445: Long Haul 100 Recap - When Things Don't Go As Planned

Today, we're sharing a very raw and real recap of Kevin’s adventure at the Long Haul 100 ultra marathon. Spoiler alert: things did not go the way that Kevin had hoped or planned. Like one of my favorite sayings goes, you either get the result that you want or the lesson that you need, and this one was packed full of lessons.

Here’s a recap of some of the big ones we talked about in the episode, and I want to really encourage you to listen to the full episode to get our very raw thoughts about everything that went down on race day.

Thank you again to everyone that send messages of encouragement, prayers, or were just following along. We could feel your support out there, and it meant the world to us.

Race Day: Highs, Lows, and Everything in Between

When I asked Kevin how he would summarize the race, he said, “It went really well for 40 miles, and was a struggle for 60. That’s not the ratio you want.”

Kevin started strong—he even found himself in first place at the end of the first loop when he hit our car aid station. As exciting as that was, we think this could have ultimately led to a lot of the struggle that he experienced later in the race. When he found himself in first place, he unintentionally flipped into “race mode”, which he had never planned to do. This changed the way he was running the first few loops (running sub-8 min miles for the first 30+ miles), and even though he tried to keep it comfortable (which he said he was), it may have led to him pushing a little harder than he wanted to at the start.
As the miles added up and fatigue started to set in, the mental and physical challenges ramped up. By mile 40, things got tough—the smooth sailing was gone, replaced by the gritty reality of ultra-running. 

His stomach wasn’t feeling great, so he had to walk more than he wanted, which made his ankle start to hurt. Running made his ankle feel better, but that irritated his stomach. Not the combination that you want. 

As the miles wore on, his body just kept getting tighter and more cramped up. Rather than taking some time to stretch and do some mobility, he wanted to just get back out on the trail. And again, this ultimately led him to have to walk way more (because his body was no longer able to hold a jogging pace), and made loop 6 take more than twice as long as his first two loops.

So Where Did It Go South? 

As coaches do, Kevin and I started to analyze what happened. What are the lessons that he needed to learn here? 

• Strength and Mobility

Kevin admittedly did not do enough strength training and mobility in his build up for this race. He even abandoned his pre-run mobility and hip activation routine, and his body felt it. This needs to be a priority if he wants to continue running 100 mile ultras.

• Taking longer at aid stations

Kevin tended to rush in and out of the aid stations, wanting to get back out on the course. If he would have taken some time to do some mobility work during the race, this could have possibly made a difference in how his body felt later in the race.

• Sticking to the plan

When Kevin found himself in first place, his mindset shifted to race mode, which ultimately could have led to the struggles in the back half of the race.

• Remembering Joy

In every race that Kevin has run, even in the hard times, there has been joy. Joy for the experience, for his body, for his crew. And while there were moments of that this time, they were brief and harder to find. His mind spiraled into some pretty dark places, and it was hard for him to get out. This race was more about enduring than finding the joy for him, and that definitely affected his experience (and likely his results).

Looking Forward: Fuel for Growth

1. Strength for the Next Step
   His biggest takeaway — Strength matters. Increasing physical strength, building muscle, and preparing the body for future ultra challenges will now be a priority. For Kevin to complete his ultimate goal of the Western States 100, he will have to be stronger and able to climb and descend mountains. As he said in the episode, “There’s no way I could do that in this body. I have to completely transform my body if that’s what I want to do.”
2. Joy in the Journey
   Ultras are hard—but they’re also hilarious, strange, and joyful in their own way. He lost a lot of that in this one. Remembering to embrace the silliness and fun along the way makes the journey so much better.
3. Facing the Dark Places
   The race wasn’t all sunshine. Kevin experienced tough mental moments—but those moments are where resilience is born. Acknowledging and leaning into that struggle is how growth happens, on the trail and in life.

The Path Ahead

The Long Haul 100 wasn’t just a race—it was a chapter in a bigger story of resilience, learning, and personal growth. Moving forward, Kevin and I are focused on stronger bodies, sharper strategies, and most importantly, continuing to find joy in the journey—even when it’s messy or hard.

Whether you’re running a race or navigating life’s challenges, remember: growth often lives in the hard parts. Keep showing up, keep moving forward, and let’s run your life together!

Thank you for being part of our community, cheering us on, and joining us on this adventure. More stories, lessons, and adventures are coming—stay tuned!

Now get out there and run your life!