Peaks 50 Miler - The Beginning

There has been a blank page staring at me for quite some time now.  Instead of writing, I get lost in my head thinking about the race, the epic adventure, the experience.  Yesterday was Erin/Blaine's Jack-n-Jill for BGSC.  There was a pre-shower run fatass-style.  Dave, Mindy and I set out together a few minutes after the others.  Dave asked if we minded if he asked a few things about (or was it shared a few things about) Peaks.  I think Mindy and I nearly shouted in unison.  Please talk.  We all found that that's what we'd been craving all week.  We wanted to talk about each part, relive it, share the other person's living of it, not let it be done.  So it's funny that I can't seem to get started.

I'm going to refer you to Mindy's Race Report, Chapter One for a pre-race account.  It's the only part I've read so far so that it wouldn't influence my account.  I thought that would make me get mine done sooner cause I've bee craving to read all the reports.  At least that'll help me just dive in....

I managed to sleep some the night before.  Still, I was awake before the alarm.  It was a brisk morning, but the day was expected to be hot.  So, I planned to start out in my shorts and TM tee, but pair it with my sleeves and some gloves.  I don't think I've said before how much I love my sleeves.  Rick gave them to me for Xmas.  I found them to be just the thing for days like this when with a cold start, but warming up quickly.  They are also good when you can't decided between a heavy shirt or just a long sleeve shirt.  I've worn them several times under my long sleeves.

It was so great to meet up with all the TMs in the race parking lot - so much Monster strength and comaraderie :D

Scout and Squirrel.  Ready.

Team Jeremy Arriving

The Amazing Alison

Zak and gIANt

Dave, ready to rock out his first 50

Peaking Trail Monsters

After some rambling pre-race instructions, we made our way to the start.  The hundred milers stayed on the farm side, while us 50 milers crossed the road for our first 40 miles.  I think Mindy and I were somewhere in the middle of the pack.  The course lead immediately up a hill lined with two pastures of highland cows.  Most runners took it easy heading up, just warming up after all.

The highland cows made me think of our Animal Loop

As we made our way through some fields, Mindy said something about feeling like we should hold back a bit, save ourselves for what was coming.  I'm glad she was there (of course!) to remind me.  I hate being in the crowd (yes, 70+ runners can feel like a crowd) and often just run faster to get past people, especially people that annoy me.  So, I pulled back a bit, but then couldn't take the sloshy guy and ran a little harder.  I'm not sure exactly how far in, maybe 2 to 3 miles, I told Mindy I had to pee.  I was amazed by how many people we were ahead of.  Oh well, we reeled some back in.  I was started talking to this one woman about her hydration pack; I'd never seen one like it before.  It looked pretty streamlined, but like it didn't hold much.  She said it only held 1.5 liters, but she didn't want to slosh like, yup sloshy guy.  He was her boyfriend and just ahead.  I asked if he knew how to take the head space out.  I thought maybe I could help us all.  They were very nice, but I was glad to put some distance between us again.

Now and again, Mindy or I would say to the other look where we're running!  What a beautiful state!  The first 8ish miles were through beautiful fields and on some dirt roads. 

Then we headed off on the first hint of what was to come.  On the way out to what was a little out and back just to go up a hill and bushwack a bit, we crossed paths with Ian and Zak heading back.  It was such a fun boost.  Then came Chuck.  Part way up the hill we whooped as Dave came down, but I missed the photo op cause the Squirrel and I had our packs off to get our first food of the day.  It was also here that I lost my gloves, literally.

Go guys!

Big smile

The hill got steep and steeper.  It was long, but, again, just a hint of what was to come.  At the top of the climb, there was a short stretch of bushwacking.  It was kinda of fun, but a bit contrived.  Scout and Squirrel had done real bushwacking on the way to Triffittville.  Here, there was no chance of going astray; the long pick ribbons were plentiful.  It was just about pushing through.

 

Back down, we decided to add some water to our packs at the "aid station", really two jugs of water.  It wasn't at the mileage it was supposed to be.  We were pretty sure we'd be fine till the next aid station, but we didn't know if we could count on it being there.  Talking to each other, two guys butted in telling us that you couldn't expect the mileage to be exact, blah, blah, blah.  It wasn't the last we'd see of those guys.

It wasn't long before we were back on a dirt road headed to the Abba aid station.  A vehicle comes along side with a very welcomed sight; Francesca was looking for kisses.

Mindy and Francesca

 About a mile later Alison and Francesca run us into the aid station where Rick and Pete are ready to take care of us.  We don't require much at this point and are quickly off.  I guess this will have to be my first installment.  It's past my bedtime.