The Fed Diabetic Runner: Chasing Miles, Mountains, and Meaning
This isn’t just a race season.
It’s a full build — from base miles to race execution, from fueling strategy to the mental work no one talks about.
This page is your hub for the entire 2026 Season Preview Series — every post, every lesson, every piece of the process.
Whether you’re training for your first ultra or stacking races like I am, this is where it all comes together.
🏁 The 2026 Race Lineup
This season is built around four races that demand something different:
- Leadville Trail Marathon — altitude, climbing, discipline
- Canyonlands Ultra — endurance, sand, patience
- Dead Horse Ultra — technical grit, fatigue management
- Arches Ultra — cold, exposure, consistency
Each race builds on the last.
Each one exposes something different.
📚 The Full Series (Start Here or Jump Around)
➡️ Post 1: The Build Begins
What this season is really about
This is the foundation.
The “why” behind the races, the structure of the season, and what it means to train with intention.
Read if you want:
- A full season overview
- The purpose behind the race stack
- A mindset shift going into the year
➡️ Post 2: How I’m Training for This Race Stack
Building durability across months, not just races
This is the blueprint.
From base miles to strength training to balancing 12-hour nursing shifts — this is how the work gets done.
Inside this post:
- Training phases (winter → altitude → desert)
- Strength training for trail runners
- How to stay consistent with a real-life schedule
➡️ Post 3: Fueling This Season (Without the $5 Gels)
Real food. Real strategy. Real results.
Fueling can make or break your race.
This post breaks down exactly how I approach nutrition — especially as a diabetic athlete.
Inside this post:
- Real food fueling strategy
- Blood sugar management on long runs
- Cheap, effective alternatives to gels
➡️ Post 4: The Mental Game Nobody Trains For
Where races are actually won (or lost)
You can be physically ready and still fall apart.
This post dives into the mental side — discipline, resilience, and staying steady when things go wrong.
Inside this post:
- Managing the mental spiral
- Training through burnout
- Building real mental toughness
➡️ Post 5: Race Day Strategy (How I Plan to Execute)
Turning training into performance
This is the execution plan.
From pacing to aid stations to adapting mid-race — this is how I approach race day across all four events.
Inside this post:
- Pacing strategy by terrain
- Fueling + hydration on race day
- How to adjust when things go wrong
➡️ Post 6: What I’m Carrying Into This Season
Lessons that shape everything moving forward
This is the reflection.
Not just what worked — but what didn’t, and what I’m doing differently because of it.
Inside this post:
- Hard lessons from past races
- Mistakes I won’t repeat
- What growth actually looks like
🧭 How to Use This Series
You can read it straight through…
Or jump to what you need most:
- New to ultras? → Start with Post 1 + Post 3
- Struggling with consistency? → Post 2 + Post 4
- Preparing for race day? → Post 5
- Reflecting or rebuilding? → Post 6
🩺 The Bigger Picture
This series isn’t just about running.
It’s about:
- Training through real life
- Managing a chronic condition
- Showing up when it’s inconvenient
- Building something sustainable
Because ultra running isn’t about perfect conditions.
It’s about consistency when conditions aren’t perfect.
🔥 Final Word — Fed Diabetic Runner Style
No shortcuts.
No perfect plans.
No waiting for the right time.
Just:
- Showing up
- Doing the work
- Learning as you go
And stacking it — day after day — until it becomes something bigger than just miles.
👉 Next Step
Bookmark this page.
Come back to it.
Use it.
Because this isn’t just a season preview.
It’s a playbook.