The 11 hour Hoka Poka on 11-11-11

On Friday, November 11, 2011 I attempted an 11 hour run on a roughly 11 mile trail. Originally, this was going to be a fundraiser, to show my passion for trails, and for inspiring folks to get off the couch and get moving. Nearly four years ago, I was searching the internet for a couch to 5k training plan. I had never jogged more than 30 seconds in my life until that year. Back to 11.11.11....the wheels fell off for turning the event into a fundraiser, but the challenge then became even greater! Pushing myself to do something I had set out to do, because I still wanted to complete the task, and I had told so many people about the plan just had to be done. What I got in return that day wasn't a t-shirt, or a medal, but support of family and friends that was extremely motivating. I really had no idea if I would be out for hours and hours alone, or how the day would go...here's a recap...

Two days before the run, I was at work and the Hoka shoe rep came in. I listened about the shoe, then casually mentioned that I would love to try the Hokas sometime...and that I had a big run coming up. After we talked a few minutes, a nice bright pair of white demo Bondi's was placed in my hands and he told me to give them a whirl...

At 7:03 a.m.Todd, Jessi, Patrick and I were there for the take-off. Jessi cheered, Todd rode his mtb and Patrick ran the 10.6 loop with me. It was sooo cold, but after the first mile or two it was feeling pretty good out there. There was no one else on the trail that early...and that's the only loop that I saw any deer. That was the fastest lap of the day, but I realized that the goal of 55 miles was out of reach. I had posted the approximate times for each loop, but had no idea who, if anyone, would be waiting to run a loop with me.

At the return to the parking lot, Missy greeted and smiled with a coke and some food! Half a  jelly biscuit was perfect. DeWayne runs with us at our Monday night runs. The Monday night group run, and the Ladies only group run at ESNP were birthed from a love of this trail system. I have loved getting to run there with a tight knit crew, and can't wait until the time changes and those group runs can be resumed there! Anyway...DeWayne and I were off for our loop together, where we talked about life...kids, jobs, etc. I can safely say DeWayne is one of my running heroes after our talk. It was one of my tougher rounds that day, I am thankful for his patience and company! We were nearing the end of that loop when 11:11 struck the clock. I high fived him and let out a whoop! Sometime in this loop, Anna had tried to find us, but didn't, so she ran her own loop. Hated to hear I had missed her. The same with Robin...she was bringing the pooch to run a lap and energize me.

At the return to the parking lot this loop, Robin, Missy, Michael, Todd, Josh, and Patrick and Yoli were there to cheer us in. Yoli was there to run this loop with me. During this loop I got to hear all about the adventure race that Yoli subbed for me while I was at Ben's xc meet in Nashville. She told me the epic story of one of the team members going hypothermic in the first hours of the race! Yoli had to leave the two team members to run for the medic in the middle of nowhere...Their team was dq'ed because they lost that team member, but they finished the rest of the race anyway!! Sounded like quite the adventure for sure. We were stopped along the way by a mtber who wanted to know if one of us was the one running 11 hours out there. We answered and he took pictures of us and then wanted one of me with him. We saw Jennifer when we were a little over half way, and she was riding her mtb and cheering. She rode with us for a while, and just in time. I was headed up one of the longer gradual hills, so following behind her bike was motivating as she was talking to us. I cut this loop a little short, because I was really hungry and knew there was food waiting for me!

On this entry to the parking lot Brian and Mike were there for the loop. What a great surprise. Brian and Mike are triathletes and I got to hear about Kona in person...these guys train together all the time, and it was great to have their company. Brian would have completed marathon distance that day if I had been on schedule...he patiently ran that loop and the rest of the day with me for a 20 mile total. At 3:00 we had returned to the lot to pick up Jason and two of the xc boys from Ooltewah. They ran out 30 minutes with us. I'm pretty sure those boys thought I was crazy...it was really cool having them join. At the end of that loop Mike pepped us up with Snickers...they were fabulous...and Brian, thanks for the Coke!! My Dad was there as well, he had been hiking the trail trying to find me, but we ended up only seeing each other in the parking lot for a great photo op of him in his Army sweatshirt in honor of Veterans Day.

Brian and I started the last loop when we got a call from Renee, and we met her about midway through the loop. She brightened the end of the run, making us laugh, and asking funny questions. I had to divert the loop back to the lot for refueling. We had to do some math to figure out how to make the day end at 50 miles, and we did it!! It started getting really dark those last few minutes, and the clock striking 6 quickened my step. I think I finished the last leg of that loop at about the same pace as the first one. We strolled into the lot at 6:08....with Todd, Corrie, Cassie, Jessi, Amy, Patrick and the ESNP po-po waiting for us to get out of there! The barneys were not happy and had not been informed of our plans to be there until 6:00. Thank goodness those guys are so humble and easy to get along with....ugh.  As I was driving out I saw Ryan who thought he was early for the finish...stopped of course from entering by the barneys. Thanks for trying Ryan.

I had a backup pair of Wildcats in case the Hokas were giving me any problems. I could tell my legs were being used differently in them, but I never felt the urge to take them off. They truly were like wearing marshmallows on my feet, and were extremely stable despite being 3 inches thick!! I would and plan to own them for certain. I was able to run again on Monday night and it felt great to loosen up after resting for two days. I think that's probably the best I have felt after going that distance, and I think the Hoka's have a lot to do with that. I posted pics of the shoes on fb and my friend John is credited with the phrase Hoka Poka....loved it too much not to reuse it. So...I did the Hoka Poka and I turned myself about for 11 hours...but it was only possible through the help of family and friends! I'm now working on plans for the 12.12.12 12 hour challenge! Stay tuned...