The North Face Endurance Challenge San Francisco 50K: Bad Race Beautiful Place

      I had been training for this race for the last couple of months and felt strong and ready. I was felling strong because I had run the 40 mile Telluride Mountain Run, a few months before. And I felt fast because I had run a 16:59 5k at elevation. So between those I knew I was ready.
      To start of the trip we drove down to Albuquerque. The first thing we did when we got there was go to REI. Where I checked out the Hoka One One Challenger, and bought some things for the race. The next day we flew out to Reno, NV to check out Rope Works, and stay with some friends. After we saw Rope Works I got out for a run on some incredible trails. The next day was I trip to Mill Valley. I was siked! I had felt great on my run and knew that I was ready! Before we got to Mill Valley we had to stop in San Fran to pick up my race packet. But when we came back from getting it (it took us about 10 minutes) our car was gone! It had gotten towed! Luckily we got a ride to pick it up. All of that shook me up but I decided to put it out of my mind so I could concentrate on the race. That night we went for another run on a hill that was on the course. During that run I felt great running 8 minute miles easily. I knew I was ready.
      On race morning I put on my shoes and race outfit, and drove out to the start. But despite having good training it was not to be my day. The first hill running 9 minute miles felt terrible. I started to get pissed! This was supposed to be my day! My race! What was happening?! My training was as good as it gets! So once I got over the fact that it wasn't my day I decided just to enjoy myself. I looked at the bay, the ocean, and the rest of the course. The first aidstation I saw my dad was 9 miles and right after a nice downhill. So coming into that I felt like maybe I could get back into race mode. So I refueled and set off again. Well maybe I couldn't get back into race mode. After I left the aidstation I felt terrible.
      Well I was back to just enjoying the scenery. The miles went by quickly but painfully. And finally I got to the next aidstation. And just as I was leaving I saw Ellie Greenwood cheering me on. Which gave me a boost. The next section of the course was crazy! It was practically a slip'n'slide, a river, something almost unrunnable. And I was still feeling bad. Coming down that and running back to the aidstation where my dad was went by in a very painful,  blister, and cramping, blur. Coming into that aidstation with only 5 miles to go I was toast. But I got a hug from Anna Frost! So for the rest of the 5 miles I just toughed it out. Once I got to the finish I was elated because I was done with one of the hardest races I have ever done, but I had also just finished one of the most amazing courses I have had the pleasure of running on. And I got to meet and talk to some of the best runners in the world. And I got to watch my friend Dakota Jones get second in the highly competitive 50 mile race.
It was a great learning experience and lots of fun.
     Thank you to all the volunteers and The North Face for putting on such an incredible race! I will be back next year!

     I place 72nd overall and 2nd in my age group with a time of 5;23.

                                                                                                                                                                    

Hokas One One Clifton

If your looking for a lightweight, highly cushioned, no nonsense shoe, look no further. I truly think that Hoka struck gold with both this and the Huaka (review coming). I have put in a lot of miles, both fast and slow. And man did it impress me. So here goes the review.
                                                                             Upper


(Photo cred: Competitor Magazine)

I think that this is where Hoka really made a fantastic upper. It's lightweight, breathable, and stretchy. I can see how they took off around 3 ounces from all their previous shoes. But the upper is also where I found the most issues. It is a bit narrow. Not overly so, but enough to cause a tad bit of discomfort. But most Hoka's I have tried are bit to narrow. Why can't Hokas release wider shoes? Well I have one more dislike. The overlays started to come off the upper much to early. And I thought that it could be
 a big discomfort or fit problem. But honestly when I was running it didn't affect anything.


                                                                        Midsole
Fantastic. I am sorry there is nothing wrong with the midsole. It's light, fluffy, and surprisingly springy. I almost wish there was something wrong with it, for the sake of the review. When running uphill it launches you and when you run downhill you feel no impact. Bottom line flawless.

                                                                        Outsole
Just a basic road outsole. Some rubber but mostly exposed midsole EVA. There are no lugs making it a road only shoe. But it works on wet, dry, and dirt roads perfectly. And after 300+ miles there is very little to no wear.

                                                           Conclusion/final thoughts
This is a road shoe. And the only problem with this is I am above all a trail runner. But luckily for me and many other Clifton loving trail runners Hokas is releasing the Hokas One One Challenger, a trail version of the Clifton. I got to check it out at REI today and I must say it was love at first sight. Alright this is the best road shoe I have worn flat out. And soon I will be releasing a review of the Hoka Huaka, another great lightweight shoe from Hoka.