At just 22 years old (as of September!), ultrarunner Alexa Dickerson (sponsored by recovery drink Genr8 Vitargo)  has already cruised through the standard race distances from 5K to recently finishing her first 100 mile race, the Javalina Jundred.  I caught up with Alexa to get the lowdown on everything from how she started running to the hardest part about running a 100 mile race.

AM: How long have you been running?

AD:  I started running my freshman year of high school. I ran track and cross country and have been running ever since. In high school we would do a lot of trail runs at Whiting Ranch, which is right behind my house.  I would go running back there by myself a lot, which probably wasn’t the smartest idea. I ran my first marathon when I was 19 and then 2 months later I ran my first 50k, Mt. Disappointment, which I for sure wasn’t ready for, but I finished.

AM:  Why did you decide to start running in ultras?

AD:  I really wanted to run a marathon when I graduated high school. I thought that was the furthest race there was and that I was so cool because I was training for a marathon. Then I joined a trail running group and found out about ultras because a lot of the other members ran them,so right after I finished my first marathon I signed up for a 50k. Even though I thought it was the hardest thing I had ever done, it was just such a great feeling of accomplishment and I had a lot of fun. I just got kind of addicted to it and then wanted to push myself further and further.

AM:  You just recently ran the Javelina Jundred 100 mile race, what was that like?

AD: It was the hardest thing I have ever done. It was a loop course and so we had to run six 15.4 mile loops and then a 9 mile loop at the end. After about the fourth loop it really got hard physically and mentally to keep running.  I think I really learned a lot about myself during the race as far as how mentally strong I am and how hard I can push myself if I want something bad enough. I had a blast though and am already signed up for another one next month.

AM:  What was the best moment of the race for you?  The hardest moment?

AD: I think the best part of the race was when my mom came out and paced me for my 6^th loop. The 5^th and 6^th loops were really hard for me. I was just so completely exhausted. I had never run for that many hours and my body just wanted to go to sleep. I am really glad that I got to share my experience with her.  She was so motivating, even too motivating sometimes – I was so tired and she was so peppy I just wanted to slap her, but it was just what I needed and she kept me going.

AM:  How do you train for a 100 mile race?

AD: I pretty much train for a 100 by doing other ultras as long runs. So for example, I’ll do marathons and 50ks as training runs and try and get in a 50 miler too.  I have a hard time going over 20 miles in my training runs if it’s not a race, so I do racesa lot.  I got a stress fracture in my foot about 2 months before the race and so couldn’t start running again up until about 3 weeks before the race. When I was injured I did a lot of biking, aquajogging and lifting to stay in shape.

AM:  What is your favorite food to eat during a trail race?

AD:  I’ll eat pretty much anything during a trail race. At Javelina I was eating pizza, hamburgers, pumpkin pie, chips, cookies, candy. Pretty much junk. Luckily I have a pretty good stomach and had no issues. I also really like those Powerbar Gel Blasts. They’re so delicious!

Alexa and her mom

AM:  What’s it like being a 22-year-old in a scene of “seasoned” runners?

AD: I think it’s kind of neat. I like standing out from the crowd and pretty much all ultra runners are way cool. Plus, since there aren’t that many other runners my age, I’m more likely to place in my age group! But I’ve started to meet a lot more runners who are my age which I love because there aren’t that many.

AM:  What’s your next running goal?

AD: My upcoming goals are to do Chimera 100 mile in December and then Coastal Challenge stage race in Costa Rica in February.  My huge goal is to get into Badwater someday.

AM:  What do you do when you’re not running?

AD: Lately when I’m not running I am either at school or work. I work at a running store which is really fun because I get to be around runners all day. But I also love going to the beach or the movies and I love to shop and hang out with my friends.

Thanks for taking the time to let me interview you Alexa, and good luck at Chimera!

Photos Courtesy of Alexa Dickerson.

Author Bio:  Abbie Mood is a freelance writer and preschool Special Ed. teacher who travels during her vacation time.  She also enjoys running, rock climbing, and yoga.  Check out her blog at MilesOfAbbie.com!