Sean Meissner’s race, the Peterson Ridge Rumble in Sisters, Oregon, is probably the very best illustration of him as a runner, coach, group member, and canine lover. The dog-friendly race follows a community of singletrack trails on rolling hills by ponderosa pine forest earlier than returning to the center college monitor for a spherical of burritos — for the people — and pigs’ ears — for the canine. Funds from the race go to the highschool cross-country crew, the place Meissner served as a volunteer assistant coach for 10 years.
With greater than 200 ultramarathon races accomplished himself, and at the least a decade of sustaining 90 to 110 miles per week, Meissner is aware of a factor or two concerning the love for operating. Now dwelling in Vermont, he continues to run, race ultras, pet canine, and coach each number of runner. He’s a kind of individuals who’s so embedded within the path and extremely group, for those who don’t already know him, you’re most likely solely separated by one diploma. And if his identify nonetheless doesn’t ring a bell, then come out to Sisters subsequent April, run the Rumble, and say, “Hello.” Higher but, convey your canine.
Sean Meissner and companion Kristina Siladi with Milo and Ardy the doggos whereas dwelling in Flagstaff. Picture: Nico Barraza
Raised in a Working City
Rising up in Spokane, Washington, Meissner was launched to operating at a younger age by household, college operating packages, and the city’s sturdy operating tradition. The Lilac Bloomsday Run, a 12-kilometer street operating race that takes place each April and might draw as much as 50,000 runners, was Meissner’s first race at age 9 and particularly influential in cultivating his love for operating.
Meissner acquired began with monitor in elementary college, and as a highschool and faculty pupil, he specialised in distance occasions — the 800, 1,600, and three,200 meters. On his sister’s suggestion, he tried cross nation in highschool, and it rapidly grew to become his favourite type of operating. Meissner additionally dabbled in different athletic pursuits, together with soccer and wrestling, although admittedly, his favourite a part of wrestling was operating laps throughout observe.
Sean racing the Kennebec Mountain Run with Ardy in 2014. Picture: Brendan Trimboli
After operating one other native race, Let’s Climb A Mountain, as a part of relays a number of occasions all through highschool, the 34.3-mile street race was additionally his first extremely when he did it solo in 2001. Meissner was returning to Spokane for his 10-year highschool reunion and realized the race would fall on the identical weekend. He registered and pulled off a win, although he admits it damage. This expertise, regardless of the struggling, motivated Meissner to discover path ultras. The McDonald Forest 50k — a traditional path race in Corvallis, Oregon, fondly known as “The Mac” — was Meissner’s first path extremely, adopted by the Black Canyon 50k and the Bighorn 50 Mile inside a matter of weeks.
Two A long time of Ultrarunning
After these preliminary path ultras in 2002 — Meissner ended up racing seven that summer season — long-distance path operating grew to become a dominant theme in his life. In 2003, he ran 14 path races, together with his first 100 miler on the Bighorn 100 Mile in Wyoming, the place he positioned eighth total in 29 hours and 6 minutes. Over the following twenty years, he ran a dozen or extra path and extremely races most years, and for many of that point, he maintained a weekly operating quantity of 90 to 110 miles per week.
It was all a part of a purpose he set in July 2001 after his first extremely at Let’s Climb a Mountain when he determined to attempt to run 200 ultras in twenty years. In June 2021, he accomplished his purpose on the Laurel Highlands Extremely, now a 46-year-old occasion in southwestern Pennsylvania. Though he had his sights set on the 70-miler possibility, sudden again ache simply 5 days earlier than the race prompted him to change to the 50k. “I had skilled actually laborious and hoped to win,” Meissner stated. “I used to be dissatisfied, however I used to be grateful to even have the ability to stroll.” At present, Meissner’s extremely racing tally is at 209. His most up-to-date was the Lover’s Lane 6 Hour in his residence state of Vermont, the place he positioned second.
Sean (left) on the North Rim of Grand Canyon throughout a 2019 rim-to-rim-to-rim run with Victor Ruggiero, Kyle Curtin, and Dana Sedin (left to proper). Picture: Kyle Curtin
Amongst a depth of ultramarathon expertise spanning greater than twenty years, a handful of races have been 100 milers. Meissner has 4 100-mile finishes: Bighorn in 2003, the Western States 100 in 2005 and 2009, and UTMB in 2015. Nonetheless, Meissner famous, “A whole bunch haven’t been my distance,” sharing that he has began 9 complete 100 milers. Most just lately, he’d hoped to run the 2025 Vermont 100 Mile, however he was coping with plantar fasciitis and couldn’t get the coaching quantity he wished. As a substitute he opted for the 100k distance on the occasion. “I’ll attempt once more sooner or later,” he stated. “I like going to 100 milers and crewing, pacing, and volunteering.”
Total, Meissner is drawn to low-key races with a deep historical past, and he prefers the 50-mile and 100-kilometer distances. “The 100k is enjoyable — it’s a protracted day within the daytime. I normally hit a low someplace within the 40-mile vary, however stuff actually will get bizarre round mile 70, so the 100k is over earlier than it will get bizarre.” Certainly one of his favourite races is Bighorn in June, which presents a number of distance choices. Meissner has run the 50 miler 4 occasions.
Selection is Key to Longevity
Over a few years and hundreds of operating miles, Meissner has handled comparatively few accidents and little psychological fatigue. He credit this longevity to a number of components. Along with having a reasonably resilient physique and good operating kind, he knew when to relaxation: “If one thing didn’t really feel proper, I didn’t have any ego in taking a day, or three days, off instantly.” Whereas there could have been some genetics and a few luck concerned, he stated, “The largest factor was that I actually, actually listened to my physique.”
Various the operating floor and terrain helped, too. Mixing up his tempo between speedwork and gradual, straightforward runs, switching between roads, trails, technical terrain, hills, and flatter surfaces, and ranging between brief and lengthy distances all contributed to with the ability to keep a excessive mileage quantity. “The variability in all the things retains my physique from getting caught in a rut and getting an overuse harm or burnout,” Meissner defined.
Sean and Kristina on the Center Teton in 2017. Picture courtesy of Sean Meissner.
Meissner has additionally stayed lively on a motorbike all through his life. When he was a young person, his uncle began a biking program by Explorer Scouts, an offshoot of Boy Scouts. Meissner ended up racing bikes and duathlons by highschool and faculty. Though he continued operating by his faculty years on the College of Idaho, Meissner gravitated towards the biking crew and beloved racing bikes.
In 2022, Meissner achieved a purpose of driving throughout the nation earlier than he turned 50. In a self-supported type, stored gentle by staying in accommodations and Airbnbs somewhat than tenting, Meissner and a pal adopted the self-created, 3,300-mile “Sean Route,” from his favourite spot on the West Coast — Pacific Metropolis, Oregon — to his in-laws’ home in Lewis, Delaware. Alongside the way in which, the duo pieced collectively every part as they went, they usually accomplished the journey in a couple of month.
Sean crossing Teton Go throughout his cross-country bike journey in 2022. Picture: Zoltan Belady
At present, Meissner is in his early fifties and not sustaining 100-mile weeks, partially as a consequence of niggling bodily points. That stated, he’s doing his workouts prescribed by his spouse, Kristina Siladi, who’s a bodily therapist, getting out for runs most days of the week, and persevering with to journey his bike. “I did a 50k a few days in the past, between a future with a pal and training within the afternoon,” Meissner shared. “And I used to be capable of string collectively some good coaching for the Vermont 100k [over the summer].”
Teaching Nirvana
Meissner’s teaching profession began modestly in 2002 when he noticed an advert within the native newspaper inviting members of the local people to return run with the Sisters Excessive College cross-country crew. Meissner ran with the crew by the summer season after which started becoming a member of their practices and meets as a volunteer assistant coach. Within the meantime, he labored at a operating retailer in close by Bend, the place he was often requested for suggestions and operating recommendation, and he quickly started teaching mates. Ultimately, his mates advised that he must be getting paid for his efforts.
Though his teaching position at Sisters Excessive College was at all times a volunteer one, his particular person teaching enterprise grew. In 2011, he joined iRunFar as a coach, taking up the duties from iRunFar’s founder, Bryon Powell. He and Bryon had met by operating for Montrail and had grow to be quick mates. Ultimately, Meissner grew to become an official iRunFar worker when he began managing the location’s on-line retailer, which he did for 3 years earlier than iRunFar determined to shut it. “That was actually enjoyable, and sometimes overwhelming, to have a room stuffed with trainers, packs, garments, and delivery provides to ship to clients.” Though the shop administration obligations have been comparatively short-lived, Meissner credit Bryon and iRunFar with laying the muse for his teaching profession.
Sean with Bryon Powell in Moab whereas working the iRunFar on-line retailer. Picture: iRunFar/Bryon Powell
At the moment, Meissner coaches a variety of runners, together with the center college cross-country crew close to his residence in Vermont, the collegiate cross-country crew at Landmark Faculty, and about 15 grownup people who embrace seasoned ultrarunners, shorter-distance runners specializing in the 5k and 10k distances, and runners who’re newer to the game.
Just like his love for selection in his private operating, Meissner loves the variations among the many athletes he coaches, whether or not it’s model new runners or extra skilled athletes who’re getting out of their consolation zone and attempting one thing totally different, like switching from roads to trails or stepping as much as an extended distance. Meissner derives pleasure from his athletes’ accomplishments. “I like getting texts on Saturday and Sunday mornings, particularly after I’m on the West Coast and getting early morning texts from runners on the East Coast.” Getting information of a private file is especially thrilling, particularly when the runner wasn’t anticipating it. “I encourage folks to go for it after they’re ‘having a day,’ even when it’s a B or C race. Usually, there’s much less stress, so in the event that they’re feeling good, they need to go for it.”
The Flagstaff Festivus Brewery Run, one of many many operating communities Sean has been part of. Picture courtesy of Sean Meissner.
Principally, Meissner loves serving to folks open up alternatives for themselves, whether or not they’re new to operating and discovering simply how far or quick they will go, or runners at any stage discovering their strengths throughout distances and operating surfaces. Not too long ago, Meissner’s teaching worlds collided in the very best method at a neighborhood 5k when his collegiate crew, his middle-school runners, and one in every of his particular person athletes all ran the race. “It was teaching nirvana for me.”
Race Directing and the Peterson Ridge Rumble
Along with teaching, Meissner directs a number of races close to his present hometown of Perkinsville, Vermont, and his former hometown of Sisters, Oregon. Income from the races go to the respective native cross-country groups at Springfield Excessive College and Sisters Excessive College, in addition to different beneficiaries reminiscent of Sisters Path Alliance, Springfield Meals Financial institution, and Weathersfield Meals Shelf.
Meissner’s Peterson Ridge Rumble, also called the Rumble, is a much-loved path operating occasion that takes place each April and has been occurring for 22 years. The occasion has seen minor evolutions over time, as new trails are constructed or expanded, and it at present presents three distances: a 20 miler, a marathon, and a 40 miler. Occasion finishers obtain a novel pair of socks, which have been designed by ultrarunner and former Bend resident Jeff Browning and have Meissner’s former furry operating companion, Sascha.
Sean and Sascha on the summit of Black Butte in Oregon. Picture courtesy of Sean Meissner.
Maybe the very best factor about this race, nonetheless, is that it’s dog-friendly. The help stations have water bowls and treats for four-legged runners, and canine obtain a pig’s ear deal with after they cross the end line. Prime canine finishers additionally obtain a particular goody bag. “It’s a canine race and at all times shall be a canine race,” stated Meissner.
The Rumble began in 2003, only a yr after Meissner moved to city and found a enjoyable 17-mile loop within the Peterson Ridge path system. Meissner charged a $10 entry price and let folks camp in his entrance yard, the place the race began and completed. “We had 31 folks and 6 canine that first yr,” Meissner recalled. He misplaced about $300 however determined to keep it up, including a 34-mile distance in 2004. He additionally moved the beginning/end from his home to the Sisters Athletic Membership. The second yr had a turnout of 200 runners, which was an excessive amount of for the Athletic Membership, so from the third yr on, the race has completed on the Sisters Center College monitor and is characterised by canine romping freely or sprawling out on the monitor’s infield whereas runners get pleasure from fresh-made burritos.
A snowwoman stored an eye fixed on one version of the Peterson Ridge Rumble. Picture: Sean Meissner
Through the years, the race continued to develop, peaking at about 500 runners per yr earlier than the COVID-19 pandemic. The largest turnout for canine reached 100. “The beginning line was pandemonium,” shared Meissner with a smile. As a race director, Meissner strives to supply well-organized occasions which can be low-key, family- and dog-friendly, inexpensive, and with good post-race meals and a enjoyable environment. “It is rather a lot a mirrored image of me and what I personally like in races,” Meissner defined.
Working Canine
Alongside operating, canine have been a continuing theme in Meissner’s life. Upon shifting to Sisters in 2002, Sascha, a husky, rapidly joined Meissner’s life as his operating buddy and finest pal. From the native trails to the Three Sisters Wilderness and even on the monitor, Sascha was there. “She’d run laps with me, after which hang around for some time, then run some extra laps with me,” Meissner recalled. “She was excellent at holding me sincere.” Sasha handed away whereas Meissner was nonetheless dwelling in Sisters.
When he moved to Durango, Colorado, Meissner met his now-wife, Kristina, who had an enormous Rottweiler combine named Milo. At 85 kilos, Milo was an surprising operating buddy who beloved to run. “It was wonderful how good of a runner he was,” Meissner stated, saying Milo may run for 13 to fifteen miles at a time.
Sean and Kristina with Ardy and Juniper. Picture courtesy of Sean Meissner.
After the trio moved to Flagstaff, Arizona, and one other furry companion quickly joined their household. Meissner went to Phoenix for a street operating race, which was additionally a canine adoption occasion. Perusing the “operating canine” part, Meissner noticed a border collie mendacity quietly in its kennel. He took the border collie out for a stroll after which examined it with a brief jog. He was rapidly reprimanded by the rescue group employees, who apprehensive he was attempting to steal the canine. Regardless of the confusion, Meissner returned residence, crammed out the adoption paperwork, and picked up one other operating buddy — Ardy — just a few weeks later.
Ardy grew to become quick mates with Milo and a staple in all issues operating. “He was there with us by all of Flagstaff, operating on the wonderful trails there,” Meissner defined. “Again to Durango, he was my San Juan Mountains operating companion, and he helped me practice for UTMB. He ran the Rumble 5 occasions with my spouse, and he would assist mark the course.” Through the years, Ardy ran dozens of races. “He was Prime Canine in all however one, and that one was my fault,” stated Meissner. “He actually, actually simply beloved to run.”
Ardy the border collie was a part of all out of doors actions. Picture courtesy of Sean Meissner.
Meissner defined that Ardy didn’t have an agenda, and he didn’t care how far he acquired to run. He’d perk up on dust roads, and his face would present pure pleasure. Ardy handed away in June. He’d outlived Milo and had overlapped with one other canine that joined the household: a corgi-and-beagle combine named Juniper. Meissner admits Juniper doesn’t like to run, however she’ll put up with just a few miles. “I name it a Juni Jog,” Meissner stated. “If I can get her to go three miles, it’s nice.”
Maybe the very best classes any of us can take away from Meissner’s lengthy operating profession are actually these he discovered from his furry operating friends: Run as a lot as you possibly can and with out an agenda. Relaxation once you want it. Run with pleasure. Smile once you attain a dust street. And three miles at a time is typically good.
Name for Feedback
- What’s your favourite Sean Meissner story?
- Have you ever achieved any of Sean’s occasions?
