Day 3,645 —4th time! Best Time! Part IV —

 

When I was running this morning, I was thinking about how I am about to have officially 10 years of streaking in 8 days! For some reason, I thought I had already hit 10 years, but I must have been thinking that I was in my 10th year.

 

I was reflecting more about a structure for my race videos and write-ups. I want to start doing ratings for different aspects of the course. The categories could be the terrain, the elevation, the marking, the aid stations, the weather, and the food and hydration at the aid stations. I haven’t finalized exactly what the categories will be, but tomorrow, or the next day, I plan to have a write-up specifically about that. Here, is the last installment of the actual race:

 

         Lap 4

 

It felt good making it to the last lap, but knowing it was close to 1 a.m. was discouraging. I knew I was not only going to finish probably closer to 26 hours, but also, I was bringing up the back of the pack. The races started with 22, but I heard already 11 had already dropped out, so I was out there on my own, still moving but still in 6th or 7th place as of an 11.

 

          I was listening to music in the last lap, but I was so sick of wearing my headphones, so I was over it. Although, I needed a distraction. I decided to play my music out loud like all the cool kids. Normally, I am so shocked whenever I see anyone doing this?! Now, I am doing it.

          I played music loud and sang along to the songs for most of this lap. It would be odd and embarrassing normally, but I figure I am in the woods and there isn’t anyone else around, who cares?

          So, in a way, it was kind of freeing to sing along to my favorite songs as I kept moving. It was at the very least distracting. Now, when I was starting to feel negative (this is so stupid!). I at least had a direction of something to focus on. I was starting to feel that the finish line was close, but at the same time, I kept reminding myself how much 20 + miles is.

 

“Sure, you’re over 80 % done, but you still have a lot more to run! And aren’t you embarrassed if you finish around noon?” Man, that voice is never happy with anything I do. I just focused on moving.

 

          Suddenly, I noticed two lights in front of me. “Who could it be?!” Is it another 100-mile runner? Could I finally be passing someone?! It had been hours since I had seen another runner. When I got closer, I saw a woman standing with her light on looking over another woman who was lying on the ground.

          “Is everything okay?!” I probably shouted not knowing how to process what I was seeing.

          “She is just taking a 5-minute nap.”

          “Oh, okay, so you’re her pacer?”

The woman nodded. I hadn’t seen either of them in a long time, but the woman taking a nap, I remember seeing on the first lap. I immediately recorded a video for my daughter telling her what I saw. She had kept telling me that if she were to run on a trail all night, she would go to sleep. I told her that I would not be sleeping on the trail; however, this woman was, and I thought she would think it was funny.

          I hope this doesn’t sound hateful to those who sleep on the trail. To each their own! It is not something I have ever been inclined to try but if it works, it works and so much of running is figuring out what works for you.

 

I honestly don’t know how I would sleep for part of a race, but if I plan to run a 200-mile race, I will need to figure that out. My main complaint about the 200 + mile race right now is how expensive they are. They are in the thousands of dollars.

 

          The sun was coming up, and I was fast approaching the last aid station! This was it! Only 8 miles left! When I got there I stopped for a minute if not less to just get a bit more water, and then I was running up the hill. Jack was at the aid station! I thought I wouldn’t ever see him again, but here he was plugging along.

          He told me that he was done running and that he wasn’t even going to try to chase me. I told him how well he was doing and kept moving. I was feeling good and running now. The next section was the rocky parts with a lot of downhills and uphill, and I was planning to run down those hills as fast as I could.

          I made it to the top of the hill and there were two other runners I hadn’t seen in a long time. They were both walking, and I just felt energized. I didn’t know what place I was in now, but I figured I had to be close to the top 3, which I thought was impossible only a little while ago.

          Now, I was pushing it and running as hard as I could. I was thinking about how I need to run at least a mile today anyway, so why not now?!

 

I was screaming at the trail now and pushing my legs down with my hands as I went up the big hills. I didn’t want to look behind me, but I felt like the 3 runners I just passed had to be right behind me.

 

I made it back to the Roundhouse aid station and one of the workers there told me she checked the package, and the hash browns were safe for me to eat! I felt so bad telling her that I wasn’t hungry anymore, but it was the truth. My stomach had stopped wanting food about two hours ago, and I wasn’t predicting that things would change any time soon. I thanked her profusely for checking and kept moving!

 

I just hit 101 miles, and I was trying not to be too mad that I still had 3 to go. My 100-mile time was a little after 25 hours, so that means I would be over 26 when I finished. I didn’t hear anyone behind me, and doing some math, I figured I probably banked about 10 minutes from running down those hills. When I saw the pavilion, I wanted to cry, I knew I was less than a half mile now, and I started moving as fast as I could.

 

When I got to the end, the race director and a few people were there to congratulate me. My dad was sitting in his chair and got up to record me as I was walking away to sit down. I was still wondering what place I came in when someone came by to tell me I was 3rd male and gave me the huge belt buckle! I usually don’t drink, but I sipped on a beer (which made me gag). I really should have gotten something else. There were plenty of other options!

 

I wanted to stay until Jack made it to congratulate him. He made it about 15 minutes later, still moving, still looking strong. I left shortly after and went home with the aspiration to take a shower but feeling better than I have felt in a long time.

 

Lap 4

 

Distance—104 miles

Lap time—7:23:00

 

Average Pace—17:02/mi

 

Race Time—26:15:08

Time of Day—8:15 a.m.