Michelle Runs With It

Even with the most perfect race day conditions, a trail ultra can be a lot like a box of chocolates. I signed up for Rosaryville at the end of May. I was going through a lot with my mom's health and decided not to run Old Dominion 100-miler in early June. I needed something familiar, close to home, and affordable to look forward to in the Fall. I also knew that I'd likely be able to convince a friend or 2 to run it together. Sure enough, it didn't take much to get Arielle on board.  In July, a friend offered me a free race bib for Marine Corps Marathon, 2 weeks prior to Rosaryville. I thought it might be nice to have a very motivating, long training run. Arielle had decided to do the same. We ran a lot of miles together over the next few months. However, her training was impeccable. She stuck to her plan. My life was a little chaotic. My mom's service, family visiting from out of town, Fiona's 13th birthday, a spiritual pilgrimage to the Grand Canyon had made it nea...