Running with a Smile: 2018

The Highlights

* Round 2 of Javelina Jundred (Run party in the desert)

* Running with a cold

* Awesome crew and pacers

* Blessed to finish

Read on for the whole story of my 4th hundred mile finish. Scroll all the way to the bottom to just view some pics.

The Before:

Leading up to a 100 mile race, or really any race, I always have nerves. Packing and organizing helps me keep a handle on them; over planning allows for flexibility is what I figure. This year I had an unexpected "blessing" of a cold coming on the Tuesday night before the race. Having a cold really takes you away from worrying about the race because you're worrying about even making it to the starting line. So Wed-Fri was full of sudafed, chicken broth, and kleenex. I had to keep checking in that the cold was up in my head and not down in my chest. I could run with a cold, right?! It would be a first but I kept saying I've got to at least give it a go.

Parents in tow, we headed out to Phoenix, AZ for our 2nd year of the Javelina Jundred. We knew we had to be as efficient as possible once we landed so we could drop the pop-up canopy and rush to packet pickup before the 6pm close time (they have race morning pickup, which is awesome, but I didn't want to have to worry about that the morning of).

We picked up the rental car and drove out to McDowell Mountain Regional Park. The start/finish was hopping with sites already decked out for the biggest run party in the desert. We quickly found a spot for the 6 x6 pop-up tent (yes I can fit that in my suitcase) and headed out to Puesta del Sol for packet pickup.

Packet pickup was a breeze. We got there with 20 minutes to spare and it took about 5 min total. The only thing I regret is not getting a pre-race photo by Howie Stern. I didn't want to bother him so close to the end of packet pickup!

A quick trip to Target, dinner at the hotel restaurant, a mental strategy session with my dad, and a date with the steamer and I was ready for bed. It was a whirlwind day but we got done everything needed to start the race early the next morning.

Thanks for crewing Dad

Team Rugged Running

If I can be completely honest, I was still very worried about the cold and how it would affect the run but amazingly I woke up Saturday morning breathing better than I had all week. It was amazing! I got up and did my pre-race routine. I was excited.... nervous but feeling super blessed to be able to run.

The energy at the starting line is almost indescribable: electric, gives ya goosebumps, and a huge smile. I met 2 other Rugged Runners: Lulu and DiscO right before we started the 6:10 wave.

Loop 1 (0-22 miles) The Long Loop

The 6:10 wave start was so wonderful in that the first few miles weren't as congested as last year. My energy was high and I enjoyed the desert as the sun came up. I had a 2L bladder in the back of my pack and a 20oz bottle in one of the front pockets of my vest. The plan was to take in about 28 oz water, 1/2 gel, and a salt tab every hour. Additionally I had 3 honey stinger wafers to eat on the loop. Well.... the gels, salt tabs, and wafers happened. However I found myself struggling with the straw of my bladder and only drank the front bottle. I refilled water at every aid station but basically just filled that water bottle and kept going. Nothing too eventful on the first loop. I was doing a mix of run/walk. I shared miles with a few different runners out at javelina for the first time. I'm a pretty shy person, but conversations come easily during the shared experience of the trail. And it helps when you carry an adorable, sassy girl on the back of your pack. Lucy, everyone wants to know about you! I would chat with people for a bit and then eventually separate and do our own things.

I came up on an aid station and I hear "come on, you got a little jog in you". Thanks for the heads up before taking my pic! The second half of the loop this direction is wonderfully smooth and downhill. The extra section on the first loop is where I started to notice the heat but it didn't feel too terrible. Lulu and I met up towards the end of the loop and were able to check in with each other. She cruised on ahead of me looking strong.

I came in through tent city (see a time lapse video from the JJ twitter feed on tent setup) and hit the turn around. Stopped at my crew tent for a refill on everything in my vest. My parents were there to take care of my pack. Leaving them, the plan was to head to the aid station and fill water before heading out for the 2nd loop. I saw my wonderful friend, Ian Stevens, and he walked with me into the aid station. As soon as I handed my bottle to the aid station worker I got really woozy. I was swaying on my feet and not really able to verbalize my needs. Ian instantly said let's get you sitting down. In my mind I thought, shoot... this day is over. I made 3 people fly out here with me to be done after 22 miles. But I simply said "can you get my mom" and off Ian ran to get my mom. Sitting dazed, my mom checked my heart rate and I downed 20 oz of water. I had my coach, Michele Yates' voice in my head "chug water. it might slosh in your stomach for a 1/4 mile but you'll feel better for it". I sat for about 5 min regrouping. My mom and Ian stayed with me the whole time. I finally said that I thought I could go on. I'd fill up more water and then just walk. I was planning on walking most of the second loop anyway since it would be the heat of the day.

Loop 2 (22 - 41 miles) The Hot Loop

Ice Bandanna is key to staying cool

Genius costume for shade

I adjusted the straw so accessing my 2L bladder was easier and focused on drinking water as I walked into the desert heat. The second loop I knew I would take it super easy as there is only about 5 spots of "shade" along the course: tall cactus, large rock, desert tree, etc. Taking in more water helped.

I was still doing pretty well with the gels and the salt tabs. Run a little and WALK a lot was the name of the game for loop 2. I met Maria on loop 2. She was running her first 100 and was taking it easy during the hot hours too. We chatted for a while about why we run and what keeps us moving. Then came that wonderful thing that happens in ultras, you do your own thing without judgement. It could be you that is feeling great and pushes on a bit faster or it can easily be the other person. Whichever way it goes, it's just a blessing to have shared a few miles or moments together on the trail. Aid station workers rocked and I added in some bean wraps and avocado wraps on loop 2. I mentally had the plan to fill the small bottle at Rattlesnake, fill bottle and bladder at Jackass, bottle at coyote camp, and both again at the start/finish. With that as a goal I knew I wouldn't be spending too much time at the aid stations but I would be taking in much more water than I had on loop 1.

My dad had the most wonderful frozen treat waiting for me after loop 2. I sat, ate frozen lemonade, was re-sprayed with sunblock, garbage/fuel swap, and packed my vest for the next loop.

Loop 3 (41 - 62 miles) The Snake Loop

Last year I had headlamp issues and so that was one area I came ready to improve. I had a brighter headlamp and a handheld flashlight in tow for loop 3. I knew I would end this loop in the dark... alone. But I kept telling myself, after loop 3 I can to run with pacers. Loop three was pretty exciting, I was running pretty well still. I was meeting lots of new trail friends. And... I saw 2 rattlesnakes! Each time I was lucky to be near at least 1 other runner. "what was that..." followed by all lights shining towards to sides of the trail. The first rattlesnake was mad and he really did let us know it with their rattles. The second one was just cruising along the side of the trail in the brush. I was thankful they weren't actually on the trail and we didn't step on them.

The only thing that started weighing on me was some pain in the fronts of my ankles. I thought it's probably the pressure on the front of my gaiters. I could ditch them after the loop and just worry about the sand in my shoes later. I needed to get that pressure off.

Lights were a huge success. I kept my light on the lowest setting and it was plenty. There was a pretty full moon and the natural light was great. Every aid station had ENERGY! Music, laughter, and workers ready to HELP! I was still pretty warm so even though I had a long sleeve shirt in my pack ready to go, I was the one still asking for ice. There was always a supply of ice and that was wonderful. I started taking in noodles and broth on this loop. Even though I was warm, it was nice to get in some different food. The wafers just weren't going down anymore but I was keeping up with gels, salt tabs and water. My watch died somewhere along loop 3 so I wasn't too sure about timing but I just kept moving. In my head I was thinking a finish would be awesome... I just need a finish, I thought I was done after 22 miles... a finish would be incredible.

I came into Javelina Jeadquarters and made my way around the tent city parade route. Crew were catching a little shut eye but everyone that was up was there to give an encouraging word. I came back to my crew tent and my mom was ready to head out. We quickly swapped out fuel in my pack, I ditched the gaiters, and headed to the aid-station to grab some food.

***** second critial fix from last year: My dad was in charge of making me change my contacts after this loop. He was ready with my sanatizer, contact solution, and fresh pair. This was KEY to the success of my eye sight the rest of the race. ZERO contact issues this year. Thanks, Dad! *****

Loop 4 (62 - 81 miles) The Mom Loop

Night running... thanks for the pic, mom

Mom and I took off into the night for loop 4. While I had ditched my gaiters, I was still having that pain in my ankle. Mom and I chatted for a few miles but then I was hitting some lows. I asked my mom if she cared if I listened to music and she said of course. Music definitely helped get my head in a more positive space. Having mom there was a boost in energy and an additional reminder to eat and drink! She kept me on schedule and made sure I was still getting gels an salt tabs down. We easily made it to Rattlesnake. We grabbed food and refilled my water bottle and headed on out. While the first half of the loop in this direction is pretty smooth and runnable it seemed so "uphill". Ha! I ran when I could but knew I was still doing quite a bit of hiking. We were running towards Jackass and I was just a bit in front of my mom. I hear the dreaded "oh... woah woah.... (Thud)" Turning just in time to see my mom take a spill. YIKES! I was so worried. She popped right back up, saying she was fine, but I said let's walk just a moment to regroup. I was so thankful it was on the first part of the run as then second half of the loop is so ROCKY. It would have been a whole different story if the fall would have been after Jackass.

We got into Jackass, passed on the shots, beer, and dance floor, grabbed food/refilled water and headed into the downhill rocky section. Even though this portion of the course is downhill... I struggled to run because of how rocky it was. Just so many rocks. I thought about how amazing the elites are that just fly through this course (I mean the winner ran it in 13:41!). Every time I said I needed to walk, my mom was right there with me saying "it's ok. You're walking strong". She was the best encourager. We made it to Coyote and then the 4 more miles into Jeadquarters. I had to make it back out on Loop 5 by 6:00 am to make the cutoff. We came into the tent city around 4:00 am. Through the parade loop and then they put that wonderful "final loop" glow bracelet on and I headed back to the crew tent to swap out supplies and pacers.

Loop 5 (81 - 100 miles) The Victory Loop

I ran the last loop with my father-in-law, Ralph. Now one thing you can always count on with Ralph is that he's a numbers guy. He might make you do math but he's always running the numbers in his head. We started running in the dark but I knew the sun would come up and we only had so many coolish hours before the heat would be back. So we ran as we could. My feet and ankles were on my mind so I kept music playing and wasn't very talkative but Ralph didn't seem to mind. We chatted a little but kept moving. If I wasn't running, I was power hiking. I had no clue about time, just that I wanted to finish. We got into Coyote Camp and they had pancakes! hmmm pancakes with syrup, pancakes with peanut butter. While they both sounded ok I simply said "can I please just have like a handful of pancake". With a chuckle, the kind volunteer places to warm pancakes into my hand. My eyes were bigger than my stomach. I think I held onto those pancakes, nibbling small bites, for about 4 miles!

Coming into Jackass for the last time was great. Thanked volunteers for all their help, grabbed chapstick from my dropbag and made sure I put plenty of ice in my bandanna. Now it was 10 more miles (mostly downhill and smooth) to the finish. To be honest.... I was in PAIN. I kept telling Ralph my ankles hurt. Then as soon as we headed out of Jackass with just over 5 miles to Rattlesnake, I had to go to the bathroom. I had waited for about 5 minutes for a portapotty at the last aid station and so I skipped it at Jackass thinking I could make it to the next stop. Well... I couldn't. Almost in tears, my FIL says "oh just go behind that rock". Those were blessed words!

Ultras aren't pretty... but I am very thankful Ralph was willing to endure the gross journey of the last 20 miles of a 100. The day was heating up and I was in that rough mental spot of thinking about everything that hurts, how far every mile seems, and the fear of not finishing in time. While Ralph ensured me we would finish I could tell he was mentally calculating another goal. We came into Rattlesnake, the last aid station and about 4 miles from the finish saying we were about an hour ahead of last year. In my head I knew if I could keep up that pace, it would be a PR! But I wasn't sure that was possible. Ralph continued to push and I tried my best to "run" as much as possible.

We ran past the tree where we saw a coyote last year. We saw runners heading our direction saying you've only got X number of miles left. We pushed on. Then.... the most wonderful site, Jeadquarters. You see the tents and hear the music before actually entering the loop. We get up to the parade loop and Ralph says you have 6 minutes to get under 28 hours. That's all I needed to hear. We took off RUNNING. I didn't know how far the parade loop was (even though it was my 5th trip) and I wanted to be in the 27s. The crowd was amazing. People cheer for everyone, even those of us who take over twice as long to run 100 miles as the winners. The back-of-packers still have a cheering section at Javelina! I ran past my parents, made the turn through tent city, and ran the UPHILL to the finish.

Running in to a new PR

27:56!

The After:

Post race was a little bit of a blur. I sat down in the shade for a bit. My ankles were pretty sore, I had heat rash/chafing, and my feet hurt... but my heart was totally happy. We spent a couple more days in Arizona and I had the luxury of relaxing, recovering, and eating lots of food.

I am so thankful for:

* My awesome crew. My dad took a very active role this year and was a huge help! My mom is always crew captain, but dad helped everything run more efficiently this year. He went above and beyond his role as my contact change man and took on lots of crewing responsibilities. I am forever thankful. Crewing is not easy.... having parents crew is a huge gift and blessing.

*Pacers: Mom and Ralph both have a different style of pacing and I needed both this year. Thankful to have active family that are willing to join in on these crazy adventures. Sorry I didn't pics with you guys.

* Michele Yates: you got me ready for this race with a top notch training plan. Even running sick, I got a PR! Your plans are no joke and really get a runner ready to accomplish goals.

* Ian Stevens: I'm calling you my angel on this one. You kept me in the game. We only saw each other after loop one but it was critical to my success out there.

* All the volunteers: I can't say which aid station was the best because they were all amazing. Honestly the most fun, helpful environment to run 100 miles.