February 26, 2024 • 48 mins
Lauren Puretz is a 40 year old practicing gynecologist in Colorado Springs, CO. She has been running ultras for a few years now and has always been in the mix of things - 5th at Bandera 2021, 7th at Black Canyon 2022, and 4th at last year's Javelina Jundred.
She is a member of the Colorado Aravaipa running team. Fun fact - she won the Sawatch Ascent 50K in Colorado outright last year and the only other woman to do that was Courtney Dauwalter!
Lauren earned a golden ticket to Western States 100 by placing 3rd at Black Canyon 100 K a couple weeks ago, much to her own surprise! So stick around and let's get to know Lauren more.
Here is Lauren...
You can follow Lauren on Instagram here : https://www.instagram.com/lauren1642/
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
Hi everyone, this is Michele Graglia. This is Marianne Hogan.
Hi, I'm Adrian McDonald.
I'm Katie Asmund. Hi, this is Anthony Gasols.
Hi, my name is Meg Morgan. Hey, it's Jordan Trofe. This is John Ray.
This is Ryan Van Duser, and you are listening to the Gotta Run Racing Podcast.
Hey everybody, I'm Norman. And I'm Jody. And this is another Gotta Run Racing
(00:24):
Podcast. We're on a roll these days.
Wow, we're banging off what happened at Black Canyon. We sure are.
It's been a lot of fun so far.
And how's your training going for Slovenia?
Not bad, not bad.
I'm looking forward to doing some more outdoor running,
(00:44):
but we just got, what, about 10 centimeters of snow yesterday and more on the
way, and I'm being a complete wimp this year and doing lots of treadmill training,
but working on my mental game.
So you would rather run on the treadmill than minus 20.
You've been trying to get me to admit this for a while now because I used to
(01:04):
say minus 20. But yes, I would. I will admit that.
I would rather run on the treadmill than in minus 20. Yeah, it's official.
Well, this is what happens. We get older.
I don't know what it is. I just, I'm feeling the cold more now.
We get older, we get colder. I like that.
(01:26):
All right. So back to our Black Canyon series. Who's on the podcast today?
Well, today we have Lauren Peretz.
She's a 40-year-old OBGYN living in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
She's been running ultras for a few years now, and her name's usually in the mix.
She's had a fifth place finish at Bandera in 2021.
(01:49):
She was seventh at Black Canyons in 22, and
fourth at last year's javelin 100
she's also a member of the colorado era
viper running team and she actually is in very good company in that she won
the saw watch ascent 50k outright last year in colorado and who's the only other
(02:13):
woman to do that some woman named court something yes Yes, Courtney DeWalter.
Oh, wow. That's good company. Absolutely.
She earned her golden ticket to Western by placing third at Black Canyon very
recently. So stick around.
Stick around. We've got lots more to talk about. Here is Lauren coming up.
Welcome to the podcast and welcome to Canada, Lauren. Yeah.
(02:37):
And big congrats on earning that Western States ticket at Black Canyons.
Insane. Just insane. Did you hang up the big check on your wall yet? Not yet. I have to.
I have an area where I think I'm going to put it, But I'm trying to decide if
I put it more front and center in my closet or bedroom or something for the
(03:01):
just for the motivation for the next little bit.
Or if I'm going to put it kind of in where my by my treadmill.
So we'll see. Oh, I like that idea.
That's that's inspiration. Absolutely.
We ask everyone who has a golden ticket what your the reaction was when you
brought it on the plane. if you flew?
(03:21):
I flew, but I had a girlfriend who was driving back.
And since I figured it was going to be a big pain and they offered,
I didn't have to carry it through the airport because she drove it back for me.
Oh, I love it. Love it. Yeah, I know. I was kind of almost like sad.
I was like, it's just going to be funny to walk through the airport with this.
(03:44):
I can't wait to. But then when she offered, I was that's probably the better idea.
Yeah, you don't want it to get bent or or anything. Right, yeah.
I already had blood on. I don't need anything else on. There you go.
Well, before we get to Black Canyons, we'd like to touch on a couple other races that you've done.
And one of the ones that stuck out to us because I think it might have been your only race
(04:06):
international race was the, and I'm probably saying this long,
the Loga Vagur Ultra in Iceland. Yeah.
Longa Hoover. I actually don't know how to pronounce it either.
But yeah, I did that, what, last year? Yeah.
Which was more of, I wanted to go to Iceland. And so if I sign up for a race,
then my husband has to go.
(04:27):
So I was like, I signed up for a race, now we're going.
So that was why I originally signed up for it, but it was a really hard race
between, I think it was actually, I don't think it had much elevation gain.
If not, it was quite, I don't know. I think maybe not negative,
but it was so much loose rock.
So a lot of sliding, volcanic rock, which even just even touch it and you've
(04:53):
lost a chunk of your hand. So the fear of falling was really high.
It had a lot of river crossings, which I was thinking that was good practice for Black Canyons.
And it was really steep down or really steep up. They don't really do the whole switchback thing.
So it was way more difficult than I anticipated and suffered a bit.
(05:16):
I bet it was stunning, though. Oh, yeah, absolutely beautiful.
After you pass the sulfur hot springs area, which was intense odor.
But after that, it was just incredible, which was cool.
I think it's actually a through hike, like that trail is a through hike. Oh.
Yeah, because they have to shuttle us up. It's like a four-hour,
(05:37):
maybe three-hour shuttle ride up to the start. Wow.
Yeah, so you're on a bus for a long time, those kind of buses that go through
rivers as you're going up there.
So it was a rocky ride up, a long rocky ride up.
And then you run basically back to kind of where the trail ends,
(05:58):
I suppose. but I think it's a pretty popular through hike. Wow.
Yeah. Did you stay and vacate in Iceland? We did.
Yeah. So we got there, I want to say the Tuesday before, I think we took a red eye.
So we got there Wednesday morning and then we, I think we flew back that following
Wednesday. So stayed just over a week. Oh, nice.
(06:19):
Yeah. Did you get to see any Northern Lights? I
ask everyone one who goes to iceland because no one i've spoken
to has ever seen them in iceland say and
then i can join that club because i did not yeah i
think well i think i don't even know if it's possible at that time because it's
daylight for so long so i don't even know if you could see them right but i
(06:42):
feel like i don't know i don't if you could it would have been between the hours
of 2.30 to 4.30, which is when it's actually dark.
We were asleep at that point. But yeah, so we didn't. We were there when the volcano erupted.
So the first one, not the current one. We were there during that.
(07:03):
So that was kind of cool to see. Wow.
Yeah, it's pretty scary what's happening over there, actually.
Yeah, I know. We did, of course, the whole Blue Lagoon thing because I do the tourist thing.
And we'd just gotten off the plane. It was going to be our first thing.
And of course, I had to get my run in.
And so my husband, we went with another couple.
They drove there and I was like, drop me off here. This is the exact mileage
(07:25):
I need if I run to the Blue Lagoon.
And so I saw some reports that that road that is now wiped out by lava.
And I was like, that's kind of scary to think. I was there not that long ago.
And now it's all destroyed, which is terrifying.
Yeah, it is.
(07:46):
What made you choose this race? The Iceland one?
I just called it the Iceland one. I don't know. I think it was just somebody
must have posted something about it at some point in time or got an advertisement.
And so I was like, well, that one sounds good. So not much thought put into
it besides it's a race in Iceland.
The timing works. And it was a lottery.
(08:07):
So I had to get up at four in the morning to be able to put my name in at that
time on that date and then find out a couple of weeks later whether we got in or not.
My girlfriend ran it as well. and the husbands didn't really
crew because you couldn't but they were there at the end and
so we had to see if we got in so then it was all right we get in i guess we're
going so if not much research was done it was more of a we'll do something there
(08:31):
and then hopefully this race works out nice how was it racing with this international
field now yeah well it's weird because you just don't know any names,
right? Nobody knows you.
Yeah. And so I had like looked up like the course record and the girl who has
(08:51):
that and she was running it again.
And I was like, all right, so I'll try to be in her range. I don't even know how to pace this thing.
And then find out later she's on the Iceland national track and cross-country
team. And I was like, well, that was a lofty goal.
It took off and left me in the dust.
So then it was just kind of like, all right, that's the only person I know.
I guess I'm just out here trying not to get lost.
(09:15):
So yeah, it is kind of weird when you don't really know anybody as far as history
or where to go or where... Because I use other people as kind of a pace for me.
I think this person's going to run about when I... I'll try to stay with them,
especially early in a race so I don't want to have to think too much.
And it's like, all right, just stay with this person because we're probably
going to be doing about the same and then go from there.
(09:36):
But I was like, all right, well, just don't get dropped up too much.
Well, the other race that kind of piqued our interest was the Saw Watch Ascent.
Yeah. Which you won outright. And the only other woman to do that was Courtney DeWalter.
So that's pretty good company to be in.
(09:56):
Yeah, I know. It was actually funny. I feel like maybe I'm just a really aloof
runner because I also had no idea that I had done that.
I had a pretty rough rough ascent. I think I was probably in like fourth, maybe I was not,
I'm not the best climber. And so I was like, oh, well, we'll just kind of keep going.
I think by the time I got to the top, I was maybe second or third,
(10:20):
but I'm a pretty good descender and pretty good descender on technical stuff.
So I just kind of like, all right, well, you're not going to win this one.
That's okay. It was really just a training run for Javelina.
And I was like, so just, you know, have fun, practice your fueling, started going down.
And all of a sudden I passed a girl and I was like, oh, oh, I guess I just took over the lead.
(10:40):
And so I just kept on going. I'm trying to remember where it was.
The last aid station, maybe it was like five miles out.
And some guy told me he was Jeff. I think his name was Jeff.
Jeff is right up there. You can get him. And I'm like, why are you telling me about Jeff?
Oh, Jeff, I don't know why you would tell me that. Okay.
And so I'm just going along. And then maybe a mile or two later,
(11:03):
I I had passed him and I was like, oh, this must be the Jeff they're talking about.
Okay. I keep going. I fell pretty hard.
And so I was then trying to like,
just limp my way down the rest of the technical until we got to the road.
And then the end of the so I just said is up a road, really steep and really
long, just a road with cars going on it back to get to a starting point.
(11:28):
And I would have jumped in. I would have jumped in. If any car would have offered
me, I would have jumped in.
It was so miserable. that last little bit and then came across the line and
they were like, congrats.
And then they told me that stat, like the only other person to want to outright
was Courtney. I was like, cool. Why are you talking about Courtney?
Like, and they were like, do you know you won outright?
And I was like, oh, sweet. Like I just thought I had passed that girl and I
(11:52):
was pretty stoked about it.
So yeah, apparently I'm just a really aloof runner at most points of my, as I go along.
But yeah, so it's kind of cool. They told me that stat at the end And I was
definitely confused, but yeah, she's a legend.
So just even to be in the same sentence as anything with her is pretty awesome.
Oh my gosh, that's hilarious.
It would have been funny if you came up across Jeff and said, hi, Jeff. Bye, Jeff.
(12:12):
I know, right? Yeah. And he'd be like, who are you?
I know, exactly. I'm like, why do you know my name?
Oh my gosh, that's funny. Now you're also a member of the racing team from Arabaipa, Colorado.
How did that come about? I have a couple acquaintances who are on the team and
just seeing their posts and seeing it just felt really cool that they would
(12:36):
get together for runs and kind of planning runs. And I'm a very, very social runner.
I semi-joke that I'm a codependent runner and that I will wake up at any time
and drive any distance just so I can run with people.
And I have a very hard time getting myself motivated on my own,
especially to then get to work on some sort of time.
So I was was like, Oh, I want to join those runs. Like I want to be included in that and have more of,
(13:00):
community to join. And so I applied, almost forgot about it because I assumed I wouldn't get on.
I think I've applied for ambassadorships for a couple other companies and didn't
get any of them. So I was like, okay, I'll apply.
It's not going to hurt me to apply and totally forgot about it until they posted on Instagram.
(13:22):
And I was like, sweet, that's so awesome. And it's been a really amazing amazing
experience meeting all the people, kind of having those group runs,
even if it's like just meeting up with a couple versus the bigger runs,
having people at races that you know,
and can kind of go from there. It's been, it's been a really great experience.
I'm really glad I'm joining them for a second year.
(13:44):
Well, especially since you are a runner who likes to run with people,
that's, that's perfect.
Exactly. Yeah. I'm sure you find people that you can easily match your pace
with too, which is really important. Yeah. Right. Yeah.
Yeah. People to push me and people to just have great conversations with.
So it's been great. Yeah.
Well, let's get into Black Canyons. You've run it successfully before.
(14:07):
Yeah. So what, did you change anything up with your training this time around?
Or did you feel any different with your mindset? Like what was it?
How would you compare the two in just in terms of getting heading to the start.
Yeah, I did it in 2022, which is a warm year and I do great in heat. I don't do well in cold.
And I just kind of jumped in. I mean, I had a coach at that time who was kind
(14:30):
of helping. So that was good.
I was at that time OBGYN. So I was delivering babies.
So schedule was really crazy. So it wasn't getting as much miles or as much
like not cross training, but like lifting and I'm trying to do weights because
I just didn't have the time and did the race. I I was doing really well, felt really great.
I said, I do great in the heat. So I was thriving, except for then I was,
(14:53):
oh, I don't need my pack. I'll just do a handheld.
And after Black Canyon aid station, I dropped my pack thinking my girlfriend
who's crewing me will give it back to me at Table Mesa. And like,
I have a handheld I can just refill.
And I ran out of water very quickly, ran out of fuel even faster.
Or imagine myself dying among the cactuses like Wile E. Coyote or something.
(15:13):
It was death march until the next aid station where I chugged Cokes and water
as much as I could and refilled my water bottle and then kind of death marched
on, finally fell a little better.
And then when they finished, so my goal was to not be stupid with fueling and
hydration, to never give up my pack.
And then, so now two years later, I have a different coach, got a little bit
(15:36):
more mileage but I dropped obstetrics.
So now I just do gyne only, what I absolutely love, but means I'm only on call
for myself, not seven other docs.
And so not as much phone calls, not much going in, not on call for weekends.
And so I've been able to do a lot more weightlifting and kind of the cross training.
(15:58):
I call it cross training, but stretching and prehabbing stuff that is helping
my body not fall apart, I guess.
And then maybe a big other stuff.
Yeah, having a second pacer was huge. Like I said, I'm a social runner.
So for me, having pacers is really helpful.
So having a second pacer, which then even got to be for what,
(16:19):
20 miles, 19 miles, and then the last 11 miles.
So having a pacer for longer was the other big change I made. And upping my fuel.
I hour. I don't even know what carbs because we've been looking at that now
and now going up to trying to get at least 70 to 100 carbs an hour.
(16:40):
That was the two big changes. The cold, I was really nervous about the cold
because my hands, I have really bad Renaud's and my hands go numb.
And so when my hands go numb, I can't get my fuel. I can't do anything.
I'm pretty useless. And so I was really worried about that start.
The delay, I guess, let it warm up a bit for me. So that was was good.
I kind of threw up breakfast and then a second breakfast.
(17:02):
But besides that, it was nice that I got that kind of time for me to warm up
for the, I guess, the temperature to warm up was a huge change that helped.
So the delay, we spoke to Rachel and Becca yesterday.
And believe it or not, they both went back to bed, which kind of blew our minds.
I bet you didn't do that. No, no, no, I did not.
(17:25):
So I woke up at four ish and ate something.
And then my plan was to go like eat something, then kind of go back to bed and
then actually get up at five and leave our Airbnb at 530.
Found out a little after five that had been delayed, but I couldn't go back
to sleep Even at 4 a.m., I couldn't go back to sleep.
So I was up. So I was, I don't know, putzing about probably doing something non-important.
(17:50):
And then we got there.
I guess we got there. We left when we were supposed to. We got there with plenty of time.
So it was that second delay that really threw us all. We were on the track,
all our clothes off, on the track, ready to go.
I thought it was a joke. I thought they're like, ha, ha, ha, another half an hour.
Oh, you're funny. Let's let's get going. Right. And they were like,
no, really, we're not starting.
(18:12):
That one was that's. And then I was like trying to find my clothes again.
Cause it was really, it was still really cold trying to find my,
my crew and my jacket and stay warm between that time.
So that one kind of, that was the, I think the bigger one, but no,
I definitely did not go back to bed.
I'm not, I'm not a rester. I don't take naps either.
I, I'm not, I can't, but. Well, we did chat to several elites from this race,
(18:38):
and we asked the question to all of them,
did you get caught up in the hype and take off like it's a 5K race,
or did you hold back saying, whoa, whoa, whoa?
Yeah, I mean, I think I did it first. The first, because of the delay, all that snow melted.
And they probably all said it was just a slosh fest for probably the first six to eight miles.
(19:01):
We all took off. I think my first mile was like 630, which I don't know how
I pulled that off because of the track was like dodging people and dodging like water puddles.
And so probably took off pretty fast. and then probably the second or third
mile, my legs feel really tired.
And just, I think slogging through that, like every step is a slip or a puddle
(19:23):
or trying to like dancing across the trail, trying to find the best route.
I'm just going to have to let them go. Like I, if I can't, I can't keep this up in the slop.
And I think I kind of, my quad, like I must've pulled something in one of the things.
Cause my quad was kind of burning one, like the outer quad.
And I was, I can't, I'm going to kill myself if I try to keep this pace,
(19:45):
keep up with everybody in the race.
In this slop. I'm just going to hurt myself or just have myself be totally spent.
And so I really slowed down to the point where I felt like I was kind of dogging
it. Probably you're still in a race. You should probably go a little bit.
I definitely slowed down and kind of just let the leaders kind of take off.
And I was kind of, and I try, I'm, I also, my own worst enemy is I'm pretty
(20:09):
good at getting down to myself early in the race.
And I tried to talk myself up. It's fine. it's a long race.
It's just not won or lost in the first six miles.
So tried to like kind of talk myself off the ledge of letting them go because
I knew I, with how my legs were already feeling, I could not continue like that.
Then by the time I got to Bumblebee, I felt way better.
(20:33):
My quad, like, so that muscle was still, must've done something to it.
So it was still hurting, hurting, but I felt overall better legs overall felt
I wasn't trudging through mud anymore.
And so I started to feel better at that point and kind of kept going.
I think picked up a little bit. There's kind of shocked. I had broken down my
splits into like what I wanted to do, what I thought I could do bumblebee and
(20:57):
then bump from bumblebee to black Canyon, black Canyon to finish.
And I was actually pretty shocked because my goal to get to bumblebee was about
two 20 to two 22. And when I looked at my watch right before getting there and
I was like 221, oh, I'm still on pace for what I wanted to do.
And I was like, oh, because I thought I thought I'd slow down so much to the
(21:17):
point where like I was forget it.
The day is not going to be what I was hoping for.
So I was pretty shocked. I think that's probably why I felt some energy.
I mean, between the aid station, the energy, my crew, my coach was there and
then being like, oh, I'm still on pace, even though I felt I was going too easy.
That gave me a bit of a boost mentally into kind of that climb out of Bumblebee.
(21:39):
So from Bumblebee to Table Mesa, how were you feeling at that point?
And did you know what position you're in?
So, and I'm trying to remember, it was, I believe as I was leaving Deep Canyon, that's when I.
Got a pacer. Yeah. My coach had told me I was in third or fourth.
(21:59):
And I think she like sprinted to tell me that I was in third. I can't remember.
At that point in time, she had told me something to that effect or maybe fourth and fifth.
I can't remember the exact numbers, but she told me I was higher up than I thought
I was because so many people had passed me that I thought I was way back.
And so she told me, no, no, you're still doing great. You're in fourth,
(22:19):
fifth place or something to that effect.
I was like, all right. But I knew the two big climbs were coming up.
Like I said, that's not where I excel.
So I was, well, I guess all I can do is just keep moving forward and try not
to slow down too much in the next area.
And like I said, just going with my times is really what I was aiming for.
(22:40):
That was the last time I was told my place.
I guess I passed Heather Jackson at one point. In hindsight,
I think I remember in the moment, I didn't realize it.
But in hindsight, I'm like, oh, yeah, because I had turned to her and I was,
you know, are you OK? Do you need anything?
And she just kind of nodded and I kept going. And then I realized that's who I was talking to.
(23:04):
So so then I guess, yeah, I didn't realize that I had moved up at that point into third.
Wow. I believe. Yeah, that's where you did it. So do you like chasing or being chased?
Oh, that's a good question. I like chasing, I think, especially if I can see them.
I like chasing. What I find really frustrating, especially on trail runs, you can't see people.
(23:30):
They may not be that far ahead of you and you can't see them because of trees
or bends in the trail. And so I find that part hard.
But if I see somebody, my goal is to get to them. Right.
So that sets like many, many goals into obviously the big goal of the race.
And so I like those many little challenges. So and I don't like running scared.
(23:52):
So feeling chased. In fact, I think that's why my crew didn't tell me where
I was is because if they would have told me, I probably would have been like,
it's all right. Fourth is okay.
Skip fourth. That's cool. because I think that feeling chased,
that feeling nervous, that feeling, oh, this is mine to lose is mentally draining for me.
(24:13):
And so they just tell me this far to the end, keep going.
The faster you go. So they would say the faster you go, the sooner you'll be
done. I'm like, yeah, okay, you're right. Let's do that.
So yeah, definitely. I think chasing, especially if I can see somebody.
Yeah. Because our Canadian was coming on, on your heels, pretty hot cat drew. Yeah.
I think the second to last climb was,
(24:36):
or the, I think it was the last climb, I started to get kind of dizzy.
And I was, oh, I need to get some salt tabs in me. And I know I had shoved some in my belt someplace.
So I'd stopped to find it and then take those like, they're like four big horse pills.
So I took them and was chugging the rest of my fuel.
(24:57):
And I looked and I, you know, cause is it a pacer?
Was it the racer? I didn't didn't know who it was, but I was,
that's a female. I better get going.
So then kept going. I didn't know. I said, now in hindsight, I believe it was her.
I had at that point, I'm like, all right, I gotta get going.
And thank goodness those salt tabs worked quickly. The dizziness kind of resolved
and I was able to keep going.
(25:18):
But yeah, that made me nervous. I was like, oh, somebody's right there.
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Anyways, back to the show.
(26:12):
Yeah, I knew three got the golden ticket. I mean, to be honest,
I didn't think I had a chance in this field.
This field is just so deep and so impressive.
And I was just, well, I guess I'm going to run this for goal time.
I think I can run it in nine hours or less.
(26:33):
So here's the time. And so I was just thinking about what my times needed to
be in order for me to get the time I wanted to run because I assumed I had no
hope in the depth that was there and kind of had put the golden ticket.
Nope, not going to happen.
That's okay. You can still get a lot out of this race. You can still have fun.
It's still being on the trails, which is time with, I always say, it's my break from life.
(26:58):
And so I am just going to enjoy it and do what I think I can do,
right? I think I can do this time. And so I'm just going to pace myself.
And that's all I was focusing on was what my splits needed to be as I went through,
not paying attention to pace, not paying attention to anything else.
I also, I listened to a book on tape. I think I'm the only probably one who
(27:18):
listens to books on tape while I run, but it's just something in the background.
The story doesn't even matter sometimes.
It's more of just a background noise and songs.
Like sometimes I get annoyed at the song and I want to change it,
you know, next one or whatever it may be. and then podcasts,
you have to go get the next one. And I was like, a book on tape is 18 hours.
It'll never run out, right? I got all the time of the day, a bigger worry about my phone dying.
(27:43):
And so I just kind of put it on. And so if anybody yelled anything,
I was too in my head about not dying, not falling, not stopping.
And or that book on tape, I didn't hear them, which is why I think I was so
shocked because I, A, didn't count myself in that golden ticket ticket running
and B didn't hear anything. That's amazing.
(28:03):
Have you been trying to get a golden ticket before because you tried or you
ran Bandera, the canyons, Javelina. So we was a golden ticket on your.
List of things to do? I really wanted to run Western States.
And knowing the lottery is going to take me many more years.
And I don't know how many more years I have of at least competitive running.
(28:25):
I was like, well, that's my probably best way of getting in.
So it's like, well, you know, like Bandera was a race because of COVID.
My schedule was super light in comparison to what it normally is.
And so I, that's why I really started increasing my mileage was before then.
Two weeks before that, I was like, this is probably the best shape I'll ever
be in. I might as well do it.
(28:46):
I signed up two weeks beforehand and went. I think I was fifth,
top two get. That was my first 100K. A lot of lessons were learned there.
Then I was like, oh, I was fifth and top two get it. Maybe I do have a chance.
Then I ran Black Canyons. I think that's what I did in 2021 and then got passed
by many people as I was trudging through the desert. or gosh, what I do next.
(29:10):
Oh, I did canyons a couple months later. That turnaround was bad and it was
particularly busy at work.
I think I delivered 19 babies the weekend before.
So from Friday at two until Monday morning, I delivered 19 babies.
And that's only because I missed two because I was in other deliveries.
(29:34):
So I had to have somebody cover for me. So it would have been even more, but I missed them.
And so it's just super busy for me. And that turnaround was really fast.
And with winter running, I had not done the training nor the elevation gain that I need.
I think I did one 20 mile run with 7,000 feet of elevation gain before I was
like, oh, I'm not ready for this.
(29:55):
And I, I, I suffered from that race.
So that was, that was one of my low points in racing.
And then I came back and did Javelina, I think was my next one. I got eighth.
Loved the race. That is such a fun race. So then came back and did it last year and was fourth.
So I was kind of at different points up and down as far as like closeness of
(30:15):
getting the ticket, but kind of was always like, I've got to try.
Otherwise I'll never get into this race. So, so it's been there in the back
of my mind with that hope, but never that thought that I could actually get
it, I suppose. Well, amazing, amazing, amazing is all I can say.
Speaking of suffering at Javelina, I did actually notice a lovely video that
(30:38):
you posted about your toenail.
So you and I definitely have that in common.
When I finished the 100K at Javelina, I walked right over to the Toe Fairy tent
and she popped, I think, five blisters under toenails.
It was the most painful thing i've ever
(30:58):
experienced so how are your toes right now oh
toes are fabulous i didn't even lose one this time yeah javelina 2022 yeah 2022
i think i lost two toenails i made a video of the one because that was epic
grossly yeah and then last year So 2023,
(31:19):
I think I only had four surviving toenails or maybe five surviving toenails.
I had, I know my girlfriend's like, let's get a pedicure. And I'm not paying full price.
I got half the amount of toenails. I lost so many toenails that race.
I also wore the ultra flies for the very first time on the start line.
So that was probably a bad idea.
(31:41):
Probably not the best idea I did there. But, but so that was probably why I
lost so many. But this time, not a toenail is even damaged. I know.
Wow. So that's a first.
Usually this one or two toenails are done, but. Now come June,
you're going to be towing the line against Becca and Rachel again,
plus a bunch of other women, including our own Canadian, Chrissy Forgy,
(32:05):
which you have to watch out for.
Yeah. And you're in the mix. How is this experience going to be for you that
you finally get to Western States taking on these incredible women?
I think I'm still in such disbelief that it's actually happened.
I actually, so I worked on Monday and had surgery in the morning and then office
in the afternoon and kind of just like getting back, getting into life,
(32:26):
you know, surgery first thing in the morning and then getting into the office, seeing patients.
And I like sat down after that and I just was like, what just happened?
I don't even know. I mean, I literally started crying. I was like,
what just happened here? Did I dream it?
Yeah. I think I texted my old coach. I texted him and I was probably using some
expletives that I won't say, but I was, did this happen? Am I, am I, am I dreaming?
(32:51):
What's going on? Like, tell me if I'm making this up.
And he had some wonderful words of encouragement or reflection, I suppose, in the race.
And so I think I'm still like, and then it's been so busy the rest of the week at work.
So I haven't had time to really imagine, but I kind of, I'm trying to think
of, do I go into the race and try to be, or do I just go to like, like soak it in, right?
(33:13):
Yeah. You know, just, I don't, I don't know. I don't know what's when I want to do.
Do I just live it up, soak it in, see what I can do, or do I try to be really
competitive? And I haven't decided yet.
So we'll see how training goes. Perhaps it'll all unfold in the climb, the first climb.
Yeah, I know. Oh, I'm looking at that.
(33:36):
My weakness, I think a lot lot of uphill treadmills are in
my future i think that western is
sort of like boston for the every runner yeah the
the achievement of actually qualifying for
boston and all the effort yeah that goes into that when you get to boston you
can't race boston the course is not designed to get a pb for the average person
(34:00):
so go and enjoy it and see what happens see what unfolds right As opposed to
going in with all this pressure that I got to place top 10. Right. Right.
Poke it in. Yeah, I know. I guess it works for black hand and just to have a
time and race my race on what I think I can do and the rest of it will happen
or not happen because I can't control what other people do or the weather or the this or the that.
(34:23):
But if I go in with a realistic expectation of what I think I can achieve and
I just aim at that and not worry about any other noise, then yeah,
it'll be a good day regardless.
So that's, I think what I'm I'm probably going to do is kind of similar to Black Canyons.
Go in, running my own race, trying
to push myself to what I think I can accomplish and enjoy the rest of it.
(34:47):
Awesome. And you have also a busy running schedule ahead of you.
Are you going to be now changing things around? Yeah.
I met up with some people in Boulder last night. I just kind of a kind of celebration
of golden tickets and whatnot.
And they're like, like, Oh, what are you racing? And I was like,
Oh, I planned a whole schedule.
In fact, I'm in, I wanted to run the San Juan Solstice in Lake city and I'm
(35:11):
on the wait list for it, which is the weekend before.
And I was like, I should probably withdraw my name from that because I have
a whole schedule of what I was going to do.
There's, I did a road marathon in June. Yeah.
Grandma's in June in Duluth and I guess did pretty well for 40 and over.
And so So I was invited to the Masters Road Marathon World Championship race in Australia.
(35:34):
So I was like, I'll do that. And now I don't, it's in September.
I was like, I don't know. I have to rethink my whole schedule and calendar things
that I was, because I signed up for stuff, not assuming that it wouldn't be in Western States.
So yeah, I know I have to talk to my coach about what I should do and not do and go from there.
(35:55):
Amazing. Well, I do want to touch briefly on the fact that you are a gynecologist
and we briefly chatted with Rachel about the issues she faced postpartum.
Yeah. Yeah. Now you're 40.
I'm in my early fifties. When I was looking for a program for women in perimenopause
(36:15):
or menopause, it was really hard to find.
And I, I talked to my girlfriends about it and we're all kind of going through
so many changes, especially in Perry.
You don't even realize it's happening. At least I didn't,
I didn't connect the dots with how it was affecting my
training yeah and I'm wondering you must have
women that are active and in
(36:38):
dealing with endurance sports that are finding these
challenges too and and have you been
able to kind of guide them considering that you are an endurance athlete yourself
and you're not probably there yet but you're approaching it yeah I'm really
curious because it's not something that's really I think that hasn't been talked
(36:58):
about enough or given enough of a strategy.
Yeah. I mean, my practice is shockingly not full of a lot of athletes.
I don't think many of my patients even know that I run.
So I don't have like a ton of runner specific patients that I kind of guide
(37:21):
through this. I can think of one who's a competitive runner and kind of doing that. that.
So not a ton of actual patient experience, but one of the reasons I love gynecology,
it's always been my goal to just do gyne only.
I like delivering babies, but I don't really.
And so, but gynecology, like if I could be, I would be a sex ed teacher in a heartbeat.
(37:45):
I'd get fired in about four minutes, but that would be my dream.
It's just, I think education and knowledge is of most importance.
And so being guide only, I've had the ability to kind of tailor my kind of education
a little bit more and just join the North American Menopause Society because
that's a passion of mine that we're not, we don't talk about it.
(38:07):
It's kind of tabooed. And so how do you know what you're even going through
if you don't even know what to expect because no one talks about it.
And not to mention, not to get like preachy here, but not to mention that just
misinformation about hormones and hormone therapy and for good or for bad,
the misinformation out there on that is really dangerous and unfair to women to be quite honest.
(38:30):
First of all, that there isn't research on it is unfair.
The fact that it's not talked about or it's dismissed is unfair and we deserve better.
And so that's why I've kind of delved into this North American menopause society,
informing myself as much as possible so I can be out there for women to come
to. And so they don't feel dismissed.
(38:52):
Can't make anybody 20 again, right? But we can make it so it's not as bad or that life isn't...
Awful, right? Quality of life is huge in there. Not to mention just things we
can do to improve and prevent for health-wise, whether it's osteoporosis or
cardiovascular things, or even just working on balance as you get older,
as your muscle mass decreases.
(39:13):
And balance is huge in that. And people, I think, are really focused on cardiovascular.
Exercising. It's like, ah, balance and strength work are so important,
especially as you get older.
And how does that play in? And what is your family history kind of playing to that?
So I am excited. Like I said, I just dropped obstetrics and I think I delivered my last baby in July.
(39:34):
And so trying to get more and more education on that and hopefully getting more and more patients.
I actually, I've had a dream or a idea for several years now and have been,
I think, a combination of no time and too nervous.
I want to start a podcast about specifically, like basically,
like what have you not been taught in sex ed?
(39:55):
What have you not been taught about your body? What have you not been talking
about your body, whether it's postpartum or with exercise or with whatever?
And so I'm hoping I can get the courage. I feel like the first podcast is probably the hardest to do.
And I just, my husband got me for the holidays.
He got me like a podcast starter kit and he's like, no, actually do it.
(40:17):
Cause you've been talking about it for long enough, but you got it.
I think you'd be great at it. Yeah. So I just, I need to do it.
It subscribe over here yeah say i well that's
the thing i think i don't want to do it by myself that makes me i think i
need to go host i have a girlfriend who's a pelvic floor pt and
i'm trying to convince her to do it with me because i think that would be fascinating
yeah because i think pelvic floor pts are your best friend oh yeah i mean i'm
(40:42):
your surgeon right i can fix something i can do more education on the medicine
but she's your girl she's who you need to see and they're year.
It's where you're going to put the time and energy in to actually improve the things.
So I'm trying to convince her to do it with me and then go from there.
Wow. Big congrats on your amazing career so far. And after Western States.
(41:05):
Do you have any other international races lined up? Something perhaps in Canada?
Well, I know there's the controversy with the one in Whistler.
So if they put on a race, I will probably go and support it. Yeah.
We would take very little for my husband to do any or support me in any race I did in Canada.
(41:29):
So really, yeah, I grew up in Michigan. Michigan so I grew up an hour from the
border and so we went to Canada but I mean not Ontario yeah but what is the town we went to oh to St.
Marie no I went to Detroit Windsor Windsor thank you yeah yeah and so and then
going up into the upper peninsula of Michigan I mean I mean that's as close
(41:53):
as we could get to the beauty that is Canada but went to I did an undergrad
I spent Spent three weeks in Vancouver with a doula.
So that was really fun. And then a girlfriend just moved to Vancouver.
I think she was just outside of Vancouver.
Visited her and then went up to Whistler and skied there with the family.
And so just, I mean, I think the Canadian Rockies, don't tell any Coloradans
(42:16):
this, but the Canadian Rockies are hands down the most beautiful place ever.
Yeah, that's a secret. Yeah.
Don't tell any Colorado and I ever said that. I asked when I was in med school,
I worked in Indian health reservation for a month in Montana, Blackfoot.
(42:37):
And so got stuck there because it snowed so much that I could not physically
leave with my little Honda Civic at the time. All the roads were closed.
So while I was there for longer, I spent time there, but then also went up to
Jasper and whatnot and just gorgeous. Yeah. Yeah.
Stunning place I've ever been. So, so yeah, it would not take much for us to go up there.
(42:58):
Good to hear. Good to hear. And I think Rachel said that she's also from Michigan.
Is that right? Minnesota. Yeah.
Yeah. We're so envious of you guys. Cause you,
move around so much. We don't really do that. I think it's partly because our
weather is pretty consistent across the country, whereas you guys can move to different climates.
So I totally get that, but I'm very envious.
(43:21):
I semi-joke, if I'm ever in Michigan or say I'm moving to Michigan,
call the police because I am kidnapped or in a cult.
It's dark and dreary and cold.
I mean, no sun just here. Like I get, you know, we get sun a lot,
(43:43):
even if it's cold, at least you have the sun.
So we're deep in it right now. Thanks for reminding us.
All right, Lauren. Well, before we let you go, we like to do a little rapid
fire just for some fun. Okay.
So I think I know the answer to this, but if you had to do a long run and choose
between the treadmill or or minus 20 outside, what would you choose?
(44:03):
Treadmill. Oh, you would choose treadmill. Yeah, yep, yep.
I think between med school and two kids, I did a lot, I did probably 80 to 90%
of my running on the treadmill.
Put on a good show, I'm no problem.
The other weekend, it was really cold here, like minus 10, minus 11, I ran outside.
And at the end of it, I was like, I don't want to be a runner anymore.
(44:25):
The next day I had 14 on the treadmill. I was like, I was a happy person. So, yep.
Treadmill all day long versus cold weather what's your
favorite genre of music is disney
a genre sure yeah if i
can sing along to it or dance along to it that's what
i want so disney's like one of my favorites favorite ice cream flavor coffee
(44:47):
oh nice wow where'd you get that do we have coffee well gelato coffee gelato
is yeah even better would you rather be a professional professional writer, painter, or musician.
Professional musician. I wish I could sing like Adele.
That's my dream. So probably a musician. Well, speaking of that,
(45:10):
what's the last concert you went to?
Oh, the last concert I went to. I'm not a music person. Oh, okay. Oh, controversial.
I fall asleep at every concert I've ever been to. Oh, my God.
I mean, even like comedians, I fall asleep. Yeah, I can see that.
I'm like falling asleep. The last concert I went to, I believe,
(45:34):
is actually country, probably in 2013.
Oh, my God. You weren't kidding.
Is there a Zac Brown band, I want to say, at Red Rocks in 2014?
That sounds right. That's probably the last concert I went to. Did you say Red Rocks?
Yeah, the Red Rocks Theater up in Golden. Yeah, I love that place. That's amazing.
(45:54):
Very cool. Okay, Norm. Pick a superpower you'd like to have.
Ooh, invisibility. yeah it's a popular one a good
one yeah well this
has been awesome thanks for your time lauren and you're gonna
start your podcast soon right yeah yeah okay
i i'm going to i actually opened up the podcast kit that i got for the holidays
(46:16):
this morning so moving i'm moving in a positive direction well to be to be fair
i had my kit for a year in my closet until until covet hit,
and we had nothing else to do yeah that's where we started,
There you go. All right. I don't feel so bad then. Well, thanks again and good luck in June.
(46:40):
We'll be watching. Thank you. Thank you.
Yeah. Nice to meet you guys. All right. Cheers.
Take care. Bye. Bye-bye.
That wraps up our series on Black Canyon winners for 2024. With Lauren Peretz.
Finally earning her golden ticket. She tried a few times at other races.
(47:01):
And then when she crossed that finish line.
Yeah, if you guys haven't seen her video, check out her Instagram. We'll tag it.
Yeah. But her response was priceless.
It's really, really fun to see because she didn't know.
Yeah, she did not know. Yeah. And now she knows. Now she doesn't know what to do.
(47:22):
But she'll get there. She'll be at the start line at Western States this June.
Can't wait to see that start line. The women's field is going to be packed.
Men's too, right? Yeah.
No, it's going to be a great, great race coming June.
Awesome. Can't wait. And we hope she comes to Canada soon.
(47:44):
I hope all of them come to Canada. Yeah. My gosh. We keep promoting our little
country, but we do have races up here.
We do. And they're technical and they're hard and they're scenic.
Yeah. If you want mountains, we got it. You want flat, we got it.
You want rocks, we got it.
And thanks to our patreon supporters without you our lights would be off,
(48:05):
and if you like our show please leave us a rating review we much much much appreciate
it goes a long way to help us out getting our podcast on the charts until next time cheers.
Hi everyone, this is Michele Graglia. This is Marianne Hogan.
Hi, I'm Adrian McDonald.
I'm Katie Asmund. Hi, this is Anthony Gasols.
Hi, my name is Meg Morgan. Hey, it's Jordan Trofe. This is John Ray.
This is Ryan Van Duser, and you are listening to the Gotta Run Racing Podcast.
Hey everybody, I'm Norman. And I'm Jody. And this is another Gotta Run Racing
(00:24):
Podcast. We're on a roll these days.
Wow, we're banging off what happened at Black Canyon. We sure are.
It's been a lot of fun so far.
And how's your training going for Slovenia?
Not bad, not bad.
I'm looking forward to doing some more outdoor running,
(00:44):
but we just got, what, about 10 centimeters of snow yesterday and more on the
way, and I'm being a complete wimp this year and doing lots of treadmill training,
but working on my mental game.
So you would rather run on the treadmill than minus 20.
You've been trying to get me to admit this for a while now because I used to
(01:04):
say minus 20. But yes, I would. I will admit that.
I would rather run on the treadmill than in minus 20. Yeah, it's official.
Well, this is what happens. We get older.
I don't know what it is. I just, I'm feeling the cold more now.
We get older, we get colder. I like that.
(01:26):
All right. So back to our Black Canyon series. Who's on the podcast today?
Well, today we have Lauren Peretz.
She's a 40-year-old OBGYN living in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
She's been running ultras for a few years now, and her name's usually in the mix.
She's had a fifth place finish at Bandera in 2021.
(01:49):
She was seventh at Black Canyons in 22, and
fourth at last year's javelin 100
she's also a member of the colorado era
viper running team and she actually is in very good company in that she won
the saw watch ascent 50k outright last year in colorado and who's the only other
(02:13):
woman to do that some woman named court something yes Yes, Courtney DeWalter.
Oh, wow. That's good company. Absolutely.
She earned her golden ticket to Western by placing third at Black Canyon very
recently. So stick around.
Stick around. We've got lots more to talk about. Here is Lauren coming up.
Welcome to the podcast and welcome to Canada, Lauren. Yeah.
(02:37):
And big congrats on earning that Western States ticket at Black Canyons.
Insane. Just insane. Did you hang up the big check on your wall yet? Not yet. I have to.
I have an area where I think I'm going to put it, But I'm trying to decide if
I put it more front and center in my closet or bedroom or something for the
(03:01):
just for the motivation for the next little bit.
Or if I'm going to put it kind of in where my by my treadmill.
So we'll see. Oh, I like that idea.
That's that's inspiration. Absolutely.
We ask everyone who has a golden ticket what your the reaction was when you
brought it on the plane. if you flew?
(03:21):
I flew, but I had a girlfriend who was driving back.
And since I figured it was going to be a big pain and they offered,
I didn't have to carry it through the airport because she drove it back for me.
Oh, I love it. Love it. Yeah, I know. I was kind of almost like sad.
I was like, it's just going to be funny to walk through the airport with this.
(03:44):
I can't wait to. But then when she offered, I was that's probably the better idea.
Yeah, you don't want it to get bent or or anything. Right, yeah.
I already had blood on. I don't need anything else on. There you go.
Well, before we get to Black Canyons, we'd like to touch on a couple other races that you've done.
And one of the ones that stuck out to us because I think it might have been your only race
(04:06):
international race was the, and I'm probably saying this long,
the Loga Vagur Ultra in Iceland. Yeah.
Longa Hoover. I actually don't know how to pronounce it either.
But yeah, I did that, what, last year? Yeah.
Which was more of, I wanted to go to Iceland. And so if I sign up for a race,
then my husband has to go.
(04:27):
So I was like, I signed up for a race, now we're going.
So that was why I originally signed up for it, but it was a really hard race
between, I think it was actually, I don't think it had much elevation gain.
If not, it was quite, I don't know. I think maybe not negative,
but it was so much loose rock.
So a lot of sliding, volcanic rock, which even just even touch it and you've
(04:53):
lost a chunk of your hand. So the fear of falling was really high.
It had a lot of river crossings, which I was thinking that was good practice for Black Canyons.
And it was really steep down or really steep up. They don't really do the whole switchback thing.
So it was way more difficult than I anticipated and suffered a bit.
(05:16):
I bet it was stunning, though. Oh, yeah, absolutely beautiful.
After you pass the sulfur hot springs area, which was intense odor.
But after that, it was just incredible, which was cool.
I think it's actually a through hike, like that trail is a through hike. Oh.
Yeah, because they have to shuttle us up. It's like a four-hour,
(05:37):
maybe three-hour shuttle ride up to the start. Wow.
Yeah, so you're on a bus for a long time, those kind of buses that go through
rivers as you're going up there.
So it was a rocky ride up, a long rocky ride up.
And then you run basically back to kind of where the trail ends,
(05:58):
I suppose. but I think it's a pretty popular through hike. Wow.
Yeah. Did you stay and vacate in Iceland? We did.
Yeah. So we got there, I want to say the Tuesday before, I think we took a red eye.
So we got there Wednesday morning and then we, I think we flew back that following
Wednesday. So stayed just over a week. Oh, nice.
(06:19):
Yeah. Did you get to see any Northern Lights? I
ask everyone one who goes to iceland because no one i've spoken
to has ever seen them in iceland say and
then i can join that club because i did not yeah i
think well i think i don't even know if it's possible at that time because it's
daylight for so long so i don't even know if you could see them right but i
(06:42):
feel like i don't know i don't if you could it would have been between the hours
of 2.30 to 4.30, which is when it's actually dark.
We were asleep at that point. But yeah, so we didn't. We were there when the volcano erupted.
So the first one, not the current one. We were there during that.
(07:03):
So that was kind of cool to see. Wow.
Yeah, it's pretty scary what's happening over there, actually.
Yeah, I know. We did, of course, the whole Blue Lagoon thing because I do the tourist thing.
And we'd just gotten off the plane. It was going to be our first thing.
And of course, I had to get my run in.
And so my husband, we went with another couple.
They drove there and I was like, drop me off here. This is the exact mileage
(07:25):
I need if I run to the Blue Lagoon.
And so I saw some reports that that road that is now wiped out by lava.
And I was like, that's kind of scary to think. I was there not that long ago.
And now it's all destroyed, which is terrifying.
Yeah, it is.
(07:46):
What made you choose this race? The Iceland one?
I just called it the Iceland one. I don't know. I think it was just somebody
must have posted something about it at some point in time or got an advertisement.
And so I was like, well, that one sounds good. So not much thought put into
it besides it's a race in Iceland.
The timing works. And it was a lottery.
(08:07):
So I had to get up at four in the morning to be able to put my name in at that
time on that date and then find out a couple of weeks later whether we got in or not.
My girlfriend ran it as well. and the husbands didn't really
crew because you couldn't but they were there at the end and
so we had to see if we got in so then it was all right we get in i guess we're
going so if not much research was done it was more of a we'll do something there
(08:31):
and then hopefully this race works out nice how was it racing with this international
field now yeah well it's weird because you just don't know any names,
right? Nobody knows you.
Yeah. And so I had like looked up like the course record and the girl who has
(08:51):
that and she was running it again.
And I was like, all right, so I'll try to be in her range. I don't even know how to pace this thing.
And then find out later she's on the Iceland national track and cross-country
team. And I was like, well, that was a lofty goal.
It took off and left me in the dust.
So then it was just kind of like, all right, that's the only person I know.
I guess I'm just out here trying not to get lost.
(09:15):
So yeah, it is kind of weird when you don't really know anybody as far as history
or where to go or where... Because I use other people as kind of a pace for me.
I think this person's going to run about when I... I'll try to stay with them,
especially early in a race so I don't want to have to think too much.
And it's like, all right, just stay with this person because we're probably
going to be doing about the same and then go from there.
(09:36):
But I was like, all right, well, just don't get dropped up too much.
Well, the other race that kind of piqued our interest was the Saw Watch Ascent.
Yeah. Which you won outright. And the only other woman to do that was Courtney DeWalter.
So that's pretty good company to be in.
(09:56):
Yeah, I know. It was actually funny. I feel like maybe I'm just a really aloof
runner because I also had no idea that I had done that.
I had a pretty rough rough ascent. I think I was probably in like fourth, maybe I was not,
I'm not the best climber. And so I was like, oh, well, we'll just kind of keep going.
I think by the time I got to the top, I was maybe second or third,
(10:20):
but I'm a pretty good descender and pretty good descender on technical stuff.
So I just kind of like, all right, well, you're not going to win this one.
That's okay. It was really just a training run for Javelina.
And I was like, so just, you know, have fun, practice your fueling, started going down.
And all of a sudden I passed a girl and I was like, oh, oh, I guess I just took over the lead.
(10:40):
And so I just kept on going. I'm trying to remember where it was.
The last aid station, maybe it was like five miles out.
And some guy told me he was Jeff. I think his name was Jeff.
Jeff is right up there. You can get him. And I'm like, why are you telling me about Jeff?
Oh, Jeff, I don't know why you would tell me that. Okay.
And so I'm just going along. And then maybe a mile or two later,
(11:03):
I I had passed him and I was like, oh, this must be the Jeff they're talking about.
Okay. I keep going. I fell pretty hard.
And so I was then trying to like,
just limp my way down the rest of the technical until we got to the road.
And then the end of the so I just said is up a road, really steep and really
long, just a road with cars going on it back to get to a starting point.
(11:28):
And I would have jumped in. I would have jumped in. If any car would have offered
me, I would have jumped in.
It was so miserable. that last little bit and then came across the line and
they were like, congrats.
And then they told me that stat, like the only other person to want to outright
was Courtney. I was like, cool. Why are you talking about Courtney?
Like, and they were like, do you know you won outright?
And I was like, oh, sweet. Like I just thought I had passed that girl and I
(11:52):
was pretty stoked about it.
So yeah, apparently I'm just a really aloof runner at most points of my, as I go along.
But yeah, so it's kind of cool. They told me that stat at the end And I was
definitely confused, but yeah, she's a legend.
So just even to be in the same sentence as anything with her is pretty awesome.
Oh my gosh, that's hilarious.
It would have been funny if you came up across Jeff and said, hi, Jeff. Bye, Jeff.
(12:12):
I know, right? Yeah. And he'd be like, who are you?
I know, exactly. I'm like, why do you know my name?
Oh my gosh, that's funny. Now you're also a member of the racing team from Arabaipa, Colorado.
How did that come about? I have a couple acquaintances who are on the team and
just seeing their posts and seeing it just felt really cool that they would
(12:36):
get together for runs and kind of planning runs. And I'm a very, very social runner.
I semi-joke that I'm a codependent runner and that I will wake up at any time
and drive any distance just so I can run with people.
And I have a very hard time getting myself motivated on my own,
especially to then get to work on some sort of time.
So I was was like, Oh, I want to join those runs. Like I want to be included in that and have more of,
(13:00):
community to join. And so I applied, almost forgot about it because I assumed I wouldn't get on.
I think I've applied for ambassadorships for a couple other companies and didn't
get any of them. So I was like, okay, I'll apply.
It's not going to hurt me to apply and totally forgot about it until they posted on Instagram.
(13:22):
And I was like, sweet, that's so awesome. And it's been a really amazing amazing
experience meeting all the people, kind of having those group runs,
even if it's like just meeting up with a couple versus the bigger runs,
having people at races that you know,
and can kind of go from there. It's been, it's been a really great experience.
I'm really glad I'm joining them for a second year.
(13:44):
Well, especially since you are a runner who likes to run with people,
that's, that's perfect.
Exactly. Yeah. I'm sure you find people that you can easily match your pace
with too, which is really important. Yeah. Right. Yeah.
Yeah. People to push me and people to just have great conversations with.
So it's been great. Yeah.
Well, let's get into Black Canyons. You've run it successfully before.
(14:07):
Yeah. So what, did you change anything up with your training this time around?
Or did you feel any different with your mindset? Like what was it?
How would you compare the two in just in terms of getting heading to the start.
Yeah, I did it in 2022, which is a warm year and I do great in heat. I don't do well in cold.
And I just kind of jumped in. I mean, I had a coach at that time who was kind
(14:30):
of helping. So that was good.
I was at that time OBGYN. So I was delivering babies.
So schedule was really crazy. So it wasn't getting as much miles or as much
like not cross training, but like lifting and I'm trying to do weights because
I just didn't have the time and did the race. I I was doing really well, felt really great.
I said, I do great in the heat. So I was thriving, except for then I was,
(14:53):
oh, I don't need my pack. I'll just do a handheld.
And after Black Canyon aid station, I dropped my pack thinking my girlfriend
who's crewing me will give it back to me at Table Mesa. And like,
I have a handheld I can just refill.
And I ran out of water very quickly, ran out of fuel even faster.
Or imagine myself dying among the cactuses like Wile E. Coyote or something.
(15:13):
It was death march until the next aid station where I chugged Cokes and water
as much as I could and refilled my water bottle and then kind of death marched
on, finally fell a little better.
And then when they finished, so my goal was to not be stupid with fueling and
hydration, to never give up my pack.
And then, so now two years later, I have a different coach, got a little bit
(15:36):
more mileage but I dropped obstetrics.
So now I just do gyne only, what I absolutely love, but means I'm only on call
for myself, not seven other docs.
And so not as much phone calls, not much going in, not on call for weekends.
And so I've been able to do a lot more weightlifting and kind of the cross training.
(15:58):
I call it cross training, but stretching and prehabbing stuff that is helping
my body not fall apart, I guess.
And then maybe a big other stuff.
Yeah, having a second pacer was huge. Like I said, I'm a social runner.
So for me, having pacers is really helpful.
So having a second pacer, which then even got to be for what,
(16:19):
20 miles, 19 miles, and then the last 11 miles.
So having a pacer for longer was the other big change I made. And upping my fuel.
I hour. I don't even know what carbs because we've been looking at that now
and now going up to trying to get at least 70 to 100 carbs an hour.
(16:40):
That was the two big changes. The cold, I was really nervous about the cold
because my hands, I have really bad Renaud's and my hands go numb.
And so when my hands go numb, I can't get my fuel. I can't do anything.
I'm pretty useless. And so I was really worried about that start.
The delay, I guess, let it warm up a bit for me. So that was was good.
I kind of threw up breakfast and then a second breakfast.
(17:02):
But besides that, it was nice that I got that kind of time for me to warm up
for the, I guess, the temperature to warm up was a huge change that helped.
So the delay, we spoke to Rachel and Becca yesterday.
And believe it or not, they both went back to bed, which kind of blew our minds.
I bet you didn't do that. No, no, no, I did not.
(17:25):
So I woke up at four ish and ate something.
And then my plan was to go like eat something, then kind of go back to bed and
then actually get up at five and leave our Airbnb at 530.
Found out a little after five that had been delayed, but I couldn't go back
to sleep Even at 4 a.m., I couldn't go back to sleep.
So I was up. So I was, I don't know, putzing about probably doing something non-important.
(17:50):
And then we got there.
I guess we got there. We left when we were supposed to. We got there with plenty of time.
So it was that second delay that really threw us all. We were on the track,
all our clothes off, on the track, ready to go.
I thought it was a joke. I thought they're like, ha, ha, ha, another half an hour.
Oh, you're funny. Let's let's get going. Right. And they were like,
no, really, we're not starting.
(18:12):
That one was that's. And then I was like trying to find my clothes again.
Cause it was really, it was still really cold trying to find my,
my crew and my jacket and stay warm between that time.
So that one kind of, that was the, I think the bigger one, but no,
I definitely did not go back to bed.
I'm not, I'm not a rester. I don't take naps either.
I, I'm not, I can't, but. Well, we did chat to several elites from this race,
(18:38):
and we asked the question to all of them,
did you get caught up in the hype and take off like it's a 5K race,
or did you hold back saying, whoa, whoa, whoa?
Yeah, I mean, I think I did it first. The first, because of the delay, all that snow melted.
And they probably all said it was just a slosh fest for probably the first six to eight miles.
(19:01):
We all took off. I think my first mile was like 630, which I don't know how
I pulled that off because of the track was like dodging people and dodging like water puddles.
And so probably took off pretty fast. and then probably the second or third
mile, my legs feel really tired.
And just, I think slogging through that, like every step is a slip or a puddle
(19:23):
or trying to like dancing across the trail, trying to find the best route.
I'm just going to have to let them go. Like I, if I can't, I can't keep this up in the slop.
And I think I kind of, my quad, like I must've pulled something in one of the things.
Cause my quad was kind of burning one, like the outer quad.
And I was, I can't, I'm going to kill myself if I try to keep this pace,
(19:45):
keep up with everybody in the race.
In this slop. I'm just going to hurt myself or just have myself be totally spent.
And so I really slowed down to the point where I felt like I was kind of dogging
it. Probably you're still in a race. You should probably go a little bit.
I definitely slowed down and kind of just let the leaders kind of take off.
And I was kind of, and I try, I'm, I also, my own worst enemy is I'm pretty
(20:09):
good at getting down to myself early in the race.
And I tried to talk myself up. It's fine. it's a long race.
It's just not won or lost in the first six miles.
So tried to like kind of talk myself off the ledge of letting them go because
I knew I, with how my legs were already feeling, I could not continue like that.
Then by the time I got to Bumblebee, I felt way better.
(20:33):
My quad, like, so that muscle was still, must've done something to it.
So it was still hurting, hurting, but I felt overall better legs overall felt
I wasn't trudging through mud anymore.
And so I started to feel better at that point and kind of kept going.
I think picked up a little bit. There's kind of shocked. I had broken down my
splits into like what I wanted to do, what I thought I could do bumblebee and
(20:57):
then bump from bumblebee to black Canyon, black Canyon to finish.
And I was actually pretty shocked because my goal to get to bumblebee was about
two 20 to two 22. And when I looked at my watch right before getting there and
I was like 221, oh, I'm still on pace for what I wanted to do.
And I was like, oh, because I thought I thought I'd slow down so much to the
(21:17):
point where like I was forget it.
The day is not going to be what I was hoping for.
So I was pretty shocked. I think that's probably why I felt some energy.
I mean, between the aid station, the energy, my crew, my coach was there and
then being like, oh, I'm still on pace, even though I felt I was going too easy.
That gave me a bit of a boost mentally into kind of that climb out of Bumblebee.
(21:39):
So from Bumblebee to Table Mesa, how were you feeling at that point?
And did you know what position you're in?
So, and I'm trying to remember, it was, I believe as I was leaving Deep Canyon, that's when I.
Got a pacer. Yeah. My coach had told me I was in third or fourth.
(21:59):
And I think she like sprinted to tell me that I was in third. I can't remember.
At that point in time, she had told me something to that effect or maybe fourth and fifth.
I can't remember the exact numbers, but she told me I was higher up than I thought
I was because so many people had passed me that I thought I was way back.
And so she told me, no, no, you're still doing great. You're in fourth,
(22:19):
fifth place or something to that effect.
I was like, all right. But I knew the two big climbs were coming up.
Like I said, that's not where I excel.
So I was, well, I guess all I can do is just keep moving forward and try not
to slow down too much in the next area.
And like I said, just going with my times is really what I was aiming for.
(22:40):
That was the last time I was told my place.
I guess I passed Heather Jackson at one point. In hindsight,
I think I remember in the moment, I didn't realize it.
But in hindsight, I'm like, oh, yeah, because I had turned to her and I was,
you know, are you OK? Do you need anything?
And she just kind of nodded and I kept going. And then I realized that's who I was talking to.
(23:04):
So so then I guess, yeah, I didn't realize that I had moved up at that point into third.
Wow. I believe. Yeah, that's where you did it. So do you like chasing or being chased?
Oh, that's a good question. I like chasing, I think, especially if I can see them.
I like chasing. What I find really frustrating, especially on trail runs, you can't see people.
(23:30):
They may not be that far ahead of you and you can't see them because of trees
or bends in the trail. And so I find that part hard.
But if I see somebody, my goal is to get to them. Right.
So that sets like many, many goals into obviously the big goal of the race.
And so I like those many little challenges. So and I don't like running scared.
(23:52):
So feeling chased. In fact, I think that's why my crew didn't tell me where
I was is because if they would have told me, I probably would have been like,
it's all right. Fourth is okay.
Skip fourth. That's cool. because I think that feeling chased,
that feeling nervous, that feeling, oh, this is mine to lose is mentally draining for me.
(24:13):
And so they just tell me this far to the end, keep going.
The faster you go. So they would say the faster you go, the sooner you'll be
done. I'm like, yeah, okay, you're right. Let's do that.
So yeah, definitely. I think chasing, especially if I can see somebody.
Yeah. Because our Canadian was coming on, on your heels, pretty hot cat drew. Yeah.
I think the second to last climb was,
(24:36):
or the, I think it was the last climb, I started to get kind of dizzy.
And I was, oh, I need to get some salt tabs in me. And I know I had shoved some in my belt someplace.
So I'd stopped to find it and then take those like, they're like four big horse pills.
So I took them and was chugging the rest of my fuel.
(24:57):
And I looked and I, you know, cause is it a pacer?
Was it the racer? I didn't didn't know who it was, but I was,
that's a female. I better get going.
So then kept going. I didn't know. I said, now in hindsight, I believe it was her.
I had at that point, I'm like, all right, I gotta get going.
And thank goodness those salt tabs worked quickly. The dizziness kind of resolved
and I was able to keep going.
(25:18):
But yeah, that made me nervous. I was like, oh, somebody's right there.
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(26:12):
Yeah, I knew three got the golden ticket. I mean, to be honest,
I didn't think I had a chance in this field.
This field is just so deep and so impressive.
And I was just, well, I guess I'm going to run this for goal time.
I think I can run it in nine hours or less.
(26:33):
So here's the time. And so I was just thinking about what my times needed to
be in order for me to get the time I wanted to run because I assumed I had no
hope in the depth that was there and kind of had put the golden ticket.
Nope, not going to happen.
That's okay. You can still get a lot out of this race. You can still have fun.
It's still being on the trails, which is time with, I always say, it's my break from life.
(26:58):
And so I am just going to enjoy it and do what I think I can do,
right? I think I can do this time. And so I'm just going to pace myself.
And that's all I was focusing on was what my splits needed to be as I went through,
not paying attention to pace, not paying attention to anything else.
I also, I listened to a book on tape. I think I'm the only probably one who
(27:18):
listens to books on tape while I run, but it's just something in the background.
The story doesn't even matter sometimes.
It's more of just a background noise and songs.
Like sometimes I get annoyed at the song and I want to change it,
you know, next one or whatever it may be. and then podcasts,
you have to go get the next one. And I was like, a book on tape is 18 hours.
It'll never run out, right? I got all the time of the day, a bigger worry about my phone dying.
(27:43):
And so I just kind of put it on. And so if anybody yelled anything,
I was too in my head about not dying, not falling, not stopping.
And or that book on tape, I didn't hear them, which is why I think I was so
shocked because I, A, didn't count myself in that golden ticket ticket running
and B didn't hear anything. That's amazing.
(28:03):
Have you been trying to get a golden ticket before because you tried or you
ran Bandera, the canyons, Javelina. So we was a golden ticket on your.
List of things to do? I really wanted to run Western States.
And knowing the lottery is going to take me many more years.
And I don't know how many more years I have of at least competitive running.
(28:25):
I was like, well, that's my probably best way of getting in.
So it's like, well, you know, like Bandera was a race because of COVID.
My schedule was super light in comparison to what it normally is.
And so I, that's why I really started increasing my mileage was before then.
Two weeks before that, I was like, this is probably the best shape I'll ever
be in. I might as well do it.
(28:46):
I signed up two weeks beforehand and went. I think I was fifth,
top two get. That was my first 100K. A lot of lessons were learned there.
Then I was like, oh, I was fifth and top two get it. Maybe I do have a chance.
Then I ran Black Canyons. I think that's what I did in 2021 and then got passed
by many people as I was trudging through the desert. or gosh, what I do next.
(29:10):
Oh, I did canyons a couple months later. That turnaround was bad and it was
particularly busy at work.
I think I delivered 19 babies the weekend before.
So from Friday at two until Monday morning, I delivered 19 babies.
And that's only because I missed two because I was in other deliveries.
(29:34):
So I had to have somebody cover for me. So it would have been even more, but I missed them.
And so it's just super busy for me. And that turnaround was really fast.
And with winter running, I had not done the training nor the elevation gain that I need.
I think I did one 20 mile run with 7,000 feet of elevation gain before I was
like, oh, I'm not ready for this.
(29:55):
And I, I, I suffered from that race.
So that was, that was one of my low points in racing.
And then I came back and did Javelina, I think was my next one. I got eighth.
Loved the race. That is such a fun race. So then came back and did it last year and was fourth.
So I was kind of at different points up and down as far as like closeness of
(30:15):
getting the ticket, but kind of was always like, I've got to try.
Otherwise I'll never get into this race. So, so it's been there in the back
of my mind with that hope, but never that thought that I could actually get
it, I suppose. Well, amazing, amazing, amazing is all I can say.
Speaking of suffering at Javelina, I did actually notice a lovely video that
(30:38):
you posted about your toenail.
So you and I definitely have that in common.
When I finished the 100K at Javelina, I walked right over to the Toe Fairy tent
and she popped, I think, five blisters under toenails.
It was the most painful thing i've ever
(30:58):
experienced so how are your toes right now oh
toes are fabulous i didn't even lose one this time yeah javelina 2022 yeah 2022
i think i lost two toenails i made a video of the one because that was epic
grossly yeah and then last year So 2023,
(31:19):
I think I only had four surviving toenails or maybe five surviving toenails.
I had, I know my girlfriend's like, let's get a pedicure. And I'm not paying full price.
I got half the amount of toenails. I lost so many toenails that race.
I also wore the ultra flies for the very first time on the start line.
So that was probably a bad idea.
(31:41):
Probably not the best idea I did there. But, but so that was probably why I
lost so many. But this time, not a toenail is even damaged. I know.
Wow. So that's a first.
Usually this one or two toenails are done, but. Now come June,
you're going to be towing the line against Becca and Rachel again,
plus a bunch of other women, including our own Canadian, Chrissy Forgy,
(32:05):
which you have to watch out for.
Yeah. And you're in the mix. How is this experience going to be for you that
you finally get to Western States taking on these incredible women?
I think I'm still in such disbelief that it's actually happened.
I actually, so I worked on Monday and had surgery in the morning and then office
in the afternoon and kind of just like getting back, getting into life,
(32:26):
you know, surgery first thing in the morning and then getting into the office, seeing patients.
And I like sat down after that and I just was like, what just happened?
I don't even know. I mean, I literally started crying. I was like,
what just happened here? Did I dream it?
Yeah. I think I texted my old coach. I texted him and I was probably using some
expletives that I won't say, but I was, did this happen? Am I, am I, am I dreaming?
(32:51):
What's going on? Like, tell me if I'm making this up.
And he had some wonderful words of encouragement or reflection, I suppose, in the race.
And so I think I'm still like, and then it's been so busy the rest of the week at work.
So I haven't had time to really imagine, but I kind of, I'm trying to think
of, do I go into the race and try to be, or do I just go to like, like soak it in, right?
(33:13):
Yeah. You know, just, I don't, I don't know. I don't know what's when I want to do.
Do I just live it up, soak it in, see what I can do, or do I try to be really
competitive? And I haven't decided yet.
So we'll see how training goes. Perhaps it'll all unfold in the climb, the first climb.
Yeah, I know. Oh, I'm looking at that.
(33:36):
My weakness, I think a lot lot of uphill treadmills are in
my future i think that western is
sort of like boston for the every runner yeah the
the achievement of actually qualifying for
boston and all the effort yeah that goes into that when you get to boston you
can't race boston the course is not designed to get a pb for the average person
(34:00):
so go and enjoy it and see what happens see what unfolds right As opposed to
going in with all this pressure that I got to place top 10. Right. Right.
Poke it in. Yeah, I know. I guess it works for black hand and just to have a
time and race my race on what I think I can do and the rest of it will happen
or not happen because I can't control what other people do or the weather or the this or the that.
(34:23):
But if I go in with a realistic expectation of what I think I can achieve and
I just aim at that and not worry about any other noise, then yeah,
it'll be a good day regardless.
So that's, I think what I'm I'm probably going to do is kind of similar to Black Canyons.
Go in, running my own race, trying
to push myself to what I think I can accomplish and enjoy the rest of it.
(34:47):
Awesome. And you have also a busy running schedule ahead of you.
Are you going to be now changing things around? Yeah.
I met up with some people in Boulder last night. I just kind of a kind of celebration
of golden tickets and whatnot.
And they're like, like, Oh, what are you racing? And I was like,
Oh, I planned a whole schedule.
In fact, I'm in, I wanted to run the San Juan Solstice in Lake city and I'm
(35:11):
on the wait list for it, which is the weekend before.
And I was like, I should probably withdraw my name from that because I have
a whole schedule of what I was going to do.
There's, I did a road marathon in June. Yeah.
Grandma's in June in Duluth and I guess did pretty well for 40 and over.
And so So I was invited to the Masters Road Marathon World Championship race in Australia.
(35:34):
So I was like, I'll do that. And now I don't, it's in September.
I was like, I don't know. I have to rethink my whole schedule and calendar things
that I was, because I signed up for stuff, not assuming that it wouldn't be in Western States.
So yeah, I know I have to talk to my coach about what I should do and not do and go from there.
(35:55):
Amazing. Well, I do want to touch briefly on the fact that you are a gynecologist
and we briefly chatted with Rachel about the issues she faced postpartum.
Yeah. Yeah. Now you're 40.
I'm in my early fifties. When I was looking for a program for women in perimenopause
(36:15):
or menopause, it was really hard to find.
And I, I talked to my girlfriends about it and we're all kind of going through
so many changes, especially in Perry.
You don't even realize it's happening. At least I didn't,
I didn't connect the dots with how it was affecting my
training yeah and I'm wondering you must have
women that are active and in
(36:38):
dealing with endurance sports that are finding these
challenges too and and have you been
able to kind of guide them considering that you are an endurance athlete yourself
and you're not probably there yet but you're approaching it yeah I'm really
curious because it's not something that's really I think that hasn't been talked
(36:58):
about enough or given enough of a strategy.
Yeah. I mean, my practice is shockingly not full of a lot of athletes.
I don't think many of my patients even know that I run.
So I don't have like a ton of runner specific patients that I kind of guide
(37:21):
through this. I can think of one who's a competitive runner and kind of doing that. that.
So not a ton of actual patient experience, but one of the reasons I love gynecology,
it's always been my goal to just do gyne only.
I like delivering babies, but I don't really.
And so, but gynecology, like if I could be, I would be a sex ed teacher in a heartbeat.
(37:45):
I'd get fired in about four minutes, but that would be my dream.
It's just, I think education and knowledge is of most importance.
And so being guide only, I've had the ability to kind of tailor my kind of education
a little bit more and just join the North American Menopause Society because
that's a passion of mine that we're not, we don't talk about it.
(38:07):
It's kind of tabooed. And so how do you know what you're even going through
if you don't even know what to expect because no one talks about it.
And not to mention, not to get like preachy here, but not to mention that just
misinformation about hormones and hormone therapy and for good or for bad,
the misinformation out there on that is really dangerous and unfair to women to be quite honest.
(38:30):
First of all, that there isn't research on it is unfair.
The fact that it's not talked about or it's dismissed is unfair and we deserve better.
And so that's why I've kind of delved into this North American menopause society,
informing myself as much as possible so I can be out there for women to come
to. And so they don't feel dismissed.
(38:52):
Can't make anybody 20 again, right? But we can make it so it's not as bad or that life isn't...
Awful, right? Quality of life is huge in there. Not to mention just things we
can do to improve and prevent for health-wise, whether it's osteoporosis or
cardiovascular things, or even just working on balance as you get older,
as your muscle mass decreases.
(39:13):
And balance is huge in that. And people, I think, are really focused on cardiovascular.
Exercising. It's like, ah, balance and strength work are so important,
especially as you get older.
And how does that play in? And what is your family history kind of playing to that?
So I am excited. Like I said, I just dropped obstetrics and I think I delivered my last baby in July.
(39:34):
And so trying to get more and more education on that and hopefully getting more and more patients.
I actually, I've had a dream or a idea for several years now and have been,
I think, a combination of no time and too nervous.
I want to start a podcast about specifically, like basically,
like what have you not been taught in sex ed?
(39:55):
What have you not been taught about your body? What have you not been talking
about your body, whether it's postpartum or with exercise or with whatever?
And so I'm hoping I can get the courage. I feel like the first podcast is probably the hardest to do.
And I just, my husband got me for the holidays.
He got me like a podcast starter kit and he's like, no, actually do it.
(40:17):
Cause you've been talking about it for long enough, but you got it.
I think you'd be great at it. Yeah. So I just, I need to do it.
It subscribe over here yeah say i well that's
the thing i think i don't want to do it by myself that makes me i think i
need to go host i have a girlfriend who's a pelvic floor pt and
i'm trying to convince her to do it with me because i think that would be fascinating
yeah because i think pelvic floor pts are your best friend oh yeah i mean i'm
(40:42):
your surgeon right i can fix something i can do more education on the medicine
but she's your girl she's who you need to see and they're year.
It's where you're going to put the time and energy in to actually improve the things.
So I'm trying to convince her to do it with me and then go from there.
Wow. Big congrats on your amazing career so far. And after Western States.
(41:05):
Do you have any other international races lined up? Something perhaps in Canada?
Well, I know there's the controversy with the one in Whistler.
So if they put on a race, I will probably go and support it. Yeah.
We would take very little for my husband to do any or support me in any race I did in Canada.
(41:29):
So really, yeah, I grew up in Michigan. Michigan so I grew up an hour from the
border and so we went to Canada but I mean not Ontario yeah but what is the town we went to oh to St.
Marie no I went to Detroit Windsor Windsor thank you yeah yeah and so and then
going up into the upper peninsula of Michigan I mean I mean that's as close
(41:53):
as we could get to the beauty that is Canada but went to I did an undergrad
I spent Spent three weeks in Vancouver with a doula.
So that was really fun. And then a girlfriend just moved to Vancouver.
I think she was just outside of Vancouver.
Visited her and then went up to Whistler and skied there with the family.
And so just, I mean, I think the Canadian Rockies, don't tell any Coloradans
(42:16):
this, but the Canadian Rockies are hands down the most beautiful place ever.
Yeah, that's a secret. Yeah.
Don't tell any Colorado and I ever said that. I asked when I was in med school,
I worked in Indian health reservation for a month in Montana, Blackfoot.
(42:37):
And so got stuck there because it snowed so much that I could not physically
leave with my little Honda Civic at the time. All the roads were closed.
So while I was there for longer, I spent time there, but then also went up to
Jasper and whatnot and just gorgeous. Yeah. Yeah.
Stunning place I've ever been. So, so yeah, it would not take much for us to go up there.
(42:58):
Good to hear. Good to hear. And I think Rachel said that she's also from Michigan.
Is that right? Minnesota. Yeah.
Yeah. We're so envious of you guys. Cause you,
move around so much. We don't really do that. I think it's partly because our
weather is pretty consistent across the country, whereas you guys can move to different climates.
So I totally get that, but I'm very envious.
(43:21):
I semi-joke, if I'm ever in Michigan or say I'm moving to Michigan,
call the police because I am kidnapped or in a cult.
It's dark and dreary and cold.
I mean, no sun just here. Like I get, you know, we get sun a lot,
(43:43):
even if it's cold, at least you have the sun.
So we're deep in it right now. Thanks for reminding us.
All right, Lauren. Well, before we let you go, we like to do a little rapid
fire just for some fun. Okay.
So I think I know the answer to this, but if you had to do a long run and choose
between the treadmill or or minus 20 outside, what would you choose?
(44:03):
Treadmill. Oh, you would choose treadmill. Yeah, yep, yep.
I think between med school and two kids, I did a lot, I did probably 80 to 90%
of my running on the treadmill.
Put on a good show, I'm no problem.
The other weekend, it was really cold here, like minus 10, minus 11, I ran outside.
And at the end of it, I was like, I don't want to be a runner anymore.
(44:25):
The next day I had 14 on the treadmill. I was like, I was a happy person. So, yep.
Treadmill all day long versus cold weather what's your
favorite genre of music is disney
a genre sure yeah if i
can sing along to it or dance along to it that's what
i want so disney's like one of my favorites favorite ice cream flavor coffee
(44:47):
oh nice wow where'd you get that do we have coffee well gelato coffee gelato
is yeah even better would you rather be a professional professional writer, painter, or musician.
Professional musician. I wish I could sing like Adele.
That's my dream. So probably a musician. Well, speaking of that,
(45:10):
what's the last concert you went to?
Oh, the last concert I went to. I'm not a music person. Oh, okay. Oh, controversial.
I fall asleep at every concert I've ever been to. Oh, my God.
I mean, even like comedians, I fall asleep. Yeah, I can see that.
I'm like falling asleep. The last concert I went to, I believe,
(45:34):
is actually country, probably in 2013.
Oh, my God. You weren't kidding.
Is there a Zac Brown band, I want to say, at Red Rocks in 2014?
That sounds right. That's probably the last concert I went to. Did you say Red Rocks?
Yeah, the Red Rocks Theater up in Golden. Yeah, I love that place. That's amazing.
(45:54):
Very cool. Okay, Norm. Pick a superpower you'd like to have.
Ooh, invisibility. yeah it's a popular one a good
one yeah well this
has been awesome thanks for your time lauren and you're gonna
start your podcast soon right yeah yeah okay
i i'm going to i actually opened up the podcast kit that i got for the holidays
(46:16):
this morning so moving i'm moving in a positive direction well to be to be fair
i had my kit for a year in my closet until until covet hit,
and we had nothing else to do yeah that's where we started,
There you go. All right. I don't feel so bad then. Well, thanks again and good luck in June.
(46:40):
We'll be watching. Thank you. Thank you.
Yeah. Nice to meet you guys. All right. Cheers.
Take care. Bye. Bye-bye.
That wraps up our series on Black Canyon winners for 2024. With Lauren Peretz.
Finally earning her golden ticket. She tried a few times at other races.
(47:01):
And then when she crossed that finish line.
Yeah, if you guys haven't seen her video, check out her Instagram. We'll tag it.
Yeah. But her response was priceless.
It's really, really fun to see because she didn't know.
Yeah, she did not know. Yeah. And now she knows. Now she doesn't know what to do.
(47:22):
But she'll get there. She'll be at the start line at Western States this June.
Can't wait to see that start line. The women's field is going to be packed.
Men's too, right? Yeah.
No, it's going to be a great, great race coming June.
Awesome. Can't wait. And we hope she comes to Canada soon.
(47:44):
I hope all of them come to Canada. Yeah. My gosh. We keep promoting our little
country, but we do have races up here.
We do. And they're technical and they're hard and they're scenic.
Yeah. If you want mountains, we got it. You want flat, we got it.
You want rocks, we got it.
And thanks to our patreon supporters without you our lights would be off,
(48:05):
and if you like our show please leave us a rating review we much much much appreciate
it goes a long way to help us out getting our podcast on the charts until next time cheers.
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