Me (on the left) with one of my training partners. The fun thing about running is that there is no shortage of running goals one can achieve. If you’re like me, your running career can start out innocently enough. The 5ks and mud runs first drew me in, then I set my sights on a marathon. With each marathon training run, I achieved a new distance - 10k, a half marathon, longest run ever, reaching the 20 mile marker, and finally the big 26.2!. For me reaching goals pushes me harder to reach the next goal. Before I knew it I was reaching for my biggest goal yet: an ultra marathon.
Ultra marathon training went surprisingly well, especially since I was battling both an achilles and knee injury while training. Pool running and Physical Therapy were my saving graces. I was able to maintain optimal fitness for my race while letting my body heal. I achieved my goal and had a great first ultra marathon experience and finish. After the race, I had a 7-day runners high - I was elated for completing such a feat that my running friend convinced me to sign up for another ultra a month away. My friend and I thought the second ultra would be easier than the first. The trail for the race wasn’t as technical and it was in our own backyard. This meant more sleeping time prior to the start. Or so I thought!
Ultra marathon training went surprisingly well, especially since I was battling both an achilles and knee injury while training. Pool running and Physical Therapy were my saving graces. I was able to maintain optimal fitness for my race while letting my body heal. I achieved my goal and had a great first ultra marathon experience and finish. After the race, I had a 7-day runners high - I was elated for completing such a feat that my running friend convinced me to sign up for another ultra a month away. My friend and I thought the second ultra would be easier than the first. The trail for the race wasn’t as technical and it was in our own backyard. This meant more sleeping time prior to the start. Or so I thought!
At the start of my race with my fellow Stroller Warriors. I can tell I was not feeling well in this photo. My eyes are glassy and my face/sinuses are red before we even start running. Leading up to my ultra, I wasn’t feeling well. I had an awful sinus headache and pain, but pushed the home remedies and persevered. On the eve of the race, I wasn’t feeling well; but I have NEVER backed out of a race and couldn’t bring myself to throw in the towel before the race even started.
Race morning I woke up and snuck off with my friends to race. My 1 year-old wasn’t awake so I skipped our morning nursing session and jumped in the car with my friends. At the start, it was cold and I wasn’t feeling well but made the call to run regardless of my sinus pain.
Race morning I woke up and snuck off with my friends to race. My 1 year-old wasn’t awake so I skipped our morning nursing session and jumped in the car with my friends. At the start, it was cold and I wasn’t feeling well but made the call to run regardless of my sinus pain.
I'm in the front, making the most of it. I didn’t feel like myself the whole race, but at the 10 mile marker I knew I was in trouble. I felt semi delirious and had pain with every step. Despite the pain, I kept running in hopes the pain would even out or go away… but it didn’t. Where was my pain you ask? In my breast. Skipping the morning nursing session was a horrible idea and I knew from my symptoms and from previous experiences that I was developing mastitis. At mile 14 I called my husband in a panic and asked him to come to the next aid station at mile 26… I needed to nurse the baby. My friend and I trucked on as best we could. We rolled into the 26 mile aid station and I was so excited and thankful to see my husband with the baby! But unfortunately for me my daughter was not interested in nursing AT ALL. I tried nursing again and again. After several minutes I gave up and set her free. My husband could tell I didn’t feel well and urged me to quit. The thought of not finishing what I started ate at my soul and I assured him I’d be fine.
At mile 27 my friend suggested I step off the trail and hand express milk to get a bit of relief. At that point, I only wanted to get to the finish line that was 5 miles away. I was so delirious I hardly remember the rest of course. I have one memory of seeing the down hill stretched in front of us and telling my friend I’d rather roll down it. I love downhill running! It’s one of the times I feel most free and light, so not wanting to run a down hill is definitely not me! She laughed and encouraged me to roll. So I laid down on the trail and rolled down the hill. I learned why that wasn’t a good idea in the deserts of California… I got a million prickly hitchhikers on my clothes and had to pick them off for the rest of the race. If you watch the video below, you'll notice I am using my elbows to protect my chest as I roll down the hill. Extra pain? No thank you!
At mile 27 my friend suggested I step off the trail and hand express milk to get a bit of relief. At that point, I only wanted to get to the finish line that was 5 miles away. I was so delirious I hardly remember the rest of course. I have one memory of seeing the down hill stretched in front of us and telling my friend I’d rather roll down it. I love downhill running! It’s one of the times I feel most free and light, so not wanting to run a down hill is definitely not me! She laughed and encouraged me to roll. So I laid down on the trail and rolled down the hill. I learned why that wasn’t a good idea in the deserts of California… I got a million prickly hitchhikers on my clothes and had to pick them off for the rest of the race. If you watch the video below, you'll notice I am using my elbows to protect my chest as I roll down the hill. Extra pain? No thank you!
Some Stroller Warrior friends knew I was hurting and met me before the finish to 'run me in' but there wasn't much run left in me. At some point I couldn’t run anymore and encouraged my friend to forge ahead without me. I walked the most I’ve ever walked in a race and cried from the pain as I walked. I finished the race, cleaned up and went to the doctor. I was told that not only did I have mastitis, I had a sinus infection as well! It was a rough recovery, but I’m so thankful for modern medicine and the ability to heal.
My kids were there to help me finish. This ultra marathon taught me that I can gut out a 5k if I’m not feeling well. I even can gut out a 10k. However, it is NOT recommended to gut out a 50k! This race taught me when to listen to my body. If I could have a re-do I would have stayed in bed and nursed my baby rather than gone for a 50k race!
Have you had a race teach you a lesson? If so, tell us about it!
Have you had a race teach you a lesson? If so, tell us about it!
Recovering and not much use to anyone :(
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