SILAS CAREY

Silas - My passion for running began as a child, watching my father compete in local road races in upstate New York. I joined the cross country team as soon as my school would allow me to in 8th grade. I loved the freedom and clarity that running brought to my life. Running on the dirt roads and through the forests of my hometown helped to mold my body and mind as I grew up. I followed that passion throughout high school and to the collegiate level, running cross country and track for four years at SUNY Cortland.

After graduating in 2010 I moved to New York City and continued to race on the road occasionally, with only modest results. I have always loved trail running and had an interest in ultra running but a series of injuries in college made me wary of the distances required.

In 2013, inspired by my best friend, soulmate, (and now wife) Alli, I decided to pursue a career as a physical therapist. It was through my education working toward a Doctorate of Physical Therapy degree that I began to transform my training and nutrition regimen so that my body could withstand the rigors of training for and racing in trail ultras. It wasn't until last year that I made the leap to racing ultra distances. Having never before raced a distance over the half marathon, I was shocked to place 2nd in my first race, The Paumanok Pursuit 70k. I would go on to finish 2nd in three more trail ultras, and placed 13th at the Cayuga Trails 50 mile National Championship in my first attempt at that distance. In ultra running I feel I have found my niche.

To me running is as much an art as it is a science. I find it to be a very meditative and therapeutic experience. I value the peace and simplicity it brings to an otherwise chaotic world, and I take every opportunity to share the joy of our sport with others. It doesn't matter if a person is training for their first 5k or their tenth 100 miler, in running and a love of the outdoors we are all kindred souls.

I currently live in Manhattan with my wife. I get out of the city as often as possible to run the trails of New York's state parks, and can otherwise be found lapping Central Park. Soon my wife and I will be calling New Zealand home!

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This video is a collection of a few clips of Silas at the 2015 Cayuga 50 Mile USATF Trail Championships in Ithaca, New York. To read his full race report, click here.