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@snormand18

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Ultrarunner | Moab 240 and Bigfoot 200 Endurance finisher

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by @snormand18

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5 days ago

We dropped @bennormand14 off at school yesterday. Wow time flies! He's the last to leave the house and off to make his own path. Create his own story and discover who he will become. This is such a bittersweet milestone. With all the joy and pride I can't shake this sensation that nothing will be as it once was. It will be different, but a good different. It's hard to remember a time when kids weren't in the house. We're empty nesters @mattnoton_ig ! taken in Husson University by @snormand18

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2 months ago

Hit my favorite trail with my favorite guy before he heads off to college next week. A few more 4K footers knocked off, too. We lucked out with great weather and overall a perfect day. Thanks @bennormand14 for steadying your pace so I could keep up! You're speedy- maybe a trail run in your future? taken in Franconia Ridge Loop by @snormand18

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2 months ago

Heading to the mountains always feels like a reset and after a long couple weeks I was ready to hit the trails and grind. And as an extra treat, I got to be part of @stark.livin taper as they get ready to crush Big Foot in two weeks! We did Percy Peaks and then a dip in Recovery River which was amazing. Thanks for the delish meals and incredible hospitality Jackie and Nick! by @snormand18

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2 months ago

Stephen Jones Memorial to Tahoe City
A volunteer took incredible care of me packed up fruit, made mashed potatoes I had stashed in my pack.
Tahoe City to Brockway Summit
Somewhere in this stretch I had a low. I was sulking and I knew it. @scottimlay200 and @cassadybirdsong pulled me out. We started playing trail games and somehow the funk lifted. I will never take for granted what the people next to you can do in the dark miles of a race like this.

Brockway Summit to Village Green
Beautiful trails to start. And then the Powerline section. It is brutal. I don't know how I didn't break a pole, an ankle, or my entire will to live. Hot, exposed, relentless.
Stumbled into town looking and smelling like someone who had been in the woods for days. Which I had.
Village Green to Spooner Summit
Village Green felt like a festival for the weary. Green grass, music, people sleeping in the open air. Always great seeing @wonderlostunicorn
This section has everything- long climbs, long descents, smooth trail, big views. And then, cruising through the dark, we reached Spooner! @stark.livin was there. There is nothing like seeing people who genuinely want you to succeed waiting for you in the night. That fire at the last aid station was exactly the boost I needed to get me to the finish.
Spooner Summit to Finish
I decided to run this last section alone. Partly because I had a flight to catch, but also because it felt like something I had to do. I thought about every person I encountered along the way. Names I can't always recall, but impressions I won't forget. The volunteers, the strangers, the friends, the familiar faces at aid stations, the runners who ran beside me for an hour and then disappeared into the dark. I carried all of them through those final miles.
These races change people. That's the only way I know how to say it. You see what's possible. You discover what you're capable of becoming. You witness genuine goodness in other people and in yourself. You are humbled and inspired by the land, the stories, the strength and courage of everyone around you.
I don't take any of it for granted. And I bring all of it back with me into everyday life. by @snormand18

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4 months ago

Sierra at Tahoe to Wrights Lake
@arunningfool crew was there and they were incredible. They let us sleep in the car. That nap was absolute gold.
Eating was becoming a challenge, not from lack of wanting to, but my body wanted to stop moving. I regressed to toddler food. Watery oatmeal. Grapes. Whatever was soft and required no effort. You do what you have to do.
Leaving Sierra at Tahoe, we picked up the Pony Express Trail again and entered the downed tree section. Instantly took me back to Bigfoot 200. Over, under, over, under. We cleared more than 30 downed trees between here and the backside of Lovers Leap. The vegetation had swallowed the trail in places completely obscuring the corridor. Thick doesn’t begin to cover it.
Logs. Water. Bugs. Swamp.

Wrights Lake to Loon Lake
More water. More logs. More brush. And somehow, even better views.
This stretch felt the most remote of the entire course. It’s also where the wheels started to wobble for me. Tired. Nauseous. Grinding.
When it gets hard I try to pull myself back to the people who got me here. My family and the sacrifices they make so I can go on these adventures. My friends, my colleagues. everyone who believes in me even when I’m not sure I believe in myself. That helps. Mostly. But I won’t pretend I don’t throw myself an occasional pity party out there. I can be a great host.

Loon Lake to Barker Pass
Another low. Head down, just moving.
The terrain shifted to something that reminded me of Moab big open slabs. We hit it in the early morning before the Jeeps were out, and honestly that whole world felt magical. It felt like stepping back in time. I wish I had taken more pictures.
The water crossings through here were unavoidable. Thigh deep at points. Eventually you stop caring and just walk straight through.

Barker Pass to Stephen Jones Memorial — 7.5 miles
Mashed potatoes in my drop bag. Extra watery. I have never been so grateful for anything in my life.
Watermelon with extra salt. Absolute perfection.
I felt like I was dining at a Michelin-starred restaurant. Watch out, Gordon Ramsay. The @destinationtrailraces aid station food is coming for you. by @snormand18

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4 months ago

Day 1 — Start to Heavenly
This race was always meant to feel different. I was running unsupported by choice. I needed to be responsible for my own actions — to pull myself through the highs, the lows, and everything in between.
At the start line though, I wasn’t alone for long. Angela, Cassady, and so many familiar faces. New ones too, like Robbie from AZ an absolute ultra machine. The air was thick with excitement & nerves.
Candice kicked things off with the Destination Trail creed: “If I get lost, hurt, or die it’s my own damn fault.” Luckily, none of those applied.
And we were off.

Heavenly to Armstrong Pass
A cruisy start. Out and back, so we got to see the front of the pack coming through always a good energy boost. Snow crossings early, which was welcome because the temps were already climbing. I grabbed handfuls of snow and put it on my head just to stay cool.
At 9,000 feet, the views were something else.
At the first real aid station I sock changed, food, water, and keep moving. There’s work to be done. We refueled and pushed on.
The sky as night approached — blues and pinks that words can’t do justice to. One of the volunteers had his 100-miler belt buckle on and was glowing with pride. Said he’d been volunteering for years. The kind of person who makes these races what they are.

Armstrong Pass to Housewife Hill
30+ miles in and things were getting real. Logs, water crossings, heat. We took it all.
The trail was in great shape to start a few logs to hop, a short climb up to Big Meadow, then a long descent into the canyon. And somewhere in here we met @happygolucky_runner . She started running in her mid 40s. She’s now in her 60s. She has built an incredible community around her and carries this powerful energy. She ran with us for a stretch.

Housewife Hill to Sierra at Tahoe
The terrain shifted. We picked up the Pony Express Trail and the views opened wide as the route moved through the Caldor Fire burn area - haunting and beautiful. Smooth, flowing singletrack. As we approached Sierra at Tahoe, a short climb led us up to the road, then a gradual uphill stretch brought us into the aid station. Still moving. Still smiling. Sorta. by @snormand18

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4 months ago

It's been just over a week since I crossed the finish line at Tahoe 200. In that time I've taken a red-eye to Florida, met with clients, had team meetings, flew back to NH and celebrated Father's Day. Life doesn't slow down. This is my 3rd 200 miler and this one felt different from start to finish.
Pre-Race
I headed out to Tahoe alone. For every one of these races before, I've had my awesome crew right there beside me. This time I had emotional support, but I was navigating it on my own and honestly there was something exciting about that. A new layer of challenges.
From the moment I left NH I found myself looking for signs that things were going to be okay.
Traveling solo turned out to be something I wasn't expecting- liberating. Everyone should do it at least once.
Once I landed, I picked up my rental, loaded everything up, hit Walmart for snacks, and headed toward Tahoe with my playlist put together by family, friends, and coworkers. Loved every second of it. And Tahoe itself is stunning. A beautiful ski and lake town filled with summer tourists.
That night I laid out all my gear, grabbed some food, did a little people watching, and tried to settle my nerves. Immediate takeaway- pack less. I had way too much stuff. My drop bags looked like a vending machine.
The next morning was packet pickup, which meant one of my favorite parts of these events - familiar faces. The same community showing up again. by @snormand18

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4 months ago

What an adventure! After 9 years of an altered route the full Tahoe 200 was back. Saying it was just a rough (yet beautiful) course doesn't quite capture the experience. You needed grit for this one. For me these races are about the adventure. The people you meet, the friends you make and the shared understanding by just exchanging a look. To all the incredible runners, volunteers, workers, supporters and everyone who had a hand in Tahoe 200. Thank you! Full race reflection to come! taken in Heavenly at Tahoe by @snormand18

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4 months ago

The reality is majority of us Ultra runners are balancing our everyday busy life amidst our training and at times it can feel overwhelming. It’s important to find time for the things that are most important to us, even if it means we aren’t perfect when it comes to checking the boxes on training.

For Sarah, it’s the sacrifices she has had to make along the way as well as the grace she gives yourself that has allowed her to train for and complete 200+ mile races whilst still showing up for her family.

Listen in on Sarah’s inspirational story and catch the full episode of The Everyday Ultra Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts. by @snormand18

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4 months ago

Tahoe 200, baby! 200 miles circumventing the beautiful Lake Tahoe. Hundreds of runners will toe the line tomorrow for an epic adventure. An adventure, or a journey to find out what we're capable of. I'm often asked why do this, something so extreme (I know, I know, you don't like to drive 200 miles-same) but these races spark something so powerful from within. This will be my third 200 and each time I learn something new and about myself. This time I'm hoping to hone in on self reliance. With that said, I traveled here alone but am supported by so many like @arunningfool and @cassadybirdsong who will be on course with me, @stark.livin who will be cheering and waiting to send me to the finish at the final aid station, @itslizmyers whose coached me to get me here and of course my family back in NH @mattnoton_ig , @omaietta and @bennormand14.
If you want to follow the adventure from home you can track me at @destinationtrailraces Trails: https://www.destinationtrailrun.com/tahoe-live-tracking taken in South Lake Tahoe, California by @snormand18

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4 months ago

He did it! Congratulations @bennormand14! We are so proud of you and can't wait for the adventures that are ahead! To the friends, family, teachers and coaches, we're so very grateful for all that you've taught and support you've shown. We're closing the chapter in Hopkinton and excited for all to come at @hussonu! taken in Hopkinton, New Hampshire by @snormand18

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4 months ago