Perspective from a Wannabe
A year ago, while training for my first marathon, I decided that I also wanted to try to complete an ultra. I’m sure it must have been during one of those euphoric running moments when you feel invincible. I asked Sandy if she wanted to sign up for one with me and being true ultra to the core she quickly agreed. We searched out some ultras that were relatively close to the area and decided on the Dirty Girls 12 hr race. An 8.05km loop of crazy hilliness during the night, it sounded perfect! Crazy, was what I heard from almost everyone I told, expect a few brave souls who decided they wanted to join us on the challenge. The Dirty Girls team consisted of Sandy Musson, Diane Harper, Stephanie Rupnow, Rick Preisigner, Lucie Renaud and myself, Rachel Wagner. And so the journey began.
We spent many hours on the trails at Batawa laughing, chatting, tripping, falling and exhausting our legs for the challenge we were going to undertake. Our fearless leader took a nasty tumble and did a number on her ankle only 5 weeks before race day. Not one to be down and out she was off and running almost within hours, albeit not without pain. Talk about being a trooper and practicing what you preach.
Finally race day came. A year of anticipation and the moment was finally here. Sandy, the 5 wannabe ultra runners and our amazing support crew, Janet Allaire, piled into the Tri & Run van. It was packed to overflowing with stinky trail shoes, untold numbers of clean, dry shirts and other running gear, a pharmacy’s worth of Tylenol and more food than we could all consume in week. We were ready to hit the road.
3 hours later we parked and headed to find registration, grabbed our race numbers and headed to secure our spot on the start/finish line. We set up a tent, table and laid out all our gear and food so it was all easily accessible for quick stops on our way through. We turned more than a few heads and had a few curious people stop by just to find out who we were. Then, in what felt like the blink of an eye, it was 5 minutes to race start.
We headed to the start line, chatted with fellow runners, took in all the Race Directors instructions and started out on our first loop. Rick and Lucie each ran solo and the other 4 of us stuck together. Within the first minutes we were already climbing a hill. We were trying to take in as much as we could knowing that the next time we passed by would be in the dark with only the lamps we brought to light the way. It was hill after hill after hill of beautiful trails and amazing scenery. Reaching the aid station at the 4km mark was the first mini milestone, we stopped briefly and then quickly headed on our way to see what the rest of the loop had in store for us. It wasn’t long before we came across a long descent, a hairpin turn that was quickly followed by a portion of the trail called “Dirty Runners' Pain”. And that it was. Almost 1km of an uphill climb on a washed out dirt road leading to another steep climb heading back to single track. Some really fun twists and turns were next to greet us and of course, more hills. By this time the sun was very low and it was getting difficult to see the trail. One more significant climb and a downhill was shortly followed by the opening to the start/finish line. We passed through and stopped at our very own aid-station to refill water bottles and fuel up.
The next 6 loops were in the darkness and coolness of the night. When we stopped we cooled down very quickly but warmed up just as quickly when we got back in the shelter of the trails and back to climbing those hills. I learned lots about my body during that night and dealt with GI “malfunctioning” for 4 or 5 loops. My body just wasn’t absorbing or processing any of the fuel I was putting in and it was painful. All the climbing, race nerves and the push of a big goal had my heart rate out of my optimal zone and I felt it. After lots of complaining, I finally took the advice I was being given and took the next loop a bit easier. I had a much better loop and started feeling a bit better. Just in time for the muscle pain to start. We had a goal of making 10 loops but we quickly realized that probably wasn’t realistic. We adjusted to our “backup” goal of 8 loops and Sandy was determined to make sure we met that goal.
Popping Tylenol helped to ease the various aches and pains we were all experiencing but for me it was very much a “mental” race. My emotions were all over the place and the conversations in my head were enough to drive a crazy person to the edge. Not that I haven’t experience that kind of stuff before but never this much during running. And even after the race it didn’t go away. There were a large number of factors that probably all lead to my state of mental mess but after a good night sleep it seems to have all passed, thankfully.
So, as the clock was passing 5am we were on our 7th loop and the sky was starting to get bright with the sunrise and it seemed moods were also rising. For me, it was knowing that 8am and the finish was now in sight. Finishing the 7th loop we made a very quick stop at our aid-station. With lots of support and encouragement from Janet we headed on our way one more time. Last full loop and we were pushing to make sure we met the 8am cut off. No more need for lights, the sun was lighting the way now. It seemed like forever since we saw the trails that were passing by under our feet and it was great to take in the sights again. The birds were singing, the forest smelled wonderful, with the exception of about 94 very stinky runners, and we knew it was the last time we’d have to climb Dirty Runners’ Pain. We stopped at the 4km aid-station and did a time check. We discovered we were way ahead of schedule and took a moment to discuss finishing the loop were we on and pushing forth to get credit for another 2km or slowing down and taking it easy on the last 4km. We all decided to slow down a bit and stop at the end of the 8th loop.
We ran into the finish line one last time, collected our hard earned medals, posed for some pictures and feasted on the best pancakes I’ve ever had, topped with homemade maple syrup.
Dirty Girls was an awesome race. It was very low key and laid back, the volunteers were fabulous, the aid-stations had pretty much everything you could imagine, the course was very well marked and the trails were fabulous. Plus it helps when you have great running friends and the best support crew. A great big thank you to each and every one of you.
So 64.4 km, 8 loops of endless hills, and I am now an ultra finisher. Not without the help and encouragement of many along the way. Another item crossed off the bucket list and it was worth every step. Off to Mont Tremblant next weekend to sign up for Ironman!
And just for fun..... it took a little while to get rid of my cankles :) but I didn't get any blisters or black toenails!
