Return of the Runner

by gainyourwings, posted in family, running

Repeat.Repeat.Repeat. Awaken.Sleep.Awaken.Sleep.Repeat.Repeat.Repeat.  Do not think.Pray not to dream.Think only of the moment, ignore tomorrow, hide yesterday, and believe in the seconds of breath that you currently have.  Repeat.Repeat.Repeat.  Let your dreams die.Let your imagination fade away.Let yourself step into the truth. Repeat.Repeat.Repeat. Awaken.Sleep.Awaken.Sleep.Repeat.Repeat.Repeat.  I would tell you that “I’m fine”, but instead I’ll simply share … Continue reading Return of the Runner

Longest Run

by gainyourwings, posted in community, family, health, running

Trigger Warning: It is imperative for the reader to understand that this piece involves anxiety and suicidal thoughts. Please do not progress further into this writing if you are uncomfortable with the specific topic. If this was the 1970s I would have a typewriter set up in a room with a musty, yellowish lightbulb humming … Continue reading Longest Run

Volunteering Ultra Round III: High Lonesome 100

by gainyourwings, posted in community, Race Recap, running

Every year I pop out to High Lonesome, I think to myself, in an imaginative voice, "I'm one step closer to my destiny." Then I park at Hancock Aid Station, try to breathe, and realize the inherent truth that is before me. I choose life. High Lonesome 100 is a hugely, insanely, bigly, addictive race … Continue reading Volunteering Ultra Round III: High Lonesome 100

A Proposal: The 1:1 Challenge

by gainyourwings, posted in community, trail tips

May 22, 2019 may be a day that lives in infamy within the trail community. On this date Outsider published an article making claim that trail runners are parasites within the world of development, rehabilitation, and environmental protection of our trails. Needless to say the comments made were not necessarily well received by many among … Continue reading A Proposal: The 1:1 Challenge

Race Recap: North Fork 50K…and the DEA?

by gainyourwings, posted in community, Race Recap, races, running

Desperately gasping for breath, a rasping, wheezing chain-smoking cough, aching, possibly blistered feet, and a knot in my stomach indicating that the concept of violent, projectile vomit was surprisingly high... ...at mile 2. Make no mistake, there is a slight pride in knowing that I make several dumb choices during, before, and after trail races … Continue reading Race Recap: North Fork 50K…and the DEA?

Race Recap: Bacon & The Back 40

by gainyourwings, posted in Race Recap, races, running

It has been a while since I've typed...ran...raced...puked...lived much of anything within the trail community. After the race in June of 2018 (2018!) I definitely hit a long stretch of lonely miles, uncertainties with my health, and just an overall adjustment in what I really wanted to accomplish as a runner. Meaning; I'm truly no … Continue reading Race Recap: Bacon & The Back 40

Volunteering Ultra: Return to High Lonesome 100

by gainyourwings, posted in community, races

Excuse me. Are you the one who wrote that blog about High Lonesome last year? It started with tacos. It always starts with tacos. These tacos happened to have spicy cabbage and Korean beef tips. The person asking the question about a blog, 1000 miles away from my own home was a complete stranger to … Continue reading Volunteering Ultra: Return to High Lonesome 100

Injury Reserve: Break Hearts? (Round II)

by gainyourwings, posted in community, health, running

For the new reader; we left off on this random adventure of nonsense with a trip to the emergency room, Troponin, and chest pains. After four and half hours of entertaining nurses with unstoppable word vomit (I am so sorry to the University of Kansas Emergency Room), I was informed that I would be seeing … Continue reading Injury Reserve: Break Hearts? (Round II)