Race Reports

For anyone who is contemplating the Leadville 100 but is uncertain of the terrain and altitude, the Silver Rush 50 is a much lower-pressure environment, providing a perfect test lab for anyone who wants to find out how their body, gear and nutritional strategies will perform under the stress of big miles and high altitude.

There are few places where complete strangers from different countries, cultures, beliefs and backgrounds come together and form an instant bond. Nowhere is this more evident than the Keys. Florida’s Keys 100 is so much more than a race—it’s a way of life.

After a year of devastating wildfires and epic snowfall, the highlight of the 2023 Western States Endurance Run could have easily been the significant damage to the trails and surrounding landscape. But it was just the opposite. This year’s event was one of hope and inspiration, proving that this legendary race seems to have grown that much stronger after being faced with some of the biggest hurdles in its 50-year history.

In the middle of 2022, roughly two years into my ultrarunning career, I decided it would be wise to start working with a coach. The number of injuries, amount of pain and difficulties I felt after my first ultra was too much, and it was obvious I wasn’t going anywhere, literally speaking, running by myself. 

Celebrating its 10th year, the 2023 Rock The Ridge took place in the scenic Hudson Valley of New York State about 90 miles north of New York City. Specifically, all of this goes down on the land of Mohonk Preserve, a nature preserve that spreads across 8,000 acres and is situated between the Hudson River and the Shawangunk Ridge.

I returned to run the Ironbull Ultra Trail to mark the profound distance I had traveled in one year in terms of human experience after the death of my husband, Corey. This year’s race took place the week of Corey’s memorial service and helped me process our life together and his abrupt 122-day journey through pancreatic cancer.