Massanutten 100 miler final thoughts: •This course was sneaky hard for me and much tougher than it looks on paper. If only all runs were done on paper. •Most all the runs in the beginning felt runnable if not for the rocks. The closer to the ridge, the greater and bigger the rocks got. A local I ran with said, “you got to learn to dance with the rocks.” As soon as he said that he tripped and went down hard. I said, “is that the tango?” He didn’t laugh. I guess that’s why they say #MassanuttenRocks. •Every aid station was down on the valley floor and some were as far apart as 10 miles, but the majority of the race was on the ridge, which meant a lot of climbing and somehow all of a sudden you have 18,500‘ of vert (or for me only 11,000’ because you know, DNF.) •It was hot and humid AF and I was not acclimated. I was sweating just standing and it was 4am and the race hadn’t even started yet. There was a nice breeze that comes up from the valley and over the mostly all tree shaded ridge, but every time we descended, the air got stagnant and hot which made it hard to eat and drink. Apparently that’s a good way to help you not finish a race. •Started feeling cramps around mile 19 and it only got worse throughout the day. Besides quads, hamstrings, and that area above your ankle, did you know your finger, lats, and the soft area under your chin can cramp? Type 3 fun. •There wasn’t much wildlife out there because even animals hate humidity, but I did see a frog, fresh bear scat and ran past a rattling snake. •I’m so incredibly grateful for my family and friends who continue to support me on these ridiculous runs. •I was wildly unprepared and undertrained going into the race and it showed. I guess training mentally and physically for 100 miles is the best way to be ready to run 100 miles. •I’ve had a lot of self doubt and frankly self sabotage for the past few months while questioning and searching for my running “why”. Yesterday I had a lot of reflection time out there by myself sitting on #alltherocks thinking about all the reasons why I like (and hate) running. Turns out I still like running. . . #Luray #VA #Massanutten100 #MMT100 #Bib16 #100miles #TT50 #Trailto50 (at Massanutten Mountain) https://www.instagram.com/p/BxqhqwMHMz7/?igshid=1fh5vd1zjmsdh
