I’m an endurance runner, husband, father of six, and live in South Carolina. I started running in 2010 to lose weight and get in shape. I started out only able to run a few miles but the more I ran my body started changing, getting stronger and faster. By the end of the year, I was running my first half marathon.
In 2012, I met a guy who was a seasoned marathon and ultra runner. We started running and training together, and within a few months, I was signed up for my first ultra marathon. It was a 50K race. At that point, the longest distance I had run was only 20 miles. I really had no idea what I was getting myself into. I showed up for the 50K race, ran my hardest, hit walls, and just kept going. It was really difficult but when I finished I was hooked. When I got home, I started looking for my next race. Since then, I’ve run more than 40 ultra marathons.
This past year I didn’t start my race season until May due to an injury I was recovering from. From May to December, I ran a total of 11 ultra distances. It was a good year for me. I ran an unsupported solo 56-mile trail run, ran an all night 50-miler, placed third overall at a 50K race, and first overall at a 100-miler.
I feel this past year has been a very successful year of racing for me and I’m looking forward to 2017. One thing that seemed to be a game-changer was when I discovered HOTSHOT inside one of my monthly StrideBox deliveries. After reading more about it, I couldn’t wait to try it at one of my next races. It almost felt like cheating it worked so well. I was just wishing I would have had it four years ago when I started competing in ultra distance races.
Muscle cramps are a big challenge I have and it seems even more of an obstacle the longer the distance races. Late in a race they can really take me down, so I was glad when I found HOTSHOT to help me stop and even prevent muscle cramps. Now when cramps hit my calves or quads during a 50K or 50-mile race, I take a HOTSHOT and it’s amazing how quickly it starts working. It’s like a lightning bolt to my nervous system that attacks the cramps faster than anything I’ve tried before.
During a very challenging 36-mile mountain race this past year, I took some HOTSHOT during the last 10 miles. The cramping was getting very painful in my calves with each step, but once the HOTSHOT kicked in, it was almost like I had new legs. With over a 70% racer drop rate due to the difficulty of the elevation climbs, I was still able to crush through and finish in the top 10.
This year I have already run one marathon race with over ten ultra marathons on my race calendar. I’m expecting another fantastic year of running adventures!
MORE ON THE HOTSHOT BLOG
The Nerve is the Boss of the Muscle: Take control with HOTSHOT. Here’s how.
Train Smart this Winter: 6 off-season training tips.
No More Skepticism: Steve Hughe’s HOTSHOT success story.