Runner Mel Sykes Completes 268 Mile Race
Seems pretty impressive, right? 268 miles is no joke. If I hopped in the Buick LeSabre ’03 right now and drove to Maine, it would be 270 miles. I can’t fathom walking that, let alone picking up the pace a bit and getting into a light jog. Noooooo sirree. But this isn’t even the impressive part of this good news today. Yes – she ran 268 miles which is an unparalleled, incredible human feat no doubt. However, Mel Sykes couldn’t even walk 18 months earlier due to a rare brain condition. If an ultra ultramarathon isn’t the biggest F U to an illness, I’m not quite sure what is.
18 months earlier, she was diagnosed with a Chiari malformation. Me at 3:00am Saturday morning with an egregious amount of booze and pills in my system had a better shot of walking a straight line. According to the article itself, “The condition sees the lower part of the brain push down into the spinal canal and brain stem, often causing double vision and balance problems.” Not ideal for a keen runner. She was told she may never run again, but this is the type of shi-… adversity that creates legends.
Race to Recovery
Mel Sykes is a rockstar. 18 months after undergoing surgery to reduce pressure on the brain, she was back. Not only did she not consider taking it easy, but she went full blade to the jugular of the Chiari malformation itself and entered herself into a race known as the ‘Spine Race’. Twisted woman she is. The race itself is 268 miles from Edale, Derbyshire, to Kirk Yetholm, Scotland. She completed it in 132 hours. Think about your last 132 hours – pretty pathetic now, huh. Deep snow drifts, wading through powder up to the thighs, hypothermic conditions. I bet you probably still have Cheetos dust on your fingers. I know I do.
Let’s consider the strain Mel’s body went through – and lest we forget this is 18 months after brain surgery – here it is:
- Significant muscle fatigue and microscopic damage to muscle fibers.
- Repetitive pounding can stress joints, tendons, and ligaments, increasing the risk of injuries like stress fractures, tendinitis, and joint pain.
- The cardiovascular and mental strain that can cause a compromised immune system as well as delirium
- Experiencing gastrointestinal problems during long races due to the shunting of blood away from the digestive system to support the muscles e.g., pooping yourself.
I mean. No. Never. Hats off to those who do, but this isn’t a life I could ever see myself living. ESPECIALLY after a serious brain injury. The thought of compromising my health again would be far too taxing. Then again, that is why I am where I am in life and not Mel Sykes. Eat up, sleep up, rest and be merry. Mel – you deserve all the merit and awards, attention and fervor that life throws your way. Rock on!