Run, Julie, Run - and run, and run, and run....
I finished - the 50K - by mistake.
The event was an ultra-marathon festival; the 2 races were a regular marathon (what I was planning on trying to run), and a 50K (what I was not planning on running). Both races started at the same time, and the first 2 loops around the preserve were the same for both races. Then for the 3rd loop, we split into a shorter loop for the marathon runners and the same long loop for the 50K runners. (you know where this is going.)
It was a beautiful, but cold day. Conditions were definitely slow. There was around 4-5inches of fresh snow from yesterday's storm. But the snow from last week's blizzard was almost all melted off. It had melted, gotten totally churned up, and refroze. Imagine all that uneven ice covered with just a few inches of snow.
Imagine what it would be like to run behind a Zamboni for 5 miles - and then multiply it by 6.
But we all persevered, slipping and falling, and walking when necessary.
And then I was ready for the start of my third loop. I and a few others misunderstood the third loop for the marathon. Instead, we ended up back on the main loop. We realized our mistake when the real marathon loop connected back with the loop we were running (or, by that time, running/walking/shuffling/hobbling).
There was nothing to do but keep going - the full 50K (which is only 31 miles - only 5 more miles than I was planning - but 50 anything sounds really long!).
So, although I wasn't sure I really had it in me to run a marathon - apparently I do.
And now, a hot bath and a glass of wine. Followed by a REST DAY!
Julie
- BY Julie | 01.08.2011
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