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Nothing made me feel like that more than running. Some days I really miss it. #running #runnergirl #ultrarunner #enduranceathlete #endurancerunner #embracethesuck #throwback #weallhaveourbeginnings #runneratheart #fitness #fitnadic #fitstagram #50k #danceswithdirt #hellMI #illdothisagainsoon #myroots (at Hell, Michigan)

#fitness #50k #danceswithdirt #runneratheart #hellmi #endurancerunner #runnergirl #embracethesuck #myroots #enduranceathlete #throwback #weallhaveourbeginnings #ultrarunner #running #fitnadic #illdothisagainsoon #fitstagram

Dances With Dirt - Gnaw Bone 50K Recap

The race began on a pleasant, clear morning at 6:15. A comfortable jog to the main trail and the ascent begins. A very comfortable run through the woods for a couple miles and then we hit the single track. After 7+ hours of running the chronology gets kind of blurry, but I recall many miles of twisty downhills and many more miles of mind-numbing uphills, at least 4 miles picking our way through dense woods where NO trail existed, just looking for the next pink flag to progress to. Ran around a few lakes, on the horse trails (dodging horse poop), on the bike trails (dodging mountain bikers), through a campground and eventually through a thigh-high stream to the final stretch. Along the way I met so many amazing, supportive and wonderfully insane people - from the Ohio State fan who chose NOT to trip me (a diehard Wolverine) because we were running different events, to a couple speaking Spanish until the fatigue caused them to switch back to English because, as one explained "I'm so tired I can't think in Spanish".

The check-in stations were well stocked with water, Gatorade, Coke, Sprite, Sweet Tea, cookies, PB&J, Oreos, Pringles, boiled and salted potatoes, pretzel rods, Gu, oranges, bananas, M&Ms, trail mix, vasoline, sun screen, insect repellant . . .

Weather held out for us the entire run. Comfortably warm but never too hot. A little rain, but nothing more than a refreshing sprinkle. The worst wildlife we encountered was a skittish Shi-Tsu, an inch worm on Tom's neck and a very determined deer fly.

Despite the cramping and ankle pain, Tom and I kicked it into high gear and ended the run on a balls-out sprint through the final stretch into the finish - definitely a highlight as all the spectators stood and cheered us on for finishing so strong. Running diva (and 1st place finisher in her age group!) Jayann greeted us at the finish line with 50K magnets which immediately went on my car. A delicious pulled pork sandwich and complimentary porter from the local brewery hit the spot like you can't even imagine!

And if THAT sounds crazy, consider this . . . our friend's 23 year-old daughter ran the 50 mile event and finished third overall! AND . . . wait for it . . . this was her 50 mile training run for her 100 miler in June!!! When I was 23 I considered myself a badass because I stayed out until 4am on weekends. I am truly humbled.

This is by far the toughest physical challenge I've faced to date. The months of training and weekly 20+ mile long runs became incredibly tedious. My twisted ankle last weekend kept me in mild to moderate discomfort throughout the run. I've been swearing over these past few weeks that this will be my first and last 50K. I'm singing a different tune today . . . already looking forward to the next one!

#50K #GnawBone #DancesWithDirt