I didn’t post much in 2019. One of the reasons for this (aside from working full time and trying to keep up with our busy toddler) is that I fell in love with trail running. I ran over 1,100 miles last year - more miles than I ever have run in a year, by far. And I loved running almost every one of those miles, even those that came on road, in the dark, and in cold rain. (For more on why I love trail running, check out my reflection on running to Larch Mountain).
In January last year, my goal for health/well-being was to stay fit and strong, keep trail running and hiking, listen to my body (always!), and not get injured. I accomplished this goal - and then some. If you would have asked me a year ago if I could have fathomed I would complete a rugged 20 mile trail race in the Mt. St. Helens backcountry or a challenging 50K on some of the most beautiful trails in Oregon, I would have said, no way.
Here’s a year-in-review of my 2019 trail adventures (I initially anticipated that this would be brief, but 12 months x multiple photos is a lot! Good luck making it to the end.)
January: On New Years Day, I visit Mt. Tabor and the Grotto to wander the trails while soaking in the beautiful morning light. We enjoy a family hike in Forest Park. The rest of the month brings early Saturday morning trail runs on the Wildwood Trail.
February: Luca asks for “more” dogs while on a hike. Lindsay and I run the Buck Mountain Mudslinger in 6 inches of snow. It is wild! (Running in snow is hard!!) I enjoy the spookiness of Mt. Tabor in the fog. I cover more miles in Forest Park.
March: Lindsay and I enjoy a trail run together on the Maple Trail in Forest Park, our first trail run together in we can’t remember how long. I run the Alsea Falls Half Marathon. We wander through the redwood grove in Washington Park with friends.
April: We hike part of the Herman Creek Trail in the Columbia River Gorge and witness new growth a year and a half after the Eagle Creek Fire. My heart is full seeing all of the green and new growth. I wonder how the Eagle Creek Trail (just a canyon over) is recovering.
May: I complete my first “nasty” run in Forest Park (the nasty routes are known for having a lot of elevation gain and connecting firelanes and less traveled trails in the park) and run among the giants in Henry Cowell Redwood State Park in California. My brother Myles and I run 10 miles on the lush Salmon River Trail in the Salmon Huckleberry Wilderness near Mt. Hood, our first lengthy trail run together. Luca completes his longest hike - and Lindsay wins the award for carrying him over 13 miles and 3000 ft + of elevation gain. We hike on the Timberline Trail in a cold fog.
June: I pick up the miles and enjoy evening midweek runs with daylight. The Forest Park Nasty Challenge starts (a fundraiser to support the Forest Park Conservancy: complete all 5 routes - totaling almost 70 miles and 10,000 feet of elevation gain- by the end of the summer and get a free t-shirt. I’ll do anything for a free t-shirt!) I complete three of the routes this month. We camp at the coast with Lindsay’s coworkers and I do a 12 miler on the beach. (Running on sand is hard!) We go to Mexico for a week with Lindsay’s family and I get reacquainted with treadmill running (not horrible if you know a cold beer and the pool is waiting for you).
July: We visit Squamish, BC and go on some short hikes. Our weather luck continues and the rain follows us. Myles and I run the Mt. Hood 25K together - I finish in the top 10 for women and I only fall once! We travel east to Longford Lake to visit my family. I complete, with the help of Myles and Lindsay, what I call the Longford Lake adventure run - 7 “laps” covering 16 miles with 3000 ft of elevation gain (the longest run I’ve completed since I ran the Philly marathon in 2010). It’s hot.
August: Lindsay and I run to Larch Mountain from the Multnomah Falls trailhead. It’s my first trail run in the Gorge and I have an absolute blast. We attempt our first backpacking trip with Luca, which is mainly a disaster (lots of crying) but we are still glad we went. It brings me so much joy to see Luca look at trees with wonder in his eyes. A highlight of the year for me comes when we backpack the Copper Ridge Loop in the North Cascades with Myles. We cover 34 miles over three days. The views are stunning. This month I find I cannot consume enough calories to satiate my hunger.
September: I complete the Backcountry Rise 20 miler - a challenging trail run through the Mt. Margaret backcountry near Mt. St. Helens. I’m attacked by yellow jackets 6 miles in just as I’m starting the run’s major climb - after some cursing and a brief bout of crying, I push onwards. Overall, the race is awesome and I get a huge boost after seeing Lindsay and Luca at the aid station around mile 13. I finish in the top 13 women. I complete the final route of the Forest Park Nasty Challenge!
Photo credit: Stephen Mortinson
We end the summer with a last minute invite to join Lindsay’s coworkers on a backpacking trip to the Goat Rocks Wilderness. Myles joins us - and we get an early start on the trail so we can trail run/hike up to Old Snowy Mountain on the PCT after setting up our tents. According to PCT through-hikers, this area of the PCT boasts some of the most beautiful views on the entire trail. The views are indeed breathtaking. In a little over 24 hours we cover 25 miles.
Two observations: it appears I need more running shirts and why am I standing so awkwardly?
The last morning of summer, I drag myself out of our tent to witness this sight.
Later in the month, I watch the Harvest Moon rise over Mt. Hood.
October: On a beautiful Saturday morning, I run a marathon on the Wildwood Trail in Forest Park and spend the rest of the month tapering for… my first 50K!
November: I run the Silver Falls 50K! You may be wondering - why? A little over a year ago I couldn’t run a mile without walking. I didn’t often share that I was training for a 50K because I found the most common response to be generally unsupportive - “why would you do that?” or “that’s crazy!” I can think of a million things that are crazier. For me, it’s about pushing myself to achieve something I never thought I could do. It’s about digging deep, setting a goal, and working towards it even if it’s challenging. It’s about being flexible when things don’t go according to plan. Being in tune with my mind and body. Running a distance that long is humbling, invigorating. People who don’t run may roll their eyes, but I think it’s been good training for life. For being a more patient and present person. For opening my eyes to the limitations I set for myself and how to break free from them to move forward. While running on a winding trail I can empty my mind and notice the little things that I might otherwise miss because life is busy and there’s a lot noise. It’s grounding. Renewing.
Back to the 50K: the run is mentally and physically demanding but I really do have a blast. Lindsay cheers me on at multiple aid stations - knowing I was always just a few miles from seeing her really helped lift me during the “downs” I experienced at various points during the run. 6 hours and 15 minutes later I cross the finish line, exhausted, but with a full heart. I finished!
Some of you may not follow me on Instagram, (if you have, sorry if you already read this), but I shared this reflection the next morning: I am in awe that my legs carried me 31.5 miles and 4,500 feet of elevation gain through such a beautiful natural area. When I crossed the finish line, I felt an overwhelming sense of accomplishment, but even more gratitude. For the trail running community, especially the handful of runners who gave me a boost when I was crashing. For mental and physical heath. For the privilege to access beautiful trails on public land. For a partner who supported me in this seemingly “crazy” goal but, more important, in life.
A few weeks after the 50K, we go for a hike with friends to Dry Creek Falls, our first visit there since the trail reopened after the Eagle Creek Fire. It’s nice to slow down a little and take photos with my camera!
Later in the month, we spend a long weekend on the Washington side of the Gorge with my parents, brother Myles, and sister. I drag myself out of bed the first morning and freeze my hands off photographing the sunrise with my Dad. I’m grateful for the time together with nothing to do other than just visit with each other.
Myles and I run/power hike Dog Mountain. The views are stunning. We enjoy a quick descent after the grueling climb. I’m grateful for all of the hikes and trail runs my brother and I were able to do together this year.
December: On Christmas Eve morning I go to Mt. Tabor and walk some of the trails before work. The fog is spooky, and it’s nice to have a few moments of quiet.
What better way to end a year full of outdoor activity than with a family hike in the Columbia River Gorge? On New Years Eve morning, we set out on a hike with the goal of reaching Devil’s Rest. We almost make it to the summit but decide to turn around because Luca starts crying that he doesn’t have his trains. We think he is also cold. He cries the entire descent to the car. The next day, we ask him if he enjoyed our hike. He says “Yes!”
If you made it this far, I’m really impressed by your dedication!
As I’ve said before, I mainly write this blog for myself and to share with Lindsay and Luca so if a few people happen to follow along and are inspired to be more active and spend more time among trees, then I’m content.
As I reflect back on 2019, I am filled with gratitude - for good health, physical strength and endurance, the opportunity to share many of these outdoors experiences with loved ones. To have accomplished something I never thought I could. For the curious joy that trail running has brought me this last year.
Curious joy, indeed. While 2020 may not bring an ultra marathon or as many outdoor adventures, I hope to continue to explore my love of trail running and spend time with my family outside in beautiful places, sharing my love of natural spaces with Luca, whose love of nature only continues to grow.