Sep '25 (edited) • General Discussion
Prairie on Fire Backyard Ultra – Carry the Load, Bear the Weight
The Start Line
Lining up at the Prairie on Fire Backyard Ultra felt like a massive release.
Just being there lifted the pressure of everyday life — fatherhood, work, and responsibility. It was freeing. But I also knew this was only the beginning. The Backyard Ultra format has no finish line. It ends when you can’t continue. That unknown was both thrilling and stressful.
When the whistle blew, I wasn’t sure what lay ahead. I only knew I had to make decisions one yard at a time.
Yards 1–3: Finding Rhythm
I started assertive, leading the field out every lap.
Not because I was the fastest, but because I wanted to run my race with presence.
With Nora’s stroller taking up much of the path, I had to be strategic. I settled into a rhythm: two minutes running, three minutes walking. This gave us space, time to fuel, and a chance to recover before the next bell.
These early yards were about calmness. The stress of the unknown turned into freedom, a sense of release as we crossed the prairie bridge together.
Back in camp, I’d see my dad ready with fuel and hydration. Bri was balancing Wren and Dylan, with the help from Chris supporting so Bri could keep an eye on me. Just knowing they had it covered gave me peace.
Yards 4–6: The Highs
By the middle loops, I hit a rhythm. For several laps, I felt almost euphoric, calm, steady, at peace. It was as if positivity itself was fueling me forward.
I was proud of how I carried myself. I wasn’t hiding at the back, worried about interfering with others. I was running up front, saying without words: “I belong here. Watch this. I’ll get mine.”
Nora and I were one-of-one on that course. Every other runner was solo, but we embraced being the unique duo. What once felt like a limitation had become our biggest reason to run.
And then there was the team, my Tribal Training crew. Every lap, I’d see familiar faces: Ryan, Jordan, Dylan, Uriah, Matt, Zach, Jonathan, Cam, Chris and Louie. The hugs, the laughs, the encouragement. We shared the course together yard after yard.
Their energy made each yard lighter.
Yards 7–9: The Weight of Carrying More
By this point, the cost of pushing the stroller began to pile up. Every rock jolted through my shoulders and triceps. My hands felt the shock of the uneven terrain. Fatigue started to creep in, and fueling became harder.
It wasn’t just the physical work of being an athlete, it was the added energy of being a caretaker on the course. Balancing those roles was tiring. But that weight is part of my reality.
Running with Nora mirrors life: carrying more is harder, but it’s also what makes the story worth telling.
This was also when the broader race community began to lift me.
The director, TJ, kept spirits high. Fellow runners like Sara, Christy, Angel, Zach, Bryan and many strangers encouraged me as we shared the course. Even small words of support, “Keep going, Logan. You’ve got this” became fuel.
Yard 10: The Breaking Point
At mile 40, the voice arrived: “This feels like enough.”
The thought made sense. I’d already gone far. I’d already accomplished something to be proud of. My body ached. My arms were heavy. Quitting would have been reasonable.
But when I looked closer, I realized I still had plenty left. I was pacing strong, finishing each lap 10 minutes early. I had recovery time. I had fuel. I had more in me.
So I reframed the goal. I wouldn’t chase infinity. I’d lock in 50 miles and make sure Nora was with me for the final two yards.
When I got back to camp, I shared that plan with Bri and my dad. Just saying it out loud “50 is the target, and Nora finishes with me” and it gave me a surge of calm confidence.
Yards 11–12: Carrying the Load Together
With a clear target, the fatigue lifted.
All I had to do was carry the load for two more laps. Nora joined me again, and together we pushed through the final 8 miles.
The cheers from teammates, the hugs at camp, the smiles from friends and family who showed up, they all reminded me that while my legs were doing the work, I was never running alone.
Crossing 50 miles with Nora by my side wasn’t just an athletic accomplishment.
It was a statement: we can carry the weight together, and in doing so, we discover what we’re truly capable of.
Beyond the Finish Line
Prairie on Fire gave me more than distance. It gave me lessons I’ll carry forward:
- Everything is temporary. The pain of one lap fades, and what once felt impossible becomes manageable.
- Positivity is fuel. A calm, grateful mindset can expand your limits.
- Effort brings results. Nothing comes without deliberate work.
- You can’t do it alone. Crew, family, teammates, and community aren’t extras, they’re the reason you can “go one more.”
The Backyard Ultra taught me to fight the fight I’m in without losing sight of the war ahead. To embrace each yard for what it is. To carry the load, bear the weight and to remember that the weight is always lighter when carried together.
Link to Substack >>> https://lifemomentum.substack.com/p/prairie-on-fire-backyard-ultra-carry
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Prairie on Fire Backyard Ultra – Carry the Load, Bear the Weight
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