very short notice, very long obstacle course race. Spartan Tri-State NJ Ultra - 8:43:29 1st 18-24 / 16th Overall 🥇 50k (31.80mi) - 10,594 ft elevation gain - 68/69 obstacle completion "might f around and do the ultra in vernon instead" (text sent 12 days before race day in team gc) I've raced at Mountain Creek a handful of times. The terrain is technical, there's some brutal climbs, and the course is unrelenting. I love this venue. It's never easy here but always rewarding. I found myself in no-mans land early. After the initial climb I was not with the lead pack but too far ahead of the chase pack. I knew I had to play the long game and run my own race. I stuck to my fueling & hydration strategy and was mentally unwavered for the first 18 miles. As I was heading into transition I felt stronger than anticipated. I re-loaded for lap 2, took a deep breath and smiled. Back to it. I was told the race truly starts after transition. It was time to make some cash. I kept my head ...