They didn't buy the brilliance descriptor either. However, they did agree to run it once the weather forecast promised it wouldn't be 20 mph winds with torrential rains.We parked at the little church across from the starting line. It was chilly and none of us really wanted to leave the warmth of the car. Kathy points out the guy in the car next to us is eating a fast food cheeseburger. The three of us giggle. Surely he wasn't going to be running the race and if he was, he'd regret his Breakfast of Champions about mile 4.
The line was short to pick up our race bibs and timing chips. People were milling about and we watched as the early start marathoners began to line up. I caught the eye of Heidi, a fellow Marathon Maniac, and ran up to give her a hug and give her well wishes on her race. 8 a.m. sharp they were off and we cheered and clapped as they headed down the trail; then quickly went back to the car where it was warm.
Our bibs in place and timing chips securely fastened to our shoes, we made our way to the porta potty line. Standing in line, we hear things as "crossing the creek" and "change shoes" and "how many times do we cross it?". Karen asks someone what they are talking about and we quickly realize we did not get the last email and up until that point had been blissfully unaware we would have to run through a creek. Twice.
At this point there is nothing we can do about it. Onward and upward. We'll just cross that
As with all our runs, the three of us talk about everything and nothing. We were enjoying getting out from our routine. Unintentionally I found myself pulling ahead after mile 2. They wished me a great race and I ran at a pace that felt comfortable. Mile 4 came and I picked up the pace according to my plan.
The pace felt great. I felt great. The scenery was great. Everything was great. Mile 5 came and so did the water. For a quarter of a mile we weren't crossing a creek, we were running down a creek. The winter rains helped the creek change it's direction and it decided the trail was it's new course. A quick glance to the left I spotted where I could get to the high side of the trail by getting very little of my shoes wet. I leapt to the side and inadvertently cut off another runner. Apologizing, I moved to the side and Runner Man assured me I was fine and to continue on. We managed to navigate our way; well, that is until we came up behind a woman tip-toeing in an effort to stay dry. She would have no part in letting us go by.
We tried to stay in line, but she was making it painfully slow. Hearing a "SPLASH" behind me, I see Runner Man taking off down the middle of the creek. It took about 2 nano seconds for me to follow suit. Once you're wet, you're wet.
The water was ankle deep and soon gave way to some dry land. Happy the wet part was over, I fell back into a good pace. Then I turn the bend and SURPRISE! the creek was back. This section was much deeper and much murkier than the other. Following Runner Man, we made our way right down the middle of the creek. It was calf deep in some spots and where-did-my-shoes-go deep in others.
And it was awesome.
Into mile 6 my feet no longer felt soaking wet and I had gained my pace again. I noticed the leaders of the half marathon were coming toward me. The lead man and woman were in perfect unison. I wondered if they trained together.
Reaching the turn around, I had to remind myself my plan was to run miles 7, 8, and 9 at an easy pace. I tried to slow to a 9 min pace but felt so good going faster that I found it difficult to reel it in. Since it was an out and back course I knew the creek running was fast approaching and my pace would slow again. I decided to do what felt good for as long as I could.
It was here I realized I had not seen many women runners hit the turn around before me. How many had gone by? 6? 7? 8? Could I place in the top 6 female over all? I laugh as it becomes clear I am not a competitor. A competitor would have definitely known how many women were ahead of her. Not me. I'm still feeling good.
Armed with this little nugget of wonder, I start to focus on women ahead of me. There's one. I reel her in, and pass her. "Good job" I say as I go by. She smiles and says, "Go get em!".
Coming toward me are the very recognizable forms of Karen and Kathy. They too enjoyed running through the creek and we give each other high fives. Karen snapped a picture of me and I gave her a thumbs up. The creek is ahead and this time I plow my way right through the middle. When it gets to be calf deep I try and make my way to the side. Big mistake. I sink into 8 inches of muck which apparently fell in love with my shoe as it reeeaaallllyyy didn't want to let it go. I wonder if I can finish a race with one shoe.
Deciding I loved my shoe more than the muck possibly could, I yank my foot up and keep my shoe. Back to the creek I go. Splashing through the creek is destroying my pace but I am having too much fun to care.
Done with the creek, I look up ahead and see another woman. Slowly and surely I gain on her. As I come along side her, she decides she has another gear. It's ok, so do I. After a mile, she realizes I am not going anywhere and she slows. I go by. I turn and tell her "Great job". She says nothing.
Am I 5th? Am I going to finish in the top 5?? The thought is enough to keep my pace strong. Finishing top 5 female is something I never thought I could accomplish and I surely did not want anyone passing me in the last mile.
With this section of the trail flat as flat could be, I see the finisher's chute ahead. No matter how many steps I run, IT IS NOT GETTING ANY CLOSER. This has got to be the longest quarter mile ever.
An eternity later, I cross the finish line in 1:57:28. A man with long hair and beard congratulates me, places a medal around my neck and hands me a statue.
"What's this?" I ask.
"You won 3rd female overall.
The heavens part. Angels sing.
"What? I've never done that before." I begin to cry and he hugs me. The volunteers at the finish clap and cheer and hug me.
A short time later, Kathy and Karen cross and we find ourselves warming by the heaters, eating some of the best soup ever known to mankind and talking with those around us. The man to my right had come in second, missing first to the girl I had witnessed him running with at the turn around. Although he did not take first, he did manage to score a huge personal best.
"I'm curious," I ask, "Do the two of you know each other? I saw you after you hit the turn around and you were in complete unison with your running."
With a big smile and laughter in his voice he says, "No. We don't know each other. I just did not want to get beat by a girl."
"So. What you are telling me is - not only did you get beat by a girl but you owe the undeniable strength of Girl Power for your PR today." We laugh and trade high fives and eat more soup.
The runners around the heaters are trading stories, eating great food and laughing with each other.
Mr. Cheese Burger For Breakfast Boy? He ended up sitting on my left by the heater after the race. I asked him how he felt after eating such a stellar breakfast.
"I regretted my choice about mile 3. I'm never doing that again."
We also learn he drove 3 hours to run this race. Which is proof positive one simply can not beat the great atmosphere of a local race. The Woolley Run is one of those races. Terry Sentilla and his crew do a fantastic job with this race and making each runner feel spoiled.
Once I got home, my husband promptly put my trophy in the bookcase in our living room.
Ok. I'll admit it. That silly little bobble head trophy makes me smile.
