La Sportiva N.A

Being on the La Sportiva Mountain Running® team has given me the opportunity to meet and become friends with some of the top runners in North America, including the ultra legend, Karl Meltzer. Although I have a very different lifestyle then Karl, I love that mountain running brings me one step closer to his mentality and way of life. We are very different- but are faced by similar challenges and are consistently looking for balance.

(LN) Why did you start running ultra's and which was the first?

(KM) My first Ultra was the Moonshadow Rose 35 miler north of where I live, it was a tune-up for the Wasatch 100 that same year.

(LN) How many ultra's have you run?

(KM) 103

(LN) To compete at the top level I am sure you have to train a lot, what motivates you to get out the door and train everyday?

(KM) Getting out the door to run every day is easy, because that's what I love to do the most. Whether I run hard or easy, I always end up in a beautiful place, somewhere along my run. I don't run on the roads, so it's never a chore. When I run every day, I don't consider it "training", it's simply something I love to do. Running at the top level just comes naturally, and if you get racing figured out, it's even easier.

(LN) What was the roughest moment that you experienced during an ultra, what was the best moment?

(KM) The roughest moment was certainly at the Squaw Peak 50 mile in 2000. I had a bulging disc in my back and couldn't move. That one hurt, and mentally I wasn't sure if I'd ever run again... but then I won the Wasatch 100 3 months later with no training.

The best moment was when I became a pro athlete and barely made enough for rice and beans, (it's a little different nowadays) but still... Not having to go to work for someone else is priceless, and something I'll be grateful for, for all my life. Noone likes to go to work, no matter what you do, unless it would be running of course.

(LN) If you were a super hero which one would you be, why?

(KM) "The Levitator" because I could levitate through the woods, never touching the ground at top speed. I made him up, but he's a winner. I try and levitate anyway, so he'd be a good match.

(LN) On the note of super heroes I found that while I have been training running at night, that I am scared of running on the trail alone in the dark, any suggestions for getting over that fear?

(KM) Put music on. As simple as that sounds, it's easy to get into the music and let the time pass by. By not hearing the wind or squirrels, or whatever is out there, it takes your mind off it. Also, don't run in the ghetto.

(LN) What is a typical weekly mileage for you?

(KM) 60-75 miles when not between 100s, usually between 100s, it varies as I'm just trying to recover more than anything.

(LN) You have had a great season this year, you ran a lot of ultras pretty close together, any secret recovery tips?

(KM) Use Ultragen Recovery drink for starters, but also listen to your body. Sometimes we feel so good after 100s, we go overboard right away, only to take a few steps backwards after 2-3 weeks. I try and get back on my regular routine slowly over the course of the first two weeks and never overdue miles. I only go as far as my body will allow. Once I feel sore or tired, I stop and wait till tomorrow.

(LN) If we were to look in your refrigerator right now what would we find?

(KM) A 30-pack of Natural Light Beer, (not the best beer, but the cheapest) yogurt, cream for coffee, and two drawers full of veggies. Freezer for the pizza, meats, pierogies, and of course ice cream.

(LN) Speaking of nutrition, I saw you at mile 44 of the Bear 100 this year and you had some good advice (broth is good for the tummy), any other tasty bits of nutrition advice you would like to share?

(KM) The broth is not secret, that stuff is a godsend sometimes. It seems to coat the stomach like bodyglide, at least for a while. Stay away from hard food at ultras, gels and drinks are formulated for what we do. Many of us have proven what works. Most of the fastest frontrunners use gel, and almost nothing else except electrolytes. You just have to tell yourself... gel is good.

(LN) When you are running an ultra do you ever stop to smell the daisies or is it all business?

(KM) All business, unless the lead is huge and I know it. I've lollygagged plenty in my day, but never when the race was on, only when I know I'm way ahead. It's different if you are running to win.

(LN) If Hollywood made a movie about your life, who would play the lead role, and would it be an action, comedy, drama, horror movie, or a chick flick?

(KM) A comedy for sure- I think Bill Murray, cuz' he is funny as shit, and I bet I could tell him my story and he'd nail it. That's a tough question though, so I may think of someone else in the meantime once I talk to Cheryl. She'll probably have a good answer to that. Cheech and Chong would also make one hell of a pair of ultrarunners…

(LN) What is the funniest thing you have done/seen during an ultra?

(KM) Another tough one: Just last week at Pinhoti, a guy was running to the bathroom right before the start at a campground. He stumbled over a cement pylon and crashed to the ground hard. He was fine and laughed about it, but it was hilarious. He got shut out of bathroom, and ended up last in line.

(LN) What did you want to be when you were 12 years old?

(KM) Pro golfer, but never really pursued it like I could have, I might have had a chance. I was always an individual sports person. Running didn't hit me till I was about 14.

(LN) When you put toilet paper on the roll do you pull it from the top or from the bottom?

(KM) I take it out of the drawer. What you say? If it's in the drawer it can't get sprayed on from... well, you get the picture. I'm weird about bathrooms and being clean.

(LN) The off season is pretty short for you, but what do you do to cross train when the Wastach is buried in snow?

(KM) There is no off-season, and I train on the snow. Lots of snowy singletrack here, not up high, but still very hilly.

(LN) Finally, what is one thing that most people don't know about Karl Meltzer?

(KM) I was once a ski bum.