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| Start/Finish line |
After 31.1 miles and 7:44:26, I finally finished my first ultra! And it was epic, to say the least! This was literally a 31-mile mud run. I had worried all week about the weather and the possibility of a cancellation due to thunderstorms that were forecast. But I began to breathe once the race director sent out an email earlier in the week saying the race would go on rain, shine or storm. Whew! Looking back now, I wouldn't change the weather conditions for anything. It just gave it the WOW factor.
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| The chute..yes, across the creek which formed overnight |
It had rained most of the night. Got to Oak Mountain State Park, and it was 42 degrees and, yes, raining. It was so cold!! I had questioned the wardrobe the entire drive over, wondering if I needed to change into running pants to stay warm. But the competitor in me did not want to have to make a pit stop to change into something cooler once I warmed up. So I chose to wear my running skirt, rain jacket and cap, and that ended up being the right choice. Glad I had the rain jacket because I wore that for over 3 hours until the rain stopped. That and layers underneath keeping me fairly warm once I got started.
I think this is the only race that I haven't had the pre-race jitters and nervousness, which sounds so bizarre since it was the longest distance and most difficult to date. I was so focused on the task at hand and had no pressure on time that somehow I was able to remain calm, cool and collected before the start.
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| Happy, happy, happy! |
And then the race began! Made one lap around the parking lot, and then off into the woods we went. This was a loop course that we made 9 times. The first lap, I was so cold and wet that everything was numb. It took a while to get a feel for the course and all the puddle jumping that would go on for most of the day. The course became more slick and muddy with every lap. I think I did more running on the sides of the trail than anything, just trying to stay out of the puddles to keep my shoes from staying soaked all day. Ankles and calf muscles felt this rather quickly. Keith B. jumped in with me on lap 2 and kept me company for a few laps. You know you've got a good friend when they volunteer to spend their Saturday in the nasty weather and run for fun with you. We had a great time, and hopefully he got a nice introduction to some trail running!
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| The creek kept getting wider |
Fast forward a few laps. On the fourth lap, around mile 13, I was starting to feel a good bit of tightness in the calves. I stopped at the aide station and took a few Advil, hoping to knock it out. It didn't shake it a bit. Rolled the calves with "The Stick" real quick-like, and then Clint hopped in with me for a few laps. Not long after that I started really feeling the miles and impact it was having on my body. My breathing was becoming labored from the pain. I would occasionally walk a hill and then pick back up on running once I crested. Slowing down to walk a hill actually made things worse. That's when the pain makes its presence. My "other knee" started screaming. Everything began to hurt. Lower back, hips, left knee, calves (more Advil)...and I began to wonder what I had gotten myself into. A lot of mental conversation going on with myself during this race. Started wondering what my feet would look like after running 31 miles in wet shoes and socks. Never doubted whether I could finish...not once. But the competitor in me was concerned with pace. As much as I try not to think about that, it happens. So every time I stopped by the aide station, I was aware of time ticking by and irritated with what it was doing to my pace.
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| How cute are they?! |
Coming around at mile 22, I came through the check-in point and saw my kiddos standing there with signs. And I lost it! This is the first race they have come to, so it was pretty emotional for me. I gave quick hugs and kisses, hydrated and grabbed a snack, and hit the trail again. Also had some other really good friends who came to watch the finish, and that was a nice surprise because I wasn't expecting to see them there.
I was told I sped up on the last lap and that I made it back around quicker than expected. My Garmin ended up dying on that lap. I had watched my time throughout the day, wondering what kind of finish time I could manage. My goal had become under 8 hours. On that last lap, I had no idea what my pace or time was, but I knew I would be cutting it close. I was so focused on finishing strong! One of the 12 hr runners caught up with me and paced off of me for a while. We talked a little bit, so that pushed me through and made me run a little stronger than I might have otherwise. His watch had also died, so neither of us knew the time of day or how long we had been running. All I could do was keep pushing through and run as strong as I could.
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Coming around to the finish, I made my way through the last section of mud, and looked up and there were my friends and family cheering me on. It was over the top! And of course, I lost it. Once I stopped moving and the pain caught up with me, it was hard to breathe. That, on top of the emotions of finishing something like this. So the pictures of my finish are awful! I received my finisher glass, and then sat down and immediately took inventory of my feet. Found one blister on my big toe, which thankfully had not caused a problem during the race. A few minutes later the cold chills set in.
My time was 7:44:26, a PR on distance and elapsed running time, for sure. It was an unbelievable experience. Like my marathon, one I'll never forget. I can honestly walk away from this race knowing I did my very best under the current conditions. I didn't take much time at all between laps to refuel, and I certainly never sat down to rest. It was all business once I got started.
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| Once new shoes...now, well, filthy! |
Looking at the results on paper, they don't look that great. But considering I was 1 of only 6 women who had the courage to attempt it, I'm good with that. Oh, and I was next to the oldest woman out there!
The results:
- Time: 7:44:26
- Overall: 29 out of 34
- Gender: 6 out of 6
So thankful I got to experience this and that my body allowed me to do so. There are so many people who have inspired me with running, and I get so much pleasure in paying it forward. Inspiring others to run is far more rewarding than any finisher medal or glass that you receive at the end of a race.
Everyone is asking "Why do you run?" and "What possesses you to run THAT FAR?!" Because it's a challenge, mentally and physically...Because it reminds me how strong of a person I am...Because I want to see how far I can go...Because I can...
