As many of you may have noticed, my blog has recently been void of that bright red HELLY HANSEN logo that glistened in the top right corner of my home page for the last few years. I will go into more detail in the near future as to why that is, but basically, as you may or may not have noticed, ever since my DNF at BC Bike Race back in July, I've kinda been running a lot and biking very little. 2009 will effectively be a year of ultra running for me with my only adventure races being both MOMAR events. The reason for this starts at finances, and works its way down to a belief that I can truly excel at ultra specific racing if I am able to dedicate myself to it 110% like I have never been able to before. Western 09 will be the most competitive 100 miler ever run and I fully intend to have my name as high in those standings as I am physically capable of achieving.
Why is HH gone then?
Well, I picked up Montrail-Mountain Hardware as a sponsor heading into 2008 and was able to distinguish the M-MH sponsorship for ultra running and the HH for adventure racing. However I felt there was a bit of a conflict of interest but was able to separate them effectively throughout the year. Now that my focus will be solely on ultra running this is no longer the case. To celebrate two solid years of sponsorship from the great brand that is Helly Hansen I have been given permission to give away one FREE Helly Hansen 'Cool' Lifa Long Sleeve Shirt. I have, and will continue to, race in these shirts for years to come as they are one of the leaders in the industry in terms of breathability and water repellancy.
All you have to do to have a shot at this free top, valued at up to $60.00, is to throw a comment up onto my blog posting. Whether you say something of substance or post a simple 'YO', it's all good. In one weeks time I will draw one name from those who post a comment and award the free technical performance top to that individual. I will go out on a limb here and say that those are gonna be pretty good odds at winning a 'cool' HH shirt!
Good luck!
GR
46 comments:
'YO'
Just kidding. Great job grabbing 2nd and going to Western. Someday they'll let me in.
that's dedication and commitment!
Today marks two months since I started running. If you have a calendar close you’ll notice that two months ago was the cle elum 50k. I volunteered at that event, my mother was running it for the 14th year in a row, the last time I went to one of her races was probably the first time she ran cle elum. It was great, people were friendly, the race directors and their son were fun to spend a day with, and to top it off a gorgeous couple had left me their dog to play with. After a few hours the dog took off running toward the trail, all of us at the finish line panicked, while he hadn’t said so, we assumed the owner didn’t want us to lose the dog. Then you popped out of the woods, still smiling. I was blown away, you thanked everyone, and talked about the beauty of the course. The only running I had done up to this point was chasing the bus a few blocks, and there was nothing to smile about, I was in pain. I thought it was a fluke, the rest would look miserable when they crossed. But they didn’t, everyone who crossed that line was friendly and happy and ready to eat. And that’s when I decided that I would be a runner.
After two weeks I ran a 5k, a month later a 10k, when I realized how easy it was for me to keep adding distance I registered for the Seattle half marathon. I was getting nervous about it this last week, I had started getting really sick on my shorter runs, but I played with my diet and warmed up for longer. Also, all of my training has been trail running (except my 2.5 mile run to work). Yesterday I ran an easy 10 miles through Seattle on the lovely Burke-Gilman trail and I knew I was ready.
I am wearing hand me down running shirts, all of which are huge on me, but I have to save money where I can. I used to wear hand me down running shoes but now that I am actually running I hit up Seattle Running Company to get some shoes that help me run “really fast”, according to my 5 year old nephew. My food bill has drastically increased since I started running (I used to think I ate a lot, but now…o baby). I woke up this morning feeling on top of the world, checked your blog for more exciting tales of victory and saw you are giving away shirts. If it is possible to get one in small, I would like to put my name in for the drawing.
Thanks for smiling!
YO Gary:) I have been enjoying your blog over the past year and thought this would be an 'opportune' time to say 'HEY!'. Congrats on your ultra-transformation...looks like an exciting year ahead for you. PS I had to laugh at your Roatan blog a while back...as I too studied and worked as a DM in the Bay Islands on Utila for the winter of 1999...good times and great memories:)
See ya at MOMAR Squamish!
Sarah Seads
Nice work at MM and good luck with the Western States training!
Hi Gary
Great Blog...love your dog Roxy. Great picture of you in Ultra magazine November issue.
Sue
We've only met once (at North Shore Athletics) but we have several mutual friends . . .Anyhow, on days where I spend 10 hours studying in the library I live my life vicariously through your adventures . . .keep updating the site and congrats on all your achievements over the past couple of years!
Ashley
Yo Gary! ;)
Once again, congrats on an incredible year and looking forward to following your running crusades in the future
Sal
Hi Gary.congratulation on your races.Your father keeps us up to date.It was great seeing you at the wedding and at Leo's place.You are an inspiration for youg people.Wishing you health and happiness Love Aunt Myrtle
Okay. I have never won a raffle at any athletic event where they give away cool athletic shirts, bikes, gu, ... anything. Now is my best chance. I can feel the win coming.
Pick MEMEMEME!
I wish you luck with the running. I starting reading you blog because I googled "adventure racing" in the blogger search but I guess I will allow you to become a more full time runner, but only if you WIN WIN WIN. So rock on GR!!!!
Yo, "Chachie"
Have a great time training for Western in 2009, damn uber-talented runner. That HH top would like good on me when I get my chance at the big game in 2010.
Wow, not only do I get entertained and inspired by your blog, I get to go in a raffel! Cool. so... here I am! Hmmm. maybe I would wear it to the next DV 50 K!
Heather
YOU HAVE A NICE BUM!
Do I
get one
entry for
each comment
I post?
Just joking; I'm already sponsored by Rune's Mom anyways!
Dude...i thought i was the only person who looked at your blog....holy crappers...you have groupies!
Nice looking blog Gary. Just found it the other day.... Best of luck with all of your training and racing exploits - I look forward to reading all about them.
Cheers!
Hey "YO"
Enjoy a nice break, you deserve it.
Do not loose focus, you still want to maintain some fitness and keep building up with that great base that you work over the last few year.
FF
YO Gary!
Been awhile since I posted anything- had a baby boy on Oct 11th. Cool to be a Mom... Now I have to get back in shape... Take care
Erika
I love this blog! Not only do I get to live vicariously through someone that is talented in their sport of choice, but I could also win a shirt to wear while I go out and discover my talent!!
Killer blog Gary - keep up updated when you are going to do another slideshow of your adventures in Victoria!
Devon
http://trainharder.com/blogs/devon/
Hey Gary!
Just read your latest post and couldn't resist the opportunity to get in on the draw. Good luck with the training and perhaps we'll run into each other on the trails of North Vancouver sometime soon.
Awesome job Gary! Make sure you keep doing the MOMARs so I keep bump into to you. Ultras are very appealling to me though (way more than a regular marathon) so I might see you in one!
Keep up the awesome work!
Emmanuel
Hey Gary, I don't know you but I love free stuff... aahhh... I mean reading your blog...
All joking aside it's inspiring to read about your adventures. Best of luck at Western States.
Scott
Gildersleeve has a nice bum! ...and I guess you do too.
Tom C.
That gear will be mine. Oh yes, it will be mine.
I figure for reading your blogs since the Poorboytravels days I deserve a shot to let my rippling stomach roll push through this shirt while I hike.
Shawn
i owe you a beer..... mostly because those sunnies looked so awesome on you.
-sandra b.
hh can't touch mountain hardwear gear. mhw is on another planet. the only other brands on this planet are patagonia and arc'teryx.
Hi, been reading the blog for about a year now. Love it. Makes me miss running in Sooke. Moved to the prairies this summer. Doh!
gr Ill take the short off your back
Happy Bday
Peter W
Good luck in the 2009 season there buddy! Maybe we will get out for a run some time.
-Kimbo
wow, look at all the people comming out of the woodwork! You have a following. Is it kinda freaking you out?
Heather
Wade Brookbank scored a goal yesterday.
OK. Yo, then.
Hope you have time to join us on a few ski tours again this winter.
Ron
You should really just give the shirt to that Mo guy! shit - that is impressive.
can you please put my name in the drawing twice? thanks!
i'm glad you decided to do the momars. are you still gonna race with todd? you had an amazing year and i'm looking forward to seeing what 110% percent will look like!
cheer Billeh
Hey Gary!
I look a bit sweaty in that photo of us and grandma - Good times. Congratulations on doing so well in that last race, i get the updates from your dad! Hopefully we'll see you over the holidays, if not Dean and I will be in Vancouver for rugby after xmas.
thanks aaron!
I am actually a girl though. I'd like to pretend that mistake has never been made before...
Good luck Gary
Keep us informed through your blog
Cheers
Pascale
I love Helly Hansen gear, and the price is certainly reasonable!
Good Luck in Western States, I'll be cheering you on from BC!
Jen
Are you feeling the love yet? Well I'd love the shirt. I'll have to search your blog about Roatan. I spent 6 months there in 2002. Good luck in 2009. I'm planning on running my 1st. official ultra on Jan. 24th, a FA 50K. in Boise.
hey Gary
I am leaving the post not to be in the draw (I already have 2-3 HH shirts due to good luck in momar draw prizes - they are great) BUT becaue I want the MO (girl) to leave her address! hopefully she is okay with that.
cheers
Jo
johanna...I updated my profile so my email address is available now...
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