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My name is Sarah Mehan, from El Reno Oklahoma. Christian, Wife, Mother, Teacher, Coach, Business Owner.

I would say my Running journey began a little over 20 years ago. Growing up I did not have the opportunity to engage in athletics. I worked my teenage years only being able to play basketball off and on through about 8th grade. When I had my first child, my son Wyatt, I was determined to be a very active and engaged, mom who led by example. I always desired to play sports and had a great passion for athletics but was not able to growing up. After his birth, I began running and walking to stay in the best of shape and more importantly to be a mentor and model for him and my daughter, Molly who came along 7 years later. For me, Running really took off when I ran my first half marathon in 2005. I was hooked after that. I found that Running was my release for EVERYTHING. It brought me closer to God and was my true healing connection to living in such a trying and sinful world. I battled many health issues over the years and Running always brought me back to a firm spiritual and physical foundation. After running numerous half marathons and a few marathons, I unfortunately had a very traumatic leg injury in 2021, which left me with permanent nerve damage in my lower shin and foot. That experience combined with a couple cancer journeys, revealed to me that God had called me to use my running for far more than I ever expected. I learned right then that God had saved my leg for a much bigger reason. In 2022, I ran my first half marathon after the injury. The next year, I was presented with the opportunity to lending my legs and running to the organization, Ainsley’s Angels. I had the honor and privilege to be the runner and pusher for a young teen in a wheelchair for the half marathon in the 2022 Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon. She was very close to my daughter’s age and my heart knew that this was meant to be. She and I decided that year to commit to running the full marathon in 2023, and so that’s just what we did. And as I completed the 2023 Oklahoma City Memorial marathon pushing my sweet friend Jordyn in her wheelchair, I knew that God was calling me to do far more with my legs.

That calling led to me signing up for my first ultra marathon, a 50K in the Great Shasta Rail Trail Endurance Run in McCloud, California.

As a teacher and now cross country coach, I believe one should never stop learning because the world never stops teaching. So with that said, I believe God intentionally gives us opportunities to challenge ourselves and find deeper inner strength. Within that strength, we find who we were created to be and our purpose.

With all of my health journeys and a few other personal stories looming over me, I knew that this race was going to be far more than just completing 31 & 1/2 miles on foot. I set out for California from El Reno, Oklahoma solo as my husband and family were very busy taking care of our personal business at home. During my trip, I had the pleasure of acclimating myself in local elevation at Lake Tahoe and Yosemite. I completed a grueling 12 mile hike and run in preparation for the race the following Saturday. I met so many glorious people from all over the world along my training runs preparing for the 50K. As the race drew near I was dealing with extreme inflammation in my leg from my previous leg injury, and the elevation was not helping. However, my motto is Jesus and Gym. With Jesus on my side, all things are possible. My Gym is anywhere I make it. The race was glorious, and I could not have asked for a better experience! I learned so much along the course, especially about myself and how to properly train and better prepare my body for the elements that I run in given my circumstances. The Great Shasta Rail Trail run is the first of many ultras in my future of ultra racing and I’m so grateful I to have had it as my first experience! The beautiful people I met along the way were so encouraging and supportive and loving, and I’m so blessed to have been a part of this race.
Until next time California, Jesus & Gym,
Sarah Mehan

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Also! Check out this blog and race recap by one of our two-time finishers!  https://calirunnerliam.blogspot.com/2024/07/same-race-different-experience.html