What did you just accomplish?
I completed the Seven Devils Loop, covering just over 26 miles with more than 5,000 feet of elevation gain through some of Idaho’s most rugged and beautiful terrain.
Why did you pick this goal?
The Seven Devils Loop was in its fifth year, and it’s an event I've wanted to tackle since moving to McCall. In previous years, my focus was on road racing and training for the New York City Marathon. Returning home to Idaho gave me the opportunity to fully embrace trail running, and while this event is technically a fun run, it became my marquee race and primary goal for the fall season.
How long have you been working toward this goal?
I’ve been building toward this goal seriously since January 2026. The first stepping stone was the spring Race to Robie Creek. From there, each training block built on the last, preparing me for the unique demands of a long day in the mountains and ultimately leading me to the Seven Devils Loop.
What were some of the highlights during the loop?
The scenery was unforgettable. The vast wilderness, endless ridgelines, and feeling of being deep in Idaho’s backcountry made every climb worth it. It’s hard to beat those views.
What were some obstacles you had to overcome?
The biggest challenges were the sparse water availability in the middle of the loop and the relentless elevation gain. There were very few opportunities to refill water, and the climbing seemed never-ending at times. It required constant focus on pacing, fueling, and staying mentally engaged.
Beyond the physical challenges, staying focused on the long-term goal throughout such a long training build was sometimes difficult. There were moments when I got distracted or lost sight of the bigger picture, but Ryan was always there to help level-set, refocus, and keep me moving in the right direction. His steady guidance throughout the process was invaluable and helped me stay committed to the goal from January all the way through race day.
Did you feel prepared to complete the challenge?
Yes. One of my goals this year was to learn how to be a capable trail runner and not be a liability to myself or the people I’m running with in the mountains. By the end of this event, I felt like I accomplished that goal. I’d love for the Seven Devils Loop to become a permanent part of my fall calendar, and I’m already thinking about how I can do it even better next October.
What did your training look like leading up to the loop?
A lot of vertical gain and a lot of time on my feet. I gradually increased both distance and climbing throughout the year, spent plenty of time on sections of the IMTUF race course, and explored countless local trails. Along the way, I gained confidence, experience, and a much deeper understanding of trail running.
One of my favorite parts of the journey was seeing where running took me. I logged miles on the beaches of France near Dunkirk, ran the historic ramparts in Bruges, spent countless hours on local Boise favorites like Camel’s Back Park and Hulls Gulch, and linked together bigger adventures like Goose Creek to Brundage Reservoir and Twenty-Mile Trailhead. The Cat Track at Brundage became a staple of my training, and there were plenty of Tuesday group runs along the way that made the hard work a lot more fun.
Looking back, the training was about much more than preparing for one day in the Seven Devils. It was a year of exploring new trails, building confidence in the mountains, and becoming part of the trail running community. For the first time, I can confidently say I’m a trail runner.
What is it like working with Coach Ryan?
Ryan provides steady, reliable support and has a way of believing in you even when your own confidence starts to waver. He was also willing to run the entire distance with me, which was a huge help given my less-than-stellar navigation skills. Having that support made a significant difference in both my preparation and race-day experience.
What would you say to someone who is a little scared to take on something bigger than normal for them?
Do it scared. More often than not, you're the biggest thing standing in your own way. Dream big, trust the process, and take the first step. You might be surprised by what you're capable of accomplishing.
At the same time, remember that this is supposed to be fun. Slap on some glitter, throw on a pair of silly sunglasses, enjoy the views, eat the snacks, and embrace the adventure. Not every goal has to be serious all the time. Some of the best experiences come from challenging yourself while remembering to enjoy the people, places, paces and moments along the way.
