Going the Distance...

Napali Coast Trail - Island of Kauai, Hawaii [3036x4048] [OC]

FIFTY MILES. 264,000 feet. 74,927 steps. 765 minutes. 12 dance breaks. 6 roadside emergency massages. 1 crazy day of pain and laughing and learning. ↞ • ↠ ↞ • ↠ One week ago today I was crossing the finish line, surround by the most incredible people, completing a journey of 50 miles on foot in a single day. I’ve spent the last week absorbing the experience and watching all the little ripples and changes I’ve brought home with me from that desert adventure, and I keep finding myself floored at human capacity. I’m not unusually athletic. I’m not a gifted runner, I’m not particularly physically strong, I don’t have an innate “iron will”. Running this crazy distance isn’t something I was “made for” at all, it’s something I built. But it’s something I built on a foundation of community and connection rather than athleticism. What kept me going and kept me happy every step of this race well after the pain set in was having people who are the salt of the earth by my side supporting me the whole day. Of all the things I experienced over 50 miles of pain and bliss, the biggest takeaway for me personally is that my years of feigned, stubborn “independence” has done me a disservice. Connecting with quality people, serving them, and especially allowing them to serve me provides more strength and staying power than any physical or mental training could ever measure up to. Needing people is not weakness. Being vulnerable is not the same as lacking stability or strength. We simply can’t reach our full potential without each other. And I’ll run 50 painful miles any day if that’s what it takes to remind me of that. ↞ • ↠ ↞ • ↠ To those of you who supported me that day, THANK YOU. You are my rock. All of you. And to those of you who support and encourage me from a distance, whether deliberately or unknowingly, I’m honored to be counted among you. 🏃🏻‍♀️⛰♥️ #ponyexpress50 #dohardthings #ultrarunning #personalgrowth #embracechallenges #butalwayseatmorefries https://www.instagram.com/p/BpawMQuBj1G/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1dwp7hmfwwzsb

Coffee is best served with a view. #feedyouradventure https://ift.tt/2ytSWDU

photo via patricia

Will leer and Aisha Praught by John Jefferon (@jwjeffer)

Approaching the summit of Brandywine this past weekend. Very soon, we’ll be able to ski here! #salomonsquad #brandywinemountain #runwildvan https://ift.tt/2qcQZHA

Heading into the weekend with plenty of training volume in my legs, trying to make the most of the two big days to come. #salomonsquad #runwildvan https://ift.tt/2Nx7ibC

We climbed Into the Mystic trail and followed Happy Hour up to Mount Sproatt, then down along Lord of the Squirrels. Beautiful, runnable, perfect. #runwildvan https://ift.tt/2O4SguN

Taken just below Needle Peak on our way back from Flatiron on Sunday. https://ift.tt/2NWCke2