Javelina Jundred Race Recap
- Kailee Carlson
- 6 days ago
- 7 min read
Javelina Jundred was a race that tested every part of me in the best way.
I went into it with one goal: to run steady, stay fueled, and give it everything I had. What came out of it was more than a finish time; it was proof that patience, consistency, and mindset really do pay off.
Here's my full Javelina Jundred race recap:
Before the Start Line
I joined the HOKA shake-out—a 4-mile jog (please don’t ask why we were running the day before a 100 miler 😅). It settled my nerves and let me preview the terrain. I met some very fun humans (including someone who called me—excuse my French—“fuggin bitchin’” when he found out I’m an acupuncturist). That’s trail community in a nutshell: connection, laughter, and shared excitement for the ridiculous things we love to do with our bodies.
And after the run I got to meet one of my biggest inspos, Sally McRae. This was one of the biggest highlights of the entire weekend. She was SO nice and gave me the biggest hug and signed my Choose Strong book and gave me a Choose Strong bracelet. I was so happy after meeting her.
Preparation and Game Plan
Javelina is famous for its heat and its high-energy atmosphere. My focus wasn’t speed—it was even effort, cool core temp, and calm mind.
Gear & Essentials:
Sun hat with side flaps + sun hoodie: soaked at every aid station — essential for heat control and a complete game changer in the heat.
Ice bandana: tucked with cubes to keep neck and pulse points cool. These things are LIFE CHANGING in the heat. Never running another hot race without one.
Evil Bone Water: sprayed on my legs each lap for circulation support and that cooling zing. (My forever obsession—grab from your local acupuncturist or me.)
Blister bandages: put these on my foot arches, heels that were getting rubbed raw in the back from my shoes and the sand, and big toe when a blister formed under the nail around mile 40.
Backup shoes (Altra Lone Peaks): switched in around mile 60 when swelling set in; the wider toe box was clutch.
Fueling and Supplement Strategy
Fueling was the backbone of this race. My goal was to eat early, eat often, and keep fluids steady enough that I was peeing twice every 20-mile loop — a sign I was staying hydrated and balanced.
What I Used and Why
BPN G1M Sport Drink: Liquid calories that provided carbs and electrolytes without upsetting my stomach. This was my first time using liquid calories during a race and all I can say is I wish I had started doing this a looooong time ago. This helped so much to not have to just eat all of my calories.
Bee Energetic: A natural energy blend of bee pollen and adaptogens that kept energy steady without caffeine spikes.
Grass-Fed Liver Capsules: Iron + B vitamins + minerals to support oxygen transport, endurance, and overall micronutrient density. (Code DRKAILEEACU for 10% off.)
Super Xanthin (Astaxanthin): Antioxidant powerhouse to buffer sun exposure and oxidative stress. Took these leading up to the race as well to help with sun exposure.
Amino Acids: To preserve muscle tissue during long exertion and delay fatigue. This link gets you 20% order after creating an account. Read more about amino acids here.
Energy Drinks (late in the race): I'm not kidding, but these things are my life savers for running through the night. I used them during my first 100 and 200 miler as well and really look forward to using them during long races. They give me the exact power boost I need while also helping keep my head clear and not jittery like most energy drinks while also helping to balance my cortisol levels. I always try to hold off on caffeine until later afternoon/ evening to stay alert overnight so that I get a big jolt of energy exactly when I need it.
Dates (first time I’ve seen them at a race!)—soft, simple carbs + potassium, easy to chew, genuinely crave-able when gels sounded blah. Also: pickles, oranges, watermelon, PB&Js, quesadillas, and pasta.
Stomach support (my real-world tools):
Gin Gins (ginger chews): soothed the “too much sugar/salt” belly and helped me keep eating. I carry extras in my hydration vest for other runners, too since digestive issues are so common.
Curing Pills (TCM digestive formula): every ~20 miles to harmonize the Stomach, ease bloating, and keep the fueling door open. Total game changer for staying ahead of GI shutdown.
Little heat tip: drink cool, not icy, fluids. Ice-cold water can clamp down digestion—Javelina even calls this out in the race guide (TCM has said it for centuries).
Mindset: Staying Steady and Strong
My strategy: steady forward motion. Power-hike the inclines (often ~14–15 min/mi), jog the flats/downs, breathe, reset, repeat. It wasn’t about how fast I could go—it was about how long I could keep moving well.
When things got hard, my reset was simple:
Eat something.
Start running again.
Think of others.
I thought of my crew waiting. Of patients and friends tracking from home. Of my Grandma Laurie—who would say, “Kailee, you know you don’t have to do that, right?”—and be so proud anyway.
I don’t count 100 miles as 100 miles. I count one aid station to the next. One snack. One bathroom. One person I see on course. Repeat.
Running Through the Night
One of the things I looked forward to literally all day was knowing that my fiancé, Jacob, would be joining me for the final stretch through the night. After running solo for 60+ miles, I was so excited to be together. Especially since running alone at night can get a little lonely and make you more tired!
We passed a lot of runners by simply staying steady: pass, create a gap, then bury that gap. (S/O to Sally McRae’s mantra: Pass. Gap. Bury.)
He paced me for 38 miles (that's true love), through the dark desert, the quiet, and the moments when everything in me wanted to slow down. Having him there made everything so much better. Highly highly recommend having a pacer for long distances if you can!
Learning to Embrace the Heat
For most of my life, I believed I couldn’t handle heat—childhood heatstroke, hot-race hallucinations, swearing off July races. This year, I decided to change the story.
I did sauna sessions for months, embraced mid-day runs, and stopped trying to outsmart discomfort. I went in assuming it could be 100°F—so if it wasn’t, bonus.
When the sun finally slipped behind the mountains—~11 hours and 50 miles in—I cried happy tears. I had done the thing I always thought I couldn’t. That shift from “I can’t” to “What if I can?” changed everything. Mindset is everything, people.
Desert Encounters and Trail Magic
Two rattlesnakes. One scorpion.
Zero cholla cactus attacks (I was told to pack a comb with me in case one jumped out at us to help get it off?!).
The desert was alive — golden light at sunrise, flame throwers at aid stations, and cowboy costumes. The energy of this race is wild and electric, but also deeply grounding. The trail community is truly one of a kind.
Community, Support, and Gratitude
I felt so supported from start to finish. My friends Al and Becky crewed like champions and stayed up all night to get me to that finish—so grateful. (They even made a fun behind-the-scenes YouTube video of race day!)
I’m proud to be a Slightly Sponsored Kuvetta Athlete. Huge thanks to Abby for the encouragement, coordination, and thoughtful support. Kuvetta shorts + sports bra were with me all day, and I even ran by another runner in my same cute strawberry crop.
Comfortable waist, practical pockets, breathable fabric—A+ for desert miles.
Recovery: Rebuilding from the Inside Out
The days after a 100 are humbling and definitely not my favorite: night sweats, fatigue, brain fog, irritability, intense hunger, and that awful “no position is comfortable” sleep. (My yin—your cooling, nourishing system in TCM—was tapped.)
My post-race essentials:
Acupuncture: to restore balance, move stagnation, and reset my nervous system.
Massage & cupping: to help with muscle tension and circulation.
Magnesium salt baths: for magnesium replenishment and muscle repair.
Bone broth, grass-fed beef, and warm soups: to nourish Blood and rebuild Qi.
Rest and gentle movement: to help the body absorb the experience.
Healing isn’t passive — it’s an active process of listening, nourishing, and allowing time to rebuild.
The (Infamous) Toe & Footcare Notes
Around mile 40 my left big toenail started feeling like it was lifting; by mile 60 I had a deep blister under the nail plus raw heels from sand and friction. Blister bandages and a swap into wider shoes kept me moving—and, strangely, running hurt less than walking.
Post-race I managed the toe with soaks, topical antibiotics per urgent care, Evil Bone Water, and (nurse life) proper sterile care. It turned the corner after a few days. Pro tip: frankincense oil has been lovely on the nail as it grows out.
Reflection
Crossing the finish line wasn’t about chasing a certain time. The real win was how I ran — steady, intentional, resilient, and surrounded by my community. I proved to myself that hard work pays off, that mindset matters, and that we really can rewrite the stories we tell ourselves.
Running, healing, business, life — they’re all practice. You don’t need to get it right the first time. You just have to keep showing up.
Because we GET to do this.
Want to Hear More? 🎧
We recorded several We Get 2 Do This podcast episodes (Episodes 63, 64, and 66) around Javelina—training and mindset, a mid-race hot-tub mini-recap, and this full reflection. If you want the behind-the-scenes version (including what really happened with my big toe), tune in wherever you listen.
Author’s Note
Kailee Carlson, DCM, LAc, RN is a Doctor of Chinese Medicine, Licensed Acupuncturist, and Registered Nurse based in Minnesota. She owns Dr. Kailee Acupuncture – Holistic Health & Integrative Medicine, where she supports endurance athletes with acupuncture, cupping, herbal and nutrition guidance, and recovery coaching. When she’s not treating patients, you’ll find her trail running, co-hosting the We Get 2 Do This podcast, and cheering on her local running community.
Want personalized support for your training or recovery? Book online for acupuncture or a telehealth consult.
Disclaimer: The information shared in this post reflects my personal experience as an athlete and practitioner and is for educational purposes only. It is not medical advice and should not replace individualized care from a qualified healthcare provider.