For the past five years, I have visited my mother’s grave weekly. Each time I stare at her name on the headstone, I journey somewhere inside that I don’t always frequent amidst my frenzied daily routine. I pause. I reflect. I think about the night before she passed away. Her faraway gaze. Her tone, which was both matter-of-fact and soft.…
Author: jodiw5@aol.com
The Road Ahead: 2017
Back in the days of sleepaway camp, we had cheesy themes for each summer: “Super great in ’88.” “Feeling fine in ’89.” You get the picture. With that in mind, why not aim to be “supreme in ’17.” We leave each year committed and convinced—or at least hopeful—that we are going to be better versions of ourselves the following…
Ancient Oaks 100: The Little Engine That Could – 12/16
Stu Gleman’s vision It is hard to imagine that this was my fourth time running Ancient Oaks 100. The thing about traditions is that they form, often without our realizing it. Ancient Oaks, founded by the late Stu Gleman, represents all things end-of-year and holiday to me. It’s a time to reflect over all that the year has been—and what…
Running Around the Clock: Halloween Javelina Jundred Style
If you’re an ultrarunner or aspire to be one, Halloween likely evokes thoughts of the Javelina Jundred (JJ100) out in the Sonoran Desert, in Fountain Hills, Arizona, where for the last 14 years the best costumed trail-run party in the nation has occurred. Howling coyotes, baby tarantulas, and rattlesnakes come out for the celebration, but mostly, it is the 600+…
Pumpkin Holler Hunnerd – October 14-16 2016
It starts with a hectic week – teaching, meetings, then a rush to the airport, delayed flights, and landing in Tulsa, Oklahoma at 1:00 am in the morning on Friday, checking into an airport hotel, desperate for a few hours of rest before the endeavor ahead. The story is not new; rather, it’s a depiction of the typical pre-race scenario…
Advice to College Students: Be Awesome!
Some tips to help you to uncover your fearless, amazing, and aspiring self. Laugh, smile, have fun. Take all that life has to offer you with a sense of humor and an open heart. Life won’t always be fun, but that doesn’t mean it’s all struggle and strife, either. Your attitude will guide how you react to the various situations…
Everyday is a Good Day
At 85 years old, my father reads the Wall Street Journal cover-to-cover daily, sometimes devoting hours a day to perusing through it. He cuts out articles for me weekly: editorials on sports, education, books he supposes I will want to read; commentaries on entrepreneurs, and companies that I have worked with, or for. To me, the articles signify his interest…
Smart Bottle is a Smart Choice for Hydration
Living and training in South Florida and competing in ultramarathons across the nation, hydration is always an issue for me. There are repercussions attached to drinking too much water, and too little, as many of us learn. Typically, water intake and electrolyte balance is something that most of us—athletes and weekend warriors alike—manage by feel and a bit of guess…
Ultrarunning Tips that have helped me weather the journey both on and off the race course
The miles are the miles. They don’t get shorter, but if we don’t fixate on them, they pass quicker. Remember that you are never running 100 miles; you are running small, sustainable sections from aid station to aid station. When you begin to fall apart and struggle, the email you forgot to send at work, the item you need to…
The Metamorphosis – Badwater 135 – July 2016
I’ve always been fascinated by the behind the scenes aspect of life. We show up at races full of smiles, good cheer, and nervous excitement. What is not visible is the endless hours, weeks, and months of training that propels us to the start lines; the endless coordinating and organizing, check lists, packing, and logistics that commence long before race…