ALCATRAZ TRIATHLON
06/21/09 – IRONMAN COEUR D’ALENE
06/28/09 – SAN DIEGO INTERNATIONAL TRIATHLON
07/05/09 – IRONMAN AUSTRIA
07/12/09 CARLSBAD TRIATHLON
07/13/09 – BOISE 70.3
07/19/09 – VINEMAN 70.3
07/26/09 – IRONMAN LAKE PLACID
07/26/09 – SOLANA BEACH TRIATHLON & DUATHLON
08/16/09 – A.F.C. HALF MARATHON
08/30/09 – IMPERIAL BEACH TRIATHLON & DUATHLON
08/30/09 – IRONMAN CANADA
08/30/09 – IRONMAN LOUISVILLE
09/13/09 – IRONMAN WISCONSIN
09/27/09 – O.C. INTERNATIONAL TRIATHLON
10/04/09 – MISSION BAY TRIATHLON
10/10/09 – IRONMAN WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP HAWAII
10/11/09 – CHICAGO MARATHON
10/25/09 – SOMA TRIATHLON
10/25/09 – BIG KAHUNA HALF IRONMAN
10/25/09 – SAN DIEGO TRIATHLON CHALLENGE
11/01/09 – NEW YORK CITY MARATHON
1/07/09 – IRONMAN FLORIDA
11/14/09 – IRONMAN WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 70.3 – CLEARWATER
11/29/09 – IRONMAN COZUMEL – MEXICO

I hope you get to race and challenge yourself this year.

Andy B
outsideallday.com

OC Chili Winter Trail Run Series
info: http://www.bookthatevent.com/Trail_Run/Home.html

4.52 mile trail course in O’Neill Regional Park

Don’t forget. This Saturday, February 7, 2009 we will be running the OC Chili Winter Trail Run. This is the first in the three race series. If you have already slacked off on your New Year’s resolution or decided that running alone was super boring. Which it can be on a beautiful Saturday morning. Be sure and check out their site and join us.

Matt S.
Outside All Day

BIG SUR MARATHON EVENTS SELLING OUT

Info at: www.bsim.org/site3.aspx
April 26, 2009

The Big Sur International Marathon and its ancillary events are on track to sell out within a month. The affected April 26 events include the full marathon, marathon relay, and the 21 and 10.6 milers. The additional 9-Miler, PA/USATF 5K course, and Saturday’s JUST RUN! Just Kids 3K will remain open for registration through race weekend.

The popular 10.6-Miler has already sold out and the 21-Miler is 95% full. Relay teams for the full marathon are ahead of last year’s registration and the full marathon is nearly 70% full.

“Despite tough economic times, individuals are looking to maintain a healthy lifestyle and challenge themselves,” said Wally Kastner, race director for the Big Sur International Marathon. “We expect to sell out the marathon sometime in February, similar to last year.”

Ryan Lamppa, Running USA Media Director, notes that there doesn’t appear to be a downturn in running interest or race participation. Road races in 2008 experienced a 6% increase in finishers from 2007, and several early 2009 races including the PF Chang’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon in Phoenix, AZ and the Chevron Houston Marathon are either up or sold out.

The Big Sur International Marathon and its related events draw approximately 12,000 participants from throughout the United States and internationally. Last year all 50 states and 21 additional countries were represented.

The Big Sur Marathon website, www.bsim.org , lists the percentage full for each event with bi-weekly updates. Immediate online registration is encouraged for those considering taking part in the marathon, marathon relay, 21 and 9 Milers or 5K.

Contact: Julie Armstrong, Marketing Communications Director
831-625-6226 / Julie@bsim.org

Andy B
outsideallday.com

My dreams of being an endurance trail runner will most likely never come true but I still enjoy reading about and following the sport. My dang right foot is still killing me. Lamo.

North Face recently listed the dates for the 2009 North Face Endurance Challenge

More info: www2.thenorthface.com/endurancechallenge

Also, if you live in Orange County, don’t forget about the OC Chili Winter Trail Run Series.
More info: http://www.bookthatevent.com/Trail_Run/Home.html

Get your shoes on, put on a jacket, tab up, go run!

Andy B
outsideallday.com

It’s 5:05 and I am heading out for an evening run. The local high school track is .5 a mile away and I am heading over for my third and final run of the week. I awoke this morning at 5:30 and was in the pool before 6. My arms are thrashed after three mornings in the water this week. The saving grace of the swim was being invited to join Craig Hummer on a Tuesday morning ride up Del Monte and PV Drive. More on that next week. After the swim I jumped into the surf in Manhattan and froze in the high tide backing off surf. Water temp: 52 degrees. An hour ago I reached for a mid-afternoon Fluid. I know, you are supposed to drink it for recovery during long workouts or right after them. But this day calls for an afternoon pick me up. How else am I going to pull-off quarter mile repeats? I mixed up 8 oz with ice cold water and I am already feeling better.

Matt S.
Outside All Day

I found out about this series tonight and was freaking out to discover that they are holding the race in O’Neil Park. Before the move I was running or riding in O’Neil 2 – 3 times a week. The course will be amazing! O’Neil has some of the best single track in the OC if you know where to find it.

OC Chili Winter Trail Run Series info:
http://www.bookthatevent.com/Trail_Run/Home.html

4.52 mile course
Trail runs take place rain or shine!

February 2, 2009
March 8, 2009
April 4, 2009

Support a local series, be healthy and run beautiful single track. If was in CA I would be on it like Sellers on a pastry.

Andy B
outsideallday.com

I’m not super smart, I’m smarter than some, but not most. It wasn’t until 8 weeks ago that I discovered a magical formula. For year’s I’ve been looking for the magic “recovery” pill. What would make me feel the best, the fastest, post training or racing?

I’ve embraced a 5 step approach:

1. Chilled Fluid Recovery drink
In my opinion, Fluid is the only recovery drink on the market that works on both levels, performance and taste. Most products do one well, Fluid hits both. After my long rides and runs the first thing I do is make up a bottle of Fluid and stick it in the freezer. From there its on to step 2.

2. Hot shower
I’m a shower nut. It does wonders for my aching bones.

3. Time for my 2XU recovery tights
You’ve probably noticed the recent trend of recovery tights. I jumped on this wagon and I’m not jumping off. They work and their comfortable. There is something about keeping your muscles tight that just feels good. All 3 of the brands I recommend below are expensive but if you’re serious about getting back out there, the expense is worth it.

Great brands:
www.2xu.com
www.cw-x.com
www.skins.net

I own 2XU and Dave picked up a pair of Skins last week. He follows me with most stuff like this. I’ve taken to sleeping in my tights and lounging around in them on Saturday’s.

Now time to pick up my cold Fluid from the fridge.

4. Northface sleeping bag slippers

Pure comfort plus my dogs can’t lick my toes.

The North Face NSE Tent Mule Booties – Men’s

5. Laugh at pictures like this

Sellers riding a bike, enough said!

I hope some of my learning’s can be helpful. Running the Devi’s Backbone tomorrow night after work, head lamp, snow, ice, 5 layers and all.

Andy B
outsideallday.com

Life in Fort Collins, CO has been cold the last 3 days. Today was -7, a record low, its like living in Siberia. It snowed around 6 inches the last 24 hours. We’ve spent most of our time looking at houses and eating fatty foods. In an effort to turn this around Julie and I hit up the gym today which got me pumped to get out running again. With all of the beautiful trails available, I had to get a new pair of trail running shoes. First I tried on the entire line of Salomon trail running shoes, did not dig them. Then at our local running shop, the Runners Roost, I stumbled across this pair. They we’re also $40 cheaper. My only concern is that they are not water proof.

Brooks – Cascadia 3 (Titan/Grey/Corona/Silver/Black/White) – Footwear



I’ll let you know what I think of them after the first few runs. I’m hoping to get out on the Devil’s Backbone later this week before work. Tomorrow morning I’m hitting up 6am spin class at our gym.

Andy B
outsideallday.com

I’ve been running Newton Running shoes since March 08 and think they rock. The technology is designed to push you to your toe and it really works. If you’re in the market for a new pair of running shoes and want to try something new, the Newton is worth checking out. Through Christmas hey are offering free shipping on all orders over $100.00.

With the cold weather coming, now is the perfect time to get base running miles in. Once my shoes arrive in CO, Julie and I will be pounding out some nice base runs. Here’s to running at 5,000 ft!

Andy B
outsideallday.com

I found an old file folder last week that held results from my first 5K race – back in 1986.

My most recent race was last weekend up in Monterey for the Big Sur Half Marathon. Of all the run races, in all the years, this one stands at the top.

The pre-race expo had vendors that actually had a reason to be there and not just to get our attention and hand us some worthless trinket to remember their brand by. The staff was dressed in sport coats with the venerable Big Sur logo. The race – with a little rain before and a little rain after – was amazing. I have gone for workouts near the ocean in dozens of places here and abroad and I was mesmerized by the coastline on Sunday.

I would highly recommend you put this race on you calendar for next year. If you have a good training regimen in place consider the full which runs from Big Sur into Monterey. Sunday went so smooth I left the Central Coast with a profound respect for the organizers. I saw a lot of staffers that loved what they were doing. The start had all the pomp and circumstance one might expect of an older race. In the early miles the race heads into a long highway tunnel and at the end stood a bag pipe player that filled the tunnel with fantastic music. Brilliant. Energy drinks and water were placed in wise positions and staffed well. The turnaround area had so much energy from the water bottle filling gang that I gained momentum out of it. And after all of these high notes there was the finish. Unlike the LA Marathon family and friends can actually watch runners finish the race. And after you wave to friends, pickup your small children and carry them across the finish line you are met by race staffers there to help – not just push you through the funnel. I know I am excited but I was speechless when my wife and I walked thorough the food line. There was so much fresh fare I could barely stand it, muffins, apples, strawberries, cookies and even pineapple juice. Many thanks are owed by all of us to the race organizers for serving up a great race.
I think the advertisers in this race owe a lot to the organizers as well. Saab didn’t rename the race or graffiti the event shirt with their logo – but they did have cars on display, did have the pace car and did get a lot of positive attention. Kudos to all parties for having class.

And now for a recap of the LA South Bay crew in Monterey:
C. Daniels 1:36:43
M. Smart 1:51:39
B. Smart 1:53:20
D. Michaelis 1:53:15
K. Hart 1:53:50
J. Miller 1:55:55
N. Smith 2:10:16
A. Pregizer 2:20:11

M. Smart
Outside All Day