Chuckanut 50K

Even though this was technically my third 50k, it felt like my coming out party. When we arrived race morning with our "Black Saturday, No Excuses" shirts I could tell by the high amounts of chi flowing from the ground up, except for that muddy part Ronda ran through, Ronda, Michael, Steve, Trisha, Darin and I would be quite a force that day. The rain had us changing layers right up until race start. Then, magically, the rain stopped and didn't make another appearance the remainder of the day.

With the first and last six miles of the race being mostly flat my head was already in a good place. Even though I knew we would make the equivalent of one Mt Hood ascent and back...the flats and downhills would offer welcome respit and leg turnover after the snail's pace climbing. And "Snail's Pace" is not just an expression here. People I passed on the run portions would leave me in their dust when we all walked. I wondered if I should purchase a walker or start training in the malls with the seniors because I couldn't walk fast enough to catch a car thief at this point.

As I mentioned the flats pulled me through. I followed Ronda and Michael's advice and ate a gu/hammer gel/or clif shot roughly every 30 minutes. I went through about four bottles of gu2o and or my glyco-maize mixed with heed. I kept my heart rate at 156 and that seemed manageable. At the start Michael took off in his speedy manner. I took off in my brain switched off start of the race manner. When I saw 160 flashing on the monitor I slowed down reminding myself that the race was 31 miles and there would be a good chance I would see everyone passing me another time during the course of the run. Ronda and Steve- both more experienced seemed cool and collected from the start.

After the first six miles I happily realized I had only a marathon to run. I've done that! And I knew at least 6 miles of that marathon would be flat...the last six. So I was pretty happy with whatever they would throw my way in the middle. Turns out "They" threw a beautiful, mossy, waterfalls, rocks, ferns, soft dirt trail scenic tour!! The run was fun. I was smiling and at mile ...who knows no one would tell me how far we'd run or had to go- are you really not supposed to ask this? Regardless...at some point, about halfway, I realized I was actively enjoying the run. I didn't even care that my butt looked 3 sizes bigger than usual because of the pockets sitting on top filled with gu's. Then, when, "What you gonna do with all that junk, all that junk inside your trunk," came on the ipod I had to laugh out loud. And I wasn't "get[tting] you love drunk on my hump," I was passing you up, passing you up with my trunk!! As you can see it was all a highly intelligent and profound experience.

On a more serious note..I got to meet my new coach!! I look forward to having a plan and learning to walk...um fast, and climb...fast, and run those flats faster!! :]

Ronda caught me at the third aid station. I knew it was only a matter of time. She looked fresh and strong as I climbed to the ridge behind her. Her efficient energetic climbing style leaves me feeling tired and a bit clumsy. I was glad I couldn't hear my breathing to have to admit how hard I was working to keep up with her. Then, as we descended down a rocky portion, I took a different route putting me in front. It was one of those downhill, "rest" portions of the course. I knew if I didn't take advantage of it then I would be sorry later as I SLOWLY climbed up again. So I took off and didn't look back. In typical world class style Ronda cheered me onward.

On the last 6 mile stretch I was hurting. I remember Ronda telling me she did a faster split on this last year coming in than going out. That was not going to happen. BUT I had no intention of slowing down. I knew I could hold my heart rate at 156 for 6 miles because I've done it on Leif Erickson countless times with Emma and Zoe. Ok, so maybe we didn't run 25 miles prior, but I was in no mood or capacity for details. I started picking people off in the distance and trying to catch them. To my surprise, I caught one, then another, then there was a guy in black. I focused and started after him. Within a mile I realized it was Michael! Even though I could tell by his boppy, cruise-control stride he was rollin back in on the mellow I wasn't going to let that cloud the fact that I had caught up with him! I ran behind him for about 1/4 mile, hurting, while he jogged along. Finally, after "resting" on his heels a bit I reached out and said Hello as I tried to pass. He, in the same sincere style as Ronda, smiled huge and sent me on telling me how proud he was of me. This gave me a great boost of energy and I rode it for all it was worth. It got me about 10 feet. Inflation I guess...and the hill that didn't seem like a hill when we were going out. I pushed forward not about to let the woman, that had passed me and vice/versa many times during the race, pass me a final time. When I looked behind me one last time and no one was there I asked a bystander how far to the finish. He told me 90 yards!!! I smiled. I ran hard. I just RACED my first 50 K.

Next up: MacDonald Forest. Cheers and congratulations to all of my new and dear friends for finishing in style: Trisha, Ronda, Michael and Steve. Darin I hope to help you as much as you helped us Saturday. Thanks. K