O&S: Most couples like to spend their weekends together at the farmers market, you guys are a bit different. Does this lifestyle of ultra training feel normal to you? Or are you aware that you’re a psycho couple?
Jason: Oh man, haha. We definitely know this isn’t what would be considered a ‘normal’ approach to life. Kat and I actually talk about this a lot. “Hey, we should go on a normal date soon. Like go to the movies or something not training related, ya know?”. It’s a lifestyle that we both love, but we also acknowledge the balance there and have tried to reel it in a bit in the last year or so. Especially after getting married and establishing new routines. Knowing when to hit the off switch and ‘be normal’ is a continual work in progress. We also so deeply appreciate the time we get to spend together training and pursuing excellence. While on our own journey’s, getting to do it together and know exactly what it takes has strengthened us together in unspeakable ways. It’s pretty great to have a legally binding adventure buddy!
O&S: Kat, Jason was just your crew chief at the Moab 240 - Ultra's are obviously incredibly intense, and can be very emotional. How is it to have your partner be your crew chief?
Kat: Gosh, it was everything and more. Jason knows me better and more deeply than anyone. We set out on this endurance journey together and have spent countless hours training together. He paced me the final leg of almost all of my races and he’s the face I most look forward to seeing at the finish line. We’ve tread through some really hard times together both on the trails and in life so when the going gets tough, Jason is the man for the job. But practically, he knows me so well, he knows how to talk me through the lowest moments. He doesn’t let me give an inch. His unwavering belief in me is sometimes the ground I stand on when my self belief is wavering in the depths of a race like Moab. He knows what I need before I need it, he’s the one cleaning my nasty feet, force feeding me and shoving me out of the aid. More than anyone, he knows how hard I work day in and day out. He may be the only one who really sees it all and on race day, it’s as much his dream as mine. He’s my pacer and crew chief for life and for that I am so grateful.
O&S: Neither of you were ultra athletes when you met. How did this originate? And how has it shaped your relationship?
Jason: I was starting to dabble in fitness mid and post-pandemic. Getting into the gym, running a little, and thinking that a triathlon seemed like a good idea (thankfully that idea faded after realizing I’m not great at swimming). Kat had been doing a lot of the same prior to my interest, so I leaned into her experience regarding that stuff. Since she was a coach at crossfit and nutrition - her knowledge far superseded mine. But more or less at the same time, we both stumbled across ultra distance and seemed to find our calling. I think following that trajectory together has added an additional strand into the fabric that forms our relationship. In these experiences we are constantly learning more about ourselves, each other, and how to love better regardless of the outcome.
O&S: We spoke earlier about the idea that you can use Ultra races as a way to find your breaking point. Do you expect to actually find it one of these days - or is it something you plan to spend your whole life chasing?
Jason: I suspect to find the line sooner than later. With that said - I also think once you find the breaking point it really just opens the door to extend further before hitting it the next time. I don’t really view it as a fixed point. When you raise the floor, the roof goes up too. At the very least - it's a great opportunity to lean into faith. So, if you’re able to learn from your failures and wisely adapt, then it’s really just another opportunity for growth and improvement.
KAT: I don’t think I’ll ever find the breaking point. As you grow, spend more time in discomfort and even in failure, your breaking point edges further away. I’d like to think that the breaking point doesn’t really exist as much as it’s a carrot dangling out front that seems like it’s there but even if it seems within reach you’re not quite there. Perhaps it’s because I picture this journey in the macro of life rather than the micro of a single feat. But each effort builds on the last, your capability growing with it. The sky really is the limit. But I very much think failure is part of the process. When you’re really putting yourself out there failure at some point is inevitable. I don't think that’s your breaking point, I think it’s part of getting the most out of yourself. I am more driven by the process of continual growth personally and athletically than the elusive breaking point. Every leap, step and stumble is inching further towards better.
O&S: Training for multi-day endurance events must present its fair share of challenges - any advice for the perfect work/life/extreme-training balance?
JASON: I don’t really know that perfect balance at all times exists. Training for these events requires immense sacrifices. We say no to more than we say yes. We spend our workdays up before the sun and go to bed early, weekends out training for hours; there often is not a lot of time for friends and extras. But that in season “balance” is not sustainable. Relationships, family and community are super important and have to be a priority. The best system we have found so far is just as seasons evolve so do our priorities. In the training blocks going into key races we will say a lot more no’s. Our time balance is skewed toward training, work and there’s lesser time spent invested in our social lives. In recovery periods and non-race focused training phases we lean more into investing our time into “normal” person activities like dinners out with friends, going to the movies, staying up a little later, training less and overall recovering mentally and physically.
KAT: We are definitely a *touch* psycho, but we are so grateful to get to share our passions with one another. It makes it that much sweeter to share all the highs and lows, mountain tops and valleys. We know it has made us that much stronger together and we hope that we can help others pursue their own excellence too.
