The community

The long way home was the right call

Turned a quick grocery spin into 42 miles because the light looked too good to waste. The final climb hurt. The view made a convincing counterargument.

• 42.3 mi
• 3,180 ft
• 2 hr 51 min

The valley before breakfast

Rolled out while the road was still blue and quiet. By the overlook, the sun had reached the granite and the whole valley seemed to wake up at once.

• 31.8 mi
• 2,440 ft
• 2 hr 18 min

The rice cake audition is over

Crispy rice, almond butter, date syrup, and enough salt to leave fingerprints. It survived a warm jersey pocket and disappeared before the last climb.

What did you wish you knew before your first century?

Mine is three weeks out. The miles are there, but the gap between a long training day and the real thing still feels enormous. What actually helped?