2019 Folsom Lake Ultra Trail (FLUT) 110km: Race Recap

This is me, somewhere in the first 8 miles, running around Folsom Lake (pictured in the background).

And together, with my hands shaking, a stranger and I take turns cutting open my feet, draining the fluid that’s built up, disinfecting the area, and wrapping my toes in gauze and tape. Even while I’m in the midst of taping shut the incisions I just made, I can’t help but zoom out for a second and laugh at how ridiculous the situation is. You signed up for this shit, I tell myself. You literally paid for this.

2018 Boston Marathon: Race Recap

Mentally speaking, in the weeks leading up to the 2018 Boston Marathon, I was all over the place. I was having an identity crisis over the fact that I had under-trained for this race. I was embarrassed that I wouldn't be putting up a time that was anywhere near as fast as what I was capable of. I was afraid I was going to finish the race with an injury - or worse, not finish at all. But, at the same time, I was excited to run in the race that had inspired me to run marathons in the first place. I was achieving one of my dreams, something that seven years earlier, seemed anything but possible.

Race Recap: My First 50-Mile Ultramarathon

In retrospect, the first 26 miles of the race were pretty easy. The real sufferfest began at mile 27, as we climbed our way up, through the rocky desert terrain, roasting under the mid-day sun without water, desperate to find the next aid station.