Given this is my 4th year attending the Runner's World Festival (it's only been around 4 years), it's safe to say it's one of my favorite events. It gets better year after year. This year they added a Friday afternoon trail race that was 3.8 miles. Why 3.8 miles? Because when you add the trail race, 5K, 10K and half, you get 26.2 miles for the weekend. Pretty awesome! The trail race was such a nice addition. It was pretty, some challenging sections and well organized. There was even a trail seminar given by Golden Harper (founder of Altra) after the race. As usual the 5K and 10K were saturday morning followed by a day of running seminars including one by Deena Kastor. Sunday morning was the half marathon. I have run the Hat Trick (5K, 10K and half) every year so far so of course I had to run all four races this year. There was no official title for running all 4, however they announced for 2016 that it will be called the Grand Slam, I like it! As I've been saying every year, this is an event put on by running experts and people who love running and runners. They know what we like and how we would like an event like this. Everything is super well organized, everyone working, volunteering and running are all so nice and so supportive no matter your skill level. And this year they added free race photos and free beer after the half! I was a bit down after a DNF at my first 100 mile attempt the week before but just being in Bethlehem with all these runner's world staff and fellow runners, it picked me right back up and reminded me why I love running so much. There's literally no words that would do this event justice, it's just the best and it's worth the trip if you aren't local.

Here's my full blog post: http://runningmarathonmom.blogspot.com/2015/10/runner-world-festival-4-for-4.html

Labor pains is a 12 hour ultra that takes place on a 5 mile course. The start/finish area is at the Reading Liedenkranz. Everyon had set up tents and chairs in the grassy area, which we did as well (my husband and kids came with me). There were indoor and outdoor bathrooms, a playground, a "shower" and an amazing aid station with a man on the grill all day long. My family had a blast hanging with the other kids and spectators and also just getting to see me come through every loop. This was great for me mentally to see them. The course itself was fun. There were plenty of ups and downs, mostly rolling type however there was a fairly steep climb in the middle of the loop. There were rocks and dirts. Enough to be challenging but not too much to be impossible to rack up some good mileage for the day. Everything was SUPER well organized. All the volunteers and staff were very friendly and helpful. There was even a liquid only aid station mid loop that served beer, AHMAZING! The race was very inexpensive. In addition to the great aid and food they served (I got a fresh cheeseburger off the grill as soon as I finished) we got tech shirts, coffee mug and a personalized finisher's sweatshirt about 6 weeks after the race. Every person received a sweatshirt that indicated whatever milestone mileage they reached. I LOVED everything about this race. It was so fun, my family and I had a blast!!! I really hope we can go back again!

Here's my blog post: http://runningmarathonmom.blogspot.com/2015/09/labor-pains-12-hour.html

My husband ran the Eastern States 100 as his first 100 mile attempt. We knew the course was very difficult as far as the technicality of the terrain and elevations (around 20000) feet. He was prepared as he had done several extremely difficult ultras leading up to it. The course itself was beautfiul and definitely lived up to it's reputation. Some sections could be quite dangerous especially at night. Very easy to fall off a cliff into the creek. Also if you are afraid of bears or rattle snakes, don't run this race! Due to the remote nature of the course, crews can only access certain aid stations. Pacers are allowed starting at mile 40. Aid stations were hit or miss as far as how well they were stocked. Most of them were great for the front of the pack howeve some ran out of things by the time midpackers came around. The course is definitely much longer than the 100.8 miles they advertise, closer to 107-108 miles. Also the distances they list between aid stations are not all correct. There were many that were much longer than what they stated. The cutoffs are not generous which led to a 30% finish rate. I think this has great potential to become a great 100 miler however only if they make some changes. Here are my and my husband's blog posts:

http://runningmarathonmom.blogspot.com/2015/08/eastern-states-100-crewingpacing.html

http://www.japodrunner.com/2015/08/eastern-states-100-dnf.html

Velebit is a crazy difficult race but it's so beautiful, I really didn't care. It takes place across the Velebit Mountains in Starigrad Croatia. This year there was a 14K, 27K and 69K. I ran the 27K due to a recent surgery, which actually ended up being 22 miles and my husband did the longest distance which ended up being 44 miles. There is a lot of rocks and a lot of climbing up so be prepared to do a lot of rock climbing/hiking. This is a more self sufficient event as during my 22 miles there were only two aid stations, one only having water and the second just some oranges, bananas and water. Definitely need to bring stuff in your pack which I did so not a problem. Also if you do the long race, you have a drop bag so you don't have to carry everything with you the whole time. I wish there were some delicious Croatian foods and drinks waiting for me at the finishline however that wasn't the case. It still was a great experience and I'm so happy I did it. And I would do it again too even though it's not exactly my cup of tea. I love a great challenge and if you go into it knowing that there isn't much support, it's no big deal.

Check out my full report here: http://runningmarathonmom.blogspot.com/2015/07/velebit-ultra-trail-croatia.html

The Dirty German endurance fest offers 3 distances 25K, 50K and 50 miler. All take place on about a 16 mile loop course in Pennypack Park. I ran the 50 miler this year and it was especially brutal with the heat and humidity. The RD however was on top of it and got plenty of extra water and ice before anyone ever ran out. The aid stations in general were phenomental as far as food and beverages and super friendly/helpful staff. Pennypack park does not offer amazing mountain views or anything like that but I think it is a pretty little park. It's scenic in other ways with a couple of stream crossings, trees to climb over, rocks, tree branches and even horses. There are hills however not super steep and not very long. This is a super beginner friendly ultra in that regard. The RD Stephan Weiss is super organized, friendly and runs great races. The German food at the finish is AWESOME and the swag is usually great as well. This year we received long sleeve tech shirts, pint glasses and hats. Awards usually are unique German cuckoo clocks and weather stations. I always know I'm closing in on the finish of a loop when I can hear the German dance music. Parking is super easy and accessible and the fees are very inexpensive.

Read my full report here: http://runningmarathonmom.blogspot.com/2015/05/dirty-german-50-miler-humid-fest.html