Over the years, Lauren’s running journey evolved toward the trails, and eventually, to ultramarathons. Some people in her life were already running ultras, and as she found herself drawn to trail running, the leap to an ultramarathon started to feel like a natural next step. Today, Lauren has completed five ultramarathons, including three 50Ks, a 45-miler, and a 50-mile race! For her, ultramarathons combine all of the things she already loves most about running - beautiful scenery, interesting people, and the uniquely fun energy of the trail running community.

Of all her ultra races, Lauren says her favorite was actually her 50-mile race (the Bull Run Run 50 Miler), and not because she went in feeling confident or overly excited to race. Quite the opposite! Her first two 50Ks had not gone particularly well (but if you ask us, tackling the 50K distance is such a triumph!), and she had signed up for the 50-miler partly to answer a question for herself: do I even actually like this sport? She headed into race weekend feeling stressed, uncertain, and overwhelmed. In fact, after picking up her bib just twenty minutes before her start time, she started crying. But everything worked out! Not only did she finish, she had an incredible and fun experience. She surprised herself completely, and that feeling stuck with her long after the finish line. In her own words, she “glowed for weeks afterward.”

That race became a turning point because it showed her something important: improving doesn’t always require giant changes. Working on small pieces of training, making little adjustments, and staying patient can gradually make races smoother and more enjoyable.

For anyone intimidated by ultramarathon training, Lauren says the jump isn't as scary as it sounds. Training looks a lot like marathon training, just with a little less emphasis on speed and a little more on endurance. The biggest difference often comes from back-to-back long runs. Instead of one long run on Saturday and a recovery day after, you head right back out on Sunday for another long run. For her most recent ultras, Lauren was logging high-30s to low-40s miles per week during training, although she typically lands closer to 45 miles per week during a training cycle (this past Buffalo winter made reaching that higher mileage a bit more challenging!). And then, of course, there are the hills. Training for steep climbs while living in Buffalo requires some creativity, so this past training cycle Lauren spent a lot of time on the treadmill, cranking up the incline to either a power-hike (a major component of many ultras!), or a slow jog uphill. Lauren jokes that this strategy pays off on race day as she usually passes people on the uphills and then gets passed on the downhills 😅.

Lauren’s advice for anyone thinking about taking the ultra leap is simple: go for it. She won’t pretend ultras are easy, nor is training for them, but she doesn’t think you should be intimidated by them either. If you’ve trained for a half or full marathon, she believes the jump can be more manageable than you’d expect. Lengthen the long runs a little. Add some hills. Be patient with the slower pace that comes with climbing elevation. And perhaps, most importantly, be open-minded, embrace the community…and eat snacks (her favorite aid station delicacies are potato chips and cheese quesadillas - YUM!)!

Looking ahead, Lauren’s goals are refreshingly simple: stay healthy and keep running. After conquering both the Cayuga Trails 50K and the Many on the Genny 45-miler within the past month (she’s truly such an inspiration!), she has her eye on a fast half marathon. A few years ago she unexpectedly ran a PR that she hasn’t managed to beat yet, and now she wants another shot at it. We have no doubt she’ll get there!

At the heart of it all, Lauren loves running because it’s the built-in best part of her day. Even when the run itself isn’t perfect, she’s always happy she got out there. Running has given her friendships, community, and a mental reset that keeps her coming back day after day. After fifteen years of dedication, Lauren has built something pretty special, and since joining Middle Trail, she’s become one of those steady presences that makes our running community stronger simply because she is a part of it. We’re so grateful to have her, and are even more excited that we get a front-row seat to watch her journey continue!