Thousands of runners from all over the country will attempt to tackle the Pikes Peak Ascent and Marathon this weekend. This is a mighty feat with 7,815 ft vertical in 13.32 miles for the Ascent and an added descent for those brave enough to take on the Ultimate Challenge! Each runner has trained for months, if not years, and has mentally prepared herself/himself to persevere to the finish line. With only a couple of days…

With the Pikes Peak Ascent and Marathon only a few weeks away, I craved some high altitude training and some longer days on the trails.  Moreover, my birthday was fast-approaching, and I couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate!  To kick-start my 31^st, my husband, Michael, and I woke up at 4:30am and drove into Manitou. We loaded up…

Last week I had an AMAZING opportunity to be a mentor for the Knights of Heroes (KOH) summer camp, which is designed to empower boys and girls who have lost their fathers in military service. Through a multitude of outdoor adventures the campers find and exemplify determination, bravery, leadership, and perseverance. Moreover, the campers were challenged to work…

“It is impossible to live without failing at something, unless you live so cautiously that you might as well not have lived at all - in which case, you fail by default.” ~ J.K. Rowlings

A couple of months ago I was offered a unique…

The snow is almost gone in the Pikes Peak region, with surrounding mountain ranges still holding deep pockets in their couloirs and shady spots.  As a result, a heck of a lot more people are playing outdoors, exploring new areas, and training hard.  Unfortunately, this also equates to a lot more Search and Rescue (SAR) missions.  For simplicity sake, there are…

My life is like a whirlwind these days, filled with immense projects, impending transitions and decisions affecting me without my control.  Add my crazy dislike for planning beyond a few days, and it’s easy to feel like a backseat rider in a high-speed chase. Running is my release.…