Aw C’mon BooMan

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!