Run or Hike, 10 to 27 Miles: the Grand Traverse Explained
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In this episode of Another Mother Runner, hosts Sarah Bowen Shea and Elizabeth Waterstraat introduce the Grand Traverse, a new one-day trail adventure event co-hosted by Feisty Media and Another Mother Runner, set for October 3, 2026, in Duluth, Minnesota. The event offers runners and hikers the choice of 10, 17, 21, or 27 miles, with full support, community coaching, and a strong emphasis on inclusivity and personal challenge. The episode features insights from Dimity McDowell, AMR co-founder and hiking coach, who shares her experience with the event and the importance of proper trail training, nutrition, and mental resilience. Three women who completed the 21-mile version in 2025—Kathy Bray, Connie Pellett, and Janice Rommel—reflect on their journeys, highlighting the physical demands, emotional highs, and deep camaraderie fostered through the training program and shared experience. They discuss the stunning fall scenery, unexpected heat, elevation challenges, and the transformative power of community, especially for women transitioning from running to hiking. The episode concludes with a sponsor segment promoting the Wahoo Kicker Run treadmill and Momentus supplements, reinforcing the theme of accessible, high-quality tools for endurance athletes. Key takeaways include: 1) The Grand Traverse is a highly inclusive, community-driven event ideal for women seeking a meaningful, supported endurance challenge; 2) Training for trail events requires not just mileage, but strength work, nutrition planning, and mental preparation; 3) The event’s power lies in its blend of solitude and connection—offering space for personal reflection while being part of a supportive sisterhood; 4) Transitioning from running to hiking is not a loss but a natural evolution, especially when supported by structured programs like AMR’s; 5) Embracing discomfort and self-doubt is part of the journey—pushing through leads to profound personal growth. The overall tone is uplifting, empowering, and deeply affirming of women’s resilience and the joy found in shared physical challenges.
Choose your distance and pace (run/hike) to make the Grand Traverse inclusive and achievable for all fitness levels.
Proper trail-specific training—including strength work, hill repeats, and nutrition practice—is essential for success.
The event’s real magic lies in the community: virtual training groups build bonds that turn strangers into lifelong friends.
Hiking is not a fallback—it’s a powerful, fulfilling form of endurance that fosters connection with nature and self.
Embrace discomfort and self-doubt; pushing through them leads to the most profound sense of accomplishment.
The Grand Traverse: A New Era for AMR and Feisty
“This is our first athletic step together—the Grand Traverse, an epic trail adventure happening October 3rd, 2026 in beautiful Duluth, Minnesota.”
A Bee Swarm in Portland: A Nature Event Gone Wild
Sarah shares a humorous and surreal weekend experience involving a massive bee swarm that descended on her garage. She recounts calling a bee rescue service, the beekeeper’s dramatic hive removal, and the family’s mix of fear and fascination—ending with a lighthearted 'Hakuna Matata' moment.
Meet Dimity McDowell: The Hiking Coach Behind the Grand Traverse
“You've got to eat, you've got to eat and drink more than you think you should. It's just like an Ironman or, you know, an ultra or any other really long day where nutrition becomes just as important as how much you trained.”
Voices from the Trail: Kathy Bray’s 21-Mile Hike
“You had to force yourself to just mind yourself that you were fueling your body to keep going as opposed to wanting to do it.”
Connie Pellett: From Runner to Hiker, Finding Joy in the Journey
“The best part is doing it together. I mean, training individually, but you still have the benefit of connecting with others virtually and sharing in each other's successes or challenges.”
“You've got to eat, you've got to eat and drink more than you think you should. It's just like an Ironman or, you know, an ultra or any other really long day where nutrition becomes just as important as how much you trained.”
“The best part is doing it together. I mean, training individually, but you still have the benefit of connecting with others virtually and sharing in each other's successes or challenges.”
“I'm really glad that I did. I'm glad that I stuck it out. You know, I had the option to drop down to 17 miles and I knew I could do that, but there was a lot of like inner turmoil of do I stick it out?”
Hosts
Guests
Grand Traverse
other
Superior Hiking Trail
other
Another Mother Runner
organization
Dimity McDowell
person
Duluth, Minnesota
place
Kathy Bray
person
Feisty Media
organization
Sarah Bowen Shea
person
Janice Rommel
person
Connie Pellett
person
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