Back To Life

Monday begins yet another week of running and life.  I had the chance to head to Atoka, Oklahoma for a fun trail race and while being lost for 3 miles got back on track to run a top time of 1 hour and 45 mins for the original 15.5 mile race which became a 18.5 jaunt.

Today, I had two workouts: 1. Ashlee and myself ran around our neighborhood for 30 minutes, she biked while I ran. It was a ton of fun and it felt nice to get some pop back into my sore legs.  The PM effort came with a nice run out to Bank of America to deposit my paycheck and some cash and to try out my new hydration back-pack from Osprey packs thanks in part from Backwoods.  The 4 liter pack is amazing and by taking out the hydration bladder, the pack converts into a nice storage pack that molds to your body. The pack really helped me fly!  I can already tell this pack will come in handy for long trail running efforts or on hot days where lots o water is needed.

I was able to run for 90 minutes in all today and probably about 13 miles.  I have to gear back up for the Sooner 10k this weekend and to defend my title as reigning champion.


Tuesday---72:39...11 miles a nice run out on the hills of Cedar Lane! Tons of wind that blew dust into my face and eyes. The turn-around had me flying through the air with the wind gusty near 60 and consistent winds at 30 mph. Welcome to Oklahoma I guess.\\\

Wednesday--More wind! Run of 1 hour and 34 minutes out to Lake Thunderbird on Alameda and then back home. I ran to North Sentinel and it was a great run. I got pretty hungry on the way back but overall it was a nice strong run. Temperatures in the 70's was nice.  I am ready for a new pair of running shoes and my marathon shoes for OKC I think are going to be the Karhu Flow because they are light but also durable for the longer distance where for me, a light but sturdy shoe will do best for me and my flat feet.

Thursday---Run with Scott out along campus. A nice run in some cold and rainy conditions. I ran a bunch today by logging 1 hour and 41 minutes in total of running which would amount to a ton of miles maybe 16 or 17 or 18. I am done with the long runs for this week as I am set to race on Saturday at the Sooner 10k Challenge.

Friday--45 minute run at night to my car left at Belmar Golf Club. It was fun to use the headlamp and a nice run to prepare for the Sooner 10k.

A-OK 50k/25k

I will begin this post with Stringtown, Oklahoma. Stringtown is a very small town near Atoka and it located near Mcgee Creek State park which I have been told has the most amazing bass around.  South-eastern Oklahoma is so different than anywhere else I have been in Oklahoma and I was so honored and privileged to have the opportunity to run this race.

I arrived at the race site as the sun was setting picked up my bib number had a little dinner and then I realized I had no cell phone reception. I had to call Ashlee and my father to inform them that I had indeed made it. So I took the option of staying at a motel in Atoka because I was not prepared for intense outdoor camping and even if I was I would have liked to have Ashlee by my side.  

So I drove down the dusty gravel road towards the exit off to Atoka.  The surprise of it all, Ashlee made the drive out to see me at the Thunderbird Lodge motel. It was great.

Here are some photos Ashlee took of me from the race. It was a great race as I set off to a fast early start. I got lost at the first checkpoint as I signed the check in sheet then hopped a creek out 1.5 miles in the wrong direction. I soon learned after heading off course that I had to turn-around at the sign book and so I headed back and then began my ferocious pace to pick off people to regain the lead. It took me 5 miles into the technical rocky and steep little ascents of the Southeastern Oklahoma terrain to realize that I had regained the lead. For 10 more miles I had thought I was in 3rd place as two more names appeared before mine of the sign in log.  I continued my 5:30 pace and caught the two women who I later found out to be early starters.  The first half of the course was technical rocky,rooty and tough hilly terrain. I excelled at the challenge. Then I hopped onto a fire road for the 2nd half of the run. I ran by ponds and through gates and up and down sandy mounds of dirt.  The small forested landscape was beautiful and the race atmosphere was perfect.  I settled into a nice pace and continued to surge to the finish.  I was able to run 18.5 miles in 1 hour and 45 minutes and averaged about 5:40 a mile.  It was a great pace and I really feel with this little adventure out of the way, I am truly ready for the OKC marathon.

Thank you to all of my sponsors...OK Runner, Backwoods, and Acidotic Racing for making this race a reality for me.  Thank you Ashlee for being there and supporting me and to all my fans.  

If you ever pass through Southeastern Oklahoma, my only advice is to go running; you will love the experience.

Lonely Out on The Roads

Mon--- 1 hour and 28 mins

Tues---60mins

Wed---76 mins


Saturday--Run with OK runner group out on west of town on the agricultural flats.  13 miles
Sunday--Run in Dark and scraped up hands....Out on Porter Ave.... 11 miles and 73 mins

Sunday---I was nearly hit by a stupid ambulance driver who had the idea to not look at the road ahead and glanced my heel and sent me into the cement. I tore up my right hand pretty good but I handled only a few deep scrapes on my hands and nothing else so I was very lucky.
Monday---79 min run out along highway 9. Humid and potentially rainy where the temps were mild as my bandaged hand broke out a nice sweat!  Decent run, not fast nor slow.

Tuesday---Run at night out in the wind. Ran by OU and the Weather Center. A nice easy 76 minute run in the mild 60 degree temps and a gusty south wind.  There is nothing like running at a University campus at night! The peace and quiet of students getting ready to study or party!

Wednesday--Run from Belmar Golf Club. I was greeted with 75 degree weather and sunny after my work shift. It was a perfect spring day as I headed out on Indian Hill Road out on the gravel away from the hustle and bustle of people.  I saw maybe one truck on the road as the warm day is something I will get used to but I am a little sad that winter has not even existed here in Oklahoma and has skipped straight into spring/early summer.  I have seen a few snow flakes this year but no big snow storms or major accumulations. Up state New York will have that for me which I look forward to working on the cool winter running.  I ran a total of 80 minutes today and 13 miles. My training is coming along after I was nearly hit by an ambulance at Norman Regional Hospital on Monday night.


My next big race is the A-OK 50k/25k where I will be running the 25k. I look forward to the race and to run a fast time!  I had an off week of training but  I am really ready to run well as I truly prepare for the Okc marathon.

Snow Day and the Meltdown!!!!!!

Monday was a great day for snow. We had about 2 inches of fresh white powder to great the day.

Monday-Run at the OU xc course on snow.  Ran for 75 minutes about say 11-11.5 miles

Tuesday--Run with the sunset.  I headed out on Alameda street towards Lake Thunderbird and then turned on 72 street.  A great run and was able to hit 1 hour and 28 minutes and approximately 13 miles!

The rest of the week has been so busy I have not found the time to write down all of my running. But, I can attest and say that  I am running and feel rested and so this next week begins hard mileage at 90-100 miles and I stray away from little relaxing runs.  I might throw some tempos in but it is officially time to get serious for the OKC marathon.

Sunday morning is by far the best day to run in Oklahoma. Everyone is either at sleep from drinking too much the night before or church is looming for those that attend.  That means for me that I can go out and run and sometimes never see any cars!  Today I ran by the famous Toby Keith's house and was able to run  road normally caked with cars, car-less.  It was so peaceful to have the morning to just relax and enjoy the start of the day. I ran 1 hour and 28 minutes and a good say 13-14 miles. Today was a Sunday just run day and it feels great to finally have a morning run in the books since I work most mornings.  The morning-time is so peaceful and it is that feeling of being outdoors in a tranquil setting that I miss the most. Hopefully, I can start to have more mornings off so I can run in peace and quiet more often!

Monday--Run to bank at night. High winds and a chilly air made for an Oklahoma-good-time Totaled 66 minutes and about 10.5 miles.

Week back!

After my fun weekend in Oklahoma and Arkansas, I am now trying to rest my sore legs and hopefully get myself back into race form as I work out the soreness.


The 50k did a number on my legs as my runs this week have been the same time but slower overall pace and distance. I have run 77 mins, 75 mins, and today in the heart of Moore and Indian Hills Road, about 80 minutes and 11.4 miles.  Today, my legs are almost back to normal which will be very exciting for me as I can soon run hard and fast.  It was a great trip and I am so thankful for my family to be there all along the way!



Yesterday, I ran an amazing night run in the rain with Connor!  We just strolled around OU and it was amazing to catch back up and to have the chance to run with the headlamp in the pouring rain. I think my legs have finally come back to me which means next week I can ramp up the mileage and training again!  I ran about 1 hour and 15  minutes or say 11 miles!


Friday--PM 35 min night run. Felt nice though it has super cool weather aloft!  Windchills in the teens is COLD!  But nothing like some Under Armor to help keep the body heat flowing!

Saturday--Run out to Noble Hill country. Ran about 66 minutes enough for 10-10.5 miles! My legs are back to normal! And man, running in the 20's feels odd with all the 60 degree weather we have had!

Sunday---Run out towards Moore on Porter ave as we await snow!!!!  The run had me all bundled up because of the winter chill in the air and I ran real well with 1 hour and 26 minutes and about 13-14 miles as I headed out to the Moore Technology school.  This was the first run where I was able to run a fast pace say 6:20 and under the whole way and not feel to fatigued as I went up and down the Oklahoma hills of the plains country.  It was a great run and I am excited about the chance to run in some snow as 1-3 inches is forecasted for tomorrow! It is finally time to bust out the snow shoes!

White Rock 50k--Up and Down Arkansas's Mountains

More to come but a quick recap:

I have very tight calves but ran an amazing and beautiful 50k to White Rock mountain where I was able to set a new course record of 3:53 on a very honest course and time breaking the 3:58.  Running 33 miles was unlike any other running experience to date but it was incredible and it gives me great optimism for running future ultras and that I can handle the longer distances and maybe a 50k could be my distance of choice!

Photos Ashlee Took of the Event!

I never really thought I could run 33 miles as well as I did but a nice 30 degree winter trail race made the effort perfect.  I never overheated and besides a fall on a steep downhill because of the slick surface but it was an incredible experience. I saw spectacular views, ran through blinding fog, had two black labradors run 13 miles with me up mountains to the White Rock Mountain Overlook, and I can officially say that I am king of the mountain. I have the new record of 1:51 for the ascent and the total time of 3:53 for the 33 miles!

Every Step is a Big One!

I have run both 78 minutes and 84 minutes the past two days and  I am still recovering from the trails on Saturday.  I have run both on hills and have helped to stretch out my sore calves.  I have run both 13 and 11.5 miles and I am getting ready for Arkansas where I hope I can run a stellar time at White Rock!  Anything under 4 hours will be the goal though I hope to average 6:30 a mile on the course maybe faster.   Oklahoma has been windy and warm as snow seems like it will never make it here but that is where Upstate New York will totally change Ashlee and my own perspective on snow.  Time to rest up for another long work week!


I hope too that one day I can be represented by great companies and brands such as Backwoods and Acidotic Racing which is partnered with Golite.  I hope that I can run fast enough to merit a spot as one of the top mountain runners in America and maybe the world!

When I also think about what I would like to do with my life, working for an outdoor retailer would be an awesome career.  I have a big crush on Mountain Hardware lately as all their apparel and equipment is worth every penny. I really like the direction running is headed and same with the retailers that make us athletes perform and train at the highest level.

Here is what I began with: I was a scrawny high school kid who had the talent to run fast but never knew my true ability. Today, I feel like I have taken that passion of running and have built upon it a running career where I have the opportunity to become "Elite" and to race at the highest level whether it be for a USA team or internationally.