Follow my journey as I traverse beautiful wilderness.

Sean O’Brien January 2024

After a difficult few months, it truly felt like a victory just to be toeing the start line at this race in late January 2024. A crisp, beautiful morning lay awaiting the runners and a gorgeous, clear afternoon. Perfect for a cruise along the spines of the Malibu State Park in Southern California.

seeradruns malibu sean o'brien

While my fitness wasn’t where I would have liked for a 32 mile (50km) event, I did my best to push my pace for the 6500 ft (>2000 meters) of climbing while being cautious of the afternoon sun.

The race involved a river crossing to start and finish the race. While it was chilly to cross in the morning, the cool water provided fantastic relief for some sore, aching feet and allowed for a refreshing break from a warm afternoon. At this point, I was joined by a good friend Eric who ran the final few kilometers alongside me.

At this point in the race, I was tempted to walk it out, however the surprise of seeing the familiar face of a good friend gave me a boost of energy and I was able to finish strong. As I rounded the last corner, I was greeted by another good friend Marc who had finished the 30km event earlier in the day. Together, the 3 of us ran across the finish line as I relished in the fact that I could now rest my tired legs and get off my feet.

After finishing and wiping the salty sweat and dirt off, I got to return to a nearby Airbnb for a well-earned rest. I had such a great time that I put the sign-up date for 2025 on my calendar that evening!

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