Meet Rachel
Jumping into the deep end from a mile in 12 minutes to 80-hour expedition
Reaching the finish line of my 50K with only 20 minutes to spare.
My name is Rachel, I am a traveling physical therapist who started running three years ago. I recently decided to switch to adventure racing. The Rib Mountain Adventure Challenge - Winter Edition will be my first race. My journey into adventure racing is a long and twisty one like all good stories should be.
I met some really cool ladies on this assignment in Crested Butte CO. We took a weekend where we hiked with the dogs while the boys mountain biked. I felt like I was in a Bob Ross painting with all the wildflowers.
In June of 2018, you would find me in chronic pain from an undiagnosed digestive problem, struggling to lose weight for my upcoming wedding, and unable to run a mile. When my wedding was canceled, I was thrust on a journey of self-discovery and healing. I dove into my childhood passions of hiking, camping, and spending as much time in the wilderness as my new job would allow me. When fall brought days too short to hike after work, I began running, with the goal of completing a 5K in less than 30 minutes. My first run was about a mile and took me 12 minutes. Every day I would lace up my shoes and go faster and farther than I had the day before. The next thing I know, I’m crossing the finish line at the Eastbay Turkey Trot with my niece. Shortly after, I took my first travel assignment in Georgia and my roommate just happened to be a runner. I was amazed that she could run an hour without stopping. Every day at the gym I would add a few minutes to my longest run until I too could run an hour without stopping! I had officially caught the bug. I signed up and completed a 10K, ½ marathon and planned to complete a marathon by the end of 2019. My marathon was canceled due to snow and I ended up completing a 50K in Oregon instead. Life was great.
As most of you are aware, 2020 did not come with expected bigger and better races. It came with unemployment, depression, and an impulse puppy. Throughout 2020 I continued to travel the country with my boyfriend and our two dogs, piecing together a living and trying to stay positive. As physical therapy clinics began to open again in 2021, steady work started and I found myself needing a passion. I support my boyfriend in his ultra-distance obstacle course races so I was on the search for something just as challenging but that could be my own. That is when I stumbled upon adventure racing and watched the Eco-Challenge. Within a few weeks, I had partnered up with an amazing coach to help me navigate training and set realistic goals. A few months later, I had my race schedule set with my first race solo at the Rib Mountain Adventure Challenge-Winter Edition, the 18-hour Rib Mountain Adventure Challenge in May, and the 80-hour Expedition Colorado in August. This year is really just about jumping into the deep end and hoping I enjoy the swim. I am excited to see what I can accomplish physically and mentally this year.
“With some mental reframing and new gear, I have come to love training in the winter. ”
The entire city of Roswell, NW shut down for an inch of snow so Odin (my pup) and I enjoyed the park to ourselves.
Growing up in Wisconsin, I am used to making the best out of winter. I love cross-country skiing, snowboarding, and hiking with the pups in the snow. Winter always used to be a big roadblock when it came to training though. This was mostly because I believed that I shouldn't run in the dark and I hated being cold. With some mental reframing and new gear, I have come to love training in the winter. Night runs in the snow are a different kind of peaceful. Winter training is all about delighting in life's little treasures. Icicles on your eyelashes, puppies bounding in the snow, hot chocolate at the peak, and feeling invigorated after a run, all add a different type of magic to every workout. Focusing on the joys of winter motivates me to continue training, even when the conditions are not what most people would consider ideal.
At the finish line of a 16 mile veterans race during an impromptu road trip with a friend and our dogs to the black hills in North Dakota. I road the struggle bus hard for this race so I was caught completely off guard when I went to leave and the race director told me I had to stay for awards because I won the women’s division. I literally asked, “Was I the only woman??”
What I like about racing and training is that every day, you experience something difficult and it changes a little part of you. Training has allowed me to face my demons and shortcomings. Learning to slow down and enjoy my easy runs helps me to remember that life isn't always about the grind. Pushing myself on hard effort days strengthens my tenacity and grit. Trudging through a crappy workout that I’d rather just skip reminds me to find joy, or at least comfort, in the grind. Every time I lace up my shoes, I am gifting myself an opportunity to continue to grow and flourish on this ride we call life.
I am both excited and scared to jump into the world of adventure racing. I am most scared about getting lost and having my first DNF since I started racing. I am most excited about that badass feeling when you get lost and find your way again. I am hoping to find a community of people who are passionate about exploring the unknown and pushing limits. So if you see me swearing in the woods feel free to point me in the right direction and remind me to have a snack. A big thanks to the Rib Mountain Adventure Challenge for creating an opportunity to celebrate growth and explore my backyard in a way I never would have otherwise.
Read about Rachel’s experience at the Rib Mountain Adventure Challenge - Winter Edition here and her first overnight race, the Rib Mountain Adventure Challenge here.