Von Holbrook

Running Stories

Race reports, training reflections, and lessons from the road. Stories from marathons, half marathons, and everything in between as I chase personal bests and explore new running adventures.

Badwater Salton Sea - First Long Ultra Support

Badwater Salton Sea - First Long Ultra Support

Supporting Justin and Dan on this race was beyond eye opening. Also, at the end, not sure who was more beat, me or Justin.

April 19, 2026Read More →
Pirates Cove 12 Hour Race - Good Day to Quit

Pirates Cove 12 Hour Race - Good Day to Quit

This is one of those races I wasn't terribly excited about from the get-go, but it ended up being a lot of fun.

March 20, 2026Read More →
Lake Hodges 50K - Finally in Shape

Lake Hodges 50K - Finally in Shape

Its fun to run when you’re actually in shape. Even though I had let things slip, I felt great going into this race and performed well.

October 18, 2025Read More →
The Peak 50k -  From Pacing to Finishing

The Peak 50k - From Pacing to Finishing

Never in a million years did I think I would run, let along finish this race. But God always works in amazing ways.

July 13, 2024Read More →
Sunburst Half Marathon – Showing Off

Sunburst Half Marathon – Showing Off

The Sunburst Half Marathon starts at the college football hall of fame and finishes on perhaps the most iconic field in all of college football.

June 5, 2010Read More →
The OC Half Marathon 2 – The Rise of White Lightning

The OC Half Marathon 2 – The Rise of White Lightning

The OC Half Marathon was the location where I got my running nickname. A time long long ago when I was much younger, faster and better looking.

May 2, 2010Read More →
Arizona Rock n’ Roll Half Marathon – Meeting My Wife

Arizona Rock n’ Roll Half Marathon – Meeting My Wife

The Arizona Rock n’ Roll Half Marathon is a super large, super fun race in the dead of the Arizona winter. Its also the race where I met my wife. 🙂

January 17, 2010Read More →
The OC Half Marathon – Couch Surfing

The OC Half Marathon – Couch Surfing

The OC Half Marathon is a fun, mostly flat beautiful run through the streets and paved trails of Newport Beach and Costa Mesa. Great run!

May 3, 2009Read More →
Pasadena Half Marathon – A Persian Good Time

Pasadena Half Marathon – A Persian Good Time

The 2009 Pasadena Half Marathon was my first half marathon, my first Persian New Year celebration and the first time I almost quit before I started.

March 22, 2009Read More →