11 yrs ago (2015) Rob & I came to Nicaragua to run a race called Fuego Y Agua. I chose the longest race of 100k & Rob ran the 10k. Not knowing how difficult the terrain was, I overestimated my abilities & ended up not finishing. I have had many DNF in my 18 years of running; this one ate at me.

Finally, after 11 years I was able to return to Ometepe for a do-over. We don’t always get a do-over in life, so it is not to be taken for granted.

I have grown as a person & a runner over the last 11 yrs. I have realized that accomplishment, challenge & emotion are not distance dependent. In turn, I chose to run a very strong and solid 28k on this difficult course rather than simply finish the longer distance while wishing I was dead for a greater portion of the race.

The course, which begins with 7 miles on the road & beach, switches drastically as you make your way to the top of volcano Maderas on single track trail which is termed the “Jungle Gym” in some areas. The trail, which is muddy and slippery, oftentimes requires ropes, roots, trees, & whatever else you can grab hold of to get yourself up the steep and sketchy climbs which feature 6000 ft of elevation gain. Having upper body strength is helpful & the time on the volcano is relentless. Mile 10-11 took me 55 min to complete.

Getting to the top was so incredible; however, coming down was also sketchy as miles 12, 13 & the better part of 14 were just as challenging as going up; you had to slide down on your butt or just roll the dice as you slid over the rocks and roots.

I ran a solid race & did not fail my do-over. I used all my skills & strengths, while being aware of my weaknesses for the duration of the race. I finished in 5:32 as 4th place female of 28 and 19 place overall of 94.

While many use age as a limitation or excuse, I see it as an incredible tool to be used towards mastery. One can master something only when they understand themselves, this allows them to interact with the activity or challenge in the most effective manner possible. It takes a lifetime of experience, honesty, and self-awareness, to truly know oneself & achieve true mastery.

After arriving at the finish, I took a dip right there in Lake Nicaragua with all the other finishers; what a grand way to end the run. Lastly, after walking the 3/4 mile down the beach to my hotel, I stopped at the restaurant to order myself a hot coffee for delivery to my cabin. There is nothing better than a coffee after a run, most like a cold beer or some shit, but because I am an ex-soak I’ll opt for caffeine; a life without coffee is a life unlived and I consider coffee to be the the 6TH food group, but do not think the food group is caffeine, is not caffeine, it is specifically coffee. There are people that don’t drink coffee…..I don’t know about them, seems like they might be in the uncanny valley category if you ask me; I know that no one asked but I don’t give a fuck,; I will talk to myself till I die. I sat on the patio with my caffeine and my thoughts. There is nothing better than post-race bliss combined with coffee.

The best is yet to come.
GOONIES NEVER SAY DIE.