FACING VERT

This episode is SO important to me because it highlights the people that helped me accomplish my goals at the Cruel Jewel 100…my pacers! Without Lara, Evan, Lisa and Tom, who knows if I would have even crossed the finish. But fortunately, I don’t have to know that feeling because they were there for me. I don’t even know if they realize how they important they are to me, and how grateful I am for each one of them. You will hear about their experience pacing me and what they learned during the process. Enjoy!

My Cruel Jewel YouTube video is out! Thank you to my husband, Jonathan, for putting this all together for me! Click HERE to watch.

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With Father's Day approaching this coming Sunday, there is no other person that I would want to talk with other than my daddy. No, my dad is not a runner and not even a lover of hikes, but he has definitely faced VERT in his life. In this episode, listen as we talk about his life growing up on a wheat farm in Oklahoma, becoming a collegiate gymnast, his stories of his time in the Air Force in the middle of the Vietnam War, and his battle with prostate cancer. This time with him, the stories he told, and the memories he shared are nuggets that I will hold dear to my heart for the rest of my life. It truly does not matter who listens or how many, but just having these moments recorded is what I will forever treasure. I love you, daddy.

Forever your little girl,

Ralph

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Tory and Sara are two powerhouse runners that have performed extremely well in the trail & ultra running world. Hear how they fell in love with the sport of running, found their passion, and then navigating the unknown when the ability to run is stripped away. Tory and Sara, I can't thank you enough for your authenticity, your transparency and your perseverance. Most importantly, thank you for your friendship. I know I will see you again at the top of the mountain.

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Tory Grieves Strava

Sara Molskness's Strava

Run 828 Foundation

Pitchell FKT

Aaron Saft of MR Running Pains (Tory and Sara's Coach)

Marisa Romeo: [email protected] (Tory and Sara's Strength Coach)

Book Tory Recommends: Out and Back by Hillary Allen

**WARNING** SENSITIVE SUBJECT MATTER DISCUSSED ON THIS PODCAST.

My incredible guest, Jack Kitching, was born and raised in England. As athletic as they come...hear Jack's journey to becoming the first line of defense for the late Queen of England to enduring military tasks that only few can handle. Jack took the rage he felt from his traumatic childhood and poured it into every obstacle or challenge he faced. This is a story that you need to hear. Thank you, Jack, for your vulnerability.

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Jack Kitching's Strava

Suicide and Crisis Hotline

Hear my journey taking on the beastly Cruel Jewel 100 mile trail race in the mountains of North Georgia. It may be called a 100 mile race, but in reality it is somewhere between 103-106 miles with around 30,000 feet of elevation gain, and I felt every bit! After hitting a mental and physical low early in the race, I thought I was never going to finish, but with so many prayers I was able to pull through and finish stronger than I ever imagined I could. 2nd place female and 13th overall still seems absolutely unreal to me, and I could never have accomplished this epic feat without the help of my crew, Jonathan and Kayda Jordan, and my pacers...Lara and Evan Dykes, Lisa Busche (& the whole Busche family), and Tom Sharkey. You kept me going, you kept my mind sharp, and you kept me laughing...THANK YOU will never be enough. My very special guests, Jonathan (husband) and Kayda (my youngest), will also share their experience crewing through 30 hours in unfamiliar woods. I hope you get a glimpse of what it might be like to be a part of something so completely cruel, yet so incredibly rewarding. God has created us to do so much more than we could ever think or imagine. This is one I will never forget.

Jonathan Ibach-a phenomenal runner and just as phenomenal of a person. We talk all things Hellbender...from his past experiences to his most recent performance just this past weekend. One thing that stands out for me is how Ibach never wants to lose the joy of running, and this is a big part of his training and strategy. Thank you, Ibach, for coming out to record with me just 2 days after crossing the finish line, and I am so excited to see you become a dad in July!

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Jonathan Ibach's Strava

Jonathan Ibach's Instagram: @ji_adventures

Jonathan is also an incredible woodworker, and even made the under 24-hour awards for Hellbender (it is funny, he gets his own award!). Check out his woodworking on Instagram: @jiwoodenworks

Hellbender 100 Mile Race Website: https://www.hellbender100.com/

Barbara Green doesn't want to be called superwoman because she doesn't see herself that way, but I certainly do. We discuss balancing being a mom, a wife, an entrepreneur, and an extremely strong and active athlete (she swims, she mountain bikes, she runs, she races, she paces, she's awesome...). I can't think of a better episode to put out there in the world as we approach Mother's Day. Our conversation is like ones we have on many of our trail runs together (maybe slightly more serious), and I so appreciate her openness to share in some of the battles she has faced (including standing shoulder to shoulder with her husband as he recently fought cancer). Barbara is a friend to all, and as loyal as they get. Enjoy getting to know her and her heart.

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Barbara's Instagram: @barbaragalvingreen

Dirt Skrts: https://www.dirtskrrts.com/

Outward Bound Program: https://www.outwardbound.org/

Special guests, Lara and Evan Dykes, talk about how accountability from friends and each other has been critical in their motivation to attempt and conquer their fitness goals. From dabbling in Crossfit to stepping on the podium. From zero exercise to running a marathon. They are inspiring. You will love them, just as I do.

Lara's Instagram: @laracantrell

Lara's Strava: Lara Dykes

Evan's Strava: Evan Dykes

Evan's Instagram: never mind, he never posts anything :)

Their Crossfit Gym: https://ncopengym.com

Mark and Laura equal a power house couple who have more races under their belt than I or they can count. They are an inspiration to so many because of the way they support one another. They train together, race together, crew each other, and soak up every moment they can doing what they love. If you are a trail runner in WNC, you either know of them or you have raced beside them. In this episode we will dive in to who they are, how they fell in love with each other and running, and hear their perspective on many of the races they have done. I enjoyed every second of our conversation, and I hope you do too!

Follow and message me through Instagram: @facingvert

Instagram for Mark Rollins @ultrapumpkin and Laura Rollins @lrollruns