The following paragraphs were originally posted to Instagram in December 2024. This is my recounting of my first 100 mile run. I ran a 6.20 mile loop 16 times. The loop is a route that starts and ends just outside my apartment. I run it regularly in training.

December 5th, 2024

Last Saturday, November 30, I set out to run around the beautiful Ellwood preserve behind my apartment until I hit 100 miles. The farthest I had run in one go was 65 miles before that day. It was an ideal way to run the distance, as I could easily access my apartment (which had a bathroom with running water and a lot of food). My route was a 6 mile loop, with a mix of crushed gravel, hard dirt trail, and paved road. I would run this until I hit my distance goal.

I got started just before 5am and got 12 nice miles before a magnificent sunrise over the Pacific. The Channel Islands looked incredible on the horizon. During loop 6, about 27 miles in, I was joined by Luna, in his sandals of course. We talked and trotted for two loops together. It was good to have company.

After loop 6, I took a longer to break to sit down, eat a pizza square (Detroit style), drink a Dr. Pepper, and soak my feet. This would become my routine after every fourth loop from then on, made possible by my lovely lady Kerong.

Setting out on loop 7, I was soon joined by fellow trail junkie, Matt Benson and his miniature four legged furry friend Poppy. Those little legs travelled 12 miles with us. Impressive. Sophia also joined in on loops 8 and 9. We had a conversation of many topics, from work gossip to thanksgiving gatherings. The talking helped the miles float by.

Another pizza/Dr. Pepper/feet soak break. While I was relaxing, Ben and his girlfriend, found me. They then had to watch me sit for another 15 minutes trying to eat a pizza and change my gross socks. We then set out on loop 10. I hit 65 miles, my farthest distance to date. My left foot started talking to me. It was telling me to stop repeatedly pounding it into the earth. The sun had gone down and the pain started showing itself. Ben had to help me navigate while I stumbled through the dark with my headlamp. I was starting to feel sleepy.

Ben dipped out and I finished up lap 10 solo. Waiting for me at my car was the Wildman Jon. He was ready for a long final stretch with me. In it until the end, eager to get me to my goal. Quitting was not an option. We set out on loop 11.

As I stumbled through the darkness, my mind wondered deep into the pain cave. My left foot had become an issue that needed attention. I was reduced to a hastened hobble. This hobble went on for the majority of loop 10. I had to stop a couple of times to sit on the ground and moan. My mind was struggling to stay functional with pain and sleepiness. I was probably 18 or 19 hours in at this point. I called Kerong to have her meet me with another pizza. I stumbled and hobbled and moaned my way through the rest of the loop.

After a walking warmup, I started running. It hurt at first, but after a couple minutes, I found a groove. I ran for two miles before walking again. That was a win. Andrew and Jon were having an interesting conversation about carpentry and the tools used in the trade. Although, I had no knowledge of the subject, it kept my mind occupied and focused. I was able to run. Loop 11 was done.

As we were getting ready for Loop 12, Mountain Man Clancy showed up. I was glad to see him. He always has interesting things to say. As we ran and hiked another loop, Clancy told us about the oil rigs out on the water and growing up in Isla Vista. We also spotted a couple sets of glowing raccoon eyes looking at us in the trees.

Loops 13 and 14 were a total blur. Just a mix of running 2 miles, hiking 1. Another pizza break was in order after loop 14. During loop 15, we had an interesting convo with a policeman. He inquired about our odd, 2am trek on the side of the road. At the end of loop 15 I was at 95 miles. For the last 5, I called an audible on the route. We ran along the roads in Isla Vista. At mile 99, I called Kerong saying we had one mile left and that she’d better get outside quick. I was eager to get done. I found some hidden energy and ran a 8 minute 100th mile. Long day.

Training for Tahoe 200.