Winter seemed as good a time as any to commence training for a fast marathon, while living in Anchorage, Alaska. With temps averaging between -6 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit during the daylight hours of 10am-3pm, it was perhaps a more prudent time to cozy up to an off-season.
As women, runners, coaches, and human beings, TS writer Sandi and I (Ray-her twin!) were fed up with hearing about eating disorders among young female runners. We knew our friends were too. The Mary Cain story, where she was body-shamed by her famous coach, was the final straw.
The importance of trails to my sanity was made crystal clear this summer when I couldn’t run. I had a foot injury that had been nagging me for months. I knew the only way to get better was not to run. I put this off for a long time because it is a key part of my training for XC skiing, especially in the summer.
Ireland – home of endless green fields, herds of sheep, pints of Guinness and Saint Patrick (not Patty!). Unknown to many, The Emerald Isle also boasts some beautiful mountain ranges and trails which are well-worth exploring.
The specifics of my injury do not really matter. One day, I was healthy. The next day, on a four mile trail run, I sprained my ankle on a very innocent-looking root. That’s when my injury journey started.
A dependable rain jacket is an essential part of any gear closet or running drawer, no matter the season. Rain jackets are designed for…well, rain…but they also come in very handy on windy days or snowy days. Even on a cold day when you need an extra layer, a good rain jacket can help you out in a pinch.
As women, our menstrual cycle adds another dimension to the challenging puzzle that is distance trail running. There are actual physiological changes in our body throughout the month that we, unlike men, need to account for.
Some of my days on the trail in the last 20 months have been tough. Demoralizing. Soul-sucking.
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