Interview with Madelyn Blue 1) I have to ask you right out of the chute about Western States. Tell us about your experience and how it felt crossing the finish line. When I was training for Western States, which I began over nine months before the race, I had always envisioned what I would do at the moment I crossed the finish line. I had visions of overwhelming emotional experiences; hugging my amazing coach for his unwavering support, cheerleading, and tough love; embracing my family, friends, and crew. However, in reality and at that crucial, magical moment, I was frankly so physically, mentally, and spiritually exhausted that none of what I had predicted happened. The truth is: I sat down. I think we all think we know how that moment is going to play out, because we know its a moment of victory. Mine was a moment of quiet victory, taking that final breath, realizing that I just accomplished one of the most monumental goals in my entire life, and finally allowing my body to recognize it had given its all and had nothing left. Its amazing what your adrenaline can do. I was red-lining practically throughout the entire race, meaning that I was racing against the time cut-off. The stress of this creates a moment of choice: Either the human machine chooses to give up or dig deep, creating the perfect circumstances for ones fight or flight mechanism to occur. This was my experience. I remember vividly the adrenaline surging through my body, especially at mile 80, when my coach, Troy Shellhamer said to me: You are going to let 9 months of training completely go to waste, unless you FIND something deep inside you. This was after I told him I have nothing left. I am done. I felt a void within me, I felt I had given it all. I couldnt FATHOM another 20 miles. But his blunt, tough love was exactly what I needed to hear. The urgency in his voice sent an alarm through me. And, he was right. I did have it in me. His race report can be found here: troyshellhamer.blogspot/2014/07/western-states-100-pacing-report.html I pressed on. I was in the greatest amount of pain I had ever experienced. The pain was beyond physical, as I struggled with the emotional and psychological agony. Nonetheless, I found it, and literally did a negative split, up-hill, in blazing heat and full sun, and I successfully regained the time I needed to cross that finish line. Again, adrenaline is amazing, which leads me to believe with all my heart that every single person has what it takes to do something amazing. I dont care how impossible it may seem. We are designed for greatness. 2) How instrumental has your coach been in your ultra running development? He’s not too shabby of an ultra runner, either. Let me just say...without my coach, I would NOT be where I am now..... This only touches the surface of how instrumental Troy has been...Troy Shellhamer has literally taught me to calm down, to enjoy running, that its not a job, because at times the training becomes so intense that you forget that you are doing this for fun, for yourself. I strive to be more like him, to be better, to always know youre not at your full potential ever, you are always chasing that. I am so lucky to have a coach with such an amazing running resume. I look up to him and that gives me a sense of urgency in continuously working to be the best I can be. I would not have finished WSER without him. Although he would beg to differ, I know in my heart that those last 55 miles, when I started to doubt my potential, he made sure that I was given a big wake-up call and forced me to find the power, and he didnt care where it came from. So, I did. He has shown me that I am a strong runner and am capable of big things, and to stop doubting myself. 3) The Kentucky ultra trail running scene has exploded in popularity recently. How much growth have you witnessed in the Louisville area over the past five years? Yes, it certainly has! I think more and more people are realizing the beauty and serenity in trail running. I think Louisvillians are incorporating trail running into their workout schedules, if not completely turning trail running into their main focus. Many people that are/were training for Ironman competitions are now realizing the benefits of running on trails and how much easier on the body it is than just only road running.... I know for me, I did not like trail running the first couple of times I tried it. I went into it all the wrong ways.... I didnt wear proper shoes, it didnt help that I ran in cold and icy conditions and slipping, twisting and falling off the trails..... You have to give it a chance and go into it with an open mind... pretty much just like life, right? 4) What’s your weekly training routine consist of? Do you run with a group or prefer the solitude? My weekly training schedule varies depending on where in my racing schedule I am. Right now I am gearing up for Tunnel Hill 100 and Im coming off a few monstrous months of high running mileage. My coach believes in not running yourself ragged and properly allowing your body to recover from your tough high mileage during the week. I usually run 5-6 days a week, varying on distances of averaging between 50-70 mile weeks. There are three very important long runs that I really focus on and I do not run junk miles. If Im tired, I take off. I have learned when training especially for WSER, you must learn to trust and rely on yourself when running. When you run ultras, you only have yourself to rely on...Only YOU will get you to that finish line..... I used to be a very big believer in group running.... I now prefer to run solo, or only with a few select people. I also do strength training two times a week for an hour. Do you have a go-to spot to train? I believe you should be training similar to what your races will be like. But if you train on very tough conditions, no matter what the race is like, you will be prepared......I love Jefferson Memorial Forest for its tough, (some) technical and hilly conditions. During the week when work does not allow the driving distance, I will hit up Seneca/Cherokee Park and run those trails. If Im not on the trails, I am training on the road to work on speed and distance. 5) I believe you have a 100 miler coming up soon in Illinois. Tell us about that event and what goals you have in mind for that race. Im gearing up for the Tunnel Hill 100 miler. Im super excited to be running this race for the first time. It will be nothing like Western States as far as elevation, technicality and weather. My number one goal for any ultra is to always finish.... Running 100 miles no matter what is difficult within itself. 6) Is there anything that you believe you need to improve upon in order to take your ultra running to the next level? Yes, for sure. Im always self-improving. I believe ultra marathons are 80% mental, 20% physical. I tend to get in my head a lot. I need to work on my mental aspect during races and training in order to take my running to the next level. You have to be able to have the ability to shut off any negative thoughts during a race, and just MOVE....... You have to be able to recognize the lows are always followed with highs! 7) What’s your favorite time of year to run and why? I actually LOVE the heat..... My favorite time of the year to run is always during the summer. I love sweating and having the sun in your face knowing that you are working extra hard..... I did a lot of heat training this summer prepping for Western States and it was right up my alley. I do not like being cold, having to layer on clothing.... 8) Last April, you ran the 50 miler at the Indiana Trail 100 and next April, you’ll run the 100 miler. What did you learn in April that you can apply to next year? HAHAHAHAHA. I did learn that you need to pick up your feet extra high, even when you THINK you are picking up your feet... I took a real nasty fall, and pretty much Superman slid down one of the hills.... It was so fast and shocking, I had no idea what was happening until it happened. Again, I learned an important mental aspect, that no matter what, you must keep moving forward....and the low moments are ALWAYS followed up with high points. I also learned that you guys have one of the BEST races around in regards to your volunteers and race venue! Your race is probably one of the most organized around! 9) If I’m not mistaken, you’re competing in the 2015 Midwest Super Slam. What are your expectations and what do you want to learn about yourself? YES..... This is coming for somebody who said, I will NEVER EVER run another 100 miler again....!!! Hahahahahaha. How many of us have said this, right??!?!?! If I do not get into the lottery for WSER again next year, I will be competing in the Midwest Super Slam. My expectations for this.....very easy.... To finish each and every race with a smile on my face and injury free! You are always learning about yourself during these races. I can guarantee it will be a humbling experience...... 10) What advice do you have for someone dipping their toes in our 50 mile or 100 mile event for the first time? Get ready to have a GREAT TIME!!!!!! Seriously your race does not require any advice. You guys put on one of the BEST RACES AROUND. I am so pumped to be coming back for the 100 miler and I have told many people about your race!!!!!!!! If I MUST give one piece of advice it would be to NOT spend much time in each aid station.... That is a hard thing to do during your race because your volunteers are so nice at every aid station!
Posted on: Mon, 03 Nov 2014 00:40:13 +0000
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