ZombieRunner Blog

I realized after using my Mazzer grinder that it’s impractical to switch beans when using a grinder that has a big hopper. So, I decided to get a smaller grinder for decaffeinated beans. I ordered a Rancilio Rocky, which arrived this week. I also got a set of 6 very heavy white 2 ounce espresso cups (there are 2 on top of the espresso machine in the photo). So now I’m all set.

I’ve been reading a lot about grind distribution and tamping technique. And I’ve been using my bottomless portafilter to diagnose extraction problems. Uneven tamping or grind distribution results in channeling (weak under-extracted espresso). Here’s a great piece called Perfecting the Naked Extraction.

I’m also experimenting with beans. I’ve been buying beans from a guy in Oakland who roasts and ships very the same day. And yesterday I received a bag of Black Cat Espresso from Intelligentcia in Chicago. I pulled a really good double shot this morning — nice thick crema. The viscosity of the espresso makes a big difference in pouring drinks - I managed to draw a decent rosetta in an 8 ounce cappuccino. Much better than I’d been doing lately. We’ll see - I also received 3 new bean varieties from my Oakland guy. Should be a fun espresso experimentation week.

- dc

PS. We’re giving a free to-go coffee drink with each order picked up at ZombieRunner Headquarters.

We’ve run at the Across the Years 24, 48, 72 hour event several times in the past, always doing the 24 hour run on New Year’s Eve. This time we did it differently. We drove to Phoenix two days before the start of the whole thing, and did our 24 hour event on the first day. That way, we could do whatever we wanted for the two remaining days of the event and celebrate New Year’s Eve with the runners and race volunteers. It was great to see a lot of familiar faces. Each person has some kind of personal goal, whether it’s super high mileage or just to survive. Everyone has a story.

So, even though my knee injury from a few weeks ago prevented me from running or even attempting ultra mileage, I was lucky to be able to walk the course for 23 miles and chat with runners, volunteers and visitors. I also got to see the medical volunteers do some magic and take care of a couple serious situations. In fact, Andy Lovy fixed me up early on and my knee is doing better than it was at the start of the race.

Don ran 101 miles, which means he has completed 100+ miles in every 24 hour that he’s run. After our 24 hours were done, we slept and caught up on emails. Throughout the race we visited several times, seeing how everyone was doing. Don took photos and I walked a lap with a friend every now and then. We made sure to be at the race for midnight to ring in the new year with everyone. We had champagne (or sparkling cider), wore party hats and watched terrific fireworks! Tradition is that everyone pauses and does a lap together. It was really great. We got some more sleep and returned for the finish of the race.

So after all that, we feel like we’ve properly welcomed 2007! All the best to everyone for the New Year!

gillian