Today I share the ultra adventures of two amazing ladies Sarah Hodder and Katie Nolan Thompson who make our local running community what it is today….one of the coolest places to discover your inner beast and not get hurt in the process 🙂 Just this year they co-directed an amazing intro to ultra, the Miners Lady 8 hour where runners could do as many 6 mile loops as they choose in this time period at the scenic For Love of Children Outdoor Adventure Center. The race is on for July 2019 too!
Sarah Hodder is the defending champion of the Ultra Beast Series and is in the running to defend the crown. On October 5-6 she took 3 hrs off her Grindstone 100 time and finished in 29 hours leaving many men in the dust on this crazy adventure with 23,000 feet of elevation gain and loss in the rugged mountains of Virginia. When she is not out running the trails Sarah makes our local running retail Two Rivers Treads operate smoothly and assists other citizens to find their inner beast, whether that is a trail run , a first 5k, or rediscovering walking for fitness.
Katie Nolan Thompson has been my co-Director of Freedoms Run , the Harpers Ferry Half Marathon , and our amazingly fun summer your run camps Camp River Runners for the last four years. Her skill and leadership with these events and camps is beyond priceless. This summer she make her mark on the Ultra scene winning the prestigious Highlands Sky 40 Miler. One week after exhausting herself directing a large race she took on the 3 day West Virginia Mountain Runners Trilogy Series. A 3 day mountain adventure with a 50k, a 50 miler, and a final day half marathon sprint. All in the rugged mountains of central West Virginia. Katie finished this 3 day event with a smile finishing 3rd female.
Here are a few tips from these Ultra Queens who are living proof that you can set goals and do some super human things in the middle of a busy life. Most important these ladies give more than they receive from the running community. I think this is their superpower.
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Sarah’s tips in her own words:
Words on race (super cheesy, but this race really taught me a lot): I’ve never been so happy with a race finish before! This was the first race that I went into without really having any nerves. I was actually just excited to do it – and I think that really paid off with a 3 hour PR. I think mentality going into a race is huge. I’ve always learned a ton about myself during 100 milers. Mostly about how incredible humans are in general, but also how we’re capable of so much more than we realize.
Mostly what I learned from this race in particular is that through the darkness, there’s always light. I think that’s applicable in 100 milers as well as in life. They say if you want to experience life in a day, run 100 miles, and I think that’s absolutely true. In that time, you’ll experience lows like you’ve never known.
Sometimes, you’ll reach really dark places and question why you ever sought this out to begin with. Somehow, though, you’re able to dig really deep within yourself and come out on the other side. It might just be putting one foot in front of the other, but eventually that turns into a trot, which turns into a run. But that’s why I love this sport of ultra-running, because it tests the human will. If you feel like you’ve reached the bottom, you know that there’s a light and a way out and I love that that’s a lesson I’m able to learn in a sport that I love, but that can carry over into all aspects of my life.
Shoes/Gear: I ran the first half of the race in my Inov-8 Trail Talon 235s. They’re my all time favorite shoe….ever! Then in the second half, my feet were pretty beat up from all of the long, rocky descents so I changed into my Altra Superiors to get some extra cushion. I wore my Nathan VaporHowe vest and wore Altra Running shorts and tank tops! (It was soooo hot and humid. Didn’t think I’d be wearing a tank top through the night of a race in October!!) Oh, and socks were the XOskin toe socks for the first half which were AWESOME – super breathable and light. Then put on some Swiftwick Pursuits which are a tad thicker for when my feet started to take a beating.
Fuel: I have recently been looooving the Spring Energy gels. I took one of those every 45 minutes for the first half or so. I like that they’re made with whole foods and the consistency isn’t like that of a gel. Then in the second half, anything goes — I was eating grilled cheese and potatoes at the aid stations. Then, at mile 95, my favorite treat is an egg and cheese burrito. For electrolytes I used the UCAN Hydrate and SaltStick tabs throughout the race.
Support: Well, our community in general is a huge support. We’re super lucky to live in a place where everyone is super encouraging and helpful to everyone, no matter their crazy goals. And having Dr. Mark around to share wisdom, but also encouragement is so huge. During the race (and every race!!) my boyfriend Ryan Kidwiler was my trusty crew who helped me mentally, physically and emotionally. He helped me to get in, get fed, get changed and back out on my feet. He’s amazing and so supportive. I’m so lucky to have someone who is an ultra-runner and who understands me in my lowest places as well as my highest. He also paced me for 20 or so miles which is always special. I had another pacer this time too, Crys Achuo, who was AMAZING. She is an incredible runner and she kept my spirits high, kept me running when I wanted to walk, and helped the time fly by. And my coach, David! He believes in me and encourages me no matter what and knowing he’s in my corner is a huge mental boost.
Next goal: My next goal is Mountain Masocist in 2.5 weeks. Then Hellgate 100k. If I get through those, I thiiiiiink I should be the first female to finish the Beast Series two years in a row. (Don’t mark my word on that though!) Other than that, my goal is to keep running healthy and strong and to find joy and love in the sport. I never want to burn out of the sport so it’s important to me to always find joy in whatever my goals may be, that’s most important.
Katie’s race day tips:
Lessons learned: I didn’t really know what to expect with this race. The longest distance I had ever run was 40 miles, so I was not only adding 10 miles to that distance, but also incorporating 2 other races back to back. Every race is different and I always learn something new about myself, often finding inner strength that I didn’t realize I had. And as cliché as it may sound, you truly can do whatever you set your mind to. If you had told me I’d be running this race 5 years ago, I’d have laughed in your face, but here we are. I love exploring my physical boundaries and challenging my perceived limits. Everyone is capable of amazing things, and I’m excited to continue pushing that envelope to see what I’m made of!
Shoes: Inov8 Trail Talons for the 50K and 50 miler and Altra Superior 3.5 for the half marathon
Gear: Nathan vest, Injinji socks, ON Running Jacket, old worn out New Balance Running Tights and Freedom’s Run long sleeve, and calf sleeves
Fueling: I really tried to stay on top of my fueling. Having to go three days with relatively strenuous races, I couldn’t end a race feeling depleted. I had to actually feel good after each race, so I could still compete the next day. While running, I would carry Spring and Huma gels to eat every hour as well as salt tabs intermittently. At the aid stations I mostly just ate boiled potatoes and salt with an occasional quesadilla. I also drank UCAN Hydrate and water. I used VESPA also every couple hours for the longer stages.
Support: My husband, Corey, is always there for me at all my races. And am so incredibly grateful for that, especially, since he isn’t a runner himself, it’s a particularly boring day, or in this case days, for him sitting around waiting for me. I’m also incredibly grateful for Sarah Hodder and Ryan Kidwiler for driving over 6 hours to see me for a cumulative amount of maybe 30 minutes. I’m only at the aid station for a few minutes max, and saw them at 2 aid stations on Saturday, and then at the finish. Whether they know it or not, it was truly one of the most touching moments of my life that they came all that way for me!
Next Goal: My next race is JFK50, but my goal is to just have fun and run with my sister. In March, I have a 50 miler in Monument Valley, and I have some pretty lofty goals set for that race, but that is to be continued (I don’t want to jinx myself)
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