society is tougher on the self-esteem of females than males, and I believe that running is the perfect self-esteem builder for girls and women. I serve on the board of Girls on the Run, a national organization aimed at developing self-esteem and camaraderie in young girls, and it really works. (Interestingly, the same organization tried to create a brother group, Boys on the Run, and it
didn’t
work.) Alexandria participated in this program when she was younger, and it was one of the most fulfilling experiences of her life. I always tell her that women can do anything men can do, often better. I mean those words.
Granted, in many sports men have a decided advantage over women, but in distance running, and particularly ultradistance running, the gap is so small that it’s almost invisible. It is not unheard of for a woman to be the outright winner of a fifty- or one-hundred-mile running race. For example, in 2003 Pam Reed claimed overall victory in the toughest ultramarathon of them all, Badwater, finishing fifteen minutes ahead of—me.
My friends had a field day with that one, which was only to be expected, but what surprised me was that the media did too. They tried to manufacture some big rivalry between Pam and me. Well, there
is
a rivalry, but it’s no different from my friendly rivalry with any male competitor. Yet the press tried to paint me as a chauvinistic ogre who loses sleep for weeks after losing to a woman.
Pam and I have had the last laugh, however. Whenever I see her at an event, we trade insults and talk smack, ridiculing the notion that we hate each other by acting as though we do. In fact, I saw Pam twice during the Endurance 50—in Boulder, Colorado (where she finished fourteen seconds ahead of me—argh!), and again in Green Bay, Wisconsin. And what did we do both times? We went running together, just like anyone else.
Day 12
September 28, 2006
Montana Marathon
Billings, Montana
Elevation: 3,648'
Weather: 71 degrees; clear
Time: 3:56:44
Net calories burned: 38,244
Number of runners: 14
We arrived in Billings the evening before the Montana Marathon. My mom and dad, Alexandria, Nicholas, and I were walking along the quiet streets of downtown after most of the local businesses had closed, looking through the windows of Western-wear shops, when we rounded the corner and came upon a bustling Greek restaurant, of all things. We walked in the door automatically, without a word of discussion. The scents and commotion naturally drew us in.
The scene inside was chaotic, which is typical of Greek restaurants. The waitress had a million orders going at once and was constantly yelling back at the cooks in Greek. When our food finally arrived, it was gloriously prepared, authentically home-style Greek fare, fresh and exquisitely flavorful. There was tiropitakia (cheese pastries), dolmas (stuffed grape leaves), moussaka, octopus, lots of fresh vegetables, and, of course, homemade baklava for dessert.
My parents and I wondered aloud how they were able to get all the fresh, specialized Greek ingredients to prepare such a tasty meal all the way out here in Billings, Montana—not exactly a hotbed of Greek American culture. Nonetheless, we were certainly glad they could!
QUICK TAKE: Greeks use lots of cinnamon and spices in their recipes. Cinnamon has been shown to improve insulin sensitivity. Keep a shaker handy and sprinkle liberally on the foods you eat.
Day 13
September 29, 2006
City of Trees Marathon
Boise, Idaho
Elevation: 2,659'
Weather: 75 degrees; clear
Time: 4:08:51
Net calories burned: 41,431
Number of runners: 18
The North Face Endurance 50 was a completely male phenomenon through its first twelve days. But on Day 13 the testosterone was tempered; we got a woman’s touch. It was a little awkward at first, but in the long run our endeavor was greatly strengthened by it, much as the sport of running as a whole has been energized, balanced, and enlivened by its recent feminization. I
didn’t
work.) Alexandria participated in this program when she was younger, and it was one of the most fulfilling experiences of her life. I always tell her that women can do anything men can do, often better. I mean those words.
Granted, in many sports men have a decided advantage over women, but in distance running, and particularly ultradistance running, the gap is so small that it’s almost invisible. It is not unheard of for a woman to be the outright winner of a fifty- or one-hundred-mile running race. For example, in 2003 Pam Reed claimed overall victory in the toughest ultramarathon of them all, Badwater, finishing fifteen minutes ahead of—me.
My friends had a field day with that one, which was only to be expected, but what surprised me was that the media did too. They tried to manufacture some big rivalry between Pam and me. Well, there
is
a rivalry, but it’s no different from my friendly rivalry with any male competitor. Yet the press tried to paint me as a chauvinistic ogre who loses sleep for weeks after losing to a woman.
Pam and I have had the last laugh, however. Whenever I see her at an event, we trade insults and talk smack, ridiculing the notion that we hate each other by acting as though we do. In fact, I saw Pam twice during the Endurance 50—in Boulder, Colorado (where she finished fourteen seconds ahead of me—argh!), and again in Green Bay, Wisconsin. And what did we do both times? We went running together, just like anyone else.
Day 12
September 28, 2006
Montana Marathon
Billings, Montana
Elevation: 3,648'
Weather: 71 degrees; clear
Time: 3:56:44
Net calories burned: 38,244
Number of runners: 14
We arrived in Billings the evening before the Montana Marathon. My mom and dad, Alexandria, Nicholas, and I were walking along the quiet streets of downtown after most of the local businesses had closed, looking through the windows of Western-wear shops, when we rounded the corner and came upon a bustling Greek restaurant, of all things. We walked in the door automatically, without a word of discussion. The scents and commotion naturally drew us in.
The scene inside was chaotic, which is typical of Greek restaurants. The waitress had a million orders going at once and was constantly yelling back at the cooks in Greek. When our food finally arrived, it was gloriously prepared, authentically home-style Greek fare, fresh and exquisitely flavorful. There was tiropitakia (cheese pastries), dolmas (stuffed grape leaves), moussaka, octopus, lots of fresh vegetables, and, of course, homemade baklava for dessert.
My parents and I wondered aloud how they were able to get all the fresh, specialized Greek ingredients to prepare such a tasty meal all the way out here in Billings, Montana—not exactly a hotbed of Greek American culture. Nonetheless, we were certainly glad they could!
QUICK TAKE: Greeks use lots of cinnamon and spices in their recipes. Cinnamon has been shown to improve insulin sensitivity. Keep a shaker handy and sprinkle liberally on the foods you eat.
Day 13
September 29, 2006
City of Trees Marathon
Boise, Idaho
Elevation: 2,659'
Weather: 75 degrees; clear
Time: 4:08:51
Net calories burned: 41,431
Number of runners: 18
The North Face Endurance 50 was a completely male phenomenon through its first twelve days. But on Day 13 the testosterone was tempered; we got a woman’s touch. It was a little awkward at first, but in the long run our endeavor was greatly strengthened by it, much as the sport of running as a whole has been energized, balanced, and enlivened by its recent feminization. I
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