Inspired by Refinery29’s Money Diaries and The Cut’s Sex Diaries, welcome to The Runner Diaries, where we’re sharing a behind-the-scenes look into a week of training with runners of varying ages, paces and GPS coordinates. Get The Runner Diaries delivered to your inbox, here.

This week, we have 36-year-old Des Clarke — a full-time worker, mom and ultra runner who is training for her first 100-mile race.

The Run Down

Name: Deserae (Des) Clarke 
Location: Danville, PA
Age: 36
Training For: Eastern States 100 Miler, the final race in the PA mountain running triple crown
Occupation: Research and development manager for Geisinger Health System’s Institute for Advanced Application
Goal race? Eastern States will be my first 100 mile race.
Following a training plan? Yes. I’m an RRCA certified coach, so I reviewed some plans online and then tailored them to fit my goals
Part of any running communities, clubs or training programs? Trail Sisters ambassador, RRCA Susquehanna Ridge runners
How long you’ve been ‘a runner:’ Since 8th grade cross country way back in 1994.
Goal weekly mileage: Varies, but during training 60-80 miles a week. I’d love to do more, but with family and work obligations it’s tough.

Runner’s Statement:

I’m a full-time worker, mom and ultra runner who constantly tries to find the balance in things. The week that I’m presenting here is a fairly typical weekday routine, with an additional running adventure on the weekend. Having a family makes those running adventures limited, but I wanted to be able to go and explore the course that I’ll be running in August for the Eastern States 100. It’s supposed to be a beast of a course, so I’m not sure if the preview will make me more or less nervous, but it will definitely make me more prepared.  (Plus, going with a group helps to calm some of my husband’s fears about me getting lost in the woods alone.)

Day One

5:30am – Wake up and do some yoga. Usually I do strength training in the mornings, Monday through Thursday, but I’ve been having some plantar fasciitis issues in my left foot. After back-to-back long runs this weekend it’s feeling a little sore, so I decided to take today easy and focus on rehab. Continue reading “The Runner Diaries — Des Clarke” →