I still remember standing at the starting line of my first trail ultramarathon.
Not only was it my first ultramarathon on trails…
It was the first time I had ever run on a trail.
Looking back, I probably wasn’t as prepared as I could have been. But sometimes experience is the greatest teacher, and the trail has a way of teaching lessons quickly.
Before the race, I had read the advice.
“Train on trails before racing on trails.”
It’s good advice.
I simply chose a different path.
I’ve always believed there are moments in life when you stop waiting until you feel ready and simply take the first step. That’s how I signed up for my first marathon, and it’s how I approached my first trail ultramarathon.
The trail welcomed me with rocks, roots, mud, and more than a few falls.
It also welcomed me into a completely different way of running.
Trail running isn’t about controlling every mile. It’s about learning to adapt to whatever the trail places in front of you.
And maybe that’s why I fell in love with it.
Because life rarely unfolds according to our plans either.
The trail doesn’t ask whether you’re ready. It simply asks you to keep moving.
Ready for Your First Ultramarathon?
If you’re looking for a simple, step-by-step guide to training for your first 50K, check out Long Run Academy: Your First Ultramarathon.
Inside you’ll learn how to choose your race, train with confidence, fuel properly, and prepare for race day—without overcomplicating the process.
Plan. Train. Finish.
About Long Run Academy
Long Run Academy is the educational platform of Long Run Living, helping runners build endurance, confidence, and a lifelong love for running—from the first mile to the first ultramarathon.
