The minute I ran down this last stretch of the Indiana Trail 100 last year I knew I wanted to do it again in 2016. I had worked very hard, was so proud of myself, felt so great with all the support and encouragement behind me. The cutoff was 30 hours and I pushed myself to the limit, with Jerry Diehl's support as well as the support of my two pacers Keith Miller and Alicia Rich, to finish on time.
It rained most of the day--my twitter name is not Badweathrheathr for nothing--and the way was slippery, muddy and sticky. It made for a very difficult time getting to the end of the race but it was way worth it to see that finish line sign for the last time and go through it.
Many of you who have been reading this blog now know about my long journey from serious health problems, obesity and mental illness to come to this place and how much running, especially long distance trail running, has changed my life, cured my mind and emboldened my heart. It has also given me the gift of all of you--my true and honored friends. My supportive family. The people in my life who make my life the best it can be and who help me on my journey every day. In this photo I am running with one of my many supporters, Mory Bailey, who is the BEST person to have at a race, as she helps run me up the hill to the final finish line.
Last year I was so happy I finished but had really, really, really wanted and been excited for that 100 mile buckle. I was one minute too late over the 30 hour time limit. The people at the race were wonderful and I couldn't ask for a better crew to help me afterwards.
This coming year I have some more important goals to achieve and I believe that goals are what keeps us moving in a positive direction with our lives, not living in the past but looking towards a better future. One BIG goal is to run the IT100 again next year and this time to win my buckle by beating the 30 hour cutoff time. I am excited about the chance to once again challenge and test myself beyond what I was ever dreaming of being able to do with my life. Years ago a 5k would have been a huge challenge and now I am looking forward to doing another 100 mile race.
The reason I love running long distances (and many ask me this) is that when I am running a long, long time I get the motors in my mind running and I solve a lot of my personal problems that way. My feet are my therapist and my long runs are my time on the couch. I spill out all my secrets to myself and have time to work through them while I people watch, eat snacks and enjoy the feeling of my body doing this awesome thing. And every time I break a new distance, cross a new finish line, learn a new skill my mood disorder shrinks further and further away like a bug in the light. My moods are better, my heart is happier and my life is just purely BETTER.
I am turning 46 next month and for my birthday I am running my 8th marathon--The Fox Valley Marathon--in St. Charles where my family live. I plan to cross a finish line of a marathon on the first day of being 46 and then celebrate by eating all the birthday cake I want with a family I love. And that will be the first of many races as a 46 year old distance runner.
PEACE
