2024 Race Shoe Recap
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Lenape Trail 50K • 3.9.24 • 7.25h/35mi
This was a fat-ass race, but it marked my first ultra back from injury. It’s listed on Ultrasignup, so it’s official to me! While this was very different from what I was about to face with Heartbreaker, I always enjoy a good adventure—especially when it involves running my final long runs with good friends. It was inspiring, enriching, and didn’t disappoint.
Norda 001 (Azure)
Details
Heel: 26mm, Forefoot: 21mm, Weight: 350g, Drop: 4mm, Upper: Dyneema®, Midsole: Norda™ x Vibram® SLE, Outsole: Vibram Litebase® and Megagrip®
*Ray Zayeb is a legend
Norda 001 Azure (Ray Zayeb)
The Norda 001 has been my favorite shoe since its debut, thanks to its durability, performance, and versatility. This pair, in the sexy Azure (Ray Zayeb) colorway, was no exception. Breaking them in for an upcoming big mountain race, their reliable grip and comfort reaffirmed why they’re my go-to for all terrains.
Damage Report
No damage.
Mt Mitchell Heartbreaker 50mi • 3.23.24 • 13h/50mi
This was my first race back after a three-month injury and my first-ever DNF. It was also the first race I approached with the guidance of a coach. After months of rebuilding with higher-stack shoes during training, I brought out the all-stars of my quiver for race day.
Norda 002 (Cinder)
Details
Heel 19mm and Forefoot 15mm, Weight: 300g, Drop: 4mm, Upper: Dyneema®, Midsole: Norda™ x Vibram® SLE, Outsole: Vibram Litebase® and Megagrip®
Norda 002 (Cinder)
For the first half of the race, I opted for the Norda 002 with the plan to run the entire course in them. Lightweight and agile, they seemed perfect for tackling the technical, rugged trails of the Beast Coast. However, once I climbed above 3,500 feet, the weather took a turn for the worse, and the shoes became completely drenched. One of the biggest drawbacks of Nordas, in general, is their lack of effective drainage, and the 002 performs even worse in this regard compared to the 001.
Norda 001 (Azure)
Details
Heel: 26mm, Forefoot: 21mm, Weight: 350g, Drop: 4mm, Upper: Dyneema®, Midsole: Norda™ x Vibram® SLE, Outsole: Vibram Litebase® and Megagrip®
Norda 001 Azure (Ray Zayeb)
At the halfway point, I switched into my favorite racing and training shoe since starting ultras: the Norda 001. I’ve completed multiple 100-mile races in the 001, and this particular pair had already seen 50 miles of training. But on this day, a new issue emerged. About 15 miles into the second half, I felt a hard pressure against the top of my left metatarsal. With the long descents ahead, the discomfort started affecting my performance.
I stopped multiple times to remove my shoe and sock, but found no signs of rubbing or injury and couldn’t identify the cause. Unable to resolve it, I pushed through the pain to stay on track with my goal.
Damage Report
No damage, but left me questioning what happened. In the end I think it was my feet still gaining strength back after the injury. Never had an issue again.
Canyons 100mi Pacer • 4.27.24 • 10hrs and 26mi
I was honored to be the closer for my friend Brad Finn’s first 100-miler. I had the privilege of running the final 26 miles to bring him home—and that’s exactly what we did. Congratulations again, Brad—what an incredible achievement!
Norda 002 (Cinder)
Details
Heel 19mm and Forefoot 15mm, Weight: 300g, Drop: 4mm, Upper: Dyneema®, Midsole: Norda™ x Vibram® SLE, Outsole: Vibram Litebase® and Megagrip®
Norda 002 Cinder
Knowing we’d be in Northern California’s primarily dry climate, I trusted the Norda 002s to perform well. Lightweight and versatile, they were the only shoes I packed for all my training while out there. While another drawback of the 002s is their lack of breathability, I actually saw this as an advantage, given the grit and dirt we’d be running through for hours.
Damage Report
No Damage.
Cruel Jewel 100mi Pacer • 5.19.24 • 20hrs/53mi
My friend Amy is a local legend, and this was the second time I’ve had the privilege of pacing her. This time, it was for one of the Beast Coast’s premier 100-milers, spanning Georgia’s breathtaking National Forest.
Nike Zegama 2 (Stealth)
Details
Heel 19mm and Forefoot 15mm, Weight: 306 g, Drop: 4mm, Upper: Engineered Mesh, Midsole: ZoomX, Outsole: Vibram Litebase® and Megagrip®
Nike Zegama 2 (Stealth)
This was one of my most anticipated shoes of 2024. I was a huge fan of the original Zegama, which was easily one of my favorites of 2023. When Nike announced the move to Vibram outsoles, I couldn’t wait for the release. Leading up to this race, I logged plenty of training miles in preparation and wanted to give these a thorough test to see if they’d be a worthy choice for my upcoming 100-miler later in the summer.
Damage Report
The Zegama 2s kept me solid through the steamy, rainy wilderness of Georgia. I experienced zero foot issues—an impressive performance.
Manitou’s Revenge 54mi • 6.22.24 • 17h/52mi
Probably one of the gnarliest 50-mile ultras out there, Manitou’s Revenge boasts over 16,000 feet of elevation gain and takes runners through some of the most technical and aggressive trails in the Catskills.
La Sportiva Prodigio (Antique White)
Details
Heel 34mm and Forefoot 28mm, Weight: 269.3 g, Drop: 6mm, Upper: High-tenacity engineered knit, Midsole: XFlow, Outsole: FriXion XT 2.0
La Sportiva Prodigio (Antique White)
This course was as technical as it gets, and I was deep into experimenting with new brands after my Mt. Mitchell experience with Norda. The Prodigio didn’t disappoint—it’s a true mountain racer. A solid race shoe with a price to match, the Prodigio carried me through 17 hours of running and power hiking in severe heat, humidity, and torrential downpours. The best part? I never even had to think about my shoes.
Damage Report
I did one sock change and kicked a rock on a downhill, which cost me half my big toenail.
Red Wing 60K • 7.7.24 • 8hr/ 36.3mi
A last-minute tune-up race with my friend Brad in preparation for the Jigger Johnson 100. It was another hot one but a solid way to close out the training block. By the end of this race, I had made my final decision on which shoes I’d be using on race day.
Norda 001 (White/Gum)
Details
Heel: 26mm, Forefoot: 21mm, Weight: 350g, Drop: 4mm, Upper: Dyneema®, Midsole: Norda™ x Vibram® SLE, Outsole: Vibram Litebase® and Megagrip®
Norda 001 (White/Gum)
I drove to the race with my shoes still in the packaging: my third pair of White/Gum Norda 001s. It’s rare to trust a shoe enough to start an ultra straight out of the box, but that’s exactly what I did. These were the shoes I planned to rely on to carry me through the peak of my season in the next two weeks. With that energy, I turned the day into a solid training effort.
Damage Report
No Damage
Jigger Johnson 100mi • 7.19.24-7.21.24 • 39hr/ 108m
This was the big dance—the only race I’ve ever DNF’d and the one that sidelined me for three months. It was game time, and I chose the shoe that’s been with me for every 100-miler.
Norda 001 (White/Gum)
Details
Heel: 26mm, Forefoot: 21mm, Weight: 350g, Drop: 4mm, Upper: Dyneema®, Midsole: Norda™ x Vibram® SLE, Outsole: Vibram Litebase® and Megagrip®
Norda 001 (White/Gum)
wore this shoe for every training run from the Red Wing 60K all the way to race day. I had backups—the whole lineup of contenders—but I knew I wouldn’t need them. I started with my apex trail runner and never looked back.
Damage Report
No issues. One sock change.
Cat’s Tail Marathon • 9.31.24 • 6hr/ 23mi
My first official marathon—and it just so happens to feature over 6,000 feet of elevation gain while traversing some of the most stunning summits in the Catskills. After achieving my A goal for the year, the Cat’s Trail was the perfect opportunity to try something new and experiment with training techniques and gear I hadn’t explored during my main training block..
The North Face Sky Vectiv (White Dune/TNF Black)
Details
Heel: 21mm, Forefoot: 17mm, Weight: 272g, Drop: 4mm, Upper: Engineered Mesh w/ Sock fit, Midsole: Performance High-Rebound Midsole With A 4mm Pebax® Insert At Forefoot, Outsole: SURFACE CTRL™
The North Face Sky Vectiv (White Dune/TNF Black)
I had a lot of fun with this shoe and thought it would be perfect for a shorter, faster effort. While I didn’t end up moving as quickly as planned, the shoe handled technical terrain impressively well. However, it fell short on protection and durability—the sides tore, and I took a solid hit to the arch of my foot that left me hooting in pain.
Damage Report
A noticeable “egg” in the arch of my foot.
Brookhaven Trail Half-Marathon • 11.17.24 • 1:41hr/ 13.2mi
Continuing my experiment with speed work, I set a goal to break my PR from two years ago as a way to celebrate one year since coming back from injury. Despite my training not being fully tuned for this level of intensity, I managed to dig deep, get there, and hold it together.
Nnormal Kjerag (White/Green)
Details
Heel: 25mm, Forefoot: 19mm, Weight: 272g, Drop: 6mm, Upper: Matryx Jacquard, Midsole: Expire, Outsole: Vibram Litebase® and Megagrip®
Nnormal Kjerag (White/Green)
I’ve always been a fan of this shoe and used it regularly during training, especially on the more technical days. I was torn between this and the Norda 002 for race day but ultimately let an Instagram poll decide. The shoe performed well, but my feet definitely felt sore after the race. While it’s not minimalist, it does feel firmer compared to many other top trail racers.
Damage Report
Blisters and sore feet.
Old Fort Endurance Festival 24hr • 12.7.24 • 23:15hr/ 81.2mi
A last-minute fundraising event to support the community in Old Fort, NC, affected by Hurricane Helene. This is an incredible community, and I have so many amazing memories in these mountains. Participating in this event brought my year full circle in the best way.
Prototype
I ran the first 50K in a prototype shoe but had to swap out due to some friction starting to build up.
Norda 001 (White/Gum)
Details
Heel: 26mm, Forefoot: 21mm, Weight: 350g, Drop: 4mm, Upper: Dyneema®, Midsole: Norda™ x Vibram® SLE, Outsole: Vibram Litebase® and Megagrip®
Norda 001 (White/Gum)
The return of the champ! After focusing on speed work for the past three months, I wasn’t fully conditioned for the climbing and long hours on my feet. I was capable, but not quite prepared. As always, the shoes performed reliably, but they couldn’t save me from the damage caused by repeatedly kicking rocks and roots hidden in the leafy darkness. With my legs steadily declining on the 4-mile loops, the cool and dark conditions added an extra layer of challenge.
Damage Report
Kicked a root and dislodged my big toenail.
2024: A Season to Remember
This year was unforgettable. I forged countless new friendships, explored breathtaking mountains and untamed wilderness, and redefined the limits of what I believed I could achieve in ultras.
