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In this episode, Troy Meadows talks with Justine Bello, a trail runner and single mother, who shares her journey of discovering her love for running, finding balance between parenting and running, and her experience at the Grand Canyon, the moment that she realized that trail running was possible for her. She also discusses her project to map drinking fountains in Washington, DC and the importance of having a support network. Justine highlights the impact of having a coach and shares her experience running the Grindstone 100K race. Justine shares her experience at the Grindstone 100K race, where she faced challenges and made the decision to DNF. She reflects on the importance of working through lows and knowing when to listen to her body. Justine discusses her future race plans and the balance between racing and parenting. She also highlights the significance of the Free Trail Fems and Free Trail Mental Health groups in her life.

Takeaways

• Finding balance between parenting and running requires creating systems and processes to manage time effectively.

• Building a support network is crucial for managing the challenges of parenting and pursuing personal goals.

• Having a coach provides not only guidance in training but also emotional and spiritual support.

• Taking on new challenges, such as longer distances, can lead to personal growth and new experiences. It's important to embrace the highs and lows of endurance races and believe that things can get better.

• Knowing when to push through and when to listen to your body is crucial in ultramarathons.

• Making decisions that prioritize your health and well-being, especially as a parent, is essential.

• Finding support and community in groups like Free Trail FEMS and mental health channels can have a profound impact on personal growth and well-being.

Justine’s links

Strava

Things we talked about on the show

Grand Canyon

Rock Creek Park DC

Shenandoah NP 

The Public Water Project

Ricky Gates Every Street Project, YouTube Video

Grindstone 100k

Cabin Fever 50k in Feb (Fayetteville, WV) 

Promise Land 50k (outside of Lynchburg, VA)

Jenkin’s Gap Shenandoah NF

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