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Donna Arrington
Donna Arrington is shown here with son Alex, husband, Alan, and son Ethan. The Arringtons have lived in Vestavia Hills since 2006. Both boys attend Pizitz Middle School, where they ran on the Pizitz cross-country team this fall. The family is also active in tennis, both through local USTA leagues and through Vestavia Country Club. Photo courtesy of Donna Arrington.
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Donna Arrington
Donna Arrington
This past fall, local resident Donna Arrington completed the Pinhoti 100, a 100-mile trail run where runners make their way over the highest point in Alabama by navigating through the Talladega National Forest. The Vestavia Voice caught up with Arrington after the race to find out more about her experience.
Before the Pinhoti 100, how did you cultivate your interest in trail running and ultra marathons?
I have always loved running, and the sport has off and on been a part of my routine since I was a teenager. In 2010, a fellow Vestavia mom invited me to train with her for the 2011 Mercedes Half-Marathon. The training at the time for me was brutal. I had never run longer than a 10K in my life. My friend and I ran together the entire race, encouraging each other, complaining a little and taking it all in. It was a great day and truly sparked the change in my path to where I find myself today, successfully completing a 100-mile endurance run.
How did you first learn about the Pinhoti 100, and when did that interest turn from curiosity into commitment?
I found out about Pinhoti last year when my friend Sonia Steely asked me to pace her in Pinhoti 2013. You are allowed pacers after the first 40 miles. A pacer has many responsibilities: helping to keep their runner on course, on pace, adequately fueled and motivated. Many of my trail running friends encouraged me to sign up. I was told time and time again I could do it, and that I had the 50/50 physical and mental it takes to complete a 100-miler. In August, I signed up.
How large of a crew is necessary, and why?
My crew consisted of my chief (Bob Huie), also a Vestavia resident, and support crew (Greg Halfaker) who took care of transporting pacers, communications or any unforeseen needs along the way. My pacers included Sonia Steely, Heath Layfield, Matt Denton and my son Alex and husband, Alan. My youngest son, Ethan, was in charge of hugs and kisses when I came into the aid station.
They wanted to see me finish as much or more than I did. It means staying up all night and/or running in 20-degree temps in 25-mile-per-hour winds for hours and hours in the darkest of night. The efforts put forth by these fine people in the spirit of friendship and human endurance is humbling.
How did your kids react to the process?
They thought I was nuts to stay up running for 24-plus hours in the forest.
During the race, my boys and my husband followed the crew vehicle to aid station checkpoints for many hours, cheering me on. They watched in what must have been wonder and confusion, while my crew worked me over like a NASCAR participant coming in for a pit stop. While out on the course, I found chocolate bars they had stuffed in my vest pocket. This really tugged at my heart. They wanted to help me and did their very best to do so. They know their mom loves candy but rarely gets to eat it due to training. Their hugs and kisses were a potent fuel that carried me mile after mile.
What aspect of the event surprised you the most? How did you respond emotionally and physically?
A 100-mile foot race can certainly bring out some emotions. That is a long time to be inside your own head. I became very emotional several times during the race. At one time I was talking with one of my pacers about why we even do this. I shared with him that perhaps when you experience great loss, like the loss of a loved one, you have this desire to better sense your own humanness or mortality. For me the trails are a place of worship and I feel closer to God when I am there, sometimes than anywhere else.
I competed in the Southeastern Trail Series the entire summer and with much hesitation raced a 14-miler at Oak Mountain two weeks before Pinhoti to maintain my series points accrual. Scott Sall and all the other good folks at Therapy South in Vestavia took great care of me leading up to race day; I cannot thank them enough.
Now that this feat is behind you, what is your next goal as it relates to pursuing exhilarating and physically demanding trail experiences?
Another upcoming goal involves helping BUTS (Birmingham Ultra Trail Society) with an event in the spring, BUTS Women’s Trail running retreat at Oak Mountain. Pinhoti 100 is a Western States 100 qualifier, so I have the option of putting my name in the lottery for entry into that epic event held in June of each year. Western States 100 is kind of like the Boston Marathon of trail ultras. If my name were to be pulled for entry, I would identify a cause or charity to run it for, not so much for myself.
Get your hike on: Donna’s area trail favorites:
“The Boulder Canyon trails behind the library have served as a part of my training ground since I started trail running. Many days I would park at Pizitz and run to the trails before heading back in time for carpool. Vestavia has a jewel there, and I applaud the Scouts and those in our community for their work on those trails. If there is any resident in Vestavia who has not been there, now is the time to go!”
“I would like to encourage all Birmingham-area residents to explore the beautiful trails we have just outside our back door: Moss Rock Preserve, Red Mountain Park, Ruffner Mountain Nature Preserve, Oak Mountain and, last but not least, the Pinhoti trail that includes Mount Cheaha, the highest point in Alabama.”
