I have known Alyssa for a number of years and she was introduced to me as a friend of a friend. Over the years she became a friend, a girlfriend, and now a wife to be. After a couple years of dating we were having a conversation toward the end of 2023 about personal goals for the upcoming year. I felt that I was entering a season or chapter of my life where my focus was on personal growth and life reflection. We both wanted to look at our relationship more seriously and see what the future holds for us. That is when I pitched the idea that I wanted to enter a local trail race I had heard about. It would be a point to point 100 mile trail race from Bend to Sisters, Oregon, a full year of training, and a full commitment from both of us. Fast forward to race day, August 24th, 2024 and the race is the Oregon Cascades 100. For context, the term “crew” is an individual or group of individuals that can offer gear, food, or aid to their runner at predetermined aid stations along the course. Our crew was made up of Alyssa Asay (fiancee), Kienan Brotherton (best man), Seth Machjoviak (groomsman), and Ryan Bell (officiant). After the halfway point of the race you can have a “pacer,” a pacer is someone from your crew that can join the runner and run a predetermined section of the course. For the elite runner, a pacer is just what it sounds like, a person to track your split times and keep you moving at a particular pace. For the other 95% of us, it's a friend that doesn’t mind a long run on no sleep and who can keep repeatedly whispering the words, “keep moving in your ear.” At mile 50, Alyssa would be my first pacer who would run with me for most of the night covering the steepest sections of the course. Little did she know why I appeared to be running so well and so fast at mile 50. It wasn’t because I felt amazing 12 hours into the race, but because I was running out of daylight. I had an engagement ring hidden in my running pack and I knew the perfect spot to ask her. We had run this section called ‘The Farewell Trail’ together a couple weekends prior. We were scouting the course and found the most scenic lookout on top of the mountain. Now, on my tired legs, we just needed to climb 1,700 feet as fast as possible before the sun finally set. My memory kind of fades after that climb, maybe it was from extreme exhaustion, or more likely nervousness and adrenaline. As we approached the top of the Farewell Trail, I heard Alyssa say that her shoe was starting to rub on her heel. With a quick response, I said, 'I have just the thing for that in my pack!' This was the excuse I needed, and I dropped to one knee and revealed the ring. I honestly can't remember exactly what I said, something about how she helped make this all possible, how much I love her, and thanked her for always inspiring me to be a better version of myself. Like I said, I kind of blacked out during this part. What I vividly remember and will always remember, was how the last rays of sunlight looked in the sky. The halo in the clouds that stayed open just long enough to help illuminate the mountain walls around us. The stillness in the air, the cooling temperatures on our skin, the tears on our cheeks, and the cheering runners below as they had stopped to watch. Hand in hand we put our head lamps on and continued down the path…

Running for over 24 hours gives you a lot of time to reflect. One thing is for certain, I would have never made it to that starting line without her. It was her support that went above and beyond that really made it happen. She took care of everything inside and outside of the home, so I could focus on one goal. She believed in the mission and knows from experience you don’t do these hard things and come out the same person that goes in. Running 100 miles isn’t as hard as running on a nice day similar to everyday that came before it and knowing your loved one is at home. Knowing they gave up their free time to make sure you can have yours. Those are the selfless acts of love and the type of person and people that I will forever cherish and keep close to my heart. Thank you to everyone that came to support us, run with us, and hug us at the finish line - we love you all.