This was supposed to be a 3-mile run… it turned into 13. The plan was simple: jog up to Cathedral Rock and back. Anthony told me it was a 3-mile round trip. But I missed the turn within the first 200 meters 🙃. I kept going up, glancing at my watch as it ticked past 1.5 miles… then 2… then 3… still telling myself, ‘I must be close. Can’t turn back now.’ Spoiler: it wasn’t Cathedral Rock. It was Griffith Peak, a 5-mile climb up, with another 5 (ish) back down… if you don’t get lost on the ridge like I did. Thankfully, Anthony came to the rescue via phone + dropped pin when I ended up somewhere totally off-trail. At the summit, it was freezing and I was very unprepared. Wearing only a sports bra and shorts with 2 6D nutrition chews in my pocket. But honestly? It felt familiar. That “keep going no matter what” mindset is exactly how I approach racing. Even when the route isn’t what I expected, I press on until I hit the summit, or the finish line. Turning back just isn’t an option....