Way Too Cool 50k

Do it for those who can't. The privilege to run is one of the greatest gifts and today was a reminder of that.

When Matt Gaide caught me, he joked that I was playing with fire, running at the pace we were. He wasn’t wrong. Historically, I’ve taken a conservative approach - holding back, afraid of bonking, afraid of not having something left in the tank.

But today, I chose differently. I let perceived effort override caution, let instinct take the lead, let my legs and mind find their own limits.

If I wanted to break five hours, I couldn’t wait to feel good. I had to commit early, trust that the body would follow and that the mind would hold. More than anything, I wanted to explore the depth of my soft edge - pushing where it bends but never where it breaks. Always staying away from the sharp.

The first mile was a gravity train - a wide fire road that let you rip, rolling downhill like you were strapped in for the ride. Buckle your seatbelt and you’d hit the single track in no time.

By mile three, the first river crossing came fast after a rocky descent. The moment my feet got soaked, the tempo was set. No turning back, no second-guessing. Just forward.

The race itself was incredible - designed in a way that became progressively harder the further you went, yet still 95% runnable. You could make it as easy or as difficult as you wanted.

Fortunately, my strong start paid off when I began to fade after mile 17. There were moments when I felt like a tea kettle blowing steam and I had to remind myself - running is a privilege.

I caught my breath becoming irregular a few times, cutting my exhales short with every foot strike. Like a tea kettle releasing pressure, I had to consciously remind myself to breathe - simple in theory but harder when you're trail running.

By the time I reached Goat Hill, the steepest climb of the race, I welcomed the excuse to walk.

On one of the final descents back to the finish, my glasses flew off my head. I doubled back to grab them but after they slipped from my pocket a second time, I didn’t bother turning around again. Some things just aren’t worth prioritizing.

At the finish line, I was cheered on by Jean Green, Jan, and Dick. I love you. Thank you for coming to support me.

I finished Way Too Cool 50K under five hours and explored the depths of my soft edge. My knee hurts but that’s nothing new.