26 Comments
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Dax Ross's avatar

I love before and after pictures from races. Usually the afters look so haggard, but your spirit shines through both pictures. In case you want an unsolicited piece of advice, I've been using the app called Roots to track and limit my screen time. It's made a big difference for me. Congrats on the race. You're amazing.

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Sarah Lavender Smith's avatar

Wow, thank you!

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Heather's avatar

Woo—congratulations! And I can't wait to read your memoir.

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Sarah Lavender Smith's avatar

Thank you!

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Ken Seals's avatar

Your depiction of the down time after each stage reminds me of my 2005 thru-hike of the AT. Back then no one carried phones on the trail and evenings around shelters were filled with downtime and socializing with fellow hikers. The only info we had from the outside world was from other hikers, or every 3-5 days when dropping into town for resupply. The good ole days :)

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Henriette Lazaridis's avatar

Amazing achievement! Huge congratulations on the way you approached this event and on the way you got through it!

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Sarah Lavender Smith's avatar

Thank you so much, that means a lot.

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Paige Geiger's avatar

Congrats Sarah! What an amazing feat and adventure. I can’t imagine something like that doesn’t impact all parts of you and your life. I hope you can savor the accomplishment back in the real world.

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Sarah Lavender Smith's avatar

Thanks for reading! I am definitely resting and reflecting on it this week.

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Karen C Fennie's avatar

What a wonderful read and experience! Congratulations on your finish :-) You looked so strong in the video. Well done Sarah! Looking forward to your book.

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Amiee Maxwell's avatar

I love the before and after photo idea although the pizza should have come first after finishing :) This race is definitely on my someday list but I'm going to check out that Kanab one for next year although I can't imagine running through those dunes.

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Sarah Lavender Smith's avatar

Thank you. I think doing the 50M (or 115!) of their new race in May would be a great experience in advance of someday doing the full Grand to Grand. Lol, you don't run through the dunes. It involves hiking uphill until the slope reaches a point you naturally flop forward and start crawling on your hands. Everyone I talked to agrees the use of hands this way is more efficient than trying to plant and use poles. The pace slows to 30 - 40 min per mile approx. It's tiring but fun.

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Katie Debski's avatar

Beautiful article and experience - especially the magical, minimalist space you found off the grid and how it changed you. Love the before and after pic/description— hope you can maintain digital detox! Grateful as always for your excellent writing, inspiration, and can’t wait for the memoir

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Sarah Lavender Smith's avatar

Thank you, Katie, and I'm grateful for you!

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Mike McTeer's avatar

You make me want to run this race again Sarah. Great writing as usual.

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Sarah Lavender Smith's avatar

You should, Mike! And as you know, it's as much or more hiking as running. Thanks for being out there and for the video.

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Scott Dunlap's avatar

Congrats on another solid finish!!! 🙌

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Kristen Kayem Polster's avatar

Well done, Sarah! Amazed at your fortitude and attitude!

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Ali Lopez's avatar

Oh Sarah! I LOVE all of this and I love the working memoir title and how you have come to see it's development and story line as a result of your time off the grid and getting more in touch with your creative self! I've been thinking of you all week awaiting to hear you finished and am so happy for you. Congrats again... and I can't wait for the memoir!

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Sarah Lavender Smith's avatar

Thank you so much. Looking forward to reading your Not Yeti story.

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Jennifer O’Connor's avatar

I knew you were going to have a wonderful time! I’m so excited to hear your memoir is coming along well. (And I kept thinking of you when the Camille Herron story broke, knowing you were off the grid. Probably best to have missed all that drama!)

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Sarah Lavender Smith's avatar

Thank you! I thought of you & your 20-day hike when I was out there.

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Kelton Wright's avatar

Whew, this really made me want to get off the grid! Can't wait to read the memoir.

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Josh Jackson's avatar

This was such a good read. By pure happenstance, "Rainfield" by Nick Box was playing on the speakers while I read this and it made for a riveting and emotional account. It brought back so many memories of running half and full marathons and how it feels to be out there (though I know that doesn't compare to what you just did!). Anyway, thanks for sharing.

As a side, I'm really excited about your book! Sounds wonderful.

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Sarah Lavender Smith's avatar

Thanks, I'll have to listen to that!

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Jessica's avatar

So amazed by you! I was cheering for you all week - I'd check the stage results and pictures every night to see how you were doing, and yep, you were out there killing it! Great job, you're so inspiring to this ultra runner wannabe! Thanks for taking us on this adventure with you.

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