Michelle Runs With It

2 50ks within 2 weeks? Doesn’t seem smart, but hey, neither am I 🤪 This one has been on my radar for a while and couldn’t believe I made it in the first time entering the lottery. Leading up to it, I was nervous. Algonquin 50k was just 2 weeks prior and although it was flat, 32 miles in soft sand wasn’t easy. I knew Hashawha was going to be a different kind of day. 2.24.24 It was so nice to see familiar faces, including Stef and Emily, who led a course preview a few weeks before. The race talk was at 7:10am. The first HH was 16 years ago and is directed by a father-son. The volunteers are all lovers of the Hashawha trails and some have retired their running/hiking shoes but show up to cheer, cook and take care of these 100 or so runners every year. A trail race created simply to spread the joy of these trails! “There will be mud.” Oh and there was. “The stream crossings will be cold.” These water crossings were unlike any I’ve experienced. The longest was about 20 feet and they got al...

Ain’t no party like an Algonquin Party, cause an Algonquin Party don’t stop! The Algonquin 50k is the OG of Trent Swanson and Algonquin Ultras and while it was intimidating as hell to sign up, I’m so glad I did! This community is unlike any other I’ve experienced in running and there’s no question that it’s because of the slightly twisted yet huge-hearted leadership of its RD! 🌱The Course: Pocomoke Forest was beautiful! Very flat. Oh so flat. 341 ft elevation over 32.5 miles flat, which was deceptive. It makes you want to fly but the soft sand, mud, thick briers, pine cones, and roots present quite the challenge! Fortunately, we had a warm, mostly dry and sunny day, so the puddles were few and far between. 🎉 The Parties aka Aid Stations: Fully stocked in all things potato, salty and sweet, pickle (clear pickle juice?!), Smith Island Cake (!!), fried cornbread, Fireball if you so dare, and a tiki hut at mile 10 with orange crushes, margaritas, beer and Red Bull! 🤩 Voluncheers: The ab...