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Beware: beautiful, beautiful pain ahead. |
I am going to be real here: That Race Broke Me.
But, here's the awesome part about running. Any race. Any distance. If you keep on, if you push through, you will finish. And it's not really about the time, it's about the experience. It's just the sheer fact that YOU DID IT. No matter what, you did NOT GIVE UP. And that's what the post is going to be about.
Here' some nice photos to get you feeling warm and fuzzy. These are the sights that kept me going.
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About 5 miles into the race. Awesomeness! |
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En route to Antelope Canyon -- perfect weather, brilliant skies. |
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An awesome runner at the entrance of Antelope |
This sums up how I feel about everything. Right now. And all at once. |
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The incomparable Antelope Canyon (oh man, how I wish I had a real camera!!) |
The views after Antelope were spectacular. Ultra Adventures knows how to put on a show.
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Runners above, runners below. |
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Surreal. Just that. |
Meanwhile... the views at Horseshoe Bend:
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I can't even write a proper description. |
I just. got. tired.
Really tired. Really fast.
Thankfully I had a nice stash of Honey Stinger gels and waffles. I knew I wasn't doing very well. My heart started beating out of my chest, anxiety set in, and I felt very sick. This usually means I need to refuel. And fast.
I also didn't pee yet -- which was bad. Really bad. I drank as much as I could stomach, ate a waffle and kept on. I wanted to cry but really I just had to mentally get through.
I made it to the next aid station. I cannot say enough about the volunteers who sacrifice their weekends to accommodate our crazy running aspirations. THANK YOU! The folks there got me right back on track.. some salty chips and chia fresca (I dont know.. it was awesome tho!) and I was feeling A OK again! I navigated the trippy waterholes slot canyon (see photo below)....
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There are tears behind that smile. |
At mile 34ish I saw my FAMILY! This meant everything to me! I could do it! I could push through. Those cute little blondies yelling "GO MOM".. Steve, the most amazing husband ever who puts up with this craziness... I knew I had to shove on.
mile 37 I saw these smiling faces --- xoxoxo my Kanab friends, who took a day to volunteer and be AWESOME, per usual:
OK, 13 miles to go. I got this. Right! Right???
Well, my mind was saying yes. My stomach was saying "yeh right, lady -- no way." And here's tip #1 from ultrarunner Jill. Never.. NEVER.. forget immodium on a long run. It's really the difference between life and death. Or, smiling and crying. I felt SO sick. So so so sick.
Here's the deal though. In ultrarunning you meet these amazing souls. People who would sacrifice their own time for YOU. Little ol' you. Those people, for me, were Sean and Sue. Sean -- amazing, never give up, always positive, keep moving... and Sue --- "you got this, you are a warrior, you are NOT quitting" These two people literally kept me moving. I cannot say enough about the ultrarunning community. Everyone is just so awesome and willing to help you achieve your goals.
At mile 49.8 I saw them. I saw the smiling faces of the three people I love the most in this world: Steve, Harry and JJ. Harry kicked it up and ran with me the final .2 miles, through the finish line.
11 hours and 39 min. I'll take it! (4 HOURS off of last year's time. OK -- YES! Heck yes! I'll take it!)
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My motivator, Sue. This lady rocks! |
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My hand crafted finisher bracelet. Love it! I earned it!! |
Also to Honey Stinger who fueled my run and gave me the pure, natural energy to keep going. And to Athleta, the ONLY running tights I swear by --- just cool looking, SUPER comfortable, supportive and ready to perform.
Oh wow, look at that! I've already forgotten about those rough patches :) Monument Valley in a month? Bring.It.On :)
Thanks for reading xoxo
you're purely amazing! :)
ReplyDeleteAw Shannon :) xoxox
DeleteCongratulations. I'm bummed that I wasn't there, but I won't miss the next one. Thanks for sharing your experience.
ReplyDeletethanks so much! i sure missed seeing you guys!!
DeleteGreat report! I can't wait to get down to Page to race that next year!
ReplyDeleteYou are going to love it, Derrick! The entire vibe is just incredible!!!!
DeleteHey - that was my husband who pushed the chia fresca on you at the aid station! I'm so glad that you finished strong. We enjoyed meeting all the runners at the entrance to Waterhole Canyon.
ReplyDeleteHA! Awesome! Tell him THANK YOU :) I wasn't so sure about that stuff, but it perked me up :) :) That's really great. Thanks for the comment :)
DeleteAwesome! You are amazing! Love ... Mom & Dad. ps .. love the bracelets!
ReplyDeleteThanks mom :) :) and dad :) :) xoxoxoxo
ReplyDeleteNice meeting you, great race. Good luck at G2G
ReplyDeleteThank you!!! Who are you?! :)
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