Pirin Mountains

Snow capped peaks and idyllic meadows with trickling streams stretched out into forever. Mt. Vihren is the highest peak in the Pirin range at 9,560ft. From the town of Bansko, it was fun to explore trails in the park. There were few people around for how easy the access was, I found the trails to be a true treasure.
















Koncheto Ridge(Snow, fog, wind, smiles)

Bulgaria!

The sensation of walking down a cobblestone street in a foreign city can be intoxicating. Not being a city lover, the barrage of new sights can seem like nothing short of chaos sometimes. Apart from the familiar scents of diesel and flowers, Sofia was a unique experience. I had no idea what to expect going to Bulgaria. I knew very little of the culture or way of life in the far flung Eastern European country. The language is a branch of Slavic and uses the Cyrillic alphabet. That means street signs and words more resembled algebra equations than ways of communicating. Along with Sofia, we got to visit Sandansky, Melnik, Veliko Tarnovo, and Bansko. I was pleasantly surprised by the friendly and vibrant people, fresh food, sweeping countryside and quaint cobblestone streets. I hope to explore more of Bulgaria in the future!!







The food was fresh and amazingly cheap to eat at restaurants: Lots of tomatoes, cucumbers, feta, lamb, and thick yogurt!





We were lucky enough to stay in a mountain cottage built by Amy's brother in law's father. I felt like I was living in a collage of vivid greens, bright flowers, and soggy moss covered logs!

For anyone interested in running one of Luis's races, all you need to know is: He is a madman!!

http://www.allwedoisrun.com/




I was there for the 100 mile run and of course I got lost and did not finish! I was a little disappointed because I was feeling great in the heat! I ran the first 50 with Jenn which was a blast.





No more than an hour into running by myself, I zoned out and made a wrong turn. After my mishap, the allure of beer and music was overpowering. I was content with running 70 but not satisfied! I am now a believer in the #SufferBetter concept. In the past, I have always done things on the fly with little to help myself. Running is so much easier when consuming more than water and GU! George had a luxury set up for cooking and lounging! An aid station with couches and coconut water is pretty bad ass! I realized I always make things harder for myself for no reason, I will enjoy suffering better!





All photos taken by Stephanie Plomarity

JOHN MAUS "Believer" from Jennifer Juniper Stratford on Vimeo.

Ready for 100!

My love of the unknown is what led me to run longer distances. I had the burning desire to answer the question “Can I physically do this?” This year makes 10 years of running ultras for me. Turning thirty has sparked my desire to run a 100 again. In less than two weeks I will be attempting Luis Escobar's Born to Run 100 in Santa Barbara. The last 100 I attempted to run, 7 years ago I tried to run hard. I knew I could complete the distance so the question "How hard can I do this?" was my motivation. I found out that it wasn't very fun to run 100 miles hard and I lost interest(gave up) at mile 91. In those 7 years I have grown and learned a great deal. Over the past 7 years, health has been the goal. Running every day for no other reason than to feel good and be healthy has been my motive. I think i'm ready for the mile 70 freight train that will be coming at me head on.





I turned 30 on April 6th and wanted to go for a big run to mark crossing the threshold. The burliest run I could think of was from sea to summit. I started at the hazy salty edge of Hilo Bay and ran up up up 14,700ft. to the snow covered summit of Mauna Kea. The run was about 42 miles in length. I was lucky enough to be supported by Amy and Lila along the way. They met up with me several times along the way offering water, food, and plenty of laughs. Amy's love and support makes me feel like the luckiest man alive! I took my time, stopping a few times for extended picnic breaks. I felt pretty amazing all day, I think I have finally figured out the whole nutrition thing. It's only taken 10 years to stop being purposely stubborn.







I have also learned how to be balanced. I'm not limping around from running too many miles. It feels good to have balanced: work, family time and adventuring. I feel so lucky to have Volcanoes National Park in my backyard. At 4,000ft. the empty fern lined trails are dreamlike. The only thing missing in Volcano is a brewpub and a cozy coffee shop. I'm looking forward to the ups and downs of running 100 miles. That type of deep introspection creates a real sense of wonder and a lust for life. I think of it as a rite of passage, a lifetime in a single day.

"The fool knows what is about to happen and knows his ignorance results from that knowledge."






"Every year during the month of March a family of ragged gypsies would set up their tents near the village, and with a great uproar of pipes and kettledrums they would display new inventions. First they brought the magnet. A heavy gypsy with an untamed beard and sparrow hands, who introduced himself as Melquíades, put on a bold public demonstration of what he himself called the eighth wonder of the learned alchemists of Macedonia...." - Gabriel Garcia Marquez