I got started ultrarunning because I was inspired by the Wasatch Ultimate Ridge Linkup (WURL) in the Wasatch Mountains. Everyday when I left my house I looked up at Ferguson Canyon where the WURL started and felt that I had to attempt it.
2. Who are you inspired by?
I am inspired by many different athletes, but especially the ones who are local and run, ski, and climb the same peaks that I do. They include Jared Campbell, Jen Day Denton, Joey Campanelli, Stacey Dorais, my friends Hayden and Matt, and the Dorais brothers Andy and Jason. Other athletes I find inspiring include Killian Jornet, David Hedges, Courtney Dauwalter, Kelly Halpin, Alex Honnold, Tommy Caldwell, and many others!
When I started running I listened to a lot of rap including Travis Scott, Drake, Key Glock, etc. Recently I bought a $15 watch on Amazon, and this has allowed me to leave my phone in the car. I feel more present when I don’t have my phone and earbuds with me, and I like to listen to the birds, my footsteps, the wind, and other natural sounds. If I am in a longer effort I will listen to a comedy podcast for a little bit as a distraction.
4. Do you have a specific running playlist?
I don’t have a specific running playlist, but anything with inspiring and upbeat tunes will do!
I think that non-runners may not understand how slow ultrarunning is and just how much you experience during an ultramarathon. 24 hours goes a lot slower when you don’t have anything to distract you! I think that the sounds on a trail are very beautiful, and long, slow runs are a great way to become fully immersed in those sounds.
This year I hope to do a faster WURL, complete the PURL and the ART, ski Rainier, complete Rim to Rim to Rim, and see how quickly I can run some local peaks including Superior, Grandeur, Kings Peak, etc. Overall, I want to spend as much time with my friends in the mountains as I can! For future bucket list races, I would include Hardrock, UTMB, Wasatch 100, and many others, with my main life goals consisting of doing big technical endurance climbs in Alaska and Canada, Patagonia, and the Himalayas.