Umstead 100 Take 2

Everyone has a tale…and often during a 100 miler, if you ask multiple people, it may seem like they were not even at the same event.  Below is my story (and a few miles of Steph’s tale…told only from my perspectiveJ).

The Umstead 100 Endurance Run was once again an amazing experience.  The amount of support required for completing this event is huge…from training, to babysitting, to crewing and pacing and cheering.  I am truly humbled by those that have supported me in this endeavor- both on race day and over the last 6 months. 

As many of you know, lots of “challenges” came into play the 2 weeks prior to race day.  I worked hard to prepare mentally to overcome these new issues, and pulled out all the tricks.  I felt like I was as ready as I could ever be, but somehow felt that the extra “fire” was missing.  I repeated many mantras over the 48 hours prior to the 6 AM start time (leave nothing, suck it up buttercup, hey voice, suck it- we really need to write to the guy that developed this mantra and tell him how often we have used it!- and most importantly, Failure is not an option.  I will only quit if I am pulled kicking and screaming off the trail.)…I felt it was important to make sure I had all my weapons in my bag.  I would use these weapons many times over the weekend.

Friday morning brought the final touches to packing, coffee with a dear friend, and the fruit cutting party!  Final checklists were performed and totes were sealed off.  I had everything packaged in Ziploc bags of varying sizes for Kris.  I wanted to make his job as easy as possible.  Being crew chief is no easy task….not only did he have to have my gear and food ready, he also was in charge of my foot care between each lap!  It was going to be 7 frenzied transitions for him.

Crates of gear!  Nicely labeled for easy access....

We headed out to REI for a quick purchase of a poncho (it was going to rain) and a chair for Kris…then it was to race headquarters for check in and the pre-race briefing.  We were home and eating spaghetti and packing coolers by 8:00.  After eating and one final shower, Kris pre-taped the balls of both of my feet, and we were off to bed!  It took me a while to fall asleep, but once I did, I actually slept rather well…until 2:30 AM.

Here we go again.....

 Kris and me at the pre-race briefing!

2:36 AM and the alarm sounds.  Our plan was to leave home by 3:45 and I wanted to make sure I had plenty of time to get everything done.  I got dressed quicker than last year (since warm weather running requires less layers), we packed the truck with the final totes, I had my usual Pop-Tart breakfast (the breakfast of champions) with diet coke, and we were off.  We arrived to the park gate and got in line as we waited for the gate to open…we were 6^th in line, and Kris was excited.  He had a plan in mind for crewing this year, and it involved a prime parking spot!  At 4:45 AM, the gates were open, and the line of headlights headed into the park.  Once settled into our spot, Kris and I decided to hang out in the truck until 5:30ish, because it was raining and I didn’t feel the need to get wet before I had to.  We also decided to pre-tape around my chest, under my sports bra (by the way, BEST decision ever), to prevent chaffing.  I had a cup of peaches for my final calorie bump, hit one last bathroom and headed to the lodge to wait for the 6 AM start.

About 5:50 AM race morning.  Getting last minute advice and encouragement from Bill!

(Steph, Val, Bill, Amy, Tony)

Ready or not....

At exactly 6 AM, the gun went off, and we headed off in the dark on our first steps towards our 100 mile goals.  A total of 252 runners started the race, and most had headlamps.  I was anxious, as one never knows what a 100 mile race will bring, and starting in the dark and the rain, adds a little to the anxiety.  I try not to think of Kris and John and KO hanging out eating breakfast in the lodge J  Steph and I decided we would start the day together again, and if all went well, we would hang together for the first 50 miles, like last year.  Once we hit 50, we would go with our pacers and separate.  We had our break-up word prepared (we have a secret code word that we use when one of us wants to either head out on our own or send the other one on ahead).

 

Lap 1: The rain was falling and we didn’t mind…the rain was keeping us cool.  And it could have been worse- it could have been 35 degrees and raining!  During the first lap, we met lots of new friends since everyone is still bunched closer together.  And we worked hard to make sure we were starting off nice and easy.  My legs felt like they were a little “stale” from my time off, but otherwise things were moving along nicely.  I finished this lap a few minutes ahead of my schedule, but all in all I was right on target. 


Total time for Lap 1: 2:37:59 (Miles 1 – 12.5)

It was a rainy start!

Kris and John playing with sticks.

 Home for Kris and John and KO!  This was the upgraded version!

Lap2: No wardrobe change since it was still raining.  I changed out my camelback with a fresh stock of fuel, changed socks, and headed back out on the course.  I still had Steph to keep me on pace (she is the pace master) and to keep me company.  We chatted and giggled through this lap.  And throughout the whole race we always heard, “Hey, you guys are having too much fun out here.”  I kept reminding myself to try to enjoy the moments.  My legs were not settling in like I had hoped, but I was moving- so moving I did.  Coming down Powerline, we ran past some blooming Bradford Pears (which are really stinky)…and Steph looked at me and said, “I stink.”  I giggled and said, well maybe, but that smell is not you! : )   Thank goodness…I don’t think we could have run together much longer if she smelled like that!  I was sticking to my nutrition plan well at this point, and no major issues.  The rain was still coming down, but had lightened to a sprinkle.  After this lap, I decided to change clothes since everything was soaked, and I knew the chaffing would set in soon!  Apparently, Steph and I came into the HQ 20 minutes early this lap, as the crew wasn’t prepared J  We had decided that we would drop our Camelbak off with Kris and John, then run up the hill to the check-in point and aid station.  That would give the crew enough time to get out anything we may need.  Our favorite part of the run, was running up that hill without the pack!!! 

Total time for Lap 2 (including previous lap transition time): 2:48:22 (Miles 12.5-25)

Cumulative Time running: 5:26

Lap 3: After a wardrobe change and a switch of the Camelbak, I was back out on the course.  Steph and I were still together and still trying to enjoy as much as we could.  The sun came out this lap and turned Turkey Creek into a sauna!!!  It was hot and humid, so we tried to slow our pace and keep our heart rate down.  I wasn’t feeling great this lap, and my mind started to think about how many more times I had to complete this lap.  Steph and I still found time to giggle (usually at ourselves)….and I kept telling myself to focus…run aid station to aid station.  We made up a song and sang it every down hill.  (Make it to the bridge, make it to the bridge, all you have to do is make it to the bridge….then make it to the vine, make it to the vine, all you have to do is make it to the vine…and then you get to walk for a long, long time -there was a long uphill section!).  After the turn onto Turkey Creek, we decided it was time for our music.  Plus Steph was singing EVERYTHING at this point, so I thought some real music would be helpful.  We both got the same singing talent….let’s just say we run better than we sing.  I liked the pick me up of the music, but it made me feel more alone in my pain, as it was hard to talk to Steph when we both had our earphones in! At AS 2, we split a hamburger, and ate as we walked up the hills back into Turkey Creek.   We had slowed our pace some during lap 3, but were still fine on time, and felt like we had to slow down in order to not overheat. 

Total Time Lap 3: (including transition from previous lap): 3:03:58 (Miles 25-37.5)

Cumulative Time running: 8:30

Lap 4: Change of socks, foot repair, and back out.  Into the heat.  Kris and John gave us an ice crystal neck wrap to help keep our heart rates down, but I needed an ice body wrap J  It was hot, and I was tired, and I hurt.  Everything on me hurt.  Oh, and my demons would not be silenced.  I was still listening to music and trying to focus on one bridge to the next (shorter distance than aid station to aid station). Around mile 40, we saw Rob going for a quick run!  Ah, more distraction and positive reinforcement!  He was coming back to pace me for Lap 8, but it sure was nice to see him during Lap 4!  He laughed as he ran beside us for a brief moment and said, “You guys are the craziest, happiest bunch of endurance athletes I have ever seen.  Everyone is so happy and encouraging.”  He, he- welcome to the world of 100 milers.  As I ran down corkscrew, I saw my first snake of the day.  I think it was just a black snake and when I screamed in surprise (he was headed towards me as I rounded a corner), he retreated.  I think the mountain biker helped drive him back into the woods :)  At around mile 42.5, Bill Burns appeared.  Yay, motivation.  We chatted with Bill (he was on Lap 5), and he provided his usual encouragement and advice before running on.  I fought my demons this whole lap.  And the nausea had gotten bad.  I couldn’t drink my Carbo-Pro at all….Everything on my body hurt. My hip, my knee, and I felt like my foot was broken with each step.  I decided to not tell Steph, but I had convinced myself that 50 miles was a good goal for today, and after we got back, I may be done.  I didn’t think I had it in me to face what I faced after Lap 4 last year…and I was convinced the race would unfold just like it had last year.  Except for last year, I felt great the first 50 miles.  Steph seemed to be feeling great…and even broke out into her breakdancing moves during this time….I see an arm worm out of the corner of my eye, and I look at her and she is just running, and so I asked her…”did you just dance?”  and she giggled and said, yep…So we danced a little through this lap to entertain ourselves!  Another distraction at AS2- Krisine and Meggie J  They had brought a bag of carbo-pro for me!  They helped me and Steph get our packs filled with ICE water (ahhh!) and sent us on our way. While I waited for my pack and stared blankly at the food on the table (surely, something would help my stomach), one of the volunteers tried to help.  He said, how far are you going today?  Me: All the way (still trying to convince myself and him- I looked terrible at this point…believe me, I have seen pictures to prove this fact!)…He said good job, keep going (I’ll take those good luck wishes buddy!).  I thanked him for helping and headed out.  As we turned off Turkey Creek around mile 47.5, we saw Paul and Teresa (and a sleeping Kyle).  They were there to cheer us on.  I was at a super low point, and was just trying to move forward.  (Apparently, I wasn’t fooling anyone, as Paul called Kris to tell him I was in bad shape…oopsie).  We were still running the downhills and flats and walking the uphill sections, but the heat had really worn us down.  And the other runners….the cheeriness had decreased, but everyone was still trying.  As we entered the headquarters aid station, Sally, met us made us promise to change clothes before heading back out into the night.  Then she sent us on our way.  Jim (a fellow ultra runner- he was working the aid station while his wife was running) walked back down the hill with me and Steph to make sure everything was okay.  (Apparently I looked as bad as I felt since Jim was following me and talking to me about how I felt and what was going on.  I was happy to have him there, because I knew with all the encouragement it would be more difficult for me to stop).  When I got back to the pit crew, I sat down and let Kris start working on my feet….and here is where the breakdown began.  I don’t recall everything that happened, but I do recall thinking…I can’t do this…I just can’t do this.  Kris iced my foot, repaired the blisters, and I tried to get myself together.  Kristen and Kara were my pacers for Lap 5 and they were ready and waiting…all they needed was a runner- and I wasn't sure they had one yet.  Everything hurt, but my foot hurt the worst.  Every step I ran felt like it was broken.  Kris and I discussed the problem…Kris: Number 1-10 when you run…Me: 8 or 9….Kris: what about when you walk….Me: not as bad, maybe a 4…Kris: well, okay, then, you can walk it.  Next time you come through maybe you should think about your answer…you aren’t stopping with a 4… Me:  but that’s when I walk….Kris:  then walk.  Me….Grrrrrrr (between sniffles- also known as between sobs).  So I changed clothes and headed back out with my pacers and a thermos of chicken soup, vowing to answer Kris’ question correctly my next time through! 

Total Lap 4 time: (including previous lap transition): 3:24:44 (Miles 37.5 to 50)

Cumulative Time running: 11:55

HALF-WAY!!!!!

 Out on Lap 4...fighting the demons!

Turkey Creek!

KO and Kara- Lap 5 pacers...these girls got me back in the game!!!!

(I don't have pictures of all my pacers/crew...but they were all wonderful :)!)

Lap 5: New blood on the course and chicken soup!  After that first ½ mile out of headquarters, I felt like a new woman.  It was an amazing transformation.  KO and Kara kept me on task with food and electrolytes, and we ran the flats and downhills.  I could feel my mental shift and after this lap, I didn’t consider quitting again.  I don’t know what exactly happened, but I was glad.  Enjoy the times you feel good!  KO and Kara moved me along nicely for this lap.  We chatted and ran and walked.  It was great.  This was my best lap of the race….realizing that everything is relative…but as far as I was concerned, I had been pulled from the depths of racing hell, and I did not want to go back.  I was hopeful that my Lap 7 would not pull me back down (as that is the Lap that did me in last year….it was cold and I was exhausted).  So I tried to stay focused in the moment.  I felt great, but still fought the nausea.  It was terrible, and I couldn’t figure out what to do to fix it.  The soup broth would calm it a little, so I sipped on this throughout the lap.  During this lap, we also saw our second snake of the day…an angry copperhead on the trail.  Thanks runners in front of us for warning us….it was scary!  Kara and Kristen decided I needed to change clothes when we got back since it was still hot out and I was wet from sweat.  The nice thing about pacers on the course with the runners at this point is that the pacers could now take over some of the cheery encouragement that the runner’s had previously supplied!  As the runners started to fade into the night, the fresh pacers kept up the, “Great Job!”, “Looking good!”, “Keep up the great work!” comments.

Total Lap 5 time: (including previous lap transition AND my 20 plus minute breakdown): 3:41:33 (Miles 50-62.5)

Cumulative Time running: 15:36

A little between lap foot care!

Lap 6:  A quick clothing change and foot repair (and refill of the soup).  Kara was going to head back out with me and my other pacers, Kelli and Wayne.  Once again, my pacers entertained me and kept me on task.  It was fun listening to them talk, and I made myself stay engaged so that I didn’t go too deep within at this point…Walk, run, take electrolyte, run, walk, eat….and repeat.  I felt fairly good, but the nausea was terrible.  Just keep moving.  It was still very warm, but I was glad it wasn’t freezing like last year.  When we hit AS 2, they gave us a trashbag because there was a storm approaching.  They said, it may be intense with hail and thunder and lightning, but it is a concentrated cell.  I also saw Steph at the porta potty this lap, and it made me happy to see her :)  She was back on the trail before I came out of the potty, but I knew she was in the woods with me.  (And I think she was happy to see me on the course at all after my 50 mile breakdown!)  As we made the turn back into the wooded section, a cool air came through and the thunder and lightning started.  And the rain.  Ahhh, the rain!  The coolness felt great, so I wasn’t worried about getting wet.  And I was too tired to be scared of the storm.  Besides we were pretty well sheltered in the deep woods.  And the lightning provided extra light!!!  So on we went, careful to make sure the copperhead wasn’t still in the trail.  I was moving well (considering), and felt pretty well overall, except the nausea.  Ugh, the nausea. 

Lap 6 Total Time: (including previous lap transition): 3:56:17 (Miles 62.5 to 75)

Cumulative Time running: 19:32

Aid Station 2 at night!

Crystal, another fabulous pacer!  (Lap 7)

Lap 7:  After checking into the aid station, and changing some wet clothes, and fixing my feet, we were back out on the trail. Kris and Crystal were my pacers for this lap and Woody made a surprise appearance.  It was great….I was still feeling good overall except the nausea.  Crystal and I giggled at the boys, who were dressed in 5 layers plus rain suits.  I was still sweating in short sleeves and capris, but whatever.  Around mile 76.5 (1.5 of this lap) Kris realized he forgot my electrolyte pills, and poor Crystal had to do a tempo run at 2 AM to head back to get them for me.  Not on her list of things to do tonight (she had already paced Steph for her Lap 5), but she did it!  (Thanks, Crystal…you rock)  While she was doing a tempo run, Kris and Woody were trying to shed the rain suits (swish, swish, swish)!  Around mile 79.3 we were back together.  And there appeared another trail treasure!!! RaShawn :)  Lap 7 was entertaining and I felt okay except for the nausea!!!!  Onward and upward.  We sang and talked and moved.  One the first steep hill, RaShawn pulled out the NC State fight song, and I marched (literally) up the hill.  The second half of Lap 7, exhaustion set in.  Along the course, various signs of encouragement are posted.  Right before a nice downhill and nasty uphill, one sign read, “Hills are My Friend.”  I had seen all the signs 7 times by this point, but they were new for my pacers.  Someone (I thought Kris, but he says not him), laughed and said, “Ha!  I can’t believe that sign is still standing.  I thought for sure someone would have kicked it over by this point.”  Made me giggle to think of someone tired of doing these hills taking out their frustration on a sign.  And the nausea was still bad.  Right before it was time to turn off Turkey Creek I started heaving and commenced to puking.  At this point I wanted to puke…and I wanted to puke a lot.  Surely this will make me feel better.  Ah, better :)  at least for a moment.  As I stood back up from my previous bent over position, a nice little man (he is 71 years old- and actually finished before me) offered me a Tums.  I originally said no, but Kris thought it would be best to try, so I did.  (I took candy from a stranger, Steph! I must have been exhausted and desperate.)  As he was leaving me in his dust he said….”Everybody tries to eat while doing these things…I’ve only had 300 calories the whole day, and look at me….I did carb load, though.”  You go buddy!!!!  And thanks for the Tums in case you didn’t hear me mumble :)  I moved a little more slowly the back half of Lap 7, but finally made it in!!!!  My pacers promised me the sun would bring me some new much needed energy, but I was not convinced. 

Lap 7 Total Time: (including previous transition): 4:22:29 (Miles 75 to 87.5)

Cumulative Time running: 23:55

The sign that was still standing...

Lap 8:  Let’s get this over with.  I picked up Rob and Holly (actually, I think it was the other way around), and back out on the trail for 1 final loop!!!  After getting back to the actual bridle trail, I started to shuffle again (my version of running at this point)…and as we got to the airport spur turnaround cone (mile 88.5 ish), we stopped for a quick photo opportunity…and guess what…the sun was coming up.  And the sunrise on Day 2 is a magic that can’t be described.  I was just glad that this year I was on Lap 8, because last year I was still making it through Lap 7 at this point!!!!  At the HQ AS, Jim patted my back and said, you have 6 hours, you can do it even walking…and he was right…I could do this.  So back to the run, walk, eat, run, walk, eat pattern.  The nausea was terrible…so most of my eating at this point was ingesting Tums!  And a ginger chew….and sucking the juice out of oranges.  At AS 2, Holly grabbed more oranges, and apparently her and Rob devised a plan while I was in the porta-pot (again) for the back half of the loop.   I noticed they would start walking ahead of me if I slowed down…hey guys, I know this trick- this isn’t my first rodeo.  Oh well, don’t fight it, just try to keep up.  We turned on the music (speaker style this time) and kept moving.  Every mile marker brought a “whoo whoo” and I could finally start counting down (backwards of course).  We ran down Powerline, walked up Gralyn, and powered up Cemetery Hill.  About mile 11, and Rob says, okay it’s flat here…let’s go.  Me: “I can’t.”  Which received a very disapproving look from Rob.  (Next time I am going to take my chances and look at Holly J).  And then it hit me…I just said “I can’t.”  Those words don’t come out of my mouth.  Damn it, Rob (well played, Moscato, well played).  So I started shuffling/running….and a grin came onto Rob’s and Holly’s faces.  And other than 2 uphills, we ran the rest of the way into home base (even the uphills at the very end)!  Poor Holly ran this whole lap carrying a plastic bag full of my extra goodies (Tums, oranges, apples, mt. dew).  The rest of my gear was on Rob’s back!

Total Lap 8 Time: (including previous lap transition time): 4:11:16 (Miles 87.5 to 100!!!!)

Cumulative Time running: 28:06

Holly and Rob- more fabulous pacers....and WINNERS of the BRA CUP!

All done and resting!  (Val, mom, Steph)

Feet post race...looking much, much better this year :)

As a side note, Kris and Rob had a competition to see who could get me through my respective lap the fastest….a Lap 7 versus Lap 8 competition.  Last year Lap 8 kicked Lap 7….but I wasn’t sure that would happen this year…since I was still running Lap 7.  But the fatigue set in and the nausea was terrible.  Once again, Lap 8 was the faster of the 2 laps (they did not include transition times for the competition)…Lap 7- 3:52 and Lap 8: 3:44….nice job Rob- you are the owner of the Bra Cup!

Finish Line:  28 hours 6 minutes!  And I actually felt good….better than Lap 4?????  I got my hugs from Kris and Ella and everybody who came to cheer us on….and then sat….

Lessons Learned/Observations:

• Nausea is evil….I mean really evil.  You can’t focus on anything except for how bad you feel.  Yoga breathing helps…but nothing helps more than puking.  I fought the nausea for over 65 miles…and it was miserable.  I have to figure this out!  That being said, chicken soup is miraculous.  I tried to balance the need for calories (I was lightheaded and needed sugar) and the need to not put anything in my stomach.  Also, miniature snickers are magic!  These were my energy boosters….and I ate several each lap.  As my energy dropped, I popped a snickers J

• Heat is not my friend!

• Cortisone is a miracle drug!!  My hip bothered me some, especially on the uphills…..but I would not have been able to do this race without it.

• The Golden Rule of a 100 mile race- never think about how far you have to go….and I broke this rule the entirety of Lap 4….which was why I almost gave in to the demons.  Epic Fail on the mental game here!

• Each 100 mile race is different…I expected this year to be like last year, and it was totally different.  My low laps were 3 and 4 this year…and while I did get tired during lap 7, I didn’t hit the lows that I expected.  Part of my mental issues during lap 3 and 4 were thinking that I was going to continue to feel worse (like last year)….but that didn’t happen….I have heard this before…each race is a new day and a new experience.  It doesn’t matter what happened last time.  I was able to use what I learned last year and during training, but the race was a totally different experience. 

• Only during a race do I learn to love the porta potty so….for those that know me well, I know what you are thinking! I know that I have settled into a race when I walk in and fall down onto the porta potty seat.  I learned in the heat of the day, that trying to cover said porta potty seat with flimsy 1-ply toilet paper was a futile effort!  And who needs hand sanitizer when you can just drink a little water from your camelbak, and then spit that water back out onto your hands to wash them??? 

• Somehow, Steph and I always end up dressing the same…despite our efforts…hence our new nickname by some of our new trail friends….Trail Twins….Wonder Twins….:)  Wonder Twins, activate!

A very special thanks to my crew and pacers (and their families for sharing them with me at crazy hours and through crazy weather): Kris, Ella, John, Cari, KO, Kara, Wayne, Kelli, Crystal, Woody, RaShawn, Holly, and Rob!!!!!  And to the cheer team that came out to the race(that cheered both the Britt girls on to victory):  Matt, Michelle, Luke, Dylan, Lori, Teresa, Paul, and Kyle, mom, Lacy, Dad, Kristine, Meg, Tammy, Laura, Margery, Ben, Jamey, Will, Laney, Craig, Teresa, John, Sylvia, Sherry, Lisa, Chris, Beth, Devin, Chase, Connor, Aidan, Aaron, Liza Lou, Margaret, Jim , Dave, E-Ching, Darby, Jennifer.  Thanks also to those that were not able to come out but cheered us on from afar…and those that ran with me through my training runs! And thanks Coach Ian!!!!!

And an extra special thanks to the race staff and volunteers…they are incredible!!!!  I am nervous to do a different 100 miler because I know how fabulous everyone here is, and they truly make it their goal to have everyone cross the finish line! 

Robert Frost- …”The woods are lovely dark and deep, But I have promises to keep, and miles to go before I sleep, and miles to go before I sleep.” 

Couldn’t have said it better myself! 

Signing out until next time….BA Barukus Skittle Feet Clinard