Every now and then I see the meme floating around Facebook that says something to the effect of "I still think the 90's were ten years ago". I laugh - because it's true. 2020 is upon us, and I'm feeling decepted by the concept of time. Needless to say, when the idea to write this blog post came into my head, I thought: "wow, a lot has happened in the last decade! I graduated high school, moved Continue reading →
Miles, Mind Tricks, & Ultramarathon Hallucinations
Prior to my entrance into the world of ultramarathon, I had always imagined hallucinations to include terrifying scenarios. The kind of things that I'd have to remind myself were not real. Being chased by unidentifiable monsters that were out to get me. Hearing creepy voices calling to me in the woods. Avoiding cracks in the ground where the earth was trying to open up and swallow me. But the Continue reading →
7 Things Every Runner Should Do At Least Once in their Lifetime
There are two covenants that I hold dear when it comes to running. First: never take running too seriously (unless you are literally getting paid to win races, which I am not). Second: never forget how lucky you are to be able to run. Unfortunately, even the best of us can get caught so caught up in our own running, that we sometimes lose the love for this sport. Running becomes a chore, Continue reading →
Commotion Chronicles 12/2-12/8/19
We are officially 25 weeks out from Hell Hole Hundred. This week went only slightly better than last, as this cold from hell is still lingering. It's in that awkward phase where the lasting symptoms are minor enough that they don't warrant a visit to the doctors office (and risk catching an entirely different virus in the waiting room). But they are still there, they still leave me feeling a Continue reading →
2019 Last Chance 25K Race Recap
If you race frequently enough, eventually, you are bound to have a bad day. A race that doesn't go as planned. A race where you didn't feel as strong as you knew you were capable of. Sometimes a bad race is simply bad luck. Other times, it's self inflicted. More often than not, it's a combination of the two. But the point is: bad races happen. And if you race frequently enough (thank you Continue reading →
100 Mile Packing List: What to Bring to an Ultramarathon
Confession: I'm pretty sure I pack more "stuff" to run a 100 miler than I do for a week long vacation. Packing for an ultramarathon is a learned art form, and frankly, ultras require a lot of gear. If you're facing your first 100 miler, you may be wondering what items are essential, or fearful of what items you may be forgetting. Hopefully, this 100 mile packing list will help ensure you've got Continue reading →
Commotion Chronicles: 11/25-12/1/19
Nearly ten (10!!) years ago, on this very blog, I started a little something called the "Sunday Review". I would share a roundup of products I liked that week. Alas, a decade ago I was also a full time student with two toddlers at home, and rarely was I able to follow through with any sort of streak. Hell, back then I was lucky if I made it to school on time, never mind put out a blog post when Continue reading →
8 Pros & Cons of Waterproof Running Shoes
Mention wet feet to any runner, and you're likely to be met with a cringe. Prolonged wet feet can make the difference between a good run, and a miserable run. Wet feet during long distance running can leave you at risk for things like blisters, hot spots, or worse, macerated feet. (If you've never seen or experienced trench foot, consider yourself very lucky. It's very painful...and will make Continue reading →
Ultramarathons, Immune Systems, and Why you Get Sick After Races
Inspiration for the posts I write come from all sorts of places. In this instance, I am 7 days post 24 hour race, and 5 days deep into a gnarly head cold. It's far from enjoyable, but certainly not unexpected. Ask any endurance athlete, from ultra runners to Ironman triathletes and they will tell you that getting sick after a race is actually, and unfortunately, quite common. In this post Continue reading →
6 Quick Full Body Resistance Band Moves to Beat the Holiday Chaos
This post was sponsored by Amazon as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central and all opinions expressed in my post are my own. Let's face it: the 5 week span between Thanksgiving and New Years can be chaotic. Between holiday parties, school functions, and visits with family, it can feel like every minute of every day is occupied. Inclement weather and holiday hours for everything Continue reading →
Sadlers Creek Stumble 24 Hour Race Recap
I can't even begin to tell you how thrilled I am to have run the first ever Sadlers Creek Stumble 24 hour race. The short version, because I know some of you like that: the course was incredibly runnable, though deceivingly difficult, with the perfect amount of difficulty peppered in, in the form of (mild) hills and occasional roots. Distances include 24 hours (choose your own adventure), 50K, Continue reading →
