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Tabor Hemming on running her first ever road marathon, Elite trail running, road vs trail, being considered one of the fast couples on the trails, the ranch life
155 Plays3 months ago
On today’s episode of Just In Stride, we’re joined by Tabor Hemming—a talented trail runner, endurance coach, and athlete who brings a wealth of experience and insight to the world of endurance sports.
Tabor not only excels on the trails but also wears many hats in her everyday life. As a coach, she empowers athletes to push their limits and achieve their goals. Alongside her husband and training partner, she navigates the highs and lows of competition while managing the demands of operating a family ranch. This balance of grit, teamwork, and dedication shapes her unique approach to both running and life.
In this episode, Tabor shares her journey as a competitor, the lessons she’s learned from coaching, and how ranch life contributes to her resilience and work ethic. Her story is sure to inspire anyone striving for balance between their passions and responsibilities.
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Thanks for tuning in to the Just In Stride Podcast. I truly appreciate you taking the time to listen and I hope you enjoyed that conversation as much as I did. Please take a minute after this to rate and review our show on Apple Podcasts. With your feedback we’ll be able to make the show even better and it’ll help us reach new listeners too. You can also find us on Instagram @justinstridepod and YouTube @justinstridepod for all the latest episodes and updates. Glad you came along for the ride with Just In Stride!
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Transcript
Introduction to the Podcast
00:00:03
Speaker
Hello and welcome to the Justin Stride podcast. I'm your host Justin Pugliese. If you love endurance sports, you've definitely come to the right place. On this show, we'll talk to athletes, coaches and professionals who can help us reach our true potential.
Justin's Journey in Distance Running
00:00:18
Speaker
Being a student of distance running for over 10 years and interviewing people in the sport for the last five, I've learned a ton, but there's always more to discover. Everyone has a story and I know you'll resonate with each of our guests as we embark on this new journey together.
00:00:34
Speaker
Join us at home, on the road, or while you run. Together, we'll have some fun.
Sponsor Message: Exact Nutrition
00:00:39
Speaker
So follow along on Instagram at JustinStridePod and your favorite podcast platform and prepare to be inspired.
00:00:47
Speaker
Come along for the ride with Just In Stride. This episode is presented by our friends at Exact Nutrition, a tasty and healthy way for you to fuel your body before, during, and after a solid training session.
00:01:00
Speaker
I can't leave the house without a few fruit bars in my pocket and they never make it back home. Exact is offering you 15% off your order when you use the code Just In Stride. So head to exactnutrition.com and fuel your goals today.
00:01:14
Speaker
Ready to crush your next goal? with 15 years of experience across endurance sports, from 5Ks to ultras, over 10 marathons with a personal best of two hours 45 minutes, including Boston, New York City, and Berlin, plus two Ironmans, I know what it takes to achieve real results.
00:01:33
Speaker
But training for a race is about more than just logging miles. It's about training smarter, and that's where a coach makes all the difference. As your coach, I'll create a personalized week-by-week plan tailored to fit your unique goals, lifestyle, and schedule.
00:01:48
Speaker
You'll also get guidance on race day strategy, nutrition, pre-race routines, and the insider tips that can transform your performance. With a coach, you're not guessing through training. You're following a proven, customized roadmap with support every step of the way. So if you're ready to train smarter and reach new levels, email me at justin at justinstridepod.com and let's make those goals happen.
Meet Tabor Hemming: Balancing Life and Training
00:02:14
Speaker
On today's episode of Just In Stride, we're joined by Tabor Hemming, a talented trail runner, endurance coach, and athlete who brings a wealth of experience and insight to the world of endurance sports.
00:02:25
Speaker
Tabor not only excels on the trails, but also wears many hats in her everyday life. As a coach, she empowers athletes to push their limits and achieve their goals. Alongside her husband and training partner, she navigates the highs and lows of competition while managing the demands of operating a family ranch. This balance of grit, teamwork, and dedication shapes her unique approach to both running and life.
00:02:49
Speaker
In this episode, Tabor shares her journey as a competitor, the lesson she's learned from coaching, and how ranch life contributes to her resilience and work ethic. Her story is sure to inspire anyone striving for balance between their passions and responsibilities.
00:03:08
Speaker
Hey Tabor, welcome to the Justin's Drive podcast. Pleasure to have you on. Yeah, thanks for having me. It's always fun to talk and ah share share stories and knowledge and whatever else people are interested in.
00:03:20
Speaker
Yeah, sure. I mean, you popped up on my feed because I've ran CIM myself and and had been following the race and and saw that you ran your first ever marathon there ah recently. So maybe just share like, how did that
Tabor's First Road Marathon Experience
00:03:35
Speaker
go for you? And was it what you expected?
00:03:38
Speaker
Yeah. CIM, first of all, was like such an amazing experience. like I'd never been to a road marathon before. And like I did track and cross country all growing up and then moved to the trails.
00:03:50
Speaker
But just like having 10,000 people at a race was like so incredible. like You're on the start line, you look behind you and you're like, oh my gosh, all of these people are doing a marathon?
00:04:01
Speaker
And like, it kind of takes the nervousness away a little bit because I don't know, you look behind you and you're like, okay, they can do it. They're here. I can do it as well. um So yeah, I was super stoked to do it. And I had like pretty big goals going in.
00:04:16
Speaker
Didn't really hit any of those goals other than like actually finishing, which is totally okay. Like, I think everyone's first marathon is a huge learning experience. And I think I came in with maybe like expectations that were a little lofty for a first road marathon. And I learned that.
00:04:34
Speaker
um So I think it was a really good experience and learning opportunity. But I really would like to go back and try another one just to be able to be like, yeah, I i kind of mastered that a little bit better. Yeah, for sure. and I mean, you're you're more familiar with trails.
00:04:47
Speaker
and Yeah. would you call your Would you think you'll make the switch now to road or you think that the trails is your home?
Tabor's Early Influences and Passion for Running
00:04:54
Speaker
Oh, you know, i think I kind of caught the road bug a little bit this year.
00:04:59
Speaker
ah i did a half marathon in February in Arizona and then I was like, oh, that was fun. And then I did the road marathon at CIM and I was like, I think I really like this.
00:05:11
Speaker
um And so I think it might be something where I just dabble. i think they complement each other because trail is really evolving and people are getting much quicker and you're having also faster athletes come over into the space.
00:05:24
Speaker
And so if anything, I think they'll just complement each other with trail being so much endurance and aerobic focused. that like getting to the marathon, the distance wasn't the scary thing, which is kind of crazy to say, like, because usually people go to the marathon being like, oh my gosh, it's a scary distance.
00:05:41
Speaker
So I think you could see me dabbling. um But TBD on what 2025 looks like. and And so what were those goals like for you going into uncharted territory?
00:05:52
Speaker
Yeah, so I really wanted to be right at that 230 mark. um I think like my training indicated that like that's how workouts were going. I think something that I really underestimated was the pavement fatigue that you get in the marathon.
00:06:08
Speaker
Yeah. Um, yeah. And I just, I train in an area that we really only have one paved road in the vicinity of where we live. And it's just the main highway that like passes through our town. And so I did all of my stuff either on like dirt roads or the track.
00:06:23
Speaker
And then when I got to mile 20, I was like, wow, the pavement fatigue is real. Um, so I messed up there and yeah, I just think that was like the biggest hurdle. Cause I just lost my quads near the end.
00:06:39
Speaker
um So it's amazing, right? like the Like you're still doing the work and the workouts and everything. yeah But just that like subtle difference in terrain is, it's not necessarily something you think about, you know? No. Yeah.
00:06:56
Speaker
So like, it's just a piece. Yeah. It's a piece that I think, like marathoners don't necessarily talk about, but you look at where people train for the marathon, right? It's people in the cities that like pavement is just a normal process of their running life.
00:07:11
Speaker
And then just, that's not a box that I checked. I was like, all the other boxes are checked and then not that one. yeah. So it was all quads for you that where you felt the most effect? Yeah, ah definitely at mile 20. I think with CIM being that also that slight downhill profile, and then like it kind of flattens out at the finish.
00:07:33
Speaker
I think it was like, wow, I was clicking off those miles super easy through half. And I was like, people think this is that hard? Just like they always talk about the legs, just really you're feeling And I got to halfway, I was like, I don't really feel anything. Like, whatever.
00:07:49
Speaker
And then I like got to the mile 20 mark and we did like this, you probably know, like the gradual hill that everyone talks about over the bridge. And all of a sudden I was like, oh, wow, my quads. Like, okay, well, maybe it's just the hill.
00:08:03
Speaker
And then we crossed it and I was like, they fully cramped. Like I tried fueling. It was like, no, they had just, they had checked out for the day. Oh my God. Yeah. Yeah.
00:08:14
Speaker
A lot of people caught me and I was just like, not even breathing hard. I was just like, good job. the body's giving out. Yeah. it's It's just one of these things, but yeah, it's like anything can happen in a marathon, right? So it's such a thing with like the speed and that you're going at atd and then the combination of the distance. And also like you said, the terrain is like,
00:08:35
Speaker
But still, your result was amazing. you know you oh thank you. You did so well. I i' mean it's somewhere mean, there's a lot of good athletes that go there too with like Olympic qualifiers and you know everyone's kind of trying to end out their season on a high note or maybe it's their second marathon because the first one didn't go so well, whatever, for whatever reason. But no, you absolutely crushed it. so Oh, thanks. it was very It was a very humbling experience and I appreciate that. Yeah.
00:09:01
Speaker
And like, you're, I mean, you're used to finishing like your, I've checked your results. Like you've been finishing like top of the leaderboard and in your races that you've been doing. So that's also like for you to put yourself in a vulnerable spot like that and maybe not to finish at the top of the leaderboard. It's also something for your psyche too, right?
00:09:22
Speaker
Oh, for sure. It just shows that like just because you're good at one aspect of the sport doesn't mean you can just come over and like be dominant in everything else.
00:09:33
Speaker
And I think that just shows that like that's the cool thing about running, right? Is like you have the track, you have the road, you have the trail, you even have the ultras. Yeah. All of those people are so unique and have a huge skill set.
00:09:47
Speaker
And so it's not like, oh, you're the best runner in this. So you're going to just always beat everyone. And so I i really like that about running. um And the marathon just this past weekend really exemplified that. Like you can work hard and you can think you're fast and then you go somewhere. It's like, oh, well, I just got like my ass handed to me by 20 women. So you're like...
00:10:06
Speaker
It puts you definitely like puts you in your place a little bit. you're like Sure. yeah but But you'd also know that you're also very fit too, right? it's just like Yeah. There's like this specialty that you can like you can hone in on specific kind of racing. you know and and so But that's not like an indication necessarily of your fitness. Maybe just the fitness for that distance or that specialty. Yeah, for sure.
00:10:29
Speaker
So what would you say you would do like differently the next the next race or the next marathon that you take on?
University Life and Discovering Trail Running
00:10:35
Speaker
Yeah, I think I would actually try and find pavement um and spend some time, like whether it's just like some long runs going down. to like We live about like three hours from Boulder, and they always have like a great set of roads that are perfect for marathon training. like They're not too hilly, but they're paved.
00:10:54
Speaker
So maybe do that, and then just work on like that fatigue while running. i think it's super easy to, as a runner, want to feel fresh during workouts. And I think maybe doing a little bit of that durability training where you are running fast on tired legs, I think would be and incredibly helpful.
00:11:15
Speaker
um So I think those are the two things i would change. Other than that, I think it's just doing more of them, right? It's practice. um I think just as anything else, like the first time usually isn't the perfect time or isn't your pinnacle.
00:11:30
Speaker
So I think getting used to those feelings as well. Like I think a lot of people, I was reading up on the marathon like afterwards and a lot of people do feel those feelings at the end of the legs just going and yet they find something in them that they're able to break through.
00:11:46
Speaker
and I think... If anything, I also wasn't mentally prepared for that feeling. i was like, I didn't think it was going to come after I got to halfway. I was like, it's not going to come. I'm fine. And then when it did come, I don't think maybe I mentally handled it the best either. I was like, oh, well, yeah okay, well, there goes my race or whatever. So I think it's a little bit of both the mental preparation and then the physical preparation to follow.
00:12:10
Speaker
Yeah, it's a it's like, how do you cope with it in the moment kind of thing? You know, how how do you push forward from that? And yeah, it's almost like, sometimes I've experienced it as like survival mode almost where you just like, could just like keep it together, you know, just like,
00:12:25
Speaker
come on, like body don't like, you know, like one over, overstep and your hammy is going to like pop or you know, like it's, yeah it's such a, one pothole and you're like, Oh, I'm done. I'm done. Yeah. Yeah. And like, we've all heard like those stories for sure. So no, good on you for pushing through and, and finishing and like finishing the race. Cause it's also easy to just like say, you know, especially as an elite, you know, you've seen that too, or it's just like, Oh, well not my day. I can just,
00:12:54
Speaker
not do it, you know, and and for sure. So that's great. But let's, let's go back to the beginning for you and like how you got into running and, you know, were you always an active kid and and like motivated to run, you know?
00:13:07
Speaker
Yeah, so I have a pretty interesting background. Both of my parents like came from loving the aerobic sports. um My mom was like a really good sprinter in high school and then also just like throughout her life loved to run um and just be super active. And then my dad was like kind of like an anomaly guy. he was on like multiple Olympic teams or not didn't make to the Olympics, but on like US s teams for like cycling, rowing, nor skiing, like he was a collegiate decathlete. And so my parents were like, when we have kids, they're going to be active. the town that I grew up in we only have about 1500 people and we're not really known for like being
00:13:53
Speaker
outdoor like endurance enthusiasts it's definitely more of like the motor community like the dirt biking the snowmobiling and so my brother and I he's four years younger we just had each other and so my parents are like well you guys are just going to be each other's training partners and we're going to teach you all the outdoor sports that you can do together and so you can't just do like football with two people or you know like all those other like volleyball with two people. And yeah so they're like, we're going to teach you how to Nordic ski. We're going to teach you how to gravel cycle. And we're going to teach you how to run.
00:14:29
Speaker
And growing up, it was never one sport was going to be all that you did. They wanted us to be like very holistic. Yeah. um And well-balanced kids. And I wouldn't say i had a love for it first thing.
00:14:41
Speaker
um we have a, our driveway is a mile long uphill. And after school, my parents like knew that they needed, we needed to get out of the house and like be active.
00:14:54
Speaker
And so they would drop us off at the bottom of the driveway and tell us to run home. oh And we would be so upset by it and be like, no, the weather's bad. Or I have so much homework.
00:15:11
Speaker
oh, I forgot my running shoes. And somehow my mom like always had something in the car that she's like, oh, you forgot your running shoes? She'd reach in the back and be like... here's an extra pair. I'm like, forgot a coat. She'd like, here's another one.
00:15:27
Speaker
and so at the start, it was like, we hated it. And then pretty soon it was like, oh, can you, can you drop us off at the bottom of the road? And we want to like race home. And then it was like, oh, can you drop us off like a little farther away? And i think that's like started the love of it. Like maybe not at first,
00:15:45
Speaker
But then after a while, it was like, oh, this is fun. This makes me feel good. And then it was the competitiveness too, like having a younger brother and like, you can't, I don't want you to beat me. So yeah, that that was kind of how it all started. I know that was really long. and No, no, that's cool. like Yeah, no, yeah it's it's interesting. Like how these things become ingrained in you, like at a very young age, like you wonder, sometimes you see somebody like, oh, I wonder how, how did you end up like this? Or how did you get competitive or- so well-rounded and and like this explains quite a bit of it.
00:16:17
Speaker
So like, did that competitive nature like carry forward for you? Like, was this kind of how you like move forward and live your life and ah and other things too? Yeah, for sure. I think like sport is a great parallel with the rest of life. Like I think what it taught me was like if I did hard work, like that hard work would show. So like when I was younger, i would go for like little runs with my parents and then we had the presidential fitness test, like how every kid has it.
00:16:48
Speaker
And like I won and that was like, oh, like if I put in a little workout, I beat people like this is kind of cool. And so then the same thing was like in school, like I was really passionate about writing.
00:17:00
Speaker
And so like, I just practiced like writing when I got home and then like, I won like a writing contest or, so I think like sports instilled the competitiveness, but then it also blossomed competitiveness competitiveness in like every other area, which at times has been good and bad.
00:17:20
Speaker
But I think it's been mostly good, but it also has shown like a level of like, You put in what you put in, you get out of it. Sure. So I think it's been a good life lesson. For sure. and And did you carry forward with all these sports for a while or did did you gravitate more towards one thing versus ah the other?
00:17:41
Speaker
Um, so all through like up int until college, I did all of them. Um, like I never raced any like gravel races, but it was like very an integral part of like the weekly schedule.
00:17:56
Speaker
But then for Nort skiing and running, I did those competitively all the way up to college. And then I had to make the decision the college at the collegiate level what I wanted to pursue like I tried to ask to be a dual athlete when I went to the University of Colorado and it was kind of one of those things that like if money is allocated from one department or the other you're their athlete pretty much which is understandable um and so that's when I made the decision to just go full running but I still like on Christmas break would come home and ski and still now we, we love to do it. And we've actually added schema to that, which I'm really bad at, but it's complimentary also, right?
00:18:37
Speaker
Like, yeah, it's good. Leg strength, good aerobic base, like just good doing something that's not always the same. Yes. And good, easy, like to get out in the winter also, like ah having a winter sports nice when, you know, the the weather's not as great and,
00:18:53
Speaker
like I'm learning how to cross-country ski now. My wife loves cross-country. It's what she grew up with. so Oh, cool. Yeah. and I'm like, oh, I can see how this could be helpful to my running.
Aerobic Sports Foundation and Family Influence
00:19:05
Speaker
so I'm like, okay, why not? I suck at it. but just like The first part is always the hardest. It's just like learning like to balance. is just like and Then once you get the hang of it and the feeling of it it's like, oh, this, okay.
00:19:18
Speaker
I'm getting it It's horrible. Yeah. yeah No, but even like my buddy took a photo, a video of me coming up this small, the smallest of hills, like this literally like the incline was probably like, i don't know if you could see it like this, but, and I could not, like, I just couldn't, I didn't have the edge work to get up, you know?
00:19:40
Speaker
And it's just like pathetic. And I just like falling forward. And I won't bore you with that. And then you're breathing really hard. You're like, how am I when I'm going nowhere? Like what?
00:19:50
Speaker
And I'm getting mocked and just i quit. But anyways, you got to do it to learn how to do it and and get better at it for sure. So that's awesome. So you you went to school in for in running? Was it like on a scholarship and stuff like that? Yeah.
00:20:05
Speaker
Yeah, so I went on a scholarship to the University of Colorado in Boulder um and then competed for five years there. um Yeah, it was awesome. I love, like, I was born and raised in Colorado and then, like, looked some other schools and then took an official visit there. And I was like, well, you know, if running didn't work out, I'd still be really happy if I lived here.
00:20:27
Speaker
um so that's one of the reasons I chose it, plus many more. But yeah, it was ah it was a really good time for sure. And were you like performing very well, even at that level? or you know, on how did you, always ask about potential. Like, did you understand the potential you had as ah as a runner, as a, as an athlete and where that might lead to? Or was it just kind of like, I'm going to school, I can go to school on a scholarship. Yeah. Yeah.
00:20:54
Speaker
um Well, just from like where I grew up, it was kind of that running was going to be my opportunity to like have more opportunities. um School was kind of financially out of the equation to be paid for. And so it was like if you wanted to go to school, then you need to be able to perform more.
00:21:14
Speaker
for running in high school to get a scholarship to go. Otherwise, like you're probably not going. Um, so I knew that there was going to be a means to the, a means to an end there that like there was potential. And so I was like a top high school, um, athlete in the country.
00:21:31
Speaker
um and so i knew the potential going in and then same in college um i was a multiple time all american um we my team won we won two NCAA titles um that i contributed to and so like i knew it sounds like really conceited but like i knew i was good i guess no man i um And then I knew where I wanted to take it. right like I was hoping that I think as a dream, as a kid, you think, oh, you're good. You see success in high school. like You go to college, you see a bit more success and you're really hoping that, okay, maybe that'll turn professional.
00:22:10
Speaker
Maybe that would turn to an Olympic dream. i think you never know. And so you just like keep working at it and seeing what it goes. And I think um high school, I was hoping to be a top collegiate, top collegiate. I was hoping to be a top professional and it's taken some turns and some weaves and like, maybe it's not the Olympics next, but maybe it's just like seeing how good I can be in something that I like to do.
00:22:35
Speaker
Yeah. And, and, yeah and having your dad too, like with that, that dream, like that the Olympic and Olympic dream, maybe you had more exposure to it an earlier age. And, you know, like they say, if you, if you put it out there, that's like the first step to making something happen. So maybe for you, you could see that earlier, would you say?
00:22:54
Speaker
Yeah, I think I could see that it was a possibility, right? Like my dad grew up in the same environment, same town as I did, pretty much had the same buildup in his life. And so it was like, it wasn't off the table, right?
00:23:07
Speaker
um And so I was like, oh, well, it's possible. It's not like this is just like a fairy tale type of thing that I'm going after. um so yeah, I think that was that was good to see that it is achievable. um Yeah, and that people were there to support me with it.
00:23:24
Speaker
For sure. And and were was academics also an interesting part for you? Like, did you did you see, did you was it like sports or nothing? Or were you also like, and very much like seeing how, as you continue and, you know, towards a career also, not just in running, but in something else?
00:23:43
Speaker
Yeah, so I like to joke that I majored in running in college okay and that my actual degree was my minor, ah but I did choose something that was... ah Yeah, you know, probably not the best advice for people because 99% of the time running doesn't work out or sports doesn't work out. Yeah.
00:24:03
Speaker
You should have something that you could at least like fall back on and get a job with. um So I kind of looked at like what was something that would pair well, but I was passionate about. So I actually went into political communication and religious studies um because I really like politics and I like to talk.
00:24:21
Speaker
And I thought, you know, i also am really good at debating. I'm not a person that just takes answers and is like, yeah, I'm always like, but wait, yeah. So I was like, well, maybe law school could be a possibility if like...
00:24:35
Speaker
I don't know if I fall out of love with the act of competing and training hard and showing up in that way in my life. I wanted something else that could then challenge me.
00:24:46
Speaker
i think like law school and then becoming a lawyer could have been like a really good challenge because you're up a lot against a lot of problems every day. and um Obviously I didn't take that path, but I knew it would be an option there. And I did put like a lot of time and dedication into school.
00:25:04
Speaker
It wasn't just like, ah, I'll get C's and hope for the best. like I also wanted to be a really good student, but if I needed to be to bed by nine to get that full 10 hours of sleep, I wasn't the student athlete that was going to stay up till midnight studying.
00:25:21
Speaker
was going to close the laptop and I was going to go to bed. And you know what? If I got ah B on the test instead of an A-, minus it was what it was. Yeah. Yeah. Okay, that's that's fair.
00:25:33
Speaker
But yeah, good to know that you followed your passion. You know you knew the direction you were going you wanted to go in and and kind of like continued in that in that direction, you know? so yeah and And was your relationship, because you've been doing it for so long, has has your relationship to the sport been pretty consistent? Or when you work that hard to achieve these goals for so long, you know, sometimes it can get tiring. or So you hear these these stories of that, you know?
00:26:00
Speaker
Yeah, I think the act of running for me never got tiring. It's just something that I really like to do, and it's become not only part of my day, but part of, like... my personality in a way.
00:26:12
Speaker
um i think what got super hard was I went through a pretty good injury cycle for about six years. And I think that was something that was really draining.
00:26:22
Speaker
um I like running out of all the sports that I grew up doing running was my favorite. And I think it felt the most natural. And then when you're in a collegiate system and I don't live in the mountains, so I don't have access necessarily the skiing or the cycling,
00:26:38
Speaker
um It was a lot of like boring running in the pool and cross training when you would get injured. And I think mentally that is what kind of like chiseled me down for a while. yeah um So i definitely fell out of love with the pursuit of, don't even know how to put it it was just one of those things was maybe I thought running wasn't for me there for a little while.
00:27:01
Speaker
um And so that was super frustrating and emotionally draining. And I just kind of had to like take a step back and like some other things that might've contributed that in my life.
00:27:12
Speaker
um And then once I did that, I found like the joy in the process again, because I wasn't continuing like running injured, frustrated, running injured. um Yeah. And how did you like,
00:27:26
Speaker
How did you get out of that funk? Like, cause I, ah why I'm asking is cause I'm recently going through ah like Achilles tendon stuff. Yeah. And it just like, it bothered me like last year just before a race and and then I went away and then now it came back with more like where every time I do a workout, I'm i'm limping the next day. ah And like, so I've just been really easy and taking a running, taking a back seat, but it's just kind of like, I'm like, am I old now?
00:27:56
Speaker
am I like, like, I'm trying to do more cross training and stuff, but like, how do I get back to, cause I love, like, I'm not an elite runner like you, but you know, I've run a two 45 marathon and yeah, it's not bad at all. Yeah. It's not bad.
00:28:11
Speaker
But like, I like to work hard to, to get better and for myself. It's like, what you're saying is resonating with me where it's like, it just creeps in your mind. you're like, can I do it? Can I still do it? Like, how do I do it?
00:28:23
Speaker
You know? I think it's finding unconventional approaches. I think that's what it ended up being that I think it's super easy to look around at what everyone else is doing and thinking, okay, well, like they're doing that and they're having success or,
00:28:39
Speaker
I think social media is super toxic in that way because yeah you're watching what other people do and you're like, well, okay, if they can run that time, I can obviously do that. And I can run this time.
00:28:51
Speaker
And we don't look at it as an N of one and we're all N of one. And so in college specifically, you have 30 girls and it's just getting the same training plan every day.
00:29:04
Speaker
And it doesn't matter if your body is set up for 30 miles a week or if your body is set up for 90 miles a week. And so I think when injuries pop up, it's looking at like ah looking at the training plan and thinking, okay, what's maybe not serving me individually.
00:29:20
Speaker
And that's how I kind of got out of it is all of maybe the way I was structuring running. I'm trying to run hard every day or trying to keep up with X person or run X pace wasn't working.
00:29:34
Speaker
um And so for a little while there, I tried different things. I did a little bit more cross training, a little less running, and then slowly like increased running, added some strength training, like try things that maybe other people weren't doing the exact same way I was doing it.
00:29:50
Speaker
um to try to get out of the funk. And I understand the Achilles stuff. That is like the most frustrating injury of all time. And I think because it's not consistent, one day you're like, I'm fine. And the next day you're like, I'm hobbled and I can't get out of bed. like Yeah. I'm like, yeah, it's just like crazy, you know? And it's like, yeah but anyways, yeah, I'll follow, like, try to follow that advice and just do what feels good for your own body instead of maybe what everyone else is doing in training or whatever. Yeah, for sure.
00:30:25
Speaker
And now you're healthy? you're You're good? You've been good for a little while? yeah Yeah. knock on wood, I've been completely injury-free for like, A year and a half almost. I had like a weird bulging disc thing, but that was definitely like, I'm not going to call it a real injury. It was more just like an accident that then I got lazy about, if I'm being honest.
00:30:47
Speaker
But like no bone injuries for a long time, which is really nice. so Okay. Yeah. Got out of the cycle. Something's working. Yeah. Something's working. so I don't know which thing it is. Just a combination of everything, you know? Yeah.
00:31:02
Speaker
yeah um And so like out of school, were you like, I'm going to go pro and I'm going to be a pro runner. And like, what what did that look like? Were you working like a job and running or?
00:31:14
Speaker
Yeah, so the probably the most frustrating thing is I graduated in 2020, in May of 2020. And so, yeah here, you graduated during COVID. Congratulations. um No companies are doing anything.
00:31:29
Speaker
And so I graduated college thinking, well, hoping like my senior track season, i was hoping it would be like an even more breakout season. um Just kind of like one last hurrah, be able to sign a pro contract, like but fulfill the dream.
00:31:44
Speaker
And instead it was COVID happened. No meets happened. No times were posted. So no contracts were happening. And so I kind of had, like, I really had to reassess what I wanted to do.
00:31:56
Speaker
um and so I kept training. i got a job. um I met my soon to be husband and we started a coaching business. And so we were like peace, very peace kneeling things together, still trying to train.
00:32:10
Speaker
And then um that's when, at the end of 2020, I had my last bone injury that I've had. And I was like, okay, maybe, maybe this isn't for me. Maybe track road, I'm trying to push it.
00:32:23
Speaker
Not for me. So I took a full step back and was like, I'm going to run for fun. um I'm going to try like all different things. And that's when I found trail. We, my husband and found trail together actually.
00:32:36
Speaker
and we're like, this is cool. Like, we could we could do this. We went to some races um and found some success in it. And so that was fun. um And then that's kind of when, like, contract stuff started happening and being like, oh, maybe you could be a professional runner again.
00:32:51
Speaker
um But by that time, we had really fostered a lot of other things in our life. So I think i think it was good. like As much as I wish maybe COVID wouldn't have happened, I think it was the best thing that could have happened.
00:33:03
Speaker
um So I wasn't just a runner. Not saying being just a runner is a bad thing, but for my personality, I think it was really good that I cultivated like a lot of other things. And it wasn't like, what do you do? and I'm a runner.
00:33:16
Speaker
like, okay. Yeah, it's hard to kind of break out of that. Yeah, it's hard to break out the cycle when you go from high school and you're like, I'm a runner. And then in college, you're like, Oh, are you on the running team?
00:33:27
Speaker
You're like, And then you go out of school and you're what are you? And I'm like, I'm a runner. Like, again, it works for some people. I just don't think it was mentally stimulating enough for me to just be that. Yeah.
00:33:42
Speaker
So now what are you? Oh my gosh. I am a rancher. I'm a coach. I'm a YouTube creator.
00:33:53
Speaker
i am a wife, a dog mom. Like, yeah, there's a lot of other things that I am and running like then fits in there. yeah. So, and it, it makes it, I think what it does is it makes running a priority because if you don't make it a priority, then it's probably not going to happen in the day.
00:34:12
Speaker
Um, and so I think it's actually been way healthier than waking up and being like, well, I have all day to do my run. Um, Oh look, it's three o'clock and I still haven't done it. And I've gone down this YouTube rabbit hole.
00:34:25
Speaker
Um, yeah. Yeah. Content creation's a time suck for sure. It can be. Oh, I watched a video and someone's like, I spent 24 hours on this video. I'm like, you did it. Like, come on. And then we started doing YouTube and i was like, oh my gosh. Yeah. Editing takes like a really long time. Yeah. Really long time.
00:34:46
Speaker
Yeah. Yeah. I've gotten a lot more respect for like the daily vloggers. I'm like, how do you do it? Like, I'm just, I'm impressed. yeah And what's your favorite stuff to create? What do you really enjoy to create creating?
00:34:59
Speaker
i really actually like to create not in the media space. I really like to cook. um So cooking is like my biggest creative outlet, but I don't share that with anybody. so ah yeah, it's my selfish, it's my selfish endeavor of creating, like creating.
00:35:18
Speaker
And then, yeah I really do enjoy long term, long format content creation. Like my husband, I have a YouTube channel. And I think like, it's nice to have that, that it's not just like snapshots of like the best part about your day or the best part about your races or of your life. It's like, no, you kind of get the whole story and there's some highs and some lows and it like tells the full picture, not just like I was laying by the pool. home Yeah. didn't show you my, I didn't show you my sunburn after, here it is
00:35:50
Speaker
so um is. And so if if you're having people over for dinner, what are you cooking?
00:35:58
Speaker
Oh, let me think. I think my favorite thing right now is I'm really into doing like rice bowls. and yeah And so we've been really hooked on doing like salmon bites in the air fryer, which, yeah, they're pretty addicting. I'll do that, but I like cats.
00:36:20
Speaker
i never would think... to put salmon and candy in like the same sentence, but like, they're so good. You just keep kind of like popping them in.
00:36:32
Speaker
Easy way to get protein. I know this sounds really gross. Yeah. But I think that's what I would make or make really good sourdough bread. So anything. nice. You have starter and everything. Did you start that? I do. Yeah.
00:36:45
Speaker
I was a post COVID sourdough person. So yeah, I wasn't that basic. I mean, I think everybody had some kind of fermented flour in their fridge during COVID. Yeah, I think everyone got into some form of sourdough creation.
00:37:03
Speaker
um my i just I just kept going with it, you know? Yeah. yeah and And your husband, did you meet around – it sounds like you met around that time too.
00:37:15
Speaker
you guys have a lot of common common goals, common ah passions also. It sounds like a great match. So how did how did that come about? and you You discovered each other. You discovered trails.
00:37:30
Speaker
Now the success in the trails. Yeah. Yeah. so we had a family friend who'd been telling us about each other since middle school. Wow. And yeah, as middle schoolers, you're already kind of like shy and like not confident.
00:37:45
Speaker
And so of course, neither of us acted upon that. um But we grew up in the same state, did like cross country meets. I guess we were at the same meets like several times. and we never saw each other and met each other. And then, yeah. And so she just kept telling us about the other person. We're like, yeah, no one's as weird as me to like,
00:38:03
Speaker
work with me. So probably not going to meet this person, but thanks. And I had a friend on Instagram and he posted a photo and there were a bunch of other guys in the photo and I saw this cute guy and I clicked on it because I'm like, oh, who's that?
00:38:20
Speaker
And it was the boy that she kept telling me about that I should meet. Yeah, so I slid into the DMs. Yep. And I was like, hey, if he leaves me on scene, I'm just gonna tell her like, he was a jerk. know what on seem Yeah, like, you told me, you told me he was my soulmate, and he left me on scene. So...
00:38:41
Speaker
This is modern day. yeah da Exactly. um Thankfully, he didn't leave me on scene. He responded. um And so, yeah, we like got coffee and it's kind of been like history from there. He was a professional triathlete for six years, actually, and um just missed going to the Tokyo Olympics.
00:39:03
Speaker
And that's kind of when like, I was also having the wavering feelings of not doing track anymore. And so we ended up going to a trail race, um, in Colorado, just as like a fun activity to do. And we're both like, I think I could be a trail running vagabond.
00:39:21
Speaker
I think I could live in a van. Um, just go to races across the country. Yeah, pretty much. Like our honeymoon, we went over to Europe for a race. um We had saved all our money and we're like, okay, it's been a year since we got married, but we're going to go on our honeymoon to this trail race. Amazing.
00:39:41
Speaker
Yeah. So we just ended up finding like a similar passion that was really cool. And we both felt really passionate about it. Um, so yeah, that's kind of how that road intersected. um it was, yeah.
00:39:53
Speaker
So good. god one good Yeah. and And then you, like you, you found trail running and then you'd signed up for a race. So where was the, you know, where was the, like, what, what attracted you the most about, about this new way of running or this new terrain?
00:40:10
Speaker
Yeah, I think it first started with a community. We came from very like serious um sports, like the professional side of it. like People have their headphones on. like You don't talk. You're super nervous.
00:40:22
Speaker
Whereas we went to this trail race and people are like joking at the start line. and like Everyone's like, ah, you want to get a beer after? And you're like... wow, do they know this is a race? Like, what? This is so boring.
00:40:34
Speaker
um So that like first race, we're like, wow, like we like the chill, like kind of laid back environment. But then as soon as like the race happens, it's like people are turned on, right? Like it's serious and So we respected both the ease yet intensity of that.
00:40:50
Speaker
um And we didn't really know what it would turn into. And so we kind of asked a few friends like, Hey, we like the trails. What are some competitive races? We'd like to see like what it's like. And so we would just keep asking friends of like what races to go to. And we kind of saved up our money and we'd go to those races and see how we did. it And over the course of a year, it was like, uh, We were going to some pretty big ones and like podiuming or getting close to it. And so we're like, okay, this is maybe something that we could do and be good at.
00:41:22
Speaker
And so... Our theory was go to the biggest races, get your teeth kicked in, see how it works out. um And that eventually landed us to like, yeah, taking it a little bit more professionalized and where we are now.
00:41:34
Speaker
Yeah. It's super good. And like, yeah, I read an, I read an article. was like fastest, fastest couple on the trail. Like, you know, it's pretty, it's pretty cool though. Like you're both, is it, is it easy to manage both of your careers together or You know, how does that how does that look? Because it can be it can work or it cannot also it can also not work, you know, um with with athletes that come together and they're kind of you both hitting this this peak at the same time almost, you know.
00:42:08
Speaker
Yeah, I think the thing that's easy for us is like if someone wins, we're celebrating the win with them. And if someone has a loss, we're with them in that loss. And so we do a pretty do good job of not comparing. It's like a household win is a household win. And like same with a household loss is household loss. And so if one of us can bring home the bacon for the family one race and the other the other, like that's kind of how we view it.
00:42:33
Speaker
um Yeah, we we just support each other. And there's not like... we're competitive in every other area of our life with each other and not in like the trail running, like who has the better results base. It's more like who can win like Scrabble um or like badminton.
00:42:50
Speaker
Yeah. So we've done a good job. I know our, I know our scenario is pretty special. Like I won't take that for granted. Like I understand that it can be,
00:43:00
Speaker
something that's hard for couples to be ascending to the top of the same sport at the same time. Um, and I just think how our relationship works, um, we've been very fortunate with that, that we haven't had to have any of those, um, conversations or issues.
00:43:14
Speaker
But also, I mean, I meant also with the training and, uh, you guys do a lot of your trainings together, I guess, or how we do all of our training together?
00:43:24
Speaker
Um, yeah. Like people are like, Oh, how much? And I'm like, like all of it. Um, Yeah. So like we'll do all of our easy runs together. And then like for workouts, obviously Eli is much faster than me, but we'll do our warmup together and then we'll be like, okay, we'll see you back at the finish to do our cool down together.
00:43:44
Speaker
um And same with long runs. Like we're going to start together. He's obviously going to run faster, but then he'll wait for me at the top of the hill. Right. And then we'll descend um together something. So, and the same with weightlifting, like we're in the gym at the same time.
00:43:58
Speaker
Um, we're doing mobility at the same time. So okay yeah, it's like 24 seven, like all day, every day. Yeah. Yeah. right yeah Well, that, that's what I mean. You know, like there's gotta be a way that it works and that, that works for you guys. And that's, that's perfect. And having a training partners,
00:44:16
Speaker
Amazing, you know? like Yeah, it's great. That can get out with and it keeps you accountable also. and So maybe whatever what are some things you've learned from from your partner about ah running? Has he taught you anything about the split? Yeah.
00:44:31
Speaker
Yeah, a lot, actually. Yeah. he's um He's pretty good on a training perspective. I think he's taught me a lot about like the aerobic side um of training. I was very much like a short, um fast athlete in college. And so then he was like, okay, I'm going to show you how to train longer.
00:44:53
Speaker
and so like I learned that from a training perspective. And then from more just like... a holistic point of view is not taking everything so seriously. He's really good at like putting a training in a box and being like, it happened.
00:45:08
Speaker
We did it. We don't need to spend all day talking about it now. Whereas before it was like, Oh, I had a bad training session and then it ruined my day. Right? Like I thought about it. I was like, the training session was bad.
00:45:18
Speaker
My day's bad. Like I'm a shitty runner. it was like, You did the training session. Like, you got it done. You checked the box. It's about consistency. So I think he's really taught me about, like, the relaxed approach. Not saying that you can't take something seriously and be meticulous about it, but it's also, like, understanding what running is at the end of the day.
00:45:40
Speaker
Yeah. it's a very self-serving thing. um Like I know that through stories and through coaching that you can give back, but at the end of the day, when you go for a run, you're doing it for yourself, right?
00:45:52
Speaker
um you show You hope. You hope. Yeah. Like that, like at the end of the day, that's what you're doing. It's to make your mental clarity or have physical wellbeing there for you.
00:46:04
Speaker
um And so I think he brings that full circle back of remember what running is, yeah where it where it sits in your life. And yeah, I think that he he grounds me and keeps me a bit more steady um because I can get bit emotional. And he's pretty just like, he's even keel. That's okay too, though. you know good day and It's good to show your emotion and...
00:46:26
Speaker
I think we like that about running too and that we get to see that a little bit more in the sport. you know where It's kind of a hidden sport. you know like Netflix is doing this sprint and that you get to see some emotion of of these athletes and put some light on it. which is It's happening more and more, which I love. and That's why I also love doing the podcast because I get to yeah highlight things.
00:46:48
Speaker
you guys and share your stories and your personalities. And I think it's, I think it's really great. um But like also what what you were saying there made me think of COVID actually, because, you know, you just go out and run if you were able to. And,
00:47:04
Speaker
nothing was happening. It was just to go and move and and clear your mind and, and, and yeah, and i don't know. It was just for the pure enjoyment of doing ah that, of that activity. and and Yeah, go ahead.
00:47:20
Speaker
yeah go ahead Sorry. Yeah. They didn't just have, there didn't have to be an end all to it. It just could be like, today I'm going for a run. Yeah. And if it was like, oh I feel like doing, i don't know, strides or whatever I want to do some speed work, whatever it was.
00:47:32
Speaker
But it was for nothing. It was just for fitness, you know? So. Yeah. you And yeah, CIM was my first race back after that. it was the. awesome. Yeah. Which is full circle kind of thing. But. Wow.
00:47:43
Speaker
Yeah. And what would you say you've maybe brought to him in terms of training and running and like. Yeah, I think how he brought the aerobic side, i brought the speed side. I was like, yeah, we need to keep doing fast intervals um and strides.
00:48:02
Speaker
And I think like that's how we balance each other out is like he gets me to do the stuff that I don't like to do and I get him to do the stuff that he doesn't like to do. Because when you coach yourself, it's really easy to be like, I'm just going to do the stuff I'm good at um So I think I brought that to the table.
00:48:18
Speaker
And then i also just think I'm a very routine person. And like, so I think I've brought a lot of structure to the rest of our life that then aids in like good training.
00:48:31
Speaker
um And yeah, I'm just very routine. And I think that's, I think you need to have routine and training because the body likes the consistency of it.
00:48:42
Speaker
And so I think that's been super helpful. Um, yeah, I don't really know what else I've brought. Probably a lot more, maybe just happiness at the end of the day. Oh, that's good. We get to do it together.
00:48:54
Speaker
And, uh, and also like, I guess, and then what do you bring to your athletes in, in, in terms of coaching? Um, what do you find is the the biggest struggle that your athletes face? You understand a lot of this because you've been doing it for so long and you've, you've raced a variety of different distances and faced, um,
00:49:12
Speaker
adversity and challenges. so what would you say that your athletes look to you for the most of? I think what they look for is someone who can understand what they're going through, right? Like if you maybe look at your average runner, they go to work core they have a home life and no one really understands what they experienced during a run or maybe what they experienced before after a race.
00:49:37
Speaker
um And so I think what we bring is like the understanding of Either things are normal or not normal and you're hearing them. You're taking that time for them for something that's super important.
00:49:48
Speaker
Like you have these people who have nine to fives that have kids that have so many other obligations in their day and you're able to share something that's very sacred to them and take time out of your day to be part of theirs. And so aside from the training, because at the end of the day,
00:50:07
Speaker
like Training isn't hugely different. Like I don't think we bring something amazingly magical that no other coach has ever given a runner. I think it's just taking time for people that is the most important thing in a training plan.
00:50:22
Speaker
um And that's like, that's why I think our coaching style is unique because we talk to our athletes regularly. almost every day. um and we have like a very open communication basis. Like they all have our numbers um and we just like to check in with them and make sure not only their training is going good, but that their life is going good. And if it's not like, how do we work around it? How do we problem solve? How can we help you and be there and be supportive? Yeah.
00:50:47
Speaker
So that's what I think like we've brought to coaching is not necessarily the physiology or the mental tactics, but sometimes it's just the active understanding that they're a person and what they love is what we love too.
00:51:00
Speaker
Yeah. Cause there's so many things going on in their lives and you know, they, they gotta get, they, that they're paying for coaching and they want to get their training done, but some it's not always the reality or, you know, there's so many external factors. So yeah, that's, there's so much there to unpack, you know, like,
00:51:18
Speaker
But um yeah, when when would you say you reached or you took the biggest leap in your running, let's say, like the biggest improvement, um you know, in in your your trail running? I know you were part of like the Golden Trail World Series and you've done so many different trail races. They they vary in distances, right? In in terms of like...
00:51:41
Speaker
there Sometimes it's 20K, sometimes it's 50K. It depends on what you're doing. But like where would you say you saw the greatest improvements? I would say this year. It maybe didn't show like in the races that I had. um But I think just from like a confidence perspective and like being a good runner again perspective, I think this year is the biggest jump that I've taken. um Yeah, just getting the hang of it.
00:52:09
Speaker
ah Being able to feel like I'm a competitor in the race and not just a participant. um Yeah, I think it just took a few years of like understanding... how to do it um just kind of like the marathon like figuring out how to do it yeah so i think this year was like a breakthrough year and again i don't think it really showed in the results but in the training and mentally i that's i found it um to be the best year so far so for sure maybe it'll show in 2025 who knows
00:52:40
Speaker
Yeah. And and that's thing, like, just like in training, you don't know when it's going to show either, right? Like you can have a good training day, bad training day, good races, bad races, good seasons, bad seasons. Sometimes it's working and sometimes it's not. But like also in what you're racing too, like the variation is, there's quite a lot of variation. It's not so cut and dry. Like let's say a marathon could be where you could just pick, you know, I want to run these fast courses and that's it.
00:53:06
Speaker
Um, there's a lot of climbing and stuff like that too. So is your plan to race, um, similar terrain or like, how do you set your, your schedule year to year?
00:53:17
Speaker
Yeah, so I think the first few years that we were trail racing, it was just about racing to see what we liked. Because like you said, there's a whole bunch of options. Like you have the Golden Trail, which is mainly just short course.
00:53:31
Speaker
Then you have the World Cup Series, which is a lot of VKs. And then you have like the UTMB and beyond races that... you can be fifty k and above. And so I think we were kind of like, what do we like? What do we do?
00:53:43
Speaker
um And so I think this past year was the first year that we really set on maybe looking for longer. Like we definitely did more things that were 50K plus.
00:53:55
Speaker
um And I think that's how we're going to set up this coming year because we kind of found that's where our sweet spot is. um But still doing the short races just to touch on speed, right? I think they're great.
00:54:06
Speaker
to touch on speed and skill because like skill especially you're having to learn how to run over terrain at so much quicker of a rate that you're obtaining information on a downhill so much faster and i think that'll aid in the longer stuff that on a 50k then you're like oh this doesn't seem as technical because i'm moving at a slower rate down it but i think we are gonna build a calendar that's the longer races are the A races with maybe shorter races sprinkled in as good trainers.
00:54:37
Speaker
yeah Okay. Okay. Yeah. That makes sense. That makes sense. And what would you, what would you say for like downhill running? Cause like, this is a, I mean, I've done some trail races too, but I find like the downhill is so like, so challenging and I'm quite clumsy too.
00:54:50
Speaker
So like my fear is that I'll hit like a root, a rock or a root and go flying off a cliff or something. But like, what would you say is like the best way to train for like downhills, let's say, or yeah.
00:55:04
Speaker
Yeah. So downhill is definitely not my specialty. So anyone listening, just like asterisk bat. person. thats right wrong person um No, but something that really helped um me was our friend talked about it as dancing, that it's, it's, you're dancing down the trail um and looking not right.
00:55:28
Speaker
like right at your feet because then you're not being able to like look forward to know what's happening. um But to look beyond the trail and look where you want to go, not where you don't want to go.
00:55:39
Speaker
ah yeah so Sort of like in mountain biking, like if people are looking at the rock, looking at the rock, they inevitably like hit the rock. yeah and And so the same as in trail running, like don't look at the rock and be like, I don't want to trip on that rock. Like just keep looking beyond it. And also forward lean is a big thing. Like try not to lean back.
00:55:57
Speaker
Um, but keep your momentum forward and it'll help you roll over the terrain a little bit easier. So you're not breaking. Yeah. Okay. But I'm still a work in progress on all of this. So, yeah, I think my challenge with the the trail running is always like, yeah, like I said, hitting my feet and I get so pissed. Like, uh, like I try to avoid, try to lift my knees, i but like somehow i always whack my feet on rocks and roots and so yeah so painful.
00:56:27
Speaker
No, there's been some cussing moments for sure. like haven been all around I'm like, this is stupid. Yeah. Where's your favorite place to run? You've gotten to travel, I assume. is it the States or Europe? Yeah, I grew up So where I grew up was in like on a ranch in the Rockies of Colorado. So selfishly, that's my favorite place to run.
00:56:53
Speaker
Not to say like other parts of the world haven't been amazing, but I think it's more the emotional connection I have to the place that makes it the most special. Aside from that, i would say my second most favorite place is outside of Annecy in France.
00:57:08
Speaker
We were taken on a run there and I cannot remember the name of the mountain that we got. Uh, maybe it was Antoinette, I don't know. There's, it's really pretty.
00:57:19
Speaker
And it was stunning because you get to the top and you look over ah Lake Annecy and yeah, that was, that's my second most favorite, but for consistent trail runs, it's definitely where I live. Yeah.
00:57:30
Speaker
And is it challenging to train for what you're racing, where you live? Do you find? Um, not really. We have a lot of variety because where we live, it's kind of like Moab-y type terrain. But if we drive like 30 minutes, we get like very mountainous Rocky Mountain National Park. So you get like super steep, super rugged.
00:57:51
Speaker
um And then we have beautiful dirt roads. And so we kind of are really spoiled, actually, that we have a lot of terrain choose from. So we never find it too hard. I think the hardest thing for us is like when we go over to Europe, for instance, and there's a 3000 foot climb um that's like pretty continuous. We have a hard time here finding that only because all of a sudden we end up at 14,000 feet.
00:58:16
Speaker
And so like, you're not really running at that point. You're more just hiking because the altitude really hits. So I think that's the that's the hardest thing that we found. But other than that, like, it's it's pretty easy for us and we feel very fortunate. What's what's that feeling of altitude like? I don't think I've ever experienced it quite like you just expressed it.
00:58:38
Speaker
Yeah. So if you ever feel like you're breathing through a straw, um okay yeah, close your nose, breathe through a straw. That's how it feels. Wow. Okay. Yeah. It's not like the most pleasant feeling in the world, but usually there's good views.
00:58:52
Speaker
So you just are like, well, use makeup for it But like athletes are training at this altitude to, to get the benefits for when they get to sea level. Right. So is that something that you're incorporating also more often or like how, um how often do you, do you do that?
00:59:12
Speaker
Yeah. so the nice thing is where we live is we live at about 8,000 feet. So i guess in meters, 2,500 meters maybe. Yeah. um And so I'm never worried about like going and getting altitude just because baseline of where we live is much higher than we usually ever race.
00:59:31
Speaker
i think like when we were in Chamonix, we get up to 7,000 feet. so like, we're not even We're not even getting up to where we live. um i think they're You're sleeping at 8,000.
00:59:42
Speaker
Yeah, exactly. i think the biggest thing that we worry about is losing our speed up at altitude because you just can't run as fast as you can at sea level. So that's actually more of the thing we're worried about. okay um So yeah, finding like slightly downhill places to do intervals. So it's like, oh yeah, my legs remember how to like turn it over. Yeah.
01:00:03
Speaker
Amazing. Yeah. So, yeah, you got to get a bit of both, right? So, and you're living you're living ranch now? You're living where you grew up or? Yep. Living where my family's been for almost six generations now.
01:00:16
Speaker
Wow. um Yeah. So, we have a working cattle ranch. My dad, my grandma just turned 89. Wow. Excuse me. And so, my dad is like the ranch manager. And so, we just help him with all the...
01:00:29
Speaker
ins and outs and daily happenings. So yeah, we balance that and it's pretty fun. It's a good way of life. and what's a day What's a day on the ranch like? Oh, so it's so seasonal. So it switches all the time because we go through like all the different needs and seasons that the cows need. So like, I don't know, like coming up this winter, like we'll get up, we'll go chop the ice for the cows to drink because...
01:00:56
Speaker
It's getting below zero most mornings now. um We'll feed them. We'll go do our training. And that's kind of all it looks like right now because they don't need much from us. But then like in the spring is our busy time.
01:01:10
Speaker
um That's the calving season when they have all their babies. So you're kind of on watch 24 hours a day. so we all take turns in the middle of night, getting up, checking them. wow Yeah. So it just, every day varies, which is kind of fun. Like it's never mundane.
01:01:26
Speaker
um And then the small things like today comes up, like cows get out. You got to go get them. Like they're, they're challenging at times, but. it's It's a fun way of life and something that I just grew up doing and I enjoy the hard work of it. Yeah, yeah that's so good. and any Is there ever thought of living somewhere else or you always like this is kind of where you feel comfortable and and it's good for your training too and you've got family balance too and stuff like that?
01:01:58
Speaker
Yeah, so when I was younger and my dad was on the U.S. Olympic rowing team, we traveled all across the country for him to do rowing and team camps. And then collegiately, i got to travel as a team.
01:02:12
Speaker
So you saw how many different places like that. And then now that we've traveled internationally with trail running, I've And after doing all that traveling, we ah biasedly think we live in the best place.
01:02:26
Speaker
So that's why we chose it. um We think it has the best training. And also family is a huge tie. Like after we're done with our professional careers, so we want to be able to like keep the the ranch going. And so that was a big draw of like my parents are getting in their 60s. My grandma was being 90. Like we're the next generation that it's going to be our turn coming up.
01:02:45
Speaker
yeah And so we wanted to show that commitment to my family as well that like, We want to keep it. um and We want to keep it going. And so that's another reason we moved up to be like, hey, we can help. We can we can make this sustainable.
01:02:57
Speaker
Yeah. Amazing. And what about your brother? Did he continue also in this athletic endeavors or – Yeah, so he followed in the footsteps of his sister, and he also now runs the University of Colorado.
01:03:10
Speaker
Yeah, I know. He's just like following the legacy. Everyone's like, oh, you're a sister. And he's like, oh, yeah, my sister. um so yeah, he still runs at a very competitive level, and he has one more year of college. So I guess we'll see you what he'll do next. Yeah.
01:03:26
Speaker
He's a very talented kid, not only in running, but he's incredibly smart. And so think he has a lot of doors that will open to him too. But I don't know if running is going to be something after. We haven't really talked about it, but maybe.
01:03:38
Speaker
Maybe I'll take him into trail. They're like, come on over. Come on over. It's easy. We're chill. we're having beers after. what's ah what's your what's What's your proudest moment or your your biggest accomplishment, would you say?
01:03:52
Speaker
Wow. Um, you know, I don't even think it has to be running related. Um, I think my biggest accomplishment is like meeting my husband. I think it's brought the most joy in my life out of anything else.
01:04:05
Speaker
Um, running is cool. Racing is cool, but that's bleeding. Um, so I'm based for accomplishment. It's just like finding my person. Yeah. Oh, that's great. Yeah. And you get to share this together, all this fun racing and traveling. It's even better.
01:04:20
Speaker
And how would you how how would you like to be remembered when your running career is all said and done? Yeah. um I just want to be remembered for how made people feel. um Again, i think it goes back to –
01:04:35
Speaker
when you die, your results will be outdated. There'll be better super shoes. So times will be faster. um Maybe like the doping games will be a big thing. And so medals won't even be important anymore.
01:04:49
Speaker
I just rather be remembered that like, I took time for others. Like I helped them in their day. And if they needed something, I was, I was there to, to help. Yeah. That's how I'd like to be remembered. Is there anybody that you look up to in the sport at the moment?
01:05:05
Speaker
Ooh, great question. I think I really look up to Courtney DeWalter. Yeah, like, she just does beats to her own drum, does her own thing, like, secluded in the mountains, and then she shows up and pops off and then disappears again. i'm like, way to do it. Yeah.
01:05:26
Speaker
Respect. Unbelievable. Yeah. Yeah. And she just, she grinds. Like she works hard and I respect people who work hard. Yeah. Have you met her before or like, do you know her? Yeah. I met her in the airport and she introduced herself to me and I'm like, yeah, yeah. Like I know who you um You don't know me, but I know you.
01:05:51
Speaker
She's like, I'm Courtney. I'm like, oh yeah, believe me. I know. i follow you on Instagram. Right. Yeah, you know, like, it's hard always hard to tell how someone would be when you see them through that lens, through social media.
01:06:06
Speaker
But I just feel like she would be so nice. Yeah, she she was. Very genuine. Yeah. And she took the time for me. She's like, oh, young child in trail. 50Ks are cute.
01:06:19
Speaker
Yeah. Because you're like a high-end athlete. Like, when you look at somebody like that, you the you think you can get... like what makes What makes her special, do you think? like what really can you Can you pinpoint something? or like you know There's so many things that goes into this sport, but like she's so dominant. you know i think it's just she's been doing it. She hasn't given up. like It wasn't like she was perfect at the start of her career. like She had some huge ups and downs and some huge wins, but then like there were a lot of DNFs in there.
01:06:52
Speaker
and so I think it's just... like Deslin, she kept showing up, like, and it's, it's working out for her now. Like she didn't give up and whatever she's perfected. um And she's, I think the mental game is what's very impressive to me because like in an ultra, it, it comes down to that, right? Like everyone's hurting, but it's who's like, I can go one more mile.
01:07:12
Speaker
I can go one more mile. And so, and I think what else I like is she does things that people say can't be done, which is really cool. Like the triple last year, everyone's like, that can't be done.
01:07:24
Speaker
Like, no one can do that. Like, no one can recover. And she's like, okay, yeah, whatever. Watch this. And you're like, touche. Yeah. So I think that's what it is. Like, she believes.
01:07:35
Speaker
Yeah, you watch her. Yeah, you're like, it's not, like, that's not possible. Like, that's. Yeah. like Like, I don't know. I just, it doesn't seem like the body could physically repair itself in time to to be able to take on such a thing, you know? And and she does it, you know?
01:07:51
Speaker
It's nuts. She just proves everybody wrong. Is there any, do you think you'll get up there in distance also? Do you think you want to head to, I mean, for myself, i I've done a 70 or 65K I'm like, I don't ever see myself doing 100 whatever.
01:08:07
Speaker
100 miler. um But some people see that in their future. and And that's great. You know, do you ever see yourself getting to, you know, there's like Leadville also, and yeah these kind of races?
01:08:19
Speaker
I think I'm in your camp. um I think last year, we helped crew a few teammates at Western. And at the start the race, it, like, looked really cool. And I was, like, this place called Dusty Corners. And I'm, like, yeah, that looks sick. Like, they're running pretty quick.
01:08:33
Speaker
And then I think it's, like, six miles to go from the finish at what's called Pointed Rocks aid station. And I saw everybody, and I was, like, oh, my gosh, no. Like, I know these people well, and they look that bad. And, like, I don't think it's for me. Like, that is...
01:08:51
Speaker
I think I'd just rather stick to the short stuff and perfect it. And like, maybe as the last hurrah, when I go to retire from professional running, I'll be like, yeah, I'll try a hundred.
01:09:01
Speaker
But like, that's not a, that's not where I see myself as going long. no Yeah. I'm with you on that one. um and And I also believe like,
01:09:13
Speaker
doing a bit of coaching myself, i'm I'm always like, what's the rush to jump up? You know, i think what you said there about perfecting shorter distances is really, really important. Like, why can't you stay in a 5k, 10k for a while and get to the half? And the allure is always like, get to the marathon, get to the hundred miler, right?
01:09:30
Speaker
these Hashtag make short races sexy. There you go. Yeah. Yeah. And you got to be fast to like on the short stuff to be able to help you with the long stuff. Yeah, look at Stefan's Oh, that's another beast. That's another animal. Right?
01:09:47
Speaker
15 to marathon? Yeah. Kind of got it all. Crazy, crazy. That's crazy. Yeah, it's nuts. I want to ask you, with the holidays approaching, what's on your like what's on your running wish list?
01:10:02
Speaker
Oh, running wish list, I think... I would really like a pair of AirPods. These aren't mine. These are my husband's. um Because if I do, if I'm running on the treadmill or something, I have a pair of aftershocks. But like the treadmills are so loud that I can't hear what I'm listening to. And so then I end up just like listening to muffled words. And I'm like, cool, that was an awesome podcast that I just listened to.
01:10:25
Speaker
I got every fifth word. um So that would definitely be on my running wish list. Other than that, like Adidas does a really good job of giving us anything we'd ever want.
01:10:37
Speaker
nice I probably have more than enough stuff, which I'm incredibly grateful for, but I don't need any more running stuff. ok Okay. Okay. Fair enough. You're fully stocked probably for a few seasons. Yeah.
01:10:49
Speaker
Yeah. That's great. And what would you say my last question is, what would you say running has brought to your life?
01:10:58
Speaker
Oh, running has brought me... The best memories and the greatest friendships, for sure. Like every time I think about like the happiest moments, it usually has involved a run or like going to a race. And then just the people I've met along the way, like I don't think I would have met those people any other place um or way. So yeah, that's what it's brought. um Yeah, and I bet other things in life would have done that too. But it really put me out of my comfort zone and got me to see things and meet people and experience life.
Wrapping Up the Interview
01:11:32
Speaker
Amazing. Well, ah Tabor, thanks so much for taking the time with me today. i' haven't done an interview in a little while and I was thrilled to that you accepted my invitation to to have this conversation. And yeah, you're such a nice person and you're you're fun to talk to. So hopefully that came through in this chat.
01:11:51
Speaker
I hope so. Thanks for having me on. I appreciate it. I hope, you know, people can learn something and yeah, if anyone has any other questions, I'm I'm a chatterbox. Communication. See, it all comes full circle. Yeah, where where can people find out more about you just as a last thing?
01:12:07
Speaker
Yeah, I have an Instagram. I think it's Tabor underscore Hemming, maybe. and then they can also reach out on ah YouTube. And I think we have a we have a coaching website. We do. I think it's called Aerobic Monsters Coaching. No, we don't have a coaching website. My husband's shaking his head. ah We don't have one right now. 2025. Yeah, 2025. That's a goal right there. Boom. To do list, putting that on. So yeah, maybe Instagram is the best one to ah to keep in contact.
01:12:38
Speaker
Amazing.
Closing Remarks and Listener Engagement
01:12:39
Speaker
Thank you again so much. I appreciate your time. Yeah, thank you. Take care. Thanks for tuning in to the Just In Stride podcast. I truly appreciate you taking the time to listen and I hope you enjoyed that conversation as much as I did.
01:12:54
Speaker
Please take a minute after this to rate and review our show on Apple Podcasts. With your feedback, we'll be able to make the show even better and it'll help us reach new listeners too. You can also find us on Instagram at JustinStridePod for all the latest episodes and updates.
01:13:10
Speaker
Of course, this show wouldn't be possible without a solid team behind me. With logo and design by Vanessa Pugliese, as well as audio, music, and editing by Forrest McKay, a huge thank you goes out to both of them.
01:13:22
Speaker
Guest outreach, social media, writing, and advertising are handled by me, your host, Justin Pugliese. Finally, we'd like to thank you, our listeners, for coming along for the ride with Justin Strade.