Foot Traffic Only | Florida Trail

It’s o’dark hundred and I can hear the consistent spin of the tires on route 76. We are tired. After a sleepless night of nerves and too much caffeine we are headed to the Nena Trailhead. “Who’s idea was this anyway? Yours?” I take the blame even though a couple weeks ago I was convinced I wasn’t running this race.

As with a lot of races, you get that excitement and sign up for something without really thinking it through. That is how I ended up with an invitation to Lake to Ocean 100K. I was looking forward to it, and as life does…it threw me a few turns and I thought about backing out. With too much adulting to handle, I was just going to enjoy watching people suffer all day instead of partaking in the suffering. Although that did not stop me from training for the darn thing.

After all the training runs, I started thinking about putting my hat back in the ring. The flooded trail, the tough conditions and the thought of supporting my man-friend had me excited to run. Robert generously said he would crew us both, since I had already told my crew I was not running. We knew it would be tough to stay together if one of us was feeling like we could push forward and the other one couldn’t. That was part of the pull for me. Not necessarily finishing the race, but supporting and pushing each other as far as we could go, as a team.

It was a good start, the water hadn’t drown our spirits yet and we knew if we got through first section we would be a quarter of the way through…we felt positive.

  

Coming into Hungryland we were slightly broken. Although that final water crossing had up uplifted…it was only for a mere moment. The burn in your quads from that thigh-high water ripped all shred of positivity you had.  I think we both thought this was it. We both had that nagging in the back of our minds, we won’t make the cutoff…

But we got out of there after 2 or 3 crews rallied to get us cooled down and dry socks. Jeff was shoving ice down my back and wiping me down with a cold ice towel. He may put on a tough face…and think we are crazy for running this race…but he is one of the reasons everyone loves it so much. It’s always an honor and joy to run a race that a great RD puts together…

Sue, Ernie and I don’t even know who else…got us fed and cooled down. What really got us out the door so to speak was the lies. Robert is a great crew…and like any great crew, they lie to you to get you out of your head. He said Eric was good to go, told Eric I was good to go…and said the next 6 miles were dry…ok then, we can do 6 miles … let’s go! I admired his unwavering belief that we were looking good and still on track.

   

It’s dry he said…we can make up time he said…LOL

Once we hit Beeline, we knew we would not make the cutoff. It was our choice whether to continue on and suffer some more, or call it day. Our first DNF, but we couldn’t be more proud. It was a tough and rewarding day all in one. Besides the chaffing and torn up toenails, I will keep those fond memories of running my first L2O experience in my mind. Chatting with other runners you don’t get to see much, and hearing of the heroic endings of perseverance…those are the stories that matter. So thankful for the combined efforts of crews that wouldn’t just stand by, but all chipped in when a runner came in.

Jeff, nicely done this year…I know you must be proud of the tough conditions you summoned up. Next year, maybe one less rain dance? I look forward to future L2Os, either crewing or running.

 

The First Buckle is The Sweetest

Fort Clinch 100 will have a special place in my bank of memories, as I hope all of my races will. This one might take up a slightly larger amount of real estate.

Finishing my first 100 miler at Ancient Oaks about 3 months prior, I had that bug, that itch that I could’ve done better. That little voice that can sometimes be your inspiration, but it can also be your demise. With a couple of nagging injuries from Ancient Oaks and also from Swamp 50K a few weeks prior, I wasn’t feeling 100%. In fact, as I talked it over with my crew chief I told him, I just want to go out one loop at a time. Have fun, and see what I got. If it happens that I finish, that is great. In the back of my mind, I didn’t actually think I would.

Finding out that The Thompsons would be at the start/finish and Sue Squared (Sue Anger and Sue Edwards) would be half way, I thought…oh well maybe I have a chance at finishing. It is undeniable that the volunteers can make or break a race, and it was like all the runners won the lottery with these guys. I can’t thank them enough, all the aid station crews, cheering, words of encouragement really do make you think like you are on top of the world.

Eric, crew chief, picks out a money spot to set up at. Quiet and out of the way, we set up everything with a slight drizzle on Saturday morning. The sun may have risen on time, but with the skies filled with clouds, we still had to have a headlamp for the beginning. It made me stay slower and really enjoy the beauty of the first lap as the light came through the overhangs and branches and played little tricks on the roots and fallen leaves. First few loops were OK. I was finding my rhythm and enjoying coming back to home base for my “kiss and an ass slap for every lap”…Girl has to have incentive!

Eric was urging me to go slower and eat more. I mostly did as I was told. On my 5^th lap, I was feeling giddy and taking the downhills a little too lightly, and tripped…hard. Water bottle flying, it was my little voice inside my head saying “you need to listen to him…slow the f&*K down.” Shook it off, and made my way to see the Sues…they made me eat and washed off my dirt covered water bottle and off I went to the halfway point. I was looking at my watch and was pumped about getting around a 12 hr 50 miles. My ass rub from the infamous Yvette might have made me see stars, but it also saved my legs. One of you boys better snatch her up! Beautiful, kind, and can rub a booty like no one I know…she is a keeper. 😉 thank you for your smiles and encouraging words Yvette.

Coming into home base for this one was a mood booster…my pacer, Heather Davenport, was waiting there…and seeing her made my feet feel a little lighter. From 50-60 was tough. I was on a high from seeing everyone, I was half way and I knew that the nighttime was coming and I like the night. You can just focus on running, and the trail takes on a completely new look and feel with those beady little eyes watching you around every corner. The first 2 miles I fell 4 times. So hard my head lamp flew off my head. A loud thump and few choice words had those beady little eyes fleeing away. I fell the same way every time…on my right shoulder/back. I was lucky I didn’t hit anything hard, but that jarring had me pretty sore by the time I got the Youth Camp Aid Station. Again, they washed off my bottle…got me some yummies and off I went. Apparently I took too long to get back cause by the time I made it to the pavement, Eric and Heather were walking down the road trying to find me.

Mile 60-90: These 30 miles were no joke, had to fix some blisters before setting out, but I was ready to tackle another loop and have some company while doing it. Heather is a wife, mother and beautiful friend. She not only had gone through Triathlon Coaching Training for 2 days straight…she gave up time with her family to come and run some crazy miles in the dark with someone she really hasn’t seen in years. She is special, and if you are lucky enough to have her in your life…you know you have made it. She kept telling me stories and tips on hydration, fueling and training that only someone with her experience will know. I have never really had a dedicated pacer like this, and let me tell you – it makes the WORLD of difference. She has mastered holding bananas in her bras, chips in her hand without breaking them, and getting me to actually ask for food. She a small and sneaky woman. It may have been what 6 or so years since I had really seen her, but nothing had changed, and why would it? She still is inspiring, loveable and completely encouraging in life, love and everything else.

Had a downer of a time from 65-70. Funk-a-licious…and as I came in I couldn’t fathom having to do 30 more miles…I kept thinking I can’t imagine doing 8+ more hours. So we re-strategized and from here on out it was only 2 loops and then a victory lap. 70-80 was just chugging along, get it done. That stretch of beach with the solar lights and silhouette of the Fort was a big deal for me. I turned off my head lamp and just ran with the glow…and thought to myself…only 8 other runners saw this. With 9 finishers you need to appreciate the gravity of the situation. Those are the moments where the pain dissipates and you reach that next level of just ‘being,’ and notice that you have changed a little, grown a little and gone passed a threshold that you might not have passed before. Those are the moments I crave.

80-90 was a little caffeine and the sunrise. Probably ran the first half a little too fast, but I wanted to get back for my victory lap. I got a little choked up thinking about how I thought I wasn’t even going to finish…about how this was my last lap with Heather…about how I was going to share my last lap with Eric…about running that stupid pier one more time…about finishing.

Eric was ready…and I knew part of Heather did not want to let me go without her. We set off on my victory lap and as Eric is filling me in on the day’s events, who finished, dropped or didn’t show…I start thinking, man I think I am last. I know there is always one…but it sort of bummed me out. He just got me running and he slowly got me thinking of other things. Soon we were to the Youth Camp and we were told the “Willys” were only a little bit ahead of us…I didn’t really care…I couldn’t go any faster. Said goodbye to the Sues and the amazing aid station crew and I could see them up ahead on the power-line trail…Only 5.4 miles left…

Once we hit the beach I think only 3 more miles…WOW…but that last bit of trail from the beach to the pavement seemed to last FOREVER. It was never ending. No matter how many times Eric told me it will end…it just didn’t…it kept going…there were more ascends…and then more descends, and I was cursing my feet and all those blisters. I knew they were bad, I could literally feel my big toe blister scraping the top of my shoe…but I thought if I just run…the sharp pain will turn into dull pain and dull pain will eventually go away. So we ran, and ran…and finally the PAVEMENT! Home stretch of 2 miles…turn into the parking lot and Heather is jumping up and down and running around…only the pier is left.

The pier that caused so much pain with each pounding step was absolutely beautiful. I ran almost the whole thing…and cursed my way to the end. The final 200 yards or so is so overwhelming I’m not sure I can describe it into words. The cheering and pride coming from a group of people that might not even know you is so humbling. Strangers at the park with their families…little girls on bikes yelling “great job!” I mean how can you NOT fall in love with this crazy thing called ultrarunning?

 

Eric was by my side through the whole race whether he knew it or not. I thought of him constantly and didn’t want to let him down. I knew he was posting on FB (not his favorite thing to do #CrewDuties) just to keep my family informed of how I was doing. The last lap was nice, I had him in my sights. I could get a hug when I needed one, I could see his smile and feel his encouragement. Every time he looked back at me on the trail I knew he put as much into this race as I did. I will never be able to repay him or explain how much it meant to me…but crossing the finish line with him was one of my favorite days with him. I hope it’s not the last one we cross together. I can’t wait to do the same for him.

Much love to an organized race, amazing sponsors, tireless volunteers, beautiful scenery, a little bit of pain, deformed ultra-toes and seeing all those smiles when I finished. It was a memory I will keep forever.

Finding My Happiness | Ancient Oaks 100

Ancient Oaks 100 Endurance Race in Titusville, Florida

It’s been a long time coming…I only have a few posts on this blog because I don’t do very many races. But the last big one I did someone told me I should do a 100 miler.  I laughed and said “yea right!” I admit, it lingered in my thoughts off and on.

I knew taking on 100 miles would be very different. I knew it was mind over matter. I knew my heart would take over and keep my legs going when I didn’t have the strength left. I knew all these things, but you never know how it’s going to effect you.

So I sent in my request to be invited and I was pretty pumped when I got that email on July 3rd…I eventually met up with Mike Melton, the RD, and we ran together several times off and on. I decided that I needed to take this out of my hands and had Dawn Lisenby write up a training plan for me. I tend to overdo things and knew I would get hurt if I left my mileage to my own demise!

I will say the ultrarunning community is nothing if it’s not supportive. about 5 weeks out I had 3 weeks of missed training, and everyone said the same thing. Just do it and see how far you can go. Jennifer Carvallo came out to play and together we did a lot of miles, fairly quickly. I love every second of our sweating and laughing…and I don’t think I would have finished if it wasn’t for her support before, during and after the race. She has this quiet love that hits you like a ton of bricks. xo

No runner is anything without their crew. This was going to be one of the first ultras without my Mom there. Her support and listening ear to all my silly weekend warrior stories is a constant for me, and not having her there was going to be tough. Luckily I had a crew person who not only took care of me, but my mom calling every couple of hours! This was Guy Rock’s first crew over 24 hrs, so we knew we both were in uncharted waters. We knew there would be ups and down and emotions that we never had experienced. I can’t thank his wife enough for letting me borrow him for a few days. He couldn’t have done better! Food always available, bottle always filled, smile on his face, kind words of encouragement and listening to my rants…I only hope he wants to do it again some time!

The trail was just what Mike Melton said it would be…Sand…concrete path…beautiful single track, some root action…boardwalks and then the bridge and stairs, then you are home free…

This tree…I ran my hands along the ferns every single loop. I’m not sure if I was trying to get energy from nature or what was going through my head, but this tree basically high-fived me 29 times. I love this tree. 🙂 Truth be told I had 2 lucky trees, but I didn’t get a pic of the other one…

This little slope might not look like much, but it is after the last blue mat on the course and right before the stairs, and I knew once I heard that little beep in the night I was coming up on that mat. Then, down this little trail I could go before seeing people again. It was a beacon of hope that another loop is done.

It’s funny the little things you remember after it is said and done. It’s not the pain in the hip flexors, or the searing jolt of tripping on yet ANOTHER root. It is all the pleasant and uplifting memories that bring you back to reminiscence the mere moments of gratitude of being able to be a part of something bigger than you.

First half was pretty uneventful, except for my sloshy stomach which Jodi and the Aid Station helped me with (THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!) You set little milestones…and when you reach them you celebrate! After 9 loops, you know you made it out of the 20’s and into the teens…after that Mike will joyfully tell you when you are over HALFWAY!!! I mean, my gosh that is a milestone. Then you get into single digits. But you can’t think too much about that cause even tho you might have 9 loops left, that is still 10 hours or so…Can’t let the brain think too much…just enough to make the legs go and the mouth eat.

When nightfall came, I was still just as pumped (on the inside). My Dad sent me the mac-daddy of headlamps and I could see REALLY well, so it didn’t feel like I slowed down much. I was beginning to not want to eat, but thought that was pretty normal. 4:30am came along, and the darkness was so thick. I didn’t see ANYONE on that particular loop – and it hit me. I was lonely, and had little breakdown. By that point my brain was thinking you have just run 20+ hours by yourself, half of those in the dark, and you still have a bunch to go. I needed some company. Jennifer ran with me til daylight and lifted my spirits immensely!! I did a couple more loops by myself, but I was warned if I didn’t speed up a little bit I might not finish in time.

4 loops left. It felt impossible. Not that I wanted to quit, but I kept thinking oh my gosh, 4 more freaking hours! I thought to myself, how am I doing this? I surely am not moving my legs. They all say you speed up on your last loop, and I think I did. I felt fast, and I didn’t want to let up. I saw Jennifer at the boardwalk and wanted to cry SO BAD. Her hug must’ve given me super speed cause I took off again, almost done. Right before the end, Christian comes barreling up behind us and I was so HAPPY.

I think I cried more on the trail than after. Maybe it hasn’t really sunk in. I do feel this affinity for every single person I came into contact with, especially the ones I ran with and saw me at my worst. It’s those connections and emotions that make you want to come back and do it again. and I admit, being inside…in an office working…just doesn’t feel right. It feels like my heart, and legs, are pulling me outside to feel the wind and hear the birds and the soft thump thump of my shoes…

 

 

Unplugged

“Turn your face to the sun and let the shadows fall behind you.” -Proverb

I like to read my last post before I start my next one to see how well I predicted what would happen…My next race was suppose to be the Palm 100. I was NOT feeling it, but I WAS FEELING the J.W. Corbett 50K/50M. I signed up for the 50K as I wanted to come back a little slower so I didn’t get hurt. It’s a cozy race in South Florida over knotted roots, and through some thigh (my thigh) high water. In April it was hot and hotter…Jeff Stephens puts it on and I really liked the low key atmosphere of it all. His family helped out (even tho his daughter had her prom to go to later!)…and I met a wonderful friend – Daniel Crane from Tampa. If it wasn’t for him I would never have ran as fast as I did! He kept me going strong! Coming as first female was luck – Other ladies that I KNOW are faster than me were hurting that day…but I was VERY happy. In fact I am drinking from my beer mug as I write this!

Changing My Training Style and Nutrition

After Corbett I decided to completely change my training style. I decided to cut my miles in half and get stronger with CrossFit.  Some people say these 2 forms of exercise are like oil and water…one doesn’t really like the other, but I beg to differ. If you join the right box and have the right mentality it can work for you! What CrossFit gives me is speed, breathing through hard work, strength that I never knew I had and the BEST friends I could ask for. these ladies – AKA The Badass Breakfast Club bright my morning at 5:30am and push me past my limits. They watch my back (literally as I PR my squat) and cheer me on as I am sucking wind. I love them, they make smile and they make me proud to be a strong CrossFit Chick.

The last 8 weeks of training I also ventured in a new form of eating. This was taking a gamble. If you know anything about me…my gluten/dairy free lifestyle was still not working and still felt low energy and an upset stomach at times. I started Intermittent Feeding (or Fasting as some people call it). With IF you creep your way down to a feast and famine … with VERY clean eating. No Gluten, Dairy, Sugar, Alcohol, or Legumes. Without going into details I never felt faster, or healthier.

Wild Sebastian 100 will always hold a special place in my heart. I hadn’t run a 50M in over 3 years and I was nervous…til I heard a knock on my door on the Thursday before the race at 8 pm…When I looked through the peep hole I saw this: Surprise – COACH MOM!

I still don’t know how she kept it a secret…but I do know that I am the luckiest girl in the whole world. It would NOT have been the same without Mom taking all the pre-race photos, getting eating by red ants with me – as we parked on an ant hill, and her nervous laughs before it even started. (she was more nervous than me!) I love you more than words…I laughed and cried and screamed and jumped up and down when I opened my door – TRUELY SURPRISED!!!!  As usual – she had made friends with everyone there, and had my “base camp” all set up! peanut butter & jelly and cookies were waiting at the half way mark! And a cold beer at the end of course!!! I cannot tell you the amazing I met at this race. The aid stations are always my favorite part – they volunteer their time, most are ultra runners, some are not – but they ALL support and cheer and give their own words of wisdom that encourage me along the way. They say you learn more from a bad race than a good one – but I had a SUPER GOOD one. I felt strong through the whole thing, dare I say I felt like I could’ve ran farther?? It must have been the Coke I drank…(the IF diet and the sugar I ate the day of the race got me a super-high!) OR it was the fact that a GREAT friend offered to pace me – just cause he needed to get a few miles in. 😉 Christian Stewart brought me to life for my last 15 miles. After my last hug from Mom, I set out for my second, and last, loop. I saw some people not feeling well right at the first aid station and hoped and prayed I was doing enough to hydrate/eat/replenish so I could just finish. I just kept thinking, I just have to make it to Aid Station 2 – that is where Bob Becker was…I had confidence that if anything was wrong, he could fix it. (Yes I put that much faith in my AS buddies) He, being a seasoned runner, set me on my way with some rice/tofu and drip drop – which I am now investing in. I did not get one  more cramp after that! Then the mantra in my head was (I just have to make it to Christian). As we came upon AS 4 (MY FAVORITE) the signs got me choked up (silly girl) the American Flags were waving and the crew was cheering us down the gauntlet of hope! Christian brought me back to reality and said “What is your game plan for the AS” oh ha ha ha I thought…I never have had one…but see – a seasoned runner taught me something else…think ahead and you won’t loose extra minutes! I usually like to sit and chat and that isn’t always the best plan! so in and out in less than 2 minutes…I had some Coke for the first time in YEARS….and I was then unstoppable – from TALKING…I remember a point where I said “Sorry, I can’t stop talking…that must be annoying” He laughed and was like “That’s cool – its better than you complaining.” 🙂 With his head lamp and urging me on I never felt more happy, or strong or fast as I did on that last little run to home base.

I really can’t express how much these people have brought me back to life. Sometimes I think we get caught up in the News and Social Media and we are PLUGGED IN 24 hrs a day! I am a culprit! What these endurance races teaches me is to leave my phone turned off, dig deep and see what I am made of. Meet people of great caliber – all ages, shapes and athletic ability and share something with them that is so precious you can’t get it anywhere but out there. You do not know the meaning of this enlightenment if you do accept the challenge. There is not a greater feeling than the euphoria of finishing a race like this. I am not even close to one of the elite, so I can’t imagine what experiences they have felt/heard/remember – but I hope they hold it close to their heart. I get this downer after all the camaraderie had ebbed and I try to hold onto it, any scrap of it – but what I find is the only thing that brings me back to that high…is another race.

“The deeper sorrow carves into your being the more joy you can contain.” Kahlil Gibran (from this amazing video!  http://bit.ly/1gQHP7k)

I ran the Palm Beach Marathon today – it has been 3 weeks since Wild Sebastian. It was hard for me. All the fanfare of a marathon…people lining the streets cheering WAS uplifting…but I didn’t find my groove til after the half marathoners split off and I was left alone for a bit…I finally got in sync with my legs, my breathing and my mind. It was during this race that I thought – this is another reason why I love endurance races…just the fact I had NOT bonded with one person, even tho I shared encouragement and kind words…nothing seemed personal. Maybe I am foolish to think that way, but I missed the couple of miles spent with a stranger and getting to know them. I did stop at a BEER station – found a couple cool people. I rubbed a ladies leg that had locked up and we chatted about her experience doing the Palm 100 – those 2 things were highlights of the run. so at the end of the day – I look forward to the next chance I get to volunteer or run or just show up to cheer people on with the crazy ass folks I have met over the few races I have done. See you all soon!!!

Jen

Heel to Heart

It’s been a long time since I have written; excuses, excuses I know. this particular post has been in Draft mode since May. lol -I was getting up the courage to put it all out there. Then I realized…putting it all out there…will not only help me, but help someone else that might be in the same situation. (I know you know who you are)

After my first (and only … so far) ultra I had this nagging pain in my heel. Thinking it would just go away if I kept running… Finally, when it got to the point I could barely walk around my house…I went into survival mode. Made an appointment with a specialist and went to see what I could do to make it so I could run again…dare I say another Ultra? This past year has been a crazy jumble of highs and lows, as is anyone’s life. “Heeling” back from my Plantar Fasciitis has been a stretch of annoyance and finally success. Only then to sprain my ankle on my first trail run of the year! I’m making my way back, emotionally and physically. Although my mileage is not as long as it used to be, my feet feel light and soul even lighter.

They say during an Ultra race: if it’s going good …wait a few minutes.  You hit the proverbial wall, the “in your mind your legs do not want to go, your lungs can’t take in any air; you feel utter despair that you will ever reach anything that resembles a finish line.”  The longer you go the harder the walls are to break through. During the past year I hit my wall (the wall in my life). I had no warning sign that my marriage was over. Out of the blue it was gone, poof. My heart and soul and everything crumbled. I couldn’t believe it. I still can’t. It doesn’t matter how many times you hear “It’s not your fault.” You’re always going to think, I wonder what else I could have done. My health declined as did my psyche. I was getting sick from the inside out. I was malnourished, dehydrated, and had no energy to speak of.   At the beginning of all this – I had no release, no way to really run it out of me. I had to heal first…from the heel to heart.  It doesn’t matter what was running through my head – the longer my mileage got, the quieter the voices were. Whether it is driving me to be a better runner or not – I accept it, and take it as it is…one of those super long steep hills that you have to buckle down, lean into, and just keep going forward. If you can’t run, you walk, if you can’t walk, you crawl. Just never stop.

I am finding that crazy bad things happen to people when they lose themselves. I thought it was just me…I followed my husband around supporting his career and being the “dutiful” wife. I literally let go of everything I wanted to accomplish, and made his goals mine. Hm…I was not brought up that way, funny how a moment of weakness can stretch into years. There is a fine line between compromise and losing yourself.  Don’t get me wrong, enjoying each others’ goals is an amazing and bonding experience…but it should grow you as a couple, not be at one another’s expense. I used to laugh all the time, I used to be really silly and brighten up people’s day. I don’t know who I am anymore…but I am finding out one mile at a time. The more I run, the more I feel myself. It may sound silly – but it is my center…it has been the only thing that I have done for me alone. The only thing that makes me feel…unique. One thing is always consistent; the help of friends and family will literally get you through anything. There are no words to describe the support I have in my life, all I can say is thank you for never backing down and being the constant reminder that I will run again; in life and love.

On the bright side – I am planning a superior come back year … of long miles, sweat, and hopefully a little bit of love. There are no excuses – If you don’t put in the time, you will not succeed. Success comes from failure – so I know there are better times ahead – in running and life.  Just like in any race – you run the first half with your legs and the second half with your heart…why sprint for the finish line?

My next race you ask??? The Palm 100…stay tuned.

Last Is Just The Slowest Winner! ~ C. Hunter Boyd

I am not a fast runner… 

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better.  The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, and comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who  know neither victory nor defeat.”  – Theodore Roosevelt

Training for my next Ultra is foremost on my mind these days. I finally took a trip to the east coast of Florida. Sebastian has a few trails that I wanted to get my feet into and see what they were all about. I grabbed my trail shoes, extra bug spray and lots of water bottles and off I went for a weekend getaway. I arrived at the not-so-nice-hotel late Friday night, unpacked all my gear by the light of the truck stop and settled down for a few hours of sleep. I intended to get up early and be at the trails to be done before it got too hot. 5 am rolls around, I don’t really need an alarm clock any more…my internal excitement had me jonesing for a running getaway so I was ready. I packed my cooler full of ice, electrolyte water, cliff shot blocks, bananas and peanut butter….ready to go.

The trails in south Florida can range from grass, to sand, to roots, to a little hard packed dirt…what I was NOT prepared for was the intense heat, and lack of wind. No shade, no breeze to even slightly cool me off. I know I live in Florida, but I was taken down by the heat. There was no avail. About 45 minutes into my first trail…I get distracted by the cutest little doe staring me down, wondering “What you running from girl? Should I be running too?” a couple of miles later, I notice I have taken a wrong turn, or rather not taken the turn I should have…so I trek back and find the right path and off I am in the right direction. I am not a fast runner…I continue to see various forms of wildlife, more deer, turkey, bugs upon bugs, and even a gator. What made me up my speed were the rustling bushes of unknown critters. My imagination can run away with me…it helps when you are running for hours… When I hit the Sand Flats (my name not theirs) it was about 10 am, hot and getting hotter. I was getting kind of excited. This was the first time I had done this – really gone out on my own and trained in the trails away from home. There is something about doing exactly what you want to do when you want to do it, that is very freeing… It didn’t matter how fast I was, I didn’t have anyone to answer to that day, or all weekend for that matter. (although I was sending texts along the way to let my family know I was safe)

“Just go out there and simultaneously piss in your shorts, fart like a foghorn and drink from your mud-caked bottle. While you’re at it let some liquid dribble down your chin onto your shirt, look up at the starry night and laugh like a raving  lunatic. Fook em all. You’re doing what you love to do and no one can stop you.” – Michael Musca 🙂 yes please…

When I do these training runs I am trying to prep my mind as well as my body…it is important to me to keep pushing to the next level…it is easy to take the easy road when you are training, you can take a short cut, you can sit down whenever you want…no one will know. Except you…and on race day – your body will know too. So onward I went, no shortcuts…actually I did loops with the shortcuts to make the run longer…I was feeling dizzy and dehydrated. That is good…it’s all a learning experience. It never gets easier… you get better.  I may get better but I am not a fast runner…I am the only person who can make me run more and more and possibly faster. That might be why I love it so much.  Yes people inspire me for sure! But deep down I can say – “I did that!” If it was easy – everyone would do it…I want to see how far I can go. I have a big race schedule ahead of me for the next 12 months, my goal is to train hard, and just keep putting one foot in front of the other. That is only way you get to the finish line.

David Blaikie said it well when he said “Perhaps the genius of ultra-running is its supreme lack of utility. It makes no sense in a world of space ships and supercomputers to run vast distances on foot. There is no money in it and no fame, frequently not even the approval of peers. But as poets, apostles and philosophers have insisted from the dawn of time, there is more to life than logic and common sense. The ultra runners know this instinctively. And they know something else that is lost on the sedentary. They understand, perhaps better than anyone, that the doors to the spirit will swing open with physical effort. In running such long and taxing distances they answer a call from the deepest realms of their being — a call that asks who they are …”

The second day proved to be even more beautiful than the first…trails in the morning, then I had to get some hills in, so I drove to town and did the bridges. It brought back memories, as this is where I trained for my very first marathon. I did them twice just to relive it one more time. Took me longer the second time around that is for sure…I am not a fast runner. I tell people I like to look around, if I run too fast, I will miss all the pretty sights…lol Then I found this quote and it explains it much better…

“Speed is sex … distance is love.” To a tee folks

This weekend was not my most fastest and longest runs I have ever done…but everyone has to start somewhere. I feel like I am starting over. That is half the fun…seeing how many times you fall and how many times you get back up…that is what separates you from everyone else…the amount of times you get back up.

~J

Croom, Fool at Heart.

My friends cheered the loudest.

6:00 am. Withlacoochee State Park. It’s dark and I hear a murmuring of voices, and an occasional big laugh. My stomach is churning. I had a banana, took some electrolytes, tied my shoes, not too tight, but not too loose, and then had to go to the bathroom…again.

I checked and rechecked my drop bag, I didn’t want my mom to have to rush back to the car if I needed anything between loops. I gave a couple of instructions and was so thankful that she was there. When she had told me she wanted to come, I actually tried to talk her out of it. I reminded her that she would be in the woods with a bunch of strangers for hours on end. She would only see me a couple of times. I even said “This could take me like 8 hours!!” (That was when I had signed up for the 50K)  She didn’t care, 50 feet, kilometers or miles, she was coming. That’s my mom.

I approach where the start line is and I take in a deep breath, there are camping lanterns around and a lot of head lamps, but so many smiles lit the area that I began to feel at ease. I see the race director and he comments to me “Are you glad you became a fool yesterday?” I smiled and remembered my shaky voice as I walked up to get my race packet the day before. “I would like to change my entry to the 50 mile race please.”   In true April Fool’s fashion, the guy behind me offered to switch because he wasn’t feeling up to it. Yay, I’m a fool, I’m a fool!

One big kiss from my mom and another check and recheck on my shoes and I was off, with the other 70 or so fools. Our race started at 6am with the 50K and 15 Mile race to begin at 7am. As we ran down the camp road a bit their were cars lining up for the next race, they all had there windows down and they were cheering us on. It was a good start. I kept quiet and listened to all the veterans and beginners talk about what to expect. “If you think you are starting slow, slow down.”  I slowed down. “Walk all the hills, no matter how great you feel.” Ok, great. “Drink more than you think you need, it is going to be the hottest day of the year so far, and eat at every aid station.”  Check and check.

The first 5 miles was all sand. My knees started to ache and my hip flexors were like, really?  I stayed very close to people who had run the race before, it was dark and I had no idea where I was going. There were glow sticks on the trees and I thought, I wish I had looked at the race map more. I remember the director yelling at us before the race, “Remember to turn left 1.5 Miles after Big Ben Trail.”  Ahhhh…ok.  The first 5 miles brought us around to the beginning again, the second wave of racers were ready to go, it was 6:50 (10 min miles in sand was good for me!!) and I came barreling through to see my mom’s smile and I was happy. There are three 15 mile loops after this. I had a little train I was running with. Mika, Katie, and Terri. Terri was the veteran. He had run Croom before and 11 Ultras the previous year! Amazing people inspire me. The train was fun, stories were told and an occasional “ROOT” or “TREE” was yelled to warn the ones in the back what to expect. If someone fell, we all stopped to make sure they were ok. It was just so uplifting. I was barely thinking about the fact that I was keeping up my 10 min mile pace for quiet a while. The second wave of racers created a slight breeze as they flew by us. We weren’t blazing the trail for them anymore. 

I fell behind by the end of the first loop, I needed a moment to myself. I knew I had to slow down or I would not make it. The terrain was just breathtaking. There were moments where I was surrounded by roots and dirt on both sides of me, and the ravines were soft and slippery to go down. There were fallen trees to  climb over and I thought, oh that one will be fun on the third loop. Then around the bend there were vast savannah like flat lands with sparse trees and shrubs.  There looming ahead was Croom Mountain. Not quite a mountain but to the quads it felt like one. I had caught up to my train of friends. With them in my sights I carried on knowing the end of the first loop is very close. I started hearing cheering, my heart started pounding more and I couldn’t wait to see my mom, get some more to drink and my oranges. I came across the start line for the second time today, finishing 20 miles and feeling ok. There they were, the BESTEST FRIENDS in the universe.  They had signs EVERYWHERE! Not just for me either, for all the racers.

lululemon loves!

They had smiles on their faces and I will never forget it. Of course I cried and just still can’t believe how incredibly lucky I am. Erin, Elizabeth and Jordan all drove for 3+ hours and brought board games and food and fun so my mom wouldn’t have to be by herself.  Erin let me know my time, my pace, and Jordan kept taking pictures. Mom was busy trying to get me to eat. Elizabeth said, ” This is really far out here, did you watch the video before you signed up?” 

With much love, extra hugs, and LOTS of cheering I set off for my second loop. This one proved to be my hardest. It would be the first time I would run more than a marathon, and it was the hottest part of the day. I kept running out of water, wasn’t sweating, and just didn’t even want to eat. The Aid Stations were amazing. They gave great advice and told me what to do. It was really lonely for a while. I was running just fast or slow enough to not meet up with too many people. So what DO you think about for miles and miles? At my loneliest moments Erin’s words kept coming back to me. “We are here til the end.” She will never know how much that small sentence meant to me. I kept thinking about my husband and the fact that he wanted to be there but had to work. My mom was calling him with updates. I really thought a lot about the training tips Tara, one of my co-workers, best friends and truly one of the smartest people I know, would always tell me about Energy, Food, and Time. She explained a lot of my aches and pains. Teaching me that REST is a workout in itself and usually the hardest one to master. Still working on that one. My muscles kept cramping and my quad looked like I was trying to hide a golf ball in it. My calves felt like they were carrying softballs and I was getting frustrated. One foot in front of the other…If you can’t run, walk…and my personal favorite, SUCK IT UP AND GO! I was saying that one out loud.

Loop two is done, Kelly was sitting in her chair taking pictures and cheering me on. (She won first female for the 50K!!) I am sitting in the dirt with a towel that Elizabeth stole and they soaked it with ice water. Erin was massaging out the golf ball and mom was handing me food. I think someone hand fed me peanut butter and jelly. Jordan is still taking pictures. I look a tad pathetic. They let me be for about 2 minutes, then it all began; “You got this, only one loop left.” They knew if I stopped now I would be very upset. I’m slowly getting up and Erin says, “do you want me to pace you?” Ahhh those sweet words. So for half of the last loop, I ran in front, Erin followed. She talked and talked and talked. Erin has this uncanny way of always finding something to say, no matter the situation. She made me eat pretzels, and made me laugh with her fear of seeing dolls hanging from trees like in the Blair Witch Project. Most of all she kept me running. She completely understood when I declined the offer to run the rest with me. I truly love her for that. It was something that I had to finish on my own. I felt a sense of pride and unknown to me, mom had just called my husband and told him, “She is going for the 50 mile.” “Yeah”, he said “I figured she would finish the 50K, I had no doubt.” Mom says, “NO, the 50 MILE.” “What??!! Is she crazy? Oh boy.” Mom could hear the smile in his voice and I felt it on the trail.

4 miles left. Last aid station. My favorite Aid dude was there. Sat me down, gave me potassium for my cramps, ginger ale for my low blood sugar, and told me NOT to look at my toes no matter how bad they hurt.  He doesn’t let you sit long, so he dumped cold water over my head and shoved me along. I am close I can feel it. As I climb up the hill that I hope is the last one, I trip on a root. I catch myself and crawl/walk to the top. It is cooler now. The sun is beginning to set. I am on Croom Mountain and over looking just trees and nature itself and I take a second to really breathe it all in. As cliché as it sounds, I lift my arms up and smile cause I have ran 47 miles and currently I feel no pain. I am out of my head and body and I just keep going. I think of Lindsay, my friend first, my boss second. She is a wife, and an Ironman Tri-athelete, her words come back to me. “There will come a time you won’t think, you just do, you wont feel, you just keep going. You will get there no matter how much you think you won’t. I believe in you.” I come to the twisty part with grassy areas and I know I am close. I hear cheering and I choke back tears. I kind of don’t want to finish cause I want to savor it. I still speed up. I am anxious to see my friends and mom.

My friends cheered the loudest.

I could hear Jordan above so many people and I loved it!!! I sat down and Jordan handed me the campfire mug that came with finishing the race. “Don’t break that mug!” she said. I couldn’t stop smiling. How perfect was that day. 11 hours 22 minutes, my mom waited and cheering and nursed, and in true Gayle fashion; talked to everyone there. My friends didn’t even get to play all their board games. All the amazing memories of that day are locked away, I couldn’t wait to get home to my dogs and hubbie. He had pizza and wine waiting.

My friends cheered the loudest,

J

My Trophies:

I'm a WINNER!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Blisters, Bunions, and Bruises...Oh My!!!

Croom, The Beginning.

April 9th 2011.  4:30 am. The Alarm goes off and for the first time I think “What am I thinking?”  I didn’t need the alarm, I had woken up 15 minutes earlier thinking of all things I didn’t want forget. Hydrate, eat, start slow, just finish. My mom rolls over and says “Are you ready honey?”

I am starting a little ahead of myself. It all started a little over a year ago and it was the day I met a beautiful woman by the name of Kellie Smirnoff. She came into where I work and I knew that I was in trouble. She is an Ultra Athlete, and completely inspiring and I knew my life would never be the same. I cannot begin to explain all that she has done, but she has this aura that makes you want to be around her and you want to know everything about her. She is completely selfless. The stories of the races she has done made me want to attempt one. She made it sound so FUN.  The year went by and although I had signed up for the Wickham Park Ultra I ended up getting a stress fracture and took a while to get back on my feet.

As I was redoing my goals for 2011 I picked a trail race that I knew would be a challenge. If I am going to do an Ultra, I want it to be a big one. As if 50 miles isn’t big enough. At this point in time it was about 5 months out and my longest run was only about 7 miles. I had a lot of work to do. I started running more, but my knees and ankles were not holding up. By January I was seeing a Chiropractor, Brad Fisher, and still hadn’t officially signed up for the race yet, there was still an escape.  I had only run a few half marathons and one marathon, and my time was nothing to boast about. You can say it, I was nervous I wouldn’t finish. I didn’t like to start anything I couldn’t finish.

 I knew if I didn’t sign up soon it would be  filled up and then I would be devastated.  I signed up for the race, but I chickened out and only signed up for the 50K. Nothing to hang my head about, I realize, but in my own mind, I had already lost. I was giving up on my own goal, my own dream of doing a REAL Ultra. Let me tell you, anything over a marathon IS an ultra, I was just being hard on myself. Huh imagine that.

So I had a solid 4 months of training for my 50K. I had all the support I could possibly want at work and at home. I have a devoted family who encouraged me but also had the occasional “Are you crazy?” My husband would sit with me as I complained about the ice baths. He would help me walk around the house and out to the car after my long runs. He saw me at my worst. There were days I felt broken. He never once said “maybe you shouldn’t do this.”  He knew this was for me and me alone.  I work at lululemon athletica, surrounded by amazing, inspiring, athletic, adventurous friends, who also had the occasional “Are you really doing it?” They all listened patiently and gave me advice on nourishment and training, it was a lot to take in. I also learned to leave out the negative people in my life. If there is someone out there who doesn’t believe you can do it, don’t tell them about it. Keep your goals and training to yourself. Share with the people in your life that deserve to be in your life.

 The people who don’t “get” why you are doing what you are doing, don’t need to hear about it.  The people that deserve to hear about it, dont’ need to “get” why you are doing it.  You will stay happier and in the end, healthier.

So thank you to all those who encouraged, and listened intently and made me belive in myself. You never do anything big in your life by yourself, and it is way more worth it with people there to cheer you on.

Signing off,

J