🎯 The Big Jump — Julie completed the JFK 50 Miler (50.2 miles!) after finishing the Boston Marathon and wanting a bigger challenge 💪 Mental Training Takes the Front Seat with journaling, mantras, and "if this happens, then what?" planning were just as important as physical training ❤️ Her Powerful "Why". She dedicated each mile to someone touched by cancer, carrying their names on a beaded necklace in her running vest, inspired by her husband's battle with testicular cancer 🥇 Surprise Gold Medal: By playing a mental game of chasing the "top 100 woman," she finished in the top 50 women and earned a gold medal 🍟 Nutrition is Everything: Real food at aid stations (potatoes, broth, pretzels, chips) and gradually training her gut to handle 80–90g of carbs per hour was a game changer 📖 Run to Write Community: Julie combines running and writing in a weekly community meetup, and authored the book Miles of Meaning 🔜 What's Next: She's training for the C&O 100 Miler on April 25th!
Julie B. Hughes ran her first ultra marathon, the historic JFK 50 Mile, and discovered it felt a lot like writing a book: a solitary act of courage that only becomes possible because of the community cheering you forward, one step and one word at a time. A licensed physical therapist, author, and mother of two, Julie founded the Run to Write Community to help others find their footing on the road and on the page when life’s challenges feel overwhelming.
She encourages members to tackle their challenges, believing in the therapeutic nature of storytelling, and her books and poetry inspire readers to approach life’s difficulties with a spirit of curiosity, courage, and faith.
Julie resides in Central New York with her husband and two children.
Follow Julie on Instagram @runtowritejulie, or subscribe to her Substack newsletter at juliebhughes.substack.com for regular writing and inspiration.
Book: Miles and Meaning: from Doubter to JKF 50 Mile Finisher
Photo Credit: H3 Photography