30 Comments
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Gary Spangler's avatar

Flesh becomes machine

Left foot right foot on and on

Where’s the finish line

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Julie B. Hughes's avatar

Love this Gary! Thank you so much for the great haiku and for reading along. Hope to see you soon to write if you're free.

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Linda McLachlan's avatar

Oh no Julie! I burst into tears with the gold medal. You are my gold medal friend. So proud of you. Wow, that sounds scary. It's a cliffhanger all the way through! You have crafted this so well xoxo

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Julie B. Hughes's avatar

Hi Linda! I can't believe I got a gold medal! The 100-number game worked. Thank you so much. I had no idea how emotional I would get once that medal hung around my neck. I wonder if that contributed to the response I was having. It was scary. I was grateful for the medal staff...they were awesome!

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Rebecca Holden's avatar

Oh no! Julie, I'm on the edge of my seat! But before I head off to your NEXT post (I'm reading this long after you'd posted it, so I know there'll be an update to read right now) I really have to thank you from the bottom of my heart for these words:

"....don’t freak out. My nervous system is just looking out for me.... this is just how my body is letting me know."

I've been fighting fatigue the last few months, and I've been doing great with telling myself 'it's okay, you're okay, it's just messages from your brain to your body' - and I am heartened, encouraged and very reassured by how you've expressed what you were telling your own body about how it was feeling after the race. THANK YOU. 😘

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Julie B. Hughes's avatar

Hi Rebecca, I'm so happy to know this has been helpful to you as you navigate what your body is telling you. I hope you have a little more energy today but if not keep taking good care of yourself...you know what is best for your body. Thinking of you. xxx

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Mary B's avatar

I know that feeling . . . .

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Julie B. Hughes's avatar

Thank you Mary B…I’m not alone.

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Vineet Mani's avatar

Bravehearts like you express that they are okay even if they are stuck in a state of turbulence. 50.2 miles is no joke and has some tiny hiccups before getting fully restored and rejuvenated. Super proud of you, Julie. God bless you!

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Julie B. Hughes's avatar

Thank you so much, Vineet! I truly appreciate your message and reading along. It's been a humbling experience and many lessons learned. I'm grateful. God bless you!

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Vineet Mani's avatar

When you achieve something after tireless efforts, your heart gets filled with a sense of pride coupled with humility. I enjoy reading you, each time and every time. 😊😊

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Julie B. Hughes's avatar

Thank you Vineet, this is beautiful and well said.

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Vineet Mani's avatar

Pleasure as ever, Julie.

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Claudette Henson's avatar

Golly Day, you had to stop THERE???

It's a very good thing that I know you got through it!

<Whew>

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Julie B. Hughes's avatar

HA! Hang in there Claudette...I'll be in your inbox tomorrow. WOOHOO!!

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Clark Rose's avatar

One never really knows

The impact of an ultra

Can't wait for the end‼️👣‼️

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Julie B. Hughes's avatar

Isn't that the truth? I had no idea. LOL! Anything can happen and luckily I'm here to write about it and ready for another 50 miles. :)

Thanks Clark for reading along and I hope you and Sharon are well.

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Clark Rose's avatar

👏👣👏

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Clark Rose's avatar

Yes, we know you, thank G-d are AOK. But you sure know how to leave us dangling...

Where/when is the next 50 miler???

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Julie B. Hughes's avatar

Yes, hang on tight! :)

Ithaca NY. :) May 31. This one will be hard...10,000 ft. elevation gain but the most beautiful course and close to home.

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KWE Publishing's avatar

Wowzers! That's terrifying.

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Julie B. Hughes's avatar

It was definitely nothing I anticipated or planned for! A bit scary but so grateful for the amazing medical staff. Their care and conversation turned it around. Thanks for reading. :)

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Renate Jacobsohn's avatar

yes. thank you.

Do you received a gold medal?. Oh , dear that is incredible.

Congratulations to such an achievement. I know a little bit what it means. I have to follow that story. Lots of love

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Julie B. Hughes's avatar

Thank you so much, Renate! The top 100 female finishers receive a gold medal. It was pretty cool. Great to see you today! Have a wonderful night.

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Ruth Stroud's avatar

Wow, what a cliffhanger! At least we know you were okay—or don’t we? Can’t wait to find out!

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Julie B. Hughes's avatar

Thank you so much Ruth for being here...yes come back Thursday I hope to finish it up. :) I learned many lessons after this one.

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Kym Dakin's avatar

OMG Julie! Yikes! Please finish the story!

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Julie B. Hughes's avatar

Hi Kym! Thank you so much for reading along. I do hope to finish the story on Thursday. I had way more to tell than I anticipated. :)

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KAREN V. BLOOM's avatar

Omg Julie! Had no idea of the aftermath! Can’t wait to hear the finish!

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Julie B. Hughes's avatar

HA! Yay, I didn't want to worry you.

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