progression

well I just had my first run back since I had the flu last week, and second run since hellgate dnf.  my hip is tight- even with some yoga. but I ran pretty much pain free- so I'm glad I was patient enough to allow myself to heal.  Looking back 2014 was a great year.  I had so many cool adventures:  here is kinda my highlight reel:
                                                    TJ100k

  ANNIE DUMPED A PITCHER OF TAILWIND OVER MY HEAD about 50k into a 100k race.  I never will forget that! but MORE than the sticky tailwind residue- that day cemented mine and Annie's friendship. That girl paced me for  the final 20 miles and endured me being stripped down so raw and I really got to see what a caring, loving pure soul she is- LOVE YOU.



   TJ really is a FANTASTIC race. DO IT. AJW, John Andersen and Sophie/ CRUT crew do such an amazing job with this race.

Carter and I happy with our Swag post TJ 100k

 I got to go to Barkley. again. but this time I hung out with cool CALIFORNIANS  and learned the art of crewing- and made life long friends.  I hope to go back again in 2015


 I had a running club in Bristol based out of Mountain Sports we met every Wed evening. and over the yr hosted several demo events with Salomon, Montrail, Skratch labs ( and of course) GU energy labs. sometimes ( esp for demo nights) as many as 40 people would come- but usually we had 15-20 people. it was great experience getting to know so many bristol runners, and making so many new friends!

 I got to see Dave Matthews shows- 3 of them- that was pretty freaking cool

                                      had the luxury of running Highlands Sky 40-  ran it an hour slower than 2 yrs prior but was SO happy to just have a beautiful day running in the mountains- another incredible race for any east coast ultrarunner- easily a 40 that runs like a 50- it's technical -yo.


 I was afforded the opportunity to run up  and down Jarman's Gap like a gazillion times until I ran a 50k.  okay- I will be honest THAT SUCKED. The donuts, beer, peach ice cream from crozet peach orchard and  the awesome company of super funny, sweet running buds-  did NOT.



 I got to be in Blue Ridge Outdoor Magazine article as a tour guide for trail running in our area! Thanks jess daddio!!  the photo shoot at Beauty Spot on the AT was an amazing morning.


 I got to do a lot of non- race adventuring this year.  I went camping a lot, hiked a lot with my kids, intentionally went places I had never been before.


 I grew TONS of really beautiful tomatoes, peppers, herbs and really got so much satisfaction and fulfillment for doing that for myself. Definitely plan on replicating that in 2015.

Ran the AT through SNP over Labor day Weekend with the Dirty Moms. THIS WAS AN INCREDIBLE EXPERIENCE. 

Steph and I being brave. 

 I race directed two races. CTR 10k for the 7th  consecutive year and raise enough money for two scholarships.  and the Virginian "extra mile" 4.1 mi race for the Nicewonder Cancer Center- for the second consecutive year.  10k was raised for the cancer this yr

    in July,  I started my own company! I set up Mountain PrimaDonna as an LLC and  began selling on etsy-  I decided to branch out- I stepped away from my buying responsibilities at MSL- I left on great terms with just with an understanding that whatever I do i have to be "all in"  and i just felt very compelled to DO THIS for myself and couldn't have splintered focus- They completely understood- so not burnt bridges and have worked with MSL on several projects this winter- I'm so grateful for my experience there- because I know there is no way I would have been able to do what I'm doing now- had I not had 2 yrs of buying experience with them.
 SO after I truly became self employedL began selling at the Abingdon Farmers Market on Sept 6th.  For me to do this- I had to face a lot of my fears and insecurities- really work on myself tons- but decide that i had what it takes to do this for myself. It was sink or swim- GO TIME.  and I'm happy to  say - I'm swimming.
  Has my running suffered? well.... there is this thing called TIME.  I feel to be a killer ultra runner- business person anything etc- you have to be able to invest TIME AND ENERGY AND INTENTION into whatever goals you are setting out to achieve.  I have kids-  I feel I really have to prioritize-  I love running and will ALWAYS be a runner- but for the time being- I really am focused  on building my business and I run FOR FUN, health and because I love running in the mountains- it makes me happy- I love it it also makes me happy to make jewelry, and sew, it also makes me happy to do yoga.  totally plan on "making a comeback"  I feel I'm just in this ebb with my ultra running so I can take care of some other areas of my life that really needed some tending too.

 I love love love my logo

                                      I love making things that reflect how much I love running in the mountains

 I love making things that reflect the valuable lessons running in the mountains have taught me- because let's face it- there are times- IT SUCKS. IT's HARD, IT's NOT FUN- IT's PURE MISERY. but you trudge forward.   and you grow. ( not looking back over your shoulder- you look FORWARD down the trail) but guess what for all the times it's crappy - I guarantee you have 10 times more POSITIVE stuff to focus on:  runs, races, life time events that are THE BOMB- It's BOTH the good and the bad that make us the unique, cool well rounded people that we are. AND if things were just flipping amazing all the time- we wouldn't even know to value and appreciate- So for me practicing patience during the Ugh times- absolutely LOVING the crap out of life when its Good and being so grateful to God for blessing me with IT ALL.  It's true I LOVE LOVE LOVE being me, and that I get to live my life. 

You can find the GOOD in practically any situation. and even dark dark days of tragedy when they visit your door- and they do for us all- you may not see it at the time, but as you heal you will see that you have a choice you can allow dark occurrences to change you for the better, to make you a stronger, better person. ( and it sure gives you perspective, empathy and compassion for others) or you can play the victim and replay things in your mind over and over and choose to let it define who you are and sit right there and not move forward. ( don't do that- MOVE FORWARD) It's all about Choices- and WE ALL are 100% in control of our lives and the choices we make daily. man up and be responsible for what you choose for yourself.  I had to to. and it's not an easy thing sometimes to look REALLY honestly at yourself in the mirror- but I feel the key to that is--- LOVE YOURSELF.  but tough love and honesty is sometimes just the ticket, if there are things in your life you don't like-  analyze why you do what you do- what self limiting beliefs you are totally lying to yourself about- and go about to CHANGE what you don't like- YOU CAN DO THAT. Realizing that for me was SO freeing.  LIVE YOUR TRUTH  ( sorry for the ramble just felt compelled to share that) 

               I got named to the Stonewear Designs ambassador team 2014-2015- I am on a team of just amazing women from all sport backgrounds --super excited to promote for them, and honored they wanted me to be on their team.

 in oct. I was lucky enough to crew this fine, young man for about 17 hrs as he ran ( and won) Grindstone 100. It was so amazing to be back there and to get to LEARN so much from him.

 and I had an amazing helper. Todd crewed too and it was a wonderful weekend to spend with my son- he loved every second.  and he thinks Jeff Browning and Jordan Chang are super heroes

                                            I cut my hair!!!  and I LOVE it - was ready for a change!

I've done a lot of yoga this year.  I really think it's helped me in so many different areas of my life. 

                I love it SO much- I'm planning on teaching a couple classes and  pursuing my RYT in 2015. ( and all the clothes in the above 2 pictures are Stonewear designs- aren't they great?)


 last race I finished for 2015 was MMTR- I was so thankful to get run my third Masochist and finish and run the new course and have a great weekend with friends.

 john price is one of my heroes. 

end of the day- WOW. I am blown away- I see how incredibly blessed I am- to have so many wonderful people who I love and who love me in so many different places in my life. Family, friends,  in ultra running, in my community, at the farmers market--- I'm so grateful for it all.  Just as David Horton says ( he is that handsome young man surrounded by all those lovely ladies in the last pic) "WE NEED EACH OTHER. PEOPLE NEED PEOPLE."  That's what it's all about.  SO to all my people: THANK YOU for making my year and my journey so amazing. It's been a mountain climb the past two years- but i'm getting there!!  I can see the summit- just a couple more ( okay 20 min) of switch backs- but just knowing i'm going somewhere MEANS SO MUCH. LOVE YOU ALL!!