From our make shift start, we headed down for a few tenths of a mile before hitting the ski slope. It quickly became steep. Our shuffling run became a hike. I'm so happy I chose the early start. I can imagine the conga line that would form here...and go on for miles. The steepest part of the race was about 3 miles right from here. There's a dirt path that pretty much goes straight up until the top of the gondola. From there, it was switchback dirt road to the highest point of Mt Werner.
I talked with a woman who was from Steamboat. It was her first 100, but she said she'd run all the trails. She said to be prepared to see moose and bear. Before long, she put a little distance between us, but I saw her right up to the end. This climb was longer than the biggest of Never Summer, but nowhere near as steep or as high. I didn't need to stop to breathe, but once or twice. And that, I think, was due to a fairly steady pace. At the top, by the gondola building, I turned to admire the view. It was breathtaking (oh, or was that the climb ;) I took one of my only two pics.
Jedi had passed me on the steep up, but I overtook him on the dirt road. He was singing to whatever he was playing. Maybe Dylan? We talked a bit before it was too hard with the distance. I was sure we'd cross paths again.
5.4 miles in, there was the first aid station. Again, it was nice that it was uncrowded. They wanted to be very helpful, but I was having trouble finding my reusable cups. I thought I knew where everything was...or at least close. Finally, one guy says, "We have cups." He poured me three cups of water that I used to get down two PBJ quarters. While I was finishing up, they were working on getting all their aid station gear under the tents before the rain came. WHAT??? It was a beautiful morning.
I'd gone maybe twenty steps away from the aid station when I became enveloped by a cloud. This was new. It was like running through a dream. With the dampness, I realized I better get out my rain jacket. I knew where that was. Just as I got it on, realizing I brought the one that doesn't fit over my pack, the hail started. It was so interesting. It was small hail. I was still able to move pretty well. As I ran, I wondered how long till things got slick.
The hail kept up for a while, but it mixed with a cold rain. Soon there were puddles that were only avoidable if you went off trail. I don't like to do that...it makes the trail wider. I fought my normal inclination to do drainage work. Not now!
You might have wondered why I wanted cups of water at that last aid station; I was carrying water in my bladder. Well, it was 12.3 miles to the next aid station. I wanted to keep my bladder fairly full. I've been on shorter stretches where I've drained my bladder, granted they were warmer days, but better water than not.
The sharp turn to head down to Fish Creek Falls was not the first time I realized that it was not marked to TMR standards. I knew I was looking for a sharp turn, but wondered if I would have been confident about the turn if some of the later start runners hadn't overtaken me and taken the turn. This initial down was very runnable, even if it had a few more rocks than I prefer.
Taking stock, the only thing bothering me was my Piper toe which I thought I'd felt the last of around a year ago. Piper toe, you ask? When Piper first came home, I was running with her on leash. She stopped dead right in front of me when we'd been running fast (hey, it was 10 years ago...I did run fast(er)!). To not kill my new dog, I did something really awkward. I thought I broke my toe. It hurt for years after. I was forever thinking I had a rock under that toe, only to find nothing. Okay, I ran all of Halliburton 100 with a very angry Piper toe.
Shit! Now I've made it to the part of the course I did not like. It was the most technical part. You folks that run in the whites would probably laugh at what I thought was slippery rocks. Still there were slippery rocks, with some little drops and a real drop off on our left. AHHHHH!!! Awkwardly, my feet went out from under me on a big rock. I landed on both my back and butt, mostly unhurt, but my pride. I was very happy no one saw. I'm sure it looked ridiculous. Then I realized my pole was teetering on the edge, threatening to fall into the abyss. Again, ridiculously cautiously I reached for the pole. Why hadn't the strap been around my wrist?! I always make sure to do that. Stupid me.
More people started to overtake me from the later start. Fortunately, I'd made it through the rockier steeper parts before the throngs came. At one point someone announced, "Here comes the 30 hour runners!" When I looked back at the long line, I decided it was a good point to step off to tie the shoelace (that shouldn't have untied because I was wearing my gaiters. They never come untied when I wear my gaiters. Ok, until then, they had never come untied when I wore gaiters). I was sitting on a rock and hear, "Get up, Scout!" Dammit, Bucky, I am tying my shoe!!!! He looked great, even squeezed in the long line.
Craig went by me not too long after Bucky. I told him. He was fine to let him go. He said this stretch was where he started to fall apart last year. He was being really methodical. I think though he was staying with me a little to long so I released him. I knew it was his year!
More down, then someone tells me I'm almost there. Please, never tell someone they are almost there. You have no idea to them what almost means where they are. Tell them an approximate distance if you can. Or just say, way to go, great job. At the bottom, I realize that now we have to make a turn and go up. And a little more up. Was it a real road? We did pass the most foul out houses that exist. Maine parks, I love how you keep up with this shit!! Although, I suspect CO's see much greater use.
Tanya! Kristen! Sean! Kenny! Karen! It was such a boost to see these guys. I knew not to expect Rick. He and Mindy were doing other research for later in the night and then trying to rest if they could. Was Sam here, too? Tanya helped me with my bladder. I think I ate an entire pbj. The person that made them was a little too generous with the peanut butter. It was hard to get down. Bye!!! Thank you for all your smiles and TMR love!
From here, it was 6.6 to Long Lake aid station. I was feeling good. Even though I had to do the slippery rocks again, I don't mind up. I am an uphill girl. I have been trying to get better at down. The only thing, the technical rocky is so short here that there's no reason to practice that. Any way, up, up, up.
I did not mind stepping off for the tortoises that were catching up with me. The early start was more than worth that. Even though there were large groups and it cost me time. They all said thanks and usually good job. What started to annoy me a bit was the hares that were starting to come through. They did not thank you, but definitely expected that it was on you to step off. Some did say nice job, but I never felt like it was sincere. One of the faster women actually did say thank you!
Then, there was Bucky standing there. What are you doing here???? He looked like shit. He said, "I'm dizzy and nauseous." Well, that sucks. Did I offer any more encouragement or sympathy? I'm not sure, but I know I kept moving. He called out that he'd see me at the aid station. What mile would that have been? Hmmm, around 20?
It was only a couple of miles before Bucky caught up. I had slowed and he seemed to have gotten a little better. I think this is around when the hail and lightening started again. We had one brilliant crack right in front. I forgot Bucky's reaction, but it was a little shocked. I was all, this is nothing. Never Summer really desensitized me. Oh, I am not a fan of being out in a lightening storm, but I know when to be scared. This wasn't it. The hail with rain made me cold again.
We decided to stay together until Long Lake aid station. Bucky still was a little altitude affected, but seemed better than he was. When we got there, I was a little annoyed because I'd decided we were at Summit and wanted my drop bag. What do you mean you're not Summit?! Okay, then I want hot chocolate. What? No hot chocolate? Ok, give me hot water. No hot water???? Was it here that I took pierogies? I don't think so. I think I was too pissed at them for not having at minimum hot water that I didn't take anything. If I didn't have pierogies here, I had them at Summit. I ate two at whichever aid station and took a third with me to get down. That was a first for me.
Long Lake is 24.3 miles in. Summit is 30.1. Okay, Bucky, less than 6. We've got this. Summit would put us back over 10,000' though. Bucky was looking for lower altitude to feel better. I'm pretty sure it was in here that we had our 3rd bout of hail and lightening. I was saying that I didn't want lightening as we were approaching some of the higher spots with less trees. At least the thunder seemed to indicate the lightening was some miles away. How come the hail seemed to hurt my calves more than any other spot?! What the hell, hail?!
We would pick land marks. We'll run from the rock to that big tree. Mostly that worked. Bucky periodically pulled over to cough until he almost puked. I ran ahead. Scout and Squirrel are documented puke-aphobes. I'd walk until Bucky was back with me, but no way I can be near.
We made it to Summit. This was my biggest drop bag. You hit Summit twice. The first time is in daylight, but it will get dark before you get to crew and pacers at Dry Lake. Do I take long pants? Any of my other cold gear? I wasn't that cold now. My pack was pretty full, but I squeezed in long pants. I should have grabbed the gloves. The thin ones I had were useless since they weren't waterproof. Oh! This is where I had the pierogies because they didn't have hot chocolate or hot water and I wanted something hot. And this is where it went down hill...
And not in the "it's all down hill from here" sense like multiple people told us. Bucky and I cursed them repeatedly with each up we found. Not that they were hard ups, but they were ups. Fucking people. Don't like to ultra runners!!! But it was pretty all down hill for Bucky and Scout.
Race - part II to follow
Bracing for the puke section....
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