Completing an ultramarathon is a feat for anyone. Everyone thought it would be impossible for a 16 year old girl. So why not? As a varsity cross country runner I am no stranger to running. The contradictory love-hate relationship strains the mind and body like to no other. My junior year cross country began to lose its appeal. The distances, the races, and the running in general had become monotonous. I live by the phrase “To be outstanding- you must become comfortable with being uncomfortable.” I constantly seek new challenges to push myself beyond normal bounds. I wanted to achieve something extraordinary. The ultramarathon was in six months, and meant thirty-one and a half miles of trail waiting to be conquered.
I trained for months, aiming to condition myself for the nonstop running. This was like nothing I had attempted before. My friends thought I was insane, and they were probably right. You have to be insane to subject your mind and body to something that excruciating. I was told to pick a marathon instead, but people run those everyday. I knew I was well within my limits to complete one. An ultramarathon was so far out of my comfort zone I couldn’t pass up the opportunity. Very few people can complete one, as it requires a tremendous amount of grit, passion, and …show more content…
I was the only runner under 26 years old, and clearly lacking in the special equipment others carried. I had six goals to accomplish during the race: 1) Do not die. 2) Finish. 3) Do not sprint the first mile. 4) Run the first 10 miles without stopping. 5) Do not overthink it, and 6) Do not die. I managed to stay true to these goals, though I’m still unsure about numbers one and six. The ultramarathon tested me in ways I never imagined. Seven and a half hours of straight running meant my heart, soul, grit, and commitment were all trampled on numerous times, and I would be lying if I said I didn't want to
I trained for months, aiming to condition myself for the nonstop running. This was like nothing I had attempted before. My friends thought I was insane, and they were probably right. You have to be insane to subject your mind and body to something that excruciating. I was told to pick a marathon instead, but people run those everyday. I knew I was well within my limits to complete one. An ultramarathon was so far out of my comfort zone I couldn’t pass up the opportunity. Very few people can complete one, as it requires a tremendous amount of grit, passion, and …show more content…
I was the only runner under 26 years old, and clearly lacking in the special equipment others carried. I had six goals to accomplish during the race: 1) Do not die. 2) Finish. 3) Do not sprint the first mile. 4) Run the first 10 miles without stopping. 5) Do not overthink it, and 6) Do not die. I managed to stay true to these goals, though I’m still unsure about numbers one and six. The ultramarathon tested me in ways I never imagined. Seven and a half hours of straight running meant my heart, soul, grit, and commitment were all trampled on numerous times, and I would be lying if I said I didn't want to