Sunday
HIKE 2 hours 5.3 miles at about midnight to 2am
RUN 1:20 5.3 miles at about 2:20-3:30 am
RUN 1:00 5.3 miles in just over an hour
HIKE about 3 miles out to bring TV to the finish!
My main goals for this weekend were to see TV's race, volunteer if I could, and get some running in. This is my last main training weekend, as the taper begins Monday. I already covered my misery at WSP Saturday morning. Once I arrived at the campground I was pretty happy with my 53 miles of running thus far this week and decided that if I didn't run any more I'd be OK with it.
I learned that the area had 5 inches of rain on Friday, and it was a constant downpour Friday night. Former neighbors BR and AR were there, AR said her sleep was awful at the tent due to rain. So in the end my plan to cancel Friday camping was a good idea.
Met with MP to get updates, set up my tent, pulled up a chair, and relaxed. After TV came through looking strong, I thought I'd peel off for a nap before staying awake for the overnight as part of my Farmdale prep. MP and I went for a walk before my nap and I learned more about the Pokeman GO game, she explained it and demonstrated. No wonder people have fun with it, but still wish they'd enjoy the park beauty while playing. But after bumping into the RD's, I learned that there was a volunteer position available at the last AS as a pacer to bring back weary solo runners. Yay!! Something to do and I get to run! Since I wouldn't be leaving right away, I left for a light meal and a nap. I only got 45 mins or so between 7 and 8pm, hoped I'd get more later.
The RD's J and M drove me to the AS (I offered to run!) where I met Andy, JohnS, and Rob. By the time I got there it was already dark and the full moon was on the rise. Thankfully the RD's hung out for awhile, it let me get to know my volunteer group without being dumped into the situation. What a great group!! A was in charge and had his doggie, R was a triathlete, J was another ultra runner. All had great attitudes, a very open sense of humor and discussion, lots of race experience and willingness to share. We talked races, jobs, 'deuces', nutrition, more and more as one by one runners came in. The position of the AS was at the top of a switchback, so we'd see lights while the runners were still a few mins out, giving us a chance to bang a bucket and ring cowbells, even some wolf howls to entertain them.
TV came in, sat for a bit, looking dazed and tired. But still moving. Right around his visit a very tired young runner on his 3rd lap came in and almost feel asleep as soon as he hit the chair. We offered and he accepted me as a pacer to hike back with him, as he wasn't running right now.
Cortland was a south FL runner on his 4th hundo (Skydive 100, Keys 100, Burning River 100 only 5 weeks ago, and Javelina in 5 weeks! He started running just last Dec, had a fast 19 hour Keys that earned him 1st male (but second OA!) at Keys, was here along without his usual wife, and was struggling to accept how hard this race was going for him. He said he wasn't used to trails and his ankles were suffering. Said he was mentally struggling without his wife to look forward to at the aid stations. Said he hadn't run over 20 miles in training since April. Said he only ran 3.5-5 miles each way as a run commute, but was a mail deliver guy so was on his feet a lot. Damn C!! No wonder you're tired and suffering!! He wanted a nap, and I encouraged it and suggested he discuss with all the experienced runners back at the start finish. He was also terribly disappointed in missing the 24 hr special finisher's buckle, and was doubting his abilities as a runner. I strongly said otherwise, that his talents couldn't be graded on this one race.
We had a steady 22 min mile hike going, and his legs were doing what I would call the 4th lap wobble. Each step was unsteady on hills, creek crossings were a slowed down version, but he continuously moved so I was encouraged about him finishing the race. We arrived at the finish, I reminded him about his jacket (he was not used to the chill in the air), he discussed a nap with volunteers (some were for and some were against the idea), and decided to nap. With him gone, I readied to run back to the AS, eating a light meal of instant potatoes with chopped up potato chips (sounds weird but it worked), some scrambled egg, lots of salt. Oh, and the AS needed salt to I carried a bag back. I was the Salt Runner. Carrier Pigeon.
I left around 2:30am (?) for the AS, excited to get a run in especially under the full moon. Oh, transcendent run. I often stopped to turn off my light and just absorb the moment. The silvery light created some visual effects that distracted my focus on the run as usually the peripheral vision is just black with the head lamps, but it made for a gorgeous run anyway. It was a perfectly still and quiet run, the temps were t-shirt perfect. I had a few moments of regret that this wasn't my race tonight.
Much later than expected I started meeting the oncoming racers. I shielded my headlamp to talk with them, make sure they were OK, and give a distance estimate. Most were tired, wanted new legs, but all on the move. Running at night distorts time and distance, so the last mile to the AS drug on and on and on, damned anticipation. Once there I ate more, ate more, I was eating raisins out of a trail mix along with potatoes, then some Certs candies, and some bacon. Damn, it seemed like I was eating A LOT as I never filled up. But I didn't want to eat too much in case I needed to run again. And it was helping to keep me awake. I also started hitting the ACV bottle that A brought, gotta bring that to my 100 as I liked it in my handheld.
R was sleeping (later learned he was a bit hungover, hahaha!), A took a nap as he was in for the full length of the race, so J and I sat near his wonderful fire and chatted. Races, life, country music. The runners seemed very far apart from each other, we'd look for headlights and imagine seeing them. Slowly the moon passed overhead. We though we could hear dew falling from the trees (later learned it was either bug poos or tree seeds). And eventually the sun appeared, the morning got more chilly, and I started really wanting to get some sleep. I'd been up all night! Just as I wanted to do for training, but I was a bit stomach sick from eating and not being on schedule. But I wanted to run with TV, and it seemed a waste to run back alone when I could help a runner. But after 2-3 hours of no runners, I left.
J had a 30 min run to do, we talked him into doing it now instead of later in the day when he'd be tempted to skip, so he joined for the first 15 mins. The RD JC was his coach, he told me about that, and I heard the best-yet explanation of why coaches use time over distance (not sure I can relay it clearly here). And of course I fell. Of course on my right knee, AGAIN. I rolled and popped right back up and kept moving. Like it never happened but of course it did.
When J was done, he turned back, promised more Strava kudos (we talked that too), and wished each other luck on our upcoming races. On my own, I was able to continue the fastish pace he held, but in time I really had to poop! I no longer trusted all the farts I was having (lots of those!!!!) and wanted to wait to the finish line potties. Happily I made it. Once at the start/finish I had some Nutella as I needed to avoid more potatoes and chips and fruit, tried to catch up on race news and figure out were TV was as we expected to see him by now. Changed clothes, packed up the tent as best I could, pooped (of course!), and went back to wait.
As time went by with no TV, MP started getting concerned. After Cortland crossed (he FLEW across the line, turned out his 2x 45 mins naps did revive him) and reported seeing TV between the 90-92 mile area, I decided to go out to find him. C said he was 'at a near standstill' so we got worried. I changed clothes and joined Jen, another pacer who paced her 2nd place hubby and who had a doggie Momo that MP babysat to go find TV. Jen was racing Chicago and wanted more miles, and wanted to repay MP for babysitting as she could. She held a fast pace and we chatted the entire way, I enjoyed meeting her!
We came across TV about 1.8 miles out. Jen took the locomotive and I the caboose, putting TV between us. Then did the best we could of continuous chatter. I wanted to know how he was doing, anything I could do, but I realized that Jen had the best approach -- she cheered, boosted, and pulled him along without having him think about how he felt. Good lesson for me to learn. TV was hurting, had the 4th lap shuffle, but never once paused in the quest to finish. He was soooo quiet and I wanted to help any way I could. We noted landmarks (whale, switchback, OT sign, log pile) then we could see the line! We pushed TV to run it in and he did! I'm so happy for him, still smiling.
And inspired! To see him push the way he did, I need to capture that persistence and focus for my own upcoming race. He seemed both disappointed and amused that his longest 100 ever at 30 hours won him his highest ever finish of 4th place. Of the 33 registrants, 30 started, and the finishers were expected to be single digit. Among the DNF's was AR, who had awful foot blistering from all the creek crossings (I heard one runner say 14) and hip pain. She's also running Pinhote in November!
My initial plan was to nap before leaving to drive home, but by the time this all wrapped I had to pack the tent and leave. Got that done, said my goodbyes, and left. Yes I was nearly falling asleep on the drive home! I pulled into a gas station halfway in and bought some candies to amuse me. I really didn't need more sugar, but in the end I didn't eat most. I just played with them, and that worked. Got groceries, got the dog, got home. Unpacked, showered, then just crashed. Didn't sleep until 8pm, but was awake getting Deviled. Dammit.
My right knee is banged up and bruised, aches too. My ankle is swollen over the bone and slightly discolored, but pain free. And my cornea is just fine. My gut came through with just gas. The swedish fish I ate before seeing corn starch on the ingredients? The load of potatoes? Raisins, or chocolate bits I nibbled in the trail mix? The veggies I ate earlier in the day? The rice with raisin or banana meals I prepped as pre and post? A combination of all or most?
So this weekend was a success for the most part! 10 +16 miles of running/hiking, I stayed up overnight and survived better that expected, and ate lots of aid station foods while running with only gas as a gut problem. Learned a lot, met many runners, and have lots of ideas to add to my Farmdale packing and preparation lists.
Peak week NUMERICS
15.5 hours of training (does not include bike commuting)
RUN 69 miles
BIKE 52 miles
STRENGTH 1 hour
Taper time!
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