I'm a runner but not a trail runner; poor vision keeps me from running on surfaces that are too uneven. But the best experience I've ever had was the Blue Ridge Relay in 2019, a 208 mile relay from Grayson Highlands VA to Asheville NC, on an "ultra" team of 6 guys. My six legs totaled 42 miles and just over 4000' of climbing, and before I started I wasn't entirely sure I could do it. Turns out I could, and that group of guys will be soulmates for life.

Great piece, my friend.