FACING VERT

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/34931030

Katti's Instagram: http://instagram.com/katti_jackson

Grindstone 100's website: https://grindstone.utmb.world

Facing Vert's Instagram: http://instagram.com/facingvert

Thank 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 [email protected]

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/