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Author Archive | Henry Howard

Review: Summer Night Half Marathon

By on June 14, 2015 in Guest Perspective, Half Marathon, Race Recap, Review, Trail Running

summernighttrailHMAfter the sun set, 500 runners sporting headlamps embarked on a journey through a heavily wooded park on their way to an amazing post-race spread.

By Henry Howard

Last August, I had to record my first — and to date only — DNS (did not start) for a race, due to an ITBS injury. The race was a half marathon on a trail in Eagle Creek Park, roughly 15 miles north of Indianapolis. (In 2011, Trail Runner Magazine named it the “Best Urban Based Trail Marathon” in the country.)

After healing, I made plans to avenge that setback by completing two trail races this year at the same park. That brings us to June 6 and the Summer Night Trail Marathon. The event started after sundown in the sprawling park — mostly single-track trail — that is usually closed at that time of day. Continue Reading →

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For the Love of the Run

By on June 7, 2015 in Guest Perspective, Interview, Ultramarathon

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Champion ultra runner has come a long way since her first 50-miler, which was full of snow and thorny bushes. Now, she finds peace of mind during long trail runs.

By Henry Howard

Jen Edwards first ran cross-country in high school “to stay in shape for basketball.” But she found out that she really liked running and wound up running in all three seasons — cross country, indoor track and outdoor track — while attending high school in Ohio.

After moving on to Kenyon College (Ohio), she continued to run cross-country and track. Then, at the encouragement of a friend, Edwards decided to move up from the 5Ks and 10Ks to a full marathon.

Since her friend was from Minnesota, they ran Grandma’s Marathon in Duluth between her sophomore and junior years. “It hurt like heck but it was really fun,” Edwards chuckles.

And like many runners, shortly after the race, she was thinking about the next one. Continue Reading →

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Review: Horse Capital Marathon

By on May 26, 2015 in Guest Perspective, Race Recap, Review

4065870663_872e599455_zWhen a marathon race website indicates “rolling hills” for the course, participants should be prepared for hills, hills and more hills.

That was the lesson I learned at the inaugural Horse Capital Marathon and Half Marathon, held May 16 in Lexington, Kentucky.

The Boston Marathon qualifier was the first race held in the area in 35 years. I wonder if Lexington was any flatter back in 1980. Continue Reading →

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Which Gel is Best for Runners?

By on May 8, 2015 in Fueling, Guest Perspective, Review

IMG_3257Each long-distance athlete will have his or her own personal preference of the gel that works best when they need a boost of carbs and energy. Here’s a comparison of three of the more common ones.

By Henry Howard


Look around you at your next long-distance race. Runners come in all shapes, sizes and outfits. Runners who are tall. Runners who are small. Runners wearing bright hues. Runners wearing dark blues.

It’s like a Dr. Seuss collection of characters. And, oh, the places they’ll go. Continue Reading →

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Review: Scott Trail Running Shoes

By on April 21, 2015 in Gear, Guest Perspective, Review

IMG_2169The emerging company’s trail shoes are durable and comfortable. They perform well for the weekend warrior and elite mountain running champion Joe Gray.

By Henry Howard

I didn’t see the stick hidden in the dirt of the shady trail during the early second half of a 16-mile training run. But I felt it lodge into the top of my sneaker between my toes and top of my foot.

The stick knocked me off balance so much that all four limbs were flailing wildly about, although my right hand instinctively reached over to pause my Garmin. (First things first, right runners?) Continue Reading →

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20 Running Mantras

By on April 15, 2015 in Guest Perspective, Motivation

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Runners repeatedly feed their mind with inspirational, motivational and even humorous sayings during long-distance training runs or races.

During my first marathon somewhere around Mile 16, I heard a bystander repeating to all the runners who came by her, “You can and you will.”

I really didn’t know what a mantra was at that point, but I kept repeating it in my head, and it turned out to be a mantra that I still use today.

Continue Reading →

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From Walking with a Cane to Ultra Marathons

By on April 7, 2015 in Guest Perspective, Interview, Ultramarathon

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Steve Ross was obese, doped up on meds, and suffering from knee pain and headaches. Now he runs 100-milers that feel like marathons.

Last year Steve Ross ran 2,600 miles and is aiming for 3,000 in 2015.

Not bad for someone who has overcome major knee and back surgeries, obesity and an addiction to pain medications. Oh, and at one time, he had to walk with a cane. Continue Reading →

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Ultra Runner Conquers Drugs, Obesity

By on March 28, 2015 in Guest Perspective, Ultramarathon, Weight Loss

Click to enlarge photo

Click to enlarge photo

Brendan O’Ryan has overcome many obstacles to become an ultra marathoner.

Cigarettes. Drug addiction. Obesity.

As a kid, O’Ryan played football and wrestled. When he was 14, he suffered stress fractures in his L1 and L2 vertebrae. That’s when things took a drastic turn.

“I started smoking weed and drinking,” O’Ryan says. “As I got older my drug use got more and more serious. I got clean when I was 19. I was still pretty unhealthy for a while. I smoked cigarettes and ate pretty terribly. After about two years clean I stopped smoking and started trying to get healthier.” Continue Reading →

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Phoenix Marathon Offers Elevation Loss, Heartfelt Gains

By on March 10, 2015 in Guest Perspective, Race Recap, Review

PhoenixDowntown

Perspective is a wonderful thing. Sometimes when we fall short of our major goals, we have to keep in mind that we run because others cannot.

By Henry Howard

I am fortunate to have a job in which I travel and interview some amazing people. I’m even more fortunate that I get to combine the travel with visiting some really cool places and collecting new experiences. Continue Reading →

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Positivity, Inspiration Drive Busy Single Mom

By on February 24, 2015 in Guest Perspective, Half Marathon

Davonda Family-22Davonda Williams balances raising her daughter, fulfilling her job and maintaining her fitness as she aims to finish half-marathons in the U.S. and Europe.

By Henry Howard

Ask Davonda Williams about how she got started running and she laughs. Williams then goes on to explain about a man she used to date who was “always talking about his ex-girlfriend” who was a runner.

“And it started to irritate me,” Williams says cheerfully. “So the first 5K I signed up for was more about me being able to say, ‘Hey, I can run too!’ I am going to show him. And show her. And show everybody.” Continue Reading →

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From Couch to 5Ks to Ultra Champ

By on February 21, 2015 in Guest Perspective, Ultramarathon

Nathan_ultraThe busy father of five balances his commitments to family, work and of course running — as he teaches his children about exercise, wellness and perseverance.

By Henry Howard

Like many runners, Nathan Maxwell started the sport to get in shape. He ran a few 5Ks and was hooked. So he went up in distance, again like many runners, to see if he could do a half-marathon.

That was 2012.

Since then, Maxwell has charted his own path though he deviated from the natural path. The next step was not a full marathon. Instead, the Augusta, Georgia, resident went right to ultra distances, where he found his passion and excelled at those long races. Continue Reading →

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