This is something I've asked myself many times in the past few months before and after registering for the race and something I've been asked at least as many times by other inquiring minds. It seems like a simple enough question on the surface, but the honest answer goes deeper than that. First, what is the Vol-State 500k? From the race website: "The Vol-State is not just another ultra-marathon. It is much more than that. The Vol-State is a journey, an adventure, and an expl

143.39. I keep thinking to myself that this number is absurd. 143.39 miles. In 24 hours. I still can't believe that I did it. I mean, in my heart I knew I could, and it is what I was aiming for, but to have such an ambitious goal realized after over a year of hard training for this very number (or at least 140) is still kind of surreal. Let's back up a little bit. Back to August 16, 2012 in Burlington, Vermont. This was 2 days before the USAT Age Group National Championships.

I've been meaning to write a few words about this product since my last 24 hour race, the Run Around the World, in Nashville Tennessee a little over a month ago. It should be noted that this is my first product review and although I got this tube to try for free, I was not asked to write about my experience or promote their product in any way and I am in no way being compensated for this review. The Run Around the World was truly the first time I've done an ultra distance eve