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The Journey Back to Western States

In 2025, I planned to pace my good friend Jeff Gould at his first Western States. He ended up super sick with bronchitis and had to withdraw less than 48 hours before the race. Fortunately, the next person on the waitlist (Rusty) had proactively jumped on a plane from the U.K. and was able to use his spot in the race. Since I was now free, I joined my husband Steve and volunteered at Peachstone Aid Station. And we hostedRead more
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CIM 2023 – a happy return to pavement, this time with purpose

November 14, my good friend Karyn reached out via text “Hey old friend. Are you in marathon shape?” She was looking for a co-pacer to help her lead the 3:55 pace group at the California International Marathon (“CIM”) in Sacramento. My initial response was “I might be but I can’t commit for a few weeks while I test out the pace”. Karyn replied: “The race is December 3“ I hadn’t run a marathon (or any road race) since 2014. SinceRead more
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Speed workout – 800s

There is nothing better than the post- speedwork feeling of accomplishment (unless while doing said speedwork, you discover that your sister, traditionally slower than you, is now faster). Many times, I will go for a slow 45 min run, and feel sort of lazy and worthless afterwards. But after a speedy session, I feel like I am ALIVE, and the high lasts long after my shower. While visiting Michigan, I convinced my sister, who had never tried speedwork, to accompany me toRead more
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CIM Training

My inspiration to sign up for a road marathon, for the first time in 3 years, actually came while working an aid station for a 200 mile trail run in September. I was so fired up after seeing the excitement of the runners but knew I didn’t have the time to sign up for any long trail races this fall. So I took the “easy” way out and signed up for what will be my 4th California International Marathon (CIM),Read more
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Sugar Pine Point to Lake Genevieve

I got a ride with my friends Karyn and Scott who were staying for the weekend, and were competing in the Lake Tahoe Triathlon, 1/2 Ironman distance, which started and finished at Sugar Pine Point. We arrived about 6:30 a.m. and they headed to their event, and I headed up into the woods for a long run. I thought about the last time I had run here, just at the end of the school year, when I had come acrossRead more
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scenes from the tahoe rim trail

“Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature’s peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop away from you like the leaves of Autumn.” ― John Muir, The Mountains of California   posted on the outhouse wall: “God never made an ugly landscape. All that the sun shines on is beautiful, so long as it is wild.” -John MuirRead more
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trail running in Breckenridge

Sunday morning, the group plan was to hike a 14er near Breckenridge. As I am afraid of heights, and the altitude of 9,000 feet at the house had already been affecting me, and the route they were supposed to take had a lot of exposure, I opted out and went for a run instead. I left early in the hopes of avoiding the thunderstorms that were forecast for most of the day. The components that make up a truly spectacularRead more
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Summit Canyon-Donner Pass-Tinker Knob- Coldstream Canyon

My kids have been away on vacation for two weeks, and each day apart the ache in my heart (and lately my stomach) increases. The pain is almost overwhelming, and the only thing I thought would make me feel better was a long trail run. Or, as long as I could handle, coming off of a 50 mile race last weekend. Perhaps I wasn’t quite ready yet. We started at the Summit canyon trailhead near the bottom of old HwyRead more