I began running when I was 30.
I've declared a yearly running goal every year since.
I've learned new and valuable things every year since.
I'm 40, I've had my best year yet, and I've learned so very much.
Several years ago, a good friend encouraged me to stop everything--pursuits, housework, training--and take time to quietly and intentionally reflect on the year. I struggle with putting my thoughts and feelings "out there," and am so much better with facts and numbers. I could easily just put hours and miles run on here and be done, but that wouldn't be very interesting, now would it? However, I will start with that because it's quick and because I've always calculated those things at year's end.
# of Races: 12
Miles Raced: 430.7
Hours Raced: 84:34
Elevation gain (races): 92, 896
I raced a lot this year. I have no regrets about that. My goal was to complete the Virginia Beast Series, and to continue to stay healthy and injury free. I wanted to be able to say that at 40 years old, I am faster and stronger than I've ever been. I wanted to end the year being able to say that I had lived my best year yet.
I truly believe that I have met all those goals for 2018.
Sacrifice
When you become a parent, one of the things you learn to live without is sleep. There are days when parenting has left me mentally and physically drained. When I began training for ultra marathons, I didn't realize I would have to learn to live with even less sleep. Much of that sleep is lost through anticipation of each upcoming race, and sometimes just thinking about an upcoming training day. I experienced God's grace in an entirely different way than I ever had before. There's no other way for me to explain how I made it through the year: I needed Him.
The rest of this report is dedicated to the 2018 races themselves. I figured I would throw out some categories, and assign each one a race from 2018. I hope this is helpful to anyone who is looking at any of the following races, but it is also for me to be able to reflect honestly on these past experiences.
FAVORITE COURSE
South Mountains Marathon
I started the year off with one of the most perfect mountain running courses I have yet to see again (oh wait, I will in a week). In 26 miles, this course has single track, double track, stairs, waterfalls, and plenty of ups and downs. It's tough and it's beautiful, and I accidentally let an "it's only 26 miles and not a 50K" mindset creep in. Oops. Still, it was a great morning of running with my coach and other friends, and it ended with me getting my first win of the year!
BIGGEST OUCH
Logan Peak Trail Run-28 Miler
I was pleasantly surprised that racing at 5,000-10,000 feet didn't affect me much. What got me was the downhill leading to the road on the way to the finish. I took a flying leap on the rocks and landed flat. I was wearing my Road I.D. bracelet, and for the first time, I thought I might have to ask someone to use it. My nutrition went flying everywhere, my phone landed about 5 feet away, and I lay there stunned and not sure what to do. I don't know how long it took me to me to pull myself back together, but I did. I made it to the road portion, waved at all the locals in the nearby neighborhoods, and ran bruised and bloody to the finish.
Note: If you find yourself in another part of the country and are able to race there, do it! I was able to acclimate to the higher elevations for about four days prior to Logan Peak. I even drank Acli-Mate for a few days before we traveled to Utah, for whatever it's worth. The course uses about ten miles of the Bear 100 course, if I'm not mistaken.
RACE THAT TAUGHT ME I COULD DO MORE THAN I THOUGHT
Holiday Lake 50K++
Running, running, and more running. I hadn't run constantly for several hours since my last marathon one year prior, ha! I forgot how flat this race was, and that if you're competing, the legs have to keep on moving. Despite not breaking five hours, I was pleased with how very little walking I did. It also taught me the importance of being a well-rounded runner who doesn't focus on climbing 100% of the time.
RACE THAT SCARED ME THE MOST
Quest for the Crest 50K
I can't think of another race that fills me with such trepidation. It's a wonder that I'm able to get any sleep the night before. As much as I try to replace the nerves and uncertainty with thoughts of how gorgeous and enjoyable the course can be, Quest still gives me the shivers.
RACE THAT REQUIRED THE MOST MENTAL READINESS
Grindstone 100
I went into Grindstone telling people that I felt more mentally ready than physically ready. It turns out that mental readiness was what I needed most to get through. Read why on my Grindstone blog entry!
MOST FUN
Blue Ridge Relay- Team Stache & Dash
"When we establish human connections within the context of shared experience we create community wherever we go." Gina Greenlee, Postcards and Pearls: Life Lessons from Solo Moments on the Road
The Blue Ridge Relay has become a very special race to me. It's a special opportunity to get in plenty of hill work, speed work, and training in sleep deprivation. Most importantly, it's a special opportunity to be on a team with wonderful, talented individuals who become your small family over the course of 24 hours. The race begins in Grayson Highlands State Park in Virginia, and ends in downtown Ashville, North Carolina. Most of the transition sites are at churches along the way, and the volunteers at all transition sites are lively and knowledgeable. I recommend that anyone who gets invited to be a part of the BRR takes the opportunity to do so!