Tag: Wonderland circumnavigation

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Runner Profile: Mario Scalcucci

“Who goes on Aspire trips?”
It’s a question we hear often. The truth is, the runners who show up for our trips come from diverse backgrounds and bring a wide range of running and mountain experience with them to the trails.
We all relate to mountain spaces in unique and personal ways. We are excited to add some depth to our response to the “Who?” question with a series of Aspire trail runner profiles. We enjoyed hitting the dirt and building friendships with these runners on our trips, and we think you’ll enjoy hearing their stories!

Name: Mario Scalcucci Age: 33 Hometown: Westfield, Indiana

Which Aspire Trip(s) have you participated in?

Wonderland Trail 2020

What is your favorite trail snack?

Peach rings

Describe your experience, background, and enthusiasm for running and/or wilderness and backcountry experiences?

I’m very new to the sport of trail running, love being outside, and away from heavy traffic. Being supported makes these remote trips doable.

What questions, concerns, or unknowns did you have going into your trip? How were they resolved?

Ha! Our unknown was Covid-19. Resolved our worries with professional guidelines and procedures. Campsites were also up in the air and again, Aspire rolled with the changing reservations and made it work. All we had to do was run/hike to the next campsite.

How did you prepare for your trip? Given your experience would you prepare differently, if so how?

I prepared for this trip like any other long distance run. With the amount of elevation gain and distances each day, it was important to be ready. But the support we had put us at ease if a long day turned a bit longer.

What story or description would you give to represent the group dynamic on your trip?

As a person with a quiet personality, it was out of my comfort zone to camp with a group of people who I’ve never met before. But with everyone sharing the same enthusiasm for the outdoors and adventures we all fit in quite well.

What was the most difficult moment from your trip?

Leaving at the end after celebratory drinks and an amazing dinner.

What advice or thoughts would you offer to someone considering signing up for an Aspire trip?

This is a must try for all adventurous people. The amount of support received was above any expense we put in.

Facebook: Mario Scalcucci

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Blog courses Culture Highlights NCT Preparation Runner Profile Runner Profile Runner Profiles Stage Trip Styles update WL

Runner Profile: Gerald O’Keeffe

“Who goes on Aspire trips?”
It’s a question we hear often. The truth is, the runners who show up for our trips come from diverse backgrounds and bring a wide range of running and mountain experience with them to the trails.
We all relate to mountain spaces in unique and personal ways. We are excited to add some depth to our response to the “Who?” question with a series of Aspire trail runner profiles. We enjoyed hitting the dirt and building friendships with these runners on our trips, and we think you’ll enjoy hearing their stories!

Name: Gerald O’Keeffe Age: 53 Hometown: Arlington Heights, Illinois

Which Aspire Trip(s) have you participated in?

Wonderland Trail 2020, North Cascades Traverse ’22

Describe your experience, background, and enthusiasm for running and/or wilderness and backcountry experiences?

After running a number road marathons, I started getting more into back-country experiences like backpacking and wilderness camping. I did a trail run and immediately realized that trail running combined my love of running and my desire to spend more time in wild and natural places. I was hooked.

What questions, concerns, or unknowns did you have going into your trip? How were they resolved?

Mainly, I was concerned about the vertical gain. I live in Illinois and it is quite challenging if not impossible to run in nearby areas and get significant vertical gain. Every week, I traveled to Wisconsin to run in the hilly terrain of the Kettle Moraine State Forest and also supplemented with incline runs on the treadmill but the treadmill runs ended once the pandemic hit and I couldn’t go to my health club. Fortunately, I did do a lot of training in the heat and humidity that is typical for the Chicago area in summer. Then, my partner Christine and I did a 55 mile backpacking trip on the Northern Loop in MRNP the week prior to the run. This was extremely helpful in terms of familiarizing me with the terrain and getting my legs ready.

How did you prepare for your trip? Given your experience would you prepare differently, if so how?

I used a six month 100k training program from Training Peaks and also ran a 54 mile ultra in the Colorado mountains three week prior to the WT run. The ultra was at average elevation of 10,500 feet and had about 8,500 feet of vertical gain, so once I finished that, I was more confident that I was in good enough condition for the 93 mile Wonderland Trail. If I were to do this again, I would find a way to spend more time running in the mountains, maybe do a few 50k races in the months leading up to the Aspire stage run. I would also be more disciplined about doing core and strength work as part of my weekly running program. I did some core work but could have done more. Last, I would do more back to back long runs. I typically did my long run on Saturday and would then do a 5-10 mile recovery run on Sunday. I never managed to do something like a 25 mile run on Saturday followed by a 20 mile run on Sunday. Given this, I did wonder whether I would be able to handle multiple days of ultra distances on the Wonderland Trail.

What story or description would you give to represent the group dynamic on your trip?

The six of us were all pretty evenly matched in terms of our running ability. We didn’t all run together but we weren’t hours and hours apart, either. This was nice because it was possible to visit with different people at various points throughout the day of running.

What was the most difficult moment and/or a surprising episode from your trip?

On day 2 we ran from Mowich Lake to White River via the Spray Park route. It started raining a few hours into the day and even though I was wearing a long-sleeve Smartwool shirt, I was worried about getting a chill. I put on my windbreaker so I had another layer but everything was soaked with the rain. Fortunately, my legs were feeling surprisingly strong and I was able to keep cranking at a good pace and this helped me stay warm. Getting to the heated Aspire tent at White River was quite wonderful!

What advice or thoughts would you offer to someone considering signing up for an Aspire trip?

Spend time talking with your fellow runners and Aspire guides and getting acquainted with them. They are interesting people! Go with the flow, stop and at any waterfall or glacial stream you find interesting and take in the moment by splashing your face or soaking and resting your feet. Water is a very prominent and awesome part of the Wonderland Trail. Most important, enjoy the journey.

Facebook: Gerald O’keefe

Instagram: okeeffegerald

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Runner Profile: Lauren Rock

“Who goes on Aspire trips?”
It’s a question we hear often. The truth is, the runners who show up for our trips come from diverse backgrounds and bring a wide range of running and mountain experience with them to the trails.
We all relate to mountain spaces in unique and personal ways. We are excited to add some depth to our response to the “Who?” question with a series of Aspire trail runner profiles. We enjoyed hitting the dirt and building friendships with these runners on our trips, and we think you’ll enjoy hearing their stories!

Name: Laurn Rock Age: 35 Hometown: Seattle, Washington

Which Aspire Trip(s) have you participated in?

Wonderland Traverse 2020

What is your occupation?

Architect

What is your favorite trail snack?

Inka corn and Swedish fish

What questions, concerns, or unknowns did you have going into your trip? How were they resolved?

I had done perhaps a bit too much research on the Wonderland Trail and totally psyched myself out about the many river crossings. I had read that the log bridges are often and unpredictably washed out, forcing runners to ford rivers and deal with varying water levels and currents. Not having much confidence in my balance, I talked through my anxieties with Abram in advance of the trip and felt better knowing that my fears were out on the table.

As it turned out, all of the river crossings during my trip featured beautifully in tact log bridges, thanks to the wonderful National Park Rangers. To kick things off on the right foot, the very first river crossing we got to, I believe it was Kautz Creek, had just been outfitted with a brand new log bridge. Meaning, there was fresh sawdust and rangers still finishing up the repairs, when we crossed. The second big win, was easily crossing the South Mowich River using a network of log bridges at the end of Day 1. After that, my anxiety was lifted and I could just enjoy the trail!

How did you prepare for your trip? Given your experience would you prepare differently, if so how?

I love training, following a plan, and having an excuse to spend long days out in the mountains. Especially during COVID, with everything else being cancelled, I loved having this trip on my calendar as something to work towards, and a training plan as the one constant in my summer. I roughly followed the 8-week training plan that Aspire sent out in terms of mileage, and tried to get in as much vert as possible while living in the city and only being able to get out to the mountains on weekends. I peaked with a few 50+ mile weeks. I enjoyed many trail training adventures with my friends Sarah and Cathleen who also joined me on this trip.

In terms of gear, I don’t typically run with poles, but they seemed like a good idea, so I brought them along attached to my pack each day. I ended up only using them for about 30 minutes total, on the last day as we were going across the snow near Panhandle Gap in extremely foggy conditions. Probably not necessary, but they were a nice security blanket.

What story or description would you give to represent the group dynamic on your trip?

Fun and supportive! Everyone on our trip had varying strengths and weaknesses, so while we didn’t all stick together each day, it was fun to pass or get passed by each other, often multiple times during each day, and exchange some words of encouragement and camaraderie along the way!

What info/advice/thoughts would you offer to someone considering signing up for an Aspire trip?

Aspire is a terrific organization with the best people. You are guaranteed to have a blast, meet incredible people, and enjoy some delicious food! The Wonderland Trail is really something special. I can see Mt. Rainier from my house and I am so inspired looking at it and reminding myself that I actually ran around it in 3 days. It makes me excited for more big adventures!