Kings of the Trail #187
Go Further & Explore More...
"It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end."
Ursula K. Le Guin
Sometimes we face unexpected situations when pushing during a race or an arduous training block. These can take the form of injury, adverse weather, or life events that get in the way of what we hope and expect to achieve. An extreme example happened to those who were challenging themselves at the recent Moab 240 miler, when the weather turned so dangerous (flooding and gusts over 50mph) the organisers had to stop the race and ensure all the runners on the course were accounted for. One such runner, Aaron Kubala, was under 30 miles from the finish line (and, if he had finished, he would have completed the triple crown of 200+ mile races) when he received the alert to stop running and get to safety. Once the initial frustration wore off, he realised the necessity of the action those in charge of competitors’ safety had taken and the importance of ensuring everyone was safe. The miles he had traversed and battled through may not have been enough to get an official result, but they still counted to him. We can feel something like this, in a much smaller way, during our own races or training runs. We start with a target mileage or time in mind, but often forget it and simply enjoy the act of being out in nature, being grateful to have bodies (and minds) that allow us to even contemplate completing such endeavours. Ultimately, what really matters, more than the medals, PBs or belt buckles, is the journey itself: the hard work and discipline that we put in…
Until next week, be safe and enjoy the trails...
The Bolivian Salt Flats are not a particularly welcoming place; it is one of the world’s highest altitude deserts after all, but that didn’t stop Fernanda Maciel from smashing the record crossing time…
Aaron Kubala was leading the Moab 240 and on course for the Triple Crown when the organisers were forced to cancel the race due to extreme weather…
It’s easy to get excited by your best days and top performances and use them as a barometer for your current level, but the bad days we all suffer can be just as instructive…
For Micah Lang, the UTMB experience was more than a celebration of trail running, it was an amazing opportunity to see women trail runners getting the recognition and honour they deserve…
📸 Quinto do Pisão, Cascais, Portugal
What a remix this is…blending a classic 1967 soul track from Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell with some upbeat bass and cool hooks, it reinvents the track into something very different, without losing the original’s style and feel. Similar enough to allow for a good ol’ sing along, but with enough of a twist to make it feel new…
Each week, I update the Kings of the Trail playlist with a new selection of music. Like trail runs or hikes, the playlist will be varied and eclectic, but hopefully, there will be something for everyone to enjoy…
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