Julie Haynes was having pain and sought help from her doctor.

"Just don't run," was the advice.

Haynes, like a lot of women, hear this sort of thing more often than we'd like. I've had a chiropractor mutter, "We'll see," when I mentioned that I wanted to run again. And, of course, there was a recent incident with an X-ray technician who pointedly and judgmentally wondered aloud if I "really" was a runner or if I'd just overdone it.

Haynes and I talk about this topic at some length. I went on a bit of a chat with her about my feral cat colony that I share with my neighbors.

Still, it is a conversation worth having and listening to.

I found this story from the New York Times that addresses this topic. (Women not being taken seriously by their doctors, not feral cat colonies.)

Liz Casa Perez is sort of infamous in the Trail Racing Over Texas community because she occasionally puts up a canopy emblazoned, "You Are Not Alone."

She is also an accomplished ultrarunner, who currently lives in Victoria, Texas and loves the 100K distance. She recently attempted the 100M race at Habanero Hundred, but did not finish. Still, she is undeterred and ready to tackle it next year.

I missed going to Habanero Hundred last weekend because two Interstates were closed and traffic was being funneled onto service roads, creating a ridiculous backlog of traffic. I was already cutting it close to arriving on time -- my theory is I didn't want to get there too early and then be stuck hanging around in the heat. When it became clear I would miss the start by over 30 minutes and maybe an hour, I turned around and went home.

In retrospect, it might have been fate sparing me a DNF because people were dropping out of the race because of the extreme heat. As it was, seven people didn't finish the 10K, so that tells you something.

In other news, I picked up a new phrase that describes what I do: Hogging. It's a combination of hiking and jogging. I rather like it.

Things have been progressing regarding my stiff, injured left hip. Physical therapy is making a difference. (shoutout to Optimum Physio Sports) for being the one place that has accurately addressed my dang issue. I've been through another PT program that is famous and starts with an "A," along with a buncha sessions with chiropractors. The truth is, none of them solved the issue until now.

I go in twice a week and these folks put me through my paces: hip lift circles, bridges and much more. I count those days as a workout because, hey, I sweat and it's HARD.

Still, it is useful and the therapists are empathetic when I tell them that I love 50Ks and have tackled 50 milers and 100ks.

Today (Sunday), I managed to run a mile without stopping, which is HUGE. I didn't get winded or need to sit down somewhere.

I hope this lasts because I am sooooo ready to return to my Happy Place: trail running.

Photo: me and Maria, my friend, beating the Lady in Blue at a 10 K a coupla years ago. :)

So, I did a thing last week.

I signed up for the Habenero Hundred on Aug. 12.

I'm *only* doing the 20K because I'm crazy, but not insane.

The real masochists are doing the 100-mile and 100K.

Here's the rub: the race starts at high noon for the big distances. For the rest of us, we start at 12:30. PM. In August. In Texas.

I'm hoping to not throw up because I am known to do that in the heat or if I ingest too much ice-cold water (but, oh, it tastes sooo good going down.)

Also big shout-out to Liza Howard for winning the Badger 100. Other pod-adjacent folks who finished the 100 include Jenny Gruber and Lydia Rios. And high-five to my buddy, Chris Prairie for crushing the 50K.

I spent a few days in Southern Utah where I hiked at Zion National Park, sandboarded down a white-hot dune, soaked in a river and hung out on a pontoon boat with my sister and her family. Oh, and I saw this place that had haunted my dreams for years. It was a road that ran alongside a mountain. I knew it was out near California but wasn't California. It's in Utah. It's weird when you finally see a place that has been in your dreams. See photo.

This episode is about the humble origins of this podcast four years ago to all about YOU listeners! And, stick around for a personal update involving self-esteem, the injury that hasn't gone away, image, and some embarrassing, yet helpful, information about why you should not use a debt consolidation settlement company. I'll be OK but it's been a tough week.

Here's to a happy new season of the pod. Please send any feedback to [email protected]. (No lectures, please. I get it.)

Sarah attempted her first 100-miler in December/January at Snowdrop. She had some serious health issues and was pulled by the medical staff, two loops short of finishing. Unfortunately, the time cutoff was called and she couldn't go back out and finish. Fast-forward to June, when she traveled to Milwaukee, Wisconsin and spent six days inside the Petit National Ice Center's track, and she got her hundo and a buckle!

It's been a while since I've caught up with my friend, Orlando Montalvo (Hundo). This year, after finishing his fifth Snowdrop 100-mile race, he and his lovely wife, Kathy (Babe) are dialing it back this year.

We reflect on past races, talk about the future and more.

Jessica Kestermann loves to remind me that she is exactly half my age. Ha ha. Still, we met on a cold, January morning a few years ago at Pedernales State Park, where we warmed up inside a mutual friend's Prius and got to know each other as our other friends finished their longer miles.