September 27-28, 2008
(Finishing my first 100 with Rajeev Patel 29:55:08)
This was my first 100, not sure why I signed up but here I am.
Norm had his normal pep talk meeting before the race and we then all headed out to the levee for the start of our run. I am anxious, nervous and scared. Surrounded by athletes with many accomplishments and feeling small amongst the masses.
The time comes and off we go. We are heading north to the Auburn overlook.
The sliver of a moon is in the horizon. Folsom Lake is beautiful. The air has a bit of a chill but the arm warmers are keeping me content. The energy is high with all the runners. Rajeev keeps pulling me back as I try to pick it up. We are laughing and enjoying the high from the group. Everyone is meeting up again with long time runners. Still I am quiet feeling very inexperienced.
The first aid station! 4 miles, we are doing great. The crowd has thinned out and now I am with Rajeev and Ralph for the journey to Auburn. Ralph was great to be part of our group and join us. He was hitting the S caps every hour so he kept me on target if I wanted to or not. I made sure I had my spiz bottle and my water bottle empty before the aid stations to maintain my calories and hydration. Rajeev kept our ears filled with jokes and stories. We laughed our way all the way to Auburn Overlook at mile 22.
The first tough climb was Cardiac. I was prepared for the climb but did not anticipate the heat. This kicked my butt a bit. Rajeev and Ralph took off like mountain goats. I met Theresa on the climb up and she was getting the tale end of some our humorous stories. She was running the Sierra Nevada and heading to her turn around at No Hands Bridge.
Auburn overlook was the first place I met my crew, and boy I was looking forward to seeing them. Diane and Mary had the best lay out for me making me feel like a queen. A very dirty one at that. We ate, replenished bottles and off we went.
Theresa took off with us. We did take a wrong turn but did not lose too much time. The jokes and stories kept coming. By the time we arrived at No Hands Bridge we named ourselves the “Porno Group”. Hopefully this gave Theresa enough energy to make her journey back to Cavitt.
The day was heating up. I did not let it bother me though. I had to take a moment to sit and refuel before we headed up K2 Training Hill. That was a good thing cause it was hot. We made it about ¾ of the way and sat down in the shade to let the breeze cool us off. This is where my cramping started, in the feet, hip flexers and hamstrings. We popped up and finished the journey to Cool.
Again Diane and Mary had the best set up. I changed my socks here and tried to eat as much as possible. They had the fresh bottles ready for me to take. As we were changing shoes my calf flared up into a fired up cramp and I went flying out of the chair. Mary grabbed a bag of ice and put it on my calf and then rolled it out with the “Stick”; wow, I was as good as new (ok, maybe not, but it felt good). Off we went. We took this 7 mile loop easy. It was the hottest part of the day and very exposed. By the time we returned I had started to develop my first blister. Mary, Diane and Lynda mended me up.
Our time was cutting it close but we were still on the move. The trip back to Auburn was much easier then our trip to Cool. We arrived in Auburn close to 7 pm. Dave Beiber was our first pacer. John Painting also joined us for the night run. So off we went.
Rattlesnack was 11 miles and when we got there I had developed another blister on my other foot. Again Diane and Lynda and a little help from Dave I was mended and back on my feet. Our goal now is Cavitt Stallman. Brad, Richard, Deanna and Arul were meeting us to pace us the last 33 miles. Arul though was only planning to pace 23 for Rajeev.
This became my toughest section. I took the time at Cavitt School to change clothes and retape and freshen up before the long night. I ate soup and pizza and headed out with my camelback and head lamps for the long night.
Our group was big. We were close together at times and far apart at other times. I was feeling myself slip but determined to try and stay up. I was getting really sleepy and my stomach was starting to go south on me. I did manage to get to Hazel Bluffs before the cutoff, but time was really becoming critical for me. The journey to Lions Knoll was so very long. I was not doing well. I was tired, my feet were getting new blisters, my stomach was not feeling well and on and on and on.
I made the mistake of sitting down at Lions Knoll and that is where my body just shut down. I knew what this feeling was about and I was not sure how I was going to redeem myself. My pacers were awesome they kept bringing me food, soup, sandwiches. All of this was going in and staying down and I started to come alive. So I got up and headed back out. I told Arul to tell Rajeev I left and I knew he would catch me. Rajeev did; I was lower then low. I felt horrible and wanted to crawl in a hole and die. I have never experienced being so far behind in a race. I did not believe I could come out of this hole. With the support of my pacers and the words from Rajeev I dug really deep to find the courage to move one more step forward. Then just another step and another. The next thing I knew I was at the Hazel Bluff aid station with 10 miles left in this race.
I was hurting, I wanted to change shoes and socks but I had to wait till I got to Negro Bar. So I did. I trotted up the path to the Negro Bar aide station. It was tough but the pacers support pulled me through.
We met up with John at this aide station so Deanna and Richard went with John. Brad stayed with me and Rajeev had Anu pacing him. So off we went with 6 miles left in the race. The last aide station was 3 miles from the finish. I grabbed some crackers and took off chasing John down. I actually could run again. I think the body was numb at this time.
Just before Beales point we headed back on the trail. I was actually feeling like I was running like a real runner. We were getting closer and I could see the levee. I could feel the finish coming. I was getting choked up and tears in my eyes believing I could do this. Brad was hanging with me and pulling me along. We were heading strong until we found out we had gone the wrong way. My spirit just dropped and I doubted my ability to make it on time, totally crushed. We spent about 10 minutes figuring out our mistake, but finally, we were back on track.. I had no idea how far, and at the time it seemed so very far. I was not sure I could make it.
Ken Crouse was heading down the trail to take his last sweep and yelled at us to pick up the pace if we wanted to make the clock. I had 16 minutes with less then 2 miles to go. I ran trails, hills and descents with no legs. I wanted this bad and I fought hard. I followed Brad as he pulled me along the .4 mile road to the school. I could not see the school, and I was scared. I wanted so bad to make this. I made the turn along the fence and I saw John’s kids running out, but John was a bit of a distance behind me. I had no time to spare. I headed into the school yard gasping air and holding the emotions and tears I heard everyone screaming for me and cheering me on. I still had no idea what the clock said, but I was giving it my all. Amongst my tears, and praying not to fall, I made the final turn and there was Rajeev waiting for me so we could finish hand in hand.
The clock said 29:55 and I was screaming with the uttermost joy and crying. This was unbelievable. Absolutely unbelievable! I just ran 100 I still cannot believe I did this.
John Painting finished with plenty of time to spare!!!! 29:59:20.
I have always admired the people who run 100 miles. I admire those who work the hardest to attain it. I now know what that is like.
I cannot believe I did this. It is awesome. I am truly blessed to have such wonderful friends.
Thank you to the best people in the world. Rajeev, Diane , Mary , Jennifer, Dave B, Brad, Richard, Deanna, Arul, Anu, and everyone of the volunteers and for everyone’s moral support. THANK YOU.
