For those that have been following me for a while are aware that I ran the @longhaul100 not long after losing my grandson Max. Recently I had the opportunity to sit down with Jeff Winchester @winchesterjeff and Jeremy Reynolds @go_be_awesome of @theultrarunningguys and record a podcast in which we talked about that journey as well as my running background and a few other things. I also get to talk a little about my friends @jbhornbeck@so_cal_runner@cbartetc@justrunfuller
Episode 71 can be found on all major platforms. I hope you have a chance to give it a listen.
Please give @theultrarunningguys a follow. They have an outstanding podcast and are great at building the trail running community.
#Maxs5❤️-Thankful for the opportunity to sit down with my friends Jeremy and Jeff and talk about being thankful even when things seem dark.
/us/podcast/the-ultra-running-guys/id1540807356?i=1000610186807
/episode/22pqw1pEPBFFbMirnG3ujU?si=7UcLDZbrTuyuhExd3q4CMA
#activeforchrist #runpraydaily #runningforMax #2DMAX #justshowup #theultrarunningguys #ultra #ultratrail #ultramarathon #ultratraining #ultratrailrunner #ultratrailrun #trailrun #runtrails #ultratrailrunning #trailrunning #trailrunner #trailrunners #ultratrailcommunity #floridaultrarunners #run #runner #runners #running #runningmotivation #dohardthings #comfortisalie #inspiredbyathletes #ultraspire
This one’s tough. It’s been a while since I have posted. Sometimes life gives you a real life ultra to run and you have no choice but to run the mile you are in. On Nov 26th, my oldest daughter went into labor full term with her first child and our first grandchild. She had a wonderful, perfect, and healthy pregnancy with no issues. Labor started out fine and normal but as little man was entering the world, there was an unfortunate incident with the cord, and little Max went to be with the Lord. It was absolutely devastating.
We had to lean hard on our Faith and that’s the only thing that has gotten us through.
Back in July I had signed up for the @longhaul100 , my first 100 miler and when this happened, I wasn’t sure how to proceed. The race directors Amy and Andy Matthews were wonderful through the whole thing and worked with me on whatever decision I made.
2 weeks before the race I decided to do it, but not for me, for Max.
I certainly had my Why but I wasn’t sure how my body would respond after all the stress.
My daughter and her husband fully supported it and came out and crewed for me the entire time which made for some awesome memories.
I will share details at a later time but I did finish and got a Western States qualifying time.
It was an amazing experience. The finish was so emotional. I just broke down. My daughter, son in law, wife and younger daughter met me and ran the final spur with me.
I am overwhelmed with gratitude and I don’t want this to be about me. This is about Max and his memory. This has changed our lives forever and brought us closer to the Lord. We are holding on to the fact that there is a plan in all of this.
From the day this happened my daughter & husband have been doing Max’s 5 daily and we invite you to do the same. Think of 5 things you are thankful for each day
I ran the race with Max’s 5 on my vest
This one was for you Max. I love you and think about you every day🙏🙏💯
#2DMAX
#activeforchrist #runpraydaily #inspiredbyathletes #ultraspire #longhaul100 #ultrarunning #ultrarunner #ultratrailrunning #trailrun #trailrunning #trailrunner #justshowup #dohardthings #run #runner #running #runningmotivation #getsaltybritches
Max…this one’s for you. I love you, I miss you, I think of you every day and I can’t wait to see you again ❤️🙏!!
Proverbs 3:5-6
What are you thankful for today?
#2DMAX #Maxs5 #runpraydaily #activeforchrist #inspiredbyathletes #ultra #ultrarunning #ultrarunner #ultratrailrunner #ultratrailrunning #trailrunner #trailrun #runtrails #run #running #runner #runningmotivation #floridaultrarunners #runflorida #floridarunning
The In-Between. Before I could say that I had completed the trip from Black Canyon City to Flagstaff, I had a few miles of unfinished business.
When I timed out last year at Cocodona, I contacted race command and left the course to meet my wife and daughter on Hwy 89A just outside of Jerome. This meant there were several miles of the course I had yet to see.
So the Monday before this years Sedona Canyons, I had my wife drop me off at the same spot she picked me up last year.
I had mixed emotions when we got there. The old embankment that I saw Jack Black’s face in a rock last year was still there (Pic #2) although I didn’t see a rock suitable for a face, nor did I see Jack Black 🤷♂️.
So I started hiking the one mile ascent up to the course.
Once up there I back tracked and easily found the rock I had sat down on. It was easy to find since it was the only “sittable” rock around and it was quite comfortable.
I went up the trail just a bit and came back down the section in which I was struggling so badly in last year.
The view seemed different. I didn’t remember the trees blocking it. But I don’t clearly remember much from last year. I remember sitting down and falling asleep. Dreaming I was telling my wife there was a trailhead to pick me up, then waking and realizing it was just a dream. I was cold, wet, and my watch had died. I called my wife to pick me up, dropped a pin and started moving forward.
Once I split and started doing the section I didn’t do last year, I kept trying to determine if I could have possibly made it last year. It was much longer than I thought down into Jerome. There was a pretty steep loose descent, but then you got out onto a good gravel road just before you got into Jerome and the start of the SC125. It’s hard to say for sure but I just know I wasn’t moving very well and I needed sleep badly. But if I could have made it to the road…maybe. But then again, I don’t even remember how close I was. I just remember race command telling me I was timed out, or going to time out, I can’t remember.
Didn’t matter at this point anyway. All that mattered now was getting from Jerome to Flagstaff over the next few days.
Sedona Canyons 125 Part 3 - Fort Tuthill to Finish.
Getting to Ft Tuthill was a big mental boost. Not only is it a cool aid station with amazing meatballs and marinara but you are in Flagstaff and there are two manageable sections left.
Getting there came at a bit of a cost however. Coming down the long dirt road, I looked over to my left and saw a giant stuffed rabbit. I thought that was pretty cool to be on a bench in front of someone’s house. However, there was no house and no bench and this rabbit was staring me down. Great! The hallucinations were back for the first time.
Shortly thereafter, I missed a turn and added about 1.5 bonus miles. I thought I would be at Ft Tuthill before sunrise but that wasn’t happening now.
I was very cold at this point. All of my cold weather gear plus an extra layer wasn’t enough and I needed the sun on me.
The trail was beautiful climbing into Tuthill and this aid station provided a really nice reset for me.
As I headed out I was still thinking I would finish just before sunset.
Nice trails leaving out but my feet were really starting to bother me and I hit a low spot.
Just then I hear a runner from behind call my name and it was Ricky Urias the Athlete Coordinator for Team @ultraspire This gave me a huge boost.
More nice trails. More foot pain. My blisters were barking big time. I just kept moving forward. Chatted with some different runners.
Finally, my feet and I had to have a talk and I started yelling at them to “stop being such a little B and stop hurting!”…and they did for the most part.
Now I just needed to get to the final aid station at FAC.
Barbara was moving around even more and Abbey, again, was fantastic. I took a 30 minute nap to try and stave off the hallucinations (didn’t stop completely) and I got moving.
I knew at this point I wasn’t finishing before sundown but when I had to turn that waist lamp on for the third night, it was a bit demoralizing. I was just ready to be done.
After some more nice Flagstaff trails, there was a very long descent on a community trail behind some homes. It took forever.
Continued in comments…
Sedona Canyons 125 Part 2 - Sedona Ranger Station to Kelly Canyon.
All I could think about leaving the AS was Barbara and her foot. The “Quit Demons” were already on my shoulder telling me it was best for her if I stop. She had already told me I wasn’t quitting but it all seemed so selfish. It was way too early to be dealing with the demons but here we were.
If I could characterize the first overnight in one word…tough. There was a good group of us headed toward the infamous Hangover Trail. If you don’t know about it, it is a large piece of exposed slickrock. I have been on slickrock and know how grippy it is but it is still a little unnerving knowing just how exposed we were. At the bottom you looked literally straight up and nothing but headlamps going WAY up. Hard to believe we would be doing that. At times I had to throw my poles up on to the next ledge and pull myself up with all fours. It was crazy.
Probably the worst thing for me was I was already developing blisters on my feet where I don’t normally get them. But all of the off camber hiking was pushing the blisters passed the point of no return.
I climbed with a great group with a great sense of humor.
Once we cleared Hangover it was on to Schnebly Hill which I arrived right at sunrise.
We were now up on the Coconino Plateau and it was very cold. The temperature difference between night and day was crazy. Very warm during the day and very cold at night.
It was on to a big 18 mile push to Munds Park where I would see my crew again. This section seemed to go on forever.
My daughter Abbey came out to meet me at Munds Park and it was so good to see her. Barbara was a little more mobile this time which made me feel much better. I took an hour and a half nap here and actually slept pretty good.
The next section was another 18 mile push to Kelly Canyon. These two large sections made the day seem VERY long. I told Barbara I just needed to get this next section behind me.
I liked the trail leaving Munds Park. It was cool. We paralleled I-17 for about one mile before going under it.
Sunset 2 brought some even colder overnight temps.
Continued in comments…
Sedona Canyons 125 Sunrise to Sunset, Day 1, Jerome to Sedona Ranger Station.
A beautiful morning to start the Redemption Tour. I was pretty relaxed once I got to the start area. I was really just ready to get moving. Hugged my wife and daughter goodbye and we were off.
This race was very chill from the beginning. The 250 started out like a bat out of Hades last year with everyone running crazy hard while here, everyone was talking and taking a very relaxed pace. I settled in with three guys from Florida.
Soon we were out of Jerome and out on the trails. We came into the cool little town of Clarkdale and there were plenty of residents out cheering us on. I felt good and the pace was easy. We finally came to the Verde River crossing. The only time we would get our feet wet. I went a little further down where the river wasn’t running as swiftly but it was a little deeper. It was about mid thigh but felt amazing.
I changed socks at Dead Horse AS and headed out with a delicious beef and bean burrito.
It was getting quite hot and I would end up having to ration my water to make it Deer Pass AS. Several runners were suffering in the heat there.
On to Sedona. Very cool coming into Sedona. With every rise the red rocks got closer and closer and the views were amazing.
Just a few miles out from the next aid station, it’s now dark, and I come across a runner standing in the middle of the trail. He asks if he can run with me. I then notice he doesn’t have a headlamp. This section was fairly technical and it was slow going having to make sure he was good.
As we are coming into the Sedona Ranger AS, the first time I will see my crew at 40 miles, I text my wife. She says my daughter is meeting me down at the road.
I want to take a 30 minute nap. My daughter is running around like crazy helping me and I notice my wife isn’t getting out of the front seat. Strange I thought. After my quick nap, I was rushing around trying to get out and she is still in the front seat. Finally, out of frustration, I ask her if she is going to get out and help??
She says “No, I can’t. I broke my ankle today.”
#Maxs5❤️ #RunningwithMax #2DMax #inspiredbyathletes #ultraspire
Back out at Cocodona this year. Here for the Sedona Canyons 125 which starts on Wednesday.
Trip started out stressful. Got to airport on Friday in Atlanta and realized I forgot my backpack carryon at home. It had everything I needed for the race. All my race day stuff, pack, shoes, clothes, cold weather gear, etc.
Fortunately, my daughter reminded me that she was flying out Sunday and she would bring it. #Maxs5 thankful for her. She got here last night with all my stuff, so all is good now.
Went to packet pickup and ran the 5k Shakeout run sponsored by @distancetoemptypod and @tailwindnutrition .
Finally got to run with @jonthemaar and meet my favorite IG dog Miles.
Got to meet Kevin and Peter from Distance to Empty as well.
Saw some Florida friends Nick and Jeff. Met another Florida runner. Met April from @runeastcoastadventures
Got to see Andy Glaze again. Tried hard to meet Michael McKnight but he was surrounded pretty good.
Saw my friends and family from @ultraspire as well.
This is such an ultra community reunion. Great vibe here for sure.
Heading north today for a quick run in Jerome. Hope to run the five miles I missed last year and find the rock I sat down on when everything went south on me. And then rest up for Wednesday.
Really hoping to just enjoy this journey from Jerome to Flagstaff and soak it all in. #2DMax
#inspiredbyathletes #ultraspire #runforChrist
Ran the BDR Safety Harbor Half Marathon with my youngest daughter Abbey.
This was her first half marathon and I am very proud of her. Maybe not necessarily for her training but for her grit and determination. She essentially ran from couch to half marathon. Her longest run was a ten miler and she reminded me that was over three years ago. Oh to be young again.
She ran so strong all day. She never really complained. She also would not commit to another half 🤔.
I ran with my @ultraspire Element Waist Belt to carry all of her snacks so technically I muled for her. Hope that’s not against the rules. @getsaltybritches kept us both comfortable all day.
Been a while since I’ve been in a road race. Beautiful course. A good first half for her. Weather was phenomenal. All around, a great day.
I love that first pic. Kind of sums it up 😂.
Great memories spending that time with her. She’s very much a natural runner and she finished so strong (see video).
Now, if I can just talk her into pacing me at one of my ultras 😏.
#Maxs5❤️ #run #runner #activeforChrist #inspiredbyathletes
Long Haul 100 Wrap up. So grateful to have my wife, daughter in law, son, and granddaughter Sophia at the start and the end of the first loop.
It’s always so daunting to kiss loved ones goodbye as we head out for a long journey. But I love it. I almost slept in my truck the night before, but I have to admit, it was good to have family at the start once again. Couldn’t do this without their support.
The bigger the race, the longer it takes me to fully comprehend the experience.
It’s been a full two weeks and my thoughts have been all over the place. But, as always happens, things start to become clear with time and reflection.
2025 was about challenging myself with harder races. I learned a lot about myself.
2026 will be about getting back to the fun. I’ll still challenge myself but there will be less pressure. More emphasis on the experience. More emphasis on the community. There is no better place to soak up the #ultra community than @longhaul100 . So after a lot of reflection, I will go back in 2027.
I am not only excited about returning to #LongHaul, I am excited for 2026. I will do some of the same stuff but a lot of new stuff as well.
Can’t wait to see many of you out on the trails this year.
Also, a shoutout to one of my favorite companies and a sponsor for this years Long Haul, @getsaltybritches . One application is all it takes.
Finally, enjoy a few pics from this years Long Haul.
Photo credit to @finshersfocus@kljenkins27@mike.e.alberts
#Maxs5❤️ #RunningforMax #2DMx
Long Haul Recap Part 2 - Someone commented on my Strava Long Haul post that it’s not always about the distance, it’s more about the experience. Another commented that there are a lot worse ways to spend a day than to run 68 miles. Both of these comments really resonated with me. I want to get back to why I started running ultras in the first place. I used to say “let’s go have a long day in the woods.”
I will always run for Max. I will run to feel close to him. But I also run for all my grandkids…Max, Samuel, Sophia, Lillian, Emma, and those to come.
As I fought to get out of the dark places I was in, I started to have back pain. Spasms. They would seize and almost bring me to my knees. Well, this hasn’t happened before. Every time I ran, it would seize. So I started walking, I was getting my mind ready to walk 40 miles and then it got dark, and I would step in a hole and Bam. Trip on a root, Bam. Problem solve. C’mon. Everything was hurting. Take some Tylenol…no! I don’t take any pain medication during or after. Matter of pride for me. I used to. Not any more. You are tougher than that. Hole…Bam!
Can’t get past this. Next thing you know, I’m turning in my timing chip.
Text my wife…”you awake?” It’s 2:30 am. She sends me a text. One thing Google says to help with back spasms…Tylenol.
And there it is. Pride likely ended my race.
Would it have worked? IDK. Would I have taken it for spasms? No. I wanted to take it because everything hurt. But I didn’t.
Race Done, Very Disappointed. But…
#Maxs5 Grateful 🙏
1. I am so Grateful to get to do this. Running is a gift.
2. I am Grateful for a body able to run.
3. I am Grateful for what a beautiful day it was out there. The blue sky and the stars!
4. I am Grateful for all the friends I have at Long Haul.
5. I am Grateful that God is so Good.
When you see me on the trails soon, you will see an even more Grateful Runner.
I will never take this for granted again!
#RunningforMax #2DMax #2DMx #activeforChrist #runpraydaily #inspiredbyathletes #ultraspire #longhaul100 #runtrails #trailrunner #ultratrailrunner #run #running #dohardthings #comfortisalie #trailrunning
Long Haul 100 Recap Part 1. This was my 4th attempt at this race, successfully finishing the first three.
It’s past midnight. I’m coming up on mile 70. I’m about to finish loop 4/6. As I get closer, I am flooded with memories of previous finishes. It’s hard to accept that I am about to quit. I’m the one about to say “I’m done!” All my previous DNF’s the clock, and someone else told me “you’re done”. This time it’s me. And I’m having a hard time with it.
I apologize to Max and I suddenly hear, and feel, some confirmation…”it’s OK”. But it still hurts…a lot.
How did I get to this point? I came into this race much better prepared than any of my previous attempts. My training was good. Previous races had given me a lot of confidence. I knew I could run the back half of this race better than ever. I felt strong. Ned and Ashley were not able to make it but I had a great plan to crew myself and was actually looking forward to it.
The start was cold but beautiful. The sunrise was amazing. Less than a mile in, some stuff happened that confirmed this was going to be a good day.
So many friends at Long Haul and I was seeing so many of them. The first loop went by quick. I was looking forward to seeing some of the tweaks to the course. I finished the first loop about 20 minutes faster than any previous attempt.
The day began to warm up nicely. It was a beautiful Florida day. Continued to see friends. Had two corn dogs (a first in a race, but a real game changer 😋). I even got a high five from Sally McRae on the course.
Felt strong over the first 50k. Had my typical low around 50k but knew I would come out of it. Only thing was, I couldn’t get out of it. I went deeper and deeper into dark places. Part of 2nd loop and all of 3rd loop were an absolute grind. I was tired of the course. 15 loops on this same course over 3 races was taking its toll. I was having a real battle with my mind.
The amazing aid stations helped, but just couldn’t sustain me for long after I left.
Is this what was really going to take me out…boredom and an inability to rebound out of this dark place? No, it would be something else…
#Maxs5❤️ #inspiredbyathletes #longhaul100 #2DMx
