Can I still call this a 'blog' in 2026?
As trail runners, we’re privileged to cover lots of ground in beautiful settings. I like to maximize my trail running time by doing it in the most epic locations possible, especially while traveling. But how do we reliably find the best places to run in a new area? Apps like AllTrails are not always the [ ] The post A Trail Runner s Guide to Santa Cruz appeared first on JohnVantine.com .
Last week, a free bib the Oakland Marathon fell into my lap. As a trail runner who is accustomed to soft dirt and elevation, training for 26.2 miles of hard asphalt was not in my running plans. But Oakland is home or at least it used to be And I m realizing that nostalgia can [ ] The post Oakland on My Mind: An Impromptu 26.2 appeared first on JohnVantine.com .
I m navigating some major shifts in my life, and I ve turned to journaling as a way to help process all of the feelings that are coming up. I ve journaled intermittently as an adult (especially while navigating the end of my marriage) but it never stuck for me long-term. Let s go back a few decades. I [ ] The post On Writing appeared first on JohnVantine.com .
Steep Ravine is one of my favorite places on earth. I try to sneak away for quick overnight camp/cabin adventures whenever life allows. I often find myself helping friends secure reservations and prepare for their first visit, so I decided to create a list of things to bring for the perfect Steep Ravine getaway. I ll [ ] The post Steep Ravine Cabins Campground: The Ultimate Guide appeared first on…
My legs were screaming, and my watch was barking at me for being off course . I was leading a small pack of friends down a rocky, slippery trail in total darkness, praying my illegally parked car would still be waiting for us somewhere ahead. I d already reached my goal of 42 birthday miles, but we [ ] The post 42 Miles, 42 Years: A Skyline-to-the-Sea Birthday Adventure appeared first on…
Skyline Boulevard (or California State Route 35) runs from highway 17 in the Santa Cruz Mountains to Daly City, just south of San Francisco. I ve always felt inspired while driving along Skyline: the views are breathtaking, and you pass countless trailheads along the way it feels like a trail runner s paradise. I ve had some epic [ ] The post The Skyline Project: Santa Cruz Mountain Trail Running…
This week marks 5 years without booze. That s not a sentence I ever imagined I d type. I stopped drinking in my late 30s. When I hit the 2 year mark, I reflected and wrote about my experience. Back then, sobriety still felt novel, like I unlocked a cheat code for life. Now, 5 years in, [ ] The post 5 Years Without Booze: What Really Changed in My Life appeared first on JohnVantine.com .
I didn’t realize how closely my identity was tied to my running… until I couldn’t run. A few days ago, I stubbed my toe badly enough to require an Urgent Care visit. They glued it up and told me to stay off it for at least two weeks. No running. No trails. No ritual. Uh [ ] The post What comes up when you slow down? appeared first on JohnVantine.com .
Last week, I ran my age in miles for my 41st birthday. This tradition (oh god, is it a tradition?) started last year, in Joshua Tree on my 40th. My birthday fell on a Wednesday this year, so I decided to keep it local and simple I didn t want to make a big production [ ] The post Running into 41: Birthday Miles in the Santa Cruz Mountains appeared first on JohnVantine.com .
Ever wonder what running for 24 hours feels like? Until recently, I hadn t. Last year, my friend Zach paced me for my 40 mile birthday run in Joshua Tree. While we were running together, he told me about Pemberton, a 24 hour 5k trail event. It sounded awful, your classic type 2 fun situation. I [ ] The post 24 Hours of 5ks at the Pemberton 24 appeared first on JohnVantine.com .