How did your trail running journey begin?
I got started on trails while living in Mitchell, Indiana. I was going through a divorce, working night shift and needed an outlet. The roads made me feel vulnerable because of my emotional turmoil so I found solace on the trails at Spring Mill. I would come home and go out to the park and just run until my head was clear. I didnāt wear a watch or keep track of the miles. I just ran.
What is your favorite memory with ITR?
I would have to say it was in 2024. I decided to start the first 100k in southern Indiana, the MoMoFo, and was blown away by the support of our running community. One friend said it was the first race she ever went to that had an almost 1:1 ratio of runners to volunteers š¤£
Why do you like ultramarathon distances?
I like having to dig deep and find that little bit extra. I know itās not going to be easy but yet I still sign up and always look forward to that struggle. Nothing great is ever achieved without a struggle.
What has been one of your most memorable trail running events?
The Kodiak 100 in 2019. I was invited to come run the event with Jason Giesler and Mary Walker. The invitation included a free entry but the caveat was that we had to finish. The RD needed folks to finish so he could possibly make his race a Western States qualifier. So former Hoosier and Indiana Running Company store owner Ben Bartley told him he had some Hoosiers that could do the job. This race was filled with many stories but one of the most memorable moments was calling Cheryl in the middle of the night telling her to meet me at the next aid station (mile 82). Cheryl thought I was calling her so she could help crew me or give me aid of some type but little did she know I was on pace to miss the cutoff. That was until another runner (Michael Ortiz) came bombing down the mountain and convinced me that together we could make the cutoff. So on destroyed legs we gave it everything we had and kept pushing until we could see the aid station lights and hear the volunteers. The volunteers were not cheering. Instead they were counting down (out loud) the seconds until the cutoff. Michael and I sprinted and made it with one second to spareā¦no joke. The AS captain gave us stern directions to grab what we needed and be out of the AS in 2 minutes or we were done. Cheryl arrived and I filled her in about the dire situation and she told me to press on and to get it done. I battled the next 18 miles fighting cutoffs by only minutes each time. I even took a 10 minute power nap (Iām notorious for this) with about 8 miles left and the course sweepers, who were following us, were so kind to set their watches for those 10 precious minutes. I finished the Kodiak 100 with 4 minutes and 41 seconds to spare.Ā
Favorite place to explore?
Any trail(s) in the woods. š©·
You recently started the MoMoFo 100k. What impact has that experience had on you?
I am truly humbled by the support but most of all that I get a chance to help someone achieve something bigger than they thought was possible. That is powerful stuff.
Do you have any events coming up?
We completed the MoMoFo 100k and 20 mile fun run in June but my winter race, the FroMoMoFo 20 miler and 10 mile fun run, is slated for Sunday January 11, 2026. https://runsignup.com/Race/IN/Martinsville/FroMoMoFo
