Silverheels

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UTMB dreams and qualifying nightmares

By Andrew Skurka / July 12, 2016 /

The qualifying requirements for Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc (UTMB), Europe’s marquee 102-mile ultra marathon, are unique and complex — and, some might say, brazen. They also underwent significant changes for the 2015 season. To help avoid disappointment or mid-season race shuffling (as I just went through), I thought I would provide an overview, and some insight…

Intended pacing strategy for Silverheels 100

By Andrew Skurka / August 5, 2016 /

The Silverheels 100 starting gun fires tomorrow morning at 4 AM, and I will be there. With a field of only about 40 and without an obvious ringer, this appears to be the lowest pressure and least competitive ultra that I have done. Furthermore, I’m no longer intimidated by the distance, the weather forecast is…

Hard, high, and lonesome: Silverheels 100 race report || 1st place, 23:17

By Andrew Skurka / August 10, 2016 /

Even after a few days of recovery and a substantial amount of sleep, I do not seem to recall my Silverheels 100 race as vividly as others. This may partly be a function of the course, which favors many shorter segments over a few extended efforts. But I think it’s also a reflection of my…

Notes for next time: Pacing, training, course beta + more || Silverheels 100

By Andrew Skurka / August 11, 2016 /

“Notes for next time” has become a regular feature on this site, following major hikes and races. Its usefulness to readers is unclear to me, but I plan to keep it up anyway — I reference them often enough prior to future big hikes and races to make the effort worthwhile. Let’s get started. Links…

Race Report: Indian Creek 50M || 9:46, 1st place

By Andrew Skurka / October 17, 2016 /

If the Indian Creek 50M had been held 72, 48, or even 24 hours earlier, the outcome for me would likely have been very different. I woke up on Tuesday with a sore throat and had full-on cold symptoms by the end of the day: coughing, wicked congestion, body aches, and a slight fever. I…