FACING VERT

Shannon Howell...what can I say to explain the level of athleticism, grit, dedication and talent this woman possesses? I first heard of Shannon when I ran the Heartbreaker 50 mile (which she won), and so I decided to look her up on Ultrasignup. Whoa...79 races recorded, and she finished on the podium more than half of these. Mind blowing. Absolutely amazing. So many iconic races she has been able to participate in, and I must say I am a wee bit jealous of her experiences! I could not wait to talk to her, and our conversation did not disappoint. Her running journey is inspiring to put it mildly. We talked about so many of her races and training, and we dove into her experience at Hellbender, but one thing that stood out to me throughout our conversation was her love of people. Whether that was on her group runs or during races, she continued to mention the people she has met and the connections she has made across the country and around the world. As someone that is shy around people I don't know (yes, that's me!), this was so impactful. Her love for trail running and her the joy she finds in others will only help this sport grow and thrive. We need more people like this in all of our lives. Thank you, Shannon, for being an inspiration in so many ways. By the way, this is my first episode recording over the phone and not in person! I was able to FaceTime Shannon, where I could at least see her face-to-face, but she did not have to travel to me to record. I recently decided to take a leap and purchase new equipment to where I can interview guests from anywhere, and I am so excited about this new development!Shannon's Instagram: http://instagram.com/runshanyrunShannon's Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/9214319Follow us on Instagram! @facingvertThank you so much for listening!

I have learned to expect the unexpected with the amazing people I get to know during these podcasts, and Raven Johnson was no different. Raven had just finished the Hellbender 100 the weekend before we recorded, and not only did she finish, but she finished 3rd female overall! Of course, I wanted to hear every detail of this journey, as I also knew that this was also her first time running the 100 mile distance. When you run ultras, it is extremely helpful to have a 'why' while you are out there...especially in the lows. You can focus in on that 'why' to help you pull through, help you get back on your feet and finish the race. What I did not expect was hearing the depth behind Raven's 'why', and I was amazed by her journey. Raven, thank you for opening up and sharing your story with me. Thank you for your vulnerability, which shows the world your undeniable strength. You are beautiful inside and out, and I feel completely honored to know a piece of your heart. Thank you. If you want to follow or reach out to Raven, here are some ways...Raven's Instagram: @ravenrunswildRaven's Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/56373121Thank you so much for listening! Please share with your family and friends. Follow Facing Vert on Instagram: @facingvert

Miriam Salloum is the owner of The Runner's Mechanic-a unique running analysis and physical therapy clinic in Asheville, NC. I was looking forward to sitting down with her as our paths have crossed so many times, but we have never had a chance to have a true conversation. I wanted to get to know the person that she is, how she found her love for running, and what inspired her to choose physical therapy as her career path-specifically runners being her main focus. I knew Miriam was smart, but man, she is REALLY smart. Her passion and knowledge are so evident as she speaks, and I was fascinated. We were also able to get into her experience with ultra running, running injuries, how she works with her clients, her time working with Olympic athletes and so much more. The more we talked, the more she exuded gratitude. Gratitude for what she gets to do everyday as she helps other athletes, but also her gratitude for the ability to run. As you will hear, there were times when she thought she would never be able to run again. Now, everyday, every run, and every race she is simply grateful. I wish we could all have that perspective. Thank you, Miriam. The Runner's Mechanic website: https://www.therunnersmechanic.comThe Runner's Mechanic Instagram: @runnersmechanic_PTThe Runner's Mechanic YouTube Facing Vert's Instagram: @facingvertThank you so much for listening!

It's finally out! Brandon Thrower and Carrie Baris (co-race directors) sat down with me to go through all of the details of the new course for the Hellbender 100 coming up on May 9-10, 2025. After Hurricane Helene, so many of our beautiful trails were destroyed by falling trees and landslides. Through the hard work of so many, trails have been opening up, but it is going be quite a while before we can access Mt. Mitchell and many parts of the Blue Ridge Parkway. BUT, thankfully Hellbender can still happen, and Brandon and Carrie have worked so hard and giving everyone the best course possible for not only the runners, but their crew. Listen as they describe the course in detail, required gear, aid stations, crew and pacer information, and more. Thank you to all involved in bringing this race to fruition . It is going to be an epic weekend for all! Hellbender 100: https://www.hellbender100.comNC Mountain Trail Runners: https://ncmtr.orgCamp Grier: https://www.campgrier.orgG5 Trail Collective: https://www.g5trailcollective.orgTanawha Adventures: https://www.tanawhaadventures.comHellbender 100 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hellbender100miler/Hellbender 100 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hellbender100miler/Tanawha Adventures Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tanawha_adventures/Facing Vert's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/facingvert/Thank you for listening!

I really don't like talking...that is why I ask the questions! BUT, on this episode it is just me rambling about my experience at the Mt. Mitchell Heartbreaker 50M this past Saturday, March 22nd. First of all, the weather was absolutely perfect...chilly in the morning and rising to around 68 or so in the afternoon. Clear, sunny and beautiful. I know Brandon (race director) was so happy to finally get a forecast like this for a race! I tried to go into this race with zero expectations and simply enjoy the day (and pain...). This was also my birthday run, as I had turned 47 just the day before, so that made this one super special to me. Listen as I describe as many details as possible for you about my journey through the mountains. Ultimately, I ended up 3rd lady and 12th overall, and I could not have been happier with the result. This race was definitely challenging and the legs were hurting, but the views, aid stations, friends and family lifted my spirits...all that I would want for a day in the woods. Congratulations to all who tackled the 55K or the 50M and survived. I am honored to share the trails with you. Thank you for listening! Mt. Mitchell Heartbreaker website: https://www.tanawhaadventures.com/mountmitchellheartbreakerFacing Vert Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/facingvert/Tanawha Adventures Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tanawha_adventures/

Now this was a fun interview...two friends that met through running, now crew one another, race together and train together when they can. Both Tim Nooney and Miller Groome decided to run the Black Canyon 100k this past February, and I wanted to hear from both of them about their journey through this race. It was so great to hear that they were able to share several of the miles together on the trails of Arizona, while also entertaining all around them with their banter. :) But, as the day unfolded their race took very different turns. We talk training, gear, every detail of race day, problem solving, lessons learned, and more. Congratulations to Tim for taking 16th male in an incredibly tough field. Thank you, Tim and Miller for your awesomeness. You guys are the best. I hope you enjoy! Black Canyon Ultras: https://aravaiparunning.com/network/blackcanyon/Tim's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/timnooney/Miller's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/millergroome/Tim's Sponsors: La Sportiva , Precision NutritionWant to check out past episodes with these guys? Listen to Episode 014, 018 and 034!Thank you for listening!

It is here! Brandon Thrower, of Tanawha Adventures, discusses the NEW course for the Mount Mitchell Heartbreaker 50M & 55k with me on this episode. Listen as Brandon walks us through the turns, the terrain, aid stations, crew and more for this upcoming race. Although the race will not be able to go to Mt. Mitchell this year due to damage from Helene, that doesn't mean this course is not going to be epic. If you know Brandon and his races, you know he will make sure you have an incredible experience with stunning views. Can't wait to see you all out there! Tanawha Adventures' website: https://www.tanawhaadventures.com/mountmitchellheartbreakerTanawha Adventures' Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tanawha_adventures/Facing Vert's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/facingvert/Thank you for listening!

"If you don't have the confidence, you have to have the courage"--Teresa Bowser I absolutely loved when Teresa said this as we discussed why she signed up for the Fierce Dragon Firestarter 100. Already an extremely difficult race (that very few want to even attempt), the crazy weather took the difficultly to another level. This race started in snow, turned into slush, back to ice and THEN came the pouring rain. It takes a special person to even start this race in ideal conditions, but if you know Teresa, you know she has the fight and the grit to give it absolutely everything she has. And this is what she did, and STILL had a blast. Listen to hear the details of her experience and ultimately why she had to walk away...not defeated, but even more ready for what comes next. As she would say, "no coulda woulda shouldas' for her. Teresa, I LOVE your joy. ... If you haven't listened to the first episode I recorded with Teresa, I would highly recommend that you do. You will love her even more. Episode 046: Releasing The Burden-Teresa Bowser Fierce Dragon's website: https://www.h9fiercedragon.com Teresa's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teresabowserfitness/ Teresa's coach, Aaron Saft: https://www.runningislife.run Teresa's Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/38746695 Follow Facing Vert on Instagram! @facingvert I would love to hear from you! Thank you for listening!

Andrew Hall signed up for the Old Fort Strong Endurance Festival's 24-hour race with a short window to train and only a 50K under his belt. Andrew's own hometown of Burnsville was hit hard by Hurricane Helene, and he saw first hand the generosity of others to offer their resources to help. So when he saw the opportunity to also help Old Fort, he jumped in head first. Andrew and his friend, Jake, signed up together, and the training began. Hear about his adventure, the lessons learned, how he battled the lows and pushed his mind to the limits. Andrew was so easy to talk to, and I learned so much about his past adventures, how he was a major conduit for his community of Burnsville after the hurricane, and so much more. Interviewing Andrew also gave me the opportunity to recap my 12-hour adventure out at Old Fort, so listen up if you want to hear my experience! Thank you, Andrew, for your humor, your love and tender heart for others, and for shining your light so so bright. You and Sidney are such wonderful people. Andrew's Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/17100912 Andrew's Instagram: @andrewhall15 Facing Vert's Instagram: @facingvert Thank you so much for listening!

First of all, HAPPY NEW YEAR! I truly hope that you had a wonderful Christmas season and are getting off to an amazing start in 2025. To kick off this new year, we have a new race to talk about with Brandon Thrower, race director and owner of Tanawha Adventures. The Hanging Rock Challenge 50K & Half will be taking place on January 11, 2025, and this race course sounds stunning. Hanging Rock State Park holds a special place in Brandon's heart, and you will hear why. Here is a snippet from the race website about this challenge: Experience the beauty, challenge, and thrill of HAROC (Hanging Rock Challenge), a race that showcases the rugged majesty of Hanging Rock State Park. Whether you're taking on the 50K ultra or the Half Marathon, this race is your gateway to some of North Carolina's most stunning terrain—massive boulders, sweeping vistas, towering cliffs, cascading waterfalls, and trails that will push your limits and reward your spirit. ​ As always, Brandon and I discuss all the details of the race including a description of the routes for both races, aid stations, crew and spectators and more. We also touch on some upcoming Tanawha races and a brief recap of the Old Fort Strong Endurance Festival. Hope you enjoy! Tanawha Adventures website: https://www.tanawhaadventures.com/haroc Tanawha Adventures Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tanawha_adventures/ Hanging Rock State Park: https://www.ncparks.gov/state-parks/hanging-rock-state-park Facing Vert's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/facingvert/ Message me with comments or questions through Facing Vert's Instagram. I would love to hear from you! Thank you for listening and sharing with your friends!

I met Katti Jackson at The Naturalist, where she took 2nd female overall. Since then, I have seen her dominate in the ultras she has faced since that time. Katti didn't even start running ultras until 2022 with Table Rock, and in 2023 she won the Heartbreaker 55k, then won the Heartbreaker 50 miler the next year. So, like anyone else would do (ha!), she wanted to try her hand at the 100 mile distance. She chose Grindstone 100 for her first attempt, and not only did she finish, but she finished first overall! Now that is a good result for your first 100! Of course, in our conversation, she walks me through the details of her experience at Grindstone which I completely soaked up. We also spoke of her past...how she started running, some of the struggles she faced along the way, discovering the trails, and ultimately why she tried the ultra distance. It was so awesome getting know her and hearing her story. I am excited to see how far she can fly, especially at UTMB next year. I am a big fan, Katti. Thank you for coming on the podcast and sharing your heart and your love for running (and running so fast). Katti's Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/34931030Katti's Instagram: http://instagram.com/katti_jacksonGrindstone 100's website: https://grindstone.utmb.worldFacing Vert's Instagram: http://instagram.com/facingvertThank you for listening!

First of all, I hope everyone had an amazing Thanksgiving with their friends and family. I am so so grateful to each and everyone of you that listen and share this podcast! On this episode, I sat down with Brandon Thrower, with Tanawha Adventures, to get all the details for you on the Old Fort Strong Endurance Festival coming up on December 6-8th. The Old Fort Strong Endurance Festival is going to be amazing...full of runners and mountain bikers looping trails for 6, 12, or 24 hours for one goal...to raise money for those in Old Fort devastated by Hurricane Helene. What a wonderful reason to come together as a community! Brandon and I talk schedule, describe the routes for both the runners and mountain bikers, crew detail and set up, parking, pacing, entertainment, awards, donations, and more! All your questions (thanks for submitting them) were answered, but if there is something we did not discuss, it will be in the participant guide that Brandon will send out before the race. We both highly suggest that you not only listen to this podcast, but read through the guidebook in case there were any changes or additions to what we spoke about. I really can't wait to see every single one of you, as I will be running in the 12-hour. Thank you so much to Tanawha Adventures, Pisgah Productions, Camp Grier, and G5 Trail Collective for putting your minds and hearts together to put this event on. Brandon, as always, thank you for coming on to talk with me. *I also apologize for my voice (or lack of) on this podcast. I had a nice struggle with laryngitis!* My Old Fort Strong Fund if you would like to donate: https://runsignup.com/facingvert Old Fort Strong Endurance Festival website: https://www.tanawhaadventures.com/oldfortstrongendurancefest Tanawha Adventures Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tanawha_adventures/ Pisgah Productions: https://www.pisgahproductions.com Camp Grier: https://www.campgrier.org G5 Trail Collective: https://www.campgrier.org Follow Facing Vert on Instagram and feel free to message me there! https://www.instagram.com/facingvert/ See you soon!

Natalie Narburgh does not shy away from adventure or challenges...actually she gravitates towards it. Natalie not only wears many hats as the Executive Director of Pisgah Area SORBA, but also many hats in life. She is a trail runner, cyclist, rock climber, a white water kayaker, a wife, a mom and more. I was thrilled to sit down with her to talk about her adventures and the trail races she has been a part of, but I also wanted to learn as much as I could about Pisgah Area SORBA. The timing of our podcast could not have been more perfect, as it was a little over a month after Hurricane Helene hit Western North Carolina. After tending to the needs of others, Pisgah Area SORBA (and the wonderful pool of volunteers) jumped into action to safely clear the trails we dearly love. In our conversation, Natalie gives us details on the inner workings of Pisgah Area SORBA, the multiple types of volunteers, the assessment and clearing of trails, and all that is involved. I personally can't thank them enough for all they have done for our running and cycling community. I know you all feel the same. Enjoy our conversation, and if you can volunteer-don't hesitate. There is still SO much work to be done. Thank you, Natalie, for sitting down with me. You were so easy to talk to, and you are one amazing human. Pisgah Area SORBA: https://www.pisgahareasorba.org Pisgah Area SORBA's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pisgahareasorba/ Natalie's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/natalie_narburgh/ Facing Vert's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/facingvert/ I would love to hear from you! Please message me through Facing Vert's Instagram. Thank you for you listening!!

Resilience-"the capacity to withstand or to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness" Anne George is, to me, is the definition of resilience. I feel as if she may disagree, but I could see it and hear it when we spoke. First of all, she is a phenomenal runner. If you take a glance at her UltraSignup, it is documented that she has participated and completed 46 truly tough races, and she has been on the podium for 36 of these. Not to mention, she was standing on the very top for 20 of these. I mean...come on! Completely insane and impressive. You HAVE to be resilient to push through and be so successful in these races. But, she is also resilient in life. Most recently this became apparent as she watched, from her front door, Hurricane Helene flood and devastate her hometown of Old Fort, NC. She and her husband, Clint, live right downtown, but their home was fortunately just high enough to not be flooded. After the waters receded, her resilience kicked in and she and Clint rolled up their sleeves to help in whatever way that they could. Now, she will be running for 24 hours at the Old Fort Strong Endurance Festival to raise money for her beloved town. Thank you, Anne, for the person you are and for finding the time to sit down with me. Anne's fundraiser (Old Fort Strong Foundation): https://runsignup.com/Race/172151/Donate/49Vpw4tW6CrSl8Uy Facing Vert's fundraiser (Old Fort Strong Foundation): https://runsignup.com/facingvert Anne's Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/10938335 Anne's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annewheatly/ Facing Vert's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/facingvert/ Thank you for your support, thank you for listening, and thank you for being you!

I have had Brandon Thrower on the podcast many times to talk about the details of the races he directs, but this time was different. As everyone is well aware, Hurricane Helene tore through Western North Carolina destroying lives, homes, businesses, roads and the forests we love. Through spotty cell service, I was able to see the efforts that Brandon and Camp Grier were doing to help those around the Old Fort area which was so badly hit. I wanted to have him on to talk about all he experienced, the efforts of Camp Grier, and to talk about how the idea of how the Old Fort Strong Endurance Festival came to life. I think all of us in some form or fashion have tried to help those affected by Helene in whatever capacity that we are able...cutting down trees, working at donation sites, cleaning out homes and businesses, and giving of our time and resources. Camp Grier, with Tanawha Adventures and Pisgah Productions are giving us another opportunity to use our running and biking passions to give back. The trails are where so many of us go to find peace in the chaos, to recharge, to just let go, and to gain strength to simply take on the day. At this time so many trails are impassable, and with the Blue Ridge Parkway closed indefinitely it is anyone's guess to when trail races around here will be able to take place. Brandon has already had to postpone his two remaining 2024 races, The Looking Glass 100K and Fonta Flora. But our community is so strong, so supportive, so incredibly selfless, and I have seen so much good wash over the stains of the devastation. Brandon, thank you for all you are doing and have done for Old Fort and the trail community. You are a bright light. To all of my listeners and friends, I am so grateful for you. If you would like to donate to my 12-hour effort at the Old Fort Strong Endurance Festival, you can do so here: https://runsignup.com/facingvert Info about Old Fort Strong Endurance Festival: https://www.tanawhaadventures.com/oldfortstrongendurancefest Camp Grier's Website (and how you can help there): https://www.campgrier.org Tanawha Adventures: https://www.tanawhaadventures.com Pisgah Productions: https://www.pisgahproductions.com *The Old Fort Strong Endurance Festival is sold out, but the virtual option is still available! To keep up with Facing Vert or to message me, go to our Instagram: @facingvert

The Leadville Trail 100 Mountain Bike Race took place on August 10, 2024, and my good friend, Steve Bennett was up for the challenge. Steve has loved his mountain bike since he was young, and throughout the years has dabbled in different disciplines of the sport. Steve loves to race, and has had quite the success, even though he is so humble about how skilled he is on a bike. On a whim, he put in for the lottery for Leadville, and to his surprise found out he was in. He and his friend, Adam Fisher, made there way to Colorado a week before the race, and both made it over the finish line. Steve was so patient with my questions, and he went through every detail of his experience, his gear and more. I so appreciate Steve for stepping out of his comfort zone and sitting down with me to share his journey to the finish line in Leadville, CO. Steve's Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/638459 Leadville Race Series: https://www.leadvilleraceseries.com/mtb/leadvilletrail100mtb/ Cognative MTB: https://cognativemtb.com Follow Facing Vert on Instagram: @facingvert

The Table Rock Ultras are quickly approaching, so I sat down with race director, Brandon Thrower, to find out all the details. The Table Rock 50k & 30k will take place on September 21st and here is a little teaser from the website... Roots and rocks; hills and creeks; views and memories... We offer them all and more at Table Rock Ultras. Your goal is the finish line, but lying between you and that goal is a lot of climbing, creek crossing, rock-hopping, gel-taking, and limit-pushing. The panoramic view from the summit of Table Rock is a perfect reward for all your hard work, until you realize you aren't done... Hear why this race means to much to Brandon, and listen as he describes every detail of the trails your feet will land on. If you are running this race or simply a spectator, this episode is for you. Also, they are still looking for volunteers, so if you are free, this is a great way to experience this ultra-world that we love. I look forward to hearing about everyone's experience out on the course! Good luck out there! Table Rock Ultras' website: https://www.tablerockultras.com Tanawha Adventures website: https://www.tanawhaadventures.com Follow Tanawha on Instagram: @tanawha_adventures Follow Facing Vert on Instagram: @facingvert

I had the pleasure of once again sitting down with the Mountain Monster, Marisa Romeo. (Yes, I made that name up, but just look at her Strava!) The last time we spoke she had just crushed the field at the Looking Glass 100K in November of 2023. I wanted to have her back on to hear all about her latest race, the Lavaredo 120K, that takes place in Italy. To say that I am jealous that she as able to travel to this part of the world and run in these mountains is an understatement, but I loved living the race through her words and her experience. We talked about her training, her strategy, every step of the race, and her thoughts throughout. And let's not forget that she got to witness a day of the Tour de France! So, what is next for Marisa? The sky is the limit, but in her mind...it better be something epic. Thank you, Marisa, for once again coming on Facing Vert. I always love our conversations! Lavaredo 120K: https://lavaredo.utmb.world/races/lavaredo120k Marisa's Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/41787031?oq=maris Marisa's Coach: Ryne Anderson-randerson@trainright.com Follow us on Instagram, @facingvert! You can also message me there. Thank you for listening!

In this episode, I sit down with race director, Brandon Thrower, to talk through every detail of the upcoming Grand-Further Mountain Run. See what Tanawha Adventure's website has to say about this race... The Grand-Further Mountain Run is the premiere mountain race in North Carolina.  The 25 kilometer course will climb Grandfather Mountain a total of two times from both sides of the mountain.  The terrain is unforgiving, extremely technical, but most of all, astounding!  Fixed ropes and ladders are even placed in certain sections of the trails to assist in climbing the tallest mountain in the Blue Ridge Mountain Range. This race is not for the faint of heart or the weak of knees.  It demands your best and your utmost respect. The Grand-Further Mountain run is coming up soon, and will take place on August 24th. To hear Brandon's excitement about this course would make anyone want to go out and attempt it. But, like the website says, "prior trail running experience is required". Good luck to all of those running in this beautiful and challenging race! Tanawha Adventures: https://www.tanawhaadventures.com/grand-furthermountainrun Tanawha Adventures Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tanawha_adventures/ Enjoying the podcast? Share with your family and friends. Let me know if you are running Grand-Further. Message me through Facing Vert's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/facingvert/

Tory Grieves, along with Sara Molskness, were on the podcast over a year ago to talk about their battle with injuries and the difficulty of simply not being able to do what the love. Tory had torn her plantar fascia, and it had taken her around a year to really start trying to run again. Then, right before we were going to record, she had re-torn her plantar fascia and was devastated. Now, a year after that podcast, she is back on again to talk about all the steps she took to tackle her injury, learning how to trust the process, and signing up to run The Mozart 100 (in Austria!) before she knew if it was even possible. I love her grit. I love how determined she is and how she never gave up when treatments didn't work. Tory just researched other alternatives to try and recover. We also talk about her experience at the Mozart 100 by UTMB, the horrendous conditions and ultimately her choice to cut her race short. Tory will tell you she doesn't have the fairytale story, but she savors every minute that she is able to run, and her mind has been strengthened through this entire process. This, to me, is a beautiful story, and I am so happy that she shared it with me. Want to listen to Tory and Sara's episode? Click on this link or simply look up Episode 009: When You Can No Longer Run-Tory Grieves and Sara Molskness Reach out to Tory on Strava: https://www.strava.com/activities/11923183308 Tory's Coach: Patrick McGlade, pmcglade@trainright.com Tory's Physical Therapist: Dan Carmack, dan@breakthroughperformanceavl.com Follow Facing Vert on Instagram and message me there: @facingvert I would love to hear from you! Thank you so much for listening.

Nathan Frantz has such an adventurous spirit, who loves to push the limits and seek the extreme. As a young boy Nathan found a love of the outdoors and this never grew dim...whether it was by BMX, cliff jumping, whitewater rafting, Spartan races or ultra running. Nathan is so easy to talk to, so humble, and he loves fiercely. We discuss his recent experience at Hellbender 100, his Palmetto trail FKT, his incredible pacing skills for Aaron Saft's Grand Slam last summer, and so so much more. I so enjoyed our conversation, and I look forward to his redemption story at Hellbender 2025. Thank you, Nathan. What an amazing guy you are. Nathan's Instagram https://www.instagram.com/nate_ocr_85/ Nathan's Strava https://www.strava.com/athletes/8150029 Nathan's Coach, Aaron Saft: https://www.runningislife.run Reach out to me through Facing Vert's Instagram, @facingvert. Thank you, thank you for listening!!

When Marcus sat down with me, I did not know a thing about him except that he was really fast and super strong. I first saw his name come up when he won the Looking Glass 100k this past fall, and then he showed up so strong at the Hellbender 100...taking 3rd overall with a sub-24 hour finish. He had me curious for sure, and I was very excited to meet him and hear his story. I was BLOWN away! Marcus has had a whirlwind of adventure, so much accomplished, in such a short time. This guy has completed the Triple Crown...the Appalachian Trail, the Pacific Crest Trail and the Continental Divide Trail. The list of people that have grappled this and conquered this can't be too large, and I am proud to know someone that has. Marcus strives to do what seems impossible, and I love that. This is where he learns about himself and where he grows as a person. Makes for quite the adventurous and fulfilling life, I must say. Marcus, what a pleasure it was to meet you. Sometimes you meet people that make you feel as if you have known them your whole life...you are one of those. An instant friend. Thank you for letting me have a glimpse into your amazing life. I can't wait to have you on again to learn more. Marcus's Business: Adventure Grown Guides Marcus's Instagram Marcus's Strava Following Facing Vert on Instagram and message me there. Thank you for listening!!

Bonus Episode! Ridge to Rails 50k, Half Marathon and 10k are THIS weekend, so Brandon Thrower (with Tanawha Adventures) and I sat down to talk about each race. If you are running this race this Saturday, or thinking about participating in the future, you will want to listen. Brandon walks through every turn, terrain and views found on each course, plus giving other valuable information about the races for the participants crew and spectactors. I hope you enjoy! The races all take place in the areas surrounding the beautiful and quaint town of Old Fort, NC. For more information on this race, visit https://www.tanawhaadventures.com/ridgetorails! I look forward to hearing how everyone's' adventure goes! Have fun out there... Tanawha Adventures Instagram Tanawha Adventures Website Facing Vert's Instagram

So much to say about Carrie Baris, the co-race director of the Hellbender 100. Yes, she is an ultra runner, but she is also very successful in the equestrian sports of endurance riding and ride & tie. I was absolutely fascinated to dig into both of these equestrian sports to find out how they operate and how they correlate to endurance running. One thing I learned is that I HAVE to try ride & tie...combining both running and riding a horse. Sounds like an absolute dream to me! Carrie is also the queen of National Parks...with a goal to visit every single park out there to honor her late husband and their adventures together. Such an epic goal, and she is well on her way to checking them all off the list. Carrie is also completely selfless. She puts others, animals, and family above herself...always looking out for their needs and desires first, and this is so evident when you get into a conversation with her. Yes, I wanted her to talk about her races and accomplishments, but she really lit up when she talked about her sister, her horse, her puppy and her fiancé. What a beautiful soul she is. Carrie, I hope you realize how special you are and how much you mean to this community of runners. You have given so much of your time, energy and love to see others succeed, and this does not go unnoticed. Thank you, from all of us. Carrie's Instagram Hellbender 100 Follow Facing Vert on Instagram: @facingvert Message me there! I would love to hear from you. Thank you so much for listening and sharing!

Teresa Bowser is an incredible trail runner, ultra runner, crew, pacer and friend to all. Teresa began her trail running journey around 2019 and has now conquered some of the most difficult ultras around...the Hellbender 100, Cloudsplitter 100, Stillwater Ultras, and recently the Georgia Death Race to name a few. Teresa is also a beautiful, young lady with the biggest and brightest smile. You can't help but feel joy when you are in her presence, and she doesn't even seem to realize it. But hiding behind that smile is so much pain, an imposter she would say....a young woman carrying a burden that no one can see. Little did I know, I asked Teresa to come on the podcast at the perfect time. Teresa had just recently finished the Georgia Death Race, a 74-mile killer of a race with 16000 feet of climbing and 16000 of descent. Throughout the duration of the race, you are required to carry a 1lb railroad spike, and upon completion you throw this nail into a coffin. Pretty epic. Teresa told me that her why started to change as her race began to unravel, and the spike she had to carry took on a meaning that she did not even expect. So, on this podcast, Teresa shares the burden that she began to release that day, that she threw in the coffin, and I am touched that she chose to share with me and all those that listen to this podcast. I am overwhelmed, truly, that Teresa and so many others would open up to me and share some of their deepest hurts but also their greatest joys. We all have a story...runner or not. We are all on this journey together...FACING VERT of all kinds...side by side. We are all God's creation...masterpieces in His eyes. Know you are worthy, loved, and created for a purpose. Teresa, I love you, and I loved seeing the sense of freedom that came over you as you shared your story. Keep fighting. Want to reach out to Teresa? Her Instagram is https://www.instagram.com/teresabowserfitness/ Teresa's Strava Teresa's Coach is Aaron Saft with Running is Life. His website is https://www.runningislife.run I would love to hear from you or answer any questions you may have! Find Facing Vert on Instagram, and message me there!

Bonus Episode! For this episode I sat down with co-race director and course developer, Brandon Thrower (Tanawha Adventures), to talk all things Hellbender! According the the Hellbender 100 website: The Hellbender One Hundred is one of the most scenic hundred milers on the East Coast. This course will take you through a grueling tour of the massive Black Mountains, deep into the valleys below and to the summit of Mt. Mitchell, the highest mountain East of the Mississippi. With an elevation change of ~48,000+ ft, runners will experience some of the most challenging and beautiful trails in all of Western North Carolina. You'll not want to miss this premiere, graduate level hundred through the heart of Southern Appalachia! Brandon and I talk about required gear, crew rules, aid stations, pacers, a FULL course description and more! And a big congratulations to all involved in making this race happen because the Hellbender 100 is now a Hardrock qualifier! This is HUGE news for all that are running this year and for years to come. Thank you to the Run 828 foundations, NCMTR, volunteers and sponsors for all their hard work and dedication to make this such an amazing experience for all. Thank you, Brandon, for taking the time to sit down with me! Hellbender 100 website Run 828 Foundation NCMTR Hellbender's Instagram Tanawha Adventures Instagram If you want to watch my Hellbender 100 experience on YouTube, click here! Follow Facing Vert on Instagram and message me there. Thank you for listening!

**Warning: sensitive material is discussed in this podcast** Ally Carlton was recently on the podcast after she grabbed the FKT both North and Southbound on the Art Loeb Trail within three weeks of each other. Pretty astounding to say the least. And then, in March, Ally crossed the finish line of the MST 100 as the female winner and third overall, despite the horrible weather conditions. But, this episode contains so much more than a race recap of her grind through this race. This episode is raw and real. Ally mentioned in our first episode together that she experienced trauma as a teenager but did not elaborate. But on this episode she was ready to talk about her experience for the first time in a public setting. Yes, her accomplishments are impressive, but her bravery to share, to hopefully help others, is so much more impressive. I am so proud of you, Ally. Your strength, your bravery, your heart to help others, your honesty and your authenticity is beautiful. You are beautiful. Thank you. Ally wants you to reach out to her if need to talk to someone. You can find her on Strava, and message her through this platform. Click here: Ally's Strava I have no affiliation with this website, but according to RAINN.org, every 68 seconds an American is sexually assaulted. If you need help, they ask that you call 800.656.HOPE (4673). Follow Facing Vert on Instagram, @facingvert. As always, thank you for listening and sharing with others.

We are putting this episode out early because 7 Sisters is right around the corner! On this episode I sat down with Brandon Thrower, of Tanawha Adventures, to get all the details on his upcoming 7 Sisters 25K. According to the Tanawha Adventures website, "The Seven Sisters 25k is a monstrous mountain of a run around the East and West ridges of the Montreat Wilderness! The route passes over multiple peaks and overlooks including; Lookout Rocks, Rocky Head, Graybeard, Rattlesnake Rocks, and of course the Seven Sisters themselves along the treacherous West Ridge Trail." This is a sold out race, and will be held on April 13th, 2024 at 9:00 AM. Brandon goes through every inch of the course, plus other details that every participate and fan will want to know. If you are even thinking of running this race in the future, his description of the course will definitely convince you! Tanawha Adventures Website Tanawha Adventures Instagram Follow Facing Vert on Instagram and message me there! Thank you so much for listening!

On this episode, you will hear about my experience running the Mt. Mitchell Heartbreaker 55K that took place on Saturday, March 23, 2024. Somehow I came in first lady and 11th overall with a time of 6:59:59...right under that 7 hours! Turned out to be a beautiful day of running with unexpected views, new friends, and lots of grumbling about gravel roads. :) Needless to say, it was an amazing day to be out on the trails. Thank you to Brandon Thrower, with Tanawha Adventures, for putting on this event. Also thank you to the sponsors for the sick awards...beautifully handcrafted logo wood carving by Jonathan Ibach, a handmade medal by Hannah Thrower, a free pair of shoes from La Sportiva, gift card from Mountain Running Company, and some delicious coffee from Victoire Coffee Company. Wow! Also thank you to Kim Greene for crewing me at Neal's Creek, to my family for cheering me to the finish, to all the volunteers for your encouragement and service, and to all the athletes that were out there grinding like me. A special thank you to the fierce and strong ladies that pushed me to run my best, especially Becca Morris and Becca Johnson (2nd and 3rd female). You are beasts, and it was an honor to race with you. Congratulations to all who ran both the 55K and the 50 miler. So proud of every single one of you! Sorry it is just my voice on this one, but I hope you enjoy! Tanawha Adventures La Sportiva Mountain Running Company Jonathan Ibach (woodworks) Message me via Instagram, @facingvert, or email me at tara@runwnc.com. My gear: Nike Wildhorse Trail Shoes, Black Diamond Poles, Salomon 12 pack Nutrition: Untapped Maple, Gu Liquid Energy, Gu Roctane, Probar Chews, Cliffs Bloks Thank you for listening!

Such a fun experience meeting and chatting with coach, ultra runner, business owner, mom and wife-Tera Pruett. Instantly, I was struck by her confidence, her vibrant spirit and her sense of adventure. Tera's goal is to help others accomplish their goals...whether that is on the trails, in the gym, or simply being brave enough to take on adventure that didn't think was possible. She genuinely cares about the success of her athletes, showing them how capable they are even when they feel they are not. I would have her as my cheerleader any day! Besides all the other hats she wears, Tera is the force behind the Asheville Trail Running Film Festival for the past few years. The film festival will take place on April 21st at 4:30 PM at the Orange Peel, and I look so forward to attending this event! For more information, go to https://trailfilmfest.com/event/asheville-north-carolina/. Hope to see you all there! Thank you, Tera, for ALL you do for our trail running community and for sitting down to chat with me. Listen and see how UNSTOPPABLE she truly is. Tera's website: https://www.terapruett.com/ Tera's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tera_pruett/ Tera's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tera.pruett.3 Follow Facing Vert on Instagram, @facingvert, and also please message me there. Thank you thank you thank you for listening!

The Mt. Mitchell Heartbreaker 50M/55K is coming up on March 23, 2024, and both events are sold out! On this episode, I sit down with race director, Brandon Thrower, to go through every detail of these two events. As it says on Tanawha Adventures website, "The Mount Mitchell Heartbreaker 50M/55K is an extremely scenic tour of "the other Pisgah" in the shadow of Mount Mitchell.  Starting at the foot of the mountains in Old Fort, NC at Camp Grier, the race takes runners up and down some of the most stunning, quad-busting, and heart-pounding trails in all of Western North Carolina, eventually taking the 50 milers over three 6,000 ft+ peaks including Mount Mitchell itself, making this the highest 50 miler east of the Mississippi!" I think you will definitely find this episode important if you are running the race, crewing, thinking about running this race in the future, or simply a fan. Brandon describes the required gear, important info for crew and spectators, a thorough course description and more. Thank you, Brandon, once again for coming on the podcast and giving us the inside scoop on another beautiful race. Enjoy! Visit Tanawha's website for more info: Tanawha Adventures: https://www.tanawhaadventures.com/mountmitchellheartbreaker Tanawha Adventures' Instagram: @tanawha_adventures Message me via Instagram, @facingvert, with any questions or comments. Thank you, as always, for listening!

*Warning...sensitive material is discussed in this episode* Resilient. This one word sums up Rachel Blinn. I was looking forward to meeting Rachel and discussing how she recently crushed the Fierce Dragon H9 200 miler (unbelievable). But, I was also told she had a story that needed to be shared. Little did I know, Rachel has lived 100 lifetimes in her short 29 years. A life she tried to control which just caused it to spin wildly out of control. Insecurity, pain, addiction had her in its clutches, but finally, she fought her way out and allowed herself to recover. A horribly, beautiful story. From the very first few words, my jaw dropped, and I don't think I picked it up until the end. I think you will feel the same. Now running is where Rachel turns...it has always been there, but now it is a constant in her life. And boy, what she has accomplished out there on the trails is nothing short of amazing. "Life is a gift," she said, but Rachel, so are you. Thank you for sharing your story. Rachel's Instagram: gothicfather777 Rachel's Strava Follow us @facingvert on Instagram! Here is where you will see what is coming up next and you can message us there. Thank you for listening!

I love doing this podcast, because I get to meet and get to know so many incredible people, and Randy Elliott is one of those. Randy continues to get stronger as a trail runner as the races come his way, but he is also an extremely talented musician, rock climber, owns and runs a successful business...all while juggling family life with his beautiful wife and two kiddos. I first heard of Randy when my husband was on a bike ride with some friends, and Randy came running up beside them as they were CLIMBING and carried on a conversation like it was nothing. He was so impressed with Randy, that it was the first thing he told me about when he got home after the ride. Since then, I have personally been able to see him crush the Hellbender 100 (4th overall), Shut-In Ridge Race (7th overall) and The Looking Glass 100k (4th overall). Randy, I am so glad we met, and I am so grateful for the time you spent with me sharing your passions and your struggles in both life and in running. I know we will run into each other many more times in the future, and I am looking forward to it. Again, thank you. Randy's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rocknrandy/ Randy's Strava Randy's Business: Mountain Town Electric Follow Facing Vert on Instagram! @facingvert Thank you, as always, for listening and for your encouragement.

Ally Carlton...beautiful, strong, brave and extremely fast. Ally and I met at the Hellbender 100 where she took 2nd overall female. I was fortunate enough to share a several miles with her during the first portion of the race, and instantly she struck me as genuine, humble, and one that truly seemed to care for others. Fast forward, and we have run into each other many times at cross country meets since she is the coach for Brevard Middle School. Then, on Thanksgiving Day, Ally goes out and captures the FKT for the Art Loeb Northbound while I was stuffing my face with turkey and mac and cheese! Not only that, but she then goes on to grab the Art Loeb FKT Southbound just 3 weeks later! What!? I was so delighted when she agreed to come on the podcast to talk about these two days, but also about how she discovered running, details of other races and simply life. We have already planned to chat again in the near future after she crushes another 100 this spring. Ally, thank you. You're all around awesome. Ally doesn't have social media, but she does have Strava! Check her out here: https://www.strava.com/athletes/6894903 Thank you, thank you for listening! Follow us on Instagram and message me there...@facingvert

First of all, I want to wish all of you a happy new year! I am so excited what 2024 has to hold, and I would love to hear about the goals and aspirations you have for this new year. Sheridan Byers-quiet, shy, humble, unassuming, completely kind, selfless, and an absolute savage on the trails. He would disagree of course, but he is always in the top tier of runners and he knows the trails in the Pisgah Forest area better than anyone I know. As we talked, he shared the health issues that he has had to learn to navigate through and how his body will respond. Through these adversities, he is only becoming stronger. Yes, he is competitive, but it truly is all about the joy of running for Sheridan and the peace the woods bring. We also talk about his amazing wife, Suzanne, and her ultra adventures, and he gives us insight on some of his favorite races and trails. Thank you, Sheridan, for the person you are. What a wonderful example you set for all of us. And THANK YOU for your willingness to come on Facing Vert...meant so much. Sheridan's Strava Thank you for listening to Facing Vert! I would love to hear from you. Please message me through Facing Vert's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/facingvert/

Brandon Thrower, with Tanawha Adventures, is back on the podcast to run through every detail of the upcoming South Mountain Marathons. The 50K and the marathon are both taking place on Saturday, January 6th followed by the half marathon on Sunday, January 7th. The South Mountains Marathons are held in the beautiful South Mountains State Park in North Carolina. I could tell that Brandon absolutely loves these trails, and his excitement to share it with the running community was palpable. Brandon, I am praying for perfect weather and a wonderful day! If you are running in one of these races, I must say, I am a little jealous. This is one I will put on my calendar for the future! Tanawha Adventures' website Tanawha Adventure's instagram Brandon's instagram Follow Facing Vert on Instagram and feel free to message me there! Thank you, as always, for listening!

I had the privilege of having Tim Nooney back on the podcast to talk about his experience running the Grindstone 100K and Looking Glass 100K. Listen as he gives us the details on what led to his DNF at Grindstone, but how it made stepping up to the start line of Looking Glass even sweeter. Let's just say...the stoke was high, and he was ready. Tim led the entire race until mile 57, and I so appreciate is openness to talk about what happened, how he felt, and how he will apply everything he learned to come back even stronger in 2024. Tim, you are amazing. You are just in the beginning of your race career, which makes it even more exciting to see what you are truly capable of. Watch out world. Tim's Strava Tim's Instagram: @timnooney Tim's coach: Ryne Anderson- ryneanderson@trainright.com Tim's Sponsors: La Sportiva Mountain Running Company Precision Hydration Follow us on Instagram: @facingvert Thank you for listening!

Once again, I had the privilege to sit down with the queen, Marisa Romeo. Marisa just absolutely demolished the Looking Glass 100k by coming in 1st female beating second place by almost 3 HOURS (and these are some super fast, super strong women). She also gave the men a run for their money, placing 6th overall in an extremely strong field. Listen as we run through every detail of her race...the highs and the definite lows. How she battled stomach issues throughout, and what she did to win the mental game. Marisa, you are amazing. Can't wait for more podcasts together. Marisa's Strava Marisa's Instagram Marisa's Coach: Ryne Anderson-ryneanderson@trainright.com Thank you, as always, for listening. Follow us on Instagram @facingvert!

Logan Anderson is an overall incredible athlete, and even as a young child he discovered his love for competition. Logan played football, wrestled, pole vaulted, and also dabbled in a little bit of running. It wasn't until after graduated high school, that he jumped into Spartan races, and found success in this sport. Logan is fast, always has been, and he uses this skill to be extremely competitive in these Spartan races. Road running is his first choice, but on a whim he signed up for this year's Shut-In Race. I definitely wanted to dive into this and all the lessons he learned, as he had never even been on these trails before and went into the race unprepared for the daunting task before him. Logan is STRONG and with proper training, fuel and gear, he is going to be an absolute force in the world of trail running. I will say it now...Logan will be one to beat in the future, and I look forward to watching from the sidelines. Thank you so much, Logan, for sitting down with me. Logan's Strava Logan's Instagram Thank you for listening to Facing Vert! Follow us on Instagram @facingvert! Thank you, again.

He did it! Heath Ballard started at the top of the Shut-In trailhead and ran over 16 miles to the bottom all in honor and in memory of his mom, Melanie Ballard. It truly was the most stunning day, with a sunrise that simply took your breath away. Heath was amazing...never stopping, always moving, even though he had never run over 8 miles and had never set foot on the Mountains-to-Sea trail. Listen as we talk about the limited training he was able to get in, the gear he discovered he needed, and his recap of the day. Thank you to all that supported, prayed, paced, crewed, laughed, cried and loved. We raised over $6400, which blew all of our minds. Thank you again and again. Love you, Heath, and I am proud and honored to call you my friend. Heath's Instagram Heath's Strava Thank you, thank you for listening to Facing Vert. It means to much to me. You can also follow us on Instagram: @facingvert and message me there!

Jordan Tager set out to accomplish his first 100 miler at the Grindstone 100 this past September. Gaining over 21000 feet of vert over the the span of 100 miles is not for the faint of heart, and it was a beast of a race to choose for his first 100. Jordan felt prepared, but nothing prepared him for the tropical storm that was to hit. I loved diving into the details of his race and his fight to try and finish through such crazy circumstances. But before getting into his experience at Grindstone, I wanted to know what got him there in the first place. I hope you enjoy our conversation, as I certainly did. Thank you, Jordan, for taking the time out of your weekend to sit down with me. You are awesome. Looking forward to seeing what is next for you. Jordan's Strava Jordan's Instagram @jedwardtager Thank you, as always, for listening. It still blows my mind that people actually listen! If you have enjoyed the podcast, I would love if you would share with your family and friends. Follow on Instagram @facingvert and feel free to message me there.

Once again I had the privilege of having Brandon Thrower, of Tanawha Adventures, back on the podcast. He is putting on The Looking Glass 100k on November 18th, and we walk through every detail of the course, the aid stations, pacer and crew info and more. So, if you are planning on running this beautiful event, you are helping out in anyway, or you are thinking of participating in the future, this podcast is definitely for you! Thank you, Brandon, for coming on again and giving us all the inside information. I can't wait to volunteer and pace my friend! Praying for the perfect weather and for all involved to make the best memories. Looking Glass 100K Website Ultrasignup Registration Participant Guide Tanawha Adventures Instagram Brandon Thrower Instagram Handmade awards by Jonathan Ibach Thank you for listening! Want to message me? Follow Facing Vert on Instagram and message me through this platform. Thank you!

Bodybuilding...just WOW. This is an incredibly difficult sport that I knew absolutely nothing about going into this podcast. BUT, I was so honored when I was able to sit down with Pro Bodybuilder and Mr. USA 2021, Jordan Hutchinson, and his stunning wife, Brittany, to really dig in and learn as much as I could about this sport. The DISCIPLINE and MENTAL TOUGHNESS that it takes to truly make it in this sport is mind-blowing. I would not last a SINGLE day. The nutrition side alone of bodybuilding is enough to make my jaw drop. Listen to hear Jordan's journey on how he has made it to the top level of the sport and why Brittany decided to step away. What an awesome couple they make...supporting one other through so many highs and so many lows. Now, as they move to Texas to pursue their dreams, I wish them both so much success and in life. You will be so missed. How to follow the Hutchinson's: Jordan's Instagram Brittany's Instagram Sponsors: Condemned Labz The Flavor Gang Gasp Better Bodies Enjoying the podcast? Please follow and share with others! Also follow us on Instagram @facingvert. Thank you!!

Several years ago Ellie Johnston and I met while running with the B-Group on Monday nights, but Ellie's true love is cycling. Now she has become a force on two skinny tires, and it has been exciting to keep up with, especially watching her Strava! During Covid, to keep her motivated and out of the house, she began a streak of either running or cycling everyday for an entire year. Coming out of that time and gaining so much strength, she began to race. She joined a team with Gravelo where she has found support, friendship and motivation. Through this, and her passion for riding, she has seen so much success in just a year's time including standing at the top of the podium at PMBAR. Ellie, thank you for coming on the podcast and sharing your journey this past year. I am betting on you to be the Queen of Pisgah 2024. ;) Ellie's Strava Ellie's Instagram Thank you so much for listening and sharing! Please follow us on Instagram @facingvert.

Laurel Awald and I just ran The Naturalist 50K this past Saturday that takes place in Franklin, NC on the Bartram Trail. This race is an out and back with 8000 feet in vert, but the views at the top are worth it, especially on a gorgeous day like we had. Laurel crushed the course, coming in 1st lady and 3rd overall. Katti Jackson ran an incredible race coming in 2nd and 5th overall, and I was able to make the podium in 3rd and 7th overall! What an honor it was to race with these ladies on such a tough course. Not only did we podium, but I am so proud to say that all three of us came in under the course record (which completely blew my mind). I wanted to have Laurel on to chat about our experience, to learn about her and her running journey, but our conversation quickly became SO much more than I ever expected (or that she expected!). Laurel poured out her heart, her hurt, her pain, her joy and her tears, and it was beautiful and simultaneously heartbreaking to witness. So many lessons for all of us wrapped up into this one podcast, all because Laurel was honest and open about the struggles she has fought to overcome. Thank you, Laurel. You met me for the first time at the race, yet you were willing to open your heart over a podcast. Thank you for being so bold. 1 Corinthians 9:24 Laurel's Instagram Laurel's Strava Thank you for listening! Please, if you will, share with your friends and family! Also, follow us on Instagram: @facingvert

Sam Reed has TEN 100 mile completions with the belt buckles to prove it. Plus, he has run in many other ultras and has done incredibly well. Sam definitely did not gradually make his way to the 100 mile distance...he jumped in head first with lightening speed. We talk about most of his experiences in these races...his struggles, his victories, the lessons learned, the beauty, his favorites and his least favorites. Sam does not run to escape, he sees running as his own personal therapy session...to face and work through the anxious thoughts that he has struggled with since childhood. He is not afraid to talk about his mental health struggles, and this shows incredible strength. You amaze me. Thank you for being you, Sam. Thank you for being one of the ones that inspired me and dared me to try the 100 mile distance. Thank you for being such an encouragement and friend during my Hellbender journey. Oh, and we talk about monkeys. Sam's Instagram Sam's Email: haagenson@gmail.com Thank you, as always, for listening! Love it...even kinda like it? Share with your friends! Find us on Instagram: @facingvert

To me, Adam Hill was just a mythical creature because I had heard so much about him through friends and the running community, read about him in publications, run some of the epic routes he created, but we had never crossed paths. Plus, he has absolutely NO social media, and that's how we find everyone, right? ;) I mean, I have him to thank for PITCHELL, his brainchild (as the FKT site notes), and for inspiring people from all around to attempt this 65ish mile point-to-point run from Mt. Pisgah to Mt. Mitchell. His love for adventuring in the woods (most of the time on bare feet or in road shoes that are way past their prime) is completely inspiring. Instead of continuing to pay to run in races, he created routes on his own and with friends. The first time he summited Mt. Mitchell was by running out his back door to get there...a short 86 mile trip. Adam, you are an incredible human being, and I am so glad you truly DO exist. The running community, especially here in Western North Carolina, is blessed to have you. Adam Hill's Email: ultra_rnr@yahoo.com YouTube video of his adventure to Mt. Mitchell with his son: https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=oeXQG_AH8jPx83jd&v=0sQqyvTpgwE&feature=youtu.be Follow Facing Vert on Instagram: @facingvert Thank you for listening! If you are enjoying this podcast, please share with your friends. Thank you!

He did it!! Aaron Saft has faced the vert of four 100 milers in one summer, and it blows my mind. So pumped that he was willing to come on to the podcast for a second time to talk about his last two races in the Slam...the Leadville 100 and Wasatch 100. Incredible accomplishment with a super cool trophy to go with it. As you will hear in this episode, it definitely wasn't easy and there were times when he didn't know if he could finish...BUT HE DID! Congrats, Aaron! Also in this episode we dive into his go-to gear, what gets him through the lows, determining what is real and what is a hallucination after hours of running, and more! Anytime I am with Aaron I learn something new about his heart and what fuels him. Thank you, Aaron, again for joining me on Facing Vert! Listen to Aaron's Podcast, Running Is Life. Facing Vert's First Episode with Aaron: Episode 019 Update on fundraiser for Heath Ballard (Episode 022)...over $3500 raised so far! Heath will be running reverse Shut-In on November 3rd at 8:00 am in memory of his mom, Melanie. Please feel free to join us if you can! I will be posting updates on Instagram throughout the day. See the GoFundMe here.

There are not enough words to describe how thankful I am for Heath Ballard and his family. Heath is my podcast producer/sound guru/editor, and Facing Vert would not exist without him and Evan Dykes. There are a few reasons I wanted to have Heath on, and I am so honored he was willing. He has been on his own fitness journey for the past year, taking the hardest step into becoming a healthier individual...the first step. Once crossing that line and having the accountability of friends, Heath has found a new love for working out, even running, and can feel the difference in his everyday life. But Heath's life changed dramatically when just this past Friday, September 1st, his mom stepped from this life into heaven. On August 1st, the doctor found 'spots', and a month later she was gone. Melanie Ballard was an incredible woman, with a spirit that lit the room when she entered, and she will be greatly, greatly missed. Hear Heath's heart as he speaks about all that has happened over this past month. I pray that this time simply talking was healing for him in some sort of way. Heath, thank you for being so courageous and vulnerable by sharing your story just days after you lost your mom. You are so loved by the Jordan family. I hope everyone will listen. "Every time the cave gets darker, His light shines brighter."-Melanie Ballard Heath will be running Shut-In Reverse sometime soon to raise money to help his dad during this very difficult time. Before Heath even knew his mom was terminal, he wanted to do a run in her honor...to do something so hard and seemingly impossible since his mom was going through something so hard. As soon as I have details, I will post them on Facing Vert's Instagram. Thank you. Heath's Strava Heath's Instagram Thank you for listening. It means so much. Tara

This week I had the privilege of sitting down with Brandon Thrower of Tanawha Adventures. Brandon's journey to becoming a race director of some of the most loved races in Western North Carolina, all stemmed from a joy he found for creating routes and adventuring with other like-minded folks. Brandon doesn't want to just put on a race, he wants to create an experience. His desire is to highlight not only the beauty of our area and all it has to offer, but to show off the complexity and uniqueness of the trails, and the adventuring spirit of those participating. Brandon's heart is to give back to those that care for the trails, and to inspire others to do the same. Hellbender 100, which is close to my heart, is one of those routes that he created. I am excited that he will be teaming up with Carrie to co-direct the Hellbender 100 in 2024. Thank you, Brandon, for all you have done for our running community and our forests. If you are looking for a race in Western North Carolina, check out his website, https://www.tanawhaadventures.com/. Hear about all of his races and a glimpse into future ones! Thank you, Brandon, for your time! Races coming up this fall that still have some available spots: Table Rock Ultras Fonta Flora 50K and Half Looking Glass 100K Tanawha Adventure's Instagram Brandon's Instagram Loving the podcast? Please share with your friends and family! Follow us and message us on Facing Vert's Intagram

I was very excited to sit down with Luke Paulson after he beasted his way to 2nd place overall at the Leadville Trail 100 Run this past weekend. Leadville 100 is an iconic race that starts at 10,200 feet and climbs to 12,600 feet. And as stated on their website, "Today, the Life Time Leadville Trail 100 RUN presented by La Sportiva is one of the oldest, most storied endurance running events in the world." Our conversation starts out with a little background on Luke, but I couldn't wait to dig into every detail of his experience at Leadville. Thank you, Luke, for sharing and putting up with all my curiosity! Way to represent Western North Carolina out in Colorado! Loved getting to know you and can't wait to see you out on the trails (but I will never race you, that's for sure)! Luke's Strava Luke's Brand New Instagram or look for him on Facebook Follow us on Instagram, @facingvert, and if you are loving the podcast please share! Thank you!