One Run Closer

Since I ended up getting sick at Caumsett 50k earlier this month I felt like I should jump into another race since I was/am "race ready" I put in the work so I might as well do a race to see where I stand. Skidaway Island Marathon fell on March 26th, which was a good weekend for me to have a race.  I didn't really have a goal in mind for this marathon, other than to have a good race. I thought I may be able to get 3:10/3:15 after hearing the horror stories of how humid/hot and the amount of winding turns being made on course. Weather was calling for thunderstorms, lightening and heavy rain. Yay!! Luckily I wasn't raining at the start. I started out slower than I typically would for a road marathon- which was a good move on my part, I didn't look at my watch from mile 1 to until I reached the half marathon point. I just ran comfortably chatting along with a few other runners.  The course was marked very well- and was it a very zig-zagy course for sure! I'm not ...

Iron Horse Endurance Runs, located in Florahome FL. Sponsored by Altra Running, this is a BEAUTIFUL BEAUTIFUL course! 25 mile loop, about 5 miles of paved flat trail, then 20ish miles of changing terrain, mostly sand, gravel, dirt and grass. Trail was "rolling hills", but nothing too hard, actually felt good to have those to switch up things some. Aid station were on point, had anything and everything you would need running an ultra- very well stocked!  Volunteers- I honestly could not have bounced back from my "wall" without these people. Thank you- You're humor and kindness went so beyond what is expected. I originally was registered for the 100 mile- but had to make a change the week of to run the 50, the hubs was deploying that week and wanted to make this a day trip. I entered this race because I never did an official 50 mile, heard the course was flat and was looking to PR: Goals/ A. sub 7 hours B. PR 50 miles C. Finish Overall, this was a very humbling ra...

Harbison 50k located at Harbison State Forest, Columbia SC,  this 50k brings in a larger crowd and is one of the harder ultras in our region. 20 miles of technical single track trails, rest fire roads, wide trails and a few water crossings. This course is rocky, rooty and a few fallen trees along the trail. Overall it is a tough course, and considering the amount of rain Harbison received the weeks leading into the ultra, we were running through some slippery slopes. Total elevation change is 4,186 ft. I ran this event in 2013, I had a little revenge I wanted to get out on this course, after it had been my slowest 50k and most difficult, also I had missed my turn, back tracked to tackling on a little over a mile or so. I had still placed 1st Female with a time of 5:05.  Considering there was another local 50k that was flat and fast, I felt needed something more technical and hilly like Harbison to use as training leading into Iron Horse. Tom and I decided to leave at 10pm the...

1/9/16 Harbison 50k Columbia SC 2/6/16 Iron Horse 50 Forahome FL 3/6/16 Caumsett National 50k Long Island NY 3/26/16 Skidaway Marathon Savannah GA 4/23/16 Treutlen Trail Trek 25k Rincon GA 4/30/16 Teardrop Half Marathon Atlanta GA 5/1/16 May Day Marathon Charleston SC 5/7/16 Wambaw Swamp 50k Coordsville SC 5/14/16 Cruel Jewel 50 Blue Ridge GA 6/17:18:19/16 Chattanooga Stage Race Chattanooga TN 11/12/16 Azalea 12 Hour Palatka FL 12/16 Lookout Mountain 50 Chattanooga TN

I recently got asked if I struggle with motivation. Being dedicated to the sport of running I do suffer with lack of motivation from time to time. Being unmotivated is an obstacle every runner deals with. Its overcoming that obstacle, “the desire to run is always greater than any obstacle”. We as runners need to find out WHY we are unmotivated and WHAT we need to do to overcome this, to bounce back, to focus on the task or goal ahead.  The 2 obstacles I have faced are time and injury recovery that affected my motivation. It’s too early, it’s too late, it’ s too cold,  it’s  too hot.   These are little motivation killers we deal with a lot. Whether it’s the time of day or the weather- not every run is in perfect conditions. But we know as runners that a “bad” run was better than “no run” . Finding time is hard- finding time to do ANYTHING outside work, family and social obligations is hard let alone to go running for hours a day. That’s why having that strong support ...

This race recap is late due to me training...  October 11 I ran the Buffalo Run 50k in Bluffton SC. This ultra fell on a Sunday which was great with my work schedule.  My training has been going okay, a few weeks before this 50k I wasn't feeling well, stomach issues and I believe my iron levels were low because I've been training hard, possibly over training. I wanted to shoot for a 50k PR at this event, but the week leading up I knew my body wasn't ready. I needed to get healthy first.  This was Tom and I first race as husband and wife, our plan was to run it together. This would also be Toms first ultra in almost a year, coming off an Achilles tear back in January. Also, I'd like to mention that Tom did this 50k with his longest run being 10 miles and not having run in almost a month due to military training, do this proves that mental ability is beyond important in ultra running. Course: 10k loop, WIDE trail, flat. Although it was pretty muddy in most sections. Race:...

Beginning of 2015 I had a huge race calendar in front of me. Having to move twice and starting 2 new jobs was hard on my training, stability in life is key. So this affected my training and racing, also dealt with a minor injury that was haunting me since last October. Took a few months completely off to refocus and figure out where I am and what goal I want for 2015.  Ever since I fractured my femur March 2014 I've lost the WANT to run any distance longer than 12 hours. That want may come back in time, to be competitive in this sport of ultra-running, most think that you need to run Hundos and 24 Hour Races. Yes, it's bad ass and so amazing to push your abilities above and beyond, and one day I hope I can be competitive in that field. Mentally, I am strong for the "short" distance in ultra running. Mental toughness in this sport comes in time and practice, I still consider myself new to this sport and I have a lot to learn. So I've directed my focus on my strengt...