Badlands Update #3: Shoes to Fill the Void I've Left you with.
Hey Badlands Runners!
It’s been almost two months since you last heard from me. My bad. I was busy doing very productive things… like NOT training for my own race and detonating at Black Canyon.
Some of you even gave me kudos for that performance. I expected shame. I deserved shame.
But seriously — I’m coming out of my busy season at work, which means I’m alive again and much more available to answer questions.
I almost sent this through UltraSignup… but that felt weird. Too corporate. Too sterile. Some of you are getting this email for the first time — welcome to the circus.
This race is coming up fast, folks.
You need to get it together.
(I need to get it together.)
Big News
Somehow, from my one single outdoor training run this year (yes, that one on Jan 4th referenced in Email #2), something great happened…
Altra, GU and Salt Stick are now our sponsors!
All first-place finishers in all three races will receive a free pair of Altra trail shoes, available for selection and pickup at Running Lab in Brighton, MI.
If you’re from out of town and you win, we’ll coordinate shipping like civilized adults. (Unless you’re difficult. Then we ghost you. Kidding. Mostly.)
The Shoe Rep Showdown
We’ve got three local shoe reps racing this year:
Saucony
Altra
Hoka
So obviously… we need a side wager.
Here’s the proposal:
If Mike (Altra) wins: Jacob & Kennedy buy Altras and wear them for a month.
If Jacob (Saucony) wins: Mike & Kennedy buy Sauconys and wear them for a month.
If Kennedy (Hoka) wins: Mike & Jacob buy Hokas and wear them for a month.
Strava proof required. No loopholes. (They just have to beat each other).
We’ll see if they accept. Stay Tuned.
Shirt Sizes — This Is Not Optional
I have less than 20% of your shirt sizes.
Send them. Immediately.
If I don’t have your size by the time I place the order, you get whatever is left. Scraps. Possibly a tarp with arm holes. Or just... nothing.
This is your friendly-not-friendly reminder to send your tech hoodie size ASAP.
Race Stats (because you weirdly love these)
49% signed up for the Night 50K
33% signed up for the Overnight 100K
18% signed up for the Daybreak 50K
We’re mostly Michigan runners (82%!), but we’ve got folks coming from Illinois, Iowa, Montana, New Jersey, Ohio, and Wisconsin.
Also… our biggest age group is 40–49.
A seasoned crew. I can practically hear the knees cracking from here. Respect.
Ladies… we dropped from 27% to 23%.
Do better. Recruit your friends.
Or don’t, if you’re protecting that prize purse.
Still a bit of a sausage fest out here.
I know it’s cold. I know motivation is low. But the miles won’t run themselves.
Get outside. Put the work in. I’ll try to do the same.
Private Facebook Group (Created Approximately 10 Seconds Ago)
By popular request… we now have a private Badlands runner Facebook group:
https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1C6Ej6syoL/
Full transparency: I hate wasting time on social media. It makes my eye twitch.
BUT — this seemed like a good way for you all to connect, coordinate long runs, ask questions, talk trash, share training wins, and post your inevitable “why did I sign up for this?” moments.
I’ll do my best to monitor it regularly and not disappear for two months again.
Join it. Be cool. Help each other. Let’s build something solid out there.
We've also had some requests for some group runs. I will work on this. I'm not out of the woods yet at work but soon hopefully!
As always, reach out with questions. If you’d rather be surprised on race day or you’ve decided trail running isn’t for you, tell me and I’ll take you off the list.
That’s all for now.
See you in the woods.
— J
