My Cocodona 250 Race Plan
Breaking Down the Strategy
When you’re reading this, I’ll (hopefully) be somewhere deep in the Arizona desert, in the middle of Cocodona 250 — a 250-mile ultramarathon. But while there is little service or updates for the first few hours, I wanted to drop some information on how I am running the race this year. Here are the answers to how I’m thinking about this year’s unique challenges, and why I’m more confident than ever heading into this beast.
It’s Cold, and That’s Good News (For Me)
This year, Cocodona is expected to be cold — highs in the 70s, lows in the 30s, maybe even rain. For a lot of runners coming from Arizona or SoCal, that’s going to be a big adjustment. For me, living and training in Montana, it’s perfect. I’m treating this like a long run in Yellowstone: cold, technical, and the kind of weather where I don’t need to back off on the climbs to avoid overheating.
That’s why I’m planning to go out more aggressively this year. The first 32 miles include over 10,000 feet of climbing — and I’m leaning into it. I’ll push harder to Crown King and Lane Mountain, knowing that the cold will help my body absorb the effort without overheating or burning out too soon.
Nutrition + Salt: Nailed Down
I put a lot into nutrition and science. This year, I’ve dialed it in. I’ll aim for around 78 grams of carbs per hour for the first 24 hours, sticking to a high(er)-carb plan early when my heart rate is higher. After that, I’ll switch to a more balanced intake of carbs, protein, and fat once the heart rate slows, shifting into that long-haul, endurance effort mode. Why will it shift? The terrain gets easier and a number of other science factors that need their own post.
Three Phases of the Race
I break Cocodona mentally into three sections:
✅ To Whiskey Row (Mile ~78): Climb hard, hold with the front group, survive the big hill.
✅ Whiskey Row to Munds Park (~Mile 190): Navigate the terrain and monotony of the middle miles, handle tricky sections like Hangover Trail, and maximize my pacer’s help.
✅ Munds Park to the Finish: Hold it together. This year, with new pacerless stretches and gnarlier trails, these last miles will be slower, more technical, and mentally brutal.
A lot of runners underestimate the 30+ miles where you can’t have pacers. That’s where experience, self-reliance, and mental toughness come in — and where I hope to have an advantage.
My Predicted Timeline
Here’s what I’m aiming for (yes, I memorized my spreadsheet, my brain works a little differently):
Whiskey Row: 9 p.m. Day 1
Jerome: 8 a.m. Day 2
Sedona: 4:00 p.m. Day 2
Fort Tuthill: 5 a.m. Day 3
Finish: ~4 p.m. Day 3 (around 58–59 hours total)
Will I hit these splits? Who knows.
A Year of Podcasting — and Talking
A funny side note: last year, I started my podcast during Cocodona because I was too scared of what people would think. Now, 100+ episodes in, I’m proud of the little community it’s built. I’m still learning to be a better interviewer, a better speaker, and a better communicator — but that’s part of the journey too.
Thank you to everyone who listens, shares, and sends support (and a huge thank you to Janji and Garage Grown Gear for sponsoring this crazy experiment).
Final Thoughts
My mindset going in is simple: this sport doesn’t pay like the NBA Finals or the Super Bowl, so you better make sure you’re having fun. That’s what keeps me coming back: the community, the weirdness, the challenge, and the absurd joy of moving from Phoenix to Flagstaff on foot.
If you want to follow along, check the livestream, cheer in the chat, or just send good vibes — it all matters. And if you’re thinking about signing up for next year’s race? My advice: why not?
Let’s go. Stay elite, my friends.
LFG!