Bartlett Park Ultras 50K 2011
2009 - 9:36:26 - first ultra ever, temps close to 100 degrees!!
2010 - 9:36:44 - temps in the low to mid 90’s
2011 - 8:34:41 - temps in the low 80’s high of 86 degrees
This race, as all of them now days, starts the night before. I work
2nd shift and get off work at 10:30 PM. I had to leave for Memphis at
3:30 AM. That means not much sleep!
Chris, my husband made sure I got my butt in bed and he set his alarm
for me to make sure I didn’t sleep through mine in the morning! Thank
you Chris.
We were blessed this year as the temperatures were suppose to be much cooler than in years past.
This race starts with a small trail loop and then 4 loops on a 7 mile
trail course. The trail is single track dirt, no elevation gains but
millions of
undulations,
twists turns and some roots. On the first big loop a root was my
undoing. I tripped on a root and went down hard. I twisted my right
knee. I got up dusted off and continued running. It was difficult not
to trip often because with my knee acting up I couldn’t pick up my foot
enough to get over the roots.
On loop 2 I stubbed my big toe of my left foot on a stump, hit it DEAD ON! I was afraid I broke it.
I was getting down on myself and hating this race! The left leg hurt at the toe and the right at the knee, dang!
I forgot to take some pain killer at the end of lap 2. I felt it
during lap three. And I fell down again, this one hard too. My right
shoulder hit the ground HARD! It was difficult to get up that time. I
wanted to lay there and cry.
I had talked to my brother the night before. He is going through
some horribly awful crap right now. I wonder how he can keep his head
above water. Well in that conversation he told me. He told me that
stinking thinking isn’t his, it doesn’t come from him. So when that
kind of thinking creeps in he prays. He asks for forgiveness, he tries
to forgive and he counts his blessings (repentance, forgiveness and
gratitude). If he can keep his mind in a place of gratitude then even
though things still suck, his thinking will be clearer and he will deal
with it better.
Well, all of this went through my mind as I got up and started
moving. I thought about Bruce, my twin from another mother, who broke
his ankle 2 years ago and will never run again. The night before I had
told him I would run it for him. We both ran that race together, first
ultra for both of us. I thought of him. I’m raising supplies to send
to Afghanistan for the Marine Corp Marathon Forward held there on Oct
30th of this year. I thought about them. They are in the crappiest
places in the world. I can finish this stinking race! So all of that
got me up and got me moving. I told myself I wasn’t going to even
entertain quitting because those thoughts aren’t my thoughts, I can make
them leave. So I got through that stinking lap.
Lap 4, I remembered my pain killer and a 5 Hour Energy. That made
the difference!!! When the pain killer kicked in I was able to pick my
leg up a bit better. I ran most of this lap, only walking on the
uphills. I was happy to see the aid station that one last time. The
volunteers reminded me that I only had 5K left. I knew I was going to
PR.
With about 2 miles left I caught up to Mark aka Superman. He is has
lost over 100 lbs and has parts of his back fused. He was running the
40 mile race, me the 50K, so I was almost done, he still had a ways to
go. We ran and talked when we weren’t running. It was awesome to have
some company.
It felt great crossing that finish line this year!! I had overcome
some challenges. I have a better understanding of pulling ones self
back when you approach your breaking point. I understand the running
for someone else. I used to think that was hogwash, but Bruce can’t
run! that is heartbreaking! I can run, and I would quit???
Gary Allen of The Great Cranberry Island fame posted this on his facebook page:
Paula and Haile
hold the world marathon records but you hold some world records too! I
know for certain you hold the world record from your front door to the
stop sign on the corner. I also know for certain you have a special
training route and that record is all yours too! Great happens all the
time and you are a big part of it!
I needed this with all my heart and soul! This summer has been hard on this runner’s heart!
I can’t give a list of things I have done wrong this year like I did
last year. I didn’t make those mistakes. I don’t think I made any
mistakes.
I had Gu on me - didn’t have enough fuel last year.
I am now using Ensure, which helps allot when I just can’t take another darn Gu!
I’m now gluten-free, so I had a loaf of bread in my car. I got a slice
of my gluten-free bread and took that with me to the aid station, added
their PB& J and dang, we were good to go!!! I did get the fuel I
needed.
The cooler weather meant my feet weren’t soaked with my sweat. So I
didn’t get any blisters and I kept all my toe nails!! I did change my
socks half way through the race.
One of the most amazing things about this race:
After I came in, cooled off and cleaned up I joined some other
runners in chairs at the finish line. We were cheering the people
coming in. One lady came in from her very first ultra. The smile on
her face was AMAZING!!! She is hooked!!! She was crying with joy, her
family had balloons, cookies and flowers to celebrate with her! so
amazing!!!
I’m still a drag, I’m still a no drama bore, but something changed
out there. I found I can dig deeper. I can totally change my thinking
and just get it done. I’m glad I did it. I’m glad I had my brother and
my twin to help me through it.
Today, a day later, my left big toe is swelled and sore as can be.
My right knee is tender and my right shoulder feels like I have been
beat up. When I breath deep my ribs hurt. I do have a chiropractic
appointment tomorrow early AM. Thank goodness!!
Finish Line at Bartlett Park Ultras 2011
