Eat and Run: My Unlikely Journey to Ultramarathon Greatness (34 page)

Combine all the ingredients except the coconut oil in a food processor and process for 3 to 5 minutes until chopped to a fine consistency. Transfer the mixture to a mixing bowl. Add the melted coconut oil and stir until well combined. Form into 1-inch round balls and place on waxed paper. Refrigerate for 15 to 20 minutes, then transfer to an airtight container. The balls will keep for 2 weeks, refrigerated.

MAKES ONE DOZEN
1-
INCH BALLS

Acknowledgments

Writing a book is like running an ultramarathon. There are challenging climbs, moments where simply taking a step forward feels like the most difficult task in the world. Other times, progress is effortless, and the ease seems like it will last forever. An ultramarathoner needs a crew to get through the difficult stretches, to help locate the sweet spots, merely to keep moving. I needed one for this book, too. Without a diligent and talented support crew,
Eat and Run
would not have crossed the finish line.

This book would not exist if my good buddy and classmate in the school of hard knocks, Dusty Olson, hadn’t convinced me to run my first 50-miler back in 1994. He was the first, and closest, of the small and eclectic group of athletes, free thinkers, and health seekers to inspire me. Although there are too many to mention, I am indebted to them all. They teach me that anything is possible.

Shannon Weil first prodded me to write a book ten years ago. As co-founding race director of the Western States 100, she has a knack for igniting the spark of potential. Then came along Audrey Young, close friend and passionate writer, who didn’t let me get away with saying I was too busy to put together a book proposal. I doubt this book would have come to fruition if it wasn’t for her generous time and effort.

My agent, Larry Weissman, and his wife, Sascha, saw something more in my story and helped me bring that first proposal to new heights. Susan Canavan and her amazing team at Houghton Mifflin Harcourt have acted as chief support crew, knowing when to lend encouraging advice and when to crack the whip.

Steve Friedman has been my pacer and humble cowriter. A long-time fan of his work, I knew that if I ever did write a book, I would want Steve and his creative keyboard at my side. Besides putting up with my ultra persistence and scattered ideas, Steve helped narrate my life in a way I never would have been able to do, this despite his never running a single step in an ultramarathon. I suspect he now harbors secret ambitions of turning vegan and running a 100-miler. If he does, I’ll be there to pace him.

Sarah Deming, his lovely and diligent assistant, tirelessly researched details of ultrarunning and nutrition that I didn’t even know existed. Her interviewing skills pulled gems I had long forgotten from friends and mentors. A boxer turned runner (she ran her first half marathon after working on the book), I would never want to pick a fight with her. She is indomitable and relentless. And I hear she packs a punch.

Steve, Sarah, and I owe much to friends, family, and experts who graciously gave their precious time in countless interviews. Because of you this book has one more story or one more hint as to what makes me tick. Specifically, I would like to thank Kevin Pates at the
Duluth News Tribune
for being principal historian of my early running career, Neal Barnard, M.D., and Susan Levin, M.S., R.D., at Physician’s Committee for Responsible Medicine for their scientific knowledge of a plant-based diet, Timothy Noakes, M.D., D.Sc., Zachary Landman, M.D., and David C. Nieman, Ph.D., who I revere for their ceaseless quest to explain the science behind ultra-endurance. Writing sage Christopher McDougall gave invaluable input and advice on the manuscript and reassured me that there was always an end in sight.

The visuals provided by my generous and artistic friends behind the lens make my story come to life. I am thankful for all who have captured my life in photos that speak for themselves.

There are so many people who influenced my life. While I may not mention you by name, you know who you are. You led me to the rugged, less-traveled trails.

Words do not describe the appreciation I have for Jenny, my trusty partner in life and best friend. She agreed with me about getting Steve to collaborate on the book, and when it looked like the partnership might not occur, she made sure it did. When Jenny wants something to happen, it usually does. I cannot thank her enough for being by my side on many of my all-nighters. She gave this book countless hours of editing and her creative eye. She also brought to it—and me—an understanding of why I chase the dreams I chase, even though they may not seem to make sense. The journey is always more fun and fulfilling with her stride by stride.

Often we need to retrace our steps back to the beginning. I would not be able to run if not for my parents. Dad, while we may not have always seen eye to eye, you provided a simple yet profound wisdom that has made me who I am. “Do things,” you told me. Not sometimes.
Always.
Mom, while you lost the ability to perform basic tasks that many of us take for granted, you never stopped smiling and finding the morsels of joy in life. If I can maintain that same attitude I will have succeeded. My running idols may have logged more miles and climbed bigger mountains, but you are my main inspiration. I will never stop running for you.

Lastly, I owe a huge debt to the best fans in the world—from the many race volunteers, to the young runners who write letters, to the dedicated followers who send pre-race messages and post-race high fives. I continually receive motivation and support from your stories. You all remind me why I run, why we all run.

Ultramarathon Race History

Note: This is a partial list.

* Indicates new course record at that time

1994

Minnesota Voyageur, 2nd place (7:44)

1995

Minnesota Voyageur, 2nd place (7:24)

1996

Minnesota Voyageur, 1st place (7:10)

Point Reyes 50K, 7th place (4:24)

Edmund Fitzgerald 100K (USATF 100K Road National Championships), 4th place (7:33)

1997

Minnesota Voyageur, 1st place (7:18)

1998

Crown King Scramble 50K, 2nd place (4:34)

Zane Grey 50-Mile, 1st place (8:49)*

Ice Age Trail 50-Mile, 3rd place (6:23)

Minnesota Voyageur, 1st place (6:41)*

McKenzie River Trail Run 50K, 1st place (3:49)*

Angeles Crest 100-Mile Endurance Run, 2nd place (19:15)

Mountain Masochist 50-Mile Trail Run, 5th place (7:40)

1999

San Juan Trail 50K, 2nd place (4:25)

Way Too Cool 50K, 4th place (3:48)

Bull Run Run 50-Mile, 1st place (6:30)

McDonald Forest 50K, 1st place (4:11)

Ice Age Trail 50-Mile, 3rd place (6:21)

Western States 100-Mile Endurance Run, 1st place (17:34)

White River 50-Mile, 3rd place (6:55)

Bend Distillery 50K, 2nd place (3:05)

Angeles Crest 100-Mile Endurance Run, 2nd place (19:51)

2000

Chuckanut 50K, 2nd place (4:22)

Diez Vista 50K, 1st place (4:26)*

Leona Divide 50-Mile, 1st place (7:01)*

Miwok 100K, 11th place (9:54)

Western States 100-Mile Endurance Run, 1st place (17:15)

McDonald Forest 50K, 4th place (4:36)

2001

Jed Smith 50K, 4th place (3:26)

Way Too Cool 50K, 16th place (4:00)

GNC 50K, 4th place (3:24)

GNC 100K (USATF 100K Road National Championships), 4th place (7:28)

Leona Divide 50-Mile, 1st place (6:59)*

McDonald Forest 50K, 2nd place (4:17)

Miwok 100K, 2nd place (8:42)

Western States 100-Mile Endurance Run, 1st place (16:38)

Baldy Peaks 50K, 3rd place (6:14)

OXFAM Hong Kong Trailwalker, 1st place team (12:52)*

2002

Leona Divide 50-Mile, 1st place (6:46)*

Promise Land 50K, 2nd place (4:37)

Miwok 100K, 1st place (8:44)

Western States 100-Mile Endurance Run, 1st place (16:19)

White River 50-Mile, 5th place (7:16)

Tamalpa Headlands 50K, 12th place (4:15)

Silvertip 50K, 1st place (4:18)*

OXFAM Hong Kong Trailwalker 100K, 1st place team (12:47)*

White River 50-Mile (USATF Trail National Championships), 5th place (7:16)

2003

Way Too Cool 50K, 5th place (3:41)

Diez Vista 50K, 1st place (4:25)*

Zane Grey 50-Mile, 5th place (8:50)

Miwok 100K, 1st place (8:44)

Western States 100-Mile Endurance Run, 1st place (16:01)

White River 50-Mile (USATF Trail National Championships), 5th place (7:13)

Hasegawa Cup—Japan Mountain Endurance Run 77K, 1st place team

2004

Way Too Cool 50K, 3rd place (3:46)

Leona Divide 50-Mile, 1st place (6:45)*

Zane Grey 50-Mile, 6th place (8:57)

Miwok 100K, 1st place (8:47)

Western States 100-Mile Endurance Run, 1st place (15:36)*

Vermont 100-Mile, 5th place (16:41)

Leadville Trail 100, 2nd place (18:02)

Wasatch Front 100-Mile, 17th place (27:21)

2005

Way Too Cool 50K, 10th place (4:09)

Chuckanut 50K, 11th place (4:24)

Diablo 50-Mile Endurance Run, 1st place (9:10)

Promise Land 50K, 2nd place (4:59)

Miwok 100K, 2nd place (8:43)

McDonald Forest 50K, 3rd place (4:51)

Western States 100-Mile Endurance Run, 1st place (16:40)

Badwater Ultramarathon, 1st place (24:36)*

2006

Copper Canyon Ultramarathon, 2nd place (6:47)

Leona Divide 50-Mile, 3rd place (6:48)

Miwok 100K, 2nd place (8:42)

Badwater Ultramarathon, 1st place (25:41)

McKenzie River Trail Run 50K, 8th place (4:32)

Spartathlon, 1st place (22:52)

2007

Copper Canyon Ultramarathon, 1st place (6:32)

Mad City 100K (USATF 100K Road National Championships), 2nd place (7:32)

Miwok 100K, 5th place (9:04)

McDonald Forest 50K, 14th place (4:40)

Hardrock 100, 1st place (26:08)*

Spartathlon, 1st place (23:12)

2008

Bridle Trails Winter Trail Running Festival 50K, 5th place (4:45)

Way Too Cool 50K, 4th place (3:35)

Chuckanut 50K, 3rd place (4:12)

Miwok 100K, 4th place (8:38)

McDonald Forest 50K, 3rd place (4:13)

Spartathlon, 1st place (22:20)

World of Hurt 50K, 3rd place (4:53)

UltraCentric 24 Hours, 46th place (48.7 miles)

2009

Chuckanut 50K, 11th place (4:25)

White River 50-Mile (USATF Trail National Championships), 4th place (7:13)

Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc, 19th place (26:07)

NorthCoast 24 Hours, 75th place (65.8 miles)

JFK 50-Mile, 11th place (6:31)

2010

IAU-IAAF 24-Hour World Championships, Silver Medal (165.7 miles), U.S. Record

White River 50-Mile (USATF Trail National Championships), 4th place (7:02)

Notes

1. Somebody

Badwater history and course details are from the official race website and the documentary
The Distance of Truth,
Pageturner Productions, 2008.

Information on ibuprofen’s harmful effects on runners is from an interview with David C. Nieman, Ph.D., director, Human Performance Laboratory, Appalachian State University.

4. “Pain Only Hurts”

The list of the benefits of a plant-based diet is drawn from “Vegetarian Foods: Powerful for Health,” a publication of Physician’s Committee for Responsible Medicine, 2011, and the American Dietetic Association’s “Position Paper on Vegetarian Diets,” July 2009.

7. “Let the Pain Go Out Your Ears”

The figure for average protein consumption is from the study
“
Current protein intake in America: Analysis of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2003–2004,” by Victor Fugoni,
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition,
vol. 87, no. 5, 1554S–1557S, May 2008.

The current U.S. recommended daily allowance of protein is from “Dietary Guidelines,” U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, 2010.