Getting Back on Your Feet with 18 Miles to Go

Karen, 6 years – Camino Nuevo High School #2

Running an 18 miler at Hansen Dam is one of the most challenging races anyone can run. There are many obstacles which you have to face while running the course. First, you have to mentally prepare yourself that there will be many times in which you will want to die, but you have to keep going. Secondly, expect that throughout the course it might be really hot, windy, or cold. Lastly, you have to face the reality that at any point throughout the course there is a 50% chance of falling onto the concrete.

Honestly, those are the list of things that have popped up into my head as I began each practice and each race at Hansen Dam. Out of the five years that I have participated in SRLA, I only ran the 18 Miler twice. The other three races, I twisted my ankle, and couldn't run and finish the race.

Although I have always felt beaten down for not completing the Hansen Dam course, I always felt inclined to go back again each year and face that route. Everyone has that one obstacle they would one day want to face, and for me, it's this course.

Many of my teammates have suggested me to not run this race in the future, but I plan to run this specific 18 Miler again. If there is one thing that SRLA and this course has taught me, it is that you can't give up on the first, second, third, fourth, or millionth time you fall down. You’ve got to set aside your ego, recover from your injury, and get back up on your feet. I learned that as a runner and as a human being, you’ve got to be physically prepared and most importantly, mentally prepared. If you know and believe that you can do it, you will be able to complete anything you set your mind to doing: NOTHING is impossible. You’ve just got to believe that anything can happen.

I am blessed to have been given the opportunity to be able to train and run a few 18 milers at Hansen Dam. This race made me a stronger runner and human being.

I know and I am positive that one day I will complete the 18 Miler at Hansen Dam and many more. 

#willalwaysloveHansenDam :)