I woke up early that morning and could barely contain myself. I could feel this insane, intense feeling in my chest. That type of feeling that makes you question whether you are okay or not. I knew I was okay, I was better than okay. The thoughts about running a 100 mile race were so strong in my heart and in my head like never before. I felt more alive than I had felt all last year. I wanted to talk about it, I wanted to write about it, HELL I wanted to sing about it (but if I sing, no one would want to listen unfortunately :)
In 2014, sometime after running my first 50k, I felt like I wanted to go more. do more. run more. The thoughts about long distance running would pop in and out of my mind, occasionally. I think I even talked with a couple of people with experience in this area. I talked with a couple of people with a lack of experience in this area (which may not have been the best idea at the time, as those few individuals tried to talk me out of it. They tried to convince me that it was too much on my body, too intense.)
At that time, I didn't realize I wasn't ready. It wasn't until later in the year, that I had come to recognize that I wasn't. As I look back, I see how I allowed those few individuals to talk me out of running ultras. Even worse, I allowed myself, to talk me out of my own dream.
Honestly, if you talk yourself out of your own dreams or you allow someone else to, then you might want to question whether you were ever really ready in the first place. I was never ready until NOW!
I can tell its different this time around, because I want to share my thoughts and my ideas with my friends and my family. I want to read everything I can and learn everything I can about Ultra Running. I am seeking advice and opinions from other ultra runners and I find it so motivating. I feel driven to continue on this #100mile journey no matter who is there to support it or not. Whether I am alone or running with hundreds of other crazy beautiful runners such as myself, I am going to accomplish 100 miles...
An Ultramarathon, also called ultra distance, is any footrace longer than the traditional marathon length of 26.2 miles. From 2007-2015 I have run and completed (not always with pride or a sense of good feeling)but completed every race I have entered. I have completed a total of 11 marathon distances and run and completed 2 50k ultra distances. The majority of these races that I have completed took place after giving birth to my son in 2010.
I mention my son, because after having him, my running changed. I changed. Running for me prior to having Whistler, was more about my Eating Disorder than about having passion for running. I would force myself to run in order to become this "skinny" female I so desperately wanted to become. I allowed my Eating Disorder to control me. When I found out I was pregnant, I changed. I began seeking a healthy lifestyle that would no longer encourage my Eating Disorder to come along with me. Once Whistler was born, we began a new running adventure together. Well, I would do the running and Whistler would either sleep, eat, cry occasionally, or play toys while kicking back in his chariot. He became my very favorite running partner I have ever ever EVER had! In 2012, he and I trained for my first marathon since 2008 (my first marathon since giving birth); yes he would be pushed a full 18 miles during training runs with me, as I trained to go run the 2012 Honolulu Marathon. Whistler was my motivation and my reason that I FELL IN LOVE WITH RUNNING. If I could, I would still be pushing his 5 almost 6 year old butt, with me on my training runs.
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| Whistler taking a break during one of our many runs together back in the day. (Highly recommend for mothers/fathers to purchase the Chariot! Greatest investment!!) |
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| 2012, when I wore K-Swiss running shoes, bought my first Garmin, and ran many of my miles with Whistler. Training for Honolulu Marathon 2012. |
My first experience running something longer than a marathon took place January 2014, as I ran the Hilo to Volcano 50k, climbing from sea level to 4,000 ft elevation. It was an emotional run that was a little sloppy best put. None the less, I finished. I returned to run this race once again January 2015 with more experience and more knowledge of what to expect. The race was incredible both mentally and physically. I ran myself into finishing first female with a time of 4:38:05. I was and still am proud of that moment in my life. Unfortunately, I was not able to return this year for a 3rd go at the HTV50k. With our new business ( Velofix Hawaii ) and changes in our life, I thought it was best to prioritize financially.
Which leads me into the discussion of which Ultra distance race will I be choosing for my first 100 miler. To be quite honest, living in Hawaii, is yes an incredible opportunity that I do not take for granite, but it has its cost. If I am going to run my first 100 miler, I want Nick and Whistler to be with me cheering and supporting me along the miles. Flying from Hawaii to the mainland is a not a cheap flight individually, let alone a family of three. Depending on our financial status this year I may or may not be able to travel far, but with that said, I wont give up on my dream of running 100 miles. HURT 100 Endurance Run, is on Oahu near the middle of January, so I could train and plan to run Hurt 100 in 2017 (that would also depend on if I get in or not, as HURT 100 is a based on a lottery) or.............. I had thought about doing this race back in 2014, but was convinced its the most dangerous and crazy race. I was told not to think about doing HURT 100 as my first 100 miler. The thought of running in HURT, has never truly left my mind. Deep down inside of me still holds a little piece of interest, curiosity, and "oh I still, really want to do it."
I will keep you posted on how this plays out and fits in or not with my plans.
Here is my idea: an idea I am very set on and completely content with announcing. I want to organize my very on 100 mile run right here on the Big Island. Why not? Our Island is beautiful and full of crazy beautiful adventurous runners/athletes. The Big Island is home for the Ironman World Championships and the Ultra Man World Championships. This island is full of adventurous athletes that do endurance like training every single day. Here is what I am thinking: I will plan out my distance from start to finish, I will plan the time frame/month I would like to accomplish my 100 mile run, and I will invite anyone to run with me if they would like. But it gets better, I want to run for all of those beautiful individuals that have or had or know someone who has an Eating Disorder. I want to run for everyone of you. I will dedicate my run to my dream of healing this ridiculous and painful disorder. I want to run every mile for all the years that an Eating Disorder destroyed my life. I am stronger than my Eating Disorder and so are all of you (who have or had an ED.) I want to get in touch with NEDA and organize a fundraiser in honor of Eating Disorder/ Mental Health Awareness. Last year, I was trying to organize a NEDA Walk on the Big Island and kind of freaked out with a bunch of nerves. Needless to say, the idea fell through. I continue to get stronger, so I'll do my best to get something in the works and keep all of you posted with all of my ideas in regards to this too. (Ideas be like...EVERYWHERE!)
I don't need to go spend a ton of money to travel to a race just to run. I can throw on my shoes and pack my goodies and run on my own. Or take turns by having family or friends run some miles with me if they would like. I have never been one of those athletes that chase the medals. I don't run for medals. I run to better myself and challenge myself. I run to see how far I have come and what I am capable of accomplishing. I do not need a medal at the end of the finish line to tell me I finished. All I need is an incredible thought in my head that says - I did it!!!
Training is already in effect and I am feeling stronger than I thought I would be. I was already prepared for another 50k distance, so I have continued my training based off of that. I have collaborated with two/three different training plans: one that prepares you for a 50 miler and the next that is a continuation of the 50 miler in prep for the 100 miles. By the end of this training and of course a continuation of educating myself along the way, I should be both mentally and physically prepared to run 100 miles OR lets hope I am. I know some of you might be laughing at me right now for this idea of mine (I have laughed at myself too), but I don't care. I feel confident knowing some pretty incredible people right here in Kona, that are willing to give me guidance along my journey. Better yet, I feel comfortable talking with them about my ideas and listening to them about their ideas they have had too. Listening to these individuals that tell me what is next on the list for them (like one individual who recently mentioned to me he is getting ready to go do a Double Ultra Man.) Now that is Freaking Awesome! It Inspires me to DREAM/plan more. We all have ideas that sometimes work out and sometimes not so much. Without a DREAM, without some kind of goal, I would continue to do the same thing I have always done year after year. I want this year of 2016 to be different; I want 2016 to have more meaning, more life, more fun, more Happy, more inspiration, more motivation, more ideas, more more more more more more.......................................not just for me, but for all of you too!
This #100Mile journey I am on, is a learning experience or rather an Experience of so much more. Learning how to train my mind and body for something I consider so incredibly EPIC! I bought my first Ultra Running book Relentless Forward Progress (still waiting for it to arrive), educating myself, practicing nutrition so I can get it dialed in even better than I already have (Thinking of taking a some pickle juice with me this weekend on my back to back training runs) and making sure to rest and recover when I can. I finally ordered a new Garmin that lasts longer than 4.5 hours of training. Yippy! Although, I am waiting for that to arrive too (the Garmin Forerunner 230 - 16 hours or battery life in training mode.) And then of course I will continue to run in Mizuno's that I purchase from Big Island Running Company because well, I trust Jason's input and advice and knowledge.
In my heart, the best part of planning my own 100 mile run, is that Nick and Whistler get to be a part of it with me. My support system, my support crew. And my friends, if they so wish to join in for a mile or two (run or walk), will surely be invited too. You are more than welcome to train with me if you wish! My long miles, slower pace could use some good conversation. (thank you to those of you who have already accompanied me for a few miles already - you know who you are.)
I want this adventure to be fun. When running doesn't feel fun anymore, that is when I will question why I do it. Running is supposed to be fun and full of challenges and experiences that light you up like a thousand fireworks. And I'm ready to shoot across the sky :)
"Cause baby, you're a firework
Come on, show 'em what you're worth
Make 'em go, oh
As you shoot across the sky
Baby, you're a firework
Come on, let your colors burst
Make 'em go, oh
You're gonna leave 'em falling down"
Katy Perry
May this journey continue to grow and inspire. May you continue to follow & motivate me along the way. Keep an eye out for more details and ideas that come up and please share your ideas with me this year too! (Ideas you have for yourself, or even thoughts that you want to share about my ideas.)
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Much love to all of you,
Brooke Myers
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