Redemption at CAT50k a year later

“Be brave. Be patient. Believe.” ~Courtney Dauwalter from WSER100

After last year’s DNF in torrential downpours that turned the trail into a river, I said never again. Well that was stupid, because of course I’d have to try again to get my CAT Card, I’m not a f’in quitter (and I’m quite stupid)!!

This year, it was a typical CAT - hot, humid, rocky, hilly, and the leading 20 runners ran off course in the first mile to confuse us all as they ran up from behind us a couple miles into the race. Here’s what I learned:

🦄 Just because someone faster than you says you can’t make the cutoff, doesn’t mean you can’t.

🐝 The worse encounter is one that’s unplanned, like hornets.

⚡️Save some energy for the end.

⛰️ What goes up, goes down. And is more painful.

🧛🏻‍♂️ Never have a single song stuck in your head if you want to enjoy it again. (Like Vampire by Olivia Rodrigo.)

✌🏼 Feed or ditch the energy that surrounds you.

⏰ Know the cutoffs like the back of your hand. Or write them on the back of your hand.

🧂 Bring extra salt tablets to share.

📣 Always find energy to cheer others on.

🦆 Run through the streams especially towards the end.

🌵 Remember what you’re not running … like the Badwater135 in the desert.

My wounds will heal - swollen head from being stung several times, a battered toe, chafing on my back and butt, but my memories will never fade from this adventure in the woods with friends. HUGE thank you to Lori for showing up at the turnaround (“our spot”) to give me the boost to keep going!

Comments

Bull Run Run 50-miler

Official Time: 12:31:31 ( a 50-miler PR) I did it. I’m not sure how, but I crossed the finish line yesterday of the Bull Run Run 50-miler. It had been an intimidating race from the moment I shared with others who had run it in the past. I heard all sorts of stories - the infamous Do Loop, the rolling hills, the unpredictable weather, the tough cutoff, the rocky sections that might trip you up later on. I also heard about how it was one of the most beautiful races with the BEST volunteers. I chose to keep the latter in my mind! Although the “BRR” makes me think of cold weather, and years past it has snowed and stormed and apparently gone through all 4 seasons in a day one year, yesterday’s weather was not what anybody was prepared for. It was hot and humid with cloud coverage most of the day … until the sun came out at 3:30pm and scorched your left side as you ran along the waterline of Occoquan River. It being early April, I was not acclimated to 90% humidity. For a few mile...

Saying No is Strength

Yesterday, I received the invitation I had been waiting for 5 months. I already knew what I was going to do but seeing that I had now been officially given an opportunity to Accept or Decline was surreal. I paused. All of the reasons why this is not the right time for me completely left my mind. I wanted so badly to click the green button. Unpause. The mystique of the Laurel Highlands Ultra must have something to do with the logistics just as much as the distance (70.5 miles). A point-to-point race with a finish in a small town of 1 hotel. It takes place the same time as another event, making it nearly impossible to find any affordable accommodations. Someone posted a Seven Springs condo for 12 people at $419/night. I asked about any camping options, and the RD never responded. Camping wouldn't be ideal anyways. But to pay nearly $1000 for 2 nights when I would sleep maybe 8 hours total Friday night through Sunday morning, seems ridiculous. Remembering this, I then pressed the red...

26.TRUE Marathon

If you ever lose faith in humanity, go experience the 26.TRUE Marathon in Boston. It’s diverse, it’s supportive, it’s accepting, it’s JOY … it’s what this world needs and everything we want to raise our daughter to embrace, to spread and to be. The vibes Pioneers Run Crew brought on Saturday were fire!! Running is an intimidating sport. It can make you think you have to be a certain body type, have the right gear, be a certain speed, and live somewhere safe or have $ for a treadmill or gym membership. Running is supposed to be inclusive and bring joy, make you feel worthy just the way and where you are. After hearing about this event from Alison M. Desir's book "Running While Black," I began following the Pioneers Run Crew on Instagram. Alison talks a lot about the exclusivity of the sport. Races that require qualifying times, ridiculous registration fees, routes that intentionally avoid certain neighborhoods, and not seeing yourself reflected in photos, social media and...

Michelle Runs With It

Search This Blog