I took a huge step this week.

I went on a training camp.

Something I have not done in at least a decade, more like 12-14 years.

And what is a training camp you ask?

It is typically where elite athletes go to a location ideal for training. For most runners, that means heading up to high altitude and doing some intense training.

For me, the biggest piece was a period of time where I could focus on my training only...well mostly.

Basically, a time where I am not juggling 16 roles and multitasking to an extreme, but focused on getting in hard runs, resting hard, and building fitness in a place that lends itself naturally to do so. In my case, running on trails and dirt roads at altitude.

Enter Mammoth Lakes.

I mostly knew it as the place Deena Kastor lived and the Mammoth Track Club trained. I was curious about this place people seemed to train, but didn't ever have an opportunity to go. I am not one to take a trip for the sake of it. I need to have a strong reason to go and make it worth it.

A few months ago, that opportunity presented itself through my best friend, Ryan inviting me to join him on a training camp in Mammoth. Staying in "the crib", a home in Mammoth that elite athletes can stay at, so they can focus on training.

While I don't currently place myself in an elite athlete bucket in trail running, I am not far off, and as I have shared, I want to try to get there.

At first I said yes.

Then I tried to back out. It felt too selfish. Too far. Too extra.

To which my amazing husband, Steve, pushed me to go ahead. I know he is excited to see what I am capable of, but I knew what a strain that would put on him to be in his own busy season and solo parent the girls for five days....in addition to the time he does that for my work trips.

Steve referred me back to the conversation Ryan, Steve and I had had after Cape Town. I would not increase the amount of running I would do in a regular week by much (I simply don't have the capacity and don't want to be a zombie for Steve and the girls), but I would have these big block training camps. Wasn't this the ideal opportunity to see how it sat, see if this was something I wanted to level up in?

So on Monday, I arrived in Mammoth Lakes, this gorgeous, small town, local business heavy, snowy town.

Excited to get going, and we did, right away, getting a strength training session in.

Over the course of the next four days, Ryan and I climbed mountains, speeded up on flatter dirt roads, and lifted heavy weights. The cool thing about Mammoth, is that while the town itself is snowy this time of year and sits at high elevation, you can drive down 30-45 minutes and get to temps of a perfect 50 degrees, sunny, and not a speck of snow.

I pushed my body further in a week of training than I have in a long time. While the time on my feet was not as long as some of my training runs last fall, I stepped myself up in what I was capable of, and honestly, surprised myself.

The most surprising part of all though?

How much the desire to commit pushed up another notch.

I really want to see what I can do.

Not from a framing of "gotta do this or I am a failure" (which unfortunately, was my mindset at times in the past), but from a mindset of "what do I have to lose? why not give it a go? I want to explore my potential"

So I arrived home with sore and tired legs, but a fire within me to find my edges.

And as for Mammoth being home of Deena Kastor:

It sure is, and while past me never could have predicted, Deena has become a good friend, and invited Ryan and I for dinner with her family, we fueled up with a nourishing dinner involving of all kinds of recovery foods presented in the most delicious and beautiful way.

It was a wonderful evening.

So yeah, my advice for you?

If there is a dream you have been exploring in your mind, but haven't yet taken an action. Give it a go, say it out loud, find a way to take a step.

What may have seemed like a tiny step to some, was a huge step for me, and it was absolutely the right choice to do this training camp.

What is your training camp equivalent?

Racing For Sustainability has a new page, with easy to understand info about how you can join us as Sustainability Champions (no!! you do not have to be perfect or even close, this is for all of us who are imperfect, but want to do our part). We have lots of bibs available for big races this year (and more majors loading), so check out this page, and go check out how we are showing up at your favorite races.

Culligan was announced the official water sponsor of the Schneider Electric Marathon de Paris. As I have shared before, Schneider Electric Marathon de Paris is going BOLD with their hydration this year, offering NO disposable cups. Every runner (including myself!) will have to carry either their own handheld or a HydraPak x Culligan cup for refill.

I am SO excited about this, and yes, also very curious to see it as I run the course in a few months. How will it work? We will find out, but I admire and respect them for this trailblazing move.

And sneaky eyes may see that I am cohosting a plogging event with the race and Culligan on Friday April 10th.

Plogging events loading in Chicago and New York next month. Links coming soon....

“Comfort zone has the most comfortable bed in life where dreams become alive in your mind but never become a reality because you never get up from bed to make it happen.”

-Oscar Bimpong

Thanks to our partner, HydraPak

Well, in addition to the gorgeous Culligan x HydraPak cups (they are so cute) that every runner will receive at Schneider Electric Marathon de Paris, I will be carrying all kinds of HydraPak products in the race. I will be testing my faves out (yep, i'm talking multiple bottles, vest, and belt) to see which works best with a refill method. Many of the majors are working hard on making refill stations work for 2026, and I am excited to share more soon.

So yes, what do I love?

Well, for marathons, HydraPak Tempo Pro 2.

For vests/trail runs, HydraPak Pocket Flask.

For first time hydration carriers (aka if this concept is brand new to you), HydraPak Skyflask (either 350 or 500ml)

For super long runs, 1.5L Velocity Reservoir (bladder).

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Be kind to one another, yourself, and this beautiful planet of ours.

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