Can I get an Amen?!

Wow, I have missed this happiness over the past 12 weeks. I got in five miles on some damp trails in this perfect Indiana fall weather. The calming patter of raindrops in the tree canopy above was my playlist. I won a staring contest with a healthy second year whitetail buck, it's two tined antlers showing his age. It felt like I was the graceful deer bounding down the wet but not yet muddy single track. I am so grateful to be back on the trails and am incredibly thankful to God. He took me out for a reason and He gave me that clarity of that reason today.

See, there is no time that I feel closer to God and his creation than when I'm trail running. There is no other facet of life in which I can so appreciate the living, breathing, working organism that is my body. No other facet of life in which I can experience the simple freedom of movement, breath, and life. But for so long that was the extent to which I connected to God. During this period of being out I've been moved to become active in my church, to reach out and connect with other believers, and more importantly to grow closer to God through prayer, worship, scripture and being among other Christians.

Honestly, I haven't been this content of a person since I was a teenager pre-drinking days. He knew I was ready, but that I wouldn't give the time to see what He wanted with all the focus I was placing on running. There was no intent on my part to slow down, so he helped slow down the running with a case of ITBS that came out of no where and without warning. This body is weak and can be lost at anytime. I've learned I can continue to not drink, to be content, to find happiness even without being able to run. One of my biggest fears in this new sober life, one that I worried about almost daily, was what would I do if I could no longer run? Would I be able to continue not drinking? Would I be able to be happy? Seriously, we're all a car accident away from never walking again. I was at a loss for what would happen to my life; now I'm not worried at all.


AMEN!

Eagle Creek Polar Plunge 2012

Before the plunge. Notice how the rescue workers are dressed.

The day has arrived and I survived. Still have 10 fingers and 10 toes and a few hours later I'm able to type this, a success it was. I had been interested in doing an official Polar Plunge this Winter just to do something different and a little crazy. The first thing that came up on my Google search was an event held close to my home and for a great cause, the Indiana Special Olympics. Most people probably don't realize that it's not free to participate in these games. While many families may be able to pay for their loved ones, there are many more who cannot and deserving people who could benefit greatly from being a part of the Special Olympics.

The kids and I pre-costume change and plunge.

Kids and the Polar Plunge Bear.

I decided to test my body heat armor theory by running the 5 miles from my house to the beach where I would later be charging the frozen water. I was warm after the first mile, the sun was shining, the wind was calm. Then I hit the lake and suddenly there was a constant 30 MPH wind. I figured I would register and hit some trails to keep the warmth until dip time. Nope, I needed to wait in line with several hundred other people to get registered (my only complaint of the entire event). They should have formed lines by last name like most packet pick ups for bigger races and events. But, they did a great job anyway and everyone there was a volunteer or fundraiser. I raised $175 dollars for the Special Olympics. Everyone was supposed to raise at least $70 to participate. A big thank you to all the event volunteers, everyone was friendly and helpful and made sure to thank all the fundraisers for taking part.

 
Stripping down and showing off those pasty runners legs. I am not photogenic. I'm also pretending it's not cold.

Eventually everyone got registered and the events were under way. There was a costume contest, but I skipped out despite dressing up. Everyone who was doing the contest was part of a team and I didn't want to be the only solo. And one other thing, Miss Indiana and Miss Indiana teen where the contest judges. Parading around in Daisy Dukes being judged by beauty pageant winners was not on this runners agenda. Next year there will be a Daisy Duke squad! The contest winners were four guys dressed up like professional wrestlers: Hulk Hogan, Macho Man Randy Savage, and some unknowns. Second place was a family dressed up like loofahs. The dad gave my props and threw me knuckles for the daisy dukes.

Saluting the crowd (summoning courage).

Onward to the plunge. I was grouped with some other solo dippers. They put everyone in a big tent out of the wind, grouped us off by teams, and sent us out in waves to hit the water. Official reports were the water was as cold as it gets, 33 degrees. Topped off with temperatures in the 20's and 30 mph winds, this polar plunge was no joke. Some people only got in to there midsections. I made sure to dive under water twice. Your brain literally turns off when you are that cold. I couldn't figure out which direction to go once out of the water and only knew I wanted to run, get some pictures, and get dry. The sun felt like a warm blanket and as my skin warmed up it felt like I was being poked by a million needles. Honestly, I didn't hurt. The whole experience was a lot of fun and I'm proud to have been a part. Next time I want you there with me representing the Daisy Dukes.

CHARGE!

Proof I made it under water, look for the splash and the foot sticking out.

Shaking it off, brrrrrrrrrrrrrr...

Just keep running, just keep running, just keep running.

Thanks for reading!

Planet Adventure Winterfest Trail Marathon Race Report

I'm gonna spit out the detail everyone is looking for right off. I finished in 2:11:25 for 65th place out of 228 half marathon runners. I finished 9th in my age group of 25-29 year old males. My splits were 1:07 for the first and 1:04 for the second loop. Ok now that you have the official results, on to all the fun details that made this race great.


So I arrived to Eagle Creek right around 5:00 to get signed in and pick up my race packet. This was my first Planet Adventure sponsored race so I wasn't sure what to expect, but let me tell you I was impressed. These guys know how to put on an event. The total field (quarter, half, and full marathoners) was limited to 500 runners and sold out weeks before the event. Who knew there were 500 people crazy enough to run a night time trail race on a freezing January night? My point here, the race was not overcrowded and not to small, it had a great feel.

This is a really cool race trailer setup at the start finish line. The two flat screens on the left show a detailed course map including mileage and aid stations. The two screens to the left (and they switched over one of the maps after the race started) displayed live race results for the quarter, full, and half. It was really cool to see how you placed and your splits immediately after running. If you had friends running you could track how they were doing. Very classy setup and much more than I ever expected.

Quick shot of the start finish. It was a bib chip timed event. The bib did not need returned post race which is nice to not have to worry about.

We all gathered for pre-race instructions at 5:40. I was busy looking for all my blogger, daily mile, and runner friends. I did catch on important detail, and one I had pretty much expected, the course was muddy. In fact, we were told 2-3 inches of standing water and mud in places. I think Matt also mentioned quarter marathoners should just wear spikes and they would breeze right through it. More coverage on the mud to come. I was able to find Ben L. and Dan pre-race, but everyone else was bundled up due to the sub freezing temperature and I sadly wasn't able to recognize. The quarter marathoners started their run at 6, and the us halfers were to be off at 6:10. The daylight was still fading, but the headlamp was on for me and most others anyway. 

I contemplated where I should start the race, front pack, mid pack, or back. I wanted to avoid the temptation to take off too fast, but had been concerned all week about the first mile, it's the most tightly winding single track on the course and I feared it wold bottle neck. I started back of the mid pack section, biggest mistake of the night as it would turn out. Just as I feared, it bottlenecked hard as people tried to avoid the muddy spots. First mile was a 12:50 when I planned for a 10:00. I was fortunate in where I started to pick up a new running friend Chris. A tall lanky bearded fella. We paced well together and made good conversation. Chris had quit smoking about a year ago and got back into running. Tonight was a training run for him as he has aspirations to run the Winona 50k this spring (another Planet Adventure race). Cool, one more person who found running as a way to help overcome unhealthy habits. Hmmm, there might be something to this.

We got to the part of the course that on the map looks like you are going to run on the water. There is actually a wide gravel pressed levee that runs through a bird sanctuary section of the lake. This was by far the coolest section of the race as you could see the streams of headlamps and runners across this nearly mile long section. We were also able to pick up pace and start moving at our own speed. We turned in a sub 9 across the levee and up the long slow hill to the next aid station. I had planned to take a gel and water at this point, but was going to rely on the aid station gel. Since we were already behind my schedule I didn't want to take anytime at the station and grabbed a cup of heed, poured it down, and kept on running.

By this point, complete darkness had set in. My headlamp was working well and there were plenty of runners in front of us so that we knew which general direction the trail would be going. Now, here comes the mud. This next section of the course is almost always wet to some degree until late Summer. Ben and I had been talking all week about how we would rather the temps stay below freezing all week so that it would be a frozen over swamp. Well, it had been above freezing the last few days, rained a good bit, and all the snow and sleet from mid week had melted. There was literally a shoe sucking mud mile. I had thus far kept my feet dry jumping over puddles. At this point, there was no jumping over. I started by trying to find a dry path, but eventually gave up and charged right ahead. I made the mistake of following some other runners around the biggest longest puddle on the course and found myself ducking through brush.

Chris and I along with another runner who enjoyed my pace finished the first lap (6.55 miles) grabbed a bottle of water and headed into round 2. This time no bottleneck through the first mile, but it's still the tightest , turniest, rootiest mile of the course so a slowed pace to keep upright was necessary. I had one close call on a downhill where I was about to run off the trail and literally bear hugged a big tree to keep from falling. I got to the levee again and realized I had lost Chris. I also noticed that at this point there were very few other runners in my vicinity and things were noticeably darker. I got passed by a full marathoner just before the lake, but other than that I was doing all the passing and it felt pretty good.

I was feeling great at this point and focused in on watching my light and the ground in front of me. I was able to keep great form by watching my light. The less it bounces, the smoother and lighter you are running. My sole focus at points was keeping that light sailing without a bounce. I also noticed other peoples lights bouncing from side to side and knew they had to be struggling. Right at mile 9.3 I got a shot of runners high. I felt it start in my head with a happy thought, and then seconds later could feel the shot of endorphines coursing through my veins to my extremities. Now, I've never mainlined anything (not counting surgery) but I imagine it feels a lot like that, only no downside to this high, I just started running faster and smiling. It couldn't have come at a better time, because the longest hill on the course was coming up coming off the lake and back into the trails.

Round two of the mud was much more difficult. This time I did it with a no holds barred full on charge through the center of it all I'm not sorry for splashing you attitude. The mud was muddier, the water was colder. At one point I was wet up to my knees and it felt like a million tiny needles stabbing my feet and legs. Thank God for smartwool socks and awesome tights. It only lasted a few seconds. My Kinvaras also don't hold water (literally) and stayed pretty light. However, running through the mud was like skating. Every step my foot would slide an inch or two. I wore my Garmin and knew my sub 2:10 race was attainable, but I had to keep it up through the mud. The little voice were telling me to stop, but I said heck no and powered on.

I went almost a mile without seeing another runner anywhere in front of me, but was determined to find more people to pass. Finally I saw a light and set a goal, pass this guy. It took me probably 3 minutes, but I caught up and passed just before the creek crossings. I came upon a couple of other runners who knew I was determined (pretty sure I was grunting and swearing as I made the creek crossings and jumped all the logs on this part of the trail) and they just got out of my way, sweet. I saw the sign for mile 6, which this time meant mile 13 and I really picked it up. I found one more poor guy to pass, hit the opening in the trees and full on sprinted the last 50 yards to finish and let out a loud and rowdy howl which was awesomely returned by others. Wow that felt great. And hello, my mom brought my kids to and they saw me finish! Best part of the entire race was hugging each of them.

I'm extremely proud of my finish and know there is much more I can do. I will be back for this event next year. Thanks to Planet Adventure, Eagle Creek, all my new running friends and family!