Guess who’s back? (back again… Nessa’s back… tell a friend! lol)
I am back at the blog!! It’s been over a year and a half (oof!)
Boy I sometimes miss the simpler days of Covid when I had so much more time to write. Or rather, I was easily able to make so much more time to write. But “life be life-ing” over here, as they say 🙂 Between work and going back to the office, kids events/appointments/sports, running, the dogs, trying to have a date night sometimes, becoming a coach (which needs its own post soon!), there’s always lots going on!
Anyways, regardless of the very long time I’ve been away–I am back! With a race report (and I do hope to retroactively post my NYC race report someday too, that’s a great story) I enjoy going back and reading these later, and hope I can provide some enjoyment or value to you too.
Race: The very competitive and challenging (and runNerdy!) Ultimate Runner in Winston-Salem, NC. This was my 4th time (previously ran in 2015, 2016, and 2019). I meant to come back to this race multiple times over the last 7 years, and even signed up for it in 2024, but had injuries or niggles (2020, 2024), other goals, namely hiking (2021, 2022) and 4th of July races (2023), and a very messed up gut and other illnesses (2025). So it was a LONG time coming, but so glad I’m back! I told my coach, Jess, in our pre-race call that I was just so happy and thankful to be arriving on the Ultimate Runner start line healthy and ready to compete!
Goal: I had some loose goals in my head—under my seed time of 6:57 for the mile, under 1:20 for the 400, under 3:10 for the 800, sub-15 seconds for the 100, and just hang on for the 5K (maybe 25ish minutes)? I didn’t think I could run any PR’s here, but thought I may come close to a few of my best times (spoiler—I did!) This would be my first Ultimate Runner as a masters (over-40) runner, so just wanted to do my best, compete well, and not get injured. Mission accomplished!
Gear: I wore my Under Armour sports bra with Pace of Me tank on top, Senita black shorts, Feetures socks, Under Armour Velociti Elite 2 carbon shoes for the mile, 400, 800; Puma spikes for the 100, and adidas SL training shoes for the 5K. I also borrowed Staci’s Goodrs (she was very kind to allow me) after mine got soaked and I had nothing dry to wipe them with. For the 5K, I also had my airPods and Nathan handheld with 14 oz Nuun electrolytes. I also brought lots of extras like bug spray (much needed in NC in June!), sunscreen, extra fuel, extra water, extra socks, salt tabs, massage stick, etc. I ended up using nearly everything!
Gut: I’ve had a string of good weeks (months, even, thanks to The Feed formulas, daily glutamine, and a daily apple), but of course this past week things went awry, and I don’t know why (blaming the Chinese buffet last weekend). I tried to be extra careful but still had a few smaller issues on race day–thankfully nothing that held me back. I had a normal breakfast that day (eggs + toast + jam for extra carbs), then yogurt with granola, honey, and some blueberries for lunch, with graham crackers on the side. I had 2 rice krispy treats (my usual pre-race snack) around 3, then half of a SiS gel about 30 minutes prior to the start.
Weather: mid-80’s, and rained during heat 2, with thunder and lightning, which caused a 30-ish minute delay. The rain cooled it off a bit, and it was mostly cloudy after the storm, so a better weather day than expected. I just really didn’t want sunny and 90+ temps.
Pre-Race: I arrived by 3:30 (check-in closes at 4), chilled in my car a bit after picking up my bib, and tried to finish “Theo of Golden”–excellent book, but I had a few pages left and sadly had to put it down so I could go run! I didn’t claim a spot early, but brought a chair, umbrella, bag of stuff, and cooler with all my drinks. I settled in under “my” tree–what I consider my spot there at the track.
My classmate from West Point, AW, had seen my name on the heat sheet and reached out earlier that day–her hubby DJ was in my heat (small world!) So I found him and introduced myself, and we ran a lap together. The race celebrated its 40th anniversary with a memorial lap, so we chatted and enjoyed the camaraderie of the event. I can’t adequately describe it, but the Twin City Track Club has done an amazing job hosting this race (and other races) and keeping it going. One of the original founders of the race, Sandy Weatherhold, has participated in and/or hosted this race as the race director for FORTY years–seriously impressive. And if you watch the video I linked, you’ll see local amazing runner Molly Nunn present him with a gift and describe this running community as a family, and it really did feel that way. So many people supporting everyone running… it just has such a special vibe. That’s gotta be what keeps people coming back for more, because it’s one challenging event (made up of 5 events)!
After a national anthem (where per usual I cried a bit), I warmed up some more, before the downpour began. I happened to be in the bathroom when it started, so at least I had cover. Unfortunately, all my stuff got absolutely soaked! My friend Staci came to watch and cheer me on, and she let me borrow her Goodrs since mine were covered in water and I had nothing to wipe them with that wasn’t also rain-soaked.
I was in heat 6 of 8, due to my seed time of 6:57 (I learned my lesson in 2019, where I submitted a lofty goal time, got put in heat 5, and ended up last in my heat.) Lowered expectations = happier with results!
Race report by event (taken from my after-race write-up to Coach Jess! with a few details added)
Mile–Did a good job warming up (despite rain delay) but went out way too fast. My goal per lap was 1:45ish, and pretty sure lap 1 was 1:30–way off. Settled in, and was able to kick the last lap! 6:47.7 (68th place of 108, and beat my seed time by 10 seconds). Was really happy about this and felt strong! Those track sessions definitely helped me feel more confident. I also did a good job of staying at 90-95% effort so that I’d save some for the other events. Ultimate Runner is super tricky because you have to be strategic for each event, keeping the overall score in mind as well (it’s scored by event, and you receive points for your place, so 1st place gets 1 point, 2nd place 2 points, etc. It’s like cross country–the lowest score wins).
400m–Did my best to stay at 90-95% effort. Got boxed in so maybe could have been a few seconds faster. Staci yelling “Pass the guy in pink!” or something like that, kinda funny. Overall felt good about this one. 1:18.41, 70th. Ended up being my lowest score of the 5 events.
800m–I dreaded this one, but then decided to flip that around. I told Staci beforehand “I’m embracing the 800 today!” I ended up with the best starting position (lane 1) and was leading for most of lap 1, without meaning too. One of the guys passed me–all good with me–and I slowed a bit on lap 2, but felt so strong and really proud of the 3:05.36 I ran (was thinking I could do 3:10 on a good day, so I smashed that!). 2nd fastest 800 ever in my life, I think, and the beautiful thing is I know I could have run faster but was still trying to do 90-95% effort. 62nd place. Next time maybe that elusive sub-3 min?
100m–My event from high school! Did a great job warming up, but had the worst lane in terms of the track–huge chunks of the track surface were missing from lane 5. All good though–I did my 3 point start, came in second in my heat, and ran my fastest time in 7 years!! Felt really strong, and definitely want to get back to sprinting more. 48th place and 6th fastest woman! 15.19 seconds. Almost got the master’s record! Need to work on my sprinting a bit more for next year.
5K–very tired legs but energy level was decent. Brought my Airpods and handheld and thankful for both. Tried to stay with some women who were running strong, but I faded a bit in mile 2. Enjoyed the lady cheering by Brunson Elementary (“Go #71! I’m 71 years old!!” and I was breathing so hard, I just smiled at her). That last 600m on the track was tough, but Staci cheered me on, and AW’s son gave me a high-5. AW said “home stretch!” with 300m to go and I just felt exhausted–but happy. David Daggett (local attorney and race announcer) yelled my name at the finish line–so glorious. I did it, at age 41! 26:20, 64th place.
I received my shirt and sticker immediately after the race–grateful for that, as in years past we had to wait until the post-race party, and then it was announced one by one.
Results: Overall 62 out of 108 (beat my seeding by 9 places).
3 of 5 age group (missed 2nd by 1 point… ahhh)
13th of 31 women.
Recommend: I’m going to quote myself from my 2019 post: Yes—this one is a lot of fun, yet pretty serious too. The swag is kinda meh (just a T-shirt and a sticker, unless you win an age group or overall award, then it’s a mug), but the real excitement is the atmosphere. Running with young and old, men and women… it’s pretty special. I doubt many other events like this one exist, so I’m thankful to have taken part for a third (fourth) time. The post-race beers and pizza are great too! Though I didn’t partake in the beers since I needed to drive home.
Staci joined me for the post-race party at Joymongers, though we didn’t stay super long–I was exhausted and wanted to stretch and shower. I am so grateful to her for being such an awesome coach and cheerleader for me that evening! She even helped me get my shoes on/off when I had to switch from shoes to spikes for the 100, then back to shoes. Blessed to have an amazing friend, and thankful once again to the TCTC that hosted Keira D’Amato in February 2024, because that’s where we met Staci!
After our pizza dinner, we said our good-byes, and I had one of those feelings, while walking back to my car, where I felt like I’m exactly where I’m meant to be. I felt so happy (that runner’s high is real) and proud of myself–I realized, once again, that I am capable of more than I previously thought. I am grateful to this event for bringing that feeling out, so thankful for my coach for believing in me and training me to the point where I’m at, and appreciate my family so much for cheering me on and loving me no matter what happens. Legs were sore–heck, my whole body felt sore–but my heart was so, so full.
Results on Strava and RunSignUp
Up next? Freedom Fourth 5K in Greensboro (and it’s gonna be a hot one!)
If you made it this far–thank you!! Let me know if you’ve ever ran Ultimate Runner, or if you’d like to try it, in the comments.
Vanessa at her best – running and writing.
The detail makes us readers feel as if we were running these races our very selves.
You ought to get compensated for your endorsements!!
Thank goodness for the day/event your path crossed with Staci’s. Great support and photos. This write up ranks amongst your best. I sense your rejuvenated commitment to this crazy event. And in the dead of summer. You are simply amazingky committed, talented and destined. Proud to call you my friend!!!!