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Stories and Race Reports
Running Saved Our Lives
Running literally saved my life this month. We have all been told that life can change in an instant. Honestly, I never thought that it applied to me. I have walked through life with a bubble of invincibility, believing that somehow nothing bad would ever happen to me. Turns out the joke was on me. Doing our normal morning run, Heather and I headed out for a 50-minute easy run – I know, I don’t know why I keep running her marathon training program but am glad I did on this
Darrin Denny
Apr 44 min read
From Manteo to the Mountains
The difference between Manteo in the Outer Banks (OBX) and the Brevard area of North Carolina is night and day. The OBX is flat and coastal. It is likely one of the flattest areas in the US. Average elevation is 3 feet above sea level! Comparatively, the Brevard area has some of the highest mountains east of the Mississippi, many rising to over 6,000 feet. Well, they do have tourism in common I suppose. Welcome to your geography lesson for the day. What is cool is that
Darrin Denny
Dec 17, 20259 min read
10 Hard Miles
I am often asked by people “why do you keep doing these things?” “When is enough really enough?” I simply don’t know. Every time I finish a hard event, I am left with a feeling of satisfaction that somehow, I finish better than I started. This doesn’t mean that I feel good, as normally I am totally exhausted and hurting. However, I always come away feeling as if somehow, I am better for having done it. I am always struck by how much these events simulate life – we can
Darrin Denny
Nov 26, 20255 min read
Round and Round They Go, Where They Stop - Nobody Knows
Greensprings 24-Hour Ultramarathon 2025 Much like the saying, one normally associated with gambling, you really have no idea who will finish where at the start of a repeating lap race. Especially one 24-hours or longer. Repeating the same lap over and over again does not sound like a fun way to spend a day. At least for most. However, the 100+ folks that came out to run the Greensprings 24-hour are exceptions. For Ellen at Happy Cat Events, https://happycatfitness.com/
Darrin Denny
Oct 30, 20256 min read
Ground Hog Day Primer
I know I always come back to something I learned as a Marine during thirty years of service – it’s hard not to when the essence of being a Marine never leaves you. In addition to thirty years as an active-duty Marine I have spent the last 24 years as part of the ultra-running adventure community. I found over the years doing extreme endurance events that there are so many things I find similar to the Marine experience. The elements never seem to be perfect. You want it t
Darrin Denny
Oct 16, 202510 min read
What it Feels Like to Fail
Darkness is starting to fully settle in. It is almost pitch black on the north slopes of Mount St. Helens, and I am laying right in the...
Darrin Denny
Aug 25, 20257 min read
Learning to Run Fast (er) Again at 60
Ok, the first disclaimer is I know I am not 60 yet, but really close! Like three months close. Believe it or not I was once a fast...
Darrin Denny
Jul 1, 20254 min read
Why Discipline Always Wins
My girlfriend is a terrorist’s dream. A weird start to an athletic post for sure. She thought I was crazy the first time I said it,...
Darrin Denny
Jun 6, 20254 min read
Adventure Up! Ultra 101...for Veterans or anyone else
Disclaimer. This is meant as an overview for people, especially veterans who are interested in ultra-sports. If you are not sure how to do these types of events, get a coach. Make sure you are healthy (see a doctor) and start slow. This is not a coaching guide, just hoping to convince you all to try the sport or give you some ideas on how to improve if you are fairly new. Ultra-Endurance Events and VETs Overview. First off, anyone can run any distance. Let’s get that o
Darrin Denny
Dec 11, 202416 min read
Adventures in Utah
Sometimes our greatest triumphs are simply finishing hard things. Overview: I had the great fortune to participate in the Moab 240 in...
Darrin Denny
Nov 10, 202217 min read
Journey to Satisfaction
Everyone has to start somewhere. I did my first 100 miler in 2004. Had no idea what I was doing! This is what I learned... There I...
Darrin Denny
Apr 2, 20126 min read
Nutrition and Hydration Ideas
I have done a lot of thinking and research on some questions runners have asked me over the past year or so. Seeing all the crazy reports of 120 carbs (not calories) an hour – and realizing that is 3-4 gels got me thinking and reading/listening. I think we all realize that getting calories into your system is important, just like hydration, but we can overdo both. I think most of us start out by trying to do a gel or so every hour but that falls apart quickly due to a coup
Darrin Denny
6 days ago4 min read
Using Poles 101 and a little on RPE
Many of you have asked about poles, how to use them, etc. Additionally, I have done some work thinking more about RPE and how to frame that for you all and how it connects (or doesn't) to heart rate. Types of poles - several major types, some telescope, some break down into three segments, etc. What type of poles do you like is the same as asking someone what type of shoes do you like? Everyone is different. Good brands - really any brand works. The gold standard based
Darrin Denny
6 days ago4 min read
Georgia Death Race After Action
Why GDR? Why not. I had certainly heard of it before but having done Cruel Jewell in 2021 I really had no interest in re-running the...
Darrin Denny
May 1, 202411 min read
Promise Land 50 K Road Map
Hey y’all. Put this together after spending this weekend up at PL 50 KM course. Did the light side and dark side, plus some other...
Darrin Denny
May 19, 20236 min read
Keys 100 Concept of Operations
Situation. The Keys 100 is a running event that starts in Key Largo and ends at the southernmost point in the United States, Key West. ...
Darrin Denny
May 20, 20193 min read
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