my 2025 in running

2026.03.15

I had a pretty big year last year. At least, where running is considered. Here's a recap.

In May, I ran the Mayapple 50k, my first ultramarathon, in Millburn, NJ. With train workers on strike, my day began with a 2.5 hour packed bus ride. It was swampy day that began with rain and evolved into a muggy, muddy 90F sauna. I kept wondering what I had gotten myself into. The race ran out of water towards the end, and some aid stations carried only potato chips and nature valley bars. In the final 5 miles, my mind emptied and I began involuntarily repeating the mantra "there is nothing I cannot do" to myself probably 1,000 times. I pushed through and eventually finished.

In June things were much better. I ran the Golden State 50k on familiar terrain in Fort Ord Dunes National Monument. Golden it was, with flaxen summer grass blending into soft sand dunes. Crisp, temperate weather and clear skies helped me set a personal record of 5:37:05 in the 50k. Despite many "sand traps", and a good amount of climbing, my nutrition was now dialled (I used almost exclusively double strength tailwind). I felt very strong, picking up the pace at the end, and finished in good spirits.

September brought me to Devil on the Divide 50k in Empire, Colorado. Despite being the same distance as my previous race, it took me nearly twice as long to complete. It was by far the most difficult course I ran this year, but also the most rewarding. The climbs were absolutely brutal, and my lungs and muscles screamed from lack of oxygen, but I was rewarded with sweeping views of the rockies in all directions. One week later I zoomed through the Bronx 10 mile in NYC, setting PRs in the 10k, 15k, and 10 mile.

My final race of the year, and most anticipated, was in October at Javelina Jundred 100k. A unique event that has reached legendary status in the community, I was so excited to line up alongside greats like Tara Dower, David Roche, Alexi Pappas, and Andy Glaze. I had very, very high expectations for this race, and it delivered. It was everything I wanted it to be, and more. Running twice as far as I had ever tried to before, I was able to encounter parts of my mind I had never visited, and learned what I previously had thought were my limits were in fact just the beginning of what I could truly do. And I saw so many cool cacti. I hope I can run this one again, hopefully the 100 mile course next time.

Of course, racing is just a small part of it. Training makes up the bulk of the effort for any successful runner. While training I got my first local legend on strava for a difficult segment near Emerald Bay in Tahoe, looped central park 100+ times and the entire perimiter of Manhattan 3x, and most importantly made lots of memories with friends. So everyone who ran and raced with me this year, thank you, and I hope we can continue doing this for many years to come.