Mammoth Lakes, California is runner's heaven. It is no wonder that some of the best marathoners in the world call this trail mecca home. The awe inspiring views and endless soft surfaces make running lots of miles easy, however, the thin air does not. I have found myself out of breath just casually walking up the stairs.... which makes me question my fitness! Everyday living seems a bit harder. For the past month I was home in North Carolina where it was a sweaty hot mess. Which I love, but it meant I finished every run saturated in perspiration, imagine shorts suctioned to thighs and squishy wet shoes. So when I woke up after our first night in Mammoth I was surprised when my throat felt like sandpaper and my nose and eyes were crusted over, all due to a lack of humidity. Living and training high is hard, but the pay offs are huge. After spending a few weeks at altitude, running at sea level feels glorious! It is like I have acquired a third lung!

Training for my first marathon seems a bit surreal and magical. I think this stage in my career will stand out for many reasons. I have dreamed of this challenge and the memories I would create along the way. My team mates and I are only 4 days into our marathon quest and the morale is high. I am grateful that I have Simon and Tim going through the same journey with me. On a daily basis, we keep each other motivated and focused on our goal. It certainly helps that they are much faster than me. When we go for our easy runs they let me tag along through half of it, then they gradually pick up the pace to the point where I know I need to slow down or I may not finish! I feel like I am a little sister always trying to catch up to the older, cooler and stronger brothers. Keeping them within eye sight makes me work hard.......in a good way. I am challenging myself to make each day count. I want no regrets in New York.