Category: Goals

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100 Mile Training Log Week 0

I’ve been getting back to running the last few weeks but it was only last week when I signed up for the 100 that it’s getting serious; now money is involved. 

I also committed to writing about this journey. I’m not much of a video person or I’d document this somehow on Instagram. I’ve been off TikToc for a year or more because it was too addictive and a time suck. 

I’m a writer and reader. I like to read books, news and inspiration. While I can appreciate a  good reel or video, my preferred method of processing life is the written word. 

Here is my training update from this week, before the real training plan begins. 

Notes from an 8 mile long-run on Saturday April 4

Started out slow and sluggish. Maybe drinking wine the night before my long run was not a great first step. I started the run listening the Ann Patchett’s Commonweath but decided about 15 minutes in that listening to a novel about divorce, and how young children are involved in a messy, multi-family fight, traveling across the country to see moms and dads, and manipulation and vengeance in the family – nope, not going to keep going. I sent the book back to Libby and with nothing else available in my queue – I went back to ad supported Spotify and listened to My Like list. 

I felt some momentum mid-run on Newport Highway; a busy highway for a spring break Saturday. There’s a lot of traffic noise,  full sun, a bit of shade, a nice wind on the way back. 

I walked a lot and ran a lot. I’ve been proud of myself for doing what I set out to do these last few weeks, despite my written plan to run 9 but really felt I could proudly accomplish 8 in just under 2 hours. 

I remembered how last week, after a 7 mile run, my left ankle and the muscle/tendons hurt about one hour after my run, I wanted to be cautious and not push it too much. I did a bunch more exercises at the gym this past week to help prevent the soreness: calf raises, and flex exercises to stretch those muscles. 

I didn’t want to be injured before the true training started. 

As I run I’m hopeful that all the extra calf raises and the extra work I did this week to stretch that muscle out will help me. 

I finished 8 miles. The most I’ve run since last summer. I’m not sore an hour later. Everything is good. 

I woke up Sunday – not too sore. Nothing hurt. I was a bit wobbly as I walk; per usual. Go about my day, walking a bunch with dogs and work, but not doing too much. Then, I head out for a “recovery day 30 minute WALK” and suddenly the tendons around my left ankle hurt and throb. I wobble back home. Put on compression sock. Stretch. Ugh. Four hours later the pain is totally gone. What is going on?!

I remember, on retrospection – that is the athlete life. Injuries. I’m going to have injuries. It’s part of the deal. 

As I sit on my sofa and occasionally flex my foot back and forth, side by side, a bit of pain. I need to do everything right. Eat right. Stretch. Weights. Rest. 

I got this. I just have to “get this” every day. Thanks for reading. 

Next Week is Week 1

Running Song of the Week: This is Me

Best lyric:

I am brave, I am bruised, I am who I’m meant to be, this is me
Look out ’cause here I come, And I’m marching on to the beat I drum
I’m not scared to be seen, I make no apologies, this is me.

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Why I Signed Up for 100 Miles (Again)

This year, for my birthday, which is over seven months away, I signed up for something.

My final attempt at a 100-mile run at 55 years old. I will toe the line when I turn 56.

Thirty hours. One flat trail. Just me, my mind, and the question I’ve apparently decided I’m not done answering yet: Can I finish a 100 mile race and get the buckle? 

The truth is, I’m not the same runner I was the last time I took on this distance. I’m a little older.  A little slower. A wee bit heavier. And, a little more aware of what 100 miles actually demands physically, mentally, emotionally. 

And still… I signed up anyway.

Not because I think it will be easy. Not because I’m chasing some perfect finish time. But because there’s something unfinished here. Something that keeps tapping me on the shoulder, quietly but persistently, saying: You’re not done yet.

So here we are.

This time feels different, though.

I’m going to write a weekly training update, similar to what I did while training for the Leadville 100, which I didn’t finish. 

I’m committing to showing up every week, sharing the highs, the lows, the small wins, and the messy middle. Not just for anyone reading, but for myself. 

I want this to be fun, too.

Somewhere along the way, in the grind of miles and expectations, it’s easy to forget that choosing to run 100 miles is a little unhinged.

AND, also kind of magical. It’s a privilege to test your limits like this and to have a healthy body and mind to try. 

So this is me, choosing both: the challenge and the joy.

If nothing else, this will be a record of showing up and being consistent. 

On my birthday, I’ll step onto that flat trail with 30 hours ahead of me and a version of myself that’s been built, one week at a time, right here.

Let’s see what happens.

—Week 0 begins now.

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2025 A Year in Review

This year was definitely a new year for me, like nothing prior. I didn’t race but had some fun adventures in the mountains all while visiting six states. Some work trips brought me to different places but the trips I want to remember challenged me. And this is why I write – to remember the challenges and know I can finish what I start; most times. 

February kicked things off in Philadelphia, a work trip that took place the week before the Eagles won the Super Bowl. The city turned their buildings green and it was fun to walk around reading cheer signs for the team.  

Later, a trip to finally see Monument Valley in Arizona. I’ve been so close to the area but never turned onto the road to see the monuments. I want to go back again and see more.

Read full blog post here. 

In March, I stayed closer to home and took a weekend road trip to Boone, Grandfather Mountain, and Blowing Rock with Winnie. It was a low-key adventure with my old dog Winnie who passed away a few months later.  

May was a tough month with Winnie gone, getting new floors installed in my house which created chaos, and work problems. Not a great month. However, June was my planned trip to Colorado for a mountain adventure. While I didn’t run the race i signed up for, I went to Rocky Mountain National Park to re-hike a mountain from my 1988 trip.

Leadville calls me – every year. I missed the mark most years she called, but I finally experienced Hope Pass and a big challenge that has been on my mind.

August I went home to New Hampshire to spend time with Mom, Dad, and Jason. A few weeks later headed to music-filled Nashville with my friend Missy to see Alison Krauss, catch a baseball game, and soak up the city’s energy on Broadway.

September I spent a few days in Cherokee, NC for work and rafting on the Nantahala River with colleagues. Then up to Kingsport for the Tennessee Hospitality Conference; two places I’ve never spend time in.

But the most symbolic moment came shortly after. Finally made it to Bismarck, North Dakota, where I reached a big goal: visiting all 50 states. It wasn’t just this place; it was the completion of an important part of goal setting and challenges – taking the plunge and going to new places, even when I was scared. 

Looking back on the year, I’m not sure how I feel about it all. It has been a tumultuous year for our country and I read too much news. Despite it all, I did some things, I saw some things, walked and fostered shelter dogs, and tried to be a good person.

Baby Face
River
Cindi
Holly

I want to remember this year and writing this blog helps me reflect because it all seems so long ago and I forget a lot. I did accomplish one big goal – seeing all the states. It feels similar to finishing all the 4,000 footers in NH list. I have so many lists and I have so much to look forward to. 

There is a lot of improvement and goals and dreams for me in 2026. I have no travel plans as of today. No flights or hotels booked. Nothing.

Thanks for reading and following along.

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Bismarck North Dakota, Theodore Roosevelt National Park

I’ve been planning this trip for two years and finally made it to North Dakota and Theodore Roosevelt National Park.

I can now say, I’ve been to every US state. 

Last year I canceled this trip because Hurricane Helene hit my area and I was too afraid to leave. (Read: leave my dogs at a kennel that could be impacted; it wasn’t but I didn’t want to risk it.)

On Thursday, September 18 I finally arrived in North Dakota; on schedule and as planned. My hotel was a bit dated and my room smelled, but an ideal location – close to the airport and walking distance to restaurants. I arrived at midnight which was not ideal, but it was the plan, since the day before I was at a conference.

On Friday morning I slept in a bit and then headed west to Theodore Roosevelt National Park and the South Unit. The drive was all interstate and easy.

I stopped at the Visitor Center and watch the introductory movie. The themes of this park were about extremes. It was the extremes in the land that created this remarkable landscape. These are the Badlands, not to be confused with Badlands National Park. 

Badlands are dry land with sedimentary rocks and clay-type soils that have been extensively eroded producing ravines, buttes, and hoodoos. I read an interesting sign about buttes. They are NOT mountains but created from erosion. 

I loved listening to Roosevelt’s story, North Dakota and the wilderness changed and inspired him. I knew his story from reading Gessner’s book but loved hearing it again. “The rugged landscape and strenuous life that [he] experienced here would help shape a conservation policy that we still benefit from today.”

I drove the Scenic Drive, and stopped at scenic overlooks and hiked from two of the  trailheads. The entire loop wasn’t open so I drove what was. I saw bison and prairie dogs. While hiking on Upper Paddock/Talkington Loop I talked to a couple who were taking pictures of the prairie dogs. I continued for a mile and then turned around. I saw people on horseback in the distance and started to wonder if I would encounter any wildlife. I started to get nervous. As I hiked back I saw the couple again and they showed me a video they took of a coyote. I was in the video – it ran behind me to hunt prairie dogs, and I wasn’t even aware of it. WOW! She sent me the video but it was very blurry but I could see it run behind me and was so glad I didn’t see it. 

I stopped for lunch in Medora – Boots Bar and Grill.

Then I stopped at the Painted Canyon Visitor Center for a final hike. The hike went down into the canyon on a nature trail. 

I took my obligatory selfie in front the the national park sign.

Then drove back to Bismarck and had dinner downtown. I walked around the city and then headed back to the hotel. 

North Dakota is in the exact center of North America, which is a perfect way to end my quest to see every state in the US. 

I still have so many lists and so adventures I want to experience. There is so much to see and do.

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There are no ideal conditions

The picture above is from hiking Mount Washington in New Hampshire April 2022.

It could’ve been warm and sunny at the top of the mountain, or knarly and windy at 6,288 feet. It was pretty perfect. Cold, windy but not life threatening. It’s always a toss up.

My point, and what I’ve been reflecting on lately is there are no ideal conditions. Whatever I am meant to do, I need to do it now. Conditions are always going to be unfavorable.

The term favorable conditions is interesting because I work in the outdoor/travel industry. If you work in the outdoor industry “favorable conditions” is an indicator you are watching the weather.

As an endurance athlete I watch the weather.

As a marketer in the outdoor industry I watch the weather.

But now more than ever it’s about asking myself what am I meant to do and figuring out how to make it happen. It needs to happen. I need to make it through unfavorable conditions to be where I want to be.

The things I can control include: doing the plan, run, bike, hike, learn new skills, walk the dog more, show up, and most importantly do what I say I’m going to do.

A plan for this fall season is I’m going to let go of all the things I can’t control; and focus on the things I can control. By doing this I might just do all the things I want to do.

Thanks for reading.