#susitna100

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"But... but maybe he's only a little crazy like painters or composers or... or some of those men in Washington." #Miracleon34thstreet The Willow Winter Solstice Marathon did not disappoint this year! The trail was fast, the weather calm, and the sunset spectacular. Plus it was a blast to see and chat with so many local running friends! I may have been slow (@bretski1 and I were testing out running with full packs for #susitna100) but I had too much fun to consider today anything other than a total success. #crazy #smiles4days #willowwintersolsticemarathon (at Willow, Alaska)

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"It was really fun actually. It's kinda quiet. It was a good time." #TheHangover The Susitna 100 once again did not disappoint: fresh snow all night before the race, 10 minutes late to the start, complete sled failure (@bretski's) in the first half mile, custom repair help from Martin Buser himself, overcast and flat light, slushy swap post-holing, incredible volunteers!, heavy snow all night on the river, snowshoes!, watching my buddy drop at mile 63, chased by cutoff times, the best Rice Krispie treat I've ever had, more snow, old friends at aid stations, new friends on the trail, chewy Tums, three sacrificed toenails, some running, some walking, some sleepwalking, and some sleeping while standing in the middle of the trail and needing to check a map to make sure you're still moving in the right direction. If you had told me when I woke up at 7am Saturday morning that I wouldn't be done (or asleep) for the next 48 hours...well I would have still done it, but I would have probably hit the snooze button at least one more time. But yeah, when it's all said and done, it was really fun actually. #susitna100 #ultrarunning #alaska (at Big Lake, Alaska)

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How it started 😁➡️ how it ended 🫠 This year was harrrrd #susitna100 #type2fun (at Big Lake, Alaska) https://www.instagram.com/p/CpUHfoWuZZy/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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"The way back to town is only 70 miles. If you save your breath, I feel a man like you could manage it." #TheGoodtheBadandtheUgly #IlBuonoilBruttoilCattivo This year was easily the best conditions I've ever seen for the Susitna 100! Firm trails, clear skies and I felt strong from my training. But a little over halfway into the race my chest started to feel weirdly tight and made deep breathing tough. I figured like most ailments during an ultra, it'd totally get better. Well...it didn't get any better 😂 Wheezing, coughing, chest pain, and a perpetual feeling like I was *almost* gonna suffocate. But everything else was too good to stop! So I just tried to grin and bear it and still managed drag myself to a personal best (I told you conditions were soooo good!) Big props to @ak_sasquatch who I had so much fun running with, racing back-and-forth with, and who hung with me at the end when I was deep in the pain cave. Oh and btw, pretty sure now it was exercise-induced asthma. Got ahold of an inhaler after finishing and it was instant relief. And yes, of course I'm going to go see a doctor about this 🙄 #susitna100 #ultrarunning #listentoyourbody? (at Happy Trails Kennel) https://www.instagram.com/p/B8xmJ4IngqQ/?igshid=13rt9a2yif0bi

[dustruns]

"The way back to town is only 70 miles. If you save your breath, I feel a man like you could manage it." #TheGoodtheBadandtheUgly #IlBuonoilBruttoilCattivo This year was easily the best conditions I've ever seen for the Susitna 100! Firm trails, clear skies and I felt strong from my training. But a little over halfway into the race my chest started to feel weirdly tight and made deep breathing tough. I figured like most ailments during an ultra, it'd totally get better. Well...it didn't get any better 😂 Wheezing, coughing, chest pain, and a perpetual feeling like I was *almost* gonna suffocate. But everything else was too good to stop! So I just tried to grin and bear it and still managed drag myself to a personal best (I told you conditions were soooo good!) Big props to @ak_sasquatch who I had so much fun running with, racing back-and-forth with, and who hung with me at the end when I was deep in the pain cave. Oh and btw, pretty sure now it was exercise-induced asthma. Got ahold of an inhaler after finishing and it was instant relief. And yes, of course I'm going to go see a doctor about this 🙄 #susitna100 #ultrarunning #listentoyourbody? (at Happy Trails Kennel) https://www.instagram.com/p/B8xlbDXH0iS/?igshid=cvikzaik09st

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"This is not a sustainable friendship model." #Home Susitna 100! So the night before the race I get a text from @bretski1 "Dude, I'm gonna puke tonight." Nooooooo...he got the stomach flu from his kids. But despite puking like 8 times, he was at the race start before me. Our families cheered us into clear skies and subzero temps and we were off! We ran with packs (rather than the standard sleds) this year which we both really loved. Andy (@dede.novo) came to mile 22 to cheer us on and I caught Brett looking longingly at Andy's van. Probably his lowest point of the race, but Brett rallied through the nausea and we ran on. The weather went from sunny, to -20 below down on the river Saturday night, then warmed up enough to dump snow on us Sunday afternoon/evening. I preferred the cold-clear weather as it kept the trail firm and was easier to regulate my temperature, but there's always something fun about a snowstorm--even at mile 80. Also, I learned that a well-timed 5 hour energy shot (jäger bomb style) can be so 💰. We ran, we hiked, we sleep-walked, and even chased down some racers with our headlamps off. Sometimes I set the pace, sometimes Brett did. We talked about a million things, but sometimes we didn't say anything at all. Yeah it was still hard and took just over 39 hours, but it's fun to not suffer alone. Besides, I think the best friendships are forged by suffering together. #susitna100 #ultrarunning #alaska (at Susitna River)

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"Dude! We got cellphones!" #Dudewheresmycar Dude! We got cell service! #susitna100 #ultrarunning #somanymilesleft 😂 (at Big Lake, Alaska)

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"I drew you this picture." #TheJerk Because of gear check/orientation meeting for #Susitna100 tonight, I got home well after bedtime. But I found this drawing Sienna left for me (D) and was impressed by how well she knows her dad, even at 5 years old! 😂 #kidsart #i❤️mountains #goodluckdad