So, Jedi didn't get into Hardrock. He and I registered for Never Summer. Squirrel wasn't up for a 100K race, or maybe just any races, but she was up for pacing me!!! It was going to be a big adventure. Rick and I, Jedi and Ann, and Squirrel and Pete would make an entire vacation around it.
Training was going fine, until an 18 mile run in March, with Billy and Barb, on mash potatoe-y snow at Riverlands. My lower back was pretty grumpy after. The next day, it had that one-wrong-move-and-you're-screwed feeling, but I didn't let that stop me from going out with Piper in the fields for my scheduled 10 miles. I didn't get far before the dreaded tweak happened with a posthole into deep snow. Fuck. I could barely move. I called Rick on my cell, "I don't think I can get back to the house!!!" But I did. It took a long time until I wasn't writhing in pain. It was an acupuncture treatment that first brought some relief. I continue to go almost weekly to keep the back behaving. I'm supposed to be stretching out the time between visits, but...Besides relaxing my back, I get a nap every appointment.
By the time the taper came around, I'd only managed two long runs of 20 miles, backed up with 10s. I felt like I was trained for a marathon, but the trip was booked and paid for. I was going to toe the line no matter.
The course was beautiful. The course was, um, challenging. There's a gradual up for just a bit over a mile when it really starts to climb. The start is at 9050' and five miles later, you're at just about 11,500', really just getting warmed up. The biggest climb comes after the second aid station. See the elevation profile; the long climb culminates with a 56% up on loose rock.
I knew Squirrel would be waiting for me at the next aid station. I wanted to quit right there, but she'd hiked in 5 miles to pace me. I felt obligated to continue. This was the last "big climb" of the race, consisting of running up a mountain to a lake, then back down to the aid station. We made it up and down, but it was dark before we reached the lake. We'd have to take everyone's word that is was gorgeous. I was already going painfully slow, but, with the darkness, I found new definitions of slow. By the time we reached the aid station, we were pushing the cutoff. One of the aid station volunteers overheard me telling Mindy that I didn't want to go on. He said stay there seven minutes, I'd be pulled because of the cut off. He knew what he was giving me, a way to be pulled and not technically quit. I hugged him.
Fast forward to Never Summer 2018. I registered as soon as it opened. I knew the minute I DNFed that I was going to go back. I did not wear the NS hoodie I bought, nor the race tee in my 2017 race packet, or even the shoes I wore during the race, for that matter. I needed to finish the race before I deserved to wear the goods. The shoes were going back for redemption, too. I thought it was going to be with Squirrel running with me, but her big professional conference ended up coinciding with race weekend. Oh well, it was my redemption race anyway.
Training went pretty well. I continued to rely on acupuncture to keep the parts runnable. Of the 1008 miles that I scheduled for my training, I did 1020. Squirrel joined on the second half of many of my long runs, providing company and bringing fluids! Xar joined on many of the first half of my runs.
Everyone told me I had it. I didn't want to take anything for granted, knowing the course, but I really was so much more conditioned that the previous year and(!) Rick and I were going out a week early to try to acclimate better, too. The only thing that hadn't worked out was finding a pacer. Ok, I'd get more badass points for running solo in the wild mountains of Colorado in the dark. I was only slightly nervous about bear, but really concerned about thunderstorms above timberline.
Rick and I enjoyed our six days in Breckenridge. We'd get up early, get out for hike/run, and be done by early afternoon. We'd hit our favorite pub for lunch and just relax the rest of the day. We pretty much left our rental car parked. The trails and town were all reachable from our condo!
I think it was Wednesday when I started to lay out my drop bags. I never pack or really plan. This might indicate how serious I was taking the race. I do hate how un-environmentally friendly a trail race can be. Seems a bit ironic. But I measured individual baggies of Tailwind scoops out for all my drop bags. I also put in one to two 1/2 liter bottles of water. I know that these races have to treat their water with chlorine. This way I would at least have diluted chlorination if not just my bottled water. I put my long sleeved Trail Monster shirt, long pants, and my orange Craig's Cup gloves in the drop bag where I dropped last year. I figured I should be there before dark, when I anticipated it getting cold. At one point the forecast had it getting down to 32͒ for the low. After I was done, I went back and put two extra baggies of Tailwind into each drop bag; it didn't take up much space and better safe than sorry.
Friday, Rick and I loaded up our vehicle, walked to town for a big breakfast, checked out, and said bye to Breckenridge (if we win the lottery, we'll own a condo there). It's around a 2.5 hour drive from Breck to Walden, CO. We'd gotten a room in the same hotel we'd stayed in last year, really the only place if not camping. It's kinda dark, with lots of taxidermy, but clean and 25 minutes from the race start.
It was good to drive to the Start/Finish for packet pickup. We were able to confirm how long it takes and for Rick to re-familiarize himself with the terrain. We were there 5 minutes before the official pickup, 3pm - 7pm, but it was already bustling with runners. We dropped the bags, picked
up my free socks, tee shirt, toothbrush, and toothpaste. They weren't handing out bibs until race day. I understand it's a good way to get final count, but I'd rather have my number already pinned to my shorts. At Riverlands we do roll call, but then we don't have 365 runners. We didn't hang around, but drove right back to town.Last year, we were all disappointed with our meals in the hotel restaurant. Was it Mindy that said it was one of her worst meals out? So, bowling alley sandwiches for supper. The crew had been directed there by a local last year. Again, nothing good for you, but definitely tasty and filling.
I can't remember what we watched on TV trying to fill the hours before we'd try to sleep. I'd laid my running clothes out so I could pull then on and declare myself ready. The race started at 5:30am, but there'd be race staff there for
people who hadn't done packet pickup the day before and, ofcourse, everyone needed to get their number. Rick and I both agreed I didn't need to be there till 5am, but Rick was concerned about parking. OK, he'd drop me at the road, go park at the visitors center for the park about 1/2 mile up the road, and hopefully get back to me before go.
Although my eyes popped wide open not long after 2am, we'd gone to sleep early enough, I'd probably gotten close to 4 hours. For me, not at all bad. The hard part was not disturbing Rick; he was going to have a long stressful 24+ hours and he needs way more sleep than I. He woke before our alarm, too, perhaps because it's hard to be quiet in a hotel room once you're up.
Oh shit. I realized I forgot to get a bagel, in case I'd remembered wrong and they didn't have bagels and coffee for people milling around before the start. I knew for sure they had coffee, but felt like I might be confusing Haliburton with NS's start. They had similar buildings. OK, I'd eat the banana we'd brought from Breckenridge and hope they had food; all of our bars had been left in the various drop bags.
We loaded up our few things into the SUV and got on the road. We lead a small caravan of other runners who were staying at the Antler's Inn. I enjoyed the just-one-day-past full moon. It meant clear skies! We were concerned about parking. Last year it was hard to get a spot and there were close to 100 more runner's this year. Rick decided to drop me off at the side of the road, I'd walk the 1/4 mile to the start/finish, and he'd go back down the road to see if there was parking at the state park visitor's center, probably a little more than 1/2 mile away. He had 1/2 hour to get to the start/finish before race start.
The building was already crowded; I say already but it was just 20 minutes to pre-race meeting. There wasn't anyone in my line for race bib. I picked up my number 2 and pins, then tried to find a piece of bench to set my pack while I pinned on my number. A woman with a French(?) accent and knee brace made a some space for me. I chatted a bit, but she was more focused on the guy next to her. Talk of training, or lack there of, and altitude.
Yay! I saw Rick walk in the door and signaled my location. I told him there was coffee, but no food. He searched his day pack and came up with a Kind bar!! I topped off my coffee before wolfing down the bar. We could hear the meeting starting outside, but there was a traffic jam of runners trying to get out the one and only door to the building. Rick was surprised there could be a building with a fireplace without multiple exits. I just wanted to hear what the RD was saying.
Thanking sponsors, yup yup, what to watch for for markings, check, the weather! They were calling for a chance of rain, but they hadn't been right all week. OK. Gonna start five minutes late. OK, not gonna need the headlamp at all. I stashed it in my pack. Rick helped me get it back on with out twists. With my poles attached, that was harder. A kiss. See you in 17 miles. The count down! And....
The RACE:
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| I was standing on my spot on the bench |
Very soon, the climbing began. I changed my game plan immediately. Why should I carry the poles on the pack when they could be of use, instead of extra weight?! I had thought I would use them at the same stage of the race I picked them up last year. Good call! They made a difference. Day had really broken and the scenery became more and more scenic as we climbed!! I tried my best not to take pictures, but some just had to be taken. I swore I would not take too much time.
Looking at the elevation profile, you wouldn't think there was a down at all in the first 5 miles, but around 3 miles in, I fell on a down. It was soooo dry and the ground did not hold together well. Instead of falling forward, I fell in a weird way such that my knee folded hard under me. I felt a shooting pain on the inside, lower right knee. It was the first of many f-bombs I would unleash that day. I was worried I might be done, but there was nothing left but to keep moving and let it unfold. It hurt, but running did not seem to make it hurt worse. OK, fair enough. This is why I shave my legs. If I didn't, I would have needed first aid. Yup. The science believer has weird little, um, superstitions, that aren't really believed, but never flouted.After the first summit, there's a good down. All the people I passed going up, flew by me. Some I would see again when I passed them on the next up, but you gain so much more distance if you can run the downs. gIANt always tells me I should train harder on the downs. I didn't follow his advice very much, but I did work at it some. With the poles I could easily run down the Green trail at Thorncrag, with no stopping or regrouping. But, the trail is firm. I do not like the trail to shift under my feet, lots of little rocks running ahead to trip me when I didn't account for them in my step. Seeing other people do it, I know I could. I would need to find somewhere local that had some similar terrain to practice. No way was I going to risk falling on those steep declines.
Another peak, a really beautiful little lake, another down, and then it finally leveled off! That meant the first aid station was coming up. I was hungry. I'd try a PBJ since it was early and my stomach was fine. I felt my hydration pack. It felt like most of the 48 oz of Tailwind was gone. I was just going to do two scoops of Tailwind at this aid station, knowing that it was just over 6 miles to the next aid. Hmm, the sun was getting stronger. At altitude, with the dryness, I decided I wanted more than 32 oz of fluid. I'd have to go a little diluted since I only had the two scoops stashed in my pack. Hey, I don't see pbj. I asked a volunteer. She said they were already out of bread. They'd already gone through more than last year. As co-RD for two ultras, I totally understand how that goes. As a runner looking for fuel, I was a bit bummed AND hungry. I took a quarter of a chocolate chip cookie. The rest of the offerings were candy and chip stuff. I said thank you and moved on.
Almost immediately started climbing again, going back up over 11,000'. They needed to chlorinate their water, but it wasn't too much. I knew I'd have to get over it, cause that's what there was. And after this climb, there was a long down to Rick! Oh, so here's most of the pics I'd taken up to that point. I didn't take too many past there.
From 11,200', it was pretty steady down to our first time we went back below 10,000 to about 9,700'. The long down took it toll on my toes, not just the hammering into the ends of my shoes, but I stubbed toes well into double digits 😂. Was it on this descent that my shins started to bark, too? Anyway, I ran in well to where Rick was waiting. I was able to grab a PBJ off the aid table, then Rick took over. I believe he applied sunscreen to my legs. I'd done my face and arms with the little stick of baby sunscreen I'd bought to put in the front pocket of my pack. I'm sure I was pretty funny looking since it's mostly zinc and titanium dioxides. But I didn't burn at all! I had a good amount of Tailwind left; I probably could have just done 32 oz and not diluted it. Oh well. I added three scoops of Tailwind and about 40 oz of fluid, figuring to get it near full strength again. I gave Rick a kiss, told him to try to get some rest, and headed off, knowing the hardest climb was about to happen.
The climb starts pretty seriously right away, but, from last year, I knew this was nothing. I told whoever I was with how I crawled on the steepest climb last year. No joke. And was planning to do that again. It's kind of ironic, but it was the only stretch where I'd put my poles on my pack. I'd need to be able to shorten them down to picks for them to be of any use. Then comes the turn where you can see the summit. You know you have to go there. You can't believe those little ants are all runners. 56% grade is, um, steep. It's fucking steep. As we approached the climb, and soon lack of trees, I heard some thunder. Great. More rumbles. When we popped out of tree cover, I could see that the storm was on a different mountain. It looked like to was even moving away. Phew!!! It would take a long time to summit and then we'd be on the ridge for quite some time.
Well, I started on all fours, but I didn't have that same sense of dread as I did last time. When I needed a breather, I actually stood up. Last year, I'd find a rock that didn't seem like was going to slide back down and sit. Once my heart rate wasn't so loud, I started back up on just my two legs. Though I stopped way fewer times than last year and was more upright and sure, it took many, many minutes to summit at over 11,825'. I had time to think about what I would do if a storm came up. There's no way I could go down what I just came up. None. The steepness and loose rocks were a combination that seemed as dangerous as lightening. I'd have to get up and then take one of the less steep ways down...but it was so far to trees. I have no idea why I was putting me through the scenarios. Nothing but sunshine.
OH! I totally forgot, but even before my first fall at 3ish miles, I'd come up with my theme song for the race. In the months leading up to the race, I thought it would be Snow Patrol's "Don't Give In"
However, on an up, some guy went running past and I said, "Whoa! nice work!" He said, "Run when you can." Immediately, I took that line. Essentially, changing one word in Dan Fogelberg's "Part of the Plan", I got:
Run when you can,
Cry when you have to ,
Be who you must,
That's a part of the plan,
Await your arrival,
with simple survival and,
one day we'll all understand.
Yup, I was very happy. It seemed to have it nailed. I sang it many times aloud and in my head.
Back to the climb....
Last year, besides the people taking bib numbers when you touched the cairn on the top, there was a little band (the way up from the other side is not as steep; band members did not carry their instruments up our grade). No fanfare this year. I was wondering if the possibility of storms kept them off the mountain.
It must seem like I remember every single detail. Well, I see that there is an aid station at mile 23.2. One that is still quite high on the mountain. It had no drop bags and no crew access (reading from the race info). Did I not stop? I can't remember; Sorry, Montgomery aid station, but maybe I was focused on getting to Rick. So much down. We'd dip below 9,500' before climbing a little to the get the next aid at 29.4 miles. I knew Rick would be anxious to see what I looked like here. I took over 40 minutes for them to convince me to keep going last year. I wanted him to see how good I looked. I was getting really hot. I'd told him last aid station that I'd start doing s-caps when I saw him next. Good call.
I called out my number as I ran in. Rick was all, "What do you need?" A volunteer offered a freeze pop! I need a freeze pop!!! I got a chair, gave Rick my hydration pack. I wanted to carry 48 oz again. 10 miles to the next aid station and it's hot. I had a pouch of baby food, a last minute purchase at a Walmart in Frisco, CO. I told Rick I was gonna sit for a second, but I wouldn't be there 40 minutes. He joked he'd kick me out first. I was there 13 minutes, I think. This climb would send us back over 11,000', but we'd get to see a spectacular lake for our efforts. Last year, there was a stretch of mushy snow along a ridge above a lake. It felt like if you slipped in the snow, you'd slide down the steep snow about 1,000' into the water. Then there was these large rocks all jumbled, that was also tricky footing. Jedi saw two big horn sheep there, last year.
A kiss for luck and I'm outta there. I won't get to see Rick again to Canadian, the 50.1 mile aid staton. We have to run up a stretch of dirt road to cross over a real road. I caught up with a woman I'd been leap frogging with. She had told me her heart rate was high. I joked that I wouldn't even want to know. Turns out she wears one because she has an irregular heart rate. Her HR had gotten to 220 a couple of times. She said she'd bring her data to her cardiologist after. I wonder if she was in Afib. Any way, I past her again and turned to say something. Boom! I fell hard where there was no reason for it. I was a little slow getting up, but got back in motion. She asked how I was. Hurt my hip, but I think it just needed to loosen up. I let her go by as I walked a bit. Then Rick drove past! So glad he didn't see me fall.
Across the road and the up. Even though we were in the trees, I could tell the sky was darkening. Sigh. When I was reading a little piece on what to do if a black bear attacked (I knew there was something different between the advice for a grizzly attack and black bear), it went on to assure the reader that they were way more likely to be struck by lightening that attacked by a bear. Right now, that was not making me feel better.
I'm not sure how far we'd gone, but it was some distance and quite a lot of up, when the first lightning streaked, followed by a loud rumble. Shit. Shit. Another clap. I said to the guy next to me, I don't like lightning. I really don't like lightning. I'm pretty sure I made myself clear. Then there was more. I asked what are we supposed to do. He's like he's read different stuff, but it's not all that clear. Getting under a rocky outcropping would be good if there was any, but there's not way he was going back down. He had no interest in doing that up again. That made sense, but I knew we were headed for above timberline. Shit.
Then there was more lightning, with hail, and wind. Everyone left the trail for more tree cover. I remembered what the guy had said before the race, how you don't want to cluster. One, you're a bigger target, but the real reason is so there will be someone to so CPR. Nice thing to run through your head. The temperature dropped significantly. Brrrr. OK, why did everyone else have on jackets? It was just hot. I am always surprised at how warmly people dress. In the coldest of winter, I don't wear more than a headband on my head. I get too hot with a full hat.
I'm not sure how long before the hail lightened up. That's when we all broke from cover. I think it's here where I picked up with the three most amazing people; at least they are my current heroes. Heading up still, I learned that Mark and Vishal was from the Buffalo area. I asked if they'd done the Hotter than Hell 100. No, they'd never heard of it. Well, that's cause I meant the Beast of Burden, the only ultra I know in the Buffalo area. Once we got that figured out, Vishal said he'd done it. I said I knew someone who'd done the winter one. He'd done the winter one. Turns out he ran much of it with Dave Bidler!!! He asked me to tell Dave he said hi. Um, small world! Jessica was with them and seemed definitely to be old friends, but it turns out, they'd just met today.
The rumbling seemed to have ended. That storm moved on. Phew. It wasn't very long before the next one moved in. We now had much less tree cover. Some people chose to just keep going. Hail again! More lightning. Our little band tried to decide our best option. The trees offered some shelter from the hail, but would it attract the lightning? Many of the little patches of trees had runners clustered under them. I started shivering. Mark and Jessica moved in as close as they could to try to help keep me warm. The hail let up a bit. Should we try to make it to the next group of trees? We all decided if we didn't hear lightning in the next minute, that's just what we'd do. So we leap frogged from tree clump to tree clump, till the next batch of hail moved in. We stayed put while the small marble-sized hail pelted the ground.
My hands were suffering from Raynaud's syndrome . Although, it may be I was just that cold. Mark said he had a pair of sleeves he wasn't using. He told me to put them on my hands. One of them had a hole and Jessica encourage me to put my thumb through so I could manage my poles better. She was trying to find the hole in the other pair; she thought it was a feature, not a defect. Mark tried to get me to make a hole in them. No way! It was nice enough of him to lone them to me!! While everyone was cold, I was way worse. When the hail let up, we started out again. I was shivering uncontrollably. Mark tried to walk on the wind side to shield me. It would have been good to run to help warm up, but I was so wet, it was cold, and that fucking wind!!! I started feeling a bit dizzy. Mark was even more glued to me. I knew he wasn't going to let me fall.
As they recovered and I did not, I tried to convince them that they should go on. I would feel even worse if I wrecked their races!! No way. These people, who just met me, would not leave me. Mark got my contact info so he could let people know (thinking back, this was probably in case I wasn't able to at some point) and then had me swing my arms to try to get blood back in the fingers. It helped, but, fuck, that was painful!!! Soon, the sun came back out and Jessica warmed up. The made me take her jacket. She's much smaller, we could just get the bottom inch or two zipped.
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| Vishal, Mark, and Jessica. 💓💓💓 |
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| Last year I'd be on snow |
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| In Jessica's jacket |
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| I don't remember Mark being this far away from me :) |
I was sure I was done. It was going to suck to be so much better trained and not even make it as far as I did last year. So Devon, the only way down is to walk, huh? He said that, or he would walk with me a mile down where they could get a helicopter in. Hell no!!! I said I should just get started. I'm not sure when Paul stopped there, but there was runner 236, Paul, who was having stomach issues. He told Devon he'd walk down with me. His stomach was too upset to run. I was still shaking pretty bad. Devon said to keep his hat. Paul said I could use his windbreaker; it was dry already and really warm. He had another one if he needed it. Were all the runners at NS this awesome, or just the ones I needed? He saw that it was awkward for me to hold the space blanket and my poles. I could use one and hold the space blanket together will the other. He turned out to have the same poles, make and size as mine. He folded his right one up and stashed it in his back and used my right one, while I used them left.
Down. I tried to hear all Paul had to say. I got that he's an accomplished ultra runner. This was his first time at this kind of altitude and his first time with stomach issues. I think blaming the altitude was a good assumption. Space blankets are so krinkle-y. I missed mush of what he was saying. You can only say what so many times. He had to alert me when runners were coming from behind.
Paul's jacket was warm! The sun was out! We weren't running, but moving pretty well, and either the wind had stopped or it was blocked. I started warming up! Maybe I wasn't done! I wasn't done!! I was going to at least get as far as last year. Maybe there was a chance I'd see Clear Lake in the daylight! Just before we reached the aid station, I made Paul take back his jacket, apologizing for it being soaked, fucking bite valve!!! No worries, he assured me. It dries fast and he had a second one with him.
Approaching the aid station, I yelled, TWO! The guy was all, you're the one we're looking for. That's me and I'm good! I'm going to keep going. They were all for that as long as they got me to sit down, get some food and something hot into me. I wasn't opposed to that, but said my stomach was delicate. While the one person was trying to figure out what food to give me, another got my drop bag. I had a long sleeved shirt, pants, and gloves. In my chair with the space blanket, they brought me two more fleece blankets. I wrapped them around me before figuring out how to use them to change under, without ever leaving my chair. The aid station volunteer mentioned broth. Eeeewwww! The thought of it made me want to puke. My neighbor runner said the hot chocolate was awesome. OK, I want awesome hot chocolate. It was!!!! OK, I could use it to wash down a PBJ. That made the medical guy happy. He took my O2 sats, temp, and pulse. He agreed I was good to go! 2.5 miles up and 2.5 miles back to the same aid station. Number two leaving!
I did not run, but I walked fast. I passed people. I remember how pathetically slow I did this leg last year. Poor Squirrel, I was not in a happy place. This day, I was determined to see that lake in daylight. I didn't have much time. No stopping, just go. Holy shit!!! Jessica!!! Her happiness at seeing me still going gave me such a boost! She said the boys aren't far behind! I knew I was getting close; it's amazing what you can remember from a course. Mark! He didn't react much. I learned later that he had lost his stomach contents on this leg. It would take him a little bit to recover and push faster. I don't know how i missed Vishal, but I did.
Crap, people had headlamps on. I don't know why people put them on before they're needed, but it made me wonder if I would see the lake. I could see the lake with no lamp. I count that as making it. I don't know if it was my attitude or what, but I thought it was the least spectacular lake of the day, not worth that out and back. Yeah, probably me. The put the check on my bib number and I was heading back down. The beginning is kind of steep. I had an excuse for not running. The lower part was tricky footing, or it may have been me. I walked really fast, but couldn't make myself run.
Back at the aid station, another cup of hot chocolate, and I needed 32 oz of water for my two scoops of Tailwind. The volunteer was all over it. I was warm. I decided not to put on the pants. I had an overshirt in my next aid station drop bag. I was sure that was enough.
Time to leave the aid station. It's totally dark. Anyone else heading out? No one answered. I tried again. One of the volunteers said a woman had left just a couple of minutes before; I could catch her. I wanted to just flat out laugh, but I also didn't want to let too much distance build between us. The bear could head back to the area. I figured there'd been so many runners along the trail that day, they'd probably all moved away, but might be filtering back. I mean, I'd seen a moose, I had lightning and hail, wasn't the bear next?😂 The volunteer said he was heading to get something from his truck, on the way. It wasn't that far, but nice to have his company. Then it was a couple miles down to the lowest point on the course before a few small ups to Canadian, where Rick would be waiting.
I was able to run until it got a little too steep for me. My shins hurt way more than my toes. Nothing was liking down. I did catch that woman! It would turn out to be a good thing for both of us. We were both power walking pretty fast. Then! She said, "There's a moose! What do we do?!" I looked where she pointed. I saw the eyes. Then another pair, and another!! Ooohh!!! Cattle. I said it's cattle. She still wanted to know what to do. I yelled something. They started to move across the trail further away into the pasture. I clanked my poles together. We're set. Then something caught my eye. I said maybe there is a moose! It was larger and not black like the angus. OH!!! Is it a bull??? We ran to the hide behind some trees. Did I bang my poles more or did it just decide to follow the herd? No idea, but I said it was safe to move. The woman was further back than me. Will you wait for me? Of course! I had lots of Karma to pay forward. We then had to be very careful where we stepped, lots of very fresh cow patties.
We picked up another woman. We all asked about GPSs. No one had one still running. I'd packed a battery charger, but when I tried to connect it, it was too wet and I could get it to make contact. I'd guessed we were doing 15 minute miles. Where was that aid station. They all thought we were moving really well too. The dark does change perception of pace. Still. I said I could pick up the pace. She wasn't sure she had that. Then my headlamp started to die. Had I remembered to pick up my emergency flashlight from my last drop bag? No. Finally, I had to let original woman go ahead of me. She was using a headlamp plus flashlight. If I stayed on her heals, I could see well enough. She nicely announced the cow patties.
Oh, I forgot to mention that the volunteer at the previous aid station had added their Vfuel to my hydration pack instead of water, to which I added my Tailwind. It was disgusting. I knew I would need fuel and liquids so I sipped as much as I could without making my stomach go south, which was not very much. I started getting cold again. I think I was low on calories, and the temperature was definitely well below 40 by now. Rats.
Finally, the lights we saw and the voices we heard were real. We were almost to Canadian. The three of us went on separate ways. I saw Rick!!!! The aid station guy saw how much I was shivering. What can we get you? Hot chocolate. Of course I couldn't even drink it; I was shaking too badly. Rick put it to my lips. I asked about the cut off. The aid station guy said I needed to be warmer before heading out. Another guy brought me a hand warmer. I went to put it into my glove. He said, no, it's your core that needs to warm up. Can you put it in your sports bra. Sure. Nothing. They brought me 4 more hand warmers. One for each wrist, one for each glove. I got another cup of hot chocolate, but still needed help to drink it. Somewhere in there, Rick dumped the mixture in my hydration pack and added new water and tailwind. I wish I remember which volunteer came up with this idea, but he got a 1/2 liter water bottle and added hot water. Can I put that down my shirt? Oh yes! The hydration pack buckle/strap would hold it in place. Time to leave. I know I'm pushing the cut offs. 5.7 miles to the next aid station. Rick would head there. They said I had a climb but nothing like the earlier ones. Oh and picked up another headlamp.
Between the 5 hand warmers, the hot water, and the immediate climb, I warmed up. I passed people going up, but they passed me going down. Story of my life. The down was long enough that I got cold again. Rick immediately directed me into a warming tent once I reached the next aid station. It had a propane heater and a guy who looked like a drop. What did I need? Hot chocolate. Yup. And another. Can they refill my hot water bottle. I gotta get out. Pushing that cut off. Kiss. See you at the finish!!!
The aid station guy said another climb like the last one. Now Jedi had warned that the last climbs were longer than you thought, or worse than you thought...or something, but since that last one didn't seem bad, I assumed it was cause he pushed harder or remembered wrong. Well, it was this climb he was talking about. It just seemed to keep going up, and getting steeper. I was getting worried about my chances. There was another 6.2 to the next aid station, well a place where they had water, then 2.3 more to the finish. The climbed warmed me up again. Would I freeze on the down? I think I was too concerned about pace. More people passed on the down. I hate loose ground.
The last aid station, well really road crossing station. How much time??? You have 30 minutes to go 2.3 miles. I'm good at math, but, between concentrating on the ground, being super tired, calculating the pace needed to finish wasn't easy. I figured it was a bit over 12 minute miles. Fortunately for me, it was mostly flat. Afraid of a disaster, Miss Clavel ran fast, and faster. I passed someone. They asked me the time. I'm sorry I don't know. Finally! I see the finish. I pop out from the trail and shout, "Which way???" Rick answered💓💓💓! This way!! I pushed. I crossed the line. Did I finish????? With minutes to spare! Phew! Rick's all, lets get you in the warm building. No! I'm hot and going to cry and hyperventilate!!! That passed in a few minutes. I need a burger and a beer. Done.
Oh, I saw Jessica at the awards breakfast. All of my amazing runner heroes finished!!! Jessica, Mark, and Vishal, you are the best. I still tear up thinking of you. And Paul, too 💓
I'll try a wrap up post later. Not even going to proof read. Good night.
Aw Val, I love this! great write up and even greater finish :) well deserved!!!! So glad you got that redemption and so glad you had so many trail angels out there helping you along! trail runners are awesome!!
ReplyDeleteThanks, D! I had the best help: Rick, the 3 Musketeers, Paul, and knowledgeable and helpful aid station volunteers <3 Redemption is sweet!!!
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