Where I've been. Where I'm at. And where I'm going...

Really not much to catch up on at all...

Wow! What a season it has been. I’m here to inform the virtual public of what I’ve been up to…

Raced 6 (going on 7) times this season:

1. Sunapee Scramble / US Classic Champs— 2nd place (Qualified for Worlds)

2. Broken Arrow 23K / GTWS race— 4th place

3. Tepec Trail 34K / GTWS race— 1st place

4. Sierre Zinal / GTWS race— 15th place (post 1 doping pop)

5. Worlds Classic “Up/Down” Race— 5th place / 2nd team / top American

6. Golden Trail World Series Prologue + Final— 2nd place prologue / 1st place final!! (3rd in the overall rankings for the series)

   

   

   

   Race photos from the year.

Still to come:

7. Pacific Trails 50K by UTMB (OCC Qualifier)

Thoughts/Comments/Reflections:

Woah, it has been quite the busy summer and fall. Although some of the multiple back-and-forth trips to Europe did appear a little excessive, I tried to be intentional and methodical with every decision I made. I put my performance at the forefront of my decision-making in all things— training, travel, racing, and even my social calendar. Obviously, I’m not a robot and didn’t execute everything perfectly but for the most part, I set myself up to have the best race possible when it came time to toe the line.

The peak of this season was winning the Golden Trail World Series Final after a strong showing at Worlds— both huge goals of mine this year. What led to this? Of course, large inputs: eating, training, and sleeping. But what also led to this were the less flashy, smaller inputs.

Small inputs, to me, are the decisions made and things done with intentionality. They’re usually not the fun or exciting options, but more often the boring ones. Examples of small inputs that I think made a big difference for me this year:

1. NESTING (a.k.a extreme couch time): Do not underestimate the importance of a good nest.

2. Saying no to things: It’s okay to be a hermit and explain (or not) that you just do not have the energy for socializing or leaving the house. Training and racing require energy— conserve it when possible.

3. Minimize travel and moving around: Checking in and out of hotels, moving suitcases around, logistics, long drives— all exhausting. These things have a time and place, but in my opinion, not between races or when trying maximize performance. I honestly try to minimize all unnecessary travel when in season, but that’s just me.

4. Home food (or just cooking when away): I can better control quantities (for the greater) and ensure I’m getting in enough carbs, proteins, veggies, etc.

5. Racing less: Racing is most fun when fresh— but maybe that’s just me…

6. NO COURSE RECON: This one’s a big one for me. Unless I am out in the area ~3 weeks or more, or the race is multiple short loops, I don’t run the course beforehand. I prioritize freshness over familiarity any day. That said, I study the course on Strava and my watch’s app, and I make a detailed fueling and race plan. I also always upload the course to my watch during races to ensure I don’t go off-route.

7. Pre-race energy conservation mode: My two weeks leading into this race consisted of many 30-50 minute runs, occasional doubles, and some strides or short fartleks. I prioritized recovering fully from Worlds and being recharged both physically and mentally for another taxing weekend of racing. I’m thankful to have a coach with pro running and racing experience who helps guide me through recovery and leads with a “less is more” approach.

Obviously, I am not even close to having it all figured out, but I feel like every year, I get one step closer. This season was full highs and lows, but defined by consistency— and that’s what I am most proud of. My main takeaway was that consistency beats out perfection— something I should probably have tattooed on my inner eyelid, because I WILL forget it. But that’s the fun of the sport: learning and relearning.

As always, I get more out of running than I ever thought imaginable. I am forever grateful for the ability to put one foot in front of the other, day in and day out.