Tetsujin30
Cool Runner |
 posted Jul-08-2007 12:54 PM
   
Intrepid summary (thank you ilene, and for the rr links too)
7/7/07 Mt. Spokane Let’s Climb a Mountain (34.3 mi) - DNF@30 miles
 Over the years, part of the challenge of marathons on as little training as possible to stay in shape for skiing and other fading physical activities has been not really knowing whether or not it would be possible to run the full 26.2 miles and then the elation of eventually seeing the finish line at all. However, after getting implicated with Marathon Maniacs a couple of years ago ending up doing my own 10 or so marathons a year and pretty much knowing that, one way or the other, it was going to be possible to finish all of them, the challenge of the unknown has had to be fulfilled by Ironmans (2003-2005) and last year’s White River 50 Miler. With nothing very spectacular to celebrate with this year, after I ended up doing a mini-ultra/marathon double (28.2/26.2 miles) with my new friend UltraPaul (who is trying to do as many double ultra/marathon weekends as possible on his way to 1,000 by August 2009), I jumped at the chance to run the 34.3 mile run from downtown Spokane to the summit of the local ski area with him and then run the Seafair Marathon the next day. In particular, there was a possible chance to see the Butterfly Goddess on Saturday again (she would be on one of the 47 Mt. Spokane relay teams also entered) and make up at Seafair for missing the Dove Goddess in way too many races already. As is my practice to maintain the unknown factor as much as possible in my running, I didn’t look at the course elevation, told UltraPaul not to tell me anything about his five prior ascents, and only had a vague notion that it was a long run that eventually started getting steep. The sayings on one of the runner’s t-shirts at the start seemed to confirm the daunting task ahead - “Life is Short / Run Hard / Fear is my Friend” Although I’d been having one of those once-every-five-or-six-years (or more) throwing-out-my back associated with stabbing pains when trying to get up from a sitting position (and sometimes crumpling to the floor), once becoming erect, walking and running had no similar discomfort so I had no back problem for the entire run. However, the pavement was so hot from the high 80's of the day that my thermometer broke when I placed it on the pavement and it went past 120 degees. Fortunately, the early barefoot-friendly miles on cooler pavement deteriorated to oil-dirt roads and rock-embedded pavements so I wore thongs the rest of the way to the delight of my feet (and spectators along the way as they were the pink ones).  Although I had no hydrate/dehydrate problems or issues as I ran the first 28 miles with UltraPaul, the early aid stations were almost random and, after mile three, it was an hour-and-a-half before the next one so I was becoming very worried. Therefore, at mile ten, I drank 40 oz and continued with water sloshing in my stomach (for the first time). After a while everything seemed to settle back to normal but the aid station situation was becoming more and more frustrating as, even though it would seem that we were coming up to an aid station, it would just be a couple of vans with relay runners and supporters. At one, after asking me whether I wanted sports drink or water, I was told to just wait a little as the AAA response van had been called to come open the van and retrieve the supplies (and car key locked inside). I just kept going. Just as I was starting to worry again about essential hydrating as the temperatures climbed higher and higher, like a dream from heaven causing UltraPaul to start chanting, “Jesus, Lord Jesus” with uplifted arms, the butterfly goddess appeared from ahead running towards us with her hands held out with water bottles full of refeshing, re-energizing ice water. Effusing with vivacious, energizing vitality, it was hard to believe she has just finished her own seven mile plus leg and, in our weary way, we could truly imagine the butterfly girl graced with royal monarch butterfly wings on her (Paul saw them too!), . . . and even seem to feel them on ourselves as the miles passed effortlessly in her company. I wish it would somehow be possible to prove it was true but, it doesn't matter, as for me, it was true.
But all things come to an end at last as the endless road like tramps’ photo melted into tall trees, and the roadway crept betwixt up and up and up, unrelenting, unforgiving as we began the steepest parts of the long, last 14 mile haul to the summit. This time it looked like a dtoce photo of Mt. Washington. Butterfly goddess had earlier asked if I wanted a banana but, when I said yes, it turned out one of the other sisters on her team had eaten it so I promptly forgot about it. I didn’t expect to see her again as she had to get the hugh cake she had made for some 200 guests at a friends wedding to the reception hall for her own tonight’s festivities (talk about a real life double/triple/quadruple the women of our lives do almost daily without even their own, or others’ recognition). Nevertheless, when her by now-familiar red van started approaching, it was no surprise at all when she leaned out of the window with a energy-rich banana for the next couple of miles. Bless you from the bottom of my heart butterfly lady. I’d been keeping up to UltraPaul pretty well but by mile 28, after eight miles of steady climbing, it was becoming clear that 2.5 miles of hill work last weekend (the first since last August) was not quite going be enough to keep on running to the summit so considerable walking and associated 20 minute miles ensued until at mile 30 it was plain that it wasn't ever going to level out and that I’d be missing my ride back to Seattle at this rate so gratefully joined several other worn-out runners sharing the sag wagon ride for the remaining four miles to the summit. Though my back still has me crumpling to the floor at times upon trying to stand up, walking/running remain no problem. In fact, I went over to the Seafair start this morning and ran the first half mile with UltraPaul and then went back for another mile in the half with my nemesis Half Mary and hope to get to see Goddess Dove at the finish. My legs were very ready to run either event (or, if in any way possible, both as the Seafair 5K and Half had been part of a morning 5K/half/5K triple several years ago) but it had been such an overpowering experience yesterday to run most of the way up Mt. Spokane, get the support of Butterfly Goddess and her sisters, and confront 14 miles of unrelenting climb without a single break that my mind was all wrapped up with the Butterfly goddess, . . . I mean with the events of Mt. Spokane and just didn’t seem to want anything else to get in the way to preempt savoring the many precious moments of that memorable day. Accordingly, for the first time in 30 years of running marathons every single chance I could get, even though my legs said, "okay," my brain said, “no thank you, not today.” I still can’t believe it but, as another of the brand new experiences marathoning can bring without any prior warning, I think I like it. I’ll be looking forward to a repeat of the June mini-ultra with UltraPaul next weekend (Saturday) and then my favorite Bare Feet 5K Fun Run (with many Boomer frens too) the next day and spend the rest of the week savoring in Mt. Spokane, . . . and giving thanks to mariposai.
[This message has been edited by Tetsujin30 (edited Jul-11-2007).]
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