How an average middle aged dude finished the Leadville Trail 100 MTB

About my motivation, preparation and race day experience in doing the epic Leadville Trail 100 MTB race. This is more of a "regular guy" perspective on what was, for me, a life changing experience.
Hope this inspires you to get out there and do something great!
Update: about 2 weeks after making this video I was diagnosed with giardia, an intestinal parasite that I probably picked up either in Jamaica or from mountain streams in the weeks before the race. I believe this was a major contributing factor to my GI issues before and during the race. Not making excuses - but it was another factor for sure. I've had treatment and feel completely better. Anyway, now of course it's tempting to go back and to try buckle - this time parasite free!
Official and pro race summary from the organizers: • 2024 Life Time Leadvil...
Also check out my music project: / @entropiamusic0112

[@mabryatpinnacol]

First off, Congratulations! Anyone who makes it over the red carpet at the Leadville finish is a winner regardless of time. Your experience mirrors mine back in 2014 when I finished at age 58 and to this day it remains my proudest athletic accomplishment. By the way, you need to reside the lower section of Columbine in the Fall when the aspen are changing. At non-race pace it’s an absolutely gorgeous ride! Wave when you pass me on the trail!

[@terickson6964]

Excellent recap! Thanks for sharing from a “normal” persons perspective. So inspiring. Huge congratulations !!

[@brianknight913]

Planning to do the race for the first time next year after i turn 60 and retire. I have watched countless Leadville videos and this is one of the very best and most helpful. Definitely worth a re-watch during training next year for the inspiration. Thank you.

[@Jermfrog]

Thanks man. Having time to train is, obviously, a huge advantage. Not just to train but to recover properly. Good luck, seems like a great challenge for this time in life.

[@mdoneg]

I’m a local front range middle age guy as well. Got back on the bike this summer and getting some base now. I agree that having those goals it’s a great motivation. Love the details, I’ll look you up on Strava.

[@JasonSingleton-e7y]

I appreciate your recap! I was also at the race and am just a regular dude (like you) that likes to try extraordinary feats. I finished just under the 12 hr cutoff, but like you had a couple times where i was ready to throw in the towel, but my crew kept me going and i was so happy they did. Everyone that comes to Leadville has a story and i appreciate you sharing yours!

[@Jermfrog]

that's awesome. it's what you do in those moments that counts. i'd like to go back and try to buckle. congrats!

[@JasonSingleton-e7y]

​@@Jermfrog Thank you! I’ve actually raced it twice and buckled twice. The first time was in 1997 when I was 27, this time I was 54. Once you do the race it never leaves you and that’s how I knew I’d be back someday. Keep pushing and you’ll get there and eventually get that buckle. Like Ken says we are all part of the Leadville family now!

[@straps9859]

Very informative, thanks for explaining the prep and how it went. Well done!!

[@TheKevbrannan]

Terrific effort and thank you for the detailed training history and insights. Super inspiring as a fellow 50+ rider

[@user-pe5tm3jp7t]

Awesome detail on your experience. Congrats on not giving up and listening to that screaming voice in your head.

[@heathpaukette2712]

Congrats on the finish. I really appreciate you giving some insight to what us master riders would be looking at if attempting this. I'm starting to get the itch for another ultra endurance survival ride after finishing Marji Gesick last year. This might be the one. I know what it's like to try and ride with stomach issues and when you can't fuel yourself you can definitely get into a dark place. Way to persevere!!

[@Jermfrog]

I had not heard of Marji Gesick before but just looked it up. Wow, that terrain looks super gnarly. Definitely different from Colorado. Wet roots and moss would be tough. Just added it to my list of sufferfests to *consider*. Ha. Well glad you liked the video. Hope you do another yourself, Leadville or otherwise!

[@Jermfrog]

Update: about 2 weeks after making this video I was diagnosed with giardia, an intestinal parasite that I probably picked up either in Jamaica or from mountain streams in the weeks before the race. I believe this was a major contributing factor to my GI issues before and during the race. Not making excuses - but it was another factor for sure. I've had treatment and feel completely better. Anyway, now of course it's tempting to go back and to try buckle - this time parasite free!

[@zombywoof9914]

Nothing but respect for you and anyone who makes it to the end of Leadville. Kudos to your wife and daughter for the "nudges" they provided. Sounds like they believed in you, and they were correct.

[@Jermfrog]

Thank you sir. It was huge having my family there for the nudges. I think if they had come on too strongly in their coaching it would have backfired, but they just tried to get me to the next aid station. Also a good argument for just taking it one section at a time.

[@SueCovington]

Awesome recap and capturing the amazing accomplishment. So glad you got to have the Leadville experience and becoming a Leadville 100 groupie😎.

[@Behine.DeChilis]

That was an excellent recap, very inspiring! So helpful to hear what goes into these efforts. Side note, if I had number 1612, I wouldn't be able to get that Vulfpeck song out of my head😂

[@jcardenas1779]

Congratulations on your great accomplishment! This is incredible. Thanks for putting this recap video together.

[@user-xn5wl4yu9f]

Congrats! Thanks for sharing your prep and race experience.

[@taeekim]

Congratulations Jeremy! So much hard work. 🎉

[@patpawlowski7635]

Great job Jeremy! encouraging for all of us average people out there haha

[@jaruma177]

Congrats... this is certainly in my bucket list... great job finishing... 😉🤘🏽

[@Jermfrog]

You should absolutely go for it

[@davegleason8007]

Congrats! I appreciate you taking the time to break this all down. I’m 58 and just retired, so hoping to get into some of the things you are mentioning. Very similar base activities but 100 miles on a bike would take some much better focused training. And is it Stra(y)va??? I’ve always pronounced it Strahva.

[@Jermfrog]

@@davegleason8007 having the time to train in retirement would be huge for you

[@DaveGrey-c8t]

Great inspiring summary ty! Wow the AI image at the start created an odd mtb

[@Jermfrog]

Haha yes, that AI bike came out weird!

[@hothondansx]

Thank you!

[@criteriumracer]

Congratulations

[@dahboyzNT]

👏😎🔥

[@FiftiesForward]

Should be smart enough not to push yourself too hard by now 😉

[@Jermfrog]

Yessir, some of us are slow learners that way. Or we still think we are 25.

[@mabryatpinnacol]

@@Jermfrognever stop believing!

[@Johnny-Utah-91]

Hmm you're not exactly they typecast for the series "From The Ground Up" congrats anyway