Waking up in the morning I was concerned how my legs would feel, were my feet swollen? Was I going to be able to run?
Luckily everything this morning was on my side! Legs felt great (considering). Feet fit nicely inside my shoes, I felt light and bouncy going in and out of the cabin loading the truck with supplies, so I knew I was going to be able to run.
Unfortunately, Laurie wasn't feeling as fresh and was struggling with both IT Band problems and achilles problems. I tried to talk her into competing in the days event anyway but she decided to listen to her body and take the day off. A very wise decision I'm not sure I would have been able to make.
Standing around at the start/finish it was kinda dark, waiting for the race to start and half-listening to the race director talk about following the white ribbons and also saying something about how it could be miles between markers. I was contemplating taking my light, putting it in a drop bag, what should I do with it. Eventually I just said fuck it and put the light in my bag. It's only few ounces and I wouldn't notice the difference on my back.
In a stumbling, stiff, moaning, grumbling herd we were off! I was trying to run at relaxed pace. Wanting to finish in under 12 hours. Under 12 hours would put me in before the sun went down with time left to spare to soak in the creek afterwards.
Moving along the trails quickly I found myself running with this guy named Richard. We ran together for a long time. Everything going smooth. Everything feeling good. I was excited to be running and be running in such good form considering the 50 k I had just run the day before.
Richard and I happened upon the unmanned aid station (first one of the race) in good spirits and well functioning bodies. We didn't even stop. No need, I had my pack and it was still full of water. The cool mountain air helped with my desire to not drink much water in the beginning of the race. We headed out the manned aid station, to our not immediate knowledge, the wrong way. We trudged up a hill and quickly saw white ribbons. I knew we were going the right way!
We followed this trail for approximately 4 miles. When we reached what we thought should be the 4 mile mark we were thinking damn, this aid station should be showing up soon. But we saw white ribbons and we knew we were on the right trail. Eventually we ran into an aid station. I saw fresh grilled cheese sandwiches and I ate one. There was another runner here. As I loaded my mouth hole with yummy grilled cheesy goodness, the aid station captain said that we needed to have a chat. I didn't like the sound of that. Apparently we entered this aid station from the wrong direction. Immediately after that a steady stream of curse words exited my mouth. Not knowing what to do, or having the ability to contact the Race Director, the aid station caption decided that it was best for us to get a ride back to the right aid station we were supposed to be at. And then let us back track on the trail to the point where we got off trail and then return back to the 14 mile aid station. Not wanting to discuss the situation any further I agreed with this proposed solution and we were off. When we reached the 14 mile aid station the RD was there and he agreed with our idea. Us three delinquents, headed out backwards on the trail. Crossing paths with a few runners with perplexed looks on their faces. Soon we realized that we were now DFL and running in the wrong direction. This did not bode well for my self confidence nor my desire to fuel and hydrate my body. I could feel the heat coming and I had to pay special attention to my body now. My mind was in survival freakout mode.
We finally made it back to our turn around spot and we headed back to the aid station. I filled up my pack, ate some food and we headed out. The three of us all running WAAAAY faster than we should be this early into a race. We had a 4 mile loop to complete. We reached the first fork and it wasn't marked. WTF, we stopped, pulled out the map. I noticed a section of trail on the map that looked like where we were, so i said we go right. We ran for about 200 yards and saw a white chalk line. Basically it said "You went the wrong way again you fool!! MUWAHAHAHAHAHA". At this point I was pissed off, frustrated, freaked out and unsure of what I needed to do to regain my composure.
We turned around and started jogging. I was starting to get angry with my companions. I wanted to be alone. So I pushed. I hammered out a pace and these guys stuck with me. I tried to loose em on technical descents and I would but as soon as the ground got flat again they'd catch right up. Soon we were leap frogging each other. Each person leading at the spot they excelled excelled at. (Me downhills, Richard flats and Mike the uphills). Who's Mike you might be asking. Well Mike is the guy last year, who got lost and caused the race to be canceled on the third day while all the athletes were turned into a giant search and rescue team. I talked to Mike about what happened, he told me the lessons he learned and I could tell he was frustrated about getting lost on the same race 2 years in a row. But this year being better than last, he had company, he wasn't wondering alone, and we at least were on the right trail now.
We completed the 4 mile loop in what seemed, while we were on the loop, hours and when we finished it minutes. At the aid station Laurie was there I was happy to see her and she gave me some sun screen and some food. I asked the aid station lady to fill my pack with water and she said it was good. Note to self, if you ask for water, and the aid station person says it's good. Ask em to fill it anyway. They told us we were not far behind the last people, I knew we were going to catch em. Feeling strong still and knowing we had a long down hill section I lead the way and pushed the pace down hill. We even for a while had some bikes chasing us. I felt good about that. When the course flattened out they wanted to pass. Soon we caught the last two runners. They looked at us perplexed as this group of three delinquents came flying by them.
I expressed my desire to just catch up to my friends. I would consider the day a success if I could reach my friends and then for the rest of the day suck on their heels and drag my self in for a finish. Shortly thereafter I saw Sarah's pink hat. We caught up to Sarah, and Mike not wanting to dilly dally took off. Richard and I hung out with Sarah for a few, chatted. I was a bit concerned for her cause, while she was running, my walk was faster than her run. I told to have a good race, and that I was going to try and catch up to Coleen and Deb.
Richard and I hightailed it again and we were moving along. I could hear the highway and I knew we were getting close, but I didn't know how close. I could also hear people talking. This made me think we were closer than we really were. We were running along and soon I had finished my last gulp of water! Shit how'd that happen I wasn't even paying attention to my water levels. Was I even taking salt, how much food had I eaten? How much further did I have to go?
I knew things could get bad really fast out here with no water and not knowing where the aid station was. I did a quick self assessment. I knew the aid station was less than 3 miles away (more like less than 2). I knew I could run a 5k with no supplies so I pushed onward. Crossed a creek, washed my face free of salt. And continued on. I passed Mike who decided to run with another runner. I dropped Richard who fell on a down hill. I didn't care about anything at this point except making it to the aid station. Soon I could see it. I was crossing the highway, and I saw Coleen and Deb leaving the aid station. I had just about caught them. Laurie was there waiting for me. I had to sit down. I was exhausted. I was dehydrated, hungry, a little nauseous. I drank 3-4 cups of ginger-ale. Had some bananas (wished they had oranges). Ate a salt pill, some salted potatoes. Sat for a bit longer, then Laurie told me I had to go. So with my hands full of food I walked. And walked. And walked. I tried to keep pace with the people in front of me but I couldn't. So I settled in and just relaxed, complemented myself for the hard work I've done so far. I've managed to run 8 extra miles and catch myself back into the middle of the race. Soon I got my composure back and started moving. This section of trail was oddly familiar. Oh yeah, this was the section of trail I had just run before, the wrong way. I remember when I was running it before how I didn't want to run up this section cause it was so steep. OOPS, life's funny that way isn't it. I kept my head down, put in my iPod and I just trudged up the mountain. Passed a few people, eventually caught up to Deb and Coleen which made my day. I didn't want to talk much I was still tired. But happy to be with friends and to have accomplished my goal. I was content to stay with them for the rest of the race.
We made it into the 30-something aid station. I was starving for oranges. There was one slice of orange left! It was mine! Not the best slice of orange I've ever had but it hit the spot! Coleen and Deb and I all headed out at the same time. Coleen stated having stomach issues and was urging us to go on without her while she tried to battle her own demons. I was content to hang out for a little while longer. Eventually I got the urge to run again. I was feeling great! So I said bye and I took off. I was moving like a man on a mission. I was happy again, I was strong, I was eating right and drinking everything was going my way. Well bout 4-5 miles later I hit a bump in the road. I couldn't walk. My walk breaks were more like a stumbling zombie. The funny thing was I could run fine, but when I walked my right hip flexor wasn't happy. So I tried to eat a lot of food that would carry me into the next aid station. It took a while I but eventually I got my calories up pretty high I felt the sugar in my blood stream and I was able to make a run for it. Reaching the aid station at 41-ish miles, there were plenty of happy faces. They packed me up. Laurie gave me some salt and food and I was off. I had 9 miles to go. I wasn't stoping for anything. I passed a bunch of people who weren't looking in good form. I felt bad for them but I had Ke$ha rockin in my headphones and I felt great. I continued to keep my calories high cause I still couldn't walk well to rest and recoup after surges of running. I tried to keep my running to a maximum and only walk the really long steep hills. Then I saw the photog. She told me I was about 3/4 a mile from the last aid station. I was stoked. I was still able to run. Exhausted, but able to run. Almost done, and the sun was still up. I cruised through this aid station. The guys told me I had less than 5 miles to go. I was booking it. Racing down the trail I reached the section of trail we climbed up. A steep fast section with lots of big rocks. We climbed this hours ago, but now it was just me cruising. My eyes started to water, I started to worry that with my vision getting blurry from the water I was going to trip on a rock. But I didn't want to slow down. And putting my hand in front of my face was something I didn't wanna do either incase I tripped from something being blocked from vision. I blinked a bunch and the tears went away. These weren't tears from crying (pain or joy) this happens sometimes to me when I'm running fast on technical terrain in cooler temps (this section was significantly cooler than the rest of the day being shaded, and the creek running down hill too).
I burst out onto the road and I'm running as fast as I can. I passed a couple guys from Tulsa, OK. I mentioned to them that we're almost there and it's time to put some lead in it. Racing to the the finish line I realized I had reached all my goals for the day. Finished before the sun went down, finished in under 12 hours, caught my friends, and I also ran an extra 8 miles! I was so happy with myself, and I immediately went to the creek. Later that night as I was eating my rice and beans (unfortunately I didn't finish in time to eat any sausage, all he people who finished before me apparently only ate sausage and left rice and beans for everyone else), I started to get worried about how I was going to feel the next day. I had just run a lot harder than I planned on. I hoped that there would be something, anything left in the tank for the next day.