Sierra Nevada Endurance Run Race Report 2011

I wanted this so bad, but it was a battle right from the start………

I was sitting at the table in the little gymnasium when I had this feeling that I needed to use the bathroom. I headed to the bathroom and as I was there my stomach was torn up. I dry heaved and gagged a bit trying really hard not to lose my breakfast. I came out and I felt a bit pale and clammy. I headed to the start with everyone else and told myself it was just my race nerves really taking over and that things would settle down.

I headed out and slowly and easily found my rhythm on the fire road. I knew that I had a long day ahead of me and that I didn’t need to fight for position. I hit the climb up Mooney ridge and power walked it and took the descent pretty conservatively. It seemed that things were settling in and I was nice and relaxed. I took in some GU and I was focused on my hydration. I knew that hydrating was going to be a key factor in today’s outcome. As I hit the single track and made my way to the first aid station my stomach started feeling a bit funky. It wasn’t bloated but it didn’t feel settled. I arrived at the aid station and grabbed a PB&J Square ate it and used the bathroom hoping that would help my stomach. Only it didn’t. I knew that I shouldn’t push too hard, I would need to slow things down if I wanted to finish.

My stomach pain would come and go and with it I would run and hike. Run and hike. I arrived at horseshoe and again tried to use the bathroom there hoping that that would help the situation. Nope nothing only a little bit of pee. At least I peed. I grabbed another PB&J square and slowly ate it, hoping that if I ate it slowly it would settle better. I made my way down the trail with a really upset stomach on my way to Rattlesnake and the first time I would see my crew, Dustin. I kept feeling like I “needed to reset my stomach” but nothing. My stomach was really upset and wasn’t settling down. I took in some GU knowing I needed the fuel, but that only upset my stomach further. I kept thinking that this was going to be a long day and if I was even going to finish with the way I was feeling.

I arrived at Rattlesnake, told Dustin I needed some water and ice in my pack and he switched out my sort of empty flask for a full one of GU. I also slowly sipped down 2 ginger ales hoping that would help settle my stomach. I told him my situation and he calmly told me to keep eating, during this next stretch try and snack on a waffle anything solid but to keep eating as I needed the calories. It was great to see him and he helped lift my spirits and he even managed to calm me with his words. Sometimes it is just the simple words from a friend that helped encourage me. He told me it was 3 miles to the next aid and to eat during this stretch, the next aid only had water and was self service. All very valuable information and information I retained. He would be at the top of the overlook for me. And with that I was off. I was maybe a few minutes there, but not much.

I left rattlesnake, I don’t think I ate anything but managed to get the 2 ginger ales in me. I ran and hiked when my stomach became too upset. I was focused on hydrating and took a salt every hour. It seemed that I arrived at Avery’s pond really fast and was a bit surprised to see it. Avery’s pond means much more to me. It brought a smile to my face and a brief memory of my friend Pam asking Anthony one day “so how will I know when I reach Avery’s Pond?” I chuckled a bit and ran around it. The trail wasn’t marked so I took the right because that is the way I usually go. This was the only area I noticed during the race that wasn’t marked, but whichever way you go you will get there.

During this stretch I slowly ate a honey stinger waffle because the last time I felt nausea it helped. It took a good 10 minutes for me to get it down. But I ate the entire thing, and a few minutes later I felt like I was going to get sick. Nothing was working, my usual fuel wasn’t working and I knew that I needed to keep eating. I was thinking that I would need to switch to liquid calories and that I would be picking up my hand held and drinking coke. But I had to get their intake first.

I breezed through the water aid station and made my way to Cardiac. I was hiking faster than some runners were running and I just kept my forward movement hiking when needed and running when things felt settled. It was working as I was slowly making my way to cardiac. I passed a few runners which really lifted my spirits and once at cardiac I downed some coke and started the grueling climb up cardiac.

I didn’t push too hard, I just kept it nice and steady, one foot in front of the other, remembering to breath and to just keep moving. Cardiac is called cardiac for a reason. I could feel my heart beat beating against my chest, I could feel my legs burning with each step up I went, but I never stopped I kept going until I reached the top. Once at the top I slowly transitioned to a run. I took in some GU knowing I had used precious reserve energy and that I was already behind on my calories. I was almost to the overlook and another chance to see Dustin plus my Fleet Feet friends. I just kept thinking about that and pushed out any negative thoughts and how uncomfortable my stomach was making things. I passed a few runners during this stretch and just kept on moving.

I hit the pavement and my steps became lighter and quicker. I was close. I was moving know. I was thinking of what I needed once I arrived. I rounded the corner and I waved to Dustin. He came running along with Anthony. Then out of nowhere Pam is by my side. A huge smile comes over my face and I hug her. I am so happy to have seen her as my time at this point was way off what I originally predicted. I quickly started telling everyone what I needed. I needed to use the bathroom; I need water and ice in my pack and both of my flask switched and water downed some more as it was still too thick. I also wanted coke in my hand held and my stomach was still upset. I handed everything off and made my way to the port a potty, only it was being occupied. I did the unthinkable and quickly squatted behind the horse trailer and Anthony and Pam were my look outs. After that Anthony gave me 2 Tums for my stomach and I ate them both and then I had to spit them out as it became too chalky.

 Anthony soaked me and that really woke me. Dustin and Pam worked on my pack. I was ready to move. Anthony walked me down he reassured me that I had plenty of time as I was beginning to worry about the cut offs. I vaguely remember him telling me take it easy I knew how long this should take and to not push it too hard.

I was off with that. My entire crew did a fantastic job with this stop. I knew what I needed and what wasn’t working which made the transition easier. I was making my way down to no hands bridge. I was bombing the descent. I had a new found energy from the aid station. I didn’t eat anything there so I was running on everyone else’s energy.  It felt really good flying down and passing other runners. It was like a new life had come upon me. I hiked the small hills and drank my coke. I knew I needed to finish my bottle so that I could refill it at the bridge. Calories in, calories in was my mantra and my calories right now was coke. I knew coke would quickly burn off but it was better than nothing.

I was now running down Robbie on my way to the single track when all of a sudden I had to stop; I had just gotten sick in my mouth. It was little bit, but just enough to completely stop me in my tracks as I feared more was to follow. Luckily nothing else did and I washed my mouth out and continued on my way. I hit the single track and found myself all alone but moving at a nice clip. I suddenly heard what sounded like a very loud drunk person crashing through the woods above me. I stopped and looked really hard, and then I remembered what Jenny told me. This is what a bear sounds like. I quickly took off running harder knowing that I didn’t want to get stopped by a bear, one I didn’t know what to do and two, I was alone. I hit the fire road and as runners passed me I forgot to warn them about the bear, why I am not sure it had actually left my mind.

I hit no hands bridge and the volunteers there filled my bottle with coke, I ate 1 square of PB&J and was ready for my return. It took me 6 hours to hit the turn around.

I headed back and as I was hitting the single track some runners told me they had just scared a bear off the trail and to be careful. I told them “ohh that was what that noise was.” I am not sure what they thought of me. But they said it held them up for about 10-15 minutes. I started to make my climb when another came around the bend and told me she just saw the bear cub. I asked her where the momma bear was because I was sure that mamma bear wasn’t too far behind. And then I heard the bear right above me. The runner heading down took off and left me. I stood there for a second and then started hiking up hoping that when I rounded the corner I wouldn’t see the bear. The bear made so much noise but I could never see it. I never saw it, but trust me it was very near.

A runner passed me looking really fresh and I tried to tag along, but her pace was just too fast. I settled back in and continued hiking knowing how grueling this climb really was. As I was nearing the top I heard my best friend Anthony. He had come down to check on me. His booming laughter and voice are not hard to notice. That really lifted my spirits. I told him about my bear encounter and was really excited to see him. He asked me how I was feeling and I told him I was feeling pretty good, just tired. I had no cramping. He was pretty excited with my answers. He said that tired was doable and he could work on that. Cramping and having no quads would have been a totally different story.

We ran together for a bit and hiked the bigger hills. I told him what I think I needed when I arrived back at the overlook. I wanted more coke, I needed my GU even more diluted than what it was as it was still way too thick and very hard to get down my sensitive stomach. I was drinking my water and I had just taken a salt not too long ago. Things were on point. He ran ahead of me to get things ready. Before he left he told me he thought I was doing the smart thing and taking it smart on the return to the overlook. Most runners that came back looked like they had cracked and I wasn’t one of them. All good things to hear especially since I had still had a long ways to go.

Back at the overlook there was again a huge abundance of energy; the Fleet Feet Team was there. Kirk and Jenny came down to walk me back up, Dustin was by my side and taking my pack. I used the bathroom, but I was having a problem. It felt like I had to pee but nothing happened. Anthony told me not to worry, it was better to have the urge than no urge at all.

 I sat down and emptied the tiny pebbles out of my shoe, Jenny helped me with that, I than ran over to the canal and soaked myself and washed all the salt off of my face. That was very refreshing. It was almost like I was rinsing away everything that happened earlier and starting fresh. After my “cleansing” I needed more body glide.

My rear end was chaffing. It was a pretty quick stop everyone was helping and I was ready to go in no time. Anthony and I were ready and off we went.

Anthony’s main concern was calories. I needed calories as I was really behind since I hadn’t been able to eat much all day. He became my voice in my head, “drink coke, ok now some water, how about my spizz” Calories in was our mantra, coke, water salt, coke, water, salt and repeat. At one point on top of the canal I had to stop as my stomach really was upset and I had just gotten sick a bit and we walked for a bit until my stomach calmed down. We hit cardiac and I ran down it remembering not to blow up my quads. Running down is so much easier than coming up. We hit the aid station at the base, filled our bottles, soaked and were off to the sweet runnable single track.

The section of trail is very runnable and it will pull you if you let. Well, I did just that. It pulled me with ease and I even ran a few of the shorter hills without any extra effort. Anthony kept telling me how good I looked, keep it easy don’t push. We even were catching up to all those runners that had passed me earlier in the day. We would run on by and keep going and never see them again. What a huge lift to be running so well at this stage of the race. I stayed in front of Anthony and ever so often I would hear “ok keep drinking, are your legs ok?” and then I would drink more coke and take some more salt. He even had me taking 2 salts an hour and wow what a difference that made.

The single track pulled us all the way to the outpost where we refilled our packs with ice and enjoyed some more coke. My stomach was pretty upset and I grabbed 4 saltines and Anthony grabbed some as well. It was really tough to get the saltines down, but I did. We even gave my extra saltines to a runner who was getting sick on the side of the trail.

We hit the water pump and then not to long Avery’s Pond, which this time was marked. I had to walk a bit here because my stomach did not like the saltines and I was ready to get sick all over the trail. I was bent over and Anthony told me to keep moving, it was better to move while being sick than stand there as that surely would cause me to lose everything. I listened and kept moving.

We were quickly approaching Rattlesnake and were discussing what I needed. I wanted more coke, no ice as it was getting watered down too much and I needed more ice and water in my pack. I was drinking up my water like it was going out of style. As we neared Anthony took the lead and increased the pace as this section was completely runnable. I just focused on his feet and when his feet moved mine did as well. We ran the short little hills ran over the bridge and then hiked the big hill but we transitioned back to a run very quickly. It felt like I was doing 9 minute miles but I am not sure, I was just focused on Anthony’s feet and that was all.

Anthony pulled ahead of me to the aid station and I followed a few minutes later. He had my bottles filled and Dustin worked on filling my pack and the Ultra Runner Podcast team cooled me off. Anthony applied some Vaseline to my neck as it was chaffing from my pack and then we were ready to run. Only 10 miles to go. But first I had to get through the grinder.

My legs were still feeling really good, I would occasionally shake them out and when I did that Anthony would suggest another salt and more coke. I made really good time through the grinder, even running some of it and some of the hills. I was on auto pilot just keep moving, just keep moving, keep drinking and taking salt, keep moving. I hiked when the hill became too steep or the terrain became too rocky. But I was running just as soon as I could. I made it through the grinder in one piece and even managed to pass a couple of runners who I never saw again.

It was 5:30 now with only maybe 5ish miles to go. I told Anthony I really wanted to be in by 6:30, that would be a 6 hour second half. He said it would be close and I pushed the pace even faster. I picked the pace up knowing how close I was, but I also knew that could crack myself if I went to hard and then really struggle the few miles. I was running, pushing myself and the entire time my voice in my head keeps me on track with fuel and water and salt.

As I neared twin rocks the spot where I had to drop last year I became very chocked up as I said to Anthony “That is where I dropped last year.” I ran by it in seconds. I was running further than I have previously gone in this race. I was running from my heart I was doing whatever I could to keep the pain barrier at bay for a bit longer. In my mind I knew I only had a little over 3 miles to go. 3 miles that is all, and earlier today I thought I wasn’t going to make it. I thought it was going to be a slug fest just to finish. And then just like that excruciating pain ripped from my foot.

The pain was overwhelming the fiery burning sensation as the blister on the bottom of my pinky toe exploded. It was all that I could do just to keep moving. It was so painful, I hadn’t been in this much pain all day and then slowly the pain started to work its way up my toes to my ankles to my legs and into my groin. Ohh no the pain was slowly making its way up my body. The fire pain ripping through my toe caused me to walk. I was hobbling, with less than 3 miles to go. I hobbled into the Granit Bay aid station downed some coke and continued hobbling. I had about 2.8 miles to go.

Anthony calmly asked me to push past the pain barrier for a bit longer. I didn’t know what I was going to do. I was hobbling so slowly and then a runner came blazing past me. I tried to run and slowly I began running. Calmness had come over my entire body and I told myself I was going to push hard the last bit no matter what. The pain went away within a step, it was like nothing had happened and I was out for a 2 mile run. I had managed to block out the pain, I was going to finish strong.

I was running and I was slowly catching up to the runner who had passed me. As I was rounded the corner getting ready to climb Mooney ridge the one last big hill of the day I heard Dustin. That brought forth another gear. Anthony quickly stopped to get me some coke and I just kept on motoring. I was 1.5 miles from the finish. I ran half way up Mooney Ridge and overtook the runner who had passed me. I heard Anthony yell up to me “don’t crack” I quickly transitioned into a power hike and continued to gain ground on the runner. Anthony quickly caught back up to me and I took a few swigs of coke. We hit the top and continued running. I wasn’t going to slow down I was so close to the finish. We hit the descent and I just kept on moving.

Now we were on Cavitt road only a few more rollers to go. I was running 10 minute miles and it felt like I was only getting faster. I ran up the hills, Anthony being the calm steady voice in my head like he had been all day, “now run to that ribbon” I would do just that and keep going. He blocked the wind for me as there was pretty decent breeze coming off the lake. Anthony calmly told only two more rollers and then it is all downhill. I ran those rollers and as I crested the second roller I spotted off in the distance Dustin. He had come out; I ran faster, my legs pumping.

Then I saw Julie Fingar; no that couldn’t be her? But it was. She had come out to run me in. She knew that this race was about redemption for me. That brought another gear I didn’t know I had. I heard Anthony say I was running 6:30 pace. Julie called out to me “Great job Melisa, this is all for you!” and with that another gear was found, I quickly sprinted past her and she had to work to keep up. She pushed ahead of me and said “We can race to the finish?” and with that another gear was found. I was moving, my breathing was really labored and I was just focused on the finish. I heard Julie say “relax Melisa, relax” I rounded the corner and heard the cheers from the spectators at the finish.

Just a bit longer, keep pushing, I was running as fast I could, I hit the pavement with Julie right by my side, only a bit longer and the announcer called out “Melisa Mahon #41, redemption is complete!” I crossed the finish line and took a few steps before my legs buckled; I almost went down from the effort I had put in. I quickly zeroed in on Michaela and then Lily was by my side. I heard Anthony call out “Don’t lie down, whatever you do don’t lie down” I was pale and having trouble catching my breath but it was all worth it as Redemption was mine today!

Redemption never felt better. I did it, I overcame stomach issues that lasted all day and I ran the last 25 miles or so on coke and 3 GU’s. My last real food was at No Hands Bridge a small PB&J square, besides the 4 saltines at the outpost. No other runners passed me from the overlook until Granit bay, but I passed that runner on Mooney Ridge. I still to this day have a huge smile on my face and when I think about the race and the effort it took to get the finish I am just amazed. What a way to end this season.

Thank you to Dustin for crewing me and being there when I needed you. Seeing you on the course throughout the day was awesome. Thank you to the Fleet Feet Team at the overlook. Knowing they were there made me push on and keep going. Thank you to my pacer Anthony, the voice in my head. You kept me moving and helped me that a thank you is not enough for what you did. Thank you to all my friends at the finish who were there when I came in. Thank you Lily for taking care of me while my body shut down and for believing in me when I called you that Thursday in tears and in a panic. Thank you to race director Julie Fingar for coming out and running the last ½ mile with me to the finish. That really made my day and allowed me to find another gear that I didn’t know I had. What a day!!!

 REDEMPTION IS COMPLETE!!!!

Turnaround: 6hours
Finish: 6:20:19
Total Time: 12:20:19

It's Official

It’s finally official, I signed up for the Sierra Nevada Endurance Run. This is the race that last year I DNF at Twin rocks with maybe 5miles to the finish. It was a brutal race last year; the heat alone was a killer, coming into the race with an injury on top of that not good. 

I have been putting off signing up maybe secretly hoping it would fill, or that I would not want to run this particular 50 again. But I have been talking about this race since December and I know deep down I want Redemption from my 2010 attempt. It also scares the living day lights out of me. I dare not read my race report from last year as I really do not want to relive that day.

The fear was real when I signed up for this race. As I clicked on the registration page and it became official a wave of anxiety and panic overwhelmed me. My hands became sweaty, my heart beat increased, and my breath became very short and labored. “Oh my God what have I done” is all I kept thinking, but then a crazy thing happened…calmness….just as quickly as those symptoms came on they were gone in a heartbeat and calmness was all I felt.

I was calm for the first time thinking about this race. Calm because I am now 100% committed and I know what I need to do to achieve my objective.  Committed, I am committed and when I commit to something I am all in.

My goal is to get to the start of this race one healthy, and two injury free.

My training this year has been on point. Tahoe Rim Trail 50k was awesome, tough but a great race with a nice PR, American River 50 was a great race also. I achieved my qualifying time to be put my name into Western States for 2012 and I also PR. I ran Way Too Cool 50k for the first time and had a nice time at this race.  Up next Run on the Sly 50k. I am planning on using this run as a training run for the Sierra Nevada Endurance Run.

 A training run because it starts later then most ultras, a 7:30 am start time, so hopefully I can judge how my body does in the heat, if it is hot that day. A nice hilly course so that I can improve my leg strength and best of all I am hoping to run this run with some of my ultra friends and training partners and team mates.

Its official the stage has been set and I have now fully accepted the fact that I will once again run the Sierra Nevada Endurance Run. I am facing my fear and moving forward instead of away from it. My fear of this race will help make me a stronger person and a stronger runner.

SNER DNF

The Sierra Nevada Endurance Run a 52.4 mile trail run starting at Cavitt and heading to Auburn Dam overlook to No hands and back. This would be my third Ultra, second 50 miler and I have only been running since late October of last year. In fact CIM was my first marathon, followed by AR50, TRT50k and SNER. This new passion of mine has had a huge impact in my life. I have made some life long friendships during the journey. I have also discovered so much from within me that I never knew existed.

This journey that I started back in October was a way for me to channel my energy and to focus on obtainable goals, to challenge myself mentally and physically. To push myself harder. I had no idea what I was getting into at the time. When Anthony told me about the Fleet Feet training program I jumped at it without hesitation. Little did I know how much I would grow from the experiences I had during AR50, TRT and now SNER.

SNER didn't end like I had planned it too. In fact I was crushed when I had to drop. In fact that was the hardest decision I made all day. It is hard to deal with a DNF especially when I was so close to the finish. Here is how my day unfolded......

The early morning came far to quickly, I was awake from 1am to 2am. Fell back asleep and then woke up before my alarm went off. It was going to be a great day. I was feeling mentally focused and I was for the most part physically feeling stronger then I have had in a few weeks. Again this race was going to rock!!!

As the excitement and anticipation built up while waiting at the start I took a second to look around and really take it all in. This is what all my training has been for. This was it. I was ready. As I started I knew the course which would be a huge benefit I thought. I knew that I didn't have to go out to hard there was plenty of room on the fire road for all us runners. I didn't push. I ran a comfortable pace leading into the single track that heads to twin rocks.

 As I passed twin rocks and started the tougher terrain I was right on schedule with fueling and water. I was eating and drinking. I also noticed that it was warming up pretty quickly. During this stretch I noticed a burning sensation coming from my back. It felt like my back was on fire. I have never had this sensation before. My back was hurting it was just on fire. I made a mental note of it and kept on moving.

While running towards horseshoe I found myself in the lead with a few runners on my heels. I asked if they wanted by but they declined. I thought OK and kept the pace. Eventually though I stepped off the trail to let me pass as I felt I was running their race and not mine. I felt like I was being forced to run harder then what I had planned. As soon as they passed I continued on and was more comfortable on the trails.

I fueled at horseshoe and off I went to Rattlesnake. I knew my crew was going to be there. That gave me a mental boost. I was still feeling strong, legs were moving well, the burning sensation in my back would come and go and occasionally my ribs would scream at me.

I flew from horseshoe to rattlesnake, the terrain didn't bother me. Guess it pays to train where the race is. I knew what to expect, I knew when I needed to hike. The day was unfolding perfectly. As I approached rattlesnake my crew was there waiting for me. Kirk was also there. As I was with my crew Kirk removed my pack filled it with water and told me I was in great position, reminded me it was 8 miles to the next aid, and also reminded me to eat and before I knew it I was off and running again.

This next stretch things started to go South for some unknown reason. I was cruising along with another runner on my heels. This was his first ultra so I chit chatted with him a little bit. It actually enjoyed talking to someone out there during this stretch. But eventually I stepped off the trail to let him pace. I felt like I was being pushed a little bit to hard and once again not running my race. I let him go, even though  I enjoyed his company. That would be the last runner I saw during this stretch until Kuni passed me as we neared the base of the dam hill. I was having to walk more and more. I thought it was because I hadn't hiked some of the hills like I normally do so I was just recovering. I in took a few GUs. All I kept thinking though was I really need that aid station. I need some solid food.

I could see it in the distance, the base of the dam hill. As I rounded the corner there was the aid station. I filled my pack and ate some food and started my ascent on Cardiac. Cardiac kicked my butt. I kept pushing up having to pause every now and then. Here is where Michelle from fleet feet passed me we both encouraged each other and joked around about Cardiac. The switch backs never ended. Eventually I reached the top and the canal. I jumped in and submerged myself. It was a shock to my system but after doing that I was focused and not so foggy.

Now it is just a two mile run along the canal, here is where Brent my brother in law was. I didn't recognize him but he yelled "Meme" and that sparked another gear in me. I was so happy to see him and Bradyn and Kristina were about half a mile away. What a totally awesome surprise. As I neared Bradyn he saw me and came running toward me. I gave him the biggest hug. I was almost to the aid station and there my crew was once again waiting for me.

What a awesome surprise!

At the overlook, I drank half a bottle of endurox. I was trying to get calories in me as food really didn't sound to great at this point. I refilled my GUs my crew sprayed me down and off I went. Kirk was also here, he helped me fill my pack, told me to take it easy going to no hands. He also reminded me to eat, asked how my stomach was doing, squeezed cool water on head and off I went.

On my way to No hands

It was hot by now. I don't think I was drinking as much water as I should have been looking back. As I dropped into no hands I had planned on hiking the hills and running the downs. That is just what I did. Here I saw Anthony on his way back, he looked strong. As we passed we both updated each other on our situations he was cramping and I told him I was doing good. Not to long after seeing Anthony I saw Jenny from fleet feet. She told me it was going to be hot on the way out to load up on ice. I told her she looked great. It was awesome to see them on the course and gave me a boost.

Going to no hands was tough. It was hot, I would climb down and then have to climb up. But eventually I made it to the 26.2 mark. I loaded my pack with ice, drank numerous cokes ate some food and off I went to return. One of my friends from work surprised me here. Another boost.

The return trip I had planned to do hike the climbs and run everything else. Only I couldn't run anymore. I could only hike. Every time I tried to run I had excruciating pain radiating from my ribs to my back, each step I took. I could only hike. That is what I did. I probably only ran a little bit when I could tolerate the pain. As I am hiking out Garmin dies on me. I start to get concerned because I thought that now I was racing against the cut offs. I was hot and I still had a ways to go. It was only 4 miles but felt like forever.

As I hiked out of no hands and back to the overlook I knew I had to do something about my ribs. Once I reached the overlook  my pacer and my crew were there along with my family. My pacer asked me how I was doing and I told her "I am hurting, I can't run." I also am freaking out a bit about the cut off. The aid station crew said I was fine I made it and just as I finished that sentence the medic comes over and asks if he can help. I didn't want to tell him to much for fear of being pulled. I told him I needed my ribs taped, I needed pressure on my ribs. He said he could do that. he also cooled me off with water and my crew just kept handing me things to eat and drink. I am not sure what or how much of anything I took in. I also couldn't answer any of their questions as to when the last time I ate something was, or my last s-cap. In fact I didn't even know what time it was.

I am in some serious pain, I am having trouble breathing. As my ribs are getting taped my pacer told me that the aid station crew was a bit shocked at seeing someone getting their ribs taped due to a rib being out of place. Once he tapes my ribs I stand and take two steps and ask him to tape my back. My ribs felt better but now the pain was shooting to my back and making it hard for me to stand. The medic taped my back for me. While I was drinking some coke the medic told my sister that they needed to get me going before the pain got to bad. They did just that. I was off.

"Meme, are  you OK"

As we starting running on the canal, I was hyperventilating. I couldn't catch my breath I was in so much pain. And then I was on the ground doing a flip. I fell. I tripped over the one rock that was on the trail. I landed hard on my left side which is my bad side and flipped. I was covered in dirt. I looked like carnage now. My pacer helped me up and I took in a GU and started running again. If I was hurting before well I was now hurting even more. I hadn't even made it to Cardiac and I fell.

Do you see any rock? I don't, but my feet found one

After falling. I am caked in dirt

We cruised down cardiac, there really is no easy way down. At the aid station I ate some food and applied some Vaseline on my legs. My legs were feeling a little chafed. My shorts by this point were covered in salt, I could see the salt ring. No big deal. Only it was.

We left Cardiac and headed out into the longest stretch ever. 8 miles. During this time my pacer, kept giving me GU every 30 min. Salt every 45 min. This section is runnable only I wasn't able to run it. I was hiking and then pretty soon I was walking. I couldn't muster up the strength to run. My legs were on fire, my ribs and back were killing me and I also had a headache. I ran every now and then, but it wasn't much.

Mentally I was drained. I was hot/dehydrated and in some serious pain. I had to stop a couple of times just to catch my breath and relieve some of the pain. I knew the trails, so I broke it down in my head and gave myself small goals to reach for. The first goal being Mormon bridge. Once at Mormon bridge I sat down on the rails. My pacer soaked my hat and I just sat there. She eventually got me to move again, but it took some work on end.

After Mormon bridge my next goal was the water pump station. We were able to run some to the water pump and here is where I used the bathroom for the first time all day. Probably not a good thing. After this small goal my next goal was Avery's pond. I chuckled to myself about this and then told the story of why this was so funny to me to my pacer.

My pacer did awesome keeping me moving, every time I stopped she would coaxed me to stop in the shade up there a bit not the sun. She kept giving me GU and salt until I flat out refused it. We reached Avery's Pond and I sat down on picnic table. Pretending to empty out dirt/rocks from my shoes. My pacer again got me to start moving again. If it was up to me I would have sat there for longer.

I knew that is was maybe a mile to the Fleet Feet aid station at Rattlesnake. As we walked I just started crying. I was spent, I was emotionally drained, I was physically exhausted and in a lot of pain. It was getting better it was getting worse. I cried, but I kept walking. I was upset with performance at this point, I was disappointed in  myself I was literally beating myself up and during a race these negative thoughts are not good. I would stop crying and then start crying again.

I was walking/hobbling. My goal was the Fleet Feet aid station. My crew would be there but also Kristi from fleet feet. I knew we were getting close. I also knew that I was done. That is why I was so upset, because I knew this was it. As I walked into the aid station all I focused on was Kristi. I stared at her for what felt like 5 min. I wasn't speaking I was a walking zombie.

Kristi- whats was going on?
Me-I'm done
K-Wait what! Talk to me. what do you want to do?
Me-I don't know, I'm done
K-Whats going on?
Me-I don't know
K-What do you want to do?
Me-sit down
Kristi gets me sit down and then starts firing questions at me.
K-when was the last time you ate?
Me-Don't know
K-When was the time you had an s-cap?
Me-Don't know

My pacer told her my last s-cap was an hour and fifteen minutes ago, she immediately gave me two s-caps, and told me to suck on some potatoes. I was given coke. She also dumped water on me, and that brought me back a little bit.

Mentally I was done, physically I was hurting and I also knew what kind of terrain was coming up. I cried some here sitting in the chair. My crew told me I could do it. What they didn't know was exactly how much pain I was in. Kristi asked me again what I wanted to do and I said "Can we call Anthony?" She somehow managed to get Anthony on the phone. I think she had to call Julie Fingar the race director and Julie found Anthony. Wow what support.

I vaguely remember talking to Anthony. I do remember him telling me that I didn't sound to good and asked me what was going on. But by this point I was incoherent. I was crying. Somehow, maybe after sitting for a bit and eating some I decided to give it a try.

But first there was a issue we had to take care of. My legs were on fire from the chaffing. In fact it hurt to put Vaseline on. But I did with Kristi's support. I even had a great idea to Vaseline my shorts. Wow, brain function is coming back. Then she cut the liner out. During all of this I was hyperventilating and having difficulties breathing. My ribs were killing me. Every time she asked me if I wanted to go on, I would start to panic. Kristi even told me "don't make me pull you. I don't want to make the wrong choice and let you go if you think you can't do it." I managed to calm myself down and get my breathing under control. She took my pulse and was amazed at how relaxed I was considering not to two seconds before I was hyperventilating. I decide to push forward. Kristi told me that horseshoe was only 1.8 miles away run aid station to aid station. After that it is 5.8 to twin rock and then the finish. Awesome words, aid station to station.

Thank you so much for awesome support. The Fleet Feet aid station really put me back together after being there for 45 minutes to an hour. How they did it I am still amazed.Before I left I thanked my awesome crew and the awesome aid station. I walked into that aid station and I ran out of that aid station onto horseshoe. My pacer and I flew into horseshoe. I was feeling pretty good here. The aid staff was really helpful. They cooled my off and were real supportive.

Alright only 5.8 to twin rocks. Running aid station to aid station. Not maybe a mile down from horseshoe I was hiking again and then I was walking and then I sat down on trail right before a big climb. I just sat there with my head in my hands and I was crying. My pacer coaxed me back up and encouraged me to keep walking. The sun was fading fast. I was crushed. I kept walking, runners passed me and offered encouragement. I walked I ate some food, and then I refused to eat.
The sun went down and thank God that at the Fleet Feet Aid station a volunteer had given us a flash light. I walked and tripped over the rocks and I cried some more. I heard voices coming from behind and I stepped off the trail. They said they couldn't pass they were the sweeps. I was panic stricken. First thought was I was being pulled this is it. I am done. They must have saw my panic looked because they reassured me I had plenty of time and all I had to do was keep walking. I did just that I walked. They gave us some distance but made sure they could see us.

Walking in the dark, the inches felt like feet, feet felt like yards, yards felt like miles and miles felt like I was walking to the moon. I knew the trails but in the dark it is a totally different experience. I was lost, I was following the ribbons. I was incoherent I was crying and I was in pain. The sweeps caught back up to us and asked my pacer what was going on with me. Was I cramping? No not cramping. Was I dehydrated? Probably. She told them about getting my ribs taped and they responded with "ohhh, your rib girl." I am rib girl. They explained that the medic who taped me informed them of a girl on the trial with a rib injury and to be on the look out for me. They found me. I asked them how far to the aid station. They replied, you can throw a stone and hit it. Not sure how far it was but using that sentence made the aid station seem really close. I stumbled into the aid station and immediately told the volunteers I was done. The said I did a great job considering everything I had to overcome. I should be proud of myself.

I dropped at twin rocks, I couldn't go any further. I was mentally empty, I was physically drained and in a lot of pain and I was emotionally drained. I dropped less then 5 miles to the finish. I was devastated. It was the hardest thing I did all day. The sweeps called Julie for me again and she told Anthony and Lily that I was OK, and dropped at twin rocks.

The volunteers at the aid station gave me a jacket and then they wrapped a blanket around me. I was freezing. My body was shutting down now that I had stopped moving. I was shivering. My pacer gave me a ride back to Cavitt where Anthony was waiting for me. I cried on his shoulder. He took me to Lily, and I cried on her shoulder. She said she was so proud of me. Kirk and Jenny were still there and Kirk said group hug. I cried on his shoulder as he hugged me and I cried on Jenny's shoulder as she hugged me.
I just kept saying I had 5 miles to go. Chuck the medic and friend asked me some routine questions and he even gave me a huge hug where I cried again.

Lily and Anthony took me home with them, I slept on their couch and the next day hung out with them all day. It was a tough race. Most runners probably would not have toed the line in my condition, but I am not like most runners. This race was a journey and one that I will not soon forget.

"Your toughness is made up of equal parts persistence and experience. You don't so much outrun your opponents as outlast and outsmart them, and the toughest opponent of all is the one inside your head." -

 Joe Henderson

“The essential thing in life is not so much conquering as fighting well.”

– Baron De Coubertin, founder of the modern Olympic Games

So Close But Yet So Far

After having to drop at SNER on Saturday I have been a little slow on wanting to post anything and I still am trying to get my thoughts together. I ended up having to drop at Twin Rocks roughly 5 miles from the finish, it was dark out, I had been on the trails for 13.5 hours, my ribs were killing me to the point where I couldn't run and I had them taped at the overlook mile 30, then I fell not 2 miles after that and I chaffed extremely bad on my inner thighs from my sand like paper shorts (salt). That is only a little bit of what I went through.

Made it to Twin Rocks around 8:37 pm. I am spent, I couldn't go one step further. It took all I had to make it to Twin Rocks in the dark.

Falling asleep, that is how spent I am.

When I can I will have a full race report up. I am still trying to put the pieces together. It was a learning experience and by far the toughest decisions I made all day was having to drop.