Meredith Terranova In Drymax Socks for 2009

Meredith Terranova On Her Way To the 2009 Rocky Raccoon 50 Mile Victory

"Fast" that is a word that describes newly announced Drymax Ultra Athlete Meredith Terranova of Austin, Texas. Meredith is a registered dietitian who works with athletes, the City of Austin PE program, and many other people around Austin trying to live a healthy lifestyle. She is passionate about her running and what great nutrition can do for your body and performance. While she has seen huge improvements in her performances over the past year, one place she continually failed was with “my poor feet”.

About converting to Drymax Meredith stated, “I have the great fortune of being friends with Jamie Donaldson, and after my husband saw her feet post one of her races he said, ‘you need what she has.’ The answer to that was Drymax socks… Since wearing Drymax socks in November, all of my toenails have grown back and I have been able to get two pedicures without having them ‘paint the nailbed (all women runners struggling with missing toenails will understand this).’ I so look forward to continuing to see what I can accomplish with feet that I don't have to "just put up with" during a race.”

Meredith has had a great start to the year winning defending her title as the Rocky Raccoon 50 Mile champion. This was a wonderful bookend win with Drymax athlete Jamie Donaldson’s 100 Mile win on the same course.

Other recent results include:
8 hours 58 minutes at the 2008 Dick Collins Firetrails 50, 6th Female
12 hours, 12 minutes and 4 seconds 2008 Miwok 100k Trail Race, 21st Female
9 hours 55 minutes and 12 seconds 2008 Headlands Hundred, 3rd Female
52:51 2008 Toughest Race In Texas 10K Trail Race, 9th Female

The year ahead is a busy one with the following races scheduled:
2/7 Rocky Raccoon 50-miler: 1st place 8:02
2/15 Austin Marathon 3:50 Pace Leader
3/14 Coyote 2 Moon 100K
4/5 Brew to Brew 43 miler - Solo
5/2 Miwok 100K
Maybe something in the summer?
9/26 Great Eastern 100K
10/31 Cactus Rose 50-miler

We are so excited to have Meredith join the very accomplished crew of Drymax athletes. Her expert understanding of nutrition coupled with the tortuous conditions she puts her feet through will make Meredith a wonderful technical member of our team and an even better ambassador for Drymax in the coming running season.

You can check out more about Meredith at her website: http://www.eatingandlivinghealthy.com/

photo provided by Meredith Terranova

Jamie Donaldson To Defend Badwater Title

2008 Photo of Jamie Donaldson as she begins her victory climb to Mt. Whitney Portal

We just received word that defending Women's Badwater Ultra Marathon winner and Drymax athlete Jamie Donaldson has just been accepted to defend her crown at the 2009 event that takes place on July 13th and will finish on July 14th after covering 135 miles through the blistering conditions of Death Valley to the Mount Whitney Portal.

Jamie dominated the women's race in 2008 with an unbelievable time of 26 hours, 51 minutes, 33 seconds shattering the previous record by over an hour. Jamie finished the overall race in 3rd place behind Jorge Pacheco and Akos Konya and ahead of Dean Karnazes and Pam Reed all without a single blister on her feet. Her victory was especially sweet after her horrible 2007 experience when her feet were a disaster wearing wicking toe socks.

This year Jamie plans to make it all the way up to the summit of Mt. Whitney to complete what some say is a "true" Badwater adventure (pending permit approvals).

It is with great pride that we will be on Jamie's feet the entire way.

You can check out Jamie's 2008 Victory Video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=biG7r18H_KI .

Check out the race details at http://www.badwater.com/

photo by Bob MacGillivray, Drymax Sports

Jamie Donaldson Interview On TrailRunningSoul.com

Jamie Donaldson Immediately After the 2009 Rocky Raccoon 100 Victory

Drymax athlete Jamie Donaldson is featured in an interview with TrailRunningSoul.com about the gear she used in her dominating Rocky Raccoon 100 victory...

Link: http://trailrunningsoul.com/trs/2009/02/16/trail-runners-gear-jamie-donaldson/

About Drymax Socks:

TrailRunningSoul.com question: "Tell us about Drymax socks. Are they really that amazing?"

Jamie's Answer: "I had the worst blisters, toe problems, etc. my first few years of running ultras. I tried every sock out there and still had many problems. When I finally found Drymax Maximum Protection Socks last year, I couldn’t believe how great they were. They wick moisture away from feet so they stay dry and blister free. I didn’t have 1 blister in 2008. That is amazing even after running the Badwater Ultra marathon where it is so hot and you are sprayed down constantly. The previous year wearing another sock, my feet were so mangled with blisters that I couldn’t even put shoes on for a week after Badwater! They (Drymax Socks) are truly amazing!"

photo by David Donaldson

Dan Rose In Drymax For 2009

Drymax is pleased, proud and inspired with our exciting announcement to have Ultra Runner Dan Rose as part of the Drymax team in 2009.

Five years ago Dan was in a hospital bed hooked up to chemo I.V.s while fighting cancer. Now in remission, he uses running to raise money for cancer charity and celebrate his new lease on life. Still relatively new to the ultra-running world (2 years), Dan is still learning how to run faster/longer all the time.

About Drymax Socks Dan said, "One big part of my early success in this sport has been the discovery of Drymax Maximum Protection socks. I save lots of time at aid stations by not having to change out of wet socks and re-wax my feet during 100 milers. Even in races with lots of rivers crossings, I never worry about my feet falling apart at all. For dry races on hot asphalt they work like magic as well: the friction-free fibers keep my soles from burning up in 100+ mile summertime runs. I didn't think about my feet for one second during my 120+ miles at UltraCentric last November, and those Maximum Protection socks are the sole reason (pun intended) for that!”2008 was a great first for "racing" ultras with a 17:05 in the rain at the Umstead 100 as a racing debut at that distance, and 120.5 miles in the brutal weather of UltraCentric was also nice, but the main highlight of the year was his 192 mile run across Massachusetts in the summer which raised $7,650 for the Dana Farber Cancer Institute."

About his 192 mile adventure Dan continued, “The whole reason I started running ultras was to complete the crazy dream I had of running that course back when I was a patient at DFCI in 2004. The money raised was fantastic, but the best part for me has been the number of current patients who have read about this run and expressed to me how much they've been inspired by it all. I'll continue to run and raise money for DFCI for as long as my legs can move me...after all, I wouldn't have them (or a life at all!) if not for the amazing doctors, nurses, researchers, and staff there.”

Dan’s 2009 schedule is shaping up to be a fun one. In addition to raising funds for cancer research, he hopes to contend for his first 100 mile win as well as qualify for the 24 Hour National Team by running 135 miles at one of those events.

Here's what Dan hash planned thus far for 2009:

February - Iron Horse 100 miler - Florida

March - National Marathon - Washington DC (the course passes my house twice, I have to run it!)

April - Bull Run Run 50 miler - Virginia

June - Mohican Trail 100 miler - Ohio

August - Cheat Mountain Moonshine Madness 50 miler - West Virginia

September - Ottawa International 24 Hour run

November/December - Another 24 hour or 100 miler...TBD right now.

Dan is lobbying hard for Drymax Ear and Head Warmers

Dan’s inspirational debut in Ultra Running has us gushing with pride to be associated with him. We encourage anyone who desires to help in the fight against cancer to visit his website http://run192.blogspot.com/ to learn about how you can help.

photos provided by Dan Rose

Kelly Ridgway Coastal Challenge/Drymax Update

I received a note from Kelly this weekend where she shared some of her thoughts about her experience at the 6 day 142 mile Coastal Challenge adventure race in Costa Rica.

Kelly shared the following with us, "TCC was an incredible event. It was everything that I had hoped for and more. It was the hardest race I have ever done x10. Running, swimming, navigating, bouldering, you name it. It was 100 degrees with 100% humidity. That made the conditions very wet 24-7. We ran through knee deep mud for hours one day and I lost count of how many times I lost my shoes. I loved my Maximum Protection Drymax socks. They worked great and I only had one small problem on my right foot. I have a 'crooked' toe that seriously needs to be amputated or surgically repaired and it always causes me problems. I did loose the skin under that toe, so I taped that toe and I was good to go for the remainder of the race. Thanks so much for providing me with these incredible socks. There was so many serious blister problems at TCC and I was not one of them... I wanted to thank Drymax socks for supplying me with the greatest socks ever!"

This is the type of real world testing that we thrive on. We put our socks to the test at every opportunity to find the breaking point. Athletes like Kelly give us the chance to find out more about our socks for all applications including running, hiking, trekking or any activity where you use your feet and in any condition.

Drymax Athlete Karl Meltzer Takes 3rd At Red Hot 50k

Karl Meltzer Following His Moab 50k Race

Congratulations to Drymax believer Karl Meltzer for his 3rd place at this weekend's Red Hot 50k completing the technical course with a time of 4 hours 13 minutes 14 seconds! The winner was Dave Mackey in a course record setting time of 3:58:50 followed by Tim Parr in 3:59:33.

Before the race Karl wasn't considering himself a serious threat for the win noting that his speed is coming back after his Appalachian Trail attempt and was saving it for the 100 milers. He was very comfortable and confident with the course since he knows every nook and cranny. He set his own chances of winning at 8 to 1.

Great job Karl surpassing your expectations!

photo courtesy footfeathers.wordpress.com

Debra Horn To Compete In Drymax For 2009

Debra Horn at the 2009 24 Hour World Championships in Seoul South Korea

It is with great pride that we announce that Elite Ultra Runner Debra Horn will be competing in Drymax Socks in 2009. At the age of 49, Debra is a native of Plum City Wisconsin, currently residing in the Cleveland, Ohio area. She began running in 1993 and ran her first ultra (Mohican Trail 100) in 1999. She started running 24-hour races in 2005 and has been named to the USA National 24-Hour team in 2007, 2008 and 2009. She placed 12th woman at the 2008 24-hour World Championship in Seoul and will be competing at the 2009 24-hour World Championship in Italy. She has first place finishes at the 12-hour FANS race in 2007 and the 24-hour FANS race in 2008. When she is not running, she is curling and recently participated in the 2009 USA Curling Olympic Qualifiers.

About Drymax Socks Debra said, “In preparing for the upcoming 24-Hour Worlds, I've
spent a lot of time running outside this winter in the cold and snow. Drymax socks have consistently kept my feet comfortable and warm and have helped me keep up my training miles."

About her 2009 race goals she continued, “I'm planning to run the 2009 World Championship 24-hour race in Italy on May 2-3; the U.S. National Championship 24-Hour race (date and location TBA) and the FANS 24 Hour race in June. I'm sure I'll be picking up some other races throughout the year but don't have anything finalized yet. Right now I'm just trying to concentrate on doing well in Italy.”

We are excited to welcome Debra Horn to our great stable of elite Drymax athletes and can hardly wait to see her and Jamie Donaldson represent the USA at the World Championships!

photo provided by Debra Horn

Jenn Shelton In Drymax Socks For 2009

Jenn Shelton Streaking Across The Infield At NF50 In Drymax Hyper Thin Prototypes

As part of our continuation of announcements of Drymax athletes, we are proud that Elite Runner Jenn Shelton of Ashland, Oregon will be competing in Drymax socks for the 2009 season.

Those who know Jenn can attest to her friendly and free spirited attitude along with with passion for running... FAST!!! Jenn current holds the course records at the Old Dominion 100 (17 hours 34 Seconds), Swinging Bridge 50K, Holiday Lake 50K and the Rocky Raccoon 100 (14 hours 57 minutes). Jenn feels her best race ever was her performance at the Mountain Masochist 50 taking a 2nd place in 7 hours and 57 minutes.

Jenn's 2009 plans are still a bit unclear but she intends to be a serious threat at the 2009 Western States 100. She also intends to give the Where's Waldo 100k and the North Face 50 a go. Jenn is thinking about the Chuckanuck and Eugene marathons as prep races for WS100.

About Drymax Jenn commented after a run through the Grand Canyon, "The socks were awesome... I went to the Grand Canyon and was super stoked because I could just run through the creeks while other people were tip toeing around them because they just didn't trust their socks to dry... plus getting any bit cooler was amazing. Thanks again for the socks they're working great..."

As part of the growing and elite Ashland Ultrarunning community Jenn's input on the performance and wear characteristics Drymax has been and will continue to be invaluable. Jenn's speed and love for technical trails will dovetail wonderfully with our other elite runners such as Jamie Donaldson and Karl Meltzer to completely torture our products allowing us to constantly improve them.

Everyone in the Ultra World knows Jenn is flat out fast and we can hardly wait to see what she is going to to do for 2009 as a Drymax athlete.

photo by Bob MacGillivray

Tony Portera Breaks 24 Hours At Rocky Raccoon

Tony's Feet Wearing Drymax Trail Running Socks

Drymax is fortunate to have runners like Drymax athlete Jamie Donaldson who perform in a class of their own. But we are also very lucky to have avid Ultrarunners achieving personal goals as well, this is certainly the case with Drymax wearer Anthony Portera.

We are excited to announce that Tony Portera completed his first sub 24 hour 100 mile race at the 2009 Rocky Raccoon 100. His time of 23 hours, 24 minutes and 29 seconds put Tony in a solid 53rd place out of 239 starters.

About Drymax socks Tony commented, "My pre-race evening was even more relaxing than my prior 100-milers. I usually spend a good deal of time working on taping my feet. Since I decided to go with Drymax Socks alone for this 100-miler, a decision that would completely pay off, I found myself with plenty of time to kick back and rest." After the race Tony continued, "Thanks to Drymax Socks, I was virtually blister free. I only had one tiny blister that looked to be the result of grit and dirt getting into my sock. I had decided to go at this 100-miles without taping my feet and without any lubrication. It sure worked - THANKS DRYMAX !!!" Link to his blog and race report: http://www.irunultras.com/

We also want to say thank you to Rick Gaston for his faith in Drymax socks while taking up the crucial pacing duties for Tony during the latter stages of the race.

Congratulations Tony and thank you for allowing us to be just a small part of this great accomplishment!

Photo By Tony Portera

Jamie Donaldson Rocks The Rocky Raccoon!

Jamie Donaldson As She Leads the 2009 Rocky Raccoon 100

I just received great news that Drymax athlete Jamie Donaldson just completed another dominating victory, this time at the Rocky Raccoon 100 mile race near Huntsville, TX. Jamie finished the race in 16 hours and 51 minutes, with the women's victory and taking 3rd overall behind overall winner Andy Jones Wilkinson and 2nd place Scott Jaime. There were 256 competitors entered in the 100 mile race.

Jamie's Blister Free Feet Immediately After Her 100 Mile Win

Jamie happily stated, "I had another successful race with my maximum protection socks! No blisters! A more complete race report to come soon.

What a way to start 2009! Congratulations Jamie Donaldson!

Kelly Ridgway Takes Impressive 3rd In Costa Rica

Kelly During Day 6 Of The Coastal Challenge

Drymax athlete and first time Coastal Challenge race participant Kelly Ridgway took a very impressive 3rd place woman and 9th overall in the 143 mile 6 day multi stage event through the oppressive jungles of Costa Rica. Kelly came in with a time of 36 hours, 33 minutes and 13 seconds.

Kelly's performance was steady throughout staying in the overall top 10 during the event. The caliber of athletes was certainly impressive with athletes like fellow American Scott Jurek finishing 3rd overall just 5 1/2 hours ahead of Kelly with a time of 31:01:20.

Here is a brief race summary from Kelly, "Coastal challenge was the hardest race I have ever done. They didn't tell us that we would be swimming and bouldering, and running up steep muddy rain forest trails. Actually they were not trails, we had to navigate straight up through the jungle looking for course markers. The heat and humidity was outrageous. We saw snakes, alligators, and lots of monkeys. They kept telling us that they had plenty of anti-venom in case we got bit by a snake. That was reassuring. One day we swam for 2 hours through a large river with our packs on before running for 7 hours more. On that day, I ran alone for 8 hours in the rain forest. It was exciting and exhausting all at the same time. Camping in the middle of nowhere is interesting too. There was no downtime and the spiders in our make-shift cold showers were as big as softballs. I came in 3rd, the two women who beat me are in the 30s, so I can't complain. If you thought I was skinny before, well baby, look at me now!! Wow, what 6 days in the jungle does to the bod!!"

As a side note Kelly, who is a nurse, lives everyday to the fullest while facing the additional challenge of Lupus which she uses as a motivational force not a hindrance. Lupus is a chronic auto-immune disease affecting mainly women. The immune system attacks the body's own tissues as a foreign substance, producing antibodies to fight it.

We cannot say enough about how proud we are to be associated with Kelly and her amazingly positive and go after it attitude! We also value Kelly's very important feedback and product testing to make our socks better.

Congratulations Kelly on such this most impressive achievement!

Kelly Ridgway's Stage Times
Stage 1 3:58:13 6th overall
Stage 2 6:18:10 8th overall
Stage 3 6:34:44 9th overall
Stage 4 7:07:15 8th overall
Stage 5 9:22:19 9th overall
Stage 6 3:12:32 7th overall
36:33:13 9th Overall 3rd Woman

To learn more about the coastal challenge to to http://www.tccadventures.com/ to read more about her adventure check out her blog: http://ridgrunner.blogspot.com/

photo provided by Kelly Ridgway

Karl Meltzer Converts To Drymax For 2009

Bob MacGillivray (me), Drymax (left) and Karl Melzter (right) at the 2009 Outdoor Retailer Show

We are proud and excited to continue our 2009 Drymax athlete announcements with the addition of Ultra Legend Karl Meltzer to the list of Drymax converts.

The Sandy, Utah resident's resume is absolutely unsurpassed in the world of running trail ultras, here is just a taste of his accomplishments:

• All time winner at the Wasatch 100 with 6 victories
  
• All time winner at the Hardrock 100 with 4 victories
  
• All time winner at the San Diego 100 with 3 victories
  
• All time winner at the Squaw Peak 50k with 5 victories
  
• He holds the record with most 100 mile wins during a calendar year with 6 victories in 2006, 5 victories in 2007 and 4 victories in 2005. 4 of these wins were record setting performances and 4 of the victories were in a period of 8 weeks.
  
• Karl was named the USATF, Ultrarunning Magazine, RRCA Runner of the Year in 2006 and Runner up Ultrarunning Magazine Runner of the Year in 2007.
  
• Winner of the 2006 Everest Award.
  
• In 2008, in addition to winning the Coyote Two Moons 100 Mile race in 19 hours 24 minutes, Karl attempted to break the speed record for a thru hike on the 2,175 mile Appalachian Trail. Due to injury and foot issues Karl fell short of his goal and completed the journey in the 4th fastest time of 54 days, 21 hours, 12 minutes. One of Karl's main issues stemmed from foot problems from a very wet start to his epic journey. Within the first week his feet were swamped and he suffered from trench foot wearing wool socks. He knew he need to find an alternative.

After his journey Karl tested Drymax and was immediately converted. After his initial testing and his North Face 50 race Karl commented, "They rock, much better than wool socks*, they have been the socks I've been wearing for years. Not anymore. Best socks (Drymax) I've ever worn... My feet were perfect when I took the socks off, it didn't even look like I ran."

Drymax is also pleased to announce that all participants in Karl's race the Speedgoat 50k will receive a pair of Drymax socks. We are very proud to be participating in this most challenging event that takes place July 18th at Snowbird. Go to Active.com to find information about signing up for this event.

Karl is a great addition to those elite athletes already wearing Drymax socks! One of Karl's roles will be to provide real and candid feedback about current and prototype socks currently being developed by our mad scientists (Gus, Chuck and Myself). Karl can put Drymax through tortuous testing that most athletes can't even fathom. Just in 2008 Karl ran 4,539.8 miles (12.437 miles per day), with a vertical climbing of 961,550' (2,634' per day). These miles weren't around a track but on some of the most rugged terrain on earth.

I've personally met Karl twice now, once at the North Face 50 and again at the Outdoor Retailer Show in Salt Lake City and am more excited now about working with Karl than ever before. He is a genuine individual who has a passion for the technical trails. He is definately one who never takes the easy road if any road at all.

Karl is also backed by BackCountry.com, Nathan, Moeben, 1st Endurance, Ryders Eyewear, Nuun, Black Diamond and SaltStick.com...

We look foward to updating everyone on Karl's successes with Drymax in 2009!

*Karl mentions a specific and prolific wool sock manufacturer that is not so "smart" to wear. I have omitted the name to promote a happier environment in the sock world.

Photo by John Hagy

USA #3 WTA Pro Bethanie Mattek-Sands In Drymax In '09

Bethanie Mattek-Sands Modeling Her Favorite Drymax No Show Tab Tennis Socks

We are pleased to announce that WTA professional and 3rd ranked Woman Tennis player in the USA Bethanie Mattek-Sands will return as a Drymax Athlete for 2009. Bethanie had a break out year in 2008 ascending to her current worldwide ranking of 38th and is only behind Serena and Venus Williams in the United States.

Bethanie was scheduled to compete in the Fed Cup against Argentina as the highest ranked American on the team but had to withdraw due to a continued hip injury which prevented her participating in this year's Australian Open.

Last year Bethanie was named the most improved WTA player of 2008 by ESPN:

"Most improved AmericanBethanie Mattek began the year (2008) ranked No. 114, and most tennis insiders thought her stock would hover around that level indefinitely. After all, she was already 23 and better known for wild outfits than match toughness. The effervescent Minnesotan committed to fitness and came dressed for success this season. After an indifferent start, Mattek collected herself with good results in lower-level clay-court events, took a set off Maria Sharapova at the French Open, then took off on grass, reaching the semis at Birmingham and the fourth round at Wimbledon. Mattek ended the season on a high note, appearing in her first WTA final in Quebec City and winding up at No. 39. As a bonus, she's lost none of her down-to-earth, player-next-door charm."

Drymax Tennis Socks can be purchased at TennisWarhouse.com , TennisExpress.com , TennisHeads.com , Zappos.com , AmazingSocks.com , TheSockCompany.com as well as select tennis pro shops across the country. Check out our dealer locater feature http://www.drymaxsocks.com/dealers/ to find out more.

We are very excited to be part of what we hope will be an exciting and blister free 2009 season with Bethanie!!!

Photo by Roger Parker Fotosports

Drymax Socks Announces Lisa Bliss For 2009

Lisa Bliss Near Las Vegas February 2009

We continue to be humbled by the number of athletes who switch to Drymax every single day, it is especially gratifying that so man of them are Ultra Runenrs. One such athlete made the switch over a year ago and has been instrumental to introducing us to this very small and exclusive culture. That person is Lisa Bliss. In the ultra community Lisa is well regarded, well respected and even more well liked. Her ever present smiling face along about 100 miles seems to lift the mood of everyone around her. As and MD her technical understanding of what goes on with the body when subjected to such daunting and epic conditions that ultra runners face not only during a race but in the incredible training regiments leading up to an ultra.

Many athletes contact me about Drymax and a very good number of those people say it is because Lisa Bliss raved about her blister free running with Drymax socks. She was among one of our first believers and she has done an amazing job as an ambassador for our company. One of our most favorite things about Lisa is her presence of mind to snap a photo of her feet immediately after every event she runs an ultra to show her blister free feet.

With all of the above said it is with great excitement that we announce the women's 2007 Badwater Ultramarathon Champion Lisa Bliss of Spokane, WA as a Drymax athlete for 2009. She will continue to spread the gospel of Drymax at the events as well as continue to give us vital feedback to keep Drymax moving in the right direction. As medical director of an epic race as well as her continued competitive participation in many others she can give perspective to improving Drymax that nobody else can provide.

About Drymax socks Bliss commented, "THE BEST socks for ultra-endurance events. I used to have trouble with blisters, and I thought I was always going to have to put up with them during my ultramarathon races. I tried all sorts of remedies and brands of socks with only modest success. I knew after Badwater 2007, when I suffered severe blisters for 80 miles, that I had to find new socks. Then, a friend introduced me to Drymax. I tried their socks and was absolutely amazed at their performance... From extremely hot and dry conditions to 100-miles in the non-stop rain to shoe-sucking muddy trails...these socks are hands-down the very best for my feet. I never worry about blisters any more. I have complete confidence in these socks."

It will be another exciting year following Lisa as well as our other Drymax athletes. Please check back over the coming weeks as we continue to announce the rest of the Drymax 2009 Team Roster.

Photo by Tim Englund