25 Years of Running: My Most BIZARRE Injury Yet (Surgery Likely) - Seth James DeMoor

Aug 13, 2025

Intro

This is a quick summary of “25 Years of Running: My Most BIZARRE Injury Yet (Surgery Likely)” from Seth James DeMoor. It’s a great watch — we’re breaking it down so you can try the workout today. Be sure to check out the full video for all the details.

Key Points

Running‑related eye issue: A growth called Surfer’s eye (conjunctival pterygium) that’s aggravated by sun, wind, and dust when running above 12,000 ft. The fix may involve surgery, but protective goggles can help now.
Goal mindset: Treat yearly mileage and vertical‑gain goals as flexible ranges. If you fall behind or get a niggle, take a short break rather than forcing the numbers and risking injury.
Birthday‑Mile concept: Run a fast mile on a track each year to add turnover and a fun performance benchmark.
Speed intro workout: 300‑meter repeats at a “long‑stride‑plus‑a‑bit” pace, useful for easing back into speed work after a break.
Sled tip: Use sled pushes for uphill‑mountain‑run specific strength; not necessary for pure track speed work.

Workout Example

8 × 300 m repeats

Run each 300 m at a controlled, slightly faster‑than‑long‑stride effort (approximately 55 seconds for most runners).
Keep rest between repeats short enough to maintain form, but long enough to recover – about 1‑minute jog or walk.
Adjust the number of repeats (8‑12) based on how your legs feel after a recent long run.

Practical Tips

Wear high‑grade, wind‑blocking goggles on dusty, windy mountain runs to protect the eyes and reduce the risk of worsening Surfer’s eye.
If you miss a chunk of your yearly vertical‑gain target, prioritize health over hitting the exact number.
Use kettlebell core and mobility work to support both mountain and track performance.

Closing Note

Give the 8 × 300 m repeat session a try this week, and feel free to tweak the paces to match your current fitness in the Pacing app. Stay flexible with your goals, protect those eyes, and keep chasing those birthday‑mile PRs – you’ve got this! 🚀