WESTERN STATES 100 My legs are destroyed, my heart is still beaming. It wasn’t a dream this past weekend...I did, in fact, run the Western States 100. I gave it everything I had. I scraped the bottom of the well and found more perseverance than I knew was possible. I came into the race feeling more joy and gratitude than I’ve ever felt, which I did my best to maintain with each step I took. Since Miwok 100k in May, I’ve been doing the work to reflect on what I’ve been through and overcome, what matters the most to me, and why I love this sport so much. Whenever those feelings started to wane, I would audibly remind myself and the runners around me that “HOLY SH*%, WE’RE RUNNING WESTERN STATES RIGHT NOW.” Above all, it’s the community that is magic. The organizers, the legends, the volunteers, those helping, cheering, running. I’ve experienced this race in every way from volunteering, crewing, pacing, and now, officially as a finisher. Being a part of something this special is hard to put into words. I can’t thank my crew and pacers enough for getting me to the finish line. Supporting runners in a 100-mile race requires dedication and sacrifice, and my team kept me moving strong for a full day and two sunrises. I can’t thank you enough. For now, I’m looking forward to a clear schedule and a time to mentally and physically reset. I’m thankful for my amazingly talented photographer friends who were out all day and capturing the moments, which I will revisit often. These are only some of my favorite photos and I will post more as the weeks go on. Thank you everyone for giving me so much love this weekend all over the world...I have so many messages to catch up on! Thank you to everyone along the course, from the party up the Escarpment at the start, to the Rucky Chucky aid station singing me “Happy Birthday”, to the absolute entourage running me in to the end. Above most, THANK YOU @sfrunco for this opportunity. I feel like the luckiest man alive to be able to do this on my birthday. I can’t believe this is my life. 📸: @shitinthewoods, @bryanwalkerting, @tonywithasony, @lousavss, @therunetarian #ws100 #westernstates100 #seeyouatstates #seeyouinauburn