Ok so that may not be the official name but - it's a funny bunch of nationwide ultra races celebrating our collective holiday weight gain. I was up and out the door by 4 am 2.5 hrs to drive, plenty of coffee and good tunes and what could be better. I was first to arrive as Randy Worton RD was sleepily stretching red tape along the side of his road.
The race was small maybe 20 folks toed the line as we mingled and stretch Kris Whorton said "Go" I looked up to see her waving us off like kids to a playground... and that is exactly how I felt. No tweaks, no nerves, no weirdness, everything felt right. In my heart I felt like this was a day where things felt in symmetry, in order in rhythm.
Kevin, a Rock/Creek man, took off straight away, running what I felt was low 7s. I have forsaken my Garmin for some time now, mainly because in the move, it's charger has been misplaced, but here I would have like to have had my smaller time watch at least. I forgot that too.
I followed his lead, knowing the prevailing strategy of R/C runners is to blast out of the gate. I was ready and held pace off his right shoulder.
His pace quickened down to what felt like 7's even and I made an effort to keep up. After a few miles he said, "I like to go out fast, but I don't plan to keep this up!" This was all I needed. We past a house with a giant decorative present in the front yard. I thought this was a gift, this is exactly what I need. I was now warm and ready to rock. As we transitioned from road to gravel path to single track, I felt myself leveling out and the pace became comfortable. I dashed down the trail, feeling light and quick.
Randy the RD had left out 10 min. before the race start to throw flower down as trail markings, on the way out of his home he leaned back in, smiled and said, "catch me if you can!" I really wanted to catch him, how much fun to have a "rabbit" tossing flower on the trail not 10 minutes out.
I caught him in a little over 5 miles and now Kevin was dropping back. I ran with Randy and his dogs, he asked "do you know where to go?" I had no idea where to go and I sure didn't want to have to figure it out. Out of no where a guy appeared next to Randy's red pickup where we had our self aid stashed, Randy and he exchanged a few words and then he took off with me. Turned out his name was Alan Outlaw, he was out for a training run and was now going to lead me through the first 10 mile loop.
Alan took on the job as a pacer- pointing out dangerous spots as we circumnavigated Lookout Mtn on some hazardous and narrow stretches of trail. The 10 mile loop flew by and I was back to the truck grabbing bottles and thanking Mr. Outlaw for his selfless act. I now knew the route as I was to run the loop in reverse and then follow the white flour markings left by Randy that were sure to be down by now.
After a 5 miles stretch on which I saw Rock Creeker Kevin at this point only a few minutes behind me as he headed to the truck. With this, I dropped the hammer all the way to the 1.5 or so mile climb up Lookout. Every time I thought of winning - I would turn it to God's glory with a loud Hallelujah. I must have said it 100 times by the time I was on the home stretch.
I crossed the line in first place in 4:07. What a great day. Hallelujah.
Thanks @Swiftwick for the Aspire 12s- I wore them during the race and kept them on after- they were money. Thanks @feetfeetnashville the Roctane and Honey Stingers were right!
The race was small maybe 20 folks toed the line as we mingled and stretch Kris Whorton said "Go" I looked up to see her waving us off like kids to a playground... and that is exactly how I felt. No tweaks, no nerves, no weirdness, everything felt right. In my heart I felt like this was a day where things felt in symmetry, in order in rhythm.
Kevin, a Rock/Creek man, took off straight away, running what I felt was low 7s. I have forsaken my Garmin for some time now, mainly because in the move, it's charger has been misplaced, but here I would have like to have had my smaller time watch at least. I forgot that too.
I followed his lead, knowing the prevailing strategy of R/C runners is to blast out of the gate. I was ready and held pace off his right shoulder.
His pace quickened down to what felt like 7's even and I made an effort to keep up. After a few miles he said, "I like to go out fast, but I don't plan to keep this up!" This was all I needed. We past a house with a giant decorative present in the front yard. I thought this was a gift, this is exactly what I need. I was now warm and ready to rock. As we transitioned from road to gravel path to single track, I felt myself leveling out and the pace became comfortable. I dashed down the trail, feeling light and quick.
Randy the RD had left out 10 min. before the race start to throw flower down as trail markings, on the way out of his home he leaned back in, smiled and said, "catch me if you can!" I really wanted to catch him, how much fun to have a "rabbit" tossing flower on the trail not 10 minutes out.
I caught him in a little over 5 miles and now Kevin was dropping back. I ran with Randy and his dogs, he asked "do you know where to go?" I had no idea where to go and I sure didn't want to have to figure it out. Out of no where a guy appeared next to Randy's red pickup where we had our self aid stashed, Randy and he exchanged a few words and then he took off with me. Turned out his name was Alan Outlaw, he was out for a training run and was now going to lead me through the first 10 mile loop.
Alan took on the job as a pacer- pointing out dangerous spots as we circumnavigated Lookout Mtn on some hazardous and narrow stretches of trail. The 10 mile loop flew by and I was back to the truck grabbing bottles and thanking Mr. Outlaw for his selfless act. I now knew the route as I was to run the loop in reverse and then follow the white flour markings left by Randy that were sure to be down by now.
After a 5 miles stretch on which I saw Rock Creeker Kevin at this point only a few minutes behind me as he headed to the truck. With this, I dropped the hammer all the way to the 1.5 or so mile climb up Lookout. Every time I thought of winning - I would turn it to God's glory with a loud Hallelujah. I must have said it 100 times by the time I was on the home stretch.
I crossed the line in first place in 4:07. What a great day. Hallelujah.
Thanks @Swiftwick for the Aspire 12s- I wore them during the race and kept them on after- they were money. Thanks @feetfeetnashville the Roctane and Honey Stingers were right!
 |
| Kris Whorton co-RD and me post race |
