Little Moments #20

The moment you step into an adventure, there is a string of events that will inevitably take place. With them can come moments of challenge, exhaustion, and sometimes despair. But if you look hard enough, below the surface lie the hidden gems that make the struggle all worthwhile. Those little moments that say: ‘Hey outside!...

Of Wonder and Wander: Insights from a Wild Heart and Restless Spirit

As the temperatures begin to rise, I notice myself looking out the nearest window with a sigh and desperate longing to be out there. That ‘out there’ could be anywhere but home, but if I’m to be truthful, my heart would much prefer somewhere far away and underexplored. Upon initial recognition, I quickly categorized the...

Of Injury and Inquiry: The Value of Untraining

Earlier this week I came across an entry by a fellow blogger that has stuck with me ever since. It is the truthful yet beautiful description of completing a task while recalling the steps it took to get there. While I advocate the read, in a nutshell, one simple exercise of retrieving a notebook turned...

There’s a Verse for Every Voyage

Guess what everybody? We made it. It's March 1st, which means that spring is right around the corner. The days are longer, pastel colours are emerging in storefronts, and sunny adventures seem like a possibility once again. March always comes furnished with a sense of renewal. While warmer air incites anticipation of the season to...

From 20’s to 30’s: The (De)Evolution of Resolutions

The weeks leading up to December 31 have always been rife with reflection and introspection. Usually, it results in some sort of euphoric shift in mentality and crystal-like clarity for the coming year (while confetti drops from the sky). So what just happened? I sat. I thought. I hummed and I hawed. I even spent...

Of Voices and Value: Love for our Local Lands

Although the space between now and Monday’s announcement grows, my social media feed continues to thunder: Outdoor enthusiasts with their protests (‘Solitude not Crude!’) Grassroots organizations with their kickstarters ($159K and counting) Outdoor brands with their lawsuits against the administration (The President Stole Your Land) A war has been declared, and the outdoor industry isn’t...

Of Mileage and Mindset: The Squamish 50 and a Search for Failure

The seconds continue to tick by, each one bringing me closer to a decision I wish I didn’t have to make at all. At 10:00 am EST tomorrow morning, registration for the Squamish 50 ultramarathon will open. As one of the most sought-after races in Canada with increasing popularity throughout the Pacific Northwest, spots will...

Race Review: Seattle Half Marathon

Time and Place The Amica Seattle Marathon is held each year in late November on the weekend of American Thanksgiving. The course takes participants on a scenic tour of the city, beginning and ending by the base of the city's iconic Space Needle. Race Distances Half and full marathon: 21 km and 42 km (both...

Of Breath and Bears Ears: A Fight for Public Lands

A number of years ago, I received an email with nothing else than a link to a video. It was a TED Talk given by professional climber Tommy Caldwell recounting his story. It was the first time I had heard it and I hung on every word, fascinated by each and every one. While on a...

Of Race Bibs and Beacons: A Conclusion to Cloudsplitter

The half-eaten package of citrus Clif Bloks in the bottom of my purse; the muddy trail runners sitting forlorn in the doorway; the trekking poles left collapsed in the hatch of my car... It has been over two weeks, and yet I continue to stumble across objects from my pre-Cloudsplitter days with a sigh of...

Race Review: Cloudsplitter100

Time and Place In 2017, the Cloudsplitter100 was held early October in the Jefferson National Forest with a start and finish in Norton, Virginia. In previous years, however, the race took place on the trails of Kentucky’s Pine Mountain (more on that later). Race Distances Moderate to Ultramarathon: 25 km; 50 km; 100 km; 100...

Race Review: Sulphur Springs Trail Race

Time and Place Sulphur Springs is organized by the Burlington Runners Club and is held late May in the Dundas Valley Conservation Area, Ancaster, Ontario. Distances Moderate to Ultramarathon: 10 km; 25 km; 50 km; 50 miles; 100 km; 100 miles; 100 mile relay Note: 2017 had a 200-mile option but was added specifically to commemorate its 25th anniversary. To my knowledge,...

Of Mountains and Mats: A Weekend at Wanderlust

Let’s try something. Just for a moment, picture your solace - the place you feel the most at peace. What does it look like? When I think of mine, it often features a faraway place, a trail, and perhaps some gentle clouds flitting across distant snow-covered mountains. Most often, it also features solitude. It was...

Chained by Daisies: My First Year Outdoor Climbing

I remember a long summer afternoon when, as a young girl, I sat amongst long blades of grass while plucking the petals off of those common little white flowers. With the first between my fingers: ‘he loves me.’ The second: ‘he loves me not.’ With childhood innocence, I placed all my hope that as the last...

A Newbie’s Guide to Ultra Registration

A friend and I aim to do an adventure each fall. For 2017, we decided to up the ante and find a destination trail race. I succumbed to finding one with a variety of distances: 100+ km for her (yes, such a badass); 25 km or less for me. I had finished a half marathon...

Little Moments #19

The moment you step into an adventure, there is a string of events that will inevitably take place. With them can come moments of challenge, exhaustion, and sometimes despair. But if you look hard enough, below the surface lie the hidden gems that make the struggle all worthwhile. Those little moments that say: ‘Hey outside!...

Little Moments #18

The moment you step into an adventure, there is a string of events that will inevitably take place. With them can come moments of challenge, exhaustion, and sometimes despair. But if you look hard enough, below the surface lie the hidden gems that make the struggle all worthwhile. Those little moments that say: ‘Hey outside!...

Little Moments #17

The moment you step into an adventure, there is a string of events that will inevitably take place. With them can come moments of challenge, exhaustion, and sometimes despair. But if you look hard enough, below the surface lie the hidden gems that make the struggle all worthwhile. Those little moments that say: ‘Hey outside!...

Little Moments #16

The moment you step into an adventure, there is a string of events that will inevitably take place. With them can come moments of challenge, exhaustion, and sometimes despair. But if you look hard enough, below the surface lie the hidden gems that make the struggle all worthwhile. Those little moments that say: ‘Hey outside!...

Little Moments #15

The moment you step into an adventure, there is a string of events that will inevitably take place. With them can come moments of challenge, exhaustion, and sometimes despair. But if you look hard enough, below the surface lie the hidden gems that make the struggle all worthwhile. Those little moments that say: ‘Hey outside!...

Little Moments #14

The moment you step into an adventure, there is a string of events that will inevitably take place. With them can come moments of challenge, exhaustion, and sometimes despair. But if you look hard enough, below the surface lie the hidden gems that make the struggle all worthwhile. Those little moments that say: ‘Hey outside!...