How do you react when you're thrown a curveball? I've had some time to process the heartbreak that was Speedgoat 50k this past Saturday. I've always dreamt the nightmare of making a wrong turn on race day and howd I'd react, but hoped to my core it would never become a reality. But it did. I cried, threw myself a pity party (even said outloud I wanted to DNF🤦‍♀️ i know, ridiculous), cried some more, then got back on the "saddle." I'd gone from leading to 14th place as I backtracked to get back on course, and as hard as that was, I needed to finish the darn race. Having led 17miles of the race before shat went south, I realized I'd made a promise to myself to not let the outcome of a race determine who I was as a person, an athlete. Gratitude shifted my mindset. We can't win everything and sometimes it's just not your day out there. Unexpected challenges come up, and we learn to adapt. We grow. I grew out there. I've never been more proud to podium, of the mental strength I gained that day, and of course I've never been more grateful for the fans and volunteers who keep us rolling when things get tough ❤️ Us runners can't thank you guys enough🥲 #neverstopexploring #thenorthface #thenorthfacetrail 📸: @eliza_earle