I am 42. I only discovered running in adult hood. I was on the track team but you can ask any of my friends-we didn't train. In fact, I remember once running three blocks and sitting in a ditch until we thought enough time had passed that we could return to the school and it would look as though we ran.
Once, our middle distance relay made it to State. Guess who was alternate? Oh CRAP!
Turns out I never had to run but yep that was scary.
I also either threw up or had diarrhea before pretty much every track meet. Nerves?
Sick. I know.
So that is why running naturally was such a love of mine (insert sarcasm here)!
It wasn't until I needed to do something to lose weight that I even considered running. I started slow, and short, on paved roads or the treadmill. Then one day I took a chance at running a trail and fell in love.
Trails are beautiful! In the summer they are shaded. On windy days they are guarded. But boy ooh boy on rainy days are they muddy. I don't like mud. It's heavy and I have enough weight to cart.
I don't run trails after rain. Don't even ask.
I am not sure I'd say I was competitive. Maybe I am.
I get bored quickly with stuff though. I think that is why in all my races I never repeat one-distance, location, I never have. Until now... I plan to repeat the 4 mile winter trail run in February.
First, these trail runs they really make me look better than I am. Very few 40 year old women have gotten into this so I place and get a medal!
BAM!
Second, the trail running community is FUN! I am a member of a Facebook group. They post when they are running and you can meet up. I run with my husband and have gotten to know many of them so I know their paces, personalities, etc and feel totally safe if I need to run and he can't go with me. They push me-through humor-"You'll be fine"- and they are sooooo laid back. One slogan for a trail race: "Course markings are on the right...unless they're on the left." Ha! They are people who love to run and all that they do is for the love of the run, their community and the trail system.
And last, there is no shortage of interesting courses! That one I ran above? Started at Midnight. It was a "5ish" mile course. It poured for hours then sprinkled all through the run. My feet were so heavy I actually cursed at my husband for being so excited and encouraging.
All in all the beer in my hand at 1 am, soaking wet, I was glad I did it.
So this fall... the buddies I had made while running our long 10-20 mile runs over the summer months encouraged me to try the 30 mile Ultra. I began my excuses about not having trained. I mean. Really. I am a normal 42 year old mother of 2. It doesn't even seem like a logical possible thing someone COULD do. Their response? "You'll be fine."
And I was.
Sure I was sore. It was days before stairs didn't invoke fear. But man the accomplishment!
You know what? I would do it again. I even hinted that I might try the 50 mile.
So how? How does one just say. I think I'll run a 30 mile race. I mean hey I put in 20-25 miles a WEEK but yeah. Let's giver a try!
Well I researched as usual. I decided that I would only eat real food. I took two protein bars that I knew I would like and that agreed with me. I had a 2L pack for water. I ran with this pack for two weeks trying to adjust to it's feel and weight.
My advice:
Our race directors had wonderful food options on course about every 3.5 miles (I did 4- 7ish mile loops).
tortilla wraps with lunch meat
dill pickles
olives
grapes
watermelon
They also supplied water.
I took a change of shoes which I desperately needed to change into after lap #3. I applied band aids at that lap too.
I wore layers that I could shed and did.
I was on my period. GAH! Day 2-usually my worst cramp day! I took my tampons in my pack but I also took midol every 4 hours like clock work. My period actually stopped during the race. Praise GOD! The midol had caffeine which was great in actuality.
I took 2 E-caps at the beginning of each of my laps. These are electrolyte caplets. I hate gatorade and that stuff. Just give me plain ol water. I sweat so much I was covered in a white crystal but had no ill effects from any of it.
I kept moving. I walked every hill-the whole time-even when I was fresh in the beginning. I ran all straight ground at an even consistent pace. I only had to pee once in 7 hours. I didn't stop and chat at the food stations. I grabbed food and kept moving.
The solitude, scenery, and people were awesome and I enjoyed that race and the experience although long.
At this point I equate it to childbirth. I remember only the end result and the goodness of it all. The hard stuff is sort of blurry.
Would we do it again? These looks say it all.
