Enoree 40

This race is the first, in or out of town, that I have ever done solo. I've always traveled posse style and gone where the wind blew my training partners. I knew people at the Enoree race, but none of them were from my area. This was an adventure I needed. I posted about this being a year of discovery for me a bit ago and my running (along with several other things in life) needed some tweaking.

I've asked myself why I love running so much several times. One thing I always come back to is the focus I have on the trail that I lack in some other areas of life. I get distracted easily and don't always finish what I start. On the trail...if you want to see the waterfall that is 10 miles out...you gotta go 10 miles to get there. No shortcuts. If you want to go home from said waterfall...you've got to get back to where you started. Simple enough. Focusing on breathing, nutrition, hydration, and other self care is one more way. Paying attention to detail for an otherwise scattered brain is as much an accomplishment as having a great run as far as I'm concerned.

Another question I've been asking myself is if I love running because I love running, or because it profited me time with friends. Certainly spending time with friends is a benefit...but I discovered that I would run if I hadn't a soul to run with...and I have done that several times now.

This leads me to Enoree 40.  I don't care about prizes, goody bags, or a who's who list of registered runners. I thought that was just something that I, or people like me, say when they don't have a prayer of placing in a race. :) While at one time that may have been true...I have grown as a runner more than I realized. I have many great training runs, but few great races. Why is that? Nerves? Maybe. I don't know. I did discover that I don't care. At Enoree I think I had an excellent chance of placing as a top 3 female. Granted there were few females and it is a small race...but most of the time if a person is willing to commit to a 40 mile race, there's some good training behind it, so never underestimate.

As I scanned the crowd at 7:25 a.m., looking for smiles and familiar faces, I came across a game faced female. You can't help sizing up the competition...even if you aren't that competitive. I admit that when she didn't smile I didn't like it, but I understood. She meant business...and I didn't let that get to me. Somewhere in the first 10 miles I got the chance to pass her...that was all I needed...just the satisfaction of knowing I was in the first girl's vicinity was enough. She was rock steady. I never talked to or met her, she had a solid race and never looked tired. I guess it was around the 10 mile ish aid station that I fell back. It was then that I started pampering myself with fluids and food, and happy thoughts. I was running with a friend with the intent on seeing him finish his longest race. The heat, the 10 mile faster than planned pace, something...got to him and 1/3 of the race list. Out of 75, 50 finished. At mile 30, with bad cramping in both calves, and dehyrdation chills, he had to drop. There had been much walking going on between mile 20-30. After he dropped and I had refueled at the aid station I took off with earphones on(which i never do!) because I needed a pick up. I submit that there is nothing a little Black Eyed Peas can't cure! :)

Terri Hayes(the race director)puts on a laid back race. You have to pay attention to her markings. It's like a game and I think I figured it out...because unlike Long Cane...no wrong turns were made. There were folks who did and I know the disappointment that brings. I've been there. I came back to her race for the sheer delight of the laid back atmosphere and to test myself on course markings. Hurray! Success was had. As I saw sweet Terri on the course (after hearing some complaints about markings) out there viewing it for herself to check first hand...I envisioned when she originally tied the ribbons on to mark the course. Terri has run for a long time, and this is her passion...presenting her product and making ultrarunning attainable to those of us who are not elite runners. No time cut offs...etc. In my mind I could see her walking the course, picking the spot, and tying the little ribbon as if she were putting an ornament on a Christmas tree...stepping back, looking at it, and saying "yes, that looks good there". I was thankful for the experience of Long Cane which taught me much about keeping your eyes open. Thanks Terri for your time, and to Jason Sullivan for his time in marking the course.

I re-read my post about Long Cane from September and the words "what I've come to love is long training days with friends, and this race has that feel". Absolutely I agree with that statement yet again. Familiar encouraging faces along the way makes it oh so rewarding. No offense to the girl who won(and the others who passed along the way), but I submit that I had a heck of a lot more fun than she did!!! I soaked it in the whole way. I realized that I would run 40 miles for the heck of it. On my last leg of 10 miles I got to run at a pretty good clip since I was rested from walking. I think I scared a few coming up behind them moving so quickly as if I was about to win a prize if I got there in time!! (hours after the winners had gone home!! lol) I ran it quick because I could...and it felt amazing. I got to encourage folks along the way...find out a little about them and their lives...and I dare say that my name higher on the list of finishers would never bring me the satisfaction that making new friends does. Jason(Big Easy), Wayne(Weezy), Psyche, Charles, Mark E, JStein, Dan H., Terri, and the mack mama of massage...Denise, are folks I won't soon forget getting to hang out with. Thank you all for making it such a wonderful day!!

Happy Trails!! :)