How did you get started in Ultrarunning?

I got into trail and ultrarunning in 2014 after finding out there were races longer than a marathon. My sister told me about a race organization called Rainshadow Running and they put on races all over the Pacific Northwest. I signed up for my first trail race at Beacon Rock 25K which was a humbling experience and made me want to do better the next time I raced. I then ran my first 50K at the PCT Bunker to Bonneville and won it. From there, I've continued to run further and race more competitively.

Do you have a special pre-race ritual?

I love pineapple fried rice and have it before every race.

Do you have any tips for recovering after a race?

My recovery tip is to get a protein shake or a burger in as soon as possible after a race to start the recovery process. Also I wear compression sleeves or socks which help with circulation and the recovery as well.

On the days when you don’t feel like training, what inspires you to keep going?

When I don't feel like training, I think about my friends and family that have supported my dream of running professionally. I also bring a practice of gratitude to my runs when I don't feel like training because I know one day, it may be taken away and each day is a gift.

If you could, what advice would you give to yourself at the start of your running career?

My advice to myself at the start of my running career would be love the journey and the process. Soak up as much knowledge as you can from mentors and those that are faster than you.

Do you have a song that gets you hyped up to run, race, or train?

I Can Be Somebody by Deorro is my hype up song when I run or race.

Besides running, what are you passionate about?

When I'm not running, I am really passionate about cooking and traveling. Learning about different cultures and enjoying meals are my favorite.

What is your favorite Topo shoe and why?

My favorite Topo shoe is MTN Racer. I love them because of their durability and traction is superb over long mountainous runs and races

Why Topo?

I chose to partner with Topo because of their mission to help you move better. The Topo difference is another reason why I partner with the company. The roomy toe box, secure heel and low to the ground heel to toe drop make the shoes feel like they are an extension of my foot.

How did you get started in running?

In middle school I played soccer and field hockey and realized my favorite part of each sport was running to-and-fro across the field. So I followed my best friend, Claire, to our middle school cross country team… and never turned back!

Do you have a special pre-race ritual?

The two things that remain consistent as part of my pre-race ritual over my many years of running are my pre-race dinner and raising my legs against a wall to "drain the lactic acid". My pre-race din consists of pesto pasta and chicken plus a lot of bread and a side salad. Most recently, before marathons, I like to watch Fourteen Peaks about Nims Purja's quest to summit all fourteen 8,000-meter peaks in seven months! It helps remind me that humans can do really hard things.

Do you have any tips for recovering after a race?

I often give myself a break after a big goal race for both the physical and mental rest. I usually turn to skiing, surfing, spending more time with friends, or just reading a good book while drinking a good glass of wine!

On the days when you don’t feel like training, what inspires you to keep going?

JTwo things; My community and my goals. I am very goal oriented and often set big objectives for myself. I like to intertwine my training for those objectives with my community and their personal objectives so that we can all train together.

If you could, what advice would you give to yourself at the start of your running career?

Be kind to yourself and your body! Also… wear sunscreen.

Do you have a song that gets you hyped up to run, race, or train?

II have such eclectic music taste that it really depends on what I'm listening to at that point in time. Some songs that I can remember come from artists like Chumbawumba, ABBA, Avicii, Ludacris, Linkin Park, Sofi Tukker, etc. So, as you can see… eclectic!

Besides running, what are you passionate about?

I grew up skiing and love to ski with family and friends. I'm also passionate about bringing my education in Public Health and Organizational Development to how I build my personal coaching brand and how I connect with my athletes.

What is your favorite Topo shoe and why?

Okay this is a hard one. I'm obsessed with the Atmos because my feet thrive in them. In terms of style, I wear my white Specters everywhere. I recently wore them on a trip to Brazil and people were stopping me in the street asking me what brand they were!

How did you get started in Ultrarunning?

I started running marathons in my late 20s. A running mentor said I'd be good at triathlons so I did my first race at age 28 and never looked back!

Do you have a special pre-race ritual?

I have a very specific schedule I set out the day before for race morning so that I don't have to think about (or forget!) what I need to do from when the alarm goes off to the start line.

Do you have any tips for recovering after a race?

Get some food (protein and carbs) in as soon as you can. Minimize the post-race booze - it can have a big negative impact on recovery! Don't expect to sleep well after long races - that's really normal.

On the days when you don’t feel like training, what inspires you to keep going?

I think of the big picture - my goals for the year and all the people who support me. I don't want to let them down!

If you could, what advice would you give to yourself at the start of your running career?

Have the courage to take it easy and recover between workouts! You don't need to fill every moment of your day with doing something. Be lazier :)

Do you have a song that gets you hyped up to run, race, or train?

Continuo by Dmitry Selipanov and Opensound Orchestra

Besides running, what are you passionate about?

Inclusion in sport, making sport accessible to ALL people.

What is your favorite Topo shoe and why?

Specter! It's so light and responsive. I feel so fast in that shoe!

Why Topo?

The natural foot shape, lower variable drop options, and an amazing company to work with that prioritizes doing good in the world. I'm a Topo fan for life!

How did you get started in Ultrarunning?

A friend of mine told me about a 50 miler going on after he heard that I enjoyed running marathons for fun, and since then I've been hooked!

Do you have a special pre-race ritual?

I have everything prepared so I don't even think about the race plan until 5 minutes before the race!

Do you have any tips for recovering after a race?

Eat, drink, sleep... and make sure to wriggle your toes and move your ankles around whenever you get a chance!

On the days when you don’t feel like training, what inspires you to keep going?

It's actually kind of boring. I do it because it's who I am. Whether I want to or not, I do it because it's what I do.

If you could, what advice would you give to yourself at the start of your running career?

Work on your glutes and do a little bit of strength exercise!

Besides running, what are you passionate about?

Self development and goal setting.

What is your favorite Topo shoe and why?

The Ultrafly series!!

Why Topo?

Awesome toe box, due to how tight my calves are, having the 5mm drop options def are great.

How did you get started in Ultrarunning?

I was overweight and didn't want to be anymore... so I ran. Around the block turned into marathons which turned into ultras.

Do you have a special pre-race ritual?

Coffee... always start with coffee.

Do you have any tips for recovering after a race?

Get as much solid nutrition in your stomach as you can and sleep. Sleep with snacks next to the bed so you can eat a little here and a little there.

On the days when you don’t feel like training, what inspires you to keep going?

IFresh new Topo's and my athletes that look up to me.

If you could, what advice would you give to yourself at the start of your running career?

Be patient and enjoy the journey.

Do you have a song that gets you hyped up to run, race, or train?

Firebreather by Macklemore

Besides running, what are you passionate about?

Coaching and physical therapy.

What is your favorite Topo shoe and why?

The Spectre for road and the MTN Racer for trails.

Why Topo?

Topo allows me to run as naturally as possible. And running naturally allows me to greater explore the land I'm in and the capacity I have as an athlete.The smaller, close knit family feel that I have as an athlete with the team and high end product are great advantages as an athlete trying to be the best I can out there.