Meet the Crew
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Maggie
My most-constant crew member, biggest cheerleader, and important part of my community has been my wife, Maggie. She’s mastered the art of crewing me (and any number of other people who we also know running a race). She knows how to stay up through the night, ask the right questions, say the right thing, and give tough love when it’s needed. She’s even worn a headlamp and run through the woods (for the first time) to pace me for 20 miles when I really needed it. When I’m having a hard moment in a race, I know that when I see Maggie next, she’ll be able to help me feel better or work through the challenge.
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Lindsey
Founder of the 504th run crew and most likely to say “Yes!” to any fun adventure, Lindsey is tops when it comes to cheering, creativity, bringing joy to running, and leading by example. Her planning and organizational skills are rivaled by few. As soon as I decided to go on this adventure, I knew I needed to lock-in Lindsey as a key member of my crew. I can always count on her to be down for anything but also be a dependable, consistent, and reliable member of my team. She’s been a leader and organizer of the 504th since the beginning and has done so much to bring the running community in New Orleans together. I know she’ll do the same for the TSP Solo community.
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Halle
Another member of the 504th and the TSP relay team from 2022, Halle brings energy to every situation. Whether we’re running a marathon at midnight for her birthday (just because), running to every brewery in New Orleans during the ‘Legs & Dregs Marathon’, racing TSP, or at a pool party in Vegas, Halle brings the fun. Despite often claiming to have ‘retired from running’, I knew she would be down to come out to the desert with me and will most certainly give me energy when I’m feeling exhausted. She’s great at bringing everyone up to her level (which is always high).
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Emily
Badass mom of Baby Harold is joining the team after missing last year’s TSP (to give birth). She’s paced 100 milers, raced marathons, completed 12 half-marathons in 12 months, and always shows up to cheer for friends. Balancing being a mom and a runner is something I really admire about Emily and I’m so grateful to have her as a role model. As a new mom, she’s completed the Berlin Marathon and is jumping in to help crew me across the desert. I know I’ll be able to count on Emily to push me to keep going when I’m feeling tired while still making me feel supported.
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Lauren
Lauren is another captain of the 504th. Her presence on the TSP Solo crew adds wisdom, positivity, kindness, joy, and running experience. Running alongside her for the last several years on most Tuesday nights has made me really appreciate how great she is at making conversation - and also making the miles seem to fly by. I’m so grateful that she’ll be joining the team to run from LA to Vegas. I know that in moments of problem-solving, she’ll help everyone think clearly and keep the energy where it needs to be. I can’t wait to share miles with her as we run through the desert - she’s certain to give me the motivation and support that I need.
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Ashley
Ashley is one of the most consistent and supportive runners that I know. She’s gearing up to run the Louisiana Marathon in January but has been running long runs all summer (and that’s a feat in the New Orleans heat). She’s always willing to jump in as a running buddy on a training run, especially if you’re feeling hesitant or unsure about getting it done. Ashley shows up to runs with positivity and always gets it done, no matter how hot or tough the run might turn out to be. I’m so grateful that I’ll be able to depend on Ashley as the miles get harder throughout the race. Her steady consistency will be an asset to our crew!
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Alyssa
Alyssa joined the 504th just over a year ago and hasn’t looked back. She ran her first marathon (entirely in the rain) a few weeks ago and can always be found joining the crew for long runs on Saturdays. She’s already plotting her next marathon (rumor has it she’ll be aiming for Chicago). Even after her marathon, she showed up on a bike ready to support runners who were training for another race. She’s joyful about running but also knows how to overcome challenges, which will be such as asset out in the desert. I’m so excited to have her on the crew and can’t wait to share some (lots of) miles with her.
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Denali
Denali is one of my oldest friends and running buddies. She is one of the most supportive and thoughtful humans that I know and I’m so grateful to have her by my side for all of life’s ups and downs AND now the Speed Project Solo as well. She brings an exceptional ability to create strong connections among people to our team, as well as a wealth of running experience. She’s run marathons, half marathons, and paced ultras. She recently finished her first half marathon since giving birth to her daughter! Denali inspires me daily and I feel so lucky to have her joining this adventure.
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Maria
Maria is a consistent and longtime runner with the 504th. She knows what it means to always show up. No matter what the event is, she’s there to cheer, run, or bring the joy. She’s crewed, cheered, and run dozens of races, from 5ks to 100 milers. Her positivity and energy is contagious - which will be a huge help when the miles start to feel long in the desert. Not only does she bring joy and energy, but she’s also super creative and loves a good costume - she’s sure to be decked out on our various theme days. I’m so glad to have Maria’s joy, excitement, and enthusiasm on our crew for this adventure from LA to LV.
Why an all-female crew?
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Unfortunately, female athletes are competing in a men’s world.
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Despite the fact that women make up about 40% of athletes overall, only about 4% of sports media covers women’s sports.
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There are roughly 1.3 million fewer high school athletic opportunities for girls than for boys. Girls are twice as likely as boys to drop out of sports by age 14.
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Only 24% of institutions’ athletic budgets go toward women’s sports. College women get about 16% of recruiting budgets and about $179 million less in scholarship funds.
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There is some good news from the running world....
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In the US, women make up 57% of finishers - that’s about 10.7 million women racing (at all distances).
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Globally, female race participation is up 25%, compared to 7% for men.
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33% of ultra finishers are female (compared to 25% in 2002).
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Best of all...
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Women are actually 0.6% faster than men in races longer than 195 miles.
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And it turns out, running from LA to Vegas is longer than 195 miles.
Growing-up as a young female athlete, I was constantly looking for role-models to show me what was possible, despite all the messages I was getting about how boys were stronger and faster than I ever could be. Ultrarunning has provided those role models for me as an adult. There are so many impressive female athletes who are doing incredible things in our sport. Many of them have participated in TSP (both the relay and solo). It will be an honor to toe the line in 2023 as a female solo runner and the experience will be made even more special by having an all-female crew (many of whom have competed in TSP DIY and TSP with me already). I’m so grateful to be able to surround myself with such incredible, inspiring, and supportive women as I embark on this journey.