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Cal Neff

@theneffpace

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🇨🇦 🇺🇸 Runner
2:19 26.2 | 2:51 50k
Pacer & 3 x Guinness WR
Team @altrarunning
Coach @hardlooprun
RD @trailracingovertexas
SAR Responder @texsar

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Marathon Milestone 🥹

It’s pretty incredible to look back on this list. Wins, PRs, pacer gigs, perfect days, rough days, a stroller world record, 211 laps on an indoor track, and one very long walk through DC last year that reminded me how unpredictable this sport (and life) can be.

To give context on how inconsistent the training and results can be and what it can take: I’ve only really gone all-in chasing a big result maybe five times. I’ve paced seven of these — including my three fastest — raced in truly ideal conditions maybe five total, and learned far more from the tough ones than the shiny ones.

Along the way I’ve been lucky to share miles with some incredible people — Olympians, record holders, legends of the sport — and last year in my slowest marathon ever (4h49m), with my wife unknowingly, carrying my future son.

Sunday marked my 8th Houston Marathon. My top ten average now at 2:21:48. I’m determined to break the 2:19 PR and chase the OTQ in my 40’s and also fill up this bingo card: missing a mark at 2:25, 2:29, and 2:32 would hit ever minute from 19 to 35.

Every race has added perspective to all aspects of life that I use everyday.

Biggest takeaways after 25:

• Show up healthy
• Respect and enjoy the process more than the outcome
• Some races are for performance, all are for experience and growth
• Keep the enjoyment and purpose — that’s what carries you forward

I’m deeply grateful to everyone who’s been part of this journey: training partners, competitors, pacers, race directors, friends, coaches, therapists, family, and the communities that make showing up possible. And to Altra, thank you for believing in me from my very first marathon and continuing to support the long game every step of the way.

Proud of the journey, not just the results. Onward. 🏁

Not sure why this felt like a retirement post, but I’ve just begun! *dusts off the stroller

#marathon #running #marathontraining @altrarunning #TeamAltra taken in Houston, Texas by @theneffpace

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9 months ago

FKT: Texas Four Highest Peaks “Guad Quad”

Spent another week in West Texas at the Guadalupe Mountains National Park providing Preventive Search and Rescue and assistance with TEXSAR. Part of being out there also requires knowing the park like the back of my hand, so that the first time I see it is not in an emergency. So with that being said, I’ll start with a disclaimer: These types of adventures can get people into trouble that could require a lot of valuable resources to get out of. The FKT mentality can push people over the edge and into deep when going light, pushing effort, denying assistance (for “unsupported”), traveling off-trail in very rugged, extreme, wilderness. Routes like this have full commitment to some serious exposure to unforgiving elements and terrain. Be (over) prepared. Have backups. Be in the right mind-space and give yourself the option to change that. There is positive power in negative thinking “what if” (thanks @realwillgadd), evaluate, and reevaluate the changes. I chose the non-typical counterclockwise direction for the fact that the final four miles would be on a popular and busy trail, this is one example of making decisions that could have game changing results in the event of an issue later in the run.

Official @fastestknowntime for the Texas Four Highest Peaks (plus a bonus summit of Texas’ 6th highest) in 5h05m55s. The most challenging component, other than the near 7,000ft of climbing in just 25km was that the link up between the four peaks is an extremely rugged bushwhack full of plants and rocks that want to slice, dice, poke, and prod (the animals too). It was slow going in the heat high stepping plants on steep lines. Almost 1.5h off the previous FKT and some meat still on the bone for next time 😏 Full report up on the FKT site.

👟 @altrarunning Mont Blanc Carbon

😎 @opticnerveeyewear FixiePHENOM Photochromic

🎽 @runinrabbit

#StayOutThere #trailrunning #FKT @trailracingovertexas taken in Guadalupe Mountains National Park by @theneffpace

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a year ago

XMAS GIVEAWAY TIME

It’s been awhile since a good old fashioned giveaway. To wrap up an awesome 2025 and coming off an incredible weekend at the @trailracingovertexas Brazos Bend 100, sponsored by #AltraRunning we’ve put together a little prize pack including our favorite sunglasses from @opticnerveeyewear

Prizes:

👟: Free Pair of Altra Running Shoes
😎: Free Pair of Optic Nerve Sunglasses (up to $100!)
🏃: Free race entry to any TROT event (sub-ultra)

To Enter:

Must like this post ♥️ and follow all four accounts:

@theneffpace
@altrarunning
@opticnerveeyewear
@trailracingovertexas

Bonus Entry: Comment on this post with what you’re most excited about #running in 2026

Bonus Entry: Tag a friend

About the Sponsors:

Altra Running has a full quiver of road, trail, and hiking footwear ranging from 0mm to 4mm heel drop in a foot shaped design for natural strong movement. My personal favorites this year have been the Wild 2, Olympus 275 (pictured here), and the Flow 2.

Optic Nerve premium sport and casual sunglasses at a great price point. I’ve never been a fan of the cheap running sunglasses out there and don’t want to break the bank; these are the perfect balance. Top picks FixieBlast, Phenom, and the AIR.

TROT: Has a trail run, walk, or ruck for anyone. “Get Off the Road”™️ in the South/Central Texas area almost every month of the year with challenges from 1mi to 100 hours and everything in between with fun atmosphere, quality shirts, and unique medals, buckles, and coin awards. The greatest volunteers from the best aid stations to support your #trailrunning & #ultrarunning

It’s race week for me, follow along The Marathon Project which will closely be followed by the Houston Marathon as I build for my return to the Black Canyon 100k (third times a charm right?!)

Thanks for following along! - Cal

General Rules/Terms: No purchase necessary, random drawing from entry list will be done on December 25th, 2025 and verified with entry requirements before announced on this post, entries open until that time, not affiliated with Instagram/Meta/Facebook and operated independently from sponsors. Winner is responsible for any potential extra fees/shipping/travel. taken in Texas by @theneffpace

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10 months ago

XRedRocks Hike and Fly - Sophomore Year

Over 12 hours of flying during my week in Utah, more than I had in total airtime heading into last year’s XRedRocks! A huge improvement on last year coming 7th in the Adventure category.

On foot, over 60 miles with over 13,000ft of elevation gain in the four days. My full kit with water weighs 26-28lbs. I used a combination of the Altra Wild 3 and the Mont Blanc Speed’s. Fortunately I brought a bunch of Wild’s for the athletes to wear, they were a big hit on the trails.

My final flight was one of my biggest, over 4 hours in the air after a very short hike and launching from Mt Edna at 11,500ft. I struggled getting out of the gullies between Edna and Mount Holly a couple of times, pucker factor was high as I took a number of very low saves to climb back out. The thermals were ripping strong, over 900ft/min at times. I climbed a total of over 33kft reaching a peak of 15,512ft ahead of my final glide which gave me 7,500ft above ground level across the valley heading to goal. After scratching the hills and fighting a headwind I committed to a final 10km run in to finish the week.

Incredible week of adventure. While there was a ton of solo enjoyable suffer time, hanging out with the other pilots was a blast. A great community in an incredible area. Campground ice cream and hot springs was my go to evening recovery formula every single night. Thanks to all the organizers and supporters.

Already looking forward to next year. If there was a run only component, would you be interested? Let me know in the comments about joining the XRedRocksRun next year.

📸: @benhortonphoto & @broadleafjesse

@altrarunning @xredrocks @global_rescue @opticnerveeyewear #HikeandFly #Paragliding taken in Monroe, Utah by @theneffpace

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a day ago

Four days of racing is a wrap at the @global_rescue @xredrocks Hike & Fly!

Much more to recap but finished today after my best flying, over four hours, climbed above 15,400ft, and ran the last 8mi into goal (just slightly past cutoff).

99km and over 13,000ft of gain on my feet the past four days.

A huge thanks to @gavinmcclurg and the crew! The @monroe_utah hot springs and community are amazing! @niviuk_usa team and @altrarunning - great to see so many Altra’s on the trail and in the air!

#hikeandfly #paragliding #adventure taken in Monroe, Utah by @theneffpace

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9 days ago

8️⃣ 8️⃣ Mile Free Flight Personal Best

Flight Duration: 4h39m
XC Distance: 142km / 88mi
Max Altitude: 7,300ft
Max Climb: 1,100ft/min

Epic day of cloud surfing on the paraglider for my furthest XC on any type of glider! Feeling ready for @xredrocks hike & fly coming up.

Winch towed out of Hearne airport and immediately hooked into lift. Had a slow start trying to wait for other pilots to launch but had to clear the area for the Dutch forces team doing jumps from 18k. Counted over 40 red shouldered hawks at cloudbase in one thermal and flew into a tornado of corn husks spinning through the air and guiding me to the lift. Flew cloud to cloud avoiding blue holes, airspace, and giant antennas. Landed on the other side of Waco next to a game preserve full of zebra and other exotic African animals. Finished with a 3mi sunset hike before retrieve arrived and straight for Texas Roadhouse starving!

🥾 @altrarunning
Harness: @niviuk_usa Kooper P
Insurance: @global_rescue
😎 @opticnerveeyewear
⛽️ @never.second taken in Texas by @theneffpace

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22 days ago

Katy Labor Day 5k 🏆

93% Humidity = 100% Done with Summer 🥵

Happy with the splits today, only 4s of deviation: 3:03, 3:02, 3:03, 3:04: 3:06 and quicker kick into the finish for 15:29 despite another sweltering day in Texas.

The Katy running community is alive and well, surrounding our local running store @goodtimesrunningco and a massive showing from @ainsleys_angels (always great to race Sebastian!), it’s great to see over the last 8+ years of running this event. Thanks to @katyarearunningclub for hosting and all the volunteers hard work. Thanks to @campkinro for the recovery!

@altrarunning Vanish Carbon 3 for the win!

Staying consistent at 42!

2018: 16:08
2022: 15:04
2025: 15:33
2026: 15:29

#MarathonTraining #5kMarathon taken in Katy, Texas by @theneffpace

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a month ago

Vanish C3 🤍💨

Out just in time for Fall racing, the @altrarunning Vanish Carbon 3 racing shoe is the update we’ve all been waiting for. All the benefits of the brands foundation, with a boost of performance.

The all-new FAST RCE midsole is a supercritical, two-piece full PEBA foam that’s Altra’s lightest and most responsive, made for a fast and efficient ride. A patent-pending split-toe carbon fiber plate provides the rigidity to fuel speed while allowing the big toe to engage in a more powerful way. Altra’s unique last shape combined with an enhanced rocker and 4mm drop propels runners forward with each step for a fun and fresh experience. Altra’s Racing FootShape™ provides a secure heel and midfoot at high speeds but maintains room in the toe box so your toes can splay and engage for more power. A race-day upper is designed for a seamless, breathable engineered mesh with a soft, lightweight tongue for a zero-distraction feel. An innovative eyestay design ensures proper midfoot lockdown while keeping the toes free to splay.

See you on the finish line! 💨

#altrarunning #altraathlete #marathontraining taken in Texas by @theneffpace

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a month ago

The Stroller Life Chose You Kid

Went into the attic yesterday and pulled out the @thule Glide 2 and some infant adapter pads for Williams first outing in the running stroller. To be clear, we’re sticking to walking or the odd jogging pace on a very smooth straight private road until he shows full head/neck strength at 4-6mo, then we’ll start the running. He’s hitting two months this week and already holding his head up and rolling over.

He loved his walk around the airstrip under the trees, visiting neighbors, and watching some planes come in and out. Mom enjoyed a much deserved spa night with the ladies.

Can’t wait for all the adventures ahead with William! 🩵 by @theneffpace

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2 months ago

Everyone please send a big GIDDY UP to the legend @gobroncobilly to make a full recovery from a medical incident while competing at the TDS UTMB this week. 🙏 by @theneffpace

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2 months ago

William Elias Neff 🩵

You were the missing piece to our family. I didn’t know my love could grow this much beyond what is already there for the girls. by @theneffpace

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2 months ago

Dreaming and scheming a Fall record attempt… ISO a treadmill partner! 👀

Been running this mill to the bone. 5:15/mi tempo feeling smooth before some incline work for a nice combo session in the @altrarunning Vanish Carbon 👟

The treadmill is a great tool, especially for flatlanders in poor climates, and excellent for pace control. Over 2000 miles of running on @gozwiftrun and I know my efficiency (one of the most important components to running fast and the one that can improve with age) is better because of it.

#treadmill #zwiftrunning #marathontraining by @theneffpace

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2 months ago