Susan Donnelly

(July 10, 2010.  Kanawha State Forest, outside Charleston, West Virginia)
Summer…Heat…Sunshine…Lazy days
Right around the time everyone at work is getting together for summer fun with extended family at a house at the beach or in the mountains, my extended running family gather for a fun, low-key 50k in the mountains outside Charleston, West Virginia.
It’s worth getting [...]

This run had been lingering on my dream list forever.  When other plans for the 4th of July holiday weekend fell through, I suggested this as a close-to-home Plan B.  Rob was thrilled and though I’d love to say I was too (especially since it was my idea), my heart was still in Scotland and [...]

Heading to Skye
After the West Highland Way race, we rode the train down to Milngavie, picked up our car and drove back to Ft. William.  The next day, we left for a few days of running and hiking on Skye.  The island has been on my dream list for as long as I’ve had one [...]

It was only when we drove into the Milngavie train station parking lot early that the race became a reality.  One week of vacation already gone and the traces of it almost erased now by irrational race nervousness. We were the first runners here, six or seven hours ahead of start time, and the parking [...]

Rob and I flew in to Manchester, England, for the West Highland Way race so we spent the week before in England’s Lake District enjoying the trails.  The area’s worth visiting for the scenery alone but it impossible for me to be content just sitting and gazing.  I have to get out and go.  And [...]

It’s the week before the West Highland Way 100 in Scotland and we’re spending the week sleeping and exploring trails in England’s Lake District.  One happy coincidence of this is that we had the rare chance to see good friends Jon Steele and Steve Walker on their Bob Graham Round attempt.
So what, you may ask, [...]

I give up.  The odds of starting this race late all three times was pretty low, but we managed it.  It’s now in the realm of a tradition.
This year, we at least found out we’re not missing a turn like we thought before – we checked them ALL on the way to the start.  Mapquest [...]

The weekend after a satisfying Massanutten 100, Rob and I ran the Scenic City Marathon in Chattanooga.  I’ll say upfront that it’s not my favorite race – there’s usually a dispiriting lack of post-race anything, much less vegetarian food, but my friends wanted to go and any time I can spend with them is good [...]

May 15, 2010.  Outside Luray, Virginia
I had looked forward to this all spring.  It’s a great course (lots of rocks and climb), a fun gathering of friends, and would be my tenth start and hopefully ninth finish.  In short, the highlight of my spring.
With all that anticipating, you’d think I’d be in perfect shape and [...]

San Francisco, May 1, 2010 (May Day!)
People always ask what an ultra’s like, so this time I’m putting you in the driver’s seat.  Let’s go!
Coming Into the Race
Last year, clouds dumped rain and the wind blew an unending fog onto you the entire day.  You were cold and couldn’t see a darn thing.  This year, [...]