2025 Recap
2025 wasn’t loud.
It didn’t need to be.
It was a year of stacking efforts and getting better at running. Experimenting. Learning what holds up and what doesn’t when the mileage stretches, fatigue compounds, and the calendar fills faster than motivation.
It started on frozen pavement at the Icebreaker Marathon. Teamwork. Fast shoes. Controlled effort. A reminder that road speed is still there, even when the longer mountain days are where my heart lives.
Spring came quick. Another road marathon. Short ultras. Long trail days. Back to back efforts that forced honesty. Shore2Shore 50K. Lake Waramaug 50K. Breakneck Mountain Marathon. Not heroic. Experimental. Controlled chaos. What can I learn.
Summer was about range. The Pemi Loop. The Presidential Traverse. Ironstone 100K. Different terrain. Different demands. Same question every time. Can you stay steady when the day keeps asking for more.
And then October.
Midstate Massive 100mi
That wasn’t about fitness anymore. It was about execution. Managing mindset. Managing effort. Making smart changes before small problems became failures. Thirty miles in one shoe. Seventy in another. Just like the year, adjusting instead of forcing.
The year closed quietly. A December solo run on the Suffolk Greenbelt. A reminder of my why. No fanfare. Just movement.
That’s what 2025 was really about.
Testing limits.
Chasing performance.
Respecting the process of getting better.
2025 Shoe Breakdown
Road Racing and Road Ultra Distance
Nike Alphafly
Used for Icebreaker Marathon and Heckscher State Park Marathon.
Surface: Road
Usage: Half Marathon, Marathon, Workouts
Why it worked: Pure efficiency. Protection at pace. When the goal was speed and repeatable mechanics, this was the right tool.
Limitations: Not versatile. This shoe had one job and did it well.
New Balance SC Trainer v3
Used for Dune Road 50K
Surface: Road and mixed pavement
Usage: Ultra on flat terrain, Long Runs
Why it worked: Cushion and stability over long steady miles without beating up the legs.
Limitations: Not built for off camber or steep grades.
Mount to Coast R1
Used for Jack Bristol Lake Warmup 50K
Surface: Road
Usage: Road Ultras
Why it worked: Cushion and good rollover for holding a steady pace.
Limitations: Not built for speed.
Technical Trail Racing and Aggressive Trail Efforts
La Sportiva Prodigio Pro
Used for King of the Hill and Breakneck Trail Marathon.
Surface: Technical trail
Usage: Short to mid trail races
Why it worked: Precision. Grip. Control at effort.
Limitations: Not a long haul shoe. Demands stronger foot strength and focus.
On Cloudultra 3
Used for Taconic Crest Trail.
Surface: Trail
Distance range: Long steady trail days
Why it worked: Comfort and reliability over long stretches.
Limitations: Requires a break in. Can feel a bit stiff on pavement.
Ultras, Hikes, and ALL DAY Durability
Norda 005
Used for Shore2Shore 50K, Devil’s Path, Presidential Traverse, first 30 miles of Midstate Massive.
Surface: Somewhat technical trail, groomed trails, and gravel
Usage: 50K, 100K, Hiking, Training
Why it worked: Lightweight efficiency with real trail capability. Excellent when you need responsiveness.
Limitations: Foot strength becomes critical past the early ultra stages. A little too energetic for East coast technicality.
Norda 001A
Used for Mount Marcy, majority of Midstate Massive, Suffolk Greenbelt NOBO.
Surface: Trail and mixed terrain
Usage: Long ultras, long hikes, and majority of long run training.
Why it worked: Stability and durability when fatigue stacks and form degrades.
Limitations: Heavier feel when running fast. Not very breathable.
On Cloudultra Pro
Used for Pemi Loop and Ironstone 100K.
Surface: Trail and Road
Usage: Anywhere. Incredibly versatile.
Why it worked: Balanced protection and consistency across varied terrain.
Limitations: Less ground feel compared to lighter trail options. Can be a little unstable on very technical trails.
The North Face Vectiv Pro 3
Used for Suffolk Greenbelt SOBO
Surface: Trail and Road
Usage: Anywhere. Incredibly versatile.
Why it worked: Balanced protection and consistency across varied terrain.
Limitations: Not a shoe I would race with. Heavy and high platform.
2025 Races & Efforts
Icebreaker Marathon 1/25 (Nike Alphafly)
Race | Icebreaker Marathon
King of the Hill 3hr 3/1 (La Sportive Prodigio Pro)
Race | 2025 King of the Hill
Suffolk Greenbelt (SOBO) 3/8 (TNF Vectiv Pro 3)
Trail Run | The Greenbelt (Suffolk)
Hecksher State Park Marathon (2nd place) 3/29 (Nike Alphafly)
Race | Hecksher SP Marathon
Shore2Shore 50K 4/19 (Norda 005)
Race | 2025 Shore2Shore 50K
Jack Bristol Lake Waramaug 50K 4/27 (M2C R1)
Race | 2025 Jack Bristol Lake Waramaug 50K
Breakneck Trail Marathon 5/4 (La Sportive Prodigio Pro)
Race | Breakneck Point 42K
Devil’s Path 6/1 (Norda 005)
Hike | Devil’s Path
Dune Rd 50K 6/14 (New Balance SC Trainer)
Run | Dune Rd 50K
Pemi Loop 6/29 (On Cloudultra Pro)
Trail Run | Pemi Loop +
Presidential Traverse 6/30 (Norda 005)
Hike | Presidential Traverse
2025 Ironstone 100K 7/12 (On Cloudultra Pro)
Race | 2025 Ironstone 100K 🪨
Taconic Crest Trail (NOBO) 8/10 (On Cloudultra 3)
Trail Run | Taconic Crest Trail (NOBO)
Ride | Taconic Creat Trail End > Truck
Mt. Marcy 9/27 (Norda 001A)
Hike | Mt. Marcy
Race | Midstate Massive 100mi 10/11 (Norda 005/Norda 001A)
Race | Midstate Massive 100mi
Suffolk Greenbelt (NOBO) 12/7 (Norda 001A)
Trail Run | The Greenbelt (Suffolk/NOBO)
And many many more…
2026…
I’m currently committed to just two races. Big Alta 100K in March and my first gravel race, The Farmer’s Daughter Gravel Grind in May. That’s it on the calendar for now.
Spring will look different. I’ll be pacing and crewing at Cocodona 250, and likely supporting friends at a few other races along the way. Showing up for the community. Being useful.
Planning a few backpacking adventures with my wife, including Grayson Highlands and Costa Rica. Time on foot without a clock with my best friend.
This fall, I’m working toward a personal project that I’ll share more about once the logistics are fully locked in.
Stay tuned. Subscribe if you want to follow along.
And don’t be shy. Reach out and tell me what you’ve got planned for 2026.
