Sugar and Spice Review
Since I didn't actually do the race I can't call this a race report. However, I would like to talk about the weekend.
I decided to take Kelty to Cave Run Lake Friday night to the pre-race buffet and to camp out. By the time we finally left Lexington and got to the campsite everyone except the RD, Herb and his girlfriend were there. I sat and ate with them, and as I was walking to set up my tent Annette Bednosky, winner of the Western States 100 came up to Herb's site. We spent about 30 minutes talking about trail running, road running, and being injured :( I have to say it was pretty inspiring to listen to her talk, and of course watch her run the next day.
Kelty was pretty restless in the tent during the night, but we managed to get a fair night's sleep. She slept on her own sleeping bag, but I know she wanted in mine because every time I moved she was right in my face.
I had decided to work the first aid station which was also the last aid station (miles 6 and 26) since the course is an out and back. This way I figured I could run in the last 6 miles with Lynn and Tara. Then I would walk/jog to the second AS (miles 12 and 20)which was only 1 mile away accessible by gravel road. This way I could see them come through AS1 on the way out, come through AS2 on the way out, and on the way back, and then use the road to meet them at AS1. Well here is what actually happened...
I helped volunteer Eric set up the table and waited for the group to come through at AS1. They came through looking great, and besides the two speedies, Annette, and Susan everyone came through around the same time. After everyone got through Kelty and I jogged the road to AS2, and everyone was still looking strong through mile 12. Lynn and Tara were already really goofy, and I was wishing I was running with them. Then we waited, and Annette came through on her way back looking so strong and overjoyed to be out on the trails again. Then Susan came through and unfortunately pulled out due to a hamstring injury. It was heartbreaking to see the disappointment in her face. Karen was the next woman to come through. That's when I noticed Kelty was not at the aid station. I walked up the trail a bit; no Kelty. Rhonda came through about 10 minutes later and told me that she would send Kelty down if she saw her. 5 minutes...no Kelty. Now I know she wouldn't run away, but my fear was that if she followed Karen and realized I wasn't there she might try to come back and get lost. So I decide to follow Rhonda and Karen the 6 miles to AS1 and see if I can find her. I start in a mad sprint into the woods. I can't lose my dog! I keep at this pace for 2-3 miles until I see Rhonda who has not seen Kelty. I swear I am running at a 7-7:30 pace. Way too fast for me, but I need my dog! I catch Karen a few minutes later and guess who is running right behind? Kelty. At least she hadn't run off into the woods. I apologized profusely to Karen, and finished the last 3 miles with her and Kelty to AS1. I only had to wait a few minutes until Lynn and Tara got there.
Lynn and Tara were looking great when they got to AS1 (mile 26). They were cheerful, positive, and moving strong. We started running and the two of them immediately had me in stitches until they crossed the finish line. I only ran 6 miles with these ladies, I can't imagine how much I would have laughed if I ran the whole thing with them. They were doing so great, too. This was Tara's first ultra, and I believe her first marathon was Derby which was only about one month before. Awesome. These ladies are tougher than nails, and funnier than...well I don't know, but they are pretty damn funny. They finished in a great time of 8:30:xx which put them in 5th and 6th place! What champions.
I also got to meet Angie who had a phenomenal race! She passed us at the last aid station looking strong. She said she was hoping to break 9 hours, and I looked at my watch and she was on pace for about 8:30. I think my exact words were, "uh yeah you will!" and she did, 8:20:xx. Awesome!
Saori and her friends from Illinois seemed to have a great time as well. Those are some tough ladies, too. It sounded like many of them, Saori included were doing marathons one week, triathlons the next, and ultras the next!
Even though I did not get to participate in the entire event I had an absolutely wonderful time for more than one reason:
1. Meeting an incredible elite athlete who was so kind, full-spirited, truly enjoys the sport of trail running simply for what it is, and watching her do what she does best.
2. Spending time with friends, Tara and Lynn, and sharing in their passion for running, laughing and great conversation.
3. Seeing runners like Angie set a goal and completely annihilate that set point. I love seeing that proud/happy look on other's faces
4. I did not lose my dog!
Talk about an inspirational weekend! I cannot wait to get back on the trails/roads. That said I have decided to take 2 weeks of running completely off (I have one week down already). My achilles is healing, and I have no races planned until October. Columbus! I can't wait. Until training begins for that (1 week) I plan to only bike and swim. It's been great so far, but my feet are getting itchy...
I decided to take Kelty to Cave Run Lake Friday night to the pre-race buffet and to camp out. By the time we finally left Lexington and got to the campsite everyone except the RD, Herb and his girlfriend were there. I sat and ate with them, and as I was walking to set up my tent Annette Bednosky, winner of the Western States 100 came up to Herb's site. We spent about 30 minutes talking about trail running, road running, and being injured :( I have to say it was pretty inspiring to listen to her talk, and of course watch her run the next day.
Kelty was pretty restless in the tent during the night, but we managed to get a fair night's sleep. She slept on her own sleeping bag, but I know she wanted in mine because every time I moved she was right in my face.
I had decided to work the first aid station which was also the last aid station (miles 6 and 26) since the course is an out and back. This way I figured I could run in the last 6 miles with Lynn and Tara. Then I would walk/jog to the second AS (miles 12 and 20)which was only 1 mile away accessible by gravel road. This way I could see them come through AS1 on the way out, come through AS2 on the way out, and on the way back, and then use the road to meet them at AS1. Well here is what actually happened...
I helped volunteer Eric set up the table and waited for the group to come through at AS1. They came through looking great, and besides the two speedies, Annette, and Susan everyone came through around the same time. After everyone got through Kelty and I jogged the road to AS2, and everyone was still looking strong through mile 12. Lynn and Tara were already really goofy, and I was wishing I was running with them. Then we waited, and Annette came through on her way back looking so strong and overjoyed to be out on the trails again. Then Susan came through and unfortunately pulled out due to a hamstring injury. It was heartbreaking to see the disappointment in her face. Karen was the next woman to come through. That's when I noticed Kelty was not at the aid station. I walked up the trail a bit; no Kelty. Rhonda came through about 10 minutes later and told me that she would send Kelty down if she saw her. 5 minutes...no Kelty. Now I know she wouldn't run away, but my fear was that if she followed Karen and realized I wasn't there she might try to come back and get lost. So I decide to follow Rhonda and Karen the 6 miles to AS1 and see if I can find her. I start in a mad sprint into the woods. I can't lose my dog! I keep at this pace for 2-3 miles until I see Rhonda who has not seen Kelty. I swear I am running at a 7-7:30 pace. Way too fast for me, but I need my dog! I catch Karen a few minutes later and guess who is running right behind? Kelty. At least she hadn't run off into the woods. I apologized profusely to Karen, and finished the last 3 miles with her and Kelty to AS1. I only had to wait a few minutes until Lynn and Tara got there.
Lynn and Tara were looking great when they got to AS1 (mile 26). They were cheerful, positive, and moving strong. We started running and the two of them immediately had me in stitches until they crossed the finish line. I only ran 6 miles with these ladies, I can't imagine how much I would have laughed if I ran the whole thing with them. They were doing so great, too. This was Tara's first ultra, and I believe her first marathon was Derby which was only about one month before. Awesome. These ladies are tougher than nails, and funnier than...well I don't know, but they are pretty damn funny. They finished in a great time of 8:30:xx which put them in 5th and 6th place! What champions.
I also got to meet Angie who had a phenomenal race! She passed us at the last aid station looking strong. She said she was hoping to break 9 hours, and I looked at my watch and she was on pace for about 8:30. I think my exact words were, "uh yeah you will!" and she did, 8:20:xx. Awesome!
Saori and her friends from Illinois seemed to have a great time as well. Those are some tough ladies, too. It sounded like many of them, Saori included were doing marathons one week, triathlons the next, and ultras the next!
Even though I did not get to participate in the entire event I had an absolutely wonderful time for more than one reason:
1. Meeting an incredible elite athlete who was so kind, full-spirited, truly enjoys the sport of trail running simply for what it is, and watching her do what she does best.
2. Spending time with friends, Tara and Lynn, and sharing in their passion for running, laughing and great conversation.
3. Seeing runners like Angie set a goal and completely annihilate that set point. I love seeing that proud/happy look on other's faces
4. I did not lose my dog!
Talk about an inspirational weekend! I cannot wait to get back on the trails/roads. That said I have decided to take 2 weeks of running completely off (I have one week down already). My achilles is healing, and I have no races planned until October. Columbus! I can't wait. Until training begins for that (1 week) I plan to only bike and swim. It's been great so far, but my feet are getting itchy...
1 Comments:
yay, you have a comment feature now!!!!
great report, S&S was such a blast!
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