Last year I was so focused on training for my races that I temporarily set aside my Spirit of the Trail series. And now it’s back! So grab your trail shoes and an empty glass for number four in this playful series. (If you missed the previous installments, you can check them out here.) If…
-
2019 in Review – 2020 in Preview
Read moreThis post is a little later than it would normally be to start the new year, but I wanted to wait for the result of a lottery. And, spoiler alert, I’m glad I did! But first, the numbers for 2019! 1,715 miles run One 50K completed (Badger Mountain 50K race report) One 53 miler completed…
-
Ultra Pedestrian Wilderness Challenge – Chinook Pass Loop (32 miles) – 2019
Read more“I am not throwing away my shot.” Step, step. “ I’m just like my country, young, scrappy and hungry, and I’m not throwing away my shot.” Step, step. Singing along loudly to the soundtrack of Hamilton is a totally normal bear deterrent, right? My friend, Sarah, and I had been on the trail for only…
-
Running Around Mt. Hood on the Timberline Trail
Read moreRunning around a volcano was not something I ever expected to do – the explode-y kind or not. But here in the Pacific Northwest we have some majestic volcanoes that happen to have trails circumambulating them. The trails all feature breathtaking views, a variety of wildlife, and all the wildflowers you could possibly want. None…
-
Co-Hosting an Episode of the Boldly Went Podcast
Read moreWhat’s Boldly Went, you may ask? They host live storytelling events for outdoor adventurers of all kinds to share their stories. The events are laid-back and fun, with a range of adventurers from casual runners, accomplished thru-hikers, world-record holding boaters, solar eclipse skydivers, and many more. The stories from these events are then shared on…
-
Javelina Jundred 100 Mile Race Report – 2019
Read moreThe sun was beating down, and I dodged a spikey cholla cactus ball hiding in the rocks. I still had 70 miles to go and thought, what am I DOING out here?? I had nostalgically told the story of my first Javelina finish to anyone who would listen. The beauty and vibe of the race…
-
10 to 100 Miles: What Does it Take?
Read moreYou’re at mile 71 of 100. It’s the middle of the night, your feet feel like throbbing lumps of wood, and you’re gamely trying to stay awake because you’ve still got more than a marathon to go until you can finally stop moving. You’ve got a mouthful of something from an aid station, and swallowing…
-
Four Responses to “When’s Your Next Race?”
Read moreYou’ve just finished regaling your family and friends with the story of your ultramarathon, complete with glorious mountain views, gastrointestinal pyrotechnics, battles with the local flora and fauna, aid station food bliss, and your tears and high fives at the finish line. You’ve relived every moment and are basking in the glory of finishing a…
-
Highland Fling Race Report 2019 (53 miles)
Read moreStanding at an aid station, completely drenched and cold, and with many miles still ahead of us on the trail, I apologized to Adam. “I’m really sorry. This… kinda sucks right now.” He laughed, “For what? The rain isn’t your fault.” Three years ago we ran the Highland Fling for the first time, and I…
-
Badger Mountain Challenge 50K Race Report
Read moreThis was my first ultra in nearly a year following an injury. Ultras are about exploring the nooks and crannies of your physical and mental self, and I had seriously missed it. So one could say that I was excited to be back out there and decidedly nervous because finishing an ultramarathon is never a…
