Ultra Miko Running

  Race: 2019 Greek Peak Sprint - Cortland, NY March 9th, 2019 Time: 52:04 Place: 6th in AG Pre-Race Conditions: Didn’t write one this time! But hockey has taken some toll on my legs the last couple weeks from some fluke injuries.    Race Recap: Going into the race about 70% with some sore calves was going to make this interesting. The race was 3.7 miles with 1026 feet of gain and 1046 feet of descent that averages to +9.8% grade with the max climb of 34% and a section of descent in the 54% range In true Spartan fashion we started the race right uphill with a 400’ climb in the first ⅓ of a mile then a nice technical downhill on single track with ankle to shin deep snow. I started hard off the line fighting to position myself in a good place when the power hiking started and keep a good spot for the upcoming fun downhill so I could open up. Sitting in about 30th up the climb and making a few passes. With about 20’ left I started back running and got up to speed on the short...

A quick recap of the 2018 ice fest that was World's Toughest Mudder 2018 Well it’s over. #WTM2018 was everything I expected and 10 degrees less. I started strong completing my first 2 laps in just about an hour and a half. And then into cruise control grinding through laps. From lap 3 on we were getting fully submerged on a few obstacles. I got my wetsuit on early to try to avoid the coming cold. The conditions were absolutely brutal overnight. Temps dropping into the 20s while soaking wet. Obstacles were icing up and some were actually closed overnight for safety. I took 2 hard falls on Everest, one flat on my back due to the ice. I finished my 10th lap for 50 miles before 2AM well on my way to 75. My feet were so frozen I went to the pit to try to warm up. 5 hours in the tent and finally about 7AM headed out for my finisher lap. Still running at this point too! I felt so good I decided to keep grinding for a 12th lap getting back about 11:30. Not enough time for a 13th. If only I...

  “Basically I’ve been living the game of G.N.A.R my whole life”. That was what most of my thoughts were about this weekend.  That course was brutal. Steve Hammond did not disappoint and earned his GNAR points on the BN double sandbag carry before the event.  The race started with 3 Miles right towards the top of the mountain. We were running to where normal people take the tram to. Herc half was way up as a nice break to the grind. Then the climb continued to a high five from the Queen of Pain herself, Amelia Boone, as I was putting on my PFD for the 55F degree water swim that I flew by people in then over to the 1/4 mile bucket carry (121’ decent then gain) then up to the summit of 8200’ above sea level where we did the plate drag, atlas carry, barbed wire crawl then super cold dunk wall. At the summit we were right about the tree line so the wind was killer. A short run as fast as I could manage to spear man and twister barely able to feel my hands. I hopped up onto th...

  Its 9:30 and I’ve been up since 5. Waiting on my plane now.  Moral of the story is I qualified. Even with 60 late burpees. Thanks for the weather bubble. It rained all night right up until the start then started again 20 minutes after I finished.  Started right up a nice hill and pushed a bit out of the gate to get a decent position. Then toned it back to that 9:00 and even slower pace. The first 2 Miles felt like forever. I was moving but didn’t feel like i was going anywhere. Steep uphill and undulating downhills ruined any rhythm. Then came the sandbag. Power hiked through the ankle deep mud. Dropped bag and then it was off to the races, through some mud... killed the hoist, spear and threw that tire around like a rag doll. There were some nice places to open up in between the mud and I did. Seeing my pace touch to 6:50 and then pulling back to 7:00ish to maintain knowing the rough finish. The monkey bars were about the midpoint. They were muddy and the mass of human...

  Race: 2017 Chicago Spartan Super Date: June 10th, 2017 Time: 1:27:20 Place:  68/209 Pre-Race Conditions: I didn’t think I would have seen the course map before writing this but I did. Someone had shared it and I got a good look and decent plan. Hopefully my training works well in this race. I have been focused so much on cardio and running I still haven’t done a ton of strength. I did spend some time the last couple weeks doing the normal push up and pull up routines as well as more of the PT exercises for my legs. Hopefully it will be enough. This race is going to rely on cardio to get me through it. It looks like a runner friendly course that’s incredibly back loaded. I think as long as I keep control and don’t red line too early I have a good shot at a top finish. I want that coin. Knowing my weaknesses in this race I am going to use it as a gauge to see where I need to be in September. Also, made it back to The Edge Sunday for a bit of ninja training. My grip strength...

  Race: 2017 Citi Field Sprint May 13th, 2017 Time: TBD Place TBD Pre-Race Conditions: Race season starting out with a Stadium sprint. Last year I placed 37 th overall at this event with one penalty at the spearman at this race. Weather was a bit chilly but clear. This year looks like rain. Not sure how that will affect the monkey bars or all the stairs, I’m expecting it to be the equivalent of a slip ‘n’ slide. My plan is to just do what I have to do to move efficiently safe and fast. I don’t think there is any specific prerace prep I can do for the rain besides to just grind through it. I’m not sure I’m completely ready for this race. My running and cardio are amazing compared to where I was last year at this time. On a flat road run I feel easily 30sec/mile faster than last year and can hold that pace for a while. Strength wise the last 2 weeks had been hard to work on grip and skill. Some spear throws in the backyard over the last few days will hopefully help. Slightly worried...