tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-473238073971730052024-02-18T23:57:15.433-08:0031 Years and Running31 Years and Runninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12530156178340468515noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47323807397173005.post-47389072282185814172012-09-29T08:32:00.002-07:002012-09-29T08:33:56.276-07:00Fat Ass At The Farm<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBqhih5AqPZjwZ8enNYMvySvENUfS3l5ZH0TwBv03T988iAeHGEBaH1qm3qgp-T6t4jdDs7iiA_yieb1UfNguHUS0ZDJlvizBJz-7lUNvB9sENYk-jiGp7M0zBo3HCt3aNz-GtfdXD/s1600/DSCF9190.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBqhih5AqPZjwZ8enNYMvySvENUfS3l5ZH0TwBv03T988iAeHGEBaH1qm3qgp-T6t4jdDs7iiA_yieb1UfNguHUS0ZDJlvizBJz-7lUNvB9sENYk-jiGp7M0zBo3HCt3aNz-GtfdXD/s320/DSCF9190.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
It
was during the Medoc Meltdown Fat Ass that it came to me. I should run
32 miles for my 32nd birthday and I should run it with friends. The day after Medoc, I went out to my parent's place in Smithfield with
my training partner, Gene. He was there to help me map out a potential
course and to give me feedback on whether my idea could work. Using his
Garmin because I had forgotten mine, we walked around the big hay field
and then down towards Swift Creek and back. It came out to a nice 1 mile
lollipop shaped course. With my parent's skeptical approval, I sent out
a Facebook invitation to some running friends inviting them to the Fat
Ass At The Farm. I planned to do 32 one mile laps to celebrate my
birthday and reach my goal of 32 miles. The Friday night before the run,
I drove to my parent's place to put up a few directional signs at the
mailbox and a couple of other turns to the farm and to get ready for the
next day's fun. Around 9 PM, I headed out into the darkness with my
head lamp to check the mileage and put up a turn around sign and a
couple of other signs to guide runners around the course. It was just a
little eery, very humid, and there were huge spider webs across the spur
part of the trail. I had to laugh when my Garmin showed the length as
not 1 mile, but 1.24. So much for a perfect 1 mile lap but I was not
about to try to change it at that point!<br />
<br />
The morning
soon arrived and I got up at 6 AM to set up the canopy, table, water,
and Gatorade. The start/finish was in a shady spot close to the house
where there was plenty of room for runners to set up their chairs,
tables, canopies, and gear. Friends began to arrive around 7 AM and I
put mom in charge of getting runners to sign a waiver and to let them
know about their runner sheets. I had printed out lap sheets for
participants to check off each lap as they came around. It seems like a
simple thing to count laps without paper, but personally, I knew I would
lose track at some point during the long day.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm8c4QgRT9JUGrnMPKmnF7v87uXAylXD2Li9UWwCN-f_TVX_qWRBSOEBlP6H3b_OKEWDn6ENbfYiLY6Xvo_q8VZdR-_WRUgRu5_8MnWW2ulkaV9ekfIOpdA1_PccCltnHaqyrOsffL/s1600/DSCF9201.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm8c4QgRT9JUGrnMPKmnF7v87uXAylXD2Li9UWwCN-f_TVX_qWRBSOEBlP6H3b_OKEWDn6ENbfYiLY6Xvo_q8VZdR-_WRUgRu5_8MnWW2ulkaV9ekfIOpdA1_PccCltnHaqyrOsffL/s320/DSCF9201.JPG" width="320" /></a>I
gave a few last minute instructions including a warning about the
hornet's nest near the course, the location of the restroom inside the
house, and that runners could go either way around the loop and could
switch directions at will throughout the day to keep things interesting.
We started off a few minutes after 8AM. We followed the hay field
around to the left, trotting through the freshly mowed grass (thanks to
my dad who had mowed for us on Friday). This was a section that would be
sunny later on in the day and quite warm but it was short and soon we
were winding through a couple of trees with minor roots, nothing much to
worry about for seasoned trail runners. Next was the Swift Creek spur
section and we turned left down a shady path which flowed slightly
downhill for a quarter mile until we reached the turn around sign and
headed back up what was now a slight incline going the other way. My
favorite part of the course was next. It was a wide shady path through
some large Bradford Pear trees with the pretty field now to our right.
It was a gentle slope up and at the top, we turned to the right to run
next to some old round bales and one more turn to the right down the
driveway and back to the start where a feast of junk food was waiting
for us. As I had promised my friends, the course was runnable with all
of it being dirt or grass and the majority of it being in the shade.<br />
<br />
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Throughout
the day, friends trickled in to the event to run their laps or just to
hang out and relax. We had our two dogs, Bogart and Amelia, and a few
other fur kids. Ben brought Yoda, Candace brought Peanut, Jim W. brought
Canyon, and Jim P. brought Sara and Wilbur the ultra pups. It was great
having so many pups out to enjoy the day too! All were well
behaved...including the humans. I was able to run a lap with my sweet
Bogart, a lap with hound dog Amelia, and another lap with Bogart before
they got tired and spent the majority of the day chilling in the fenced
yard enjoying the beautiful weather. It was a little humid, the high
was in the upper 70s and though warm, there was a nice breeze to help
keep things manageable.<br />
<br />
My good friends and
training buddies, Gene and Mo, were the first male and female to finish
32 miles. Chris K. covered the longest distance of the day, 35 miles,
and went on to complete a trail 50K the following day. He's only a
little nuts but we like him. ;-)<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio38Il0B3Dd717i1YtZufBjNkf5VlCE1W-DnVu8laBdm7pNY5xgM8jHklKWA4xFame7PatGVepa3N1eln2XgRPl0ZoWZa5s5UjKGG_-9wrTQFPRpFt-bLgFPZkGuTz1DXfKADkDB7A/s1600/DSCF9200.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio38Il0B3Dd717i1YtZufBjNkf5VlCE1W-DnVu8laBdm7pNY5xgM8jHklKWA4xFame7PatGVepa3N1eln2XgRPl0ZoWZa5s5UjKGG_-9wrTQFPRpFt-bLgFPZkGuTz1DXfKADkDB7A/s200/DSCF9200.JPG" width="200" /></a>I
kept plugging away until I was almost to my goal of 32 miles (No way in
hell was I going to do my originally planned 32 laps since it would
actually have been 40 miles). Ironically, I started to feel pretty ill
half way through my last lap. I got dizzy and felt nauseated and trudged
back to the finish where I forced myself to run in then promptly sat on
the ground so I did not pass out. It was likely due to not taking in
enough salt. I had been drinking dilute Gatorade all day, but I am a
sweaty girl and I had not used any additional salt tabs, electrolytes,
or anything. Anyway, my calves cramped a bit and I didn't feel great for
a little while, but salty chips, a comfy chair, and a beer made it all
better. Those who were still there enjoyed relaxing, snacking, and
drinking beers or soda. Mo had brought corn hole and that was set up and
a couple of people played. It was a great end to a long, but fun, day.<br />
<br />
So,
now that I am 32 you may wonder what I will do with the name of this
blog. Well, I am not changing anything because I started this to try to
capture my running experiences and I started it when I was 31. 31 Years
and Running is therefore accurate. Here's to running friends and <u>at least</u> another 31 years
of running! Cheers!<br />
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<br />31 Years and Runninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12530156178340468515noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47323807397173005.post-72209666614575850982012-09-01T14:11:00.000-07:002012-09-01T18:37:42.180-07:00Blue Ridge Relay 2011 It all began with an email I received from my friend Jim Wei. His team for the Blue Ridge Relay needed a replacement as one of their members had torn her ACL in a motorcycle class. I had wanted to try a relay since seeing the documentary Hood to Coast last summer, so I agreed.<br />
<br />
We drove up the Thursday afternoon before and were fortunate enough to be able to stay Elizabeth and Tripp's charming renovated farm house in Galax, VA. Early Friday morning, we rose and drove the 45 minutes to the start at Grayson Highlands State Park. It was completely dark and quite chilly, but we were excited. We took photos as best we could in the dark while wearing our kilts, team shirts, and headlamps. Our team was Road Kilt, a play off the term for when a runner is passed by another runner during a race. Since we expected to be "road killed" plenty during the race, it was an appropriate name. The race covered 208 miles from the Grayson Highlands to Asheville, NC. As you may guess, it was a hilly and scenic course.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKhHRuZVd-GnP3SkehiHNPd4TwFeYKepoW4VozhfqxSP9p1E6tCRP9cNeZ33lgkOrVq_pnc5_0Ieqo6hnv0pQ4CqoIQyE_xidFYB1L6vYiT3XuA697SKndFTz7pVPj7rAj2ZNj__qL/s1600/Blue+Ridge+Relay+Sept.+9-10+2011+063.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKhHRuZVd-GnP3SkehiHNPd4TwFeYKepoW4VozhfqxSP9p1E6tCRP9cNeZ33lgkOrVq_pnc5_0Ieqo6hnv0pQ4CqoIQyE_xidFYB1L6vYiT3XuA697SKndFTz7pVPj7rAj2ZNj__qL/s320/Blue+Ridge+Relay+Sept.+9-10+2011+063.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The gals</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCTZD7nW7VqUs3CGVZtoYsn-J0LS-XANIggml01oewu_liBN1Ufe1zPEsTQ5-f8UM6UHH4PKIhXIU-B19W4CJE6u3HSD-bwh5mpvKFrBXfoC7xoWg_8o-t0bVll4N3J9TKjmAnbliZ/s1600/Blue+Ridge+Relay+Sept.+9-10+2011+066.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCTZD7nW7VqUs3CGVZtoYsn-J0LS-XANIggml01oewu_liBN1Ufe1zPEsTQ5-f8UM6UHH4PKIhXIU-B19W4CJE6u3HSD-bwh5mpvKFrBXfoC7xoWg_8o-t0bVll4N3J9TKjmAnbliZ/s320/Blue+Ridge+Relay+Sept.+9-10+2011+066.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The guys</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Our start time was 6:30 AM, the earliest available, since we figured to be one of the slowest teams. The fastest teams would start at 1:00 in the afternoon and the amazing thing is, they would later pass us in the early hours of Saturday morning. The race started and our runner #1, Dominic, was off running down the mountain with his safety lights flashing. <br />
Runners 1-6 (Jim, Jade, Sheri, Christy, Marc, and Dominic) were in Van 1 and runners 7-12 (me, Tripp, Elizabeth, Bob, Tina, and Shannen) were in Van 2. I was runner 11, second to last in the lineup and had a long wait until I would start my first leg. Van 1 went to the first exchange zone to wait for runner 1 to arrive and the slap bracelet to be handed off to runner 2 to start the second leg while Van 2 headed off for breakfast. When we came out to the parking lot after eating, we found we had been "muffined" by another team, Runner's Dozen. They had drawn their symbol - a muffin - on one of our back windows. We painted a circle around the muffin with a line through it and vowed to have a stencil and extra paint next year to tag other teams. We were relay virgins and it was obvious since we didn't know enough to bring supplies to tag other vans.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhISua4bSCzEfdBffizGYcLvmx0LgAZ2l80VqO6r0Jj87u3MQC5y7PDi-HrfGylrdy6jdks3Rtk-3EGzcN0BcdI8DbeJrJvz0HgwSI02Rme9Eo7UUVaJssiII6J3WhsXGTk2hyxMFi3/s1600/290506_10150292248708131_565683266_o.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhISua4bSCzEfdBffizGYcLvmx0LgAZ2l80VqO6r0Jj87u3MQC5y7PDi-HrfGylrdy6jdks3Rtk-3EGzcN0BcdI8DbeJrJvz0HgwSI02Rme9Eo7UUVaJssiII6J3WhsXGTk2hyxMFi3/s320/290506_10150292248708131_565683266_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Van 2 relaxing while we waited to start our legs 7-12</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
One by one, the runners in my van got to do their first legs. It was finally time for my first leg around 4:00 in the afternoon and after all the anticipation, I didn't even really want to run anymore! I was just not used to waiting around that long to start a race.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibgUFr0uUOVpm18Lx69YkpMoMO-1OVIgLYcHLXcJCokRwJ9EnkgQ74VL3P7aNBeFqVKXJ93xGca1of-taj8FNcrATocs9St3mkW1wrUThyOJ55oJU35OJKBVVbgicBw5YQCBsG2T-B/s1600/325314_10150292250118131_1039065689_o.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibgUFr0uUOVpm18Lx69YkpMoMO-1OVIgLYcHLXcJCokRwJ9EnkgQ74VL3P7aNBeFqVKXJ93xGca1of-taj8FNcrATocs9St3mkW1wrUThyOJ55oJU35OJKBVVbgicBw5YQCBsG2T-B/s320/325314_10150292250118131_1039065689_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shannen handing off to me at the start of leg 11</td></tr>
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Nonetheless, I exchanged with Shannen and started leg 11 which was almost completely on the Blue Ridge Parkway and covered 6.3 miles. The views were outstanding, but the hills were long and relentless. I pushed my pace beyond my comfort zone, running it like it was a normal 10K and not a mountain one. I got road killed by a couple of guys who flew by me on a downhill and there was nothing I could do to stop it. As I neared the exchange zone, I had to climb one more evil hill that had me almost puking in front of the other teams gathered at the exchange zone. After heaving a couple of times, I walked a bit to stop the urge even though I felt everyone's eyes on me. As much as I wanted to run up the hill, I figured it was better for them to see me walk than to see me puke! Once over the crest, I did trot into the finish. I completed my first leg at an average of 8:34 pace. After I had a chance to rest and catch my breath, I actually felt pretty good.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtfwoPZ4L3MzVIDi2MRQTvrzsyCl1pKNDMUODx7hmEAUW6n0qtqwdKMCGlP4dmtxMGeRZqy9K4Cxqvf8eBWeNRQjJKPOvtlhIkgsYOT41TL0P9HBtshkrvbr3XumKon4Yul6bevndi/s1600/Blue+Ridge+Relay+Sept.+9-10+2011+116.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtfwoPZ4L3MzVIDi2MRQTvrzsyCl1pKNDMUODx7hmEAUW6n0qtqwdKMCGlP4dmtxMGeRZqy9K4Cxqvf8eBWeNRQjJKPOvtlhIkgsYOT41TL0P9HBtshkrvbr3XumKon4Yul6bevndi/s320/Blue+Ridge+Relay+Sept.+9-10+2011+116.JPG" width="320" /> </a></td><td style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Handing off to Elizabeth after leg 11</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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After Elizabeth's leg, our van had a long break and we sat down to a delicious dinner at a restaurant in Blowing Rock, NC. <br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrzk-NLCpjeMZNsooQFjSSWD8tbhTYDgW9EljIVsty96GSwjxFvdjLFbbpi0qA1jCxZYFOmTrO2czha7qUIoMaNdqgmb0RuwmPTKd3xnAqoEWgw5IK1Gtn2IsFWhxOooYBwq3hkXLY/s1600/Blue+Ridge+Relay+Sept.+9-10+2011+128.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrzk-NLCpjeMZNsooQFjSSWD8tbhTYDgW9EljIVsty96GSwjxFvdjLFbbpi0qA1jCxZYFOmTrO2czha7qUIoMaNdqgmb0RuwmPTKd3xnAqoEWgw5IK1Gtn2IsFWhxOooYBwq3hkXLY/s640/Blue+Ridge+Relay+Sept.+9-10+2011+128.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view during dinner at Canyons in Blowing Rock</td></tr>
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<br />
My next leg was #23 and it began at nearly 2:00 AM. The temps were in the 40s and it being early September I wasn't used to the chill yet, so I wore a long sleeve shirt and capris. When I saw Shannen running strong up the hill to the exchange, I handed my Umstead hoodie with my gloves in it to Bob, got the bracelet, and took off down the road. This leg started with a run on a country road with an open valley below the dark outline of the mountains to my left. I frequently looked up while running this section to take in the perfectly clear sky and bright stars. The course then turned onto a dirt road which wound deep into the dark woods and felt quite isolated and a bit creepy. I was glad I had my small flashlight with me as my headlamp just wasn't doing a sufficient job of lighting the ruts and changes in footing of the dirt road on its own. This section was also a long downhill and I flew down it in the dark with my arms raised for balance to catch me if I tripped, my breath steaming in the cold air in front of me, and my handy flashlight shining on the path before me. Several vans passed me on my right and most all of them rolled down their windows to encourage me, including my own Van 2. I got road killed again as a few runners, all male, passed me on an uphill section. They were moving swiftly, but at least one told me "good job" as he flew by. The last 3 miles of this leg was a winding climb. My team told me later that as they drove it they were talking about how hard a leg it was. Luckily, I didn't think it was all that bad, thanks in part to the fact it was so dark and also because the climb was gradual and winding. That is one good thing about running at night, the hills don't seem near as bad as they do in the daylight. I was glad when I reached the exchange zone as I was spent and completely out of breath.<i> </i>I had been following a lone female runner for the last couple of miles and I almost road killed her as we approached the exchange, but I didn't have it in me. I managed to complete the 5.6 miles at a 9:23 pace. As I caught my breath, Bob broke the news to me that he didn't have my hoodie and that it was left behind at the last stop. Apparently, I had handed it to a complete stranger at the exchange, not to him. For the rest of the relay, I tried to locate my hoodie, but to no avail. I hope whomever has it is enjoying it as much as I did.<br />
<br />
After Elizabeth finished the 24th leg, we drove to the next exchange where we planned to sleep for a bit. On the way there, a deer ran in front of the van. Tripp was driving and suddenly screeched to a halt while the deer stared back from the middle of the road and just a few feet away. This was despite a long day, no sleep, and windy mountain roads - definitely some skill full driving on his part. I'm pretty sure I would have hit the deer if I had been driving. We arrived at the exchange which was at a church and a few of us caught a few hours of sleep in our sleeping bags laid on a tarp on the wet ground while the others slept in the van. It was very cold, but I was exhausted and slept soundly under the stars. After a few hours, I woke up on my own and went to buy some pancakes, sausage, and coffee the church was selling. I think it was 5 bucks for the meal and it was delicious. While eating, I learned from other runners that every team but ours was sleeping in the warmth of the church while we were sleeping in the dewy grass just a few feet away! We were so tired when we arrived that we didn't realize this was an exchange zone where there was an indoor place to sleep. Oops. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Starting leg 35</td></tr>
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My third leg didn't start until 1:00 PM and was also mostly on the Blue Ridge Parkway. But first I had to climb the steepest hill of my life. I could tell by the elevation profile the race provided (the grade it showed was as high as 11%) and by looking ahead while waiting for Shannen to arrive, that this was going to be tough. It started on a long incline and just kept on going up for 2 miles. I was grateful that the road was mostly cool and shady as it was now quite warm, about 70 degrees or so. I tackled this steep section by jogging easy as much as I could and incorporating intervals of power walking. Early in the climb, I was lucky enough to witness a group of wild turkeys crossing the road in front of me. The road was made up of several switch backs and there was a lack of shoulder in places, so I stayed alert for traffic. There was really no good place to run safely and I switched from side to side with the curves and at times ran in the middle of the road so I could see any cars coming. There was very little traffic and so I luckily managed to not end up as real road kill.<br />
<br />
When I arrived at the parkway and the top of the brutal climb, I was pleased to see my Garmin showed an average pace of 12:20 per mile, pretty good considering what I had just conquered. The course profile had made the remaining 2 miles look like it was all downhill, but there were devious uphills stuck in there and just when I thought I was home free, I found myself facing a bit more climbing before the truly flat and downhill stretch. Though the parkway was beautiful, it was exposed and warm and I was ready to be done with my part in the relay. Motivated and smelling the barn as I like to say, I kept up a good pace while looking ahead to spot the last exchange. I got road killed again by a fast chic within a mile of the exchange. When I arrived, I gladly handed off the bracelet to Elizabeth and walked some to cool down before hopping into the van to ride to the finish in downtown Asheville. Incidentally, I just barely escaped some swarming yellow jackets we had disturbed by the shoulder of the road where the van was parked. My final and third leg was completed at an average of 10:29 pace.<br />
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We arrived in Asheville and changed into our team shirts and kilts and headed to the finish. We found our Van 1 team members who had already enjoyed beers and a meal in Asheville while they waited for us. All team members from both van 1 and 2 were now together and we would join Elizabeth at the end of her leg for a team finish. Soon enough, Elizabeth came into sight and we all cheered her up one last hill and then ran beside her for a short distance and across the line. Our final team time was 31:44:52 for an average of a 9:21 pace over the 208 miles. We took some team pictures and then made our way to a pub where I had nachos and a beer or two. It was heavenly.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Road Kilt at the finish in Asheville</td></tr>
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The BRR is a well organized event and I would do it again. The race swag
was a long sleeve cotton T shirt in nice colors and a cool race logo
magnet that I have stuck on my car. The course is both beautiful and
challenging. If I were to run it again in the future, I'd like to be
part of a 6 person ultra team so I can spend less time in the van, more time running and the whole team can be together and not split in two vans. <br />
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<br />31 Years and Runninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12530156178340468515noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47323807397173005.post-26055471687404253362012-08-26T11:29:00.000-07:002012-09-01T14:46:05.241-07:00 Mayo Lake Triathalon 8/11/12I did something really stupid the other week. I registered for
my first triathalon. I have been saying for a few years now to anyone
who encouraged me to do one and also to my poor husband who is afraid I
will find more reasons to train and not be home, that I was not
interested in tris because I don't have time for 3 sports (its hard
enough with running plus the cycling for cross training) and I don't
have money for fancy tri stuff like $10,000 bikes. But Mo Percy, aka "No
Mercy" was doing it and she thought I could do it, so then I started
thinking I could do it. It was Mo's very favorite tri ever and besides,
I've been kinda bored with my training lately and I didn't have a race
for August. I thought it might be a good change, something to keep me on
my toes and wake me from my summer drowsiness. Never mind the fact that
I don't swim.<br />
<br />
So, I signed up Wednesday; the tri was on
Saturday. When I went to packet pick up, the girl started to hand me a
nice green T-shirt then snatched it back when she realized I was "NG" -
Not Guaranteed a shirt. I mentioned to her I had just signed up
yesterday morning and she asked whether I had "just gotten a wild hair"
or something. Yep, something like that. <br />
<br />
The morning of
the tri me, Mo and our training partner, Gene, met at early o'clock to
carpool together. We joked that we were always getting together at 5 or
5:30 AM and never at a decent time. Gene was along for cheering,
coaching, and photography support. As we neared Roxboro, we saw several
streaks of lightening and the rain was steady at times. I worried about
the weather, but there wasn't anything I could do about it. By the time
we arrived, the stormy weather had passed, leaving the gravel parking
lot a lovely expanse of puddles and mud. We trudged through the wet lot
pushing our bikes and carrying our stuff. Gene graciously helped us with
some of our load. Still, I complained that the tri was just like an
ultra in that I had to bring so much crap with me! A couple of people
were carrying their bikes instead of rolling them through the dirt. I
guess I would do that too if I had a fancy Cervelo! Ha! 'Ol Blue didn't
mind. He's used to it since he's a cross bike. Yep, that's right - I
don't own a road bike, I have a knobby-tired $500 cross bike and I was
going to ride the damn thing the best I could.<br />
<br />
We found
our assigned areas in transition and set all our crap out ready to go. I
looked around at the other race participants with their tri suits on
and had no clue what I was doing there. I wandered over and I got all
marked up with my bib number and my future age by one of the volunteers.
At these tri things, they make you older than you actually are. Like we
need that!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3FfOHg-9qrx1Dk6LWLe4E-s7TFxHfYfxnfvb7E4Zv1bQSAOYmkowBIkvKqX8OfpUd5BuaNgnaV9L0nA9ucvc7Fxgjn5Znj0STZwAuJqh8ZXX3X21QYq8LAdIplW-CiWqdRflVyXyN/s1600/616160_3697005616142_1933113133_o.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3FfOHg-9qrx1Dk6LWLe4E-s7TFxHfYfxnfvb7E4Zv1bQSAOYmkowBIkvKqX8OfpUd5BuaNgnaV9L0nA9ucvc7Fxgjn5Znj0STZwAuJqh8ZXX3X21QYq8LAdIplW-CiWqdRflVyXyN/s200/616160_3697005616142_1933113133_o.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What the hell am I doing at a tri? <i>Photo Gene Meade</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg90kJqZQcSZiOlIY8R1rNKjzeSqchklekrHGcfydu6vJQXxjqHsz6R4O03Bn0rw_qWqw-L0gtbH3llbrQgBfMjv6STYXMmBjKTMbMjsYDH7Sk3D0vslgbsRRMUfGO3HPWNCXsvrnfR/s1600/620940_3697006856173_1879622350_o.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg90kJqZQcSZiOlIY8R1rNKjzeSqchklekrHGcfydu6vJQXxjqHsz6R4O03Bn0rw_qWqw-L0gtbH3llbrQgBfMjv6STYXMmBjKTMbMjsYDH7Sk3D0vslgbsRRMUfGO3HPWNCXsvrnfR/s320/620940_3697006856173_1879622350_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mo, Coach Gene, and me before the start</td></tr>
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<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our
ages +1 written on our legs. I am sporting a nice bruise and scar from a
tangle with my bike 2 weeks prior <i>Photo Gene Meade</i></td></tr>
</tbody>
</table>
When
it was nearing race start, we headed down to the water for the swim
portion of the race. The first two waves were men and the third wave was
all us women. While we waited to get in the water, my heart pounded in
my chest. I was really scared. I stuck close to Mo and literally wanted
to cling to her. Here's the thing, the swim was a significant 750 meters
in the lake - the dreaded open water swim - and I had done <i>zero</i>
swim training! The last time I had swam at all was a couple hours of
snorkeling in shallow water in the FL keys in June. Other than two
awkward laps back in March 2011 I tried when I was injured and subjected
to pool running, I hadn't swam laps in a pool since I was a small
child. I didn't even know how to put the swim cap on because I had never
worn one. I tried putting it on the wrong way and I couldn't get it on
my head until I realized I needed to turn it around the other way. I had
borrowed goggles from Mo because I didn't own any. I had tried the
goggles on in my shower to make sure they wouldn't leak. You know the
expression "fish out of water"? I was about to be a runner/cyclist "in
the water" and I was freaking out. I'm sure I looked a fool. Yep, the photo confirms I did in fact look a fool.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqGUNvDlG25I3lHRNosLS8TN0Fl2DO5NZ5HIb8_DfMNA5AYugSe_yGvPRfjf94GRmqGzBvKp8rxNjA5zTLXFavbqoag_RMjtoLo5VOgJA9I-eEsE5uEKyZpyRthmHBflVXGE2N-KdM/s1600/465894_3697007456188_1209287877_o.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqGUNvDlG25I3lHRNosLS8TN0Fl2DO5NZ5HIb8_DfMNA5AYugSe_yGvPRfjf94GRmqGzBvKp8rxNjA5zTLXFavbqoag_RMjtoLo5VOgJA9I-eEsE5uEKyZpyRthmHBflVXGE2N-KdM/s400/465894_3697007456188_1209287877_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clinging to Mo for dear life while waiting to start the swim <i>Photo Gene Meade</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I
finally got my ugly white cap on my noggin and within a couple of
minutes, we were in the water. I had a few seconds to get my goggles
securely suctioned to my face and then we were off. I started out
freestyle and breathing on alternating sides like google had told me to
do for open water. This didn't last long as I soon found freestyle with
zero training to be exhausting. I coughed a couple of times. I switched
to breast stroke and my pace slowed significantly but at least I could
breath better. I noticed a few women around me doing the same. I stuck
with it until the first buoy and then the second buoy. Then we were
headed to the 3rd buoy. By this time, my heart was pounding, I was
breathing hard, coughing, and I had a long way to go before my feet
would be on ground. I flipped on my back for a couple minutes of rest
via unskilled backstroke and promptly got lake water up my nose.
Revelation: lake water stings when it goes up there. I resumed
backstroke and tried to make some good progress. My arms are weak, but
my legs are strong, so I managed to pick up the pace this way. After a
while, I turned over to check where I was I didn't know. There were no
other racers near me and the rescue boat was to my left. The guy in the
boat asked if I was okay and I assured him I was and asked him which way
I was going. He informed me I was going the wrong way! I turned back
around doing breast stroke again so I could see the next buoy. I had
gone backwards for a few minutes and I'm guessing 10 swimmers had passed
me while I was doing so. Trying not to think about the wasted effort
and time, I kept swimming. Here is where my ultra training helped me. I
told myself to keep making relentless forward progress and not to panic.
I kept breathing steadily and little by little made my way towards the
next buoy. I was behind almost all of the field. Finally, I reached the
last buoy and closed in on the exit out of the lake. It was a relief
when I was close enough to shore that I could get my feet back under me
and walk out. Whew! I made it! And I didn't even hang on to a canoe or
buoy. After exiting the water, the course went up a grassy hill that was
now wet and slick with mud from the traffic. I ultra-walked with a
purpose up the hill, grinned and waved at Gene as he snapped a photo of
me, and arrived in the transition area. I was really pumped up by the
fact that I had survived the open water swim! <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrHAtK7LCQkzcIWg1oU3JpL6arRo8YDQj0KYs6l8C04sprD_RijJ1EAzUxJh-NbvcoadIN8ONi4MsxG5-xBK8T-HRPgpKdyZd7Lk4mUIeaV_mxKUAaprFU3Qnvl-jvhuukm6omFdgr/s1600/616702_3697011976301_748108806_o.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrHAtK7LCQkzcIWg1oU3JpL6arRo8YDQj0KYs6l8C04sprD_RijJ1EAzUxJh-NbvcoadIN8ONi4MsxG5-xBK8T-HRPgpKdyZd7Lk4mUIeaV_mxKUAaprFU3Qnvl-jvhuukm6omFdgr/s320/616702_3697011976301_748108806_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thrilled to have made it out alive! <i>Photo Gene Meade</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In
transition, I saw that there was one other bike still there besides
mine. This worried me, but Gene told me something like they're out there
and I would get them and I focused on that. I sat on my 5 gallon
bucket, put my socks and bike shoes on, pulled my helmet on and ran out
of the transition area with my bike next to me and holding onto my
gloves. Got to the mount bike line and carefully clipped in to the right
pedal and pushed off. Stupidly, I tried to pull my gloves on while on
the bike and nearly lost control - twice. I used my teeth to pull them
the rest of the way on while I pedaled in pursuit of whoever was ahead
of me. The bike course was reportedly rolling hills, but I soon found
that I had ridden hillier routes in my training and I didn't think it
was that bad. Within a couple of miles, I saw another cyclist.
Determined, I closed in on her and passed. I set my eyes on the next
person I saw and passed them, then another and another. Every time I
passed, I told the person "Good job". I hoped it was nice and not
obnoxious to say that. Every time I passed a volunteer, I thanked them.
Before I knew it, I rode by the 5 mile mark. I continued to ride as hard
as I could knowing that it was only 16 miles compared to the usual 25+
mile rides I had been doing recently. I stayed in my highest gear on the
flats and downhills and downshifted just enough for the climbs. I drank
most of my Gu Brew and snacked on a few Shot Blocks that I had taped to
my bike. The course was pretty countryside and we passed over the lake
twice. I enjoyed myself, looked at the scenery, and passed as many
racers as I could. I didn't see the 10 mile marker so I was pleasantly
surprised when I came upon the 15 mile marker. The ride went really
quickly and soon I was coming to a stop at the dismount line and running
to the transition area to change into my running shoes. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAk4GgEgx_W8xpHjdO9PFVdE2ihAhDWUHD7OQfvqt0E_bhxTQ9SMoqeSlH4JxhwxmuBt9NypGsp5xKV_6q-HDARNf7IW9XPfoH9SwA5RUzAmJ98DVwmFISIkozkW4pyep3AFiYh11O/s1600/210267_3697014976376_1660362618_o.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAk4GgEgx_W8xpHjdO9PFVdE2ihAhDWUHD7OQfvqt0E_bhxTQ9SMoqeSlH4JxhwxmuBt9NypGsp5xKV_6q-HDARNf7IW9XPfoH9SwA5RUzAmJ98DVwmFISIkozkW4pyep3AFiYh11O/s320/210267_3697014976376_1660362618_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Starting the run. Finally, something I knew how to do! <i>Photo Gene Meade</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I sat on my bucket, pulled off the cycling
shoes, and pulled on my running shoes. I grabbed my handheld water
bottle, snapped on my race number belt (thanks to Mo for the belt) and
ran out of transition on a mission. I was psyched to have made it to the
run part of the event because running is what I know best. I have had
my bike for just over a year and as mentioned earlier, I don't swim. The
run started uphill on the road but quickly entered the woods and
changed to single track. There is a water stop just before the woods,
but I had my handheld, so I ran on by. The trail was rolling hills and
all single track with the exception of a few short field crossings which
were grass. I passed several ladies and men who were all walking or
running very slowly. I happily ran by them at the best pace I could
muster at this point. I was running hard enough that I was breathing
loudly and they would hear me coming and move to the side. The trail was
pleasant and I confidently ran down and up, over roots, and through
light mud. Here is where I had an advantage over the average triathlete
who I doubt was thrilled with trail for the run. Though I was in my
element, I was also ready for the race to be over but the course seemed
to go and on. I thought I must be almost done but then I saw a sign that
said 2 miles. I was in disbelief so sure was I that I was about to
round a corner and see the finish line. Soon after the 2 mile mark I
made it up a short climb and saw Gene at the top taking my photo and
cheering me on.<br />
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<tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMueVpR9JszHmyqmvld7Rv00Llv1Oq6At_iZz0U1Yhc_O-10EdnG7toipoA3NlHDbLrznvT6kAcG8ETJfItBWH6sqTGoS9ScQ0VioOHGpFKePAORStCNAAYxsib4eoFri-Fjv_ZchC/s1600/614711_3697016736420_1969366562_o.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMueVpR9JszHmyqmvld7Rv00Llv1Oq6At_iZz0U1Yhc_O-10EdnG7toipoA3NlHDbLrznvT6kAcG8ETJfItBWH6sqTGoS9ScQ0VioOHGpFKePAORStCNAAYxsib4eoFri-Fjv_ZchC/s320/614711_3697016736420_1969366562_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trucking up a hill <i>Photo Gene Mead</i></td></tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Another minute or so and I was surprised to come upon Mo. She moved
to the side when she heard my ragged breath and I called to her that it
was just me. I tried to encourage her to pick up the pace a bit to lead
me in, but her knee was not feeling good and she let me go on ahead. I
continued to pass runners as I steadily made my way through the last
mile. Finally, I could hear and see the end. There was one last devious
climb to the finish which I stubbornly slogged up though I really wanted
to walk. As soon as I stopped, I had the sudden urge to puke but I just
heaved a bit and managed not to decorate the volunteer's shoes as he
removed my timing chip.<br />
<br />
Here are my results: I crossed the line in 1:52:41.<br />
Swim
(750 m open water): 23:19, T1: 2:47, Bike (16 miles): 57:30, T2: 1:51,
Run (3 miles): 27:12. I ended up 2 out of 4 Athenas (and got a sweet
shoulder bag) and 45 out of 72 females.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvQx5kEvLtul65yIneUnwMrTsMAHyYnkhjbAR33VQUTX1xc6L-wm2lLJqrgZ4FJ2GwUeritAiYqAW5sDiFt-0M6X5rd4U_MQWY-k8xCWkwcsfeBLNuSPwtXfbYn93SbZR6VeWOKtOL/s1600/415535_3697018096454_855727147_o.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvQx5kEvLtul65yIneUnwMrTsMAHyYnkhjbAR33VQUTX1xc6L-wm2lLJqrgZ4FJ2GwUeritAiYqAW5sDiFt-0M6X5rd4U_MQWY-k8xCWkwcsfeBLNuSPwtXfbYn93SbZR6VeWOKtOL/s320/415535_3697018096454_855727147_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finished! Finally! <i>Photo Gene Meade</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Mo was right behind me in
1:53:11 and got 3rd in her age group. All in all, the event was a
success. One bummer was that Mo discovered that the vehicle parked next
to us hit her car when they pulled out. They were in a rust orange Honda
Element and got out of there without leaving a note or anything. Jerks!
You can bet that an ultra runner would not have done that. Just saying.
<br />
<br />
So, I may have gotten lucky to not drown due to
foolishness, but the tri went well enough for me that I would do another
one. I was surprised by how much I really enjoyed myself. Maybe next
time I will do a few pool laps for training. At the very least, I will
know how to put the swim cap on. ;)<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEvC-gdeQqXr5aVVFvA4T17AvrmpwrrlUlyhMCD-hxb73mV7cfzOGvV4WL-wWNpyJthyphenhyphenUCFXfFrB-zqTtpbR7hIwOrHBT43UMu-ewoHo3356ZQFwm8yy76MMG5_26SBptR8iQ3ve9Z/s1600/622558_3697020816522_1561832694_o.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEvC-gdeQqXr5aVVFvA4T17AvrmpwrrlUlyhMCD-hxb73mV7cfzOGvV4WL-wWNpyJthyphenhyphenUCFXfFrB-zqTtpbR7hIwOrHBT43UMu-ewoHo3356ZQFwm8yy76MMG5_26SBptR8iQ3ve9Z/s400/622558_3697020816522_1561832694_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and Mo at the finish :) <i>Photo Gene Meade</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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31 Years and Runninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12530156178340468515noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47323807397173005.post-14232883304396535012012-05-24T15:40:00.001-07:002012-05-24T18:48:20.902-07:00Purple Cloth 5K<br />
My good friend and training partner, Mo Percy was putting on an inaugural race, the Purple Cloth 5K, to benefit Dorcas Minestries <a href="http://dorcas-cary.org/">http://dorcas-cary.org/</a>. Unfortunately, the race only attracted a small field for it's first year. To be supportive, this ultra slogger decided to cough up the 20 bucks (a deal!) and register even though my last 5K was the 2010 Wake Forest Turkey Trot. Not having done any speed work and having only run once since The Smoky Mountain Relay on April 21st-22nd due to a strained calf, I did not have big expectations for my race. However, seeing as I am innately competitive in nature, I was going to run the damn thing as fast I as I could, even if it made me puke.<br />
Gene, our other good friend and training partner, also signed up to support Mo and her race. He had not done any speed work in the last several months either due to also being an ultra runner these days. To make things a bit more interesting and to get myself psyched up for the impending pain that is a 5K that you are actually racing (not taking it easy or walking), and because I am a brat, I started bantering with Gene that I was going to kick his ass, etc.<br />
<br />
The Friday night before the race, I wrote in an email to this good friend of mine:<br />
<i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span dir="ltr">"I am gonna get you old man! I am gonna run 'til I puke just to finish in front of ya! <br />
See you in the am and prepare for defeat!"</span></span></span></i><br />
<br />
In due response, he replied: <i>"BRING IT!"</i><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span dir="ltr">And sent me this picture: </span></span></span><br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXGQYEagjbsRifMhzCZRtuUWqn3JKOnf_1hi3mQEYg2JIPUOClESjvaL8ioBfDjF6MVzak4zEHyGlZib16bF9O51Pf-TPUfE5dkG6_ySRpSTHlT2jO7xFxPZWBF6e1A-xxIndGETzH/s1600/DSCN9919-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXGQYEagjbsRifMhzCZRtuUWqn3JKOnf_1hi3mQEYg2JIPUOClESjvaL8ioBfDjF6MVzak4zEHyGlZib16bF9O51Pf-TPUfE5dkG6_ySRpSTHlT2jO7xFxPZWBF6e1A-xxIndGETzH/s320/DSCN9919-1.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I told him he looked like a yellow Terminator.<br />
<br />
Race morning arrived warm and humid with the race start at 8:15. They also had a kids dash at 8:00. We lined up near the front of the starting line in the field at Cary's Bond Park. When I looked behind me, I didn't see any "real" female runners. They pretty much all looked like beginners. I'm not being mean or rude - we all start somewhere - but you can tell when someone hasn't been running long or is just planning to walk. Cotton t-shirt, long pants on a hot day, Keds on the feet, etc. This reinforced my plan to run as fast as I could and do as well as possible.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUsUSzCw8riqtGEwGZJd2ESH11-XKgG_BXnAVVJEzeJLSJXumNhn5thvD_l4qrg7MQHhhhrwg8Q2-Xa0EH1AlLYR5RPd0YMnfHoSezrNIwL2QIqCsiuOJRsQr5iSNKXseMWcQOYXRe/s1600/2155277.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUsUSzCw8riqtGEwGZJd2ESH11-XKgG_BXnAVVJEzeJLSJXumNhn5thvD_l4qrg7MQHhhhrwg8Q2-Xa0EH1AlLYR5RPd0YMnfHoSezrNIwL2QIqCsiuOJRsQr5iSNKXseMWcQOYXRe/s400/2155277.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Go!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The race started and Gene and I took off down the field together side by side with just a few male runners in front of us, no females in my sight. The course followed a meandering paved path and into the woods where the path was packed bark. There's a good climb with wood steps in the bark section and I continued running up that too, though I already couldn't breathe. We stayed together or just a little ahead or behind each other. When we reached the 1 mile mark a volunteer told me I was at 7:35. I was behind Gene but still on his heels. I thought to myself "Whoa, that pace is not gonna last!" I managed to stay with Gene until we came back towards the open field where we had to climb another hill. It was there that I lost him and never caught him again. So much for kicking the old man's ass!<br />
<br />
The rest of the race, I struggled to hang on to my relatively fast pace which I was definitely not trained for or used to. It was very warm and I slowed down a bit on the pace for the last two miles. A couple of other guys besides Gene passed me, but I did not see any females go by. Every once in a while, I glanced back, fearing a strong female runner would be there chasing me and kicking it into high gear to pass me, but no one came. Finally, after what seemed an eternity of running hard and barely being able to breathe, I reached the field and sprinted across it to the finish line. Trying not to puke as Mo pointed a camera at me and took my picture, I crossed the finish line in 25:03. Shortly after I stopped, I gagged and a spit up a little bile, but didn't truly puke. Maybe if I had run hard enough to puke, I would have beat the old man after all. Funny enough, I was the first female to finish, something that I'm sure will never happen again! I got a sombrero and an Inside Out Sports gift card for being an award winner.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYi08Dzo7wMgTKYjRzuWDUYfEBhEz4Zqg2qffD38EYHa62rPfLbnCPBuPvl3GVOLEHipu3PSdjWDrsCWSE7PfhtERB9FGUJq9qwRnGgPkuXiZXbtVbU9p3SSNC0jlr8WFCftVhzG5A/s1600/8777614.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYi08Dzo7wMgTKYjRzuWDUYfEBhEz4Zqg2qffD38EYHa62rPfLbnCPBuPvl3GVOLEHipu3PSdjWDrsCWSE7PfhtERB9FGUJq9qwRnGgPkuXiZXbtVbU9p3SSNC0jlr8WFCftVhzG5A/s320/8777614.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finishing and trying not to puke for the camera</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Gene was a good sport about my challenge and the subsequent ass-kicking he gave me. He didn't rub my defeat in my face or be obnoxious otherwise.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSEmYZT0Y_t0pJtPs1HBqIJAuv4Zwwl6TTSqIqYHLfHDx5b3FpWtKQve1XeIg_gFRVWHQWSw9DWh4CseMurfg_KSxK1p63QtH-nRF4ofnK3-UXOMf29btWcVO3Lt5uhLf6CMKdPoBP/s1600/919789.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSEmYZT0Y_t0pJtPs1HBqIJAuv4Zwwl6TTSqIqYHLfHDx5b3FpWtKQve1XeIg_gFRVWHQWSw9DWh4CseMurfg_KSxK1p63QtH-nRF4ofnK3-UXOMf29btWcVO3Lt5uhLf6CMKdPoBP/s1600/919789.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reaction to Mo's announcement that I just did a 100 miler 4 weeks before - feeling shy...</td></tr>
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</table>
Purple Cloth 5K is a nice, small event that I would recommend to anyone looking to run their first race or if they would like to have the chance to be competitive in a small field.
It was a very well run, family friendly event and I'm sure it will grow
with each year. The 2013 race is tentatively set for the first weekend
of May.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5nezTM0oMwcYrodBeASE_q6BB1-52EGH-6K74QHxYJFw5-hI7aTpVDl-50qTY2b5k1UC2bkQw_7q-iJAplrTQhbN5GZUZd9SQVI_iiptPczH_mosw84FFju2h9t6muQuAdNo8aZdh/s1600/364012.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5nezTM0oMwcYrodBeASE_q6BB1-52EGH-6K74QHxYJFw5-hI7aTpVDl-50qTY2b5k1UC2bkQw_7q-iJAplrTQhbN5GZUZd9SQVI_iiptPczH_mosw84FFju2h9t6muQuAdNo8aZdh/s320/364012.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Running friends: Gene, Rhonda, me, and Bill</td></tr>
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<br />31 Years and Runninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12530156178340468515noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47323807397173005.post-39031468527282704692012-05-20T19:27:00.004-07:002012-05-20T19:28:58.618-07:00Umstead 100 Endurance Run 2012 - Unfinished Business!<br />
It was difficult to believe, but the big weekend was finally here. Within a month of my DNF at Umstead 2011, I had decided I was going for a redemption run in 2012. I had been waiting ever since for another shot at Umstead 100 and it had been a loooong year! I made sure to get a deep tissue massage 8 days beforehand to help work out some tightness in my calves and IT bands. I also got a pedicure 7 days before race day to try to prevent blisters by smoothing out the rough edges from old blisters and callouses. While waiting for my pedicure, I spontaneously decided to see if I could get some custom artwork.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF9TN3blpndxjKIN9nI0-7j1vr1YQAV_v4MichCLUDsyv1DW3UDM6cN93lXhG3rq3BP7Fa9dXMT7BQ77i6Kdah4Jek67Rfuf92TI-Fj5O9M9Se0jp-nTocOAGe4ThRVFibe-F5zaQ5/s1600/389673_2000998760710_1715812455_936118_2034082743_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF9TN3blpndxjKIN9nI0-7j1vr1YQAV_v4MichCLUDsyv1DW3UDM6cN93lXhG3rq3BP7Fa9dXMT7BQ77i6Kdah4Jek67Rfuf92TI-Fj5O9M9Se0jp-nTocOAGe4ThRVFibe-F5zaQ5/s320/389673_2000998760710_1715812455_936118_2034082743_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I know I have funny-looking toes, don't laugh.</td></tr>
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With the Umstead race logo triangle and a sparkly "100" on my big toes for an extra boost of motivation and confidence, I was ready to go. <br />
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The Umstead 100 course is a 12.5 mile lap that is shaped like a lolly pop with an out and back spur. There is quite the buffet of an aid station adjacent to the Head Quarters building and a second manned fully stocked aid station buffet, AS2, at about mile 6.5 of each lap. There are also 3 other water points along the course, one of which had gels, snacks, and Gatorade. <br />
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My plan was to run the first 50 miles in about 12 hours, with each of the four laps in 3 hours plus or minus a few minutes. The second 50 miles would be run in 16 hours with an average of 4 hours each lap. Total goal race time was 28 hours, leaving me a 2 hour cushion to finish under the 30 hour time limit in case of unforeseen issues. I was not going to make the same mistake as I did last year when I foolishly thought I could make it in under 24. Going too hard on the first 50 was not the sole issue last year, but it certainly did contribute to my DNF.<br />
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I volunteered at registration on Friday which was a lot of fun because I got to see and meet so many of the other runners. I also got to hang out with my friends Jimbo Plant, Gene Meade and Tammy Massie and met Jimbo's friend Franckie from Tahoe. I attended the race briefing and enjoyed dinner outside at one of the picnic tables with friends. I scarfed down a plate of delicious spaghetti and meatballs and two helpings of race cake and vanilla ice cream. I am a girl who knows how to eat, so ultra running fits me perfectly.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyI_Fz7FQnFDru6QwuF2mc0hgvCItiYFNNXN9bMg3a3o6QPZ0CiOdgOBlYVZmYWMKJkuO-hu9SmIIl_JX1w9BZCTU_VYphyphenhyphen2ZnnGbe1TtxshCfytT8PV9Qjkxjl0xRtFQqRT2Hg8ir/s1600/Umstead+100+2012+026.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyI_Fz7FQnFDru6QwuF2mc0hgvCItiYFNNXN9bMg3a3o6QPZ0CiOdgOBlYVZmYWMKJkuO-hu9SmIIl_JX1w9BZCTU_VYphyphenhyphen2ZnnGbe1TtxshCfytT8PV9Qjkxjl0xRtFQqRT2Hg8ir/s320/Umstead+100+2012+026.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Start/Finish of each lap. I took this photo before the race started.</td></tr>
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Race morning was warm with temps in the 60s. As my husband Chad and I drove to the park, the rain started falling true to the forecast and it was apparent it was going to be at least a partially wet weekend. We arrived and Chad helped me get set up in Head Quarters. I then milled about taking photos with friends, greeting fellow runners, and getting a little breakfast in me. At 6am, there was a gun shot signaling the start of our adventure and us runners started up the camp road in the dark. Some carried lights or wore headlamps, but I had decided to take Jimbo's advice and not bother and just use the light from another runner to see my way down the road. This worked fine and we made it to the camp gate and turned right on the bridle path. All the lights from the other runners bobbing up and down and coming towards me from those who had already made the turn around were just beautiful. I placed my camera on a rock on the straightaway after the airport and turned it on video to record the lights. It wasn't high enough to record what I wanted, but I did get about 15 minutes of invisible people going by and talking in the dark and the occasional light. :) I didn't mind that it was raining since, thankfully, it was warm. Early in the lap, I found myself running with my friend Linda Banks and we had a great first lap which we ran mostly together, completing it on schedule in 2:52.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVzNDUCXT5K1pD1oSp7PFl2PVzKWG35BSfA7_s1HUkkTbeOBvIZl6eU_QJGMLUXGx-KMwRA6-U5VSuhR_AUCLpQkJ704NuPLmFxUBkpmSfAR3DG6fJ693Zttn60mixxuuTD7hIPq2v/s1600/IMG_0548.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVzNDUCXT5K1pD1oSp7PFl2PVzKWG35BSfA7_s1HUkkTbeOBvIZl6eU_QJGMLUXGx-KMwRA6-U5VSuhR_AUCLpQkJ704NuPLmFxUBkpmSfAR3DG6fJ693Zttn60mixxuuTD7hIPq2v/s320/IMG_0548.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Linda Banks and I on lap 1</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBfIhSOTcCnNWmqhVHUu4aE5N1eGL0lzm5KsdEPGfH9gWXxGNHiuFZHZkEFJ_2qQYtjUmVRj_bqq6bP0YnIfbY3RduPowPceT0ZgiKQR8uBqv5GDHWpjcqbei0S2t7DYX1pw4w7Gba/s1600/IMG_0572.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBfIhSOTcCnNWmqhVHUu4aE5N1eGL0lzm5KsdEPGfH9gWXxGNHiuFZHZkEFJ_2qQYtjUmVRj_bqq6bP0YnIfbY3RduPowPceT0ZgiKQR8uBqv5GDHWpjcqbei0S2t7DYX1pw4w7Gba/s320/IMG_0572.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Random Super Dave Cockman and me on lap 2</td></tr>
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During lap 2, it continued to rain, but I met a great guy named Dave. Also from Raleigh, he had pulled a muscle in his lower leg the Wednesday before the race during a taper run and had even considered not starting but in the end he decided to give it a go. He was doing really well considering the pain he was in and we had a grand time chatting and swapping stories as we covered the miles. My mom called me at one point and heard me talking to him and when she asked who I was running with, I told her "This random guy named Dave". Mom thought that was pretty funny and when we came through to HQ where she and my sister, Dallas, and my niece and nephew were waiting, mom cheered for me and "Random Dave". For the rest of the day I called him "Random Dave" and then in the later laps it turned into "Super Dave" as the run became more of a struggle and he carried on despite his injury. His actual last name is Cockman and he told me a hilarious story involving his name, but you will need to join him for a run and ask him to tell you the travel agency story if you want to hear it. Lap 2 was done in 2:56; still on schedule.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipYDeSP4gtdGlDElXy_Clr7Kptvj8J_hXO3GSUn3WzMA07_0qc3IJOijBfZgzA5m2uaQI4szDqDWt4e2rpS_W6CHrMmYD3dpw_FRGyDnALXZAar4Zpkpwsz6q1oBheZuCnU9Zl8uXn/s1600/Umstead+100+2012+057.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipYDeSP4gtdGlDElXy_Clr7Kptvj8J_hXO3GSUn3WzMA07_0qc3IJOijBfZgzA5m2uaQI4szDqDWt4e2rpS_W6CHrMmYD3dpw_FRGyDnALXZAar4Zpkpwsz6q1oBheZuCnU9Zl8uXn/s200/Umstead+100+2012+057.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chad, Amelia, and Bogart on Turkey Creek</td></tr>
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Between lap 2 and lap 3, I changed into my Sam Rizk Umstead 100 shirt. Sam was a friend and inspiration and was the first to mention to me a few years ago that I should run the 50 miler at Umstead. Sam was registered for the race, but sadly passed away in December. I kept thinking that Sam should be out there running with us, but I know his spirit was alive that day. There was a group of friends and family running a lap in his honor starting at 11:00 am so I planned to wear my Sam shirt during lap 3 which was my lap that would begin closest to 11:00. During lap 3, the rain stopped and it became very humid. I was already hot in the rain, but without it's cooling effect, I really started cooking. Random Dave and I continued on together for lap 3 and we were still enjoying ourselves despite the less than ideal weather conditions. Chad met me a couple times on the backside of Turkey Creek and he brought our fur kids, Amelia and Bogart, to see me. They got really excited when they recognized me coming down the trail and each time, Chad let Bogart go running to me. Amelia couldn't be let go because she can't be trusted at all off leash. Every time I met another runner in this section I said to them "Did you see my doggies?" "Those are my babies!" It was a real bright spot to see Chad and the fur kids on this lap. I completed lap 3 in 3:10. <br />
37.5 miles down, 62.5 (100K) to go and still on track time wise.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6QNjqgL6Xoq0TLOz_78bq9i6ZSx0yhL6NC8gc0dZ0cQtf7d8TIOo2aAaQ3fpFB6li7c47mGxdP1dzc4rKUM6PW3gnlM-hwzH9EplA2SL3K58ezSMPe4IpVrN9CRy4Cr1SNN9hHnJk/s1600/557629_3624982104574_1274641565_3647152_987416079_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6QNjqgL6Xoq0TLOz_78bq9i6ZSx0yhL6NC8gc0dZ0cQtf7d8TIOo2aAaQ3fpFB6li7c47mGxdP1dzc4rKUM6PW3gnlM-hwzH9EplA2SL3K58ezSMPe4IpVrN9CRy4Cr1SNN9hHnJk/s320/557629_3624982104574_1274641565_3647152_987416079_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coming in to HQ at the end of lap 3 with my Sam shirt on</td></tr>
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I decided to check my feet between laps 3 and 4 as I felt hot spots on the big toes during lap 3. Removal of my shoes revealed not just hot spots, but decent sized blisters on both my big toes and both my heels on the inside. My feet were damp and starting to prune - good potential for problems. I had tried pre-taping Friday night for the first time because these are my "traditional" blisters that I seem to lately get without fail and I figured the tape wouldn't make it worse and hoped it would help prevent them. Well, the tape didn't prevent the blisters, but I also don't think it made them worse than they would have been anyway. I asked my crew and surrounding friends to see if Jonathan Savage, Blister Guru, could be found to help fix my feet. Jim Wei found Jonathan as he was about to shower after having completed his own fast 50 mile race, but he willingly postponed his shower to take a look. I still don't know if he got ever to shower as he ended up working continuously on runners with bad blisters that weekend. While he worked on my feet, I was brought a cup of Breyer's Vanilla Bean ice cream (thanks Erika!). It was delicious and so cold and really hit the spot! Yum! Jonathan agreed it was a good thing I had stopped to address my blisters rather than waiting until later. He expertly bandaged my feet, I changed into dry socks and shoes, and went on my way. I spent about 30 minutes or so at that stop, but I believe it was worth it as blisters can be extremely debilitating and I still had 100K to go. Plus, I got to sit with my feet up, rest and cool down a bit, and enjoy my ice cream! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCheQadT5FMLcQfpZh-93PaLlAriGPZenRCLtZmNO4Bwea2IPpxv9frh42AmJ_Ki_QjFezePHf3EPvJhDR0sumK71oC9bQQA9gVHvDGIl5T8vVxEbdpC7Dn_ecjYmVK0NFJRxkNo6z/s1600/532326_10150715006814784_605534783_9189735_474061924_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCheQadT5FMLcQfpZh-93PaLlAriGPZenRCLtZmNO4Bwea2IPpxv9frh42AmJ_Ki_QjFezePHf3EPvJhDR0sumK71oC9bQQA9gVHvDGIl5T8vVxEbdpC7Dn_ecjYmVK0NFJRxkNo6z/s320/532326_10150715006814784_605534783_9189735_474061924_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enjoying ice cream while Jonathan and Charles West check out my blisters</td></tr>
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For lap 4, I meant to take my mp3 player, but I forgot to grab it. Chad was going to meet me at the other side of the course near Aid Station 2, so I called him and asked if he could bring it to me there. I continued on, still feeling good, still walking the uphills and running all the downhills and flats. The sun came out and it really warmed up on this lap and got steamy. When I neared AS2 just after the Butt Tree, Chad was there with Amelia and Bogart. Seeing the doggies and Chad out on the course so many times was a treat. I got the mp3 player and I was able to listen to music for the rest of the lap. The music lifted my mood (not that it was bad) and got me moving more energetically. It also helped pass the time as I ended up running the whole lap by myself. I had lost Random Dave when I stopped so long at HQ before. I think I was going down Power Line Hill singing out loud to Steve Miller's "The Joker" when I ran by a group of 3 girls who didn't look like they were having nearly as much fun as I was having - maybe they were grimacing at my singing. I'm not sure I was in tune since I couldn't really hear myself with the earphones, but I didn't care. I finished lap 4 in 3:38 which included the half hour stop, so still not too shabby all things considered. My total for the first 50 miles was 12:36, 36 minutes slower than my plan thanks to my blisters, but it was all good. <br />
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I changed all my clothes including under layers before lap 5. I just wanted to get the sweaty crusty clothes off and feel a little "fresher" and hopefully, prevent serious chaffing. I swear my shorts could have stood up on their own from the salt! My friend Renee, who was also managing the kitchen, was my pacer for this lap. When we started down the camp road, I was amused by her immediately springing forward with pent up energy. She said it felt great to get out and move after many hours volunteering. I reined her back in just a bit to my ultra shuffle pace and we settled in together nicely, chatting and having a lovely time. It was at the turn around check point on the airport spur when I asked the guy checking numbers at the cone whether he got my number and he said "No" that I realized I had left my bib at HQ. I looked down at my shorts and - no number! I was worried because I didn't want to do anything against race rules and I wanted to be sure my splits were recorded at the aid stations. So...Renee and Elizabeth to the Rescue: Renee called our friend Elizabeth at HQ who drove towards the camp gate while Renee ran back up the camp road to meet her and get my bib. I kept moving forwards towards my goal, looking back every so often to check for Renee and then I saw her, blazing up the trail towards me, bib in hand, and on a mission. She arrived happily out of breath with the chance to get some real running in and I was relieved to get my number back on and focus back on the task at hand. Renee is always so cheerful and lap 5 was no exception - she was a great pacer. I can't remember if I pointed out all my "landmarks" to her on our lap or not, but there was the usual Cork Screw Hill and then my additions of Mossy Mountain out of a Mole Hill and Dead Tree Hollow, followed by Jimbo's Toe-break Ridge, my Turkey Creek Turn Pike, the Butt Tree (a favorite of us locals), and then we were at AS2. The sun had set by this time and when we entered the woods again, I showed Renee my favorite sign which I could really relate to.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvu2mW1DepOM24U1DdxcsndZAbVyCfC-TAQ7ajOpIhWu181xGR_Yyfec9cM6aA9r1Z-8lrE9p6woCMuGAmIuoSMOXY8Kc3txRlgP6MVrHgYNXHjNs_0f-Pez9dtx6OEeLKmfRHZuee/s1600/Umstead+100+2012+074.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvu2mW1DepOM24U1DdxcsndZAbVyCfC-TAQ7ajOpIhWu181xGR_Yyfec9cM6aA9r1Z-8lrE9p6woCMuGAmIuoSMOXY8Kc3txRlgP6MVrHgYNXHjNs_0f-Pez9dtx6OEeLKmfRHZuee/s200/Umstead+100+2012+074.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
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I have found from experience that periodically walking backwards
uphill during a very long run uses different muscles and gives the
"forward motion" muscles a break from the continuous use and abuse. I got some funny looks from other runners on
the course, but it really seems to help me when the legs are weary of
moving forward. If you haven't before, give it a try on your next
really long training run or race and see if your legs don't
experience some relief when you use different muscles walking backwards.
Just don't fall off the trail, crash into obstacles, or other runners
while you are doing it! You'll need to peak over your shoulder once in a
while to confirm the way is clear. It also helps to have a pacer like Renee who
will look out for you and lets you know when you are wandering too far to
the side!<br />
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One of the hills I used this method on throughout the race
was the steepest hill of the course, aptly dubbed Effing Hill. It is the
first significant hill after entering the Sawtooth 79 section just past
AS2.When we got to Effing Hill, I told Renee about my pile of rocks at the top of the hill. It was Jimbo's genius idea that he shared with me during one of our training runs. A couple of days before the race, he collected 8 rocks for himself and 8 rocks for me from the MTC "dog pen" and he placed them in two piles at a tree at the top of Effing hill. My pile was on the left (L for Lauren) and his was on the right. I had already thrown 4 of my rocks into the woods with glee - one for each time I conquered Effing Hill. The rocks were different sizes and I decided to throw my smallest one on my first lap, next smallest on the second lap, and so on, thus
leaving the largest rock for my 8th lap. I threw rock #5 and Renee and I continued down the trail. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVaYEvw5T2q42gdNHUEeJYc_mOhery5ZNfViYWp1p_iPqMPVbajuot3zOkWCEtX2c6DvzD7UtS2Q2NY0AXtpruXjWYujKA_E9UxN8ZtUzFrRqQRW9WL0mfEHrYgi4wVrUhb57YujqB/s1600/Umstead+100+2012+063.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVaYEvw5T2q42gdNHUEeJYc_mOhery5ZNfViYWp1p_iPqMPVbajuot3zOkWCEtX2c6DvzD7UtS2Q2NY0AXtpruXjWYujKA_E9UxN8ZtUzFrRqQRW9WL0mfEHrYgi4wVrUhb57YujqB/s320/Umstead+100+2012+063.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Dog Pen rocks just before I threw my 4th one. Jimbo's are on the right.</td></tr>
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Renee and I continued through the Sawtooth 79 section until we eventually reached
another landmark of mine, One Tree Hill. After that, we followed the gentle winding gradual climb back up to Graylyn.
In just a few miles, we were back at HQ and Lap 5 was completed in 3:41.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs2P9a64mlgu8XpFjlhyphenhypheneO1xYXRkc-8QS83x__8YvgBPhUiWLyMJ5CAeMN4VoASJ6ZNRvkDfQU0Rx1Mlnl311sT87tPnt66b7RsQfADrog7uQ8gDMrtrbLHuec3kmaw4UPff_GGv1W/s1600/Umstead+100+2012+077.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs2P9a64mlgu8XpFjlhyphenhypheneO1xYXRkc-8QS83x__8YvgBPhUiWLyMJ5CAeMN4VoASJ6ZNRvkDfQU0Rx1Mlnl311sT87tPnt66b7RsQfADrog7uQ8gDMrtrbLHuec3kmaw4UPff_GGv1W/s320/Umstead+100+2012+077.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and Renee after Lap 5</td></tr>
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Next up was my friend Elizabeth as pacer for lap 6. E is an optimistic, energetic, and enthusiastic person, just the kind you want for a pacer when attempting 100 miles. This would be the lap of "to go where Lauren has never gone before" as I would be achieving a distance PR on this lap. My previous record was about 65 miles if you count the last couple of sickly miles on my pacer's arm last year and since that I had done only one other 100K at Weymouth Woods two and a half months prior. It was after 10:00 PM and still fairly warm but the temperature was dropping and I made sure to wear a long sleeve shirt with my shorts and Elizabeth tied a jacket for me around her waist (muling is allowed at the U100) We saw lots and lots of runners still wearing their singlets or short sleeve shirts and shorts. There was even one guy next me in HQ getting ready to go back out in a singlet and shorts. Between the two of us, we convinced him to take an extra shirt with him just in case. He told me later that he was thankful he had it. Well, about 2 miles into lap 6, we heard a rumble. I thought maybe it was a plane or at least I was hoping that's what it was, but when we heard another rumble and saw a flash of lightning and the wind picked up a bit, that confirmed it was a storm. Luckily, I had a disposable poncho in my pack thanks to Ron Wahula (he gave it to me at the Friday dinner) and Elizabeth helped me get it on before I got wet. I certainly needed help because it was really stuck together in its little plastic baggie and I was tired, but we finally got it on and with only one tear on the left sleeve! E didn't have any rain gear with her, but she seemed actually thrilled to be out in the elements. She told me it was her first time running at night with a headlamp and first time running in a storm. And it would be my first time going past 65 miles - it was a lap for firsts! Running down Corkscrew Hill just past the junction of Reedy Creek with Graylyn, there were a couple of flashes that lit up the entire trail for just a moment and the rain started coming down pretty hard. I felt a bit of dread at the prospect of a long storm, but by the time we reached AS2, it was much calmer and the rain had almost stopped. I was grateful it was so short lived and that I was still warm and mostly dry. I heard later that lots of runners got caught out in the weather without warm clothes and got chilled or they huddled in the AS2 tent or even under the tables at the water points. I also heard after the race that some of the area actually had hail. Luckily, we did not see any of that out on the course.<br />
<br />
One funny thing that happened on the back side of Sawtooth 79 section was that two male runners called out to us and asked if we had seen the "glowing eyes in the woods". They were pretty freaked out thinking they were coyotes or something. Having done many night/early morning runs at Umstead, my home turf, I asked if there was a group of them and about this high (making motion of expected height) and they said yes. I was like "those are deer, we see them all the time at night". We had a good chuckle over the men who were afraid of the does. We made it back to HQ in a steady 4:24. Slow, but still chugging along.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">E and I after lap 6 - less than a marathon left!</td></tr>
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I was behind my schedule but still feeling pretty good mentally with 25 miles to go. I was determined to finish the whole thing this time and I didn't doubt that I would. Another good friend and training partner, Mo, was ready and waiting to pace me on lap 7. I had mentioned to E during lap 6 that I needed to check my blisters when we got back because they were talking to me again, but I almost forgot. I spent a good amount of time at HQ changing from my shorts into Capri's, donning a fresh long sleeve shirt, and consuming <u>5</u> delicious pancakes (no syrup needed) made by "Pancake Man" Ben Dillon. I was finally all set to go when I realized I had not checked my feet. I hesitated and considered continuing on without doing so, but then decided it was better to lose a few more minutes than to be out on the course with major blister issues. Once again, Jonathan Savage generously took care of my feet and rebandaged the blisters on my heels and big toes. I didn't have any new blisters, but the ones I had at mile 37.5 had definitely gotten bigger and they were quite tender. Jimbo Plant also kindly rubbed my cramping right calf while I had my feet up. Unfortunately, Jimbo had to drop from the 100 due to Achilles pain. Achilles issues are nothing to mess with. After I was fixed up as best as possible, I donned dry shoes and socks and headed back out with Mo for lap 7.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting my feet worked on again before lap 7 while enjoying a frappucinno</td></tr>
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I had been in HQ for approximately 45 minutes, it was around 3:30 in the morning and my muscles had locked up on me due to the long break. I had gotten really stiff and I gingerly eased back into things by first walking and then doing an extremely short "baby step" ultra shuffle that was so slow Mo could easily walk next to me. After a few minutes, I was able to move better again and we jogged on down the airport spur. On the camp road, we saw a runner heading the wrong way down towards Camp Crabtree and called out for him to turn around. I was glad to help another hundred miler avoid extra miles. In some ways, this lap was similar to our normal twice weekly 5AM training runs. Same headlamps, same darkness, same trail. If I didn't think about how many miles I had already covered in the last 20+ hours, I could <i>almost</i> forget that I was in the heart of my journey to 100 miles and it <i>almost</i> felt like one of our routine pre-dawn runs.<br />
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I don't remember what we talked about during our lap or how I made it through yet <i>another</i> 12.5 miles. One thing that I do remember is that we were just past AS2 next to Ebenezer Ch. Rd. when I heard the birds beginning to chirp. It was about 5:30 in the morning and they were waking up and bringing in the new day. It was then it "dawned" on me - pun intended - that I had made it through the long night, the darkest and hardest hours of a hundred miler and I had not fallen asleep on my feet or laid down in the middle of the trail as sometimes happens to weary runners. That in itself was a success. Soon the sun would be up and my quest would be coming to an end. By the time we were jogging down Powerline Hill on Graylyn trail, the sun was up and the birds were in full swing. We made it the 3 miles back to HQ in 4:30, my slowest lap, but it included about 45 minutes of stopping.<br />
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Our trail buddy and training partner, Gene, was waiting to join us for the last lap. He had pace another friend, Amy Surrette, on her 6th lap and then worked in a nap before getting ready to pace me. I was now on a mission - so close to finishing yet so far - and I quickly grabbed a short sleeve shirt from my supplies in HQ and headed back out to start my 8th and final lap. Mo and Gene were not ready for me to be so fast as they were now used to my customary lolly gagging between laps. Gene had promised he would wear his kilt to amuse me on the last lap and I barked at him "where's your kilt, get your kilt on" or something like that but being a good natured fellow, he took it all in stride. Mo had planned to change into something cooler and was getting ready to do so when I took off down the hill, past the start/finish flags and tape one last time, leaving my pacers behind in my rush. I wasn't worried because I knew they would catch up to me quickly seeing as they were still relatively fresh compared to me, despite earlier pacing and volunteering. They soon joined up with me a little ways down the camp road. We were now a "last-lap-ass-kicking posse" and we were laughing and joking despite me being both weary and whiny. When we reached the cone for the airport spur turn around, I went around one way and Gene ran around the other. Mo caught our silliness with her camera. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All fun and games at the turn around</td></tr>
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There were a few times when the weariness overtook me and I started weeping. I asked them if they thought I was okay and just tired or if they thought something was wrong. In my experience, I get emotional when something is out of balance with my hydration, electrolytes, nutrition, etc. They assured me I was probably just tired. One of the times I started crying Gene told me to just let it all out, go ahead and cry and get it out and I had a good sobbing session. Though I had two wonderful pacers, I put my ear buds back in and listened to music on low to help keep my mind off the pain and discomfort and the lack of sleep and the music seemed to help me shake off the tears. I would relay to Gene and Mo each song that came up. Fittingly enough, "Crazy Train" and "Zombie" were two of the tracks.<br />
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When we reached AS2 for the last time, I hit the porta john (I was staying hydrated for sure) and Mo snapped this great shot of me as I emerged. :-)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid2h-G_vefOK9N8ZqTRMDp18JixnngnPgxuKCkEEhllfNOLAk4rJztoZB9YeMXYegdNNTLEf09m98Lzn3mX2zQGimIjOonzLcMhgsWZgXam7wtaYFM2q9eI7Df_jru6ZdIhJd4mb5v/s1600/536399_10150715010054784_605534783_9189766_2037869104_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid2h-G_vefOK9N8ZqTRMDp18JixnngnPgxuKCkEEhllfNOLAk4rJztoZB9YeMXYegdNNTLEf09m98Lzn3mX2zQGimIjOonzLcMhgsWZgXam7wtaYFM2q9eI7Df_jru6ZdIhJd4mb5v/s320/536399_10150715010054784_605534783_9189766_2037869104_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Exhausted, I gingerly push the germy door away from myself.</td></tr>
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It was getting warm and I finally was able to get rid of my long sleeve and put on the fresh short sleeved shirt I had picked up back at HQ at the start of the lap. I grabbed a piece of grilled cheese and someone filled my water bottle for me. We asked one of the kind volunteers to take our photo by the bridge at the aid station.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The last-lap-ass-kicking posse</td></tr>
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When we reached Effing Hill for the final time, I gratefully threw my 8th and heaviest rock. It actually hit another tree and bounced back towards us!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heaving my last rock!</td></tr>
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We saw another friend, Angela White, at Water Stop #2. She had finished the 50 and was waiting to cheer for Linda Banks as she came by. I got a little whiny again to Angela and she told me I looked awesome and then let me chug about half of her very own lemon iced tea which was the best thing she could have done for me. That tea was so delicious and cold! We then continued on Turkey Creek trail, passing an older gentleman who was accompanied by his loyal wife and trying unsuccessfully to balance out "the leans" by carrying a huge rock in the opposite hand. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4IFwoJWF4FfM-Bsx6RA9rLeM4Y0Pfep6ZhXx3S1HtvrPMI1frV55naAH3LSdcONnUgxSnEfW04oAwiwXHUIAOlUXBpipVTJaLHshC0fuBdjn6LXXKPLTTAjNdG8os1W8tq6rIOEbs/s1600/523682_10150715010964784_605534783_9189776_1970648393_n.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><br />
When we reached the top of the Powerline Hill, we saw another friend, Amy Surrette, also on her way to her first 100 finish. She was with her husband Andy and was walking due to very bad, painful blisters. I teared up a little seeing the pain on her face. I knew partly what she was feeling and was compelled to give her a hug. She is a strong, strong runner and I knew I would see her at HQ shortly.<br />
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We picked it up a little down the hill and ran the whole way to the bridge at the bottom then walked until we turned right onto Reedy Creek trail again. We saw Rhonda's husband Mike in the truck at the water stop, but I'm not sure he saw us. At this point, I just had a couple of miles left until I finished my first 100 and I was focused on that. Compelled by this knowledge, I kept on moving and tried to pick up the pace as much as possible. Every step hurt my feet, but I was also getting excited. We walked with a purpose up Cemetery Hill and when we crested it, I started right back to running again. In a few minutes, we were turning right onto the camp road, past the gate and my puking rock where my race had ended prematurely the year before. The camp road is fairly rocky and with every footfall, my sore aching feet protested the punishment, but I knew I was so close to my goal and I was not about to stop running now. I remember saying to Mo and Gene that I was really going to finish, that I couldn't believe it and asking if it was real or if it was a dream. We turned left at the fork in the road, then past the old cabin on the right, through the clearing, and then all of a sudden the finish was in sight. I could hear the cheering of all the wonderful supporters and volunteers. They were cheering for me! I sprinted forward, striding over each timber across the trail so as not to catch my toes. Those last yards were just as I had planned and imagined and I <i>flew</i> up that hill and under the banner in 28 hours, 29 minutes, and 57 seconds.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQQY52up9kBhY-hZhAMf8edymYa43q9bBv63fZ_WQ8emi6llgYmMKoHNbQTuy8_KmjlJXkaL_ZgMR94DFVP5nAkxZFBbQlW8jbloRwVn5uoiwz8myz23K0YLsD0JL6mfYEsQXfXHcL/s1600/559960_2029680559010_1754000132_1025615_236537514_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQQY52up9kBhY-hZhAMf8edymYa43q9bBv63fZ_WQ8emi6llgYmMKoHNbQTuy8_KmjlJXkaL_ZgMR94DFVP5nAkxZFBbQlW8jbloRwVn5uoiwz8myz23K0YLsD0JL6mfYEsQXfXHcL/s320/559960_2029680559010_1754000132_1025615_236537514_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finishing!</td></tr>
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Chad was there waiting for me and so was my sister, Dallas, with my young niece and nephew. There were also many friends there, including Elizabeth and Renee who had waited for me to finish! I happily received my silver Umstead 100 finisher pendant. It was such an awesome feeling, a once in a lifetime experience, and I felt immense relief that I did not have to run anymore and I could rest. I had completed lap 8 in 3:19, my fourth fastest lap of the race.<br />
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After my head cleared a bit, I sat down with the best bacon and cheese omelet I have ever had. I think I had two more pancakes by Ben. I also enjoyed a lovely massage courtesy of Denise. It is all really a blur now as I am writing this 7 weeks afterwards, but I had Chad and many friends there congratulating me and taking care of me. My parents arrived and my mom gave me a banner she had made me. Mom was really disappointed that they had not arrived in time to see me cross the finish line. Mo gave me two congrats balloons that she had bought ahead of time - I guess she knew I would finish all along. I talked with Jimbo and Alanna and I think Jennifer Frahm and Jenn Ennis. I gave Amy a hug after she came into HQ after her finish. My mentor and friend, Rhonda, told me how proud she was and that I ran a great race. So many friends had impressive first performances. Bill finished his first 50 in under 10 hours. Bob, Charles A., Shannon, and Jeff finished their first 100 in under 24 hours. Linda, Alanna, and Amy all finished their first 100. Jade and Bryant had big distance PRs. As Jimbo would say, there was a whole lot of awesomeness going on at Umstead this year.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdEx6zXXup14lLu26hDe7nI9ZEG3rdL4eFZOK58u8O6MX2fFXfiDLUpQdzYFH4qw4Meabo5hlbDRHbSj1fjqVlA3Z8NIUKftgsxlMr0AAyA729U-dkYelQW5Kt60kqdmUzieNghnhm/s1600/523817_10150715011629784_605534783_9189784_271784047_n.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdEx6zXXup14lLu26hDe7nI9ZEG3rdL4eFZOK58u8O6MX2fFXfiDLUpQdzYFH4qw4Meabo5hlbDRHbSj1fjqVlA3Z8NIUKftgsxlMr0AAyA729U-dkYelQW5Kt60kqdmUzieNghnhm/s320/523817_10150715011629784_605534783_9189784_271784047_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With Mo and Gene at the finish</td></tr>
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After a bit, I made my way to the showers with Elizabeth helping me there and had absolutely the best hot shower of my life. <br />
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The Umstead 100 is a special race put on by amazing people who truly care about the success of their runners. It really feels like you are with family when you are there amidst all the enthusiastic, dedicated people involved in this event. I am especially lucky in that I am local and have had the joy of meeting and getting to know so many of those who were out on the course and involved in the race. Some additional perks of the Umstead is that finishers receive a certificate of completion for the 100 miles, prints of the photos taken by race staff of them on the course, detailed splits, and a nice letter from the RD, Blake, welcoming finishers into the ranks of hundred milers. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My finisher's pendant!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Freshly showered and resting on Chad's shoulder</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs2P9a64mlgu8XpFjlhyphenhypheneO1xYXRkc-8QS83x__8YvgBPhUiWLyMJ5CAeMN4VoASJ6ZNRvkDfQU0Rx1Mlnl311sT87tPnt66b7RsQfADrog7uQ8gDMrtrbLHuec3kmaw4UPff_GGv1W/s1600/Umstead+100+2012+077.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>31 Years and Runninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12530156178340468515noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47323807397173005.post-17541815651135482642012-04-10T18:30:00.001-07:002012-05-08T18:39:51.892-07:00Umstead 100 Endurance Run 2012 Part 1 - History and perspective from my 2011 DNF<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHV73MvDunZrGJPsOYbhKaCDDSyYvCamsff0IkDp8GVE8S_wzJSuXYtkSWW5i4onB9sc8XkPKpxY-i8gYo7Y9tzaPwl6jHH7QqcTNHYHin5gylJZqicg-bLHdzvWbVHfsQdZOiHLVi/s1600/Umstead+to+Boogie+063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a>First some history: For the 2011 race, I had registered for the 50 miler and had only two marathons under my belt at the time (and the second one I completed that Fall <u>after</u> registration for the 50), but I somehow got the crazy idea that I would go for the whole enchilada. I had paid for the whole thing after all! I remember Charles West giving me a hard time for thinking I could do the 50 when I had only done one marathon. Well, I went farther than 50...<br />
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Here's a run down of my long runs prior to my 2011 attempt: I ran my first ultra, Frosty 50K on Jan. 9th, 2011, ran my first 40 miler at the Falls Lake FA on Jan. 27th (and that was a tough first 40!), and ran my first 50 miler at Umstead park using the race course on Feb. 19th. I was a disaster waiting to happen. I ramped up WAY too quickly and I injured my left soleus during that 50 miler though I did complete the entire thing in a respectable time of 10 hours and 45 minutes. I couldn't have done that 50 without the gracious assistance of my friends Rhonda Hampton and Bill Parquet and Bob Sites (Bob volunteered to pace me though he didn't even know me at the time). For the next few weeks, I was subjected to the tediousness of elliptical and pool running and the more enjoyable option of biking. I recovered enough to complete the Umstead Trail marathon on March 5th but then injured my right ITB the following week. I could not get the ITB pain to go away and did not really run again until the 100 miler on April 2nd. During the race, my fingers were swollen by mile 15. I completed the first 50 in 11:04, which was too quickly for my limited experience considering the injuries and interruptions to my training leading up to race day. On the 5th lap, I realized I did not have much left for the second 50. In addition, I was feeling a strain in my right achilles that had me concerned. When I started the 6th lap, I felt nauseous and overwhelmingly sleepy. I seriously wanted to sleep on the side of the trail and it was only about 9:00 PM! I managed to walk the airport spur and make it back to the camp gate where I sat on a large rock and puked my guts up and then felt very cold suddenly. My head and hands turned icy and prickly and I felt very ill. With the help of my volunteer pacer, Donald, I barely stumbled back to HQ, where I spent the next few hours in a mummy bag with hot water bottles, being propped up by my husband and sipping hot chicken broth. It turns out I had hypothermia. I recovered, but the 2011 race was over for me. I had made it to just past 100K. <br />
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I recovered from my ITBS for 5 weeks following Umstead 2011 before starting very slowly back to running, only 2 or 3 miles at a time in the beginning. It took great withstraint to not do too much too soon and slip back into injury. I am sure I drove my husband crazy during this time of minimal running. My (and his) patience paid off and by September, I was able to complete 41 miles at Hinson Lake 24 Hour. In October, I completed New River 50K and Medoc Trail Marathon. December brought Pine Mountain 40 and a 41 mile training run at Umstead. I ran my first official 100K in January at Weymouth Woods and felt great. Two weeks after Weymouth, I went for a training run with my friend Bob Sites and ended up with peroneal brevis tendonitis in my left foot. I treated it aggressively and fortunately, was able to recover in time to run the Umstead Trail Marathon on March 3rd and a confidence building 31 mile training run on March 10th. During my Umstead training runs whenever I passed my "puking rock" at the camp gate, I gave it a nod and promised it I would not be visiting again this time around.<br />
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And that brings me to Umstead 2012. Are you still there after all that background? If you are, stay tuned for part 2.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elizabeth Werner crews me at Umstead 2011. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>31 Years and Runninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12530156178340468515noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47323807397173005.post-50744912232770780102012-03-25T20:02:00.002-07:002012-05-08T18:28:40.541-07:00Umstead Trail MarathonI registered for the Umstead Trail Marathon as a training race for my true goal race of the entire year, the Umstead 100 Endurance Run. The marathon was 4 weeks prior to the 100 on March 3rd, 2012 and uses some of the same course and the same start/finish area. But first, a little background on the challenges I faced in the weeks before the race:<br />
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On January 28th 2012 (two weeks after a successful 100K at Weymouth), I was running with my friend Bob Sites at Umstead park and my left foot starting hurting. It wasn't too bad and it didn't seem to get worse as we went along, so we finished the 11.5 mile run and I went home. Unfortunately, when I got out of my car, I immediately knew I had a problem as I was now limping at the walk due to the discomfort under the outside of my foot. I called my PT first thing Monday am and somehow miraculously got an appointment for that afternoon. My PT and the othopedist he sent me to later than week both diagnosed it as peroneus brevis tendonitis, likely a result of the multiple sprains I endured at Pine Mountain 40 back on December 4th. At the time, I thought the sprains were not such a big deal as I finished the race and following it, could run without pain. My training since Pine Mountain included a 41 miler at Umstead and Weymouth Woods 100k and my ankle did not bother me at all during those runs. But...apparently, I had stretched the ligaments out so badly that my ankle is now "VERY LOOSE" in the words of both the PT and the orthopedist and the peroneus brevis tendon was having to work extra hard to stabilize my foot. I was experiencing moderate pain where the tendon attached to the fifth metatarsal. Knowing I had only 5 short weeks before Umstead marathon and just 9 weeks before my goal race of the Umstead 100, I got myself in a walking boot and wore it all times except for when I rode my bike, showered, and slept. I iced and heat packed my foot at my desk at work several times a day. I also started on Ibuprofen at the insistence of my PT (I have been trying not to use it for running pain since I read of the adverse effects on healing), started applying Voltaren gel (a topical anti-inflammatory that is absorbed through the skin) four times a day, and started doing the PT recommended ankle strengthening exercises.<br />
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I took two weeks completely off from running and started riding my bike as much as possible since I could ride without any pain and was hoping to maintain some fitness that way. I saw the PT 2-3 times a week for the next 5 weeks and he did massage, ETS, and ultrasound therapy. My foot did improve and after 2 weeks I started back running just 2 or 3 flat miles at a time and carefully worked my way up to a 10 mile hilly run at Umstead a week before the Umstead Trail Marathon. I got out of the walking boot the weekend before the race and was feeling okay.<br />
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Prior to my injury, I planned to run 6 miles before the marathon to make it a last long run of 32ish before the 100. However, seeing as I was now coming back from an injury, I just hoped to get through the marathon without a relapse of my tendonitis. I needed to finish it in one piece to regain confidence for the long haul. If I couldn't make it through the marathon, I would be more worried than I already was about a successful finish at the 100.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My favorite big green mossy tree on Reedy Creek hill</td></tr>
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Race day arrived with predictions of thunderstorms, some severe, rain and temps in the 60s. I went into it fully expecting a downpour while we ran. The totem animal of the race this year was a bat and the race shirts were a nice deep blue color. I saw many friends before the start and found Elizabeth, whom I had talked into running the marathon with me months ago. She had run this race as her first, second and only marathons a few years ago. I convinced her we would be taking it easy and running it "ultra style" as a training run for the 100 and it would be a great time and she agreed to join me.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhioARmE7xwNXbS_AHPaX6PNCWOirHrBV_jYfzwEoweucZgQhRqunTV5ClS6yl_Tm5BZpRBvVF8npWRQY9ocGgs07LQAQg-HxzvTdwAbPN7bMHn1Uo-20CtFiwnRobqvozKKH7B1LV7/s1600/DSCF0840.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhioARmE7xwNXbS_AHPaX6PNCWOirHrBV_jYfzwEoweucZgQhRqunTV5ClS6yl_Tm5BZpRBvVF8npWRQY9ocGgs07LQAQg-HxzvTdwAbPN7bMHn1Uo-20CtFiwnRobqvozKKH7B1LV7/s200/DSCF0840.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">E and I on the Reedy Creek hill</td></tr>
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The start time of 9:00 AM arrived and we were off down the trail, taking it easy. We ran all the downhills and flats and walked any significant hills. There were only a couple of light showers though it was humid and fairly warm the entire time. There are about 5 miles of single track trail early on in the course and there were some muddy sections. At one point, I put my left foot smack dab in the middle of a mud puddle and I felt the water and grit immediately seep into my shoe. I was careful on the single track as my PT had warned me to avoid trail running until I could get my ankle more stable. I walked through any questionable footing. The last thing I needed to do was sprain it again and cause more problems before the 100. I had taped both ankles for the race to help prevent me from turning them and re-injuring myself. We saw Rhonda Hampton, my ultra mentor a couple of times as we emerged from the woods and crossed the bridle path to the next section of single track. Rhonda was on her bike and caught me running a few times and commented that I should not be running the trails - I should be walking them. Technically, she was right as I had been advised to not run single track at all until my ankle was stronger and more stable. She knew how careful I needed to be and how important it was for me to start the 100 healthy, so I did not mind her being my "mother hen". Thankfully, we made it through the single track sections without incident and got to the smooth bridle path that was the remainder of the course. I was able to run a bit more freely without so much caution and that was a relief.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Smiling for Gene on the narrow bridge</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_HAwUJc64sHVLnqL6VEMHBpJG9dJPfi5DNGrzwEyFWMAM1V___-n669w9iYXInjSrAg8kZINglBSfSr5nUosPbXqM9C39FEOQMe2wVKqcALXE00U3B0AmNYEzaqmJrPg2nbwCyZqh/s1600/DSCF0848.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_HAwUJc64sHVLnqL6VEMHBpJG9dJPfi5DNGrzwEyFWMAM1V___-n669w9iYXInjSrAg8kZINglBSfSr5nUosPbXqM9C39FEOQMe2wVKqcALXE00U3B0AmNYEzaqmJrPg2nbwCyZqh/s200/DSCF0848.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The creeks throughout the park were swollen from the heavy rain the night before.</td></tr>
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For the first 11 miles or so, I was feeling pretty good considering I hadn't run farther than 10 miles and I'd only done that once since Jan. 28th when I hurt my foot. However, I started feeling ill at about mile 11 on the first trip on the infamous Turkey Creek trail (we would take the trail out the hard direction and then back the "easy" direction during the race). We saw Gene Meade and Amy Surrette's daughter, Kayla, just as we ran over the narrow bridge. Gene was out to support the runners and take some pictures. During this time we saw lots of familiar faster faces coming back the other way having already made it to the turn around. In all fairness, I must say E is much faster than I am and she was running the race my pace. She could have had a much better time than we ended up with had she not been running it for fun with me. We continued on Turkey Creek, passed the aid station where I believe I saw pink flamingos stuck in the ground - or maybe I was having a daytime hallucination - and where my friend Mo Percy was volunteering, finally reached Graylyn, ran the spur down to the bike and bridle trail head where there was another aid station, came back up that hill and then started on Turkey Creek back the way we had just come. We saw Gene again at the pink flamingo aid station. He took this photo of us on our way back through. I love this one because he really captured the feeling of running in the humidity on a tough course and of the struggle I was personally having to keep going strong despite not feeling well. I have never felt so bad during a marathon distance before.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gene took this picture just after passing the Turkey Creek aid station on the way back. It captures the internal struggle I was having.</td></tr>
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We saw ultra veteran Sally Squires and ran near her for a while. She was concerned with making the last cut off which was at the top of Cedar Ridge and this got us concerned since we were right there with her. We picked up the pace some then despite my queesy stomach and headed back to Reedy Creek trail. The problem that I was having is that I didn't want to eat because I was afraid my stomach would reject it, but I did not have any gas in the tank due to not eating. I was, as they say, bonking. I finally took a chance and had a gel and some honey stinger chews once we were back on Reedy Creek trail. I hoped it would be fine and it was. I perked up a bit with the sugar. Don't get me wrong, I was not jumping up and down with the thrill of running at the moment, but at least I was able to suck it up.We walked with a purpose up the cork screw hill to Cedar Ridge, now on a mission. At the aid station at Cedar Ridge, we made the cut off with maybe 15 or so minutes to spare. I munched on a cup of salty Fritos and we were cheered down the trail by the encouraging volunteers. <br />
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We started down Cedar Ridge, arguably the toughest part of the course which was deviously placed by the organizers at miles 21-24. We saw Jimbo Plant looking strong and grinning on his way back up the trail. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgThv7wUhJlzo0gZshuXQVyego4uui0z9Ta1709ZgXeQKwVoJdP4aGlhijgqFP98UFXRXdCdrXXTbFTe86Ko6mK9gTBXX9o7aDdCA8lvhZR2U8IDRYTxWLgGbjUrp3bJnEXbV9XnCSH/s1600/DSCF0858.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgThv7wUhJlzo0gZshuXQVyego4uui0z9Ta1709ZgXeQKwVoJdP4aGlhijgqFP98UFXRXdCdrXXTbFTe86Ko6mK9gTBXX9o7aDdCA8lvhZR2U8IDRYTxWLgGbjUrp3bJnEXbV9XnCSH/s320/DSCF0858.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jimbo Plant on Cedar Ridge </td></tr>
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Cedar Ridge has some rocky and uneven places and though it is not single track, I took care with each foot placement as we ran it. Soon enough, we reached the bottom and the turn around just before the creek. I think it would make things more interesting if the course took us through it in future years. It would have been especially fun with the full muddy creek this year. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5vVL37EpESMUhRE2miifiEjdZ66UgHUOSb_LiIu5ZobRdpT522YBB3nEWX8CoRRWv113fqlHcQzQdP2TlugPvvFTkBm99rGyIVI-XO_AGihZ_pU0Mf89INohw90BlDTnTSUBk3T1g/s1600/DSCF0865.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5vVL37EpESMUhRE2miifiEjdZ66UgHUOSb_LiIu5ZobRdpT522YBB3nEWX8CoRRWv113fqlHcQzQdP2TlugPvvFTkBm99rGyIVI-XO_AGihZ_pU0Mf89INohw90BlDTnTSUBk3T1g/s320/DSCF0865.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">E and I at the bottom of Cedar Ridge</td></tr>
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So, back up the trail we went in the hard direction with plenty of climbing but at least we were pretty close to the finish, relatively speaking. When we got back to Graylyn, I swear E took off. I know we really weren't moving that fast - it was probably about a 10 min mile, but it sure felt faster me being the ultra slogger that I am these days. We ran the rest at this respectable pace and then nearly sprinted down the dirt road to the start. Some of the speed demons who had finished well before us were driving out and they were all very nice and pulled over as we passed by. I pushed myself to keep up with E as she flew to the finish. We crossed the line in 5:31; slower than my goal of being under 5:30, but I didn't mind because I was in one piece and I was able to finish the entire marathon without reinjury. My biggest worry had been that my foot would misbehave and I would have to DNF (I had made E pinky swear that she would finish the marathon even if I had to drop). That would have been a real bummer seeing as Umstead was in just 4 more weeks and I needed to be healed. I saw Rhonda again as I was driving out and I gladly took her words of wisdom to heart. She told me that it was a good sign that I had a tough race and struggled the race before my goal race. She said that it was a sure sign that Umstead would go well for me. Thanks Rhonda, that's the plan.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEget8vDbGBqkbzVnJu3n2IDND3mCxvNDzQ23xhcSSRfUKMdB-zjMkQAgu_YWb9kHy2dWRIDcN0dbVdz0K3hXA-r3OkB-U53JZCAT5shlLVxvkcL7DbTTXSGzau-nokh3_aeTG6NsrR0/s1600/DSCF0868.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEget8vDbGBqkbzVnJu3n2IDND3mCxvNDzQ23xhcSSRfUKMdB-zjMkQAgu_YWb9kHy2dWRIDcN0dbVdz0K3hXA-r3OkB-U53JZCAT5shlLVxvkcL7DbTTXSGzau-nokh3_aeTG6NsrR0/s320/DSCF0868.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the finish after changing into dry clothes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>31 Years and Runninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12530156178340468515noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47323807397173005.post-26186331241360043432012-01-22T20:09:00.000-08:002012-05-08T18:32:58.814-07:00Weymouth Woods 100K Jan. 14th, 2012I was the first to register for Weymouth Woods 100K a few months ago and at the time, it was just this distant race in the future that I would eventually run. But race day crept up on me until suddenly, it was here! In the days leading up to Jan. 14th, I felt surprisingly calm and ready. I had done New River 50K and three 40 milers (Hinson Lake, Pine Mtn, and a training run) during Sept- Dec. 2011, so I had some good ultra experience under my belt. Weymouth was to be a "dress rehearsal" of sorts for my ultimate goal of the Umstead 100 on March 31st, 2012 and would only be my second time completing the 100K distance. The first time being at Umstead 2011. The only thing that slightly worried me was the weather report which predicted lows in the high 20's and highs during the day in the low 40's. After my DNF (Did Nothing Fatal) at Umstead last year, I am a bit paranoid about hypothermia. So I gathered every bit of warm running clothing I owned and headed to Southern Pines, NC, with my friend Joey Anderson, who was kind enough to swing by and pick me up dark and early on race morning.<br />
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When we arrived, I set up my stuff alongside the side walk just after the start/finish of each lap. Comprised of 14 laps of 4.47 miles, the course is a nice set up for trying out a hydration, eating, and gear plan because you can adjust lap by lap if needed. It was in the high 20s at the start but it was clear and the wind from the previous day had died down - thank goodness! I saw several of my running friends at the start and lined up with my training buddy Gene. We started off at 8 AM and entered the wooded trail. The trail loop was a nice mix of roots and packed dirt, sand, pine straw, smooth path, and a few easy hills. There were two aid stations, the main one at the start/finish and a second one half way through the lap. I was not sure how difficult the course would be never having been there before and knowing that it was single track, but I found it very manageable and a lot of fun to run. From the start, we walked every hill, resisting the temptation to keep running when others passed. I knew that it would be a long day and there would be plenty of time to get the job done. My primary goal was to finish within the allowed 20 hours, with no major issues, and feel I could continue if I needed to. My secondary goal was to finish under 18 hours (should be no problem barring any mishaps). Thirdly, I secretly thought I could finish in about 16 hours if I had a great day and ran very well. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1_2CtD2GSstwraLift9i7MKpCQNS6LaL_-wBjtQoMFl66uKAewirDTDlZv6Lf8cOGMrRYrG0meVyjime8Mw9gKf-L0gz-n13B1Eve4mJVna371TyCHTrFHTjx0O2QOymPCv8cbd1l/s1600/DSC_3995.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1_2CtD2GSstwraLift9i7MKpCQNS6LaL_-wBjtQoMFl66uKAewirDTDlZv6Lf8cOGMrRYrG0meVyjime8Mw9gKf-L0gz-n13B1Eve4mJVna371TyCHTrFHTjx0O2QOymPCv8cbd1l/s320/DSC_3995.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jade Wei, Bob Sites, and me at the start (Photo courtesy of Jim Wei)</td></tr>
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Gene and I ran together, talking and enjoying the beautiful cold morning. The first 6 laps went well and we finished those in 6:13:41. We had just started our 7th lap when I saw my husband Chad and our two dogs ahead. They had just arrived after driving from our home in Raleigh. Jim Wei, who was there supporting his wife Jade, and volunteering as roving photographer, had told Chad that he had just missed us at the aid station and pointed out a shortcut to him so he could meet us on the trail. After a quick hello and hug, Chad handed off Amelia, our 9 year old Blue Tick Coonhound, to me and Gene and I continued down the trail. Amelia was excited, yet luckily better behaved than she normally is when running with me. That lap felt like it was my first of the day as I enjoyed watching Amelia experience a brand new place. Somewhere after the second aid station (1/2 way around), a herd of about 8 deer ran across the trail in front of us. Amelia perked up and watched them disappear into the woods, baying loudly. Pretty entertaining if you ask me!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNpyzyRH6NQiTHQN556RrlagVFy9TeRJklSgYAGcsDWQBdClZ91hvdNC80FTiKfbBVbTZjdJXsmeF8XqmrXtSZ3HAiXd-n0JB8795f3u4q0aSbGe_IYiqSSdLSdLRFaBNiF4Sy5lIn/s1600/DSC_4045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNpyzyRH6NQiTHQN556RrlagVFy9TeRJklSgYAGcsDWQBdClZ91hvdNC80FTiKfbBVbTZjdJXsmeF8XqmrXtSZ3HAiXd-n0JB8795f3u4q0aSbGe_IYiqSSdLSdLRFaBNiF4Sy5lIn/s400/DSC_4045.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beginning of the First Lap (Photo Courtesy Jim Wei)</td></tr>
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Before I knew it, another lap was done. I handed Amelia over to Chad, got ready to go out again, and then once I was all set to go, took Bogart, our 8 year old lab mix, off his hands . Apparently, Bogart had not been all too happy to be left and had been continuously whining while we were gone. Bogart, me, and Gene headed off down the trail for our 8th lap. Bogart LOVES to run and he was very happy to join in the fun! Tongue lolling out, he trotted along at a steady pace. Pretty soon, we met up with another of my main running buddies, Bob Sites, and friend and fellow dog lover, Jimbo Plant. The four of us continued on until soon, I found myself and Bogart leaving the others behind as we were thoroughly enjoying our lap. When I reached the second aid station run by Doug Dawkins and Jimmy Ballard, Doug put down a bowl of water for Bogart which he lapped up. I was touched by the consideration Doug showed towards my furry pacer. It was starting to get dark when we finished the lap and I handed off Bogart so I could head inside to change into dry clothes for the night. It took me several minutes and by the time I was finally ready, Gene had arrived and was ready to head back out. Bob, who had lapped us earlier in the day, had gone on ahead. I grabbed my headlamp and we headed back out on the trail as the daylight quickly faded.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB3T-SEN_EGFtMpxl79ISGUsC406pXb84oj1E76dN9DI_fCxO9AhgxdvofD_K3QsOjHH0W6gLAlps9QUIvEvmI7vwthFQ5HoVbmaehVH6pEXHD6YWSxlUz-6WEia1L1Cw-l0EnqJ35/s1600/DSC_4341.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB3T-SEN_EGFtMpxl79ISGUsC406pXb84oj1E76dN9DI_fCxO9AhgxdvofD_K3QsOjHH0W6gLAlps9QUIvEvmI7vwthFQ5HoVbmaehVH6pEXHD6YWSxlUz-6WEia1L1Cw-l0EnqJ35/s320/DSC_4341.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and Gene having a blast! Really!</td></tr>
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This was when the race got interesting and more difficult. It had been cold all day, but the temperature began to quickly drop and it got a bit windy. I have done quite a bit of night running with my headlamp this fall and winter, so I was used to navigating in the dark. Gene and I were still moving pretty well, running easy on the downhills and flats and walking the uphills. I think it was on this 9th lap when I first noticed my right heel was rubbing. I began to think too much about it and got a little whiny. When we completed the lap, I went inside to check my foot and I had a raised three inch area on the inside of my heel. It wasn't a blister just yet, but it ended up being one. I changed my Injinji socks, tightened my laces, took two Ibuprofen (my first and only of the race) and we headed back out. The meds kicked in and I started feeling pretty good again. For the next few laps, Gene and I went at a slow steady pace, but always making forward progress. When I started thinking about the heated seats I would enjoy in the car on the way home, I made myself come back to what I was doing and told myself to enjoy the moment right now. We joked about how these were the days. When we are old and can't run anymore and are sitting in our rockers, we will say "Remember that time at Weymouth Woods running that 100K in the freezing cold and dark? That was so much fun! Now THAT was living!"<br />
We partook of Jimmy and Doug's piping hot grits on laps 9-13. I had butter and salt with mine and they were awesome. At the main aid station, I enjoyed the delicious burgers, quesadilla, and grilled cheese during the cold night laps. At one point late at night, we paused to look up and were rewarded with a clear dark sky and brilliant stars.<br />
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Finally, we started on our final and 14th lap. We moved along, excited to be almost done and acknowledging the landmarks we had taken to naming during the day. We relished our last passes through Anita Hill, the Tree of Death, Fudge Mountain, Living on the Ledge, Horse Poop Ridge, Son of a Ditch, and Red Clay Rambler. Gene had named most of them as he had a knack for it. We were about a half mile from the finish when we saw lights up ahead. I heard Jim Wei say "Is that you Lauren?" and I answered it was me. We soon caught Jim, his wife Jade and Carolyn Quarterman. We were maybe a quarter mile from the finish when Jim checked his watch and told us we had three minutes to come in under 17 hours. I had no idea of the time and really no time goal in mind, but when I heard that, I decided I was going to get under 17. Jim told us "If you run like the wind, you can make it." I took off past him, sprinting up the trail with Gene at my heels. I heard Jim hollering behind us and egging us on. After 62.5 miles, I ran as fast as I could up the nastiest part of the course. It was a very rooty steep hill with a few stairs which we had aptly named Stairway to Heaven because the main aid station and the finish of each lap was at the top. I ran hard, concentrating on picking up my feet, not falling and breathing. I shimmied past the bench that had tried to take my hip out all day and then on across the finish line. The clock read 16:59:46 for me and Gene was right behind me. Flo Rida's "Low" began playing on the stereo shortly after and I felt like shaking my booty despite what I had just done. Not sure I could actually get low at the time, but I love that song! Here are the results with splits if anyone is interested: http://www.etinternet.net/~runrbike/WW2012_SPLITS.HTM<br />
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This is an excellent event. The course offers just enough challenge to make it fun, but not so much to kill ya. I enjoyed the varied terrain of smooth wide path, narrow single track full of roots, sand, boardwalks, bridges, and rolling hills. The aid stations and volunteers are superb, the shirts are nice capilene ones, and the finisher's prizes are cool local pottery. I would definitely do this one again.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of the Usual Suspects: Jim, Jade, Carolyn, Gene, me, and Jimbo</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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What I learned: I need to get in and out of the stops faster. I wasted a lot of time between each lap. The new heel blister issue - not sure what caused it, but it is something to be aware of and try to prevent for Umstead 100. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me, hubby Chad, and the kids at the finish. (Photo courtesy of Jim Wei)</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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What went well: I moved well all day and was able to run throughout, even having enough in me to sprint the finish! I stayed warm! No hypothermia here. I didn't fall or hurt myself otherwise. My big toes held up despite my history of having huge blisters on them - The Injinji socks have solved that problem. I drank Gu Brew and water all day and felt great with no hydration issues. I was in a good mood the entire race. Best of all, I felt like I could have continued running.31 Years and Runninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12530156178340468515noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47323807397173005.post-36472947531333326082012-01-12T20:22:00.000-08:002012-05-08T18:54:32.561-07:00Pine Mountain 40 Miler Trail RaceOk, so this is way late (more than a month after the race), but I still have the scars on my right leg so I figure it is fair game and I have a big race coming up this Saturday (Weymouth Woods 100K), so I better write this now or never. Otherwise, I will be TWO race reports behind.<br />
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I was considering Table Rock 50 miler as a December training race, but from what I heard, it is mostly gravel and paved road and that did not particularly appeal to me. I thought the pounding would be hard on the legs for 50 miles. Pine Mountain 40 miler is a rugged, all single track race on the Pine Mountain Trail system of FDR State Park in Pine Mountain, Georgia put on by GUTS (Georgia Ultrarunning and Trailrunning Society). My friend and "ultra mentor", Rhonda Hampton, was running it for the 3rd year in a row and invited me to tag along. Plus, I had only raced within a couple of hours of Raleigh in NC and VA, so I thought why not take the opportunity to add a new state? We left Raleigh about 5:00 AM on Saturday, Dec. 3rd since we had about an 8 hour drive. This was the farthest I have traveled to run a race as all the others I have done have been within about a 2 hour drive. We were lucky enough to be able to stay with Rhonda's cousins about 45 minutes from the start instead of having to stay in a hotel room, so we had a nice meal out at Long Horn Steakhouse and then got a decent night's sleep though my legs did feel crampy and I did toss and turn a bit with the normal anxiety of "Will my alarm go off? Did I remember everything? etc."<br />
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We left very early Sunday morning and drove the remaining 45 minutes to an hour to the start through what I could tell must be some pretty country despite the dark. We arrived in plenty of time, parked, and picked up our race packet. There was a nice gray fleece hat with "Pine Mountain 40 Mile Trail Race" on it included in the packet. The finishers prizes - attractive fleece pullovers in dark blue for the men or perriwinkle for the ladies were on display. It was well known that the fleeces would only be given to finishers, so this supplied me some extra motivation to make sure I crossed the finish line. I was not going home without that fleece! I spent 8 hours in the car to get there after all.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Approach to climb the stairs to the dam start.</td></tr>
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The race started on top of the lake dam at 7:00 AM, just as the sky was beginning to lighten. The lake was all misty and gray and it was perhaps the most beautiful setting for a race start that I have experienced so far. My pictures of the lake did not come out though. It was not too cold at the start, about 45 degrees, perfect running weather!<br />
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The race director, Sarah Tynes, said a few words and then we were off, running across the dam and into the woods. I carried a small flashlight with a strap to use for the first few miles since the visibility was still questionable and I wanted to make sure I did not hurt myself so early in the race, knowing I had to make it through 40 miles.<br />
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This was Rhonda's 3rd time running Pine Mountain and she had told me that it would be a challenging course. The race website advertises that the course "will test your endurance and your ankles over rocky single-track trails." The website also advises that the trails will be leaf covered and that you should expect to fall. My goal was to finish within the allowed time and not to break anything as it was most important that I be able to continue training for and be able to run Umstead 100 coming up on March 31st, 2012. When it came down to it, Pine Mountain was a training run for Umstead and I had to keep my ultimate goal in mind. The time limit was 10 hours 30 minutes and there were cut offs at 5 of the aid stations/check points beginning at 22.8 miles at the "TV Tower". The course was runnable for the first couple of miles, which was good since it was still dark, but it soon became more difficult. Rhonda and I ran together for while and I even asked her to take a picture of me at a nice overlook within the first few miles. This section was rocky and dropped off to our right, where there was a nice view of the valley below whenever there was a break in the scrubby trees. Rhonda did not want to stop to take a picture and did not let me take her picture, though she did humor me and take mine.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSnZhhceZXSvOkd6MlEL8sNcWob2nlLIbvRSoO1A_lZ-3mPfrJJigpYPLegwfC3M1wXMrPPn14oKthG0dMI3gBMrrswUZkPPdT10v3HuL3uQmJQtp3FmDyM0f_z0ZIQBhit1PeX8D9/s1600/Pine+Mountain+40+Miler+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSnZhhceZXSvOkd6MlEL8sNcWob2nlLIbvRSoO1A_lZ-3mPfrJJigpYPLegwfC3M1wXMrPPn14oKthG0dMI3gBMrrswUZkPPdT10v3HuL3uQmJQtp3FmDyM0f_z0ZIQBhit1PeX8D9/s320/Pine+Mountain+40+Miler+009.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rhonda takes my picture and loses a minute or two</td></tr>
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Later that day, I would better understand why she did not want to waste the minute or two it took to take my picture. When we started running again, it became apparent that we were stuck in a huge group of about 20 runners and the ones in front were going slower than we would have liked to have gone. <br />
Just before the first aid station at about mile 5, I turned my right ankle and had to pause to catch my breath and walk through the pain. I had turned the same ankle the weekend before during a training run at Pilot Mountain. I was able to keep moving forward and knew the strain would not end my race, but I lost Rhonda and did not catch up to her at the aid station part way up a hill. Having years of ultra experience, Rhonda was efficient and quickly got what she needed and moved on while I was stuck in the midst of this huge group of runners and struggled to get to the table and coolers. I grabbed some potato chips and drank a cup of gatorade and then continued power walking up the hill, feeling frustrated that I was in the group and that I had already hurt my ankle so early in the day.<br />
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<br />
Here I must confess that "I was winging it" as far as electrolytes go. I had water only in my Nathan hydration vest and I planned to take GU gels every so often, drink a cup of Gatorade at each aid station, and eat whatever was offered that was salty. Not a good plan, I know, but I don't like to put mix in my hydration pack and S caps had not agreed with me in the past and I had not found another alternative. Yadda, yadda yadda...<br />
Anyway, so I started not feeling so well shortly after leaving the first aid station. I felt a bit weak and slightly dizzy and just not right, especially for so early on. Two other competitors, a guy and a girl that were running together in matching outfits, passed me and I mentioned that I did not feel well and they gave me a couple of endurolyte tabs, which did seem to help me feel normal again. Gotta love the kindness of strangers!<br />
I paced myself pretty well for the next few miles running carefully whenever it was downhill or flat and power hiking the uphills. I tripped at some point and sprained my left ankle. Then I did it again! And again! So now I had twisted my right ankle once and my left three times. In hindsight, I should have run whenever I could see the trail instead of my usual run the downhills and flats and walk the uphills since so much of the trail was leaf covered with rocks hidden underneath.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsxu6cYSUXmBD4RlP2mJAXhIoQidBCf13-XcvWpTJCNzcLC81S8IytJV_a4oqKtSbK4jWK1sqKp0nfVXzqa8UKIdlfrRpKkW5jLAK4ltKO1TZ2LkYDdLOSiycW3R-zGszvuD-m4ugC/s1600/Pine+Mountain+40+Miler+017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsxu6cYSUXmBD4RlP2mJAXhIoQidBCf13-XcvWpTJCNzcLC81S8IytJV_a4oqKtSbK4jWK1sqKp0nfVXzqa8UKIdlfrRpKkW5jLAK4ltKO1TZ2LkYDdLOSiycW3R-zGszvuD-m4ugC/s320/Pine+Mountain+40+Miler+017.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tornado Damage Looking Across the Valley</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNH7EzKJNnfG-9PImeyxYRM1_0RsIJSgDuBPmabz0cajm1qi6qyWOvixufCY6OrymwNSzjZEi2CaOJVXTAkcp0qttNhr1e0LO0PRaMucwmhSjnZ2UWOCtrDV7dRQeiyrHcAhWRrbPZ/s1600/Pine+Mountain+40+Miler+016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNH7EzKJNnfG-9PImeyxYRM1_0RsIJSgDuBPmabz0cajm1qi6qyWOvixufCY6OrymwNSzjZEi2CaOJVXTAkcp0qttNhr1e0LO0PRaMucwmhSjnZ2UWOCtrDV7dRQeiyrHcAhWRrbPZ/s320/Pine+Mountain+40+Miler+016.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tornado Damage - Trail View</td></tr>
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I think it was at about mile 13 or so that we came to a long section damaged by the April 2010 tornadoes - the same ones that caused so much damage here in NC. The tornado that came through must have been huge because there was so much damage that it stretched across the valley and the trail was completely exposed to the sun. It ended up being quite warm on the way back later. I had taken a few pictures and just commented to another runner about how extensive the damage was and started running along again. The next thing I know, I was on my back off the side of the trail with my head downhill and my feet up hill. It was steep enough that I actually was having trouble getting back on my feet and back on the trail again when the same pair of runners that gave me the endurolytes earlier stopped and gave me a hand - literally - and pulled me back up on my feet. I had sprained my left ankle for the fourth time and banged my right shin pretty well and blood was dripping down it from 3 or 4 spots. I was starting to tear up with the pain and frustration at falling yet again and the girl put her hand on me and asked me my name. I told her and she proceeded to say a prayer to God for him to give me strength and help me not be frustrated, to help me be more surefooted and have a good run for the rest of the day. Now I am not religious at all, and normally I would have found this prayer for me offensive and annoying, but I realized that this was her way of supporting me as a runner and helping me move forward, so I was actually okay with it. I appreciated that she was kind enough to do what she thought was helpful for me.<br />
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At some point I caught up to Rhonda and passed her.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZpphqOHlChVsV-EiVe9T6PeBlc7HHHMsTnjuhDFKBCDP6Q7-A4PFAF1ZjMFLuaD9-BNdKtScu5IBfYY8Jp3gV6mlyKODCk0sXIJishXQR_uda0JbVuR55AHaoyhwEetrzNoDXrsNR/s1600/Pine+Mountain+40+Miler+023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZpphqOHlChVsV-EiVe9T6PeBlc7HHHMsTnjuhDFKBCDP6Q7-A4PFAF1ZjMFLuaD9-BNdKtScu5IBfYY8Jp3gV6mlyKODCk0sXIJishXQR_uda0JbVuR55AHaoyhwEetrzNoDXrsNR/s320/Pine+Mountain+40+Miler+023.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cascade and Falls Section</td></tr>
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When I reached the Rocky Point aid station at about mile 18, one of the volunteers told me that the next section of trail would be more runnable. And it was! It felt so good to be able to pick up the pace for a few miles and stretch out my legs after the hours of slow going. It was at about mile 21 that I entered a very pretty but technical section with small falls and pools and many stream crossings. Fortunately, I was able to navigate all the crossings without getting my feet wet. I say fortunately because I didn't really want to find out how my feet would do for 20 miles once wet. There were short stretches where I could carefully run, but much of the trail only allowed for power walking. Though this cascade section was beautiful, I was happy when I got through it and finally reached the TV Tower aid station/first cut off point at 22.8 miles. I was well ahead of the cut off of 5:59 and perked up a bit now that I was more than half way and on my way back. From mile 23 to about mile 33, I ultra-slogged along, covering mile by mile and getting closer to the finish, but starting to feel pretty tired. Somewhere along the way I followed the trail downhill and noticed the leaves were thicker than I remembered. Suddenly, I heard another runner calling to me from above on the ridge saying that I had taken a wrong turn. I was grateful that she had seen me and been kind enough to call out to me. If she had not, who knows how long I would have continued in the wrong direction, farther and farther from the finish. It was lucky timing that another runner was on the trail at that time as I did run by myself with no one in sight for a significant amount of time that day. I climbed back up the hill I had just come down. I estimated that I went about .3 miles extra out of the way.<br />
I fell once more and this time, I twisted my right ankle (again) and scraped my right hand where I tried to catch myself. Twist Tally: Right ankle 2, Left ankle 4!<br />
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Shortly after this, I reached the last manned aid station at mile 34.2. My right hand still bleeding, I was in tears again and the volunteers offered to put a band aid on my hand and shin, but I declined as I just wanted to get out of there before I completely broke down. As I ran downhill leaving the aid station, I heard two guys behind me saying something about me like "I don't think we're gonna catch her, she's taking off now" or something like that. It turned out to be a guy named Rob Apple who has completed countless ultras and his friend (can't recall his name). Don't pull up Rob's results on Ultra Sign Up unless you a have several minutes to spare. Rob and his friend were moving well and we ran together just long enough for them to share some encouraging words and cheer me on. They also let me know that the last 3 miles were apparently mostly downhill and much more runnable than the majority of the course. Though they soon pulled ahead of me and I could not stay with them, I latched onto this idea that the last 3 miles were going to be easier and my goal became to make it to the last aid station (2.9 miles before the finish). In this section between the aid stations, I met a couple who was hiking and listening to Pandora on their IPhone. Their blue-grassy music wafted over to me and lifted my spirits a little more. They asked if there was a race and when I told them about it, they wished me luck and offered to take my picture.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUGGWOLowyibKFT2dqf0-rhI1JXZHxgBrj8mHEj-zG9qBZv5vVKFkYATCDtmtW7DVy3CzqT3MqV4uY2NP_1qWOih3cILLEipuUV9FHFju_BbO0mC_a7nmDiVezYKDVy3RvHFmDx0lu/s1600/Pine+Mountain+40+Miler+025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUGGWOLowyibKFT2dqf0-rhI1JXZHxgBrj8mHEj-zG9qBZv5vVKFkYATCDtmtW7DVy3CzqT3MqV4uY2NP_1qWOih3cILLEipuUV9FHFju_BbO0mC_a7nmDiVezYKDVy3RvHFmDx0lu/s320/Pine+Mountain+40+Miler+025.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting close to the finish! </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Soon after this I reached the last aid station (unmanned) and then began the last 3 miles, mostly downhill and runnable as promised. I was able to pick up the pace a lot and ran all of it without walking. I would guess I was running about a 9:30 min/mile at this point. I was tired, but I kept on pushing because I knew I was close to being done. Finally, I could hear the finish and then see the clearing. I ran across the line in 9:54:55, one very tired, beat up, and happy runner!<br />
After I collected my fleece (YES!) and changed into dry clothes, I started watching for Rhonda to come into sight. I was starting to become a little nervous but then I saw her enter the clearing and cross the finish in 10:20:55 with just a little over 9 minutes to spare. We joked later that I would have felt really bad if she had missed the allowed time by the two minutes it took to take my picture in the beginning.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Sgw0eCg5yTYzo8DJe7TrCH8WKeNWSVrGhXwqtGmHoh5HJGLIi1aJr4ScH9x_3vnAm0tPecQEGHjT8oNBntM5UZ5I0z8qhnT7YTJDkKNceM2a2aSlZlmBxxDUU7gPZfCMD3Hd4c_I/s1600/Pine+Mountain+40+Miler+028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Sgw0eCg5yTYzo8DJe7TrCH8WKeNWSVrGhXwqtGmHoh5HJGLIi1aJr4ScH9x_3vnAm0tPecQEGHjT8oNBntM5UZ5I0z8qhnT7YTJDkKNceM2a2aSlZlmBxxDUU7gPZfCMD3Hd4c_I/s320/Pine+Mountain+40+Miler+028.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rhonda and I at the finish. I earned my fleece!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Pine Mountain 40 was definitely a challenging race. The 10 hours I spent on my feet there was good training for the big race in March. Luckily, I did not break any bones! These trails were the toughest I have ever run and I would say compared to 50 miles on Umstead bridle trails as far as the effort required to complete the distance. The event was well run, had nice swag and I would recommend it to any runner who enjoys adventure, loves single track, and wants to push their limits a bit....and doesn't mind a little trail love.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGWDzcWNx4hmM28lYT0CmsH78aJbS1mNAzcb6-hh_oQxoLq0XMOKQYXclU-PxUuJesraQEn_tUhoR28dCtKCxvLPJxQOxCQj1EBRnyW5oHZ0pCNWhxVsfOKnl-83uMhuOj7j7qk49u/s1600/Pine+Mountain+40+Miler+030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGWDzcWNx4hmM28lYT0CmsH78aJbS1mNAzcb6-hh_oQxoLq0XMOKQYXclU-PxUuJesraQEn_tUhoR28dCtKCxvLPJxQOxCQj1EBRnyW5oHZ0pCNWhxVsfOKnl-83uMhuOj7j7qk49u/s200/Pine+Mountain+40+Miler+030.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trail Love!</td></tr>
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<span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"></span>31 Years and Runninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12530156178340468515noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47323807397173005.post-22806681292549643202011-11-27T08:26:00.000-08:002011-11-27T08:26:15.289-08:00Pilot Mountain Preview<div style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4qXC-gs_T6__xoMMBdgFZSKjJrb3UobOHevHMh3OJakgM3uHp47-aRRn_KQySrg6Q0zc6WMXZDUkBH5zLPu-usaJMklOf5s4IUjpxVDdCodBQFYtS-Goa9H0R0_g1zB_33vxMYikb/s1600/DSCF0590.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4qXC-gs_T6__xoMMBdgFZSKjJrb3UobOHevHMh3OJakgM3uHp47-aRRn_KQySrg6Q0zc6WMXZDUkBH5zLPu-usaJMklOf5s4IUjpxVDdCodBQFYtS-Goa9H0R0_g1zB_33vxMYikb/s320/DSCF0590.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
I'm thinking about registering for the Pilot Mountain Payback marathon set for Feb. 18th, 2012 and I was near the park for Thanksgiving weekend, so I decided to pay the mountain a little visit. I had only been there once before and had just done a very short hike around the knob. My husband and I were staying with my father in law in Rural Hall about 15 -20 minutes away and my good friend Elizabeth was in Pilot Mountain staying with her parents for the Thanksgiving weekend, so we met at the visitor center at 8:30 am Saturday. It was perfectly cool running weather of about 40 degrees at the start. By the time we would finish, it would be 60. We paused to take a "before" picture at the trail head to Grassy Ridge trail (1.5 miles, moderate), said bye to E's mom who was going to hike while we ran, and took off up the trail.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>I was anxious to try out my new pair of trail shoes, Vasque Mindbenders, as this was my second run in them, my first trail run in them, and I'm counting on them to perform for next Sunday's Pine Mountain 40 miler in GA. Pilot Mountain turned out to be a good test for them. The trail started fairly wide with rolling hills and we ran side by side for a bit, but it soon became a leaf-covered adventurous "where's the trail?" guessing game. We ran slowly and carefully whenever we could run at all and power hiked the rest. This continued for the length of the Grassy trail and onto the Mountain trail where a sign announced "Mountain Trail 2.5 miles strenuous". Boy, they got their sign right!<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuIno7PwT1w-NOrxqA_cbVcc29ta5rxxEZuWLh1DOI1eWymb-kJkrVSgJu_3e907AMgUcms8Qb0Vmei3i1XK8V87Tt3tMEFHPpY0EJ5HYyoLYwcZRZtofYMcNgwEhI6sfAS5zZ87P8/s1600/DSCF0591.JPG"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuIno7PwT1w-NOrxqA_cbVcc29ta5rxxEZuWLh1DOI1eWymb-kJkrVSgJu_3e907AMgUcms8Qb0Vmei3i1XK8V87Tt3tMEFHPpY0EJ5HYyoLYwcZRZtofYMcNgwEhI6sfAS5zZ87P8/s320/DSCF0591.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Our "run"soon turned almost completely into a power hike up the leaf covered mountain. We lost the trail several times and were able to pick it back up by finding the red blazes on the trees up ahead. The trail was very rocky under the piles of leaves and sure enough, I twisted my right ankle to the side jogging a rare downhill section. Luckily, it was not too bad and I could soon tell I would be fine and was able to walk and then jog out the stiffness.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhD1DzKpEZJScdGiFRRk5z0vtpiqyLLwvsCDJArfRPoY6ihgzlpQ0oI_zI4Gn4uTiQnadaYQYOluRh0ZEvKPX6KZcEbZ_A__vyi-iw_dLUdDchYXR3yLCuDc_P4P2UbRDjFJ9wdbqG/s1600/DSCF0597.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhD1DzKpEZJScdGiFRRk5z0vtpiqyLLwvsCDJArfRPoY6ihgzlpQ0oI_zI4Gn4uTiQnadaYQYOluRh0ZEvKPX6KZcEbZ_A__vyi-iw_dLUdDchYXR3yLCuDc_P4P2UbRDjFJ9wdbqG/s200/DSCF0597.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sweaty but happy</td></tr>
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At this point, it was either warming up or the challenging terrain was warming me up or both, and I stopped to stuff my gloves, headband, and Medoc vest in my hydration pack. At the end of the mountain trail, we turned right on the Ledge Spring trail (2 miles, strenuous) towards the knob of Pilot mountain. The trail seemed to be completely made of numerous large stone steps and we climbed on up. I stopped to take a few pictures of the trail and E climbing in front of me and she took a couple of me. We passed a few groups of rock climbers just getting started and I think they must have heard our ragged breathing and seen our dripping sweatiness as we got a few comments, including, something like "you guys are working hard". Elizabeth told them it was supposed to be a run and turned into a hike. I was just thinking wow, Pilot Mountain marathon is a REALLY tough course. I was also thinking to myself that I could feel my glutes were getting a workout, so it was a good thing it was so tough. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Glute toning up the stone steps!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiRf4bnt2Iek87cAjuwomjZvzToBof4dEyctvobNZRnx68KCbimLYNZEde6szBwQ_OuH8KkV5FMq9_-MtOKd4CuetA-ffasvGWTS_UgsNKjpKJGxHQxd7dWXXXeXAmEJmUDtz6848Y/s1600/DSCF0595.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiRf4bnt2Iek87cAjuwomjZvzToBof4dEyctvobNZRnx68KCbimLYNZEde6szBwQ_OuH8KkV5FMq9_-MtOKd4CuetA-ffasvGWTS_UgsNKjpKJGxHQxd7dWXXXeXAmEJmUDtz6848Y/s320/DSCF0595.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">E working it!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>We finally got to the end and took the Jomeokee trail (.8, moderate) around the knob where we perked up a bit on this moderate section and happily said "Good morning!" to a few family groups who were strolling along, including some folks who appeared to be Menonites or something similar as the young girls were in long skirts and blouses and had their heads covered with scarves. This trail was a fun roller coaster of up and down sections of large flat stone stairs and smooth packed wide trail. A nice break! We finished the loop quickly and headed back down to the parking lot and trotted over to a couple with their baby girl sitting on a bench at the overlook and asked if they would take our picture. E commented that their little girl was adorable and the man answered that it was her job to be adorable. The nice man took a few pictures of us and we thanked the family and headed back down the mountain on the Grindstone trail with smiles on our faces. At least I know I was smiling. <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-c_KOrfoDzitj-9afnel58IQEty-LFfpeuJQzKupYx30ZbFbNvYWYA6gZTKk9J-tuCV15oiTgwv_qY4jaAWgBFFIpDYUWetE2wZ8G6bz1oTG4w3EnOV19dl65W6S2Hx5yLn9ZAhAv/s1600/DSCF0606.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-c_KOrfoDzitj-9afnel58IQEty-LFfpeuJQzKupYx30ZbFbNvYWYA6gZTKk9J-tuCV15oiTgwv_qY4jaAWgBFFIpDYUWetE2wZ8G6bz1oTG4w3EnOV19dl65W6S2Hx5yLn9ZAhAv/s400/DSCF0606.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view</td></tr>
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As we started down Grindstone, I had a burst of energy and let out a whoop as I leaped down one of the huge steps. Luckily, I did not turn my ankle again and we continued down the mountain on a well deserved descent which felt easy after all the climbing. It got a little less so as we hopped down tons of large steps and I began thinking that going back up might be a nice change from the quad pounding. This trail was clear of leaves and was similar footing to the bridle trails at Umstead for the most part and was a nice reward for our challenging climb up. We agreed that we were glad we went up the way we did and came down this way instead of the rocky leafy trails we went up. Soon we were back at the visitors center and E's mom was cheerfully waiting for us. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5sGD3HQUnSTV6RVE1F4LZzgd3W4cqEGZOQ3FV1qfA1-D_KMUfbC1KIs4Mqw5BNFxJ5UUvYIV2Bv06IoiOTaWjANA6VoJRF-Lubx8vnHWqdLjg4y9myiGMU5M3okLy_I6tIG_U0SQM/s1600/DSCF0608.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5sGD3HQUnSTV6RVE1F4LZzgd3W4cqEGZOQ3FV1qfA1-D_KMUfbC1KIs4Mqw5BNFxJ5UUvYIV2Bv06IoiOTaWjANA6VoJRF-Lubx8vnHWqdLjg4y9myiGMU5M3okLy_I6tIG_U0SQM/s320/DSCF0608.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">King of the mountain pose after our run.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>We completed 8.2 miles in 1:57:50, about 14:30 pace. I felt happy and energized with a good workout and decided I'd have to come back another time, maybe on Feb. 18th. At least I would know what to expect for part of the marathon course! The new shoes did fine. Now to taper a little before next Sunday!31 Years and Runninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12530156178340468515noreply@blogger.com6