Blog
Spotlight On Ron and Bobbie Ruhs
Submitted by admin on Tue, 2012-11-27 08:31
Some may call Ron and Bobbie the first couple of the G.O.A.T.z. Ron and Bobbie have been a fixture with the G.O.A.T.z since it's inception and continue to amaze with their abilities to run and run and run. Never mind, they are just plain good people who lift those around them up. Enjoy this months spotlight on one neat couple.
Click here for a PDF version of this months Spotlight on Team Ruhs, Ron and Bobbie.
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How Running Transformed Me
Submitted by admin on Thu, 2012-08-09 17:29
There is a neat endurance site on the web, Innovation for Endurance. Two articles, you all might be interested in are:
- How Running Transformed Me: The Women's Stories - read here
- How Running Transformed Me: The Men's Stories - read here
Each article chronicles 4 women and men and how running changed their lives. All of us can probably find at least one story of the eight the we resonates with us.
Enjoy!
Don't forget to register for the First Annual GOATz Trail Runs on October 28th. Omaha's first ultra-marathon, the GOATz 50k is filling fast. There is still plenty of room in the 5, 10.5, and 21 mile distances. Register now to guarantee your spot.
Get your G.O.A.T on! - Jody Green
Submitted by MamaJode on Tue, 2012-07-31 06:35
“Strength doesn’t come from what you can do. It comes from overcoming the things you once thought you couldn’t.” -Rikki Rogers
A member who ran his first half marathon over the weekend shared this quote on the G.O.A.T.Z Facebook page the morning after the race. The Heifer Hustle Twilight Trail Run, organized by Jim Craig and our friends at Angry Cow Adventures, took place at Platte River State Park on Saturday night. For most of us hustling and bustling out there, we finished this tough race uphill and in the dark.
It’s not an unfamiliar crazy. Many G.O.A.T.Z are bucket list writers and why-wait-for-tomorrow-go-getters. Nothing easy is worth doing. They rise to set tremendous goals and then climb mountains to achieve them.
There are few instances where I could use the word easy to describe members of the group. They are easygoing, easy to get along with, and easily encouraged to cross the line between familiarity to ferocity. Other than that, these folks are hardcore. But don’t let their race schedules and accomplishments scare you; it takes a truckload of courage each time any runner starts a race.
We each have a list of things that we think we cannot do. How many of those things do you want to do? What are you waiting for?
Last year, I finished my first ultramarathon in Leadville, CO. Like so many others taking the plunge into something new, I held my breath when registering, peed myself when confirmed, and panicked when I realized that my mediocre 5K road-running body needed to learn to run 50 miles (at one time, at altitude, on this thing called a trail). Like many of my one-time-only antics (i.e., skydiving, broomball, community dance, marriage, childbirth), I just hoped for survival and a few good stories.
A couple months prior to my race, I met Scott Giddings at Scheels. He was the first ultramarathoner I had ever talked to and was full of excitement, humor and encouragement – not unlike the G.O.A.T.-father that we know and love today. As the group was formed earlier this year, it’s given us an outlet to pay it forward and lead more G.O.A.T.Z to their limits and beyond.
The community of trail- and ultrarunners are absolutely incredible. It’s no surprise that the local flock grows each day, and the bliss of trail running spreads like wildfire. I enjoy the camaraderie and friendship that develops through mutual suffering: the mangled toenails, tick checks, hills, falls, G.I. troubles, and projectile vomit. If those aren’t things you can bond over, there is this wonderful thing called nature and the wild beauty that you encounter off-road, away from technology, work, and responsibility. In my own busy life, these miles and moments of freedom are the most welcomed and cherished.
In this sport there are no limits and it never gets any easier - you either go longer, faster, change geographical locations, subtract oxygen, add mountains, experience extreme conditions, or tack on a few days. It really is a choose-your-own-adventure-life, so go live it.
Leadville Trail 100 Official 1 Hundred Trailer
Submitted by admin on Fri, 2012-07-20 21:17
View 1Hundred, the official tailer for the Leadville Trail 100 Mile Foot race.
See the magic of Leadville for yourself at http://1hundredfilm.com/
10 Reasons I Love Trail Running by Will Turner
Submitted by willturner on Thu, 2012-07-05 16:34
Discovering running (especially trails) last year has been life changing. Never considered myself a runner or an athlete. Not fast, have no vertical (not sure how this relates) and don't really enjoy gasping for air. But I did discover 10 reasons I love trail running.
#1 Trail running makes me feel like a kid again. Where else can an adult play in the mud, jump creeks and barrel down trails and not be called crazy?
#2 Trail running makes me smile. Running in nature, group runs, sharing stories, living life, tripping over roots, getting muddy...what's not to smile about?
#3 Trail running is an adventure. Daily and weekly trail runs rival my favorite snow skiing and scuba trips. Choosing the spot, planning the run, packing the gear, living the adventure, experiencing something new, sharing the war stories with friends. Who knew so much fun and adventure was just outside our doorsteps?
#4 Trail running is a challenge. Ice, snow, dark forests, first race, faster times, higher elevations, longer distances, creek crossings, cold weather, hot weather, rain, nutrition, hydration, cadence. Each run brings on a new set of challenges to overcome.
#5 Trail running is a team sport. I am blown away by the spirit and camaraderie of running trails. I can be the slowest guy on the trail but even the best athletes make me feel an equal member of the team.
#6 Trail running pauses my ADD. Picking a line, navigating roots, rocks, creeks and sometimes wildlife isn't something I can do with a wondering mind. My richest experiences are those rare occasions I am fully present, completely engrossed in the person or activity in a single moment in time. Trail running is intentional, present and frees me from outside distractions and my lifelong struggle with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD).
#7 Trail running makes me feel connected. Running (especially trail running) is a fraternity that instantly connects me to myself, to God and to Mother Earth.
#8 Trail running lets me eat more! A few hot dogs, three quesadillas, 5 cookies, 16 S-caps, two cups of M&M's a bowl of chili, 1 banana, lots of fig newtons, GU, sodas and Gatorade are all I consumed in my last ultra marathon (Free State 40 miler). Sure I'm not the skinniest runner but running lets me enjoy one of my favorite pastimes...eating!
#9 Trail running is more efficient than driving. Not too long ago a 20 minute car ride to get fast food was just too far. Few things bring me more joy than someone telling me they saw me running while I was doing my errands on foot in place of my car. Running puts distance into perspective.
#10 Trail running is a brain sport. To run long so many things have to go well to complete the goal. Heart rate, hydration, fuel, stomach, pace, cadence, training, stride, form, chaffing, blisters...and the list goes on. Even the best athlete can be stopped short by unfamiliar terrain or crazy long distances ultra marathons require.
Hope to see you on the trail!
Accomplished GOATZ
Submitted by admin on Mon, 2012-07-02 23:14
It's a small world. That's what comes to mind as I reflect on this last weekend in Leadville, Colorado. In a race that features altitudes above 13,000 feet, there were no fewer than 20 people with connections to the Omaha area, and those are just the people I know of. It's even more incredible to think that of the of the four winners in two races, the Heavy Half Marathon (15.5 miles) and Marathon, two are Nebraska products. Jordan Tucker won the Heavy Half marathon and Kerrie Bruxvoort, formerly of Omaha, and sister of our very own Molly Pearson, took the womens title in the marathon and 7th overall. As amazing as these accomplishments are, I am as much in awe, if not more so to think of the achievement realized by so many people. Leadville, for a few of us, is not new, but it never gets old. For several GOATZ, this was their first foray into the once mining capitol of Colorado and running at 10,000 feet. All came away with a new appreciation for the town, the elevation, and the unparalleled beauty of (insert personal opionion here) one of the greatest places known to man.
Highlights of the weekend were many. It is impossible for me to cover all of them, because, well, I'm just not that good a writer. Few stand out more to me than watching Richelle Hall complete her first, yes FIRST marathon and Will Turner for turning the last seven miles of the run into a race against the clock and finishing hand in hand with his daughter Hayden with a big ole smile on his face. Truth be told, the smile is rarely missing when Will is on the run. Words escape me in trying to describe the feeling I had watching these two accomplished athletes meet their goals in taking on one of the toughest marathons in the United States. Too often we reserve the word accomplished for veterans and high achievers in sport, however, accomplished is exactly what these two are. They have, as the definition states, performed, finished, and carried out the mission. I will always save my greatest respect for people who dare to try anything this far outside of their comfort zone. You don't have to be the fastest or most decorated runner to be a RUNNER. You simply have to RUN!
I am inspired by the people I have met over the past several months as this flock of GOATZ has sprouted legs. I am impressed by the friendships I see developing, and I am just plain excited to see where the trail leads this group. Thanks hardly seems enough, but I will have to leave it at that. Thanks!
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1st Annual Donate Life Nebraska Trail Run & Heroes Walk
Submitted by admin on Thu, 2012-06-28 11:13
When:
July 21, 2012
7:00 am Check-In / 8:00 am Trail Run / 8:10 Walk
What:
A Run/Walk to educate and inspire the community about organ, eye and
tissue donation while benefiting Donate Life Nebraska.
Where:
Tranquility Park, Omaha
4000 North 120th Street Omaha, NE
http://www.active.com/running/
Sprint it, run it or walk it....
LIMITED TO FIRST 1,000 ENTRIES! The first annual Donate Life Nebraska Trail
Run & Heroes Walk will be held at beautiful Tranquility Park in northwest
Omaha. Participants will experience a unique 3+ mile trail run with
breathtaking hills, scenic views and the opportunity to encounter nature in a
new way. The 1.2 mile Heroes Walk is to honor the families that have
graciously elected to donate organs, eyes and tissue of loved ones to benefit
those in need.
Race Director: Jordan Stevens
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