Henderson’s Forier always has running on her mind

"What the heck do you think about all that time," is a common question for a marathon or ultra runner.

A recent study published in the International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology says that runners' thoughts fall into three categories — mulling over pace is first, followed by pain and discomfort and lastly the environment.

Joyce Forier of Henderson adds to that list things like why not run a marathon at midnight, in the midday summer desert heat or at Red Rock Canyon?

Forier got her answer by founding her business, Calico Racing, which produces notable long and short distance events such as Running With the Devil, a two-day running festival in June, and the ET Full Moon marathon, half marathon, 51K, 10K and 5K in August. Both have happened annually since 2007. Also on the list is last weekend's Red Rock Canyon marathon, half-marathon and 5K.

This year, 675 people participated in the Red Rock Canyon event, which is up slightly from last year. From its launch in 2008 to 2012, despite the economic downturn, Red Rock Canyon and Calico's other events had a healthy 20 percent yearly growth and peaked in 2012. That started to dip in 2013, but things are turning around.

"The number of events that are offered exceeds the number of participants entering the pool," Forier said.

As local race calendars fill up, many organizers compete for runners with races on the same day and at venues where runners have been there and done that.

"We look for locations that don't already have events and open up new venues," she said.

The 41-year-old East Coast transplant moved to Las Vegas in 2001. She was a gym rat, not a runner, when she found a flyer for the 2002 Las Vegas Marathon. A bucket list item, she signed up and started training.

A week after the race, she registered for the Chicago Marathon.

In her 14-year running career, Forier has ticked off 108 marathons — one in every state, with 40 of them being sub-four-hour races. She has competed on five continents. Adventure and new experiences are important for her and are an integral part of her business.

Forier earned her undergraduate degree at New York City's Fashion Institute of Technology. She got a pilot's license, then an MBA from Stetson University in DeLand, Florida. In 2007, after a training run in Red Rock Canyon, she started exploring the permitting process required to produce a marathon. The next thing she knew, she had a business.

"It was that moment when you finally find what you're meant to have been doing," Forier said. "It brings together every aspect of my background, from design to marketing and management."

In 2014, she sold five of her races and went back to the drawing board to get creative. Calico recently launched two new trail races.

May 13 is the start of the Vegas Valley Voyage, an 80-mile stage race that takes place over six days in the northern part of the valley. Runners can run assisted or unassisted, meaning they have to run with a backpack that has all of their supplies except water.

"It's a permitted race, but the course is not yet advertised," Forier said. "It's not an adventure race, but it is exploring the unknown. It really appeals to a person's sense of adventure."

She expects a small but international field for the first-year event.

As for Forier's running career, she still has yet to run a 5K.

"I'm not a morning person, so if I am going to be up early, I'm going all the way," she said.

And the (local) winners are …

The first local to cross the finish line at last weekend's Red Rock Canyon Marathon was Isaiah Smith, 16, whose 3:35:15 time placed him seventh overall and second in his age group. The first local woman was Melody Borchardt, 27, who ran a 3:53:19, giving her a 16th-place finish overall and third in her age group.

Please, try to be flexible

Spring Mountain Ranch State Park has started its outdoor yoga series with classes Saturday at 2 p.m. and Tuesday at 11 a.m. The class is free, but there is a $7 entry fee into the park. Your Red Rock Canyon or National Parks pass is not honored. But you should definitely honor yourself and your running- or cycling-battered body while taking in the views of Mount Wilson.

Stephanie Forte is a local longtime rock climber and snowboarder. She is one of the voices of Beyond Vegas, a social media community that helps to connect people to outdoor adventures in Southern Nevada. If you are hosting an outdoor event, send information to steph@beyondvegas.com. Follow her on Twitter: @StephNForte.