Brandon Thrower sat down with me via FaceTime to talk through the newly revealed Hellbender course for 2026. Hurricane Helene did a number on our trails here in Western NC, and so many of the trails used in the original Hellbender course are still being repaired or redirected. So this year's course is known as The Helenebender 2! Listen as Brandon talks through the new course, the aid stations, crew information and more. If you are running this race, crewing, volunteering or considering this race in the future please listen and share with others. I will personally be praying for all of you...for endurance, power, energy, safety and overall joy out there on the course! Our mountains are beautiful...enjoy! Thank you to the Run 828 Foundation for all you do to put on this race, and to the sponsors who help make it happen!

Run 828 Foundation: https://www.run828foundation.org

Hellbender 100: https://www.hellbender100.com/course

Thank you for listening! Follow on Instagram: @facingvert

This podcast is a wee bit different this time. I was recently asked to join Sullivan Brady on the stage at Youth Culture at Brookstone Church. Sullivan had been teaching through a series called RUN, and for the final night he wanted the students to hear from a crazy ultra runner (me) that truly knows what it is like to live out ENDURANCE on the trails. What an honor it was to be asked to be a part! It's not often that I am the one answering questions, but I thoroughly enjoyed the time spent talking about my experiences and how my faith impacts my ultra running journey. Fortunately, the interview was recorded, and so I hope you enjoy!

Michael Ferguson is a senior in high school, and was already committed to Furman University before his senior year even began. Already, as a senior, he is the state champion in 5A Cross Country, the 1600 indoor track state champion and the 3200 indoor track state champion. Pretty incredible accomplishments, and he really didn't get serious about running until high school. I loved hearing how he approaches races, controls his nerves and handles the pressure. Michael wants to be the best, but understands the work this requires. I can't wait to see him continue to grow and improve at Furman! Thank you, Michael, for taking the time to sit down with me.

In this episode, I sat down via FaceTime with Brandon Thrower to talk about Tanawha Adventure's new race...the Catawba Falls 15K! You can hear Brandon's love for Catawba Falls as he describes every detail of the course from start to finish. If you are running this race or considering running it in the future, make sure you listen!

Tanawha Adventures website: https://www.tanawhaadventures.com/catawbafalls15k

Tanawha Adventures Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tanawhaadventures

Facing Vert's Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/facingvert

Two FKTs (fastest known time) from two different people, on two different routes, for different 'whys', but with the support of one another they accomplished great things. Teresa Bowser came up with her own 100+ miler called Project Untamed, and now the holds the FKT. When you come up with your own course, you would think you would make it as easy as possible, but not Teresa. My legs were burning just listening to her and Nathan describe the course! If you want to go for this FKT, just expect it to be BRUTAL but amazing all wrapped into one. This is everything Teresa loves on the trails she loves, and she wants YOU to go out and try it. For Nathan Frantz, his goal was to get the FKT for the yo yo of the Foothills Trail which calculates to over 150 miles. Nathan wanted to do this for his nephew, TJ, who has a rare form of leukodystrophy. As Nathan describes him..."He is the only child in the U.S. (with this form) and one of six in the entire world. And yet, if you met him, you'd never know the weight he carries. He is a light. Joy. Laughter. The kind of kid who reminds you what hope looks like". Nathan used his FKT attempt as a fundraiser for TJ, and the Go Fund Me link is still live: https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-tjs-fight-against-leukodystrophy

Teresa was Nathan's crew chief and helped him through all the highs and the lows. Nathan paced Teresa for SO many miles in the hardest sections when she was the most tired. They supported each other, they laughed together, they slept-ran together, and I am so happy I got to hear their journeys from both of their perspectives. Thank you, Nathan and Teresa, for coming on the podcast!

Teresa Bowser's Instagram:

Nathan Frantz's Instagram:

Teresa's Strava: @teresabowser_

Nathan's Strava: @steadypacenate

Follow Facing Vert on Instagram! @facingvert

As always, thank you for listening!

I was looking forward to speaking to Cameron Brown about his Looking Glass win because I knew absolutely nothing about him...other than the fact the he absolutely crushed the race! He was first overall in a time of 9:31:55! Mind-blowing. What an interesting conversation I had with Cameron! I was fascinated to learn that he has only been running for less than 2 years, and it all started with his wife convincing him to join her for a marathon! It truly is unbelievable to hear how far he has come in such a short amount of time, and he takes every opportunity he can to learn more about how he can improve. Cameron has CERTAINLY discovered a gift, and I look forward to seeing where he goes from here. Thank you, Cameron, for joining me on the podcast and sharing your story! You are amazing!

Cameron Brown's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cam_i_am1110/

Cameron Brown's Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/145052574

Youtube Link about his Looking Glass experience: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUiYBxehPAo&feature=youtu.be

Thank you for listening to Facing Vert! Follow on Instagram: @facingvert

It has been almost a month since I ran the Looking Glass 100k, and I was finally able to sit down (with myself) and detail out my experience leading up to the race and throughout that day. What a day it was, and I am so so grateful to Brandon of Tanawha Adventures and every single volunteer for putting on such a great race despite so many obstacles. Also, thank you to Marisa Romeo, my pacer extraordinaire, for getting me through the last 30 miles. I literally would not have been able to push through if it if had not been for you. Thank you is not enough. And to my crew (my husband, Jonathan and my youngest daughter, Kayda) for putting up with me at the aid stations, refueling me, and pushing and encouraging me to continue. Lastly, thank you to all the other athletes out there giving it there all in this race. I absolutely LOVED being able to see so many of you out on the course. Thank you for your words of encouragement, your high fives, and huge smiles. Nothing better than this community. And so sorry in advance for anyone I did not mention that I saw (including Andrew, Jake and Wes to name a few!).

I am in awe of what our bodies are capable of, what our minds are capable of, and I am more in awe of the Creator who made each and every one of us to do things that seem to us as impossible. To Jesus, my Savior, I give all the glory. Without Him, these capabilities would not even exist. And WOW, what a way He has given me to see His creation and be enamored. Psalm 19:1-5

Thank you for listening as always. Who knows what will be next for me...

Facing Vert's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/facingvert/

Looking Glass 100K (Tanawha) website: https://www.instagram.com/tanawha_adventures/

This podcast is so much more than talking to someone new about a race that they conquered. I had never officially met Natasha Castro, but with every picture she would post on Strava or Instagram I felt drawn to her. I can't really explain why that is, but I think her smile made me smile, and you could see the rawness of her emotions with every capture. So when I saw that she had completed the No Business 100, I knew the timing was perfect. Not far into our podcast, Natasha opened up and gave me glimpse into her life story, and I began to quickly see how and why she can dive deep into the pain cave but still find the strength to continue. She had been to much more painful places than these, and she is so much tougher than I could ever dream to be. Nastasha is BEAUTIFUL, like really stunning, but she doesn't even see it. She is so strong, but doesn't seem to realize it. She is such a light, but doesn't realize its' brightness. And for goodness sake, Natasha Castro is a RUNNER who belongs in this sport, and she is finally starting to believe it.

Gosh, I feel truly honored to have met her and for her to share pieces of her life with me. Yes, we talk about her crazy No Business adventure and you will get sucked into this journey, But you will see...it is about so much more than completing a 100 mile race, and that's why I treasure the stories on Facing Vert.

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Natasha's Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/99434860

Natasha's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ncc04/

Natasha's performance coach: Marisa Romeo https://www.marisaromeo.com

Facing Vert's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/facingvert/

Mountain Running Company: https://mountainrunningcompany