There will be no race recaps this Spring

The coronavirus is on the loose! While there are much more serious things than having a race cancelled, it is something that runners around the world have been anxious about as events they have trained months for drew nearer. This is usually the first big month of the spring race season but major events have been cancelled all over and it seems I hear of a new one every day! First off these are certainly the right decisions and I was not surprised when my race joined the ever growing list of cancellations. That does not mean I was not tremendously disappointed and yes, I cried!

I cried because I am exhausted and just had the rug swept out from under me! Runners train for typically around 3 month for one single day - ONE. SINGLE, DAY! All the training miles, all the early mornings, all the mentally preparation, all the decisions not go out or not have the french fries or beer take their toll on the body and mind. Runners believe it is all worth it so you could say we have tunnel vision but when that light at the end is gone, then what?! For me, I cried! I felt a little selfish but I let myself boohoo. It helped me move on and after attending my own pity party for a bit I felt better.

Lots of races have set new dates for this fall and I hope participants will still be able to enjoy their victory lap. I am getting deferrels for Wilmington Marathon and Craft Beer Half for 2021 so don't see a road race in my near future. I will continue to run but think will switch gears and head to the trails as soon as possible to hopefully get lost {in thought} in the woods or on a mountain side.

Fellowship of the Idiots

Yesterday I officially became an Idiot and yes I am proudly shouting it from the mountain top! If you are not a distance runner you quickly categorize plenty of the things I consider fun, dumb! This will not be an exception.

The most insane part of this event was the ridiculously early wake up call. My alarm went off earlier then it did for WC-50. "Dumb" things are always more fun with friends so a group of Urban Runners met in NoDa to drive the hour together to the small town of Albemarle. 14 of us groggily piled into a van and were on the road before 4:00AM. We all had the same idea of fun that morning... run up a mountain to chase the sunrise! This is the Fellowship of the Idiots run.

The Fellowship began in 2003 when a few friends got together for their last long training run before the Myrtle Beach Marathon. They started at the YMCA in Albemarle and ran to the top of Morrow Mountain and back (19.7 miles). Every year since then, "idiots" have gotten together for this awesome long run. This year there were 359 runners - 196 of us first time idiots and the rest returning ones.

There is no charge for this (extremely well organized) run however donations are accepted to help offset the cost of putting on the run. Those that complete their first Fellowship of the Idiot Run earn a Fellowship of the Idiot t-shirt and a suitable for framing certificate. In addition, you get your name added to the Fellowship of the Idiot wall at Vac & Dash.

The event kicked off at 5:30AM. Peter, the owner of Vac & Dash, welcomed us all with a few words and then it was a simple - Ready, Set, GO! Well the run began but one of my run buddies had ducked into the Y for one last trip to the bathroom. It is the only race I have ever shrugged "no rush". We were the final participants to start and even paused to have our picture taken before heading out into the dark.

Since it was so early there wasn’t really anyone on the streets except us. Runners wore their reflective gear, headlamps and had blinker lights on for safety. By the way, I am taking recommendations for a headlamp. I absolutely love my Amphipod Cap Clip Light! I cannot imagine there is anything out there less noticeable. It is so lightweight and clips directly onto the bill of a hat/visor which I rarely run without. However know a more powerful headlamp would be better for the trails. Back to being idiots though! It was fun meeting other folks out for this unique run, cheering them on and bantering with the awesome aid station volunteers.

As we started to make the final ascent, the sun started to wake up. Since it is a race, I'll say I did "beat" the sun to the top. The views are very pretty but this morning it was cloudy so was not the beautiful orange I hoped for. People hung at the top taking pictures (& of course posting to social media) before making the return trip. Even though it is a out-and-back course, since the first half was in the dark it was an entirely difference scene coming down in the day light. The aid stations were still just as lively and volunteers still just as happy even though they had to be chilly. As I runner the weather was pretty close to perfect though - 40s with no rain or headwind.

Run often. Run long. Just never outrun the joy of running. With that is mind here was Hannah and I's "jump for joy" attempt at the end. We still had some ups left in our legs after 19 miles but just could not coordinate. Hope it makes you giggle!

WC-50... more like to 52!

It seemed like I had just closed my eye moments before but my alarm was going off and even though it was 3AM it was time to get up and get ready to run 50 miles! I had kicked Jim out of our bedroom for the night so could fully take over the room turning on lights and not worrying about noise.

I showered, got dressed, ate breakfast, loaded the car, got a groggy good luck smooch and headed out. I turned on Google Maps just to be safe but the last thing I thought would be an issue at 4AM was traffic. I was more concerned with zoning out and driving on auto pilot somewhere else. Well a sea of break lights quickly snapped me into focus! 277 was CLOSED! Don't panic Ashley, you've got time. I calmly left my parked car and walked towards the truck blocking the lanes and politely asked what was going on and about how long could I expect it to take. I'll save my imitation for anyone in person but needless to say they were not very helpful. After maybe 10 minutes, another gentleman addressed the workman taking a totally different approach causing a cop to join the conversation. Ok the panic officially started to sink in and I had to do something. I somehow managed to back myself down an onramp to a city street and then got back onto the highway two exits down.

Cutting it entire too close for comfort, I pulled into the USNWC parking lot around 4:35 AM. I sprinted the best I could while carrying a laundry basket of All. The. Things! The prerace meeting was in 10 minutes and I still had to get my bib, set up some sort of base camp, use the rest room and drop off nuun samples.

At 4:45AM the race director held a meeting giving us a rundown on logistics, reminders and notes a couple of changes to the route. Hardly a word he said was registering. All I cared was that I had made it, my hydration vest was fully stocked and while it was humid all the rain that was in the forecast earlier that week was gone. I go to pull on my head lamp and it wont turn on! What the hell?! I charged it fully last night and made sure it worked. You've got to be kidding me?! 

Another racer immediately sheds his vest and pulls out a back up head lamp for me. I had no words and couldn't grab it! As he is explaining it I get mine to come on and in the next breath people were taking off - the race had begun! That selfless runner told me to just go & get up to the front and that was the last time I saw him.

It was only about 100 yards and then immediately dropped in the woods onto some technical single track. It took just a few minutes to be immersed in the sort of pitch black that can only be found totally away from civilization. Wow, so peaceful!

In a road race it would have bothered me to be "stuck behind slower runners". I knew there would be some egos in the front pack and I attempted to check my own. If I can claim a race plan it was to take the first lap slower then I wanted. With that in the back of my mind, I wasn't anxious and tried to just settle in behind a group and relax. That only lasted about 10 minutes before I decided the altered stride was worse then speeding up. Runners were happy to step aside and even cheered me on as I passed. I caught up to a small middle pack still going slower then I would have but weren't making me take choppy steps. I tucked in behind 2 guys and just quietly ran listening to them list off their career and physical resumes. Here are the cliff notes:

Runner 1 - 27, in the Navy, runs 24 hours races all the time.
Runner 2 - 28, D1 collegiate swimmer, ex-cross fitter and works in Treasury at the bank.

It comes to me... I'll be 40 next year, have 2 kids, stay at home mom and I teach a group ex class at The Y. That clearly only translated to old lady because the BOY directly in front of me responds "oh you must feel really good about yourself to be hanging with 2 young guys". Oh really?! We have a long way to go, (I mean the sun wasn't due to rise for another 2hrs!), and if anyone knows perseverance and how to handle pain it is a mother runner! So many things could have been said but I just rolled my eyes and held my tongue. I was going to feel real good about myself when I busted the mold that I had obviously just been placed in.

The first stop was around mile 4.5. You were required to check in at every aid station for safety so did that, took a quick swig of water and continued on planning to leave the boys. From this point on I did take control of my race but also gained a shadow, Runner 2. His chatter kept me entertained, trying to help advise him kept my mind busy while his hand held flashlight drove me nuts casting shadows I wasn't sure of. I just maintained a comfortable pace and focused on keeping myself upright - light feet, good posture and not falling! A goal I maintained for most of the day. I did not trip once in the pre dawn darkness or over tired feet at the end which is where I would have expected to. All my moments with the ground came in Lap 2 - mile 22, 26 and 32! ADVISE: If you look up or back on a trail you are going down, so don't.

I lost my naive buddy around mile 14, and was by myself until the start of Lap 3. Therefore I could argue all my falls were dainty since nobody actually was there to witness anything but I assure you they were not! The second fall was hard and I laid on the ground for a good breather until was able to walk it off.

The reason I wasn't alone during the final lap was because an amazing friend offered to pace me during it. I didn't want to ask for help or even know what would want during such an endurance event. I wasn't comfortable asking for such a time commitment from someone. Lisa, who had run this event previously wouldn't let me tell her no and I am so thankful for that! We chatted the entire final 3.5 hours like were on a casual training run. By keeping my mind busy the miles flew by and I didn't have time to think about how long had been out there or how tired I easily would have convinced myself my legs were. I would not say it was easy but I am still surprised how strong I felt the entire time! When I hit the final stretch, The Channel Loop had never felt so long! As I rounded the final turn and the finish area came into sight I lost all my senses for a second. I did start to recognize one noise... it was husband's whistle and I immediately got choked up. A cry being stuck in your throat is not a good when you are already out of breath. I just tucked my head, shut the world out, got my breathing under control and ran!!! (I JITFO'ed for my BRR friends!) I even denied my own kids high fives during that final 100 yards to the finish line. Can you say tunnel vison?!

I am not a loud celebrator but I have to say I was pretty damn happy with myself as ran towards that red banner crossing the finish line in 10 hours and 45 minutes! (It would be 2 hours before there were three females to fill a podium and there was no way I was leaving before I stoop atop it!) It took all that time for my performance to sink in. I had been transformed and I already wanted more.

This post is already long enough but here is a quick list of pros & cons about this event. Overall I thoroughly enjoyed myself and would recommend it!

Pros: Location and proximity to my house allowed for friends to come out and my family to see me finish. The volunteers and staff were great! Aid Stations were well stocked (even a full meal at the end). The course was well marked. Love the Icebreaker race shirt, the awards were cool and while I am not sure will ever wear it the finishers belt buckle is also fun.
Cons: I was not thrilled with having to deal with mountain bikers and their inability to announce their arrival. A simple coming up behind you and let me know if you are solo or if should expect 3 more of you would be great. I actually didn't mind running laps as it allowed me to return to a home base, go to the bathroom/wash my hands & face, and restock my vest but I do think I wasted time here because of chatty folks.

My first and not last BRR

This weekend I took part in one of the most physically & mentally challenging of my run career and it was SO MUCH FUN! I have been asked in a few times in the past by teams but it was never good timing. With no race focus on the horizon, I accepted the challenge to run the Blue Ridge Relay. This 208 mile relay race starts in Grayson Highland State Park, VA, runs along the Blue Ridge Parkway and finishes in Asheville, NC. There were over 180 teams all living in vans for 2 days (running through the night, snacking to stay fueled & awake and hustling to each exchange point to drop off the next runner). Every team shared the same challenges... grueling hills, complete darkness, multiple running surfaces and sleep deprivation. I jumped onto the shoulder to dodge a car on a narrow mountain road, held my pepper spray at the ready to attack the local idiot we heard was jumping out of hiding spots to scare females and moving to the opposite side of the road when saw stray dogs all while being worried I'd miss a turn. I was on a 12 person team so "only ran" a total of 14.6 miles over 3 legs but were all difficult in their own way.

My first leg was short but at 4pm and in full sun! I had been awake since around 5am and been in and out of a van since 6:30am so it was a great way to get the jitters out and finally turn my legs over. I ran again at midnight. The teammate in front of me got lost and I became anxious with every passing minute past when she was expected. I have never been anywhere more dark and while I loved the freedom of that night run it was hard to open up because was scared would trip! I finally slept for maybe two hours around 4am before my biggest contribution at 8am.

Leg 31, simply referred to as "The Goat", is arguable the toughest of the 36 legs. I was nervous but chalked it up to "new kid draws the short straw" and didn't overthink it. It eased in with a flat half mile before a grueling 6 miles of mountain switch backs and an elevation gain of 1398 ft. I was able to average an 8 min/mile which turned out to be the fastest (female) of the day! I was thrilled to put up a good time and was happy knowing I didn't have to try and race again on my tired legs.

The views were breathtaking, the running was an awesome challenge and the camaraderie was uplifting! It was impressive to watch elite runners beast it and very beginners push themselves. Howard Schultz said, When you run a race as a team, you'll discover that much of the reward comes from hitting the tape together. You want to be surrounded not just by cheering onlookers but by a crowd of winners, celebrating as one. I’m beyond exhausted but canNOT wait to do it again and with these people! #TeamStacheFO

Frosty is a gross understatement

It doesn't take much convincing to talk me into trying something new and when a friend suggested the Frosty Fifty I thought "why not"! I liked the idea of tackling a new distance and having a purpose to get out of my warm bed is helpful on cold, dark mornings over the holidays. Plus how cool would it be to able to call myself an ultra-marathoner. I mean a 50k "is only" 5 miles more then a marathon. Little did I know just how cool it would be.

The Frosty Fifty takes place around Salem Lake just outside of Winston Salem, North Carolina so we drove up from Charlotte the night before and stayed at my parent's house in Greensboro to make race morning easier. It was nice to be able to remove the mom hat and only be concerned about myself for the night. Actually I didn't even have to prepare dinner as my friend Holly made us gluten free pasta which was simple and perfect. This allowed me to foster new things to worry about instead.

You should not stalk the weather before a race and waste mental energy of something completely out of your control. We all knew this but were still all consumed! The average temperature in early January runs from low of 29 to high of 49 but the RealFeel® was to be right around zero! Cold is usually good for distance runners so you don't over heat but we questioned every article of clothing we packed. Layers are key for winter running and we were fretting over how many we could pile on and trying to cover every inch of skin! At the end all we could do was laugh even though deep down I think we all wanted to cry. There actually were tears before the night was over because we laughed so hard at ourselves!

The course was a loop around the partially frozen lake with an out-and-back trail add-on making each loop 12.5k. I wore trail shoes which was a mistake as you run on a wide, packed dirt path with a paved portion in there. The route stayed close to the wooded shoreline of the lake so rolled and was scenic but after 4 loops I was just ready to be done and attempt to feel my fingers again. Being the coldest day in the race's 18 years was not the history I was looking to make.

I finished in a very respectable time, 4:51:03, and even after that much activity am not sure I ever warmed up! The only layer I even removed was to change from a full hat to an earband and I might actually categorize that as another mistake. Good things always come in threes so the last mistake I made was to not really eat anything the entire race. I attempted to eat a PBJ at one aid station but it was frozen and I couldn't produce any saliva to break it down. The only fuel I took in was liquid and some BBQ potato chips. Mark this under "Things Not To Do" at your race.

The weather just emphasized that this race was not about time or performance but about accomplishing something and pushing my limits. I certainly expanded my running knowledge and this experience helped to build some confidence as I gear up for an actual trail 50k race in about a month. Stay tuned!

Pity Party Over

It's taken me awhile to get passed, step back and gain the needed perspective on what was an extremely painful race, both physically and mentally! While I am epically disappointed in my time I had an awesome trip to the Windy City with amazing people! The clock cannot show the months of great training, tears & bad words I fought thru but never quit (even picked up and pushed an older gentleman to not quit either), the money raised for an amazing cause and how much I love my grandmother. Thank you to so many for reminding me that being strong doesn't always look the same and every finish line deserves celebrating. Some days it's simply about putting one foot in front of the other and that is okay!

There were a few good pictures. I remember literally wiping tears, taking a deep breath and putting on a happy face for the camera (why you cannot believe everything poeple put out there on social media) but this one is accurate of my race experience... head down and just pushing.

Team CC does Myrtle Beach

Rock & Read

Today Jim spent the morning volunteering at our neighborhood park while munchkin and I set out for a day on the town. First on our agenda was a road race and fun run but the adventure began sooner. We were running late so Jim literally dropped us off in the middle of the road where the race was about the begin. Being the competitive person I am, I couldn't just casually fall into the back and enjoy a jog with my daughter, I needed the official time so sprinted to pick up my timing chip. We got a few chuckles on the return sprint since the "start gun" had already gone off but it did justify my weaving through the other participants.

I only heard about the race through my sorority alumni club. Our national philanthropy is literacy and proceeds from the race were to benefit the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library. It turned out to be a great event and one I will keep an eye out for next year. Winning my division, Females 30-39, helped but the race shirt, food, drink, fun run and door prizes were top notch. Addie "won" $10 to the movies for basically being cute and I ended up with $50 to Slate Interiors for cheering the loudest about something, ha!

It's extra weight to push but having my own mobile cheerleader is awesome!

Next we walked to the Light Rail. I felt so urban or European, regardless it was very nice to relax and be able to rely on public transportation. We took The Lynx from Scaleybark all the way up to 7th Street and walked to our next destination, ImaginOn, where we met friends for Storytime. Next we walked over to Brixx for a fun lunch. I would love to say I walked home from there but we loaded the jog stroller into my friend's car and caught a ride instead. All in all I felt like we conquered the day!