Live, Don’t Just Exist - Wildgrain
Jack London was one of those larger-than-life figures who didn’t just write about adventure, he lived it. Most people know him from The Call of the Wild, but his real story was just as wild as his books. He sailed, explored, pushed limits, and packed more into his 40 years than most people do in a lifetime. So when he says, “The proper function of man is to live, not to exist,” he’s speaking from experience, and it’s a good reminder for all of us who thrive on doing hard things.
The Warm Up
Compromise rarely announces itself. It slips in quietly. It looks like skipping the warm-up just once. Cutting a mile because no one will know. Going easy when you promised yourself to press. Little choices that seem harmless in the moment.
And it happens in life the same way. Saying yes to shortcuts. Ignoring that small nudge to stay disciplined. Telling yourself something “doesn't really matter.” But it does. Those micro-choices stack. They shape who you become. Champions are not built by one heroic effort, but by hundreds of invisible decisions to stay faithful to the work.
Guard the small moments. Stay loyal to your standards when no one is watching. Consistency in the little things protects your integrity and your potential. A strong spiritual life, a strong character, and a strong athlete are built the same way: one honest choice at a time.
Show up! Put in the work! Regroup! Put in the work! Don't quit! Believe in yourself! Develop your skills! Process > outcome! Be okay with uncomfortable! Compete!
The Journey
Last week’s newsletter was heavy, and it needed to be. I paused the usual updates to share the story of Carlos Moreno, a local rider and single father who was tragically killed by a drunk driver while out on his bike. The response since then has been powerful. So many of you reached out, asked how to help, or shared the story.
If you missed it, there’s a GoFundMe set up to support Carlos’s four children. If every person who opens this newsletter gave just $10, it would push the fundraiser well beyond its goal. I’ll even match any donation with an equal-value Reãl gift card, just email me after you donate, and I’ll send it your way.
Thank you to everyone who’s already stepped in. This community has always been about more than sport or gear, it’s about showing up for each other when it matters most.
Meal Time
Every now and then, someone tells me they’ve appreciated the newsletter, that a quote hit home or a “Warm Up” connected with something going on in their life. Those messages mean a lot. It’s a jolt of energy knowing these words are landing somewhere.
Over the past few years, I’ve shared more than 100 recipes here. Every single one has been cooked by me for my family, even the ones I shared before trying. (That pumpkin bread from a few weeks ago? I made it the next week, and it’s now a keeper.) Until recently, though, no one had ever mentioned the recipes. Then, at a local ride, a guy told me he’s printed every one of them and made several. He said his mother-in-law even loved the Lemon Butter Cake with Blueberry Compote. That made my day.
This week, instead of a new recipe, I want to share something I’ve really come to love. Fresh bread just hits differently, but I don’t have the time or patience to keep a starter going. About 18 months ago, I came across Wildgrain, and it’s been a staple in our house ever since. I have no affiliation with them, I just really believe in the product. Each month, a box shows up with a curated mix of fresh-frozen breads, pastas, pastries, and desserts. You can take a Three-Cheese Sourdough loaf straight from the freezer to the oven, and 35 minutes later it smells like a bakery. After a long Sunday run, toss their croissants in the oven while you stretch, then top them with a little Nutella. You’ll think you’re in France.
Right now, Wildgrain is running a promotion through November 23, $40 off your first box. If you try it and don’t think it’s worth it, let me know and I’ll personally cover the cost of your first box. That’s how confident I am you’ll love it. My personal favorites: the Three-Cheese Sourdough, Chocolate Croissants, and Giant Ginger Molasses Cookies.
Next week, I’ll be back with an unbelievable Sausage and Gnocchi Soup — perfect alongside those Sourdough Rolls. Click here for a headstart on carbo-loading.
This is What I Heard
I came across a story in Runner’s World recently about something called the Frontyard Ultra — a new twist on the now-famous Backyard Ultra format. Most people have heard of the backyard version: you run about four miles every hour, on the hour, until you can’t anymore. It can go for days. Some runners have covered 300+ miles before the last person standing wins. I’ve never done one myself, but I love the idea, it’s equal parts patience, grit, and stubborn joy. I’ve hosted and finished a few 4x4x48 events (four miles every four hours for 48 hours), and this has that same flavor of challenge, just with a different kind of clock.
The Frontyard Ultra is the faster, feistier cousin. Instead of stretching on for days, this one gets sharper by the minute, literally. You run a two-mile loop. The first round gives you 30 minutes to finish before the next one starts. The second round starts with 29 minutes. Then 28. Each loop, you lose a minute. You can’t start early; you have to wait for the clock. Do the math, and by the time you’ve hit 30 miles, you’re running sub-7-minute pace just to stay alive. It’s simple, brutal, and over before you can fully process how hard it’s getting.
We’ve been talking with a few race promoters about bringing a Frontyard Ultra to the Atlanta area, possibly under the Reãl banner. If it comes together, you’ll be the first to know. It feels like the kind of event our community would thrive in: tough, unpredictable, and a little bit wild.
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