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Eric Schweisberger

@eschweis

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I want to recognize @samhammond_ for her extraordinary effort this weekend at the San Juan Solstice 50 mile ultramarathon in Lake City, CO. This was her second attempt and she gave it her absolute everything: countless hours training every week for the past 6 months no matter the weather or level of enthusiasm, staying consistent with PT to overcome last year’s knee injury, sacrificing some of her favorite extracurriculars in the name of recovering for the upcoming training load, painstaking logistics of fueling and hydrating sufficiently for an all day outing, pushing beyond pain and misery for 10+ hours to see how far she can go.
Sam ran 49 miles and climbed (and descended) over 13,200 feet of elevation throughout the hot, thin air between elevations of 8,600 ft and 13,300 ft on Saturday. She woke at 3:30am after struggling with stomach drama throughout the night, started running at 5:00am, crushed her last year’s time to the 15 mile mark by an hour despite struggling with asthma and repeated inhaler puffs throughout the first steep ascent, then continued on for another 12+ hours despite incurring a form and pace wrecking “pulled muscle” injury before mile 20. She pushed, she persevered, she gritted through when I thought she was certainly going to bail at mile 40, and she fought with everything she had until the very end. I can’t believe how hard she worked and how long she persisted to see it through. In the end, her pace slowed beyond what was feasible to make the finish line cutoff at 16 hours. She made every single aid station cutoff, literally passing through the last one with only a moment to spare when she thought it was already over. The pain and fatigue were too much during those last few miles and it took another hour of walking down the trail in the dark to finally reach the end.
I know she’s feeling defeated and being way too hard on herself today, but the tremendous effort and tenacity of that day should not be overlooked. Most people would have forfeit the goal to avoid the discomfort - I would have. She refused to give in and held on to the glimmer of hope that she could still overcome. I’ve never been more proud. taken in Lake City, Colorado by @eschweis

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3 months ago

by @eschweis

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8 months ago

Evidence of a great birthday weekend, thanks to my biggest fan and partner in crime @samhammond_ Flew all 3 days, had an outstanding annual dinner at El Campo, received some very thoughtful gifts from those who know me best, and made my first XC flight to Santa Fe from Sandia mountain with friends. My heart is full. taken in Sandia Peak - Cibola National Forest by @eschweis

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a year ago

Flying a couple new wings lately. Thanks to my wife and personal launch photographer @samhammond_ for the videos. @niviukparagliders pink special Kode P from @speedflyingschool 😍 taken in Albuquerque, New Mexico by @eschweis

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a year ago

Clouds in ABQ pt. 2: vertical orientation edition taken in Albuquerque, New Mexico by @eschweis

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a year ago

Clouds in ABQ lately. 😍 taken in Albuquerque, New Mexico by @eschweis

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a year ago

Family photo 2025. First trip to the bosque. Love this crew ❤️ by @eschweis

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a year ago

Cloudbase surfing on a beautiful day in Colombia. 🇨🇴
#paragliding by @eschweis

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2 years ago

Flying with friends in weak conditions during the final day of my trip to Valle de Cauca, Colombia 🇨🇴 The start of this day was a cloudy struggle but it turned on later and we crossed the valley to the east not long after this. #paragliding by @eschweis

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2 years ago

1 week ago, Sam and I adopted Sunila (Suni) from @missouripitbullrescue while in KC for the holidays. We wanted a playmate for Tate and thought she might be a good fit. Our initial impressions had us a bit worried: Did we make a mistake? She has big puppy energy - this is going to be a big lifestyle change. Does Tate even seem interested? Is he actually annoyed? What have we done?!
Well, I’m pleased to report that ALL of those fears have passed and we have fully embraced Suni with all of our love as she has settled into our home and lives this week. Tate has embraced her playful spirit and even Prada (15 and a bit cranky) has accepted her without resistance. She is a sweet, playful, occasionally wild but often gentle and snuggly little bundle of joy. We adore her and couldn’t be grateful enough for @missouripitbullrescue advocating for her and arranging for us to bring her home. Thanks for all that you do! by @eschweis

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2 years ago

Happy 3Xth birthday to my one and only spooky season 👻 loving, bridge jumping 😳, 50 mile run enduring 🏃‍♀️, pitbull snuggling 🐶, love of my life!

This has been a great year of showing up for yourself and pushing beyond your comfort zone to see what you are capable of. There have been some battles, both physical and emotional, but I am proud of you for taking the risks and persisting toward your goals. I’m still blown away that you went straight from a half-marathon last year to completing a 50 mile ultra in Colorado! Badass status achieved 💪
I enjoy watching you grow and learn more about yourself every day. It’s fun, in a way, to know that we are continually evolving and will never actually have it all “figured out.” It keeps life interesting. I hope you continue to embrace these discoveries and love your own journey even when it doesn’t measure up to expectations from the past. Remember - age is just a number. It doesn’t define how you ought to live. Just be true to you!

Cheers to another trip around the sun and many more to come. It’s always fun to celebrate you during your favorite time of the year! 🎃 Happy birthday Sam! by @eschweis

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2 years ago

Just a couple of boys enjoying some smooth launch conditions for an evening flight from Sandia peak.

Shoutout to my rockstar wife @samhammond_ who not only shuttled us to the top and captured these videos, but was also kind enough to retrieve us when we landed. She’s the real MVP of this post. taken in Sandia Mountains by @eschweis

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2 years ago