Red Ripe Tomatoes Means Turn Right, White Means Turn Left

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My report starts with a car ride courtesy of Chipper & Spuds. Yep, I got the princess treatment both directions enjoying the entire back seat, all to myself. Of course this meant a whole lot more on the ride home due to stiff & sore legs. On the way out Shelly Girl & Lefty kept in touch with what to expect at the race and were generously offering to check in for us all while running on part of the course and providing us with information about what to expect there. The biggest shock was the text sent reporting that this would be a VERY RELAXED RACE environment as there were merely 25 runners signed up. I think I can speak for Chipper as well here in that we panicked a little to think we might be the very last runners to finish – that is if we were fortunate enough TO finish. Then the Bimbler’s minds (described as delicate at best!) started to really burn up with thoughts about how we might be able to win in every age division. Top 25 guarantee… It was determined the ladies had a shot, except for me, of course Guthrie is in my division, but then that we figured if she could win overall – oh the possibilities…. Spuds thought it might be so relaxed that we wouldn’t need bibs – we could all just shout out a number at the start in a countdown of sorts and that would be that. We were way out numbered by the horses and they were BEAUTIFUL to see and run with throughout the day. Some of the Riders were very encouraging and friendly and some seemed not to know why we were there and at 1 aid station said “They must be part of some other event” about me and Chipper. It was clear this race was ALL about the Horses and runners were a little side show & that was just fine, in fact I liked it that way.

After watching the horses start and a race briefing, we sort of assembled for a group photo, and then people started running – no starting guns fired at horse events – Lefty figured that one out. It was really hot and there wasn’t much shade. Chipper and I were really hoping to be able to stick together as we moved through the course trying to pace ourselves wisely. The Annapolis boys were ahead of us and we could keep them in sight watching them as their pacing was good, they were walking the big up hills – we thought “smart!” At the first aid station (mile 8ish) we refueled and ate – I had brought an extra bottle with me since it was so hot and was drinking as much as possible – but after aid station 1 and half of a PBJ the stomach was not right. For the rest of the race I really only had fluids and E caps battling bouts of nausea unfortunately. It was difficult to manage the hot sun and heat for me but Chipper kept me going occasionally offering suggestions and flexing her muscles prompting us to nickname ourselves Hanz & Franz for the duration. She refused to leave me behind and claimed a finish-line photo op was her motivation. Thanks Chipper – YOU ARE TOUGH! We did get to see and run with lots and lots of horses and riders sometimes producing an adrenaline rush as the riders said “Hold your line” me in front of Chipper and riders on horseback came around of ON BOTH SIDES all the while cheering us on and enveloping us at an arms length… WOW!!

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I think we pulled each-other though peaks and valleys spiritually and physically. The best high came when we got to mile 25 aid station – back at the start/finish area…. Noway, Dan and the cutest puppy EVER were such an uplift for us. Chipper seemed to really come alive here as we rushed off into the woods for another 7ish miles. I personally was surprised the fast runners were not there yet, selfishly relieved too cuz that meant we were moving quickly – but oh no – did that mean that last loop was longer or tougher than expected – oh the mind is a crazy place after many miles and too much sunshine!! Somewhere in the middle of the race we passed the Annapolis crew and then we  got passed by Cee a nice runner girl who offered smiles and more E caps to us for our fingers were turning into sausages! I had a great time through out the race as the scenery was changing frequently and the river crossings were the sort of Master Po’s wildest dreams – you think of ALL your running buddies out there and the kinds of conversations you’d be having together if they were with you at that moment – Ultra would have loved running into all those fields and Allstate and Oddjob would have loved all of the mica – – sparkling gold dust EVERYWHERE. In my mind Madonna was leaving me a trail of sparkles to follow in gold…? She is such a good dog at an Ultra! We missed having you along Ticket – maybe next year though!!!I tried my best, I tried to be a good running partner and kept “my heart forward”. Congrats to Jerry – geez who knows how many miles he actually ran – chased down by car by the director…. the stuff of legend and myth. Congrats to Kerry, Shelly Girl, Lefty, Spuds, and Chipper too. I am so grateful to have friends to do this fun stuff with!!!!! Gratitude to the Foxcatcher Organization Paul and Phillip seemed to put this together all on their own – the course was VERY well marked – Chipper and I got off course once mainly due to following a loud speaker – and seeing a photographer out in the field…which landed us in the middle of a Horse Jumping Competition – completely unrelated to our event – we must have looked crazy running into and then out of the middle of that scene….

I would run this race again, for sure! FIVE STARS