Once, I gave up drinking alcohol for forty days. Then I wrote about it, because that's what I do. 60 more days passed, and I found myself 100 days sober. Something I had not once done before in my adult life. I liked how I felt, so another 100 days of no drinking passed. It wasn't easy, of course. Almost daily I had to turn down offers of drinks from friends, or ignore the delicious Continue reading →
You’re Allowed to Change. (My 2019 Recap & 2020 To Do List)
As 2019 comes to a close I find myself in a precarious position. With 2 days left in the year, I've already been forced to back out of essentially all of my "big goals" for the first half of 2020. I've seen the little screen on ultrasignup.com that says "we're sorry you can't make it" when you un-register from a race more times this week than I've seen in my entire life. Hell Hole 100 PR Continue reading →
Paris Mountain 50K / North Lake 25K Recap
As I write this post, I'm having a hard time believing that it's been four years since I first ran the Paris Mountain 50K (now the Paris Mountain 50K / North Lake 25K) . We've now lived in South Carolina (again) long enough for me to have run a race, but completely forgotten what the course was like. Time flies when you run - a lot. In 2015, fresh to the Carolinas, Geoff and I headed Continue reading →
Adventures & Trail Running at Morrow Mountain State Park
On a whim, my husband and I decided to pack up our camping gear and escape for a few days. At the recommendation of a friend, we opted for some hiking and trail running at Morrow Mountain State Park. One of the cool things about being self employed and co-parenting with an ex means that sometimes, you CAN pack up your camping stuff on a whim and escape into the woods. The counter to that, it's Continue reading →
Go Back to Start. Lose a Turn. (Heather’s Ultra Editorial)
This post brought to you by a humbling 6 mile run, and the letter P. Ultrarunning has become wildly popular over the last few years, and I, for one, love it. I love the community. I love seeing people push beyond their preconceived physical and mental barriers. I love the happy-go-lucky, dirt bag lifestyle that accompanies ultra runners - even if only for the weekend of the race. BUT. Continue reading →
The Pros & Cons of Running with Trekking Poles
Ultramarathon reality check: it seems like the further you run, the more gear you're going to need. If you're new to the trail and ultra scene, you may be wondering if trekking poles are an integral piece of running equipment that you should invest in. The answer, of course, is "maybe". As with everything, there are pros and cons to running with trekking poles, and your need for them may be Continue reading →
6 Reasons to Run a Stage Race
Up until a few years ago, I had no reasons to run a stage race. I assumed stage races were reserved for bicycles and rally cars. You know, Tour de France level stuff. The kind that elite athletes or race car drivers with a lot of time and money on their hands do in their spare time. I had no idea that stage races existed for runners. What's more, mere mortal mid-to-back of the pack runners Continue reading →
A Complete Guide to Trail Running in Myrtle Beach (and Surrounding Areas)
When you picture a trail running destination vacation, I'm pretty certain that Myrtle Beach, South Carolina does not come to mind. No, this low lying, coastal community is definitely not known for trail running. Myrtle Beach is, however, a tourist driven destination vacation for over 14 million people each year. Therefore we do often receive inquiries from tourists who happen to also love Continue reading →
The Benefits of Having a Crew When Running an Ultra
Running an ultramarathon? Wondering if you really need to bring along a crew, or if you can go it alone? Indeed, there are a number of benefits of having a crew when running an ultra, and it goes beyond simply having someone to help you tie your shoes when you can no longer bend over to reach your toes. They say it takes a village to raise a child. And sometimes, it takes Continue reading →
(Free) Beginner 50K Ultramarathon Training Plan & Guide
Ready to dip your toes into the ultramarathon world? A 50K - or 31 miles - is the perfect place to start. Those extra 4.8 miles beyond the traditional marathon distance are just long enough to feel like an amazing accomplishment (and it is!) but not so daunting that the distance feels impossible. The 50K distance is a wonderful introduction to the world of ultramarathon running, Continue reading →
“Can I split up my long run?” – the Ultramarathon Edition
Let's face it: most of us are not elite runners, and running is not our full time job. Instead, we have endless other responsibilities - a 9 to 5 job, family, appointments, housework, walking the dog, you name it - that can often put our training much lower on the list of priorities. Therefore, a common question running coaches often hear from clients is "can I split up my long run?". The idea Continue reading →
