The North Face

Feb 21 | Michael Wardian :: USATF 50K National Championships, Huntington, NY

By The North Face

Michael Wardian is racing the USATF 50k National Championship this weekend in Huntington NY and we checked in with him for an update.

This is a nice low-key, hometown race put on by the terrific people of the Greater Long Island Running Club.  I have been a bit of a fixture at the race since 2008, when I won the event for the first time.

I feel like each year there are so many events that I would like to try and experiences that I would like to have but the good people of Long Island always ask for me to come back and give it another go and I can't let them down so each year, I mark the first weekend in March on my calendar and each time I get to enjoy their cheers as I race around the park battling wind, weather and the competition.
 
I have been fortunate and have since won the race four times: 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, I ended up 2nd in 2012 to a very solid athlete and I hope we get to race each other again in 2013.

During those years, I established the current course record of 2:55:05 and have been hoping to break that record since but each year I am just a little short.
 
I am also hoping if I can post a nice time and finish well, I might be considered for the USATF 50K World Team for Team USA of which I was a member in 2009, 2010.
 
All that said, 2012 was a tough year for me and my family, we have some issues with one of our children and also I suffered a number of injuries (stress fractures, hernias, plantar factious, bike crash) that left me sidelined from running.  It was a tough time but also a time when I made some changes and did a lot of cross training that I think will allow me to keep running for years.
 
I am still testing the running legs, lungs and heart as I have just be able to start training again in early 2013 and I am unsure just how the 2013 USATF 50K Championships will go but I am going to give it my all and see just how it shakes out.
 
I am so thankful for every run I do and I will be sure to let you know how it goes. 

Jun 20 | ROLE MODELS :: TNF Athlete MIKE WARDIAN tips for the Active parent

By Athlete Parents

Visit www.thenorthface.com/rolemodels to find a Role Models clinic near you!

1) Bring Snacks--even if you just feed your kids, they are going to get hungry being outside and having snacks (cereal, pretzels, cheese sticks, fruit, etc...) & drinks (water/milk, etc..) will make the run better for everyone

 

2) Bring extra clothes, the kids are going to be sitting for the most part and that means they are going to be cold (if spring, fall, winter) so having blankets and extra gloves, hats, will be a must.

 

3) I suggest bringing a cell phone (with camera), just in case anything happens you can always get in touch with someone and snap a neat picture of the kids and you somewhere cool.

 

4) I would suggest having some some toys (small stuff you don't mind losing-not you child's favorite action figure, etc...) so you can something to provide depending on the length of the run.

 

5) Try to remember diapers, wipes, just in case....

 

6) Sunscreen and a hat (warm and/or baseball-depending on season) to block sun

 

7) It is also nice to have some small books/magazines, so they can view and ask questions

 

8) It is also nice to have a plan/goal with the kids so you can "share" the experience, saying that we are going to run to the "this location", look for it.

 

9) Think of games to play with the kids, I like "I Spy", such a great game and interesting what they find.

 

10) Don't be afraid to make deals with the kids, such as I will run now and we can stop at the playground for you guys/girls to play at the end of the run or we can run the last 1 mile together back to the house.

Apr 09 | Michael Wardian :: UTMB Training with the Fam

By Athlete Parents

Hey Everyone,

The boys and I got out today to do a little "stick work", when I played lacrosse, that meant passing and catching, shooting and practicing with my "off hand" (for me that was my left, as I am a righty). Anyhow, now "stick work" means trying to decide if "walking sticks/poles" will work for me and if I want to carry them for a race I am doing later this year in August 2012, called "Ultra-Trail Du Mont Blanc or UTMB-website: http://www.ultratrailmb.com/). UTMB is a race that is considered by some to be the premium 100 milers around the world and I was lucky enough to gain entry so I want to be up for the challenge. Well, we stopped by my parents (Vivienne & Dick Wardian) and picked up some "walking sticks" and they had some that fit Pierce so we grabbed those too as Pierce and Grant wanted to train with me for it. After getting the walking sticks we went for hike around my parent's neighborhood and then when we got home, we went for a hike in the words and both Pierce and Grant enjoyed it and really were natural with the walking sticks, while I struggled more with them but could see how they maybe useful. I am excited to keep working with them and will keep you posted. Pierce, Grant and I also noticed the marks from a "Hash House Harriers" event in the woods and enjoyed tracking where the hash went and Grant closely inspected the marks on a tree and was telling me how he is would "find that rabbit". Pierce was advising me how when he races he will be quite skilled with the poles/sticks and "jump over rivers"...that should be cool to see. Grant just tucked his pole and started running (and was really fast), Pierce and I had to speed up to keep up. We got back and had to retire Pierce's shoes, to the recycle pile as he has outgrown them and worn them out with all our adventures. He has since gotten the new The North Face Betasso shoes for the spring and we are looking forward to wearing them out. Hope you and yours are doing well and look forward to talking to you all soon.

Cheers, The Wardians (Pierce, Grant, Jennifer & Mike)

Feb 27 | Mike Wardian :: Vacations aren't only for summer!

By Athlete Parents

Hey Everyone,

Jennifer and I took the guys to Rehoboth, Delaware to visit their grandparents and they had a blast.

We did a walk and the guys ran (see the photos, as everything is becoming very competitive for them) around some beautiful neighborhoods and ended up at the boardwalk.

It was such a nice day, we even got to build some sand castles in January.  Not something we would expect to do except if we were in Florida.

The boys are very excited for our trip to Florida for the ING Miami Marathon which is coming up soon.

The weekend was terrific, we got some quality runs in and spent most of the weekend outside exploring the beach and shops.

The guys, liked the Kite Store and of course Candy Kitchen and Nicola's pizza.  We didn't make it to Grotto's Pizza a local tradition but next time.

 

Hope you are well and look forward to sharing our next adventure.

 

Cheers,

The Wardians (Jennifer, Pierce, Grant, Mike)

 

Feb 16 | Mike Wardian :: finding adventures in my urban backyard

By Athlete Parents

Hey Everyone,

We took the guys on a big walk to the National Aquiriam, with some fun stops along the way. 

The first stop happened to be the track with both guys ran 1/4 a mile and Grant (3 years) decided to do another "full lap" and ended up doing about 1K (0.6 of a mile).  Pierce (5 years) saved his energy for later in the walk.

+++

The next stop, after a long walk, was to show the guys the famous Albert Einstein statue and they loved climbing on him as I did when I was a kid (and still do, we didn't get a picture of all of us up there as there were other people trying to play on him).

 

+++

 

On the way to the White House, the boys found some litter and picked it up.  You would think there would be a trash can around downtown Washington, DC but that would not be correct, we had the bottle for the better part of 45 mins, trying to find somewhere to recycle it.  It is cool to see the boys taking part in cleaning up our city.

 
+++

After finding a trash can we swung by the White House and got a picture of the guys saying hi to the President, First Lady and kids.

 

+++

Then we finally made it to the National Aquiriam to see the Albino Crocodile and some super cool Jelly Fish, didn't get a good picture of crocodile for some reason

+++

 

It was a great long day and the boys were exhausted by the end of it but very happy with themselves.

 

Hope your adventures are going well.

 

Cheers,

The Wardians (Jennifer, Pierce, Grant, Mike)

 

Dec 05 | The North Face Endurance Challenge Championships Recap

By The North Face

Mike Wolfe after finishing first in the Endurance Challenge. He endured 50 miles, even after hitting his head on a tree early in the race Photo:Tim Kemple

Race bibs for The North Face Endurance Challenge Gore-Tex 50 Mile Championships this weeked north of San Francisco read like a veritable “Who’s Who?” of the endurance running world. In its fifth year, the race boasts a $10,000 prize purse for first place, magnificent views of the Bay Area and serious bragging rights, which attracts an elite field of ultrarunners from all over the world. Check out iRunFar's full coverage of the event for more behind-the-scenes details.

The North Face global endurance runner Mike Wolfe of Helena, MT battled it out for 50 miles to come in first place with a time 6:18:57, edging out his steepest competition and earning a course record by a full 15 minutes. Dakota Jones of Durango, CO, who trailed Wolfe by mere minutes through the last 20 miles, came in a close second with a time of 6:21:43 and was followed by Adam Campbell of Vancouver, British Columbia with a time of 6:34:28.

Mike Wolfe is all smiles after his first place finish

“It was really close the entire race,” an exhausted, but elated Wolfe said at the finish line. “We were really well-matched, [Jones] was killing me on the downhills, but I was just a stronger climber. It really came down to climbing that last hill, and I was able to pull away.”

New Zealand’s Anna Frost was the first female finisher with a time of 6:56:00, followed by Ellie Greenwood of Banff, British Columbia with a time of 7:07:16, and Mary Beth Cadwell of San Anselmo, CA with a time of 7:28:29.

Anna Frost after taking first place in the women's race and earning her $10,000 prize

Other top athletes who participated in The North Face Endurance Challenge Championships, included: 2011 San Francisco Marathon winner and USATF 100K Champion Michael Wardian, two-time Western States winner Hal Koerner, winner of the Ultra-Trail du Mont Blanc in Chamonix, France Lizzy Hawker, and Western States Champion Geoff Roes.

An additional three races were held Sunday, including a Half Marathon, 5K and 10K. The weekend’s events end The North Face Endurance Challenge Series, which held events in Bear Mountain, NY, Washington, DC, Kansas City, MO, Madison, WI and Atlanta, GA earlier this year.  However, The North Face Endurance Challenge will return next year with at least one new race addition, beginning in May 2012. For information on The North Face Endurance Team and where they’ll be next, head to www.thenorthface.com or www2.thenorthface.com/endurance.

Oct 24 | 2011-The Wardian family trip to the Netherlands for 100k worlds #2

By Athlete Parents

Today was a busy one, starting in beautiful Harlingan, with a couple Ferry rides, a nice bike ride, even with some rain, on the island of Terschelling, a trip to the town of Leeuwarden and finishing up in Winschoten, sight of the race for the 100k World Championships.

The boys really in enjoyed this very Dutch bike pictured here on Terschelling.



Herewith a picture of the "Crane Hotel" that we almost booked in Harlingen.

Herewith a shot of the guys navigating to a toy store in Leeuwarden.

Herewith a shot of a neat children's museum we visited in Leeuwarden.

Excited for what tomorrow brings.

Look forward to getting into more adventures tomorrow.

 

Aug 11 | Michael Wardian- Can't Find Time to Camp? Look Out Your Backdoor!

By Athlete Parents

Hey Everyone,

So, we got our The North Face MiniBus 33 tent and last week before work (amazing what you can do when you wake up early with little ones), the guys and I put up the MiniBus 33 in the backyard.

We had been talking about camping for weeks, months really and so it was great to get it set up and for Pierce and Grant and me to a lesser extent to get to spend some time in it.

They helped with all aspects of the set up but thinking it might have been easier without their "help" but I loved every second of it and expect that after they do it a few more times they will be very good and fast at the construction of the tent in different locations.

Pierce and Grant have invited their friends over to check out the tent and play Star Wars in it, think it might even be a Death Star some of the time.

The guys are also using it as "base" and their "hideout" and have learned to keep the doors closed to avoid getting bugs inside.

 

We are really looking forward to getting a lot of use out of it and can't wait to get it out of the backyard and into the wild.

Hope all is well on your ends and look forward to hearing what adventures you are up to with your children.

Cheers,

The Wardians

 

 

 

Jun 03 | Michael Wardian: The Three B's-Bigfoot, Buddy the Bison and Bald Eagles

By Athlete Parents

The Explore Your Parks kick off event-May 21, 2011-was a busy, busy day but one that was full of fun and adventure of Jennifer, Pierce and Grant and I.

 

We woke up and were very excited to be going on a hike for “Explore your Parks” at Mason Neck State Park in Lorton, VA.

 

This event was put on by The North Face, National Park Trust, American Hiking Society, Leave No Trace and was really cool in that it is an effort to get kids and adults to become more active and doing so outside and at parks that are close to home and open to all.

 

Pierce and Grant were very excited as they had earlier in the week done a walk to the store to make “trail mix” and brought their homemade snacks with them to their big hike.

 

Grant was particularly interested in seeing a “Bald Eagle”, which believe it or not is actually very likely at Mason Neck State Park, which is on a large body of water which the “Bald Eagles” use for feeding on fish.

 

The hike we did was short (about 1 mile) but also very diverse and covered three (3) separate habitats (according to the Park Ranger, who instructed me so I could lead a hike for inner city school kids), the habitats were:

 

1)      Marsh

2)      Forest

3)      Bay

 

So, it was really neat, we got to see a turtle, some baby “big mouth bass”, a bunch of birds, we heard a woodpecker and saw an owl feather and some Osprey fishing.

 

When we got back, we were treated to music from a singing Park Ranger and got to dance with “Buddy Bison” and “Bigfoot”.

 

The day concluded with me getting to race the kids and “Buddy Bison” and “Bigfoot”.

 

We never saw a “Bald Eagle”, which was a shame for Grant but he is very excited to go back and see a “Bald Eagle” next time and has been looking for them around our house, which is probably not going to happen but he has seen some birds that he didn’t really notice before and isn’t that what it is all about getting kids interested and engaged.

 

The program was a major success and I think the school children from DC learned a lot and it was great to see how engaged they were with the park and woods and I hope they will explore the parks near them.

 

We had a terrific time and I am excited to go back to Mason Neck and the surrounding parks and do a run as the trails looks incredible and where really well kept and scenic.

Hope you all have been exploring your worlds and look forward to sharing our next adventure.

 

Best Regards,

The Wardians (Jennifer, Pierce, Grant, Michael)

 

May 18 | Michael Wardian on How to Make A Playground Out of your Surroundings!

By Athlete Parents

Howdy,

We were excited for a nice day, still off and on this time of year and decide to head to a part of town we hadn't been to in a while called Shirlington.

Shirlington, is a nice little shopping area with a stream, a huge dog park and a big main drag with lots of shops restaurants, a movie theater and now that they have built it up, a grocery store.

Anyhow, the point was to walk around and perhaps hit a playground after the National Marathon (I actually was lucky enough to win it) so we pretty excited to just hang out and watch the guys play.

Well, on the way to the play ground the kids found some benches and a little friend playing with bubbles, man what a great inexpensive toy and fun for hours, seriously think we played with their friend's bubbles for 45-60 mins.

You can see them playing under the trees, here, super nice blossoms and with the sun coming through it was just a lovely day.

So, while we didn't get to the playground due to the detour in Shirlington, we did get the guys out and playing, exploring and I think it was neat that the boys made the area where we were sitting into a playground and at one point, there were probably 5 kids all playing in this makeshift playground area (which was really just flower planters).

It just made me realize that sometimes while the goal was the playground the play may have actually been better in an unintended spot and isn't that what it is all about, using what you have and finding a way to make it work and having fun wherever you are.

Hope you and yours are well and hope to hear from you.

Cheers,

The Wardians (Grant, Pierce, Jennifer, Michael)