Ultramarathon. That’s something I said I would never do. What a journey. What a life changing, absolute wonderful journey. It had its very hard moments. It’s moments of doubt and questions. It’s feelings of "I bit off way more than I can chew". It’s had its mundane moments. Moments when the motivation was lacking and I didn’t WANT to get up and run. And it’s had its awesome moments. Like running 20 miles for the first time. And spending some weekend time with my person, just running really long runs while having really long talks and refueling with really yummy milkshakes and burgers. It was amazing. Not every run on the training plan was completed...not every one was perfect...because, well...life. But even with imperfect runs, I wasn’t going to quit. My focus was on not quitting and consistency. Just showing up. No matter if it was 5am or a 45 min hill walk during piano lessons, with kids in tow. Whatever, whenever I could get it done. BUT I was determined to get it done. To do this for myself. For the kids. For life.
Post LAST long run of the training cycle, following the flu and really beginning to wonder if I had trained enough for what I was about to do! lol
Not much fills my cup more than taking my heart for a long hill hike in the woods!
We enjoyed our short and long runs any chance we got! I love this guy with my whole heart!
Heart shaped leaves and milk shakes...yes, please!
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One Saturday morning, we started at the library and ran double digits through a bunch of down town streets! We love our home town and appreciate it's beauty!
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And I'll pretty much always remember hitting 20 miles for the first time! It was one of the absolute best training runs I had. Everything just felt right!
When Chris asked me if I would sign up for this race with him for his birthday, I laughed and laughed. 12 hours? Me? No. Lol The format is different though. It’s not a run that is assigned a certain distance or a time cut off, so I began to give it some thought. I was terrified at the thought of doing something new, putting myself and my running out there for people to see, and failure. Aren’t we all afraid of that? This run, you train for what you want to accomplish personally, you show up and you run or walk as much as you can in that amount of time. it’s a style that suits me. Because, let’s be honest, I don’t run fast...but I’m learning, I can go pretty far or much further than I ever thought! And I like it!
17 months ago I "ran" my first half marathon...I say "ran" because it was a really long 3 hours for me. I started with a 1/1 run/walk/run ratio. I ended just begging for it to be over, and praying I make it to the finish and vowing I would count this as a been there, done that, never doing it again type thing. Well...flash forward 17 months, 2 more half marathons, 2 200 mile relays, a 25k, and here I am. Looking back on my first 50k, 31 mile, ultra finish and more in love with the journey and process than I’ve ever been.
Each 2 mile loop of this run, I assigned a specific purpose. I was running for a specific thing. It was a beautiful, very personal way, to take those two miles to really appreciate the hard life stuff, express gratitude for my life and where I am and who I’m with...what I’ve learned along the way. And the last loop was all running with the future in mind. Where do I want to go? Who do I want to be? It was all about taking the time to love the present, appreciate the past and alllll that it’s taught me and contributed to who I am. And then...then, digging in deep and getting excited about the future. I will cherish every mile of that 31...the people who shared them with me (my husband and my sister and brother in law came and ran a little and celebrated the success) the people who encouraged me and helped me keep going, the family who were willing to give Chris and I a few hours on a Saturday morning to run long together, and for my person and how he continually helps me see just what’s inside, even when I can’t. He so lovingly ran my first 2 miles and last mile with me and it was the perfect way to wrap it up! I moved very well and kept right up with my goal for the first 14 miles or so. I kept moving pretty well but not quite 2 loops an hour like I hoped for the next 8 miles. At that point, with each step I was going further than I ever had before and despite slowing down quite a bit, I was feeling pretty proud of myself. I got quite weary and walked the entire loop, miles 22-24. I sat a few minutes, ate a little bit, changed my shoes and socks and was determined to get that 50k I came for. I was able to run (very slowly! Ha) some for the next couple loops and then, as I started my last loop, I just took it slow and intentional to take it all in. Chris caught up with me with about .6-.8 miles left of my last loop and finished my 50k with me. It was perfect! And I did it! I had decided, even though it was 9.5 hours into the 12 I signed up for, that I was gonna stop at 50k. It was an awesome first experience and I already am thinking towards next year! And maybe just maybe, I’ll be able to keep moving for that entire 12 hrs next year!
To say this journey, this run, this "race" has changed me just isn't enough. It’s shown me things about myself I didn’t even know I had.
I. A simple, introverted, stay at home, homeschooling mom, fought really hard to get here. No. I’m not where I want to be. No I’m no perfect mother (quite opposite actually). No I’m not at my "goal weight" or reached my time goals for some distances and I probably haven’t run as far as I want to in an endurance race. I still eat way too much chocolate on a bad day and lose my patients more often than I should. I still pull away more frequently than I should, and keep to myself and my family, for the most part....I don’t plan on stopping here, I have so many areas of my life to improve and continue to grow. But! I had to take a min to show this girl, right here, right now, some love. Love for where she came from. Love for where She’s been. Love for who she is. And what she’s doing RIGHT NOW. And that 9 hours and 34 minutes was the perfect opportunity.
The soreness has worn off. The emotions are settling. The appetite is returning to normal and it’s pretty much back to business, but I can already say, last weekend was just the beginning! It’s an odd concept and few understand, but doing something like that has the ability to help you see the world a whole new way. A very vivid exciting way. And I’m beyond grateful that I gave it a shot because it’s undoubtedly changed me.
All that being said about me and my first ultra, I want to add that we are so so proud of Chris and all that he accomplished last weekend. He went with a goal in mind and has been anticipating this event for months. And it was added bonus to be on his birthday! That man ran his heart out and left it all out there and made us so so proud. He logged 108.6 miles in 24 hours and finished 3rd overall! He’s remarkable to watch in his element. And it’s beyond inspiring!
Farm Daze 24 was an awesome experience and it was absolutely inspiring to be surrounded by a bunch of people who day in and day out put in the effort to better themselves, dig deep, reach for a goal, and show up! These are people of ALL shapes and sizes, age, race, and beliefs. It's amazing! There SO much life to LIVE. Really LIVE. And it’s beautiful to be surrounded by a people who get that. Already planning/looking forward to next year!
The future should look amazing and exciting (and if it doesn’t, you need to ask yourself why and get on that...because it should!). Take the time to love the present, appreciate the past and alllll that it’s taught you and contributed to who you are. And then. Then, dig in deep and get excited about the future. Whatever it is. Wherever it is. Whatever that looks like to you. You are not too old, too inexperienced, to whatever...to leave the excuses behind and just do it. Do It! No matter how crazy it looks to everyone else! Be the one who goes after it. And, take it from a girl who said she’d never...don’t count anything out and don’t ever say never. You may just surprise yourself and run an ultramarathon one day...
