San Leon grandma, 64, breaking records in grueling ultramarathons – Chron

It’s not unusual to find Pamela Chapman Markle running anywhere from 80 to 100 miles each week. It’s just part of her long-distance race training as an ultramarathon runner, and the San Leon resident says she loves it.

“I enjoy the challenge physically and mentally,” said Markle. “It’s always a surprise to me to see how the body will adapt to what you demand of it.”

At 64 years old, Markle is persevering in a passion that pushes her to the limit. And the demands for ultramarathon running — races that go beyond typical marathon length of 26.2 miles — can be tough.

“My current running schedule is very hectic,” said Markle, who runs one long weekend run of up to 25 miles. “Stretching has become a necessity with my aging, and also some strength work.”

Races often range from 50 to 200 miles, with some lasting for an undetermined distance requiring more from 24 to 48 hours. The courses can be varied from cross-country trail races to repeating single loops on a track.

Most of the races that Markle has completed have been between 50 and 150 miles and last up to 48 hours. She has run almost 40 ultramarathons in the last 10 years.

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“I have run nine ultramarathons since January 2019, and I have more to complete this year,” said Markle, who works as a certified registered nurse anesthetist.

A solitary runner

Preferring to run by herself rather than in crowds, Markle doesn’t train with a running group and has no time in her schedule for the traditional marathons and 5Ks.

“I am disciplined enough to run alone and love it,” said Markle, who’s also careful to manage her nutrition for running.

Her hard work is paying off. Markle is breaking race records in her age division and earning recognition, including running one of the fastest times of 21 hours and 29 minutes in her age group at a 100-mile road race in Florida.

Markle set another record at the MadCity 100K in Wisconsin, where she won the USA Track & Field National Champion for her age group. She also set records in her age group for the Badwater 135 race, a course that covers 135 miles non-stop across California terrain.

Chris Kostman, who organizes the Badwater series of ultra running races, said Markle is redefining what’s possible for runners as they age.

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“She has broken the women’s 60-plus age group record during each of the four consecutive Badwater 135 races she’s competed in,” Kostman said. “Her performances are plain to see, and we all stand in awe of Pamela.”

Markle is on Instagram and Twitter.

She became interested in distance running a decade ago when a surgeon who she knew ran ultramarathons encouraged her to give running a try. Her first race was called the Rocky Raccoon and 100 miles long. Markle trained for nine months.

“I didn’t train properly and had quite a few injuries,” said Markle, who has three daughters and eight grandchildren. “I decided to do another race with a different training program. Then I got hooked.”

Husband tags along on bike with ice, water

The work, training and preparation involved with Markle’s ultramarathons wouldn’t be possible without her husband, Spencer. The couple has been married for almost eight years.

“My role is to provide ongoing support in her training and especially during her races,” said Spencer Markle, who works as the senior partner in a civil litigation law firm. “We both know that nobody will take care of her and worry about her like I do.”

The couple travels together for races, and he helps her with weekend runs that range anywhere from 10 miles to 25-30 miles.

“On the weekends for long training runs while she is running, I am on a bicycle wearing a 20-pound backpack filled with ice, water and nutrition,” Spencer Markle said. “During races, I am there every lap during a track or trail race or every two miles on a road race handing her anything that she needs during the race.”

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At the races, Spencer Markle also keeps track of his wife’s pace, time and where she stands compared to the record she’s trying to beat. It’s exhausting work for her, he said, but she finds the will to keep pushing.

“She has worked extremely hard and just gets faster with age,” Spencer Markle said. “However, it is her grit, courage and determination that make her elite. She is willing to endure severe physical discomfort to accomplish her goals.”

The intense running and training are not without challenges, the couple said. They both try to balance running with careers and family. Also there are mental and physical challenges to overcome, Markle said, but she sees those hard times as opportunities to grow in her faith and become stronger.

“I get knocked down, but that is just like life,” she said. “I make sure I get up and try harder next time. I also have a strong amount of faith.”

Markle’s example of perseverance and strength has been a great encouragement, said her daughter, Stacy Butler.

“My mom is always crushing some sort of record, and she just continually gets better and better,” said Butler, who has also run more than 20 miles alongside Merkle for the last part of several races. “I have always looked up to her. She taught me to always go after my dreams and that I am never done getting better.”