Dr Horton said, at the newbie's meeting last Friday night, that we would make mistakes. He was right. Horton recommended that we start at the back of the crowd and that was certainly my intention. I lined up about 2 minutes before the race started and honestly thought that I was among the back of the pack. Apparently, the crowd grew, " behind me". Once the race started, imagine my surprise when everyone around me ran all the way up that first hill. (fast). I'd read all the previous race report warnings about that first hill and the bottleneck, but I didn't heed the advice. I was determined to keep up. That was my first mistake. I've been dealing with painful plantar fascitis and knew it could affect my performance. Sure enough, a couple of miles in, I took my first fall. A polite runner behind me offered his hand. I took it, dusted the dirt and leaves from my tights and started running again. There was after all a 3:45 cut off to make. The first cut off was my main concern, but the fatigue I was already aware of had me worried. I knew about the 2nd cut off, but had not given it much thought. I knew I if I could make the first cut off, then I'd be home free. Just before I reached the first aid station, a friend of mine caught up with me. I was shocked because I knew I should have started behind him not ahead of him. I took another fall about a mile after the first aid station. I just didn't see the root... that is until it was 2 inches from my face. Every time I fell, it took a little more wind out of my sail and the pain in my foot worsened. Except for one more fall, I managed to stay upright until the turn around. I had to push hard to make the first cut off but I did it with only had 5 minutes to spare. As I grabbed food and drink I asked someone that looked informed, (whatever that is), "where and when was the next cut off"? I was told it was the next aid station at 12:00. Finally, I knew I could pace my-self straight to the finish line. I made the next aid station at 11:30. 'Woo Hoo" 30 minutes early. Plus, I had been traveling at a comfortable pace. I knew I would finish this race and take home the Patagonia. I love Patagonia! I calculated the times I should arrive at each of the aid stations, in order to make the 8 hour finish. I counted down the miles as I approached the second aid station around 12:35. By this time my Plantar F. was screaming at me. It was mile 24. One of the very nice race workers, informed me that I missed the 12:15 cut off. They were packing up and offered me a ride back to the 4H Camp. I was shocked because I had asked at the turn around and was told the wrong time and the wrong aid station. Dr. Horton talked about the cut offs last night at the race briefing. He said we HAD to make the cut offs! NO EXCEPTIONS!!! I believed him. There was really no excuse, I had all the information but did not read it carefully enough. I should have known, BEFORE the race. That was my second mistake. Although, the race worker offered me a ride, I knew I had to complete the distance on foot. I must admit that I walked much of the last 8 miles. Partially because there wasn't a clock to beat anymore, but mostly because of my PF. Running had become extremely painful. When I reached the finish line at 8:35, there were no cheering crowds, no time clock, no Dr Horton, no food and oh yes, no Patagonia. Instead, I was greeted with a warm embrace by my husband and children. Eric, my husband, told me how proud he was that I finished the distance. Ahh, life was good again. Yes, I did the distance, but the battle is far from over. I WILL return to Holiday Lake. I have a score to settle. There is a time clock to beat and Patagonia to earn. First, I must get this foot healed, but mostly, I must train better and smarter. I had the privilege to see all the faster and fitter runners as they flew past me on their way back to the finish line. They were encouraging with their comments and it was my honor to share the same beautiful trail with them. Vickie Fogleman |