After the passage of time, my mind and body have recovered from the difficulties caused by the race. However, the memories of the generosity of Hannah and Mark are still fresh.
There were 50 runners registered for the 50k USATF Championship division — more runners than have previously toed the line in past events. While there may have been favorites, no one was willing to predict who might cross the line as the national champion.
From 1849 to 1860, the HBC Heritage Trail was used as an essential route through the Cascade Mountains for fur traders and resupplying HBC forts in the interior and north of British Columbia. A safer route was established not long after, and over 100 years later in 2016, the original route reopened with the goal of bringing visitors to the area.
Broadening our metrics for how we assess our race performance can be beneficial and even liberating. Beyond covering the full distance of the event, there are many ways to walk away, look back and feel successful.
Training for and running ultramarathons taught me that I had the ability to achieve things I once thought were impossible. They taught me to pace myself, adjust my expectations and problem-solve on the fly. They taught me that pain is tough, but I am tougher, and being alone in the forest taught me where I feel most at peace.
A six-time Badwater 135 finisher who has set the age-group course record four times, Pamela Chapman Markle has returned again and again to the Keys 100.