A good damn quote. Another one.

"I run ultras to become the best possible version of myself."

Tymothy Olson

Jemez mountain trail run 50(+3) miles: mountain goat edition

Saturday I ran the hardest race I have ever run (so far).

53.4 mile (86.02 km to be precise) up and down (mostly up) on the mountain of New Mexico.

Wonderful places and mountains, but so damn hard.

I guess I'm not used (anymore) to high altitude.

Anyway, this is the profile:

Intense...

My plan was to finish it in about 12 hours. Unfortunately, in the last 15 miles I had a problem on the back of my knee, and since I'm not completely stupid (and most importantly, I learn from my mistakes), I slowed down. I finished in 13 hours and 21 minutes, but at least my knee is safe and I can use it.

I've learned a lot of things. I've learned that mountain trail running is so much harder than the classic trail running (...wait! I was supposed to know that already...). I've learned that walking is important, especially if the up-hill is really steep and the oxygen is low (3,000 meters). And I've also learned that you will catch up with the time lost on the steep hills, running like a demon on the really steep down-hills. I've learned that sometimes the goal is "just finish it" and I've learned that flipping the bird to the next up-hill it doesn't change anything: you still have to running it. I've also learned that since I ran this really hard 86 km, running a 100 km (my next step) shouldn't be a problem. Finally, I've learned that soaking is the way for a faster recover...

Anyway, very wonderful experience, and I want to run more and more and more.

Here a picture of me just after the race:

Happily tired...

What else?
As usual, a lot of nice and friendly people out there, and also my trip-companions (Dave and Tim) were amazing.
A final consideration: it's amazing where this ultra-running is taking me, both my mind and my body.
I think that's it.

Go for it Bruce! "Ruuuuun to the hiiiiiiillllllls..."

Sol Invictus (Faith no more): track by track

After 18 years, FnM are back. Their brand new album titled "Sol invictus" is now available and after two days of loop-listeninig, I've decided to give my totally-biased two cents.
It's a great album, but honestly, I don't know words good enough to describe it accurately (in any language).
The general sound of the album reminds me "King for a day...", but sometime it gets closer to "Angel dust". The mood instead is from "Album of the year".
There is only one negative side: this album is too fucking short. Only 34 minutes. I want more!!
Anyway, here are my impressions track by track.

1) Sol Invictus. That's the starting point. Sad and deep and dark, and this is the mood of the album. Mike Patton's voice vibrates in the air, and you suddenly realize that they are back.

2) Superhero. It reminds me "Caffeine" from "Angel dust". Groovy. It sticks in your head and you'll find your self singing it all day long.

3) Sunny side up. Funky and catchy. It perfectly fits with "King for a day...". Hudson left his signature with his the guitar works, with his classic style and touch. Another great song.

4) Separation anxiety. Very Tomahawk-oriented. One of the best songs of the album, with a nice change of style in the end.

5) Cone of shame. Sounds like a spaghetti-western movie soundtrack (not a new style for Patton, by the way) with a nice and heavy change of gear in the middle.

6) Rise to the fall: one of my favorite. The only way for me to describe it is: mariachi music meets Muse with a little bit of East-Europe flavor perfectly blended by FnM.

7) Black Friday. back in the Tomahawk' zone. Maybe the less "inspired" song of the album.

8) Motherfucker: one of my favorite. It's hard to explain... It's 100% FnM, but still, is different from whatever they've done before... Listen to it and try to NOT sing...

9) Matador. The perfect mix between "King for a day..." and "Album of the year". Again: one of my favorite. Heavy song in terms of feelings: dark and sad but with epic vibes all over the place. Sublime work of Patton with his voice.

10) From the dead. After nine songs soaked deep in the dark, this song it's like a sudden change of mood. Very "happy" song, with a nice surf-style that reminds me "California" form Mr. Bungle. For me, this last song sounds like FnM are saying "Hey, we were just joking... Take it easy and have fun."...