When we are talking about finding your next race, to many of us that means a race close to where we live. I did 4 ultra marathons this year and all were within a 1 hour drive of my home. All of them were smaller races.
Loved this! A big factor I use to choose races is how fun it would be for my poor non running husband who often crews me. An awesome aid station with live bands, great food available for crew, etc. makes his day more enjoyable. The only race I've gone away for, the brutal Jay Peak in VT, is at a resort with restaurants and an indoor water park. It's the only race he actually looks forward to! 😂
It felt very special - probably one of my most special trail moment ever! Everything was prefect - it felt more like the finish line than the actual finish line. Sharing that with Nora, along with the perfect timing of the sunrise...!
Exactly - I felt so lost myself at first. Not really knowing where to find those race, and what to pick. It's like when someone brings me a wine menu with 30 pages... "huh I'll have the ... red"
Cruel Jewel is intense! I only did the "50" miles. Honestly it wasn't *as* bad as I picture - some fair amount of runnable. But I think it's also because we were lucky with weather / wasn't that hot.
I just did the Loup Garou 20 miler!!! Was inspired by your video last year. The race director just announced the last one will be in 2026, so maybe make a plan on coming back down to Acadiana before then!
New England has its charm for sure! For me - it feels like home, which I love. But those trails can be rough! Desert run, particularly place like Zion Ultras - it just feel like I'm on a brand new planet. Never gets old :)
@@runningwithsimon Zion is beautiful! I really love your narrative style of sharing race footage. In the off-season, would you consider taking us along (figuratively speaking) on some of your favorite training trail runs in southern CA?
@@mmg781 I might - although when I'm home, I rarely have enough time to hit the trails because of work. I tend to just run out from my home which are...pretty boring route lol. But at least I should share how I train and how I find hills. Using what one have...
Triple Ouray. If I ever get into HR that HR/Ouray/Carzy MT looks amazing!!! Doing Millwood this year in Utah. You should check it out. It’s not an official race but a Jared Campbell route in the Wasatch.
Very helpful tips! I want to run a half nearby at a park that has alligators but somethin always comes up! I like your accent where are you from may I ask?
I'm from Montreal - so my accent is French canadian. I raced in the everglades - they absolutely had alligators there (and saw some on the side of the trail). That was...scary a bit! It was a fun race (I did the 50 miles, Nora did the half marathon) but unfortunately the race doesn't exist anymore
It sounds crazy but I’m preparing for 2025 to do cruel jewel 100. I’m probably gonna do the 50 or 56 next year then do another hundred mile later in the year and Hody in Alabama or the Georgia Jewel which was my first 50 so I might go do that later in the year and then sign up and keep climbing for thefor the cruel jewel in 25 gonna be 62 this year so really hard things I plan in advance cause I can only push myself there in the week I found so much we’ll see
I might do it in 2025 too! I was supposed to do it this year, but because I (unexpectedly) got into Badwater, I switched to Cruel Jewel 50. Pretty cool race - kind of a "must" imo! 62 ain't to old for that - you got this!
Never tried any - seems hardcore! Maybe some day but it feels one needs to master layering. They seem a bit scary to me - I struggle sometimes to stay warm at night during ultras. Are you planning to race it?
haha didn't think you would be intimidated by them since you conquered many crazy ultras with insane elevations. I actually do so well in the cold haha so if anything, I plan on attempting a couple!@@runningwithsimon
I'm an adult - ice cream all day every day if I want! So yes, ice cream is a meal!
#IceCreamIsAMeal
We did such a great rendition of Baby Shark! 🤣. Thank you for recognizing Loup Garou as a great race with a great Race Director!
It sure was a great rendition of it! Thanks for indulging me :)
When we are talking about finding your next race, to many of us that means a race close to where we live. I did 4 ultra marathons this year and all were within a 1 hour drive of my home. All of them were smaller races.
It's nice to change scenery! But so much simpler to stay close to home. I try to travel for them - it's basically my vacation
Loved this! A big factor I use to choose races is how fun it would be for my poor non running husband who often crews me. An awesome aid station with live bands, great food available for crew, etc. makes his day more enjoyable. The only race I've gone away for, the brutal Jay Peak in VT, is at a resort with restaurants and an indoor water park. It's the only race he actually looks forward to! 😂
Very true! That's also why Leadville is great for us - I know that Nora will be spending the day with friends and have a good day
Loved that last sunrise in Ouray 100!
It felt very special - probably one of my most special trail moment ever! Everything was prefect - it felt more like the finish line than the actual finish line. Sharing that with Nora, along with the perfect timing of the sunrise...!
Thanks for making these videos, very informative to help us consider the factors in choosing a race, it's hard when you are very new to this!
Exactly - I felt so lost myself at first. Not really knowing where to find those race, and what to pick. It's like when someone brings me a wine menu with 30 pages... "huh I'll have the ... red"
Love the video. I’ll admit I’ve been that person taking a shot or two at javelina. Trying to decide if I want to attempt a cruel Jewel.
Cruel Jewel is intense! I only did the "50" miles. Honestly it wasn't *as* bad as I picture - some fair amount of runnable. But I think it's also because we were lucky with weather / wasn't that hot.
I just did the Loup Garou 20 miler!!! Was inspired by your video last year. The race director just announced the last one will be in 2026, so maybe make a plan on coming back down to Acadiana before then!
Congrats!
Oh she did?! Bummer - yes I need to make a trip there before it's too late!
Inspiring! Desert running looks like a blast. I’m in New England so the deep forest gets repetitive after a while.
New England has its charm for sure! For me - it feels like home, which I love. But those trails can be rough!
Desert run, particularly place like Zion Ultras - it just feel like I'm on a brand new planet. Never gets old :)
@@runningwithsimon Zion is beautiful! I really love your narrative style of sharing race footage. In the off-season, would you consider taking us along (figuratively speaking) on some of your favorite training trail runs in southern CA?
@@mmg781 I might - although when I'm home, I rarely have enough time to hit the trails because of work. I tend to just run out from my home which are...pretty boring route lol. But at least I should share how I train and how I find hills. Using what one have...
Come up to the Whites! Where the views are gorgeous, but you can't look at them, because every step is a possible broken ankle. 😂
OURAY100!!! The Best next to HR100.. Going for the triple this year. You should join again!!??
Triple Ouray, or you mean Hardrock Ouray and (I’m blanking but that triple buckle is sweeeet! Would love to try)
Triple Ouray. If I ever get into HR that HR/Ouray/Carzy MT looks amazing!!! Doing Millwood this year in Utah. You should check it out. It’s not an official race but a Jared Campbell route in the Wasatch.
Very helpful tips! I want to run a half nearby at a park that has alligators but somethin always comes up! I like your accent where are you from may I ask?
I'm from Montreal - so my accent is French canadian.
I raced in the everglades - they absolutely had alligators there (and saw some on the side of the trail). That was...scary a bit! It was a fun race (I did the 50 miles, Nora did the half marathon) but unfortunately the race doesn't exist anymore
Great video. Maybe Ghosttown Trail 50k for me. Maybe.
Let's go! :)
It sounds crazy but I’m preparing for 2025 to do cruel jewel 100. I’m probably gonna do the 50 or 56 next year then do another hundred mile later in the year and Hody in Alabama or the Georgia Jewel which was my first 50 so I might go do that later in the year and then sign up and keep climbing for thefor the cruel jewel in 25 gonna be 62 this year so really hard things I plan in advance cause I can only push myself there in the week I found so much we’ll see
I might do it in 2025 too! I was supposed to do it this year, but because I (unexpectedly) got into Badwater, I switched to Cruel Jewel 50. Pretty cool race - kind of a "must" imo! 62 ain't to old for that - you got this!
Tor is only 2 Ourays with a few bonus miles so I really don’t see the big deal 😄
You don't have to convince me! I'm sold!
Hey Simon, great video. I wanted to ask - what are your thoughts and experiences on winter ultras like the arrowhead 135?
Never tried any - seems hardcore! Maybe some day but it feels one needs to master layering. They seem a bit scary to me - I struggle sometimes to stay warm at night during ultras. Are you planning to race it?
haha didn't think you would be intimidated by them since you conquered many crazy ultras with insane elevations. I actually do so well in the cold haha so if anything, I plan on attempting a couple!@@runningwithsimon
@@danistanbouly8166 Please don't tell anyone about it - they might revoke my canadian citizenship!
Donc, j'ai choisi une course....gulp
Super! Et c'est quoi?
@@runningwithsimon J'ai choisi Black Canyon 100k 2025. Cela me laisse 13 mois pour me préparer.
@@JoelNads72 Super! belle course - Nora et moi on l'a fait dans 3 semaines!
@@runningwithsimon ah ouais ? Je suivrai en ligne. bonne chance!!