The Heart Before The Watch

My 2022 Western States race has left a big mark on my running world. “Completely empty and, at the same time, completely full” was how I often described it. As a consequence, my 2023 season was not characterized by possessive running projects and more life-changing races. There was, however, one particular race that left a lasting impression on me: Sierre-Zinal.

(Finish line moment at Sierre-Zinal, 2023, photo by Chris Drüke)

In a broader sense, Sierre-Zinal was the lifeline on which I pulled myse...