Ultra runner and Julbo athlete Ian Sharman prepares for upcoming Grand Slam of Ultras

Ian Sharman: ultrarunner and Julbo USA athlete

Since 2005, Ian Sharman has run over 170 ultras and marathons in over 30 countries. Needless to say, the 32-year-old Northampton, U.K. native loves running, whether it’s multi-day races, road marathons or trail ultras. This summer he’s going for the Grand Slam of Ultrarunning, started in 1986 to combine four of the oldest 100-milers in the country: the Western States, Vermont, Leadville and Wasatch Front ultras.

Also an ultra running coach, Sharman helps clients get further along the steep learning curve of the longer races. He does have hobbies outside of running, believe it or not: “I love traveling, so that fits in perfectly with racing in exotic locations,” says Ian. “I’ve raced in over 30 countries so far, and my list of places I want to see only seems to get longer.

“I also love most of the traditional sports back in the U.K. – soccer, cricket, rugby etc. I enjoy watching these even though I get less of a chance to play them anymore. I’m also partial to the odd beer or two, loving Belgian-style ales the most.”

Cheers to Ian’s Grand Slam attempt! Julbo USA wishes you the best of luck.

Julbo: What prompted you to do the Grand Slam of ultras?

Ian Sharman: There’s a long history of people taking on this challenge, usually with the main goal of finishing rather than caring too much about the time. Western States is incredibly hard to get into with a lottery that has very low odds. There are a few ways to qualify automatically, which I’ve been able to do for the past three years [Ian’s finished in the Top 10 the last three years], but I can’t guarantee I’ll keep getting a place, so I wanted to give the Grand Slam a shot now that I’ve become more familiar with Western States and have been doing 100-milers for a few years.

How many people have completed the Grand Slam?

IS: There are 266 finishers of the Grand Slam before the 2013 season, with around 30 people attempting it each year. However, the real appeal for me is to chase the record for the combined time, held by Neal Gorman from 2010: 74:54:16. That’s a tough target and means that all four races need to go well – with even one bad day, the record is off.

Which race do you think will be the most challenging and why?

IS: The last – Wasatch Front. It’s the toughest course with the most climbing and descending (around 26,000 feet each), plus I’ll already have run three 100-mile races in the previous two months so there could be injuries, tight muscles or fatigue at the least, which will make it even tougher. I’m trying not to think too much about that yet and take it one at a time because the entire summer put together is fairly overwhelming.

What is your favorite and least favorite thing about the upcoming Western States?

IS: I love the competitive atmosphere each year because this is the main event of the season for most people and we all want to bring our A games. There’s a real buzz about the event, both before and after, and many of us spend months anticipating race day.

My least favorite things are probably the final couple of downhills because by that point the quads, calves and almost every single leg muscle feels like it can’t take anymore. Last year I was grunting with the impact of each step because it hurt so much.

How do you prepare for these races?

IS: It’s important to get a lot of variety in my training so I can deal with all types of terrains and conditions. The key thing is to replicate race conditions in a lot of the training runs. For example, before Western States I’ll be summiting Mt Diablo as much as I can. It’s got a 4,000-foot climb in about eight miles with some extreme temperatures, so it’s great preparation for the canyons and heat of the trail to Auburn.

Which Julbo’s do you wear while racing and why?

IS: 99% of the time I use the blue Dust shades as I love the way they look, and I find the Zebra lenses work well on trails by switching the amount of light it lets in immediately when I run from sun to shade.

Tell us something else we don’t know about you.

IS: I moved to the U.S. to get married to my American wife, Amy, back in 2009 and now can’t imagine living anywhere other than the West Coast of the U.S. Both Oregon and California are very close to my heart.

The Julbo Glen University Session 2013 Video

This winter we selected two aspiring ski mountaineers to partake in the Julbo Glen University Session (JGUS). The two lucky winners – Tom Runcie of Crested Butte, Colo. and CJ Carter of Bozeman, Mont. – jetted to Julbo's homeland, Chamonix, France to climb and ski with none other than living legend and Julbo athlete, Glen Plake.

For seven days, Glen, Tom, CJ, and Julbo athlete, Samuel Anthamatten, explored the peaks, couloirs, and routes of the Chamonix Valley. Tom and CJ left the birthplace of extreme skiing with a new appreciation of its history and improved mountaineering skills.

Watch the JGUS teaser below and check back in September for the full length edit.

Julbo Wave Sunglass Earns 2013 Gear of the Year Honors from Outside Magazine's Buyer's Guide

Outside Magazine's Buyer's Guide awards the Julbo Wave Sunglass with 2013 Gear of the Year Honors:
"The swimming pro in Pasadena thought it was weird to pickup sunglasses floating in the pool. But then he put them and went, "Whoa." The goggles-ish Waves are rapture for river runners, stand-up paddlers, and the rest of the watersports set. Julbo's polarized polycarbonate lenses handle light conditions from low to noontime bright and mitigate the glare that makes open water an optical hell. Soft, detachable frame skirting - the goggles like feature - fends off side spray, while a water shedding coating on the lenses sends the rest off in beads. Sunscreen wipes off smudge-free, too. Boating shades never really cut it for watery athletic recreation, but they were pretty much all we had - until now."

For a downloadable PDF Version check out: Julbo Wave - Gear of the Year

Meet Julbo athlete and mountain runner: Amber Reece-Young

There is a lot about Julbo Team member Amber Reece-Young that’s impressive.

She can run a mile in 4:44.

She holds down a full time job as a public health and school nurse.

And she dominates the international running stage, having been selected as a member of Team USA for NACAC (North American, Central American and Caribbean Athletic Association) Mountain Running Championships in 2011 and 2012.

           

Julbo: What is your specialty/focus?

Amber Reece-Young: I run mostly on trails but love mountain races, trail races, and participate in some road races.

What are your goals for 2013?

AR: My goals for 2013 are to make Team USA for the World Mountain Running Team, Place in the top 3 at Mount Cranmore (USA Track & Field Mountain Running Championship) and to place in the top 3 at the USA Track & Field National Trail 10k Championship.

What are your long-term goals with running?

AR: My long-term goals with running are to stay healthy and run to the best of my ability, while encouraging others to do their best and to promote the sport of running (trail, mountain and road).

What are your hobbies/interests outside of running?

AR: I love to read, journal, socialize with friends, travel and try new things.

Which Julbo sunglasses do you wear while competing and why?

AR: I love the Treks with Zebra lenses for trail and mountain racing. The lenses are bright, lighting the trail. They fit snug without making my face hot and they don’t fog up. They rock!

How do you have time to be a nurse with all the training you must have to do?  

AR: Ha ha! I can be somewhat regimented at times to fit the training in around work. I am lucky to have a position as a public health nurse/school health nurse. Fitting the training in helps me to focus and remain relaxed during stressful days. The trails are my stress reliever.

Climber Graham Zimmerman heads into Alaska adventure

“Climbing is what I do; I work hard to perpetuate the dreams of personal progression on the mountains and crags of the world with excellent style and ethics,” writes pro climber and Julbo athlete Graham Zimmerman on the opening page of his blog, “Nomadic Wanderings of a gZ.” “My grail lies in the unclimbed terrain of the greater ranges.”

Since high school, 27-year-old Zimmerman has been climbing with an infectious passion for the sport and pushing himself in uncharted territory. When he happens to not be climbing, he enjoys making films and drinking espresso in his home base in Seattle, Washington.

We caught up with Graham as he prepares for his next adventure on Voyager Peak in Alaska.

Julbo: Your video “Revival in the Waddington” is awesome [about Graham’s first trip back from a major injury]. How much of that trip was a mental challenge and how much was physical?

Graham Zimmerman: While the 18-month recovery preceding the trip to the Waddington was often very challenging, the trip itself went beautifully. I was really intimidated right up to the flight onto the glacier, but once we landed, I was filled with a feeling that I had happily returned to a very powerful place from which I derive much calm and comfort. It was an excellent trip with great weather and wonderful friends. Not to mention some really excellent climbing!

When do you leave for your upcoming expedition to Alaska?

GZ: Mark Allen and I’ll be departing from Seattle on the 3rd of May. Weather depending, we’ll be flying onto the glacier on the 4th or 5th. We are mega pumped!

Tell us about the AK mission – where are you going, what do you hope to accomplish there?

GZ: Two years ago Mark and I made the initial explorations in the Western Forks of the Lacuna Glacier. It was another really great trip in which we made the first ascent of Voyager Peak. The exploratory nature of the trip was exhilarating.



There are a number of other objectives that we spied in the Southern reaches of the glacier system. This time we’re going to access the Lacuna from the Yetna Glacier and see what we can do about some of those faces. It’s going to be another exploratory trip with some great potential.

With a month to go, we’re in the final phases of prep and getting very excited. More info on our last trip can be found here.

Why does unclimbed terrain appeal so much to you?

GZ: The mountains are a place where I find profound beauty and challenge.

These elements create an intense draw for me. On unclimbed terrain I can face the fears and doubts of the unknown while moving through intimidating and gorgeous elements. It is simple, yet infinitely complex. And I think it is a lot of fun!

Which Julbos do you wear climbing?

GZ: The Explorer and the Run have been my go-to in the mountains for a number of years now. In town I have been sporting a pair of Tours which are very comfy and look great. Just a few days ago I got some of the new Tensing frames in the mail, and for a lower-pricepoint glacier-glasses option, they seem great! Very light!

Pick a Sport, Any Sport - Julbo Has the Sunglasses for You

Whether tackling long runs on the trail, slaying singletrack on the bike, sport climbing in the mountains, or just enjoying a nice afternoon SUP, Julbo has a specific pair of sunglasses just for you. Don't let tough lighting scare you from wearing sunglasses, Julbo's photochromic lenses will darken or lighten for your viewing comfort! Neither the bright sun in an open field or the shaded area beneath the trees stands a chance against your Julbo shades!

The Julbo Dust featured in Switchback Magazine:
"Julbo makes technical eyewear specifically for the trail. To stay snug on the face, they feature a slim profile with rubber pieces on the nose and temples for added grip. For a clear view, the Dust include a wide field of vision that utilizes Julbo's Zebra photochromic lenses. The Dust is available in blue/green with Zebra lenses, black/black with Zebra lenses, black/orange with Polar, Spectron 1 and clear lenses, and orange with Spectron 3 lenses."


The Julbo Whoops featured in Fitness Magazine:
"The lightweight, wraparound Julbo Whoops sunglasses come with Zebra lenses that darken in the sun and lighten if it's gloomy - great for cyclists and runners who weave in and out of wooded areas. The narrow style is designed to fit a woman's face."


The Julbo MonteBianco featured in the Overland Journal Gear Guide 2013"
"If you love the mountains, you will likely recognize the name Julbo of Chamonix, France. Julbo has protected climbers' eyes from the ravages of alpine sunlight for over 120 years. To achieve maximum protection, the Montebianco features Julbo's Camel lenses with a combination of polarized protection and photochromic transitioning. To further protect your eyes, removable side shields augment coverage provided by the well-shaped frames."


The Julbo Wave featured in Fitness Magazine:
"Go ahead and make a splash. The bright Julbo Wave sunglasses are designed to repel water."


The Julbo Wave featured in INsite Magazine:
"Cameras aren’t the only expensive things I often wish were able to float. I can’t tell you how many pairs of sunglasses my lady and I have dropped into lakes and oceans over the last few years. So we’re totally digging the new Wave sunglasses from Julbo. Whether you’re into water skiing, kayaking or boating, the polarized lenses provide maximum glare protection while the removable frame skirt keeps spray from getting in your eyes. And, if they somehow manage to get knocked off your face despite the attached headstrap, the frames float!"


Grab a pair of Julbo sunglasses and go enjoy the outdoors!

 

The best sunglasses for mountain biking

We’ve been collaborating with pro mountain bikers to design the best sunglasses for mountain biking and running. These shades are versatile for both respective playing fields. Our Julbo Performance Line now offers more mountain-bike-specific styles than ever. These glasses stay put, don’t fog up, offer exceptional lens clarity, and are extremely durable.

Ranking high is the Ultra, with a bomber hold and venting system that’s so light you won’t even notice them on your face. This pair features the anti-fog, photochromic Zebra Light lens, which adjusts to light levels on your ride no matter the time of day or weather.

Julbo athlete and mountain-bike pro Erica Tingey says: “My favorite aspect of the Ultra is that the ear piece is narrow so they fit under my helmet perfectly. Also, the transition lens is perfect for the varied light conditions that I race my bike through.”

Erica’s next favorite are the Dust: “They are the similar to the Ultra in that they are so light and narrow. The only reason I’m not wearing them is they are blue and don’t match my kit!” (Stylish and fast, we like that, Erica!) The Dust is available with the photochromic Zebra lens and features GripTech nose and GripTech temples to keep the frames in place.

“The Stunt will be perfect for mid-summer, blazing sunny days because the lenses are so dark,” adds Erica. The Stunt is also available with the photochromic Zebra lens and has the same GripTech nose and GripTech temples as the Dust.

Helmet-friendly with wide coverage, the Dirt is another model ideal for mountain biking. With shock-absorbent temples and nose pads, these glasses can handle the technicalities of any trail.

Light and aerodynamic, the Run also fits comfortably under a helmet, provides maximum visibility with its curved frames, and features super-grippy temples and nose pads for a snug hold.

As you know, ‘tis the season to slay trails on bikes. Yay! But first, take inventory. Chamois in bike shorts? Still cushy enough. Tread on tires? Just grippy enough. Bike gloves? No holes yet. Sunglasses?

We’ve got a lot to choose from – check them out to see which may work well for your dirt missions!