I had amazing support and I wouldn't have been so successful if it wasn't for my crew. I ran this race as a fundraiser for the Blue Knights Drum and Bugle Corps (http://www.givingfirst.org/runbeckyrun). I'll start at the beginning...
Lisa Land picked me up from my house and drove me to Boulder because I knew I wouldn't want to drive after the race. She said she'd drive me to and from the race. We arrived and I checked in and got my race number, 171. Mark Arnold, the director of the Blue Knights, was already there and I got to arrange all my race gear in the RV that he so generously brought. It was time for the pre-race meeting and then I was off for my first 24 hour run!
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| Mark Arnold in the RV |
I ran the first loop (7.14 miles) with Lisa Hayen and Tammy. It was great running slow and easy and checking out the loop that I'd be running over and over again. I was really happy to know there weren't any technical or hilly areas. At the turn around point, there was a fully stocked aid station that was managed by BIPR (Boulder Institute of Psychotherapy). Each time I ran back to base camp, my crew took my empty bottle and replaced it with a full one. They gave me everything I needed and made me eat. It was really hot (maybe up to 84 degrees) and my stomach didn't want to eat much but I started getting muscle cramps so I knew I better listen to my crew. At one point, Mark Arnold even rode his bike out to me on the course to bring me Tums for my upset stomach.
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| My mom and dad surprised me! |
It's hard to think of the race in loops now because I did 12. They sort of blur together. I had so many friends come out to support me. Diane and DeWayne and their beautiful girls were so much encouragement. My parents came out and surprised me! Don Engle came to cheer me on. Erin McElrath and her husband came out and jogged some with me! I ran 6 laps (42 miles) without pacers.
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| Running with Diane |
Once I had pacers, those laps became much more distinctive. My first pacer was Jennifer Arnold, an Iron Man. This was an awesome loop because there was the most beautiful sunset. And when we finished the lap, I hit 50 miles...in 10 hours and 50 minutes (a PR for me). Mark Arnold and his daughter ran with me for my 8th loop. They were so encouraging and kept me going and made me replenish all the liquids I had lost in the hot sun.
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| Finished 50 mile...ready for more! |
The 9th loop I had Molly Pickett, Brandon Pickett, and Mark Perna to pace me. These friends all marched Blue Knights with me. It was like running with my own party. A great time! My toes were really hurting and Molly did the unthinkable. She looked at my gross feet and taped my toe. I think I'll be losing all the toenails on my left foot. Thank you, Molly!!! It made the pain go away.
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| Molly, Mark Perna, me, and Brandon Pickett after 64 miles |
Then it had to be about midnight and Michelle Hancock came for the longest shift (21 miles), laps 10-12. Michelle was wonderful. I was getting tired and she got me through a tough time of being cold and less than jovial. She gave me spelling tests, sang with me, told me funny stories, and tricked me into running faster by telling me there were alligators in the reservoir. I knew that I would experience a hard time during the race and was really relieved it didn't last longer than it did. The darkness, the soreness, and the cold were tough. Michelle made it bearable.
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| Michelle, Lisa, and I (not sure when) |
For my final lap, we picked up Lisa Land (who was sleeping in her suburban). I was moving at a snail's pace by now and didn't feel like talking much. It was great having both Michelle and Lisa because I could just listen to their conversation. That last 7 miles felt so slow and like I wasn't making any progress. When we hit the turn around, I knew I only had 3.5 miles to go...a little more than a 5k. On the dam, I saw two people walking toward us. It was my sister and her boyfriend. Oh man, that was a real pick-me-up. I started running again. When I hit the asphalt part of the course, I knew I had less than a mile. The sun was up and my amazing support was waiting for me at the RV. I got to finish the race with my amazing crew, the Arnold family, Lisa Land, Michelle Hancock, Angie Williams, Brian Leffler, and the Even family. This run was a team effort. I couldn't have gone as far without them. And I truly appreciate everyone spending the weekend with me and suffering from sleep deprivation to cheer me on at every loop, even in the middle of the night!
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| Finishing with my crew! |
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| Glad to be able to stop moving |
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| Most of my amazing crew! |
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| Celebratory Mimosas! |
Diane had celebratory mimosas for everyone and I finally got to sit down! I looked at my feet and my blisters really suck. It was about an hour until the award ceremony and I found out I had gotten 2nd place!
Wow! What an experience. I went into this race with a goal of 78.5 miles and managed to smash it with a whopping 85.68 miles in 22 hour and 51 minutes! And we raised $4,020 for the Blue Knights!
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| Running Robot! |
Lisa drove me home and I nodded off in the car. Thank you everyone who has supported me.
You can still donate to the Blue Knights at http://www.givingfirst.org/runbeckyrun
