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Tug Boren

@tugboren

1.8K

followers

1359

following

1 Corinthians 16:13
Ultra Runner 🏃🏻
Pilot 🛩️
Outdoor Enthusiast 🏕️

POSTS STORIES REELS TAGGED

Summer so far
Periods 2/3

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One year down and a couple more to go 💪

#usafa

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Yeti Trail Runners Canebrake 200 Miler Endurance Run. Amazing community and adventure!

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score was down but vibes were SO up ‼️

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making the most out of our mandatory fun nights

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Tucked away in rural Franklin, TN there is a place to find yourself, the first place I dug deep enough to understand that I wanted more. The Mid State Mile is special. The butterflies I feel driving up to that beautiful family property never seem to fade. It feels almost tranquil, but with known battles on the horizon, awaiting us all.

*0 Hours* The race beginning is always the most energetic. Reconnecting with old friends while meeting new ones, cracking jokes and finding your pace. Roughly 20% of the field will just now be developing thoughts in their heads that this is MUCH more than “just a mile”, both physically and mentally.

*8 hours* The field has diminished to less than 50%. Most runners are fighting just to make it to the 12 hour intermission as a point of success. For the veterans these are the “process” loops, ensuring everything is functioning correctly and staying present as they know – a long, grueling night is ahead.

*12 hours* 1st Intermission, the 20 minute break that you may think is a sanctuary but in reality is only a brief pause before the donning of headlamps, grasping of trekking poles, and a war with treacherous night loops inevitably begins.

*16 hours* Less than 20 runners remain. The night loops seem harder than usual this year. The rain and mud have limited our route selection and the placement of our feet is more important than ever. Conversations have diminished, doubt creeps in, praying to hold on for sunrise but it is 6 LONG hours away.

*20 hours* Less than 10 runners remain. The night has taken some of the best. Everyone left now understands this is anyone’s race. You can feel it has just now become competitive. PRs have been met, injuries have settled in, sleep deprivation is high, but we keep moving… waiting.. for the sun.

*24 hours* 2nd intermission - 4 runners remain. Sleep is necessary but it won’t be much. The sun brought some life but the fatigue still remains. Nicholas & Jeremiah astonishingly continue to run fast loops. Cale and I can’t understand, waiting for them to waiver , they do not… *25 hours hits* Cale is out.. 3 left.
Continued in comments….

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As I continue to process the events of this past weekend at the MidState Mile, I feel a deep sense of gratitude to so many people who helped me and contributed to a life changing 30 hours.

First off, I am incredibly grateful to Becca and Jon for organizing the event and for all of their encouragement and support during the race- I appreciate them opening their beautiful property and the hours and energy they have put into creating a space for a wonderful community of people to come together. Running the Murder Mile for the last three years has been pivotal in my growth, and I will forever be indebted to them for that.

A special thank you to Becca for her belief in me and the advice she gave me at a critical point in the race.

Jeremiah and his unwavering grit and determination in the final hours of the race were inspiring. It was a true honor to compete with such an accomplished athlete.

In the difficult last hours of the race, the support and guidance from Darren Janzen proved invaluable. I will never forget his kindness.

I would also like to thank Pete Schreiner, not only for capturing incredible photos, but also for providing a great deal of encouragement and saying just the right thing at just the right time.

I would be remiss if I didn't mention my cousin Drew Recchia who has made the trip from Colorado the last three years to head up our crew. He never left my side for the entirety of the race and what I did would not be possible without him.

So many others in this wonderful community provided support and encouragement that I will never forget: Nate and Jennifer Solomon, Aaron Dana, Eric Kienle, Mike Childs and his crew chief, and Tug Boren. I am sure I have missed some in addition to all the other runners, family, spectators, and volunteers who cheered me on. Thank you. Truly.

Lastly, a shout out to Chadd Wright for talking about The MidState Mile in a podcast three years ago, which in turn inspired me to register and train for the race.

While I love my home state of New Jersey, the MidState Mile and TN have become my home away from home. I am grateful.

-Nicholas Leo

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FIRE - AIM - READY!
@mattbeaudreau

Had an incredible conversation this morning with this Apogee young man @tugboren

Boren just completed the @cocodona250 as the youngest finisher. An ultra marathon that spans 256 miles across central Arizona, and you have 125 hours to complete.

Young boren at just 17 years old has accomplished so much, and has an amazing vision for his future. A TRUE LEADER, leading on purpose and serving!

I was so inspired from this conversation! I hope everyone has a listen to this one, and shares it with their young leaders!

Amazing job parents! Amazing job Apogee! @apogeeprogram

...And Tug, hats off to you young man for always challenging yourself, pushing yourself past that comfort zone, and always serving. A TRUE leader, and you're going to make the world a better place.

Keep going little brother!
We’re all lucky to have you on our side! 🫡

Make sure to check out our episode tomorrow @thefightfatherpodcast

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𝟏𝟕 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐨𝐥𝐝. 𝟐𝟓𝟎 𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐬. 𝐎𝐧𝐞 𝐮𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐣𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐲

Tug Boren is the 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐫 of the 2025 Cocodona 250 — and his words say it all.

Finishing in 120:10:50, the Weatherford, Texas native was all smiles at the finish line after completing his 250 mile adventure from Black Canyon City to Flagstaff.

Amazing job, Tug 👏

#Cocodona250 #ultrarunning #adventureawaits #cocodona #aravaiparunning

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Cocodona 250
99 hours in, 4 cumulative hours of sleep, 210 MILES and 46 to go! Hot, cold, wet, sleet, rain, mud and blood. Strong work @tugboren , Stay Dangerous. #cocodona250

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Currently on mile 167! #cocodona250

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Let's go Texas! You're looking great, pushing through some tough times out there. I'm honored to have run and trained with you guys - you're all truly inspiring for pushing to the limit.
1% better every day

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