Don't Want To Run On Hills Today? Head On Over To Fletcher Park For A Flat Run!

We have a saying that "the flattest running route in Asheville doesn't necessarily mean that it's  flat". With hills practically everywhere you look, it's great to find a nice easy flat route to add a  little variety to our run.  This weekend we had a great flat run at Fletcher Park.  If you've never been there, you might want to check it out...

Honey Stinger Waffle

We would have had pictures of all four flavors, but we ate them all...

While rummaging  through the gel and energy product shelves at out local running store, Foot Rx, prior to an evening run, we came across something called the “Stinger Waffle” by Honey Stinger.  The Foot Rx staff gave the waffle such a glowing recommendation that we ate one right on the spot.  We then immediately bought every Honey Stinger Waffle they had in the store.  The Honey Stinger Waffle is one of those products that we would label “excellent” or “our favorite”....

Hoka One One Mafate ~ Update

UPDATE:
Ever been stood-up on prom night?  I would imagine the feeling is not unlike what we are feeling right now after discovering that the Hoka One One manufacturers have either changed the design of their rocker mid-sole or the quality control gremlins have been up to some mischief...

Ultimate Direction SJ Ultra Hydration Vest ~ Update

Update:
For those of us who bought the first production of the SJ Vest and have worn them on several runs and are still able to use it, we're sure you have had ample opportunity to brush up on your sewing skills and have figured out ways to adjust the fit and fix areas where the sewing has come undone.  Below are pictures of what we have done in order to make this vest function and not fall apart...

Guacamole Dip Recipe

You know we love to pass on our favorite recipes, so it's time to share our "Rockin' Guac" guacamole dip recipe! Hope ya love it like we do!...

Morris Broadband Half Marathon At DuPont State Park With Thoughts Of Boston

"The spirit, the will to win, and the will to excel are the things that endure.  These qualities are so much more important than the events that occur."   ~Vince Lombardi, American football coach

It's been 10 years since the last time we ran the Boston Marathon, but once you've run it, your heart is always there every third Monday in April....  

Thought of the Day...

"The motivation that makes us the best runners we can become is the same motivation that can destroy us.  Learn to listen to your body."
-Bartman 3/2013

Inspirational Runner: Ernie Rambo

A few weeks ago we were laboring up a long climb during a 5 hour plus run through Bent Creek.  The topic came up that the next time we visit Las Vegas we really have to run the 18 mile loop that takes in the near 12,000 foot summit of Mt. Charleston.  Then the question came up, “If we could choose one person to run it with us, who would it be?”  Almost immediately we both thought of Ernie Rambo, a longtime Las Vegas valley ultra-runner who would consider such a run a mere warm-up.  Years ago, before we met Ernie, we had both heard stories of Ernie’s mega distance epic runs that went well beyond 40 and 50 miles, and we both visualized a buff muscular guy who could kick more ass than a Ninja going through a herd of wild donkeys.  It was during a long run early one summer morning on the east side of the Las Vegas valley that we bumped into this petite little gal who introduced herself as Ernie Rambo! BlueRidgeRunner recently got the chance to interview Ernie and glean a little more background and history about this amazing woman...

The 2013 Asheville Marathon at Biltmore Estate: A Look Back, by Bart with thoughts and impressions from Scott Williams and Frankie Adkins

Certainly the inaugural Biltmore Estate Asheville Marathon will be long remembered not only as the beginning of this unique, well organized and perfectly executed event but for the difficult weather it presented for everyone involved; competitors, organizers and volunteers alike.  It was a freezing, hypothermic inducing tough day in the field, creating an unwelcome challenge that could only be truly appreciated by those that were there.

The 2013 Asheville Marathon at Biltmore Estate

Asheville Marathon held on the grounds of the Biltmore Estate

For those of you who read our blog, you know we cherish running at the Biltmore Estate.  It's located within a 10 minute drive from home yet when we are there, we feel miles away!  One of the main reasons we wanted to run this inaugural event was to explore the west side of the estate which is normally closed to runners.  We wanted more than anything to see what was on the other side of the river!...