DRAFT Magazine

Proof I survived Death Valley

I’m not really sure why anyone would voluntarily travel to Death Valley, much less run 26.2 miles here.

This is the most godforsaken place I have ever found myself on the planet. And I biked through southwest Nebraska.

To be fair to the nation’s largest national park, our marathon was supposed to be in gorgeous Titus Canyon. Then the park that set a record for highest temperature ever recorded in the Western Hemisphere - 134 degrees - had a snow and ice storm that shut down our regularly scheduled course.

So today, about 165 of us ended up on a mostly flat out-and-back primitive dirt road surrounded by salt fields, barren rocky landscape, remote mountains, and approximately zero signs of life. My friend Kyle (who set a new marathon PR today) claims he saw a solitary crow. Creepy.

But weather conditions at the lowest point in the continental U.S. - 282 feet below sea level - couldn’t have been more perfect, maybe 60 degrees with a constant breeze. When we started it was downright chilly.

I felt good the whole way and finished about 10 minutes off my PR in 3 hours, 38 minutes and 30 seconds, which was surprisingly good enough for 23rd place overall. I’ll take it. Winning time was 3:01.

Unfortunately, there’s no beer at the finish line, but Kyle and I stocked up at a quirky beer and soda shop called Galco’s in Los Angeles. Now we’re relaxing in our bare bones motel room with Big Sky Brewing Moose Drool.

The highlight for me was watching a woman named Cheri cross a marathon finish line for the astonishing 239th time. I watched her after the finish, assuming I could pick up a thing or two from a woman who says her favorite race of all time was in the Andes Mountains.

Here’s what I learned: You know that saying about scoring a touchdown in football, “Act like you’ve been there before”? Same thing applies to marathons.

Just 234 more marathons and maybe I can reach that level.

Sam from Dogfish Head on a 7-mile training run

For Christmas this year, Sam Calagione of Dogfish Head entered himself and his wife Mariah in the New York City Half Marathon lottery.

Next thing they know, they’re full-on beer runners in training for the 13.1-mile race on March 21.

“It should be interesting,” Mariah said. “Neither of us are regular distance runners. We did a half marathon years ago and finished – but came in nearly last. We’re so slow!!!!”

But can anyone on the course claim to brew more adventurous beers?

The Beer Runner: How’s the training going so far?

Mariah Calagione: So far, so good — although it’s pretty darn cold!!!. I am following a training schedule provided by Tim Bamforth of Seashore Striders (he is the race director for our annual Dogfish Dash - you should come out for it - 9/26/10). The plan has me running 5 miles 4-5 days/week. Sam is doing more of a cross-training thing with 2-3 days of running plus some spinning/rowing machine workouts and yoga.

BR: What half marathon did you run before?

MC: We did a half marathon years ago here in Lewes, DE (it was a race Tim put on and is coming up again in April). We finished something like 2nd and 3rd from last - no lie!!! But we finished. Our training was pretty lame. Hopefully we won’t be last this time around!!!

BR: What’s your favorite Dogfish Head beer to finish a training run with?

Sam and the Beer Runner at GABF

MC: For everyday, I’d say we’d both go with a 60 Minute IPA - although on a particularly cold day Sam will opt for an Indian Brown Ale.

BR: Anything else to add?

MC: We’ve been having fun!!!!! We’re looking forward to being part of such a huge, exciting race in our fave city.

Speaking of races, I’m on my way to Death Valley National Park for a trail marathon tomorrow morning. I’m bringing my phone and plan on sending out photos and 140-character updates along the course, if I’m not in too much pain. You can get them by following @TheBeerRunner on Twitter or becoming a fan on Facebook.

Beermosa as energy drink

While training for his first marathon, J.L. Zoeckler discovered the perfect pre-run elixir: A beermosa of Beck’s Oktoberfest and orange juice.

“This stuff must be like jet fuel,” he describes in his training vlog. “By mile three I couldn’t even think straight I was running so comfortably and so fast.” He also called it his “most amazing run yet.”

He’s not the only runner who has benefited from this concoction, either. Another runner commented on J.L.’s workout on DailyMile saying, “I tried it too, out of suspicion and to help calm my pre-run anxiety. I was surprised at how good it tasted and how great I felt.”

J.L. — who describes himself as “your average runner” — finished five miles but said he felt like he wanted to run another 10 miles after completing the beermosa-charged run.

Of course, he says, further testing is required. That would be the responsible thing to do.

You can follow J.L.’s training for the May 16 Green Bay Cellcom Marathon on Twitter and Dailymile.

If I lived in Philadelphia, there’s no doubt who I would want to run and drink with.

The Fishtown Beer Runners formed in 2007 to scientifically test Professor Manuel Garzon’s study stating beer tops water for post-exercise hydration. The group’s real-world findings supported lab results.

“We found that beer was indeed the perfect replenishing substance after a long run,” said co-founder and co-president David April. “We combine responsible running with responsible drinking in the interest of science.”

Today the group gathers weekly to run 3-5 miles, have a beer or two, and recruit everyone from runners off the street to best-selling authors to join them.

The Beer Runner: How famous is your group getting in Philadelphia?

David April: Four people participated in our first run, now between 20-40 people show up each week. About 150 people have participated in a beer run at some point. Recruitment has been bolstered by several newspaper articles, running and beer blogs, internet postings, and word of mouth. The Philadelphia Weekly did a significant article and video about the club. The Philadelphia Brewing Company also champions our cause. We are constantly recruiting while running or at our pub. I’ve been known to invite lone runners off the street.

BR: What’s been some of your most memorable group runs?

DA: It is always a joy to have little kids run with us for a block or two or to see a bar owner’s eyes light up as 30 hot and thirsty runners come in on a slow night. We’ve been dubbed as an “instant stimulus package.” We have run in 10 degrees, snow, ice, torrential rain, and 95 degrees. We always draw attention during our annual Halloween run. We did a Christmas lights tour of South Philly with the South Philly Striders Running Club, and afterward 70 of us piled into For Pete’s Sake Tavern for some holiday cheer. The Memphis Tap Room hosted us with a large birthday cake and named a few entrees in our honor for our first anniversary, and the Standard Tap provided an incredible spread and festive atmosphere for our second anniversary. Another memorable event was running to an art galley to support one of our artist runners. Perhaps our most memorable run was the run clinic with “Born to Run” author Chris McDougall.

BR: How did Chris McDougall end up joining your group?

David (left) with Born to Run author Chris McDougall

DA: He contacted me out of the blue the same day I read an article about him and his book “Born to Run” in the Philadelphia Inquirer. He had read about the Fishtown Beer Runners and wanted to join us for a run. Chris had to cancel the first date we arranged because John Stewart called and wanted him on The Daily Show. In September we teamed up with Head House Books and Chris did a Barefooted Run Clinic followed by a talk and book signing. Afterward we gathered at Bridget Foy’s for beer and food. Now several of the beer runners have embraced barefoot running, and Chris contacts me periodically when in Philly to arrange a run with us. Chris commented that the Fishtown Beer Runners was the “Coolest running club he had ever seen.”

BR: What kind of beer do your group members normally drink?

DA: Drinking a beer after a long run is simply amazing as your palette is overwhelmed by flavor. We’re not beer snobs, but we do believe that craft beer works better for rehydrating yourself after a long run. Locally brewed craft beer works even better! Personally, I enjoy drinking a cold Kenzinger made locally at the Philadelphia Brewing Company. Others like to sample brews from the other area craft breweries or imports. Although Johanna drinks Miller just to piss me off! Often times our socializing will turn into an impromptu beer tasting as members are eager to try and share beers with each other. Luckily for us, Philadelphia is a real beer city boasting hundreds of unique and interesting bars, taverns and restaurants.

BR: Do you have members who are known as the biggest beer drinker or fastest runner, and if so, who gets the most respect for their talents?

The Fishtown Beer Runners

DA: We encourage runners of all abilities to join us. We have several actual runners in the group, but we’ve all increased our running and drinking abilities during the past two years! The great thing about our group is seeing new runners and marathoners interact over a beer. Many have commented that FBR was the impetus to run for the first time, or that it challenged them get back into running or that it motivated them to set and reach new goals. Our fastest runner is Pete Roland who finished the 2009 Broad Street Run in 618th place out of 23,244 finishers! Mike Xander and Samantha Bogin, two of our first members, started running for the first time in December 2007 and completed the Broad Street Run held the following May. Holly Schweitzer and Mallory Fay qualified for the Boston Marathon. After a run, our esteemed co-founder and co-president Eric Fiedler made it back to the bar with a broken knee cap to toast the professor.

BR: If someone is interested in joining the Fishtown Beer Runners, how would they go about doing that?

DA: Just show up at 2346 E. Susquehanna Ave in beautiful Fishtown. We leave at 7PM sharp every Thursday evening, rain or shine! There are no membership dues, fees, or by-laws. Just come and run.

“Since joining the group in May 2009, my time spent in Philadelphia has vastly improved. I feel connected and involved in the city and because of my time with the Fishtown Beer Runners; I have pursued and completed my first marathon and learned quite a few life lessons from my older peers. I have enjoyed every night on Thursdays and any time I spend with the runners.” - Dave Maver, Philadelphia

BR: What are your group goals for this year?

DA: In 2010 the Fishtown Beer Runners will continue to test the results of the Professor’s scientific research. Beyond this important work, ongoing goals are:

· to encourage people of all abilities to exercise by running (or walking)

· to provide friendly camaraderie for all who hate to exercise

· to promote the responsible enjoyment of QUALITY beer

· to support local tavern owners and breweries

· to continue to organize and manage two annual 5k races for the River City Festival and the Shad Fest.

· to participate in the Broad Street Run, Philadelphia Marathon, and 5K’s around the area.

· to receive national press coverage.

· To organize a group trip to visit The Professor in Granada, Spain.

· to promote a ban on spandex (read: ban men wearing spandex leggings without shorts)

· to develop a secret handshake

BR: Any parting words of wisdom?

DA: Beer running combines two seemingly mutually exclusive activities. Mixing the two brings out the strengths of each. To those who don’t run: If you like beer, you are halfway to becoming a Beer Runner. You can do it one step, one block, one beer at a time. To serious runners: You need to get out and be with other people! There are six other days you can run alone and train. To Beer Geeks and Snobs: Get off your can, get some exercise and go meet some people. To All: Raise your glass and toast “To the professor!”

The Beer Bell

You’ve heard the old joke about working out with 16-ounce curls.

Now you can actually get serious about bicep curls while drinking with the beer bell mug. It’s essentially a beer mug with a hand weight attached. It’s brilliant in its simplicity.

I’m not sure this item exists anywhere outside this obscure eBay auction, so you might want to hurry if you’re determined to exercise with beer. The lot also includes a yellow-paged book demonstrating exercises “in nice condition,” save for pages 16-17.

According to the seller’s description, this vintage item was recovered from an estate sale in the 1980s. Today it’s selling for about 25 bucks — beer not included.

“The beerbell is the most enjoyable exercise device ever created!” the seller promises. “Who says exercise can’t be fun?!?!”

Not us!

DrinkFit app for iPhone

If you want to know exactly how many calories you’re consuming with each craft beer, there’s an app for that.

Add DrinkFit to the growing legions of beer-related iPhone apps.

DrinkFit was recently featured on Mashable’s 10 fun iPhone apps for beer lovers, which had this to say about it:

“Drink Fit is a great app that provides users with full nutritional information for more than 1,600 drinks (including beer, cocktails, wine) and also offers a My Night feature where users can tally their caloric consumption for one evening of drinking.”

Maybe this means we have to turn our Beer Allowance into an iPhone app. Now that he’s done with the DRAFTmag.com redesign, maybe we can persuade our web director get on that.

Sara Santiago with Unibroue Terrible

Name: Sara Santiago

Bio President of Roll Mobile; wife to Agustin and mom to Grace and Nora; proud Milwaukeean; purveyor of jackassery.

The Beer Runner: What are your beer runner credentials?

Sara Santiago: Quite simply, I love delicious beer, and I love running, hiking, and having fun outdoors with my husband and our kids. Being an active family and appreciating our ability to do that is important to me. As a mom, I want to be a strong, positive role model for my girls. It’s so important that they see how I care for my own health as well as theirs. I want to instill in them the benefits that an active, healthy lifestyle has to offer, from the physiological benefits of exercise, to the opportunity for inspiration and wonderment that comes with a hike up a moonlit canyon. How am I into craft beer? Sara likes beer. It’s really that simple.

BR: How did you get into running?

SS: I became serious about running in 1999. At the time I didn’t have children, and I wanted an activity that offered solitude and a higher cardiovascular benefit than the team sports Agustin and I were playing. I began to run regularly, and soon was entering local races, triathlons and half marathons. I found that running was the activity that fit well for me. I have continued to run over the years, sometimes going through periods of “dry” months, where I wish I were running more, but then I try to get back in the saddle and ramp up the mileage again. I’m currently in “ramp up” mode now.

Sara on a winter run

BR: What are your goals for 2010?

SS: My goals for 2010 are pretty simple. Find the balance. Maintain a high level of running activity, maintain a high level of performance in my professional life, and have the most wicked-awesome fun with my family. All while enjoying well crafted, delicious and unique brews. Cha cha cha.

BR: What have been some of your biggest running highlights so far?

SS: My favorite race ever was the 2008 Memphis Half Marathon supporting St. Jude’s Hospital. It was a very emotional experience. The entire city seemed to reach out to all of the runners and offer their sincere gratitude. The energy was amazing! My sister and I drove down to Memphis from Milwaukee, stayed in an awful (totally gross) motel, ran a fabulous race on a beautiful day, supported one of our favorite charities, and celebrated that night with beer and Beale Street. I guess I should also mention that my sister is the funniest person on the face of this Earth, so having her for a running partner is ridiculously fun.

BR: How did you get into craft beer?

SS: I paid my way through college by bartending. It gave me the opportunity to sample a lot of beer and wine. I realized I had an opinion about beer. Wow, it sounds so dorky when I say it like that.

BR: What’s your beer of choice?

SS: That, my friend, is an unfair question. I don’t think I can choose one beer. I am partial to an IPA. I love a good porter, and if you ever want to try a good sour ale, you really should try the La Folie Sour Brown Ale by New Belgium. Aged in floor to ceiling oak casks. Amazing.

BR: When you visited Colorado a few months ago, did you do more hiking or drinking?

Sara visits New Belgium

SS: We did quite a bit of hiking (at least one hike every day for four days), but one of our main reasons for the trip was to tour some of Colorado’s craft breweries, the highlight being one of my favorites, New Belgium. The brewery is beautiful. A balance of form and function. The culture there is so closely aligned with my own ideas of blending what you’re passionate about with what you do everyday, and what you put back into the world. I also love the fact that behind that successful brewery was a guy with a dream to start a brewery and a woman who loved him so much, that she supported his dream and told him to quit his engineering job and “follow your folly.” Behind one of my favorite beers is a strong woman.

BR: Living in Milwaukee, do you have any tips for winter running?

SS: Listen to your feet, knees, and hips. Runners tend to modify stride when running over uneven snow and ice. Or, you may overcompensate and pronate differently, causing injury. Be aware of your stride, keep an eye out for ice, and if you are going to fall, let yourself fall. You are more likely to strain your back trying to regain balance on a patch of ice. Oh, and if you do fall down, take a photo with your phone and post it on Twitter.

BR: How did you like trying out the Bar Method as a workout? And did you visit a bar afterward?

SS: omg Bar Method! Wow. This workout is intense. I love it because it works completely different muscle groups than running. I also find it fun to use the bar and pretend that I look graceful, like a dancer. Then I hear my husband cracking up behind me. I did enjoy a pint afterward, but from the fridge, not the bar.

BR: You’re a fan of Young’s Double Chocolate Stout, right?

SS: I enjoy the Young’s Double Chocolate Stout because it doesn’t have a sweet finish, no syrupy weight to it. Lots of cocoa flavor, not overly creamy mouthfeel, nice dry finish. I’m actually experimenting with it for a chocolate cupcake recipe I’m working on. I cook with beer often, and I’m venturing in to baking with beer this year.

BR: Any other words of wisdom you’d like to add?

SS: Find the balance that works for you. You’ll know it when you find it.

Photo from http://kcsprints.blogspot.com

What is there to do in Nebraska during the winter?

Have an indoor bike race, drink beer and occasionally make use of a puke bucket, if you’re one bar in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Recently Duffy’s Tavern hosted KC Sprints - a Kansas City-based bike racing series - pitting two stationary bikers onstage head-to-head for 500 meters.

I’m not surprised. I’ve biked through Lincoln, and it boasts an impressive cycling scene.

And this being a bar setting meant that beer, a puke bucket and a cheering crowd were also part of the festivities.

“It kind of started out as a drunken bar idea, and it evolved to getting sponsors and taking it on the road,” Ryan Jones, KC Sprints co-founder, recently told the Lincoln Journal Star.

So how are the races for the participants? The paper gave this account from Rhino Albeez, who drank  a bottle of beer before his sprint.

“That was a lot of fun,” he said post-race. “It’s a great workout, but, uh, it sucks at the same time.”

If you haven’t already, do yourself a favor and sign up at DailyMile.

Takes 10 seconds. I’ll wait.

….

Done? Fantastic. Now get ready to chronicle your training, hear from supportive athletes of all ability levels, and meet many of them in real life for training — and beer.

“DailyMile is all about having fun and socializing with other athletes,” says John Hegstrom, a California runner who has attended five DailyMile meet-ups. “People are encouraging and friendly.”

He’s planning a DailyMile meet-up for tonight at the Goose Island Clybourn brewpub in Chicago — and you’re invited.

“I travel to Chicago for work fairly often, so I thought it would be fun to meet up with fellow DailyMilers,” Hegstrom says.

DailyMile visitors, according to Compete.com

I recently jumped on the DailyMile bandwagon bigtime, and I’m far from the only one. According to compete.com, DailyMile has more than doubled its visitors since last year. Runners, walkers and cyclists have used the site to track more than 4.2 million miles, find races and events, and meet and motivate other athletes locally and across the country.

Previously Hegstrom has met fellow DailyMilers for beer after the San Ramon half marathon, the Portland marathon and the California International Marathon in Sacramento. There’s also a DailyMile meet-up planned after the Kaiser-Permanente Half Marathon in San Francisco on February 7.

These runners go big even after their races.

“The beer boot seems to have caught on in the DailyMile community,” he says.

DailyMilers don’t always limit their beer consumption to after the race, either. Take, for example, the DailyMile 3×3 event at Kezar Stadium in San Francisco. This was a three-lap running race with a twist: eat a hotdog and drink a beer before each lap.

“There is no elitism or snobbery,” Hegstrom says of fellow DailyMilers. “That’s not to say that they aren’t strong athletes — many are.”

Mark Sirek, bike and Blatz

Beer Runer spotlight on Mark Sirek, 37, Service Manager at Wheel and Sprocket, Fox Point, WI; metalhead; dedicated winter cyclist

Beer of choice: Edmund Fitzgerald from Great Lakes, 1554 from New Belgium, and The Reverend from Avery “get a lot of face time”

The Beer Runner: What are your beer runner credentials?

Mark Sirek: I get into new beer like I get into new music - even if it sucks I can say I tasted or heard it. There is something about experiencing a complete package for the first time - how it came into your possession, the artwork, the first sip. Just like a new record. The right combination can make you feel like you know the craftsman. I also ride a bike close to every day of my waking life. Sometimes in my dreams, too. I’ve ridden pert near everyday now for eight years. I didn’t start commuting all 4 seasons until my late twenties, unfortunately. The best day has a curtain call with a good beer.

BR: How did you get you get started biking through winter?

MS: I was going back to school and working at a bike shop and the first 3 years revolved around 30-minute back-and-forth commutes. The fourth year put me to the test as I rode from MPLS to St. Paul everyday as a high school teacher. I had to leave at 5 am every morning, it took and hour each way, and I frequently rode in 10 below temps before wind chill. That’s not tooting my own horn - it was actually kind of dumb - but at least I have benchmarks of pain now and I feel prepared.

BR: What did you learn during that time?

MS: No matter how many times a motorist sees a cyclist in winter, they still react like they are seeing a moon-man invasion. If you get in the mindset that every person who sees you is going to be stunned to the point of immobility, then you can begin to assume that their actions may put you in danger. Whether it’s fair or not, plan for the oddest reactions to your presence possible and you should be okay.

BR: As a metal fan, what is your favorite music to bike to and favorite music to drink beer to?

MS: The BEST metal album to ride to is PENTAGRAM’S 1985 album RELENTLESS. I could ride 300 miles without food or stopping hope to say with that in the background. One of the most perfect metal albums ever, and don’t suggest differently unless you’re really serious. In the winter I can’t do without Polish, Hungarian, Baltic, Russian, or Ukranian black metal. The music deals with strength and perseverance through submittal to cold and dark power greater than the sum of your parts. Perfect! My metal head friends and I get together almost weekly to share our latest finds, and huddling around the hi-fi always includes beer. Any new metal goes well with beer. Well, almost any.

BR: Do you also have an opinion for best post winter-biking beer?

MS: Anything made by Milwaukee’s own Jacob Sutrick down at Stonefly Brewery on Center St. in Riverwest. Preferably SIMON BAGLEY Stout. Again, Edmund Fitzgerald is hard to beat. Arrogant Bastard, Dragon’s Milk, Old Engine Oil, and New Glarus Black Wheat are ridiculously good too.

Mark, John & Brad; winter '09 under the 6th Street Viaduct, Milwaukee

BR: What biking accomplishments are you most proud of?

MS: About 5 years ago, my dear friend Craiggles McShithead and I rode 200 miles from Minneapolis to Duluth, met our wives at FITGER’S BREWERY, had a grip of potato stouts and fresh Lake Superior fish, and rode home - another 200 miles - the next day. Duluth rules. I’m also proud of participating in the Triple D in Northeastern Iowa every January. Last year not one of the 38 entrants finished the 56 mile course due to 9 inches of snow and ice. I’d bet that most of the 38 entrants drank more than double our weight in beer at the finish line bar. 8+ hours of falling off your bike into snow in 15 degree weather earned us the right.

BR: What beer accomplishments are you most proud of?

MS: When I go to The Fifth Dimension aka DISCOUNT LIQUOR here in Milwaukee I can point to a lot of beers and give ‘em a wink remembering our special times. Making beer has been the pride and joy of millions for a mighty chunk of recorded time and I’m happy to be on the receiving end. It’s like being a family member of The Enlightened.

BR: Of all the places you’ve lived, what has the best place for biking and/or biking culture?

MS: I’ve lived in Eau Claire, WI, Olympia, WA, Bellingham, WA, Charlottesville, VA, Madison, WI, Minneapolis, MN, and now Mil-Rock-Me. Bellingham, Wa was pretty incredible. I lived there in the mid-nineties. There was a lot going on with the infectious growth of microbrew culture. Mountain biking was young and off like a megaton bomb. Those cultures called the shots in many lives. What could you do? Say no? NONSENSE! Madison has a great cycling culture, and the beer and food that goes with it is pretty grand too. But I have to say that Milwaukee’s enthusiasm in its cycling community to invent itself as its own glorious entity is so amazing to be a part of that it’s overshadowing past experiences. We are on the cusp of something huge here - something that won’t be seen as a copy. There is fire here - mark my words. And there’s some beer here too.

BR: What’s the best place for beer?

MS: Milwaukee.

BR: Any other words of wisdom?

MS: Use all five of your senses, keep things simple and manageable, and move around under your own power. And whenever possible, have a beer for no reason other than it’s one of mankind’s greatest inventions.