
MOUNTAIN MILES
by Justin BuschMountain running from Golden, Colorado. Stories from the trail and honest gear reviews, tested the hard way.

ABOUT
I'm a mountain runner based in Golden, Colorado. I've been in the state since 2009, with two years in Breckenridge and four in Vail before putting down roots in Golden in 2016, and the Front Range has been my training ground ever since.I've raced ultras for years across the 50-mile and 100k distances and finished the Run Rabbit Run 100, but these days what I love most is long days in the mountains with friends. I used to lead runs for Golden Mountain Runners, and the best miles are still the shared ones. Off the trail it's strength training, meditation, photography, and cooking, usually in that order after a long run.I've also spent years inside the outdoor industry, from Altra to selling synthetic insulation for Thermore, which is where my gear opinions come from: real miles, not press releases.Mountain Miles is named for the mountains I run and for Miles, my favorite future running partner.THE JOURNALTrail stories and gear reviews, delivered free.Race reports, route notes, training lessons learned the hard way, and reviews of the gear I actually run in. Right now that's Topo Athletic shoes, a Black Diamond vest, a Suunto on the wrist, and Gnarly Nutrition in the bottles. If it earns a spot in my kit, you'll know why. If it doesn't, you'll know that too.New posts land in your inbox. No spam, no paywall, just miles.New on Substack:First one to Pitkin Lake. A 6am start out of East Vail, 10 miles and 3,100 feet of technical Gore Range trail, wildflowers everywhere, and a few quiet minutes alone at the lake. Week one of the Devil on the Divide build is underway, and this one was equal parts training run and homecoming. Full trail report on the Substack.Training Notes
This was week one of my nine-week build for the Devil on the Divide 50K in September, and it’s going well. Pitkin checked every box: altitude, vert, technical footing, and a long sustained descent. More of this to come as the block ramps up.
If you’ve never run Pitkin Creek, put it on the list. Go early, bring poles, and give yourself a few quiet minutes at the lake before the world shows up.
See you out there.
Mountain Miles is a trail running project based in Golden, Colorado. Subscribe for trail reports, training notes, and stories from the Front Range and beyond.GALLERYThe Front Range, on foot.
Sunrise ridgelines, mid-race grimaces, and the views that make the climbing worth it. All shot on the run.
ABOUT
I'm a mountain runner based in Golden, Colorado. I've been in the state since 2009, with two years in Breckenridge and four in Vail before putting down roots in Golden in 2016, and the Front Range has been my training ground ever since.I've raced ultras for years across the 50-mile and 100k distances and finished the Run Rabbit Run 100, but these days what I love most is long days in the mountains with friends. I used to lead runs for Golden Mountain Runners, and the best miles are still the shared ones. Off the trail it's strength training, meditation, photography, and cooking, usually in that order after a long run.I've also spent years inside the outdoor industry, from Altra to selling synthetic insulation for Thermore, which is where my gear opinions come from: real miles, not press releases.Mountain Miles is named for the mountains I run and for Miles, my favorite future running partner.THE JOURNALTrail stories and gear reviews, delivered free.Race reports, route notes, training lessons learned the hard way, and reviews of the gear I actually run in. Right now that's Topo Athletic shoes, a Black Diamond vest, a Suunto on the wrist, and Gnarly Nutrition in the bottles. If it earns a spot in my kit, you'll know why. If it doesn't, you'll know that too.New posts land in your inbox. No spam, no paywall, just miles.Training Notes
This was week one of my nine-week build for the Devil on the Divide 50K in September, and it’s going well. Pitkin checked every box: altitude, vert, technical footing, and a long sustained descent. More of this to come as the block ramps up.
If you’ve never run Pitkin Creek, put it on the list. Go early, bring poles, and give yourself a few quiet minutes at the lake before the world shows up.
See you out there.
Mountain Miles is a trail running project based in Golden, Colorado. Subscribe for trail reports, training notes, and stories from the Front Range and beyond.GALLERYThe Front Range, on foot.
Sunrise ridgelines, mid-race grimaces, and the views that make the climbing worth it. All shot on the run.
ABOUT
I'm a mountain runner based in Golden, Colorado. I've been in the state since 2009, with two years in Breckenridge and four in Vail before putting down roots in Golden in 2016, and the Front Range has been my training ground ever since.I've raced ultras for years across the 50-mile and 100k distances and finished the Run Rabbit Run 100, but these days what I love most is long days in the mountains with friends. I used to lead runs for Golden Mountain Runners, and the best miles are still the shared ones. Off the trail it's strength training, meditation, photography, and cooking, usually in that order after a long run.I've also spent years inside the outdoor industry, from Altra to selling synthetic insulation for Thermore, which is where my gear opinions come from: real miles, not press releases.Mountain Miles is named for the mountains I run and for Miles, my favorite future running partner.THE JOURNALTrail stories and gear reviews, delivered free.Race reports, route notes, training lessons learned the hard way, and reviews of the gear I actually run in. Right now that's Topo Athletic shoes, a Black Diamond vest, a Suunto on the wrist, and Gnarly Nutrition in the bottles. If it earns a spot in my kit, you'll know why. If it doesn't, you'll know that too.New posts land in your inbox. No spam, no paywall, just miles.Training Notes
This was week one of my nine-week build for the Devil on the Divide 50K in September, and it’s going well. Pitkin checked every box: altitude, vert, technical footing, and a long sustained descent. More of this to come as the block ramps up.
If you’ve never run Pitkin Creek, put it on the list. Go early, bring poles, and give yourself a few quiet minutes at the lake before the world shows up.
See you out there.
Mountain Miles is a trail running project based in Golden, Colorado. Subscribe for trail reports, training notes, and stories from the Front Range and beyond.GALLERYThe Front Range, on foot.
Sunrise ridgelines, mid-race grimaces, and the views that make the climbing worth it. All shot on the run.
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