Is defined according to Google as ‘Steadfastness in doing something despite difficulty or delay in
achieving success.’
I would say that this is an accurate description of the race
day I had at Long Cane Ultra 55 mile in Abbeville South Carolina, but I’ll get
to why later. I started out the day
thinking I’ve run 5 miles so often I don’t even think it is that far any
more. I can certainly manage 5 more
miles after 50 right?!?
The day started off like my normal race days. Up at 4AM to clean up. Yes…I do shower up as I have plenty of time
to be gross all day when I’m sweaty, dirty and sticky from the sugary foods I
tend to consume while racing.
Next up, food and coffee.
Caffeine for me is a nice thing to have just like I do on non-race
days! Time to pack up the stuff prepared
the night before (pack, food, drop bags, etc), get in the car and get to the
race start. Three of us arrive at the
start on time to pick up our packets, get the drop bags taken care of, say hi
to a few people, use the facilities and get to the start area in time for the
pre-race briefing.
In no time we are all off and running down the trail in a
line like ants looking for the food. We
kinda are actually if you think of an aid station in that way. The trail is mostly lob lolly pine trees and
pine straw. We get to a green patch with
some nice foliage and what do I see?
Sigh…yep poison ivy! The itchy
legs I still have will pass. This is all
a part of the adventure of being in the woods I say to myself and continue
moving on to the next aid station.
So far the day has been gently rolling hills, talking to
other runners, listening to music, aid station stops (where I’m sure to thank
the volunteers – cause they are the BEST just for being there!) eating and
drinking. Sure I’ve fallen a few times
(3 to be exact but who is counting other than me and my pride?) and had some
digestion problems but nothing to keep me from finishing.
I’m pacing myself pretty well and staying hydrated. I reach the 50k mark in time to see Chris
come by on his way to finishing his first 50k race. Go Chris go!
I change my shoes and socks, which feels like a small slice
of heaven. Fill up my pack with food and
drink, eat some food and drink a cold mountain dew. Yummy treat with a little caffeine kick for a
little pick me up.
I head back the way I came uneventfully and get to the next
aid station. I’m still running close
enough to other folks that when I come to the first turn I don’t know I simply
follow them without thinking hey is this the right way?
At this point I’m 40 miles into the race and my brain is a
bit fuzzy and slow. I get to the next
aid station and it is unmanned, which I have forgotten (did I mention fuzzy
brain?), and I cannot seem to figure out which way I’m supposed to go. I don’t see orange flags like I had been
seeing all day so I wait hoping for another runner to come along and help me
figure out which way is the yellow brick road.
I haven’t seen anyone so I figure I must be at an aid station that was
waiting to be picked up by the crew. So,
I backtrack a ways which adds 2 miles to the race distance by the end of it
all. I’ve called (wow I’ve got signal in
the middle of the woods!) the race director and Chris to see if they can help
me since I’m not sure what to do.
Fortunately, I find 2 other runners who seem to know the way, so I
follow them. We figure out the turn I
missed and continue on. I’m so thankful
for the company and being back on track to finish.
The time I spent waiting and taking it easy must have done
me some good. I was able to pick up the
pace a bit and ended up going ahead of the two runners I’d met. I got through the last two aid stations
grabbing the usual heed and food and my light from my drop bag. I had hoped to finish not needing it but knew
that wouldn’t happen due to the delay from being a little lost. No big deal as it was all a part of the
adventure.
I thanked the volunteer at the last aid station and headed
out for the last leg of 6 miles. I had
to turn my light on a mile in and it was dark with 3 miles left to
complete. I knew I had to slow down or
risk falling again and into who knew what.
I know I didn’t want it to be more poison ivy, so I walked most of the
rest of the run. My brain must have been
working better after the rest time and slower pace because I figured out all of
the rest of the somewhat poorly marked turns to the end.
As I crossed the finish line for the new longest distance
I’d run (57 miles), I felt a strong sense of perseverance and
accomplishment. Despite falling, heat,
digestive issues and getting lost I had finished the race. I think this race was a great training run in
anticipation of the 100 miler I’m planning to finish in July. I learned to remain calm, come up with a plan
and handle the situation as best as I can and finish!
Thanks should go out to the race director Terri Hayes for putting
on a good race! There are always things
that go wrong race day for a director and she like the runners did the best she
could of the situation.
Go, Christine, go!! You are amazing!! XOXO cheryl
ReplyDeleteThanks Cheryl! Was great to see you yesterday and catch up.
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