Badwater Tony Portera to me is the “real deal.” While I fantasize doing big runs, Tony is out there making it happen. You’ll hear him say he’s not anybody special, but I beg to differ. He’s fun to talk to, has a great story about his journey into running, has great things to say about running ultramarathons, someone I see as a wonderful ambassador of the ultra community, he’s super encouraging, and even offers some advice to help improve on the next ultra.
Tony Facts:
Running out of White Plains, New York
Husband and father of two.
Lawyer in commercial real estate
Dabbler of ultra running and has ran and continues to run prestigious events such like the Badwater 135, Jackpot 100, and Umstead 100.
He has participated in the Badwater 135 six times. 2015 will be seventh.
Running Background:
Tony got into ultras by stumbling on it and deciding to try it.
Started out soccer in high school, college, and after in law school with local club teams.
After graduating from law school, life happened, and at one point weighed 210 pounds. Out of shape, drinking a lot of beer, and watching football and other sports.
Got together with some guys who convinced him to do a local 4 miler or 5k. He said “Running is stupid!”
He did more of these types of runs and was eventually persuaded to do a marathon. He said “This is stupid. If running 4 miles is stupid, this is even dumber!”
His first marathon was the 2004 Twin Cities Marathon. Completed it in over 4 hours and told himself he’d never do another one again. But 25 marathons later, he kept trying to convince himself to stop running.
His biggest mistake, was after reading Dean Karnazes’ book Ultramarathon Man where he learned about ultra marathons. He was blown away and said “If 4 miles is stupid, and running a marathon is even more stupid. Then ultra runners gotta be idiots!” And Tony convinced himself to do a 60k.
Loving the Sport & Better Health
In ultras marathon, Tony loved that he was able to show up to the start late, finished up on the same day, and head back to your car without a hassle. This plus getting in better shape made it more appealing.
Eventually dropped 50-60 lbs lighter from his former weight in 2001.
He enjoys the runs and loves the community, but still sometimes tells himself that “He’ll never do it again.”
He uses these events as a way to learn more about himself. To find out what he can and can’t do.
“You’ll never run the same race twice. You’ll experience different things and thoughts each time.”
Tony’s Preparation:
Work on nutrition on a regular basis.
Prepare nutritionally, mentally, put in the work in training runs. Roughly 80-90 miles a week including the speed training and long runs.
Typical Training Week (To build miles and speed. Doing about 74 miles of training).
Monday a.m. – 25 miles. Tuesday – 8 miles. Wednesday – 10 mile tempo, 3 mile warm up. 4 miles at 6:55 pace. Thursday – 8 miles easy recovery. Friday – 12 miles interval: 3 mile warm up. 2 miles at 7:10 pace. recover 1 mile, six 400 mile repeats, and recover jog. Saturday – Off. Sunday – 12 miles.
Long run may increase over time. This is a week typically to Tony and should not be used as a template for everybody else. Everybody is different.
On Getting Coached:
Tony is currently working with Zach Bitter on training and nutrition and has also worked with Ray Zahab. Recommends getting a coach for endurance events.
Mentions:
Film: Running on the Sun
More Tony:
Tony loves to help see folks enter into the ultra community for the first time.
The Vermont 50 mile race was his first 50.
Loves seeing people go out there.
Thinks 50 miles is a great distance to get done in one day and it is very challenging
Believer in drawing from others, especially folks who have experienced what you are trying to do.
Fueling and hydration advice:
Drinking to thirst.
Keep trying different things. Learn something is always a success.
Quote:
“People may go out there and try and have a negative impression in their mind, but there are so many positives to take whether perceived negative or not. It’s often times the 2nd or 3rd try that you start to understand what you’re doing and love it more.” ~ Tony Portera
Advice:
Ray Zahab, founder of impossible 2 Possible (aka i2P) tells Tony “Ultra running is 90% mental. The other 10% is all in your head.”
Quote:
“Our best moments are found when we are at our weakest.”
Shout outs to the world. That way no one is left behind. Except for the folks aren’t listening to the podcast. So it is doubly important that you spread the word and share this podcast. As Cameo said “Tell your brother, your sister and your mamma too, cause we’re about to go down and you know just what to do. Wave your hands in the air like you don’t care. Glide by the people as they start to look and stare. Do your dance, do your dance, do your dance quick mamma. Come on baby tell me what’s the word”…aand I digress. “Well it’s all right, riding around in the breeze. Well it’s all right, if you live the life you please.” sang the Traveling Wilburys.
Announcements:
The site, ruelsrunning.com, is continuing to be worked on. It has a new WordPress theme slapped on. The previous theme was no longer supported by the developer, so a theme that was actively supported was used. Hope all you visitors find it pleasant and a breeze to navigate.
The newsletter is under development. The back end for subscribing for it has improved. It’s a beautiful thing. Tons of content is in the works and can’t wait to get it all polished and ready to share. If you haven’t subscribed to the newsletter yet, you can do that here: http://www.ruelsrunning.com/subscribe/
Run Update:
Not much running lately. Am getting antsy and have missed a few days planned for runs. Time has been spent strength training and on a periodized plan towards an October 50 mile run.
Running News:
Anybody else following Scott Jurek’s AT FKT attempt? In case you don’t know. Scott is attempting an Appalachian Trail (AT) speed record. This dude is a beast. As of this writing, he’s on Day 46.
The topic of compulsive eating came up on the Vinnie Tortorich No Sugar No Grains closed group on Facebook. It got me thinking about emotional eating. I’ve found myself time to time eating at odd times, usually late in the evening. Sometimes on not the most optimal of foods. On my journey, I’ve learned to be kinder to myself and less strict. It’s much easier to be self-forgiving and relaxed after about three years on the NSNG (no sugar no grains) lifestyle and seeing my health improve and body composition change and improve slowly and steadily. Allow me to repeat. Now it’s been three years and I’ve slowly and steadily improved health and body composition at over 40 years of age. So committing to a lifestyle and not a diet is what it is all about for me. Back to emotional eating. There are times when I eat a crap ton of food. I guess I get really hungry. However it does cross my mind as I stuff my face, whether or not I am emotionally eating or have a problem. They way I see it is…No. Now if I stuff my face this way regularly… yes. It did get me wondering about the topic of emotional eating though. It also made me wonder if humans are the only animals that have this condition? If it has always been something humans dealt with? Or just in recent history?
As I attempt to periodize my training somewhat. I’m looking to build strength first. Most my time will be experimenting with the Front Squat where I work on it once or twice a week for several weeks. I’m new to it so I’m learning as much as I can to do it properly and safely. One resource I’ve found useful in getting familiar with the movement is this video from Mark Rippetoe titled “The Front Squat with Mark Rippetoe”
In podcast episode 52, i talk a bit in the areas of family and play as well. I get into potty training, watching Magic Mike XXL with my wife, Memorial Day weekend fireworks, pushing cars, and canceling cable service.
Friends in the Jefferson, MO and surrounding areas, check out Lonnie Beauchamp @ Restore-It Restoration and get Life Back To Normal. Tell him Ru sent you!
In episode #51 we continue the marathon conversation with special guest Rick Bentley from the Simply Human Podcast. It’s a lot of fun and you’ll want to catch it and the first half as well. Thanks for listening!
Quote: “If you’re going through hell. Keep going.” ~Winston Churchill
“I look up to to anybody that is able to continue to put one foot in front of the other and use that not just as a way to athletically improve themselves but mentally improve themselves. Just overall self improvement.” ~ Rick Bentley
In this episode, it goes long and has to do with more family and play with a sprinkle of run chat and exercise. Thanks for listening. A little something special at the end.
“You should bring something into the world that wasn’t in the world before. It doesn’t matter what that is. It doesn’t matter if it’s a table or a film or gardening—everyone should create. You should do something, then sit back and say ‘I did that.'”—Ricky Gervais
Friends in the Jefferson, MO and surrounding areas, check out Lonnie Beauchamp @ Restore-It Restoration and get Life Back To Normal. Tell him Ru sent you!
This is a well done and entertaining podcast coming from a "relatively normal" guy. lol I found this podcast through Vinnie Tortorich and was drawn in by Ru's take on running and the NSNG lifestyle. While I am not a runner, I walk fairly fast so that counts, right? I love that he talks about the ups and downs of balancing his family life with his running and working, like all of us. His recommendations and interviews are relaxed, informative and fun. Take a listen and learn something people! Sorry it took me so long to post a review :(
dlconcidine
Ru El's Running Podcast
5
2016-06-14T13:23:04-07:00
dlconcidine
This is a well done and entertaining podcast coming from a "relatively normal" guy. lol I found this podcast through Vinnie Tortorich and was drawn in by Ru's take on running and the NSNG lifestyle.
