Hi! Meg here, all the way from Reno! As a newcomer to trail running, I wanted to share my transition from road running to becoming a member of Trail Sisters Reno.
I started running over 12 years ago on my very small local cross-country team in upstate New York. I fell in love with the team environment, and unlike many runners, I ran purely for the love of it. I wasn’t chasing podiums or records. I craved the quiet time listening to my music and running down country roads on hot summer nights, not knowing where those miles would eventually lead me.
From middle school through high school, I ran everywhere: grass courses, parking lots, dirt roads, wooded trails in every kind of weather. One memory that is permanently seared into my brain is racing in early November through a waist-deep mud trench we were required to run straight through. It felt like pure torture in the moment, but looking back, being able to say “I did that” is oddly rewarding.
When it came time to choose a college, I actually based my decision on where I could continue running. I chose a community college with a cross-country team so I could keep that part of my life. We trained in open fields, ran endless hill repeats, and played plenty of frisbee. It was competitive but fun, and I built some of my strongest friendships there. One of my favorite memories is winning a regional championship alongside an incredibly strong group of women.
Later, I transferred to St. John’s University in Queens, New York, a complete shift from open fields to the concrete jungle. I joined a track club filled with runners who loved the sport as much as I did, and we competed in races alongside Division I programs. It was there that I began to appreciate longer distances. On my own time, I would head out for 10 to 13-mile runs exploring Queens, looping Central Park, or running along the Manhattan shoreline. I even cheered on friends running the NYC Half Marathon.
At every stage of my life, I found my people through running.
Then life shifted once more. I moved to Reno, Nevada.
Suddenly, I didn’t know the streets or the open roads. I didn’t know which areas were safe, where to park, or where runners typically went. What once felt automatic now felt intimidating. Running, which had always been my comfort zone, suddenly felt unfamiliar.
That’s when I was introduced to Trail Sisters Reno. Edan, one of the group leaders, encouraged me to join a run and give trail running a try. I remember thinking, What even is trail running? How is it different from what I know? Am I in shape for this?
In the winter of 2023, I joined my first group run. Ironically, it wasn’t even on a trail. It was on the pavement because of the snow. But it didn’t matter. I discovered new routes, met new women, and felt that familiar sense of belonging again. When new events popped up in the app, I signed up. I wanted to learn more about Reno, the trails, and this community.
When spring finally arrived and the snow melted, we returned to the dirt.
I quickly learned that trail running is very different from road running. There are obstacles everywhere. You have to stay aware of your surroundings and constantly think about foot placement. Rocks, roots, and uneven terrain are all potential tripping hazards. It required a new level of focus and humility.
Then there was the gear.
Back in New York, I rarely carried water. I could head out for miles with nothing but headphones and a good playlist. In the high desert, hydration is not optional. I needed a vest to carry water and basic emergency supplies. I noticed some of the women used trekking poles on runs with higher elevation gain for added stability. There was so much to learn.
And the shoes. Trail shoes are their own category entirely. At first, I assumed they were similar to cross-country spikes, but they are built specifically for grip, durability, and protection on rugged terrain.
Transitioning from road running to trail running was not easy. I had to slow down, rethink my pacing, and learn how to move confidently over rocky climbs and uneven terrain. Preparing for longer efforts required more intention and awareness than I was used to. Running alongside other women changed everything. Exploring new trails together built my confidence in unfamiliar spaces and reminded me that growth feels less intimidating when you are not doing it alone.
Through Trail Sisters, I’ve climbed to heights I never imagined. This past summer, we summited Mount Rose in the Sierra Nevada at 10,800 feet. The air felt thin and crisp, and the mountains seemed to stretch on forever below us. At the top, we gathered for a group photo, and I remember standing there quietly, taking it all in. In that moment, I felt deeply connected to something bigger than myself.
This story is about more than changing running surfaces. Moving across the country meant rebuilding my confidence from the ground up. Through Trail Sisters, I found steady footing again and rediscovered the joy that first brought me to running. The trails have made me stronger, but the community continues to shape the person I am becoming.
