Member Spotlight: Amy Willis

Uncategorized

Feb 17

Amy is a few weeks off of her 100 mile attempt. She spent many hours and miles preparing and continues to learn more about her training. We took a few minutes to chat with Amy about her training, Rocky Raccoon 100 mile race, and any tips she has for other trail runners attempting their first 100 mile finish! Also we want to thank Amy for all her help with Trail Roots. When she isn’t working her day job or running, she is also a tribe leader, and helps out with Trail Roots marketing and running gear!

Dream run?

I feel like I had my dream run at Orcas Island, but I'd also love to run the Grand Canyon

What’s your race ritual?

I don't think I have one, I just show up and hope I packed everything I need. My post race ritual is having a cold 8oz Coke in a glass bottle.

What inspired you to start running?

There's a lot of different chapters to my running journey, but I started getting into road running when I was trying to lose weight after college, I gained over 30 lbs and joined a local boot camp in my area. After I started dropping weight, I decided to do 3M and that was my first half marathon. I got into trail running because of a guy, but that's a long story. He's no longer around, but the trail running stuck!

Favorite post run snack?

By snack do you mean meals? After my precious Coke, I usually find something greasy and cheesy, like a cheeseburger or pizza. I'm still working on my post race nutrition.

Favorite trail to run with Trail Roots?

Slaughter Creek is my favorite local trail, but I also love running out at Steiner Ranch. There are far less people and it feels like we have the trail to ourselves.

What’s your race mantra?

Just Keep Moving or You Can Do This

When I'm in the doldrums I repeat, left foot, right foot or 1,2,1,2

What difficulty did you face while training?

I've gone my entire athletic life without having a sports injury and this year I started to have hip pain that stopped me in my tracks. I did PT, massage, body work, yoga, strength training, and nothing seemed to take the pain away. I finally decided that this is part of the process now (and getting older) and I tried to not focus on it when it came up. I went to see Mark Kendall one last time before Rocky, and whatever he did, I had no hip pain for 75 miles! It was unbelievable.

I also battled with self doubt and imposter syndrome while training. It was impossible to comprehend running 100 miles and my first attempt ended in a DNF, so I didn’t have much confidence. In the end, my mind got the best of me because I DNF'd again. I'm trying not to be too hard on myself, 100 miles is a long way to go and I'm still learning and growing as an ultra runner. It's all apart of the process and I love the training and discovering what my limits are.

Did your race live up to it? Why/why not?

It did not because I dropped, but the really cool thing I experienced was having a crew out there for me. They took time away from their lives and families to sit in the forest and wait for me to run for 21 hours. That's the most humbling feeling. It was really hard to drop with them there. I feel so supported by the Trail Roots crew, Erik and my family. I am also constantly astonished by what my body can do. I'm a slower pace, I will never win any races, but how many people have run 75 miles? I love my body and hope I can continue running for as long as possible.

What was your most favorite part of the Rocky Raccoon 100?

There were a few. I loved having friends around to share the experience with. I do most things alone, and I was prepared to do this race alone, but I was humbled to have support and people around who genuinely wanted to see me succeed. After 50 miles when I got back to my crew, Tehra sat down on the disgusting bathroom floor with me and wiped my equally disgusting feet. I remember thinking, what an amazing friend! Then I ran with Trieu through the cold, dark night for 8.5 hours and he told me stories. I am grateful to have these kinds of people in my life. There was also a split second when the sun rose and lit up the forest, that's always my favorite part of every ultra, the rest is pretty uneventful.

What was the most difficult portion? Tell us about what happened and how you think you can push through that next time around?

My breaking point for my last two 100 miler attempts is right around 70 miles. It's early morning, it's cold, and I would have been running for 60 miles. My mind starts to get dark and I really begin to quit mentally. This time I tried not to say it aloud, until I did, and then it was over. My legs were in unbearable pain and I was barely moving. My body could not stay warm and it broke me. The thought of taking 9.5 hours to finish 25 more miles was too much for me to comprehend and I had made up my mind. I really thought I was going to be able to pull it off this time, but that wasn't the case. I honestly don't know how I can push through, maybe it takes more experience or doing more training through the night. I don't think I have a strong enough "why". So when I decide to quit, it's pretty easy in the moment. I need to dig deeper and figure out why I want to complete this distance, or maybe I don't want it bad enough. I'm still living the question

What’s next?

Nothing! Right now I'm recovering and will get back to running for the enjoyment of it. Usually races choose me, so we'll see what this year brings.

What did you learn with your training?

To be patient and to do what coaches/PT/etc tell you. I disliked doing the PT and strength exercises and often skipped stretching and rolling, but now I see how important it is. I also learned that it's ok to take rest when I need it. I'm so determined to hit every training goal and get my mileage for the week, but I've learned to listen to my body and do what it needs.

You did a 50 mi last summer solo through Austin. What was that like?

It was actually in June, so it was long, hot and pretty challenging. I listened to an audiobook and music for some of it and the miles started to click away. Plus, having my house as a mock aid station worked out nicely as I could change and get food and water throughout the day. The afternoon got hot, but I am usually good at putting my head down and getting to work. It was a little sad at the end when I finished because I was alone and just walked to my car and drove home. That goal was more for me to prove to myself that I could run 50 miles, I was happy with it.

What tips would you give to a runner attempting their first 100 miler

1. Find a good crew. This was the most important thing for me on race day. They did everything for me, but run. I didn't have to think at all and it made transition times so much faster. They could anticipate what I needed when my mind was blank from exhaustion.

2. Put in the work during training, because the training is just as all consuming as the race. It takes up a lot of time, but if you don't have the mileage on your legs, they will most likely fail during the race. This includes strength, yoga, sports massage, recovery, nutrition, etc. It's so much more than just running.

3. Work on your mind. This is my biggest challenge. I try and meditate daily or while on my solo runs and I listen to inspiring content to see how other athletes achieve difficult goals. I also practice catching myself when I'm negative before it spirals. If you can stay positive, you're golden.

4. Join a running group! (shamless plug). This has also been huge for me. I've always run solo and since I've joined Trail Roots, running has gotten much more richer and rewarding. I love being able to run with different people and hear their stories. I run for all of them much more than I run for myself. I know people are watching me and I want them to see that you can accomplish anything you set your mind to.

5. Surround yourself with people who have done what you're trying to do. Let them lift you up and teach you what they've learned. Whenever I started to doubt myself, I would hear Jorge's voice in my head saying, "just have fun, you've got it!"

We're super proud of you for going after it and believe you will finish a 100 mile in the near future. What are you most proud of?

I'm proud of myself for seeing it through, even if it wasn't the ending to the story that I wanted. I visualized running through the finish line at noon, hobbling and crying into the arms of my crew, and posting a picture of my buckle, but that didn't happen, and that's ok. Failing is part of life, it's an opportunity to learn, and I don't let it get me down. It's the journey that it takes to get to the start line that has always intrigued me more. The routine of training for something that seems impossible is where I practice building the habits and skills that make me successful in all areas of life. It's the late nights getting every last mile in, the cold, rainy early mornings on the track, and the laughs on the trail on Saturday mornings, this is where the magic happens. Maybe one day I will have a buckle, but if not, I will find something else to go after, I've never been good at being idle.

erik stanley