PODCAST · sports
FACING VERT
by Tara Jordan
Welcome to Facing Vert...both on trails and in life. So, what is vert? For all of those in the trail running community, it is short for Vertical Elevation Gain. Basically, it is climbing a mountain, and we have all faced mountains in our lives. This 'vert' may be an upcoming race, or simply getting up the courage to start training for a 5k. Or, this mountain is an obstacle, a burden, a fear that you just want to claw your way up and conquer. These are conversations you will hear about, and I hope they will inspire you to do the impossible and face the impossible with greater hope.
Episodes
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091: Ultra Running Newbies-Ridge To Rails 50k-Jack Kitching, Eli Lanter & Sullivan Brady
Three friends decided to jump into the ultra running world, and take on the challenge of the Ridge To Rails 50k (by Tanawha Adventures). Three different reasons for registering, three different training 'plans', and three different stories of what happened out on the trails at Ridge To…
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090: Hellbender 100 1st Place OA-Drew Antonisse
Drew Antonisse is so much more than this title. Yes, he won Hellbender...many races actually, and I wanted to hear all about it, BUT getting to know him and his journey was the highlight. I was really in awe of Drew's love for the outdoors and his love for people. He has immersed himself in the...
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089: Inspired By Others-Devon Brodmyer
What a fun time I had getting to know Devon Brodmyer! A bright young man, just tapping in to the ultra realm, and already finding so much success. A big take away for me through our conversation was the importance of surrounding yourself with those that will encourage you, motivate you, and see...
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088: Ridge To Rails-Brandon Thrower
Brandon Thrower and I sat down via FaceTime to talk about the Ridge to Rails races coming up on June 6th. There is a 50k, Half Marathon and 10k. As of the recording, there were still some spots available, so sign up quickly! Brandon and I had recorded a podcast about this race a few years ago…
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087: Appalachian State Injury Lab-Dr. Alan Needle
I had the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Alan Needle not only about his running adventures, but the research he is conducting at races put on by Tanawha Adventures and Dirty Wolf. Alan and his team are conducting a survey-based research study that is aiming to better understand what changes risks…
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086: The Helenebender 2 (aka Hellbender 100) Course-Brandon Thrower
Brandon Thrower sat down with me via FaceTime to talk through the newly revealed Hellbender course for 2026. Hurricane Helene did a number on our trails here in Western NC, and so many of the trails used in the original Hellbender course are still being repaired or redirected. So this year's…
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085: Run With Faith (Youth Culture)-Tara Jordan
This podcast is a wee bit different this time. I was recently asked to join Sullivan Brady on the stage at Youth Culture at Brookstone Church. Sullivan had been teaching through a series called RUN, and for the final night he wanted the students to hear from a crazy ultra runner (me) that truly...
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084: Mindset Of A Champion-Michael Ferguson
Michael Ferguson is a senior in high school, and was already committed to Furman University before his senior year even began. Already, as a senior, he is the state champion in 5A Cross Country, the 1600 indoor track state champion and the 3200 indoor track state champion. Pretty incredible...
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083: Catawba Falls 15K-Brandon Thrower
In this episode, I sat down via FaceTime with Brandon Thrower to talk about Tanawha Adventure's new race...the Catawba Falls 15K! You can hear Brandon's love for Catawba Falls as he describes every detail of the course from start to finish. If you are running this race or considering running it…
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082: FKTs Are Better With Friends-Teresa Bowser & Nathan Frantz
Two FKTs (fastest known time) from two different people, on two different routes, for different 'whys', but with the support of one another they accomplished great things. Teresa Bowser came up with her own 100+ miler called Project Untamed, and now the holds the FKT. When you come up with your…
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081: 1st Overall At The Looking Glass 100K-Cameron Brown
I was looking forward to speaking to Cameron Brown about his Looking Glass win because I knew absolutely nothing about him...other than the fact the he absolutely crushed the race! He was first overall in a time of 9:31:55! Mind-blowing. What an interesting conversation I had with Cameron! I was...
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080: My Looking Glass 100K Experience-Tara Jordan
It has been almost a month since I ran the Looking Glass 100k, and I was finally able to sit down (with myself) and detail out my experience leading up to the race and throughout that day. What a day it was, and I am so so grateful to Brandon of Tanawha Adventures and every single volunteer for...
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079: No Business 100-Natasha Castro
This podcast is so much more than talking to someone new about a race that they conquered. I had never officially met Natasha Castro, but with every picture she would post on Strava or Instagram I felt drawn to her. I can't really explain why that is, but I think her smile made me smile, and you...
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078: Rim To River 100 Miler-Jen Kurtz
Jen Kurtz joined me on the podcast in August to talk about her creatine study on endurance athletes. She reached back out as she is in need for more runners to participate in her study that are doing the Looking Glass 100k race. If you are at all interested in this, and want to get an additional...
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077: Looking Glass 100K Preview-Brandon Thrower
Here it is! All the details you need to know about the Looking Glass 100K coming up on November 15th with race director and course designer, Brandon Thrower! Brandon walks us through the course describing the terrain, the elevation, turn by turn. We also discuss the aid stations, crew and drop…
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076: Conquering UTMB-Marisa Romeo
Marisa Romeo never ceases to blow my mind. To be in the top 25 women at the biggest ultra trail running race in the world is unbelievable...she was 22nd by the way. I had to hear her story, and it did not disappoint. Going in with a great mental state and just reveling in the fact that she was…
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075: UTMB 100M-Katti Jackson
I was so pumped to follow several runners on their journey through the mountains of France, Switzerland and Italy during the UTMB 100 miler. One of these incredible runners was Katti Jackson, and I stalked her on the live tracking until she crossed the finish line back in Chamonix. Little did I...
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074: Creatine Study on Endurance Athletes-Dr. Jennifer Kurtz
Dr. Jennifer Kurtz is an Assistant Professor at Appalachian State University. She specializes in nutritional supplementation, performance and recovery, and she is also a sports nutritionist. She understands endurance athletes because she is one...an ultra runner, a mountain biker and a…
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073: Hardrock 100 Endurance Run-Michael Poole
Michael Poole just recently completed the Hardrock 100 Endurance Run in Colorado, which just so happens to be a dream race of mine, so I was excited to talk to him about his experience. Michael has been trying to get into Hardrock for 11 years, and finally he was pulled from the waitlist just a...
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072: Western States Endurance Run-Laura Rollins
Laura Rollins has had the Western States 100 as a bucket list race since 2017 when she first entered the lottery. Finally her chance came this year, and I was so stoked to follow her on the live stream and tracking whenever I got the chance. When I saw her cross the finish line, I was so…
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071: Cocodona 250-Rob Berry
Rob Berry is extremely passionate about all things running, and that fact soared to the surface on this podcast. Once he discovered that ultra-running existed, he wanted to soak in all he could about the sport. Rob's journey is all about discovering, adapting, learning, changing...just to be...
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070: Hellbender 100 1st Place Female-Shannon Howell
Shannon Howell...what can I say to explain the level of athleticism, grit, dedication and talent this woman possesses? I first heard of Shannon when I ran the Heartbreaker 50 mile (which she won), and so I decided to look her up on Ultrasignup. Whoa...79 races recorded, and she finished on the...
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069: Running For The Girl In the Cul-De-Sac-Raven Johnson
I have learned to expect the unexpected with the amazing people I get to know during these podcasts, and Raven Johnson was no different. Raven had just finished the Hellbender 100 the weekend before we recorded, and not only did she finish, but she finished 3rd female overall! Of course, I wanted...
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068: Gratitude-Miriam Salloum
Miriam Salloum is the owner of The Runner's Mechanic-a unique running analysis and physical therapy clinic in Asheville, NC. I was looking forward to sitting down with her as our paths have crossed so many times, but we have never had a chance to have a true conversation. I wanted to get to know...
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067: Hellbender 100 New Course Reveal-Carrie Baris & Brandon Thrower
It's finally out! Brandon Thrower and Carrie Baris (co-race directors) sat down with me to go through all of the details of the new course for the Hellbender 100 coming up on May 9-10, 2025. After Hurricane Helene, so many of our beautiful trails were destroyed by falling trees and landslides....
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066: My Mount Mitchell Heartbreaker 50M Experience-Tara Jordan (yep, me)
I really don't like talking...that is why I ask the questions! BUT, on this episode it is just me rambling about my experience at the Mt. Mitchell Heartbreaker 50M this past Saturday, March 22nd. First of all, the weather was absolutely perfect...chilly in the morning and rising to around 68 or…
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065: Black Canyon 100k-Tim Nooney & Miller Groome
Now this was a fun interview...two friends that met through running, now crew one another, race together and train together when they can. Both Tim Nooney and Miller Groome decided to run the Black Canyon 100k this past February, and I wanted to hear from both of them about their journey through...
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064: Mount Mitchell Heartbreaker 50 M & 55K-Brandon Thrower
It is here! Brandon Thrower, of Tanawha Adventures, discusses the NEW course for the Mount Mitchell Heartbreaker 50M & 55k with me on this episode. Listen as Brandon walks us through the turns, the terrain, aid stations, crew and more for this upcoming race. Although the race will not be able to…
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063: The Fierce Dragon Firestarter 100-Teresa Bowser
"If you don't have the confidence, you have to have the courage"--Teresa Bowser I absolutely loved when Teresa said this as we discussed why she signed up for the Fierce Dragon Firestarter 100. Already an extremely difficult race (that very few want to even attempt), the crazy weather took the...
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062: Old Fort Strong 24-Hour Experience-Andrew Hall
Andrew Hall signed up for the Old Fort Strong Endurance Festival's 24-hour race with a short window to train and only a 50K under his belt. Andrew's own hometown of Burnsville was hit hard by Hurricane Helene, and he saw first hand the generosity of others to offer their resources to help. So…
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061: Hanging Rock Challenge 50K & Half-Brandon Thrower
First of all, HAPPY NEW YEAR! I truly hope that you had a wonderful Christmas season and are getting off to an amazing start in 2025. To kick off this new year, we have a new race to talk about with Brandon Thrower, race director and owner of Tanawha Adventures. The Hanging Rock Challenge 50K &...
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060: 1st Female at Grindstone 100-Katti Jackson
I met Katti Jackson at The Naturalist, where she took 2nd female overall. Since then, I have seen her dominate in the ultras she has faced since that time. Katti didn't even start running ultras until 2022 with Table Rock, and in 2023 she won the Heartbreaker 55k, then won the Heartbreaker 50…
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059: Old Fort Strong Endurance Festival-Brandon Thrower
First of all, I hope everyone had an amazing Thanksgiving with their friends and family. I am so so grateful to each and everyone of you that listen and share this podcast! On this episode, I sat down with Brandon Thrower, with Tanawha Adventures, to get all the details for you on the Old Fort...
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058: Pisgah Area SORBA Executive Director-Natalie Narburgh
Natalie Narburgh does not shy away from adventure or challenges...actually she gravitates towards it. Natalie not only wears many hats as the Executive Director of Pisgah Area SORBA, but also many hats in life. She is a trail runner, cyclist, rock climber, a white water kayaker, a wife, a mom and...
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057: Resilience-Anne George
Resilience-"the capacity to withstand or to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness" Anne George is, to me, is the definition of resilience. I feel as if she may disagree, but I could see it and hear it when we spoke. First of all, she is a phenomenal runner. If you take a glance at her...
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056: Finding Strength Through Community-Brandon Thrower
I have had Brandon Thrower on the podcast many times to talk about the details of the races he directs, but this time was different. As everyone is well aware, Hurricane Helene tore through Western North Carolina destroying lives, homes, businesses, roads and the forests we love. Through spotty...
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055: Leadville Trail 100 MTB-Steve Bennett
The Leadville Trail 100 Mountain Bike Race took place on August 10, 2024, and my good friend, Steve Bennett was up for the challenge. Steve has loved his mountain bike since he was young, and throughout the years has dabbled in different disciplines of the sport. Steve loves to race, and has had...
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054: Table Rock Ultras-Brandon Thrower
The Table Rock Ultras are quickly approaching, so I sat down with race director, Brandon Thrower, to find out all the details. The Table Rock 50k & 30k will take place on September 21st and here is a little teaser from the website... Roots and rocks; hills and creeks; views and memories... We…
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053: UTMB's Lavaredo 120K-Marisa Romeo
I had the pleasure of once again sitting down with the Mountain Monster, Marisa Romeo. (Yes, I made that name up, but just look at her Strava!) The last time we spoke she had just crushed the field at the Looking Glass 100K in November of 2023. I wanted to have her back on to hear all about her...
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052: Grand-Further Mountain Run-Brandon Thrower
In this episode, I sit down with race director, Brandon Thrower, to talk through every detail of the upcoming Grand-Further Mountain Run. See what Tanawha Adventure's website has to say about this race... The Grand-Further Mountain Run is the premiere mountain race in North Carolina. The 25...
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051: Overcoming Injury & The Mozart 100-Tory Grieves
Tory Grieves, along with Sara Molskness, were on the podcast over a year ago to talk about their battle with injuries and the difficulty of simply not being able to do what the love. Tory had torn her plantar fascia, and it had taken her around a year to really start trying to run again. Then,...
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050: Pushing To The Edge-Nathan Frantz
Nathan Frantz has such an adventurous spirit, who loves to push the limits and seek the extreme. As a young boy Nathan found a love of the outdoors and this never grew dim...whether it was by BMX, cliff jumping, whitewater rafting, Spartan races or ultra running. Nathan is so easy to talk to, so...
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049: Try To Do Things That Are Impossible-Marcus Welker
When Marcus sat down with me, I did not know a thing about him except that he was really fast and super strong. I first saw his name come up when he won the Looking Glass 100k this past fall, and then he showed up so strong at the Hellbender 100...taking 3rd overall with a sub-24 hour finish. He...
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048: Ridge To Rails 50k, Half Marathon & 10k-Brandon Thrower
Bonus Episode! Ridge to Rails 50k, Half Marathon and 10k are THIS weekend, so Brandon Thrower (with Tanawha Adventures) and I sat down to talk about each race. If you are running this race this Saturday, or thinking about participating in the future, you will want to listen. Brandon walks through...
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047: Sharing Miles On Feet & On Horseback-Carrie Baris
So much to say about Carrie Baris, the co-race director of the Hellbender 100. Yes, she is an ultra runner, but she is also very successful in the equestrian sports of endurance riding and ride & tie. I was absolutely fascinated to dig into both of these equestrian sports to find out how they...
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046: Releasing The Burden-Teresa Bowser
Teresa Bowser is an incredible trail runner, ultra runner, crew, pacer and friend to all. Teresa began her trail running journey around 2019 and has now conquered some of the most difficult ultras around...the Hellbender 100, Cloudsplitter 100, Stillwater Ultras, and recently the Georgia Death…
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045: Hellbender 100-Brandon Thrower
Bonus Episode! For this episode I sat down with co-race director and course developer, Brandon Thrower (Tanawha Adventures), to talk all things Hellbender! According the the Hellbender 100 website: The Hellbender One Hundred is one of the most scenic hundred milers on the East Coast. This course...
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044: MST 100 1st Overall Female-Ally Carlton
**Warning: sensitive material is discussed in this podcast** Ally Carlton was recently on the podcast after she grabbed the FKT both North and Southbound on the Art Loeb Trail within three weeks of each other. Pretty astounding to say the least. And then, in March, Ally crossed the finish line of...
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043: 7 Sisters 25K-Brandon Thrower
We are putting this episode out early because 7 Sisters is right around the corner! On this episode I sat down with Brandon Thrower, of Tanawha Adventures, to get all the details on his upcoming 7 Sisters 25K. According to the Tanawha Adventures website, "The Seven Sisters 25k is a monstrous...
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042: Mt. Mitchell Heartbreaker 55K-Me, Myself and I
On this episode, you will hear about my experience running the Mt. Mitchell Heartbreaker 55K that took place on Saturday, March 23, 2024. Somehow I came in first lady and 11th overall with a time of 6:59:59...right under that 7 hours! Turned out to be a beautiful day of running with unexpected...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Welcome to Facing Vert...both on trails and in life. So, what is vert? For all of those in the trail running community, it is short for Vertical Elevation Gain. Basically, it is climbing a mountain, and we have all faced mountains in our lives. This 'vert' may be an upcoming race, or simply getting up the courage to start training for a 5k. Or, this mountain is an obstacle, a burden, a fear that you just want to claw your way up and conquer. These are conversations you will hear about, and I hope they will inspire you to do the impossible and face the impossible with greater hope.
HOSTED BY
Tara Jordan
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does FACING VERT have?
FACING VERT currently has 91 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is FACING VERT about?
Welcome to Facing Vert...both on trails and in life. So, what is vert? For all of those in the trail running community, it is short for Vertical Elevation Gain. Basically, it is climbing a mountain, and we have all faced mountains in our lives. This 'vert' may be an upcoming race, or simply getting...
How often does FACING VERT release new episodes?
FACING VERT has 91 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to FACING VERT?
You can listen to FACING VERT on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts FACING VERT?
FACING VERT is created and hosted by Tara Jordan.
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