What a year to be racing again in Pennsylvania! I faced recovering from knee surgery, a heavy bout with depression, changing jobs and a deep check in with my priorities. I was really happy to have trail races and a group of supportive friends and family to help me come out stronger on the other side.
Hyner 50k - April 24, 2021
My 5th Hyner race after this race captured my imagination 10 years ago reading a Runners World article about it. I was nervous going in to this race for social and physical reasons - my confidence wasn't where it normally was, I hadn't raced in over a year, and the distance felt long for my knee. I talked to Coach Michele about dropping a few days before the race, and she encouraged me to stay with it and use it as a test before Worlds End. As usual, she was right.
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| The infamous climb up SOB |
I had a bad night sleep at the hotel before the race and was mentally shaky. To my surprise, when the first climb came I felt incredibly strong and that shifted things mentally for me. I woke up.....I was there to see what I had and I loved this place and this race! The trails were mostly dry and the new course avoided allot of water crossings. I'm not sure that I like this course as much as years past, but it def had those same lung busting climbs and heart pounding descents.
I really wanted to be efficient at aid stations and keep moving. I had told my Rugged Running coaches Michele and Salynda that my A goal was 7 hours. At one point I realized I was doing better than I expected and decide to keep pushing hard knowing I was going to either blow up or get a PR. I ended up improving my time by about 40 minutes!
Worlds End 100k - June 5, 2021
I had an incredible day at Worlds End for my 3rd 100k and my 3rd time celebrating my bday by racing Worlds End Ultramarathon. It was fun to meet a couple Trail Sisters who were out there running the 50k. We were staying in the cabins adjacent to the race start and finish, which is so convenient.
Mike Werner and Mary were rock star crew - they were a well oiled machine and made me so happy at every aid station. Mary was pretty strict and reminding me I was there to run, not relax! This was my first time doing the race without a partner or pacer and I didn't have very many people around me. I did meet a couple guys from Wissahickon Wanderer and Matt and his pacer Jason who were also going to be at Rim to River in November.
As usual there was amazing race organization and super pumped up aid station support who made every runner feel so special. It was hot out there for early June and I was grateful for the many water crossings to cool down despite the resulting extra chaffing (worth it). This year had a high drop rate because of the heat, but I liked it.
Right before aid station 9, I was surprised by a huge coiled up rattlesnake that loudly rattled at me and I screamed and jumped in the air like the world was truly ending. It’s always fun to run with people and make friends on the course and this year was no exception.
My feet and quads were trashed, but recovery was faster than in years past.
Eastern States 100 Pacing and Barrens Aid Station volunteer - Aug 13 and 14, 2021
This year I paced my new friend Adam Weiser for his attempt at this beast. He had a great race until he faced stomach troubles. I learn allot form his experience and know he will tackle it in 2022! Lesson - can't fall behind in nutrition. It's very hard to come back from.
Again a couple of my friends and I drove from Philly to volunteer at Barrens aid station. It's a humbling experience seeing runners at mile 90 of a very demanding race. Oh - and so much cowbell!
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