Hello hello runner 👋 Happy Friday! Today, I’ve got a bucket list running trip for you, another incredible runner to follow, and more. But before we start:

Voted? Thank you! Then let’s get started ⤵️

Sally is a professional ultra runner and Nike athlete. She’s also a coach, author, and speaker. And someone who has built her entire career around one simple idea: Choose Strong (mental resilience to get through hard moments).

She’s won some of the toughest races on the planet. Badwater 135 in 2021. Moab 240 in 2023. That same year, she completed four 200-mile races in a single season. Cocodona 250, Tahoe 200, Bigfoot 200, and Moab 240. Which is still hard to wrap your head around.

In this documentary below, we see Sally at a very different point. Coming back from a serious knee injury and underprepared (her longest training run before this 100-miler was 20 miles). Running out of time to qualify for Badwater, she enters the Long Haul 100. Not because she feels ready, but because she refuses to give up on her goal to run Badwater 135 again.

What follows is a story of gratitude. Vibes are high at the start, but things do get more difficult towards the end. A good reminder that even athletes like Sally need to keep “choosing strong”. Give it a watch (and give Sally a follow, while you’re at it).

Running 20.000km, from Asia to Europe. Does that sound appealing to you?

Probably not. But it does to Ria. This slightly unhinged human is currently training to run the full length of Asia and Europe. I could try to introduce her properly, but this carousel she made honestly does a much better job:

I met Ria a few months ago when she moved to Portugal for a while. Is she delusional? Maybe. Maybe not. What I do know is this: she’s completely locked in on her goal and doing everything she can to make it happen. Life will throw plenty of curveballs her way, and the route she’s chosen will definitely come with more than a few obstacles.

From required visas to local unrest, rough terrain, unpredictable weather, and plenty more. But also, almost certainly, an insane number of beautiful moments, unforgettable days, and unexpected little wonders. One can only imagine how it will all unfold.

Either way, the journey ahead will be wild and absolutely worth following (here).

Imagine running through wild open grasslands, impressive pine forests, and vast sand dunes. Wild horses running alongside you. Hearty, traditional food to refuel at the end of the day. That’s what a trail run trip to Mongolia with Run Weekends looks like.

Years ago, a friend of mine shared photos from his trip to Mongolia. He went horseback riding through the country. The landscapes looked undisturbed and undiscovered. The people, genuine and kind. Those photos stuck with me, and ever since then, I’ve wanted to visit this country.

But as with any destination, the idea of visiting a country while running makes it even better. On foot is the best way to discover a new place. Organizing it on your own, though, isn’t an easy feat. Who will take your luggage from one place to the next? What route should you run? What about food?

That’s why doing a trip like Mongolia with Run Weekends makes so much sense. They take care of pretty much everything. You’ll sleep three nights in traditional Ger camps (yurts) and two nights in a hotel. Accommodation, meals, activities, guidance, and luggage transport are all taken care of. All you need to do is book your flights.

👉 One important note: Run Weekends trips aren’t about running fast or proving anything. They’re about moving through beautiful places, meeting like-minded runners, and enjoying the journey. All runners and all paces are welcome.

🚨 Interested? Join our Run Club (100% free), and you’ll get 10% off your trip. You can learn more about this trip to Mongolia here.

Dates: May 22-27th, 2026 | May 21-26th 2027

Last week, I mentioned that the Adidas Evo SL, one of the most popular shoes of 2025, is currently on sale at several online stores. But what if you could get a similar, potentially even better shoe for less?

That’s where the Dynafish Xiaonan comes in. At least according to various reviews on YouTube and Reddit. After seeing it pop up again and again, I figured it was worth featuring this week.

The biggest draw is the price. Most “super trainers” high-stack, high-energy return shoes like the ASICS Superblast or the Adidas Evo SL usually cost between $180 and $220. The Xiaonan typically sells for around $70 to $85 USD.

Reviewers also say it feels slightly more stable than the Adidas Evo SL for daily miles, thanks to its wider base. The outsole features small rubber knobs that provide solid traction, even on wet pavement. It’s light, bouncy, and responsive, all without a carbon plate.

Of course, there are downsides. Buying the shoe is a bit more complicated because it’s only available on AliExpress and Taobao. Some runners also mention that the laces and upper feel more “budget.” They do the job, but they don’t have a premium fabric feel. If that matters to you, it’s worth keeping in mind. And one more thing. This one probably isn’t for heel strikers.

I haven’t personally seen the shoe this cheap on AliExpress, but I’m based in the EU. It could also just be a timing thing, as it appears to sell out fast. If you’re curious, it’s worth keeping an eye out.

P.S. Dynafish doesn’t have a website. For more information, the best place to go is YT or Reddit.

I might be late to the party, but Magic Mile Mike only popped up on my feed this past week. Social media rarely makes me laugh out loud, but this genuinely did.

I’d be surprised if you made it through this without a chuckle.

Thanks for checking out this edition. I’m so grateful for every single person reading RunLetters. If you ever have any suggestions or feedback, feel free to hit reply to this email and tell me.

Wish you a lovely weekend, get a run in if you can! ☀️

Caroline

P.S. Here are some questions from the RunLetters Run Club - join to answer!

🎁 P.S. Every month, we run a challenge in the RunLetters Run Club where you can win shoes by just participating. The challenges are fun and doable for anyone. A new one starts this Sunday. The run club is completely free, so there’s really no reason not to. Click/tap here to join!