MOUNTAIN MILES
by Justin BuschMountain running from Golden, Colorado. Stories from the trail and honest gear reviews, tested the hard way.
ABOUT
I'm a mountain runner based in Golden, Colorado. I've been in the state since 2009, with two years in Breckenridge and four in Vail before putting down roots in Golden in 2016, and the Front Range has been my training ground ever since.I've raced ultras for years across the 50-mile and 100k distances and finished the Run Rabbit Run 100, but these days what I love most is long days in the mountains with friends. I used to lead runs for Golden Mountain Runners, and the best miles are still the shared ones. Off the trail it's strength training, meditation, photography, and cooking, usually in that order after a long run.I've also spent years inside the outdoor industry, from Altra to selling synthetic insulation for Thermore, which is where my gear opinions come from: real miles, not press releases.Mountain Miles is named for the mountains I run and for Miles, my favorite future running partner.THE JOURNALTrail stories and gear reviews, delivered free.Race reports, route notes, training lessons learned the hard way, and reviews of the gear I actually run in. Right now that's Topo Athletic shoes, a Black Diamond vest, a Suunto on the wrist, and Gnarly Nutrition in the bottles. If it earns a spot in my kit, you'll know why. If it doesn't, you'll know that too.New posts land in your inbox. No spam, no paywall, just miles.New on the Substack: Why I Just Ordered a Magnesium Hydration Mix. A first look at Magna, why magnesium is the mineral most runners ignore, and the four-week test I’m running before giving a verdict.GALLERYThe Front Range, on foot.
Sunrise ridgelines, mid-race grimaces, and the views that make the climbing worth it. All shot on the run.
LET'S TALKWorking on something in the trail or outdoor space, or just want to talk routes and gear? Reach out.Golden, ColoradoMountain Miles · Golden, CO © 2026 Justin Busch