tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860166.post5684622035450729116..comments2024-02-11T00:54:20.373-08:00Comments on A Trail Runner's Blog: Good Times at the Marin Ultra Challenge 50k, Lance Armstrong's First UltraScott Dunlaphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16096284778835123584noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860166.post-34510786571061054692016-03-20T22:19:49.182-07:002016-03-20T22:19:49.182-07:00Congrats on your 5th place on the 50K! I too ran t...Congrats on your 5th place on the 50K! I too ran the 50K placing 7th (my 1st trail ultra with only 3 weeks of training after running 75th at the LA Marathon). You passed me at the start of the last climb...i held my spot nice and tight even though seeing those 25Kers fly by didn't help my spirits after putting 25 solid miles of running in. <br /><br />Awesome article as well. Cool to hear that Lance also ran in his first 50K. I didn't realize he was running it until Chris Denucci told me at the last Aid Station (again right before you passed me) that I was ahead of him. I awestruck by hearing this happen during my first trail ultra. Come to find out you put up Liz Kreutz picture where she gave Alex Ho (50K winner) and Franz Van Der Groen (2nd in 50M) a shout on Instragram. Not going to lie, bit jealous you got talk post-race experience with Lance over food and adult sodas (beer). <br /><br />I'm new to running, 7 months in to competitive running, but I can tell you that I'm hooked to pushing time and distance. While I'm happy with my accomplishments, running has become a passion because of the amazing/cool people I've met along the way and the picturesque places I've seen. This run was no different...so thank you for posting this blog!<br /><br />I'm a local runner from East Palo Alto and I now you are from Woodside. I usually run solo, but I'm trying to run with some locals. Give me holler if you ever want to go run. #RelishYourRide!aamaral10https://www.blogger.com/profile/07078251567457125066noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860166.post-11198759564480865102016-03-20T14:17:35.264-07:002016-03-20T14:17:35.264-07:00Scott, I am posting the Facebook thread you had wi...Scott, I am posting the Facebook thread you had with Jasper here since I think it's helpful. Not all of us are on Facebook, believe it or not!<br /><br />Jasper Halekas: Scott and I don't necessarily see eye to eye on every single issue, but overall I know that he is a smart and reasonable guy. I therefore give him the benefit of the doubt and assume that he has a well thought out rationale that goes well beyond blind fanboy-ism. Personally, I'd like to hear it from him directly rather than guessing or reading between the lines.<br /><br />Scott Dunlap: For you Jasper, happy to comment. This may be hard to believe, but posting this story and the last one was not intended to "poke the hornet's nest" on the subject of PED's in ultrarunning. But I could see how people would feel that way though, since I've posted controversial things in the past (guilty as charged). The truth is I've been a friend with Lance and his family long before his rise to fame (and subsequent fall). He was a big influence on leading me towards a healthy active lifestyle at a time when I really needed it. I've since watched and led a number of people into this great sport when they are at major crossroads or crisis, and that healing combination of Mother Nature, adventure, and like-minded warriors in ultrarunning never fails. Whether you are first or last, ultrarunning is uniquely healing to the body and soul, rejuvenating, chock full of transformative powers. Now a friend comes out a colossal shitstorm, and connects with the trails in a way that brings out the best of himself, and many of those around him, family, friends, and strangers alike. It's a story I have seen before, and I don't think of Lance any differently than any other friend that way. I really am trying to write the stories that way too. So by default of where my heart is on the matter, I guess that means I fall on the side of "all are welcome in this sport as the RD's for each race sees fit". I don't like a world where anyone is denied a second chance or told they can't rebuild themselves around a new passion, and am pleased that the folks at ITR think similarly. I couldn't give less of a shit about a persons previous careers and how that ended, and I've met far worse than cycling dopers and cheats on the trails (pedophiles, murderers, rapists, embezzlers...you name it). But I still welcome them all if they are on a positive, healing path. Do I support testing for PED's in ultrarunning? Sure, happy to if that's what the RD asks, what my sponsors request, or in some cases (like an American Record attempt) just to prove it to myself. Is the sport ruined if 100% of RD's don't screen for PED's? Well, that seems ridiculous. But I understand the desire to protect a sport that is the foundation of so much passion. For many, this sport is core to their identity, and it is those who most define their identity by the status quo that will go the farthest to defend it against all odds. Aka, haters gonna hate. But I have lost no respect for any of the commenters here, and applaud any dialogue that is respectful. Hope that is helpful, Jasper.<br /><br />Jasper Halekas: Well written. That really helps me and I'm sure many others understand where you're coming from. I may reply with some more thoughts later, but for now I'll just say thanks for the very clear and thorough response.<br /><br />Scott Dunlap: Miss you, Jasper! I hope you are enjoying dad-hood.Mike Dhttps://www.facebook.com/scott.dunlap.trail.running/posts/10153613675197987?comment_id=10153618478662987&reply_comment_id=10153619257327987¬if_t=feed_commentnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860166.post-37310144158148141042016-03-16T15:03:08.794-07:002016-03-16T15:03:08.794-07:00Great read. Great read. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860166.post-24187744554970201812016-03-16T02:04:40.787-07:002016-03-16T02:04:40.787-07:00Holy smokes! Almost 2km of climbing in just over 4...Holy smokes! Almost 2km of climbing in just over 4 hours, you're a beastVesselahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12475656161403461446noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860166.post-15129696515209145982016-03-15T17:45:54.285-07:002016-03-15T17:45:54.285-07:00Great article!Great article!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02399629455074622290noreply@blogger.com