Tara Mildenberger

Sometimes the thing we could never imagine doing is the very thing that grips us and propels us to reach higher, challenge us and change us. Tara Mildenberger of Centreville, Maryland started small and soared. Learn how she started running and what motivates her to serve the running community.

The standard first question … When did you start running? 
I believe it would have been early in 2013. I was a stay-at-home, homeschooling mom of 3, and I wanted to get out a bit and get some exercise. I had never been a runner; I didn’t really expect it to be something that I would enjoy. I downloaded the couch to 5k app and followed it from beginning to end. I remember the first day – it said that by the end of the program I’d run for 30 mins without stopping – I laughed because I couldn’t quite see myself doing that!

You run all the distances, right up to 100 miles, correct? When did you run your first ultramarathon? What was it? 
I have run distances from 5ks to 100 milers, yes. I ran my first ultra in 2019, it was the ALQ50k. Again, I had to laugh at the thought of it, how was I going to run for 31 miles?? 

What’s your favorite race distance? How about favorite races? 
This is tough. I like different distances for different reasons. I can say with confidence that I prefer to run ultras vs. shorter distances. An ultra is an adventure, you stand at the start line not knowing what will happen, not even if you will finish, it’s daunting and thrilling to toe a line like that. Ultras are always difficult (at least for me); inevitably there will be times that I want to stop, that my brain is telling me to stop, and I have to find a way to move forward, even in the hard, messy, ugly parts. To me, this is a metaphor for life … it is hard, messy, and ugly at times, but working through those things makes the beautiful parts all the more beautiful. I see this parallel the most when I run through the night. For me, twilight is the toughest; it is usually the coldest part of the night, it’s quite dark, I’ve probably been moving for almost 24 hours at this point, and I find it to be the time when every part of me wants to stop, but the sunrises that follow are always the best ones to see! Like life, making it through the hardest parts makes the amazing parts that much sweeter.

My favorite race will probably always be the Greenbrier 100; it was my first 100 miler. The reason it will remain my favorite is community. It was hard, and a big goal achieved, and just a generally phenomenal race with one of the best RDs I’ve encountered, but the number of friends I had at that race running with me or supporting me was unbelievable. Some people ran a shorter distance and then came back to watch us finish the 100. When we crossed the finish line, the number of people there to cheer us on was unreal, and for me, the community is the absolute best part of running ultras!

You embrace challenges and often quote Steve Prefontaine, the late Olympic runner, who is known for saying “To give anything less that your best is to sacrifice the gift.” What does this mean to you? 
This quote is the embodiment of the runner that I want to be. I truly believe that the ability to run is a gift. It was given by God, and to be worthy of it, I want to always give my best. When I reflect on “giving my best,” I’m aware that there are obvious ways to do this: train properly, care for my body, and leave everything I have on the course on race day (much like Pre). To me though, there is more; it means that I care for, cheer for, support, and lift up those around me. During training, in a race, as a volunteer, on an ultra crew, as a pacer and a race director, I want to be conscious of everyone around me, and hopefully be a positive force in their life during those times. I want to uplift, encourage, and share joy, because that’s what the gift of running gives to me and I feel I must pass it on.

What’s the hardest race you’ve done? 
As a flatlander, I’d say anything with elevation! The hardest though might be Rabid Raccoon, it was a difficult 100, with a good bit of elevation. We had rainy, windy, cold weather, mud that grabbed your shoes and didn’t let go, as well as multiple freezing river crossings; but for me, it was made much more difficult by a revolt in my body. I was sick through most of the race, couldn’t keep food in, my pace slowed to what felt like a crawl and the cold temps had me near hypothermia. I had to stop that one at mile 75, it’s the only time my body just wouldn’t allow me to continue moving forward, making it my toughest.  

You are the race director for the Tuckahoe 25K, now in its 7th year. Tell us more about the race. 
I am one of the RDs for T25k, and it is truly a labor of love for all of us! It started when three of my friends and I were training for our first Algonquin 50k, we trained on the Tuckahoe trails regularly and were always lamenting how there should be a race there. After we completed ALQ, we tossed the idea out to Trent Swanson, the RD for ALQ. He thought it was a great idea and agreed to join us in creating a race at the park. We consider it the perfect race! It’s the perfect distance (25k), perfect time of year (November), perfect course (some runnable, some hilly and technical), and we strive to always have perfect swag. Our goal is to make it a race that we, as runners, would want to run year after year. Co-directing it is one of the best blessings that running has given me!

How have you used running to help others? 
I participate in running with TEAM 360, whose goal is “To Empower and Motivate” differently-abled athletes, allowing them to participate in mainstream sporting events. I began this because of my goddaughter, Sarah Grace. She had cerebral palsy and was confined to a wheelchair. She had been participating in local 5ks and 10ks and asked if I would sign up so I could run with her. Of course I said yes and since then, I’ve run countless races with the incredible TEAM 360 athletes. I was fortunate to run several races with Sarah before her passing in 2023. I continue to run with TEAM 360 and hope that lending my legs, lungs, and heart to these amazing athletes is another way that I give my best so as not to sacrifice the gift I’ve been given.