Cappadocia Ultra Trail 119km

My big race in 2022 was the Cappadocia Ultra Trail 119km in Turkey. I had struggled with some major injuries over the past few years (sacral stress fracture, fibula fracture etc) and spent so much time on crutches. I wasn't able to run much let alone run ultra distances.

Comeback after comeback, I held onto the belief that I would get there. After a relatively short training build, I left for Turkey with the goal to finish, hopefully around 24 hours.

Two days before race day I became very ill. With severe flu-like symptoms, my coach and most of my family told me not to even start the race. But I just couldn't let go. I was an emotional wreck as I stepped up the start line, mask on, fully expecting my first DNF.

At first, I ran like a zombie. Not noticing much around me, just focused on one step at a time and trying to breathe without coughing. Somehow I made it to the first checkpoint, and then the next one and the next. Around 8 hours in, I realized I was still out there, moving and moving fairly well! I started chatting with other runners and cheering them on.

As day became night I had never felt so strong at this point in an ultra. It was truly a surreal experience.

I finished the race (about 75 miles) in 19 hrs and 20 min. It may not have been the glorious comeback and return to racing that I wanted, but I am so immensely grateful for the experience. Running despite self-doubt and illness gave me back confidence and trust in my body in a wholly unexpected way.

A few things I hope to take into my next ultra - 1. Focus on the present. Staying in the moment really took away any anxiety I had about what was coming up or what was going on around me. 2. Eat well. The one thing I could control was what I ate. I had something every 30 minutes which was more calories consumed in that time span than ever before! 3. Good gear matters. I have never loved a shoe as much as the Olympus 5. I had only worn it previously for 50 miles before the race and I had zero issues, never felt the need to change shoes or even socks!

I am not sure what my plans are for 2023, but I am excited to explore the possibilities!