It’s okay to take a step back and fuel your soul

If you know me, you know that I moved my entire life to Colorado from Canada to try and win the Leadville 100 run. If you really know my story, you’ll also know that I had one of the best races of my life in 2023, came 8th at the iconic 100 miler and have been trying to improve on that result since. 

This year was good until it wasn’t. The short story is that I was in third for more than 30 miles, but when things started going downhill, they really went sideways fast. I ended up wanting to drop many times, especially at the 62 mile mark but my Skratch crew knew I needed to leave it all out there. That was the goal prior to the race, and it didn’t change just because I wasn’t having a magical day. I ended up walking for 11 hours until my body eventually said no. I left the race feeling frustrated but grateful for the community and the experience I had out there. 

Now that I’m a couple weeks removed, I’ve been trying to figure out what’s next. Being a professional runner is a dream job, but when you’re faced with failure it does become hard on you. Results aren’t everything, but they’re certainly something. I’m working through that right now, and it honestly hasn’t been easy. 

I think most endurance athletes thrive in regularity and routine. On Monday’s a lot of us rest, on Saturday’s or Sunday’s we do long runs or rides. I’m currently trying to deemphasize that model. I’m doing routes and training that inspires me. Even if it’s not necessarily the perfect way to improve my physiology, it’s been fueling my soul.

I’m already feeling this approach reignite my love for running. I’m up on ridge lines sometimes using my hands as much as my legs, doing bike rides I’ve always wanted to do but didn’t have the time for. I’m filling my cup and my soul to get ready for what’s next. I’m having fun every day and I think that’s worth more than fitness.

I’ve always been fueled by curiosity, and I’m using that curiosity to explore my environment rather than my physiological limits right now. Sport has always been the centre of my life. It’s why I live where I do, eat what I eat and sleep as much as I do. That hasn’t really change, and I know I’ll be back in a pretty regimented schedule again soon but it’s oaky to take a step back and reconnect with why you run, ride or do sport.

I love this sport, and what it’s allowed me to do. The people I’ve shared miles with are some of my best friends. I wouldn’t be able to work with cool brands like Skratch Labs, and the people in those companies. I’m grateful for the journey that I’m on regardless of how difficult it can be at times, it only makes the fire burn deeper and stronger. Listen to your body, listen to your schedule but make sure you take the time to fuel your soul with adventure, curiosity and maybe some Skratch along the way.