Redemption on the Trails: Conquering Mammoth Trailfest 50k

Gysel Parajon(MM8995, DA3751, HF18751) – Last year I attempted the Mammoth Trailfest 50k and did not finish. I made it through the first 2/3 of the course and missed the cutoff at the summit by a half hour. This year it sold out before I could register but as fate would have it my number was picked off the waitlist, only a few weeks ago! And thank goodness I have been training consistently! I just cranked it up by climbing some of the gnarliest uphill trails around Lake Tahoe. And it all paid off! Redemption is mine!!!
I returned this year making it my goal to finish it!! Despite dealing with some awful menstrual cramps as it was my heaviest period day, which also causes me digestive distress, I met every cutoff with a buffer! This included the arduous climb up Dragon’s Back where my race ended last year!! It was such an emotional experience that I cried once I reached the aid station. One of the volunteers gave me a bear hug and took care of me. She took the photo with the blueberry pancakes in my mouth while I held up a beer.
The last 1/3 of the race was new to me and I thought it was going to be all downhill, but no, no, that turned out to be wishful thinking. If the first 2/3 hadn’t already kicked my ass the last 1/3 really did me in with some cruel climbs. It was during this section that my shoe selection for the day also did me in. I’ll call it death by chafing, wherein my right shoe dug into the right side of my ankle and caused me to trot/limp to the finish. But, I MADE IT!!! I’M SO HAPPY!!!
And I thought, especially towards the end that I wouldn’t want to return again but now that I have rested a little I feel like I can better my time… 😁🫠
Thank you to the RD @timtollefson, all the volunteers, my fellow runners who did an amazing job out there, my beautiful son, my friends for being so supportive, especially @dirtandtears for all the great messages, and my partner @latomas for not only the messages but for helping make this day possible. ❤️