A Test of Endurance

On November 1, 2010 I sat down at my computer at precisely 7:57 am to log on to Active.com.  And then I waited until 8 am on the nose.  The link to register was live.  I clicked it, my personal data and payment method pre-populated on the forms.  I selected my option and 'bing!' I was in. 
The Uwharrie Mountain Run has become extremely popular and sells out within minutes.  It's held in the Uwharrie National Forest which is somewhere in the middle of NC near Troy and Asheboro.  They must limit the amount of runners on the trail.  Some people call it a bucket list race.  There is an 8 mile, 20 mile, and 40 mile option.  8 miles just did not seem like enough for me.  With no intermediate option I had to select the 20 mile race.  This would take me from point to point on the course.  The 40 mile is out and back.  Here is the elevation profile.  It looks fun, doesn't it?  Up and down, up and down.  There couldn't be a better way to spend a day in February.

As follows are photos and excerpts from my official race report.  It rained for probably 36 hours leading up to the start of the race, literally. 

Loading up the car at 3:30 am for the trip.

Self portrait - waiting in the car before race check-in.

The lake waiting outside the car door.

I ran the race with Danny from my Y running group.  We've done a couple training runs and track workouts together.  Our paces are fairly well matched.

After a 30 minute delay due to shuttle bus issues, the 20 mile race started.  Danny and I had plans to conserve energy: walk hills, run the flats and downhills.  It was a smart plan to survive the expected terrain of lots of mud and swollen creeks.

We got to the 8 mile finish/aid station in very good spirits.  Our support team, my long run training partner Steve and friend and race volunteer Jessi, were there cheering and snapping pictures.  Smile for the paparazzi!  Note, in trail races pretty much everyone stops at aid stations.  It's the norm.

The next section had a fallen tree to play the role of a bridge.  With my fear of heights and serious lack of balance, I babystepped across it.  I strongly considered sitting down and scooting across.  We soldiered on to the next aid station.  There were always fabulous snacks, drinks, and people.  Pepsi, Mountain Dew, Heed, water, cookies, trail mix, fruit, you name it - they had it. 

One memorable stream (of the dozens) had to be more than 10 feet wide and 2 feet deep.  We savored it like a mid-race ice bath.  It felt great on my ankle and calves.  The next couple miles were straight up.  No switch backs.  Just a slow, slow climb up a rocky mountain. 

My lower back hurt A LOT.  I look so happy at mile 17.5.

We got to the last aid station of the race after mile 17.  My friend Steve joined to get us to the finish line.  He took more pictures while we struggled through the last miles.  The mud never stopped.  It sucks your foot in and the last reserves of energy with it.  So many of the trails had turned into streams too.  We pressed on eager to stop and rest.  My lower back would be so thankful.  All of the early mornings, long training runs, and nutrition strategy trials paid off.  I was in very good spirits and no signs of a bonk.

Unlike any race I've ever done, the final stretch is uphill.  Cruel, just cruel, but totally expected on this course.  You won't get that awesome sprint to the finish line out here.  You pretty much just want to lie down and take a nap.  Finally we were done!  We could stop.  How in the world could anyone turn around and go all the way back?  That takes a special kind of crazy. 

We got our finisher's pottery, cups of hot cocoa, PB&J sandwiches, banana chunks, etc.  Danny climbed in a shuttle van with the sign: "Dead Legs Express - You act up, you walk back".  I doubt he had the energy for any acting up.  I could barely change into dry clothes.  I have no idea how he was going to drive all the way back to Raleigh.

See, I made it out of there - with a smile on my face!

It was so hard to get this gear off. 

Today I am at home trying to remember when I injured my finger that has a cut and is all bruised and swollen, hobbling around on my ankle that I rolled multiple times during the race, walking down the stairs backwards, and wondering when my next epic trail run will be.