The inspiring Sarah Stanley – more than 68 tweets and 100 miles run (in one day)

 

~Melanie

I first met sweet and sassy ultra-athlete Sarah Stanley a couple of months ago in California (photo on the left, Sarah on the right) and she told me she was training to run a 100 mile race.

Yes, 100 miles.

At one time.

So what’s it like to run that far? Besides crazy?  (But trust me, she doesn’t seem the least bit crazy…)

If you read her blog, Sarah Stanley Inspired, you’ll realize that she is all about Sarah Stanley The Inspiration.  That’s right; she’s not doing it for money. Or for athletic prowess. Or even on a wild bet. No, Sarah’s running to inspire others.

So read on in Sarah’s own words as she describes her 100 mile journey in her updates from her phone (via Twitter) during her run. Yes, that’s right, she tweeted live while she raced.

(If you aren't tech-savvy, Twitter is a social media tool where you can talk in real time with followers/friends from your computer or your phone, the catch being you can only use 140 characters or less in each update.  Sarah used the hashtag #100miles which I edited out for ease of reading.) 

-15min till start of #100miles! Eek!

-I can’t even begin to tell you what I am feeling as I get ready to run – 102 is going to rock #100miles today!

-25min into #100Miles clear, crisp morning. Hill right now. I can’t believe I am doing this! Woohoo!

-Little fast, 40min for 4miles. Feeling good, right calf an issue tho.

-Another hill. Mile 5! 53min.

-Been climbing over a mile. Still going up! Will climb over 2k feet on the way out. Fun times!

-I want to take this chance to thank Verizon. You guys rock! I won’t have reception the whole time but a lot of it! #100miles

-Beautiful out here! Can’t wait to see @grshane at mile 17! Inside legs are already chafing! Ouch!

-Feeling strangely great about #100miles ! I know I WILL kick butt today! W00t!

-The trees+woods are getting a lot of visitors!

-YAY! Downhill + some flat course! Mile 9.5ish

-http://twitpic.com/eugxz [note: this refers to Sarah's photo of the ten mile marker; shown on the left]- One more zero & I will be thrilled! under 2hrs!

-There is no shade out here! Ultra tan baby!

-http://twitpic.com/euory [note: this refers to Sarah's photo of the road; shown on the right] – Part of the trail, top of hill is aid station! Mile 16, 3hrs in

-Just rolled through mile 20 aid station.

-Pringle aid station down. This is getting tough eek! Send some inspiration my way.

To say I am about dead is an understatement. The heat is slowing everyone down. 30miles in 6:30ish. Its over 90. On I go!

-Hey friends, need some encouragement. PLEASE! This is tough! Looking forward to the night just for shade!

- Its me. Not much to say other OMG!  —[note: sarah's referring to the photo of her; on left]

-Thank you all! Why am I doing this? One word: 2 inspire you. I’m just trying to not die!

–Give me the courage to keep it up. The strength to finish. The joy of crossing the finish line! #100miles 7.5hrs into it!

I would like to sit in a cruise ship size tub of ice w/ an ice cold adult bev. Let me say the heat is frying me!

-Almost 8hrs into(including stops at aid stations) really looking forward to the chilly air tonight. Yes I am

-Let state this before I start to lose it I could never do this w/out @grshane thank you, thank you, thank you my friend!

-At Mile 37 aid station trying to get some food down. Not easy. Changing up some things on the way out.

-On the trail again. EMT & @grshane held me back in order to get food+fluids down. Wearing camel back now.

-I feel like a piece of toast. Only the toast has been in the toaster for 9 hours.

-Oh my! Male leader just passed me. I am at mile 40+ he is at mile 60? I think? In 9.5hrs

-Almost half way! Baby (yes talking to myself has begun) you can do this.

-Good girl (to self). @grshane will be happy to know I got a GU down+water.

-No, I am just making it up. Hell yes I am running #100miles Friends tell her! RT @willowstream @sarahstanley Are you really doing 100 miles?

-Mile markers r messed up. I have 42+,but just passed 40mile aid station. I made every1 lol when I exhaled powder all over my face!

-Let me just state 4 the record that my feet are killing me. Not good. I have another 45+miles to go! #100miles thx 4 ALL the love!so neededabout

-11hours into #100miles run 45miles ish. Let’s pray I can pick the pace up heading home!

-50 down hard part is behind me can’t wait for my shower at the end.

-OMG! 52miles was the turn around! It was VERY tough 40-53miles. Now the sun has gone now & I am kicking butt! Just left 55!

-This is by far the toughest thing I have EVER done. IT IS not easy but I am SO thankful for you all!

-I really can’t believe my legs are letting me run. Duck tape rocks, btw. Banana dipped in salt do no! Come on baby break 24hrs!

-I owe my 2nd wind to you! RT @grshane: Second wind for @sarahstanley. Almost beat me to the aid station.

-I can’t wait to finish! Let me say I am in love w/ the dusk. The sun took EVERYTHING out of me!

-People!YES, I will RUN #100miles till I cross the finish line! No sleep! Been running for 13hrs now. Passed mile 55 feeling good/strong

-Sorry friends, been running 14hrs. Oops! Getting dark+cool. Thank god! #100miles

-I can’t begin to tell you .5% how I feel right now. #100miles is a FREAKIN’ long way. I am on a 5mile hill climb now by myself:) w/ a

-I am running up this forever hill yes I am. Legs I love you!

-Oh, just an fyi no music:) #100miles

-Re: music. I didn’t get any shuffle or ipod donations so @grshane let me use his between miles 30-40. No music b4 or after.

-Where the hell is the moon? Its DARK out here! Just me+the trail.heard an owl tho!:) 8:43pm MST

-Mile 60 in 15hours. Just changed. Getting food down 4 the 1st time ALL day! Feeling good!

-Thank you ALL for your replies!!! #100miles getting it done! #fb

-Its really dark out here! Few stars & a sunk! Phew! Been running almost 17 hours now. Past mile 65+!

-Legs are feeling…..um, kinda tired+sore! Pressing on to mile 70! W00t! So proud of me! I can say that, right?:) #100miles

-I may be walking like a cowboy(or cowgirl) tomorrow:) just sayin’ AND 2 let u know its quite lonely out here!

-20 to go. Feeling strong.

-16 to go sub 24 in reach

-10.5 to go. Just want to be done.

-OMG!!! I am no longer a #100miles ultra virgin! 25hours! OMG!!!! Been up for 28hrs!

-I am in awe!!! It was a team effort to get me to the finish line. MANY thanks to @grshane!

-Body inventory check. OMG. Tops of feet bruised(bad), blisters on heels are outrageous, chafing on back, chest/ legs is OUCH.

-I can’t even begin to say how huge this is!!!! OMG! Think I placed 3rd in age group!

-The “burns” on my body are very painful, just saying. #100miles

-Only able 2 doze for 2hrs. Major pain. I am SO freakin’ proud of me#100miles in 25hrs is WOW for 1st time! Thx for ur @’s! keep em coming

-I proved many nay sayers wrong w/ my 1st attempt at #100miles by finishing in 25hours! YES! I ran for 25 straight hours!!! Up for over 28!

-Thank you to ALL who followed and @ me!!!! I hope you enjoyed my #100miles journey:) oh & btw, will be talking about this a lot:)

–& u know what? I NEVER lost my mental game. Kept expecting 2 see things & never did! Thx 2 @grshane 4 forcing fluids/food down me

-Taking applications for personal assistants. Could use one this week:) lol!

-I am feeling very emotional right now. But also joy, happiness, proudness(yeah, made up word:)) of what I did.

-Feeling rather sick. It was almost impossible for me to eat during the entire 25hr #100miles can’t even begin 2 tell u how I feel!:)

-Getting ready (ever so slowing) to go to awards+brunch!

Sarah placed 3rd in her age group and 34th overall with an official time of  24:58:03. Racing for twenty four hours straight! Isn’t she amazing?  I’m so grateful to have met her, she is truly a wonderful inspiration.

Sarah’s graciously agreed to do a Skype interview with Girlgetstrong and we’ll post it as a follow up article as soon as we can.  Have questions for Sarah?  Leave them in the comments and we’ll do our best to ask them for you. Don’t want to miss it? Sign up to receive our articles daily via email or rss.  In the meantime, visit Sarah’s gorgeous blog to view her story, videos, photos and updates and be sure to sign up for her newsletter.

Want to read more about the Lean Horse Ultra?  Here’s ultra-athlete Julie Berg’s story, with all the details.