It's been a while! (...I have been too busy running - who can relate?)

Life’s been a whirlwind lately—filled with coaching, running, and savoring every moment. Unfortunately, that also meant fewer blog posts from me. But what better way to dive back into writing than with a thrilling race recap!

In May 2022, I took on the challenge of Three Days at the Fair (3DATF) in Augusta, NJ, marking my second attempt at this event. The prior year, I'd reached 120 miles before an Achilles tendon issue forced me to halt. For 2022, my sole aim was simple: last the full 72 hours.

IPreparing for an endurance event like 3DATF raised many questions. Let me break down how I approached it, even if some specifics are a bit hazy now. So, when I say 2am, it could have also been 1am or 4am - who the heck knows :)

PART I: Adapting When Training Hits Roadblocks...

3DATF is a timed event on a 1 mile loop around the Sussex County Fairgrounds. You do as many loops as you can in 72 hours. The loop is flat, mostly paved, with no shade. The race involves continuous loops around a 1-mile track at the Sussex County Fairgrounds. My goals were layered: aim for 101 miles for the buckle, stretch for 150 miles, and dream big at 202 miles.

I worked with a coach who I trust leading up this race. We had a plan. I was ready to tackle it!

....and then I sprained my ankle in March right before a 20 mile and a 50k race... mentally, both races were key long runs for me for 3DATF, and now I couldn't run them. Needless to say, this hurt my training but more so my confidence.

Shortly after my ankle started feeling better, I developed hip issues (which turned out to be stress induced and not running induced). There were days I could barely walk. My training load needed to be reduced drastically, and I started to feel a severe lack confidence going into 3DATF.

So, I switched gears a bit. My coach adjusted my plan, threw in some very high mileage weeks followed by a very low mileage week for recovery (or vacation in Jamaica). My plan included a good amount of run/walk, which is an important part of a 3 day event. And we simply did the best we could to get me physically ready always keeping the line of communication open and adjusting when needed.

Outside of that training plan, I further focused on time on my feet. I invested in a standing desk. Stood part of my work days. I also added a wobble board into it for an added challenge and to work my ankle that was still recovering. I also work as a musician on the weekends, as some of you know. Whenever I had a gig, I would work it into my schedule and adjust my onstage energy level to benefit my training (don't tell the guys haha).

BUT, the biggest shift I made was in my mental approach. Mind over matter, I guess! Experience counts for a lot at these type of events. It's better to show up undertrained than overtrained and injured. I had done multiday events and 100 milers, my body had gone through it before, it would know what to do when the time came.

Every week, I spent time on mental training:

• I had done this race in 2021 and I knew what I wanted to do differently this year. I wrote it down and kept reminding myself of how I was going to approach this race strategically.

• I fed my inner running nerd a healthy dose of podcasts, books, articles, etc.

• I spent time mentally practicing what I would do if I ran into issues (blisters, mental low points, nutrition issues, etc.). If I practice what to do in my head, I can do it on race day.

• I got some playlists ready.

I believed that a good race was possible, despite my training not going as planned. All I needed to do is keep moving as much as a could during those 72 hours, and whatever happens happens.

PART II: The Race!

When I ran 3DATF last year, I had decided to stay on a sleep schedule which didn't work out as I'd hoped. I ended up laying awake in my car for hours, no sleep. This year, I had decided on a different approach: sleep only when my body asks for it, ideally in the afternoon heat. I also decided to take a break every 20 miles to just put my feet up and eat something more substantial.

I don't remember when I spoke to whom. But, throughout the race I had phone pacers lined up. I texted people throughout the entire weekend at check points that I had set pre-determined for myself. (Sorry for blowing up your phones haha) It gave my head something to focus on. Friends were ready to chat when I needed and had weird bio facts ready that still make me think! (Animals that poop in cubes?!)

Day 1:

• I snagged my usual spot, close enough to the bathrooms but on the quieter side. My car setup—got a platform in there, perfect for an air mattress to catch some Z's when I needed a break.

Day 2

The second day was pretty much a repeat of the first. I had my sights set on hitting 100 miles by 6 pm, but man, the heat got the better of me. Took some chill time in the scorching afternoon, did a lot of walking too. But once things cooled down, I was back in the game. My legs felt awesome, and so did I. Hung out with Mike and Bob, clocking lap after lap that afternoon and night.

Glancing at the leaderboard, I noticed I was climbing up the ranks. Tried not to obsess over it, you know? If the placement's meant to be, it'll happen. Hit the 100-mile mark around 8:30/9, a bit later than I wanted but earlier than last year. Planned to keep pushing through the night, but my body had different plans. Intense fatigue hit me like a ton of bricks, barely made it to the car and crashed hard.

Woke up around 2 am, sweating buckets in my car. Twisted around to grab my keys, cranked up the AC real quick to cool down. And here's the kicker—felt absolutely nothing. No soreness, no tightness, no muscle aches. Couldn't believe it, so I got up to test out the legs.

Day 3: It was crazy—I felt like I had brand-new legs! Well, maybe a bit tired, but nothing worse than a regular training week. My legs were rocking despite everything! Checked the leaderboard real quick and saw I had a shot at second place, as long as I kept up my pace and nothing went sideways.

Focused on keeping a decent 10-15 mile gap between me and the likely third-place runner, Cindy. We had this friendly competition going on, which kept us both on our toes.

And then, boom! Around 8 or 9 pm on the last day, the skies just opened up—it poured! Heavy rain non-stop, flooding the course and hardly anyone left out there. People either snoozing through the downpour or waiting for it to chill. Cindy and I ended up at the aid station around 11 pm, both drenched and freezing. We had a chat about where we were in the race, our goals, and I could tell she was hoping to catch up, though struggling a bit in that weather. Offered her a showdown if she wanted one, but I was set to endure this endless rain all night. My mind and legs were in the game—I wasn't about to let her nab me. So, instead of battling it out all night, we decided to stick together to lock in her third place... and then dry off and grab a nap, haha! Finally hit the sack around 3 am. From there, just hung out, ate, chatted, keeping a good 10-mile lead on Cindy (you know, just in case). Snuck in some extra miles before the race wrapped up, hitting a total of 170 miles.

Final Count: So, wrapped up with 170 miles and snagged second place among the ladies.

Gotta say, thinking a 1-mile loop would be a snooze? Not at all! It's like a bond builder among all us runners. The support and volunteers? Absolutely amazing! Already penciling it in for next year—I'm coming back for sure.