I started running in 2010 training for a sprint triathlon.  In the process, I met and befriended some great running friends who somehow led me to running more.  I started off running a 10k then some half marathons and then a couple marathons in 2011.  I started running ultras in 2012.  For my 10th ultra, I ran and finished my first 100 miler, Rio Del Lago (RDL) in 2013.

Youa Xiong Buchanan

Almost exactly 4 year ago, I was told by my OB/GYN that I was considered obese for my height and body frame. I was in disbelief and distraught.

Later that month, I decided I wanted to run a marathon. I wasn’t a runner, I didn’t even like running, and I wasn’t “in shape.” I ran my first 5K with no training, lost over 30lbs in a few months and finished my first marathon the same year. It started out for health reasons, but now it has become a lifestyle change and I became the first “Hmong Female” ultra-runner (Google Hmong) to enter the sport.

Unlike, most runners out there, I don’t have a prestigious running record, but I’ve done plenty of 5-10K’s, Marathons (Big Sur, Chicago, New York Marathon, and California International Marathon) 50K’s, and just recently completed a TRIFECTA marathon (3 states, 3 marathons, 3 Days) and a 50 Miler this summer. I am also working towards becoming a member of the World Marathon Majors club; it’s my long-term goal (2 down 4 to go).

For 2016, I will be running the Ultra-Thailand Chiang Mai 3 day stage race in the country where I was born to raise money for the villagers in the mountains. I will also be running my first 100 miler next year. My weekends now consist of long runs, chasing the sunset/sunrise, and going on spontaneous adventures and discovering new trails. It gives me the strength when I’m out there. Running is not only the act of physically running away from life’s troubles, but instead I’m running towards a solution.

Favorite quote-” Never stop dreaming. Never stop exploring. Never stop fighting. Never stop believing in yourself”

Carina Kool

Hello! I was involved in many sports at one time growing up from elementary school through high school. I got into running in 8th grade when I joined the Outdoor Track & Field team. When I started high school, I joined the Cross Country team and continued running on the Track & Field team for both the Indoor & Outdoor seasons. After graduating high school, I didn’t run as much as I once did, but in 2012 is when I really got back into running and started challenging myself more.

Prior to 2012, I never raced longer than a 5k, but decided to train for longer distance races. I ran my 1st 10k race that year at the Apple Hill Blossom Trail Run and many more after that both on trail & pavement. The longest race distance that I ran that year was at the Apple Hill Harvest Run, which was 8.5 miles.

In 2013, I started off the year running 10 miles at the Resolution Run, which at the time ended up being my longest run to date. I ran my 1st half marathon at The Lucky Run, my 1st 20 miles at Run on the Sly, then my 1st marathon at the Half Moon Bay International Marathon, then I ran my 2nd marathon two weeks later at the Golden Hills Marathon (1st trail marathon). I ran many distances that year from a 5k up to a Marathon on both pavement & trail.

In 2014, I continued running those same distances on different terrains, but challenged myself to run a 50k that year, which I ran my 1st 50k at Way Too Cool. My longest run to date that year was not at a race, but on my birthday when I took the day off work to run 35 miles for my 35th birthday. Can you tell that I am hooked? I really enjoy running and I think about running all the time. Always looking ahead at the next run or event that I can participate in, the next challenge to set for myself. It’s never-ending.

For 2015, I will continue to run all the same distances as before, but I have challenged myself to run 3 marathons in 3 days in 3 states at the Bear Lake Marathon TRIFECTA in June, which I completed. Also, I completed my other challenge that I had for this year, which was my 1st 50 miler at Headlands in September.

Looking ahead, it's my goal to complete my 1st 100k in 2016. My long-term goal is to complete all the World Marathon Majors (1 down - Chicago and 5 more to go - New York City, Boston, Tokyo, Berlin, London).
As you can see, I’m addicted to running, and I wouldn’t be able to do what I love to do without the support of my awesome husband, family, and friends.

Michael Cortez

My journey into the world of ultra-running happened a few year ago, but I am no stranger to the trails.  At a young age I was immersed into the wacky world of Ride & Tie and Endurance Riding.  With that being said, it was only a natural progression for me to find my way to running ultras.  What I actually found was something so much more.  I discovered a world full of enjoyment and a community full of amazing people who share the same desire for adventure.

Living in Newcastle, CA, I am never far from a trail-head.  In my opinion, the California foothills offer some of the most beautiful and adventurous trails.  Plus, I am fortunate to live near my family who have been an incredible and supportive crew pushing me through every mile.

In my short career I have successfully completed the American River 50m, The Pioneer Express 50m, the F.L.U.T 110K, and a half-dozen 50k’s.   My ultimate goal is to challenge the Badwater 135m.

I look forward to seeing you on the trails.

Ryan Smith

Endurance Sports has been a part of my life for more than 10 years. Starting out with sprint triathlons and working my way up to Ironman’s.

I always found myself enjoying the running part of triathlon. I started to run more, and enjoyed the freedom of no equipment or pool to look for. I worked my way thru the ranks of 10k, half marathon, marathon. It has always been on my bucket list to run the Boston Marathon. I qualified in 2012 and ran my first Boston which was epic. After Boston I wanted more and started trail running and then ultra-running. I entered a few ultra-distance races and became addicted. How far and how fast could I go? I ran the Way to Cool 50K, Overlook Endurance 50 mile, Cayamuca 100K, American River 50, fOURmidable 50K and went back to Boston in 2015.  My goal one day is to run Western States.

Favorite Quote, “Stay Loose, Stay Wild” by Ray Scannell.

Clint Welch

My name's Clint Welch and I'm a trail runner from Northern California.

I started running in 2009 for health and it grew to so much more. My running now has become more about adventure, and sanity to be honest. The main focus of my races the last few years has been ultras. Rio Del Lago was my first 100 miler and it was followed by the San Diego 100 six months later. I learned more about myself in those 2 races than any experience in my 37 years of existence.

If you talk to my running friends their first words about me will either be that I used to weigh over 300 lbs. or that I'm a huge beer lover. Huge might be an understatement.

I am lucky to be married to my best friend who also is a tough nose crew leader. I'm a lucky guy. Cheers!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Bill Clements

Prior to 2008 I lived a very sedentary lifestyle and was significantly overweight.  On Easter Sunday 2008, after a gluttonous display at brunch I returned my home weighed myself.  It was with a strange sense of pride and disgust that I had finally broken 250 on the scale.  Suffice to say that was the wake up call I needed and decided to make a change.

Fast forward to September 2009.   I decided to start the P90X 90 day program after being inspired by a late night infomerical.   P90X took my fitness to
whole new level and I dropped towards my high school weight of 165 and saw muscles I'd never knew I had.   I decided to try running again and to my surprise the shin splints and aches did not return this time.  So I kept running for no other reason really except that I COULD.

For the next several years my running continued to progress and became my new found passion.   It rescued me from the monotonous daily routines of work and everyday life.   It instilled confidence and provided a vehicle for me to explore the outdoors.  It pushed me to test the limits of what I thought I was capable of doing.   How far, how high, and how fast?  Some of my proudest achievements include:

- Running across the Grand Canyon from the South Rim to the North Rim and back (Rim2Rim2Rim)
- Qualifying for Boston and running in the 2013 Boston Marathon
- Finishing 4th at the Tahoe Rim Trail 50k in 2012
- Fastpacking the John Muir Trail in the summer of 2012 - 229 miles of trail from Yosemite Valley to Mount Whitney
- Running the Leadville Trail 100 Race in 2013 in under 23 hours.
- Running Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc (UTMB) in under 33hrs.

I now look forward to every year with a refreshed enthusiasm thinking about the next race or epic adventure!

Thanks,

-Bill

 

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Ben Johnson

Hi! Ben Johnson here and I'm a avid trail junkie. I started running a few years back wanting to take off a few #`s and improve my health. It started with
weekly short runs and then a few months later a metamorphic experience occurred. I discovered all these local trails and other amazing runners in our community. I never knew our trails were so vast and that just by chance I rooted down near the endurance capitol of the world! 🙂

Well, I ended popping off a 50 miler 10 months into my new (but revisited) hobby. So much and with some sucess I enjoyed x country and track as a kid and wish I stuck with it now. Better late then never!

Hope to see everyone out there!

Favorite trail-rail road and skyline to the sea

Favorite runner-Max King

Top 3 beers-

3-Nelson

2-General Sherman dipa

1-IPA 395 dipa

Best distance-800 meters

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Paulo Medina

Just like all of the other members of this racing team, I wasn't always a runner. Great part of my late teens and early 20s were spent with a cigarette in my mouth, and I hated every minute of it. I wasn't happy, I wasn't healthy, I wasn't looking forward to life.

By the time I turned 25 I decided to join the gym and after attempting to run from my house and not being able to make it down the block, I realized I was in trouble and had been on a very unhealthy path.

After spending sometime on the treadmill and the elliptical, I found myself a bit happier, with more energy, eager to live life. It wasn't until I joined a few local running groups that I met other runners and took my running from indoors to the outdoors. I was amazed how wonderful it can be to run outside against the elements, whether it was cold, hot, day or night, I always went out even it if I only had time for 1 or 2 miles.

After a while I realized that running was overtaking my life, and I loved it!

I am now 30 years old, about 60 lbs lighter and with much more energy than the guy I was in my early 20s.

In the past several years I have been fortunate enough to become part of great running community. Living in northern California we are lucky enough to have so many great trails, and for that reason I created SingleTrack Running LLC.

Running has become my life and for that reason I want to share it with all of you by creating great quality events. I have participated in major events such as:

Boston Marathon

Western States 100

San Diego 100

Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc (France, Italy, and Switzerland)

Ironman Tahoe

Ironman Arizona

Tromso Sky Race (Tromso, Norway)

Desert Challenge 100k (Paracas - Peru)

As you can see, running is my life, running is just what I do.

 

 

Racing team adventures: