We always knew Eleanor was going to be a natural mother. Just as we've seen her in a caring role over the years as a dog walker, a teacher, a friend, and a partner. It is a joy to see her seamlessly and instinctively flow into this new role as Conall's mam. Caring, fun, compassionate, knowledgeable, and oh so patient. Conall and I are so grateful for her. We're the luckiest fellas in the world.
Almost 4 months into Conall's life out in the world and he is absolutely flying, fueling like a champ, and packing on the baby pounds. @elea_gram is such a natural, caring, and fun mother!
Also, we're 5 weeks after my own shoulder surgery. A 2024 summer shoulder separation flared up over the last six months and no amount of PT and bodywork was able to solve it. Bothered sleeping, shooting bicep pain, limited running, and only able to lift Conall on one side. Far from ideal timing but as the young fella gets bigger and bigger (and the racing season progresses), now was the time to go under the knife. In they went in for a shoulder cleanup. My AC joint had compressed (photo 5) and there was no space to rotate, so they trimmed 10mm off the end of my collar bone - a distal clavicle excision - hopefully allowing the shoulder to rotate back again. They found the little nugget in photo 3 and 4 just floating around in my shoulder joint. It may have started as a shard of bone or cartilage in grew over the years. I guess technically this "loose body" was my first born. The bicep and labrum tears they saw on the MRI didn't end up being as bad as expected (good news) so just a little clean up needed there. I only needed to be in a sling for a week, and now I'm back bouncing and airplaning Conall and changing nappies to my heart's content. Mobility is still a bit of a struggle but that'll come with time and the longest stretch holds (ooof). Hell, play my cards right (and do all the PT) and maybe I'll even get a few weeks of running in before a race-laden summer.
🎬 SHORTS: IN THE GREAT OUTDOORS
Three stories of adventure, resilience, and connection to the natural world:
DIPSEA GENERATIONS — You’ve likely heard of the Dipsea Race. This doc follows five young Bay Area runners as they take on the oldest—and perhaps most unique—trail race in the U.S. Directed by Paddy O’Leary and Nicole Amyx.
ARCTIC ALCHEMY — A renowned Alaskan adventurer and climate scientist leads a 112-mile research expedition above the Arctic Circle. Directed by
INTO THE LIGHT: A STORY OF SURFERS, NOT STREET CHILDREN — Directed by Mikey Corker (SAVAGE WATERS, DocLands 2022 Opening Night), this film spotlights two young South African surfers pursuing their dreams against all odds.
🎙️ With guests: Co-director Nicole Amyx (DIPSEA GENERATIONS) and protagonist Tom Hewitt (INTO THE LIGHT)
📅 SUN, MAY 3 • 11AM
📍 Smith Rafael Film Center
🎟️ doclands.com
Our first week of previews concludes today with Patrick O Leary’s interview about his project Dipsea Generations.
The DIpsea has been around forever and has a unique way of arranging it’s starting times so everyone has a shot at winning.
Take a listen and learn more for yourself!
Sharing more amazing films part of our Official Selection 2026:
'Dipsea Generations' by @poleary87
Trail running is disappointingly homogenous, yet the Bay Area is home to a diverse population and some of the best trails in the US. This film follows five young runners from across the Bay Area as they take on the oldest, and perhaps the most unique, trail race in the US, the iconic Dipsea race. Its unique handicap start makes it ripe for improving access to the sport.
Touring with us at TRFF’26
Get your tickets, host a screening, get hyped: trailfilmfest.com
#trailfilmfest
Our first film festival! We will be honoured to head south to Gilroy, Morgan Hill and San Juan Bautista for the incredible @poppyjasperiff . Dipsea Generations has been officially selected for the Poppy Jasper International Film Festival's 20th Anniversary screening from April 9th - 15th along with over 150 films from 38 countries.
It's a particularly powerful location for our first festival. These are the towns where our film's featured coach @joseesminombre and athlete @danielsaucedo.0512 and their families call home.
Thank you to the festival organizers for including our documentary. In the current political climate and an administration's chaotic push against people of diverse backgrounds, we need to elevate these positive stories and highlight the incredible individuals that are part of these communities.
Say hello to Conall Patrick O'Leary. He joined Eleanor and I at midday on Thursday, January 15th, and transformed our lives in an instant. Today, we set foot in our Inner Richmond apartment for the first time as a family of three.
Well, 2026 is going to look a little different. Three weeks until Baby O'Leary makes his debut.
Eleanor has been so strong this year balancing pregnancy, a full time job, and a huge art year (5 shows and 2 residencies). She finally got to start maternity leave on Christmas Eve — a major relief. And we've almost got our little one bedroom in order for your arrival. Your parents can't wait to meet you, young fella!
...
📸: @dominiquepowers from a great Drew & Sasha wedding celebration in the woods last September.
Back in the summer of 2024, my coach @mariofraioli introduced me to the team over at @precisionfandh . A great bunch of lads even for a group of Englishmen 😅.
Working with @samshepherd_tri , @bw_tri and the PF&H team has not just been a bunch of fun, it also helped me transition from fueling based on feel to fueling based on the data. The new plan worked out well for Puerto Vallarta 100K last year, at the Granite Peaks 80K this May, for all my short races (road and trail), and through all my long days on Mount Tam this summer. Alas I had a hiccup at the most important race of the year - World Championships - partly due to myself not following my plan early in the race. Well, Rome wasn't built in a day.
Here's to 2026 and for my second year officially working with Precision.
How are those PF90s for getting through the early days of parenting?
📸: @tonywithasony
#precisionfandh
Point to Point Reyes.
Yesterday, we enjoyed 47 of the finest Marin County miles to celebrate the end of 2025. Levi had been noodling on this route for a couple of years, and we were delighted that he brought @dylanbo and I along to finally give the Point Reyes north to south run a go. I feel so fortunate to share a sunrise to sunset adventure with these dads, and squeeze in all that parenting advice ahead of Baby Leary's arrival in the coming weeks. In return, I was able to share my own barely adequate knowledge of dairy farming and cattle breeds to the lads, which I'm sure they greatly appreciated. A huge thanks to @clairebernardmiller@harmonyalyssa and @elea_gram for the support along the way, and letting the dads out for the day!
#pointreyes #trailrunning #california
The Dipsea Generations road show continues. After premiering the film in front of a packed house in San Francisco last month, we travelled south yesterday to Daniel's backyard for a screening at the Morgan Hill Community Playhouse. One of my favourite moments was when the crowd gave such a rousing cheer the first time Daniel and the Saucedo family came on the screen. It was so special to share this film with his family, friends, and community.
Next up, we'll have the Marin premiere at the @mill_valley_library on Friday, January 9th. Free registration went online today at the MVPL website. As with all of the library's After Hours event, it will fill up quickly so make sure to grab yourself a ticket. Scroll to the last slide for more details.
#dipsearace #dipseagenerations #trailrunning
2025 was a big year for @poleary87 . From logging 3,027 miles and 450,000 ft of climbing across running, hiking, and biking, to racing on one of the world’s biggest stages, he kept the momentum rolling all year long. His go-to gear? The 42mm Locking Cap + SoftFlask Speed 500ml became his “ride-or-die” setup for every adventure.
Paddy's closing thoughts: "This has been quite the big year in the O'Leary household. My wife and I are about to have our first child in January, so 2025 has been a wild year of preparing—figuring out how to balance parenting, work, training, and racing. I’ve been inspired by my HydraPak teammates who are just ahead of us on the parenting train. Inspiring to see how they balance work, life, and family."
