Chafing the Dream
I drove in and dropped my gear off before driving up another 3 miles ahead to park my car in a field. Once I took the shuttle back, I met up with my teammates (who were awesome enough to carry my gear to the campsite!). I only knew our captain but I have to admit, he did a great job of recruiting a wonderful group of runners.
After we cheered on our first runner, I decided to grab some dinner. I was the last runner and wanted to get those last minute carbs in before my leg started.
And 3 TV screens that showed each team/runner that was coming around the 1/4 mi mark (back to the village). This is when you get in the transition tent and wait for your runner and embark on your own loop.
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(Almost) everyone watching for their team's name on the screen. |
I attempted to get some rest but since I wasn't familiar with everyone's pace and an unknown trail on top of that, I was too nervous about missing my turn and making the other runner wait for me. We cheered on our runners until it started getting dark. I listened to the others talk about their loops and got an idea of each trails. There are 3 different loops: green (easy), yellow (intermediate) and red (difficult).
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REI handing out hot coffee |
Around 11pm, my turn came up. By then, I was tired and chilled. But looked forward to trail running in the dark - I love running with just the headlamp on and zoning out. My body shook in the cold temps while watching the screen. I warmed up a few times by the bonfire and tried to distract myself from the cold by watching the movie they were showing - Indiana Jones.
Finally, got in the transition tent, got my yellow loop wristband on and once my teammate handed me the bib belt, I was off! Because of my previous weekend's disasterous DNF due to ITB issues, I was more than nervous about this run. After warming up the first mile, I got into a groove and ran hard. It was a bike trail so there were lots of bends and the usual trail obstacles (rocks, roots, etc). Towards the end of the loop, I came across a girl who was just standing there. I asked if she was ok and she said "Oh my God, I thought it was an animal coming this way." Cool, thanks. There were actually a lot of people that were genuinely scared of running in the dark, based on conversations with other people there.
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The village. Mess hall to the right, transistion & everything else up ahead. |
I saw the "one mile to go" mark and was pissed. I should be done by now!! As I continued, I heard the crowd at the village and kicked it up for a strong first leg finish. I handed off the bib to the next runner and immediately found a place to throw up. Except my stomach was empty so I deliriously shuffled my way to the campsite, about 1/2 mile away.
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Hard ginger ale & choc chip cookie. Delicious mistake. |
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Tents. Tents everywhere! Walk all the way up, turn right and walk some more to the village. |
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Warming up after my 2nd loop. |
My 2nd loop was miserable. My nausea would turn into cramping and the lack of sleep was hitting me hard. I tried to focus on the trails. By then it was light out and I was running on the green loop. I took so many walk breaks because I didn't trust my stomach. I hated that I was taking so long while another runner was waiting for me. But I finished out the 3.5 miles - again, realizing I'd forgotten to fuel up before this loop.
There was no more sleeping after I got back to the campsite. I felt like a zombie but must've gotten a second wind because I was busy packing up my gear so I wouldn't have much to do after I did the final leg. Ate some potatos for breakfast, hung out at the campsite until it was time to head down for the 3rd loop. This time, I brought 2 gels. One to consume while waiting and the other for the trail.
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Hot breakfast. They didn't have the eggs and such, as promised. |
My last loop was my favorite. It took a few miles to get into it, as my nausea persisted. But then the technical part of the trail came along and I was in my element. I don't even care if it's uphill - if there are rocks to jump over, roots to avoid and possibility of falling and cracking my head, I'm running!
I did walk a few parts - the boring, grassy areas and mud. So much mud that I can't believe there were runners doing this in the dark! (From what I heard, there lots of slips and falls during the night).
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Mess hall. 2 TV screens ahead. |
What a high!! I handed over my red wristband, traded in the race belt for our medals and we got our finisher pics. On one hand, I was beyond relieved to be done. But that meant it was over... no more camaradarie with other runners. Back to reality.
I packed up my tent and sat, waiting for the shuttle to bring me back to my reality. Reality wasn't so bad when I stopped to grab some Rocky Rococo's - that's all I craved. My body must've needed those greasy, cheesy calories as I soon felt better. (But not so great that I thought I could handle Culver's custard - I don't usually eat a lot of dairy to begin with).
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My glamorous camping attire when not running. |
Namaste ~
Dye
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