Day 4,532—1 Run until the Run Rabbit Run 100 and Leaving Today—

 

Start time: 4:30 a.m.

Weather: High 70s wind 1.8  mi/h, Humidity 83%

       It is hard to realistically think about how cold it is supposed to get in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Still, I have received an alarming number of emails about carrying cold-weather gear because of possible snow and hail. I keep checking the weather, and even if there is a 20-degree drop in the mountains, there is no way that it would be cold enough for rain or hail to stick on the ground. It theoretically could snow and hail, but temperatures range between the 40s and 60s most days, which is usually an ideal running temperature; this year, it looks like it is going to rain every day I am there except Sunday, when I head home.  

I didn’t sleep well last night. I had my first scary dream in recent memory where I dreamed that one of my kids got hurt. It was horrifying, and I woke up around 2 a.m. I know I am just nervous about this race and all the things that can go wrong, but it is one thing to know it and another to convince my brain of that.

the Plan

        I plan to drive home as soon as possible after work and leave between 3 and 3:30 p.m. I don’t know how realistic that is, but I am over 90 percent packed. There always seems to be one more thing that I remember I forgot when I think about it too long, but I might have had a breakthrough when packing last night. Never mind; this is at least the 18th 100-mile race that I have packed for. It still doesn’t feel like I have a good system, but last night I stopped. I turned off my audiobook and searched my mind for the distraction that kept me from focusing, and there it was: I needed to start with my race-day pack, next my drop bags, and lastly all the other stuff. I kept trying to do it the other way, but my mind kept stopping me and redirecting me to those three packs first.

        I plan to arrive in Salina, Kansas before 11 p.m. tonight. Thursday morning, I want to leave for Steamboat Springs between 7 and 8 a.m. on Thursday, so I can go to the campground first and then make it to the race meeting by 6 p.m. Wish me luck! I am so nervous about all the things that can go wrong, but is this race any more precarious than the Octopus 100 in Florida? I don’t think so, just different.

P.S. I couldn’t fit my extra shoes in my drop bag, so if my shoes break, I am just going to be out of luck.