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Reimagine Running | Interview with Jess McLellan S1E38 · Reimagine Running

• Jess: Knowing that I'm gonna go back the next year and show that brace, I still have to go back to Texas because that's been a couple of years now. But as I mean, if it's if it's local and and achievable, I will use that as a motivator to, you know, like that happened. What can I learn from it? What what did I get out of it? And then I just I go back the following year, like, okay, I'm gonna come up with a better plan. I'm gonna execute this plan. And also I also have to realize that, plans all don't always work out the way that you plan it either. So just prepared for that. But but I don't try to see it as a negative. I just see it as an opportunity to to look at what I did wrong. I mean and what can I do better the next time. Coach Ryan Head: Running is a strange thing. Some people find it on the sidewalk at sunrise. Some find it deep in the mountains chasing daylight. And some of us find it when life feels heavy and running is the only thing that makes sense. For some, starts with the 5k. For others, it's a marathon. And for a few, it's a hundred miles that changes everything. But somewhere between the first step and the finish line, something happens. Running stops being about pace or distance or medals. It becomes about purpose. I'm your host Ryan Head. And this is Reimagine Running, the podcast dedicated to talking about why we run. Each episode, we'll sit down with runners from every background, trail runners, road runners, beginners, veterans, and talk about their journey. Not just where they've run, but why they run. Because for many of us, running didn't just change our fitness. It helped us find clarity, healing, discipline, hope, and sometimes even ourselves. Whether your why was born on a short loop around the block or somewhere deep inside a long, lonely mile. This podcast is for you. Welcome to re-imagine running. Ryan Head: Alright everybody, welcome back to Reimagine Running, the podcast talking about why we run. I'm really excited for this episode for many, many reasons. I have a guest on. Who, for once, is not from Utah, right? I know all of you listeners are gonna be like, finally, he's getting someone that is not a Utah here on the pod. we actually are getting someone from the state of Washington, which is really, really exciting. The reason why I invited her to come on this episode and this podcast is over the last couple of years, me and this individual have followed each other on social media. we've kind of followed each other on Strava. And you know, I always think to myself, like, I'm probably crazy with all the hundreds I'm doing and all this other stuff. Well, then I've been watching what she's been doing, and I'm like, what in the world is going on? Like, she is so so impressive. All the races she's done this past spring, summer, and so far into fall, she's been crushing it with one race after another, after another, after another, and it's just impressive. It's just really cool to see. She's so positive. She just like in her posts. In her messages that she puts on social media. It's just a brightness, radiance of of happiness that comes from her. And I'm just like, dude, she is impressive. So without further ado, I'm really excited to bring Jess McClennan onto the podcast with us today. again, Jess, as I kind of already mentioned, she is from Washington. she's been running for a good portion of her life, and I don't want to talk about some of the races she's done this year because I want her to talk about them because they have been so impressive. just basically wake up and go do a hundred miler, okay, I won't say anymore, but it's so cool. I'm like, how in the world does someone pull this off? Because I know, for me, it's a months and months on end ordeal to get ready for it. So without further ado, I'm excited to bring Jess on. Jess, welcome to the podcast. Jess: Okay, thank you. Ryan Head: Yeah, I'm excited. Excited to have you here. And before we jump into it, as always, love to give a shout out to our premier sponsor for the podcast, Fleet Feet. If you have any gear needs, shoe needs, hydration needs, all that stuff, electrolytes, go over and see those guys in both Ogden and Leighton here in Utah. They'll get you taken care of. So again, go over and see Jamie and their team we're heading into cooler weather, especially here in Utah. if they have them up there in Washington, go support the Fleet Feets in Washington. As well, but definitely go and support this great organization and all the stuff that they're doing. So awesome. Well, Jess, I'm really excited to have you come on. again, like I said, I've been kind of, if you will, social media stocking you a little bit, and I'm just like it's so impressive to see what you're doing. you know, before we get into talking about anything running, I would love to throw the curveball. That I throw at everybody. What is something you're passionate about in life that has nothing to do with running? This is the only moment on this podcast we don't talk about running. What is something else that you're passionate about that you're like, I absolutely love doing this or that? Like, we've had people on here that love Star Wars. We've had people on here that have talked about knitting or crocheting. We've had people that are big gardeners. but yeah, what's something that you're passionate about outside of running? Jess: I am passionate about helping people actually. I used to work at a home and shelter for about ten years before I moved on and I I loved it. I love hearing different people's stories, hearing where they come from and no, none of them are running related, but I just I love hearing what people go through in life, you know. So just helping them out with either words of encouragement or, you know, a resource, you name it. So that's what I'm mostly passionate about. Ryan Head: That's that's super cool. I love that you're that you'd love to do that. And in a lot of ways I I feel like I'm the same way. I love to try to help wherever possible and and give service and stuff. And it it's just a really cool thing 'cause I don't know if you're like me, but whenever I do that I always feel better about myself and Jess: Mm-hmm. Ryan Head: like I'm always like, I'm glad I was able to help someone who maybe was in need a little bit. So I don't know, do you feel that same way whenever you whenever you help somebody? Jess: I do. Yeah. Yeah. As long as it's a positive interaction and like I said when I worked at a homeless shelter for women and children, it was there's always good days and bad days, but I love the good days the most. just being able to go home and knowing that I did something positive in the world, it's my favorite. So Ryan Head: That's Jess: something passionate about. Ryan Head: That's awesome. That's super cool that you did that for for a while and and I love that. That's the type of stuff that again I love going and like helping at like the like food cannery. I've done I've gone like the Catholic community services and done that multiple times. There's a couple of them here in Utah that we can go to and just help out people and do lunches, you know, serve lunches and stuff. So that's so cool. I love that you that you're passionate about that. So that's super cool. See, this is why she's so cool, people. Like I'm telling you, you're gonna find out. She is just an awesome human and individual as we as we go through this. So awesome. Well, like I always like to start off with every one of my guests. When did running kind of first enter your life? when did it become more than, you know, just a sport? Or you're like, I'm doing it to stay in shape or whatever. and again, this could be when you were a kid, this could be when you were a teenager. teenager, you know, maybe you ran track in school, whatever, cross country, or maybe it's been in your adult life. But yeah, when did running become more Jess: So in 2011, my running journey began. I had a friend Ryan Head: Mm-hmm. Jess: who was running full marathons, and little did she know, she inspired me to run a full marathon myself. So she Ryan Head: Mm-hmm. Jess: suggested I start with shorter races like a five K or a 10K, so I can get the race experience. When I started, I had an old pair of running shoes. That's all I had. Ryan Head: Nice. Jess: And that is how Ryan Head: Lives. Jess: my running journey began. It began by 5K. Ryan Head: That's really cool. w do you remember the the shoes you have? Are they just like some old Nikes or something like that? Jess: They were totally just something from Walmart. because I didn't not afford Ryan Head: I love it. Jess: anything at that time. And Ryan Head: Mm-hmm. Jess: she just she was just this really cool lady and she was a friend and a mentor. And I'm like, yeah, I think I want to do a marathon. And it just became it became like that was cool to a goal to okay, now that is gonna be now my bucket list. So and that was Ryan Head: Heck yeah. Jess: back in two thousand eleven. So Ryan Head: That's so cool. I have a very similar experience that you have. Like, I still remember, like, this was like you said, I think mine was 2013, if I'm not mistaken. I could be wrong on that. and I was like, okay, I'm kinda getting into this running thing. I'm enjoying it. Like, I want to do more of it. And I went to Kohl's of all places and I walked in there and I was like, okay, like let's find the cheapest pair of shoes. And I think I ended up with like I'm not kidding, it was a $25 special of shoes. And and I'm not saying that that's necessarily wrong, but I was like, you know, I want Jess: Yeah. Ryan Head: to try to train for like a half marathon. And I still remember talking to a guy in my neighborhood who was a physical therapist, and I was like, Yeah, my foot's hurting really bad. And he was I was like showing him where it was at and he's like, Jess: It's Ryan Head: It sounds like you might have some like a stress fracture. He's like, What kind of shoes are you like Jess: Mm-hmm. Ryan Head: he's what are you doing for you know yeah, and he's like, What are you doing? And I'm like, Well, I'm running and I'm like and he's like, What kind of shoes do you have? And I like tell him and he's like, No. you're doing this all wrong. He's like, if you're gonna be running that many miles, you gotta really you gotta like spend a few dollars. And then funny enough, I went to the a store, it's now fleet feet, but their predecessor beforehand, and I still remember walking in the store, and they were like trying to sell me on this pair of ASICs at the time was $85. And I was like, bro, I I don't got $85 for a pair of running shoes. Like, I'm not I'm not paying $85. Like, there's no way. Jess: Yeah. Ryan Head: And he was like, he was like really pushing me. And I was like, where where's your discount pile? And there was nothing in my site, so I left. But it's funny how now 85 bucks, I don't even bat an eye. I'm like, that's just that's just that's Jess: Mm. Ryan Head: what you have to do to get into the sports. So so that's awesome. Jess: Mm-hmm. For sure. Ryan Head: What do you remember the name of that first 5k that you ever did? you remember what that was? Jess: I do. So that 5K was a Dwight 5K in 2012. Yeah. Ryan Head: Nice. Do you remember what your time was at all? Or close to it. You don't need to be like spot. Maybe you that's awesome. You're like, I know exactly what my time was. Yeah, what was it? Jess: Yeah. It was forty minutes. It was forty minutes. Ryan Head: Heck yeah. Jess: And I I I was mad. I was so mad. I mean was happy that I finished, but I wanna I was expecting to be done by like maybe half an hour. Yeah, that was 40 minutes. Ryan Head: Nice. I love it. I love it. See this she's competitive. She takes it serious. That's awesome. So after that, where did things go with running? Like, so you did this and you said you okay, you you set this goal of a marathon. When did you when did you finally get to a marathon or when did that become kind of those next steps that you or what steps did you take to get to that? Was it a half marathon? Was it a 10K? What did that look like on your side? Jess: in 2013, I had signed up for the Windermere Marathon, and that was gonna be now mind you, this was a one and done accomplishment. It was not supposed to be anything more than that. So Ryan Head: Heck yeah. Jess: in 2013, I had signed up for this marathon and then I had gone out and ran a 15 mile training run, but my left shoulder was just on fire and I could not figure out why. left shoulder was on fire. So I went to the doctor and I took some blood tests. And unfortunately, my thyroid was low, my iron was everything was low. And I was working Ryan Head: Mm-hmm. Jess: hard towards this marathon. And it was a dream. It was, I was like, like I wanted to to get this, you know, accomplishment. And when I walked in the second time, he I someone's like, well, I'm running this marathon. He goes, No, you're not running the marathon. So I'm like, well, can I walk the marathon? He goes, No, you cannot walk the marathon. And so I was really just devastated. Like, I've gone so I've I've worked so hard for this. And now you're telling me that I can't do it. Ryan Head: Mm-hmm. Jess: And so I had to, I had to build, I had to rebuild, listen to the doctor's orders. And I mean that marathon was still in my dream, but I also was trying to figure out how I could get there, you know, and with all these steps to take. So after rebuilding Bloomsday, which is a pretty big race in Spokane, that was my first race that I did afterwards. And then in 2014, I did a half marathon in Richland and I was happy about the half marathon. I was like, okay, 13 miles, heck yeah, like I'm I'm I'm going for it. And then October t twenty fifteen, I had signed up for the Spokane Marathon and I completed my very first supposed to be one and done accomplishment, but plans definitely made a different turn. So that's where it all began. Ryan Head: Man, that is so cool. So, okay, so Spoken Marathon was your truly your first marathon, which is awesome. Yeah. Jess: I mm-hmm. Ryan Head: that you ran. What was your time for that? I I'm so curious. Jess: I don't I don't remember because in all honesty I was so caught up in it was definitely under five hours because my ex was pushing me to to finish. Ryan Head: Nice, yeah. Mm-hmm. Jess: but in all honesty, my I mean I had two goals. One was to finish and to get that medal and to never do it again. Ryan Head: Heck yeah. Jess: So Ryan Head: I love it. I love it. You know, I I've shared on the podcast multiple times and it's kind of an old story for our old listeners. You know, for not old listeners, sorry for the listeners who've listened multiple episodes, but I'll share this, you know, for our new listeners who'll be li hearing this for the first time. I remember my first marathon as well. It was in 2018. It took me it took me two and a half years to get like the guts up to do a full marathon because I was like so terrified. I was like, dude, a half marathon. Like I think I've got that. figured out but I'm like to double that I don't know if this is possible. I I got really scared. I was like I don't know if this is gonna happen. and I remember running the it was for me the Ogden marathon here in in Utah and such a pretty marathon by the way. It's so beautiful if you're looking for a great marathon through canyons and just beautiful country. Anyways and so I get to mile 22 which is where you're coming right out of the the canyon so only four miles left and And I was like, I'm absolutely terrified that I might die. and this is really dumb. I know I made a huge mistake, but at the time I'd always heard, you know, you should do a marathon. And I don't know where I heard this. This is so stupid. It's such bad advice. So this is the part of the episode, bad advice, do not take this advice. But I had this idea that that you were supposed to do a marathon like the old whatever Athlinians would do, and it's like no water, no nutrition. You gotta just go straight. And that's what I was trying to do. And I was like, okay, I don't, I know, Jess: my god. Ryan Head: I know, I know. And you're like, what are you thinking? And this was, and again, it's May in Utah, so it's starting to get warm, and it was a warmer day that day. So it was already like in like the it was like 72, 73, as you're coming out of canyon. And I'm just like, my gosh, I'm not feeling good. And I actually start getting really scared. And so when you come, when you're getting close to that out of the canyon, there's an aid station there, and there's a medical tent. And I remember the lady was like, hey, come here. And I was like, nope. And she's come on, come here. And I was like, nope, not gonna come over there. And she's like, come on, I want you to come sit down. And I was like, uh-uh. She's like, I'm really afraid. And she's like, you need to take this drink at least. And so she gave me some electrolyte drink. And she's you need to take this and eat and just keep walking. And I remember being like, just like you, I'm like, I'm never doing this again. Ever, ever gonna do this again. I was like, this is so stupid. Why does anyone do these things? And I'm like, I feel like I almost died. Like I hurt so bad that I thought I was gonna die. And then Sure enough, this was back when the Ogden Marathon. so the races run on a Saturday and then on Sunday they would send you a discount code for fifty percent off for the following year. And I was like, I gotta go back, I gotta try this again. So anyways, I Jess: no. Heck yeah. Ryan Head: yeah, as you know, like e like a day or two after you're like, I think I could do better. Like I I wanna do this, like this could be fun. So Jess: Mm-hmm. Ryan Head: Anyway, so that was what that's what I did, so which was dumb. But anyway, so okay, so you get done doing the Spokane, marathon. What happened after that? obviously, you've turned into this crazy amazing runner that I feel is like just this hidden jam in Washington. But like, what happened after that point for you? Like, where did things go from that point? Jess: From from then on, it was all marathons. I was running two or three marathons a year right after that. So after I had recovered, I signed up for the quarterline marathon. And then I signed up for a Windermere Marathon again because I wanted to go back and well, not even go back. I want I wanted to complete that one. so I as time went on, I would go and and run these road marathons. I was not always a trail runner. And so I was getting faster and I was getting close to qualifying for Boston. So I'm like, if I can qualify for Boston, I'm going there. Like, heck yeah. Well, then I had a friend who was telling me, like, hey, you should consider trial running. He's like, Yeah, but I'm almost getting to Boston. Like, this is like this is now a new goal. not quite a dream, but you know, just maybe something that I can aim towards. So I had I was training for a 50K in 2017. In April. And so like, well, maybe I'll go run a marathon a few months before that. Make sure it's trail that way, you know, I kind of have an idea of what of what I'm doing. ran a marathon in Priest Lake and took first place for my age group there. Didn't expect it, just it just happened. Like, heck yeah. Ryan Head: Let's go. Jess: So then I was hooked. So then Boston marathon, it that never happened. Road running, that just you know, I got the trail bug. Ryan Head: Yeah. Jess: So So and then it just evolved from there. So that's how Ryan Head: That does Jess: it took. Ryan Head: That's super cool. it's fun to hear your story because I was a lot. I funny, we're very similar in so many ways. I did the exact same thing. Like, I was an avid, and I still like I'll always say that I absolutely love, and I know you're probably gonna be like, Ryan, you're contradicting yourself. I absolutely love trails. It is like what I love to do all my races. Is on right now, it's where I want to be, but my heart will always be in the roads because roads is where I fell in love with running. And so, like, even today, I went for a run on the roads, and I'm just like, I miss this. Like, part of me wants to just go back to the roads because I don't know what it's like for you. Maybe you live like right by a trailhead, but I don't. I have to drive 15 minutes to get to where I can actually start doing some climbing and going up mountains and stuff like that. and so sometimes it's kind of a pain when I'm like, man, I have to drive 15 minutes. minutes or I can just walk out my door and boom I'm running and I can go as far as I want and it's 15 minutes to the trailhead 15 minutes back that third that's 30 minutes I mean I burn 30 Jess: Mm-hmm. Ryan Head: minutes every day at a bare minimum just trying to get to the trails and sometimes like gall I just man roads are so fun so but I love that I love that you you're like I'm done I'm done with roads like so you so do you never but you never boss and qualified then you never you never got there I mean you were getting close obviously you Jess: Well, good. I was right there. But no, I just once I hit trap, I was like, you know what? I that that's where I I discovered that I wanted to try going slower but longer. And then once I was hitting some mountain peaks and seeing the beautiful views, I was like, Yeah, forget Boston. Sorry guys. Ryan Head: it I love it. I think so many of us, I have a really good friend her name's Lindsay Nelson. She's the exact same way. She'll run roads periodically, but she's like, when you can run trails and you can see those beautiful views and just see the things that we see, I mean, you're like, Jess: Mm-hmm. Ryan Head: why why do I wanna like just ro it run in like a city and I don't know. I I totally understand. And I think that's why, Mike, I absolutely love trail running right now. I'm just like, man, I I know I've done the Wasach 100 now four years straight. I know it's really tough, but I'm like, I don't know if I see myself ending doing it anytime soon, which yeah, because it's just a so fun, just amazing. So that that is super cool. Jess: Mm-hmm. Ryan Head: So what's what is something that you would say that you've learned over these past years with you know trailing? running, running in general, what's something that you feel like you've you've learned or it's taught you about either being a better person, better runner? Yeah, what's something you feel like you've learned over these last few years with running? Jess: Something that I have learned. I guess I guess this one's more about motivation, but I've learned that like motivation comes and goes. There are definitely Ryan Head: Mm-hmm. Jess: there are absolutely days when I don't feel like running. And then that's Ryan Head: Uh-huh. Jess: like where discipline comes in. And then I just remind myself that why I love running. Ryan Head: Yeah. I no, but I think you have a really good answer there. I think that's amazing Jess: Yeah. Yeah. Ryan Head: be because you're a hundred percent right. it's easy for us to be like you know, 'cause early on I think running is fun. You know what I mean? Like it's like you have so Jess: Mm-hmm. Ryan Head: much fun, every day is a great time, you're like, I just wanna go, it's just fun. But then like sometimes when you're training for these races and you're trying to put in these long miles and you know, I don't know, maybe you're different than me, but I know that like, you know, when I usually do I I don't know how you structure your long runs, but like I do back to back long runs like on either a Friday or Saturday or Saturday. Sunday do them back to back and usually after a week of like shorter runs, usually anywhere between like five to eight miles, you know, throughout the week and then weekend, you know, when I wake up on that last day of the week and I know I gotta go out and do like a 15 mile run. And I've already done Jess: Mm-hmm. Ryan Head: almost 60 miles that week with already Jess: Yeah. Ryan Head: 11,000 feet of vert. I'm not motivated. I'm not, I'm just gonna be honest. I'm not exactly like, I can't wait to get out here today. I'm like, I want to go back to bed. Like, I don't want to do this. But it's like you said, it's about being disciplined because yeah, motivation is fleeting. I I don't think motivation will stay there for too long. You have to be disciplined, you have to be like, I'm getting out of Jess: I know. Ryan Head: my bed, I'm gonna get up to To the trailhead, I have to do this. If I don't do this, then how am I going to accomplish my goals? I don't know. How do feel about that? Jess: Yeah, and I feel like one philosophy that I've that I've been aiming towards or just working on just those past years is showing it for myself. And so showing up on the easy Ryan Head: Mm-hmm. Heck yeah. Jess: days, the short the hard days, and then not not just not just in running either, but just in everyday life, showing it for friends, for family. you know, I mean, just showing up, I think is is key, if anything. Ryan Head: Heck yeah. I do think that's honestly in so many ways that is like one of the most important things, truthfully. You look you just have to show up sometimes. And like I always like I don't know, and maybe you feel this way, like we'll get to this with your races this year, but like every time you get to these hundred milers or you know, a big race that you know you gotta do, sometimes you're just like you start to question if you're ready, especially like a day or two before you're like, I don't know if I can do this. Know if I'm really ready, and you get nervous, you get in your own head, and you're like, I just need to show Jess: Mm-hmm. Ryan Head: up because I know I put the work in. And yes, like I I true, truthfully, like I get it. there's there are mental stuff, and and and you should be aware of those, those types of things. but I do think sometimes it's okay to take that step into darkness, right? Or that you know, Jess: Yeah. Ryan Head: that's blind faith, if you will, and say, I'm gonna just go and I'm gonna. see what happens and let's hope for the best. Let's just see what happens. So anyways, I love that you say that. I think you're spot on. because yeah at times it can be scary and you're just like I don't know how this is gonna go but you just go because Jess: Mm-hmm. Ryan Head: you've put the work in and it's time to make that happen. So kind of in hand with that question, what's one training mistake you've learned from? Is there something that you feel like you're like, yeah, I've made this mistake more times than I'd like to admit. because we all have I I have stoop again, back to my first marathon, I'm like, yeah, I can do this without water and food and what a dumb, dumb idea. But yeah, is there something a mistake that you've learned from through all your training? Jess: So in 2018, I had ran, I signed up for my first 50 mile race and it's the Kiniksu, and they they're tough. They're really tough. And but I loved that. So when I look for races, there's a little side note, I look for the toughest one that I could possibly, that just scares me. If it doesn't scare Ryan Head: Yeah. Jess: me, I'm not signing up for it. So in 2018, I had signed up for this 50 miler. And mind you, I I did run some trails. based on those two races that that I did, but I was not a full trail runner. So I was still dipping my toes in, still running road. I trained only on road for this trail race. I did not have trail running shoes. I didn't have any proper gear. I had nothing. I didn't even train to run in the through the night. So I'm I'm training thinking that yeah, I know what I'm doing. Like, heck no, I had no idea what I was doing. So I get to race day, act like I've got all my stuff together. I'm kinda like one of the cool kids that showed up with, all the cool stuff. That's not how it went. But I finished it in 12 hours still, regardless of road riding shoes and not the proper gear and not knowing how to navigate at night. And there was no cell phone service. There was nothing. So I just kind of noticed kind of went for it. It was like, why not? I mean Ryan Head: Dude, she's amazing, guys. Jess: He's been a very Ryan Head: this is crazy. this is crazy to hear these stories. And again, was it in Washington where you did this? I'm assuming it was in Washington. Yeah, like Jess: Yes. Yeah. Yeah. Ryan Head: I'm not gonna say Washington and Utah are the exact same, but they're pretty close to each other, and that's just that's insane. My gosh, Jess: The yeah. Yeah. Ryan Head: that's I I get you, I get you when that first I I I've shared the story a bunch of times too, but my first hundred I DNF'd and it was nowhere near as hard. As some of the hundreds I've done. It's on Antelope Island. It's called the Buffalo 100. And it really, really is an easy hunt. I mean, if hundreds can be easy, okay? So take that for what it's worth. They're all hard, they all have their own obstacles and what have you. But in comparison, just not as hard of a race as like Wallace or Bear. And like you, I showed up with like the newest Nathan backpack. I had these really nice black diamond poles, and I was I got these catamount Brooks shoes. I'm like, dude, I am golden. And I got it was it was just not pretty. I made so many mistakes for the race, and I was just a mess. And by mile 50, well, well before mile 50, I was wanting to get out of the race. And luckily, I had a good friend of mine who was he was doing the 50 miler. So essentially the race is two loops, and one loop is 50 miles, and then you go back out again and do the same loop again for a hundred. And my buddy was just doing the 50 miler and I. I was like, you know what? Let's get you to the 50 miler. Let's get you a finish today. And then I'm walking off the course. And he kept trying to be like, no, Ryan, you should stay in. And I was like, not gonna happen. So so yeah, so I totally get you. But you you finished, which is amazing. Like, that's so cool. You're like navigating at night and like all this other stuff, like just trying to figure it out, which is really cool. So Jess: Yeah, 'cause I didn't have a smartwatch or anything. I was just following the the confident markers is what they call That was it. But yeah. Ryan Head: Yeah, that's awesome. Well, so Has there ever been a time that you wanted to quit a race and what kept you going? Jess: So over the summer, it's not running, surprisingly. I did a 54 mile ruck in June where I carried a 25-pound pack. And I have ran a hundred mile races. I have run some tough races, but that 54-mile ruck was the toughest I have ever experienced. And I told the race director that I'm not doing that again. But I'm glad I did. So Ryan Head: Yeah. Jess: That that time I was crewing and supporting myself. And so I came to a point where I was like, okay, I am I'm done. I'm done carrying this stupid thing on my on my back. I'm done climbing. Ryan Head: Yeah. Jess: I just want to quit. But then I had realized that if I take if I break down the distances into smaller pieces. So that was my my go my go one more. If I can just go one more step, pass one more tree, climb one more hill. Listen to one more song, then Ryan Head: Mm-hmm. Jess: that that'll keep me going. And that was actually easier to figure out than to try to figure out how to quit. Because then I'd be sitting at an aid station for, you know, five hours waiting for my ride or a ride to take me back Ryan Head: Mm-hmm. Jess: home or whatever. So I mean, in that five hours, you might as well just get going. So but that was the toughest carrying twenty-five pounds. And just being out there, I mean it took me longer to rock fifty four miles than it did to run a hundred K. Ryan Head: I love it. I love it. I well, I don't blame you. I mean, that's that's rough. Like twenty five pounds on your back. Hmm. Jess: It's four yeah and I was considered a DNF because I did not finish in time. But by the time we got to the last age station, I'm like it's two thirty and I asked the guys okay, so do I have enough time to finish? yeah, you've got plenty of time. I think they Ryan Head: Mm-hmm. Jess: thought that I had twenty-four hours. I only had twelve hours and I was past the twelve hour Ryan Head: Yeah. Jess: mark. But after that I'm like, you know what? I have to finish. I can't. I'm already DNFing already. So might as well go the fourteen extra miles. And I didn't Ryan Head: Heck yeah. Jess: get done until five thirty AM the next day. So Ryan Head: That sucks. my gosh. That's so cool. You you remind me of one of my good friends who I actually I coach him as well, but Ken Swalberg, me and him did the Wasich one hundred together this year and very similar thing. He made it he barely made it to the eighth station, the last eight station, in time. And but the way Wasuch is set up, it it it's almost impossible to make it to the finish line. at that from that eight last eight stations just the time cutoff is just yes I'll let you go but it's gonna be tough. Well he didn't care. He's like I'm still gonna go and he came in like forty to forty five minutes after the race cutoff had completely ended. and it was just like so inspiring because it's like nobody told you to do that. It's same thing for you. No one told you to keep going. You could have walked off. Like there's no race medal for you. There's no nothing but you're like, no, I'm gonna do this and That tells me so much more about a runner than just someone that finishes and they're like, I had a good time, whatever. when you're like there's no there's nothing that is like I get nothing out of this besides just knowing that I finished it. I think that tells Jess: Mm. Ryan Head: me so much about a person's character and who they really are. I'm like, that's so so stink sinking impressive. So I I love hearing that stuff. So well cool. Well, let's get to the fun part of all of this. I love talking. Talking 100s, it's like my favorite thing. I hope you love talking about them too, because you've done enough of them. How many 100s have you done so far? Jess: I have attempted three hundreds and I've I've finished two of them. So there's Ryan Head: That is awesome. I'm fully Yeah, go for it. go for it. Jess: no, sorry. No, there's one in Texas that I did D and F at mile Ryan Head: Uh-huh. Jess: seventy five and it was dumb 'cause it was Ryan Head: Which one was that? Jess: Rocky Raccoon. Ryan Head: Rocky Raccoon, yeah, very familiar with Jess: Okay. Ryan Head: that race. So that's awesome. So what happened there? Yeah, tell me the story there. Jess: I I just I I tripped over an unforeseen route. I mean we were all tripping, you know, things look bigger as the night goes on and I was trying to watch our watch my stuff. People were watching their stuff and we were just tripping and falling and it was like I'm not gonna I'm not gonna DNF and I just biffed it long hard enough to like, well, I am now DNFing. So so I do have to go back and claim redemption on that. But it was still a great experience regardless of what happened. So it was really, really cool. Ryan Head: Heck yeah, you need to. Mm-hmm. Heck yeah. You totally gotta go back for that one. That one, Jess: yeah. Ryan Head: I'm sure, I'm sure you would absolutely destroy it. So okay, well then take us to your first finish. What race was that and what year was it? And yeah, tell us a little bit more about that story. Jess: The my first hundred miler. Okay, so that one was in Wenatchee. It was about 111 degrees out. We were climbing about 22,000 feet accumulately. minimal shade, dry, sandy, hot, just brutal. I mean, there's really no nice way of putting it. And I had, I took advantage of two pacers. Who both were not entirely trail runners, but they one was an Iron Man and he probably ran more road. but we took we spent several months just training together every weekend, similar training stuff. So that was a it was a very, very brutal and humbling race, I will definitely say. But that one we I did finish barely. Ryan Head: Mm-hmm. Jess: I had 12 minutes to spare, became the third woman and then fourth Ryan Head: Nice, yeah. Jess: overall. So about twenty of us started on Saturday morning and about five of us finished on Sunday evening. So Ryan Head: That's awesome. So what was the cutoff on that? Was it thirty six hours as well? Jess: That was thirty seven hours, I think. Ryan Head: Three seven. Jess: Thirty seven Yeah. Yeah, but it Ryan Head: And what was the name of the go ahead. no, go ahead, go ahead. Jess: The name was Devil's Gold and it was a hundred and four miles. Not Ryan Head: Double sculpture. Jess: quite a hundred. Ryan Head: that's I always joke, it's always the ish, right? It's ultras Jess: Mm-hmm. Ryan Head: or a hundred miles ish and it just you know, it kills me half the time. I'm like, is this thing gonna end? Like, come on. Like, I am so done. That's how I did the Scout Mountain one hundred this year, which is in Idaho and closer to where I live down here, kind of the southern part, and I was just like, I hit a hundred and like there's no finish line in sight. And I'm like, Jess: Ha ha Ryan Head: come on, like I don't want to do Do this any longer, and you're just trudging along, and you don't no one looks good at the end of a hundred miler, and so I'm like trying my best Jess: Mm-hmm. Ryan Head: to just like run. I don't that's not even running what I was doing, and I'm just like I remember my pacers, I had two of them that were helping me at the finish, and they were just like, How you doing? I'm like, I'm not doing good, I just want to be done, and anyways, but I was trying to say positive, as you know, like positivity is so Jess: No. Ryan Head: stinking important on these things, and I'm just like, Jess: Mm-hmm. Ryan Head: I'm just trying. Trying to say positive and and they're just like, Okay, let's just keep talking about all kinds of fun stuff but yeah, I was I was a little bit frustrated by the end of that race. So I totally get ya. So that's awesome. What so you said you finished with what, thirteen minutes? You said twelve to thirteen minutes, to go on that one? Jess: I was like Yeah, it was about twelve minutes to spare on that one. And in all honesty, I wasn't considering what place I would be in. I just wanted to finish the damn thing because it was I mean, that was Ryan Head: I don't know. Jess: yeah. I mean my pastor but he kept telling me, he's like, You gonna need to keep me in your eyesight and I'm like, Okay, got it, keep you in my eyesight. Follow the red shirt, sure. He was up up ahead of me. and then he would take his trekking pool and he would try to hit the rocks to keep me from falling. And it was helpful, but it was also not very helpful because I didn't tell them. But later on I was like, you know, Bobby, every time you hit a rock, my brain did the opposite. I would actually trip on that rock instead of missing the rock. but anyway. Ryan Head: I love it. Yeah. That's crazy. Yeah, it's funny how you would think there's these certain things that will happen on races and you're like, you have these mindsets. And this is what I tell anybody that's like, I want to try a hundred for the first time. And I'm like, there is something that none of us none of us know exactly how we're gonna react to certain situations. And I don't know, Jess: Yeah. Ryan Head: like, how do you do at night? Do you do really well or do you get tired? Do you have to sleep? How do you do at night when On on hundreds. Jess: Well, it depends if I've had six months to train for the race or if I've had three weeks to train for the race. Ryan Head: We're gonna get to that race. I promise we're getting there. I want to hear this story because I'm really excited. So yeah, if Jess: So that's Ryan Head: you if you have six month or yeah, six months, how do you usually do at night? Jess: If you have about six months, well, is what I is what I've done before in the past is I will sleep and rest as much as I can. I'll try to get everything packed and ready to go ahead of time. And I'll have a list and then I'll have the crew and everyone okay, guys, this is what I need. This is this is how everything's laid out, just really organized. And that way all I have to figure out, I mean, navigate is just you know my hydration, nutrition, and getting rest. then I try to wash my caffeine intake. I try to have just enough to where I have enough energy, but then enough to where that if I have anything at night, it's not gonna make me sleepy. It's gonna, boost my energy up. So, and I've done that for 200Ks, and I'll get into that. One that I DNA's and I came back and finished. but my my last hundred, I I did I did the total opposite. So But typically, yeah. So if you Ryan Head: That's awesome. Jess: can, regulate your caffeine for the night section, yeah, it does help. Don't skip the caffeine. Ryan Head: Yeah. Wealth of knowledge right there, guys. I hope you if you were listening to this and you're like how do I train for this? What she just said right there, pure gold. Absolutely pure gold. Thank you for saying that. I I I a hundred percent second that it's all about the preparation. It's all about being ready to go. I I mean I always get to all the start of my races and everyone's like, You seem so calm. Like, why are you ready? I'm like, dude, I've been prepping for this for months on end. Like I am as ready as you can go. I have all my bet drop bags ready. I got my box ready. I got my crew. They know exactly where to be, when to be there, what to have out. I'm like, yeah, it's it's borderline and craziness probably, but there's never second guessing. They know exactly what to Jess: Mm-hmm. Ryan Head: do and how to do it. And I'm not worried about them missing a step because they know exactly how to execute. And yeah, I'm just grateful I have an awesome crew chief. I've had multiple awesome crew chiefs, Jacob Bateman and Nate Allred, but right now my current crew chief, Jenny Little she's fantastic. She just Johnny on the spot always and just an amazing girl. who I'm just like, dude, she is so good at being organized and truth be told, I mean, let's be honest. I mean this might not be appropriate, but she's a female. She's just more organized than my guy friends. So she just does so good at being organized. And my guy friends usually are all like Jess: Nice. Ryan Head: Yeah, they just show up, they're like, You okay? And I'm like, dude, where's my stuff? And they're like, well, it's over here. And I'm like, Ugh you guys, like you gotta have it ready for me. So I love those guys. I'm grateful for But yeah, Jenny absolutely makes them look silly. So, that's awesome. So yeah, talk it talk us through the hundred K. What happened on those? I'd love to hear more about those Jess: So the first hundred K that I did was right, was three weeks before my first hundred miler, the hundred and four miler that I did. So I thought the 100K was just gonna be a training day. So not a big deal, 62 miles. it's perfect. Well, I did ask the race director, it's like, hey, so I see that we have two loops. Are we doing anything twice? He said, No, we're not doing anything twice. It's like, okay, got it. Well, Fast forward, I get to a very important turn, a very critical turn, mind, mind you. And they no one moved the signs that said, 100 cares, take a left, everybody else take a right. And I was supposed to take that right, and I took a left. So I made a completely different wrong turn. and it cost me the race. So I did run the 62 miles. It was the wrong 62 miles. So they did offer me to keep going, which I did, but then once I got right below the second peak, I'm like, I'm gonna DNF and because I I have a hundred miles there in like three weeks. So 62 miles DNF. and I actually was okay with that. I mean only because I knew I was coming back the following year to conquer it. so then the following year I came back and I had a better plan on how I was going to get up the two peaks during the day. Cause it was 100K and he gave he did give us 24 hours to get it done. And I kind of am about 14 miles from the finish line and I see a headlight or I mean a headlamp behind me and I'm like, heck no, that's a runner. They're not going to catch up with me. So it just kind of got like competitive, even if the runner was wasn't going to catch up at all. Well, I turned back again and it was the same guy. And I was like, hey, how's it going? You running the race? He goes, no, I am sweeping the course and you are towing the line. I'm like, well, there's like he goes, no, everybody behind you, they all DNF. So we got to talking Ryan Head: Wow. Jess: and then he ended up, he was actually the guy who helped me the following year when I got lost. So we had a we had a good a good little chat good little chat. Well I get to Ryan Head: Mm-hmm. Jess: the finish line, I received a plaque for being first woman, my bell vocal for finishing, and then a DFL for being dead freaking last Ryan Head: Let's go. Yeah, heck yeah! Jess: So you never Ryan Head: I love it! Jess: you never get both of those at a race. Not really. No. Ryan Head: No. No, that's amazing. That's awesome. Look at you. Look at all that. You're bringing home all the hardware. That's impressive, dude. That's so cool. my gosh. Well, I Jess: Yeah. Ryan Head: got a qu I have a question for ya, and I know it's not one that I I sent you, but I I wanna ask it because you have so much experience with this, and I'll I'll let you think on it for a second while I ask and then I'll I'll kinda give a little insight too. But how have you handled or how have you coped with dnfing and I ask this question on some of your races because I've had a few friends this summer who or this fall who DNF'd some races and and they're pretty beat up about it and that's okay like you should feel a little bit beat up and and mad and frustrated and all that because heaven knows I was the same way. But how have you coped with that and how have you been able to come back because yeah you've DNF some of these things and some of them were unfortunate situations, but you come back stronger and you finish the race the next year. So yeah, what what have you done to be able to deal with these times when you have, you know, DNF to race? Jess: Knowing that I'm gonna go back the next year and show that brace, that that is my I mean, Ryan Head: Yeah. Who's boss? Jess: hence I still have to go back to Texas because that's been a couple of years now. But as I mean, if it's if it's local and and achievable, I will keep I will use that as a motivator to, you know, like that happened. What can I learn from it? What what did I get out of it? And then I just I go back the following year, like, okay, I'm gonna come up with a better plan. I'm gonna execute this plan. And also I also have to realize that, plans all don't always work out the way that you plan it either. So just prepared for that. But but I don't try to see it as a negative. I just see it as an opportunity to to look at what I did wrong. I mean and what can I do better the next time. So Ryan Head: And this is why she is amazing, people. She takes these opportunities to learn from them. I mean, that's how you do it. That's how the greats do it. This is the only way to do it. I know it's tough. I know it's tough to DNF. I know it is. Heaven knows I've experienced it myself. But you have two paths to go down. You can either be really bitter and hate running and be like, this is such a stupid sport, or you like, you know, Jess is. done let's what do I what can I learn from this what can I what can I take from this and let's go let's go we're gonna go right back I'm going back for this race the next year or in the future and and I'm gonna go after it because that's what I did with Antelope. I never closed the loop on that story but after I DNF'd in 2023 I was like I'm coming back to beat this race I don't know when but I'm gonna come back and beat it and I did in 2025 and absolutely slayed that race did a 28 hour finish Jess: Yes. Ryan Head: and just crushed it and I was like I remember telling my crew in Pacers I was like we will leave no doubt let me put it that way there will be no doubt left we will destroy this thing from start to finish and and yeah we did so well if you do Jess: Yeah. Ryan Head: Rocky Raccoon again I want to help you so you tell me if you do it Jess: Okay. Ryan Head: I would love to help Paceia Korea whatever that's super cool I've always heard a lot about this race I want to be a part of it somehow so anyway so that's that's staying cool so all right let's get to the I've been so excited to talk to you about this Jess: Ha ha ha Ryan Head: whole time. So you just tell Story. It's absolutely insane what she did this summer or Jess: Ha Ryan Head: fall. I I'm just like I remember reading about this on social media and I was like there's no way and this is exactly why I knew I had to bring her on this podcast because then as I started le researching more about her and the races she done I was like what in the world? Like who is this person? So anyways, tell them the story, Jess. I this is just impressive. Jess: So I had seen this hundred miler on social media. And so I'm like, well, that's that's a cool race. So I liked the page and followed the page. And the race director messages me because, hey, like you're gonna show up, right? And I'm like, no, I mean it's like I have like a month to to and it's like $300. Like I don't I don't have the training, nor do I have the $300. Well, what if I were to send you like a discount? I'm like, God, it'd be a pretty good discount because that's that's a lot of money. Well, he sent it and it is. There's a discount. All right, well, I am gonna sign up and I'm gonna do this thing. So I have never ran a hundred miler within three weeks time of no preparation or anything, no crew, super myself. I I mean I did have someone pop in and run run with me one one lap, and that was about it. so I signed up, got prepared as much as I could, car camped on site, and I I was like, well, okay, I'm I I'm I'm doing this. there's a lot of things that did not go as well because I did not have a support system, but overall I did finish in time, about half an hour to to spare. but it was definitely there was some some learning. curves for me that happened. when you're crewing yourself. I mean it's it's a whole different ballgame. I mean, you don't have anyone telling you that, hey, you might need electrolytes, you might need some carbs, you might need, you know, some caffeine maybe. So there's a lot to be learned for sure. Ryan Head: Yeah. That's amazing. Okay, so couple of questions to piggyback off of that. So what was the name of the hundred miler that you did? What was it called? Jess: The Huckleberry Hundred. Ryan Head: And where's that located at? Is it up there as well in in Spokane area? Jess: They they did bring it to Spokane, but it was Freedom Ultras. And I don't know if they're based in Arizona and but they were fairly new and I mean they don't they definitely know how to advertise, that's for sure. but yeah, Ryan Head: That's awesome. Jess: great race, great people. It was a fantastic experience. So Ryan Head: Do you do you remember what the course profile is on it? how much vert or yeah, bird or descent on that? Jess: it was nineteen or twenty thousand feet invert altogether. Yeah. It was a little bit Ryan Head: holy c Jess: easier than than double's gold. Ryan Head: A little bit. Just a little just slight just slightly but but with n Jess: Just a little bit. Just a little bit. Just just a little bit. Ryan Head: with no train. Okay, so what Jess: But not training. Ryan Head: What is call, seriously? my gosh. That's impressive. 19,000. that's just you signing up and going and doing yeah, a couple of these races here in Utah. Same root. I can only imagine what you're going through. so what what's something what what was one key to success when you were out there? Because obviously, you know Yes, you were probably a little under trained. and maybe I'm saying that liberally, but or conservatively, however you wanna look at it. but what was one key to success? What would be something that you're like, this it because I did this, this is why I was successful, and I was able to get a finish there. Because really three weeks, like, come on. Like, who are we kidding? Like, that's insane. That that's really ins like it's impress it's so impressive, like That's why I'm like so wanted you on here is I'm like, what in the world is happening? But yeah, what was the key to success? what was something that you were like, because I did this, I I think that helped me get a finish out there. Jess: think three words go one more that was how I was Ryan Head: Heck yeah. Jess: able to finish and I I say that because literally there were times where I was seeing things that didn't belong there. I mean black bears, lady just sitting in the street somewhere. I mean just random things that I've Ryan Head: Yeah. Jess: never hallucinated like that before. so I would literally just tell myself just go one more. One more step, one more one more climb, one more descent, one more rock, just one more of something. And then occasionally I'd count to ten and then ten became a thousand, you know. I mean and then it became one more. So really just go one more was how I was able to finish. Ryan Head: I love that mindset. And I know it's kind of become popular because of Cam Hanes or Truitt or whoever it is. I always forget that. But it's so cool though when you like actually apply it. Because you always hear people and you see the shirts and the hats, and I've seen all that stuff, and Jess: Yeah. Ryan Head: I'm like, blah blah blah blah blah. I I get it, okay, cool, whatever. But I I want people to show me with their actions. That's where I'm like, I I wanna see the person do it. And yes, like me and you've been running now for whatever, 10, 15 years, whatever the number is now. You know, running is becoming very, very popular, especially ultra running. But we were doing this before it was like really, really popular. And it's cool to see, you know, some of us who are like, no, we were we did this and there was no notoriety there was no banners there's no nothing there's not all the social media Jess: Hallelujah. Ryan Head: that's around it we were just like we we forged ourselves when there wasn't a lot and anyways it's just cool i love hearing that from you because i mean obviously yeah you don't finish a hundred miler by getting lucky i i've said this a thousand times Jess: Mm-hmm. Ryan Head: no one finishes a hundred miler by being lucky it is forged through preparation through dedication through commitment through being resilient by staying locked in mentally. You don't accomplish that just again by getting lucky. And and you've done that. You've done that countless races, one after another after another. And and yes, like you said, you had three weeks to prep. But in reality too, like you're such a good runner. It was already in you, I think. And and again, I'm not saying people shouldn't prep. I'm not saying people shouldn't get ready for a hundred and do the right steps for a hundred. But Jess: yeah. Ryan Head: All that being said, I think because of who you are, it did make the process doable and possible. And I think that's that's the beauty of it. I think that's what's really cool about your experience and what you were able to accomplish. So super impressive. Well, cool. one question. I mean, you've kind of talked about this, and you've alluded to it over and over and over, but what does community mean to you in this sport? And and when I say that, community can be your pacers, it could be your crew. I've talked about how important community is to me, and I absolutely love community. But yeah, what does it mean to you? What does community mean? Q, especially when it comes to running. Jess: Okay, so to me, community means showing up for one another. it doesn't matter if you're the fastest runner, the slowest runner, or somewhere in between. We're all facing our own challenges. And what makes this sport so special is how we can come together, encourage, and support each other. That's what that means. Ryan Head: Heck yeah Heck yeah. That's super cool. And I agree with you. it's cool. We we started a running club here in Utah. it's called by it has a bunch of different names. I it originally started as the Ogden Marathon Running Club and then kind of become the Northern Utah Running Club and anyways, and this club is just like it the community is amazing and we show up for each other. Like of course we all want to be fast, we all want to do great in our races, but like when someone gets a PR, maybe someone else does it, we're all cheering for everybody. Regardless, and we all want each other to be successful. We try to show up and help pace or crew on ultras, and I think that's what it's all about. I love what you said there. It it really is. It's such, so, so important, and absolutely love it. So, no, I'm grateful that you say that. So, well, we are coming to the end of the podcast, and it's the reason why we do this podcast in the first place. Why? The question for you is why? Why do you do all Why are you Yeah, why do you do these ultras? right? You've been you've been running now since twenty eleven. I think that's what it was that you said, and you've been beating the target of your body over and over and over, and heaven knows, like, I'm sure there's been multiple injuries and possible setbacks and yada yada yada and life's thrown curveballs at ya. Why? Why do you do this to yourself? Why is it something that you're like, Ryan, I love this sport because it's this. Yeah. What's your why behind all this? Jess: I know my Y has definitely changed over time, for sure. At first, my why was was therapy, just over a lot of difficult and challenging times in my life. And so I would use running to process anything that I was going through. So instead of running from my feelings or from whatever was going on, I used to run towards it to help process whatever I was going through. So now my why has changed. So, I have, for instance, I have a granddaughter and she's three. And so my why has changed to I want her to know that she also is capable of doing hard things. She doesn't have to be a runner like her nana. She can do whatever the heck she wants to do and still, you know. and that I think has now become my why. It's not because of her, but just because I want others to others to see. That if I can encourage someone to do what they can and know that they're capable of doing something, that's what I want them to to do. Ryan Head: That's awesome. I love that. I I'm the same way. One of my favorite things to do, and my slogan, I always I it's on my my signature, if you will, for my emails to my athletes and stuff is I'm like, if I can do it, so can you. And I'm definitely not the most gifted athlete. Heaven knows I'm not. I've had my right knee reconstructed twice. I have many issues with my knees. but I've always been like, I'm gonna do it. I'm gonna go. I'm gonna try to be the very best version of myself out there. And I wanna prove to people it doesn't matter what your circumstances are, doesn't matter where you're at, no matter what's going on, if I can do it, you can too. And I get it, there's so many circumstances out there and there's difficult times and we live in a crazy world right now, amongst other things and whatnot. But I always am like, I know people can do hard things and and they don't have to do hundred milers. I'm not saying that's what they have to do. I'm not saying Jess: Mm mm. Ryan Head: that you have to go run a marathon. What I'm saying is whatever you find impossible that you're man, I'd love to do that, but that just seems impossible. It is possible. You can do it. it starts with like Jess: Mm-hmm. Ryan Head: what you perfectly outlined here, Jess. It it starts with creating a game plan and relying on the community and being supportive and executing against that game plan and just taking it one step at a time. And if you do that, I mean that's the that's the six story of success. That's how so many people, you know, whoever it is Whether that's Tom Brady, that's Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, whoever, they all had game plans and they attacked it and they stuck to that. And if they can do that, that's when great things happen. So, anyways, I love it. So, thank you for sharing that. And it's so cool that your your granddaughter is that example to you. just gonna be honest with you, 100%. You do not look like you have a granddaughter. So Jess: Ha ha. Ryan Head: I'm like, what? Like, are you serious? You definitely do Jess: Yeah. Ryan Head: look so young, you look very, very young so very very Jess: Well thank you. Ryan Head: impr very impressive so anyways but well cool well the last thing i always like to do on the podcast is kind of just a fun thing that i like to do with a lot of my guests is we do the lightning round you've probably seen some of the questions but it's just kind of more kind of lightning round questions it's meant to be you can answer with one word you can answer it with 10 whatever you want but it doesn't have to be anything too crazy So you okay if we do these? Jess: Yeah. Ryan Head: Awesome. Okay, favorite race distance. Jess: Favorite race dances is a hundred K. That's a nice little sweet spot, just enough to be challenging and I mean I love a hundred milers, don't get me wrong. I'm still gonna do those and more, but a hundred K, that's a good sweet spot for me. Ryan Head: Heck yeah, that's cool. That's cool. I think I already know the answer to this one because you've touched on it quite a few times. Road or trails? Jess: Recently I'm gonna say both. I do prefer trails, but I do I Ryan Head: Yeah. Heck yeah. Jess: have been running a little bit of road and a little bit of of trails. So a little bit of both. Ryan Head: Heck yeah. Okay. Cool. I know Mike, I think she's a hundred percent trails, but that's awesome. Jess: Mm-hmm. Ryan Head: I'm the same way. I've been I've been trying to get back into roads just a little bit. So I yeah, again, love it. It's what got me all into this whole thing. So that's cool. morning or evening runs? Jess: I'm gonna have to say both on that one. during the Ryan Head: Heck yeah, that's cool. Jess: during the during the week it's at least in the afternoon I'll sneak in a lunch run or in the evening. And then of course the weekends it's the morning to afternoon. Ryan Head: That's cool. Awesome. Okay. okay, next one, favorite post-run or post-race meal? Jess: Well, it's not a meal per se, but I love Ryan Head: Mm-hmm. Jess: just a package of peanut butter M's. That's it. Ryan Head: Let's go! Heck yeah! I love it. My my favorite candy of all time is peanut MM. So so yeah, I get ya. I get ya a hundred percent. Jess: Nice. Ryan Head: I I can eat a whole bag in one setting and not just any day of the year. So that's awesome. I love it. That's cool. I struggle to eat after a race. I don't know what it is, and I know I mean I do know why it happens. I've researched it and chat GPT'd it and everything else, but gall, it's so hard to eat after a race. I just do not have Jess: Mm. Ryan Head: have any appetite so but that's awesome. K on your runs or races, music, podcasts, or silence. Jess: Silence during the day, music and podcast at night. Ryan Head: Heck yeah, heck yeah. Okay. Music. I love to ask this question because I'm gonna eventually get a playlist put together. So many people have are we ever getting this playlist put together? I'm gonna get to it eventually. What is one song that's on your playlist right now that you're like? Or it it could be on any any one of your runs for your races that you've done. But yeah, what's the song that you're like? yeah, you always I've gotta have this on there. It just motivates me and gets me going. Especially if you're at night or whatever. Jess: Don't stop believing by journey. Ryan Head: Let's go, let's go! That's one of my favorites as well. I definitely Jess: Yeah, that's a good one. Ryan Head: Yeah, it's that was my that was my theme song for the Antelope One Hundred or Buffalo One Hundred in 25 when I was like, Yeah, Jess: Nice. Ryan Head: I'm gonna gotta go back and I'm gonna beat this thing and I was like we don't stop believing because we're gonna we're gonna destroy this thing. So cool. Well Jess, this has been so awesome. I really like I've enjoyed having you on here. you're you've been a wealth of knowledge. I think so many people are gonna hear this and it's gonna be really good. Are you okay if you know people followed you on social media if I tagged you in the notes in the show notes and everything? Jess: Yeah, absolutely. Yeah, that's what they find. For sure. Ryan Head: Awesome. Cool. Well, I'm just telling you guys for those listening to this, give her a follow. you're gonna you're it's gonna be impressive. You'll be like, what in the world? the races she's doing, she's always out pushing, and then it's really cool because she'll a lot of times be posting some of her pictures from her runs and just that beautiful country up in Washington. So follow her, She's doing some amazing things and just super, super impressive what she's doing and where she's going. So Jess, thanks for coming on. I really appreciate you coming on the podcast today and and sharing your story with. With us. Jess: Yeah, thank you for having me. Coach Ryan Head: Hey runner, thanks for hanging out with me today on Reimagine Running. I'm grateful you're here and a part of this great podcast. I just want to remind you, if you ever feel stuck and unsure or just want someone in your corner, I do offer coaching for runners at any distance, whether you're starting out with the 5K or you're chasing some crazy big goals and dreams like the marathon or the 100 miler, I'd love to help you. Please reach out and I'd be happy to set up a time to go over options and plans and goals with you. Well, until next time. Take care of yourself, trust the process, stay disciplined and keep chasing that Y.