It started over 8 years ago with heartbreak an overdose attempt and my second amendment rights being taken away.
That's when I found running. I lost 30 pounds in a short period of time without trying and found a couch to 5k podcast. I promised myself I wouldn't gain the weight back and that I wanted to live. Those few months were dark and filled with so much anger. I found running made all the sadness and anger melt away. I had time to think, re-evaluate my self worth, decide what I wanted moving forward and finally stop caring what or who others perceived me to be. Through that hard work I scheduled a court date and hearing to have my 2nd amendment rights reinstated. After 3 court dates the judge told the district attorney my petition was being granted.
I sent a message to Luis Escobar asking if I could begin the 100 mile Born to Run Ultramarathons early and shoot the shotgun. He responded with a simple yes and made my whole day.
I arrived at the ranch a little after 11:00 am expecting to start at noon. I made my way to the parking spot I like near Jadd, Alejandra and Jadd's family. Jadd is a huge inspiration to me, let's me dog sit his running partner and is the best person I could have parked next to. Jadd would offer what he would call unsolicited advice but I tried to absorb every bit of it as he has the experience and race resume to back it up.
I grabbed my hydration pack and made my way to the starting line recited the oath and shot the shotgun to a yell of put it in your shoulder and laughed because my dad always says that.
I started out on pink loop running with Carly and at a pace I felt I could sustain throughout. I quickly learned pink loop changed from years passed, but I loved the new challenge. After roughly 4 miles it arrives back at the main festival area and I passed Carly off to Jadd and continued on. I came in after the first loop and saw Natasha and she put trail toes on my back making sure my pack wasn't causing friction or chaffing. I had planned to do this run self support no aid, no crew, no pacers or aid station assistance, but I was so thankful for Natasha. I set out on yellow loop and had a really great loop. I thought about my supervisor Tera who is a great ultrarunner but recently had surgery and I know she would love to be out running. Natasha had passed on a message that Tera said good luck and that meant a lot. I thought about how I wanted to go visit my Godson who's home from his first year away at college. I thought about all the moments that brought me there to that moment and dang it my eyes would not stop watering. I'm not sure it was heat, allergies or sunscreen in them, but no I wasn't crying well not yet anyway.
My next loop was yellow and an awesome woman Kandie who I'd met at work last week caught up to me and stayed with me at my pace until she stopped to call her sweet family. I was so glad she did because her guidance came in handy later on. I finished yellow loop and Jadd was at my car and helped me transition and fill my hydration pack. I told him there went my self supported goal. He then said he would have everything ready in my cooler for my next lap. This too would prove crucial later on.
I set out on pink and it got dark and cold quickly. In hindsight I wish I'd kept my windbreaker in my pack. I climbed a hill and found Natasha. I absolutely adore her. We met a few years ago after I'd done a run with her soon to be husband. I tell everyone the story of pacing her at her second 5k and how willing she was to try to run a pace without stopping to walk. She was beginning the 60 early with a goal to complete at least one loop. She was with her mom and got separated and was starting to back track that included a rough hill climb. I asked her to come with me and I didn't care what pace. I was cold and my foot began bothering me. I was tempted to quit after we were done. I went to my car saw the water bottles Jadd set up and put on ice and I knew I'd be upset if I didn't try to keep going.
The next yellow loop I went to a dark place and was cold the first two miles, but as much as I wanted to turn around I also wanted to finish that loop. Somehow I got warm and more positive tried to forget about wondering if it was soreness or a huge blister on the pad of my foot. I took a wrong trail for a minute and two runners followed me then we all turned around and they showed me the right path. That was the same part of yellow loop I told Kandie I'd miss earlier in the day. I ran into Steve that I met earlier this year at a run I love to volunteer for. He's from Ohio and we had all called he and his friend Ohio. I yelled is that Ohio and he was so funny and positive on his 30 mile loop on the way to what was also his first 100. He's also a sports psychologist and I believe I'll be paying him for therapy in the upcoming months.
I finished yellow and knew I needed to accept defeat. My heart wanted to continue but my mind said be smart. Jadd saw me as he and Alejandra were getting ready to run the 30 mile and 10 respectively. I told him I was done and he insisted I get my feet looked at he popped the blisters, taped my feet, relaced my shoes and said I should walk around and go do another loop. I was still freezing I felt I couldn't move quickly enough to generate body heat and the slightest pressure bothered my foot. I went to my car and tried to get warm I got a little sleep and then went to talk to Jadd's dad and stepmom. Jadd's dad said that he hoped I wouldn't be discouraged and that I would keep running and try it again. He then told me there was a reminder they put on my rear view mirror. Hanging up was an amulet made by Tracy from marvelous mud with BTR 100.
I had planned on this being my first and only 100 mile run, but the truth is I will be better prepared next time, I will accept help when it's offered and I will fix those things that need improved as best I can.
My biggest take away from this is I am so grateful for the hard lesson learned many years ago that has brought me to this point.
