Emily Angell

All the feelings for Spartan Palmerton. It seems like we all gravitate to this venue because we long to suffer. And in the suffering we find the filaments of belonging and happiness just being a bunch of humans doing something harrowing together.

this year, as always, did not disappoint. I ran the super and about mile 2 1/2, I went from racing to just plain surviving. There’s this feeling when all the blood leaves your legs and you stop feeling like you know how to run, even though you definitely do know how to run. all the energy has somehow transferred beyond you… And it’s all you can do to just keep putting 1 foot in front of the other.

my mantra on Saturday was “just push one percent more than you think you want to right now”… In that mantra I was able to accomplish my goal of sub two hours. Despite falling off the apehanger for the fifth try/year in a row… And missing my spear throw— ultimately doing 30 very sad 🍌 burpees.

I had some beast women coming up on me (👋 ) and it was all I could do to just hang onto my sixth place position. I’m always wishing for the big girls to show up, but when they did, I got slapped hard in the face and humbled absolutely. but that’s the great thing about racing people who are clearly fitter for the task than you. The chance to rise to the occasion and see what you’re made of.

Sunday, I felt amazing probably due to it being a few degrees cooler and a little bit breezy, but managed to run a 100% clean race and take third place elite!! (All the videos of me looking like I’m not wearing pants are from Sunday…🤣 for the record, I am clothed. It just doesn’t look like it) oh and that ball I casually picked up is 70lbs. 🤓 Thanks !

I had the best weekend with my girls and getting to cheer, with my ❤️ .am.rayrico_ who ran his own race, took all the video, whistled the loudest, and presented a masterclass in chairlift riding, and getting to stand on a podium alongside is always an honor. 👸🏼

Oh… and singing the national anthem both days!!!

Cheers to another successful Memorial Day at the lake, putting in the docks! Ya never know what the weather will bring, but the grilling and family time always evens out the adversity. Only one finger went numb this year.

Plus we discovered some new breweries in the area!

Feeling grateful.

❤️ .am.rayrico_