06/01/2026
The 2027 Cocodona 250 lottery is this afternoon!
Earlier this month, I had the absolute honor of wearing three hats for my husband, Dave, as he tackled Cocodona: Coach, Crew, and Pacer. Crossing that finish line was unforgettable. But when the dust settled, I asked him what actually got him through 250 brutal miles of Arizona heat, freezing nights, and sleep deprivation. He didn't say magic gear or complex spreadsheets (though we had them). He said these three things that were included in his training and race plan made the difference and they can help you for your next race:
1. Train heavy. Dave did his weekend long runs with his pack completely full, exactly as it would weigh on race day. Don’t let race day be the first time your shoulders and core feel that extra weight, especially when you're managing extra summer fluids.
2. Sleep when needed. No arbitrary timelines. When the wall hit, he listened to his body and shut it down for a quick reset. In any ultra, self-awareness is your superpower. When you hit a low, don't fight it, manage it.
3. Block out the big picture. Dave never allowed himself to think about the 250-mile total. The only thing that existed was the single stretch of trail between him and the very next aid station. Break your race into bite-sized pieces. Let the finish line take care of itself.
Whether your "impossible" goal is a 6-hour timed event, your first 50K, or a multi-day mountain monster, the formula is the same: Dial in your strategy, master your mindset, and break it down.
Is your name in the lottery ?
👇 Let me know what big goal you're chasing this year in the comments!