Name: Elle Ellender
Age: 36
City/
State:
Greensboro, NC
Occupation: Stay at home mom
Hobbies/interests
outside of running:
I
love traveling and drinking wine :)
When did you start chasing
the OTQ and what inspired you to try?
In
2017 I tore my hamstring and had surgery to have it repaired. In the recovery
room I was told that it was worse than they originally thought, and that I
might not be a competitive runner any longer let alone never be able to compete
at long distances. I had just started getting back into running after having my
children and taking a 5 year hiatus, so this devastated me and in my
post-surgery fog I looked at my husband and surgeon and said “watch me.” I had
a very long, slow recovery but had an amazing running community around me and
two mentors who really believed in me. It was these two gentlemen who
pushed me to run a marathon and in 2018 I ran my first, Vermont City Marathon
in 2:51:28, finishing 3rd female overall. After this race I knew I wanted to
compete in another marathon and go after the Olympic Trials B standard.
My
next marathon was Houston 2019, and I ran a 2:45:12. This race was
devastating for me, the questions afterwards of what could I have done
differently/better plagued me. I knew being so close I had to attempt it again.
I tried to get into Grandma's but the elite field was already full and I knew I
needed every second possible and was nervous about starting a minute later so I
settled on Ottawa. My training cycle leading up to Ottawa was fantastic; I was
hitting my paces and feeling confident. However, once again the marathon broke
my heart. Having an unusually hot day, and stomach issues I knew from the start
that it was not going to be my day. People were dropping out of that race left
and right, and I was just happy to finish.
Once
again I found myself back at the drawing board but I knew that I wasn't done
trying; so next up Indy. During the fall everything was lining up perfectly. I
was hitting PRs in shorter distances, I was feeling strong and ready. I went to
Philly to run the half, hoping to get a PR and have a nice confidence boost
before the marathon. About a week before that race I was having some hip
tightness but didn't think much of it. 5 miles into the race I knew something
was really wrong, but I was on PR pace and started having that internal
dialogue with myself about whether I should keep going or stop. I did not get
another half mile before my body just wouldn't let me go any further, every
step was excruciating. I stepped off to the side and started the LONG
disappointing walk back. That following week after an MRI I was diagnosed with
gluteus medius/gluteus minibus tear. Still not willing to give up on my
dream I threw everything I could at it; time off, tons of cross-training, PRP,
PT 2-3 times a week, cold laser therapy, dry needling. Yep, I feel like I tried
everything to aid the healing process.
I
readjusted my timeline and decided CIM would give me more recovery. My highest
weekly mileage in my buildup to CIM was 45 miles, so I knew it was going to be
a long shot but I had to try. I made it to 20 miles with the 2:45:00 pace group
before I knew that my hip/glute was not going to let me have the day I had been
dreaming about. I pulled out of the race knowing that I had given it my all,
but totally heartbroken at the same time. I was SO close yet so far away. Those
13 second will continue to haunt me!!!!
So
many people asked me if I was going to give it a last shot at Houston; I had a
bib and I am not going to lie, the thought was there. But I knew that my body
truly needed time and I decided not to go for it again.
What did you gain from this
journey?
This
journey gave me confidence in myself. I had a dream that I thought was such a
long shot that I was afraid to admit it to myself, let alone anyone else.
However, through the process I met so many amazing people who shared the same
dream, the same fears, the same let downs and it was amazing to go through it
together and have the support of each other. The running community is so
amazing!!! I not only gained friendships but I gained a running family from
this process.
What are you most proud of
about your OTQ pursuit?
I
am proud that I decided to go for it, to truly give it a shot and after
multiple heartbreaks I kept trying.
Do you have any regrets or
things you wish you’d done differently in your OTQ pursuit?
I
do not have any regrets, I think I would have regretted not giving it a shot. I
think that throughout this process I was able to show my kiddos that no matter
how old you are if you have a dream you should go after it. Even if it means
failure in the end, is it really failure if you gave it your all?
What’s
next for you?
I
am planning to run another marathon this spring. I know I can break the 2:45:00
barrier and I need to prove it to myself without the pressure, etc.
Tell
us something unique about yourself.
When
I was five I walked over hot coals and had third degree burns on both my
feet.
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