Hello!
I ran the Dam Yeti in 2021 and 2023. At the 2021 race, that first aid station in Taylor’s Valley had dill pickles, and the moment I had one and some pickle juice after I felt so renewed. Where had this been in my training cycle? Why did people poo poo on pickle juice so much when it is a magic elixir? I completely attribute the amazing time I had that day to unlocking the powers of a good pickle. In 2023, I was massively undertrained, had the wrong shoes, and barely finished under the cutoff. That time, pickle juice was one of the only things helping me get from start to finish.
To me, Yeti means pickles on a hot day, and so my tattoo is a jar of pickles to symbolize summer trail running. I know it isn’t a Yeti itself, but I got it from that memory! I also had the artist throw a lightning bolt in with the stars as a small nod to the lightning cat symbols on the 24hr Challenge, which I did a few times in early pandemic days!
Picture attached. Thank you for everything you do to create amazing races and a supportive, loving community. I haven’t made it back out since the 2023 race, but one day!!
