There’s no question Jonathan Vass is an endurance junkie. From ultra-running to randonee racing, he’s happiest when he’s working his hardest. despite the fact that his primary sports are running and skiing, the most memorable event he’s taken part in involved his mountain bike.
Age: 48
Residence: North Pomfret
Family: Sweetheart, Stephanie; three dogs (“our crew”) Addie, Bootie and Lola
Occupation: Recycling consultant
Primary sports: Ultra running and skimo (ski mountaineering) racing
VS: how did you discover the new England Rando Race series?
JV: I purchased Kilian Jornet’s film A fine Line and was completely hooked before I even tried the sport. Then I discovered Jonathan Shefftz and the new England Rando Race series. Last year was my first season and I went to five races, including two from that series.
VS: So you had no experience with rando racing before that?
JV: I grew up ski racing, including competing in Italy, but I wasn’t familiar with ski mountaineering racing. I did as much research on skimo as I could and then I purchased the essentials: boots, bindings, skis and skins. I made finish with the pack and clothing I had and just showed up for the races. everyone was so friendly and inviting and other racers helped guide me with guidance on racing, training, and equipment choices all season. now I’ve got some better gear, including a racing backpack that allows you to go through the transition stages without taking your pack off.
VS: how do skimo races work?
JV: Every race is roughly 10 miles with some backcountry skiing, some skinning and some boot packing. There is typically a short course option, depending on your ability. The races start with us lining up together and placing our skis in the snow. You run a quarter or half mile and lock into your skis, which already have their skins on. then you skin to the top of the mountain and ski down something treacherous, like the edge of a black diamond or something through the woods. The course is marked with little flags which are often very hard to find. At a certain point on the mountain you take off your skis, latch them to your pack and boot pack up Camiseta Newcastle United at least 200 feet vertical. then you put your skis back on and either skin a little even more or ski down to a certain spot where you put your skins on and go back up and do it again. The races typically have three laps. It’s really exciting and it’s just such an amazingly diverse group of people. There are world class athletes and last year there was a woman who raced with her kids. everyone shows up on different gear.
VS: What do you love about it?
JV: The racing is fierce, there’s no doubt about that, but the informal loose atmosphere is welcoming and fun best from the start. We gather outside for the guidelines and course layout and then sort of wander down the road together to the starting area. If you love to endure and suffer and have really cool gear, it’s a great sport.
VS: Let’s talk a bit about your ultra-running.
JV: I ran cross country in high school and college, but then I didn’t really do anything until 2006 when I happened to find a copy of Triathlete magazine on the floor of our recycling facility. I hadn’t even heard about triathlons before, but I chose I wanted to do it so I got a trainer and trained. first I ran the Vermont City Marathon and after that I did triathlons and unless I was sick or injured I finished in Camiseta Aston Villa FC the top 20 percent.
All that training led me to the Ironman course in St. George, Utah. That course no longer exists because it was too difficult. less than half the racers finished. I finished, but it was during that race – I remember the exact moment was at mile 16 of the run – that I chose that because people were telling me I was a great runner I ought to try ultra-running. I was finished with triathlons and never looked back.
VS: and you switched best then and there?
JV: I went best in and raced the Vermont 50. This year I did the Vermont 100, but I had to drop out at mile 70 due to a pre-existing injury. I left in great spirts, though. It was a breakout year thanks to skimo. I finished fourth at the twin state 50K in Windsor and ran an 8:35 at the Pinelands 50-miler in Maine which is a 10:17 pace. I look forward to doing the Vermont 100 next year after I get a few much more ultra-races under my belt. This year I helped with the set up and clean up, as well as running. It was good to be involved because it goes best by my house, so it was exciting to be part of it.
VS: how do you train for skimo?
JV: Last year I didn’t train at all. I was running 50 to 70 miles a week, but that was it. This year I’m doing a lot of uphill training, trying to increase my pace. I wear a backpack with weights in it and I’ve even worn some ankle weights. Skimo is an outstanding sport and I really want to do well. I got left in the dust last year. It was really a learning experience for me on how Camiseta Real Sociedad to unull
