The premier blogland EVENT of 2008:
Zane Grey 50m/50k, Payson AZ, April 26, 2008.
I want to run 30 miles for my 30th birthday (April 13), and decided that I want to do so with at least 30 of my friends. Yes, that means YOU! Whether you want to run 50 miles or 50 kilometers, or maybe you just want to be crew or volunteer for the race, I want to see you there.
Zane Grey is known as the toughest 50 miler in the US. It features something like over 10,000 feet of elevation gain, more rocks than you can ever imagine and two looooong stretches of burned forest that you go through in the middle of the day as the sun beats down on your weary head.
For the past three years, I have been at this race, as crew and volunteer. I swept the last 17 miles two years ago, and swore I'd never run that race - the rocks were wicked! I've been Olga's crew for the last two years. This year, I get to participate as a runner!
The Arizona running community is awesome; many of my trail running group have participated as runners and volunteers over the years. Northern Arizona is gorgeous. What better way to welcome summer than by sharing a fantastic day with other crazy, like-minded runners.
What's that you say? You think you can't run an ultra? You've got six long months to train; join me as we whip our bodies into shape to tackle the best damn trail run there is. I'm looking for training buddies - whether you live in Tucson or Australia, we can train together.
Help me celebrate my 30th birthday in style!
I wish I could join you! I'll be there in spirit. : )
Well as you know I wasn't going to pick a 50 miler this hard to be my first. But I was planning on one in April so I just may be there :)
50 miles, wow. I just got drink with my girlfriends for my 30th! ;)
What's your training plan going to look like??
50 miles, wow. I just got drunk with my girlfriends for my 30th! ;)
What's your training plan going to look like??
Hi Angie,
I love your blog and have read it for the past year.I am for now a thread mill runner and I thought as my birthday is april 30, i will be 39 it would be cool to be able to run 50 miles of kilometers in one stretch by then. I won't be able to come to the Zane as I live in the Netherlands (and my budget is too small for such a trip) but would like very much to do the training with you and run the 50 m/k the same day as you all, only i'll be running it here in the hills around my home. Let me know... Gabrielle
I am still not ruling it out! I am going to see how my half goes first! :>) Maybe I can at least come and help with the crewing!
I'm keeping my fingers crossed, but we'll see..for the 50K of course. We're talking about a gal(me) that tumbles over every rock on the course!!
Ok Angie... I dont know if I will be ready to run 50 miles by then.. but my 30th birthday is April 25th.. and more then anything I would love to be in shape to run 50 miles by then.. so .. I will train with you (even if it means coming down to Tucson every once in awhile to join you in a run...if you will put up with me) and if I get in shape by then.. I will be there!!!
So.. where do we start? LOL
that is awesome, angie! i bet you will be doing 100-milers on your 100th birthday :)
now get out there and train like a madwoman because you are going to kick some butt!
Well, now that it's official, better stop making excuses and get out there:) Yeah, no pitty from me, you know that. Work hard, and the rest will follow. Love the course, you know that, right! Wish can be there every year, highly recommend. Brutal, beautiful, fun, just the way it should be. Great present for yourself!
pencil me in for that one. i'd love to crew or maybe even pace for a portion.
Hey Jeff I need a pacer!! I'm actually 100% if I can afford the plane ticket. Or maybe I'll drive out... I'll known more in a couple months...
I think I might. I think I might. I think I might think about it.
Of course, it would be the 50k. Only crazy people run further than that.
Let's see. If a 5k is 3.1 miles, than a 50k is . . . Oh my god.
Angie, what a great idea. Bummer I can't make it. I'll be at Big Sur that weekend.
I've been thinking about the ZG 50K since my injury (sciatic) in Jan. Had to cancel the Lost Dutchman so I still have a plane ticket. How hot does it get? I live in coastal GA. No hills or rocks...just flat land. Watch the video on the web site, looks beautiful.