There’s something about a fresh race calendar that hits different.
Not a clean slate — because nothing about this sport is clean. It’s layered. Miles on miles. DNFs that still sting. Wins that don’t always show up in results. Lessons you carry whether you want to or not.
This year? It’s not just a season.
It’s a statement.
The 2026 Race Lineup
This isn’t a random schedule. It’s intentional. It’s stacked. It’s going to hurt.
🏔️ Leadville Trail Marathon — June 27, 2026
The one that demands respect.
The Leadville Trail Marathon isn’t just a marathon — it tops out at 13,185 feet at Mosquito Pass, making it one of the highest and toughest marathons in the country .
This is where lungs burn, legs go numb, and excuses don’t survive.
For me, this is:
- A return to altitude
- A gut check
- A reminder that fitness means nothing if your mind folds
🏜️ Canyonlands Ultra — October 2026
The season resets in the desert.
The Canyonlands Ultra kicks off the Moab grind — with distances up to 100K and terrain that doesn’t let you settle in .
Expect:
- Sandy washes that drain your legs
- Technical sections that force focus
- Views that almost make you forget you’re suffering
Almost.
🪨 Dead Horse Ultra — November 14, 2026
This one is gritty.
The Dead Horse Ultra runs through the Magnificent Seven trail system, packed with slickrock, climbs, and relentless terrain .
This is where:
- Fatigue from the season shows up
- Mental toughness gets tested
- You decide if you’re finishing the year strong… or just finishing
🏜️ Arches Ultra — January 31, 2026
Winter miles. No hiding.
The Arches Ultra is a cold, exposed, technical race along the edge of Arches National Park — with slickrock, sand, and temps hovering around 30–50°F .
It’s part of the Triple Crown of Moab, and it doesn’t care if you’re ready.
What This Season Really Is
This isn’t about medals.
It’s about:
- Training through 12-hour shifts
- Fueling right as a diabetic athlete
- Showing up when it would be easier not to
- Stacking effort over time
Because that’s what ultra running really is.
Consistency when motivation is gone.
The Thread That Connects It All
Altitude → Desert → Technical → Winter
Every race builds into the next:
- Leadville tests the ceiling
- Canyonlands starts the grind
- Dead Horse deepens it
- Arches finishes what you started
Or exposes what you didn’t.
What’s Coming Next in the Series
Next post, we go deeper:
➡️ Training strategy for this race stack (while working full-time nursing shifts)
➡️ How I’m structuring mileage, strength, and recovery
➡️ What I learned from last season’s highs and DNFs
Closing — Fed Diabetic Runner Style
No perfect conditions.
No perfect plan.
Just showing up — again and again.
2026 isn’t about chasing races.
It’s about chasing who I become because of them.
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