Born and raised in the misty Pacific Northwest near Seattle, Ryan always loved exploring the outdoors. His running career started in middle school in Alaska when he participated in cross country. Ryan continued competing in distance running throughout high school in Oregon and after running his first marathon at 15 years old was immediately hooked! While attending college in Utah, Ryan started to explore trail running and it quickly became his main hobby during that time.
In 2016, Ryan ran his debut ultra-marathon, and since then, he has worked hard to get both faster and stronger.
Accomplishments:
Funding 100% of my own education through leadership and academic scholarships
Breaking the 13-hour mark for the 100-mile distance in 2019 at the USATF National Championships
Qualifying for Team USA for the 2021 24-Hour World Championships with a 154.71-mile performance
Obtaining the Unsupported FKT on the 93-mile Mt. Rainer Wonderland Trail
How fast do you think you could run a backwards mile?
What is one of your most memorable non-competition runs?
When I was 16 years old, I ran ~120 miles on a 5-day expedition with a non-profit called Impossible2Possible. It was during this experience that I decided I was going to run ultra-marathons in the future.
If you had to pick one race or event this year that you anticipate will be your most proud achievement or moment, which one would it be and why? Do you have a special connection?
I will be attempting the John Muir Trail Supported FKT. While I haven’t hiked or ran this trail before, I am gravitated toward it because it’s a monstrous 230-mile high-alpine route. Of all my races planned for 2021, I think this will be the most challenging—and that is exciting to me.
What is your favorite event to watch that you don’t participate in?
Nordic skiing and biathlon (I Nordic ski, but I do not compete).
Do you have any quirky running habits?
I run while on work conference calls all the time. Multi-tasking is a must with a highly-demanding career and the need to train to race competitively!
WOULD YOU RATHER:
Eat a slice of pizza mid-race or drink a milkshake?
Slice of pizza (talking from personal experience!)
Run on an empty stomach or a full bladder?
Empty stomach.
Do a beer mile or a milk mile?
Beer mile.
Run in the freezing cold or the sweltering heat?
Freezing cold.
Be met at the finish line with your favorite beverage or favorite meal?
Kombucha and a Chipotle bowl!
Come across a snake or a rat on your run?
Snake, way cooler!
Run with a blister on your foot or a cramp in your side?
Blister.
Give up core work or stretching and still stay injury-free?
Core work.
Run uphill in the first half of your run or the second?
Second half.