FACING VERT Tara Jordan

Teresa Bowser is an incredible trail runner, ultra runner, crew, pacer and friend to all. Teresa began her trail running journey around 2019 and has now conquered some of the most difficult ultras around...the Hellbender 100, Cloudsplitter 100, Stillwater Ultras, and recently the Georgia Death Race to name a few. Teresa is also a beautiful, young lady with the biggest and brightest smile. You can't help but feel joy when you are in her presence, and she doesn't even seem to realize it. But hiding behind that smile is so much pain, an imposter she would say....a young woman carrying a burden that no one can see.

Little did I know, I asked Teresa to come on the podcast at the perfect time. Teresa had just recently finished the Georgia Death Race, a 74-mile killer of a race with 16000 feet of climbing and 16000 of descent. Throughout the duration of the race, you are required to carry a 1lb railroad spike, and upon completion you throw this nail into a coffin. Pretty epic. Teresa told me that her why started to change as her race began to unravel, and the spike she had to carry took on a meaning that she did not even expect. So, on this podcast, Teresa shares the burden that she began to release that day, that she threw in the coffin, and I am touched that she chose to share with me and all those that listen to this podcast.

I am overwhelmed, truly, that Teresa and so many others would open up to me and share some of their deepest hurts but also their greatest joys. We all have a story...runner or not. We are all on this journey together...FACING VERT of all kinds...side by side. We are all God's creation...masterpieces in His eyes. Know you are worthy, loved, and created for a purpose.

Teresa, I love you, and I loved seeing the sense of freedom that came over you as you shared your story. Keep fighting.



Want to reach out to Teresa? Her Instagram is https://www.instagram.com/teresabowserfitness/



Teresa's Strava



Teresa's Coach is Aaron Saft with Running is Life. His website is https://www.runningislife.run



I would love to hear from you or answer any questions you may have! Find Facing Vert on Instagram, and message me there!

Bonus Episode! For this episode I sat down with co-race director and course developer, Brandon Thrower (Tanawha Adventures), to talk all things Hellbender! According the the Hellbender 100 website:

The Hellbender One Hundred is one of the most scenic hundred milers on the East Coast. This course will take you through a grueling tour of the massive Black Mountains, deep into the valleys below and to the summit of Mt. Mitchell, the highest mountain East of the Mississippi. With an elevation change of ~48,000+ ft, runners will experience some of the most challenging and beautiful trails in all of Western North Carolina. You'll not want to miss this premiere, graduate level hundred through the heart of Southern Appalachia!

Brandon and I talk about required gear, crew rules, aid stations, pacers, a FULL course description and more! And a big congratulations to all involved in making this race happen because the Hellbender 100 is now a Hardrock qualifier! This is HUGE news for all that are running this year and for years to come. Thank you to the Run 828 foundations, NCMTR, volunteers and sponsors for all their hard work and dedication to make this such an amazing experience for all. Thank you, Brandon, for taking the time to sit down with me!



Hellbender 100 website

Run 828 Foundation

NCMTR

Hellbender's Instagram

Tanawha Adventures Instagram



If you want to watch my Hellbender 100 experience on YouTube, click here!

Follow Facing Vert on Instagram and message me there. Thank you for listening!

**Warning: sensitive material is discussed in this podcast**

Ally Carlton was recently on the podcast after she grabbed the FKT both North and Southbound on the Art Loeb Trail within three weeks of each other. Pretty astounding to say the least. And then, in March, Ally crossed the finish line of the MST 100 as the female winner and third overall, despite the horrible weather conditions. But, this episode contains so much more than a race recap of her grind through this race. This episode is raw and real. Ally mentioned in our first episode together that she experienced trauma as a teenager but did not elaborate. But on this episode she was ready to talk about her experience for the first time in a public setting. Yes, her accomplishments are impressive, but her bravery to share, to hopefully help others, is so much more impressive. I am so proud of you, Ally. Your strength, your bravery, your heart to help others, your honesty and your authenticity is beautiful. You are beautiful. Thank you.



Ally wants you to reach out to her if need to talk to someone. You can find her on Strava, and message her through this platform. Click here: Ally's Strava



I have no affiliation with this website, but according to RAINN.org, every 68 seconds an American is sexually assaulted. If you need help, they ask that you call 800.656.HOPE (4673).



Follow Facing Vert on Instagram, @facingvert. As always, thank you for listening and sharing with others.

We are putting this episode out early because 7 Sisters is right around the corner!

On this episode I sat down with Brandon Thrower, of Tanawha Adventures, to get all the details on his upcoming 7 Sisters 25K. According to the Tanawha Adventures website, "The Seven Sisters 25k is a monstrous mountain of a run around the East and West ridges of the Montreat Wilderness! The route passes over multiple peaks and overlooks including; Lookout Rocks, Rocky Head, Graybeard, Rattlesnake Rocks, and of course the Seven Sisters themselves along the treacherous West Ridge Trail."

This is a sold out race, and will be held on April 13th, 2024 at 9:00 AM. Brandon goes through every inch of the course, plus other details that every participate and fan will want to know. If you are even thinking of running this race in the future, his description of the course will definitely convince you!



Tanawha Adventures Website

Tanawha Adventures Instagram



Follow Facing Vert on Instagram and message me there! Thank you so much for listening!

On this episode, you will hear about my experience running the Mt. Mitchell Heartbreaker 55K that took place on Saturday, March 23, 2024. Somehow I came in first lady and 11th overall with a time of 6:59:59...right under that 7 hours! Turned out to be a beautiful day of running with unexpected views, new friends, and lots of grumbling about gravel roads. :) Needless to say, it was an amazing day to be out on the trails. Thank you to Brandon Thrower, with Tanawha Adventures, for putting on this event. Also thank you to the sponsors for the sick awards...beautifully handcrafted logo wood carving by Jonathan Ibach, a handmade medal by Hannah Thrower, a free pair of shoes from La Sportiva, gift card from Mountain Running Company, and some delicious coffee from Victoire Coffee Company. Wow! Also thank you to Kim Greene for crewing me at Neal's Creek, to my family for cheering me to the finish, to all the volunteers for your encouragement and service, and to all the athletes that were out there grinding like me. A special thank you to the fierce and strong ladies that pushed me to run my best, especially Becca Morris and Becca Johnson (2nd and 3rd female). You are beasts, and it was an honor to race with you. Congratulations to all who ran both the 55K and the 50 miler. So proud of every single one of you! Sorry it is just my voice on this one, but I hope you enjoy!

Tanawha Adventures

La Sportiva

Mountain Running Company

Jonathan Ibach (woodworks)

Message me via Instagram, @facingvert, or email me at tara@runwnc.com.

My gear: Nike Wildhorse Trail Shoes, Black Diamond Poles, Salomon 12 pack

Nutrition: Untapped Maple, Gu Liquid Energy, Gu Roctane, Probar Chews, Cliffs Bloks



Thank you for listening!

Such a fun experience meeting and chatting with coach, ultra runner, business owner, mom and wife-Tera Pruett. Instantly, I was struck by her confidence, her vibrant spirit and her sense of adventure. Tera's goal is to help others accomplish their goals...whether that is on the trails, in the gym, or simply being brave enough to take on adventure that didn't think was possible. She genuinely cares about the success of her athletes, showing them how capable they are even when they feel they are not. I would have her as my cheerleader any day! Besides all the other hats she wears, Tera is the force behind the Asheville Trail Running Film Festival for the past few years. The film festival will take place on April 21st at 4:30 PM at the Orange Peel, and I look so forward to attending this event! For more information, go to https://trailfilmfest.com/event/asheville-north-carolina/. Hope to see you all there! Thank you, Tera, for ALL you do for our trail running community and for sitting down to chat with me.

Listen and see how UNSTOPPABLE she truly is.



Tera's website: https://www.terapruett.com/

Tera's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tera_pruett/

Tera's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tera.pruett.3



Follow Facing Vert on Instagram, @facingvert, and also please message me there. Thank you thank you thank you for listening!