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 →
How to Overcome the Fear of Running in the Dark
The majority of runners I know are early birds: putting in their miles as soon as the sun rises. In fact, most races, from 5K's to marathons and beyond, start first thing in the morning . So it's no surprise that there is an inherent fear of running in the dark and at night among runners: because they simply don't do it. But if you've got an overnight ultramarathon or relay race coming up, the Continue reading →
The Benefits of Yoga for Ultra Runners: a Complete Guide
I already know what you're thinking: "Yoga for ultra runners? No thank you, it's too boring/too hard/too time consuming/ I'm not flexible/etc. I'd rather run." Yeah, I can relate. You see, I've been active my entire life. From tap dancing and ballet as a little girl, to tearing up the soccer fields and track as a teenager, to perpetually chasing ultra distance finish lines as an adult: Continue reading →
Running Your First 50 Miler – Everything You Need to Know About Race Day
FIFTY MILES. You probably don't even like to drive that far (who does?) and here you are, about to run 50 miles on nothing but your own two feet. Running your first 50 miler can be exciting, terrifying, overwhelming all at once, after all, it's nearly twice as far as a traditional marathon. Don't worry, coach Heather has you covered: in this post, we'll cover everything you need to know bout Continue reading →
5 Reasons to Go to Upstate Ultra’s Trail Running Camp for Big Kids
This past weekend my husband Geoff and I had the pleasure of heading to Burnsville, North Carolina to spend four days of running and camping fun at Upstate Ultra's Mt. Mitchell Trail Camp for Big Kids. I won't lie: coming from Myrtle Beach (aka sea level) to participate in a trail running camp on a mountain with some significantly less elevation challenged and seriously badass runners Continue reading →
10 Things I Wish I Knew Before My First Ultra
I know, I know. The "things I wish I knew before my first ultra (marathon, triathlon, etc.)" posts are so overdone. But if you're anything like me, you often dive head first into things without having even the tiniest grasp of what you are up against. Naturally, I went into my first ultra with almost zero research, zero experience, and zero idea of how to actually make it to the finish line. Continue reading →
Ultramarathon Terminology: Long Distance Lingo
If running lingo is a language of it's own, then ultramarathon terminology is akin to a very specific dialect only spoken in remote village on the side of an obscure mountain you've never heard of. You know, someplace wild like Silverton or Wartburg. Like any niche within a niche, ultrarunners truly have a language of their own. We have words and acronyms that leave even the most Continue reading →
Running Hydration Vests: How to Choose the Right One for You
I still remember it like it was yesterday: sitting in front of my computer screen with multiple browser tabs open, feeling completely and utterly overwhelmed at the dozens of options in front of my face. What was I doing, you might be wondering? Teaching myself quantum physics? Trying to decipher the meaning of life? Nope. Just trying to purchase my first hydration vest for running. Continue reading →
Run Far/Lift Heavy: How to Balance Ultramarathon & Strength Training
As a coach, one of the soap boxes I often stand upon and shout from is about the importance of strength training for runners. I truly believe that resistance training -whether body weight or with strength training equipment - is absolutely vital for injury prevention and success for all runners. Naturally, one of the questions I'm often asked is "but how do you balance ultramarathon Continue reading →
2019 Hell Hole Hundred 50K/50mile Recap
The 2019 Hell Hole Hundred weekend would be my fifth Hell Hole experience. I've got two previous Frozen Hell Holes (100K and 100 mile respectively) and two previous summer Hell Holes (once as crew and one 45 ish mile DNF) on my resume. I've covered this 16.3 mile looped course 13+ times. I feel like I could run it in my sleep. Therefore, as a previous chicken bell Continue reading →
Running Your First 50K – Everything You Need to Know About Race Day
For many, your first 50K is your first introduction to the world of ultra running. And for some, it may even be your first introduction to racing on a trail. While many aspects of your first 50K will be similar to that of shorter distance races you've run in the past, there are certain elements that are unique to the world of ultramarathons. In this post, we'll cover those Continue reading →
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