Caumsett 50k USA Championship--Lucky Number 7

The other day I had the chance to race the Caumsett 50k in Long Island. The race served as the USA 50k Road Championships and competition would be fierce for a spot to be called the "Fastest US 50k runner of 2016". As mentioned in my blog in a previous post, I have been a busy man traveling all around and have not really done Caumsett 50k specific workouts. Instead, I have been getting in solid volume 70-90 miles a week and have had some runs with uptempo miles to help simulate a little of what Caumsett offers. Leading into my taper week, I had the chance to spend a portion of one day scoping out some of the trails in the Hudson Highlands. Honestly, these trails are not only technical with plenty of rocks and steep climbs and descents (almost sea level to 1,600ft in a mile) but the shape and design of the hills and mountains of the surroundings are unlike anywhere I have ever been. That day, I fell in love with the area! After getting some solid vertical, I was primed for Caumsett.

Check out Jason Friedman's Blog on his race experience here:

http://gunksrunner.blogspot.com/2016/03/race-report-caumsett-50k-too-short.html

Storm King Mountain from the Breakneck Ridge Trail. Photo Credits: Cole Crosby

For those who are curious about Caumsett, it is a simple course but a great race to run a decent time for 50k. The course has little ups and downs throughout the 5k park path that is enough to tax you but it takes some of the strain of over-use your body will encounter in a completely flat looped course. Unfortunately for me, my body took a beating in the race as I cramped up at mile 23 and could not salvage myself back to the continuous 5:53 miles our group was sustaining.

Pre-Race Gear. Photo Credits: Cole Crosby

 

*The Pre-race gear was laid out and ready to go! Mammut MTR 201 Tech Low shoes (My favorite), my Mammut/RNR/MPF Orange and Purple Kit, Nathan Hydration Handhelds: (Exo Shot, Speed Shot) and gels in my Lightspeed Belt. Boom Gels for fuel, Mcdavid Reflective Compression Sleeves, and Fits socks.

I was able to stay at a nearby hotel the night before the race on Long Island which made the drive to the event nice and easy. 30 minutes later following a nice sea of cars to the staging area, I was able to check in quickly and secure my bib. I linked-up with  Eric Senseman who I have seen at numerous races: Tussey Mountainback and JFK. It was great to catch up with him and find out he is now running with Scott Sports which is awesome! They picked up a solid athlete and guy. Eric was planning on using this race as a tune-up for Mad City 100k where his hopes would be to make the USA 100k team.

My Father made the trip up and I was able to connect with him. The race was going to have some fast competition being a USA Championship race and those who could run under 3 hours could get their name in the hat for the World Championship Team. Top guys like defending champ, Zach Ornelas who ran 2:52 on this course last year, Cayuga Trails 2nd place Jared Burdick, C Fred Joslyn who has been an Olympic Marathon Trails Qualifier and a fast dude, Eric Senseman, and Chris Rauli, another runner in Upstate NY who has seen success at JFK with a 6th place finish along with many others.  Realistically, I was not sharp enough to run such a fast time to make Worlds. Maybe one day, I can get there but for now the even longer stuff has been suiting me well.  Looking back at my training, I was getting in volume, but not enough running at race pace: 6 minutes and under to prime my body for the pace.  That is okay, as Caumsett was always a bucket-list race and having the opportunity to even run this event was totally awesome. I also had the pleasure of racing with MPF/RNR Teammate: Jason Friedman who was looking for a solid performance at Caumsett.

My goals for the race:

*PR: Run faster than 3:16.
*If feeling good, go for sub 3:06 or if having a perfect day, sub 3 hours.
*Gain confidence running in a competitive road ultra.
*Test and see how my training has progressed since beginning a more rigorous work travel schedule.
*Have fun and compete.

Talking with Eric before the race, I think we both knew we would run together. We both have similar levels of fitness, have been close in all the races we have been together in with Eric getting me at the events we have race together in, and I know both have similar strengths and goals in ultras. That makes a solid person to work with and enjoy the race experience with. I was hoping to run 6 minutes a mile for as long as possible and be able to run that pace as comfortable as possible for the duration of the 50k event. That time would get us to 3:06.  With the initial start, Zach shot out at like 5:20-5:30 mile place which was way to quick for me to follow. C Fred, Jared and Chris formed the chase pack running 5:38-mid 5:40's which still was a little hot for my liking. The third group you can see in the photo below: Eric in the Yellow shirt, Arturs, and then myself. We really liked the idea of running 3:06-3:10 pace. So we rattled off the miles, enjoyed our time together and ultimately, worked together to keep us in tact through as much of the race as possible. We would trade-off pace leading duties and was able to run consistent 5:53 miles and some 6:02 and 5:58 miles. Ultimately, we would speed it up on mile 2 and 3 and run the first mile as our slowest of the 5k loop.

The group. Photo Credits: Mike Gadaleta

 

 

 

Using my Nathan Exo Shot handheld, I had no problem taking down my Tailwind nutrition. With cold weather, my body was not craving a whole lot of hydration which was truthfully my downfall.

 

As the miles rolled along, it became just a waiting game. Could we keep up the pace and not do too much damage to our bodies. The pace felt good for a long while. I took a Boom gel at and hour in and then again in the second hour. 24 ounces of Tailwind and I felt strong. It was until mile 21 that something started happening. My front quads started to cramp. I began to push the pace to see if maybe an increase in tempo could jar the muscles a little. No such luck! 

 

By mile 23, I told the crew that I was no more and had to drop back to try to recover. Before dropping off, our group was closing on the chase pack and to Zach. If only I had felt better. My consistent miles of 5:53 soon became 6 minutes then 6:08 then 6:15, 6:20, I'm slipping!  I stopped at the 1.5 mile aid station and drank down tons of Gatorade to try and get the salt my body was craving. I split a 6:44 mile with the pit stop.

 

I was now running alone, grimacing in pain, praying I would not get caught. I continued to slow down even with taking in more calories and salt. I then played the game of just holding on.

 

Hanging in there with one more loop to go. Photo Credits: Mike Galadeta.

 

 

The last 10k of the race was agony as I was fighting my battered body from completely failing on me. Each step was painful. Having legs of lead is never fun.

 

Half Mile to go. Photo Credits: Mike Galadeta.

 

 

 

As I hit the final out and back section, I was so pleased to be done. I gave Eric some encouragement as he headed for home. As I rounded the corner I knew I was going to run around 3:10-3:11. I pushed with all my might and finished in 7th place: 3:11:44.

 

It was awesome to be done and it was amazing seeing all of the other guys suffering from cramped legs just like I did. This race was such a fantastic event and experience. Next time, I am talking in more salt and probably wearing tights to keep my leg muscles warm if it is on a cold day again.

 

Jared B and C Fred qualified for the World team with 1st and 2nd place finishes sub 3 hours!

 

Overall, It was a fantastic experience. I will run this race again! I know that I can run faster than 3:11 and even when my legs gave out, my aerobic strength was there to help get me through. On not my best day, 7th at a USA championship and a PR is more than what I could have asked for.

 

Thank you to teammate Jason Friedman for the motivation and support, Mammut for the best gear in the biz and for having me build the MTR line, Nathan Sports for killer products like the Exo shot and the opportunity to help integrate your marketing initiatives as a Tech Rep, Team MPF/RNR for the inspiration and support to represent the true #beastcoast team of the trails, Boom Nutrition for the best fuel source out there for running, Fits socks for the best fitting socks period, SUNY Oneonta XC/TF for team support and coaching love, Karhu NA for training footwear assistance, Craft NA for amazing winter apparel and the best base layers around, Redfeather snowshoes for the best snowshoes on the market, and Confluence Running for being my local shop of choice.

 

 

What an amazing race. I will be back for sure. I would love to run under 3:06 here. Now it is time to train for Hyner 50k and for Cayuga Trails 50. At Cayuga with my first DNF, I am returning with a vengeance. I have run this course each and every year with so-so results. I have that feeling that this year is going to be the year.

 

 

Check out the awesome team I am with here:

http://mountainpeakfitness.com/team/

 

 

 

 

 Here are the 50k Race Results:

http://justfinish.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Overall-11.pdf

Ready for Spring---Ramping Up the Training! Forks 15 Preview

The weather has slowly been warming up but man it has been very chilly in the mornings. I have been running slightly higher mileage in the last two weeks around 80-85 miles a week to finally build my base back up from around 70-77.  I am excited about running a little more and to have time to spend running outside with Ashlee as she bikes. The beginnings of longer days means more time outside enjoying the sunshine and the beginnings of Summer loom in the near-off distance (that's right, it will come soon enough). I am excited about my first race back from the USA Snowshoe Nationals where I ended on not the note I was hoping for but can only learn from the experience to better myself for next year. I must say that this winter has been a tough struggle to really get in some terrific training. Either I could get the time out the door but lack on hill training or I could get the hill training but freeze to death with the wind chills and cut my run short.  I think my strength is absolutely there. With running in very snowy and cold conditions I think make the body acclimate to more efficient-base of burning energy and definitely strengthening all those little alignment-based ligaments, muscles, ect. I am excited to see what my fitness brings because I feel that I am ready.


This Sunday, I will be running the historic Forks XV road race in Chenango Forks, which from what I am told by locals, it is one of the oldest and more historic road races in the area.  I am excited to be racing with members of the Team Confluence, customers, and just connections with the local Triple Cities Runner's Club. We shall see what some endurance training has left me in shape-wise. I am hoping for a 9 mile race to be able to run 5:20-5:30 range pretty comfortably but it of course depends on the conditions. After the 2pm race, Ashlee and myself will be heading to Sonic for some Slushies and ice cream since Sonic is a rarity on the East Coast which I know will be a blast.

Training Post Cranmore Hillclimb

After Cranmore, I have been focusing on running hills and lots of them.

I want to better get my body ready for the tough 50 milers I have this Fall. I am feeling stronger each day and with using Strava.com, I can gauge my mileage, the percent grades of steep roads I train on, and assess my paces as I run these tough efforts.  I have run really great runs with tons of great pictures too:

(Looking at Cortland From the top of Pendleton Road)

Lovely countryside

Lake Cayuga in Ithaca

Cortland, NY hills!

Cortland, NY countryside

On top of Tower Road 1,996ft

The top of Tower Road

Another big climb!

Training has been very consistent with my morning runs before work consisting of steep sustained 5% grades up to 10% on the hills around Cortland.  I have been running for about 80 minutes each day and anywhere from 10.5-14 miles.  I have been hydrating with my Scott Jurek Ultimate Direction Light Handheld and I have been using my fuel belts to carry my cell phone and gels/chomps.  Training while in a fatigued state helps the body adjust to what a runner can experience in an ultra.  Ultras are known for compounded fatigue and how you handle the situation is what puts you on top above the rest.  I have seen it from the best ultra runners this country has to offer and they have mastered nutrition for their bodies and learning how to run strong while truly exhausted.  There are not many secrets to running an ultra fast.

*Use the training as simulation for the races: If the training is hard, the race will be not as bad.

*Incorporate long sustained uphill and downhill training.  The more repetition of running consistently uphill will allow for the muscle sets associated with uphill running to be stressed more so than with a short sweet hill.  The scenario is the same with downhill efforts.

* Practice sampling nutrition in training efforts to decide what works best come race-day: Testing out gels and jelly beans, Kit Kat bars, or peanut butter, finding what works is also a beneficial aspect to have when it comes to race-day.

*Mix it up and have fun---Running is a continuous process where we challenge our bodies each and every day and running different paces, different terrains, uphill, downhill, flat, different nutrition, will all add that spice and variety to the running.

*Running should not be boring-run new routes, challenge yourself to specific routes for personal records. Example, I run a nice series of climbs on Pendleton Road up to Tower Road and the Radio tower at 1,995 feet which is one of the highest points in Cortland County. The views are spectacular and my current 32:53 record is a tough one that I did do in Hokas.  For the 5 mile out loop which gains 1,264 feet which means I can almost get about 2,500 feet of vertical in 10 miles!!! This is my staple hard uphill FKT time trial. Not to mention that Tower Road is a constant 11.3% grade!!  I am looking into doing the same for some other loops out in the Virgil area where some of the steepest road sections await!

Races Coming up:  Virgil Crest Ultra and Can-Lake 50 miler!!!!!


I have been putting in the mileage using my Strava application on my Iphone to target the toughest climbs in the Cortland, NY area.  I have found a new passion for the ultra distance.



Check out My Ode to My Sponsors as I examine and review what makes my Sponsors....THE BEST!




Karhu FLow Trail

Karhu Flow Trail!

UPPER: The Karhu Flow Trail has a nice sock-like fit and feel that is very soft and holds the foot in place properly.  Karhu's upper reminds me of the new Nike Flyknit designs. The ankle is padded to hold the ankle in-place so that you do not ever get those horrible blisters on the back of your ankle near the Achilles tendon (Runners out there you know what I am talking about). Because the upper has a hexagonal weave pattern, the upper is able to flex with the foot, allow for a sufficient foot-splay without having hotspots generate.  What I also love is the bottom portion of the upper contains a water resistant layer that allows for wet grass, puddles, and creek crossings to not even phase the shoe. Often, running in a soaking wet shoe for miles on end takes the fun out of trail running but thanks to Karhu's design, you never have to worry about that problem.

(Great Traction for trail and road--Hybrid shoe)

TRACTION:

This shoe has great multi-directional lugs that provide great traction moving uphill or down and provides a nice smooth ride on road surfaces. I took the shoes for an easy shake-out run from my trip back to Oklahoma and the shoes navigate well on off-road sections but still feel smooth like the Scott Kinabalu on the roads.  The cross-directional lugs surprisingly do not feel awkward on the roads and really gives uniform traction.  When it comes to solid trail training, I look for a shoe that is an all-surface shoe.  That means the shoe should be able to act well in every form of terrain: road, soft trail, mud, creeks, grass, gravel roads, rocky passes, wet leaves, steep uphills and blazing downhills.  The Flow Trail does just that; it can hold its own in a variety of settings.  Is this shoe a technical trail runner?  I would say "No" but where this shoe shines is its ability to function better than the competition when looking at technical trails to road surfaces.  This shoe shines on well-groomed single-track and the road/local trails though could work on some technical trails.

(With it laced and unlaced)

The FIT:::: The Karhu Flow series provides footwear that fits like a glove yet is not too restrictive. The butter-soft uppers that the Flow Series provides really helps to place Karhu on the map. The mesh is lovely and the shoe fits better when the laces are adjusted. It may take a little to gain that ideal lacing scheme but once that is done, then the shoe fits incredibly well.

Overall Thoughts: The Karhu Flow Trail is a great door-to-trail shoe that feels great on off-road surfaces even slick rock and even remains fairly soft and smooth on the roads.  The Fulcrum technology from Karhu does such a nice job in terms of the transition into sound forward energy return and momentum. I have loved the Fulcrum and it has allowed for me develop a love for a smooth midfoot transition-point such as what can also be seen with Scott, Hoka, and some others.  The "rocking" component seen in footwear is what Karhu founded and does the best with.  Think of a see-saw. As weight goes down the other side shifts forward.  With Karhu, the initial energy that is experienced upon foot-strike gets positioned forward as the fulcrum shifts the energy in its optimal direction for running. What is experienced as a result is a fast smooth "POP" that gives you a glide as the foot leaves the ground. The sensation is something similar to flying.  The Flow Trail is able to meet my demands that I look for in a trail shoe: VERSATILITY, FUNCTION, AND STYLE.  The Karhu Flow works well on all surfaces and for a cross-over shoe, the model is light and nimble but also cushioned enough for the rigors of 50 mile-100k ultra racing but also sleek enough to run in the shoe and then rock it with some jeans at a coffee shop. That to me is a solid shoe!

Check out the new Karhu Steady Here:http://www.karhu.com/fluid-steady-launching-sep-10th

MAMMUT!!!!!!!

Race-Pack

This race pack is able to carry more than 7 liters worth of gear. It is light, functional, and totally worth the investment.  I have used the pack for the majority of my long training runs at Virgil Mountain Forest Area near Cortland and the pack holds more than what I use on a standard training run. If I were to do a Adirondack peak summit I think the pack would be at better use to myself though it still holds its own as a top-level pack.

GOING FOR A RUNNING PICNIC?  This pack succeeds.

RUNNING THE ADIRONDACK TRAIL? This pack succeeds.

SUMMIT A MOUNTAIN?  This pack excels!

Mammut makes some of the best designed and durable products out there. This pack is so good that I have yet to fully push the pack to the max. I think the reason is that I just do not need to. The MTR 201 pack just takes care of business day in and day out. That is how a sound product should work.

Fits Socks!!!!

Imagine the finest merino wool ever used for a sock. Imagine the best fit and the cushiest sock ever.  Imagine a sock that gets the job done day in and day out.  That is a Fits Sock!  Being sponsored by Fits is a true privilege and they really do make the best socks around. If you like cushion and a durable and perfect contoured fitting sock, Fits does the best. 

Think of the softest, best fitting, and durable socks out there. Fits accomplishes this task with the BEST FIT and the perfect sock for hiking and trail running. For some, their merino wool socks might feel like to thick or too  much, but they are made it keep that foot feeling great and performing at its optimal levels with the best levels of comfort a sock can provide.  The no seam toe feels so great and the overall FIT of a Fits sock is the best around. Think a gentle tightness-the right amount of form and hold of the foot, arch, and ankle.  The ankle-hold is the best out there.

http://experiencecortland.com/

2013 Cranmore Hillclimb--USA Mountain Team Down-UP Year!!!

I am a week away from the Cranmore Hillclimb!  This is my first time up this slope and  I am very excited to have the chance to run up this incredible slope with the BEST competition at a USA Mountain race ever. Not only will runners such as Max King, Joe Gray, Matt Byrne, and so many others but tons of fast road racers are giving this race the shot at making the team.  Whether I make the USA team or not, that is not my worry, I am going out there to compete and to have fun. Recently, I have really taken a liking of the ultra distances and though this race is a mere 12k, it incorporates some great elements you could feel in an ultra.  With tons of ups and downs, this race is very exciting and I look forward to another fun competition. Heading out to New Hampshire at least once every summer has become a starting tradition for me. With Acidotic Racing, one of my gracious sponsors, heading to New Hampshire feels more like a family reunion. I am so excited about the race and with smelling some of that fresh mountain air.  I will provide more with pictures and a full-race recap when all is said and done!



What a weekend! I did not have my best race probably one of my worst honestly considering my fitness, though I slugged through and had a nice time! The race went out super hard and I think that hurt my quads a little bit. Also, being pushed in knee-deep mud is always enough to stop a runner right in their tracks.  For me, I ended up tweaking my back enough that I felt like my back was tied to a huge wooden plank.  I was a stiff as a board attempting to run uphill as all I could muster was a fast power-hike. I lost a lot of time from around 20th place to 40th place or so.  It is in races like these that I appreciate ultra races more so and really feel like my strength lies in ultras.  I can run a pace for a long time and playing with endurance is a fun aspect of the ultra distances. You are always trying to figure out how to run as fast as possible while still leaving a little left.  With Cranmore, my 4:50 first mile placed me around 17th as the top 5 probably split 4:20 down the mountain which is just Crazy! It is because of reasons such as that where I have not done the specific explosive training to excel at a race such as this one.


The journey began as  I drove out early Saturday morning and man the weather was wonderful. The drive was a long 7 hour drive but it was scenic and really not a lot of traffic.  I drove through the scenic Southern Vermont section winding up and down through the Green Mountain National Forest, then I passed Keene, NH one of my favorite places and then off to the White Mountains.  I pushed straight through on the drive and made it to North Conway just around 3:30 and by that time my legs felt stale from being cooped up in the car.  I got an awesome milk shake at McDonalds then proceeded to my camp site.  Once I settled in, it was time to go for a nice shake-out run. I had forgot my watch and toiletries so I knew that I would need a Walmart run.  I ran through the awesome state park,  White Lake State Park and got to hang out there for the big day.  After my nice 70 minute run, I decided to get cleaned up and then head to Walmart.  This is where my adventure begins.

I load-up into my car and all of a sudden, I type in the GPS Walmart.  It gives me the location in North Conway which I was about 10-15 miles away from Conway.  I got into my car and off I went.  I followed the directions as they asked for me to turn onto a particular road.  Soon the road becomes a gravel road and the sun is going down, my gas light is coming on and I get diverted to Walmart road in the middle of the woods on a private road.  I am lost.  The GPS signal is bad as I find my way to a gas station in Conway as the sun fully sets and I have just 5 miles before I am expected to be empty.  Pretty wild stuff.  I then look up the Walmart location and find the store in North Conway with ease.  I grab some goodies without ever eating dinner and then head back.  I make it home near 10pm after leaving around 8. What an adventure.  I microwave up some frozen dinners and eat the pizza lunchables for dinner. Around 11 it is lights out as I crash into a deep slumber.


I wake the next day around 6:30 am, take a shower, grab some Dunkin Doughnuts and then off I go to the race.  I was still very tired but ready as I could ever be for the race.
I headed to the race and had the chance to meet everyone from my Acidotic crew to the Sorokas who were hosts to me and my family when I ran Mount Washington 2 years ago. I made it to the registration by 7:15. I got myself all checked-in, I had the chance to talk to everyone as this year the race start was at the top of the mountain and taking the gondola up to the top was a fun experience. I am not normally scared of heights but let me tell you that taking gondola when it is windy up there and no railing to hold you in is a little scary. All it would take is one big gust and I would be flying down 2,000 feet to my demise.  So yes, I held onto the back of the chair with a mighty grip because you never know.  The views were incredible having the chance to see the whole entirety of the White Mountains of New Hampshire. 

I made it to the top and just hung out and jogged around waiting for the women's race to begin.  At 8:15am the ladies were off.  It was fun to watch them compete as I had no idea how I would do.  I had not done the exact type of training I should have done for my overall fitness for the event. I had run up and down my local ski resort Greek Peak only three times before the race so I was feeling alright with my confidence but soon would learn of my improper preparation.  As the last few ladies were finishing we hit the line which was a massive drove of men all piled together.  THIS WAS CRAZY! The start was going to be dangerous as we crest the first hill and then bomb downhill to the base of the mountain.  On your marks and "BOOM" we were off.  I tried to settle into a rhythm with the massive group of people.  I spotted Jim Johnson who I have run with before so I tucked in behind him and followed his lead as we headed downhill.  We were flying down as people were passing me flailing arms and all from all directions. It was chaotic. The pace through the first mile was around 4:48 and I was in about 20-30th place.  That meant that the top guys were running sub-4:30 down a technical, rock-littered, muddy and patchy downhill. That is INSANE!  I settled with Jim Johnson mimicking his every move as he knows how to race mountains; he has it with this type of terrain.  We hit the climb together and he exclaimed, "COLE FROM OKLAHOMA!!!!"  I responded with a "THAT'S ME"!!!!  It was fun running tough with Jim.  Then coming up the last climb I was a little behind Jim. I felt pretty solid and was ready for lap 2.  I was sprinting on the downhill ready to make up ground and I was stride for stride with a Mexican national athlete. We were running side-by-side for the whole second loop until midway through the loop through the mud section.  He wanted to cross past me and got tangled up with myself.  He gave me a little nudge and BAM!!!!!  I fell into knee-deep mud collapsing on a rockbed of granite.  It hurt.  I bounced back up to continue and everything seemed fine until I crested the next big hill in the woods.  My back began to tighten as if I had a Wooden Board attached to my back.  I had no climbing strength.  I used everything I had and the steep grades killed my back as  I groaned in pain.  Now my running became a powerhike then a walk.  I thought if I just survive this  I could drop out after 2 laps.  People started passing me left and right.  My race was shot.  I ended up walking all the climbs the last lap being passed by other people and finished around 45th place.  I felt that I was about 20 places away from where I could have finished on a solid day but today I was just not having it.  It is from races like these that you could be angry at yourself and throw in the towel with running.

That is not me.  I feel that every race and competition is a test for oneself to see what one can do on that given day.  I learned a lot from the day and I will take the lessons I learned into both the Virgil Crest Ultra and the Can-lake 50.  I am poised to get back to the ultra distances where  I feel I excel.  I cannot wait to prove my worth out there and to redeem myself from last weekend's race.  With the Virgil Crest, the race is right in my own back yard in Virgil, NY and I hope I can run a solid sub 8:23 performance on the course to set a new course record and to get myself ready for the sub 6:19 record attempt at the Can-Lake 50 miler that will be October 12th.

Running through a state park

Gotta love the trails!

Great place! White Lake State Park

The campsite and the lake with the White Mountains in the distance

New Hampshire terrain

My race gear!

THe start here we go!

Suffering with a bad back but still having fun

The push to the finish!

My gear laid out

Mammut MTR 201 and Fits Socks handeld the race so well!  

Mud on my feet!

Team Acidotic Tent

The Drive back

Team Acidotic Racing

My Mammut gear

The race venue

The steep uphill section of Cranmore

I would like to thank my sponsors for being the best out there: Mammut, Karhu/Craft, Acidotic Racing, Fits Socks, Dion Snowshoes, my family and friends for the continuous support.  

I am on my way and I would love to thank you all for giving me the drive to train hard day in and day out and to work to pursue the dream for excellence. Without you, I would not be where I am today. Thank you!