The phrase “labor of love” is beyond cliché in the world of race directing, but it couldn’t be truer for events like the Berryman 50-mile and Marathon Trail Races. Like many other small races across the country that are hosted by local running clubs, this event shines because of the community behind it and how much they enjoy sharing their best local trails.
Even though ultramarathons are hours or even days long and it seems best to warm up as the race unfolds, there are a number of physiological and psychological responses to a warmup that can be a game-changer.
Imposter syndrome is quite a phenomenon and became a familiar friend over the next 13 hours. I tried to keep my mindset on “getting to the next aid station” and mostly succeeded, but I often thought: “How much longer until I blow this lead?” The night was mostly unremarkable, aside from the mental battle to keep pushing.
When I moved to Central Oregon, I was treated to probably the most wonderful trails of all: they are truly butter. By then, I knew it and I very much appreciated it, and I never once took my backyard playground for granted.
Christian Allen’s mullet precedes him—his foray into the professional running scene seems, like his elite hair and mustache combo, shocking. However, for those that know him, his rise has been anything but.
I’m tackling technical terrain nearly every time I leave the pavement. Since the obstacles are constant, it’s hard to even remember how I first learned to dance on the rocks or pick out the best line amid a spider web of roots – it’s simply something I’ve learned over years and miles on the trails.