Jessie Diggins, the five-time Olympic medalist and former cross-country skiing champion, has won her first-ever 100-mile trail race. The 35-year-old ran the Superior Fall Trail Race in northern Minnesota on a remote trail along the rugged shore of Lake Superior, completing the grueling course as the fastest woman.
From Ski Champion to Ultra Runner
Earlier this winter, Diggins retired from skiing at the peak of her career. Over 15 years as a professional athlete, her resume includes four Olympic medals and four overall World Cup titles. She was known for pushing her body to its limits, going down deep into what she calls the “pain cave.” That skill served her well in her first 100-mile effort.
The race director, John Storkamp, noted that the distance is about grinding, and Diggins was one of the best at that grind.
“There’s nobody better at kind of grinding something out … and a 100 mile distance is really about grinding, you know,” Storkamp said.
The runners moved through the night, frequently under a pouring rain, along a rocky, slippery trail that went up and down. That course pushed every part of their endurance to its limit.
The Pain Cave Returns
Diggins smiled and chatted through early race checkpoints. But as she approached the finish, 25 hours after she started, she could barely run.
“It was quite emotional for me.,” Diggins said. “I remember crying, and then very shortly after crossing the finish line, I realized, like, I can’t stand anymore. Like once I stopped, it was as if every ounce of energy that I had had gone into just getting to that finish line, and once I did it was like oh yeah there’s nothing left now. “
She had put every last bit of herself into reaching the finish line, and by the time she got there, she had nothing left to give.
Why She Pushes So Hard
These endeavors come across as gifts, according to Diggins. She explained that in life, people don’t get to pick when they face hardship or endure suffering. Yet in a race, individuals willingly register for that experience.
“And that’s amazing because then you get to build this resilience…and the skill set to get you through hard things in life.”
Since retiring from skiing in March, Diggins has taken part in three long trail races. She sees this as a brief experiment rather than the start of a new sporting career. She admits that she enjoyed racing on skis deeply, but she also recognizes that it was her profession.
“And when it is also the way that you pay the bills and literally put food on the table, it does come with a higher level of pressure. And there is something wonderful about knowing, like, hey, if I never sign up for another race again, that’s okay. It’s not my job anymore. It is literally just for fun.”
A New Career, Same Old Gifts
Diggins has found a fresh path in speaking publicly, and she is enthusiastic about it. Her topics include mental health, grit, and teamwork — and yes, the pain cave. This new career gives her another chance to test her limits.
“I’m nervous every time I go on stage. My heart’s going almost like, well, almost exactly like it is on the start line of a race. You know, can I memorize a 45 minute speech and do it when I’m nervous on stage in front of thousands of people?”
She enjoys the challenge and the chance it offers. She views the whole setup as giving her 45 minutes to share a part of her story with people. Her hope is that it will encourage others to push through whatever finish line they face in their own lives.
A Fan’s Reaction
Another runner got some extra support when Micah Melander, who drove up from the Twin Cities to cheer him on, found out Diggins was in the race and was fired up about it.
“Listen, Jesse Diggins is a legend, and people in America should know,” Melander said. “We want Jesse Diggins in trail running. So also, I’m so excited that she’s doing this.”
The support was real.
Comparing Two Careers
| Career | Length | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Skiing | 15 years | Professional athlete |
| Speaking | Early stage | Public speaker |
Diggins has shifted between two challenging careers, and the qualities required for each have remained similar: staying strong under pressure, maintaining focus, and the willingness to bear voluntary hardship. What has altered is what hangs in the balance now that she has left competition behind.
The Finish Line
Diggins completed the 100 miles as the fastest woman. She cried, then realized she could not stand afterward. There was nothing left in her legs.
The suffering she has chosen stands apart from the suffering tied to her work. She described that distinction as a key reason the experience feels rewarding.
The competition showed her ability when she determines her own conditions. She has discovered a fresh method for driving herself, and she has discovered an audience eager to hear her.
The finish line belongs to her.
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