I sit down with Kevin Russ—board game designer, iPhone photography legend, thru hiker, and freshly minted Cocodona 250 finisher. We dive into Kevin’s wild journey from shooting landscapes with just his phone to creating successful board games, and now, tackling 200+ mile races. He opens up about the physical and mental toll of Cocodona, the moments that tested him most, and the role his crew played in getting him to the finish. We also explore how creativity overlaps with endurance and what’s next for Kevin in both ultra running and game design.
Check out Kevin on the internet:
Website: https://www.kevinruss.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kevinruss/
Check out his board Game: https://amzn.to/3ZpJ0HT
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00:00 The Rise of an iPhone Photographer
04:03 From Photography to Through Hiking
06:26 Transitioning to Ultra Running
09:19 Preparing for Cocodona 250
12:05 Training Challenges and the Chipotle Challenge
14:45 Cocodona 250: The Race Begins
17:26 Weather Challenges and Mindset Shifts
20:23 The Role of Crew and Support
22:53 Capturing the Journey on Camera
24:14 Navigating Sleep Deprivation
26:57 Injuries and Mental Resilience
29:18 The Role of Pacers and Crew Support
30:27 Facing Challenges in the Final Stretch
35:18 Reflections on the Race Experience
37:14 Future Plans and Training Insights
39:46 Hallucinations and the Nature of Endurance
41:09 Underrated Natural Beauty in the U.S.
43:04 The Journey into Board Game Design
45:48 Launching a Board Game
48:28 The Board Game Convention Experience
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