Typically, I don’t post a lot about my clients because most of the work that I do is confidential, since mental health is usually involved. I did get permission from Myah to share some things about her journey, which has been an inspiring one.
It is always great to hear what others have to say about their first 100 miler experience. Below, is one of Myah’s post-race reflections. Maybe you have had a similar experience? Check it out…
“Running 100 miles is a STUPID long way to go. But every step was worth it if you were surrounded with the Pit Crew I was.
I don’t think I have fully comprehended the magnitude of this weekend yet. But what I do know is that a group of people [crew and pacers] have stood behind me, guided me, sent me their wisdom, love, and time.
They spent an entire sleepless weekend, taking care of me, cleaning me up, fixing my feet, force feeding me, kicking me in the ass, and believed in me. Sometimes more than I did myself. I couldn’t have done this without a single one of them. Crewing, pacing, supporting.
The love that I received, the trenches they helped dig me out of. My appreciation and love has no words. I thank God for the people He has blessed me with along this journey.” – Myah (2 days after the race)
Race stories
It was a pleasure to crew and pace Myah on her 5th loop, out of 8.
I have some grand memories from this.
We had fun pretending to be David Goggins and stealing souls. This game led to us passing at least 20 other runners. “Nom, nom, nom” *in a demonic voice.*
I’ll take a second and share a fun story about Myah hallucinating while crossing this creek with me at night. It was hilarious, I may carry this memory with me for a very, very long time.
As we were crossing by the light of headlamps, Myah stops in the middle where the water was shin deep, and excitedly exclaimed that there was a large salamander in the water. She peered down right in front of her shoes.
I stopped to check it out. It was definitely a black leaf.
Just as I was informing her that it was a leaf, she cut me off and even more excited exclaimed that it was a snake because it’s tail was so long! I wasn’t going to win. She saw a salamander-snake in the water.
Onward we went!
I believe that for a first 100 mile race, things went smoothly. The weather was manageable. It wasn’t too hot or cold. A few thunderstorms blew through, causing runners to struggle with the mud. We were prepared with micro spikes.
There was a tornado watch during the final 3-5 hours of her race. I watched the weather and updated her crew and pacer, who was Dan, at the time. We didn’t tell her about the potential tornado, but she knew that something was up.
Myah said that the trees were swaying, she heard Dan communicating with me over the phone about the situation, and we pushed her through the final aid station as quickly as possible.
Myah’s spirits were fairly high, even during the ugliest and most challenging parts of the race.
A little bit on how we prepared
In sessions, we worked hard on mentally preparing for something that she had no idea what to expect, until she was going through it on race day.
We discussed several topics, like self-care, rest, appropriate training, gear, anxiety, “whys”, “what ifs”, mental toughness, race strategy, pre and post-race details, crew and pacer strategies, and I answered any questions that she had.
She completed a Pre-Race Questionnaire, which I have all of my ultrarunners fill out, and we reviewed it.
Myah worked hard preparing for this race. I’m thrilled that she got it done and got to have that special experience of running a 100 miler with people she loves supporting her along the way.
Post-race, she filled out a Post-Race Questionnaire, so we did talk about what went well and areas that can be changed for the next event. She does have a lineup of races already in place.
If you are looking to dip your toes in ultrarunning or are looking to up your game, but would like some help, reach out to me through the contact form on my website.
You may also get a hold of me on social media.
Let me know if you have any questions.
Happy running!
“I truly couldn’t do it without you and the people I have to support me. You guys [run club] helped me along this journey with all the do’s and don’ts and let me learn from your mistakes and of course my own.
Running 100 miles is so much more then the miles, as Dan [mutual friend] would say, and he’s right!
I was blessed to have Shannon as my mental advisor for the past year as she has helped me makes leaps in bounds in what I thought is possible.
Your mental tips on what helps get you out of your spiral, how to keep yourself feeling as good as possible, taking souls while pacing. I’m grateful to have you in my corner as a coach and friend. I couldn’t have done it without you. – Myah
When Myah ran her first ultra
Run a 50 Miler for Your First Ultramarathon!
More Rabid Raccoon 100 pictures
Ultrarunner, are you looking for some support when it comes to your racing?
I work with ultrarunners all over the United States who want to dial in their race mentality, mental strategies, and overall improve their mental wellness.
– My coaching services are fully on the mental side (I am a National Certified Counselor and Licensed Professional Counselor in PA, coaching is a non-clinical service).
HERE’S SOME OF WHAT WE CAN DO:
- Improve day-to-day mental wellbeing.
- Build better habits.
- Incorporate mindfulness
- Learn emotion regulation strategies for stressful situations.
- Set challenging, yet attainable goals.
- Discuss motivation
- Address body image thoughts or concerns.
- If you feel concerned that you have an eating disorders, let’s discuss it, so you can find help. I am informed on eating disorders. I cannot treat ED via coaching.
- Talk about you! Who are you, besides a runner? – parent, sibling, entrepreneur, community member… What else do you do, and how does it impact training for races or vice versa?
- Coping with injury and setbacks.
- Managing disappointments, like “Did Not Start” and “Did Not Finish”.
- Self-beliefs
- Juggling priorities and time management.
- Are you actively trying to find a mental health professional? I can assist!
- Are you searching for a running coach? I can provide pointers on how to go about finding someone who’s a good fit and what questions to ask the coach when interviewing them for fit.
- Mental strategies and mindset for racing.
- Positive affirmations or swearing during races? Both?!
- Training and race day visualization.
- General training and racing concerns and race day worries.
- Happiness. What is it? How to get more of it.
- What might you do if you encounter a problem during a race.
- Building trust with yourself.
- Improving self-care, self-esteem, and self-compassion.
- Knowing when to push yourself and when to be kinder to yourself.
- Why’s and meaning behind what you do. Passion. Using that as support and drive.
- The unique situations and challenges that women face in sport. Being a parent, pregnancy, miscarriage, dealing with periods during races…
- On top of talking, I do provide resources and homework.
BOOM. There’s a lot that we can achieve together.
“If you want to go fast, go alone, if you want to go far, go together.” African Proverb
Contact me if you have any questions or would like to schedule.
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Phoenix Trail Fest 50k (Lake Lurleen State Park) Race Day Visualization
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Take care,
Shannon