What An Awesome Experience!

12 Hours and 40 Miles ~ Now that was a great weekend!

I did it! I ran for 12 hours and completed about 40 miles (unofficially) in the race. I won't know the exact number until the results are posted, but I know I ran 13 laps around the lake. This was a very special race and has launched me into another sort of running extreme sport.

In the 12 hours of running I became friends with strangers who helped me to understand that passion behind this ultramarathon sport. When I arrived at the race site, I remember how low key the bibb pickup was and how those gathered were friends, reminiscing the stories of past runs. I went up to pick up my shirt and asked, "Where is the running expo?" The volunteer had a puzzled look about her and said politely, "this is it, what you see, is what you got." I looked about. There was a tent for the official clock and one for the food. And that was about it. But they said I could chill out in the Lord Wakefield Hotel prior to the race. This was where my race began.

I went to the hotel lobby and sat down to rest my feet. I find before races that I need to gather my wits and visualize the course before running. It calms my anxieties and gets me ready. But this was different that a marathon, as I would need to keep running for another 7 hours after my normal 5 hour marathon. That was the challenge before me, not the miles, but the time on my feet. I was not sure I could do it, but I had registered and I was there. So I was going to give it my best.

In the lobby I met up with some hardened ultra runners who gave me some insight on the exciting and seemingly endless adventures of ultramathons around the U.S. I was struck by the calm and relaxed look about them -- this was just another race to them and many had done this one before. Wow! I thought this was a completely different crowd that the marathoners I had come across in my past races. Yeah, most them do marathons too, but they are ultramarathoners as well, which is a completely different bird all-together. Still I am not sure that their stories helped me to get over the nerves I was feeling. But it did tell me that I would probably get to know them better over the next 12 hours (while many of them would run another 12 hours in the 24 hour race.) But we will not go there! I remember one of the running saying to me in passing, "Good luck on your race. You going to need it!"

Anyhow, there we were at the start -- a chalk line scratched in the asphalt and the chatter of runners talking. I thought to myself, "What in the world had I gotten myself into this time?" Then the race started and we moved along.

Wakefield, MA was historical and very beautiful. I managed to run almost the whole loop around the lake without stopping. This method was quite contrary to my regular running style, but I was energized about being there and what I was doing for my friends Lollie and Julie. It felt as though they were with me all the way, especially when I looked across the lake. I managed to take a photo (while running) of the sun going down over the lake. That was a very special moment for me. I was doing something incredible that moment, not that running an ultra was special too, but I was doing this for the scholarship at Sterling College and it made me want to keep moving. Step by step, I moved along the path, never once did I imagine stopping. Unlike my marathons at around 18 miles, when I wobble and sway, this ultra I did not. Somehow, I never did hit the wall and I never cramped up either. I was moving always and how it felt awesome to there.

Sure there were moments when I thought that I could have stopped, but why spend all that money and time to prepare for this adventure and not deliver. A wonderful article had come out in the Metro Weekly about me, Lollie, the scholarship and the race. Those words in the article was something that kept my mind and body tuned to the road. I knew it would take a whole lot more to stop me from moving on -- I almost had a cocky attitude -- like bring it on! Try to stop me now and I will will break through your challenge!

I remember how if you stayed a little too long at the food table, that my mind would wander. So I had to get grab my food and water, go to the bathroom and get moving on. I did my share of walking too, but found that shuffling was easier on my knees. Though I did finally learn about speed walking and this was what I used mostly in the last 9 miles of the race. I got into a groove and the movement was an endless rhythm around the lake. In an ultra, walking was boss and no one looked down upon you for doing it. Unlike the ego-maniacs of the marathons, walking was a necessary part of the experience.

After about 4 loops around the lake, I was able to pick out course markers that kept my mind tuned to the path. My first was the Honey Dew donut shop, with its bright sign and all the bikers hanging out drinking coffee. The Honey Dew was open until midnight. Then there was a white steeple in the distance (where the midpoint water stop was.) You could see the steeple from miles away across the lake. The path went right next to the lake and you could see bright lights from the Lord Wakefield Hotel parking lot where I began the race. Then there was a house with water constantly running (I gather their basement had flooded and the sump pump was moving water into the street all night long.) Then you came down to the historical common of Wakefield, where the midpoint water stop was. This point helped not only with water but you knew you were close to the end of the loop. Then there was my favorite corner, with beautifully decorated houses and patriotic banners still out on the porches. Then you passed a blue house (which was only blue in the day light), but I knew it was close to the another marker at the railroad crossing and ball field. After that you were home free, a straight shot up the road to the hotel parking lot where your time split and bibb number was recorded. You got what you needed and then you got out of there. No dilly dallying -- just grab it and go!

You can run, you can walk, you can crawl, but never stop moving. Don't every stop! Just keep moving.

Well because my sleeping clock is a little messed up, I am up now in the early morning writing this blog and its time to sleep again. I will continue my blog tomorrow (or today). Good morning.