Pushing Her Limits: The Journey to Javelina

Angelisa Arocha is on a journey, pushing her limits as she recovers from injury and sets her sights on the Javelina Jundred 100-mile race. Her story is one of determination, careful progress, and the mental battles that come with ultrarunning. Recently, Angelisa took on the Chase the Moon 12-hour race, aiming for a 50K distance. She went into it with a simple plan: “I knew I could get a 50K in 12 hours, so just go with how I felt.”

The First Miles Were Tough

The race started at night on an unfamiliar trail, so Angelisa wore a knee brace as a precaution. Those first miles were tough, as they often are in ultras. “It’s always that first mile is the hardest,” Angelisa said. “You’re like, God, what is this? What is this pain? Is this going to hurt all day?” But as she settled into her rhythm, things improved. She completed the first loop feeling good, grabbed some food, and headed out again. On the second loop, Angelisa surprised herself by continuing to run when she’d expected to walk.

A Personal Record

By the third loop, she was on pace for a personal record. Her knee started bothering her, though it was hard to tell if it was the knee itself or the brace causing issues. Angelisa had to make a tough decision. She could push for 40 or even 50 miles, but she reminded herself: “This isn’t your A race. This is just a practice. This was just to see if you can get it done.” Listening to her body, Angelisa stopped at 50K, happy with her accomplishment. It was a smart move for someone still in recovery, about 4-5 months after surgery. She ended up setting a personal best for the distance.

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Time on your Feet!

The race wasn’t without drama, though. After finishing, Angelisa got lightheaded in the parking lot. A concerned bystander called medics, who checked her out and made sure she was okay. It was a reminder of the physical toll these events can take. But Angelisa wasn’t done. The very next day, she put on her cowgirl boots and walked another 5 miles at a rodeo event. Talk about time on your feet!

Pikes Peak Trail

More recently, Angelisa tackled the Pikes Peak trail – a grueling 24-mile round trip with over 7,000 feet of elevation gain. This run, six months post-surgery, really tested her limits. The downhill, in particular, was concerning. “I was worried about the downhill running and I did feel it a lot more,” she admitted. Yet Angelisa found positives in the experience. The nine hours and 40 minutes on her feet was valuable training time. She also got to bond with a friend who will be pacing her at Javelina.

Excited and Nervous

As the Javelina Jundred approaches, Angelisa is both excited and nervous. “It’s nerve-wracking,” she said. “I really want to put it all into this race.” She’s aware of the mental challenges ahead. “I still wonder how my brain’s gonna do when I get out there,” Angelisa mused. “Is this worth potentially hurting myself?” She knows she’ll have to battle those thoughts during the race. Fortunately, Angelisa won’t be alone out there. She’ll have a crew, including her friend Natasha “Thor” Swartley, to provide support and encouragement. “I’m really gonna rely on her,” Angelisa said.

Feeling Stronger

Despite the challenges, Angelisa is motivated by what completing Javelina would mean. “If I could complete a hundred miler, you know, nine months after surgery… I think that would make me feel really proud of my recovery and how I handled it.” Her training continues to ramp up. She’s mixing running with gym sessions, often hitting the weights at 4:30 AM. Angelisa also tries to rock climb whenever she can. Angelisa is feeling stronger and seeing progress. She’s also working on the logistics – securing crew tents, sorting out parking, and getting the right gear for the desert heat.

Chunk by Chunk

As race day approaches, Angelisa is taking things “chunk by chunk.” She plans to assess how she feels after each loop and make decisions about things like whether to use her knee brace. “It’s definitely happening,” Angelisa said of the race. Her goal is clear: “I think I can for sure at least get a new PR for distance, but it would be really cool to get a hundred miles and it be my dream race.”

Running’s Greatest Challenges

Angelisa’s journey from injury to the starting line of a 100-mile race is inspiring. With each training run and each small victory, she’s building the strength and confidence needed to tackle one of running’s greatest challenges. The Javelina Jundred awaits, and Angelisa Arocha is ready to chase her dreams across the desert as she continues pushing her limits. Stay with us as we touch base with Angelisa prior to the October 100-miler. 

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