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Love,
Ultrarunning
A site powered by self-love and good trails
Finding Leadville
by Barbara Powell
Experience the transformative power of running rooted in love, healing, and a willingness to say yes.
Join me on a journey to the 2023 Leadville 100 trail run where every step was a necessary one.
Little by little, bit by bit, let love be your super fuel.
I published this for my inner child, who knew she could write a book one day. For my teenage self who struggled with her body and place in the world. And for all of us who say YES to a starting line -- and in doing so, can heal something mighty along the way.
Finding Leadville Chapter 17: Nuance
The author enjoying a waterfall near Hoosier Pass One morning at the cabin, the water stopped flowing. I was returning from a sunrise...
Barbara Mary
Mar 199 min read
Finding Leadville Chapter 16: Women Endure
It was a bright summer morning and I'd waken up early. My legs had work to do. The Colorado Trail snaked off into the trees toward...
Barbara Mary
Mar 187 min read
Finding Leadville Chapter 15: Crushing It
Running outbound into Twin Lakes; Trapper, the pacer, in the background cheering the author on Twin Lakes Aid Station Outbound Approx...
Barbara Mary
Mar 1610 min read
Finding Leadville Chapter 14: Race Reports and Journal Entries
The author at the start line of the Leadville Trail Marathon, happy and healthy I signed up for a couple key races as training runs. Each...
Barbara Mary
Mar 169 min read
Finding Leadville Chapter 13: The Day I Left my Body
The author on the Colorado Trail, fully reclaiming her body. Here, she is seen at home in herself. “No, no!” I thought I was shouting but...
Barbara Mary
Mar 158 min read
Finding Leadville Chapter 12: My Body Belongs to Me
The author in the Colorado trails Approaching Outward Bound Aid Station 23.5 miles Elevation 9,520’ I barreled down the other side of...
Barbara Mary
Mar 129 min read
Finding Leadville Chapter 11: The Deep Knowing Within
The author walking in Breckenridge BILL MOYERS: Do you ever have the sense of… being helped by hidden hands? JOSEPH CAMPBELL: All the...
Barbara Mary
Mar 118 min read
Finding Leadville Chapter 10: Moving in and Holding On
The author upon arriving to her cabin home in Alma, CO and enjoying the view from the deck Letting Go I've taken on the form of a mighty...
Barbara Mary
Mar 1011 min read
Finding Leadville Chapter 9: The Moment it Clicked
The author and her Chris right before her phone call in Hawaii Relationship Status If you took a sip of me today you'd realize how flat...
Barbara Mary
Mar 88 min read
Finding Leadville Chapter 8: Ben Rolls with Jesus
The author and her friend Ben in the rain after a trail run together Pineapple smoothie escaped from its straw and dribbled onto my chin....
Barbara Mary
Mar 78 min read
Finding Leadville Chapter 7: The Trees All Know my Name
The Rocky Mountains Mountain town I’ve never been, yet it’s a homecoming. The fog tipped peaks, signaling weather over trails that tuck...
Barbara Mary
Mar 68 min read
Finding Leadville Chapter 6: The 4 AM Shotgun
The blur of the Leadville 100 starting line I slipped from one dream world to the next. In the black of night, up at 10,000 feet...
Barbara Mary
Mar 510 min read
Finding Leadville Chapter 5: Love and Pizza
The author and her Chris in the first few months of dating Chris entered the scene not too long after that evening. Of course, he didn't...
Barbara Mary
Mar 47 min read
Finding Leadville Chapter 4: Never Again
The author 5 years before running Leadville during the summer outlined in this chapter It was 5 years before Leadville. I was standing...
Barbara Mary
Mar 37 min read
Finding Leadville Chapter 3: Meeting God
The author (left) as a toddler with one of her 6 sisters “Barbara,” the voice boomed. I froze, mid-wail, my chubby baby cheeks wet with...
Barbara Mary
Mar 15 min read
Finding Leadville Chapter 2: I'm Sorry, I Love You
The author recalls walking with her mother to say "I love you, I'm sorry" to the bees I did not like this. Not one bit. At barely six...
Barbara Mary
Feb 287 min read
Finding Leadville Chapter 1: The Night Before
“Bite off more than you can chew, and chew anyway.” The author enjoying her surroundings in the CO mountains Wide eyed and heart...
Barbara Mary
Feb 275 min read
Finding Leadville: Introduction
This is part of an ongoing series called, Finding Leadville . This story tracks the journey of Barbara Powell as she discovers, trains...
Barbara Mary
Feb 264 min read
Just Show Up
Many times we think it: “I could be better.” A better runner. A better partner, a better sister, a better mentor, a better coach. I could...
Barbara Mary
Feb 242 min read
A Story About the Negativity Bias 🏃♀️➡️
The treadmill underfoot was beginning to glisten. My sweat dropped onto the belt with every slapping footfall as my arms pumped, fueled...
Barbara Mary
Feb 132 min read
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