The Journey to Javelina: The Road Back 

For Angelisa Arocha, hitting the trails was like coming home. The 34-year-old runner from Colorado Springs lived for the winding mountain paths and the cool running crews that formed around them. “I moved here about eight months ago,” Angelisa said. “The biggest reason was my obsession with nature and all the amazing trails and views around here. It’s like a wonderland.” Little did she know this would set the stage for the journey to Javelina.

Her New Training Ground

Angelisa had dreamed for years of making Colorado her new training ground as she took on crazy long trail races. “I was obsessed with the Aravaipa running club and now I’m deeply involved with them,” she said. “Going to their group runs every week is so much fun.”

A Decade Ago

Her running journey began over a decade ago, almost by chance. Back in her hometown of Michigan, Angelisa signed up for her first 5K race on a whim after a local track star passed away in a tragic accident. “That was my first 5K, and I was so new to running that I called it a 5K marathon!” she laughed. “I was one of those people with all the gear, feeling so prepared.”

Full-Blown Passion

What started as a casual thing quickly turned into a full-blown passion as the race distances got longer – 10Ks, half marathons, and eventually her first 50-miler in 2019. The farther she ran on the trails, the more she craved them. “Trail running is where it’s at,” Angelisa said. “My competitive side was like, this is what I’m meant for.”

Javelina Jundred

Fired up by strong finishes at smaller trail races, in 2022 Angelisa set her sights on her biggest goal yet – running 100 miles at the iconic Javelina Jundred ultramarathon in Arizona’s Sonoran Desert that October. Her training was on point as 2023 began, with130 miles logged in January, her most in over a year at the time.

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A Freak Skiing Accident

But in a twist of fate, a freak skiing accident in early February derailed everything. A wrong turn on an icy slope and suddenly there was a sickening pop as Angelisa’s knee buckled and gave out beneath her. “I just fell to the ground,” she recalled. “My first thought was, oh shit, is this broken? I can’t believe I just did this.” An MRI confirmed the nightmare – torn ACL and MCL ligaments requiring reconstructive surgery.

A Rush of Emotions

Just like that, Angelisa’s journey towards conquering 100 miles was stopped dead in its tracks. As she lay on the operating table a few weeks later, a rush of emotions flooded her mind. Doubt crept in about whether she’d ever make it back. The grueling rehab process, with its agonizing single-mile walks, served as a harsh reminder of just how far she had to go. But if Angelisa has learned anything from over a decade of running long distances, it’s resilience. Her positive mindset quickly took over.

The Light

“I have a roof over my head. All my jobs have been so supportive,” she said gratefully. “For me, it’s easier to keep perspective – it could be way worse.” She thought of her mother, who had passed away just a few months earlier. She thought of her cousin, whose newborn baby was already battling cancer. Recovery may be painfully slow some days, but the light at the end of the tunnel burns bright – a return to the trails she loves so dearly, and redemption at Javelina 100 when it comes back around.

Javelina is Happening

“Javelina is happening, no matter what it looks like now,” Angelisa said defiantly. “I’m determined to stay positive and appreciate everything.” With her incredible drive, Angelisa carries forward in the journey to Javelina.

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