Filling out the application I was so excited this time in January has finally come!  I had met the director, “Chris Kostman”, three years ago at the Florida Keys 100 mile race.  At that time I told him I was going to run his race when I turned 60 years old and beat the record. He smiled at me and said, “good luck”!  I had found him charming, dedicated, and extremely organized which I came to admire.

A few weeks later I found out I was excepted to the race!  I was so excited!  I grabbed every article and book I could find to read about the race and see what could help me out.   I live in Texas and the heat here is over 100 degrees so I thought running in the hottest part of the day would help acclimate my body.  I also had put a dry sauna in my home and decided to use that to also help with the training.  I tried to get into the sauna 3 to 4 times a week.  Chris has an article on his website for heat training which I found very helpful.

The next thing was picking a crew to help me in this race.  This was mandatory and I never had anyone crew me before except for Spencer my husband.  I decided I would ask the two people I ran into in Brazil several times during that race that, “just happened to be there and help if needed.  They are Jarom Thurston a well known ultra runner and his close friend Andre Nader.  I phoned Andre and asked him and also contacted Jarom and finally a few days later a plan was in the mix.  Talk about a blessing for me!  These two guys had crewed badwater135 more than one time before so they were totally experienced which is what I needed!

The final day came and Spencer and I flew to LasVegas where we rented a car and proceeded to the hotel to wait to meet up with Jarom and Andre.  When they arrived we went to dinner and the plans were laid out.  The next morning we went to the grocery store and picked up what food we felt we needed and proceeded to the state park of, “death valley”.  We arrived and checked into our hotel and got settled for the meeting  that evening.  There we saw one hundred excited ultra runners ready to start the venture the next day.  The meeting was organized, well constructed, and positive to the staff and the crew.  I was ready.

The race started at 20:00 in the evening.  I wondered how this was going to affect me because I do not do well missing sleep.  I was going to go threw two nights with no sleep and that was a concern of mine.  I also was not feeling up to par because I was having huge thyroid problems which started a few weeks before the race.  I had been advised not to race, and go to the emergency room.  My heart rate was double my normal with several extra PVC’s.  Being in medicine all the years I have, I knew it was my thyroid and the heart was just the secondary reaction to the problem.  I was not going to let this opportunity go.  After all, this was such a dream for me.  I live to run.  Only an ultra runner understands this.   It is a passion that is so strong and a burning in my spirit that pulls me into the freedom that running gives me.  It doesn’t matter of the age you are, the sex, the position in life you hold, or the country you are from.  It is a building of the spirit that quiets your soul and leans on your God to carry your body threw the worse conditions in life that has been challenging you.   Badwater135  was something I wanted to accomplish for myself.  I went off all my thyroid medication and in three days my PVC’s had diminished.  I was feeling crappy but safe.  So I proceeded to the race and decided to get to the doctor when I finished and came home.  Besides, I have not ever run a race were something did not go wrong!

The heat was so different than Texas humidity heat!  It felt even at 20:00 that 5 people were blowing hair dryers on me and the heat was still 120 degrees even at the late hour.  The first 15 miles were challenging to me more than usual.  My leg muscles were cramping so much.  When I met up with my crew Andre made me lay down were he massages and trigger pointed all the spasm spots.  That made me feel so much better.  The night run was slow but steady.  I did everything requested of me by my staff.  Finally, the 42 miles were finished and I was able to have a pacer!  Yeah!!!!!  I picked up the speed and proceeded throughout the day.  Trying to stay hydrated and making good progress until the sun came down again.  I was extremely nauseated and knew my electrolytes and hydration was not up to par.  With the help of my crew I managed to  hydrated and attempt to catch up with electrolytes all the delirious thoughts in my head.  After completing almost 30 hours of running my pacers were spent and I told them to get in the car and sleep.  It was once again up to my husband and I to toll the line.  He had stayed up the two nights with me driving the entire way and I needed him to cover me running at night.  He did not let me alone but every two miles I caught up with him and I let him sleep.  By the time the sun came up again i had renewed my spirit and I was almost done!  The crew got up and paced me again and we were just about to the bottom of the mountain!  At that point, the bottom of my feet were sunburned, the chaffing between my legs was screaming, and the lips on my face felt numb with all the chapping that had occurred.  Still I was only 13 miles at the bottom of the mountain!

Andre and I headed up and the mistake I made was shoeing off my support crew.  Andre told me to fuel but I felt I would hurl with anything else in my stomach.  Big mistake………..one 2016 you should learn is too listen to your crew and do what they tell you because your brain is too challenged to think properly.  I made it with Andre’s wonderful influence and finally saw my husband and Jarom so I knew the end  was close.  We all ran together to cross the line at the Badwater135 2016 race where Chris Kostman was there to hand me the,”Buckle”.  I had beat the previous record by three hours of a 60 year female.  My time 41:02 .  I can tell you I was the happiest girl around and could not have done it without the crew of Spencer, Jarom, and Andre.  I felt so grateful and blessed.  That is what ultra running does for me.  It is a making of the body and soul to constantly do better on this earth.  To sacrifice your comforts in this life and know that the spirit takes a much larger place in your body.  It moves you through even the unimaginable places on earth and puts you on the other side.  Would I do it again?  You bet!!!!

The excitement started  when I received the acceptance letter from Mario Lacerda telling me I was in to race the Brazil 135!  I live in Texas so you can imagine the, ” terraine fright” I had!  How do you train for mountains with an estimate of 30,000 feet of incline and 25,000 feet of decline in a Texas flat land????  I just had to figure it out! I have 12 weeks before the race so lets get started!   I immediately had Spencer help me lift my treadmill up on 5″ boards and started the decline training!  To the gym twice a week for heavy squats, lunges, and deadlifts.  I tried to hit the one bridge in Kemah every other week but I work 5 days a week and when I get off the traffic is so bad it was difficult to do.  I ran 5 days a week making my long run every Saturday or Sunday a must. {yes, flat lands and streets mostly!}

The flight from Houston to Sao Paulo was great.  Less than ten hours and we were there!  We picked up the rental car and drove to our destination ,”São João da Boa Vista” where the Hotel we had reservations at had shut down!  No one in the small mountain town spoke English and Spencer and I did not speak Portuguese!  With my body and facial movements I managed to communicate with two police officers what we needed and directions were started!  We found a hotel that accepted us and we were grateful for clean sheets and a room of our own for 4 days before the race!   I did not care that we had no hot water or air-conditioning!  The 6,000 feet altitude was a slight change to get used to but I  am sure my body will adjust to the change!  We cleaned up and went to,” Restaurante Casarao”, upon suggestion of  the hotel desk manager in his broken English!  This restaurant was by far superior and we ended up eating there the three nights we stayed in that town!  The race meeting was held at the college, Faculdade UNIFAE – SJBV”, where I had the great pleasure of meeting, “Lieutenant-Commander Mario Lacerda”.  The warmest and sincere greeting I have ever had with a hug and kiss on the cheek the,”Brazilian” way!  I was then directed to the registration rooms!  There I was greeted by his wife,”Eliana Lacerda”, who had as much passion and warmth and love for life that was shared by Mario.  I felt loved and welcomed more than any ultra race I have done.  {How did we loose this compassion in the states?}  The Meeting took much of the day and the lunch served was gourmet on paper plates!  So delicious and healthy!  Spencer and I had purchased our supplies the day before and we were set.  We spent the night mostly awake but resting in our hotel room.

The butterflies in my belly were there again the morning of the race!  I had no idea of the rough terrain, the washed out roads, the 30 to 50% uphill grade, rocks, mud, water, leaves, pebbles, and sandy trail roads that was ahead of me.  I saw people I met at the meeting and wished them well and the race had started.  The first 20 miles I was doubting my 60 year old ability to handle this new adventure but I pushed my doubts away and took heed of the amazing beauty and spiritual surroundings that I was encountering.  My mindset immediately changed with thoughts of gratitude, joy, and love that I was receiving from everything around me. The energy I was receiving back from the people, the astounding,”Path of Faith” that I was so grateful to experience.  The small towns I was traveling through and the stillness I was receiving in my soul.  Somehow,after that,  I never gave it a second thought.  My spirit took over and I was there to collect and strengthen who I was, once again reborn to be the messenger of who and why I was here.  The path and all I experienced in journey revitalized my spirit, my love of life, my humbling existence.  I once again was  touched by God in ways I cannot explain. I felt the stars at night were there to grab ahold if I needed too, yet also leading me to my next foot forward.  I ran strong and fast.  I ate when my body told me too.  I drank water and electrolyte when my body instructed me and somehow I never lost the energy to continue.  I finished the race in 43:42, well under the 48 hour cut off limit!  I found out later at the wonderful party Mario and his wife through that I was the 3rd female, 15 overall finisher, and I had beaten the 60 year old female record by 3.5 hours!  My joy was that I received everything and more that  I went for.  Love, joy, gratitude, and my 43:42 hour walk with God, through the,”Caminho da Fe, or Path of Faith”.  It strengthened my spirit, filled my heart, and forever changed my soul.  I am forever grateful for this growth.

I am off this Saturday to Beautiful Brazil! I am so excited and blessed to be a part of the adventure. Although I have been ultra running for just five years, I have never rain a 135 mile race! The feelings of excitement and nervousness are all wrapped up in one! I always feel I have not trained enough! I do work 40 hours a week and train when I get home and on weekends! Sleep has been my focus these three months to recover properly and to go into this race STRONG!

More to come! Prayers!!!

I am leaving on Saturday for the 135 Mile race in Brazil! I have not been this excited about a race since my first 100 mile five years ago! Definitely, the main goal is to have fun and be safe! I’ll experience the nature I have never seen before and steal the energy the earth is awaiting to give to my body! The race is on the 21st. Prayers please from all who think about it and more to come from the blessed experience!!!!

Leaving on Friday for Cleveland, Ohio I had mixed feelings about this race. One of excitement, it was my last race for my age group 55-59 year, and one of fear, I had not trained well enough in my mind and I was going into this race with an injury. The weather Friday was sunny and warm for the Lake Erie winds but I knew that could change any time. Saturday getting to Edgewater Park at 7:00 am I picked up my packet and proceeded to help Spencer set up my tent. The weather was cool for me, 62 degrees and it was predicted to rain all day. I hate running in the rain. The race started at 0900 am and I was off running! My strong point was, I had decided I was going to have fun with this race and not worry about the gifted competition. It was a national USATF Race. The winds were 17mph, and the rain came so I was soaked all day long. With being soaked comes blisters and chafing. I finished the race and won my age group 55-59 Year female, came in 10th overall woman, and 43 overall Racer! There were a total of 166 Racers so I felt I had accomplished a great deal! This was my 10th ultra run in 4 years. My blessings are being counted!

The Rocky Raccoon Race results turned out very satisfying for me!  I ended up first place in my age group, setting a new course record for my age that had not been broken in 12 years, and taking 3rd overall masters!  I was extremely pleased !

Today I head to, the “Keys100″ to again participate in 100 miles of fun from Key Largo to Key West!  There is always more competition as the years go on but I love this race!  My only competitor is myself and I hope to beat my time!  The purpose of this run is to show how much strength you have in life to continue even when your mind and body tells you to, ” stop or quit”.  This run will be for Darla.  A most beautiful lady who has breast cancer and is going threw a rough chemo treatment right now.  The drugs have changed her appearance and she is doubting several things in her life.  She will draw strength from her husband as I do my husband at mile 80 when I just want to quit and go to bed.  She hurts, she’s nauseated, she’s ugly on the outside and she just wants to,”quit”.  This is when God put s  her husband in her life to change her shoes and tell her, “your almost there and you are doing great!”  She draws from her SOUL and sees that the last 20 miles is God pushing you to the end!  This one is for you……….

My husband and I went to Huntsville on Friday evening after working eight hours heading for the, “Rocky Raccoon 100 Mile Ultra Endurance Run.  This was my very first 100 Mile Run that I had completed only Four years ago.  Tomorrow, January 31st I will run my eight Ultra Marathon.  I had just completed another 100 Mile Marathon at Brazo’s Bend only 6 weeks ago so I am hoping my muscles are recovered for another 100 Mile.

After my Florida Keys Race back in May of 2014 my hips were on fire.  I had lost all the toenails on my left foot but none on my right. I had the usual aches and pains but wanted to work these last few months on fueling and getting back to running with zero drop shoes. So, began training with the shoe, “Altra” and after several months of calf spasms I was finally off to a great start!  I feel my gate has improved and I am so much more in control of my running!  I am literally pain free from pounding all those miles.  I do have to say I have switched shoes and am now in a shoe called, “SKORA”.  I love these shoes!!!!!!

The fueling came last weekend when I took a trip to Austin Texas for a one on one appointment with, Valerie Hunt.  She is a,”Pose Method”, running coach and an awesome lady.  She taught me the biomechanics of running and perfected my gate!  She also is a Paleo follower and gave me a bag of a new fuel called, “3Fu3l”.  It is made with grass fed whey protein, coconut, and a starch.  Very low carb.  This is the fit for me!  I will be fueling on my next run with this drink and that will be in three weeks!  She also coached me on the importance of strength training to prevent injury!  So true!!!

Always remember,“Life’s battles don’t always go to the stronger or faster man. But sooner or later, the man who wins is the man who thinks he can.”
― Vince Lombardi

Keep on thinking strong!!!

I start out running slow, I do have 100 miles so why rush?  That is how I feel about life.  Always starting slow.  I am not in control of my life situations, however, I am in control of how I handle them.  You work hard at it….{train hard, eat right, recover}, trying to do better spiritually with every new day you are gifted with.  There always is a change in your plan with life or the marathon.  It rains, your developing blisters, you have a case of raging diarrhea!  Lose your job, argue with your spouse, your kids have gone down the wrong path.  My plan is all about my attitude and how I handle change even negative change.  My lessons have always brought me to become a better leader, spiritually a better Christian, and a better runner. Through downfalls, I have become stronger.  I do NOT GIVE UP.  You cannot.  You have to thank God for the trials, know that this will build your character and make you a better person all around even when things do not turn out your way.  Stay strong, smile even when it is hard, and know someone other than you will carry your pain.  The outcome will become amazing in the end!