2014 FOTM Race Report - The Final FOTM

Fire on the Mountain 50k

 

As race day approached I didn't feel the usual combination of pre-race emotions.  This year there was a few new feelings taking up room in my head.  Kevin the RD had made the official announcement that 2014 would be the final FOTM.  Being lucky enough to have run every FOTM, it was sad news that the fifth running would be the last.  While the possibility of the race ending (hiatus, Kevin, remember it's just a hiatus) was a sad note, there was a bright spot in the happenings.  My sister would be running her first ever race.  First ever ultra trail race no less.  I was excited for her and nervous that I may have encouraged her to take a leap that was a bit extreme.  Little did I know that once again my tiny big sister would be setting the example that I would try to follow.

 

 

Packet pickup

 

We headed to Flintstone Maryland to the Green Ridge State Forest Headquarters to pick up our bibs and unfortunately get a refund for our race t-shirts.  The RD lives several states away and is the owner of a new business which left little time for some items on the race day check list.  But I have to say that was the only detail of the race that was disappointing.  I am so grateful that despite all the challenges being so far away and running a business Kevin and his family were still able to put on one of the best trail races I have the privilege to run.  Many thanks to Kevin and his family, all the volunteers, DCNR and the beautiful Green Ridge State Forest for allowing us safe and supported passage on a perfect day.

 

 

As the sun rises

 

There was no sun as I went through the pre-race drill and quietly slipped out of the house and headed to pick up my sis.  Being an early riser she was wide awake and waiting for me to hit the road.  Mostly we drove in silence.  I was lost in my mind, still trying to wake up.  As for my sis I can only imagine the thoughts that were swirling in her mind.  I wanted to do everything I could to help make this first race a successful one for my sis but it was hard to shake the sadness that it would be the last FOTM.  It is silly to get so sentimental about a race but as I made the long winding drive I couldn't help but think of all the past years. 

 

View from the start line

 

 

In no time I had to get back to reality as we pulled into the open field that would welcome us as a finish line after 32 miles through the Green Ridge State Forest.  Sis and I hopped out of the truck to check in, make a quick nature call and then readied our gear in the warmth of the truck.  The minutes ticked down and it was time for us to get on the bus that would take us to the start line.  On the bus we chatted and listened to other runners talking.  Sis and I shared a seat with Janelle who was running her first 50k.

 

 

Sis and I about to hit the Red Trail

 

The ride has always been longer than I'd want with nervous anticipation growing by the minute but soon enough we were at the start line.  One last nature call, a few snapshots, chatted with a few friends and we were ready to get on the move.  The RD gave his usual final instructions; Red Trail, Green Trail, Fire Road, Purple Trail and we were....not off.  Just as the RD was about to send us on our merry way, several runners yell "Car!"  There were two cars making their way to the start line.  Thanks to the winds the night before there had been an alleged tree down that delayed a few runners.  Graciously the RD waited for them to grab their gear as their driver declared she had photos of the down tree.  After a few minutes delay and a few laughs, we were finally set on our way down the fire road for a quick mile before entering the Red Trail. 

 

The perfect day

 

RED TRAIL

 

The Red Trail was just as wonderful as ever.  The day was beautiful, the leaves were abundant and our spirits were high as we moved quickly along the trail.  I love how much I remember the route of this race.  After about 3 miles we turn left to continue on the Red Trail but a few runners had turned right.  With all our trail training miles, we were moving well over the terrain and making great time as we hit a hard left uphill we saw another group of runners who had missed the turn and incorrectly continued straight.  We ran into the first aid station and paused long enough for me to tighten my one shoe then continued down the course.  As usual, the trees in the Green Ridge State Forest beckon me to visit them but happily this year I would only need a few nature calls through my journey.  I enjoyed some technical trail running throughout the remainder of the Red Trail only falling once luckily without paying any blood dues.  We hit the second aid station in high spirits.  I encouraged my sis to eat and drink more than she was doing.  I had some banana, pringles and a little to drink.  Sis sent out a quick text to update the family on our progress.  We were happy with our pace and still feeling strong as we hit the Green Trail.

A pause at the Oasis

 

GREEN TRAIL

 

My history with the Green Trail has been a wet one but this year the course was as dry as I can remember it.  Sis took the lead through this section as we had decided to run together or at least within eye sight.  My main role would be to keep her on course and keep her from going to fast early in the race.  It was a challenge to contain her enthusiasm and even though I was certain she could probably run much faster than we were going, we hadn't tested how long she could hold those paces and I didn't want her to burn out at mile 27.  So we wove our way through the low laying section of Green Trail hopping across the creek only to hop back across the creek. 

 

Sis ready for the climb up to the Oasis 

 

The Green Trail went by quickly as we came out to the water only aid station shortly after passing the open front shed that I recalled being so happy to see in a section with little cover.  Since we knew that volunteers were limited, we had planned to be able to run heavily self-sufficient.  We paused only briefly before heading back down the trail.   

My favorite part; the climbing.

 

Through the Green Trail we passed several runners.  My sis was running strong but quiet.  Every time I'd check in with her, she was "fine" or "good."  It was a different experience to run with someone who is running their first ever race.  I can only imagine what all was going through her mind as she was going farther and farther, getting closer to going farther than she had ever gone before. 

The Oasis view

 

THE OASIS

 

As we hit the Fire Road, the RD's daughter was there taking pictures of everyone.  Another of many great perks of FOTM, awesome free race photos!  In five short years she has gone from a little girl to a beautiful kind young woman.  I'd call getting to see her and her sibling grow another of those FOTM perks.  Another perk is the Oasis aid station.

Sis loved the oranges

 

We climbed the hill to the Oasis aid station dubbed "half way" on the course due to the "easier" second half.  I added water to my hydration pack, drank some coke, ate bananas and chips.  Sis enjoyed the oranges.  Stephanie snapped a few photos of us and we were off again. 

Enough energy to celebrate

 

We hadn't made it too far in fact I knew where we would answer another nature call because I stop at this spot nearly every year.  Thanks to the nature call my tummy settled from the influx of sugar and we were off down the nearly 8 miles of fire road.  There isn't much to say about the fire road we ran a lot, we talked some - although now I can't remember what we talked about.  There were descents and climbs, rocks and more rocks and finally an aid station across the bridge.  We didn't bother really stopping.  I just whined that I'd love some sugar and caffeine. 

The finisher's trophy - worth it!

 

My achilles/heel of my left foot was really bothering me.  I was complaining about little things just to hear myself talk.  Thankfully sis gave me some pain medication and a couple of runners who settled in beside us briefly offered me more...it must have been obvious that I was uncomfortable.  But sis just kept motoring on.  It was awesome to see her dig deep and not complain when I know she was working hard.  We came to the next aid station but no soda to sugar up on so I risked drinking whatever sports drink they had and thanked them for being there before we headed up the next hill.

 

 

5th FOTM - 7:16

 

PURPLE TRAIL

 

Quickly we were approaching the entrance to the purple trail and after directing some fellow trail brethren to the correct direction, we took the lead and enjoyed the softer footing.  In previous years, I had complained about the purple trail.  After my time on the Massanutten trails, I now enjoy the purple trail and felt like we were making some good miles as we worked our way further along the course.

32 miles.  No worse for the wear.

 

As we made our way along the purple trail I remember quite a few places in this final section.  As we passed under power lines sis mentioned how much it reminded her of our hometown pipeline route on the Mid-State Trail.  We passed a particular large tree that has a fondness for me since we shared such intimate moments during one of the early years of this race.  We passed a random spot along the trail where Champ had greeted me during the first FOTM. 

Salty as ever

 

As I relived all those happy memories my sis had grown really quiet.  This was the first time during the race that I thought she might be tiring.  But still she continued ahead.  If I said run, she ran.  If I said hike this hill like you mean it, she hiked.  But there was an unmistakable air of "I just want to be done" about her.  Of course I was eager for that finish line too but as always the longer I go the more comfortable I feel about continuing to put one foot in front of the other. 

How I celebrate my 5th FOTM 50k

 

We came on the last aid station put didn't take any aid since we had our hydration packs.  Only about 4.5 miles to go!  The remaining trail was a nice mix of descents, climbs, easy footing and technical running.  It was a beautiful day.  The conditions could not have been closer to perfect for my sister's first race and honestly, if FOTM has to see an end (Remember Kevin, hiatus.  right?!) what better way for that to happen than this perfect day. 

5th or 1st, it's a sweet success

 

It was a celebration of the ending of one thing but the beginning of others.  Life is like that.  Sometimes things have to end but there is always something new to begin.  As we started what I knew was the final climb I prayed that my sister's daughters had found their way to the finish line.  I knew that nothing was going to stop her from seeing her first ever finish line.  I shouted that we were almost there.  I was happy I was in the lead because I could hardly hold in the tears.  Now tears of happiness that we could share such an amazing journey together.

Our cheering crew

 

And there they were, two beautiful young ladies waiting for their mom.  Cheering and snapping photos as they ran to the clearing that would start our final victory lap to the finish line.  That open field that had held one of my favorite finish lines for the past five years.  I have loved it and hated it but each time I longed to see it knowing it held another piece of this wonderful journey that I am on.  A journey that really has no finish line.  A journey made up of moments like this one.  Moments that matter.  Moments that make me closer to the person I want to be.  There I am running with my sister, my big sister.  The one I spent my life trying to be just like and in this moment I couldn't have been more proud to see her being a little bit more like me.  Minus the complaining.

 



How'd October Go?

 October 2012

 

Monthly Miles Ran: 320.7  (Year total: 2875.8 Year average: 9.4/day)

10.3 miles/day ~ 72.4 miles/week

Highest Mileage Week: 10/22- 10/28 (DM Weeks) 82 miles

Rest Days Taken: 0

The Streak: October 31st was Day # 906 of the streak ~ 7,748 miles

Runs ~ ave. 8.6 miles per day/ 59.9 miles per week

Races:

Fire on the Mountain Trail 50k

Current Shame-Inducing Guilty Pleasure:

Sweet Gherkin Pickles

Non-food Current Shame-Inducing Guilty Pleasure:

Reading.  An actual book.

Which Outfit did I Wear the Most:

 

What We Are Watching:

With the Kiddos:

Guess which kiddo is picking the cartoon shows?



My Viewing:

On the mill, Once Upon a time.  S'ghetti girl made the suggestion.  I actually enjoyed it!

When I get to control the tv, its Survivor.

Funniest/Best Kid Quote:

I was folding laundry on the couch while LBM sat in front of the tv.
He says, without even looking up from the handheld game he is playing, "Mommy I want that."
I simply agree and continue with my laundry folding.
LBM continues and says, "Yeah if I turn into a zombie I'll just take one of them and it will turn me back to a human."
That got my attention in time to see he had overheard a tv commercial for a product called MidNite.
LBM is pretty smart.

Their ad execs really hit the mark if they were aiming at the preschool market.  LBM is convinced we need to have that on hand just in case of a zombie attack.

 

Current Triumph:

Not to be a Debbie downer but I don't feel triumphant much right now.  Not making time goals has nothing to do with it.  I let myself down in my own behavior on the trails during FOTM.
Proverbs 16 16 - 23
16 How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!
17 The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul. 18 Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. 19 Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud. 20 He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he. 21 The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning. 22 Understanding isis folly. 23 The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.

Current Goals

Personal:

To better balance the responsibilities I hold.
 

Running/Fitness:

To rest.

Current Blessing:

I am thankful for every single day and every person in my life.

Current Excitement:

Family:

VP of our newly formed PTO

Running/Fitness:

Stone Mill 50 Miler

 

Current Concern:

Family:
My BIL had Leukemia.  It's back.

Running:
Getting over my current stomach issues so I can run long
...really long.

How did your October days add up?

So Her Name is Sandy

I live in a bubble.

 

A cartoon filled, crayon colored bubble.

 

Inside my bubble issues like elections, taxes and weather have been replaced with finding stuffed animals, negotiating nap times and making sibling peace treaties.

 

So I was a bit under concerned when I first notice on FB that the word of the day was WEATHER.  And her name is Sandy.

 

 

 Still with only 2 more sleep until Fire on the Mountain.  I doubt I will worry too much.  There will be 31+ miles to run whether that be on dry bright trails frolicking in the sunlight or on muddy slick trails soaking up the rain.  Either way I am beyond eager to get out there and see what the day has to offer.

What's that?  Oh you wanna know about goals?  Lets see:

My I FINISHED goal:
To arrive on time. To start. To finish.

aka: Finish Feeling Fine having Fun

My I CAN goal:
Finish

(in under 7:00 )
I say this because barring an injury or major GI issues this course should allow even my tired legs to do that. Even with the questionable weather.  Should being the most important word to notice in that sentence.

My I LOVE IT goal:
To finish within 31 minutes of my course PR.
With a current FOTM PR of 6:32: my I LOVE IT time would be 6:01.
 

My I DREAM IT goal:
Under 5:59:33 hours. aka a new 50k PR

Honestly I'd love to simply run this course strong.  That would feel like a success especially if the weather is less than great for technical trail running.  This is a tough course at least for me.  I know it fairly well.  I know where the challenges are and sometimes that isn't something that helps me run better.  This will be a race to trust in my conditioning.  A race to see where I am in going into Stone Mill 50 miler.  A race to prove that I can go beyond what I can see.

A Hard Day's Night

For all who serve, for all who support, for all who work so that I am free to do the things I love; Thank you!

For my dearly missed Daddy, my husband, my BILs, my FIL, my friends and their families;

We appreciate your service!

LBM starting his day the right way

This week has been full of hard day's nights.  Sore legs, sick kids, twisted need to run and sick me all culminated last night at 3 o'clock in the morning in a sweaty shivering heap on the bathroom floor. 

I had a lot of time to think about things.

I thought about how after putting in my fastest two 50ks in the spring, I am still recovering from putting in my second slowest 50k last weekend.  Knowing the Stone Mill start line continues to plod ever closer, I thought about how nervous I am about my ability to even make it to the start line due to how beat down I felt in the days after Fire on the Mountain.  And then I remembered looking at my blog and noticing the photos from some previous races.  Go ahead take a look.  While you are looking notice the caption under the photo for the Skyline Challenge.  I'll wait.

.....

Glad you're back.

Did you see it?  Yeah.  I put "Best Trail Race Ever!"

Even though I got lost repeatedly, it was raining, muddy, rocky, mountainous, flat out kick-you-in-the-a## hard!

But if asked I would have said that the Fire on the Mountain was my favorite.

Then I realized that I thought the two hardest races I have ever ran are the best races I've ever ran.

Even though they now hold my two slowest times.

As I lay on the bathroom floor worrying about how this illness would effect my performance at Stone Mill in 8 more sleeps, I realized that it does not matter.  It does not matter as long as I am defining performance as my ability to enjoy the adventure and beauty of 50 miles in the woods. 

I giggled to myself in the wee hours of the morning while huddled on that bathroom floor wandering the trails of my mind as I thought how a simple mom of three will go from this sickly mess in the elapsed time of 7 days to being a blissful force moving through the woods...

for 50 miles. 

Three Things Thursday

Three Reasons Why I love

the Fire on the Mountain Trail 50k so much

even though it felt like it handed me my tush this year

I can sleep in my own bed, get ready in my own bathroom and still make it to the race on time!

I get to take my kids to race packet pickup and enjoy creating some great memories by having them share in my racing adventure.

I get to run here.  Breathtaking!

Today is day # 550 and in NINE more sleeps I'll be running the Stone Mill 50 miler.

Fire on the Mountain Trail 50k ~ Race Report

What ended with a final push along the tree line around a random open field, carrying a piece of wood to add to the fire began actually a week earlier.  October 30th was to be the morning of the 2011 Fire on the Mountain Trail 50k and 2 person Relay however, winter decided to show it's self with a little more force than is typical of a late October day.  With heavy snow piling up the decision was made to postpone the event by one week. 

This decision had multiple consequences for me and my race day experience.  Having been ready to run the 50k on the 30th, I struggled with handling the postponement correctly.  But I don't want to tell you how the race ended before telling you how it went.

Thanks to the new November 6th race day I was blessed with an additional hour of sleep the night before the race.  I had no trouble getting up in the morning and easily got ready, kissed the kids goodbye and slipped out the door after final instructions to the oldest who would be in charge for the day since the postponement meant the super secret spy couldn't be home to support me in the race or bring the kids to the finish line.

Having gotten my race packet the day before I knew I didn't have to rush my drive or stress about being late.  (Which is one of the big pre-race worries).  I arrived at the finish area in plenty of time to double check my gear for the day and visit the port-a-potties in lieu of the woods, that would come later.

I had made the decision the night prior to not drop a bag.  With Stone Miler 50 miler a mere 2 weeks after FOTM I felt certain that I would probably not be racing this event.  I had packed 5 Gus in my hydration pack so I would not have to rely on aid stations and of course with me there is always the possibility that I could get lost.  This year however that would not be the case.

As the skies started to lighten the buses arrived and we all got on board.  I was fortunate enough to sit with some local running friends, Darla, Joel and Michelle.

Joel:  veteran distance runner. 

Darla:  been running and supporting distance events for at least a year now.  She was back to FOTM to get some satisfaction after seriously twisting her ankle last year in the first two miles.  She gutted it out to the finish last year HERE and I hoped she would enjoy the course a bit more this time around.

Michelle:  new to distance running and trail racing.  She was hoping to finish with nothing left in the tank.

Our ride was filled with chatter bouncing from one subject; nature calls in the woods, to another; every one's expectations for the day. 

With all the chatter our ride seemed like a brief one and we were all too quickly out of the warm bus and back into the cold morning air.  Thanks again to the time change we did enjoy getting to see the view at the start line a Point Lookout near Little Orleans.  he view was amazing.

Photo credit:  Bill Fallier

After final instructions which basically were; red trail, green trail, logging roads, purple trail we were sent running up a forest gravel road for about 1.2 miles.  Even though our pre-race topics had included starting out too fast, I still did it.  I allowed myself to be pulled along with other runners who I knew were stronger and in better condition for this race than myself.  But with no protest from my broken tail bone I ignored my own mental chatter and raced to the single track.  I mean it was only a mile.  Or was it mile 55? 

Red Trail aka the Wet Goat Trail

Honestly if I were in the kind of shape I should be the Red trail is mostly what I love about trail racing.  The only problem is the Red Trail has it all to the extreme.  It has narrow basically non-existent trail.  This time of year it is leaf, branch and down tree covered testing your trail following abilities to the max!  DCNR does have excellent trail markings on all the trails along this course so even with the cover a runner familiar with following trail markings can find their way. 

The Red Trail has climbs and descents.  Did I say descents?  More like suicidal drops into nothingness.  It has tiny narrow edges of cliffs to run along and climb down only to find yourself tip-toeing in front of a partially frozen water fall.  Typically I would have been in ultra runner's heaven. 

But along with my feeling of being over-trained, one of the biggest issues early in the race was my fear of falling.  Well, I was mostly afraid of the impact from falling if I were to fall on my tail bone.  So that meant I couldn't even slide down the steepest descents on my backside.  I knew it was holding me up when Joe another veteran ultra running passed me.  It was pretty early in the race and honestly I was surprised to realize that I was holding back that much on the descents.  Not that Joe isn't typically a stronger runner than I am, but he is also running Stone Mill in two weeks so I knew he probably wouldn't be running with everything he had.

I had managed to navigate some of the steep early descents without falling only to finally be brought down by my numb feet, a stubborn root and frozen laces. 

Luckily I fell straight forward when the root that grabbed my lace wouldn't let go when my foot refused to stop.  After allowing a few runners to slip by me I had to stop and undo the frozen laces and re-lace the shoe.  This might have been the beginning of a mental downward spiral for me.

When Nature Calls

In a race this long I sometimes have to stop for a nature call.  Not always.  But it happens.  FOTM 2011 it happened three times.  After the snagged lace fall, the GU I had taken after about an hour of running choose to no longer want to be with me.  I investigated the largest tree I could find.  I wish I could say I felt better but I did not.  Buck Up!  I told myself and headed back out. 

That cycle repeated it's self minus the face plant after I attempted to take a second GU around 2 hours in.  And a final time just barely off the trail late in the race.

I share this to help myself remember not only the wonderful things about ultra running but the reality of my experience at this event this year. 

Maybe my candor will help other runners when planning their own 50k adventures.   

 The trees in the Green Ridge State forest are going to give me a reputation seeing how I visited so many in the same day!

The Green Trail

The Green Trail was really more of the Red trail with less severe descents but lots of continued water. I usually enjoy creek crossing and these were some great ones. Nothing much over knee deep and rocky bottomed creeks with very little silt to quickly become sand paper once inside your shoes. If I had to say the best section this year's race, it would be this section. Simply because I still had enough energy to be enjoying the challenges as they presented themselves.

Somewhere along late into the Green trail I did something I rarely ever do. So to do it in a race situation was a little bit of a learning experience.  I was not able to hold anything in so my fueling and hydration was completely off. My energy was tanking and my tail bone was screaming at me. That's when I saw a bright yellow shirt behind me. It was Michelle. I already realized that today, this course, my physical condition was not going to allow me to PR this distance and probably not allow me to PR this course. I slowed and waited for Michelle. She had started with Darla and Joel so I asked where she had lost them and we chatted for a while. The simple act of thinking about someone else was enough to help me over my mental block and I was determined to help Michelle at least to the oasis aid station and in helping her, she helped me.

We cheered each time we crossed another creek. We chatted when we could. We were silent when we needed. We were running near a group of other runners. One female runner wearing purple was ahead of us. I told Michelle how I struggled with "letting" her be ahead of us with more than half a race to go I was still hoping that I would get over my fueling issues and be able to make better time on the second half. Purple girl and I traded places multiple times until finally Michelle and I passed her when I remember to follow the trail and not those ahead of me. We would not see her again until the final miles.

The Aid Stations

I didn't stop at most of the stations. I didn't visit the little DNR building to duck behind this year. I only topped off my hydration pack at the oasis aid station and took four chips for salt only to discard them shortly after. With the GI issues I was having I didn't have to rely on the aid stations for fueling because I simply wasn't able to put anything in me. I did however benefit from the cheerful young men manning several of them. It was great to see their smiling faces and joke with them repeatedly after having seen them at an earlier station. The quick exchanges were a mental boost.

The Logging Roads: The "Fast" Section

Having ran this race last year and been lucky enough to have joined in two of the training runs, I was looking forward to my twice practiced second half of the course. I was still thinking I could pull this race together for...for what? Some kind of magical number that would make all the effort seem more sane?! Whatever it was I thought I could find, I didn't. I found something a little different. I found a few 7ish minute miles on that logging road only to have my tail bone scream me to a dead crawl on the hills and be forced to walk backwards.

Under the right conditions those logging roads can easily be a boast to a FOTM runner's overall pace. This year I ran a stupid. I ran injured. I ran over-trained. I ran under fueled. But I did remind myself that I was still enjoying being out in some of the most beautiful areas I've been lucky enough to see. I was still sharing my love of this sometimes brutal always challenging sport of ultra running with a new friend.


The Purple Trail: The Mountain Bike Trail

I was so happy to be back into the woods again.  Back onto single track trails.  The sounds of the forest.  The smells.  The thought that I might see a friendly face at the sixth aid station got me going each time I wanted to stop.  Michelle hung in with me the whole way.  As we had the majority of our run together, we took turns pushing each other.  Often silently or some times not so silently thanking God for carrying us through such an amazing experience. 

Last year I remember not loving the mountain bike trail section but this year having practiced it twice, I loved it. 

Where's Champ?

I'd be lying if I didn't admit that I was using the memory of a really great guy to pull me through this final section.  Last year I ran the majority of this race solo.  I usually prefer to run alone.  I find my own trail, set my own pace, push myself.  The memory from last year of coming upon the 6th aid station while praying aloud and finding Champ rising from his chair to greet me, lifted my spirits like a answered prayer. 

So this year, I was eager to see him again.  So eager that I allowed my attention to wane and I hit the ground.  Hard!  Michelle helped me up and I didn't even admit why I fell.  But Champ wasn't there.  It was a little like a secret rendezvous that only I knew about.  Even though he wasn't there the fall had helped to get me moving a little more quickly because now I just wanted to be done.

One Last Push

With a few miles to go and newly creek dampened feet, we began to hear shots off in the distance.  I think it made both Michelle and I quicken our pace.  Well, the shots and the knowledge that we soon would be done.  We navigated another small stream and when I glanced back to check on Michelle's progress, I saw a purple shirt.  Now I wish I could say that the old road runner in me was completely gone but she's not.  Even exhausted, injured and dehydrated I simply couldn't imagine allowing one more person to pass me.  It wasn't that runner.  She was a great runner.  Purple shirt was running a smarter race than I had run.  She had saved something for a final push and I didn't think I had...little did I know.

The one thing I did have going for me

aside from a huge blessing from God to never want to give up

was those training runs.  I could remember the end of this course very well, which isn't always the case with

short-term memory loss Shelly.

I knew just how many more hills we had.  I knew that just when you think you are done, you are not.  I had practiced that feeling of coming through those trees and seeing that finish line only to have to push up another grade, around the tree line and into the finish.  And that's what I did.  I told Michelle we needed to finish strong.  Michelle said, let's finish this.  And we were off. 

I could smell the bon fire and hear all the earlier finishers.  I grabbed a piece of wood and tucked it in my arm as I raced around the tree line feeling like a female Scott Jurek.

  

It no longer matter what the clock said.  The only thing that mattered was once again I was given an opportunity to allow God to use me in an amazing way.  My name won't go down in print as the winner of the race so you might think that my experience serves as little more than an self fulfilling afternoon.  But I would argue that if someone like me can do this, if I can use the gifts God has given me, just imagine what you can do.

Huge Thanks to all the volunteers, the RD, the trail markers, the grill master, DCNR and Sheetz for putting on one of the best trail 50ks.  All your efforts are noticed and appreciated! 

 Since the Fire on the Mountain Trail 50k

 was postponed a week due to winter arriving last week I won't bore you with another goal post. 

You can go HERE and read it again to refresh your memory. 

Even with one less week between the 50k and the 50 miler I won't really change my goals.  I will run the 50k with the thought in mind of putting in a solid effort until I get to about half way.  At that point I'll see how I have done on the "unpracticed half."  If I am doing well and feeling strong I will try to negative split the course knowing the second half is "easier" technically and I should be able to make better time.  Then at about 8ish miles to go when I leave the logging "roads" and go into the single track again I will make the call to give it everything for that PR or cruise in for a solid training run.  

p.m run 6.5 miles ~ Day # 543

I've been feeling the weight of all the issues I've got going on right now.  The stress level has reached yoga-unremovable levels.  I knew I had to do something that would help give my mind a break.

Did I crack open a cold one?

Did I open a good book?

Did I pop a little pill?

Did I hide under the bed?

of course not

I went running....

in the dark....

under the stars...

in my new tight reflective leggings

new gear always makes things better when they help you feel skinny

My super great RelaxReflect tights!

I just ran.

And I remembered how much I loved it.d

Now my problems were not magically solved when I got back.  But I felt like they weighed a whole lot less on my shoulders.  I felt like I could trust that everything will work out; in my race, in my health, with my work, my schedule and my family.

As I ran through the dark occasionally feeling that tug of fear at being out there all alone I also felt that faith.  The faith that is with me every day get just a little bit stronger.  It reminded me that I will either live in fear or I will live in faith. 

It's all going to be just .... amazing!

Does new gear help get you out of a rut?

Do you think you can have fear and faith at the same time?

Do you think I should push at the 50k or save it for the 50 miler?

Thanks for your input! 

Now go out and have a wonderful weekend.

Run Strong to everyone raving this weekend.  To the many running the NYC Marathon this weekend, I know you are going to do some amazing things up there!

I am ...

...the WORST mom EVER!

At least that is how I felt when I realized I was going to miss

Character Parade at S'ghetti girl's school.

Her LAST one.

This is last year. 

See how excited she was to see me there.

This year I missed it but minutes.  Darn that big girl job!

I did put on an Oscar worthy performance to be able to see her in her costume after they had already returned to their class room.

She was Draculaura

that's the daughter of Dracula

on Monster High

LBM, Zaner and S'ghetti Girl

Only 3 "little" cousins remain...although a fourth will be added this spring!

I got back into good graces by taking the kids Trick 'or Treating.  My sister, BIL and I scurried around town with the kiddos and visiting with townie neighbors and friends. 

All the while I was secretly fretting about that run I hadn't yet taken.  It was day #540.

When we got home we managed to get everything else done that our evenings typically require

AND I jumped on the treadmill for a brief 3 mile run while the kids burned off some of the Trick 'or Treat sugar.   

My champion Eco Fleece is upper comfy!

 

It was a long day full of ups and downs that in the end helped me forget what I have in store this weekend.

The Fire on the Mountain Trail 50k.

and in typing this post I did not re-read my 2010 race report 6 times only to wonder how I'll carry my extra weight over 32+ miles

or check race day weather 3 times and change my mind about how many pairs of shoes I'll be needing for drop bags