Jose San Gabriel is an Ultra, Human who races ultramarathons. Since he started when he was in his late thirties, to now, at age 50, he has completed 49 and raced 53 ultras.

We speak specifically about his second appearance at the famous Western States race, a 100-mile trail race. In 2011, he missed the cutoff time at mile 48 of 100. and in 2012, he races it again. We talk about being in last place, and an unexpected finish. I won’t spoil the story.

Jose’s racing attitude is so different from a lot of the ultra endurance athletes I know. He’s more about interpersonal relationships than intensity, he’s committed but not competitive, he’s a striver but he never gives a sense that he’s striving.

I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I did, and are inspired that being an “Ultra, Human” doesn’t always mean intensity and extremeness - as Jose shows us, it also can mean steady, faithful, and full of wonder and appreciation for the world.