It’s a rare person who gets excited reminiscing about a 100-kilometer footrace over narrow mountain trails made treacherous by winter weather. But Sophie Carpenter Speidel’s eyes light up and her voice quickens when she talks about her first Hellgate 100K, an ultramarathon held along the Blue Ridge in December.
“It was awesome. All the rocks were covered with ice,” she recalls. “It was my first year, so I didn’t know what to expect. Midnight start—OK. Middle of the winter—OK. Ice and snow—OK. That’s part of the deal.”
Now Speidel (Educ ’84, ’89) has five Hellgates under her belt, plus a handful of other ultras, ranging up to 100 miles. At the age of 47, she’s a role model for younger runners—athletes like fellow alumna Alyssa Godesky (Col ’08).
“It’s very inspiring to me,” says Godesky, 24. “I get comments all the time like, ‘I wish I was doing it at your age.’ And I say, ‘I hope I can develop and be as good as you are at that age.’ Women like Sophie are managing to have a family and a career, and still be able to be very successful as a runner.”
Sophie Speidel Photo by Luca DiCecco
Speidel, mother of three and a school counselor in Charlottesville, and Godesky, an assistant branch manager at a bank in Maryland, share a passion that puzzles many people. The prospect of running hours and hours on remote trails, forgoing sleep while churning out the miles, braving the elements and embracing physical pain—they’re not everyone’s idea of a good time.
The appeal is complex. One part involves overcoming fear, says Speidel. Another is meeting personal challenges; another, the camaraderie of fellow enthusiasts. A huge chunk, both say, is a love of nature.
“I really enjoy just being outside, being on the trails,” says Godesky. “I just think there’s nothing else like it, to put your body through what it’s going through and really feel like you’re achieving something at the finish line.”
The women come to the sport from different athletic backgrounds. Godesky played soccer in high school, but at the U.S. Naval Academy (before transferring to U.Va.) she decided to join the marathon team. The only race left on the schedule, though, was the JFK 50-miler. She’d never run a marathon before, much less 50 miles.
“I just kind of jumped into that because they said, ‘If you do all that, we’ll take you on the team.’ I did well, and I never really looked back.”
Speidel, who was a lacrosse standout at U.Va., took up running after graduating. Her appetite for distance grew until she raced in the Marine Corps Marathon in 1990. Motherhood intervened, and it wasn’t until 2001 that the lure of long runs on woodland trails beckoned. The Virginia Happy Trails Running Club provided support and a posse of running partners, so she set sights on her first ultra—the Holiday Lake 50K in Appomattox County in 2002.
She started well, but late in the event, increasing pain in one thigh—her iliotibial band—nearly hobbled her. “Finishing that race was the hardest challenge I have ever faced, three childbirths included,” she says. “But I did it, and, overall, I enjoyed it.”
Alyssa Godesky
Meeting such challenges depends on adequate training, and carving out time is tough. Speidel depends on support from her family, particularly her husband, Rusty (Col ’82). Fortunately, he’s an avid mountain biker, so he understands.
Being ultrafit pays off in different ways. For Speidel, it enabled her to complete a spectacular run through the Grand Canyon. For Godesky, it has led to another competitive arena—triathlons. In 2009 she qualified for the Foster Grant Ironman World Championship 70.3 (where the swimming, biking and running add up to 70.3 miles).
Also in 2009, Godesky notched her first iron-distance triathlon and completed the brutal Western States Endurance Run in California. The latter, which Speidel ran in 2006, entailed battling triple-digit heat running along trails used by miners in the 1850s. She spent more than 28 hours scrambling from peak to peak.
“My legs will never hurt as much as at Western States,” she says.
Despite that pain and her success as a triathlete, Godesky says ultras are her top priority. Not to say she doesn’t daydream about qualifying for the famous ironman triathlon held each year in Hawaii.
“Women like Sophie prove that I can keep getting faster. Hopefully, I’m on that track.”
Comments
Great article, photos, and video! Thanks for sharing the inspiration from these two dedicated athletes and kind people.
I saw this article advertised in the Alumni Magazine & had to check it out right away. I love trail running & have been getting into the ultra running community here in Texas. It is always inspiring to hear others’ stories, so I really enjoyed the thoughts shared by these runners!
Sophie rocks!
You are amazing Sophie. I am a walker adding on miles as I go. It is incredible to me that you run 100 miles in a race. Thanks for your uplifting and encouraging video. Roz
I envy Sophie’s time on the trails. After many years of running, including marathons, triathlons and races of shorter distances, I was determined to “run 50 before reaching 50.” Age caught up with me and I passed my 50th without having reached that goal. Later it was clear I would never get to that ultra distance without wearing out my total knee replacement! I’ve been on a road bike ever since. I’ve made the most of it but I still miss my running days.
Thanks for all the nice comments, everyone!
I was honored to be included in this piece, and grateful that Lee Graves (the author) didn’t make Alyssa and me sound too crazy (as is sometimes the case with articles on ultrarunners). I honestly believe that if the body is able and the mind is willing, endurance running is within reach of anyone who wants the challenge.
Jim, I am sorry to hear that your running days are behind you, but glad to know that biking is an option. Thomas, I hear the North Texas Trail Runners are a lot of fun just like my pals at the VHTRC. And Roz, keep up the walking! The trails around Ohill and the Ragged Mountain Reservoir are really nice for local hiking.
Happy Trails!
SCS
Inspirational. I’m 44 and so far only have 3 marathons under my belt. When I grow up, I want to be an ultramarathoner and I would love to try a triathalon, the miles are a daunting prospect though but I am inspired by your dedication. Perhaps I can do it?
Gillian,
Ultras and triathlons are perfect “next step” challenges after the marathon. When you are ready, a good ultra for someone new is the Holiday Lake 50K in Appomattox, the HAT 50K in Maryland, and the Capon Valley 50K in WV. Of course, there are 50Ks all over the US. The Virginia Happy Trails website is very helpful and has a comprehensive race calendar: http://www.vhtrc.org
Go for it!
My son Knight Worley was in school with you and shared your article. I am a runner, ran my first marathon at 59 and have retired from marathons after 40 of them. Have run 3 ultras. Can’t get Knight into running but he thinks folks who do are a bit crazy, but lots of fun. He has fond memories of you and the UVA friends. Went back for the DKE reunion. Good running.I ran Pikes Peak.Ought to do that marathon.
Bruce Worley
Bruce,
Thanks for commenting! I am glad Knight shared the article with you. I would like to try the Pikes Peak Marathon one day—-I have heard great things about that event. I think trail ultras are a perfect hobby for runners over 40—-soft surfaces, great scenery, and fun, adventurous, like-minded people to meet. Hopefully you’ll be running ultras for many years. Give my best to Knight!
Happy Trails,
SS
Not only are you committed as a runner; but, also committed to the sport of running. So often we would finish a run at the same time, you having started hours before me. With enthusiasm you always asked about my run finding virtue in any distance ran. Sophie Speidel an icon in our community. I look forward to your future running articles. I feel your pain, feel your joy. Cheers, linda
Sophie and Alyssa: thanks for the great stories! I am proud to call myself a fellow Wahoo ultra athlete, having completed the Ironman World Championship in Hawaii in 2005. Great to see fellow Cavaliers pursuing their passions! Continue with your successes, and remember that one day, as we all age, we can give back to our athletes in our coaching and mentoring to a degree unprecedented in our racing and training. Best of luck always. Thomas (Tom TERRIFIC) Hamilton, CLAS 1980
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