The first 42 miles was uneventful. Little windy with wonderful overcast skies average 55 f. After running 24 miles I reached the first volunteer who had chocolate and water. Taking her offer I grabbed a couple Dove chocolates for later and dug out my first sweet potato of the race. I sat, ate and talked for a couple minutes. I said thank you for her help and that the chocolates will come in handy in the next 18 miles.
At 22 mile turn around I took 30 mins to take off my shoes sit and eat. I ate my second sweet potato it was delicious!
I left the 42 mile turn around at 11p. Put on my head lamp to prepare for the 6 hour run in the dark, 18 miles back to the chocolate lady.
I ran the trail at night seeing no one in front or behind me for hours I knew I was on the right course but something stopped me in my tracks. Confronting me on the trail were floating green eyes forty feet away reflecting from my head lamp. And they winked at me. I thought immediately bear because it didn't back off but it hasn't come forward. Bear spray wouldn't help due to the wind. So I took out my knife and kept my head lamp on him the whole time. I yelled and hollered and flashed my lamp at the pair of green eyes. He stood his ground. Then I thought the eyes look too close together to be a bear. I'm thinking this thing knows I'm bigger, and that's all that matters in the animal kindom. So as loud as I could I yelled at it and slowly approached the green eyed animal. I came close to it to scare it away but not close enough to see what it was. But not really caring too much just happy to get back to running.
Through this run I discovered my food problem. I reflected back to my two worst races, why I had such a hard time holding food down cramping and the common denominator was too much junk in the stomach. I have been over loading my stomach with electrolytes, gels, and other running junk that caused me to throw up. Ress Pass, this race I consumed the least amount of food out of all the four and had the most success. I drank water after food and as needed. One Nuun electrolyte tablet was involved in a 20oz bottle. I snacked every hour. I slowed my food down made myself a little hungry. That beat feeling nauseous and throwing up on myself.
It might be pitch black but I can look behind me and still see her head lamp. I thought who is this runner? Then I remembered from our placement on the trail I thought it must be Shawn. Before the race Shawn wore a jacket that Ultra runners could only dream of. Her jacket was covered in patches from the toughest races in Alaska! Not only 100 milers but also the ITI and the Ididasport these are 1000 milers! I have to keep my feet moving, I thought if I want to keep my spot in line. Both Shawn and I made it to 72 mile aid station about dawn. An umbrella covered the racers' drop bags also served as a turn around indicator. I sit down and take off my shoes to enjoy my 30 min break. A short break off my feet helps. For some reason 30 min breaks feel to me the perfect time. Not too long for your legs to get cold but enough to feel the spring back in your step.
I open my box of packed food from under the umbrella. I look at all the food with disgust. I have no hunger. Shawn sits down and digs through her bag of packed food with the same response. "I'm not hungry for any of this" she said. It kind of sucks doing all this work and not being able to enjoy food I think to myself. She offers me a Starbucks. I thought what would I do with a Starbucks gift card out here? I look at her and she hands me a can of Starbucks espresso. That looks awesome I thought and thanked her. I offered her a trade but she said she was fine.
Heading back on the trail dawn broke and I was so relieved to take off my head lamp. With dawn breaking I ran the last 20 miles to the finish reflecting on this Alaska Slam journey. I competed my last 100 miler from the Slam in 2nd place overall with a PR of 21 hours and 47 minutes.
Sarah Duffy stated it the best. We experienced being comfortable in uncomfortable situation. Throughout these races I ran with everything I had in me. I crossed the threshold from servivial to control. It was such a wonderful feeling being at peace to run my race they way I wanted to. On and off the trail we all will face discomfort but how we navigate through it will determine who we are.
I am so blessed and grateful to have the support from everyone that has been with me the whole way on and off the trail.
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