Neal Gorman Sets New Record for the Grand Slam of Ultrarunning

(My apologies for missing this story in September - pretty amazing!)

When arriving in 2nd place at the Wasatch 100 on September 15, 2010, DC's Neal Gorman set a new record of 74:54:16 for the fastest completion time of the Grand Slam of Ultrarunning, four tough 100-mile runs in one season. His time was just four minutes faster than Joe Kulak's extraordinary performance in 2003, considered by many to be record that would stand for decades.

Here were Neal's finish times:

Western States 100 - 18:14 (13th)
Vermont 100 - 16:33 (2nd)
Leadville 100 - 18:47 (4th)
Wasatch 100 - 21:19 (2nd)

(Neal Gorman after his WS100 finish;

one of many fascinating photos in Larry Gassan's post-race profiles)

Pretty amazing. Despite being almost 90 minutes slower than Kulak's time at Vermont, he made up time in the hills. Congrats, Neal!

- SD

In Memoriam - Ultrarunner Lisa Conover

Ultrarunner Lisa Conover from Appleton, WI, died unexpectedly last week at age 48. Here was a quote from an e-mail forwarded to me:

"Many of you may have known Lisa Conover -- ultrarunner from Appleton, WI. She has run everything from Western States to Old Pueblo to MiWok to many of our Midwest ultras. Lisa collapsed at home -- from the initial info I got, I think it was this morning -- and Gary (husband) called 911. She was pronounced dead on the scene. Lisa had not been feeling well the past week or so, but evidently her symptoms didn't seem too serious. Perhaps flu-like...I'll share further info when it is available. Of course, if someone else out there in ultraland has more information, please let us know."

(Lisa Conover posing with the 1999 Ultra Grand Slam crew -
she is second from the right in the back row)

I didn't have the pleasure of knowing her, but it's clear many of you did. My heart is out to her friends and family.

Another ultrarunner forwarded me this partial list of ultras she has run. One thing for sure, Lisa definitely lived life to the fullest.

- SD

51 Leona Divide 50 Mile Run and 28.4 Mile S 2007 50m 10:29:53
50 San Juan Trail 50K 2007 50k 07:25:37
49 Wild Wild West 50k 2007 50k 06:12:17
48 Angeles Creset 100 Miles Endurance Run 2006 100m 28:20:00
47 Kettle Moraine 100 mile (solo and relay) 2006 100k 14:09:53
46 Bandera 100km 50km 25km 2005 100k 13:56:45
45 Ice Age Trail 50 2005 50m 10:06:18
44 Rocky Raccon 50 Miles 2005 50m 09:22:24
43 McNaughton Park Trail Runs 2005 50m 10:09:35
42 MiWok 100k 2005 100k 13:01:35
41 Western States 100 Miles Endurance Run 2005 100m 27:12:00
40 Angeles Crest 100 Miles Endurance Run 2004 100m 29:21:00
39 Bandera 100km 50km 25km 2004 50k 06:39:40
38 Leona Divide 50 Mile Run and 28.4 Mile S 2004 50m 11:00:13
37 Ice Age Trail 50 2004 50m 10:22:41
36 Kettle Moraine 100 mile (solo and relay) 2004 100m 24:55:23
35 Afton Trail 50KM 2004 50k 06:00:45
34 Rocky Raccon 50 Miles 2004 50m 09:47:57
33 McNaughton Park Trail Runs 2004 50m 10:33:41
32 Grasslands Run 50 miles 2003 50m 09:26:42
31 Where's Waldo 100k 2003 100k 17:10:13
30 Kettle Moraine 100 mile (solo and relay) 2003 100k 13:47:31
29 Leona Divide 50 Mile Run and 28.4 Mile S 2002 50m 10:32:36
28 IronMan Wisconsin 2002 142m 14:06:09
27 John F. Kennedy 50 Mile 2002 10:11:10
26 MiWok 100k 2002 100k 13:40:59
25 Western States 100 Miles Endurance Run 2002 100m 27:24:12
24 Angeles Creset 100 Miles Endurance Run 2001 100m 28:20:12
23 Leona Divide 50 Mile Run and 28.4 Mile S 2001 50m 10:18:54
22 Ice Age Trail 50 2001 50m 09:27:22
21 San Diego 1 Day Run 2001 24h 104.2800
20 Vermont Trail 100 Miles Endurance Run 2001 100m 23:14:33
19 Squaw Peak 50 Mile Trail Run 2000 50m 12:22:00
18 Leona Divide 50 Mile Run and 28.4 Mile S 2000 50m 10:27:49
17 Ice Age Trail 50 2000 50m 09:44:37
16 Western States 100 Miles Endurance Run 2000 100m 26:33:10
15 Old Dominion 100 Mile One Day Endurance 1999 100m 23:32:14
14 Leona Divide 50 Mile Run and 28.4 Mile S 1999 50m 10:23:24
13 Ice Age Trail 50 1999 50m 09:43:42
12 Leadville Trail 100 Miles Endurance Run 1999 100m 28:39:37
11 Wasatch Front 100 Miles Endurance Run 1999 100m 32:47:00
10 Western States 100 Miles Endurance Run 1999 100m 28:03:44
9 Angeles Creset 100 Miles Endurance Run 1998 100m 30:09:56
8 Bulldog 50K Ultra Run 1998 50k 06:12:22
7 Ice Age Trail 50 1998 50m 10:25:49
6 Afton Trail 50KM 1998 50k 05:19:06
5 Ice Age Trail 50 1997 50m 10:18:20
4 Afton Trail 50KM 1997 50k 05:34:25
3 Afton Trail 50KM 1996 50k 05:53:29
2 John F. Kennedy 50 Mile 1996 11:32:50
1 John F. Kennedy 50 Mile 1995 11:47:26

Don Halke will take on the Ultra Grand Slam for Cancer

Doing ultras for charity is one thing, but how about the Grand Slam?!? Don Halke of Harrisburg, PA, will be running the Ultra Grand Slam this year to raise awareness (and money) for the American Cancer Society. He was inspired to raise awareness for cancer this year since it was the 25th anniversary of his father's death from colon cancer. After his friend of 40 years and best man at his wedding, Glenn Hoffman, was recently diagnosed with the same disease and began a successful recovery, he realized how far medical science had come.

The Ultra Grand Slam (aka The Grand Slam of Ultrarunning) consists of officially finishing the Western States 100 Mile Endurance Run, the Vermont 100 Mile Endurance Run, the Leadville Trail 100 Mile Run and the Wasatch Front 100 Mile Endurance Run all in the same year. The Grand Slam of Ultrarunning Award was established in 1986, when Tom Green was the first finisher. The deadline to sign up for this year is June 20, 2007 - there's still time!

(The 11 brave 2006 Grand Slam finishers at the Wasatch 100 - Darcy Africa, Dan Brendan, Bill Thom, Steve Douglas, Andy Knight, David Gordon, father/son team Keith and Gary Knipling, Mike Samuelson, Bruce Grant & Tim Englund; photo courtesy of run100s.com)

47-year-old Halke has run three 100-milers and 79 marathons, with respective best times of 25:12 and 3:28:33. You can read his 2005 Western States race report here. He started his ultra running in 2002 with a 9:26 finish at the JFK 50 where he "enjoyed himself way too much". If you see him at the races, be sure to cheer him on!

If you would like to help Halke in his quest, you can send a check to the American Cancer Society to 3211 N. Front St., Suite 100, Harrisburg, PA 17110.

Krissy Moehl Rocks the Ultra World (An Interview)

At the ripe young age of 28, Krissy Moehl has already shown to be one of the best ultrarunners racing today. If 2006 is any sign of what's to come, she has only begun. Coming off of a successful 2005 season where she became the youngest finisher/winner of the Ultra Grand Slam (20:53 at Western States, 18:41 at Vermont 100, 22:03 at Leadville, and 26:34 at Wasatch), this Washington native has been demolishing course records and clocking top finishes all over the world. In 2006, she crushed the course record at the Leone Divide 50m (7:42, 9th overall), finished 2nd female at the Miwok 100k, and trounced all the men and women at the Where's Waldo 100k with an overall win (11:18, besting the previous record by Kami Semick by 45 minutes, and only 9 minutes off the overall course record set by Andy Jones-Wilkins; read Krissy's race write up here).

(Krissy Moehl has fun in Seattle; photo courtesy of Outside Magazine and Brian Smale)

I caught up with Krissy over e-mail to see how her recovery is coming.

First, let me say congratulations on your finish at Where's Waldo! It sounds like you had a great race. Were you expecting to do so well?

Leading up to and starting the race I really didn’t know what to expect. A week and a half before race day I finished thru-hiking the Colorado Trail with Andrew Skurka, and I didn’t know how all of those long slow miles would factor in.

Where's Waldo has capped a fantastic two year run for you. What do you attribute your success to?

I’m doing what I love to do. It seems like a simple answer I guess, but trail running is me, it is a part of how I identify myself, a runner. Because of this all of the time and miles that go into training are a way of life and fun – training is never work. If it becomes a chore and not fun then it is time to take a break. I guess that is another thing that helps, I really try to listen to my mind and body and take time off when necessary rather than being forced to take time off from an injury.

(Krissy resting after her record-breaking overall win at the 2006 Where's Waldo)

Have you always been a trail runner? How did you get into it? When did you start ultras?

Nope. I started running track in grade school and continued with track and cross country till my junior year of college. I was a team runner and needed a coach to motivate me to run.

When did you start ultras?

My first ultra was the Chuckanut 50k, March 2000. Scott McCoubrey and Uli Steidl ran the whole way with me. In that run Scott made sure I was well hydrated and talked to me a lot about fueling early.

Since then you've raced all over the world. What are some of the highlights of your career so far?

Working at Montrail for five years afforded me the opportunity to experience trail running all over the nation and the world. My favorite part about traveling in the US to ultra trail events is no matter where I’ve been my experiences always proved that you easily slip into the ultra community. It is one big family, worldwide really. Especially in the US, traveling to various states each community is unique but belong to the same family and therefore accept you in as one of their own.

Competing in the Grand Slam last year allowed me to run in and see four 100 milers that I may never have experienced. The diversity of terrain was complimented by the uniqueness that each race organization brought to their event. Prior to that I’ve traveled to Virginia, Texas, California, Oregon, Florida, Wisconsin, Colorado, Vermont, Utah always to see and share in peoples’ favorite trails; it is a wonderful way to learn a bit about another part of the country.

Traveling and racing internationally brings such great experiences in learning different cultures, hearing languages and enjoying the variety of foods. In all of my travels I have had the most amazing hosts, people that go over the top to share their home country. Highlights include running with a Montrail sponsored team of women (Stephanie Ehret, Janice Anderson & Francesca Conte) at the Oxfam Trailwalker 100km in Hong Kong 2002. This was the longest distance I’d run up to that point. To have the opportunity to run with such experienced and talented women was an inspiring way to do it. In 2003, partially through work, I traveled to France to compete in the Tour du Mont Blanc 150km. This is probably the most memorable and challenging race I have ever competed in and therefore also the most rewarding. The weather took a turn for the worst and in minimal clothing and a super tight IT Band I walked the last 30 miles to the finish. In the fall of 2003 a group of us traveled to Japan for the Hasegawa Cup, a 70 mile race on some of the most technical trails I have ever run. April of 2005 I had the incredible opportunity to travel to South Africa and compete in the Addo 100 mile. Only 11 people started, myself the only female, on the relatively flat and fast point to point course. We included some vacation time and in a month saw some spectacular sites including the Otter Trail, Kruegar Park, Cape Town, Johannasburg and Addo Elephant Park, where the race was held.

(Krissy on her way to to a 2032 finish at the 2005 Western States; photo courtesy of Doug Malewicki)

What is it that motivates you to stay at it?

I am constantly inspired by people around me. Those that set goals, put in the time and achieve them keep me motivated to do the same. I love hearing trail and race stories. I also love introducing new people to the trails. Seeing their faces light up after their longest run ever, or finishing a race are definitely motivators.

I would like to ask a few training questions. What does a typical training week look like for you (miles, types of runs, etc.)?

There is nothing typical about my training, every week varies and really depends on what is on the horizon for racing. I try to get in a couple (2-3) 2+ hour runs a week, preferably on trail, I like to cross train, so (even though I’m a fair-weather rider) I ride my bike, use the elliptical machine, attend yoga classes and lift weights. If the opportunity arises I love to paddle, I’m trying to surf, I’d love to have a better appreciation for skiing/snow sports and am game to give almost anything a try. When feeling good and gearing up for a race I usually run every day, or at least do something every day. I think consistency is the most important aspect to training; keeping the body prepared for and used to running.

Do you train with a club, friends, or go solo?

Mostly solo, purely out of timing reasons, but I in my travels I am meeting up with people for some great runs. In Seattle I do try to get out with friends. There is a group of girls that met Wednesday mornings for an hour or so and another group that has weekly training that I’ve yet to make. For all of the long runs (4+ hours) it is much more enjoyable to train with friends; we have such a great ultra crowd in the Northwest.

Where do you do most of your training?

I like to keep it varied and train in as many new places as I can.

Do you target a few races a year, or race as much as you can?

I like to race as much as I can, that said I make a point of not over racing and taking down time to recover.

What do you like to eat before, during, and after a race?

I’m a whole foods type of girl, lots of fruits and veggies, tofu, beans, fish and chicken once in a while. Those that know me well also know that I don’t skimp on the sweets, I do love ice cream and hot chocolate is a staple.

What races are you tackling in the second half of '06? Any big goals beyond that?

I’m looking forward to the Durango 50k, Santa Barbara 9 trails 35 miler and Hellgate to finish off the year. Next year I hope to run HURT 100miler, Hardrock 100 miler and the Tour du Mont Blanc 150km.

(Tracy Bahr and Krissy Moehl at the end of the 2006 Where's Waldo)

Can you tell us a bit about your sponsors?

I feel fortunate to have built some great relationships with my sponsors. For the past 5 years Montrail (shoes), Clif Bar (nutrition), Smartwool (socks), Petzl (hands free lighting) and Patagonia (clothing) have made up the sponsorship of our ultrarunning team, provided all athletes with incredible products and most importantly supported the sport of ultrarunning. In 2005 First Endurance and Nathan joined the team of sponsors and in 2006 Nathan became the co-sponsor of the team. First Endurance is hydration and recovery for me and was definitely the products that helped me in-between each of the Grand Slam races. Nathan knows how to take feedback from users and apply it to make functional hydration systems and have a line for women that really considers what women need. I have only ever run in Montrail shoes and am thankful that I still have all of my toenails. Clif bars, gels and bloks not only feed me on the race course but sustain me daily. Smartwool is part of the foot system that keeps me blister free, and keep me warm even while wet. 100 milers wouldn’t be possible without the night vision of the Tikka plus and Myo5. And head to toe, underwear to jackets I am a Patagonia girl, on and off the course.

I love your new blog. What have you enjoyed about blogging so far?

Thanks! It is a great to have a place to keep a record of adventures and experiences for reference for myself and have them all in one place to share with family and friends. My Mom likes it so she can keep track of me too.

Thanks for a great interview, and best of luck this season!

- SD