GA Jewel 100

Georgia Jewel 100 mile

Race: GA Jewel100 Mile Ultramarathon

Date: September 16, 2022

Finish Time: 32:56 hours

Distance: 100 Mile

Elevation gain: 14,478 ft

About 6 weeks before the race, I got Hip Bursitis which stopped my training. I missed critical strength training and my last several peak weeks of running because of this, but ultimately I had to make a choice - keep training but stay injured which would likely hinder me during the race from the start. Or, stop everything and try to heal, go into the race undertrained (but well rested! LOL) and hopefully un-injured. I chose to stop training and allow my body to heal. I had been doing 30-60 minutes on the stair stepper every week after my weekly long run for strength training, one day of week of strength training like plyometrics or HIIT drills ect. all in addition to my weekly miles.This race started at noon which a lot of people thought was crazy, but I thought it was perfect! I was able to sleep in, eat a huge breakfast and start hydrating early. I was able to get dressed, adjust everything, change my clothing choices, and get dressed again with plenty of time to kill. We got to the start line around 11:30am, picked up my bib and listened to the prerace information from the race director. I had a tentative goal of a 30 hour finish, but really, I just WANTED TO FINISH. I needed to prove to myself that I could do this again, and my one 100 mile finish wasn't some fluke.

 The first 1-2 miles took us down Mt Baker, and through a neighborhood (mostly downhill). Miles 3-4 were up the Power Lines where we encountered our first aid station. Then we continued going up on pretty rocky trails for several more miles (this was known as the Rock Garden). On my way through this area was so pretty, neat terrain to be bouncing off rocks through the ridgelines. We summit 4 mountains from miles 2-18 (Dug Mountain 1800 feet, Hurricane Mountain 1550 feet, Middle Mountain 1500 feet and Mill Creek Mountain 1800 feet). The first 18.8 miles you basically run 1 mile up hill, 2 miles along a ridgeline, and 1 mile downhill. Then at Mile 18.8 we hit "Snake Creek Gap" aid station. This is a large aid station where I could access my crew for the first time. I was way ahead of pace here coming in at 4 hours 20 minutes (an hour earlier than I anticipated). I ate, drank and carried on pretty quickly not stopping for too long. The next stretch was to Keown Falls. This stretch was hard, long rocky ups and downs but ended with a mile around the ponds that was pretty run-able. We came into the Pocket Road Aid station here and went up into the falls. It was about a mile uphill hitting 20-30% grade climbs until hitting the waterfalls. 

We passed 2 or 3 of them in a short spacing then summited Johns Mountain. Johns Mountain was beautiful, I summited it right at sunset and had some spectacular views. Leaving here was roughly an 11 mile stretch into Dry Creek. We ran down Johns Mountain which was long not steep section of down hill, then we ran some service roads eventually coming through a pretty big water crossing, then coming into Dry Creek.

Mile 36! My husband and crew didn't make it to dry creek by the time I got there, so I carried on in my wet shoes. Fortunately the weather was beautiful and I had fueled well so I wasn't cold, just annoyed to be in my wet gear. I had so looked forward to "banking time" in the Dry Creek loops, but I HATED these 2 loops (which we run twice each). They were rolling ups and downs not steep, but very boring, secluded in the woods, and scary at night time! I picked up my brother as my first pacer at mile 50 around 1:30am and he ran the1st/ 3rd loop of 6.5 miles with me. I was so grateful to have his company. At this point I was hours ahead of my 30 hour time goal and holding 2nd place female. My husband joined me for the 2nd/4th loop of 7 miles next. I focused on eating during this time and getting fueled back up for the crazy climbs that were going to come upon me leaving dry creek. 

Mile 64 5:38 am heading out of Dry Creek with my mom! We brought a small dish towel to dry our feet off, and ran through the water crossing together but taking the time to take off our shoes so we could keep our dry feet. Then we proceeded to climb the long steady uphill to Johns Mountain Summit. I was using my trekking poles off and on at this point, trying to jog some but mostly hiking. We ran past the waterfalls again and came back into Pocket Road Aid Station where my mom took a short break to eat and hydrate and my sister came to run a few miles with me! I didn't remember this section being SO hard, but I decided this was a very hard section. We basically just hiked all of it. Steep long ups and downs and so many rocks. I didn't love this section as much on the way back lol. Having all the different people to keep me company made for a really nice mental breakup of the race. 

Mile 82.2 Snake Creek Gap I made it to the final section. As I came into this section, I was overwhelmed by emotion. My quads were starting to get weak and I was getting a little uncertain of my leg strength being able to make it. I felt amazing mentally, this was absolutely my strongest mental race I have done of any distance. Cardio was great, but my legs were shot. My mom joined me for the last 18 miles (she is a freaking rock star). We hiked 100% of this. My legs had no "go" for running anymore. I was so frustrated about not being able to run. This 18 mile section was brutal. The whole thing is SO rocky and rooted. I really struggled with all the rocks. We hit mile 90 and I just kept crying. My mom helped rub my quads some and get me loosened up and shaken out. I could go a little more, then would have to stop and stretch again. By mile 95 we had a long stop. I was unsure I could walk on my legs anymore. 5 miles to go! I was picturing having to be carried out on a matt, or left overnight until my legs would regain some strength. Mom gave me a great pep talk, and helped me get moving again. I depending on my trekking poles at this point. It was almost like I had a spinal tap done and couldn't feel anything from the waist down, which seems like it'd be great, but it meant when my brain said walk... nothing happened. I never had any cramping during this race, or pain, or soreness or fatigue... my legs just tried to quit working on me! Next time I will certainly be focusing much more on leg strength training!

 We FINALLY hit the last aid station, the power lines with about 3.8 miles to go to the finish line. I was PUMPED. We got off those god-awful rocky trails and were able to start running again once we hit the pavement! Unfortunately, the last 25 miles took me SO long, we had to wear our headlamps again because the sun had set. We approached mount baker, and having my mom by myself meant the world to me. As we (slowly) climbed up the 40% climb of Mount Baker, I could see my husband at the top. We were almost there! The emotion, excitement, it was all so overwhelming in all the right ways. Finally made it through the parking lot, into that beautiful finish line. I was so relieved to get off my feet! 

What no one talks about is after the race, we went to the hotel and I showered while husband picked up food, I couldn't lift my legs to step out of the shower, couldn't lift them onto the bed once I sat on the bed. They stopped working completely. My husband had to move them for me, adjust them and help me in and out of bed all night. He is amazing. 

I'll be back next year with strong capable legs, ready for this race!

Lookout Mountain 19 mile

Race: Lookout Mountain 50 miler/19 miler

Date: December 19, 2020

Finish Time: 4:33 hours

Distance: 19.06 miles

Elevation change: 2753 ft

"The Lookout Mountain trail races begin high atop the mountain at the spectacular Covenant College campus. The course offers a variety of challenging climbs, highly runnable sections and moderate descents on predominantly single track trails. The 50 and 18 mile races travel together for that 18 mile race. The course navigates two exposed bluff lines with fantastic views. On one section of trail, it is possible to see 5 states on a clear day. Runners will follow or cross no less than 5 different creeks leading the runners to Lula Lake Land Trust that winds through rhododendron, mixed hardwood, and Hemlock forests and the towering 120' Lula Falls. Great aid stations with hot soup, a dose of Southern hospitality and camp fires at night. The 10K has become one of the most challenging 10K courses in the region and for good reason. The first couple miles are flat and fast on the college cross country trails and then the speed slows down and the course turns to narrow and beautiful trails along two separate creeks with a couple steep climbs, so if you are new to trails this is a good one to hike and regardless what pace, this one will challenge you."

I signed up for this race last minute after another race I was supposed to run was cancelled due to Corona. I wasn't trained for the elevation of this course, and haven't acclimated to the colder temps since moving from Florida... but thought this looked like a beautiful course. We left Friday afternoon to head up to Chattanooga TN to pickup my race packet. Packet pickup was super easy and went so smooth, and they gave out free local beer at pickup for runners!

Social distanced at the start line

Race morning I arrived about 15 minutes before the race start. It. Was. Freezing. Literally, 25 degrees out and SO cold. Everyone stayed "socially distanced" and had masks on. We didn't start with the national anthem which was a bummer, it's my favorite way to start a race, but to each their own I guess! That's honestly my only critique I can offer, everything else was awesome. Well organized, very well marked course, well stocked aid stations where you would need them, and amazing food at the finish line. 

The buzzer sounded and we were off! We started off going downhill for probably close to 3 miles. Then up and down and up and down. It was a beautiful course, but SO cold. It hurt to breath. I keep mentioning how stinking cold it was, let me show some pictures of the icicles along the course! It hurt my lungs to breath.


I started text Justin around mile 10 telling him how much I was struggling with breathing. Even with walking I couldn't keep my breath, my lungs were on fire. I ended up running with my facemask on a lot just to warm the air I was breathing. 

My legs felt great and my heart rate was staying low but my lungs were on fire. I told him I knew I wasn't going to make the 50 miles (which is what I signed up for), I was going to try and stick it out and make it as long as I could, but with the tough time restraints of this race and how much walking I was having to do due to not being able to breath I knew I wouldn't make it. I was praying it would warm up outside so I could enjoy the rest of my beautiful miles.
The views after that were spectacular, on a clear day like today you can see 5 different states! There were 2 huge waterfalls we got to run by. This area was particularly cold! The splashing of the freezing water in the wind was like having ice hitting you in the face! 

The trail wasn't too hard to run, except some parts were so steep, we literally had to use a rope on one area to aid us in the climb! These parts I was unable to run, even if it wasn't so cold, although there were some amazing runners that were still running these crazy steep up hills! 

I got to mile 14 and texted Justin telling him I was going to bail and finish with the 19 mile finishers. I was struggling emotionally at this point. I was so frustrated that I felt good and couldn't run because I didn't train to run in the cold. Poor training for the elements got the best of me. I bailed and finish with the 19 mile finishers, I figured I would get a DNF from dropping and was pleasantly surprised to see that they just moved me to a 19 mile finisher! I'm so happy about that! I'm glad I ran this race, and learned something new about running in the cold! I never thought that would be something I would have to practice or train for. After 8 years of running in the Florida heat and humidity, I figured cold weather would ALWAYS be easy. Boy, was I wrong! I'm hoping to do it again next winter, but will have lived in Georgia for over a year at that point so hopefully I will be more acclimated to thinner colder air! Besides freezing, this course was awesome, the views were amazing, the race directors were well organized and so kind. The hot amazing tacos on the grills at the finish line HIT THE SPOT! 

26.2 with Donna - Race Recap

Picking up my packet at
the Donna Race Expo

 Happy Valentines Day! My husband and I celebrated by getting up super early and driving to Jax so I could run a marathon. He is the most supportive spouse EVER. Marathon #8 here I come!

Race: Donna Breast Cancer Marathon
Date: February 14th, 2016
Finish Time: 4 hours, 05 minutes
Distance: 26.2 miles
Gain/Loss: 840 ft

Flat Toni

First I was using this run as my long training run on my 50 mile training plan. My goal was to consume a minimum of 3 GU gels on course, and eat some food that was offered to me. I usually split 1 GU (eating half around mile 12 and the other half around mile 19) over the entire marathon. I also ate a different breakfast than normal. Just trying to figure out my fuel and learn how to eat while running. I ate 2 eggs and a piece of toast for breakfast around 5:25 am. I ate 3 GU's (2 different brands, 3 different flavors). I did well with all of it, I got hungry around mile 19 instead of mile 10, and only felt sick after my 2nd GU which was chocolate in flavor. Success with those "training" goals :)

The race started at 7:30 am (so late for a marathon, it was amazing to "sleep in" on race day). My gps said it was 1 hour 5 minute drive but I knew there would end up being some congestion as we got closer so we left at 5:40 am. Glad we did, we got there at 7 am and used the porta-potty in the parking lot (no line!). Was about 1/4 mile walk to the start line from the parking area. It was 40 degrees and soooo cold. I had on shorts with a pink tutu, custom made tank top from my good friend at "Distance Designs by Pamela", and a pink jacket. I was still freezing. We walked to the start area and they had outdoor heaters everywhere! It was awesome. I got in the start area and found the 4:15 pacer. They started the race with a prayer, which was really cool, then the national anthem and the count down. They let us out in waves to help with congestion (this was awesome). Unfortunately both the 4:00 pacer and 4:15 pacers were let out in the wave ahead of me and I got stuck behind! Going to have to wing it I guess!

Gorgeous roads we ran down.

Finally my turn to go, I glanced at the start clock and it was around 4 minutes. As expected my first mile or two had a lot of weaving around people. I started warming up some around mile 4. Around mile 6 I heard someone shout my name, as I turned I saw my husband running down a side road waving! What a surprise! It's always such a perk when I see him along the course. After a quick kiss I kept going. He is the most amazing spectator! At this point I had passed the 4 hour pacer and was a few minutes ahead of them.

People covered the streets and side walks
with chalk. Huge breast cancer ribbons,
names, stories, hearts, encouraging
words, even boobs! LOL

We ran through some pretty cool neighborhoods that were SO supportive of this race. Most of the neighborhoods were out having block parties and cheered for us as we ran by. They had jump houses, fire pits, and a lot of loud music. Then they even had tons of food and drinks to share with us runners! It made this portion of the race fly.

A lot of people wore bibs on their back that said "SURVIVOR" or "I am finishing for ______". Some had a ton of names listed on their bibs. Was a nice reminder of the cause we were supporting. I have a few people in my family who suffered from breast cancer or other forms of cancer. When I struggled, I thought of the struggle being diagnosed with cancer would bring both emotionally and physically. It reminded me that my 26.2 miles would be over before I knew it, and I was fortunate for that because my pain and struggle would be done.

free mammogram!
hahahahahahaha

throwing my (wet sweaty) jacket to
my husband as I zoomed by! 

Then we hit the area near the beach and it was SOO WINDY! You could feel the wind resistance as we ran near the ocean. I saw my husband again around mile 10 I was feeling so strong still at this point and maintaining my position several minutes AHEAD of the 4 hour pacers. My Achilles that I injured in Mississippi was starting to hurt just a little but I figured I would just block it out and keep running, only 16.2 miles to go, I can do that!  It started getting pretty warm out and I had to take off my jacket. It was heavy around my waist... Where's my husband! lol.

We kept running along through a really cool area that reminded me so much of an "old school beach town". The course is a closed road coarse so there were never really any cars waiting on us. It was cool to run through town with no cars or traffic (other than runners foot traffic). Saw my husband again around mile 17, very briefly this time the 4 hour pacer was catching up to me and my foot was really starting to hurt so I didn't want to slow down too much for fear of not being able to pick my pace back up. I was happy to see him though because I threw my jacket at him so I didn't have to carry it anymore! The bummer was all my GU packs were in my jacket pockets. darn!

It was awesome this race provided wet towels and pink sponges that were soaking in ice cold water several times along the course that they were handing out to runners to help us cool down, and wipe the sweat off of us. This was the first time I experienced this in a race and it was AWESOME. Feeling like a VIP at this point, I kept on running.

I passed my husband 1 final time at mile 19, the 4 hour pacer had just passed me and I was feeling pretty discouraged. I knew I wasn't going to be able to catch them with how much pain I was in. I kept going, 7.2 miles to go!

This was the moment I realized
I wasn't going to be able to catch up
to the 4 hour pacer again. My Ankle
was killing me and I was holding
my hamstring because it hurt so bad.

Mile 19 I walked through the water station (as always) and when I slowed to a walk I felt that horrible sharp pain in my foot, just as I did at the Mobile Light Marathon. Noooooo! I walked for a bit and took a few minutes trying to stretch it out, but when I started running again it was a horrible pain.

I ran behind a super annoying couple for awhile. The guy was having a hard time going the pace the girl was wanting to go, and I kid you not they sat wasting all their energy bickering about the pace back and forth. I thought, man, how much would I give to have a friend or spouse with me through this struggle right now, and all they could do was sit and fight with each other. She was telling him to give it his all and push it out, and he was complaining that she was keeping too fast a pace and he couldn't keep up. He mentioned he was already giving it his all and they still had over 6 miles to go. They argued forever before they finally were far enough ahead I no longer had to listen to them.

Oh the hills. These would have been tough without an injury,
but with my achillis injury going up and down hill
is the most painful thing. This was a torturous way
to finish a marathon! 

Mile 23 we hit the first of 3 consecutive overpasses. going up and down with my ankle was torture and my stops got longer and longer because it was so painful to start again each time. Mile 25 was the start of the final overpass and this one was huge! My pace picked up quite a bit, I knew I was almost done. We came off it and you could see the finish line ahead.

Woohoo I was so excited. I crossed the finish line and my official time was 4:05:52. Not the Sub - 4 I was hoping for, but now I know it is within reach.

In the finishers chute getting
my ankle iced and wrapped :(

Holy cow I still managed to PR! At first I was super bummed, I came really close to maintaining my lead on the 4 hour pacer and felt amazing (minus my stupid ankle). If it weren't for that darn foot I could've done it with ease!!! Husband said next time I will and told me how amazing my PR was, and after it soaked in I was really excited about crossing at 4:05:52. Bummed, but still excited :) I gimped my way through the super long finisher chute where first aid was happily waiting to apply ice to my ankle. The compression and ice felt AMAZING. I limped out into the finishers area where my husband was waiting for me.

Marathon #8 Complete!

Overall this race was awesome, they provided Gu packs every 5 miles or so, more water/Gatorade then I could ever wish for during a marathon, ice cold wet sponges/towels several time along the course, a lot of fresh fruit and food on course, amazing PINK signage, even digital timers at most of the mile markers. It was very well organized from the parking area at the start line, the start area, the race chute, the course team and the finish festival. Kudos to an amazing race director.

The only thing lacking was the information on the website, I felt like I had to dig around forever to find the information that I needed, and still ended up asking friends who had run it questions regarding the start and finish areas ect. The neighborhoods were amazing, so supportive which made the race seem to go by so fast! I didn't get to enjoy much of the finish festival because my poor baby woke up throwing up with the flu today (my oldest who's 8 and just wanted her momma). We bolted out of there pretty quick to get home, but it looked awesome. They had tons of food options, massage tents, freebie stuff ect.

Me and my #1 fan, my most loving, most supportive,
most amazing person in my life. My love!

I would love to do this race again next year, maybe I can get a small crew together to run it as a fundraiser with me.

I have an appointment to get a massage on Thursday, then an appointment with a Sports Medicine Doctor on Monday to get my Achilles looked at (finally). Hopefully they will give me some good easy fixes that will not prohibit me from running. I do have that 50 miler coming up... less than 3 months!