54 Comments
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Liz Callaway's avatar

You are my hero! Thank you for the inspiration!

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Kara Cutruzzula's avatar

The feeling is mutual, Liz!!

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cindy's avatar

inspiring as ever! i especially loved the pickle bringing you back to life :)

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Kara Cutruzzula's avatar

Thanks for reading! Convinced I'll never have a better pickle in my life.

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Gill's avatar

Especially the pickle. I did have to ask myself: how drained would I need to be before a pickle would look like a good idea... ;-)

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Kara Cutruzzula's avatar

I would have accepted a salt lick at that point!!

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Lynn Chen's avatar

So inspiring congrats!!! And I chuckled when you wondered how to add the experience into a musical; I’ve done it myself (w a film) and refused to cut the scene bc all the trauma that led up to it.

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Kara Cutruzzula's avatar

Thanks so much Lynn!! And glad I'm not the only one -- when something feels meaningful enough to include, WE'RE GONNA INCLUDE IT!!

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UNBLOCKED's avatar

Bravo! What a marvellous thing it is to find out what makes us feel alive. Endurance, encouragements, and a shared goal is my take away today, thank you Kara.

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Kara Cutruzzula's avatar

A shared goal -- so true! We were all in it together, which made it achievable.

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Aransas Savas's avatar

You are an absolute LEGEND! I am sitting here with tears and goosebumps reading this. I am so ridiculously proud of you for conquering those 50 miles (plus those bonus 4 miles – because of course you'd overachieve even in the midst of exhaustion and nausea!).

Your ability to find grace and wisdom while literally running through monsoons is the most Kara thing EVER.

Thank you for being such a complete and total badass and for letting me share the road with you week after week.

I am in awe of you, my friend. Completely in awe. Whatever mountain you decide to climb next, I'm here cheering wildly (and maybe even crazy enough to join you?). ❤️

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Kara Cutruzzula's avatar

Love you my friend, for all your support and for the example you set. We do hard things!!!!!!!!

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Selina's avatar

I need your post life changing race unwind vlog breakdown. Congrats again Kara!!! Your SECOND ultra, beyond inspiring and … sadistic. I love you love it, I get it. Please git it.

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Kara Cutruzzula's avatar

Trying!!!!!

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Michelle Hickey's avatar

Bravo, Kara! You are a legend. Thank you for doing this and sharing it with us!

Reading it reminded me of what I've most loved running in races (much, much shorter ones than this 50-miler 😂). It is the unmatched support and absolute enthusiasm of everyone along the route. It's ONLY cheering and positivity! I can't think of any other endeavor in which that occurs. How beautiful! 🥰

Also, I hiked Mohonk Mountain as a kid with my family, and there's an unfortunate photo of me in an oversized Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego tee shirt that remains from our visit.

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Kara Cutruzzula's avatar

You're so right, Michelle! That's a huge part of what I love about racing too. And now I wanna see that Carmen Sandiego picture!! lolol

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Melissa Wentzel Horan's avatar

Congratulations, Kara! What an incredible accomplishment!

I currently have a baby girl in the NICU. She’s doing really well, but she’s been here for almost a month and it’s unclear when exactly she’ll come home. I needed every lesson about endurance you listed above! Thank you for example and your wisdom <3 Here’s to keeping on keeping on!

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Kara Cutruzzula's avatar

Oh my goodness, Melissa, I'm so sorry -- that sounds like the most difficult lesson in patience and resilience. I hope all these days later that you're progressing towards better and better news, and that she might already be home! Holding you in my heart this week!

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Caitlin Kunkel's avatar

This is amazing!!! What a great accomplishment!

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Kara Cutruzzula's avatar

Thanks so much Caitlin!!

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Joan Stoneking's avatar

Massive congratulations!! What a stunning accomplishment, one step at a time 🫶

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Kara Cutruzzula's avatar

Thank you so much for reading along!

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THE SULTRY BODEGA's avatar

YOU ARE AMAZING RANG

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Kara Cutruzzula's avatar

Love ya Rang -- all we can do is keep going!!

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Julie Bestry's avatar

Mazel tov, not just on the achievement but on the perserverance! Whoohoo!

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Kara Cutruzzula's avatar

Thank you so much, Julie! My brain is already convincing me to sign up for another one lol.

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Chrissy Hennessey's avatar

50! What an incredible accomplishment! Thanks for sharing the journey with us! (Mostly so I don't have to run it myself!)

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Kara Cutruzzula's avatar

Appreciate you reading so much! And this route actually goes right through "the Gunks" which is a huge climbing hot spot -- completely your element!

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Cher's avatar

Go, Kara, go!

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Kara Cutruzzula's avatar

Your support means so much to me, Cher! Thank you!

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queenD's avatar

LOOK AT YOU - Absolutely Amazing & Inspiring! Congratulations ❤️

🔥🔥🔥

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Kara Cutruzzula's avatar

Thank you!!

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Gill's avatar

Wow, what an inspiring read!! I start reading on my phone while I was making breakfast, and I got so engrossed that I nearly burnt THE PANCAKES. Wednesday is pancake day, so this would have been a DISASTER! ;-) So I had to put you away for later, when I could concentrate on all this wonderfulness. Find our own support team. Make our own markers. Always forward. Love it all!!

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Kara Cutruzzula's avatar

Gill, pancakes ALWAYS come first (although I've been known to eat burnt everything...although maybe not pickles) and I'm so glad to know I was a part of your breakfast routine!

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