THE RUNNERS EDITION
RUN BUM RACES
SKY TO SUMMIT
DearEastCoastUltraRunningFamily,
From the Editors
WelcometothefourtheditionofEastCoastUltraRunningMagazine!We’reexcitedtobring youacollectionofinspiringpersonalstoriesfromtrailrunnerswithinourvibrantcommunity storiesthatshowcasetheresilience,passion,anddeterminationthatdefineusasa collective.
Inthisissue,you’llmeetindividualswhohavefacedtremendouschallenges,including battleswithaddiction,andwhohavetriumphedthroughthepowerofrunning.Their journeysremindusthattheroadtorecoveryisnotonlypossiblebutoftenpavedwith unyieldingstrengthandthesupportofthecommunity.You’llalsoreadaboutthosewho haveforgedincrediblebondswiththeirfour-leggedcompanions,provingthatman’sbest friendcanbeanintegralpartofthetrailrunningexperience.
Additionally,wedelveintothestoriesofrunnerswhohaveconqueredmonumental challenges,suchastheprestigiousAppalachianTrailFKTbyTaraDowerandTheMidwest GrandSlambyJesusVasquez.Theseathletesembodythespiritofdedicationand perseverance,inspiringusalltoreachforourpersonalgoals,nomatterhowdauntingthey mayseem.
Asalways,weaimtohighlightthediversetapestrythatmakesupourtrailrunning community.Eachstorynotonlycelebratespersonaltriumphsbutalsoreinforcestheidea thatwearestrongerwhenwelifteachotherup.Thismagazinethrivesontheshared passionforadventureandconnectionthatunitesusonthetrails.
Aheartfeltthankyoutoallourreaders,contributors,andsupportersformakingthisjourney possible.Wehopethiseditionresonateswithyou,inspiringyoutolaceupyourshoesand hitthetrails whethersolo,withfriends,oralongsideyourbelovedpets.
Happyreadingandhappytrails!
TABLEOFCONTENTS
By: Sean “Run Bum” Blanton
PHOTO BY BROCK ROTTER
PHOTO BY: BROCK ROTTER PINHOTI 100
CINCINNATI
TrailRunningGuide
BY: ANDREW G SUSKI
You may know Cincinnati for the Reds, Bengals, the Flying Pig Marathon and Skyline Chili (for better or worse), but the Queen City boasts miles of wooded trails that helped develop stars of the ultrarunning world like Harvey Lewis, Jennifer Russo and Aneta Zeppettella
Enjoyed year round if willing to brave the elements, Greater Cincinnati has a little something for all trail enthusiasts and a welcoming community willing to assist with any endeavor Located well away from any mountain range, we are fortunate that Cincinnati is known as the “City of Seven Hills” making it a surprisingly good area to train for ultra distances. The forests and parks listed are just a sample of local runner ’ s favorite trail systems to check out if your travels bring you to Southwest Ohio.
Mt. Airy Forest of Cincinnati P
Home to the long-standing St 50k/27k, Mt Airy is located ju miles Northwest of downtown and is the area’s premier spot training. Park at “The Oval” w provides multiple trailheads to your own adventure on a varie singletrack loops that wind fo dozen miles through the manforest. The location is perfect refueling at your vehicle and i your family in tow, there is a n playground and “Everybody’s to keep them busy Mt Airy h right mix of runnable sections with technical areas of rocks, climbing to hone your craft. B the Ponderosa Trail (B) runnin meandering creeks to tackle Stone Steps which were place century ago, or hit the Arbore for some easier fare on a reco you are looking for a bit more during the colder months, ven the Powerlines (if mowed) – the home of local Christmas tradition “Vertmas” -a 5 mile out and back grind with over 1600 feet of gain and some peeks at the Cincinnati skyline. If interested in running with a group, a handful of local ultrarunners meet every Thursday and may or may not enjoy some Cincy brews from Rhinegeist, Brink Brewing, Westside Brewing or Madtree. Finally, keep your eyes peeled for a Harvey Lewis sighting, as Mt Airy’s trail system is his favorite in the Cincinnati area
“If you are looking for a bit more spice during the colder months, venture over to the Powerlines (if mowed) – the home of local Christmas tradition “Vertmas”a 5 mile out and back grind with over 1600 feet of gain and some peeks at the Cincinnati skyline.”
Located 30 minutes from Cincy proper, Rowe Woods is nestled inside of the Cincinnati Nature Center Open year round, check the hours as they change each month and bring $10 per runner With over 1000 acres of land and 14 miles of trails, there is a trail for everyone and an ideal place for beginners Most of the trails are rated easy to moderate with wide, groomed paths and never needing to worry about a road crossing To get the bang for your buck, focus on the Perimeter Loop – an approximately 11-mile loop with over 1000 feet of gain wandering through a variety of landscapes – fields, stream crossings, deciduous forest and in the warmer months, beautiful wildflower fields Particularly splendid in the Fall, Rowe Woods is a great place to get some easier trail miles in while forest bathing
The family can join, too Visit the Rowe Visitor Center to learn more about local plants and wildlife, bird watch or feed the turtles Check out the Nature Center for gifts and local art, or the Playscape for some old-fashioned unstructured play in nature
Rowe Woods of Cincinnati Nature Center
Caesar Creek State Park
Located 45 minutes from downtown in Harveysburg, Caesar Creek hosts the Winter & Summer Night Owl Series produced by local outfit, Empower Ultra & Endurance Races (operated by Jennifer Russo and Aneta Zeppettella). Park either at the Army Corps of Engineers Visitor Center or the Spillway, and again, focus on the Perimeter Loop, an 11+-mile collection of point-to-point trails that circumnavigates man-made Caesar Creek Lake The trail is marked pretty well with yellow blazes, but we would also recommend getting a GPX of the loop to stay on course The loop has a good mix of runnable areas and more technical segments while getting about 1000 feet in gain through constant rollers. Be aware of a few road sections as connectors
The trail offers many scenic views of the recreational lake shared by boaters, fishers and wind surfers. Be sure to check out Horseshoe and Crawdad Falls, natural waterfalls that really flow after a good rain A popular photo spot is the Swinging Bridge that makes one feel a bit like Indiana Jones As you traverse through the park, there are a variety of picnic areas, campgrounds and facilities so you are certain to run into other guests, particularly in the summer months. Also found on the loop is Pioneer Village, a volunteer run collection of historical buildings from the surrounding area
East Fork State Park
A mere 30 minutes east of downtown, EFSP is one of the largest state parks in Ohio and boasts over 7,000 acres of land and water Similar to other systems in the region, East Fork has an array of environments created from glacial activity, and the trails wander through prairies, hilly woodlands, swamp forests and old farmland creating a robust ecosystem of flora and fauna Camp onsite or make a day trip out of it, there is plenty to keep busy in EFSP
East Fork is the site of another Empower Ultras event, the East Fork 100 mile / 50 mile / 50k / 15 miler which takes place largely on the Steve Newman World Walker Perimeter trail. You guessed it –another largely singletrack that circles another body of water – Harsha Lake. With a plethora of parking and trailheads, one loop on the trail puts you into ultra distances – checking in at approximately 31.5 miles and 3000 feet of gain. Most popular in late summer and fall, you could interact with some hikers, mountain bikers or horse riders Follow the green blazes and be prepared for some water crossings, especially if there has been some recent rain, as the traverses could be waist deep
If unable to hitch a ride to any of these areas or just don’t have the time, there are plenty of urban options to check out in Cincinnati like the Riverfront and Ault Park If looking to get away from the city in search for some solitude, a couple hour drive to Hocking Hills, Great Seal State Park, Scioto Trails and Clear Creek come highly recommended by Ohio trail runners. Be on the lookout for a future guide for these trail systems! No matter where your adventure takes you, we recommend saving Skyline Chili for after your run…
Often, as I’m out running through the trails, I wonder if I deserve them. By them, I mean my two vizslas, River (4 years old) and Zen (almost 2 years old). As an average high school and collegiate runner, if you would’ve asked me why I ran in the past, I would say for the competition and maybe some status. Now, I run for many reasons, but one of the main reasons I run is for my dogs. The love they give me every day is as steady as most of my runs As mentioned earlier, they give me so much love that I often feel undeserving of it But, at the same time, we are their world and best friends So, I owe it to them to keep running and showing up for them
I often ran by myself in the past, which I prefer, but nowadays I am almost always accompanied by River, Zen or both on my runs. It’s funny…I see regulars on the trails here in Oxford, Ohio and they know my dogs’ names but not mine. It’s okay. It actually brings me joy that they make peoples’ day when they see us out running. Quite frankly, running with River and Zen often makes my day. Most mornings, I feel anxious. I noticed this in grad school and the power that running early gave me to tackle the day with a clear head and heart. It takes at least an hour for me to squeeze out the angst. However, with anxiety often comes depression In this day and age, it’s very easy to feel like you haven’t accomplished much and feel stuck, and that feeling is often how I have felt when depressed One of my lowest points, along with many I know, was the lockdown in 2020 Around that time, my now wife and I decided we wanted to get a Vizsla. I knew I would have a running partner once she was old enough. Vizsla are meant to run long distances and make for some great trail running partners. Instead of running for my own sanity, I would be running for her health and well-being, as well.
Fast forward to present day. I now have two running buddies. Running with them has provided me with so many benefits More than I can name River and Zen have been with me throughout my transition to ultrarunning It hasn’t been an easy transition. I have failed numerous times, but they have always picked me back up to continue to train. My first ultramarathon was a 54 miler that I DNF’d because I sprained my ankle and didn’t have a clue when it came to nutrition River was there to pick me up to train for a race in Bryce Canyon, Utah. This was 2021. If you know anything about Ohio…it’s not mountainous and it’s not at high altitude. My wife, River, and myself drove out to Utah and made a trip of it What was great about the Bryce Canyon Ultra was not only that I came in 3rd, but that River was there to support me. Covered in dust by the end of the day, smiling from all the attention she got, I honestly wasn’t sure who had more fun River or myself She even ran a little with me through an aid station and greeted me at the finish
The whole point of this ultra journey is to get the most out of my potential In order to reach my potential I have to enjoy training The dogs bring that joy as we train together. We don’t typically get caught up in pace, distance, running economy, etc. River and Zen are fully invested in the run itself. We’re just out there running with nature as we ’ re meant to be As odd as it sounds, it almost feels like I go back in time running with them But these can be long days. 25-30 mile long runs every week. It can get tiring and demanding, both physically and mentally. They make it easy to enjoy training. It’s really hard to not be in the present moment and joyful when I’m running with them
Some of my fondest memories as of late, was training for the Tunnel Hill 100 miler, recently. After coming off a failed 24 hour attempt I was really in the dumps One of my flaws is being very, and I mean very, hard on myself. I had put in 3-4 months of 100 mile weeks, multiple interval sessions, incline treadmill sessions, tempo runs, and long runs. I thought my competitive year was over, but River and Zen picked me up I was able to get right back into training for 6 weeks. 2 days after that failed 24 hour attempt, Zen was up early waiting by his leash nudging me out the door Let’s face it, the dogs don’t care about my failures and successes. They just want to run with dad
For Tunnel Hill, we made it a family affair. We drove west to Vienna, Illinois, and I was in a really good spot, mentally and physically. This race was a bucket list race. Running 14:25:46, which was a 65 minute personal best, I secured the 3rd male position and 4th overall at an epic 2024 Tunnel Hill Having an invite back to next year ’ s race, I have to thank River and Zen for coaxing me back out the door to train. It allowed me to experience that joy of racing, again, and to have another shot at an iconic race. If you ’ ve ever done a 100 miler, then you know what the aftermath looks like. I can say, the painful greetings at the Airbnb was well worth it that night I have to thank my dad, as well He camped in his SUV to crew for me
Aerobic training is clearly good for our health when looking at published research It’s also important for the health of dogs. While I have always been very disciplined getting out the door, eating well, resistance training, etc., River and Zen give me the extra motivation to get out the door simply on the hard days. Their health is important to me and sometimes I get out the door for them Vizslas, are built to run for long distances as bird dogs bred for long days in the field Taking the dogs out to hit the trails can reduce their cardiovascular disease risk, strength their joints and muscles, improve their respiratory function, and immune system. Of course, long runs like this with the dogs have to be done safely, building up over time once they are physically mature. Running is also a great way to extend their life for years to come because, let’s face it, our time with them is never long enough
Lastly, running with River and Zen nurtures our relationship Along with my family, River and Zen come to most of my races. In a way, it feels wrong if they aren’t there, but sometimes the location gives us no other option than to leave them at home. I hate that. River makes for an amazing running partner, and has been there from the start of my ultra running journey. However, I do believe that Zen’s favorite thing in the world is “running with dad” As soon as he sees me with my running gear on, he knows it’s time The wiggles and excitement can’t be contained Their joy makes getting out the door worth it
I hope to have many more years of training with River and Zen. I know they will help continue to push me to higher levels as the ultra scene is exploding. They have never shied away from an adventure, so we’ll see where the future takes us
By Adam Gloyeske Speedland Team Athlete
PRE- SEASON WORK
The off-season…both welcomed and dreaded. It is easy to go from one race to another for an entire year, never resetting your physical or mental clock. This can lead to nagging injuries, fatigue, decreased performance and overall burnout.
What if a year of training was strategically planned so there were peak races, but also a scheduled off season?
The term “off-season” has been removed from some of the top running coaching vocabulary. It has been replaced with “pre-season work.” In changing the context of the language, we can shift the focus of training. “Off-season” gives the connotation that we are not training. Pre-season has a proactive tone that sets the stage for the upcoming race season. What pre-season is and is not
A pre-season time period of four to eight weeks can be broken down into three parts: reflect, recover and readjust.
First, the pre-season is a time to reflect on the past training cycle. What worked well? What are areas of improvement? What are areas to continue to build on? As you navigate the pre-season, it is also valuable to review your lifestyle performance in relation to your training. Your sleep, nutrition, alcohol consumption, stress levels, hours at work all play a role in your performance. Consider having any lab work done and/or investing in any health metric devices.
A drop in running mileage by about 20% – 30% and a reduction in intensity for 1 – 3 months is enough to give your muscles, tendons, ligaments, and joints the chance to repair themselves. However, if you prefer a shorter time off of 2 weeks twice a yearI recommend cutting down mileage more drastically to about 50%. Training miles should mostly consist of easy-paced running. There will be a detraining effect, but the goal is to not completely lose our aerobic base.
As far as moderate intensities are concerned, I strongly advise omitting VO2max intervals, threshold runs, and high-end aerobic runs during the off-season. Your endocrine system requires a break, too. After all, it supplies all the necessary hormones for training and repair. Many athletes suffer from adrenal exhaustion due to the combined stress of training, work, and family commitments.
The extent of detraining is highly individual and will depend on many factors. Age, history of training (running experience and average weekly volume), lifestyle habits are a few of the variables that will affect the rate of detraining. Some research suggests that the detraining effect is more quickly reversible the more trained an athlete you are. But with that in mind, athletes should not focus on their loss of fitness.
Even elite athletes are not at their peak fitness year-round. They are around 80% ready during most of the year and only build to 100% in the few months leading up to their “A” race. The major point to focus on is we cannot stay in peak fitness all the time.
Pre-season work now becomes the time to focus on your weaknesses as a runner and make them your strengths. This means going to the gym to lift heavier weights, correcting muscle imbalances, and improving mobility. If strength training is new to you, hiring a qualified trainer is an option to get in the most running-specific exercises while focusing on unilateral exercises, main power lifts, and metabolic conditioning.
Also doing a variety of cross training activities can rejuvenate your routine and provide low-impact workouts that you can do at a moderate to higher intensity with less impact on the body. This will go a long way in maintaining fitness and allowing for movement in different planes of motion other than those repeated with running.
The most running-specific form of cross training for endurance is cycling for 2 reasons: It recruits a similar set of muscle groups and its demands on the aerobic system are almost as high as running itself Aim for a high cadence to ingrain the neuromuscular patterns for speed. Avoid the elliptical unless you really have no other choice.
The pre-season progresses, it is acceptable to start incorporating a long run, speed work, and strides, but at reduced distance and intensity. The body can recover more readily when the mileage and intensity is not progressing from week to week
As you navigate your pre-season training, reflect, recover and readjust. Reflect on your previous training cycle and race Recover by reducing running mileage and intensity and lastly, readjust by training by incorporating cross training, heavier strength training, and improving lifestyle performance factors It’s amazing what a little time out of normal running routine can pay off both mentally and physically in the long run.
KRIS BACHMAN
THE MIDWEST
BY JESUS VASQUEZ
April 27th, 2021, I remember it like it was yesterday I thought I no longer had the strength to continue in the reality I had created and was living I resorted to my darkest friend, the bottom of the bottle I drove aimlessly I was lost, and I knew it Not in the literal sense, but feeling like a lost cause. All hope was gone. That night, I saw the end of time. The road stretched before me, blurred by the haze of too many drinks. I gripped the wheel, pressed my foot to the floor, and let go of everything. In seconds, I felt the cold embrace of the water against my legs as I shook my head to regain my double vision I can still hear the engine struggling to continue running and gurgling as if it were drowning I screamed, "Help! Anyone!?" I managed to open the door and dragged myself out of the river, gasping, bleeding, and still yelling No one came; no one answered I RAN
I knew that I couldn’t keep hiding from myself I wasn’t running from the wreck or the river I was running from the life I had been sinking into The events that followed this night are the works of divine intervention There were many beginnings, middles, and endings in this very moment. Something happened that night that can only be understood outside the box of logic and reasoning. I say that because although I walked away from the accident and swam out of that river, a past version of myself died and was left behind I had already begun changing and becoming, but I would still be dragged down to the darkness I harbored in the pits of my mind This event solidified a lifestyle that would change me in every way possible I knew that if I could conquer my mind and my body, I could overcome the clutches of addiction So, again, I RAN
“I RAN”
Ultra running became my teacher. It taught me that limits were inside my mind and that I wasn’t weak but indecisive. It taught me discipline and how to keep going when all I wanted to do was quit. That pain is not a reason to stop, and it’s in those moments that we can level up. Most importantly, it helped me recognize myself again. In some way, it was my way of controlling the internal suffering, emotional pain, and mental agony I was experiencing. I spent countless hours in solitude, running through the woods in rain, snow, or shine, trying to understand how to redirect the course of my life. Every run and every race was geared toward that goal. It wasn’t about the medals, buckles, or the victories. It was about rebuilding my internal foundation. I held on to that truth every step of the way, glancing back to see how far I’d come. Because in the race, it’s not about how far you have left to go; it’s about how far you ’ ve come and what you ’ ve endured along the way. That’s where hope is born and the desire to keep going.
I discovered the Midwest Grand Slam of Ultrarunning when a buddy and I were messaging back and forth, and he mentioned The Slam. At first, I thought nothing of it, pushing the idea to the back of my mind. But it was too late; the seed had already been planted. I was soaring high from finishes and victories at the North Country Trail Run and Midwest Everest, which nourished the seed to grow. Soon, I knew I had to run The Slam.
I didn’t know how I was going to achieve this lofty goal, but I knew I wanted to pursue it. To prepare mentally, physically, and emotionally, I would have to hold off on so many areas of life sacrificing in fatherhood, work, and social life. The first thing I did was break it down into bite-sized pieces by writing it all out in my journal. Believe it or not, that was the hardest part. I feared the commitment but recognized that little voice as the one I had spent time with for years saying, “You can’t do it. You won’t do it.” I silenced it the same way I silenced it when it said I couldn’t change or live a sober life. I committed as needed every second, every minute, every hour, every day, every month, every year.
Decision made. I ran.
The Midwest Grand Slam of Ultrarunning gave me a choice go big or go home It would be a test of my physical endurance and determination The Slam has two options: Grand Slam (4 out of 5) and Super Slam (5 out of 5) The races in this incredible journey are Mohican Trail 100, Kettle Moraine 100, Burning River 100, Run Woodstock 100, and Indiana Trail 100
Going into the Slam, I was set on a solid season My training was on track, and I wanted one last long run before Mohican Two weeks out, I tackled the Traverse City Trail Festival’s 100K The race started strong, but midway, I rolled my ankle I finished and decided to taper cautiously. June 1st, Mohican Trail Run. I was ready to rock. My ankle nagged me during the taper, and I managed only ten miles in two weeks. Still, I felt great on race day. At mile 34, disaster struck again I rolled my ankle. I taped it, took some ibuprofen, and pushed on. By the next aid station, it was clear: this race was over. Sitting there, I asked myself, “Am I hurt or just hurting?” At mile 60, I officially called it my first DNF of the Slam. With Kettle Moraine a week away, doubts crept in. My Super Slam dream faded, but I knew pulling out was the right choice. Mohican is a beautiful, grueling course of steep climbs, switchbacks, and breathtaking views. This year, it just wasn’t mine to finish.
The week before Kettle was all about recovery Rest, ice, and compression became my routine as I focused on healing How would I manage another 100 miles with this ankle? I didn’t know, but I wasn’t giving up
June 8th, Kettle Moraine The race had no medical personnel to tape my ankle, so I had no choice but to prepare myself for the grind I was nervous stepping up to the start line, but I was determined to finish The moment the race began, my ankle throbbed with every step I ran as if my life depended on it because, in a way, it did Another DNF would have meant the end of my Grand Slam attempt. Despite the pain, I kept a strong pace through the first 100K, slowly climbing the leaderboard into second place. But heading out for the final loop on the infamous “fun run section,” I knew my ankle was giving out. Each step confirmed what I dreaded: I couldn’t hold my pace for the rest of the race. I pushed on, but my body started to break down. I was in agony when I hit the turnaround to head back to the finish. Every hill became a battle as I shuffled backward, using trekking poles borrowed from a kind-hearted runner who saw me struggling. Her generosity kept me moving forward. Eventually, I hobbled across the finish line in tenth place, battered but triumphant. It wasn’t my fastest race or my strongest performance, but it taught me more about resilience than any race I’d run before. Kettle Moraine will always hold a special place in my heart
July 27th, Burning River. Between Kettle Morain priority over training The injury had drained m sure I’d make it to the starting line I told my depending on how I felt But when the day ca all this way why not run?” From the first step, training had cost me. My body felt sluggish pounding of the course. Burning River wasn mentally punishing. The unforgiving stretches of energy I had left It became my toughest r endurance and my will to keep going I finished that line was a reminder of what these race and then som
September 6th, Run Woodstock’s Hallucinati May I didn’t experience a single issue during solid work The race atmosphere was full of high, and everyone was ready for a great time cruised through the first 50K. Given the una training, I planned to focus on nutrition. Long s all know where that leads the port-potty. I e unable to keep anything in But I knew it wou Eventually, it did I recovered and finished str race and an even greater time, this is the one point, everything felt solid
Two weeks after Hallucination, I signed up fo 50. A hell of a race! I continued building off time on the trail and in the gym I wanted t
October 12th, Indiana Trail Fitness-wise, I fel Slam in June. During training, I visualized m mantra: “I’m strong. I’m focused. I’m grinding from 1 to 100. Around mile 80, my emotions ran life I had lived I thought of every dark momen here I was, not just running but rewriting the forever Five years removed from a version prayed to God and thanked Him for the chan begged Him to help me push forward. I thoug people I let down. But now, I was here comp year, living a completely different life I thoug show that change is possible and that no ma stronger At that moment, I realized how mu running and belief. I crossed the finish line and imperfect season full of challenges, I became holder. I did it the same way I appr
I’ll leave you with this: Life keeps moving, with still or to chase something greater is ours alo courage to take the
BY: LAURA ADAMS
PHOTOS BY PETE SCHREINER
FAR FROM CHUMP CHANGE: THE COMMUNITY BEHIND TARA DOWER’S FKT
BY LAURA ADAMS
If you talk to Tara Dower, aka Candy Mama, about her recent FKT on the Appalachian Trail, she’ll tell you about the people who helped her do it. To wrap our heads around what they accomplished together, it helps to talk through the stats. First, the basics: the AT is over 2,190 miles, spanning across 14 states, with over 515,000 feet of elevation gain (For East Coast runners, that’s a bit of a bragging right The Rockies boast 490,000 feet of elevation gain despite being 500 miles longer So essentially, add in Mt Everest’s elevation gain in 500 fewer miles and you’ve got the AT ) According to Appalachian Trail Conservancy, it takes the average thru hiker 5-7 months to hike the entire trail Tara Dower completed that trek on September 21, 2024 in 40 days, 18 hours, and 5 minutes, averaging 54 miles a day, beating the previous record by more than 13 hours, and becoming the first woman to hold the overall course record
PHOTOS BY PETE SCHREINER
But, like I said, Tara is more interested in telling you about the people who helped her do it. She’ll quickly follow-up with the people she hopes to help by doing so (Tara and her team were also fundraising for Girls On The Run throughout the whole trek )
“There were a lot of people who came in and out,” Dower tells me “People who would come for an hour ” She proceeds to roll off names actually, mostly nicknames Leading with her friend JP Giblin, who joined her for a month and completed 550 miles of the trek Her friends Kenny (aka Kenny Powers) and Matador also helped out Sometimes, Tara’s trail family members even earned multiple nicknames along the trail For instance, IceMan [David Martin], whom she tells me was the Gandalf of her journey.
A huge assist came from her friend Amy, who spotted on Instagram that Dower was going for the FKT. She and her husband, Steve, live out of their van and have a kitchen set up. They joined the team on day 11 and took over the food prep. “Amy just knows a lot about nutrition,” Dower told me. “They can cook, bake, and do a lot in that van She cooked during the day and kept track of all of my macros It really helped to have someone dedicated to that job ”
She guesses, in total, there were over 40 people who came out to help support her in some way, shape, or form And she’s very clear she couldn’t have done it without them “We had a lot of trail angels come and give us food pacers come out for sections,” she says These people, they are the magic of the trail
The Right Stuff
If there was a job description for becoming a crew member on an FKT like this, the list of qualifications would be relatively short, though highly specific. “It needs to be someone who’s completely on board with the FKT and completely focused on it,” Dower tells me. “Someone who generally cares about me and cares about the record, has a team mindset, is easy-going, and does pretty well with sleep deprivation. Someone who can be really loose. Adaptable ”
For Dower, those two people are Rascal and her mom, Debbie Komlo
EVERYONE NEEDS A RASCAL
“I met Rascal during a thru-hike in 2019 She helped me on the Sea Trail and is super familiar with the AT I just trusted her a lot ” Megan Wilmarth better known as her trail name, Rascal is no stranger to big efforts like this. The two met along the AT when they were both thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail in 2019. As she shared in another interview with I Run Far, Rascal started hiking on-and-off with Tara and her trail family in New Hampshire By the time they approached Leigh Gap, she decided to join them full-time “So we summited [Mount] Katahdin together,” Rascal said in a recent interview with I Run Far “It was a really special moment; we’ve been best friends ever since ”
A year later, Rascal joined Dower starting on day 10 of what became her FKT of the Mountain to Sea trail, which she completed in 29 days, 8 hours, and 48 minutes. For Rascal, who lives and works in places seasonally, the challenge of supporting her friend on that first FKT became a great opportunity to learn more about herself and each other.
But rearranging your life for 40 days is no small task “I asked her about a year and a half before we started,” shares Dower, “And at first she said no, she was going to do the Continental Divide Trail ” Rascal’s plan was to spend the summer of 2024 hiking the CDT, but somehow things worked themselves out where she was able to do that sooner, and her summer opened itself up
PHTOTOS BY PETE SCHREINER
PHOTO BY PETE SCHREINER
A Mothers Love
“I learned what people are feeling when I go off on these adventures feeling nervous for their safety Loved ones, specifically ”
The Prep
This may sound hard to believe, but to Dower going into this effort was a lot easier for her mentally “I know my body is used to these mountains and trails I can get into the groove pretty easily,” she says. And it’s no small wonder she was romping around the woods with her family in Bear and Harriman State Park from the time she could walk When they moved to North Carolina when she was 5, they spent a lot of time at Falls Lake “We just did regular hiking trails nothing long or technical ”
As she grew older, those formative hikes, along with participating in sports like soccer, running, and rugby in college, really began to shape the way she saw her future “I think that gave me a lot of identity for sure I wasn’t great at school, I wasn’t the best student, but I felt that if I worked really hard I felt I could do something great with it,” she told me
When her mom, Debbie Komlo, decided to hike the AT in 2023, Dower and her husband Jonathan joined to support her on the first 5 days of her trip. At the time, Komlo had done several section hikes. “It’s hard to see your family member going off into the woods,” Dower said “It’s not that I didn’t trust her, I just didn’t know what was going to happen.” That experience gave her a deeper understanding of what goes into the support a crew member gives “I learned what people are feeling when I go off on these adventures feeling nervous for their safety Loved ones, specifically ”
Which is how Komlo and Rascal came to lead, as they call themselves, team Chump Change Willingly and lovingly subjecting themselves to 40 days of sleep deprivation, meal preparation, pacer coordinating, travel logistics, and all-in-all just making sure Dower had everything she needed to set the record
Dower had 3-4 weeks of rest between her run at this year’s Hard Rock and starting the AT “It’s not straight-forward how to prepare,” she says. “I know the trail pretty well, and know the East Coast I was hoping that the Hard Rock training would be a good stimulus going into the AT ” In those 3-4 weeks between efforts, Dower focused on optimizing her recovery
“With these kinds of FKT’s, it’s hard to replicate that kind of motion It’s not straightforward how to prepare, to try to replicate that back-to-back experience.” On average, Tara completed around 55 miles a day She explains that she decided to make the trek North to South to get the more technical whites out of the way at the start. “After the whites and that technical area we got to 57-58 miles a day. One day was 62 the last ¾ of the trail we were really making up for it,” she said “I enjoy the whites, for a through-hike they would be my favorite, they’re really beautiful. They’re just really difficult doing an FKT There’s no quick pace you can do, doing that ”
PHOTO BY PETE SCHREINER
To Dower, the history of the mountains of the AT, the culture surrounding them, is what makes East Coast running such a magical thing “Obviously there’s not any dramatic summits,” she says, “but they don’t get enough credit for their beauty They’re ancient mountains And the community and the culture is really hard to replicate ” This go-round, her stretch in Virginia really stood out to her. What’s typically known as ‘The Virginia Blues,’ for many, became one of her favorite stretches.
Which isn’t to say that any of this was easy 55 miles a day for 40 days is hard on your body and mind One key approach they had to their strategy was drinking an Ultragen protein shake at every road crossing, about 6-7 of them a day, sometimes an additional one before going to sleep. “I got that advice from my mentor, Karl Meltzer. He had done it before and barely lost any weight doing that, so I really trusted his opinions on that I had the same experience ”
By the time they approached the last stretch of the trail, Dower really had to dig And I mean really dig With just around 75 miles left in the trail, going into a long night with a 16 mile stretch, they were approaching their last ascent “I’d been crying for the last 5 miles and knew I had 16 miles ahead,” she shares. “I went to sleep for 20 minutes in the van. I asked for 10 more, Rascal gave me 3.” When she woke up the miles ahead just didn’t seem realistic. At that point, her mom and Rascal got in the van. “My mom told me that I could do it, that I was resilient ” Dower confesses she doesn’t remember the specifics of the pep talk, but that whatever her mom said worked
The next day was Blood Mountain “I was being paced by Rascal, and Jasper, this young runner who wanted to come out, who was about 17 years-old.” Going into that effort, Dower had a slight strain in her glute and hamstring and realized she was pretty exhausted. “My mind and my body were kind of going. I had a hallucination of my friend Liz sitting on a log, it was like snapping out of a dream,” she says “All we could do was keep going There was no magic fix, we just had to get through it Just typical AT stuff just another one of those mountains,” she says
That mental endurance, and the community effort, paid off. Just minutes before midnight on September 21, Dower reached the pinnacle of Georgia’s Springer Mountain, completing the entire AT in just 40 days, 18 hours, and 6 minutes over half a day faster than the previously held record
Paying it Forward
Growing up running and hiking, Dower is no stranger to how hard adolescence can be. So as she went on her adventure she gave herself another goal to raise $50K for Girls On The Run, a non-profit organization that offers programming that helps girls build social, emotional, and physical skills Their focus on running, nutrition, teamwork, managing emotions, resolving conflict, and community building really resonated with Dower. Her own experience in athletics growing up taught her a lot about resilience, ambition, and confidence. “I saw that when I worked harder, things happened,” she shared. “This kind of program getting taught life skills and going through a running program is only going to be helpful ”
An outpour of support rallied around her initiative too, as word got out in the community. At the time of our conversation Dower had nearly doubled her goal, thanks to individual supporters donating $55K to her fundraiser, and her sponsor, Altra, contributing an additional $45K.
She said if she could offer one bit of training advice to the next generation, it would be to not be afraid of failure “Failure played a big part in my overall story and my love of the trails and what kept bringing me back,” she says. “Don’t be afraid of failure and make tough goals for
THE EAST COASTS MOST
SCENIC TRAIL RACES
PHOTO BY MISTY HERRON
CHASING THE ORANGE BLAZE
BY: SEAN “RUN BUM” BLANTON
“ItisthetrueoldFlorida— thewildFloridathat everyoneelseisafraid of.”
About a decade ago, I started exploring the Florida Trail. How I found it is an interesting story, but basically, I stumbled upon a random trail in a wildlife management area not too far from Orlando. I went out on an 8-mile run and saw more bald eagles in an hour than I had seen in my lifetime. I saw a gopher tortoise and more birds than I could shake a stick at. There was something just so wild about this place. I had been following this mysterious orange blaze. I’ve been delving into what the Florida Trail was on the Internet. That ultimately led me to establishing the fastest time on the Florida Trail. It’s an 1,108-mile point-to-point trail that spans the length of Florida from the Everglades all the way to the beaches and Gulf Islands National Park south of Pensacola. You see about everything you could ever want to see in the state and then some. It is the true old Florida the wild Florida that everyone else is afraid of.
I set off on a conquest, not only to see as much of the Florida Trail as I could but also to share that with other people. It’s one of the national scenic trails designated by Congress. Each year, about 1,000 volunteers submit about 30,000 man-hours of trail work to keep the trail clear for hikers and runners. Jim Kern, who established and started the Florida Trail, wanted the trail to be accessible to 90% of Floridians within a 1-hour drive. Massive success. However, most Floridians don’t even know it exists.
As someone who does a lot of trail work on the Florida Trail, truly because I love it, I see the need for a new generation of trail maintainers. Many times I’m the youngest person out there at our workday by 30 years. I always ask myself: if not me, then who?
Over the last six or so years, with about 12 different events utilizing parts of the Florida Trail, Run Bum Races and I have been able to donate over $50,000 to the Florida Trail Association. It is a cause that is near and dear to my heart. While some people want to send money to Africa or volunteer in a soup kitchen during the holidays, my volunteerism is always related to opening up and helping trails. Maybe it’s selfish; maybe it’s not. But for me, the way I see it is if we do not have these trails maintained, people cannot go outside on them. People need to be out in nature to want to protect it. The mental health benefits of being out in the woods alone or with other people are too numerous to list here.
In the past 15 months leading up to the Wild Florida race this year, the Suwannee River has been rocked by three different hurricanes, two of which had their eye walls pass over our racecourse along the Florida Trail, and there have been a couple of floods along the Alapaha River and on the Suwannee River itself. Only about seven people help maintain the 74-mile expanse of the Florida Trail along the Suwannee River. With these maintainers alone, there is absolutely no way for them to fully maintain these sections of trail. The Florida Trail Association, along with the race, organized two massive work weekends, and we estimate it took approximately 2,500 man-hours of trail maintenance just this year alone to reverse all of the damage that was done by Hurricane Helene.
PHOTO BY MISTY HERRON
V o l u n t e e r s f r o m a l l a c r o s s t h e s t a t e a n d f r o m o u t s i d e t h e s t a t e d e s c e n d e d u p o n t h e S u w a n n e e R i v e r s e c t i o n o f t h e F l o r i d a T r a i l o v e r t h e p a s t t w o m o n t h s . W e h a d 5 0 p e o p l e w o r k i n g f o u r d a y s i n a r o w o n o u r W i l d F l o r i d a c o u r s e j u s t t o g e t i t o p e n . W e e s t i m a t e t h a t t h i s y e a r a l o n e , f r o m H u r r i c a n e H e l e n e , o v e r 1 , 5 0 0 t r e e s w e r e c l e a r e d o f f t h e W i l d F l o r i d a 5 0 K c o u r s e .
I p e r s o n a l l y w a n t t o t h a n k a l l o f t h e r u n n e r s f o r g i v i n g u s a r e a s o n t o g o a n d c l e a r t h e s e t r a i l s . I a l s o w a n t t o t h a n k t h e F l o r i d a T r a i l A s s o c i a t i o n a n d a l l i t s v o l u n t e e r s f o r h e l p i n g u s c l e a r e v e r y t h i n g T h i s i s d a n g e r o u s w o r k , b u t s o m e b o d y ’ s g o t t a d o i t .
S e l f i s h l y , I ’ v e b e e n a b l e t o r u n t h e 5 0 K r a c e t h e l a s t t w o y e a r s a n d h o p e t o c o n t i n u e t o d o t h a t u n t i l I d i e . I t r e m a i n s m y f a v o r i t e p o i n t - t o - p o i n t 5 0 K c o u r s e , a n d r u n n i n g i t w h i l e s e e i n g a l l t h e h a r d w o r k t h a t w e ’ v e p u t i n t o i t s i m p l y m a k e s m e s m i l e . I t a l s o m a k e s t h e m i l e s t h a t h u r t t h a t m u c h e a s i e r , k n o w i n g t h a t s o m e b o d y p u t a l o t o f w o r k i n t o t h i s j u s t s o I c o u l d d o t h i s .
Sean “Run Bum” Blanton
PHOTO BY MISTY HERRON
The footsteps of adventure
TommyJames
PHOTO BY MISTY HERRON
The Wild Florida 50k was actually my fourth ultra marathon! Before that, I participated in three local races in Milton, FL two of which were 50ks, and one was a 50-miler, which was definitely an adventure! Honestly, when I first started training for ultras, I had no idea what I was doing; it was all about learning as I went. However, with each race, I’ve gained valuable experience and am starting to really understand the unique mindset required for ultras I’m loving the challenge and the process of getting stronger with each run I absolutely cherish getting onto the trails whenever possible About 90% of my training involves road running, but I always make it a point to sneak in some trail runs with friends when the opportunity arises There’s something special about running through the trails in Blackwater State Forest back home, even if some of the 'trails' we encounter are really just singletrack dirt roads. But when you’re out there, it definitely feels like true trail running! I also enjoy the scenery and the chance to see wildlife. We often plan our routes to finish at a creek, like Juniper or Blackwater, especially during summer it’s the perfect way to cool off after a tough run and soak in the peacefulness of the woods Nothing beats the feeling of those cold creek waters on a hot day!
Going into my recent race, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect I’d been battling plantar fasciitis for a few months, so my training wasn’t quite where I had hoped it would be. Still, I managed to log some solid miles and felt I had a decent shot at a competitive time. Overall, the race went about as well as I could’ve hoped! I did encounter a couple of hiccups along the way, like two unplanned bathroom breaks around miles 7 and 19, and I even ate dirt twice! Thankfully, neither fall caused any serious issues, and I was able to shake them off. I carried most of my fuel with me (Maurten gels), which worked great, and I only grabbed a quick quesadilla at the first aid station At the others, I just refilled my water to stay hydrated and wash down the gels. I was fortunate enough to lead the race from start to finish, though it wasn’t without some pressure. Ryan Kunz, the eventual second-place finisher, caught up to me a few times between miles 7 and 11 However, after that stretch, I found my rhythm, settled into a solid groove, and started to pull away. By mile 18, I was passing the 25k runners, and they offered amazing encouragement and positive vibes as I went by Crossing the finish line after nearly 31 miles on the trail left me feeling spent but surprisingly good. It’s always a mix of exhaustion and satisfaction, and this race was no exception. Despite the challenges, it was one of those days where everything just came together. The weekend before the race, my family and I visited my in-laws in Live Oak, which gave me a chance to sneak away for a couple of hours and scout part of the course. This was my first time on that section of the Florida Trail, so I wanted to get a feel for it. I started at the graffiti bridge an iconic landmark for anyone who’s been on the course and ran three miles out and back for a total of six miles. As I ran, I remember thinking that this trail didn’t scream ‘fast.’ The terrain felt technical and had just enough twists and turns to keep you on your toes. Because of that, I went into race day expecting a solid effort but wasn’t sure what kind of time the course would allow
Fast forward to race day, and I was honestly shocked to finish with a sub-4-hour time. It’s funny how adrenaline, race-day focus, and the energy of competition can completely change your perception of a trail! Even though I started the race at a fast pace, I consciously made an effort to keep something in reserve for the final miles. I wasn’t 100% sure what to expect from the course, and I’d seen a couple of YouTube videos where someone mentioned that the last few miles included some sneaky little hills Knowing my history those final five miles have been my Achilles’ heel in the other two 50k races I’ve done I wanted to ensure I had the energy to push through. Now that I’ve raced it, I feel confident that I could shave 5–10 minutes off my time next time. Just skipping those two bathroom stops would probably save 4–5 minutes right there! Plus, knowing the course layout would allow me to pace more aggressively without worrying about what might be around the next turn. Trail races are funny like that; the first time on a course, you run with a mix of strategy and caution, but the second time? That’s when you really get to unleash. I’m excited to see what I could do next time with this experience under my belt! Currently, the only race on my calendar is the Georgia Death Race, and I must admit, it has me feeling pretty nervous! The course is no joke, and just thinking about the climbs and terrain is enough to make my legs ache But hey, that’s part of the fun, right? The Wild Florida 50k was my first Run Bum race, and it absolutely lived up to the hype. Running alongside the Suwannee River for so much of the course was incredible. The scenery was stunning, and being so close to my hometown made it feel even more special. It’s definitely a race I’d love to revisit in the future. As for catching the ultra bug… well, let’s just say the trails have my heart. I’ll take roots, rocks, and river crossings over pounding the pavement any day. Whether or not I go full-on “ultra addict” is still up in the air, but there’s something magical about trail running that keeps pulling me back in. Who knows what adventures await?
Tommy James
PHOTO BY MISTY HERRON
R U N N I N G
T H R O U G H F A I T H : M Y J O U R N E Y O F
R E D E M P T I O N A N D
T R I U M P H
By Kip Chassé
I wasn’t born an athlete. Growing up, I tried my hand at baseball, football, and basketball, only to find myself falling short of natural talent. Yet, deep inside, there was an unrelenting drive a fire that refused to be extinguished. At 21, during my senior year of college, I discovered the world of triathlons, and it felt like I had finally found my place.
That year, I jumped in headfirst, completing 14 sprint triathlons and one international distance race with virtually no experience. The grueling nature of these events wasn’t a deterrent it was fuel. The longer the race, the more determined I became. It was that same drive that led me to sign up for my first 100-mile ultramarathon with only four months to train. I had no plan, no idea what I was getting into, and one singular goal: to find out if I had any quit in me.
In November 2008, I crossed the finish line of the inaugural Pinhoti 100 after 27 hours and 47 minutes of relentless running. I was exhausted, but something about that experience ignited a lifelong passion. Over the next 15 years, the Pinhoti 100 became more than a race it became my home, my family, and my proving ground. Every year, I returned to test my limits, to embrace the struggle, and to be part of a community that inspired me to push harder.
THE BACKBONE OF MY JOURNEY FAMILY
Behind every mile I’ve run and every finish line I’ve crossed stands my incredible family. My wife, my daughters, and my parents have been my unwavering support system through it all. They’ve followed me to countless races, cheered me on through sleepless nights, and celebrated every victory, no matter how small Their belief in me has been a constant source of strength, even when I doubted myself My mom and dad instilled in me the resilience and determination that fuels my running, and my wife and daughters remind me every day why I keep pushing forward. This journey isn’t mine alone it’s ours, and I’m forever grateful for their love and faith in me.
If I had to choose one race that profoundly changed me, it would be my 15th attempt at the Pinhoti 100 in 2023. At 38 years old, I experienced something extraordinary a race without pain, without struggle, and filled with joy It felt like an out-of-body experience, as though I was being carried by an unseen force
But to truly understand why this race was so special, I need to rewind to the challenges that came before it
In 2022, I finished the Pinhoti 100 just 15 minutes shy of the cutoff time. It was my slowest finish in years, and I felt like my ultrarunning career was unraveling. That same year, I was diagnosed with an aneurysm in my vertebral artery, a condition that felt like a ticking time bomb. I could have let fear consume me. Instead, I turned to faith.
The Profoun Moments T Define Us
In August 2023, I made a commitment to change my life I gave myself fully to God, began serving in my church, overhauled my nutrition, and let go of the baggage that had been weighing me down For the first time, I trusted something greater than myself, and the results were nothing short of miraculous
Within months, my body transformed I started setting personal records across ultramarathons, 50Ks, and 100-mile races. And when I returned to the Pinhoti 100 that November, I felt like I was running on wings I shaved five hours off my previous year’s time, finishing in 25 hours and 34 minutes
By October 2024, I experienced what I can only describe as divine intervention The aneurysm that had once been a constant shadow over my life was gone My doctors couldn’t explain it, but I knew exactly what had happened: I was healed My running, once a test of endurance, had become a testimony of faith
Faith, Redemption, and Healing.
Today, every mile I run is a reflection of God’s work in my life Running has taught me resilience, community, and the power of never giving up But more importantly, it’s shown me that when we surrender our struggles to a higher power, extraordinary things can happen
The Pinhoti 100 isn’t just a race it’s a journey of transformation From my first finish in 2008 to becoming known as the "Pinhoti King" with 15 completions, this trail has shaped me into the person I am today It’s a place where I’ve found family, tested my limits, and witnessed the miraculous And I’ll keep coming back, not just to run, but to celebrate the journey, the community, and the God who carried me through
For every runner searching for meaning in the miles, know this: the road will test you, but it will also reveal your strength Trust the process, lean into the struggle, and never stop running toward your best self.
Kip Chassé
Photos By: Misty Herron
THE HEALING POWER OF CONNECTION
Photo by: Misty Herron
What is the point of it all? Why in the hell do we keep doing this to ourselves, plunging into races we deem far superior to our abilities. Just me? I mean, is it even about the races? I like to think the race is a celebration of sorts of all the prep and hours that have been spent in relentless preparation. Once the race starts, you have no other worry than the next step, the next mile, the next aid station. For me, 12 steps wasn’t enough… Almost 3,500 days since I broke that chain. Alcohol was my poison, and while I love everything about AA and what it represents, that tribe just wasn’t for me. I guess I just didn’t fit it. Me, you, every damn one of us has an insatiable desire to fit in, to belong, to love and feel loved. So when I thought about running, the actual why of it all… why do I train, why do I run. The one thing that resonated to me was connection. I run to find connection in a disconnected world. Connection with self, connection with nature, connection with others.
Like many in this world I sucked at having tough conversations, having feelings wasn’t comfortable for me. I purged many of these feelings down deep, self medicating to deal with life’s stress and anxiety. When I finally entered rehab to break my cycle of addiction, I took up smoking…not because I wanted to, but because every bastard in that joint was lighting up a heater. Looking back I really just wanted to fit in then too, to feel at ease in my own skin, when current surroundings were anything but a welcoming and familiar comfort zone.
About five years ago this sober fat smoker took up running for health reasons; prediabetic and in hopes of losing some weight I signed up for a local 15k. I didn’t like running…not at all, running was a necessary evil to beat back father time. I got bored though...the monotonous longer road runs sucked life out of me, until one fine day I got on the google machine typing nature trails near me. I still remember that feeling of that first run through the forest, it was probably only 3 miles tops, but it was the connection formed that day, a bond between myself and my mother nature. The quote I most often recall about this time in life was an old Yogi Berra gem, “When you come to a fork in the road, take it.”
“When you come to a fork in the road, take it”
Running in its simplicity has been an outlet for me since. At that time all my runs were solo, just me and my little gopro. Yet over some time my buddy Wade would join me, and then that one would bring another. Eventually a complete mixed bag of lunatics we coined the Trail Ticks were born. These miles created some bonds and relationships that aren’t to be replaced, in essence a trail family was born, A TRAMILY. We only had one Ultrarunner of the crew, she was this shit spitting firecracker that was all tatted up and cussed like a sailor and had these belt buckle things where “she said” she ran 100 miles, we all call her Andrea. Hook line and sinker, sign me the hell up. I’d never met anyone like her, don’t imagine I ever will. We clicked like a Bic, an instant fire and connection. We started running together and over the next few months developed a bond training, bushwhacking through brush and exploring this new found infectious energy. We got lost on purpose not looking to be found in these remote places few ever see outside the computer. What I had found was a connection and a path, I had found acceptance in a tribe.
THE STORIES BEHIND THE MILES
Yes, I’ve gotten lost so many times along this trail in my life I’ve made a million mistakes and will make ten million more I will take the wrong path I will own my errors and take responsibility for course correction The path has always been there but not always so clear I can turn back to safety and comfort, the allure of the heat and bed, the TV binge, and social media scroll. But then there’s the alternative: the journey into fear, into the unknown, into the dark of the night under the headlamp. I want my experiences in this life to be raw teachers, to build me into the man I want to be and know I can become. I want moments that scare the living shit out of me, and I want to come through the other side To me, that is the personal growth that I seek; that is the connection
It is difficult to explain the feelings associated with this connection to self and nature: the animal instinct, the raw and primal ancestry rooted in our sport of ultra The feeling is prehistoric; we are hunters and gatherers, tribal by nature running for food, running for competition, running for survival The flame can be a dormant ember, but I believe it’s embedded within each one of us That ember can spark and ignite that subconscious connection to nature, becoming one with self on the planes of mind, body, and spirit That feeling is now the drug that calls me in the morning to tie the laces and kick some dirt She knows me by name and costs me next to nothing; listening to her song is a simple walkabout amongst her beauty. That is the connection to my Mother Nature.
This is what I am in endless search of: the stories behind the miles. I think at the end of the day, no one really cares how fast or far you go That’s a personal measurement, and not one of us is like the other What I care to write about is the why understanding and learning about the deeper stories behind the miles I find my inspiration daily from this community and look forward to sharing some of our chapters along this trail in life
Photo by: Misty Herron
Wild Florida by Run Bum Races
ONTHERUN
The guilt and shame of survival are a heavy cross to bear
Five years ago, I read a book that started me on this ultra journey, Can’t Hurt Me by David Goggins. That fire I felt after reading and listening to some of those brutal life chapters was the same one I felt after my conversation with Geoffrey Speyrer Geoff has been through what I can only describe as the life of a fighter He once ran an ultramarathon for 85 consecutive days, spanning the terrain from Oregon to Oklahoma, only to succumb to heat stroke and exhaustion; he was mentally and physically broken The man has fought and clawed for the life he has today, on a mission to share a little shot of hope with the world. Like most of us in this sport, we’re riskseeking individuals as opposed to risk-averse.
Geoff’s military service included the insane detail of route clearance, clearing prospected paths of explosives and surrounding threats We’ve all seen those feel-good viral videos of soldiers returning from combat, the warm embrace from loved ones, all the kids' smiles, and the chants of "USA" amongst the waving flags in the backdrop. Geoff’s return from combat deployment well, there was no warm welcome. His then-wife had started dating his best friend and was having his baby; many of the brothers he left with were absent upon his return Like many of our great heroes, Geoff spiraled into addiction
Imagine running an ultramarathon but for five years
Men were told to suck it up, wipe the tears, and march The guilt and shame of survival are a heavy cross to bear The issues one deals with in combat, the losses of life and relationships to senseless acts of war, are a weight no man should ever bear… and he, like so many, struggled with that guilt. The guilt of survival, returning back to a round world as a square peg Why me?
This is the only way I can relate to Geoff and our conversation about his time as a wanted fugitive Never a restful night Always on guard Imagine a daily battle where fight or flight is your morning routine. Did that person recognize me? Did that cop run my plate? Every second being worried about your expiring freedom. If that is not a perfect metaphor for life. The reality is that our freedom, our life on this planet, is a countdown Eventually, that ultra was over for Geoff; his crew, or in this instance, the SWAT team made the decision for him
INTERNALWARFARE
Geoff talks openly about these times because he knows there’s another just like him What happens when you risk it all in life and fall short? Is that a failure? The only failure is in never starting. He made a decision to get his life right, which is always a work in progress. He eliminated all life-destroying substances You will fall; we all do, but he notes that a champion is not measured by his belts. The champion is measured by his fortitude post-defeat. Live or die, it’s basically that simple. Lay down and give up, or get your ass back up, wipe the tears away, and live life on purpose.
Ultra and endurance events take us out of our comfort zones; the subsequent result is growth The community is an essential element that keeps Geoff coming back He relates it to a sense of trauma bonding, going through the shit the situations that will bring a person to the breaking point, coming through the other side together. Things he’s learned along the way: the importance of PMCS (preventive maintenance checks and services) is the term in the military The car is a magnificent machine, but a car running for months without any oil is on its way to its junkyard destination In these races, we are forced to learn all about these little details. The realization of lubrication benefits and the massive amounts necessary to survive in this sport. We’re out there kicking rocks, falling over roots, taping up blisters… wondering why there is a pink rouge of sweat and blood between my thighs We’re all out there; some would say suffering, but I think it’s more of a group project on internal warfare, a release of all of our collective demons, all on this solo quest, not a soul around but never alone. Picking one another up, connecting with complete strangers on the endless trail. Life or Ultra?
Geoff continues to inspire me and others along this trail. He admits, though now older, he’s not done; he’s still adapting and changing his checks and services. The two most important words to him are “I AM” because the things we say about ourselves tend to come true We’re all broken, but in this community, it is togetherness that sets us apart. It is still me versus me out there every mile, but in all senses, it is really us versus them, as in us versus our demons Geoff told me it’s the biggest biohack in human history: communal connection, and I do agree, my friend.
Ryan Osbeck
