Michelle Runs With It

From Saturday, December 2 - Sunday, December 3, 2023. Lessons were learned. Keri asked me to pace her at Devil Dog 100M after having trained for the Javelina Jundred and getting sick just 2 days before the race and not being able to start. She messaged me about this race asking if I knew anything about it. I was familiar with the course having paced another friend last year. I told her I would happily join her as a pacer from mile 55.5 and run to the end with her. If I had been training, I would have offered to meet her as early as allowed by the race which was at the beginning of loop 3 or mile 42. We kept in touch throughout the day and I could tell something was off at loop 2 via text exchange.  Keri: I kinda want to die lol Michelle: Oh no what’s wrong? Are you with anyone? Are you at Gunny? You can do hard things. She is an upbeat, positive, go-getter. She’s tough and has accomplished some unfathomable athletic challenges. DD had nothing on her. Her message made me think she’s...

When I signed up for the NCR Half Marathon, I wasn’t sure if I’d race it or just run it for funsies. Shortly afterwards, Nick and I decided we were going to go away for Thanksgiving. That meant I would have to drive separately and head back a night early. After a couple of relaxing and fun days with the family, it was tough leaving them in our cozy mountain cabin for a race ⛰️ I couldn’t have possibly waited any later to decide to race or just use it as a long run with crowd support. I haven’t raced since this race 6 years ago, and haven’t run a road half marathon since February 2020. It was 27° at the start and I was reluctant to take off my sweatpants. I do like a good chilly start though 🥶 When it was go time, the downhill start felt spectacular! I got into a groove with my music and a mile in, I decided to just kept pushing. The next 4 miles were nearly a perfect pace for a PR. I felt so strong and was even smiling for the cameras 💪🏼 Around mile 11, I realized racing on flat pav...

Twisted Branch 100k Recap. (Foolishly Ran & Recounted by Michelle Pelszynski, Bib No. 253) It’s a week post-race. I’m sitting on the couch at home while my daughter is having a Taylor Swift dance party in her room with a friend. It’s the last weekend of summer. That makes me sad. What also makes me sad is that this time last week I was trying to fall asleep on the top of a mountain at Ontario County Park. I had absolutely no freakin’ clue what I was in for and was so PSYCHED at the same time!!  Now I’m putting the finishing touches on the recap that I’ve been milling around all week as I mope in post-ultra blues (aka PUB). Let’s relive it together. If you ever doubt humanity, go experience an ultramarathon.  Another dimension opened up the second I looked over and saw another runner taking a photo of Lake Keuka. She said, “great idea!” Selfie, Keuka Lake. I said, “it’s beautiful! I’m soaking it all in!” She said, “you must be a runner. I’m Keri.” Another runner came over...