You've registered for your first trail race. You've (hopefully) taken your training off road. Race day is approaching and the unknown differences between road and trail racing have left you feeling nervous. Good news: self proclaimed Church of Trail Running ambassador Coach Heather is here to answer all of your questions! Here's what to expect at your first trail race, as well as other tips to Continue reading →
Revenge of Stede Bonnet Trail Race – 2019 Recap
Preface: This post is disproportionally long compared to the actual distance ran. Clearly, it's been a while since my last race report, so I make no apologies for my need to tell stories. Further, the photos are blurry, as it was a night race and my camera is crap. I'm sure I've sold this blog, grabbed your attention, and you simply can't wait to read on (said in my best sarcastic tone). So Continue reading →
Preparing your Crew for an Ultramarathon: 9 Steps to Take
In an ideal world, we'd all be accompanied on our ultramarathons by an experienced crew that runs like a well oiled machine. They would know what to do - and when to do it - without needing you to utter a single word. The reality is: many first timers to ultra distances bring along friends and family to help them out who are also unsure of what they are about to get into. Crewing for an Continue reading →
How to Avoid Wild Animal Attacks While Trail Running
It makes perfect sense why people would be apprehensive of wild animal attacks while trail running: the forests (and deserts, and plains, and other places trails naturally occur) are homes to wild animals. Further, while they are relatively rare, when wild animal attacks DO happen to runners, the stories are sensationalized and shared endlessly among the community. How many times did we see Continue reading →
Am I Ready for an Ultramarathon? 7 Questions to Ask Yourself.
If you were to ask ten different runners if they think you are ready for an ultramarathon, I can guarantee that you will get ten different answers. Some will say that you should have a certain number of years of serious run training before attempting such a feat. Some will say your marathon time should be under a specific - yet arbitrary - number before attempting an ultra. Others will Continue reading →
Sooo…I’m gonna need a new bike.
And now for something completely different: Last Sunday, the day after the Naked 5K, Geoff and I headed to Charleston to hop in on a free organized "Banditcross" event. It was a cyclocross course set up on an old, abandoned (and relatively creepy) Navy base by a group of local cyclists, the Blue Collar Bandits. Cyclocross, for me, is my new "that looks really hard and really fun, so clearly I Continue reading →
How to Mentally Cope with a Running Injury
Injured? Facing the prospect of missing your goal race? Pissed off and so upset that you can't even handle your own self right now? I feel you my running friend. "How to mentally cope with a running injury" wasn't one of the topics you researched in detail when planning for your goal race, but here you are. In this post, we're going to discuss how to keep your attitude up when an injury’s got Continue reading →
7 Running Lies You’ve Got to Stop Telling Yourself
Hey you, runner constantly talking down about yourself or pretending you defy the rules of exercise science. Yeah, you. I hear you saying things like: "I'm not fast enough. I'll never be able to do that. That limp is nothing, it'll go away if I run through it." As a coach and fellow runner myself, I'm here to tell you that you're wrong. These are just a few examples of running lies you've got Continue reading →
2019 SunBare Whispering Clothing Optional 5K Review
"Third time's a charm" is not a sentence I ever imagined I'd be muttering about running a naked 5K, but here we are. The 2019 SunBare Whispering Clothing Optional 5K was the third (official - don't ask) time Geoff and I have run a clothing optional 5K. Yes, you are reading that right. "Clothing optional 5K" as in, you can run naked, nude, in your birthday suit. It's a real thing, and Continue reading →
7 Things to Do During a 100 Mile Ultramarathon Taper
You've spent the last 6 months or more training for your 100 miler. You've put in your miles, and now entered the taper block of training, a time both hated and loved by runners everywhere. Now that your training volume has cut back significantly, what else is left to do before race day (besides feel like you're going to lose your mind from lack of adequate activity?) Answer: plenty. Here are Continue reading →
I’m the Goo.
I've touted this countless times before, but I'm going to say it again: running is a lifetime sport. As in: we want to be able to do this for the rest of our lives. I'm constantly reminding my clients and friends to take a step back and remember this very important fact. And of course, I'm often reminding myself: running is a lifetime sport... ...so don't be stupid. Remember that there Continue reading →
