In his seventh and final check-in before Delirious West, Gabe Alves shares how he’s navigating a pre-race curveball—a fractured little toe just four weeks out from race day. Instead of pushing through, Gabe’s leaned into rest, mindfulness, and perspective, choosing recovery over panic.
With help from an ultra-running doctor (who casually offered to “fix it after the race if it snaps again”), Gabe’s embraced the ultra mindset: “get to the start line, adapt, and do the thing.” He talks about the recent course change due to fire damage, and how the reversed course layout means new terrain, different challenges, and perhaps most importantly—a clean slate.
Gabe also reflects on gear choices (four pairs of shoes, now plus extra socks), why he’s ditching the overplanning, and how keeping it simple might be his best race strategy yet.
Key Highlights:
•Managing a fractured toe just weeks out, and shifting from training to healing
•Course update: Delirious West now starts from the Giant Tingle Tree and runs in reverse
•Why flexibility is the ultimate ultra tool—and how Gabe’s embracing the unknown
•Insight into crew planning, drop bag tweaks, and gear strategy
•The gift of disconnection: looking forward to five days of no work, no internet—just trail
•A fresh mindset: “Think of how future Gabe wants to feel when he looks back.”
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