Maiden PeakThe last year flew by so fast...now, I'm back again running Waldo 100K.
We once again made it a family affair and took the kids along w/ camping the night before at the start line/ ski lodge. It was nice to see so many locals and a few that I had met at Bighorn 100 too!
The alarm went off too soon and I was at the lodge eating & preparing for the start.
Ready, set, go! ~ And we're off.
The first climb last year kicked my butt! ~ I was dead last...This year it still pushes me but I'm not "dead" last....close but not last. I enjoy the downhill probably a little too much but it's the reason why I run uphill, so that I can run back down!
AS #1 - Gold Lake ~ I see Josh and hand off my light & gloves (thanks) and head out to start climbing. This year I wanted to do more climbing and less walking.
AS#2/#2 - Fuji ~ I was there before I knew it and I was very excited that it wasn't too bad of a climb. Although, there were a few short but sweet kickers! Getting into that AS, I have to say a big THANK YOU to the people up there. Mosquitos!!! everywhere in swarms. I'm glad I dawned the "DEET" for Waldo ~ I hate that stuff but, I use it only once a year, when it's really needed.
AS#3 - Mt. Ray ~ My descent was good. A controlled effort while trying to be nice to the knees. Next up the climb to Twin.
AS#4 - The Twins ~ I worked hard on that climb. It was a little tougher on me but I just kept moving. I loved the theme both times up at Twin. Heaven & Hell. It was so nice to see familiar faces of friends! Thanks Gabi & Sanders.
AS#5 - Charlton Lake ~ I had a great run into Charlton...much better than last year. Last year I cruised into the aidstation telling Gary..."Do not push me through!!" I was crying but managed to make it out. This year I made the aidstation before Gary! Yipee that was a highlight for me ~ no crying and a few minutes faster.
AS#6 - Road 4290 ~ I made it to the road that I thought would never come. I was slower on this section than I wanted but at least I didn't know it at the time.
AS#7 - Twins (2nd time) ~ Okay, I don't know what happened to me here last year...but I forgot just how hard that climb was...ugh! I made it to Twins again to find Gary waiting to run with me! I was tired and he was a great cheerleader. I asked how far Bret was ahead of me....and then I thought I'd play a game with myself and try to reel him in.
AS#8 - Maiden Peak ~ I had a very slow shuffle and made slow time on this section.
Climbing after the aidstation was actually fairly good on me for at least the first mile...I caught up to Bret & Gail, it was nice to have a quick hi & fake a smile (fake because I was in pain) ~ my butt was killing me!! I was always on a quest for a new one!, then the straight up section about killed me!! The rolling little boulders before you reach the summit of Maiden Peak are murder. Being greeted by Kelly and a quick chat session & photos, we headed down. Last year I felt nauseous coming down from the altitude and once again, I was feeling light headed and nauseous. Hurry and get down to the next aidstation is and was my plan, since it helped last year.
AS#9 - Maiden Lake ~ Maura!! ~ I was looking for her all day! She definately made the aidstation. Even Barb was there (Hannah made friends w/ her grand-daughter Piper) A quick bite to eat, a face wash & a back massage.
This next section seems to take forever to get to the lakes...Gary kept pushing and I tried to listen...sometimes I did, sometimes I didn't. We got out to where we could see the lakes and Gary said, "let's get going...faster, faster, faster" ~ I was getting a little bugged by the train driver!! I guess it worked. I got very upset about to cry and cranked up my music VERY loud and shouted, "I have my music blasting I can't hear you and I running as fast as I can!!". That was Gary's cue to sit back and let me find my pace.
I found my pace and I was flying down the hill! I started passing people again and it felt good. When I would pass, I always passed "very" fast so that no one would hold on to me. We got in a groove and kept a good solid pace. I was trying to give Gary some kind of a workout.
I was so happy with my time it was a 50 min. PR! ~ I made it back before dark time & before the award ceremony started. I always seem to come in too late to hear the awards being handed out.
Gary & kids were great cheerleaders, even my mother came out and made many rounds to the aidstations. I don't think she'll be back next year it was a lot of hussling around for her but, she was able to see what these crazy races are all about.
I'm so thankful for what I get to do almost everyday ~ my husband has been so generous with giving me time on the trail. I'm so glad that he loves running in the woods "almost" as much as I do!
We once again made it a family affair and took the kids along w/ camping the night before at the start line/ ski lodge. It was nice to see so many locals and a few that I had met at Bighorn 100 too!
The alarm went off too soon and I was at the lodge eating & preparing for the start.
Ready, set, go! ~ And we're off.
The first climb last year kicked my butt! ~ I was dead last...This year it still pushes me but I'm not "dead" last....close but not last. I enjoy the downhill probably a little too much but it's the reason why I run uphill, so that I can run back down!
AS #1 - Gold Lake ~ I see Josh and hand off my light & gloves (thanks) and head out to start climbing. This year I wanted to do more climbing and less walking.
AS#2/#2 - Fuji ~ I was there before I knew it and I was very excited that it wasn't too bad of a climb. Although, there were a few short but sweet kickers! Getting into that AS, I have to say a big THANK YOU to the people up there. Mosquitos!!! everywhere in swarms. I'm glad I dawned the "DEET" for Waldo ~ I hate that stuff but, I use it only once a year, when it's really needed.
AS#3 - Mt. Ray ~ My descent was good. A controlled effort while trying to be nice to the knees. Next up the climb to Twin.
AS#4 - The Twins ~ I worked hard on that climb. It was a little tougher on me but I just kept moving. I loved the theme both times up at Twin. Heaven & Hell. It was so nice to see familiar faces of friends! Thanks Gabi & Sanders.
AS#5 - Charlton Lake ~ I had a great run into Charlton...much better than last year. Last year I cruised into the aidstation telling Gary..."Do not push me through!!" I was crying but managed to make it out. This year I made the aidstation before Gary! Yipee that was a highlight for me ~ no crying and a few minutes faster.
AS#6 - Road 4290 ~ I made it to the road that I thought would never come. I was slower on this section than I wanted but at least I didn't know it at the time.
AS#7 - Twins (2nd time) ~ Okay, I don't know what happened to me here last year...but I forgot just how hard that climb was...ugh! I made it to Twins again to find Gary waiting to run with me! I was tired and he was a great cheerleader. I asked how far Bret was ahead of me....and then I thought I'd play a game with myself and try to reel him in.
AS#8 - Maiden Peak ~ I had a very slow shuffle and made slow time on this section.
Climbing after the aidstation was actually fairly good on me for at least the first mile...I caught up to Bret & Gail, it was nice to have a quick hi & fake a smile (fake because I was in pain) ~ my butt was killing me!! I was always on a quest for a new one!, then the straight up section about killed me!! The rolling little boulders before you reach the summit of Maiden Peak are murder. Being greeted by Kelly and a quick chat session & photos, we headed down. Last year I felt nauseous coming down from the altitude and once again, I was feeling light headed and nauseous. Hurry and get down to the next aidstation is and was my plan, since it helped last year.
AS#9 - Maiden Lake ~ Maura!! ~ I was looking for her all day! She definately made the aidstation. Even Barb was there (Hannah made friends w/ her grand-daughter Piper) A quick bite to eat, a face wash & a back massage.
This next section seems to take forever to get to the lakes...Gary kept pushing and I tried to listen...sometimes I did, sometimes I didn't. We got out to where we could see the lakes and Gary said, "let's get going...faster, faster, faster" ~ I was getting a little bugged by the train driver!! I guess it worked. I got very upset about to cry and cranked up my music VERY loud and shouted, "I have my music blasting I can't hear you and I running as fast as I can!!". That was Gary's cue to sit back and let me find my pace.
I found my pace and I was flying down the hill! I started passing people again and it felt good. When I would pass, I always passed "very" fast so that no one would hold on to me. We got in a groove and kept a good solid pace. I was trying to give Gary some kind of a workout.
I was so happy with my time it was a 50 min. PR! ~ I made it back before dark time & before the award ceremony started. I always seem to come in too late to hear the awards being handed out.
Gary & kids were great cheerleaders, even my mother came out and made many rounds to the aidstations. I don't think she'll be back next year it was a lot of hussling around for her but, she was able to see what these crazy races are all about.
I'm so thankful for what I get to do almost everyday ~ my husband has been so generous with giving me time on the trail. I'm so glad that he loves running in the woods "almost" as much as I do!
1 comments:
Well done and a 50min PR! Sounds like a great race. I have that same problem with the awards being done and dusted by the time I arrive.
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