I look down at my watch as I take another sip of coffee. 1:30am. Covered in mountain grime and muck, I sit silently on the Pilot sidewalk watching 2 stray cats nibble from a tin can as the rain pitter patters just a few feet away. After driving 3.5hrs, I just needed a break to stretch my legs before driving the final 2hrs home. To … Continue reading Fav 2 Fav
I love shoes. “Shoes” was actually the first word that ever escaped my lungs. Not mom. Not dad. Not supercalifragilisticexpialidocious. It was shoes. OMG SHOES. Why shoes? I think it’s because I came to the quick realization that if my parents were putting shoes on my feet, it meant we were going on an adventure. I mean that adventure could be the grocery store or … Continue reading Shoebituary – Sense Ride 3 “Rough Ryders”
Smokefest Day 1: Gregory Bald 11 miles / ~3000ft gain Per usual, one sole jackass parked his truck in the middle of the road to get out and get a closer look at wildlife. We not-so-patiently sat in line as a flurry of Honky McHonkersons laid on the horn to try and get Truck Daddy to move. This wasn’t anything new. This is typical tourist … Continue reading Smokefest
I’ve always admired those endurance athletes that live in towns where they can walk out of their front door and link a long day in the mountains without so much as cranking their car. The concept of leaving out of the comfort of your residence and connecting to the peacefulness of nature is something that tugs at my soul. It’s simple. It’s pure. It’s adventure … Continue reading GatlinDome
The annoying sound of the digital alarm clock from across the room blared. With blurred vision, I could barely make out the bright red glow. 3:40am. For me, this ungodly Friday morning hour wasn’t an untypical time to see on the clock, however, it was usually on the opposite end of the spectrum. Instead of waking up at 3:40am, more times than not, I was … Continue reading Brick Roads
Take a second and imagine yourself on a hot summer day. A slight breeze blows through your hair as you set your cold drink down on the table, stroll across the warm concrete and start descending a set of submerged stairs into a nice cool, crystal clear pool. You’re happy and smiling as you slowly wade through the shallow end of the pool. Once you’re … Continue reading The Deep End
As I sat on the all too familiar ledge of Kings Chair today, I closed my eyes and let the cool breeze do its best to dry the sweat clinging to my shirt. Like most MUT runners, I’ve found myself feeling some type of way surrounding the mass cancelation of most spring races. Though Cruel Jewel 100 race directors plan to “reevaluate in mid-April,” in … Continue reading Unbothered
The view from OJG’s cabin back porch is heavenly. To the left you’re looking over towards the NOC at Cheoah Bald… To the right you’re looking at the Appalachian Trail ridge line spanning from Rocky Top/Thunderhead all the way to Clingmans. It doesn’t really matter if my eyes close on the couch, recliner, bunk, or a sleeping pad. Closing my eyes at OJG’s cabin almost … Continue reading Lakeshore Traverse
“When one door closes another door opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us.” – Bell I’ve had the privilege of being a Lululemon Ambassador for the past 2 years and have officially transitioned into a Legacy Ambassador. These past 2 years have flown by and I’ve … Continue reading When Life Gives You Lululemon(s): Finding Your Leadership Voice
We had our first Birmingham group hike for the Alabama Make A Wish Trailblaze Challenge this past Saturday. At the beginning of every Trailblaze season, I always overhear and sense the exciting nervousness of hikers as they begin the 12 week journey. Some are worried they won’t be fit enough or capable of completing the 26.3 mile hike. Some are worried about the inevitable pain … Continue reading Pink Duct Tape
