I adopted Winnie during a 4th of July weekend 2013 in Tucson at a Petsmart Adoption event from the Tucson Humane Society. I knew the shelters were overcrowded and heard about the adoption event. I really wanted a 2- or 3-year-old dog to keep my other dog, Daisy company. At lunch I drove over to take a look around. There were puppies! I asked to pick up the tan one, and fell in LOVE.
I told them I would come back after work to pick her up. And she was FREE. I went back to work, took a half day, and went to get her. It was total chaos for a year. Chewed sofas, ruined carpet, aching back as she pulled me on every walk. Winnie and Daisy.
The best moments with Winnie happened after moving to Colorado; she learned to swim and run free on trails. It gave me so much joy to watch her swim and run free on hiking trails, after the Tucson desert.
In 2017 we all moved back to New Hampshire. After Daisy died, Winnie and I started hiking in the White Mountains, in the fall and then into winter. In total, Winnie bagged 10 4,000 footers in New Hampshire.
I adopted sweet Goldie-dog right before the pandemic and the three of us hiked together on the trails on Concord, NH.
In 2022 we moved to Tennessee and finally bought a house with a yard for Winnie to soak in the sun, dig and watch the world.
I think Winnie loved the years she was an only dog. But she also loved every dog in the pack. As she slowed down, she loved looking out the window to watch the Fed Ex truck and kids riding bikes and critters passing in front of the house; and bark at them like all the other dogs.
9/9/2018 – Winnie bags her first 4,000 footer, Hale
September 2018 – Mount Eisenhower, NH:
November 2019 Winnie and Goldie – Moosilauke, NH
She spent her final days with her brother Chet, and sister Goldie. She swam in the Little Pigeon River in Great Smoky Mountains National Park and drove around Gatlinburg with her head out the car window.
Thank you to the great staff at the Sevier County Humane Society for your kindness and care today.
The best dog in the world. Winnie Stats:
Total Road Trips: 3 Tucson to Colorado, Colorado to New Hampshire, New Hampshire to Tennessee
States Lived: 4 Arizona, Colorado, New Hampshire and Tennessee
I ran the Dirty South Half Marathon trail race on Sunday, Dec 8 at Meade’s Quarry in Knoxville; the final race in the 2024 Trail Running Series. The race is located south of Ijams Nature Center, which I ended up having to park in since I arrived so close to the start time. Last year I ran the 10K and admired runners who stayed straight and ran 13.1 miles on that cold morning. I wanted to do the half so today is my day.
In June I finished the Motus Half which has a similar course but Dirty South is longer and more elevation gain.
Race Day Morning:
I woke up not feeling great about racing today. I thought about not going; which is par for the course for almost every race. I had to cheer myself on by saying I love trail running in winter AND I needed trail miles. I have to do this as Step 2 of my Do Hard Things year. Step 1 was completed by finishing the Philadelphia Marathon. Step 3 is Beast of the East marathon.
But today just 13 plus miles on runnable trails, is what I’m thinking.
I got my gear ready and started driving to Meade’s Quarry.
The Race:
The Dirty South race course is touted as “a mix of rocky, technical singletrack and buffed out, flowing mountain bike trail”; and that is exactly right. I love this course because it’s so runnable and flowy. It’s rocky and rooty, and just perfect. I always forget about the first mile, which has a steep, hikable trail and a significant hill climb. Then it evens out to flowy mountain bike terrain.
Just before the first aid station I met Kara and started running with her. She is an ultra runner too and it was great to talk to someone.
During the run at this point I hit a snag in a root. My left foot was caught but miraculously snapped the root and I didn’t fall. My left foot hurt for a minute, I stopped then walked it out. I didn’t think of it again.
My first mistake during this run was made at the first aid station. I didn’t fill up my bladder to the top and I didn’t drink any Tailwind. I wanted to keep going since I was feeling good. I realized, too, that usually I bring one booby bottle with Tailwind and I didn’t today. It just wasn’t on my mind in the morning. I did bring enough food this time, gels and bars; sometimes I don’t bring enough. I learned from a runner that the next aid station was around mile 10. I ran out of water at mile 8. I hate it when I make rookie mistakes like this. Then, the situation got worse – there was no aid station at 10. I felt a bit delusional at times and would go a while not sure I was on course. The trail didn’t look the same from the spring (It was a different course, different organizers). At one point I had to yell ahead to Kara just to see if I was on course and she was so awesome to run back to me to make me feel better (Thank you Kara if you read this).
Once I realized that maybe there wasn’t a second aid station, I just settled in and tried not to panic. I walked a lot and just concentrated on getting to the finish. At mile 12 the aid station appeared. I drank a bunch of Tailwind and filled my bladder to the top. I was spent. I lost a lot of energy worrying and just felt dehydrated. Then, at mile 13.1 I wasn’t at the finish. I walked and run and finally at mile 13.97 I crossed the finish line. Yahoo!
Post Race:
The Good: I finished The Bad: My left foot is a swollen mess from the root and it hurts to walk on it.
As with any running injury I question everything about running. This injury could’ve been much worse if the root didn’t release my foot. I start to think I’m too ambitious in my running goals. I’m too old. I’m too fat. I’m not strong enough. I’m not going to trail run anymore. I’m going to play my life safe. No more risks.
But luckily, the nurse practitioner at urgent care says it’s not broken. I might be able to run Saturday if the swelling subsides – and BOOM – everything is okay in the world.
Race Website: https://ktc.org/events/dirty-south-trail-races/ Distance: 13.97 miles. Elevation Gain: 2,753 ft Time: 3 hrs, 14 mins What I ate: Pre-race: 3 eggs and veggie scramble, During race: 2 GU gels, 1 Honey Stinger waffle What I drank: one cup of tailwind endurance at 2nd aid station, 1.5 L water What I wore: Salomon hydration vest, winter running tights, green ¼ zip long sleeve, blue Mountain Hardwear jacket, beanie What I saw: I heard a lot of birds and squirrels in the forest. No wildlife encounters.
Philadelphia has a special family memory for me, which is why I’ve been wanting to do this marathon for many years.
My parents grew up outside of Philadelphia and as a child we came here to visit my grandparents in the summer. I remember visiting the Philadelphia Zoo and Hershey Park. It made so much sense to sign up, train and run the Philadelphia Marathon.
Here is my Philadelphia Marathon Race Report:
Getting to Philadelphia
Traveling to Philadelphia was fairly easy. Saturday started with a nonstop flight from Knoxville. My flight was on time and I navigated the SEPTA train system to the convention center. The train comes twice an hour and it, too, was on time. Twenty minutes later I arrived at Jefferson Station and the Pennsylvania Convention Center. So easy. Train fare was $6.75.
The marathon expo was efficient and fun, and all the runners and volunteers had such great energy. I bought a race hat and walked through the expo. The expo wasn’t huge, which was nice. Sometimes those huge expos are daunting.
I opted for the hotel that was part of the lodging options for the race. I walked less than a mile to Four Points by Marriott.
I wasn’t able to check in early, so the desk agent took my bag and I started my adventure through the city to the art museum. I walked by the Rodin Museum, surprised because I’d been to the Rodin Museum in Paris. I read the placard that stated that this museum has the most sculptures other than the one in Paris. The Thinker was the first sculpture to see, and I’m pretty sure there is a version of it that I saw in Paris.
The race start and finish is in front of the art museum. By the time I arrived the half marathon race was finished but I still needed to pass through security. It was good to see the set up and have a plan for the next morning.
I checked out the Rocky statue and walked up the famous steps to the Philadelphia Art Museum.
I walked through the museum, had lunch at the cafe and made a plan for getting back to the hotel. I stopped at the Whole Foods for some race day breakfast and post race snacks.
Philadelphia is really easy to navigate with the grid system streets. I didn’t get a chance to go to the Liberty Bell because by the time I was close to my hotel, it was time to get off my feet, which in retrospect I think I walked too much before the race. It was windy and about 45 degrees. Race weather was supposed to be the same but less wind.
I needed to stay off my feet so I decide to eat at the hotel restaurant and ordered a Philly cheesesteak and a LOVE IPA.
Then spent the rest of the night watching TV.
Race Morning
I woke up at 4:30am knowing that I needed to catch the shuttle from A Loft at 5am; it was a 5 minute walk from my hotel. In retrospect, I probably should’ve arrived at A Loft a little later because the two plus hour wait to start the race was a little much. I didn’t want to be late or be standing in lines so I caught the early bus. Next time I would get to A Loft at 5:30. Last bus is at 6am.
Because I got an early start there were no lines at security check points or the bathroom. After 6am there were lines everywhere. I sat in the warming tent for a little while and walked around when I got bored.
Two hours and 30 minutes is a long time to wait for a race start. I was in H corral so I didn’t start until 7:30ish. The energy was high and it was very exciting to get running.
The Race
The course is great. I loved the energy from the crowds going through all the neighborhoods. I loved the open spaces near the parks and river. The spectators really make this race. But let me warn you, there are some hills – gradual hills. According to my Garmin it was 1,877 ft of elevation gain.
The aid stations were awesome. The volunteers were amazing. Since I started in the last corral I was worried that aid stations would run out of water; but they never did.
As I made my way to the finish I was really hurting. My legs were really tired, but nothing hurt. My neuroma didn’t act up and my IT band didn’t spasm; I just had heavy legs.
I crossed the finish line, got my medal and just wanted to get back to my hotel to shower. I found the shuttle and in 20 minutes I was in my hotel room. I took the longest shower of my life and then headed to the hotel restaurant to refuel.
I wish I could’ve gone out to explore Philadelphia more but I really just wanted to have a meal and lay down.
The Analysis
This marathon is no joke. I completed the training that I wanted. I was just hoping that it was going to be less painful. I know I have some work to do for my next race which includes losing 20 pounds, 3 days a week in the gym, weight training and core work. And following the plan to do speed work and hills.
I’ve been running marathons and competing in triathlons for 20 years now and I say the same thing after every race.
I’m proud of myself that I was able to get to the start line. I was healthy, fit and ready for this. This whole “getting old” stuff is tough. However, I’m more consistent with training and core and weights than I’ve ever been; simply because I have to in order to be fit and trained for life.
Post Race Thoughts
Sitting here writing this, I feel like that 34 year old woman from 20 years ago who was writing race reports while processing a race, all while thinking she can do anything. And gets ready for the next big race in a few weeks. I’m going to keep dreaming of new places, new adventures, new experiences. I’m going to keep making plans and doing the work to make my dreams come true even as I age.
Takeaways from the Philadelphia Marathon:
I like that it is a big city, small marathon.
Easy navigation to Convention Center and Race Start
I would do this marathon again
Philly Cheesesteaks are the real deal
Awesome spectators
Great weather – cool and windy is perfection
I am more of a trail runner in a mountain location than a big city road racer. But I think it’s good to step out of your comfort zone and try different things and see things you’ve never seen. The rest of my year is filled with trail races but I loved getting some miles in on the road with 17,000 of my new best friends. Thanks Philadelphia – the LOVE is real.
Race Website: https://www.philadelphiamarathon.com/ Distance: 26.7 miles. Elevation Gain: 1,877 ft Time: 5 hrs, 38 mins What I ate: Pre-race: a bagel and bar, During race: 4 GU gels, GORP What I drank: lots of Nuun at aid stations, 2 L water What I wore: Salomon hydration vest, winter running tights, blue long sleeve shirt, dk blue thin jacket, started with beanie then changed to baseball hat What I saw: A lot of people cheering and yelling at me (LOL)
Two years ago I quit my job and took the month of November off. It was my first November in Tennessee and I had no idea what I was doing. Four months prior I packed up my house, dogs and bikes and moved to Tennessee from New Hampshire. My only mantra was “I can do hard things.” Moving to a new state and starting a new job were all very hard things.
But let’s talk about November in Tennessee. It is glorious. It was a great month to regroup and see the world.
November in Tennessee is beautiful and quiet; like the world is chilling out for a bit and getting ready for something big to happen. With all the time in the world, I hiked in Great Smoky Mountains National Park and got to know the trails around Gatlinburg. I walked everywhere around my apartment in Gatlinburg. I slowed down and tried to notice everything. I started back on my running training plan and started listening to podcasts.
I wrote blog posts and read books. Here are some of my blog posts from 2022:
But the biggest thing I started doing in November, and I still do now, is walking shelter dogs at the Sevier County Humane Society. I remember not being able to apply online so I drove over to Gnatty Branch and walked in. They had me fill out the application and then said, Do you want to start today? I had nothing else to do so I said yes. And I started walking dogs the week before Thanksgiving. I instantly loved walking all the dogs and being committed to walking them on weekends and holidays ever since.
The time off from working was much needed although I was a bit stressed out from not having a weekly paycheck. However, everything worked out in the end and I found a great job. As I celebrate two years in my new job heading into November, I’m so thankful for my job and my dogs and my family and my health and for the people at the humane society doing such great work.
November is a time to be thankful and take action; to make life great. That is what my mantra is this month, and to continue to do hard things.
I visited 8 National Parks in one year; October 2023 through October 2024 on the National Park Pass. It’s such a fun adventure to go see the world and learn history up close and personal. Making plans and anticipating what will happen is what makes life so interesting. I’ve always loved having something to look forward to and National Park planning makes me happy and makes me feel so alive.
It all started in October 2023. When training for Javelina Jundred went badly, and I couldn’t race, I decided to keep my flight to Arizona and go see National Parks that were a day trip from Phoenix. My friend Mark came along for the adventure, and what an adventure it was.
During that trip we visited 4 National Parks with the pass.
1.) Grand Canyon – my second time and saw more of the park this time. My goal for next year is a Rim to Rim hike.
2.) Mesa Verde was magical, and cliff dwellings are other worldly.
3.) Petrified Forest – driving and hiking its trails was like being in a painting. It’s in the Painted Desert so it makes sense, but so much more than I ever thought.
4.) Saguaro – this park was my home park for three years but seeing it again after being away is like coming home. The thousands of Saguaros all lined up in the distance is a sight to see.
Then in May I traveled solo to Glacier National Park, and back to Glacier again in July using the pass. The first time the park was a side trip and I realized that I had more I wanted to see and do, so the July trip was all about the park. Read my blog post about the trip here.
That is 7 National Parks in one year, which is a pretty good use of the pass.
I live next to Great Smoky Mountains National Park and go there at least four times a month to hike and run but there is no entrance fee so I’m not going to count it.
I visited two National Historic Sites in Arkansas: Little Rock Central High School and Fort Smith, but didn’t use the pass there either. I also traveled to Banff National Park but it’s in Canada and doesn’t count for this pass.
My National Park obsession began when I watched Ken Burns documentary in 2009, but I had been to parks in the western US before watching it. I lived near Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado for 10 years and next to Saguaro National Park in Arizona for 3 years.
Smoky Mountains National Park is now my home park, just 30 minutes away. I love to trail run and hike the high peaks of this park. The history is pretty fascinating too. I’ve read several books about it, my favorite being Strangers in High Places. Highly recommend if you want to learn about the Great Smoky Mountains and all the people and animals that have lived in the the park: Eastern Cherokee, back-country settlers, lumbermen, moonshiners, bears and boars.
Missed Opportunities this year:
I would’ve visited more but plans got derailed or I just didn’t have time. It would’ve been so cool to say I visited 11 in one year, but alas, just 8.
In March I was in Little Rock, Arkansas for a race. Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas was a 2 hour drive that I could’ve driven to after my race but my anxiety kicked in and I just wanted to get home.
Next weekend, I was signed up for a 50K race in Kentucky’s Mammoth Cave National Park, but when I injured my ankle and it wasn’t healing fast enough, training went down the drain so I deferred until next year. I think the race willbe so fun plus, my lodging is in the park. I can’t wait to run this in October 2025.
Hurricane Helene canceled my plan to visit the last state in the US so I can say I’ve been to them all: North Dakota. When the hurricane hit Eastern Tennessee, I was too nervous to leave town, not know what was going to happen with flooding. I opted on Friday, Sept 27 to cancel all plans. I couldn’t leave my dogs in a kennel and just leave when there were so many unknowns. I really wanted to see Theodore Roosevelt National Park but will defer to next year; and finish my 50 States list. I tried to find flights for the following weekends but all the flights were too expensive, and I didn’t want to visit North Dakota in winter. I will get there in 2025.
I’m a bit of a National Park junkie and love planning a fun trip. In 2025, my plan is to visit a few National Parks that are close to me in addition to Theodore Roosevelt National Park:
Ohio – Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio
South Carolina – Congaree National Park, South Carolina
West Virginia – New River Gorge National Park, West Virginia – dogs allowed
