Short story: I finished and I finished STRONG!
Long story:
The fifth and final day of the Dust Bowl Series was being run at Clayton Lake State Park. The park was about 25 minutes outside of Clayton, New Mexico, so we had to get up seriously dark and early Friday morning. I made a PB&J in the hotel room and then we headed out. When we pulled into the parking lot, I realized it was going to be a hilly sort of day. I was right.
This race had a short loop and then four longer loops, which included the smaller loop. As we headed out on the first loop, I knew I was going to hate this course. We ran down an uncomfortably steep hill and then onto a dirt path. The path led us out onto a dam, where we were completely unprotected by the wind. I was not a happy camper. Then we came back and went down the dirt path, back up the nasty hill and out the longer end of the loop. We would then run the longer part, back through the finish, up the shorter loop, and back to the finish – 4 times. I was completely confused at first and honestly pretty unhappy. Of course, the longer loop started with a long uphill and then headed onto a really rocky dirt path. I was convinced I was going to hurt myself (and in fact, at one point I tripped over a rock and did about 20 steps with helicopter arms before I managed to pull myself upright.) As I was finishing the first loop, I was ok with my pace, but I didn’t feel like it was going to be a good race. And then I got to what had been the long uphill and realized it was an awesome downhill. I opened up completely and FLEW down the hill. It was exhilerating! After a short jog, I hit the steep downhill and opened up again. After that, I was on a major runner’s high!
I handed my gloves to Beer Geek at one point (he was hiking around the area). I also stopped at to switch hats and take off my arm warmers. I embraced the uphills and flew the downs. I quickly figured out where I needed to just plod along. I didn’t love the rocks, but as it turns out, the rest of the course totally played to my strengths.
I rocked the race. From about mile 2 on, I felt incredibly strong. I had a smile plastered on my face the whole time. Several other runners even commented on how strong I looked. I was tired in the last mile, but I knew I’d already completed 64 miles. I told myself it was ok if it hurt at that point. And then I was done.
65.5 miles in 5 days and I ran the last 13.1 in 2:25:59!
And, since 65.5 miles in 5 days wasn’t enough, Beer Geek and I walked a steep 1 mile walk around the rim of Capulin Volcano.
YOU. ARE. AMAZING.
Wonderful – we get vicarious pride from your accomplishment.
You are seriously amazing! Congrats on your strong finish. You should try the Capulin Half Marathon sometime!
You are a complete and total rock-star in my book!!!
What an accomplishment – you should be so proud of yourself!!!
Awesome awesome job!! Amazing what you the body can do when you need it to! COngrats on a major accomplishment!
Indi recently posted…Alligator, Boat Ride and Oh….a 100mi DNF
Wow, wow, wow! Just truly amazing! Your 5th half in 5 days and what a strong finish! I’m super, super impressed. I messed your #4 recap so I’m going to find it now. Great job!
Michael recently posted…Melt It Off Monday – The Introductory Version
Rockstar!!! Congrats!
Carrie recently posted…Wordless Wednesday {200th Post}
congrats. you should also feel good about doing so well at high altitude. I’m not positive what the altitude in Clayton is, but I’m sure it’s much higher than DC and may have been the highest of the 5 states. Well done!
Lisa recently posted…Wind, wind, go away…
Congrats!! You deserved those downhills!!
Wow! Glad you enjoyed your crazy running adventure! Great job!
Running LIbrarian recently posted…5 things Friday
So. Dang. Cool!!!!
You are a rockstar!!!!
Ang recently posted…A Fun First
Congrats! I’ve really enjoyed hearing about your experience and I am tempted to do this next year as my sister-in-law lives in Fort Worth and my husband’s parents live in Albuquerque. Anyway, I think it’s awesome that you had such a strong finish to your adventure. Congrats again!
Elizabeth recently posted…Resort Running: Colorado Springs
That is fantastic! You must be on such a high now.
I just love how you went from wondering if you could even finish to just blasting through 5 half marathons in five days.
Char recently posted…Still Learning
Very inspiring. I loved following this. Thanks for getting your posts up so quickly.
Andrea recently posted…Swim Swim Swim Swim RUN Swim Books
Absolutely amazing! What an awesome job – congrats!!
Michelle @ Running with Attitude recently posted…What’s in my fitness closet?
Your journey through this has been nothing short of inspiring. Congrats on the miles and races and an incredible accomplishment.
P.s. you earned massive points in my book. PB&J is my favorite, and I eat it at least 5 times a week.
And for the record, you ran more miles in 5 days then I have ever ran in 7. I think my highest mileage week I have ever had for just running miles was 62ish. YOu are AWESOME.
Laura recently posted…Around the Bay 30k
Way to go and go and go and go and go! You did it!
Nicki recently posted…Weekends, Races and a Winner
Congratulations on finishing so strong on Day 5!
*slow clap* Phenomenal. Really amazing. I’m so glad I saved all of these to read together. What an incredible week for you. You are so inspiring to me.
Stimey recently posted…He’s Right Behind Me, Isn’t He?
I love running half marathon as well! Great job with your running and keep it up! Are you planning to run a full marathon soon? I am going to try this year to run the Utah Marathon… hopefully I can make it! Good luck to you!