The day got off to a rough start when our GPS decided that Lake McMurtry was a pasture about 20 miles away from where it actually is. This took us off course and put us pretty close to being late for the race. Eek! We arrived with about 15 minutes to spare and hurriedly picked up our packets, pinned on numbers, filled bottles and tried to calm down a bit. I was bib #1!!! That was fun! : ) Not an ideal start to a race, and it took me a few miles to relax and settle in.
Loop 1- First few miles went by quickly. The weather was perfect! 52 degrees with a light breeze. I had on arm warmers but these came off at mile 6. Gorgeous course. Even got to jump the "Leap O' Doom"!
I got to run and chat with some of the wonderful TATURS during this loop. First I ran with Kathy Hoover for about a mile. She is an accomplished and very nice ultrarunner that is recovering from Rouge Orleans right now where she ran 126.2 miles. Amazing! Then Joel hung back to wait on me so we could run together for awhile. Thanks Joel, I enjoyed the conversation!! He's the race director for Do-Wacka-Do trail run and such a nice guy.
One rookie mistake made itself evident right from the start. I had put all my S! caps and Ibuprofen into a hard plastic small bottle in my fuel belt pocket. The rattling was driving me crazy! I ended up just dumping everything in my fuel belt pocket and holding the plastic bottle. I'll have to figure something out next race because all of the pills melted and when I later would reach into the pocket my hand would come out covered in salt.
Loop 2-So I finished the first loop and came into the start/finish area where my kids had fresh bottles waiting for me. It's such a good feeling to get to see your family after each loop and really gives you something to look forward to. I started the south loop which is my favorite because you are running beside the lake most of the time and get a good breeze off of the lake. Very pretty! So far uneventful..I'm running strong and feeling good. These trails were packed with people since the 25k and 12k was out there now as well. Everyone was friendly and there were lots of "good job" encouragements. Back into the start area where I sat down a minute to put more sport slick on my feet since I had several hot spots developing.
Loop 3-It was kinda hard to get back on my feet and get out there. My family was sitting in the grass and a part of me just wanted to stay and kick back with them. It was really starting to heat up...I think it was about 80 degrees outside at this point. I started getting nauseous and when I made it to the OTRA aid station at mile 20 they suggested I drink some flat coke to settle my stomach. It worked! I also put some ice in my hat and in my sports bra. Cooling down my core did the trick and I started feeling much better.
Thanks to all my friends for their support and being there to cheer me on and encourage me...I am a lucky girl to have you! Special thanks to Holly...girl, you are my rock! And thanks Peggy, Melissa, Nancy and all of my OTRA friends for inspiring me and making me realize I can do more than I think I can.
The TATURS did an awesome job as always with this race. Exceptional organization, volunteers, food and course marking. Thanks TATURS!!!
So Proud...nice job. Another trick to battle heat....a bandanna with ice wrapped in it and tied around the neck. It cools the blood in the jugular vein...on the way back to the heart.
ReplyDeleteGreat job on your race. Heat sure makes things tough. But you did a great job making it through. I've tripped 3 blocks from the end of the finish line. It's no fun. Glad you had a good time. And you looked so good too!
ReplyDeleteGreat job! That race looks awesome. I'm glad the water and ice worked. 80F is pretty warm for that long of a race.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations!
ReplyDeleteYou are amazing!! Great job!! I dealt with heat a week ago in my second marathon and hurt was all I could think about!! You look amazing after 50k!!!
ReplyDeleteGood idea Dave, I'll remember that tip!
ReplyDeleteThanks Jen, Rose, Kat and Jess! : )
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Thank you all for reading,
God bless"