Category: Stories About 100s

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Lazarus Gump

I can’t believe I’m here again…. I thought to myself with a big smile on my face.

I laced up my brand new, never worn, fresh-out-of-the-box Topos to christen on the Pinhoti 100 course that day. No New Shoes On Race Day is another one of those cardinal rules I never bothered to acknowledge. Come to think of it, there’s not many rules I have ever followed in life.

Signing up for Pinhoti, which is 100 miles of running through the Alabama forests, was just another example of having zero regard for the system. This race was nothing new to me; I’d finished it three times over the last two decades. What was new to me, though? Signing up for the thing two weeks before, having done only one real long run over the last two years — 18 miles on the treadmill. That was it.

It didn’t matter. I needed this.

I’ll spare you the details for now, but suffice it to say our family has been through a lot of stuff over the years . Stuff that we’ve had to just take on the chin and white knuckle our way through. Life isn’t a walk in the park for anyone, I realize that, and I think most people deal with it by going to therapy. For me, therapy never hit the spot. I’ve always found relief in simply putting my head down and sweating out the pain with a run. Just grind it out.

And over the last 18 years, that’s always worked for me. I’d yet to encounter a problem I couldn’t run through.

2023 changed that for me…

The School Board Sucker Punch

If you know anything at all about me, it likely has something to do with the fact that I love running. More than that, I really, really love to help other people fall in love with running too.

I started coaching back in 2008. At the time, I was a 22-year-old mom of two. After surviving tumultuous teen years — riddled with meth, alcohol, failure, and disappointment— I clinged to the stability that running gave me. Once I realize how amazing life was on the healthy side, I became passionate about making sure everyone in my life had the chance to experience that same joy.

My absolute favorite years of coaching came when my son joined the cross country team at his high school in 2020. I had been putting on free trail run camps for the community kids throughout his childhood, so when a new high school was formed and they needed a volunteer coach for their run team, it felt like a natural fit.

I became heavily involved with the school and team from the get-go. I spent all my time, and my not-so-free time alongside the other coaches pouring into the young runners. Coming from someone who struggled so immemsely through those dreadful teen years, I found deep meaning and purpose in coaching the kids.

The XC team grew and became successful. The co-coach and I created a track team so that the kids could have more of that quality run time in the Spring. Over 75 children joined our baby track program! The team had tremendous success. With just two dedicated (and very tired) volunteer coaches, we made it to State! We even had three students sign with D1/D2 colleges thanks to the program. One even received a full ride to UGA. But more importantly, every last one of those kids found a place where they belonged. And that meant everything to me.

But unfortunately, good things don’t always last. The team’s success created quite a buzz, and I quickly found out that the extra attention was not appreciated by the county.

It turns out that people doing shady things in the dark really don’t like when someone shines a light on them.

For no clear reason whatsoever, the superintendent sent word to the school administration that the team was to be shut down and not reinstated the following season.

“The school was never meant to have a track team.”

I politely pushed back. I sent respectful emails. I made calls. I requested an audience. I got ignored.. by everyone except one fierce woman, but that’s a story for another day.

The county finally got sick of hearing my voice, I guess, because they eventually relented and said they’d compromise. The “successful kids” could continue the sport the next year, and then the program would be phased out.

Ohhh hayell no. So sports are only for talented kids now? These people done kicked the hornets nest. There was not a snowflakes chance in Hell I was backing down now. They weren’t taking this program away from kids! I don’t care how talented or untalented they are. Patient and professional Ash with all her polite requests left the building, and something straight out of Stephen King book came out swingin’ in her place!

I went to war. I raised my voice, and rallied up an army of track kids and their parents to stand beside me. Together we rolled up our sleeves and fought the county. The news got involved, and some corruption was discovered. And while I can’t say for sure how it happened, we were able to save our little track team. Thank God.

My amazing athletes who helped rally and fight for their team!

But my fight came at a cost…

After the whole ordeal — depiste the years, time, money, goals, and jobs I had sacrificed — I was “politely asked” to resign from my volunteer coaching position due to my exposure of corruption conflict with the school board. I was booted out without so much as a goodbye. No “hey thanks for building the program” or “hey sorry about the horrible way we treated you” from the school, or anyone from the county. Just, good riddance.

I’ve faced a lot in life… meth addiction, teen pregnancy, poverty, sexual violence against people I love.. but this? This broke me. Like I’m talking completely, spiritually, crushed me.

I had given everything I had to the team. Everything. We were a family, and I was their “Coach Mom”. Coaching those kids — it had truly become my passion. And I didn’t know how to function in life without them. I lost my purpose. I lost my motivation. I lost my fire. And I did what I always do when things get hard… I put my head down and ran.

The Final Blow.

I ended up running Leadville 100 that fall. I ran it without a training block, without a pacer, and with only one old man by my side, my trusty ultra-pops, AJW. I was in no way, shape, or form prepared to throw down 100 miles at altitude, but I didn’t care. My heart needed the release that only a day of running in the wild could bring. My body needed to finish something and see it through. Thankfully, dear ole Papa Andy – present for roughly half of my stupid 100 mile decisions – knew what he was getting into, and he knew what I needed: Encouragement to be stupid.

I ran the race — fueled entirely off of emotional turmoil—surprisingly well for the most part. I just did what I always do: I zoned out and ran. Physically, crap didn’t hit the fan until the last 13 miles or so. The day had been hot, and my sad lil kidneys were not happy with me. In fact, Andy will never let me live down my text to him a half mile from the finish line. I said, “idk if I am going to make it.” He laughed because he thought I was being dramatic! What he didn’t know was that I was lowkey serious. I had been peeing coffee color for the bulk of the day, but had completely ignored that and didn’t tell him…because I didn’t want to stop. *I know… Facepalm.* My vision tunneled down to almost nothing, and I was fighting the feeling of passing out with every pathetic step I took. But somehow, I was able to autopilot zombie walk my way to the finish.

When I crossed the line, I was happy, but I knew I’d just struck a deal with the devil. I was going to pay for this. If you’ve read this blog since 2010, you know I did some serious damage to my kidneys back in 2011. You probably also know that I’ve been outrunning the kidney monster ever since. Finishing Leadville though, there was no denying it. I’d just delivered the final blow.

One Run = One Soul?

After the Leadville demolition, and the Coach Mom exile, I was totally and completely broken. My body had finally tapped out from almost two decades of abuse, and my soul? Yeah, it tapped out too. I could not mentally recover from the damage of losing coaching. And not to dump even more fun into this story, but I also unexpectedly lost a massive contract, lost my car, and my kid had a very long, very traumatic health crisis. I struggled to get out of bed most days, let alone run an easy mile.

When I finally tried to pull myself up by the bootstraps, my body revolted. With even just an easy flat mile, my heart would go nuts with palpitations, and my arm would get numb. I’d lose vision, and get very nauseous. After that, I’d go home and fall asleep. This cycle continued for quite some time. I tried everything I knew to claw my way back to health, but nothing was working.

Running was gone. Coaching was gone. I was gone.

I finally got low and pathetic enough to do something about it. I went to a doctor. I freaking hate doctors. But I went, and I got bloodwork done. The results came back abnormal, so I had imaging tests done. Then I finally learned to be true what I’d suspected all along — my kidneys sucked. The severe rhabdo from 2011 and the multiple AKI’s over the last decade had scarred my kidneys enough that I developed stage 3 chronic kidney disease.

What does that mean? Well, for starters, it means that being a runner addicted to going far while living in hot and humid Georgia is not in the cards. Unless you’re just really craving a kidney transplant.

The diagnosis wasn’t the magic fix I was looking for. It was an honest and blunt reality check. It was confirmation that outrunning my problems for the last 18 years was not the brightest idea I’ve ever had. And it was a grim awakening that the future wasn’t looking good either.

When I left the doctor that day, I couldn’t go back home, lace up my shoes, and hash it out over some miles. I just had to sit in the disappointment and feel it. Man, I did NOT like that.

The Shooting

While I was over there wallowing in my “poor me, I can’t run anymore because I broke my kidneys” depression, little did I know, a horrifying tragedy was about to shake the small town I’ve lived in my entire life.

On September 4th, 2024, a 14-year-old boy walked into my daughter’s high school and changed our entire community forever. The boy brutally gunned down 11 people and stole the lives of four innocent humans. For our community, and line was drawn in the sand… life immediately became divided into Before The Shooting and After The Shooting.

After everything happened, I locked myself in my car and just screamed. Just weeks prior, I had spoken with a teacher and a board member regarding serious safety concerns at another high school in the county. I was sick to my stomach running through all the What If scenarios. I screamed, and then I sobbed. I grieved for the moms who wouldn’t see their babies again. I grieved for the people who lost their person. I mourned for what once was our little “The door’s unlocked!” community. I cried for my daughter.… My daughter, who at sixteen, had already seen more ugly parts of humanity than most grown women I know.

I dropped my head and prayed God would give me all of the strength, health, motivation, and energy I needed to be fully present for my girl and my community as we walked the long road ahead.

Let It Go

The months following the shooting were messy. Every day was draining. I couldn’t run to cope, but it didn’t matter, because I didn’t even care to try. Instead of running, I did my best to create space to promote healing – for me, for my family, for whoever needed it. I devoted more time to prayer, to gentle movement, and to nutritious wholesome food. Every morning I would wake, walk, and pray.

I remember one morning I said out loud, “God you can have the running” I said, “I don’t need it anymore. Just use me for whatever purpose YOU need my life for. Please renew and sustain my energy for that.”

And I’m not trying to overspiritualize things here, but it was shortly after that exchange that I felt an overwhelming urge to go back to school. Out of no where, I felt compelled to pursue a law degree, with the end goal of providing pro bono work to low income people and communities in crisis situations. Considering I barely finished high school, the thought of starting one of the most notoriously difficult educational pathways felt a little daunting, but in many ways, it also felt like a 100. A really really long way, and you can only get there one step at a time. Maybe I couldn’t put my head down and grind it out on a trail, but I could put my head down and hyperfocus on a textbook…

I had a lot of doubts, and questions, but ultimately, I decided that if God brought me to it, He’d bring me through it. With that in mind, I registered for courses at a nearby college and moved foward in confidence.

All the endurance and all those trials — I refused to let them be for nothing.

Lazarus

A few months after utilizing God’s gift exchange program —swapping out the running shoes for textbooks—I started to notice some positive changes:

I was no longer falling asleep in the middle of the day.

I was motivated to check up on my friends, family, and community daily.

I found joy in my other hobbies again! I played the piano every day, tended to my little backyard garden, and played with my crazy dogs.

I started to feel alive.

I started to feel like me.

I felt so much like me, in fact, that I decided to attempt some running again.

And it didn’t go poorly…

Let’s Make A Deal

Early 2025, I began to add in a few miles every other week or so. I noticed that if it was cold and the humidity was low, I had no significant issues and could manage the miles just fine. I continued that pattern for awhile: occasional running, keeping it low on the priority list, and generally just hoping for the best. Once the summer months arrived though, I began to notice tell-tale signs of body revolt again. I backed off, and worked with my doctor to develop a plan to move forward.

She analyzed tons of my data and metrics and decided that I seemed to be okay if the temps were lower than 60 degrees, if the humidity was low, and if I hydrated very well. If those conditions were not in place, I could instead exercise on a treadmill with the climate controlled and cool. We also developed a dietary plan to combat the hypoglycemia I was dealing with as a result of the kidney disease.

For someone who told God that he could take my running, the clearence to do any running at all felt like a sweet spiritual compromise.

I left my appointment that day grinning ear to ear. I had given running up, but God had given it back. There were just some rules, boundaries, and a few conditions I’d have to play by. …..We starting to see a theme in my life, guys?

I just felt like runnang.

Getting that greenlight to run felt like the gates bursting open at a horse race, but I knew I needed to keep it in check. It was part of the deal, right? Every now and then though, I couldn’t help but run fast and far on my treadmill, albeit with the A/C blasting and three fans blowing on my body. After each run, I would thank God for the gift of it, and return to my safe haven of walking, praying, stillness, and recovery.

After a few weeks of successfully managing longer efforts, I started to crave a full day in the woods again. I kept noticing my internet browser somehow landing on the Pinhoti 100 registration page… weird. I had completed the race three times over the years, and each race had crisp cool weather. It fit the medical boundaries, kind of, but did it fit my spiritual boundaries? I wasn’t sure.

Initially, the craving scared me. I talked to Dan about it, and he encouraged me to pray about it, so I did. I prayed about it for several weeks. Until finally, one morning, I realized what was going on: This race wasn’t about running. It was about setting a time and place to meet with Jesus, and I wasn’t about to turn that down.

So on October 17th, I clicked REGISTER for the race that was only two weeks away on November 1st. I can’t explain the calm and confidence I felt in signing up for this. There was a lot of seriously ugly stuff I’d buried over the last few years that I needed to get out. And the miles? They were just going to be a byproduct.

Gump

I didn’t even tell my kids what I was doing the weekend of the race, because I didn’t want them to worry about me. I only told Dan, my best friend Bailey, and a few trusted friends what was going on. Everyone made me promise that I would not put myself into danger. I agreed that if the temps strayed from the forecasted 30s-50s, that I would promptly end my little nature chat with God and go home.

As per usual, the Pinhoti race weekend arrived with crisp, cold, and crazy beautiful weather! Being at the start line felt so much like home to me. I had truly missed this —the people, the energy. It was so special.

When Todd Henderson, the RD, shouted GO, I didn’t feel any emotion other than pure joy. I was so stoked to be doing this. After a mile or so, my brain immediately settled into the flow state I knew and loved so much.

Shoutout to my sweet and talented friends Brandy, Brandon, and Bradley for all the moments of joy they captured throughout the day.

Each aid station I would come to, and every volunteer or old friend I would see, I felt immense gratitude and joy. I can not put into words just how thankful I felt to be given the chance to do this again.

I intended to run alone the entire time, but I ended up running a couple miles with an amazing woman named CJ. CJ, come to find out, is a kidney transplant surgeon. The moment she said that, I just laughed and thought God really does have a craaazy sense of humor. CJ and I swapped some stories. She gave some great insight into navigating the road forward with the kidney stuff. She didn’t make me feel stupid for what I was out there doing that day, but instead she encouraged me for having the courage to show up. Thank you CJ, you probably have no idea, but our short miles together felt like a true God wink.

I continued to run well the whole day with no real issue other than being grossly out of shape and underprepared! My everpresent bestie, Bailey, had checked on me a few times in the morning, and my R-O-D, Dan, was set to help me in the evening.

I made it to Cheaha Lake (40 something miles) feeling totally fine and ready for whatever came next! And after lots of mental stillness and prayer, I decided I was ready to tackle the hard stuff. And by hard stuff, I don’t mean the trails.

Stoked to see my sweet friend, Brandy!
Shoutout to whoever made this sign. Y’all know what’s up! 😂

I put on my go-to Linkin Park playlist and got ready to rage. I had some things to vent about spiritually, but it was time to let my legs do the talking. With Meteora blasting in the background, I finally unleashed all the BS I’d avoided thinking about over the last two years. I let myself feel all of the terrible, horrible, awful, sad emotions I’d supressed.

Left, right, left, right. Breathe.

Each step felt like a long awaited release. I ran strong, fast, and steady. The only word I could use to fully describe it would be catharsis.

Fifty miles came and went. As evening settled in, I realized I needed my light. I pulled it out of my pack, and the action snapped me out of my beautiful rage. I took a deep breath and started walking. I felt so much peace and relief. As I continued through the dark woods alone into the night, I drank in the stillness. I savored every sight, sound, and smell.

This was just what I needed.

It wasn’t until I got to Adams Gap Aid Station that things finally changed…

Dan was waiting at the aid station for me with all of my gear, fuel, and food needed to continue into the night. The instant I saw him, I snapped back to reality. It was like a switch flipped in my brain. Hyperfocus, gone! I suddenly felt every little bit of the 58ish miles I’d just ran. My legs became heavy, my heart started pounding, and my head started spinning.

“Hey! You’re doing great,” he said.

“I am? Oh that’s good!… But.. I think I need to sit down.”

“Okay! let’s get you fixed up and back out there. You’ve got the hard part done, and you always throw down on the back half.”

“No….” I said between Tailwind sips, and with a big smile, “I’m done.”

This wasn’t Leadville 2023. I wasn’t willing to sacrifice my body to numb any more pain. I’d dealt with everything I needed to, and my need to run was over.

“Done? But why? There’s nothing wrong with you. You look great!”

“Yeah… But… I got what I needed.” And then in pure Forrest Gump style, I said, “I’m pretty tired… I think I’ll go home now.”

Dan didn’t argue. He just grabbed my stuff and said, “Let’s get you home.”

And as Dan drove me home, I giddily shared all about my “amazing day” of running. I gushed about the colors of the trees, the feeling of being back in the woods, and the moments of rage running that took a weight off me I didn’t realize I’d been carrying. I recapped conversations I had with incredible women like CJ, and I named all the friends I had seen throughout the weekend, like Brandy, Nelle, Bob, Angie, Daniel, and Brandon. I kept saying how grateful I was that God gave me exactly what I needed, and I couldn’t be happier.

A Free Gift

According to runner standards, I suppose I should be bummed that I quit the Pinhoti 100 just over halfway through the race. I’ve tried to go there mentally, and for the life of me, the dots just won’t connect. I have zero regret for how the day played out. There is nothing but pure gratitude for what I was able to accomplish. The weeks following the race have been peaceful, and my body recovered just fine.

I’ve thought a lot about the day since, and asked myself what I could take away from the experience. I usually find some sort of life lesson over the span of 13 hours of running! But this one felt different. It didn’t feel so much like I needed to learn anything, but rather maybe I needed to accept a few things.

One of those things? — a gift. The weekend, for me, genuinely felt like a sweet gift from God himself …wrapped up in dirt, trees, and singletrack bows. It wasn’t something I earned, and it wasn’t anything I deserved. It was just a gift. A reminder that I’m loved, and I’m seen.

I also needed to accept a certain truth — Bad things happen to good people. The world can be an ugly and terrible place, because it’s fallen, and it’s broken, but it doesn’t have to stay that way. The awful stuff doesn’t get to have the last word. God is still in control. He is still capable of breathing beauty, life, purpose, and meaning into whatever sad little pile of ashes we hand over to him. For me, at Pinhoti, that looked like once again handing Him my running ashes and saying, “Take them, they’re Yours anyway.”

I don’t know what’s next for me in running or what my future looks like — other than I’ve got a lot of school work ahead of me! I don’t know how long my kidneys will last, or if I’ll ever be able to accomplish 100 miles again. What I do know is that I don’t need to know. I just need to have faith, and continue to wake up every single day ready to serve my Maker, my family, and my community. In whatever way He deems fit.

And if His plans happen to include 100 miles across a mountain range?….Well, we all know I ain’t gonna argue with that.

Thank you Brandon Gasaway for these pics! I’ll treasure them always!
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Ten and Time

“She just doesn’t know when to quit.”

I hear my mom in my head every single time I find myself in yet another stupid situation I’ve dug myself into. This time was no different.

I had a quick flashback of 16-year-old me snorting another huge line of meth, knowing I’d likely just stepped into territory I couldn’t come back from, but not caring one bit.

“She’s right. Why is she always right.” I cursed myself as I dug into my pack for my phone. I was sixty some odd miles into my latest 100 mile effort. It was pitch black. My headlamp battery had died, my charger wasn’t working, and I was fumbling trying to find a light–desperate for anything to help me navigate the rocky technical terrain in this section of the Pinhoti Trail. The next aid station was four miles away. Rookie mistake.

I finally found my phone, activated some semblance of light, and began to cautiously move forward with it, determined not to let this be a major setback.

“There’s no chance I’m quitting this one. No freaking chance.” I said out loud to myself through gritted teeth.

I knew what it would take..

The 2020 edition of the Pinhoti 100 mile endurance race, as you might have guessed, was definitely not my first hundred mile rodeo. In fact, this particular race was to be a hefty notch in a well loved belt of mine.

Back when I was a fresh ultrarunner with years of possibility ahead of me, I sat down to create a running adventure bucket list. Amongst cooler ideas like “tackle the Annapurna Circuit”, I added this: “Finish ten hundreds within ten years”. At the time, I was in my twenties. I had successfully overcome a life filled with extreme self sabotage – partly thanks to running, mostly thanks to God. With four hundreds under my belt already, I didn’t feel like finishing six more over the coming years would be too much of a challenge. It was simply more of an accountability thing in my mind; a way to aim for longevity in the sport.

But as it does, life began to change. My kids grew, my responsibilities grew, and my body grew increasingly tired of the constant damage. I eventually lost interest in the 100 mile distance somewhere around 2016, and instead found myself favoring wild and unruly solo adventures in mountains.

Yet something–somewhere deep– still gripped me about completing that ten year, ten 100 mile challenge.

With each passing year, I would try to give up on the goal, but then discipline would win out, and I would force myself to go through the motions again and tackle another one, just to stay true to that old goal. By the final year, 2020, I had accumulated nine finishes. All I needed was one more finish before December 11, 2020 to complete my goal of 10 finishes within 10 years. Just one. But in early 2020, I soon realized that last one would be a bit trickier to come by…

Change of plans.

I initially had signed up for Hellbender 100, set to take place in April 2020, but then COVID reared its ugly head. Most Spring races, including Hellbender, were cancelled or postponed. I was disappointed, but not deterred. I signed up for Pinhoti 100 instead, which was set to take place later in November. I filed it in the back of mind, hoping perhaps things would be less terrible in the world by then, but not truly counting on it.

The months passed, and 2020 unfolded. Covid hit me strangely, as it did many runners. With many sick family and friends, my anxiety went nuts, and I spent the spring and summer months escaping reality and running myself into the ground as a way to cope. There were no race plans to keep me smart or accountable, so I went to town on whatever piece of trail or distance my heart desired. By early fall, I had already tackled over nine solo ultra adventures, a couple nearing 50 miles or more, with plenty more mountain efforts thrown in for good measure.

By October, I was as fit as a fiddle, but man I was tired. Real tired. So tired, that I was truly starting to dread that final 100 hanging over my head. I began to think perhaps the whole “10 in 10” thing was nothing more than some arbitrary numbers I’d put together. As the race drew closer, I swear to you I refreshed my email no less than five times an hour secretly hoping to see a Pinhoti cancellation message from the RD, Todd Henderson. But it never came. Instead I got several reassuring messages of, “Hey! We’re still on guys!” ….man.

Truth be told, a quiet battle raged within me. Did Number 10 really matter to me anymore?

I wasn’t so sure.

Part of me wanted outside forces to take my options away from me. I didn’t want to do the last race, but I also didn’t want to take the blame for my failure. I wanted my hands to be tied. But it just would not happen!

One friend told me: “If this no longer serves you, then let it go.”

That’s really nice, I thought, if only I knew how to let crap go!!

DISCIPLINE//the ability to control one’s feelings and overcome one’s weaknesses; the ability to pursue what one thinks is right despite temptations to abandon it.

My early life truly lacked discipline, yet the last decade had been nothing other than me trying to perfect the very art of it. I realized that the body will always seek out the easiest, most comfortable, most self-serving pleasurable thing to do, but the mind has to override those emotions and decide what is the right and best thing to do. If I wanted to stay disciplined I learned I could not have gray lines there. I’m either all in, or I’m all out. There can be no in between.

I knew deep down that I owed it to 25-year-old goal driven me to remain all in.

No matter how tired, how run down, how unmotivated I was….

I needed to complete one last 100 mile race.

So that’s exactly what I set out to do..

On November 2nd, 2020, I was ready to apply sheer discipline to 100 miles of Alabama trail.

Dan dropped me off at the start, and I spent a few moments praying and visualizing the battles I would need to conquer over the coming day.

I have finished this race two times before. Much like all things in 2020, the start line looked a little bit different this time around. The field had thinned out, and runners were spread out all through the starting area of Pine Glen Campground.

Pinhoti has a bottleneck start, and the start always trips me out for that reason. You’ve got this massive swarm of runners all trying to file onto a tiny single track trail right out of the gate. I’m used to running completely alone in vast wild places, so this onslaught of people always gives me so much anxiety! I decided this time around to just let the majority of the runners go ahead of me and hang back to avoid the shenanigans. I thought this way I could stay chill, take some time to warm up, then work my way toward the front as the miles progressed. Big mistake.

While I’m definitely not anywhere close to the fastest female running these trails, I’m still a pretty solid and experienced trail junkie. So as I basically walked, and even stopped and waited for runners to slowly and cautiously navigate roots, honestly, I kind of wanted to punch myself in the face.

Why did I set myself up like this? I normally blaze through this stuff!

Due to the tightness and camber of the trail, it was dang near impossible to pass anyone for the first six miles. Any chance I got I would take it to surge and breakaway, but I could not quite make up any ground. I eventually decided to stop fighting the urge to run hard, and simply settled into the time I’d been given.

Just be patient.

The morning was abnormally warm and humid for November. If you’ve read this blog, you might remember the time I collapsed mid-100, fell into a coma, and ended up in the ICU thanks to high heat and humidity. So my guard was definitely up. I knew I could not drop the ball with my fueling and pacing if I wanted to snag Number 10 today.

You live and you learn, I mused.

As I slowly worked towards the next aid station, I thought about those first few 100 mile races.

Man, I was fierce, but I lacked control.

I had drive, but I lacked wisdom.

I had speed, but I lacked patience.

I had learned so much over the years. I let the memories carry me forward.

You need people.

When I finally made it to my first major mental checkpoint around 20 miles, I was excited to see my people.

I can always count on my husband Dan, and ride or die Ashley Bailey to support my running addiction. They always show up for me. Dan and I have been together since I was 16, and I’ve known Bailey since we were kids. That familiarity is such a bonus in this environment. My friend Zach also made a cameo for crewing this one, though he was actually out there pacing his dear good friend, Hump, so I only saw him briefly.

“I lost a lot of time back there. That was way too slow.” I said as I ran to the car. I was 23 miles in or so, and had already blew out a shoe. They swapped me into some other shoes as we talked.

“You’re fine. Don’t worry about it. Just run.” Dan said, always reminding me to stay on track mentally.

“You’ve got 20 miles until we see you again so you’re packed up. We put the head lamp in there in case.”

“Alright. See you guys at 42!”

With that, they filled me up and sent me off. Strictly business with these guys. That’s totally intentional though– I have to keep my interactions with my crew very short and to the point. I love them all so much that when I see them throughout the race, it makes me feel all the emotions. I do not run well with those emotions! In fact, ahead of time, I ask my crew to be mean and cold to me so I don’t get any warm and fuzzies. When you’ve survived enough of these things, you pick up tricks like that along the way.

By the way, I always see the mention of a head lamp in my pack as a personal challenge. Challenge accepted.

Thriving.

Miles 20-40 of any 100 usually tax my mind. It is during this phase that you realize you’re so far into a run, yet still soo far away from your goal. It’s a total “mind eff”, and if you dwell on it long, you’ll almost always pull the plug on the race. I knew I had to focus big time to get through this next section, and simply keep going through the motions.

The heat and humidity had given way to a constant light rain. It was coming down just enough to keep everything nicely chaffed and blistered, but I ignored that and focused only on the positives, another handy trick. The only positives I could find were that I was still able to run well, and the fall foliage was incredibly vibrant and beautiful. The trees were popping against the fog with saturated shades of fiery red, and warm hues of orange and yellow. It was mesmerizing. I felt so grateful to be running and enjoying the scenery. The miles passed quickly.

Around mile 35, it occurred to me that out of the three times I’d done this race, this was by far the strongest I’d felt during this section. Over the years I’ve learned to be comfortable alone. Not just comfortable, but I’ve learned how to thrive. That realization fueled me on my climb up Bald Rock, one of the harder sections of the course.

I handled the climb with ease, but what goes up must come down. I was so close to my crew at mile 42, but first I needed to descend Blue Hell to Cheaha Lake. This super technical and steep stretch of trail is by far my least favorite part of Pinhoti 100. No matter how much life you have in your legs, you’re still 40 miles into the race when you have to tackle it. I knew to take it easy here because it will eat up even the peppiest of runners. That was for you, Twiggs.

After a few minutes of that tricky descent, I was getting anxious to see some familiar humans. Thankfully my crew was right around the corner. My headlamp was still in my pack.

Bonus Pacer

I ran into the dispersed crowd of people at the aid station, delighted and renewed by familiar faces.

“ANDY!!”

Just so happened one of those faces was my dear good friend Twitter archnemesis, Andy Jones-Wilkins. He was at the event to pace one of his coaching clients. Unfortunately, his client had a rough day out on the trails, and needed to call it quits early on. This left AJW on pacer duty without a runner.

Dan and Bailey flexed their pit crew experience, and refilled my pack and prepped me for the next big stretch of miles as I chatted away.

“How’s the 5th Annual Last 100 miler going?” Andy jested.

I rolled my eyes as I took a swig of Gatorade,”….Fine.”

Andy was eager to get some miles in and said he was going to run me to the next aid station 2.5 miles away. Though I had planned to go sans pacer, the news brought me to life. I love talking to Andy.

If you’re not dialed into Running Twitter, you likely aren’t in the loop about the incessant smack talk that has taken place over the last few years between Andy and me, but I can sum it up for you. Goes like this: I tweet something to the world, Andy replies, unnecessarily calling me stupid, blonde, washed up, vain, obnoxious, and/or slow. Then, I snap back, reminding him that he is OLD. Roughly 203 in runner years! And this cycle continues. However, despite the scenes that play out on the socials, Old Man and I are –SHOCKER– actually quite good friends. (And by friends, I mean I view him as my Ultra Dad, and he views me as an obnoxious little puppy that won’t shut up or go away.) …Great friends.

With AJW in stride, we took off towards the next aid station. The miles and conversation unfolded as they usually do, with me talking, talking, and, uh, talking more, then stopping because I am out of breathe. Then, asking Andy to start talking instead so I can shut up and focus. This continued for a couple miles until we found ourselves at the next aid station.

Andy said, “Hey, I need to run back to my car now. You’re on your own!”

“What?! Nooo! It was just starting to get fun!”

We had a pal snap a quick picture, then parted ways.

COSISTENCY//the achievement of a level of performance that does not vary greatly in quality over time

I was approaching the halfway mark of the race. It was now time to put in hard work. I took a swig of something caffeinated, and walked for a second to dial in my thoughts. I had roughly 10 miles until I would see my crew again. The trail was a bit techy through the upcoming section as it ribboned its way alongside a creek. I needed to be focused and efficient.

I learned from hundred number five that I do best in these things if I hyper focus. I think about the finish line, or the next aid station, or a past success, and refuse to let any negative thoughts enter my brain. Meanwhile, the legs just turnover and I almost forget they’re working.

Movement with this state of mind works best if your body is trained to move on autopilot. And autopilot can only be achieved by doing one thing– and that’s the same exact thing–over, and over and over again. Every day. For years.

My mind kept flashing back to all the killer routes I’d done over the past year. I had pushed myself harder in 2020 than I ever had before. I initially thought I crossed the line like always, and maybe pushed my body over the edge, but as I cruised up hill after hill I realized that the fatigue had given way to a surplus of late game strength.

I felt unstoppable.

I smiled at the strength, and I thanked myself for simply showing up, even when it felt impossible. Not just for a week or month or year, but for more than an entire decade. The daily good choices had grown into a formidable force I never could have imagined existing when I was younger. I let that high carry me into the next aid station.

We ain’t stoppin.

Adams Gap aid station was bustling with energy. At Mile 55, you’re over halfway to your goal, and due to its easy access, there’s always lots of people out volunteering and supporting their runners. I spotted Dan and Bailey waving me down.

“How you doing out there?” Dan asked.

“Feeling strong.”

“Well you look good!” Bailey said, filling up my pack, knowing exactly what I would need, “Blisters and chafing are at the top of the DNF list. How are you in that regard?”

The humidity was ridiculous, the rain was on and off, and it was really getting to people. I totally understood and could relate.

“I mean… My toes are pretty bad, and I’ve definitely got some chafing, but…we ain’t stoppin for crap today, guys.”

“Of course we’re not. We aren’t going to see you for 20 miles so we’ve packed you up big time.” Dan said, placing my heavy pack on my back.

“Alright,” I said, grabbing my lamp charger, “Love y’all. I’m heading out.”

It was now dark, and I knew my demons would try to come out to play over the next stretch, but I felt ready.

The next several miles would be on forest service road, my favorite. I took a deep breath, and then took off with a solid pace. As I ran, I gazed up at the stars. The sky was beautiful and clear. With no one around, I took the opportunity to pray out loud, and just spout off things I was thankful for to God. I often feel like running is our thing. I can’t tell you how many conversations I’ve had with God while running alone in the mountains. It’s where we connect the most. I took advantage of the quiet to reset and prepare my mind.

God, don’t make what comes next easy, but please… please make me strong enough to get through it.

I ran into the Mile 60 aid feeling stronger than ever. I took a couple swigs of coke, thanked the volunteers, and got on my way. It is so important to make these stops quick. Not only is the clock ticking while you’re standing still, but during a 100, comfort is your enemy. Never linger at aid stations!

The race course left the forest service road and moved back onto trail. I kept up my rhythm and focus as I inched my way to the next aid station at mile 68. Everything was going according to plan. Until my light started blinking…

CRAP.

I knew I had just a minute or so before my light went completely out. It had a USB charger instead of batteries, so I pulled off my pack and grabbed the cord and travel charger out of the pocket. I plugged in the lamp, and the charge light started blinking. But, the light would not turn on while it was charging.

Crap. Crap. CRAP!

It was now pitch black, and no other runners were around.

Why didn’t I bring a freaking back up?

My mind went to a billion different places, none of them good, as I dug through my pack for options.

I finally found my phone, activated some semblance of light, and began to cautiously move forward with it, determined not to let this be a major setback.

“There’s no chance I’m quitting this one. No freaking chance.” I said out loud to myself through gritted teeth.

But my mind was already unraveling. As I moved slowly through the darkness with the tiny light, I felt my resolve slip, and cringed as those old familiar demons clawed their way into my brain.

You won’t do it. You never finish anything you start!

Images of past failure took over my brain — from stupid stuff I did as a drug addicted teenager, to some seriously hurtful mistakes I’d made as an adult — I couldn’t shake it.

The only thing you’re good at is letting people down!

I felt a wave of weakness sweep over my body. My mind has always been my most terrifying battlefield. I suddenly felt every bit of those 65 miles on my legs.

Your brain is too jacked up to function. Why are you even doing this?!

“SHUT UP!!!!” I screamed at myself in the middle of the dark woods, “SHUT!! UP!!”

I bent over in defeat and dug my fingers into my my hair.

God! Please… give me strength! Help me focus!

I took in a few slow and deep breaths, “Steady, Ash. Positive. Positive, only. Control.”

Instead of memories of failure, my brain instantly became flooded with all the times I’d shown up. Not only for myself, but for the people in my life. I felt peace and energy almost instantly. I stood back up and I started moving again.

Thank you! Thank you.

I wiped my wet eyes with the back of my hand.

“I said we ain’t stoppin.”

Old Man Strength.

When I finally made it to Porters Gap, I was surprised and thankful to see AJW there ready to pace. I needed reprieve from my own brain.

“You coming with me, Old Man?”

“Yep. I’m taking you to Mile 85 and Dan’s running you in from there.”

Just what I needed.

I secured a spare headlamp, and we set off into the night. Of course we got to talking and I slowed down a bit, but I didn’t mind. It was so good to have company.

I always appreciate the conversations I have with Andy. We are both diplomatic and can easily discuss the things we disagree on without hating other. It’s something that I appreciate, as it’s a quality I feel is mostly absent in the world today. In addition to that, Andy is full of ultra wisdom. I may be a young ultra jedi, but he’s definitely Yoda. Where I have attempted somewhere like fifteen 100s, he’s started and finished 37. Just ridiculous. He’s also maintained a long happy marriage with his wife Shelly, and together they’ve raised three awesome men. Basically, AJW is where I want to be in the future. I tune out many people, but I allow myself to trust and learn from him.

“You need to eat.” Andy shouted from behind me.

“Yeah, I know. I’m working on it.” I snapped back, clutching an open gel.

This section of the course had quite a bit of climbing, so it was imperative that I stay on top of my calories. But after I finished the gel, things went south quick…

We were roughly 77 miles in, just shuffling and shooting the breeze, when suddenly my body decided to revolt and pitch a fit.

I started puking and couldn’t stop! It came out of no where.

“Don’t you dare video tape this!!!!” I cried between hurls.

Andy laughed and swore not to send any footage to our Trail Runner Nation podcast friends, Don and Scott.

“Thaaaat’s it. Get it out.” Andy said.

I got up, wiped my face with my shirt, and started running again.

“You need to replace what you just lost, but wait about 7-8 minutes to give everything a chance to settle.” Once again, solid advice. I did as I was told. Eating is not optional in a 100. Even if your stomach is off!

I spent the rest of our miles together both puking and rallying. I felt pretty banged up with nausea and eighty something miles on my legs, but somehow I still enjoyed the time with Andy.

Don’t talk to me.

When I finally made it to Bulls Gap, I was in pretty bad shape stomach wise, but my energy was stable. Andy handed me off to Dan, and I made sure to say a proper goodbye.

“Hate you, Andy!”

“Hate you, too!”

I laughed, grabbed some food, and got moving. Dan and I didn’t waste time getting back to work.

“How you feeling?” Dan asked.

My body was absolutely wasted.

“DON’T TALK TO ME.” I snapped back in pain, trying hard to concentrate. Dan turned away in an attempt to hide his laughter.

“It’s not funny, Daniel!” I stopped to puke again. I was 85 miles in, and my body was feeling every bit of it.

Dan is the only person I trust to bring me into the finish of a 100. We’ve done more brutal miles together than I have with anyone else. He’s seen me pass out cold, he’s seen me hallucinate, he’s seen me try to walk off a broken leg, and worse. Not everyone can stomach that side of me, but Dan’s married to me, so he has to.

With him by my side, I can simply stay silent and focus on working through the pain.

I had run this stretch several times over the years while training with and pacing Zach, and while racing my own races. The remaining 15 miles would be very runnable, and I needed to make good use of the time.

It’s always around this mileage in a 100 that I start trying to calculate splits in my head. Okay, if I hustle, I can make this time. If I have to walk, my finish will be this time, etc. My dream/A goal was under 24 hours, my B goal was under 25 hours, and my C goal was “just finish the stupid thing”. But I had been so focused all day, I didn’t even know what time it was. My watch was dead. I pulled my phone out of my front vest pocket to peep the time of day. It was dead, too.

“Dan, what time is it?”

Dan, probably scared to death to speak, said, “Don’t worry about it. Just go.”

Well, that was no help. I was too tired to fight him. I was still having trouble keeping food down, and starting to lack energy. I had no idea how I was doing race wise, and was scrambling for motivation.

“Okay well do you know how many women are in front of me?”

“I don’t know. Eight.. maybe nine?”

“Geez. Really?! I’m that far back?!” I suddenly felt deflated.

“It doesn’t matter. Just run!” Dan said.

He was right. All that mattered was getting to the end. So I silently obeyed, and kept up my shuffle/ run hustle as I ate. At this point there was nothing to race but the rising sun itself.

As the sun slowly started creeping through the trees lining the dusty Alabama fire road I’d grown to love so much, I felt my teeth sink in a little bit deeper to the finish line ahead of me.

“The sky is getting brighter. I’ve got to finish strong, Dan! I cannot leave anything out on this course.”

Dan said nothing, just instinctively picked up the pace beside me.

We stayed in stride until we finally arrived to the last aid station around 95 miles in. My favorite aid station might I add. Dan grabbed some breakfast burritos from our friends Anthony and Jenn manning the aid station. Seeing them is always a highlight of this race! (So are their burritos!) I was able to tolerate the food, and it brought new life to my tired body.

RUN!

I took off running after that, and I didn’t slow for anything. I knew I had about five miles give or take to get to the finish. So close I could taste it. The course had changed since the year prior so I wasn’t certain where the mile markers were. But the sky was getting brighter and brighter, and I knew time was NOT on my side to finish within any of my goal times. I was exhausted but I kept pushing harder, thinking about nothing but the finish line. Every few minutes my body would flip out wondering what I was doing to it. I’d stop and bend over, and say something about “we’ve got to be getting closer”.

Dan just kept shouting, “RUN!”

So I would get up, and again I would run. The sky was alive and bright, and I figured my goal times were long lost, but I kept repeating to myself what I’ve said since I was a teenager, “You’ll get there eventually. Just keep doing the right thing… Just keep doing the right thing!”

Finally I recognized where we were on the course, and knew I had about a mile to the finish.

Dan shouted, “ASH DO NOT STOP AND DO NOT WALK! RUN!”

So I ran with absolutely everything I had! The finish line came into sight, and I heard the cheering and cowbells.

Get there. Get there! GET THERE!

As I ran towards the finish line, I saw the clock–

24:57

I burst into tears as I crosssed the line.

I had barely snagged the “B goal”, thanks to Dan, and not that it mattered really, but there were only three women ahead of me!

I fell into the arms of my framily, then I dropped to the ground in exhaustion.

TIME//the indefinite continued progress of existence and events in the past, present, and future regarded as a whole.

What…a…journey!

I was flooded with emotion. My mind went crazy with all the memories, moments, and miles.

I did it. I accomplished my goal.

Actually, I’d accomplished many goals. And for someone who has spent the better part of life beating herself up for past mistakes, it felt good to feel good about myself. I had come a very long way, and for once, I felt proud.

You know, my Mom is right– I don’t know when to quit. I never have. But somewhere along the way, I learned how to harness that trait into something worthwhile and wholesome, and now, it’s no longer something that I feel ashamed of. I think my mom saw that potential in me all along, but me…

I just needed a little bit of time.

_________________________________

Note:

If I could step back in time and chat with 25-year-old me who made this goal– I’d simply say thank you. Thank you for tearing down the walls of your former self. Thank you for having big dreams and creating scary goals. Thank you for not quitting when it gets hard– and man does it get hard. Thank you for having the guts to wake up every morning and choose the right thing. Thank you for going into the mountains and running miles upon miles alone so you could find inner strength. Thank you for building community, and finding friendship despite the mental health battles. Thank you for getting back up every time you fall. And thank you.. thank you.. for seeing this journey through. It was a painful process, but the transformation was beautiful.

If you’re new to this wild and crazy sport, I want you to feel encouraged about the possibilities within you. The greatest gifts you can give yourself are these: discipline, consistency, and time:

Have the discipline to set goals and see them through, even when it gets hard. Remember that “hard” doesn’t always show up in the form of mile 85 and a huge mountain. Sometimes it looks more like clinical depression and an extreme lack of interest. Sometimes it’s hard to just get out of bed. Work through it. Go through the motions and do what is best and right until you are on the other side.

Practice consistency. Habit forming comes from the little daily decisions. If you consistently make excuses for yourself, cut runs short, and find reasons to quit–you’ll do that very same thing when it matters most. Consistently do the right thing instead. Make it habit. Focus on consistently showing up and trying. It will eventually become second nature.

The last thing you can give yourself, and perhaps the most important, is simply time. It takes so much trial and error to get these things right. And you can only put your body through the ringer so many times in the span of a year. Understand and accept that you will have terrible runs and races. Probably quite a few. However, with consistent discipline and ample time, you will gain wisdom and experience on how to work through these days and learn from them. Give yourself a chance to grow and become who you know you can be.

———-

Thank you so much for reading about my latest journey. Currently, I don’t plan on doing any more “5th Annual Last 100 Milers” until my kids graduate high school in a few years, but I do plan to tackle some wild adventures. As always, I’ll be sure to share any good stories I snag here. Love y’all!

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40 Hours and 1 Minute

At this point, I just have to smile. I really do.

But while I was 103 miles into the hardest race of my life, screaming at the top of my lungs over howling mountain wind, convinced my husband had abandoned me… it really wasn’t all that funny.

How did I get here? Everything had been perfect. How did it all go so terribly far down south? Nothing made sense. All I knew was I needed to finish.

And, I guess that’s where this story begins….  Continue reading “40 Hours and 1 Minute”

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Nine Out of 100

I wrote this in 2013, but finally decided to publish today. It took place at the 2013 Pinhoti 100, but it’s not a race report. You can learn more about that race HERE. Thanks for reading, and happy trails!
Continue reading “Nine Out of 100”

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Grindstone 100: Hanging On To Hope

The last time I ran over 10 miles was at Grindstone 100. The race was back in October, over 5 months ago. My 6th hundred wasn’t a normal one for me …if there is such a thing as a normal 100. Most hundreds hurt in more ways than one. But this one– it was pure mental, emotional, and physical hell for reasons I could not have foreseen… Continue reading “Grindstone 100: Hanging On To Hope”

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The Pistol Vendetta

It was cold in Alcoa, Tennessee that January day. Really cold for a Georgia girl; fourteen degrees to be exact. I was bundled up tightly in my heavy WeatherEdge jacket, old thermal gloves, and layers of sweats, but nothing could ease the bite of the windchill. I pulled my jacket up a little higher over my mouth, and I breathed in and out to feel some kind of warmth…Man, it’s freezing.

I glanced over at my husband, Dan, who was staring back at me….Thumbs up… a reminder that being cold was the least of my worries that day. I was standing outside of a local middle school, under a huge banner, surrounded by people of all shapes and sizes with one common goal— to finish an ultra. The Pistol Ultra. And the gun was about to signal the start of another 100 mile journey for me. Another life lesson I would never forget… Continue reading “The Pistol Vendetta”

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Going Rogue at Salton Sea

If you are here looking for a traditional race report on the inagaural Badwater: Salton Sea, you’re not going to find it. If you’re wanting mileage splits, blister pictures, and name dropping,…you’re in the wrong place. This is my story about a journey…and running… it’s always about running. Continue reading “Going Rogue at Salton Sea”

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Under Ancient Oaks

It’s hard for me to believe that it was two and a half years ago when I ran my first ultra race: Strolling Jim 40 Mile Run. I was bound and determined to prove to myself, my family, my friends..anybody and everybody.. that I could turn my once drug addicted self into someone inspirational. Someone worthwhile.  Continue reading “Under Ancient Oaks”

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100 Miles to Trusting My Gut

All things considered, I had no right being at the Ancient Oaks 100 Mile Endurance Run . But I went anyway, and I’m so thankful I did….

Continue reading “100 Miles to Trusting My Gut”

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Refined by Fire in the Fort Clinch Furnace

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**Forgive me for not editing this thing. It’s a rough read. I typed it on my phone, mainly in the middle of the night, and over the course of a few days with my kids constantly vying for my attention! I’ll take a look at it again when I get to a computer, but I’m sure you’ll get my point, regardless. 🙂 sorry for the lengthiness.. A lot can happen in a day 🙂

——————-

Ultrarunning…

It’s such a ridiculous, and redundant picture, isn’t it? Nothing but a bunch of stubborn fools running for miles and miles, and for no real reason at all.

…Or is it something more?
Look a little closer.. &
Dig a little deeper.

I see something crazy and beautiful..
A tangled web of discipline, friendship, character, purpose, meaning.. fate.

I am laying here, 1:26 in the morning, 2 weeks after my most recent attempt at running 100 miles, and I’m wide awake thinking about just that: ULTRARUNNING.
NO..running 100 miles, to be more specific. I’m talking the entire thing-the good, the bad, the ugly.
How awful it feels. How incredible it feels. How much I crave it. How it hurts so bad, yet feels so dang good. How it rips me to shreds, yet builds me up. Something about that particular distance just etches something deep into my soul.
And something about NOT completing it, but ending up in the ICU, made me feel whole….

Fort Clinch 100 mile, the creation of Caleb Wilson, sounded like a FUN race. It caught my attention instantly: A 10 mile loop right next to and partly on the beach, dense single track trails, a piece of history, and gently rolling terrain. It was set to take place on June 24, in Florida.

I think all that my mind registered when checking out the info was “beach and trails”. Apparently I forgot the fact that it was smack dab in the middle of summer..in FLORIDA.. or I may have ducked out of this one. 100 is no cakewalk. Running in Florida is no cakewalk. We’re talking heat, humidity, and hurt times a hundred, for a hundred….who does that????
Well, at least 40 crazy people do that. We toed the line for either the 50 mile, 24 hour, or 100 mile race. A few elite and veteran ultrarunners, and even a couple first timers were there to sweat it out. Before I knew it, 6:24 arrived & Caleb corralled everyone for the start. Odd time was to allow the runners to see the sunrise on the coast as they started their race, cool right? Caleb introduced some family and friends that helped make his event possible. To me, there’s nothing like a good family feel to make a race special. I love that.

After a quick, “Go!” everyone took off and fell into place. I was running slowly, but found myself in the lead pack. I was comfortable with this and started chatting with a few women. Michelle Matys, whom I’d met the night before while camping, was running the 50 & was going for sub 8. A mutual friend of ours, Jen Vogel, was coming to pace her for her last 20. I knew she needed 9-10 minute miles, so I figured I would stick with her for a bit. Another woman, Kellie Smirnoff, was also running the 50, and was bursting with energy. She provided the positive vibe I love so much in a running partner. The three of us ran together for a bit. But I checked my Garmin about 3 miles in and realized I was running 8:30’s. Not cool for a 100! I backed off from them and decided I had to be smart early on. Good thing I did, because I quickly realized that the course was tough. Really tough! These trails were really just humidity filled tunnels in disguise, and on ancient sand dunes.
So basically-

.up..down..*sucking wind*…up..down..*gasping for air*..

– was the general feeling of the first loop. Regardless of the humidity, I stuck with a 10min pace for the next 7 miles and brought my first loop in right around 1:40. Ouch! I can carry an 8 minute pace in my training ultra runs, but could barely breathe doing 10 minute miles here! When I got back to the start/finish, I yelled at my husband Dan to lace up for a loop or two. I needed some company (aka distraction) soon!

The next loop went pretty well, same 10 min pace, plus aid station stops. Caleb’s mom, Chaundra, and his sisters were manning the halfway point aid station and were quite entertaining and helpful. I found myself forgetting I was racing and more just hanging out with them– they were THAT FUN!

I was running strong early, female lead for the first loop or two, but I couldn’t hold it, it was just too hot. I was racking up time at aid stations trying to stay hydrated anyway, and knew I would have to give up my lead just to stay strong, period. Amy Costa, a super fast legend of a runner, was right there to pick up her rightful place in first, and soon enough was far out of site. I got to run with her for a bit though, and was totally intrigued by her. I knew she would run a great race that day, and I only hoped to come in a close second.

I picked up Dan for my 3rd loop and he paced me for a fast one. I kept telling him how I was meeting lots of new friends and really enjoying myself. I was loving all of the friendly runners, and really just enjoying every part of the day.
The hours went by, and the sun kept scorching. Hotter and hotter by the minute. Runners started dropping like flies. The conditions felt unrunnable to many. Elite runners, veterans, newbies.. It didn’t matter. The heat wasn’t discriminating! (80% dropped come to find out later!) Even Michelle, my new friend, had been taken to the ER after passing out, right before closing in on her potential 50 mile win. Awful news!

I was amazed at how much Caleb and his family were bending over backwards to aid and encourage the runners through the heat. Pouring ice on us, and taking care of the remaining few with extra TLC. I remember
around 55 miles, Chaundra gave me my first chia brew- chia seeds mixed with honey. I was in love and downed another 3 cups of it. I started running again towards the start/ finish and grabbed my phone (which has accompanied me on all of my ultras :)) and I dialed Caleb’s number mid run. I asked him if he had any chia seeds at his aid station because I needed something to look forward to. 🙂 He said no, but that he would gladly get some for me! I was smiling from ear to ear at his eagerness to keep his runners happy! (And when I got to that 60 miles at the start/finish- there were my seeds 😀 AWESOME.)

Though it was tougher and hotter than any race I had ever experienced.. I remained strongly optimistic of a good finish. I felt great. I slowed a bit during the hottest hours of the day, but stayed focused on my goal. Dusk finally came to bring a little relief from the heat. But with it came a severe lightening storm.
I had finished up 60 miles in about 13 hours, but I had to stop when Caleb had to call a timeout for lightening. We were on the beach, after all.

We sat for almost an hour, getting tighter by the minute. Several more decided to drop. Around the end of that hour, Caleb got a call that Amy was dropping- she was at 65 miles, out braving the storm, but had gotten a little delirious, and needed an IV. CRAP! Another strong athlete out? I was nervous now, but I remembered something Jen said to me in passing earlier in the day, “You just gotta be the cockroach.” In other words- outlast adversity. I could do that, I had no problem pushing through at this point. I felt great. 40 more miles and the race was done. Maybe even a negative split? I was ready! Little did I know..

It was getting late, and I needed to get moving again, so when the storm chilled out a little, I asked Dan to come back out with me for my 7th loop in the dark. We grabbed our lamps and fuel and started out with a nice comfortable pace, laughing hard and enjoying our run together. Dan had already finished 2 loops with me, but still had energy to push me through a 3rd. It felt good outside, now that it was dark, and the rain had cooled the temps down a bit. So we were finally loving the trail time!

About 62 miles in, we encountered a new friend, Juli Aistars, who warned us about some spider webs that had developed after the rain on the trails. I didn’t think much of it until we happened upon our first web, thick and decorated with the biggest spider I’d ever seen. Like tarantula Big. Nasty! They littered the trail every few feet. Needless to say, Dan took the lead. 😉
We made it to 65 miles easily, and refueled at the midway aid station. I laughed with the girls again, but got out of there quicker than before. I needed to keep running. I was still happy as heck, and ready to finish my race as one of the few left standing. More chia and we were gone. And then, out of no where, everything changed…

I noticed my mind slipping at about 67 miles, when I ran into a web and started spazzing out. I thought one of those gigantic spiders landed on my head. Daniel assured me I was okay, but I remember feeling abnormally paranoid and petrified. Right after that little freak out, I started getting tunnel vision, and told Daniel he needed to slow down, because I was having trouble seeing his feet. “Ash, we’re already going slow. You okay?” he asked. I promised him I was fine, but I guess he knew better, because he told me we would take a quick break once we reached the road crossing. I was fine with that, I felt weird. We walked onto the road, and I could feel my mind slipping quickly. I told Daniel I thought I might pass out. We sat down on a bench beside the road, and I blacked out. Daniel splashed me with his cold water and I startled back to consciousness. I was extremely upset and confused when I did. What happened to me? I was fine 5 minutes ago! He gave me a gel and water and tried to get me moving again. I got back up after my gel, and basically declared war on the course. I wanted to finish, I knew I could finish. I just needed to bounce back.

Daniel had seen me like this before. In my first hundred, I basically came back from the dead and finished despite tough conditions, and same with my second. He’d witnessed me conquer adversity time and time again. He wasn’t too worried, even when I started staggering all over the trail, and slurring my speech.
At about 67.5 mile while on the road portion of the course, Sue Anger approached in her car and asked if I was okay. She could tell I was struggling. Daniel, still believing in my ability to pull through, assured her that I could handle it. She believed him, but phoned Caleb to keep an eye out regardless. What a kind soul:).

The next few parts I do not remember:

Shortly after Sue left, Caleb drove up bearing gifts of chia and soup! 🙂 I was getting progressively worse, but Dan was still optimistic of my fighting spirit, and told Caleb we would be back to the aid soon to finish out my 70 miles, we would just be slow. Caleb agreed drove back to his aid station. All though he had brought me fuel, apparently I didn’t even eat it, but just held it in my hand. I was zoned out and walking on the pavement, which was no longer a part of the course at that point. Daniel tried to guide me back into the woods, but I refused to move. Instead I mumbled something about dying, and dropped to the road..and blacked out again, spilling my chia all over me. Daniel was finally worried! He tried everything to wake me up- everything from screaming things about snakes next to me, to slapping me clear across the face. Nothing. I was out cold.
He waited for a moment for some runners or cars to come by.. No one.
He looked for my trusty running buddy, my iPhone, but I had left it back at the start/finish due to the storm! Go figure!

He couldn’t leave me on the side of the road.. passed out..& not to mentioned the course was full of gators, snakes, bobcats, and spiders.

He realized he had no choice but to pick me up and run the final 2.5 miles with me on his back, back to the start to get help. Daniel is a very fit guy, but he had almost 30 miles on his legs, and for someone who doesn’t run long distance, he was already in a world of hurt. But he threw me over his shoulders, dead weight and all, and took off on a determined run. I was slipping in and out of consciousness while on his back, alternating between hallucinating, screaming, and being out like a lightbulb. Daniel didn’t see a soul for the next couple of miles, surprisingly, so he just kept running towards the station- ignoring all pain in his legs and body to get me to safety….:)…. (how romantic;)) Somehow, even though I apparently had been screaming my lungs out, no one heard me. What Im sure felt like a lifetime to him, Dan finally made it back with me in tow. He got the attention of Caleb and some others as he approached the station. They realized what was going on, and quickly helped. My superhero husband propped me into a chair, and collapsed in fatigue. After some evaluation by everyone (and apparently a remark by Jen that I was “demon possessed” 🙂 ) an ambulance was called.

I don’t remember riding in the ambulance or going into the hospital.
The only thing I remember is hearing a nurse explain to Dan that they were sorry, but I was really bad off and that I would be admitted to intensive care, and that he should be prepared for me to be there for several days. And then I freaked out and blacked out again, and didn’t come to for roughly 11 more hours. But when I did wake, I woke up to voices.
Dan, Jen, and Caleb were gathered near my hospital bed replaying the previous night. “Whoa! What happened?!”, I wondered. They began to relay to me everything that had gone down the night before.. Crazy stories about things I was shouting, and doing during my hallucinations, how scared they all were for my life, and so on. Caleb even mentioned that during my screaming fits, I was insisting that I wouldn’t quit…( Haha doesn’t shock me.) I couldn’t believe the things I was hearing, though. Did this really just happen? Did I go from running strong, to almost dying… over a tiny window of time? Apparently I did. But, how?

If you guessed rhabdomyolosis, you guessed right.

The doc came in shortly after I woke up and explained to me what I was dealing with: a severe case of rhabdomyolosis. After my body used up all of the fuel in my system, it started eating my muscles- so much that it eventually started eating away at my HEART. Yep, my blood was filled with cardiac enzymes, among others. My blood had become toxic to my body, and my kidneys could not process the junk anymore, so they stopped working. The result–2 weeks of bed rest and 4 weeks of no running. (YUCK.)

Apparently, I was having so much fun at the furnace -errr, fort clinch- that I failed to give myself proper nutrition and aid. It was a near death experience, and it seemingly came out of no where. After learning more about rhabdo, I realized that the symptoms usually take 12-24 hours to present themselves. Interesting. Even though I was downing bottles of gatorade and water like there was no tomorrow, it wasnt enough for over 90 degrees of pure humidity and 70 miles of running on an insanely tough course. I also had no major protein sources during my
race..such a novice mistake for me. I never skimp on protein during races- LESSON LEARNED!!!!!!!

I was happy to hear that a new friend, Bruce, finished his first 100, in brutal conditions, in first. Only two others finished- one being the incredible Juli Airstars, who has shown me so much love and understanding over the past. few weeks.

So how did I feel so whole and complete after such an epic fail? One word, and it’s no surprise: PEOPLE.

In all of my life, I have never felt so loved than I have over these past few weeks. So many from the fort clinch race checked on me regularly- Juli, Jen Vogel, Bruce, Michelle Matys, Kellie Smirnoff , and of course Caleb, to name a few, sent emails, texts, or called often.
I have had friends bring me dinners, family watch my kids, and training partners (like Beth McCurdy, and Beth Presten) constantly feeding me words of encouragement!
I was shocked at all of that support, partly because those who know me know that I am quite the loner, to say the least. I was surprised that, despite my constant attempts to keep people at arms length, they all still poured on the love.. simply because they knew I needed it.

And since I have had nothing to do but lay in bed, I’ve had a lot of time to think about these things.

I had no idea that Fort Clinch would go down the way it did. I was planning an day at the beach, basically, and not a death wish.

But everything happens for a reason..& I firmly believe that.

Because of the unexpected sequence of events, I bonded with several people and made some new, and very meaningful friendships.. Some that I never ever expected, and that I feel will last a lifetime.

I learned that I don’t have to keep my friends at a “safe distance”. I’ve been blessed with a great group of people around me, and they deserve all the love I can give.

I realized that I can depend on my husband and his love and support (& even life saving skills!!) 100%, no matter what! I always knew that, but to truly experience it..well.. that was really special. It means so much to me that he is there for me always, even when I intentionally put myself through this crazy type of pain:). (AND I love that he keeps reminding me I did not actually DNF, only my body did. He understands me. 🙂 )

I found out that my discipline and grit can actually kill me if I’m not careful. And honestly, I like that. (I’m not gonna lie!) It fascinates me that the lead women out there all pushed until we passed out…all of us being moms..& Juli being one of the only 3 to finish-that’s saying something about female runners, and our iron wills ;). I know people probably think that’s weird, but oh well. It’s a true statement.

These types of experiences and realizations only occur in my life because of ultrarunning. How awesome is that? To learn profound things, from doing something as simple as putting one foot in front of the other.

I don’t think it’s a silly sport. I think it’s an amazing , and very deep sport.

Running 100 miles creates growth in every way imaginable, discipline applicable to every area of life, priceless friendships, and meaning and depth beyond words.

I love 100 miles. I love attempting it. I love everything in my life that is born and brought to light because of it.

Fort Clinch was an incredible adventure. I’m truly grateful I was a part of it, and that everything happened just the way it did. Can’t wait for more!

*Big thanks again to Caleb Wilson and his family for an incredible experience at Fort Clinch. Caleb’s constant support and passion for his event was nothing short of phenomenal. I have heard several times now, and can vouch, that it may be the toughest race down south. Nothing like a real challenge! I will be back this summer to finish out my run, and definitely next year to claim that 100. 🙂

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