When I signed up for the Arches Ultra in Moab, UT, the plan was bold and thrilling—a 50-mile race that would test my endurance, grit, and training. It was more than just a race; it was a challenge I had set for myself as a postpartum athlete, a new mom, and someone rediscovering boundaries and abilities. I envisioned crossing the finish line, fatigued but victorious, with the immense satisfaction of knowing I had done something truly hard. What I did get out of the race were many lessons in perspective.
Life Had Other Plans
Three weeks before race day, a persistent ache in my Achilles grew louder and more insistent. It wasn’t something I could ignore, no matter how much my heart wanted to push through. I found myself at a crossroads: risk further injury and push forward with the 50-miler, or scale back, listen to my body, and shift to the half marathon distance.
The decision wasn’t easy, but it was necessary. Ultimately, I chose the latter. I grieved the vision of completing my first ultramarathon – the fullness that crossing the finish line would provide me. But, I knew I loved daily movement more than a singular victorious moment. I knew rehabbing my achilles would reap larger benefits than the high from a 50-miler.
While making this decision, I thought back to a blog I’d written months earlier – “opportunity for growth in unmet goals.” I took the words I had written and tried to gain perspective on the lessons I would learn when reality didn’t align with the plans I’ve meticulously crafted. That post became a touchstone for me as I worked through the disappointment. Yes, I’d hoped to accomplish something grand, but what I needed—what my body needed—was different.
Race Day: Rediscovering Joy in the Journey
Arriving at the course on race day, my heart felt heavy. The half marathon course was a departure from the epic 50 miles I’d envisioned, but it was still a stunning challenge. The landscape welcomed me with its dramatic red rocks, winding trails, and the vast, open sky. As I stood at the starting line, I felt a deep gratitude that surpassed my earlier disappointment: gratitude for a body that could run, a body that had carried and nourished my child, a body that deserved care as much as it deserved challenge.
The course itself was breathtaking. The trails wound through sandstone formations that seemed to glow in the morning light. Each turn revealed a new vista, each mile an invitation to be fully present. I ran with a sense of freedom and awareness that I hadn’t felt in a long time. My injured Achilles held up, a quiet reminder of why I’d scaled back but also a source of strength—it was healing and new goals were on the horizon.
Risk and Reward
As runners, we’re often drawn to the big goals, the monumental distances that push us to our limits. It’s easy to equate success with suffering, to believe that the harder the challenge, the greater the reward. But this race reminded me that there’s another side to the coin: the risk of pushing too far.
There’s an art to knowing when to pull back, when to recalibrate. For me, the reward of showing up and running a half marathon—even when I’d initially planned for more—was undeniable. I gained experience on the trails, felt the camaraderie of fellow runners, and celebrated a body that continues to adapt and grow stronger. I even met some trail friends and reconnected with a fellow Summit member that moved out west a couple years ago.
Postpartum Body
This race wasn’t about distance; it was about resilience. I ran for the pure joy of movement, for the gratitude of being healthy and present, for the knowledge that my body—my postpartum body—was capable of more than I often gave it credit for.
Crossing the finish line, I wasn’t thinking about the miles I didn’t run. I was thinking about the journey I’d taken to get here, the lessons I’d learned about listening to my body, and the deep gratitude I felt for the opportunity to run at all.
Lessons in Perspective: Looking Ahead
The Arches Ultra wasn’t the race I had originally signed up for, but it was the race I needed. It reminded me that unmet expectations aren’t failures—they’re opportunities to grow, adapt, and shift perspective. As Keith often says, Injury is an opportunity. There will be other races, other distances, and other chances to push my limits. Using these lessons in perspective will help me get to those other races.
For now, I look forward to the races ahead… I may even have my next Ultra picked out. Stay tuned and find your lessons in perspective.