There are many fitness truisms proven out on the trail. Put one foot in front of the other and sooner or later you will cross the finish line. Don’t worry about how you feel now – it will change soon (for good and bad). The demons will come visit and tempt you to stop when it starts to hurt. All of these came true today. The race is completed, in the “books” and the 100K in the “hills” of Arizona proved to be as tough as a race can be. 13:45 hours to get to the end. Longer than expected but realistic given the amount of “up” (big and long climbs) and “down” (steep and rocky). All else was as expected – races of this length play with your mind – yes, the body will hurt – that is what happens in an ultra but what we do with the “hurt” is the key to completing. Embrace the pain was advice given to me a long time ago. When you do it seems to normalize (well to a degree) and it helps you stay focused on the goal. Blend in the right nutrition and a great weather day and well you have a grand ole time. And when you cross the finish line – the last truism comes to be….I am Happy to be done.

Loving life ….when the race is over