Geoff Roes: happy in his world...
The great thing about almost all ultra-trail runners is that they are humble and pretty unassuming. Take Geoff Roes. He has a perfect record in 100 mile races, running and the environment are his life, as he puts it he is now “pretty much a pro runner”
…and as you watch this stunning film by Joel Wolpert with Running Times, you get to realise that this is a man who has a lot to be proud of in his competitive running career, but all of that is secondary to his desire just to run – racing almost gets in the way of his daily routine.
Although titled “Slogging to the Top” this isn’t really the case for Geoff, whose light action and forefoot strike are what appears to be the anti-thesis to slogging on hills and trails.
I have been reading a bit about him recently, and also his chapter in Bryon Powell’s new book Relentless Forward Progress states that he does no speedwork, most of his running is done at a slower pace – and he rarely goes beyond 100 miles a week in training.
Most of all Geoff seems a calm character and adaptable, something he would need to be whilst hopping around the States as the seasons change, saying that home is a “state of mind, rather than an actual place” . The re-adapting and thriving according to your surroundings is something which perfectly replicates the ups and downs of an ultra race and obviously suits Roes.
Geoff returns to the Western States this weekend to defend his title, and few would bet against him being there or thereabouts…
