Episode 42: Cocodona Day One: The Desert, the Dark, and Why It Still Feels Like a Different Race

Day one of Cocodona 250 covered 75 miles — through the Sonoran desert, up into the Bradshaws, through the first night, and into Whiskey Row in Prescott. And honestly? It still feels like it happened in a completely different race. Maybe that's what 27 hours on your feet alone does to your brain.In this episode, I'm taking you from packet pickup and a pre-race cry-and-puke in the van all the way to Greg's face on Whiskey Row. We cover the Cottonwood Creek gauntlet, the Senator Highway ridgeline at night, the first sunset of the race, running through black bear country in the dark, puking somewhere after Arrastra Creek, a volunteer who tucked me in with three blankets, a dirt nap that ended when my brain said "bear," and finally — legs throbbing too much to sleep in a real bed but still moving forward.In this episode:Pre-race logistics, packet pickup, and the crew/pacer spreadsheet that was already doomedGreg as crew chief — what that actually looks like from mile zeroThe Cottonwood Creek mandatory water carry and why that first section is the hardest terrain on the courseEarly pacing discipline and why it matters more in a 250 than anywhere elsePoles, gels, chews, bananas, and the electrolyte mistake I didn't know I was making yetThe Senator Highway ridgeline...first sunset, first night, first solo dark milesMelissa...the training run stranger turned puking-and-rallying partner through the BradshawsCamp Wamatochick, the volunteer with three blankets, and 30 minutes in an anti-gravity chairHitting Prescott pavement, a stranger with Tums, and locals handing out candy bars and Hot Hands at sunriseChanging into the H1s and what shoe rotation actually looks like in a multi-day raceAnd the moment I realized: I'm still here. I'm still moving. That's enough.Enjoying the show?If this episode resonated, share it with a friend. Make sure you’re following or subscribed so you don’t miss future episodes. Ratings and reviews help more than you know.Follow me on InstagramVisit my website: www.sunrisetrailscoaching.comWant to work together? Learn about 1:1 CoachingFree guide: What’s In My Pack? Download here