By Ethel Belair

 My name is Ethel Belair. I am 51 years old and I am a runner. I enjoy long distances. At one time half marathons were my favorite. I\’ve ran over 25 of them. But I wanted to try something a little more challenging.

Not much explanation needed on how Ethel felt after achieving her goal. Just look at her face.

In 2016 I signed up for the Miami Marathon. It was tough because I had just lost my father, Jean Belair, to cancer. He passed away three months before my running, so I ran in honor of his memory. He always inspired me, reminded me to be strong and keep going. After running that marathon, which was on my bucket list, I was done. Or so I thought.

The very next day I went for a recovery run and friends though I was crazy. But after running three miles and walking one, my legs felt okay. I wasn\’t tired at all, so I said to myself: “I think I\’ll do another one”. I\’ve ran 6 full marathons so far. 

What led me to ultramarathons? A week prior to my 50th birthday, I ran a “Birthday Unofficial 50k” (31.069 miles) with a few friends. Then, on June 26th of last year, my actual birthday, I met up with friends and had another birthday run, this one was 51 miles.

A fellow runner, Lucien, asked me why not run a hundred miles? “You\’re a distance runner”, he said. I told him that I didn’t believe I was ready for that. He then suggested 100k (62.137 miles) to get started. I prayed about it and got the go to do it. Two months later, I ran and finished 100 kilometers. Two weeks later, I signed up and ran an official 50 miler. 

On December 26 of last year, I ran a 40-miler in Atlanta. This was the toughest race I\’ve ever done. It was held under freezing conditions (23°), with hills galore and hurting inclines. Grateful to God, I completed the race despite injuring some tendons. My Doctor recommended two weeks of rest. I was not a happy camper.

Yep! That’s right! First you skydive and then you run 100 Miles.

Despite the harsh experience in Georgia and the injury, I was still considering the Skydive Ultra 100-miler in February. I was registered since October. I had to pray, dig deep in my faith, ask God\’s grace for strength and healing. I was battling feelings of fears and anxiety. Should I still do the race? I prayed to God and found the peace to do it. “You will finish. You are strong. Be strong and courageous”. Strong is the word I kept hearing.

On January 16th I ran 5 miles for my very first run of the year. By the end of the month, I ran the #MiamiFamous Virtual Half Marathon and felt great for most of the race. At mile 10, while I was doing a recovery walk, I felt pain in my tendons, so I decided to do intervals—more running than walking. I was overly concerned as the Skydive Ultra 100-miler was only a week away. I even considered calling an Uber.  But I pushed through to completion, with some additional mileage for or a total of 16.67.

Race day was here. I wanted to skydive when I turned 50 but didn\’t get a chance to do it. I\’m one who fear heights, yet I took a chance by participating in \”The world\’s only running race that starts with a skydive”: The Skydive Ultra in Clewiston, Florida.

I got on the plane and my instructor asked me if I wanted to deploy the parachute. I Did. I was the 2nd person to jump. I just looked down and jumped. I felt great free falling 14,000 ft. (4,267 Mts). The endorphins… Wow! After landing, it was time to run my hundred-miler.

Somewhere along the 100-mile route sporting her trademark million-dollar smile.

The loops were 7.25 miles. I met people along the way. My amazing crew of Monique and Gerda supported me with anything I needed. I had many fellow friends and runners who called to check on me through my crew and cheered me from afar. I ran strong with God\’s grace and power. I felt the prayers of my friends and family. Every mile I felt happier and stronger.

Mile 86 was a turning point in the race. This is where my entire body started to hurt. I had to summon my will power and remain focus on my faith. I had to dig really deep and from the kindness of friends to push through to the end. Marcus, a runner himself, who was working as the DJ for the event, was kind enough to help me run two loops through a very dark night. Monique walked 2.5 miles with me, and Gerda accompanied me the last two loops. She held my hands as I pushed through the pain. My left pinky toe had a big blister, which it caused me to slow down tremendously. Then, my left knee began to ache. I told Gerda that if I had to crawl to the finish line, I would.

I am grateful to God, for the prayers, persistence, perseverance through pressure and great support from my friends. I finished 101.50 miles, my first hundo in 33:29:38. I am forever grateful. Never, ever give up!

\”The most powerful tool you have to run long distance is your mind, and when you master it, the boundaries of your endurance disintegrate.\”  Michael D\’Aulerio

 “Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.”  Hebrews 12:1