My first 100 miler was the Buffalo Run last year. There is just something about Antelope Island that I love and I wanted to see if I could beat my time from last year so I signed up. 3 weeks before the race on a training run just before mile 10, the outside of my left foot began to ache and then tighten and knot up. I recognized this pain all too well. My peroneal tendonitis in my left foot was flaring up. I figured it was probably agitated from running the Moab 55k and even though I threw in a reduced miles week after Moab, once I jumped back into higher miles my foot wasn't having it. I had the exact same injury 6 weeks out from my first marathon. I was able to heal in enough time and complete my marathon. This time around I only had 3 weeks until race day and 100 miles is a LONG way. My initial decision was to skip Buffalo and give my foot proper time to heal and then focus on Boston. If you know me well, there is a great depth of spirituality that I receive from running. As I was praying I received the impression "faith precedes the miracle." The Lord has blessed me countless times and has helped me through hard times and struggles during many of my running journeys. I thought that maybe this time it was too much to ask for another miracle. I believe the Lord ministers to everyone personally and individually and I have gained a greater perspective of the Atonement and His love for me through running. The Lord was trying to teach me . . . again. My faith is far from perfect. I have doubts and moments of despair, but I always go back to the knowledge that the Lord is all powerful and that I am in His hands.
I stopped running for 5 days after my foot initially flared up. I hopped back on the treadmill and made it just 2 miles before my foot was completely aggravated again. Only 16 days until race day. Another 5 days off of running. My foot would occasionally ache during the day and the pain would get worse at night. I have to admit, I was far from being faithful. I was very discouraged and frustrated. It would be easier to give up on the idea of Buffalo and just focus on healing for Boston, but deep down I knew I had to continue to find hope. Chad had given me a priesthood blessing and said that my foot would heal quickly and the Lord wanted me to be happy. I couldn't give up just yet. 11 days before race day - I completed a 5k without pain. Yay! I ran 6 miles 2 days later. Making progress. 6 days before the race, I ventured out to the island to complete a 10 miler. There was a dull ache in my foot while running, but luckily didn't progress to the sharp, knotting pain. After running out on the island I fully got on board and was determined to run the 100. I figured that I would start the race and if I had to drop then it would be okay. I would go until my foot said no more.
RACE DAY - Friday, March 18th
It doesn't matter how many races I do, I never sleep well the night before and I always have a belly full of butterflies at the start. My plan was to run at an enjoyable pace for as long as I could and pray that my foot stayed happy.
At noon it was go time! Off to the first section the White Rock loop. 19.6 miles. As I started the race, I thought that if I could make it at least the first loop without my foot freaking out that it would be quite the accomplishment. At the same time, I knew I had to put the fear and worry about things that I didn't have control over in the back and my mind and focus on just enjoying the moment.
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| The Start |
5.5 miles - Elephant Head aid station
I didn't need anything so I headed out on the Elephant Head trail (a quick out and back - 3 miles). I tripped last time year on this section and knocked my knee so I was extra careful to pick up my feet. I loved this section of the race. The view at the turn around is beautiful! On this section, I met some new running buddies Danny and Alex. I love meeting new people and these two were hilarious. Running, laughing and loving every minute of it! It was good to share some miles with these guys.
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| Coming back on the Elephant Head trail |
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| Finishing the White Rock Loop |
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| Heading to the Mountain View trail |
6 miles from Lower Frary to the Ranch. On this section, there were a lot of bison that were uncomfortably close to the trail. I usually go off the trail and go clear around, but they were on both sides. I am not going to lie, it made me nervous. I kept telling myself not to make eye contact and I picked up my pace as I passed by and would glance over my shoulder to make sure they were staying put. Adrenaline boost for sure especially when they are eyeing you down!
I made it to the Ranch without incident! Woo hoo!!! 33 miles in! And now to turn around and run all the way back up the Mountain View trail and past the bison, again! I survived and made it back to the Lower Frary aid station. 39 miles.
50 miles complete! 8 hours 38 minutes. Heading into the start/finish tent, I saw Jenn, my pacer and I gave her a hug. I switched out water bottles again, put on my jacket, had a few sips of soup and headed back out with Jenn to repeat round 2 of the course. It was good to have Jenn with me. My music was getting old and it was nice to have someone to talk too. I was starting to get sleepy-tired which was odd since it wasn't late into the night yet. I made sure to drink some Mountain Dew at when we hit the Elephant Head station and downed a few caffeine pills as well. The entire White Rock loop seem to go by relatively quick. Coming back down the hill to the start/finish, my foot started to ache. Oh crap! It wasn't the outside of my foot, but the inside part of the foot that ached. I kept running thinking that it may just go away, but it didn't go away and was getting progressively worse. Mile 69 - 13 hours from when I started. I had to say good-bye to Jenn and I was on my own with my sore foot. Every time I tried to run my foot furiously rebelled and it was a sharp ache. I was reduced to walking. There was still a dull ache while I walked, but at least I could keep moving forward. I knew it was going to be a LONG, slow going final 30 miles. I tried to walk as fast as I could - power walking - not the hip swinging, butt clenching style, but the put one foot in front of the other as fast as I could with heavy, tired legs. Since I was at a slower pace, I started to get really, really cold. 3 miles before Lower Frary, I was absolutely, miserably cold. I had a tank, long sleeve, and a jacket on at this point and I was freezing. I kept telling myself, keep moving or you are going to freeze. I finally made it to Lower Frary. I sat by the fire to try to warm up while Chad went and grabbed my clothes bin. I thew on every layer that I had brought. On top - tank, short sleeve shirt, 2 long sleeve shirts, jacket, and Chad's jacket. On bottom - shorts and my running pants. And hat and gloves. Chad was a little worried about me and asked if I wanted him to join me to the Ranch and back to Lower Frary. Yes! So off we went! I was still cold with all the layers on, but at least I wasn't freezing like I was before. Last year, there were glowy eyes from the bison that you could see at night. This year, there were no glowy eyes to be seen. Miles went by slowly, but we eventually made it to the Ranch. When we turned back up the trail, we headed into the wind. Brrrrr! Chad had 2 layers on top and I could tell that he was cold. I asked him if he wanted his jacket back and he said that he was okay. In reality, he was freezing and was really tired. He hadn't initially planned going 12 miles with me in the cold. There is something very special about this guy! He always makes sure that I am well taken care of and would do anything for me. I absolutely love him! 2 miles from Lower Frary, I could tell Chad was fading. He kept dozing off and I kept telling him that we were almost back to the aid station. We made it back to Lower Frary and there were 2 girls there getting ready to leave down to the Ranch. The sun came up and even though it was shining I kept all my layers on because I was still chilled. Leaving the Mountain View trail I was dreading the short steep hill. It was a painful, climb and my legs and feet were starting to really feel it. Before I headed down to Bridger Bay, Jenn joined me to finish off the last 5 1/2 miles with me. I told her that I was shooting for under 22 hours and if I kept up my current pace I should be able to do it. Bridger Bay aid station, check! Heading on the north trail, my stomach wasn't feeling too great and my legs began to feel very heavy. One mile at a time; one step at a time. About 2 miles out and I could see the finish area. I looked behind us and could a guy and gal running and closing in fast. I assumed the girl was pacing the guy to the finish. As they got closer, Jenn turned around and asked if she was pacing him to the finish. The guy said that he was pacing her to the finish. I was tired and I hurt and there was just over a mile to the finish. I knew I would have to run. I started to run and everything screamed on my body. My foot felt like it was going to explode. I turned and told Jenn that my foot hurt bad. We ran up the short hill to turn to the dirt road. I had to keep running or else I would be passed. I turned up my music and it took everything in me to push all the pain deep down and focus on moving forward. Just keep running. Jenn glanced over her shoulder a few times letting me know that they were still running, but that I was still good. I finally hit the end of the dirt road and the final turn up the road to the finish. I kept running up the hill and through the finish line.
My body hurt so bad, but I was so grateful to have been able to push to the finish and not be passed in the very last mile. I really don't remember much about the finish because it was a blur and I just wanted to sit down. I went into the finish tent and could sit and drink some chocolate milk. I started to get excited because I came in at 21 hours 31 minutes (last year 22 hours 22 minutes) - PR! First place overall woman. I had made it!!!! I started this race thinking there was a point that I would have to drop and even though my foot wasn't happy the entire time, there was still a way provided to make it to the finish.
