You might ask yourself, 'Why the mouse?' This adorable little mouse, Shredder Cheddar, always pushes the limits and goes BIG!
While backcountry skiing on Mt. Saint Helens with my partner, I envisioned a little mouse squeezing a wedge of cheese—a playful idea that would later become the brand’s mascot. .Stoked and inspired from an incredible day shredding pow on a bluebird day, Shredder Cheddar was created. The power in that squeeze is the same energy Shredder Cheddar takes to every finish line. Shredder Cheddar is the athletic spirit in all of us. It is more than a cute little mouse that makes people smile; it shows you have determination, resilience and perseverance to go for the win. It is the same grit we have to push ourselves again and again to reach out of our comfort zone that shows the spirit of Shredder Cheddar. Not only does this describe an athlete, but also an entrepreneur. Both share the same drive-- we never give up and we just keep moving forward until the goal is achieved.
When I visualized Shredder Cheddar, I saw the person I am today: a confident woman pushing herself to achieve something she’s never done before. Now, when I look at that mouse, I’m reminded that with focus and discipline, I can accomplish anything. I want each of you to also feel this when you see Shredder Cheddar! Know that anything is possible; you just have to believe in yourself and really want that cheese!
It was just a month ago I was crewing and pacing my friend Julija Šortyė in Pinhoti 100 where she got first in the women’s race and seventh overall. I wanted to share my overall experience with her on-course and highlight her Shredder Cheddar style.
Julija Šortyė is hands down and feet in the dirt connected to earth’s trails. I never thought a runner in a race could be so calm and collected.
Julija asked me to pace her for Pinhoti 100, but I was unfortunately injured at the time. I really wanted to pace her and get better, so I spent the next few months getting stronger, doing PT, and receiving deep tissue massage. As soon as I recovered, I let her know I was 100% in to pace and crew for her! The training began early last summer in the humidity and the heat in Pensacola. This was the most difficult time to train, but an excellent way to reach peak performance and fitness.
In October while I was in Portland, Julija and I had a race preview to prepare for what's to come on race day in November. She told me I would crew with her dear friend, Neale. This would be my first time crewing or pacing, but I knew what to expect from the 100's I had completed. I took this job seriously, because I knew Julija had anticipated a strong finish for the win. I wanted more than anything to support her to do so.
She called me just five days before the race day, unfortunately, she had food poisoning. That was devastating to hear, but we had to stay positive! Even though she felt like death that day tomorrow would be better, and she would have a strong comeback by race day. She would need to continue to hydrate with electrolytes and get her nutrition in. By the time I saw Julija at Pizza & Pint in Sylacauga, Alabama she was feeling awesome. She bounced back quickly and was ready to run! Endurance athletes have strength, determination and perseverance to get through the toughest problems; it is just a part of the challenge.
It was here that I met for the first time Jennifer Shultis, and race director for The Olympic Mountains Trail Race, also a friend of Julija. Jennifer was also preparing to run the race. Neale, Julija, Jennifer, and myself had lunch to go over race and aid station details.
After lunch, we went to the race finish for check-in at the Boat Dock to pick up their bibs and drop their bags. I was getting pre-race jitters(even though I wasn't racing) from seeing the runners who had all trained so hard for the race. I know how exciting it can be to toe the line.
On race day, we woke up at 4am for a quick breakfast, and arrived at the race start at Pine Glen Campground. We parked and walked with the masses to the start line. Julija was in great spirits and seemingly relaxed. I was so excited for her to have an incredible race and to be a part of it.
The race began, Neale and I rushed back to the car to get ahead of the other crews to be early to the first aid station at mile 18. Neale was the best driver, and I was a co-pilot. Despite not having GPS in the car; google maps eventually got us to every aid station. We always got there early with time to spare for a perfect parking space and the crew bag laid out with Julija’s necessities.
At mile 18 the expectation was that we would have Julija’s AS bag #3, drop bag and all her things in order. It was here I had a slight panic. Where is AS bag #3? I wanted to call her crew from past races asking for their input, but instead I troubleshooted. I realized that everything in her drop bag was for this aid station, and we just needed to trust that everything she needed was there. So we spread out the contents and crossed our fingers that we had everything she would need. I was anxiously waiting for her to arrive at this aid station. Neale and I both thought we would feel much better after we saw her and she had everything she needed from us. Julija arrived drenched with sweat, and only saying one word, “Humid!” She was suffering from the heat and humidity in the woods. We needed to get her hydration and electrolytes dialed. I know that this can feel really bad and turn a good day to bad, if it is not controlled right away. She left that aid station with full hydration and nutrition. We cheered her through! My heart was full, and I was so excited for her. She looked strong and had a smile. All the runners who came through were similarly drenched with sweat and had the same complaint, humidity!
Neale and I packed up her belongings, took a drive to Oxford for a cup of coffee and an empanada( unfortunately these tasty empanadas were already sold out). Next up is Cheaha Lake at mile 43 to meet Julija. We had a little adventure taking OHV roads before making the decision to turn back, and try a different route. We arrived a little later than we had wanted, and the parking lot was full. The guard station attendant asked for our parking tickets which we didn't have, but kindly still let us go through. Neale went against the odds and found a parking space up front next to the trailhead. While waiting anxiously for Julija, I ate my second sandwich and continued to hydrate with an electrolyte mix for pacing her later that evening.
Jujia came down the Cheaha Mountain’s Blue Hell Trail like a bat out of hell. She looked fantastic, and said she had passed two other females on the downhill. This downhill was a technical stomping ground with rocky boulder steps. It was obvious that running out west at Mt Saint Helens prepared her for this one. She chose a line and leaned into it, and pushed the limit to gain first in women. We packed up the SUV(aka bobbywagon) and got lost on our way to Adam’s Gap aid station at mile 57. I am not sure if we were really lost or if we were just trying to have some fun! If we hadn't gone the wrong direction out of the Cheaha aid station, we wouldn’t have seen Julija slaying down a gravel road. I couldn't believe how fast she was going, it looked like she was sprinting. I knew she was going to hold that lead for the rest of the race. No one could touch her at that pace.
We arrived at Adam’s Gap to set up with hours to spare and had a top crew spot. It was here, I met Abby McCarthy. We both thought each other looked familiar, but we didn't know from where. She said she was from Rochester, and I knew that was where my friend, Danielle Snyder’s hometown was. It turned out they were friends, but that still didn't explain how Abby and I knew each other. I love this community for moments like this…across the US, yet, there is still familiarity. Abby and Neale, both said I should take a rest and a nap to be ready to pace Julija. I tried to sit down and shut my eyes, but only for a second, before I would get excited again to run with Julija. I was so anxious, I could not sit still for very long.
Julija came down the trail fired up! She did a shirt change, and took off with her pockets and bottles full. It took 20 minutes before the next female came into this Aid Station. We packed up the BobbyWagon and headed to Porter’s Gap, where Neale nailed it once again on parking. We were here at sunset and into the dark. I tried to nap again, but shortly after trying to shut my eyes, I remembered something Julija needed. She wanted a drink mix for this aid station, so I stood up and prepared her drink. I realized a nap wasn't happening, and I needed to run on adrenaline. I changed my clothes, adjusted and tested my headlamp. The headlamp lit the trail the best with my Shredder Cheddar Trucker hat on backwards. Neale found mashed potatoes at the aid station for Julija! I made it into a puree for her to sip down quickly. We were well prepared for her to come through this aid station and for me to start pacing her. She arrived at mile 78 looking very fresh.
Julija and I took off down the trail together out of that aid station. I had waited all day for this, and now I got to see if my training had paid off to pace her. Julija had said to me earlier that she may just want company and silence. It took a few miles to get the headlamp brightness adjusted just right so that it would not shadow her. We were patient and eventually we got it right. I could see with both of our lights, but it would be too dim if I was too far behind her. My eyes adjusted and we ran well together. She was impressively strong! I was inspired by her every step and not showing signs of being tired. I could not relate, because in my 100 mile races I was never able to run like this. She did not give up, and she persevered. Every aid station we came through we cheered, picked up water and a snack. It was dark, the stars were out, and we were stepping through crunchy dried leaves that had fallen from the trees. The terrain was technical at times with granite stones at our feet hidden below the trail of leaves. At times I felt like I was doing parkour, because I was catching myself from rolling and twisting my ankles hopping from rock to rock over roots. Every time we stubbed a toe; I screeched. Julija asked me to stop gasping. My concerned reaction was not what she wanted to hear, and I completely understood. I was trying to change a habit in a very short time; I would still gasp, then say, “Nice Save!” She asked for music, then I realized that I didn't have any music downloaded. I was frustrated that I didn't have what she needed. I apologized, and Instead we listened to the cicadas, crunching leaves, wind blowing in the trees, and the creatures of the wild. The Milky Way was absolutely gorgeous with the stars and the new moon.
Shortly after leaving Pinnacle aid station we saw lights and I thought they were from the next aid station. These were actually headlights in the distance, and someone was on the horn. I listened carefully and tried to focus on the headlights, but it was too far away with too many trees between. I couldn’t really see what was in the distance. We both were so glad we had each other at that eerie moment on a dark trail. Along the trail we did pass by campers, so it wasn’t unlikely that there was someone driving out that way. I am still not sure if that was an SOS.
I brought my mind back to the trail; watching Julija’s steps and her light guiding us. I got emotional thinking about how she was going to win this, and how proud I was of her! I knew for the entire 30 miles that she was going to win, but that I couldn't say anything until it was over. When we came through aid stations, I could feel the excitement from the volunteers! I had goosebumps knowing she was going to win. We would say to each other, “We’ve got this!” “Keep moving forward!” Julija’s socks had the words on them, “Keep Going!” So that is exactly what we did!
We saw Neale at Mile 88 at Bull’s Gap, and he was on point. He had the crew bag out, and Julija’s necessities laid out, while also helping me get what I needed. Julija did a shoe change here, and within a couple minutes we were gone. We took off on a gravel road, and this is where we started to cruise. I couldn't believe she could run like this with 13 miles to go. She and I were talking and we realized we were off-course. I ran back on a recon mission to see where the turn-off was. We found it, and headed down the trail back on-course. Julija got out ahead because my headlamp was too bright. I turned my headlamp off, then I couldn't get it to turn back on. It was going through all the lights: red, blue, green, then off, but it never turned to a white light. I kept my cool, but I thought, get it together Meg, Julija needs you to finish this with her. Find your light! I finally found the dim light and was able to catch her on the downhill. We had another trail turn off, and I got paranoid with my poor navigation skills that I hadn't seen a flag in a while. Generally, I am good with directions, but in the dark I am not the best. I did another recon mission to find that we were absolutely on track. Once again, I had to catch up to Julija with a dim lit headlamp. I quickly stepped in a hole in the grassy field that startled me, but trotted up to her, and said, “We got this!”
She had a steady pace and was still so strong. As we neared the finish line; we passed by a couple of runners. We cheered them on! Julija is always a kind, positive and a smart runner. She is humble and authentic, and holds the same values on and off-course. It was my pleasure to follow her lead to the finish line. I could feel her pace pick up, and I told her I would chase her to the finish line. She and I ran hard to the line, and she crossed at 21:15 minutes! Heck yeah! She sat down on the other side with relief to be finished, and with joy to be first female. She had won!!! I was so proud of her. Neale was there to cheer her on! She quickly accepted her super beast-like results, gold buckle and trophy in the dark at 2am. We gave her big hugs and high fives! She was still 100% coherent and looked like she could have run another 100 miles.
Neale brought her warm clothes and a kombucha. I tried to get the party started, but the party was looking more promising for the following day. I now know that when you finish in the top 10 in the early morning; you go home to sleep then party. I was beyond impressed by her finish in 21 hours. I was stoked to be by her side to see her finish that one so strong. An absolute honor to be there with her to see her to the finish line for first place in the women’s race and 7th overall.
I learned so much from watching Julija win, and I am inspired to run 100 miles again. I am excited to close in on launching Shredder Cheddar while I continue to train for racing season 2025.
Comments