My 24-Hour Challenge by Camden Shirley

 

On December 20th, 2022, I had the hair-brained idea of running 24 Miles in 24 Hours where I run 1 mile every hour on the hour. I started running at 7 PM Dec. 20th and I ran my last mile at 6 PM Dec. 21st. When I told people of my challenge everyone thought I was crazy and insane. I mean, what kind of person wants to stay up for 24 hours and do nothing but run in a dark, cold, and rainy neighborhood?  However, everyone's shock and amazement at my mission was my primary motivation for completing this challenge. I wanted to show everyone that I am capable of anything I set my mind to and that I never give up and finish what I start. During my challenge I considered quitting many times. It was freezing cold, raining, and windy throughout the entire challenge and I was absolutely exhausted all night and day. During the nighttime portion of my challenge, I would take 30-minute naps in between my miles and every time I woke up to go run, I wanted to throw in the towel and go to bed. So, I decided to stop sleeping in between runs no matter how tired I was because I knew that every time I would fall asleep, waking up would become harder and harder. Throughout my entire challenge, I watched The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday special, Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, and Elf. Watching escapist feel-good Christmas movies was great for keeping my mind awake and forgetting what I was doing awake for short periods of time. They were also the only things keeping from going insane. Another thing that kept me going in the challenge was that every mile I would dedicate it to a friend or group of people, so it felt like I wasn't just running for myself. 

Now you may be asking yourself, where did this idea come from? About a year ago, former Olympic runner and now fitness influencer Nick Symmonds attempted this same challenge on his YouTube channel and succeeded. His determination and passion for fitness inspired me to attempt this wild challenge and push beyond my limits. I always viewed this challenge as an individual goal and something that I had to do by myself. I never knew that I would impact so many people through what I did. Everyone coming out during my last mile was very unexpected and greatly appreciated. Everyone's support and excitement for my challenge brought purpose to my challenge and made the pain and suffering all worth it. This challenge taught me the value of finishing what you start and working towards your passion. No matter how crazy people may think you are, when you're passionate and care about what you do, people will take interest and become inspired.  Even though I probably will never do this challenge again, it was an experience I will never forget, and I don't regret doing it at all.

The Jackson sisters scared me at 11:00 PM

Asher showed up and ran two miles with me and Grace brought me lunch

Mile 21...ready for this to be over!

Lekhi ran the last mile with me

My friends cheered me at the beginning of the last mile, drove beside me playing the Rocky theme, and were there cheering for me at the finish!  I even had four neighbors show up to cheer me on!  My last mile was my fastest!

My friends who cheered me at the finish and then stayed to eat pizza with me

Delaware makes state 14

Rehoboth Beach Marathon and Half Marathon

On December 3, I was able to run in Delaware at the Rehohoth Beach Half Marathon.  It was a great course, and the organizers did a good job in putting the race on.  It was drizzly rainy, but not too cold.  And it did not start to rain hard until I had finished, so that was good for me!  This race also had a marathon option, so the time limit was 7 hours.  Fortunately, I didn't need that long!  I finished in 2 hrs and 40 minutes.  Miles 2-6 were the hardest for me as my foot kept going numb.  But after mile 6, my foot felt fine, and I was able to run without needing to stop and stretch my foot.  I also met a girl named Bridgette who ran with me for about 2 miles.  She had to stop and potty around mile 10 and that is where we parted ways.

The course started out near the boardwalk.

Beautiful sunrise!

The nativity scene at the bandstand

Dolles had really good saltwater taffy!

We ran through town and back to the boardwalk.  We were able to run the entire length of the boardwalk with a view of the beach!  It was really pretty.

Then we went through a very nice neighborhood and out between some fields.  On this part of the run, they had flags from all the states hanging above the course.  It was really cool!  After running through a park, we finished in downtown Rehoboth Beach near the running store that sponsored the race.  

At the finish, they had a nice buffet of breakfast and lunch foods available and indoor bathrooms!  This is always a plus.  In fact, I didn't have to use a porta-potty the entire trip!!  

All in all, it was a good race and Camden and I had a very nice weekend.  Some highlights include stopping at Buccee's in Florence.

Another highlight included driving over and through the Chesapeake Bay Bridge.  

Right before we got to Maryland, we stopped at a VA rest area.  Everyone knows Virginia is for lovers!

We decided to take a quick detour to Assateague National Seashore to see the wild horses.  

The grey and white squirrels

We finally arrived in Rehoboth Beach in time for packet pickup which included my new Goodr glasses!  We shopped downtown and at the outlets and had Grotto's pizza for dinner.  

After the race Saturday morning, we did more shopping and eating in downtown.  Lunch was at Dogfish Head and although it was a cool building, it wasn't the best meal of the trip.

  

Saturday afternoon we also drove and walked around Cape Henlopen State Park.  It was formerly an army post used to protect our shores in WWII.

We were able to walk to the top of an old Army observation tower.  We could see a lighthouse and another observation tower from the tower we climbed.

The modern lighthouse

Deer were grazing in the park

We walked a little way down the pier, but it was cold and windy!

Harbor of Refuge Lighthouse

That night we had the best dinner of the trip at a place called Woody's.  They are known for their crabcakes, and they were incredibly good!

We found some Christmas lights before heading back to the hotel for bed.  It had been a fun few days, but we were both tired and knew we had a long drive home on Sunday.    

To say I am incredible grateful to be able to run again is an understatement.  This race was 5 days before my year surgery anniversary.  I am thankful for God giving the surgeon the steady hands and ability to fix my back.  And I am thankful for the recovery He has given me.  I can be stubborn with my goals, but I still know to whom I owe my health and recovery.

Next race is Oklahoma!!