Mountain Conquered

Last night, today seemed impossible. The forecast just stunk. It was going to be rainy all day today. Running up and down Mill Mountain any time is a feat, but adding the wet conditions, it was daunting. I didn’t get to bed until much later than I planned. I felt unprepared. One of my darlings woke me up at 4 AM when she had a bad dream. I thought, “Great. Short night. Long run. Bad day ahead.” But I refused to be defeated before my toes touched the starting line. I heard from a teammate who struggled through the night and had a big run today where he was trying to qualify for Boston. As I encouraged him, I was giving myself the same advice and pep talk. I got ready, got out the door late, made it downtown and found a parking spot, met Amanda and walked to the start/finish area. I was still not quite optimistic, but at least the rain was more of a misty drizzle at this point.

I had access to the VIP area, but we couldn’t find it. We walked around a bit and grabbed a muffin since I hadn’t eaten breakfast. Someone else was looking for the VIP area and we headed that way with her. Once we found it, we settled in to stretch, warm up, eat a bit more and use the wonderful indoor facilities. Best VIP perk ever.

As they began announcing for everyone to make their way to the start, the butterflies in my belly grew enormous. What was I thinking? My body has not cooperated in years. What made me think I could do this?! I made one last potty run and headed to the start. Amanda positioned herself on one side a few strides from the line. I stayed to that side and kept moving and stretching. John Carlin’s soothing voice came across the speakers and an opera performer sang the national anthem. David Bowers spoke and I couldn’t tell you a word he said if you paid me to. My mind was already running the race. The man in charge of the Blue Ridge Marathon events went to the mike to start the race. As the crowd of runners edged closer to the starting line I took a deep breath. I knew my plan. I knew my back up plan. I knew what I had to do. I knew what I wanted to do. At this point, all I needed to do was put everything in motion.

The cannon (yes, cannon) went off, and so did the runners. I settled immediately into my 2:30/0:30 intervals. Other than a few very rude and inconsiderate runners who were bumping into others, elbowing people and cutting people off going down Jefferson Avenue, the first mile was almost effortless. Granted, it was 90% downhill. By the way, if someone is running hugging the curb in a straight line as they go, it's really not the best move to try to pass between them and the curve. I told myself there are those runners in every race and refused to let them dampen my positive attitude.

I grabbed a water and Scratch at the 1 mile marker, noted my 11:11 time and was pleased with how things felt. A few more bumps, jostles and cutting off and then my intervals changed to 2/1 for the uphill, and then changed to almost all walking. It was okay. I planned to save myself on the uphill and just focus on moving forward at as quick a pace as I could. Around mile 2.5, I began noticing the group around me. A man was run-walking with his wife. He gently put a hand on her lower back and pushed her forward. Later I saw him rubbing her shoulders. (Later I saw a picture of them at the finish line for the half - great job folks!) Another older lady was running with her friend, who was not really enjoying the start of the run. The first lady would stop and wait for her friend to catch up. Her friend would say, “Keep going, I’m fine. Just slow.” But the friend wouldn’t leave her. It was beautiful to see the teamwork.

Every once in a while we’d hear cheering up ahead of us. What was it? A level spot. We’d all start running again until the next uphill climb. It was great celebrating the little things together.

There was an adorable little red-headed boy who was in our pack. He made us all smile several times. Some pace groups were near us and lots of chatter going on. There was one lady trying to run, but the only reason I noticed her was she had decided to run with one of those obnoxious cow bells attached to her. After almost a mile of it, I contemplated yanking it off her and throwing it over the mountain. Folks, don’t be that woman. You will irritate a lot of runners. Seriously. Leave the cowbells with the spectators.

Just after this came a great laugh. On the side of the road, there was a rather large, burly, shirtless man holding a sign covering shorts that couldn't be seen that read "Run faster or I will drop this sign and hug you." We all start laughing and he said he wasn't joking, that we better all start running (because we were all walking at this point). One lady veers off course, directly at him and says, "I'm just going to hug you anyway." It was such a comical-turned-sweet moment, and by far, my favorite race sign and holder along the course. He was awesome. 

There was a younger guy was hanging on to the right of the road heading up, dripping sweat and breathing hard, so I patted him on the shoulder and encouraged him. Later I saw him again, still pushing forward up the mountain. Dogged determination just radiated from him. Around the same time, Nicole from Christiansburg and I noticed we were keeping the same pace and began chatting. As we turned at the Mill Mountain entrance and the (insane) people kept going straight for the full marathon course, the half-marathoners and 10Kers in our group continued talking and moving forward together. We shared some jokes and commentary about the crazy full marathoners, especially when we passed mile 12 as we turned, and we’d yet to reach mile 3. I saw a man turn and yell, “come on, you got this!” to a friend. Let me tell you, that last incline up Mill Mountain is the worst. It is straight UP. No leveling off anywhere. The friend said, “Go ahead. Don’t let me slow you down. Go finish.” The man refused. He said, “We started this together and we will finish this together.” I said, “I love teammates like this!” I told Nicole, who was still with me, how much I missed and appreciated my teammates. The man, who turned out to work for the police department, told us how they had come up the route yesterday and leaf-blown the road and path so there wouldn’t be so many slick leaves. We discussed this a few minutes. Then Nicole told me this was her first Star 10K race so we talked about what to expect at the top of the mountain. She’d run it during training but didn’t know the race aspect. So I let her know about the snacks they would have beneath the star and the photos and overlooks and such. I also told her about the infamous Moo-mosas at the Brown house. A dad was running with his two children and they were having a hard climb. I heard him tell the kids to run just to that next post and then they’d walk again. They repeated this continuously up that long incline. As they came in view of the star, they stopped to take a photo. Dad took one of the kids and another runner came over and took his camera and told him to get in the picture too. We all cheered the kids and dad on and kept moving. A runner came up on my right, excited to see the top and a huge smile lighting her face. I smiled back and said we’re there! As we hit the dirt we began cheering and congratulating each other, and also reminding each other to be careful on the dirt with loose rocks, and on the downhill due to the wet road.

We came around the dirt path corner to the star and there were so many spectators and volunteers cheering. You really get a celebration on top at the star. It’s wonderful. All of the expected snacks were out and so I grabbed some gummy orange slices and a slice of an actual orange to go with my Scratch and water. Most of my group was still around but several stopped for photos and potty breaks. I just wanted to GO. Nicole and I got separated in the chaos so I started jogging down the hill. The younger man was keeping pace with me, as were a couple of women and a group from one of the sport store teams. The road was slick, so I was holding back, not running my fastest controlled downhill pace. It felt good though, and I began ignoring the interval beeps. I simply ran. No walking breaks. The only pause was at the Brown house. I asked if I could get a plain orange juice, to which the ladies replied, “Of course!” I downed the splash of juice quickly and yelled a thank you as I continued on. Past mile 4. Past mile 5. A couple of ladies were talking paces and intervals. I chimed in, as did a few others. We just kept going. At the bottom of Mill Mountain, we came on the turn off for the half-marathon folks. Such bitter parting, but, those who didn’t know the route didn’t get much warning about the turn and started running across in front of the 10Kers who were trying to go straight. I shouted, “OK – all crazy people turn left here. Everyone else, go straight.” Everyone around cracked up and we all waved goodbye and said we’d see each other at the finish. Note to event organizers - maybe a sign just after we get back onto Walnut Ave that says half-marathoners turn left ahead, 10Kers, please keep to the right to go straight ahead. An older man was keeping pace with me and said, “I never knew it was possible for anyone to actually run up that mountain. So I had to try at least once in my life to say I did it.” I laughed and told him I’d said the same exact thing two years ago. I said I’d come, run, did that, accomplished that mountain and would never have to do it again. Yet here I am two years later, running it again. He shook his head and I said, “Turn around. Look at that. The beast is behind you. You did that. Now finish strong!” He kept running and actually crossed just in front of me at the finish. I smiled.

Coming up Jefferson Ave is the hardest part of the race for me. My body is tired of hill climbing by that point and even though I know I have less than a mile to go, that road seems endless. There were a lot more spectators and police. I pushed to get back to my 2:30/0:30 intervals, but it was a struggle. I finally reached the 6 mile marker and decided to run the finish. I took it easy – no sprint finish – but as I turned to run down the shoot, a man blew by me. I heard John Carlin’s voice announcing the man as the winner of the half-marathon. I was amazed. I can’t imagine running that fast up two mountains and finishing that quickly. My hat’s off to that man. I was very impressed. I know how hard that route is. Amanda called my name to snap a photo as I ran by. I smiled at John Carlin and the people around. I heard my name just as my feet hit the finish line pad. I got my medal and kept looking around. No finish line photographer anywhere to be found. I was a bit disappointed. I really wanted to have that picture. Oh well. I got in line for one of the photo booths, but it was an animated picture and it stunk. I really wanted a nice finish photo with my medal, but I was hungry and I was tired of trying to find a photographer. So I headed for the recovery food area. Grabbed some pretzels & peanut butter, orange slices and a banana. Got a water but really wanted a chocolate milk. Amanda had caught up to me and I said I wondered if they had any chocolate milk. A lady near the ice tub said, “Chocolate milk? Here!” She handed me a cold chocolate milk and I smiled and gave her a big thank you. We took our stuff and headed up to the VIP area so we could sit in a dry place. I began feeling the race as we sat down. I stretched, ate, talked with Amanda and sent a few texts. As soon as we sat down, it began to pour. I looked at Amanda as the rain started and just said, “You’re welcome.” I knew she would have stood in the pouring rain at the finish line if I hadn’t finished before the storms rolled in, but I’m so glad she didn’t have to!!

After recovering for a few minutes, we packed up and headed to the car. I ran into a young lady who I’d taught in Sunday school when she was in 7^th grade. She was there with her hubby, who had placed in his age group for the half-marathon. Impressive job Andrew! She also had their baby boy there, and he is even more adorable in person than he is in the Facebook photos I’ve watched him grow up in. I was so happy I’d run into them, but it was really raining and wet, and I needed to get back to Dad’s since we’d left my girls there. We said goodbye and headed to the car. As we got closer I told Amanda about the older man’s comments about doing it once, and how I’d been there two years ago. I told her this year was different. My time was a bit slower, but the race was easier and a lot more enjoyable.

As I drove to Dad’s I talked to our team coach and discussed the ups and downs (literal and figurative) of the race. All in all, it was a great experience and very enjoyable, despite the physical challenge. There is definitely a lot to say about it. But, to sum it up, this race far exceeded my expectations. 

From the Top of the Mountain

I’m standing on top of Mill Mountain in Roanoke, VA. I have just finished the first brutal 3.5 miles of the Anthem Star 10K race. I turn to look to the west. 2,722 miles away is Inspiration Point, just above Lake Tahoe’s Emerald Bay. In 6 months I will be standing there to begin a 13.1 mile race for the first time in 4 ½ years. Today’s race is my biggest test between now and then. Today I get to turn and run down the mountain and back into the downtown area of my hometown. When I cross the finish line, it won’t matter what my time is. I already know it’s probably not going to be my best 10K time, because the climb up the mountain today was tough. Not to mention soggy. This is the first time in 2 years I’ve run these 6.2 miles up the 1785 foot peak, or 6.2 miles anywhere. It’s been a struggle. I remember the pain and agony of my final half-marathon in CA years ago and I wonder why I ever thought I could do it again. But I just conquered this mountain. Lake Tahoe’s Emerald Bay Half-marathon suddenly seems possible again. 

Race Weekend Already!

After a four-hour drive, we arrived in Roanoke, VA to pick up my race packet for the Anthem Star 10K. I was a bit apprehensive, because my last experience at this expo was not a good one. We moved easily through the pickup line, grabbed my packet and VIP band, and headed inside to get my shirt. I went upstairs to the shirt table, they had my requested size and handed it to me. I tried it on. It wasn’t the greatest fit, plus it was see-through. Definitely not the high-quality tech fit we’re used to. I asked a couple of young volunteers what the other table of shirts was. They said it was a shirt exchange table if I needed a different size. What a wonderful system Blue Ridge Marathon race administration! Definitely a great improvement to the race check in. That was a really great experience. I appreciated it so much. Not once was I made to feel awkward or embarrassed about getting a shirt that fit right. However, the shirts still weren't moisture wicking at all, but nice colors and great design.

We headed downstairs to get the free Farm to Feet socks. The woman asked my size, immediately turned and got a pair, and handed it to me. Again, no “oh, we don’t have that size” or apologies. Just quick and easy, with no awkwardness.

We stopped by a booth and my girls were able to get cute pens and I got a race bag. Great goodies!

We headed over to the other side of upstairs to look at other items for sale. I wanted a t-shirt to go with my race jersey. I was already cringing when the guy asked me what size I was looking for. To his credit and my relief, he didn’t bat an eyelash and began looking through finding my size in all but one item. He was superb. We found several items that fit and I was even able to take them into the upstairs bathroom to try them on. He and the lady at the table were both very helpful and friendly, and extremely professional. I was beyond thankful for this.

I love that they added stickers and magnets to the items available for purchase. Perfect for race scrapbooking and to add to the fridge race magnet collection. The artwork was great, but a little expensive. There were almost no Sweaty bands left, but there were lots of fuel samples, race skirts and recovery tools available.

One of my girls set her pen down and someone picked it up. We went to see if we could get another one, but they were out. So we headed out of the expo. As we were turning to head down the exit line, a worker rushed up and handed us a pen, saying they’d found one in the bottom of the box. Huge smile and thanks to her.

We went to Dad’s to unwind and get the girls ready for bed. I tried to get my race things together but kept getting side-tracked. I was still very nervous about the race. With the weather forecast looking gloomy, I thought about just not going. I decided to wait until morning to make a final decision.