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Lead Stories: Friday, November 21, 2008

Podcast 63: Elite ultra endurance and trail runner MICHELLE BARTON

Posted July 9th, 2007 at 2:39 PM by Adam Jacobs

Section: News & Results, Marathons, Special Features, Interviews, Podcasts

Episode 63 of The Final Sprint Podcast was done in conjunction with TrailFit.com; a comprehensive trail running, ultra- marathoning, and adventure racing publication and the newest member of the TFS media network.

Today’s guest is Southern California’s MICHELLE BARTON; an elite ultra distance and trail runner with an intoxicating love for the sport, eternally positive spirit, and incredible athletic ability.

These gifts have propelled her to ultra-marathon finish lines, such as the 2006 Orange Curtain 100k, ahead of not only the women but also every male runner in the field. Most recently, Michelle was victorious at the Holcomb Valley 33 Mile Trail Run on June 10th and then two weeks later had the honor of pacing Gordy Ainsley at the legendary and infamous ultra that he founded: the Western States 100 Mile Endurance Run (WS100).

Download the interview to hear Michelle discuss her experience at Western States, how she trains, staying fueled on a vegetarian diet, the differing training and mentalities for ultras, trails and road races, Dean Karnazes, plans for the future, the booming and supportive ultra-endurance community and much more!

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Host: Adam Jacobs
Guest: Michelle Barton
Producer: Greg Cherniet
Music: Ryan Ahlwardt & Darnell Perkins
File size: 16.7 MB
Length: 24:20

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Race Recap: 2007 Bishop High Sierra 50m/50k

Posted June 6th, 2007 at 10:00 AM by Greg Hardesty

Section: News & Results, Marathons, Running & Training, Cross Training

bishop sierra 50 scenery They say that in chess, the best players think several moves ahead. As we drove into Bishop for the 14th annual 50-miler and 50k (actually, a 33-miler, but who’s counting?) on May 19, we were doing the same thing, inspired by the city’s name and thinking of our next move, as in:

When can we visit the world-famous Schat’s Bakkery, and why do they spell it that way? Did the master carb maker OD on yeast, or something? And if you eat too much of the bread, do you get a bad case of the schats?
Our past as pre-pubescent altar boys was making us nervous. Is this metropolis of 3,000-plus, located at the foot of the eastern Sierras, some sort of dumping ground for wayward bishops? Drop and give me 10 Hail Marys, and wash it down with gourmet bread – or go straight to hell. Do not pass go, do not collect the cell phone numbers of 7th-grade boys.
What’s the deal with fishermen and “fresh” jerky? There are roadway signs all along Highway 395 on the way to Bishop. Our vegetarian and vegan runners (we know many) almost ran straight back from whence they came.

But, alas, they stayed – and so did we. But boy, were we in for a tough day.

The Bishop High Sierra 50k may be beautiful – the shimmering mountain backdrop is so unreal, it looks like a Hollywood set — but it’s no walk in the park. In fact, during the early stages of the race, which basically is a gradual uphill that is deceivingly difficuly at this elevation (4,400 to 8,200, roughly), we were reminded of a game of chess we managed to play the night before the race at the local Carnivore Inn (complimentary sausage buffet in the morning): Specifically, we were reminded of our opponent’s final move in that chess match: Bishop to K4. Checkmate!

Read the rest of the race recap at: TheRunDown.Net

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