Notes
The short version:
First trail iron race for my butterfly wings…21.7 miles (22.14 per my garmin). The Sunflower Relay and Iron Event takes place in the lovely Methow Valley, WA. The trail begins at 1900 feet, with two climbs to 2600 feet and a quick drop to the finish line at about 1600 feet.
My goal: to finish it under 5:00 hours.
Finish Time: 4:46:21
Fashion report: New Balance Capri tights, Eugene 2007 finisher shirt, Eugene cap, butterfly earrings, earth tone lipstick and Red Door perfume.
The long version:-warning this is long...
I have known about this event for many years, but I never felt I was fit enough to tackle it since the course has a huge elevation gain and a mean descent to the finish line. But after all my winter training this year I felt that I was ready to spread my wings and try to iron the event, even when I just ran a marathon two weeks ago.
So, I studied the course, the elevation gain and losses and crafted a plan that would work for me. My goal was to just aim at running from one leg of the race to the next (somehow my mind was accepting this idea over the idea of running 22 miles so soon after a marathon). My plan was well imprinted in my memory, so this morning when it came time to implement it, I was ready for it.
The Course
This unique course begins at 1900 feet elevation in Mazama and includes deer trails, cow paths, bike routes and paved roads. I took in stunning views of the Methow River, North Cascades and Chelan Sawtooths and flower carpeted meadows and fields. At two points racers climb to 2600 feet and drop quickly to the finish at about 1600 feet in Twisp. Total race length is 21.7 miles.
The Scenery was absolutely breath taking (sorry no pictures, I forgot my camera in the car) The balsam roots, blue bells, penstemon, and others were at their best as if they were showing off and giving their “salud” to the runner. I saw several deer, a grouse, heard so many birds singing their beautiful songs as I myself was trying to sing my own rendition of Cielito Lindo and other favorite songs that always come to mind when I am in the woods.
The implementation of the plan:
Leg 1: 3.1 miles, moderately difficult: the race starts at this quaint farm that is used as a Bed and Breakfast. How nice of the owners to allow 300+ runners to invade their privacy. After some housekeeping the announcer said…”good luck runners” and off we went. Then they say moderate to difficult they were not joking. After a flat start, the trail took us up to a steady climb crossing snowy meadows and fallen trees. My focus was to keep a steady pace and not take off too fast since this was my first trail run of the year. At one point on this leg we ran along Patterson Lake, which is a favorite fishing hole for the locals. I waved at the fishermen as I passed by. The trail here was along the bench above the lake.
Leg 2: 4 miles, moderately difficult: actually this was one of the easiest legs, just nice and gentle ups and downs along Forest Service roads. I have skied in this area before so it was fun to be running in this area. At this point I was just focusing on forms, trying to stay relaxed, stay hydrated and keep the fuel in control since the weather was starting to warm up. This relaxed, steady pace allowed me to stay calm and in control (well sort-of) when the next leg and the first monster hill came up.
Leg 3: 4.4 miles, difficult, strong runner required: When I say monster I am not kidding. When I saw the incline, my heart beat a bit faster at what was coming up. The trail in t his section is so steep that even walking it kept my HR above 170. I knew that this is where the rubber met the road for me. I could get a ride back to town at the next intersection or toughen up and keep going. I choose the later. Just a steady, relaxed pace took me to the next leg. I was never so happy to finish 4 miles in my life.
Leg 4: 2.3 miles, easy, good for young runner: this was not only the easiest leg, but also the one with the most wild flowers and young trees. Here I just cruised and even kept a MP during the whole leg. The trail here was muddy and one could even see a few snow patches at the side of the trail. The valley here was awe-inspiring.
Leg 5: 2.8 miles, difficult: Just as I was getting really in to a faster pace, there came the next monster hill. By this time the legs were trashed and a bit wobbly. I took another Gu (for which my stomach did not thank me for) and started my slow ascent to the top. My mind seriously was in the “zone mode” here…the sunflowers tried to inspire me…but the body was too uncomfortable to enjoy it. Eventually I conquered the hill and came to the summit. The hard labor was worth it since when I came to top of the hill the view of the Sawtooth range greeted me with its splendor. The trail here took us by a lake; we ran through private property, had to go over cattle guards and pass through wire fences. The hip was not happy to bend down to go through the fence. At this point I took another Gu, and once again I was reminded that I need to figure out another source of fuel for my long runs since my stomach does not accept the Gu once it is stressed out.
Leg 6: 5.1 miles, very difficult, extreme downhill sections: At the aid station they told us that all is downhill from here. The mind was happy to hear this and I was just gliding down the trail until I came up to a bend and what did I see?…another hill, and another fence to bend down to cross (as I was crossing the fence, I overheard another runner praying “Hail Mary” aloud. I probably would have done the same, if I new the prayer. By this time the muscles on the hip and legs were so tight that bending down was a torture. The trail dipped down, straight downward to the finish line. The quads hurt, the toes hurt, but the beauty of the land made me forget all of this and allowed me to drink in the beauty of my surroundings. My heart was filled with joy and I cried because I was so thankful for the gift of running.
My thoughts:
It was interesting to see my thought pattern as I ran in the wild. Sometimes I let random thoughts come into my mind such as what I did yesterday or what I wanted to do tomorrow. Most of the time I maintain a conscious connection with my body so I can continue moving forward with a sense of effortlessness, comfort, and natural flow. I concentrated on my breathing; the relationship of my feet to the ground; the position of my hands; my arms; my jaw; and constantly monitored the sights, sounds and feelings of the world around me. I did not let my mind be preoccupied on how much more I had to run; the steepness of the next leg or whether I should push it much harder. I was able to maintain this awareness through the whole race. This, my friend, was a huge victory for me.
Thanks for reading and for being my: fellow" in the journey of running.
"Training is a case of stress management. Stress and rest, stress and rest. " Brooks Johnson
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