Javelina Jundred Second Attempt
Even without a buckle, my heart is full. More than a finisher medal, the best part of Javelina was having friends from different parts of my life come together. They left behind their significant other, furry babies and life routines to support me in the Sonoran desert in AZ. They didn’t know each other before this weekend, but they left with new friendships, memories, and some pretty funny trail stories. That’s the magic.
This was my redemption attempt at the Javelina Jundred. I DNF’d again. This time, I ran and hiked 76 miles through the Sonoran Desert, saw old trail friends, made new ones, and brought together some of my favorite people. That’s a win in my book.
Yvette showing the crew how to handle our pit stops at the crew tent.
The Loops
The course is 5 loops, with loop 1 being 22.2 miles then loops 2-5 are 19.45 miles each. Each loop was the same direction, unlike in past JJ races where it was alternating washing machine style loop directions.
Loop 1: Cold, perfect weather. I cruised at an 11:30–13:00 pace—probably too fast at times, but I felt like a rockstar. This loop was all about scoping out the course, except for the final section back to the finish, which is different (and tougher) than the others. Along the way I chatted with a few runners, including one older gentleman—let’s call him Bill since I forgot his name. He asked where I was from and, when I said Austin, he shared that his first son was born there while he worked for IBM for 30 years. Then he added that I probably wasn’t even 30. I laughed, said thank you, and let him know I was definitely older than that. I also forgot to pack my own race nutrition for this loop—my usual Bobo bars and Huma gels—but the aid stations were well stocked and had plenty to get me through.
Loop 2: The hottest part of the day. I jogged and hiked the first 10 miles of rolling uphill, then picked up the pace on the downhill stretch to finish close to my estimate. More runners started recognizing my Rumi costume—one teacher even said she was dressing up as Mira for her 3rd graders on Halloween. I got plenty of “Stay Golden!” cheers, and on a rocky uphill, one woman sang out, “Show them how it’s done, done, done!” Lots of fun K-pop Demon Hunter references, some of which I had to explain. Midway through, I ran into Bill again, this time with his daughter. He spotted my purple braid and called out, “There’s my 30-year-old friend!” We ran the same pace for a bit, and when I asked them to guess my age, his daughter said I didn’t even look 30. I pulled off my sunglasses so they could see better, and Bill guessed 35. When I told them I’m actually 51, he nearly fell over in shock. Later, as we leap-frogged, running on the trail, and came back into jeadquarters, he grinned and said, “There’s my friend—51 going on 30.”
Loop 3: Darkness. I don’t usually do well at night, but this time I had Alexis pacing me, and having her by my side kept me moving. At Jackass Junction I got my drop bag and refilled bottles with Tailwind I had from my bag. I planned to take chocolate-covered coffee beans for caffeine and use poles for support, but I forgot both, in my drop bag. Still, I had decent energy and managed to keep moving. Even though the night was tough, Alexis and I held steady at 13–14 min miles on the downhill—a small but satisfying victory.
Loop 4: The tough one. Kathleen joined me here, and I was grateful for her support. Back at the crew tent, before starting Loop 4, I wanted my choco coffee beans, but they couldn’t be found, so I tried Excedrin with caffeine and knew I’d have to wait until Jackass for more beans—10 miles away. When I finally had them, I had a little burst of energy and we moved for a bit on the downhill. There were lots of stop-and-go moments—bathroom breaks, hearing coyotes that made me pick up the pace and stay close to Kathleen—but eventually I fell into a deep dark spot I couldn’t pull myself out of. By dawn I was basically sleepwalking and knew I’d miss the final lap cutoff. I dropped at Rattlesnake aid station, timed out before the last lap at jeadquarters. That was on me—Kathleen did everything she could, and I’m thankful she was there.
What I Took Away
Even without finishing, this race gave me so much. I was reminded how important community is, and how much stronger I feel with friends by my side. I learned that I can still push through some miles of desert heat, darkness, and fatigue—and that even when my body gives in, the people around me lift me up. It’s not always about redemption or buckles; sometimes it’s about knowing when to stop, appreciating the journey, and recognizing the gift of having people who show up for you no matter the outcome.
To my friends—you made this weekend unforgettable. Thank you for showing up, for your energy, and for reminding me why I love this crazy community.
And finally, huge thanks to the race director and the countless volunteers who make Javelina happen. The aid stations, the cheers, the organization—none of this would be possible without you.
I didn’t earn a buckle, but I left with something better: memories, connection, and a heart full of gratitude.
