| Author |
Topic: Let's climb a mountain said my friends...Let's said I... |
mariposai
Cool Runner |
 posted Jul-08-2007 11:38 PM
  
If I were to give a name to this race, I would add an adjective to the title. I would call it: "Let's climb a monster mountain". With its 3,370 feet of vertical gain, combined with the typical heat on race day in Spokane, WA, plus the absolutely lack of support from the organizers, such as sporadic water and pit stops, this race is destined to bite the best or daring running soul.
I ran this relay with 5 other young adults. We finished the race in 5:30 hours. My leg was 7.5 miles which I finished in 1:14.05. The rest of the story: Twenty four hours after the race I am still wondering how on earth I agreed to run the longest leg of this race for a group of college kids. But… let’s climb a mountain said one of my young friend on her text message. Let’s… I answer back …and they signed me up to run the race. Little did we all know about running a relay, specifically running such a brutal race like this one? With high spirit and a lot of innocence we all met at the starting line and began the great adventure of the day. Knowing that TetSuperJin and Ultra Paul were running solo and were starting at an earlier time I had this crazy idea of being there to see them off. I must admit that I was not the favorite of my team mates when I woke them up at 4:45 so we can all be there at 6:00. As we go to the starting line we heard the “go” order and we were not able to see Barefoot Jon to give him a hug and a kiss. Sorry Tet. When I went to sign up at the registration table I was given this great big red bag with the most precious present.
Thanks Tet for making my day with such a precious gift.
With my wings in place, I knew the day was going to be a perfect one, regardless of what Mother Nature bestowed upon us.
My confidence for a great day increased when I spotted other runners in angles wings and they asked me to take a picture with them.
After we were given instructions for the course, we were sent off. My team mate doing the first leg was a rather speedy college track student, so with a blink of an eye it was my turn to run the 7.5 miles. My goal was to start the first 2 miles running a 10 minute mile, yes sir, consider me tortoise, then try to keep a 9:30 pace for the rest of the race. Considering that my most recent marathon was ran at an 11 miles pace, this new target was a challenge specially taking into account the heat of the day, the bad road (gravel, fresh oil, lack of water stop, etc). I finished my leg in 1:14:05 according to my watch. I felt like I left it all there, almost delirious due to the lack of water (my segment was forbidden for any support vehicle due to the condition of the road). I was mad at myself for not carrying any water or any asthma medication, which I needed in the middle of the run due to the dust, fresh oil smell and fresh hay). I pushed beyond my limit because I knew that my team mates and my butterfly wings were waiting for me.
When I arrived at the exchanged spot, my teammates told me that my barefoot friend just passed by not even 2 minutes ago. So… I drank some water and decided to chase after the B&B famous gods and the rest of the day is history. [This message has been edited by mariposai (edited Jul-08-2007).] [This message has been edited by mariposai (edited Jul-09-2007).]
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srlopez
Cool Runner |
posted Jul-08-2007 11:52 PM
Here are some smaller rotated pictures for you    
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evanflein
Cool Runner |
posted Jul-09-2007 01:02 AM
Go Mariposai! Wow, this looks like the sort of race I'd love to do... any segment, bring it on! You did so well, and the pictures are great! (thanks, srlopez) Why don't I ever think to bring a camera along...? Thanks for posting.... one of these days, grrl, I'll be in the PNW for one of these!------------------
evanflein
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jura
Cool Runner |
posted Jul-09-2007 01:34 AM
Mari,
you look gorgeous on those pictures! And the butterfly wings add a very special touch (only Tet would think up something like this ). Priceless.
Yes, reading Tet's RR too I should say that a letter to the race director would be in order. On such a hot day it is downright dangerous to leave the runners without a proper support system. They should have at least warned people to carry liquids with them. Grrr, I am mad!
You did fabulous though, despite the circumstances and the tough course. Also, many thanks for taking care of a certain barefooted Boomer God afterwards... WTG, and congratulations!
j[This message has been edited by jura (edited Jul-09-2007).]
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vista129
Cool Runner |
posted Jul-09-2007 06:30 AM
What a race.......elevation and heat, with no proper way to hydrate. YIKES.You did a good job. It was interesting that you got the long portion while the "young ones" stuck to shorter portions. That speaks well of their opinion of you (and your quick willingness to say "Yes") Thanks for the race report and pictures. Fun..fun. Congratulations on a good time. ------------------
vista129
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fjordrunner
Cool Runner |
posted Jul-09-2007 08:43 AM
incredible, nancy! despite the heat you were speedy and you DID it! way to go!
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tomwhite
Cool Runner |
posted Jul-09-2007 08:56 AM
.........what a great RR//..........and Greater Attitude.................nice racing mariposai.........
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Live and Learn
Cool Runner |
posted Jul-09-2007 09:20 AM
Greta job on your Race!! so sorry about the asthma problems and no water.. that just makes it so much harder... you look so happy & beautiful in the pictures!
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ksrunr
Cool Runner |
posted Jul-09-2007 09:44 AM
great report, attitude, pics, wings, smile, and everything! It takes a boomer to carry the heavy load! Thanks for the pics; it's always nice to see who we're talking to (and about )ksrunr
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FlyingFinn
Cool Runner |
posted Jul-09-2007 09:46 AM
mariposai, what a beautiful and strong butterfly you are! You endured the heat and gravel and asthma triggers -- with not enough water!!!. Then you flew to Tetgodsujin's side with ice water and a banana. What a beautiful person you are! Well done, butterflygoddess! You set a nice example for the younger butterflies, too.
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arf 1
Cool Runner |
posted Jul-09-2007 09:52 AM
You look great in your wings mari!!! Awful about the lack of support and your asthma problems though! Congrats on your run, I hope we get a chance to meet sometime soon.arf
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tselbs
Cool Runner |
posted Jul-09-2007 11:11 AM
Great job, mariposai. In spite of the tough conditions, you and tet's wings pulled off a fine run. I liked the pictures supplied by srlopez. Congratulations.TomS ------------------
My Profile
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Tetsujin30
Cool Runner |
posted Jul-09-2007 11:23 AM
quote:
Originally posted by mariposai:
. . . this new target was a challenge specially taking into account the heat of the day, the bad road (gravel, fresh oil, lack of water stop, etc). . . . not carrying any water or any asthma medication, which I needed in the middle of the run due to the dust, fresh oil smell and fresh hay).
After all you did just for me, it's hard to believe you ran such a good race, especially on that dusty, oily gravel road like out of the 1930's. Super congratulations. and to your teammates too (with my thanks). Interestingly, and even more memorably, on the upper reaches of the mountain I was seeing red, orange, yellow, cream, all colors of butterflies as many as 8-10 at one time flying along with me too. Thank you for the photos Robert which just prove what I got to see that the college gals enlisted mariposai not only 'cause she's fast but she reflects all their beautiful youth too . . and I love the footwear for the winged photos too. Thanks again mari for making my day, . . . and more.
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Ileneforward
Cool Runner |
posted Jul-09-2007 03:25 PM
You did such a great job, Mariposai! And you looked so beautiful too! Under a 10 minute pace on an incredibly hard course, and you took such loving care of our own precious Tetsujin. Thank you so much! 
Congratulations on climbing a monster mountain![This message has been edited by Ileneforward (edited Jul-12-2007).]
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JJJessee
Cool Runner |
posted Jul-09-2007 05:21 PM
Way to go Mari ! ! ! Sounds like a tough,dry day on the mountain.
But you did good.
I like the wings
jjj
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divechief
Cool Runner |
posted Jul-09-2007 06:01 PM
What a fun report. I can tell you had a blast. too bad they didn't do better on the aide stations, but I bet with those wings you could just fly past them.
Dave
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La Tortuga
Cool Runner |
posted Jul-09-2007 06:18 PM
Lovely - just lovely
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glidegal
Cool Runner |
posted Jul-09-2007 06:19 PM
I can't see the pictures here at work, but your descriptions more than paint a picture of a brutal run...which makes it all the sweeter when you've finished--nice report and way to anchor the young 'uns. Climb mountains, carry water. glidegal
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Dark Horse
Cool Runner |
posted Jul-09-2007 07:51 PM
mariposai,Now that I'm on my laptop, I can finally see the photos--fun! It's always nice when the young folks want us around.... Dark Horse ------------------
I'm a dark horse, running on a dark race course
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Twocat
Cool Runner |
posted Jul-09-2007 08:33 PM
Oddly, this sounds like a lot of fun! Congratulations on a fine race.
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Dark Horse
Cool Runner |
posted Jul-09-2007 08:44 PM
By the way, mariposai, I think the title of your thread is poetic. You have a Whitmanesque streak in your soul.TO YOU
By Walt Whitman Stranger, if you passing meet me and desire to speak to me,
why should you not speak to me?
And why should I not speak to you? Tetsujin also has Whitman in his soul. I think everyone on this forum should get a copy of Leaves of Grass and read it aloud, the entire book, start to finish, even if you only have 15 minutes a day to do it. You have to read it aloud: it's poetry. Some of it is mediocre, more of it is good, some of it is great, the sum total is magnificent, and you will be a better human being with a richer appreciation of life after Whitman's message has rolled over you and knocked you down like a great wave of words. You will have it as a new resource in your life, a place to go back to again and again. We are all old enough now to appreciate it, in ways we might not have when younger. Dark Horse ------------------
I'm a dark horse, running on a dark race course
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Spareribs
Cool Runner |
posted Jul-09-2007 08:49 PM
You have a wonderful attitude and spirit about this most difficult race. It sounds like a great deal of fun, and your report suggests that despite the conditions you had a great time. Certainly your beautiful smile in all the pictures suggests you have that true competitor's spirit, happy to be out there. What a gorgeous woman you are too. Terrific report. Spareribs
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millbot
Cool Runner |
posted Jul-09-2007 09:18 PM
Mariposai, it looks like you had a blast, and gave 100% for your team. And how thoughtful to go chasing after Tetsujin! Sounds like a great event all around.I'm curious, which of these ladies is the speedy college runner? I'm guessing the one on your left. [This message has been edited by millbot (edited Jul-09-2007).]
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Econo
Cool Runner |
posted Jul-09-2007 09:21 PM
Mariposai, you spread waves of happiness all around you!
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rosecoloredglasses
Cool Runner |
posted Jul-09-2007 09:32 PM
This was very uplifting.
Thanks for running and writing and righting... you saved Paul and Jon!
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