What sport do/did you compete in? And why are you passionate about it?
Running and Ironman Triathlon. As a life bucket list item, I ran my first marathon in 2002. I figured it would be one and done. Little did I know that it would become my life’s work and passion. I started my company, Calico Racing in 2007. We direct ~10 running events annually throughout the Las Vegas valley with distances currently ranging from 5K to 51K (a play on the traditional 50K being our race is near Area 51). While producing events for others to test themselves, I’ve continued to compete as well. To date I’ve completed 183 marathons, 12 Ironman Triathlons, Ultra distances running events including a few 100 milers, a 250K self supported stage race in Madagascar, and a 200K stage race in Cambodia. I’m the 22nd woman/ 110th overall finisher of having completed a marathon in all 50 states in under 4 hours. I plan to run and compete for the rest of my life. My short-term goals that I am closing in on are:
- Finish 100 marathons in under 4 hours (currently at 91)
- Finish my second round of the 50 states marathon club (currently 33 into the second round)
- Set a new marathon lifetime PR. My fastest was set in 2005. This last month, I ran just 11 minutes slower than my lifetime PR. I’ve decided to make setting a new lifetime marathon PR a goal (and will be in my 50s)
- Finish my 200th marathon- aiming for the Athens Marathon in 2027.
- Finish a marathon on all seven continents- aiming for 2026 (currently at 5)
- Qualify for IM Kona- hopefully, aging up will help my chances!
How long have you been Hammering?
I’ve been using Hammer Nutrition since 2004 and have been a dedicated user ever since. I raced my first Ironman in 2004 without having a nutritional plan. I started off strong but lost energy in the run. I knew I had a better race in me. That same month after my first Ironman, I met Steve Born at the Hammer Nutrition booth at Interbike. He wrote me a race day nutrition plan using Hammer Perpetuem, Hammer Gel, and Hammer Endurolytes. I executed that plan exactly as Steve prescribed, just 8 weeks after my first Ironman, completing my second Ironman an hour and 16 minutes faster. Proper fueling using Hammer Nutrition products exclusively from start to finish allowed me the sustained energy to have the race I trained so hard for. Now, 20 years later, I still fuel my races the same way.
How long has your event partnered with Hammer?
Calico Racing has partnered with Hammer Nutrition since our inception in 2007.
Your go-to Hammer products?
Hammer Gel, Hammer Endurolytes, and Perpetuem.
Why do you continue to partner with Hammer to fuel your events?
Hammer Nutrition allows me and my athletes to execute on the race we’ve trained so hard for. I always tell my athletes to fuel and hydrate early and often. I set my nutrition plan to a timer. Every 15 and 45 after the hour, I do “X” every 30 after the hour, I do “X.” This schedule ensures I don’t get behind. If I stay on top of my fueling with Hammer Nutrition, I know I am setting myself up to have the race I’ve trained for. You can’t fake a good nutrition plan in endurance racing!
Favorite memory as a Race Director?
After nearly 18 years of directing close to 200 races- there are so many memories to choose from! The most life-altering thing for me (other than directing my first race) happened just a few years ago. A long-time runner of mine was injured and decided to volunteer for our next race. He was assigned with me for a 6-hour shift at the finish line. Over the course of those 6 hours, we had a chance to talk and get to know each other. Both of us runners and small business owners had a lot of common ground. Fast forward 2 years later, we married in June 2023. We now share many racing adventures together around the world. Racing truly brings some amazing people into our lives.
Joyce Forier
Founder, Owner, and Race Director of Calico Racing in Las Vegas, NV
