Hi Devon. I know this post is from many months ago. But I just found your substack via Sarah Lavender Smiths Substack. I just wanted to say hello and say I am very happy to have found your substack and look forward to reading more. I appreciate how candid you are in about your experiences. I can't imagine how challenging it must be to naviagate chronic illness and compete at the top of the sport. I am a mid packer in my 40s that disengaged from the community for several years. (still trying to unpack why I felt the need to do this). I started running again in the fall of 2023 and found your podcast and really enjoyed listening to it on my runs and I am grateful to found your substack and look forward to reading more. Take care and huge congrats on your 6 day race!
hey Devon, I'm glad to find your new Substack (I found it because you recommended mine, thanks)-- I was wondering what happened to Devon's Dispatch and assumed you were taking a break from it -- but I'm super sad to hear you deleted the Women of Distance podcast, because I enjoyed those archived episodes periodically. I really feel for you, especially with the severe PMS (PMDD, which I also had in my 40s). I recall how horrible it was the week or two leading up to my period, so almost half of every month I felt desperately moody and depressed—objectively knowing my anger and anxiety were inflated, but being powerless to moderate those feelings—and my body ached and felt sensitive in abnormal ways (even plucking my eyebrows hurt ridiculously when I was PMSing!). I'm impressed you started Leadville and then pulled out due to hurting rather than forcing yourself to go on. I hope writing here is cathartic & that you find ways to heal. Mostly, I'm sorry you feel disconnected from the ultra scene & its support -- people do care about you! Even virtually or remotely as I'm expressing now. Take care and keep writing.
Hi Devon. I know this post is from many months ago. But I just found your substack via Sarah Lavender Smiths Substack. I just wanted to say hello and say I am very happy to have found your substack and look forward to reading more. I appreciate how candid you are in about your experiences. I can't imagine how challenging it must be to naviagate chronic illness and compete at the top of the sport. I am a mid packer in my 40s that disengaged from the community for several years. (still trying to unpack why I felt the need to do this). I started running again in the fall of 2023 and found your podcast and really enjoyed listening to it on my runs and I am grateful to found your substack and look forward to reading more. Take care and huge congrats on your 6 day race!
hey Devon, I'm glad to find your new Substack (I found it because you recommended mine, thanks)-- I was wondering what happened to Devon's Dispatch and assumed you were taking a break from it -- but I'm super sad to hear you deleted the Women of Distance podcast, because I enjoyed those archived episodes periodically. I really feel for you, especially with the severe PMS (PMDD, which I also had in my 40s). I recall how horrible it was the week or two leading up to my period, so almost half of every month I felt desperately moody and depressed—objectively knowing my anger and anxiety were inflated, but being powerless to moderate those feelings—and my body ached and felt sensitive in abnormal ways (even plucking my eyebrows hurt ridiculously when I was PMSing!). I'm impressed you started Leadville and then pulled out due to hurting rather than forcing yourself to go on. I hope writing here is cathartic & that you find ways to heal. Mostly, I'm sorry you feel disconnected from the ultra scene & its support -- people do care about you! Even virtually or remotely as I'm expressing now. Take care and keep writing.