Brooks Running Shoes

Let me start off this post by saying that I run exclusively in Brooks shoes and that I have been a member of the Brooks I.D. program for the last few years. Brooks I.D. From Brooks' website:

"Brooks I.D. stands for Inspire Daily. These two simple words guide the principles of the program. Brooks I.D. is made up of over 800 members who are active in their running communities and share a passion for the Brooks brand. They are runners who are winners in their own right: Winning their age divisions, accomplishing their personal goals, pushing their own limits, and, by extension, encouraging others to do the same. Brooks I.D. athletes members use their athletic talent to help carry out the Brooks mission: To inspire people to run and be active. We look for athletes who have a passion for Brooks, race and train in Brooks' shoes and apparel, and enthusiastically evangelize the brand."

I have personally found that Brooks makes a great shoe for my foot. I have worn every version of the Brooks Cascadias and used them during the McNaughton Park 150 mile trail run in Pekin, IL in 2007, 2008, and 2009 and again during the 200 mile trail run in Pittsfield, VT in 2010 and 2011. I have worn the Brooks ST Racers in dozens of marathons and ultra-track runs. Sometimes the shoes work well and hold up beyond 600 miles of use and sometimes they don't. But overall I am extremely happy with the quality of workmanship Brooks puts into their designs and products. The following photo is from the Badgerland 24 Hour Run Labor Day weekend 2011:

I am wearing Brooks ST Racers and am about to retire that same pair of shoes after running in them during that race, 3 marathons in October, and training in them over the last 3 months. Well over 700 miles.

It was with great excitement that I received my pair of Brooks new lightweight PureConnect Shoe. This is one of four different types of shoes in the Pure line:

http://www.brooksrunning.com/Brooks-PureProject/pureproject,default,pg.html

I wore these shoes on two runs - the second of which was my daily commute home from work (7 miles). My feet hurt so bad with these shoes on that I literally decided I would be better off removing the shoes and running the remaining 3+ miles home barefoot. Now, in speaking with Brooks, my feet are probably better suited for their other 3 Pure shoes (i.e., Pure Cadence and Pure Grit).

But this experience made me realize how much I absolutely love many of Brooks current line of shoes:

Cascadias

ST Racers

Launch

Green Silence

Your feet shouldn't hurt if you have the proper shoes - you shouldn't even notice them.

Motivating Signs

Saw a sign right before the start of the Lakefront Marathon in Milwaukee yesterday that a woman was holding that read something along these lines: "A day will come when you can no longer do this. Today is not that day!".

That saying really motivated me and is something I will containue to try and remember. Don't wait on something. There may be no tomorrow.

God Bless.

Strong Enough?

I know that I alone am not strong enough to run 145+ miles in a 24 hour period this weekend. I also know that I alone am not strong enough to do and deal with a lot of what happens to me each and every day. But it is so uplifting to know that I don't need to be.

There is a song by Matthew West that is currently on my playlist (because my loving wife Christina found it) called Strong Enough. The song has a great bible verse in it that I often use a mantra during my long runs: "I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13)

I will set a new record at this weekend's race but not because I am an amazing athlete or because I am any different from anyone else. It will be because of God's grace and hopefully it will stand as an example that anything is possible.

Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26)

The following are other prayers/verses that I have often though about before, during, and after I have placed a huge challenge or goal in front of me:

DEAR JESUS, help me to spread Thy fragrance everywhere I go. Flood my soul with Thy spirit and love. Penetrate and possess my whole being so utterly that all my life may only be a radiance of Thine. Shine through me and be so in me that every soul I come in contact with may feel Thy presence in my soul. Let them look up and see no longer me but only Jesus. Stay with me and then I shall begin to shine as you shine, so to shine as to be a light to others. (Mother Teresa)

But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind & straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. (Philp.3:13b-14)

Let us run w/ PERSEVERANCE the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus…so that you WILL NOT GROW WEARY & lose heart. (Heb.12:1b)

Be strong & courageous & do the work. Do not be afraid or DISCOURAGED, for the LORD God, my God, IS WITH YOU. HE WILL NOT FAIL YOU or forsake you, until all the work for the service of the temple of the LORD is finished. (1Ch.20)

Have I not commanded you? Be STRONG AND COURAGEOUS. Do not be terrified or DISCOURAGED, for the LORD your God WILL BE W/ YOU WHEREVER YOU GO! (John 1:9)

Twitter Link for 24 Hour Race Labor Day Weekend

The following link will take you to the twitter feed that we will be updating from 8 AM Central Saturday, September 3 until 8 AM Central Sunday, September 4 as I attempt to run over 145 miles in 24 hours:

http://twitter.com/dexterpunisher

Again, I will not be attempting this race alone and have a great crew coming to support me each and every 400 meter lap around a high school track in Germantown, Wisconsin (outside of Milwaukee).

The image below was taken at the end of the 24 hour race last year. You can see a lot of my crew in the background - it was a long day for all of us. We will be attempting to run 20 more miles this year in the same amount of time. Please pray for us and send us tweets during the event. My crew leader Demah will pass each and everyone on to me. I will greatly appreciate the extra motivation - especially during the night Saturday.

What's Next Run Wise

I wanted to send a quick update on my next running race.

My next goal is to try and get on the 2012 US National 24 hour Ultrarunning team. The qualifying standard is 135 miles. I am going to attempt this at the Badgerland 24 hour race in Milwaukee, WI September 3rd (Labor Day weekend). I was only able to run 125 miles there last year – but I think 145 miles is doable and that will be the goal to try and secure a spot on the team (there are only 6 spots). I currently have the 12 hour record at this race as well (78.78 miles from back in 2006).

www.badgerlandstriders.org/home/Races/Badgerland24126HourRun.htm

We will again be updating via Twitter during the race.

Verona Press Article: Dexter outlasts field again in 200-mile footrace

Ultramarathoner finishes with two other contestants in under 52 hours

This is a follow-up article from Seth Jovaag Group reporter for The Verona Press. Seth has done an amazing job reporting on my "big" races over the last three years to my hometown in Verona, Wisconsin. Thanks Seth!

http://veronapress.com/main.asp?SectionID=4&SubSectionID=4&ArticleID=3608&TM=25891.35

Local NBC Interview Regarding 200 Mile Run

The following is a link to a live interview from this evening's NBC 15 News at 5. Thanks to Leigh Mills for inviting me and for taking the time to discuss last week's race with the Madison area:

http://www.nbc15.com/video/?autoStart=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipId=5864020&flvUri=&partnerclipid

Going the Ultra Distance: McNaughton 200 Mile Winner

Last Thursday, Carrie Adams from the Spartan Race Blog interviewed me regarding the recent back-to-back victories at the McNaughton Park 200 Mile Trail Run. Her story can be found online at: http://blog.spartanrace.com/going-the-ultra-distance-mcnaughtons-200-mile-winner/

The photo below was taken at mile 190. We were getting ready to go out for the final lap. In the photo is my crew chief and friend Dema Nuertey whom Carrie writes about.


I think Carrie did a great job putting into words my events, my charity, the importance of my crew, my family, and my faith in Jesus Christ as the giver of my strength.

200 Mile Race Photos from 2011 McNaughton Trail Run

The above photo is from the start of the 200 mile run with my father Joe and my brother Brett. They drove up from Pennsylvania with my Mom and were at the race the entire time. We all got to spend Mother's Day weekend together in Vermont!

I posted some photos that my brother Brett took during the 200 mile race that can be viewed online at: https://picasaweb.google.com/117323466332507606032/McNaughton2011200MileRace?authkey=Gv1sRgCKT8kOSxt5DYXA&feat=email#

Verona Man Wins Back-To-Back 200-Mile Ultra Marathon

The following is a link to a local Madison news story from last weekend's McNaughton Trail 200 Mile Run: http://verona.channel3000.com/news/people/verona-man-wins-back-back-200-mile-ultra-marathon/52433

The photo below was taken of me and my crew after the finish!

McNaughton 200 Mile Trail Run Finish Line Photo & Race Splits

The photo above was taken seconds before my finish at the 2011 McNaughton 200 Mile Trail Run after running nearly 52 hours. The race started at 6 PM on Thursday evening and finished a little before 10 PM Saturday night. This finish time was approximately 10 hours better than my winning time last year.

For those that were there and were following along via Twitter, I hope you know that I am not that strong - it was the strength of Jesus Christ working through me. We can do all things through Christ that gives us strength.

There were officially 14 runners signed up for the event but only 7 started. My crew was truly amazing and I'm not sure I could have covered 50 miles without their help. I will put together a race recap later, but wanted to get the "official" times out there.

The following are the lap splits (10 miles) for both Johnny and myself:
It was an honor to have again been a part of something so amazing.

"Dexter at it again" - Verona Press Article

www.veronapress.com/main.asp?SectionID=4&SubSectionID=4&ArticleID=3589

Running Man-"Dexter The Punisher" News Segment from Madisons CW

or at: http://youtu.be/u3Dm0kmK7g4

Verona Man Continues Mission Of Mobility

The following link is to a local Madison news story that was posted yesterday regarding the upcoming 200 Mile Trail Run that starts this Thursday at 6 PM Eastern.

http://verona.channel3000.com/news/community-spirit/verona-man-continues-mission-mobility/51625

Beautiful Explanation of Death

Like many of you, I often get chain e-mails (most of the time sent from my Mom) that I often just delete without even reading. But, yesterday the e-mail that she sent me really touched my heart. A good friend of Christina (my wife) and I passed away last week. Her name was Rita Pabst. She dies of cancer at the young age of 56. My first date with Christina nearly 12 years ago was actually a double date with Rita and her husband Karl.

Christina posted the following in the Guest Book of Rita's online obituary: "I called Rita and Karl my "2nd parents" and I will forever feel that way. Rita was such a role model for how to live life. She brought joy to everyone that knew her and I feel blessed to have spent time with her. I will never understand "why?" - Heaven must have needed an Angel back. She will be missed dearly. My deepest sympathy to all of you."

Like many of you, I have questions about death. My Mom's chain mail provided some assurance that death is not the end:


A sick man turned to his doctor as he was preparing to leave the examination room and said, 'Doctor, I am afraid to die. Tell me what lies on the other side.'

Very quietly, the doctor said, 'I don't know.' 'You don't know? You, a Christian man, do not know what is on the other side?'

The doctor was holding the handle of the door; on the other side came a sound of scratching and whining. And as he opened the door, a dog sprang into the room and leaped on him with an eager show of gladness. Turning to the patient, the doctor said, 'Did you notice my dog? He's never been in this room before he didn't know what was inside. He knew nothing except that his master was here, and when the door opened, he sprang in without fear.

I know little of what is on the other side of death, but I do know one thing... I know my Master is there and that is enough.

2011 McNaughton Trail Runs

The McNaughton Trail Runs are run on a 10-mile looped course in Pittsfield Vermont (www.peakraces.com/mcnaughton). How many times you want to run the course is up to the individual runner. Officially, the McNaughton Trail Run event is a 30 Mile footrace, 100 Mile footrace, 150 Mile footrace, 200 Mile footrace, or a 500 Mile footrace. So runners will repeat the loops 3, 10, 15, 20, or 50 times. Each loop has 2400 vertical therefore the 30 miler will feature 7,200, 100 miler will feature 24,000, 150 miler will feature 36,000, 200 miler will feature 48,000 and 500 miler will feature 120,000 elevation change.

The 500 Mile race starts this Saturday, April 30 at 12:00 noon Eastern and has a 198 hour cut-off. The 200 Mile race starts next Thursday, May 5 at 6:00 PM Eastern and has a 72 hour cut-off. The 150 Mile race starts next Friday, May 6 at 6:00 AM Eastern and the 30 Mile/100 Mile races starts next Saturday, May 7 at 6:00 AM.

There are currently 4 people signed up for the 500 Mile race! I can't wait to see them out there in person - AMAZING!

Last May, I competed in the 200 miler. A short video can be seen at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=WnGVhGYmRR0

In addition to winning the race, I also raised nearly $12,000 for the Free Wheelchair Mission - enough to donate 200 wheelchairs! I am going back next week to do it again and have an awesome crew of 12 to help me in my attempt.

The reason for this post is two-fold:

(1) I would love it if you could pray for the competitors during this event. As ultrarunners, we are constantly pushing ourselves to see what our personal limits are. There will be many individuals pushing themselves to new limits starting this weekend and running into next weekend. My crew will be updating via TWITTER - although this is a dedicated feed for the 200 mile race - I'm sure they will post updates of all races once we arrive in Vermont next Thursday. You can follow us during the event via TWITTER at http://twitter.com/dexterpunisher

(2) I am again trying to continue to raise money for the Free Wheelchair Mission. I have no fundraising goals to achieve - but wanted again to put it out there. I know that there are a lot of needs in this world, but if you are moved, inspired, or feel anything toward making someone's life better by providing them with mobility please donate. Let's see how many more lives' we can change through these legs. You can donate securely online at: http://fwm.kintera.org/dexterthepunisher

200 Miler Training Update - Less Than 1 Month Away

We are officially less than a month away from the start of the McNaughton 200 Mile Trail Run in Pittsfield, VT.

A few updates on my training - Last Thursday, I finished my 600th training mile for the month of March. That is 100 more miles than I have ever run before in a month. Currently I am at 1,364.9 miles for the year (over 13.5 mile/day average). Last Saturday, I ran the Trailbreakers Marathon in Waukesha, WI. I have run this race 4 times before. My time this year was nearly 7 minutes faster than last year's race and I finished 2nd overall in 3:19:39. I ran a very solid race and negative splitted the second half passing 2nd place at the last mile. The following is a photo from the finish line:

This Saturday, I will be running in the Mad City 100K National Championships in Madison, WI. Darren Fortney from my 200 Miler crew will also be participating in this event. This will officially be my 50th marathon or ultramarathon race. We will be running 10 laps through the Arboretum (10K course). Looking to just take it slow and easy - a training run that will cap off my 9th straight 100 mile training week (I'm averaging over 99 miles/week so far this year). If you are in town , feel free to come out and see us. They are very strick about running with us or anything, but we would love to see you. The following is a link regarding this race in the Milwaukee paper: http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/lifestyle/119331804.html

I have set up a page to continue raising money for the Free Wheelchair Mission. Please fell free to pass this link on to any of your friends or family that want to support our effort: You can donate securely online at: http://fwm.kintera.org/dexterthepunisher

Mountain Hardwear's Corvus Dome and Gravity Glove

Many of you know that I live in the Madison, Wisconsin area and train mostly outside in the winter. Right now the temperature is 10F (feels like 0F). For me to be able to run in these types of temperatures, I need to wear a lot of clothes but particularly my hands and my head need to be well covered. I have found a couple products that have worked well for running in cold weather and wanted to share.

The following hat and gloves are made from an outdoor company called Mountain Hardwear.

The Corvus Dome looks like a normal winter hat but it has a built in comfortable & breathable face mask. I like this hat because the thin face mask is attached to the inside back of the hat and therefore doesn't fall down and fits tightly against my face while running - keeping both my face and my head warm.
This hat is not perfect though - there are some draw backs. The hat is referred to as a dome - which is probably a good thing because it does not cover your whole head. I end up wearing a thinner hat underneath which makes the Corvous Dome a little tighter than I would like (even in Large). The Corvous Dome is made of wool - which is a warm material even when wet and not as stinky as of materials; but wool is also itchy. I highly recommend air drying this hat after you wash it. The tags may have said not to use a dryer (but I'm a guy and almost never read those clothing tags). After drying, the hat just didn't fit as perfectly as it did new - but still good enough that I have been consistently grabbing it for runs.

I have been looking for good winter running gloves for a long time. There are a lot of running gloves out there that work great for cool spring or fall mornings but few that work for sub zero temperatures. Usually, I wear a pair of typical running gloves and then a pair of insulated ski type winter gloves over these to run in. And even then - my fingers are sometimes cold. This has all changed now that I have found Mountain Hardwear's Gravity Glove. These gloves look bulky in photos - but they aren't and there is absolutely NOTHING negative I can say about these gloves. My hands actually sweat in these because they are so warm. These are windproof and water-resistant.

The Gravity Glove comes in sizes S, M, L, and XL to fit virtually any hand. If you struggle with cold hands during your runs this is a must have running item.

3,303 Running Miles in 2010

"What we do on some great occasion will probably depend on what we already are; and what we are will be the result of previous years of self-discipline" - H.P. Liddon

If anyone is interested in what it has taken me to become the best that I can be, I offer the following. It is my hope that this consistent training will provide the foundation to be ready on May 5, 2011 at the start of the McNaughton 200 Mile Trail Run.

I have been consistently tracking my daily mileage via an EXCEL spreadsheet since the start of 2006 (which was 4 years after I ran my first ultramarathon). Last year, I had the most mileage in 3 out of the 4 quarters which correlated to my highest yearly total as well: 3,303.11 miles.

That is equivalent to 9.05 miles a day for the entire year. I have maintained an average of nearly 8 miles/day for the last 5 years. The following graph is my monthly running log totals since 2006.

LAVA Magazine CarboPro Advertisement

The December / January 2011 issue of LAVA magazine contained a 2 page advertisement for CarboPro.Com products near the front of the issue. It was to my surprise when I received a call from my friend Greg Almond that I was included among the awesome athletes featured in the ad. I am humbled to be pictured among great endurance athletes such as my friend David Goggins who actually introduced me to these products a few years ago.

If you are training for an upcoming endurance event you owe it to yourself to try these products and follow these recommendations on how to use them for training and racing.