Pilot Mountain State Park in North Carolina is a popular place for hikers and runners, and is one of my favorite spots. It is close to Winston-Salem and has a very distinctive profile that lends it nicely as a landmark for navigation, and can be easily seen from some places in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Before there were races and ultras in my life, before there were run clubs and communities on my radar, and before there were training programs and coaching calls on a weekly basis, there was running and there were adventures.

It was another glorious day in the mountains this weekend! Saturday was my sixth time at Uwharrie Mountain Run, and my third time running the race.

Sometimes it’s freezing cold, sometimes it’s warm, sometimes there’s ice, sometimes there’s mud — that’s just the nature of January in North Carolina — but there’s always good company at this community favorite race!

Tips and tricks to prevent your water from freezing during your run or hike adventure during cold winter

Fastest Known Times (FKTs) have exploded in popularity in recent years. But how do we find FKT routes, and whether or not there is a women’s FKT set for a given route? I’ve compiled an updated FKT list for North Carolina, with a focus on women’s FKTs.

Between coaching the local Fleet Feet trails program and chatting up anyone with half an interest in talking about trails (hiiii!), I’ve kept a mental list of local races that seem popular, as well as other races that seem promising. Last year I formalized the list and shared it whenever people asked for race recommendations. This year I want to continue that tradition, so here’s the latest list with updated dates for 2024!

Every week, I look forward to my long run on trails. Rain or shine, hot or cold, solo or in a group, the trails are a place of joy and adventure. There are so many reasons to love the trails — more reasons than I can possibly list! — but here are nine benefits of trail running to get you started!

Fastest Known Times (FKTs) have exploded in popularity in recent years. But what is an FKT? Who can submit one? Who are the people out there setting FKTs, and what more can we do to help support those people or what can we do to attempt one ourselves?

Between coaching the local Fleet Feet trails program and chatting up anyone with half an interest in talking about trails (hiiii!), I’ve kept a mental list of local races that seem popular, as well as other races that seem promising. This year I formalized the list, and I wanted to share it with you!

These are races that have come up in trail groups and conversations year after year, plus a few others that I’ve found via searching for local beginner-friendly trail options. This list is focused on the greater NC area (basically anything within a few hours’ drive from central NC), mostly trails, with options from 5K up through 100 milers, plus the World Majors and a few tried and true popular road races.

Plus a link to a gallery with free downloads of print and web resolution images from the race!

I was injured for the 2021 Richmond Marathon, so I went up with a couple friends to spectate, cheer, and take some pictures of so many of our friends and teammates racing that day in the half and full marathon! I noted a few highlights of the day, and I included a link to the full gallery where print and web resolution images are available for free download!

My First Hundred Miler!

100 miles. I’m not really sure what exactly compels a person to decide to run that far. I had originally planned and trained to run Umstead 100 in spring 2020 as my first 100 miler but, well, spring 2020 happened. In that aftermath I felt burned out from running, but once January 2021 rolled around that old restless itch reappeared and asked, “what if…” So I signed up for the Yeti 100 Mile Endurance Run lottery, thinking there was no way I’d actually get in. (Surprise!!)

Sometimes you run from your demons. And sometimes it's fun to turn the tables and chase those demons for a while 😈

From night running to fireflies to the stories we tell, the Night Train 50K was a memorable adventure!

Plus resources for local trail running groups and events in the Triangle!

Trail running has never been more popular. And I’m not exaggerating or making big declarative statements just because I love the sport! (Though I reserve the right to wax poetic and passionate about trail running!) But if you’re new to trail running or you’re looking for tips (and groups local to the Triangle!) check out my top six tips and bonus resources!

One year ago, Ahmaud Arbery was murdered.

This year the 2:23 Foundation, local running groups, the Running Industry Diversity Coalition, and other organizations are challenging runners to participate in a memorial run, fundraise for DEI non-profits, and engage in conversations.

Photos of the 40 milers (at mile 35) and 16 milers (at mile 11)

This past weekend I volunteered at the Uwharrie Mountain Run 8-16-40 miler race at the mile 5/35 (for the 40 milers) aid station (mile 5/11 for the 16 milers). While I was there I snapped photos of the racers coming back along the course. The full album is available on Facebook, but here’s a quick glimpse of the highlights!

Looking forward to chatting with an elite 800 and 1500 meter runner

Super fast I wanted to feature one of my favorite fast athletes today on the blog — Rebecca Mehra! I first saw Rebecca at Sir Walter Miler in 2019 and recognized her as a Oiselle Haute Volée (elite team) athlete. Rebecca is a professional mid-distance runner specializing in the 800 meter and 1500 meter (basically the mile for those of us less immersed in track & field).

Tentatively penciling things in

There is a good chance that more races will be cancelled or postponed or I may choose not to attend. But even so, I’m excited to have some (tentative) things to look towards.

As the local leader for Durham, NC I want to personally invite you to join the team

When I was reflecting on my core values and goals for 2021, I realized one of the key things I want to focus on is community. The Oiselle Volée community has greatly impacted me (not just in my running but personally) and I want to extend the invitation to you while the membership window is open.

My first ultramarathon!!

How do I describe running 31 miles in the mountains? The fact that I’m struggling to describe it tells me one thing: it’s a lot to process. I’m remembering the race in snippets, like scenes from a dream: a long line of runners streaking across a field in blue pre-dawn light, the angry buzz of perturbed yellow jackets, gravel roads that continue for miles, swollen mountain streams, the arduous climb to the summit, the thrill of the technical downhill running, the smell of cookies and bananas and PB&J, and the final grueling miles in the late afternoon heat. Thirty-one miles is a montage of pain and stubbornness.

My third 50K and a ramp-up race to Uwharrie 40!

Just four days into the new year and I’ve already completed my first race of 2020 - nay, my first ULTRA of 2020! 50K #3 is officially in the books for me after the Salem Lake Frosty Fifty on January 4!

My first international trail race!

(aka “the Mont Blanc Intro to Nature Running Fun Run” or something like that, lol) I’ve officially run a race in Europe! I’ve officially run a race in the Alps!!

McCrae and I had already planned a trip to France for the FIFA Women’s World Cup in June/July 2019 and we planned a side trip to Chamonix, not even realizing we would be there during the Marathons du Mont Blanc. Most of the races were sold out by the time we realized it, but the 10K - billed as the “intro to nature running” - still had spots available. So, eager for adventure, we signed up to race! Sure, a 10K seems a little silly now after running ultras, but I figured any chance to hit some trails and scout out the Mont Blanc area has to be a good decision. 😉Plus we were technically on holiday, so might as well take it kinda easy, right??

In November 2018 I ran my second marathon. It was both my second marathon ever and my second marathon in 14 days - just two weeks after Marine Corps Marathon. In my defense, I hadn’t actually intended to run two marathons so close together. I had planned on doing the RDC full marathon as my original target race when I signed up with Fleet Feet’s speed series training program since the race registration was included in my training group sign-up. But then I had the opportunity to get a (legit) bib transfer for Marine Corps Marathon. A bunch of my runner friends were going to MCM and I had major race FOMO so I jumped at the opportunity. That race went well and I felt pretty good; I knew I wanted to run another marathon, but I wasn’t sure when exactly. How long did I need to rest? How much time did my legs need to recover so I could walk comfortably, much less run? I knew I had Run RDC coming up and I thought I might drop to the half marathon but, well, I forgot. (Okay, actually I didn’t forget. I just procrastinated too long and then realized in horror the deadline had passed for swapping distances, oh no!!)

“Well,” I said resignedly, “That decides it. I guess I’m running a marathon this weekend!”

Officially my first road marathon!

I SURVIVED MY FIRST ROAD MARATHON!! (Actually, at this point hopefully I will have survived my first AND second road marathon, since it looks like I’m running RDC too.) (Also, duh, we knew I’d survive my first marathon, since I’d already survived my first ultramarathon. Whoops.

This was my third year running the Tuna Run 200 relay race from Raleigh to Atlantic Beach

Sleep deprivation? Check. Running fast for the team? Check. Snoring in a van? Check. Smelling like goats? Check. Making some new memories with great friends? Check check check.

To celebrate the release of the new Saucony Guide ISO 2 and Saucony Triumph ISO 5 running shoes, Saucony and Fleet Feet Carrboro hosted a demo event at one of the weekly Fleet Feet/Vecino Brewing Co. pub run events

It’s always fun to try out something new - new shoes, a new running group, a new running route - and it’s especially fun to have that documented! A couple weeks ago Saucony and Fleet Feet Carrboro hosted a demo event of the new Saucony Guide ISO 2 and the Triumph ISO 5 in conjunction with the regular Wednesday night pub run and half/full marathon training program run.

I didn’t always consider myself a trail runner, but now, on the brink of becoming a trail ultramarathoner, I realize how trail running has always been important to me.

It has been a ridiculously long time since I’ve been active on this blog, and yes, I miss it, but on the other hand it’s been thrilling to have such a fast-paced summer.

So if I haven’t been blogging, then what the heck have I been up to?! (The responsible and mostly true but boring answer is I’ve been busy with my job - technology moves fast and creating innovative technology means I have to move even faster.) But the more exciting thing to say is I’ve been running trails.

Race celebrates 10th anniversary and I run the race for the second time for a major 8K PR!

The 10th annual Running of the Bulls 8K in downtown Durham was this past weekend and this was my second time running the race! I took a new approach this year and actually decided to train. (Well, I’m training for a few other crazy races, but fortunately it means I was trained up for an 8K!) I crushed my last race time for this course! Read more for the full race report.

1 mile. 4 margaritas. If you puke you're disqualified.

It was a two-for-one on Saturday in terms of races! (Three-for-one if you count the Kentucky Derby!) In the morning I had Doughman X and in the evening I had the Sinnott Circle Margarita Mile! The Sinnott Circle Circuit (SCC) is an unofficial race series organized just for fun by Fleet Feet friends. It includes ridiculous races like a beer mile, a taco mile, and a milk and cookies mile. The milk and cookies Holiday Mile was the first one I participated in last year, and I was excited about the first SCC race of the year - a Moana-themed Margarita Mile!

Tenth year of Doughman in Durham featured a guest appearance of the Carbdashians as they ran, biked, and "swam" in fun-loving food-eating race

I don't remember the last time I did so much running and eating at the same time.

On Saturday morning I raced Doughman, a relay "quadrathlon" self-powered culinary tour of Durham. Heather, Jill, Lauren and I were the "Carbdashians." We went for completely over-the-top outfits: hot pink shirts that said "Keeping up with the Carbdashians" and a graphic I made, sparkle skirts, bling, exaggeratedly bad contour make-up, and wigs.