Hashawha Hills 50k: A Day of Work in Old Fields

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 almost knee deep on the second loop - like a lower body ice plunge!

I found myself in a pleasantly paced pack. We’d run what’s runnable and then walk with intention on the uphills. None of us felt obliged to stay together, we were all having our own day. I’m grateful for the folks I talked to - esp Pink Pants aka Rachel and Kate on those last few miles.

Super proud of myself for completing another challenging course! After traversing Hashawha (a Native American word for “old fields”), I have even more appreciation for all the land we have to explore in Maryland! Thank you, RDs and volunteers, for giving us the opportunity to spend time on these spectacular trails and enjoy them so primitively - with pb&js, pierogis, veggie soup, pickles, and peanut m&ms, of course! Congrats to all the incredibly strong runners!!! It’s so inspiring to see others put in the WORK and crush their goals!!!

Official Time: 6:59:55 (just under my 7hr goal)

3rd in AG F40-49

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