July 25, 2016
Dirty Girls Run
So Saturday, I did something new. I hopped in our truck and drove to Mansfield to do my first 6 hour race. 6 hours of running around a 8 km trail through the forest. Of course, not without consulting a couple friends for advice as to what level I should participate at. I'm definitely a novice when it comes to ultra sports. Part of me wanted to go for the gusto and sign up for the 24 hr race. It's always good to talk to someone who knows you well in a decision like this and get brought back down to earth. 32 km wasn't big enough and I had no idea of what I was getting into so 12 hr and 24 got left for another day, another time. 6 hrs was the scary, but not too scary distance. My jumping off point.
All kinds of questions were running through my mind. The obvious, can I actually run for 6 hours? I've run a few marathons, but on paved roads. This is the bush with roots and undulating terrain. My sprained ankle had mostly healed out. The goal of the day was to still be moving along at the end sure-footedly as the hourglass ran out.
As we gathered at the start, I noticed it was different from any road race I've done. For one, everyone seems to know everyone and they're on a first name basis. The first couple laps were filled with great conversation as we trotted along. I love hearing other people's stories. Many people camped on site the night before and will be spending the night again.
Not just that, it's a small pool of people rushing in to sign up for these races. There's an ultra community. Not everyone wants to run for hours along the same loop of trail up and down, over tree roots and even climbing over a fallen tree. I'm thinking maybe I might be one of them eventually. I love the forest. I love the challenge of finding the best footing, planning my steps. It's much more interesting than plodding along on the pavement. (Not that I don't enjoy road races.)
I didn't tread into this lightly. Being a cancer survivor, I cherish my health. Part of the appeal of running is the burn, heart and lungs working at optimum - I am alive. I'll push it in a race, but not too much. I love to play hard, I love a challenge, but at the end of the day I want to go home to my family. This is only recreation and I need to be able to be there for my kids.
So around and round I went along the route, sipping water from my birthday gift camelback. The conversation trickled away as did the people continuing on at a run. Most people have begun to walk. They're racing longer than I am I tell myself. I still feel like running. I'm actually not that tired. Pace yourself, drink, stop for ice, water, heed, pretzels, potato at the two aid stations. Hydrate, electrolytes. One salt tab per loop. Thank the volunteers, for the ice, water, heed and potatoes. My eyes are burning when I stop to refill because I start sweating. Why is that? It's not bad when I'm on the move, but when I stop I sweat like crazy.
Thankfully most of the course in shade because it's getting warmer. I'm doing this and I feel good. With all the running midsummer day in preparation for the ironman race, it's not bad. Maybe I'll get to my 5th lap soon. (My goal was 40 km. I've run a few marathons and 40 km was reasonable considering that I have an ironman race I am training for, my "A" race.) Keep it slow and steady, don't race it. Then I reach the 5th lap and think, 4 more km. All I need to do is make it to the 4 km aid station and I am done. When the clock runs out I have to be at one of the check points spaced every 2 km for it to count. I get to the 4 km mark and get logged in, but encourage me to make use of the last 15 minutes and try for the 6km mark. 2km more finishing on a very long, steep climb. I reach the hill and run it. I almost made it. 100m or so to go, my time ran out, but I kept going. 46 km in 6:01. The longest run I've done in my life. Even thought the last 2 km didn't count, I am on cloud nine.
A common response I get when I've told people about my experience is, "Are you crazy? Who wants to run for 6 hours?" I do, and next time maybe I'll race it and try for 50 plus km or maybe I'll try a 12 hour race next year.
