Run in the Headlands

Back to the location where it all began. Here is where I was inspired to create BayTrailrunners. I have run here many times, but I am still amazed at the incredible views this part of the Bay Area offers. Even better is that I can still find spots I have never been to before, like "Slackers Ridge".

I set out to run a circuit my friend Ben calls "City Lights". It is a short 6 miler that starts at the Conzumel turnout and heads northwest towards Rodeo Beach, then takes a long climb up Miwok and circles back to the start. Since it was so nice out, I decided to stretch the distance a bit and add some more mileage. Check out the run stats I posted on my Strava profile.

I feel very fortunate to be able to live and run in this part of the world. The photos below will give you an idea why.

Winter running in Purisima

During the winter it seems that my running gets turned up a notch. According to my Strava Athlete Profile I have logged 86 miles in my last 14 hours of running time. I took some time today to enjoy Purisima Creek Redwoods and run a circuit I call Uncle Nathan. Not really concerned with time since I was snapping pics along the way. More of a "get back to nature" run for me. Easily one of my favorite spaces to run in.

Good times!

Last year I had the pleasure of working with the crew from Boa Technologies on a fun ad campaign. They let me test out some stylish and innovative footwear made by Viking, which features the patented Boa Closure System. All day long I got to hike, run, and climb around in the Marin Headlands wearing these bad ass shoes! The true test came at the end of the day though, when I had to run from Tennessee Valley to Fisherman's Wharf with Boa's Marketing Director. I thought about 3 things while on this run... 1) Running over the Golden Gate Bridge at sunset is one of the most beautiful things I have ever done. 2) Runners from Colorado are very fast! 3) Support Boa! These folks are great!

Viking Footwear - Powered by Boa from Boa Technology on Vimeo.

More toys to fuel my addiction!

Getting geeky again. I'll be playing around with Strava for a while ;)

Allied Forces

BayTrailrunners and Snap Fitness of Redwood City, CA have joined forces in a strategic business alliance to develop and cultivate new fitness programs emphasizing the increasingly popular sport of trail running.

Sitting on the edge of some of the most accessible and awe-inspiring trail systems on earth, we will help one another and our community by sharing ideas, promoting health and the environment, and by helping you reach your fitness goals.

Train with us in a clean, comfortable close-to-home gym with all the amenities, then move outdoors to get in touch with nature in one of the many pristine forests that are just a stones throw away! BayTrailrunners is growing strong but we still need your support! Please signup for the Email List and stay informed of breaking news! Feel free to post questions or to share your ideas!

Check out the Training Page to view my current packages.

Call of the Wild

This post is in response to the sudden spike in coyote attacks on humans and dogs. The incidents that were reported did not happen in the Bay Area but I see these animals frequently on many of my runs. The one on the right I spotted while running the Bobcat trail in the Marin Headlands. She was kind enough to let me snap a few pics before running off.

During my first 50K in Woodside, CA, I encountered 2 coyotes at the top of our first hill. They started howling together as if to greet me and wish me well on my journey through their hallowed woodlands. I was alone at this point of the race in my usual spot of 5th or 6th, behind the lead pack of runners and felt uneasy in this dicey position. The coyotes let me pass without harm and continue on my way to place 11th overall in my first ever ultra! On other occasions I have had coyotes run in front of me for surprisingly long distances along the trails, like they were guiding me to make sure I stay the course and don't get lost. My animal spirit... or shaman? Perhaps.

We have forged a friendship with these furry creatures here in Woodside and I myself never feel threatened when I come across them. But like any smart trail runner, I respect mother nature and the dangers that are veiled within her beauty. We live for adventure!

Mr. May

I have reached the zenith of trail running!! The culmination of all my work has finally been recognized! Well... kind of. Check out the January issue #85 of TrailRunner Magazine and flip to May in the calendar. Guess who??

This was from a portfolio shoot I did with Mike Tittel in the spring of 2012. We started in Purisima Creek Redwoods out in Half Moon Bay and worked our way up to Russian Ridge in Palo Alto. The image was captured on the Ridge Trail with an exceptional sunset in the background.

Far away from the pressures of everyday life, I find a sense of peace out here. Lonely at times but very fortunate to be living in this running paradise.