Kim gave me one of the most unique birthday presents ever: an entry into the Keys Ultra 50-miler. He called it an "adventure" where we could run all day and have fun.
I wasn’t entirely convinced but decided to embrace the challenge. We flew down to the Florida Keys and stayed with our friend Gordon in the days leading up to the race. As part of our preparation, Kim and I searched for hats that would cover our necks to avoid sunburn—a necessity for the brutal heat we were about to face.

The race offered two categories of runners: supported and unsupported. We were in the unsupported category, meaning we had to meticulously plan our gear bags for checkpoints with essentials like sunscreen, food, and headlamps for when it got dark. At the mandatory pre-race meeting, the organizers provided advice and warnings, including a terrifying note about potential kidney failure. I was told to monitor my ability to pee and check for blood—a piece of advice that stuck with me and filled me with apprehension.
The race started in Marathon, FL, and finished in Key West, with the first part taking us over the iconic Seven Mile Bridge. We had convinced our friend Natalie to join us for the adventure. Unfortunately, just after we crossed the bridge, Natalie needed a bathroom break. Kim, focused on keeping moving, didn’t want to wait, and I reluctantly followed him, leaving her behind. I felt awful but reassured myself that our other friends, Holly and Anna, were not far behind and could keep her company.
The heat was oppressive. The 50-milers started at 10 a.m., deliberately timed so we would cross paths with the 100-mile runners who had started earlier. Checkpoints were spaced five miles apart, alternating between water/ice stops and full aid stations. Our first checkpoint bag, which had our sunscreen, was lost. Thankfully, the supported runners were generous, sharing sunscreen and orange slices. I stuffed ice into my hat at every opportunity, but it would melt within a mile, barely providing relief.

At one point, I stopped to use the bathroom and panicked because it felt like I wasn’t going. Then I realized…I had forgotten to pull down my underwear. In the blazing heat of the porta-potty, I couldn’t help but laugh at myself. When I came out, Kim asked what was so funny, and we shared a much-needed moment of laughter.
As the miles wore on, the struggle became real. I remember seeing a mile marker and thinking, “Great, only a half marathon to go.” We transitioned to a walk-run strategy. When my watch chimed to run, it felt like knives stabbing my quads. Toward the end, a woman offered me a slice of watermelon. I nearly cried—it was the best watermelon I’d ever had.
By nightfall, we were using our headlamps. Occasionally, relay teams would zoom past, almost knocking us over. Finally, we crossed the finish line, exhausted but triumphant. Afterward, we headed back to the hotel to shower and change before returning to cheer on our friends. I threw on my favorite new pink shorts and white shirt, grabbed a slice of pizza, and…dropped it right onto my outfit. Determined to clean up, I shuffled to the bathroom, only to find it closed. When I returned, Kim had eaten my pizza. I was too tired to be mad.
The next day, as I looked at the results, I discovered I had finished first in my new age division! Despite the heat, the challenges, and the endless miles, the Keys Ultra became an unforgettable adventure—one of the hardest and most rewarding experiences of my life.
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