As several of our clients know, I was very fortunate to recently run the Western States Endurance Run, which covers 100 miles on the trails from Squaw Valley Olympic Village to Auburn, California. It’s the oldest and most storied ultramarathon in the country — perhaps the world — born from a horse race in which Gordy Ainsleigh’s horse came up lame and the brash California cowboy chose to run it on foot anyway.
I first learned of the race 10 years ago and spent about six years trying to get in. This was the year my name was selected. Selection happened in December, so training started right after the holidays: early morning alarms, running through rain and mud, four- to five-hour runs every weekend. On June 28th I toed the line, inspired to finish what started over six years ago. I had a nearly perfect day and finished in 27 hours and 39 minutes.
The first question I always get is: WHY? We live in great comfort and rarely encounter struggle, but I believe struggle makes us stronger and ready to face life’s challenges. Ultrarunning strips you down to the core elements of life — breathing, eating, drinking, and moving. With 27 hours to do nothing but those things, you find yourself on a spiritual journey where colors become brighter, smiles mean more, relationships go deeper, and you cross the finish line a better version of you.
Thanks for letting me share a bit of my journey. I hope each of you finds your own — you don’t have to run 100 miles — that forces you to lay aside distractions and see the vibrant colors of life and the beautiful relationships right in front of all of us.