There are thousands of things I have learned while running in the dark... those of you who know me well know that this is my passion....
The unnatural... somewhat naughty feeling of running through the deserted streets while the rest of the natural world sleeps has always held my attention...
but for me...
the greatest thrill....
the biggest desire....
Is night running on mountain trail...
Where you have nothing..
But you and nature at every turn....
I can still hear the first rushing creek as I was running at a great pace down hill...
Breaking the rules I had one ear bud in to help keep me focused while I set my sights on catching my one competitor that I had to beat..
I was startled... curious if it was a bear growling at first....
then I realized... the sound was nothing of an animal... rather mother nature rushing...
Over rocks and terrain....
Rushing towards nothing in the crisp dark mountain air....
And that is what not only terrified me... but delighted me...
That first real rushing.... dark.... creek crossing...
It was there in the icy cold water that I knew....
This was going to be one of the most amazing adventures I will ever embrace....
My speed picked up...
My mood soared....
I was on top of the world....
Slowly...
I reeled them in...
Competitor after competitor...
11 in total...
Laughing...
Singing....
Pushing onward as there is no tomorrow....
Each up and down brought a new delight...
a challenge to be encountered.... approached and conquered....
I couldn't tell you how many creeks I crossed....
it had to be at least 7.....
what I can tell you is that each time I heard the rush of mother nature... my pace quickened...
Eagerly I greeted each one... with passion.. excitement and respect....
then came that glorious moment...
I could see the transition station lights and I knew...
I had devoured the first leg of my journey....
As I approached the transition line I began to search for the chip timer.... the all mighty...
You must never lose this chip... device...it is your being... all you are in this race...
And that is when it happened...
I lost focus for a mere moment... and I was attacked by the very trail I had so enjoyed...
As the rocks came up to greet me I had no defense but my right hip...
Down I went taking a large rock into my hip bone....
Feeling it connect....
Based on adrenaline alone I rushed to the finish line....
Timed in...
Changed my wet muddy shoes and started on....
To leg 7....
The climb from hell....
It was there I knew I was in trouble...
I had turned in my hand held light based on the fact my head lamp was throwing so much light...
It was to lighten my load and help my propel myself up the hill...
Never once did I imagine that it would be art of the down fall of my amazing race....
I had given myself an allowance of 20 minutes for the climb based on my previous years numbers....
Anything more would be tragic...
Besides... I knew after the climb things would even out and start slopping to the finish.... (duhn dhun daaaaahn)
7 minutes into my climb I knew i was in trouble... the pain from my hip was referring into my lower back... making each step count....
17 minutes to the turn.. I was ready to embrace relief....
looking forward to a nice gentle slope to the finish....
I was under my climb time and feeling...
good....
Sadly....
This is where the course changed from the previous year....
I cannot tell you what it was.... beyond exposed rock... technical trail... scree... steep up and down....
And pain....
What ever happened the combination... along with fatigue and an altered gait was my demise....
7-8 k in I took my final fall...
I felt the impact in my knee... my hand ripped open and warm goo started to coat my hand and arm....
about the same time my head lamp started to act up...
I had 5 k to go...
I was scared of loosing light...
I was hurt....
And I was determined....
I pushed forward...
doing my best to keep my pace at a 9KM ph... a power walk....
One look at my blood soaked hand and the world began to spin....
you will not faint I yelled inside my head... you are stronger you will complete this....
Pushing forward...
My head lamp dies....
and I am left with the light of the moon and the lightening in the distance to push me onward....
one step at a time...
Running where I could...
I was determined to make it under 2 hours....
I reached the final pavement and knew I had 4.5 K to go....
At 1 km left I met my final aid station and was greeted with shouts of medic... help needed wounded runner.... I realized then it was me they were shouting at....
I had no idea up to that point just how bloody I had become....
The blood coating my knee and hand were disgusting...
Not only was I unaware of my wounded my knee I was not registering the pain due to my hip....
Alarm rushed through me.... and immediately I felt the pain....
I begged the aid station not to call ahead for a medic as I was worried that it would scare my team...
With a promise to head to the medic as soon as I finished I pushed...(more like trudged on....).
My head was spinning...
My body was screaming....
I wanted nothing but a warm hug to tell me it would be alright....
The remainder is a blurr... I know I finished... I have a medal to prove it....
I know I saw the medic.... and fought hard not to throw up and pass out while they attempted to clean me...
I recall being directed to shower.... and given a small towel and soap....
I know I went back the the medic and there were two ladies....
and I remember passing out in my car....
At one point a friend came to help me get back to the bed and breakfast...
I think I cried....
Today.... I ache... from head to toe....
Yet I know I would do it all again....
My daddy once said to me... after a good tumble on one of my mountain adventures....
Lisa... you run enough trails your bound to fall down....
It was my time....
And I took it for all it was worth....
Tomorrow is a new day....
And I will embrace it...
Love it... and face it....
HEAD ON....
Because there is no other way...
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