Hawthorn Half Day 2022 • 12 hours • 36.6 miles • Race PR • 3rd in my age group
This local race has a lot of meaning for me. I first participated in 2019 where I ran my first ultramarathon distance. It changed me and also what I wanted from running.
This year, I had no expectations of myself (other than running my planned 12-mile weekend run). Part of me kept thinking that, since I ran a 50K (31 miles) the first time, then I should surely do that again. But I’m not the same person I was three years ago. I didn’t “need” this race in the same way I did then. … So I let that idea go and just focused on completing the 3.1-mile laps.
It was a beautiful day! Typically, HHD is the first hottest day of the year. But yesterday, the weather was perfect … the temperature and breeze made the time on the trails enjoyable in a different way. I listened to two long podcasts, talked with several friends and starred down hissing geese. Fellow runners, those I know and others I’d never met, said, “Good job!” as they passed me. … Eventually, I knew I’d hit the 50K ultra distance and since I had the time, decided to keep moving to see where I’d end up. I ran in the last few miles and finished at 6:58 p.m. (end time was 7 p.m.). I ended the day with 36.6 miles.
Thank you to my friend and tent buddy, Hannah, who won the day doing that race in a boot and still took first in her age group. … To Majel, a constant source of inspiration who was overall female winner. … To Shad, with his surgically repaired, cast-laden arm, who came out and walked a solid grip of those miles with me. And to this entire running community who supports each other, no matter the pace or distance.
My body is sore as hell today and my feet are covered in blisters. But my heart is full. It’s truly an amazing thing to be out there and watch people achieve the unimaginable.
When I used to run with my friends Shad and Jarad, they had an expression they’d say about races: “It’ll be what it should be.” I really let that truth carry me yesterday and the day turned out to be exactly what I needed.