In my junior year of high school, I decided to join the distance team for track. In my senior year, I joined the cross country team. Reflecting back on those couple of seasons, they are simultaneously some of the best and worst times of my high school years. I found a friend group that supported each other and cheered for everyone, had inside jokes on the long bus rides around the state, and suffered (had fun!!) through 3pm workouts in the Arizona desert. But I also remember being dead last on every 3200m event, frequently catching a ride in the back of my coach’s truck because I couldn’t finish a 3 mile workout, and constantly being injured. Sometimes I wonder how my performance could have been different if I chose to feed myself.
My name is Jordan Griffin. I am running my first 50k with 14 other women as part of the First 50k Sisterhood. Outside of running, I am a mother to a nearly 2 year old daughter and a clinical pediatric dietitian.
Throughout my training I have reflected on my “why” for this race. My answer has evolved from when I first submitted my application in January. I am running to challenge myself, to prove to myself that I can do hard things, and to step out of my comfort zone to accept that challenge. In all of it, I am setting an example to my daughter that we can set lofty goals.
Part way through my training, I was hit with an epiphany that has given new meaning to this race.
Not only can I demonstrate for my daughter how to:
Run
Get outside
Set goals
I can be an example of someone who uses nutrition to fuel my body and participate in athletic endeavors without feeling the need to restrict my intake or alter my appearance to fit an image.
Healing with Knowledge and Experience
I went off to college and got two degrees in nutrition and became a dietitian. Now, I work at a children’s hospital and manage complex feeding regimens for chronically ill kids. One of the privileges of being part of the First 50k Sisterhood is having access to resources on fueling for training and race day. Even with my nutrition background, the world of sports nutrition is new and daunting.
My high school self ate a bowl of cereal for breakfast, skipped lunch, had practice after school on an empty stomach, came home and gorged on all of the snacks and dinner, then felt guilty about eating because it would make me gain weight.
My high school self would be shook that I now eat a full breakfast before heading out for a run, followed by several snacks, lunch, dinner, as well as all the candy and energy chews I consume on the run itself.
Building Foundations
When I work with families who are having trouble getting their kids to eat, I encourage them to make eating a positive experience. Our association with food starts early and when kids feel less pressure at meal times, they can build a healthy relationship with food and nutrition. Kids also observe their parents to learn how they interact with the world. When a parent makes a decision, it establishes the norm for the child.
I am fortunate that with time, I have healed my own relationships with food and exercise.
I hope that through my actions, my daughter develops positive relationships with eating and physical activity that never need healing.
Embracing the Wild Woman Spirit
Training for my first 50k has let me relive some of the aspects of running that originally drew me to the sport. The First 50k Sisterhood is giving me the support and community of women going after the same goal. I get to spend my weekends doing long runs on PNW trails, which is arguably the best place to be during the Spring. Not only does The Wild Woman 50k represent the finish line for my training these last few months, but it is also a celebration for how I have evolved as a runner over the years.
The First 50k Sisterhood is a cohort of 15 women running their first ultramarathon at Wild Woman Trail Runs in June 2026. They’ll share their stories through training, racing, fueling and beyond, all while fundraising $15,000+ for future outdoor sports scholarships for girls and women.
The First 50k Sisterhood is a cohort of 15 women running their first ultramarathon at Wild Woman Trail Runs in June 2026. They’ll share their stories through training, racing, fueling and beyond, all while fundraising $15,000+ for future outdoor sports scholarships for girls and women.
We’re honored to have support from:
- Microcosm Coaching’s training plan and ongoing coaching
- LOWA’s high quality footwear
- Kelly Fuson’s mindset and performance coaching
- Tailwind Nutrition fuel to power the miles
- Run Slick anti-chafe to run longer without pain
- Pen and Paces custom bibs to celebrate race day
Jordan Griffin
I live in the Seattle area where I am a mother to a one-year-old and work as a Clinical Dietitian. This year has been about maintaining my own identity while navigating motherhood for the first time. Running helped me feel like myself again in the postpartum period and I have a new sense of pride in what my body is capable of. I am excited to join the First 50k Sisterhood and accomplish my first ultramarathon alongside this group of women!