Today we’d like to introduce you to Paige Mack.
Paige, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I started running 20 years ago and gradually learned that I enjoy longer distances. I made the normal progression so many of us do: 5k’s, 10k’s half marathons, full marathons. I discovered the world of ultramarathons in 2021 and found that there is so much more space to push myself.
Last summer I did my longest race of 314 miles, which went through Missouri, Kentucky, across Tennessee, Alabama and ended in Georgia. It’s called the Last Annual Vol State Road Race and it’s the singular hardest and best thing I’ve ever done. There is no official on race support, you are on your own with just a map. The beauty of this is that the kindness of strangers was out in full force. People would drive by and offer you a cold water or they would have a tent and chairs set up in their yard for a rest. It was so refreshing! This race demands a lot of you and makes you uncomfortable in every way possible-Tennessee in the summer is HOT! I didn’t sleep much, didn’t eat enough, pushed hard and spent a lot of the time alone. But I absolutely loved it! I was so proud of myself for digging deep and getting it done.
One of my favorite things about running is the people that are in my life because of it. The running community is awesome, but then the trail and ultra community is just a bit more special. Of course there is something competitive to races, but in trail/ultra, there is so much encouragement and support from your fellow racers. It is absolutely normal to have a small chat when you come across another runner on the trails, check in on each other, cheer them on.
My personal goal is to encourage everyone to get out of their comfort zone, try something new or big or scary. If you want to do something badly enough, YOU CAN.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Definitely not a smooth road. I have had injuries including an ACL reconstruction surgery and a long battle with Achilles tendonitis. There have been days where I had quite a few miles on the training schedule, but all I could squeeze in was one or two miles. And though running seems like a cheap sport, it definitely is not. There is a lot of sacrifice in training-spending time away from your family getting the miles done, spending money for races, travel and gear, new aches and pains popping up all the time.
I’ve also recently struggled with the changes in my body in my late 40’s and early 50’s. I’m getting slower, my body doesn’t respond to pushing like it used to, sleepless nights before long runs. I’m still trying to figure out these new challenges as they come.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I work for Big Peach Running Company as a guest advocate, accessories buyer, outreach ambassador and group run leader. I absolutely love my job and it’s always fun to go to work. I am a problem solver, so helping people find the right shoe brings me a lot of pride. I enjoy making connections with people in my community (but the local community and the running community) and it makes me so happy when someone comes back into the store to tell us a new thing they accomplished. I love being able to encourage people to try new things or to come join us on a group run. I want the whole experience to be uplifting and never intimidating.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
I think a sense of adventure and being able to quickly adjust to changing situations are two of my best characteristics. I refuse to live my life with fear of doing things that might be scary. Those scary things are often the ones with the best memories and rewards. I do try to be as prepared as possible and I’m totally ok with stopping to re-access and determine a new plan if necessary.
Contact Info:
