My peak training for Hardrock Hundred went as well as I could have asked for. Covered the majority of the course. Feeling acclimated. Healthy. Totally prepared and psyched!

My taper was completely another story. On Monday July 2, I came down with a horrid stomach flu that was whipping its way around Silverton. I was seriously sick for the first few days of the week, while finally regaining appetite and gradually strength by weeks end. Things come up like this for all of us before important races, and I believe the key way to handle it is to stay positive and take as good of care of oneself as possible.

I was feeling pretty psyched and positive the following Monday July 9 when I picked up Leah, my wife and wonderful crew, from the Montrose airport. When arriving back to Silverton I was planning on a short run with Kyle, but Emily Baer was organizing a soccer game with the local youth to benefit a drug free program. I decided to join the mostly kids and other ultra runners in this low-key game. We were all taking it easy and having fun, but I managed to roll an ankle. Turned out to be a pretty good sprain, very painful when weighted the following day and swollen the size of a softball.

I know most would ask why I would join in on a soccer game to close to an important race, but I think a big part of doing my best is by not obsessing and keeping everything in perspective, staying relaxed. It usually doesn’t have any adverse side effects and of course now I could obsess over why I played soccer rather than going for a run.

But in a situation like this, again all you can do is remain positive. I spent the entire week elevating, icing, applying compression, getting lymphatic massage and ultrasound, ingesting turmeric, arnica, bromelain. Full-time rehab, for sure! Word has been spreading quickly around Silverton, with everyone asking if I was going to start. Of course! I’m fit, ready. I know the extent of my injury and feel I won’t do more harm by running on it. Not to say it won’t hurt. Emily set me up with another physical therapist in Durango who sent up a bracing system that will prevent me from rolling it tomorrow. This is when I say I toe the line tomorrow and give it all I have. I can’t wait!