Betting on Himself: How Reid Burrows Raced the MidSouth Pro Double on His Own Terms

The MidSouth Pro Double, held in Stillwater, Oklahoma, is one of the most epic multi-sport challenges in endurance racing. Organized and emceed by Bobby Wintle, the unique event requires athletes to first run a 50-kilometer (31-mile) foot race. Just a few hours later, those same participants line up at the sharp end of a 106-mile gravel bike race. 

SILCA athlete and the subject of our first installment of the Within the Margin of Error documentary video series, Reid Burrows, is a professional ultra runner who built his career chasing high-performance standards in triathlons, ultra-running, and the historic Leadville Trail 100. 

The video captures a pivotal moment in his professional career as Burrows was undergoing a major professional shift. He had walked away from his primary running sponsor to rebuild his career, as he describes it, “on his own terms.” This transition was heavily influenced by a personal philosophy permanently etched into his skin. "I have the words bet on yourself tattooed on me,” he pointed out. “It's a pretty good reminder and like just like keep showing up for yourself."

Driven more by adventure than numerical metrics, Burrows sought to break away from the never-ending grind of elite training. Reflecting on his transition away from traditional triathlons, he notes, "I think I'm fueled by curiosity and adventure more than looking at a power meter... I just wasn't loving it anymore. I was not super happy with [that] life." 

Seeking a fresh competitive environment, he partnered with SILCA after a mutual connection recognized the value in his unconventional background. For Burrows, finding a sponsor that recognized his passion over raw data was a transformative experience. In the film he explains, "If I can keep finding brands that want to work with me because of who I am and not necessarily like because I want to win Leadville... that's what excites me because then they're investing in me as a human and not just because I can win stuff."

Being competitive in the Pro Double took more than just physical fitness, as Burrows struggled almost immediately during the opening foot race. Though his strategy was to conserve energy for the cycling segment, he observed that his running form felt flat and sluggish. Facing mounting mental fatigue on the trail, he admitted to his crew, "I feel like shit, but like I'm literally running what I told you guys right now." To survive the slump, he put in headphones, focused heavily on nutrition, and committed to pushing forward despite the bad day. Once the run concluded, his recovery strategy relied on compartmentalization. 

In the interim between races, he returned to his room to shower, rest, and force himself to wipe the slate clean. Explaining his strategy to reset before transitioning to the ride, he commented, "I wanted to see it as like a new day... We didn't run a 50K this morning is exactly how I had to like approach it."

The gravel race presented immediate tactical hurdles when Burrows was dropped from the lead pack early into the 106-mile course. Riding alone on the gravel roads, he eventually formed an alliance with a fellow Pro Double competitor. The two riders recognized that cooperation was their greatest asset, alternating positions to optimize aerodynamics and share the workload based on who felt stronger at any given moment. 

Describing this partnership, Burrows said, "We used that camaraderie to get to the finish line as fast as possible." The collaborative strategy paid off, securing a podium spot for both athletes. Crossing the finish line brought a huge sense of relief after a demanding physical effort. Looking back on the double-race weekend, Burrows remarked, "That's like the hardest fucking thing that I've ever done in my life." 

Ultimately, the successful podium finish validated his career pivot and reinforced his belief in trusting his instincts.