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.
