Unlike the pain cave, gratitude is a journey, not a destination. And, by staying on the gratitude path, you can avoid the pain cave completely.
As I floated between PTA warriors and snack table philosophers, one question kept pacing through my mind: What actually makes someone a well-rounded ultrarunner? (Aside from questionable life choices and a concerning affection for chafing.)
Cody Poskin is a recent Ole Miss graduate who rose to prominence with a win at the Jackpot 100 in February, and a top ten finish at Cocodona this past May. Cody’s love for running and adventure is infectious, and he shared with us what keeps him motivated to try new things.
There’ve been many times in my life when I’ve encountered moments where the choice of flight was never really an option. And the clarity of fight was an all-or-nothing endeavor. The 26th edition of the Tamalpa Headlands 50k was, without a doubt, one of the most all-or-nothing moments I’ve ever experienced—ever.
The 2025 Loud Thunder 50 in Illinois City, IL, was all about a return. Last year, leading up to the race, torrential rain cast aside the original course and all the planning that went into it. Trails were deemed unsafe due to flooding and treacherous footing. While the alternate route provided some relief to the runners that day, a return to the rugged, “real” route was what the runners wanted when they signed up for the 2025 edition.
We recently spoke with 24-year-old Shea Aquilano who competes professionally as an ultrarunner. Shea won her first 100-miler at age 21, won the Gorge Waterfalls 100k this year, ran with the female elite pack throughout much of this year’s Western States 100 and will be competing in her second World Trail Championships this September.