Training Log: August 26–27

The Realness Behind the Grind

It’s funny — even when I sit down to write these training logs, I remind myself that this journey isn’t just about me. It’s about showing the realness of what my day-to-day training looks like as a professional endurance athlete chasing something bigger than myself. The photos, the workouts, the highlights, & the lows. They all paint a larger than life picture.

Some days I feel invincible.

Some days I want to quit.

Most days, it’s a mix of both.

Monday, August 26 — Track & Trails

The morning started off with something that still feels surreal: a brand photoshoot. Honestly, it’s wild to me that I even get these opportunities. I grew up just another kid from humble beginnings, dreaming of a life with these kinds of opportunities, and now I’m out here doing photoshoots to represent brands I truly believe in. I try to keep myself grounded and remind myself that every bit of growth means I can impact more lives. It’s work, yes, but it’s also part of the mission.

After the shoot, it was time to hit the track. The session was straightforward:

1 mile warm-up, 10x400m at 5:30/mile pace, and a 1 mile cooldown.

The conditions weren’t friendly, it was 82 degrees with high humidity. But the workout felt easy. That’s not something I say lightly. I haven’t felt this strong in a long time, and hitting repeatable, sharp splits gave me a rush of confidence.

running

trail running

Later in the day, Rikki and I headed out to Chain O’ Lakes State Park for a trail run in the

rain. There’s something magical about being out there with her, just the two of us moving together through the woods. It wasn’t about pace or numbers, it was about sharing miles. The run itself started lighthearted and free, but by the end my legs started to rebel. That familiar ache crept in, and recovery was all we could talk about on the drive home. It’s those little moments together laughing, hurting, being real with each other that remind me why we do this together.

Tuesday, August 27 — Swimming, Surfing, and Storytelling

The next morning started with a monster: an 8,000-meter swim workout. I’ll be honest — it tested me. I forgot my main gear and had to scramble for spares. Halfway through, my headphones died, leaving me alone with my thoughts. The silence in the pool was deafening, and it became a mental grind. I wanted to quit. I told myself I’d stop after the next 500, then the next 200, then the next lap. Breaking it down into smaller goals kept me moving. That’s endurance training at its core — chipping away, refusing to let go.

From the pool, I shifted into friend mode. One of my best friends took delivery of their brand new 2025 Malibu Wakesetter, and I went to the lake to help out.

The switch was refreshing. Being on the water with friends gave me space to just be present, laugh, and celebrate their joy. At the same time, I couldn’t help but feel “clocked in.” Water has a way of reminding me who I am and what I’m chasing.

We capped the afternoon with some surfing, which ended up being the highlight of the day. There’s nothing quite like feeling the board plane across the water, enjoying the lake in a way that’s purely fun. It felt like a gift.

The evening slowed down with a mobility session. Shoulders have been tight from all the swimming, so I queued up newest The Pocket Podcast and worked through stretches. It was less about pushing and more about letting my mind check out for a moment of peace.

And then, late into the night, I sat down to record a new episode of Beyond the Run. The questions came from friends, family, and social media, and I leaned into the realness — the highs, the lows, the doubts, and the breakthroughs. Strangely enough, talking about the journey recharges me. It’s a reminder of how much I’ve overcome and how lucky I am to be living this story.

The Takeaway

These two days were a snapshot of what this life really looks like. It’s not always easy. It’s balancing brand work, brutal training sessions, quality time with Rikki, friends, recovery, and then still finding the energy to create. Some moments feel effortless. Others feel like dragging myself through mud.

But that’s the point — growth doesn’t come from comfort. It comes from leaning into both the joy and the grind. If you take anything from this log, I hope it’s this: chop big goals into small ones, surround yourself with the right people, and never forget to enjoy the ride along the way.

See you back here again tomorrow,

Jace

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Stay Connected Beyond the Training Log

If you’ve made it this far, you’re part of the journey. Every mile, every stroke, every late-night podcast is leading toward Lap the Lake 2025 — my attempt to swim the entire 14-mile shoreline of Lake Wawasee.

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