Catalina Half Marathon, November 8, 2025

Elated and thankful to share I won my division, PRed by 1:10, and caught 4th overall at @runcatalina #catalinahalfmarathon a second ago on Sunday 11/8.

Yesterday marked my 4th time in the event, which continues to bring in a very strong talent pool on a profile and terrain that demands everything I’ve got, from climbing legs for just under 2.4k feet of vert (helped by my recent integration of disciplined Mondays = leg days at the gym), snappy reaction-time on loose rock, opening up on downhill angles, and quick turnover on dirt and asphalt alike.

With all of that, though, mental balance and flexibility takes first priority.

When I got passed and had to hold onto 4th place fairly early, then 5th before the mid-way point, plenty of doubts and second-guessing flared up, adding heat to a burn already at full blast with the performance I was trying to put down.

But, of course, this was expected, and per usual, through training and experience, I opted to be kind to myself, and focused on the fitness, solid nutrition, rest, and loved ones that surround this time and place for me.

I also can’t overstate how beautiful of a day it was.

I can speak at length about the world-class views Catalina shares with any visitor. Whether you stay in Avalon or venture across the island, memorable it will be, and the same applied yesterday for sure, with dawn on the hills spiking light through palm trees, clouds carpeting the coast and sea to the north, and any number of other small and large points of natural splendor that have and keep bringing me back to my favorite island.

I stayed strategic, set the right gears in their best place, and am very proud to have taken back 4th place less than a quarter mile from the finish line.

Huge thanks to my Coach Zandy and Chaski, everyone at Run Catalina, Spectrum Sports Management, & HI-TEC for the incredible support, generosity, and positive energy they routinely bring to the running community.

I hope everyone is in as healthy and positive a place as possible, stay mindful and get outside and happy Sunday, everybody.