Taper week from the RD's perspective

As race day approaches and many runners are beginning to pack their race supplies, unpack, check that they have everything, then repack them only to repeat the process over the next day, things are also heating up on the planning side.  Our week is spent shopping for aid station supplies, collecting the generators and fuel, charging batteries, stuffing race packets...  Both the runners and the race officials have an endurance event ahead of them, and the finish line is equally as sweet from both sides.  

The volunteers who have taken time off of work to drive hours to spend the weekend out in the cold (and possibly wet) weather are dealing with pre race jitters just as if they were lining up to run the event.  Each of our Red Dirt volunteers is personally invested in aiding the runners in any way possible to ensure their success. You crossing the finish line is confirmation that they did their job.  They helped to keep you moving so you could achieve something amazing, and by doing so, you are paying them back many times over.  

When you go through the aid stations at Red Dirt Ultra this weekend, take a minute to look at the incredible people who are giving up their time and comfort because they love nothing more than to watch you succeed.  No matter how long it takes for you to finish, just finishing is a win in their eyes.

Our sport is special, like the people on both sides of the aid station table.  Remember how lucky you are to be out on a beautiful trail doing what you love this weekend.  See you guys Saturday.

Happy Running! 

Edie

Finding My Way

For years now, I have told people that I don't know what I want to be when I grow up (I am 46).  Over the last 6 months to a year, I have finally figured it out, and things are taking shape.  On February 4th, I will host my first trail ultra as a race director, the Red Dirt Ultra in Kisatchie National Forest.  I have put on various shorter races over the years for different causes, but this is my first ultra (any distance over a marathon (26.2)).

I have been asked many times over the last few weeks if I am nervous about it, and I can honestly say "no".  This really does feel like the most natural progression for me.  I love the sport.  I love the people who choose to participate in the sport.  I love being out in nature.  I love my friends who are generously offering to give up their weekend to help our runners succeed.

Next Thursday, we will begin arriving at Kisatchie to mark the 31 mile course and get the aid stations set up and stocked.  Runners will start pulling in Friday evening for early packet pickup and I will get to meet these amazing people and reunite with old ultra running buddies.

Saturday morning, we will be out there by 4 a.m. to set up and be ready for race day packet pickup, then we will hold a short trail briefing and they are off at 6 a.m.  Over 80 runners will take off onto a dark trail to attempt to achieve something amazing, running either 31, 62, or 100 miles.  Over 1/3 of the field is made up of folks attempting their distance for the very first time.

This will not be an easy race. I have run the 31 mile loop quite a few times, and it is challenging but beautiful, and incredibly peaceful.  When the runners cross the finish line and I get to put their medals around their necks, or hand them their belt buckles for the 100 miler,  there will be no doubt in my mind or theirs that they earned it.

The journey to this point has been filled with angels, people stepping up to help and offering services for the race that I would have never considered asking for.  So many wonderful people have reached out to be a part of this race, that it is not just mine, but ours.  Everyone that will be out there running and volunteering has ownership in the success of this race.

I am so ready to officially kick off this part of my journey.  The starting line for the runners is the figurative starting line for this amazing chapter in my life, and I am so grateful for the people that I get to share it with.

Mais, dats a BIG ditch

Grateful.  That's what I am.  I am grateful to have discovered running, and I am tremendously grateful for the people and experiences it has brought into my life.  It has given me a different perspective on things.  I have always been a very curious and adventurous person, and running fits into that perfectly. While some may be content to stand at the top of the Grand Canyon and look over at the other side and marvel at this wonder of nature, for years now, I have had a strong draw to see the Grand Canyon from a perspective very few experience - up close and personal.  I want to touch the walls of the canyon.  I want to stick my hands in the river at the bottom.  I want to feel the same burning in my legs and lungs that others have felt when attempting to traverse this amazing place.  And this year, I am going to attempt just that.

I, along with a few of my brave (some would say demented) cohorts are heading to the big ditch this fall to pay our respects to mother nature and soak in as much of her beauty as possible.  We are heading to Arizona to attempt the double crossing of the Grand Canyon.  I say "attempt" because there is absolutely no arrogance involved in this endeavor.  Yes, we have many ultra marathons between us.  Yes, we have spent quite a few hours inside the "pain cave" as they say, BUT...we also have the utmost respect for the challenge we are undertaking.

The double crossing is approximately 46 miles long.  Starting at the south rim, descending S. Kaibab Trail, crossing the bottom, ascending N. Kaibab Trail,  then turning around and doing it again, this time, ascending the south rim via Bright Angel trail.

After 23 ultras, including 4 - 100 milers, this is by far the scariest thing I have ever undertaken. And I can't freaking wait.  When I attempted my first ultra - a 50 miler - I did not know if I could finish it.   When I attempted my first 100 miler - I did not know if I could finish it.  Now, barring freak injury, I know I can do these things.  They are still enticing because I always want to do them better, but to have a big unknown on the schedule is exciting to me.  I am a big fan of self sufficiency, and the double crossing embodies this for me.  The motto of the Canyon is "Going down is optional.  Coming back up is mandatory."  There is no back up plan.  It is up to you to make the right decisions to insure your safe return to the top and to safety.  I can't express my excitement for this endeavor.

So, as my partners in crime and I contemplate a long summer of hills, hills, and more hills, all is right in the world.  Stars are finally aligning in my life.  My trail running company, Paix Running, is growing and my races are getting great buzz, my kids are healthy and happy, and my son (18) is doing his first 50k next February at Red Dirt.  Life is good, y'all!

I will attempt to keep you posted on my R2R2R training - if I can stay awake long enough :-).

Paix!

Edie

Something scary...

How do these things happen?  After my 100 miler at Rocky last year, I decided that since I had met my goal (sub 24), I would take a break from 100's, and only run races that I could finish without running through the night in 2014.  Well, that was before I got the message from Jeff Beck, RD Extraordinaire, asking me to be a part of the Forge Racing Team for the first year of the ThunderRock 100 in Tennessee.  You see, one thing you have to understand about me for any of this to make sense is that I NEVER pass up an opportunity to do something cool, and I am not afraid of failure which makes it easier to jump on board when something asinine like this is proposed. Don't get me wrong - I am not a fan of failure.  I actually dislike it very much and work really hard to decrease that possibility, but I am not afraid of it.  I would much rather look back on my life and say, "Well, I tried" rather than "I wonder what would have happened if...".

So, when I got the message from Jeff about TR late last year, it didn't take long for me to say yes.  Did I completely understand the task laid before me?  No.  Did it matter?  No.  What I did know is that I would be part of a team with two outstanding ultra runners, AD Marshall and Ed Melancon, and I was honored to be considered.  I have said it for years - the decision to do the thing is often harder than the actual doing of the thing. Once I make up my mind, the task is complete.  The rest is just details.

Then, last month, the race director (RD) of TR put up the elevation profile:

Yeah,  I'm not going to lie.  This made me laugh out loud for an entire day.  See, THIS is what happens when you jump at an opportunity.  You get presented with a beautiful challenge that you may not have accepted had you known all of the details.  I love my life, folks, and I do not believe in accidents.

So, with Rocky Raccoon 50 miler behind me (race report to come), I am officially in training mode for this bad boy.  I have an A-List pacer, Lane Gremillion, who has agreed to get me to the finish line, and I am very excited to meet this challenge head on.  How bad can it be?  I just have to get through the low spot that is named after Copperhead snakes because there are bunches of them there and get across the river at mile 81 that is "chest to neck deep", then it will be an easy 4 mile vertical climb then a gradual descent to the finish line.  Yep. Still makes me laugh.  Stupid makes for GREAT stories.

Happy Running Y'all!

Edie