Matt Amato
@matt-amato.bsky.social
Burnt out software dev learning to enjoy life in retirement.
Ultrarunning, baking, cooking, books (especially sci-fi & fantasy), comics, sports, video games, TTRPGs, and politics.
South Philly Italian born and bred, living Philly adjacent.
he/him/his
Ultrarunning, baking, cooking, books (especially sci-fi & fantasy), comics, sports, video games, TTRPGs, and politics.
South Philly Italian born and bred, living Philly adjacent.
he/him/his
30 miles on the Schuykill River Trail today at more or less race pace. Last big run before starting to taper. Experimented with 6x30 strides at mile 29, but they definitely didn’t have the typical oomph. Only 16 days until the Freight Train 100k! #running
November 20, 2025 at 10:35 PM
30 miles on the Schuykill River Trail today at more or less race pace. Last big run before starting to taper. Experimented with 6x30 strides at mile 29, but they definitely didn’t have the typical oomph. Only 16 days until the Freight Train 100k! #running
My runs were getting repetitive so I decided on a slow exploration run to figure out how to navigate the Wissahickon yellow trail. I still ended up #running in circles, but did 10 miles of hills, rocks, and roots. It made me appreciate the 2.5 mile manicured single track loop I usually do much more.
November 14, 2025 at 7:52 PM
My runs were getting repetitive so I decided on a slow exploration run to figure out how to navigate the Wissahickon yellow trail. I still ended up #running in circles, but did 10 miles of hills, rocks, and roots. It made me appreciate the 2.5 mile manicured single track loop I usually do much more.
Today’s long run put me over my goal of 2500 miles for the year. It’s anticlimactic now, but the goal behind the goal was to be consistent in #running and now it’s a core part of my life. Last ultra of the year in 22 days! Now I need to set some goals for the off-season and start planning next year.
November 13, 2025 at 7:56 PM
Today’s long run put me over my goal of 2500 miles for the year. It’s anticlimactic now, but the goal behind the goal was to be consistent in #running and now it’s a core part of my life. Last ultra of the year in 22 days! Now I need to set some goals for the off-season and start planning next year.
The main draw of this race for me is that I get to run across High Bridge twice. Also hoping to do a little solo tourism on the drive home from central VA back to Philly.
November 1, 2025 at 5:09 PM
The main draw of this race for me is that I get to run across High Bridge twice. Also hoping to do a little solo tourism on the drive home from central VA back to Philly.
On Saturday, I ran the 50 miler in the Muleskinner Endurance Races (They also have 13.1/26.2/50k options). It was the best race of my life and I came in under 10 hours for the first time, setting PRs for marathon and 50K along the way. I would recommend it to others. A brief #running recap thread...
October 21, 2025 at 9:44 PM
On Saturday, I ran the 50 miler in the Muleskinner Endurance Races (They also have 13.1/26.2/50k options). It was the best race of my life and I came in under 10 hours for the first time, setting PRs for marathon and 50K along the way. I would recommend it to others. A brief #running recap thread...
I ran the Blues Cruise 50K. So. Very. Hilly. I went out fast and felt awesome for the first 30, then faded hard before rallying for a strong 5K finish in 80 degree weather. Was overall thrilled with my performance and I learned a lot for pacing hilly trails. Have a 50 miler in just 12 days! #running
October 6, 2025 at 12:01 PM
I ran the Blues Cruise 50K. So. Very. Hilly. I went out fast and felt awesome for the first 30, then faded hard before rallying for a strong 5K finish in 80 degree weather. Was overall thrilled with my performance and I learned a lot for pacing hilly trails. Have a 50 miler in just 12 days! #running
Started phase 2 of my lifelong fitness plan; adding 3 days of strength training on top of my 65 weekly miles. My community center has an awesome gym which will hopefully make sticking to it easy. Went with StrongLifts to start, I wanted something simple and functional that would support my #running.
September 27, 2025 at 4:33 PM
Started phase 2 of my lifelong fitness plan; adding 3 days of strength training on top of my 65 weekly miles. My community center has an awesome gym which will hopefully make sticking to it easy. Went with StrongLifts to start, I wanted something simple and functional that would support my #running.
#running is weird. Started off feeling fast but my watch told me I was behind 10 mile tempo pace. I mentally say “screw it” and just give it my best, just didn’t have it today. Then I accidentally hit new 10 mile (1:27:50) and 10K (54:20) PRs and ran 10 with all sub-9 splits for the first time.
September 21, 2025 at 3:43 PM
#running is weird. Started off feeling fast but my watch told me I was behind 10 mile tempo pace. I mentally say “screw it” and just give it my best, just didn’t have it today. Then I accidentally hit new 10 mile (1:27:50) and 10K (54:20) PRs and ran 10 with all sub-9 splits for the first time.
Just noticed I crossed the 2000 mile mark for the year. Back of the envelope math says I’m going to end up around 2950 for 2025. Not going to lie, it makes me want to go for 3000 just because it’s a nice round number. Not the smartest training strategy. We’ll see how things look in November #running
September 19, 2025 at 7:42 PM
Just noticed I crossed the 2000 mile mark for the year. Back of the envelope math says I’m going to end up around 2950 for 2025. Not going to lie, it makes me want to go for 3000 just because it’s a nice round number. Not the smartest training strategy. We’ll see how things look in November #running
With a double shot of flu/COVID vaccine yesterday plus quads still sore from the race on Sunday, I didn’t have high expectations for today’s run. But what I thought would be a recovery run turned out to be a typical 5 miles with some light speed work and I feel great. 18 days to next race. #running
September 17, 2025 at 1:58 PM
With a double shot of flu/COVID vaccine yesterday plus quads still sore from the race on Sunday, I didn’t have high expectations for today’s run. But what I thought would be a recovery run turned out to be a typical 5 miles with some light speed work and I feel great. 18 days to next race. #running
Ran the Boulder Field 100 (did the 50k) in Hickory Run State Park. It was the gnarliest trails I’ve ever been on + lots of hills. Made a friend early on and finished the race with her (she ended up placing 2nd in her division!) Super proud of my time but waiting on full results. Type 2 fun. #running
September 13, 2025 at 10:22 PM
Ran the Boulder Field 100 (did the 50k) in Hickory Run State Park. It was the gnarliest trails I’ve ever been on + lots of hills. Made a friend early on and finished the race with her (she ended up placing 2nd in her division!) Super proud of my time but waiting on full results. Type 2 fun. #running
Most likely my last in person game of the season. Let’s go Phils!
September 9, 2025 at 10:52 PM
Most likely my last in person game of the season. Let’s go Phils!
Last long trail run before the 50k this Saturday is in the books. I’m not tapering for the race; but will stick to roads for the next two days and take a rare (to me) off day on Friday. The race will be a glorified training session to see what 4000 feet up and another 4000 down feels like. #running
September 9, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Last long trail run before the 50k this Saturday is in the books. I’m not tapering for the race; but will stick to roads for the next two days and take a rare (to me) off day on Friday. The race will be a glorified training session to see what 4000 feet up and another 4000 down feels like. #running
I just donated all of my oversized clothes. While I spent a good chunk of my life at size 42, trying them on after a year at size 30 makes it hard to believe I was ever so big. Maintenance is the hardest part and I’ve failed before, so this was a big step to owning my new life and never going back.
September 8, 2025 at 8:14 PM
I just donated all of my oversized clothes. While I spent a good chunk of my life at size 42, trying them on after a year at size 30 makes it hard to believe I was ever so big. Maintenance is the hardest part and I’ve failed before, so this was a big step to owning my new life and never going back.
I don’t know a lot of other runners, but had a chance to do 7.75 miles with a friend and it was a blast. #Running with someone is such a different experience mentally and the miles just flew by with conversation. It helps that we’re in the same ballpark speedwise. Definitely plan to do it again.
September 7, 2025 at 7:26 PM
I don’t know a lot of other runners, but had a chance to do 7.75 miles with a friend and it was a blast. #Running with someone is such a different experience mentally and the miles just flew by with conversation. It helps that we’re in the same ballpark speedwise. Definitely plan to do it again.
Somehow shaved 25 minutes off the same 15 miles of trails that I ran last week. I’m sure some of it is adaptation but I think most of it was just my brain waking up to the fact that I could push harder without blowing up. 8 days until my next 50K. It will be the most vert I’ve ever done. #running
September 5, 2025 at 5:24 PM
Somehow shaved 25 minutes off the same 15 miles of trails that I ran last week. I’m sure some of it is adaptation but I think most of it was just my brain waking up to the fact that I could push harder without blowing up. 8 days until my next 50K. It will be the most vert I’ve ever done. #running
When I DNF’d in May, it got in my head that I was #running too fast on long runs. Every month since then my pace slowed. Now that I’m recovered from my first 100 miler, I’m making an effort to speed up and thrilled with the results so far. I’m still not fast, but I finally believe I can become fast.
September 4, 2025 at 6:23 PM
When I DNF’d in May, it got in my head that I was #running too fast on long runs. Every month since then my pace slowed. Now that I’m recovered from my first 100 miler, I’m making an effort to speed up and thrilled with the results so far. I’m still not fast, but I finally believe I can become fast.
I assumed that running a 100 miler would decrease my overall volume for the month, but I ended up just shy of 282 miles in August, a new volume PR for me. Just over 1900 for the year so far. #running
September 1, 2025 at 4:03 PM
I assumed that running a 100 miler would decrease my overall volume for the month, but I ended up just shy of 282 miles in August, a new volume PR for me. Just over 1900 for the year so far. #running
Ten days ago I lost my best furred friend to sudden illness and I’m still adjusting to life without him. Tomás was by my side for 13 years and he taught me what it was like to receive truly unconditional love. He is gone too soon and I can’t imagine a day going by where I will not think of him.
September 1, 2025 at 2:24 AM
Ten days ago I lost my best furred friend to sudden illness and I’m still adjusting to life without him. Tomás was by my side for 13 years and he taught me what it was like to receive truly unconditional love. He is gone too soon and I can’t imagine a day going by where I will not think of him.
15 miles of single track was exactly what I needed to forget about this chaotic world for a while. 1,600 feet of vert is also the most I’ve ever done in a training run (and I feel it). Was already tired from the 15 road miles I did yesterday, so next week I’ll flip the order and see what happens. 🏃
August 29, 2025 at 6:06 PM
15 miles of single track was exactly what I needed to forget about this chaotic world for a while. 1,600 feet of vert is also the most I’ve ever done in a training run (and I feel it). Was already tired from the 15 road miles I did yesterday, so next week I’ll flip the order and see what happens. 🏃
Ran in a new-to-me section of Wissahickon park and loved every minute of it. A 2.5 mile single track loop that has a little bit of everything: vert, flats, technical, switchbacks. Did two loops and will probably use this area for training on the regular as well as incorporate it into longer routes.
August 16, 2025 at 6:36 PM
Ran in a new-to-me section of Wissahickon park and loved every minute of it. A 2.5 mile single track loop that has a little bit of everything: vert, flats, technical, switchbacks. Did two loops and will probably use this area for training on the regular as well as incorporate it into longer routes.
Pennypack Park is off my routes list. The trails aren’t marked and criss-cross like crazy. Many poorly maintained sections are impossible to run. Ended up only doing 7 of my planned 15. It’s a nice park for hiking or even doing a well marked race, but I can’t imagine regularly training here.
August 14, 2025 at 3:36 PM
Pennypack Park is off my routes list. The trails aren’t marked and criss-cross like crazy. Many poorly maintained sections are impossible to run. Ended up only doing 7 of my planned 15. It’s a nice park for hiking or even doing a well marked race, but I can’t imagine regularly training here.
It’s been ten days since my race and I was inspired by the SWAP podcast to get back to speed work sooner rather than later. I don’t think I’m back to pre-race fitness yet, but I’m closer than I realized. Getting faster is important to me if I want to do more 100s and I have a long way to go.
August 13, 2025 at 2:14 PM
It’s been ten days since my race and I was inspired by the SWAP podcast to get back to speed work sooner rather than later. I don’t think I’m back to pre-race fitness yet, but I’m closer than I realized. Getting faster is important to me if I want to do more 100s and I have a long way to go.
With my road ultra behind me, I was able to go out and run trails (and promptly rolled my ankle). Thankfully it’s fine and I ran 9 before realizing I shouldn’t be pushing myself only a week after the 100. Here’s one of my favorite spots on the run, a giant cement pipe that doubles as a bridge.
August 10, 2025 at 5:49 PM
With my road ultra behind me, I was able to go out and run trails (and promptly rolled my ankle). Thankfully it’s fine and I ran 9 before realizing I shouldn’t be pushing myself only a week after the 100. Here’s one of my favorite spots on the run, a giant cement pipe that doubles as a bridge.