• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Run
    • Racing Gnome Snowshoe Race
    • Castle Peak 100k
    • Race Discounts
    • Group Runs
    • Snowshoe Loans
    • Code of Conduct
  • Join
    • Membership Cost & Benefits
    • Join Now
  • Volunteer
    • Aid Stations
    • Trail Stewardship
  • About
    • About Us
    • Board of Directors
    • Contact Us
  • Calendar
  • Store
  • Donate

Donner Party Mountain Runners

Inform Inspire Connect

  • Member Highlights
  • Race Reports
  • Newsletter
  • Webinar Videos

The Sum of Our Parts: Missing Julia

May 29, 2018 by Helen Pelster 6 Comments

Donations to the Julia R. Millon Memorial Scholarship at the Yolo Community Foundation, can be made by clicking here and selecting “YCF-Julia R. Millon Memorial Scholarship” from the donation dropdown menu. 

The whole of our running community is so much stronger than the sum of our parts. The inverse is also true: the loss of one member is catastrophic. And the loss of Julia Millon is most devastating to the core.

I don’t know if Julia found us, or we found her, but she has been a spark and light in the club from the beginning. She brought the term ultra to everything she did: legendary skills at aid stations; badass adventures and races; raw and poignant writing; serving on the DPMR board of directors.

Julia always answered the call to run, as she wrote in her 2016 Canyons 100k race report. Running was intrinsic to her journey through life. And she gave so much to running. Not just her own running, but to all of us, sharing her talents with the running community in so many ways.

As an ultra-aid-station-volunteer, Julia was most memorable. She once fixed a dislocated hip at the remote Devil’s Oven Aid Station at Castle Peak 100k. Of her blister-care techniques, she wrote this in her Tahoe 200 Aid Station report:

There were still the occasional four blisters stacked on top one another, but those are treated easily, especially when most of the runners were in great mental shape. One runner turned down a beer offer until getting one such masterpiece lanced—he quickly changed his mind jumping straight to requesting a shot of whiskey. All bases were covered.

Absolutely UNAFRAID and tough as nails, Julia’s adventures and races awed and inspired us. From hard-fought-finishes to harder-fought-drops, her ability to push through a severe chronic illness was monumental. Maybe because she faced so many challenges, her 2016 Broken Arrow Skyrace story of a “race gone right” is one of my favorites.

After she did audacious things in the mountains, Julia wrote about it, so we all could partake. Mostly her writing was funny with a side of dark. Sometimes she choose to reveal her personal demons in a raw way that shook us, but also found a way to encourage us.

Julia wrote about her Tahoe 200 journey and left us with these words to live by as a running family:

Other people give us a reason to [be] kind and appreciate kindness given and show us how to be kind to ourselves. Nothing is more important.

All of our love goes to Julia’s family, especially her mother and #1 fan Kathy, who has been a Mom and family member to each of us as well.

Dear Julia: It is humbling to know that you considered us your people. In your writings, you wonder if you are “enough.” Rest assured, you have always been enough for us. The hole that you leave is so much bigger than the crater of your impact. But I think we will be stronger if we can weather the storm of losing you.

Author’s note: I have intentionally left this post with no photo, to honor the way in which Julia’s own words spoke for themselves.

Filed Under: General

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Julie Nye says

    May 30, 2018 at 12:08 am

    I am so sorry for the loss of this amazing and inspirational woman. I only met her once. She was so full of life! I am sorry for all of you who really knew her. My deepest sympathies to you all!
    ~Julie Nye

    Reply
  2. Nattu Natraj says

    May 30, 2018 at 4:38 am

    I have lasting memories of her cheerful self welcoming me at the top of the Palisades during last year’s Castle Peak 100k. It was a stark contrast between my grumpiness at that time and her cheerfulness that has stuck in my head to this date and reminds me to be cheerful and positive no matter what. RIP Julia. We will miss you.

    Reply
  3. Gretchen Brugman says

    May 30, 2018 at 6:37 am

    This is a beautiful post, Helen. Thank you for putting words to what we are all feeling right now. I feel fortunate to have known Julia and to have memories of her that make me smile and laugh. I hope she knew how much we all love her.

    Reply
  4. Janice says

    May 30, 2018 at 7:50 am

    Julia was someone who brightened my life every time our paths crossed. It is hard to reconcile that such a force of nature is lost to us. Thank you Helen for your post.

    Reply
  5. Lucas Horan says

    May 30, 2018 at 11:39 am

    Watching Julia attack a descent was witnessing an embodiment of running unafraid. She danced down the trail with a fearless joy that inspired me to loosen the grip on my fears just because I wanted to try and have as much fun as she was.

    As I begin to realize I can’t look forward to your aid station encouragement there is a feeling of overwhelming sadness. Yet, I know I’ll always carry with me an even deeper appreciation for the incredible amount of inspiration you gave in an all too short amount of time.

    “The reality is that the ankle will heal and I’ll go back to running, and it might get interrupted over and over again, but there’s going to be plenty of exceptional days in between. As long as I keep showing up, they’ll be more likely to happen. I need to learn to be unafraid of losing them, or I’ll run so scared all the time that there won’t be any good days at all.”
    https://donnerpartymountainrunners.com/2017/05/01/are-you-afraid-of-the-dark/

    Reply
    • Helen Pelster says

      June 1, 2018 at 6:37 am

      One of my favorite quotes from Julia’s writings – I just shared it with another runner the other day!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Become a Member Today »
Watch: Tahoe Rim Trail FKT Chat with Adam & Helen

Connect in Person

Mar
9
Tue
9:30 am Mid-Morning Group Snowshoe Run S... @ Donner Lake Rim Trail from Trout Creek Bike Path Trailhead
Mid-Morning Group Snowshoe Run S... @ Donner Lake Rim Trail from Trout Creek Bike Path Trailhead
Mar 9 @ 9:30 am – 11:00 am
Mid-Morning Group Snowshoe Run Session 1 @ Donner Lake Rim Trail from Trout Creek Bike Path Trailhead | Lewisville | Texas | United States
This is a bi-weekly “no-host unofficial” snowshoe run Tuesday mornings at 9:30 am starting March 9th for four sessions (March 9th, March 23rd, April 6th, and April 20th). We will hold the first run along[...]
Mar
23
Tue
9:30 am Mid-Morning Group Snowshoe Run S... @ 06/Sawtooth Trail Area
Mid-Morning Group Snowshoe Run S... @ 06/Sawtooth Trail Area
Mar 23 @ 9:30 am – 11:00 am
Mid-Morning Group Snowshoe Run Session 2 @ 06/Sawtooth Trail Area | Lewisville | Texas | United States
This is a bi-weekly “no-host unofficial” snowshoe run Tuesday mornings at 9:30 am starting March 9th for four sessions (March 9th, March 23rd, April 6th, and April 20th). This second session will be held on[...]
Apr
6
Tue
9:30 am Mid-Morning Group Snowshoe Run @ Varies, see details
Mid-Morning Group Snowshoe Run @ Varies, see details
Apr 6 @ 9:30 am – Apr 21 @ 11:00 am
Mid-Morning Group Snowshoe Run @ Varies, see details | Lewisville | Texas | United States
This is a bi-weekly “no-host unofficial” snowshoe run Tuesday mornings at 9:30 am starting March 9th for four sessions (March 9th, March 23rd, April 6th, and April 20th).  Locations TBD as conditions change (check the[...]
Apr
20
Tue
9:30 am Mid-Morning Group Snowshoe Run @ Varies, see details
Mid-Morning Group Snowshoe Run @ Varies, see details
Apr 20 @ 9:30 am – May 5 @ 11:00 am
Mid-Morning Group Snowshoe Run @ Varies, see details | Lewisville | Texas | United States
This is a bi-weekly “no-host unofficial” snowshoe run Tuesday mornings at 9:30 am starting March 9th for four sessions (March 9th, March 23rd, April 6th, and April 20th).  Locations TBD as conditions change (check the[...]
Apr
24
Sat
all-day DPMR Aid Station at Canyons Endu...
DPMR Aid Station at Canyons Endu...
Apr 24 all-day
Join the (Donner) Party on the storied Western States trail in support of all our friends running the Canyons Endurance Run at the Cal 2 aid station! (38.9739, -120.8602) We will need help with the[...]
May
31
Mon
8:30 am TBD DPMR 2021 Memorial Day Picnic @ Prosser Ranch Group Campground
TBD DPMR 2021 Memorial Day Picnic @ Prosser Ranch Group Campground
May 31 @ 8:30 am – 4:00 pm
TBD DPMR 2021 Memorial Day Picnic @ Prosser Ranch Group Campground
TBD! Mark your calendars for the DPMR 6th ANNUAL FREE ANNUAL PICNIC AND GROUP RUNS!! We are hopeful that we can come together this year. Details to follow… 
View Calendar
Add
  • Add to Timely Calendar
  • Add to Google
  • Add to Outlook
  • Add to Apple Calendar
  • Add to other calendar
  • Export to XML

Connect Online

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter

See us on Instagram

dpmrunners

Thank you First Responders and Medical Professiona Thank you First Responders and Medical Professionals for keeping us safe in the midst of the #coronavirus pandemic. ❤️ 🙏😷 You may recognize some of these amazing faces from the trails, or from volunteering or running races... but for now they are at work, making sacrifices every day so that we can stay safe and healthy at home. Let’s do our part to show them we care, and help keep THEM safe at work while we  #flattenthecurve 🏠#healthcareheroes #firstresponders #donnerpartymountainrunners #unsungheroes #covid19 #frontline
March Newsletter is live! Click on the link in our March Newsletter is live! Click on the link in our Bio. Featuring: Racing Gnome Recap, DPMR’s 2020 Vision, a Highlight on @krenkimble , @lukegartenwastaken Squaw to Donner- winter run, Intermittent Fasting by @tiffanysageswan , TDLT Trail Ops Report and more!
The snow is perfect for running and the February n The snow is perfect for running and the February newsletter is live! Link in bio and here:
 http://bit.ly/dpmrfeb #donnerpartymountainrunners
Happy Friday! Scene from the Truckee River bike pa Happy Friday! Scene from the Truckee River bike path between Tahoe City and Alpine Meadows this morning. There are so many winter-friendly trails to choose from in our area. Where are you running this weekend? 🏃🏻‍♀️ 🏃🏻 #basecampforabiglife #visittruckee #donnerpartymountainrunners
Season's greetings from Donner Party Mountain Runn Season's greetings from Donner Party Mountain Runners! #basecampforabiglife #truckeemoments #donnerpartymountainrunners
Registration for the 2020 Castle Peak 100k opens a Registration for the 2020 Castle Peak 100k opens at midnight! All current DPMR members can email runondirt@gmail.com for their 15% discount. Not a member? Join tonight- membership starts at $20/year. #donnerpartymountainrunners #allaltitudenoattitude #castlepeak100k @castlepeak100k
We are thankful for all of you and all of this fin We are thankful for all of you and all of this fine and fluffy white powder! #donnerpartymountainrunners #snowshoeseason #getoutside #basecampforabiglife #visittruckee
Swinging into the weekend like... 👌 #friYAY #tr Swinging into the weekend like... 👌 #friYAY #truckeeswingersclub 👉 Best of luck to all our friends running the North Face Endurance Runs tomorrow! #getsome 🏃🏻‍♂️🏃🏻‍♀️💃🕺🏽🎉
Great way to celebrate another season of friendshi Great way to celebrate another season of friendship and fun on the trails 🎉🍻❤️ Special thanks to Tahoe Mountain Sports and On Running for sponsoring our season-ending party again!
Good luck to our own @danbrounstein at the @nycmar Good luck to our own @danbrounstein at the @nycmarathon tomorrow! #tscnycmarathon #donnerpartymountainrunners
Sunset run tonight on Judah... who’s coming to o Sunset run tonight on Judah... who’s coming to our member appreciation party on Sunday? 🎉 group runs begin at 3:30- arrive a little early to demo some @on_running shoes from @tahoemountainsports  party at 5 at the @donnerskiranch #donnerpartymountainrunners #truckee #basecampforabiglife #sunsetrun
A few members of the class of 2019 Lake to Lake P A few  members of the class of 2019 Lake to Lake Pub Run #unafraid #frozen
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Footer

Run with Us

  • Group Runs
  • Code of Conduct

Race with Us

  • Racing Gnome Snowshoe Race
  • Castle Peak 100k
  • Discount Codes

Join Us

  • Membership Cost & Benefits
  • Join Now
  • DPMR Gear
  • Donate

About Us

  • About Us
  • Volunteer
  • Board
  • Contact Us

Login

Contributors, please click here to login.

© 2021 · Donner Party Mountain Runners · Truckee, California · Website by Tahoe Web Works