Who celebrates a DNF with a shot of Fireball? THIS girl!
DNF stands for Did Not Finish and can be a runners worst nightmare. Â
Some runners put a lot of time into training for an event, money into gear, traveling etc. Making a call to DNF can seem like youâre making a decision to QUIT.
Depending on what race it is, a DNF shows on your âofficialâ record and drops your overall âscoreâdown. Some sponsored athletes are âforcedâ to DNF if it looks like they wonât place well at a race because it may make the company they are representing look bad.
So there are a lot of negative emotions around DNFing.
Several of my athletes have DNFd races before. Some were âvalidâ reason while some were not (in my opinion).
Making the decision to DNF is a big one because it could be construed as quitting and most people don’t like to be quitters.
While the reason to DNF is personal, here are a few reasons why it would be a consideration in the middle of a race:
you got injured during the race and continuing to run could cause surgery or not running again for awhileÂ
youâre not feeling good (sick to stomach, etc) and you could be in further danger of hurting yourselfÂ
youâre putting yourself in harms wayÂ
you die (morbid idea but possible!)
at some point you decide itâs ok to make the call to quit because you’re not having fun anymore, it’s not your A race or it just doesn’t matter and the world won’t end because you have a  DNF đ (THIS!!)
I went into this race knowing the very top of it was going to be a big challenge for me. A few friends did it last year and the last 500 so feet is scrambling on hands and knees to the very top. I have no problem scrambling but it was at high elevation and Iâm deathly afraid of heights.Â
Heading to the top of that mountain behind us! 3500 feet of elevation gain in 6 miles!
I signed up for this race because it was perfect timing for some altitude and elevation training for TransRockies (my bucket list and A race of the year!). I had never done it before. One of my #trurribeteam members Jan, did it last year and said it was the hardest yet best thing she had ever done. I decided to make it a Ladies Training Program and a few of us decided to get out of our comfort zone.Â
When I picked up my race bib, it was number 252. This is a special number for Greg and I. It was our first apartment number. When we moved into it, we found 2 quarters and 2 pennies! (coincidentally Sunset Point of the I-17 is Exit #252 too)
Anyways….it was a lucky number for me.
As I started climbing up, I had the voice in the back of my head whispering about that final scramble. From the start, this race was no joke. First of all I was tired from my cumulative training which included doing the 2nd hardest race Iâve ever done the day before (Silverton Alpine Marathon). Add the altitude and hard climb and I was averaging 35-45 min miles. I checked the cutoff the day before and say that I had 5.5 hours to complete it. The higher I climbed, the less likely it looked like I could finish in that time. Mind you, it was an out and back so the return would be downhill but it was also a pretty steep downhill so not as runnable for me. I finally got the âtopâ and was greeted by 2 of my friends who were volunteering at the aid station. I looked at the scramble and my first thought was:
I told them I was thinking of DNFing right away. They encouraged me to go so I figured Iâd put in my big grill panties and suck it up.  While I looked up at everyone on their hands and knees scrambling on loose rock, my heart was pounding as I made the attempt. My feet kept slipping and I really wanted to be one of those people doing it….but I realized I was completely miserable in that moment, was not having fun, I was more than likely not going to finish on the 530 hrs AND my A race was happening in 3 weeks!
I laid there for a few minutes with my face inches from the dirt, got really present and debated sucking it up or DNFing.Â
One of the things I ask my athletes right away when they are signing up for a race is whatâs your Why? My why for this race was strictly getting a good training run in.
TRR has been in my bucket list for years, I volunteered a few years ago and was supposed to run it last year but Covid…there was no way in hell I was letting this race get in the way. Anything couldâve happened and I wasnât about to really to take the risk.
I turned around and told my friends I was making the call. They were so sweet. They tried to convince me not to DNF and offered to help me up the mountain but I had already made up my mind. I was making a very mindful choice to take the DNF. Once the decision was made, a weight was lifted off my shoulders and I could relax. I âcelebratedâ with an Instagram live and a shot of fireball and starts climbing back down. Good news is that I wasnât swept off the mountain so I only missed about .4 miles of the 12 and still got a great day of training done.
I wonât lie and say I was a little bit disappointed in myself…. however Kendall Mtn was not my A race and I truly believe that I made the right decision.Â
The key was getting present, think about my WHY, being mindful and not letting my ego get the best of me!
I remember listening to a podcast from Trail Runner Nation awhile ago and one thing stuck in my head. Coach Jimmy Dean Freeman used these words instead for the acronym: Do Nothing Foolish.
I am super proud of myself for not doing anything foolish and at the end of the day, I still had an epic weekend of training mileage at altitude with elevation gain so I’d say it was a success in my book!
Last ultra in my 40s 3 years older than my last 100K
24 minutes and 33 seconds faster Â
But this race was so much more than this! I can’t believe that I finished 63 miles in 19:22:34 this year and felt amazing the whole way. I honestly still feel a little guilty about saying this but it’s true!
As a quick reminder:
I always like to do races that challenge me out of my comfort zone in February because it’s my birthday month. Turning 50 this year made it even more epic (I was supposed to do my first 100 miler in January of 2021 but it got canceled due to COVID)
I’ll share my post race reflections on why this race was so amazing for me in hopes that I can inspire you to have some of these amazing experiences too…..then a quick recap of how my day went.
6 feet apart at the start line with a wave start
Jubilee! One of my favorite Race Directors đ
This race was close to being canceled due to the escalated COVID cases in AZ, more specifically Yavapai County which is where most of the race is located. I kept my fingers crossed until we received the email that IT WAS HAPPENING! On 2/2 (11 days before the race) we found out that there would be wave starts (standard with COVID now) AND that I would only be able to have one pacer (instead of 2) and no crew. This threw a wrench into my excitement about the race.
Since I am a back of the packer, they try to avoid having people pass you on the trail (COVID) which meant my wave start was 10am rather than 7am. This news hit me because it meant I would be spending more time at night. Don’t get me wrong, I love night trail running but I’ve been lost on this course before. It’s also pretty remote so this just added some anxiety now.
For most ultras, you can have a crew and pacers. They are there to help keep you focused, moving forward and taking care of the details when your sole focus as the runner is to get to the finish line. In the original race, you can have a pacer for the last 25 miles (two different segments). With the new rules, I would only get one for the last 12 miles. This added stress because it meant more running in the dark alone.
At this point I had the option to not accept these changes and post pone it until next year. My first reaction was to do that. I was really bummed about these changes (although I absolutely understood them to be necessary for the race to happen safely).
Not gonna lie, I was freaking out about them! But thanks to my meditation practice which helped me go from REACTING to RESPONDING and a few texts from friends, I made the decision to go for it. If I tell my athletes that the magic happens when you get out of your comfort zone, I had to practice what I preach!
Key LessonsÂ
One of the reasons I love running is because it provides an avenue to learn more about myself.
Things that went well:
I canceled track the Thursday before. I didn’t want to have an alarm clock wake me up during that whole week. Thankfully I can do this since I’m self employed. I used to underestimate resting and learned how important it is. I allowed my body to wake up whenever it wanted to the week before knowing I’d be on my feet and awake for 18-20 hours on race day.
I was prepared! Speed is not a way I measure my running success but this time around I wanted to be faster so I knew I had to do some different things. I followed a training plan from McMillan Running to try something new and then added my ChiRunning/ChiWalking form focuses. Due to COVID, I was able to do more running alone which allows me to train at my pace. My training plan had various types of runs that I had never really focused on before because I run so much with my TRU TRIBE. I found these challenging and fun. I also happened to do more road running due to my Every Damn Street Virtual race and I feel that helped me build my stamina in a different way. There is no doubt that being prepared had a huge impact on how I felt on race morning: prepared and ready to go!
I followed my nutrition plan from Sparks Systems. I am fat adapted and my body felt like a well oiled machine. I’ve never had any gut issues when running long distances so I keep doing what’s worked for me.
What surprised me the most was how good I felt the entire time! We always say that there are many highs and lows during an ultra race and you learn to “ride the wave”. The wind, the rain, the dark….none of it brought me down. I brought my Noxgear 39g and was prepared with music, podcasts, audiobooks to keep me company.(Use code RUNNINGU1 for 35% off the Noxgear 39g. I love mine!) I may have listened to these for maybe 3-4 hours during the entire race. My goal was to be alone as much as possible. I run with people all the time (and I love it!) but this was my race, my pilgrimage, if you will, into my 50th birthday year. I was really looking forward to just being alone, out in nature for a “few” hours by myself…and that’s exactly what I did.
The week before I started working on visualizations of the course and seeing myself out there having a great time. I meditate daily with the Insight Timer app. That week I found meditations about grounding, receiving and gathering energy. My plan was to take in as much as I could and conserve it until race day. Sounds almost cheesy but I believe this really worked for me. In addition, the week before, I was getting so many texts, emails, social media comments from people wishing me well and I took all of those in. I kept mentally conserving all that positive energy I was receiving. I felt it really propelled me on race day and was literally drawing me towards the finish line…like I almost had no control over it. We call this YChi in ChiRunning and I don’t ever think I felt it as strong as I did on this day. I could definitely feel the energy of my TRU TRIBE with me too. Here is just one of the positive messages I received that week:
I’m glad I decided to have a pacer for that last 12 miles! I had left it to my friend and colleague Henry Walker to decide between him and his girlfriend. I trained Henry last year to become a ChiRunning/ChiWalking instructor (the only other one in AZ!). He pulled his calf muscle lightly the week of the race so they decided it would make most sense for Laura to pace me. As much as I know I could’ve done it by myself, she helped me stay focused on moving forward. I would’ve slowed down for sure if I was alone.
I always have to mention ChiRunning/ChiWalking because I would never consider doing these distances without it. I was lucky enough to get to zoom with my mentor and founder, Danny Dreyer, the week of the race. He gave me some last minute tips. I focused on my technique quite a bit during the race. While I was pretty sore the first few days after the race, I felt great after that! I swear by ChiWalking especially during my ultras. There is a big difference in regular walking and I believe this also had a huge impact on my energy levels all day. The goal is always conserving energy and one can waste a lot of energy when running and walking. In addition to technique, several time during my race I visualized gathering energy from the earth every time my foot hit the ground.
I PRd by 24 minutes and 33 seconds! That’s about 24 seconds per mile faster for 62 miles! My technique, training and mindset all came together that day and I rocked it!
Things that didn’t go so well (yes there were a few things)
I always say never try new things on race day. This is common knowledge. While I was trying not to freak out about being in the dark longer by myself, this was one thing that was giving me anxiety. Most of my TRU TRIBE uses the Kogalla light for night running. I’ll be honest, I haven’t been crazy about these because they can be pretty bright and if someone is coming towards you, it can be annoying. (come to find out there are actually 20 brightness settings!) A few of them suggested I should try one out. I bought one the weekend before the race hoping it would get to me on time. I borrowed Jan’s the Tuesday of race week so I could try it out. It really did light the trail up quite a bit and she let me borrow it in case I didn’t get mine in the mail.  I happened to get mine before the race but only tried it that one time. I have an entire different view on these now. The light was awesome and really increased my confidence of being out there alone. Since I only tried it that one time, I didn’t know how it would effect me on the switchbacks going uphill in the canyon. I am afraid of heights and used to having a headlamp. When you have a headlamp, it points wherever your point your head so although you have more limited lighting, it’s focused in the direction your heading which is in front of you. Well, the Kogalla, was on my waist (race belt) and lit up the entire trail in front of me (that’s the point!). What this meant that when I was going up a single track uphill, I could see the periphery which meant the slope down into the abyss and bottom of the canyon. It didn’t dawn on me to move my race belt towards the mountain side more (which I would’ve figured it out had I practiced with it more) so this slowed me down. I was more tired, it was dark so I really had to focus on looking ahead and not letting the ledge of canyon effect me. Aside from that, I am new fan of the Kogalla!
Kogalla lighting up the water crossing
Not having crew there until the last aid station effected me. Your crew will normally be able to meet you at various aid stations. They are there to help you make whatever changes and help you get in and out of the aid stations as quickly and efficiently as possible. I tell my runners all the time: DFA (Don’t F*#k Around) at the aid stations. You can waste a lot of time if you are not focused and the clock is ticking (only important if you care about your time and I was trying to PR). I really could’ve used a crew at Black Canyon City. This was mile 39 of 62 and I had been in the dark already for several hours. I was getting tired (I was about a little over half way) and I had ultra brain. I fumbled around with my drop bags, trying to figure out what I needed and what I could get rid of. I had to change my shoes and get into some warmer clothes, refill my pack, eat some food…it was a lot to handle on my own and if I had someone there with me, I probably would’ve saved at least 10 minutes. I stayed here longer than I anticipated. I didn’t have a choice as crew was not allowed there but I felt the loss of not having one.
I second guessed myself at one spot that ate up about another 15 minutes. I’ve gotten lost on this trail several times although only during training runs. The course was well marked! There is a point as you head in and out of Black Canyon City that you have to take a different way so you don’t go back the way you came. The course was well marked but I was paranoid about going back the wrong way. At one point I was feeling like maybe I missed it so I turned back around to that spot.  Then I stopped, pulled out my All Trails app (where I had downloaded the course map in case something like this would happen) and realized I was going the right way. Better be safe than sorry but this “cost” me another 10-15 minutes.
Race Day
The silver lining about starting at 10am, meant that Greg (my boyfriend) could actually drive me to Mayer High School to drop me off at the start (this is a point to point race which means you start at one location and finish at another.) This adds some additional logistics to the day. The race offered a shuttle for the runners. I have a thing about shuttles and buses before a race. It depends on the race but I really like to be in my own space and energy before a race, especially a big one like this one. The erratic energy of a bunch of people in a shuttle tends to mess with me so I was grateful that I could be in the car with my honey for about 90 minutes getting myself psyched up.
I had created a spreadsheet like last time with my tentative pace from each aid station, taking into consideration the course profile, my strengths, time of day, etc. The first time I did this race, I finished in 19:46:01. The cutoff was 20 hours. For any first time experience, I never focus on speed. I know it’s my first time doing that distance, it’s all about enjoying it as much as possible. I was messing around at the aid stations, drinking some beer here and there, and just having a good ole time. This time would be a bit different. I wanted to have a PR (personal record) so I needed to be more focused. I felt stronger going into this race (I had just PRd the Coldwater 52K race the month before by 52 minutes!) so I had two different goals. First goal was to beat my time by an hour and the stretch goal was to finish in 18 hours (1hr 45min PR). I knew this was aggressive but I wasn’t attached to it…just hoping I could do it.
Fifteen minutes before my start, I got this text message from my buddy Archie (one of our TRU TRIBE mascots)
As usual, I started faster than my predicted time. I knew this would happen but I was still holding back knowing I had a lot of miles ahead of me. The course has a negative profile (more downhill than uphill) which is deceiving. Downhills are my jam but this time we had some serious head and cross wind. While I love downhills, I am afraid of heights too. These downhills are single track and so much fun but the wind added an element of uneasiness as I was cruising down. Probably a good thing that it slowed me a down. Click here for the live video where you can hear the wind.
One of my favorite spots: the iconic windmill
downhill!
In addition to the wind, there were some pretty big clouds looming around. On the drive up, I had noticed that now the weather app was showing possibility of rain. Ugh! Not the biggest fan but this race has been unpredictable (I dropped to the 60K at my first 100K attempt due to some serious bad weather) so I was prepared. I already had packed an extra pair of socks in each drop bag (in ultras you get to have drop bags at specific aid stations where you can have extra stuff you need so you don’t have to carry it all while you are running) and had a poncho in my hydration pack and thankfully brought my purple wind breaker. I lucked out and got sprinkled on a few times during the day. I stayed ahead of my predicted time until about mile 35. Night had already started to fall so I slowed down as I expected I would. I approached my first water crossing which was a few miles before the Black Canyon Aid station which is where I planned to change as much of my apparel as possible as it was getting colder. One of the hardest parts of an ultra in my opinion is dealing with the major temperature change between night and day. Especially here in AZ. I attempted not to get my feet wet in the water crossing but then remembered I was going to change my shoes and socks anyways so I just walked right through it…it was barely covering my ankles so it was uneventful. Oddly the cold water felt good on my feet and climbed out of the canyon. I was looking forward to this aid station. I have to give a shout out to Altra Running shoes! I’ve been a sponsored athlete for 3 years now and I can never say enough about them. It’s all I wear! I chose my Superior 4.5 for the first part because they are more minimal and flexible and my Lone Peaks 4.5 for the second part as they have a bit more cushion.
One major thing I love about our trail/ultra community is the most amazing people you meet. Even if you only see people at races a few times a year, they are your friends. As much as I was bummed that I was losing time at this aid station, it was great to see some familiar races.  Huge thanks to Dawn.  She works with Medstar Solutions and was at the medical tent. She popped over to say hi and I was venting about having to go change my wet bra in a porta potty. She was so sweet and let me go into the medical trailer to take care of that! It was also great to see Crystal volunteering who I know from Girls On The Run. So I changed everything except my pants, refilled my pack and got some hot potato soup which was exactly what I needed. I headed back out and now I was 40 minutes behind my predicted time. Changing into warmer clothes, socks and shoes and that potato soup totally reenergized me and I felt great.
The rest of the race was a meditative trance. I can’t even explain it. It was dark and I was just following my light and moving forward. I was alone pretty much most of this time in the dark. I remember thinking this was going to be the hardest part but I was actually enjoying the peacefulness of the night. I could see this huge big black cloud that I was running towards and I was hoping that I wouldn’t get rained on. I got lucky again and only a few drops.
I approached Table Mesa Aid Station where I would either pick up Henry or Laura to pace me the rest of the 11ish miles. I could see them both as I approached and Henry had jeans on so I knew right away who was pacing me. He also had a thermos and filled my cup up with one of the best things I had tasted: Hot Apple Cider Skratch.(electrolytes) OMG, I couldn’t get enough! Not only was it nice and warm but it tasted so good! Between that and having Laura for company, those last miles flew by. We chatted and of course I bitched about the rocks. This is my least favorite part of this course. There are several parts that are pretty rocky so it’s hard to get any momentum forward while running. We passed an awesome Saguaro forest that I didn’t remember from the year before, hit the last aid station and were almost there! I had been in great spirits all day but the only time I would get slightly irritated is when I knew I should be approaching an aid station and I couldn’t see it. We starting seeing lights but couldn’t tell if that was the finish. Finally, there it was! Due to COVID restrictions, no one could be at the finish line. I was so happy to know that I had 3 of my TRU TRIBE members who had volunteered that night so they could be at my finish! (Alina had to leave because she drove from Tucson to volunteer and I didn’t get back in as early as I was hoping) I could see Jubilee, the race director, and I jumped up as I crossed the finish line. Even though I knew I hadn’t met my original goal to PR by an hour, I still had a PR and felt amazing!
Small section of the saguaro forest at night lit by my Kogalla
I walked to the aid station to see Mindy and Catherine. They had a birthday goodie bag for me and I got to hang out with them for a few minutes. They offered me alcohol to celebrate (because this is what I would normally do) but I just wasn’t feeling it. I never had a beer until later that evening!
As I reflect on my journey to that finish line, I am 100% sure that my attitude and mental state going into this day were THE biggest key to my success. Being trained and using good technique of course go without saying. I was so excited about this race and this day, I couldn’t wait to get out there and have that experience all to myself. I am so thankful that everything flowed for me that day. As I was finishing, 19 hours plus into the race, I knew that if I had to, I could keep going……..and you know what that means?! Hmmmm ?! đ
The only thing that should surprise us is that there are still some things that can surprise us.     Francois de la Rochefoucauld
Who would’ve ever thought that this race would motivate me as much as it did? DEFINITELY NOT ME!
We all know what a crazy year 2020 was. Virtual races became all the rage for many runners. Not only was this a good way to stay in training mode but it also gave us the opportunity to support some of our favorite race companies that were being effected financially by the pandemic. Honestly, I didn’t do that many of them because I don’t race for medals or swag (well, sometimes đ€Ł). I picked my races this year very strategically.
When I heard about Every Damn Street (and Every Damn Trail), I was intrigued. You can read more about it here. I was immediately attracted to the idea of running in my community. I love the idea the race was built on. I also love first time experiences.
From the Aravaipa website:
“inspired by Ricky Gates’Â Every Single Street project where he toured the streets of San Francisco, we are asking runners everywhere to connect to each other by sharing their hometown with this virtual community.”
If you know me, you know I am not a big fan of road running. However, I had a plan to run my first 100 mile race over 2 days on 12/30 & 12/31 at Across The Years as we entered 2021 (the year I turn 50!) This race is flat, mostly road and a 1 mile loop. I figured Every Damn Street would be a great way for me to get road miles in as training for my 100 miler. Bonus: the logo and feel of the race swag was Sesame Street, which was one of my favorite shows when I was a kid. It was a 3 month challenge and my goal was to run my 85283 zip code. I started out not thinking that I would do the whole thing because it looked like A LOT.  But the more I kept chipping away at each section of my zip code, I could start seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.  At the end of November, I decided I was going to run every damn street in my zip code.
Love the swag!
I decided to document my journey via Instagram Stories. I actually had to create a Part 2 in my Highlights because apparently you can only have 100 stories in each one.đ€Ș I may have got a bit carried away with them but this was a fun part of the challenge for me. Not sure if you need to have an Instagram account to view them or not but here is EDS Part 1 and EDS Part 2 (you can use your arrow keys to scroll forward).
Here are some things I learned in the last few months while doing this race:
Strategy was more important than I anticipated: From Day 1, this was all about strategy.  My first run was Labor Day weekend and I wasn’t sure what the best way to start was. Greg (my BF), suggest to start out with the perimeter of the 85283 zip code.
My first run for this race
And so it began…
Tools:Â Aravaipa suggested using the Caltopo app. After every run, I could upload my Garmin file and it would continue to add my mileage as I went (see pic below). Â I would keep this open in my browser on my phone so I could tell what I had done on previous runs. Â I couldn’t see what I was doing real time though. Â I finally figured out to use my All Trails app and record as I was running so it would capture what I had just done. It sounds crazy but when you start going in and out of streets, it’s easy to lose track of what you did. Â I had to keep taking out my phone to see what I had done and where I was going next. Â This was much more mentally challenging than I expected.
Brought to you by:Â
I was an Altra sponsored athlete last year so every shoe I wore was theirs (they are the only brand I wear and love)
My Noxgear Tracer 360 vest for early morning and evenings helped me be visible and safe. My Noxgear 39G Bluetooth speaker kept me company with music, podcasts and audiobooks. I am also an Ambassador for them: use code RUNNINGU1 for 35% off
I am always focused on my technique and there is no way I would’ve been able to do all that mileage without ChiRunning and ChiWalking. No injuries in 7 years because of it! (and I walk/run a lot of miles! I averaged 31 miles a week in 2020! I never say this to brag but to really point out how much I avoid injuries because of good technique).
Miles flew by:  I was really surprised at how quickly I could get mileage done in a small space.  I would assume 3-4 miles and it would end up being double.  As much as I don’t like street running, I know I will use this in the future because time went by quickly.
I did anywhere from a 2 mile run to a 22 mile run for this project.
Speed work goes by faster this way than on a track
I did 20 miles on Christmas Day since my family had decided to not get together
My boyfriend Greg joined me a few times for exercise dates!
In the last month, I felt like a drug addict having to get a fix. I was obsessed and have never been that motivated to go out for runs on the road in my life before.
It was awesome to finish my last run on 12/31/20 with a rainbow!
I love my neighborhood: when I first moved to AZ as a freshman in HS, we were in  Tempe. I went to McClintock High School and I am an ASU alumni. I have always loved this city but I have a much bigger appreciation for it after this experience.
Ironically Sesame Street was in my zip code and I loved seeing it every time. The theme song would come in my head and it would always make me smile.
So many treasures found!  From beautiful lakes and houses to funny election signs.  In one neighborhood I was staring at house all decked out with human rights signs and across the street there was a house full of Trump signs.  My favorite election sign was “In Dogs We Trust” “Dogs 2020 Because Humans Suck”đ€ŁÂ From election signs to fun Halloween decorations to Christmas ones. At one point I even found a purple house!  (you all know this is my favorite color!).  I had no idea Mission chips was local and also found The Early Bird (have not checked them out) yet but I saw their cart parked in a driveway so I had to google it. I love supporting local businesses.
I challenge you to try something like this out. Pick your immediate neighborhood and/or zip code and just start chipping away at it. This blog post and my Instagram Stories don’t even do my experience justice. As I rewatched my IG stories, I got fuzzy feelings of the memories I created with this event. As a matter of fact, it ended 13 days ago and I still have weird withdrawals. I know I can go out and run in the neighborhood (I am about to as soon as I get done writing this!) but it’s not the same without the deadline of the “finish line.” This has given me a new appreciation for road running for training as canals get old after awhile.
Huge thank you to Aravaipa Running for giving me something new and fun to do in the crazy 2020 year. I just thought this was going to be another virtual race but I had no idea that it would impact me the way it did. đ„°
In this day and age where we spend so much time insidoors and on our technology, it’s great to have a specific day to encourage us to get outside and play. Trail running or hiking is a great way to go do that! There are many benefits to spending time outside in nature. Here are just a few:
Mental Health and Increased Happiness. Spending time in nature and the natural light can improve your mood and reduce stress and depression. Anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues can be eased by spending time outside. Increased Self-Esteem. Outdoor exercise stimulates all five senses in a way that indoor activities cannot. Additionally, being out in nature impacts the brain in a positive way, making you feel better about yourself. Getting a boost of vitamin D You can improve your health just by soaking up the sun. Vitamin D is essential for bone growth and regulates your immune system Better brain function. Spending more time outdoors is also linked to higher levels of concentration, creativity, and improved mental clarity.
No surprise here! Has to be thePrescott Circle Trail.
Why I love it? The views of Watson lake canât be beaten. The variety of terrain makes for a super fun interesting day. And following the white dots feels like a treasure trail. Just epic trail fun. Check out this trail on AllTrails.
While I love our low desert trails in AZ, I found theRainbow Rim Trail at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon spectacular! Itâs 38.5 runnable miles alternating between views of the canyon, pine forest, lush green ferns and wildflowers (in summer). There is dispersed camping along the route. Itâs popular with bikers but I didnât see many. Check out this trail on AllTrails.
My favorite place to hike is Spur Cross Ranch. There are sooooo many trails out there, you can go forever in various directions. The Maricopa Trail connects to portions of trails out there as well. The desert is more lush the higher you go, and parts of the year you will get to experience multiple creek crossings! Also, not too crowded! Here is one of my go-to hikes there: Check out this trail on AllTrails.
Also highly recommend Elephant Mountain at Spur Cross as well:Â https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/arizona/elephant-mountain?p=31301417
Love this question. I love all the above although havenât been to the north rim but that sounds perfect! My favorite is Soldierâs Trail in Flagstaff. I love the smell of pine trees. I love the rolling hills and I love that it isnât crowded(early in the morning) so I can enjoy it with the dog on a long lead. It is also rejuvenating to get out of the hot desert and run in the cool temps. Check out this trail on AllTrails.
Brownâs Ranch Perimeter Loop is my favorite trail because not only is it GORGEOUS it is easily accessible. The trial takes you about 15 miles around McDowell through various terrain. You can visit the amphitheater and balanced rock while on your journey. Itâs very runnable, and has spectacular views!! Canât wait to run it again!! Check out this trail on AllTrails
This Hieroglyphic Trail is the one I take people to when they visit me here in AZ as it is so spectacular with the views of the Superstition Mountains, lots of cactus, and it is breathtaking to see the creek when it has water.  The trail is 2.8 miles and is a good one to run or hike with only 567 feet of elevation. There is a large parking lot so you can easily find a space as long as you go early in the morning before the crowds arrive. Check out this trail on AllTrails
P.S. I always make it a point to promote TRU TRIBE women owned businesses. You can find Barbie at www.respectrealty.com and on Instagram.
Here is mine:
We have so many beautiful trails all over Arizona so it’s hard to pick! I love McDowell Mountain Regional Park and one of my favorite trails to run there is the Escondido Trail. This trail has fun switchbacks and what I call âroly-polyâ hills. It’s fun to go up and down them like a roller coaster. It’s mainly single-track and the views are spectacular. It’s in the Arizona desert, so plenty of saguaros and cacti. Flowers will also appear in the spring. I’ve done this trail during a night race and it’s just as fun at night! Although it’s showing as an out and back trail, towards the end of the trail you can link up with others in the park.
It is closer to a road than I would normally like, but it’s never bothered me since that road is not heavily trafficked (at least not the early mornings or nights). There is no shade so be prepared to be in the sun as well. Check out this trail on AllTrails
Whether you get out on National Play Outside Day or not, we recommend getting outside as often as you can, weather permitting. There is nothing like some spending some time outdoors with family and friends…or even alone (just be safe)!
I still can’t believe that I did it! In retrospect, I realize that this is the most miles I’ve ever done in this short period of time and the longest I’ve gone without taking a day off! It’s one of the hardest things I’ve done and yesterday I turned 49 and 1/2! GO ME!
It’s been on my bucket list for about 5 years. When I heard about it and saw the pictures, I wanted to do it. It’s not a cheap race though so I wasn’t sure when I’d ever have the chance.
This was my bucket list and A race this year. (While I absolutely love what I do for a living as a running coach, I have learned that I need at least one major event a year for me). But then COVID19 happened…and of course they had to cancel the event.
They announced a virtual option for either 60 or 120 miles to be completed in the 15 days and I had to sign up!
My original plan was to do the 60 miles because I’m in the middle of a few big projects and I knew it would be hard for me to try to make 8 miles a day happen with the 120 miles. However, the AZ Girls (last year’s volunteer crew) were all doing 120 miles and twisted my arm pretty quickly. I also had been averaging 25 miles weeks and I wanted this to be a challenge….and IT WAS!
If you follow me on Instagram, you’ll know that I posted an IG Story for just about every walk/run of the challenge. You can see the highlights here if you’re on IG.(tap on each story to move forward faster).
What did I learn while doing one of the? Here are a few of my key takeaways….
I will be forever grateful for ChiRunning/ChiWalking.  I never recommend doing mileage you are not trained for…but if you do, having good technique under your belt makes a HUGE difference. Although I walked about 60% of the mileage, I doubled my weekly mileage for 2 weeks. While I could feel a bit of tension (I stretched just about every day too) and fatigue in my legs, my body felt great the entire time.
FOMO is real. I’ve blogged about this before too. Many of my TRU TRIBE teammates had signed up for the Great Race Across Tennessee (1000k to be finished from 5/1-8/31). I really really wanted to join them but I knew it would not be a good decision. I had too much on my plate and I really didn’t want to burn myself out (which I’ve done before and learned from that experience!) before this virtual race as it was my priority this year and I didn’t want to get distracted. I was planning on the 60 miles but as I mentioned before, between some arm twisting and a wee bit of FOMO, I decided to go for it. I don’t regret it even though I had a breakdown on social media in the middle of the challenge. (more on that below)
I had a plan and followed it.  As much as I would’ve liked to simulate the real race and do the 120 miles in 6 days, I knew that was unrealistic for many reasons. I planned to do 8 miles a day which was the daily average necessary to complete the challenge. I looked at my calendar for the 2 weeks and saw some days where I’d get more in and vice versa. I started tracking on my Fit Bit but that was using passive workouts which were not intentional and didn’t count. I switched to tracking with my Garmin mid race to get more accurate results. I was adding and averaging daily to see how much I had left as I progressed. This worked well for me. Although apparently on the TRR page, my totals ended at 118.3 because someone messaged me late on the last day to let me know this. I get in freak out mode but checked my Fitness Rankings totals. I sent a FB message to Houda (the race director) with pics and he said I was fine! Phew!
Multi tasking and getting creative was necessary to get mileage done! Managing my time was probably my biggest obstacle. I had to get creative to get my mileage in:
while I was walking, I used some of that time making phone calls and listening to podcasts
I was able to schedule some of my mileage with friends and my TRU TRIBE. Some days I got one walk done and on some days I broke it up into 3 different workouts.
I woke up before my “work” group runs a few times and ran 1/4 mile loops in my apartment parking lot just so I could get it done before it was a bazillion degrees
It always boils down to mindset! While I am not a believer of mind over body (I’ve seen too many people get injured with this mind frame), I do believe in mind with body. Another principle I’ve embraced from ChiRunning. There is a big difference between ignoring your body and pushing through until you get injured VS. pushing through to overcome your mental setbacks.
We’ve had the hottest summer on record in Arizona and this challenge was from 8/3-8/17: prime summer heat. I had to try and schedule runs early morning or after the sun went down. This was not always possible. Although I could not make the heat disappear with my mindset, I could certainly embrace it and know that “it is what it is.”. I had several days that I had to go out when the sun was beating down but I was safe by minimizing that time and being prepared for it and I embraced it. Constantly repeating how hot it is will not make it go away, as a matter of fact, it makes it worst. Accepting the heat and driving to my runs with my windows down rather than going from the AC cold car to the blazing heat really helped me acclimate. Here is my recent blog about how and why to run in the heat.Â
Once I had my mid race melt down, I was able to dig deep and remind myself of my Why. This is a question I ask all the athletes before they start training for a race with me. Even more important now that we don’t know if races are happening. This was going to be my big bucket list A race this year and I would’ve been training for 4 months leading up to it. That opportunity was taken away from me by COVID19 so I replaced it with the virtual event. I was going to finish this race no matter what it was going to take. Here is my IG post about my meltdown and the IGTV video that I did later that day.
One of the things I loved/hated about the challenge was trying to figure how I was going to get it all done. It was so rewarding at the end to know that it all came together although I doubted myself several times!
Yesterday was 8/19, my half birthday. I turned 49 1/2 and I’ve never felt better! I know too many people that keep repeating how old they are, and how much harder things are….while some of this is fact that I can’t deny, mindset and how you take care of your body have a lot to do with this as well.
As I age, I keep surprising myself by doing things I never thought possible. This is a first time experience for me as far as number of miles in this short of time, without taking a day off….I have some pretty big goals as I prepare for my 50th year around the sun in 2021, and the real TransRockies Run is definitely on the list among a few other crazy endeavors…..stay tuned!
I find it pretty humorous during this time of the year when I start seeing these types of memes on social media…
…..like everyone in Phoenix has amnesia and forgets how hot it is here….E.V.E.R.Y. single summer…đ€Ł I guess when it’s perfect weather the other 9ish months of the year, we need something to complain about!
This topic has been on mind lately. Not because I’m surprised how hot it is here, but because this is the first year that I have a group training for an ultra in the summer (thank you COVID-19 đ). The Crown King 50K is one of my favorite ultras (this will be my 5th time). It’s normally at the end of March….it got canceled with everything going on and postponed to October 17th. We all had options on what we wanted to do with our race entry. Several of the ladies from that training program, including myself, decided to do the race in October (crossing all fingers and toes that it happens!)…..but we all knew what that meant: training in the heat. UGH But the decision was made and now it’s time to train….we just started a few weeks ago so not doing real long runs yet.
Earlier this month, I was jazzed up when Danny Dreyer, the co-founder of ChiRunning, asked me to be on his ChiSchool webinar because the topic was running in the heat. He’s lived and ran in enough places to know exactly what to do but of course I took him up on the chance to co-host with him! đ
I was inspired by hanging out with him so I decided to do a video with some tips on training in the heat which you can find below.I thought of a few other things to add so I figured why not write a blog about it!
Here are my tips for running/walking in the heat:
You have a choice. This sounds rather basic but it’s true. No one is telling you have to do it. There are plenty of other options to exercise. You can swim, bike, use a treadmill, or not work out at all (I don’t recommend this đ€Ł). If you truly hate the heat that much, don’t complain about it and do something different.
Embrace it.  What?! You heard me….this is all about your mindset. I know I can’t will the heat away, but if I choose to embrace it (rather than continuously complain about it) it won’t be as bad. Since it’s my first time really training seriously in this heat, this is my number one strategy so far….and I feel like it’s working. One thing I started doing yesterday is not put my AC on in my car when driving to my running location. I figure part of the problem is going from a nice cold car to a blast of heat. If I can acclimate on my drive over, this will make the transition from the car to the outdoor air less shocking to my mind and body. Working on some affirmations next!
Pick a good time. I’ve had to change the time I go to bed at night so I can get up and out the door and stay out of the sun as much as possible. I normally try to get out before the sunrise. I also really enjoy being out on the trails at night time so that is also another option. While it’s still warm in the evening here, there is a big difference when you don’t have the sun shining right on you. If necessary, and I have the time, I’ll take a little nap in the middle of the day when I don’t get enough sleep.
Pick a good location.  Ideally, stay out of the sun. Cacti are not really the best for shade so that’s a bit more challenging for us here. đFind locations that provide more shade. Get out of town for a quick road trip and head up north. You can also stay close to your house and have a short route that you go around so you can go home if run into any trouble. I did an experiment the day of the webinar with Danny and walk/ran a quarter mile loop in my apartment complex at about 2:30pm. My least favorite part was the heat from the asphalt but I got used to it after a few laps. I did a few miles in 30 minutes but I didn’t die. I also considered jumping in the apartment complex pool but will save that for another longer session (Yes, I am intentionally trying to run in the heat…more on that below). Here is a video I did on that day when I was done.
Have the right fuel and plenty of it. Always carry water with you and make sure you have enough of it. Freeze half of your water bottle or bladder from your hydration pack so you are ahead of the game. It doesn’t take much for ice to melt here. Staying hydrated on a daily basis will help too. We also lose sodium and potassium when sweating so make sure you have the right electrolytes. This could be another blog post alone but if you google it, I’m sure you’ll find enough info. I personally like to keep things as natural as possible so I use Saltstick capsules and Pickle Power. There are plenty of drinks out there but read labels as some of them have a lot of sugar and food coloring. You can even google DIY electrolyte drinks and make your own! Make sure you have enough food for the distance you are going (there are many products like gels, etc) but I prefer real food: peanut butter pretzels, trail mix, potato chips. It is harder for your body to digest real food vs gels so experimenting to see what’s best for you is my best advice.
Wear the rightclothing. I always wear wicking fabric because it helps keep me cooler (relatively speaking) by evaporating the sweat instead of soaking up in fabrics like cotton. Nowadays you can even find clothes that have a cooling effect. Modern technology is great for this. As a matter of fact, as I was writing this, I started googling “cooling clothing” and “for extreme heat” popped up on it’s own. Lots of good options here (huh, I may need to do some more shopping now!). I always wear a trucker hat as it keeps the sun directly out of my face. Sunglasses are a must for me and of course lots of sunscreen. My favorite brand is Zealios and you can use discount code Zup-TRU20 for 25% off!
Spray bottles, ice and more ice. I usually have a cooler with ice and spray bottles. If and when I have the chance, I put ice in my hat, in my sports bra and as many places I can think of. Pour cold water on your wrists, head and neck (keep your neck cool with a bandana and ice). I keep the spray bottles cold and will usually add some peppermint oil to it for even more of a cooling sensation. You can also use peppermint candies, chew gum on your run for this same reason.
Learn running technique.  Good technique is not just about injury prevention. When you learn good technique, you are learn how to move your body as efficiently as possible. In ChiRunning, we teach people how to limit using their leg muscles (which are big muscles and use a lot of energy). When you are running more efficiently, you won’t be overworking your body which is already being impacted by the heat.
Adjust yourpace. Since our bodies are under more pressure with the heat, it’s important to adjust your pace. This seems like a no brainer but don’t go out and do speed intervals or hill repeats if it’s too hot.I have found myself ChiWalking a bit more than normal and I am totally OK with that. ChiWalking is my secret sauce to ultra training/running.
Body sense! This is a word you will hear every single ChiRunning/ChiWalking instructor talk about. Listening to your body (not your mind/ego) is a skill. It starts with self awareness and knowing that our minds/egos may not always have our best interest in mind. This is a main different between “power” running and ChiRunning. It’s not mind OVER body, but mind WITH body. The more you practice, the more you’ll know what your body is telling you when it comes to movement, how you are feeling, what you are eating, etc. The body always knows best and it talks to us a lot. It’s easy to choose to not listen but this can come at a cost. Make sure you know how your body reacts in the heat and what it needs and when it needs it.
Why would I purposely run in the heat?
Running is my lifestyle. It’s what I choose to do as my main form of exercise. Just because summer is here, doesn’t mean I have to stop running because it’s hot. This helps keep me stay consistent with my regular fitness routine.
Training for an event.  Races happen throughout the entire year. Normally I choose not to train for a race during the summer so while I would still run, I didn’t have to worry about major long runs for my ultra training. I did an ultra in 2016 that was at the beginning of July (Capitol Reef 50K and the hardest one I’ve ever done!) but that was really only one month of running in the heat. This year I was supposed to be doing my bucket list race (TransRockies) which would’ve been 120 miles in 6 days on 8/3 but that was canceled…but I was ready for some serious heat training. So when I had the chance to sign up for Crown King in October, I figured why not?!
Improve performance! While this is not the main reason I am doing it, I am interested to see how it effects my performance. This could also be another blog post but you can search for “heat training and adaptation” and there are several studies (some more compelling than others depending on sample size, etc) that suggest that training in the heat will improve performance. As a matter of fact, many runners train in the heat for races at elevation rather than training in altitude. It makes sense so I’m curious to see how this impacts me later in the year.
Well, there you have it! I hope that these tips help you and inspire you to keep moving through the summer!
I thought I’d heard them all but yesterday, I almost spit out my drink when I read this tip! It’s in a training log of all places! Are you kidding me?
From a training log! đĄ
We are having a 7-Day Photo Challenge in my TRU TRIBE Run Team this week. The challenge is to take a photo each day and describe what feelings you are having at that moment (part of our focus on Mental Health Awareness month). One of my members, who happens to be a personal trainer as well, posted this picture along with this comment: “Dismayed! I saw this in my runnerâs log book. Donât they know about Lisa?”
Or any other running coaches?!
If any running population needs a coach, beginners would be the first group I would recommend get one! Running keeps becoming more and more popular. Although it seems like putting one foot in front of the other is all you need to know, there wouldn’t be a 65% injury rate if that were true! (I don’t know what it is exactly but numbers I see range from 60-70%)
What’s one of the first things someone tells you when they find out you are going to start running or are a runner? You shouldn’t run…it’s bad for your knees (or name any other body part.) RUNNING DOESN’T HURT YOUR BODY, HOW YOU RUN HURTS YOUR BODY! What you do with your body when you are not running has an impact on how you run too (for example, sitting at your desk all day).
We take golf, swimming and tennis lessons, cooking classes, but rarely do people consider taking a class to learn how to run…or at least find a coach that can help them with this. As much as I love social media, that’s a whole other blog post for another day. I’m all for people sharing their experiences in facebook groups but I’ve seen some of the worst advice given about running there too. Just because people run, it doesn’t make them experts.
I’ve been teaching ChiRunning for 10 years and coached many runners of ALL levels. Bottom line, it’s worth the investment regardless of what level runner you are to have a coach! There are many different coaches out there and it’s important that you find one that works for YOU. Here are some key things that I would look for when hiring a coach, in order of importance:
Education and credentials: Do they have the proper knowledge required to teach you how to run properly and increase your mileage safely? Being a runner isn’t enough. Many of us have spent quite a bit of money for the education we have. There is a reason there are coaching agencies and certifications.
Experience: how long have they been coaching? More experience means they’ve dealt with more scenarios and have more tools in their toolbox. What type/level of athlete do they coach?
Personality: are they a good match for you? This is more important than you realize. Some people like the hardcore, drill sergeant personality while others might prefer someone who is more of a cheerleader.
Does their speed matter? Absolutely not! While there may be some great coaches out there that are fast runners, this is not something I would consider. If you’re goal is to learn to run fast and they meet the qualifications above, great!
Does their “celebrity” status matter? Absolutely not! While there may be some great coaches out there that have a celebrity status because they are really good with social media, this is not something I would consider. If they meet the qualifications above, great!
Will they give you a good hug at the finish line?Â đ„° While there is nothing better than a good hug, this is not something I would take into consideration…unless they meet the qualifications above.
You don’t have to take this advice from me though! Here are some of the answers to this question “What advice would you give a beginner runner?” from TRU TRIBE Run Team Member Spotlights:
“I had to start with alternating walking and running. Â At the time I felt like I wasnât a ârunner.â Â Now I realize that the moment I transitioned from a walk to a run, I became a runner! Â So, I would advise a beginner to think of herself as a runner, regardless of speed, body type, age or experience. Â I also recommend getting a running coach to help you with your mechanics. Â You probably ran very naturally as a child, but as an adult you may need to re-learn good form. Â It may be the key to staying injury-free. Â Lastly, find a running group! Â I love my time alone when I run, but I also love running with my Tribe!” Barbara B.
“Start with a good coach. Â Learn the right form right out of the shoot. But most importantly, just start.” Andrea T
“Do not worry about your speed or what other people may think. Take your time, build up slowly, focus on your form, get some strength training in to smooth out any imbalances. Hire a coach to help you with all this so you donât fall into bad (injury producing) habits!”Karla H
“Find a coach to help you with your running journey. Â Learn the correct running form to prevent injuries along your way. Â Strength training is such important element to help you get stronger, prevent injuries, and improves your performance as an athlete.” Sonia G
Guess what, Bill Gates thinks you should have a coach too! If you plan on making running a lifestyle, getting a coach is one of the best things you can do for yourself!                    Â
Every Saturday we highlight one of our members from the TRU Tribe Running Club . Meet Sonia! If we can do it, so can you!
Sonia’s 1st 100K!
Why did you start running?
My grandma was into fitness and healthy eating. I was a chubby kid so my grandma would take me to the elementary track and make me run to lose weight. She thought I hated it, but I loved it. Â Because of her I love to run.
What age did you start running?
I started when I was seven years old.
How old are you now? (to inspire the others! but you don’t have to answer if you don’t want to)
41 years old
What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned so far from your running journey?How fast I run does NOT define me as a great runner. Â Itâs not all about speed. Â Itâs about doing your best and achieving your running goals.
What advice would you give a beginner runner?
Find a coach to help you with your running journey. Â Learn the correct running form to prevent injuries along your way. Â Strength training is such important element to help you get stronger, prevent injuries, and improves your performance as an athlete.
What would you do differently knowing what you know now?
I would have definitely done the following before I started to race: find a coach, taken a chi running workshop, and strength training to prevent all of the running injuries
What is your longest race distance and why?
My longest race was the Javalina Jundred 100k. Â I like to challenge myself. Whenever I cross a finish line I know I CAN do more.
Do you have a bucket list race or distance?
I want to do a 100 miler at the Copper Canyons Endurance Run in Mexico. Â I want to run with the Tarahumara my people.
What has been your favorite race and/or distance so far?
My favorite race has been the Javalina Jundred 100k and the New York City Marathon.
What is your favorite color?
I donât have a favorite color.  đ€
What is your favorite post race food and drink?
I love coconut water and a good old bison burger.
Anything else you want to share with the TRU TRIBE đ
I am so grateful for having you all in my running journey. Â Thank you so much for all of your support.
Every Saturday we highlight one of our members inTRU Tribe Running Club . Meet Mellie! If we can do it, so can you!
Mellie’s 1st 50K!
Why did you start running?
I started running for health reasons. I was diagnosed with COPD and Chronic Pancreatitis in the same year and wanted to do something to be able to keep breathing!
What age did you start running?
50
How old are you now? (to inspire the others! but you don’t have to answer if you don’t want to)
52
What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned so far from your running journey?
You can’t finish if you don’t start, and it is ok to be DFL! (Dead F*&n Last)
What advice would you give a beginner runner?
You have to start somewhere, set realistic goals, don’t be hard on yourself, surround yourself with positive, supportive people!
What would you do differently knowing what you know now?
Learn how to run the right way, so you don’t get injured!
What is your longest race distance and why?
Recently completed Javalina Jangover 50k with Cindy Richardson!  I wanted to try a 50k, as my goal is to challenge myself continually, and defy the odds.
Do you have a bucket list race or distance?
The National Pancreas Foundation is currently a charity partner with the Marine Corps Marathon. The cutoff is 7 hours for the full, which will require some speed work for me to maintain that pace for 26 miles.
What has been your favorite race and/or distance so far?
I have many favorite races!! I love the challenge of the half marathon distance and my goal is to complete all the Vacation Races! My favorite was the Grand Teton Half, simply beautiful!
What is your favorite color?
I don’t have just one!
What is your favorite post race food and drink?
I love a juicy IPA after a run!! Love going out for breakfast after weekend runs
Anything else you want to share with the TRU TRIBE đ
When you are surrounded with the right people, anything is possible. TRU TRIBE ladies are so inspiring!
Every Saturday we highlight one of our members inTRU Tribe Running Club . Meet Kisha! If we can do it, so can you!
Why did you start running?Â
A friend was doing a race and asked me if I wanted to do it too.
What age did you start running?
35
How old are you now?
46
What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned so far from your running journey?
To enjoy the ups and persevere through the downs.
What advice would you give a beginner runner?
Find a supportive group to run with.
What would you do differently knowing what you know now?
Stretch more, rest more, cut myself some slack for hard runs
What is your longest race distance and why?
100k at Javelina Jundred….I volunteered at this event about 6 months after I started trail running and I saw ârealâ people with ârealâ bodies and thought if they could do it so could I. Â Made a 3 year goal to do it for my 45 birthday..
Do you have a bucket list race or distance?
I would like to get 100 miles at a timed event..
What has been your favorite race and/or distance so far?
I really enjoyed Punisher 30k….itâs a nice course at night. Â I also thought the Black Canyon Trail was beautiful (at least the 20 miles I saw đ)
What is your favorite color?
Purple
What is your favorite post race food and drink?
Beer and pizza.
Anything else you want to share with the TRU TRIBE Online đ„°
Thanks for being part of my journey!
