Michelle Runs With It

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...

🏙 Sole of the City 10k, Saturday, April 6 - I had the pleasure of pacing for the first time with Beast Pacing on a cool, breezy, and sunny morning in Baltimore! So many familiar faces, running and pacing, however, the moments I cherish most were from complete strangers.  Two miles in, Carlos ran up to me and said that his goal was an 11min/mile so he was going to stick with me. We talked as we climbed up to Patterson Park. On the final turn, he said he felt good and took off. About 12 other runners followed him. That’s when I realized there was a group following closely behind. At the finish line, Carlos looked so happy and proud of himself, which gave me an even greater appreciation of the bonds created through running. I look forward to pacing other events with Beast!  Finish Time: 1:08:16 (10:59/mile)

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...

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...