About

Jenn Woltjen, ultra runner, ultra running, training for ultra running, Greenwood Park

After a long career in education and finance, Jenn Woltjen turned her focus to a new chapter as a running coach, writer, and photographer—bringing her love of the outdoors and endurance pursuits into her creative work.

She is a frequent contributor to the Adirondack Explorer/Adirondack Almanack and the Backcountry Journal, and shares her writing and photography on Substack.

Jenn Woltjen, cross country skiing, nordic skiing, Jim Schug Trail, Dryden, New York — Jenn skiing near Dryden, New York

Jenn’s drive to keep pushing herself has been shaped by years of endurance pursuits and outdoor exploration. She has completed long-distance hikes and climbed major peaks including Mount Whitney, Mount St. Helens, Mt Katahdin, Mount Elbert, and numerous high peaks in the Adirondacks and Colorado—experiences that laid the foundation for a mindset centered on setting new goals and embracing the unknown.

In the winter, she turns to cross-country skiing, often chasing snow and seeking out the challenge of long-distance events, including the Engadin Ski Marathon in Switzerland, the Craftsbury Ski Marathon (50K) in Vermont, and the Tug Hill Tourathon (50K) in New York.

Jenn began running in her 50s to support her other endurance pursuits, often saying she wasn’t born to run. What started as cross-training evolved into completing the Boston, Chicago, and New York City Marathons, and later, 10 ultramarathons on the trails.

Read her own story about her running journey here.

Today, Jenn continues to pursue new endurance and adventure goals while sharing her journey through writing and photography—capturing what it means to keep exploring, growing, and challenging herself with age.

Adirondacks, Blue Mountain Lake, paddling, Hornbeck, Eagle Lake,

Her work spans the Adirondacks and the Finger Lakes—regions close to home—along with a wide range of landscapes that shape and inspire her storytelling.

Beyond her outdoor pursuits, Jenn is committed to giving back. She has supported Alzheimer’s initiatives, volunteered at running events including serving as an Aid Station Captain for the CanLake 50 Ultras. Currently, she serves as President of the Cayuga Nordic Ski Club in upstate New York.

Visit Jenn’s Linkedin for more details on her background.

Jenn's Published Work