Cradle to Grave 30K Re-Cap

"God I hope that's the wind" I thought to myself as my alarm went off at 5:15 on Saturday morning.  Then a car went by and the sound of wet roads solidified things....rain.  Not just rain, a complete downpour.  It almost seemed fitting that my first trail race would have me battling the elements before I even got out of bed.  I guess the challenge starts now. 

My gear was laid out meticulously in steps to allow me to streamline my morning and allow for optimum sleep time.  Shorts and running pants close to the bed for a quick transition from PJ's to run-wear.  Then downstairs to put on socks, then compression sleeves, then shoes.  Pin on my "cancer badge" on the back of my singlet and put on my long sleeve.  The longer the run, the more important the prep, and this was my longest race since my marathon.  And getting ready at home, not a hotel, was a little weird.  So many options available vs a preset packed bag.  Luckily I made  list (obviously) and could keep focused.  Despite the rain, the temp was still around 60 so I stuck with my original plan and after a quick protein shake, Maura and I were out the door. 

Maura and I had planned to make a weekend of this race, with camping after the race at Davidson River with some friends after the race.  However that plan was quickly in jeopardy after determining that we'd maxed out the windshield wiper setting a few miles down the road.

Once we arrived and checked in we met up with Dan and Amanda inside and waited for the race to start and hopefully for the rain to stop.....or slow at this point.  It didn't slow, in fact, it started to pick up.  We also saw Carlos and Scott from work and it was their first ever 5K, which was great to be a part of.  The race was close to starting and the rain was actually becoming a great distraction from the 18.6 miles of off road terrain and one really large hill that the race official was not candy-coating during the pre-race announcements. 

The group quickly gathered outside in the rain and before we knew it the gun (literally a gun, which startled the crap out of me) went off.  We started down and around the forestry center, and were soon on to some muddy single track.  I was with a pack of 5-6 ppl, a few I knew, a few I didn't.  The trail was narrow and the puddles abundant.  At first, instinct was to avoid the water, but realizing we were all already soaked, it wasn't long before we were all 5 years old splashing through puddles without a care.  One off the girls around me said she called these "Fuck-It-Puddles" because that's the mindset you need to get through them.  Made sense to me. 

Having never run a trail race, this was all new to me, and I was loving it.  We were muddy and wet, running over roots and trees and running through streams that were now shin/knee deep due to the rain.  It was so fun.  The group was slightly more spaced out due to the terrain and all I could hear was the river, the rain, and my breathing and footsteps.  I remember feeling like this is what our ancestors must have felt like, running through the woods chasing dinner, it was spiritual in a way.  Must have been the runners high. 

I was running with Mikey, a guy from track workouts, for a while but he stopped to tie his shoe and never caught back up.  Around mile 6 an older local caught up to me and we chatted for a while.  Always nice to make a new friend during a race.  We ran together for a couple miles, until we hit "The Hill".   I had no idea what to expect so I just plodded along behind my new friend on the single track terrain, trying to keep a conversation whilst navigating the roots and battling fatigue.  Soon...we were walking.  It was a calculated decision.  The pace of running straight up wasn't much faster than a strong walk and it was less intense.  I walked, then I'd run, then I'd walk, then I'd run.  I decided I could pass my friend so I did.  I was a alone again and now getting high enough that I actually felt my ears pop and I was getting into a low hanging cloud.  The trail was narrow, in some spots I was ducking while I ran and brushing leaves out of my way.  All I could think was "Gorillas in the mist, if I came up on Dan right now, he'd look like a gorilla in the mist".  I almost laughed out loud and then noticed a flash of a white shirt up ahead.  It was the girl that had passed me around mile 3.  I could catch her.....maybe.  I kept my run/walk thing going on and didn't realize that a younger cross country kid was between us. I came up on him while he was walking and I walked with him for a few and chatted before passing on.  Always feels good to pass someone that's younger and seemingly more fit than you :) 

The hill seemed to last forever, but I knew I had to be getting close.  Soon, the uphills turned to downhills and there was enough downhill in a row to give me confidence the death march was over.  Another good sign, I had finally caught the girl in front of me.  The downhill section was treacherous.  Trying to keep a solid pace while jumping between rocks and roots was tough on my quads but it was also very fun and I was again making a new friend so I was very content with my situation.  We made it out of the forest and back on to the fire roads.  We were 6 miles from the finish and we'd heard we were in the top 10.  There were people still going out, most walking. We exchanged "great job, looking good" and kept moving.  I have a lot of respect for those that walk a race like this.  They look at us and say "wow, that's fast" and we look at them and say "wow, they're gonna be out here for a while, good for them".  It's a mutual respect for each others position and skill that I love about a race like this.

When we turned to get back on the single track with 3 miles left I started to pull away from Alycia.  I knew at this point that staying healthy was the only important factor.  I couldn't see anyone in front of me and I was far enough ahead of Alycia that I didn't think she'd catch me.  The route back was slightly different than the way out, and not for the better.  I felt like I was running tire drills for the last 1.5 miles.  So many roots and rocks.  My legs were getting more and more wobbly with each step and at one point my ankle rolled just enough to freak me out, but no damage done.  Just make it back safely.  The stream crossings I thought I'd be jumping over like a badass on the way back I was now gingerly stepping through.  Oh, what a difference 12 miles makes :)
Soon I was seeing a parking lot and other runners.  "30K Finish =>" never looked so good!  I nearly made a wrong turn but was quickly guided back to the right trail and I could see the finish line.  I picked up pace a little, not much, my legs were far to unstable for much of a boost.  I highfived a volunteer as I crossed and pumped my fist victoriously.  I saw Maura and Kali there and my heart was full.  I felt great.  I just completed my first trail race, and my second longest race ever.  Alycia crossed soon after and we exchanged congratulations.  I was 10th overall, and 3rd in my age group (30-39).  A solid finish, one I'm very proud of. 

We hung out for a bit despite a cranky dog and some rain.  Carlos and Scott both placed in their age groups which I thought was awesome. They tried to play it off as nothing but I think they still enjoyed things.  I even heard Scott say "yeah, just gotta keep at it, and keep improving" which almost made me tear up.  You hear about people "getting the bug" about running but not too many to get be around someone as they get it.....and they might not even know it yet, but you see it.  Pretty good stuff.  We waited for Dan and Amanda as well, both finished strong with great stories of their day.  This was their longest run ever, a big deal for any runner and I'm glad we got to share that with them as well. 

The rain was still around so we bailed on our camping plans and headed home. Maybe not the plans we made, but we made the best of it.  A good life lesson I guess, you can't control everything so it's best to just say "Fuck it" and jump right in and get muddy. 

2013 Ramble Run Re-Cap

It was a tough race morning.  Usually "tough" means waking up with a belly full of Bells Oberon and Papas and Beer and trying to run.  Today was much more of an emotional stress.  Part of my morning race routine was pinning on a small tribute to three great people all of which are battling cancer.  The closest to me being Megan Szczpanik, a former college roommate and friend for many years.  She's been battling brain cancer for the last two years and has been a major inspiration to me and many others.  She passed away earlier in the week and this was my first race with thoughts of her being in the past tence.  The reality of things hit harder with each pin securing the sign on my singlet.  Every race has its times when the pain becomes too much and you want to give up, but then I'd always think of Megan and remind myself that if she can fight, so can I.  I'm not battling cancer, I'm running up a steep hill, suck it up :) I feel like I owe her so much for what her battle has shown me about life and what's important.  I always be greatful for getting to spend some time with her last year.  I know she'll always be with me on race days. 

I picked up my packet, pinned on my race bib and took off for a couple warmup miles.  My hammies were still tight from the weeks workouts, I hoped I could loosen them before the race. 

The 5K started before the 12K and just as they were starting I saw a dear friend, Edwin, running up to me, goofy headband and tall socks, arms out with a huge smile.  We hugged and I told him I loved him and I was proud of him.  Edwin and I have been friends 10 years now and have shared many ups and downs, and this was his very first race ever.  For someone that's not a "runner" this is a huge deal and I was so thankful that I got to see him and be a small part of his experience today. 

Us 12K'ers lined up and got ready.  I knew many around me from the various workouts and running groups I take part in.  It's always nice to see the familiar faces, but at the same time, I know they are all much faster than me so it's somewhat intimidating.  We took off and made our way out and down the first big downhill.  I'd never run this course before but I'd seen the course profile and admittedly I was nervous.  I only run twice a week right now, none of which has any elevation to it.  My strategy, as always, was to simply run my race, listen to my body and make sure to save some for the last few hills.  My hamstrings and calves were already burning before the end of the first mile.  The 5K'ers were on their way back and it's always fun to cheer them on as you head out.  This race brings out a lot of people that aren't neccessarily "runners" and that's always inspiring.  I hoped I'd get to see Edwin on his way back but we passed their turn around before I could see him. 

Around mile 3.5 I had slowly started to pull away from a gentlemen that I had been running close to for most of the race.  The middle section was less intense than I thought, but the next runner was over 100yds ahead of me, with Lincoln and a couple others 100 more in front of him.  I was gaining a little ground on the up hills, but losing it on the downhill sections so I figured this would be my place for the rest of the race.  As we came out of the greenway and back onto the road, I noticed that I was now within 50 yds of my next competitor, and there was another just in front of him.  Lincoln and the other were also now only 100yds out.  My pace had been steady, slightly increasing, so I figured that maybe the hills were starting to take their toll on people.  Around 5.5 I caught and passed my next victem.  We shared a few words in passing and I thought about whether or not to stay close or keep pulling away.  He looked like he was in my age group and I didn't think there would be any benefit to pulling too far away from him with a few big hills left but I felt he was slowing and I didn't want to do that so I kept pulling away.  With 1.5 miles left I was in full strategic race mode.  Seeing that I was closing in on another racer, big up hill, big down hill, big up hill, then flat to finish.  Constantly running my bodies diagnostics and calculating how best to draw up a strong finish without a blow up.  As we crested a big hill coming out of the neighborhood I was now within striking distance of being able to pass but just as I thought about that, he was pulling away on the downhill.  Damn it!!  I really need to train on downhills more.  I feel so out of control running fast on downhills and the last thing I want is an injury so I let him go, confident that he'd struggle on the last up hill and I could get him. 

I was right.  By the time we approached the bottom of the last hill, I was back within 30yds and gaining with every short step I could get.  I downshifted and passed him, now realizing that Lincoln and another guy were also struggling and only 60-70yds ahead of me.  I didn't know if they had much left, I knew I did.  I just hoped I had more than them.  As we reached the top of the hill I was now only 30yds back.  I yelled ahead "Lincoln, you better not let me beat you, I know you're faster than this".  I hoped this would push him, I wanted to see him do well, but it was also motivating to me to challenge myself to catch him.  I caught and passed the guy that was now trailing Lincoln by a bit and as the course got flatter, I went into full on Beast Mode for the final 200yds.  I passed Lincoln and rounded the corner towards the finish.  I took a second to try and pump up the crowd as I raced down the last stretch.  I loved hearing the increase in cheers when I do that.   I could hear a race volunteer yell to me "Top 10 finisher" which made my day.  I pumped my fist as I crossed, so proud of my final push and overall race strategy.  I tried to catch my breath as others finished and we all congratulated each other and shook hands.  I love the respect runners pay to each other.  We're out there grinding it out, some have better days than others, but in the end we're all proud of each other.  Maura was there too, which was great to see, and she had coffee....and beer in the car.....bonus!! So glad she got to see my finish :)

Lincoln and I chatted it up after the race, he was very complimentary of my race and my finishing strength.  He and I had a similar experience during the
Shamrock 10K, but in that race, I couldn't catch him. 

Its fun to have someone like that in a race to push you and you hope you push them too.  In the end, I finished in 51:47, 10th of 300, and 2nd in my age group.  It's a race I'm very proud of.  It's probably a little unfair to the other racers though......I had the strength of a new angel with me.  Thank you Megan, you'll alway be with me on race day.