Mines of Spain 100 - 2024
(Originally written for Facebook on October 23, 2024.)
On the way to Mines, Erik and I listened to the story of Ann Trason at Leadville and how she started from the front, putting a target on her back and allowing the pressure to propel her forward. Erik told me not to get any ideas, but obviously, I had an idea!!!
I set out from the front in the very first loop, pretty damn determined to hold the placement.
I knew immediately when I set out that I would have no chance at hitting the impossible 20-hour goal that I set for myself but the entire point of that goal was to push further than possible, so I don’t regret setting it. I wouldn’t have made it in 22 hours without it.
The first loop felt horrible. I was only about 10 miles in when the negative thoughts started circulating, telling me that a hundred miles is probably too far and that my training block was garbage (both lies). Coming off of taper into a difficult race is no joke. I made it through the loop alive and headed out for loops two and three and both of them felt a little better.
Loop three started my stomach protesting against solid foods, so I began existing primarily on gels, liquid, and the occasional snack. Key for me is eating when I’m hungry, and using gels and liquids when I’m not. This is the first race that I didn’t throw up! Can’t complain about any of it.
At the start of loop four, the stiffness and pain began to settle in and I got into the pain cave. This was miles 60-80. At first, especially on the downhills, each step I took was cautious. Remembering back to High Lea, I thought…what IF I just ignored this pain and ran, full send and full range of motion, like it didn’t hurt? I’ll tell you what happened: It stopped. The pain stopped. When they say the mind is a powerful thing, they aren’t joking. I began running up hills that I walked all day long, powering down and around the course (not faster, but pretty damn fast for the mileage my legs had on them). I knew second place was within 5 minutes of me, so making this choice to put some distance there was necessary, and it did put distance between us.
I was begging however, for her to pass me. Begging for it, yet pushing to prevent it from happening. I had two forces pulling me in opposite directions in this loop and luckily, the stronger one was the voice of the one who wanted the win. I could feel the surge of adrenaline I got with each hill I climbed, and almost felt stronger as the night went on while my pace, though dropping, remained pretty steady and controlled.
The gap between me and second place continued to grow and by the fifth loop, I could finally start to taste the finish line. The miles crept by and although my watch counted up, I counted down. 20 to go, 15, 10….
Erik met me at the final aid station, “You’re going to get the course record.”
According to my calculations, hell no. I was about 15 minutes behind and headed into the hardest section of the course with 5 miles left that I would have to run in 45 minutes if I wanted that record. I didn’t say much, and just decided to let him believe in me, and I would try my best regardless.
The last 5 miles crawled by until I hit the final stretch of road to the finish. One mile left. I would finish around 23 hours flat. No course record, but a sub-24 is still fantastic.
I climbed the final hill and began running to the finish. Running, until I got a look at the clock. I made out the 22 in the front, and a second later saw 22:?5…I would be able to break 23. I thought it was probably at 22:45 or 22:55. Rounding the corner, I saw the missing number. 22:05. With that, I started to cry. I had miscalculated how many hours I had been running and not only secured the course record, but done it by 44 minutes, an absolute feat when I thought I wasn’t going to get it all.
Ready to collapse into a pile of dust, ashes, and tears at the finish, I heard “Women’s 100-mile champion!” announced in front of me, and could do nothing but smile with the biggest grin of my life.
The grind is long and hard, but it is so worth the reward of the finish and the accomplishment of hitting big goals and dreams.
One last thank you to the race director, volunteers, my coach, my husband, and everyone who has supported me over the last few years. Life has been an absolute dream in 2024 and I am so grateful for everyone who has had a hand in my running journey, both near and far.
