Author: Phil Kochik

  • One Year Later

    It’s basically been a year since my running hit the reset button. That’s the optimistic way to view having kidney failure, aka renal failure or AKI. A fresh start; a new beginning where running a mile felt like a challenge. But actually I can’t even remember a time previously when running a mile was a…

  • Prediction 7 2022

    There is a lot of hype for shoes these days. Some products deserve the love, some do not. Here are the shoes we believe will be our most sold Trail Running shoes of 2022. Topo MTN Racer 2 – These failed to make our Top7trail for 2021 only because they weren’t available for very long…

  • Thankful 7

    It’s that time of year to give Thanks! I would love to give a big Thank You to everyone who has come into the shop post Western States to check up on me, especially the ones I was personally lucky enough to talk to myself. Talking through all that happened that day—and after—has really helped…

  • Two week countdown

    Two weeks from right about now, Walmsley and Hazen will probably be finished resting near the track in Auburn CA after completing the Western States Endurance Run 100 Miler. Hopefully I’ll still be plodding along, inching closer to that same track. I’m super excited that the time has finally come. I’ll be back at States…

  • Leading into States

    I received an official Western States 100 update email last week! All good news!! Training thus far hasn’t been ideal, but not horrible either. Before I get too worried about anything now, maybe I should recall how things went the other 3 times I had leading into States. 2005 This was my first 100mile run….