Triathlon & Endurance
Long days, questionable ideas, and a lot of data.
From One Mile to Ultra Distance
I wasn’t always an endurance athlete. There was a time when I could barely run a mile. I started with what I could manage, stayed consistent, and gradually discovered that I enjoyed seeing how much farther I could go.
One mile eventually became marathons, ultramarathons, two full Ironmans, two 70.3s, and 356 miles at Unbound XL.
Cowtown has become one of the markers of that progression. I’ve participated five times, gradually working my way from the half marathon to the marathon and then the ultra.
As of August 2026, I’ve completed nine marathon-or-longer efforts this year. I’m now training for my first 100-mile race.
Hotter’N Hell Quadzilla is another event that fits how I approach endurance. It combines a mountain-bike race, a 100-mile road race, a 100K gravel race, and a trail half marathon, all within hours of one another. This year will be my fifth time completing it.
Unbound XL
On the bike, I completed the 356-mile Unbound XL this year. Roughly three out of four riders dropped out. I spent 8-9 hours pushing my bike through mud, covering around 13 miles on foot before I could properly ride again.
It was my first Unbound, and I documented the experience from farther back in the field, where the objective was not a podium. It was to keep moving and reach the finish.
During my first year of cycling, I completed my first 100-mile ride. After that, I began adding 50 miles to the challenge each year. Unbound XL was my way of celebrating the 350-mile year in about the hardest way possible. The course made sure all 356 miles counted.
Fueling the Questionable Decisions
Long events forced me to get serious about fueling and hydration. I mix my own electrolytes and gels, then test different combinations of carbohydrates, sodium, fluids, and timing during training.
It has become another part of the process I enjoy: experiment, pay attention to what works, and adjust for the next long day. I’ve made mixes for friends and sold some within that circle. I’m not presenting it as a formal business here, but if you’re interested in what I use, feel free to get in touch.
The Data Behind the Training
I enjoy the training itself, but I’m equally interested in understanding why it works. I track data from Garmin, Strava, FORM, Stryd, and other sources in a personal dashboard built around GitHub and Obsidian.
It gives me a better view of long-term trends than any one platform provides. It also gives me another excuse to build something, study the data, and ask increasingly specific questions about fatigue, recovery, pacing, and performance.
Race Stories
I’m starting to document more of these questionable decisions through short videos and race recaps. There are only a couple for now, but this section will grow as I add more.
Brady Bruton 