Im not that sentimental... But happy 1 year anniversay

Im not a sentimental guy.... but when I looked at the calendar and realized that it was coming up on 1 year since I ran my first ultra marathon, I got a little mushy.

Mannnnnn- that was 1 year ago? Boy how the time flies.

I had done the 6 hour BPAC race in amherst New York to raise money for a scholarship fund commemorating friend of mine who had passed away just 2 months earlier. I was not in great running shape. I had run a marathon 3 years prior and had beaten old running shoes (vibram five fingers with holes in the bottom). To top it all off I had one of my best friends weddings the night prior.

Old shoes. Booze. Not great running shape. You do the math.

But the unexpected happened. The weather was beautiful, the people were friendly, and I was off. 10 miles into the run, I heard a women yelling for me. It was the mother of girl who went to prom with my deceased friend. I hadn't seen her in years- but I was wearing a shirt with my friends face on it to honor him. She jogged with me and we recounted the wonderful moments we had had with our friend. She pledged to donate to his scholarship fund and then quickly added, "your looking great, you better move on ahead."

So I did. For 22.4 more miles.

The race ended- but the pure bliss I experienced didn't. The sense of achievement was unreal. Although I was sore and hungry, the back of my brain was saying, "when are we going to do that again."

The weeks that followed that race were rough. I suffered a foot injury and stupidly ran the buffalo marathon- only worsening the condition. A week of rest, a slow acclimation back to the trails and I was back to my old self. I even went on a "we both thought it wasn't but it probably was" running date when I recovered. We still run to this day- minus either of us being injured. And now we do call them running dates.


So I have to say sorry to my Mom and Dad for making them worry on my 4 hour long jaunts. Although my Mom always tells me I have to stop, she has been there for some of my biggest and longest races. She prays for me daily and I try to reassure her that I'm not totally crazy- but probably over 50 %.

My Dad drove all the way to Syracuse to watch me run a 50k only to find out that I had finished a solid 55 minutes before I thought I would. He made it up to me by taking me out to the Dinosaur BBQ. He has even started jogging on the treadmill and talks about entering a 5k this summer. I totally support him, and every time I see him finish a run we both have to smile at each other.

I couldn't have done it without you guys, the love you have shown me has given me the confidence and determination to accomplish any task I put my mind to.

To my sister and older of the younger brothers Alex- we have enjoyed some great conversations on jogs and I feel as though it has been great bonding for our family. I hope that more of those moments are in our future.

To my littlest brother Luke- we've got some time to fit in a bro to bro jog in. Its coming, don't you worry.


So stay safe this spring, enjoy the warmer air, and always run your own race.

A picture can say a thousand words

(just woken up preteen zach and angelic luke)

We live in a competitive world. Our achievements, looks, actions and deeds are constantly compared to those of others. Do we comply with standards? What is our rank? Where do we fall within the standards? What does God think of us?  The list continues. It never ends.

But where are we compared to where we were yesterday? Last week? Last year? Why don't we keep up with our own development of character? Why don't we honestly ask ourselves, " am I in a better place? Am I a better person?"

The answer is simple: because its hard. 

One of the most useful functions I have on my iPhone is the iPhoto app. It categorizes your photos by when they were taken. I dare you to look back a year ago. Go onto a social media site you subscribe to and look at old photos. They are like graveyards, digital artifacts with context. 

Look at that person- and look at the current person you are now. How are you compared to you?

(crappy teenage zach)

This idea came to me for a few reasons:

 Last week marks the one year anniversary of my introduction to distance running. The obsession began in Hamilton Ontario at the Race around the Bay and hasn't stopped since. People think that my love for running is old- its not. I went from a medically obese youngster who took daily asthma medication to an ultra marathon runner. 

(happy current zach)

I have also been writing a paper on human suffering and have gathered interviews from friends. The interviews are touching, they remind me how much people I love have been through in the last year. It has taught me how much a persons life can change in an instant, just a matter of seconds can make all the world to someone. 

(hippy high school zach)

I have also returned to confession this lent after nearly a year. I have struggled with attending mass and being engaged with my faith since leaving the University at Buffalo. A few bright reminders have been placed in my life and have inspired me to return. 

(happy chunky zach)

I am also a few months from starting the most difficult part of my Physicians Assistant education. The mere fact that a board of people selected me to take on this task is amazing enough- now I have to bare my teeth and grind through it. Most of my adolescent life I wanted to amount to nothing, soon I will be in direct care of peoples lives. It is a task I do not take lightly. 

Conclusion: 

Use the resources you have to a look at yourself. Try to remember those feelings. Get analytical. Make a plan, if you don't already have one. And for cryin out loud enjoy the person you are! Embrace yourself- in the present, past, and future. You made it this far, you can make it anywhere. There are far too many people that will beat you down in life- you've got to become your own fan. 

(happy hungry zach)

(happy, sweaty and tired zach and julia)

And remember,always run your own race. 

Trying to turn molehills into mountains: The tragedy at Terrapin

The first thing I thought when I signed up for the Terrapin Mountain 50k was, "man, I need to do more hill work."

So I did. I ran up and down the tiny little hills of western new york at sub seven minute pace every week- boosting my confidence and supposedly preparing my body. Zach was feeling good. Then I saw the mountain.


Julia and I arrived in Sedailia Virginia just a little past 7:30 pm to set up camp and head in for the night. When I got out of the car and looked at the Mountain my heart sank a little bit. "That might be a different mountain... Yeah. Were probably just running a portion of it. Piece of cake."


My friend Nick (an ultra running FREAK) had already set up his tent when we arrived and within minutes of us embracing he pointed to the very mountain that I had seen and dreaded and said, "Thats Terrapin. Thats what were running tomorrow." Now my heart was somewhere in my scrotum.

The lack of preparation doesn't end there. I was running in a water belt that I had never worn before in my life,  smart wool socks on a day that turned out to be 70 degrees, and  a long sleeve rossignol ski top.  I also decided to wear New Balance Minimus sneakers- which on such a rugged terrain (compared to the trails in WNY) tore my feet up. I was screaming obscenities alone on the trail hoping that Ibuprofen would fall from the sky like manna from heaven. Or even just a pair of conventional shoes? God? Are you listening to me?

Oh, but you wanted to hear about my race? Here it goes.

I actually started out a nice moderate pace, hanging in the middle of the pack, sipping water, being a socialite.

I stayed with Nick til about mile 10- when he got into his race mode, lost connection with all things that surrounded him and turned on the after burners. Nick finished top ten.

Julia had a busy morning asking all people associated with the race where she could come meet up with me and help pace for a few miles. The race director advised her to drive to the first aid station up the road and go from there. She picked me up at around mile 6 and ran with me. Straight uphill. Needless to say, her legs were hurting that next day.

With Nick and Julia at my side I felt great. The ground was soft and the jagged stones were few at that point. I was moving 9 minute pace up most of the hills and clocked at top speed of 6:14 minute miles down the hills we had just ascended.

At mile 11 Julia and Nick were both gone and the course got harder. It was very humbling knowing that in order to survive the event- lots of walking needed to be done. Looking at my GPS watch seeing the pace come up as 17:41 miles is disheartening. Then you step on a rock and you want to scream. I did that for about 4 more hours.

I met some very interesting people on the course. Some professors from Liberty college, a 21 year old VT college student who was in their ultra marathon club (which was stacked might I add), and man from North Carolina with a thick accent and lots of ultra marathon stories. Those were the people that pushed me through this event. Had I been alone for that long, despair would have set in and the wheels would have fallen off.

The aid station volunteers were also a crucial element of this race. They were like angels- through the combination of the heat, altitude change, and exhaustion they all looked like they were glowing to me. That was my cue to rehydrate. In ultras, glowing lights are bad- unless its the finish line of an event that spans the entire day.


In summary- heres my race. I was unprepared. I wore stupid clothes. Wrong shoes. I met cool people. Had amazing support. Ate a phenomenal dinner that night. Drank 2 beers. It felt like 12. Got a cool tee shirt. The end.

The lesson learned here is this:

You may be able to substitute avocado for butter in a baking recipe, but you cannot substitute hills for mountains when it comes to an ultra marathon recipe.

Peace out- and always remember to run your own race.

Photos courtesy of Julia Smith :) My pacer of both the Terrapin Mountain 50k and Beast of Burden 50 miler. She also drove me home after this race. Props.

Who really wins an Ultra Marathon

Although the records only list the names of the runners crossing the finish line at an Ultra Marathon, it would be wrong to say that anyone did it alone. I'll speak for myself.

From as long as I can remember, my parents were always telling me that I could do anything I wanted to. I would test this, " So Mom and Dad, your saying that I could be an astronaut AND paleontologist that plays in the NBA for the Orlando Magic?" 

The answer was always the same- "If thats what you really want to do, then yes." So when I told my parents that I was running a 50 mile race in January, they supported me 100%. When I saw them and my friend Julia holding signs for me at the 38.5 mile mark I thought to myself, "This is what it's all about." 

I've also been blessed with amazing friends who have always had my back. I mean, three of them showed up to run 20 miles with me in a windchill of sub 10 degrees. My friends are all working their butts off to achieve their goals- and thats what keeps me cracking at mine. We don't need to coddle each other, we just tip our hats and know we've done our best. 

The friend who inspired me to do these races is always there with me on the course, in my jacket or pockets of my shorts. I hold a picture of him, and the picture reminds me of how much he would tease and haggle me if I even entertained the thought of quitting. He was always a ball buster. Although he has passed on, he is very present in my darkest and most lonesome moments of these races.

So who wins an Ultra Marathon? I'll tell you.

Your family.

Your friends.

People who you see struggling in life, but push on despite the pain.

Young couples trying their best to be great parents.

Friends who have passed on. 

The race volunteers. The people taking photos of you. The people who at mile 50 ask, "wanna do a jello shot?"

The stranger in your life that tells you to push on.

The little engine who COULD.

Your failed romantic pursuits/disappointments/etc.

Then you. 

And thats the cold truth. 

BEAST OF BURDEN 50 mile race Jan 18th 2014 :) Thank you race volunteers, directors, and new friends!

photos compliments of kino : (http://www.kinosfault.com) Thanks a ton!

A very special thank you to the dashing whippets running team and all those who accomplished the beast or helped make the beast happen!
Joe Del Conte
 Kenneth Tom
Lisa Cao
 Kat Uba Bermudez 
Otto Lam 
Tiger Ellen
 Jim Pease 
 Beth Buchanan Pease- thank you soooooo much for the jello shot and all your help during the race :) 

Sweat the big stuff

Your out pushing your body to the max, in the office getting screamed at by your boss, waiting in the surgery waiting room for a loved on, trembling at a desk while your final board exam is handed out. A bead of sweat drips down your forehead. Its on.

Many days of the week I can't tell you what I ate for breakfast, maybe thats because I wasn't sweating. Many people say, "ew" to sweat, but I say, "ah ha! sweat!" Sweat is uncomfortable, its sticky, moist and smells bad. But there is nostalgia attached- sweat happens because of something. Your senses are heightened, your blood flows and change is needed (like get me out of these clothes). Sweat occurs when your body is in some sort of overdrive, whether it be due to the stress of physical activity or anxiety. 

When I sweat, I remember. I remember great times of physical achievement,  times when I was terrified and times that took a combination of all my mental and physical strength to get through. So its true, "don't sweat the small stuff" if the small stuff isn't worth a sweat. Sweat the big stuff. The good stuff. The stuff worth sweating over. The stuff you care about. 

You won't forget it. 

7 reasons why you should run an ultra marathon

7  Reasons why you should buck up, lace up those sneakers, and run until you can't feel your legs. AKA an ultra marathon.

Reason # 7. Because everyone will think you are crazy:

Its true, people will think your nuts. But this is a step up in the world. Last week, they didn't even know your name.

Reason # 6. Because your parents will tell you they are proud of you:

Though they will most likely question your decision, harp on you while training, and even tell you repeatedly that they, "don't think this is healthy"- they will most likely come around in the end and say what you did was pretty cool.

Reason # 5. You don't want to be the 1%:

As occupy wall street taught us, the 1% is the problem. According to statistics roughly 1% of the US population has ran a marathon. Don't be the 1%. 

Reason # 4. When its over- you can eat anything you want:

Thats right, when your done you can eat an entire Pizza, tub of ice cream, and pound of french fries and still not gain a pound. You probably won't, but you could. And thats pretty great. (oh you get to eat DURING the race too!)

Reason #3. Because you will get an awesome shirt/hat thats lets everyone know how hardcore you are:

Its like wearing your high school letterman jacket, or your biker jacket, or gang colors. People see what your wearing and know that your cool. Ultra marathon tee shirt with matching hat? Instant conversation starter.

Reason #2. Because people of the opposite sex will find you more attractive:

Maybe its the idea that your intense, or really fit, or that you just have a few screws loose- but people will find your amazing feat sexy. At least initially. And then they will totally forget about it. 

Reason #1. Because it FEELS SO RIGHT.

Nothing compares to the sense of accomplishment you feel when finishing an ultra. Your worn, battered and bruised, but you cross that finish line with a big smile across your face. If the marines are right and, "Pain is weakness leaving the body", then you lose a lot of weakness after an ultra marathon. The biggest battles are mental, the biggest hills are physical, but the biggest drive is spiritual. So lace up those boots and keep on keeping on. 

Hey there-

Its December 21st and amazon has just notified you that your Christmas gifts will be coming in on the 27th... Don't fret! Run out to the nearest pharmacy to pick out a crappy Christmas card, grab a generic gift card (maybe one for a gas station) and slap in one of these original Christmas themed raps. I've got something for everyone!




A rap for the overworked and underpaid Santa Claus

Merry Christmas dear Santa, I hope your feeling stupendous
I loved your gifts for me last year, the fruit cake was tremendous
I'm sure your busy as ever, making toys for the world
Just wanted to make sure I'm still listed with the good boys and girls
Ive done volunteer work and been a help to my mother
Ive donated my clothing- read the bible cover to cover
I'm sure that you know this, I must not build up myself
you've most likely been told by that troll on the shelf
If you can't find my list, I still accept cash
I'm praying this year that you have no sleigh crash!



A rap for your mother who is hosting a huge Christmas party

Happy Holidays Mother- I hope your feeling so jolly
I'm excited to see the house covered in holly
Your cookings the best- better than those old foagies
Your signature hams and your trademark pierogis
They scent the air splendidly, for 6 hours at least
Its keeps my mind focused on our succulent feast!
Can I bring something this year, I could offer some wine?
Last year uncle Harry brought straight turpentine.
And aunt Betties bread stuffing was so bitter and dry
I chewed it so hard that I started to cry
But their efforts are pure, its all the intention
Maybe it'll be better this year, Oh- and I'd like to mention
That my girlfriends name is Megan- even though you say Meagan
And were bringing our own food- we've both become vegan.



This rap is for a family member that you hardly ever see, but shows face at the Christmas Party. You know they have a job, but are unsure of what it is. They may or may not be in a relationship. They own a brown dog. Everything else is a mystery.

Merry Christmas my friend, such a long time its been,
I hope your years been filled with cheer- but if not, a new ones on the bend.
Hope your jobs going swell, seem to remember you really like it.
I planned on buying you a sweater but are you still comfortable in tight fit?
I look for forward every Christmas to the fact we'll be meeting
are you still dating that guy- oh geez my memory is fleeting.
You either told me he's, "the one" or that he's a massive tool
Either way he's so lucky to have you- because you are really cool!
And that little dog of yours, I can't remember the breed
That little brown one that you dress up and shows in my news feed.
I hope that Santas good to you, I have a feeling you've been nice.
Now how about that weather- steer clear of black ice!
My holiday letter is coming to a conclusion
my name is Zach- talk to me this year and clear up all this confusion! :0




A rap for a girlfriend/boyfriend that you really like- but know the relationship is headed nowhere. You won't break up with them now, its the holidays and thats cruel, but you want a Christmas card that doesn't send too many mixed signals-yet is still somewhat kind.


Merry Christmas to you sweetie, what a year it has been
I'm so lucky to know you, your a really good friend.
We've had so many moments that were more than acceptable
And I love that your job is somewhat respectable.
When we go to the movies and you buy snacks for munching
I've totally gotten used to the sound of food crunching
But thats what you makes you-you, and I fully accept it
And what I got your for Christmas, you wouldn't expect it
Im
so happy your mother invited me to your kins celebration
But i'll have to decline such a kind invitation
You see my family believes in the the strongest tradition
Hide a pickle on the tree, and to find it is the mission
It would break my Dads heart if I were to neglect the pickle
You see he's very old-fashioned, some say that he's fickle
Give your dad a high five for me, your mother a hug
And I hope to the heavens you didn't buy me a Pug.