Rooted, Not Shaken: A Personal Journey Through The Practice of Groundedness
June 22, 2023
Mackinac Bridge Swim Event
July 31, 2023
The Wicked Worm is held at Robinette’s Apple Haus trails, maintained by the West Michigan Trail Runners. It is the most technical local trail with a ton of roots, punchy climbs and switchbacks. The loops are 4.2 miles long, and the course includes orchard running with the single track. Halfway through was an aid station with ice cold water. I had a plan focused on consistency with minimal rest and mostly moving, running as much uphill as possible. I did not bring a chair or anything that might entice me to take a break.
Halfway through, I drank a bit of Coke and a small can of ginger ale, and that sent my stomach over the edge into jiggly gas bubble territory, seizing pain. Around then I was grumpy and telling everyone, “This is fun. Like, your organs are shutting down, shitting your pants, but still fun!” Man, when you’re tired it can be harder to keep words inside. 
There were gnats and some biting flies out on the single track, and fighting the edges of heat exhaustion. Running along the business highway while in the orchard was jarring against the quiet, peaceful single track.
worked hard with my mind to get over the stomach issue and it took two or three loops.
In the last two hours, I started slowing down. I had been on pace to meet my goal of 100K, if you get to start/finish by 7:45 pm you can go out for another loop. I wonder whether it was my body or mind that shut down, but those last two loops caught up with me. I have seen this so many times, whatever distance you are running, it gets hardest at the end. Is it your mind telling you that you’re almost done? Is it the accumulation of miles?
Approaching the finish, I saw my Mom, Dave and Quinn waving their arms, and I waved back. Quinn ran with me to the finish, so excited and happy. A roar of cheers from both sides of the finish approach choked me up and I got chills, humbled with the support and friendship.Third OA, first female, new female course record of 58 miles in 12 hours. Thank you very much to the West Michigan Whiskey Rollers, my friends who put on this race. We had a hole where the Bad Apple Ultra was (Klackle Orchards was sold off so the race is no longer around), and damn have they put on a staple event on the ultra calendar. You guys rock!!!
