Michelle Runs With It

The weather looked questionable all week and after having a sick kiddo at home Wednesday through Friday,  I set my expectations going into Saturday’s Dark Side 8-hour Ultra low. I did everything I could manage to stay healthy, including sleeping in every day, eating healthy food, hydrating, and even stocked up on cold-pressed juices named Defender, Booster, and Immunity. I don’t know if any of that was the culprit, but the race ended up gLORIous!  It was only my second timed endurance race (2021 I ran Miocene 6-hour since Greenbrier was canceled) and my first time running at Little Bennett Park in Montgomery County. I love new scenery and the no pressure of a timed race was just what I needed considering the circumstances of the week leading up to it AND having ran the Mid-Maryland 50k just 3 weeks prior. What was I thinking? (I ask myself that a lot lately.) Lori offered to drive and we arrived early per usual. We pulled up right next to Beth and Mary Ellen parked just a coup...

It was a cool, crisp morning as the sun was starting to peek through the trees at Rockburn Park. Phil, Vicki and their awesome team of volunteers were setting up for a beautiful day in the woods with friends.  This race is a favorite of mine. It starts with free coffee from Dunkin’, allows you to frolic through not-so-technical trails, prance through mud for just long enough without losing a shoe (or both), dodge frisbees from disc golfers, offers a fine field for spectators and tailgaters, and has treats to keep you fueled. With its 6 5.18-mile loops and relay option, it is not only an accessible trail race for all skill levels, it gives you the flexibility (and alleviates the pressure) to run as many loops as you’d like. It’s a super fun event for advanced and beginner trail runners!  This year I ran the 50k as part of a training plan for a longer ultra later in the year. My goal was to have a feel-good finish. I had the pleasure of running with one of my favorite partners-o...

Super PHUNT day with friends in the woods! It was cold and windy but 30° warmer than last year and my hydration pack did not leak and freeze on my back. I enjoyed the trails, the conversations, the PHREAKIN’ amazing volunteers and their themed aide stations, apple cider rice krispie treats, dark chocolate dipped clementine slices with sea salt, perogies, and vegan lentil soup. Not much feels better than a PHANTASTIC redemption run 🤘🏼

Stone Mill 50ish-miler fell on my 9th wedding anniversary. Fortunately, Nick didn’t mind me spending the entire day doing one of my favorite things - running in the woods with friends! The weather was much warmer than expected for November (60°/73°) but we were relieved that the forecast changed and the rain ended on Friday that just left us with very muddy trails! With 11 aide stations aka parties, we counted down every time we reached a fabulous group of volunteers and their treats (I mean fuel)! Tater tots, ramen, grilled cheese, sweet potato & avocado quesadillas, PB&Js, homemade vegan cookies, Pringles, jellybeans, chicken noodle soup, pierogis, pickle juice, Mtn Dew, and beer were just some of the faves! The course was hillier than I expected (probably a good thing), with many stream crossings, slippery leaves, hidden roots and rocks. We did the Stone Mill Shuffle along some beautiful scenery - Seneca Creek, Clopper Lake, C&O Canal, Black Rock Mill, and through the “S...