One Run Closer

Harbison 50k located at Harbison State Forest, Columbia SC,  this 50k brings in a larger crowd and is one of the harder ultras in our region. 20 miles of technical single track trails, rest fire roads, wide trails and a few water crossings. This course is rocky, rooty and a few fallen trees along the trail. Overall it is a tough course, and considering the amount of rain Harbison received the weeks leading into the ultra, we were running through some slippery slopes. Total elevation change is 4,186 ft. I ran this event in 2013, I had a little revenge I wanted to get out on this course, after it had been my slowest 50k and most difficult, also I had missed my turn, back tracked to tackling on a little over a mile or so. I had still placed 1st Female with a time of 5:05.  Considering there was another local 50k that was flat and fast, I felt needed something more technical and hilly like Harbison to use as training leading into Iron Horse. Tom and I decided to leave at 10pm the...

1/9/16 Harbison 50k Columbia SC 2/6/16 Iron Horse 50 Forahome FL 3/6/16 Caumsett National 50k Long Island NY 3/26/16 Skidaway Marathon Savannah GA 4/23/16 Treutlen Trail Trek 25k Rincon GA 4/30/16 Teardrop Half Marathon Atlanta GA 5/1/16 May Day Marathon Charleston SC 5/7/16 Wambaw Swamp 50k Coordsville SC 5/14/16 Cruel Jewel 50 Blue Ridge GA 6/17:18:19/16 Chattanooga Stage Race Chattanooga TN 11/12/16 Azalea 12 Hour Palatka FL 12/16 Lookout Mountain 50 Chattanooga TN

I recently got asked if I struggle with motivation. Being dedicated to the sport of running I do suffer with lack of motivation from time to time. Being unmotivated is an obstacle every runner deals with. Its overcoming that obstacle, “the desire to run is always greater than any obstacle”. We as runners need to find out WHY we are unmotivated and WHAT we need to do to overcome this, to bounce back, to focus on the task or goal ahead.  The 2 obstacles I have faced are time and injury recovery that affected my motivation. It’s too early, it’s too late, it’ s too cold,  it’s  too hot.   These are little motivation killers we deal with a lot. Whether it’s the time of day or the weather- not every run is in perfect conditions. But we know as runners that a “bad” run was better than “no run” . Finding time is hard- finding time to do ANYTHING outside work, family and social obligations is hard let alone to go running for hours a day. That’s why having that strong support ...

This race recap is late due to me training...  October 11 I ran the Buffalo Run 50k in Bluffton SC. This ultra fell on a Sunday which was great with my work schedule.  My training has been going okay, a few weeks before this 50k I wasn't feeling well, stomach issues and I believe my iron levels were low because I've been training hard, possibly over training. I wanted to shoot for a 50k PR at this event, but the week leading up I knew my body wasn't ready. I needed to get healthy first.  This was Tom and I first race as husband and wife, our plan was to run it together. This would also be Toms first ultra in almost a year, coming off an Achilles tear back in January. Also, I'd like to mention that Tom did this 50k with his longest run being 10 miles and not having run in almost a month due to military training, do this proves that mental ability is beyond important in ultra running. Course: 10k loop, WIDE trail, flat. Although it was pretty muddy in most sections. Race:...

Beginning of 2015 I had a huge race calendar in front of me. Having to move twice and starting 2 new jobs was hard on my training, stability in life is key. So this affected my training and racing, also dealt with a minor injury that was haunting me since last October. Took a few months completely off to refocus and figure out where I am and what goal I want for 2015.  Ever since I fractured my femur March 2014 I've lost the WANT to run any distance longer than 12 hours. That want may come back in time, to be competitive in this sport of ultra-running, most think that you need to run Hundos and 24 Hour Races. Yes, it's bad ass and so amazing to push your abilities above and beyond, and one day I hope I can be competitive in that field. Mentally, I am strong for the "short" distance in ultra running. Mental toughness in this sport comes in time and practice, I still consider myself new to this sport and I have a lot to learn. So I've directed my focus on my strengt...

Training. Or lack of. I took a few months off of running due to a nagging injury... Also, moving to Savannah I was swamped with lack of time and finding a job etc... I decided that I would have to save Leadville Trail 100 for next year, and shoot for a 50k to keep my mind preoccupied.  Armadillo Broil 50k is Richmond Hill GA first Ultra taking place at JF Gregory Park. 3.1 mile loop, mostly paved "trail" and about a mile dirt trail, flat as can be expected for running in the Savannah area. Shade for most of the trail minus the start/finish area. Weather that day was high 80* with a heat index of 112* due to the humidity. Parts of the trail were muggier than others. Race was very well organized, there was a 25k option and 50k option. Great race for runners looking for a long training run for upcoming fall marathons and also great ultra for anyone looking to run their first 50k, my advice, run in the heat to get use to the humidity and also practice nutrition during your long r...

Scenic City Trail Marathon, 26.2 miles through Raccoon Mountain in Chattanooga. This event is labeled one of the biggest trail marathons in the south east (500+ participants) and is also a flatter/faster event that Wild Trails puts together. Although still a difficult course specially to anyone who is use to road running. The course is about 2400+ft of gain through out, rocky, rooty, muddy, constant up and down rolling hills. The course consisted of 2 loops (5 aid stations for the marathoners and 2 for the half marathoners). PRE-THOUGHTS Entering this event I wasn't sure what to expect. I looked into previous course times and the records were set by male: 2:42 and female 3:13. The lady who held the CR is a good runner, who has knocked a lot a sub 3 hour road marathons, so going into this event I knew I wouldn't be running anywhere close to sub 3 on this course. As for my training, I have been running the strong, focusing more on speedwork and keeping lower mileage to concentrat...