FACING VERT Tara Jordan

Bonus Episode! Ridge to Rails 50k, Half Marathon and 10k are THIS weekend, so Brandon Thrower (with Tanawha Adventures) and I sat down to talk about each race. If you are running this race this Saturday, or thinking about participating in the future, you will want to listen. Brandon walks through every turn, terrain and views found on each course, plus giving other valuable information about the races for the participants crew and spectactors. I hope you enjoy! The races all take place in the areas surrounding the beautiful and quaint town of Old Fort, NC. For more information on this race, visit https://www.tanawhaadventures.com/ridgetorails! I look forward to hearing how everyone's' adventure goes! Have fun out there...



Tanawha Adventures Instagram

Tanawha Adventures Website

Facing Vert's Instagram

So much to say about Carrie Baris, the co-race director of the Hellbender 100. Yes, she is an ultra runner, but she is also very successful in the equestrian sports of endurance riding and ride & tie. I was absolutely fascinated to dig into both of these equestrian sports to find out how they operate and how they correlate to endurance running. One thing I learned is that I HAVE to try ride & tie...combining both running and riding a horse. Sounds like an absolute dream to me! Carrie is also the queen of National Parks...with a goal to visit every single park out there to honor her late husband and their adventures together. Such an epic goal, and she is well on her way to checking them all off the list. Carrie is also completely selfless. She puts others, animals, and family above herself...always looking out for their needs and desires first, and this is so evident when you get into a conversation with her. Yes, I wanted her to talk about her races and accomplishments, but she really lit up when she talked about her sister, her horse, her puppy and her fiancé. What a beautiful soul she is.
Carrie, I hope you realize how special you are and how much you mean to this community of runners. You have given so much of your time, energy and love to see others succeed, and this does not go unnoticed. Thank you, from all of us.

Carrie's Instagram
Hellbender 100

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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!

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**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



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