The sky was painted was painted in pastels and the rock walls were glowing in the sunlight creeping over the horizon. Wow, I thought, this is absolutely incredible. The second morning of our Grand Canyon Rim to Rim to Rim adventure was already a complete 180 from our first day filled with rain and thunderstorms.…
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Grand Canyon Rim to Rim to Rim – Part 1
Read moreA flash of light above us, and I instinctively started counting under my breath, “One one-thousand, two one-thousand, three one-thousand, four-” BOOM! Thunder reverberated off the canyon walls. I dug in with my poles and tried to hike faster up the trail that had become a river of water. Who would have thought the first…
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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…
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Ancient & Dusty Lakes Trip Report
Read moreIt’s that time of year when we’re all itching to get up into the mountains, but the high country is still buried in snow, and our “regular” winter trails are feeling a bit lackluster. What to do? Head over Snoqualmie Pass to run on the dry side of the mountains (like we did for our Cowiche…
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Cowiche Canyon Trails and Tamales – A Birthday Celebration!
Read moreWhen my friend Ellen discovered that our birthdays were just a day apart the first week of April, she brilliantly suggested that we do a group run with friends to celebrate. This is the time of year when we’re all going a bit stir crazy and are tired of running on muddy and rainy trails…
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Desert Runcation Part 2: PCT & the Kelso Dunes
Read moreLet the sun-seeking continue! The first part of our desert runcation was at Joshua Tree National Park (read about it here.) The second part was all about visiting areas relatively nearby in order to see new landscapes and explore new trails. The Pacific Crest Trail displayed a beautiful valley as well as stunning ridgeline views…
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Desert Runcation Part 1: Joshua Tree National Park
Read moreWe have a tradition (does two times make a tradition?) of taking a desert runcation in late winter/spring to combat the dark and rainy Seattle days. Last year we spent time in Zion National Park (part 1 and part 2.) This year we went to Southern California with the goal of exploring Joshua Tree National…
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A Lovely Little Run at Deception Pass State Park
Read moreIt’s been a few weeks since my last post, and like many people, I’ve been swept up in all of the insanity extra things that the holiday season brings. More fun social events, more obligations, more excuses to eat cookies, less daylight, and the slightly dazed feeling that you’re on a sparkly, carol-blasting, cookie-driven ride…
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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…
