2021 Never Summer Very Done - No Really

I was going to go back to edit the previous installments, but, no...We're just pushing through.  So, remember my poor foot?  There is no more nerve pain going on.  Maybe it's just the blisters, yeah, I know, I say I never get blisters, that were on the bottoms of my front foot pads and under my big toes and in between its neighbors were barking louder.  I had no interest in taking my shoes off to see if anything could help them.  We're just pushing through.  

Brian noticed someone had gotten artistic while peeing. Was it a name or word?  I forget, but it got us off on a tangent.  Lets just leave it at fart templates were being discussed.  Somewhere along the trail, I think as we were on our way up to Clear Lake I, I developed big burp capability.  I'm just going to put out there that I was as loud or louder than Chandra or Kristen.  Yeah.  I'm not kidding.  I belched my way for miles.  Brian's efforts were nothing compared to my newfound volume.  Oh, and we broke the fart barrier on this stretch too.  Squirrel and I had done that at Peak's.  Special memories (remember to freely sprinkle the eye roll emojis).

The last time I finished NS, this stretch was scary.  With Brian, I couldn't even understand how it could have been.  Of course, it wasn't even really dark yet, but we'd grabbed headlamps at Clear Lake II because it would be dark soon enough.  I'm really glad I remembered to add extra batteries, too.  I don't know if any of you saw on FB, but I had actually done a test of my headlamps.  The one I chose, the winner of the little test, lasted 9+ hours on a fresh charge.  That should have been more than enough.  I don't know if it was on the way to Canadian or Bachman, but it flashed, letting me know it would be dead soon.  At least it isn't one of those that just go dead.  I had some warning.  We swapped the dying rechargeable out for the fresh AAAs.  So much for testing.

Brian periodically checked on my salt intake.  I was trying to take a salt tab every two hours or so.  I was keeping up on my Tailwind too.  Still, we'd laugh because I'd say oh right, but then forget to actually take it.  We did ok though.  I didn't cramp at all and my stomach was better than any other ultra.

I'd like to say I was looking forward to seeing Rick at Canadian, but I was really looking forward to seeing him holding the tube of Butt Paste.  The diaper wipe from Clear Lake II had helped quell the fire, but it was still smoldering (eye rolls folks). 

We made sure to run in.  Rick directed me to a chair.  Look!  A lot of my same chair neighbors.  Some greetings, but then we get down to business.  I ate some PBJ squares and had at least two hot chocolates.  Coffee?  No, just the cocoa please.  Also, Rick offered the beer I requested.  Hmmm, no.  Things were good, lets not yet.  Bring it to Bachman.  I pasted my butt and we got going before cold set in.

The trail from Canadian to Bachman is pretty nondescript.  Maybe in the daylight we'd see something interesting.  We popped out onto a dirt road.  Brian said he thought we should go left.  I didn't see any markings to let us know.  Looking around, I saw reflective markings off to the right, but in the woods.  There were two ATVs in the direction I was looking.  They yelled to us we should go left, there'd be a a turn off onto a trail in a bit.  Who the hell are they?  How do they know?  Brian is assuring me he'd seen the turn off they were talking about when he and Rick were heading to Ruby Jewel.  But what about the reflective stuff over there??  Why aren't there any markings telling us to go this way??  Blah, blah, blah....Brian brought up the course on an app on the phone.  It showed us on course.  Ok, but I'm not happy.  They've marked so well for the rest of the course.... Even when we found the turn, I complained about the marking.  Get over it!

As we approached Bachman, I had to laugh.  The ATV folks were there.  There were associated with the race not just random ATVers out in the middle of the night.  I apologized for doubting them.  They laughed.  The one woman said, "I said look, she's till arguing with him!" as they watched us head away.  Arguing?  I think that was a strong word, but we all laughed.  Rick tended to me while Brian visited and tended to him.  I had two more hot chocolates, but then we got out of there.  See you at the finish, Rick!!!  

My big blister on my right foot popped.  It was a new little sensation to focus on for a while.  I told Brian this climb would be a good one.  Have I mentioned we've been picking people off since Clear Lake II.  I don't think we were repassed after that.  We were coming up on a guy who looked like he was struggling.  He confessed to being a pacer.  His runner had dropped him on this climb.  We all shared a little laugh.  Now, unlike Brian, this sad pacer had only joined at Canadian, where the young 'uns can pick up their pacers.  So he should have been very fresh.  At most he was 7 or 8 miles in and his runner was closed to 60 miles.  We caught his runner and shared a bigger laugh with him.  And the up kept going. 

It seemed much steeper and longer in 2018, but it was enough!  We did it.  All downhill from here!!!  It wasn't long and we were passed.  OMG, it was the pacer.  He was losing his runner.  I'm not sure he got the pacing concept (laughing and eye roll emojis).  We plodded on.  I wish I wanted to run.  It was downhill, but I didn't trust myself with all the rocks.  No need to fall.  Hmmm, Brian is pulling away from me.  Was he trying to get me to run?  Was he dropping me like that other pacer?  Did he just need to stretch out his legs a bit?  The distance grew.  Finally, his headlamp stopped.  It looked back at me and waited.

Well?  He had a bag of Swedish Fish and gummy worms.  While he ran, they bounced around, making it sound like I was right behind him!  He was impressed at our pace (diagonal, laughing emoji).  I wish!!  He checked his watch.  How much of a goal is sub-22?  If you push this last 2.4 miles....oh, wait!  The race started at 5:30, not 5, you have over and hour to get it done, not half an hour!!  I had planned to really run the last bit.  I had in 2018.  It's amazing what necessity can do, though.  I definitely remembered this stretch smooth with no rocks.  That's a laugh.  We could finally here the finish.  Brian said we're running all the way.  Yup!  We ran pretty well to, but if I wasn't walking, I was going to pee my pants.  I wasn't walking.

Rick cheered us on through the finish!  And then I had the best hug from Brian!!  We did it. I was done with Never Summer.  We headed in to the building.  Rick got us burgers that neither Brian or I could eat.  I did finally have a beer.  That went down well.  Brian pulled a white Penn State pompom out of his hydration vest.  His daughter, who's heading off to Penn State soon, gave it to him.  It was going to be pulled out if things went bad and he needed to cheer me up.  That would have been worth some suffering!!!!

I'd have loved to sit and talk, but the chill started to settle in and my runner's cough became non-stop.  Brian headed off to sleep in his rental.  He would be on the road to the airport before we woke up.  Wow, Brian.  Again, thank you so much (all the hearts).

Things that worked:

My Roclite 275s are easily my favorite shoe ever.  With the Salomon gaiters, my feet were never an issue.  I know I had blisters, but that was not the shoe or the gaiters fault.  The fine mud that filtered in just created the friction.  But, I never had to tie or empty stuff out of them.  And I must have killed that foot nerve myself.  I haven't felt any pain since the race.

I must have eaten 4 entire PBJs over the course of the race.  I liked the Picky Bars, but they needed hot liquids to go down easy.  While this isn't the hot chocolate that was served, hot chocolate definitely works for me.  Ask Brian.

My rain jackets weren't as important as they would have been in severe weather, but they were on and off me a million times at least from Ruby Jewel on.  I pulled up and pushed down the sleeves all day, too.  They even went over the rain jacket sleeves once the TMR sleeves were all wet.  Got the warmth without the wet.

There are things I don't like about the Salomon vest, but it has to be the most comfortable one I've ever warn.  I relied on the bladder way more than the soft flasks.  When I put on the rain jacket the bite valve magnet would stick to my outer pocket zipper like it had been planned.  I really like the Osprey bladder, but it takes some practice to learn to get the air out efficiently. 

Note to self, carry butt paste from now on.  Bucky told me I should have asked him.  He's carried it with him since I told him about it.  I also love my little stick of sunscreen.  Perfect size and really easy to apply.

And this Joker <3

2021 Never Summer Very Done - Part II

 

Do any of you sleep well before a race?  I hadn't slept well for the entire vacation.  I certainly didn't start the night before.  Sigh.  I even had a classic dream about being unprepared.  I never have anything remotely like a normal dream so this was particularly odd for me, but it did mean I slept at least that long.

I had the little coffee maker in the room set so just needed to press on.  I dressed while the precious fluid dripped into the tiny carafe.  I grabbed the PBJs from the fridge.  One went into my pack, one I gave to Rick to bring to whatever crew stop, and one I ate with the coffee.  I took my bladder and soft flasks, filled with tailwind, out of the fridge and loaded my vest.  Then I ate a Spring Energy Oatmeal.  That must have been at least 600 calories, maybe more, definitely way more than my usual pre-race breakfast.

We were driving Bucky to the start and had told him it was in the car by 4:XX.  I really have no idea any more what the plans were.  Wow.  I usually don't forget too much (except where I put my cellphone, credit card, keys, etc and you know what goes here).  Well, he was all ready, waiting for us in the death room.  Did we talk on the way up?  Knowing me and Bucky, most definitely, but I also don't remember that.  I was looking at the sky.  Did I see any stars or hint of moon?  No.  Weather still was calling for rain.

Holy shit!  I don't remember much about the pre-race wait.  I do remember when Steve, PT, and Brian showed up!!  Steve and PT didn't look too beat up from yesterday.  Yay, you guys!!  I think one or more of them asked me where my headlamp was.  Well, I never needed one the previous years.  It was always light enough by 5:30.  This year, with the clouds, it was much darker, but I felt pretty comfortable.  Everyone else had a light.  I'd be able to see until I didn't need theirs.

I couldn't hear the pre-race instructions from the RD.  People were not listening (sigh.  they never do) and his PA system wasn't very clear.  Good luck to Bucky and Brent then find my way towards the back of the pack.  And we're off!!  I love catching sight of Rick, Brian, PT and Steve.  Feels good to know some of the cheers are for me :)

I know I'll see Rick and Brian in 17 miles.  I've done these 17 miles three times before.  The first 2.5 are fairly flat leading to the base of the mountains.  I struggled to keep my own pace.  I hate being in a crowd.  Finally, it thinned out.  I seemed to be with fairly similarly paced runners.  

Oh, yup, the climbing.  I'm still better than most, I take that back, I am better than most of the people of my pace at up.  I steadily passed many folks.  I don't seem to have a slower pace so instead would step off if I needed to breath, but would quickly reclaim my place over any that passed.  Of course when we got to the down, everyone passed me.  I'm slightly better than the first time I tried NS, but still the downs are a weakness.  At one point, we were on a steeper down with lots of rocks.  Someone said something about being thankful for the down.  I said that I was better on ups.  He was incredulous.  How can you like up better???  I emphasized that I said I was better at ups, not that I necessarily like them better (but, of course I do...I'm better at them!).

I'm starting to learn some stuff about my new friends.  There's the Alabama guy that has been traveling around the country doing races since he can work remotely now.  There's CA dude.  He doesn't like to do any race more than once.  He did Bear the same year Ian, Chad, Zak, and Brian did it.  There's the oldest guy.  Turns out he knows Marlin, the guy who was oldest for the 2019 race, and helped me get through the Diamond adventure.  There are a few more that I would recognize anywhere now and forever.  Slogging it out with folks is very bonding.

I ate a Picky Bar somewhere in the first 8 or so miles.  I even grabbed a few PBJ quarters at the first aid station.  I felt like I was keeping up with my hydration and was trying to get as many calories as I could take early.  My stomach is famous for going south.  I'd really stock up when I saw the guys at mile 17.

I ran in to the first crew aid station as fast as I could.  I wanted to give them a visual that I was good.  I was good.  Wow, I was maybe the most tended to athlete at the event.  Not only were Brian and Rick there, but PT and Steve hadn't left yet.  My bladder was refilled, my body was sunscreened, I had another couple of PBJ quarters, my cup runneth over (good heart emoji here).  I was about to leave when I saw the cutest dog. I had a quick visit but was shooed out!  I guess there are too many dogs.  I need to forget one of my "P"s.  No paying attention to puppies! See you in 12ish!!!

CA dude and I were talking races and just general stuff when he spotted a dead cow!!  I told him to go on, I'll see you later. I just had to get some pics.  It was a dead cow somewhere above 10,000 to 11,000'.  It was full on belly up. It took restraint on my part not to walk off the course to get a better shot.  Is it bad to say when someone asked me about highlights from my run, I immediately thought of this poor dead cow?  Oh well, I did.

 

So, I think I mentioned the race would not be going up Diamond because of the SAR team and the weather forecast.  When I first learned that, I was pretty bummed.  As we turned away from that climb, I can't say it made me sad.  Been there, done that.  All the folks running were doing today's course.

When I got to the guys, just Brian and Rick, at the next aid station, they got me in and out pretty fast.  I turned around...."Rick!  I saw a dead cow!!!!"  Ok, lets get going.  I needed to get to Brian and then we'd grind out the rest together.  

So, when I wasn't chatting or listening to my leapfrogging new friends, I was already planning a blog post.  I couldn't  get past one thing.  I needed to be sure to tell everyone if a doctor ever offers deadening a nerve as an option, take it.  Do not go for the safer way first.  When I wasn't distracted, I was reminded of my foot.  During the year, it had progressively gotten worse.  My right foot seemed to have had the same thing, but had been soothed, then healed by my Chocos Chillos.  Seriously, they seemed like miracle sandals.  When my left foot started to get worse, I assumed the Chillos would help. Ask Jason and Bucky about the time we were running our 31k for New Years Eve.  They thought they were hearing ducks, but it was my pain leaking from my lips with every down hill step.   It progressed to where I was limping walking.  My gait was being altered.  I tried to get an appointment with and ortho.  I did, but it was a long way off.  I was afraid of what my altered running stride and walking would do to the rest of me.  I could get an appointment with a podiatrist pretty much right away.  Done.  He was great.  He immediately knew what I was dealing with.  For whatever reason, I had seriously aggravated a nerve.  I loved his confidence and knowledge of my foot.  I liked just talking athletics with him.  This was going to work.

When he said we could deaden the nerve, I should have just said, "Fuck yeah!".  Instead, I waited to hear his entire spiel.  The nerve deadening would take about six mos.  Hmmm.  Ok.  There is a very good chance it will respond to cortisone shots.  I would have relief much quicker.  Sigh.  I opted for the shot.  I told him I was leaving to do a 20 mile run.  He didn't have a problem with that.  I liked him even more.  Of course there was some novocaine in with the cortisone.  It should feel fine for a few hours.

Well, it felt way better than it had, but I was back in two weeks for another shot, and then in another month for my last.  Turns out, even though it wasn't in a tendon or anything like that, I couldn't get any more for a year.  Well, I was very runnable, but definitely not painfree.  I have never quacked again at least!

Heading down the long, long, long fairly steep down (new to me since I never headed into Ruby Jewel this way before), my feet yelled at me.  Well, at least I'm familiar with it and it was stopping me from feeling anything else.  I knew my quads were probably suffering and did feel some ab pain.  But soon I'd have Brian!!!

 Finally, I got to Ruby Jewel!!  Rick says I was good.  They tended to me and Brian and I got going.  I don't remember.  Wow, I am still amazed at what I don't remember (don't laugh, I know this is longer than it should be already and you know the emoji).  I know I needed to pee right off.  Then I needed to visit the woods (my code word for more than peeing) not to far in.  I got off, the trail, but CA dude wasn't far behind.  Eyes ahead dude.  Sigh.  I know I started to complain to Brian about the need for Butt Paste.  This wasn't my first trip into the woods. I had applied before the race and hadn't needed reapplicatons in years.  After enough complaining, Brian miraculously found he had a signal and got word to Rick to bring it to Canadian.  Next time we passed CA dude he made some comment about seeing me with my pants around my knees.  Whatever.

I think we did okay for a while, but then I started to have the dry heaves.  At this point, I don't believe it was my normal stomach issues, but the stupid dry air (believe me, I'm longing for no humidity as I type) had made some horrible collection of dried shit at the back of my throat.  Every time I tried to clear it, I would gag.  I will run soon Brian, as soon as I'm not going to hurl....It really was very runnable terrain.  There was two way traffic on this trail, new due to the course changes.  We saw Brent!!!  He looked so good.  It was a definite boost!  When would we see Bucky?

By the time we finally got into Clear Lake 1, my stomach was really feeling its normal bad self.  Nothing they wanted to offer me sounded like it would do anything other than make me hurl.  Brian found my blankets.  My chair neighbors looked in similar states.  How about ginger ale?  I'll try it.  Ugh.  It did bring on a huge belch.  Brian leaned in caringly.  "That might feel better."  Or something like that.  Then he followed that he felt like he was talking to one of his girls when they were little (all the emojis, mostly the laughing ones).  We do end up pretty childlike.  Ok, I needed to get serious.  My shivering was starting.  My drop bag here was very well stocked.  I decided I should change out of my very wet shirt and sports bra into dry long sleeve and new sports bra.  Where?  Brian suggested behind that tent.

.... a reality break.  We all know I finished.  I'm not going to get less verbose.  Just like something, quote something, or say way to go.  I'll never know.  Meanwhile, I need to get this down.....

 Ok, I've been at this aid station 4 times before, but it doesn't look the same.  They moved it a little closer to Kelly lake.  It used to be right at the base of the trail out and back to Clear Lake.  Oh!  The tent Brian suggested changing behind is the med tent.  I've been there before.  Knock, knock.  I peek in.  Just a shivering woman in a cot next to a big black garbage bag and an older woman in a chair.  Can I change in here?  Of course.  I'm gonna get pretty naked.  The woman on the cot is pretty incoherent.  The other woman said something like, I'm the EMT, I've seen it all.  Fine with me.  Previous years I changed under blankets (sort of) in front of guys who were probably incoherent.  

Much better.  Brian brings my hot chocolate. It's something that the 2018 NS taught me me stomach could handle and my sole embraced.  I had a good long conversation with the EMT.  We talked about how utlras present EMTs with situations they've never seen.  I told her how we've brought our EMTs at Riverlands along.  She was smart enough to ask the experienced aid station crew about behavior and symptoms.  I was an instant fan.  Finally, I realized it was time for me to leave.  I was good.  She asked that I'd check in on my way back from Clear Lake.  Of course!!!

Brian and I got on our way.  My stomach seemed to have settled after 2 or 3 hot chocolates.  Someone also had given me a Pepto Bismol.  That didn't go down well, but could have helped in the long run.  I don't know; I give full credit to the hot chocolate.  I told him it was a sucky up.  Not super hard, but just sort of rotten at this point.  I think the point of doing an out and back to this lake was it was supposed to be so beautiful. After the first time I saw it in daylight, I was totally unimpressed.  We say way more spectacular lakes during the day.  In fact, Agnes, the first one was dissed by me today and I felt remorseful.  Barnabus was stopped looking at Agnes.  I was all, yeah isn't it sad...he struggled to understand what I was saying because he was appreciating her beauty.  If I hadn't seen her 3 other times in non-draught, great snow fall years, I might have thought she was beautiful.  I felt really bad after saying it was a disappointment.

Oh, yeah, Brian and I are going up this thing.  I told him I remembered it being steeper and muddier.  Well, we'd get there.  And then we ran into Bucky on his way down!!!!!!!!!!!  So much love.  He was looking great, but stayed to visit and get a pic of Brian and me.  It was definitely a high point.  Brian and I discussed that Bucky should be so much further ahead, but he looked great!  Go Bucky!!!  All the hearts here.

This is the pic Bucky stopped to take.  I love it for so many reasons.  We both commented on how good Bucky looked.  He definitely put his altitude demons to rest and put the pedal to them metal from this point on.  

I loved that Brian took a pic of Clear Lake once we got up there.  I don't know if it's my prejudice against the fucker, but I just don't think it's worth the out and back to see.  I hope no NS race people read this and take offense.  It's so not Agnes or Kelly.

The great part was to hit Kelly with so much daylight.  I hadn't even put my headlamp in my pack so it's good we got back to Clear Lake II in the daylight.  Hey!  Bearded dude is in the same chair.  Oh, he's been out to Clear Lake and back, but we cheer each other.  Brian gets me more hot chocolate.    I see EMT lady and we both celebrate.  Brian, I'm too hot to wear pants, but Rick will kill me if I don't this time.  I so needed them the last time.  Just put them in your pack.  Ah.....I'll drop the rain jacket I've been putting on and off and add the pants instead.  The other rain jacket is fresh.  Perfect!

We headed off for Canadian.  I'm going to break here.  I thought I'd push through to the finish, but it's super hot and humid so I'll put the last 20ish miles for tomorrow.

2021 Never Summer Very Done - Part 1(Eye Roll Here)

 

It's been a long time coming.  I am done with Never Summer.  I do not need to go back again (unless Brian does it and needs a pacer).  It started in 2017, well, 2016 if you count when I first decided to run it (thanks, Jedi - insert eye roll emoji here.  Rick blames Jedi for all my over 50 mile races).  In 2019, I felt as fit and ready for the race as I believe I could be, except for proper gear (insert another eye roll emoji).  I thought I'd prepared enough, given what I went through in 2018, but 2019 storms proved longer and crazier than 2018, definitely not enough or even the right gear.  Of course we all know what happened in 2020 to races.  Still, I trained like I was going and felt really strong.  The TMR 105 Mile Challenge was fun and good training!  GNAR pulled off Never Summer in 2020 with some alterations, but allowed people the option of deferring to 2021.  I wasn't ready to get on a plane without a vaccination so took the deferral.  Another year to train and dread.

In addition to me getting all the right gear, GNAR put out their required gear list for 2021.  I think the China incident has races covering their asses.  I needed to get a whistle, but, other than that, I was actually carrying more than what they were requiring.  I had picked up two very good, water-proof NorthFace running rain jackets.  My new, grownup Salomon 12L pack allowed me to easily carry it all.  I just needed to learn where I put everything.  (I really miss good emojis.  This app only supports a couple and definitely not my favorites.  Please put eye rolls wherever you suspect I would be rolling my eyes.)

So, if you read the previous post, you know that this year I would be allowed a pacer - like I've said to anyone I've talked to, it's the only plus to being over 60.  That was a huge relief.  Another really wonderful bonus was having fellow Trail Monsters doing the race.  PT, Peter Troast, was doing the 60k the day before the 100k.  Bucky and Brent were both doing the 100k.  While I wouldn't share miles with any of them, there was a comfort in having friends out there sharing the journey.  Plus, I love the race so much, I couldn't wait for my friends to experience it.

Oh, I know it's taking a while to get to the actual race, but, hey, it took me a long while to get to the actual race.  I want to thank a few more people because I had some pretty special people seeing that my getting to the race went as easily as possible.  Mindy and Bucky always seemed to find a way to share some of my long miles and usually the ones that were the suckiest.  Once, while I was doing a ridiculous long run on the hill across the street, Bucky and Squirrel tag teamed for my last 10ish miles.  They didn't even coordinate, but somehow just showed up at the right times.  And then there was the final long run where Scout and Squirrel ran though torrential rain for hours only to learn it had washed all the BTM caterpillar hairs onto them.We paid for it for two weeks, but it was a run for the books!

Nathan Augustine had run and finished NS in 2019.  He'd poked fun at my gear or lack there of.  It was the kind that is funny, but also lets you know what you should have.  When he visited us in Breckenridge before the race, I showed him all my new stuff.  I'll paraphrase, but he said something like, be sure you put the rain jacket on before you get all wet.  Noted.  It's so hard to warm up at altitude.

 Let's at least start us on the road to the race.  On Friday, the 23rd, Rick and I did our usual, heading to Breckenridge for an amazing vacation and acclimating all at once.  In Breck, we pretty much never went lower than 9,500' and got as high as 12,800'.  Early morning hikes/runs followed by leisurely beers and lunches were the rule.  The tourists were out in big numbers, but we were able to get outside seats for every meal.  It was great.  

Thursday I laid out all my drop bags and planned.  I added more food and Tailwind to each bag after I was "finished".  It couldn't hurt to have some extra.  As usual, I put in bottled water in all the bags.  I really am a delicate flower and can tell when water is chlorinated.  With a stomach that goes south in long, long runs, I prefer to eliminate any potential problems that I are in my control.

I watched the Never Summer Mountain Range weather.  It wasn't good.  Breathe.  I let Bucky, Mindy, and Brian know my apprehension.  Oh, I know worry doesn't help, but I also know it's scary as shit on a mountain, above timberline with wind, hail, and lightning.  Not just scary, but real actual dangerous.  They kidded.  Brian would be the lightning rod.  Ok, then I'd lose my pacer (remember the eye rolls).  We were doing it.  No matter.  

Friday came.  Time to drive up to Walden, CO, the biggest town next to where the race would be.  We'd be staying at the Antlers Inn again.  The plan was to get there in time to see PT finish his race.  We had a few updates from the tracker; it looked like he and his friend, Steve, were moving really well.  We heard from Bucky.  They'd be a little behind us.  Brent was flying in and driving up.  He was going to camp right near the start.  Youth.  Sigh.  And Brian?  He also was flying in that day.

We were able to get into our room a little early.  It was the smallest we've had there.  It was fine.  We checked the tracker.  If we wanted to see PT finish, we'd better head to the start/finish.  It's like a half an hour from the inn.  Bucky and Sarah were just checking in.  We said we'd see them up there.  I handed duct tape and a sharpie to Sarah while they stood getting their room.  She looked puzzled.  Bucky requested it for dropbags.  See you up there!

All the familiar feelings and sights.  Rick drives this route way more than I since he goes back and forth between crewing.  There looks to be weather all around, but PT and Steve are off all the big, exposed stuff.  No worries for them.  The race start is bustling so much more than ever before.  2020 was the first year they added the 60k.  We had to wait for runners coming in to finish to head to a parking spot.

Rick drops me of at the building so I can have my gear checked and pick up my number.  He parks and gets my dropbags where they go.  Hey!  Bucky and Sarah made it before PT finished!!  Not a whole lot before, but enough so we were all in place to cheer them in and get pics.  Wow!!!  They both look so strong and so happy (good heart emoji goes here; I hate the one this blogspot uses).

I'm not sure when we started seeing the emails from GNAR Runners, but we hear some interesting weather things are going down.  A mudslide on Rt 14, heading in from Fort Collins to the race, had closed the road.  There's potential for more of the same type of weather.  In fact, my weather app says we have 100% chance of heavy rain for the race.  Ugh.  Bucky heard from Brent.  He had to drive into Wyoming to get around the mudslide.  Then we here the same from Brian.  Wow!

Bucky, Sarah, Rick and I went down to the inn's restaurant.  We had no expectations.  In 2017, Mindy had her "worst meal in a restaurant ever".  The rest of ours were not that bad, but definitely not good.  In 2018, Rick and I had maybe our best ever burgers out.  They were amazing.  In 2019, the food was mediocre.  So, what would it be this time? The menu was drastically reduced.  Walden is not a place for vegetarians, let alone vegans.  Bucky and Sarah opted for salads (huge, but mainly ice burg lettuce) and baked potatoes.  Rick and I both had cheeseburgers.  And drinks?  Well, I wanted a beer.  Sorry, nothing on tap.  I picked on of the bottled beers.  We don't have that.  Or that.  OK, I'll take a MGD.  About 5 minutes later I learned they had to go out for my beer.  I assumed that meant to the liquor store a few doors down, but, no.  They meant to a fridge somewhere not in their kitchen.  OK, we're out of that.  I opted for water.  I'd like to say probably better for me, but I didn't feel that at the time.

We were back in our rooms fairly early.  Bucky messaged.  Did we want to have beers in the Death Room.  Um, yes please!  I knew exactly where he meant without asking, the room with all the taxidermy (laughing, diagonal face emoji here).  Meanwhile, PT and Steve came to town so we all had beers in the Death Room.  It was perfect.  They shared their race stories and we talked about our race tomorrow.  Soon Brian showed up!!!!!!!  He'd survived the caravan through Wyoming.  

I'm not sure who saw it first but another email from GNARs came through.  They'd lost their SAR crew due to the mudslide.  That and the potential for very serious weather caused them to change the course.  They were out there remarking as we sat.  Wow.  As a race director, I could just about imagine what they were going through.

 PT, Steve, and Brian headed down to eat while Bucky, Sarah, Rick and I headed to our rooms to pretend to sleep.  Tomorrow, the race.

 

Thank You, Brian

Before I can even start to write about my run at Never Summer, I have to thank my pacer, Brian Emerson.  I'm not sure of the exact date that I thought to ask him, but I felt better immediately.  I have run or attempted to run NS 3 times already.  I was only successful once.  It was a battle, probably one of my toughest ever.  Having someone with me for the dark seemed a game changer.  I knew I'd still have to deal with the above timberline weather extremes by myself, but I now owned all the gear.

So, I have a friend who is willing to fly all the way to CO to run 15 miles with me at the end of my race.  How amazing is that?!  I know that had Rick feeling a lot better.  Then we get the next email from GNAR runners, the TMR equivalent putting on the race.  It had a little nugget tucked in the there.  Evidently, there's a new rule that runners over 60 can have a pacer starting at Ruby Jewel, 29 miles in.  Coincidentally,  Bucky, Mindy, Brian, Rick and I were having lunch to talk about NS.  

I couldn't wait to tell Brian the "good" (for me) news!!! I know it wasn't even two minutes before I blurted out something about fantastic news.  He wouldn't be flying over halfway across the country to run 15 miles with me!  He could join at mile 29 not mile 50!!!  Brian did not flinch or miss a beat.  I'm not sure of the exact words, but it was resounding, "fuck yes!".  

Now, I would have someone with me when we did the climb up to Kelly Lake.  Twice I have been dodging lightning and being pelted with hail on this rugged climb.  It is weird that putting someone else at risk with me gave me so much mental relief going in.

Squirrel and I had crewed for Brian and Bucky (aka Joker and Petrol) for their amazing 100 Mile Wilderness run.  We had our own fun navigating the logging roads between crew points.  They were a dream team.  It was in this race they learned the term HtFU and certainly embraced it, nailing the FKT for TMR!!!  Now, they went so fast, Squirrel and I didn't get to hit Elaine's for amazing baked goods (the only reason we'd agreed to join their crazy adventure ;), so maybe Brian figured he owed me.  But my adventure involved planes, altitude, and other crazy shit (stay tuned for race post).

Never Summer 2021 - The Lead Up

So.  My training is done.  I'm as in shape as I'm going to be.  I'm not as in shape as I was in 2019. not by a long shot, but I'm much better geared.  I also have an extra-special ace in the hole; Brian Emerson is going to pace me starting at mile 30, a benefit of being of being over 60, the only one.

By my nature, I do much better when someone tells me I can't do something.  I know all my friends are pulling for me and are telling me how great I'm going to do for encouragement.  It's weird, but it's the opposite of what I really need.  Make me have to prove myself, buck all the negative expectations.  Feeling like everyone expects it of me makes it so much harder.  Oh well, maybe I can turn that into some kind of motivator.  I'll work on it.

Brian will have an interesting task.  He needs to not tell me what to do, but still get me to do it.  I think he's one of the few up to this task.  He knows that HtFU is our motto.  We are going to get this done.  Why would we chance the leap?  Because we just might fly.

Run to Process, Run to Escape, Run to Run

I came home from a lovely, beautiful, peaceful run with Xar on a new trail head near Ragged Mountain.  I was surprised to see a message from her on my phone.  I opened it before I got out of the car.  "We go offline for a few little hours and there's a fresh stack of breaking news headlines in that time period..."  There was more.  I quickly headed in to find Rick, already with a beer, watching the horrific attack on democracy.

I can't believe how personal and violating it felt.  Rick said he's not a religious person, but those buildings are as close to sacred to him as a church to many.  We couldn't look away.  It seemed, while what we've almost expected from a Trump presidency, still unfathomable.

I ran with Squirrel while we digested, mulled, and mourned.  Then I had a very similar run with Bucky.  Today, I was very happy to say Jason and I ran with none of it.  We enjoyed the beautiful day, our run, and each other's company.  However, on the ride home, the Trump signs and banners made me sick.  I felt so many emotions in response to them and my reactions were very different from those before the election.

As hard as it is for me to understand,  I know people were for Trump, some very passionately.  Then we had an election.  An election that was as closely watched and scrutinized than ever before.  Biden won.  Now, that means disappointed Trump voters (I won't even mention the Clinton voters who were called snowflakes for being so distraught over Trump winning in 2016).  The losing side, well, loses.  But this is no normal election because nothing has been normal since Trump.  He has been grooming his electorate much like an abuser grooms his victim.  He started early in the relationship with the lies and fawning.  If his "alternative facts" were called out too much, he would sometimes try to pawn them off as jokes, but, if they weren't totally called out, he doubled down.  He started sewing the seed of doubt in the results of this election when he won the first.  The only way he could lose is if he was cheated.  Well he lost.  Of course, he used the results unfolded to play into his narrative.  Always the conman.

Sadly, the American people seem to be very easy to scam.  Look how many people are following Qanon.  Have you seen the outrageous fantasy they've woven?  JFK Jr didn't die, but is secretly helping Trump to lead a war against Satanic elites.  Of, and of course, there are the lizard people.

Lou Dobbs, a Fox News personality, commented, and I paraphrase, we know he won; where's the evidence?!  Here's and actual quote, "Eight weeks from the election and we still don't have verifiable, tangible support for the crimes that everyone knows were committed."  OMFG!  How do you know he won?  The numbers don't bear it out and no evidence of fraud.  Wishing doesn't make it so.  All of Trump's horses and all of Trump's men couldn't find (fabricate) evidence to put a win together again.  Even judges Trump put in place threw Trump's cases out of court for being ridiculous, baseless.

So when I see Trump signs and banners still adorning folks' homes after the attempt coup, it makes me sick.  Trump  just tried to overthrow the US government.  He whipped his crazies into a frenzy and they tried to stop Congress from certifying a legitimate election.  Violently.  That day, everyone should have pulled up their Trump signs and banners and denounced the traitor.  You love the United States of America and its democratic principles???  Prove it.

Okay, okay, let's try to believe that reason will prevail.  Let me go on to think about my running season. Oh, right...There's still COVID-19 going on.  Sigh.  I'm pretty sure we'll pull off Riverlands 100.  Mindy and I love that race:  the runners, the ATV club, the volunteers, the course, Androscoggin Riverlands State Park, and the whole enchilada.  If you can, volunteer and help us make it happen!

And then my own plans for this season...I have a score to settle with Never Summer 100k.  I had to defer last year (did I say fucking COVID enough yet?).  This year, I have the gear, I will have the training, I have more support (hard to believe, given what Rick has always given 💓)  Bucky and Brent are going to be running it, too.  It's so cool knowing I'll have friends at the start and who'll be out there on the course, maybe luring the bear and mountain lions ahead of me 😎.  And then I have another added bonus this year, a pacer.  Joker, one half of TMR's FKT100 Mile Wilderness duo, is going all that way just to pace me.  I say I better finish or die trying.  If I'm not dead before he joins, I know I got his.  And, by got this, I mean will put NS to bed for good.  

Running friends, I can't tell you how much you mean.