I rose at 2:30 am to get set for the MTRC. I planned to drive to Jug Mountain Resort, about an hour and a half from my house so that I could sleep in my own bed -- local races are few for me. I got my hydration pack organized and full with water, Spark, gels, extra socks and various other items. I was ready and excited to run a fun 40 miler, I had no expectations aside from a deep desire to finish. A week prior to the race I was considering bagging it -- thank goodness I came to my senses.
Upon arrival I was sifting through my pack making final decisions as the other runners began to arrive. Can I just say one more time I love this community of folks! The race directors for the run are fabulous people, they seem experienced and ready to "tend" on their runners. Good morning greetings followed by hugs and votes of confidence, it really does not get any better. Ready set go, 6am start the light is soft and the air a perfect cool, a quarter mile up the road and a turn to a single track, the runners all grouped together -- for now. The sound of working lungs and feet pounding and gliding above the earth fill the space around me, the runners start to spread out. I heat up fast and go for a quick wardrobe change, long sleeves off, ready to run on. The first lake is lovely Lake Louie, the morning lake mist rising just before the first big climb. Huff and puff, stop and go, moving forward so that the first few miles can be ancient history and so that I can find my groove. I was able to run a great deal of this race and made the wise decision to power hike all the hills, I am much more in my grove that way. I felt strong with each ascent and descent. The climb to Boulder Mountain was rugged and breath taking not only in the views but in my lungs. Played tag with a fellow runner, leading and following -- this is such a powerful wave to ride, allowing space to grow between another runner and myself, then closing in for a chatty climb. The summit was bright with alpine lupine, the views vast I was struck by the focus I felt on the trail. As I approached each new section I drew from my Yoga life -- coupling my runner girl and my yoga girl. I found my breath, my attention to each step, the surrounds, while at the same time allowing my mind to surf the deep thoughts of an ultra runner. I ran smooth, I felt the grace of the sport.
The decent into Lakefork was fast and fun, weaving in and out of the trees, running smooth and injury free is in a word RAD! I cruised along looking forward to the water crossing, while it was not a scorcher, it was hot! The big water crossing was a blast, the rope helpful, the water was at my knee and I loved every ripple. I found that my footing was secured from my experience steelhead fishing in Oregon, who knew I would be able to take that experience and cross well in my Ultra life. At some point on the down hill I was nearly attacked by a Red tailed hawk -- as it turns out he was not notified about the race, he was ready to steal hats and take heads off. I admit I found it was rather humorous. The aid station at the bottom was super great, gels, ginger ale, chezz its -- my new guilty pleasure at a race -- the volunteers ready to help in every way (volunteers rule).
It was time to make my way up, up, up the hill. I estimated that it would take me roughly two hours at this stage in the race and with the steepness. I was dead on! One foot in front of the other I made it to the top, then more down hill. The views were awesome but I started to get consumed by the fact that I thought the aid station was closer, I drank heavily on my way out of Lakefork and was now in conservation mode. I was thirsty and the horse flies were thick; every race has its low moments and this was my first, I have learned not to let the grueling pace and the lack of water get me down. I turned my attention to the finish and seeing my family. At last I reached the final Aid Station. Ginger ale, water, cold towel, chips, kind words, uplifting and funny. Then the bad news "So what am I looking at Emily?" "Well... some up and down then your weave your way to the finish." Sweet I thought! "So do I really only have 5 miles to go?" In unison both Emily and Jenny say "No.... more like 8 to 10." "Oh god... Really?! Okay.... I can handle it." Emily reaches for the cup of bacon and offers me a piece (ha!), I take some with another cup of Ginger ale and I hit the road with my eye on the finish line.
The final miles were stronger that most of the final miles I have run in other races, I had run smart and felt strong but the added mileage took my off my center, low point number two-- I was irritated and tired! Once I hit Double shot, a crazy steep decent I was blending a shuffle with brief running jaunts. The big boulders, the step up and steep rough single track in a word INSANE! Nearly there I hear the folks at the finish line cheering and Another One Bits the Dust come across the speakers -- so awesome. I was so excited to see my family and to cross yet another finish line.
Four down four to go!
7/14/2013
McCall Trail Running Classic 40 miles
I rose at 2:30 am to get set for the MTRC. I planned to drive to Jug Mountain Resort, about an hour and a half from my house so that I could sleep in my own bed -- local races are few for me. I got my hydration pack organized and full with water, Spark, gels, extra socks and various other items. I was ready and excited to run a fun 40 miler, I had no expectations aside from a deep desire to finish. A week prior to the race I was considering bagging it -- thank goodness I came to my senses.
Upon arrival I was sifting through my pack making final decisions as the other runners began to arrive. Can I just say one more time I love this community of folks! The race directors for the run are fabulous people, they seem experienced and ready to "tend" on their runners. Good morning greetings followed by hugs and votes of confidence, it really does not get any better. Ready set go, 6am start the light is soft and the air a perfect cool, a quarter mile up the road and a turn to a single track, the runners all grouped together -- for now. The sound of working lungs and feet pounding and gliding above the earth fill the space around me, the runners start to spread out. I heat up fast and go for a quick wardrobe change, long sleeves off, ready to run on. The first lake is lovely Lake Louie, the morning lake mist rising just before the first big climb. Huff and puff, stop and go, moving forward so that the first few miles can be ancient history and so that I can find my groove. I was able to run a great deal of this race and made the wise decision to power hike all the hills, I am much more in my grove that way. I felt strong with each ascent and descent. The climb to Boulder Mountain was rugged and breath taking not only in the views but in my lungs. Played tag with a fellow runner, leading and following -- this is such a powerful wave to ride, allowing space to grow between another runner and myself, then closing in for a chatty climb. The summit was bright with alpine lupine, the views vast I was struck by the focus I felt on the trail. As I approached each new section I drew from my Yoga life -- coupling my runner girl and my yoga girl. I found my breath, my attention to each step, the surrounds, while at the same time allowing my mind to surf the deep thoughts of an ultra runner. I ran smooth, I felt the grace of the sport.
The decent into Lakefork was fast and fun, weaving in and out of the trees, running smooth and injury free is in a word RAD! I cruised along looking forward to the water crossing, while it was not a scorcher, it was hot! The big water crossing was a blast, the rope helpful, the water was at my knee and I loved every ripple. I found that my footing was secured from my experience steelhead fishing in Oregon, who knew I would be able to take that experience and cross well in my Ultra life. At some point on the down hill I was nearly attacked by a Red tailed hawk -- as it turns out he was not notified about the race, he was ready to steal hats and take heads off. I admit I found it was rather humorous. The aid station at the bottom was super great, gels, ginger ale, chezz its -- my new guilty pleasure at a race -- the volunteers ready to help in every way (volunteers rule).
It was time to make my way up, up, up the hill. I estimated that it would take me roughly two hours at this stage in the race and with the steepness. I was dead on! One foot in front of the other I made it to the top, then more down hill. The views were awesome but I started to get consumed by the fact that I thought the aid station was closer, I drank heavily on my way out of Lakefork and was now in conservation mode. I was thirsty and the horse flies were thick; every race has its low moments and this was my first, I have learned not to let the grueling pace and the lack of water get me down. I turned my attention to the finish and seeing my family. At last I reached the final Aid Station. Ginger ale, water, cold towel, chips, kind words, uplifting and funny. Then the bad news "So what am I looking at Emily?" "Well... some up and down then your weave your way to the finish." Sweet I thought! "So do I really only have 5 miles to go?" In unison both Emily and Jenny say "No.... more like 8 to 10." "Oh god... Really?! Okay.... I can handle it." Emily reaches for the cup of bacon and offers me a piece (ha!), I take some with another cup of Ginger ale and I hit the road with my eye on the finish line.
The final miles were stronger that most of the final miles I have run in other races, I had run smart and felt strong but the added mileage took my off my center, low point number two-- I was irritated and tired! Once I hit Double shot, a crazy steep decent I was blending a shuffle with brief running jaunts. The big boulders, the step up and steep rough single track in a word INSANE! Nearly there I hear the folks at the finish line cheering and Another One Bits the Dust come across the speakers -- so awesome. I was so excited to see my family and to cross yet another finish line.
Four down four to go!
Every Runner has a Reason and a Story
Why do you run Ultras? What is it about them that takes you out on long runs in the wee hours of the night, that takes you away from your family for hours on Saturday and Sunday. What is it? Good question. I love the challenge, the time on my feet, the conditioning of my body, the fact that this time is all mine, I love the people, the community and the craziness of it all. With each race that I run I connect more with the sport. Running down a single track for hours is like nothing in the world. Sharing space and time with other runners is special in that the many people I have run next to, I do not know. I can guess that they have a story and a reason for being on the trail running 30, 40, 50, 100 miles. Somehow after sharing 10, 15, 20 miles with someone a bond forms.
I run ultras for so many reasons, I run for therapy, for fun, for strength, because someone once told me I couldn't run an ultra until I spent a few years running half and full marathons (wanna bet), I run because it makes me a better Wife, Mother, Friend, Boss, Human, I run to find focus and to let go, I run because it makes sense to my mind, body and soul! After volunteering at the IMTUF 100 in 2012 I knew that this was a good community for me and that the connection I felt with perfect strangers was, with the risk of sounding over dramatic, totally life changing. It was that day that I knew I was an Ultra runner -- I had not run further that 20 miles but I did not care I was in. That is the thing about running long distance, if you really want to YOU CAN -- no rules just run....
I have met so many people over the last year each with a special something about them, the reason they train may be unique and it may be something we all have in common (aside from being totally crazy nuts). Ultra runners are compassionate, generous, understanding, kind, funny and nutty! Maybe the real question is why wouldn't you run an Ultra!
Silver City
Silver City was a crazy ride. It all started with the curvy drive up and down the Mountain to the Start/Finish line. My family dropped me off and headed back out. So here I am surrounded by amazing people and yet I set out for my tent, like a foreigner in a foreign land. It is an odd feeling being part of a group you do not know well but somehow feel totally connected to on a level that words cannot explain. I rested in my tent listening to the hustle and chatter of the runners as they passed by my tent. I was visualizing the day and looking forward to my longest race to date. It never fails the night before a race I think “What the hell am I doing??” and the very moment I arrive at the start line I know exactly what to do --- run and have fun! When morning came my pacer, Linnaea, and I got set for the day – we would meet up at my mile 38 and run the rest of the race together. We are testing out the pacer runner relationship for IMTUF 100 in August.
The course was rough, the rocks were sharp and loose. The first 20 miles came very easy to me, nothing much to report on except for the fact that it was beautiful and freeing to run, I also discovered that I love water crossings. As the miles added up I found that me and the scree were not a good match, I found it very difficult to run down the scree and ended up side stepping – note the self practice running down hill your knees and IT bands will thank you for it!
Hayden Peak was amazing! I summited at approximately 8700 feet feeling strong after the epic climb, had a sandwich on the way down and set my sights on meeting up with my pacer. I caught my second wind and ran hard and consistent, I was so happy to see Linnaea I nearly knocked her down with a perfect and powerful Aid Station hug! By mile 40 I was in a slump -- the kind that is topped off with sore IT bands and a grouchy outlook! It is funny how these things can happen on the trail, I am learning, learning to let go, learning to let it be, learning to smile and run it off. Linnaea was a perfect pacer, I know now that she struggled in parts of the run yet she never let on, she was a tremendous support for me. We ran on. Tennessee was ridiculously steep and incredibly fun, except when I stopped, I thought for sure I would fall backwards. The miles piled up and before I knew it I was checking firsts off my list, the first time I ran further than 52 miles, the first time I ran over 12 hours, the first time I ran and finished a 100k race. After leaving our last aid station we shuffled our way to the finish -- i was happy to be done. I may not have hit the mark on my goals for this race, I learned a great deal and had another incredible experience out on the trail, surrounded by other runners, amazing volunteers and beautiful views.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)