tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57021778860362747082024-03-13T10:35:18.398-04:00ultrarunnergirlIf one could run without getting tired I don't think one would often want to do anything else. -C.S. Lewisultrarunnergirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12509015436909032553noreply@blogger.comBlogger183125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5702177886036274708.post-3144633634668686772019-09-20T12:26:00.003-04:002020-08-05T12:00:39.509-04:00The Big Schloss 50K Oh, my friends, it's been so long since I've posted! I've missed you all.
I'm now the Race Director of The Big Schloss 50K. Turns out when you love a race very much, you quit running it in order to share that gift with others.
This will be my sixth year as race director. Amy and Steve Platt created this gem of a course in 2003. They put it on through 2009, and then the realities of raising ultrarunnergirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12509015436909032553noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5702177886036274708.post-70060624134403838032016-02-05T13:14:00.004-05:002016-02-09T14:51:20.883-05:00Almost HeavenSnowshoefest 2016 was an unparalleled success. Our good friends Aaron and Martha have hosted this weekend snow extravaganza for the past few years and they never fail to deliver on excessive amounts of snow -- and fun! Thanks for hosting us, Marthon!
No snowshoefest weekend would be complete without a video of our hijinks!
SnowShoeFest2016 from Aaron Schwartzbard on Vimeo.
Hubz and I makeultrarunnergirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12509015436909032553noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5702177886036274708.post-32403303437598502612015-08-31T11:06:00.000-04:002015-09-03T11:18:25.462-04:00Summer Fun at Big Bend
This year, I was determined to wring every last delicious drop of sunshine, warm weather and outdoorsy fun out of summer.
A key element of my plan was several camping trips to places we could run and hike trails, go for a swim and relax by a fire.
This past weekend we pitched our tent at Big Bend Campground in West Virginia. Navigating some narrow, winding roads to get here, but ultrarunnergirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12509015436909032553noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5702177886036274708.post-10623592169397699602015-03-11T07:00:00.000-04:002015-03-25T17:36:36.523-04:00Wordless Wednesday: Dragon's Tooth
Anniversary Selfie
Looking over the valley on the climb up Dragon's Tooth
View from the top
Dragon's Tooth from the back side
ultrarunnergirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12509015436909032553noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5702177886036274708.post-72192077414368698192015-02-27T12:05:00.000-05:002015-02-27T12:05:06.862-05:00Florida SunshineEnough talk about winter! I was lucky enough to escape to Florida for a long weekend, so I have something other than pictures of snow to share.
There wasn't a lot of good scenery where we stayed in Kissimmee, but I managed to find a few photo-worthy spots on my morning runs.
There's water everywhere in Florida. Construction, too, but I spared you those images.
Armadillo! He must've been ultrarunnergirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12509015436909032553noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5702177886036274708.post-41207480400802719722015-02-02T12:11:00.000-05:002015-02-09T14:37:50.296-05:00SnowShoeFest WeekendI'm not really a Winter person.
After a succession of cold, dark days, a certain amount of 'girding of the loins' has to be done in order to get out there. The longing for warm sunshine and fewer layers of clothing creeps into my soul.
But give me a snowy winter wonderland to play in and I quickly change my tune.
Magical winter scene at White Grass in West Virginia
Snow sports areultrarunnergirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12509015436909032553noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5702177886036274708.post-54432149437225558232015-01-20T17:18:00.002-05:002015-01-21T09:52:10.521-05:00Running in the MassanuttensIt's been quite awhile since I've run in the Massanuttens, but I wanted to return to my favorite run there.
I've made it no secret that despite my love of technical trails, I'm not enamored of the Massanutten Trail. "Rocky" is the best descriptor of this trail but that doesn't begin to cover what you'll experience.
It starts off innocently enough. Some old leaf-covered fire road followed by ultrarunnergirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12509015436909032553noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5702177886036274708.post-33814539077281823882015-01-12T14:00:00.000-05:002015-01-12T15:21:53.514-05:00January on The Wild Oak Trail
My coach approved some miles at The Wild Oak Trail, though not the whole loop. That was fine by me. Our plan: Hubz would drive to Camp Todd and run to meet us, then I could bail there for 10 miles and he could finish the loop. Perfect.
Saturday morning we rose at 4 a.m. and drove 2+ hours to the trailhead where we met Katie, Bob, new friend Carrie. After a lightning fast selfie we were off!
ultrarunnergirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12509015436909032553noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5702177886036274708.post-54419247911438886972015-01-05T11:26:00.005-05:002015-01-05T11:28:22.243-05:00Shaking it Up in the New YearSo long, 2014. You were pretty good to me.
Most memorable: I ran my second 100 miler in July. I'm really proud of that accomplishment, because I really had to work to come back after my foot injury. And while I wouldn't recommend it, it's nice to know I could eke out 100 miles on so little training when I wanted it badly enough.
I'm truly honored and excited that I have been chosen to be ultrarunnergirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12509015436909032553noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5702177886036274708.post-14446724582821158212014-12-17T12:08:00.001-05:002014-12-18T17:08:16.840-05:00You Win Some, You Lose SomeSadly, the Western States lottery gods did not smile upon me.
Truth be told, I couldn't feel too let down. It was my first time applying and I know so many people who have been trying to get in for years. I didn't really want it as much as they did. And I was so totally thrilled that my friend Robin got in, it honestly overshadowed my own fleeting disappointment.
I contemplated signing up for ultrarunnergirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12509015436909032553noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5702177886036274708.post-39489982631023708412014-12-05T07:30:00.000-05:002014-12-05T10:07:41.659-05:00So You're Saying There's A Chance!For the first time ever, I applied to The Western StatesĀ® 100 Endurance Race.
I had a qualifier with my Vermont 100 finish, so I figured why not throw my name in the hat?
This is by far the most expensive race I've ever entered. Should I be lucky enough to be chosen, my credit card will immediately be charged $393.42.
Since it's my first year in the lottery, my odds are 1 ultrarunnergirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12509015436909032553noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5702177886036274708.post-2396970520249418952014-11-30T17:18:00.000-05:002014-12-04T15:09:20.243-05:00Mostly Wordless Wednesday: Adventures in Hiking and Snowshoeing
Fall is the perfect time to slow down and relish things more fully.
I make it a habit to hike and snowshoe as much as I can. It's a winding down of the running season. It's a nice change of pace (literally).
Pass Mountain trail in Shenandoah National Park near Sperryville, Virginia
The Appalachian Trail near Linden, Virginia
Nicholson Hollow Trail in Shenandoah National ultrarunnergirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12509015436909032553noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5702177886036274708.post-29433507405833447812014-11-03T12:29:00.001-05:002014-11-03T15:09:36.522-05:00Great Pumpkin Ride + Coffeeneuring
My Precious Surly LHT and me in my tutu
I've been looking forward to the Great Pumpkin Ride in Warrenton ever since Rootchopper and I rode a metric century there in August.
It was a chilly, sunny morning, perfect for a coffeeneuring ride. Every fall, I look forward to Mary G (@coffeeneur)'s wonderful coffee-fetching-by-bicycle challenge. I had been planning to visit Red Truck Bakery since Iultrarunnergirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12509015436909032553noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5702177886036274708.post-10440870485795267132014-10-07T20:13:00.000-04:002014-10-31T10:53:42.268-04:00Freedom's Run MarathonI signed up for Freedom's Run Marathon last year after hearing about the beautiful course from my friend Kris. The other appealing fact is that it's a small field. After running ultras on trail for so long, crowded races make me cranky.
When the government shut down and the race had to change the course to omit the C&O Canal and Antietam Battlefield, I took the deferral option. I forgot all ultrarunnergirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12509015436909032553noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5702177886036274708.post-71373232370517335232014-09-30T19:59:00.000-04:002014-10-21T15:34:57.960-04:00100 Miles on A BicycleI'm ridiculously far behind on this blog, but it has been for good reason, people!
I finally rode my first century. Based on my conversations with friends I am apparently the last person to do this.
Enjoying the cool morning. Photo by Rootchopper.
Once again my friend John (Rootchopper) joined the fun. Having him along always makes me feel more confident. Why I don't know, I should know by ultrarunnergirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12509015436909032553noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5702177886036274708.post-92000463156249320072014-09-22T11:02:00.002-04:002014-10-14T11:52:12.050-04:00Merrell All Out Rush and All Out Fuse Review and Giveaway!A few months ago, the folks at Merrell were nice enough to send me two pairs of shoes to test, the All Out Rush and the All Out Fuse.
Giveaway!
Merrell has generously given me two pairs to give away to you, dear readers.
If you'd like a pair, leave a comment below on which shoes you'd like to win and why. You may also Tweet or
Facebook about this giveaway for another chance to winultrarunnergirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12509015436909032553noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5702177886036274708.post-53983493176288760092014-09-17T14:45:00.001-04:002014-09-18T09:01:33.692-04:00Mostly Wordless Wednesday: Trails in George Washington Forest
Scene from Rockcliff Lake Trail, early September
I'm dipping my toe into the waters of race directing this Fall, bringing back an excellent 50K that has been on hiatus for the past few years. I'm not going it alone, thankfully, I have a veritable team of co-RDs standing behind me.
I've been lucky enough to visit the course three times over the summer. Each trip gave me the opportunity to ultrarunnergirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12509015436909032553noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5702177886036274708.post-70835987506623591442014-09-08T18:30:00.000-04:002014-09-08T18:30:01.212-04:00Indian Head 46 Mile RideWith the Vermont 100 Endurance Race done, I'm training for my first brevet.
A brevet is just like an ultramarathon, only on a bicycle. Also, everything is pronounced with a French accent. Bruh-vay. Once I complete a brevet, I will be a Randonneur. Rahn-dough-nur.
I've set my sights on the Flatbread 200K based largely on its lack of mountain climbs. A 200K brevet has a time limit of 13 1/2ultrarunnergirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12509015436909032553noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5702177886036274708.post-58467901923431881582014-08-31T14:12:00.000-04:002014-09-03T13:21:46.253-04:00A Fortuitous Metric Century
Rootchopper and Little Nellie with Longhorn cattle
I've been meaning to go on a long bike ride with my friend Rootchopper for ages.
I had met Rootchopper (whose real name is rumored to be John) at Friday Coffee Club a couple of years prior. Besides riding some serious miles just by commuting to work by bicycle, he posts photos and blogs about weekend rides in lovely places. He tells some ultrarunnergirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12509015436909032553noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5702177886036274708.post-50381728980210981932014-07-31T17:30:00.000-04:002015-12-03T12:10:17.800-05:00Vermont 100 Race Report
I signed up for the Vermont 100 for the only reason that made sense: All my friends were going and I didn't want to miss out on the fun. I also figured that if I didn't sign up now I might never run another one. After all, eight years had passed since I had run my first 100 miler.
I went into this race with a good amount of trepidation. I hadn't raced a single ultra in the past year thanks ultrarunnergirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12509015436909032553noreply@blogger.com5West Windsor, VT, USA43.519668643119914 -72.4990712965087643.513911143119913 -72.509156296508763 43.525426143119915 -72.488986296508756tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5702177886036274708.post-12779543260829789192014-07-28T16:02:00.002-04:002014-07-28T16:02:29.279-04:00Vermont 100, Done!
The VHTRC Blue Train at the Vermont 100
I finished the Vermont 100!
I can't tell you how exhilarated I am to type those words. I'm riding the post-100 miler high!
My race report is currently in the works.
ultrarunnergirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12509015436909032553noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5702177886036274708.post-75196740857291581182014-07-10T14:49:00.001-04:002014-07-11T11:00:11.002-04:00Three Things ThursdayI rarely write a Three Things Thursday post, because I usually can't think of three things of interest to report, but I have a few newsworthy items for you today!
1. The Maffetone Method. I've been running a lot lately. I'm 12 weeks into my heart rate training. I'm using The Big Book of Endurance Training and Racing, inspired by this rock star who went from hilariously painful looking 5K race ultrarunnergirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12509015436909032553noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5702177886036274708.post-18469036264431253732014-07-01T17:29:00.000-04:002016-07-12T10:04:56.697-04:00A Fat Adapted Eating Plan to Fuel for an UltraI've gotten a lot of questions about how I eat to fuel an ultra as a Paleo athlete. I thought it might be helpful for people looking for answers if I wrote a meal plan based on typical meals I eat in the week leading up to a race.
Whether or not the meal plan I've outlined below will work for you depends on how you eat in your daily life.
Do you eat the Standard American Diet? ultrarunnergirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12509015436909032553noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5702177886036274708.post-4785883214591282252014-06-11T11:02:00.000-04:002014-06-26T13:40:26.867-04:00Third Time's The CharmThis was our family's third year running the Big Blue River Days 5K (formerly called the Rib Run). My mother started the tradition by inviting the family to join her in her first 5K. Have I mentioned how proud I am of her?
The course has been changed to a scenic, pancake flat, gravel rail trail. My dad, youngest brother and niece did the 1 mile walk; my mother, middle brother and sister-in-law ultrarunnergirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12509015436909032553noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5702177886036274708.post-33422159358607502014-06-04T10:02:00.001-04:002014-06-04T11:24:19.928-04:00Spring Adventures The weather this Spring has been spectacular here in the Mid-Atlantic. The oppressive humidity and the mosquitoes haven't yet arrived and I've spent every possible moment outdoors making the most of it.
Last weekend Hubz and I went hiking in Shenandoah National Park. We chose the Pass Mountain Trail just outside of Sperryville. It's similar to Dickey Ridge Trail (though a bit rockier) with a ultrarunnergirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12509015436909032553noreply@blogger.com5