Ray in Arrowhead 135

Ray is picking up right were he left off.  Just off the finish in the Brazil 135 he now finds himself in one of the coldest parts of the US.   For those not familiar with the event, it is held in Northern Minnesota near the Canadian border in a city called International Falls.  The current temperature is -40 degrees Fahrenheit! Last year Ray completed this race but he has some unfinished business as a learned alot and wants to get under 48 hours.

The race starts Monday.

You can follow him here

From L to R; Ray Sanchez, Monica Ortero, Marcio Villar.

Ray in at the Brazil 135

‎Ray Sanchez finished 10th overall in 39:37! The heat took its toll but Ray is a beast.  His strength to press on always amazes us! We will post more details when we get them from the team.

To Michelle Purcell, Ashley Loucks and Gustavo Netto you all made a great team! Great race..now it's time to help celebrate Michelle's birthday for the 2nd year in Brazil!  :)

Upcoming Events

Brazil 135 // January 21, 2011

www.brazil135.com.br/

Arrowhead Ultra // January 31, 2011

www.arrowheadultra.com

AdventureCORPS Badwater Ultramarathon - 2010

recently i finished the AdventureCORPS Badwater Ultramarathon in death valley, ca. it was truly an amazing event. i brought my gloves to the desert and fought a mean fight. i battled through temps on the pavement of 164 degrees fahrenheit - unthinkable. no matter what kind of heat you've seen on tv, experienced, or heard about - you have NO idea what 164 degrees feels like until you are in it yourself.
run for a reason. be change.
here are a few photos of the event from nick at http://www.wilsonfotografie.com/blog
check out my facebook for additional photos, videos, and stuff...







i would like to thank my crew for the amazing work they did to keep me running, also thanks to the media team for their hard work in covering this.
ray

Headlands Hundred 8/8/2009

Ray is out doing another hundred mile race. You can follow him here. There is a live webcast with 25mile split times.

http://www.pctrailruns.com/Headlands_Hundred.htm

Coyote Two Moons 100M

On March 13th Ray went down to run in the Coyote Two Moons 100M.

Results

100M 23:55:00

The events started early in the week with events all which can earn you bonus minutes with participation. This is one of the only races where the start is at night. They staggered the start so all the runners could finish relatively close to each other. Ray started in the early morning at 3am friday night in a group of 8. He started slow, trying to run conservative. This was good as his muscles felt good and strong. It was on the first big climb where he was surprised to see some snow. It was a good thing as he stopped to take some of that snow and ice down his legs. Throughout the race he went back and forth with some other runners before he went ahead. Ray ended up finishing in first but after all the bonus minutes were given out he found himself in 2nd overall. He really enjoyed this challenging race as the atmosphere was fun and very organized. Even though he thought it was harder than Angels Crest he will be back next year.

After the race and the flight home he wasn't feeling that great so he end to the hospital to get checked out where they ended up admitting him for 3 days. He had suffered from dehydration. The symptoms didn't start to present themselves until after the race. Knowing Ray though he will be back sooner than anyone else would be.

This was his second 100 mile or more race this year and its only March. He has one more in his sights before he heads out to Badwater and that race is the San Diego 100M in June.

Going back to Badwater in 2009!

Now that the official roster has been posted everyone can see Ray is headed back to Badwater this summer(2009). He feels he can do much better than his 37 hour finish you put in last year(2008). Last year Ray fought though some dehydration to make it. The doctors were all surprise and happy he was able to but when he had lost 13lbs in the first 40miles it wasn't looking good. A little food, water and rest allowed the body to keep going.

Ray is pulling together the logistics and the crew now. With more experience and training his goal is to finish under 30 hours. If all goes as planned it is surely attainable since he was forced to rest for about 8 hours last year.

This year Ray will be raising money for charity. He will raise money for the official charity of the Badwater Ultramarathon, the Challenged Athlete Foundation. The money raised for CAF will help them help others with physical disabilities realize a goal of an active lifestyle through physical fitness and athletics. CAF's mission is clear: give those with the desire to live active, competitive lifestyles every opportunity to compete in the sport they love.

Your help is appreciated and will help others realize their goals. The link is on the right column or here.

Help me get challenged athletes to the starting line!

Help me reach my goal of $5000. Click here or the logo on the right.

I’m taking on the challenge of a lifetime and I’m asking for your help. You see, by donating to my fundraising effort and helping me reach my goal, you will help people with physical challenges realize their dreams. Your donation will go to the Challenged Athletes Foundation, an incredible 501(c)3 non-profit organization that provides funding and inspiration to hundreds of physically challenged athletes each year so they can participate, compete and live life to the fullest. When I arrive at the 2009 Badwater 135m Ultramarathon , I’ll bring running shoes. But the money I’m raising – and the funds you are donating – will support athletes who can’t always get to the starting line: swimmers missing limbs, paraplegics who use handcycles to bike and runners who race using artificial limbs. Just like me, these challenged athletes want to participate in athletics and feel the rush of competition, but they face a major obstacle. They don’t lack fitness, desire or skill. It is only a lack of funding that stands in the way of their dreams. High-tech running prosthetics are very expensive. Learning to swim when you lack a limb (or limbs) requires special coaching. And handcycles can cost upwards of $2,500. But with our help, challenged athletes can bridge the financial gap and overcome funding obstacles blocking their path to athletic achievement. That is why I am challenging myself to make a difference in their lives. Please partner with me by making a donation through my web site link below. Join me in making dreams come true for challenged athletes. Give the gift of sports and help get challenged athletes off the sidelines – and into the game.

Thank you for your support,

Ray Sanchez

Napa Valley Marathon

Despite rainy, but otherwise temperate conditions, a remarkable 1,822 runners out of 1,895 starters finished the 26.2-mile race that runs the length of the beautiful Napa Valley. Ray was coming off a personal best less than 24hrs ago. He ran through the weather and came in at 3:40:44

Results

Chip time:3:40:44

Pace: 8:25

Pony Express 50M/50K on 2/28/09

I was able to run with Ray during this race which in Cameron Park on a 1.25 mile loop. It was a beautiful day in between all the rain we have been having. Ray set a new PR for the 50M coming in around 6:58:00 breaking the 7hr mark and finishing in 3rd. He must have been in a hurry since he had to drive out to Napa to make it to the Napa Valley marathon race expo in time. Yup this is one of those back-to-back weekends for Ray.

These official results haven't been posted yet.

Buzz Marathon in San Miguel 2/21/09

Ray went down to San Miguel and ran the Buzz marathon. This one was special since it was the one of the first runs he ran when he first started not to long ago. The results haven't been posted yet but Ray finished around 3:07:00 in first place.

New Website

www.ultraraysanchez.com

Special thanks to the hard work and talent of Carl Costas who not only went to Brazil with us to take the photographs but also very artistically pulled them together in the design of the website.

The website links back to here.

Photos on the Run

This photo was by Luciano Moraes.  It was taken of us as we were coming into one of the areas that we could give Ray some help. From Left to Right (Carl Costas taking pictures, Ray Sanchez, and myself (Brian Recore).  We don't know that guy in the red shirt.

Thank you Luciano

Montana De Oro 50K - 2/15/09

The race website says RAIN or SHINE.  Although it was raining all weekend in Sacramento it was a sunny, cool day.  The start it was only in the mid-40's.  It certainly was windy though. Ray said at times it nearly blew him off the course.  Its not surprising either since there were reported 50mph wind gusts in the area.

Race Results

Total Time - 5:21:56 (10:41m pace)

Place - 6th overall out of 36 runners/1st in age group out of 7.

Full Race results

Elevation Profile

Jed Smith 50 Mile race

Ray and I both ran the Jed Smith 50 mile race this past weekend. It turned out to be a great run. This photo is of Ray and a fellow runner (I will get his name) just before the start

This was Ray's first run just two weeks after coming back from Brazil. He was able to cruise in for a nice finish around 6th place with a time of 7:07:00. With it is still early in the year, Ray is trying to really work on the nutrition part of the race. It has sometimes been more of a challenge than the runs themselves. When Ray was finished he thankfully stuck around and helped me through the last 12 miles or so I had still to finish. I told him he didn't have to stick around but he stayed to support me. He said "If I leave now you will run slower and if I stay you will make sure to run harder and faster." He was right, knowing he was there waiting pushed me to finish stronger.

Ray has another race planned for next week. If the schedule works out he may even have two.

More on Brasil 135 Ultramarathon

Here are just a few pictures that I took personally.  We have alot of others to go through and hope to have something nicely done soon.

Breakfast the day before the race and the SESC hotel in Pocos da Caldas-MG

Some where around the 80k point.

Pushing through one of many hills around 160k

in the home stretch with just about a half marathon to go

Beautiful countryside...best way to see Brasil

course profile

Results

Highlights

1. 1st international runner 
2. 5th place overall with time of 34 hours 25 minutes
3. Didn't get lost and improved time over last year by nearly 24hrs
4. It was an amazing adventure and the people where absolutely wonderful.  At times Ray said he was spoiled.
5. We still had challenges as a crew logistically and with Ray's nutrition.
6. The logistical challenges (like the car getting stuck in the mud and having to chose another route) caused us (the crew) to be separated for about an hour longer than desired.
7. Great teammate and translator, with Mario.  He really helped out.
8. The weather cleared up for 90% of the race but the trails were impassable by our vehicle in some locations.
9. We know specific areas of improvements so Ray is confident he can improve his time by at least 5 hours next year.

More to come...

Brazil 135 Ultramarathon update

Ray came in yesterday, finishing one of the toughest races.  He was the first international runner and also the 5th place overall.  He did so in a time of 34:35:00.  Ray said this was an adventure and a great comeback from last years race.  He plans to come back next year with his sights on 1st place. 

This is indeed one of the toughest races and a wonderful way to see the Brazilian countryside with several small towns in between.  As a crew we helped Ray the best we could while over coming many obstacles.  These obstacles would have been difficult to overcome with out the help of our crew member and translator, Mario Brito. 

We are still in Brazil and will be getting something posted as soon as we can.  

Thank you

In route to Brazil

Ray is off to Brazil.  He will have some time to get acclimated to the weather before the race.  Carl and I will be headed out early next week to knock this one out.  The race website www.brazil135.com.br should have frequent updates of the race throughout its entirety.  Pictures and a race report will follow our return.

2008 RACES - COMPLETED

In doing some cleanup I figured I would consolidate 2008's races into a single blog posting.

• California International Marathon 12/7/2008
• Stinson Beach Trail 50K 11/15/2008
• Clarksburg 20M 11/9/2008
• Helen Klein 50M 11/1/2008
• San Francisco One Day 24hr 10/24-25/2008
• Carmel Valley Trail 50K 10/18/2008
• Lake of the Sky 27M 10/11/2008
• Sacramento Cowtown Marathon 10/5/2008
• Big Sur Trail Marathon 10/4/2008
• Rio Del Lago 100M 9/27/2008
• Skyline to the Sea 50K 9/20/2008
• Angeles Crest 100M 9/13/2008
• Stevens Creek 50K 9/7/2008
• Redwood Park Trail 50K 9/6/2008
• Run on the Sly 50K 8/31/2008
• Salt Point Trail 50K 8/24/2008
• Headlands 50K 8/23/2008
• Headlands Hundred 100M 8/9/2008
• San Francisco Marathon 8/3/2008
• Badwater 135M 7/14/2008
• Angle Island Trail 50K 7/5/2008
• Pacifica Trail 50K 6/21/2008
• Auburn 50K (32M) 6/8/2008
• Rock n Roll Marathon 6/1/2008
• Pony Express 50M 5/17/2008
• Wild Wild West 50K 5/3/2008
• La Jolla Half Marathon 4/27/2008
• Big Basin Redwoods Trail 50K 4/27/2008
• Sunsweet Tehama Wildflowers 50K 4/19/2008
• Diablo 50M 4/12/2008
• Malibu Creek Trail 50K 4/6/2008
• American River 50M 4/5/2008
• Napa Valley Trail Marathon 3/29/2008
• Rucky Chucky Roundabout 50K 3/22/2008
• Marin Trails 20K 3/8/2008
• Napa Valley Marathon 3/2/2008
• Skyline Ridge Trail 50K 3/1/2008
• Sequoia Trail 50K 2/16/2008
• Brazil135 1/23-25/2008
• Angel Island Trail 25K 1/13/2008

Brazil 135 Ultramarathon

Ray is getting the logistics together for his redemption at the Brazil 135 ultramarathon. Last year was a learning experience and now this year he is returning with a crew (last years attempt was solo) in the hopes to finish in the top 5 if not take the top overall spot. His mileage and training are at the peak so he is looking forward to some redemption. If you are able to provide assistance in this race please contact myself or Ray via this blog.

Here is a brief summary of the race.

January 23rd begins the BR 135 - 2009 Edition. With 135 Miles (217 KM) to be crossed in up to 6 0 hours, BR 135 Ultra is considered Brazil's most difficult foot race. In the heart of the Serra da Mantiqueira mountains, in the State of Minas Gerais, in the most difficult part of the "Caminho da Fe" (Path of Faith), Brazil 135 Ultra is in its second edition. The "Caminho da Fe" (Path of Faith) is the origin of this race.

BR 135 is part of the 135 Mile World Cup Series -aka- BAD135.

These extreme World Cup Ultra Marathons are already considered some of the most difficult series on the planet. The races that belong to this World Cup are:

Badwater Ultramarathon - race in the desert
Arrowhead Ultra - race in the snow
BR 135 Ultra - race in the mountains

BR 135 Ultra is extremely difficult because it takes place in the Serra da Mantiqueira mountains, with only 20 km of the 217 km being run without any inclination (so only about 12 of the 135 miles are flat...the rest is all uphill and downhill). Throughout the race the athletes run up and down the total distance of Mount Everest, with more than 10.000m (about 33.000ft) of elevation gain and approximately 9.000m (about 29.000ft) of elevation loss.