Close your eyes, inhale deeply, and exhale. With your eyes closed, think about a time when you felt encouraged, that your soul was fired up. Do you have that memory? Did it bring goosebumps? Can you feel your heart beating out of your chest? What were you doing? were you inside or outside? What did you hear? What did they say?

Now, hold on to this feeling as you read on.

When I was competing in junior college, my coach (Coach Z) would be everywhere during our races. As soon as that gun went off, he bolted all over the cross-country course and track, shouting. He'd show up in places you least expected. And when you heard his voice, it was commanding. Then, with enthusiasm and a hoarse tone, he would yell, "Fire it up!" Those three words were roaring, mandating immediate action. So, when I felt I could not push anymore, hearing that phrase was a shot of adrenaline. Those three words meant to dig deeper, fight harder, and RUN FASTER.

I continued to hear this voice after I left the distance program at Hartnell and transferred to Dickson State University. And many years after that. "Fire it up" was my cowbell, till it wasn't anymore.

When I started running trail, there was a sound that gave me hope, a sound that energized me, a sound that brought a smile to my face during a moment of Pain, a moment when I would be asking myself, "why am I doing this?" The sound of the cowbell changed everything. And it always seemed to be right where I needed it most.

On January 28th, 2023, I seized the opportunity to uplift those around me. That morning I headed to Malibu Creek State Park to ring my cowbell for the brave souls taking on Sean O'Brien. If you aren't familiar with SOB, it's a looped course through the beautiful Santa Monica Mountains. The race is known for being TOUGH, with its long grueling climbs and tight cut-offs. The 50miler has a 15-hour cut-off and a total elevation gain of 11,222ft, while the 100k is a 17-hour cut-off (16 hours if you are shooting for a WSER ticket) with a total elevation gain of 13,104ft. This race was my first 50miler, and I remember receiving the athlete email that read, "not ideal for your first 50."

I headed to the start line (5:00 am, 6:00 am, 7:00 am), hugged some familiar faces, and wished them a good journey as they took off. Now, the fun part began: I got to hold my signs, be LOUD, and ring the crap out of my cowbell. My buddy Edgar and I were in for a very long day.

We spent hours at miles 22 and 36.

We first arrived at Bonsall Drive, mile 22. I desperately needed coffee. But with my partner in crime alongside me, my excitement began to flutter. I got all silly and stuff - began dancing, quoting movies, and singing songs I only knew the chorus to (if that). And together, we were LOUD. We cheered for every runner that came by; I rang my cowbell and hoped my sign would bring a smile to their faces. "Pain is temporary race results are online 4ever (& ever)."

When my buddy Andrew came through, the joy on his face was as if he had won the jackpot at Chuck E. Cheese. He said, "I kept hearing cowbell and wondered, is that Melissa?" To his surprise, It was me (insert snarky laugh).

At Kanan Road, mile 36 is the halfway point for most folks, and they also spent the last 5ish miles climbing. By now, they are experiencing a variety of emotions, good race or lousy race—anything from GI issues, blisters, or cramps, to name a few. But when they least expected, there was the sound cling, cling, cling. Shit, there were even hikers embracing the cowbell. We applauded everyone who came through, and I mean EVERYONE. These runners ran by with smiles saying, "thank you!" and "I needed that."

But.

I couldn't help but wonder - why are they thanking me? I'm not providing any aide, nor am I a volunteer. I am just a spectator.

When we made our way to the finish, it was dark, and we continued to cheer, waiting for several of our friends to cross the lited up arch that read "finish." I continued ringing my cowbell when it happened. A stranger approached me, thanking me for ringing my cowbell. So I said, did you run? she said, "no, I think it's nice you are doing this." She even offered to buy my cowbell; I gave her the cowbell and made her promise to "ring the crap out of it."

So, right about now, you are probably wondering why I did this.

I've had many people be there for me during my race(s) (and training), and I wanted to be there for them.

At some point in the race, there is not one phrase someone can say that will encourage you. That's the funny thing about ultras; they are a microcosm of emotions because anything can happen. And as a spectator, sometimes you can see it in the runner's eyes. You want to console and encourage them, but you don't have the words or cheer that will help. So that's where the sound of the cowbell comes in. It's like saying everything but nothing at the same time. Just like your favorite song!

I found it gratifying to see the smiles, to give hugs, and receive them. I found joy in seeing the runners' faces light up when they turned the corner and heard the cling, cling, cling. I found joy in watching loved ones hug them as they finished. I was inspired as runners locked arms crossing the finish line together.

And the answer to my "why, why are they thanking me?" became apparent. That sound gave them hope and relief, possibly elevated their spirits, and that sound meant felicidades! Congratulations - YOU OVERCAME.

So is there power in cowbell? I want to think so.

And guess what? I will continue to ring my cowbell for you, always. Cowbell doesn't only have to be for races, but every day.

If you were on time dropping the kids off at school. Cowbell

🐮🔔

If you made it to the morning, run. Cowbell 🐮🔔

Little wins are wins. Don't neglect them.

As always,

I am ringing my cowbell for you! Happy Trails!

Quote of the Week: "People of our time are losing the power of celebration. Instead of celebrating we seek to be amused or entertained. Celebration is an active state, an act of expressing reverence or appreciation. To be entertained is a passive state--it is to receive pleasure afforded by an amusing act or a spectacle.... Celebration is a confrontation, giving attention to the transcendent meaning of one's actions.

-Abraham Joshua Heschel

Song of the Week: GRiZ, Carry On

Side Note:

Please let me know if you have any questions or if there is a topic you want me to cover in more depth, let me know; I am happy to help. As I continue to write blogs, I want to add more value to you (the reader), whether it's sharing my stories/experiences, gear, training tips, etc.

I'm here for you!

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