The 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…
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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…
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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…
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Ode to the Ultra(marathon) Spouse
Read moreI often run off to play in the mountains with an amazing group of women. They’re all accomplished, funny, supportive, badass ladies who enjoy running through sand, mud, and snow to reach scenic vistas that inspire and invigorate our souls. These excursions can be as short as an hour, or as long as a few…
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Chuckanut 50K Race Report – 2018
Read moreThis was my first race of the year, and wow, I couldn’t have hoped for a better day and race experience! It’s a classic race here in the Pacific Northwest, and takes place near Bellingham (about 1.5 hours north of Seattle), and mostly in Larrabee State Park. I’ve run the Chuckanut 50K twice before (2016…
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Javelina Jundred 100 Miler Race Report
Read moreI finished my first 100 miler!!! I can’t believe it. It feels incredibly surreal. After my disappointing DNF a month ago at Mountain Lakes 100, I decided to get right back on the horse and try again. My coach recommended the Javelina Jundred (not a snowflake in sight!), and it turned out to be the perfect…
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Mountain Lakes 100 – DNF
Read moreUltrarunning has a way of keeping me humble, and this weekend’s Mountain Lakes 100 was no exception. A course mostly on the PCT, with less than 11,000 feet of gain and full of autumn’s beauty – it sounded perfect for me. I had a great nine months of training and an amazing summer full of…
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Beat the Blerch Half Marathon 2017 Race Report
Read moreWhat would a September be without Beat the Blerch?? It was our fourth running of this really fun race, and it’s always a great way to cap off a racing season. Of course, my biggest race of the season is next week (exciting/terrifying), but nevermind that. If you’re already saying, “Lady, you’ve lost me. What…
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Grand Teton and Yellowstone Half Marathon (Grizzly Double) Race Reports
Read moreWhat’s the Grizzly Double? Great question! It’s a pair of half marathons held by Vacation Races within a week of each other – Grand Teton Half Marathon and Yellowstone Half Marathon. I heard about these races from some of my friends in the High Heel Running Group (a fantastic trail running group for women in…
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Chuckanut 50K Race Report – 2017
Read moreThis year’s Chuckanut 50K was quite the experience and a real contrast to last year’s race! This year heavily featured mud, rain, and a dash of hail. While that may sound pretty miserable, I still had a lot of fun! Unfortunately, due to the (rather incessant) rain, I wasn’t able to take many photos. The…
