Dean Banko is the host of the Only Eye Athletic's Podcast. We met one freezing day at Rabid Raccoon 100 (2023), which is held in Western Pennsylvania. We are both part of the Butler County Miler's run club. Butler County Milers at Rabid Raccoon 100 (2023) When Dean heard about mine and Stephen's (my husband) … Continue reading Only Eye Athletics Podcast with Dean Banko 09/04/2023
Tag: Trail Race
JFK 50 Miler Front Runners 2021
Clips of this year's fastest runners, plus Adam Peterman and Sarah Cummings' post race interviews. My husband and I decided that our family needed a getaway and read that the elite field for JFK this year was stacked. Boonsboro, MD is a few hours away from us, the perfect distance for a day trip. https://youtu.be/_1xsIl2WgtM … Continue reading JFK 50 Miler Front Runners 2021
Baker Trail UltraChallenge 50 Miler Stories (2021)
Part of the Butler County Milers crew Before the race started, we were standing around and I happened to look down at my legs, a tick was crawling up my left leg. I pinched it, tossed it into the grass and checked myself for more nasty bloodsuckers. The rest of the time that we stood … Continue reading Baker Trail UltraChallenge 50 Miler Stories (2021)
Can I Run an Ultramarathon While Pregnant?
Hello, ultrarunning women! I'm writing this blog because there isn't much information covering the topic of ultrarunning during pregnancy. I've had friends reach out to me with questions because they're either expecting or are curious. When I was pregnant, I experienced all the niggles and anxiety of wanting answers, but I couldn't find them! I … Continue reading Can I Run an Ultramarathon While Pregnant?
Oil Creek 100 mi Race Report (10/6-7/2018)
Location Titusville, PAOil Creek State Park. Weather 65° F - 76° F sunny and humid in the morning and early afternoon. Thunderstorms and downpours the rest of the race. Course 100.60 miles total. 87.10 miles trail. 1.50 mile bike path connecting the Titusville Middle School and Gerard Hiking Trail trailhead.Three, 26-ish mile loops on the … Continue reading Oil Creek 100 mi Race Report (10/6-7/2018)
OSS/CIA 50 Mile Night Run Race Report (6/9-10/2018)
Pre-race Location Prince William Forest, Triangle, VA. Weather 83° F day. Sunny and humid. 68° F night. Thunderstorm and flood watch. Humid. Course 50.6 miles [according to my GPS watch]2 25.7 mile loops on single track trail. Some parts of the trail were rocky. Fire roads were paved and gravel. 8,891 ft of ascending. 8,946 … Continue reading OSS/CIA 50 Mile Night Run Race Report (6/9-10/2018)
The North Face Endurance Challenge, WI 50 Miler Race Report 09/16/2017
A very well constructed race. Stephen and I were in wave 3 at the start. 5am, dark, headlamps ready. It was unseasonably warm, so I wore fringe covered Reebok shorts and a TNF crop top sports bra. The high was to be 86° F. The countdown finished and the race began! We all ran and … Continue reading The North Face Endurance Challenge, WI 50 Miler Race Report 09/16/2017
Bull Run Run 50 Miler Short Stories 4/8/2017
Photo credit: Stephen Mick. Bluebells looking good this spring. The area received a lot of rain and the "high water course" needed to be used. The Bull Run Run is a 50 mile ultramarathon held in April. Beautiful, lush green forest and locally famous Bluebells are newly emerged for spring time. The run on the … Continue reading Bull Run Run 50 Miler Short Stories 4/8/2017
Lost Turkey Trail Race Marathon 7/29/2017
This race will challenge a seasoned trail runner, it was insanely tough! The effort felt more like a 50 miler. -why it is titled Pennsylvania's toughest marathon. I'm also convinced (other participants agreed) that this race was longer than a marathon distance. Starting area Race start It rained for the first few miles and then … Continue reading Lost Turkey Trail Race Marathon 7/29/2017
JFK 50 Miler Race Report 11/19/2016
Location: Boonsboro, MD. The race course: Rolling hills; local roads; Appalachian Trail (AT); Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Towpath (C&O). Weather: Warm and sunny to start = T-shirt. At mile 39, rain and sleet = 2 jackets and frostnip on my exposed wrist around my GPS watch. My gear: Tech material shirt and leggings; homemade arm … Continue reading JFK 50 Miler Race Report 11/19/2016