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My Sunmart story actually starts at The Rockledge Rumble, a 25K I did
in early November. At Rockledge, the weather was hot (unexpectedly
about 85), I was dehydrated from something I ate the previous evening
and my stomach was not being co-operative during the race. Somewhere
around the 11 mile mark, I saw Joe Prusaitis, who was running the
50K. I looked so bad that he poured some of his cold water over my
head. I told him I wasn't feeling great and that I was probably
going to quit at the next aid station. About half a mile later, I
saw Gabe. I told him the same thing - I was still dehydrated, had
back spasms and thought I was in last place. I was going to stop at
the next aid station and ask for a ride back. When I got to the aid
station, I took some time trying to feel better before I quit the
race. While I was there, a woman appeared from out of the brush
wearing a 25K race bib. I wasn't last after all! I told myself that
I'd just try to hang with her and finish. We walked out of the aid
station and then she started to jog. I didn't think I'd be able to
start, but I did. Within the first half mile or so, I got my second
wind and was long past her. As it turned out, I passed about 5 other
people in those last few miles of the race and got my `rock' at the
finish line. After the race I commented to Joe that I had no idea
how I was going to run double that distance one month later at
Sunmart. With his usual wisdom he said, "Different race, different
day. You'll do it."
Now, on to Sunmart. My first 50K. What a great day. Temperatures
were about 34 in the morning with predicted highs in the low to mid
60's. No rain in sight. We arrived at the race site by 6:00am along
with the rest of the HCTR crowd. Tents and shelters were set up and
everyone stashed their gear. Lots of last minute advice was given
and I soaked it all up and appreciated every little tidbit of
information. At 7:00 the 50 milers started. Then the lull between
race starts. And, at 7:30 it was our turn. I was amazed at the
number of other runners lined up at the start. The siren screamed
and we were off. My feet were still so cold I had trouble feeling
them. I did exactly what I was told to do - I went out slow and
tapered!
The first 10K out and back was pretty crazy. Lots of mud, lots of
runners jockeying for position in both directions. Saw a guy lose
his shoe in the mud. Almost fell on my face when I tripped over a
root. Saw all the other HCTR's heading out for their loops as I came
back to the start/finish area. Then it was done and I was back at
the turnaround. Matt Harrington was there. He had walked it (due to
injury) faster than my run/walk. He started the first 12.5-mile loop
with me but told me not to slow down for him. Ha! Within the first
two miles he was so far ahead of me that I couldn't see him! So,
there I was on my own again. Saw lots of friends on the 1.4-mile out
and back and then started into the back part of the loop.
It wasn't
long before I heard someone coming up from behind. I turned around
and saw that it was the same woman (her name is Betty) who had
spurred me to finish Rockledge! Within a few minutes, she said "This
is the spot where the guy died last year at Sunmart. I saw him, but
help was already with him. He was dead by then." A thoughtful
moment of silence passed.
When I spoke with her again, I discovered
that this was going to be her 13th Sunmart finish. She had done the
50-miler once and the rest were 50K's. Now, I had a strategy - stick
with Betty as long as I possibly could since I figured she knew what
she was doing. What a great plan. We stayed together for the entire
loop. First one taking the lead and then the other. We seemed to
instinctively know when each other was tiring and the other would
take the lead. Luckily, we both didn't tire at the same time!
Before long we were at the start/finish turnaround again. Just as I
pulled up to the HCTR area, I saw Robert Melendez leave for his
second loop. We had lost each other pretty early on but I had seen
him on the out and back portions. This time he looked like he was
hurting. I changed shirts and water carriers (from a hand bottle to
my waist pack) and downed an Ensure. Matt was there, his leg
bandaged. He said that he was going for `the sympathy vote'. As I
gave him a hug and a smile, I dropped my bandana. Thanks so much to
Gayla for picking it up and making sure that I had it before heading
out! I'd be lost without that bandana. Betty had pulled out a few
minutes before me, so I knew I had some catching up to do if I wanted
to stay with her.
Just as I started my second loop, I saw James
Booher coming in for his finish. I glanced at my watch and knew he
had had an awesome day. I saw Henry on his third loop at aid station
2/4. He didn't look as friendly as usual. Once I finally got on the
1.4-mile out and back, I spied Betty quite a distance ahead. I kept
telling myself "catch up slowly, don't do it all at one" - advice
from Gabe. I saw Robert heading back while I was still heading out.
We stopped to chat for a moment. He told me that he believed his
legs were no longer part of him. I was feeling somewhat the same -
at some point, it hurts, then you just go numb from the waist down.
It doesn't really hurt any longer but you're not really sure that
your legs are there! We parted and each continued on.
On the back
portion of the out and back, I was finally able to catch up with
Betty. We stayed together again through the back portion of the
second loop. At the start of the back portion, a runner on his cell
phone (ugh!) was right behind us. We managed to find enough energy
to put some distance between him and us. About an hour later, he
must have found his second wind. He came running by. A few minutes
later, he was gone from sight. At the last aid station, I stopped
for a bathroom break and Betty kept going. On the last 2.6 miles, I
came within 10 or 15 feet of her just as Joe came up from behind us.
I smiled and asked how his day was going. He was having a great run -
just finishing up his 50 miles. We chatted briefly before he
disappeared ahead of us. At the top of the downhill coming into the
final mile or so, I saw Betty take off. I started to run as fast as
I could, but felt some severe tightening in my hamstring and calf. I
slowed a bit still doing my best to keep her in sight. I was happy
to see her pass the `cell phone guy' and set him as my new target.
He was shuffling slowly and I was doing short, but strong jogging
spaced by the most powerful walk I could muster. I finally caught up
with him. He shuffled away. I spurted to catch up and then walked
behind him. I never let him get more than 10 - 15 feet ahead. When
we hit the final road crossing, I passed him running with more energy
than I had in hours! Even us back-of-the-packers have that
competitive thing going on!
As I came into the main area, Gabe was
there to "run me in". Faster, faster he urged. I looked at him and
said, "I've run this whole race without your help. I don't need it
now!" I was so proud of what I had accomplished. I had carried a
small noisemaker with me through the entire race and I blew it all
the way down that final road to the finish line. After I crossed the
finish line and got my medal and afghan, I looked around for Betty.
There she was looking for me. We embraced and thanked each other
for "pushing and pulling".
How fun it was seeing everyone back at the HCTR site and hearing of
their ups and downs, disappointments and triumphs. I loved being
able to watch and cheer for the other HCTR's still finishing the 50-
miler. It's not often that a back-of-the-packer gets to watch others
finish a race! I just couldn't stop smiling.
Many thanks to the people who helped me realize this goal. To Henry
Hobbs who encouraged me to start trail running after Motorola last
year and continues to tell me that longer distances are possible even
for slow guys like me. To Joe and Joyce Prusaitis who have been so
supportive and have passed along such valuable information and
lessons. To Jen Moon and Sara Eno who were brave enough to start
running trails with me last spring even though we'd get lost week
after week after week and call it an adventure. To Robert Melendez
who ran 25.5 miles with me at Bastrop and succeeded in being `Orange
runners who completed Sunmart'. To all my other friends at Austin
Fit and HCTR who see me at the start of runs and then again at the
end if they hang around long enough. And especially to Gabe who
supports me through thick and thin, fast and slow, good and bad. I
am so grateful to have all of you in my life!
Janice
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