Board Games and Blisters: Kevin Russ on Cocodona and Creativity

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.

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Website: https://www.kevinruss.com/

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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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