One of the main reasons why I wanted to do this insane run was because the thought of running across one of the 7 wonders of the world in my son's name felt appropriate metaphorically. The Grand Canyon's beauty has always intrigued me and to be able to experience it while doing it for something so important seems like a no brainer. Or maybe you have to have no brain to do it. Especially with some parts having a 15-20% grade incline. To get an idea what we have to "look forwar

Running was always just part of fighting. That necessary evil that improved our stamina and kept our weight down. "Joy" wasn't necessarily the first word that came to mind when it came to running. However, over the past few months, running has really become something truly eye opening. The craziest part is not even physical benefits. I work out enough to not have to worry about it. Although it is nice to get to eat almost anything and not have to worry about it, because I'm b

"Running half a marathon (13.1 miles/21k) is harder than running 50 miles", Gary Turner told me just a few days ago. Gary is a former kickboxing world champion and pro MMA fighter, turned ultra runner and mind coach. At first I laughed. Yeah, running just over a quarter of the distance is going to be harder than running the next 3/4s. But then I started thinking about what he said and then it clicked. Gary is right.   Of course running 50 miles is going to take longer and thu

Today something happened for the first time: I actually thought I will be able to run this damn monster. Misunderstand me correctly (great Swedish saying): I said run it, not complete it. That I was going to complete it was decided the day I signed up for it. I'd walk or even crawl if would have to. Doesn't help that I'm not a big fan of rattle snakes and scorpions... Today, however, was the first time I thought I might be able to actually run the whole thing. I've had my dou

I'm 3 days into this and I already owe $100. At least is going to a good cause. Part of the reason why I said "yes" to my brother when he suggested doing this run 3 months ago was the symbolism of it all. I've said numerous times that this race to lower the BAC from .08 to .05 is going to be a marathon, not a spring. Hence, going on the longest run of my life for the cause that we are fighting for seemed appropriate. In addition, we have been told on numerous occasions that w

I certainly don't consider myself an ultra runner (just like I didn't consider myself a fighter after 3 months of training) but I have a new found love for running. During my years of fighting, running was always just a part of it. It was a necessary evil that was just part of the training, to improve stamina and to help drop weight. Since the running had to be sport specific, distances were usually never longer than 3-6 miles (5-10 km). Building the body up to last 50 miles

When people usually ask me how we are doing, I answer, "We are fine. Some days are harder than others."       The hard days. On this day, around this time, two years ago, the doctor looked at us with tears in his eyes and shook his head. It was the hardest day of my life. That was the moment the last ounce of hope left us. Deep down, I had already known but they say hope is the last thing to leave a human. It felt as if life itself left with hope. The pain was so intense that