Javelina Jundred Race Recap

It’s 2020, the year of no races except the few that persevered through pandemic guidelines. One of those gems was Aravaipa Running’s Javelina Jundred. A 100 mile and 100K course rolling through Arizona’s Sonoran Desert. If you’re looking for a recap of the Javelina Jundred 100-miler, you’ve come to the right place.
On the drive back to SoCal post race I started a note in my phone. It began: “ Initial feelings: Holy shit, this is the raddest thing I’ve ever experienced.”

Shelby Farrell at Javelina Jundred
I’M JOME:
“Holy cacti, this surface looks perfect for running on,” I thought as we rolled up to Javelina Jeadquarters, also known as the Four Peaks Staging area in McDowell Mountain Regional Park. We paused to capture a picture of the Subie in its natural habitat next to a giant saguaro.
Subaru in the wild
By some miraculous desert magic, we found an open camp spot maybe eight spaces from the starting (and finish) line.
I plopped my bottom in the dusty center of the vacant spot while Jason jogged off to grab our tent and officially stake our ground.

Within five minutes of proudly holding down the fort, a runner came by and retched violently at the homebase setup next to us. I would be lying if it didn’t scare me a little. And then I remembered where I was, and what I was about to be doing. The memory of hiking and skiing Tuckerman’s Ravine in college came to mind. A snowshoer had broken their leg and was being transported by rescue. My first 50K a gentleman slipped on the dewy grass of the black diamond trail we were running down, he screamed in agony waiting for medics as I tiptoed by him. The unpredictable can go very wrong when you’re adventuring outdoors-- or while sitting on your couch for that matter. You can’t let the fear of unknown potential mishap hold you back from exploring your personal limits. I got over the retching man.

Once camp was made and my packet was securely in my possession, I was able to shift my focus back to my mental and physical preparation. This included eating some cold leftover home cooked salmon (yum