"Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far they can go."

Thursday, June 18, 2020

Limitless Vertical Challenge 7 day(6 days, 7 hours, 54 minutes) finished!

Limitless Vertical Challenge 7 day(6 days, 7 hours, 54 minutes) finished! I Ran/hiked the Appalachian Trail climb in Port Clinton, PA today. A lot cooler out there today. I made it to 100,304 feet for the entire 7 days and made it out alive :-)

Many friends came out this week(May 25-31, 2020) to help keep me going. I thank you all...Amy, Stephen, Justin, Stephanie, Felicia, Ryan, Daniel, Eric, Jill, Carl ,Justin, Dee, Zebulon, Pat, Cass, Lou and Dana...I hope I didn't forget anyone. I'll let you know where/when the parking lot party will be held :-) The running community always shows me I found the people I want to surround myself with. We all push each other to another level and have fun doing it. Ready for the next adventure!

....and to my sponsors Karen, Karyna and Alyssa thanks for dealing with my adventures :-)

Day 1 - 15,338 ft. of vert / 31.76 miles / 9h 56m

Day 2 - 15,142 ft. of vert / 29.14 miles / 10h 31m

Day 3 - 14,870 ft. of vert / 24.78 miles / 10h 8m

Day 4 - 15,504 ft. of vert / 25.65 miles / 10h 12m

Day 5 - 11,578 ft. of vert / 30.84 / 7h 55m

Day 6 - 15,767 ft. of vert / 28.66 miles / 10h 7m

Day 7 - 12,097 ft. of vert / 20.08 / 7h 34m

Total all for all 7 days:

100,305 ft. of vert

192.3 miles

Time on feet: 64h 33m

#thisis50 #running #hiking #walking #crawling #7days #day1 #day2 #day3 #day4 #day5 #day6 #day7 #imfinished #IamLimitless #runlimitless #elavationchallenge #riseandclimb #limitlesschallenge #leki #hokaoneone #beastcoast #proudbrag #youcandoitto #keepmovingforward #keeponkeepingon #keepinspiring #updownupdown #IAmLimitless #runsteepgethigh #myfriendsrock #bethechangeyouwanttosee #runpa

Enwild Outdoors, LEKI USA, HOKA ONE ONE, Run Steep Get High, Aravaipa Running, Run & Ride PA

Strava: Jim Blandford

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Thursday, May 28, 2015

TBT(August 2014) Some running and hiking with Karl and Lou - Karl Meltzer Day 23...I think; -)

Today I asked my dad to go for a 2 mile recovery hike to help stretch my legs after the Eastern States 100. When we got to the Hamburg Reservoir I looked over and there was van with a couple of people that looked like runners, Utah license plate and plastic containers with aid. Yes these things add up to Karl Meltzer Appalachian Trail speed attempt crew. His crew said I just missed Karl and Lou D'Onofrio. Lou is running/hiking a couple of days with Karl. James Brennan was also there running/crewing. I met James at the Labor Pain 12 hour in 2010. I said to the crew I will see them at Port Clinton. My dad and I did the hike. I went home changed into my running clothes, drove to Port Clinton, said hi to the crew and ran back to find Karl and Lou. I met them right where AT hits Port Clinton Ave. We chatted and ran back to their crew. They got some food, drink and we were off. We hiked, ran and chatted up until I had to head back down the mountain. Karl was looking very strong for day 23. I wound up hike/running 8 1/2 miles and my dad pick me up at the Shartlesville game land parking lot. What a day;-) Go Karl!!!

Shoe used: Hoka One One - Stinson

#letsgohoka #hokaoneone #keepmovingforward

2015 Hamburg Alumni Track meet 1600

Hamburg Alumni Track meet 1600 - My time 5:16

Shoe used: Hoka One One - Challenger ATR

#letsgohoka #hokaoneone #keepmovingforward

Getting ready....

3,2,1 GO

Running in the pain cave;-)

2015 Massanutten Mountain Trails 100 5/16

Massanutten Mountain Trails 100 5/16 - DNF mile 38

MMT 100 turned into a 38 mile training run this year. Something with the muscle or tendon in my lower left leg was not happy almost right after the start. It kept getting worse until it was to painful to run. That is what I really love about this sport. You put the time in in training and roll the dice. You just never can predict the day like life. The last 20 weeks I had over 1,300+ miles, close to 200,000 ft. of elevation gain and many friends were there along way. I thank you for the many miles and smiles. This sport is a big part of our family and it was amazing seeing a lot of you push through the pain. Great job to all who toed the line. Thanks Karen, Beth, Dave and Michael for being part of the crew. See you all on the trail soon;-)

Some of the gear for the race.

Pagoda Pacers hanging out after the race.

Shoe used: Hoka One One - Stinson ATR

#letsgohoka #hokaoneone #keepmovingforward

2015 Third Thirsty Thursday 5K - 4/16

Third Thirsty Thursday 5K - 4/16 - 3rd place overall 17:54

Jeff, Duane, Me

Shoe used: Hoka One One - Challenger ATR

#letsgohoka #hokaoneone #keepmovingforward

2015 Bull Run Run 50 - 4/11

Bull Run Run 50 - 4/11 - 1st place overall 6:55:30

I want to thank my family for the support I always get to train for these events. Thank you to my Pagoda Pacers Athletic Club family and other running family for always being there to train with me. Thank you Hoka OneOne for this great opportunity to be a product ambassador for an awesome shoe that I use and have believed in for over two years. And lastly, the VHTRC for one heck of an event!

After 8 starts at the Bull Run Run 50 mile trail race I finally made it across the finish line first. That sounds really weird to write or say but that is what happened on Saturday. My time was a little slower than the prior two years but I ran the best I could that day and that is what I wanted to do. Below is how the race went down for me.
3,2,1 and everyone is running. Right from the start of the race I was thinking to myself “I’m going to get out front and see what happens.” If you don’t go, you don’t know….right? So that is what I did until around the first aid station. At the first aid station the runner in second place did not stop for water. I filled up my water bottle and headed out. The third place runner was right behind me. I said, “If you want to go around go ahead” and in no time he passes me. After a quick bathroom stop I was about 30 to 40 yards back running my own pace. In no time I am right behind the two front runners and decide not to hang back but pass them. That was between mile 8 and 9 I’m guessing. From there I ran the rest of the race by myself. Early on I knew if I wanted to stay up front I had to run everything. The only parts on the entire course I power hiked were a couple of the steep hills in the Do Loop and that was to stop the burning in my legs from trying to run up the steep hills. Once I got out of the Do Loop without being passed I thought I had a good shot at staying in the lead but knew that can change quickly….never relax up front! With around 9 miles to go I tripped which made my right calf go into a cramp which caused me to fall to the ground. I had to use my left foot to push down on my right foot to release the cramp. I stood up took two S-caps, a gel and started running again. That was probably the 4th or 5th time at this race I had calf cramps over the last couple of years. The rest of the way, the cramp thing was always on my mind. I was hoping it didn’t happen again on a downhill. After a fill up of water and Coke at the last aid station the countdown was on. I had to keep moving and watch my footing. Rounding the turn on the flat section by the water and grinding up the last hill I made it to the open field. After about a hundred yards I looked back for the first time all day. I didn’t want to get passed there with less than a ½ mile to go ;-) This is the first time I believed I was going to finish first. WOW! I did it! Now the count down is on to the MMT 100!

Until next time - see you out on the trail and keep moving forward!

Shoe used: Hoka One One - Stinson ATR

#letsgohoka #hokaoneone #keepmovingforward

Coed Team - 3 Sticks and a Chick
Dave, Ashley, Me and Michael
© 2015 Bobby Gill

2015 HAT Run 50k 3/21

HAT Run 50k 3/21 - 2nd place overall 4:25:35

My 9th HAT Run 50k - snow, mud, numb feet and sun at the finish. Definitely a challenging day. 2nd place 4:25:35 a little slower than last year but I think that had something to do with the miles of slippery mud;-) Very happy with my effort and definitely left it all out there like everyone else did!

Donny, Mike, Anna and me after the race.

Shoe used: Hoka One One - Stinson ATR

#letsgohoka #hokaoneone #keepmovingforward

2015 Hooligan Hustle St Patty's Eve 5k 3/16

Hooligan Hustle St Patty's Eve 5k 3/16 - 2nd place overall 18:10

Me, Jess, Donny, Duane and Laura

Shoe used: Hoka One One - Challenger ATR

#letsgohoka #hokaoneone #keepmovingforward

2015 Ugly Mudder 6 mile Trail Race 2/22

Ugly Mudder 6 mile Trail Race 2/22 - 12th overall

Photo by: Helene Horn

Shoe used: Hoka One One - Stinson ATR

#letsgohoka #hokaoneone #keepmovingforward

2015 Horseshoe Elevation Fest Fatass 2/21

Horseshoe Elevation Fest Fatass 2/21 - 3 loops 19 miles

Photo by: Linda Weiss

Shoe used: Hoka One One - Stinson ATR

#letsgohoka #hokaoneone #keepmovingforward

Friday, January 23, 2015

UltraRunning Magazine - December 2014 Back cover

Here is the back cover of the December 2014 issue of UltraRunning Magazine. Photograph by Bobby Gill - 2014 Bull Run Run 50

Succeed! Sports Nutrition

UltraRunning Magazine - December 2014 Front Cover - 2014 Blues Cruise 50k

One of the photos from the 2014 Blues Cruise 50k I shot made the cover of the December 2014 UltraRunning Magazine; -) Feeling proud to be a Pagoda Pacer!

A Pagoda Pacers Event
Blues Cruise 50k

2014 Berks County Junior High XC Fall Invitational

2014 Berks County Junior High XC Fall Invitational - Photos

The “Fall Run-Off” Invitational Boys and girls races is for all 7th, and 8th grade Berks County runners who have competed for a BCIAA school district during the 2014 junior high season.

When: Saturday, October 18, 2014 at 9:00 am
Where: Reading Fairgrounds, Bern Township