Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

WISHING YOU ALL AN ULTRA-HOLIDAY SEASON!

CLICK ON IMAGE TO VIEW AND/OR SAVE TO YOUR COMPUTER

If you did better then URG and bought someone a subscription to UltraRunning Magazine then feel free to download this Christmas card to accompany your VERY THOUGHTFUL GIFT!
If you still haven't bought a gift for that special someone then you still have time to get them a subscription to this great magazine which will feature a brand NEW unseen URG in the January 2010 Edition.

CLICK ON IMAGE TO VIEW AND/OR SAVE TO YOUR COMPUTER

Here is another version of the Christmas card you can save to your computer and print on your own paper.

WISHING YOU ALL
AN ULTRA-HOLIDAY SEASON,
AND A HAPPY ULTRARUNNING NEW YEAR!!

EJ & THE URG'S

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

SOUL PUMP

Click Picture for Larger View!


I myself have not had/taken the opportunity to travel much however the little piece of the Cataraqui Trail in Sydenham, Ontario just outside my front door has filled up my soul on many occasions when I found my spirits running low.
P.S. I have been reworking URG for his Ultra Running Magazine debut. I really want him to look good for the opportunity Tia at Ultra Running has presented him with. He is almost set to go here but with a few more tweaks I will unveil his final look this Sunday so stay tuned.

Sunday, November 15, 2009

DEALING WITH PAIN


Who is this PAIN Guy anyways and why does he always
seem to show up just as the FUN is starting?

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

LOOPHOLE IN THE SYSTEM


What would you regret not doing?
Well it's not easy to live everyday like it will be your last however I have a feeling that the more of those kind of days we are able to fit in the better that final ETERNAL day will be...and I'm not just talking about running...although replaying a few amazing runs throughout eternity does sound good.
from John "Lakewood" Fegyveresi plus he has other great runs uploaded to Youtube you might what to check out as well.

Saturday, November 7, 2009

Make Room For MY NEW SHOES!!


Out with HER OLD, in with HIS NEW.
IT MAKES PERFECT SENSE...TO HIM!
I hope you liked this one. If so please check the "Reaction Box". You can only click one box however you may change your mind later if you like and re-click. So go ahead give it a try. Don't be afraid. Just click the DAMN THING! It is not going to bite and give you rabies. It will not record personal information and spread it around the web. It will not cough on you and infect you with some horrible flu. It is only a simple little check box waiting for you to give it's very existance meaning. Ok, now move your curser over to your chosen "Reaction" and CLICK ALREADY! Don't know which one to click on you say? Well if you smiled in any way shape or form including a half sideways smile, a smirk or a full facial grin then click the "So Funny" box. If you caught yourself saying, "Hey I did that!" then click the "So Me" box, and if you find yourself in an "Ah-ha" moment saying, "Oh man that makes sense why wasn't I as insightful as EJ to have thought of that myself," then just go ahead and click the "So True" box. OK you did it. Now was that so hard? Thank-you so much. Now as for leaving a comment, take your mouse and move the curser over the word "comments"...; )

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Saturday, October 31, 2009

SUBJECT: TRAIL RUN

CLICK ON IMAGE FOR LARGER VIEW
The more specific one's training becomes the harder it is to run with someone else.
Firstly you must determine "WHEN" the run will take place. This can take a miracle to actually match up a day and time when both of you are available.  Then the "WHERE", "WHAT"  and "HOW" must be determined. What pace should you run at, what distance, a long flat single track, a short steep uphill climb, etc. etc.? Add a few more people into the mix who are recovering or tapering or have injuries to consider and it can all get rather complicated. All the variables MUST be considered  and accounted for before the RUNNING DATE can finally be consumated.

P.S. I hope you get this one because it took most of my brain cells
to get it on paper and then on to my computer.
Back to UltraRunningGuy.com

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Muddy Shoes!!


Here is an alternate line for URP-
"Someone is in BIG trouble and surprisingly, it's not ME!"

CONGRATULATIONS DAVID  for taking the #1 spot on the
Click here for The Top Ten Ways To Run Like A Dot List WINNERS.
I really enjoyed bringing it to life as an URG comic.
(P.S. for some reason I had trouble posting the results so I had to make it into 2 postings)

CONTEST WINNERS- URG'S IMPROMPTU CONTEST


The Results OF URG's IMPROMPTU CONTEST
Firstly, thank-you to everyone who entered the contest. your entries were so funny and imaginitive with some of them being on the unconventional side for a "TOP TEN LIST". Let's see I got one entry in the form of a 5 stanza poem  and more then a few random thoughts from the minds of your dogs. Taking the lead from you I have decided to make the LIST a bit unconventional as well.
So without any further ramblings from ME here is YOUR
 TOP TEN WAYS TO RUN LIKE A DOG LIST-
#10a) you know you are well hydrated by peeing on every tree you pass. -Derrick
      b) Poop in the woods, and stand around and wait for someone to clean it up for you. -David

#9) Eat random things you find along your run. -David

#8a) When you see another runner, run up to them and smell them. -David    
    b)  sniff, sniff, sniff,sniff..... SQUIRREL!!!!(pause)......sniff,sniff,sniff.... -Aaron
 
#7) Never run in a straight line or the same direction for more than 5 seconds. -David
 
#6) Have the runner behind you start a game of "fetch" with you using gels and shot blocks. -Lakewood
 
#5a) From the mind of my lab:
       Where are you, there you are, chipmunk, where are you, hey who's that dog, squirrel, where    are you, watch out mountain biker, hey we didnt bring Jack, chipmunk, stream, where are you, there you are, we're done already :( -Sank
   
   b) What runs through a dogs mind:
        ....running!...that's my most favorite thing! Wait what's that ? A dead fish...oh that's my most favorite thing! Man I'm itchy maybe I'll scratch...oh that's my most favorite thing....I think I'll lick my ...err now its just getting creepy -Aaron


#4) Aim to be the lead dog (re: dogsledding) because unless you are the lead dog, the view is always the same! -Derrick


#3) Instead of your normal route, run a 20 mile loop chasing the mailman around the neighborhood. (Just make sure he doesn't have any doggy pepper spray first). -Lakewood


#2) I am dog, see me run.
     What pace, what route? Who cares, no fun!

      Start off fast, then lope to trot
     Stop and sniff all stinky rot.

      Have a roll, it's worth the bath
    They give you in the aftermath.

     Fur and tongue fly all around,
    So glad I'm out of that damn pound.

    Please take me with you every day,
  We'll both be happy with our play. -Sara


#1) When you get home, tear around the house in your muddy shoes. -David

CONGRATULATIONS DAVID for taking the #1 spot on the list. I really enjoyed bringing it to life as an URG comic.

Saturday, October 24, 2009

LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW...

CLICK ON PICTURE FOR LARGER IMAGE!

SOME PEOPLE JUST CAN'T WAIT FOR
THE HOLIDAY SNOWSHOE SEASON TO ARRIVE.

Thursday, October 15, 2009

RUN, RUN, FUN,FUN!!

PLEASE CLICK ON PICTURE FOR LARGER VIEW!

RUNNING FOR FUN???
If you ever start thinking you have forgotten how to RUN FOR FUN then just watch a dog and do as they do!
URG's Impromtu CONTEST-
Top TEN Ways to Run Like a Dog!
             10. YOUR ENTRY HERE
              9.  YOUR FRIENDS ENTRY HERE
              8.  YOUR DOGS ENTRY HERE
              ETC...ETC...ETC
This is an impromtu contest. Let's see how many answers we can get. Contest is OPEN until Oct. 25th/09.
Leave your entry as a comment or e-mail them to ultrarunningguy@gmail.com
BTW URG's First Contest "Top 20 Signs You Are Training (Too) Hard For Your Next Ultra" will be published in November's issue of Ultra Running Magazine along with a few URG comics so thanks again to everyone who entered and congratulations to all the winners who will be credited along with their entry(s).
Hey if you guys and gals are extra witty for this contest then perhaps we can all get published again.

This contest is OPEN UNTIL SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25TH
so keep those entrys coming!!

Sunday, October 11, 2009

MY TRAIL!!

Please Click on Image for LARGER VIEW!!

Some of us get very attached to our TRAILS! You may even say POSSESSIVE.
Well it makes sense as we spend so much time on them and know every nook, every cranny, every distance marker, every slippery spot, every grade change, every rock and twig, tree, shrub and dog along the way. 
We have laughed, cried, sweated, bled, fallen, walked with our families, proposed marriage, been married and even taken our honeymoons on them and they become a part of the memories of our lives.

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Ney-Sayer

CLICK ON IMAGE FOR LARGER VIEW!

BEWARE THE NEY-SAYERS!
 THEY ARE LURKING, READY TO POUNCE,
TO DENOUNCE, YOUR RUNNING!
WHY IS THAT?
(Note: you may notice URG has a NEW LOOK. OK, I am going through an identity crisis concerning URG.
I was not happy with some things so I changed them. They may change again. Please bear with me.)

Friday, October 2, 2009

A QUICK ONE?

Sent In By You.....James!
CLICK ON IMAGE FOR LARGER VIEW!

A QUICK ONE!  Isn't that relative?

Thanks to James for sending in this "URG".
James if from New Zealand where he tells me the water goes down
the drain counter clockwise. Does that mean your clocks run backwards also?
James is a writer for VO2 Max Magazine. Here is
a link to his article about Ironman World Champion Chrissie Wellington .

Don't forget to send your best "URG" to ultrarunningguy@gmail.com
with the subject "Sent In By You".

Sunday, September 27, 2009

RUNNING DIARY

Click on picture for larger view!!


RUNNING DIARIES are a great way to keep track of your workouts, physical stats, performance improvements/setbacks, racing times, emotions, the weather, what you had to eat that day etc. etc. etc. Sometimes you might even forget that your coach is reading this very personal information.
There are many on-line websites that provide these sports specific Diaries/Journals/Logs.
URG uses Training Peaks . What do you use?
Aaron and Derrick use Attack Point .

Thursday, September 24, 2009

DAY OFF!!

Sent In By You.......Sara!
Click on picture for larger view!!

Thanks Sara for sending in your "URG" idea. Does this scene look familiar?
We all have our own ways of unwinding from a long work week or stressful studies.
I know I enjoy my DAY OFF when I can. A nice slow meandering walk seems to do me good. How about you?
E-mail your "URGs" to ultrarunningguy@gmail.com with the subject line "Sent In By You".

Please note the new "Reactions" check boxes below each post just added today. If you have time to go through the older posts and check off the appropriate box that would be much appreciated. Thanks EJ

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

GETTING CHICK'D


GETTING CHICK'D
Honestly guys, don't you just hate it when that happens? Or NOT!
Note: this is Evan's(Alaskan Assassin) PRIZE EPISODE for WINNING URG'S TOP 20 CONTEST!

Friday, September 18, 2009

STILL GLOWING!!

Click on picture for larger view!!

The longer the race the longer the AFTERGLOW!?
URG should be GLOWING for sometime yet: )

"Post Race Euphoria" is a beautiful thing and is perhaps even the reason
many runners continue to train and race. It is a mighty strong feeling to
be basking in the light of your accomplishment as all the hours of training
and the sacrifices you made towards your goal are gloriously justified.

Monday, September 14, 2009

YOUR TROPHIES

Click on image for larger view

URG the PHILOSOPHER!
URGIT(URG In Training) turns to race veteran URG in search of an answer to the eternal question,
Why do I RACE? ANSWERS ANYOBODY?
Note: I want to thank Evan for his recent Blog asking this same question which reminded me of this
little unfinished sketch I had in a pile of other unfinished sketches.
And no Evan is not URGIT and this is not Evan's "PRIZE" episode. That will be next week!
Aaron is URGIT. BTW URGIT, how are those "TROPHIES" today?
Here is a link to my Blog about "MY TROPHIES"

Saturday, September 12, 2009

Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde

Sent In By You....Derrick!
click on picture for larger view

Thanks to Derrick for giving us a glimps at what can happen to an Ultra Runner at night in the woods.
Derrick is competing in The Haliburton Forest Trail Race 100 miler as I post this. He is probably at mile 85 right about now. I pitty poor David his pacer if Derrick is anything like his depiction of URG in this comic. Good Luck Derrick, only a few more miles and you'll be at the FINISH LINE.
Also competing at Haliburton today was Keith in the 100, JD in the 50 miler and Aaron, Ron and Sara in the 50km. I hope you all had great runs and I can't wait to read all of your race reports. I will add links to everyones reports as they come in!

Friday, September 11, 2009

Toilet Paper In Your Pocket!!

Click on picture for larger view

A HUGE Congratulations to Evan for submitting the
WINNING ENTRY IN URG'S TOP 20 CONTEST!!
Evan will also be featured in an upcoming URG Episode
(if he wants to or not) so stay tuned for that as it is going to be a GOOD one.
Thanks again to everyone who participated, it was SOOOOOOOOOO much FUN!!

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

SLEEP RUNNING


click picture for larger view



Warning: DO NOT attempt to try this at home: )

A BIG Congratulations to Bryon!
 Bryon's entry WIN's the #2 Spot in URG's Top 20 Contest!

Monday, September 7, 2009

WEDDINGS VS. RACING



click picture for larger view


Congratulations to Ron for capturing the
 #3 SPOT on our TOP 20 CONTEST!
I liked his answer because even though it was longer then some of the short and sweet entries I received it had a nice build up to a great punch line.
#3. When your work schedule changes and the first you do is, request vacation time to cover planned races,
next you see what other races you can attend and then you tell your wife you don't have enough vacation time booked to attend the Cousins Wedding! Ron

Sunday, September 6, 2009

Top 20 Signs Your Are Training (Too) Hard for Your Next Ultra - WINNERS!!

Firstly thank-you to everyone who entered URG's First Contest "Top 20 Signs You Are Training (Too) Hard For Your Next Ultra". There were so many funny entries and it was hard to choose just 3 to add to the "Top 10" list so ultimately I decided to change it into a "TOP 20" contest. Well that didn't make my life any easier because now I had 13 winning entries to determine instead of just 3.

So without further ado the winners are......... in no particular order................just kidding-

Top 20 Signs You are Training
(Too) Hard for Your Next Ultra
#20. you leave drop bags beside your bed for late night snacks. Derrick
Note: Thanks to Derrick who sent me this line as an idea for an "URG".
I thought it sounded like the start of a Great TOP 10 List.

19. you find yourself asking strangers in the grocery store to pace you through the frozen food section.

18. you insist your family uses headlamp light exclusively after Dusk.

17. your dog thinks it is so cute the way your feet and arms move when you sleep.

16. you've used your new altimeter watch to chart the elevation climb from the basement to the living room to the bedroom and have set a PR on the course...3x's

15. you wake your spouse up every night shouting "GU, more GU, I need more GU"

14. 3 days before the race you try to convince yourself that a quick little 50 km run couldn't hurt and might actually loosen things up.
 
#13. you swear your trying really hard but you just can't come up with an entry for this Top 20 List. David
 
#12. your friends and family stage a running intervention...before you get outed at iRunFar.com like DK . Sara & EJ

#11. you wax your chest hair to improve the signal of your heart rate monitor. JD 

#10. you start getting really tired of eating all the time. Sara

#9. your mother is trying to figure out what she was eating while pregnant to have such a crazy kid(s). Anonymous

#8. you set 3 alarms for your race and wake-up before any of them go off. Ron

#7. when your coach tells you the 3 Day Rock and Ice Ultra is a good idea and you agree with him! :)
 Aaron

#6. You refuse to buy the latest Garmin GPS watch because the battery life is ONLY 20 hours; JD

#5. you spend more time getting your gear ready for a long run then getting ready for a wedding, including your own. Derrick & Sara

#4. you don't think of yourself as behind schedule until you've seen the 2nd sunrise. Lakewood

#3. When your work schedule changes and the first you do is, request vacation time to cover planned races,
next you see what other races you can attend and then you tell your wife you don't have enough vacation time booked to attend the Cousins Wedding! Ron

#2. you realize that SLEEP is cutting into your RUNNING time!! Bryon

#1. you never leave the house without a piece of toilet paper in your pocket!! Evan


Thank-you again to everyone who entered or who thought about entering or who meant to enter but never got around to it. I hope we can all get together and do this again sometime.
EJ

Thursday, September 3, 2009

Sent In By You - Private URG


Sent In By YOU.......JD!!
Thanks to JD for sending us this "URG".

click picture for larger view




Another version of JD's URG with a slightly different PUNCH LINE.
Getting the punch line just right can be very challenging. Some comics lend themselves to
multiple punchlines which can be fun but also frustrating not knowing which one to go with.
What I liked about JD's comic was how simple it was which is very hard to do.



Think you have an "URG" inside of you trying to get out.
Well don't just leave him in there, let him out for some fresh air and running room.
Send me your BEST URG ideas for our NEW ongoing series called "SENT IN BY YOU".
You may send your idea as text, a draft drawing to be redrawn or a finished drawing.
E-mail your "URGs" to ultrarunningguy@gmail.com with the subject line "Sent In By You".

REMINDER NOTICE:
URG's "Top Ten Contest" is still going until this Saturday Sept. 5th.
Check out the details in below...

Sunday, August 30, 2009

Top 20 Signs Your Are Training (Too) Hard for Your Next Ultra - CONTEST!!

URG's FIRST Contest!!
We need your HELP to FINISH our TOP Ten 20 List!
Check out the Details Below.
click on picture for larger view





Top 20 Signs You are Training (Too) Hard
for Your Next Ultra

#20. you leave drop bags beside your bed for late night snacks. Derrick
 Note:
 Thanks to Derrick who sent me this line as an idea for an "URG". I thought it sounded like the start of a Great TOP 10 List...which is now become a TOP 20 List.

19. you find yourself asking strangers in the grocery store to pace you through the frozen food section.

18. you insist your family uses headlamp light exclusively after Dusk.

17. your dog thinks it is so cute the way your feet and arms move when you sleep.

16. you've used your new altimeter watch to chart the elevation climb from the basement to the living room to the bedroom and have set a PR on the course...3x's

15. you wake your spouse up every night shouting "GU, more GU, I need more GU"

14. 3 days before the race you try to convince yourself that a quick little 50 km run couldn't hurt and might actually loosen things up.

13. ??? OK it is now your turn. We need your HELP to complete the list. Leave a "Comment" with your entry for our Top Ten List. You need only enter 1 suggestion or 3 or a dozen. I will add the winning entry's to the list with the name/link of the winner. If for some reason you cannot leave a comment then e-mail your entry to me at ultrarunningguy@gmail.com


Prizes: The Top 3 entry's will be commemorated in pencil/ink and posted on the site. 
1st Prize: The person who's entry is chosen as #1 on the Top Ten List will get his or her very own character based on your Ultra Running exploits in an upcoming URG episode PLUS...........bragging rights:) 

There is NO limit to the number of entry's per person.
BTW, the 3 winning entry's will be decided by me. Oh the POWER!

UPDATE: URG's First Contest is NOW CLOSED. Click her for the WINNERS. Due to recieving so many good entries I have decided to turned the "TOP 10 List" into a "Top 20 ". Thank-you to everyone who entered. It was extremely HARD determining the winner and I now regret putting all that pressure on my shoulders. Next time I will turn it over to a professional:)
WINNING ENTRYS
HOME of UltraRunningGuy.com

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

YOGA TIME!

Click on Picture to View!!


Just a QUICK list of some Ultra Runners who practice YOGA-
OK, I am sure there are MANY more but that is all I could find for now.
Is there anyone else out there who starts their day with a few good Sun Salutations?

Saturday, August 22, 2009

iRunFar.com - 2009 Leadville 100 Shoe Interviews

Back to http://www.ultrarunningguy.com/
Click on picture for larger view


 One of URG's favorite Ultra Running .coms is iRunFar.com .
Check out two great interviews from Bryon Powell
with Duncan Callahan and Anton Krupicka from Leadville, CO.
Leadville 100 Trail Run 2009
Leadville 100 2009 Results & Reports

Saturday, August 8, 2009

UltraRunning Magazine

click on image for larger view

 Ah! Every Ultra Runner's FANTASY!

Yes, making the cover of UltraRunning Magazine is probably only a dream for most, however making the inside pages is a definite possibility as reader submitted race reports, articles and comics are welcome.
Ultra Running Magazine Submissions Link
Back to UltraRunningGuy.com home page.





Wednesday, July 29, 2009

The Real Caballo Blanco?

Click on picture for larger view!
UltraRunningGuy.com Home Page

I had the fortunate opportunity to share a few e-mails with the
infamous Micah True or "Caballo Blanco" as he is referred to
throughout Chris McDougall's book "Born to Run".
What did you think of the way you were portrayed in Chris' book?
"I had mixed feelings...
realizing that his first impressions of me were heresay,
and not how I nor my friends see me.....some exaggeration....
The overall message was/is very good and positive."
Yes, I suppose I knew that you would turn out to be
a "normal" guy however it was fun following Chris on his search
for the mysterious "Caballo Blanco".
"never said I was normal--:]"
No not "normal" just not "crazy"? Perhaps a mixture of
the 3 characters in the attached comic. I hope my little comic
doesn't offended you as much as calling you normal did? :)
"No offence taken by anything-:} Those who run with el Caballo in the canyons become Mas Loco, and that is a good thing-;}"

I have been reading your stories and am more moved with each one...
"Thank you..."

Micah's website and home to
The Copper Canyon Run and Ultra Marathon http://caballoblanco.com/

Monday, July 27, 2009

Volunteer Pacers

Volunteer pacers are the UNSUNG HERO'S of Ultra Running.
Be they relatives, friends or complete strangers these Guys and Gals
act as companions, motivators, pack animal, and trail guide.
Running 10 to 50 mile sections of a race with the competitor
for no apparent pay off except for the satisfaction of helping
a fellow Ultra Runner realize their own personal dream.
URG says hats off to a Rare Breed in Deed!!



All races seem to have their own Pacer Rules.
Leadville Trail 100 allows the Pacer to carry food, water and gear for example-
Haliburton 100 does not allow the Pacer to carry anything for the runner-

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Born to Run

If you haven't read Chris McDougall's book "Born To Run"
then you will have to go out and get it(or borrow it from a friend).
It just may inspire you to put on a blouse and run around
in a skirt like URG.
Here are a few links to a couple of characters in the book-
An interesting article-

Monday, July 13, 2009

GONE CAMPING!

URG has "GONE CAMPING" for the week.
He will not be able to post due to the slow internet speed in his tent.
He will be back Monday July 2OTH with more Ultra Running Guy adventures.
SEE YOU SOON!!

Thursday, July 9, 2009

2009 Finger Lakes 50's - Mud Bath!

 CLICK ON IMAGE FOR LARGER VIEW

Apparently there was a little mud at the race this year :)

Sunday, June 28, 2009

Improved By URG



Amazingly...
later that morning the University Track Team had a blast playing on their
URG IMPROVED track :)
Unfortunately...
the Track Coach was not amused, URG and URGIT were escorted
off Campus by security :(
Luckily...
Ultra Running Gal denied knowing them and kept her job at the University :)
Secretly...
URGal loved the IMPROVED track and cried as bulldozers began the clean-up :(