5 Weeks - A Road Trip and Three Races

It all started back at Bootlegger 50k and ended just in time for Christmas.  Ian and I left Las Vegas and proceeded to cover 21 states from east coast to west coast (driving of course!) over 5 weeks.  We saw -23 degree temps, ice and snow.  Needless to say, there was no camping on this trip.  Oh, and there was some racing along the way!

Ian's Beer Mile at the cinder pit.  Everyone is all smiles beforehand.

Next....back to Vegas for the Rock 'N Roll Las Vegas Marathon Expo to help out adiultra teammate Josh Brimhall.

Helping out Red Rock Running Company at the 2xu
compression booth.  Lots of product to learn!

To the east coast!!

After Bootlegger 50k (race report here), it was off to the 51st Annual JFK 50 Mile.  While my time was off my PR from last year, I was very happy to come away with the win this year.  I wouldn't say race conditions were bad, but they were less than ideal with increasing winds and dropping temperatures as the day went on.

Thanks to my grandparents and parents for being there to crew for us.  It's always nice to see familiar faces along the lonely stretches of the C&O Canal and for being able to witness my Dad blowing by the traffic jam.  After all, he "had runners to meet!"

Navigating the Appalachian Trail.

Finish in 1st and 6:35.

Ian finishes his 19th JFK!

Congratulations from RD Mike Spinnler.

Top Ten Women.

A few days later, it was time to defend my title at the Pie and Glove 5k.  It's becoming tradition to be here, so hopefully we'll be back in 2014!

Bee and Z helping show off my pie.

We had to travel from New York to Oregon to hit up the next race of the trip.  Here were some of the sights along the way.

Who would have thought we'd get to see Uncle Eddie's RV from
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation?

Driving by the Bonneville Salt Flats.  Maybe one day I can
witness a land speed record attempt here.

Last race of the trip....USATF National Club XC Championships in Bend, Oregon.  This was another location on the map that I got to see for the first time.  I was honored to race for Team Run Flagstaff with Amy Val Alstine (2nd place!), Kellyn Johnson (5th place), Trina Painter, Leah Rosenfeld, and Hillary Hayes.  We came away with a 6th place team finish.

On the starting line moments before the gun went off.

After a couple more says in Oregon, it was time to head back to Flagstaff.

Along the way, we went to the top of Black Butte near Mount Shasta.
Photo by John Soares

California sunset!

Thank you to all of our family and friends who let us stay with them on this trip!

At least through all of the travels, Bee was able
to get her beauty rest.