Episode 32. Mud, Blood, and Mountains: Race Recap of the Cats Tail Trail Marathon

<p>How do you run 26 miles through the Catskills when you haven&#39;t been on the trails in months, your iron levels are barely functional, and a nor&#39;easter is bearing down on race morning? You take what the day gives you.</p><p>Ultrarunning Coach and podcast host, Erin Quinn, said she&#39;d never do another race in the Catskills after Manitou&#39;s Revenge. A few days later, she signed up for the Cats Tail Trail Marathon anyway. In this episode, she recaps the full experience — 7,000 feet of climbing, four summit ascents, stone chimney scrambles, and a torrential downpour that turned the trails into mud rivers. She breaks down the gear, the nutrition, and the mental training that got her to the start line after an iron deficiency diagnosis, and shares stories of the incredible runners she met along the way — from a Russian giant named Ivan to a bleeding-but-still-helpful stranger on the descents off Cornell. Plus: why there&#39;s simply no easy way through the Catskills, and the John Burroughs quote that reminded her why she keeps coming back.</p><p>To learn more about Erin&#39;s 1:1 online trail &amp; ultrarunning coaching go to erinmaryquinn.com or reach out to her at erinmaryquinn@gmail.com</p><p>Start Where You Are, but Make Sure That You Start!</p><p><br></p><p></p>