This weeks run, it was decided, by me, myself and I, that I would cut back on distance. After last weeks grueling 15 miler, I wanted no part in over extending myself. I had obligations to attend to later in the day that would require some physical stamina, and couldn’t afford to spend everything I had on my Saturday Morning Ultra Team run (SMUT run). My plan was to go no longer than 12, but would be perfectly happy if that was only streached to 10.
As morning started to break on this warmer than cool morning, the pre-run social circle started making its way to the trailhead. There would be a horrific climb, as it seems there always is, to get the morning started. I took my usual place in the rear fairly quickly, wondering why I was even keeping company with this group of semi-elite long distance athletes. I am far from any of those words describing me, and have become so used to bringing up the rear, that I am considered the rear sweeper…on the short course. Needless to say, it is easy for me to get down on myself and my abilities when running with such an amazing group of people who can get the job done…effortlessly. So, very quickly in to beginning of a long morning, my monkey brain started it’s deragatory chatter. I’ll spare you the specifics.
The 2 plus mile hill was the begining challenge of the day. It really came down to me being left in the dust within the first 1/2 mile to negotiate my own performance. I kept telling myself if I just got to the top of the hill, I could turn around and log a respectable (in the average runners repetoir) 5 mile run and turn around and go home without anyone knowing any better. Every now and then, I’d look up and see a sillouette of the next closest runner against the new morning sky…It didn’t make it easier seeing the growing distance between myself and the back of the pack. My monkey was having a field day!
Arriving at the top, I was rewarded the most spectacular view of the desert valleys that surrounded me. The sun was just cresting, and the day was well on it’s way and gaining momentum. I could see the the rest of my pack a good mile ahead, arms waving as they tried to catch my attention and let me know I wasn’t being left behind completely. I slowely started towards them, thinking i could give my legs a break and negotioate some level trail before turning around and heading back to the car. As I continued on, i picked up the pace, realizing the worst part was over and I was on the best part of the course. Running a ridgeline that eventually dropped down into path that was literally cut out of the side of a mountain. It followed the contours of the mountains body, rolling curves on a single track line, mountain wall on my left side, plummeting cliff on my right. I continued onward and realized I was making good time on the small pack of runners in front of me. At mile 5, I finally caught them.
Reuniting with the short course group was the prize for the day. We continued on to explore a trail that headed us back to the cars. The GPS registered in at 9 miles. Being the first ones back gave us a rare chance to see the top runners arrive. Somehow seeing and hearing their same struggles gave us the right to be apart of this group of athletes. It was what I needed, next weeks ammo against the monkey.
