This is a Sandy Boy productions podcast.
Hey everybody. Welcome to All have another podcast
with Lindsay He. I'm your host Lindsay. Thanks
so much for joining me today. Today on
the podcast, we have Sierra D on the
show,
introducing you to another ultra runner.
I'm am excited to share her story with
you. She's actually
competing in bad water 01:35
next week. So make sure you go follow
her on Instagram, and you can check out
how she's doing over there. Her Instagram is
s Dig, DEGR0FF.
Sierra is a
hundred mile Etf champion, as well as a
24 hour
Usa champion.
She started running Ultra in 20 15, and
she's really excel at the hundred mile distance.
She... For sure has a shot. To win
bad water next week, so it's gonna be
really exciting to see what she does.
She's run bad water before and did not
have the greatest experience, but she's coming back
to
give it another go. She's run over a
dozen hundred mile,
She lives right outside of Las Vegas, Nevada,
and also has a full time
9 to 5 job. She's gonna share about
all things running working and training for bad
water in this episode. If you are enjoying
the podcast, please leave us a quick rating
and review, That's on itunes or Spotify. You
can also support my work when you go
to patreon dot com slash lindsay hi. Alright.
Please enjoy my conversation with Sierra D.
Hey, everybody.
To stay on the podcast. We have Sierra
D g on the show. Welcome to the
show, Sierra.
Hello.
How are you?
I'm good. Just got home from work, just
hanging out.
Nice and hot in Vegas, like, a hundred
and 10 out right now. So
What is the hot there? Like, is that...
It is it a humid hot or, like,
a dry hot? What is it? Dry.
Okay... We've had, like, a little bit of
humidity, like... Leave, but I mean, hot for
Vegas can get up to, like, 01:15
or so. So it's it's about there right
now.
Leave So... This might be a really broad
basic question, but what is it like living
in Las Vegas?
Well, I've been here about 8 years now.
So it's been a little bit. I'm from
Michigan originally, and I went to school in
Ohio. So
Midwest,
now you know, born and raised and then
moved out here. I live in Summer, which
is actually, like, a suburb of Las Vegas.
I mean, by, like, my mailing address in
Las Vegas, but over by, like, Red Rock
and stuff,
it's
it's totally normal. I mean, I've lived downtown
like, I've lived off of Las Vegas Boulevard
to and that's probably the true
experience of whatever everybody thinks of.
But, yeah. Like, more recently, I've got a
condo over in Summer couple years ago. So
it's... You know, it's just casual, suburb verbiage.
I mean, you got your homeless people and
you know, all that stuff, But,
not that crazy. Like, I'm barely ever on
the strip. So, you know, it's, like, close
enough if you want it, but it's far
enough but
really deal with it if you don't want
to. So... Yeah. Can feel like a world
away.
Do you ever miss the Midwest?
I, I... Sometimes, yeah. Like, there's definitely things
we don't get here that are, like, the
Great Lake. Like, I'm from Michigan and my
parents have a house. I'm, like, Michigan and
all that. And that's definitely the place to
be in the summertime. So it's seriously. You
know,
Taking a change for the desert and super
hot temps and all that out here. So
there's some trade off that's for sure, but
we don't have bugs. We don't have humidity.
And
yeah. There's a lot of other things. Like,
anywhere that's desirable is like, a 5 hour
drive, I feel like, in the Midwest or
you're hopping on a plane and going
2 times zones over. So
just this is a lot more accessible out
here for a lot of stuff. So I
don't know.
But I do miss. My family it's all
there. And everything. So gonna try to get
back pretty soon here. Yeah. You gotta schedule
that in the summertime, but you've got a
lot going on. I saw you got back
into bad water. And Mh. Yeah. So that's
that's the main focus right now is training
and
getting places to train for that. Like, we're
in Saint. George last. Weekend, and this weekend,
I'm headed out to Lone Pine. Gonna do
a big climbing run. I already did the
portal fine. So we're gonna do a different
1 this week again, but and then we're
in Colorado next weekend for another race to
tune up. So we'll we'll see after all
this fun in July, we'll
right to head up to Michigan, maybe end
of July or August or something. So... What
do your parents think about what you do?
With your running. Well,
you know, my dad's always been a little
more,
interested and involved, I guess, if you will.
He actually went out to bad water last
year. So that was... Yeah.
He really wanted to go. So I was
like, well, you really picked a a big
Alt to do your first 1 at had.
So I don't know. That was it was
cool. Like, my friend came out, and he
was you know, he's got to us in
lone pine and at the finish to take
some pictures because he's a professional photographer, and
he kinda just, like, tag going with my
dad and they hung out. For the week
and that was cool, so we didn't have
to just be by himself because... And you
might dad thinks. I'm really tough
for have you probably a little crazy too
with how much I run, but I feel
like, you know, I've done a runner for
so long? Just not ultra runner that
I don't wanna say I'll blame it on
him, but, you know, the whole cross country
thing in high school that wasn't in.
My doing that was, like, my coach and
my parents. That were like, come on. You
gotta do this, and it's, like, alright, I
guess.
So fault I got hooked.
Yeah. Exactly. But no regrets. I love it.
So they're I'm I'm happy.
Well, that's interesting that he
came to bad water for his first ultra
of years to to witness.
Because also you got really sick.
Yeah. And So I think that I would
be scary as a parent to see. Like,
oh my gosh. I think I just be
like, come just come getting the car. Come
on.
Yeah. No.
I definitely... I've had some rough hundreds. I've
done, like, 16 at this point, and that
1 was definitely 1 of the top stuff
or fast, I'd say, I mean, everything was
going right until it wasn't, You know, I
was with the lead pack for the first
40 miles with Harvey and Ashley and Simon,
and You know, I wasn't cooling properly. I
mean, now I can look back at all
the mistakes that were made that we're not
gonna make this year, but
yeah, When things got bad, It was just
worse. And then it got a little better,
and then I lost, like, almost 20 pounds
out there from throwing thrown up. So that
was pretty bad. But
Wow.
Did you... I mean, in 20 pounds that,
like, your body probably can't really afford to
lose. Like, did you have to go to
the hospital after that?
Didn't go to the hospital. No. I mean,
some people might have, but
you know, I mean, you do enough of
these. You're, like, okay. As long as I'm
better, like, a a day or 2, like,
I shouldn't need, you know, I mean, the
day of, in the day after it's kind
of hard to judge, but everything kinda of
subsided after that. And... No. I mean, the
few stopped and, they will start eating again
and drinking, so that's the important thing.
You know, if I was in danger, I
feel like I would have but you got
your crew with you and you're... You're not,
like, off the grid. So I mean, I
needed medical attention and it was there. You
know? Yeah. So
what about
bad water... Like,
how do you wanna go back
to a place where you suffered so severely.
And I know you said, like, Oh, we're
gonna fix all the things that Mh. We
didn't do right. But does it scare you
a little bit to know that that suffering
is out there?
I mean, of course. Like, I've... Like I
said, this isn't my first rodeo. Like I've
had a couple suffer fast at this point.
But I think that's how you get better
at these hundreds. I mean, it's not, like,
the shorter stuff where it's all calculated, and,
you know, you can be like while I
did this on this training run and this
on that. Like, you do all that. But
with the hundred Mile, there's just so many
other factors and how do you, like, deal
with the... While challenges and stuff.
I mean it makes me want it even
more, and... I'd love to win. I mean,
that's, like, my goal would be to win
the race and, you know, 24 to 28
hour would be my Able. But, and, the
everything has to go right for that, you
know. So
Yeah. I mean, I really wanna do it
right this time. So I don't have to
go back for a little bit. But
and then who is your crew gonna be
this time? Is it some of the same
people, all of the same people?
Yeah. So, like, 50 percent will be coming
back? So my boyfriend Joe, and my John
Will,
we've actually... We've ran, like, 80 miles and
a hundred before together. So, like, before he
ever accrued me, he was, like, a really
good, you know, running buddy,
and then my friend Maya will be a
new 1, and she's done she's been running
under Mile for over 10 years now. She's
been doing it forever. And then
my friend Megan Ec. I don't know if
you know who that is. She just had
a phenomenal
performance at 6 days in the dome. She
ran, like, 526
miles, so she's, like, next up behind camille,
I think for the world's
record. Yeah. Like I'm friends with Camille too,
but I'm like, dang, Megan, like, you know,
she's a teacher, like, not a full time
runner. I mean, I'm not a full time
runner either, but I'm like, you're just amazing.
You know. So,
yeah. Meghan and Maya will be new and
the other 2 are veterans, but Meghan's has
been out there before. So Maya is really
the only, like, bad water virgin, if you
will that hasn't crew paste or ran the
race or anything. So,
Yeah. We should be good. I mean, I'm
I'm not too nervous about it. Like, I'm
fortunate enough. I have tons of friends that
either live nearby or do it. So it
wasn't a big deal to fill the slots.
Okay. That race you mentioned that your friend
Megan did, and she's... Because you said she
did what 5 2520
miles? Think, 526
and Camille was, like, what, like, 05:60.
I it, like, 5... What with a 60
crazy. I think I I don't know. That...
Like don't quote on this. No. Pretty it
was 40 or 60 because I... Yeah. I
just talked to interviewed her.
Well, the the reason I followed up on
that is because I'm, like, you know, with
the camille thing, they had so... Much P
because of the Lulu lim further project. And
when you mentioned this race, I'm like, I
don't remember saying anything about that. And, like,
that's a big deal. Much It is a
big deal. I mean, like, Megan Ted's and
very
standout performances. I mean, I... You know, I've...
I'm her friend, So, obviously, I follow, but,
like, She's doing big this year too. I
mean, she... She she is. Yeah. She ran,
like, 2 70 miles at the last man
standing earlier this year and beat guy or
something... You know, like, she's done some really
high mileage,
55 or, you know, like, multi day force
things where... In this, you know, I'm not
surprised that she did so well at the
dome,
And it's a Us Atf, race and stuff.
So I mean, it's in... I think it's
in Milwaukee. So it's
I don't know where we're in the Midwest.
Right? I I was for a long time.
I'm in grocery right now, but I'm from
Indiana. Okay. Yeah. So, I mean, I don't
know.
In a track for 6 days inside. That's
just terrible to me. You. I've done a
track race outside, but indoors and that was
for
hundred miles, which is funny. So
wow.
That's Wild.
So
you know, you mentioned cross country as as
as a high school or and your dad
and your coach kinda getting you into it.
Mh. But I looked up your ultra.
Sign up results and everything, and I saw
you run your first ultra in 20 15
at 24.
Is that... That's the first on ultra sign
up that I saw. Is there anything before
that? That's accurate. No. That's accurate. Yeah.
So that's pretty young 24 to do your
first ultra.
What was the impetus for that? How did
you get into Ultra?
Yeah. So,
I... Like I said, I grew up in
Michigan. I went to school at University at
Toledo. So in college, I worked at Dates
running shop. Which has a pretty big presence
in, like, Ohio. They had like, 4 running
stores and they put on the Glass City
marathon.
So I was working there, and I was
on their race, team
because they had, like, a door race team,
and I don't know. I mean, I... I
was looking at... I think it was Woodstock.
It's my first and then it was looking
at that, and it wasn't gonna be a
e queue. And at the time, like, all
I realized, like, her about was marathons, and
I was, like... And couple more dollars to
do the 50 k. It's Like oh. You
know, Let's let's try something new. Like, it's
a trail raise or whatever. So, yeah. I
went and did a
It was okay. Like, at the time, I
wasn't, like, sold on Alt because it wasn't...
People were as into it, especially back then
and in Midwest. Is, like, nobody really did
that stuff. Like, it was just, like marathons
or half marathons. So...
Yeah. That that wasn't really what sparked it
for me.
It... Because if you look, it took a
little bit to, like, you know, raise the
distance and mh, really get in do it.
Like, couple years. So moving out here definitely
helped,
grow that passion for sure. So 16 hundreds.
Yes. Do that I've completed. I've attempted 18.
I've finished 16.
Okay. Let's dissect those a little bit. What
was the hardest?
Oh,
ma'am,
I mean trailer road.
What do you like better trailer road? I
mean, I'm better at road. I I kinda
like the road better because that's, like, you
know, my background,
but I I do have, like, a soft
spot for trails. I mean, they're super pretty.
Like, the places that I've been on some
of these trails and these hundreds. They're just
phenomenal. I mean, like, cascade crest, 100. For...
Okay. So for trails,
that was probably...
Let's say that was probably the hardest.
Trail. Cascade hundred.
Cass Crest in Washington.
Yeah. Okay.
And I don't know if that's because it
was, like, the first of, like, 3 that
I did the summer of 20 22. I
had, like, a 2 week gap and between
Cascade Crest Angels Crest and lead bill. So
That was a little wild.
But Washington's
trails are just so rugged. Like, and you
wouldn't think that and the births not that
high, but
Yeah. The terrain just super techie. At least
from what I'm used to. I mean, we're
kind of technical in Nevada, but there's some
run stuff too. You, so
It's a that for trail, and then for
road.
I mean, bad water, of course. So the
loop stuff's kinda hard too, though. I mean,
because you really gotta
have a different, like,
mental game with that, because, you know, you're
just doing, like, the track race. It did,
like, over 400 loops around the track. I
mean, you can't
Yeah. There's no, like, even keeping track at
that point, you know? So,
I don't know. I think a 24 hour.
If I
completed a 24 hour on a track because
it sol this, I pulled the plug at
a hundred miles because I had just done
fat box like weeks prior. And as just
like, I'm trash. Like, I can't I can't
imagine another extra. However, many hours around this
track,
I think that would be really tough. Like,
a 24 hour around a track. Just haven't
done the whole time yet. So
But, you, if you hadn't have just done
the Fat 24 hours.
I'm sure you would have completed. Yeah. Yeah.
It wasn't a matter of, like, can I
do this? It was just like, I had
won the hundred, and I got my buckle
and everything, And I mean, I I don't
wanna sound like, a baby but I'm like,
I wanna go to bed, but I wanna
lose sleep because I didn't, you know, I
didn't take extra time off work or anything
either. We just, like, drove down the Phoenix
after work on a Friday and had to
go back on... I don't know why to
do that.
I don't know how you do that? So
you work full time. You have a normal
8 to 5 job. What do you do?
I'm an account manager for sales. So
yeah. I sell electrical
distribution equipment
for vital electric supplies. So,
yeah. It's it's fun. I'm, like, 8 to
04:30, Monday through Friday and
when I'm not working, I'm usually running or
at the gym or
doing something of that nature. So This is
why we're recording this, 08:30,
eastern time, 05:30,
Pacific time.
Yeah.
Would you normally be running right now though?
Like, did you carve it out? Or are
you gonna go run after this?
No.
I was supposed to do a double today,
but I did a double. Yes. Screwed instead.
So I I planned ahead when I got
your email. I was like, we'll just do
it I mean, I can flip flop. It's
it's not big deal. As long as the
mileage just getting in Don't care whether it's
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I saw that you
recently ish started working with a coach?
Yeah. So I
I heard my first coach for Jackpot.
I had Connor,
Camille husband been coaching me, so we did
a little bit together and... Okay.
You know, I I basically bought a plan
from those guys, so it wasn't, like, a
very, like, 1 on 1 sort of thing.
So
I I don't know I Maybe didn't from
Connor. Yeah. And, I mean, I a degree
in exercise science, and I don't really have
an accountability problem. Like, I, you know, I've
been training myself for years, and I I
will do the workouts. Like, I will do
the miles. It's just
I don't know. I I kind of, like,
needed somebody more to talk to, I guess,
if you will, and it's nothing against them,
and I probably... Like I said, I just
bought the wrong plan.
So I actually...
I I met Anna,
my current coach back at H
last... Year, because she was coaching Ryan at
the time, Montgomery,
and I was
kind of in the same tent as those
guys because I was Korean pacing Rachel North
fleet,
and that's 1 of Ryan's like best friends.
So anyways, I like got
in the mix with her, you know, like,
watching her coach him and, like, how, you
know, speak with him and everything, and we
became friends at that point also and, you
know,
it just...
It seems like it was gonna be a
good fit, I guess, just with
my...
I don't... I don't know. Like, my
experience
seeing her and Ryan and, like, how she
is with him and just as a coach.
And, you know, I had no problem, like,
talking to her on, like, a friendship level
and everything too. So
I had just hit her up and was
like, hey, You know, I I think we
could... Try this, and this would be good
for us or whatever. And so I... I've
been working with her. You seem... Like you
said, you don't have a struggle with motivation.
Like, you're gonna get done what needs... To
get done?
And you know what you're doing?
So, like, how do you... How does that
work with a coaching relationship when like, like
You were just sailing, I just did my
double yesterday and instead, Like, you know what
to do.
So how do you handle that relationship?
So, yeah. I just...
I think that's kind of why I made
the switch also. I needed something that was
more personalized and, like, tailored to, like, in
the moment. Like, what I got with the
other guys was, like, okay. Here's your plan.
This is gonna go, like, 2 months out.
This is your week to week, whatever.
And it was just almost more stressful for
me to, like, not have that person to
kinda, like you know...
I guess, go
text or whatever the week before and be
like, hey. By the way, like, I forgot,
like, I wanna do this race as the
training runner.
I have this other goofy thing that I
need to do, You know, like, and with
her, it's, like, I just text her and
tell her and she'll... U kinda work around
it because I'm getting it week by week,
You know? So it's not,
like, I have to, like,
you know, worry about that stuff, and she's
been very flexible. Like,
I mean,
it's it's, like, I don't wanna call it
a part. It is a partnership. You know,
like, it's not
just like, this is what you're doing, and
I don't care what you wanna do. Like,
it's like, no, like, let's work around what's
important to you and, you know, and we've
had
good,
you know, results with that. Like, I... I'm
happy with it, and I'm happy working with
her, and you know, I can just text
or collar or whatever, and that's more so
what I, like, needed. I don't know that
I needed somebody to just do the programming,
you know. So... Totally.
Will she be will she be a bath
water?
She won't know. Because she's a runner too.
So she's scattered stuff, and she's in Colorado.
So unfortunately, no. But maybe have Lena. We'll
see. I I don't know yet. She's not
running it. I I don't know if she's
running it yet. So maybe look to race
each other.
That would be funny.
So... That would be so funny if you're
racing your coach. So
Yeah.
I mean, it's fine. Like, I'm sure it
it be a little but, yeah, Like, you
know, it's just like anything else like,
I raised other friends. I I'm too, and
it's just friendly
competition.
Yeah.
So you... I saw you jumped into a
half and ran, like, 01:21,
and
I'm so curious. Like...
You run hundred mile plus distances.
And I know obviously, you weren't training for
that 01:21. Just like, okay. What can I
do here?
What does that, like,
pain feel like? And what does that even,
like, how does a race like that even
feel? It's such a small...
Blip for what... From what you're used to.
Oh, man. That 1 that I did that
you're talking about the rock and roll. That
was, like, not even a week before Jackpot
20 23.
And, honestly,
I didn't have a coach at that point,
and it was funny because, like, I didn't
really think it through. I was like, oh,
you know, it's, like, just the speed out.
We're gonna do on Sunday night and they
were... Gonna run a hundred miles on Friday,
and, you know, it wasn't really well planned.
I he was executed, but, like,
I was pretty gonna sore and struggling. For,
like, a day or 2 after that race.
And because I heard like
the best half for me. That was a
P. So
the turnover.
Yeah.
So I don't know. It it worked out.
Like, I had APR at the hundred and
2, so that was great. But
this year, we tried it again, and it
was, like, the opposite. It was the hundred
had moved up a week.
So I did jackpot, and then I did
the half
a week later, and I think my time
was, like, a 01:28.
And I tell like of you. Oh,
it was bad. Like, I feel like I
totally screw myself on recovery. Just... From Jack.
That I didn't give myself a recovery. So
we're never doing that again. That's... We're gonna
pick a half. That's just not a week
apart.
So So
before a week after...
Like, for me, running a half is no
big deal. It's, like, well, I just have
to work hard for, like, less than an
hour and a half. It's not like, okay.
You gotta work hard for, like, 16 hours,
Do you know? So
full different.
It hurts different too that it does hurt.
Mh. Yeah. Yeah. Propensity of pat that hour
and a half or hour half or whatever.
It's like... I don't love. That's for sure.
Yeah.
How do you decide
which
races to do in this ultra space.
The last 2 years, I've been more focusing
on, like, what I'm... The best at, not
so much what I'm gonna have the most
fun at or, you know, whatever.
Because I found the loop courses in the
road stuff. I'm
far more competitive than, you know, I've won
some trail. Like I'm not gonna say I'm,
like, garbage on the trails because I'm not,
But I'm definitely stronger suited on the road
stuff because that's just my background.
And I'm clumsy, like,
you know? So
yeah. The last 2 years, My... I mean,
bad water's, like, the chip on my shoulder
where it's like that. Was, like, the goal
race of the year. I mean, I would
have loved to have P at Jackpot, but
that's behind us. You know,
it and now we're just really focusing on
that. And
H,
that's another 1. I need a redemption race
at because I didn't do so great at
a hundred k a couple years ago, I
got sick at that 1 too. So I'm
gonna try to go big at that 1
also. But
I don't know. I mean you have got
in October.
Mh. Yeah. I mean, Try to go for...
I am doing the hundred. Yeah.
I'd love to try to be in contention
for a ticket, like, a golden ticket, that'd
be awesome. But like I said, the day
just has to kinda, you know, has go
well and
yeah. I don't know. I mean,
I'm not trying to put too much on
the calendar because I have, like, this thought
of maybe sliding 1 more in, but it's
like, no. Like, we're just gonna,
you know, scale back a little bit because
last year, I just felt the fatigue big
time at the end of the year, so
I kinda wanna respect these races a little
more.
And
I'm sure, probably at least 50 percent, maybe
80 percent of the people listening know what
you mean when you say golden ticket, but
you're talking about Western states.
Yeah.
Well, I'm like, in case you, you know?
Because, like, I do lean towards marathon. No.
I know. Under sorry.
No. Don't be sorry. I'm just like, I
should clarify in case someone's
new to, like, the ultra scene.
Because I was gonna ask you that too,
though, like, is Western states. On your bucket
list.
Yeah.
I think it is on my list.
Hard rock is also on my bucket list
but maybe a little higher than Western states,
but I think it's more like, the ticket
chase would be more of a...
Accomplishment it, obviously, in my opinion, like, you
know, I I obviously, being at Western would
be amazing, but
Otherwise, it's just gonna take me, like, 6
years, like, everyone else, you know.
You're... Yeah. You're saying to get in with
the ticket. Like, getting that... With the ticket
you get in sooner. Yeah. Without, I'm just
gonna have to keep running these hundred cool...
Or, like, the ticket qualifying races, which
Yeah.
This year, mine would be.
I mean, I've I've been trying to qualify
since maybe 29.
18. I I remember at this point.
So but the golden ticket races,
you
corrects me if I'm wrong. You have to
get top 2 at these golden ticket races?
It varies.
So have had stop 2. Okay. Some of
them though 3 deep. So, like, I think
Black Canyon goes 3 deep. But it's cool
because Ara has 2 of those races, and
I'm actually on the Air race team also.
So that's exciting.
Mh.
Are you gonna be paying attention there with
western states this weekend?
Yeah. Yeah. I know I have a couple
friends that are running it, so I was
text them all today and I was like,
oh, I'm rooting for you. Blah blah. Like,
I sent Emily H text and Ryan Montgomery
and them,
Emily so nice. I love Emily. And she
goes... She's been top time a couple years
now, so she's a phenomenal runner. I met
her at I am tough. Back in 20
20.
She crushed that race, and she'd beat, like,
a lot of the boys too. It was
funny. Because she was, like, in front for
a while and the guys were like, who
is this? And, like, what are they doing?
So
she's super cool. But
Yeah. I'll I'll be following. I'll get my
work workout in, and then I'll be able
to focus. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. You got time.
Will, this episode will obviously come out. After
Western states. But
I have a... We have a new podcast
in my network called the Trail Network podcast
and so Rachel Drake and Leah Ying lane
are both hosts on that podcast and they're
running this weekend. So I'm gonna be excited
to to track them. Yeah.
They're great.
Yeah. Be fun.
Okay. So we'll probably air this. I guess
it'll be closer to when you're going to
bad water. I mean, where you're, like, a
month away.
Mh.
Yeah. No. It's coming up. Most of us
marathon, like, we do, like, a typical 2
week, maybe 3 week tape, Like, what does
your life look like? The 3 weeks leading
up to a bad water? And, like, what
are you entering those 3 weeks at as
far as like, how many miles a week
are you running and whatnot?
Well, I mean, I can't really tell you
that far out. So I don't have my
schedule yet, but,
typically,
like, this Sunday, for example, will be...
I mean, at this point, what's the date
today? Today, but it's at the end of
the month. So we're less than a month
out. Is start of the 20 second... Yeah.
So, like, for example, this weekend, I have,
like, speed work, probably, like, 15, 60 miles
on Saturday, and then I have 30 Mile
on Sunday,
and then next week, and I'll probably have
a hundred miles for the week and the
next week, I'll probably have another hundred mile
week, and I have a 50 k on
Saturday.
I have no idea what I'm gonna do
on Sunday But, I mean, I would think
maybe after that, we might...
I don't know if she'll have me taper
a week or too early. It depends. Like,
definitely the week of, but, like,
maybe for me tapering, though would be maybe,
like, a 80 mile week,
Mh 2 weeks out? Is that still, like,
a lot less volume than what I'm used
to doing, but I get, like, restless. I
don't know. I was Wondering.
You get a little antsy.
Yeah. I mean, I just feel like I'm
not doing enough. You know? You're like, no
I do with all this free time on
my hands like...
What do you do?
Other than Run and eat and sleep things
it'll work.
You know, I
I like to hike. I like to do
anything outdoors. Really, you know,
I like to... Well, in the summertime in
Vegas, I like to go the pool, so
I like to do that.
You know, we usually just relax the for
not running, we'll, like, lay down, watch a
movie or something.
And yeah, I'm really not that exciting.
What does your boyfriend run a lot? Is
he, like an ultra runner as well?
Yeah. He did Western states last year, actually.
He got him... It was his... Oh, Jeez.
Wasn't his second hunter mile. Was his second...
Under me. He got in. Like, right away.
Yeah. But did we get in with a
plan ticket, how did he get in? No.
He he had ran hurt 100 was his
first hundred, which is, like, a really hard
1, and then he did Castle peek, so
he had done 2 qualifier.
And then he got in
with, like, yeah, Like, 2 years of tickets.
And because, like... Okay. They still call at
tickets. Because I have Golden it, like, your
just watery tickets.
So... Yeah. He got in... And he's doing
Lead bill this year. So we'll be out
at that
get like, August,
level bill 100. So it's a good 1.
I did that 1 in 20 22.
It's the fun. So what kind of advice
are you giving him for that?
Well, I'm just always given them hard time
because we have different coaches, and, like, sometimes
we'll have... Almost the same workout, but it's,
like, different pace of the week. So, like,
this week, I'm like, doing hills on Wednesday.
And I go, why aren't are you doing
Hills? Like, you're ready to let Bill, The
whole back half. Is that uphill. Like, I
don't know what you're doing. And he's like,
no. Like, I gotta go to the mountain
and I have speed. So I don't know.
I'm not his coach. I don't think he'd
let me coach him. So
that's fine. I used to coach actually. I
I coach Cross country.
When I was college, so that was fun.
Mh.
Like, high school kids?
Yeah. I posted at Not dame Academy
in Toledo, Ohio. So... Okay. Mh. What was
your favorite part about doing that?
I he just really, like, rewarding, you know?
I mean, all these girls like, look up
to you. We have, like, a team of,
like, 40 girls, and You know, some days,
I was, like, the only 1 in charge.
And for me, it's, like, I'm not a
school teacher. So, you know, it's a little
scary at times. So
so people.
Yeah. It even, like their parents. Like, their
parents were just so, like, thankful for, you
know, like, experience that you're, like, offering their
kids, and they just... You know, it's just
a really good bang.
And then you're just helping them I mean,
I was... I think it was, like, 21
at the time. So it wasn't fat much
older than they were. Like, sometimes I go
to, like, the school. So we'd be like,
oh what what great are you in? And
they're like, no. No. No.
So...
Yeah. It is fun. I mean, if work
allowed for something like that. And be more
willing to do it, I'll, but it's just
like,
I don't know. And I'm... I'm so hyper
focused on my own running career at this
0, you don't have time.
It's a sacrifice.
Like on Saturdays. When you're going to those
meats, you're not getting the long run it.
Like, your long long run is... Go over
the be and chasing people around all day.
So, yeah. It it was it was good.
And the lady I coach with we're still
really close to. So she was
really, we can't to work with. So mh
Yeah. You'll have to revisit that when you're
not doing hundreds anymore. I mean, I just
when I retire.
Yeah. Yeah.
Just... I mean, honestly, because it just...
The amount that you work and such a
regular schedule.
You know what I mean? Because a lot
of people
do this, like, balance with work and and
running lots of miles, but you have, like,
hours you have to be.
There, which I think would be really difficult.
Like, you can't just be like, okay. I'm
gonna work a little bit from, like, 5AM
to 9. And then I'm gonna go for
my run, and then... You know what I
mean? Like, sounds like you a pretty
regiment
work time.
Yeah. And, I mean, I've had it that
way for years now. You know? I mean,
it's better now than ever. I used to
work for Tesla, and
they would just change my schedule all the
time. And when I say all the time,
it was, like, you got 5 eights and
then, like, a month later or you got
4 tens, and it's these random days. So,
like, we're gonna change your workday days completely.
And then there was, like, some years where
it was, like, a different time a day
every day of the week, different each week,
and it was just, like, oh my gosh.
Like, how does anybody have a normal,
life or running schedule or anything with these
things. So now I'm like, super thankful that
I'm back to, like, regular
at least it's like, I know what to
expect. I mean...
Yeah. There's no surprises. So
in Tesla would work you over time a
ton too at, like, end of quarter. Like,
I think Jackpot 20 20,
I... They weren't giving me any extra days
off. So I had to work till 7
or 8PM, the night before the race. Oh,
my goodness. And then
I had to go home, like, go to
bed and everything. And then I ran the
race. Luckily, I got done in, like, under
16 hours.
And then I had to do the drug
tests and everything and go back for awards
the next day. So I got barely any
sleep.
And then I think I had Saturday where
I just kinda
hung out and then Sunday, I had to
go back to work, Like, it was just
like, no. You don't get an extra day
off. It's end of quarter. Like, you know,
Tesla doesn't care if you gotta run a
hundred mile. So
Do they... I mean, do you do the
people you work with, like,
now and then have, like, any idea what
you actually do.
Yeah. I mean, like, my coworkers are supportive
of it for sure. And, like, my current
job, like, my boss... Like, posted something to
Linkedin
and, like, had of picture of me and
like, congrats, Sierra, and like, all the stuff,
like, they're super supportive of it. So
Yeah. No. They get it.
It's just when you work for a major
company like Tesla you're not really like...
It friends with the boss. Like, I've never
met Elon. So...
Yeah.
And that's probably a good thing.
Did they give you a tesla?
No. No way.
And I don't drive a tesla. I'd I
drive a subaru roof.
Oh, my gosh.
Okay. So you have bad water.
What do you have before bad water or
anything? Did you... You said you a 50
k?
Oh, yeah. So I'm.
Silver tin,
Alpine 50 k, and that's Silver team Colorado.
Not this weekend but next weekend on Saturday.
So I think that's the
sixth. So I6I
saw Sabrina Stanley is signed up, which is
funny.
I don't know if you know who that
is.
She's 1 hard rock. And she lives in
Silver. I was like, what?
But now, it's okay.
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How do you do with altitude? And like,
what's that like where you live?
Vegas is that, like, 2 to 3 in
town, and then we actually...
Like, I can go up to our base
of our mountain, which is not Charleston and
run up the road, and it will go
up to, like, 8 something just on the
road. So
I do pretty well else. It is to.
Like, when I ran lead bill, and I've
done other, like, high altitude races. I've never
really struggled with, like, l sickness
Unless I'm, like, over 14 for very long,
like, I'm not getting sick or anything like
What is... The most beautiful mountain you've ever
peaked.
Oh, man.
Tasha has some really cool.
Peaks, like the Ta mountain range in Utah.
It's very similar to the San juan, which
is where we're gonna be running Silver,
just, like, I'm trying to think,
Bell map was pretty cool. Was like, super
rocky.
I mean, I love Mount wait at me
too. I mean It's just you know, it's
so epic.
Lang is a cool 1 2,
boundary peak. That's,
technically, the highest in Nevada, I wanna say,
but it's on the border, so it's kinda
argue
arguably the highest.
Mh.
I'd like to do more. I've kinda, like,
calm them down on the peak bag and
with all these ultra,
it's kinda like,
Okay. Yeah if I gotta run a hundred
mile and go, you know, climb whole bunch
of peaks.
But, yeah. No. It's fun, and I could.
Yeah. And you have you have time... It's
like, you have time to focus on that
in other part times in your life. Like,
you don't have to do that right now.
You've you got other focus. Yeah. I'm close
enough though. Like, this weekend, we'll be out
by loan Pine. So I'll be able to
see, like, Whitney and horseshoe meadows is the
road we're gonna run up, and that's actually
gonna be the road that takes you the
base of Lang.
So Okay. We'll get plenty of good views
of the peaks.
So...
Okay. So 1 of my favorite questions to
ask.
Specifically ultra runners? I guess I asked shorter
distance runners as too, but how do you
have fun?
When you're like, hurting so bad? Like, how
do you marry those 2 things? Because you're
obviously doing that as well?
Yeah.
I mean, I guess,
it's kind of like... And this is kind
like the beauty of, like, even, like, why
do I wanna go back. To bad water
and, like, you look at some of the
pictures and me out there and you're like,
I don't know why this girl wants to
work. Crazy.
But to. Yeah. I know. My dad was
crying at the finish line. Maybe he's like,
0 you're 1 tough, like, son of a
whatever, and I'm just, like,
I mean, like, I don't cry, but, like,
seeing him cry, like, how worried he was
is, like, oh my gosh.
But, no. I think a lot of it's
just like,
we're
lucky that we have the opportunity to, like...
Experience these kinds of, like, highs and lows
and, like, a controlled, like, it would say
safe setting.
You know, and it's just it is beautiful
to be able to, like, come out of
it and be, like, well, look,
you know, look what I did or look
what I accomplished. And I didn't give up
and, like, you know, it may not seem
like it's all fun in the moment. But,
like, you know, you go through your highs
and your lows, then it's...
Kind of, like, I mean, doing drugs. I
I don't do drugs, but, like, I would
imagine, like, with your endorsements and everything too,
you know? So
it's addict. It's just... It's really fun, and
you get to meet great people. Like, you
know, I've made a lot of friends at
Alt and just
ultra runners are all good people. Like, you
just have a lot of
unique, like, shared experiences. I, I'm met my
boyfriend,
running, Like, at a birthday run, we did
40 miles at Tahoe. So it's like, you
know, like,
stuff comes from that. So
from Yeah. I mean, that would be my
answer. It's just like a great way to
go through the highs and the lows and,
No. You're gonna be okay. Like, it's it's
gonna be over eventually. So
it makes... You can, like, channel that to
all areas the life too. Right? Like, I
feel like, I wouldn't be as hard of
a worker if I wasn't,
you know, putting myself in those uncomfortable problem
solving
situations. Like, in my free time. So...
I love that you met your boyfriend at
a 40 mile run,
like, group run.
In
Yeah. He didn't... For the record, he didn't
do the whole 40 miles, but he he
had a different race that morning.
And then he showed up halfway through within
and out for everyone. So everybody was like,
okay guy. This guy cool.
We'll let him hang out along.
He's feeding us.
Yeah. We were all starving at that point.
I think we're, like, 20 miles in, and
it was it was in Tahoe in November
and a snowstorm was, like, coming that night.
So it's just... I was miserable because I
hate the cold. I was, like, this is
bad.
But... No. It's was better to have, like,
good companies. So...
You live in the right place then. So
wait, did so does see live in Vegas
too?
Mh.
Okay. Was he already there or did he
move there to be with you? No. He
lived in reno.
So he to leave
the north
I'm down
So what are your biggest
goals from here on out? Like, obviously, the
short term goal right now is, like, said
you wanna win bad? You wanna have a
good race there, But, like, what are your
long term goals with the sport?
Yeah.
So You definitely, I... You know, I'd love
to
redeem myself at bad water and potentially pull
off a win at that. And then,
you know, the golden ticket thing. That seems
like that maybe the next
thing to chase in the immediate future.
And then,
yeah. I mean, I'm definitely not satisfied with
900 mile p. Either... Look, I think we
can do some work on that. And
I'd like to get closer to break in
15 and more in that range and just
see what's possible, you know? And, yeah. Just
continue to grow in the sport. I mean,
I feel like I've already came a long
way since my first 1 back in 20
19 and
you know, you just gotta see what works
for you and takes a lot of trial
and error to figure it all out. So
Yeah. 5 years, and the grand scheme of
things like, it is a lot of years,
but it's really not that many years. Of
hundred mile. I mean, in those 5 years,
you've packed in quite a bit, though. Mh.
Yeah.
It's taking it more seriously, I guess, if
you will, because there living a year I
did, like, 6 in a year, and that's
just, like, no elites are doing that. Like...
Yeah. And, you know,
the increase in my performance shows when I
kinda scale back on the whole. Like, we're
not gonna do 3 in a month. Like,
that's just crazy. Like, it seemed it was
fun, but, like, I'm not being, like, super
competitive at any of those 3. I'm just
surviving at that point. You know. So
What do you think you got out of
that though? Like,
why did you... Why do you think you
did that many so often and then, like,
what what did you gain from it?
So the real reason why I did all
3
the long answer was because, you know, these...
All these races now. They all have, like,
lotte.
Like, waitlist list, and it's just like, it's
not like, how it used to be where
you can just go do whatever race you
want. And, like, you know, everybody has there
they're, like, bucket list, races and, Cafe Crest,
Angels Stressed, and Lead bill were all on
the list. And then
I just they all do them at different
times too, like, when you have to, like,
enter the lottery or find out. So you
can't really, like,
totally strategically plan your whole seasons. It's all,
you know, at the mercy of whatever the
lottery decides. So
that year,
I entered Lead with friends,
like, as a group lottery, and that was
my third year doing it, but first year
as a group. And I never got in
the other 2. So I was, like, not
really counting on getting in, and I got
in. So I found that out over, like...
I think it was, like New Year's Eve.
And at that point,
I think this was a year after 20
20 and 20 21. There was a lot
of cancellations.
I had been...
On the Cascade crest waitlist list
rolled over twice or something, and totally forgot.
And then I was on the A waitlist
list,
got the email about that,
needed a hard rock qualifier, so I accepted.
Because I'm like, well, you know,
I might as well.
And then after that, I got up off
the waitlist list for Cascade.
And then I'm, like,
who knows when I'm gonna be able to
do these again?
And
everybody had these, like, grand slam or, like,
you know, the Sally did her, like, she's
was strong or, you know, like, all these,
like, crazy
whatever. So I'm like, what, why not just
do this thing? I'm gonna call it to
Seriously. I'm like, I'm gonna do all 3.
It's gonna be in the summer of 20
22 and
So I did it, and it was fun.
I mean, I I had a good time
with it. And I don't have any regrets.
I mean, I'd like to go back and
run a fast time at Led bill. I
think I could do that. And I'd like
to do the actual Ac course because it
was the out and back here, so that.
Was a little unfortunate, but your No. It
taught me a lot
you know, about sticking
through the tough times because, I mean,
you know, it's not really easy to ask
your body to do that
2 weeks out from each 1. And...
Yeah.
That was that was a fun summer.
I had some, like, help stuff going on
at that point too. So my mind wasn't,
like, a hundred percent where it needed to
be, but
good distraction, I guess, at the Alt. So...
And you got through whatever that was okay,
and everything's fine.
Yep. Yep. No. It's just women's health type
stuff fun fun stuff where you're,
you know, I don't know. It's just...
Your girls spun sometimes.
0I0I
hear you. I've I've gotten all the parts
removed at this point. So I feel it.
Yeah.
Okay. That's why I lost the crew member.
1 of them has that surgery for that
reason as well, and it's... From last year,
you know, and it's just, like, such a
bummer. I mean, as happened with me, I'd
have part of my Ce removed.
And I had found out about it, like,
right before 1 of the hundreds. And then
Yeah. I had to wait, like, 6 months
to do it. So that was that was
cool. But
anyway, That was good.
Yeah. It's
it's can be emotional too.
It is, and it's scary because, like, you
know, they just call you, and they tell
you, like, your test results, and they're just,
like, the person who's calling you doesn't really
know what they're talking about. They don't really
care,
they just drop this bomb on you, and
then they're like, oh, we'll have to call
you back to schedule your procedure blah blah
Blah. You're like, am I dying? Like, what's...
Going on, you know, I'd like here. So
I don't know. I mean, for me, it
was, like, I didn't have cancer, but it
was, like, what's 1 step away from having
cancer. So was pretty scary, like, being
30... Like, early thirties and being, like, what
the heck. And then you're at the
lady doctor and all these people are happy
that are, like, having babies and stuff. And
you're like, I'm just sad. Like,
I'm not here for something happy. You,
So
anyway... Can we think about that at the
Ob g way, like,
the range of...
Patients that are in that... Emotions?
Yeah. You've got like people having miscarriage, people
about to give birth, people who might have
a lump in their breasts or, you know,
like all these different
situations just sitting in that waiting room, and
you have no idea what anybody else is
there for unless, of course, they're like super
pregnant.
The right.
You know, But but you didn't even know,
like what the status of that is, you
know, it's like, it's such a wild
really a wild place to be.
That's pretty wild to me that you were
going through all that
amidst
running all those hundreds. Like,
I know you said good distraction, but sometimes
when I'm in those, like, fearful moments with
health. I like can't pull myself up to
do anything and the fact that you were,
like, just carrying on and continuing to run
is really
impressive. I don't know if that's the right
word.
Well,
for the record,
the first 1 was Angels crest, and I
was a mess. Like, I was like, crying
the whole way. To 2 right wood just
because I was like, you know, I don't
know. The conclusion I had the night before
that... Well, I had
Had drank the day before the race tubes.
I was pretty upset, But Yeah. The night
before I'm like, you know what? I'm not
scared of running a hundred mile, but I
am scared of dying. So
Yeah.
I think that was just tough for me.
But, yeah. I mean,
I dealt with that up until...
I had just more clearer
answers, and, yeah. It's hard. It's hard to
get in your head. And, I mean, getting
through these hundreds is not hard. Because you,
like, do it so much. You know you're
gonna be okay most time, but, like, you
know,
help the scary. Because this just, like, this
is out of my control. Like, this is
not something I have any power over, and
it makes you feel very
powerless,
I guess. So
yeah. It was tough. This is tough. This
time for sure. Yeah.
Alright. What is something professionally or personally you
would like to do? Well, we've kinda covered
this, but... This can be outside of running
to, but
I always wrap up with this question. What
is something
professionally or personally you'd like to do that
you haven't done yet. And, definitely, I'd like
to travel more. I mean, I feel like
20 20 kinda, like, put a damper on
everything with that. Like, I've
you know, and not just with racing and
running either. Like, I used to kinda go
out of the country every year in, like,
see new places, but,
my passport
is now expired. And I need to renew
it.
Yeah. So just see more things then
I need to probably to focus on getting
home more too, like, now that I have
more of a regular
schedule just because, you know, my parents are
getting older and everything.
Yeah. And I've I mean,
other than trying to just
improve my running and
probably advance in my career too. Like, I
actually... You know, I'm like, happy with what
I'm doing at this point, and I feel
like there's opportunity for growth and with Tesla
I just didn't feel that way. It I
was very, like, stagnant. So,
yeah. I'm excited. I'm excited for what's to
come. So
will your dad come back to bad water?
Oh,
he can't this year because actually, he's...
Been diagnosed with cancer, so he's gonna be
going through
radiation, I think right around the same time.
So
he would, if he could, but I don't
think you're spirit. I don't think he can.
Yeah. I know as a bummer because I
think he really wanted to go, but I
like no. You gotta focus on this and
being in a hundred and 20 degree. He
is not gonna no for you right now.
So
you can tell them you're gonna feel and
look a lot better than you did last
year.
We'll have to get lots of photos and
give lots of updates. Yeah. You know? Look,
this is actually fun dad. Look, I don't
look dead.
No. Everybody at the finish was like, oh
my god. I'm like, I know. I feel
like that. Like, you don't need to tell
me. Like, I I know with that I
feel or then I looked that way. So
I think it's gonna go so much better.
I'm excited to... Follow and see how you
do. Thanks. Yeah. I'm excited to get it
get it going
Doing right around the corner. So...
Do you have a best most recent book
you've read? I can't imagine you have much
time to read?
I
haven't been reading too much. I did get
that book by,
I'm forgetting the name, but it's Tommy Ribs
wife. Do you know what book I'm talking
about? Yeah. Is it stuff?
I...
You know a book I'm talking about. So
I started that book. And I did think
it was very good, and I need to
finish it. I just got lazy. And maybe
during day for a week. I'll pick it
up. Book I'll, continue. But, no. I was
a huge Tommy Rogue fan, and I, like,
following her too. So when I saw that
come out and had to get it.
Yeah. Her book is called
everything all at once.
Yes. There you go That's it. Yeah. It
movie called that too not related. But Yeah
related
It wasn't related to her book, but I
I... That's... I don't know. I couldn't think
of it. Is something I wanted to face
stars but, like, no. It's at the underneath
of it. So, yeah. You're right. You're right.
Yeah. She's a beautiful writer. She's really, really
good at that.
Think what's your last message to leave with
our audience?
I guess I would just say, like, you
know,
and mean, I'm assuming it's primarily runners. There
listening.
Yeah. If you have goals, just keep chasing
after your goals.
I mean, you gotta start somewhere. And, I
mean, that's the only way I've gotten better
is, like, believing in yourself and, you know,
setting the bar higher and
just...
Keep keep at it. Keep it up, and
I don't know. Stay strong.
Thanks so much for being here. Everybody. Thanks
Sierra for coming on the podcast.
You all can find Sierra on Instagram. She
is s D over there. I'm Lindsay Hi
626.
I'd love to connect with you. As well,
you can learn more about this podcast and
all the shows our network, including the pretty
brand new podcast, the trail network podcast hosted
by 4 amazing than ultra runners themselves. They've
got some great Western states content that they've
been putting out. So go check them out
They're called the trail Network podcast.
Thanks for being here, and we'll see you
next week, on I'll have another.