Some pictures and information from the Aravaipa Strong Virtual Race-- 100 miles!
The Aravaipa Strong Virtual Race
(My THIRD quarantine/at home/backyard 100 mile run! Yes, three in the month of April.. 😳)
100 MILES complete!!!
April 22-24, 2020
41 hours, 24 minutes
(The only goal I had was to get it done. No time goal.)
I had six weeks of EPIC pandemic running challenges so far. These challenges have been so much fun too!!
Pandemic challenges and goals: ⬇️
"We can adapt to a changing situation and modify our execution and still achieve our overall goal."-- Michael Ortiz
This time I challenged myself to a fully indoor 100 mile run!!! I wanted to be extremely creative, and the weather was yucky here. WOW!!! (Ok, it was more like power walk and slow walk. Forward is forward.) I completed the entire 100 miles by doing laps INSIDE my house. I wanted to show people that it can be done. Where there's a will, there's a way. Why not?! Just so you know, it IS possible to run 100 miles by doing laps inside your house. HA. Think of it like you are a hamster on a wheel or something along those lines. HA HA. 🐹🐹 It was 7,800 laps around my house for 100 miles. Literally, it equaled out to be 7,800 laps. Not exaggerating. 🤦♀️🤦♀️😂😂
I truly believe that you can do anything! You can achieve anything. You are good enough. You are possible. I believe in you, and I am cheering for you all!! I hope to inspire you to achieve your goals, too. I believe in you and all your goals, big or small. You got this.❤
Running has taught me so much. Running shows that anything is possible. Running shows that you can do anything. People are capable of so much more. I want people to see that. I want people to want to achieve their goals. I want people to want more, to go out and be the best they can be. I want people to want to be kind. I want people to stop bullying too... Achieve your goals, be kind, stop bullying.
(Before you say anything strange... I got you covered. HA HA. 😂😂 😜😜 Yes, I know it's crazy and weird. Yes, I'm well aware that I came with with strange running challenges during the pandemic. Why not?! I've really enjoyed my running challenges, my extra time to run, and extra time with my family. We have been having fun!! It is wonderful. I have turned my running journey into family bonding time, math lessons, personal goal setting, stress relief, inspiration to family & friends, and an extended audience to local TV viewers. Seriously, it has been AMAZING!!!)
Fun fact: I LOVE 100 mile runs!!! It is my favorite distance to run!!!
Details on the Aravaipa Strong Virtual Race below: ⬇️⬇️
I took it nice and easy and went slow for this 100 miles, especially because it was my third 100 this month. Seriously, 20 minute miles for most of the time! Nothing wrong with that! Forward is forward. 🙂
I'll practice speed again later.
Started: Wednesday, April 22nd at 7pm
(I didn't put my watch on or start it until exactly 7pm too because that's when I started my virtual race.)
Slept for 3 hours, 2:30-5:30am ish
Resumed on Thursday, April 23rd at 7am
Slept for 4 hours, 1:30-5:30am ish
Resumed on Friday, April 24th at 6am
Finished: Friday, April 24th at 12:24pm
Total hours: 41 hours, 24 minutes
Here's the "quote of the day" on my watch when I started this virtual race. Wow!! ⬇️⬇️
Measuring the upstairs and living room: ⬇️⬇️
I measured the upstairs and living room with two different tape measures AND a ruler to make sure that the distance was correct. Three different ways.
⬆️⬆️ Measuring the living room. ⬆️⬆️
The first 50 miles were upstairs inside my house.. I did my usual indoor course upstairs, like I did for the previous 100s. Details below: ⬇️⬇️
Inside Upstairs Laps: ⬇️⬇️
It is 0.02 miles and 106 feet in perimeter in my upstairs hallway and spare bedroom.. I measured the distance around the upstairs of my house with a tape measure and watch, hallway x2 and spare bedroom. The hallway is 16 feet long and 3 feet wide. The spare bedroom is 5 feet long and 7 feet wide. Two times up and down the hallway plus an extra width and one time in the spare room equals a perimeter of 106 feet. 50 laps for 1 miles, 2,500 laps for 50 miles.
(Math problems-
Perimeter, two times up and down the hallway plus an extra width and the spare bedroom- 3+3+16+16+5+5+7+7+3+3+16+16+3+3= 106 feet. 5,280 feet in a mile. 5,280÷106= 49.8. Round up to makes sure, 50 laps for a mile. 50×50= 2,500 laps for 50 miles! 😜)
The next 50 miles were in my living room... Details below: ⬇️⬇️
Inside Living Room Laps: ⬇️⬇️
I measured the distance around my living room with a tape measure and watch. It is about 16 feet long and 9 feet wide. That is 50 feet is perimeter, which means 106 laps per miles!! 5,300 laps for 50 miles!! 😜😜
(Math problems-
Perimeter, 16+16+9+9= 50 feet. 5,280 feet in a mile. 5,280÷50= 105.6, round up to make sure, 106! 106 laps for a mile!! 106×50= 5,300 laps! 5,300 laps for 50 miles!! 😜😜)
Calculations: ⬇️⬇️
Similar to the last two backyard 100 mile runs!! ⬇️⬇️
I kept my watch GPS on to measure mileage, not mile splits though. (It is not a fancy watch, but it gets the job done. Also, I didn't track my mile times/pace because it is not accurate on small loops. It messes up the pace and everything.) Then, I tracked my footsteps/step count/stride length. I normally average about 222,000 steps per 100 milers, so it's about 2,200 steps per mile for me. I kept track of my step count, and it was accurate throughout the day. I did take slightly smaller strides though, so it averaged out to be about 243,000 steps. The living room laps were smaller, so I took smaller steps.
Lap tracking/mile tracking information! ⬇️⬇️
For inside laps upstairs: ⬇️
Harry and I both made a tally marks every time we counted 50 laps. I kept track on paper. When he was hanging out with me, he also counted my laps. When I was alone, I counted my laps. After Scott and Harry went to sleep, I counted my laps by myself. I counted every lap, 1-50. (1 for lap 1, then 2 for lap 2, etc.) When I got to 50, I would make a tally mark to count a mile and then start my count to 50 all over again. (50 laps to equal a mile. 1 tally mark equals a mile.)
For living room laps: ⬇️
Harry and I both made a tally every time we counted 106 laps. I kept track on paper. When he was hanging out with me, he also counted my laps with me. When I was alone, I counted my laps. After Scott and Harry went to sleep, I counted my laps by myself. I counted each lap, 1-106. (1 for lap 1, 2 for lap 2, etc.) When I got to 106, I would make a tally mark to count a mile and then start my count to 106 all over again. (106 laps to equal a mile. 1 tally mark equals a mile.)
My watch was pretty accurate and measuring the miles about the same time as I would count them/tally them. My step count and tracking was pretty accurate too. (Again, I did not track mile splits/pace because it is not accurate on such small loops.)
YES, my watch was accurate when tracking miles!! I have checked it several different ways to make sure!!! I measured the distance manually with a tape measure to make sure too.
(Typically- I measure my outdoor running routes with maps. I literally look up the mileage on a map to see if my watch is correct. My watch comes up about the same. I also measure my outdoor running routes with the odometer in my car, if it's not a trail route. My watch comes up accurate/just about the same with the distance measured with a tape measure and math problems, distance measured on a map, and/or distance measured with my car's odometer. No issues.)
Total distance: ➡️
100 miles
Total laps: ➡️
7,800 laps!!!!! 😮😮
Total tally marks: ➡️
100 tally marks, 1 tally mark for each mile
(100 miles)
Total distance on watch: ➡️
101 miles
(Same as before with the last two at home/backyard 100s, I had a lot of ways to make sure that this was error proof. HA!! I measured everything 7 different ways and had 8 ways to track my mileage!! I wanted several ways to measure the distance to make sure things were correct. This time I added even more tracking. Ha! I even had my computer syncing to my watch and tracking mileage this time!!! Yes, your computer can track your mileage. I also turned on the Samsung Health app and tracked my mileage and steps there. Plus, I used Harry's old step counting watch/pedometer. His old pedometer is simple too, push the green button to turn on the screen. It automatically tracks your steps too. Ha! With all very small laps, I wanted to be sure! 100 miles tracked with lap counting, tallies, pedometer, etc... 101 miles tracked on my watch-- I think the extra mile came from walking in and out of the kitchen, bathroom, dining room, upstairs, family room, bedroom, staircase, outside to let my dog out, etc. None of that was factored into the laps/lap counting, so it is extra mileage. It adds up. I do know the watch was accurate though.)
I will say this again... I have learned that it is extremely exhausting to keep track of all your loops!!! WOW. Your mind must be paying attention at all times because you must be counting and thinking. It keeps you awake though. Ha! 1am is a challenge for me, but I did sleep this time. I needed some sleep!
What I used to track mileage: ⬇️
Lap counting by both Harry and I, tally marks by both Harry and I, my watch, my computer, Samsung Health App, and Harry's pedometer. 8 different ways!
Nutrition ⬇️⬇️
I drank water, Gatorade, coffee, juice, Coke, and Diet Coke. I ate pop tarts, granola bars, fruit snacks, toast with sunflower seed butter, chips, blueberries, cheese, crackers, chocolate chip cookies, chicken/rice soup, beans, tacos, bananas, candy, Plexus protein powder shakes, Tailwind protein powder shakes, yogurt.
We ordered a pizza Friday night for a celebration too. I love eating pizza after a race!!
The Good Parts ⬇️⬇️
It was so much fun hanging out with Scott and Harry while I ran. (Yes, it is possible to have fun while running. I just love it.) Harry played tons of math games with me, played songs on the piano, and also did his school work. He wrote a research paper about Guinea Pigs too. AWESOME. Scott made tacos for dinner. It was delicious. Thank you, Scott Northway. Best aid station ever! 😉😉 Although, I did have a cranky moment before dinner and complained briefly about counting laps. Ha!!
All of these pandemic running challenges have been great math lessons for Harry too. He's learning multiplication, division, measurement, etc. It's been fun doing these creative math lessons with him. He's learning so much!
I got a new watch too and started it at exactly 7pm when I started. (Yes, I was that precise since it was a virtual race.) LOVE IT. While playing around with my watch during my laps at night, I discovered it has a flashlight. SO COOL. The flashlight is pretty bright too. So, during (official/normal) 100 mile races out on the trails, I will have an extra flashlight.
Finally... This is my third 100 mile run at home since the pandemic too. Three 100 mile runs in only four weeks. Insane!!! I'm taking a week off now, so I figured I would do something epic for the third 100 mile run.
Third 100 mile run during the pandemic = THREE awards!! Harry designed a medal AND a belt buckle!!!! So awesome and so talented!! THANK YOU, Kim Levinsky! I will also get a belt buckle with this virtual race. So, 1 medal, 2 belt buckles!!! Yeah!!!
Here's my three awards for my third quarantine/at home/backyard 100 below. I decided my third 100 during the pandemic needed three awards. HA HA ⬇️⬇️
Here's the three quarantine/at home/backyard 100 mile runs that I completed: ⬇️
April 1-2-- Backyard 100 mile run
April 9-10-- Harry's Lightning Race 100 miles
April 22-24-- Aravaipa Strong Virtual Race 100 mile
Check out the Squatch Shop on Etsy. Kim makes amazing awards.
Also, THANK YOU to the Hungerford marathon race directors for all the love and support in my running journey. I really appreciate it, and it means a lot to me.
More good news on TV recently! ⬇️⬇️
I am extremely proud that my Staircase Everest story was shared on TV with Fox17 news. SO PROUD. I am so proud of Harry too. He's such an amazing kid. I love to show people that they can do anything, and I was so happy to share this with the world. I was so happy to share good news again. I truly believe in other people that they can do anything. You CAN accomplish anything!!!! I love that Fox17 news has been following my running challenges too. The news reporters at Fox17 have enjoyed sharing my positive things/good news on TV.
(I recently climbed the entire height of Mt. Everest on my staircase. 29,029 feet. 2,420 flights of stairs.)
This was the second time we were on TV too. Fox17 news shared my first backyard 100 mile story on TV. Harry and I had an interview with one of the news reporters too. It was awesome! I AM SO PROUD. I love to share good news!
The funny parts ⬇️⬇️
Things got weird around mile 96. Harry and I played Twister while I walked laps. It was hilarious. My legs were not bending. I laid down instead. Harry won. Ha ha. 😂😂
Aravaipa Strong Virtual Race Awards! ⬇️
I won Most Creative Indoor Race!!! 🤩🤩🤩
EEEEK!!! I can't believe it!!!! I hung out with the famous Jamil Coury and several awesome runners for the Aravaipa Strong Virtual Race Awards Show!!! We hung out on Zoom, talked about the virtual race, and talked about the awards. All the runners who were invited to the award show got awards. I won Most Creative Indoor Race!!! Yeah!!! I got a super cool award in the mail! (See the award below.) I got to share my wild and crazy indoor 100 mile run story live on YouTube!! OMG!!! SO COOL!! I am beyond proud. Hard work and effort pays off. I was honored to be recognized for my creativity and hard work. I love to be creative. You can accomplish anything. 🙂
(For those that are not in the ultra running world, Jamil Coury is a well-known, famous ultra marathon runner and a race director. He's attempted the famous Barkley Marathons too!! I also got to chat with another well-known ultra runner who has completed 200 mile races! I feel so honored that I got to chat with them. I seriously still can't believe I hung out with Jamil Coury on Zoom though. OMG!!! Wow!!! SO COOL!!! That was so much fun.. They were very proud of me. I am beyond proud. I feel slightly famous now. 🤩🤩)
I won Most Creative Indoor Race!!! 🤩🤩🤩
EEEEK!!! I can't believe it!!!! I hung out with the famous Jamil Coury and several awesome runners for the Aravaipa Strong Virtual Race Awards Show!!! We hung out on Zoom, talked about the virtual race, and talked about the awards. All the runners who were invited to the award show got awards. I won Most Creative Indoor Race!!! Yeah!!! I got a super cool award in the mail! (See the award below.) I got to share my wild and crazy indoor 100 mile run story live on YouTube!! OMG!!! SO COOL!! I am beyond proud. Hard work and effort pays off. I was honored to be recognized for my creativity and hard work. I love to be creative. You can accomplish anything. 🙂
(For those that are not in the ultra running world, Jamil Coury is a well-known, famous ultra marathon runner and a race director. He's attempted the famous Barkley Marathons too!! I also got to chat with another well-known ultra runner who has completed 200 mile races! I feel so honored that I got to chat with them. I seriously still can't believe I hung out with Jamil Coury on Zoom though. OMG!!! Wow!!! SO COOL!!! That was so much fun.. They were very proud of me. I am beyond proud. I feel slightly famous now. 🤩🤩)
❤❤❤
The Hard Parts ⬇️⬇️
My feet tend to be the worst during 100 milers. Obviously they get the most sore. So, this time I ran in socks or bare feet in my house. I've done similar things at races too.. At Mo Bell 100 and Dream Chaser 100, I wore sandals for 30-60 miles or something along those line. I can't remember the exact mileage, it's in a Facebook album. It works. Sometimes you just have to do strange things. 🤷♀️🤷♀️ My feet were definitely very sore this time though!!!
Why virtual races? ⬇️⬇️
So, why did I do this virtual race?! Well, I signed up for a few virtual races. Good causes. The local virtual Corona Run 5k helps the local race directors and Kid Food Basket program here. (It helps kids living in poverty.) The Aravaipa Strong virtual race helps the race directors, and 10% of the registration goes towards Covid-19 Solidarity Response Fund. Plus, Jamil Coury is awesome!!! If you get a chance, you should run with him and Jubliee. I ran/hung out with them at the Steep Camp race in Colorado in 2018. I plan to do one more virtual race in May to help the Running Fit race company. It's the Head Goat 50k in May. I want to do what I can to help races, race directors, race companies, etc... This is a very challenging time for them too.
Stressful times and situations: ⬇️⬇️
How do I deal with stress?! I stay busy. I stay active. I run, A LOT. Really, I do. I hang out with my family. I do what I can to take my mind off things. I eat pizza. Ha! Everyone deals with stress differently, and that's okay. This is a stressful situation for everyone, and I don't deal with abrupt change that well. Then again, no one really does... Everyone's lives drastically changed in March, and it's just different. I'm navigating my new normal and settling into a routine/groove. We are enjoying the time together too.
I finally have time to achieve some personal running goals that I have been wanting to do, so I am doing that. I have the extra time, so why put off my goals?! YOUR GOALS ARE POSSIBLE. I feel very thankful that I do have this extra time to achieve my personal running goals. I am thankful for the extra time with my family too. I am proud of my goals and accomplishments. I don't claim to be awesome, but I am proud of myself. I don't look for applause, I do this for me. I've come a long way. (You should have seen me 10 years ago, 15 years ago. I was lost.) In fact, you SHOULD be proud of yourself and proud of every step you take!!!! You ARE good enough.
(I would NEVER take anyone's accomplishments away from them. I would never discredit anyone's accomplishments. I'm cheering for you all. I do weird and unique running challenges for me. I like to spread joy to others too. I like to make people smile. But seriously, I believe in you all. I believe you can achieve anything.)
Just because someone has accomplished something different than you doesn't mean that they are wrong. Just because someone has different goals than you doesn't mean that they are wrong. Just because someone has a different opinion of the pandemic than you doesn't mean that they are wrong. Just because someone has different political views than you doesn't mean they are wrong. Just because someone is different than you doesn't mean they are wrong. Just because someone runs different distances than you doesn't mean that they are wrong. Everyone has different accomplishments and goals, and that is just fine. Just because someone ran an unofficial race, does NOT, I repeat DOES NOT mean that they are lying!!!! Unofficial races are OKAY too!!!! There's nothing wrong with it. What you do is okay. You are awesome. Seek to understand, instead of bullying!!!!! STOP BULLYING someone because they are different than you. Be the best version of YOU. BE YOU. Do what works for YOU!!! Your accomplishments and goals are for YOU.
Root for each other. Cheer for each other. Empower each other. Seek to understand. BE KIND.
So, on social media, I'm only going to post the things we do, my runs, fun stuff, the positive, kindness, etc... I won't post the doom and gloom articles. I can be very hard on myself too.
I've dealt with enough negativity during this pandemic, and it has been really hard at times. Some stuff really hurt me. I will never understand why people bully other people. (I have a sensitive soul. I don't like being bullied. I don't like being treated badly, especially when I have been nothing but nice to someone.) Seriously, BE KIND. Please, before you go pick on someone or bully someone, think again. I don't care who the person is either. Think again before you pick on someone or bully someone. Choose kindness instead. Bullying is NEVER acceptable. BE KIND.
My cousin said it perfectly too!! ❤❤
Why did I do this 100 mile run again?? ⬇️⬇️
Well, same reasons as the last two backyard 100 milers, and my son challenged me to it... Also, it was a virtual race. Simple. Here they are again. ⬇️
1. I did it to take my mind off things. Ha! Seriously though, it was a great mental break. For two days again, I forgot about what was going in the world, and I truly enjoyed the moments running 100 miles and hanging out with my family. I ran carefree and happy. I was less stressed and less anxious. It was wonderful. It was a great break. I did hit some low points though.
(I HIGHLY recommend you doing something to save your sanity. You deserve a mental break whether it's running, watching TV, sleeping more, coloring, etc. Do something that makes you happy. Take a mental break.)
YOU CAN DO ANYTHING, remember this. Throwing it out there.... I also ran my first marathon in October 2015 after years of struggle and doubt. You CAN do it. My total marathons and ultras completed since I started running marathons in October 2015: 135! Yeah!!
Total 100 mile runs since I started 100 milers in November 2017: 15!
(Some are unofficial, but that's okay. I count the total for ME, no one else, not Marathon Maniacs. ME. MY TOTAL. My accomplishment are personal and for me. However, I do know my official total too.)
Pandemic Running Challenges:
(Started March 15th)
Week #1-- 5 marathons
Week #2-- 7 marathons in 7 days
Week #3-- 100 mile run in the backyard/house
Week #4-- 100 mile run in the backyard/house
Week #5-- Staircase Everest and 50 mile run
Week #6-- 100 mile run inside the house
Week #7-- Covid-19, 19 mile run!
2. I did it to show others that they CAN do anything. You can get creative with your goals and still achieve your goals, even during a pandemic. You can still live your life to the fullest during a pandemic. You might need to get a little creative, but you CAN live life and enjoy it. It might be a little different than expected for a while though.
YOU CAN DO ANYTHING. ❤
3. I did it to hopefully inspire others to dream bigger and achieve their goals. It IS possible. Pandemic or not, you can do anything. Race or no race, you CAN run. Running is not cancelled. You can do anything. I am cheering for you all!!
4. I did it because I was inspired by another ultra runner who did a similar thing again. This ultra runner ran his sixth indoor 100 miler!!!! Congrats again, Michael Ortiz!!!! 🙂
5. This pandemic situation has been very stressful, for everyone, now matter who you are.. I did it to take my mind off things.
Also, MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS!!!!
6. I did it to show others that it is okay. It is okay to not be okay right now. It is okay to feel off. It is okay to be okay. However you feel is normal. Running an ultra marathon is funny like that because even in your weakest moments, you are strong. Even in the darkness, there is light. Remember this. Keep moving forward.
7. AND... Just because your races are cancelled doesn't mean you can't run. You can still run. You can go out and achieve your goals. You CAN do anything. I believe in you!! You CAN run without a race. Motivate yourself in different ways. Again, I believe in you.
Just because we have a "stay at home" order doesn't mean you can't do things. (Obviously don't go visit family/friends or gather in large groups.) Take two things that bother you most about the situation and figure out what to do. Find a solution.There are a lot of solutions! For me, I'm using three things: running, traveling, and school. Since all of my races were cancelled thru the end of May, I'm going to run my own marathons and ultra marathons. I can still run. Running is NOT cancelled!!!! You can run a marathon or ultra without a race. You don't need a race to tell you to run. YOU CAN DO IT. So, I WILL run. Since we aren't traveling for races, we are exploring trails within walking/running distance from our house and driving to some trails nearby. IT IS ALLOWED. We can walk/run to plenty of beautiful trails nearby, and it's great. I found three new favorite trails and parks: Stations of the Cross, Planet Walk, and Crahen Valley Park. We are spending a lot of time together as a family too. Since school has been closed, I'm homeschooling Harry now and getting creative with activities. We made bouncy balls and a volcano! I homeschooled him for 3.5 years before he started preschool, and I created two blogs/websites about it. (I was a stay at home mom and nanny for 3.5 years.) We continued activities together until he completed kindergarten. We stopped doing these activities when we moved to Grand Rapids last June 2019. So... It's nice to do this again. I missed doing this kind of stuff with Harry. Here we go!
My old blogs/websites when Harry was 1-3 years old, toddler and preschool lessons:
www.stephabethanie.blogspot.com
www.harryandthepurplecrayon.blogspot.com
But why unofficial events?? ⬇️
Because I LOVE to run them and I can. I LOVE to creative my own adventures. I LOVE adventures!!! It shouldn't matter. 🤷♀️ I run EXACTLY what I say I run. If you know me and you are a friend, you know I run unofficial marathons and ultras all the time. If you have run with me at races, you know I am a runner. If you know me, you know I'm creative and unique. I'm always training for the next 100 mile run, so unofficial marathons and ultras fit perfectly with my training schedule. (Before the pandemic, I was running about up to six 100 mile runs per year. So i was constantly training for 100s.) I really enjoy unofficial marathons and ultras too. For real.
ALSO... Throwing this information out there again because it made me mad that someone started a rumor about me: I did an unofficial 100 mile race at a race back in January too. I got permission from the race director to do it. I signed up for a random distance and went on to run an unofficial 100 mile race afterwards, because there wasn't an official 100 mile race there. No official 100 mile race meant no official race result. I understood that and did it anyways. I got permission from the race director, so I did it. It was my own adventure and an unofficial race. I really wanted to run 100 miles. I was practicing for a big PR in the future. I got permission to do the unofficial 100 mile race. Yes, I got permission and can verify I did it.
(YES, I have proof and can verify I ran this unofficial 100 mile race. YES, I have at least 8 witnesses who can verify this information too. Yes, at least 8 witnesses!!! YES, the race director gave me permission to do it. YES, I RAN AN UNOFFICIAL 100 MILE RACE IN JANUARY. I HAVE A LOT OF PROOF AND EVIDENCE THAT I DID IT. I have witnesses ready to defend me if needed. I never meant to cause a problem with a few runners, and quite frankly I'm not sure why they care about what I do.. I didn't do it to take away their accomplishments. I did for me. ME. MY GOAL. All I did was run an unofficial 100 mile race. I am extremely sorry. I did NOT mean to cause drama. I hate drama. Just ask me about it, before spreading another rumor about me. Ask me before you bully me. Better yet, ask my witnesses. They can provide proof too. You can ask them. I am very sad that the rumor even happened. It should not matter what another runner is doing!!!!!! NOTHING wrong with an unofficial race!!!!!! I did for me. My accomplishment was for me, and I shared my joy about it on social media. I did nothing wrong. It was just an unofficial race. 🤷♀️🤷♀️ Well, I guess I should have clarified that I was going to run an unofficial race with these runners/bullies, but I didn't realize I needed their permission in January. Oh, wait. I don't need their permission!!!! I don't need their approval!!!! I am a grown woman, and I am allowed to run. I am 33 years old. I am too old for this drama. I don't need their approval or permission. I got the race director's permission to do an unofficial race, so I did. That's all I needed. Listen, if you want to run an unofficial marathon or ultra, YOU CAN. You don't need someone's approval. If someone doesn't approve of your running, you don't need them in your life. End of story. Bullying someone because they are different than you [or even the same as you] is NOT acceptable.)
The unofficial 100 mile race was great. Unofficial races are good practice too. I did nothing wrong. I used the unofficial 100 mile race in January as practice to get faster. It worked. I was practicing to try and get a huge PR at the Pistol 100 in March, but it got cancelled due to the pandemic. (I'm still practicing to run a very fast 100 miler someday.)
Also, throwing this out there again because it made me mad that someone started a rumor about me. I have NEVER cheated at a race. NEVER CHEATED!!!!!! There is NO evidence of this because it has NEVER HAPPENED. I am NOT a liar. If you know me, you know that I would NEVER cheat... Even if you didn't know me well, you know that I would NEVER cheat. I am honest. Have a conversation with me, I'm an honest person.
(The runners who started a rumor about me are similar to me. I run longer distances though. However, they, too, have run unofficial marathons and ultras. I think it's great that they do. I think it's terrible that they started a rumor about me, when I am similar to them.)
I AM A GOOD PERSON.
I WORK EXTREMELY HARD FOR MY GOALS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS.
Then again, I do not need to defend myself to bullies. I know who I am.. I know I am a good person. I know what I did. I did not do anything wrong. My friends know me. My family knows me. My supporters know me. It is the bullies' loss, not mine.
ALSO... I love running unofficial marathons and ultra marathons. I have anxiety at times though, and I get nervous about running around other people sometimes. Running unofficial marathons and ultras help me deal with that. I like running solo too. I like running alone a lot. I also use my unofficial marathons and ultras as a way to get faster and a way to help with anxiety. I also just LOVE to run. I LOVE RUNNING. There is NOTHING wrong with loving to run. This is who I am. This is what I do. (I am trying to become a faster runner, like back in my high school days. Ok, maybe not sub-6 minute mile fast, but faster. HA HA. I do eventually want to run a very fast 100. These unofficial marathons and ultras are good practice.) See, I was bullied relentlessly about my feet when I was younger because they stick out, so sometimes I get anxious around other runners. I don't want runners pointing out my feet. My feet seriously look very strange when I run. I look like a duck, not exaggerating. It is funny, but I can't help it. (Yes, I have tried exercises to correct it. However, I can't change the way my feet stick out. I was literally born this way. My feet are crooked, because once again I was born this way. My feet had to be taped together as a baby because they were so crooked, but it did not fix the problem. I learned how to walk and run, and I am so thankful to have the opportunity to continue to do so.. If you notice my feet, just carry on, I am fine. My feet are fine. ha ha.😜)
There are tons of other runners who run unofficial marathons and ultras! They also like to run them. Nothing wrong with that! Unofficial marathons and ultras do NOT discredit anyone's accomplishments at all!!!!!
********************************
Lastly.... DO NOT be a bully... Bullies never win.
BULLYING IS WRONG.
The ugliness: ⬇️⬇️
People are going to assume things about you.
People will judge you and criticize you.
People will put you down.
People have assumed things about me that are not true.
People have criticized me.
People have said means things about me.
People have judged me..
People have started rumors about me.
People have publicly shamed me.
People don't understand me and assume things that aren't true.
People have made up lies about me.
⬆️⬆️Think again before you act this way. Think again. This is not okay. BE KIND. ⬆️⬆️
This has upset me in the past and present... Yes, it has hurt me in the past and present. This has happened in school, teaching jobs and running.
I recently dealt a rumor/bullying about running.. It upset me. I was called names. I was accused of something I never did. Then again, these people DO NOT know me. They started a rumor about me, but they don't know me. They did not try to understand or ask me.. They do not know me. They have not seen the "behind the scenes" of my running. They have not seen my hard work and effort. They have not seen the 5 years it took to get me here. 5 years of training to do this crazy high mileage. They were not there for the 8-9 months when I trained for my first marathon after almost a decade of not running. They do not know me. They have not seen my struggles. They have not seen my anxiety. I work EXTREMELY HARD for EVERYTHING. I find JOY in running. I love what I do. Again, they DO NOT know me.
(By the way, the runners who started a rumor about me, also do similar things. They are similar to me, but I run longer distances. They also run unofficial marathons and ultras on their own, like me though. It is great. They can do it, but I apparently can't do it. They shamed me for it. NOT OKAY. It is not okay to bully someone.)
I am been a victim of bullying in the past and present. I recently dealt with a bullying situation, on top of everything else going on during this pandemic. Absolutely sickening. BULLYING IS NEVER OKAY.
As a victim of bullying in the past AND present, I will say this too... YOU CANNOT TEAR ME DOWN. I will keep moving forward and rise above. You CANNOT break me. I am strong. I CAN and WILL succeed. ❤
I WILL KEEP ON RUNNING. I WILL NOT STOP RUNNING. YOU CAN'T BREAK ME!!!!!!!
Rise above: ⬇️⬇️
**Bottom Line**
Remember this-- Don't let people tear you down!!!!!! Those rumors, bad opinions, the bullying, the mocking are NOT facts. Nobody is perfect. Everyone makes mistakes, and that's okay. Build people up instead of tearing them down. Cheer for each other. Stop criticizing someone just because they are different than you. Don't be a bully. Be who you are. BE YOU... You are unique and special in your own way. You are amazing.
BE YOURSELF in a world of doubters AND haters. Tons of people will take issue with you being yourself. Tons of people will try and hurt you due to jealousy. But NEVER change who you are. ❤
Know this:
YOU CAN.
YOU WILL.
You are strong enough.
You are good enough.
You are special.
Do not give up.
❤❤
In case you forgot too:
YOU MATTER...
YOU ARE LOVED.
YOU ARE IMPORTANT.
YOU ARE GOING TO BE OKAY.
The bullies, the doubters, and the haters ARE WRONG about you. YOU ARE AMAZING.
A thing or two about me: ⬇️⬇️
I am strong, kind, unique, creative, compassionate, smart, courageous. I stand out. I think outside the box. I do not give up. I am a fighter.
I AM A GOOD PERSON.
Here's what I have learned too. ⬇️⬇️
TRY TO REMEMBER THIS... STOP caring about what other people are or aren't doing. BE KIND. You have no control over what other people do. BE KIND. Don't start a rumor. BE KIND. Please talk to the person before starting a rumor. Seek to understand. You have no idea what someone else is going through, so just be kind. Focus on being the best version of YOU. BE YOU. I've said this before, but I will say it again. Think again before you bully someone, mock someone, or start a rumor. Please just be kind. Bullying is never okay.
If you feel it is okay to bully me, please just unfriend me on Facebook. This is NOT acceptable.
ALSO... Do your best.. Try not to focus on the negativity. Don't think about the negative opinion, the rumor, the mean comments, someone making fun of you, etc... Don't worry about what people think of you. Those bad opinions are NOT facts, those bad opinions are NOT true.. Continue to be yourself, don't worry about it. Yeah, it can hurt, but YOU are still awesome. BE YOU. BE YOURSELF.
The ones that like you and support you will be there-- they know who you are, they will cheer for you, they know you are awesome, they know the bad opinions are not true, and they are by your side. You are loved. Let your uniqueness and awesomeness always show and inspire others. You are good enough. ❤
And, remember... BE KIND. CHOOSE KINDNESS. Don't be a bully.
AGAIN!!!! BE KIND. SERIOUSLY, BE KIND. Stop bullying other people. Stop mocking and poking fun at other people. Just BE KIND. ❤❤
The Serenity Prayer:
God, grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change,
the courage to change the things I can,
and the wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time,
enjoying one moment at a time;
accepting hardship as a pathway to peace;
taking, as Jesus did,
this sinful world as it is,
not as I would have it;
trusting that You will make all things right
if I surrender to Your will;
so that I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with You forever in the next.
Amen.
Lastly... BE KIND. JUST BE KIND. Think before you speak!! Also, if you really have a problem with something you think another runner or person did, kindly address the situation in private! Ask the person. Don't assume anything, until you ask. Don't start a rumor. Don't accuse someone of anything, until you ask. I am sure that runner or person can explain too. Publicly shaming someone when you don't even know the other side of the story is just wrong. Making assumptions without knowing what happened is wrong. Making assumptions without truly knowing a person is wrong. Accusing someone of something when you don't know what happened is wrong. Making up lies about a person is wrong. Spreading rumors about a person is wrong. Judging someone without knowing what happened is wrong. Ask the person... Name calling is wrong. Mocking someone is wrong. Bullying someone is wrong. Poking fun at someone is wrong. That shows what kind of person you are, not them... Anyways, BE KIND!!!!!!! Be nice. Be respectful. End of story.
Also... Try to remember this. YOU ARE AMAZING... Don't focus on the one negative thing that a person said... Focus on all the positive things instead. There are lots of people cheering for you. There are lots of people who think you are awesome because it's true.. You are amazing. You are awesome. You are good enough. Bullies never win. ❤
If you want to post/publish your running data, that is great. If you don't want to post/publish your running data, that's fine too. If you don't want others to know your running location, that's fine. It doesn't matter. If you wear a watch, that's great. If you don't wear a watch, that's fine too. You are still a runner without a watch. You don't need to prove yourself. If you like to keep track of your mile times/pace, that's awesome. If you don't like to keep track, that's fine too.
It doesn't matter. You are still a runner!!!!
If you want to run a training/unofficial marathon or ultra marathon, that's awesome. If you want to run unofficial 100 mile runs, that's fantastic. More power to you! You can run unofficial marathons and ultras!! If you don't want to do that, that's fine too. It doesn't matter. If you only want to run official marathons, that's great. If you want to run both official and training/unofficial marathons, that's great too. If you only want to run official races, that is fine too. If you like long distances, that is awesome. If you only want to run short distances, that is great. If you win a race, you are amazing. If you get a course record, you are amazing. If you come in last place at a race, you are still amazing. If you get a PR, that is awesome. If you like running on trails, awesome. If you like running on roads, awesome. If you like the treadmill, awesome. If you like to run in circles/loops, awesome... If you are a fast runner, you are amazing. If you like to run slowly, you are still amazing. If you like to walk, you are amazing. It doesn't matter. You are a runner regardless of what you do and how you do it. That is what makes this sport so special and unique. That is what makes runners so special too. Be your own unique, awesome runner. I think every runner is amazing! True story, I do. I love to encourage all runners and cheer them on... I love to see all runners succeed and achieve goals. It brings me joy. Also, you don't need to prove yourself to anyone at all. If someone thinks you do, you don't need them. YOU ARE AWESOME. YOU ARE GOOD ENOUGH. Do NOT forget this.
YOU ARE GOOD ENOUGH!!!!!!!!!!!
OH... And did I mention, BE KIND?! BE KIND.
BE KIND!!!!!!!! STOP BULLYING!!!!!!!
