So my friend planning to run it with me ended up backing out. So, I was in it on my own and with the weather conditions that week I was doubting if I should run it. But I did it anyway. Just me, God, good vibes from my buddy Sophia and her mom, and the other runners. Not near as many as signed up because this weather we had been having provided with some treacherous conditions. I was thankful my friend didn't run it because I got to use his Yaktrax, which came in handy. Not sure how I could've made it otherwise. And I know he wouldn't have enjoyed it.
So, I stayed about 45 minutes to an hour from the race start. That morning when we got up to head out the driveway was covered in ice. Luckily, my all wheel drive took that no problem. A little ice on the road in places, and it rained on us some of the drive and had a couple of heavy fog areas. On the way, a wreck took place around a curve from where we got stopped. I was really starting to think I wouldn't make it to the start line in time and we left in more than enough time. We got there. Just in time.
When the horn blew to start I was still putting on my gloves and rain jacket. As I started running I realized I had left my neck gaiter so the first bit was cold! I do not like having to breath in the cold air, especially not that cold. The road was fine at first. By our first turn (in the middle of a hill), the road went downhill and was solid sheet of ice. This is when I realized how great the Yaktrax were. I was running downhill, while several around me were cautiously walking, or slipping and sliding. This road led us to our first creek crossing.
The creek wasn't bad at all. It was cold, but nothing horrible. There was a guy in front of me that asked the younger guy with him to stop and pray. The younger guy said he was good and went on. I felt bad about that. I prayed a lot throughout the entire race. I was really getting tired by mile three. Now this is a big deal because I use Vespa All-Natural Amino Acids for my distance runs. And usually I take in no extra calories using Vespa. Even for a marathon I only eat a cutie aside from my Vespa. My friend was planning on being at the aid station around 5.5 so I didn't have to carry things other than my water bottle. Mile three I had already decided to eat the "just in case" items I had left with my friend, and grab my extra pack of Vespa so I could take it at the half way point. And going to send him back for more. I got there and the conditions were so bad they didn't let anyone down to the aid station. For that matter they almost didn't let the aid station down there. That would have been a disaster.
So, as I hear this I take in what I can (I'm gluten free for health reasons, and am stimulant sensitive so caffeine is a no-no too, so I'm limited when I don't have my energy sources.). I had some potato chips, M&Ms, oranges, peanuts, drank Gatorade, and two sips of Mountain Lightening (cheap brand of Mt. Dew). And then I headed to the turnaround point. What I didn't know was that I had a step uphill next. Like really steep uphill for the next mile or more. I got real cold at this point. So, I stopped and put on a poncho to help hold the heat in, plus it was starting to rain some. That uphill was the coldest spot of the race. I thought it was because I had stopped for so long at the aid station, but not so much. It was real cold there on the way back too. So, I make it up this icy, steep hill...finally. Not really as much of a down on the other side, at least it didn't feel like it. The course was either water (at times it was like the creek was running down the trail toward you), muddy (deep enough it was trying to pull my shoe off), solid sheets of ice, slush (at times above my ankles), rocks, or some many combination of it all. Almost always having ice and/or slush.
I was never so happy to see the turnaround point, but at the same time, knew that meant I had to go back through all that. At the half way point, I was real tired now. Wishing I had my Vespa. Just over 8 miles and already shoved foods down my throat that I never have to eat. At this point, I was done physically. Mentally though I was still in. I knew that God would get me through it, and focused on Sophia's strength. I remember her mom posting video of her trying to walk on a treadmill. It was such a struggle the first year I met her, and this year she was actually picking up her own feet and taking steps. For the second half, that is what I kept in the forefront of my mind. One foot in front of the other. One step at a time.
I love downhills on a run. I can just let gravity take me and I don't have to work at running at all. I remember getting to one point where I finally had climbed a hill that seemed to go forever, all the deep slush along the way, and I stopped. I looked down the hill and thought "Man, I have to run down that hill." That downhill made me want to cry. It didn't make me happy like usual. I was exhausted! Even running downhill had gotten tough for me. There were so many times, but I knew God would give me the strength to persevere. It was awesome because when I would struggle my most, I would look down and see the symbol of the Christian fish. Yep...someone had a different version of the Yaktrax than me, as they were leaving that symbol every step. What a needed thing at the time. I was so uplifted seeing that. It gave me renewed energy each time. God is so good and always knows how to put those things in front of us that we need. We just don't always have eyes to see them, or a heart to see them.
I ran down most of the hills, but there were times when I didn't have the energy to do that. By the time I made it back to the aid station I knew I had to eat and I had to get some energy to try and push me through. I also knew I needed electrolytes. So, I downed more Gatorade, got some more M&Ms, peanuts, chips, oranges, boiled potatoes which I rolled in course salt, and drank some warm broth. Oh and drank a whole cup of the Mountain Lightening. I knew that meant my heart rate would be higher, but I also knew I had about 5.5 miles to go and needed whatever I could to get through it.
This time when I came to the creek crossing (the main one, as there were times I felt that all I did was stay in a creek, and there are multiple smaller creek crossings), this time I sat down in the creek. Yes, in the freezing cold weather, I sat down. I had wanted to sit down on the ice many times while running, but was nervous of sliding down the hill/mountain so I didn't. This time though I did. My legs were so tired I didn't know what else to do. So, I sat down. It was the absolute best thing I could've done with what resources I had at the time. My legs were taxed, but after that cold bath my legs were renewed and off I went. That nice icy downhill I had at the beginning, was now a long, icy uphill. Thank you Yaktrax.
I was never so excited to see a finish line as I was that one. Hearing my name come from other runners really helped push me that last stretch. Seeing my friend there at the end was great! I know he wasn't able to be there for the support as we thought, but knowing he would be at the finish really kept me going. It's great to have friends there "with you" even when they can't be there "with you" in the way planned. His wife gave me great amounts of encouragement that morning. I heard her remind me several times that I was going to do great. I crossed that finish line. Got my glass that had really been my goal for running that race. I wanted that glass! It's mine now.
I remember so many times during that run thinking about how disappointed I was in myself. I was having to take way longer than I thought I would. I was in so much pain. I was miserable at times. Pretty much miserable all the time, except when God gave me those little bursts. I remember the first time at the aid station making the comment to one of the volunteers that I had highly underestimated the amount of energy this was going to take. He said under the conditions of the day, it most definitely took a lot more out of a person. I still was so disappointed in myself for my performance. After I crossed the finish line, I was so glad I had done it. I was ready to sign up for next year. I told my friend "That was the most miserable fun I've ever had". That's something I said so many times on the course that day. It was the most treacherous thing I had ever done, and was so miserable. But I was so happy to be out there. It was nice visiting with other runners after the race. Some of the comments made me realize that I shouldn't be so disappointed with my performance. I should be proud of what I accomplished. That course they said was the worse conditions they had ever seen it in, especially for a race day. So, what was my ugly blue sweatshirt (I'm not the biggest fan of royal blue clothing), has now become a sweatshirt of honor and perseverance. It is one that when I see it on others, I will know they went through the toughest Sylamore race to date. They earned that shirt (assuming they ran it). I would not be able to wear that sweatshirt had I decided not to run. I had debated not running it. I would've been real tempted to quit at 5.5 miles. But thankfully that wasn't an option really.
Trails really are my element. I would prefer trails over road any day. There is nothing better I can do, but be out in what God created for me to enjoy. I am thankful that He gave me the thoughts He did and a symbol that means so much to me, always when I needed it the most. I pray I will always have the eyes to see what He puts in front of me. Sometimes it is a small, purple flower, sometimes it is a foot mark from another runner that leaves a symbol of faith. Sometimes it is a nice, cool wind. And toward the end of this race...it was that nice, ice cold creek so I can renew my legs. If we will just open our eyes, and our hearts, we will see that the "signs" we are looking for from God...He has already placed them in front of us, before we even ask. That is one thing that really was affirmed for me. God was in front of me that whole race. He was already placing what I needed in my path. That's life. He is already in tomorrow. We don't have to worry with it, because He is already there. We just have to quit looking for what we think He should be doing, and look at what He is doing.
