He got his buckle!

Ultra running started when a guy named Gordy Ainsleigh decided that he would try to complete a 100 mile horse race on foot. The prize for the horse riders was, appropriately, a belt buckle. Twenty-three hours and forty-two minutes after he started, Ainsleigh finished the race and got his belt buckle. Long story short, that course became the Western States 100, which is the first and most famous ultra race. The belt buckle also remained a part of this sport as the traditional prize for all finishers of 100 mile races.

Ryan completed miles 85 through 95 by himself in the dark and the cold. At mile 95, Heath Nobles grabbed a bottle of water and headed out of the final aid station at Ryan's side. He kept Ryan's mind off the course by keeping the conversation going, and Ryan later said it probably would have taken him hours longer to finish those last five miles without Heath. This morning, twenty-eight hours and thirty minutes after he started, Ryan crossed the finish line and got his belt buckle.

He was the twelfth runner to finish. Forty-eight started, and twenty-four were still in it when we left. Fourteen had finished, and ten were still out there. We saw a lot last night, most of which no one probably wants to hear. Suffice it to say that there was a lot of suffering on that trail, but also a lot people encouraging each other to get up and get going. Isn't that what it's all about? We all struggle, and we all have to hold out a hand and help each other get up.

He could not have done it without the support of his family, friends, and running buddies who sacrificed their night to help him reach his goal. We are so grateful to all of you who came out, those who let their spouses leave for a night, and everyone who sent up a prayer. He also could not have done it without a little lesson he learned in Arkansas.

We're at home now, enjoying some much needed rest. Ryan will take a little time off from racing to recover, but he's already plotting his next night of misery. He's banged up, swollen, and exhausted, but it's nothing that time, ice and ibuprofen can't fix. And, I think staring at that beautiful belt buckle will ease his pain a little, too.