iggy

Lasting Thoughts of my Hashawha 50k Adventure[slideshow id=231]

 

Doing laps of Wheelers Farm road in my car looking for Forrest’s office

Small town traffic jams on PA 222

Eating a whole pizza the night before the race

Aborting the pre-race shoe-compass photo-op because the RD started the race while we were still arranging ourselves

Lots of very nice single track (very few roots, rocks, and mostly soft terrain), with fun switchbacks.

A long descent to the turnaround point where we had to pick up a rubber band and show as proof of reaching that point (wouldn’t an honor system be easier?)

An aid station that served hot food

A 2 mile jaunt through open meadows in very strong winds

A mid shin deep stream crossing with bone chilling ice cold water (you must know from my irrational fear of water crossings that it took a lot from me to do this and not use the tree log to cross the stream- but Chip jumped in to the stream with both feet with a huge splash and said ‘aw c’mon Booman’ -and so I crossed the stream)

Using a stick to climb a hard section (a useful tip I got from reading Guthrie’s race report from Vermont 100)

Finishing loop1 and thinking that wasn’t too bad.  Spuds is attentive to everyone’s needs as we came in close together.  A good man, we all concur sagely.

Setting out again for loop 2 – soon after this point, I lost contact with Chip, All State and Jay.  Although I saw them, and heard them occasionally at some switchbacks and the turnaround section, they were way ahead of me but cheering me on. Switchbacks allow faster friends become a mobile cheering section- interesting.

Running by myself for miles –listening to voices in my head (see Jay’s post of beaninsneakers QOD from some days back) and using a mantra that Nadia lent me (not telling!)

Five miles from the finish- I decided that I’m done running and that I was going to walk the rest of it in.  But what’s this?  Is that Forrest running back towards me?  What’s the matter, Forrest?  He didn’t say but I know that he came back to give me company. In effect he guilted me back into adding some running into my all-walking plan.  If not for him, I might have taken much more than 8 hours to finish (only done twice before in the history of the race- the RD helpfully told us before the race)

Using another stick to climb the steep section – getting mildly amused by recognizing the stick I used and discarded on the first loop.  Thinking – I wonder if they will still be there if I run the race next year

Stopping at the raptor cage to look at a rescued bald eagle

Running the last section with Jay to the finish line

Hugs & handshakes

Dry clothes, hot chili, & ice cold coca cola!

Jay’s awesome driving back while I rested

Chic- fil A chocolate shake (aka ultra-marathon recovery drink) and All State’s awesome ginger cookies that I have waited patiently for TWO years to taste.

Late night dinner at home

Beer in my finisher’s mug

Warm bed

Fresh plans (see Highland Sky)

 

Thanks Chip! Thanks All State! Thanks Forrest!

 

 

Thanks a lot for getting me to this start line fellow Bimblers – namely (in no particular order) Allstate, Booman, Mr Wonderful, Bimble & FRH(shared) among many others, far too many to mention individually. I have missed the camaraderie we share on our trail runs this year and I dearly miss physically fitting into my old running gear too. It feels good to finally be running again and I also look forward to returning to the trails soon. My walk/run program will be complete in mid March so a 5K was tough for me at this stage of the game. When I told myself (and my brain is very influenceable as many of you know – especially on the run) that I was at mile 29 in a 50K – well,  then I felt great during the race! Running for me is a lot of things, a moving meditation, a time for creative problem solving, connecting with friends, fitness, a reason for eating less ice cream and consuming more greens including that whole “look better naked” aspect. 🙂 Running really helped me to recover from surgery last year and no doubt it made chemotherapy more manageable too.

Life is a wide range of simple and complex experiences – some we choose for ourselves and some choose us. It seems unavoidable that we (in some but not all ways) become the sum of our experiences. I guess that is part of life and knowing that  “the pain is only temporary”  does help.  There is no way I can express exactly how much the kind gestures and meaningful support from all of the Bimblers has meant to me this last year…. phone calls, texts, cards, hugs, walks, reports, all sorts of comforts. You have taught me how to be a kinder, more generous and less self-centered person. So far, I’ve been lucky in many ways. When people say to me – Last year was awful and that they hope next year is better, I do understand what they mean – truly I do. But for me it all had a happy ending and I have the opportunity to run with my friends again this year – I am grateful. Actually, last year turned out great.

So the Frosty was a very big deal to me and I hope to see you all out at more races and for training runs this year. I guess the message I’d like to share at this reflective time of year is the following. I think that Life’s purpose can be very simple.  I like to think is can all be summed up into the following…. Life’s purpose: To love, to make or create love and to be loved. Lean on a friend, be loved, love and know that you make a huge difference in the lives of those with whom you share it.

Running is a fantastic metaphor, I look forward to taking in the views, the heavy breathing and the endorphins with all of you in 2012!! WooHoo Have a wonderful new year everyone – I hope to see you all at the Pews!

Iggy