2024 Run Rabbit Run - "GO!"

I threw Tammy's jacket back to her as the countdown began. There weren't as many starting early this year as last, but still a nice group. To my surprise we headed out in the opposite direction as last year. They do say, don't be surprised with a different start; it all depends on the construction the ski resort is doing. It didn't take long to get back to where I expected to be. And the up. This was what a good portion of my hill repeats at Lost Valley was all about. I would get about 3,500' in less than 5 miles. Even though I did down during my ups at LV, for the up, I gain 1,000'/miles. The 20 reps I did amounted to 4,200' of gain. I knew I was ready for this. Even with the altitude, my heart rate stayed under 160 bpm and mostly was in the 130s. Still, 3,500' of gain with no break in climbing is no joke.

Getting to the aid station was a relief. That would be the end of the real climbing for a while. I topped of my Tailwind and filled the two flasks that I'd stored in the back of my pack. It's a long way to the next aid station. The sun would be strong. It was worth carrying extra just in case. There was no food I wanted there so I got moving. I did grab a cookies-n-cream Honey Stinger waffle, but spit it out as soon as I tried it. It was cloyingly sweet. Yuck!! I'm fairly certain a squirrel or chipmunk would love it. This is where I did most of my real running. It was single track with some rocks but not crazy bad (ask me if I had that same assessment on the way back...). I was moving well.

Eleven miles into the race, the 100 milers make a hard left to go down Fish Creek Falls. At the end of the down, 17 miles in, will be the 2nd aid station, Fish Creek Falls. The first year is was really scary for me. We had rain. It is the most technical down and the rocks were slick. Last year, with Patrick, I wasn't scared at all. I wasn't this year either. I was just focused. The trail is popular with hikers. Remember to thank them for stepping off. It's not always easy to find a good place. This is tedious. It's down, but not at all runnable. Just stay focused. 

Last year, Patrick got happy me for 50 miles. I said we had type one fun the entire way. Then poor Squirrel got grumpy me. I wasn't happy, threw up in the Lane of Pain loop and complained of a achy back until the sun started to rise, when my spirits did, too. I was glad for Squirrel that she was doing early miles this year. She should get happy me. Sigh...

I arrived at the aid station to a eager, helpful crew. My flasks were filled. Food was offered. Did avocado sandwiches with bacon sound like a good idea? Why yes they did! After the second quarter, I reconsidered that decision. I don't like them! Squirrel and I left for the next 28 miles. I think I quickly became grumpy me again. Poor Squirrel!

The two hour head start for us old folks resulted in the faster Tortoises hitting Fish Creek Falls just as I was heading up. We had strings of 10 or more runners expecting us to step off. Again, it wasn't always easy to find a great place to do that, plus, that many runners coming through definitely slows you down. Sigh. Still, I like going up better so there was at least that. Squirrel reminded me to drink. I am, but it's not feeling good. My stomach was definitely feeling, um, off.

I'm not sure I appreciated the view of the falls like I did last year. Between my stomach and the string of runners, my head wasn't in an appreciative mood. I was very happy to get off the two way traffic trail and headed to Long Lake. Squirrel looked forward to seeing Karl Meltzer. Oh, wait! We did fist bump Jedi in the two way traffic somewhere. It was good for that, at least!

At Long Lake, I was really feeling green. Squirrel noticed Saltines. How about Saltines and ginger ale? I'll try it. It is what you eat when you're a kid and have tummy troubles. I also found Saltines good at Olympian last year. Meh. We didn't stay long. Topped off our flasks and headed out. '

Summit Lake is the next aid station, a little over 8 miles out. Squirrel asked me about running. Not now. Stomach is not having it. I had some dry heaves. It's hard to keep doing fluids when you're stomach feels like this. I know Squirrel was reminding me of things and checking in, but I don't remember much. I was feeling like I didn't want to be doing this. I didn't say it, but boy did I feel it. Finally, I threw up. Squirrel was sure it  my puke and rally moment. I kept waiting to feel better. Not so much. Keep drinking. Ugh.

At Summit, now 50k in, I tried more Saltines and ginger ale. Yeah, still not the answer. Puke! what the hell kind of Tail Wind did they give me?! Gonna hurl again soon. Billy's (the next aid station) is just over 4 miles away. I need something else in my flasks! Uh oh! Get off to the side. After a few false starts, I power puked a few good times. Poor puke-a-phobe Squirrel handled it fine. She did have to deal with a few runners implying she should be right by my side or something. Nope, we both know to give the proper space. It's good to have someone who knows you so well.

 Billy's Rabbit Hole. I found a chair. I'm going to sit. My neighbor was Steve, also an early start. He commented how far behind he was. He finished last year and was way behind schedule. I told him I was way ahead. I never throw up until 60+ miles, but here we were at 36 miles and I'd had two bouts of hurling already. He laughed a little. 

Squirrel was filling my flasks and heard somehow that it was caffeinated. How do you just give out caffeinated Tailwind as the only choice? She got them to make me some separate Mandarin Orange. Ah, familiar territory. We headed out for Dry Lake, about 9.5 miles. As we went, I realized maybe I had puked and rallied! Am I okay? Maybe!! There were places where I felt safe running, but where ever the terrain looked like I could easily trip, I'd power walk. I could hear when Squirrel told runners to let her know when they wanted to pass.This was almost all down hill; no wonder people were passing. 

Time to break out the head lamps. The sun setting was pretty beautiful. I think Squirrel took some pics. I didn't take any during the race. Nope. Getting it done. It was getting cool. Remind me to change into pants at Dry Lake. 

Some where along here, in the dark, a runner asked if we saw the bear, about a mile back. I'm pretty sure if it wasn't in the trail, I wouldn't have seen it. Squirrel said no and wondered how we missed it. I think a mile back it might not have been there when we were. There are lots and lots of wild life out there. 

We were almost to Dry Lake. I told Squirrel how pissed Bucky and I were two years ago when someone said we were almost there. And a little climb later, we were all, "What the hell???" Never tell a 100 miler you're almost there unless you can see the finish!

Ok, this is a good transition place. I say goodbye to Squirrel and pick up Bucky at Dry Lake. I needed to change first. There was Tammy holding a blanket or towel for me to hide my sorry ass as I got into long pants. It was really good to ditch those shorts cause I totally cop to peeing them with the force of puking. Things aren't so pretty in an ultra.

The pretty thing, beautiful really, is the love and care given by your crew/friends and then all the volunteers who care about you for the duration. I did feel cared for. I think this was the first place I ate pancakes. They weren't good, but they weren't bad and went down well. I also had hot chocolate here. Ready, set, go....