A Questionnaire with the Runner Who Just Claimed Second at Western States

Magda Boulet lives it up


Last weekend, Magda Boulet (43) crossed the finish line of America’s oldest 100-mile race in 19 hours, 49 minutes and 15 seconds—not far behind Cat Bradley, who claimed first less than 20 minutes ahead of her. Last year, Magda got a DNF, but in 2015, she took women’s first.


Knocking off 100 miles of some of the country’s most rugged terrain, where average high temperatures push 90 degrees and portions of the California trail’s higher elevations often still have snow, is no easy feat. Finish in under 30 hours and you receive a bronze belt buckle. Finish in less than 24 and you receive a silver one. But finish in under 20 and you’re one of the greatest ultrarunners in the world.


Magda is just that. In addition to her Western States prowess, she’s placed first in iconic road races like the San Francisco and Pittsburgh Marathons. The Oakland-based runner competed in the 2008 Olympics (but dropped out halfway through when an old knee injury flared up). Last year, she came in fifth at the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc, whose 30,000 feet of ascent make it one of Europe’s most difficult races. You’d be hard-pressed to find a more persistent and respected ultrarunner—male or female—out there today.


We caught up with Magda to learn more about her running habits and her performance at this year’s Western States.



What draws you to ultra distances? The challenge of the distance itself: testing my mind and body during the most difficult situations—and the amazing people I get to meet along the way.


One weird running habit you have that most people don’t know about. When I’m running side by side with someone, I tend to slowly invade their space, and eventually either run them off the road or bump into them.


What attracted you to Western States? The incredible history of the event, and the fact that it is such a difficult challenge to complete.


What was the hardest part of the race? El Dorado Canyon was the hardest part for me. It was so hot at that point, and my quads were a little shot from the early miles in the snow and mud.


What was the best part? When I picked up my pacer Fernando and we started off together with a big smile on my face.


How many hours do you train a week? 15 hours per week.


Any cross-training? I meet with trainer Mark Jellison. He puts me through some very dynamic kettlebell exercises and helps not only make me a stronger athlete but a healthier one.


What do you eat before you race? I keep my pre-race meal two hours before the start of the race. It is always high in easily digestible carbohydrates, moderate in fat and very low in fiber. This year, that meant 2 GU Gingerade Stroopwafels with a little almond butter and a cup of tea.


Favorite recovery meal?  I always start with a recovery drink immediately post race to kick start the rebuilding process: two servings of a chocolate recovery smoothie, which means a combination of protein, essential amino acids and carbohydrates. Then, an hour later I’m ready for a wholesome meal.  This year, my husband made me multiple rounds of sourdough toast with avocado and a hard boiled egg. It was two in the morning


What running means to you in less than 10 words. Running is freedom, exploration and meditation.


Who inspires you? My son, Owen. He makes me want to be the best person that I can possibly be every day.


Words to live by.  Live it up.


[Photos courtesy of HOKA ONE ONE]

































































































































































































































































قالب وردپرس

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

30 of the Best Places to Go Camping in Texas

Image
From the hill country to the rugged deserts of the southwest, Texas is as diversified a state as they come. Bordered by the Rio Grand, the Red River, and the Sabine, the state’s landscape is a mix of desserts, pine forests, prairies, beaches, and mountains. Interested in tent camping? RVing? Or do you want to escape into the solitude of the prairies, forests, and deserts of the Lone Star State? No matter how you are traveling, these are hands down the best places to camp in Texas. Bring your home with you when you travel around Texas. The best way to see all the sites this beautiful state has to offer is to hop behind the wheel of your RV or camper and get moving. From rustic parks to campgrounds with all the amenities, this list covers them all. Mustang Island State Park Just off the coast from Corpus Christi, Mustang Island offers 50 amp hookup sites only 50 yards from the water. While there are no fire rings at the sites, you can have a campfire right on the beach. The site
Read more

The Nature Fix: Our Connection to Water

Image
What do surfers, anglers, boaters and little kids in the shallow end of the pool know that the rest of us don’t? Playing in or near water is a surefire way to access creative states of “flow,” relaxation and bliss. I once knew this—most kids do—but was reminded on a recent family trip to western Maine. To research a book I was writing about nature and the brain, I had borrowed a portable EEG cap that measures electroencephalography, or electrical activity captured in neural oscillations, better known as brain waves. Early one morning, I slipped into a kayak and paddled out onto a small lake bordering the White Mountain National Forest. The boat nosed through a foot of soft mist resting on the water’s surface. I couldn’t see my paddle blade, but I could hear its drips, and the birds on the approaching far bank. Photo Credit: Florence Williams I’d been wearing the black plastic EEG cap around in other settings, notably while walking in a couple of city parks and along a rural road, all o
Read more

Beginners Guide To Fishing For Roach

Image
A common yet challenging catch for most of us, roach are a viable target for any angler. Dominic Garnett offers a host of tips and advice on how to catch this attractive species. Beautiful, obliging and found all over the UK: what’s not to like about the roach? Image courtesy of Dom Garnett. Is the roach Britain’s most undervalued fish? In the midst of current mania for carp and other heavyweights, many anglers appear to have forgotten this humble species. And yet once upon a time it was very different. In the early 80s, when I first began fishing, everyone fished for roach. They were common as muck, but fickle and fast biting enough to test the angler. In my case, the species has a lot to answer for, because a Thames roach was my first ever catch. Alas, how times change. These days I see fewer and fewer anglers trotting or tip fishing for roach, dace or bream. Carp and predator anglers now dominate. But what cracking sport (and vital skills!) they are missing out on in their hunt fo
Read more