The MidPacker Pod is part of the Freetrail network of Podcasts. Looking for 1:1 Ultra Running Coaching? Set up a free exploratory call with Troy HERE. You can now support the MidPacker Pod on ⁠Patreon⁠. Make sure you leave us a rating and review wherever you get your pods. Want to leave Troy some feedback, recommend a guest, or make a suggestion? ⁠LINK HERE⁠ In this episode, Troy Meadows talks with Justine Bello, a trail runner and single mother, who shares her journey of discovering her love for running, finding balance between parenting and running, and her experience at the Grand Canyon, the moment that she realized that trail running was possible for her. She also discusses her project to map drinking fountains in Washington, DC and the importance of having a support network. Justine highlights the impact of having a coach and shares her experience running the Grindstone 100K race. Justine shares her experience at the Grindstone 100K race, where she faced challenges and made the decision to DNF. She reflects on the importance of working through lows and knowing when to listen to her body. Justine discusses her future race plans and the balance between racing and parenting. She also highlights the significance of the Free Trail Fems and Free Trail Mental Health groups in her life. Takeaways Finding balance between parenting and running requires creating systems and processes to manage time effectively. Building a support network is crucial for managing the challenges of parenting and pursuing personal goals. Having a coach provides not only guidance in training but also emotional and spiritual support. Taking on new challenges, such as longer distances, can lead to personal growth and new experiences. It's important to embrace the highs and lows of endurance races and believe that things can get better. Knowing when to push through and when to listen to your body is crucial in ultramarathons. Making decisions that prioritize your health and well-being, especially as a parent, is essential. Finding support and community in groups like Free Trail FEMS and mental health channels can have a profound impact on personal growth and well-being. Justine’s links Strava Things we talked about on the show Grand Canyon Rock Creek Park DC Shenandoah NP  The Public Water Project Ricky Gates Every Street Project, YouTube Video Grindstone 100k Cabin Fever 50k in Feb (Fayetteville, WV)  Promise Land 50k (outside of Lynchburg, VA) Jenkin’s Gap Shenandoah NF If you are enjoying the content, please consider supporting our sponsors using the links below. Sponsor Links:  ⁠Run Trail Life⁠ - Run Trail Life Brings you casual apparel that lets you show off your love of trail running and ultrarunning while giving back to ensure that everyone has access to the beauty of nature for generations to come. With each item purchased, we donate $1 to Runners for Public Lands. Use code: midpackerpod to double the donation from your purchase.  Visit RunTrailLife.com to check out our line of Hats and Organic cotton T's. ⁠Freetrail⁠ - Bring Trail Culture with you everywhere you go and join an amazing community of extraordinary trail runners. Freetrail Pro membership is just $96 a year, giving you access to the Freetrail Slack community, training plans, weekly office hours, and so much more.  Visit Freetrail.com to sign up today. MidPacker Pod Links: ⁠Instagram⁠ | ⁠Patreon⁠ Troy Meadows Links: ⁠Instagram⁠ | ⁠Twitter⁠ | ⁠Website⁠ | ⁠Strava⁠ Freetrail Links:⁠ Freetrail Pro⁠ | ⁠Patreon⁠ | ⁠Instagram⁠ | ⁠Website⁠ | ⁠YouTube