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!
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