I love long distance runners - there’s not one I’ve met that I haven’t enjoyed as a person. This story is bittersweet sans the bagel ha — but lovely. The flooding is so sad :( sending you hugs!
Oh man, you worded this so well. Still a feeling of unease creeps over me and the flight or fight mode is upon me - and we are part of the most amazing community ever - ULTRA Runners.
Ali, your story hooked me -- it's so well told, and you made me feel all your pre-race emotions. It's so disappointing when a natural disaster cancels a race, but you have the right attitude and perspective. It's only an ultra; you can run again elsewhere another day! My heart breaks for the catastrophic conditions and loss of lives and homes.
Thank you Sarah! And in fact this week I did my own adventure run dedicated to VA. I ran from sun up to sundown on local trails... and ended up with 51 miles... not bad! The devastation is unreal!
Wow. What is the likelihood? Maybe choose some ultras in drought areas ? 😀
We backpacked 50 miles from Damascus in June and that area is also closed and flooded. The Virginia creeper trail is on our rail trail ride list and clearly that won’t be soon.
Crazy you experienced this firsthand. It will be a long recovery for these beloved towns and the AT and all involved. I donated to world central kitchen and will keep donating to others as they will need donations ongoing not just immediate support (sort of how grieving families get inundated for the first month and then silence)
At least you got to celebrate what looks like some truly delicious carbs.
Thanks Paula for reading and sharing. It really is such a beautiful area. Yeah I'm thinking the same thing about drought areas!!! So glad to hear you are donating. Every day I hear a new story about the devastation. So sad. And yay for carbs!
That sucks for the race, but love your attitude towards it all. Life doesn't always goes as planned, and in the case (when it comes to races) Mother Nature always has the last say. All we can do is adjust our sails & help those we can along the way (in these situations). The Trail community is amazing in doing just that. Kudos for showing up!
I know what are the chances... it's like reverse lottery luck! And definitely can only control the controllables! The trail community is soooo special... I mean that IS where I met you ..... thank you for taking the time to read and comment!
"We get to run another day." I love that attitude and I'm glad you are safe!
Bagel porn. Love it! I'd love to come out to crew the race, sounds like a beautiful part of Virginia!
gotta love the bagel porn :) and yes... I'd love to have you crew me...
I love long distance runners - there’s not one I’ve met that I haven’t enjoyed as a person. This story is bittersweet sans the bagel ha — but lovely. The flooding is so sad :( sending you hugs!
thanks Lindsey! yes.... we a re special breed indeed! Glad you get that too :) And that bagel ... dang so good!
Glad y'all are safe!!💕
Oh man, you worded this so well. Still a feeling of unease creeps over me and the flight or fight mode is upon me - and we are part of the most amazing community ever - ULTRA Runners.
Thank you so much for your kind words! Yes we are!!!
Ali, your story hooked me -- it's so well told, and you made me feel all your pre-race emotions. It's so disappointing when a natural disaster cancels a race, but you have the right attitude and perspective. It's only an ultra; you can run again elsewhere another day! My heart breaks for the catastrophic conditions and loss of lives and homes.
Thank you Sarah! And in fact this week I did my own adventure run dedicated to VA. I ran from sun up to sundown on local trails... and ended up with 51 miles... not bad! The devastation is unreal!
Wow. What is the likelihood? Maybe choose some ultras in drought areas ? 😀
We backpacked 50 miles from Damascus in June and that area is also closed and flooded. The Virginia creeper trail is on our rail trail ride list and clearly that won’t be soon.
Crazy you experienced this firsthand. It will be a long recovery for these beloved towns and the AT and all involved. I donated to world central kitchen and will keep donating to others as they will need donations ongoing not just immediate support (sort of how grieving families get inundated for the first month and then silence)
At least you got to celebrate what looks like some truly delicious carbs.
Thanks Paula for reading and sharing. It really is such a beautiful area. Yeah I'm thinking the same thing about drought areas!!! So glad to hear you are donating. Every day I hear a new story about the devastation. So sad. And yay for carbs!
2 for 2... what are the chances!
That sucks for the race, but love your attitude towards it all. Life doesn't always goes as planned, and in the case (when it comes to races) Mother Nature always has the last say. All we can do is adjust our sails & help those we can along the way (in these situations). The Trail community is amazing in doing just that. Kudos for showing up!
I know what are the chances... it's like reverse lottery luck! And definitely can only control the controllables! The trail community is soooo special... I mean that IS where I met you ..... thank you for taking the time to read and comment!